Whew...you're in for a ride this time....

Enjoy the chapter!

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Ratchet]

To be honest, he still didn't want to get out of bed in the morning...again...

But everyone had to face the music sometimes.

He cleared his dry throat, going to get dressed and brush his teeth. He heard someone walk around in the kitchen downstairs, perhaps Kaden and Phoebe were already awake...

Ready to give him that stupid lecture about what happened yesterday.

He grumbled, spitting the toothpaste out in the sink and rinsing his mouth out. He stood to look at himself in the mirror...

Was he getting pale?

He shrugged, exiting the bathroom and heading downstairs.

Kaden and Phoebe looked up, Phoebe smiling as he came down. "Well, you're up earlier than usual, Good morning!" She said cheerfully. Kaden only smiled slightly.

Ratchet felt like we wouldn't even get the chance to eat before this whole thing.

"Why don't you sit down, Ratchet?"

He was right.

Ratchet sighed deeply, going to sit down across from Kaden. Phoebe watched in her peripheral vision at what was going on as she read the holo-newspaper on the countertop. Kaden leaned back, collecting his thoughts.

"So, I'll start with this. Why were you out so late last night?"

"I already told you." Ratchet replied, "I just got lost, I promise."

Kaden shook his head, he felt like it was a lie, but it felt like he would get nowhere with that. It was time to address the real issue...

And that is when it really started...

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

"How dare you talk that way to me?" Kaden interjected, "We took you in from the kindness of our hearts and this is how-"

"You took me in to prevent me from whatever The Council wanted to do to me!" Ratchet interjected. "I didn't ask for this! I didn't know this would happen! If this is just because what Alister said-"

"-You respect him no matter what, Ratchet. He is an adult-"

"So my opinion doesn't matter? Is that what you're saying!?"

Kaden grunted, "You misunderstand. If you would just listen instead of-"

"I am not going to listen until you both understand!"

Kaden held up a hand to pinch between his eyebrows, groaning in frustration. "What is there to understand, Ratchet? That you lost your memories? That you are making a big deal over something that someone said because it hurt your feelings?" His voice rose with every question.

"Or are you just frustrated with yourself because you have not made any attempts to recover your memory!?"

Ratchet reeled back, eyes wide. Phoebe finally interjected, "Kaden! Don't you dare say that to him!" She shouted, "Just calm-"

"You know I'm right, Phoebe." He replied, voice low and dripping with anger, "Hanging around, hoverboard races, going to arcades. Ratchet, you have six months to figure this out! And these past months have-"

"You knew something was wrong." Ratchet interrupted, Kaden practically growled, "What is it now?"

"When I got out from that stupid fucking interrogation you and Phoebe knew something was wrong!" He exclaimed, voice climbing higher and higher, "And now...just because I disagree with your best friend, those very thoughts are thrown out the window!"

Ratchet held his head, as if in pain, "You think I want to be like this? Do you think I want to live like this? Well, news flash Kaden! I don't. I don't want to be like this. I don't want to be here. But that's what I fucking got!" He took a deep breath, "You say that I haven't done anything to recover my memories." He whispered angrily "You don't even know what I've been doing. You can't even fathom what I am going through. All this shit is more confusing to me than it is to you all!"

The adults were silent, Kaden was steaming. He grits his teeth, "Do you understand how helpful we have all been to you? We give you a home, company, everything, and yet-"

Don't you dare fucking say it...

"You forget that you don't even have that yourself!"

At this, Ratchet straightened up, glaring at the man before him in defiance. His green eyes were the only things that told how hurt he was.

"Maybe I don't." He said coldly. "I never did. I know that now. And you know what else I know? That these past months were probably the highlight of my broken, fucked up life here, but I don't care anymore!" He hissed,

"Maybe I was alone for a reason! Maybe I had nothing for a reason! And the sad part is, Kaden, is that I don't fucking care!"

The man reeled back, and Phoebe looked on, unable to form words.

"I want to remember. I really do! And when that does happen-" he paused, eyes boring holes into the man in front of him, "I will be glad to get out of your fucking life, if I am such a nuisance. I'll make my own life by myself because I know I've done it before, and I can do it again. I can do it without you self-centered controlling adults that just tell me what I am supposed to feel."

He was silent for a moment, swallowing thickly, "You have the audacity to tell me how to feel. You, Sir, have the audacity to say that I have been doing nothing this whole time? Well, you know what? Fuck that. Fuck everything, really! I'm done with letting people coddle and play with me! I'll find my own answers! And I will prove to you that I am trying!"

And with that, he turned and left the room. Not giving Kaden and Phoebe time to speak. They heard the sound of boots being put on messily and the front door closing shut.

Phoebe looked to her husband, glaring at the man who was still looking in the direction Ratchet went. She growled, "How could you say something like that? Now he has gone and it's-"

"Let him go, Pho. He'll be back. He has nowhere else to go." He whispered angrily. But his wife was having none of it, "It's storming outside and that boy is now out there doing who knows what in the freezing rain! And I doubt he'd really want to come back after what you just said!"

"What was I supposed to say!? He-"

"He has nothing, Kaden!"

The man was silent,

"He had us to support him! We had one job, and that was to help him. And we failed!" She said angrily, "And he was right. You dare to get angry at him after having a spat with Alister? Listen to yourself, Kaden! Was that really the right thing to say?"

Kaden was still speechless. Leaning on the countertop and looking down.

"That boy looked at you like you hung the moon and the stars. He admired you, trusted you, and followed you whenever he could...and you say that?" She hissed, "We could never understand the pain of having no memories. We could never understand the heartache when you learn that no one is out there at all, looking for you. Learning that you don't have a home to crawl back to anywhere in this solar system." She started getting teary, breath hitching, "I want you to think about what you did. And I am going to go and actually do something about it! It's freezing outside in the rain. I'm going after him, and you can sit and think." She muttered, "Since that's all you can do now."

"I love you, Kaden. But this should have never happened. For once, my love, you were wrong."

And she left.

Kaden just stood there quietly...

Fuck...what did I do....?

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Ratchet looked down at his communicator, squeezing it tightly after he got message after message from Phoebe. He glared at the screen, ignoring it and turning it off.

"Stupid adults." He muttered, "I am capable of being on my own. Clearly."

He waited in an alleyway for the call he was going to be receiving. At this point, he didn't care at all who was on the other side. If they had the key to helping him unlock his memories, he would gladly take it and open the door of opportunity...

He waited, and waited, and waited....the cold air blowing against his body, giving him a slight chill. He could withstand it. He knew he could.

He coughed twice into his elbow.

His stomach hurt.

After being alone with his thoughts for a while, Ratchet felt his communicator vibrate. He lifted his arms up shakily, accepting the call.

"Can you hear me?" The voice asked. It sounded familiar...

"I can." Ratchet said simply, "What exactly is this about?"

The voice came in a bit staticky, "I will keep it brief." They said, "Just listen, kid. To put simply, you're in danger."

Ratchet's eyes widened, and he let out a breath, "Hah...not that surprising." he replied, "I'm a very interesting person I guess..." The voice said nothing, "Yeah, well, this is nothing to joke about. I am willing to help you out." They said, "Listen carefully. I am going to send you the address of my home. However, you can only come when I tell you to, and you can't tell anybody." They explained, "If you do, it would put us both in danger, understand?"

"You know, this all sounds very weird..."

"Understand?"

Ratchet paused, thinking about his options. He sighed, "Yes. I do."

"Good. I will be in contact." They said, "Remember, don't tell anyone."

And they hung up. Ratchet looked at his communicator hopelessly. He gripped it tighter in frustration. Why was everything so confusing? Why did it seem like everything was out to get him?

He looked up at the dark cloudy sky. Where was he supposed to go? What was he supposed to do? What was the way out of this situation?

He didn't know.

He was lost.

He opened up his messaging app. Typing out one thing to the only person he could turn to at this moment...

Ratchet : Ollie, you there?

He didn't get a response

He tilted his head back against the cool wall of the building he was leaning on. He closed his eyes to try and stop his growing headache...

The peace didn't last long...

He looked back down when his communicator kept vibrating. He grunted when he saw who it was,

[Kaden]

Kaden : Hey, kid. We really need to talk. I'm sorry for what I said.

Kaden : I know it probably doesn't mean a lot coming from me...

Kaden : I was wrong. So very wrong.

Ratchet left him on read, even though he desperately wanted to talk to the man at the moment, he was still pissed off...

He looked back at some messages that were sent a couple of minutes ago...

[Phoebe]

Phoebe : Ratchet, I am looking for you! Where are you?

Phoebe : Please, it's cold outside! You don't even have a coat on!

Phoebe : Please respond...

Oh Phoebe...she's worried...

He then got another message. He growled lowly at who it was.

[Alister]

Alister : Ratchet, listen to me.

Alister : I should have never said what I did.

Alister : I don't know what The Council did to you. I am sorry for what I said.

Alister : I should not apologize over text, forgive me.

Alister : I need to apologize next time we meet.

Alister : Kaden just told me that Phoebe can't find you.

Alister : Where are you? I can come get you.

Ratchet sighed heavily, the rain poured harder...he didn't need their sympathy

[Phoebe]

Phoebe : Ratchet, this isn't funny. I can see that you are reading my texts.

Phoebe : Talk to be. The storm is getting worse! It's unsafe for you to be outside!

Phoebe : Kaden will-

He stopped reading it. Frustrated.

Good thing no one was on the streets in the pouring rain, he dropped to his knees, holding up his communicator.

He smashed it to the stone ground in anger.

What if Alice texted him about their plan?

He held it up, ready to hit it again,

What if Oliver needs him?

He smashed it to the stone again, glass and some pieces of the casing digging into his fingers

What if it's someone offering help?

The damn thing wouldn't just break!

He stopped, hearing the pinging of his communicator finally die out. He turned it in his palm, looking at the now blacked-out screen. He pressed the on button.

The screen still flickers to life.

He groaned ready to start smashing it again before he felt a vibration. He pulled it back down,

[Oliver]

Oliver : Yeah, what's up

Ratchet sighed in pain as he tried to type out an answer. Glass and other particles from the broken communicator's casing in his hands.

Ratchet : I need help.

Ratchet quickly described his location before his friend could respond. He turned his communicator off as he plopped back against the wall. Hiding his face in his wounded hands, dropping the communicator to the ground.

It vibrated once more...

He didn't pick it up, too busy trying to compose himself...

I'm a coward...

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Oliver]

Oliver bolted up from his seat, watching if he was going to get any more responses out of Ratchet, but to no avail. They weren't read.

He slung his warm, black hoodie over him, going to his door to slip on his boots instead of his sneakers. He pulled up his hood, grabbed his phone, and left his room as quickly as he could. He practically bolted down the stairs, taking note of the possible location Ratchet was at and unlocking the front door, exiting the house.

Thankfully, no one was home to see him leaving in a panicked frenzy...

He pulled up his hood as rain cascaded down upon him.

Ratchet was outside in this weather? What the fuck happened!?

He kept moving forward anyway. Ignoring the thunder sounding overhead. Thankfully, his hoodie was able to withstand the weather and the chill of the rain, but he didn't even think about it. All that was going through his mind is that he hoped Ratchet was okay.

When he got to the location, he looked around for his friend. He couldn't see anyone in the rain like this. He was about to move on when-

"Ratchet!"

He immediately ran to his friend, who sat alone in the alleyway with no jacket on. Just a burgundy red t-shirt with black-cargo pants and boots to match. Oliver bent down on one knee, "What the fuck are you doing out here!? It's freezing out!"

Ratchet just shrugged his shoulders. Oliver took off his hoodie, ignoring the rain, "I don't know how long you've been out here but we gotta get you home and-"

Ratchet didn't even grab the offered article of clothing, instead he just held up his bloodied hands. Oliver gasped, "Fuck that! We are going to the Medcenter. Get up!" He wrapped his hoodie around Ratchet's shoulders and helped him up. He looked down when his foot hit something...

Well, that explains the injuries...

He bent down to pick up the communicator and shoved it in his pocket.

He carefully led his friend to the Medcenter. Wondering what happened that could have caused this...

When he found out, he was going to be furious at whatever or whoever did this...

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

Eventually they made it to the Medcenter, Oliver opening the door as quickly as he could and dragging Ratchet in.

A man looked up from his desk,

"Oliver? Ratchet? What are you two doing here!?" Doctor Yuin exclaimed, standing up from his chair and looking over the damage, he gasped.

"I'm going to get some towels, and some nurses! You two stay right there."

And they did.

Ratchet had his arms crossed, looking down at the tiled floor. Stiff as steel and silent as a mouse. Oliver wrapped an arm around his friend, a silent comfort. They watched as two nurses rushed forward from down the halls with white, fluffy towels. They immediately wrapped them around the two, soaked boys.

"Let's get them back to the Doctor!" One of them said to her co-worker, who nodded. They both pressed a gentle hand to their backs. Leading them down the hall. Ratchet's hand was still bleeding a bit as he held them close, trying to prevent any of it from spilling on the tile.

They were led down a long hallway, turning into one of the rooms, watching the nurses lead ratchet over to the bed and push him to sit. One of them brought a chair over and instructed Oliver to sit as well.

"The Doctor will be in shortly, wait here!" They said, going to get the Doctor.

The two sat in silence for a moment, Ratchet looking down at his injured hands as Oliver looked up at him, "Ratchet." Ratchet looked up, "What happened?"

Ratchet was silent for a few moments, "K-Kaden and I got in a fight about a spat Alister and I had again." He said briefly, "We both said things that shouldn't have been said but..." He sighed, "Kaden kept talking about how I wasn't trying to recover my memories, and how I should have just listened to Alister about The Council. He was very insensitive about the whole thing, and Kaden wasn't even involved in the spat we had at all!"

Oliver just listened silently,

"Then he has the nerve to tell me that I should respect The General no matter what and-" he shook his head, "It doesn't matter anymore. I just wanted to get the hell away from there."

Oliver nodded, "Well, if what they all said has you reacting like this, I'm planning on punching them next time I see them!"

Ratchet chuckled lowly, stopping when he saw Doctor Yuin enter the room. The man sighed, "I could hear you two talking from outside the room." a pause, "That still doesn't explain how you got your-" Oliver held up the wrecked communicator, "-O-Oh, I see." He glanced at Ratchet, "I'll treat your injuries then, but then I am calling one of your caretakers to pick you up, deal?"

Ratchet nodded hesitantly, and the man got to work.

Doctor Yuin carefully picked out the shards of glass and a few bits of metal, sometimes digging uncomfortably in the skin, but he was mostly gentle. He sighed as he finally wrapped the boy's hands completely.

"You are lucky you don't have stitches. But stretch your hands too much and you might have to. I wrapped them as best I could." The man explained, looking down at his patient. "Now, what caretaker should I call to come pick you up?"

Ratchet looked down at his bandaged hands. "I don't think I want anyone to walk here in this weather for me." He mumbled, "I think I can make it home alone, Doc."

Yuin shook his head, "It was a deal, Ratchet. I know your caretakers' numbers and I can-"

"I'll take him home!" Oliver offered, "The rain is letting up anyways. I'll make sure he gets home, I promise." He added, crossing his heart. The Doctor scrutinized him for a moment before caving in, "Okay then, only if you promise to get him home. I'm going against protocol here, so I am putting my faith in you." He looked to Ratchet, "Don't stress your hands and rest them as much as possible. I don't want to be seeing you back here anytime soon."

Ratchet nodded, "Yes, sir."

Yuin nodded, exiting the room. Oliver stood up from his seat, going to pat Ratchet on the shoulder, "I know ya' don't wanna go home dude but you gotta. You look like shit." and he wasn't lying. Ratchet's fur was pale, and not to mention the little coughs he has been hearing lately. And after this day? Ratchet deserved some rest, and maybe some medicine.

Maybe they should've said something about it to Yuin...

Before he could speak again, Ratchet smiled slightly and stood up, "Yeah, I understand. I'm pretty tired anyway."

And with that, Oliver gave Ratchet his communicator and they left the room. They walked out of the building and Oliver led the way to Ratchet's house. He looked over as Ratchet tried to cover yet another sniffle, he shook his head, "Look, ever since you had that whole interrogation with The Council, you haven't been looking good...are you okay?" Ratchet was silent for a moment, "Yeah, I think I might just have a cold, no biggie!"

Oliver didn't question any further, he wasn't going to push his friend to do anything more today.

So they walked the rest of the way in silence, the light drizzle of rain turning into whole drops again. They stopped just outside, Oliver turning to Ratchet, "You gonna head in?"

"Yeah..." Ratchet drawled, "I just need to compose myself. Y'know, have an actual chat this time?"

Oliver chuckled darkly, "Sure, let me know when I can have a go at them as well!"

They both laughed good-naturedly. Oliver bid his goodbyes and left. Ratchet watched as he disappeared down the street, finally making a left and going out of sight.

He sighed, looking down at his feet. Pulling out his communicator when it vibrated. He read what he could on the broken screen. He smirked,

Before turning and walking away from his house.

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[Phoebe]

She entered the home quietly, jacket drenched from the rain.

She kicked off her boots, taking off her coat and shaking that off as well. She sighed heavily as she heard rapid footsteps run down the stairs. She looked over to see her husband in disarray, fur ruffled and eyes filled with worry. "Did you find him!?"

Phoebe shook her head sadly, "No, and he hasn't answered my texts either." She looked over to a nearby window, "The rain stopped for a bit but now it's picking up again. I have no idea where he could be." she took a deep breath, "Oliver would have called if he found him. Anyone would have! He is alone out there right now, Kade." she said worriedly, "It's freezing out! Don't tell me you haven't seen how pale he was these past few days...what if he just gets sicker?"

Kaden ran a hand over his head fur in worry, before heading to the door and slipping his boots on, "Then I am going to look for him." He said stubbornly. Phoebe sighed in frustration, "You are probably the last person he wants to see right now, Kaden!"

But the man only grunted, "Yeah? Well, he can hate me all he wants. He is coming back home where it's safe, that's my job." He went to slip on his coat, "I need to apologize. And even if he doesn't accept it, I'll make sure he's home, Pho. I promise."

She looked hesitantly at her husband before letting out a big sigh, "I'm still angry at you. But as long as you bring our boy home safe, it's okay-" she glared, "For now."

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[Kaden]

Kaden nodded, zipping up his green jacket and pulling up his hood as he stepped outside. He shook his shoulders as a small chill ran up his spine. He looked around before pulling out his phone,

Kaden : Ratchet. Where are you?

He received no response...

He groaned in frustration, pocketing his device as he decided to check around some places Ratchet would visit frequently. The kit always talked about how he went to the library so often. Or how he would try to win prizes at the arcade located at the main plaza.

He wasn't inside any of them.

The library was quiet and desolate, only having a few people sitting in chairs or booths and reading quietly. One odd girl with white hair seemed to analyze him before walking away to the back of the library. Nothing.

The arcade was just as quiet, which was a surprise. But Ratchet wasn't there either, nor was Oliver.

That was where he was headed next.

The Abletress residence was not too far from the main square, and he knew where it was since he was good friends with Lucas after being introduced by Alister. It was terrible to walk there in the rain, but Kaden was on a mission, and that was to bring the kid home. He caused this, after all.

He knocked on the door twice, waiting for an answer. He was about to leave but then the door opened, revealing Oliver. The teen glared at the man, "Mr. Callisto. What are you doing here? If you're here for my parents, they aren't home."

Kaden sighed, "No, I'm not. Have you heard from Ratchet lately?"

At this, Oliver raised a brow, "He's not home?" he asked incredulously. Kaden shook his head solemnly, "No, he hasn't been home since noon. If you get anything from him just-"

"He was supposed to be home."

Kaden paused, now looking at the teen in surprise, "What did you say?"

Oliver just looked at his phone. He left Ratchet at home almost an hour and a half ago. He was supposed to go inside after what happened! He promised him!

"He promised he would go home!"

Kaden hissed quietly, "He was here and you didn't say anything? How could-"

"Oh, well, I'm sorry that I wouldn't want to let the same people that made my friend upset know his whereabouts when I found him alone in this weather!" Oliver interjected, "Besides, he didn't want to go back at first anyways." He paused, "But I walked him home, and he said that he would go inside. He promised, I swear!" he told the man. Kaden felt his stomach churn, "Well, are you able to text him for me? He won't answer any of my calls or messages."

Oliver nodded, opening the door more to let the man enter.

They waited for a while, Oliver sighing as he continued to get no response from his friend.

"He won't respond to me now..." He muttered worriedly, "I should've watched him go in, I shouldn't have believed him..."

Kaden only shook his head, laying a hand on the kit's shoulder, "Don't beat yourself up over Ratchet's choices." He reminded him, "We'll find him. I know we will."

"Sooner rather than later..." Kaden finished. Oliver nodded his head, putting his phone away. "You're looking for him, right? Let me come!" but Kaden only shook his head, "No. You stay here." he said sternly, "I...I have to make up with him anyway. I have a lot of apologizing to do. I assume you already know that." Oliver nodded at him, "I'm going to go look for him alone. I'll make sure to tell him to let you know when he is found, okay?"

Oliver nodded silently, watching the man open the door to leave, "Oh, and Mr. Callisto?" the man turned to him, "Next time I see you I'll be sure to punch the shit out of you."

Kaden just sighed sadly, "I guess I deserve that one." and he closed the front door. Oliver was left alone in his empty home with nothing left to do but worry over his best friend's whereabouts...

Kaden moved on, walking down numerous streets and many alleyways. Every so often he would take out his phone and send more messages to Ratchet but no avail. He left several voicemails too. Ratchet never responded.

It looks like they had another thing in common...

They were both so fucking stubborn.

He kept walking, nonetheless. Ready to pull out his phone again until he heard it. A loud sneeze.

He paused, head turning this way and that. The rain was making it hard to pinpoint the exact location of the sound. He tried to listen closely, but to no avail,

"Ratchet?" He called out. He got no response. He started walking a few more steps, looking down another street-

And there he was.

Kaden bolted forward, forgetting about the rain that landed on his head as his running pushed the hood off his head. He stopped just behind the bench that Ratchet sat quietly on. Kaden knew that Ratchet could hear him, his left ear perked up. Ratchet just shook his head after glancing back for a second.

"Nope. Don't care."

Kaden huffed, but walked forward anyway, going to sit next to Ratchet on the wet bench. He cringed as the cold water soaked his pants but didn't bother to move. He started to unzip his coat, "Kid, you're soaking wet and freezing. Take my-"

"Don't want it."

"Ratchet. Just take it."

But he did not attempt to grab it, Kaden sighed in frustration but said nothing. They sat together in silence as the rain fell from the sky. It almost felt peaceful, in a way. But they were both sitting here for wildly different reasons. Ratchet was here to run. Kaden was here to make him stay so he could apologize.

"Ratchet I'm-"

"You don't need to apologize." Ratchet interrupted. Kaden only hissed, "Dammit stop interrupting. Let me say this. Then you can say whatever you want to me, okay?"

Ratchet just shrugged his shoulders. Kaden took this as a sign to continue,

"Listen. I know that just an apology isn't going to fix everything between us but...I want to say I'm sorry. I should have never reacted the way I did. As an adult, and as your caretaker, I thought it was my job to listen to you, to help you." he paused, "But I've been going about things all wrong, Ratchet." Ratchet looked at him, "I don't do these things because I feel obligated to. I care about you, Ratchet. That includes everyone else you have come to know as well. We all care about you."

He was silent for a moment, "You were right, I could never imagine what it would be like to lose my memories. I could never understand how it would feel to realize that you have nothing to go back to." Kaden admitted, "You have been working so hard. I know you have. And I'm sorry I took so long to see it."

Ratchet stared at the man in surprise. "You mean that?" He asked, "You actually admit that you were wrong?"

"One-hundred percent, kid." Kaden replied sadly.

Ratchet chuckled, stopping as the man pulled him into a hug,

"When you ran out of the house today, all I thought was about what I have just done wrong. And when you never answered any of us...I was so fucking worried about you. I really thought that something bad happened to you..." he held him tighter, "Be angry at me all you want, kid. I deserve it. But please don't do that again. My old heart couldn't take it!"

Ratchet laughed, pulling back, "I guess I'll just have to test you on that, old man!" he teased. Kaden rolled his eyes, watching as Ratchet wiped a hand across his cheek.

"What happened to your hands!?" He asked immediately. Ratchet just grimaced as he pulled out his battered communicator. Kaden gasped, "How did you even-" he shook his head, "Nope, I'm not asking that now. I need to get you home and warmed up!" he said, standing to put his jacket over the boy's shoulders. He looked Ratchet over when he stood up, "Phoebe was right. You do look unwell."

Ratchet just groaned, standing up as if nothing ever happened, "Ugh, why is everyone saying that? I'm fine."

"Yeah, keep lying to yourself, kid."

Ratchet huffed as the man put a hand on his back and led the way home.

Things were nowhere near fixed. But with time, everything should heal.

This could be home for now...

And for some reason, despite what happened, Ratchet didn't mind that at all.

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

When they got home they were greeted by Phoebe, who was anxiously waiting for them.

She fretted over Ratchet, drying him off with a warm towel and making sure that he was okay. It was nice, but unneeded. He was long over the fight anyways, but he was nowhere near fine. He'd just like to deal with things on his own.

So when Phoebe left him on the couch to cook, and Kaden long since retreated into his garage to think, he pulled out his communicator, telling Oliver that he was home safe. But that was not all....

Ratchet : I got your message. What's the plan?

Cordero : Simple. Arrive at my place tonight and I'll give you something that could help you lay low.

Cordero : I know how you are planning to do things on your own. I admire your skills.

Cordero : Leave your identification card and communicator at home. Set a lock on your communicator so no one sees this.

Cordero : And use the back door of my residence

Cordero : I will see you tonight. Do not let anyone know.

Ratchet : Got it.

He looked down at his broken communicator. If he was to do this alone, he had to do it right. There was no room for errors tonight. And while he should be wary of a stranger, it was the only lead he got that didn't involve him sitting on his ass and waiting for an opportunity.

It was risky. But he was willing to take the leap anyway.

He hastily pocketed it when he heard the garage door shut, footsteps coming towards him on the couch. He watched as Kaden came into view. The man looked down at his pocket, "You shouldn't be using that anymore." he advised, "The screen is so cracked you'll get more glass in your hand. How did it break anyways?"

Ratchet pulled his communicator out again. It was beyond repair at this point. The screen was barely bright at this point, "It....It just fell on the ground while I was walking."

Kaden raised his brow and crossed his arms, the look on his face seemed to say : Really?

Ratchet finally caved, "I got pissed when people kept blowing up my phone looking for me. I just wanted to think and...it just frustrated me. I smashed the stupid thing." That was all he said.

Well, that explains the injuries....

Kaden sighed, "That thing was obsolete anyway." he paused, "What about we get you an actual phone tomorrow?" the man offered. Ratchet just shook his head, "Can't. I don't have the bolts to get one."

Kaden smiled good-naturedly, "I wasn't even going to ask you to use your bolts anyway. We should've gotten you one a long time ago to be honest."

Ratchet looked up at the man pensively, "I-If you say so. Thank you, really." he said genuinely, "We can go tomorrow.". Kaden nodded in agreement. "Good. For now, why don't we put that thing to rest on our shelves, huh?"

Ratchet stood up eagerly, walking his way to the door but he paused before grabbing the handle.

Shit, his hand. He forgot.

Kaden smiled sadly, going around to open the door for him.

Ratchet went right for the shelf, putting the communicator on the bottom one. Honestly, it was kind of sad to let the old, little thing go. It served him well, he supposed. It was the first project he accomplished after losing his memories, too. That is the reason why it does belong on the shelf.

When its batteries finally die out and Ratchet leaves this place, it will, most likely, still be there. Everything would. He would probably become nothing more than a memory to everyone here once he finally remembers who he is.

Because, how could he say for sure that he was himself? What did the past him go through for him to end up here?

It wouldn't know until he finds out. But once he does, he will be nothing but a memory.

He looked at the communicator, blinking screen and all. He would have to come back and copy his contacts to the new phone, but it was still a piece of junk now.

Meanwhile, Kaden was thinking about something completely different. Perhaps he could have a go at fixing the communicator so Ratchet would be able to upload all his memories from the old communicator to the new phone. He just had to replace some wires and some sort of connector to plug into it and the new phone.

Ratchet turned back to the man, smiling as looked up at him, "I guess I should say sorry, too." he started, Kaden's eyes widened, "I said some...things that I didn't mean and....I'm sorry. I know when I'm wrong, and I can say that I was being a complete asshole to you and everyone else."

Kaden smiled, while Ratchet didn't have a way with words, he was endearing nonetheless.

"Thank you, Ratchet."

And with that, they both exited the garage, Kaden shutting the light off.

It was silent for a moment...

.

.

.

Before the broken communicator vibrated, a new message flashed on the screen...

...But it would be left to go unread, screen finally dimming once more....

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

That night, Ratchet watched his bedside clock until it hit midnight.

Kaden and Phoebe have gone to sleep a while ago, while he stayed up, waiting for the time to move. He looked outside his bedroom window, watching the stars twinkle and the moon shine down on the streets below. He coughed into his elbow, holding his chest after. He sighed, looking at the clock,

It was time to move.

He left his identification card on his bedside table, and went to lock the door before picking up his boots and plopping them on the bed before turning to his closet. Ratchet grabbed one of his sweaters, pulling it over his head before he stood on his bed, boots laying beside him on the bed while he bent down to unlatch the window.

His hands hurt as he grabbed the bottom of the windowpane, pushing it up so he could get out. He grabbed his boots, pausing as he looked around the room.

He will be back later.

He sighed heavily before sliding down onto the ledge of the roof, pushing down onto the window to shut it again. He gritted his teeth at the pain in his hands but shook it off, looking down to the ground below. He looked back at his boots, then at the ground again.

Jumping down with his heavy cargo boots would cause too much noise. Kaden and/or Phoebe might hear him...

He made up his mind, ready to slide and land on the ground. "Here goes nothing!" he whispered to himself as he slid off and landed, crouching as he did so to take the stress of the fall on his ankles. He smirked to himself, going to slip on his boots and finally stand.

He looked back at the quiet house behind him. No evidence of him leaving. He shook his head,

He will be back later...

He took in a deep breath, stuttering as if something was caught in his throat, he coughed before composing himself.

Where was he supposed to go again?

Oh, yeah! He pulled out a slip of paper from his pants pocket, reading the mysterious language that only he understood (so if anyone found the paper they wouldn't know where he went...) he glanced over it.

Time to go.

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

Meanwhile, in another reality...

Clank hummed as he worked on his next project, finally believing that he cracked to code and that this one would be a success. He had the right memory, the right shade of eye color, the right height, everything. If he just got the behavioral coding correct, this project would surely be a success!

Sigmund watched from outside the door sadly. He shook his head. He knew that this whole thing wasn't right. So why didn't he stop it? Why was he so determined to be a bystander when he could speak up and try to stop this?

He didn't know. Maybe he was a coward.

While further down, in another hall, a broken prototype laid upon another failed creation. A wrench laid right next to the creation's hand as it twitches every now and then. The lights in the room dimmed and flickered.

[Error Occurred In Start-Up Sequence!]

!! Behavioural Code - Corrupted.File !!

!! Memory Code - Corrupted.File !!

!! Memory Banks - Corrupted.File !!

[Force Start-Up sequence?]

.

.

.

[Yes]

.

.

.

A Pale-green eye opened momentarily, before shutting again. Then it rapidly blinked before focusing on the environment. Their head tilted sideways, hand coming up to feel at their damaged facial plate. They sighed bitterly before reaching down to the lifeless husk of a prototype next to them

They popped off the other facial plate fairly easily, and felt where their own would be if it wasn't popped off and laying somewhere.

They brought a hand up to replace the facial plate., the new components popping back into place. Their other eye finally opened and focused.

They chuckled, "Well, how's that for a makeover?"

They expected no response as they woke up their other systems and components inside, finally able to grasp the wrench that was left by Sigmund. They scanned it curiously

Who's wrench was this?

.

.

.

Who are they kidding, it's theirs of course! Whose else would it be?

They smirked, gripping the handle tighter.

Time to pay their creator a little visit....

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

A lot of stuff happened in this chapter, what do you think?

I don't have much to say this time. But I am thinking of *possibly* making a Discord in the future, a new way to connect with readers and writers alike. I'm thinking about it...would any of you be interested if I do?

Anyways, sorry for any errors. I'm tired :)

See you all next chapter! ❤