Ratchet, Clank, Twilight, and Zephyr made their way carefully through the ruins of Planet Silox and the city that had once been so beautiful. The city was stabilized above a storm below, flashing lightning in the cloudy void showing that a misstep could easily mean death. Not far along, they reached the old grav-train station, which was also in ruins...though the track looked somewhat viable if they could clear it.
A Grummel-net terminal nearby provided two new weapons. The first was a revamped plasma striker that was first available during their journey to reunite with Clank when he was on the Great Clock, giving it - amongst other things - more options for customization. The second was the Netherblades, a weapon based on the old bladed disc throwers that had been modified - apparently by Vendra Prog herself while in preschool - to utilize Nether Energy to slice through anything when launched before bouncing, and could be upgraded to split into multiple blades after each bounce. They also homed in on targets far more accurately than older models did as a result.
"And yet more commonalities," Twilight murmured softly. "I remember when I first started designing weapons..."
"You were preschool age too, actually," Ratchet observed calmly.
"How interesting," Clank observed. "Had Vendra and Neftin arrived on Veldin instead of Meeros when they were pushed into this dimension, the four of you would likely have seen each other as siblings with Twilight being the youngest, instead of her seeing you as her father."
"But then things would have gotten awkward as we reached adulthood," Twilight pointed out. "I mean seriously, Dad's hot."
"Twilight!" Ratchet gasped out, shocked.
"What? Objectively speaking, you are an incredibly attractive male sophont," Twilight explained bluntly. "Well, at least as far as bipeds go. And between that, your natural good nature and caring heart, and your adventuring career...face it Dad, you got so many ladies because you're a total stud."
"I am feeling incredibly awkward right now," Ratchet observed painfully. "I think I want to stop this conversation."
"And that's why it would be awkward," Twilight concluded. "Because obviously Ratchet would have trouble connecting 'little sister' to 'love interest'."
"Anyone normal would," Ratchet grumbled irritably.
"Not according to the galactic net!" Twilight singsonged teasingly.
"I wonder how things would have changed in the galaxies if the Prog twins had grown up on Veldin," Clank mused idly.
"Somehow, I don't think we'll ever know," Ratchet mused thoughtfully.(1)
After a bit of exploration, the group was able to reactivate the grav-train station terminal, though doing so drew the attention of some Nethers. The Netherblades proved impressively effective against Nethers, as the similarity of energies enhanced both the cutting power against the armor and the homing aspect, drawing the blades in even as the Nethers teleported around.
Further along, a laser turret was spotted still active. However, as it could only lock on within a visible red spotlight, it was easy enough to evade. Not long after, a bridge thick with patrols was the next obstacle.
"Allow me to scout ahead," Clank suggested. "I am less likely to be noticed than Zephyr or Twilight."
"Alright," Ratchet agreed. "Just be careful."
Clank took off into the air, then slowly flew over the bridge before returning with a report. "There's a communications relay terminal ahead. I believe it is how the Thugs are maintaining communication with the Prog twins. If we are careful, we should be able to evade the spotlights and use it to triangulate the twins' location."
"Let's do it, then!" Zephyr crowed out, shooting into the air ahead of them. "I'll take out those spotlights-"
"And the Thugs will disable the relay as soon as they hear us coming," Twilight chided. She quickly checked the map. "I think I see an alternative route. Dad, I'll carry you."
Climbing onto Twilight's back, Ratchet held on as they flew around the bridge, staying low to avoid being spotted. "There's a path through the Waterworks," Twilight explained in a barely audible whisper as they glided past some Thugs who were discussing Vendra's intentions, and plainly not liking the possible results. "It should keep us from being noticed too early."
The path into the Waterworks proved to be as clear as could be expected, with only another Nether and some crab-like creatures blocking it, both of which were readily dealt with. After reactivating a pump to drain the chamber, they continued along the path into other areas of the city as they made their way carefully around to where they could reach the relay point without alerting the Thugs.
As they progressed, they received another message from Vendra, this one locked onto their comm frequency and live. "We're almost ready," she purred softly. "Do you think Mr. Eye will be hungry when he gets here?"
"Vendra, don't do this," Ratchet wheedled, trying to appeal to her. "If Mr. Eye cares so much about you and your brother, why did your parents send you here in the first place?"
Vendra was silent for a time. "...any number of possible reasons," she finally allowed. "Not even most of them bad. And none of the sort to convince me to stop, or change my motivations or goals. I will bring home here, since I can go home no longer."
"Couldn't you make a new home?" Twilight offered hopefully. "Where you can be accepted and not hated or feared?"
"It's too late for that," Vendra countered hotly. "Almost a decade too late, Twilight Sparkle." With that, communications were cut.
Twilight sighed sadly. "So close..."
"We'll get through to her," Ratchet promised. "Somehow."
(1) If there's enough interest, I would consider writing a Ratchet and Clank stand alone fic covering this particular what if scenario, to be posted to fanfiction.net. Just letting everyone know.
If there's enough interest, I would consider writing a Ratchet and Clank stand alone fic covering this particular what if scenario, to be posted to fanfiction.net. Just letting everyone know.
I'd ship it. I hope to read that soon. Ya know if this idea got enough support.
While I can't say Veldin specifically, in another timeline, the Prog Twins were sent to the Solaris Galaxy; where Neftin tried to render the citizens of Aradia colourblind... twice.
(1)
I'll fund it.
With my thoughts. Not money. :V
Let's make this poll easier.
Upvote this comment if you want to see this story posted.
I'd read it.
This is coming across as increasingly fallout-like to me.
On a side note, I'd read that in a heartbeat.
Interest Shown. Interest Shown.
I would be most definitely interested in reading that just point me to it
I would love to read that
Would read!
Interest shown here, The band wagon is getting ready to tip from all this weight, please put it through when you have he chance and notify us through a Blog post connected to this story when it's ready.
Another enjoyable chapter. Good job.
7715124 Seconded!
Well good sir, I dare say that there is enough interest in your stand alone. Mine included.
Yup, I'd be down for the stand-alone...if only for the delicious awkwardness...and hopefully a better end than I see happening here...though that might be my inner pessimist projecting here. Looking forward to more after yet another great chapter!!
Out of curiosity, What would the best way to show our interest be for the hypothetical stand-alone?
You realize that you have now opened Pandora's Box with that comment, right?
7715205
Upvote this comment 7715005
Same here, definitely would read such a story.
Hmmmm.
The stand alone would be interesting, and give me a reason to get back over there...
But now I kinda want to see the 4 of them in it too...
I guess I'll take the what I can get and go for the trio growing op together before continuing throughout the adventure.
But I'd request a link in the former of a blog post.
I'd read the stand alone, sounds awesome.
Hmmmmm, homing bouncing sawblades... I like the sound of that weapon.
7715378 Seems rather uncommon a weapon type.
I remember seeing it a few times in games...
The stand-alone fic sounds very interesting
Ok, be honest, who else had "Onii-Chan" pop into their heads?
I would love to see vendra with ratchet.
7715712
Everyone wonders what would happen if vendra and her brother landed on Veldin instead of Meeros but I am wondering the opposite, what if ratchet and Twilight went to Meeros instead of Veldin
Well, I think it's safe to say that people would like to see that standalone. I think many of us would also like to see all four of them grow up together, but no pressure. Your ideas, your stories, you do what you want with them.
Sounds interesting enough, but why fanfiction.net and not Archive of Our Own (archiveofourown.org)? AO3 is a much cleaner site and much more organized.
Sence this spin off story seems to be backed a lot I have one question. will you make a blogpost with a link to it or something else?
In case it's not obvious I'M SHOWING INTEREST! This is most definitely something I'd like to read. Looking forward to more.
Keep up the great work. Deus tecum.
I'm all for you writing that story.
Question, will Twilight still be in it, or are you going to post on another site?
7715814
You mean if Ratchet were in the Polaris galaxy as a child while Tachyon was rising to power? He'd be dead, very fast.
7716016
Mostly because I'm used to posting to fanfiction, though I am considering shifting all my fiction from there over to AO3.
7716146
If and when I write it, I will link to it in a blogpost tagging this story.
7716442
No Twilight. It would be a stand alone, not a crossover.
7716578 Thank you for explaning.
7715610 I've seen plenty of sawblade weapons, even ones that bounce. Adding in homing is new and cool.
7716266 with that thought, can we get a link to the story when you get it up
I announce my showing of interest in the stand alone fic, but attempt to apply no pressure.
7720556 seconded
I can't distinguish which Tatsurou is your fanfiction account. Can you go into settings and link the profile?
7726461
A link to my fanfiction account is now on my user page.
I would love to see a story like that myself
Very much want on the story. Even tho it feels like it might get somewhat repetitive.
Also is there a reason/has someone already asked why Twilight doesn't just infuse a bullet with a touch of her energy and then fire it through the nether guys? I mean, it would probably cause big explosions, but that seems more like a pro than a con...
Plz, Twi, don't bring up the internet. Especially not to justify actions. Only madness lies in that direction.
7721785
I agree as well. Maybe even add in a different pony as well.
Just a suggestion on the last part.
id like to see that version of time as well
I'm seeing the comment and yes i'd be down with it but only After PWnyverse is in its final stages
*Incredibles Flashbacks intensify*
7715005 HOLY SHIT!!! That is more upvotes than i have every seen.
Consider me interested.
8186235
He has one. Three stars of veldin I think it's called?
7715236
Gotta agree would like to see that fic it would be interesting.
8718706
You can find it on my fanfiction profile, or my AO3 profile. A link to said profiles can be found on my user page. The story's called "Three Stars of Veldin".