Aphelion lets out a barrage of lasers, and the enemy ship takes the hit. A ball of fire emerges from the vessel, exploding right before Nova's eyes. Clank watches the entire thing unfold, that holo game focus shifting over her and receding as the explosion dissipates. Pride fills his sisterboard at her progress and inherent skill. She will certainly become a fine hero.

"A direct hit. Well done, Nova."

"You've learned quickly, I'm impressed. We're now safe to land. I'll talk you through the process."

"Yes, ma'am."

...

Aphelion touches down outside the museum, and Nova's feet touch the ground. Clank jumps towards her, latching onto the hex mount with a click. The unfamiliar shift in weight throws of Nova's balance a bit.

"Wha-Oh yeah, I forgot I was wearing this thing."

"My apologies, it is simply muscle memory. I can dismount if you like."

Nova thinks on it, deciding that he's fine where he is. She shifts her torso a bit, trying to feel out exactly how her center of gravity has changed.

"No, you're fine. It's just, I didn't expect it. I'll get used to it in training."

Nova walks toward the museum, and her communicator beeps suddenly.

"Incoming holo-call from: Mendrano, Saros."

Nova takes a deep breath, hesitating over the button to plan out her words, but finally deciding to press it. With a flicker of blue light, a projection of a very frazzled Saros materializes before Nova and Clank.

"Nova! I'm so glad you picked up. I was just watching the news and there was a dogfight right outside Igliak's atmosphere! Are you okay?!"

"Yeah, we're fine. It was Nefarious. He sent some random goon after us, but we managed."

Saros's posture drops a bit in shame, and with a sigh, he looks at Nova.

"Nova, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said what I did before you left. I was wrong, Nefarious isn't someone to take lightly. I just wanted to protect you."

Nova answers with a thin smile, and Saros loosens up a bit, thankful that her anger is gone.

"I'm sorry too. I should have told you before. I snapped at you, and you didn't know what for. But the past is behind us now, Saros. Right now, Clank and I are gonna make sure that Nefarious can't hurt anyone else again. I'll be back before you know it."

"Nova, you don't have to do this, you know. Someone else could step up, another hero."

Saros's voice treads lightly with his words, and Nova looks to him with a weight in her eyes that he only ever saw once: when she looked out the window and spoke of the stars.

"I have to, he came for me in the first place. He wants a fight? I'm gonna give it to him, and he'll regret messing with my family."

Saros sighs, his glance shifting from the ground, to the strange harness she's wearing, the robot attached, then to her serious expression.

"I..can't stop you, can I?"

"Nope, I've made up my mind."

"..Good luck, Nova. I hope you know what you're doing."

Saros ends the call, and the hologram disappears. Nova turns away from where the projection stood, moving towards the robotic guard at the front door. He scans her, then gives a practiced introduction.

"Welcome to the Intergalactic Museum of History. Please enjoy your stay."

The inner rooms are huge, many doorways leading to the many sections of the building. Nova turns to head to the Hall of Villainy, but a gentle tap on her shoulder stops her.

"Nova, wait. I must speak with you first."

Clank touches the floor, bringing his gaze to Nova's. There's an intensity to his eyes, as if there's a lot that he needs to get off his chest. Nova kneels down to his level.

"What's up? Is everything okay, Clank?"

"Yes, but Nefarious is right. There is something I need to show you before we continue."

"Something to show me?"

"Yes, please follow me."

Clank walks directly toward the Lombax Wing, and Nova hesitantly mind tries to wrap itself around this sudden change of tone. What's here that he's worried about? He seems upset about something.

"When I met you, Nova, I was certain that there was something unique about you. I could sense a film of Zoni bioenergy around you, a side effect of the circumstances of your birth."

Nova would comment out loud, but instead allows Clank to keep talking. Clank has answers, and he's actually giving them to me. I can't thank him enough for that.

"I looked closer, and I saw marks that I have not seen in person for a very long time. Your encounter with Nefarious, the Plumber's gift, and my own experiences have given me sufficient evidence to come to a conclusion I never believed possible until now."

Clank stops before turning the final corner, pulling two photos out of his chest. He holds one out to Nova, which she takes. It's the photo that was taken the day the bakery opened, carefully dated on the bottom of the paper.

"Aw, this turned out really nice. We look good."

"I believe it did as well. This photo actually serves two purposes. First, as a reminder of the day we opened Star Bits, and of our time together. Secondly, it is the final piece of confirmation I needed."

Nova looks up from the photo, watching Clank as he enters the room. To her left is a statue of a lone lombax general, but Clank leans towards the right side of the room. This lombax is her height, and he stands proudly next to the Clank statue.

"Oh, this is you and Ratchet, right? You said before that the two of you were heroes."

"Yes, we were."

Clank reveals the photo that he's been holding onto, handing it to Nova to compare the two. The color is slightly faded, but the photograph's contents are unmistakable. They look happy together, and Ratchet is leaned in close with Clank. His right hand is raised in a peace sign, and a huge grin is plastered on his face.

"Of course, there are differences between you, as you are both separate people. At this point, however, there is no doubt in my mind."

"What do you mean, Clank? What does Ratchet have to do with me?"

"This photo was taken during your previous life. It has been one hundred years, but it is good to see you again in some form, my friend."

Nova goes numb for a moment, trying to wrap her head around the whole thing. Past life? Suddenly, everything makes sense. It's so stupid, like the plot of a bad holo film, but..it explains so much.

"My people never told me, because villains would come to fight a reborn hero. Nefarious was upset I didn't recognize him, because I fought him with you back then. The Plumber gave me this brooch, and said he was returning it. I guess Ratchet wanted his next life to have it. I shouldn't believe a word of this, but.. I do. Thank you for telling me, Clank."

Nova gives Clank a soft smile, like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders. Clank's expression, however, seems to be the very opposite. His demeanor completely drops, his eyes glowing a bit dimmer.

"Hey, are you okay Clank?"

"I am sorry for not telling you before. I was concerned that hero work would have a negative effect on your mental health, so I encouraged other activities. I did not plan to tell you about this unless it was absolutely necessary. However, plans changed. Nefarious has returned, and I have vowed to help you avenge your family. I feel like I should have done more to protect you from that burden, and for that, I am sorry."

Nova figures that Clank probably has a point about the stress thing, but her concerns aren't on herself at the moment. Right now a dear friend of hers seems so deflated, like the secrecy has drained his soul. I wonder if that's how they felt… Nova drops to his level, granting him a warm hug. Clank freezes for a moment, then returns the hug gratefully.

"A hundred years must have been so lonely. If I'm really Ratchet, I'm sorry I forgot about you, and I'm sorry I took so long getting back."

"I do not blame you for not having his memories. That is simply the nature of reincarnation, and I see it as a blessing in disguise. Not all of our time together was pleasant. As far as the time it took is concerned, I do not mind. Meeting you would not have been possible if things progressed faster."

Nova breaks off from the hug, sitting across from Clank cross-legged. It's a lot of information on both sides, one to take in, the other to give. Nova looks at the statues to her right, and lets out a deep breath. A comforting smile aims to encourage Clank to let it all out.

"Tell me about us, from the very beginning. Something tells me it was one hell of a ride."