Wow its late.. Almost 4am o.O Luckily I had a friend and fellow writer to talk to through writing this :D

Now this is where the biggest differences will start, comparing it to the original story. As well as it being much better of course ;D

Now I need sleep, so enjoy it please and I'd love to hear what you think :)

I slowly edged to the piece of paper with my name on it, bring the adamantite statue with me. The bed felt like concrete as I scraped my back on it, but I was too depressed to even care. My hand was heavy as I reached for the note, like gravity was telling me 'no' but I was telling myself otherwise. Even though I already had a fair idea of what was inside that note, I still had to read it. The note felt like stone in my hands, but I pushed it open and lay my eyes upon the blue ink.

Half an hour has passed since you left an already there are some attackers trying to knock down the door. I've set up a few traps, but if theres more than 5 thugs outside I won't last long, and if I don't I just want to say;

The recent time we spent together was short, but amongst the best time in my life. From when I found you in space till when you left before both the good and the bad have been great as they were done with you.

I know you will make it out of whatever situation you're in, you've saved 3 galaxies after all. But if you're reading this and we don't meet again.

Stay strong, Ratchet.

I love you.

Goodbye.

- Talwyn Apogee

My heart sank when I read the final part. It was confirmed, completely and utterly. Talwyn was dead… Or would be soon. I shuddered at the thought, holding back a dam full of tears. She can't be gone I thought to myself, We had only just gotten to really know each other… In a sudden fit of rage and anger stemming from the Frey, I threw the statue at the wall, which shattered with the unusual sound of breaking glass. I even had left a dent in my wall with all the force I put into the throw. Then I broke. I collapsed into a fit of tears, the hope of disbelief getting fainter by the minute. It had been a while since I had cried like this.

By the end of it my eyes were dry and my pillow was a sponge full of tears. I don't know how long had passed with my head in that pillow, but it was dark outside now. I must've been awhile…

I eventually got up out of bed, Talwyns voice still ringing through my head.

Stay strong, Ratchet

The best time in my life

I love you

Some attackers trying to knock down the door…

Being in the main area of the house, I looked up and around the place and something clicked inside of me. It was just as messy as when I left as messy as when I left it! No signs of struggle, not one. The door was intact! I'm sure I would've noticed something on the way in, albeit being distressed at the events that occurred earlier today, but now I was thinking maybe they didn't… Maybe Talwyn wasn't dead after all? Maybe all of those hologuises were just that - hologuises. I hung on to the small strand of hope that had been played in my heart.

Rushing to the phone, I auto-dialled Tools number, and waiting for a reply. When he didn't pick up, I tried ringing others; old friends, the fish and chip takeaway shop even! But nothing. The phone line didn't work. Suspicious. Then I remember the statue, how it broke when it hit the wall. It had shattered to be precise, but it was made from adamantite - one of the hardest minerals in the galaxy! What was going on…?

Suddenly I felt more nauseous that Juanita did when she was spectating with Dallas and a large booming noise echoed in the distance. I felt so sick I ended up curled in the foetal position. I couldn't move somehow. Every bit of my instincts was telling me to take cover from this ever growing noise of… rushing water. The last thing I remember was being soaked in water as the most unusual tsunami struck my house…

I woke up with a start as the water hit my face. When my eyes eventually opened and adjusted to the scene, I was overwhelmed by a deja vu moment as I found myself in the same silver room I was in before. The only difference this time is that I wasn't alone - a dark figure loomed over me as I lay on the cold floor, still in the foetal position.

Varl.

"Enjoy your trip?" The cragmite asked before laughing. The man was insane and he wasn't afraid to show it. "I must say, that was quite a traumatizing dream you had there. Yes, between that Markazian 'friend' of yours and Clank there's definitely enough drama to go around, isn't there?" He gave the slightest of grins and I could tell he was trying to wind me up. And it was working.

"What have you done with them?" I shouted as loud as I could though my dry throat. He responded mockingly.

"Me? I haven't done anything to them… Yet." He laughed even more. I ignored him for a second and thought over the circumstances. It seemed that he was unarmed, though most likely being watched. I reckon I have a fairly good chance at escaping, but on the other hand I need to know more about his intentions for this whole interlude. This can't be just senseless violence - Unlike the Agorians, the Cragmites have some reason behind their things, however stupid or insignificant those reasons can be.

"What do you want with me?"

"But don't worry, I assure you they're fine. It's amazing how much you care about them - Most pointedly the girl. Hallucinatory drugs are so advanced these days its almost like watching a holo film…" He dragged the last two words out and looked me in the eye. I stared back and snarled whilst thinking 'I could take him. Right here and now.' But no. I wanted at least one reason out of this nutcase, so I repeated my question.

"What do you want with me?" I asked again, and this time I got a response.

"Have you ever wondered how you got here?" He answered my question with a question. I didn't even nod or anything before he went on.

"After Tachyon invaded Metropolis, I followed him to see if I could join him because, as you may have noticed, him and I have something in common. But whilst I didn't get to catch up with him, I followed your every footstep. And when Tachyon brought back the Cragmites… Lets just say afterwards they didn't all go back to their dimension. I contacted a group of 8 Cragmites, the only others in this Dimension after you banished Tachyon, and they were absolutely intent on going back. Back to their 'home,' Dimension X2 -49. I loathed them for that. They would not do what Tachyon tried to do and bring us back to this wonderful dimension. So I confronted and killed them all, a waste really, but they deserved it. But just after I slaughtered the last one, a machine sent me here, and my best guess is that you had suffered the same fate… Talking of fate, it's a curious thing, isn't it? And I think it's on my side this week, with what I've done. Killing the leader of the Frey, and turning their whole race against the Vedlinians in a day or too. Yaddah yaddah. Incase you haven't noticed its all for you. Without you, Tachyon would've won. So without you, I will win." Everything about the past few weeks, all the mysteries were finally clicking into place, and although I was unsure about most things, there was one thing that was guy was a complete whacko. I knew he had hated me all throughout childhood, and if I was honest I never liked him. But all this seemed a bit over the top - he was just as maniacal as Tachyon himself. He had to be stopped.

"Are you sure you'll win?" I asked him with a smirk before kicking his legs, tripping him up. Now with the element of surprise I stole his gun off him and got off my butt. I was the one with the advantage now.

"You're not the smartest, aren't you?" I taunted him, "Even a blarg could've seen that coming." But I failed to phase him, and he looked at me in the eyes, as crazy as ever.

"You really think I'm not prepared? He almost giggled… and then he was gone. The cragmite quickly reappeared in the hallway just outside the door which I only just noticed was open. He had started walking away casually like this was something he did often, so I pulled the trigger.

Click click, empty. I threw the gun at the ground, and picked up all my anger for a charge. He didn't flinch as I ran towards his. His back was always turned, for a second I didn't think he saw it coming. That was when I dove right through him.

"Hologram" His annoying voice came through the loudspeaker with yet another laugh. Growling, I decided to ignore him and escape my silver cell and its surrounding area. I ran down the bleak hallway for a short time before a window told me I was at the ships exterior. I was also on a dark, drab planet. It was meant to be these colours, if bright it means that the exotic plant life was dying. It's halloween-ish colour scheme really fitted Varl as a person I thought.

Where theres a window theres a door nearby, and it wasn't long till I found an escape hatch and I jumped into the warm brown - safe - water below. It didn't take me long to get to the shore as the liquid had a light texture that was halfway to being a gas, it was that light. Nevertheless I didn't want to be in there for long.. Who knew what sort of native animals fester in the lakes…

Finally onshore and off what I could only call a beach, I ran towards what looked like a stocking depot. 2 men had been unloading a van full of exotic food. This was my chance. I sprinted over to them, eager to get off this planet. They had taken the last item, a massive box of fruit out of the back of the truck. It took both of the men to carry it out which was perfect for me and I was quickly in the shuttle and taking off. I ignored the various shouts of 'Hey' and 'What're you doing here' as I boarded the ship and figured out how to take off, which was simpler than the Class 3 Agorian Space Cruiser I had to figure out after the Battle of Gimlick Valley. I was quick and decisive, setting off for space in a matter of seconds. Whilst flying in the planet's atmosphere I thought of Talwyn… Watching her die had been a horrible thing, even though I now know it was fake. But the memory still bruised within and I thought to myself 'Varl is going to get the whooping of a lifetime if he messes with me again.' I smiled at the thought.

Yeah, of course I wasn't going to kill Talwyn! :P As Varl said - Hallucinatory drugs are so advanced these days its almost like watching a holo film… Well reading them at least :P