The pod opened as it landed on the Veldin Landing Platform, everyone rushing over, seeing Ratchet shakily make his way out, leaning against the side. "Dad!" "Daddy!" "Ratchet!" The voice called for him and he slowly turned exhausted, red-rimmed eyes to his family and friends, seeing them running toward him. Ratchet Junior and Ragar reached him first, hugging him and he hugged them in turn tightly. Riley snuggled her way through, feeling Ratchet nuzzle her hair, tears dripping onto her brow.
Rilena looked around but only saw Clank holding a Zoni container…where was Derek? "Where's Derek?" Rilena asked softly, making her way to her husband, who let the kids go to look at Rilena with sadness, tears once more gathering in his eyes. "He…he…" A sob tore itself from Ratchet's throat as he held a hand to his head, why hadn't Derek just listened? There was a way, there had to have been another escape pod…and if Derek had just listened…he might be here with them.
"He stayed behind." Riley said as Rilena knelt to her husband, cupping his face. "What?" Rilena questioned her daughter, when Ratchet nodded as did Clank. "He gave us this," Clank held the container up, letting the Zoni out, "then he pushed us into the escape pod. He allowed himself to go down with the flagship." The warbot explained and tears pricked at Rilena's eyes. "What? But…why would-?" "He's a paradox." They all looked at Riley again. "A paradox?" Leon questioned, how was that?
"Derek was never supposed to have been born, this Drek was not meant to be here." Riley looked up at Leon. "As such, two dimensional parents, two different species that aren't supposed to be able to copulate together. Yet it happened when it should not have been possible, therefore making Derek a paradox. He existed when he shouldn't have been able to." The young hybrid explained, her gift from Zoni having foretold her that, no matter what happened, the outcome was that Derek would not have survived.
Ratchet looked up at his daughter. "You knew all this, didn't you?" Ratchet asked Riley who sighed, hugging Clink a little tighter. "I was given visions of multiple scenarios but, when I was able to sort through them, they all had one thing in common. Derek not surviving." Riley explained sadly, she was saddened at the fact that Derek could not be saved, her 'visions' have been wrong before but this time…they had been correct. "I apologize for not saying anything but…my visions have been wrong before." The young girl finished explaining, feeling horrible she had kept quiet.
Ratchet sighed, shaking his head. "You did what you thought was right dear, you can't be blamed for that." Ratchet held a hand out to Riley, his daughter taking his hand and allowing herself to be embraced and comforted by her father. "You did what you thought was right." He repeated, Riley letting Clink go so she could hug her father properly. She may have wisdom beyond her years…but she was still a little girl who needed her father's comfort.
Rilena hugged them both, knowing it tore the two apart to have been unable to save Derek; Ratchet for breaking his promise and Riley for staying quiet. Ratchet Junior and Ragar hugged their dad and sister as well, the others joining soon afterward. Kyle was gone, Drek was dead and the flagship, as well as the New Deplanetizer had been destroyed. Now they just had to build back up while finding a way back home for Ratchet so he could prevent this all from happening.
**(Two Weeks Later, December 27th, Saturday)**
"So, all I need to do is pull Leon back and then fire off two rockets at the machine to change all of this?" Ratchet asked Riley, who nodded, the two Zoni floating around her. "That is what the Zoni have said." Riley stated, making Ratchet sigh. Riley had said that machine wasn't supposed to exist, they could not let dimensions collide as they had and Ratchet was the only one who could stop it. All he had to do was defeat the dimensional Drek in the past and this apocalyptic future would be avoided. Derek never would've been born, the Blarg would never had amassed as much power as they did, they wouldn't lose all their planets. The twins would still be born and when Ratchet asked about Riley, herself, she merely grinned and said 'you'll see' so he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
"Are we all ready?" Rilena asked everyone who had gathered, seeing Conner, Takeria and Elaris nod with a thumbs up. They had built a portal that the Zoni were using their power to charge. It would send Ratchet back in time, reversing his age as well so he could save his family and prevent this future from arising. "You have ONE SHOT Ratchet." Leon said as he crossed his arms, smiling at his friend. "Don't screw it up." Ratchet laughed softly. "I'll try not to." Ratchet joked, getting his negotiator ready, even as Clank hopped on his back. "Start the countdown." Conner said to Elaris, who began counting down from ten.
Rilena walked forward, kissing him softly. "For the trip home." Rilena said and Ratchet smiled at her, kissing her once more. "I'll keep it with me, stay waiting for me." She nodded, pulling away as the countdown began to end. "Three…two…one…beginning charge." Elaris pushed up on a lever, even as Conner pulled down. The Zoni jerked in surprise, going forward and spinning around Ratchet. Ratchet smiled as the portal activated and he looked at his friends and family. "I'll change the future…for all of us." He waved bye as they did…and everything began to shift.
Ratchet felt his body morph, feeling younger and he grunted as he hit the ground. The sound of gunfire and the smell of burning wood told Ratchet he was back in the correct timeline. "Your age has reversed, as expected. Now get to the battlefield!" Clank stated and Ratchet hurried through the trees, trying to get to where he needed to be. "CAPTAIN!" Ratchet growled, he only had one shot. Right as Leon pushed Ratchet out of the way, Ratchet sent his slingshot at Leon and yanked him toward where he was, preventing the rocket from hitting him.
"Ack! What? How-?" Ratchet held a finger to his lips, right as he saw the robot grab him and throw him over a cliff. The sound of swirling energy told him that was when the Zoni saved him. Nodding to himself, Ratchet grinned at Leon. "I'll explain later but we have a war to win!" Ratchet stated and while Leon was very, very confused, he didn't question his friend and instead shot to his feet, following Ratchet back into the thick of battle. Ratchet WOULD change the future, he had to!
It was hours later, they heard the flagship carrying Drek had been destroyed and the New Deplanetizer had been commandeered by General Zigas. "The future has been changed." Ratchet closed his eyes, remembering the faces of those from the future…he could rest easy knowing he had saved them, had saved their future. "So," Ratchet turned to look at Leon, who did not look amused, "wanna tell me what the fuck just happened?" The white and red Lombax raised a brow, waiting for an explanation and Ratchet chuckled. "Would you believe us, even if we told you?" Clank questioned and Leon was about to retort but then closed his mouth, looking thoughtful, before sighing.
"Nah, I probably wouldn't." He groused, when a giggle made him flush. "Oh stop giving the captain such a hard time." A cream and white colored Lombax teased, even as Leon gulped, nodding despite his blushing cheeks, watching the cream colored Lombax continued her work as she helped wrap wounds. Ratchet hummed, that was Karla, right? Goodness she looked different in the future and he doesn't remember that weapon at her side being there when Karla confirmed Rilena's pregnancy. "Leon, you okay?" Ratchet teased his friend, who looked at him with wide eyes. "What?" He asked, voice nearing a squeak and Ratchet grinned. "I asked if you're okay?" Leon blushed even more, avoiding eye contact with anyone as he gave a miniscule nod, yet Ratchet laughed.
"If you really want to," Leon snapped his head to Ratchet, brown eyes wide in disbelief, "you should take the chance and talk to her~." Ratchet teased and Leon began stuttering. "Wh-wh-what? I c-can't just…I mean I'm not…I-I mean…" Leon growled and turned away, puffing his cheeks in defiance and Ratchet laughed more. "Never know unless you take the chance. Heck, just offer to help her out." Leon raised a brow at Ratchet, before looking at Karla, she was looking overworked and, while Leon knew basic bandaging, it would at least help…right? "Alright, I'll see you later than Ratchet." Ratchet nodded, watching his friend walk off, before looking at Clank. "Shall we go see Rilena now?" Ratchet asked Clank, who nodded and Ratchet was heading back to homebase to see his wife and how she was doing. He had done as asked of him and that's all that mattered, he had saved his family.
**(Nine Years Later, August 14th, Sunday)**
Ratchet was playing with his sons in the living room while Rilena worked on lunch for the family. He was currently on Fastoon in the house he and Rilena pretty much called home. While Aurora would always be a second home alongside Veldin, Fastoon was where they decided to live as the kids grew. The two, nine year old twins were a joy to have around. Rilena had given birth a few weeks early due to the stress of the war but the kids were healthy. Conner, Takeria and a few others had moved onto Fastoon themselves, mostly to stay near Rilena. Aurora was still inhabited by the other members of the Rebels but Rilena minimized her work so she could spend more time with the kids. Conner and Takeria were most in charge.
Clark had been offered a position in the Lombax research they were starting up, as well as the archive so they could record history. Clank stayed at home with the twins most of the time, they even called him Uncle Clank, though he did go with Ratchet when he still had work to do. Leon lived next door to them with Karla, with two kids themselves; a six year old daughter and two year old son. Rilena stayed in contact with the Rebels and Clark often visited when he had time and the family kept contact with others. Ratchet, who still had his memories of the future alongside Clank, had only told Rilena about what he saw.
She promised to be extra careful as a result.
"Ratchet Junior, Ragar, don't pull on your dad's tail." Rilena chided the twins, seeing they were about to pull on Ratchet's tail. Ratchet Junior were Ragar were almost exact copies of their parents in terms of colors and looks. Ratchet Junior was named by Rilena, especially since he looked EXACTLY like his father. He had the same fur color, same color marking, same green eyes and even liked orange like his dad. Ratchet Junior also liked tinkering with things too, often having gotten in trouble for getting into stuff when he was younger.
Ragar had his mother's colors and facial markings but he had father's ears and ear markings. He had the Leopardis tail, as well as the spots his mother bore, herself, but he was a little more reserved and cautious than Ratchet and Clank remembered his older self being. Maybe that would change as he got older? "Their fine dear." Ratchet said to his wife, the now thirty-two year old Lombax stood up, dusting his pants off. "Tails are sensitive, sweetie." Rilena reminded Ratchet with a teasing smirk, going back to cooking and Ratchet flushed, making Clank and the kids chuckle. "Wow, you got it bad papa." Ratchet Junior said, making Ratchet chuckle at his son. "Kids, when you meet someone you love, you'll understand." Ratchet stated, smiling at his kids before walking into the kitchen while Clank stayed near the twins.
"So, Ratchet, I have a question to ask." Ratchet looked at his wife as he started cleaning the cup, green eyes curious. "And what is this question?" He asked in turn, smiling as he saw the mischievous smile on his wife's face. "What would you say if I was pregnant?" She asked and Ratchet froze, almost dropping the cup in the sink. "I would ask if you were part of some experiment that went sideways." Ratchet muttered numbly, almost making Rilena laugh.
He had told her Riley had been born through unnatural means involving Rilena but still…that answer was not what she was expecting! "R-Ratchet, you know as well as I do that I have been incredibly cautious whenever I go somewhere." Rilena said through giggles, unaware the twins were listening in. "So…your saying that you're really, you mean we…?" Ratchet pointed at her stomach and Rilena nodded, blue eyes soft. "Yes Ratchet, we're having another one." Ratchet's eyes brightened, before he was hugging Rilena, making her laugh.
Even though the Leopardis race was gone, at least Rilena and Takeria could keep the memory alive. They had gone to check the Leopardis dimension two years ago…but all they met were ruins. It was proof that yes, the Leopardis were gone but there were still records out there that they were collecting. The planet, Villiumn, had been the reason Leopardis were infertile, something in the air affecting them and upon learning that, Rilena and the others left it in the dimension it was in. They took the remains back to bury them at least.
Since Rilena and Takeria were not on Villiumn long though, their bodies had not been affected by the air of Villiumn and thus, they were able to have more than one child. As proof of Rilena now being pregnant with a third. "Boy or girl?" Ratchet asked, kneeling down and pressing his nose against Rilena's clothed stomach, making the Leopardis giggle. "I'm only three weeks in Ratchet, I won't know the gender for another few months." His wife responded, gently rubbing his head.
Ratchet chuckled, pressing his nose against her firm stomach, making her giggle once more. "Ratchet." She cooed softly, fingers tracing the stripes of his ears. Ratchet Junior and Ragar looked at one another, before looking at their mother. "Are we getting a younger sibling?" They asked their parents, in which Rilena and Ratchet nodded, even as Clank smiled. "You are." Rilena said softly as she knelt down, the twins running to her and hugging her. Ratchet smiled, waving over to Clank who hurried over and Ratchet hugged his entire family, feeling joy swell in his heart. Yes, he had prevented that devastating future…and while the Leopardis were gone and while he'd never have Derek, he figured everything would be alright in the end. At least he had his family and he saved them all, both he and Clank had saved his friends and family.
They had secured their future and nothing was better than being with his family.
Okay, so ignore me, I lied. I thought I had enough for two more chapters but...no...the last two would've been SUPER SHORT if I didn't add them together, plus the top part doesn't really give a break so...yeah, everything got added together. XD Anyways, as we can see Ratchet and Clank did prevent that Drek Infested future from happening. Ratchet not only saved Leon but he also destroyed the robot that was causing them such problems, which allowed Zigas to focus his efforts on the Blarg outside the planet, as well as dealing with Drek and the New Deplanetizer. Also, yes, the Leopardis are gone and it was revealed that, by Leopardis genetics, they actually are not infertile. It was something on Villiumn that was making the Leopardis infertile and, by leaving the planet at such a young age, Rilena and Takeria did not have the problems the others of their kind did.
And yes, Ratchet is happy he's having another kid (this one is Riley) and, even though Rilena kows of the future and what it was like due to what Ratchet and Clank told her, that doesn't mean the scare of her being pregnant through unconventional means never crossed Ratchet's mind. Thus he had a scare that something happened to her without his knowing. Also, yes, I know, Riley's a little shit with that smug grin she had when Ratchet asked her about her, herself. XD She can be mischevious when she wants to and no, she does not become the next Keeper of Time. The only reason she had in the 15 Year Future was because the Zoni were drawn to her through Clink. Thus, she was gifted a power by the Zoni.
That's...all I can think of that needs to be addressed? If you have anymore questions, ask and I will do my best to answer and explain.
Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed the story, it took me literal YEARS to get this thing up and going. After doing the planning in 2016, the outline in 2017, flushing stuff out and writing in 2018 and then the writers block alongside my illness...its been a long journey. I am hoping to get a PS5 and, who knows, if I enjoy the Rivet x Ratchet pairing, you might see that as well but...no gaurentees, I do like my OC's after all. ^^ Well, as I said before, hope you all enjoyed the story!