Today you get some new characters. You can see this chapter as a bit of a brief introduction to them. They will be important to the plot, so don't think this chapter is pointless!

Enjoy!

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[Oliver]

[One Week Later]

Oliver Abletress was never the type of person to make friends.

He was a loner. A freak to everyone but his family. While this would bother anyone else, Oliver himself never really minded it. He liked playing video games by himself, shopping by himself, and even cooking by himself. It was clear to everyone that met him that while he was a sweet, kind boy, he was also very shy and reclusive.

In essence, all Oliver had was his mother, father, and brother in the beginning. But then his brother started working on transport ships and eventually started leaving for work. His brother was considered his best friend and partner in crime. But once he left, that was it. Nothing.

It was like that for a while, until that one day he decided to watch his father train recruits...

He met Ratchet.

Now, while Ratchet was not like his older brother in any way, shape, or form, he was still like one all the same. Before Oliver knew it, they went shopping together, ate out together, played video games together (by sharing Oliver's holo-phone by passing it back and forth), and so much more.

In a way, it was that sort of bond that once it was there, it would never go away. Call it cringey, but Oliver was really glad to have Ratchet as a best friend.

Which was why Oliver decided to try his damn hardest at helping Ratchet with his situation. Ratchet had no memories, and it seemed like The Council was not helping at all by seemingly watching him almost every single day. In a way, it was kind of freaky how weird this whole situation was. Either way, Oliver was determined to help.

It was a whole week after their conversation in the smoothie shop when things took a sharp turn.

His brother was back home...

"Arthur sweetie, why don't you rest a bit? I'm sure coming all the way back here was a long trip, and we haven't seen you in so long!" His mother, May, gushed, coming over to his brother and hugging him tightly, "You're father will be home soon, and Ollie is upstairs, go say hi to him, will you? He is about to go out for the day."

But she was wrong, Oliver was peeking from the top of the stairs because he was just about to leave...that was until a tall, solid dark brown-furred Lombax could be seen standing in the kitchen.

His blue eyes glared down at the end of the steps, he should've left before them.

Arthur looked at her quizzically, "Oliver? Going out?"

May laughed, putting a pot on the stove to make some stew, "Yeah, Oliver's got a new friend. Such a sweet boy he is, very polite and respectful for a kid his age. Oliver and him get along like two peas in a pod."

Arthur nodded silently, before turning around and jumping at the sight of his brother standing there.

"Hey, Ollie! It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Two years." Oliver replied, "It's been two years."

Arthur grimaced, he was not looking forward to having this conversation. He stared into blue eyes that were identical to his own.

"I-I know, Ollie...I'm sorry."

Oliver did not reply, silently looking at his phone when it pinged,

[New Message!]

Ratchie :P : Hey! I'm here! When will u be here?

Ollie : Change of plans...

Oliver sighed typing out another reply, he was supposed to leave a while ago. He was about to reply to his brother...that was until his mother piped up, "Oliver why don't you take Arthur with you? I'm sure he would like to see the city again. Oh! And Ratchet will love to meet him too! Don't you think?"

Oliver groaned, "But we're going to the arcade, mom! Arthur can almost be considered an adult! I'm sure-"

"Actually, I'd love to come and see this new friend you've got." Arthur said, "Maybe I could beat him at some arcade games."

Oliver sighed, before giving in, "Ugh, fine!" he said, "But let's get out of here because he is already waiting!"

Oliver then left the house, taking out his phone and texting ratchet back. He sighed as he heard the front door shut behind him. This day was going to be terrible, he already knew it. He started walking, ignoring the obvious presence that was walking right next to him. "So, Ratchet? That's an odd name." Arthur chuckled. Oliver rolled his eyes, "Yeah, guess it is. But he's an awesome guy." he replied, "I'm sure he'll like you."

Arthur nodded, "Hopefully. Well, if someone like you made friends with him, I'm sure he will."

"Was that supposed to be an insult?"

"Well, it's a compliment depending on how you look at it."

Oliver groaned internally. He already wanted to pull his fur out. He did not want his brother to ruin Ratchet's view of him (though deep down he knew that it wouldn't. Ratchet was loyal).

"Just...Don't overwhelm him, please. He has been through...a lot these past months."

Arthur looked at him in confusion, "What do you mean?"

Oliver looked at him, perplexed, "You didn't hear? I thought everyone had heard of it by now. He was found outside the city, badly wounded. He suffers from a bad case of amnesia and has been like that ever since."

"Wait...he's that kid!? Most of us on the transport ships thought that was just a rumor!" Arthur exclaimed, eyes widening in shock, "We honestly didn't think it was real."

"Yeah, well it is. I've been friends with him for months now. He hasn't regained many memories, but he is currently staying with The Keeper and his wife, Phoebe. You remember them."

"Yes, I do. I just can't believe that something like that was true. Poor kid..."

They walked in awkward silence for a bit longer. Oliver wasn't up for starting any more conversation. Arthur was just stuck in thought about what he was told. First, it was odd for his brother to be making any sorts of friends, and two, his friend being that same person that was talked about over broken radio calls? It was mind-boggling.

Eventually, they turned down the street where the arcade was located on, Oliver taking out his phone once more and describing the situation to him.

Ollie : Btw my older brother is coming with me, square up (ง'̀-'́)ง

Ratchie : Oh, okay. I'm ready!

Oliver smiled, putting his phone back and ignoring the obvious stare coming from Arthur. "Were here, ratchet should be just about...there!" he pulled his brother along, stopping just in front of his friend. Ratchet smiled, confidently holding his hand out, "Name's Ratchet!"

But Arthur, unknowingly, shook Ratchet's hand, "Arthur Abletress, nice to meet you!"

The three talked for a little, before Ratchet turned to enter, "Okay! I promised Phoebe I would win her something!" He said, before looking behind him, "And I am planning on winning on skeeball against you guys so be prepared! I always win!"

"He never wins..." Oliver chuckled, Arthur joined in, "I don't know, he seems pretty confident, may actually win this time." Oliver sighed, "Well, it is the only thing he isn't good at, he is Top-tier at anything else."

Arthur sighed, following his brother and Ratchet inside. This place was exactly as he remembered it. However, it was way more crowded a couple of years ago. He was unused to the prominent silence (besides the sound of games going off around him).

Oliver at Ratchet naturally gravitated over to the claw machines, Ratchet immediately pointed to one of the stuffies inside, "I bet you I can win a few of them."

He won three...one for each of them...

.

.

And he did lose to skeeball. But he won't tell you that...

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After that, the trio walked around the city. Chatting and occasionally laughing together. Even though Oliver's smile was a bit strained.

Arthur noticed this, however, and decided that enough was enough. "Okay, well, I think I'm gonna head on off. Don't wanna be hanging around with children all day anyways."

Oliver looked offended, while Ratchet glared, "Please, I saw you pick those weird children's stick-on toys at the prize booth!"

Arthur laughed before turning, "What can I say, I got good taste." He looked towards his brother, looking a bit sad, "See you back at home, Ollie." and he was off. Oliver sighed and Ratchet looked at his friend in sympathy. "Are you okay? I knew something was off when I saw you..."

"I'll tell you later.." he said. "Do you still want to go to the library like we planned? Honestly, I thought it was going to be way easier getting rid of my brother. It took us a long time!"

Ratchet chuckled, "We still had time. You're lucky I remembered how to get to the arcade from the library. Good thing you gave me a heads up..."

"You had to ask for directions, didn't you, memory boy?"

"Stop calling me that and shut up!"

Oliver laughed as they started heading to the library. While it was a bit late to be heading there, he supposed that it was better than nothing. Ratchet seemed to have gotten more evidence these past few days that they spent out and about. He eventually texted Oliver about it and they decided that the library was the best quiet place to go over what they know.

That was until his brother decided to show up out of nowhere.

Oliver knew that they couldn't reveal their "secret detective work" (or so Oliver called it) to his brother, and had to find a way to get him off their tails.

Before they knew it, they entered the large building, heading to their usual spot in the very back corner, hoping to be undisturbed. "Okay so, what you got?" Oliver started, watching as Ratchet pulled out his book and communicator, "A-a lot, actually." Ratchet said, grimacing, "Actually, I got in a bit of a...spat with Alister last night after dinner." Oliver's eyes widened at this,

"What!? Really!? What was it about."

"I asked about the council and everything and he just got...very defensive about it..." Ratchet said grimly, "I-I don't think I can trust Alister right now."

Oliver nodded in understanding, leaning forward to look at his friend, "What did Kaden and Phoebe say?"

Ratchet sighed, "They were cleaning up, and we weren't shouting so..." Ratchet scratched the back of his neck, "I'm sure Alister will tell them though. Him and Kaden are best friends."

"I just don't know what his reaction will be..."

Oliver shook his head, "Hey, don't think like that! Kaden and Phoebe love you. They love you as if you were their son!"

And while he didn't mean for that last part to slip out, it had an effect all the same,

"W-what? No, it's not like that!" Ratchet replied, but he didn't sound convincing. Oliver chuckled, "Either way, if you can't trust Alister, who's a well-respected General, mind you. Who can you trust?"

"Basically everyone else except him and anyone associated with the council!"

Oliver laughed, shaking his head, "I think you have to draw a fine line between people you trust and people you don't." he said, "Like a videogame. You're the hero. You have a loyal group of people that follow you. Then you have the bad guys. Who has a whole group with them."

"So...multiple people are connected to one person." Ratchet finished. Oliver nodded, "Exactly. There is always one big bad villain out there. You just gotta find their lackeys and work your way up."

They opened Ratchet's journal between them. Oliver took Ratchet's obnoxiously green pen (with a tiny little robot figure on top) and started writing. On the left page, he wrote :

[I Can Trust]

...And starting listing off Kaden, Phoebe, himself, and his own parents. On the other page, he wrote the exact opposite, starting with Alister's name.

"Alright, so now we work up from Alister, as sad as it is to say."

Ratchet grimaced, "But what if someone opens the journal and finds that page? We can't risk it."

Oliver sighed, before ripping out the pages and throwing them to the side, "You're right. Dammit, if only there was some secret-"

"I got it!" Ratchet stood up, slamming his hands on the table, scaring Oliver out of his seat. "Dude, I told you not to do that!"

He watched as Ratchet practically ran over to the bookshelves, frantically looking around until he stopped and turned down one of the aisles. Oliver sighed, "What a crazy guy."

He slouched inside the booth, waiting for his friend to come back with a whole stack of books. At least, that's what he was expecting. But he was proved wrong, once again...

Ratchet came back to the booth holding on to a thick book, a stranger trailing behind him. Oliver looked at him incredulously, "How are you even carrying that and...who is this?"

The Lombax, a short girl with round glasses, jumped out from behind his friend, a lollipop in her mouth. Her pristine solid, white fur contrasted against her dark, evergreen eyes. Her white hair only came down to her shoulders. "I'm Alice! Pleased to meet you!" she saluted, "I helped get the book for him, he seemed a bit lost..."

"As always." Oliver grumbled, "I'm Oliver. That's Ratchet." he pointed to his friend, "Who is holding a...really big book. What the heck is that?!"

Ratchet sighed, laying the book upon the table, "A book on all the languages in the solar system. At least, that's what I think it is."

"Oh no. Don't tell me we are actually going to learn a whole language just to write something!" Oliver groaned, "Well, not quite. I'll tell you later." Ratchet slid into the booth, Alice jumped up a bit, "Oh! I know we just met and this will be awkward but..." she turned to Ratchet, "I know who you are. And I have to say, your situation is very unfortunate." she looked towards the book, "I have been studying things outside of our planet for a couple of years now. I don't know what you're doing, but I can help a little bit!" she offered.

Oliver looked towards Ratchet, who shrugged in response. He nodded, "Alright, if you really want to."

Alice smiled, sliding up against Ratchet, who slid over a bit to make more space for himself. "Now, I just clean the library from time to time when the library closes." she explained, popping her red and white lollipop out of her mouth. "But...she looked at the thick book before them, "I know of some books that are not on the shelf that could possibly help you guys more. But let's start here, shall we?" she opened up the book, "What language are you guys looking for?"

At this, Ratchet quietly handed his communicator over to her, she turned the screen on, eyes widening. "I-I never seen this before. Then again, I don't know what's in the book, so let's look..."

They flipped through the pages, trying to find any similar-looking markings. After a while, Alice even offered them some lollipops since they have been looking for so long. Oliver got a green one while Ratchet got a black one. While it was a nice treat, it didn't help the fact that, after a while, the letters and symbols started getting harder and harder to decipher.

"This book is so old it's hard to read, some pages are even ripped out..." Oliver said, "Are there any other books like this?"

"Unfortunately, there are very few. Our race is so secretive after Tachyon that most of our history books before the incident are locked away."

"That's not right..." Ratchet grumbled, "Shouldn't people know about the past?"

"They should." Oliver agreed, "It's only fair. While it was a terrible situation, I think we deserve to know the full story." He said, "Sadly, the adults refuse to talk about it with everyone in our generation. It's messed up."

Alice and Ratchet nodded in agreement.

They continued to flip through the book but to no avail.

Alice turned to Ratchet, "Hey, maybe you were like me before you lost your memories, a history geek!" Ratchet chuckled, "Maybe so."

"Wouldn't be surprised." Oliver piped up, "Ratchet here seems to be a jack-of-all-trades."

"Except for skee-ball," he said. Ratchet glared at him while Alice laughed" she looked at her holo-phone. "Oh! Gotta get going. I'll let you guys know if I find anything after hours. It was nice meeting you and, hey! Give me your phones!"

She took Oliver's phone and Ratchet communicator, entering her contact info. She stood up proudly, "Okay, gotta go!" she said, before zooming off. Oliver slid his phone back over to himself.

"Wow...actually got a girl's number. That's a first." He said jokingly before pocketing his phone. Ratchet did the same with his communicator before he opened his book once more. "Look, we don't know what language it is, but I do. I can teach you a bit." he took his pen, "I am writing the same thing you did before, just like this." he wrote it out, placing Alister's name where it should be, "I feel bad, but I have a feeling that Alister would tell the council anything I saw about it. At least the journal will be more secretive now."

Oliver nodded, looking at the writing curiously.

"Y'know...if no one here has ever seen a language like this before, and our race is so secretive...What does that mean about you?"

Ratchet paused, thinking for a moment. "Maybe I'm not from here?"

Oliver shook his head, "No way! This isn't some fantasy RPG or something. Kit's like us are never allowed off-planet, the only people that can leave are the adults or people that are working on transport ships and such."

Ratchet sighed, "Yeah, you're right." he smiled over to his friend.

They eventually collected their items and left, Oliver throwing their discarded papers in the bin while Ratchet held his journal closed. They didn't make any progress, but it was something.

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They found themselves in a small bakery a little while later. Oliver decided to treat himself to something after his emotionally exhausting day. He turned towards his friend, "Y'know, if you don't want to go back home, I'm sure that my parents won't mind you staying the night. I have a small couch in my room you can use." he offered, "We can play some video games together too!"

Ratchet sighed, "Maybe next time. I don't want to make it obvious that I don't trust him. I'll act normal for now."

Oliver nodded in understanding, before stepping forward to order himself a cookie. Ratchet looked around behind him. When he turned around, however, he saw the disgusted look on Ratchet's face before they turned around to leave. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Ratchet coughed slightly, almost gagging, "Free sample," he said, "Very bitter..." he winced,

"Yeah, that's probably black licorice. Guess you gotta suffer until you get-" Ratchet spits it out in a nearby trash can, "-home." Oliver finished, "That's one more thing to add to the list of things Ratchet can not stand."

"It's disgusting, I can't help it!"

Oliver rolled his eyes, silently munching away at his cookie, offering some to Ratchet, "No, never again. Won't go into that bakery ever again."

"Well, better write it in your book then." Oliver joked, but then looked surprised once Ratchet opened it, "Wow, okay. It was a joke but you do you I guess."

Ratchet wrote it quickly, shutting the journal and pocketing his pen. Before he paused, "Actually, I have a favor to ask of you." Ratchet said, Oliver turning to him in curiosity, "Can you hold on to my journal for me? If The Council really is after me...I don't want it on me for now. Not for a while at least. You can probably keep it somewhere safer too."

Oliver's eyes softened, Ratchet's eyes looking around them to see if anyone was watching, "That makes sense. Of course, I'll do it for you! You can count on me. I've got your back, after all!"

Ratchet smiled, timidly handing over the journal, "Thanks Ollie. You can write in it if you want or if you find anything." he said, "And remind me that I owe you one."

"Ratch, it's fine. You don't owe me anything." he said, before continuing,

"That's what friends are for."

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They split up a little while later, both bidding their goodbyes regretfully as they walked in separate directions

All in all, neither of them were excited to go home. Ratchet didn't want to see Alister and Oliver didn't want to see his brother. However, Oliver supposed that they both had to face the music and get it over with. Before he knew it, he was opening the front door and stepping inside his home, taking his shoes off. "I'm home!" he shouted, he walked into the living room and into the kitchen, where his mother and brother were sitting. His mother turned to him,

"You're just in time! Your father is working late tonight so it's just us three! Sit down and get comfortable!"

Oliver sighed, going to do just that. Sitting next to his mother and facing his brother. He started eating quietly while the other two started chatting. He listened to them drawl on and on, only piping in when a question was aimed at him.

That was until Arthur had to say something...

"So, Ollie. What have you been doing these days? Y'know, besides hanging out with friends?" he asked, Oliver sighed, "Just hanging around, doing what I usually do."

Arthur sighed, "Really? have you been looking into what you want to do in a couple of years? Have you even put in the effort to do something with your free time?"

Okay...that was uncalled for...

"Well, I'm still considered a kit, and I won't be an adult for many years to come. I'm in no rush."

"Well, by your age I was already following in dad's footsteps by studying and learning the ways of the omniwrench. Hell, I went to the library almost every day studying up on everything there. The Lombaxian race is filled with many intelligent individuals. It's in our blood." Arthur explained. May looked between them in silence, "Our society is not a fantasy world, you have to get out there eventually."

"Well, maybe I'm not like everyone else." Oliver growled, "Maybe I'm myself. Ever thought of that?"

"All I'm saying is that going out with your so-called friend every day is not going to help you succeed in the long run." Arthur stated, "And I don't think he is a good influence on you either."

Oliver stared at him wide-eyed. His mother piped up, "Arthur! Ratchet is a very kind boy! Don't you dare say that about someone you just met!"

Oliver was steaming, "Who are you to say that about him?"

Arthur sighed, "I'm your brother. I just want what is best for you. What I saw today was not that." he said, "Ratchet is kind, yes. But he can be brash, and excitable. Even childish if you look at it a certain way."

Oliver glared at him, "You didn't even talk to him like that! You don't know what he is like at all. He is strong, and loyal. He also doesn't take shit from anyone!" he fumed, "If anything, he is stronger than any other person I've met."

Arthur was silent for a minute, "Well, seems strong for someone who doesn't even make an attempt to regain their own memories."

At that, Oliver pushed his chair out and stood up, pointing a finger at his brother, who was still sitting. May scolded Arthur, "Arthur! How could you say that!?"

"You have no damn right to say that! You don't know how much he copes with it behind closed doors!"

"I am just giving my brother my opinion, is that bad?" Arthur stated.

But then Oliver paused, smiling devilishly as he leaned forward, putting his hands on the table and glaring darkly at his brother, "Brother? My so-called brother hasn't been here for years." he said coldly, "If anything, Ratchet is a better brother than you'll ever be."

And with that, and a scolding shout at him from his mother, he left. He went up the stairs and into his room, slamming the door. He looked around, overwhelmed by what just happened. He slammed his back against the door and slid down. He shakily pulled out his phone, but hesitated after he navigated to Ratchet's contact,

He sighed, and pocketed the phone. He walked over to his bed and dropped Ratchet's journal on the floor beside it, face planting onto the bed in exhaustion.

Today was a terrible day. Time to get some rest...

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The next morning, Oliver woke up to his phone vibrating continuously, he reached out his hand to grab it, before squinting his tired eyes and reading the screen.

[New Message!]

Ratchet : We've got a problem. A BIG one

Ratchet : The council has asked to speak with me later.

Ratchet : I don't know what's going on, Kaden and Phoebe don't either.

Ratchet : It's time to see what this is all about.

Oliver immediately sat up, frantically typing on his device...

Ollie : What the hell? Dude that is NOT normal

Ollie : U need to let me know what happens!

Ollie : Don't let the council do anything to u

Ratchet : I will let you know.

Ratchet : Keep my journal safe.

Ratchet : Stay safe, Oliver.

Ollie : You too!

Oliver put down his phone, looking out the window by his bedside, not knowing what to do.

What the actual fuck...

He growled in frustration, looking for Ratchet's journal. He spotted it on his nightstand, and he grabbed it. Heading over to his computer. He unceremoniously ripped a page out and started writing...

[The Council's Goal] - He wrote neatly...

He sighed, leaning back and staring at his blank computer screen. He pressed the button to turn it on. If the council wanted to fuck with his friend, so be it. Two can play at that game.

He sat up straight, ready to type away at his keyboard. He couldn't face The Council, hell no, but he can put stuff together. Ratchet's injuries, The Council's actions, the stalking. Everything. It all had to be traced to something. There had to be a reason.

Time to do a lot of research...

He looked once more at the journal beside him, looking over the various letters that Ratchet wrote that belonged to an unknown language.

And maybe, just maybe, he will be able to help Ratchet find his home. Wherever it was. It's what friends do for each other, after all.

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System processing...

Rebuilding code...

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Reboot Progress. . .

▂▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁ 10%

[Estimated Time Until Start-Up : 336 Hours/ 5 minutes/ 28 seconds

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