" So, let me see if I get this correct, you guys have been trapped under here for, like, decades? And the rangers constantly try and take you in when you try and reveal yourself? And are all your guys just trying to get themselves in trouble? "

" That would seem so, yes. I can assure you we are not as troublesome as some of us can be. "

" Uhhh huh. Then why is it tha- "

" We need you to understand, good sire! Those troublesome rodents have nothing to do with us, I swear! "

" ...so be it. "

Ratchet was discussing the recent attacks and his current position with the strange Fongoid rebels in a white room with a few of the rebels. It was a pasty white colored quarters room with a fan slowly creaking above their heads, a few most likely priceless paintings hanging across the , the room used to be a The makeshit " tribe " had taken in Ratchet suddenly after realizing that his potential was limitless during that battle with the robbers.

" We were going to take in your small friend, too...but it seemed that he was gone, too, " the head Fongoid said.

" Wait WHAT?! " Ratchet yelled . " Who took him?! Did you see him or her?! "

" I'm afraid we did not...but they were also wearing one of those black robes… "

" They what?! THEY WERE WITH YOU?! "

The Fongoids backed up. " N-no, sir! " one of them yelped. " I don't know why they would be-uh….oh dear… "

" Way to go, Carl, " another Fongoid teased. " Now look what you've done. "

" Just hold on! What did they look like underneath that robe?! "

" It was er...a freckled girl...yes, it was one of those Mark...a...Markeez….Biz Mark-Kozel- "

" Markazians? "

" Yes, that's it! She had those glasses….hmm…. "

" Where did you last see her move to? "

" I believe she may have gone off to...somewhere in this tunnels. "

" So she's somewhere around here?! "

" Yes! Absolutely! Would you like to find her?! "

" Well, yes, but...wait… "

Ratchet started going through the room and rummaging through a few of the bags that had been left around, trying to find some weapons for the supposed trip. A Fongoloid pulled him right back.

" Sir, why are you looting through our items?! " he yelled.

" Listen, I-...I need to be prepared before we head off to this girl. Do we have any stocks or whatever? "

The flock of Fongoids nodded, exiting the room to find the storage closet of weapons, emergency rations, and other objects of perhaps little to no use...A groovitron, a blaster with some spare ammo...a Crotchicizer...wait, what was this…?

Ratchet took notice at the strange pole like object that was poking out of the closet as he hung behind the group. It was a long, iron rod with a strange orb being held on top of it. It was quite rusty and twisted, it most likely hadn't been used in years. It was almost like a child's plaything. The orb itself was a somewhat cracked light blue.

" What the heck is this? " the curious lombax said.

" Oh, now this is the main reason we brought you here. This is the Rod of….of… "

" There's no name. You didn't give it a name. "

" I don't think so, no. "

Ratchet slowly clapped. " So what does this do? "

" The rod is supposed t'be some sort of special object that only a select few can use...however, we have not found the correct wielder for it as of now. "

" How do you know if it has a correct...wielder? "

" It will emit a powerful glow like none have ever seen. Its power is limitless, but no one knows what it is."

" Geez, are you this skeptical about everything? "

" Sigh, I would think so… "

Ratchet shook his head, grabbed a few of the weapons, and headed out, the Fongoids trailing behind him. It was time to find out where his best friend was, and to see if these rebels had anything to do with it as well...