Chapter 7! I had much fun writing it. I hope it explains everything. Feedback is very welcome. Now please, enjoy reading!


Ratchet slowly awakes. His back is still in pain as he tries to move but isn't able to. He's tied to a chair inside an old house. "What the… Where am I?" he asks while looking around. Nandaria stands in front of a window looking outside. "You're finally awake." She says calmly while turning around. For the first time they met, Ratchet actually takes a closer look at her. She has a slim body covered in a purple bodysuit. Her limbs were replaced with chrome plated prostheses. Her ebony hair falling down over her back with thin long ears poking out. Rivet left some traces in her face.

Ratchet lifts an eyebrow. "Oh? What happened?" he asks. Nandaria growls. "This little pest you call girlfriend happened." she says, making him laugh. She clenches her teeth before hitting him with her fist. "Urgh… Looks like I hit a nerve." he grins. "Oh wait. I didn't. Rivet did." He laughs again only to receive another punch.

Ratchet coughs a little before he looks back at her with a sassy grin. "Damn that's easy." he says. Nandaria grabs his chin and steers his glare into her eyes, still covered by sunglasses. "I'll make you my slave. Then I'll let you kill this flat chested Lombax of yours. I'll release you from my grasp so you can witness what you've done before I'll grant you the sweet pleasure of death." she hisses at him furious before she releases her grasp on him.

Ratchet looks at her a little shocked. "Why? Why are you doing this? Why do you need a Dimensionator?" he asks. Nandaria looks at him for a while. "This here is my homeworld." She looks around. "Arisio. I grew up as the daughter of a noble. Always loved by everyone." She explains surprisingly calm now. "Some were envious of me and the attention I received. So they did something to me." she stops only to look out the window again.

"What did they do?" Ratchet asks. Nandaria looks over her shoulder with an angry expression.

Meanwhile, Rivet, Sekeshi and the two robots arrive on Arisio. Without hesitation Rivet jumps out of her ship which she landed near a larger town. "We need to find them as soon as possible." she says while walking into the town with a hasty pace. The Sun already rose. People looking a lot like Nandaria walk around, looking at the visitors with curiosity but also a little disgusted at Rivet and especially at the two robots. "Oh dear. Maybe we should stay on the ship." Clank says ti which Kit nods. "Agreed. They seem to have something against robots." she says. Rivet looks at them and nods. "Alright. Just… Keep the ship shut, okay?" she asks them. The robots nod and walk back to the ship.

Rivet goes to the first person she sees. "Morning. May I ask a few questions?" She asks while placing her hands at her hips looking up to the man she's talking to only reaching his hips in height. The man looks at Rivet and frowns. She notices how he looks disgusted at her metal arm but she didn't care at all. "We don't like people like you out here, Ma'am." he says. "Robots are not very welcome." he adds.

Rivet lifts an eyebrow. "But I'm no robot. This is just a replacement for my lost arm." she tries to explain. "Listen… We're looking for this crazy woman named Nandaria." she says. The man widens his eyes. "I don't want to have anything to do with that!" he says while turning away.

Rivet sighs and looks at Sekeshi. "That went well…" she says with a sad smile. "Let me try." he says while walking up to a woman. "Good morning. Do you know something about a woman of your people with artificial limbs?" he asks. The woman snorts. "I don't want to talk about something like that. Now move along." she just says while pointing away. He returns to Rivet. "Sorry, but… It seems they know her but… They don't want to talk about it." he sighs.

Rivet looks at him for a moment. "Then how do we find them?" she asks with a shaking voice. She sits down while holding her head. "I'm scared to lose him." She whispers. Sekeshi sighs and sits down next to her. "I remember the moment we caught him on Cyr 3. He's a sassy fellow. Sassy but brave." He looks at her. "Listen… He'll be fine. We'll find him." he assures her. She looks up at him with a slight smile. "You know… You are alright. Even if you tried to kill us back in Savali." she says. "Well that wasn't me." he grins. "I'm actually a pretty nice guy." he says while nodding with his snake-like head. "I can see that." she smiles honestly while standing up again. "Let's keep searching. Someone here needs to know something." she says while looking around.

They both ask around again only to be sent away without an answer. Rivet sighs as they both sit down again. "May I ask you something?" she asks Sekeshi. "Sure." he says while looking at her. "Her.. Hypno thingy… How does it work?" she looks at him. "I don't know how. She looks at you and suddenly you feel like you're in love with her. Doing everything she requests without asking. It's… A strange feeling." he sighs.

"It does not work on people who can't feel love, are badly hurt because of love or are deeply in love with someone, right?" she asks to which he nods. "Yeah… But… She found a way to make her 'glare' stronger. I don't know if someone can withstand it." he says. Rivet looks at him concerned. Without a word she stands up and walks to the next person.

"Please… I need to find this Nandaria… She has the love of my life as hostage… PLEASE!" she begs him. He looks at her compassionately. "I know where you find her… Maybe." He says. He seems to be a lot friendlier than the others. Rivet looks up with hope in her eyes. "Where?" she asks. The man smiles at her.

Nandaria looks at her limbs. "They ruined my life. Took my limbs. I needed to replace them with… This!" She slams her fist into a wall. "Since Nefarious, robots are not welcome here. Sadly this also counts for… People like me." She says with anger in her voice. "Everyone who loved me, turned away from me. They treated me like trash." she says while looking at Ratchet. "I'll make them pay. With the Dimensionator I can open rifts to summon horrors they can't even imagine… And I can find a dimension where they accept me…" she says while turning away from him. He stares at her for a while. "I know they hurt you. But there are other planets where you will be accepted." Ratchet says. She looks at him with pure hatred. "I'll destroy this world and the people who did me wrong." she hisses before she grabs his chin. "And you'll help me with that, little Lombax." she says with a laugh.

Rivet and Sekeshi walk together with the stranger who dind turn them down. "Nandaria is a… Well… Banned topic you can say. I guess you noticed how they treat you, right?" He asks Rivet. She nods slightly. "You see… This is because of Nefarious. We don't trust robots of any kind. This went so far to also fear those with… Artificial limbs like you have or Nandaria." he explains. "I personally think this is too much. You are no robot." he shakes his head. "But.. I can't change their mind. Anyway… Nandaria once was a noble of our people. She was actually a very kind person. Loved by nearly everyone. Those made some people envious of her." He looks at the sky while walking and talking. "They ambushed her and did something terrible. Death would be too pleasant. Instead they took her limbs so she needs to replace them with prostheses. You can guess how this went, right? All of a sudden she was a monster in the eyes of our people even though she was still the same." He shakes his head and looks back at Rivet. "They saw her as a monster… So she became one. Now it seems she is back and wants revenge." he sighs. "Well… This is her story."

Rivet looks at him confused. "This is… Terrible…" she whispers. "Why would they do that to her?" she asks. The man shrugs. "If there is light, there is shadow. We caught them and they were sent to prison. But… What happened can't be undone." he says. Rivet lowers her head a bit. "I almost feel sorry for her... " She says before she clenches her fists. "Almost… She took my Ratchet. I'll kill her for that." she looks at him with rage in her eyes. "Maybe this is for the best." he answers. Sekeshi looks at Rivet with big eyes. "Do not touch Ratchet. Got it." he says to himself.

"We didn't catch your name." Rivet suddenly says. The man looks at the sky. It's past noon by now. "Right. I'm Rikio." he says. "And you are?" he asks them. "I'm Rivet. And that over there is Sekeshi." she introduces them. "Pleasure to meet you." Rikio says. "I guess you'll find Nandaria at her old home. We need to walk a bit to reach it." he says.

Sekeshi looks at Rivet. "Hey uhh… She wants a Dimensionator, right? Don't you have one?" he asks. Rivet looks at him. "Yeah. But we keep it secure so no lunatic can get his hands on the device." she says. "Ratchet uses it to come to my dimension. Then we hide it." she shrugs. Sekeshi nods. "Better safe than sorry."

"There is a pub right ahead. I know we have to hurry, but… I need a break and something to drink." Rikio says with a sorry smile. "It's okay… We should get some too… Haven't had a drink since Sargasso." Rivet says with a sigh. "I'll get us something. Want to see how they react." she says before she enters the pub. The bartender talks to one of his guests.

"So let's say you write a story, right? You post it onto our network, okay? Then someone asks in the comments if you, as the author, read the comments, okay? They make suggestions about what you could add and stuff… How would you react?" the bartender asks. The other man strokes his chin. "Well… You can't answer every comment. That would make fake comment counts, doesn't it? Buuuut.. I would somehow let him know that I do so. I would try to add their wishes into the story. If not the actual, maybe into a new one." He takes a sip of his drink. "I mean… Why should you stop with only one story?" he asks with a smile. "And what about the compliments?" the bartender asks. "Can't answer that either. But I'm sure they would know how touched I would be." the guests nods.

"Uhh… Sorry to interrupt." Rivet says. "Could we please get something to drink?" she asks. The bartender looks at her and frowns a little as he notices her arm. "Only if you leave." He says. Rivet sighs and nods. She gets three bottles of water. "Thanks." She says as she leaves. The bartender looks at his guest. "Now… Where were we?".

Rivet throws the other two bottles towards Sekeshi and Rikio. "As expected they were not very happy about me. Just wanted to test it again." she says before she takes a sip. Rikio sits on a rock looking at Rivet. "You could be the kindest person in the whole universe, they wouldn't care as long as you have any robotic part." he sighs. "Anyway. Let's get moving." He says while getting up. "Charming people." Sekeshi says to which Rivet laughs a little. "Very charming."

Nandaria enters the room where Ratchet is tied up. "Now little Lombax… It's time." She says while she places something like glasses before her eyes. She forces his glare into them. Ratchet struggles. He tries to look away, but he can't. "N-no…" he says while his eyes widen and he stops to struggle. There is this purple glow in his eyes as he sits there, just staring. Nandaria grins. "Very good… Our guests will arrive soon… Let the games begin." she says laughing.

It's late afternoon. The Sun is about to set as Rikio looks at the sky. "We're nearly there." he says. In the distance they can see an old mansion in front of a lake where a single tree stands on its shores. "This was her home." he sighs. Rivet looks at him. "Rikio? How do you know all of that?" she asks. Rikio looks at her with a sad smile. "I once loved her. She was everything for me. Even then when she lost her limbs. I couldn't care less about her artificial limbs. Sadly… She turned into a monster. She rejected me… I was heartbroken." he shakes his head. "But that's the past. Now is now." he says as he stops moving. "But… I don't think I can confront her. It's…" "Okay." ivet finishes his sentence. "We'll deal with her. You don't have to do this. You already did so much for us. Thank you, Rikio." She says with a smile. Rikio looks at her in surprise before he also smiles and nods.

Rivet and Sekeshi move towards the mansion. Nandaria standing in front of it. "So… You finally arrived." she says. "And you brought me Sekeshi. That's nice of you." she grins. "Where is Ratchet?" Rivet asks with a growl. "Oh he is right here." Ratchet walks next to Nandaria, his OmniWrench in hand. He looks at them with narrow eyes. "He was so brave… But I broke him." She grins wide.

Rivet looks at him with sadness in her eyes. "Ratchet…" she whispers. Suddenly five of Sekeshi's kind jump out behind them. "Surrender and maybe, I'll let you live." Nandaria says. Sekeshi looks at Rivet. "Go and get your boyfriend. I'll deal with my pals over here." he points towards them with his thumb. Rivet looks at him and nods. Sekeshi turns around. "Come on boys. Let's have some fun." he grins as he jumps into them.

Rivet steps forward while drawing her hammer. "Go on, my dear." Nandaria says to Ratchet, stroking his right ear. "Kill her." she orders him. Ratchet charges at Rivet. He swings his OmniWrench at her which she parrys. Ratchet is obviously shaking which Rivet notices. "It's me, Ratchet…" She says with a soft tone. Ratchet looks at her before he screams and starts another attack which she also parrys.

Sekeshi manages to knock one of his friends out. He dodges many strikes. He punches one of them into the stomach before another manages to hit his leg, forcing him to kneel. He catches an oncoming knee and directs it into the stomach of another one. He stands up and knocks the next one out until they manage to subdue him. Two of them hold him while the third slams his knee into his stomach before he gets a hit directly into the face. He falls onto the ground, unable to move. "S-sorry Rivet.. I'm out…" He thinks as he watches the remaining three approach Rivet. Suddenly they stop and keep watching.

Ratchet swings his Wrench again at Rivet which she can parry again. Suddenly he kicks her, sending her to the ground. She gasps for air before she looks up at him. "Ratchet please!" she pleads. He hesitates blinking rapidly while shivering. "Go on. Please your master." Nandaria says to which Ratchet walks towards her again. The sun starts to set more.

Ratchet walks over to Rivet, knocking her hammer out of her hand. He uses his OmniWrench to pin her to the ground at her throat. He draws his Handblaster and aims at her. He hesitates for a moment. Nandaria watches from afar with delight. Then there was the sound of a weapon being fired. Some birds start to flee because of that. Rivet lays still on the ground as Ratchet still stands over her. Nandaria laughs. "I WIN!" she yells. "I told you... " she says again as she walks towards Ratchet. "You've done well… Now for your reward." she says with an evil grin on her face while pulling out a knife.

Suddenly, Ratchet turns around, hitting her stomach with his OmniWrench, destroying her shield at this position. Surprised, she widens her eyes as another shot can be heard. Nandaria looks down at her hands which cover her stomach. She lifts one up to see her blood.

Some seconds ago:

Ratchet pins Rivet down on the ground before he draws his Handblaster which he aims at her. Rivet looks at him while tears stream down her cheeks. Ratchet shivers even more. "What the hell… Ratchet…" Rivet whispers to which the male Lombax widens his eyes. "I love you…" she whispers with a sad smile. A tear runs down his left cheek as the purple glow in his eyes vanishes. "I love you too." he whispers as he pulls the trigger, hitting the ground next to her. He drops the weapon on her with a loving smile. Rivet smiles but lays still, putting on a show. As Nandaria is close enough, he swings his Wrench at her while Rivet grabs the Handblaster and shoots her right before her shield regenerates.

Nandaria looks at her blood before she coughs. She stumbles a bit. Shocked, she walks staggering towards the lonely tree at the lake. Ratchet pulls Rivet back to her feet before she hugs him tightly. "I thought I lost you…" she whispers. Ratchet gently strokes her back. "I promised you, I won't leave you…" He says. Rivet looks at him before she gives him a loving kiss.

Nandaria sits down at the trunk of the tree, watching the sun. She breathes heavily as the shot fatally wounded her. Suddenly Rikio sits down next to her, also looking at the sun. She tilts her head in his direction. "Rikio… Here to… Laugh at me one last time?" she asks weak. Rikio looks at her and shakes his head. "I never laughed at you, Ria... " tears build up in his eyes. "Why did you let yourself get consumed by your hatred?" he asks. Nandaria looks back at the sun. "I wasn't strong enough to endure it." she says quietly. "I was a coward… Now I'll die as one…" she says while a tear runs down her cheek. "I just wanted to be loved again…" she whispers. Rikio places her left hand into his right hand. "I always loved you…" he says.

The two Lombaxes hug each other for a while before they seperate. Rivet looks over to Sekeshi. His friends, now freed from her grasp, help him. She looks over at the tree. Slowly she walks towards Rikio and Nandaria while Ratchet follows.

Nandaria laughs a little. "I was a fool to not notice that…" she says. "Forgive me…" she asks him. Rikio shakes his head. "I forgive you…" he says. Nandaria smiles a little while the sun sets. The last sunbeams reach the sky. Suddenly it looks like an ocean of sunlight as the sky starts to move like waves. Golden dust seems to ride on them. The last thing they see is a flash of nearly every colour for just a second until the stars start to shine. The Lombaxes hold each other as they have never seen such a scene.

"Sunset on Arisio… A sight to behold…" Nandaria says before she closes her eyes and stops moving. Rikio looks at her with a sad expression. "Farewell, my love…" he whispers before he stands up and looks at the two Lombaxes. "Thank you." he says. Ratchet and Rivet nod in unity before Rivet answers. "Thank you… For everything." she says. Rikio gives her a soft smile before he picks up Nandaria. "She'll get a proper burial." he says before he turns around and starts to leave.

The two Lombaxes watch him leave. Sekeshi walks towards them. "Guys." he says as he holds a Dimensionator in his hands. "She somehow built one." he says while giving it into Ratchet's hands. He inspects the device. "She did. But it would not be strong enough to work properly. It's like Clank said. If she would have used this… It would probably destroy everything." He takes the Comet Shard out of the device before he lays the Dimensionator on the ground. Rivet picks up her hammer and destroys it before she tosses it into the lake.

"Let's go home, please." she says as she looks at Ratchet. "Finally." he says with a soft smile as he grabs her metal hand. He looks at Sekeshi. "Thank you for your help." he smiles at him. "It was my pleasure." Sekeshi says while bowing down slightly. "Until we meet again, Lombaxes." he adds with a smile. The two Lombaxes smile at him as they make their way back to the ship.

As they walk through the town, the people look at them confused and disgusted because of Rivet's robotic hand. "Hold on." she says. She goes towards a woman that has spat in their direction. Rivet looks at her and starts to dance the robot. The woman screams before she falls over. Ratchet watches this and laughs. The other people who saw that watch Rivet with big eyes as she and Ratchet walk towards their ship. Inside the two robots wait. "Ratchet! I'm glad you are okay." Clank says happily.

"Needs more than that to get me down, huh?" he smirks as he looks at Rivet. "Okay, maybe I needed a little help from a wonderful Lombax." he adds. She smiles at him as she starts the ship. "Let's get home and.." she says before her ears drop. "Fix that wall… DAMN IT!" she says. Ratchet laughs. Well… It ends where it started, hm?" He smiles at her. "This isn't the end... Maybe it's a start." she says with a smile. Both Lombaxes share a kiss before they lift off towards Sargasso.