Chapter 10: Hell's Gorge
The next morning Ratchet awakens to find himself alone in the SlamDozer. Jak, Clank, and Daxter are nowhere to be found. Ratchet sits up and is shocked to see the entire field filled with other drivers unloading and performing final maintenance on their Racers. Ratchet spots nearly forty from just his viewpoint along with blimps flying overhead and some TV crews.
"Holy crap I didn't know racing was so big on this planet." Ratchet thought to himself as he climbs from the SlamDozer.
"Hey look fellas it's a walking furball. Ha Ha Ha!" A large heavy set driver says as he mocks Ratchet from the cockpit of his Racecar as his partner look on with goofy expression on his face directed toward Ratchet.
"Do ya'll think it can race or is it someone's mascot?" The offending driver's slimmer but similar looking partner says as the duo move in to get a closer look at Ratchet.
"Back off guys I don't want any trouble." Ratchet says as the duo surrounds him.
"Watch what ya say short stake cause your talking to the Grendel Bros. and if you are racing today then you already have trouble. We don't take kindly to newcomers trying to steal our spotlight so if you know whats good for you, you'll say out of or way." Crash Grendel explains to Ratchet as he stands tall trying to intimidate the much shorter Lombax.
"That is if he can even drive bro. I don't think he can even reach the pedals!" Spark Grendel snickers as he looks over the Javelin and Midnite while mocking Ratchet.
"Look bro he has two racers on this trailer but since there's only one of him he won't need both. So how about he take this pretty blue one off his hands." Spark laughs as he tries to unchain Midnite.
"Listen you retarded ******* don't touch my ride or I'll!" Ratchets yells as he loses patience with the Grendels
"Or you'll what little guy, growl at me? Ha! Step aside!" Crash says as he shoves Ratchet to the ground.
Just as Crash grabs the one of the chains holding Midnite onto its trailer, someone grabs him and turns him around. Now Crash standing eye to eye with Jak as Daxter and Clank help Ratchet to his feet.
"Well if it isn't my old friend Jak. Good to see ya kid. How have you been since you BEAT ME LAST YEAR AND RUINED ALL OF MY DREAMS OF FAME JUST TO FEED YOUR EGO? Crash yells in Jak's face.
"Last year I didn't beat you to feed my ego, I was just better than you." Jak answers with a smirk.
"And this year will be no different you sorry wannabe." Daxter adds as he jumps on Jak's shoulder to get in Crash's face as well.
"Lets go bro we can just handle our business on the track. See you Later Jak." Crash says he and Spark walk off from Jak and Daxter as Ratchet looks on with a frown.
"Whats with those two?" Ratchet wondered
"Don't worry over those two Ratchet, they're just jealous over the fact Daxter and I beat them for the World Championship last year." Jak answered as he attended to his racer.
Announcer: "Will all Drivers please visit the media building at the starting line for as special event."
"Special event? That's new." Jak thought to himself. "Well guys lets go see what's up."
"Welcome drivers to the Hell's Gorge 20mile Sprint the first X-Cup race here at The Gorge. Also for the first time the race will be broadcasted on Haven City's new sports network. Now since this is the first race broadcast we want to do some special so we have setup a camera room where you drivers can express your feelings on this race and the championship. The best driver promos will be used during the Race's TV intro." Hank the Haven City Sports Network announcer explains to the eager group of drivers.
"Hell yeah, time to put this handsome face on TV so all the ladies can see just what they are missing." Daxter thought out loud.
Back at Jak's Outpost….
"Hurry up Keira and find the channel I want to see if my Daxter-poo is OK." Tess hurried her best friend.
"And Ratchet & Clank for that matter." Talwyn adds while playing with Damas.
"Hey its not like I've had TV all my life you two. Plus the race doesn't start for another 5 minutes." Keira answered as she surfed though channels till finally finding HCSN just in time.
HCSN voiceover: Today history will be made. The Haven City X-Cup will for the first time be broadcasted live! All the action, the drama, the violence, the thrill of victory and agony of defeat will presented to you from the safety of your home!
Driver1: "Victory will be mind today!"
Driver2: "Everyone else are just in my way."
Crash: "There will be danger at every turn because I'll be the one causing it!"
Ratchet with Clank: "You don't know my name but after today I promise you will never forget it."
HCSN voiceover: Today is the first race at Hell's Gorge a brutal place that will test these drivers and their machines to the limits. But only the driver willing to go over the limit will taste victory today!
Jak and Daxter: (Jak)"If you want this Championship come and take it." (Daxter)"But don't worry we won't be hard to find cause it'll be our dust you'll be eating the entire race!"
HCSN voiceover: The is the X-Cup at The Gorge. Welcome to Hell!"
Welcome race fans to the beautiful but deadly Hell's Gorge. Where these drivers will put it all on the line for victory. Lets not keep the action contained anymore because its race time.
Ratchet and Jak both drive their racers up to the starting line pulling up along side the Grendels and their twin black racers.
"Well Well looks like the furball has the balls to race after brother." Crash says as he continues to mock Ratchet.
"How about the two of you just kiss my ass now because that's the only pact of me you'll going to see all-day fellas." Ratchet boasts in response.
"Concentrate on the track Ratchet they're only trying to get in your head. This isn't the place or time to get sidetracked one mistake could cost you everything in this racing. Jak informs Ratchet though their radios.
Hank the Announcer : Its time to get this race underway.
All the drivers strap in and lock their eyes onto the track ahead of them.
Hank the Announcer: Countdown 5! 4! 3! 2! 1! GO!
At the Apogee Station…..
"Hey Cronk I think we have a incoming message from Ms. Sasha." Zephyr announced to his partner.
Cronk: "Zzzzzz"
"Wake up you old fool this could be important!" Zephyr yelled as Sasha appeared on the communicator screen.
"Good day Ms. Prime Minster Ma'am." Zephyr says as he salutes Sasha while elbowing Cronk to do the same.
"Good to see you Ms. Sasha. I hope all is well?" Cronk asks the Prime Minister.
"That's the thing guys all is not well! Ratchet, Talwyn, and Clank are all missing!
"MISSING!?" Cronk and Zephyr ask in unison.
"Yes. Ratchet ship we believe was shot down and crash landed on a planet in the far 8h sector. it's a area of the Galaxy that's been only explore by a few starships so most of it remains uncharted which means Ratchet, Talwyn and Clank could be on anyone of those Planets." Sasha explained.
"So how are we suppose to find them if we don't know where to look? Cronk asked.
"Well that's the other thing. My Brother Blaze and his Team found out while on a spying mission that Captain Gastonia Darkwater and his Crew are the bounty hunters that shot our friends down." Sasha informs the concerned duo.
"So how did Blaze learn this information Ms Sasha?" Zephyr asks.
"Well they witnessed Darkwater's crew kidnap President Qwark. Those cowards are using Qwark to find all of Ratchets past whereabouts in hope of erases him from history, and I fear the two of you are next." Sasha says with regret.
"My Brother and his Team are on their way to leaned you a hand should Darkwater attack." Sasha informed the duo with the only bit of good news she had.
"Well then Ms Sasha those whippersnappers won't take us without a fight." Zephyr said confidence.
"That's right! Those hooligans have another thing coming if they think we're going surrender to the likes of them." Cronk added.
"I know guys just take care of yourselves OK." Sasha demanded before signing out.