Clank sat staring with his one good eye, mortified. He couldn't believe what the Smuggler was doing, what he had done to his best friend. Logically, he tried to understand what the Smuggler had to gain from doing this, from hurting Ratchet like this. Before, he had a smattering of ideas why someone would try and kidnap his friend. But now, after seeing what the Smuggler had done to him, it didn't make any sense. He had racked his brain, trying to gain some sort of comprehension, to try and gain some insight into the Smuggler's line of thinking, before coming to the harrowing conclusion. There was no rational reason, he was doing this just because he wanted to hurt Ratchet.
He had been shocked frozen, when the Smuggler had first grabbed him, when he had started doing those atrocious acts to Ratchet. He knew Ratchet was trying to protect him, to try and save him the pain he had already so clearly endured. But when Ratchet started screaming, he couldn't sit back and watch any longer. What use did it have though? All he received was the Smuggler's attention for just a moment, before he went right back to Ratchet. He wanted to plead with him to come back, to do whatever he wanted to him. Ratchet had already suffered so much; he could shoulder the pain. He could do it.
Could he though?
Ratchet was so much stronger and tougher than he was. Already, he had endured so much and yet he continued on. Always bouncing back from a fight. Clank had only been in the Smugglers grasp for mere moments and already he was falling apart. A part of him wanted to give up now, to lay down and die.
No, he needed to stay here for Ratchet, even if he did eventually die here, he needed to stay as long as he could. He wouldn't let Ratchet suffer alone, he couldn't let him die alone. He just hoped Talwyn, Cronk and Zephyr would be able to find them soon.
Clank would have sent them a distress signal, but that knife had damaged his output module. That was most likely intentional on the Smugglers part, damaging him so he wouldn't immediately die, but so he also couldn't call for help. He wasn't sure if the Smuggler realized there were others looking for him as well, or perhaps he did, but didn't think they were much of a threat. Perhaps he had everything set up prior, and was now merely waiting for the search party to fall into his trap. Or, maybe even, he was aware, but had been so excited by the prospect of having the full duo, he had neglected making preparations. He hoped it was the latter, then there was the hope he could try and keep the Smuggler distracted long enough for help to arrive. He just had no idea where they were in relation to his previous location, but he deduced it couldn't have been too far if the Smuggler had been able to find him.
The Smuggler gave a lengthy sigh once he had finished his business. Clank could just make out the dark and defeated look on Ratchet's semi-obscured face. His eyes were glassy, almost like he was dead. It left Clank heartbroken.
"Now, where were we?" The Smuggler mused, before retaking his position behind the lombax. Those hands were back at his waist, and Ratchet's whole body shuddered on a sob. If robots could cry, Clank would be bawling with him. Even with the hope that Talwyn would find them soon, there was nothing he could do for Ratchet now. He couldn't stop this. The Smuggler would continue to hurt him, and he was powerless to do anything but watch. But he couldn't just watch, he needed to do something, anything to try and even marginally alleviate his pain.
"RATchet!" Clank suddenly called, the words desperately tumbling from him. "I AM Here!"
The Smuggler thrust and a high pitched scream was torn from his best friend. Clank didn't know if Ratchet could hear him, he looked to be teetering on consciousness, but if the only sort of reprieve he could provide was with his presence, then he would make it known.
"I am HERE. I am WITH YOU. I am HERE, RATCHET!" Clank bellowed.
"Cl-Clank…!" Ratchet managed. The Smuggler grabbed his throat, tilting his head to point his delirious face at Clank's.
"That's it darlin', scream for me!" The Smuggler said, nipping at his jaw.
Suddenly the door to their right burst open.
Chapter image: i imgur com 55ygeTm png
Went back and updated the previous chapter with art. Nearly at the end now, hopefully I can get this completely done around the new year. Thank you for your patience