A/N: If you're into the metal genre I was listening to Disturbed while writing the battle. You might like to listen to them while reading the battle part.
Disclaimer: Ratchet and Clank are owned by Insomniac Games. I only own Loric Ellebor, the Grey Mages and the Unseen Destroyer.
Chapter 11: Leaderless
"Take him to the Ivory Fortress!" Loric's voice desperately attempted to smother the sound of ceaseless explosions around the group as the flames kept gaining on them and greedily devoured everything they touched, leaving nothing but embers behind.
Orion's form was lifted by two Grey Mages with such great speed the sight could trick anyone into believing the master's state of unconsciousness made him weightless. Ratchet watched as the two forms that carried Kaden's old friend transformed into faded lines only to soon blend into the limitless gray of Silthrin's landscape and be swallowed by the rising vapours caused by the burning snow.
"I could barely detect a pulse in him" Clank announced gravely as he senselessly took a step closer to the Mages' direction, as if he wished to reach the leader but immediately changed his mind.
As he narrowed his optic lenses the light of his gleaming eyes was reduced to the intensity of a candle's small, flickering flame hopelessly striving to cling to its radiant existence. The lack of faith in a positive outcome that Clank demonstrated soon began to have its effect on Ratchet.
"As long as there is a pulse we won't stop trying to keep him alive. We only have to make sure he reaches the Fortress" the slight crackling of Loric's high-pitched voice indicated he had pushed it to its limits while trying to rise above the deafening sounds of the destruction engulfing the Monument Square.
A sudden change in the air attracted Ratchet's keen senses and his entire body suddenly tensed up as an insensible yet forceful wave of energy passed through him. He quickly let his alarmed gaze wander in the vast, colourless sky as he sought for signs of danger that decisively made the atmosphere heavier. The shape of his knuckles became visible on the fabric of his gloves as he firmly clenched his hands. Ratchet's frame was bound to a state of stillness that gave the impression he was refraining from breathing, his pair of emeralds set on the sky as though yearning to penetrate it.
A brief gust brushed his face, signifying yet another unpleasant change in his surroundings and Ratchet's eyelids somewhat lowered right away to shield his sight from the wind's abrupt charge. A swift flinch of his left ear indicated his hearing had recognised a sound that instantly unnerved the Lombax. The crackling of energy sparks dancing frantically and searing everything they came in contact with hindered equanimity from settling within him and all Ratchet did as soon as his instincts warned him of the imminent danger was let his fern-green orbs widen as the foundation he was standing on shook, forcing him to finally move.
"Look out!" his fervent yell rivaled the explosions taking place all around.
A rush of adrenaline manifested itself in the form of a lightheadedness that deprived Ratchet of rational thinking as well as full perception. He instantly dashed to where Clank was standing, his feet carrying him there with so much ease he felt like he was performing leaps on a moon containing no gravity. An electrified iron ball suddenly pierced the sky and at this very second Ratchet caught a glimpse of Loric hiding behind a sizeable chunk of marble that had fallen on the ground. Before he could tell Clank to do the same the sphere approached them with an ever-increasing velocity and plummeted right in front of Ratchet with mere inches keeping instant death at bay.
He shut his eyes tightly and bent his arms forward to protect his face from concrete splinters and the tendrils of electricity which instantly grabbed him like slender claws. The heat emitted by the violent collision spread through the ground like invisible rivers of lava flowing to pull their victims into their fiery depths. Ratchet felt the excessively high temperature trespass the sole of his boots and reach his feet before the powerful turbulence of the earth shattered his balance. One repositioning of his feet and the bending of his knees helped him evade a potential fall but the light-blue sparks crawled on the silver of Ratchet's armor hungrily, bent on claiming its wearer.
The rampant motion of electricity's small, blue lights produced a characteristic sound which Clank's audio receptors picked up immediately. The iron ball had landed too close and the horror of seeing Ratchet significantly injured instantly filled him with the wish to either be far away or for time to stand still. The thought immediately sent a tremor to afflict his diminutive frame and in fear of coming face to face with something traumatizing, he slid the lids of his optics shut and welcomed blackness.
As if hanging by the edge of a steep, deadly cliff, he mustered all of his strength to rise above immobilising fear but the memory of the exorbitant heat's rush plaguing the normal levels of his temperature as well as the thunderous bang transpiring in such close proximity kept his three-digit hands in front of his face. Two seconds elapsed his stationary form and a current of voltage streamed through his sisterboards, scorching away his timidity in the process. The Zoni robot slowly lowered his hands in a languorous manner, the scenery of raging war now revealed before him at its full extent.
A shadow towered him and looking ahead revealed it was created by Ratchet's upright stature. Clank was overloaded with joy and relief, the glow in his circular eyes intensifying as the burden of loss released him from its disheartening effect. He quickly made his way around him to examine his condition and wellbeing, the continuous sound of electric crackling empowering his incentive.
"Whoa… Ratchet? Are you okay?" he struggled to complete his question, metallic mouth left agape as he stared at the Lombax.
Flashes of blue light danced on the alloy of Kaden's Armor while Ratchet stood unharmed with eyes shut and a defensive stance betraying his alertness. Reluctantly he allowed his viridescent orbs to open, surprise overtaking him as lightning's sparks scintillated and slowly faded to non-existence. As soon as the sound of hostile energy trying to put him under its allegiance finally ceased, Ratchet was in a desperate need to breathe deeply as he had been holding his breath all along.
"Wow…" Ratchet let the exclamation of his surprise linger as he blinked in disbelief.
He watched the luster of the ruby become brighter as it pulled the ravenous sparks into its blood-red crystal. The engraved lines on the armor came to life as they became alit with a crimson colour, like sanguine rivers streaming in them for a little while before acquiring a transparent texture then passing into nihility.
"The armor absorbed the electrical force" Loric informed as he lightly stepped out of his safety spot, taking cautious, feathery steps closer to the duo.
"Ellebor!"
Their attention was drawn to a Grey Mage Ratchet and Clank hadn't encountered before; his short hair held a dark shade of blond and from his shimmering, amber eyes Ratchet could tell the smoke had already had its toll on his sight, causing liquid to gather there. A few, hardly discernible lines across his face indicated he was older than Loric but much younger than Orion.
"The Unseen Destroyer is here. And with an army of nasty-looking creatures" the newcomer squinted his eyes shut and gasped for air as soon as he relayed the information.
"Where?!" Loric interrogated wildly.
"Near the Ancestral Caves. Those savage monsters are pillaging everything. I don't think this is something we can deal with" he confessed with a steadier voice, the inhales he took seconds earlier regulating it to its normal tone.
"Tell the best Mages to hold the perimeter and make a query to your superior for reinforcements to defend the Fortress. We'll be headed to the Ancestral Caves for a full frontal assault" Ratchet ordered, his military instincts instantaneously emerging.
Ratchet's pulse quickened and his whole body was prepared to be surrounded by frantic movement sealing the beginning of their counter-attack. Standing stiff right on the position he was already occupying, the difference between his expectations and reality unpleasantly divided him from his state of alertness and instead, a wave of confusion washed over his vigilance. His shoulders lowered and he sent a hopeless, bewildered stare at Clank in case he could enlighten him about the Mages' demeanor.
However, the robot was too busy attempting to decode the look of utter astonishment on the two Mages' faces. Loric and the other Grey Mage stared at Ratchet with widened eyes.
"What in Aanwathir's name did he just say?" Loric mumbled as quietly as he could manage to the other Grey Mage whose mere response was a shrug that openly declared his cluelessness.
The urge to express his annoyance couldn't be suppressed and Ratchet gave into a lasting growl before attempting to clarify. "Defend the Monument Square and tell whoever's in charge to send help to the Ivory Fortress while we go kick their asses!" he barked, his anticipation to act speeding up his speech.
"Um, we don't have anyone who's in charge during invasions" Loric's explanation came rather belated, in concord with hesitation's pacing. "Our kind hasn't fought any battles in, in…" the tip of his fingers rubbed his forehead as he strove to dive into his memories and recollect the last time the Grey Mages were involved in a war. However his search's outcome proved to be disappointing, thus he gave up on his task quickly. "We actually don't know any military tactics."
"So the closest thing you had to an army was the bots Orion sent to kill me in the Trial." Something told Ratchet what he was about to hear next would leave his arm with an insatiate need to swing his OmniWrench at the Mages and so he sighed before continuing. "Are there any of those left?"
"Now that's a good idea, you could have come up with it before destroying all of them. Was that too much to do, Lombax?" Loric retorted while waving his open palms in the air, the lively movement of his frame signifying concern.
"Please tell me this was a joke and I might forgive you for your awful sense of humor" Ratchet's audibly raised tone held anger behind a feigned beg as his endeavour to reason with the Mages rapidly turned into a barely-won fight to keep his patience intact.
When Clank spoke, Ratchet's palms instantly released their grip and gratitude made them cease forming fists. "You must have some skills that can aid us in defending Silthrin. Your home is under attack. I do not suppose you are willing to do nothing about it."
"Of course not!" Loric claimed fervently, eyebrows lowered to necessitate his statement.
The cold wind found a way to blow through his cloak and the chill darkened his mood, making his thoughts morbid. For some brief seconds, Loric ignored the battle and took the time to watch the fires grow and leave their black stain on the ground they seized. Fences, statues and leafless trees transformed into figures made of coal, reminiscent of desolation, abandonment and decadence.
"Alright" his mouth pronounced the word as naturally as breathing as soon as the realisation that inactivity would turn his homeworld into a landscape reverberating loss killed away the numbness of his legs. "Let's get this over with. I'll organise our defense here. Dytast, you're assigned to protect the Ivory Fortress. You'd better hurry" he instructed the other Grey Mage.
Dytast Scornthrog was about to head for the Ivory Fortress but froze on his tracks, turned around and looked at Ratchet. "Are you sure it's a good military tactic to boot them on their buttocks? They seemed too fierce to be significantly affected by such an action."
Ratchet's eyes twinkled in a mix of confusion and frustration. "It's just an- Ugh, never mind. Let's go, Clank" he changed his mind, thinking it would consume much time to explain he didn't mean it in a literal manner. So instead, he cautiously positioned Clank onto his Hex-mount and walked the opposite direction to face the Unseen Destroyer and his army.
The Monument Square was several feet away from them and Ratchet was now running on infertile soil instead of glazed blocks. The Ancestral Caves were near the location where Aphelion had landed and backtracking the path that had led them to Master Orion the first time had proven a quite easy task. The more they approached their destination, the more ashes they found, remnants of a past blaze reducing everything it touched into gray dust.
Gigantic rocks resembling pyramids with their pointy peak reaching for the sky's undiscovered limit came into sight and Ratchet was quick in recognising the Ancestral Caves. The moment the misty mountains were approached, the sound of bullets violently coming in contact with constructions resonated in the entire area. Into the chaotic commotion that spread its reign beyond the caves Ratchet heard the sounds that instantly made an image materialize and play out before him; bricks loudly colliding with the ground and the heavy footfall of hundreds synchronizing to the incessant pounding of war drums.
"I don't like what I'm hearing, Clank. Their numbers must be great" Ratchet reacted to the sounds of the malign actions with a rising reluctance that refused to let him move further whilst his ears slightly dropped.
"You are right. However, they do not know we are here. We could use this to our advantage and disorientate them with a surprise attack" Clank advised as he scanned the terrain around him and assessed the level of destruction the enemies' plundering had caused.
"Good thinking."
Sneaking closer to the army, Ratchet could hear his heart beating loudly against his chest. His senses sharpened, vigilant, narrowed eyes observed his surroundings and excessive energy flowed through his entire body. His feet felt steady and strong, prepared to run when necessary and his breathing was soundless and shallow. His whole being was ready for combat.
A few more steps ahead led him to the point of no return. They were much closer to the pandemoniac raid now and no retreat was achievable. The hostile battle between fire and ice raised heavy smoke and vapours that mixed with the mist, viciously welcoming the two into its insane masquerade. Ratchet's visual perception was significantly hindered but he was determined to allow no failure. He carefully crawled behind a rock and remained hidden there for a while to evaluate the odds that were against them.
He crept out of his hiding place only slightly so he could spot his enemies but he could see nothing beyond the thick fog. Ratchet hid behind the rock again fast and groaned in irritation, his mind racing to find a solution to his plight. He couldn't strike blindly, all that would do was reveal their position and make them lose their only advantage. An idea soon came forth and Ratchet's now hopeful attitude showed in the ardour of his movements.
He opted for his Plasma Striker and positioned it right on the rock he was crouched behind, afterwards he looked through the scope of the weapon.
"Activating thermal sensors" he muttered the course of his actions quietly and eagerly awaited the results of the new modification he had made to the sniper.
The scope's lens revealed figures in red colour as the sensors picked up the temperature of the invaders. Ratchet didn't bother holding back a sly smirk now that he had outwitted the mist. He had sight where his enemies were blind and instantly Silthrin's environment had become his ally.
Among the maroon shadows Ratchet distinguished a bulky creature, with a stature far bolder than the rest of the squad. He studied the motion of his large arms, vehement and swift, and subsequently separated the individual from the rest of the raiders as one with a higher rank, probably some sort of commander. His vulnerable spots were revealed thanks to the scope's advanced technology. Steadily Ratchet kept the weapon perfectly still, his mind focused only on the upcoming assassination. He set his finger on the trigger and aimed at the weak spot he was most likely to succeed firing at.
As immoral as a cold murder seemed to his mind, the need to defend Silthrin's inhabitants was far greater than to keep the integrity of his ideals intact. His eyebrows furrowed a little more when he thought of the Unseen Destroyer savagely marauding everything that was built by a Grey Mage's hands. He reassured himself that his deed would be an act of self-defense, an iniquitous necessity to restore balance and prevent a great evil from gaining more power. An entire brotherhood depended on his actions which left him with no option of avoiding extreme settlement of matters. This thought alone left him devoid of any doubt, the absence of hesitation evident in the firm positioning of his finger on the weapon's trigger.
Abruptly, with an open remorselessness he applied pressure to the trigger.
A sudden jolt plagued the chief's form as a wild tremor penetrated his body before it gracelessly hit the ground. The rest of the carmine figures gave into frantic movement and at this moment Ratchet drew away from the scope's convex glass and stared at the mist's depth with a smile revealing contentment for the outcome of his cunning. Disarray prevailed in each motion coming from the invaders and Ratchet could feel the waves of utter bewilderment reach him which only magnified his illicit satisfaction.
"Ratchet" the Lombax heard Clank call his name with a rather alarmed tone. "I detect movement right behind you."
The experienced fighter turned around to inspect the area as warned. Despite the light haze hovering around, the denseness of the mist was not so intense in the terrain behind Ratchet.
"I don't see anyone" his silent, hesitant statement contradicted Clank's suspicion.
Clank, elevated as he was from the ground, found something intriguing about the usually pale white sky. Blackness tainted the snow-coloured atmosphere as stains of unforgiving fumes floated towards the imprisoned by clouds sun. Before he could register the normal passing of seconds, purple particles instantly appeared and swirled with a frenetic velocity to momentarily stabilize and take the shape of a stout creature. The robot's recognition as well as his attempt to yell out a warning came belated as sharp claws grasped Ratchet's shoulder, endeavouring to force his talons beyond the armor's surface and into the Lombax's skin before yanking him down on the ground.
Ratchet was completely unprepared for the ferocious pull which made him drop his Plasma Striker. The impact sent an instant yet piercing pain though his rib, making him cry out as soon as he felt the hard contact with the ground. His perception was keen but slow because of the shock. Sounds, smells, the pain itself all were augmented by his consciousness.
He thought of Clank, his small frame compressed on the soil. Hurriedly he moved so as to stand up but his somewhat numb legs submitted to his will a little later than he wished. He began his attempt by pressing his elbows against the ground until Clank was free from his predicament but it was cut short by the sound of a single gunshot.
Frozen in his place, Ratchet's emerald eyes became wide open. The first thing he caught sight of was the barrel of a weapon gripped firmly by a sturdy form who was pointing it directly at his head. But he felt unharmed and no blood covered his face as far as he could tell. He purposely took a deep inhale in order to listen to himself breathing and welcomed the effect of the great ounce of air swelling his lungs; he was alive.
His chest heaved spasmodically due to his rapid breathing as the identification of his potential assassin's species along with the fact that a bullet had been fired straight in his head yet inflicted no injury spread like venom, befogging his mind and paralysing him completely.
"No way…" Ratchet's disbelief acquired substance through a disheartened murmur.
Decisively he eluded his petrifying state and pushed the sole of his boots on the ground, managing to stand up quickly. The same, appalling gunshot was heard for a second time and at the same moment the Lombax blinked as he reacted to the violent disruption of the relative stillness wavering in the air. The bullet's course ended before it reached its destination as a light-blue barrier forthwith surrounded Ratchet and Clank and a blue glint emanated from the lines carved on silver that seemed to tie together harmoniously on the armor's surface.
The force shield produced by Kaden's Armor dissipated right when the bullet was deflected, disappearing as soon as it had served its purpose. The light flowing in the symmetrical engravings also dimmed down gradually before it died out completely. Ratchet wasted no time and ran away from the invader with all of his might. Instead of charging straight into a chase, Ratchet glimpsed behind him and saw that his assailant acquired the Plasma Striker for himself and dematerialized into purple molecules, causing his form to vanish.
"I don't believe it!" Ratchet gasped as he hid behind fallen ruins of once standing buildings. His voice hardly emerged from his throat as he was struggling to breathe. "Those are-"
"Cragmites" Clank finished silently, with a voice restrained by apprehension. In the meanwhile, he sought for approaching enemies so they wouldn't become victims of one more unexpected attack.
"But how?" Ratchet questioned while carefully slipping out of his hiding place to ensure they hadn't been followed. "I thought there were only a few left on Reepor."
"They must be working for the Unseen Destroyer now. What I do not understand is how they managed to increase in number since most of them are still in the Dimension X2-49" Clank pondered, turning his head to some extent so he could partially look at Ratchet.
"Could he have brought them back?"
"I do not believe anything regarding inter-dimensional travel is involved here. However this is exactly what troubles me. Where did he find all those Cragmites?" The brilliant green light of Clank's optics became partly obstructed by the look of anguish they adjusted to. "It does not matter" he shook his head and resoluteness replaced disquietude as he set a determined stare skyward to escape his quandary. "What matters is that he is causing chaos and that we are the only ones who can stop him. I am sure he is planning to take control over more planets. Silthrin is only the beginning. And he already has Zanimal."
Sending a hostile scowl at his kind's sworn enemies Ratchet let ire take control. His deep green eyes sheltered an angry flare as they narrowed to come in concord with the boldness that stiffened his limbs. "Let's make him have second thoughts then."
Taking a tight hold of his Constructo Shotgun, Ratchet embraced the effects of adrenaline which streamed through his system and blurred his clarity. Survival instincts unleashed a red haze that unimpededly induced him to immerse himself into the mayhem of gunfire and destruction. Ratchet's steps were focused and lacked any trace of faintheartedness. His weapon was held firmly, almost dearly as though it was a natural extension of his hand. His senses screamed, yearned for the trigger to be pulled and for ravaging pandemonium to be let loose from the barrel. Raising his weapon Ratchet willingly assumed the role of the bringer of war and sealed the beginning of Silthrin's resistance when the Constructo Shotgun spewed the first set of bullets at the Cragmites.
Unstoppable and set on their course, they collided with the first hard skin that would be torn in this battle. Ratchet's pacing hastened into a run as every pull of the trigger sent a wave on his forearm that made his muscles there become tense, resulting in a wicked satisfaction that kept him going deeper into the heart of disarray. He watched some of the reptilian-looking creatures transform into violet grains and fly all around him from every corner while four of them remained fixated on their original position and lifted their heavy guns, firing before the Lombax in front of them could register the danger charging ahead to clutch him and send him in the afterlife.
Ratchet performed a high jump on his right and landed after an airborne flip. His consistence in keeping his weapon firing was incessant. For a moment he saw the world through a transparent force containing a pale-blue iridescence and confirmation that some of his enemies' bullets had reached him, though never harmed him, came from the blue glow of his armor's lines.
Refusing to even try and forsake this semi-conscious state that pushed him forward and eliminated all fear of dying, he ignored all the barrels that spat out deadly beams from the boiling, fiery pit they enclosed and chose to continue the fight with his Dual Omniblasters which would allow him to aim at more than one target. His arms ascended to the level of his chest to protect his right and left side with an Omniblaster held in each hand firmly as he shot cold glares at the Cragmites that had regained their material form and surrounded him. Ratchet bared his teeth as the constant flow of adrenaline became too much for his body to handle and eventually began straining him instead of aiding him. His acute reflexes captured hostile movements and a slight motion of the weapons held by the Cragmites was enough to make Ratchet give into blind, impetuous impulse and press his index fingers. His handguns instantly generated fiery blasts at his enemies and soon he paid the price as a rain of bullets was fired at him with equal temerity.
Ratchet ran to evade the igneous rainfall bent on igniting its mark through him but the cerulean, translucent barrier rivaled the excessive velocity of the deadly laser beams and blasts and in the end, kept them away from the Lombax. Instead, it was Ratchet's bullets that were the first to damage any pieces of armor and penetrate flesh. When the smell of blood and sizzled skin invaded Ratchet's nostrils his fur bristled at once and a chill ran through his spine at the sudden realisation that he was soon bound to turn living creatures into empty, cold shells littering the colourless land of Silthrin.
He performed a backward flip in an attempt to detach himself from the blazing hail targeting him but the force shield remained activated, meaning he was failing to avoid enemy fire. The tiny, purple particles were all around Ratchet and turning to look at every angle brought him opposite of swarms that quickly morphed into Cragmite warriors. Despite the countless bullets fired at the Lombax his Dual Omniblasters inflicted the first severe injuries and before his ceaseless firing could come to an end a few bodies fell on the ground, staying unresponsive and unmoving, now unaffected by the insane, maddening motion of battle.
His legs weren't given the chance to rest not even for a second, so the first stings of exhaustion began to render them weak and unstable. Ratchet ignored his body's warnings and refused to submit to stillness, as tempting as it was, for he knew motionlessness could be his death sentence. He defied the fatigue that plagued his frame and clung to every breath he could manage to take, thus gaining enough strength only to keep moving.
That clicking sound announcing there was no more ammunition made his heart skip a beat every single time. And just when he got used to the subtle, light-blue glow guarding him it disappeared harshly, leaving him exposed to his enemies' untamable wrath. As he dashed away from the armed Cragmites he made a quick inspection of the armor's lines and noticed that any kind of bluish glow was absent.
"It looks like the force shield has a limit regarding the damage it can withstand" Clank surmised when he saw the bullets now fly dangerously close to Ratchet, a couple of them even hitting him thankfully on parts covered by the silver alloy. "Once this limit is surpassed the shield automatically shuts down so it can recharge and becomes activated when it is operational again. Such procedure will certainly require several minutes to be fully completed."
"Well, that means I'll have to be more careful" Ratchet panted as he seized the opportunity to prevent any more bullets from striking him by hiding behind a ramshackle building.
The Zoni robot's optic lenses became partially shut from both their higher and lower halves, acquiring an ironic expression. "You are never good at being more careful."
"Have a little faith, Clank" Ratchet's remark slipped out of a cocky smirk while he equipped his Blitz Gun to commence the next phase of his battle with the Cragmites.
The moment Ratchet rushed out of his hiding spot he barely took the time to focus on a target and solely performed another guiltless pulling of the trigger so he could let the arcs of fiery-red lightning scatter around and burn their way through the tough exterior of the Cragmites. The speed of the weapon's feral shots far exceeded the pace in which Ratchet's rivals could dissolve and teleport. He raced against split seconds as he continued firing his large weapon, sending more and more Cragmites into inescapable unconsciousness before they could manage to metamorphose into a throng of violet flecks.
"Ratchet, get down!" Clank's warning transcended the realm of normal speech, rising to a desperate effort to keep his reckless friend safe.
Right on time Ratchet bent his knees and glimpsed upwards. He neglected to suppress a curse when he saw that he had just saved his head from a Leviathan Flail's cylindrical head swung where he was standing split seconds ago. The sight of the ball's somewhat rusted spikes brought an unpleasant image in his mind; them coming in contact with his head. Ratchet's shoulders rose involuntarily as a reaction to the violent goosebumps running through every inch of his body.
Taking advantage of the momentum of the heavy weapon's wielder Ratchet allowed the Cragmite to stumble forward before he himself could rise. Without wasting a single second he switched to his trusty OmniWrench and struck his enemy as hard as his overexerted arm would let him. The Lombax almost sighed in relief when he saw the Cragmite collapse on the ground to join the rest of his fallen kin. For a moment he feared his body would betray him and that the force wouldn't be enough to drag the large Cragmite into senselessness.
Ratchet's endless efforts to stay separated from stillness made the scenery in front of Clank ever-changing as a different sight emerged from the whirling blur each time his friend engaged in a swift movement. However what remained unaltered with every single spin was the crowd of armed Cragmites charging to take down the last of the Lombaxes. Clank sensed intense movement on Ratchet's right shoulder blade and listening to the familiar sound of intermittent electricity sparks that accompanied each curt motion quickly led him to believe his partner had opted for the Lighting Ravager. Mentally he tried to reassure himself everything was in control; that despite the angry crowds surrounding them Ratchet knew exactly what he was doing and that it was just one more battle in which they would be the last ones standing, free to observe in either admiration or a sense of reluctant triumph the empty space the both of them created.
Clank's attention was drawn away from the battle when his watchful stare fell on gigantic constructions. He tilted his head and let his optic lids slightly cover the shine of his green lenses as calculations regarding the large structures appeared on his visual receptors. Cragmites were hauling three sets of colossal, heavy machinery made primarily of alloy steel with high magnesium content and partly protected by components made of Carbonox, a manufacturing tactic that made them both relatively light and extremely hard exteriorly.
As Clank observed the machines more and more he quickly managed to associate their manner of construction with the science of ballistics. His metallic jaw somewhat dropped when he noticed huge iron spheres right next to the slowly moving machine. The calculations attached to his sight suddenly lost their meaning when his memory banks evoked the event taking place several minutes ago; Clank's circular eyes widened as much as possible when he remembered the electrified ball launched right into the Monument Square that almost took Ratchet's life.
"They really do want to destroy everything on Silthrin, or worse, kill everyone…" his silent muttering was muffled by the unrestrained sounds of war.
"What was that?" Ratchet's shout persistently emerged from the sound-related anarchy born by blasts. When his electroshock whip's energy had drained, he promptly grasped his OmniWrench to deliver the final blow on the sole Cragmite closest to him.
"We have to render these catapults out of commission" Clank's proposed objective was conveyed more loudly and since Ratchet's fighting was temporarily over he had been able to listen to his robotic partner.
The Lombax moved a little to detect the aforementioned catapults. With very little effort he spotted the enormous mechanisms and shortly, he recognised the globular projectiles that were shot at the Monument Square. His fingers stretched on the OmniWrench's handle to allow him to tighten his grip. "I hear ya."
"Their material is very hard so I do not think they can be destroyed by using the resources we have available. However I believe some heavier firepower should be enough to dismantle them" Clank informed after accessing the data he had gathered, even if he no longer had his eyes set on the catapults. His voice though failed to transfer the certainty he usually spoke with.
"You sound too worried" Ratchet's expression adjusted to that of enthusiasm when a devious smile appeared on his face. With his OmniWrench already in his weapon locker, he had already decided which weapon was to be used next. "You know this is my favorite part."
Not surprised by his friend's reaction all Clank could do was stare ahead with optic lenses adapting to what was close to indifference. "That is exactly why I am worried."
The Warmonger's weight added to the weariness that traversed through every part of his arms and his strenuous endeavour to keep himself and Clank alive excruciated them to the point Ratchet could feel his own veins throbbing. Yet with ears raised vertically in unbearable anticipation and with his foolhardiness showing in his devilish smile he embraced the upcoming effect that the loud explosions and crumbling metals would have on his mood and willingly turned loose the livid missiles.
As the first set of rockets collided with the first oversized catapult Ratchet marveled at the thousand ferocious sparks that emitted from the now stained steel. He delayed to unleash the next set of missiles in order to admire the destruction he had created, his lips parted while he stared at the rampant lights reflected in his eyes that now looked like forests catching fire. He thought the sparks had somehow become alive as they cascaded over the Cragmites dragging the huge construction and clung to them, turning them to tall lanterns for only an instant before they dimmed down to obscurity.
Using the diversion the sparks had caused to his own benefit the defender of Silthrin released the missiles from their confining position and they flew with velocity towards the distracted enemies. They scratched the surface of fallen pieces of marble, leaving a sizzling trail of ash before hitting the raiders and reducing them to nothingness.
"Alright! One down, two more to go" Ratchet declared when he watched the device's evenly sized components roll away from each other before halting to remain dispersed on the ground. He ascertained himself no Cragmite was in the vicinity and thereafter he targeted the second catapult.
TTTTTT ~~~ TTTTTT
He watched. The wind blustered against him and he sensed the sheer coldness of the recurrent gusts trying to freeze his blood, yet it boiled. He felt the fluid crossing his veins was as hot as melted gold, as if it borrowed the heat from all the fires surrounding his soldiers on the battlefield. The hood of his black cloak fell in soft folds to cover the upper part of his backbone, his face exposed to the frigidness of the wind. His rough features twisted to an expression of resentment but the cold had little to do with it.
The altitude of the spot he was standing on allowed him to supervise the enterprise that would hopefully lead to Silthrin's subjection. However the distant echo of the second crumbling catapult affirmed he was far from achieving his objective. As his black eyes began losing their focus they faintly twinkled like waters that reflected a moonless nighttime sky and his head turned to each side disapprovingly. He inhaled deeply, hoping it would frost his insides but to no avail. Anger still made his blood seethe.
He wanted Silthrin. His goal had been reached, what he had been instructed to do was done. But fulfillment never came. Something rebellious protested restlessly, screaming for more, much more power. He had obeyed but the incentive to leave was absent. He also wanted to conquer. He wanted to own the minds of the Grey Mages he spent months trying to read and manipulate. But they were standing in the way.
His skin prickled by a rush of heat that moved downwards and eventually bestirred his feet as one of them moved forward to be followed by the other. He walked carefully down the slope and descended to the level of the unraveling madness. His coal-black eyes stared at the Cragmite soldiers that had either fallen or become victims of the disarray the Lombax's ceaseless fire released, their onslaught countervailed by his seemingly unbreakable resistance.
His unexpected appearance put all paranoid, battleborn motion into a halt save the blaring of the collapsing metal parts. The missiles of his enemy's weapon remained secured and attached to the gun when the destination of his course was reached. He watched his opponent store the Warmonger into his weapon locker before turning around.
Enemies were still around him yet their uncompromising desire to bring him down had been somehow sated. Ratchet knew something was amiss, the highly alerted and even somewhat worried looks on his enemies' normally hard faces was the only confirmation he needed.
Sensing the unsettling stillness as well Clank detached himself off Ratchet's harness and momentarily his little feet touched the ground with a clinking sound. He raised his head and witnessed the empty yet penetrating glare of the Unseen Destroyer set on him during his march to their direction. His systems began overheating when the memory of his interrogation on Zanimal played out in his mechanical mind. His tiny fingers curled within his palms tightly while at the same time Ratchet also shifted his point of view to lay his eyes on the warlord.
His gaze immediately fell on the visible eye sockets that looked like they encased one polished onyx stone each. Ratchet's skin crawled when he realised he was looking at the Unseen Destroyer himself, a sensation that intensified and plagued his form even more when he saw his cheek bones protrude excessively from his grayish-cyan skin that looked so hard the sight of it made Ratchet imagine someone sculpting it on tough stone. While he did resemble a Cragmite, the Lombax could tell he was something different.
His stolid, lusterless eyes lingered on Clank insistently and Ratchet feared the effect his expressionless stare could have on his friend. He recalled the voices coming from the inside of his head, calling from within his ears as they flourished in a state that existed in a disharmonic coalescence of sleep and faint consciousness. What was on the Unseen Destroyer's mind and what he needed from Clank was beyond him but all the negative possible outcomes which taunted Ratchet with an image of Clank getting damaged made him wish he would never have to find out.
With rushed steps he made his way in front of his Zoni partner and as if his movements had triggered some sort of chain reaction something pierced the air with inconceivable speed. It formed a radiant line as it flew one or two inches farther from his head. The black within Ratchet's green orbs spread swiftly to cover the brilliant forest hue as the pupils of his eyes dilated.
"Hold your fire!" the Unseen Destroyer's thickly voice surpassed its normal volume of speech, giving sound to his unequivocal disapproval.
Ratchet tracked down the blast's course and noticed a hole that had formed on the edifice of a partly destroyed building. The smoke around the charred dent helped him identify the type of projectile fired at him; a bolt shot by his own Plasma Striker.
He wore a hostile expression when his gaze fell back on the Unseen Destroyer. His brows were pressed against his upper eyelids and applied pressure right above his nasal bridge as he glowered at the Cragmite leader who finally removed his blank stare from Clank's form.
"I was hoping you'd survive from that remote moon" he sneered as he slightly raised the corner of his upper lip. "There are so many things stored for you I'd hate for it to end before it even begins."
A conversation was not what Ratchet believed would transpire the day he would have to encounter the figure from his nightmares. It was hard for him to believe the spectre that had so easily gained access to his darkest memories as well as his own mind possessed flesh and bones and was bound to the mundane. "I don't mind spending a few days ruining your plans. Just make sure you keep it challenging, I get bored easily" he provoked him, refusing to drop his guard.
His mask of apathy became somewhat distorted by Ratchet's bold remark, like calm waters that suddenly lost their smooth, silky surface in the turbulence of waves. "Save your wit. It may come in use when you go to Everos."
It required more effort than expected to suppress a gasp when his enemy's words ceased floating away from his mouth. Ratchet had dealt with a great number of overly ambitious violators and he knew no one was careless enough to disclose vital clues or crucial information that could endanger their work. He may have already gotten his lead but the mention of Everos from the Unseen Destroyer was a misstep which Ratchet suspected was not accidental. The air he breathed seemed to dry up his throat when he thought that the location's name had been referred to deliberately.
"Your operation here has failed. Leave Silthrin at once" it was Clank's turn to fix a persistent stare on the warlord and align himself with Ratchet on his endeavour to keep further destruction from occurring.
"I don't get told what to do by a walking backpack!" his voice rose to high levels as a perpetual frown sharpened his features and made the intense angles of his face even more discernible. Before speaking again he managed to make his voice settle to a quieter tone. "Though I must admit, I didn't expect you two to pull through this effort of resistance."
A peculiar quietude left its marks on the Unseen Destroyer's speech and movements as he gave the impression of adapting perfectly to the destroyed, war-struck environment around him and actually enjoying its apparent prevalence. He caught glimpses of demolished structures and exposed an ill-concealed, satisfied smile before he turned his attention on his main target. "It's been a while since you and I had our little chat, right Ratchet? You may have come quite far but you're still nameless and without a purpose. What I told you is true; I am the death of ignorance."
The Lombax's angered expression turned into a wince that made him seem as though he had stepped on a thorn as soon as the reminder of his intimidating dreaming hindered the normal flow of his thoughts. "How did you get into my mind?"
"It wasn't easy but it wasn't impossible either. I had to find some subjects to practice on. My creator's work led me straight to the Grey Mages" he began though without abandoning the threatening hissing accompanying his low-pitched voice and with his vacant stare enchained to Ratchet's own eyes.
"When I succeeded in manipulating the minds of a couple of them I knew I was ready to get to you. And as it seems, it was enough to convince you to come to Ceilif. But during my mind-manipulation attempts I discovered that the lifespan of a Grey Mage is about 1,300 years, incredibly long for an organic being. The knowledge they acquire through their lives is huge and of course, I was tempted to come back and harvest all of it. Knowledge grants power."
The slim creature approached Ratchet slowly and the closer he got to him the more he unknowingly clenched his teeth and his voice plunged into a deep, despising tone. "And power is what I seek. Maybe I failed on this one but my main objective has been achieved; their leader is dead."
With no signs of timidity Ratchet's glare sunk right into the eyes of the army's leader. He felt his silently boiling rage turn to a massive torrent that was slowly gaining control over his relatively still frame, empowered by the instinct of opposition. His OmniWrench was at the ready as he waited for one abrupt move, one strike from the Unseen Destroyer to make him dive straight into combat. He felt someone was going to go down for good. He didn't know if there was turning back but he didn't plan on doing so even if there was. He was determined to live to be able to say he once stared right into the eyes of his own nightmares and succeeded in facing them. However his expectations clashed with reality when the warlord engaged in his next action.
"I no longer see a reason for us to remain here" he uttered and thereafter shifted his body to the direction of the hill he had come from, his stare that was locked on Ratchet finally leaving him with a delayed pace.
As if resounding from the depths of the earth, the remaining army commenced their coordinated march that generated the war drum sequence. The ominous sound began transforming into an echo as the rest of the Cragmite warriors followed their warlord. Still in range, the Unseen Destroyer was being watched by a pair of narrowed eyes and feeling Ratchet's perpetual glare on his back seemed to send mild stings through his frame. Despite the uncomfortable state the Lombax dragged him in he refused to expose his uneasiness and continued his walking in an ostensible unawareness.
Worry and apprehensiveness forsook his small stature, making Clank feel ten times lighter than before. A surge of relief washed away the morbid thoughts as victory made his system slightly yet pleasantly overheated. "We have succeeded" a gentle tone accompanied the realisation his CPU was trying to catch up with. Joy settled within his optics as they adjusted to an open exhibition of it. "We drove the Unseen Destroyer away from the Grey Mages and their homeland."
He folded his hands together in eager celebration and looked at Ratchet but the triumphant expression he was expecting to see written all over his friend's face wasn't there. Ratchet followed the Unseen Destroyer restlessly with a wrathful glare, eyebrows stubbornly pressed closer together while he attempted to regulate his rising anger with a steady panting. He heard Clank call out his name to draw his attention but he refused to submit to the distraction and instead, kept his focus on the Cragmite leader.
The sense that overtook Ratchet was conflicting to Clank's thoughts about the outcome of the fight. The enemy had survived and was free to carry on with his involuntary retreat. This resonated defeat to Ratchet, failure in its most scornful form. "If we let him walk away we've achieved nothing. We're nowhere near stopping him than we were before Loric found us" his voice became uncharacteristically low-pitched, affected by the difficulty to contain his fury. He shot an abrupt glimpse at Clank whose expression indicated that he felt troubled by Ratchet's attitude. "Orion might be dead by now and it will be for nothing if we let him get off this planet!" he went on fervently before the robot could manage to contradict his point.
Usually Clank's approval helped Ratchet carry on with his decided course of actions, motivated him to push forward into the clutches of any kind of danger as he knew he was sharing the fight with his long-time partner. This time he saw doubt in Clank's optics but unexpectedly enough it was insufficient in extinguishing Ratchet's resoluteness. The thought of letting the Unseen Destroyer escape left him with an urge to blast everything on sight. He wouldn't dare feel pride for his actions should he allow the Cragmite to flee unhindered. His mind had been made up. Ratchet was convinced that merciless warlord had to die right there and then.
He tightened his fingers around the trigger of the Netherbeast weapon and raised his arm. A quivered breath escaped his lips as he securely let his palm clasp the handle of the weapon in fear of loosening his grip on the trigger. While taking careful aim he reassured himself he was doing the right thing by exploiting the fact that his enemy had turned his back on him, as unethical as it seemed.
Ratchet's arm moved fiercely while in the same time he pressed his finger on the trigger so forcefully his muscles overstretched and made his arm jolt. As the Nether creature broke free from its bindings Ratchet's entire frame seemed to be swept away by the momentum of its vehement release and he briefly followed its course before returning to stillness.
He saw a bright, purple aura follow the small Nether as it ravenously rushed to clench its target. The next thing he witnessed was the Unseen Destroyer turning around fast. And then glowing violet overflowed from nowhere and blocked his sight as an excessive brightness blinded him.
A burning sensation began crossing his legs, then travelled upwards to his torso. The rapid stream of energy seemed to scorch his chest before ending up inside his head, causing an unbearable ache that made him shut his eyes.
He heard an anxious cry seemingly from a distance and took him a couple of seconds to recognise his voice in it. He felt his knees sharply coming in contact with the ground and an unwanted dizziness kept him disoriented.
After a few seconds he reluctantly opened his eyes and raised his head wearily. The sight he encountered was the Unseen Destroyer staring down at him. His soldiers had all gathered to surround him and the cold he felt on the back of his head was enough to ascertain him there was a cylindrical barrel of a weapon which physically touched him. His mind had been unable to perceive that his opponent had somehow managed to change the course of the Nether and order it to attack him instead but in any case he felt glad he hadn't opted for his Warmonger.
"His shields are still off. Shall we execute them both?" Ratchet heard the one aiming him with his gun inquire.
He quickly turned to his right harbouring a rather contrived hope that Clank had in some way managed to escape before the warlord and his army returned but as expected, he saw his robot friend stand next to him and angrily glare at the Unseen Destroyer as another Cragmite warrior aimed at his little head with a weapon.
Ratchet looked at his friend with worry and guilt began to settle in but before his gaze could linger on Clank he felt a violent pull as the Unseen Destroyer yanked him forward to compel him to stare into his infuriated face.
"I could let them plant bullets on you and your pathetic robot, then I'd skin you with my own bare hands. But my creator wouldn't want this to happen. Yet…"
He pushed Ratchet downwards so he could force him to fall on the ground. Ratchet clenched his teeth tightly. He wanted to believe it would be enough to vent out all the frustration and rage the Unseen Destroyer had left him with but it didn't seem to fully work. He heard pairs of boots create a distance as the Cragmites moved behind their leader.
"I don't know who helped you leave from Zanimal and I can't be bothered to interrogate all suspects" the Unseen Destroyer's voice seethed yet came out steadily, characterised by the unnerving calmness he frequently spoke in. "So I will make sure all of them pay for their disobedience."
'No…'
He managed to discreetly glimpse at Clank whose woeful expression reflected his own feelings, like an inner mirror. The sandy, sparkling lands of Zanimal and the faces of Egandor and Asyrian cruelly necessitated what he had just delivered into danger's hands. Suppressing a heavy sigh Ratchet let Clank slip out of his view and eyed the Unseen Destroyer while struggling to stand up.
The unhealthily pale face of the Unseen Destroyer contorted due to a malevolent smile and his bony cheeks reacted as they wrinkled, making his face look deformed. Ratchet even came to believe his facial muscles were incapable of adjusting to such an expression.
"We'll meet again, Ratchet" poison seemed to drip from his tongue through a hostile, hoarse voice. Thereafter he motioned at his remaining army to resume their retreat.
His back once again turned on him. Ratchet was yearning to attack but he had already proven this would only be a strike to himself. Instead he spoke with a burning hatred that he hoped would openly show through his tone, wishing it would be enough to perturb and agitate him. "Don't keep me waiting."
A dusty cloud floated a little higher from the ground and the specked by ashes snow melted due to the heat the thrusters emitted. The place around temporarily darkened as a great amount of starships covered the faint light of the sun that was already fighting against the clouds. The sound of engines echoed all around before fading completely, leaving Silthrin to dwell on the desolation they had left it with.
Ratchet placed his palms on his knees for support and let a brief, nervous laughter reveal his relief. "For a moment I thought he'd spare us the villain monologue."
Even though they had managed to preserve their wellbeing after their dangerously close encounter with the Unseen Destroyer Clank looked in deep thought. "Orion was right. The Unseen Destroyer was indeed deliberately generated inside a laboratory. He mentioned that he has a creator and in fact, twice."
"Which means someone else is behind all this." Ratchet felt the urge to ease the pain running through his left shoulder by rubbing the spot, probably left as a side effect from being hit by the Nether creature. "I hope Loric will be able to tell us more. Let's go check if everything's okay on the Monument Square."
TTTTTT ~~~ TTTTTT
The place where Orion had fallen was no more than a hole with burnt marks all around it, exposing the soil beneath the slated plateau and disrupting its smooth, extended surface. Pieces of wrecked stone had remained scattered around where the iron ball had collided until Loric picked them up one by one so they wouldn't litter his beloved square. Only a few were left but he would soon collect them and see what could be done to mend the destroyed part.
His task was interrupted when he saw Ratchet and Clank approach him. He normally hated leaving his tasks unfinished but in this case their presence worked as a pleasant interruption. "Good to see you. You two did a brilliant work, not even one of them managed to get near here" his words slipped through a welcoming smile that made them warm-sounding. However concern forced his voice to settle to a lower pitch when he asked his next question. "How are things there? Were our structures destroyed?"
Neither of them spoke for several seconds and Ratchet broke the silence only after he made sure he had soundlessly conveyed his message. "I'm sorry."
"I see" Loric's blue eyes failed to remain focused for a while. "I mean it's fine, these were just our old settlements and they were uninhabited. I'm just glad they didn't manage to get to us."
"We encountered the Unseen Destroyer and from what he told us, we believe Orion was right to believe he was created in a laboratory" Clank took a firm step ahead so he could have Loric's attention. "He also mentioned that he spent some time here, trying to manipulate the minds of the Grey Mages."
"Two mages suffered from nightmares for months. They claimed they dreamt about their most unpleasant experiences all the time and that they heard a voice telling them strange things; that they were living a lie. Sounds very creepy if you ask me" Loric put his hands on his waist and let out a heavy exhale. He shook his head and lightly narrowed his eyes, deep blue hidden by his eyelids as much as needed to reveal his bitterness. "First Edrig, then Solomir. Solomir recovered when it stopped. Edrig though…"
"So that's how you knew what happened to me that night" Ratchet concluded as he remembered the nightmares and the voices. A disturbing uneasiness made his blood run cold as he sank into painful realisation. The Unseen Destroyer was indeed on Igliak that night with the sole purpose of invading his mind and leading him to madness. "But that means the Unseen Destroyer did attack you, maybe not with weapons and an army but still. Why didn't Orion decide to help the rest of Ceilif stop him?"
"Well, uh. Orion was convinced it was some sort of disease. And to be fair he didn't have proof of his presence on Silthrin. Maybe he wanted to believe it so hard he would reject putting faith in anything else. He hated war and knew we wouldn't endure. We don't know how to fight."
Loric went on talking about Orion's possible wrong judgment, trying to conceal it with various justifications but Ratchet was already set on his opinion about the matter. He found no reason to listen to any more.
He sent a hopeless gaze skywards to seek solace in the infinite, now somehow comforting grey, but he failed to find its calming vastness. The sky was stained by crimson that spread arrogantly like paint spilled on a bleached canvas. Ratchet followed the course of the maroon gas with green eyes slowly staring closer and closer at the ground until they spotted an enormous building from where the red mist originated. "What's that?" he drew everyone's attention as he pointed at the thick, crimson cloud.
Loric turned towards the direction of the Ivory Fortress, where Ratchet was pointing at. "No…"
"Loric?" the Lombax called out, anticipating to know what was transpiring.
"It's a message from the Ivory Fortress. If the smoke was blue we'd have good news but this" Loric's voice was bold in discontent. "This isn't good news."
"What does it mean?" Clank asked, prepared for the bad news he knew he was getting when he studied Loric's look.
Loric turned to face the two heroes, a forlorn look announcing the severity of his statement. "It means we're leaderless. Orion is dead."
TTTTTT ~~~ TTTTTT
The blasts and explosions had long since been silenced, the snow had defeated the fires though not the ashes that were the reminders of their existence and the black smoke had dissolved after reaching the white skies. However no feasts or celebrations followed. Ratchet watched several men with grey robes walk past him, some holding pots adorned with colourful gems, other moving more slowly as they were hindered by the weight of the chests they were carrying. All of them seemed indifferent or even ignorant to his and Clank's presence but Ratchet understood the reasons behind their collective behaviour; after all, the whole community was at a state of mourning.
He had a hard time detaching his gaze from the ground as his eyes insisted to keep closing. He jolted, attempting to inject his body with a rush of energy and his eyes forcefully became wide open. His long strife to deceive death had left him exhausted. But Clank looked as rigorous as he always was, untouched by the limitations of an organic. Ratchet observed his friend as he paced around while his metal feet coming in contact with the square's surface produced a characteristic sound. His need to sleep was temporarily subdued when Clank initiated a conversation between the two.
"Who is this creator?" Clank ceased walking aimlessly around and spoke directly to Ratchet with his palms open and facing the sky in frustration. "Who could have the power to create such a powerful being and with full sentience, intelligence as well as cognitive abilities?"
"One good guess would be Dr. Nefarious but…" Ratchet breathed in to calm down his mind that jumped from one scenario having the two of them die to the other but little did it help. "I don't know, it just doesn't sound possible to me. I don't think he even knows the Twin Galaxies exist." He looked at the Ivory Fortress and the sky above it that still had small tints of red. The crimson smoke had spread the word that an unfortunate event had taken place and thus, it ceased covering the floating grey above. "Do you remember where we landed Aphelion?"
"I do. Are we leaving?"
After absorbing the melancholic scenery manifesting its majesty all around Ratchet looked at the small Zoni robot. "Yes. We're going to Everos."
They began heading for the Ancestral Caves where Aphelion awaited them but in the first seconds of their march they were interrupted by Loric who realised they were about to leave and dashed behind them to hold them from their objective.
"Ratchet! Clank! Where are you going?" he shouted. Some Grey Mages stared at him a little dumbfounded that their brother had brashly broken the funereal silence.
The two heroes turned around, allowing Loric to keep them away from their starship for a little longer. Ratchet was the one to explain the action they intended to take. "We've wasted enough time here. We're heading for that lab on Everos."
"You can't leave, not yet. Won't you be attempting the funeral?" Loric panted lightly and attempted to rest by leaning on his staff.
"Funeral?" Clank spontaneously uttered, somewhat whelmed by curiosity about the customs of the Grey Mages despite having the misfortune to stumble on the ones performed in saddening events.
"We're almost done with the preparations. It will only take a while. Orion would be honoured" Loric tried to convince them with an imploring tone but only by Ratchet's sullen face he could tell they weren't about to yield.
"Loric, every second we waste benefits the Unseen Destroyer. You brought us here to help find a way to stop him. And now that we have a lead, you're asking us to delay the mission?" Ratchet sounded composed enough but beneath his relatively steady tone there was silent anger waiting for a spark to explode.
"If it weren't for not only me but Orion too the Unseen Destroyer would soon kill you in your sleep after driving you insane. You owe this much to him. One hour, that's all I'm asking" Loric's voice slowly started slipping out of what calmness sounded like and Ratchet seemed to follow suit.
"He's going to attack Zanimal and these people have already suffered enough because of him. You've seen it yourself! I can't just sit around while he could already be there. Don't you at least care about Egandor and Asyrian's wellbeing?"
"He just left Silthrin, Ratchet! He hasn't even left from Ceilif yet. You're just being irrational because you're holding a grudge against us. Just get over the Trial of the Sovereign incident!" Loric had now given up every effort to stay collected and was running his fingers through his hair while talking as his whole body reacted to Ratchet's stubborn resistance to compromise. "Kaden would attend the funeral as an act of respect to his deceased friend."
"I don't care! Orion was not my friend, he just dragged me into the mess he couldn't solve himself. And guess what, Loric; I'm not Kaden!"
Ratchet's enraged yelling echoed through the whole Monument Square where only two Grey Mages had now remained and were of course drawn by the Lombax's vehement outburst. He paused for a while to catch his breath whilst glaring into Loric's face. His ears had fallen flat and his nails almost pierced into his palms due to the excessively clenched fists he formed with his trembling hands. Clank stared at his friend with a sorrowful look and felt as though guilt was strong enough to render him deactivated for not having realised Ratchet had been carrying all this emotional pressure for a while now.
"I'm not Kaden and I know I'm not what Orion expected to see, but should it matter?" he finally sounded calmer and Loric let out a sigh he was holding until he made sure Ratchet's attitude was no longer a threat to him. "I'm here and I'm going to do whatever it takes to stop the Unseen Destroyer. Isn't that all that matters?"
For the next moments Loric didn't know how to respond and Clank seized the opportunity and took advantage of the silence. "We do not intend to show disrespect to your leader but lives are at stake. We must move fast."
Loric looked at the ground and held his staff with both hands, letting the fingers of his hand feel the flawlessly hewed wood and admiring the professional craftsmanship. "You're right" he spoke before Ratchet and Clank could think of leaving without knowing what was inside his head. "If you're going to have a chance to win this you'll have to continue your journey right away. Just let me accompany you to your ship. There should be mist out there and you can't afford to get lost."
TTTTTT ~~~ TTTTTT
Snowflakes softly fell from the thick clouds and touched the ground without disturbing the sense of tranquility that had settled in after the battle. Following a shortcut only Loric was aware of him along with Ratchet and Clank traversed an oak field. Their branches held not a single leaf yet they stood persistently, defying the cold and the violent bursts of wind as they covered the sight of the bleached sky and cast slender shadows that decorated the soil underneath them.
"Do you think we will find a way to stop him once we have explored the laboratory?" Clank's doubt-filled voice gently led Ratchet away from his state of deep, distant thinking.
"Yes. The answers are there. I know it" Ratchet's response had been direct and swift. Most would interpret it as determination but Clank could tell it was a desperate attempt to believe all this would end well when uncertainty couldn't be greater within him.
Clank nodded and let Ratchet within his own privacy. Shortly and even without wanting it to be any other way, Ratchet fell into complete silence and tried to recollect what had happened so far.
He wanted to believe Everos would help them take the upper hand, that it would provide them with a simple and fast way to vanquish the Unseen Destroyer. Part of him told him he was fooling himself but another part told him there was hope. After all, he had been through hard adventures before and in every occasion the odds seemed to be against him, even in the missions that were personal and not just a matter of assuring Omniversal balance. But he always succeeded in the end despite being forced to sometimes make sacrifices and despite the pain they left him with afterwards. It was a fate he himself had forged when he decided to leave Veldin and relinquish a life bound to what is mundane and out of danger's reach. Away from the life his father wanted for him.
Dismal, green eyes glanced at the sky one last time before the time of his departure could arrive. The scenery was serene enough but at this moment he wanted to leave those grey lands as soon as possible. He had had enough of Silthrin's depressing landscapes and grumpy people.
"Your ship's not far from here. If you continue straight you'll find it" Loric explained after the three of them reached a spot where the mist was much thinner, almost transparent.
"Great, thanks" Ratchet's face brightened with a smile. He really couldn't wait to leave Silthrin. "How do we contact you? And are you going to be able to find a ship or should we come and pick you up?"
After a couple of seconds of a frozen, bewildered expression Loric's face changed as a confused smile appeared. "I don't understand. Why would you want to come back and pick me up?"
Ratchet stopped on his tracks and stared at the sorcerer, looking puzzled. "Wait… You're not coming?" he mumbled, his tone low and serious. "I thought you'd follow us after everything here settled."
"Uh" Loric's gaze shifted between Ratchet and Clank, seeing the eagerness and anticipation in both their faces. "I can't leave Silthrin" Loric disclosed.
He felt quite surprised by the fact that they thought he would continue following them. And he felt even more astonished by the reaction of both outsiders who were visibly crestfallen by his decision. He could see disappointment in Ratchet's eyes and Clank's optic lids. He was convinced Ratchet had come to hate him after their heated arguments but seeing their reaction to the news made him believe they really did consider him a friend to the point they wanted him with them.
"I failed to mention I've been unanimously chosen to become the main counselor of the new leader. So I'm needed here."
"Wow, that must be huge" Ratchet exclaimed with a light tone that disclosed his keen approval.
"Congratulations, Loric" Clank uttered placidly, his warm tone delivering the new counselor from his emerging guilt. "I wish you good luck with your new duties, though I am sure you will not fail your people."
"I really appreciate it Clank, especially since it's coming from you" Loric acknowledged him and knelt to reach his level and shake hands with the sentient robot. "I won't forget you" he pronounced and Clank responded with a smile.
Ratchet seemed quite dispirited while he watched his friend and the Grey Mage bid their valedictions. He saw Loric rising to his normal height which was greater than his own and noticed Loric's dark-blue eyes were staring at him. It was his time to bid his farewell. "It was good having you tag along" he pronounced as casually as he could. "Thank you for everything."
Clank made a sound of pretending he cleared his throat even if he didn't have the need to. Ratchet understood the purpose of it and slightly rolled his eyes as his tail performed a nervous flinch. "Oh, right! And sorry for all the times we argued. No hard feelings, okay?"
"Of course. Like nothing ever happened." Loric managed not to laugh due to the way the two friends communicated with each other. "You can come here anytime from the Polaris Galaxy through a rift in the Vorox Nebula. Kaden used to travel through it whenever he wanted to come here. It leads straight above Silthrin's orbit in literally no time."
"We will make sure to remember that" Clank reassured.
"You have Kaden's Armor now" Loric now turned his head to look at Ratchet. "The Grey Mages are with you. You're ready to face the Unseen Destroyer… Son of the Stars."
"I'm no such thing, Loric. I'm just doing what I always do" Ratchet denied the title given by the Zoni.
"I suppose time will tell" Loric suggested in a mischievous manner and outstretched his arm. Ratchet smiled implicitly and shook hands with Loric so as to say goodbye. "Do come back some time" Loric proposed and afterwards, Ratchet and Clank walked the opposite direction in order to find Aphelion, prepared to leave the ashen planet.
After observing his two new friends long enough to memorise their features and appearance, reassuring himself he would remember them no matter how much time passed before their next encounter Loric began heading for the Monument Square.
Before he even set his foot in front of the other thoughts kept his mind occupied. His new title held much responsibility and was considered one of the most honourable duties among his people. How would he help the new leader rule? Was he clever or wise enough to give advice to him? Would he promote peace while surrounded by fallen civilizations like Orion had done? Or would he jeopardize their little, secluded haven in order to offer help to others?
Even though his body was protesting against staying in the cold for any longer, demanding immediate warmth, a memory encouraged Loric to ignore his need for shelter. Something Ratchet had told him had crept deep enough to torture his thoughts and his only chance to exorcise it was now, before he could leave.
"Ratchet?" he shouted, fervently wishing he had been heard. He didn't fight against his urge to smile as soon as he saw that the Lombax had turned around and was now listening to him. "I don't intend to leave anyone high and dry."
It didn't take much effort for Ratchet to understand what Loric was talking about. A smile crossed his own face as he found himself pleasantly surprised by the fact that they had known each other for some days and they were already learning from one another. "Glad to hear that."
Loric gave a salute by raising his staff and then walked away. His grey robes wavered as he moved into the mist until he was swallowed by it, not to be seen again. Ratchet and Clank stared at the spot where he used to stand and quietly watched as the planet went on with its harmonious flow of natural procedures; the snow gently descending and the mist manifesting its dominion on all things and making Silthrin a place of unworldly, peculiar beauty.
The two friends finally reached the starship but they didn't find her under the best of conditions.
"Oh, darn it. Look at all this snow" Ratchet mildly complained as he observed piles of snow covering Aphelion, rendering her stuck and unable to take off anytime soon.
"I suppose it will take a while before we get rid of it" Clank pointed out unenthusiastically.
The otherworldly serenity was polluted by the sound of thrusters penetrating the air. Ship engines produced a constant roar that became louder and louder as if coming from the sky's dome. The duo looked at the direction of the sound and noticed a ship attempting to land on their location.
"Oh no…" Ratchet shut his eyes and rested his forehead on his hand. "Why does the Universe hate me?" he went on as the large, green ship flew closer to the ground. Clank observed it while it touched the snow-covered soil with a spark of familiarity softening his expression.
Eventually it landed right next to Aphelion which made her look like a miniature in comparison. "Guess who's to the rescue!" a disembodied voice was heard.
"Really?!" Ratchet exclaimed.
"Indeed my furry sidekick in distress, it seems unbelievable but it's true. Rejoice, for…" the newcomer finally exited the ship and revealed his identity. "Captain Qwark is here!" he announced triumphantly.
"Kill me now" Ratchet begged Clank in irritation and shook his head.
"How did you find us?" Clank inquired curiously.
Qwark made a noise of clearing his throat in order to begin narrating his story and instantly took up a heroic stance. "There I was, troubled by the lack of, uh, trouble and bored."
"No, no, no, just no!" Ratchet protested with arms out, palms forward. Qwark ceased talking only to open his mouth seconds later to speak again but Ratchet had already decided he wouldn't survive another story of Qwark's heroic feats. "No!" he bawled impatiently to stop him.
The self-proclaimed captain pouted and his joyful expression turned into a scowl. "My agent was right, I have to make a public notice for a new sidekick" he murmured afterwards, unheard by the two. He began strolling around Ratchet, eyeing him with great caution. "So, this is what the fuss was all about? Shinny" he commented on Ratchet's recently acquired armor. "Kinda convenient it was your size. All Lombaxes happened to be so short?"
"Did you really come all the way here just to insult my height?" Ratchet asked in an annoyed tone as he folded his arms and raised an eyebrow.
"Kaden's armor did look bigger when we found it. I knew you somehow managed to adjust its size" Clank remarked and shamelessly engaged into a small fit of laughter, though not without gaining a glare from Ratchet.
"You're shorter than me" he retorted but even that didn't end Clank's brief laughing.
Due to failing to resist the contagious effect of laughter Qwark giggled too. "That was a good one, Clank. Anyway here, this will help you get rid of the snow" he informed and threw a metallic object.
The Lombax caught it as it flew in the air and looked at it. On his gloved palm lay a miniscule cylinder with a small button on one end. With a small push on it laser emitted and produced incredibly high levels of heat. Ratchet used the cylinder to melt the snow around Aphelion and hence, he managed to save precious time.
"And I've got one more thing for you" the Captain stated and went into his ship to search for it. Things falling, fragile objects breaking and the screeching of a monkey could be heard and Ratchet couldn't help rolling his eyes. Clank shook his head disapprovingly. "Here" Qwark showed them what he had been searching for after climbing out of the ship again.
"My hoverboots!" Ratchet cheered exhilarated, feeling like a child that just found a lost toy after days of searching. He grabbed the pair and stared at it with eyes glowing in joy. "Where were they?"
Qwark had a worried, nervous expression written all over his face and he fidgeted while looking at everything around but Ratchet. "Uh, well, um…" he stammered. Ratchet's fern-green eyes quickly darkened as his eyelids lowered and an ever-increasing growl forced him to eventually reply. "In a sewer pipe."
"What?!" Ratchet shouted in a mix of disbelief and irritation. Next to him Clank himself widened his optics.
"They're perfectly clean now! I gave 20 bolts to that laundry girl. I spent forty minutes smelling them and I assure you, they're totally clean. You have the word of a superhero" Qwark justified so quickly he omitted to breathe in between. He observed Ratchet holding his footwear as far away from him as he could with only his thumb and index finger.
"How did they get there in the first place?" Clank asked in a state of bewilderment.
"I… sleepwalk sometimes" Qwark tittered but neither Ratchet nor Clank seemed in the least amused. "He's going to kill me, isn't he?" he asked and pointed at the Lombax in a craven manner.
"That you can be sure of. As soon as all of this is over" Ratchet confirmed casually and began wearing his hoverboots. They did seem clean and after all, they would certainly come in handy. He would use any kind of equipment he could skillfully operate to be prepared for what was coming next.
Qwark glanced at Clank with big, blue eyes that sought for support but he stumbled on a wall. "I am with him on this one" the robot nonchalantly told him.
The hero dressed in green only groaned and watched the two friends narrowing their distance with Aphelion. "So, what's our destination?"
"Nah, forget it. You're not coming" was Ratchet's abrupt response. He attempted to lean on his ship's surface but lost balance due to how slippery Aphelion had become after such long exposure to the snow. He managed not to fall and thankfully avoided further humiliation.
"Come on, I can help" Qwark tried to convince the two cheerfully.
"Ratchet, maybe he could help. I can tell he is willing to" Clank was beginning to reconsider.
"You know what? Clank's right, you can help" Ratchet announced to Qwark once he was inside the red ship's cockpit.
"Really?"
"Yes. Planet Zanimal needs help. I need you to go to Meridian City and ask Talwyn to send reinforcements there. I will upload the coordinates to your ship, make sure she gets them" Ratchet instructed and instantly started Aphelion's engines once Clank took a seat next to him.
Aphelion's cockpit slid and enclosed Ratchet and Clank within her interior. Ratchet's irreconcilable nature quickened the pace in which she took off and Qwark only watched the ship rise to the endless white of the sky in search of space's stars.
Ratchet left Silthrin without wasting a second on hesitating and immediately set a course to planet Everos.
A/N: The terms hex-mount and weapon locker are from the Movieverse. The PS4 game and movie are not canon in this fanfic but I will be using such terms every now and then as they make writing convenient. But the 2002 game is the canon Ratchet origin story here.
Also the way the Cragmites teleport is canon, taken from Tools of Destruction. And you might have noticed some Mass Effect influence here. The shield Ratchet's armor generates was inspired by Mass Effect.
