//------------------------------// // Spargus: Race Against Time // Story: Sons of Damas // by Tatsurou //------------------------------// Once Jak had stabilized himself, he tested out his new Light Eco ability, which froze time around him, letting him leap across spinning platforms when - to his perspective - they were frozen. Once across, he let time restart so Shining could teleport over to him. The trio then made their way through the new passage thus revealed, making their way up higher in the temple. As the group continued, they came across more obstacles that required the time freeze for Jak to pass, including rapidly spinning giant fans he had to walk across. "Where do you think this path is taking us?" Shining asked curiously. "I thought it was going to take us back to the portal, or at least another one to get back to the Dune Hopper and Spargus." "I thought so too," Jak confirmed. "It's why I went this way. Wonder where it actually leads..." "Guess we'll find out," Daxter offered as the last passage led to an elevator. Once all three were on the elevator, it dropped downward, lowering down a long tube. When it reached the bottom, they found themselves in a large hangar, with a single golden vehicle of some sort in the center, blue lights racing along the brown Precursor-alloy walls. As Jak looked around in amazement, he realized why the area looked so familiar. "It looks like the Catacombs from under Haven City..." he marveled. "Wasn't Veger saying he wanted access to the catacombs?" Shining asked. "Do you think there's a connection?" "Could be," Daxter admitted, staring down the tunnel. "Where do you think they go?" At that moment, Pecker flew into the chamber. "There you are!" he gasped out, panting for breath as he landed on the vehicle. "Ahh...I am so squawking happy I found you!" he panted, wiping his forehead with a wing. "What brings you all the way out here?" Jak asked curiously. "Onin says we must get back to Haven City," Pecker replied as he caught his breath. "She says the Catacombs are the key to the planet's very survival." "Then let's go," Jak replied, holding his Mar Medallion out to the vehicle. It hummed to life and lifted into the air at the perfect height for him to hop in. "Everyone ready for a little ride?" "You sure this goes back to Haven?" Shining asked, hopping in. "I can feel it," Jak replied, leaping into the driver's seat. "Then let's go!" Daxter proclaimed, pointing forward. The air car drove even smoother than any A-Grav Zoomer based on Keira's designs had ever driven, flowing through the air like water racing across the smoothest ice. "Damn...we have got to find a busted one of these for Keira to study," Jak whispered as he turned the wheel, marveling at how responsive the controls were, turning to the slightest twitch of his hands on the wheel. "This is going to spoil me for Zoomers and Buggies." "Why a busted one?" Shining asked curiously. "Don't want to risk her taking this one apart and not being able to put it back together perfectly," Jak explained. "Well, there goes my first idea for how to get a busted one," Daxter joked as Jak spun the vehicle around the transport tube, the Eco guns firing off readily and rapidly to take out mines that lined the path. Far too soon for Jak's tastes, they reached the end of the course, ending in another hangar just like the one they'd left. Jak made sure to hit the brakes so the vehicle halted without smashing into the wall. "...wanna run the course a few more times for fun?" he offered hopefully. "Wanna go let Keira know you're still alive?" Daxter and Shining countered together. "...oh yeah, I did kinda collapse right in front of her and haven't seen her since I recovered," Jak replied thoughtfully. "...think she's worried?" Daxter, Shining, and Pecker all stared at him, flat eyed. "...going to go check in with her now!" Jak proclaimed, leaping out of the vehicle. As he did, an image of a Precursor appeared before them. "You show promise, young ones," it proclaimed, "but your bravery will not protect you from the foes you must soon face. Use this Light power to help you in your quest." As it spoke, Light flooded Jak and Shining. "It was what little we have left to offer." Shining's eyes widened as he felt the Light Eco naturally align itself with his shield spells, the new power amplifying that magic. "A Light Shield..." he marveled. "Less talking about new powers, more getting to Keira!" Jak shouted, racing for the exit as the Precursor image vanished. Rolling his eyes, Shining raced after him, Daxter and Pecker following along behind. At the opposite end of the single elevator, the group found themselves in an ancient underground structure. "It...looks like some old eco mine," Jak murmured. "When Mar built Haven City, he must have carved out these old caves to get at the eco power." "Sheesh!" Daxter muttered, stunned. "When did he sleep?" "I'll go ahead to tell Onin we're back," Pecker spoke up. "I'll also let Keira know to expect you, Jak. Watch your tail feathers, you three. This place is spooky!" With that, he flew off. Jak braced himself for the journey through the mine. "You both ready?" he asked Daxter and Shining. "Always," Shining agreed. "I ain't afraid o' no ghosts!" Daxter confirmed, bouncing back and forth as he wriggled his forepaws in a boxing stance. "Let's go!" Standing together, the trio began their trek through the mine.