Two Lombaxes (Ratchet Love Story) (Ratchet and Clank Movie)

Chapter 10

(Jewel's p.o.v.)

(Back at the garage...)

"In the wake of Novalis' destruction and Captain Qwark's shocking betrayal, Galactic President Phyronix has issued a galaxy-wide alert to all Solana citizens.", The news guy said as I watched the news. I turned to see Ratchet take his Galactic Ranger posters with a sadden look. That made me give a sadden look as well feeling sorry for poor Ratchet and turned back to the TV. I couldn't believe that Qwark would join with Drek just to try being a better hero than Ratchet is. Qwark is only making things worse by making look like a new villain instead of a hero plus, if he hadn't joined up with Drek, we could of been able to stop him from destroying the planet and save the ENTIRE galaxy. As soon the news guy talked about leaving their trust with the wrong lombax, I turned the TV off not wanting to hear any more and so Ratchet wouldn't feel any guilty more. "Come on Ratchet, don't listen to them, they just don't know how to react." I said to him, trying to comfort him. "If this is an attempt to cheer me up, it's not gonna work." He replied, his comment shocking me. "But..." "Jewel let's face it, millions of people lost their homes because of us. If we couldn't save Novalis, then we aren't fit to be Galactic Rangers." That one really hit hard. Then he sadly lied down on the bed, and not having anything else to say I sat down on the side and with my face in my knees. Then I heard Grim came up in a lift but then it descended suddenly. "I think we have a visitor." I told Ratchet. Then Grim finally set the lift where he wanted to and knocked on the pipe. "Can I come in?" He asked. I looked up at him as Grim said to us and Ratchet turns over to face the wall, "That protosuits of yours keeps beeping. All day, all night, voices asking you two to come back. Those Ranger hotshots are persistent." I got up and sat on the bed next to Ratchet before I said giving Grim a little sad smile, "Yeah. Thanks, Grim." "We'll turn it off in the morning.", Ratchet added sadly and I place a hand on his shoulder then Ratchet puts a hand on mine that's on his shoulder, accepting the comfort. Grim then noticed something then smiled as he said motioning to an old picture of me and Ratchet when we were still kids, "Hey. I remember this. You two wandered into the garage and took my rocket sled for a test drive. No fear, no safety check, you two just flipped the switch, and off you guys went." He then started laughing at the memory and I smile softly remembering what Ratchet and I did when we were kids still. Grim continued while laughing a bit still, "Took three police bots to chase you two down and teach you guys how to stop!" He then stopped laughing before Ratchet sighed and said laying on his back, "I guess I just wanted Jewel and I to do something big. I wanted us to matter, you know?" "We do matter, just not in a big way.", I said to him softly as I placed my hand back on his shoulder in comfort. Grim then said to Ratchet, "I..um. I ain't never been very good with advice like your friend Jewel is. But I do know this. To be a hero, you don't have to do big things, just the right ones." We processed the words in our minds then Ratchet and I smiled at the same time before Ratchet said with the smile still on his face, "That's actually not bad." "Yeah. If Qwark hadn't betrayed us, you should say it to him yourself.", I added with a smile as well. Grim replied while leaning his elbow on the machine he is on, "Thank you. I have my moments." The lift started creaking then it falls to the ground and Grim falls as he screams until we heard a big CRASH sound. My eyes widen and I walked up then looked down as I yelled to him, "You okay, Grim?!" "I'm okay.", Grim replied with a little pain in his voice. I smiled in amusement and shook my head then walked back over to Ratchet. Then I asked with a small smile as I sat down back on the bed next to him, "Well how about we get some chores done?" "Sure, but you're cleaning the ship this time.", he replied with a smirk. I chuckled and said with a joking dramatic sigh, "Fine."

(Later...)

I finished cleaning the ship and helped Ratchet sweep the floor in the Garage. He sighed still thinking about what happened and before I could say anything to him, a voice said beating me to it, "I thought I might find you two here." We turned to see Clank walking towards us. Ratchet and I then said at the same time while looking at him in surprise, "Clank?" Clank stopped and smiled at us then sat down on something to watch us sweep. Ratchet said, "We're not going back, Clank. This is where Jewel and I belong. You were right. Fame is overrated, especially when you're famous for causing a complete disaster." "It was not a complete disaster.", Clank replied to him. I then said in agreement, "Yeah. It couldn't be THAT bad." Then the lady from the news said from Grim's TV making Grim look wide-eyed at us, "Authorities are calling it a 'complete and utter disaster'..." Grim immediately turned down the volume before saying to us with a 'Whoops' kind of look, "Sorry!" I face palm and shook my head before Clank said, "The evacuation of Novalis was successful. No one was killed or injured." I then said to Clank with a little sad look, "But those people lost their homes." "And for that, we have to take full responsibility.", Ratchet replied in agreement before he continued sweeping. Clank then said getting off where he is sitting, "Blaming yourself and taking responsibility are two very different things. If you two truly want to be accountable, you two will endeavor to make things right the next time." Ratchet and I then said at the same time looking at Clank, "Next time?" "Drek has one more target on his list. With Captain Qwark now working for the enemy, the Rangers need you and Jewel more than ever." Ratchet nods and Clank says with a smile, "And I would like to offer my assistance in any way possible, partners." Ratchet and I smiled at him softly then the ground started shaking making us gasp. Grim yelled spinning a little in his wheel chair, "Earthquake!" He then fell to the ground while he still remained on the chair. I then asked loudly over the rumbling as Ratchet and I looked towards the ceiling, "What's that?" Clank replied, "Oh, I brought some friends." We looked in awe and surprise when we saw the Galactic Ranger mother ship fly by and start landing in front of the Garage. Ratchet, Clank, and I ran in front of the entrance of the Garage before seeing the ramp come down. Cora then said with a small smirk as she, Brax, and Elaris walked down the ramp, "Okay, pity party's over. Time to get back to work."

(Back inside the garage with the other Rangers)

Ratchet then said to the Rangers as I stood between Clank and Elaris, "Listen, guys, I'm sorry we ran out on you like that. Even though we messed up, we should've stayed to fix it and see it through." Cora then said while handing him a datapad, "Eh. We've all made bad choices. Here, check it out. *Ratchet grabs the datapad and looks at the screen* My cadet photo." I looked at the screen to see Cora's first cadet picture. Brax and Ratchet then started laughing as soon they both saw the photo. I then said to Brax with a smirk as I started typing on the datapad when Ratchet handed it me, "Really? That's how we're playing?" I pulled up Brax's first cadet photo and showed it to Ratchet as he said nervously and embarrassed, "Okay, uh, there's no need to embarrass anyone here." When Ratchet saw the photo, he gasped while making a "Whoa!" kind of expression. Brax then said to us before pounded his fist to his hand, "Okay, everyone, chill out! We have a job to do, and I need to start shooting at something immediately." Elaris then went to say, "Well, before we just go off and start shooting at things, I was thinking that..." She stops when she and I saw Ratchet, Brax, and Cora started loaded their guns while admiring them making us give a disapproving look. Brax said checking over his gun, "Yeah, get some." "That's what I'm talking about.", Cora said before spinning her gun. Elaris then said looking away with a sigh, "Forget it." Ratchet then said while he motioned the other two to put away their guns, "No, wait. Go on. I think we need to hear what you both have to say." I gave Ratchet a smile and nod in thanks. Elaris then said with a smile, "Well, while we can't move a planet out of the way...I was thinking, what if we could move the weapon targeting that planet?" Ratchet then asked, "Move the Deplanetizer?" "Knock it off course. That could possibly work.", I said while giving Elaris a smile knowing what her plan is. Cora then said, "Okay. Awesome. And just how are we going to do that?" Elaris replied, "Not sure yet. But I'm working on it." We then started thinking of how we could move it. I then said quietly as I looked at the magnet thing on Ratchet's ship, "Hmm." I saw Ratchet look at it too and gets the idea of what I am thinking by the look on his face. Then I asked him with a small smirk, "You know what I'm thinking?" "Oh yeah.", He replied then we looked to the Rangers and he added, "We might have an idea."

(Later while equipping the Mag-boosters)

"Ok let's get the Mag-boosters connected, make sure energy is going through something." Zed encouraged us as we were equipping mag-boosters to our ships. Me and Jewel nodded at each other when we equipped the last one. Then Elaris called us on the loudspeaker. "Guys you need to come see this!" The feedback was so loud we had to cover our ears. "Uh, please." She finished.

*In the main starship

Ratchet's p.o.v.

"We've found out Drek's next target, Umbris." Elaris told us. "Well at least he picked an empty planet this time." Cora said. "Yes but Umbris' core is made of an explosive alloy. Detonating it would cause a chain reaction destroying the entire system." Clank told us. "I don't get it. I thought Drek wanted to build the perfect planet, why is he destroying the system?" Jewel said. "Well, because destroying the system wasn't Drek's idea it's Nefarious' duh!" Zed told us. "Wait, Doctor Nefarious?" Brax asked. "No Steve Nefarious, of course Doctor Nefarious!" "Funny how you didn't mention that while I was dangling you off the cliff." Cora said. "Well you didn't ask did you?" "That's it I'm shooting him." Cora pointed her gun at Zed and he hid behind me. "Don't shoot him!" I said. "Wait I thought Nefarious was dead?" Clank said. "No only on the inside. Otherwise he's very much, ALIVE!" Zed said, singing the last word. "Okay, shoot him." "Yes, please." Jewel said. After a rather violent moment with Zed Elaris said, "Hey Jewel, how would you like to lead us?" "Me?" "Yeah, since you're the best out of all of us." "Well, ok." "Great, now let's go!" Before we set off, I pulled Jewel to the side. "Hey Jewel I just want to apologize for what I said earlier." I said. "It's ok Ratchet you were just stressed out, but now we are gonna redeem ourselves." She patted my shoulder and we set of to destroy the deplanetizer...again.