//------------------------------//
// Chapter One: A New Planet 
// Story: Ratchet and Clank: The Equine World 
// by Richer19 
//------------------------------//


Chapter One: A New Plant



"Aphelion, are we still on approach to the source of that distress signal?" Ratchet says as he keeps his eyes focused on what is in front of him so as to avoid any sort of space debris.

The nav-screen flashes a few times before a gentle voice replies "Affirmative. We should be arriving in a few more minutes."

Ratchet nods in understanding before adding "Okay then let's make sure that our shields and weapon systems are online. We don't know what is waiting for us."

Beside the furry creature known as a Lombax was a small robot who was monitoring the signal of the distress beacon. The robot takes his green eyes off the monitor before saying "But Ratchet, according to Talwyn this sector is actually known to be rather peaceful. I doubt that this is nothing more than engine troubles."

Before Ratchet had a chance to counter that claim, the nav-screen flashes a few times before saying "Exiting from hyperspace in ten seconds."

Ratchet tightens his grip on the flight sticks before saying "I hope you are right Clank." The two heroes exited from hyperspace and Ratchet lets out a small gasp of wonder before saying "Wow...would you look at that Clank." He enjoyed this moment, the feeling of wonder whenever he was out on an adventure and not knowing what he was going to discover.

Clank looks out the window and replies "I see it...but I don't believe my optic sensors."

In front of them was a plant that as far as the navi-computer was concern wasn't suppose to be there. It was an average size world that was filled with large green landmasses and large bodies of water. Even from this height they could just make out the mountain ranges and a few other landmasses.

While Ratchet continues to look out at the planet, Clank manages to focus back on the distress signal. Looking at it, he eventually says "According to my readings, the signal appears to be originating from the plant's surface."

Ratchet manages to remove his gaze from the window and focuses back on his partner before saying "Someone must have crashed on the planet and needs help." Truth be told, Ratchet was eager to explore the plant for himself. Clank gave his friend a curious look as if he knew what he was thinking but chose not to comment on it. Ratchet always did have that adventure side of him.

Ratchet started tapping a few buttons on the screen before saying "Aphelion can you give us a scan of the plant and check for gravity level, atmosphere and anything else that comes up." Now Clank couldn't help but be a little proud of his friend. In the past he was more of a leap into action kind of Lombax but now he was becoming a little more cautious about his actions.

The two were silent as they waited for Aphelion to complete her scan, the plant acting as a nice background to their view. A few minutes later there was a small beep before Aphelion says "Gravity is within normal level and atmosphere is breathable. Also I have detected a large amount of unidentified life forms on the plant's surface as well as an unknown energy signature."

Ratchet and Clank look at each other before the former says "Unknown life forms and energy...why this could be the discovery of a life time buddy."

"I agree." The robot replies before adding "Still I can't help but get the feeling that there was a reason as to why this planet has been undiscovered for so long. Perhaps we should..."

Clank never got to finish his sentence before Ratchet says "Ah you worry too much partner. All we have to do is find the source of that distress signal and that is it." Ratchet then gets to work on preparing to land the ship though the eager expression on his face was enough for Clank to guess that this was now more than just the distress signal. Letting out a sigh, he gets to work on locating a suitable landing spot that is close to the source of the signal. The ship turns towards the planet before it's engines light up and they blast towards the planet.

Meanwhile at Canterlot Castle

"Sister are you sure this is a good idea?" Luna asks as she watches her sister. Celestia was currently hovering in mid-air, her horn glowing with magic and her eyes closed in concentration. After some time, her eyes open and she lowered herself back onto her feet before giving her sister a smile and replying "It will be for the best. We don't know what kind of danger lies ahead and I feel that in the case the Elements won't be enough that we have an alternative."

"Still we have managed to avoid contact with other worlds for such a long time. Do you think our subjects will be ready to handle whoever responds to your call."

Celestia lets out a sigh before saying "No Luna I don't and if there was another way I would have gladly taken it. However we don't have many options and sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the good of our subjects."

Luna nods in agreement before the two sisters look out into the night sky. If anypony was staring out and looking, they would have notice a star appearing to flash across the sky before disappearing. Of course most ponies did wake up when they heard what could only be described as the sound of a dragon roaring when the actual truth was that it was nothing more then the roar of the engines.

Back on Aphelion

Ratchet was surprised to see that not only was this plant inhabited but that it was also civilized...to a degree of sorts. Various towns and cities littered the landscape and he was having a hard time trying to focus on finding a landing spot. Clank, realizing that his friend was distracted, took control of the ship just enough to land the ship on a hill next to a forest. Once that was taken care of, the two figured that since it was night; they might as well get some sleep in before setting out for the signal in the morning.