Chapter 24: The Soul Princes

Clank: Sigmund will not like this.

Ratchet: But the Zoni said "everyone," Clank. Besides, they seem to know about the marks and the Seven Servers.

Sonic: But even if we do get answers, we still have the other universes to go.

Tails: It could be possible that the definition for these marks are different in our home worlds.

Bentley: I'm getting a lot of temporal and anomalical activity here. Is this good?

Ratchet: If it's supporting time and space in this dimension, yes.

(auto door opens, everyone but Ratchet and Clank are awestruck)

Ratchet: Everyone, welcome to the heart of this universe, built right in the center, the Great Clock!

Clank: Give or take fifty feet.

Tails: It's... beautiful.

Bentley: It's a science geek marvel.

Clank: Agreed. Very impressive.

Sora: So this is pretty much... your universe's Kingdom Hearts.

Ratchet: Kingdom Hearts?

Sly: You've mentioned that name before. Tie into your adventures?

Sora: Our adventures revolved around it.

Sly: That's some history.

(three Zoni appear)

Zoni 1: Welcome home, sire. (all three Zoni bow)

Penelope: "Sire"?

Clank: It's a long story. To put it short, I was created here.

Riku: You were what?

Zoni 2: (all three turn to Ratchet, as if staring into him) You have returned.

Ratchet: Y-yeah. I was called here with the others.

Zoni 3: That is not what we mean.

Zoni 1: Our Majesty has returned.

Rayman: Hold on. "Majesty"? Where did that come from?

Ratchet: How should I know? These guys used to ignore me.

Zoni 1: Let us see hand, Majesty.

Ratchet: Uh... sure. (removes glove from right hand)

Zoni 3: Majesty... our galaxy's faithful Prince... You have been selected by the master's best friend.

Ratchet: What does that mean?

Clank: What does Sigmund have to do with this?

Zoni 2: No, sire. Caretaker not responsible. Another friend. One that created cluster of galaxies.

Link: Like a god?

Zoni 2: In a way. He also creator of Zoni and people of galaxies.

Zelda: It must be a god. No living being can live for aeons.

Zoni 3: No. He not god. He spirit now. But watch over his kingdom in the Universe of Life. (all three Zoni turn around) Follow us for more answers you seek. (move in light)

Sora: Uh, okay, this is kind of getting a bit confusing.

Riku: A bit confusing? I think the right term for this is extremely confusing.

Bentley: Well, either way, I suppose the only way we're going to solve this mystery is to follow them.

Link: Yes, he does have a point about that.

Ratchet: Well, let's get going then, everyone.

(The group nods and then begins to follow the Zoni)

(After gameplay)

Clank: I've never seen this part of the clock before.

Sigmund: Oh, sir! Welcome back! I didn't realize you had arrived with- (looks shocked) Guests?!

Clank: The Zoni invited them. Rest assured, they will not harm the clock.

Sigmund: I-If you say so, sir. So which one of you is "his Majesty"?

Ratchet: Uh... (looks a little sheepish) That would be me for some reason.

Zoni 1: Majesty must revive master. Must revive his friend.

Ratchet: Me? Do what?

Sigmund: Well, apparently, Orvus made this chamber as one of his special occasions. This one here actually has the power to revive any fallen Zoni, since Zoni are made of pure energy.

Talwyn: It can revive Zoni?

Ratchet: Then, Orvus will...

Sigmund: Unfortunately, only one person in the whole universe can work this mechanism. That's the one the Zoni call "his Majesty".

Ratchet: And since the Zoni keep on calling me "his Majesty", I'm guessing that can really only mean one thing.

Sigmund: Yes. You're the only one that can actually work this mechanism. That means only you have the ability to revive any fallen Zoni.

Ratchet: But... I've never worked such a contraption before! Whoever this Majesty was before me made a mistake!

Zoni 3: Master's best friend never makes mistakes. You were chosen to follow because of your heart.

Ratchet: My heart?

Zoni 2: Majesty must touch with his destiny. You must bring back master.

Ratchet: And you expect me to know how?!

Zoni 1: As master would say, follow your heart, not your head.

(Ratchet hesitates for a moment before walking over to the control panel, there is a strange language above the panel)

Ratchet: Strange words... How am I... Huh? (letters suddenly become words he can understand) That's... weird... "My successor, I understand that you will have a thousand questions about your new role. But I am confident that you will choose the right path with your new power. Bring happiness to the universe and preserve justice against evil." (hand with mark is subconsciously laid on the panel, making it glow) Whoa!

Qwark: Something's happening!

(Zoni mech starts moving and glowing, there is a big flash of light and electric power, under the laser is a tired Orvus)

Zoni: Master! (all three assist Orvus)

Clank: Father...

Sigmund: I can't believe it...

Rayman: So that's Orvus...

(Orvus is helped over to Ratchet, who is staring in great surprise)

Ratchet: I... I did it...

Penelope: He actually managed to do it somehow...

Bentley: I... I honestly have no words for this...

Impa: I believe it is safe to say that we all are left speechless.

Orvus: (He opens his eyes and looks around in confusion) I am... alive again? How long was I out for exactly?

Zoni 1: You've been gone for six years, master. Majesty bring you back.

Orvus: You mean... Topaz has...

Ratchet: Um... Orvus?

Orvus: (turns to Ratchet) Are you... the heir?

Ratchet: According to the Zoni, yes.

Orvus: (smile) I thank you for restoring me, young heir. I can tell just by looking at you that my friend made a good decision. It's an honor to meet you, Ratchet.

Ratchet: (surprised) How did you know me?

Orvus: Let's just say my friend talked it over with me about your deeds in Solana. He talked very highly of you.

Ratchet: (sheepish smile)

Clank: (begins walking over with a look of almost disbelief) Father...

Orvus: Hmm? (turns around) Clank...?

Clank: (stops before getting so close, as if he is unsure)

Orvus: (approaches Clank) My son...

Clank: Father... It really is you...

Orvus: My son... How long has it been since I had last seen you?

Clank: It's been far too long, father.

Orvus: Yes. Far too long indeed.

(the two embrace each other, Sly and Ratchet smile sadly at the two)

Sigmund: Welcome back, Orvus.

Orvus: Ah, Sigmund. It's been a very long time since we last spoke, hasn't it?

Sigmund: Yes, it has been. I still can't believe six years have already flown by since you've fallen.

Orvus: I suppose time does fly by quickly when you're gone for that many years.

(turns to the others) And you must be their friends. It's good to see they have good people for them.

(everyone greets Orvus)

Zoni 1: Master, the Prince has some questions.

Ratchet: I'm a what?

Orvus: Oh yes, that is a matter we must discuss. (turns to Ratchet) My friend has chosen you as his successor Soul Prince, Ratchet.

Clank: Soul Prince?

Ratchet: Uh, excuse me, Orvus, but what exactly is a Soul Prince? I'm honestly getting pretty confused here.

Orvus: Ah, yes. I believe a proper explanation is in order here.

You see, every living thing has a soul. But only seven in the whole universe have a pure soul. These seven are known as the Soul Princes, and they are the guardians of the universe.

Ratchet: So... I have a pure soul?

Orvus: Indeed you do now, Ratchet.

Ratchet: "Now"?

Orvus: Unlike the Princesses of Heart who are born with pure hearts, Soul Princes have the darkness purged from their souls upon selection, and it cannot be undone.

Sora: So Orvus, does it tie into... any weird marks?

(residents of the Great Clock look surprised)

Orvus: Why do you ask?

Ratchet: Well, I'm not the only one with a mark on my hand, Orvus. Mario, Sly, Link, Sora, Sonic, and Ray have one too.

(all six reveal the six marks)

Sigmund: My goodness!

Orvus: (big smile, chuckle) Well, this makes things easier! All seven of you are here!

Mario: Ah... what?

Sonic: (puts glove back on) Are you saying that the six of us are also...?

Orvus: Yes. You six, along with Ratchet, are also Soul Princes.

Sly: Woah... We're just like Ratchet? We're destined to become the guardians of our entire universe?

Link: I... I am utterly speechless about this...

Bentley: Did anyone catch what this means?

Murray: Means what?

Bentley: We all thought that we come from different dimensions. But with this revelation... we're really from the same universe!

Ly: For real?!

Zelda: All of us?

Orvus: Indeed you are. Our galaxies are just so far apart that you're not aware of the others' existence!

Riku: How many... galaxies are there then?

Orvus: Hundreds, but only seven are counted because this galaxy is made of many galaxies. That's why we call this zone of the universe the Galaxy Cluster.

Ratchet: The Galaxy Cluster... Makes sense.

Orvus: You could say that each galaxy is a Soul Prince's "kingdom" and they are to protect these kingdoms from evil. (turns to Ratchet) And your kingdom to protect, Ratchet, is the Galaxy Cluster, our galaxy.

Ratchet: My duty as a Soul Prince... It's to protect our galaxy from evil?

Orvus: Exactly. It is a very important duty that you must make as your responsibility. The same thing can be said for the other six Soul Princes. The fate of all seven galaxies rest in your hands.

Ratchet: Yeah. I think I understand fully on what you're saying.

After all, that kind of is already our job.

Orvus: (smile) You young ones learn so fast. Oh! Speaking of learning, there's something I've been told to teach you, Ratchet! My friend had left me in charge of that!

Ratchet: Really?

Orvus: Yes. It's one of your new powers as a Soul Prince! But you haven't tapped into it yet.

Clank: Ratchet has powers?

Orvus: Powers, magic, whichever you prefer. Though this is an ancient form of magic that we Zoni have been using our whole lives. It's probably one of the last fragments of magic in the Galaxies.

Clank: I've never heard of this magic. What's it called?

Orvus: Mahou-Tech, it must be one of the most ancient forms of magic here in our cluster of galaxies. Very few creatures even know it exists than those that can use it. But it has certainly been aeons since a lombax recieved the power. And my friend was that very lombax all those years ago.

Ratchet: Wait a minute, your friend was a Lombax just like me?!

Orvus: Why, yes, of course. And like I said before, he was the last Lombax to recieve such a power as Mahou-Tech... Until now.

Ratchet: Until now? ...Wait, are you trying to say...?

Orvus: Yes, Ratchet. You are the next Lombax to recieve the power to use Mahou-Tech.

The next Lombax and the first heir to be the one we call our Soul Prince of Storm. Protector of Joy, Humility, and the Galaxy Cluster.

Ratchet: This is... whoa, a lot to take in.

Orvus: Take some time to let it settle in. In the meantime, let's get your training started. Sigmund will guide you to Sector 20. There's a training hall made specially for adapting to Mahou-Tech there. I'll be waiting for you, Ratchet. (teleports)

Sticks: Did anyone catch everything? Because my head short circuited during the last three minutes.

Kairi: I hope so.

Sonic: Well, let's not keep Orvus waiting.

Ratchet: And there's still more we need to know. (inspects mark on hand before putting his glove back on) Let's go.

Sigmund: This way, everyone! Tour 2 of the Great Clock begins now!

End of Chapter