Get on the feels train everyone, here are your tickets~

Enjoy the chapter :)

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[Kaden]

Kaden was silent for a moment, thinking about what to say, "Phoebe, I-...To be honest-" he composed himself, "I don't think he has a family."

Phoebe looked at him in surprise, sitting up straighter as she replied, "Kaden!" she scolded quietly, "Why would you say that?". Kaden looked at her seriously, "I don't mean it like that." he explained, "Think about it. He winds up outside the city with no recollection of anything and terrible injuries. No one has come forward to claim him. Hell, the council is doing nothing about it!" he growled, "If someone wanted to get rid of him, and he is an orphan, it would be the perfect crime."

Phoebe looked shocked. What Kaden said did make sense, but why would this person do that to a kit in the first place? The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Kaden sighed in frustration, "Like I said, the council is not helping the situation at all. They never even asked about him for any updates!" he paused, "It's either they know something we don't, or they just don't care enough to look into the situation. whatever it is, I don't like it."

"Ratchet shouldn't be going through this. He's only..." he trailed off, lost in thought, "We've only known him for a couple months now but...I can't stand the thought of something happening to him. Or going back to...whatever lonely life he had before this."

Phoebe smiled sadly, "He is a wonderful kid, Kaden. But you can't just assume things you don't know. It makes a lot of sense, however." she paused, "It's true what you say? About the council?"

Kaden nodded solemnly, "Yes. It's true. And I don't like it. Not one bit."

Phoebe had to agree with him on that one. She, too, has gotten closer to Ratchet over these months, even though she promised herself not to get close in the beginning. Having a kit around was tough at first. Now though, the old wounds are starting to heal bit by bit.

He helped her garden, he helped her wash the dishes, he helped her bake, and at this point she found herself wanting to spend whatever moment she could with him. She knew for a fact that Kaden felt the same.

There was a section in the garage with whatever Kaden received from Ratchet or whatever they made together. She also knows for a fact that after dinner he folded up the letter Ratchet got from McMarx and put it on the shelf after showing her. Kaden was happy, and so was she.

But she knew to never get too attached, after all, Ratchet had his own family somewhere out there. If what Kaden said was true, it seemed too good to be true.

Even so, they would be heartbroken when Ratchet would leave, and their old wounds will, once again, open up and cause more pain than any other.

"Kade, you have to give it more time. You know this."

"But how long?"

They both did not have the answer to that question.

"It's been long enough for the council to give us just one bit of information. Ratchet has been healing, but the council doesn't seem to be looking into anything."

"But Ratchet has no memories for them to go off of."

"So you're telling me that even though they had no information to go off of, they wouldn't even bother to look at any evidence or search for any information on planet and off-planet?"

She had no response,

"Why are you fighting me on this?" he whispered, almost sounding betrayed. Phoebe huffed, "I am not and you know it." she said, "I just don't want to see you get hurt in the end when he has to leave."

Kaden was quiet, before he muttered, "You know as well and I won't be the only one hurt."

Phoebe stared at him.

"Whoever took care of him. Whoever his parents were. I don't think they deserve to have him back. They let him get hurt. They practically abandoned him, Phoebe." he whispered, "He does not deserve that. After what he told me tonight, I do not think he should go back to whatever environment he was in."

"So, what are you saying?" Phoebe asked with a smirk, "You've gone soft?"

"Oh no, now you sound like Ratchet after he shows even a bit of affection!" he cringed, "But no, seriously-"

"I think you know what I'm saying."

Phoebe smiled, a bit sadly, "Just give it time, Kaden." she repeated,

"Give it time."

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[Ratchet]

A week later, Oliver sat quietly in a booth at a smoothie shop, waiting for-

"Ollie!"

"What the-" Oliver jumped up, almost dropping his phone on the table. He scrambled to catch it, looking up at the culprit that startled him. "Ratchet! What do you think you're doing?" he seethed, "You scared the shit out of me!"

Ratchet only chuckled, sitting down across from him, he winked, "That was my goal. Gotta practice my sneak attacks now!"

Oliver groaned, "Well, you're good at it. I'll give you that." he looked at Ratchet, who was currently holding a small journal and his communicator. "What is that?"

Ratchet leaned forward, whispering as he looked around, and then making contact with Oliver's eyes, "I've been making some...observations lately." he started, and Oliver leaned forward to hear him, "I think the council has been watching me."

Oliver looked at him, perplexed, "What makes you say that?"

At this, Ratchet pulled out his communicator quickly. He opened up his photos and showed it to Oliver. "Look through that and tell me what you see."

"Uhhh" Oliver looked at the pictures, "I see a lot of selfies

Ratchet chuckled, "Look a bit closer. Behind me."

Oliver squinted, looking closer at the photos.

Seeing a pair of very familiar orange eyes. If not eyes, it was a blur of calico fur. While it could have been anyone, seeing this in almost every photo was concerning. He handed the communicator back over to Ratchet.

"Okay, first things first, get a freakin' Holo-phone already and number two-" he leaned back, "-You're fucked. Nice knowing you."

Ratchet looked at him, deadpanned, "Well thanks."

Oliver sighed, "No, but seriously. That is pretty concerning, to say the least." he scratched the back of his head, "H-have you told anyone else about this?"

"N-no. No, I haven't." Ratchet grimaced, "I don't know who else to talk to about this."

"You should tell Kaden and Phoebe. Alister too. They could look into it and see what the council wants from-"

"No. For all I know that the council is watching them too, and besides-" Ratchet muttered, "I think they are watching me for a reason. And something is telling me that it is not good." he slid the journal across the table as well, "I've been writing down bits and pieces of what I remember, starting from the beginning. If the council does not help me or tell me the truth, I have to figure it out on my own." he said, "At first, I didn't even want to tell you. The last thing I want is the council to turn their attention on to you..."

Oliver looked over the journal, before opening it, "Well, didn't the council say to tell them when you remember something?" Ratchet hissed lowly, "If that was the case, why are they following me then? They must be waiting for me to say something so they know whatever they saw is true." he said, "They want their evidence. And when they get it, then they will do something about it. I want to keep this on the down-low."

Oliver nodded, reading over the very few bits of memory that Ratchet wrote down.

"Some of this is really....crazy." he muttered, "You really think The Council knows about you?"

Ratchet stared at him, not breaking eye contact,

"Yes."

And that was that, Oliver slid the journal back over, "Well if they are watching you. I guess I will have to help you." he said, "Besides, I wouldn't want my best friend to take on weird-ass council members without me!"

Ratchet chuckled, but his smile was lackluster at best.

"Thank you, Oliver."

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

[XR]

XR has decided that the universe is a very cruel place.

"Hey Clank, look at what I made!" XR said as they held up their creation. Clank looked up, shaking his head silently, "That's a paper airplane, Ratchet. If you do not mind, we are supposed to be doing something more important."

That's right, they were supposed to be researching how to finally stabilize the Clock and bring it to what it once was. Those six minutes that Clank spent on them caused some...consequences. Day and night cycles were messed up and changing constantly. Some planets even seemed to be caught in one season. It didn't make sense. Things like this should not be possible, yet here they were.

If the universe was made to withstand a small time alteration, why is this happening in the first place? Why were people suffering when they were supposed to be safe?

There has to be something else going on....

XR also heard Sigmund mumbling about how living beings in other places seem to be in distress. Crime rates have gone up on many planets, and more and more small "villains" started pulling small crimes and other unspeakable acts.

XR did not see why they couldn't just go and help the people. They were a hero after all, and the galaxy needed them, desperately. They sighed angrily, looking at their friend

"But Clank! There are people out there that are in trouble! I should be out there helping them. We are the best heroes around! Why can't I just go and-"

"No, Ratchet. We can not leave the Clock in such a state. If we do, who knows what will happen."

"Then what? We're just gonna let people die? That's cold Clank, how could you say that!" they seethed, "You can just sit around and say that this is okay!? What are you thinking!?"

"Ratchet, my duty is to the Clock."

"And my duty is to the people!"

Both of them were silent for a moment, "This whole time you have been ignoring me, putting me down, stopping me from doing what I really want, and this is what I get when I try to help people?" They said, "Clank, I don't even know who you are anymore."

Clank paused,

"And I also do not know who you are anymore, Ratchet."

XR stared at him, despising the very words that left Clank's mouth. They glared at the tiny robot before them, "Fine, if you can do this without me, then. I can do things myself too." they spat, "Good luck with your precious Clock, I'm leaving."

"Ratchet, I already told you that you can not leave the Clock!"

"And why not?" XR shouted, "Am I a prisoner here? Or am I your friend? What is it Clank?"

Clank was silent

"Huh, well. I think I have my answer." They stood up, walking out of the room. They heard small footsteps behind them.

"Ratchet! You must-"

"Stop calling me that!" XR shouted, "Leave me alone. I am leaving, and you can't stop me!"

Clank reeled back, surprised by the words. Before he made his choice...

"Project XR-082709" Clank started...

Access Code : 6 15 18 - 18 1 20 3 8 5 20

XR froze in place, unable to move, their eyes widened.

It was just like they feared...

"Override Code : 13 25 - 6 18 9 5 14 4" Clank continued,

Engage Protocol Stasis 1.0. Open file S.S...

...and commence with Total System Shutdown."

XR dropped to their knees, looking down in fright as a small red bar appeared in their vision...

Loading...

█░░░░░░░░░

System Shutdown 5%

Please wait...

████░░░░░

45%

No...Clank why...

Clank appeared in their vision, seeming sad, "I'm sorry, XR-082709. You just...you can't be who you were meant to be. It was...illogical. It will never happen. I realize that now. I will have to do better next time...."

██████░░

75%

XR's eyes widened. It all made sense...

They were a replacement....what a good joke...

████████░░

85%

XR started to panic as their creator walked away, back turned. "C-clank..." Their voice whined, staticky and unclear, as if they were talking through a fan.

"C-C-Clank...Don't l-leave me.."

█████████░

90%

"D̷o̴n̶'̸t̷ ̶g̵o̷.̸.̴.̷"

█████████░

95%

XR stopped when Clank turned the corner, the world around them fading into nothingness. "I-I, I don't wa-n-t t-to be a-lone..." They whispered, body collapsing to the ground.

██████████

100%

System Shutdown commencing...Please wait...

Powering Down...

XR entered their eternal stasis, one last thought in their processors.

I'll be back...and I'll live....

And with that, XR's internal systems shut down completely, motionless. Laying on the floor on their stomach, head turned and eyes open and colorless.

.

.

.

About 2 hours later, Sigmund walked down the very same hall that XR shut down. Coming closer and closer to the small creation on the floor, looking into dull-colored eyes.

He was told to dispose of it.

.

.

.

So he dragged the body over to one of the storage rooms, a facial plate accidentally popping off of XR's body. He sighed, "I'm sorry" he muttered, "Y-you didn't deserve this, XR."

No, XR really didn't deserve this. XR always talked with Sigmund and cared for him like he was also a friend. XR always wanted to help him when Clank was busy around the Clock. They both cleaned together, and even did repairs together.

What happened to XR was not fair. But when was the universe ever fair?

Sigmund sighed as they finally propped XR's body against the far wall. Their head was lolling to the side, eyes staring into nothingness. He stayed there in silence, silently mourning his friend as the time passed on. He shook his head,

Maybe the next XR won't receive an unfortunate ending as this one did.

.

.

.

.

Commencing Self-Start System Reboot!

Are You Sure You Want To Continue?

-----> [Yes] or [No] ?

.

.

System Processing. . .

Restore Previous Files?

-----> [Yes] or [No] ?

.

.

Restore Previous Settings?

[Yes] or -----> [No] ?

Processing . . .

Set Custom Settings?

[Yes]

.

.

.

Affirmative. Commencing Self-Start System Reboot. . .

Custom Settings Installation . . .

Reboot Progress . . .

▂▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁ 1%

[Estimated Time Until Start-Up : 504 hours / 11 minutes / 30 seconds]

XR will live on

It will happen.

.

.

Just give it time.

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Poor XR.... :(

Don't know when the next chapter will be, but it won't be as short. Probably going back to the good ol' 4000-5500 words per page. We'll see!

Sorry for any spelling or grammar errors!

Anyways, see you next chapter! ❤