Defibrillation

The world was on his shoulders. At least that was what it felt like to Ratchet. Once Vorselon had died, the holo-chains that he had been bound with released somehow, and he dropped to the cold, hard, and unforgiving floor beneath him. He felt drowsier than his own eyelids as they were about to give out on him. He was suffering Raritanium poisoning. And that was just too awful for his comrades to allow to happen.

"Oh, god!" one shouted, as he shook himself to the bone. "Raritanium poisoning! He's gonna die!"

Everyone looked to the Lombax and then to Ratchet. He lay there on the ground, whimpering and trying to control his breathing. But, as always before, he wouldn't go down without trying a move that would probably kill him anyway.

"N-no…" He said, trying to breath in between words. "It's… not… over,… not while… I'm… breathing." All of the Lombaxes puzzled about how he could stay alive, and Ratchet continued, his voice getting more broken by the second. "The-there… i-is a Manif-festor… on… th-that table… over there." He feebly stuck out his index finger at that table, and the mayor instantly ran to it. He pulled up the inventory, and Ratchet spoke again. "There… is a… defribulator… in there. Get… it out."

All of the Lombaxes knew what that meant. It meant that the raritanium had seeped into his bloodstream. What the raritanium does is get into the bloodstream, and infects the whole system, making it impossible for the heart to take in the blood. And without the blood to power the heart… it would stop.

And, apparently, the Lombax race was not about to let that happen to their hero.

The mayor sprinted in a mad dash to the table, knowing that there was little time for Ratchet to live. While this was happening, another mercenary Lombax was scanning Ratchet's body for any signs of disease. The readings were so off the hook that the Mayor could hear it from ten yards away, and counting. When the leader got to the table, he blurted out words that were almost inaudible. "D'ya know what it is yet?"

The merc looked at the readings again, and had no choice but to give a small head rattle and a faint, "No. Still scanning." There was a slow trill as the scanner did what it was built to do. Finally, there was a different beep…

"Digicartia," He said.

The mayor about freaked out. What could be done? It was what the Lombaxes had named a 'forever' virus. If not treated instantly, it would end Ratchet's life almost immediately.

"S***," Was the mayor's response.

"Sir!"

"Just shut up! Give me the defibrillator in his Manifestor!"

That is just what happened. It was in the Mayor's possession as quick as a flash of lightning on Xergazhiagio. He put the leads on Ratchet's chest.

What's happening down there? That was all that was on Talwyn's mind. Whatever it is, I hope it's the authorities. Hmm, maybe I can break free. I mean, it's just rope, right? Right?

Wrong. It proves to be nearly impossible, especially the knot part. It was tied too tight. Then she remembered. Christmas…

"What are you doing?" said the merc. "He's not dead!"

"I know!" the mayor screamed back. "But he only has a few minutes before he passes out. If he does, his heart will stop. He's going to inevitably pass out, but if I can keep his heart going, he'll live. Alfonso, watch his heart rate!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Hang on Ratchet… hang on."

Talwyn got free.

There was no other logical explanation for it, she was just free. Not even she knew how. But, that didn't matter.

She ran to the door, madly trying to unlock it, but it was no use. It wouldn't move. What now?

Without stopping to think at all, she pulled out her blaster, and tried to shoot it open. There was a sizzle, a clanging sound, and she was out. This is just like Saw.

ZZZAAAP!

That is what everyone heard. Ratchet was up like a refreshed dog.

"Where's Talwyn?" he asked.

PONK! PONK! PONK!

PONK! PONK! PONK! There were three dents in the door. Just… like… I don't even know, it was there, okay? The door fell out, and Talwyn stood there, blaster at her side.

"Did I miss anything?"

"Uhh… no…" was everyone's response.

Her eyes suddenly went wide. It was like a black hole, a worm warp hole, it was like IRIS had been painted black, it was like the end of the world, at least, that's what it looked like at that point, the eyes were just so huge. Ratchet coped with this, as he had freaked out before at it was just minor, and whatever this matter was, it was probably just as minor. Then, all of the man started to look at him to. What is going on? It was all too weird. Strange. Why would they all look at him? It kind of creeped him out.

"Whaaaat?" he said.

A little cackle escaped Talwyn's throat, which was even weirder. What was the matter with everyone? He felt dumb. Then, they all started chuckling. Well, more like snickering, but it progressed into chuckling, then soon rolling on the ground and laughing their pants off. What's the deal here? It's not like I'm naked in public!

He looked down.

Well… at least not in public…