> Jak and Daxter: The Equestrian Front
>  by distortedtruth92
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Where The Hell Are My Pants?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jak, Daxter, and Kiera stand before the newly discovered rift gate, pondering what to do.
“I think it should just be the two of you,” Kiera states suddenly.
“Why?” Jak seems confused by Kiera not wanting to go with him. They do everything together now.
“I need to stay here with daddy. He could go any day now, but this new dimension may need a hero like you immediately.” She gives Jak a kiss. “Be careful and return home.”
Jak looks at her with a sly smile. “When am I not careful?”
“How about all the time.” She gives him a gentle shove. “Now go, before it closes.”
Jak looks down at the Ottsel at his feet. “C'mon, Dax. You ready for another adventure?”
“Am I wearing pants,” Daxter replies enthusiastically as he climbs up Jak's body to rest on his perch on his companion's shoulder.
Jak walks over to the rift rider and gets in. He looks over to Kiera. “I'll be back before you know it. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Jak pushes the red button on the rider, and he and Daxter are launched forward into the rift gate. The duo is surrounded by a blue aura as they shoot through the tube, the rift rider shaking violently. 
Suddenly, the rider breaks apart, send the two flying forward. Daxter yells out in fear, gripping Jak's shoulder for dear life.



Princess Celestia was holding midday court, listening kindly to all the grievances her subjects brought before her.
“My Princess,” an earth pony with a royal blue coat and golden mane was saying, “My daughter has been kidnapped by Diamond Dogs. I request assistance in rescuing her.”
Celestia looks at the man sympathetically. She smiles warmly at him. “It shall be done, sir. I will send ten of my guard with you.”
The stallion bows low to the ground. “Thank you, my Princ-”
He is cut short as Celestia holds up her hoof and looks around. She had sensed a disturbance in the magic in the air around her. In the ceiling, a vortex open up and an earth pony is dumped out, screaming, along with a screaming rodent. The two crash to the ground at Celestia's feet, dazed. The pony has a deep, royal blue coat. His mane, while blonde, is green at the roots. As he stands up, she realizes that he is a little small for a full grown stallion, but his muscle tone belies his size. The creature next to him is some sort of otter, but it has some weasel in it, too. 
The stallion stands up shakily next to his unconscious companion. He looks around at the room, noticing all the ponies watching him with wide eyes. He looks at his body and his eyes go wide. He opens his mouth to speak. “Where the hell are my pants?”
The stallions voice seems to break the crowd out of its stunned silence. Everypony tries to speak at once, while guards rush forward and detain the new stallion, ushering him away from the Princess.



Jak gets a serious sense of deja vu as the guards whisk him away.
“Not again,” he mutters to himself. At least this time they took Daxter, too. 
Jak doesn't resist as he is taken away, still not being used to this new body. It's like his brain tells his back left leg to move but his back right leg moves instead. So, instead of wasting energy, he complies with them, though he does not make it easy by hanging limp in their hooves.
The guards take him down several flights of stairs before finally depositing him in a dank, damp dungeon. One candle lights the inside of the cell, revealing smooth, grey stone. No signs of erosion whatsoever, even with the dampness. There is a pile of straw in one corner, he assumes that is where he is supposed to sleep. In the opposite corner as the “bed” is a hole which he assumes is for a latrine. All in all, definitely not the worst dungeon he has been in.
Jak walks, stumbles actually, over to the unconscious Daxter and prods his best friend with a hoof. The Ottsel wakes up with a shout.
“Wha-? Who? Where?” He looks at Jak. “Who the hell are you?”
“Dax, it's me, Jak.”
“Jak?” Daxter looks at his friend with widening eyes. “You're a... You're a... horse!” He finishes the last with a howl of laughter as he falls onto his back, rolling around. “You're a horse!”
“He's a pony actually,” A soft, motherly voice floats through the bars. Jak looks up and sees the being he saw before. More like crashed in front of. She is at least twice his size with an alabaster coat. She looks more regal than anything he has ever seen. She has a huge horn protruding from the top of her head. Huge eagles wings are folded against her back. Her multi-hued mane is blowing as if in a gentle breeze, though there was not even a hint of one in this dungeon.
Jak tries to gallop over to the bars, but trips over his own feet and ends up smashing his face into them instead. After righting himself, he growls at her, “Who are you, and why have you stuck me in this cell?”
The being looks taken aback by Jak's tone. “I am Princess Celestia, ruler of all of Equestria. I hope you do realize it is impolite to ask for someone's name before you give them yours.”
“And I hope you realize it is impolite to throw someone in a dungeon for no reason at all.”
Princess Celestia bows her head in apology. “I am sorry for the way my guards treated you. They were doing their job. They had no idea if you were dangerous or not and would not risk my safety. Now my I please ask you and your companion's names.
Jak glares at her before giving in under her kindly stare. “My name is Jak, and this right here is Daxter.”
“Well, I am pleased to meet both of you-”
“I wish I could say the same,” Jak interrupts.
Princess Celestia continues as if the was no interruption, “Now if I gathered anything from what Daxter said to you before I introduced myself, you are not from this world.” Only the tilt of her head makes it a question.
“I think you can be correct in assuming that.” 
“I see. And what brought you here to Equestria?”
“Well it was this thing called a Rift Gate.”
“I believe I have heard of those. I have never found one though.”
Jak's head droops as she says this, Knowing he has to find another Rift Gate if he ever wants to go home.
“Now,” Celestia says sternly, “can I assume that you are docile enough to be let out of your cell?”
Jak and Daxter both nod.
“Very well then. I know you will be wanting to search for your Rift Gate, but you will need to learn some about our culture if you are to make any head way. And, who knows? You might even make friends.”
Jak looks up at her. “What do I have to do?”
Celestia unlocks the cell door with her magic, causing Daxter to hide behind Jak's right foreleg. “I am sending you to the town of Ponyville. There, the Elements of Harmony will teach you what you need to know.”
	
	
	
> Elements of What Now
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“The Elements of What now?” Daxter asks as  he rides on Jaks back as they follow Princess Celsetia out of the dungeons.
“Harmony, Daxter. Harmony. They are going to help you get acclimated to life here in Equestria.”
Jak looks at Celestia quizzically, “Uh, how are Elements going to help me.”
Celestia smile down at her newest subject. “The are ponies that embody the Elements, Jak. These ponies will be the ones to help you.”
“Oh, I see.” He does not really see.
“No, you don't.”
“No, I don't”
“Well neither do I, lady,” Daxter exclaimed belligerently. “My best friend has been turned into a pony and no long has pants. I really do not want to look at that thing all day.”
“Ah, c'mon, Dax, it can't be that bad. In fact, it's quite breezy” Jak looks back and smiles at his companion.
“It sure as hell can be. I mean, it's right there.”
“Celestia smiles again. “Do not worry, little one. You will get used to it. Ponies only wear clothes on special occasions. Except for the Apple family. Each one of them is always wear some piece of clothing.”
The trio is silent for the rest of the trek through the dungeons. As they climb higher and higher, the air starts to move around them, signaling that they are near the end of their journey. As they come out into the open air Jak realizes something.
“Whoa, this world is colorful as hell.”
Celestia looks over at him questioningly, “It's not colorful in your world?”
“Not nearly as bright as this.”
“Hmmm,” Celestia looks thoughtful. “That's interesting.”
She is interrupted from asking more by a unicorn galloping up to her. His coat is almost as pure white as the Princess's. His mane and tail are two-toned blue. He skids to a halt before her and makes a sweeping bow. “My Princess, are you sure it is safe to have these two walking about?”
Celestia smiles down at her guard. “I am fairly certain, Shining Armor. You may go about your duties per usual.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” The stallion named Shining Armor gallops off.
Celestia turns back to her two charges, “Please, follow me.” The trio makes its way through the crowded court yard to a chariot that has two pegasi attached to the front. Celestia opens the door and ushers Jak and Daxter inside. She follows them in with the words “to Ponyville” directed at the two pegasi.
Jak starts as the chariot takes flight. “Holy crap, Dax. We are flying. In a chariot. Being pulled by pegasi. How cool is that?”
“Yea,” Daxter says, his face green, “cool.” He runs over to the side and hurls.
“Sorry about that,” Jak apologizes to the Princess. “He's usually really good at flying.”
“It's not a problem.” Celestia says kindly.
Near the end of the trip Celestia looks to Jak. “I'm about to show you something that few ponies get to watch me do.”
Jak looks at her warily. “What are you going to do?”
“You'll see.” She smiles at him before scrunching up her face. Her horn glows a light yellow as the sun starts to move downward. Jak's mouth opens in a perfect, comical “O” while Daxter's chin hits the floor. Soon the world is shroud in darkness before the moon starts to rise to take the sun's place. Celestia looks over to the duo and smiles. Looking at the moon she says, “My sister's charge. Princess Luna. You haven't met her yet, but you will, in time. Now we are almost there.”
She wasn't lying. No sooner had the words come out of her mouth, then the soft bump of the carriage touching down was felt. Celestia opened the carriage door and Daxter fell out, kissing the ground. “Oh, sweet, sweet ground, how I have missed you so.” He gives it one more kiss for good measure.
Jak rolls his eyes and steps out of the carriage, the Princess following behind.
“Welcome to Ponyville,” she says, holding up a hoof. The home of the Ele-”
“Princess Celestia!”
“Kiera?” Jak turns around looking for his girlfriend.
Instead, galloping toward them, is a purple unicorn, delight plain upon her face.
Celestia speaks to Jak, “My faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. Also the Element of Magic.”
Twilight skids to a halt in front of the Princess. The action oddly familiar to Jak. “She looks at him. “Who's this.”
“Twilight, this is Jak and his friend Daxter. They are new and they need to be taught our culture. I thought that none would be better suited for this task than you and the girls.”
Twilight smiles, “Of course, Princess. Everypony is at my house right now. We were going to have a sleep over.”
“Great. I will leave you to it, then.” With that she walks back to the carriage and is gone.
“Well, follow me,” Twilight says kindly. I know everpony will be happy to meet you.”
“What makes you say that? You barely even know me.”
“Well, the Princess seemed to like you well enough. I don't see why we won't.”
Something in her movements jogged Jak's memory. “I think I've met one of you relatives.”
“Oh, really. Who?” she asks enthusiastically.
“I think his name was Shining Armor.”
“Oh, you met my big brother. How is he? Did he mention me at all?”
“No I didn't get much time to talk to him as he was throwing me into the dungeon.”
Twilight stops in her track. Becoming very serious, she asks, “What did you do?”
“Well you probably won't believe me, but I came through an interdimensional portal and it so happened to dump me at the Princess's feet while she was in the middle of hold court. So, naturally, he thought I was a threat. I hold no grudge against him.” He added the last at Twilight's questioning look.
Twilight resumes walking. “That's good. I was afraid you had done something terrible. Wait.” Her eyes widen. “Did you say you came from another dimension?” She gets right in his face.
“Um, yes.”
“Oh, this is so great. I've been telling ponies for years that other dimensions exist and this proves it. Oh, I can't wait to tell them.”
“Uh, maybe we keep it between your friends the Princess, and me. We don't know how all the other ponies would react to another dimensional being being here.”
Twilight's ears droop in sadness. “Yeah, you're right.” Her ears perk up. “But, hey, we're here.”
Jak was so immersed in the conversation he hadn't even noticed where he was going. He looked up and saw a huge tree. It had windows in it with light streaming out of them. They stood before the door. Twilight opened it. “Girls, I've got somepony for you guys to meet.

> Remember How To Roll?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Who is it, Twi?” Jak hears someone, er, somepony ask.
Twilight looks back at Jak and motions for him to join her in the doorway. Upon entering the house, Jak notices that he is, in fact, standing in a library. Shelves of books are pushed against the walls. The only thing that Jak can think of is how Samos would love this place. “This is Jak and his friend, Daxter. They are beings from another dimension.” Twilight finishes the last with the air of someone giving a school report.
Jak looks to the middle of the floor to see five ponies and a lizard sitting in a circle. All are staring at Twilight with wide eyes, as if she's gone mad. Then, all at once, they start laughing. Jak looks at Twilight with a slight grin. “Well, you didn't expect them to believe you, right?”
“Um, well, maybe a little.” She blushes.
Daxter hops off Jak's back and strolls over to the bag of marshmallows sitting in the middle of the circle of ponies, throws one into the air, and catches it in his mouth. “Mmmm, hey, Jak, these are good. I can't remember the last time I had a marshmallow.”
The five ponies and the lizard all snap the eyes to Daxter. “D-did that creature just talk?” the yellow pony with the pink mane and tail asked.
“What?” Daxter responds through a mouthful of marshmallow. “You ain't never seen an Ottsel before?”
“N-no.”
The other ponies all move there gazes to the yellow pegasus, as is surprised that she did not know what type of creature he was.
“Jak speaks up. “What Twilight said is true. Dax and I are not from this dimension. When we got thrown out of the portal I assumed the shape of the dominant species. That is, a pony.”
The cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane flies up to Jak and pokes him on the chest with a hoof. “You don't seem like an alien to me.”
Jak rolls his eyes. “Fine lets just pretend I'm another pony, who doesn't know anything about the world he is in. How's that.”
Twilight breaks in, “Oookaaay, Jak why don't you have a seat and we'll get introduction out of the way.”
“Fine by me.” He walks over to and empty spot of floor in the circle and sits down between a white unicorn with a purple mane and an orange earth pony with a blonde mane who is also wearing a stetson hat.
“So,” Twilight says as she looks around at her friends, “Jak is here to learn about our culture, and we are meant to teach him. So, I think we should all introduce ourselves and the Elements we represent. I'll go first. My name is Twilight Sparkle and I am the Element of Magic.”
The cyan pegasus, who had landed next to Twilight spoke up, “I'm Rainbow Dash, fastest flier in all of Equestria.” She finishes with a smug look. At a look from Twilight she continues, “Oh, and I'm the Element of Loyalty.”
The orange earth pony next to Jak is the next to speak up, “Ah'm Applejack, an' Ah'm the Element o' Honesty.”
The ponies look at him next. “Um, I'm Jak, and, uh, I guess the most interesting thing about me is that I saved my world, uh, five times.”
The ponies all look at him with surprise written plainly upon their faces.
“Did ya say five times, sugar cube?” Applejack asks.
“Well, actually it was me,” Daxter interjects. “He's just my sideki-.” He interupted by Jak hitting him on the back of the head with a hoof. “Ow, you know that hurts a lot more when you have hooves.”
Jak has enough grace to look ashamed. “Sorry.”
Next, the white unicorn speaks up. “It's a pleasure to meet you, darling. I am Rarity, and I am the Element of Generosity.”
Hardly a second after she finishes, the pink earth pony, who has been quiet up until this point burst out at the speed of sound, “I'm Pinkie Pie and I'm the Element of Laughter. We gotta throw you a party. When will-mmmph.” Applejack reaches over and shoves a hoof in Pinkie's mouth, and looks at the last pony, the yellow pegasus with the pink mane. She hides behind her mane and Jak has to lean in close to hear her.
“I'm Fluttershy, and I'm the Element of Kindness.”
The lizard speaks up next. “I'm Spike and I'm a dragon.”
Jak looks around to all of the ponies and the dragon. “Well it is very nice to meet all of you.” He stands up. “I'm going to go for a walk. Get a feel for the town. I'll be back shortly.” He walks out of the door without giving them a chance to respond. Daxter jumps up and runs to Jak to climb on his back.
Jak walks for fifteen minutes before Daxter speaks up. “Hey, remember how to roll?”
Jak rolls his eyes. “Daxter, we are not doing that this time. I mean you do this at the beginning of every adventure.”
“Well, that's true, but still. Any idea what we're doing here?”
“Not in the slightest. But, as I see it, why not enjoy ourselves while here.”
“I second that. Besides, that Twilight chick is pretty hot.”
“She's a pony, Dax.”
“And so are you. What's the problem? I actually prefer that Rarity. Wow, isn't she the looker.”
Jak just laughs. “Good luck with that.”
“Oh, no one can resist the Daxternator when he turns his charm on.”
“And how has that worked out for you in the past.”
Daxter looks thoughtful for a second, “Tess didn't seem to mind.”
Jak laughs again. “C'mon, lover boy, we should start heading back. We need a place to sleep.” He starts to head back to Twilight's house.
“Hey, seriously, though. You think I got a chance.”
“Sure, Dax. Sure.”

> Emergence Of A Hero
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Well, you'll be sleeping in my guest room, of course!” Twilight exclaimes.
Jak and Daxter had walked back to the library in comfortable silence. As Jak opened the door he had found the ponies holding marshmallows on sticks with Spike blowing fire at them. Jak had asked to speak to Twilight alone to ask where he would be sleeping. Thus, Twilight's previous words.
“You sure it won't be too much trouble?” Jak asks hesitantly.
“No. not at all. Spike and I would be more than happy to have a house guest.” Twilight turns around and heads back to  the main room. “Come on. Let's rejoin the others.”
Jak awakens to the sound of screaming. He jumps out of bed, landing on Daxter's tail.
“Ow! Watch where you're stepping, Jak.” His ears perk up. “What's that sound?”
“Screaming. Come on, Dax. Let's go check it out.” Jak waits as Daxter climbs onto his back and gallops out of his bedroom. As he barrels down the stairs, he sees Twilight frantically flipping through the pages of a book. “Twilight, what's happening?”
Twilight looks up, fear in her eyes. “A dragon is attacking Ponyville. Half the town is already up in flames.”
Jak looks at her. “Don't worry. I'll help.”
“DON'T WORRY! HOW CAN YOU TELL ME NOT TO WORRY WHEN A CELESTIA DAMNED DRAGON IS ATTACKING THE TOWN?”
Jak takes her hoof in his and stares into her eyes. “Just trust me.” He gives her a cocky grin and rushes out the door...
And is greeted by a battle zone. The peaceful, rural town that he strolled through last night is gone. In its place are burning bodies strewn throughout the street. Fire is tearing through the straw roofed houses like kindling. Jak looks up and sees a giant red dragon soaring through the sky,flames streaming from its gaping mouth.
Jak instinctively reaches for his back, searching for his morph gun. “Damn, first my pants, now my gun. Oh, well. Dax, hold on.” Jak clenches his body. Suddenly, his blue coat turns a luminescent white, his eyes glowing with a blue-white aura. Out of his back sprout two angelic wings. Time slows around him as he flaps his wings and takes off toward the dragon.
He lands on the back of the dragon and retracts his wings, time returning to normal speed. Jak has to quickly grab one of the dragon's spikes to prevent himself from falling.
“What are we gonna do now, Jak?” Daxter asks in pure terror.
“We're gonna kill this thing,” he replies with a feral grin as his goat changes again, this time to gray with a purple tint. His mane turns completely white. His eyes go black as the midnight sea. 
Jak struggles with the dragon in mid-air, trying to wear it out. As he punches it, he realizes that conventional means will not bring the dragon down. He clambers up to the base of the it's neck and steadies himself. After being sure of his footing, he jumps straight up, punching the dragon's back on his way down, creating a huge purple shock wave radiating from the point of contact.
The dragon roars in agony, its wings going limp. It starts plummeting to the ground, Jak, now reverted to his normal form, and Daxter still on its back.
“Jak, do something!”
“I'm thinking!”
The dragon's unconscious descent steepens into a headlong rush toward the ground, a spot of land dotted with apple trees.
“Dax,” Jak yells over the wind rushing past his face, “we're gonna have to bail!”
“Why can't you fly again?”
“I don't have enough light eco!”
“We're gonna die aren't we!”
Jak smiles back to Daxter. “Not today.”
Twenty feet from the ground, Jak jumps off the dragon. He rolls as he hits the ground, transferring his momentum forward. However, being surrounded by apple trees, his momentum carries him headlong into one. He crumples in a heap.
Daxter crawls out from under his friend. “Jak, we're alive!” When he gets no response, he turns to see the limp body of his companion. “JAK!” he notices the ragged breathing. “Stay here. I'll go get help.
“Daxter? Jak? Is that y'all?”
Daxter looks around and sees a familiar orange mare galloping toward him. He runs and meets her halfway. “Applesauce-”
“Applejack,” she corrects, not unkindly.
“Right. Applejack, Jak is hurt. I think he hit his head on one of the trees.” As he speaks, he hurries past the now dead dragon to the tree where Jak lies unconcious.
Applejack takes one look at Jak and lets out a gasp. “Ah'll go get Twilight. Y'all stay here.” With that, she gallops away toward the library.
Daxter looks back to his best friend. “Don't worry, Jak. You'll make it through this you always do.” Daxter looks up to the sky in time to see two large figures use magic to bring clouds above Ponyville, drenching the ground and extinguishing the fires. 
> So Long and Thank You For The Memories
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daxter paces back and forth at the foot of the hospital bed that holds his best friend. Twilight had recently left after sitting for hours with no news from the doctors.
Applejack had come back to the farm only ten minutes after she left Daxter, Twilight following swiftly behind. Twilight had quickly checked over the unconscious form of Jak and lifted him up with her magic, careful not to let his head roll. She had taken him to the hospital where they had admitted him to intensive care, taken some blood, and left.
That was five hours ago. Daxter has not seen a single doctor or nurse since. Just as he is about to leave the room to go find a doctor, the door opens and a unicorn doctor walks in, followed by Twilight, Princess Celestia, and another pony that Daxter doesn't know. She has a horn and wings like Celestia. Her coat is a dark, midnight blue. Her mane moves as if with a breeze and is the color of the night sky.
The doctor, cheeks flushed, uses his magic to inspect Jak. He looks up to Princess Celestia and shakes his head. “He has a cracked skull. His brain is enlarged and juices are spilling from the cracks. There is nothing more I can-”
Daxter jumps on the doctor with a furious howl. “He will not die! If you had actually moved your lazy ass when he got here, you could have done something! You no good son of a-”
Celestia silences him with her magic. “Daxter, be calm. The doctor may not be able to save Jak, but my sister and I might be able to help him.”
“Really?” Daxter looks up hopefully. “How?”
“What the doctor says is true,” she explains, “Jak can not be helped by medical means. However, my sister and I have come up with a spell that reverses time on the body alone. So, while everything seems the same to us, his body will be traveling backwards to the point before he hit his head. This spell is extremely difficult, even I cannot use it alone. I would, please, ask you to step outside, please, Daxter.”
Daxter hung his head and silently walked out of the room, Twilight following behind. The doctor stays.
Though she had only known Daxter for a short time, Celestia still felt put off by Daxter's quiet acquiescence. She had expected to have to forcibly push him out of the room. Instead, he had walked out of the room without a backward glance.
“Sister?” Luna asks, “Are you alright?”
Celestia shakes her head to clear it. She smiles down at her younger sister. “I'm fine.”
Luna frowns. “Are you sure you want to do this. I mean, we only know what it will do in theory. We have never had to use it.”
“Trust me, little sister. It will work.” I hope hangs unspoken in the air between them. “No sense waiting around. Let's get this over with.”
Both Princesses look at Jak, Yellow and blue magics combining. An orange sphere surrounds Jak's body. Slowly, all his cuts shrink. The gash on his head is the last to go. Then, quite suddenly, his ragged breathing becomes the normal, deep breathing of heavy sleep. 
Celestia lets out a huge sigh of relief, only to be brought up short by a loud, continuous beep. Both sister look up at the heart monitor to see a green, flat line.
“He's crashing!” the doctor yells. He gallops to the door and throws it open. “Somepony get me a crash cart five minutes ago!”
A nurse with a red cross as her cutie mark rushes into the room, pushing the cart in front of her. The doctor rushes to Jak's side, pushing a stunned Celestia out of the way. He grabs the defibrillators of the cart with his magic. “Clear!” he yells. He presses them to Jak's chest and presses the buttons, send an electric shock through the limp body. He takes them away as the nurse pushes air into Jak's lungs. “Clear!” He yells again, the nurse backing off. He looks at the heart monitor to still see the flat line. He throws the defibrillators onto the cart in exasperation. He looks to the nurse. “Call it, Nurse Redheart.”



Jak looks around to see he is standing in a field of pure white. He still has his pony body, but it feels weightless. He looks around, and all he can see is white. There is not even a line to separate the earth from the sky.
“Jak,” a voice behind him says gently. Well as gently as a gravelly tone can be.
Jak turns around to see the speaker. It is a tall man with a balding head, the remnants of his white hair pulled back into dreadlocks. His beard crawls up from of his sculpted chin to his cheek bones in spikes. He smiles fondly at Jak, though it seems to pain his typically scowling face.
“Father?”
“Yes,” Damas walks over to his son and kneels down next to him. “Though I never new it in life.”
“Does that mean that I'm...”
Damas frowns in sadness. “Yes, I am afraid so.” He leans forward and gives his son a hug for the first time. Jak returns it fiecely.
After they break the embrace, Jak looks into Damas' eyes. “What about Dax? He's stuck on Equestria.”
“I'm sorry, son. There is nothing you nor I can do.”
“But-” Jak pauses feeling a tingling in his chest. “Did you feel that?”
“Feel what?”
“I just felt a sensation in my chest.” He feels it again, this time it is painful.
Damas smiles at him. “It seems that someone does not want you to go just yet.”
“Do I have a choice?”
“You always have a choice, son.”
Jak looks up at his father. “I'm sorry, but Dax needs me. I-”
Damas hushes him with a wave of his hand. “I understand.” He embraces his son again. “And remember this, if nothing else. I am proud of the man you have become... Mar.”
Damas' image fades as Jak feels himself falling through nothingness.



Nurse Redheart looks up at the clock. “Time of death-” she is interrupted by a gasp for air coming from the bed.
Jak sat up suddenly, panting heavily. He looks around at the four ponies gathered around his bed. Noticing only one familiar face, he asks Celestia, “Where's Daxter?”
Celestia doesn't speak. Instead, she just raises a hoof and points at the door. Jak jumps out of the bed and rushes to it.
“Hold on now,” the doctor says weakly.
Jak throws the door open wide. “DAXTER!” he yells.
“Jak?” he hears the voice come from down the hall on his right. He sprints toward it. Upon seeing his furry friend, he speeds up and charges into the waiting room, scooping Daxter up in a warm embrace.
“Whoa, watch the do, buddy,” Daxter says half heartedly before returning the hug. “I thought I had lost you, Jak.”
“Don't worry, Dax,” Jak replies as he sets his companion on the ground. “If I died, who would watch your back?”
“Aha. So you admit it. You are the sidekick.”
Jak laughs. “Sure. For the rest of today at least.”
“Aw, that's not fair. It's already ten o' clock.”
Jak laughs again. “Sucks to be you, then.” He turns to see Twilight watching them with a slight smile on her face. “Oh, uh, hey Twilight. What're you doing here?”
“Well Daxter couldn't carry you to the hospital, now could he?” 
“Jak walks over to her and gives her a swift hug. “Thank you.”
“No problem,” she says through a blush. She looks away. “We should probably wait here for the Princesses. They will most likely want to speak to you.”
“There is no need to wait,” Princess Celestia says as she enters the waiting room. “Jak has already been discharged, so we can head back to the library whenever you want.”
Jak perks up, “Then what are we waiting for? I don't like hospitals.”
“Very well. I can teleport us there.”
“Princess,” Twilight speaks up, “are you sure that's a good idea. I mean, Jak did just get released.”
Celestia looks thoughtful. “I see your point. OK, Jak you and Daxter will ride on my back to the library. Luna will join us. Twilight, could you, please teleport to the library and make us some strong tea?”
“Of course, Princess.” Twilight disappears in a flash of purple light. 
“Follow me, Jak.” She walks to the front door of the hospital and out into the night. She turns to him. “Climb up.” Jak scrambles up her side and rests his hind legs behind her wing joints. “Hold on,” she says as she takes off, Princess Luna following close behind.
> Light and Dark
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia, Luna, and the six other mares silently stare at Jak, mouths gaping open.
“... and then I woke up in the hospital,” Jak was saying. He had told them his whole story, albeit, some answers had to be coaxed out. He spoke of growing up in a rural village with Samos and Kiera. He spoke of meeting his best friend, Daxter, who was a human back then. (I don't actually think they are humans. They look more elven to me. If anyone actually knows Jak's race, please comment). He spoke of the fight with Gol and Maia at the Citadel. The rift gate was next. Princess Luna seemed particularly interested at the mention of Dark Eco in Jak's body, and how it made him stronger and ruthless. He continued his story, speaking of the defeat of Kor. I was Celestia's turn to perk up at the sound of Light Eco magic and it's powers. Jak moved on to his time in the racing business, then his time at the Brink, trying to find a solution for Eco shortages.
Applejack is the first to recover. “So, y'all really aren't from here, then?”
“You betcha, pardner,” Daxter says in a passably southern accent, earning a smack on the head from Jak.
“And you really did save your world five times?” Rarity asks.
Jak nods silently, causing the marshmallow mare to promptly swoon and faint.
Daxter walks over to Rarity and pokes her with a finger. When she does not respond, Daxter looks to Jak with wide eyes. “I think you broke her, Jak.”
Celestia looks at Jak, “You mentioned something else. I think you called it a 'morph gun?'”
Jak nods again. 
“Well, we found something foreign after you were taken to the dungeon. Neither my sister nor I knew what it was. It might have been this 'gun' of yours.”
Jak perks up. “Can I see it?”
“Certainly. I warn you though, I think it might be damaged beyond repair,” she envelops her horn in a yellow glow. Suddenly two crystals appear in a yellow aura.”
One crystal is white and shaped like a curved tear drop. The other is black, its shape the reverse of the white one.
Celestia looks at Jak hopefully. “Is this it?”
Jak shakes his head, a small smile playing across his face. “No, but those are still useful. I can use them to replenish my own personal Eco supply. (I don't know if that's true. I haven't played Jak 3 in a while.)”
“Really?” Celestia asks. Jak nods again. “I was wondering, Jak, do you think you could show us some of these powers?”
Jak stands up, “Of course, but not here. Dark Jak is too dangerous.”
You speak as if it is another being,” Twilight notices.
“That's because he almost is. The first time I ever transformed, I almost killed Dax.” 
Daxter shudders at the memory, “That was freakin' scary.”
At the horror struck look on the eight female ponies' faces, Jak quickly adds, “But that was before I had the Light Eco to balance it out.”
All the ponies heave a collective sigh of relief.
“C'mon, girls,” Jak says as he walks to the door, “Where is a good place to show you where nobod- um, nopony will get hurt?”
“We can go to the field right outside the town,” Twilight suggests.
“Perfect,” Jak responds. “Let's go. Oh, and somepony wake up Rarity.”
Five minutes later the group of ten is standing in the grassy field, the only light coming from Luna's charge.
“OK,” Jak says, “Light Jak first. Applejack, I'm going to need you to kick me in the chest hard enough to break ribs.”
“Wha-? No. O' course Ah won't.”
“Applejack, you are the strongest. I need your help with this. Please?”
“Oh, alrigh'.” She walks up to Jak, turn her back to him and bucks him right in the side of the chest. Even though she was visibly holding back, the ponies could still hear the bones break as Jak was sent flying.
Jak stands up and looks to see some of his ribs poking out of his skin. “Hmm. Not bad, AJ. This is perfect.” He grimaces in pain. “Maybe a little too perfect.” He clenches his body, and his coat turns whiter than Celestia's, a pure aura surrounding him. He is lifted off the ground by an invisible force. The bones are forced back into his body, the skin smoothing over. The whole process takes about ten seconds. When it is done, Jak returns to his normal self and drops to the ground, unscathed.
All the ponies are looking at Jak with their mouths open. Jak smiles at them. “Now for Dark Jak. Everypony, stand back. What I am about to do can kill.”
The ponies hurry away a good fifty feet. Jak clenches again, this time his body turns a pale purple/gray, His eyes black as pitch. He looks to the group of ponies and smiles. He he dashes forward five feet befor leaping straight into the air, purple lightning streaking all about him. Once again, the display last lest than ten seconds, and by the time Jak touches the ground again, he is back to normal. 
Seven mares rush up to him, all talking excitedly, even the Princesses. Jak, however, notices something. She's not even where the rest of the group had been standing.
“Hey, girls. Where's Fluttershy?”
No sooner had the words come out of his mouth than a blood curdling scream pierced the night, only to be abruptly silenced.
> I Would Like To Rent A Room
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The eight ponies turn in the direction of the scream, then hurry off without a word, Jak in the lead, Rainbow Dash and the two Princesses flying overhead.
They come to Fluttlershy's cottage and see a gruesome sight, even in the darkness of the night. A pony sized figure is hunched over the motionless form of the butter yellow pegasus, gnawing on her wing. The figure looks up at the sound of approaching hooves and growls at the group before retreating, clearly outnumbered.
The group hurries up to Fluttershy's body to see the extent of the damage. Half of her right wing is missing, in its place are strings of blood covered muscles and feathers. Jak runs a hoof through her mane, and it comes back slick with her blood. Her right foreleg had a chunk missing right above the hoof, blood and sinew spilling out.
“She's still alive, just barely,” Jak looks to Twilight. “She needs a doctor immediately. Can you teleport her to the hospital?”
Twilight mutely shakes her head. “N-no. It would not be safe considering how much blood she has lost.”
“Damn it,” Jak curses. He looks around, thinking of options. His eyes settle one the cyan colored, rainbow mane pegasus in the group. “You say you're the fastest flier in Equestria?”
“Well, yeah,” Rainbow Dash responds, then adds abrasively, “but what does that have to do with anything? One of my-”
She is silenced by a gesture from Jak. “Then prove it. Get Fluttershy to the hospital as quickly as possible. We will follow behind.”
Rainbow nods once before gently scooping up her bleeding friend, taking off into the night, a rainbow streak following in her wake.
“Come on, y'all,” Applejack says. “We better hurry.” 
The ponies start galloping, but are stopped by growling behind them, coming from the forest. The seven ponies look behind them slowly. Facing them is a pack of fifteen wolves. Well, at least they had the shape of wolves. Their bodies seemed to be made of wood.
“Timberwolves,” Celestia says. “Everypony, run! They will not stray far from the forest!” The group of ponies turns and gallops away as fast as they can. After five minutes of running, the timberwolves have not stopped chasing them.
“Great plan, Princess,” Daxter interjects sarcastically. “They won't stray far from the forest.”
“They never do,” Celestia replies in a panicked tone. “They never have.”
Jak looks to the Princess's. “Can you carry the other four out of here?” They nod. “Then go. Take them to the hospital.”
“What about you?” Luna asks. At the determined look on Jak's face, she continues, “You don't plan on fighting them do you?” She looks shocked.
He nods once, “Of course, I do. I see no other option. Hurry!” The other ponies nod, and Twilight and Rarity clamber on to Celestia's back, Applejack and Pinkie Pie on Luna's. “I will meet you at the hospital.” The two Princesses take off into the night, and Jak turns back to face his pursuers.
“If we die from this, Jak,” Daxter yells, “I will never speak to you again. Obviously.”
Jak smiles, “C'mon, Dax. When have I even gotten us killed?”
“Yeah. Well now's not a good time to start.”
The timberwolves are upon them now, and attack with in a flurry of claws and teeth. Jak spins, lashing out his back hooves, clipping the jaws of some of the wolves, knocking them off. The wolves snarl in pain and lunge, again, at their prey. Jak dashes forward, right foreleg extended. He catches a wolf in the chest, the wolf splintering into a hundred pieces. Jak spins again, this time, the wolves being closer this time, he knocks of a few heads. As Jak turns to face his next attacker, he feels a sharp pain stretch across his back. He cries out in agony and bucks his back hooves out behind him. He feels wood splinter underneath his hooves. Another timberwolf takes advantage of Jak's momentary distractedness to take a chunk out of Jak's left foreleg. Jak cries out again. He spins again to give himself some room. He limps back a few steps to survey the situation.
His most recent spin kick took out another three wolves. There are now five left. Two of those five have missing lower jaws. The wolves are eyeing him warily. Jak sighs resignedly, then launches himself once more at the wolves, kicking and punching. Shattering chests and knocking of heads. A few minutes later, Jak stands in a pile of sticks, panting heavily.
“Well, now that that's out of the way...” he starts limping in the direction of the hospital.
“Uh, Jak?”
“Yeah, Dax?” Jak sounds tired.
“I don't think we're done yet.”
Jak turns around to see all the wood on the ground start glowing green.
“Well, sh-”
He is cut of by a loud creak as all the wooden parts of the various wolves start forming into one giant timberwolf. The wolf towers over him, at least three times his size.
“Well, double sh-”
He is interrupted again, this time by the beast roaring loud enough to be heard all throughout Equestria.
“Aw, COME ON!” Jak yells. “You're a big ass monster. The least you could do is have the decency to properly express my feelings.” He picks up a rock and throws it at the giant timberwolf. As luck would have it, the stone flew into the beast's mouth, lodging in its throat. 
The timberwolf freezes. It reaches a claw up to its throat as it makes coughing noises. Suddenly, it completely stops moving, and falls forward, shattering into a thousand pieces.
“Huh?” Dax says. “That was anticlimactic.”
Jak frowns at the pile of wood, “Yeah, tell me about it.” He stays for a few minutes, making sure the beast will not regenerate again, and, finally, makes his way, limping, to the hospital.
As he enters through the sliding glass doors of the hospital, Jak is greeted by a rush of purple fur. As Twilight hugs him, he looks to Celestia. “How's Fluttershy?”
Celestia looks at him somberly, “She is stable, now. She will never be able to fly again, but her leg should mend. There will be scarring, however.”
“Is she awake?”
“No. Not yet. It is a sleep of tiredness, now, not the unconscious stupor she was in before.”
Jak nods once. He breaks Twilight's hug and limps over to a chair, where he leans back and heaves a tired sigh as he closes his eyes.
“You're hurt,” Celestia's tone is not a question.
“It's nothing,” Jak waves a his right forehoof to dismiss her worry.
“It certainly is not 'nothing,'” Twilight this time. “You have a bigger chunk out of your leg than Fluttershy. We are getting you in to see a doctor.” At Jak's protesting moan, she states loudly, “Now!”
Jak slowly gets up from his comfortable chair. “Yes, mom.” He limps up to the counter. “I would like to rent a room, please.”
The nurse, Redheart, Jak recognizes her, looks incredulous. “Sir, this is not a hotel where you can rent a room. This is a hospital. We treat the sick and injured.”
“Oh, right. Yeah I need that then.” Jak looks down and, for the first time notices bloody hoof prints on the floor. His bloody hoof prints. He then turns his gaze to his leg, which is still gushing blood. “He looks up to nurse Redheart. “Yeah, I think I'll take one of those rooms, now.” He promptly faints on the ground.
> Of Broken Bodies And Weeping Eyes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Jak is slow to move after he becomes aware that he is awake. He opens his eyes and is greeted my a stark white ceiling. He looks to his left and notices that he is hooked up to a machine that is slowing pumping blood into his body. He glances down to his left foreleg to and stares at the heavily bandaged limb. He stares at it in confusion for a while before his memories catch up with him.
“Oh, right. The timberwolves.” He lies back onto his hospital bed with an heavy sigh. He turns his head to the right. On the bed next to his is Fluttershy. She is staring at him, tears gently streaming down her face. Her  mane and tail are matted, twigs stuck in the tight coils. Her right wing is more heavily bandaged than Jak's leg. She looks at him for one more moment before breaking down and bawling her eyes out, her body wracking with enormous sobs.
“I-it's all my fault!” she cries out. “If I-I hadn't run away, it wouldn't have a-attacked m-me, a-and you wouldn't have been h-hurt. I-it's just th-that d-darker you was so s-scary.” She stops speaking and resumes her crying into her pillow.
Jak looks at her tenderly. “Hey, it's OK. We're both alive, right?”
She sniffs and looks back up to Jak, her fur tear-stained. She gives a slight nod.
“Good, now stop crying. Everything is fine.” He looks around the room. “Where are the others?”
She sniffs before answering. “I-I think they are in the waiting room.”
Jak rolls off his bed, not putting any weight on his injured leg. He puts his mouth the the syringe and pulls it out, blood trickling from the needle's tip. He sets it on an aluminum tray before turning back to Fluttershy. “I need to talk to them,” he says as he makes his hobbling way to the door.
Fluttershy looks appalled. “Y-you can't! You're still injured.”
Jak just shakes his head. “Don't worry, I'll be fine.” He stops at the door, contemplating how to open it when he can't use his left hoof. He settles by standing on his hind legs, grasping the handle with his right hoof, and hopping backwards to open it, eliciting a small chuckle from the butter yellow pegasus behind him. He gives her a wry grin. “Be right back.”
He hobbles down the hallway to the waiting room where he can see the five other Element bearers and Daxter sleeping in their chairs. He hops over to a sleeping Twilight and nudges her with his muzzle.
“Mmmm, mom, I don't want to wake up yet.”
“Twilight,” Jak whispers, so as not to wake the others, “it's me, Jak.”
Twilight opens her eyes, and they widen even more in shock to see that, in fact, Jak was standing right in front of her. “Jak,” she whispers harshly, "what are you doing out here? You are supposed to be in bed.”
“Shh,” Jak admonishes her. “I'm fine. Really. I have an idea that might help Fluttershy. It's a long shot because I've never tried it, but I feel it was my fault she got injured in the first place.”
“OK,” Twilight says. “What can I do?”
“I need you to go back to your house and get those crystals that Princess Celestia gave me earlier. Then bring them to me in my room. Don't wake up any of the others.”
“OK,” Twilight says again, rubbing sleep from her eyes. She stands up. “I'll be back shortly.”
“Thank you.” With that, Jak makes his hobbling way back to his room where Fluttershy is sitting up, apparently waiting for him. “I told you not to worry,” he says with a cocky grin.
Fluttershy just stares at him. “I wasn't worried. I just...”
Jak smiles at her again. “Shh. Now get some sleep. Everything will be fine in the morning.”
She does not need much encouraging as, at Jak's words, she rolls over onto her good wing and is softly snoring.
Jak sits awake in his bed for roughly ten minutes before the door slowly opens to admit Twilight. Jak holds his right hoof over his mouth to tell Twilight to be silent. He gives a meaningful glance to Fluttershy, who is still sleeping soundly. Twilight tip hooves over to him.
“OK, so, uh, what are you going to do?” Twilight whispers.
“I'm going to see im I can use the healing powers of Light Jak to heal Fluttershy.”
“What? Really?” Twilight looks incredulous.
Jak nods. “OK, give me the white crystal.” Twilight hoofs it over, and Jak gets up and hops his way over to Fluttershy. While he is walking he asks Twilight, “Where are the Princesses?”
“They had to go back to Canterlot. They still have royal duties to attend to.”
“Ah,” Jak says, “I see.” He stands in front of Fluttershy and takes a deep breath to steady himself. “OK, here goes.” He draws power from the crystal, feeling the Light Eco seep through his body. He slowly turns into his brighter self. He drops the crystal as he holds his hooves out to Fluttershy, all pain forgotten. The light surrounding his body slowly moves to his hooves. Then, the light passes from Jak to the timid pegasus, gently spreading over her entire body. Jak lands on the ground, exhausted, before looking up to see a marvelous sight.
Fluttershy was hovering six inches above her bed, her whole body surrounded by a white aura. The pink hair of her mane and tail straightens out, the twigs disappearing into nothingness, the blood vanishing from sight. The bandages on her right wing start to bulge and, before Jak can reach them to take them off, burst open, revealing a full wing with butter yellow feathers. The gentle aura sets her back down on the bed before slowly disappearing.
Jak lets out a breath he had not known he had been holding. He looks over to Twilight and gives her a tired smile. “I think I need to sleep now,” he whispers, walking over to his bed, not noticing that his leg had also been healed. Twilight nods once and backs out of the room. Jak is asleep before the door closes.



Jak is awakened by a loud scream, followed by the hurrying of hooves and the banging open of his door. He opens an eye and peers to his left. Fluttershy has woken up, and is apparently distressed over the fact that her wing regrew over night. Jak gets out of his bed and walks over to her, pushing through the doctors surrounding her.
Fluttershy notices him and cries out, looks of fear and joy at war with each other on her face. “Jak, I'm better. I don't know how but... but I just am. I-”
Jak silences her with a hoof in the mouth. “Fluttershy, do you remember how I healed myself last night?” She nods around his hoof. “Well, last night I found I could use my ability to heal others.”
Fluttershy looks at him for a moment before realization dawns on he face. “Y-you mean y-you did this?”
“Ye-”
He does not get the rest of the word out as the wind is knocked out of him by a bone crushing hug from the usually shy pegasus, her wings flapping and lifting them both into the air a little. “Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You don't know how much this means to me.”
“I... think... I... can,” Jak gasps as Fluttershy proceeds to crush his lungs. “Flut... ter... shy... can't... breathe.”
She looks at him for a second in confusion before letting him go, blushing furiously.
The doctor walks up to Fluttershy. “Well, everything seems to be fine with you so that means we can check you out of the hospital whenever you like."
Fluttershy smiles, “That would be great.” She looks around. “Uh, where are our friends?”
“They are in the waiting room. We wouldn't let any unauthorized personnel in the room after you screamed.”
“OK, thank you,” She walks out of the room. Jak attempts to follow, but is stopped by a hoof barring his way.
“Sorry,” the doctor says, “but we cannot let you leave just yet. We would like to run some tests on you to see if we can find out what you did to that pegasus.”
Jak glares at the doctor and pushes the hoof aside. “Like hell,” he says before walking out the door.
> Meet The Monster
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jak wakes up to a delicious smell wafting up to his room. He stands up out of bed as his stomach growls. First order of business: get some food. He walks over to where Daxter lies curled up on the floor. As he takes his first step, his muscles ache in protest. OK, second order of the business: stay out of the damned hospital for twenty-four hours. He nudges his companion with a hoof. “Hey, Dax wake up. It's breakfast time.”
At the mention of breakfast, Daxter immediately jumps up. “Ah yeah. I'm so hungry I could eat a yakow.”
Jak smiles. “C'mon, let's go see what's cooking.”
Daxter hops on Jak's back as The stallion makes his way to the door. Upon exiting the room, the smell multiplies tenfold. Jak walks down the stairs to see Twilight immersed in a book. “Morning Twilight,” Jak says. “What smells so good?”
Twilight doesn't respond.
“Twilight?”
Still no response.
“TWILIGHT!”
“Don't worry about her,” Spike says as he comes through the door from the kitchen, wearing a pink apron with lace on the hem. “Trying to get her away from a book is like getting teeth pulled.”
Jak looks once at the apron and smiles. Daxter, having less self control, burst out laughing and rolls of Jak's back. Jak swats him on the head to silence him before turning his attention back to Spike. “Ah, I see. You the one cooking?”
“Yep,” The baby dragon smiles. “I'm making panc-”
He is gut of as he lets out a loud belch followed by a short burst of flame. Daxter jumps back and starts making karates chops with his hands to ward off the nonexistent enemy. “Who wants some. Come and get me.”
Twilight, who had finally come out of her reverie, says absently, “Don't worry, it's just how Princess Celestia sends me messages.” She looks at Jak. “Oh, good morning you two. When did you get down here.”
Jak rolls his eyes.
Spike picks up the scroll, breaks the seal, and proceeds to read. “My faithful student, Twilight Sparkle, Please come to Canterlot later today when my carriage comes to receive you. Please bring Jak and Daxter along, too. I wish to give them something. The carriage will arrive around noon.”
As Spinke rolls the scroll back up, Jak looks to Twilight, who has a look of horror upon her face. “Uh, Twilight? You OK?”
Twilight shakes her head as if to  clear it. “OK? Yes, of course I'm OK. Everything is OK. We're all OK, right?”
Jak looks at the mare as if she's gone mad. “Uh, right?”
“Great.” She looks to Spike. “What time is it?”
Spike looks to the clock that is in plain view of the whole room. “10:30. Wh-”
“Oh, my goodness. I need to get ready.” She turns back to Jak and Daxter. “Excuse me, I won't be able to eat breakfast with you two. Too much to do. Please enjoy yourselves. I'll be back in an hour.” With that, she gallops out the door.
Jak and Daxter turn their shocked expression to the purple dragon. “What was that about?” Daxter asks.
“Oh, that was just Twilight being Twilight. You should have seen her when Celestia said she wanted to give her a test. She freaked.”
Jak laughs. “Yeah, I bet she did. Hey, I'm going to go take a shower and start getting ready to leave.”



Jak, Daxter, and Twilight stand outside the library watching the carriage approach. After it lands, Jak holds open the door for Twilight before climbing in himself. 
The trip to Canterlot is uneventful, except for Daxter's fur turning a sick shade of green. As the land, he jumps out and promptly throws up on the cobbled stone of the castle courtyard. A soft, lilting laugh comes from behind the group.
All three turn around to see a light purple unicorn with a black mane standing before them. She is wearing a pure white lab coat. He protective goggles are resting atop her horn. Her eyes are dancing with poorly concealed mirth.
“Hello, Jak,” She says, her voice as soothing as a running stream on a warm summers day. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Jak looks at the mare questioningly. “Um, OK. Who are are you?”
“Oh, how rude of me.” She smiles beautifully. Come, you three, walk with me. She walks into the castle, the other three following, having some time to kill before their meeting with the Princess. “My name is Jaq. Short for Jaquellin. I know, a weird name for a pony, but, hey, I'm no ordinary pony. I've been watching you, Jak. Ever since you first came to Haven City have I been watching you. I must say, you are quite fun to watch. When you went through the Rift Gate, I knew I had to follow you. I was not expecting this, however. In my wildest dreams, I never would have thought to be turned into a pony. Be that as it may, I have mastered my magic. Well, mastered it enough so that I can use it to control creatures such as dragons and timberwolves. I figured to test you, see how well you use your new body. Suffice to say, I was disappointed.” Her lovely smile turns into a frown. “You nearly died both times. I guess I should have known your morph gun would have been lost when you came through the gate.” She stops in front of the throne room door. “Well, it seems as if our time to chat has come to an end. I will be seeing you, Jak.” She turns to Twilight. “And you, too, Miss Sparkle. I know our paths will cross once more.” Jaq's horn light's up with a cobalt glow. Her body is enveloped in a white light before disappearing completely.
Jak stands stock still, staring at the spot where the mare had just vanished from. Twiligh looks at him. “What was that?” she asks.
“I have no idea.” He responds, “but I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Hey,” Daxter yells, “If she wants a fight, we'll give her one. With me, Orange Lightning, and my sidekick, Jak on the case, there is no pony that can stand in our way.”
Jak smiles as he pushes open the door to the throne room.
> Breaking Things (Namely the Fourth Wall)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Jak sits at the table in the center of the library, his head on the table, asleep. Daxter walks in, looks out into space and waves. He then hops over to Jak and nudges him on the shoulder, waking him up.
"Uh, Jak, those people are watching us again." 
Jak sits up, looks in the same direction as Daxter had and smiles. "Hey guys. What's up. Thanks for favoriting this story. I mean even though the author isn't that good, you still keep coming back."
"Hey, you two, who are you talking to?" Twilight walks down from upstairs, looks in the same direction as the other and gives a happy gasp. "Oh, hey guys. Glad you could make it. I hope you are enjoying our adventure so far. Even the, er, more 'gruesome' parts of the story *cough* Fluttershy *cough*. Anyway, thanks for the favorites. We love you. The next chapter will be up tomorrow."
Jak sits back in his chair and sighs. "Yeah, hopefully Distorted doesn't screw things up again."
"I'm sure he'll be fine. Besides, he doesn't work tomorrow so he has all day to write." Twilight beams happily at the other two before trotting back up stairs. Jak watches her, grinning goofily.
Daxter smacks him on the head playfully, "I knew you had a thing for her."
"Shut up, Dax."
> Unexpected Actions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Princesses Celestia and Luna are sitting on their respective thrones, looking bored. The guard at their right, however, stands forever alert. Jak notices him as the pony who questioned his release form the dungeon, Shining Armor, Twilight's older brother. All three pony's perk up as the other three enter. Shining Armor looks to the two Princesses and, once they give him a nod, drops his pike and runs to his little sister.
“Twily,” the stallion says, a huge grin on his face. His tone and stature quite a bit different from the gruff guard that Jak new. “It's great to see ya, lil' sis.”
Twilight does not respond. She just shakes in her brother's embrace.
Jak looks over as Shining Armor moves his sister to a foreleg's distance. “Twily,” the white unicorn says, “What's wrong?”
Twilight keeps shaking in what Jak recognizes as fear. He walks over to her. He speaks to her in a soothing tone. “Twilight, come on. You can tell us.”
Both Princesses have gotten up from there thrones and make their way to where Twilight is standing, trembling. Celestia kneels down next to her student and nuzzles her alabaster cheek against the purple one. “My faithful student, what is it that troubles you?”
Twilight looks up at her mentor with wide eyes. “We met her,” she says shakily. “We met her, and she was s-so scary.” She starts crying into the Princess's coat, tiny rivulets running down the stark white chest.
Celestia wraps a wing around her student squeezing her tight. “Shh. It's alright. Who did you meet, Twilight?” When no answer was forth coming, she turned her attention to Jak. “Who did you meet?”
Jak looks at the Princess, surprised by the anger in her voice at something that could reduce her student to tears. “S-she said her name was Jaq. She also said she was from my world. She was a purple unicorn, not quite as dark as Twilight, and she had a black mane. She said her magic can control creatures, like the dragon that attacked Ponyville and the timberwolves that got Fluttershy.”
“Did she have a cutie mark?”
Jak blinks at the unfamiliar term. “A what now?”
“A cutie mar-” Celestia allows herself a brief smile. “Of course, you would not know. A cutie mark is a mark that a pony gets on her flanks when she discovers her special talent. You do not have one. I assume that is because you just came here, but this 'Jaq' you speak of might have earned hers already. That is why I ask, does she have a cutie mark?”
Jak looks down to the ground. “I don't know, she was wearing a lab coat.”
Celestia's scowl deepens. “Damn it.” Twilight looks up in shock at her mentor's vulgarity. Celestia turns to Twilight's brother. “Shining Armor, have the rest of your guard search for a pony matching Jak's description of the infiltrator. Leave no room unchecked.” Shining Armor salutes before galloping out of the room. Celestia turns back to Jak, Twilight, and Daxter. “Now, I need to address the reason why I called you three here. First of all I would like to invite the three of you, the other Elements, and Spike to this years Grand Galloping Gala. I know the last one was a bit of a disappointment to you, Twilight, but I feel it will be better this year. As for you, Jak, I would like to honor you, there, for first saving Ponyville, and then saving the Elements of Harmony and the two Princesses. I will only do this with your permission, however.”
Jak looks up at the Princess. “Uh, sure. One question, though. What is a Grand Galloping Gala?”
Celestia lets out a small laugh. “It is a ball. Like a dance, I guess.”
“One problem. I can't dance.”
“Don't worry, you should be fine.”
“If you say so.”
Celestia's eyes sparkle. “I do. Now, I will give you the tickets. The Gala is in two months' time.” Her eyes suddenly become hard. “I will have my guard on the lookout for this Jaq character. For now I need you two to get back to Ponyville. I'm sorry to say, but I feel that you are going to have to save the town more than once.”
Twilight and Jak both bow to the Princess then, clearly dismissed make there way out of the throne room.
As they exit the room, Twilight dashes to a nearby empty room and closes the door. Jak watches her go, confused, before slowly following. He opens the door slowly, and sees Twilight quietly sobbing in the corner. Jak walks over to her and puts a foreleg around her shoulders. “Hey, it's going to be OK. This is nothing I haven't handled before. I promise, I will protect you.” He wraps Twilight into a hug and lets her sob into his shoulder. Twilight looks up into Jak's eyes with her own tear soaked ones. She leans forward until her lips meet his. Jak's eyes widen in shock before closing as he melts into the kiss. The stay in their embrace for a minute before Twilight abruptly breaks the kiss. She looks at him, wide eyed.
“S-sorry,” she stammers. She then  bolts out the door.
“Well,” Daxter says, “that was completely unexpected, and by completely unexpected I mean totally expected.”
Jak laughs, at Daxter's joke and at his good fortune, before following Twilight, a skip in his step.
> The Second Coming
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jak catches up to Twilight as she is entering the courtyard. She looks up at him to acknowledge his presence but turns aside as a huge blush creeps up her cheeks. Jak holds open the door to the carriage for her. She climbs in, head downcast. Jak crawls in behind her.
The carriage passes in an awkward, yet comfortable silence. Neither party wants to say anything and neither would know what to say if they did. Daxter occasionally tries to break the silence but is constantly thwarted by the silence. Eventually, he gives up trying to start a conversation and concentrates on keeping his lunch in his stomach.
When the carriage lands in front of the library, Twilight gets out first and walks into the library, Jak on her trail. As she reaches the table in the center of the room, she turns to Jak. “We need to talk,” she says pleadingly. She looks to Daxter then back to Jak. “Alone.”
Daxter huffs and jumps off Jak's shoulder. “Fine, I'll go walk around town.”
“Thank you, Daxter,” Twilight says with a smile.
After Daxter leaves, Twilight turns back to Jak. “Look,” she turns away again, “I'm sorry about earlier. I don't know what came over me. I guess I just feel safe with you. I mean, it was the first action I have ever taken without thinking. Don't worry, it will never happen again. To think, my first kiss and I can't even enjoy it. I-”
Jak stops her by putting a hoof in her mouth. “Twilight, calm down. To be honest, the kiss was not entirely unwelcome.” He takes his hoof out of her mouth.
“Really?” She asks.
Jak smiles. “Really, really.”
Twilight and Jak lean in again for another kiss, but, just as their lips are about to touch, the door burst open, revealing a panting Daxter. The two jump apart.
“Jak, Twilight. Something is in town. I think it's a she. She is causing big trouble, yelling something about revenge for something Pinkie did last time she was here.”
“Who is it?” Twilight asks. 
“I don't know but she wasn't a pony.”
Twilight looks to Jak. “We better get going.”
Jak nods and heads out the door after Twilight, pausing long enough for Daxter to climb onto his back.
The two ponies gallop to the town square where all the stalls are turned over and splintered. In the middle of the carnage, Pinkie Pie pinned to the ground underneath its claw, is a creature that Jak has never seen before. It has the head and wings of an eagle but the body of a lion. The creature had its beak inches from Pinkie's nose and was glaring daggers. 
“How's this for a prank, Pinkie,” she hisses. Her claw tightens around Pinkies throat. A thin trickle of blood begins rolling down.
Jak, not pausing to think, rushes the creature, barreling into her side, causing her to release the pink party pony and crash into the nearest heap of rubble.
The being gets up and glares at her attacker. “Who the hell are you?”
Jak, in turn, glares back at her. “I should ask you the same thing.”
The creature flips her off white hair out of her eyes. “My name is Gilda. Now, I repeat, who the hell are you?”
“The name's Jak. I'm the one who is about to kick your ass.”
Nearby a donkey snorts as if insulted. Jak looks to it, comprehension dawning on his face. “Oh, uh, sorry. Uh, flank is the correct term, right?” He looks to Twilight, who nods.
Jak holds out a hoof to Pinkie, who takes it, and helps her up. “Your not too badly hurt, are you, Pinkie.”
Pinkie starts to shake her head, but winces as the movement pulls at her already torn skin. “I'll be fine.”
“You might want to go stand next to Twilight. I don't know how ugly this is going to be.”
Pinkie gives Jak a pleading look. “Please don't hurt her too badly, Jak.”
Jak looks at Pinkie, shocked. “Bu-”
Pinkie puts a hoof in his mouth. “Please?”
Jak sighs resignedly. “Sure, Pinkie. I won't hurt her too much.”
Pinkie smiles and bounces over to Twilight.
Gilda laughs. “You think you can beat me in a fight? One swipe from my claws and I'll have you running away with your tail between your legs.”
Jak looks at her and gives a large, fake yawn. “Please stop talking. It's really annoying.”
Gilda's face flushes red in anger, and she lets out a huge roar before charging the offending stallion. Jak sidesteps Gilda's slash and stretches out his right forehoof, catching her square in the chest, causing her to crumple to the ground. 
After lying on the ground for a good minute, Gilda stands up on three legs, her fourth clutching her chest. With one last scathing look at Jak, she takes off and leaves Ponyville.
As everypony begins cheering, a bright flash of purple illuminates the town square, causing them to shield there eyes. When the light is gone, and it is safe to look, the light has been replaced with a light purple unicorn wearing a lab coat and protective goggle above her horn. She is clapping her front hooves together.
“Oh, well done, Jak,” Jaq says, a smile of pure glee on her face. “That was brilliant. The you just... Oh, wonderful.” She falls onto her back, laughing hysterically.
“What are you doing here?” Jak asks, malice dripping from his voice.
Jaq sobers up instantly. She rolls over to stand on her feet and gives Jak a pouting look. “Oh, come now. Can I not come see my favorite super hero in action. I mean, if I just spent my whole life plotting world domination, where would I have fun. Sure all the plotting is fun, but I think of this as, how should I put it, extracurricular.”
Jak takes a step towards the mare. “What are you planning to do?”
Jaq waves a hoof in front of her face. “Ah, ah, ah. That would be telling, wouldn't it?” She smiles as if she is a little kid, er, filly in a candy store. “Have a nice day. TTFN. Tata for now.” With that she disappears again.
Rainbow Dash swoops in from the cloud she had been watching from. “Who the hay was that?”
Jak looks at the spot where Jaq had been moments before. “Somepony dangerous, Rainbow. Somepony very dangerous.
“Well, what are we gonna do about her?”
“For now nothing. I have a feeling that if she doesn't want to be found, we won't find her. Now, though, I am headed to bed.” He turns to walk back to the library. “Good night, everypony.”
As Jak climbs into his bed, he thinks to himself, Stay out of the hospital for a day: check.
> Cookies And Carrots
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jak wakes up to a large pair of purple eyes staring at him.
“Well, that's a pretty good sight to wake up to,” Jak mutters groggily. “What's the occasion?”
Twilight grabs his blanket in her mouth and pulls it off. “Pinkie wants to have a picnic. We are due there in thirty minutes.”
“What? This early?”
Twilight looks at him quizzically. “It's twelve thirty, Jak.”
Jak sits up quickly. “How the hell did I sleep this late? I must have fallen asleep at eight last night.”
“You did. My guess is that you finally got a full night's rest in a bed that wasn't in a hospital.”
“Yeah! Boy, did that feel good!” Jak gets out of the bed and stretches his stiff limbs. He casually walks over to Daxter and prods him with a hoof. “Hey, Dax time to wake up.”
“Huh. No. just five more minutes.” Daxter rolls over, away from Jak and continues snoring.
“Well, then, I guess you'll miss the picnic.”
Daxter immediately jumps up, fully alert. “Picnic? Where?”
“Over at Sweet Apple Acres.” Twilight smiles. “Are you going to come?” 
Daxter walks over to the door. “Of course I am. Let's go.”
Jak shakes his head and follows his companion out of his bedroom and down the stairs, Twilight following a step behind. As they hit the bottom step the see Spike come out of the kitchen, carrying a basket.
“Hey Spike,” Jak says. “What's in the basket?”
Spike grins a toothy grin. “White macadamia nut, white chocolate chip cookies. It's a favorite among the girls.”
Jak reaches out a hoof, mouth watering. “I'll have to try one then.” 
Spike pulls the basket out of Jak's reach. “Ah, ah, ah. Not until the picnic.”
Jak gives Spike a sideways look. “Not even a little nibble?”
“No.”
Jak bows his head. “Oh, alright.”
“Come on, you guys,” Twilight says. “We're going to be late.” She opens the door with her magic and walks out.
Jak follows her, Daxter on his back. “I will get those cookies.”
The group walks through Ponyville in comfortable silence, Jak enjoying this colorful world. As the group nears Sweet Apple Acres, they hear laughing bubbling up from near the stream. Soon, the other five ponies sitting around a picnic blanket, talking and laughing.
Applejack is the first to notice the approaching ponies, Ottsel, and dragon. She waves a hoof at them. “Howdy, y'all. What took ya so long?”
Twilight calls back, “One of us,” She looks pointedly at Jak, “had a late start.”
“That's quite alright, darling,” Rarity said. “We haven't even opened up the picnic basket yet.”
“Great,” Daxter shouts as he leaps off Jak's back. “Let's eat.” He walks over to the basket and tries to lift the lid, only to have his paw swatted away by Jak.
“Let the ladies get their food first, Dax.”
Daxter crosses his arms and plops down on the ground. “Hmph.”
The picnic passes by quickly, each pony eating their fill, Jak eating a little more than his fill of cookies. After about thirty minutes the ponies, Ottsel and dragon are just lounging about. A shrill whistle is heard and all of them look to the source of the sound. A bird is flying toward them at breakneck speed and stops in front of Fluttershy.
“Oh, goodness. What is it, Feather Beak?”
The bird makes some random chirping noises that only Fluttershy can understand. After he is done chirping, Fluttershy looks utterly horrified. “No, not my Angel Bunny.” She speeds off to her cottage almost as fast as Rainbow Dash.
Applejack stands up first. “C'mon, y'all, let's go see what happened.” The remaining seven follow Fluttershy at a gallop, Daxter on Jak's back and Spike on Twilight's.
When they reach Fluttershy's cottage, they hear crying. The front door is open, so the group all walk in. Fluttershy is crying over the motionless form of the white rabbit, Angel. The rabbit has red claw marks on its throat where he must have tried to get something out.
“No, no. Not my Angel. T-this can't be happening. Why, Angel? That carrot was too big. Why did you eat it?”
She wraps her forelegs around the lifeless body of the rabbit, sobbing into his fur. Slowly, Fluttershy begins to glow with a white aura, surrounding both her and the bunny. The red slashes on the skin close up and an orange lump of carrot falls to the floor from his mouth.
“This... this is Eco magic,” Jak says.
Fluttershy still holds Angel after the aura disappears. Angel and Fluttershy are both breathing the deeps breaths of a deep sleep.
“How did that just happen?” Jak whispers so as not to wake the sleeping pegasus.
“I have no idea,” Twilight responds. “I thought you would know, being a master of that type of magic.”
“I never said I was a master. I just channel it better than most. The ones who would really know would be the Precursors.”
“Hey, I'm a Precursor,” Daxter interjects.
“I meant a real Precursor, Dax. Not one that got used to be a human and fell into a silo of dark eco.”
“Um, excuse me,” Twilight says, not liking being ignored, “but what is a Precursor.”
“Oh right, you don't know,” Jak replies. “The Precursors are the race that created my world. They created artifacts to help harness Eco. However, though they may be all powerful beings, they looks like this.” He swats Daxter on the head.
“Hey, watch it.”
“Hmmm,” Twilight looks thoughtful. “I'm going to have to try to study Eco. I do not believe there is anything like it in Equestria. I might have to run some test on you, Jak.”
Jak gives a visible shudder.
“Is something wrong?” Twilight asks, concerned.
“It's nothing,” Jak says. “Only the last time I had 'tests' run on me, I was held against my will and got this Dark Eco pumped into me.”
Twilight nuzzles up close to him and gives him a kiss on the cheek. “Trust me, I would never hold anypony against his will. You have my word, If you ever want to stop just tell me.”
Jak smiles at her and returns her kiss with a kiss on her cheek. “Thank you Twilight.”
	 
> Nightmare
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Jak is lying on his back, his hooves strapped down to the table. A litgh hangs over the table blinding him with its radiance. Suddenly, a silhouette appears above him.
“Hello, Jak,” Twilight says. “Glad to see you are finally awake. Now we can begin.”
Jak groggily looks up at the dark figure that is Twilight. “Begin what?”
“Running tests, of course. Don't you remember?”
“Oh, right. Why am I strapped down, though?”
“That way you won't be able to move, silly. I thought that was obvious. Now, enough chit chat. Let's get started.”
Twilight raises a scalpel in her magical grip. She slowly moves the surgical tool to Jak's abdomen.
“Twilight, what are you doing?” Jak says, his voice trembling.
“I already told you, silly. I'm running a test.” She slowly slides the scalpel into Jak's skin, causing him to cry out in pain. “Hush, now. You'll wake up Spike.” She slices the knife carefully down his abdomen. Jak's screams increase in volume. Twilight takes the scalpel out and shakes him.
“Jak.
“Jak.
“JAK.”
Jak jerks awake. Twilight is shaking him with her hooves, his sweat spraying her in the face. Upon seeing Twilight, he instantly recoils.
Twilight looks at him worriedly. “Are you OK? You were screaming so loudly I could hear you from down stairs.”
Jak's breathing calms down. “It's nothing. It was just a dream.” Jak gets up from the bed and slowly makes his way to his bedroom door. “I'm going to take a shower.”
As he leaves his room, Jak looks at the clock on the wall. It reads 1:37 A.M. “Damn, it's early.”
Jak steps into the bathroom and turns on the cold water. He pulls the valve to allow the the water to come out of the shower head. He steps under the pouring water and sits down, trembling.
It was just a dream, he thinks to  himself. Just a dream, but it felt so real.
After sitting under the cold water for fifteen minutes, he turns off the water, dries off, and heads downstairs where Twilight is waiting for him.
She looks up as his front hoof touches the landing. “Feeling better?” she asks.
“A little.” Jak walks over to the table where Twilight is sitting and sits down himself.
“Wanna tell me what the dream was about?”
“I guess it can't hurt.” Jak takes a deep breath. “I dreamed of you running a test on me. You had me strapped down to a table. You cut open my stomach with a surgical knife.”
Twilight puts a hoof to her mouth. “That must have been terrifying.” She moves her hoof to rest atop his. “I would never do that. I hope you know that.”
Jak smiles. “I know. Thank you, Twilight.”
She looks at him quizzically. “For what?”
“For waking me up and being here to talk.”
“No problem.” Twilight looks at the clock. “Wow, it's already three o' clock. You should probably get some sleep.”
Jak stands up. “Twilight?”
“Yeah?”
“What are you going to do to me in the morning?” Jak tries, unsuccessfully, to keep the fear out of his voice.
Twilight smiles at him reassuringly. “I'm just going to take some blood. When I get the results from that back, I will know how to proceed.”
“That's good,” Jak says as he walks up the stairs. As he enters his room, he notices Daxter still sleeping on the floor beside the bed. Jak smiles warmly before crawling back into his own bed. Sleep takes him almost instantly.



Jak is sitting in the same chair he had occupied earlier that morning. Twilight walks up to him, a syringe held in her magical grasp. She looks at him sympathetically. “This might hurt a bit, but it will be over soon.”
Jak waves a hoof dismissively. “Please, Twilight, I've been in much more pain than a single needle can cause.”
“Well someone is in a better mood this morning.”
“I'm just glad my dream isn't coming true.”
Twilight nods. “Here goes.” She gently inserts the need into Jak's left foreleg. She lets the blood flow into the vial until it is full. She pulls the needle out and presses a cotton ball onto Jak's arm. “That should do it.” She turns to walk away with the vial, but her hooves get tangled with Jak's and she falls to the ground, her chest landing on top of the vial, causing it to shatter.
“Twilight, are you OK?” Jak gets out of his chair to help her up. Twilight stands up, her chest covered in Jak's blood. She has a few cuts from where the glass cut her.
“Yes, I'm fi-”
She stops as her body contorts. Her body slowly turns from a dark purple to egg white. Her hair changes to fiery red with an orange and yellow streak through it. Her eyes are black as pitch, with a glow that could be mistaken for firelight.
“Twilight?” Jak hesitantly reaches out a hoof.
Twilight looks at him. Her horn lights up with a black aura, and she slams Jak against the wall.
Jak jumps up. “Damn it, Twilight!” He lowers his voice. “It's OK, everything is going to be fine. Don't wo-” He is interrupted as Twilight's wooden bust of a pony smashes into his head, knocking him unconscious.
Twilight looks down at the fallen earth pony with contempt, not aware of who she is. She raises a hoof to strike the killing blow, but something stops her. She turns her back on the cobalt blue pony and walks out into the early morning light.
> Dark Twilight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jak wakes up to cold water splashing his face and a rainbow maned pegasus shaking him.
“Jak, wake up!” Rainbow Dash yells. “A unicorn is trashing Ponyville!” She looks around the library. “Where's Twilight?”
Jak stands up unsteadily. “That is Twilight. She got contaminated with Dark Eco.”
Rainbow's eyes widen in terror. “We have to stop her! What were you doing lying on the floor?”
“I was trying to stop her. She knocked me out.”
“How are we gonna do it, then?” Rainbow Dash yells, panicked.
“I'm going to have to fight her,” Jak deadpans.
“How? She already knocked you out once.”
“Yeah, but I wasn't trying to use force.”
“Great! Let's go.”
“Hold on. I gotta get Dax.” Jak walks up the stairs to his room, where Daxter is still sleeping. “Wake up, Dax. We got a job to do.”
Daxter slowly sits up. “Yeah, I heard. Rainbow Dash was loud and clear.” He slowly climbs on Jak's back with a yawn. “Let's go kick some flank.”
Jak runs down the stairs where Rainbow is still waiting for him. He stops long enough to address her. “Get as many ponies away from here as you can. I don't want any collateral damage.”
Rainbow Dash gives a salute and soar out the door. Daxter looks to Jak. “What are we gonna do?”
“We are going to fight Dark Eco with Dark Eco,” Jak says as he begins his transformation.
He charges out of the library and heads to the town hall. Dark Twilight is standing there, shooting beam after black beam at the building.
Dark Jak growls at her, getting her attention. The crazed mare looks at the stallion before shooting a beam at him. Dark Jak rolls quickly out of the way. He quickly charges her.
Twilight is more powerful due to her magic but Jak has the advantage of speed. He defly dodges all her bolts and tackles her to the ground. The two roll around, snarling at one another. Daxter jumps away to avoid getting smashed to bits. Jak eventually lands on top of Twilight and hits her horn, disabling her magic temporarily. He reverts back to his normal self. 
“Twilight!” he yells. “This is not you! Come back to yourself! Remember who you are!”
Dark Twilight struggles under him before going limp at his words. Her body reforms to the dark purple librarian. Her eyes and hair also revert to normal. She looks up at Jak with confusion. “What happened?”
Jak gently rolls off her. “You got contaminated with some of my blood. Some of the dark eco found its way into you.”
“I remember some of it,” she says, sitting up and looking at her hooves, “but I could not control anything. The time I was almost in control I stopped myself from killing you. Dear Celestia, It was awful.”
Jak puts a foreleg around her shoulders and pulls her close. “Don't worry about it. I'll just have to help you control it. I don't know why you didn't get any Light Eco. Both are in me.”
Twilight stands up and gives Jak a swift kiss on the forehead. “Thank you, Jak.” She turns away and walks back to the library. “I need to send a letter to Princess Celestia. I hope she can help.”
Jak stands up and trots next to her. “Yeah... hopefully.”
The two walk in silence back to the library. Spike is waiting for them when they arrive. He walks up to Twilight. “What happened? I heard snarling coming from the town square. It sounded like two huge cats fighting.”
Twilight blushes and Jak answers. “Well, you see, Twilight here got really mad, and I had to calm her down.”
“O...K,” Spike says skeptically.
“Spike,” Twilight says abruptly, “I'm going to need you to send a letter. I'll write it myself, though.” She uses her magic to pull out ink, quill, and parchment from one of her desk drawers.
After Spike sends the letter, Rainbow Dash crashes through the door. “Hey Twilight, how you feeling?”
“A lot better, thank you, Rainbow.”
“We were all worried about you,” the cyan pegasus stated. “We are all glad you're OK.”
Just then a thud is heard out side and both Princesses walk in.
“Jak,” the Princess of the Night said, “Art thou alright? We saw your dream last night but we could not enter it.”
Jak bows his head. “I am fine, Princess. It was just a nightmare after all.”
Luna bows her head in return. “As you wish.”
Celestia had walked up to Twilight during this conversation and stands before her student. “What about you, Twilight? How are you feeling?”
“Much better, Princess, thank you.”
“I understand that you know have some of Jak's Dark Eco powers. What are you going to do about that?
“Actually, Princess, we were hoping you could help us.”
“Alas, Twilight, I have no knowledge of Eco. I don't think it even existed in Equestria before Jak came here.”
Twilight's ears droop at theses words but Jak speaks up. “I guess we'll have to wing it then.” He turns to Twilight. “I'll be here with you every step of the way.”
Twilight hugs him. “Thank you, Jak.”
The Princesses stay for for dinner but then beg pargdon as they must return to Canterlot in time for the evening court.
Twilight walks over to Jak as he begins washing the dishes. “Hey, Jak?”
“Yeah?”
“Would you mind staying with me tonight? I'm scared of what will happen if I transform again.”
Jak looks at her. “I don't think you will but, I will stay with you if it will make you feel better.”
Twilight presses her lips against his. “Thank you so much. It means a lot to me.”
Jak finishes washing up the dishes and the two head up to Twiight's room.
“I'll leave you two love birds alone for the night,” Daxter says with a cheeky grin as he enters his and Jak's room. 
Jak pulls back the comforter and allows Twilight to get in. He then crawls in, himself. He wraps his forelegs around her, and both of them fall asleep. 
> Her Story (Part I)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jaq walks into the run down bar in the small town of Little Rock. She hears music playing from the back and slowly made her way to the room. On stage is a band of four ponies. The lead singer has a pitch black coat with a stark white mane and tail. On his head he wore a black stetson hat. Over her eyes is a pair of black sunglasses. Over his mouth is a black surgical mask. Dangling from his neck is a pair of silver dogtags, marking him as one of the militia in the town. As Jaq sits down, the black stallion screams the final chorus.
Oh, Sister. What have you done?
My innocence has flown away!
Trust has been shattered!
Blood has been splattered!
It's time for me to take what's mine!
He ends the song with a maniacal laugh going on after the final chord has been struck. He throws the microphone on the ground and walks off the stage into the crowd, the show clearly over. The ponies go crazy around him. He makes his way to the front room, muttering something about needing a beer. As the stallion passes her, Jaq notices that he has no cutie mark. She walks up to him. 
“I'll buy that beer for you, Mr...?”
The stallion looks at her questioningly, or, at least Jaq thinks it's questioningly. “Truth. Distorted Truth.” His voice fluctuates between soprano and bass, making it hard to guess his emotions from his voice. “Thank you, Mrs...?”
“Miss Jaq. You may call Jaq.”
“Thank you, Jaq.”
Jaq walks up to the bar. “Two beers , please.” The stallion behind the bar nods and draws up to mugs of beer from the cask behind the bar. 
“That'll be four bits.” Jaq hands over the money. “Thank you.”
Jaq hold the two mugs in her magical grasp as she makes her way over to the table where Distorted is sitting.
As she sits down she begins speaking. “So, Mr. Truth-”
“Please, just call me Distorted. Mr. Truth is my father.”
“Alright then, Distorted. First may I ask the name of your band?”
Distorted laughs through his surgical mask. “You're not from around hear are you?”
“No. Why do you ask?”
“Because everypony in Little Rock knows of Fourth Generation.”
“I see. Who are the other members?”
“Well, the guitarist is 2D. The bassist is Blarg. Our old drummer quit, and the new one hasn't come up with a name yet so we call him Phil.”
“Ah. So have you always lived in Little Rock?”
“No. I was born in Manehatten, but moved here when I was seven.”
“How old are you now?”
“Twenty.”
“Then how are you drinking beer?”
“You bought it for me.”
Jaq leans back and lets out a beautiful laugh. “You got me there, kid.”
“Kid? You don't look a day over twenty-five.”
“I'm not. I'm twenty-four. You are still younger than me. Be that as it may, that is not why I came to here tonight.”
“You mean you came looking for me?”
“Yes, I have been told of your intellect and strength. I would like to hire you.”
“What the job.”
“World domination,” she deadpans.
Distorted stares at her for a full minute before bursting out laughing. “Your kidding?” When Jaq just stares at him he quietens. “Your serious?”
Jaq nods.
“OK, say I believe you. What's in it for me?”
“Well, you will be my right hand man, and you will get a piece of this juicy flank.” She wiggles her rump for emphasis.
Distorted stares at it, not immune to the female body. He looks back up to her. “OK, I'll do it.”
“Great. First things first. I must see your face.”
“Sorry, that's a no go. No pony has seen my face for ten years, not even my mother.”
“Why not?”
“I burned my face badly when I was younger. After being made fun of at school for it, I decided to hid it forever.”
“Can I at least see your eyes?”
Distorted sighs deeply. “Sure, but not here.”
“We can go back to my hotel room if you want.”
“Sounds good to me.”
As the two stand up, the crowd of ponies around them cheers loudly. Jaq casts a sideways glance at Distorted. “You really are famous around here aren't you?”
“Eh. I think it's just the mystery behind me. The mares find it sexy.”
“I tend to agree. Now, what say you to getting out of here?”
“Sounds good to me.”
The two head out of the bar, and onto the dirt paths of Little Rock. It is not much bigger than Ponyville, but Jaq has always liked small towns. She especially liked this one because she was getting tired of the pony puns in all the places she has been to so far.
As the too make their way to the Drunken Rabbit hotel, Neither speaks. “Jaq is thinking of the pretty attractive stallion beside her, and Distorted is thinking of God knows what. He starts humming an eerie tune as he walks. When they reach her room, Distorted speaks up. “Do you mind if I take a shower. I'm really sweaty from the gig.”
“Sure go ahead.” She sits down on the couch as he enters the bathroom. As the water starts running she hears his deep bass singing out.
Can you hear the Sirens resound
From the coastline of Mareland tonight?
It's the song of a promising heart.
Where the surf and the ocean unite.
She stands by the window, alone,
Staring into the rain.
She is trying to guide his way home
From the waters that keep them apart.
Jaq listens to his soothing voice as she lounges on the couch. She is startled awake by a tap on her shoulder. “Hey Jaq.”
“Sorry, Distorted. That song you were singing was beautiful. What was it?”
“The bands name is Kanterlot. The song was 'A Sailorman's Hymn'.”
“Well, it was marvelous.” She sits up. “Now, back to business. Your eyes.”
“Oh, right.” Distorted looks the the floor as he slowly takes of his sunglasses. He raises his head until his eyes meet her.
Jaq holds a hoof to her mouth in shock. She lowers it and smiles widely. “Yes. I think you will do perfectly.”
Distorted's eyes are all one color. They have no whites, no irises, no pupils. Just one color. That color is red.
> Don't Cry Over Thrown Eggs
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jak wakes up earlier than normal due to the fact that his left forelegs is numb from the purple unicorn sleeping on it. He stifles a yawn before carefully extracting himself from the bed without waking Twilight. He moves gingerly around Spike's bed and heads out the door. He makes his way to the kitchen and starts looking for stuff to make breakfast. After rummaging through the fridge, he emerges with a carton of eggs, milk, and soy bacon. He sets them down on the counter with a sigh. “God, I miss meat.”
“What was that?”
Jak turns around and sees Twilight standing in the doorway. “I was just saying how I miss meat.” He shuffles his feet. “Sorry if I woke you.”
Twilight walks over and stand next to him. “It's OK, I slept later than I usually do anyway. Wait, did you say meat? Like, as in animals?” She looks shocked.
“Yeah,” Jak replies, oblivious to Twilight's look. “My favorite was yakow, only Kiera could cook it right, though.”
Twilight's look changes to one of suspicion. “Who's Kiera?”
“Oh, she was my girlfriend back ho-” Jak stops talking as he recognizes the tone in Twilight's voice. Looking at her, he notices anger in her eyes. “Oh, sh-” he drops an egg, ctting off the rest of what he was going to say.
Twilight moves closer to him, glaring daggers. “You have a girlfriend, and you didn't feel the need to mention her?”
Jak backpedals. “T-Twilight, I can explain.”
“I don't want to hear your explanations, Jak!” she yells. “What I want to hear is the sound of you leaving this house! I can't believe I was falling for you!”
Jak turns tail and starts galloping, as he exits the kitchen, an egg hits the floor next to him. 
“Hey, wazgoinon?” Daxter asks as he descends the stairs, rubbing his eyes.
“Hurry and get on, Dax!” Jak practically shouts as another egg smashes against his flank. “I'll explain later.” 
Just then, Twilight appears, holding another egg in her magical grip. “OUT!”
Daxter jumps on to Jak's back quickly. “What did you do to piss her off?”  he says as Jak bursts through the front door.
Jak slows down to a trot as he gets a good distance from the library. “I might have mentioned Kiera.”
“Bad move, Jak. Bad move.” He shakes his head. “You never mention past girlfriends to the current one.”
“I know that, Dax. It kinda just slipped out.”
“Eh, well. Things will work out. They always do for you.”
“Now you sound like Samos.”
“Yeah, well don't get used to it. I can only spare wisdom only once in a blue moon.”
Jak rolls his eyes. “I've noticed.”
“Hey, what's that supposed to mean?” Daxter swats at Jak's head.
Jak laughs. “Oh, nothing. We should probably find someplace to lay low while Twilight's anger is running hot.”
“How about there?”  Daxter points to a tree house about twenty feet in front of them.
“Sounds good to me.” Jak walks up the ramp and into the tree house. It has multiple posters on the wall, including a badly drawn map of Ponyville. Some of the landmarks have X's over them.
“It looks like whoever lives here is plotting something against the town,” Daxter says skeptically.
“Yeah, whatever,” Jak replies with a yawn. He curls up on the rug in the middle of the room. “If anypony comes in bent on world destruction, wake me up.”
“Will do, Cap'n.” Daxter salutes, but Jak is already asleep. Daxter turns around and watches the door. He stands there for about twenty minutes before his own eyes start to droop. “Hmm, maybe a little nap.” He closes his eyes and falls to the floor in a heap, already passed out.



Twilight glared at the door that Jak had just exited, her chest heaving from anger. How dare he? How dare he kiss me even when he has a marefriend? How dare he come into my bed? She lets out an angry grunt and looks around her library. Her expression softens at the sight of all the eggs splattered on the floor.
“Twilight?”
“WHAT?!” she yells at the unsuspecting dragon.
Spikes jumps back. “Sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you.” He turns to head back up the stairs.
“Spike, wait,” Twilight says, her voice calm now. “I'm not angry at you. I'm angry at him.” Twilight glares at the door again.”
“Who?”
“Jak. He played like he was into me and then just tells me he has a marefriend.”
“Really?” Spike asks, “Who is it?”
“Somepony from his home world.”
“Oh,” Spike replies, understanding dawning on his face. “I see.” At the distraught look on Twilight's face, he walks over to his caretaker and throws his arms around her neck in an embrace. “It's OK, Twilight. Trust me, he does like you. I can see it in his eyes. I also can tell he is loyal. I think the reason he even started going with you was because he doesn't think he will be going home. He is trying to start a new life, and he wants you to be in that new life.”
Twilight breaks the hug and holds Spike at foreleg length, a look of incredulity on her face. “What if you're right, Spike? What if I've ruined everything? I've got to find him.” She releases the dragon and bolts out the door.
Spike looks to the door and then to the mess on the floor. He lets out a tired sigh. “You're welcome.”



“Who is it?”
“Ah don't know. Ah think Ah've seen him with Applejack and her friends before.”
“Scootaloo, you should wake him up.”
“Why me?”
“Because yer the one that found him here.”
“Oh, alright.”
Jak feels a hoof prod his side. “Hmm.” He opens his eyes to see three young fillies staring at him with wide eyes.”
“Hey, mister,” the one poking him, an orange pegasus with a purple mane and tail, says. “You're sleeping in our clubhouse.”
Jak stands up and looks over to Daxter, who is fast asleep. Some guard you are. He turns back to the fillies. “Sorry about that. I got evicted from my place of residence this morning and this was the first place I saw. I'm Jak by the way. May I ask your names?”
“I'm Scootaloo,” The orange one says.
“I'm Sweetie Belle,” a white unicorn with a purple and pink mane says.
“And Ah'm Applebloom,” the final one, a yellow earth pony with a red mane and a red bow, says.”
“And together we are THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS! YAY!” they all say in unison.
Daxter jumps awake with a yell of fear at the outburst. “Jak, we're under attack by three adorable fillies!”
“Yes, Daxter. I've noticed.” He turns back to the Crusaders. “What are the Cutie Mark Crusaders?”
The one named Applebloom speaks up. “A group for ponies by ponies to help ponies get there cutie marks. Speaking of, you don't have your cutie mark yet. D'ya wanna join?”
“Umm...”
“Pleeeeeaaase?” the girls say in unison again, all giving him puppy dog eyes.
“Oh, alright,” Jak says. “Where do I sign up?”
“No signing up, we just have to initiate you.”
“What does that enta-”
“There you are!”
Jak turns to see Twilight standing in the doorway. “How dare you storm out of the library with out explaining yourself!”
Jak backs away slowly. “But you said you didn't want- mmphg”
He is silenced by Twilight running over to him and covering his mouth with hers, tackling him to the ground. After a good minute, she breaks the kiss. Standing above him, she states, “Promise me you won't go chasing after any other mares.”
Jak nods frantically. “I-I promise.”
“Good. I expect you back at the library for dinner, but you are sleeping in your room tonight.”
Jak gulps and nods.
“Good. See you then.” She gives him a heartfelt smile. “See you later, girls.” She turns around and walks out, swaying her hips a bit excessively.
> Cutie Mark Crusader Foal Sitter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last time on Jak and Daxter the Equestian front Twilight went ape shit. Nuff said.
Jak looks out the door that Twilight had just left, still on his back. “What just happened?”
“Well, you see, Jak,” Daxter says. “That is what we in the dating world like to call scoring.”
Jak looks over at Daxter scathingly. “You don't say.”
The Cutie Mark Crusaders stand mutely to the side, watching the exchange with amusement written plainly on their faces.
“And what are you three smirking at?” Jak asks in a playful tone.
“Oh, nuthin',” Applebloom replies. “So, uh, before you go back to Twilight's do ya wanna help us try to get our cutie marks?”
“Uh, sure,” Jak says, confused by the change of subject. “Where are we going?”

~(Spongebob Narrator Voice) Ten Minutes Later~

“The Everfree Forest!” Scootaloo yells.
“The Everfree Forest?” Jak asks.
“The Everfree Forest!” the three fillies yell in unison.
“Are you sure girls? I've seen what lives in that forest.”
“We know, too,” Sweetie Belle says. “How else are we going to get out cutie marks for creature catching?”
“C-creature catching?” Jak asks, thinking about the timberwolves.
“Creature catching!” the three yell in unison again.
Jak sighs. “What have I gotten myself into?”
The four ponies and the Ottsel make their way into the forest. The three fillies seem to know where they are going so Jak let's them lead. After walking for ten minutes they come upon a small hut. From inside they can hear somepony singing.
What a beautiful day in this neighborhood.
What a beautiful day for a neighborhood	.
Will you be mine?
What a neighborly day in this beautyhood.
What a beautiful day for a neighbor.
Will you be mine?
Will you be my neighbor?
Jak's ears flatten against his head as he listens to the grating masculine voice.
“That doesn't sound like Zecora,” Sweetie Belle says.
“Let's find out who it is,” Scootaloo says.
“Cutie Mark Crusader pony finder outers! Yay!” they yell in unison. “Wait that didn't sound right.”
“Oh, some ponies seem to be outside the door," the voice inside the hut says. “I wonder who they might be.”
The door to the hut opens to reveal a pony standing there. Actually he only resembles a pony in stature. He had stripes all along his body. On his forehead was a horn. Atop his head rested a black fedora. He smiled at the four ponies. “Well hello there, young ones and, uh, slightly older one. How may I help you?”
“We were actually looking for Zecora,” Applebloom says.
“Ah, yes, Zecora. She is a dear friend of mine. I'm sorry to say I don't see her that often, but when we do meet, it is all great fun.”
“Who are you?” Scootaloo asks a little aggressively.
“I,” the stallion says, “am Dirty Bit. I am a Zebracorn. Not many of us still exist after the genocide of The Democratic Republic of the Condor in Zebrica. The Griffins nearly wiped us out. My grandparents were able to flee to Equestria, however. Expository background aside, may I invite you in?”
“That would be nice,” Jak replies with a nod. He lets the girls go in first before following, still wary of the stranger. 
As the four ponies, Ottsel, and Zebracorn sit down at a small round table, Dirty Bit uses his magic to set tea onto the table. “I seem to be at a disadvantage. You five know my name, but I have no idea who you are.” He tilts his head, making it a question.
“Ah'm Applebloom!”
“I'm Sweetie Belle!”
“I'm Scootaloo!”
“I'm Daxter!”
“My name is Jak.”
“And together we are THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS! YAY!” the three fillies and Daxter shout in unison.
Dirty bit chuckles to himself. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders, eh?”
“Yessir!” Applebloom yells. “We are a group of ponies by ponies for ponies who want to get their cutie marks.”
“Well you know what they say: you can do anything in the garden of your mind.”
“Huh?” Scootaloo says confusedly. “What's that?”
“Well, you see...”
The six sit and talk for an hour before the front door opens and another Zebra enters.
“Zecora!” the three fillies run to her and give her a hug, which she returns warmly.
“Well, hello there, my little fillies. What brings you to my part of the Everfree?”
“We came to see if you could help us get our cutie mark in creature catching!”
“Alas, I cannot. These creatures are too dangerous for you lot.”
“But we have Jak with us.”
Zecora looks up and notices Jak sitting at the table with Dirty Bit. "I'm sorry. I did not see you there. It is a pleasure to meet one so fair.”
Jak blushes slightly at the compliment but takes it in stride. The pleasure is mine Miss Zecora.”
Due to the author's unwillingness to write more rhymes, the conversation lapses into comfortable small talk. Finally Jak looks at the clock. “Crap, I need to be at Twilight's in half an hour. Come on girls. It's time to go.”
“Awww,” the girls moan, but get up anyway. With hurried yet warm goodbyes, the four ponies and the Ottsel make there way out of the hut and eventually out of the Everfree.
“Ah wish we could have stayed longer,” Applebloom says gloomily.
“Yeah,” Scootaloo replies, “but we don't want Jak to get punished, do we?”
Sweetie Belle shakes her head. “Nuh-uh.”
Jak drops the girls back off at their club house before heading towards Twilight's house. He approaches the door slowly, fearing what awaits him inside. He slowly turn the door handle and opens the door. Sensing no immediate danger, he opens the door fully to let himself in, only to be hit in the face by a flying saucepan.
“You're late!”
> Breaking Bonds
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jak looks up at the mare who had just smashed his face with a pan. He looks down at his body and notices that he is covered in spaghetti sauce. He looks at Twilight sheepishly. “Sorry,” he says with a shrug.
“Sorry!?” Twilight yells. She turns to Spike. “Oh, he's sorry, Spike. It's not like I spent two hours making this dinner for him. He comes home an hour late, when the dinner is cold and says sorry.” She turns back to Jak, advancing on him. “You can sleep somewhere else tonight.”
Jak stands up and bows his head. “Of course. I deserve it for making you wait after you made this wonderfully smelling dinner. He turns and walks out. “Come on, Dax.” Daxter jumps onto his back as he walks out into the night, shutting the door softly. 
Jak makes his way all the way to the town square before he hears a thunderclap overhead. He looks up just in time for rain to get into his nostrils. He snorts, trying to clear his nose of the horrible feeling. “Damn it. This blows.”
“Hey Jak!” he hears somepony yell from his right. He turns and sees Rainbow Dash flying towards him. She hovers a few feet above the ground in front of him. “What are you doing out in this rain?”
“Well, uh,” Jak hangs his head, “Twilight and I had a, um, misunderstanding, and she kicked me out for the night.”
“Wow, bummer. You need me to help ya look for a place to stay?”
Jak shakes his head. “No thanks. I'm going to stay at the Cutie Mark Crusaders' club house, seeing as I'm one of them now, apparently.”
Rainbow chuckles softly. “Oh, yeah. I heard those three talking about that earlier.” She turns around and waves a hoof. “See ya, Jak. You too, Dax. I hope things get better with you and Twilight. I'll put in a good word for you.”
“Thanks Dash.” The cyan pegasus speeds away.
Jak and Daxter make their way silently to the club house. Jak, shivering from the rain, curls up on the rug in the center of the floor and lays his head down. Daxter, seeking warmth, curls up next to his companion. The two are asleep quickly.
Jak wakes up to the sound of hoofsteps coming up the ramp to the clubhouse. He opens one eye to see out of. It is still dark outside, and, though distant thunder can still be heard, the rain has stopped.
Voices drift up to him. “Are you sure about this, Lathyrus?” one asked timidly. “I hear this stallion is quite dangerous.”
“No, Elyl, I'm not sure, but the boss said to rough 'im up, so we rough 'im up,” the one named Lathyrus replied.
As the two step into the club house, Jak can barely see the silhouette of two ponies. The duo make their way to Jak.
“See,” Lathyrus whispers. “Sleeping like a baby.”
“Y-yeah,” Elyl mutters. “Let's just get this over with.”
“Fine by me.” Lathyrus raises a hoof, ready to strike.
Jak jumps up and tackles the offending pony to the ground. A flash of lighting reveals a scared pair of amber eyes beneath a black hood. Jak snarls at the earth pony beneath him, his eyes flashing pitch black. “Who the hell sent you?”
“B-Blueblood. Please don't kill me!” the pony screams. His friend had retreated to a corner and proceeds to cower away from Jak.
“Oh, I won't kill you. How could I send a message to your boss? No. I want you to tell him, that if he sends anypony else to 'rough me up,' I will hunt him down and I will kill him. Tell him if he brings a gun, I'll bring an arsenal.” Jak pushes of the scared pony. “Now, scram before I decide to kill one of you.”
Lathyrus scrambles to his feet and runs out the door, Elyl close behind.
Jak sits down on his haunches and begins rubbing his hooves against his temples. Daxter, who had woken up during the scuffle, walks over to him. “That was brutal, Jak. I don't think I've ever seen you threaten to kill someone. Well, besides Baron Praxis, but he had it coming.”
Jak looks down to his fuzzy companion. “Sorry, Dax. I guess I'm just stressed out.”
Dax looks at Jak knowingly. “You know what you need? A woman. Maybe Twilight-”
“Shut up, Daxter!” Jak yells, throwing out a hoof, catching Daxter and sending him into the opposite wall.
“Fine!” Daxter yells as he stands up. “I was just trying to ease the tension. I'll see you later, Jak.” He strides out of the club house, into the night.”
“Daxter, wait!” Jak calls after the Ottsel. He runs to the doorway, but his friend is already gone.
Jak crawls back to the rugs and curls up into a ball. He hears the rain start to fall again, but all he can think about is his friend. He lies there as the first sob in years escapes his throat. Then another. He lays there and lets the tears flow down his face, coming with the same speed as the rain outside.
	
> On His Own Part I
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jak wakes up to sunlight shining on his face. He opens his eyes and sees a tray of cold food in front of him. Apparently someone had been up there with him and had not deemed it necessary to wake him up. He groggily stands up and walks over to the mirror on the wall. After looking at his reflection, he gives a half chuckle, half sob. “God, I look like crap.”
His mane is ruffled and matted. His eyes are so bloodshot that he cannot see the whites. He sadly turns from the mirror and trudges out of the clubhouse without touching the food. He decides it is best to find a place to wash up. Seeing as he is on an isolated part of Sweet Apple Acres, he decides to see if Applejack will let him use her shower.
He walks up to the farm house and knocks three times on the door. The top half of the door opens slowly to reveal Applejack. Her eyes widen at the sight of him then turn into a glare, and she promptly slams the door in his face, causing him to fall back on his haunches.
“I wonder what's got her so pissy?” He asks aloud. He walks back the way he comes. He heads to Fluttershy's cottage next. Angel Bunny opens the door with a scowl and just as quickly shuts it, hitting Jak on the nose. “Damn it. Why won't anypony talk to me?”
“Maybe It's because you hurt their best friends feelings and now they won't give you the time of day?” a friendly voice behind him says.
Jak turns around to see Spike. Jak eyes him warily. “You're not mad at me, are you?”
Spike takes a bite out of the ruby he was carrying. “'Course not. I saw how everything happened. Twilight over reacted. That's not how she sees it, though. She thinks you deliberately shunned her.”
“But I-”
Spike puts a claw to Jak's lips. “Hey, I'm on your side, remember? I suggest you lie low for a few days. Stay away from Twilight and the girls. Trust me they will start to miss you. A shame, really tomorrow is Hearts and Hooves Day.”
“What now?”
“Hearts and Hooves Day. A day you are supposed to spend with your very special somepony.” 
“So it's like Valentine's Day?”
“What's that, a disease?”
Jak chuckles. “Don't worry about it.”
Spike just nods. “If you're looking for somewhere to wash up, I suggest that steam over there. Just wash your face off.”
“Okay.” Jak looks to the stream then back to Spike. “You wanna hang out today?”
Spike shakes his head sadly. “Sorry, I can't. I have a million chores to do. I'm supposed to be talking to Fluttershy about the rats in the library now. That's why I'm here.”
“Oh, I see.” Jak hangs his head. “Okay, I'll see you later, Spike.” He starts walking to the stream.
Spike takes another bite of his gem. “Later.”
After Jak has rinsed himself off he begins a slow walk, not bothering to care where his hooves take him. As he walks he hears a shout from behind him. “Hey, Jak, wait up!” He turns around to see the Cutie Mark Crusaders running up to him.
“What are you three doing? Shouldn't you be in school?”
“Nuh uh,” Applebloom replies. “We just got out. Did you get the food we left for you this morning.”
Jak hangs his head. “Yeah, I got it. I just wasn't hungry. Sorry.”
“It's okay,” Scootaloo says. “Hey, we were just about to try our hoof at hoofball. Wanna join us?”
“Sorry girls, not today. I just want to be alone for now. Maybe tomorrow?”
“But tomorrow is Hearts and Hooves Day,” Sweetie Belle squeaks. “Shouldn't you be spending it with Twilight?”
Jak hangs his head again. “No, I won't be. I don't think I'm welcome in that library anymore.” He turns and begins walking away. He makes up his mind. He has lost two of his best friends in one day. He is no longer wanted. “Good-bye girls. It was really nice to know you three.”
“Wait!” Applebloom calls. “Where are ya goin?”
“I don't know. Not here.” He continues walking, leaving the three fillies with there mouths hanging open. As he walks, he lets his hooves take him again as he thinks about his loved ones. After fifteen minutes, a low growl alerts him that he is not alone. He looks up to notice he is in the middle of the Everfree Forest. He looks around to see three pairs of glowing eyes staring at him. The creatures emerge from the brush into the clearing. They look like lions, but they have scorpion tails and bat wings. Oh, they also look hungry.
“Oh, this is just, bucking wonderful,” Jak growls, assuming a fighting stance. “As if my day couldn't get any worse.” As he says this rain starts pouring down, soaking him to the bone. “Damn it, Jak. You just had to say something.”
The first creature launches itself at Jak. Jak rolls our of the way, but doesn't account for the tail, which slices his right shoulder open to the bone. “Sh-” before he can finish his thought, he is bowled over by the second one. The third one leaps and pins him to the ground, one its claws digging into his wound, causing him to scream in pain. He looks angrily up at the beast, his eyes turning black as pitch. He howls as he throws the creature of of him. The pain in his shoulder forgotten he launches a flurry of blows at all three creatures, killing two, with swift kicks to the heads.
The third one, the biggest of the bunch backs away. Jak begins to charge at it, but he is stopped in his tracks by an odd sensation. He looks down and sees his coat returning to its normal cobalt blue. “What? Why am I changing back?”
The beast takes advantage of Jak's distractedness to pounce again, once again pinning its prey to the ground. Jak is to tired from the transformation to cry out, let alone struggle. He looks up into the gaping maw of the massive creature.
“So this is where I die,” he says before he black out.
“JAK!”
	
	
> On His Own Part II
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daxter angrily walks down the ramp of the clubhouse. He hears Jak call after him, but he ignores it, still livid with his former companion. As he hits the bottom of the ramp, the rain starts to pour down. As he takes another step, a sob escapes his throat. The rain doesn't bother him because the tears don't seem to show. He makes his way to the nearest lit building and curls up on the doorstep, underneath the awning. Slowly, tears running down his face, he falls asleep.
Daxter is woken up by a blood curling scream. He rolls over to see a white unicorn, standing above him, a broom held in its blue magical aura. Daxter waves his paws in front of his face. “Rarity, calm down! It's just me!”
Rarity lowers the broom, her eyes change from surprise to sympathy when she notices that Daxter is shivering. “Oh, you poor dear.” She ushers him in with a hoof. “Come in. Come in. Let's get you warmed up.” She pushes him up to the bathroom. She turns the hot water on high and shoves him underneath the stream of water. “When you are done, come down stairs. I need to talk to you.”
“Okay,” Daxter replies savoring the euphoric feeling of the hot water over his body. After soaking under the shower for fifteen minutes, lathering himself copiously with soap and rising, he step out of the shower and dries off. He walks down the stairs to see Rarity sitting at the table, sipping on a mug of tea, another mug sitting opposite her. 
Rarity looks up as his paw touches the landing. “Please sit, Daxter. Have a cup of tea.”
Daxter sits down in the chair with a “Thank you.”
Rarity nods once. “I was wondering why you weren't with Jak.” She tilts her head, making it a question.
Daxter lowers his head. “We had an argument last night at the Crusaders' club house. I left him after he hit me.”
Rarity's eyes widen in shock. So is it true that Twilight kicked the both of you out of the library?”
Daxter keeps his eyes on the table. “Yeah. We were late for dinner last night after they had a misunderstanding.”
“I thought there was more to it than she was telling. She seemed really distressed last night. She said that Jak lied to her then stood her up after she cooked dinner for him.”
“Well he didn't lie to her. He just never mentioned that he had had a girlfriend back home.”
Rarity looks into her mug. “I see. Well, If I were you, I would go see her and try to talk things out.”
Daxter nods once before hopping out of his chair. “Thanks Rarity.”
“No trouble at all, darling.”
Daxter walks out of Carousel Boutique and heads to the library. He knocks three times on the door. The top half opens and Twilight glares at him. “What do you want?”
Daxter raises his paws defensively. “I just want to talk.”
“About what,” she says tersely.
“You and Jak.”
Twilight harrumphs. “I have nothing to say about that stallion.”
“Please, Twili-”
“Daxter! Twilight!”
The mare and the Ottsel look up to see the three Cutie Mark Crusaders galloping towards them.
“What's wrong girls?” Twilight asks as the fillies reach the door.
“Jak is in trouble!” Applebloom yells. “He is in a fight with three manticores.”
“WHAT!” Twilight screams. She bursts out of the door. “Come on, Daxter. Scootaloo, you're the fastest of you three. Lead the way. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, stay here. Let's go Scootaloo.” The orange filly nods and takes off toward the Everfree Forest. “What was he doing in there?”
“I don't know,” the pegasus replies. “He just told us is good to know us, then left. We followed him, of course, but when we saw the manticores, we knew we needed to come get help.”
“I'm glad you did, we need to hurry.” Twilight keeps running behind Scootaloo, Daxter on her back. After seven minutes of hard galloping, the trio comes upon the clearing. Jak is lying limp, pinned down by a manticore. Two more of the creatures lie dead next to them. “JAK!” Twilight yells. Her eyes flare as her dark self takes over. She lowers her horn as she charges. The manticore barely has time to look up before getting impaled in the stomach. It howls in agony as it is thrown off its prey. It gets up and prepares to charge. Before it can move, however, Twilight blasts it with a beam of black magic, causing it to crumple to the forest floor, dead. Twilight slowly comes back to herself.
“Wow,” Daxter says, “that was almost as bad ass as when Jak transforms.”
“Daxter,” Twilight reproaches, “there is a young one present.”
“Oh, right.” He looks to Scootaloo. “Sorry, kid.”
“We can't worry about that now,” Twilight states. “We need to get Jak to the hospital. Scootaloo, run ahead and tell the hospital to prep a room. If you see any of my friends on the way, tell them to come help me. I don't know if I can carry him the whole way. That transformation takes a lot out of me.” Scootaloo gives a small salute and gallops away. Twilight looks to Daxter. “Help me get him on my back. I can't carry him with magic right now.”
“Right,” Daxter says.



Jak wakes up in a familiar room. Damn it. I'm in the hospital again. He looks over to his right to see Twilight there, staring at him. At the sight of his open eyes, she bursts into tears. “I'm so sorry. I should have never blown up at you. A-and when I saw y-your injuries, I thought th-that I would lose you.”
Jak reaches out and pulls Twilight into a tight hug. “Hey, I'm fine.” He kisses her on the forehead. “Besides,” he looks at the clock. It reads 12:01 A.M. “I can't let my special somepony be sad on Hearts and Hooves Day.”
“Twilight looks up to him with a watery smile. She leans in a kisses him deeply. When she finally breaks the kiss, she looks into his eyes. “Happy Hearts and Hooves, Jak.”
“Happy Hearts and Hooves, Twilight.” 
	
	
> Of Bloody Hooves and Loving Hearts
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Warning. This chapter contains romance themes. If you don't like Romance then buck you.
“Ahem. Now that that's over, we can get back to the story.”
“What was that, Pinkie,” Twilight asks.
“Oh, nothing, just the author being mean to the readers.”
“Oooookaaaay. Anyway, what brings you over today?”
Pinkie Pie reaches into her mane and pulls out cake shaped like a heart, covered in pink icing. “I wanted to bring you and Jak a cake for Hearts and Hooves.” She shoves the cake under Twilight's nose, who then picks it up in her magic.
“Thank you, Pinkie. Sorry we can't make it to your party tonight. Is supposed to stay in bed for the day.”
“I know that Twilight. You told me an hour ago, but I guess you had to explain it to the readers who weren't here at the time.”
Twilight's eyes widen. “Wh-What?”
“Nothing!” Pinkie sings as she turns around and bounces down the street.
“That was wei-Pinkie,” Twilight says as she turns back into the house, still holding the cake in her magical grasp. She walks up to her bedroom, where Jak is sleeping soundly. She gently nudges him awake. “Jak. Jak, wake up. You've been asleep for the last twelve hours.”
“Mmmmm,” he mutters. “How about twelve more hours?”
“Sorry but I am not going to let my special somepony lie about during Hearts and Hooves Day.”
“Why don't you join me? The covers are really comfy.”
Twilight puts a hoof to her chin before climbing in, setting the cake on the bedside table. She nestles up to Jak before meeting his lips with her own. She puts a hoof to his chest and starts tracing down his chest until... We are sorry, but due to the graphic nature of the next scene and the rating of this fic, we cannot allow the author to post such mature material.
Jak lies back as Twilight rolls off him. He looks over to her to see a beautiful smile gracing her lips. “Twilight-”
She cuts him off by putting a hoof to his mouth. She leans in to give him a kiss, but is interrupted by a knock on the door. “Darn it,” She curses. “Spike will probably get it but, I should probably see who it is.” She gets out off the bed and walks to the door of the bedroom, hobbling a little.
Jak closes his eyes, thinking about the moment he had just shared before Twilight, before he hears yelling coming from downstairs. He slowly get out of the bed and, without putting much weight on his injured shoulder, makes his way down the stairs. He sees Twilight arguing with a regal looking white unicorn.
“He's sleeping, Prince Blueblood. Please come back another time.”
“Miss Sparkle, I will not be denied! That creature is dangerous and is a threat to all of Equestria!”
“Dabuq you say,” Jak says as he hits the landing.
Prince Blueblood smiles. “Ah, there he is. I was just telling Miss Sparkle here that she was harboring a dangerous pony and I was instructed to bring you in.”
“So you're that Blueblood guy I heard about. What? Didn't want to send lackeys to 'rough me up this time.”
Blueblood flushes a deep crimson. “You will address me as Prince Blueblood, you ravel bastard!”
“Well, then, I expect you to act princely, otherwise I might just call you dumb ass.”
“How dare you insult royalty! My aunt will have your head for this.”
“I highly doubt it, seeing as you're aunt was the one that released me from the dungeons in the first place.”
“Hey Jak. What's going on,” Daxter says as he comes out of his and Jak's room.”
“Don't worry about it, Dax. What we have here is a royal pain.”
Blueblood flushes, if it is even possible, a deeper shade of red. “You will pay for that!” He charges up his horn and shoots a beam at Jak, who deftly dodges out of the way. He lands on his shoulder, however, and winces in pain. Blueblood takes this opportunity to fire another bolt at Jak. Twilight, who had until now been watching in stunned silence, jumps in front of the beam. The attack connects and sends her flying into a book shelf.
Jak slowly gets up looking from Twilight to the Prince. His eyes slowly go black as his rage consumes him. “I'm going to kill you now,” he says in a voice hardly his own.”
“Wh-” Blublood begins before he is punched in the mouth by Jak. Jak then catches him in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. Jak proceeds to pummel the Prince from head to hoof. Blueblood lies on the ground, cowering away from Jak.
As Jak is about to deliver the final blow, he hears a soft voice from behind him and feels a hoof on his shoulder. “Jak, that's enough. Please stop.”
Jak turns around and sees Twilight staring at him with wide eyes. He slowly reverts back to his normal self. He turns back to Blueblood. “Get your sorry flank out of here. If I ever see you in Ponyville again, you better hope Twilight is with me.” Blueblood nods once before teleporting out of the library. Jak turns to Twilight. “How?” he manages to ask.
Twilight smiles. “I was able to put a minor shield around me before he hit me. His magic is not that strong, but, even so, I will probably have a bruise tomorrow.”
“As long as you are okay, I'm happy.” Twilight comes up to him and nuzzles his cheek.
“Wow,” Daxter says. “This is getting to mushy for me. I'm going to Sugar Cube Corner. See ya later, Jak.”
“Later, Dax.” He slowly looks to Twilight, who is now nuzzling his neck. “What do you say we go finish this back in the room?”
Twilight looks up to him. “Sounds good to me.” She gives him a quick peck on the lips before turning and walking away, her hips swaying seductively.
> Her Story (Part II)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jaq and Distorted make their way down the long flight of steps into her laboratory. The walls around them are made of roughly cut stone. Due to the chill, Distorted Truth could tel that they were far underground. He follows his employer down the stairs, and, though she is still wearing her trademark lab coat, he is enjoying the view immensely. When they reach the bottom of the steps, the first thing he notices is the loud noise that was completely absent a moment before, as if them landing at the bottom of the steps had triggered some form of spell. Distorted follows Jaq to another unicorn in a lab coat. He has a ruddy coat with a green, spiked mane and tail. Over his eyes he is wearing a pair of tinted green goggles. On his left hoof he is wearing an old watch, probably an heirloom. The scientist turns as he hears Jaq and Distorted approaching.
“Dr. Circuit,” Jaq says flatly. “Have you found it yet?”
The stallion swallows loudly before answering. The room had gone deathly quiet at Jaq's words, as if everypony in the room was afraid of what she might do if given the wrong answer. Dr. Circuit to out a hoofkerchief and wiped the sweat from his brow. “N-not yet, M-master. Howe-”
“Not yet,” Jaq says with barely controlled rage. “You've had your entire team working on this project nonstop for the last week. Why the buck have you not found it. I WANT THAT GATE FOUND!” She calms down as she feels Distorted's hoof on her shoulder. She turns to the black earth pony and smiles. She looks back at the doctor. “I am sorry for shouting, Simple Circuit. Please go about your business as usual. I know you are trying your hardest.”
“Y-yes, Master. We actually have identified a fifty mile radius that the gate should be in.”
Jaq's ears perk up in interest. She raises an eyebrow. “Oh? Do tell.”
Circuit shifted his weight from hoof to hoof nervously. “Well we have found that the signal coming of this thing you call a Rift Gate is strongest in a circle that is fifty miles from Canterlot in any direction. We believe that the gate will be found somewhere in this area.”
Jaq raises a hoof to her chin. “Hmm.” She looks back up to the scientist. “Do you think you can have it found by the Gala?”
“I do not see why not, Master.”
“Very well. Let it be so or it will be on your head.” She turns around and starts walking back to the stairs. “Come on, Distorted. There is somepony else I want you to meet.”
Distorted looks back to the scientist and tries to give an apologetic look, but then realizes his face is covered. In the end, he just turns around and follows Jaq. “What was that all about?” He asks.
Jaq opens the door at the top of the staircase, and the two emerge into her apartment in Fillydelphia. She turns and bolts the metal door so none of the scientists can bother her. “As I have told you, I am not from this world. I was brought here by a thing called a Rift Gate. I know there is one on this world. However, so does my enemy. He plans on using it to get back to his world. I plan on preventing that.”
“Why?”
“Because I just love this world. Also for my plans for him in the next story.”
“What?”
“Oh, nothing. Don't worry about it, darling.” Jaq uses her magic to take off both her goggles and her lab coat and rested them on the coat rack. 
Distorted is currently distracted by the view he is getting, forgetting his next question. As Jaq turns back around, Distorted quickly moves his eyes to her face. “So, uh, what are you going to do?”
Jaq puts a hoof to his lips. “Silly, that would be telling. Now come sit on the couch with me. Sing me a song with that beautiful voice of yours.”
“Yes, ma'am.” He sits back on the couch and slowly begins to sing a slow, sad song.
Little by little I've come to this point
On my own I've been searching my way
I lost so early
The days went so fast
You don't know how I prayed every day
A song to remember
A song to forget 
You'll never know how I tried
To make you proud and to honor your name
But you never told me good bye
Now that you are done cast shadows from the past
You and all the memories will last. 
As Distorted continued singing, Jaq leaned closer to him. As the last note faded, Jaq turned to Distorted and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “That was beautiful. Was that Kanterlot again?”
Distorted nods once.
“I really need to check them out. But now, we must pay our dear hero a visit.” She grabs her coat and googles and puts them on. “Come, put your hoof on me. It is high time you meat the one we are fighting.”
Distorted reaches a hoof out, wondering what this Jak character is like. As soon as he makes contact with Jaq's coat he is swallowed into darkness as the two teleport.
	
 
	
> Interlude (The Other Side)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kiera sits on the rock she has been occupying every day for the past two years. It sat on top of the sandstone plateau on which she and Jak had found the new Rift Gate. It overlooked the wasteland as the last rays of light painted everything red. Even the blue-white light coming from the gate seemed to be tinged with a ruddy hue. She looks at the Rift Gate sadly, hoping that today is the day that she will finally see Jak and Daxter come back to her. She puts her elbows on her knees and puts her face in her hands. She lets out a small sob.
She sits there, crying for five minutes before she hears the gravel crackle under someone's feet. She looks up, eyes red, to see a short man with light green skin and a log in his white hair walking toward her, leaning extremely heavily on his walking stick. “D-daddy, What are you doing here?”
“Kiera,” Samos says, “you've been coming here for the past two years. Please, come home.”
“I-I can't, Daddy. I need to be here when he gets back.”
“Dear, I need you at home. I'm not as young as I once was. Jak will come back when he is able to.”
Kiera hangs her her head. “B-but...”	
She is silenced by her father putting a hand on her shoulder. “Kiera, he will be fine. There is nothing a new world can throw at him that he hasn't seen already. He is the most resourceful lad I have ever seen in my many years. He will find a way to come back to us. I know he will. Please, Kiera, come home. Tell you what. Come out here for two hours each day and spend the rest at home or with your friends. How's that sound.
Kiera sniffs deeply before slowly nodding her head. “Okay, Daddy.” She slowly stands up and puts a hand on her fathers shoulder. As the two begin walking to the Hellcat that Samos had brought, She looks back at the gate, now lighting up the completely dark landscape with its stunning blue light. “Come home, Jak.”
> Revelations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jak is woken up by a sneeze. He slowly sits up and rubs his itchy nose. “Hmm, someone must be talking about me.” He looks over to Twilight, who is still sleeping like a foal. He smiles softly to himself before slowly maneuvering himself out of the bed. He tip hooves out of the room and gently makes his way past his room and down the stairs. Time for some breakfast, he thought to himself. He walks down to the kitchen and pulls out some eggs from the refrigerator. As he cracks them into the mixing bowl, he hears a soft rapping at the front door. “Coming,” he calls out before setting down the egg carton and walks tiredly to the door.
“Hello, Jak,” Jaq says as the hero open the door. “A pleasure seeing you again. How's life treating you?”
Jak glares at the newcomer. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Jaq flips her mane back over her shoulder, “Oh, nothing. I just wanted to let you meet my new associate, Distorted Truth. Distorted, say hi.”
For the first time, Jak notices the black earth pony stallion next to his nemesis. “Good, I've been looking for a fight.” He cracks his neck as he gets ready.
“Oh, no, no, no. I didn't come here to fight. I just came here to talk. Mind if we come in?”
“Why the fuck would I do that?”
“Aw, come on don't be like that. We just need to talk. We can do it over some tea.” She gives him her most disarming smile.
Jak sighs, defeated. “Come in.” He steps back from the door to allow the mare and the stallion to enter. “Follow me.” He leads the pair into the kitchen, and they see the open carton of eggs next to the mixing bowl.
“Oh, are you making eggs?” Jaq says as she sits down. “I'll have some of those along with the tea.” She wiggle her rump to get more comfortable in the seat.
Jak leers at the light purple mare. “Don't make yourself too at home. As soon as you are done talking, you're out of here.”
“Well then I guess I will have to talk as slow-lyyyy aaaaaas, pooossiblllllllle.”
Jak wheels around to face her, “Do that and I will punch you in the face.” He puts the kettle onto the stove to boil.
“Now, now there is no need for violence.” She looks at Distorted Truth. “Please, Distorted, you are making me uncomfortable, standing there like that. Please, sit down.” The black stallion nods once and takes a seat at the table. “Now, Jak, I wish to talk to about the Rift Gate.”
Jak's ears perk up at the mention of the gate. He stays focused on the kettle so as to not let Jak see his eyes fill with hope. “What about it?”
“My team of scientists has located it. Soon enough I will be able to go through it, and I will destroy it and leave you stranded here. Then, my victory will be complete. You will never be able to see your beautiful Keira again.”
Jak turns around angrily. “You wouldn't dare!”
“Oh, but I would.” Jaq claps her hooves together happily. “You see, I am what you goody four horseshoes call evil, and, being as such, I am entitled to do whatever I want.”
Jak's eyes start to turn black as the tea kettle starts to whistle. “Well, Distorted,” Jaq say flippantly, “I believe that is our cue to leave.” She looks to Jak one last time. “You have one month. On the night of the Grand Galloping Gala, I will go through the Rift gate and leave you here. Good luck.” She lights up her horn and envelops Distorted and herself in a light blue aura. The next instant, they are gone.
Jak hears hoofsteps coming down the stairs. Soon, Twilight appears at the entrance to the kitchen. She looks at the whistling kettle. “Oh, you're making tea? Thank you.” She looks to Jak and sees his stricken look. She walks up to him and places a hoof on his cheek. “Jak, what's wrong?”
A single tear rolls down his cheek. “I'm never going home. I'll never see my friends again.”
Twilight pulls him into a hug. Jak buries his muzzle in her coat. “Hey, it's going to be OK. What happened?”
“Jaq came by. She says she is going to destroy the Rift Gate at the Grand Galloping Gala.”
Twilight freezes. She knows about the Rift Gate. She knows it was the only way to go back to Jak's home world. She also knows that Jak, if given the chance, would head back there in a heart beat. Yes, she loves him, and she knows that he loves her, but this is not his world. She has been hoping that he would stay for his love of her, but it just is not meant to be. She squeezes him tightly as her own tears start streaming down her face. “We'll find it, I swear to you, Jak, we will get you home.”
Jak looks up and stares Twilight in the eyes. “How?”
Twilight smiles at him. “We will search for it, of course. I will use all my magic resources to find it. I swear it, by the love I have for you.”
Jak breaks into a grin. “I love you, too, Twilight, and thank you.”
Her loving smile turns into a sly grin. “There is one thing we have to do first, though.”
Jak looks at her confusedly. “Uh, what's that?”
“We get to get you fitted for a tuxedo for the gala.”
“A what now?” 
	
	
 
	
> Pins and Needles
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Jak stands on the podium in the middle of Carousel Boutique, a scowl on his face, while Rarity runs a tape measurer down his left foreleg. Over on the sofa, Daxter covers his mouth to suppress his laughter.
“Don’t say a word, Dax,” Jak says menacingly.
“Please, darling,” Rarity chimes in. “You cannot move at all, otherwise the measurements will be all wrong.”
Jak immediately closes his mouth at the sharp tone of the fashionista’s voice, causing Daxter’s laughter to erupt anew.
“I wouldn’t be laughing if I were you, Daxter,” Rarity said tersely. She rarely has to deal with Stallions, and the ones she does do business with are never this immature. “You’re up next.”
That shut Daxter up. “What?” he splutters.
“Oh, yes. You are going to the Gala as well, and I refuse to let you go in the buff.”
Daxter crosses his arms in defiance. “Like hell. I am not wearing any frilly frilly frufru clothes.”
“Daxter, has it slipped your mind that I am a unicorn, I could easily hold you down and still get the measurement, but believe me, it is not a fun experience to be controlled against you will (Dear God, I just made Rarity sound like a rapist).
Daxter unfolds his arm in a huff. “Fine. I’ll stand still.”
“Thanks you, darling.” Rarity smiles warmly, going back to measuring Jak. “Dear, can you please raise you right forelegs straight in front of you?” Jak obeys. “Thank you, darling. At least some ponies can listen to instructions.”
“Hey!” Daxter cried out. “I’m not a pony. I’m an Ottsel. Well at least fifty per cent Ottsel. The other fifty is a love making machine.” He runs his paws down his body to his hips to emphasize his point.”
Rarity’s head makes a quick bobbing motion. When she stops, she makes a slight swallowing sound. “Sorry, I just threw up in my mouth a little.”
Five hours later, the Dynamic Duo walks out of the clothing store, much worse for wear.
“I have to say, Dax,” Jak says with a sigh, “I’ve fought some tough monsters, but nothing has ever been as difficult as that.”
Daxter looks up to his friend in annoyance. “You’re telling me. I swear she poked my tail with needle, like, five hundred times.”
“I was only once,” Jak corrects him, “and that was because you wouldn’t stop swishing it back and forth. She was trying to hold it still.”
“By pinning to the floor?”
“In her defense, she had told you five times to stop moving it.”
Daxter hangs his head, wrapping his tail around his body and cradling it in his paws. “My poor tail, you will be sorely missed.”
“Or, you know, she could have been getting back at you for that sex jab.”
“C’mon, Jak, who do you know that can resist Orange lightning when he puts his charm on.
“Well, let’s see. There’s Kiera, Ashelin, and Rayne. I don’t know how Tess puts up with you.
Daxter looks back up to his best friend. “That cut deep, Jak. That really cut deep.
“Sorry,” Jak say apologetically. He shakes his head. “C’mon, Dax, let’s go see if Twilight’s saved any lunch for us.” With that, Daxter climbs onto Jak’s back and the latter begins trotting toward the library. As the two enter and approach the kitchen, Jak notices a note left on the coffee table in the living room. Jak walked to it and flipped it open.
Dear Jak and Daxter,
I have made a brief Trip to Canterlot to inform Princess Celestia about the threat made on the Gala. I should be returning eith late tonight of early tomorrow morning. Do not worry, I have left supplies for you to eat. On the kitchen table are two sandwiches I made for your lunch. I’m sorry I missed you, but this needed to be done as quickly as possible and I thought it better if I told the Princess in pony. I thought for sure, you would be back by lunch. I will see you both soon.
Love,
Twilight
Jak looked into the kitchen, and sure enough, two lettuce and tomato sandwiches were sitting on the table. “C’mon, Dax, I’m starving.”
The next month passed slowly and without incident. Twilight came back earlier than expected that night and told Jak that The Princess had decided to double the security of the Gala this year. Jak sighed in relief at hearing that, but was still worried of what Jaq might try to do.
As a hobby, Jak decided to take up helping Applejack at the farm. The first time she had offered him bits for the work, he stoutly refused them. The two ended up having a shouting match, neither one refusing to budge on the matter. It finally ended with Big Macintosh showing up and practically forcing the bits down Jak’s throat, though he promised that they wouldn’t pay him again, if that is what he desired.
The night before the Gala, Pinkie Pie decided to throw a “We are going to Save the World” party. All seven ponies, the one dragon, and the one Ottsel were in attendance. There was punch, which only, Pinkie and Daxter were willing to drink due to the fact that Gummy had been swimming in it (Daxter didn’t know this). There was music and dancing, and many games that involved the heavy consumption of cider and a spinning bottle (Jak had Twilight’s permission, of course).
As Jak, Daxter, Twilight, and Spike made their way back to the library, the two smallest of the group resting on their respective ponies, Twilight leaned against Jak for support, and vice versa. As if participating in a seven legged race, the two stumbled to the library, went upstairs, and, ignoring the Ottsel and dragon hop off, made their way into the bed. As Jak fell asleep, it was the first time in the past month that he had not been nervous about the Gala.

> Let's Dance
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Multiple carriages are pulling into the circle driveway of the front courtyard of the Canterlot palace. As an immaculate white, apple shaped carriage pulled up, drawn by two stallions, a mare in a red coat walked over and opened the door. First out of the carriage came the renowned Element of Loyalty, her rainbow dress seeming to flow in the nonexistent breeze. After her comes the Element of Generosity, her dress, by far, the most beautiful at the Gala. Kindness is next, her dress was green, yellow, and, most importantly, simple. The pink mare embodying Laughter followed the butter yellow mare, smiling as she grabs a piece of candy from the neck of her dress and popping it into her mouth. The farmpony of Honesty is next, her dress reflecting her rustic lifestyle, though not enough to make her look crass. Next comes the mare that everypony had wanted to see, the most eligible mare in all of Equestria, student of Princess Celestia, and Element of Magic, Twilight Sparkle, her dragon assistant resting on her back. 
Twilight turns as she places her final hoof on the ground, looking back into the carriage with a smile on her face. Stepping out of the carriage is a royal blue earth stallion with a greenish yellow mane, looking all kinds of uncomfortable in his suit. On his back is an orange rodent in a similar suit. The rodent looks around and smiles at the attention the nine of them are getting. As the stallion touches down, Twilight swoops in and places a quick kiss on his lips, eliciting a collective “awww” from all the mares (except the prudes who think that kissing in public is the devil), and a sigh of disappointment from all the single stallions.
Jak holds out his right foreleg to his date. Twilight takes it and both ponies make their way to the front doors with their friends (don’t ask me how they did it on three hooves each. I don’t know.). The guard looks them up and down before saying, in a gravelly tone, “Tickets, please.” The stallion obviously knows who they are and is just following standard procedure. Jak pulls the nine tickets from his coat pocket and hoofs them over to the guard. The stallion nods once. “Welcome to the Grand Galloping Gala.”
The seven ponies enter the hall, the dragon and Ottsel riding on their respective companions’ back. Jak looks up to see Celestia standing on a raised dais on the other side of the unexpectedly plain entrance chamber. Celestia spots the group and motions for them to come over. Jak pulls on his collar uncomfortably before heading over to the Princess with the girls.
Celestia smiles warmly as the nine of them approach. “Welcome, my little ponies!” she exclaims happily. “Please follow me. I wish to show you something spectacular.” She turns and begins waking to a door right behind the dais. She unlocks it with her magic and allows them to enter before she follows suit. The room is dimly lit by four candles, one on each wall, resting in sconces. The room is about ten feet by ten feet with beige walls and a low ceiling. They are the only ones inside. Celestia closes the door behind her and turns to face the assembled ponies, rodent, and dragon, the wide smile she had been wearing in the entrance hall completely gone from her face. She looks, somberly, into each of the gathered’s eyes. “You all know the threat that has been made. Nopony here knows, besides my sister, my niece, and Shining Armor. I believe Shining has told a few of his higher ranking officers. I have sworn every single one of them to silence. I hope to keep the Gala civil that way. However, I want each of you to be on the lookout for Jaq. Try to have as much fun as you can, but be ready to pounce at any sign of trouble.” She turns to Jak. “Don’t think I have forgotten, Jak. If we reach the end of this without any altercation, I will present you with the reward, as promised.”
Jak blushes. “You don’t need to do that, Princess.”
“Nonsense,” Celestia replies with a wave of her hoof. “I will have you properly rewarded for acting in a time while I was frozen.” She flashes him a grateful grin before turning around and briskly walking out of the room, her fake smile returning to her face. If anypony had cared to read her eyes, they would have seen just how worried their ruler truly was.
“Come on,” Twilight says as she tugs at Jak’s foreleg. “Let’s dance. We can worry about Jaq when she gets here.”
Jak shakes his head. “I don’t dance.”
“Oh, please, darling,” Rarity chimes in. “Everypony dances.”
“I don’t.”
Rarity’s face falls, mouth hanging slightly ajar. “Seriously?”
“Seriously. Well I haven’t danced here but back home I had two left feet. I doubt four left hooves would be any better.”
“B-but when you fight, you are so graceful,” Twilight says.
“Because it’s not dancing.”
“I’ve seen you jump up and down at parties,” Pinkie Pie puts in.
Jak shrinks down a little. “That was different.”
“How so?”
“Because it wasn’t formal, follow-these-certain-steps dancing.”
“Sugarcube,” Applejack asks, “are ya scared?”
Jak shrinks down. “I-I’m not scared.”
Twilight wraps a hoof around him. “Come on. You’ll be dancing with me. I’m not much of a dancer either.”
Jak smiles. “I would have thought you would be a great dancer. Seeing as how you gyrate your-“ he is interrupted by a purple hoof being shoved into his mouth.
“Hehe, they don’t need to hear about that, dear. Now we are going to dance.” She turns to the rest of the group. “Girls, Spike, Daxter, see you guys later.” She pushes Daxter off of Jak’s back and pulls him out of the room.
The two make their way to the actual ballroom, which is much more lavishly decorated than the entrance hall. White, blue and pink streamers are dangling from the rafters. The six walls of the room were lined with tables full to the breaking point with food and drink. A quartet was playing on the wooden stage set in the very middle of the dance floor. The pony playing the cello looks oddly familiar to Jak.
He nudges Twilight. “Hey isn’t that pony from Ponyville?”
The purple unicorn follows his gaze and spots the earth pony in question. “Oh, you mean Octavia. No, she lives here in Canterlot. Her sister, Fiddlesticks, lives in Ponyville.”
Jak looks back at the cellist. “Ah, I see.”
“Now,” Twilight turns to face her date. “May I have this dance?”
“I thought the guy was supposed to ask that.”
“Shut up and dance with me.”
Jak throws up his forehooves in a surrendering gesture. “Yes ma’am!”
The two lean into each other, heads draped over the other’s neck, and start swaying back and forth to the smooth tune emanating from the quartet. As the final chord is struck, Jak backs away away. “Well that was fun. I think I’ll just go sit over-“
Twilight wraps him in her magic. “Oh, no you don’t. You promised me five songs together.”
“What? When did I say that?”

~Two Days Earlier~

“Jak,” Twilight says sweetly, “if you don’t dance with me for at least five songs at the Gala, I will geld you.

~Present~

“Oh, right. Now I remember,” Jak says as he walks back leans back into Twilight for the next song.
An hour later finds Jak sitting at a table with Twilight and the other girls, minus Rarity who is letting Spike dance with her. Daxter is on the prowl for some tail. Suddenly, from the dais on one end of the room, Celestia stands up. The room quiets instantly.
“My little ponies,” she says in a carrying voice, “I wish to interrupt tonight’s gathering with a little something special. Two months ago, I was visiting my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle in Ponyville. We were near the Everfree Forest when we were attacked by Tiberwolves.” She pauses as a collective gasp ripples through the room, the loudest coming from Pinkie Pie. The Day Princess continues in a soft tone. “I regret to say that I froze then. I froze with worry at what might happen to the ponies I was with. There was, however, one pony who was there who did not freeze. No, instead he ordered my sister and me to carry the other ponies out of harm’s way. He stayed to fight them. I thought for sure he was dead, but I was wrong. He is here with us today, after taking on a pack of fully grown Timberwolves. If you would, please, come forward Jak. Also I would like to invite his companion, Daxter, and the bearers of the Elements of Harmony up here.”
Jak stands up nervously to the polite clopping of hooves on the ground. Halfway to the dais he feels Daxter jump onto his back. He approaches the platform to see Celestia smiling down at him. She offers a hoof for him to grab as he steps up.
“Jak I would like to present you with the-“
She is interrupted by the castle shaking. Jak looks around. “What the f-“
The castle shakes again, the floor of the ballroom crumbling beneath all the ponies. Jak lands with a thud and is surprisingly still conscious. He looks up into the hole that was just made and sees a familiar figure.
“Oh, did I do that?” Jaq asks sweetly. She turns to her left. “Dr. Circuit, I told you to only use enough explosives to destroy the dais, not the whole damned castle.”
A voice carries down to Jak. “I-I’m sorry, Mistress. We didn’t know how thick it was.”
“Unacceptable,” she replies, bored. She lights up her horn and shoot a beam at the unseen pony. He screams then falls silent. “Now, Distorted, please take care of Jak. I must activate the Rift Gate.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The black earth pony leaps down into the hole and lands with a roll. Jak spares a glance to his left to see Twilight starting to move. Beyond her lies a dormant Rift Gate. He turns his attention back to Distorted just in time to get a hoof to the face.
Jak rolls with the punch and springs to his feet, launching himself at his attacker.
“Twilight, I need you to hold off Jaq as long as possible!” Jak yells as he throws a barrage of punches at Distorted.
The two combatants exchange flurry of blows, neither seeming to be gaining any ground. The cave around them is being lit up with the magic of the two dueling unicorns. Jak lands a right forehoof just as Distorted connects with a left. Both are sent sprawling into the wall.
As Jak hits the wall, the wall behind him lights up in multiple colors: blue, green, red, and yellow. Jak’s right forehoof is on a red crystal, his left on a blue. He feels power coursing throughout his. He immediately knows what’s going on.
“Aw, Hell yeah,” he says to himself as he stands up. He looks over and sees that Distorted is standing up as well. Jak smiles as he charges the black stallion at lightning speed before punching him with a glowing, red hoof. Distorted flies back into the wall, creating a crater in the side of the cave. He turns to Twilight to see her grappling with Jaq, magic forgotten by the two unicorns. Jak finds a yellow crystal and puts his hoof on it, feeling the energy once again flow through him. He takes aim. “TWILIGHT, GET OUT OF THE WAY!” He yells. 
Twilight looks over to him and, seeing the determined look in the stallions eyes, pushes off of her foe.
Jak unleashed to quick blast of yellow eco at the crazed unicorn. Both blasts connect directly with the mare’s chest, sending her flying into the back wall with an earth rumbling smack.
Jak looks up as pebbles start falling. “Damn, it’s an earthquake. He looks at all the ponies strewn around him, then at Twilight. “Twilight, can you get a shield around all these ponies!”
The purple unicorn nods once. “I think I can.”
“Then do it! The whole damned place is caving in!”
Twilight lights up her horn as the castle begins to fall around them. A huge boulder crashes down on the Rift Gate and sends a crack right down the middle. A shield erupts from Twilights horn just as the ceiling above the dance hall falls down upon them. A stray rock makes it through the shield and hits Jak. Soon, all he sees is black.

> Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kiera, once again, sits on her rock in front of the Rift Gate, the brilliant sunset illuminating her white hair. The Rift Gate is all she has left. Her dad, Ashelin, Torn, every one of them is dead. She turns away from the sunset to once again look at the empty gate.
A blue light starts to build in the center of the gate. Kiera perks up as the blue-white light fills the portal. The light builds to its brightest form just as the gate begins to crack, pieces of it falling at her feet. All at once, the rest of the once majestic looking portal crumbles, leaving nothing but a pile of rubble. Kiera sits back down. She didn’t even know that she had been standing. She looks once more at the fallen Gate before resting her head in her hands and weeping gently.

> Hey yall check this out
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sequel to this story is out now. lemme know what you think. https://www.fimfiction.net/story/108417/jak-and-daxter-guardians-of-equestria