Ch.2: Best Friends

Meanwhile, on the desert-like planet Veldin, grunts could be heard echoing from Grim's workshop as Ratchet finished tightening the last of the bolts on a customer's ship before sliding out from underneath the vehicle, sweat clinging to his gold and striped fur.

"Heh, that should do it" said Ratchet, wiping the sweat off of his forehead " She's all ready for pick-up."

"Good" said Grim, standing near the garage door " I'll call Mr. North so that he came come and pick it up tomorrow. Don't do anything crazy while I'm gone."

"What me?" said Ratchet, smiling at his boss " Wouldn't dream about it."

Making a huff like he didn't believe a word Ratchet said, Grim turned around and walked straight into his office, leaving Ratchet alone with the ship. The moment Grim was gone, Ratchet looked over the ship, admiring its sleek design.

"Heh" said Ratchet to himself " it sure was a challenge to improve the grav-booster on this baby. Sure looks like a sweet-looking ride. You know…with a few upgrades here and there, I think I can make it more…,"

"Don't even think about it," a stern voice interrupted.

Knowing that he had been caught, Ratchet sighed as he turned around to see that Clank had returned with lunch from Galaxy Burger. The little robot's green eyes glowed, as he shook one finger at Ratchet in disapproval.

"That would be a most unwise choice" continued Clank " since your long list of misdemeanors is only beginning to disappear."

"Yeah, but it's just a little…," said Ratchet, before Clank interrupted.

"No,"

"Ugh, you're no fun you know that?" said Ratchet, as he walked over to take his burger from Clank " Fine, I won't do anything to the ship. I got something even better to show you anyway. Come on."

With that said, Ratchet started running up straight to his room, while Clank sighed and followed behind. Living with the Lombax sure had its challenges some days.

Ratchet's way of thinking was reckless and irrational, but Clank wouldn't have had it any other way. He had grown quite found of the young Lomabx's chaotic state.

Of course, back when they had first met each other, Clank didn't ever think they would become the close friends they were, although part of his robotic heart may have wished for it at the time.

After all, he was a defect, a mistake, meant to be destroyed within the first few seconds of his life.

Ratchet had saved him, fixed him, and helped him find the Galactic Rangers when the universe was at its greatest peril. Heck, he had even given Clank his name.

Clank owed a lot to Ratchet, and was determined to stay by his side, no matter what obstacles stood in the way.

Finally reaching the upper level where Ratchet's room was, Clank padded up to the bed where the Lombax sat, hiding something cupped in his hands.

"Is that what you want to show me?" asked Clank, pointing towards Ratchet's hands.

"Yeah" said Ratchet, with a nod " I've been working on it for a while. I just hope you like it Clank."

With that said, Ratchet un-cupped his hands and extended his reach towards Clank, leaving his present exposed. Clank looked at it with stunned eyes. It was a small picture frame made of metal that held a photo of one of the times Ratchet and Clank had been through this past year.

Specifically, that time when Ratchet decided to try out for the hoverboard races and beat Skid McMarks, the most famous hoverboarder the world ever known. Grim had taken the photo at the time.

Ratchet had fallen off his board at the end of the race, coming second while Skid took first. After that, both Clank and Ratchet had a small argument about what could have happened to cause Ratchet's fall, and some playful fighting ensued.

Clank smiled as his memory banks recalled the fun they had had on that day, but stood confused as he took the picture frame from Ratchet, wondering what the Lombax was giving him this for.

"Happy Birthday Clank," said Ratchet, once the gift was out of his hands.

"Birthday?" asked Clank, confused.

"Well yeah" said Ratchet " it's been a year since we met, and since you were basically created on the same day, it makes it your birthday right?"

Clank thought of it for a moment. True, he had been basically born the same day Ratchet rescued him from his exploding ship, so it made sense that his birthday would be today.

Yet, receiving this present somehow felt wrong, for there was no way Clank could ever repay it. He had no idea when Ratchet's birthday was, for the Lombax's origins were still a mystery to everyone he knew.

Even Grim, who had taken in the Lombax when he was very young when he tried to steal his hover-bike, giving him a home, and a job, and a name, that now everyone knew.

"Hmm" Clank wondered in his mind " maybe I can help him find out more about his family someday."

"Thank you" Clank stated out loud, tucking the picture into a compartment on his chest. " I wish I could give you something in return, but I…,"

"You already gave me something Clank" Ratchet interrupted, holding up a hand " so don't worry about it. I owed ya. Now how about we play some hologames? I call the good controller."

"I gave him something?" thought Clank confused, as Ratchet started setting up the system. " What did I give?"

What had the little robot possibly done to repay his friend's gift already? It didn't seem to make any logical sense to Clank, but just as he was about to crunch the numbers on what he had done, Ratchet's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Hey Clank" called Ratchet " are we playing or what?"

"Bring it on," said Clank, running over to his friend. He would save the mystery of his gift for another day.