Author notes: The quote below is not purely mine. I don't think so anyway. I never heard of anyone saying it so I guess I say its mine for now. If someone already has it, uh, I don't mean to copy! Anyway its relevant to what I'm writing.
"Mending a broken fence doesn't require one person alone. It requires many" Laura (Quick-demon)
Daxter saw the whole scene from a distance. 'Dark Jak' was now gone and left Jak helpless and at the mercy of Erol. 'Dark Jak' made things worse. It was suppose to help Jak! Not leave him when Jak needed it the most! Daxter refused to sit by and see his best friend die.
Daxter ran on all-fours towards Erol. Daxter wasn't the most courageous of people-or animals- but when it came to helping Jak he was there a 100. Well at least 99.9. Jak helped him through so much thin situations and he felt he owe it to Jak to do his part. He made the mistake of turning his back on Jak and he won't do it again.
Daxter jumped on Erol's shoulder and as hard as he could he sank his teeth into the man's neck. Erol yelled as immense pain stung his neck. Once again disrupted from his success one hand flew to the source. By that time Daxter already moved down Erol's back. His limps putting pressure on the sore and bleeding wounds. Erol grunted and growled as small bursts of pain shot from his back. He was distracted further and now was determined to kill the culprit.
Jak felt the pressure leave. His windpipe fought to unstick together and open up. Jak chocked and gasped to supply his lungs with air. Erol knew it was the little rat that he tried to kill earlier. His left hand still clasped over his bite wound on the left side of his neck, his hand was slick with blood. The other After close encounters with Erol's hand Daxter jumped off and poked his tongue out at Erol.
"You call yourself a Krimzon Guard! You can't even catch lil' ol' me!" Daxter teased
Erol growled, "You! For the second time interrupted me from my goal!"
"And for the second time you almost killed Jak!" Daxter growled
Daxter saw Jak recovering from his chocking. Just a little more and Jak will be ok to face Erol again...I hope.
"You'll pay for this!"
"Please put it on my bill"
Erol growled and removed his hand from his neck only to see blood squirting out. Daxter's eyes went wide in surprise. That sort of stuff happens in bad horror movies! Erol noticed and replace his hand on his neck.
Daxter just punctured Erol's main artery.
"Shit!" Erol shook with rage, "You little disgusting vermin!"
"Oooh big words! You deserve it! You deserve to die! You killed many innocent people and you deserve to die!" Daxter justified his actions
Daxter backed away to his Zoomerbike. Erol was going to die if he didn't plug that hole. It was one of the main blood vein's in the human body and it supplies blood to the brain. If punctured then it has potential to loose a lot of blood. The pressure makes it squirt like water from a squirt gun. Daxter didn't know he had the ability to drive his blunt teeth so far in, but then again, he did it out of anger and worry for his friend.
Erol's eyes narrowed "This isn't over!"
"No of course not!" Daxter backed away to the Zoomerbike as he saw Jak rise to regulate his lungs
Erol growled as Daxter powered the vehicle. Erol reached for his side and found a familiar grip. In one swift movement Erol pulled out his gun and fired upon Daxter. Daxter ducked lower on the Zoomer as the bullets connected with the metal the vehicle made a whacking sound. Daxter barraged right into Erol again. Despite two earlier attempts to run Erol down the commander always survived. Perhaps it was his breast plate or it's natural that Erol is a pain in the ass and wont die.
Erol lost his gun. Daxter flew over to Jak.
Erol couldn't kill Jak now, without his gun. He was aware, he wasn't handicapped with drugs, he had his rodent friend to help with distraction. He should of shot him when he returned to normal but in that moment he had the upper hand and didn't think that the orange rat would interfere once again. He'll have to kill Jak another way. A way where it was just Jak and him, and the victory will be worth the wait. Like this time it was suppose to be.
Jak was light headed as his vision was fuzzy. He didn't care. He was alive, he had another chance, another chance to put things right. And thanks once again to Daxter Jak was alive to take that chance. As Daxter went to Jak he swooped low to grab Jak's fallen gun.
Jak saw Daxter stop beside him with the Zoomer. Jak climbed on weakly as his muscles felt like rubber, since his whole body was oxygen starved. Daxter turned the handle and the Zoomer throttled away towards the open port water.
Dawn peaked from over the city walls, signalling the long battling night was over and Jak survived. Erol eyed the runaway Zoomerbike and shook his fist in villain style.
"I swear you'll be mine Jak!" Erol's angry cry rang in Jak's ears, "One day you'll be mine!"
Dawn was still upon the city when they entered the stadium garage. Jak regained most of his senses by this time but he was still feeling light headed.
"Just rest Jak" Daxter told Jak as he leaned against the work bench
"Daxter?" Jak called
"Yeah?"
"Thanks..."
"Don't mention it! What are friends are for?" Daxter smiled
Jak looked towards Daxter in surprise, as if a Hip Hog just grew some wings and flew away. Daxter frowned at his expression and then figured that it was related to the 'disagreement' they had yesterday.
"Jak!" a voice called
Jak perked up at his name. Then frowned
"Oh my god!" the computer's voice expressed relief in a monotonous robotic way
"Keira?" Daxter asked hoping it was
"Daxter! Thank Mar that you guys are safe!" the computer voice continued to express relief in a flat way
"Keira?" Jak blinked
"No I'm not a computer, if you're asking. I'm using the computer system to communicate to you"
"Where are you?" Daxter asked
"I'm trapped in Erol's apartment"
"You're WHAT?" Daxter hollered
"I came here after I'd left you last night. I did a little snooping and I... got caught..." the last words were suppose to be embarrassed but the computer system didn't express emotion
"Keira? You ok?" Jak's eyes went wide with concern
"I'll live. Please guys, get me out of here. Just being in his room makes me sick!"
"Were on it Keira!" Daxter said boldly the added meekly, " Erh... where does Erol live?
The door groaned before being pushed back across by Jak. Keira's face lit up like a Christmas tree. She launched herself onto Jak and buried herself in his arms. Jak hugged her back feeling her care and her warmth of the hug. Her body started to rake from sobs and Jak could only pat her on the back for comfort. He actually never had a crying woman in his arms before. Lucky him.
Keira pushed away and looked at Jak. Her eyes narrowed in anger as tears trickled down her cheek
"Never ever, EVER! Do that to me again!" she growled angrily as tears flowed freely, "If you ever try to kill yourself again I'm going to tie you down and feed you tablets!"
Jak blinked taken aback but her outburst. He didn't know what to say to that.
"You WHAT?" Daxter exclaimed, "You were going to kill yourself?"
Jak didn't say anything but silence confirmed it.
"Geez Jak! What the hell were you thinking?" Daxter growled in anger and surprise that his friend actually thought about killing himself
"I guess I wasn't" Jak murmured and bowed his head in shame
"Well don't do that to me again! I was here watching it..." Keira chocked a sob, stopping her from continuing
Jak's gaze went over to the monitors and his eyes widen. His denial was personal and was never meant for anyone to see. Knowing Erol was a traitor, it must of hurt her deeply when she saw how bad he had gotten. Jak never wanted anyone to see that ever again. Not that he wanted to go through it again.
"I'm sorry Keira!" Jak apologized fiercely realizing how much he hurt Keira without knowing it
"No Jak. I'm sorry... for everything" Keira sobbed pulling close to Jak again, "I didn't realize Erol was lying to me until too late"
"Me too" Jak's voice was hoarse, "I didn't realized what I've got until I was staring death in the face" Jak thought offhandedly, And a certain obsessed manic.
"Awww! Quick! Big group hug! We're one big happy family!" Daxter gave a grin with his arms out stretched
Jak finally found rest. His aching heart finding, comfort, love and acceptance right here. He fought for those very things from the start. When he received the support he needed to go against the Baron, he didn't recognise it. He was still wrapped up in his own personal victory.
When he lost that support he realized what he had and what he'd lost. He realized in that moment, in his demon form, talking to Erol that he had so much more than he'd thought. He had a family, he had a home, he had people who knew him way before he was altered. He had more than what any man would give their life for to have and he treated it as if it was nothing.
Daxter proved that Jak's life was worth fighting for. Jak was prepared to die, even by Erol's hands he was prepared to give up his life. Part of it was his fear to change, but another part was he had no self-worth. Daxter saved his life twice, risking his life just to prove that his life was important. That in turn empowered Jak to fight for himself and fight for what kept him sane in his two year imprisonment.
He was just glad the whole situation was over and his friends understood. They understood him. He had hope and for the first time in his life he realized he wasn't alone. He didn't have to do this alone. He didn't have to be alone.
He wasn't alone anymore.
"Oh Jak" Keira broke through Jak's thoughts. She hugged tighter
"Oh Keira" Jak returned her hug
"Oh Pul-eeese! You two get a room before you make me sick!" Daxter rolled his eyes
The next day...
The atmosphere was tense. The tenseness was oozing off of Torn. He stood there with his arms folded and glaring at the offensive man at the other end of the room. Tess was sitting down on a chair not knowing what to think or do at the moment. Keira and Daxter were right there with Jak.
Jak felt better after a shower, a shave, a good meal and a good sleep. Jak didn't know why Keira insisted on this meeting but she was pretty hard about it. Jak didn't want to face Torn and Tess. He knew he done them wrong and they will never understand his side of the story. But he knew he had to try and fix this part. Leaving a wound open too long could get it infected. He just leaned on the wall trying to fade into it.
Daxter saw how withdrawn Jak was and realized his misjudgement and rejection cut him real deep. It was going to take a long time to mend Jak's heart.
"Get this over and done with" Torn growled, "I have a lot of work to do"
"Ok then" Keira said and turned to Tess, "Tess, Jak didn't attack you"
Tess looked up and met Keira in her eyes, "I know what I saw"
"And I don't doubt that but this is what I found in Erol's apartment" Keira said in disgust and chucked clothing and a mask on the table
Everyone's eyes gazed at the sight before them in disbelief. It was Jack's clothing, lavender skinned mask, white or light purple wig and other accessories to complete the picture.
"Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?" Daxter hopped up on the table and picked up the mask, "It really looks like you Jak... when you're... you know...purple"
"You mean Erol dressed up as Jak and attacked me?" Tess asked in disbelief
"Yes or he hired someone else to do it" Keira nodded
"Wait, wait!" Jak pushed his back off the wall and approached the centre of the room, "If someone 'dressed up' as me and ran around hurting people... what's the use in that?"
"Not everyone just Tess" Keira turned to Tess, "I've been thinking about it and you said that 'Dark Jak' slapped you on the cheek during the attack. Wouldn't you receive scratching from the claws as well if you were slapped"
"Yeah"
"And there is no claws on the costume" Keira made her point, "And also the tunic has a tear in it"
Keira held the blue fabric to reveal the missing piece of clothing. Tess blinked then nodded as the idea sank in. It didn't seem so silly anymore. Jak didn't really attack her, Erol or someone else did.
Jak knew he was innocent! When he was 'Dark Jak', fighting Erol, he was in full control. He remembered everything and all his actions, all his words, all his pain, his movement... his thinking was all him. It never and never has been anyone different. Yet he had a small fear that his dark side would surface and take hold.
He was relieved when he faced his fears and it turned out things weren't what they seem. Still there had to be a reason why Erol did that. Get someone to dressing up like him and go and attack Tess.
"So he did that to make Tess and Dax go against me?" Jak asked quietly And ultimately make me scared to use my 'power' against him... Erol is one cunning man! His plan was well thought out and he hated to say it but well done.
No one answered to that revelation. Silence just confirmed that answer. Daxter was starting to feel incredibly guilty for falling for something so stupid like this.
"Is that all?" Torn demanded, "I have a lot of work to do"
Keira nodded and turned to walk out. Tess feeling more better of herself gave a smile to Jak before heading out after Keira. Daxter followed her.
Torn returned to his desk and shifted some papers before realizing Jak was still in the room.
"You're still here?" Torn growled
When Jak didn't reply Torn sighed and turned his attention to him.
"What the hell do you want?"
Jak's gaze was serious and his face was poker, "It's about Ashelin"
"I don't care" Torn directed his attention to the table again and shifted some papers
"We have no relationship" Jak continued, "In fact we had nothing in the first place"
Torn snapped his head up, "So you two timed her then had nothing to do with her?"
"It was the other way actually. She broke it off between us and made Keira jealous in the process. We talked last night..." Jak trailed as Torn returned to busying himself, "Look, you don't have to believe me but... she's all yours. I learned from my lesson. She's a man eater what what better man to handle a man eater is the Crocodile Hunter himself?"
When Torn didn't respond Jak sighed and turned to leave. He approach the door.
"Hey Jak"
Jak stopped to turn to Torn
"You're back on the team" Torn said as a small smirk passed on his face
Jak nodded before continuing his way out. Jak was puzzled by Torn's smirk. Was my small crack about the man-eater thing funny or Torn knowing Ashelin would do this? Maybe his recruitment was Torn's way for saying sorry or forgiving Jak. Either way things are starting to look up. Things aren't smooth or lovey dovey but its a start!
In a few days time is the Class One Race. There he'll face Erol again and hopefully one last time. That bastard almost destroyed him, even if he didn't know how he managed to do it all, Erol was one determined and tricky man. He even literally wanted Jak's head as a 'prize'! I wonder if Erol tried hunting? Nah let the wildlife that is left live in peace.
Jak gazed up to the sky and breathed deeply.
"Hey Jak?"
Jak directed his attention towards the ground. He met Daxter there.
"I'm sorry man. I totally blew you off. I somehow knew you didn't attack Tess" Daxter admitted
Jak looked away, "Me too"
"Look I didn't really mean what I said. I knew you were stronger to control Mr. Purple. I guess I was a little mad at you-no that dressed up guy- for attacking Tess" Daxter apologized then added quietly, "I trust you with my life"
"I know" Jak's mouth curved a little smile "Well you did save my life, twice, so I guess I could forgive you"
"What is that all?" Daxter frowned
Jak turned back to Daxter with a little smirk, "Well if you want a more of a forgiveness you have to do better sucking up than that! That was terrible!"
Daxter returned the smile, "Fine. A free trip to Sandy Beach! Contamination and Metal Heads galore!"
"All expenses paid?" Jak asked
"Certainly"
"First class trip?"
"Business class"
"When do I leave?"
"When you die"
"I almost did"
"Yeah well lucky I saved you, because I haven't finish paying yet!" Daxter pouted
Jak gave a small chuckle to the friendly banter. Daxter looked at Jak for a moment. It was nice to hear Jak laugh something other than crazy. Seeing Jak regain some of his former self Daxter knew things were going to be alright again.
Daxter jumped up onto Jak's shoulder, "Great! Since our trip is delayed, we shall drink tonight! Let's go to Krew's bar and get drunk again!"
"Daxter!" Jak growled, "That's how this whole thing started!"
"Oh..." Daxter realized his mistake, "What about the pub around the corner then?"
Jak rolled his eyes.
"No? What about the club in North Town?" Daxter suggested
Jak shook his head and started to walk out of the alley.
"Or the bar in South Town? The one that rival's Krew's bar?" Daxter suggested, "Or do you want to visit a liquor store and celebrate at home?
When Jak didn't answer Daxter continued, "Come Jak! Throw me a bone here!"
The End
I hope the conclusion was ok. Some food for thought, mixed in with some mushiness, and a dash of Daxter and a pinch of mystery solving. Sorry about the man-eater Croc Hunter joke. It was bad... I know. I don't really like Crocodile Hunter so he can stay in my bad end of my jokes.
All this was planned by Erol. Not all things are revealed how he went about it and no clues are given on how he did it and so I leave to the imagination to find out. :) I know I'm mean.
Before you leave please review. Give me your final thoughts on this story!