Chapter 23: Lombax Anthropology

Ratchet speaks first upon leaving the ship.

"It's been a long time since I was here last, but welcome to the original home of the Lombax race, planet Fastoon!"

Bentley comments, "It looks like it was destroyed a long time ago..."

"Yeah, the Lombax-Cragmite War really did a number on this place. Sorry about the mess."

Sora responds with, "It's OK. Riku and the rest of my friends led us to war not too long ago..."

"Really? Please tell me about that later since it feels like there's something I'm missing..."

Ratchet says, "If I know the Zoni well enough, there's a memorial near here that reminds me of a place Clank and I visited during the Emperor Nefarious incident a couple of years ago. I'll fill you guys in on the way."

Sly responds with, "Lead the way."

SKSKSK

Tails comments as they walk, "Has anyone but you and Clank been here?"

Ratchet responds with, "Not since my old "friend" Azimuth led my dad and the rest of my race to another universe after what he would call a mistake."

"A mistake?"

"Yeah, Azimuth trusted the Cragmite Emperor with Lombax tech, and... let's just say things didn't go well. Azimuth spent the rest of his life with guilt..."

Tails tries to calm Ratchet down when the tears start falling...

"I stopped him from destroying time itself to undo the mistake. And because of that, I'm the last living Lombax in this universe."

Clank says,

"Azimuth would be proud of you right now, Ratchet. Of that I'm confident."

"Thanks, buddy. I've tried to live up to him for a while."

Sly comments, "Is this the memorial you were talking about, Ratchet?" "Yep. I've never been able to decode the text here. But now I think I know why. Remember the Book translation back in Hyrule?" Rayman comments with, "You think we can recreate what happened?" "It's not like we have any other options..." Ratchet puts his glove to the statue, and the words become clear.

"To Our Successors:

If the holders of the Seven Jewels are reading this, then you should have been brought together with the breaking of the barriers between the Kingdoms. But so have the dark ones, your enemies from your pasts. All of existence is likely in danger, and to stop the dark ones, you need the ultimate truth. A Zoni should be nearby who will show you the way to said truth. May your heart be your guiding key.

Sincerely,

Ruby, Diamond, Topaz, Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, and Amethyst, otherwise known as the Original Seven.

Bentley comments, "The Original Seven?"

Sly responds with, "Seven of what? And why do I get the feeling that these guys are extremely important?

Bentley says, "Agreed. We've come this far, so let's go see what they want us to see..."

A black being flies overhead, calling to the seven, almost on cue.

Ratchet yells, "Follow that Zoni!"

The group is led back to the Phoenix, and as the group approaches the ship they hear, "Bring everyone to The Clock, Blessed Seven. All your questions will be answered there."

Sly says, "Guess we're making a pit stop in Hyrule... let's go pick up some friends."

Clank says to himself, "...I'm going home."

End of Chapter