Corad: I've decided to revise this story, since it's getting quite old and contains many mistakes and places that could be improved. For new readers and those who are returning, I hope you manage to enjoy reading my work. Comments are always welcome and encouraged, so if you have the time, I'd love to hear what you think :) This story also contains numerous OCs, and all I ask is that you give them a chance. Chapters that have been revised will be labeled as such.

Title: Cry Of The Wolf
Rating: T
Warnings: Spoilers for the Jak series (excluding Daxter on PSP), violence, cussing, some dark themes.
Characters: Jak as the main protagonist. Most of the Jak cast is featured at some point or another, as well as OCs.

Summary: Having finally settled down after the events of Jak 3, Jak's life is once again turned around by fate. The fateful night that he was bitten changed our hero's life forever.

Disclaimer: Everything Jak related belongs to Naughty Dog.

Cry Of The Wolf
Prologue

The deafening cheers of the audience began to die down around the Spargus Battle Arena. The entire crowd was staring up at Jak, who was proudly standing beside the King's throne. He had just been hailed a hero by the people of Spargus and by the Precursors.

"Congratulations, Jak," Ashelin murmured softly, walking up to him from behind and placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You've saved both Spargus and Haven City." Jak smiled inside; yes, he had just saved two civilizations from the threat of Errol and the Dark makers.

"I just hope I never have to see Errol again," he replied, sighing as the crowd began their thunderous cheering once again. He still couldn't believe it; the war was finally over. After everything he'd been forced to endure, it was the end at last.

"Let's hear it for the Chilly Peppers again!" Sig bellowed from astride throne, who was now officially crowned the new leader for Spargus City. The crowd applauded louder than ever, which made Jak and Daxter grin widely.

"Thank you! Thank you!" Jak heard Daxter saying, bowing dramatically towards the hundreds of people in the stands. He seemed to love the copious attention. Suddenly he felt a presence behind him, and he spun around to face Seem, her head bowed in deep respect.

"We are all eternally thankful, Warrior. You have saved us all from damnation. May the Precursors always shine down upon you," and with that, Seem wandered over to stand by Sig's side. From what Jak had heard, the Priestess had been selected to become Sig's trusted Advisor, an occupation most suited to her. He mentally wished her well, knowing Spargus' affairs could be a handful at times.

"Jak, I'm so proud of you!" Jak turned just in time to see Keira launch herself at him, dragging him into a firm embrace. "I was so worried about you! I'm glad you're all right," Keira whispered, her arms subconsciously tightening around his back. Jak returned the hug, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Sorry I worried you, Keira," he apologized, only to have Keira start laughing softly while she gently pulled away from him.

"Please don't apologize, Jak. Besides, who else would have had the courage to do what you've done? My father sends his gratitude too. He's proud of you, Jak! We all are!" she beamed up at him before leaning in, pecking him lightly on the cheek. She stepped back and turned away, hoping to hide the faint blush creeping across her cheeks.

"Thanks Keira," he murmured, following her gaze and spotting Samos having a profound discussion with Seem. He seemed rather preoccupied, so Jak decided he'd catch up with the Sage later.

"Hey Jak, you ready to rebuild Haven?" Torn called, emerging from his group of friends. He had a wide, genuine smile on his tattooed face, which was an unusual sight for him. He greeted Keira with a nod of his head, before returning his attention to Jak.

"I guess so, if you still want me back in the city," Jak replied sarcastically, crossing his arms across his chest. Torn snorted and rolled his eyes, but still held a smirk on his usually serious face.

"You're still the same arrogant kid, aren't ya?" he groaned.

"Hey, look who's talking. You're the arrogant one, Torn, not to mention stubborn, too," Jak muttered in reply, shaking his head in pity. He heard Keira chuckling quietly at that statement, finding the two's "argument" to be quite amusing.

Before Torn had time to reply to Jak's comment or Keira's laughter, Ashelin had returned to their side. "Ready to head off now?" she asked, looking out across the huge Arena to see the sky outside. It was getting fairly late in the afternoon, and Jak decided it would be best to get going before nightfall.

"Yeah, just let me finish something first," Jak answered distractedly, as he disappeared around the corner and returned with a staff in his hand. "In tribute to Damas, my father," he stated firmly, trying to keep the pain from his voice while placing Damas' staff next to the throne. He bowed his head silently in acknowledgement, before returning his attention to Ashelin, Torn and Keira, "Let's go."

"We'll see you around, Sig!" Jak called, waving a farewell to Spargus' King. Sig rose from the throne, and returned the gesture, waving enthusiastically to them while they left the Arena through the back entrance. They made their way through the virtually deserted City, before slowing down near Spargus' Garage.

"I'll hang back and wait for my father, Jak. You go on ahead without me," Keira voiced while they waited for the Garage doors to open. Jak nodded and stepped forward to hug her, in which she happily accepted. "Be careful back in the city. Who knows what state it's in now."

"I will, Keira. You be careful yourself. Stop by the Naughty Ottsel later so we can celebrate," Jak suggested, letting Keira go and following Torn and Ashelin into the Garage. He waved at her as she headed back towards the Arena, and lowered his gaze immediately, spotting two furry individuals running up to him.

"Hey Jak, forget about us?" Daxter yelled from the ground, Tess' paw locked in his.

"Nah, sorry Dax. I've got a lot on my mind," Jak apologized sincerely, crouching down and holding his hand out to his Ottsel companion. Daxter shook his head in response, and stopped running once he'd caught up.

"Jak, I'll think I'll walk for once," he said proudly, making Jak chuckle quietly at the sheer determination on his face.

"Your choice buddy."

"Come on, we'll all fit in the hellcat," Ashelin informed, signaling to Torn's hellcat parked in the Garage beside the main gate. They approached the hellcat and Ashelin and Torn seated themselves in, while Jak balanced himself on the narrow roof between them. Tess and Daxter squeezed themselves in beside Ashelin and Torn, having nowhere else to sit in the vehicle. It was a tight fit, but Ashelin figured it would suffice until they passed the Wasteland and over the Haven City security wall. "You were a real hero today, Jak," the Governess said, buckling up securely and turning to him seated on the roof. She smiled at him, before focusing on the front, readying herself for the drive ahead.

"Isn't he always?" Torn interjected, starting up the Hellcat's engine once everyone was settled, and pushing the hover button down to gain some height.

"Well, I guess I am, actually. Thanks for pointing that out, Torn," Jak called jokingly over the roaring of the engine. He tightened his grip on the roof bars while the hellcat accelerated and picked up speed, having just flown over the Garage gate and into the vast Wasteland. They spent quite a while soaring above the many dunes below, and Jak spotted a group of Marauders fighting over an artifact, willingly slaying their own to be the victor. It made the blonde shudder at the thought.

"When we reach Haven, we'll have to start planning the city's reconstruction. It has to be rebuilt as soon as possible. Maybe this time, we can install a higher security system in the walls or something," Ashelin shouted in consideration, just as the city came into view across the Wasteland expanse."Jak, you do understand that you're officially Haven's heir? You're in charge of it now," she stated loudly, turning to him again as he clung for dear life above.

"What? No, I don't want to be. I'm not ready to..." Jak stuttered, unsure where this topic was heading. He hoped he'd just misheard her, since the wind was lashing fiercely against his ears, distorting sound. When she replied though, he knew he'd heard correctly.

"Well, if you'd rather pass up the chance of being ruler, that's fine. I'll hold your position for you until you're ready for the responsibility," she offered kindly, giving Jak a chance to think on the situation. He knew he wasn't ready to lead a whole city, especially one Haven's size. Besides, he knew taking up the position would seriously affect his freedom.

"You hold onto it, Ashelin," he shouted after a few moments of contemplating, nodding in confirmation.

They soared over the city walls moments after, and Torn landed the hellcat smoothly outside the Freedom HQ (Head quarters). The sector was still swarming with metal heads and the occasional KG robot, but the Freedom Fighters were hard at work, killing them off gradually. "Quick, go inside and I'll meet up with you soon," Torn commanded while motioning to the HQ. The Hellcat was hovering mere inches from the ground when Jak, Ashelin, Daxter and Tess leapt out and bolted for the door, hoping to avoid any confrontations with metals heads or KG robots. After the passengers departed Torn's vehicle, he floored the accelerator and flew out of sight.

"I'm glad that's over," Daxter sighed wearily, wiping imaginary sweat off his furry forehead for emphasis. Tess giggled at his antics, before giving him a tight, affectionate hug while the lift steadily rose.

"Oh Daxter!" she cooed, smiling playfully at him, refusing to relinquish her embrace despite Daxter's protests.

"So, Ashelin, what are going to do about the city?" Jak enquired, following her into the large room of the HQ once the lift came to a halt and the doors opened, admitting them entrance.

"Well, I'm going to hire the best builders this city has to offer. Hopefully we'll have the entire city up and running again within a year. The fighters outside will take care of any metal head survivors across the city, and will hopefully clean out their nest on the Western side. All we have to do now is wait and hope there aren't any more wars." Jak nodded in agreement, and turned to Daxter who was enjoying a back massage from Tess.

"Hear that, Dax? I think our heroism is no longer needed."