[R]

Chapter Five

[R]

Phantom's Hideout, Nefarious City, Corson V, Polaris Galaxy, Rivet's Dimension

Hidden from the pro-Nefarious populace of the Empire's capital city, the Phantom's local hideout was largely more for work than pleasure as it might as well have been if a rebel was to operate in the belly of the beast they opposed. Right then, however, Phantom's focus was on nothing short of what happened to Rivet after he and Glitch lost contact with her. Tapping into the Nefarious Army's local bandwidth, the most Phantom and Glitch could figure out was that a mysterious blast happened near Nefarious Tower, and following that, a special kind of warbot vanished as well, but there was no mention of their favorite Lombax at all.

Just as Phantom was about to give up hope, though, Glitch immediately got his attention by picking up an interdimensional signal that meant Ratchet had found the means to call Glitch and wanted to talk. After a moment of uncertainty since he had no idea on how to tell Rivet's new friend that she disappeared in their dimension's heart of evil, Phantom finally nodded to Glitch to put it onscreen, and was ultimately yet pleasantly surprised by the first person he saw.

"Rivet," he and Glitch exclaimed in cheer at the sight of the white furred Lombax, who showed them a half-smile while piloting a spaceship with the little robot Ratchet introduced them to at Zurkie's. Whatever words Phantom wanted to add, died in his throat though when he noticed the yellow cybernetic prosthetic where Rivet's right arm went, prompting him to simply ask, "What happened to you, sister?"

Rivet sighed exasperatingly yet knowingly before she answered, "I got attacked trying to infiltrate the Emperor's tower on my own. Losing an arm and getting sucked to Ratchet's dimension via my Phase Quartz were the first things that happened as a result."

Trading an unsure glance with Glitch, Phantom allowed the latter to say, "Well, we're just glad you're alive, Rivet. We were starting to think we lost you, Still, are you okay?"

Turning her attention to the spaceship controls, Rivet replied curtly, "I'm fine, Glitch. Ratchet, Clank here," she hesitated until adding, "and some others made sure I didn't die from what happened, and I'm helping the boys take down Chairman Drek until we can find a way to send me back home."

Glitch was not convinced as her words indicated, "That's not what I meant, Rivet. Getting pulled away so far from home and losing an arm should be-"

"Glitch, I said I'm fine, so there," Rivet snapped much to everyone's surprise.

"Rivet," Clank exclaimed worryingly which caused her to glower at him momentarily before exhaling guiltily.

"Sorry, Glitch," Rivet said before admitting, "I just don't know what to think of anything right now." She then showed an attempt for a smile as she said, "But with the guys, I think I can adapt to a universe without the Nefarious Empire for as long as I have to, so that's something."

"Okay," Phantom let out and then added, "but can you promise us that you'll try to adjust to your, uh, other change as best you can?"

Rivet shrugged in merriment, saying, "Hey, with no Emperor Nefarious in sight, I can go to a doctor with the right credentials, and they can give me all the adjusting I need, right?"

Clank then felt the need to inform, "Nonetheless, I believe it would be a good idea to research the appropriate physical therapy techniques for newly installed prosthetics when we have the time."

Phantom immediately got to work on his computer, saying, "That's something we can provide," after a moment of finding a list of recommendations and then sending it to the telescreen on the other end, Phantom then turned to Rivet and said with sincere sympathy, "Just be careful out there, alright, Rivet?"

"I will, Phantom," Rivet replied earnestly and turning to Glitch awkwardly added, "Thanks to the both of you."

The transmission then cutoff, leaving Phantom and Glitch to wonder in concern for Rivet and the new circumstances she had found herself in.

[R]

Enroute to Planet Rilgar, Solana Galaxy, Ratchet's Dimension

As soon as the call ended, Rivet exhaled tiredly, but kept her eyes on the void of space while the others did not know how to comment on the recent communication, until finally, Rivet herself said, "We can manage my new arm when we land on Rilgar, people. I'm sure it'll be fine until then."

"Perhaps," Clank allowed himself to agree.

In the cargo area of the Novalian courier ship they had been using, Ratchet commented, "I'm just glad that Glitch and Phantom didn't ask about," turning to a still silent KT-7461, he struggled to say before concluding, "well, you know."

"That would be an awkward topic," Rivet agreed with a nod of her head, but then, figuring that the little robot had been quiet for too long, said, "Still, Pocket, you're not exactly our prisoner anymore than we'll your jailors, so you can talk, if you want."

KT-7461 kept her eyes on her three digited hands while saying, "I have nothing to say that would make it better," she then added more curiously, "Pocket, though?"

"Well, I have to call you something since your serial number sounds pretty forgettable," Rivet reasoned, and then added, "and you're kind of a pocketed warbot."

Ratchet piped more eagerly as he said, "In that case, I've got some name ideas myself, too." Turning to KT-7461, he proclaimed, "Sunshine! Because you're yellow."

"I believe "Gold" might be more commendable on that line of thought, Ratchet," Clank opinioned before adding, "Then again, something derived from her number might be better, like Kathrine, or even Katie might be more suitable."

"Or something like Buttershy," Rivet asked as a joke and at the questioning gazes she received, added, "Yeah, I got no idea where I got that from either."

"How about Kit," Ratchet asked towards KT-7461 before the latter finally stood up with her arms out.

"Everyone, please," she said with anxiety in her tone of voice, "I appreciate what you are all doing, but it would be best that you rethink giving me a nickname," she then shortly added downcast, "or becoming my friends."

"Fine," Rivet replied sourly as she returned her eyes back to outer space.

Ratchet, on the other hand, adopted a sorrier expression as he turned to KT-7461, saying, "We just meant that you don't have to deal with everything alone."

Troubled by the atmosphere he was in, Clank nonetheless, turned everyone's gaze to the front of the ship as he noticed the dark colored planet they were approaching and announced, "We shall reach our destination shortly."

[R]

Blackwater City's Raceway Plaza, Planet Rilgar

Upon landing at the docks of Blackwater City, which was fittingly named for the lights at night while the city itself was surrounded by water, Rivet talked with Ratchet about borrowing the hoverboard he got from Skidd to participate in the Hovercon Intergalactic Hoverboard Competition herself just before they could meet with Captain Qwark. Although Ratchet wanted to race as well, seeing that the female Lombax still needed to get her mind elsewhere other than her lingering issues with KT-7461 and her lost arm, he decided to let her borrow it this one time.

Once entered the city proper, the two Lombaxes and two robots had to deal with the local extermibots, who, while programmed to deal with the equally annoying Amoeboid infestation, had mistakenly labeled the Lombaxes as "rodents to exterminate" much to their ire, forcing them to be on the defensive as much as the offensive with both groups. During this time, Ratchet mounted KT-7461 on his back, who was especially nervous about the possibility of being eaten by the Amoeboids, even as she admired the sea surrounding the city, while Rivet reluctantly partnered up with Clank as neither Lombax could fight while holding two robots anymore than they would have wasted less time if only one of the Lomnbaxes was fighting alone.

Arriving at the aptly named Raceway Plaza where Rivet needed to sign up at, Ratchet was left in charge of Clank and KT-7461 to watch the race on the plaza's telescreens while Rivet herself made her way to the racetrack. Shortly after, the hoverboard race began with Rivet speeding along the course to beat the other racers in three laps, but Ratchet and Clank, feeling burdened by KT-7461's awkward silence, could not stop to admire the way Rivet was racing.

Taking the initiative, Clank asked his counterpart, "How did you find being on Ratchet's back to be like?" Seeing that he had her attention, Clank added, "Personally, I found the prospect embarrassing at first, but it gives me increased mobility thanks to my somewhat noble steed."

"Hey," Ratchet retorted jokingly, "I may be somewhat noble at best, but I ain't your steed, Clank."

"So you say," Clank replied in equal good spirits.

Showing a small smile, KT-7461 answered Clank's original question, "Well, it did feel bouncy, which I liked." Failing to restrain a laugh, her mood then became somber again before she finally asked the duo beside her, "Just how do you two do it?"

Trading a curious glance with Clank, Ratchet asked KT-7461, "Do what?"

"All of it," she replied before explaining, "You two recently met, yet you both get along so well as if it is your destiny to be partners." Exhaling, KT-7461 added, "Compared to all of that, I might as well be destined to be alone for good just as Rivet probably will not trust another robot again."

"Hey, that's not true," Ratchet said to reassure her, "Sure, Rivet's a bit jumpy right now, but with the right help, she'll get back to during what she does best." Sighing at KT-7461's continual uncertainty, he then said, "Look, KT-7461, I know you're not going through a great time, but bottling it up and keeping to yourself your whole life won't help yourself or anyone else, and I'm saying that from experience." Once he had the little robot's attention, Ratchet added, "Before Rivet and Clank came along, I never realized how lonely I really was at heart, and no matter how you justify it, it's not a happy lifestyle." With a smile, he then said, "Which is why, once Drek's gone, how about you and Clank come live with me for a bit?"

KT-7461 looked speechless at Ratchet's offer for a bit while Clank smiled as he replied, "I know I will gladly take you on that, Ratchet, seeing as I do not have a lot of places to go."

Before the other robot could answer, a tall, green-skinned Novalian in shady attire approached Ratchet to whisper, "Hey, kid," once he had the wary Lombax's attention, he then added, "Wanna trade your robots for a R.Y.N.O.?"

Before Ratchet and Clank could convey their insulted responses to the obvious criminal, KT-7461 quickly interjected them both to say, "Or you could give us the R.Y.N.O. in exchange for the schematics of a very powerful warbot which could be sold to the highest bidder?"

While Ratchet and Clank looked surprised, the Shady Salesman responded doubtfully yet no less interested, "And where do ya have those plans exactly, twerp?"

"Do you have a datapad on you for transmitting?"

Answering KT-7461's question by showing his datapad, the Salesman was then surprised when the small robot immediately scanned the device and electronically downloaded information from her CPU into it. Looking at the datapad's new contents, the Salesman's surprise transformed into greedy gleefulness before he then took out a large missile launcher from his trench coat and handed it over to Ratchet, saying, "Deal's a deal! Sayonara!"

Seeing the Novalian run off in a sprint, Ratchet and Clank were about to ask KT-7461 what she was thinking before they then saw the Salesman run into two officers of the local police force, who immediately cuffed and escorted the Salesman away before he could say anything in his defense. Turning back to a very self-assured KT-7461, Ratchet and Clank were struggling to understand what had just happened.

"I may have studied how to alter and disguise programs back when in my off-duty hours at Nefarious City," KT-7461 began to say in a conspiratorial voice before adding, "and when I downloaded my schematics, I may have left a transmission for Blackwater City's police that indicated our newest acquaintance was a wanted criminal."

"That was undoubtedly reckless, underhanded, and treacherous, KT-7461," Clank began to say sternly before laughing merrily, "I like how you did it."

"Yeah," Ratchet added as he observed the missile launcher, adding, "A bad looking missile launcher wasn't what I had in mind when he was talking about a R.Y.N.O., but I'm definitely not complaining."

KT-7461 simply shrugged with a smile as she said, "I suppose that I can be good at improvising when the situation calls for it."

Before further conversation could happen, Rivet's voice was heard as she called out, "Hey, guys!" Turning to her direction, Ratchet and the two robots saw her look a bit happier than when they last saw her as she held a Platinum Zoomerator in her arms. "How did you like my performance," she asked with confidence in her voice.

Shaking the back of his head awkwardly as he handed the R.Y.N.O. to Clank, Ratchet replied, "Uh, sorry, Rivet, we kind of got distracted with something else," he then added with a sheepish smile towards the annoyed female Lombax, "but hey, congrats on your first win."

"Really," Rivet said even more unamused, which gave Ratchet the idea he said something wrong.

"Uh, I meant in a hoverboard race kind of thing, not in winning period," Ratchet tried to amend, but his attempts to save face had to wait when Clank stepped forward.

"Did you make contact with Qwark by any chance," he asked.

Deciding to go with the change in topic, Rivet answered, "He was actually expecting you and Ratchet when I came along, Clank, but figured that I was connected to you being a Lombax and all. Already knows about Drek's plan and everything, and he's eager to team up with all of us to stop him."

"Huh," Ratchet commented at the news as he thought aloud, "that sounds kind of suspicious," brightening up, however, he then said, "but then again, I've gotten so used to this hero thing that I might as well see this through."

Nodding enthusiastically at Ratchet's words, Clank turned to the other Lombax, asking, "Where do we meet him ourselves, Rivet?"

Taking out an infobot, Rivet said while passing it to Clank, "His private headquarters on Umbris. In Qwark's words, as soon as we pass his obstacle course with flying colors, the sooner we can all take down the Blarg."

"Not to judge, but Ratchet has a point about the Captain's approach being suspicious," KT-7461 advised with concern before adding, "I could be wrong, but the last time I looked up to someone who referred to me with pride and seemed to have all the answers, I ultimately realized that he was not at all good as I thought he was."

Knowing she was referring to Emperor Nefarious, Rivet forced herself to bend down to the smaller robot's level and say, "I get what you mean, but I know Qwark in our home universe as a fellow rebel and a friend. Sure, his spandex is greener than Quantum's and his ego is even bigger, but I think it's just because he actually has the heroic accomplishments to back up his self-confidence which Quantum has only dreamed of." She then added unsurely, "Not that Quantum can't do great things or good deeds, I'm just saying that his counterpart actually has the confidence to do what he does."

Ratchet then said his own opinion, "Yeah, it kind of makes sense when you put it like that," then turning to KT-7461, he added, "And even if something crazy happens, I've learned that if we stick together, we can handle whatever anyone throws out."

"Still," Clank interjected before adding, "perhaps KT-7461 could make do with a Heli-Pack upgrade like the one I got from Al? It should be most helpful."

Nodding as she stood back up, Rivet said, "I guess we have some time for a quick pitstop before we get back to doing what we need to do."

Ultimately nodding to their viewpoints, KT-7461 said, "Of course. I will follow the three of you to the best of my ability." As the four then made their way back to the courier ship, the yellow dimensional counterpart of Clank, after a long moment of contemplation, decided to say, "And everyone," once she had the three's attention, her expression changed to a hopeful look while adding, "I think "Kit" is my favorite."

The words were enough to bring even a small smile to Rivet while Clank gave a thumb's up at the newly named warbot as Ratchet said with a clearer smile, "Kit it is."

[R]

Captain Qwark's Headquarters, Planet Umbris

After a quick stop on Kerwan for Kit's new Heli-Pack, the team of four then headed straight to land on the muddy world of Umbris just outside Captain Qwark's headquarters before they then had to take the obstacle course on the way to the complex's interior itself. Of course, all four were not expecting the course to be intensely dangerous with machinegun turrets, homing mines, and even Sharkigators all over the place.

As they all made their way closer to where they would meet Qwark, Ratchet felt the need to ask while using the Hydrodisplacer to drain a pool, "Anybody else feel that these obstacles are all overkill after everything we've already done?"

"I am sure the Captain has his reasons, Ratchet," Clank replied from the back of Rivet in a rationalizing way before admitting, "But you do have a point about how unnecessary this all looks."

On Ratchet's own back, Kit said, "I am just thankful that the Amoeboids did not follow us from Rilgar."

"Is there a story behind that, Kit," Rivet could not help but ask. "I mean, yeah, those slimeballs are ugly in every sense of the word, but they do make good appetizers at Zurkie's back in our dimension."

Ratchet looked sick to his stomach as he absorbed Rivet's last comment to reply, "Please tell me it's all in the Battleplex and not in the Gastropub, Rivet."

Smirking at her counterpart's expression, Rivet said in a not so apologetic way, "Sorry, Ratchet, but I meant both."

"I do not have a biological stomach, and even I do not want to know," Kit commented while Rivet giggled at both her and Ratchet.

Eventually, the four found themselves in front of Qwark in the building itself as he stood on a circular platform seemingly with pride. "I must admit," he began to say, "the four of you have great, or dare I say, unlimited potential of becoming great heroes and heroines." Exhaling with an apparent smile, he then added, "It's all so remarkable." Stepping back on a movable platform, he then gestured towards the first platform, saying, "Step into the Ring of Heroes, one at a time, and I will finally give you what you deserve."

Clank quickly unmounted from Rivet while she and Ratchet exchanged weirded out looks at the way Qwark said his words, but Kit quickly pulled Clank back as she glared suspiciously at Qwark, saying sarcastically, "That is quite the speech, Captain. Definitely not ominous at all."

"Ominous," Qwark wondered in seeming innocence while the Lombaxes got the idea of what Kit was implying.

Showing a somewhat accusing look of her own alongside Ratchet, Rivet said to Qwark, "In other words, the way you sounded out your speech made it sound like a villain's threat."

As Clank understood what his friends meant then, Qwark, on the other hand, gasped theatrically as if in embarrassment. "Oh, my goodness, no," he denied before adding, "I'm so sorry for the confusion! I thought a got a better speech writer for moments like these, but it appears I was wrong!"

Believing that Qwark's surprise and embarrassment were genuine, Ratchet could not help but mumble to Rivet, "Is Quantum this ditzy?"

"He has his moments, but this is something else," Rivet answered just as unsure.

Kit then took it upon herself to ask, "Just answer honestly, is the Ring of Heroes supposed to be a symbolic gesture, or are we supposed to be expecting something more?"

Chuckling sheepishly, Qwark answered, "I can assure you, dear Kit, the Ring of Heroes is a necessity just like everything else you've seen here. Please step in, make yourselves feel proud as you would be making many others that are relying on you in this life feel secure from your protection."

Narrowing her eyes at Qwark briefly, Kit finally give in to his request with a nod, but said, "We shall all step in together then, if you do not have any objections." She then grabbed hold of Clank's left hand and Rivet's right prosthetic hand, and gestured to a confused Ratchet to do the same with Clank's right hand.

After trading a look with the reluctant Rivet and unsure Clank, Ratchet then took the latter's hand as they all stepped in the Ring.

"Hex Mount, Heli-Pack," Kit whispered to Clank while Qwark showed a wide smirk at the scene before him.

"For what it's worth, boys and girls," the Captain began to say as he took out a remote, "I honestly would've liked it if there was another way," before pressing the remote button which released the trapdoor under the Lombaxes and robots.

Thankfully, as they all fell to the cavern below, Kit and Clank quickly mounted themselves to Rivet and Ratchet's backs and with their Heli-Packs, slowed their descent until the two Lombaxes landed on their feet on one of the few plots of land in a floor of lava.

Sighing in relief, Ratchet turned to the two robots as he said, "Smart thinking you guys."

Rivet's gasp of dread, however, got all their attention as they noticed a tall, horned, muscular, and dark green monster chained to two pillars that wore a cranium cap on its head perfect for mind control.

Rivet was the first to speak at the sight of the snarling abomination, "Guys, is that a-"

"Blargian Snagglebeast," Kit finished Rivet's sentence in dismay.

"As in the same one from the earlier commercial," Ratchet muttered in remembrance mixed with fear.

Clank could not help but hum in thought as he took a look at their surroundings. "I suppose that explains why this place looks so familiar," he said calmly.

"Why are you so calm about this," Ratchet and the girls exclaimed in aggravation.

"Would you believe me if I said this is my coping mechanism," he retorted just as Qwark's platform moved down in hearing reach over them.

"Lo and behold, ladies and gentlemen," Qwark exclaimed as he gestured to the Snagglebeast, "From the depths of Orxon comes the fiercest behemoth to grace the Solana Galaxy!" Turning back to his visitors with a somewhat evil grin, Qwark added, "If that doesn't succeed where so many Blarg, mutants, robots, and other fiends have failed at, I don't know what will."

"Qwark, whatever this is about, we're not amused," Ratchet shouted with his fist raised.

In response, Qwark laughed almost sinisterly before replying, "Look, Ratchet and company, it's nothing personal, but not so long ago, Drek offered me the sponsorship deal of a lifetime. I get fame and fortune as New Orxon's spokesman, so long as no one else gets in the way of construction." Showing a negligent shrug, he added, "Sure, several billions may be temporarily displaced right now while the Blarg are trying to make a new home for themselves, but eventually, everyone will get along again."

"You cannot be serious, Qwark," Clank said with hurt in his voice. "Your aiding and abetting Chairman Drek's actions have not only taken homes, but lives as well."

"You should just me and me alone handle this, Clank," Qwark reacted defensively, "Even if something goes wrong on Drek's end, I'll find a way to make things better, like any good hero would do." Chuckling, he then added, "And no superhero's greater than me."

Rivet balled her fists in anger as she snarled, "I can't believe this! You're seriously stupid enough to believe that little tyrant, whose last name marks him as a "dreg of society", will actually keep his word to you about everything he said?! You're just a pawn to him!"

Qwark's own anger took hold of him as he snapped right back, "You don't know anything about me, little girl, so watch it!"

It was then Kit's turn to be angry as she told Qwark, "Rivet thought she had you pegged out, Captain," gesturing to her fellow robot, she added, "Clank placed all our hopes on you," then the other Lombax, "Ratchet looked up to you while growing up, and I wanted to believe in you as much as they did, but now I see that all your charm just hides a cruel, self-centered monster! Just like Nefarious!"

At those words, Qwark actually paused in wide-eyed shock, but ultimately shook his head before angrily saying, "I was always better than Nefarious rather he was an organic freak with head gear in the ninth grade, or a robotic crybaby! And I've had enough of this debate!" Brandishing a Blaster, he fired at the chains keeping the Snagglebeast in check and hovered away while the Blargian monster slowly made its way towards the four heroes.

"Alright, Snagglebeast," Ratchet announced as he took out the R.Y.N.O. and pointed it straight at the creature from Orxon, "time to rip ya a new one."

Firing immediately, the missiles launched harmed the beast, but still came closer, which prompted Rivet to fire her own Blaster at it until it finally gave out and fell in the surrounding lava. Once they were all sure the beast was dead, the quartet let loose tired sighs as they tried to process everything that happened recently.

"I am sorry that you and the others had to go through this, Ratchet," Clank said softly. "I know that you would not have kept a poster of Qwark if you did not admire him still."

While Ratchet focused his eyes on the floor, Rivet said, "Hey, don't sweat it, Bolts. It's like Kit said, we all misjudged what kind of person Qwark was."

"I still want to stop Drek from hurting anyone else," Ratchet began to say before admitting, "but I'd be lying if I said I didn't hope to get a piece of Qwark after what he just pulled on us."

"Well, how about we keep looking for Drek to take him down, and Qwark as well along the way," Kit suggested before explaining, "So long as we keep finding clues to what the Blarg are pulling off, the quicker we can stop all of them."

Forcing a smile at Kit's words, Ratchet turned to her and Rivet, saying, "Works for me, but first we gotta find a new way out of here since the way we came in looks like a no go."

"I see a hanger not so far from us," Clank informed helpfully, and as the Lombaxes walked with the robots mounted on their backs towards it, he added, "Still, do you think we should find someone in charge to inform about Qwark's treachery? I am all for punishing him, but what he has done should not be kept to ourselves."

"I get what you mean, Clank," Kit replied before adding, "but the way things are, we may not have anyone to tell about it, even if we were to be believed."

Taking notice of a red, bulky luxury craft with a yellow trim and Qwark's logo, Rivet said, "Personally, if this whole infobot coordinate whatever thing is going to continue, I think we should call the guys in my dimension for a really precise map of Solana to make things easier for us in the future."

Ratchet could not help but look down again as he commented, "All I know is that Quantum's probably not going to be happy that his local self for my dimension turned out to be a bigger sellout than anyone could've given him credit for."

Sighing just as disappointed, Rivet replied, "No, he won't be happy at all."

[R]

I would have liked to have added more content, but I decided that this was the most words I wanted to get in this chapter. Even more, while I am open to Qwark being more of a hero than a villain, I am forced to acknowledge that if his road to redemption happened in just one game rather than three, Going Commando has a slim to none chance of happening, unless there is another antagonist who can take his place as the "Protopet Mastermind", so you know how that goes. Besides, the above looked awesome to visualize in my opinion.

Anyway, I will save my other updates for Ratchet & Clank among others for a later time. I just really need to get to some watching I have been procrastinating with for a long time now. Trust me, it is not easy being me.