Disclaimer: I do not own Ratchet and Clank or any of its characters. Me, late November: "I have nine weeks to post eight short stories. I'll update weekly!"
*insert John Mulaney's "And then I didn't." clip here*
Raindrops
XIV
The sounds from the storm rumbled throughout the cave, the pattering of water a steady rhythm echoing through the cavern. Low thunder, thankfully not at a booming volume, rolled over the heavy grey clouds blocking out the sky. A curtain of rain poured onto the forest-filled land below, and even the lone castle in the distance was barely visible under the weather.
With a firm tug to his silver-blue tunic, the action shifting the harness that held his large wrench weapon and backpack, the cat-creature peered out from the dry cave at the weather. Green eyes narrowed as wet mist beaded around his face, his ears lowered to try and ease the sounds of the thunder-
A high-pitched whine came behind him.
Ratchet turned, concern shining in his face. His hand rested against the rock wall, the light from the small campfire drawing long shadows of the limbs across the wall. "I know, pal, and I wish I could make it stop, but I can't."
Scratching sounds came from just a little deeper into the cave as terrified green optics met Ratchet's gaze. Clank's body scrunched up, back rising in a hump as fear bathed every inch of Clank's form.
The Lombax tossed a worried glance over his shoulder. A sigh left him as he ran through the rest of their planned route, factoring in the lost hours the pouring rain was going to cost the duo. "Alright, the new plan is that we'll wait til it's done. Gunna cost us some time, but it's worth it if it means you won't be scared to walk outside."
Whines, high-pitched and full of fear, pitched off the rock walls as another loud clap of thunder roared over the land. Clank's optics shut, and scrapes followed the thunder as he pushed himself as hard as he could against the rock wall opposite the rain.
Ratchet softened, concern covering his face. "Hey… It's gunna be okay, Clank. I won't let the rain hurt you." He reached out a hand, fingers partly curled, and gently lowered himself to one knee. His ears lowered, and gloved fingers delicately rested against smooth titanium metal. "We can make it through this! I promise."
The hump Clank's back had taken smoothed down, and Clank tilted his head against Ratchet's arm as the noise of the rain grew louder.
"Here." Ratchet scooched around his little friend, laying back against the rock wall just beside Clank. "Why don't we take a nap? That way we won't have to listen to the rain, and once the rain stops, we'll be well rested and able to get back on our trip. Then we'll be at the castle in no time, and then Al will be able to take a look at you, and then we'll have a whole feast welcoming us back home…"
With every word, Clank eased from his anxious pose. Chirps came from him as he slowly climbed into Ratchet's lap, body shaking like a leaf in the wind, but his claws kneading into his friend's legs for support.
Ratchet ran a hand over his friend's head and back. "Don't worry, Clank. Everything's going to be okay, pal." His hand patted Clank's head, easing the robot further. "You go ahead and get to sleep first. I'll make sure nothing hurts you."
And with that, the little robot dragon circled the inside of his friend's lap, long tail close to his metal body, and flopped on his side. One last look up to his Lombax friend, and the dragon slowly closed his optics and settled down.
Within a few hours, both Lombax and robot were fast asleep, soft snores drowning out the fading sounds of the rain.
I can't tell if I went for a generic fantasy AU or a twist on a "How to Train Your Dragon" AU, but yes, here is a traveling mercenary Ratchet with his small metal dragon friend named Clank. It takes place in a fantasy universe somewhere.
Don't know how well I'm vibing with this one, but on the bright side, "Raindrops" is another chapter closer to getting done. And I do mean it; I'm gunna get someone to bully me to get the other shorts done by January 30th/February 1st. I may have some Miraculous stuff to put out for February while I do the March challenge, but it's not looking like I'll finish it in time. *shrug* As long as this story gets done on time and actually gets fully completed, then I will be over the moon with joy.
Until the next chapter that I'm going to post soon to meet that lovely deadline looming over my head, thank you all for reading! Thank you too to the peeps that leave reviews on all my things, and I'll see you all in the next chapter! :)
XD