Welp, don't really have much to say this time around, except that I managed to get out another chapter after only another week. Again, I wouldn't quite be expecting this to be a regular thing, since I have no idea where this sudden hot streak is coming from, but I can't say I'm complaining. Hope you enjoy!
"Man, that was fun!" Ratchet says to Clank as they walk out of Julie's lab, with Ratchet twirling a brand-new gun around his finger as they do so. "I'll definitely have to check this place out again, and see if I can really beat her next time!"
"The fact that she was able to tie with you at all is an astonishing feat." Clank comments beside him. "But why did you give her the RYNO anyway?"
"Hey, tying can also technically mean that we both won, so why not?" He responds with a small shrug.
"Because you were arguing with your father yesterday saying that tying means you both lose, and therefore doesn't count." He replies astutely.
He rolls his eyes. "Whatever, at least I got a shiny new gun because of it, though!" He says, continuing to twirl the blaster around his finger.
"Erm, shouldn't you put that away, Ratchet?" Clank cautions. "I hardly think it's a good idea to brandish a weapon out in the halls."
"Why not? Julie did it earlier, you know." He argues.
"I believe that's because she works here, and everybody seems to know her, too." He explains. "But they also appear to be somewhat fearful of her careless irresponsibility with guns, as they are now." He says as he gestures to some Lombaxes around them, giving Ratchet strange and uneasy looks as they walk past.
"I… guess that's a good point." Ratchet concedes, placing it back into his Arsenal's inventory. "Last thing I need is to have my dad hear about how someone yelled at me for walking around with a gun, huh?" He tells him with a small chuckle.
"Yes, I believe that wouldn't be ideal." He responds.
"We should probably get going and meet back with him in his lab, anyway." He suggests. "Speaking of which, did you actually catch Julie's directions? She started talking really fast when I gave her the RYNO, I could only catch every fifth word."
"Yes, don't worry, I remember the way we came when your father led us there." Clank assures him. "And besides, there are signs pointing to the various labs on each floor, see?"
He then pauses to point to a set of signs hanging from the ceiling on the corner of the hallway intersection they were passing, all pointing in the direction of their respective labs labeled on them, including 'Weapons Division' pointing back to where they just came.
"Oh. Huh." Ratchet mutters dumbly, staring at it for a moment before shaking his head and looking back down at Clank with a smile. "Well, we should probably get going, then, don't want to keep him waiting with whatever he's doing." He says with a small wave of his hand as they resume walking.
"They're building a new Dimensionator." Clank answers pointedly.
"Wha—How do you know that?" He asks in surprise.
"I saw that the blueprint Mags was holding earlier were schematics for a Dimensionator." He informs him. "And with how your father previously expressed how eager he was in wanting to explore the multiverse once more, along with the fact that Dimensionators are no longer considered illegal, I believe that it was a safe assumption to make."
"…Alright, good point, then." Ratchet replies, a little surprised by his astute observations. "But if that's the case, then it sounds like an extra reason we should hurry up and get there, it sounds like it'd fun to help build a Dimensionator!"
"I suppose I did consider the task enjoyable, to a point." Clank comments. "Although I admit was slightly dampered by the fact that I had to keep my work hidden from you the whole time."
"What are you… oh yeah, I almost forgot you built the one we have right now." He says with a small chuckle before looking back down at him with a smile. "And I know I've said it a hundred times already, but seriously, thanks for doing that, Clank."
"And again, you're very welcome, Ratchet." He replies, returning a smile of his own. "It fills with me with delight in seeing you so happy with your family like this. It makes me glad that I decided to repair the Dimensionator instead of listening to you back at the museum that day."
"And I couldn't be gladder that you completely ignored me, too." He says amusedly as they turn a corner, walking toward the elevators. "Now, I actually have a dad in my life, one that I can talk to and hang out and have fun with, telling me all about our family and teaching me about our culture. If you hadn't repaired that thing, I'd be sitting at home bored out of my mind in front of the holovision right now. But instead, I get to look forward to a future with him, and it just feels… amazing." He finishes joyfully. "I honestly can't wait to spend more time with him today, or tomorrow, or the day after that, either."
And as he says that, they step into an elevator, where Ratchet presses the button for the floor of his father's lab that he managed to remember from earlier, but as he does so, Clank shifts uncomfortably at that statement as he raises a finger.
"Erm… are you sure about that?" He asks apprehensively.
"Huh? What do you mean? Ratchet asks, shooting him a confused look.
"Well, don't you remember what you promised to me yesterday at the City Guard?" He clarifies. "Your promise to tell your father that you'll have to return to our dimension sometime today?"
The blissful happiness on Ratchet's face begins to falter as a slight frown grows on his lips, recalling the conversation. "Oh… yeah…" He mutters, rubbing the back of his neck. "I… guess I have to do that, huh?"
Clank reaches over and a rests a hand over his. "I know it must be difficult, but I want to assure you again that we are not leaving him nor this dimension forever." He softly tells him. "As soon as we return home and sort out our affairs over there, you can return back here just like that, and for even longer, too."
Ratchet gives a small sigh. "I know you're right, Clank, but… I still feel like it's going to suck to tell him, anyway." He says with a small shrug.
"I… cannot argue that it won't, either." Clank concedes. "But after spending more time with your father, do you really think he'll be the type to become greatly upset if you tell him you must return back home? Because from what I have seen, he seems like a mature and sensible individual who would perfectly understand the fact that you have your own responsibilities to uphold just as he does as your father. I firmly believe that you have nothing to fear, Ratchet." He reassures him with a nod.
"I… guess you do make a good point." Ratchet admits, crossing his arms. "And if they are making their own Dimensionator, I guess that also means he could be the one visiting me every so often, too, if he wants to."
"Exactly." Clank agrees. "The fact that you have obligations in another dimension is not an obstacle, nor should you be treating it like one, either. You should have no problem walking up to him and telling him so, either, trust me."
Ratchet takes a moment to think about his words, staring out of the window and to the rest of the city as he does so, Clank patiently standing next to him for a response. And as the elevator slows to a gentle stop, the doors opening with a small ding, he breathes a small sigh as he turns around before they both walk out, switching places with a pair of Lombaxes discussing about what they should get for lunch later.
"Yeah, you're right." Ratchet agrees as they once again start walking through the halls, aided by the signs that Ratchet only just now noticed thanks to Clank. "I shouldn't be worrying too much about this if it's really not that big of a deal anyway."
Clank smiles from beside him. "I'm glad you agree."
"But," He raises a finger to him, "I don't want you to think that I'm about to go tell him that we have to go back as soon as we see him right now. I think I'll wait until tonight for that, so it, you know, doesn't put a damper on the rest of our day together." He says with a shrug.
"As long as you tell him at all, I have no qualms about specifically when." He assures him with a nod. "Just as long as it is sometime today like you promised, which I know you'll uphold. Because if you don't, I will tell him myself, you know." He states with some caution.
Ratchet simply returns a smile. "Don't worry, you won't have to do that, pal. And after we got to know each other a little better yesterday, I think I feel a bit less anxious about having to tell him about going back. I am going to let him know tonight, you have my word."
Clank smiles as well. "And I am glad to hear it."
"But until then, I say let's just worry about having a good time today, because I've got a feeling it's going to be awesome." He says as he once again takes out his prize for 'winning' in his and Julie's shooting contest earlier, looking onto it with a grin. "After all, any day where I get a new gun is a great day in my books!"
"Ratchet, I literally just told you to keep it holstered mere minutes ago!" He chides him.
"Calm down, Clank, I see the lab's just up there." He says while pointing to its door with the barrel of the gun. "And besides, I want to show my dad my new gift from my Aunt Julie!"
Clank squints at him. "Are you really going to call her your aunt now? Even despite the lack of an actual blood relationship between you two?"
"Hey, she seems pretty dead-set on being one, and at this point, I think it's easier to just go with the flow than to fight it." He explains with a shrug. "And besides, she's cool and fun to hang out with, so I can't say I really mind calling her my aunt, anyway." He states with a smile.
"I don't know, it just seems somewhat strange me." He comments.
Ratchet shrugs as they make it to the door to the lab of the Interdimensional Division. "Well, on the list of strange things we've ever had to deal with, calling my dad's friend my aunt is pretty much on the bottom of that list."
And as Clank mutters an agreement to that statement, he then opens the door, having it slide open with a hiss before walking in, proudly holding up his new weapon.
"Hey dad, you were right, she did let me take home a new… gun…" He slowly trails off, the gun in question slipping out of his hand and clattering on the floor as he freezes like a statue, eyes wide, shortly before Clank follows in behind him with a concerned look.
"Are you alright, Ratchet?" He asks worriedly. "What is the matter with… you…?"
He too trails off as he follows his gaze, where he sees Kaden and Mags on one side of a table, but on the other, some Markazian sitting alongside a very familiar Lombax, whose face lights up upon seeing them.
"Hey guys, long time no see!" Angela greets them with a small wave.
"Wha—Angela?!" Ratchet exclaims, throwing out his hands towards her. "Is that really you?!"
"You know it!" She says with a smile and a nod, before eyeing him up and down with a chuckle. "And, wow, you really haven't grown at all since we last met, either."
"We thought you were gone after we heard you disappeared after encountering those space pirates!" Clank exclaims with similar shock.
"Nope, managed to escape back to this dimension before they could catch us, thanks to Max here finding the Dimensionator." She explains, thumbing over to him, sitting next to her.
"Ah, so this is that Ratchet fellow you've talked about, then?" He asks before giving him a warm smile. "Well, nice to meet you, my dear boy, I've heard a lot about you from Angela here."
"Max…?" Ratchet mutters, finding that the name rung a bell before his eyes somehow widen even more as he points to him. "Wait, you're Max Apogee?!"
"The one and only!" He states proudly, grinning widely.
"I… I…" He holds his hands up to them as he turns to Clank, utterly flabbergasted. "What the hell is happening right now?!"
"I am just as speechless as you are, Ratchet." Clank replies, not quite knowing what to think about the situation.
"Well, you can come on over and sit down with us instead of standing there like an idiot, for starters." Angela tells him before pointing down. "And you should probably pick up your gun, too."
"Oh, erm, sure, I guess." Ratchet replies, bending down to pick it up before he and Clank walk back up to the table, pulling up a couple of chairs to sit between everyone else on one end of the table.
"Oh, I see Julie gave you a new gun." Mags comments. "So, uh, did you like her lab?"
"Really?" Kaden asks him. "You think that's the most pertinent question to ask right now, Mags?"
"Hey, I have no idea how to even begin handling this situation, alright?" He replies as he raises his hands up in defense. "Sue me."
He sighs, rubbing his eyes for a moment before looking between Max and Angela. "Look, I think it's best we all just start back at square one, catch Ratchet and Clank here up to speed about what you two were telling us before they came in. Sound good?"
"Sounds fine to me." Angela agrees with a shrug before looking over to Max. "So, you wanna start?"
"I'd be delighted to." He replies with a nod before clearing his throat. "Now, as I've told the both of you, and what you two have apparently already heard," He says, gesturing to Ratchet and Clank, "As Angela and I were in the midst of relocating the Dimensionator to Jasindu, fearing that its location may have been compromised to Tachyon, we were suddenly ambushed by a fleet of space pirates. I may have gotten out of my fair share of scraps, but this was a battle that I could see was unwinnable, so we had no choice but to hightail it to Jasindu before they could get a chance to reach us."
"But how did you get here, to this dimension, then?" Clank asks.
"I'm getting to that, my little friend." He tells him with a smile and a raised finger. "Once we reached Jasindu, we made our way to Kerchu City, and let me tell you, there were quite the ornery bunch when we first arrived! Some shots were exchanged, along with a few choice words from Angela here, but once they saw us help defend them against the pirates, we had reached an understanding. I requested that they hide the Dimensionator to prevent Tachyon from bringing back the Cragmites, and thankfully, the agreed whole-heartedly. But unfortunately for us, the pirates never let up their assault, and me and Angela were eventually pinned down. So, we had to take drastic measures, and a Kerchu agreed to set our ship's autopilot to take off in order to get them to leave and chase after it while me and Angela used the Dimensionator to escape into this dimension to throw off the pirates that were immediately chasing us, thankfully with another Kerchu by our side to hide the Dimensionator and close the portal right after. Such a nice fellow he was, that Terry individual." He states fondly.
"Wait, why did you decide to hop dimensions instead of just hunkering down with the Kerchu and waiting out the pirates?" Ratchet asks.
"Because at that point, we were getting chased by mob of them, so our little trick with the ship wouldn't fool those guys." Angela explains. "And besides, we figured 'hey, if the Dimensionator was made by the Lombaxes, then there's definitely going to be another one in their dimension that we can use to get back home once things cool down, we'll be in and out in a few hours, tops!'" She says before she frowns and gestures broadly around them. "But then, here we are, years later, all because we found out the Council here straight up banned Dimensionators, stranding us here."
Kaden mutters an irritated groan as he shakes his head. "Good to know I'm not the only that got completely screwed over by those bastards' utterly asinine decision." He grumbles.
"Why? Were you stranded here, too?" Max asks.
He tilts his head side to side. "In a way. They just refused to let me build one so I can spend five minutes travelling to the other dimension to save my son, telling me that he's dead and rotting every single month for the last twenty years." He says with crossed arms and a scowl.
"…Oh." He responds with a shocked look on his face. "That's… well… quite frankly, appalling to hear."
"Preaching to the choir here." He says while exhaling a breath before shaking his head. "But, anyway, on that positive note, what exactly were you two doing for all this time, then?"
"Well," Angela begins, "At first, we just started going around and asking people how we could get back home to our dimension, but after we just started getting called weirdos, and finding out about the ban and everything, we realized we were going to be stuck here for a while. So, I managed to pick up a crummy job at a grocery store so we could afford a hotel to live in at least. And after that, I eventually got my IDs and documents and whatever else I needed to live here with the excuse that I accidentally burned them all testing some kind of invention, instead of the actual reason being that I'm from another dimension. Luckily, getting those let me get to work here at the Center, though, and I started making decent enough money that I could afford an actual place for us to live in. Plus, it felt great to actually work on genetics research again instead of sweeping up floors and cleaning up a broken jar of pickles all the time and getting yelled at by old people for rejecting their expired coupons or whatever." She finishes with some distaste.
"I see." Kaden replies, nodding along, resting a hand on his chin. "Sounds like you were making a decent living, at least."
"But what about you?" Mags chimes in, gesturing to Max. "I mean, I'm sure you two understand that after the Exodus, most people are a bit skittish about having a non-Lombax living in the city with us."
"Oh, believe me, I've noticed." Max replies amusedly. "It was a bit irritating at first to get constantly questioned and given strange looks all the time, to say the least, but being the Lombax researcher that I am, I perfectly understood your people's reluctance on accepting an outsider after what happened with Tachyon. And besides, as saddening as it was to realize that there might have been a chance I could never return home, I couldn't deny that this was an amazing opportunity to study your people's rich culture, so I opted to simply remain at our residence to do my own research, and I didn't have to go out too much." He says with a smile.
"And… that's all you've been doing for the last few years?" Mags asks incredulously, raising an eyebrow. "Holing up in a room while reading about our history?"
"Oh, heavens no! I'd go insane if that were the case!" He quickly tells him. "After a few weeks, I realized there was only so much I could learn from a computer, and when Angela mentioned seeing a library around town, I decided to investigate it myself. At first, I was treated with suspicion, naturally, being an outsider that wanted to learn about your kind. But then, day after day, week after week, the people there started to get to know me better, and I them, and they eventually came to understand that I was simply an eager scholar interested in your culture, and not a malevolent villain like Tachyon was. It was amazing to finally get the chance to converse with actual Lombaxes and share your knowledge, reading your books, learning all about your amazing technology, it felt like I was in paradise!" He gushes with a enthusiastic fire in his eye.
"Huh. Well… it's kinda nice to see someone so passionately interested in our culture, I guess." Kaden comments. "One that isn't looking to exterminate us, that is. But then, is that all you've been doing, then? Spending most of your time at a library?"
"Essentially, yes." He confirms with a nod. "In fact, after a while, I started to feel bad that Angela was having to support us both, so in an effort to help chip in, I asked if I could get a position at the library, and surprisingly enough, they let me have one! You're looking at a proud librarian at the Phineas T. Wrench Memorial Library!" He declares proudly, thumbing to himself.
"Oh, um, congratulations, then?" Mags comments, glancing back to Kaden with a peculiar look, bemused by his excitement for having such a run-of-the-mill job.
Kaden simply gives a small shrug in response before turning back to them. "Well, erm, good for you, I guess. But, with all that aside, I'm guessing that you're meeting with us today because you two want to get back home to your original dimension?"
"He does." Angela replies, thumbing over to him. "But I'm going to stay here."
"Wait, what?" Ratchet asks confusedly. "Why? Don't you have a life in Bogon and Megacorp?"
"Had one." She corrects him with a raised finger. "I guarantee I got fired after the first week of not showing up, which also means they probably repo'd my home back on Grelbin, too. And besides, working for these guys is a hell of a lot better than Megacorp." She says as she gestures around them. "Mr. Fizzwidget is nice and all, but at the end of the day, Megacorp is just a greedy, ruthless, monopolistic conglomerate, and it's that same greediness that let that whole Protopet fiasco happen in the first place. But the Center here is actually trying to do good for the people, people who also happen to be Lombaxes just like us." She explains with a smile. "And, well, they have a better 401K on top of all that, too."
"But don't you have friends back home?" Clank asks.
She shakes her head. "Not really, I was always too busy to really make friends. I mean, we barely got to see each other after the Protopets, after all. But over here, I've actually made some good friends with my colleagues, actually getting free time because the Center doesn't work me like a dog like Megacorp did, and it feels nice to actually live in my people's home. I mean, I'm sure you get what I mean, right?" She asks, gesturing to Ratchet.
"I… I do, yeah." He agrees with a small nod. "And I guess it makes sense that you don't want to go back to Megacorp, either. Honestly, I feel like those guys have gotten worse over the last couple of years, I doubt you'd be able to stand them, anyway."
"Exactly." She states, crossing her arms.
"But then, that just leaves you to be the one wanting to return home, correct?" Clank asks, looking at Max.
He nods. "As great as it is being able to live here and learn all about the Lombaxes and everything… I can't deny that I miss my daughter." He explains with some melancholy, taking out a well-worn photo from his pocket, looking at it with a fond look. "I promised her that I'd be back home in time for dinner before I left, and, well… I haven't exactly fulfilled that promise, to say the least. I'm sure she thinks her old man went and got himself killed by space pirates if even you two managed to hear about it." He says with a sigh. "I just wish I managed to say 'I love you' to her for one last time if I knew I was going to be stuck in a completely different dimension from her, at least."
"I know that feeling." Kaden comments wryly, nodding along. "You stay up, lying awake at night, replaying all sorts of scenarios in your head about all the great memories you shared together, wishing to anything to at least hold your child in your arms again, or to hear their laughter for one last time, and absolutely willing to do anything for that chance, not that it ever comes."
Max huffs a dry laugh through his nose as he smiles at him. "Yet another parent scorned by the cruelty of this cold universe, huh?"
"Unfortunately. And in both our cases, the Council, too, those cowardly bastards." He grumbles angrily. "At this point, I think they've done more harm with that ban than good."
"Amen to that, my friend." Max responds with slight amusement as he puts the photo away.
"You know," Ratchet speaks up, "I'm not sure if it makes you feel any better, Mr. Apogee—"
"Oh please, call me Max, my dear boy." He tells him with a smile. "Mr. Apogee was my father."
"Oh… Erm, okay, then." He replies, thrown a little off-guard by the interruption before he resumes speaking. "Well, Max, I'm not sure if it makes you feel any better, but Talwyn never thought for a second that you were actually dead. She knew that you came here with the rest of the Lombaxes, and that it was only a matter of time before you came back for her." He tells him optimistically. "I honestly thought she was being a tiny bit unrealistic with that thought, though, not that I ever told her that, of course, but it definitely seems like I have to eat my words—"
"Wait, you know my daughter?" He asks in surprise, leaning forward slightly.
"Yeah!" He replies happily.
"How do you know her, then?"
"Oh, erm…" He rubs the back of his head. "We, uh… kinda dated for a while." He answers with an awkward smile.
"You what?!" Both Max and Angela cry out in shock.
"You dated his daughter?!" Angela asks, pointing to him.
"You dated my daughter?!" Max asks, thumbing to himself as Ratchet leans back in surprise from the sudden outburst.
"Huh, small universe." Mags comments.
"You're telling me." Kaden agrees.
"Woah, woah, woah, you're not gonna kill me for that, are you?!" Ratchet asks in fear, holding his hands up.
"What? No, of course not!" Max reassures him, mustering a smile even through the shock. "I just can't believe I'd ever get to meet my little girl's boyfriend, is all, much less expect him to be a renowned hero at that!"
"Oh." He responds dumbly, lowering his hands. "Erm… thanks, I guess?"
"That is, unless… you didn't break up because you hurt her, did you?" Max follows up coldly, a frighteningly intense glare appearing in his eye as he asks that, making Rachet acutely aware of just how large this man was at that moment.
He vigorously shakes his head and hands. "N-Not at all, sir!" He hastily tells him. "It was completely mutual, I assure you! W-We're even best friends to this day, too! I didn't do a single thing to Tal, I swear!"
"For what it's worth, he told me that, too," Kaden speaks up as Max continues to give him a scrutinizing stare, "So he's not trying to lie to get out of this, just so you know."
"And I'd trust him when he says he's still friends with her, too, anyway." Angela chimes in. "He might try and act tough sometimes, but on the inside, he's just as harmless as a squishy teddy bear. There's no way he's cold enough to just dump someone and leave them forever." She says with a smirk.
Even through his fear of the Markazian's probing gaze on him, Ratchet shoots her a look. "Hey!"
She shrugs. "It's true."
"Hmm… Well… Alright, then!" Max answers with shrug, his intense judgement instantly vanishing as he instead kindly smiles at Ratchet while reaching out a hand. "Nice to meet my daughter's ex-boyfriend, then!"
Ratchet looks to his hand, then back up at him, and back at his hand before reluctantly taking it into an apprehensive handshake. "Erm, you too? I guess?" He replies, giving Clank a confused look that only elicits a shrug from him.
Mags, however, begins to snicker. "Wow, you take down Tachyon single-handedly without batting an eye, and yet, you still quiver in fear of your ex's dad."
"You're not one to talk, you know." Kaden tells him with an unimpressed look. "Didn't you say you didn't go to the Academy for a solid week after you dumped Maureen because she said her dad would look for you?"
He quits laughing as he instead raises a finger, opening his mouth to voice on opposition for a moment before he ultimately lowers it. "Touché." He concedes, making Kaden smirk.
"Wait, did he just say you stopped Tachyon?" Max asks Ratchet in disbelief.
"Uh, yeah, I did!" He tells him proudly. "In fact, your daughter helped me take him down, too. It's actually how we first met."
Max visibly begins to beam with pride as he hears that. "That's amazing! How exactly did you two meet, then?" He asks eagerly.
"Well…" He says with a small roll of his eyes, "We actually had to sneak onto your guys' space station to find the 'Lombax secret'—erm, sorry for that, by the way—and she caught us, and promptly threatened to shoot us and blow us out the airlock to let our bodies pop in the vacuum of space."
And while Kaden can't help but be a little unsettled by hearing such a threat carried out onto his son, Max instead gives a hearty laugh. "That's my girl!" He says proudly. "And what happened then?"
"Well, then she realized that I was a Lombax, we told her about our plan to stop Tachyon, and she agreed to help us. And after we beat him, we spent some more time together, and after that, well… we got together." He explains with a shrug.
"It's great to know that she's selfless enough to fight for a good cause, then.." He states with a grin.
"Yeah, and she's damn good at fighting, too." Ratchet adds with a chuckle.
"So, how is she nowadays? Is she doing good?"
"More than good. She's just as well-known as you were, she's managed to make your guys' museum the best in the galaxy, and she's actually commander of the Polaris Defense Force now." He tells him.
"That's wonderful to hear, I don't think her old man could be any more proud of her!" Max says happily. "And I'm guessing good ol' Cronk and Zephyr are bickering together as her second-in-commands as always?"
Instead of responding, Ratchet looks away uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck anxiously. "Well… actually…"
"What is it?" Max asks with a worried tone, not failing to notice his sudden shift in tone.
"You see, Max…" Clank speaks up beside Ratchet, wearing a similar expression of apprehensiveness. "They… erm…"
"Let me guess," He cuts him off, wearing a small, melancholic smile. "Those two squabbling old warbots finally kicked the bucket after all these years, huh?"
Both Ratchet and Clank—although surprised by his forwardness—return a solemn nod, making him sigh as even Angela appears saddened by the news, placing a hand over her mouth with a light gasp while Kaden and Mags exchange a subtle, confused glance as to who they were talking about.
"Well… They had a damn good run, at least." Max says. "I'm honestly surprised it wasn't sooner, to tell you the truth, with how willing they were to put themselves on the line for us."
"That they were." Clank agrees somberly, Ratchet nodding along beside him.
"Is Talwyn taking it okay, though?" He follows up worriedly.
"For the most part, yeah." Ratchet tells him. "It was really tough for her at first, since they practically raised her after you left, but she managed to keep her head held high through it all. I helped her as best I could, too, having lost someone close to me right before they died, too. I don't think she's one-hundred percent okay, honestly, but then again, I don't think any of us would be. But overall… I think she's dealing with it just fine."
"Well, that's good, then." Max replies contentedly. "Last thing I want is for my little girl to get hung up and unable to move on with her life."
"Yeah, you don't have to worry about that at all, Tal's one of the strongest people I know." Ratchet says with a small smile. "It'd have to take a lot more than Cronk and Zephyr to keep her down, I think."
"If she's anything like me, then I don't doubt that one bit. The Apogees always were a fiery bunch, and to hear my daughter have that same spirit can't help but make me swell with pride. But then again, I'd rather want to see that for myself." He says with a smile before turning his attention back to Kaden and Mags. "So, do you two think you can help me get back home to my little girl?"
"We'd be more than happy to." Kaden says with a smile and a firm nod. "You managed to catch us in a good time, too, because we're actually in the middle of making another Dimensionator right now." He says as he points over to it, sitting on a nearby workbench with all sorts of assorted tools and parts littered about all around it. "As soon as we get it up and running, we can go ahead and get you back home in no time flat."
"But, you will have to wait a little bit." Mags adds with a raised finger. "We can get the whole thing built by tomorrow if we really bust our asses, but we've still got to wait at least three days before we can get our hands on the Phase Quartz we need to power it. So, I'm afraid you'll have to sit tight for a tiny bit longer." He explains with an apologetic shrug. "Sorry."
"As long as I actually get the opportunity to hug my daughter and actually show up to dinner like I promised her, then I can wait as long as I need." He states with a grin. "It's already been years at this point, so what's a few days more?"
"Erm, actually," Clank cuts in with a raised finger, "I think we can get you home right now."
Everyone turns to look at him with confusion. "What do you mean?" Mags asks.
"Ratchet and I actually have a fully-functional Dimensionator in our possession right now, ready to be used at any time." He explains happily.
"Oh yeah, we do!" Ratchet agrees, pulling out his Arsenal before having the device manifest into his hands to everyone's amazement. "See?"
"Huh… look at that." Mags mutters, staring at it in awe before glancing to Kaden. "Do you think we can just take—"
"No." He shuts him down. "I think Ratchet more than earned the right to keep it. Hell, I think he's more deserving of being the Keeper after all the things he's done to protect it, honestly."
And as Ratchet can't help but swell with pride at that statement, he doesn't have much time to dwell on it as Max grabs his attention once more.
"Wait, I can really go back home right now, just like that?" He asks hopefully.
"Oh, erm, yeah!" Ratchet happily tells him. "I just need to plug in the coordinates, pull the trigger, and boom, get you right back home just like that." He says with a snap of his fingers.
"And the crank." Clank corrects. "You have to crank it before you can pull the trigger."
"If you want to get technical about it, then yeah, sure, coordinates, crank, trigger, portal." He replies with a roll of his eyes. "I've literally only used this thing once, alright? Twice if we count getting out of that dimension we beat Tachyon in. Cut me some slack, alright?"
"So, I can really see Talwyn again right now?" Max reiterates.
"Yes." Clank tells him with a nod. "Would you like us to open a portal right now?"
"That's… Well… No, unfortunately." He tells them with a shake of his head. "Not right now."
"Wait, what?" Ratchet asks confusedly. "Why not?"
"So he can grab all his books and notes and stuff from our place first." Angela answers plainly. "He's got plenty of souvenirs he wants to take back with him."
"That I do." He agrees with a smile. "And it'll take me some time to pack all my things, too. So, as much as I want to get home, I'm afraid I'll have to wait until tomorrow, when I get my things ready to take with me. Is that going to be a problem?"
"Erm, nope." Ratchet says, shaking his head alongside Clank beside him.
"Excellent!" He says happily. "Now, with all that said, I think it's best that I get back home and start packing, unless there's anything else you wish to talk about with me?"
"Not at all, go ahead." Kaden assures him. "And from one parent to another, I just want to say congratulations for you." He tells him with a smile.
"And to you as well, Kaden." Max replies with a warm nod. "I hope you and your son will live a long and happy future like I will with my daughter."
"I hope so too. We'll see you tomorrow, then." He returns as Max stands up from his seat.
"I'll be sure to help you pack as soon as I get off work today." Angela tells him with a small wave. "See you at home, Max."
"You too, Angela!" He replies happily before he walks out of the door, with a noticeable pep in his step from this fortunate turn of events for him.
"Well," Angela says, turning back to them, "It was nice meeting you two today, and seeing you guys again." She tells Ratchet and Clank with a smile. "But if you'll excuse me, I should probably get back to—WOAH!"
As she stands up from her stool to walk away, her foot gets caught on a leg, sending her tumbling down to the ground with a small cry, with Ratchet worriedly asking her if she's alright.
But as she assures him that she's fine as she picks herself up with an annoyed look, Mags' eyes widen in realization. "Oh, now I see what you mean when you said I've met her before!" He tells Kaden. "She's Lorna's kid, isn't she?"
"That she is." Kaden replies amusedly, holding back a snicker from her tumble, but not the smile on his face.
"Wait, are you guys saying you knew my mom?" Angela asks in surprise, rubbing her head from her fall.
"Knew her? Your mom's the reason I met my wife!" He tells her with a chuckle. "They were best friends since they were kids, and she came over to hang out with us all the time. In fact, like I was telling Ratchet the other day, we were so close that we pretty much considered you two as each other's cousins." He says, pointing between her and Ratchet.
"Wait, cousins?" She asks, looking back at Ratchet in shock.
"Yep." He says with an awkward smile. "What are the chances, huh?"
"…Huh." She mutters. "Well… that definitely makes your crush on me a little weirder in retrospect, then."
"W-Wait, crush?!" Ratchet asks in surprise, suddenly becoming flustered. "What do you mean crush? I never had a crush on you! Not one bit!" He fervently denies.
"Uh huh." She replies, crossing her arms while raising her eyebrow. "You seriously didn't think I didn't notice the way you stuttered and stared me all the time? Because let me tell ya, you were not a subtle teenager."
Ratchet crosses his arms at the accusation, pouting in embarrassment as Angela simply gives him a smug smile.
"Whatever," He replies, "At least I've improved since then."
"No. No you have not." Clank tells him.
"What do you mean? Yes I have!" He argues.
He returns an unimpressed look. "Do you recall when Sasha stated she furnished your bedroom aboard the Phoenix with a VG-9000 game system, to which you promptly replied 'Will you marry me?' Before you two officially started dating, I should add?"
Kaden and Mags can be heard poorly attempting to stifle their snickers as Ratchet shrinks back while staring daggers at Clank, who is completely unfazed as he simply smiles at him.
"Yep," Angela says amusedly, "You're just a real Casanova."
"Shut up." He grumbles.
"It's almost like you're both little kids again." Kaden says fondly. "You two always seemed to fight with each other whenever you had your playdates together, even though you couldn't technically speak any actual words yet at that point." He says, looking at Ratchet.
"…You know, I've gotta say, it's kinda weird hearing someone talk about me as a baby even though I've only met them as a grown adult." Angela comments.
"Well, can you blame me? Last time I saw you, you were this big!" He says, leaning down to place a hand only a few feet off the ground. "You might be all grown up now, but I still think of you as little Angie yelling at my baby because he pulled your tail." He says with a nostalgic smile.
"Erm, about that," Clank speaks up as Angela gives Kaden a strange look, "Why exactly don't you have a tail? If you don't mind me asking, of course."
"Oh, uh… I don't really know, honestly." She answers with a shrug. "All I know is that I got a scar of where one should be, but I'm not sure how I lost it." She says, turning around to point at her tailbone. "Must've been really little when it happened."
"Wait, then why did you say that female Lombaxes just didn't have tails?" Ratchet asks confusedly.
"Because I just thought that was a weird birthmark, and it was like that for as long as I can remember. And besides, did you see any other Lombaxes around back there to tell me otherwise?" She asks him with a raised brow. "I only realized that I was supposed to have one when I showed up here and saw all the other girls with bushy tails like that."
"Well, whatever the case, it's still great seeing that you're alive and well." Kaden tells her. "We'll be sure to invite you over for dinner sometime, it'd be like a mini family reunion, and I could tell you some stories about your mom, too. It'd be a great time!"
"I've gotta admit that it does sound like fun, I'll have to take you up on it sometime." She says with a smile. "But, like I said, I should probably get back to work, I wanna finish my shift early so I can go ahead and help out Max pack his things."
"We won't keep you any longer, then. See you around, Angie!" Kaden bids her farewell with a small wave.
"Same here!" Ratchet adds, waving as well as she starts to walk out of the lab.
"Yeah, you too!" She responds similarly before walking out of the door, closing it behind her.
"Well, this is definitely turning out to be an interesting day." Mags comments. "We get to build a new Dimensionator, and Ratchet got to reunite with his cousin."
"Who he apparently had a crush on, no less." Kaden adds amusedly, prompting a groan from Ratchet.
"Hey, I was like, sixteen, alright?" He meekly replies. "Don't make it any weirder than it has to be."
"It's not that weird. In fact, Lorna and your mom were actually kinda hoping you two would end up together as you grew up. I had to overhear so many conversations of them discussing what your wedding would look like, it was kind of ridiculous."
Ratchet shudders uncomfortably at that image. Marriage? With Angela, nonetheless? "I literally just said to not make it any weirder, dad." He tells him.
"Hey, that was your mom who said that, not me." He says, raising his hands up defensively. "Blame her for making it weird."
And as Ratchet shakes his head, facepalming, they all suddenly hear the door open, and look up to find Julie walking in with a small pout before it closes behind her.
"Hey, I'm going to hang out with you guys for a bit." She says, walking in. "They banned me from the lab for the next hour saying that I need to 'chill on the RYNO', and that the range was 'at critical structural integrity', even though I know it can take at least a dozen more volleys before I have to start worrying about another cave-in!" She huffs indignantly as she reaches them, pulling out a stool before taking a seat, and resting her cheek on her hand propped onto the table with a sigh. "What a bunch of wusses."
"Can you go at least a week without complaining about your engineers' perfectly valid safety concerns about your work practices?" Mags asks her tiredly.
"No." She pointedly replies, causing Mags to roll his eyes before she nonchalantly thumbs to the door. "It's kinda weird because I saw a Lombax out there without a tail. Don't see that every day."
"Oh, yeah, she was just in here, actually. That was Ratchet's cousin from the other dimension." He tells her casually.
"Oh, cool." She responds distantly, idly rolling a pencil on the table with her finger before she suddenly freezes and snaps her head up and off her hand to look at them in surprise. "Wait, what?"
"Yep, and you just missed Max, the dad of Ratchet's ex who is also from the other dimension." Kaden adds with a smirk.
She stares at them both with heavy skepticism, made no better by the very amused looks they wore on their faces before she turns to Ratchet. "They're just pulling my tail, aren't they?"
"Erm… nope." He tells her with a shake of his head and a shrug. "That all really happened just now. Which, I mean, I honestly can't really believe, either, since I thought those two were dead this whole time."
"Seriously?! I leave you guys alone for an hour and you're already meeting people from other dimensions?!" She cries out. "Why do I always have to miss out on the cool stuff?!"
"You literally just came back from having a field day with one of the most dangerous and restricted weapons in the universe, and you're saying that's not cool for you?" Mags argues.
"Well… no, but the point still stands!" She huffs, crossing her arms. "You guys gotta tell me when you're in the middle of doing stuff like this!"
"Calm down, Julie, you didn't miss out on much. And besides, it technically doesn't have anything to do with your department." Kaden responds with a roll of his eyes before he stands up, thumbing over to the half-built Dimensionator sitting on the workbench. "You guys wanna help me out?" He asks, glancing between Ratchet and Mags.
"Yeah!" Ratchet replies excitedly, hopping off his stool along with Clank.
"Sure thing, Kaden." Mags adds as he too stands up before they walk over to it.
"Hey, you don't get off that easily!" Julie argues as she too follows them.
"Don't worry, we'll fill you in as we work." Kaden reassures her as he takes a seat on one side of the workbench before looking to Ratchet and nodding his head next to him. "Come on, sit next to me, I'll tell you what we're doing as we go along."
With an eager smile and a nod, Ratchet happily takes his seat, having Kaden also smile with a pat his shoulder before starting to point out the various components of the Dimensionator, with Mags catching Julie up on the other side of the workbench, only stopping to go ahead and pass over a tool or part.
And after an enlightening ten minutes of them all taking turns telling her about Max and Angela, the room begins to fill instead with healthy conversation and banter between the group of Lombaxes, sharing this rather comfortable moment of building a Dimensionator together. There were stories being shared, jokes being told, very light insults thrown (mostly between Julie and Mags), and an occasional moment of teaching from Kaden as he joyfully educates his son about the Dimensionator's workings.
And as Ratchet sat there, he took a small moment to observe the scene around him, with Mags and Julie across the table in the middle of a small argument about who was worse at building a Dimensionator since the one they built together blew up after the first use, Clank sitting beside him on his right as he eagerly watches them all build the one sitting before them right now, and his father on his left, currently pointing to the cavity that would normally hold a chunk of Phase Quartz to power it, flashing him a warm smile that still had yet to fail at filling him with a comfortable feeling.
And upon looking at all this, along with having digested the idea of Angela being alive and well, Ratchet wore a very content, blissful smile, feeling quite warm and fuzzy on the inside. And this feeling, he now finally recognized, was him realizing that after so many years of living alone and confused, he now finally found his true family.