Terin, Talwyn, along with Ratchet and Clank, eased their ships into the hangar where they were waited by three squadrons of soldiers. One of them came forth with a megaphone and spoke into it. "Come out with your hands up."

"Ratchet, Talwyn, on my signal, get out of your ships and help me with the 'cleanup'," Terin said, looking over his ship's console for a certain button. Ratchet and Talwyn replied positively.

"I repeat, come out with your hands up!" The soldier commanded again, louder this time.

"Zenith, mini ejection please," Terin said simply, taking his Praetorian Omniwrench off his back.

"Will do," the lombax ship obeyed, opening his canopy. He launched Terin out of the cockpit. The ex-guard extended his wrench as he reached the apex of his jump, activating his hoverboots, slowing his descent.

"Open fire," the soldier commanded.

Each man aimed their blaster at Terin and unleashed a hail of laser fire. Rotating his wrench in a continuous 3600, Terin was able to reflect the oncoming shots.

"Now!" Terin commanded, sweeping a trooper when he landed, promptly disarming him.

The others exited their ships, armed, and leapt into the fray alongside Terin.

"You know that trick too, huh?" Ratchet yelled over the noise, shooting three enemies with the Constructo Pistol.

"Everyone in the guard does Ratchet," Terin yelled back. Speeding away, the lombax directed the crowd's attention to him, allowing Ratchet some breathing room.

Meanwhile, Clank was using his Whirlwind Throwtie, slicing the enemies' blasters with perfect precision while Talwyn took out the now disarmed soldiers. When they took care of their share they joined up with Ratchet who had just forced a surrender from three of their number. However, the bulk of the troops had gone after Terin and had now trapped him in a circle. Their blasters trained and at the ready.

"Tal, I've got them, go help Terin," The golden-furred lombax ordered, keeping his pistol trained on them.

"No need for the assisstance Tal, however, you all can watch as I take them on." Terin called, eyeing the nine who had surrounded him.

"You alone vs nine of us," someone behind Terin said in disbelief. Facing the man, Terin held his ready position and made eye contact. "Of course."

The lombax moved first, soaring into the air with his hoverboots until he was several cubits above them. The nine soldiers opened fire only to have their fire reflected by the lombax. The men soon had empty blasters and when he saw this, Terin cut off the hoverboots, falling quickly to the ground. Before impact, Terin moved his thumb across the handle, over a small pressure plate. This dislodged the wrench blades turning the wrench into a double-sided flail (The chains themselves were comprised of a certain type of energy). Rotating the wrench above his head, Terin managed to nail six out of nine rendering those hit on the floor unconscious. The last three however, stood in fear of the lombax and dared not moved.

"Drop the blasters." he ordered, moving his thumb back across the plate, retracting the wrench heads. They complied without hesitation and put their hands up. Terin then directed them over to where his friends had the other three, disarmed and in cuffs.

"Here are some more men, bind them," the silver lombax commanded. Turning to the markazian, "Talwyn, follow me, we're going to go find Nathan."

"Oh, that won't be necessary." A feminine voice called out, prompting the four to turn toward the source. They found it walking toward them on a platform several cubits above their heads. The agent, Kisma, wore a white suit with blue streaks. She carried two Omniblasters and had miniature Mag-Net Launchers attached to the suit. Although they couldn't identify the weapon, the four knew she carried a sort of rocket launcher attached to the back of the suit.

"What do you mean?" Terin demanded of the new arrival.

"My colleague is taking care of him. You'll never see the psychic again." she responded. Turning, Kisma jumped off the platform in a front flip motion, landing gracefully on the floor below.

"Right. Nathaniel is going to own circles around…'your colleague'," Terin stated, air-quoting the last part, obviously unimpressed. "Now drop your weapons and come quietly."

A electric field from the arm-mounted Mag-Net Launcher was the lombax's reply as he and the others avoided the attack. Talwyn and Ratchet took aim at the agent and emptied a few rounds, only to have her avoid them with relative ease. Clank's bowties were of little use either. Just like the "mysterious assailant" from some time ago, the armor these agents wore were made of incredibly tough material, greatly mitigating the damage dealt.

"Terin, keep her busy, I'm going to get some heavier firepower," Ratchet called out, rushing over to Aphelion; Talwyn followed him while Clank searched inside himself for a suitable weapon.

Looking at his foe, Terin began side-stepping, circling the agent in front of him. Moving his wrench out in front of him, the lombax dashed toward his opponent. Kisma let Terin get closer before grabbing the praetorian blade, stopping the lombax in his tracks.

"The suit augments your strength," said lombax growled. Rubbing his thumb on another plate, ejecting the held blade head from the wrench, knocking Kisma across the hangar and into a wall. Retracting the head, Terin again ran toward his opponent, hoping for a quick defeat as she was busy regaining her bearings. What the lombax did not expect however, was an early recovery, and two pistol aimed for his accelerating form. Quickly rotating his wrench, Terin easily blocked the bullets that came toward him; but he was forced to take a stance and hold it.

"No one in history has gotten through the Praetorian Shield, just give it up. I alone am more than a match for you," the ex-guard called out to his opponent, hoping to get inside her head.

Dropping her blaster weapons, Kisma instead launched two Mag-Nets that Terin easily avoided. A static noise went off from on the agent's helmet, prompting Kisma to activate the com-link on the side of her helmet.

"What is it Valis?" she growled, blocking a wrench swing from Terin. He stepped back, picking up what was said on the other end… although he couldn't believe it.

"I've captured the psychic, how are things on your end?" the man had asked.

"He... captured Nathaniel… impossible?!" Terin thought, utterly shocked, "If that's true we're in trouble."

"The four are a problem. Get over here, NOW!" Kisma had told the other person, yelling that last command.

"On my way." the other person said before the connection was broken.

Worried, Terin surprised Kisma with a rocket wrench blade… only for it to be caught by her. The lombax grit his teeth in anger and let go of the wrench as Kisma pulled the blade head forward sending the weapon to her.

"Ratchet, Clank, Talwyn, someone's coming. Get ready. I'll finish our 'hostess' here," Terin called back to the others, keeping his sight trained on his opponent.

"We read you Terin." Ratchet called back before running toward Aphelion, Talwyn and Clank following him.

"Alright, let's finish this shall we?" the lombax asked aloof, waiting for his opponent to make the first move. Throwing away the omniwrench, Kisma launched Mag-Nets again, distracting Terin so she could grab her blaster. They only had a few rounds in them. "That's all I need anyway." Terin saw her grab the weapons and he hoverbooted toward his wrench, successively snatching it off the ground before being nailed by a mini hail of energy bullets. Terin was sent backward. Analyzing where he had been hit, he saw that his holo-armor had prevented good damage but he still felt a sting in his side.

"She's got accuracy, I'll give her that. Though I doubt she has anything left… besides that heavy gun." the lombax discerned, standing back up. "I'll admit; you have a nice shot, hitting a speeding target like that." Terin said, noticing that she tossed aside the blasters. He continued, "But I can see your out of ammo... and your Mag-Nets have proved futile thus far." There was no response from the agent.

"How do you think you would fare in a melee against me?" Terin finally asked, holding his wrench in the customary manner for combat: behind one's back, body leaning forward, wrench slanted and following the same angle as yourself, and finally, your wielding hand gripping the handle a cubit nearest the blade head closet to the ground.

"She wouldn't fare all too well; hand-to-hand is more up my alley," A resonant voice announced itself, causing everyone in the room to look up toward the platform Kisma had once occupied.

"It's about time you got here. I thought your kind were quick Valis," Kisma started, agitated.

"I was always here, I was simply watching you get yourself handed by a single unarmed lombax. Quite entertaining that was," Valis replied, chuckling darkly while lowering himself toward the ground.

Ivarc.

Terin was scared. There was no other word for it. He knew Ivarcs just like Nathan did. If this Ivarc had managed to defeat Nathaniel at Psiwalk, Terin knew they stood no chance against him, unless… Terin risked a quick glance at Clank who, like the others, were surprised by Valis' sudden appearance, especially at the fact that Valis was "always there" as he put it.

"Ugh, just take care of them would you?" Kisma commanded, angry at Valis' audacity to simply watch the fight.

"Sure thing," he replied in mock obedience before vanishing. Shaking out of his fear, Terin yelled to the others, "Clank, Zo…" His cry was cut short by a knee rammed into his stomach, knocking him out cold. Next, Valis appeared in front of Ratchet who swung his wrench at Valis, only to have the lombax swing right through air as an elbow came crashing down right on the back of Ratchet's head, sending him across the hangar floor, slamming hard against the wall. He too was out cold.

"Two down, two to go." Valis muttered, grinning at his handiwork. He sped toward Clank, appearing instantly before the tiny Zoni as he did to the others. However, before he could utterly crush the small robot before him, Valis was hit with a strange, blue energy orb. It expanded around him, trapping the agent inside a time bubble. Slowly looking over, Valis saw Talwyn holding the Zoni Blaster. Immeadiately, Clank moved in, revealing a black umbrella with which he proceeded to smack the Ivarc upside his head. At the point of contact, an electric jolt coursed through Valis. He yelled against the pain. However, Clank knew that the Zoni Blaster didn't last forever. He dropped his Lightning Rod and pulled out the Tanglvine Carnation.

Holding the budded plant tight in his grasp, Clank would have to time this right. As soon as the bubble faded out, the plant would have to be in position to erupt and eat Valis. However, a wrench was thrown in his plan as he heard his name called from behind.

It was Talwyn.

Clank turned around and saw her dodge an incoming mag-net acrobatically. He watched Talwyn then fire ammo from her Combuster.

"Do you need my help, Miss Apogee?" Clank called out, reaching inside for more Whirlwind Throwties. He knew they'd be useless, but he'd need only a distraction.

"No... no. I've got this, get your mark."

Clank didn't bother to reply; he knew he waited enough. He flung the carnivorous plant at the ceasing time bubble. The plant missed its mark and the Zoni could only watch as Valis instantly vanished from the fading bubble. Alarmed, Clank looked around, bending over slowly, reaching for his Lightning Rod while three throwties rested in his other hand.

A sudden yelp caught Clank's attention and he reared toward the noise. Valis stood next to Kisma and in front of them was a time bubble with a captive markazian. Without further thought, Clank whipped his hand out, launching all three throwties. A casual hand raise, armed with the Zoni Blaster stopped the ties for all that they would be worth. Annoyance flashed across the Zoni's features as he took off running toward the two agents.

It was up to him now. Clank just didn't know what to do.

R&C

From behind, the door looked purple. It only lasted for a moment before it suddenly blew apart and a hunched psychic hobbled in.

"Foolish," he thought as he scanned the room. He didn't read the Ivarc's mind fully, but Nathaniel knew of a special gadget that Valis and Kisma brought with them. Before hand, they decided to not use it on account of himself being present at the fight. That would be a mistake they would pay for dearly. Nathaniel smiled as he found a safe resting on a table. He straightened himself out before walking over to it. While okay, Nathaniel wasn't anywhere near a hundred percent. The faceplant he received from Valis made him angry. Not only at the Ivarc, but mostly with himself; he was just far too cocky.

"Looks like we all made mistakes," the psychic thought as he opened the safe door. The handle jiggled, but nothing else occured. Exhaling, Nathaniel's irises became purple once again and a foggy mist formed around his hand. Tightening his grip on the handle, Nathaniel yanked, and off came not only the handle but the entire door. He dropped the handle and the door fell to the floor with a crash. Irises receding, the psychic reached in the safe and pulled out two platinum colored circlets.

A smile quickly devolved into a smirk as he placed the two Psych-Bands in his hood. He turned away from the safe, quickly sweeping the ship via telepathy, wondering how his friends were holding up. The state of the team snapped at him. He couldn't know about Clank, but Nathan wouldn't say he was okay. Shaking his head vigorously, Nathaniel sped out of the room, heading straight for the hangar.

R&C

Clank was marginally, just marginally, more annoying than the others. And only because the Zoni had a ready lightning bolt to use. The first bolt hurt plenty and the second one likewise. But within a matter of seconds, Kisma caught him in her mag-nets and that was the end of it. Ripping the Lightning Rod from the robot's grasp, Valis returned the favor, knocking Clank out cold.

"Are you okay?" Kisma asked, lifting her gaze from the robot on the floor to her partner.

"I will be," Valis returned, looking over his armor. Once confirmed that its integrity was intact, he added, "Let's round them up and-"

"-THEN!"

Both agents jumped at the furious sound. Above them, they looked to see a fuming psychic, rage overtaking his features as he unveiled his Psiwalk power as before. When he finished, Nathaniel jumped off the railing and landed, pausing in the air milicubits before impact. Completed, he gave them both a death glare and finished his statement. "There was one! Me!"

"I thought you said you've captured him!" Kisma turned on her partner, ridden with shock and anger. Valis however, made no sign to show if had heard Kisma or not. Instead, he just looked toward the psychic with a triumphant look.

"I'm glad you made it," the bounty hunter started. "Are you ready for round two?"

He cracked his knuckles, trying to gain an edge over the psychic. However, Nathan stood before them both with an unamused face.

"Look around you. What do you see?" Nathaniel asked, his psychic aura flaring around him, arcs of psychic energy jumped about him. Chuckling darkly, Valis gazed around the hangar, taking the sights of the two downed lombaxes, a downed markazian, and a downed Zoni robot lying at his feet. "I see your pathetic excuse for a team."

"Wrong. I see restraints. Restraints that can no longer hold me back," Nathaniel stated coldly, the fearful edge returning to his voice, making Valis' look falter slightly and Kisma hide behind the Ivarc.

"Kisma, I'll distract him, get the Psych-Bands," Valis whispered, staring intently at the psychic.

"You mean these?" Nathan asked, pulling out two platinum colored circlets out from his hood. Both villains felt their jaws slack in surprise. Then that same surprise... it turned into fear.

"Yes Valis, I am ready for round two, but first," Nathan began as he again hunched over, gathering within himself more psychic power. "I'm going Ultimate. If you don't match me. Cubit for cubit. You will die. And I will enjoy it."

Raising his head, Nathaniel sent one last hateful look toward them before unleashing his power. The entire flagship quaked beneath the diffused power. Beams of purple shot forth from Nathan which illuminated the area surrounding the cruiser. All who looked upon the light would swear it was as bright as any sun. Eventually, an ear splitting roar came forth from the psychic's mind as it reverberated across the ship. The halo surrounding Nathan's head had morphed itself into a small crown and fixed itself onto his head. Suddenly, the floor began giving way, sheets of metal were bent upward and flattened as soon as it was no longer attached. Finally, in one big, terrific gesture, the transformation had subsided and in its place was the psychic known as Nathaniel.

Valis stood petrified during the ordeal, but seeing Nathaniel with his new power, it brought him back to reality. He struck a stance, motioning for Nathan to make the first blow.

"I like your enthusiasm," Nathan publicly broadcasted, "But I know you will die here. It is only inevitable."

"We shall see," Valis countered, teeth bared, holding level his own death stare at the psychic. Nathan wasted no time in starting the match again.

"Ding!"

AN: (7-29-17) Edited.