Hi everyone! Here again. I got a good review for my first chapter, so I'm happy!

Please review if you can because you don't actually need to sign up to review. I didn't know that. Flames with constructive criticism ARE accepted, so even if you hate my story, you can still review!

Italics: Holovid/ video cam transmissions/ tannoy/ ship voice.

"": speech

'': thoughts

Disclaimer: I do not own R&C

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Jynxed xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Attack!

For a long time after Ratchet had left, Clank sat on the sofa in his and Ratchet's quarters, looking glumly at his feet. He was worried, which was hard for him to show with a deadpan voice and no actual reason to be worried. Ratchet had fought his was out of Holostar Studios on his own, hadn't he? Hadn't he? But Ratchet's Voice Of Reason was Clank. He obviously didn't have one naturally. What could happen to Ratchet without Clank to help?

'That could be what he is trying to prove.' He told himself. 'Maybe he wants to show everyone he can look after himself with me being his minder all the time. My, organic people are sure hard to figure out!'

Suddenly a voice rang over the Phoenix's tannoy system. "Can Ratchet and Clank please report to the Bridge, please?"

It was Sasha, the Phoenix's devoted captain. Clank gulped, with difficulty.

'So Ratchet didn't tell her he was leaving. I am in big trouble.'

He tapped along to the craft leading to the Bridge, trying to prepare himself. As he stepped into the main room, Sasha looked over vaguely, and then turned back to her screen. Her brain registered what she'd seen and she turned again, one eyebrow rising.

"Clank, where's Ratchet?" She asked.

"Er…he isn't here. He took a break away. W-went to another planet."

"This is no time for jokes, Clank. Where is Ratchet?"

"I just told you. He's left. But it's only for a few days!" He said quickly, as Sasha marched past him. He decided to keep quiet until she'd seen for herself. She had a look that could kill at the moment. When she did find out, she'd make him talk anyway. 'Except this time, she might actually listen' he thought bitterly.

As the doors to the Lombax's quarters slid open, she surveyed it critically. Against all odds, it was tidy, but the absence of Ratchet showed. Sasha slowly pivoted around to face Clank. He suddenly realised how much taller she was than him. Her ears were flattened and her tail was twitching and curling angrily.

"Did you know he was going to leave?" She said calmly. Her eyes were dancing furiously, but her voice was calm. Clank tried to draw himself up to seem bigger, but to no avail.

"Yes. He asked me not an hour ago, and he left soon after. He needed to get out, or he would go crazy! He hates being cooped up. He needs space. It's instinct!"

"Didn't he think of the consequences, what could happen now? He's such a selfish-"

"No he isn't! He didn't want to leave, he was scared something would happen, but Nefarious hasn't been seen for a long time! He put us all first! But, I said it would be good for him to go, so he left. He didn't tell me where he was going, but I'm sure it's close so he can return quickly if something happens. We can contact him through the ship's video cam link, if need be." Clank interrupted. Sasha's eyes narrowed.

"Don't worry about that, I'll call him now. Let's see what he has to say for himself!"

"Auto-pilot disengaged. Manual landing system engaged."

Ratchet started out of his day dream. Before him, a green/blue planet spread out before him. There was white at the top and bottom, lots of blue, big green patches and the odd patch of yellow. It was quite a small planet, compared to some of the others that had been discovered in the past. He strained to think what it was called, but nothing came. He would have to research it when he got back to the Phoenix.

He shuddered. He was not going to enjoy going back. Sasha was going to go spare when she found out. He felt a wave of annoyance and guilt. Sasha was so strict, so protective. She was sure to go mental when Clank told her where'd he'd gone. He really owed Clank a favour.

He landed fairly well; panicking slightly when he found out the blue stuff was liquid. He skimmed over to the coast, but saw fish in the liquid, so it must be water. He landed neatly on the grass by the water, missing the strip of sand. He climbed out; stretching his cramped limbs and flicking his tail and ears. Fresh air! He had space, freedom and time.

Why did he feel lonely?

He sat down on the sand, looking up at the blue sky. He felt a strange sort of space in his mind, disturbing him, making him restless. Suddenly he got it: Something was going to happen. What it was, he didn't know, but it was going to be soon. He did feel lonely; it gnawed away at his soul like a parasite. He had come here for something to happen…was it going to be good or bad? Would it change him?

He shook his head. He didn't normally think so deeply, and he definitely didn't so spiritual stuff. 'I'll do something physical…maybe it'll clear my head. It's warm, so I think I'll swim.'

He stood up…and froze. Something growled at him, but it was behind him. His ears pricked up to listen, but his tail was still. He caught a feline edge to the growl…but then there was another…and another. A group of, of things had crept up on him when he was dreaming. He cursed mentally; he really had to stop doing that.

One of the creatures crept into his view. It was massive; taller that he was by about a foot, and much bulkier. It had a tail like he did, but it was twice as long and thick. It was a bright orange, with thick black stripes and muscled legs, with very long claws. He gulped, and it lowered it's head at him, baring very sharp teeth, made for tearing animals up. Not a comforting thought.

There was a paralysing roar from behind him. The animal before him backed away. Ratchet breathed out, and then gasped. Another one of these creatures had appeared, but it was even bigger than the first. It was clearly the leader; the other creatures obeyed it like a cub would it mother, and it radiated power and automatic respect. It was pure white, and the black stripes stood out.

The creature advanced. Ratchet stepped back and stumbled, falling awkwardly and wincing painfully. The creature placed a powerful paw in the Lombax's tail, stopping escape. Ratchet looked up into the bloodshot eyes of what would surely be his killer…

To be continued!

What do you think? My new character will be up next chapter. She's female. Can you please review? Can you include if you want romance in this story, please? Thanks for reading.

Until next time,

x Jynxed x