Here's a brief Q and A for this chapter.

Acbarfan5556: I totally didn't notice that line in that game when I go to the Phoenix. As for it it's going to be in this, well, maybe.

And is both Al, and Helga going to be paired up in this as well? Maybe.

Finally Disclaimer: The following is a non-profit fan based what if story. Ratchet and Clank is created and owned by Insomniac games and Sony. Please support the official release.


Chapter 4: Amnesia fixed. Another day, another death course. (And Gladiatorial arena.)

Ratchet, Angela, and Clank returned to the Phoenix after successfully defending Marcadia from the Tyhrranoid invasion. After that, and after reactivating the Laser defense grid with Al, and Elaris's help, they ended up grabbing a cartridge that contained a Qwark vid comic game, which is supposed to be about Qwark's past adventures, as told by the people that has witnessed him in action.

Although in Ratchet's, and Angela's eyes, they're possibly a bit exaggerated, and they were expecting the game that they're taking to the Phoenix, to have the same sort of exaggeration to its tale, just as Qwark would've wanted it to be written, knowing his ego.

But nevertheless, they were going to be playing this in front of Qwark himself, as a sort of chance to see if he's going to either come back to his senses, or remain as the monkey man of Florana, and prove to them that he's too out of it to return to action against Nefarious, forcing them to fight against Nefarious by themselves.

Which neither of them would mind, as they get to prove themselves as great heroes in their own right, and show the galaxy, that what Qwark can do, they can do too.

Which should be enough for them to bring the battle to Nefarious, and save the galaxy from his wrath.

Right now though, they had a game system that was eligible to playing the vid comic that they have, being the VG 9000. Now to make sure that Qwark is watching them play to recover his memory. Then it's off to another planet, probably to fight more tyhrranoids.

"Are we ready Ratchet?" Angela asked him.

"Just about, just getting something for the show." Ratchet said, picking up some snacks for himself, and Angela for their little game break.

"Would that show involve watching me play?" Angela asked, intending to play the Qwark vid comic, regardless of her dislike for Qwark, and his boasting. After all, the game did seem like fun.

"Yes. Although I can accept switching hands for the controller, if you pass it to me. The game could become challenging after all." Ratchet said, up for that kind of challenge.

As was Angela. "Fine by me. Ready Ratchet?" She asked, seeing that he has the snacks, being a bucket of popcorn, and some soda pop.

"Ready." He said, sitting on the couch with her while setting them down, preparing to eat as he watches her play the first of the Qwark vid comics in front of Qwark.

"Are you both sure that you're both able to play this game?" Clank asked, having seen them play games before back in Bogon, but not seeing them play any games that stars Captain Qwark.

"Hehe, watch and learn Clank. Let us show you how the real heroes gets it done." Ratchet then said as monkey Qwark, and Skrunch looked on in fascination at the TV as it turned on, before a loading screen of the Captain's head that was inside a large comic star appeared, ready to show the game.


"These are the real life adventures of Captain Qwark, the greatest superhero the galaxy has ever known." A narrator said, showing Qwark's logo, along with the comic issue number, being the first one.

Before showing a comic panel of Captain Qwark, as he wielded a laser gun, while standing on a certain planet, with a large purple glowing planet was behind him, along with a cyan blue glowing gorge of the planet that he was standing on being shown behind his left, alongside a pirate's flag, that happened be purple, with a white skull and crossbones on it, as it was surrounded by what looked like alien pirates that was also behind him, to his right.

Both Lombaxes had to admit it, this looked like a fun kind of story, putting Captain Qwark up against those robotic pirates in the comic that they were playing, looked like it was so bad, that it crosses over to being a fun kind of bad story that they might like to read from a comic. Even though they also expect it to be an exaggerated story about Qwark's journey.

"*Tap* *Tap* Hey. Is this thing on?" Qwark's voice suddenly said through the HDTV.

And considering that Qwark is taking part in telling the story as well, both lombaxes knew that he could be around to make sure that the story is told 'his way'. So they both prepared for the cheesy boasting from him, and the shilling from the story, that could ensue, and annoy them to no end.

"*Ahem* Meticulously reconstructed by our crack research team, with the aid of eyewitness accounts, bathroom gossip, wild speculation, and a magic eight ball…" He then said, showing some of the planets as the comic panel moved to the left, showing more of the planets in the panel, before ending at a purple nebula.

"Oh hey, even the narrator seems to be bracing himself for the cheese that could follow from this story." Ratchet said. "I guess he's as annoyed about telling this story, as we might be in listening to it.

"It would be nice to have someone to snark with, considering 'what' the story could be about." Angela said.

"In the early days of the fifth Solarian Equinox, the Solona Galaxy was terrorized by the notorious Pirate known as Captain Blackstar…" The narrator said, before showing a comic panel that showed a Pirate ship that was floating through the purple colored section of space in the Solona Galaxy.

"Ahoy! Anybody else got a craving for Fish'n Chips?" Qwark's voice said.

"If it involves one of those Pirates, putting their boot up where the sun don't shine, then I'm game." Ratchet said deadpan. Leaving Angela smiling at that, much to Clank's dismay.

"Though in the prime of his youth, Captain Qwark…" The narrator said, now showing Qwark, standing triumphantly in front of a planet as the camera zoomed out from the panel.

"*Rowrrr*" Qwark said.

Already, a minute in, and the comic didn't disappoint. At least in the boasting department that they expected from it.

"…was already a living legend." The narrator finished after the interruption.

"I kinda doubt that." Angela said annoyed.

"I was beating 'em off with a stick!" Qwark's voice said.

"Oh really? I'm guessing it's cause you ran out of ammo to use against them?" Ratchet asked sarcastically, referring to the Pirates, getting a chuckle out of Angela.

Then it showed a panel that zoomed in on the upper part of his face, as his eyes was now looking nervously at something to his top left.

"However, no previous adventure could've prepared Qwark for his encounter with the dreaded Captain Blackstar, and his crew of… Oh please tell me this is a typo." The narrator said deadpan on the last part as the next panel then showed a bunch of shadowy figures.

"That's 'Robotic Pirate Ghosts'. I guess reading wasn't your subject, eh professor?" Qwark's voice then said.

"Says the hero, who utterly failed to talk like my boss does." Angela said, remembering how 'intelligently' Qwark spoke during his time disguised as Fizzwidget.

"Right. Now we begin the first chapter of Qwark's adventures, in this first interactive portion of episode one: Booty is in the eye of the beholder." The narrator then said, as it showed the final panel, showing Qwark, laser in hand, staring down those 'Robotic Pirate Ghosts' as he prepared to fight them, before it then faded to black.

The lombax duo, and Clank had to admit, the title's pun name that replaced Beauty, likely to make it pirate themed, did get a chuckle out of them. (And that was without the innuendo getting involved.)

Then it dropped Angela into the game, which looked like a side scrolling 2.5D platforming game, and beat-em-up, where you can play as Captain Qwark himself. Which, considering that when Angela pressed square, the in game character, being Qwark himself, punched the air while dashing forward a little bit, established that it was the latter as well. All while they saw that they were in a pirate ship's interior bow, that was mechanical with the spinning gears in the background, looked quite mechanical for a pirate ship, and likely to keep to the theme of a ghost Pirate, there was a lot of webs that was in the ship itself as well.

Neither of them knew what sort of spider would create that much webbing, all they knew, was that they hoped that they won't meet it in the ship. (Not to say that they can't beat it, as they can. It's just that it looked like that spider could be nightmare inducing.)

As Angela went forward, while there was a tutorial box with Qwark speaking to her about the rules, which she didn't need, since she played a game like this before. So she ignored the tutorials as she saw that there was some robotic skulls that was jumping out of some death pits while covered in blue embers, which Angela had to dodge when she makes VG Qwark jump over the pits.

While also punching rats that seems to have helmets on them, like they were being mind controlled.

Then there was the coins that happened to be designed from Qwark's logo, with the normal colors giving them one of those coins. While, after some platforming, the red version of the logo, that Angela decided to grab, gave them ten. Which the tutorial also pointed out, but she too ignored that part as well.

There was also the health bar on the top left that looked like the portrait of Qwark's head was connected to a battery icon, what with the bars inside looking like sections of energy, that goes from green to red. And it showed them that they have only five hits to take before Qwark's character in the game, dies.

So Angela was being careful about that, as she got to the platform to the very right of the room after collecting the Qwark coins in the game. Where she suddenly saw that the platform was an elevator, that was going up. Which was a pleasant surprise, as she stood in it until it reached the top.

As it rose though, a flaming skull came out of nowhere, and hit Angela's character, taking a point of health off of Qwark, and changing his portrait's expression to a slightly less happy look.

So she avoided more of the flaming skulls that came down, while suddenly seeing some rats coming out of some sections of the elevator shaft that was open, to try to attack Qwark, only for her to punch them away. All while avoiding the skulls, and continuing to wait until she reaches the top, where she saw an enemy that threw those flaming skulls, and clobbered him.

Before collecting more of those logo coins, seeing a counter at the top right of the screen that showed how many she has, and how many she should collect, which was a hundred coins for what she needs to collect for this level.

Angela decided to try to collect more of those coins, to see if there'll be a prize that she'll get from doing that. So she continued onwards, while clobbering another pirate, and got to the glowing platforms to jump onto, where they suddenly started to fade into itself, which she knew would mean that they'll disappear under Qwark's feet if she doesn't keep moving, so she did as she kept on collecting the coins, as well as collected another red one that was at the top when she got there, bringing her closer to the one hundred goal.

After that, she got to another section of the ship, showing that there was a huge hole in the background that showed space in the background. How Qwark, or the Pirates wasn't getting sucked out, none of them knew. But they guessed that it's cause the pressure, and atmosphere inside the ship was now equal to the ones in space. Which begged another question as to how Qwark wasn't suffocating at that point. But it wasn't an important question to ask.

They just kept on jumping, and clobbering the Pirates, and had them falling into the death pits that they jumped over. While avoiding the jumping blue fire skulls even though Angela got hit by one of them, giving her two empty bars of health, and having Qwark's portrait changing again to a more nervous look.

But she kept on going, collecting the coins, and clobbering more Pirates, until she was able to get to the large empty room, where a laser weapon was in the middle, which judging by the dark green glowing aura around it, was something that Qwark could pick up and use. So Angela picked up the laser blaster.

"Old timers say that a giant space eel haunts this ship. What a bunch of hoopl-AAH!" Qwark said, before suddenly seeing the said Giant Space Eel flying over him into the walls. Which looked robotic, and it also happened to look more like a snake, considering the serpentine pattern it makes as it flew, and happened to have sharp teeth. But Eels also had sharp teeth, right? Either way, it seems to have scared Qwark.

Which also startled the duo of Lombaxes, as they then saw that the Eel had a health bar on the bottom of the screen. Which meant that it can be killed. But what can they do?

Angela went with shooting the Space Eel. Which caused the Eel's health to go down, while showing the green bar decreasing, showing the yellow bar that was behind it. It was when she knew that she could kill the Eel that way, by shooting it while it was flying around.

Even though she saw the Eel going into the surrounding walls to hide, and cover itself from the blaster shots that she shoots out at the Eel. So she knew that she might want to wait until the Eel pops out again.

Which it did before too long could pass, so she resumed firing at the Eel, even though it tried to fly towards Qwark, but she quickly had Qwark moving away to another spot in the room, hoping that the Eel wasn't headed to that direction. Much to her relief, it wasn't. Now she continued to shoot the Eel, putting the health down to yellow, while showing the red health behind it.

Even though she was now running out of ammo for Qwark's blaster, as she had only a few shots left. Which she knew, much to her dismay, that it wasn't going to be enough to kill the Eel boss. Sure enough, it popped back out of the wall again, as she shot it up more, before losing her ammo, being forced to punch the Eel when it passed close to Qwark. Which also damaged the Eel, before it ended up retreating into the walls again.

But not before she was able to put in punches onto the Eel, putting it down to red health. Although she also got hurt in the game, again changing Qwark's portrait, and giving her down to two hits left before death.

"Careful Angela, otherwise I'm next." Ratchet said, feeling ready to play the game. Regardless of it starring Qwark in it.

"And I'll hold you to that in my case, once you fall too." Angela said.

Then, once she lost the ammo for the blaster, she was prepared to punch the Eel, until she suddenly saw that there was another blaster that was coming down, which she saw, was going to refill the ammo of the blaster that she has in Qwark's hands.

"Whew. I thought that it'd be a hard fight for a second there." Angela said.

"You said it. This would've been unfair game, that not a lot of people would want to buy. Unless they're fans of Qwark's that is." Ratchet said.

"As well as if they'd like a big challenge that Qwark could give to them in this game." Angela said, as she got the ammo for the blaster, before blasting the Eel to death after a couple more shots, making it fall apart like a robot would.

"Nice shot Angela. That thing looked like bad news." Ratchet said, praising Angela.

"No problem. This game doesn't seem different from the other side scrolling platform games after all." She responded, having played those games herself, before moving onwards through the level.

Which then lead to the next section of the game's stage, where she would end up continuing to collect the rest of the coins in the level, continue to be platforming over the pits, among other stuff.

Where on the one hundredth one, she suddenly got a Platinum Bolt. Much to her surprise, as she kept on going through the level, feeling that she could celebrate later, no matter how tempting it was for her.

Then she got to the final room, where she suddenly got the Green Qwark coin, which suddenly had another Eel inside, only this one was ridden by Captain Blackstar. Much to both Ratchet, and Angela's slight dismay.

Before they then decided to work the same strategy that they had for the first Eel, and shoot the second one until it would fall to the blaster like the last one did, which ended the chapter right there, as the Eel, and Captain Blackstar exploded into several pieces.

And while Angela had only three bars of health left. (The Green Qwark coin gave her a little health upgrade, and restored her health.)

"Yeah! This is how we do it!" Angela said. "I admit, this game was pretty fun." She then said, willing to admit to Qwark, that his game was getting good so far.

"No kidding. Nice to see that your gaming skills are as good as your fighting ability." He said.

Leaving her with a small blush on her face.

Then it showed a cutscene from the vid-comic.

"…I mean I've worked on some real junk, but this one takes the cake. Pirate Ghost Robots? What, do they think we're idiots?" The narrator said.

"Ah, don't worry narrator, I feel that it's more the writers that are the idiots, and not you." Ratchet said.

"Hey professor, snap to it!" Qwark said, before a thumping sound was made, along with a screeching of a microphone being made.

"OOF! Anyway, once gain, the citizens of the Solona Galaxy has owed their lives to the dauntless courage of the remarkable man behind the 'Q'." The narrator said, showing Qwark standing triumphantly in front of a flaming wreck.

"Nah, he's more like the unremarkable man behind the 'Q'." Angela said deadpan. Making Ratchet chuckle. All while Clank continued to feel dismayed at the snark that the Lombaxes was flinging at Qwark. But he felt that they had good enough reasons why.

"With 'great reluctance', Qwark accepted a meager fee for his services, and promptly donated the entire sum to a charity, known as the Qwark for Tots Scholarship Fund." He then said, showing a comic panel, of Qwark being rewarded with a large check that had a lot of zeros on it, that went up to at least a billion, but the exact number of it was blocked out by a mayor that stood in front of the number that showed how much Qwark got.

But both lombaxes agreed, that it must've been a lot of bolts. Much to their shock.

"Which included makeovers, and Buxom Bimbo's for needy people… named Qwark." He then said, showing another panel, with Qwark laying on a roman-like chaise longue, with a pair of robotic ladies, one of which was fanning him with a large plant leaf, while the other had grapes in her hand.

Ratchet had to admit, he wished he was in Qwark's place in the chaise lounge, with himself getting fanned by a robotic lady, and getting offered grapes by Angela Cross, even going far as to kiss her, and-

He had to keep his mind out of the gutter, as he viewed her as a friend first, lover second. Even though a part of him still had love for her.

All while Angela, little did Ratchet know, was thinking the same thing. Except that it was Ratchet that was offering her grapes. But she kept her own mind out of the gutter.

"I've got a big heart." Qwark's voice said. While a robotic whirring sound was made, likely a noise of delight from the robot ladies.

"Not as big as your ego though." Angela said with Ratchet in agreement

"Mr. President? Yes I got the fruit basket, thanks. Apparently I'm allergic to prunes. Yeah, who knew?" Qwark's voice said as it then showed another panel where he was dumping out a bunch of fruit into the trash.

"If only there was a prune cannon that I could shoot. That'd take him down in no time." Ratchet then said, making Angela laugh a little.

"What? Blackwater city is under attack?! Yes sir, I'm on my way!" He then said, showing his shocked look on the next, and last comic panel. Before the comic's chapter ended.

"The exciting, all true, *Cough* right! *Cough* adventures of Captain Qwark, continues in Episode two." The narrator said, finishing the comic as the Qwark logo zoomed into the screen, ending the episode.

Both Lombaxes admitted it, they were looking forward to playing the rest of the vid comics, if only to see more cheesiness that would ensue, thanks to Qwark's presence, which they would proceed to snark at, to hell and back.

And the reward in bolts, and a Platinum bolt wasn't bad either.


Meanwhile, monkey Qwark was looking on in fascination at the screen, before looking like he was thinking about something for a minute there. "AH!" He then said as he suddenly felt flashbacks coming back to him.

Which brought the Lombaxes attention to him as he was looking like he was starting to remember who he was, prior to being a monkey on Florana. It seems to them that Qwark is coming back to his senses, much to Clank's relief, and delight.

Sure enough, he ended up looking into a mirror. "Well, who is this handsome devil?" He said grinning at his bearded appearance. Showing how full of himself that he is.

"It appears that he's finally regained his memory." Clank said.

Qwark then looked around at the interior of the cage that he was inside. "Hey! This dressing room isn't fit for an ape! What shoddy production are you people running?!" He then said, affronted.

"That's him alright." Both Lombaxes said. Before Captain Sasha came into the room.

"He'll need some time to adjust. In the meantime, I've got a mission that should be perfect for you three. You see, we've just learned of a pair of prototype holographic devices that can disguise someone as a Tyhrranoid, even allowing them to speak their language." Sasha said.

Both Lombaxes were smiling at that, all while Qwark was continuing to look around, before smelling his armpit. "Is it just me, or do you smell bananas?"

Whatever Qwark did in that cage of his, neither Lombax wanted to know.

"Anyway…" Sasha said awkwardly. "Those devices happens to be the grand prize at this weeks Annihilation Nation. A death course, and Gladiatorial Arena games that we hold on station Q9 in Solona. Check it out." She then said, showing the Lombaxes the video on the HDTV.


"Tonight on Annihilation Nation, we feature an all new, DEATH COURSE!" The Announcer said, as it showed the logo of Annihilation Nation. Followed by the audience chanting Death Course.

"Let's meet tonight's Victim. Oops, I mean, contestant, Fred!" The announcer said, showing an alien that looked like the one that Ratchet and Clank rescued back in the Blarg Tactical Research Station.

"Fred is a Gadgetron Accountant, who claims that he once had a Morph-o-ray going off in his pants." The announcer then said, making the crowd laugh. "What a champ!" He then said, as Fred gave the camera a thumb up.

"Now, let's take a look at what he's up against!" The announcer said, before showing images of the death course that Fred was going to take, being fire geyser platforms, lasers that was near some catwalk paths, and a robot that was on the other side of those lasers, then some pushers that came out of the walls that could push someone into the lava, then some more sections that had fire geysers, and a death bot at the end. "Doesn't look too bad now, does it?" He sarcastically asked.

"But hey, if you're able to make it to the end, and beat our Gladiator Arena, you can win, a Tyhrraguise!" He then said showing a picture of the item in question.

The viewers, (Including the Lombaxes.) knew that Fred had no snowball's chance in Tabora, in making it to the end of the course to win the Tyhrraguise.

"GOOOOOOD LUCK FRED!" The announcer then said, as Fred walked forwards a bit at the sound of the alarm…

only to get blasted to oblivion just seconds after the course began.

The announcer ended up laughing at the misery of Fred. "NEEEXT!" He then yelled out.


Sasha, and Angela was in shock at the sight of what Fred went through. Mainly because of the fact, that it looked like a dangerous death course that could give the path of death on Florana, a run for its money in the challenge department. And the look of the death course did leave Angela feeling a little nervous about taking it. Even though she was going to go through with taking it on, after the aforementioned path of death. That is, if she's forced to do so by Annihilation Nation.

Ratchet on the other hand, was merely unintimidated, as he looked on deadpan at the screen. "Another day, another death course." He casually said. "Come on Angela, Clank." He said, having them both following him.

"Just a minute!" Sasha then said quickly, stopping them in their tracks. "Before you all take on the course, I also came to inform you, that we have new sets of armors for you both, to wear. I'm certain that they'll be of great help for you when you both go to Annihilation Nation." Sasha said.

"Really? New armors?" Ratchet asked curiously. As was Angela.

"You're correct. These armors are called the Magnaplate Armor. It's made out of the eponymous alloy that should absorb energy from the shots that the arena, and the Tyhrranoids, could shoot at you, and reduce the damage taken by at least 33%. Which is better than your current attire. So I recommend putting on those suits before competing in the death course." Sasha said.

"That could be useful. Let's try them on Ratchet." Angela said, going to the armor vendor in the Phoenix with Ratchet in tow.

Where once they were there, they ended up getting into the armor vender, (Which looked like an automatic suiting-up capsule that puts on the new armor for those that buys the armor.) one at a time, where it suited them up in the new sets of armor, being the Magnaplate Armor.

And the Magnaplate armor, was a brightest of grey metal vest with a blue glowing light in the middle, that went with a blue jumpsuit with black trims, with a matching pair of gloves, and combat boots that was black with metallic blue metal trims, and for the gloves, had neon blue lights on the wrist sections of the gloves. Which fitted well with Ratchet's build.

While Angela then dressed up in the same new armor as Ratchet was wearing, being the same vest with a blue light, and a blue jumpsuit with black trims, and matching pair of gloves, and boots. The difference between them though, was that it was form fitting for Angela, and showed off her curves like it was a catsuit for Angela, if it had armor on it. Which had Ratchet blushing up a storm when he saw Angela in that. Which was echoed with Angela blushing herself. Even though she was also smiling a bit at how just plain hot she looked in Ratchet's eyes.

All while Clank was trying not to giggle at the sight of his best friend getting embarrassed by another best friend's sexy looks.

Either way though, they felt that the armor would be of good help for Annihilation Nation. So they made sure that they were suited up, before they then boarded the Star Explorer, and zoomed off into space, and was now headed towards the station Q9, where the games were taking place.


"ARE YOU READY TO PLAAAY!?" The announcer bellowed out to the cheering crowd.

"Alright! Let's meet our new contestants!" He then said, referring to both Ratchet, and Angela.

"The male is an unemployed rocket mechanic who has claimed to have saved two galaxies, but most people knows of him as Secret Agent Clank's bumbling Chauffeur!" The announcer said. Much to Ratchet's dismay.

After all, there was another reason why he's not as fond of the show as the others were. And it's because the people would know him more as that said Chauffeur, than as the guy who saved both the Solona Galaxy, (From Drek.) and the Bogon Galaxy. (From Qwark, and the Proto Pets.) He felt that if there was something that he'd be unable to live down, it's being in the show as the Chauffeur.

"And the other, is a former Employee of Megacorp, another company that's similar to Gadgetron, only they're in the Bogon Galaxy. Which is the Galaxy that happened to have suffered an infestation of the creatures known as the Proto Pet! Only to have been saved by this lady here, with this guy's help!" He said.

Which did flatter her, and Ratchet, who was glad to have received some credit at least, alongside herself.

"And they hope that disguising themselves as Tyhrranoid, would make them more attractive for the ladies, and gentlemen, or each other!" He said.

Which was much to both their chagrin. "Hey! She's not my girlfriend!" He defensively cried.

Even though Angela might've heard someone say "You keep telling yourself that dude!" And she couldn't help but think the same thing to him.

"Give it up for, RAAAATCHET, and AAAANGELA CROOOOOSSS!" The announcer yelled out, as the crowd cheered for them both. Making both of them raise their fists in excitement.

"Ratchet, will attempt to be the first contestant to survive our death course! Meanwhile, Angela shall attempt to survive our Gladiatorial challenge of ten rounds! If both Lombaxes are able to win, they shall get a Qwark vid comic, and a pair of Tyhrraguises! Contestant #1, are you ready?!"

"Bring it on!" Ratchet said.

"Contestant #2, are you ready?!"

"I'm ready alright! Bring it!" She said, before both Lombaxes got teleported to the separate challenges, while Clank kept himself attached to Ratchet.

With Ratchet, he began his run through the death course, beginning with timing his jumps on the platform that had fire geysers on it, so he won't get burned, before jumping, and gliding onto the next one to make it to the next sector of the course.

Before he could get to the next section though, he entered a room that lead to the next section, where he saw that there was at least over five little robots with spinning axe blades for weapons that spun around them like a ring. And they tried to take down Ratchet, only for him to shoot them all down with his N60 storm to strengthen it.

None of them stood a chance, as he stepped on a button that had a rectangular slot that decided where to make him go, before choosing left. So he went left after the door opened, where he saw a bridge that looked like a ridiculous shape that moved left, then right then forward, instead of going straight. And right next to the bridge, was six turrets that was soon to open up, and shoot at him with their lasers.

Which Ratchet decided to avoid by strafing around them. Which wasn't hard since they were unable to turn their barrels at him while shooting their lasers. Much to his relief.

Now he only had to contend with the death robots that he had to face off against. The first being past the lasers that he passed. And even though it looked like it was capable of shooting a large hole into him, or clobbering him with its large upper body, it was still no match for his golden weapons, or the N60 storm. And the same could be said for the next pair of death bots that shoots lasers.

Now he just kept on going through the course, making sure to avoid the fire geysers on his way to the safe place in the middle of the section. Even though it wasn't as safe as it was, as he got hit by a laser from another death bot when he got there.

It didn't hurt as bad as he expected it though, but it still hurt nonetheless, as he shot back against the bot with the N60 storm. "It's a good thing we got the Magnaplate armor." Ratchet said to himself.

As he went forward, he ended up noticing something that was off of the beaten path, and that was on the large rock next to the area that was before the platform fire geysers that he was trying to avoid. And on closer look, he ended up seeing the Platinum Bolt on there. Much to his pleasant surprise, as he decided to grab it after going back to the area where it is, before jumping onto the rock to get it since it was in his reach near the stars, leading to the fire geyser platforms.

After putting it in his possession, he resumed continuing onwards through the course, after going through another room with the slot block that chooses where he should go.

Where he continued to battle the robots, whether it'd be the death bots, or the little green, spinning blade robots, as well as having to contend with the pushing green blocks that tried to push him into the lava, but they were short enough in height for him to jump over them, and even onto them to jump onto the next ones so that he won't risk getting pushed off of them.

And that was the last area that he had to survive in the course, before he reached the end, and got another Qwark vid comic as a reward.

"I don't believe it folks, Ratchet has made it to the end! Note to self, never mess with the trigger happy lombax!" The announcer said.

"Damn right." Ratchet said, proudly. Before he suddenly got teleported.

Where he suddenly found himself in the arena. Which wasn't too surprising since he did the arena fights before, back in the Bogon Galaxy with the Maktar Resort in the Maktar Nebula, and the Megacorp games on Planet Joba. After all, how could he forget fighting against Chain blade, and the B2 Brawler, in Maktar? Or the Arachnoid, and the Megapede, on Joba?

What was surprising though, was that he was in the same arena…

that Angela was on, fighting off the Gladiators with a new weapon, as well as the Plasma whip. Much to her own surprise, when she saw him.

"It seems, that Ratchet has won a bonus from the course for collecting the Titanium Bolt! He gets to lend a helping hand to Angela in her fight in our Gladiator arena!" The announcer said.

Angela was surprised to see Ratchet in the same arena as her, and both she and Ratchet was wondering if this was planned to happen, but she did feel like thanking the producers of Annihilation Nation, for having Ratchet enter the gladiator's arena with her. Not that she feels that she can't take on the arena without help from Ratchet, as she can take care of the Gladiators, and make them look like pansy children's cartoon characters when she's done with them, but it was nice to have a friend to take on waves of enemies in the arena with.

Which Ratchet ultimately felt happy about too, when he got into the arena with her. Now he gets to see her kicking butt in person, and make sure that the arena's Gladiators won't kill her on his watch.

"So, what wave are you on?" Ratchet asked Angela.

"I believe I'm on the fourth wave, out of ten. And I think I would defeat all of these waves, even if I didn't have an ally with me." Angela said.

"I can see that too. But it's nice to have me here with you though, considering the arenas I fought in, back in Bogon." Ratchet responded, feeling assured that Angela's got this, even if he wasn't on the arena with her. But here he is, and he might as well make the most of it, and fight in another arena, like back in the Maktar Resort, and on Joba.

All while Angela was glad too, having seen Ratchet fight in Bogon's arenas before on TV, especially having seen his fights against Chain blade, and B2 Brawler in the Maktar Resort. And against the Megapede, and Arachnoid on Planet Joba, where the Megacorp games was held.

Ratchet was in the middle of taking out the other combatants, before he noticed that Angela had pulled out a new weapon in her hands that she was ready to use. "What's that?" He asked.

"It's called a Spitting Hydra. It's basically supposed to be used as a lock on weapon that is supposed to destroy every enemy that it locks on to. Even though I'm about to fire this thing for the first time. And it cost quite a bit of Bolts to buy." She said, as there was a group of Gladiators that was lined up for her to use it.

So she did, as she noticed that it was charging up. While Ratchet noticed that it had some lock crosshairs on the enemy Gladiators that was trying to kill them. Only for her to let go of the trigger, causing it to fire out a devastating wave of electricity that destroyed the Gladiators that it locked on to, while knocking her onto the floor.

Nevertheless, it was a devastating shot that took out most of the Gladiators, which impressed Ratchet at how strong the weapon was in her hands, as well as his own, if they were to switch. Even though she got knocked down by it, as she had to nurse her butt for the fall. But she just got back up to continue to take down the Gladiators.

"Whoa, it's no wonder it costs plenty of bolts!" She said, continuing to use it against the Gladiators.

Which wasn't too hard, since some of the Gladiators were clumsy. Especially the ones that has whips in their hands. Because when they swing those whips around, they end up hitting their allies in attempting to hit either Lombax, before getting hit in return. Which was funny to see, and both Ratchet, and Angela, had to put their willpower into making sure that they won't fall to the arena's floor, laughing.

Even though the Gladiators did end up hitting the Lombaxes with their whips as well, which hurt them, but they were still able to fight well. And they continued to dodge the whips, while being relieved about the armor that they were wearing for protecting them. All while breaking the Nanotech crates to heal their wounds. But still, the whip Gladiators did some more damage to themselves, than they did, and could do, to the Lombaxes.

The same could be said for the laser murder bots, to a lesser extent, as they also hit their comrades as well. Not as much as the whip Gladiators though.

All while Ratchet assisted with the N60 storm, that continued to take down more of the Gladiators in the arena. While making sure to have it upgraded, which could help them well in their fight against Nefarious.

And speaking of upgrades, the same could almost be said for the Plasma Whip, that Angela was using too. She felt that it shouldn't take long for it to upgrade itself if they were inclined to use it against Nefarious's forces, and make it her own melee weapon alongside the purple double bladed saber sword that she uses too. (Though not to the same extent as Ratchet and his Wrench, or his own double bladed saber sword.)

All while Ratchet used his Golden Suck Cannon against the smaller bots, and then shot them out against the Gladiators, and the death bots, that shoots out lasers, or swings their maces at them. Which was a useful weapon against them, since the small bots were usually paired with the death bots, and the Gladiators, or sometimes gets sent out against the Lombaxes on their own, in large numbers. Which considering the weapons that both Lombaxes were using, and the skills that they have, didn't seem like a useful tactic for them.

It was a couple minutes of fighting against them, that passed, before the Lombaxes got to the final wave.

"It's amazing folks! The Lombaxes has made it to the final wave of this survival challenge! I guess it's time to bring out the big guns for this one!" The announcer said. Then suddenly a pair of bosses has entered the arena from the largest door with the Nation's logo on it, that was beside the arena.

One of them was a broad, fat, yet muscular, heavily armored, dark grey, and red-colored robot with shoulder-mounted missile launchers, and he held what looked like an immense rapid firing chain gun with for barrels in a diamond pattern.

The other looked like a plump, fat, Valkyrie robot, with two horns on her head, and what was supposed to look like braids of hair that trailed to under her bust, and she wore what looked like female Viking clothing. And she held a thinner laser whip.

"We have saved the best for last folks, these two are going to be the final obstacle that the Lombaxes are going to face for the Tyhrraguises, give it up for the Terrible Two, GARY, AND HEEEELEEEEN!" The announcer said as Gary was flaunting for a cheering crowd, while Helen was blowing them kisses.

It seemed for the Lombaxes, that they were going to be fighting what could be the toughest fighters that Annihilation Nation could throw at them. So they were bracing themselves for their fight against the pair of bosses that they were going to defeat for the Tyhrraguise, and the next Qwark vid comic.

"Hey there little fighters, soon, everything will be whiter!" Gary bellowed out, before he shot out his lasers from the chain gun, that Ratchet strafed around, and jumped over due to the pattern that he was shooting it. All while Ratchet continued to shoot out the N60 against Gary.

While Helen on the other hand, was attempting to whip Angela Cross, aiming her whip for her feet. Only for her to jump over the whip, and continue to shoot the spitting hydra against her, as well as use her own Plasma Whip against her as she dodged Helen's whip when she tried to swing it in a vertical direction.

All while Ratchet continued to shoot back against Gary, with his V2 Nitro Bombs to damage Gary with the explosions. Which did start to show, but Gary wasn't done. Since he then shot out some rockets from his shoulders into the air, before having them raining on the Lombaxes that was going to get caught by them.

"Uh, Angela!" He said, making sure that Angela's attention isn't solely on Helen as he got ready to dodge them.

"What is it Ratchet? I'm in the middle of something… Oh. Oh Crap!" Angela said, now noticing the impending rain of missiles that they were going to get blown up by, if they didn't move quickly.

So they did, by scattering. So that they'd be harder to hit, and so that they won't get hit at the same time by the missiles, while strafing around the pair of bosses of the arena, as they continued to attack them. With Helen using another attack of hers, being a shockwave attack. Which, was faster than the whip, and did land a hit on the Lombaxes, hurting them both, but they jumped over the rest of the shockwaves, knowing how to dodge them.

"Thank you, thank you! I know, I'm beautiful!" Helen said, flaunting her 'beauty' for the audience.

The Lombaxes begged to differ on her beauty though.

The fight went on for a couple moments, as they strafed around Gary's laser, and jumped over Helen's laser whip, and scattering when Gary launches his missiles out of his shoulders, and jumping over Helen's shockwave attack. And even taking some hits from either of them, which they healed with the remaining Nanotech crates, which they were glad that they saved for this fight, cause otherwise, they could've been in trouble. Even though the armor that they have on, would do good enough in protecting them.

Nevertheless, they continued to fight against the Terrible Two, until Helen eventually went down after one more shot from the Plasma Whip being thrown like a boomerang by Angela, leaving only Gary for them to face off against.

And also, the plasma whip evolved again, to the V4 version, with even more blue fire on the now blue plasma whip, which helped not only raise up its ammo counter, but it also gave it some more power behind the whips, and gave it a burning effect to damage enemies with. It seemed that Angela has chosen her signature weapon for use.

All while Ratchet kept on launching the Nitro bombs at a now angry, and vengeful Gary, who continued to shoot out the lasers from his chain gun, and the missiles from his shoulders. Which the Lombaxes were dodging, since they were getting used to dodging his attacks, and they felt that they have this now 2V1 battle in the bag. Especially since Angela was also shooting at him with the Spitting Hydra.

And, after some more minutes, they were right, as Gary eventually went down after one more shot from the Nitro Launcher. Which upgraded itself to a V3 version, that made his weapon able to create a bigger explosion after firing it out, and he was sure that its damage has increased. Ratchet felt that he has a favorite weapon to shoot against Nefarious's forces, when they fight.

All while Angela's Spitting Hydra also upgraded itself to the V2 Spitting Hydra, which she correctly guessed, would give her one more enemy to lock onto, and fire at with it, while also increasing the damage of the Spitting Hydra, against their foes. It seemed that Angela has another favorite weapon to use.

"I don't believe it folks! Ratchet has survived the death course! And Angela has survived the Gladiatorial arena by his side!" The announcer said, as the crowd cheered for the Lombaxes, much to their delight, as Ratchet winked at the cameras. After all, they're proving themselves as quite the combatants, to where they know that they could stand toe to toe with Nefarious, just as well as Qwark has in the past.

Something, that could have Nefarious feeling nervous of fighting them as long as they're together. Even though they would be as much of a force to be reckoned with while apart too.

Then suddenly, a female robot appeared, whom had silver metal alloy for her skin, brown metallic hair held by a red band, and glowing metallic eyes, who was wearing a long-sleeved Crop top that exposed her midriff, along with her matching miniskirt that hid her black mini-shorts, and a pair of red wedge boots. And she was holding their prizes.

Ratchet thought that the robotic girl that had their prize was gorgeous, what with her pretty looks that she had. But she was a robot who looks pretty, and not as pretty as Angela is.

Angela on the other hand, was hiddenly glaring at her, hoping that she isn't attracting Ratchet to her.

"And here to hand you both your prizes, is the lovely Miss Courtney Gears!" The announcer said, telling the Lombaxes the name of the robot as she handed them the Tyhrraguises, before motioning to the Lombaxes as she left.

Which would be before the Lombaxes decided to test out the Tyhrraguises to see if they work. Sure enough, they looked like the Tyhrranoids once they attached them to their uniforms, and turned them on.

With Ratchet looking like the small berserker noid, while Angela looked like the more larger gunner noids. Both of whom, were looking at their forms.

Then they got a message from Sasha, who was messaging them when she saw their forms. "AAH!"

"Don't be alarmed, it's just Ratchet, and Angela." Clank said, calming Sasha down.

"Oh. It seems that you've both won the Tyhrraguises. They're very convincing." She said a little awkwardly.

"Anyways, there's something that I think all of you might need to see." Sasha said, before showing them a video.


"Qwark personal log: entry 101301.

After I personally vanquished the Proto pet menace…" Qwark's voice said, showing the image of him cowering before the bigger mutated Proto pet.

"And after revamping the Megacorp testing facility…" He then said, showing an image of him strapped to a wall, with a Crotchitizer bearing down on him.

"I decided to focus my efforts on protecting the endangered creatures of the Florana Planet's jungle." He then said, showing an image of Qwark, with Skrunch in his hands, who happened to be unruly to him, almost looking like he was preventing Qwark from kissing him.

"But when news arrived that Dr. Nefarious has returned to power, to once again threaten the Galaxy, I knew where my true destiny lied." He then said, showing an image of Nefarious's face in the shadows, with his face illuminated, along with his red glowing eyes.

"So I had to go through plenty of necessary training to put me into tip top shape, which was exhausting…" It then showed Qwark on the masseuse bed, getting massage therapy from his trainer, whom was a plump android named Helga. (Whom Ratchet, and Clank, met back on Planet Kerwan, in Metropolis city. And whom was in disapproval of his performance on the Obstacle course that he took there.)

"But it was worth it to make me strong again, and my mind overflows with brilliant concepts." It then showed Qwark with Al, who was tutoring Qwark on basic math equations, like what 2+2 equaled, while Qwark merely looked at his paper with nervousness, while he only doodled on his paper, which showed his doodles, being a flying rocket ship, a monkey with a banana in its hand, and what looked like a medieval knight on some sort of alien two legged creature that got obscured by Qwark's hand.

Which in the Lombaxes eyes, looked like he was blatantly lying to them about his intelligence.

"And though I yearn for the bittersweet smell of my monkey companions… *Sniff* Aaaahhhh." He then said, showing Qwark covering his face, possibly out of sadness, while Skrunch hung on a vine of the tree that they were on, possibly trying to cheer up Qwark by handing him a banana while other monkeys of Florana surrounded them both.

Then it showed Qwark standing triumphantly on the moon in the middle of space. "The time has come for me to resume my duties, as the greatest hero that the Galaxies have ever known! CAPTAIN QWAAARRRK!" He then hammily called out on the last part as his logo came onto the screen, before it then faded to black.


Sasha reappeared on the screen after the log ended. "You're not going to believe this, but the President has put Qwark in charge of the fight against Nefarious." She then said, sounding like even she was in disbelief.

As was Ratchet, Angela, and even Clank himself. The latter of whom, was looking down at the ground of the arena, while both Ratchet, and Angela face palmed themselves, or more accurately, palmed their eye stalks in disappointment.

While if Angela was still in the form of a Lombax, she would've been asking a question, being, "Are you F#$!ing kidding me?!"

"Our new commander just called in his first team meeting. I think you better come back to the Phoenix right away. Sasha out." Sasha then said, ending her video com.

Ratchet proceeded to speak the language of the Tyhrranoids, in obvious dismay. Like he was saying, "This is gonna suck." to Clank.

Which was echoed by Angela.

"I agree guys. This does not sound good." Clank said, feeling dismayed at the choice that the President made, regardless of his support for Qwark in their fight against Nefarious.

It seemed that the Lombaxes were gonna be in for a tough ride in their fight against Nefarious, as they decided to leave the station, and return to the Phoenix.


And done.

I hope you all enjoyed this fourth chapter of RCAUYA.

I feel that the snarking that Ratchet, and Angela did as they played the Vid comic on the Phonix, was what I believe Ratchet could've been doing offscreen as he played the Qwark vid comic. And considering his past with Qwark, who could blame him.

Also, I thought that having the lombaxes facing off against the Terrible Two from the challenges of Annihilation Nation would've been a good climax to their fight for the Tyhrraguises. They can still be fought again in the other challenges, should Angela, and Ratchet come around to fighting in those challenges again.

Edit: Also, sorry that I didn't put Cora, and Starlene in Annihilation Nation's challenge. They're gonna get their time to shine later on in the future chapters, along with another member of the Q-force.

Finally, one more thing.

I hope that you enjoyed the chapter,

please give constructive criticism, just don't be rude,

do not forget to read and review,

hope you all stay safe,

and once again, I do not own Ratchet and Clank. Ratchet and Clank is created and owned by Insomniac games and Sony. Please support the official release.

Theodore the Poet signing off.