The trio landed easily on Planet Florana, gazing around at the lush, tropical forest and the ancient buildings vaguely visible, braced invitingly over deep swamps filling the air with thick musk. A truly picturesque landscape spread out before them, welcoming them to a new world to explore.
"Gods the stench!" Twilight proclaimed, triggering her O2 mask to filter out the natural scents of the planet, which were truly overpowering to her.
"Yeah, I guess I see what you mean," Ratchet agreed, the scent affecting him as well, though not as strongly. "But this isn't getting us any closer to finding this guy we're supposed to-"
"It's Captain Quark," Twilight replied bluntly.
"What?" Ratchet asked in surprise. "Seriously?"
"President Phyronix said he was the only one to ever face Nefarious and live," Twilight replied. "I did research on the flight here. Why do you think I insisted on installing the galactic net outlet in the ship last time we got it upgraded?"
Ratchet scratched the back of his head. "So...we're tracking down Captain Qwark...gotta admit, I'm not sure how to feel about that."
"Neither am I," Clank agreed.
As the trio made their way across swamp water sections by leaping across wooden platforms - assaulted at regular intervals by large bugs, boomerang wielding natives, and at one point a giant water snake - they each went through their own thoughts regarding the one time hero.
While Ratchet had once absolutely despised Qwark for shattering Twilight's last illusions from her childhood innocence, and had been all too ready to hate him for his plot to use Megacorp as a means to make his heroic return and steal Twilight away. But then Qwark had nearly died, taking what should have been lethal amounts of damage, preventing Ratchet from accidentally killing Twilight. Plainly, there was still a spark of heroism somewhere inside Qwark, some semblance of the good man he presumably was once. Logic dictated that if Twilight had somehow brought that spark out, then she could conceivably nudge that spark into a flame, make Qwark a true hero again...assuming he ever was once. The debate in Ratchet's head now was whether or not it was worth it to risk Twilight's emotional well being on that chance by making her interact with Qwark again after everything he'd put her through. He didn't want to risk her...but at the same time, he knew Twilight would be disappointed in him if he didn't try.
Clank had read up on all of Qwark's exploits, and he was beginning to wonder about the former hero's motivations. His tirade back on Yeedil about how Twilight would be his didn't add up in hindsight. There was something missing from the equation, something that Clank found it difficult to logic out. However, he knew that will they or nill they, they would be spending a protracted amount of time in Qwark's company once they found him. With luck, he'd be able to decipher his motives, and ensure no future difficulties would rise.
Twilight's thoughts turned to that back room she'd followed Qwark into. All those pictures with him standing in the spotlight...alone. How long had it been since Qwark had a meaningful emotional connection with another living being? When was the last time someone had stopped worshiping the ground he walked on - or, as was the case after the Blarghian incident, spitting on it - long enough to ask how he was feeling? Did anyone even know when his birthday was, and give him a thoughtful gift to celebrate?
Realizing that she hadn't seen one picture of Qwark's parents back there, she found herself wondering...did he even know when his birthday was?
When she was very young, she had hero worshiped Qwark like so many others. When she'd actually met him, she had been ecstatic, thinking she'd join his hero team. When he'd betrayed her, she'd been hurt and angry. After Yeedil, she'd been confused and curious. But now, when she actually stopped to think about everything that she had learned...she felt sorry for him. She pitied him.
That smile that had been on his face in every picture she had seen...it felt fake now. Forced. Like a pain had been inside him so deep and so long that he'd forgotten he was hiding it...until he met Twilight. Now...now Twilight wanted to see what a real smile would look like on his face. She didn't know why that feeling was so strong in her, but the idea of making it happen filled her, and her heart felt like it was floating from the strings of 99 pink balloons.
Several ladders, zip lines, and other such obstacles later - many of which Twilight rode out clinging to Clank on Ratchet's back - they arrived at a wide open circular area...and were confronted by a hideous sight.
"Aaah!" Twilight and Ratchet both shouted in fear, reaching for their weapons.
"You trespass on sacred ground," the figure proclaimed in an echoey voice before letting off a hooting laugh. "Now you walk Path of Death!"
When Clank opened his mouth to complain, Twilight shushed him. "It's probably just an obstacle course meant to test us, to prove worthy to be here."
Rolling his eyes, Ratchet led the way in.
Twilight's assessment proved correct. After several platform jumps, dodging a few flamethrowers, fighting a few more of the natives that were under the 'mysterious figure's sway along with some bugs, and dodging a few boulders and wall crushers that could be jumped over, the trio reached a wide open arena, where said figure was waiting for them.
"Can...not...be!" the masked figure whispered in awe.
After a bit of a stare down, a small monkey snatched the mask off the figure, revealing a rather disheveled looking Captain Quark.
With the mask off, Qwark entered a battle stance.
"It appears to be some sort of trial by combat," Clank posited.
Any further speech was cut off as a massive pillar ripped from the wall in a magenta aura, smashing Qwark against the wall.
Ratchet and Clank both turned to stare at Twilight. "What?" she asked reasonably. "He took a full RYNO blast. He can take it." Pulling the pillar away, she revealed that Qwark was still standing. "See?" She then lifted the pillar up before slamming it down on top of him.
The monkey promptly put the mask on Twilight's face.
"I guess that means he thinks you're in charge," Ratchet suggested as Twilight tossed the pillar aside, letting the now tame and obedient, if somewhat feral, Qwark free to hoot and holler as he bounced around Twilight like a monkey.
"Smart monkey," Clank joked before laughing his iconic laugh.
When they returned to their ship, Twilight pointed imperiously to the back seat. "Sit! Do not move!" She added a few hoots.
Qwark hopped into the back seat and sat politely, the monkey on his shoulder.
"You are throne!" Twilight commanded, climbing into Qwark's lap. Qwark, for his part, looked overjoyed.
Ratchet and Clank then climbed into the pilot and copilot's seats. At that point, the computer indicated an incoming signal. Clank opened the channel.
The transmission displayed a Cazar female of approximately Angela Cross's age, with sharply pointed cat ears, a soft brown coat, bright blue eyes, a slim build, and dressed in a purple Captain's uniform decorated with a red and gold phoenix at the throat.
"This is Captain Sasha of the Starship Phoenix," she formally introduced herself. "The President has asked me to assist you."
"Well, we've managed to recover Captain Qwark," Ratchet explained. "But...he seems to think he's a monkey."
"Of course," Sasha replied, startling a giggle from Twilight. Obviously, she didn't share the President's high opinion of the former hero.
"Twilight has him under her complete control, however," Clank added. "However, we need instructions as far as what to do with him."
"Bring him to the Phoenix," Sasha instructed. "We'll see what we can do. Here's the coordinates." As the coordinates transferred, she concluded her transmission with, "Sasha out."
Inputting the coordinates, Ratchet set the course and took the ship into the sky.
.....yay.....
Twilight was hugging Woona tightly and seemed to be saying "No.. no.. no, that's wrong!" in her sleep. Rachet sat next to Twilight's bunker in the spaceship and hugged her, waking her up.
"Are you okay?" Rachet asked with a fatherly tone that made him sound older and wiser than he really was. The purple pony opened her eyes and blinked, why did she just imagine a big white winged unicorn for a moment?
"Yes... I just had a nightmare. You know how many people still think of him as a hero, right? And now he is basically an animal mentally, I was thinking on how easy it would be... to make him that hero. To just change his memories and make the hero he pretends to be. But that is wrong! The end result might end as a hero, but it would be ask fake as the real Captain Qwark was!"
"You have memory altering spells?" Clank asked with worry
"No, but I have read about it... and it doesn't sound that hard. Not that i would do it! It would just end in tragedy when he finally gets his real memories back." Twilight said. "I am scared daddy, what if I ever get as powerful as Dark Star was, and start to abuse my power, even ifs with good intentions?"
"That's why you have us. To keep you in the corner of straight and narrow." Clank said using an old saying that he learned for his role as Agent Clank.
Ah, this part I remember, somewhat...
5906133
*starts Ps2 up after not having used it for 5 years* now lets see if i got rusty,,,,
*4-7 hours later*....DONE
Ok, this is awesome, still loving this story. Want to read more SO MUCH!!! Thanks for getting these chapters out as you can...now thinking of how I can play/re-watch the stuff from the Ratchet and Clank games. Might be fun!
hey, what if you don't have qwark fake his death (not spoiler, game is really fucking old) and just have go back to his base to get something, please i want qwark to be less of a ass, and you know twilight image of him will go down, even if it can go any lower, if have him fake his death, even if he comes back at the end.
5906430
Actually, I do have a plan regarding that event. It specifically covers the major change in Qwark here from canon...his self image.
After all, he's already faced certain death very recently...what possible personal fear could still gnaw at him regarding Nefarious?
New update!
And also, Twilight solves everything~ It goes to show that even after years of conflict, war and misery, there will always be one force that rises above them all.
CUTENESS OVERLORD! HAIL THE CUTENESS OVERLORD TWILIGHT!
5906446
Hurtful mockery?
5906446 other then being a ass to nefarious nothing (thank god, cause i really think twilight not going to like to find out how Qwark acted to him in school) thanks for telling me that, for a second i thought you were going to have him go to the base and fake his death because he is ashamed for what he did in the past.
WAIT!!!
on a different note i just beat all the challenges in the Annihilation Nation, personally commando challenges were harder.
Reading this makes me want to play my ps2 but when I brought it out it wouldn't turn on :(
5906832 If you've got a vita or a ps3, you can get the collection on there which comes with the first 3 games. worth every penny.
The part with Twilight treating Qwark like a throne was cute
Has anyone else been playing Ratchet & Clack after they started reading this story?
5907323 Pfffffhehehe, indeed, but the older R&C games were pretty well known for having plenty of silly "weapons", some of which were friggin' stronger than regular weapons.
5906832 wowch
Huh. I had forgotten that Qwark even had hair under his conehead cowl.
I like how Twilight bashed Qwark with the pillar and he was able to take it.
Wait... so he likes being bossed around by a Pretty Princess Pony????
5906665 ALL HAIL THE CUTEST PRETTY PONY PRINCESS IN THE GALAXY!!!!
5906870 Agreed.
5907858
No. Even in his feral state he remembers how much he wanted Twilight to like him, so her choosing to sit in his lap is wonderful for him.
5907885
"Can we leave him like this?!" Rachet asked
"Well, is certainly an improvement." Clank said and did his Agent Clank smirk
"I admit is tempting, but if nothing else, we need him to recover so he can tell us about Doctor Nefarious." Twilight Sparkle said then gave Captain "monkey" Quark a purple banana, that he ate eagerly, then he fainted.
"That should restore his memory... or make him think he is a Morning news commentator, I never was able to try that memory restoring laced banana before."
Then Quark eyes opened up, and he looked around confused then looked at Twilight "Pretty pony, me wanna hug!"
"Or... he could regress to being five year old mentally..." Twilight said looking down
5906210 That's why the Ratchet & Clank Trilogy is a PSN download, compatible with PS3, PSP and PS Vita.
5908178
I don't remember exactly when, but in part of the narrative - not the dialogue - after Qwark's betrayal in the Clank chapters, and before the Commando chapters.
TELL ME MORE!
And now were on to the third game.
QWAAAAAAAAAAAAAARK!
5907050 *rises hand*
5909919
vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/ratchet/images/4/47/Sasha_Phyronix.png/revision/latest?cb=20140317021843
I'D TAP THAT!
5907050 *raises R.Y.N.O.*
5907050 Yes. Or more so, I've been watching Tealgamemaster 100% the original trilogy and go into the Insomniac Museum on Locked and Loaded and Up Your Arsenal...
i1.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/014/810/A_Monkey.png
\
A MONKEY! :D
Okay, the pictures apears to only work half the time... the picture of the unmaked Qwark was broken. The other pictures were fine.
Hopefully it was just because I read these on my phone.
7570019
Actually, the image I used apparently no longer exists. Replaced it with a different one.
7570053
I probably shuld go back and scroll through previous chapters to check where the other lost pictures were...
Twilight figured it out, because she is really super smart.
7570053
It looks like Sasha's picture broke thought you might want to know.
9883440
Fixed
Are you shitting me hahaha 🤣😂😆😂😆😂
She pity da fool
Ouch! Hehehe
He got slammed with a pillar of stone
That is gonna leave a mark hahaha 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂