Chapter 4

Friendship matters too

It was morning on Sargasso and what a beautiful morning it was for Rivet who slept like a baby. She got up early and she was not tired at all, in fact she was rich in energy. She decided to eat her usual breakfast which included fruits like orange and watermelon with cereal, then she went outside for a run. After she ran about 5 km she went back home where she was greeted by Clank, Kit and Ratchet at the kitchen table. Ratchet was drinking juice and whose face was like a zombie, probably from yesterday she thought, but the truth was a little different.

"Good morning!" said Clank, Kit and Ratchet. Ratchet, who felt like a potato, forced a smile for her, he didn't want her to believe that he was in pain.

"Hey what's up?" asked Rivet with a big smile like she didn't have any problem. She looked at Kit and Clank who were next to each other and looked at the holotable probably looking for news.

"Well if you want to know what's going to be the weather on each planet or how many sales are there at Mrs. Zurkon, we have good news." said Clank reading the holotable from his hands.

"Oh I know how the weather outside is and Mrs. Zurkon?!" said in excitement. "We have to go to Corson V lately because I have some bolts that I wouldn't mind spending." looked at her watch where she saw 75000 bolts. " I can't wait to see what she has for us. I can finally buy the Blackhole Storm or the Headhunter orr…" she sat next to Ratchet and looked in his eyes. "The RYNO 8!" said to him in a thrilling tone. She had wanted that weapon since she first saw it on her first visit at Corson V. Then she turned to Ratchet. " What do you say Ratchet? Or what weapon do you want?" she asked him like he was crazy for guns and pistols like her.

Ratchet looked at her and saw how eager she was for this and he couldn't say no to this and he liked the idea of spending time with his friends. Maybe he finds something at Mrs. Zurkon that he or Rivet will like. He didn't want to answer Rivet's questions; he wanted to go now.

"Well what are we waiting for, we should go now!" said Ratchet in a hurrying tone and he had already got up from the chair making his way to the ship. The others followed him and they were already at the ship. Everybody took their seat and took off in a second.

On the ship Rivet was the one who steered Aphelion and Ratchet was the one on the passenger's seat navigating and checking on the route. Clank and Kit were on the back of the ship where they talked about the possibility of being hit by an asteroid.

"It's approximately 0,00000089% , I have counted their size, their length and their orbit." said Clank to Kit who was amazed by cleverness.

" You are so smart Clank, I wish I had a programme like you in my head." Kit was jealous of him and wished she had the same ability as him.

"Well, thank you and If I want to wish for something I would want your warbot mode when I fight the bad guys so I can defend myself." complemented Clank to Kit.

"Aw you shouldn't worry about that I will defend you, just say the word!" said Kit who giggled at him.

" Okay if you say so." blushed Clank and laughed with her. Such a small robot like him would be crushed if he left alone but he had Ratchet, Rivet and now Kit beside him. He felt blessed by such friends like them and he didn't want to lose them.

"Just kiss already!" shouted Ratchet at them in an annoying voice. He wanted them to be together but he was not in the mood to hear lovey-dovey stuff.

"Maybe we will!" said back Clank and looked at Kit whose lamps on her head started flashing continuously from his comment and covered her mouth. "If that's ok with you?" said Clank in an embarrassed tone. He tried to hide his non-existent blush just like Kit but he failed. Meanwhile Ratchet and Rivet looked at each other and laughed at their reaction.

"Well I would appreciate it." Kit said while she grabbed his hand and squeezed it. This made Clank smile and did the same thing to Kit. Ratchet and Rivet saw the same thing and smiled at each other before they looked back to the route.

They arrived at Corson V in five minutes and landed in Nefarious City. They put their robot friends on their back and jumped out of the ship and hurried to Mrs: Zurkon. When they arrived at Mrs. Zurkon, they saw a line before her, a huge line. At least 100 people were there.

"Oh no!" said Ratchet and Rivet. They expected that there would be people but not this many. "Now we have to wait for this?!" Rivet burst out in rage, she definitely did not want to wait, but she drew attention from the buyers and not from good guys too, some of them even shot a glare at her. Ratchet pulled her away before someone spoke to her.

"Rivet I have an idea, why don't you go buy something in other shops? I will hold our position until then, ok?" suggested Ratchet who wanted Rivet to enjoy the visit and not draw attention while they are here.

"Are you sure? We probably won't have anything if we get there?" asked Rivet unsure about the situation.

"Yes, I am sure. You should look for pretty armor or you know what? Do another ear piercings, it looks cool on you anyway, why don't you have more?" recommended Ratchet to Rivet who blushed at his suggestion and her eyes went wide from this great idea.

"You know what, I think I do. Thanks Ratchet." and with that she grabbed Kit and ran to the piercing shop. Ratchet took their position and waited for the line to move.

"You love her don't you?" asked Clank looking from out of nowhere on his back. Ratchet was caught unguarded by this question, but he knew that Clank deserves to know the truth.

"Yes I do." he answered and looked down to the ground. He wished that she loved her back.

"Kit told me what you said to her that day, but is there something I believe that makes you sad too? he asked this suspicious question that Ratchet's ear perked up.

"What do you mean, pal? asked Ratchet back. He wanted to know why he asks these questions right now.

"If you want to know, I and Kit heard you crying last night and we thought that something happened between you two, but we don't know what. In the morning you looked like a corpse, sorry for that." apologized to him.

"No offense". said Ratchet and they moved a step closer in the line.

"I saw your fake smile also when you greeted Rivet and I know when you are pretending to be okay, so if my conclusion is right then I must say you love her, but she doesn't love you back, am I right?" finished his comment Clank who gave a lot of thought about this. Ratchet was impressed by his friend's skill but this didn't give him hope.

"Kit was right, you are smart, buddy." said Ratchet who smiled weakly and moved another step closer.

"Ratchet don't give up on her, I think so too that you two meant to each other like me and Kit." he reassured his friend and wanted to give him support and hope like always. Ratchet was touched by his friend's words, especially where he said he and Kit, but he promised Rivet that she just wants to be friends.

"Thanks pal, but we can't be. I wish it would be simple." sighed Ratchet and took another step.

"Oh, I see. I hope one day she comes to her senses and accepts you." said Clank.

Ratchet didn't say anything, he just waited for Rivet to be back and the line to be vanished quickly. He looked at his watch, he had 100000 bolts, for saving galaxies and dimensions it has its benefits.

Rivet and Kit

Rivet entered the piercing shop where she was greeted by the owner who was a Cazar: "Hey there girl!" said to her and Rivet greeted back: "Hey there Vyril! How are you?" asked her, curious about the situation.

"Oh you know customers come and go but I'm glad you always come back! I suspect you want another one, am I right?" looked at her, eyeing her ears.

"Yes she does." answered Kit who was on Rivet's back.

"Oh hello there, I didn't see you there. What is your name?" asked Vyril to Kit who got off from Rivet's back.

"My name is KT-7461, but you can call me Kit." answered Kit, who was shy in public, but now she adapted really well because of Ratchet, Clank and Rivet.

"Oh what an interesting name. Any friend of Rivet is mine too. You are welcome in my shop too." said kindly to her. " And Rivet take a seat please." showed her the chair in the corner. Rivet sat down, made herself comfortable and looked at the magazine so she could decide which ear piercing she wanted. She watched all the pages but she couldn't decide which one is perfect for her so she came up with an idea.

"Kit, come here." She called her and Kit went to her.

"I want you to decide which one is good for me." She offered it to her. Kit was silent for a minute but she spoke: "Really?" she said unsure what she heard.

Yes, you are a good friend and I trust you can choose the best for me." said Rivet who was generous to her and wanted this to share with her too. Kit was touched by her words and smiled at her. She handed over the magazine and Kit started watching each of it. After she watched it she chose it but she wanted something else too, so she called Vyril.

"Yes, what can I help you with?" she asked and Kit signaled to her to crouch down because this would be secret and she obeyed to her. Kit whispered into her ear because she didn't want Rivet to hear it. After they were done they turned to Rivet in a big smile and giggled about their conversation.

"Well your friend chose and she wants it to be a surprise, so I think you should put this on." She handed her a kerchief. Rivet slowly put them on looking at them suspiciously but she went with it

"I hope you chose well." said Rivet who leaned back on the chair with the kerchief on her eyes and waited patiently.

"Oh believe her, she chose the best" said Vyril who prepared the tools and giggled with Kit.

"Say Rivet, how are you these days?" said Vyril, starting a conversation while they do the procedure.

"Oh you know dealing with bad guys, saving dimensions and that kind of usual stuff." said Rivet with a satisfied voice.

"But I believe you didn't do it alone?" asked her.

"No, I had my friends with me for example: Ratchet, Bolts and Kit." said Rivet proudly.

"Who are the other two?" asked Vyril..

"Bolts is just like Kit, but he is grey and Ratchet is a lombax like me, but he has orange fur with brown stripes." said Rivet.

"Another lombax, eh? You must be happy then you found one, you guys are, well how should I say? Super rare." said Vyril sadly.

"I'm happy because of him we wouldn't be here at all, he is the kindest person I met." said Rivet happily talking about Ratchet.

"If he really is the kindest, then girl I would not let him near another girl, if you know what I mean?" she giggled and winked at Kit who gave her a thumbs up in return.

"Yeah I know." said Rivet who understood every word she said but she won't go that far.

"And what are your future plans?" asked Vyril.

"Well now I rest for a while and next I will return to defend the galaxy." said Rivet.

"Wherever you will be girl I just want you to know that you are my number #1 hero." said Vyril proudly.

"Awww thanks." said Rivet who appreciated her words.

"And we are done, now I will take these off." and with that she took off the kerchief and handed over a mirror to her. Rivet looked in the mirror where she saw the new orbital on her left ear. It had orange and brown stripes on it while the orb looked like a green eye. Rivet was stunned by this and smiled at Kit who made the call.

"Good choice Kit. I like it. No. I love it." She examined in the mirror more closely and even touched felt like a new soul was part of her. Meanwhile Kit giggled at Rivet because obviously she didn't get it why she chose that, but time will tell or someone else? After a minute she handed back the mirror and put Kit on her back.

"Thank you again Vyril. I will see you again." said Rivet who made her way to the front door.

"Same to you and Kit:" she waved at them before they exited through the door.

Rivet and Kit decided to look into the mall, in the heart of Nefarious City. They wanted to buy food and hopefully some armor just in case. When they entered the mall they were astonished by the look of it. Everywhere were luxury goods that Rivet couldn't afford before.

Expensive clothes, rare drinks, precious gemstones and fascinating paintings. Her eyes stopped working by what she saw and Kit had to bring it back to reality.

"Rivet are you alright?" asked Rivet Kit.

"Kit, are we in heaven?" asked back. She was still in trance by all the goods.

"Ummmm no?" answered Kit unsure about whether she jokes or not.

"Good, then we will be here for a while." said Rivet and made her way to the first shop where the rare drinks were displayed. She examined every one of them, until a Terachnoid came to her.

"Good day young lady, what can I do for you?" greeted her in a gentlemanly way.

"Hi there I was just looking around. If I may ask, what do you recommend for me? asked him curious about what he could offer. The Terachnoid looked at Rivet, scanned her with his eyes and answered her: I would say cranberry vodka judging by your look, you look sweet and strong, but also like to rebel, that fits my conclusion." Rivet was impressed by him and aroused her interest in the vodka he talked about.

"Can I buy that drink? asked Rivet.

"You have to reach deep into your pocket: its 1000000 bolts." answered the Terachnoid.

"WHAT?!" Rivet shook the price like an earthquake.

"I'm sorry but these are very rare to find and even prepare for the public." explained it. Rivet slowly started to go away in sadness.

"Wait, I recognize that robot, you are the one who saved us from Emperor Nefarious?" pointed out to Kit on her back.

"Yes we are." responded Kit

"Oh then I would give you 3 free drinks for saving us from that tyrant." told them and showed more collections of the vodkas. Rivet felt happiness for appreciating her like a hero and she didn't want to stop here. Rivet brought 3 vodkas, a necklace with blue gemstones in it, 5 clothes and 1 painting with her. She dropped them in the ship except the necklace and the purple suit she loved very much. She exited the ship wearing the purple suit and the necklace which matched with her red scarf.

Ratchet and Clank

The boys waited almost 1 hour, but there were only just a few people left. They were a bit tired, mainly Ratchet who played golf on his holowatch. Clank just watched his surroundings instead and then he spotted Rivet. Clank tried to grab Ratchet's attention but he was too focused on his game.

"Ratchet look." requested Clank to Ratchet.

"Why? The line disappeared finally?" asked Ratchet a bit annoyingly and looked at Clank.

"No but I think you need to see anyway." explained Clank and pointed out to Rivet. Ratchet looked into the direction where Clank pointed. His eyes went wide as he saw Rivet in the purple dress, the necklace and that new ear piercing. He watched as she waved and giggled while she walked over to them. Ratchet waved back while he was in a trance by Rivet. She looked stunning, no, she was marvelous in that dress. It made her even more pretty when she smiled at them and waved. The aura around her was just a wonderful sight and she didn't even say anything to Ratchet. When she reached them, Ratchet was still in trance and his jaw also dropped. Rivet giggled at Ratchet, she found it funny seeing him like this.

"Well we lost Ratchet." she waved at his face but no reaction. Then she had no choice but to slap him.

"Auuuu" said Ratchet who felt the slap like he was hit with a pan. He touched his face where he was hit, it hurt him, but he's gonna be alright.

"Sorry but you kinda zoned out there, I feared that you turned to the dark side." giggled Rivet but she gave him a sorry smile in exchange for that slap.

"It's ok, I was hit harder than before." laughed Ratchet and forgot the whole thing already.

"Look, we are the next!" said Rivet showing Ratchet that the last buyers left and they were the one next. They quickly ran to Mrs: Zurkon.

"Hi there, cuties! I waited for you two! My favourite customers!" said Mrs. Zurkon jumping around in happiness.

"Hi Mrs. Zurkon!" said in union everyone.

"I stored the best weapons for you, because I know how much you love them." said Mrs. Zurkon and prepared them on the holotable. The two lombax scanned through the list and made their decision.

"I want the RYNO 8." said Rivet with excitement, she wanted to jump from happiness, but she remained calm.

"That would be 100000 bolts." said Mrs. Zurkon.

"Oh!" said Rivet in disappointment. "I don't have that many bolts." her face was like a lost puppy. She has wanted that weapon since her first visit.

"I'm sorry darling but I have to make a living out of something too." said Mrs. Zurkon with a pity smile.

Ratchet seeing Rivet sad just was the worst thing he wanted to see, so he immediately transferred Mrs. Zurkon the 100000 bolts from his watch.

"There I will buy it." said Ratchet with a determined face and smiled at Rivet. Rivet was confused at first what just happened but then a second later her jaw fell to the ground this time.

Mrs. Zurkon handed over to Ratchet the RYNO 8, Ratchet then turned to Rivet and held out the weapon to her to grab it. Rivet was stunned once again by Ratchet's kindness and she almost cried but she managed to hold her ground this time. She slowly reached for the weapon and took it in her hands. She felt the weapon was amazing to hold but she wanted to try it soon. She was full of happiness again thanks to Ratchet and his big heart of gold.

She smiled at Ratchet who smiled back and blushed like a tomato, he tried to hide it but it was no point hiding it. Kit and Clank also giggled together like two childs.

"Hey cuties, how long have you been together?" asked Mrs. Zurkon behind the counter, also giggling at the two. Rivet and Clank looked at her and they blushed madly. They didn't realize she was there with them too and they started explaining.

"No, we are not together, we are just friends." said Rivet who laughed nervously and nodded to Ratchet too.

"Yes we are totally just friends, she is just my comrade." said Ratchet while pointing to Rivet. Rivet was glad he held his promise and took the whole thing seriously. Mrs. Zurkon looked at them suspiciously, she caught Ratchet's eyes and made eye contact. She read everything in his eyes, she knew that one of them wanted more, but which one is a mystery. Then she made eye contact with Rivet, who was struggling and resisted to look at her. This was clear for her, which one is in love and which one doesn't.

"My cuties, friendship is just one step, one of you will eventually take another step, but I don't know who exactly." explained Mrs. Zurkon to the two. The lombaxes looked away from each other. This was awkward for them.

BOOOMMM!

One of the apartments just exploded into tiny pieces. From the smoke they noticed something rising. It was Boomer on a hoverboard and he flew fast with that thing. He laughed maniacally while he flew between the apartments and disappeared. Rivet and Ratchet decided that they will stop him. Both of them pulled out their guns and put their robots on their back.

"Ready?" asked Rivet smiling at Ratchet.

"Ready." answered Ratchet and they jumped into the action.