The battle
Slag cursed as never before when he saw the defeat of Sprocket. "That darn cat has been a thorn in my side for too long ya hear me." The pirate leader said outraged towards the people close by. Nefarious just put up an annoyed face he knew that Ratchet would never fall for such a trick. And he gave the Lombax credit for being so sneaky even if he was squishy. "Speaking of squishy's! LAWRENCE?!" "You yelled sir?" Nefarious just rolled his eyes at that comment. "Go get me that girl. She might be useful against that Lombax. Muhuhahahaaa." As Lawrence entered the cave, he noticed something very peculiar. The guards were still there yet the prison seemed empty. Lawrence double checked to see if it was indeed true, and was shocked to notice he was right. "Oh my, this does not bode well for us. Most dreadful." Lawrence said in a calm voice before going back to his master.
Nefarious almost exploded after hearing Hobbes had escaped. "How did she get out?!" Lawrence just responded he did not know, tough it might have been by the fact the cell wasn't locked. Rusty Pete who had overheard the conversation quickly hopped on one of the pirate shuttles and flew away, but sadly Nefarious had been able to grab the poor pirate by the neck. "Uuuh grog? (hic)" Nefarious looked bazzled at the robot before him, his sensors going a glowy red "AAAAAA… oooh Janice, you should have done as you were told… But but Lance? I I love you. *smooshy kisses*…AAAARRRR" As Nefarious regained his conscious thanks to the help of Lawrence. "My pleasure sir." "What?!" "Nothing sir, just complimenting you on grasping that nasty pirate and showing who is in charge." Lawrence almost giggled, whilst Pete bit his upper lip hard in order to not make a sound. "I am aren't I," the evil doctor said cheerfully.
Hobbes heard the high pitch yell and figured they must have found out she escaped. "Darn it, I need to find a way out of here. If only Ratchet was here, he could help me out of this." She said a bit depressed, but she knew this was not the time. She would do anything to see her guy again. Wait did she just thought he was her mate? As Hobbes walked past the last corner, she finally saw the exit. She ran as fast as her legs could bring her, her lungs almost bursting apart as she ran for freedom the light at the end of the tunnel becoming brighter. The smell of fresh air that she smelled, the sound of water and animals. As she ran out of the cave, she quickly came to a standstill, Nefarious and Slag stood there before her viewing her from above. "So missy, where ye think you are going?!" Slag asked cocking an eyebrow as he gave the order for one of his henchmen to grab Hobbes. "Aaar with pleasure capt'n!" said the henchmen as he grabbed Hobbes hard by the wrist. She tried to escape his grip, but it was to no avail. Some of the pirates began to laugh as Hobbes tried her best to loose from the iron grip. "Unhand me you fiend. Unhand me now!" she yelled out, she knew they wouldn't let her go but it was better then nothing. "Seems like this cat has some fight in her eh boys?!" Slag taunted Hobbes, hate in her eyes were visible by the pirate, snarling at him. If eyes could kill then hers would defiantly have done so.
"Lads, learn this sally what we do with prisoners like her." The tone in his voice began to frighten her more then anything else, as several pirates stepped forward on her. She began to whimper, even trying to run away as she almost began to cry.
As one of the pirates grabbed Hobbes her skirt, the pirate quickly pulled away. Holding his arm as he screamed in pain waving about as he tried to get rid of the pain in his hand as he viewed the shot that was fired on him obliterating his hand. The pirates were shocked as they tried to figure out from where this came.
"Unhand her you…" That sound, that voice! Hobbes knew who it was, as a tear fell from her eye, her hart finally melting at the sweet sound of his voice. As all the pirates looked upwards they saw the reason for the upheaval. There he stood on top of a cliff, the Lombax so proud. "Touch her again and you'll die!" he said snarling heavily, his combustor gun in his hand as he fired another warning shot.
Slag was not impressed, "Lad do ye worst but remember we got a lock on your fair lass here." As the pirate holding Hobbes placed his gun against her head. "And that not be all!" as the captain whistled high and loudly. "That' a nice (hic) whistle capt'n." "Shut it Pete!" As soon as Slag had sounded, the earth began to rumble smoke and dust began to come from the earth. Ratchet's eyes went wide as his view was not obscured anymore by the dust. A large shadow was cast over him as he looked upwards, he saw the large robotic body emerge from beneath the ground. His eyes went even more wider as shock overtook him at who stood there next to the large metallic monstrosity. "Nefarious?!" Ratchet said bazzled. "Aaah Ratchet. So you survived still?! Part of me really wanted you to view this… But the other part, really wanted you dead earlier muhuhahahaaa… let the games begin!" Ratchet growled "What are you up to Slag?!" as he swayed his wrench towards the pirate below him. "Me? Oooh lad, I'm just here for my new body." Slag said evil towards the Lombax as his henchmen took his head and placed it on top. A light enveloped the entire area, as wires from Slag his head began to twirled around the body, twirling in and out of the machine, as smoke and dust began to come forth from it. "This…is…your…doom!" the captain said in a low voice, as the light began to force it's way trough the various metallic frames and wires. Each time more of the robot began to move, each time more horror came to Ratchet's face and that of Clank as they saw the monstrosity unfold before there very own eyes. Slag stretched his arms, his gaze focussed on the Lombax before him. "And you…lad… may be the first to test it." Slag jumped towards Ratchet, as his hands crushed the stone beneath it.
Clank, almost got hit by the blow as the crumbling of rocks and stone was heard by the mighty blow that Slag had given.. "Clank are you alright?!" Ratchet asked worried. "Don't worry Ratchet, make sure you don't get hit. I'll try and rescue miss Hobbes." Clank said as he let himself fall of Ratchet his back. The Lombax was rather relieved at this as Clank did weigh and the extra speed could come in handy right about now.
As Clank jumped downwards, he looked at Nefarious. As the evil doctor looked back at him. "So agent Clank, we meet again do we?" Clank said nothing to this. "I offer you once more to join us and help us rid ourselves of these squishy's once and for all…" As Hobbes was gripped even more tightly trying to breathe under the pressure of the robot. "Organic lifeforms have as much right to inhabit this universe as we do." Nefarious cocked an eyebrow at this. "Muhuhahaha…hahahaaaaa… oooh this is too funny…squishy's…with robot's?...." he laughed softly almost loosing his balance before answering swiftly with a cold and hard "NO" "I thought so sadly.." Clank said shaking his head in sorrow for the stupidity of the robots before him. "Lawrence, take care of this pesky robot." As he pointed towards Clank "Ooh may I sir? What a threat!" Lawrence said, as he stepped forward, he took his gun and fired at Clank, Clank had time to evade the shot by jumping in the air his body barely evading the blast. But luck was at his side as he was able to kick Lawrence to the ground. "Oooh my, it seems I fell on my back…dreadfully sorry sir!" Nefarious began to get outrageous "CLLAAAAAANNNK!!! You there get him!" the pirates nodded as they surrounded Clank.
Another shockwave followed, even closer then before. "Shit I need to do something or I'll not survive this fight!" Ratchet thought to himself. "Lombax ye have been a thorn in my side for too long! Get back here!" Slag shouted out as he punched again into the ground smashing it to bits. Ratchet was always able to evade the shot even if it was barely. "Hey Slag?!" Slag looked up confused as he saw Ratchet above him, "Eat THIS!" he yelled at his enemy below him as he fired a net on top of Slag pinning him to the ground. Grunts came from Slag as he tried to move, screaming by the electric currents flowing trough him. "Aaah ye Lombax!" Slag scolded out as his hand took up the net with all his might throwing it aside. "Enough of these games!" Slag stretched his arm as it began to transform, wires and plate moving away as his hand began to turn into a blade. "Ooooh crap!" Ratchet said as his ears drooped downwards. "I give ya one thing, that crazy doctor knows how to build a body!..." As Slag landed a sword strike next to Ratchet. "Wow he's faster then before! Shit!!!" "Com here Lombax!" Slag roared to the point of deafening, his weapon struck time and time again on the floor, smashing stone, rocks, wood all that fell beneath the force of the attack. Ratchet had luck that he was able to evade it time and again. But he began to get tired from it all, he had been fighting almost none stop today and it began to take its toll on his body. Ratchet grabbed his wrench as he climb up the hill, Slag swayed his sword to the Lombax. "Stand still ye mangy cat!" Another hit went trough the air smashing yet again the ground beneath it. But to boths surprise Slag couldn't it back out. Ratchet saw the opportunity to strike at his opponent as he jumped downward with his wrench, the sharp tool landing straight on the back of Slag with a force that even the others down below heard it.
As the pirates surrounded Clank, the small robot looked around for any possibility of escape. "Mhhh, this is indeed a nasty situation!" Clank said to himself. The robot pirates stood still, waiting for Clank to make the first move. "Don't just stand there! Attack him already!" Nefarious yelled as he took a blaster from one of the pirates and ferociously fired at Clank. The robot had the time to duck from the shot, but now faced several pirates till an idea struck him. "You can't hit what you can't find! Meh heh heh heh he." As Clank suddenly transformed into one of the pirates.
They were bazzled where did he go? "What kind of magic is this?!" one pirate shouted out scratching his head, as another one yelled "That's him over there." "I'm not him ya darn landlubber." The pirates began to get confused even more when one of there own shot against a fellow pirate. Nefarious looked in disbelief as the pirates began to fight each other. "I don't believe this!" Metal, wires, blasts, screeches and smoke came from the scene as the pirates tried there best to find Clank. "I believe sir, that these pirates aren't as smart as they made us believe." Lawrence said in a mild way to his master. "Bah! There idiots all of them." "Well I suppose idiots like each other company do they not?" Clank himself was happy, he used one of his own trinkets to trick the pirates into believing he was one of them. "It is not nice to use people to do your dirty work." Clank said towards Nefarious from behind. The evil doctor was startled by this, but quickly held Clank under shot by another rifle this time surprising Clank. "So agent Clank, it seems like this time you won't be able to safe yourself." Nefarious smiled as Clank hit the wall with his back. "And now to finish you off for good." The blaster began to lit with energy as it prepared to fire against Clank, "Oooh I'm going to enjoy this Lawrence!" As the blaster almost fired it's laser, a sudden bright flash appeared between before Nefarious. "Whaaa?!" The doctor said as he covered his eyes from the bright flash. Clank was also confused not knowing what had happened.
A high sound came closer and closer from where the flash had come. "What…What happened?!" "I believe it was a bright flash sir." Nefarious hit Lawrence on the head for that remark, as the doctor finally could view where the flash was he noticed two new robots that had arrived. "Hah haaa… Looks like we were right on time eh rookie?!" Clank's eyes opened wide as he saw Cronk and Zephyr before him. "How in the universe?" Clank exclaimed. Well he was rather happy none the less for the rescue. "Leave the pleasantries for later!" Cronk said as they ran forward towards Nefarious. "Take this you scoundrel."
"Aaarrrrr!" Slag yelled in pain as the wrench cut trough his metal armour. "ye'll pay for that!" Slag scolded to the Lombax as he grabbed him from on his back and threw him into the dirt before him. A yell of pain came from the Lombax as he tried to get up. Nanotech came forth from his belt as it tried to heal some of the injuries, but Slag would not let it give the time. He tilted up his sword ready to give a final strike to his enemy. "Say goodnight Lombax!" As the sword struck downwards ready to hit into the Lombax chest, Slag suddenly stopped as he heard a loud cry "RATCHET!" the Lombax's eyes went wide open from this. "Ho-obbes?" Ratchet tried to speak out, his body filled with pain as he saw Hobbes standing not far from them. Her eyes filled with hatred and anger, hate and anger as only a women could show. She held a weapon in her hands, probably from one of the pirates. "Aaah so the little lass has still some fight in her?!"
As Slag approached her, her anger and hatred began to turn into despair more and more as she fired her gun at Slag, his armour just bounced the shot away like were nothing. "Nooo! Leave her alone!" Slag turned his head to face Ratchet's as he saw something in the male his eye. "Oh oh oooh. You really care about this wench don't you?! Well then what better pain to give you then that of a loved one dieing before your very eyes." As a smile came to the robots face Ratchet's own expression turned to horror. The sight of seeing Hobbes die, knowing he would not be able to safe her, he couldn't he wouldn't allow it. He gathered the last of his strength as his legs were barely able to hold him up. "Let her…go" Ratchet said in a low voice. Laughter filled the air from Slag's own voice as he almost fell over. "What can you, Lombax, do against me?! You can hardly even stand! Let alone fight me!" Ratchet looked into Slag's eyes "I don't have too!" A humming sound came from above as Ratchet quickly ducked pulling Hobbes down with him to the ground. Slag began to cry as several laser shots hit him on the chest forcing him backwards.
Two ships came blasting from the sky, Ratchet recognised both of them right away. "Qwark? Talwyn?!" he said in joy for the arrival of his friends. Nefarious and Clank had also seen them flying almost directly into Ratchet, but it did explain to Clank where Cronk and Zephyr came from. "So Nefarious care to surrender?" Clank asked calmly at Nefarious who was surrounded by Cronk and Zephyr both of them there weaponry pointed straight at the villain, as they were ready to shoot at even the slightest of moves. "LAWRENCE!" yelled Nefarious at his butler, "Get us out of here NOW!!" Lawrence pressed on some of the buttons on his arm, as a bright light enveloped him before he vanished. "You haven't seen the last of me agent Clank!" the voice of Nefarious was filled with anger and revenge as the same light that had came over Lawrence now took Nefarious. "Dogdarnit! The scoundrel left." Zephyr said disappointed by the loss of the fight. Well to Cronk and Zephyr it was never a win if there enemy could get away. "We should make sure Ratchet and miss Hobbes are alright. They could be in serious trouble!" Clank said as he made his hands into a fist, the two war bots nodded as they both quickly ran with Clank towards where Slag and Ratchet were battling.
"I hope we are in time for the feast?!" Qwark said over the COMlink, Ratchet shook his head towards Qwark. "No you are just in time." Both Hobbes and Ratchet were even more excited to see when Talwyn came from the air with her jetpack. She flew towards Slag drawing away his attention by firing at the robot, making him yell and roar in anger. "Arrr you wench! Come down to the ground and fight like the landlubber ye are!" Slag said as he swayed with his sword towards Talwyn but to no avail. "Ratchet are you alright?!" Hobbes asked as she looked at his body, "Aaah…*cough*… I have had worse." The Lombax said as Hobbes tore some of her clothing off to bandage some of the small cuts on the other Lombax. She was binding it closely as to not let him loose any blood when walking. "We need to get you out of here. I don't know how long Talwyn can hold of that… that thing!" "That won't be needed miss… Cause I Captain Qwark, have that which will get the little fella up and running in no time!" Qwark said as he came from his ship. Neither Hobbes nor Ratchet had heard it land, which wasn't to illogical knowing that there were canons firing all over the place. Qwark stepped forward to Ratchet as he grabbed something from his belt. "Nanotech container unit?! How did you get that?" Ratchet asked bazzled at Qwark. "Hey you aren't the only super hero around the block you know!" Ratchet giggled a little before grabbing his side from the pain. "Here this will help ya." Qwark said he gave the nanotech to Ratchet, as the blue orbs began to melt into the wounds the Lombax let out a sigh of relief from the fading pain. It did not take long before the Lombax was able to stand on his feet again. But there joy wouldn't last long, "You wench!" Slag yelled as he stepped backwards, his sword was driven into the earth as once more a light began to shine across the armoured plates of his new body. Wires countless of them began to stretch out and melt again into the body, shock and horror began to creep over Talwyn's face as Slag began to transform.
The once large and clumber some body began to get more slender and streamlined then before. His sword began to get thick almost altering into another weapon. As the blade was split, the hilt began to get ever so thick. His other hand grabbed some stone and earth as it pulverised it completely by the pressure he emitted. His hand turning a reddish colour as the colour began to spread across his entire body. The once pure white that emerged from the robot began to turn into a pinkish colour shading more deeply a red with ever passing minute. Within the blink of an eye Talwyn lay on the hard ground aching in pain. Ratchet looked at his friend and rage begin to fill him as the nanotech healed his wounds. "Now lad, let's see what ye got. This fight will be the last… PETE!" Slag shouted out, as Rusty Pete came out of his hiding place. "Yes capt'n? (hic)" Pete said worried, "Bring me my grog." Ratchet cocked an eyebrow as he saw Pete give Slag the grog. He did not dare to move out of fear what his enemy could do. Not as soon did Slag have the grog, did he drank the substance. "Wait a second. This seems familiar." Ratchet said as flash of memory came before him with his last fight with Slag. His eyes opened as Slag's arm began to form a large gun. A small dot of light forming within its barrel. But before Ratchet was able to react the burning ball of flame came towards them, the heat was overwhelming to him and the others around him.
But just before it reached them, Cronk and Zephyr sprang before Ratchet and the others, strangely deflecting the ball of fire. Rusty Pete looked in horror at the sight "Oooh not again the grog… Why always the groo-ooog." He said almost crying as he saw that Slag drink even more grog. "Ha haaa rookie. Glad to see us?" Zephyr asked Ratchet who himself only smiled at help of his friends.
As Ratchet stood up, he saw that Hobbes and Qwark had gone over to Talwyn attending to there wounds. "Ratchet?... Are you alright?" asked a familiar voice. Clank came down with his helipack. "Clank? Weren't you fighting with Nefarious!?" Ratchet asked confused. "Don't worry Ratchet, we need to work together now to defeat Slag." Clank said towards him, placing his hand on top of the Lombax back. Ratchet smiled at his friend. Ever since they defeated the Zoni, Ratchet trusted Clank more then ever, he was always right and this time would be no exception. "So what you have in mind?!" Ratchet asked as Clank began to tell him his plan.
As Slag kept firing massive balls of fire at both Cronk and Zephyr, the two war bots began to get into trouble. "Aaah rookie? Could you hurry up this deflector shield can't keep deflecting all the time!" Cronk said a tad worried. "Don't worry, we know what to do!" Ratchet said as he bared his fangs. "LOMBAX!!! This be ye end ya hear. That shield won't last forever!" Slag screeched out against the group before him, whilst Rusty Pete kept looking in horror at the loss of all the grog. "Uuuh the horror!" As Slag drank even more he prepared himself for the largest ball of fire yet. The heat was immense, even the ground seemed to begin to melt by the extreme heat, the air around them sizzling every once in a while as small particles got scorched by the heat. As Slag launched the massive ball of fire against the two warbots, both Cronk and Zephyr both released the shield falling back. As Slag viewed this he could have sworn seeing Ratchet stand in the middle. The Lombax standing still his wrench in his hand, his tail downward his ears were perked up and face bent downwards clouding his eyes from view only his fangs were bared.
Even the most courageous of man would be frightened by this as Ratchet cried out, the ball of flame almost burning him as the Lombax jumped into the air. The flames below him making his fur glance as if he was light itself, the scene was beautiful as Ratchet came down plummeting downwards onto Slag. His wrench making contact right with the neck of Slag, the force so tremendous that the ground shattered below them. Slag howled in pain from this sneaky attack. But he was not yet defeated, far from it as he tried to hit the Lombax with his sword. The two blades hitting some of the fur of the Lombax as Slag suddenly fell forward onto the ground. "That's for Talwyn!!" Hobbes said as she shot another volley of bullets into Slag's back.
The pirate roared out as another blow from Ratchet his wrench hit him, metal parts and gears smashed to bits by the force the raging Lombax began to use against him. Slag only laughed at the attempts Ratchet did, as how much damage the poor Lombax did, Slag still kept coming. The bullet shots tearing away parts of his armour, as he turned around grabbing the Lombax by the throat. The others gasped as they saw what had happened backing away as Slag held his hand up high. "On more move ya landlubbers and I twist his neck!" Slag's eyes were filled with hatred, his grip hardening around the neck of his victim as hands and feet tried to break loose from the iron grip. "Tsk tsk… You were always so easy to manipulate. But that must be for all ye Lombaxes!" The grip on Ratchet's neck was further increased, a scream came from him as he felt the life drawing away from him. His wrench fell down onto the ground, Hobbes looked at Ratchet, several tears coming into her eyes as she ran towards the wrench on the ground. "Cronk, Zephyr cover her!" Clank said, as the bots opened fire keeping Slag away from Hobbes. Hobbes stayed low on the ground, as she grabbed the wrench in her run, the large metal object once more flying trough the air as she connected with one of the joints of Slag his leg, sparks of electricity were seen before he came downwards to the ground. The firm grip he once had was now in vein, as he grabbed towards his broken leg, howling in pain. Ratchet was barely able to land on his own feet as he was grabbed by Hobbes who helped him stand him catching his breath from the ordeal.
Clank along with Cronk and Zephyr kept firing there shots at the metal monster. "Ya haa, this brings back memory's doesn't it?!" Zephyr asked Cronk, who only nodded keeping fire under Slag.
The ground began to shake softly as if a small earthquake began to form, it was only until they saw what was truly happening that all was amazed at what Nefarious had created for Slag. The reddish light began to turn into blackish one, a maniacally laugh echoed over the place, Rusty Pete looked in horror from the sidelines. "Lads, m'guessing the cpt'n is getting a bit (hic) mad." He said, as he began to ran, knowing what Slag was going to do. "This is getting to serious for my taste… Speaking o taste. Save the GROG!!!" he yelled at the surviving pirates, as they all began to scramble for the nearest ship and or grog pileup. "Uuuh Ratchet? Clank?" Qwark asked a bit nervous. "Perhaps we should leave sooner then later." Clank looked at what Qwark was pointing to, "Ooh my." Was the only thing Clank could say, as that laugh of Slag kept coming "Ye know Lombax… If I go down, then I'll be taking ye with me." More wires and other contraptions came from Slag, twirling and bending down into the earth and soil of Ardolis, breaking it up and going deeper with every second that passed. As Slag kept laughing, a snarl coming on Ratchet as he looked at Slag, he was barely able to move, his body being too affected by all the fighting. As Hobbes helped carrying Ratchet away. Talwyn who was being helped by Qwark, tried her best to speak, Qwark came closer to her as he was able to hear the dreadful news. "Explosion…planet gone!... Need to escape." Was all That Talwyn could speak, the pain she had was still being treated by the nanotech. "Uuuh guys? According to Talwyn, from what I can hear is that mister big bot over there is going to ummm… Blow up the planet?" Qwark said a tad nervous followed by a low giggle. "WHAT?!" most of them yelled, "Hey it's what she said!" the big "super" hero was not happy at all, but hell who would be now? The only thing that mattered now was getting of that pile of rock. "We can't make it to Aphelion, we could never fit into her! She's way to small anyway!" Clank noted as he looked at where Aphelion was via his sensors.
As Pete and some of the other pirates were busy with grabbing much grog onto some of there ships, the ground suddenly began to crack open, huge piles of rock, earth and other material swallowed up by the planet as it sank in the fiery magma below. All kinds of animals began to seek shelter from the impending doom. And even more to Pete's horror was that one of the cracks opened up beneath one of the ships, a burst of magma sprouted out from beneath as it went trough the ship cutting it in two. The massive warship cracked and rumbled as it began to break downward, taking robot, ship and grog with it to the fiery hell below. "NOOOO… Why ooh why is it always the grog that must suffer!" Pete said crying with his arm on his head. "Load up the darn grog faster ye mangy scoundrels. Unless ya want water for drink!" "Water?!" some of the pirates yelled out there eyes opened wide at the mention of that dreadful word. "Ye heard the first mate lads! Load it up faster!!" the pirate yelled at the rest, as more of the planet began to crack open, tearing up everything and anything in its path.
As the planet began to tare itself, cracks and caverns forming where once oceans lay, animals tried to escape the blistering heat that began to creep everywhere. Ratchet along with Hobbes, Clank and the others desperately tried to find a safe passage. "Ahh, sealed off?! DAMMIT!" Hobbes shouted as she looked at the cave where they had held her captive. "What are we going to do now huh?! We are all going to die here!" Qwark said in a loud voice, as he began to wave his hands into the air. Ratchet began to think, there must be a way to get of this darn planet! There just had to be. "I got it!" the Lombax said as he pointed towards the treasure room of the pirates. It was a good way back towards the real pirate base, but it was there only hope of getting out of this mess alive. "Cronk, Zephyr!" Ratchet yelled at them pointing to the pirate base in the distance. "Ten four rookie! Hahaaa." Zephyer said as both bots ran before the group. They knew that most of the group had sustained injuries, especially Ratchet and Talwyn had been hurt quit a lot by this all.
"Ratchet? Do you think you can make it to the pirate base?!" Clank asked very worried for his friends safety. Qwark was already carrying Talwyn, but the green spandex man couldn't carry several people, not whilst trying to stay on his feet trough this all. "Yea…Clank…I I'm fine. Thanks to Hobbes here." Ratchet said as Hobbes grabbed him a bit better beneath his shoulder. Slag had done a good number on the galactic hero, but Ratchet wouldn't give up yet. And the same was for Hobbes, she saw how much Ratchet cared for her and there was nothing that could separate them now, not even this.
As some of the pirate ships began to move away from the planet, the cracks began to get steeper and bigger as wave after wave of molten lava began pouring across the planet. From afar one could say it looked beautiful, as the once so pure bluish planet began to turn red from the disasters that happened below. But alas that was not the case for one being trapped on the planet. As Ratchet and the others hurried there way to the pirates base hoping to get a ride with one of the ships. "Try contacting Aphelion!" Qwark bellowed, as she might be capable of getting them faster to there destination even if it was by taking the wounded first. "Arrr, I can't! There is too much interference in the planets magnetic field!" The Lombax said, whilst all the while hearing Slag cry and laugh over the crumbling of the planet.
It was a horrible thing to watch from up close, the once pristine forests began to lit on fire, if they were not torn apart like the bond between loved ones. Oceans began to damp, as storms razed over the continents of the planet. Winds gushing and blowing as they tore away trees, metal and even rocks from the earth. Thunder and lightning strike mercilessly onto the ground, as magma engulfed the surface of the still left over beauty that was once Ardolis.
The laughter of Slag still echoed over everything that nature could conjure, as he looked around himself seeing the destruction he saw, he slipped further and further away into the madness he had created. "Ye know lads, tis a funny thing what that Nefarious fellow made. Hahahaaaa… No no, ye won't be leaving here alive for I capt'n Slag scorch of the galaxy forbid thee!" Slag yelled out loud, not caring of one heard him or not his anger blinding the robot from reason as stone and cracks formed all around him. Hills fell apart as trees fell over, the scenery was amazing to behold if one could see the beauty in the destruction. But for Slag it didn't matter. "HEAR ME LOMBAX!" He screeched out into the air, "If I be going then so be you! This will be your grave lad… Too long have you been a thorn in my side and this time neither of us will win. Muhuhahahaaa" Slag never stopped laughing afterwards, his mind totally corrupted by the power that had been bestowed upon him. "Here I come wenchies. Capt'n Slag is coming back for more! I'll see ya Pete I'll see ya in wenchies heaven." Slag's laugh turned diabolical at this "Haha…Hahahaa….MUHUHAHAAAAA" as the ground beneath him began to crack and break, heat build up near him, as the pirate still kept laughing. The planet was dieing under the malevolent laugh of it's former ruler. The laughter still stood by even when Slag his own body began to get turn apart, the head that was once body less still attached to that gruesome thing of a machine would become the last thing he would ever see as a wave of magma flew over the land. The laughter of Slag still echoed as the wave collided with his body burning away wires, metal and soul of the once great pirate captain.
"This is crazy!" Ratchet exclaimed, as the earth beneath them began to shudder and tremble with force. The planet did not have much time anymore, as Ratchet and his friends had almost reached the pirate base. The winds blew hard, as if trying to prevent anyone from reaching safety, "AAAHHH!" Qwark screamed, almost girly like. As the other looked why Qwark screamed, they quickly ducked for cover as rocks came pouring down from the cliff its sides onto the road before them. "Ooh my, Ratchet we can't do delay now." Clank said, as he looked at the entire group. "Where is Aphelion?! We need her now!" Ratchet asked Clank who tried to pick up a signal but to no avail. Only luck could get them out of there alive now. "Qwark can you grab Ratchet onto your back?" Hobbes asked, but Qwark looked a little confused. "Huh?" "Just do it! You're the strongest here, grab Ratchet and Talwyn. It's the only way!" Hobbes cried out, as Clank nodded. Qwark was hesitant for a small moment, as caring two persons might get a tad dangerous but then again it was already dangerous. "Fine, I willlaaaaah!" As the big hero began to run towards the pirates base as small piece of burning rock fell onto the hero's suit, burning it away as Qwark ran like crazy from the pain in his behind. A load moan and groan came from the base a few moments later as Qwark had found some water to ease the pain. Clank observing from a distance what just happened was stunned to learn how fast Qwark could run if he wanted to. "Ooh my!" the small bot said, before Hobbes grabbed him by the wrist dragging him along the way as she and Cronk and Zephyr ran to safety.
Finally luck was on there side as our hero's finally came to a somewhat sturdier place on the planet. However the pirates base could not keep up against the forces of nature for long. "Ha miss Hobbes what now?" Zephyr asked to Hobbes, as Ratchet was being tended by Cronk and Clank. "We need to find a ship quickly. This is a pirate base right? There must be some ships nearby then!" As if reading her mind Zephyr nodded "Aye aye! It won't take a minute!" Before quickly searching the area for a decent vessel. "I just hope this base can hold out for that time." Hobbes said, her ears drooping a bit as she looked at the ground. She looked at Ratchet, a tear in her eye.
"Aye you scoundrels! Get this grog loaded up faster!" Pete yelled, before jumping around painfully as smoke came from one of his feet. "(hic) this be the last time I'm waiting for the lads!" He said, annoyed as the magma crept closer and closer. The pirates had been busy for over an hour or so loading up the grog not a barrel wasn't saved from the disaster that unfolded before them.
Zephyr saw this and ran back quickly towards Talwyn, Hobbes and the others. He began telling them in all haste about the ship, the last one even, to be almost ready to depart. Qwark grabbed Ratchet, who groaned by not being able to walk alone. Talwyn was placed on a quickly assembled bran card of some sorts. It did not look very comfortable, but it had to do if they all wanted to get out of there alive.
Cronk began to moan a little by the heavy weight "Once this is over Talwyn is going on a strict diet!" Zephyr only snorted and laughed. "Ha haa, your just getting to old for this old timer!" "I am NOT old!" Cronk said as both of them began to race towards the ship.
Rusy Pete was surprised at seeing his 'friends' alive and well. He couldn't say anything only mumble a little out of well he himself didn't know why really, but whatever the reason it wasn't good. Well for him that is. "Guys…friends…(hic)… You are alive and well I see? Hehe." "Not thanks to you!" Hobbes said pushing Pete away. "Aye matey, what do you think ye be doing there?!" Pete asked his finger up in the air. But before he could say anything else Hobbes had turned around, grabbing Pete hard by the neck. Fury in her eyes as she said in a very growling voice "We are coming with you, like it… Or NOT!" the female Lombax did not let go of Pete, "Qwark?! Put ratchet somewhere comfortable, Cronk Zephyr? Tend to Talwyn and Ratchet. We are going home." All the while keeping a firm grip on Pete, who started to speak " (hic) Aye right, you'll… (hic)…(cough)… are welcome." At that Hobbes let the robot go, who fell onto the ground rather hard.
As everyone was aboard the ship, some of the pirates pulled out there guns when they saw the 'intruders', but quickly laid there weapons down when they saw Pete with them. "Alright lads, is all the grog onboard the ship?" he asked receiving a few aye's and neé's at the same time. "Pete, we got a problem ye hear!" said the pirate near the main controls. "The planet is gonna blow up any minute now we can't escape the blast!" "Ooh noo! The grog is lost… The horror!" Pete yelled as several pirates even started to cry. Qwark and the others just stared at the awkwardness of the situation. "Are these guys crying?!" he whispered to Hobbes who just pulled up her shoulders not knowing fully what was happening. With the exception of one small fact. A fact that became clear again when the ship began to rumble from the earth under them.
"The base! It's rupturing…" one of the pirates said as several alarms began to howl into the ship, each passing second, more and more sirens began to sing there song. Rusty Pete and most of the other pirates didn't really know what to. Some just kept yelling, others began drinking grog whilst others even began to fight against each other!
The ship began to rumble as magma began to touch the shield around the ship, one was barely able to stay onto ones feet. "Oooh my goodness!" Hobbes said shivering trying to keep her balance on her feet. Qwark and Clank fell on top of each other, with Qwark above Clank. The small robot tried to say something but it was hard to hear, not until Qwark finally was able to stand up. "Might I suggest we get out of here? According to my sensors and calculations this planet has less then a few minutes before evaporating into dust!" Qwark hesitated telling Hobbes that "Uuh maybe it isn't a good time to tell that ratchet is in the infirmary along with Talwyn?" "No it aint Qwark!" yelled Hobbes as she quickly ran towards the control room. As the doors went open she quickly pushed the pirate sitting of his chair. Rusty Pete and several of the pirates were stunned (well those that payed attention anyway) "Hey there landlubber that's not your place!" he said, but Hobbes did not care. Not long even before she was able to partially activate the engines, the ship began to sink as it were by the massive force the magma was forcing onto the rear of the ship.
"Save the grog! Pirates and grog first!" Pete yelled, as he ducked behind a few barrels of grog. Hobbes just frowned rolling her eyes, as Qwark for once was the person that laughed. Altough it did not last long as the bumbling hero fell onto his back by the burst of energy the engines gave trying there best to get away from the planets iron grip. "She's not holding!!" Hobbes said frustrated, sweat began to pour from her head as she tired everything she knew to get them away from the planet. "Miss Talwyn might I perhaps say that it is best if we use the head engine?" "That's suicide!" Hobbes knew a lot about flying as she was an experienced pilot herself. But using the main engine this close to the planet could easily cause massive damage along the entire ship just by the mere force it would create. But she knew why Clank said it, they had no other choice. "It's all or nothing…" she said her hand trembling as she gathered her nerve trying to find that last spark to push her hand forward.
The ship began to accelerate at a high speed as Hobbes initiated the main engines. As the heat began to build up at the rear of the ship, Qwark could do nothing but sucking his thumb hoping this 'nightmare' would end soon. As the ship began to move forwards, it's hull cleaved everything, be it wind, clouds, rubble from the planet nothing remained intact as the large warship began to move towards safer space. Ratchet and Talwyn both lay in the infirmary being tended to by the doctor robot aboard the ship. Both of them however did not feel any pain at that time, as the rocking of the ship kept them more then occupied. Both Cronk and Zephyr were very cared for the health of miss Talwyn, especially after the fights she had been trough lately. "Ooh dagnammit, this ship is rocking harder then that time we were on Excillon VII." Zephyr said as he grabbed onto the rail of the room. "I hear that buddy! This really brings back once lunch!" Zephyr was only disgusted by the thought alone of seeing Cronk's lunch again. "Ye darn fool! Keep your stomach under control and be worried for miss Talwyn. And more importantly us!"
As the planet Ardolis began to get smaller and smaller, the ship finally began to get at ease, aboard the vessel several huge sighs of relief were heard as Hobbes herself took a deep breath before falling back into her chair trembling hard. Clank approached her as he laid his hand on her lap nodding slightly. "Thanks miss Hobbes, you saved us all. We are indebted to you." Clank said bowing his head for the female Lombax. Hobbes was only glad to have made it out alive as she puffed a few times relieving some of the stress she had. "RATCHET!" she almost yelled as she hasted herself to the infirmary.
"Arrr, what be of the capt'n?" some of the pirates asked Rusty Pete, who just stood there standing still. "Pete?!" "Noooo…Why?....WHYYYAYAAAAAAY?!" the bot said into the air, his hands folded as if they were holding something. But not long after that he snapped out of his trance. "Uuuh uuh what? (hic)" "The capt'n Pete!" Pete began to ponder, and ponder he did for several minutes before finally speaking. "Alright lads, let's gather some more grog then! (hic) we shall…Pillage!" Several arr's and aye's from the pirates came as they all began to sit at there respected posts.
Hobbes ran towards the infirmary as the COMlink was used by Pete, "Alright mate's let's make our way to the planet of Captella for some much needed grog!" Hobbes looked in front of her seeing the infirmary sign. "Finally!" she said to herself as she slid open the door. The sight she saw there was one she would never forget. There lay Ratchet, asleep sound in a bed, a blanket was laid over him, whilst he snored very gently. Qwark and Clank were already there whilst Zephyr and Cronk, well those two were send away for a while as they were still bickering about a lot of subjects. Not that anyone here cared for it tough! As Hobbes approached the bed, Talwyn, who had finally awakened properly, greeted her. "He's been sound asleep since we left Ardolis, poor thing had no more strength!" Talwyn said towards Hobbes. Hobbes just got tears in her eyes from what she heard. Ratchet did everything he could to save her, to save HER! She came closer to his bed grabbing his hand, for a moment it was as if ratchet had said something, but the Lombax quickly snored again loudly, showing he was content. "Mhhh, cute!" Hobbes said soft, her eyes narrowed as she sat onto a chair near his bed.
Qwark grabbed Clank and went outside wanting to know something. The 'super' hero just said it firmly towards the small robot. "Clank, buddy is she in love?!" Clank only giggled a bit by this. "Why Qwark, I didn't know you would know! But yes indeed those two are in love with each other. But I don't think they themselves fully realize it like we do." Clank said, his eyes glowing a bright green as he looked behind himself seeing the door almost closed but just open enough for him to see Hobbes and Ratchet. "Indeed they are."