The Dark Warriors

III. The Naughty Ottsel

Jak awoke to see that he was lying on the couch in Keira's workshop, his shoulder was bandaged and hurt when he moved it. Dei was sprawled out on the platform that usually held a double seated zoomer. His shirt was removed and his Eco Core sat on the other platform.

Shadow was curled up against Dei's side with his head resting in the fold of Dei's elbow. Jak sat up as he heard the familiar sound of wood clacking against metal. He looked to see old Samos and Keira coming in with Daxter, "So this man is like Jak?" Samos asked frowning.

"Yeah, but he's a bit rowdier." Daxter replied, "He coughed up a sword and stabbed Jak with it! Can you believe that?"

"He wasn't in the right mind..." Jak breathed holding his shoulder, "You know that..."

Samos frowned as he approached Dei, "Now this is interesting..."

Dei's whole body jolted as Samos touched him, he fell off of the table in surprise and heaved himself to his feet. Shadow clung to his arm as Dei struggled to stay standing. He looked around with dull eyes, "W-where are you...?"

Jak slowly got to his feet, "Calm down Dei...you're with good friends if mine."

Shadow let go of Dei's arm and transformed, he stood against Dei as he trembled, "Where is his Eco Core?" The Werecat asked.

"Over there." Jak replied pointing, Dei fell to his knees as Shadow left his side, he leaned back against the platform with his eyes closed.

Shadow picked up his Core with careful paws and brought it over to him, "Why did you remove it?"

"That is Dark Eco Ore," Samos replied, "He is slowly getting killed by it."

"Dei's senses dull and he becomes weak when he doesn't have it in." Shadow replied as he pressed it into Dei's chest.

The Werecat curled up around Dei as he sat in silence, his tremors soon faded as he started to regain his strength, "Thank you Shadow..." He said as he got to his feet, "Ah...my head is pounding..."

"What is your name?" Keira asked.

"I'm Dei, you shouldn't fear me...I am an ally of Jak's."

Keira crossed her arms, "Wait...I recognize you."

"What do you mean?"

"You're that racer that scored second place in the Zoomer Championship behind Jak! The one with the custom Zoomer!"

Dei blushed, he ran his fingers through his hair, "Yeah...that was me..."

"Yeah...didn't you go under the name Ononi?" Jak asked.

"Well that's a stupid name..." Daxter thought aloud.

"Yeah...Onin loves watching the races, so she had me race for her entertainment." Dei explained, "But she really liked seeing the two of you race, especially you, Daxter."

The Ottsel smiled, "Really?"

"Yeah."

Just then a communicator appeared out of nowhere, 'Dei! Onin is summoning you, bring Jak and that annoying rat of his!'

Dei sighed as he grabbed his shirt, apparently he also hated Pecker, "Ah...I knew he would be calling sooner or later...I have to go."

Jak scooped Daxter up in his arms and followed Dei outside, "So you don't like Pecker either?"

"Naw, he mistreats Shadow...probably does the same to Daxter." Dei shrugged, "Maybe it's because I don't need him to translate what Onin says too me..."