OKAY! Hello everyone! Squabbit here! Let me apologize for the amazingly late update on the last chapter. I had it written. I was just too lazy to come and post it. This was easy for me to write though. I finished it a few days after that last one. I have to say that the last chapter was one of my favorites also. I really like the way it ran along. I also like the view you get into Ratchet. Anyhow, I'm working hard on the next chapter and it should be done by the end of this week. I won't promise a posting date on that though. Aheh... sweatdrops Thank you everyone for your insane patience with me! Remember, I love you! hugs
TO MY REVIEWERS: I'D LIKE TO APOLOGIZE FOR NOT REPLYING OR WRITING ANYTHING AT ALL IN THE LAST CHAPTER. IT WAS MOSTLY DUE TO MY LAZINESS AT THE TIME. IF ANYONE CARES, I'VE BEEN SICK WITH MONO FOR THE PAST FOUR WEEKS AND AM JUST NOW GETTING OVER IT. I WASN'T IN THE MOOD TO REPLY TO ALL THOSE REVIEWS. LOOKING AT THE NUMBER I HAVE TO REPLY BACK TO NOW... WOWZERS. I SHOULD HAVE DONE MORE. gulps
Orlandobloomfn: You haven't played Ratchet and Clank? It's an awesome game! Rent it sometime!
Soran Marlovic: Thanks for your review. You made me feel good! LOL. I'm looking forward to hearing from you again!
Hellmouth2: Aww! Thank you so much! What would I do without you? I mean, seriously! You're like my singular support group. Well not quite group, but you get the hint! hugs
Lunatic Pandora1: Red Eco is supposed to represent fire. That's why Ratchet's body was so hot. The eco running through his body is like fire. Get it? Yeah, yeah. So it's not the most original, but throw me a freakin' bone here! I'm working my tail off! LOL. I'm just playing.
Oracle Apprentice: You know? I've been thinking about that for later on in my story, but I'm not quite sure yet. Thanks for the review!
Ekobean: Nope! I haven't given up on this fic. I really like it and don't intend on breaking it. :)
Lady Tsuru: Don't worry! I wasn't offended in the least bit! I was just being silly. LOL. Ratchet does get a transformation later on in the story.
Sanctus Sanguis: I'm glad you like the fic. I didn't think this many people would be interested in it! And thanks for reviewing again!
Weirdo: DREK? gasp! That is an awesome idea. I feel dumb for not thinking about it earlier. Thanks for sending me so many tips! I appreciate it!
Hellmouth2: (again) Your review made me blush. Thanks! I'm glad you really liked it. I'm not into writing the whole dark and moody thing, but I think I did okay in the last chapter.
Ekobean: (yet again) Thanks for continuing to read my story! And this takes place after the second game. I was going to have it take place after the first, but I made up my mind. :P
Lunatic Pandora1: (AGAIN. Lol) You have to remember that Ratchet has changed a lot too since his stay in Haven City. His temper-loss was partly related to the eco, but it was also related to the immense feeling of hopelessness and dread in his heart. You'll see that he's not really a bad guy though. He regrets his actions deeply. sniffs I'll give him a hug for you. :)
Keira walked numbly out of Ratchet's room, shutting the door behind her. She made her way, zombie-like, into the main room where she slid into her large armchair. Clank, who was sitting on the ground a few feet away, looked up at her. He knew instantly that something was wrong.
Keira ignored Clank and found her hand subconsciously moving the place where Ratchet had hit her. Her hand slid down and rested upon the overstuffed arm of the chair.
"What is wrong?" Clank asked with concern. Keira's eyes darted to Clank and she smiled slightly. "Nothing." she replied quickly. She looked away from him and concentrated instead on the darkness outdoors.
Clank's eyes wandered to the place where Keira had just placed her hand and his eyes narrowed. "That is new." he said matter-of-factly. Keira didn't respond to him. Somehow, Clank already knew what had happened. "Did he hurt you?" he questioned instantly.
Keira fixed him with a frightened stare. "It's nothing!" she replied quickly! "Honestly, just don't worry about it!" Clank's eyes brightened with surprise. "Nothing? Miss. Keira, if he hurt you at all, an apology must be demanded!" Keira shook her head at his words. "No Clank! It's no big deal." she responded. Clank shook his head and sighed. "It is a great deal." he said calmly. Before she could argue, Clank stalked off furiously and knocked on Ratchet's door. There was no answer.
Clank opened the door anyways and found Ratchet sitting on his bed, head in hands. The Lombax hadn't seemed to notice the robot's presence. Clank walked over to Ratchet, staring up at him intently. "Do not ignore me, Ratchet." Clank stated flatly. His voice held a warning tone.
Ratchet peered at Clank from between his hands, not wanting to be at the end of his friend's anger. "What do you want?" he asked quietly. Clank crossed his hands over his chest. "How could you, Ratchet?" Clank asked grimly. Ratchet already knew what Clank was talking about. He didn't reply.
"Why would you hurt her?" Clank pressed. Ratchet averted his gaze to the floorboards. "I didn't mean to." he replied somberly. "I don't know what came over me..." his voice broke and he swallowed back the tears that threatened him. Clank shook his head angrily. "There is NO excuse for what you did." Clank said.
Ratchet didn't answer back. All the anger had left his system leaving him with the bitter taste of defeat. Clank would see right through him no matter what he did, so he didn't bother pretending.
"I am very disappointed in you." Clank replied after a moment of silence. Ratchet found himself trembling involuntarily and he grasped his hands together to stop them from shaking. That small statement had been the hardest to digest. "I'm sorry you feel that way." Ratchet answered back sarcastically.
Clank fixed him with an annoyed stare. "Do not get that attitude with me, Ratchet." Clank warned. A smirk found its way onto Ratchet's face. "Or else what?" he asked with growing cockiness.
One shock from Clank's zapper put Ratchet back in his place. Ratchet yelped painfully in response to the electrical shock. "Get over yourself, Ratchet!" Clank retorted angrily. "The world does not revolve around you, nor will it ever. You are not the only one going through difficulties!"The stunned Lombax fixed Clank with a surprised look and opened his mouth to reply.
Clank held up his hand to interrupt him and continued in a calmer tone. "I am tired of always being forced to walk thin-ice around you and your emotions. I will do it no more. I understand you being upset, but I do not approve of the methods you use to vent your anger." Clank stepped back and eyed Ratchet. "You cannot control what other people do or say to you, but you can control your reactions."
Ratchet let Clank's words sink in and didn't respond. Clank returned his stoic look and sighed. "I believe you owe Keira an apology." he stated firmly. "What about you?" The question was more of a demand and Ratchet nodded silently. Clank let his glare linger a moment before turning away and Ratchet watched him leave the room.
A few moments passed and Ratchet didn't move from his position. He let out a low moan and sank back into the bed, staring at the ceiling. He didn't want to talk to Keira, he didn't want to see Clank and he dreaded his meeting with Jak. He reached into his pocket, pulling out on of the bolts he'd found earlier that day.
"Wonder what they're doing up there." he wondered out loud. His eyes wandered over the bolt's surface, memorizing its every detail. Everyone on Veldin had probably given up on him. Odds were, his remaining family were fighting over his last belongings at this very moment. He shrugged carelessly. Let the bastards do what they wanted; see if he cared. Ratchet tossed the bolt across the room, suddenly disgusted by its appearance.
He checked the time and had to resist the urge to send the clock spinning after the bolt. It was eleven at night. He sat up and stretched. Where had the day gone?
Ratchet stepped out of the bedroom and padded quietly into the main room. Keira looked up at him for a split second then averted her gaze to the television. Clank was nowhere in sight.
Ratchet couldn't remember ever being this uncomfortable. His mind raced as he tried desperately to choke out something. There had to be something he could say to break the ice. Instead, he found himself turning his back on her. He had to get out of here.
He walked into his room, grabbing his newly acquired gun and wrench. He put the bolts in a small pouch and hung the pouch from his neck. He wouldn't be gone long. He just didn't feel right leaving without these belongings. Eyes narrowed, he walked into the main room. Clank was back from wherever he had been and gave Ratchet a suspicious look. "Just where exactly do you think you are going?" he asked.
Ratchet grabbed his cloak, swinging it over his broad shoulders and refusing to answer Clank. He opened the door, his ears honed for any response from Keira. When she didn't respond, he slipped out of the house, closing the door quietly behind him. The cool night air seemed to refresh him. Instinctively his soft green gaze rose up to the stars. The night was clouding over.
Ratchet sighed inwardly and stepped back into the shadows. He hadn't caught any attention. He slipped silently away from Keira's home, wanting to put as much distance between him and her as possible.
The sounds of the quieted street comforted him. A few guards and some people strode around, not catching notice of him.
A haughty grin found it's way on his lips as he flitted throughout the shadows of Haven City's nightlife. After being locked up for so long, it felt great to have some of his freedom back. Unfortunately, this didn't last long.
"Are we there yet?" cried out a familiar and very whiny voice. Ratchet instantly dropped back and flattened himself against the wall of a nearby building. His ears perked up and his eyes scanned the area expertly. Sure enough, it was Jak and Daxter. They were heading in the direction Ratchet had just came from in a most likely stolen vehicle.
Ratchet watched them pass overhead with a smirk. He stalked them in silence watching the way Jak drove the vehicle. After only a few minutes he had the hovercraft's usage nearly completely mastered. An evil grin found its way onto Ratchet's face as he perfected the idea of his prank in his head. All he needed now was the perfect moment.
He saw his chance up ahead on a dark corner Jak and Daxter were nearing. He darted ahead quickly and awaited their arrival. The Lombax crouched down low, timing his jump with their speed. A second before they were directly over him, he leaped up powerfully. His left hand grabbed the side of their hovercraft and his right gripped the startled elf by the shoulder, unbalancing him. In one fluid movement, he knocked Jak from the zoomer and threw himself in the driver's seat. The engine roared as Ratchet floored the vehicle and he was lost in the night before Jak and Daxter could even comprehend what had happened.
Jak stood up slowly, shock etching his features. Never had he been thrown from his own hovercraft. Sure, he'd done it to others dozens of times, but the thought of it actually happening to him had seemed impossible. He looked around for the thief while Daxter clambered back up to his perch on Jak's shoulder. "Eh... Buddy? What just happened?" asked Daxter in bewilderment. Jak shook his head.
A short distance away, Ratchet turned the zoomer around and drove it back to where he'd dumped off Jak and Daxter. In their shock, they were still looking around for their missing ride; their backs were to him. Ratchet sniggered as he sped up the vehicle. At the last second he hit the brakes and dropped hover-zones. The zoomer came to a screeching last-second halt, spraying the duo with dirt and debris.
Jak stood his ground staring at the cloaked driver with frightened surprise while Daxter merely fainted off his shoulder. Ratchet, not being able to contain himself any longer, burst into laughter at the sight, instantly giving his identity up. He stepped off the hovercraft, still cracking up while Jak glared at him furiously. "Damn you, Ratchet!" he yelled out.
Ratchet coughed, trying to stifle his sniggers while Jak plucked Daxter off the ground. Jak gave Ratchet one last icy stare before getting in the drivers side. He tossed Daxter in the middle carelessly while Ratchet plopped down next to him.
"What are you doing out anyways?" Jak asked Ratchet after they started off. Ratchet shrugged, not caring to go into detail for obvious reasons. "I had to get out." he replied after a moment. Jak sensed there was more, but didn't press him.
They drove in silence for a few minutes before Jak said anything. "I'm taking you to an ancient shrine called the Oracle. It helped me with my powers and may be able to help you." Ratchet nodded in response, but didn't speak. It was still hard to digest. He saw Jak glance over at him from the corner of his eye.
"What are the chances of me having any powers?" Ratchet finally asked. The question had been bothering him. Jak replied back, but didn't look over. "It depends." he said. "You're obviously showing side effects of the eco experiments."
"Yes, but what if that's all they are? Side effects... You're a completely different story." Ratchet stated. "You can change and-"
"I learned how to channel the eco." Jak interrupted darkly. "I learned how to put the eco in my body to good use. You've never channeled it before and have no experience with the stuff. If there's a chance of you having powers then the Oracle will show you how to use them. If not, then don't worry about it."
Jak waited for a response from Ratchet, but the Lombax didn't reply back. He still felt uncomfortable with the thought of there being another person who could use eco like himself. It made him feel threatened and he half-hoped that the Oracle would push Ratchet away.
The remainder of the trip went by quietly for the most part. There was a brief disturbance when Daxter woke up and tried to attack out Ratchet, but was quickly subdued and the problem was taken care of. He sat in the middle with his arms crossed, casting murderous glares at the two beside him.
Ratchet looked around with distaste as they entered the slum section of Haven City. He felt nervous over all the water and even more-so when Jak stopped the vehicle and motioned for him to step out onto the dock. Ratchet grimaced and leaped out of the hovercraft, his feet touching down with a low thud. He stood up straight and followed Jak until the elf stopped in front of a small square building and nodded inside. "After you." he said with a haughty grin. Ratchet looked at Jak with disgust and went inside the building.
Ratchet stopped in the middle of the room and studied the statue. It was ancient. He glanced over at Jak with a curious look and shrugged. He was about to speak when a booming voice filled the hut.
"You are a long way from home, Ratchet of Veldin."
Ratchet staggered back in shock and looked around the room. He caught sight of Jak and could tell he was still smirking. His eyes came to rest on the statue which had begun to glow. "You do not belong here." the voice continued. "I cannot aid you in your quest for home, but I can help you in other ways."
Ratchet stepped forward to stand next to Jak. His confidence had been regained. "Red Eco flows freely through your veins and gives you many abilities if channeled correctly, yet it is not power that you seek. You are still young and spirited; you do not deserve the life you live now. More than anything else, you seek the freedom to roam and live. I shall grant you first, your freedom, in place of powers only if you wish. Unfortunately, this great gift comes with a price. Are you willing to continue?"
The Oracles tone held a foreboding note and Ratchet found himself over-thinking what the Oracle had said. In spite of this, Ratchet found himself nodding glumly along with the Oracles strong words.
"So you have agreed." The Oracle spoke deeply. "With the Sunrise comes a new day and a new life." Ratchet's eyes widened in shock as a powerful tingling sensation rippled through his body. "If you are still willing to continue with your powers, see me when you prove yourself worthy of them. Bring me 50 metal-head skull gems when you find yourself ready to move on."
The voice faded with the statue's light and soon the trio was left in near darkness. The only light being given off were the flames from the many candles surrounding the Oracle. The tingling subsided, leaving Ratchet with a nauseating sense of dizziness. He tried to shake off the spell, but only made it worse.
He heard Jak leave the hut and followed after him, blinking to clear his sight. He sat down in the zoomer and glanced over at Jak. "What did the Oracle mean by granting me my freedom?" he asked quietly. This whole visit had seemed like a complete waste of time.
Jak returned the stare as he started up the engine. "I don't know. That's what you wanted, isn't it?" he asked.
Jak found himself smirking. Knowing that Ratchet didn't have powers made him feel better and more secure, though he didn't know why.
Ratchet looked away from his cold gaze. "How can that stupid lump of rock grant me my freedom?" the Lombax retorted angrily. "It's more like a sick joke."
Jak's eyes narrowed dangerously as he cast a dark look in Ratchets direction. "That 'stupid lump of rock' showed me how to control and use the powers I have." He said coldly. Ratchet avoided Jak's stare. "I guess your Oracle wasn't so giving in my case."
"You shouldn't question the Oracle." Jak stated quietly in reply. "That shrine goes back hundreds of years. It's holy and powerful. The only reason it still exists is because people worship it. That explains the many candles surrounding the statue. You should-"
Ratchet interrupted, sniggering in reply. "Since when did you become a philosopher?" he stated sarcastically. Daxter snorted back a laugh and looked up at his friend. "Hmm... There's two words I wouldn't expect to hear in the same sentence: Jak and philosopher. Kind of has a nice ring to it, eh?" This earned him a smack across the head. Ratchet chuckled to himself, but didn't say anything more on the topic.
"Look" he said to Jak. "Think what you want about the Oracle, but I still believe it's a waste of time." He rolled his eyes and turned away from him, instead choosing to stare over the city life below him.
Daxter, not looking forward to another trip in cold silence, struck up a strange conversation in hopes of breaking the ice between the two. "So, not to be weird or anything... But there's something I REALLY have to know!" he exclaimed.
Ratchet cocked an ear towards Daxter to show he was listening and Jak glanced over at him curiously. Daxter, seeing that he had their attention for the most part, continued. "What's better on toast: Peanut butter or Jam?" Ratchet turned towards Daxter, an eyebrow raised. "You really have to know that?" he asked.
Daxter nodded quickly, turning to Jak. "Yup. I think it's an important thing that needs to be discussed." Jak rolled his eyes and grinned while Ratchet just gave him a strange stare. "You are weird." Ratchet replied after a moment.
The Lombax turned away and resisted a chuckle. He knew what Daxter was trying to do and appreciated the meager effort. After a long moment of silence, he finally answered Daxter's question. "Jam all the way."
Much to the surprise of both Ratchet and the Ottsel, Jak sniggered and joined in. "Peanut butter beats jam all the way." Ratchet grimaced visibly and wrinkled his nose. "How can you stand the stuff?" he argued. "It's gross and sticks to the room of your mouth. AND you can't get rid of the taste!"
Jak returned Ratchet's look of disgust. "And jam's so much better?" he retorted. "It's stickier than peanut butter and messier." Ratchet snorted in reply. "At least jam comes in different flavors." Daxter looked back and forth between the two and shrugged carelessly. "I've always liked both." He said happily. His comment was followed by a moment of silence.
"Okay..." Ratchet finally said. "When you prepare a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, do you put the jam and peanut butter on the same slice of bread?" Jak found himself laughing, despite his feelings towards Ratchet and didn't hesitate to join in. "How else would you do it?" he replied lazily. Just for the sake of argument, Daxter made a loud gagging noise. "How can you do that? I've gotta have the peanut butter on one slice and the jam on the other. Then I put them together. I can't stand having them mixed together on the bread. It looks gross!"
Ratchet let the two duke it out, choosing to pull himself out of the conversation for a moment. His dizziness was fading away, but he could feel a headache replacing it. Not willing to let this ruin his rare conversation with Jak, Ratchet merged back into the argument, choosing to defend Daxter and tried to ignore the sick feeling growing inside of him.
They spent the remainder of the night talking and arguing. Jak and Ratchet fought amiably about a large variety of things with Daxter interrupting from time to time to put in his opinion. Jak felt much more at ease around the Lombax since the visit with the Oracle. Whatever the Oracle meant by freedom hadn't seemed to affect Ratchet's body at all. Jak was still top-dog.
The night was fading into morning and by the time they had reached Keira's, Ratchets dizziness had grown into a full-blown migraine. His head pounded endlessly, and he found himself blinded a few times by the sheer intensity of the pain. Even though he was having a good time just driving around, it was hard to not look forward to his bed.
Jak switched hover-zones and pulled to a stop, letting Ratchet out. The second his feet touched the ground Ratchet knew something was wrong. As he leaped from the craft, he became overcome with dizziness and had to grasp the side of the vehicle for support. Jak gave him a strange look as he stepped back from the hovercraft. "You okay?"
Ratchet looked over at Jak and nodded quickly. "Uh yeah. It's been a while since I've been in the air for that long." he lied. Jak seemed to believe him and revved the engine. "We'll see ya later fuzzball!" Daxter yelled out as Jak sped off.
Ratchet watched them a moment before taking off. He took a shaky step forward and nearly lost his balance. He stood still, feeling short of breath and tried to figure out what could be causing his symptoms. His hands flew to his head as it flashed suddenly in pain.
His sight blurred as he took a few tentative steps towards Keira's. The small usage of energy sapped him and he found himself growing weaker with each step.
Gasping, he managed to make it halfway to Keira's door before falling against the wall, finding himself overcome with sudden exhaustion and pain. Using the wall for support, he half-crawled the remaining distance to her door.
His hand gripped the doorknob and he twisted it, shoving his weight against the door to throw it open. He staggered into the house blindly, fighting to breath. Startled, Keira and Clank spun around to face him. "Ratchet?!" Keira exclaimed. She stood up and was instantly at his side, followed by Clank. The previous night's event seemed to fly out of her mind as she stood by him. "What's wrong?! Are you okay?" she asked hurriedly.
Ratchet leaned against the wall, using it for support. He felt his muscles tighten then lock and he crumpled weakly to the floor. "Something... something's happening..." he managed to gasp out before his body rippled in agony. Clank stood by, feeling completely useless. "What is happening?" he questioned, hoping to figure out what was wrong with his friend.
Ratchet opened his mouth to reply but another ripple of pain shut him up. He felt his body double-over and fought to regain his breath. "I-I don't know!" he managed to say. "My body... It's-" A cry of pain escaped his lips before he could finish his sentence. He tried to suppress another shudder, but was unsuccessful. Keira leaned over him, her expression worried.
Ratchet looked up at her form, finding it hard to focus evenly on her. The fact that his body felt as though it was being torn into shreds didn't help in the least bit. He tried to speak, but his body wouldn't let him.
Instead, he turned over onto his back, staring at the ceiling. A deep burning sensation was beginning to work its way throughout his body from the inside out. Slowly, the heat increased in intensity until Ratchet felt as though his entire body was engulfed by flames.
Clank felt the temperature change around Ratchet and jerked Keira back away from the pained Lombax. He remembered the burns Ratchet had placed on Jak and didn't want to imagine such burns all over Keira.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" she shrieked. "He needs out help!" Clank grabbed her hand vainly and tried to warn her. "You must stay away from him!" he cried out. "If you touch him at all you-"
Before he could finish, a red-hot flash seemed to burst out from Ratchet's body, forcing the two of them back against the other wall. Keira flung her hands over her eyes protectively while Clank watched in awe.
Ratchet's body was lifted up into air by the sheer power of if all. Time itself seemed to pause as the light pulsed around the Lombax. For a moment nothing happened. Then with blinding intensity, the light exploded and even Clank had to look away. The final flash ended with an anguished cry from Ratchet then there was silence.
Keira unshielded her eyes and stared in shock as Ratchet's body slumped back to the floor. His breathing was slow and labored, but the spasms had stopped. A deep red light seemed to be glowing softly from his body. Keira and Clank exchanged glances and stood up simultaneously. They approached Ratchet slowly and Keira leaned over him.
"What was that?" Keira asked. Her voice shook. Clank felt at a loss for words. "I am not sure..." he replied back. Keira moved to rouse him, but Clank stopped her.
"Best it you let me handle this." he said slowly. He touched Ratchet tentatively, noticing that the heat had subsided greatly. He shook his friend gently, and looked to Keira worriedly when Ratchet didn't respond. "It is safe. Help me turn him over."
Keira nodded and placed her hands on Ratchet's shoulders. She leaned back, pulling Ratchet away from the wall. When he rolled over to his back, Keira gasped in shock. Clank took a look at his friend and stepped back in surprise. His eyes brightened as he said the only thing he could muster at the time.
"Oh my!"
Well, there's the end of Chapter Eight for everyone! Remember to review because your opinions and sayings help!