Ratchet's P.O.V

Back in the room I was awake and could tell something was bugging Alister. I could see it while Alister treated my injuries, the far off look of the horrors of war from when Tachyon attacked was there again. I somewhat knew that it would happen and that was partly why I had stayed quiet but, I also knew it was best that I didn't suddenly hug alister or it could result with him pinned with a wrench around my neck again.

It was learned early on that Alister's mind set is act first and think second. Alister's idea to grab his ship after seeing just how many enemies we were facing was a really good thing as it gave us the advantage we needed. If it hadn't been for Alister's contribution I would of suffered and would of been overwhelmed. From all sides there were enemies and though it was a large field all hiding spots had others who were waiting to corner those they had assumed were unsuspecting enemies.

The hydra tanks were a pain with their high durability armor which costed a bunch of ammo to even make a dent. It was now that I relized just how much me and Alister had been through in that period of time and though we were just helping each other to find a similar goal we had drastically different goals on what we wanted out of it. Despite everything even though I knew something still felt off as some memories were foggy Alister was here safe as I took his place were in another time he would be dead or nearly dead as I was.

My body currently felt sore as the patched wounds pulse which made sure that I had to keep them in mind though it wasn't nearly as bad now. The ointment Alister had found actually had microscopic nano tech and it was working as fast as it could to repair the burned muscle and skin tissue. It felt weird but, I knew in the long run it would be worth it.

Outside of the room I could hear what sounded like sniffling which caught me off guard till I relized who it was. I instantly got up and got into a t-shirt before getting up to go to Alister only to run right into him as he was entering the room. We both stood stunned temporarily before alister asked if I was ok which I had answered yes before redirecting the same question back at him and luckily he didn't try hiding it and shook his head no.

After he gave me that answer I asked if he wanted to talk about it and again he nodded yes before going over to his bed and I decided to follow and sit next to him instead of on my own bed in the room.

Alister's P.O.V

As Ratchet got comfortable I decided the first thing I should start with was my guilt of everything that I had said to ratchet during our battle in the clock.

"Ratchet the first thing I want to get off my chest is that I'm sorry for saying all those harsh words to you throughout our adventure and especially at the clock. None of it had been true. I had spoken out of anger and honestly a bit of selfishness and I shouldn't of took it out on you. Your an amazing lombax and could put several to shame with how well you have learned to handle yourself."

"I've never seen teamwork as good as yours and Clank's and you both seem in tune with the other, in a way you two are kind of like brothers which I guess is basically true as you've both been a team for several years. I can tell Clank cares deeply for you and you care the same for him. You two are two sides of the same coin and I nearly ruined that. I regret all those cruel words I said. Your father and mother would be so proud of you Ratchet and I know they are watching over you."

"They may not be here anymore but, I can sense them in spirit within you you have both there fighting and caring spirit especially for children and your close friends. If you have a say in a situation you make sure to do it. Be it fighting baddies or protecting those close you don't give up and that's something I admire of you. Your like your parents and more. I know you have forgiven me but, I still felt I needed to apologize"

"For the second thing I know you likely heard me crying a bit and I'm not going to lie as it's probably pretty obvious that I had been. I can tell my eyes are slightly puffy even without a mirror. I had been crying because old memories had made themselves known ten fold. I've been suppressing them for years and I guess my mind and heart couldn't take it any longer. The dam broke on those horrible memories but, i'm tired of holding them back. I need to face the truth instead of putting up walls on those memories especially now that I'm free from my self decided prison during my exile."

"The first thing to recovery i've relized is to let that weight go because I know nothing I do can fix what I did. I now know why Kaden didn't want me to keep looking into the clock while he was alive and it's abilities as it had driven me to near insanity after I went against my best friend's concern and countinued studying it anyway. So many years were wasted trying to find answers and I can't get those back however I can try for a better future for however much longer I have here.

"I know you didn't have parents growing up Ratchet but, if you'd let me I could be your uncle as that was what your parents had decided before you were born but, you don't have to as I know I messed up. I didn't even bother to go looking as I had assumed the worst when your father had never returned to the battle however I found out where he ended up two days later amoung the ruins of Fastoon...Tachyon had caught up to him and he had been killed inside of the hall of Azimuth."

At that I heard a slight growl from Ratchet but, it was out of anger for Tachyon and not me however I also relized Ratchet had tears and looked about ready to fall to his knees. I had grabbed him gently and lowered him to the ground carefully so he didn't straight fall onto his knees potentially injuring himself more and before i knew it he broke down fully in my arms and held me as close as he could letting his grief out.

It hurt seeing him like this but, I knew it was to be expected as he finally got the answer he had longed to know for years no matter how heart wrenching it was. As we sat there I did what I could to comfort the young lombax in front of me as he grieved for parents he never got to actually see before they were ripped away forever.