A/N: Big, special thanks to NightwingNinja17 for beta-reading and being willing to help as always. And thank you Flowerstar for pointing out the punctuation mistake.
I know fantasy is not supposed to be present in a science fiction story but I'm writing fanfiction, not the official plot of the next game. There will be quite some of it in the entire Part. Just a warning to be on the safe side.
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters related to the Ratchet & Clank franchise. I own Loric Ellebor, the Unseen Destroyer and the Grey Mages in general.
~ Part II: Storm ~
Chapter 8: False Natures
"This is outrageous! It's so… so… Ugh!" Loric paced back and forth into the shadows cast in the chamber despite the faded presence of starlight invading through small crevices while drinking all the water he had stored that was supposed to help him remain immune to nausea. He did wish he could have some grog or anything related to it. "At least he's dead. He was a waste of flesh. In fact, he's the definition of 'waste'."
Ratchet had been silent all along. He had sat down with his back against a wall, feeling like he was carrying a dead weight. Powerless, helpless, bound to his weakened state that was reflected through his silence. Breathing seemed like a deed for his sorrow was so immense he believed he would have to crawl back to his ship due to his frailty. A fatigue he couldn't even sense a while ago overpowered him now and hope had turned into nothing but ash within him. The excitement that was gleaming into two green orbs extinguished the moment the Cragmite's voice filled the air and rudely invaded his ears. He didn't move, didn't take his eyes away from his feet, didn't speak and didn't listen. He had been a wreck for Orvus knew how long.
Clank was beside him the entire time, his hand gently laid on his hurt friend's arm. "Ratchet please, say something. Anything" he spoke in such a silent and uncertain tone, something that didn't characterise him.
As much as it pained him to hear his friend talk to him in such sadness, Ratchet couldn't find the strength to utter a single word. He was a captive to stillness, his sorrowful gaze never leaving the ground. Clank narrowed his optic lids and he slowly bowed his head. Whatever had taken over Ratchet soon found a way to extend its effect on Clank, seemingly causing the electricity in his circuitry to flow irregularly. Clank identified this immobilising feeling as either insecurity or grief. Whatever it was, he wanted it away from him and his friend.
"That soulless, arrogant prick!" Loric couldn't help but act nervously as he went on with his unending pacing. With an abrupt movement he overturned his bottle and allowed the cool water to soak his palm before applying it on his forehead. "Listen, Ratchet. All is good. I mean you killed him, right? He got what he deserved, he had it coming. You don't have to talk, I don't blame you. Just please try to get up so we can get going. Master Orion is waiting."
There was no reaction whatsoever from Ratchet, as if Loric had merely produced a whisper that failed to reach his faint perception. The Grey Mage sighed after he finally stopped his frantic pacing and allowed his body to abandon the intense motion. He walked next to Ratchet and leaned against the wall, though he remained stood up unlike his Lombax acquaintance.
"I won't lie; I have no idea how much pain you're in right now. I was lucky enough to live with my parents so I can't possibly know how you feel. All I see is that it's unbearable. No one deserves this. And I'm very sorry, I really am" Loric spoke in an endeavour to sound compassionate, as alienated with this practice as he had grown throughout the rough years of his youth.
There were some minutes of absolute silence and apart from the starborn light which fell on the set of silver armor which proudly challenged the luminous rays and prevailed in the shadows, everything else was rendered limited to the indifferent passing of time through seconds. During that time, Ratchet felt the air become stifling. The knowledge that was forced into his mind had deprived him of all his will to go on. He could only think it was unbearable to be aware of Kaden's suffering. His screams, his suppressed screams of pain. They couldn't leave Ratchet's mind. They were imprinted in his memories and the unfortunate message wasn't about to leave Ratchet's mind anytime soon.
He moved for the first time after the end of the recording only to clench his head in despair. The screams. His distressed father's screams. Tachyon's hateful voice. They paralysed him, made him sink deeper into insanity and hopelessness. It was a horrifying experience he wouldn't think he would manage to get over. He sought relief through the air filling his lungs as he took deep breaths but the lightheadedness that consumed him proved to be more powerful. He yearned to scream and shout until his chest burned. This was so unfair, so unbearably unfair.
An aggressive impulse led to a fierce movement as Ratchet stood up and headed for the pedestal hastily. Without granting Clank and Loric any chances to react to his sudden transition from defeat to furious retaliation, he grabbed the small device and smashed it to the ground with force, regret and hesitation absent from his eyes as rage guided his hand. He violently stepped on it in order to make it break, hoping to break the painful memory into pieces just like he did with the tape recorder. He forced the sole of his boot on the object a few more times until it was nothing but scraps of old plastic and metal. He finally stopped and panted, and the silence that started overtaking the room made him realise that regardless of the shattered pieces beneath his feet, the memory was still there. Although he had believed it to be the cure, the healing was far away from his reach, and upon realizing this he lowered his head and shut his fern-green eyes, surrendering to the clasp of disappointment.
"Well, that does it" Loric shrugged, trying to chase the silence away as he believed it to have a disheartening effect on Ratchet. However, silence was the closest thing to solace for the young Lombax at that moment. "I asked too much from you. Look, you… You can return to Polaris if you want to" he voiced his thoughts in remorse.
"I'm not going back" Ratchet muttered in boiling rage, a curse that fell on him a while ago and didn't seem ready to leave him anytime soon.
"This is not right, Ratchet. Kaden did not record the message here, so this means he was not the one to bring the voice recorder in the chamber" Clank hesitated at first but afterwards, he found the will to go on. "It could be no one else but Tachyon. Whatever lies ahead, he wants you to follow it. I believe he found a way to deliberately lead you here, so you could listen to the recorded message. He is provoking you. If you decide to go on, you are also deciding to be part of his game."
Ratchet didn't say anything as a response. His wrathful gaze fell on the sparkling armor. A rejuvenating inhale caused his chest to rise, his expression remaining unchanged in the meantime. "Wait for me outside" his decision had already been made.
"I am afraid Tachyon planned to cause terror even in the case of his fall. I do not think this is going to end well" his friend warned in concern.
"I made my decision, Clank. Wait outside, please" Ratchet spoke in a stern manner, emerald eyes looking at the robot bitterly. Clank took a step back with his metallic mouth agape, almost failing to comprehend his friend's stream of thoughts. His optical lenses formed a look of worry as the thought that only devastation lay ahead made his gears whirr faster.
"Come on" Loric urged and walked out of the chamber as he had been ordered. Clank was more disinclined to do so, but then he fought against the warnings his CPU produced and took a couple of hesitant steps backwards before finally leaving as well.
After ascertaining himself he was the only sentient being in the room, Ratchet turned around to face the revered Kaden's Armor. His struggle against his tears returned and his whole body tensed up as he felt his fur stand up like tiny, sharp spikes. He had expected to feel joy and triumph the moment he found the object of his heritage but instead, he felt angry and desolate. Empty handed. His father's words were repeated in his mind. "Be the reminder the Universe needs. Your presence will let everyone know that once a race that freed Polaris existed. The Lombaxes." His sorrowful look changed as his perseverance grew. He approached the pedestal and finally took a good hold of the armor. He admired its beauty and assessed its defense capability. With a first glance, it looked quite protective. "This Armor is a gift that I hope will give you the strength you need."
Five minutes passed beneath nacreous clouds of the midnight blue sky of Azalea and Loric along with Clank had spent that time admiring the fertile soil of the planet and the deep violet lines the multiple starts created in the infinite reign of dark blue. The two of them saw Ratchet head outside of the building to meet them, equipped with his new armor while carrying his old one. The armor shone gracefully with every movement as the iridescent metal came in contact with the radiance of the stars, the ruby and the lines on the silver illuminated by heavenly white light. A resolute look made Ratchet's features bold, his march unstoppable and his expression devoid of any doubt, hell-bent on fulfilling his father's wish. As luck had finally showed up for the plains were free of Irdvargs, Clank and Loric followed him to their common destination; Aphelion.
The three of them were soon inside the starship, with the objecting of arriving at Loric's homeworld. "Where are we going?" Ratchet inquired of Loric.
"Planet Silthrin."
He steered the wheel as Aphelion lifted off the green ground with the purpose to land on the home of the Grey Mages. "Coordinates acquired" she pronounced with a toneless voice.
"It's not going to take us long to get there, right?" Loric asked the ship with ill-concealed nervousness. "I kind of ran out of water."
"ETA: twenty minutes" Aphelion responded. "And you should know that flying with the likelihood of my interior being covered with organic food effluent all the time is luring me to activate my ejector seats."
Loric's blue eyes widened in incredulity as his opened mouth betrayed his astonishment. "Wh- what?! Ratchet, did your ship just tell me that she'll throw me out if I feel nauseous?"
"Actually, she said she'll throw you out if you dare to even think of feeling nauseous" he interpreted the threat with a smile, feeling glad this lighthearted conversation was somewhat distracting him from his grim thoughts. Clank let out one of his characteristic laughs as a reaction to Aphelion's teasing that targeted Loric.
"Like I said earlier, technology is so overrated" Loric groused only to be momentarily shaken off his seat because of a jerky movement beneath his posterior. He was quick at glaring at Ratchet.
"I didn't do anything" he nonchalantly replied, his gaze fixated on the starry horizon.
Finding it futile to try and argue his point of view, Loric decided to subdue his urge to explain why technology was so overrated and limited his payback to only a sigh and a roll of his eyes. 'There's no place like home.'
TTTTTT ~~~ TTTTTT
Silthrin appeared to be a scenery which had been fabricated by the essence of all melancholic memories. Mist covered everything with its misleading cloak and the sky above was chained to the colour cinereal. The planet was empty of anything related to life; trees, plants, local wildlife. A few counterfeit trees made of stone and some statues of past leaders of Loric's brotherhood wistfully smiling could be seen around the area.
It was the regime of stone and tragedy.
Loric allowed a content smile to soften his features as he contemplated the familiar lands and became swept away by a nostalgic wave. "At last. Home sweet home."
"And I found Veldin depressing back in the day" Ratchet murmured as he tilted closer to Clank in order to avoid the Mage's sneaking mood.
Clank himself was putting a lot of effort to distinguish whatever might be surrounding him due to the thick fog, in spite of his naturally flawless vision. "To be honest, it is a rather daunting place to permanently reside in."
"You really think so?" Loric queried with a look that signified he felt quite surprised. "Imagine if you came here during winter. Anyway, let's just move on."
The mist made the navigation through the area extremely hard. Ratchet only managed to keep up with Clank thanks to the continuous green glow emitted by the robot's eyes. After some minutes of roaming Clank stopped, which caused Ratchet to stumble into him and nearly lose his balance.
"I do not pick up signs of Loric's presence" he stated with concern.
"You're kidding, right?" Ratchet asked in apprehension, a grievous suspicion on his mind.
"I know when it is a good time to joke, Ratchet, and this is definitely no such time" Clank answered irked.
"Great! He left! He's off to find his fellows for who knows what reason" Ratchet ranted.
"I believe you are wrong to accuse him. Loric would never abandon us like this. Perhaps he got lost himself due to the mist" Clank attempted to explain the reason behind the strange occurrence.
"Lost on his own planet? He left us on purpose, Clank" Ratchet claimed, fearing there was a wicked intent behind Loric's actions.
"I am afraid you have forgotten that Kaden himself told you to trust the Grey Mages. Loric does not mean to harm us, I am sure of it" Clank rebuffed.
"I wouldn't be so sure. He's been acting according to his own motives ever since we met him on Igliak" Ratchet argued once again but the mention of his father's directions soon caught up with the rising suspicion that raced through his words. "I just hope you're right" he eventually said with a sigh for he found this to be a valid argument.
However, the ever-growing suspicion about Loric's sudden disappearance was far from diminished. Mistrust about Loric's incentives groveled in his mind and his glances became swift and alert. Loric had his own agenda from the very moment he introduced himself to them. Ratchet thought it could be more than just possible that he pretended to care about their wellbeing all along. They were on his lands now and whatever his true intentions were, they would be disclosed right then and there. Deciding to be ten times more cautious than usual, he ensured Clank was near him and tightened his grip on his OmniWrench while he searched around for a sign that could indicate they were on the right track, though his ability to see was greatly limited. On the right track to where, though? Ratchet didn't have the slightest idea about where they were supposed to go. He only hoped that Master Orion held the answer of defeating the Unseen Destroyer once and for all and that his journey hadn't been in vain.
After examining his environment with squinting eyes, Ratchet managed to discern something in the distance. There was a black shadow rising beyond the haze. "Look. Something's over there" he pointed with his index finger.
"It looks like some sort of cave. Let us go in. The mist will not be present once inside" Clank suggested and Ratchet's silence confirmed his agreement. The two heroes headed inside the cave with dilatory steps and, as always, Clank had been right; the haze was no longer present.
Ratchet felt gratitude once his ability of unobstructed vision returned to him and he wandered through the tunnel with uncommon attention along with Clank. Meanwhile he paid heed to the cave's rough surfaces that were partly covered with dirt and from time to time tiny, light-blue orbs appeared on the walls alongside them, enlightening the road to the end of the tunnel. The scent of mold invaded the Lombax's nostrils and Ratchet caught himself voicelessly complaining about the unpleasant smell.
Not long after, another kind of light appeared before them; the light of sunrays hindered by dark grey clouds. Ratchet and Clank eventually found their way out of the tunnel. They expected thick mist to cover the land again but instead, the atmosphere was released from the relentless grasp of the fog's blinding cloak and they could see everything with clarity. However, the end of their cavern march didn't find them alone. Many men were waiting for them, their attire similar to Loric's, their appearance akin save the colour of their hair and eyes which varied, the objects they held sceptres of many different forms.
The two outlanders stood still in alertness, their restless eyes observing the peculiar men anxiously.
"Do not be alarmed" one of them with hair platinum and eyes with yellow irises walked forward to attract the attention of their visitors. "Ellebor informed us of your arrival. We're the Grey Mages. Master Orion is expecting you."
Loric ceased walking even though his two companions continued to march forward. It was time to go to the meeting point and prepare his brothers. The last thing he heard before leaving his co-travelers into the mist's dominance was Clank notifying Ratchet of his own absence.
Loric reached a seemingly deserted plaza, fallen stone leaves of the phony trees decorating the ground beneath his feet. On the centre of it he found his brothers standing around the enormous statue of the deceased Master Aanwathir. Knelt right in front of it as an act of worship was the man Loric was looking for.
"Master Orion" he called upon and bowed to show his respect to the brotherhood's leader. "I'm sorry to disturb you while you pay tribute to an Astral One but it's very important."
Many Mages had already gathered around him with smiles and welcoming words to greet their returned brother. Orion though remained still in his stance of orison, totally unperturbed. Loric went on to explain the reason why he was interrupting his leader.
"The Son of the Stars has come" he declared humbly, though pride grew strong in him.
Everyone suddenly desisted from talking as though they had their voices stolen from some kind of unworldly entity. Orion himself opened his purple eyes, astounded by the news. He turned his head to his right to face Loric. "You- You found him?" he asked with eyes filled with disbelief.
"Certainly, master. But there's more. I also found a Zoni. He's here too" Loric announced, his tone somewhat conceited.
Master Orion stood up in stunning shock. "I can't believe it. The Astral Ones heard our prayers. With the heir of Kaden's Armor and a Zoni I could get rid of the Unseen Destroyer and his wicked minions andconquer a planet if I wished to" he mused in utter thrill and laughed. The memory of a kind-hearted Lombax he had met many years ago flashed vividly through his mind. Sadly he had forgotten what he looked like but he surely hadn't forgotten of his deeds. So much help he had offered. So great had Orion's gratitude been that he had offered him one of the finest pieces of armor. He even named it after him to honour the young outsider and praise his valor.
"They're crossing the Ancestral Caves as we speak. Should we escort them here?" Loric's direct question made Orion's thoughts about the days of his past drift away.
"Yes, some of you bring them to the Monument Square. I'd like to welcome them myself. But you stay here, Loric. You must be tired from you long journey" he ordered. Loric bowed once again and allowed his thoughts to rest as he witnessed his brothers be engulfed by the mist.
Ratchet couldn't hide his distrust. The unnerving thought that Loric had abandoned them to the hands of something nasty settled more and more within him. Shortly, his father's words shadowed a great part of his doubts. Though still somewhat uncertain, he decided to cooperate. With a nod, he gave them permission to take him and Clank to their leader.
The Grey Mages moved forth while Ratchet and Clank followed from behind. But something still pestered the young Lombax. He couldn't know if he should call it a hunch or a tendency of having an overall hard time believing not everyone out there was interested in the bounty put upon his head, but it was as if he knew this wouldn't end up well.
"Are you sure we'll be fine? I still have a feeling something's not right" Ratchet confided his thoughts to his friend.
"Remember your father's words, Ratchet. He would never instruct you to dive into danger, would he?" Clank reminded his anxious friend for the second time. His voice conveyed confidence and all Ratchet needed was a spark of certainty to ignite his typical, fiery determination.
"You know what, you're right. I've been worrying too much lately" he admitted in a forlorn attempt to convince himself that there was no practical reason to be this concerned. "After all, you're always right."
"It was about time you realised. Though I fear it will not make much difference in the future" Clank voiced his own thoughts.
Ratchet grinned at his friend's words. "You know me too well" he silently rustled so as not to be heard by the robot. Clank had heard him though.
Subsequently, they found themselves in the Monument Square which was still under the dominion of mist unlike the terrain at the end of the tunnel. Statues could be seen on certain spots. They looked as if they were dancing, expressing themselves free of embarrassment due to the veiled vision the haze offered. Ratchet stepped onto the graveled plaza, his eyes full of curiosity but also signifying his reservedness. Before him stood a man, his face wrinkled apparently due to old age, his hair reaching his shoulders, pitch-black and eyes purple and penetrating as though he could summon spirits with his gaze. Loric was standing right next to the man and Ratchet was tempted to send him a cold stare for leaving him and Clank alone earlier but managed to resist. He couldn't help staring at the grandiose statue behind him for countless seconds.
"Where's the Zoni, Loric?" Master Orion asked as quietly as he could in order not to be heard by his visitors, a pair of amethysts exploring the two outlanders with an openly revealed yearning to know more about them.
"It's him, master. The robot" Loric tried to justify in a desperate effort to live up to what he had stated earlier and keep the master's delectation alive.
Orion's expression told him he was failing tremendously. "Not a promising start. At least Kaden's son is here" he confirmed Loric's fear that he hadn't been convinced.
His attention remained on the two heroes as soon as they were near Aanwathir's statue. A warm smile appeared on his face. He recognised the armor the youngster before him was equipped with. "You can't imagine how long I've been anticipating your arrival" Orion confessed to Ratchet though he was planning to throw a final test on him. "It is good to see you. I'm Orion, the leader of our brotherhood. Please, tell me your name."
Orion's cordial welcoming somewhat tamed the wild, bewildering hurricane that had been plaguing Ratchet's core for relief cascaded down on his mind and washed away disturbing thoughts. A soft smile appeared on his face and in his two bright emeralds shone the hope of defeating the Unseen Destroyer and learning more about his father. If there was a key to the precious answers he longed for, it lay within Orion. Filled with contentedness that Clank was always right, he let his thrill show in his expression and revealed his name like he had been asked.
The curve on Orion's face faded as he ceased smiling. Ratchet didn't interpret this as a bad sign, he only drew the conclusion it was a subconsciously driven movement to relax his face muscles. Orion didn't speak for several seconds and during those seconds his expression was becoming bolder and bolder, cold as the stone around them. Ratchet wondered what was transpiring in the leader's mind but it didn't take long to receive his answer.
"Seize them!"
Ratchet and Clank were instantly captured, immobilised as a bronze shackle with a line of neon turquoise constricted their wrists, compressed tightly around them. Ratchet was also deprived of his OmniWrench as a Grey Mage grabbed it in order to render him unarmed.
"What are you doing?!" Loric asked, pure astonishment perplexing him.
"You're an idiot, Loric!" Orion barked. "Look what you've done! You just handed Kaden's Armor to a thief. I bet he's here to learn all of my secrets and then deliver our planet to the Unseen Destroyer" he broke out in serious displeasure.
"Not even half of what you're saying is true. I am Kaden's son" Ratchet raged while he struggled to get free of his bonds, sharp movements betraying the fear he was striving to conceal and his will to defend himself and Clank.
Orion abruptly turned to face him. "Kaden himself told me his son's name and it was definitely NOT Ratchet!" he snapped at his captive, stepping closer and closer to him in a threatening manner.
Ratchet widened his eyes as shock penetrated his entire body. His struggling ceased, making the task of the Mages much easier. "You know my true name?" he stammered, his fiery belligerence now completely forsaking him to the mercy of an adamant master.
Loric stared at him in uneasiness. "You mean… Your name's not Ratchet? Then what is it?" he questioned fiercely.
"I… I don't know" Ratchet shook his head and stated bitterly.
Pain pierced through his chest as a truth he had been avoiding proved to be his reality; Tachyon had been honest during his last moments before he fell deep into the black hole. A mighty disillusionment clenched his initial confidence and declared its presence through saturnine eyes and rounded shoulders. Burdened with the realisation that Tachyon's maliciousness had managed to live on, he stared at the stony ground of the Monument Square to avoid Orion's stern look.
"Good try but I'm no fool" Orion snarled before pointing at Clank with his anger ferociously unleashed. "And this is not a Zoni. Your improvidence shall be the end of you."
Clank was staring at the wrathful master sorrowfully. Even he couldn't be able to predict such an outcome. "We can explain, sir" he kindly stated with a silent will to reconcile echoing in his voice.
"Silence, you walking scrap of metal! You must be programmed to lie" Orion's loud voice violently harassed the atmosphere.
"Don't talk to him like that!" Ratchet fumed while his anger slipped out of his controlling restrains.
"You will be punished. All three of you. Brothers, seize Loric Ellebor. He's accused of treachery" Orion declared.
All eyes were set upon him and the unexpected inaction drove the leader to the brink of restiveness. "You've gone mad, Orion. Loric's our brother, a fellow Grey Mage. I'm sure he didn't mean to-" one of the mages that witnessed the scene protested, representing the entire mass.
"Are you defying my order? He's been denounced. He's not worthy of the title" Orion thundered.
The rebellious Grey Mage stared at Loric who seemed to be sunk in bitter realisation as he spoke. "Denounced? B-but I did as you asked. I grew up defending our kind! You can't do this to me, master."
"I am your leader. I'll do anything for the protection of our ways, send you to your doom if need be" Orion snapped, smothering his fellow brother's chance to fight for everything he had managed to build so far. With reluctance, Loric let defeat settle within with a shameful stare fixated on the ground and Orion's demand was eventually fulfilled.
"Loric Ellebor, pretentious 'Zoni'" Orion began, his fingers of each hand drawing quotation marks mockingly in the air. "and Ratchet. You're charged with treason, insolence and thievery respectively and, in accordance with our ways, are thus condemned to be brought to justice by enduring the Trial of the Sovereign."
