A Matter of Taking His Hand
Another scene for A Matter of Different Paths.
Title: A Matter of Taking His Hand
Rating: G
Summary: This time when he took Mar's hand, he didn't let go in the end.
Note: This is set in the universe of A Matter of Time, but it doesn't actually happen in the story. This is just something that could have happened if I'd chosen a different path. And yes, it completely screws with continuity. That's why it isn't the path I took. ;3
A Matter of Taking His Hand
Before Jak could even register what happened, Samos was gone. Whether by luck or the Metal Head's own design, his body had gone straight through the Precursor ring, disappearing in a flash of light. Appearing unconcerned, the Metal Head leaped across the pit to the walkway that circled the statue, then started lumbering towards them.
"All that is left," it commented, "is to kill the both of you. With the House of Mar gone, nothing, nothing will stand between me and the past!"
There was no time to figure out what it meant by that baffling statement. Even as the boy tried to latch onto his leg, Jak shoved the stone into his arms, then picked them both up with one hand and leaped.
And for the second time in what seemed like forever, but was really only a matter of days, the world became a blinding white.
-o-
Green. Everything around him was green. Green trees, green plants, green vines that swung in a gentle breeze. Jak nearly stumbled as familiarity struck him, but he was already acting, already whirling around to face the ring that he and the boy had come through. He almost thought he could hear a furious screech coming from the other side.
No!
Without a second thought, he pressed himself against the warm, coppery metal and reached for the energy he could feel within it. He had to shut the ring down, close it before the Metal Head could get through. But if he could channel eco in...
Then he could channel eco out.
The energy burned through his already weakened body, searing his nerves and filling every wound with fire. It hurt, but in a way, it almost felt good. It was infinitely preferable to the burn of the Metal Head's claws. Even so, it wasn't long before his knees threatened to buckle beneath him, but thankfully, he only had to remove a little of the energy from the ring to make it stop spinning. The light faded, then died completely. For a moment, there was silence.
Then the kid in his arms began to squirm.
Wearily, Jak sank to his knees and let go of the little blond, who turned around and looked at him with large, blue eyes. He dropped the stone and waved his hands through the air. Whoosh! A pat on his arm and so much concern.
Are you all right?
Jak gave him a wan smile, then very deliberately yawned. Yeah. I'm just tired. It was more than that, of course, but he didn't need to worry the boy with things that couldn't be helped. He'd be all right, after a while, once he'd had a chance to rest and heal. In the mean time...
He looked around. Where were they anyway? The vines tugged at his memory, the distant sound of water tickled his ears, the trees and bushes, the rocks, the way the ground sloped down - everything felt... He was...
Home?
He almost couldn't believe it, but there it was. He knew this forest, knew every rock and tree like the back of his hand. How many times had he and Daxter played here while they'd been growing up? There was still something slightly off, but the only thing that really stood out of place was the Precursor ring they'd just come through. He knew there wasn't any such thing anywhere near this forest. Could it... move? He reached up and gave it an experimental push, but it stayed hovering firmly in place. Huh. Maybe Samos would know. Speaking of which...
His eyes went to the form of the green-skinned man lying on the ground, and with a grimace, Jak pushed himself up to his feet. The kid followed him as he wearily made his way to the Green Sage's side, where he dropped to his knees again. Samos? He gently touched his mentor's shoulder. Samos, are you all right?
At first there was no response. Jak took a quick stock of the man's visible injuries, but it seemed like it was mostly scrapes and bruises, probably from rolling across the ground after being thrown through the ring. His fingers were just starting to explore the sage's head, and the boy had decided to be helpful by patting Samos' arm, when the man groaned and opened his eyes.
"Great yakkow, what in the world happened?"
Relief. Pure and simple relief. Jak exhaled softly, then smiled as Samos sat up. The smile turned wry when he curled his one good hand into a set of claws, then simulated throwing something through the air. The Metal Head threw you like a big green ball.
Beside him, the kid jumped up with enthusiasm, chiming in with a big wave of his arms that ended with his hands forming a circle. It threw you through the ring!
Samos stared. His eyes went from Jak to the kid, then back to Jak again, and his hand stroked his too-short beard. Finally, he jabbed a stubby finger in the teenager's direction. "What's your name, boy?"
It was all he could do not to wince at the question. Samos should have known who he was. What had happened? Had he lost his memory when they went through that gate the first time? That didn't explain why he looked different, though. It just didn't make sense.
With an unhappy expression, Jak pushed the questions away. Now wasn't really the time, and if Samos didn't remember how he spoke, he might not be able to understand. Leaning forward, he brushed a patch of ground free of twigs and leaves, then scrawled his name for Samos to read. JAK. My name is Jak.
"Jak," the man echoed. Then he lifted one brow. "And your brother?" he asked.
Jak stopped short. With wide eyes, he stared at Samos, then at the little boy. The kid blinked back at him with large, blue eyes, apparently just as startled. Jak started to shake his head. He's not-
Mmah! The boy's eyes lit up with excitement and he practically danced from one foot to the other. His lips pressed together and opened again and he all but grabbed Jak's hand and tugged. Mmah!
Surprised by the sudden enthusiasm, Jak's train of thought was derailed. For a moment, all he could do was blink at the kid until it dawned on him that the boy was trying to speak. One word, over and over, with no sound coming from his lips. Another tug and a look of insistence. Mmah!
Mmah.
Jak tilted his head. An "m" and a vowel, probably an "ah," going by the shape of his mouth. It was a short word, probably his name, since that was the question Samos had asked. What short names did he know for boys that started with a "mah"? He hesitated, then shook his hand free and slowly scratched in the dirt. One letter, a second, then a third - he wasn't certain, but the only way to find out was for Samos to say it out loud and see how the boy responded.
"Mar?" There was surprise in Samos' voice as he repeated the name Jak wrote, but Jak wasn't looking at him. He was looking at the kid.
Is that your name?
A bright, beaming grin was his answer to the question. Yes! Yes, it is!
Mar. Jak's lips twitched with a smile. That was the name of the man Damas had said built Haven. Had someone named their son after him?
Someday...
Samos continued to scrutinize them both, his eyes hard and measuring as the frown on his face, but whatever he was thinking, he didn't say it out loud. He shook his head as though mentally shelving the matter, then picked himself up off the ground and turned to regard the ring.
"Hmm. It looks like the ring has been turned off. Wherever we are, we're stuck here for the time being."
The teen gave him a sidelong look. He didn't remember the forest, either?
The sage went on, not noticing Jak's expression. "And it's going to be dark in a few hours. We should find shelter and something to eat. And you-" He sternly turned to Jak. "You need to have those wounds tended to, Jak. Come along, and bring your brother." Without giving a chance for either of them to respond, he stooped over to pick up the Precursor stone, then immediately set off down the path that Jak knew would take them to Sandover.
Someday you will be...
Somewhat bemused, Jak regarded Mar for a moment. The kid didn't seem phased at all by Samos' mistake. In fact, he was still grinning up at Jak, looking almost breathless with excitement. The little blond reached up again to latch onto Jak's good hand. Come on! he tugged. Come on!
Just like...
Jak laughed, soundless but still a laugh. All right, all right. Lead the way. Nothing really made sense at the moment, but for now, he supposed he could live with this. There would be time to figure out what was going on, time to correct Samos about who they were, but it would be okay, he decided, to be Mar's big brother until everything got sorted out.
And besides...
Just like...
He'd always sort of wanted a brother of his own.
-o-
Just... like... Mar.
-The End-
Title: A Matter of Taking His Hand
Rating: G
Summary: This time when he took Mar's hand, he didn't let go in the end.
Note: This is set in the universe of A Matter of Time, but it doesn't actually happen in the story. This is just something that could have happened if I'd chosen a different path. And yes, it completely screws with continuity. That's why it isn't the path I took. ;3
A Matter of Taking His Hand
Before Jak could even register what happened, Samos was gone. Whether by luck or the Metal Head's own design, his body had gone straight through the Precursor ring, disappearing in a flash of light. Appearing unconcerned, the Metal Head leaped across the pit to the walkway that circled the statue, then started lumbering towards them.
"All that is left," it commented, "is to kill the both of you. With the House of Mar gone, nothing, nothing will stand between me and the past!"
There was no time to figure out what it meant by that baffling statement. Even as the boy tried to latch onto his leg, Jak shoved the stone into his arms, then picked them both up with one hand and leaped.
And for the second time in what seemed like forever, but was really only a matter of days, the world became a blinding white.
-o-
Green. Everything around him was green. Green trees, green plants, green vines that swung in a gentle breeze. Jak nearly stumbled as familiarity struck him, but he was already acting, already whirling around to face the ring that he and the boy had come through. He almost thought he could hear a furious screech coming from the other side.
No!
Without a second thought, he pressed himself against the warm, coppery metal and reached for the energy he could feel within it. He had to shut the ring down, close it before the Metal Head could get through. But if he could channel eco in...
Then he could channel eco out.
The energy burned through his already weakened body, searing his nerves and filling every wound with fire. It hurt, but in a way, it almost felt good. It was infinitely preferable to the burn of the Metal Head's claws. Even so, it wasn't long before his knees threatened to buckle beneath him, but thankfully, he only had to remove a little of the energy from the ring to make it stop spinning. The light faded, then died completely. For a moment, there was silence.
Then the kid in his arms began to squirm.
Wearily, Jak sank to his knees and let go of the little blond, who turned around and looked at him with large, blue eyes. He dropped the stone and waved his hands through the air. Whoosh! A pat on his arm and so much concern.
Are you all right?
Jak gave him a wan smile, then very deliberately yawned. Yeah. I'm just tired. It was more than that, of course, but he didn't need to worry the boy with things that couldn't be helped. He'd be all right, after a while, once he'd had a chance to rest and heal. In the mean time...
He looked around. Where were they anyway? The vines tugged at his memory, the distant sound of water tickled his ears, the trees and bushes, the rocks, the way the ground sloped down - everything felt... He was...
Home?
He almost couldn't believe it, but there it was. He knew this forest, knew every rock and tree like the back of his hand. How many times had he and Daxter played here while they'd been growing up? There was still something slightly off, but the only thing that really stood out of place was the Precursor ring they'd just come through. He knew there wasn't any such thing anywhere near this forest. Could it... move? He reached up and gave it an experimental push, but it stayed hovering firmly in place. Huh. Maybe Samos would know. Speaking of which...
His eyes went to the form of the green-skinned man lying on the ground, and with a grimace, Jak pushed himself up to his feet. The kid followed him as he wearily made his way to the Green Sage's side, where he dropped to his knees again. Samos? He gently touched his mentor's shoulder. Samos, are you all right?
At first there was no response. Jak took a quick stock of the man's visible injuries, but it seemed like it was mostly scrapes and bruises, probably from rolling across the ground after being thrown through the ring. His fingers were just starting to explore the sage's head, and the boy had decided to be helpful by patting Samos' arm, when the man groaned and opened his eyes.
"Great yakkow, what in the world happened?"
Relief. Pure and simple relief. Jak exhaled softly, then smiled as Samos sat up. The smile turned wry when he curled his one good hand into a set of claws, then simulated throwing something through the air. The Metal Head threw you like a big green ball.
Beside him, the kid jumped up with enthusiasm, chiming in with a big wave of his arms that ended with his hands forming a circle. It threw you through the ring!
Samos stared. His eyes went from Jak to the kid, then back to Jak again, and his hand stroked his too-short beard. Finally, he jabbed a stubby finger in the teenager's direction. "What's your name, boy?"
It was all he could do not to wince at the question. Samos should have known who he was. What had happened? Had he lost his memory when they went through that gate the first time? That didn't explain why he looked different, though. It just didn't make sense.
With an unhappy expression, Jak pushed the questions away. Now wasn't really the time, and if Samos didn't remember how he spoke, he might not be able to understand. Leaning forward, he brushed a patch of ground free of twigs and leaves, then scrawled his name for Samos to read. JAK. My name is Jak.
"Jak," the man echoed. Then he lifted one brow. "And your brother?" he asked.
Jak stopped short. With wide eyes, he stared at Samos, then at the little boy. The kid blinked back at him with large, blue eyes, apparently just as startled. Jak started to shake his head. He's not-
Mmah! The boy's eyes lit up with excitement and he practically danced from one foot to the other. His lips pressed together and opened again and he all but grabbed Jak's hand and tugged. Mmah!
Surprised by the sudden enthusiasm, Jak's train of thought was derailed. For a moment, all he could do was blink at the kid until it dawned on him that the boy was trying to speak. One word, over and over, with no sound coming from his lips. Another tug and a look of insistence. Mmah!
Mmah.
Jak tilted his head. An "m" and a vowel, probably an "ah," going by the shape of his mouth. It was a short word, probably his name, since that was the question Samos had asked. What short names did he know for boys that started with a "mah"? He hesitated, then shook his hand free and slowly scratched in the dirt. One letter, a second, then a third - he wasn't certain, but the only way to find out was for Samos to say it out loud and see how the boy responded.
"Mar?" There was surprise in Samos' voice as he repeated the name Jak wrote, but Jak wasn't looking at him. He was looking at the kid.
Is that your name?
A bright, beaming grin was his answer to the question. Yes! Yes, it is!
Mar. Jak's lips twitched with a smile. That was the name of the man Damas had said built Haven. Had someone named their son after him?
Someday...
Samos continued to scrutinize them both, his eyes hard and measuring as the frown on his face, but whatever he was thinking, he didn't say it out loud. He shook his head as though mentally shelving the matter, then picked himself up off the ground and turned to regard the ring.
"Hmm. It looks like the ring has been turned off. Wherever we are, we're stuck here for the time being."
The teen gave him a sidelong look. He didn't remember the forest, either?
The sage went on, not noticing Jak's expression. "And it's going to be dark in a few hours. We should find shelter and something to eat. And you-" He sternly turned to Jak. "You need to have those wounds tended to, Jak. Come along, and bring your brother." Without giving a chance for either of them to respond, he stooped over to pick up the Precursor stone, then immediately set off down the path that Jak knew would take them to Sandover.
Someday you will be...
Somewhat bemused, Jak regarded Mar for a moment. The kid didn't seem phased at all by Samos' mistake. In fact, he was still grinning up at Jak, looking almost breathless with excitement. The little blond reached up again to latch onto Jak's good hand. Come on! he tugged. Come on!
Just like...
Jak laughed, soundless but still a laugh. All right, all right. Lead the way. Nothing really made sense at the moment, but for now, he supposed he could live with this. There would be time to figure out what was going on, time to correct Samos about who they were, but it would be okay, he decided, to be Mar's big brother until everything got sorted out.
And besides...
Just like...
He'd always sort of wanted a brother of his own.
-o-
Just... like... Mar.
-The End-