Alright, well you asked for it, here's five.

Wanna say thanks to evil Ratchet96 and Werdna213 for the reviews and encouragement!

Hope you enjoy it,

Chapter 5, Know Thy Enemy,

Ratchet was so beat (literally) that he slept for twelve hours (five hours over his normal time). He slept deeply and didn't even hear Sly's snoring.

His eyes cracked open and he sat up in his bed. He stretched his arms up high and felt relief as his back popped. Ratchet rubbed his eyes and yawned. Well that was a good rest. He looked around, Sly was still out and Ratchet saw on the dresser, two piles of folded clothes, each with a note. Hope that's for me would rather not walk around wearing only my ripped up armor. His armor was basically unwearable; the upper body portion of his armor was nearly shredded. He got out of the bed; the air being blown by ceiling fan rippled the yellow fur on his chest and back, it felt nice and cool.

He approached the piles of clothes and found the one with his name on it. He then read the note,

Ratchet, figured you needed these. Get dressed and cleaned up. There's soap and shampoo in the bathroom. Then, come down to the bar to get something to eat. We'll be waiting.

-Rykk

How'd he get my sizes? Ratchet thought as he observed the clothes; a dark blue, long-sleeved shirt, a dark grey cloth vest, dark grey pants, and black leather, cowboy-style boots. Hm, not exactly my style but don't have much of a choice. He took the clothes to the bathroom, took a shower, and changed. The clothes fit nearly perfectly and were comfortable. He left as quietly as he could and let Sly sleep.

He found Rykk and Talwyn sitting at a booth. Talwyn waved him over and he sat down.

Oliver walked over a second later, "So what would you like for breakfast/lunch?"

"Get the Tri-horn steak omelet, it's great." Rykk suggested.

"It is good, and big," Talwyn stated and held up her hands to emphasize her statement. "I couldn't finish mine."

The mention of food reminded Ratchet of how hungry he was. "That sounds great, and what do you have to drink that's not alcoholic?"

Oliver shrugged, "Got Tri-horn milk, water, Fangor fruit juice, Prime, which is a soda, and Youth's Elixir, also a soda."

"I'll try the Fangor,"

"That's good as well; it'll be out in a few minutes."

Sly had woken up once during the night. He had a nightmare that reflected the day's past events; his knee being broken, the knife entering his flesh, being branded, and seeing Carmelita hurt by the rock. He woke up in a panic. His breathing was hard and he was sweating. Aw crap, come on!

Sly needed some air. So he quietly left the room and decided to take a walk around the inn.

He had only been walking for a minute before he came upon Rykk leaving his room. Sly quickly noticed the scars on Rykk's torso. There were quite a few white lines on Rykk's bare skin. Their newfound friend was wearing a pair of black, silken pants with duel, red lines down the pants' legs. Sly also saw that the hair on Rykk's head also grew in a line down his back; it followed his spine to his tail.

"Can't sleep Sly?" Rykk asked. His voice had a calm and caring tone, different from the barking, edgy one he had when they were getting to the post.

"Yeah, today's events keep playing through my mind."

Rykk nodded, "Been there, been doing it every night."

Rykk and Sly began to walk, "Thanks for saving us back there from… him."

Rykk shrugged, "No problem, besides, been trying to take him out for a long time."

"What exactly is going on? I mean yesterday I was in a nice city living with the woman I love and today we're taken to another world and almost killed by that psychopath!" Sly asked/vented.

Rykk looked away for a second, "Y'know what? A couple years ago I was taken to this world to." The serious tone returned to Rykk's voice. "No, I'm not originally from this place. And, like you, upon arrival was almost killed by him as well."

"How'd you survive?"

"Luck, that and some help from the people of New Elko. This planet… messes with you." Rykk then took a turn down a hall that dead-ended into a wall. He stopped and looked at it. His head moved up and down, left and right as if looking for something.

"What are you doing?" Sly asked.

Rykk turned his head and Sly saw that his black, slit pupils did glow a bright yellow. The sight startled him and he visibly jumped.

Sly's reaction seemed to amuse Rykk. He chuckled and grinned, "It's ok just making sure there's nothing outside. Go back to bed, I'll see you later." With that, Rykk stepped forward into the wall. He disappeared into it, leaving Sly alone.

Sly was a bit creeped out by what had seen. Still, he figured Rykk didn't mean anything by it. It was just another thing about his new friend that seemed… different.

With that, Sly made his way back to his room and quickly fell asleep.

Talwyn and Rykk were right, the omelet was big. However, it wasn't big enough to defeat Ratchet's hunger. Shortly after Ratchet had started eating, Bentley and Murray came down and ordered the same thing. Sly followed a few minutes later and had the same.

There was little talk as they ate, seemed to suit everyone fine.

Once they finished, Rykk spoke. "Guys, here's the plan, Oliver said that it would be another day before Carmelita will be able to leave. Ratchet, I was informed that Bones was a bit delayed but will be here in a little under an hour. So, until then I'll do my best to answer some of your many questions."

Everyone looked at each other; each member had a curious look, as if to say, "really?"

"Who or what is Calamity?" Ratchet asked in a serious and cold manner.

"He's a human that is combined with a dangerous entity called a Being. Beings emit a deadly but powerful energy called Dark Radiation. They are found inside black, red, and white swirled spheres we call, appropriately, Dark Radiation cores. These cores emit some Dark Radiation but it would take multiple cores to reach lethal levels. These cores are rare and indestructible, that is, until they are touched by a human or lombax. Then it is fragile and if broken, releases the Being inside. The Beings cannot, without proper equipment, live too long outside their cores. They need a host. However, the Beings' Dark Radiation will begin to kill victim before the Being can bond. Should the victim be injected with Valkyrie (I'll get to that later) or have their healing ability enhanced, the Bonding process will complete. Once finished, the victim and Being will become a single entity called a Bonded; how the Bonded acts, looks, and its abilities are based on multiple factors; genetics, the personalities of the Being, the victim, and a few others. Once a victim is Bonded to a Being, it's permanent. There is no way to reverse the process.

Calamity is a Bonded, as far as I can tell, it's the Being that's in control of him. Each Bonded also has control of at least one puppet, those black ghost things you saw. Whatever they see or hear, he can see and hear as well.

As you saw his is extremely sadistic and powerful. He lives to inflict carnage and pain, as it is the one thing that brings him pleasure and fulfillment. There is no bargaining, pleading, nor deal you can make with him. As you guys saw; he can manipulate nonliving matter using an energy that's unique to Calamity, he calls it, Ravage." Rykk finished his description and leaned back in his seat.

"What's Valkyrie exactly?" Bentley asked.

"It's a green/yellow crystalline substance that has literally thousands of uses. 'Course it has to be refined and processed depending on what you need but it is what powers our utilities, powers our lights, heals people, can make them stronger and faster, and it makes a decent seasoning. Those are just a few uses."

"Forgive me, but I must ask this." Sly stated before asking, "What exactly are you Rykk? Are you a… Bonded?"

Rykk furrowed his brow and his ears bent back. Again, it was like laser beams shot from his eyes. This time however, they were aimed at Sly and with much greater intensity. Rykk borderline growled, "I am…"

Twinges of fear shot through the group, each member unsure of what to do or feel.

"Doesn't mean I like it though. Let me one thing straight," He growled in firm manner, "I may be a Bonded, but I am nothing like Calamity."

Ratchet looked up, "Well, you saved our lives so you must be nothing like him." He was the most trusting in Rykk.

Talwyn was a bit wary after the reveal but knew she didn't have much choice but to trust Rykk. She just sat back in her seat.

Sly was also slow to trust Rykk, especially after last nights' chat, but knew he didn't have a choice. He just took a nervous sip of his drink.

Bentley didn't care that Rykk was a Bonded, he was grateful for his help. "I agree with Ratchet, you're nothing like him and I'm glad you're helping us."

Murray agreed with Bentley and Ratchet. "You seem cool, sorry about what I said yesterday."

Rykk waved his hand, "No problem. Anyways I'm sure you guys have more questions?"

"What's Parson?" Bentley asked.

"It was a settlement that was here before me, New Elko, and the lombaxes. It is where Calamity came from and he was the one that destroyed it. Now, it's nothing but haunted ruins. You see, they had stored up dozens of Dark Radiation Cores that have, and continue to, dump Dark Radiation throughout the ruins. The Radiation has transformed the wildlife there, making them even more dangerous and ghoulish. They are dependent on the Cores' energy, so they don't leave the ruins. Archeologists still venture into the ruins. Most don't make it, if the wildlife doesn't do them in, the Radiation would eventually."

"When we get up and moving, what are we going to do?" Talwyn asked. "I really want to go back home."

Rykk shook his head solemnly, "We would have to find the right portal. However, that could take a very, very long time. Also, Calamity now knows about you guys and will be searching for you. You want to stay alive? Stay with me and stay low. Besides, Calamity is the worst thing around, but he isn't the only bad thing."

"Trust me; we've been in rough places before." Ratchet said, "I grew up in one. Once Clank is fixed, I want to take Calamity down." He said with a determined tone. "I've run into crazy people in the past, but this guy is on a whole new level of dangerous."

Rykk raised an eyebrow, "Ordinarily, I would try to talk you out of this. I will let you know this, either way you choose; I cannot guarantee that anyone here will make it through this. I will do my best to keep you all alive."

Ratchet and Talwyn looked at each other, "Ratchet, do you really want to get involved in this?"

The lombax's face took a grave expression, "We're already involved Tal, Calamity broke Clank, tortured us, and he knows everything about us. That and the lombaxes are in danger from this monster. I have to help."

Talwyn nodded, "I'm in."

Rykk then looked at Sly and his group. "What do you guys say?"

What to do? Sly had to think for a moment. Normally he wasn't into taking people out, but Calamity wasn't a person. "I can't speak for my friends, but what would I have to do?" Sly asked and in turn, accepted Rykk's proposition.

"I'll get to that in time, what about you two?" He asked Bentley and Murray.

"I'm with you Sly, I'll help anyway I can." Bentley responded.

"The Murray would love to kick Calamity's butt!" Murray responded.

"Well, that's settled."

"Hey Rykk, I was just wondering, how old are you?" Murray asked.

Rykk shrugged, "Not exactly sure, somewhere around nineteen or twenty. I've forgotten when my birthday is."

The group was a little shocked that Rykk was around their ages. They thought that he would be at least in his early thirties.

As Rykk answered Murray's inquiry about his age, his ears perked up. "…Bones is here, and he brought company."

A few seconds later, two human males walked in. Next to them hovered a disk a bit smaller than a Frisbee and an inch thick. There were blue lights flashing on the disk's edge. One man looked to be in his mid-thirties and had dark hair. The other was younger; he looked to be in his early to mid-twenties and had light brown hair.

"So these are the visitors?" The older human asked.

"Yep, guys this is Leo," Rykk pointed at the older man. Leo nodded in a greeting manner. "And the other is Atlas." Atlas waved and Rykk's last sentence was said with just the slightest touch of disdain.

"Where's Bones?" Ratchet asked.

"I'm here," the voice came from the disk. At the same time a blue, holographic, stick figure appeared on it's top. Bones' waved his holographic hand, "Nice to meet you all." His voice had a Australian accent.

"So Bones is a robot?" Sly asked.

"I'm not a robot," Bones corrected. "I'm an A.I., though, I do work through robots."

"Now this is awesome!" Bentley exclaimed, "An actual Artificial Intelligence."

Bones was pleased by the praise, "Thank you, now, which one of you is Ratchet?"

Ratchet raised his hand, "That's me."

"Come with me," With that Bones and Ratchet left the bar and started down a staircase. "Oliver filled me in on Clank as best he could. He and Oliver are downstairs in Oliver's workshop/basement."

Ratchet and Bones entered the basement and found Oliver sitting on a stool and working on his workbench. He had his glasses on and was working on Clank. "Hello gentlemen, just getting things prepped is all. Bones, I got your stand setup."

"Thank you Oliver." The A.I. responded and hovered over to a cylinder-shaped device. The disk touched down on the top of the cylinder and locked in place. The cylinder sort of resembled a trash can. It then hovered till its top was at the correct height to see. From the cylinder extended a half-dozen, mechanical arms; each arm tipped with a different tool.

Ratchet jumped forward, "Whoa! Whoa! What are you going to do?"

Bones' hologram looked up at him, "Why fix your friend of course, I was just about to scan him and gain some information. I do need your help, as much of this technology is new to me."

Ratchet nodded, "Of course."

"So," Rykk said, "Guys, just relax today. But, unless this place is on fire, I think it best if you stay inside the inn. That is, unless you're with me or Leo or Atlas."

Atlas nodded, "Yea, we'll take care of de lot of ya." His Irish accent took some time for Sly and his gang to get used to. "Et's noit loike dere's a lot ta do around here anyways; notin good dat es."

Rykk nodded, "He's right, this is just a last-chance stop. So, you'll have a lot of personal time."

Leo shrugged, "Heh, I heard that tonight is karaoke night."

Rykk moaned and rubbed his forehead, "Aw great."

Bentley chuckled, "You not a singer Rykk?"

Rykk just gave Bentley a sideways glare.

Atlas smirked, "Most of de time, Roikk's noit a party guy; sometimes e' es but noit usually. Oi'm impressed ya got em talkin dis much."

Rykk just growled and stood up. "You two," he said to Leo and Atlas, "Can you watch them? I've got some things to do."

Leo raised an eyebrow, "What things?"

"Things," Rykk retorted/grunted before leaving the inn.

Sly watched the exchange between Rykk and Leo and Atlas with interest. "Rykk's an… interesting guy isn't he?" He said as Leo and Atlas sat at their table.

Leo laughed lightly, "That would be an understatement. He can be a bit… moody; sometimes he's great and other times, not so great. Like tonight for example, he may be a party animal or a total recluse. You just gotta learn how to tell what mood he's in."

"He seems older than what he said." Talwyn remarked.

"The kid's had to grow up quickly, it's a shame." Leo stated.

"So what happened to him? He seemed awfully protective of his past." Bentley asked.

"Dat es a long story, far too long for roight now. Besoides, we gotta git ta know ya a wee bit more."

"Is he… y'know, dangerous?" Sly asked carefully. He hoped Rykk was out of earshot.

Leo shook his head, "Rykk? Not unless you try to pick a fight with him; that I would not recommend. So, who exactly are you guys?"

"Yea, Oliver was a bit loight on de details." Atlas agreed.

"You wanna tell him who we are Sly?" Bentley asked.

Sly shrugged, "Sure, not like we have a lot to do anyways."

Ratchet, Oliver, and Bones had been working on Clank for around two hours when Bones said, "Ratchet, I don't think Clank can be restored…"

"Yes he can." Ratchet said firmly.

"You didn't let me finish. I don't think he can be restored to the way he was. For instance, the materials and parts needed to restore his body are lacking. But, I can take his mind and put it into another device. He would be like me. What do you think Oliver?"

The older lombax took a look at their work. "I agree, I don't think we can salvage his body. It's just too mangled."

Ratchet looked at his friend. He was a mess. His metallic limbs were disconnected from his body and his body looked like it would fall apart by a simple touch. Clank's metallic frame was badly dented and ripped open in several places. Wires jutted out, many frayed, and many internal pieces were missing. One of his "eyes" was cracked almost in half and the antenna on the top of his head was missing. The realization that this was the only way he would see Clank again hit him, "Ok, so what kind of device?"

"Oliver, do you still have the D-96 Carrier?"

Oliver nodded, "Yeah it's here somewhere, one second." With that the lombax began to shuffle through a bunch of boxes and crates. "Here it is," he said a minute later. He held a square-shaped device that was about an inch-and-a-half thick. The device was a gun-metal grey with a grid pattern on it.

"How will it take to put him in it?" Ratchet asked eagerly.

"Not long," Oliver answered, "Bones and I were making this as an upgrade for him. But your friend needs it more."

It only took Bones and Oliver a few minutes to transfer Clank's mind to the new "body".

"…and, there!" Bones exclaimed, "We're done."

As he spoke, the lines on the device began to glow green and the device lifted from the table. There was a flash of green light from the top of the device and a green, holographic image of Clank stood. It held its head and the device emitted a groaning sound, "What in the world happened to me?" Clank's voice came from the device.

Ratchet shouted in excitement, "Clank! You're alright!"

"I feel alright, but I seemed to have… changed. What am I?" Clank looked around, "Is that another lombax?" His optical sensors then saw Rykk, "And who is that? What is going on?"…

He asked the questions quickly and Ratchet had to interrupt. "I, we can explain in a second. But for now, this is Rykk, Bones, and Oliver. Rykk saved us from that Calamity monster and Oliver and Bones helped fix you."

The trio then took a bit of time to explain to the confused Clank the situation.

"So… what exactly am I now?" The glowing green hologram of Clank looked around in all directions trying to see himself. "I'm now a hologram?"

"You're still you Clank…" Bones responded. "…Just in a different body. I can teach you how to use it."

Oliver looked at Ratchet, "Whaddya think kid?"

Ratchet was smiling, "I'm just glad he's alive."

"Say kid; let's go see what's going on upstairs. Let's give these two some space."

Ratchet was reluctant to leave his friend but Oliver wasn't asking. "Sure," he turned to his companion, "I'll see you when you're done ok pal?"

Bones was teaching, with a little success, Clank how to move around. Clank paused and waved his glowing green hand, "I'll see you soon Ratchet."

Bit of a longer chapter, had a lot to explain. Think I gave enough info without giving away too much.

What do you think of Clank's change of body?

Anyways, I'm having fun with this and do have an idea where this is going. Trust me, it's going to get dark.

Stick around and please, your thoughts, ideas, criticisms, and reviews are needed.

Thanks for reading,