Desman's Paying, Obviously!!

[Desman Black]

"Then I'll guess i'll start at the very beginning."Desman responded in the sad tone he had recently adopted. "I was not what you would call an average child, I was extraordinary smart for my age, or so I've been told, must of been true considering I finished high school at the age of twelve. Anyway, due to this I never really interacted with anyone, I was too shy with everyone around me being significantly older. But then, then there was nexus," The root paused to remember how good he was, allowing enough time for a dramatic effect. "Normal intellect, popular, my brother... He was the only one I could ever truly call my friend. Fast forward to when I was 17 years of age, I got invited to VR testing site, what for doesn't matter, what does matter was that I could choose a pus one to come with me, and of course, I choose Nexus, that's when things started to go wrong. Unknown to us a hacker got into the system and unleashed a virus. When we logged ourselves into the mainframe, the virus quickly took over, locking us in, giving our nerve sensors a bonus 'push', making whatever happened to the our game avatars happen to our real life bodies, many were killed in the first few hours. What was left feared only one thing, the player hunters. They were the most powerful enemies in the game, being able to be randomly encountered anywhere, and I was the first one to do so. We had just set up camp and the players had split up into groups of two to do the various tasks needed to survive, me and Nexus were on guard duty, it was a dense forest so he could see who had appeared, when he stepped into the clearing of the camp..." Desman looked up sobbing. "He was one-shotted in the heart, killed in real life by a computer enemy."

*distracts with post*
A lot of things went through Ash's head as he told his story, none of them being things that a 'friend' would have been thinking while listening to his sob story. The Storm Demon was comparing his story with her own; more accurately of what she knew of her own world's history. There were a lot of holes, and nothing people could fill them with. Mostly because at some point, the whole world went black once. No VR, Matrix, nothing. Something to do with AIs and such, she never got into it really. She's read stories and theories, but other than the ones in her games she didn't want to touch those programs.

VIs were bad enough as it was, having to use whatever backdoor she had access to in order to avoid big fights. She did it all the time.

But VR for here is harmless. Because VR for her and the VR here and apparently the VR for Desman were all different. To them, sounded like they were talking about hot SIMS. It was dangerous, but you were so much faster. It was addictive as hell. But you could die. You could die in cold SIMS. But it's easier than that.

This VR, however, was closer to her VR but that wasn’t saying much because she still had to Jack In. Still, it was relatively harmless.

Her mind quickly righted itself, she had to respond to his sad story. Which she would admit was pretty sad. Being forced to play someone’s twisted game and losing your brother - the only person who seemed to be anything to him - in the process did suck. However, Ash has long since lost her sense of empathy for this kind of stuff, along with sympathy and whatever else have you. That said she still knew the motions and debated on just giving him what he wanted. If she was going to keep on good terms with the two, she might as well.

Ash pulled him into her chest, her naked top seeming trivial at the moment, and pat him on the back but let him have that good cry that people needed.

After he eventually calmed to just a sniffle ever couple breaths, Ash decided pity was the next step. Although it was hard to call it pity. Despite it being VR he had been kind of a badass. "Well... Seeing how you had to save me, I suppose that means you won the game. So the prize is yours to collect whenever." It was easier to admit defeat when she already had what she wanted to begin with.

"Pr-prize? Oh yeah, that." To be honest, Des hadn't thought about what he would use his prize for, just just to avoid Ash getting it. When he had thought of something his charisma suddenly returned, making what little was left with crying unnoticeable. "How about we save that for later? Who knows what opportunities we may need it for."

[Jak Mar]

Jak's eyes flicked open as the breath returned to him. He laid there just breathing for a moment, before trying to pull his arms down only to find them bound by the very cuffs he'd given Ash. He looked confused, even more so when he realized he was in a bed he'd never seen before, and in a room he'd never been in before. It was stark white from what he could see and reminded him a little bit of his tortured past. It was almost enough of a distraction from the fact that he almost seriously hurt both his close friends. Jak blushed as he tried to free himself, but without the key he could do nothing. Even with the key he couldn't do much.

A wicked grin slides across Ash's face after hearing Desman's cool response. It was surprising, and yet effective. Her smile only twisted more at the sound of the cuffs rattling and the sound of metal on metal.

The red robot's calm exterior instantly fell apart when he heard the haunting sound of chains rattling. "What was that?" He asked, then in the same moment remembered their guest... "Oh! Would you look at the time!? I need to go check on things." He explained, before leaving Ash's side (sadly) and goes to leave via elevator only to find it busy. He hits the button twice before deciding he can use the stairs. Quickly remembering wheels and stairs don't work well together...

The door closing behind him deafens the other two to his discovery.

Ash gets up and walks over to the bed, still in nothing but a pair of panties and a grin. She lets her tail whip excitedly behind her. Jak eyes the storm demon from the corner of his eyes, a sense of embarrassment washed over him as Ash stared at his now normal but chained form in her bed. "A-Ash?"

She starts to click her tongue at him, shaking her head and walking around the other side of the bed. But doesn't say anything still.

Jak raised his eyebrows, wondering what Ash had in mind for him. He was his own monster even Dark had caused unknown chaos as him.

Ash ran her finger along his body as she walked the length of the other side of the bed, her finger eventually coming to the exposed skin of his belly as his shirt was lifted just slightly and his pants hanging just barely off his hips. As inviting as his exposed business was, she avoids it and lifts her hand before she reaches his knee. Her fingers snap. "Well?"

Jak felt the sweat against his neck. "Dark Jak took over I couldn't.." He tensed up at Ash's touch, in her fingers' wake she left a tingle feeling across his skin. "I.. I was.. I'm sorry."

The demon stopped at the foot of the bed, crossing her arms. Waiting.

If Jak could have punched the bed, he would have. His anger quickly taking up the space that his confusion had occupied but her silence shoveled out of the way. He growled in frustration, "I should have protected you two from him!" His whole body tenses up as he flexes his anger, which only fed the Dark King..

"Well, you can relax. We are fine." She tapped the footboard. "Mostly, anyways." She explained, referring to her injury.

Jak looked her over, all he saw was the blood that spilled out of her lips. "What the hell happened? Did.. Did he do that to you?" He growled darkly, but the worry was clear in his heart.

It took Ash a moment to remember the blood that was on her chin, and the stuff that was on her thigh. She cleaned it off by running her arm across it. "The short answer is that I was hurt in a game and the damage sort of happened to me for real. But that's not what I was talking about." The demonic woman continued to circle the bed like a shark. "So I take it that you don't know what happens when 'Dark' takes over? Or is there another reason you seem oblivious?"

The eco-warrior growled, feeling Dark's influence still within him. "I could feel him controlling me, I just don't know what he did with my body." The anger built, but he knew that wasn't going to cut it.. "Why would I lie to you two?"

Ash waited patiently for him to finish, then finalized her boredom for the one sided conversation with a slow blink of her blind looking eyes. "I'm not accusing you of anything Jak.." She pulled back around the corner, to walk another lap around the bed. It wasn't pleasant feeling. "The opposite. I want to understand what happened. Your transformation is intense, it always has been. But I don't think that was you who ravaged me and ripped out my piercing. I'm starting to understand why Desman said what he did.."

He sighed. "It's a hard story to tell, but after you left my father tried to get me to jump on some suicide mission. I reacted out of anger, then went back to drinking. I could feel something feeding on my fear, but I couldn't do anything to stop it. Dark Jak is insanely smart.. He took on a life of his own, and then scared Ashelin and my dad away."

"I hardly think you scared your father.." She said, offhandedly, reaching over to run her hand over his arm. It was torn where the Dark King's arms grew with muscle so she touched his naked arm. Then she stopped. Instantly confused.. His father died in the game. She pushed it out of her mind and curved the corner before finally setting down on the bed, her barely covered ass close enough to touch but his arms still bound. "So you were unconscious when 'Dark' took over." She looked over her shoulder, her hair falling out of the way. "Might be a smart move to kick that habit then. If you are scared of what he will do." But she stared at him like she had something else to say. "Or we could talk to him."

Jak winced at her touch, it cut him deeply without drawing blood. "Perhaps we could.. But I would have to change again. He's within me, like my other side."

"Other side?" Ash asked.

Jak nodded. "I have a light side, too. He's the one that balances me. Or, normally he does. Something must have tipped the balance."

"That would be a question to ask them, I guess," Ash responds, twisting to face him. Her arm supports her feather weight from the other side of his body, so he'd feel her leaning across his stomach. "You sound pretty insane, you know that right?" She made a face to let him know she was teasing him.

He cracked his own smile for once. "I'm pretty used to it by now, actually. The omniverse has had mixed reactions to him." He looked away out of shame. "Should I let you talk to Light, then?" She didn't reply with a no or a yes, so he nodded to himself and concentrates.

A warmth floods his body and slightly light forms, when it vanishes translucent almost made of blue light being laid. He looked roughed up, but as if he were healing. Light was quiet, then began. "You must be one of Jak's friends."

"Close enough I suppose," Ash said, pulling back to sit normally. "Ash.. What do I call you?"

"Light. Just Light." He spoke slowly, cautiously. He tried to rub his face, finding himself bound as well. He sighed, feeling oddly comforted by the cuffs. "I am assuming you wish to talk to me about Dark? I got kicked around by him, punched too. I'm okay now."

"Is that why you are all roughed up?" SHe runs her hand along the bloody and bruised cheek. It was swollen.

Light felt comforted by her hand and sighed. "Dark would have taken over for good if you didn't step in." He admitted. "He's even calling himself the Dark King. He's the one that treated you so roughly, he's the one that ripped out your piercing, and he would have killed you two. Not Jak."

"Shh." The demon hushed, barely containing the smile. Her hand petted his cheek gently while her body twisted around to give him the proper attention someone telling her everything she wanted to know deserved. "I know it wasn't Jak." She promised him. He melted at her gentle touch. "Is he still out of it? Or is that Dark Bitch just hiding from me?" She grinned.

Light chuckled at that. "I like you." He shared, then lowered his face. "Everything I feel, Dark feels too. And vise versa." He paused to just breath. "I get the feeling you wish to beat the crap out of him. I'll let you if you want."

Ash laughed back. "I appreciate it, but you look like you went through hell already. So I'll take care of him later." She strokes his jaw gently. Toying with the idea of giving Light some well-deserved love. Eventually, she pulls back onto her seat. "Unless he's got something to say.. If not, he can sit there and wait for judgment until I heal and can assess the damage."

Light smiled, wider and wider until he could feel the damage on his cheek threaten to split his face, then he chuckles to relieve the pressure. "I doubt he has anything to say." He touched his fingers along the cuffs. "I.. I don't mind the cuffs. Just in case."

Ash's tail ran across the bed, a simple smile playing on her lips. "Is that because you like them? Or because you trust me?"

"Both." Light said, taking a heavier breath. "I understand you had to do this to prevent Dark from trying to kill again."

"I did it to tease Jak. I can handle Dark." She said, still able to feel him dragging his claws down her back. Light could only see thin lines left where large bloody gashes were once. "Jak likes the cuffs too. I'm positive that's why he gave me the key."

"Our host has gotten a bit eager lately. I suppose that comes from 3 years alone. I am glad he's found someone who can play off his kinks."

Ash nodded thoughtfully. Then her body turns back to him. "How was it that Dark got so much control? Jak said you balance him. But I know Dark stems from Jak's anger. What happened?"

Light frowned at her question. "The omniverse.. And everything he's lost. Torn.. Daxter especially. When Damus said the wrong thing and Ashelin ran away from him, Jak was starting to think he'd lose everything important to him. Dark took advantage of that."

Ash nodded again. She had a lot of questions but not a lot of physical reactions to it all. She looked up at the headboard, getting to see the pattern. It looked gothic and jagged. She liked it. "Sounds like Dark likes taking advantage of situations." Was her only comment.

She twisted in the bed so she could lay next to him, her arm wrapped around his chest, her leg entangling with his and her knee brushing the monster between his legs lightly. She considered sleeping with him, to complete her conquest of Jak. If Light had come before Dark she would. Her injury held her back. But he wouldn't know that.

"I told Desman there wasn't anything to fear. That Dark was a product of Jak's past. Looks like I lied to him." He ran her hand across his chest seductively. "He is utterly terrified. I wish there was a way to keep Dark in check when I'm not around."

Light looked away as thoughts crossed his mind. Would Desman know how to face the Dark King if he had the chance? Would he kill Jak in the process? Light closed his eyes. "I bet they want to put him in a cage, but would restrainning him even work?"

"The handcuffs apparently would work. You seem confident that they would." The entangled demon explained.

"True." Light chuckled. "Funny how he got restrained in his own bed." Light looked up at the headboard. "What happens if he rips that off?"

"He is still cuffed." She pointed out. "Can't do a lot of damage when bound like that."

"Also true." He turned back to her. "Luckily Jak went for the Eco-Proof cuffs." Light then frowned and groaned. "I'd thank him if I could."

"It's like he knew he could be dangerous.." She said quietly and reached up, she rubbed his chin. "I can pass the message. I do still have some unfinished business with him. My sickness is out of my system by now."

Light blinked. "If you wish, I can switch back." She looked at him with a face that told him she did, so he nodded and released his form. leaving their host behind to look up at her.

He smiled weakly. "So?"

Ash's hands run through his beard, scratching his chin. "He said thanks. For the eco-proof cuffs." She lets her knee brush along his monster between his legs, hiding it from anyone who might walk in. She leans in and kisses his cheek. "He said a few other things." Another kiss. "But I want to remind you that you have people who care about you." She kisses him on the lips briefly.

"Thanks... That means a lot." He said, then her lips were upon him. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation of her lips on his. It lasted a long moment but he felt her lips drag across his as she pulled away. He smirked.

Ash saw his smile and had to kiss him again. When she pulled away she played with his chest lazily. "Just maybe stay away from the booze for a bit." She teased. "Apparently Dark can possess you if you pass out.

"Noted." Jak nodded. "I'll do that. For your sake, and my own."

"Good." She produces her key. "Now how about I let you out so we can talk without you being too distracted." She said, then runs her leg along his crotch again, his body reacting to the attention.

Jak nodded again. "Right. Business."

His seductress smirked and then untangled herself from him to set him free. He sat up and rubbed his wrists while she gathered the cuffs. He watched as she once more put both on one arm, a little looser this time. Ash then slid to the side of the bed and produced her communicator. "Let's start with a number or two. Dust has been worried about you."

Jak was happy to hear his buddy was worried about him, it filled the eco-worrier with hope. But then he frowned as he remembered what happened to his phone.. "I wish I hadn't been so careless with my Comm now. I had Dante's number and a few others in there. I don't know how to get those back.

Ash looked visibly interested. "Ok. Slow down. What happened to your phone? And you know Dante?"

"I broke it.. Shortly after Damus tried to get me to help him rebuild Spargus. A guy can only go through so much shit before he comes across a role he doesn't want to play." He replied.

"Fair," Ash replied. Omni.. She was so perfect.

"As for Dante, yeah. I know him. We met in the Hero's Graveyard as enemies. He wasn't too bad, and he seemed a bit similar to me in a way. I lost, but after we met up in the Pale Moors we fought off some giant Demons. He vanished and I was forced to fight them by myself. I saw him in DA before we split off. If I recall, he has a business."

Ash listened intently. Then she nodded. "You'll have to introduce me sometime." She said finally, then making it casual as she leans back. "As for your phone.. You can just resummon it, right? Either way, Dust wants you to have his number. I told him I'd give it to you."

Jak nodded, "Perhaps I will sometimes." He then began to focus on his comm. It appeared in his hand, and when he set it up for Ash to put the numbers in he noticed it had fewer numbers saved into it. "Here, add Dust's number."

Ash took his communicator and put in her own contact information, and then Dust's. She was about to hand it back to him when she got the idea that her contact needed a photo. The sex demon climbed into his lap with little warning and put her back to his chest before taking a selfie. Her bare chest was just cut off in the photo, but it looked like something a couple would do together. She smiled at the result then handed it back but remained in his lap. "And finally.. Didn't you promise to tell me about a special object? If I stayed with you for the sickness duration." She fished for information.

Jak pulled out a whistle from his pocket, it flickered in the light as it spun. "I was keeping these strictly for emergencies but now I don't need three of them. They are called Warp Whistles." As he watched it, it crossed his mind that she might need it if shit goes down. Maybe he could give it to her?

Ash set up for him to pull the item from his pocket, then twisted to see what they were. Silver whistles.. He lifted one and it sparkled like new in the air. She took it and inspected it. "How does it work?"

The wastelander rubbed the back of his neck. "Well.. You just blow it. It will take you to any previously visited location of your choice."

"Fast Travel," Ash said, taking in the details of the small thing. Then suddenly without warning, she put it to her lips and blew through it. A crystal clear noise erupted through the silence of the room and then she was gone.

Jak reached out where she'd been, only to find thin air. He was stunned for a long moment, then his hand came to his cheek where she'd kissed him. "Welp.. She's gone now." Then he thought about it. "Shit. What am I going to tell Des?" He questioned, looking down at his lap. He noticed he was still practically pantless, and got out of the bed to tuck himself back into his pants and zip up his fly. Time to go find his friend.

[Desman Black]

Desman head was pounding as he finally registered his senses, Desman assumed it was how he hit the cold grey stone floor when he tumbled in there, into his bedroom. 'God, haven't had one of those for ages,’ the young adult thought to himself as he picked himself up off the ground. ‘I’ve almost started to wonder why people need rooms. Sleeping outside is great, if you like being cold, and wet, and lonely… You know what, let's get this room organized.’

Desman looked around at the empty space that would soon be his ‘room’, completely unsure what to do with it. He could make a bed for if people wanted to sleep down here, but why would anyone do that? Slumber party? Did adults even do that, or did being smart steal an experience away from him yet again? Oh well, better be on the safe side, considering Ash did bring up the idea. But what type of bed? Queen? Or would his friends need something bigger? They were quite thin, they could probably do with a single if it wasn’t for the length. Besides, everyone loves big beds, allows you to bring in other people to snuggle if you're feeling down. But what about Style? This went on for awhile, Desman asking questions to himself, which just let to more questions until he made a decision, before starting a whole new set of questions. By the time he finished he even managed to revisit some questions, before finally deciding.

Desman breathed in a deep breath, before closing his eyes and slowly pushing his palms forward into the air. His mind conjured up an image of what he intended to summon, it was a sleek black frame, the metal polished enough to make your eyes hurt if it had been out out in the sun. The Bed ends were elegant yet simple in design, the tops starting off as a curve before becoming parallel to the floor at the sides, another beam below it and separated by two swirling lines, underneath the space was separated into rectangles by vertical poles of black metal. Upon this frame was a box of fabric, with newly rounded springs on the inside of it, and upon this was the fluffiest blanket you’ve ever seen, it was a pristine white, folded at the end of the bed and on top of the thin layer of fabric that was the doona cover, a nice light gray.

Opening his eyes to make sure it was there, the robot went to make his second object, when his stomach growled. That’s weird, his stomach didn’t normally growl like that. ‘It has been a while since I’ve gotten to this place though,’ our hero continued to himself 'and I think all I’ve eaten was the ice cream… I do normally eat a lot more.’ Desman sighed to himself as he had to leave the job unfinished and walked other to the elevator, pressing the button he found out it seemed to be working now.

The elevator ride was a quick one, whether that was because Desman was distracted or some other reason was a conversation with himself for a different time.

At the top underground floor, the elevator chimed it’s arrival and the two samurai were immediately on guard, dashing to the door as soon as they saw the red haired male, exposing his whole body from head to toe for all to see, Barry putting his katana up to the intruder throat while Arin questioned them. “What are you doing here foul creature!”

“W-wow,” The Red headed man said, his adam's apple just narrowly missing the blade as he gulped. “C-Calm down guys it's me.”

The leader of the duo recognized the voice immediately. “My Lord?” The look of confusion ran through both samurai’s face as they looked at the naked body standing in the elevator. “Barry put down your weapon.” The silent one agreed. “I am sorry master.” Arin begin, bending over is such a way as to avoid looking at their prime’s exposed crotch.”But may I ask, how did got so tall, and... human?”

“What do you mean by…” That was when Desman’s hair decided to let itself drop into his eyes, when his went to put it back up he saw his hand and froze. “Wait I’m…” The once robot human shook his head and looked around at his new body to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. “I honestly don’t know.”

“Well we will help you in whatever you need.” Arin offered. “And not to overstep boundaries, but could you please put some clothes on.”

“Oh. Yes, I can do that.” Desman was unsure why he summoned what he summoned, but in a couple of minutes his body went from glowing a bright white, to wearing an outfit that his subconscious got out of nowhere. Starting from the top and working down, the Redhead found himself in a big red puffy scarf which had a design better suited to a picnic blanket. Underneath that was a brown leather button up jacket lazily thrown over a gray t-shirt, as well as a pair of blue jeans and black loafers. “Now if you excuse me I’m gonna do what I came up here to do.”

“Yes sir” Arin said, moving himself and Barry out of the path of their lord.

Desman on the other hand just casually strolled through into the kitchen before putting on some toast and playing around on his watch phone, the thing that seemed to replace the communicator in his robot forms arm. Scowling through website of the Dataverse, Des somehow found the bounty list.

"SERIOUSLY ASH!! WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SUCH A FUCKING IDIOT!?”

[Jak Mar]

The eco-warrior eyed the two warp whistles, his collection one less now that Ash had blown one of them and vanished to wherever. It only dawned on him at that moment that there was only one other place - to his knowledge - she has been...

"SHIT!!" Jak cursed out loud as he punched the dark pillows of the bed in the center of Ash's room as if that was going to calm his anger any.

He rubbed his hair a bit in the silence, rather frustrated.

Jaw clenched his jaw together before letting out a sigh and finally slipped his warp whistles away.

But even with a semi-blank canvas all around him to calm his mind, the concern for Ash was deep in his heart and overrode the mild annoyance of feeling useless.

His shame lowered his eyes to the floor, and he caught the site of a small object on the floor. Curious, Jak moved over towards it. In this strange emotional state he hadn't expected to find joy as well, but his inner rebel jumped at the idea of being free of the cuffs as he scooped his key up. He spun it on his finger in a victorious kind of way before reaching it down to unlock his bindings.

He stopped abruptly. Ash coming back to mind. The fact that he'd given it to he to keep specifically fluttered across his mind. As well. Lights words about how Dark had been tamed by her. He clutched the key in his hand and stared at the cuffs, but he knew it was wrong.

Jak sighed and moved over to the computer, it was comically complicated but also cool looking. He just placed the key on top of one of the machines next to the variety of controllers. It seemed fitting as she seemed to have control over him.

He turned to the elevator, walking in and pushing the button for the upper floors. Maybe Desman would be up there, there was a lot to talk about.

The door closed and it moved up. A few minutes later, Jak stepped out only to find a human male instead of a smaller red android. He quirked a brow in confusion but walked closer.

“Who are you and what have you done with Desman?!”

"I am Desman" The human man sighed, looking up at his friend

“WHAT?” Jak's mouth was falling open. "Desman? But.." Was this really his friend? "How?"

"I Dunno myself." The red-haired man sounded annoyed at something as he answered the questions provided by Jak.

Jak was aware of the tension in the room. "You found out as well?" He frowned deeply and pulled out one of the whistles. He took a deep breath and then presented whistle to his friend. "Ash... She took one of my Warp Whistles. Then before I knew it she blew it and was gone..."

"Seems like something she would do." Desman grunted, pulling the newly popped toast out of the toaster, buttering it and taking a nice healthy bite of it. You could practically hear his anger in the crunch.

Jak winced at the angry crunching sound that came from the human that was clearly Des. He couldn't tell if the other male was mad at Ash, or him for letting her get the whistle. "I'm worried." He said quietly, looking down at his wrist where the cuff still stood. He wasn't sure why he was so concerned, things always went right when the Storm Demon was involved. But this was Coruscant... The same people who stole Daxter away.

[Desman Black]

Desman put the toast back down on the plate and looked at it with the same worry and guilt that was coursing through his friend's eyes. “Jak look…” he said softly, pushing himself up off the stool and walking over. “I’m worried about Ash too, but we-” The Redhead was interrupted by a beep on his wrist device just before he got to put his hand on Jak’s shoulder.

Quickly forgetting what he was going to say he hastily and clumsily checked to see what it was about. “Banished…” the man whispered to himself before picking his voice back up again to ask Jak a question. “Do you know what it means by the term ‘Banished’?”

Jak grew darkly silent as his jaw tightened. "Banishment... It's not pretty, are you sure you want to KNOW? I've... seen Victor Wolfe, he was once called 'The Banisher' in Dante's Abyss at some point. He sent many people to hell..." He looked away, "They... They never returned.”

“Then I definitely want to know about it.” Desman said, his voice deeper, more serious. ”Everything.”

Jak could see the seriousness on his friends face "NO!" The eco-worrier argued, tensing up and getting really nervous. "I refuse to lose my friends! I can't deal with losing both of you this way... I.... What if you two don't make it back? Banishment is a fate worse than death!!"

“Jak, listen to me carefully…” As the elf looked into Desman’s eyes he could see something had changed, he couldn’t tell what though. The teeth of the once robot clenched together. “I’m not willing to lose anyone to it. So you tell me everything about now!" His voice lowered, "...or else.”

Jak raised an eyebrow "Heh, Desman, wow... I didn't think you had it in you, you are actually talking back?” Did his personality change with his appearance? Or.. Or was this also Ash's doing?

“Don’t change the subject!” Desman demanded before bringing his hand up to Jak's collar and pulling the man face to face with himself. “All you’ve told me is that this is a fate worse than death, well death isn’t that bad here, so start giving me details.”

Jak growled as Desman grabbed his collar, he remembered Dark and tried to stay calm. "I meant what I said. Banishment is where you don't exist in the omniverse. "

“Well, then I’m going to make Ash exist!” Desman responded before shoving Jak into the nearby couch, signaling Arin and Barry to hold him down with their swords by snapping his human fingers. “NOW GIVE ME SOME GODDAMN INFORMATION!!”

Jak scowled as Arin and Barry pointed their swords at his neck, pulling his head back to avoid the points and staring up at Desman seriously. He took a deep breath before answering him. "Banishment circle. That's all you need." He eyed the samurai angrily. "If I have to, I'll let Dark out again." He threated.

“Look Jak…” Desman kneeled down and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder again, his voice so calm you could hardly tell it was the same one that was yelling just a couple minutes before. "I would never make you bring them out, just show me what one looks like, then I’ll let you go.”

Jak nodded and held out his hand, a round object appearing in his hand, it grows. "If you wish, I can help you down there. I didn't do this out of spite, I will help you. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I lost both of you, dammit!"

“I know, what you mean, I couldn’t bear to lose my only two friends… Which is exactly why you're not coming with me.” Desman slowly closed the hand that Jak was manifesting the object with, making the summoning unstable as the object crumbled away and back into an Omnilium state. “You two.” The red-haired human quickly said as he got up, "Make sure he doesn’t follow me, other than that he is your commanding officer until I get back.”

And with that Des turned to face away from the trio of men, focusing hard he summoned the object that saw before into his left hand before throwing it at the ground. Soon, after a brilliant burst of white light, he was gone.

[Jak Mar]

Jak stood there desperately reaching for the blank space Desman had stood, grasping at nothing as the light faded as he was kept at bay by the two ninja following their Lord’s last wishes. His words were a mixture of frustration and sadness. “Not again…”

He let out a heavy breath from his broken heart, not sure what to think now. Things were swirling around wildly in his head. His friends were gone… but he was left with Arin and Barry to follow him around..

Jak facepalmed and then looked at Arin and Barry, “Can you… two please just leave me to think for a few seconds?”

The two looked at each other with the same suspicion, “Our Lord said to keep you from following.” Then Arin, the more verbal of the two, pointed to his own banishing circle. “We will let you have your peace, only if you allow us to hold onto that.”

“Whatever…” Jak said, unhooking the circle and tossing it harmlessly at them, then left the two for his alone time. The two seemed quiet as they stared at the eco warrior going down to his floor.

A blank floor with nothing in it. He’d have to change that, but first.

Jak pulls out his phone and gives Morene another ring, finding her voice mail once more. He rubs the back of his neck while he waits for the beep, and then leaves an unintentional cryptic message. When he hung up he turned back to the space, getting to work on fixing it up.

First things, something to lay on. A bed idea swirled around in his head as a bluish luxury bed appeared in the blank space in front of him. He immediately hopped on it, allowing his own mixed emotions to let loose. His fist connected with a pillow, it puffed out immediately with the man’s abuse, then slowly released the confined air… Much like his anger.

“Light, I… need your advice.”

Light immediately responded with a calm “Yes?”

“It’s…about Ash… and Desman..” He spoke aloud from beyond the pillow. “I have those feelings again… Like Dark wants to rush out again…”

“Control him, Jak.“ Came Light’s soothing voice to his mind.

“ I WARNED them… I did… I couldn’t save them.” Jak rolled over in his new bed, hoping they would come back from whatever hell they’d transported to.

“They did it to protect you from the same fate Jak.”

“But I-”

Light’s voice gripped Jak by the chest and heaved him up on his butt. “GET UP!! You are your own hero, you don’t need others to approve of you.” Jak was actually surprised his lighter side could do such a thing.“You have others counting on you. You remember Coruscant? You are a true hero. People look up to you.”

“But saving Torn ruined what reputation I had there!” Jak yelled at the blank walls, but it was directed at Light. “And look what good I accomplished afterwards.” The lonely man threw his arm out in attempts to prove his point more.

Light’s voice echoed throughout Jak’s head “Look at all the good you’ve done. Hold on, let me show you.” Memories of Jak’s past and present accomplishments as a hero flash across his mind like an old movie.

Jak was quiet more as he sat up on the side of his bed “Ok I feel a bit better, but I did most of the things with...him” Jak grew numb at the feeling of not having his friend of many years set on his armor and fill the empty space he stared at. He couldn’t say that name without feeling a sense of guilt. The emptiness that Daxter left inside him plucked his own heartstrings. His soul brother would know what to do in a time like this.

Light once again relieved Jak’s pain as a distant memory of Daxter popped in his head to try to calm him “Hey, Jak, yeah you. What the hell happened to my buddy? The one who kicked ass and didn’t care what happened?”

A grin appeared on Jak’s once frustrated face as he imagined his buddy with him once more. He could hear his wise cracks, feel his barely-there weight on his leg, and even smell his need for a bath already. To his surprise, when he opened his eyes he saw Daxter was not only there, but leaned against his chest as casual as ever. “Nice bed.”

Jak blinked several times “D-Dax?” He said, reaching out to touch the figure on his lap. “I must be going crazy.”

The ottsel looked worried and crawled up Jak’s stomach “What do you mean? I’m here, buddy. I’m not your imagination.”

Jak’s eyes were welling up with tears, and he was crying before he could even comprehend the situation. He reached around Daxter and he hugged the ottsel as hard as he could.

“WHOA, HEY BUDDY! I get you missed me and all but I don’t swing that way.”

Jak looked embarrassed and almost pulled back “Shut up, Daxter. I’m glad to see you again.”

Daxter smiled as he jumped up onto the plate he’d made his seat for years. “Ya know we’d always be friends, Jak.”

Jak sighed and smiled “Daxter, you...”

Daxter smirked “You mean that tough ultramarine?” He waved it away with his hand as he leaned to the other side, casual and as happy as ever. “He was annoying to be sure, but nothing I can’t handle!”

Jak gritted his teeth “Don’t do something stupid like that again, Dax.”

Daxter whined “It was Torn’s fault, he dragged us into that mess, remember!?”

Jak sighed “I know Dax, he’s gone.”

Daxter was quiet “All i remember Tattooed wonda’ trying to escape and us tryin’ to get out of Coruscant as fast as we could, and then… Nothin’. Daxter was quiet for a second and suddenly popped out of his thoughts “I’m… sorry Jak.”

“Thanks… Light, this means a lot to me.”

Daxter blinked and waves a hand in front of Jak’s face “Buddy, you haven’t gone off the deep end have ya?”

Jak frowned “Of course not, I’m talking to Light you know.”

“Is that so?” Dax said, not sure if he could believe him, but doubly not sure he couldn't believe him. It was good to see Jak getting in touch with his other sided though.



Jak looked up and closed his eyes thinking of a television set, one a little bigger than usual as he thought of the screens, the music and the images. It appeared in front of him, on the ground. It wasn’t very impressive to look at while on the ground though.

He also summoned a few dressers, thinking of cherry wood products as he lifted the television set on the device and took time to look at the electronic cord and plugged it in for a second. He threw the square device that was the remote at the ottsel to enjoy and play around with while he went to summon more things.

Daxter slipped onto the comfy bed and laid against the pillows flipping the channels to see what’s on. “Nope, Nope, NAH, Hm… NAH.”

Jak began to scan a corner of his room and began to imagine some targets, different types of them as they began to show up. They were followed by certain things that moved back and forth so that Jak could practice his gun targeting. It was a small place, but at least he could take off some stress when he needed it most. Once all the prep work was done, Jak was proud and let the target range close down for the time being.

He walked toward another corner of his room and started to summon a workout bench, along with a push-up bar. Different sizes of weights, other pieces of gym equipment.

He was sure to swing his handcuffs around and hid a few other things under his bed for when Ash came back.

He slipped his handcuffs on a device and used it as a strengthening method for the time being. The eco warrior moved his hands up onto the bar and used it to spin a few times and then unlocking his cuffs with a summoned key.

“Yeah, i still have it.” Jak smirked and slipped the key in his pocket.

“Hey Dax, find something interesting on television?”

Daxter shrugged and turned, hopping off the bed “Not much on tv today but I did find some commercial about the reopening of a hotel in the frozen fields that have fun things to do. Did you ever think about wanting to snowboard on our hoverboard?” Daxter shivered at the thought “On second thought… I.. might freeze my paws off.”

Jak frowned “Oh come on Dax, It will be fun, plus I need to do this.” He says, throwing his arm out.

It’s when Daxter eyes the handcuffs on Jak’s arms “Uh, Jak? What happened now? You go do somethin’ stupid again?”

Jak smirked “No… It’s something only me and Ash know about.”

Daxter let out a growling purr as he remembered Ash. “Oh-Ho! Lucky~!!” Then a thought occurred to him, and he shock his ears as she stood up. “Whoa-whoa-whoa! Ash is still around?” He smooths back his ears and shapes his brows, miming straightening out his collar. Jak rolled his. “Wait a minute, you sayin’ your best friend can’t know about this?” He motioned to the cuffs.

Jak sighed and sat on his bed “These? Well… I.. lost control of Dark, a new form of his. These are the only way I can think to control myself from killing anyone.”

Daxter gulped “You mean… D.. Dark’s got a new form?”

Jak frowned “There’s more… I.. accidently summoned Ashelin in the process. So she’s here along with Desman’s new summons. They watch me around every corner. If they touch you, so help them.”

“Accidently?” The ottsel asked, confused.

“Well yeah.. In the middle of the night. While I was sleeping off the alcohol.” Jak clarified.

“You were drunk?”

“Yeah, Desman, Ash, and I went drinking after we came back, not fully intentionally, but I was depressed.. They helped me out.” Jak said, then after replaying what he knew in his head added, “A lot, actually.

“Ash, I remember her. Hot demon lady, shows off a lot of skin. Desman and her were at the spectator’s box with me.” Daxter nodded thoughtfully, then came to his next question. “Uh, where’s she- I mean them?” He corrected himself after clearing his throat.

The Wastelander shyed away. “Uh.. Well.. About that.” He started. “We are blacklisted from Coruscant, right? Well.. According to the Dataverse, Ash entered the city and had been hunted down. I don’t know by who or how, mostly because she was banished.” Daxter’s jaw falls open at this, Jak nodded. “Desman seemed rather upset. He threatened and demanded I tell him what I knew about the thing. I showed him the circle.” He reached over to touch it, only to remember he gave it to the samurai so they’d let him go. “I did.. Then next thing I know he was banished, too. Only he did it to himself.”

Daxter placed a hand on Jak’s shoulder, waving the other one crazily. “Whoa, whoa WHOA! This is a lot to process, buddy. Let me get this straight. So you, Ash, and Desman came to Vasty Deep, got drunk-”

“Unintentionally. It was the ice-cream. That was before the beach bonfire and s’mores.”

Orange Lightning’s jaw dropped again. “Icecream?” Jak nodded. Daxter brushed his ears back and continued. “Accidently got drunk at apparently a beach party - without me! Then while you were beach bummin’ it up.”

“No, we actually came here to the hotel. Which Desman owns… Somehow.” Jak was still fuzzy on the details.

Daxter dropped his arm, confused again. So much was being added. “You went to a hotel, apparently bought by Desman, passed out, summoned Ashelin, then… Well when did Ash leave?”

“She left like.. A couple hours ago.”

“Girl works quick then..” Daxter commented.

“Well she is amazing.” Jax admitted, then turned hot all the way up to his ears. Especially when Daxter gave him a confused look. “I mean, she has been doing nothing but helping me and Desman with our issues. She even was able to deal with Dark’s new form. She saved a lot of people… Including herself and Desman.” He turned listless and thought about the situation again. “She blew the whistle so fast, I didn’t even think she would.”

Daxter shook his head. “That petite thing handled Dark?”

Jak looked down “Pretty much”

Daxter paused to take a breath “But WAIT! Dark has a new form and the only person who can handle him is down in the Underverse? What was that thing about a whistle? Those warpy things?”

“Yeah, she grabbed it right out of my hand after we talk to Light, blew it, and off she went to Coruscant.” Jak replied.

“So it’s your fault my eye candy’s gone?” Daxter asked.

The eco warrior groaned “Thanks...”

“So my baby’s been up to good all this time?” Jak gave Daxter a confused look. “Ash. She’s my biggest fan, you know.” He kicked one paw up and crossed his legs, leaning on his shoulder.

Jak just rolled his eyes.” I gotta finish up this room.” He said, changing subjects. But all this talk about Ash must have gotten to him too. Soon enough he had a poster of the demoness in the mesh and chain bikini plastered to his wall where he’d been trying to put some decor. Indeed it was a decoration, just not the one he meant. “Shit..” He spat under his breath.

But Daxter was already staring. “Ohhh, baby!!” His tongue lolled out and drool was already pooling on the floor as he panted.

“Aw man! Daxter, not on the bed.” Jak groaned out loud, pulling his drool covered hand out of the puddle and shaking it.

Daxter snapped out of it long enough to look over. “What?”

Jak just shook his head and got up. Daxter hitting all fours on the bed before rolling over to stare a bit longer. Ash was in the sand, in a typical kind of modeled pose. He did not mind one bit, look at that butt! “I gotta finish this up if I wanna go to that Artica Inn thing.” He had matts and gym equipment in the one corner, a bed’room’ in the other, now he needed to fill the other ones.

“Can I come?” Daxter whined loudly.

“We’ll see.” Jak said, uncommitted. Personally he didn’t want to risk Daxter’s life any more.

Jak left to the other corners of the room to fill it with various decorations not to mention other goodies, some soft flooring. Some old artifacts from Jak’s world in a old glass trophy case to show off various racing records and artifacts he achieved, He made even a bathroom, tucking it away from obvious site. Then he made various other goodies such as a bar so him and Dax could drink and live up the old days, some neons signs that blared, and even a mechanic shop so that Jak could fix up mechanic things in his spare time.. If he had any.

He even had old Dante’s Abyss achievements flash in an electronic picture frame on his wall, and anything he had did in the Omniverse, including his first achievement of saving the world.

After his and Daxter’s room was complete, he smiled. Everything looked perfect enough. Jak held a pair of keys in his hand he summoned and looked at Daxter “Watch Desman’s friends for me,alright? But STAY here.

“But you said I could come, Jak.. “ Later, Dax. “ Jak packed up some summoned clothing and hopped on.

“Later” Jak called out as Daxter screamed “JAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK”

But he was used to this now.