The galactic rangers stared intently at the two armchairs, where the interviewed hero in green and the reporter each sat down. "Thank you for your time, Captain Qwark. A lot has happened since the last time," the robot in the suit held his mic out to the hero, whose typical grin reappeared, "I'm always around for interviews with fans, unfortunately it's always been inconvenient lately. All the better to finally have time for my fans out there." And so then the mechanical one in the suit began to ask his questions, "So, Captain Qwark. We wanted to go over your journey again, the change you've made all these years from Zero to back as a Hero. The other day you were even the host of Ratchet and Clank's honorary ceremony, then your contribution against Dr. Nefarious' counterpart."

"There was nothing wrong with giving a second Nefarious a good old fashion butt kicking," laughter filled the room before the robot then resumed his work, "Would you say your relationship with Ratchet, Clank AND also the new heroes Rivet and Kit has improved?"

"We're like the best of friends, Jimmy. There's nothing to complain about. Everything's back on track between us," even the rangers looked a little skeptical, but also amused at the green hero's answer, which prompts the next question, "So any news? Do you have some stories about the relationship of the two lombaxes? I'm sure your fans would love to hear that too, hehe."

"Well, for one thing..."

There was no reply, however. The door to the room was flung open. Two small, concerned robots ran up to the Captain, who immediately recognized the miniature machines, "Clank and Kit? I'm afraid you're interrupting an interview."

"It's a big emergency, Captain," the silver bot looked up at the colossus, whose eyes were now staring curiously at the two much smaller ones, "Ratchet and Rivet have been kidnapped, and by the current leader of the crime!"

"It is true. I've plotted the coordinates of her planet," Kit enumerated the numbers, which turned out to be a real planet some miles away from their homeworld. Qwark stuck his chest out now and his look became more serious, "Sorry, Jimmy. The interview has to be called off."

"But..." before the robot could speak further his words were taken by the captain,"As long as evil is out there doing its deal, it's a hero's job to protect the helpless inhabitants of the galaxy, or even his allies. Hold on tight, evil villain of the gangster world, because the righteous fist of Captain Qwark will..."

"Let's put the hero speech aside until later, Captain," Clank gave in slightly desperated, before the green clothed one finally strode forward, knocking over the reporter's camera, "My camera!" The three heroes weren't the only ones. A team of galactic rangers and police bots were gathering, who along with the Captain and the lombax friends would fly to the Gangster Planet to finally put an end to this. Clank and Kit boarded the ship requested by Qwark, and before they knew it, the group were leaving the orbit of Megalopolis and flying through the stars of the universe.

Now there was no time to lose.

He awoke slowly. Shadows were the only thing he saw before him and no trace of light. The tall one also felt a fierce chain chained around his neck, while his arms were also bound. Only his feet were spared. "Where am I," James glanced around before a light did illuminate the room. An iron door was opened and the first person had unfortunately been the boss, where to her right E.L.O obediently strode behind and then stared grinning at the tiger alien, "Good, the nano-tech serves its purpose. Don't die yet!"

"Untie me right now," James growled to the pink woman, but she refused to be intimidated, "Ah. Ah. Ah, you'll have to earn it!" Confused, he stared at the gangster bride, but still full of anger and contempt, "What?"

"Jamie, even though I would like to see you bleed...you are really VERY useful to my company. And I have a good suggestion too," Cassandra cleared her throat before grinning and stroking the tiger's cheek, "There are now two spots open among the elite, since you killed Boogie and Rex is now stranded on Barlow. You just have to do one thing, then I forgive you and as an elite you will get a HUGE wealth as a sum. Deal?" The gangster turned his gaze away from the boss, who now had a small pulse forming on his forehead, but then only scowled more.

"Maybe the right motivation will help!"

With a snap of his fingers, two bodyguards stepped inside, but you were not alone. For James eyes now snapped up in concern and panic, for in the iron hands were his wife and two children, mouths tied shut and watching in shackles, causing the tiger alien to step forward, only for the chain around his neck to serve your purpose and restrain Him.

"LET THEM GO, NOW!"

"I told you! I know where your family lives," they had a firm grip on him again. The taller one went down on his knees in defeat as he listened to the muffled screams of his children and wife. James glared angrily at Cassandra, who put on her winning smile and waited for the gangster to say something, "...What do you want me to do to make you release them?"

"Simple...", the boss strode back outside with your henchmen and still gave the task to be accomplished.

"...Kill the lombaxes!"

How long had she been hitting the door? Rivet and Ratchet had also awakened and were almost as good as new, thanks to the nano-tech, but the rebel rammed her mechanical fist against the door. They were locked in and while the white heroine tried to free herself and her boyfriend, the latter leaned against the wall and had lowered his gaze reproachfully. "Come on...", Rivet finally let go and sat down next to Ratchet. While there were bumps and scratches, there was no other reaction from the door that refused to open. The female lombax leaned her head thoughtfully against the shoulder of Ratchet, who was now finally speaking again, "...I'm sorry, Rivet."

"Huh," she stared at her friend in confusion, but he immediately followed up with, "I shouldn't have trusted him. Once a criminal, always a criminal I guess, hehe...I feel so stupid." "Ratchet...", she gently placed her prosthesis against his arm, making him look at the white lombax, "...I trusted it all at some point. It's not your fault. We'll get through this...together." "Rivet..." before they both came closer to share a heartfelt kiss an even larger door suddenly opened in front of them.

The view showed an arena like the gladiators of old once had with chariots, weapons and many other items. The seats were occupied by countless criminals who began cheering wildly, waiting for the two lombaxes. "Looks like we're going to have to fight our way out," now Ratchet stood back up and activated the omniwrench, so did Rivet with her hammer. As she stood next to him he grabbed her left with his right hand, before he then completed her kiss, "Whatever happens now...I love you."

"I love you too," together they strode out and would face whatever evil would be the reason for the arena.

There was nothing there though, just a large armored man.

"LADYS AND GENTLEMAN," Cassandras voice came through the speakers. She shouted through a mic on her podium, with a bodyguard and E.L.O next to her, "Today you will witness a spectacle that has not been seen in a long time. Mr. Sandman will restore his honor and finish off the two lombaxes, who want to overthrow my empire, so that his family can live to see tomorrow!" The two lombaxes stared stunned at the gangster whose hands were shaking and he too was conflicted with himself inside, "I don't want to do this...but it's about my family..."

"James. Don't do anything you'll regret later," Ratchet was still trying to calm the situation with words, but the tiger alien was already activating his helmet that covered his head. Rivet had remained calm as well, before she held her hammer ready, "You asked for it!"

Only the pink lady had the time of her life in that moment, "THEN LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!"

This hyperactive scream of the boss and the cheering of the criminals had been the start signal. Immediately James shot off hot sand, whereupon the lombaxes dodged and avoided the beam. Now the thug activated his shield and sword before then going after Ratchet first and hitting the omniwrench. "Give up! It'll be faster this way, please," the taller one tried to get the lombax to surrender, but he hadn't reckoned with Rivet, who now jumped on the back of the tiger alien. She pulled Mr. Sandman away from the orange one, who now also started to attack. At that moment, the big one grabbed the rebel, hurled her against her boyfriend and activated the sand cannon on his arm again. Once again, the heroes had to take cover before hiding behind a broken pillar and going over the battle plan again.

"Rivet...I don't think he wants to hurt us, or he would have done worse to you," the hero felt a few grains of sand fly over their heads before then the rebel tightened her grip on the hammer again, "Maybe we should beat the rest of his brains back in!" So the tough lombax moved away from her cover and ran towards the gangster. His shield blocked the hammer, while he now also went for the punch and even hit. His fist hit the body of the smaller one, who had to catch her breath for a moment, before Ratchet came to the rescue, "Rivet! Damn it James, stop it! We can still..."

"PLEASE SHUT UP," it would be easier for him if the lombaxes didn't talk and there he was now ramming his blade just past the orange one's chest. His shirt got a scratch, before then only slightly blood dripped from the spot. Not much, but still an injury.

That was enough for Rivet.

She jumped up wildly, landed on the gangster's covered face and now hit the tiger alien with her iron prosthesis. All the rage and frustration of the whole missions, the rebel now unloaded on the gangster, who could not defend himself and went down. First on his knees, but then Rivet landed an uppercut with her hammer and brought James to the ground. The rebel rammed her foot against his chest now, before she hit his head with the hammer and did not stop. Faster and wilder she continued until the helm collapsed into his nano parts and the striped face could be seen again. "Rivet...stop," Ratchet joined in, which then finally stopped her fury and with weapon raised, stared at the tiger alien, whose eyes stared regretfully at the ground.

"You won...go on, finish it. I know how much you want this," James didn't return the gaze of Rivet, who was still staring with her blue eyes at the larger one's fur and then looked around the arena. The criminals waited anxiously for the final result, Cassandra continued to drink with pleasure from her alcohol, and then suddenly the rebel found them. The family of the tiger alien was staring right at her. She couldn't quite make out their faces, but Rivet feared that all of them must be crying, and then now her blue eyes met James's again, "Why?"

"I was a bad husband, a cruel partner...and a miserable friend. I deserve to die, it's all my fault. Go on, but please promise to help my family out of this," he closed his eyes as he waited for the final blow. The lombaxes didn't budge, which only created more tension for the gangsters in the spectator seats, and slowly more screams could be heard. But then something followed that even Ratchet had not seen coming.

Rivet put her hammer aside.

This made the criminals, and also the boss cry out. The orange lombax, on the other hand, had to smile. It seemed that the whole thing would end without a death, so he took the next step and held out his hand to James. He opened his eyes again and saw correctly, because the lombaxes helped him once again, despite the fact that he had not told them the truth about the plan, "But..."

"The real enemy is up there! We'll defeat her...as a team," Ratchet grinned determinedly and Rivet also picked up her hammer again, already preparing for the fight against Cassandra. "...Thank you...", finally a team again the Tigeralien stood next to the lovers, before you heard the word of the boss again through the facilities: " So you do chicken out, James? Then I'll make sure that..."

No more words came. Attention was directed to the sky, where a large ship was spreading. The signs pointed to the galactic rangers, which only made the pink woman more worried and angry, "THEY FOUND ME?" The criminals immediately pulled out their weapons to be ready for the coming battle with the people of justice, under which, however, the orange lombax put on a surprised, but also happy grin.

He yelled out loud and waved his hand, "Clank!"