The musicians play on, every note carrying the dancers through each step. There's a slight pause, and the song changes. Qwark takes the stage for a moment, enjoying the spotlight for the next few minutes and singing at the top of his lungs.

Clank looks over during his dance with Gears and smiles. From what he can tell, his companion seems happy, and is getting along with Al rather well. It's a comfort to know she's loosened up, after being so tense before their arrival.

…

"No problem, Nova." Al sticks the candy dispenser into his personal storage. "But I have to ask, what's it for?"

The young woman leans into his audio processors, whispering her plan in case Clank hears. It's probably unnecessary, since Qwark's voice is easily the loudest and clearest in the room, but she's not taking risks. Upon hearing what she's got to say, Al's face lights up. "Really? You can do that?"

"Yeah!" She nods, trying not to bounce too much in excitement as the plan comes together. "Oh, well, I think so. I'll have to read up on it more. I want to try, but I want to do this right, you know?"

"Then I'll be sure to be quick about it. Clank's birthday is in a few days, actually."

"Really?" Nova's lips thin with a smile as she looks over to the smaller robot, thinking of the scene. "That couldn't be more perfect timing."

The music dies down, and all movement slows to a stop. Clank gives Courtney a short, polite bow before quickly returning to Nova's side.

One of the venue's employees rolls out a small podium, placing it in front of Qwark. The musicians clear their belongings from the stage, leaving the green celebrity alone. He clears his throat before tapping the attached microphone. "Ladies, gentlemen, and everything in between, welcome! I hope you're all enjoying the party! And now, the moment you've all been waiting for!"

"As you all know," he begins, "Dr. Nefarious has returned to his villainous ways, and in these desperate times, the universe has answered the people's prayers. It is on this day that I, Captain Qwark, the greatest superhero of all time, step out of my retirement and officially return as the galaxy's savior!"

Some cheers fill the room, and the audience shares mumblings of their opinions and nods of approval.

Nova leans down to Clank. "I'm glad to be here, but honestly all of this work for just this announcement seems a bit excessive to me," she says under her breath.

"I have known Qwark for a long time, Nova. As a result, I have learned that there is almost always something more beneath his direct words."

The green hero continues. "Alas, a true hero of heroes knows that picking the right company will get the job done right. After all, these glorious guns and unbridled awesomeness can only be at so many places at once, am I right?"

The quip is met with polite laughter by some, and others choose to simply clap in agreement or stay silent. "And so, to spread my heroics even further, It's time to reinstate the Q-Force! Everyone, give a warm welcome to my newest cadet, Nova Albedo! Oh- and Clank!"

Polite applause fills the room, and Qwark gestures towards the markazian and robot. "Come on, get up here you two!"

Nova cautiously sifts through the crowd with Clank, taking her place by the podium. The celebrity holds out his hand, revealing a small velvet case that houses a badge adorned with his logo. It almost reminds her of an Old Earth show her parents mentioned, in which the creatures of that time spent their days in grand spaceships in search of adventure beyond the stars.

Qwark carefully pins the badge to her dress, making sure to move slowly and not overstep any boundaries. "Welcome to the Q-Force Nova, and welcome back, Clank!"

The audience cheers once more, and Nova watches as they do. In the corner of her eye, she sees Qwark applaud right beside her. The markazian smiles, understanding the celebrity hero a bit more.

A thick green finger flicks open a small panel on the podium, revealing two buttons. The left one is pressed, and the entire building seems to shake.

Nova's gaze darts around the room, having widened her stance as her hand hovers above the quick select once more. Her body language loosens a bit after seeing that there's not actually a threat. Instead, the ceiling begins to fold in on itself, revealing the glistening night sky. With a soft gasp, the markazian watches as the stars twinkle above the crowd.

Qwark presses the button on the right, and there's the shrill whistle of a rocket barreling toward the heavens. The sudden explosion makes Nova jump, and she keeps her gaze upward.

Bright colors now fill the air, and the pops of explosives mix with the squeals of the rockets. Every set of eyes in the room is locked to the spectacle, and the young woman kneels closer to her companion's level. "Whoa. Clank, what are these?"

The caretaker looks over to her, taking in the pure wonder in her eyes and the colors blending into her form. "These are fireworks, Nova. They are often used in times of great celebration, such as to welcome the coming of a new year."

She tears her gaze from the fireworks for a moment, but she can still see them clearly in the reflections on Clank's face. "It's beautiful."

The rest of the partygoers focus on the show in the skies, but Nova's attention remains fixed on Clank. She releases a breath she was holding longer than she realized. Finally, spoken words come through. "I'm glad you're here."

The robot blinks at her, his optics bright. As the fireworks light up her face, his memory banks pull up previous images of Nova, in which her figure is illuminated by lights surrounding her. Their holovision show and hologame marathons. The lamp on the nightstand, which gave another touch of color to her back when changed shirts that day. Clank is reminded of something Ratchet once said.

At this moment, the world does seem a little brighter with her smile.

"I am happy to be here with you, Nova." Her hand brushes against his own, and in response, he takes it.

The woman mentally scolds herself for her nerves, wondering if now is the right time with so many eyes around. Then again, she considers, if something goes wrong this might be my only chance. No one's looking, after all, and the fireworks are loud.

"Clank?"

The robot feels the woman's grip tighten a bit, and he senses her heartbeat quicken as it thumps within her chest. "Yes?"

"I, um, remembered something Ratchet asked me, back in the mindscape. You should hear it, I think."

"Alright, then. What did he ask you?"

She gulps. "He asked me what I wanted in life, after this whole thing's over. I want to go home."

"You wish to return to Quantos?" Clank's sisterboard locks up with disappointment, but he ultimately accepts the decision. "I see. If that is what you truly want, I can ensure that your bakery is taken care of."

The organic freezes, noticing her companion's sudden shift in tone. "Wha-oh, no, that's not what I mean. I mean, I miss Quantos, sure, but…" Quickly stopping her nervous rambling, she recovers. "What I mean is that I want…" Nova's voice trails off as she notices one of the reflections on Clank's face. Instead of popping and fading into nothing, it seems to be getting brighter, closer.

Sensing her discomfort, the little robot tilts his head to ask what the problem is. "Nova?" As soon as the name leaves his lips, his scanners pick up what she noticed.

Snapping her head upward, the woman's eyes fill with dread as the light splits off and grows even closer. "Everyone, SCATTER!"

The whistles turn from fireworks to missiles, and the room fills with terrified screams. Nova and Clank watch as the other guests present run and hide, or frantically make a break for the exit.

The missiles make contact, but they don't explode. The center piece is a device Nova doesn't recognize, and the surrounding projectiles are spikes that glow with energy. Sparks fly between the spikes, one by one, until the circle is complete.

Silence fills the ballroom for a moment, broken only by the frightened mumbling of a handful of guests.

The center object reveals a screen, and on it, a certain doctor. "What's this now? You're having a party and you didn't invite me? For shame, I thought Magnus changed you."

"I could say the same to you, Nefarious! We were all four friends! Why would you go back to villainy?"

"Wouldn't you like to know, Qwark?"

Qwark sobs at the words, the drama oozing from his tone. "Did the Intergalactic Tool of Justice Award we shared mean nothing to you?!"

The robot gasps at the statement, his face quickly turning from utter shock to rage. "T-THAT'S PRIVATE, AND YOU KNOW IT YOU-!" Before the glitch sets in, Nefarious changes the subject and settles back into a more intimidating persona. "But enough of that. I'm in the presence of another old friend, aren't I? Oh, wait," he smirks, clicking his claws together. "I'm not."

Nova stomps forward, glaring at the screen in front of her. "That's right, a-hole! Why don't you come down here and fight me like a man, instead of hiding behind a screen like a coward?!"

The villain gives a short laugh. "Have you learned nothing, girl? I'm not wasting my precious time with a cheap copy that's not a threat to me. So what, you beat one measly Destructapalooza tournament? Big whoop! That doesn't make you a hero."

Nova retracts with a scoff, making sure that she stays in front of Clank. The quick select lights up beneath her palm, itching for a reason to call it's first weapon.

The doctor's eyebrows raise at the motion, and the ice in her eyes makes the coming moments all the more dramatic. "Oh, but pardon my manners. I came to this gala without a gift, didn't I? How about a real opportunity to prove yourself?"

The spikes begin to connect, filling in a circle around Nefarious. "This one's a special delivery; it's such a shame I can't be there in person to see the look on your face!"

Electricity begins to pour into the center piece, licking the object, and genuine fear fills Nova's body.

"No!"

Grabbing Clank, she shields his body as much as possible before the inevitable impact.