A/N: This is my third fanfiction story, it was a sequel to 'Help from the Past' and the final story in this Ratchet & Clank x Sonic the Hedgehog crossover trilogy. If you haven't read the two previous stories/new to this story, it is up to you to read this story immediately, because I've always given a little flashback from the previous stories (but if you wanna know the story better, read the two previous story first). But, I HIGHLY SUGGEST to play or watch the gameplay of Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart first, cause it is a spoiler for those who haven't (read at your own risk).

Previously on Help from the Past:

Ratchet and Clank accidentally meet heroes who help them back in the past/Metropolis while on their way to find Dr. Nefarious (although they haven't met each other directly that day). Those heroes are Sonic and his friends. Eventually, they work together to defeated Sonic's local nemesis, Dr. Eggman to make him tell about Nefarious/his former evil genius partner whereabout. After getting defeated by them, Eggman finally telling the truth about Dr. Nefarious, although his location remains unknown, Eggman gives vital information about his plan and most possible whereabouts in the future. Nefarious is planning to make a weapon called "The Dimensinator", a device that can open a portal into another dimension and possibly can retract dangerous creatures. Nefarious is planning the first attack using that weapon in the city called Megalopolis. So without further ado, Ratchet and Clank blast off to Megalopolis in the hope to stop that evil doctor once and for all and stop his madness from destroying every existence of the universe.

Disclaimer: I do not own Ratchet & Clank/Sonic the Hedgehog. Those franchises belong to Insomniac Games and SEGA except my story. Thank you

Normal Speech

Character thoughts/thinking

Ratchet and Clank: Set a week after the Rift Apart event (after the prologue)

Sonic the Hedgehog: Set a few years after 'Help from the Past'

STORY START (Prologue)

Ratchet & Clank are on their to Megalopolis after receiving vital information about Nefarious from Dr. Eggman back in Planet Mobius. They both hoping that evil doctors are in that city because it's been few years there is no news or anything that can tell about his whereabouts right now. After few minutes, Ratchet's face suddenly got gloomy while his hand still handling the cockpit. Clank was a little bit confused by his expression, he should be excited or happy right now after he got information about Nefarious from Eggman. So he asks his best friend.

"Ratchet, is there something you worried about?" Clank asks with worried. "I don't want to bother you, but your face indicates that you worry about something, aren't you suppose to be happy that you finally got information regarding Nefarious possible whereabouts?"

There is a minute of silence from Ratchet but he finally speaks. "Clank, I think after we finally defeated Nefarious, I don't think we suppose to come to visit Sonic and his friends anymore." Ratchet said with a heavy heart.

Clank was shocked after heard what Ratchet Said, the robot just made friends with Tails by fixing Ratchet's ship back in Mobius and made a promise to come to visit him again after defeating Nefarious, Ratchet also offer Sonic to join the Polaris Defense Force someday back then, the little robot was confused why suddenly Ratchet turns hundred and eighty degrees on them.

"Ratchet!" Clank Scolded him "How dare you turn back on them!! They saved us from death, they helped us defeating Eggman, they encourage us to defeat Nefarious and now you just don't give a fu……"

"I'M NOT TURNING BACK ON THEM CLAAAANNNKK!!" Ratchet scream at Clank's face "I'm just wanna them to be safe from our problem!"

"Our Problem? Ratchet, what in the name of Zoni you're talking about?!" Clank just getting more confused and furious from Ratchet's statement. "We haven't made any trouble in their planet, we HELP THEM defeating Eggman!!"

"Yeah, but if there is another new enemy or threat besides Nefarious that is far more dangerous than him and finds out that we are affiliate with Sonic the Hedgehog, it will bring them into danger again like in the past!! I don't want that to happen again on them." Ratchet finally calms down from his anger.

"Ratchet, what are you not telling me about them?" Clank was begging Ratchet to tell what did the Lombax knew about their dark past, it seems Sonic and his friends are leaving peacefully there like there's nothing wrong or too worried about.

"Clank." Ratchet began to talk "There is something that you didn't know about them besides me, if I tell you, it just brings a heartful story."

"Try me." Clank was ready for whatever his best friend said. But when Ratchet was about to speak, there is an incoming message from Talwyn. So Ratchet answers Talywn's message by bringing up the display of her.

"Tal, what is it? You look kinda disappointed, is there something wrong" Ratchet asked.

"Ratchet." Talwyn answered with a sad face. "I already ask my connection on Megalopolis to search and find out if Nefaruious was there, turns out…………he is not. Nefarious whereabouts remain unknown, I'm sorry Ratchet."

Ratchet and Clank are very shocked to hear that, once again, their plan to find and stop Nefarious perished.

"No, no, no, no, no this can't be HAPPENING!!!" Ratchet was disappointed and angry at hearing what Talwyn Said. "Are you sure that HE'S not there?!"

"I'm sorry Ratchet, looks like your effort to stopping that evil doctor come up with nothing" Talwyn knew how disappointed and angry Ratchet was.

"Huh, alright Tal, thanks for the info, call me if something happens or anything important." With that, Talwyn end her holographic message.

"Damn you Eggman!!" Ratchet cursed himself that Eggman may give him false information about Nefarious whereabout back in Mobius.

"Calm down Ratchet." Clank calming his lombax friend. "Remember, Eggman said Megalopolis was not his actual location right now, but his most possible location."

"Actual or possible are same to me!!" Ratchet start to cannot control his emotion. "It's….been…..YEARS I've looked that evil robot bastard to stop his madness ever since he attacked Metropolis with Eggman!! ( The Rise of Evil Genius/the first story in this trilogy) and now…he just disappeared into nowhere!! I've sworn in the name of my father, I will stop him, even I will kill him if I have to once we find him!"

Clank knew that Ratchet was disappointed that his plan, his cooperation with Sonic the Hedgehog back in Mobius just to make Eggman Confess about Nefarious possible whereabout has come into nothing.

"Ratchet, I knew how you feel," Clank said "Let just hope one day, we find Nefarious and we will stop him together. So what is your next plan? Are we still going to Megalopolis or just go home to Veldin?

Ratchet seems doesn't have a lot of options, so he followed his partner's suggestion.

"Let just home Clank, I'm really in a bad mood right now." Ratchet replied with a disappointed face."About that talk earlier," Clank added "You said something really bad happen in the past within Sonic, what was it? And last but not least, I still can't believe you turn back on Sonic and his friends. Back then you wish really wanna meet them directly after they help us in Metropolis, and now you said you don't want us to see them again. How really good friend you are Ratchet!"

Ratchet knew Clank was finally gonna ask that question again, turns out that question makes Ratchet feeling even worst.

"Will you Stop bringing that talk huh?! If you ever talking about them again, I will turn off your system! Got it?!"

Clank knew that Ratchet wasn't realized what he just talked about, he's an unstable state. Looks like Ratchet was in some kind of heart conflict if Clank or someone bring the talk about Sonic and his friend. But……why? What makes his lombax friend suddenly don't give care about them?

So Clank come up with an idea to make his friend happy again once they arrive at Veldin, he knew this plan/idea will take a few years or even more. But he knew, once this plan is complete, Ratchet will so much pleased and maybe the best thing that he can bring to his lombax friend.