The Fourth Day - Part 2
Restoration at 62%
The room was dimly lit, as always, the cold glow of monitors casting faint shadows across the walls. The man in red bandages sat silently in front of his screens, his fingers typing rapidly, data flowing across the monitors. Behind him, leaning casually against a nearby wall, the hooded figure stood with his arms crossed, watching the man work.
"So," the hooded man started, his voice calm but probing, "why the feline creature and the robot?"
The man in red bandages didn't look up from his work, his focus fixed on the streams of information flowing past.
"The 'feline creature,' as you call him, is a Lombax," the man explained, his tone carrying a hint of impatience. "And he's more than just a curiosity. He's an experienced hero across the cosmos. So is the robot."
The hooded figure raised an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly.
"Alright, but couldn't you have used them for something more? They're doing commentary?" he questioned further.
The man in red bandages let out a quiet sigh, still tapping away at the keyboard.
"In reality, both Ratchet and Clank were in Twilight Town long before all of this. Their involvement is… not by chance," he explained.
The hooded man narrowed his eyes beneath the shadow of his hood.
"And Qwark? He's still the Struggle champion?" the man in the hood probed.
Another sigh escaped the man in red bandages.
"I'm afraid so, my mysterious friend," he admitted.
The hooded man chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"So, what were Ratchet and Clank doing in Twilight Town to begin with?"
Before the man in red bandages could respond, a sharp, insistent beep echoed from one of the monitors, interrupting their conversation. The screen flashed with a new alert, drawing both of their attention immediately.
The man's eye narrowed as he scanned the incoming data.
"It seems we have an unwanted guest trying to breach the mainframe," he remarked.
The hooded man straightened up, his arms unfolding.
"One of them?" he asked, his voice more serious now.
"Yes," the man in red bandages replied, his voice tense. His fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard, bringing up more information. "We don't have time to waste. Quickly, summon our silver protector. He must investigate this intrusion. We must hurry."
The hooded figure gave a brief nod before stepping back into the shadows. Within seconds, he was gone, leaving the man in red bandages alone once again, his gaze fixed on the glowing monitors. The faint hum of the room grew louder as the data flickered, the tension mounting. Whatever—or whoever—was attempting to break through their defenses, they couldn't afford to let it succeed.
Back in Sandlot - Twilight Town...
The Sandlot was buzzing with excitement as the ten-minute interval came to an end, signaling the start of the next Struggle match. The crowd's energy surged, anticipation building as Roxas and Vivi each took their places in the center of the arena. The producer handed both competitors their signature Struggle weapons—a standard-issue battle sword wrapped in bright blue padding.
The referee stepped between them, holding up his hand.
"Keep it clean, fellas," he instructed.
Roxas and Vivi were ready to squared off, each gripping their battle sword tightly. Vivi's usually gentle demeanor had been replaced by a quiet, focused intensity. Roxas, still confused by the events of the last few days, shook off the lingering haze in his mind and prepared himself for the match ahead.
From commentary, Ratchet was already hyping up the crowd.
"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for!" Ratchet shouted with enthusiasm. "Roxas vs. Vivi, the showdown that's gonna decide who faces the galaxy's hero, Captain Qwark!"
Clank, next to him, responded in his usual composed tone.
"Indeed, Ratchet. Both competitors have shown great skill to make it this far. But only one will move on to face Captain Qwark in the finals."
From beside them, a loud chewing sound was heard. Qwark, seated with a large bucket of snacks, was happily munching away on an assortment of candy and other sweet treats.
"Uh, Qwark… where did you get that bucket of food?" Ratchet asked, eyeing the overflowing bucket.
Qwark, looking every bit the relaxed champion, waved his hand dismissively.
"Oh, the sweet owner of the candy store offered me free snacks!" he explained. "She said it would boost my strength for my upcoming match against either Rucksack or Vivian."
"That's not their names… Qwark," Ratchet corrected with a sigh.
Qwark blinked in surprise, then waved off the correction with a chuckle.
"Oh, right, right! Roxas and Vivi. My bad." He continued munching, seemingly unbothered.
"I do hope you don't get a bellyache before your match, Captain." Clank chimed in calmly.
Ratchet leaned in sarcastically, "Yeah, wouldn't want our 'heroic champion' to be downed by a 'sugar crash' either."
But Qwark, oblivious to the teasing, simply nodded.
"Don't worry, my Lombax friend. I've got an iron stomach!" Qwark declared, still munching on his snacks with complete confidence.
"Right…" Ratchet sighed, rubbing his forehead. He couldn't believe he was stuck doing commentary with the biggest, egotistical idiot in the galaxy.
Clank, on the other hand, couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation.
Back in the arena, the tension between Roxas and Vivi was palpable. Both fighters stood ready, gripping their Struggle weapons as the crowd buzzed with anticipation. But from the sidelines, the support for Roxas was building.
"Go, Roxas!" Olette cheered, her voice ringing out above the noise.
"You got this, man!" Pence shouted, still proudly sporting his Captain Qwark shirt.
"Remember the prize money, Roxas!" Hayner added, his tone slightly teasing.
Olette nudged Hayner playfully, "That's one way to motivate him."
"Well, either way, he's got this. No sweat," Pence corrected himself, flashing a thumbs-up in Roxas's direction.
The referee, standing between the two competitors, raised his hand high into the air. The crowd grew quiet for just a moment, the anticipation building to a peak.
"Begin!" the referee declared loudly, signaling the start of the match.
Roxas v Vivi
Battle Music: Sinister Sundown - Kingdom Hearts II.5 HD ReMIX
Roxas and Vivi circled each other in the arena, both gripping their Struggle weapons tightly, ready to strike. The crowd's cheers filled the air as the match intensified.
Roxas made the first move, lunging forward with a swift, practiced swing. Vivi dodged nimbly, rolling out of the way and countering with a quick jab that knocked one of Roxas's orbs loose. Roxas gritted his teeth and quickly recovered, dashing toward Vivi again, this time with more precision. He swung his weapon in an arc, forcing Vivi to block the attack with his own weapon.
"They're really going at it!" Ratchet called out from the commentary booth. "Look at Roxas go!"
"Indeed, the competition is fierce," Clank added, his tone calm. "Both fighters are displaying remarkable skill."
Meanwhile, Qwark, oblivious to the match, was stuffing his face with candy, and whatever other snacks he could get his hands on. His loud chewing could be heard through the mic.
"Qwark! Chew with your mouth closed—and not into the mic, pal!" Ratchet groaned.
Qwark, unfazed, just grinned.
"Don't worry, I'm just preparing my strength for the final match! I'll need all the energy I can get to defeat… uh… what were their names again?"
"Roxas and Vivi!" Ratchet corrected with a groan.
"Let us focus on the match, shall we?" Clank interjected, steering the commentary back to the battle.
In the arena, Roxas and Vivi continued their fierce struggle. Roxas managed to land a solid hit, knocking two orbs from Vivi. For a brief moment, it looked like Roxas had the upper hand. He prepared for one final strike, lifting his weapon high above his head. But just as Roxas went to deliver the blow, everything around him froze.
The crowd, the noise, the movement—all of it stopped.
The entire Sandlot was suddenly locked in a still frame. The cheering crowd fell silent, their bodies frozen mid-clap. Even Ratchet, Clank, and Qwark were frozen at commentary—Qwark mid-bite, his cheeks stuffed with food, looking comically unaware of the situation.
"What the...?" Roxas muttered, looking around in confusion.
And then, Vivi began to change.
Before Roxas's eyes, Vivi's small form shifted into a familiar white, slender shape. A Dusk. Just then, several other Dusks slithered out from the frozen landscape, moving towards Roxas with their eerie, twitching movements.
"Again?!" Roxas exclaimed in disbelief, his heart racing.
Suddenly, his Struggle weapon glowed and shifted in his hand, transforming into the Keyblade.
"Again…" Roxas muttered, shaking his head in frustration. He braced himself for the battle, knowing exactly what he had to do.
The Dusks lunged at him, their movements fast and unpredictable. But Roxas was ready. He swung the Keyblade with precision, striking the creatures down one by one. His muscles strained as he fought, but he refused to back down. With a final, powerful blow, the last Dusk dissolved into nothingness.
Panting, Roxas lowered his Keyblade, his hands trembling from the effort. But before he could catch his breath, the sound of slow, sarcastic clapping echoed behind him.
"Roxas. All right. Fight, fight, fight," a voice drawled from the shadows.
Roxas spun around, his eyes narrowing as a figure in a black cloak approached, clapping mockingly, his steps echoing in the strange, frozen silence of the world around them.
"You really don't remember? It's me. You know, Axel."
The man pulled back his hood, revealing fiery red hair and a sharp, knowing grin.
"Axel…?" Roxas repeated, the name tugging at something deep in the back of his mind, distant yet familiar.
"Talk about blank with a capital 'B.' Man, even the Dusks aren't gonna crack this one," Axel replied, slightly taken aback by Roxas's vacant expression.
With a flick of his wrists, Axel summoned two fiery chakrams, catching them as they ignited in his hands, flames flickering menacingly around them.
"Wait a sec—tell me what's going on!" Roxas demanded, his frustration boiling over.
"This town? It's his creation," Axel remarked cryptically. "But listen, we don't have time for questions and answers. You're coming with me, conscious or not."
Roxas glanced down at the Keyblade in his hand, overwhelmed by confusion. Frustrated, he threw it down.
"What's going on?!" he shouted.
But in a flash of light, the Keyblade reappeared in his hand, as if it were bound to him by something far beyond his control.
"Number 13. Roxas. The Keyblade's chosen one," Axel said, his tone growing serious.
Roxas gripped the Keyblade tighter, his knuckles white from the strain.
"Fine! You asked for it!" he yelled, his resolve hardening.
Axel's grin returned, sharp and eager.
"That's more like it!" he exclaimed.
But just as the tension reached its peak, a voice cut through the air.
"I don't think so!"
"Oh, great…" Axel groaned, clearly annoyed.
Suddenly, the silver being from before floated down from the sky, landing gracefully between Roxas and Axel. His green aura flickered around him, and his golden eyes locked onto Axel.
"Wait, it's you again! Why have you been in those memories?" Roxas remarked, his confusion deepening. "What is going o—?"
Before Roxas could finish, the silver being interrupted, his voice calm but authoritative.
"No time for questions," he said, the green aura still crackling around him. The being pointed at Axel, his voice taking on a more dangerous edge.
"Axel," the being said, his tone icy.
"Silver!" Axel snapped, irritation flaring in his eyes. "Don't act all heroic. You're part of the problem, hedgehog!"
"Silver..." Roxas muttered quietly to himself. He was there in those dreams… with Sora. But why had he been around town the past few days? What was he doing here? What was his endgame? Did he know that blue hedgehog—Sonic?
Oblivious to Roxas's thoughts, Silver's aura flared brighter as he began hovering just off the ground.
"Leave, Axel. Before I make you," Silver threatened, his eyes glowing with a fierce determination.
Axel snarled and hurled his flaming chakrams at Silver. But they passed right through him, Silver's form glitching momentarily as if he wasn't entirely there.
"Of course…" Axel muttered under his breath, frustrated by the unexpected turn of events.
Silver's voice was cold and commanding as he hovered protectively in front of Roxas.
"Leave, now!"
Axel scowled, his eyes burning with defiance. He looked past Silver, fixing his gaze on Roxas.
"Roxas, don't let this guy deceive you!"
Silver, still floating with a fierce intensity, turned slightly to Roxas, his voice cutting through the noise.
"Roxas!" Silver called out sharply.
Axel shouted back, "Roxas!"
Caught between the two, the chaos of the moment overwhelmed Roxas. His head ached, the voices of his friends echoing in his mind.
"Hayner… Pence… Olette… Hayner! Pence! Olette!" Roxas cried out, his voice strained with confusion and desperation.
Suddenly, the world snapped back to normal. The Struggle competition roared back to life, the crowd's cheers filling the air, as if the strange moment of silence had never happened. Roxas stood there, breathless, the noise of the tournament ringing in his ears. Before him, Vivi laid on the ground, seeing stars, having clearly just been defeated.
Ratchet's voice blared through the speakers, sounding more confused than enthusiastic.
"Wait, hold up! What just happened?" Ratchet questioned, scratching his head.
"It appears that Vivi has been bested by Roxas. Quite a puzzling turn of events indeed," Clank chimed in smoothly.
Meanwhile, Qwark was still oblivious to the sudden shift, more concerned with getting the last bit of candy down his throat.
Vivi, sitting up and rubbing his head, blinked in confusion.
"Huh? How did I get here?" he mumbled, his eyes still spinning from the defeat.
Ratchet's voice boomed over the loudspeakers again, more in tune with the crowd now.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Roxas is our new top Struggler!"
"And with that, Vivi's impressive run comes to an end. Better luck next time," Clank added.
Hayner, Olette, and Pence rushed the stage with excitement.
"Roxas!" Olette called out, her voice filled with joy.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Hayner noticed something wasn't right. Roxas, though victorious, looked shaken.
"Roxas?" Hayner said, stepping closer, concern etched on his face.
Before Roxas could respond, the crowd erupted into a familiar chant, their focus now shifting to the reigning champion.
"Qwark! Qwark! Qwark! Captain Qwark! Captain Qwark!" the fans roared.
Qwark, finally snapping out of his candy fixation, stood tall at commentary and basked in the attention, flexing his muscles dramatically for the cheering crowd. He pointed to Roxas with an exaggerated flourish, his voice booming.
"Time to Struggle, my young, spikey-haired friend!" Qwark declared, grinning as he made his way to the stage for the championship round.
Ratchet, shaking his head, commented with a sigh, "We will be right back, folks, for the championship match between Roxas and Captain Qwark!"
The crowd's excitement grew even louder, the atmosphere charged with anticipation. Roxas, still reeling from the earlier strange encounter, took a deep breath. The final match was about to begin.
As Captain Qwark strutted to ringside, the Producer handed him his special Struggle Weapon—one that looked as if it was custom-made for the pompous hero. The weapon gleamed bright green, matching Qwark's outfit. It was massive, shaped like an oversized, exaggerated foam hammer, with the handle wrapped in gold and emblazoned with his signature Qwark logo near the base. It seemed more like a prop for show than an actual weapon for combat, but it certainly suited the over-the-top nature of the Captain.
"Alright, you two," the Producer said, trying to keep the atmosphere professional. "Play fair now. You're at the top of the bracket, after all."
Qwark, ever dramatic, puffed out his chest and gave a smug grin.
"There's only room for one up here," he said confidently, holding his weapon.
"Well, may the best man win!" The Producer said with a shrug.
Qwark clapped him on the back.
"Thanks, Jason," he said dismissively, already walking past him.
The Producer grumbled under his breath.
"It's Jim..." he muttered, clearly annoyed.
Ratchet, watching from the commentary booth, couldn't help but chuckle.
"Y'know, Clank, you'd think after all this time Qwark would at least try to remember someone's name."
Clank nodded as he replied, "Yes, one would think basic courtesy might be part of a hero's charm. Alas..."
Ratchet laughed, then called out to the crowd, "Alright, folks, who's ready for the final round?!"
The audience roared with excitement, building up the energy as Qwark made his way to the center of the arena, where Roxas waited, weapon in hand.
"Alright, let's get this over with," Qwark muttered as he approached, still maintaining his false air of superiority. "Hey, Ruckus, Roxanne...Rodger was it?"
"My name is Roxas," Roxas remarked.
Qwark waved it off like it didn't matter, placing a large hand over Roxas's shoulder and leaning in conspiratorially.
"Sure, Roxas. Listen kid, how about we make this easy? You throw the match for me, and I'll make sure you get something nice in return. Trust me, everyone wins that way."
Up in the commentary booth, Ratchet's eyebrows shot up.
"What the... Is Qwark seriously trying to bribe the kid?"
Clank added in, his tone both incredulous and mildly amused.
"It appears so. I suppose even the galaxy's so-called 'hero' is not above bending the rules."
Meanwhile, Hayner, watching from the sidelines, cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Roxas! Focus!"
Roxas's expression hardened as he shrugged off Qwark's arm, glaring at the overconfident champion. Qwark stepped back, still wearing his smarmy grin.
"Look," Qwark continued, unbothered by the rejection. "Let me win, and I'll make you my new sidekick. How does that sound?"
"As if!" Roxas retorted, his voice full of defiance.
Qwark gasped dramatically, clutching at his chest.
"How… dare… you!" he exclaimed, his voice exaggerated with shock and dismay. "No one says no to Captain Qwark!"
Up in the booth, Ratchet couldn't resist throwing in a sly remark.
"Ouch, that's gotta hurt Qwark's ego!"
Clank, as composed as ever, returned to his official commentary voice.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, here we have it! Roxas, our underdog hero, going up against Captain Qwark, the reigning champion! The winner of this match will be crowned the Struggle Champion for an entire year!"
Qwark, clearly offended by Roxas's rejection, turned back to face him, pointing dramatically with his Struggle weapon.
"Whatever you think is right, you're wrong! And that is a big mistake, Rucksack!"
Ratchet chimed in quickly from commentary.
"It's Roxas, Qwark!" he moaned loudly.
"Regardless!" Qwark boomed, puffing out his chest again. "Prepare to lose to the greatest hero in the galaxy!"
"Uh-huh," Roxas muttered, rolling his eyes at the theatrics.
Clank gave a polite chuckle from commentary.
"Well, we can certainly say that Captain Qwark is as humble as ever."
With both competitors ready, the referee stepped forward, raising his hand to signal the start of the match.
"Begin!" he declared loudly.
The crowd erupted into cheers, the energy of the arena now at its peak. The Struggle Championship had begun, and all eyes were on Roxas and Qwark. The two combatants squared off, weapons raised, ready for what would surely be an unforgettable showdown.
Qwark's ego had met its match. And Roxas wasn't about to back down.
Captain Qwark
Battle Music: Duel with Captain Qwark - Ratchet & Clank (PS4)
The crowd erupted into cheers as Roxas and Qwark circled each other in the center of the Sandlot. Qwark twirled his oversized, green Struggle hammer with one hand, showing off for the crowd, while Roxas kept his eyes focused on the champion, gripping his own weapon tightly.
"Here we go, folks! The final match is underway!" Ratchet's voice boomed through the PA system, "Roxas, our scrappy underdog, versus the reigning champ, Captain Qwark!"
"Indeed," Clank added. "Though I must say, Roxas has shown quite the resilience in this tournament. I wouldn't count him out just yet."
Qwark, with his signature grin, suddenly lunged forward, swinging his hammer in a wide arc.
"Prepare to face defeat at the hands of the greatest hero in the galaxy!" he declared, his voice dripping with overconfidence.
Roxas, quick on his feet, sidestepped the attack with ease. The oversized hammer whiffed through the air, throwing Qwark slightly off balance.
"Too slow!" Roxas teased, darting in and landing a swift strike on Qwark's side, causing one of the orbs attached to Qwark's belt to pop off and roll across the arena.
"Ooh, nice move by Roxas there!" Ratchet commented. "He's got some serious footwork."
"It seems Captain Qwark is underestimating his young opponent," Clank observed.
Roxas quickly darted forward, scooping up the fallen orb and adding it to his collection. Qwark, visibly flustered, shook his head and pointed dramatically at Roxas.
"Okay, kid, enough playing around!" Qwark said, recovering his composure. He adjusted his grip on his hammer and charged forward again, this time with a flurry of swings. "It's time for you to see why they call me the champion!"
Roxas dodged most of the swings, his agility allowing him to weave in and out of Qwark's wide, exaggerated attacks. But one of Qwark's hammer strikes connected, sending Roxas stumbling back, and one of his orbs flew out of his belt.
"Gotcha!" Qwark cheered triumphantly, scooping up the orb with a smug grin.
"Nice hit from the Qwark, but Roxas isn't done yet!" Ratchet shouted.
From the sidelines, Olette and Hayner cheered wildly.
"Come on, Roxas, you can do it!" Olette called out.
"Yeah, you got him now!" Hayner added, pumping his fist in the air.
Pence, meanwhile, was torn between his loyalty to Qwark and his friendship with Roxas.
"I mean… come on, Roxas! But also… Captain Qwark, you got this!" he shouted, still sporting his Qwark shirt.
"Would you look at that?" Ratchet teased. "That kid's still rocking the Qwark merch, even while rooting for Roxas. Talk about divided loyalties!"
"A true testament to Captain Qwark's appeal," Clank chimed in.
Roxas, determined not to let that hit throw him off, dashed toward Qwark with renewed vigor. He feinted to the left, making Qwark overcommit to a block, then darted to the right, slipping past Qwark's defenses. With a swift strike to Qwark's side, another orb popped off, rolling across the stage.
"Hey! That's not fair!" Qwark whined. "I wasn't ready!"
"Seems like the champ's getting rattled," Ratchet remarked, a smirk in his voice.
"It does appear that way, Ratchet," Clank agreed.
Qwark, now looking visibly frustrated, decided to go for broke. He swung his green hammer in a full circle, hoping to catch Roxas off guard. But Roxas had already anticipated the move. With a graceful leap, Roxas vaulted over Qwark's head, landing behind the champion and delivering a clean strike to his back, knocking two more orbs loose.
"No! My orbs!" Qwark cried, desperately chasing after them as they scattered across the arena floor. He scrambled to grab them, but Roxas was quicker. He scooped up the orbs and dashed to the center of the stage, where Qwark was struggling to regain his footing.
"Guess this is it, Qwark," Roxas said, a small grin on his face.
He darted in with one final, clean hit, sending Qwark stumbling to the ground, his last remaining orbs clattering away.
The referee blew his whistle.
"The winner is… Roxas!"
The crowd erupted into cheers as Roxas stood tall, his Struggle weapon resting over his shoulder. Olette and Hayner rushed onto the stage, congratulating their friend, while Pence clapped, still in his Qwark shirt but clearly proud of Roxas's victory.
"And that's it, folks!" Ratchet announced with excitement. "Roxas is the new Struggle Champion!"
"An impressive performance," Clank said. "Though it seems Captain Qwark's overconfidence may have been his downfall."
Qwark, still on the ground, groaned dramatically.
"No… no one beats Captain Copernicus Leslie Qwark…" he muttered, clearly in disbelief.
"Well, ex-champ, looks like there's a new hero in town!" Ratchet said, unable to resist the jab.
The crowd erupted into even louder cheers, chanting Roxas's name with growing intensity.
"Roxas! Roxas! Roxas!"
Roxas stood in the middle of the stage, surrounded by his friends, still processing the fact that he had just won the Struggle Tournament. But not everyone was as thrilled.
Captain Qwark, picking himself up and dusting off his green tights, was fuming.
"I'm not supposed to lose!" he muttered, his voice dripping with disbelief and frustration.
The producer walked onto the stage, holding the Championship Belt, ready to present it to Roxas. But before he could hand it over, Qwark snatched the belt from his hands.
"No, this is unfair," Qwark insisted, clutching the belt as if it were his lifeline. "He… he cheated!"
"Oh, no he didn't," Ratchet interjected, striding onto the stage with Clank by his side. "You lost fair and square, Qwark. Roxas was the better Struggler today."
"Indeed, Captain," Clank added with his usual calm precision. "Please, hand over the belt to Roxas."
Qwark sighed dramatically, staring at the belt in his hands as though parting with it would be the ultimate defeat. He squared his shoulders and, in an attempt to salvage his dignity, puffed out his chest.
"Well, let it be known," Qwark began, holding the belt high, "that today, I pass the torch to a new champion. A hero must always know when to step aside for the next generation."
"Sure, okay, just give the kid the belt, Qwark..." Ratchet sighed, rolling his eyes. He knew Qwark was trying to save face.
Reluctantly, Qwark handed the belt to Roxas, but not without adding his own flair. He grabbed Roxas's free hand and raised it up high, making a grand show of "passing the torch."
The crowd cheered even louder, still fired up by Roxas's victory. Qwark—despite his salty demeanor—was soaking up the attention.
"Roxas! Roxas!" some of the crowd continued to chant.
"Captain Qwark! Captain Qwark!" shouted others, still showing support for their hero.
But as the fanfare began to die down, Qwark dropped Roxas's hand and turned to leave. Just before walking offstage, he spun around, pointing at Roxas with exaggerated drama.
"Enjoy the spotlight while it lasts, kid!" Qwark declared, his voice booming. "Because one day, Captain Qwark will rise again!"
With that, Qwark made his dramatic exit, the crowd still cheering for his "sportsmanship," despite his earlier tantrum.
"Man, what a jerk," Pence muttered, shaking his head.
"Yeah," Hayner added with a smirk. "So, you gonna go change your shirt now?"
Pence looked down at his Qwark tee-shirt and chuckled.
"Yeah, I guess I need one with the new champ now! Roxas!"
"Me? On a tee-shirt?" Roxas asked, scratching the back of his head, still adjusting to all the attention.
"Then again," Hayner teased, nudging him, "who would actually want Roxas on merchandise?"
"Oh, thanks, Hayner," Roxas replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
The group burst into laughter, the tension of the tournament easing as they joked around. But before they could continue, Ratchet and Clank approached the teens.
"Great work, Roxas," Ratchet said, offering a hand to shake. "Name's Ratchet, by the way."
Roxas shook Ratchet's hand, giving the Lombax a smile in return.
"And I am Clank," the small robot added with a polite bow.
"Wait, you mean... Clank... Agent Clank?" Olette asked, her eyes lighting up in recognition.
"Why, yes," Clank replied with a proud nod.
Pence and Olette gasped in excitement.
"Agent Clank! I love your shows!" Olette gushed, practically star struck.
"Same!" Pence added, his eyes wide. "I've seen every episode!"
"Looks like you have fans, pal," Ratchet remarked with a smile.
"Oh my, how exciting," Clank responded.
Roxas raised an eyebrow, looking from Olette to Pence, who were suddenly fanboying and fangirling over the little robot.
"Who would've thought two celebrities would be at this year's Struggle competition," Hayner remarked.
"Well, today just keeps getting stranger," Roxas muttered with a small smile.
"Mr. Clank, can we get an autograph?" Olette asked.
"Certainly," Clank replied. "Anything for a fan."
"Say, Ratchet, Clank, why don't you guys join us in celebrating Roxas's win?" Pence suggested. "We're going to get some ice cream and watch the sunset at the top of the clock tower."
"Well, I'm not one to turn down ice cream," Ratchet quipped, giving a sideways glance at Clank.
"It sounds like a delightful way to conclude the day," Clank replied.
"Sounds like a plan. Let's go!" Olette remarked with a smile.
Clocktower
The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over Twilight Town as the group sat together on the ledge of the train station clock tower, savoring their sweet Sea-Salt Ice Cream. Roxas held the crystal trophy in his free hand, a tangible reminder of the day's victory. Ratchet and Clank were there as well, enjoying the peaceful view, while Ratchet bit into the unfamiliar treat.
"Wow," Ratchet said, his voice filled with surprise. "I gotta admit, this ice cream's pretty good!"
Clank, who was sitting next to him, gazed out over the sprawling town below.
"It truly is a stunning view," Clank said, his mechanical eyes blinking in awe.
Pence nodded in agreement.
"It's our favorite spot," he replied.
"I can see why," Clank replied, his tone appreciative.
Roxas, finishing his own ice cream, shifted slightly and reached for the crystal trophy's crystals. He carefully took the yellow crystal off and tossed it to Olette, who caught it in her free hand with a grin.
"Thanks, Roxas," Olette said, holding it up to the light.
Roxas did the same with the red and green crystals, tossing them to Hayner and Pence. Hayner caught his easily, while Pence fumbled his, nearly dropping it before managing to secure it with a relieved sigh.
"Close one," Pence laughed.
Finally, Roxas took out the blue crystal—the one he was keeping for himself—and held it up to the sun. The light bounced off the crystal, casting shimmering reflections across the ledge.
"As promised," Roxas said with a smile, glancing over at his friends.
Pence held his crystal up as well.
"Thanks a ton, Roxas!" he said with appreciation.
"One more treasure for us to share," Hayner said, holding his out to join the others.
Olette followed suit, the four of them basking in the glow of their small victory and shared friendship.
"You know, in a strange way, this reminds me of the day we met, pal" Ratchet said, a nostalgic tone creeping into his voice as he glanced at Clank.
"It does?" Olette asked, overhearing the comment. She was curious, turning her gaze to the Lombax.
"Yeah," Ratchet replied with a smile, beginning to explain. "I was just a mechanic on Veldin, working on my ship. And out of nowhere, Clank crash-landed right in front of me. I had no idea that a little robot would turn into my best friend."
"Indeed. Though I was on a mission to warn the galaxy, finding a companion in you, Ratchet, was unexpected but… deeply fortunate," Clank added, his voice warm with sincerity.
"We've been through a lot since then," Ratchet continued. "But at the end of the day, it's this—what we've got—that's the real treasure."
The group, listening intently, smiled at the heartfelt moment. Hayner leaned back slightly and asked, "Do you think friendships last forever?"
Ratchet didn't hesitate, his voice firm and confident.
"Absolutely," he affirmed. "As long as you work at it, stay loyal to each other, and keep having each other's backs, friendships can last a lifetime."
Clank nodded in agreement, as he chimed in.
"Friendship, like any strong bond, is resilient. As long as you nurture it, it will endure."
Roxas, hearing those words, felt something deep inside him stir.
"My friends are my power," he mumbled, barely audible, recalling the phrase from the dreams that had haunted him earlier.
"That's one way of putting it," Ratchet said with a chuckle, overhearing him.
"Indeed," Clank added, "a small but powerful message."
Hayner, clearly moved by their words, grinned and turned toward Roxas.
"Hey, maybe our new champion wants to say a few words," Hayner teased with a playful grin.
"Speech! Speech!" Pence joined in.
Roxas, caught off guard, stood up on the ledge, holding his blue crystal high. He looked down at his friends—Hayner, Pence, Olette—and even Ratchet and Clank, and felt the warmth of their friendship surrounding him like a protective shield.
He opened his mouth to speak, "Uh… I just—"
But as he shifted to the edge for a better view, his foot suddenly slipped. The world seemed to tilt beneath him.
Everything blurred in an instant as Roxas began to fall from the structure.
"Roxas!" his friends cried out in alarm, reaching for him as he teetered dangerously.
As Roxas fell, a voice echoed in his mind. Distant, faint, and almost familiar.
"Can you feel it? Sora... the connection... it's almost complete..."
Elsewhere...
The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the beautiful Destiny Islands. The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink as Kairi strolled down a familiar path, surrounded by lush green bushes and swaying flowers. The breeze was soft, carrying the scent of the sea, and the palm trees along the way rustled gently as the island village behind her settled into the quiet of the evening.
"Kairi! Wait up!" a voice called from behind.
Kairi paused and turned, spotting Selphie running toward her, her short brown hair bouncing along with her.
"Hey, do you feel like going out to the island?" Selphie asked, her face lit up with excitement. "Tidus and Wakka are too busy with their ballgame to go with me."
Kairi offered a soft smile, shaking her head as she resumed walking.
"Not today, Selphie," she replied gently. "Sorry."
Selphie tilted her head, disappointed but curious, and followed along.
"Aw, why not?" she asked with a slight groan.
The two walked in companionable silence, the sound of the waves growing louder as they neared the beach. Kairi's expression grew more thoughtful, her blue eyes fixed on the sea, lost in memories that seemed just out of reach.
As they reached the sandy shores, Kairi finally spoke.
"Hey, do you remember those boys who used to hang out with us?"
Selphie blinked, a little confused at first, but then nodded.
"Riku?" she replied, her tone uncertain.
"Yeah," Kairi said softly, a trace of nostalgia in her voice.
"I wonder what ever happened to him," Selphie mused aloud. "I miss him."
Kairi gazed out at the ocean, her thoughts distant as her eyes followed the gentle motion of the waves.
"He's far away," she said quietly, her voice tinged with a strange certainty. "But I know we'll see him again."
Selphie smiled brightly, always optimistic.
"Sure, of course we will," she agreed.
Kairi hesitated for a moment, her brow furrowing in concentration before she asked, "And the other boy?"
"What other boy?" Selphie asked, her tone puzzled.
Kairi's voice grew wistful, a longing slipping into her words.
"The one who was with Riku and me all the time. We used to play together on that island. I can hear his voice, but now… it's gone. I can't think of his face, or his name. It feels... awful. So I told myself… I'm not going back to the island until I remember everything about him."
"Are you sure you didn't just make him up?" Selphie asked, trying to make sense of it.
Suddenly, Kairi's thoughts were interrupted by a sharp, piercing voice that echoed in her mind.
"Naminé?"
Kairi gasped, clutching her head as a searing pain cut through her mind. The world around her blurred as her knees buckled, sending her to the sand.
The scene shifted violently in her mind—
"Naminé...? What's happening to me?" Roxas's voice echoed in his mind, as he fell in slow motion from the clock tower in Twilight Town.
"Who are you? And that's not my name... I'm Kairi," she responded, her tone laced with confusion.
"Kairi… I know you. You're that girl he likes," Roxas replied, though the memory was hazy, as if it belonged to someone else.
"Who? Please, a name!" Kairi's voice pleaded, a desperate urgency woven into her words.
"I'm Roxas," he said, his voice uncertain, still trying to grasp at fading fragments of the past.
"Okay, Roxas," Kairi answered softly. "But can you tell me his name?"
Suddenly, a new voice broke through the fog—a familiar, playful voice that carried a teasing lilt.
"You don't remember my name? Thanks a lot, Kairi!" the voice chuckled gently, laced with warmth. "Okay, I guess I can give you a hint. It starts with an 'S!'"
Kairi's eyes fluttered open as she found herself back on the beach, lying on the ground. The sharp pain in her head had ebbed away, leaving only a dull throb behind.
"Kairi, are you okay?" Selphie knelt beside her, concern etched all over her face.
Kairi nodded slowly, her breathing beginning to even out. She sat up and looked out at the horizon—the small island where she had spent countless days with Riku… and that other boy. Though she still couldn't remember his face, the feeling of his presence was stronger now, undeniable.
Gently, Kairi pushed herself up and began to walk toward the shoreline. Selphie followed closely behind, confused but worried for her friend.
"Kairi?" Selphie called, watching as Kairi knelt down at the water's edge, carefully setting her school bag down on the sand.
With a soft sigh, Kairi reached into the bag and pulled out a small glass bottle, inside of which was a carefully rolled-up piece of paper. The bottle was sealed tightly with a cork. Kairi placed the bottle into the gentle waves and watched as it floated out, carried by the current.
"What's that?" Selphie asked, leaning closer, curiosity lighting her expression.
"A letter," Kairi replied softly, her gaze fixed on the bottle as it began its journey. "I wrote it yesterday... to the boy I can't remember. I promised him that no matter where he is... I'll find him. One day. And when I finished writing, I remembered something important. We made a promise. Something special."
Selphie watched the waves carry the bottle further into the distance, her voice quiet with awe.
"Wow... I really hope he gets it."
Kairi's blue eyes remained locked on the horizon, her expression soft but full of determination.
"He will. Starts with an 'S," she mused, as she stood up straight.
There was a brief pause before Selphie broke the silence, her curiosity returning.
"Oh, speaking of friends whose names start with 'S,' have you heard from that 'Sonic' lately?"
Kairi's lips curled into a small smile.
"No, I haven't," she replied. "I was invited to his birthday party a while back, but... I couldn't make it."
"Oh, why not?" Selphie asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kairi looked out over the sea as she responded softly.
"He lives... far away," she admitted.
"Wow. So, do you think you'll ever see him again?" Selphie asked thoughtfully.
Kairi's expression softened as she watched the bottle disappear into the horizon.
"I hope so. I hope I can see him again someday," Kairi said softly, deep in thought.
The two girls stood in quiet reflection, their eyes following the setting sun as it dipped lower, the sky turning shades of orange and pink. The tide carried the bottle away, out into the vast ocean, the beginning of its long journey toward whoever was meant to receive it.
In the quiet moment, Kairi whispered to herself, "Wherever you are... I'll find you."
Restoration at 79%.
The dim light of the monitors flickered across the face of the Man in Red Bandages as he continued to work, his eye never leaving the screens. Data streamed rapidly before him, showing progress, patterns, and connections.
In the shadows nearby, the cloaked figure juggled a small blue crystal absentmindedly, the faint sound of it moving through the air the only noise in the otherwise silent room.
The Man in Red Bandages broke the silence first.
"His progress is astounding," he announced.
The cloaked figure stopped juggling, catching the crystal and placing it back into a nearby munny pouch. He stepped forward slightly, his voice calm but inquisitive.
"So, what happened?" he questioned.
The man in red didn't turn from the screens, his focus unwavering as he spoke.
"Naminé's encounter with Roxas put his heart in direct contact with Kairi's. And that, in turn, affected Sora. You see how it all connects?" he remarked.
The cloaked man was quiet for a moment, his hood still obscuring his face.
"Naminé... She's a wonder," the cloaked figure said, his tone almost thoughtful.
The Man in Red let out a quiet chuckle.
"She wasn't born like other Nobodies. She can interfere with the hearts and memories of Sora and those who are aligned with him. And from a previous encounter, she crossed paths with Sonic and his friends."
The cloaked figure tilted his head slightly, as if pondering something.
"Intriguing. But whose Nobody is she, exactly?" he asked.
A pause followed, the Man in Red's hands pausing for the first time as they hovered above the keys. He turned slightly, his single visible eye narrowing beneath the bandages.
"I could tell you..." he began, his voice low, "but first, perhaps you could tell me your true name?"
The cloaked figure stood still for a moment before raising a gloved hand to pull back his hood. As the shadows receded, long silver hair cascaded down his back, framing a sharp face with piercing, glowing orange eyes.
"My true name?" he repeated, his voice dripping with an eerie calm. "It's Ansem."
The name hung in the air like a phantom, and the revelation hit with a strange familiarity. Ansem—alive, standing in the room as if the past hadn't unraveled the way it had.
The Man in Red let out a deep, almost mocking laugh, the sound filled with amusement and satisfaction.
"It's an honour, Ansem," he replied, his voice smooth yet edged with dark humor, as if this moment had been long anticipated. His eye glimmered in the pale light of the monitors, reflecting the mystery and danger surrounding them both.
Part 2 is done.
Sorry on the delay, this was a long chapter to write up.
I hope you enjoyed the cameos from Ratchet, Clank and Qwark.
Thanks to all the support, reviews, faves and follows. Your support is most appreciated.
We are slowly getting to Sora and Sonic entering the story fully. Are you excited to see their new adventures?
The Fifth Day is coming up, and this will be released in a few days.
Thanks everyone!