Welcome back! There's a lot in store for you...heheh

Enjoy!

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Oliver]

"Oliver! Come down here!"

The boy groaned as he rubbed his eyes. He peeked through his fingers to see the time,

Wait...Mom and Dad weren't supposed to be home today....

He pushed himself up quickly, brushing off his pajamas as he swung open his bedroom door. Like a child much younger than he was, he bolted down the stairs in excitement, "Mom! Dad! What are you doing at home right now!? Aren't you two supposed to be working!?"

His parents looked at one another, equally perplexed. His father shrugged, "Actually...we were both put on paid leave."

Oliver tilted his head, "What? At the same time?"

"I agree...it is quite odd but it's been happening to a lot of people nowadays because of all that's happening." his mother said, stepping forward to bring him into a hug, "Not that I'm complaining." he hugged her back, "Your father and I...we've neglected you, haven't we?"

The statement stung...but Oliver smiled anyway,

"No...you two were just busy." he felt his father pat his head, "I understand."

They all basked in the silence for a while, hugging and smiling at one another. And while Oliver knew a hug wouldn't fix the loneliness of these past weeks, it was a good start.

Everything was okay...for now. And it got even better now that his mother and father will be home with him but there was one question that was left unanswered...

Why....why were they put on leave so suddenly and at the same time...?

...

Something was amiss.

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Cyfrin]

"How did this happen!?"

The man looked down at the tablet, handed to him by Alister himself. The General had a grimace on his face as he shifted to the side, leaning on his Omniwrench. He watched as Cyfrin clutched the side of his head, eyes darting across the screen. Numerous individuals were put on leave and dismissed from their posts...what was going on!?

"I never ordered this!" he looked up at The General, "Who did it!?"

"As far as I know, no one that is part of The Council accessed the network for days now..."

"What did Kazandra say?" Cyfrin demanded, "I paid that damned Markazian to make sure none of this happened!"

"She is working on it as we speak." Alister replied, "She is also working on where that unidentified object came from that crashed outside the city."

Cyfrin turned away from the man, clutching the sides of the tablet in a steel-like grip. "I'm not a fool." he seethed, "Someone was on that ship and they are trying to take control of everything I worked so hard to plan!"

He turned to The General again, "Azimuth, I need you to investigate everyone you know of. General Abletress and his family, Council Member Cordero, and The Keeper's family. Do you understand?"

Alister winced, "I mean no disrespect, sir, but I feel like Kaden wouldn't want to see me. I believe it would turn into a hostile situation."

Cyfrin chuckled, "Heh...you're a damned fool too." he muttered, "I mean for you to watch them. They are the only ones that would even begin to try anything against us. I have no doubt in my mind that they have something to do with this. Cordero as well since his son is in my clutches..."

His eyes suddenly brightened, looking back towards Alister, who looked away uncomfortably.

"How is that child doing by the way?"

Alister gulped, "He is....unresponsive. He has been eating the bare minimum and drinking even less, if at all...." he then made eye contact with Cyfrin once more, "If I may be so bold, may I suggest taking a better approach and treating the boy correctly?"

Cyfrin shook his head, "He is a prisoner. A threat to us." he said coldly, "And in reality...he is set to be executed in due time."

Alister's fur stood on end, "B-But-"

"General." Cyfrin warned, practically growling, "Do not question me and do what you are told!" he turned to walk away, "I need to find out who is making orders that I did not authorize!"

Alister watched the man walk away with a frown, shaking his head in disbelief.

At this point....

...

He wondered if he really did make the right decisions...

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Clank]

"Clank! You won't believe what happened!"

The robot stepped back as the over-enthusiastic boy entered the house, "O-Oliver? What-"

"My parents were put on leave!" Oliver practically cheered, "I don't know why but I don't care! They are finally home! Oh! And you have to meet them! They will love you, I swear!"

Clank, though surprised, smiled happily for the boy,

Did it...really work that quickly?

"Really? I'm happy for you." he said, "What will you do now?"

"Oh...I don't really know. They are still bummed out about Arthur but...I think they still have hope."

"That's good." Clank said, "That's the best thing one can have in times of adversity."

The two boys smiled at one another. Oliver was about to say something more-

"Well...I thought I heard something!"

Phoebe came into the room, "Oliver! What are you doing here?"

"Oh! Phoebe, you won't believe what happened!"

The boy started to explain the good news to the woman, who was happy for him as well. Clank watched the interaction fondly, eyes slowly moving to the direction of the Garage, where Kaden and Mags were finishing up their work on the Dimensional Map.

The name alone made Clank want to shiver. The implications of such a device made him want to turn away and forget about it but...it was very real...

It was something that could cause catastrophe....

...

He had enough of that.

Still, he walked away from the two and decided to see the men anyway. Perhaps he could help them and figure out what they were doing with the device.

He opened the door, smiling at the sound of Kaden and Mags bickering away. It was kind of endearing...

It reminded him of the times he and Ratchet would poke fun at one another. They were obviously joking and Clank found himself enjoying those times no matter how much Ratchet's remarks left him exasperated.

"Oh, Clank! Hey!" Kaden greeted, "What's up, kiddo?"

"I just thought I would check in." Clank replied. Who looked at the lab table...

There it was....partially made but getting there...

"So...I assume that this is the Dimensional Map?"

"Nope!" Mags piped up, "This is the device that will allow us to create the map."

"So...another Dimensionator?"

"Not quite." Kaden placed a hand on his back and nudged him forward, "While the concept is somewhat the same, this will open pocket dimensions!"

Clank gulped...

"But...wouldn't that require someone to travel between these and map them out?"

"Well...all they would have to do is hop to it and this thing will do the rest!" Mags sounded proud of himself, "Awesome, right?" Mags sounded extremely proud of himself, "You don't even need a destination other than home in your head! You can just go!"

Clank looked between the two of them, "Forgive me, but I can't help but realize how dangerous that can be. What if you get lost? What if the device malfunctions? What if it gets in the wrong hands? What if-"

"Shush, Clank. Not like we are going to use it." Kaden glared at Mags, "Right, Mags?"

Said Lombax leaned back and averted his gaze, "Yeah....yeah I know..." He looked at Clank, "Don't worry. The machine will only respond to Kaden and I if we use it. Other than that, we are not planning on letting The Council use it." he reassured the boy, "Even though I really, really, really want to use it."

Clank huffed, "You better not." he warned, making Kaden laugh.

"First Kaden now you." he groaned, "You're an ass."

"Ratchet said that to me countless times and never really meant it so it doesn't bother me."

"Oh my stars! I'm going to leave!" Mags threw his arms up in the air dramatically, "You two aren't fun at all!"

"It's called being safe, Mags. You should practice it." Kaden said, "Maybe after this you can finally settle down and you can finally get a date."

"Hey, I've had dates!" Mags sounded offended.

Clank started to back away slowly as the two men started to banter...

Almost to the door...

"Oh really? You never told me?"

"Kaden, don't tell me you're into gossip now..."

"What!? I just wanna know!"

Clank opened the garage door and quickly shut it, coming face to face with Phoebe and Oliver, who were sitting at the kitchen table. Phoebe turned towards him with a knowing smirk on her face,

"Is Kaden teasing Mags again?"

"Yeah...." Clank winced, "I...find myself feeling bad for him."

"Ah...Mags will fight it off." she waved his hand, "Why don't we play some board games to pass the time?"

Clank paused, blinking as he looked at his internal clock...

...

He had some time to spare...

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Arthur]

[2 Days Later]

Ratchet has been quiet ever since.

It didn't help that after his little outburst he practically collapsed to the floor in a shuddering heap. It also didn't help that his condition slightly declined because they were running out of clean bandages and some medications to help him recover.

And above it all....Arthur could only watch his friend deal with the onslaught of memories.

He placed a small cup of water beside Ratchet's cot, looking over his friend to make sure that no more bandages came undone. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly, "Need anything else?"

Ratchet looked at him, eyes wide. If Arthur had to describe it, he would say that it looked like Ratchet just saw a ghost or something of the sort.

"I should be fine...." Ratchet whispered back, "Yeah...I should be."

That's all he has been doing....

Whispering....

Thinking....

...

.

.

.

.

His memories came back full force while he was asleep. The meeting...Clank...Qwark...Nefarious...Talwyn...Tachyon....

Alister...

But...the Alister he knew in the past was dead, and the Alister he met here was alive....

...

A different dimension. New People. Friends...

Family.

His father and mother...oh my stars...how were they doing!? Was everything okay!? It's been a while since he thought about it and now...it has all come back to haunt him...

"Hey, enough of that, Ratch. You're thinking too much."

At least he had Arthur here to help ground him...

"I can't help it." he murmured, "Everything is just...so much. I have so much to sort through that-"

"-Enough." Arthur cut him off, "You have been doing this for a few days now. You need to focus on resting."

"I can't rest when people are in danger." Ratchet didn't hesitate to say it, "That's not the type of person I am."

"Yeah...I could tell." Arthur said, "Look, I don't know who you were or what you did before you arrived here, but you have to be careful. No one here has your back and...you're alone on the battlefield. Because...I heard some whispers here that you're on another level. No one here can keep up with you or your recklessness, Ratchet. You...you need to be more careful. Please. And if you can't do it for yourself...do it for me and everyone else. Please." Arthur pleaded, "Please."

Ratchet looked up and into his eyes. He felt...he felt guilty for making Arthur worry so much...

"Okay but...I can't give you any promises." he answered honestly, "When I'm on the battlefield...you never know what could happen."

Arthur sighed, looking down at the ground, "Ratchet..." he whispered, "I...I think we should go home."

....

"What!?" Ratchet asked him, pissed off that Arthur would even say something like that, "How can you say that when there are so many people out there in danger!?"

"Because we're too late, Ratchet! Don't you understand!?" Arthur argued, "The Creator just blew up a whole planet in just a few seconds! We don't have the people, or the time, to do anything about it!"

Ratchet looked away, as if he was offended, "No! We can't just get up and leave!"

"You don't understand!" Arthur exclaimed, "If you go through with this, you'll die before you could even shoot at The Creator!"

"And if I don't try then no one has a chance at surviving!"

Arthur backed down in defeat, "I just don't want you to die."

"And I don't want you and the others dying too."

They looked at each other then, silently conveying their apologies and regrets. That is...until Ratchet's face brightened up.

He has an idea...

"Actually...there is a way."

Arthur nodded, "What is it?"

"I have a plan but...I can't do it alone." he smirked, "I need the one person that helped me defeat countless enemies and rule the battlefield...I need my brother." Arthur tilted his head,

"I need Clank."

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Kaden]

[3 Days Later]

"We did it..."

Kaden pinned the last blueprint to the pinboard, stepping back to look at it in all its glory. Mags approached him from behind and placed a hand on his shoulder, "In record time!" he practically cheered, "It was nice to be working on something with you again, it's been a while."

"Hey, we made some new phone models here and there..."

"Yeah, but not something as big as a Dimensional Map!"

The two men laughed, though it was a bit strained.

Unbeknownst to the both of them, Clank, who was sitting behind the men as they worked, looked worried.

Yes, a Dimensional Map was revolutionary but at the same time, deadly. Who knew what portals could be opened? What worlds lie on the other side? Was it a one-way trip? What was the after effects of using such a device?

He sighed. It looks like the two men were too caught up in their musings to realize the potential danger that they just created.

"While there were some gaps in the information, I suggest that you two are careful in what information you give out. The Council commissioned you two to create this, after all." he caught both of their attention, "Please, you created something that has the potential to destroy worlds if used incorrectly. If it falls into the wrong hands...." he trailed off, not wanting to get into the fine details.

"We get it, Clank." Mags replied, "Don't worry. We won't let it get into the wrong hands. That's why we built in safeguards."

The robot looked at him, perplexed, "Oh? Enlighten me then."

Kaden was about to respond, but since he took a second too long, Mags quickly took the opportunity to explain,

"Hell you see, only the two of us are able to appoint who works the device. It won't function without our access codes. On top of that, it can also perform a full body scan to make sure that whoever is using the device is one of us! Neat, right? It can also-"

"Mags, I don't think the kid wants to hear-"

"-Sure he does! Look at his face! He's listening!" Mags argued, "You're the one being boring!"

Clank laughed at the interaction, but it was forced.

All this rambling reminded him of Ratchet....

"Anyway, we actually have to present all of this to The Council." Kaden's words brought him out of his thoughts, "Before that though, we should talk to Arc."

Clank's eyes widened, "You...spoke to him?" Kaden was supposed to have called Arc already...wasn't he? Looks like he forgot or-

"No." Kaden said simply, "I thought it would be nicer to see him in person. You know the way there, right?"

Oh...

Clank gulped as he leaned back in his seat, "Correct. But I advise-"

"-Great. Then we will go after we finish here."

Clank glared at the back of the man's head once he turned. Mags looked between the both of them, too hesitant to intervene.

"But.." Clank started, "I do not wish for you to be so brash about meeting him."

Mags' eyes widened as he looked over at Kaden to see what he had to say. As predicted, the man glared at Clank sternly, "Clank, may I remind you what he did to Ratchet?"

"I understand. But Arc is suffering at the loss of his son right now. That gives you no reason to be hostile."

"I can do what I wish." Kaden muttered, "You wouldn't understand, Clank."

...Kaden regretted the words once he said them but...

"I understand more than you know, Kaden." Clank replied, standing up from his seat, "I am not a fool, nor am I one that takes to hostility just because of something that has long passed."

Kaden shook his head as Mags leaned back, not wanting to say anything as he listened.

"That's you, not me." Kaden started putting his tools away, "I don't forget what happened and I never will."

"Perhaps you'll never forget, but do you have the capabilities to forgive?" Clank raised a brow, "I know there are some things you could never, ever forgive, but you have to remember that Ratchet is alive."

"Doesn't matter. Arc still made my son, your best friend, suffer. I would think you of all people would understand that, Clank."

Clank suddenly...switched. Mags looked at him in confusion as he swore he saw Clank's eyes flicker...red? Maybe it was just the lighting...

"Ratchet suffered through hell." his voice took on quite the dark undertone. "And I know that more than anyone. No one else was there for him, including you. I was. I was his only family. So pardon my tone but you couldn't fathom what Ratchet and I went through. Ever."

Kaden stared at him, almost looking offended by the words...

"For our mission, I advise you to cooperate with Arc. If not for me, then for his son. For Ratchet, or even all of us."

Kaden said nothing...

Mags tilted his head, waiting for the man to respond but it seemed like he wouldn't...

"I'll wait until you're ready to go." Clank said, standing up from his seat, "Be by the door...

And the boy walked away without another word. After a few seconds, Kaden continued putting away his tools in silence, a frown on his face.

Mags said nothing, and left it at that.

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

"Are you sure this is the place?"

Kaden tapped his foot impatiently, looking over to the robot who was quite stoic.

"I am certain."

Kaden huffed, turning back to the door once he heard it unlock. He watched as a single, ice blue eye peeked through the crack in the door. It widened once Arc saw Kaden standing outside the door. With a little bit of hesitation, it opened fully to reveal the tired and disheveled man...

"Kaden...it's nice to see you again."

The other Lombax raised a brow, smirking devilishly, "Really?" his fist came up-

*Smack!*

"Kaden!" Clank scolded the man, "What are you doing?"

Kaden lowered his fist entirely, satisfied by the punch he gave. But...

Kaden's satisfied grin faded as Arc turned back to him, wiping the corner of his mouth. "Well...I suppose that I deserved that." is all he said. He then looked towards Clank, who looked more apologetic (and quite angry at Kaden) than anything,

"You told them?"

"Y-Yes. I did."

Arc sighed heavily, turning away from the both of them as he gestured for them to follow, "Then you came to talk, I presume?"

"I want answers, Arc." Kaden followed the man to the kitchen, all while Clank was enamored by a picture on the wall.

Arc...a beautiful, Calico-furred woman...and Hunter, who laid in his mother's arms....

Arc and his wife looked so happy then...

Then, right next to it, was an image of Arc and his son standing side by side. Hunter looked at the camera proudly as he held up a certificate of some sort. Arc had an arm draped over the boy's shoulders with a huge grin on his face.

He reached up to gently lift the small frame off the wall, dragging a finger over the image....

Interesting...

Kaden and Arc continued their conversation...

"What do you know already?"

"All I know is that your son was imprisoned by The Council too, Arc. And what I don't understand is why you would help those bastards do that to my son and yours!"

The dark-furred man refused to look at him, instead gazing out the window above the sink. Kaden tapped his foot impatiently as the man made no attempt to speak.

That was when Clank entered the room, a different picture frame in his hand as he looked between the two men. He looked at Kaden, who seemed pissed. He then looked towards Arc who was....impassive.

Maybe he could help move things along...

"Is this....Hunter?"

At the sound of that name, Arc's eyes darted towards him, immediately zeroing in on the photo in Clank's hand, "Yes. That's....That's my son." he took the photo out of Clank's hand when he offered it. A small, bitter smile plastered his face, "I was fooled, Callisto." he finally answered the other man, "I was fooled into thinking I was doing the right thing."

"How so? For all I know, you did everything on your own accord."

Arc shook his head, "At first...I did. But after thinking about it....I haven't been doing things on my own accord for years." he set the frame down on the counter, giving Kaden his full attention, "

"I accepted a higher rank in The Council because I thought it would give me a chance to help my boy have a better life but instead....I ruined it. I ruined his life and my own all because I was fed twisted delusions given by the Head. So when it came to your son and his situation...I was told that he was a threat that needed to be dealt with."

"But why?" Kaden shot back. "Tell me the truth."

"I am not sure I was actually given the real truth, but I will tell you what I know." Arc cleared his throat as Kaden listened. Clank kept his eyes trained on the floor...

Recording the moment...

"You probably know that we weren't sure it was your son when he first arrived here. It was after a blood test and recorded memories that we were able to come to a conclusion."

"What about the interrogation? You drugged him, correct?" Kaden glared at the man, who nodded solemnly,

"Yes. Yes, I did. However, if I knew Cyfrin's intentions, I would have never-"

"-Wait!" Kaden stopped him, "Cyfrin!? The Grand Head!? I thought he was dead!."

"No, he is quite alive. I would know because he is the one that is planning on having my son executed."

Kaden looked at Clank then, who nodded his head in confirmation. "So...Clank was right. He really is in danger..." he mumbled, "W-What else do you know?"

Arc hummed, "Well to be honest, I don't know. Some of it could be false information I was given. But I know that Cyfrin thought of your son as an opportunity, not a threat."

Kaden shivered, "An....opportunity?"

"Yes." Arc looked towards Clank, "I have a feeling you know more about that than I do?"

Clank finally looked up, saving the information for later, "That is correct."

"What....do you mean?" Kaden asked, "What could Ratchet know that Cyfrin was willing to use him for?"

"Knowledge." Clank replied, "Experience. Everything that makes Ratchet up. Everything that he experienced. Well...that we experienced." he huffed, "There are many possibilities. Cyfrin could have used Ratchet for many things-"

But considering the information that was in the files....

"-The best, most likely reason is how we got here." he looked towards Kaden, "The Great Clock."

Kaden was shocked, mouth agape as the words fell out of his mouth, "W-What!? That means-"

"You've only theorized it up until this point....but that doesn't matter anymore." Clank shook his head, "What matters is that Cyfrin is planning on using it. There is only one issue....The Clock isn't a time machine. Far from it." he grimaced, "If used the way he intends....it will only lead towards disaster."

"But you said it's what brought you here? How?" Kaden questioned him. The robot just looked defeated,

"Because of someone else's mistake." was all he said, not willing to go into much detail, "This makes everything much more complicated."

"You're telling me..." Kaden agreed, "And here I thought we could just find a way to overthrow them...."

"Heh...I wish it was that easy." Arc said, "I would gladly walk right in and kill the man but...My son is in danger."

"We'll save him." Kaden said immediately, surprising himself at how fast he replied, "Promise."

Arc looked at him in surprise, a rare, small smile on his face as he looked back down to the ground, bowing his head a bit in thanks, "Thank you, Kaden." he said softly, "It...it reassures me that I have people on my side now." he turned towards Clank, "Thanks to you, this may just work."

Clank perked up at that, "Me? I was barely a mediator..."

"Perhaps...but you are the one that still brought us together." Arc grimaced, sending a quick glance towards Kaden, "I would have never had the guts to approach my long lost childhood friend after what I did."

Kaden's ears lowered, "Arc..." the man looked up at him, "Don't be so hard on yourself. I should have done more to stay in touch...but-"

"You lost something very, very dear to you Kaden. I never blamed you."

"You lost your wife." Kaden pointed out, "And I-"

"-We weren't there for each other." Arc corrected him, "Stop taking all the blame and let us share it."

Clank smiled as he looked between the two men. He could never imagine the things he went through and-

Oh...wait...maybe he could.

H-He lost Ratchet. And even though Ratchet was alive, he still went through the grief and pain of loss...

The grief must have shown on his face because the two men were looking at him. Kaden looked concerned while Arc just stared on curiously.

"You okay, kiddo? You look upset."

Clank looked at the man, fiddling with his gloved hands. By the look on the man's face, he couldn't get out of this and lie.

"I could never share the same grief that you two went through but...it couldn't help but remind me of Ratchet. I...I was so upset and caught up in my grief that...that I...I became someone I wasn't. I made mistakes."

Kaden's gaze softened, "Well...it's quite amazing that a bot like you could make mistakes. But...knowing you, Clank, I think you're being too hard on yourself." Clank looked up at the man, ears perked up, "You and Ratchet were family, right? It must have been really hard on you and no one can blame you for that, Clank. No me, Phoebe, Mags, or even Oliver."

-and Clank...found himself saying something he really didn't want to,

"You don't know what I did and...it doesn't matter who blames me and who doesn't because when it comes down to it...I blame myself most of all."

Kaden was taken aback, and his calm attitude went out the window. He suddenly became worried for-

"-But I am doing the best to make up for my mistakes." Clank concluded, "I am committed to helping the Lombaxes and saving Ratchet. That is my objective. And after it's done..."

...I'll be dead

"I will finally have time to make up for my irreversible mistake."

He ignored the look of shock and confusion on Kaden's face. He had a feeling that Kaden's mind was all over the place right about now. He was trying to figure out what Clank means...what he is feeling...what will happen...

Arc chuckled, "That's a great way to go about it. Pretty admirable." Kaden then sent a small glare towards the man for not seeing the issue with Clank acting like this. But then he reminded himself That Arc wasn't close with the boy like he was...

He'll let it go...for now.

"Thank you, Arc." Clank looked back and forth between the two men, "Anyways, I am glad that you two are on better terms. I guess our next step would be finding out how to free Hunter." Arc nodded eagerly at that, "Yes! Where do we start?"

Clank tapped his chin...

He had an idea...but....

"I...am not really sure." Clank replied, "This is a very delicate situation. And to make things worse, I can't be caught either. Unless-"

"Nope. You better not think about sacrificing yourself, Clank." Kaden cut him off, "You're a robot, and not an invincible one. I have a feeling that Cyfrin would use you for an advantage."

Clank nodded, "True, but-"

"-No buts." Kaden said sternly. He turned to Arc then, ignoring Clank's glare, "We gotta get home for dinner. Do you-" he stopped himself, wondering if he should say it, "Do you want to join?"

Arc looked at the man, surprised he would even say something like that. But by looking at his dark, empty house...

"If you don't mind." he said sheepishly, "Let me get ready and we'll head off."

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Ratchet]

"Someone is looking for you, Sidekick!"

Ratchet and Arthur looked up from their meals at Qwark, who had a beaming smile on his face. "Family I assume? Father?"

"Qwark" Ratchet stopped him in his tracks, "What do they look like!? Are they a robot? SIlver? Green-eyes? Red-"

"Nope! He's actually Markazian! I have to say, you do not get your looks from your father! He-"

"Qwark." Ratchet stopped him again, exasperated, "Qwark, I'm a Lombax." he gestured to himself.

"That you are, Sidekick!"

"And that means that my father is a Lombax."

Qwark blinked, "Oh." he said dumbly, "I guess that makes sense considering your kind is so...reclusive." he shivered, "Perhaps he's a cousin?"

"No."

"Uncle."

"Still, no." Ratchet glared at Arthur, who just laughed, struggling to swallow a bite he took of his sandwich.

Qwark spoke up then, "Well, you'll know when you see them! I heard that-"

"Nova!"

Ratchet looked towards the door, watching as a tall, scruffy Markazian man staggered in. He looked around, eyes landing on Ratchet and once they did...he bolted forward and brought him into a hug.

Qwark squealed, saying something about "Oh! Reunions! They make me wanna cry! So adorable!" all while Arthur looked beyond confused at what was going on.

"U-Uhm...who are you?" Ratchet patted the man's back, "Do I know you?"

The man pulled back, still gripping the boy's shoulders tightly, "Nova? It's me, Nolen!"

Ratchet thought for just a moment, "Uhm...no. That isn't me." he said, "Sorry but I really don't know you."

The man, Nolen, looked devastated at the words, "But...you look just like them." he muttered, "You look..."

"I look...like them? You mean they are a Lombax?" Nolen nodded.

Could it be....?

"I...I don't know." Ratchet said

A twin...? Sibling? But...I don't remember any siblings...Maybe we're related in this dimension? Maybe-

"Oh...I see." Nolen said in disappointment as he looked up at Qwark, "Thanks anyway for trying to help me, Captain..." he looked back down, "At least I tried..."

"Uh...no problem!" Qwark said, "Anything to help my citizens!"

Arthur finally swallowed the last bite of his sandwich, standing up to be next to Ratchet, "I guess this means there is another Lombax running around then...that's odd." Ratchet nodded at him, "Yeah...I thought we're supposed to stay on the planet?"

"Yeah. You are." Nolen said, catching their attention, "But Nova wasn't really a Lombax. They are a robot."

"What!?" Ratchet's eyes widened, "A robot? One that looks like me?"

"Exactly like you, I swear it." Nolen shifted, looking away from them, "I...I don't know much else but...they did help me and the rest of the resistance on Metropolis out. I never understood how a robot could actually have compassion for us like that...Yet..."

The man shook his head, cutting himself off as he replaced his frown with a smile,

"-It doesn't matter now."

After that, the conversation faded away. Qwark looked around awkwardly until he laid eyes upon Arthur, who was already waiting for the man to speak,

"Ah! Sidekick's sidekick, I have news about your...friends?"

"The Morts!? Did they respond!?"

"They did!" Qwark cheered, "We're heading straight to Sargasso! And after that...uh...uhm?" he glanced down at Ratchet who shrugged, "I plan on making a broadcasting system to contact a friend that could help us." he looked towards Arthur, "Maybe...maybe the Lombaxes too."

Qwark's eyes widened, "Really!? That's great, sidekick!"

"A...broadcast system?" Nolen butted in, "You're gonna make that?"

"If we can find the parts." Ratchet said, "Why?"

The man grinned, "I got just the guy that can help you. Think of it as thanks for saving our asses back on Metropolis."

"Really? You think he could help?"

"Think? No, I know he can help."

Ratchet looked over to Arthur who just nodded eagerly, "Well...let's go see him then! We have no time to waste!"

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Clank]

It was getting worse.

He held his hand in pain as his systems glitched, optics flickering and error messages flashing across the screen. He huffed in pain, biting his lip to try and stifle his cries of pain...

[Error! Error! Systems Damaged!]

He knows...He knows....he already knows...

[Warning!]

He released his head once the pain suddenly stopped, vision clearing once more.

He collapsed onto the bed, sovereign at the cold that settled in. He then brought his hands up to his chest...

The perma-guise was receding off of them...leaving his fingertips exposed....

...

It hurt.

He clenched his jaw, tightening his hold on his palm as his wires flared up...

He'd need to cover them...

In an effort to ignore the pain, he started thinking about what was in store for him. Tomorrow he got Kaden to agree to let him use his lab, followed by visiting Mags and...hanging out with him...

He was actually going to get Mags to check out his systems as he promised but...not like he could tell Kaden that. He was way too protective and would probably demand to be there...

The thought of it almost made him laugh, but he was in too much pain to do so...

He checked the time, wincing...

"I need to get to sleep." he said to himself,

Please...please let me get some rest...

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Clank]

[The Next Day]

"Alright, the lab is all yours, Clank." Kaden picked up a box to set it aside.

"Mags said he'll pick you up later for...whatever." Kaden shook his head, "He better not experiment on you. I swear, if he does-"

"I assure you, Kaden. I will not let him."

"Good, because if I hear about it he'll have to talk to me." he opened the lab door, turning back one last time, "See you tomorrow, Clank."

"Goodbye, Kaden"

They both shared a smile before Kaden left. And once again...Clank was alone.

Finally...

He turned to head over to one of the shelves, opening the cabinet door and pulling out a blowtorch, "This...will have to do." he smirked, flipping it in his hand, "Hopefully Kaden won't mind."

He placed it on the lab table, turning to a closet full of scrap metal and old computer chips, smirk turning into a full-on grin as he slipped off his gloves...

The fur on his palms...have started to recede from some internal damage but...he didn't care anymore.

"Time to get to work."

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Mags]

[2 hours later]

He whistled quietly as he punched the code to enter the lab.

It was pretty late now and he texted Clank a while ago to see what he was doing. After he got no response, he just assumed that the kid was too consumed in his work to notice but...he just had a strange feeling as well.

He recalled what Clank texted him that morning:

"I'm going to need your help with something in my systems...I can't tell Kaden because he'll freak out but you'll help me, right?"

And of course, he said yes! He cared about the kid too much to say no!

But...it worried him.

How bad would Clank have to be to ask for help? He was a robot! A walking computer and Mags' favorite walking USB of all time! How could Mags possibly help him? Kaden was way smarter and was the best mechanic and inventor of his generation! Mags wasn't...

The doors slid open and he walked in, seeing whatever Clank was working on covered up, tools put away. He looked around, "Clank? Clank are you-Oh!"

He bolted forward and got to his knees, looking at the robot passed out on the ground. "Clank!? Clank are you okay!?"

The robot shifted, optics opening to reveal a pupilless green. It wasn't until he blinked again that they returned to normal...

He looked up, seeing Mags kneeling over him beyond worried, "Clank? What's wrong?"

The robot winced, trying to think about-

I...I don't remember!

"I...can't recall." he started to get up. Mags supported his (burning) head, "How...I got here."

Mags lifted him the rest of the way up, concerned for the kid's well-being. "I-I'm gonna call Kaden! You-"

"N-No!" Clank grasped his shoulder, "Kaden will freak out! I-I can't let that happen or our p-plans will be d-delayed!"

Mags slowly brought his hand out of his pocket, debating whether or not he should still call the other man, "Fine, but I'm telling him later, understood? For now I'm gonna take you to my place and fix you up!" he wrapped Clank's arm around his shoulder, "Ready?"

Clank looked over to the covered project on the table, "B-But-"

"No." Mags cut him off, "We are going. Now."

Clank tried to argue, but hung his head again as his optics flickered off suddenly. Mags almost toppled down at the extra weight but...thankfully Clank was still holding himself up...somehow.

He needed to find out what was wrong. Now.

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Kaden]

*Ring~*Ring~*

"Kaden...pick up your damn phone."

The man groaned as he pushed himself up from his pillow, grabbing his phone from the bedside table. He didn't even bother to look at who it was before he picked it up,

"Hello?"

There was shuffling on the other end, "Kaden? Are you there?" a door shut, "I-I just spoke to Cyfrin and-" a gasp, "He's gonna kill him! He's gonna fucking kill my son!"

"What!"

Kaden bolted up from the bed, rushing to flick the lights on, "Now!? What the-"

"Kaden, please! I have no time to waste! Please, help me!" the other man begged desperately, "Get Clank too! I-I just-"

"Okay! Calm down!" Kaden reassured him, ignoring Phoebe, who was now awake and alarmed, "I'm coming! And I'll call clank too. Don't worry, Arc."

Kaden only heard the man's stuttering breaths, "This is all my fault..."

....and the line went dead.

Kaden rushed to put a jacket on, turning to Phoebe, "What's going on, Kade!?"

"Arc's son." he replied, "They are planning on executing him."

"What!" she jumped up, "What-"

"Call Clank! I'm going to-" he pulled the aforementioned box out from under his bed, entering the combination, "-Toss me the key."

Phoebe was hesitant, but she turned to open the bedside drawer and grabbed a small, silver key, throwing it at Kaden who caught it without even glancing at it.

He opened the case and pulled out his blaster, checking if it was loaded,

"Do you really need that!?"

Kaden looked up at her, "To save a kid? I'd do anything."

Phoebe watched as Kaden slipped it under his coat. "I'll be back, alright? Just...call Clank for me and tell him what's going on."

Phoebe picked up her phone then, dialing Clank's contact as the man left as quickly as he could.

She...she had a bad feeling about this...

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Mags]

He draped a soft blanket over Clank's shaking shoulders.

The robot refused to look at him, even when he turned on the holo-tv to fill the awkward silence in the living room. The only thing other than that....was the sound of Clank's frantic whispers.

And once again, Mags was reminded of how human Clank was. From his shivers to his whimpers to his muffled sobs, Clank was human. He had feelings. He had doubts. He had fears and aspirations. He wasn't some cleaning robot or assistant. He wasn't a robot that took orders or processed them. He was human in all things but flesh and blood. And having emotions and going through all these things-

"Mags..." the robot stopped his thoughts in their tracks, "Am I a failure?"

Mags was taken aback, "What!? What do you mean?" he leaned down, bending a bit to make eye contact with the sitting boy, "None of this is your fault! You must have a little bug in your systems or something. No biggie!"

Clank didn't have the heart to tell him what he was referring to...not that Mags would know...

No one would know until he...until he dies.

"M-Maybe." he stuttered out, "But-"

"-Clank, I understand." He cut him off, "You're afraid. I understand why you didn't tell us sooner. Heck, Kaden and Phoebe would have flipped!"

"I'm surprised you didn't, Magnesium."

"Well, I'm a cool dude and-WAIT!" he pointed a finger at the robot, "Shut your damn mouth. I don't want to hear those words coming from you. It's forbidden. No more. Never. Zip it-"

"I get it...Mags."

"Good." Mags walked around him, picking up his tools on the counter, "Let's open you up and see what's going on! Oh...wait, that sounds weird...Uhm...yeah, just a little check up...heh.."

Clank smiled a bit, wiping the corner of his eyes as he opened the hatch at the back of his neck for Mags. The man paused, "Whoa..."

This-

"Is it okay?"

"Oh...yeah! It's fine!" Mags said nervously, taking his screwdriver to poke around the (no exposed) USB port. Mags winced, looking over a...slightly darker patch of metal. Was....was it supposed to look like that?

He watched as a faint, red wire that glowed in the dim light led to another thin slot, just above the opening. It looked...odd, as if it was sloppily cut out of the metal...

"Clank...I-"

Clank suddenly stiffened, the panel closing back up immediately as he stood up. His face twisted into something bitter, a frown on his face. "We are going to have to cut this short." he blinked,

Clank turned to Mags, "I have to go immediately."

"What? Why!?" Mags watched helplessly as Clank went to gather his things, "What's going on?"

"The Council is planning an execution." Clank replied, "I must go and help."

"B-But-" Mags stuttered, "-I-I'll come then!"

"No! I promise everything will be fine!" Clank said. He then turned to Mags one more time, covering his head with his hood,

"Trust me."

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Arc]

"Cyfrin!"

Arc screamed as he burst through the doors, opening his coat to grab the blaster inside in case someone would come at him. "Show your face, asshole!"

Nothing...

He growled, stomping his way to Cyfrin's quarters, smashing the button to call the elevator, "I'm coming for you..." He growled, "Just wait."

The doors opened and he stepped inside, entering the passcode and heading straight down to come face to face with that despicable monster that called himself a leader.

He glared at the numbers overhead, descending all the way to zero before the doors opened once more. He-

-didn't have time to move!

Like a lightning bolt, General Azimuth charged forward to press him against the wall. Arc let a shot fire, but it was too late as the man tried to restrain him,

"Not today!"

Arc kicked him straight in the knee, turning around and using his elbow to smash it against the side of Alister's head.

He jumped out of the elevator, a dazed Alister following right after but...Arc didn't have any mercy left in him to care.

"You coward!" he charged forward, fist flying forward as he aimed right towards Alister's face. The man caught it, but Arc was swift, and used his other fist to smash it against his nose. Without hesitating...he gave a quick kick between Alister's legs.

"Agh!"

The man staggered down at the onslaught of attacks. Arc took the rare opportunity to pry the Omniwrench out of Alister's grip.

"I could kill you!" he lifted it above his head, swinging down with all the strength he could muster, rage consuming him. Alister rolled out of the way of the attack, watching in astonishment as the swing cracked the stone below.

Such force...

Arc didn't like this, and swung the weapon to the side, hitting Alister right in the ribs.

"Traitor!' Arc bellowed, "Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!" Alister got back to his feet, "Coward!" Arc bared his teeth, kicking Alister right in the stomach. The General grunted, having enough of this treatment-

Alister took his right hand and grasped the handle of the weapon, pulling it out of Arc's hands as he pushed forward with it. Arc turned around at the force, grunting once the handle trapped his neck between it, and Alister's chest.

He...couldn't...breathe.

"Let him go, General." Cyfrin..."He needs to be alive for this."

Alister loosened his hold, letting Arc breathe a bit as he turned them toward Cyfrin, who grinned in satisfaction. Arc growled, trying to push the handle away from his throat, "You motherfucker." he spat, "Where is he!?"

Cyfrin frowned at the tone, turning and gesturing to them to follow. Alister pushed Arc forward to follow the other man. Arc struggled the whole way there, getting dragged right to where Hunter's cell was. He looked up, needing to see his boy and-

....

No...

Arc looked in horror at the still form on the ground....

The boy's eyes were half-lidded and cloudy. His fur was thin and brittle....unmoving...

....

Dead...

He was dead! Dead! Dead! Dead!

He was too late!

"No..." Arc whispered in disbelief, eyes tearing up, "No! He can't be-"

The eyes...the fur...the stillness...everything!

Arc fought against the man, kicking his legs out and growling, "NO! NO! You didn't! You couldn't have killed him! You sick bastard!" his previously hidden blaster fell to the ground...

Cyfrin shook his head, "Now Now...no need to be angry at me. I didn't lay a finger on him. I guess...he was too weak to go on...."

"He starved, you asshole!" Arc sobbed, "You...You let him die! You let my son die!" he clawed at Alister's arms, "Y-you let my baby die!"

Alister let him go as he collapsed into a sobbing, shaking heap, "He's dead...Oh my stars...he's dead! I-I can't..." Cyfrin moved out of the way, not trying to hide his smirk as Arc practically crawled into the cell, Alister following right after him.

"No..." Arc sobbed, "No..." his voice turned into nothing but a whisper as he lifted his pale son into his arms, holding him close, "Hunter...Hunter..." he begged..."Hunter..."

The boy's head lulled to the side as his eyes remained open, blind to the world and forever unseeing. His body was cold and stiff, obviously lying here for quite a while. Arc...Arc could only imagine his last moments...starving and cold and so, so thirsty. He couldn't imagine his son feeling alone and scared and...

...and facing his inevitable death.

But Hunter did...Hunter faced it all and lasted this long, only to perish in a moment's notice...and it was all Arc's fault.

All his fault...all his fault...all his fault....

He stroked Hunter's ice-cold cheek, tears falling and landing on the boy as he sobbed in despair.

How could he let this happen!? How could he!? How could he!?

"Please wake up..." he choked out, "Please...please...Hunter! Please!" but the boy didn't stir.

Arc's grip loosened as the world came crashing down upon him...

His son...his son...his son was dead...His only child...His whole life...

He laid the body back on the ground, unable to stand the feel of it against him. He bowed his head, lacing his fingers together and pressing them against his forehead in some sort of prayer. What was he praying for? Anything...

My son...he's...Please, please, please don't let this be real. Let this be a trick. A nightmare. Let this be anything but reality! Please...please...please! I beg of you! Bring him back! He was all I had!

Please!

The bloody General looked up at Cyfrin, who was impassive to it all. "I just came in here to give him a little visit only to find out that he withered away...unfortunately." Arc bowed his head in defeat, "Still, it's better than the alternative, isn't it?" Arc weakly glared up at him, saying nothing as the tears ran down his face. Satisfied, Cyfrin stepped forward, "Well...I suppose-"

Arc growled, launching towards his blaster a few feet away from him on the ground, Cyfrin pulled out his own blaster, firing it but missing by a long shot as Arc turned, shooting at The General to keep him away from him while he attacked his target...

Cyfrin...!

"Ugh!" And Arc didn't bother to see where he hit Azimuth, too caught up in charging for Cyfrin.

"Do you really think you could overthrow me?" The man raised a brow, "Let's see about that."

Arc staggered back as Cyfrin took the blaster and jammed it into his stomach. He didn't fire a shot...thankfully, but it was painful.

Still, it allowed Arc to grasp it...

It fired once, grazing his right ear as he pulled it to the side. His own blaster was dropped in the process but...

He didn't mind getting his hands dirty now...

Once Cyfrin's weapon clattered to the ground, Arc took his right fist and clocked him in the side of the head, grinning like a maniac as the man was caught off guard, "You're rusty..." he smirked, "Not nearly good enough."

Cyfrin's head snapped back, delivering a punch of his own but-

-It seemed like Arc just smiled through the pain...

He was an animal, throwing punch after punch. Cyfrin did his best to block them, but Arc was too furious to register as the overwhelming rage consumed him. All the hurt...all the pain...all the frustration converged into one as he bared his teeth.

Arc grabbed Cyfrin, bringing him down in one swift movement...the force of it caused Cyfrin's head to snap back and hit the stone. He looked over towards The General who...wasn't in sight!?"

"Azimuth! What are you-"

He heard a click...

He turned back to the man above, who slammed a foot in his chest. He coughed, staring for the barrel of a blaster that Arc must have picked up in the fray. The man's furious ice-blue eyes glared straight into his own...

He was staring death right in the face...

"You...deserve this!"

Cyfrin leaned back, shocked at the-

"AH!"

The pressure on his chest was gone as Arc was slammed to the side, weapon clattering to the side as a powerful bolt of electricity whizzed past Cyfrin and...

-Hit its mark by the sound of the cry of pain...

Cyfrin staggered onto his feet, wiping the side of his mouth as he glared at Alister, who held his side in pain,

"You're losing your touch, Azimuth." He growled, "Where were you!?"

"I-I'm sorry! It needed to charge up a-and may I remind you, I'm still injured from-"

"-Excuses!" Cyfrin stood up straight, "I order you to get rid of that pest-" he pointed towards Arc's still form, "-and throw him out back!" he started to limp away, hissing under his breath, "I am going to get Kazandra to dispose of the boy. You and I are going to have a nice chat after this..."

Alister watched the man walk away, grimacing at the pain in his side...

"Damnit..." he cursed.

He slowly went forward to grab Arc's arm, not bothering to feel for a pulse...

Still....he couldn't help but think....

What would've happened if he let Arc fire?

...

The pain in his side became worse as he lifted Arc...

Whatever....there's no time to dwell on it. He had to get rid of this man and patch himself up...

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Kaden]

Oh no...

"Arc!?"

He got down to his knees to look at the quivering man. Blood ran down his face as he lifted his head up weakly, "K-Kaden?"

"Hey..." Kaden placed a hand on his back, reeling back once he felt a small spark of electricity shock him, "Oh my-"

"I-It was Alister..." Arc mumbled, "I-I was so close I...if it wasn't for him I could have killed him! I could have!"

"Whoa! Calm down there." Kaden reassured the man, taking off his coat to put it around Arc's shoulders, "Can you walk?"

"I-I..." Arc sat himself up, "I-I feel...I feel sick-"

"Okay..." Kaden patted his shoulder, "Let's get you to my house." Kaden tried to pull him up, "Or...do you want to go to the hospital?"

The defeated man hung his head, shaking it slowly as his body jolted just a bit. He looked up at Kaden, eyes teary and swollen. Kaden swallowed audibly at the expression, not knowing what more he could say or do...

"No...I-I'll follow you."

Kaden nodded, but shook the man once he made no move to get up, "Arc?"

"He's dead, Kaden." the man said, voice monotone, "Dead....It's all my fault."

Kaden's ears lowered, heart dropping to his stomach. He had a feeling that was what happened... "L-let's just get you home."

Arc said nothing as he was lifted up. Kaden was surprised that Arc was even standing at all. The only way he could walk away is if...is if Alister didn't use a powerful blast...

That, or Arc was just running on pure adrenaline.

...

"It'll be okay..." he whispered to the man, "It will be."

"Not without him." Arc replied, voice barely audible...getting carried away in the wind. "Not without my son."

...and Kaden couldn't say anything as the man started to sob quietly. He could only drag the man along and back to his home...

....

The cries were haunting...and reminded him much of his own when he watched his son die all those years ago...

...

There was nothing more he could say.

...

The kid...was dead.

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

Well...that happened...heheh..😭

Ratchet got a plan. Cyfrin *almost* died, everyone is in pain, and oh! Where's Clank? You'll find out...

Anyway, what did you think? A lot happened including...*that* and now things are actually getting serious. Thoughts? Opinions? Did you cry? Because I did 😢. What do you think will happen next?

That's all for now! I hope you all have a wonderful day/night! See you next time! ❤