Chapter 1: So What To Do?

This is my first Ratchet & Clank story, and my third fanfiction period... So uh, I guess wish me luck? This is rated-T because I'm a bit paranoid on the level of violence. I hope you enjoy!

Ratchet & Clank belong to Insomniac, this story belongs to me.

For those who are curious, this is the same story originally named "Bolt switch" but I have changed the name and description to better fit the slightly more mature story idea I have.

Ratchet was sleeping and snoring on the couch, a game controller on the floor next to his dangling hand, the TV still going with a game over screen on, and somber music coming from the same device. Small foot steps were then heard before the TV went off, and soon, a voice called to the Lombax, a quiet robotic voice that was trying to gently wake the cat-like creature.

"...Ratchet..." The named Lombax didn't respond to the call of his name, and continued to sleep obliviously.

"Ratchet." The robotic voice calls in a noticeably sterner tone, sounding both louder and closer. Ratchet only gave a soft groan before turning in place onto his side, facing away from the couch and towards the caller of his name. A small silence followed before a tiny high-pitched beep broke the silence followed by a deep, loud, and prideful voice.

"Articon Fusion Reactor not working? No problem! Come and get your Qwarkiton Reactor 2000 today and never-"

"Son of a Qwark!"

Suddenly, the sound of metal slamming against a wall and breaking was heard as Ratchet sat up and glared angrily at the source of the deep voice before looking at the person calling his name.

"What the heck Clank?! You know how much I hate that thing, why would you play it in my ear?!" He asks with a furious scowl, the little robot blinking before smiling.

"Cause I always happen to find your reaction amusing. In any case, I was trying to wake you up, but you were being unresponsive and stubborn as usual." Clank responds nonchalantly, Ratchet's glare deepening for a moment before rolling his eyes.

"Why do we still have that stupid voice commercial thing? I thought I got rid it." Ratchet asks exasperated, while Clank gave off that creepy giggle of his.

"You did. But Ourtube has a surprising quantity of recorded events to examine." Ratchet groaned at his best friend's response, lazily reaching over to the table and grabbing the clock to check the date before blinking in surprise.

"What the- Clank it's the weekend why did you wake me up so darn early!?" Ratchet asks staring at the date before looking at his friend.

"Because our Spaceflix Subscription is going to expire by the end of the day, and I thought I should let you know ahead of time instead of when you normally wake up on the weekends... Which tends to be after lunch."

"Oh... Well, then... Just, pay for it like we normally do." Ratchet says shrugging and laying back down.

"I can not." Clank says with a bored tone, Ratchet turning his head to look at the small robot companion.

"Why?"

"Because we no longer have any bolts in our custody."

"What?!" Came the shrill cry from the Lombax who shot up into a sitting position, fidgeting around as he tried to think of how they could've run out of their currency.

"H-how is that- I don't- ho-how are we broke?! Don't we collect like- hundreds and hundreds of bolts in nearly every adventure we go on?! How do we have freaking nothing?!" Ratchet asks finally standing up and looking down at Clank, who gave his friend a raised eyebrow.

"Consequences." He simply stated in a as-a-matter-of-fact tone. Ratchet only took a double take and stared at Clank skeptically, Clank just blinked before sighing and beginning to count off the reasons for their predicament.

"Weapons, Inventory space, as you say, and I quote "badass gear", repairs for collateral damage, repairs for personal damage, fines for theft of a multitude of things, including the nanobots that heal you, ammo, and the very same bolts we are currently discussing about, your pilot's license which you seem to lose on every one of those said adventures we go on, fines for crossing multiple space borders without a pass, fines for crossing actual borders without a pass, fines for destruction of property, materials and tools so that you can continue to work your job as a mechanic among other temporary jobs, medical bills, repair bills for Aphelion, upgrades for Aphelion, paint jobs for Aphelion, the holo-games you buy, food, electric bills, taxes, water, interest that comes with most of the things previously listed... Hmm, what else am I missing-"

"Okay okay, I get it!" Ratchet says rubbing his temple with his fingers to try and rid himself of the migraine he just gained before sighing as he went to get his boots and Omniwrench.

"Just let me get my boots and Omniwrench..." At that statement, Clank -who had been staring up in thought about anything he could've forgotten- blinked in recognition before looking at his friend.

"Oh yes, and every new edition parts that go with your Omniwrench that come out." Ratchet flinched at the jab before continuing with a sigh

"Yeah sure just, plunge that knife right in my back..." Ratchet sighs as he grabbed the Omniwrench and went to get his boots.

"There is also the phones you break like the one you hurled into the wall just now." Clank added, making Ratchet pause before glaring at the smaller robot.

"Just had to turn that knife huh pal?" He asks with a angry glare

"I do not have any idea of what you speak of." Clank says innocently, yet the nonchalant calm smirk on his face loudly stated otherwise, Ratchet raised an eyebrow before focusing on putting his feet into his boots.

"Remind me again why we have to pay for all of that? The electricity, water, food, weapons, Omniwrenches, and holo-game thing I get, but all that other stuff? I thought after they knew we were heroes they would start paying for those things, kinda like they do for he who won't be named?" Ratchet asks as he checks his boots, then his wrench, and finally stands up.

"It would appear to not be the case, as records states all those charges were put on other heroes as well." Clank explains as he walks off into the kitchen after hearing a beep, and the sound of wood dragging on wood was heard before other kinds of sounds.

"What bunch of hogwash... So I'm guessing he who won't be named gets his stuff paid for cause he's 'the president'?" Ratchet asks before smelling what his friend was cooking in the kitchen. "Breakfast Burrito?"

Ratchet's question was answered as Clank walked back into the living room with one burrito wrapped in paper, Ratchet leaning forward slightly to take it from his companion.

"Why yes, to both of your questions in fact, the media and the officials have to pay for President Qw-"

"He who won't be named!"

"He who will not be named," Clank corrects with motion of his head that would signify a roll of his eyes before continuing his statement. "For they still believe he is the sole reason that our galaxies are safe."

"Mother Hubbard..." Ratchet sighs as he puts his custom Millennium Omniwrench 12000 down to unwrap his burrito halfway, Clank staring up at the Lombax with confusion.

"May I ask where is it you attained your sudden extra phrases?" Clank asks with a tilt, Ratchet glancing at his friend as he was about to take a bite before giving an 'oh' kind of nod.

"Too much time holo-gaming last night. It'll go away after it gets out my head." Ratchet answers with a shrug. Clank raised an eyebrow at his best friend, staring at him before half-closing his eyes and sighing.

"4 The Dead Left Behind, and Fortress Defense Team 2 again?"

"Hey I can't help it! Pipes make some pretty sweet games!" Ratchet exclaims raising his hands in defense, Clank smiling at him before walking off, Ratchet watching the little guy for a moment before grabbing his Omniwrench, and following him while eating his breakfast.

"To where do you suggest we set our destination first?" Clank asks as he and Ratchet enter their garage, getting on the hover board that the Lombax owned, said creature placing his now half eaten burrito in his mouth and turning on the hover board.

"Dunno... Let's ask Aphelion where she thinks we should go first." Ratchet suggests while resuming the act of devouring his burrito, Clank glancing at his friend before climbing onto his back.

"How about-"

"No." Ratchet dully interrupted. "Not gonna do anycrap for that guy just so that he gets the credit again." The young adult stated with a frown, Clank raising an eyebrow before shaking his head.

"I was going to suggest to search for Gold Bolts but it is good to know of your opinion on the option." The robot finishes, Ratchet's ears twitching before the male sighed.

"Sorry buddy... Just kinda been cranky." The Lombax apologizes.

"As you usually are in the mornings, but I do accept the apology." Clank says hugging Ratchet's back, who paused before smiling as he finished his burrito and began to drive.

"Thanks." Clank patted Ratchet's head in reassurance before looking at his surroundings.

"So may I take this as confirmation on the Golden Bolts?" Clank asks curiously, Ratchet blinking before tilting his head slightly in thought.

"Not sure on that one pal, most of the time, Golden Bolts seem to be a lot more trouble than they're worth... But I'll definitely keep that on the list... And the 'president' will be the last resort." Ratchet informs as he watches the road ahead of him. Clank giving confirmation that he heard the Lombax before the two went silent as the organic being drove them both through the city all the way to the ship docks.

At the docks Ratchet parked his hover-board somewhere safe where it couldn't be stolen easily before the two headed inside. At the entrance there was a guy in a small cubical who was minding his own business before he noticed the two walking over. The man sighed before pressing a button that unlocked the doors to the bay, at the same time getting his phone ready to speed dial a reliable construction team in preparation for an event of which he had no doubt, was probably going to wreck the area, if not half the city. Ratchet looked at the guy and nodded before entering, Clank voicing his thanks as he followed his friend in. Once inside the duo took a quick glance around before both headed all the way down the bay to a ship that was docked, a small one of Lombax origin with Zoni parts and paint job.

"Hey Aphelion." Ratchet greets coolly, the ship being silent for a moment before it suddenly came to life.

"Hello Ratchet, I'm curious, why are you up so early? Especially on a weekend?" Aphelion greets and questions in both curiosity and confusion, Ratchet side-eying Clank who responded by looking at the Lombax with a smile.

"We are going on a quest for more Bolts." Clank informs looking at the ship and walking over, Ratchet following with his arms crossed, Aphelion then opened the cockpit of her ship so the two could enter.

"So how was your nap?" Ratchet asks curiously, making Clank glance over with some surprise in his eyes.

"It was... Peaceful, to say the least." Aphelion responded with the same kind of surprise slightly detectable in her voice. Ratchet raised an eyebrow in confusion, at the two's confusion, before shrugging.

"Anyways, any ideas on where we should head first Aphelion?" Ratchet asks, there was a moment of silence before Aphelion responded.

"How about Dr. Nefarious? There is a nearby base that I could take you to." The ship suggests, Ratchet looking up in thought before looking over to Clank, who looked at the organic with a 'your-call' look before the male looked at the control panel of the ship.

"Let's do it, I've been wanting to blow something up anyways." Ratchet agrees with a grin, Clank chuckling in his creepy chuckle, which only made Ratchet shiver slightly.

"You're never gonna stop that creepy chuckle are you...?" He asks in a low voice, his robot companion placing a hand on his chin in mock thought before shaking his head.

"No, I do not think I will." He states smiling, Ratchet rolling his eyes before looking at the control panel.

"Ready Aphelion?" He asks, beginning to feel giddy inside, he has always loved watching things go boom, and finding a ton of bolts while he was at it -as Nefarious always seemed to have quite a large amount in every base- was always a definite bonus.
Aphelion's response was the sound of the engines roaring in preparation.

"Alright then... Let's go!" Ratchet cheers shooting out the bay and flying out into space, a light blue path being lit on the front windshield as to lead the way to their destination.

(After a bit of flying)

"This is it?" Ratchet asks skeptically, staring at an asteroid that was actually pretty big.

"I would've expected something bigger..." Ratchet admits before taking a double take. "I'm not even kidding, I honestly wanted something bigger." He states with a shrug, Clank smirking before looking ahead.

"Let us get ready to enter, and do not be so disappointed Ratchet, quality over quantity." Clank informs getting up and heading to the back, Ratchet watching him as he spoke before looking at the control panel.

"Already set on standby." Aphelion states before the hero could even say a word, the Lombax smiled before getting out his seat and heading into the back, the doors opening to reveal a moderate sized room -Aphelion wasn't that large anyway- with weapons hanging in every corner, some small enough to be wielded by Clank without a hitch, some larger than the Lombax's own body, there were also a couple of suits hanging as well, all from the hero's previous adventures.

"So which weapons should we take along?" Ratchet asks immediately walking over to the Plasma Striker and grabbing it. "Aside from this one, I kinda don't want to grab any of the big ones." He states, making Clank look over with surprise and confusion in his voice.

"Who are you and what have you done with Ratchet?" He asks, Ratchet grinning as he looks down at the robot.

"I am Ratchet, and I haven't done anything with myself, I just want to create as many booms as possible before we blow up the entire asteroid." He informs looking at the Groovitron and grabbing it as well, holding the grenade against the glowing green symbol on his belt, a bright light then flashed before suddenly, the grenade was gone. Ratchet smiled in satisfaction before doing the same with the Plasma Striker.

"I love these inter-dimensional tool boxes." The Lombax states happily, before grabbing the Constructo Pistol and placing it into the same toolbox as the previous two weapons.

"Might I suggest the RHYNO V? To end it all on a high note without completely decimating everything in one shot, to, 'make it last'." Clank suggests, Ratchet nodding with a big grin as he then went and grabbed one of his favorite rocket launchers and placed it in the same pocket.

"There, now for the suit." Ratchet says to no one in particular before heading over and grabbing his holo-flux suit, and putting it on himself, on top of his pilot suit. Clank watched all of this with interest in his eyes, before the small robot headed over to the hatch. Soon Ratchet followed wearing his full holo-flux suit -including the helmet-.

"Ready?" Ratchet asks, Clank giving a nod and an affirmative. Ratchet then look up at the roof of the ship.

"Find somewhere safe to hang out okay Aphelion? We'll call you when we're ready." Ratchet calls out, receiving multiple beeps in response before the voice of the AI.

"Of course. Am I to assume that you will be leaving in a hurry... As usual?"

"The probability of that happening is ninety percent... So... Yes." Clank response as he begins unlocking the hatch, Ratchet's suit's breathing apparatus activating before the Lombax's ears twitched at the sound of Aphelion's voice calling out to the two.

"Good luck." Ratchet grinned big as he puts a hand on the lever to open the hatch.

"I don't need luck. I have you two." He states before opening the hatch, which shot both the Lombax and the robot out into space in the direction of the asteroid. Clank quickly attached himself to Ratchet's back and stayed there, the Lombax activating his jet boots to project himself further towards the asteroid.

"You know... This reminds me of that space horror third-person shooter holo-game we have." The Lombax suddenly states, Clank looking at him before speaking through the communicator in Ratchet's helmet.

"You mean Empty Death?" Clank asks, getting a nod from his partner. "Which one?"

"The second and third one... Though mostly the second." Ratchet informs with a smile as the asteroid was approaching at a speed that would make any normal creature uneasy, Ratchet however, only grinned bigger as he and clank approached the asteroid at higher and higher speeds.

"I have detected a possible entrance 100 meters to the right." Clank informs, Ratchet giving a sharp 'got it' before adjusting trajectory and heading to the mentioned location, where the two could see a metal hatch in the side of the asteroid.

"Must be where they get in period." Ratchet ponders out loud before maneuvering his feet in front of him, preparing himself for a hard landing.
A loud boom echoed through the base, alerting guards robots and organic creatures of all sizes of the intruders, very quickly, an air vacuum began sucking some of the robots and organics out into outer space, also sucking away the cloud of dust, dirt, and asteroid material that was made from the explosion and revealing Ratchet, who stood on the ground unaffected by the air vacuum thanks to his magnetic jet-boots. The Lombax then tapped his belt and out came the Groovitron, the organic being smirking as he looked up and saw a jell of some kind seal up the small hole he made, before looking forwards to see the threats all lining up in front of him.

"Hey Clank, I feel like they're bunching up tighter just for us." Ratchet sighs with a disappointed smile, Clank chuckling as he responded.

"They are probably newer models. Noobs as you would say." Ratchet laughed at his best friend's possible reason before tossing the grenade forward, it rolled and rolled before stopping near the middle of the crowd, who all looked down at the grenade only to see what looked like a...

Disco ball?

Suddenly, lights shot out from the chrome ball and music began playing, making all the robots and creatures dance against their will. Ratchet watched all of this with amusement clear in his face.

"I never get tired of seeing this." He states happily, Clank climbing off his back to see and smiling quite big.

"Neither do I, but as you know, we are on a time table." The small robot reminds. Ratchet immediately replied with a sigh, of which the words 'I know' could be heard, before he put the Groovitron away, pulled the RHYNO V out and opened fire just enough to make sure there was no more anything. When the smoked cleared and the disco music stopped, there was nothing left... Save for a fair pile of Bolts, all of which was sucked into the glowing pendant on Ratchet's chest.

"Don't know how many Bolts that was... Let's keep going." The Lombax suggests, Clank nodding and climbing back up onto his friend's back. Ratchet smiled and was about to run deeper into the base before pausing and staring with big eyes at a certain floating object.

"Ratchet?"

"Clank... Remember when I said that Golden Bolts are hard to find...?"

"Why yes... May I inquire as to why you ask the question?" Clank asks turning on Ratchet's back to look before taking a double take. "Oh my..."

"I think I know why now..." Ratchet says as he stares at the pile of 25 golden bolts, before he burst into cheering and laughter as he ran over.

"That sneaky bastard was hoarding these babies!" Ratchet says smiling big as he put each Golden Bolt in the same pocket as all the other bolts he collected, Clank jumping off his friend's back to help out. In a few minutes, the entire pile was neatly packed in Ratchet's inter-dimensional chest pocket, though now both partners were staring at a strange device that was half as big as Ratchet.

"So... Can I touch it now?" Ratchet asks Clank, who, after a moment, gave a nod.

"I have scanned it, there seem to be no traps of any kind attached to the contraption." Ratchet nodded before still cautiously approaching the device, picking it up carefully before quickly jumping out of the way, with Clank doing the same but in the opposite direction. After waiting a couple of seconds for anything to happen, and nothing did, the two walked over to each other.

"Well... We should probably depart now." Clank suggests, Ratchet staring at the device with slightly confused look before looking at his friend nodding.

"Yeah... Sure..." With that, the Lombax put the device into his belt pocket, and grabbed the rocket launcher.

"Aphelion, Clank and I are leaving the same way we entered, ready to pick us up?" Ratchet asks out loud, both him and Clank hearing an "affirmative, I'm on my way" from their coms before Clank attached himself to Ratchet's back.

"I love going out with a bang." Ratchet states before firing the RHYNO V everywhere, unloading all his ammo as he blew things up left and right before using the last round to blow up the jell that sealed the hole the two used to enter. Ratchet let loose a howl of excitement as he and Clank were sucked out into space through the hole, escaping the cargo hold that was blowing up. Out in space the two soar at blinding speeds, Ratchet using his boosters to get him and Clank further from the exploding base, which was pretty easy as there wasn't any kind of resistance to slow their speed, so the two just went gradually faster and faster, until Ratchet cut the boosters and they both just soared through space. The Lombax then looked behind him just to see the asteroid silently explode, sending small debris everywhere, the small rocks not big enough to harm the Lombax's suit as he cheered and howled at the boom.

"That was awesome!" He cheered happily, Clank smiling brightly as well.

"It was, though it was also quick, and I do recall your desire to, 'make it last'." The robot chips, Ratchet's big grin turning into a calm smile as he stared at the remains of the large asteroid that was hit by a trigger-happy Lombax and his best friend.

"Though true, your words buddy not mine, but in the end I think it was worth it." Ratchet says calmly with a shrug as Aphelion flew up in front of both of them and caught them in the cockpit.

"I assume by the destroyed asteroid, and how quickly you two returned, that it did not go well?" Aphelion questioned curiously, Ratchet grinning hugely as he nearly shot from his seat.

"You kidding? That was amazing, we definitely hit the jackpot. Twenty-five freaking Golden Bolts! Twenty-five! Awesome call deciding to come here!" The Lombax cheered happily

"I definitely agree, I do not think we would have gotten even remotely half as lucky had we done something or gone somewhere else. Awesome call indeed." Clank added happily, a short silent pause was followed before Aphelion finally responded.

"That is great to hear, thank you for the complements Ratchet, Clank." Aphelion responded, clearly trying to hide any happiness in her voice and failing quite badly.

"Aphelion, set a course for home."

"Already have and heading there now."

"Thanks. Come on Clank, let's check out the thingy we found." Ratchet suggests looking at Clank with a big smile, Clank nodding with a smile of his own, the little robot also curious and partially excited to see what the mechanism they found does.

"Of course. I have a feeling this should not be too hard to figure out."

And there we go, the first chapter. I really hope you enjoyed it, I just got into the Ratchet & Clank fandom around a week ago, and used the wikis to find out as much as I could about the characters and to decide what weapons for them to use. As always, constructive criticism is always appreciated and I hoped you enjoyed the chapter! See you next time and take care everybody!