Elimination Exit

[Dr. McNinja]

Dr. McNinja woke up in a chair in the lobby. He blinked for a bit, rubbed his eyes, then stood up.

"Alright, maybe it was too hard," he mumbled.

"You're finally awake!"

That was a voice a little too familiar. That raspy whine that ground up against your eardrums just the wrong way. It was one he only heard a few times, but frankly, the annoyance was unforgettable.

"Hey, Dax." Doc's voice leaked of enthusiasm.

"What, still a little sleepy from those wittle boo-boos?" the aggravating rodent shouted. He jumped up onto a nearby chair and punched Doc as hard as he can in the shoulder.

McNinja glared at Dax. "I was smashed in the face with Captain America's shield, hit by lightning, tossed at a car, stabbed twice, and filled with flak. It was a tiny bit more serious than 'wittle boo-boos'."

Dax snorted. "Get over yourself, you soft nurse."

"Oy!" Doc grumbled, "Doctors prescribe, nurses provide! Respect the title! What if I were to call you an otter?"

"I am an otter," Daxter snapped.

"You're supposed to be an otter?" Doc exclaimed.

"Well, an ottsel. An otter-weasel - hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Dax yelled.

Doc winced. "Oww. Quiet down. I think I have a death-hangover."

Dax scoffed, then sat down. "Fat load of good you were, protecting Jak."

"Excuse me. I was the one who helped with his broken arm!"

"You didn't fix it!"

"I'm a doctor, not a miracle worker!" Doc yelled, then winced again. "Although, I have been on occasion."

"Whatever." Dax sat down with a huff, crossing his arms. Doc sighed.

"Listen, I get it," he said quietly, "You really care for Jak. And that's very sweet. I'm sorry I wasn't more help to him, okay? 'Cause I cared for him, too, and if there was any way I could help him again, I would've."

Dax scowled. "Yeah, yeah, yeah."

Doc scoffed then started walking away. "You're welcome!"

He was already sick of this whole damn charade. He wanted to get to Ereve as soon as he could, just to get out of there. The doorman of the lobby smiled and held out a Mott's juice box.

"Apple juice?" Doc said in disbelief, "I compete to the death and my consolation prize is apple juice?"

"It's been an honor hosting you here, Mr. Rowe. What is your destination?"

McNinja scowled. "I'm not Delsi- okay, how hard is it to guess which one I am? I'm a ninja wearing a doctor's outfit!"

The doorman did not respond in any way. He continued to hold the apple juice. Doc sighed, snatched it from the doorman's hand and irritably started sipping from it.

"Tangled Green," Doc replied, then muttered, "It's not even chilled," when he heard Dax from behind him.

"Hey, Doc!"

McNinja turned around and glared at the 'ottsel', and snapped, "What?"

Dax looked down. "Thanks."

He wanted to yell some more at the little rat, but McNinja couldn't help but smile. "Hey, when you meet up with Jak again, tell him don't be a stranger."

"How can we get in touch with you?"

"There's a place called Ereve in Tangled Green," Doc yelled out, "Ask around for me."

"Okay!" Daxter cheered, "See ya!...you soft nurse."

"Noisy little raccoon," Doc muttered under his breath.

He entered the portal to his temporary forest home. After all, he had to report to the Cygnus Knights what had happened... and the information he was able to acquire.