Chapter 17: Returning to Quartu and Final Showdown

Upon returning to Quartu, Xoruxshy, Ratchet, Clank, and IF make their way to the factory entrance, taking out the Sentrybot in front of it as well as the nearby Chompers. Before entering, they activate their Hologuises, tricking the Sentrybot inside into lowering the gate, allowing Ratchet to walk behind it, while Xoruxshy and IF distract it, and whack it into oblivion without alerting the security defenses. As this is a stealth operation, the group waits for the next Sentrybot to have its back turned before entering its area. This allows Xoruxshy to take this one out with her Kalebo III Mirage Keyblade. The next area is slightly more tricky as it requires platforming and reactivating the Hologuise. Luckily, with some expert timing, IF and the rest of the group are able to get close enough to the next Sentrybot without being detected, allowing IF to slice into a huge pile of feathers with her now Pidgeot Qatars. Passing through the door to the next area of the factory, the group walks onto a conveyor belt and jumps across a gap, allowing Ratchet to destroy the nearby Sentrybots without activating any alarms with his RYNO. Climbing up the ladders and cat-climbing to the next area, instantly activating the Hologuise allows them to get past undetected while dodging explosive barrels of crystals. However, they had to destroy these three Sentrybots to get past, so after tricking them to open the door, they walk behind a wall, and Ratchet uses the Glove of Doom to take them out without being spotted. In the next area, they see that if they glided down, they would instantly be spotted by the Sentrybots, so to bypass this, Xoruxshy used her copied RYNO to take them out from a distance. Entering the area the sentry bots came from, they decided to damage more of the factory, slowing down production by destroying this production facility. Continuing on, they enter a room with another Sentrybot, IF turning this one into another pile of Pidgey down. Continuing on the conveyor line, the group have to expertly time their jumps and activation of the Hologuise in order to keep from getting spotted. That or take them out with the RYNO, which Ratchet ultimately does. The next section, unfortunately, also requires the RYNO, as well as two Visibombs. This allows them to move further on. Using the nearby Thruster-Lock, the group continues, tricking the next Sentrybot into opening the door before Ratchet whacks it to pieces. This led them to where Clank was created. After fiddling with the controls for a bit, the computer turned on, only for this to happen:

Clank's Mom (I am not joking, that is what it is called in the wiki): Son.

Clank: Mom?

Ratchet: Oh, brother.

Clank's Mom: You have done well.

Clank: I tried, Mom.

Clank's Mom: There is still more to do.

Clank: I know.

(Clank's Mom spits out an Infobot that she was hiding for them)

Xoruxshy (jokingly): Hey look, a sister!

Infobot

Drek: My fellow Blarg, our synthetic world is now fully functional and ready for habitation. However, there is one small obstacle in our way - (the screen pans out to show Veldin) this pathetic lump of a planet. Due to some blunder of fate, it happens to occupy the Galaxy's most perfect orbit. But no more! Behold, (the screen shifts to show a huge space laser) the Deplanetizer, the most powerful laser ever created! Soon we will move the Deplanetizer into place, just above the planet's surface. I will of course be on hand to press the button that will blow this mudball to smithereens! No one will even miss it! See you then!

Ratchet: (growls)

Clank: Ratchet…? Are you…all…right?

Ratchet: He…is…going…to…pay.

Clank: Excuse me?

Ratchet: It shouldn't have taken me this long to see it. Drek is going to find out what happens when you mess with my home.

As Drek's message ends and Ratchet clenches his fists in fury, the room begins to shake. A wave of raw power surges through Ratchet, causing him to double over and cry out. The air crackles with energy, and bolts of electricity erupt around him. Xoruxshy and Clank watch in concern as Ratchet struggles against this unseen force.

Suddenly, a brilliant light fills the room, revealing Kernknal standing protectively behind Ratchet. The towering Persona stares down Clank's Mom, who looks surprised by this sudden development.

Ratchet (voice strained): What... what is this?

Xoruxshy: Ratchet, I think you've awakened your Persona!

Kernknal (deep, mechanical voice): I am Kernknal, your power and protector. You have witnessed the destruction Drek intends to unleash, and your rage has given me form.

Ratchet: My rage? But... I've always been angry at stuff like this.

Kernknal: This time, it's different. This time, it's personal. You will use my power to fight for your home and for those you care about.

Ratchet: My home... Veldin... I won't let him destroy it!

Ratchet stands tall, a newfound determination burning in his eyes. He looks at Kernknal, a symbol of his channeled rage and resolve.

Clank: Ratchet, we have to stop Drek!

Ratchet: You're right, Clank. Let's go take back what's ours!

Xoruxshy: Hold on a sec, shouldn't we at least strategize a plan before we just run in there guns blazing?

Just then, a pulsating red mask materializes in front of Ratchet's face. It reflects the anger and protectiveness he feels for his home.

Kernknal: So, you've finally come to your senses.

Ratchet stares at the mask, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. He reaches out and grasps it, feeling a surge of power course through him. With a determined yell, he rips the mask away, revealing his confident expression beneath.

Ratchet: Now, let's show Drek what a Lombax can do!

With that, they decide to formulate a plan.

Ratchet: Okay, if we're gonna do this we need to get onto Drek's ship, then we can find out where he's set up that laser!

Clank: I will try to make you proud, Mom.

Clank's Mom: You already have.

With that, the group head back to the ships and take off for Drek's ship.

Gold Bolts Collected 35/40

Location: Drek's Fleet - Veldin Orbit

Upon landing on a space inside the ship, our heroes jump out of their own ships. Heading into the water tunnel below the landing platform, they find a set-up similar to what they saw in the coolant system on Quartu. This time they have 1 minute and 20 seconds to get through. During this time, they spotted a secret area on the Map-O-Matic. Passing by it though in order to get through, the group find a CodeBot in a room with a nice view of the Blarg's synthetic planet being pulled along by a tractor beam. Re-entering this area after returning to the ship and heading for the secret portion yields a Gold Bolt and a nice view of the missile cruiser nearby. Re-exiting this area and returning to the ship, the group then heads to the missile cruiser. Detecting Sentrybots nearby, Clank urges the group to activate the Hologuises. This allows them to bypass the Sentrybots, but not the nearby new Heartless. These Heartless were Robomutts equipped with the same detection software as the Sentrybots, but due to being Heartless the software was rendered useless. Moving past this point, the group finds a warp pad that takes them to the Blarg Dreadnought. Here, instead of trying to get past the lasers stealthily, Ratchet just pulls out the RYNO and goes ham on the Sentrybots. This continues for another room before they have to trick another Sentrybot into opening the door, after which Ratchet smashes the robot with his new AeroPlume Omni-Wrench, courtesy of Iron Claw Industries, run by Lumi.

This allows them access to the Light Cruiser. Making it through to the end, lets them reach Drek's flagship, where they had to make their way to a star fighter to destroy the turrets before continuing on. Upon Ratchet doing so, the four heroes were able to continue on. Reaching the inside of the ship, they find an Infobot in the Captain's seat of the flagship.

Infobot

TV Host: Tonight on Blarg TV, the adventure we've all been waiting for - the annihilation of an entire planet! Witness the power, the destruction and the nothingness that follows! So join Ultimate Supreme Executive Chairman Drek as he pushes the button that ends one world and begins another! Then, stay tuned for "The Galaxy's Funniest Superhero Bloopers", featuring Captain Qwark!

Ratchet: Now we know where he is, let's get him!

Clank: Are you going to show off your new Phantom Thief attire?

Ratchet: Yeah, and you two had better turn into your CPU forms so that the Phantom Thieves make their mark.

Xoruxshy: First, Clank, do you think you can hotwire the broadcast so we can send out a calling card?

Clank: Absolutely.

Location: Veldin and all other broadcasts on Blarg TV

Drek: What's going on, why have we lost the feed?

Technician: It seems we've been hacked.

Drek: What?!

? (Ratchet): Greetings, Supreme Executive Chairman Drek. We are the Phantom Thieves. Tonight we're calling out yours truly.

? (IF): You've committed multiple sins in the name of greed and destruction. Not to mention teaming up with Xehanort.

? (Xoruxshy): Today, we're going to confront you on Planet Veldin, and make you confess your sins with your own mouth. So says the Phantom Thieves of Heart. I am Maestro.

? (IF): I am Assassin.

? (Ratchet) And I am Lion.

Maestro (Xoruxshy): Together, we are the Phantom Thieves. Be ready. We're coming for you.

(The feed cuts out abruptly)

Drek: So that's how they want to play it, huh? So be it. I'll use my powers to bring this planet into the Metaverse! (His eyes glow yellow as he uses the powers of Darkness to send not only the planet, but the approaching ships containing Ratchet and Clank and Xoruxshy and IF, as well as the Deplanetizer.

(Cloister bell goes off)

Xoruxshy: Shit, what now!? (Looks at the monitor) No… he wouldn't. I didn't think HE would be working with Xehanort! (Contacts Ratchet) Heads up Ratchet, you're about to get caught in a full force Metaverse transversal wave!

Ratchet: What?!

Xoruxshy: Drek's using the God of Control's abilities to drag us into the Metaverse, as well as the planet!

Location: Veldin - Metaverse

Upon landing on Veldin after being dragged into the Metaverse by Drek, the group make their way to him, fighting off hordes of Shadows, (regular Metaverse Shadows that wear those blank expressionless masks) making their way to Drek. The normal indigenous life is nowhere to be seen, and the ground is slowly warping due to Drek's warped mind controlling the show. Finally, after arriving on Giant Clank's back to the center where the Deplanetizer is supposed to hit, they find Drek in a giant Mech, the Heartless Emblem glowing on its front, and Drek in a similar outfit to Vanitas's, only without the helmet.

Drek: He-he-he. Imbeciles. After all the trouble you've gone through, you're about to die right where you started. It's so…poetic.

Lion: This is it Clank! Let's get him! Come, Kernknal!

Maestro: Right with you, Lion. Show them my might, Infinite!

IF: Let's go Altair!

The battle starts with Ratchet using his Phantom Thief weapon to summon all the Gold Bolts and use one of his special attacks, Golden Experience! (Based on Giorno's Stand Ability name) This damages Drek's mech heavily. Xoruxshy, now in CPU Phantom Thief Mode, uses her Phantom Ruby to take control of the battlefield, causing the nearby satellite dishes to turn into laser turrets, damaging the mech even further. IF finishes by using her Keyblades known as Pieces of Eden to destroy the glass shell of the mech.

Drek: Hmmm…You might have been useful to me after all. Too bad you chose the wrong side.

With that, he shrunk Clank down forcefully, leaving them to resort to normal tactics, while Clank sat on Ratchet's back.

Ratchet used the RYNO to damage Drek's mech, causing him to bring out a laser rifle that destroys the ground under them, causing them to move to another platform. This sequence follows for a while, with them taking turns RYNO-ing Drek. This ultimately leads to a metal platform.

Drek: So it has come to this. Once I step on this ignition switch a countdown will commence, the end of which signals the destruction of your pitiful world.

Clank: There must be another way to make a home for your people!

Drek: You think that's what this is about? Who do you think polluted our last world? I did. This is about one thing and one thing only. Cash…and lots of it. You see, I've been paid for every square inch of my new world. Once the inhabitants move in, I will begin polluting this world as well, then the whole thing starts all over again. Ah, brilliant!

Clank: Why you…you…evil little…

Xoruxshy: Thanks for clearing that up for every member of your species, Drek! I imagine right now, that every one of your sponsors and buyers are going to look for a different option right about now. (Holds out a camera recording live) You just acted as we anticipated.

Drek: WHAT?! Oh, that is it! I've had it up to here with you getting in my way, you pathetic little Time Tot! You should've just rotted in the Realm of Darkness where you belonged! But no, that wretched Echidna and her friend had to revive you! Well, no more. (Activates the timer)

Ratchet: We have to stop that timer!

Xoruxshy: We'll distract Drek. You get to the timer and shut it down.

IF: I'll go to the right, sis, you go for the left.

Xoruxshy: Let's do this Phantom Thieves!

With that, the group splits up to finish the final fight. Xoruxshy rushes to the left, drawing Drek's attention by pulling a "Slap on the Wrist" trick. (Sonic X reference) This causes Drek to smash the left arm, causing the controls to spark on that side. IF slashes the exposed wiring on the right side, causing a crippled status to the mech. Meanwhile, Ratchet Ground Slams the turn-off switch into the ground. This allows them to gather for an All-Out Attack, causing Drek to flip in his mech towards the end of the platform, causing the thing to flip over and toss Drek into the air with a scream. After the explosion, a HUGE crystal heart appears from where there was an explosion, showing that Drek was indeed defeated once and for all. The Metaverse suddenly started warping, the red and black rippling sky retreating to form a Keyhole. Ratchet, Xoruxshy, and IF all point their respective weapons toward the huge Keyhole, sealing the galaxy off. This causes all the Heartless on each planet to disappear, leaving a bunch of hearts to return to where they came from. Clank sees the timer button appear again, after the Deplanetizer ray was flipped over.

Clank: Ratchet?

Ratchet: What's up?

Clank: (points at the timer switch)

Ratchet: You know, this time I am thinking what you're thinking.

Xoruxshy: Would you do the honors, Ratchet?

Ratchet: Oh, yeah!

With that, Ratchet blows up the synthetic planet. Causing meteors to rain down and almost kill them all, but they survived and so did the planet.

Universe Complete! - Reward: New layer of Nexus Station - Gadgecorp Mall

Gold Bolts 40/40 Collected - Reward: Gold Bolt Power Source

Raritanium Sample Collected - Reward: Potential New Power Source + New Weapons