After a far too brief stint in space, during which Twilight and Ratchet both marveled at the vastness of space and the relative diminutiveness of Veldin while Clank reminded Ratchet to keep his organic appendages on the steering column, they arrived at the coordinates of planet Novalis. As they approached, Clank turned to Ratchet. "After we have breached the atmospheric envelope, be sure to remember to extend the landing gear."
"Extend?" Ratchet asked as they began reentry.
"I assume you retracted the landing gear once we took off, to protect the sensitive mechanisms from the ravages of space and the friction of reentry?" Clank inquired, somewhat nervously.
"Umm..."
There were a few rather loud pings, followed by the scent of burning. "I assume incorrectly," Clank said, shaking his head.
"What was that?" Twilight asked.
"The pinging was in all likelihood the landing gear being torn from the ship by the friction of reentry," Clank explained. "The burning assaulting your scent detection organ is likely the friction playing havoc with the ship's internals through the holes left by the lost landing gear."
"So we're going to crash?" Twilight asked, completely calm.
"Yes," Clank agreed. "In all likelihood, quite violently." Noticing Ratchet screaming, he focused his gaze on Twilight. "Why are you not screaming and panicking?"
Just before the ship slammed into the ground, the cockpit popped free, launching itself into the air as various parachutes deployed, letting the cockpit slowly descend to the ground. "Because I installed an ejection system for the cockpit just in case of a crash," Twilight replied calmly.
Ratchet turned to Twilight as he calmed down. "And you didn't tell me...why?"
"Because I didn't want you to think I didn't have faith in your piloting skills, Daddy," she replied, looking up at him cutely through her long lashes.
Ratchet thought about that for a bit. "Well..."
"It is unlikely we will be able to reconstruct the ship, despite the intact nature of the cockpit," Clank interrupted. "We will need to find another conveyance off planet."
"We'll also need a clue as to where to go next to find Captain Quark," Twilight pointed out.
Ratchet nodded as he popped the cockpit open. "Alright. We've got a couple directions we can go. We can head down onto the plains, or we can explore the waterworks that way." He glanced back and forth.
"Perhaps we should divide our forces?" Clank suggested.
Ratchet winced. "I'd really rather not," he grumbled, glancing towards Twilight.
"Daddy!" Twilight complained. "I can take care of myself!"
Seeing her pout, he sighed. "Alright, you explore the waterworks. Clank and I will take the plains." Clank hopped onto Ratchet's back, attaching himself to Ratchet's tool harness.
"Okay Daddy!" Twilight said happily, bouncing off towards the waterworks.
'I do not understand your concern," Clank spoke up. "Her telekinetic capacity is quite potent."
"I know that," Ratchet explained. "And while there's probably nothing that can hurt her here unless she's caught off guard, not only is there the chance of that...but if we're here to help somewhat, I'd rather not cause more damage than the invaders."
"The only way she could do that would be if she decided to crush numerous enemy robots by ripping a mountain from its roots and dropping it on them," Clank pointed out.
"I've yet to see a limit to her telekinetic lifting capacity. How do you know she can't? Or wouldn't?" Ratchet shook his head. "That's why I sent her into the waterworks. According to the Gadgetron scans, there aren't that many robots or biological in there, just mechanisms."
Twilight carefully made her way through the waterworks, dealing with what few organic and mechanical hostiles she encountered. Her first run through led her to what was - for her - a dead end in a deep pool of water, as she didn't know how to swim. Not only were there few lakes or rivers on Veldin for her to learn in, the way her wings became waterlogged was both uncomfortable and weighed her down. Turning back, she noticed a couple of pistons that, for some reason, weren't moving. Seizing them in her magic, she forced them to change position so she could hop from one to the other so she could get out of the watery tunnels and into the actual waterworks.
Once inside, she discovered quite a few gaps she had to leap across. Normally they'd be too wide to leap across without aid, but her smaller frame and four-legged gait enabled her to gain more momentum in a run for a leap, and by spreading her wings at the apex of her jump she could glide the distance. She wasn't able to fly yet, much to her irritation, but short glides were within her abilities.
Before long, she reached the end of the waterworks. Stepping out into an open area, her eyes fell on a blue skinned being with a pointed head, thick body, a thick beard and mustache, a large mouth, and wearing dark brown overalls. "Umm...excuse me," she said, uncomfortable with addressing his backside as he was bent over some plumbing.
He raised his head. "Eh?" He pulled out some papers. "That's not in the script," he mumbled under his voice, too quiet for Twilight to hear. Putting the papers away, he turned to her. "Well now," he said with a wide grin, "you weren't who I was expecting at all. That's a pleasant surprise."
"What do you..." Twilight started to ask, but her voice trailed off as he began scratching her right behind her left ear. All thought left her mind as she relaxed into the gentle, euphoric caress.
The strange man chuckled. "Friendly little lady, ain'tcha?" He kneeled down to her level. "What are you doing all the way out here all on your lonesome, hmm? This planet's pretty dangerous right now."
She looked up at him. "Then why are you here?"
"Socioeconomic disparity," he proclaimed, grinning widely.
"Eh?"
He sighed. "Never mind," he said, shaking his head. As he stroked her back, he paused. "Wings? Well, certainly wasn't expecting that. That's going to be a doozy when it happens."
Twilight tilted her head in confusion, unable to follow his words at all. "Who...are you?" she asked at last.
"Just call me The Plumber," he said jovially.
She stamped her hoof. "That's not a name!" she complained.
"Well, excuse me, Princess!" he countered. Then he chuckled. "Feels like I shoulda been wearing green for that one."
Twilight began to back up a little nervously.
The Plumber sighed. Then he raised his hands. "Cross my heart," he said, doing the motions, "hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye, I am a friend and mean you no harm, Twilight Sparkle."
Twilight's eyes widened, both at his knowing that promise and knowing her name. "How...how do you know all that?"
Grinning, he leaned in close and waved a finger at her. "That...is a secret!" He chuckled a bit. "Man, I've always wanted to say that!"
Twilight frowned. "Why won't you just answer my questions?" she demanded angrily.
"Because you don't need the answers yet," he replied, stroking her head soothingly. "But you do need this." He pulled out an infobot and played it for her.
Twilight watched the film in interest. "So we'll have to go there?" she asked.
"Not for a bit, but you will," he replied. "Time for me to go and you to head back to whoever brought you here."
"Right!" she said happily as she pocketed the infobot. "I need to find my Daddy!" She turned back the way she came.
"You could take the shortcut," he suggested, jerking a thumb at a large sewer pipe with water running through it, looking not unlike a waterslide.
"But...my wings..." Twilight stared at the pipe. While it would be faster, getting her wings clean was always so hard...
The Plumber sighed. "I'm not supposed to do this...but hop on!" He dove into the pipe to begin sliding on his belly.
Twilight eagerly leapt onto his back before he got too far. Keeping her body low, she banked with his weight as they slid down the pipe. Towards the end, she spread her wings wide as she enjoyed herself immensely.
"Here's your stop!" he called to her, bouncing her back up to the entrance of the waterworks. "When you meet my daughter again, give her my regards!" With that, he slid into a wall which - along with him - ceased to be there.
Twilight blinked in confusion. "Well...he was strange...but fun." With that, she headed back out of the waterworks.
"Hey Twilight!" Ratchet called out to her from in front of a new ship, waving her over.
"Hey Daddy!" Twilight called out, running up to him. "Is this our new ship?"
"Yup!" Ratchet replied. "We're...borrowing it from the planet chairman."
"It was his thank you for us helping fight off the Blargian assault troops," Clank added. "We also have a lead on Captain Quark's whereabouts. We must head to planet Kerwan."
Twilight nodded. The infobot the Plumber had given her had coordinates to planet Aridia, but it didn't include any clues as to Captain Quark's whereabouts. Besides, the Plumber had said they wouldn't need it until later. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" She eagerly hopped into the new ship. "Ooh! Comfy seats! Can I call shotgun this time?"
"I'm afraid not," Clank said as he hopped into the discussed seat. "I need to sit there in order to access the controls and act as the Robotic Ignition System."
"Aww!" Twilight pouted.
"If you two don't behave, I'm pulling over!" Ratchet proclaimed as the cockpit closed on the three of them.
I think the correct name was Blarg. Just pointing that out.
5041153
I'll fix that, then.
"for"
Will try to find more soon
Wait...Pinkie's father is...the Plumber?
5041342
Explains a lot one way or the other, doesn't it?
Confusing but fun.
5041408
I guess...its just a bit TOO much of a stretch. But overall this chapter isnt too bad
Pfffffff HAHAHA
Perfect placement of that legend of zelda quote, just perfect.
5041662
How is it too much of a stretch?
YES!
I'm not the only one who suspects the plumber of being Max Apogee.
I love that guy.
Also, Al need to have a nerdgasm/stroke over meeting Twilight. The stroke being for her age.
5042134
Wow.
That's a completely different direction than I was taking it. Especially considering the Plumber states in "Up Your Arsenal" that he's collecting Sewer Crystals for "an anniversary gift for the Missus", and Talwyn implies heavily that she never knew her mother.
pinkie approves!
5042108
The whole different species thing is a tiny bit of a detractor. Or something. (I am currently brain dead at time of composing this response, more or less due to being overworked and coffee deprieved)
Another thing I want to bring up is Ratchet's (hopefully) more mature outlook. My biggest concern is Quark, and for those who have played every PS2 R&C game (with the exception of Deadlock), will know why.
Other than that, I've got nothing else...other than the fact i need some coffee.
5042158 That's what largely did it for me too, as well as the unclear image in the photo he showed Ratchet.
Also, I'm wondering what in the HELL could he possibly make with crytals that are, to use his own words, 'fresh from the bowels of a king amoeboid.'
And I need to ask this, because I've had a suspicion for a while, what country are you in, because the games here in Australia go R&C, Locked and Loaded, Up Your Arsenal, Ratchet: Gladiator, Size Matters, Secret Agent Clank, and the PS3 titles are NOT called Ratchet and Clank Future, but rather Ratchet and Clank (insert various titles).
5042229
And a world of magic that has already shown us species-change spells doesn't make that a smaller worry?
5042283
A necklace, probably.
And I'm in America. The titles here go Ratchet & Clank, Going Commando, Up Your Arsenal, Deadlocked, Size Matters, (Secret Agent Clank not included in this story), and then the future games.
And now there's the Plumber. So far, I have enjoyed every part of this.
5042318
...upon reading my comments again now wide awake and with a good amount of java in my veins, I realize that i come off as quite the specieist. And i apologize.
Afterall, Im not a specieist. I
hateput up withtolerate everyone equally.5048680
Not that I can recall...but an interesting idea for something for Twilight to invent.
5048824
There was the Rift Inducer.
Tatsurou when will the next chapter come out for this story
....he's pinkie relative?
....drops down from shock.
What fourth wall?
5122177 Maybe Pinkie Pie ended up in this Galaxy in a similar manner to Twilight?
Pinkie Pie is here?
GREAT now we gotta call a trans-dimensional mason to fix that
5771725 come on guys, u gotta stop doin' this, hiring those dudes are really expensive.
I know where that reference is from! I feel proud, like captain America!
Pinkie?
5857111 Knowing Pinkie, probably.
5851756
Or it could be Xelos from Slayers. He is famous for this line.
5725792 with Pinkie, its better not to question...just assume that shes everywhere and nine times out of ten, ull probably be right...
That's the plumber for you, when someone breaks the 4th wall, he is the one to fix it(he also breaks it himself)
The fourth wall hath no defenses here
You know those ads that tend to be at the bottom of a story? The one I got was a 504 Bad Gateway. Ad fail!
Let's give our regards for 4th wall.
But I think logical explanation why Twilight is so good at technology. Her special talent is magic. ANY kind of magic. Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Arthur C. Clarke
savage as fuck
6345315 I have the strangest feeling i met his daughter somewhere before?(YAY! NO*BOOM**CENSORED*)
I get it! I get it! That's what link says to princes Zelda when he annoyed.
25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0qs3sFscv1qa8sgzo1_r2_500.jpg
Every father/family cramped car ride ever.
I have read this story several times, and I just now got the punchline for this meta joke...
Now I feel like a
For those of you who don't get it, I think it's a reference to the 1980's Legend of Zelda cartoon and comics. Link's favorite saying was that exact same phrase. I may be off on that though, so feel free to correct me Tats.
5916583 oi, pinkie is even more confusing than DISCORD. seriously!
Seems Twilight is a little overpowered, especially for being so young. And yeah, I get that she's an alicorn, but it still seems too much. It'll be interesting to have the Plumber meet the pink one, or is she the daughter he was referring to?
HOLY CRAP PINKE IS THE PLUMPER'S DAUGHTER!! *FAINTS*
Wait I'm confused how come you didn't put secret agent clank?
9938081
That was unicorn Twlight, Alicorn Twilight wouldn't struggle as much.
in other words it is my job
Mike Stout, one of the people who worked on the first few R&C games, (watch their developer commentary if you haven't) has the headcanon that there are infinite universes, but only one Plumber. So him saying "That's not in the script" is really funny to me, because it means that he knows what the normal sequence of events are.
Well... That explains a lot.
Rift Apart may very well have taken a cue from you here, since Gary is The Plumber's son in it. The Plumber was also acknowledged as an Omniscient Entity canonically. This gives rise to interesting possibilities. You know, like Gary being Pinkie's brother, for one. It's too bad we'll never see this get continued with Rift Apart added on. Then again, Rift Apart and your story kinda go against each other, since the entire point of the PWNY-verse stories was fixing reality.