And here's another chapter, and amazingly - I'm still on track with my 3 day deadlines!

This one's a bit longer than the last, and as always, double the length of the (crappy) original version :P

So enjoy, and feel free to leave a review at the end :)

A falling sensation pursued me through my dreams as I tried to escape the darkness that surrounded me. Wall upon wall I stumbled across in my quest for light. I kept my right hand on the wall for what seemed like hours, but to no avail. I was trapped here. Where even is here? I'm in a massive maze which is constantly falling with no light whatsoever. The strange places I end up in.

After hours and hours of searching, I finally see some light up ahead. A faint green glow, but it's light and I desperately want to see something other than the colour black. I got closer to the light, which got bigger with every step I took. It's ominous green glow pulling me towards it like I was stuck in a current. I couldn't stop. Not that I wanted to.

It was meters away now, and I could feel the energy pulsing from the light. The light, which was more of a portal up close, radiated in the dark. I ran towards it even faster…

I woke up with a start. That nightmare had been different from the usual. The whole maze thing had never happened before, and the green void never normally shows up. 'I'm gonna have to go see a psychologist about this at some point' I thought to myself while my eyes warmed up to the light. When I could see, the first thing I noticed was that I was not in bed, but on the ground somewhere outside. But that was only the first thing I noticed.

Ratchets arms were wrapped around me, and I was holding onto them. Clanks was at both our feet and… Our feet were not the only two pairs I could see. We were surrounded.

Our captors, or whatever they would be called in a situation like this, seemed intelligent. They wielded staffs, guns and a variety of other weapons. Most of them had armour. And did I mention that all of their various weapons were aimed at me? This could not go well.

"Ratchet!" I whispered loudly into his ear. He flinched, but that was about it.

"Ratchet! I whispered louder than before again into his ear. I got a mumble in response this time. He was at least half awake now, time to take a bit of action… I jabbed him in the ribs, and I bet if I wasn't half holding him down, He'd be on his feet. He had already found his wrench somehow.

"What was that for!?"

"We're surrounded…" I gestured towards the legs surrounding us. I quickly got up and held out my hand for Ratchet to take which he didn't let go of once he was up, and I can't say I wasn't happy with that.

We both looked up at the people surrounding us, and I don't know what was going through his head, but these guys looked as tough as the Agorians, only shorter. Maybe more intelligent…

They had a light brown, lizard like skin, a big jaw and yellow tinted eyes. Short necks - if any - and small, stocky bodies. They were about Ratchets height, and talking of Ratchet, he had walked up to them… And shook their hands?

"Tool! It's been a while!" Ratchet pulled the stocky man into a light hug, which was returned with a hard looking slap on the back.

"Too long, far too long… How've you been?"

"Not bad, just the usual. Saving galaxies. Making friends… Making enemies."

"Great. Nothings changed then, right guys?" a cheer of agreement rang from the small crowd, which turned into laughter.

"So, what brings you back to Veldin?"

"Uhh, No clue. Some sort of wormhole device was accidentally triggered or something and It brought us here…"

"Yeah, but why here? I'm sure there's a tonne of other places the bad guys would've wanted to send you off to. Instead, you came home… Not that I'm complaining. I just smell something fishy going on."

"That makes two of us, Tool. But I'm here, so I may as well stay for a while."

"Great. Why don't we start walking to your house. It's meant to rain this evening."

While walking back to Ratchets home, I got a better chance to look around while the two men were catching up. It was a very brown planet to say the least, but even so it had some amazing views. The blue sky was cloudless, and the sun was almost in the direct centre of it. There were multiple crevices next to mountains which both of which had houses or factories planted on each side of them. There was a scrapyard, which Ratchet noted 'We were close to home' when we passed. How surprising...

After walking casually for around half an hour, we finally arrived at Ratchets home; A garage. Or more like a cylinder shaped shed which was half above ground, and the other half underground. He got me to hold Clank when he went over to open the door, but when the password didn't open the door, he had to pull on a rusty chain to pull the door up. I was amazed that the chain didn't break!

"Home sweet home" The Lombax said as he walked into his old home. The air was musky and smelt a bit of grease and oil. There we're benches lined on each side of the wall which were stacked with scrap metal and all sorts. In the middle of a room was a space for a car, maybe a hoverbike or something. And at the back of the room was what might be able to pass as a kitchen under all the spare parts, and a door at the back of the room which presumably led to Ratchet's bedroom or a bathroom.

"Nice place you got here, Ratchet" I shouted out, clearing a spot for Clank.

"Yeah. I got it when I was 15, about 5 years ago now. Cheapest place I could find And trust me, it looks much better than what I bought it as. The first couple of months were full of colds. I had to patch up the whole place. The only bit about this that hasn't changed it the circular shape."

"Oh yeah, you were the only one stupid enough to buy this place." Tool laughed, causing Ratchet to give an irritated glare before Cracking a smile.

I finally cleared a small gap for Clank amidst the pile of junk lined up over the bench and Ratchet had cleared space on the couch that was hidden before. Him and Tool sat on the two seater while I grabbed the cleanest stool I could see to rest on.

"So where was everyone else? Normally that place is packed."
"Oh, a town meeting. You know, the three monthly one. The guards spotted you from the city and I offered to go and check it out once I heard the words; 'Yellow', 'Fluffy' and 'Big Ears'. I knew it was you. Who else could fit that description?" The man laughed, as did Ratchet who agreed with him.

"Yeah, no one else could. I am the last Lombax after all…"

"Yeah… So… You haven't introduced me yet. Who's this, eh?" He changed the subject feeling the unease at Ratchets comment. I wonder what happened to him while he was gone...

"Oh, yeah. Almost forgot" I shot him a quick glare."This is Talwyn. Talwyn Apogee."

"Well, it is a pleasure to meet you Miss Apogee. I must say, your boyfriend can be very impolite at times. Not to mention forgetful!" I let out a nervous laugh. Was that what he thought of us already? Was that what we were? I don't think I responded...

"No denial? So it's true! Ratchet! When were you going to tell me? See? Forgetful thing that man is." He laughed to himself and neither me nor Ratchet responded.

"Anyway. Timothy Jones is my name, though as you may have picked up already everyone calls me Tool."
"I gave it to him, 'cause this guys the biggest swiss army knife on jokes, food and weapons" Ratchet butted in and I couldn't help but laugh a bit at that.

"Oh, hows Jewel?"

"Which one. You're sexy ex-girlfriend? Or your caregiver?" He gave me a wink and Ratchet rolled his eyes.

"You know who I'm talking about. And that was only a fan I met at the grand opening of Groovy Lube. She was crazy."

"Haha, yeah yeah. Jewels good. I heard she made a scrumptious new grueverry slice recipe last week."

A loud rumbling noise suddenly filled the room and Ratchet put a hand over his stomach.

"On the subject of food, could you please go shopping for us. I haven't eaten in more than three days, as you might've just heard."

"Yes, I hear you loud and clear Mr Rumble" The Vedligate mock saluted to Ratchets stomach before turning to face the door.

"I see you two need some alone time, and some rest. I'll be back in about an hour with food, hygiene stuff, cleaning stuff, and a massive bin to put all that crap of yours in." And before Ratchet could argue at the last statement he was through the door.

"Is he always like that?" I asked the Lomax who was now walking over to his unconscious friend. He gave Clank a quick pat on the back before replying to me.

"Who, Tool? Yeah… It's just his personality I guess. You get used to it quickly. As I used to say "Not all tools on the swiss army knife are useful, but you learn to get used to 'em" He chuckled at the memory a bit which brought a smile to my face. He looked so cute when he smiled. He was definitely happy here and I couldn't help but wonder what he thought was home more. Polaris or here? I guessed here. I wonder if we could live here... Would Cronk and Zephyr be okay with me not being at the station? I wonder...

"Hello? Veldin to Talwyn. Can you hear me? Come here please…" His voice snapped me back to reality. I looked around and saw him in the doorway of his room.

"I said 'Come here, please'" He smiled before disappearing into his room. I followed suit and found him in his room, sitting on his bed, arms stretched behind his head. And even though I had presumably been asleep for a couple of hour, or more rather knocked out, I followed his lead.

We just sat together for a while. His arms ended up around me, and I was using him as a pillow, leaning on him without holding back. It was a gratuitous moment. Peaceful and relaxing, I was going to savour every moment of the next hour.

"So Ratchet," I decided to try my luck with this question before falling asleep on him.

"Yeah?" He yawned. It looked like he was going to fall asleep soon too.

"From what Tool said - and from what you and I both didn't say… I think theres a question you still haven't asked me yet?"

"Oh… Right… Yes. Uhh… Do you… Ya know, want to-" I could help but laugh at his nervousness, and if possible the Lombax stiffened up even more.

"'m only teasing. Plus you know my answer already." I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Even my lips against just his furry cheek sent a small bolt of joy through my body. Though I wasn't any less tired.

"So how long do you think we'll be here?" I asked through another yawn. I just realised how exhausted I am… Falling through a wormhole unconscious really takes the energy out of you I guess.
"Ahh, about two weeks. We'll contact Cronk and Zephyr tomorrow." He replied, now leaning his head on mine. I guess he's just as tired… Probably just as hungry too.

"Then some time to relax..?"
"Yup. It'll be a good distraction…" He almost whispered. I wish I knew what he meant by that, but I didn't ask as sleep was already dragging me into my head...

Boop. You have finished the 6th chapter! What did ya think?