It had been a few weeks since Emperor Nefarious had been defeated by the hands of a certain two lombaxes and robots. City reconstruction was just getting started. Statues were being pulled down, posters were being burned, and a city in a state of anarchy was partying like there was no tomorrow. The sight was something to make even the most stoic person's eyes sparkle in the fascination of the city being destroyed and rebuilt at the same time.

However, as for Ratchet, his eyes were drawn to something he would argue is significantly more fascinating and much more important; A slouched white lombax resting on a nearby bench with her hands together and her head hanging low. Gathering up his resolve, he sat down next to her, starting up a hopeful conversation.

"Hey Riv…You uh, doing okay? I mean, I just thought you looked sad and wanted to make sure everything was fine. Sorry If you just needed some space" he managed to stumble out. No one would call him an expert with words anyway, but when it came to dealing with those pesky things like emotions and cute lombaxes, he seemed to lose the ability to even be confident in his simple sentences.

"You're fine Ratchet, I'm just…. thinking" Rivet replied, not moving from the spot she was in

"About?" Ratchet responded.

"I don't know, it's stupid, it's not that important." Rivet said, turning to face him, then look back to the ground.

"Wha? Come on, Riv, I'm sure that's not true. Whatever it is, you know you can tell me, right? I'm always here to listen if you need me." Ratchet responded with a concerned but reassuring soft smile.

Rivet smiled at the reassurance from Ratchet. She didn't know what to expect when she first met another lombax, but she's happy it was him. He's sweeter than a cupcake, while also managing to be the best combat fighter she's ever seen. She looks up to him, honestly. In the way he handles his enemies and in the way he treats his friends, specifically his robot companion.

"Thanks Ratchet, I just….I don't know, I should be happy, we just stopped the emperor, the same one that's been haunting my life for who knows how long! I just… have a lot of thoughts going through my head. Like, what if you or clank never were sent to this dimension? There's no way I ever could've stopped him. A-and don't get me wrong, I'm glad for your help, and I know I was the one to finish him off, but I just feel…lost. Where do I go from here? Fighting against tyranny is pretty much all I know, and I just don't know what to do now…Even searching for the lombaxes seems so distant from reality. I'm just trying to figure everything out." Rivet trailed off.

Ratchet couldn't help but feel for her during her speech. It was not always easy for him to find his place either, and he still deals with his fair share of anxieties. But it didn't sit right with him that Rivet was doubting herself, he needed to try and cheer her up.

"I know it must be a lot to take in. I've felt similarly before, Rivet, trust me. But I know you can get through this. You're the strongest person I know, and that's really saying something. I know you would have found a way to defeat the emperor even without Clank and me. You and Kit are gonna be an unstoppable duo. And hey, I know everything is crazy right now and you're still adjusting, why don't we take some time off? You don't have to work all the time now Riv, you've more than earned a break. We'll visit the lombaxes when you're ready. Trust me, it took me a long time to prepare myself too. But what's more important now is that you take care of yourself. I'll help you in any way I can. I know it's going to be a tough adjustment into a more normal life." Ratchet said.

Hearing the heartfelt message inspired Rivet to realize she should approach this situation just like any other one.

"You know what, you're right. When I face a problem, I kick its butt first, and ask questions second. And it's worked for me up to this point, so I might as well stick with it." Rivet replied while acting out a few punches.

Ratchet and Rivet both shared a hearty laugh.

"But seriously though, I'm really glad I met you Ratch. Thanks for being there when I needed it. You've done more for me than you probably realize and moving on to a new phase of my life seems much easier when you're around to help." Rivet added with a wide closed-mouth smile.

"Uh, t-thanks Rivet," Ratchet gulped, "I'm, uh, glad I met you too." Rivet just laughed at the yellow lombax stuttering over his words.

That smile was going to be the death of him one day, he just knew it. Until that day came though, he was more than happy to indulge in it. He can only wish to draw it out more and more in the future. Neither one of them knows what the future holds, for them, their friends, or their friendship. But with each other to rely on, they can both look forward to the start of a new chapter.