[center][h3][color=tan]Courier 6[/color] and [color=orange]Ratchet[/color] and [color=sandybrown]Jak &[/color] [color=darkorange]Daxter[/color][/h3]
[b]Level 6[/b] - (7/60) EXP (+3+4 quest reward)), [b]Level 5[/b] - (47/50) (+3+13 quest reward), [b]Level 3[/b] - (20/30) (+3+8 quest reward)
[b]Location:[/b] Land of Adventure - Coral Highlands -> Lumbridge
Dead Zone - Charnal Lane
[b]Word Count:[/b]1629[/center]

Good lord the Ace Cadet was a talkative one, wasn’t he? Couldn’t hardly get a word in edgewise to the kid, and he was supposed to be the one telling the story! Well, at least the kid was eager to help, definitely seemed to have a good heart in the right place. Even so would it kill the Cadet to just sit, listen, and save all questions for the end of the presentation? Wasn’t like the Courier had an encyclopaedic understanding of the situation anyway and some of the questions he had were getting downright annoying. Still, he did get through everything before they got back to Lumbridge and that gave them a few minutes to listen to the radio in relative peace. The Courier figured he’d get some good ol’ news and switched his pip-boy on to Radio New Vegas.

“That was ‘I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire’ by the Inkspots, and it’s one near and dear to my heart. You know, I’m often asked, ‘Mr. New Vegas, is there a special person you’re passionate for in your life?’ Of course there is. You’re that person, all my loyal listeners. I just want to start a flame in your heart. And now, the news.

“Our first story comes in from the Southern Wastes. It seems the dangerous gang of marauders wandering that area have been taken out, completely wiped off the map. Details of the heroes who did the deed are sketchy, but if you’re an evil doer out there, looks like you’ve got a reason to watch your back.

“Moving on, sightings of an enormous black bird in the dark forest continue. Remember listeners, if you see a tweety that big, there’s no shame in hiding. Avoid the area if you can, but if you have no choice then be extra careful to not let it see you. We’ve had more than one confirmed casualty.”

With the end of the second news story, the Courier and his new companion made it back to Lumbridge, all in one piece. 6 hopped off his chocobo and gave it a friendly pat on the beak, leading it around with him. It wasn’t long before another group returned right behind him, this one consisting of Michael, Franklin, and the Hat Kid along with a newcomer they hadn’t seen before. That’s when Mr. New Vegas chimed in with his final news story of the segment.

“Our final story today comes is sponsored by the Silver Rush. Do you need someone dead? Really dead? Come by the Silver Rush for all your energy weapon needs. With that out of the way, it’s my pleasure to report to you that several mysterious hourglasses have been found all over the Sleepless City. Nobody is sure what they do just yet, but everyone agrees on one thing for sure: they’re the latest thing! Really the cat’s pajamas! So if you want one, be sure you’re ready to sweat for them!

“And that’s the news. This has been Mr. New Vegas, of Radio New Vegas, signing out. Stay beautiful, everybody.”

With the news over, the Courier decided to switch off his radio and focus on getting the wigglers back to the quest giver so he could get his reward. Annoyingly, the Cadet was still sticking around. Did the kid think he was going to get a cut of the reward? Apparently not, since the Cadet let 6 have everything without so much as a single word, a single look of want. Well, good. Because he did all the work and was hustling the job long before the Cadet just bumped in so he deserved the benefits, right? Speaking of the benefits… The Courier wasn’t so sure about the helmet. It was, how to put it without being rude? Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous. Then a potted wiggler? What kind of reward was this supposed to be anyway? What exactly did these creatures do other than hide in their little holes? The third reward was significantly more satisfying though: a ticket that could be traded for a “rare resource.” Yeah, that was more like it. And ok, the hat’s ability was certainly good. Being able to spread the effects of items to nearby allies, in his case his chems, would be a great boon. But did it have to look so… [i]Stupid?[/i]

Finally the Courier had some respite from the Ace Cadet, who said he was going to get something from his home before meeting with everyone else. Thank God. The kid meant well, and hell he was even pretty agreeable, but sometimes that was more annoying than someone you had friction with. Once everyone had gathered at the guild hall the Cadet could spread himself thin among the whole group and save 6 some headache. Speaking of which, it was about time to go back and meet up with everyone.

Once everyone had gathered in the guild hall, the “guild master” appeared again and the Courier’s heart instantly flared up in anger. Even if this man’s mannerisms and voice were nothing like the Master of Master’s, the physical resemblance still pissed him off and he didn’t believe for a second the two had no association. He just had no way to prove it… Yet. Setting aside his personal feelings, the facts were laid out plain as day: the quests were all done so they could begin the battle against the F rank monster, or wait and have a nice meal, which seemed to be free.

[color=tan]”Hell, I ain’t one to be turnin’ down anyone’s hospitality,”[/color] the Courier chuckled. In reality he just liked getting anything for free, greedy as he was. And take advantage of the free meal he most certainly would do, but there were two last errands to deal with before that.

The Courier locked eyes with Princess Peach, feeling like she would be the best to deal with something. He slid on over and casually slid the potted wiggler in her direction. [color=tan]”Got ya a gift, your highness,”[/color] he said rather bluntly. [color=tan]”Had it on hand, figured it was something in your wheelhouse. Anyway, later. Got dusty trails to hit.”[/color]

With that, the Courier headed on out to the Melding Pot, ticket in hand to take his pick of reward.

[hr][hr]

Jak and Ratchet stood by and watched on as Blazermate’s horde of zombies gathered atop the ent to finish it off, literally ripping the thing to shreds piece by piece. Jak raised an eyebrow, finding the whole display to be rather odd but didn’t have any strong reactions. Ratchet preferred to shield his eyes from the carnage as this was just a little too much for his stomach. Meanwhile Daxter stood atop Jak’s shoulder eyes comically bulged out, making wild gestures and signs of obvious disgust. He even hand to force his mouth shut to prevent from vomiting!

Ratchet turned away, unable to look and longer and went to scavenge the battlefield. He grabbed a few rot wort and hollow spirits and shoved them into his Reaper to recharge the soul energy used as its ammunition. Then the lombax came across the minigun Kamek had just left lying on the ground, refilled of its ammo from the dispenser built by Blazermate’s engineer spirit. First Ratchet refilled the ammunition of his Coyote-B shotgun, then a big smile swept across Ratchet’s face as he snagged the minigun and took a pose. [color=orange]”Hey wizard guy, you mind if I keep this? You’re not really a gun guy, but I can [i]really[/i] make this puppy howl!”[/color]

Jak was more interested in the spirit left behind by the ent as it dissipated, melting away into nothingness. He was already wading through the thick of the zombies (much to Daxter’s utter disgust) when Blazer asked if anybody wanted “the part?” He wasn’t so into wasting time, so he grabbed the little floating mote without answering, looking it over. For the first time he was holding a spirit, the key to gaining more strength and power in this world. Strength and power necessary to defeating the 13 guardians and killing Galeem. Strength and power necessary for saving all his friends. 

[color=darkorange]”What’cha gonna do with that, Jak?”[/color] Daxter asked, leaning in close to peer in at it. [color=darkorange]”Wanna turn it into a helper? Or smash it for some loot? Ooh, or you can put it in yourself to become a scary tree man! Wooooo~!”[/color] Daxter waggled his fingers to emphasize the creepiness.

[color=sandybrown]”You know, Daxter, I think I’ve had enough dark crud pumped into my body. Don’t you think?”[/color] Jak looked back to his friend a bit wistfully.

[color=darkorange]”Sure, sure, I get ya. So weapon or striker then? Ooh, I could totally use a giant tree assistant! It’ll help me reach high places.”[/color] Daxter gave a suggestive wink.

[color=sandybrown]”Actually, I had another plan.”[/color]

[color=darkorange]”Another plan? What do you want to do with it Ja-ah no!”[/color] Jak quickly shoved the spirit of the ent into Daxter’s chest, who fell off his shoulder to the ground to begin the transformation. As that was going on, Jak turned away from his friend going through what was likely to be a horrific and dark change, maybe even painful, to address the newcomer.

[color=sandybrown]”V, right? Haven’t heard much about you, but if you control demons you must be powerful. Nero said we had to meet up with you, destroy these tree roots, then find the boss at the center of town. Name’s Jak, and that’s Daxter.”[/color]

[color=darkorange]”AAAAAARRRGH!”[/color]

[color=sandybrown]”He grows on you.”[/color]