Hi, guys and gals! I'm finally back on FanFiction and, more importantly, back to writing stories/fanfics/one-shots (whatever you want to call them), which is what I rarely do right now, since I spend more time on Deviantart as an artist and writing exclusive stories on there.

Anyways, I've been thinking about writing my one-shots of "Ratchet and Clank," taking place after "Rift Apart," so here is my first Post-Rift Apart one-shot. Now a bit of a warning, this one-shot includes the topic of a serious medical condition, so if you've experienced something like that and/or are sensitive to it, I suggest not reading this if you can't handle those things. Otherwise, read at your own risk. This is my first time writing something with the inclusion of that kind of topic, but you know, just proceed with caution if you wish to read this. And also, for this being a Post-Rift Apart one-shot, this also contains a minimal amount of spoilers for "Rift Apart" if you haven't played the game, yet, mostly due to not owning the game and a PS5, so also keep that in mind if you own neither of those.

A month had passed since the dimensional catastrophe, marking the duo's time to be off hero duty for a while.

It was a great time for Ratchet and Clank to take their time off in temporary retirement. Well, unless something alarming happens. Anything. In fact, something is currently overwhelming them. But turns out, it was something else. Personal, in truth.

Clank gently opened the door to Ratchet's room in their Megalopolis apartment one early morning. He recently did this to check on Ratchet's condition. Ratchet lied in bed, devoid of ease. The Lombax had been feeling strange lately. Mainly in his chest. It felt like one of his lungs had been pierced harshly. He wondered why his chest was feeling that way. He didn't come into contact with any form of contamination, right?

Clank made his way toward Ratchet, careful not to disturb him and cause anymore soreness in his chest. The Lombax could sense his presence, which was fairly warming.

"Good morning, Ratchet. Are you feeling alright?" the little robot said with a sensible amount of concern in his tone.

The other let out a slow, wheezy groan in response. "Morning, Clank... I'm not feeling too well. My chest hurts so bad... It's so hard to breathe, my lung feels like it's gonna pop any second..." He then let out a cough.

This worried Clank to a great extent. He couldn't help but frequently wonder what was causing such agonizing pain in Ratchet's chest. "Do not stress yourself out, Ratchet. We will find out what is causing your chest to perceive immense pain." The little robot let out his right hand that had been completely replaced with a yellow one instead of retaining his previous grey one along with his entire right arm, thanks to Rivet, and began to gingerly place it on the right side of Ratchet's chest. "Let me see how bad it is."

Ratchet winced as the slightest sense of Clank's touch was placed on his chest. "Ack...! Easy there, pal...!"

"I am being as delicate as possible, Ratchet. I will scan to see how faulty your lung is that could be causing the pain in your chest," as he cautiously removed his hand from Ratchet's chest and began activating his scanners. Once his scan was complete, he gave the Lombax a grim look. "Oh dear..."

Ratchet gave a questioning look. "What is it? What is...wrong with me?" followed by another cough out of his mouth.

"It appears you have a punctured right lung, which could of been caused by an injury or wound on the chest, or...worse."

"Ouch... How did I...get it?"

"I do not know, Ratchet. I do not recall witnessing serious injury to the chest, especially since the interdimensional ordeal a month ago, which could have led to this, have you?"

"Uhh... Not that I know of..." Ratchet placed his hand on his chest and let out a shallow exhale.

"Ratchet, it is best that we call the paramedic for medical attention. That condition you are having is not normal. It is a very dangerous, critical, and life-threatening condition. It could possibly lead to death if you do not seek medical care immediately."

Despite hearing Clank's advice, Ratchet attempted to talk out of it. "But Clank, you know I'm not too fond of hospitals. I'm one tough Lombax. I'm a hero-we are heroes. I'm sure I can...*cough*...make it through this." Then another cough made its way out of his mouth.

"Ratchet, you must not talk too much. You are adding more pressure to your condition. You must understand that it is a very critical one, and you will not be able to heal with normal treatment."

"Clank..."

"Please, Ratchet. You must accept my advice. You will not be able to get through this normally like with any other condition you may have had previously. I will call the apartment staff and tell them to call emergency to come get you and take you to the hospital immediately."

The Lombax was about to make another attempt to budge as if to argue, but didn't say anything else afterward. What was he saying, thinking he can overcome a severe medical condition he had never had before on his own? Ratchet stared at Clank with his large emerald eyes full of moody pain as the robot left his room and head to the living room to make the call on the phone.

He dialed the number of the staff and waited patiently for someone to pick up. Seconds after, a voice was picked up on the other end of the call and Clank began conversing. "Hello, this is room 408. I would like to make an emergency call, please. My friend is undergoing a serious condition and needs medical attention. ...Yes, thank you very much. I will do as instructed." Clank placed down the phone on the dock, ending the call. He made his way back to Ratchet's room and did not expect to see and hear what was happening next upon entering.

Ratchet looked like he was attempting to sit straight up while also trying to stay put as if he was having trouble controlling his movement. He clutched his chest a little harder and he was breathing fairly rapidly. His heart was beating hard and fast as though it was going to rip off his chest from the pressure.

"Ratchet!" Clank called out to the Lombax in panic as he ran up to him.

"Clank...!" Ratchet attempted to speak as he looked wearily at his friend. "I...it's getting worse...! Did you... did you...*cough* *cough*"

"Do not worry, Ratchet! I called the staff already and told them to call emergency. The paramedics are on their way to come and get you. Just try not to stress yourself out!"

"Th...thanks, Clank..." Ratchet attempted to smile lightly, but it quickly turned into that of a half-smile and it immediately fell as he let out a pained breath. The pressure in his chest was too much to handle. He held onto dear life, so was Clank, who was extremely worried about his friend not being able to withstand the pain.

Around eight to ten minutes later, the duo heard a knock at their door. Clank ran to open it as he reached the living room. A female Markazian staff stood outside along with a couple paramedics. "Hello, we are here to pick up your friend and take them to emergency," one of the paramedics spoke to Clank. "Are they with you?"

"Yes," Clank replied, "he is in his room. I can lead you to there."

Clank led the paramedics to Ratchet's room (with the staff remaining outside). The robot could detect slow, quiet breathing from the Lombax. Two of the paramedics came over and carefully held him as he slowly got up. "Can you move, sir?"

"I...think so..." Ratchet replied weakly as he stood up poorly.

Clank followed them and the rest outside their apartment room and down to the lobby (with the staff then following them) until they got outside the apartment while the staff remained in the lobby watching the scene before resuming her work.

The paramedics then placed Ratchet on the stretcher and brought him inside the ambulance ship. One of them turned to Clank. "We are now preparing to take off to the hospital. We will arrive there in about ten minutes."

"Is it alright if I join him in the ship?" Clank asked.

"Yes, you are more than welcome to accompany him, but just be sure not to cause too many casualties while we are on the way."

Clank nodded. "I will consider it."

The little robot, along with the paramedic, entered the back of the ship and made his way toward Ratchet lying on the stretcher. The Lombax's ears perked up to the sound of metallic steps approaching. "Clank...?" Ratchet attempted to look down at his two-foot friend.

"I am here, Ratchet. We will get through this together," Clank assured him, trying to smile with ease as the Lombax's condition was at stake.

"Hehh..." Ratchet let out a shallow breath as he smiled lightly. It was quiet, but loud enough for Clank's sensors to detect.

It was then that the duo felt the ship lifting and taking off. Clank hoped for the best that his friend would put up with the pressure in his chest.

Once they arrived at the Megalopolis hospital, Clank entered the lobby as he followed the paramedics pushing the stretcher with Ratchet lying on it. The little robot was told to wait at the lobby as they moved Ratchet to the operating room and let the doctors there perform a procedure on him. Clank prayed that his friend would be alright while undergoing the procedure.

Several hours had passed, and Clank waited patiently until someone comes over to him and inform him some news about Ratchet's status. Much to his anticipation, a female doctor, another Markazian donning a white smock and a cap, approached him and the robot prepared to hear of the news. "How is he? How is Ratchet?" he asked, eager to know what was going on with his Lombax friend.

"Oh, don't worry. He is fine, but as you already know, he is suffering a serious medical condition in the chest, particularly with one of his lungs."

"And why is that?"

"Well, it is because of something called a pneumothorax."

"Pneumothorax?"

"Yes, it is a critical condition which occurs when one of the lungs collapses, due to air leaking into the pleural space between the lungs and chest wall. Symptoms of pneumothorax include shortness of breath, as well as rapid breathing, heart rate, coughing, and low oxygen in the body of an organic. It is also rare, so your friend is just unfortunate to have that."

"Oh no... Is it because of an open wound on the chest?"

"We checked for any physical injuries he might have on him. There were no open wounds on his chest. If he does, then he would have an open pneumothorax, but he doesn't appear to have that. Therefore, we came to the conclusion that he has a closed pneumothorax, which occurs when air enters through a hole in the lung."

Clank was shockingly awed to hear what Ratchet's condition was. It did indeed seem like something of a life-threatening condition. "Is it permanent?"

"No, it isn't, but it is possible it will lead to death if the condition is not taken care of by medical treatment immediately. And since he is going through medical treatment for the past several hours of procedure, he should be feeling a bit better than before. You can come in and see him if you want to for a limited amount of time."

The little robot felt relieved by the good news told by the doctor. He knew Ratchet would be able to at least make it, even through such critical and near-death situations like he and him always do as heroes risking their lives to save the galaxy. And the doctor asking if he wanted to see Ratchet made him feel more welcome. "Yes, I will go see him."

The Markazian doctor nodded. "Right this way," as the two began walking down the corridor.

"Here it is. Room 209," the doctor said to Clank as they reached the room where Ratchet was in after taking the elevator to the second floor. "I will be back in ten minutes to resume the procedure, along with the other doctors. In the meantime, you can see him now for the time being."

Clank nodded, as the doctor opened the door for him and left. The robot entered the operating room to see how his friend was doing. He found him lying on the hospital bed with an oxygen mask on his face and a chest tube on the right side of his chest where the collapsed lung was. Part of his chest was blue from the low oxygen in his body by the looks of it. He slowly opened his eyes and lazily looked to his right to find Clank standing at the doorway as he closed the door behind him. "Hey, pal," he mumbled.

"Hello, Ratchet," Clank replied as he approached the Lombax. "How are you feeling?"

"Hehh... I'm feeling a bit better now, but still undergoing the soreness."

Clank smiled worriedly. He was glad to see that his friend was alright, but it was still distressful to see him still undergoing some pain as he was recovering, however it shouldn't be too much to worry about, since he had sought medical attention and should be recovering in no time.

"Ratchet, you have no idea how glad I am to see that you are alright, primarily while anonymously suffering a critical respiratory condition. It was very devastating for me to witness you going through. You must not hold anything like that back from me," as Clank gently placed his new right hand on Ratchet's right arm. "Regardless, it is so pleasant to see you becoming well and recovering."

Ratchet let those words from Clank sink into him. Those words of his truly meant a lot to him. No matter what the odds are, Clank would deeply care for him and never leave his side. Ever. Even since the beginning, he always clung to him one way or another. What would he ever do without him? "Thanks, Clank. That truly means a lot to me. Heh, what do I do to deserve you?" Ratchet then let out two hacking coughs. "I am sorry that I didn't let you know sooner..."

"It is alright, Ratchet. I am here. I am always here. What matters is that you are recovering. Just promise you will never hold anything urgent back from me. I am your friend."

Ratchet gave a defeated look. What Clank said was right. He must never keep things away from him, especially if it's urgent, but on the other hand, he just for some reason can't truly promise that. But he had to anyway. "...I promise, Clank. ...My best friend."

The duo then heard a knock at the door. Clank went to open it, attempting hard to reach the door knob and turn it. Once he successfully opened it, the doorway revealed two other guests. To his pleasure, he found Rivet and Kit standing outside the room. "Hello, Rivet, Kit. It is a pleasure to see you two."

"Hi, Clank!" Rivet replied, joyful to see the little grey robot again. "It's good to see you, too!" as she fist bumped Clank's left hand. "How's your new arm?"

"Oh, it is fully operational," Clank replied, observing his brand new, yellow arm.

Rivet smiled. Kit enjoyed seeing the two conversing with each other. But then Rivet's smile gradually faded into a small frown. "So how's Ratchet?"

"We heard he is suffering a critical respiratory condition," Kit spoke up. "Is he doing alright?"

"He is doing fine. Just still undergoing some pain in his chest, the lung more precisely. You can come speak with him."

Ratchet noticed his dimensional counterpart Rivet and Kit standing at the doorway as the two approached him, closing the door behind them, much to his contentment. "Hey, Rivet."

"Hey, Ratchet. How's it going?"

Ratchet let out a slightly wheezy breath. "Never been better. My lung still feels like it's slowly being crushed... *cough* *cough*"

Rivet inwardly gasped. She had never seen Ratchet felt like this, but she knew it could happen anytime. She gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "Don't push it, Ratchet. I am sure you will recover soon. Just hang tight, like what Clank would tell you. Take it easy bit by bit, and you'll be all better and at it," giving him a determined grin. For an energetic, enthusiastic Lombax girl like her, she sure was motivational.

"Thanks, Rivet."

"And do not forget you have me, too, Ratchet," Kit went next. "You taught me so much to take in and do whatever it takes to make things right. We are all here by your side. And most importantly, you are a hero. I am certain you will overcome the pain you are undertaking."

Ratchet let out a weak chuckle. Just like Clank, as well as Rivet, Kit was motivational. He recalled the times he and she were together during the interdimensional adventure since the time he met her while he and Clank were away from each other for the time being. Kit initially had a lot of self-doubt, but now she grew from that and became strong.

"You too, Kit," as he let out his hand and reached for her head and nuzzled her two light bulbs acting like a pair of hair buns. "What would I ever do without you, guys?"

Clank, Rivet, and Kit let out a hearty chuckle.

"What would I, we, ever do without you? You and Clank were the ones who helped me and Kit save the dimensions a month ago, and we returned the favor to you guys," Rivet said friskily. "I wouldn't even become the hero I got to be now, thanks to both of you," looking at him and Clank.

Ratchet couldn't help but let his heart warm by those words of his counterpart's. "Hehh... It's all about karma, huh..."

Suddenly, the four heard the door opened. The female Markazian doctor Clank spoke with entered the room. "Oh, I see you have some other friends accompanying you," she said, smiling. She then turned to the other three. "I'm sorry, this is now the time to ask you guys to leave. We are going to resume the procedure."

Before taking the time to leave the room, Clank spoke up first. "Um, pardon me, doctor, how long does Ratchet need time to recover from his condition?"

The doctor contemplated for a moment. "In truth, since he has pneumothorax, he will be staying here for a few weeks. But it depends on the severity or the type of pneumothorax he has. Since he has closed pneumothorax, it is likable he will have to be hospitalized for a week or two. Only time will tell."

Clank, Rivet, and Kit's faces fell slightly upon hearing this.

"But rest assured, your friend will recover soon. It will take time for his condition to heal. For now, leave it to us."

The three smiled in relief. It's true a condition like this will take a lot of time to subdue before Ratchet can return to his daily routines. But they shouldn't be too anxious about it, since Ratchet was currently hospitalized.

"We understand, doctor," Kit said with acceptance. "We will now take the time to leave until further notice."

Before they began to depart, they turned to Ratchet one last time and wished him well.

"We wish you well, Ratchet," Clank said.

"We'll see you in a week or two," Rivet said.

"Hope to see you again soon after your recovery," Kit said, the last goodbye from her.

"I'll catch up with you, guys, soon, too," Ratchet said, as his three friends head out the door and departed the hospital. It was nice having them around while he was unwell.

The female doctor approached him on his side. "You have nice friends," she said warmly.

Ratchet exhaled quietly. "My best friends... I would do anything for them, even if it means...risking my life." The Lombax remained silent as he prepared for his next procedure.

Ratchet, Clank, Rivet, and Kit belong to (c) Insomniac Games