Planet Kragg proved to be rather uneventful, as the Destructapalooza proved to be just like every other colosseum type event the group had ever been to. The only point of true interest on the planet itself was the new weapons available from Grummel-net: the latest model of Mr. Zurkon - or Zurkon the Bearded, in Twilight's case - which in the higher upgrade levels released an entire family of four (Zurkon the Bearded, Zurkon the Clever, Zurkon-Sol and Zurkon-Lun...the last two names leaving Twilight somewhat confused and nostalgic); and the Winterizer, which was based off the FTF Omegatech Frost Cannon but turned enemies into snowmen rather than freezing them solid.
Only the bronze course was presently available for competition, which meant it wasn't long before the group had cleared every available challenge, challenges that didn't differ noticeably enough from previous arena challenges to even be worth noting. The Grummel-net Jetpack upgrade for Clank, on the other hand, was quite useful, as it allowed Ratchet to fly through the air as accurately as Twilight or Zephyr did, as long as Clank had enough fuel. Since Qwark was with them, Twilight was certain that refuel points would be frequently available anywhere Ratchet needed to make use of that particular upgrade.
As receiving the Jetpack upgrade unlocked cleared the Bronze Course and unlocked the Silver Course, Ratchet decided to clear those as well, especially since the first Silver Challenge involved using the new Jetpack, and practice in an arena was preferable to experimenting in the field. Nobody was all that surprised when this snowballed into clearing the entire Silver Course.
With everything they could do on the planet now done, the group made their way to Planet Silox...certain they'd given Vendra and Neftin plenty of time to think.
As Aphelion entered Silox' atmosphere, the group was surprised to immediately receive a recorded message from Vendra. "Hey Ratchet," she spoke softly, her voice somewhere between pleased and regretful. "I knew you'd be showing up before long, and I was hoping you'd be here to see what was going to happen. I'm about to change the very face of all reality...and it's not too late to reconsider where everyone stands. I might just be able to put in a good word for you - for your whole family even - with Mr. Eye once he's here." She sighed theatrically. "I doubt you'll accept this offer, but one can always hope for a happy ending, can't you? If nothing else, I can make sure Mr. Eye lets me kill all of you with my own hands. I'll take my time with you if that happens...but I promise it'll be quick for those you care for.
"But enough of possible future unpleasantness. If I'm going to be down, I'd rather think about the past. You know, when Neftin and I first got here, this city was filled with people...people who didn't understand what it was like to grow up alone." Her voice shifted, now somewhere between empathic and cruel. "Not like we do, right, Ratchet? But we won't be alone for too much longer." The recording ended as Aphelion came in for landing.
"I'm detecting the dimensional irregularities of a functional Dimensionator," Aphelion spoke up as she landed. "To avoid causing a mutli-dimensional singularity rift, I will have to remain here at the landing pad and keep my temporal emissions to a minimum. Twilight, I recommend you also minimize magical discharge, from yourself or from your weaponry."
"So no Zurkon the Bearded," Twilight murmured. "Got it."
"Umm..." Qwark began nervously, staring out at the abandoned city and the swirling lights that looked like ghosts, but most of the group knew were Nethers bleeding through the weakened boundary. "Should some of us stay here to protect Aphelion, then? I mean, if she has to keep Zoni energy emissions to a minimum...that's all her weapons, right?" As all eyes turned to him, he swallowed convulsively. "Not to say I'm too scared to go out and explore this abandoned, haunted city filled with creatures from another plane of existence that look on us as food. I'll freely admit the very idea terrifies me, but I'll face it if you need me. But...well, Aphelion's family, too..."
Ratchet smiled indulgently. "It's actually a very valid point, Qwark. And given your abilities, I think you should stay here and act both as protector for Aphelion, and spotter for the rest of us. Cronk should stay with you as well, since it looks like we'll be spending much of our time here in the air, and he can't fly without ghosting, and the constant reassembly would leave him at a severe disadvantage. Between the two of you, Aphelion should be perfectly safe."
Qwark sighed in relief, but he looked down in shame. "...I'm still a coward, aren't I?" he asked disconsolately.
"Qwark, it takes a big sophont to admit to their own fear," Clank spoke up. "All of us can see that the very idea of this place - and what we'll face here - terrifies you. But you were willing to face it with us if we needed you. At the same time, you thought of the well being of others, and pointed out a vulnerability we might otherwise have ignored. You have come far, and are well on your way to once again being the hero you always wanted to be."
"Courage isn't the absence of fear," Twilight added. "It's doing what is needed of you despite your fear. I believe in you, BBBFF."
Managing a smile, Qwark straightened. "I won't let you down!" he promised with a salute.
Smiling, Ratchet led the way into the city, Clank on his back, Twilight at his side, and Zephyr above them.