During the next four days, Rilena, Takeria, Ratchet, Clank, Clark and Conner reviewed the computer chips and the information they held. The data was somewhat corrupted and needed fixing and Conner did the best he could. As they thought, the Leopardis once lived on Aurora but had moved after it became obvious that the planet just wasn't hospitable. With the single space-ship they had, as there weren't many Leopardis, they left and found a new planet, planet Viliumn.
Viliumn was directly next to Fastoon but Ratchet stated he had visited Fastoon as it was once home to the Lombaxes...and there was no planet Viliumn. Clark commented there was a reason for that. "Listen to this chip, it's an audio journal." There was some static and the voice cut out once in a while but it was a decidedly male voice, that was certain...he sounded no older than twenty-five.
"September Eighth, time is ten thirty, year is -static-. We have -static-st too many Leopardis...and the Lombaxes are go-static-. Even our own kind have been sent elsewhere...not just themselves no. The entire planet!" The Leopardis speaking sounded out of breath, as though he was running. "I worry for t-static-. We are not a large race, we have few of our k-static- and the Lombaxes have tried to help in setting a union between our two races. However -static- infertile, we do not reproduce as we wish."
The rest of the tape was the Leopardis talking about how he hopes the Fenrik's keep their heads down and keep working on the dimensionator. The next thing they saw was an entry on what Leopardis do and what they're good at, their entire history, their union with the Lombaxes and their alliance with Fenrik's. As they read, Ratchet felt his heart stop...Aphelion spoke about another race that Lombaxes were friends with and stated she had no idea what happened to them.
He also saw familiar words. 'Kaden', 'Azimuth', those were Lombaxes that Aphelion mentioned she knew. In fact, Kaden was his father's name! Suddenly, Conner noticed something. "Commander, there's an attachment to the next entry." He said and she hummed. "Pull it all up." She said and he nodded, typing a few codes in and then the journal entry and a picture came up. The journal entry had Rilena and Ratchet startled.
'Kaden,
I thank you for your request to the Council, they came and let us know that they are working on the item to increase the Leopardis fertility to increase our race size. Generally I had meant it as a joke my friend, however I know you also want us to recover after the war as we suffered a blow to our already small size. Lilliana and your wife never stop talking about a union between our kids. They aren't even born yet but they stated that our soon-to-be-born daughter and your soon-to-be-born son would make an excellent pair. What do you think? Also, any help with dealing with mood swings would be greatly appreciated. You always seem to know what to say and I just keep making Lilliana angry somehow. Is it just her being pregnant or is there more to it?
Sincerely, Galvin'
A few more entries were made by the Leopardis Galvin, all of them sent to a Lombax called Kaden, who Ratchet stated was his father. As it turned out, Galvin was actually Rilena's father and the two blushed, eyes wide at a picture that popped up on the last entry. There were two Leopardis' and two Lombaxes, the female Lombax and Leopardis were both holding a bundle in their arms and the two males seemed to be enjoying a conversation as they stood in what seemed to be a garden of some sort. The picture was in black and white but the two had a feeling at who those were.
"That is Galvin and Lilliana, with Kaden and Anna." Clark said, grabbing Rilena and Ratchet's attention. "Pardon?" They questioned at the same time, before looking at one another, eyes wide. "That was when you two were born...before Percival betrayed the two races." Clark explained, making Rilena hum as she looked at the picture. She walked toward the console Conner was at and pressed a few keys. "Make two copies." She said and he seemed surprised yet conceded.
He sent the copies to Rilena's tablet and she grabbed her tablet before pressing a few keys and smiled at Ratchet. "Aphelion might have gotten a copy of this picture." Rilena explained and Ratchet was surprised. He had told Rilena all about Percival, Talwyn and her two bots and his ship, Aphelion. He did his best to keep her updated. After reading some more entries and listening to a few more audio-entries left by the mysterious Leopardis who recorded all of this, it was well into the night, despite there being no sun on Aurora and Takeria, Conner and Clark retired to bed.
Rilena, Ratchet and Clank could not sleep.
"So, to what do I owe the pleasure of you visiting?" She asked Ratchet with a smile, sitting on her bed. "The last few times you've visited, you've told me. This is a surprise visit." She said softly and Ratchet laughed, sitting down beside her on the bed. "Well, I meant for it to be a surprise." He said before wrapping an arm around her. "Me and Clank had a lot happen these past few days, as you know we've encountered Percival and Talwyn, as well as learned all about my race." He explained with a smile to her.
"I told Talwyn about you, she said she'd like to meet you since she stated you sound like a Leopardis. She had mentioned it to me too." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I think she's annoyed at the fact I don't know any of this stuff." He muttered. Rilena smiled and patted his cheek, grabbing his attention. "You've lived in the Solana Galaxy for your whole life Ratchet, just as I have. No one can blame us for what we don't know." She explained, making Ratchet smile.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." He said, nuzzling her head affectionately. "Anyways, because I was going to make this surprise visit to you, I figured I'd see if you wanted to meet her. Or have her come here or something." Ratchet said with a shrug, not sure what Rilena would be comfortable with. Rilena thought for a bit, thinking about it. Talwyn Apogee, daughter of Max Apogee, the last name sounded familiar but she wasn't going to dwell on it.
However, Ratchet and Clank seemed to trust her, plus Talwyn seemed to know about Lombaxes and Leopardis' so she didn't think it'd be a problem. "Next time you see her, send her the coordinates." Rilena said, surprising Ratchet. "If she knows about Leopardis' and Lombaxes, I see no reason to deny meeting her. Plus, she might be able to help me and Takeria understand what happened all those years ago that seemed to make our races disappear." She explained, making Ratchet nod.
"Alright, when I get the chance I'll let her know." He said softly, yet didn't move, confusing Rilena. "Ratchet?" She questioned and he shrugged. "What is it?" He questioned yet she blushed and looked at his arm around her waist. It felt nice but...she shook her head, ignoring it. "No, it's nothing." She said softly, resting her head on his shoulder in the crook of his neck, making him smile. Clank wanted to remind Ratchet about another reason for their visit, about Ratchet confessing to Rilena.
Even Talwyn smacked Ratchet upside the head for dancing around his feelings for so long, stating they had an instant connection because the two races are so close! However, he said nothing and simply smiled at the two. They were at peace simply being around the other, he wasn't going to ruin the moment. "How long are you able to stay?" Rilena asked Ratchet, curious and he sighed. "Only a few more days. We're still trying to find a way to beat Percival." He explained softly, making Rilena sigh.
She nuzzled his neck and his breath hitched, eyes going wide. Was she even aware of what she does to him?! "Dammit, I want to help." She said softly, frowning a bit as she wanted to go out there and fight. With the Blarg gone but now facing these fish-like creatures in mechanical suits, she wanted to do more than stay at base! "You being safe helps." Ratchet stated firmly, making her eyes go wide as she looked up at him. "Ratchet?" She questioned in surprise, wondering why he was so firmly against her fighting like Clark was.
"Percival will kill you without hesitation if he even sees you. He wants nothing to stand in his way of galactic domination" Ratchet stated, shaking his head. "Me, Talwyn, Clank, Qwark and the few others who can fight him are doing all we can to keep him at bay." Ratchet looked Rilena in the eye. "I'm already worried as he's circled Aurora a few times," He explained, making her sigh, "I don't want him actually capturing you, or anyone else." His hand cupped her cheek and she held it gently, looking down with her ears flat. "I hate having to hide Ratchet, you know that." Was her firm response as she looked up at him, yet he gave a soft, apologetic smile to her.
"I know but I don't think I could bare it if something happened to you." His voice had gotten softer, more affectionate and it made her cheeks flush as his thumb stroked her cheek. Their eyes locked, blue clashing with green, both waiting for the other to make a move. When it seemed he wouldn't, Rilena went to cast her gaze to the side and heard Ratchet's muttered 'fuck it', before his lips were on her's. Her eyes went wide, body going stiff before she finally registered what was happening and relaxed slowly, wrapping her arms around his neck. Clank smiled, glad Ratchet finally made a move; that was their original reason for coming here was for Ratchet to confess.
They separated for breath, faces flushed. "What was that all about?" Rilena asked, somewhat breathless, which made Ratchet chuckle. "Well, for the past few weeks I've been trying to figure out how to confess. Realized words weren't going to cut it." He said softly, hand still cupping her cheek as he stroked it. "I think the moment we met, an instant connection formed and...from there, the feelings grew." Ratchet said honestly, making Rilena smile softly at him, before she kissed him softly on the lips.
"Surprisingly enough," She said softly, cupping his face as well, "I've felt the same way. The instant click, the talks and flirting." She giggled at him, making him chuckle as well. "I think that fact our two races are so close is a sign." Rilena stated, making Ratchet shake his head fondly. "Our races have nothing to do with it. It's our own feelings." He said firmly, yet affectionately and Rilena rolled her eyes. "I'm saying our parents are psychic." She responded, before Ratchet merely rolled his eyes fondly and kissed her once more.
Clank merely got up and left the room quietly, letting the twenty year old Lombax and Leopardis figure things out for themselves. They still had stuff to do and people to stop but for now, he figured they could use time to themselves. After all, Talwyn was still trying to find out where Percival recently went, as was Qwark, so Clank figured it'd be alright to let Ratchet and Rilena have time to themselves.
Okay, so sorry if the confession seems a bit rushed, been trying to get this one done for awhile. Despite certain personal and medical problems, I have still been trying to write. With hype of Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart getting me pumped, I have kept to trying to write some more of R&C in hopes of keeping my hype up for the new game. Insomniac has never disappointed me with the games they make of Ratchet and Clank (except for Full Frontal Assault), so I have a feeling Rift Apart won't disappoint.
Anyways, this all kind of leads up for the 15 Year Future Arc story I am doing of Ratchet and Clank. This also reveals one of two races I have made for the Ratchet and Clank universe. (I have another race made and I do plan to eventually post both races on DA so people have an idea on what the races are like. I also plan to try and draw pictures of the races so people will know what they look like. Not sure how that's going to go as I'm not that confident on my drawing skills but we'll see how it goes.)
Whelp, that's all really for this story. I do have a few more that are ready to be posted as well, takes place quite a bit after this story so hope to see you all with those as well. ^^
