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⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Hunter]

He looked down at the phone in his hand, hands shaking.

This was the place...

He heard briefly of Ratchet's predicament and just knew that he had to do something. It was his fault, after all. He was the one that gave that kid the water. No one else but him. He had to do something or else an innocent life would be wrongfully ruined. Ratchet will most likely not die, but the serum he was given could affect him in ways Hunter wouldn't even know of.

So he had to fix his mistakes.

His contact lived in the "shady" part of town, out of sight and out of mind. Barely anyone else knew of them unless they had outside sources. If his memory serves him correctly, he could say that his contact was indeed from off-planet. A runaway from a cargo ship gone rogue. The council was aware, but there was no complaint as long as they provided what was asked of them. It was purely a business relationship, nothing more.

He knocked on their door, foot tapping impatiently as the wait became longer and longer as time went on. He was about to send another text before the steel door finally opened,and he was immediately pulled inside with a small yelp.

"What the- what are you doing!?"

A light flickered on overhead as he came face to face with his contact,

A short Markazian lady with sky-blue eyes and white hair. She wore a pair of worn goggles over her head, and had an orange band-aid stuck to her left cheek. She just wore a simple white t-shirt with blue leggings.

She smiled brightly at him, "Oh! It's you. I thought you were coming later." she said, turning around and pressing a button to open the door to her living quarters. Hunter huffed, composing himself after being pulled through the door. "Yeah well, it's an emergency." he muttered, "I need some sort of antidote to the serum you made for the council a week ago."

She looked at him, raising a brow, "Really now? Did The Council put you up to this?"

"No. They didn't" He replied coldly, "Look, Kaz, I really need it. If not, an innocent kid might die."

The woman, Kaz, looked at him, before smiling dopily, "Nice to see that someone finally has the balls to stand up to The Council. You're the first one I've seen, at least." she chuckled, "I can try to do that, but you're going to have to give me an hour or two."

Hunter nodded, and was about to retort before she continued, "I'm going to need something in return, however."

Hunter stared at her, before sighing dramatically,

"What do you want now!?"

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

Eventually, she finished her supposed "antidote" , capping a vial and handing it to Hunter. He examined it closely,

"I'm not sure if it will work but give it a shot." she said, "If it does...well. You're probably going to need more vial's eventually..." she grimaced, "Just see if it works!"

Hunter nodded, putting the vial in his satchel bag, "Got it."

She nodded, "Good. And I am expecting my payment next time I see you!" Hunter groaned, "I know! I know! I will have it for you!" and he exited the hideout. She sighed as he left, turning back to her computer.

It wasn't long before she got another knock on the door...

She tapped a small button on her desk, too tired to get up and scare the new guest. She turned to her visitor, who just entered her quarters...

She smirked, eyeing a dark hooded figure who stood in silence.

"Well, this is a surprise..."

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

Now he was on a mission.

That night, Ratchet was asleep at the Medcenter, arriving only a couple of hours ago. Hunter assumed that Yuin was waiting to call Ratchet's caretakers because he wanted to try and find out what happened first. While it was a bit of malpractice on Yuin's part...Hunter was thankful for the opportunity. He would need to be in and out without raising any alarms. Then, he would have to get Ratchet to consume the antidote while he is still asleep. Hopefully, it would combat the effects of the serum for some time but...he was going to take the chance.

If only he knew beforehand...he could have stopped this from happening...

He grunted under his breath as he hopped another fence in one of the back alleyways. If anyone from The Council saw him do this, he would be screwed, big time.

He took a look around, sliding across the wall of the Medcenter, the vial of liquid secured in his satchel. He sighed, running around the corner and entering the building. He saw an assistant sitting behind the main desk. She looked up when she heard him. Hunter pulled out his council badge, "May I please speak to Doctor Yuin?"

She analyzed him for a moment, "Third floor, first door on your left. He is in his office."

He nodded, walking quickly down the hallway, that was way too easy....

Pressing the button for or on the elevators at the end of the hall. He took a quick glance down one of the corridors,

Ratchet was down one of these halls. Asleep and oblivious. He put a hand against his satchel,

"This better work...." he mumbled to himself, turning around to walk down one of the hallways. He glanced at every door as he went by, glancing at those names. He probably passed about 20 doors before turning down another hall. He stopped once he got to the end, the plaque next to the door simply said : 'Ratchet'.

He opened the door quietly, entering the dimly lit room. Ratchet was sleeping peacefully, not even making a sound.

But not for long...

Hunter uncapped the vial, going to tilt Ratchet's head back gently, hopefully this would work...

He started to pour the substance into Ratchet's mouth slowly, making sure it wouldn't pool and Ratchet wouldn't choke. He sighed once the liquid was gone.

Please work....

The liquid he gave Ratchet was also experimental, but he got it off one of his trusted allies. He was grasping at straws at the moment, but if he remembered the components of what Ratchet was given in the first place....

He hoped it would push the sickness back...

If not, all his efforts would be for nothing. His idea of trying to save the one person he had an opportunity to save wouldn't matter. Ratchet would eventually be in The Council's hands if he was unable to help him. And that is the last thing Hunter wanted. An innocent individual not having control of their life... It wasn't fair... so he prayed that this worked.

He sighed, looking around the dimly lit room. The room was located on the first floor, so it wasn't hard to get out. He just had to sneak out the window...

He tip-toed across the room, pushing the window open as quietly as he could. He then slipped his body out with much difficulty, having the suck in a big breath to do so. When he was finally out, he took a deep breath to compose himself. He turned around to shut the window.

He wound up in the courtyard, which was in the center of the hospital for some visitor to walk outside...Look like he would have to find a way out...He sighed,

"I'm not giving up on you kid...just get better and then we'll talk" he whispered to himself, starting to walk away. He pulled out his phone, looking at the time and sighing.

He just had to play the waiting game for now....

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Kaden]

They do not know what happened

Apparently, Ratchet just arrived out of the blue, confused and weary. Doctor Yuin took so long to call because this....

This wasn't normal..

...

Fuck this was so messed up!

Why didn't he do something after he saw how Ratchet was after the interrogation? Why did he just let it go? Why did he just-

"Kaden, you need to breathe."

Damn, Phoebe was here. They were in the Medcenter. Doctor Yuin just left to check on Ratchet's scans, and they were stuck sitting outside of the room in uncomfortable, plastic chairs. Phoebe currently had a hand on his back to calm him down. He sighed heavily, "I knew something was wrong. Why didn't I fucki-"

"We can't do anything now, Kaden. We...we just have to wait until Doctor Yuin lets us in and tells us more about his condition." she whispered to him, rubbing his back, "You can't go in to see him like this."

At that, he slowly tried to compose himself. He had to be strong. They had yet to find out more information and Ratchet's real condition is still unknown to them. This wasn't the time for him to freak out. He could do that later...

They waited there for what felt like hours. Kaden and Phoebe were both anxious to see what was going on. Phoebe almost called it quits and was ready to go find the Doctor herself. That was until said man turned the corner down the hallway and started heading towards them. They both sat up straight at the sight of the man. He looked worried as he scanned over the numerous papers in his hand.

"You two can head in now, I doubt he's awake, but you can sit by him in case he does alright."

With that, Phoebe practically bolted into the room, shoving both men aside. She immediately walked over to the kit's bedside, sitting in a chair next to the bed. He looked like he was sleeping, face calm. He had a cooling pack on his head, most likely had a fever then...his hands seemed to have been rebandaged. His fur was paler than she ever saw it before, as if he had been drained of all color.

She choked up, this had to be fake. The boy that she has come to know over these past few months was lively, exuberant. Not this. He wasn't meant to be motionless like this. Even when she first met him after the incident, he was awake. A strong-willed boy who endured whatever happened with him with almost no complaint. She never saw him weak.

Right now, however, Ratchet seemed so vulnerable in the hospital bed.

She sighed, grabbing his right hand as she willed herself not to cry.

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

On the other side of the door, Yuin stopped Kaden from heading inside.

"Wait Kade, I...I need to speak with you first."

Kaden looked at him, but stood in place, waiting for Doctor Yuin to continue, "I-It's about his scans.." Yuin hesitated before handing the papers to the man, pointing at them. "Everything is normal, except for one thing.." he pointed to the blood test results, one line was covered in blank ink and he was unable to read it...but another line was circled in red ink, "There's this...substance going through his system, and...it's not looking good." he sighed, "It's not a drug you would get off the street, it's actually...well...I don't know what it is. It didn't match with anything known to us."

Kaden looked at the man in bewilderment, "H-how did it get in him then? Do you think-" he stopped in his tracks.

The interrogation...

The Council...

He knew something was wrong...

"W-What do we do then?"

Yuin sighed, "It's hard to say. Even so, the condition he was in when he got here was suspicious. There was no way he could've gotten here on his own. With the way he was, it's practically impossible." He looked towards Kaden, "Kaden, all we can do is wait. I...I don't even know how to help in this situation..."

Kaden looked down, "I...Can I go in now?"

Yuin stared at him, contemplating his next words, "Yes, you can. Press the button if he wakes..." he watched Kaden leave as he entered the room,

"If he does...:" he whispered, walking away from the door and down the hall.

Kaden entered the room at lightning speed, he looked over to see Phoebe sitting quietly by Ratchet's bedside. He pulled over another chair and sat across from her in silence. It was as if the same thing was going through their minds. They didn't need to speak about it. They just needed to wait and see...and hope...

It felt like they were sitting there for hours, just like it did while they were waiting out in the hall. Until...

Ratchet's eyes blinked open, trying to focus in the dimly lit room. Both of the adults stood up and gasped. Kaden went to press the bedside button, letting the doctor know that Ratchet was awake. He looked down, seeing that Ratchet tried to say something, but stopped, "I'll get you a glass of water!" He said quickly, and ran out of the room.

However, Ratchet just looked over to Phoebe, who smiled at him in reassurance. "How do you feel?" she whispered.

But he paid no mind, closing his eyes again, and whispering one little, quiet word :

"Clank..."

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

What the heck was he doing in a hospital room?

He looked around in confusion. How did he get here? What happened to him? What was wrong with him? All these questions and he had no answers. The last thing he remembered was meeting up with Hunter at his place and then...nothing. It was weird, to say the least. He shook his head and sighed. He guessed he wouldn't know until someone told him. He could wait. He has done so before.

Even so, he was very tired, as if he ran a few miles and then got hit by a hoverbike.. Phoebe was laying ahead beside him and seemed to be sleeping peacefully. Kaden, however, was nowhere to be found. He didn't mind though, the quiet felt nice because the pounding in his head bothered him.

He figured he should let Phoebe sleep and wait for Kaden or a doctor to come in and see him.

Little did he know what was going on down the hall...

Kaden whispered frantically into his phone, voice dark, "So you knew what could happen, yet you still told the council about the conversation you had with Ratchet!?" he growled, "How stupid could you be, Alister?!"

The other man sighed in frustration on the other side of the line, "Kaden, they asked all of us to give reports on Ratchet as time went on. Don't you remember the conversation you had with The Council before you and Phoebe took him in?"

"I know that! But that doesn't mean I would tell them about every conversation I had with him. The deal was that if he had any healing progress I would tell them, nothing more!"

Alister sighed, "Kaden, what happened is just-"

"Don't you dare say it's just protocol!" Kaden interrupted, "They drugged him, Alister! I know it in my gut."

"You don't know that for certain, Kaden. I'm sure they wouldn't go that far on a kit..."

Kaden huffed in frustration, "Don't you see that there's a problem, Al?"

Alister was silent...

"My kid is lying in that hospital room with no explanation on how he got there. All we know is that he was barely coherent when he got here, and you're telling me that it is not a big deal?"

"Kaden. Ratchet is not your kid."

Kaden was taken aback, silent.

"You've gotten too attached to him, Kaden. You must realize that he will leave eventually, correct?"

Kaden gritted his teeth, "That kid has been the best thing that happened to me and Phoebe all these years." He seethed, "Yeah, he is not our kid by blood, but he is ours all the same." he admitted, "He has nowhere to go after all of this, Al. No family, no friends, nobody is looking for him. And whatever plans the damn Council has for him, I will be there to stop them."

Alister was silent for the moment, "Then you better be prepared for what The Council may have planned for him."

"I am. Will you have my back, Al?"

Please, please, please. Kaden chanted in his head, Don't stop now. Don't go against me on this...

The other end of the line was silent. Kaden assumed that Alister hung up but then the other man spoke,

"If that is the way you feel, I will stand by you undoubtedly, my friend."

Kaden smiled,

"Thank you, Al."

They bid their goodbyes, and he pocketed his phone. Standing there for a bit in silence to think about the conversation that just transpired. He wasn't backing down on this one. He had no doubts about what he thought. He was determined, and if he had to face the whole damn Council, he would do so without batting an eye. He was the greatest inventor, the greatest creator. He has done things that most people could only dream of. He was once The Keeper of the Dimensionator, a title no one else would earn...

He could do this.

After composing himself, he turned to head back down the hall, expecting to walk in and see Ratchet sleeping the day away...but he didn't.

He opened the door, looking at the rays of sunlight that lit up the room in light. Phoebe was resting on the side of Ratchet's bed and Ratchet was...

Ratchet was awake.

While Kaden knew Ratchet heard him enter, judging by his right ear perking up, Ratchet didn't turn to him. Rather, he looked out of the window to the small courtyard that lay just in the center of the hospital. Some visitors were already walking around and smiling as they passed and waved at others. They were, most likely, taking a break after seeing their family in their hospital rooms...

But Ratchet watched, quietly, peacefully, as they went on. Phoebe was still laying her head on the bed, clueless to what was going on just beside her. Kaden walked forward quietly, watching as Ratchet sighed, before turning his head to look over at Kaden, who smiled.

"Hey, kid."

Ratchet was silent for a moment...

But then he smiled at the man, and Kaden had his answer....

It seemed that everything was okay, for now at least.

...

That was all that mattered at this moment...

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[XR]

It was weird in the underground...

XR did not like the odd smell, or the dark and dreary atmosphere. It wasn't really like a sewer. It was just a big round room with various items scattered about. A makeshift kitchen was against one of the walls. Two small cots along with some blankets on the floor. It was a small, dingy hideaway...

They couldn't really complain about it. It was all they got for now. They looked towards the man that took them here,

"Home sweet home, ey?" Nolen grinned, "It's not much, but it keeps us safe from the bots." he paused, picking up an old, broken communicator that lay upon one of the countertops, "Us living beings have to stick together, after all. Bots don't have no mercy for those like us..."

XR paused at that, looking at the man in shock,

So...Nolen was against bots...what...won't be good for them...

They just won't tell him. That's all....

Nolen held the communicator up to his ear once it pinged, "Ey! Louie! I'm gonna need another favor!" there was frantic muttering on the other end, "Look, you still owe me after that night at Fizeer's Bar last month, remember that?" the voice sounded resigned at the other end. Nolen chuckled, "Good, see ya' then!" and hung up. He turned to XR, smiling brightly. "Good news! My friend Louie will be right over with the documents, we just need a proper name for you."

XR looked at the man suspiciously...why was he so enthusiastic?

"Uh...Okay then!" they replied hesitantly. It was better than running around on the streets in someplace they didn't know. It would give them time to figure out what to do as well...

They were knocked out of their reverie when Nolen put a heavy hand on his shoulder, "Just go sit over there while you wait." He pointed to an old, worn chair next to a makeshift table, which was made up of a wooden barrel for balance and a flat sheet of metal for a tabletop.

Damn, this place was a mess...

They sat in the chair anyway, analyzing more of the environment. The whole hideaway was one room, with concrete floors and walls. They were sure they could see some cracks in the concrete "ceiling" above them, but paid no mind. They didn't have time to analyze the whole structural integrity of the place anyways. All they needed to do was get their proper identification and uniform and then try to be on their merry way.

Ignoring the uncomfortable silence of the room while Nolen started watching a show on an old box holo-tv, heavy footsteps were coming down the ladder. Nolen's face brightened, "Louie! Welcome back!"

Said man groaned tiredly as he shook Nolen's hand. He was also a Markazian. He had brown hair and brown eyes. Instead of the standard uniform, he just wore a green hoodie and grey sweatpants with socks. He had a dark blue backpack over his shoulders, "You woke me up for this, now you owe me." Louie grumbled, looking over to XR, who sat silently on the other side of the room. The man smirked tiredly, "So this is the new kid in town, huh? Where do you come from?"

XR hesitated..."I...don't really remember."

"Their memory must have been wiped by The Creator. The usual." Nolen explained, "Can't believe they escaped though, it must have been hard."

Louie pursed his lips, "Indeed.". He then went to open his backpack, pulling out two small devices that XR couldn't recognize, as well as an empty dog tag. "I will have to find a uniform that fits you next time but this identification tag will work for now..." Louie muttered, "Just need to fill out some forged paperwork as well and then we will be right as rain.

XR nodded silently, watching as the man laid all the items on the table, as well as some stained papers to fill out. He sat on the chair on the opposite side of the table, "Okay so...your name?"

"Uh...I don't remember. All I remember is the name XR..."

Louie sighed, "That must have been the code The Creator assigned you..." he groaned. He then looked at XR, analyzing them. "Well...you're new to this place I guess...hmm."

"Nova!" Nolen piped up, "It means "new"...and you won't be fading out anytime soon, I hope? Like a supernova does...Pretty poetic if you asked me."

XR was about to open their mouth before they were interrupted by Louie, "And since when were you into poetry?"

"Since now." That was all Nolen said, chuckling as Louie sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly.

"What do you mean?" XR asked.

"Well, you're welcome to stay here if you want. And join our rebellion!"

XR looked at the man in confusion, brows furrowing, "R-Rebellion?" and the man smiled enthusiastically, "Yeah! Against The Creator!" he paused, joining them by the table, "He has this whole city under lockdown. Us living beings are forced to abide by the laws or..well...suffer for it. We aren't allowed to do most things that the bots do here. If we are found doing anything against the rules, we will be taken in and possibly executed. That, or we are just imprisoned or forced to work under The Creator himself."

XR hummed sadly. So this other version of Clank is villainous, and unforgiving. This Clank had this whole city under his rule. That, and bots are seen as the common enemy...

"T-that's terrible..."

Nolen nodded as Louie continued to fill out the forged identification forms, "Definitely, and to make things worse.." he continued, voice grim, "He also has other planets under his thumb, and...this war between The Creator and the planets that are not under his rule is at a stalemate. And from what we heard, it's not good." He looked down to the table, "We heard that these opposing forces are willing to destroy all planets under his rule, y'know, to weaken him."

XR's eyes widened, "B-but there are people still living on these planets! They are willing to sacrifice them?"

Both men looked at them, nodding, "They tried to infiltrate these cities and try to escort us out but to no avail. Only a few made it. But the rest? We are abandoned." he sighed sadly, "Which is why we created this rebellion. It's either kill The Creator himself, or find a way off of the planet. If we can't accomplish either. We are going to die."

XR was silent, shocked beyond belief.

XR hated being trapped. They hated being pulled back from doing what they wanted, and suffering the consequences. These people did nothing, yet they are facing death if they don't do something about it. If XR was to help, they had to play it safe.

They didn't want innocent people to die. Yet, they could die by their hands if they found out.

...

"I'll join you." was all they said, and the men smiled.

"Good. Glad to have you on the team, Nova!" Nolen winked. Louie then handed XR (well Nova now..) their identification papers and identification tag. They read the tag :

Name : Nova

Species : Lombax

ID Number : 102505

"Have that tag on you at all times. If you don't, you'll be arrested." Louie said seriously, "If you are joining us, you need to be careful out there. You can't be reckless. This is a serious situation."

Nova nodded while Nolen scoffed, "Please, Louie, lighten up!

"This is serious Nolen..." Louie drawled. Nolen patted him on the back, "Sure, sure. Whatever you say." He rolled his eyes. Louie just shook his head, gathering his things, "I'll try to find a uniform that will fit you when I get back to the main hideout. Till then, just stay inside. Hell, I'm even being risky while wearing this..." he gestured to his outfit, "Anyways, see you next time, kid."

They watched as Louie left the hideout as quickly as possible. Nolen yawned, "Well, with that over with, why don't we get to sleep? I have an extra cot lying around that you can use if you don't mind?"

Nova just shook their head, "It's okay..."

The man smiled fondly, "Don't be so nervous, kid. In fact, I have to say that it's nice to have company again. It's been a while since I've had people in my hideout that would stay..." he shrugged his shoulders, "Once we get your uniform, I'll take you to the main hideout so you can meet a couple of folks. Sound good?"

Nova hesitated, "Y-Yeah. That'll be great!"

And with that, Nolen went to grab the extra cot and set it up near one of the walls as he got ready for bed. Nova figured they could get some rest as well...it has been a long day, after all.

And while laying in their cot, Nova stared up at the ceiling in thought...

Did they really make the right decision?

....

They didn't know.

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Clank]

Clank woke up from stasis confused.

He was currently sitting on a rusty, metal table. A woman laying across the room on an uncomfortable-looking sofa. She slept with her arms spread out, one hanging off the side of the couch, along with one of her legs. She snored loudly as she slept. It was a bit of a comical image, if Clank were to say so himself.

Ah, yes, her name was Moira. She took him in the night before out of the kindness of her heart. He was grateful for what she did, really. It gave him time to figure out his next course of action without being stranded with no place to go.

He sighed, going to hop off the table, but he forgot that one of his legs was busted...and he promptly face-planted onto the hard, concrete ground. "Huh! What? Who goes there?" Moira jumped up, "I have a lamp here and I'm not afraid to-" he paused, "Oh, Clank, it's you!"

She walked forward to pick up the poor bot who lay on the floor. She sighed, "At this rate, you're gonna wind up destroying yourself before your leg gets fixed." she placed him back on the table, "That reminds me. I have to find a part to fix it, don't I?" she asked herself, tapping her shin, "I'm sure I have the parts lying around here somewhere..." she started walking away, "You, stay right there! I will be back!"

"Actually, Miss Moira." Clank called out. The woman turned to him, "I believe it would be more practical to give myself the proper upgrades so I can blend in better with society without being mistaken for...The Creator.". Moira sighed, "Yeah...but I don't exactly have that many parts lying around, especially if you are looking for advanced ones..." she winced, before her eyes brightened, "Oh! I know! The scrapyard may have some of the parts you need. If not, we may just find something useful for you!"

Clank nodded, "That will work just fine, Miss Moira. Thank you."

She smiled, "No problem." she said, "But...how exactly are you going to come with me when we are looking for parts?" she asked. Clank thought for a moment, "Do you have a magnetic harness?"

Moira thought, before grimacing, "So I'm going to have to carry you like a baby....I see how it is. I am just going to have to cover you a bit so nobody sees and we can get in trouble. That sound okay?"

Clank nodded, "Yes, it does."

Moira smiled, "Alright then, well..." she thought to herself for a movement, before looking out a window, "It's still morning. Let me go look for that magnetic harness and be on our way!"

Clank watched the woman leave and disappear out of sight. Now that it's taken care of, he can only sit and wait. In this condition, he couldn't do anything about his situation. Most likely, XR was somewhere out there as well. And, if they were, Clank's best bet was finding them and finding a way to get back home. Unless XR died at the Clock...there was no way he could know until he searches around and finds any info.

Until then, he would have to-

Wait...

If he was here, in this different Universe, then, most likely, his body was not there, nor is XR's if they are alive. And if that's the case...

Alister's body was there...he was dead...

Ratchet's body wasn't there...

....

Could....Could he actually be alive!?

Looks like he had an important goal.

.....

Get his friend, and leave this blasted place. There was no other option

But for now, it seemed that he would just have to sit and wait...

Moira entered his vision once more, all dressed up and with a magnetic harness strapped around her chest. She smiled at him, "Okay, well, now for the last part." she looked around the room, before going into the living room and picking up a small throw blanket, "Gonna have to cover you up!"

She tilted the little bot back until he was on his back. His optics widened, "Ah..well, you don't have to go to such lengths, Miss Moira. I can simply retract my limbs." but Moirs just shook her head, "Believe me, The Creator's face looks just like yours and is well known. Hell, it's all the news talks about these days. You have to stay hidden!" She wrapped the blanket around him as best as she could, making something that looked similar to a swaddle, but leaving the back exposed so he could attach to the harness.

"There. All done!" she stepped back, admiring her work. She smiled happily, "You comfy in there, tin-can?"

Clank sighed. He wasn't but...it seemed like the only option he had at the moment. "I can deal with it, Miss Moira, thank you."

With that, Moira clapped her hands happily, "Good! Let's get going then!"

She turned her back, attaching Clank to her back, almost tipping over at the weight. On the way out, she also grabbed a worn, brown satchel bag to put any parts they collected.

"Let's go get those new parts!" she said eagerly, pumping a fist in the air, Clank sighed, but he smiled anyway.

"I admire your enthusiasm, Miss Moira."

The woman giggled, opened the door, and walked out into the heat.

Clank winced at the sunlight, but adjusted to it soon enough. He looked around at the scenery once more. There was dirt and sand everywhere, and only a few houses were scattered about the place. Hot air blew in his face as he turned to look everywhere in curiosity. Despite this, surely his time here wouldn't be that bad. He could deal with it, and he also has some nice company to go along with it. Everything would be okay.

However, he knew that even if things seem peaceful now...it was the start of something big.

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

Okay...so, first off, some important info :

I went back to the last chapter to fix some description errors...Idk if anyone noticed it but I went back anyway since it bothered me :)

ALSO, READ THIS ----> There will be a change in how chapters are written after this. I find it hard for me to keep up with everyone's views in every chapter (Ratchet, XR, and Clank) and have decided to only focus on one (or at max, two) for each chapter. I just found myself having tremendous difficulty in keeping up with each individual in every chapter, since they are now in the same place, at the same time. So I figured that now would be the perfect time to do so, since all characters are now in the same place like I said, and no longer separated. This will give me time to think about each individual storyline and how it will go.

I hope this will help you readers also keep up with the characters and their own paths. But don't worry, it will all come together eventually :)!

Sorry for any errors btw ;) I try to fix it up but eyyy I can always come back to fix it if I need to!

Well, until next time! Take care of yourselves and have a nice day/night! :)