Hi everyone, long time no see. It's impossible for me to recount the sheer amount of stuff that has happened in my life since my last publication on this platform, at least not in anything smaller than a story in and of itself. I've made many new friends; lost some, too. I've gained many, many new talents, learned so much and grown so much in my abilities. And now that Ratchet & Clank are back in business after a long few years of silence, I figured that I, too, should step once more onto the breach. With this chapter I am starting something that has been bothering me for a long time, and that is the many, many mistakes that I made in inexperience when I first set about writing this story, many years ago.

I've since completely restructured the story, rebuilt characters from the ground up, applied some new paint, evicted the moths and now, I've finally found the time to breathe new life into this story, with a fresh perspective and with more experience.

I know this is a bit cliché, but to this day it still amazes me just how much popularity the first edition of this story managed to get, despite my inexperience and despite its glaring problems. That's something for which I will be eternally grateful. Here's hoping that, as we wait for the release of Rift Apart, you all are willing to follow me on this journey once more. Rest assured that this time, I'll make sure that it gets an ending, too.

With all of that said, I hope you'll enjoy reading this as much as I did writing it.

"Oh, come on, Clank!" Ratchet protested, waving his hands defensively at the small robot, who was staring at him incredulously. "That chess move is totally legit!"

Clank shook his head and raised a metal digit. "On the contrary. A quick read through twenty-seven galactic databases on board game rules yielded no such rule as 'the king can fly at the request of a sorely losing Lombax'."

Ratchet scoffed. "Oh, sure, whatever. Those databases are outdated."

Clank frowned. "Are you suggesting that the Polaris governmental database is in drastic need of revisions? Moreover, how come you only pointed this out when you are at the verge of defeat?"

Ratchet opened his mouth to retort, but was interrupted by Talwyn's voice suddenly echoing through the lounge of the Apogee Space Station. "Guys, a moment?"

Talwyn had appeared on the holovision, visible from the waist up. She was dressed in the formal attire of the chairwoman of the Polaris Defense Force, though her usual scarf and bandanna still adorned her head. She tiredly brushed some hairs out of her face as she looked down on the robot and Lombax.

Ratchet let out an audible sigh of relief, causing Clank to glare at him briefly before turning his attention to Talwyn. "Ah, miss Apogee, your timing is commendable. Ratchet was about to explain how he established that the governmental database on official board game rules is in need of revision, a problem he conspicuously failed to mention until he was about to lose miserably at a game of chess."

Talwyn chuckled. "Got him on the ropes this quickly, huh?" she asked sarcastically, causing Ratchet to let out a frustrated 'hey!'

Ratchet crossed his arms defensively and looked away as his ears sank against his skull. "Whatever, I just don't like to lose."

Clank giggled. "Honesty! Now there is a well-mannered Lombax. Perhaps you might have some pudding for desert after all."

"Wait, we have pudding?" Ratchet asked with genuine curiosity before Talwyn interrupted them. "I'd love to watch you two lovebirds banter all day-"

"Am not!" Ratchet immediately protested, causing Clank to giggle. "She meant that in jest, Ratchet. Proceed, miss Apogee. What is it that you wish to discuss with us?"

Talwyn smiled and nodded. "Well, Clank, you won't remember this, but – Ratchet, remember that time we sought out an obsidian eye on Hoolefar island to contact the Great Clock?"

"Yeah, with that Fulcrum star that we had to snatch from Slag's slimy claws, right?"

"Right. I've just received reports from Merdegraw, it seems that three nights ago, Hoolefar island suddenly found itself under siege from… 'things'. I don't know how to describe it, really. I've received some sketches made by the villagers, and they all depict their assailants as being dark, oddly-shaped, vaguely robotic entities. I've seen nothing like it, nor has any database. I've even had it sent to some contacts in Terachnos. Seeing a Terachnoid look dumbfounded is admittedly a delightful experience, but it's also worrisome. Just think about it – nobody knows what these things are, and yet they possess enough force to overrun an island."

"Are there any casualties?" Clank asked. Talwyn nodded. "Sadly, yeah. They attacked anything in sight, regardless of age, gender or species. According to witnesses, these… whatever they were, seemed immune to ballistics or blunt force trauma. One survivor, which managed to hit one directly with a piece of wood, described it as 'slapping tar with a stick'."

"Since you mentioned it, I'm guessing that the Fulcrum star was their target?" Ratchet asked. "Yep," Talwyn replied, "each of the entities was reported to be heading in the direction of the Eye, and one of them was spotted leaving with the Fulcrum star. They vanished into the ocean without a trace."

"You're thinking that other Eyes are next?" Ratchet asked. Talwyn smiled. "If only you were so ahead of the curve on chess." Ratchet scoffed. "Very funny, Tal." Talwyn giggled. "Aw, come on, don't be mad at me now. Anyhow, yes, that's what I think. I mean, think about it: these 'things' came from somewhere, and it surely isn't the ocean. Whatever these things were, they weren't biological, so something must be responsible for them. And thus, something or someone must've sent these creatures after the Fulcrum star. We're trying our best to find the star, but I want to make sure that we aren't caught off-guard should they target another Eye."

Ratchet rubbed his chin in thought. "Well, I know of only one other Eye, namely on Lumos."

"Then that's where we're going," Talwyn said.

"We?" Clank asked. "Well, you two and a team of elite Defense Force soldiers. I'm needed here in case the Fulcrum star is found, or alternatively, if other Eyes are located. I'm sorry to interrupt your leisure time, but you're the best I have."

"We'll keep it safe, Tal," Ratchet said confidently. "You keep your eyes peeled for more info. Have your men meet us at the Krell canyon on Lumos, I'll have Aphelion send you the precise coordinates."

"Copy that. Take care, you two. Talwyn out," she said before the screen went dark. Ratchet groaned and stretched his arms. "Well, back into the frying pan, eh, pal?"

"I believe the expression is 'out of the frying pan and into the fire'," Clank replied. Ratchet waved his hand with a smug smirk. "Well, there's another database that is out of date… an out-of-database? How's that one?" he joked as he started walking, the little robot keeping pace beside him.

"That was terrible. No pudding for you," Clank replied, sounding rather serious. Ratchet laughed heartily at Clank's retort as the duo entered the station's weapons vault. "So, what should we run with, do you think?" he asked as he let his eyes roam the shelves.

"Miss Apogee mentioned that these entities were immune to traditional weaponry. I suggest that we try other sources of damage, such as heat or electricity."

"One of those survivors compared these things to tar, perhaps the Cryoshot and Cryo-Mine?"

"Definitely, though the Alpha Disruptor, the Pyrocitor and the Temporal Repulsor should also be considered."

"Groovitron?" Ratchet asked as he dug one of the ridiculously addictive disco balls out of a nearby create. Clank shook his head. "I doubt that tar can hear, Ratchet." The Lombax shrugged. "Well, Tal did say that those things aren't organic, so who knows? Tar isn't sentient either, and yet here we are."

Clank smirked. "I am surprised to ever say this, but excellent point, Ratchet."

"Do I get to have pudding now?" Ratchet replied with a grin as he lifted the RYNO VII off its pedestal.

"Just because you asked it: no. No dessert for this Lombax," Clank scolded. "Pff, whatever," Ratchet replied as he registered the RYNO VII to his Quick-Select. "Might also grab a Sonic Eruptor just in case. Ready, pal?"

"As ready as I will ever be," Clank replied with a smile as he walked over. "Then let's move," Ratchet replied as he let Clank climb onto his back. After sealing the vault behind him and locking down the station, the duo proceeded to the hangar, where Aphelion was waiting for them. "Greetings, Ratchet, Clank," she exclaimed happily as she opened the cockpit window. "All systems are operational, and I've just finished flushing the hyperdrives."

"Awesome!" Ratchet remarked as he and Clank took their seats. "We'll be heading to the Krell canyon, same spot as before. Do us a favor and transmit the coordinates to Talwyn's communicator."

"Acknowledged," Aphelion replied as she sealed the cockpit window and signaled the station's main computer to open the hangar doors, and moments later, Aphelion came blasting out of the station with the peerless grace that only a Lombax ship could present. "Curious. Miss Apogee has accepted the coordinates and is responding with an incoming call," Aphelion remarked shortly thereafter.

"Oh? Patch her through, please, Aphie?" Ratchet replied. Talwyn appeared on the ship's built-in monitor, looking frantic. "Tal, talk to me," Ratchet said instantly.

"I've just received visuals from Hoolefar. Ratchet, Look at this," Talwyn said quickly before forwarding a number of files to Aphelion's console. "Oh, my," Clank said. Ratchet could only produce a confused noise.

Hoolefar was in ruins. Many trees had been uprooted or snapped in half, and many of the wind turbines had been utterly wrecked. Two of them were broken, and three of them were outright missing their top half, as if snapped clean off. "What the fuuuu..." Ratchet mumbled in horror. "For once I'll allow you to swear, that there is objectively horrifying," Aphelion chimed in.

"I knew stuff was dire down there, but I wasn't yet informed that things were this bad," Talwyn said. "I'm sending the best I've got your way, but please, please be careful."

"We will, Tal. We're not taking chances with people who break down windmills like they're chopsticks. Just keep us posted."

Talwyn took a deep breath. "Okay. Good luck down there, boys. Talwyn, out."

An uneasy silence reigned in the ship for a few minutes before Aphelion spoke up. "Guys… what are we flying into?"

"If only we knew," Ratchet replied. "If only we knew."

"Spotted anything yet, Clank?" Ratchet asked tiredly as his lifelong friend came walking over. They had been camping outside of the Obsidian Eye for three days now, accompanied by a small army of Defense Force soldiers, and nothing had happened. The Lombax had quickly gotten bored, spending most of the time hoverbooting through the caverns in boredom, but that soon lost its charm as well, and Ratchet had now excused himself to absentmindedly toss rocks into the canyon.

"Unfortunately we have not," Clank answered as he plopped down beside his friend. "Admittedly I find myself wondering if we misjudged our foe."

Ratchet shrugged. "Maybe, but Tal's got a pretty head on her shoulders."

"As in visually pleasing?" Clank asked. Ratchet chuckled. "Wouldn't you like to know," he teased back before clearing his throat. "I meant that she's smart. I trust her. And her line of reasoning does make sense. Bored as I am, we'll just wait it out, at least until Tal gives us an update."

They sat in silence for a brief while. "Are you and miss Apogee in a romantic relationship, Ratchet?" Clank suddenly asked. "Huh? Oh, it's… it's complicated, Clank," he replied, his ears lowering a bit. The small robot tilted his head. "More complicated than math?"

Ratchet grinned. "Well… not more complicated, but about as frustrating."

"That does not compute," Clank replied, sounding confused.

"Huh, I managed to confuse you? I never thought I'd see the day," Ratchet replied with a small smile before stretching his arms. "Basically, Tal and I… we're at this point where we could be more than friends, but neither of us is taking that step. She's too busy with leading the galaxy's military anyway," he mumbled.

Clank was quiet for a few moments while he pondered this problem. "Have you considered discussing this concern with miss Apogee?" he asked.

Ratchet glanced at his friend. "Well… have you seen how Tal looks whenever she gets home?"

Clank nodded. "She seemed unhappy and disheveled."

"Yeah, that's why I don't discuss it with her. Like, it's not as if she works such long days because she enjoys it, but because the galaxy needs that much work. It's not like she has any time to spare regardless. If I were to ask her to make more time for me, I'd be putting her in this horrible spot where she ends up having to choose between me and the galaxy. She'll make a choice in the end, but she'll also feel so guilty about it, too, and it'll bother her for a long time. I think you know that I'm right."

"I see," Clank replied. "Yes, miss Apogee certainly feels very strongly about her current occupation. It is a duty that she takes very seriously." He looked up at his Lombax friend. "It astonishes me how carefully you have considered your position."

Ratchet smiled. "Well, I'm not cutting corners there. I owe her that much."

Clank giggled. "If only you were so careful when it comes to chess."

Ratchet laughed. "Oh, buzz off, you." He got up. "How about we go and see if there's some proper lunch to be had around here?" he asked as Clank also rose to his feet.

Suddenly, an earthquake rocked the area, causing the duo to stagger. Ratchet lost his balance and fell over, letting out a loud scream as he fell into the canyon.

Clank immediately dove after him and quickly latched on to Ratchet's back. Ratchet quickly turned upright and Clank deployed the robo-wings, causing them to level out and glide. Ratchet reacted by turning on his hoverboots, sending them into boosted flight and allowing them to climb and arch back to the caverns containing the eye. "Well, Talwyn was right after all," Ratchet said in horror. Hundreds of odd, humanoid entities with coal-dark skin emerged from every crack and crevice of a nearby canyon wall, each of them homing in on the cavern entrance leading to the Eye.

"Where did they come from, I wonder?" Clank asked as they raced back to the cave to warn the PDF soldiers. They hit the ground running, with Ratchet wasting no time charging into the caves with his hoverboots. "Don't know, don't care, what matters is that they're headed straight for us and they do not come in peace," Ratchet replied.

Soon he came rushing into the camp. "Trouble's here!" he yelled at the soldiers who, thankfully, had already been put on high alert by the earthquake.

"Call in the evac, boys!" the squad leader immediately hollered at a subordinate, who started fumbling for his radio. They were given clear orders: as soon as trouble arrived, they were to take the Fulcrum star and evacuate. With a single call, a Defense Force drop ship, parked a few dozen miles away, would swoop in to collect them.

"That's not gonna be here fast enough," Ratchet warned as he grabbed his Cryo-Mine glove and started laying out a defensive grid of mines. Soon, a dark, oily hand grasped at one of the rocks further down the cavern, and the team opened fire, Ratchet himself retreating and reaching for his Alpha Disruptor in a frenzied attempt to cull the incoming horde before it could arrive.

Moments later, hundreds of unnaturally moving creatures came rushing their way, some scuttling on all fours while others staggered like comic book zombies.

The fire-laced Defense Force rounds had little effect, and Ratchet's few direct hits with the Alpha Disruptor also left no impact. The Lombax cursed loudly as he pulled a Groovitron from his pocket and threw it into the incoming horde. It made contact with one of the entities and vanished beneath its oily, liquid skin. "Well, there goes that idea," Ratchet complained as he switched to his Temporal Repulsor. He fired a few blasts at the incoming horde, and to his surprise, they seemed to stagger, some of them raising their appendages as if stuck in the face.

Suddenly, the onslaught of creatures came to a halt, mere meters from the encampment, before turning tail. The soldiers looked on in utter bewilderment at the sight, before Clank got their attention. "Hey, who might you be, and why do you think you have any claim to that Fulcrum star?" he called out.

Ratchet instantly spun on his heels, managing to notice a bright object move out of sight in his peripheral vision. There was someone in the Eye's chamber.

Easily outspeeding the rallying Defense Force soldiers, Ratchet charged into the Eye's chamber, coming face to face with another person.

He found himself in a staring match with a somewhat skinny man dressed in a white exo-suit adorned with blue, defensive plating. Some kind of glowing element was embedded in the person's chest, slightly offset to where the heart of most known bipedal species would reside. The person's face was hidden by a reflective, dark visor, facing the Lombax's way.

Ratchet switched out his Temporal Repulsor for the RYNO VII and aimed it at the stranger. "Unless you care to find out what it's like to have an illegally dangerous weapon rain down reckless abandonment upon you, you put that Fulcrum star on the ground, slowly, and get on your knees with your hands on your head," he threatened as he armed the weapon.

The person stood motionless for a few seconds before suddenly making a move for the Lombax. Ratchet instantly opened fire, before letting out a cry of both frustration and bewilderment. His opponent was fast, way faster than should be possible, easily moving out of the way of any and all projectiles as if they were lazily thrown pieces of paper rather than missiles. Within seconds the person was face-to-face with him, and Ratchet was helpless to stop a white-gloved hand from reaching out and covering his face.

His ears sank against his skull immediately and the weapon slipped out of his hands. "That's… funny…" he mumbled weakly before he collapsed. The person caught him before Ratchet could hit his head on the floor and flung the limp Lombax over their shoulder. By this time, Clank had disconnected himself from Ratchet's back and made an attempt at striking the person in white, but to no avail as the person effortlessly dodged the fists and feet that Clank threw at them in frenzied attempts to free his friend.

By this time, the Defense Force soldiers came charging into the room and aimed their weapons at the stranger, though none dared to open fire out of fear of hurting the unconscious Lombax.

They all nervously eyed their leader for command, but the bulky Markazian leading the team was dumbfounded. "Put him down, you freak!" he called out as he fired a few warning shots at the figure's feet.

The person appeared unfazed as they started moving towards the Defense Force soldiers before halting a few feet away from them. "Move," it commanded in a male, synthesized voice.

"Make us," the squad leader spat back, causing some of his soldiers to let out a shout of agreement.

"Okay," the figure responded. With a flick of its wrist, it unleashed a shockwave of some kind that sent the soldiers staggering backwards, but more curiously, caused them to slow.

"How?" Clank found himself asking before taking off after the stranger, who had started moving through the soldiers without any of them having the chance to respond. It seemed that the effect was short-lived though, as the soldiers slowly resumed their motions.

The person halted in the middle of the camp, turning to face Clank. "Why do you follow?"

"Because you are carrying my friend!" Clank shouted back. "Now put him down!"

"I can't. I have business with him. But you can come along if you prefer," the figure replied before scooping Clank off the ground. "Hey! Put me down!" the robot protested, trying his best to hit his captor, but to no avail. He fell silent when a wormhole burst into existence in front of them, and the person stepped through, the portal snapping shut behind them.

Slowly but surely the soldiers came to their senses. "Status?" the squad leader called out as he staggered to his feet. "We're bruised but otherwise unharmed, but Ratchet and Clank are MIA, Sir!" a tactician called out.

"Sir, what do we do?" another soldier asked. The squad leader frowned.

Half an hour later he came striding into the camp's communications tent. "Commander Altak, what's your situation?" Talwyn demanded, her face visible on a hastily mounted holo-screen. "I've received reports of a disturbance on Lumos comparable to that on Merdegraw, what happened? And where are Ratchet and Clank, I explicitly told them to be here."

Altak sighed as he took a seat. "Captain… you're not going to like this."

Due to a hectic university life, I cannot say with certainty when the next chapter will be uploaded. Formerly I used to be able to maintain a weekly upload schedule which, admittedly, was a critical mistake. I can admit now that I spent many late evenings frenziedly typing away in an attempt to meet deadlines, and that left quite a bit of the story severely rushed. To avoid that mistake I will be taking a more slow and steady approach this time around, but the downside thereof is that I cannot say with certainty when the next chapter will be uploaded. Nonetheless you can rest assured that it'll take me a whole lot less time than it will take for Insomniac to finish up the next game, and so hopefully, despite the greater interlude in-between chapters, I still manage to achieve my goal of making the wait for the new game a bit more bearable.

With all that said, I bid you goodbye for now. I wish you all the best, and take care.