Digital Nexus Book 2: CPU in Lombax Space

Location: Planet Novalis

Xoruxshy: Hey, Ratchet, before we get started on our adventure, I'd like you to join my Gamer's System Party. With it, you get stronger and more powerful.

Ratchet: Sure.

Nicole Zwei: Welcome to the Gamer System 2.0, Ratchet. Attention Xoruxshy, you have a new quest notification.

Quest Objective: Find a New Ship for Ratchet & Clank.

Reward: Novalis Mirage, Bulbasaur Qatar, Skill Book: Scatter: Volume 1 (RWBY)

Ratchet: Cool. It says I have 14000 HP, 500 base Attack Strength, and 300 base defense, and the Bomb Glove I have equipped increases it to 550 ATK.

Xoruxshy: Good, because it looks like we have enemies in our way.

The Blarg Invasion

A plume of smoke billowed from the shattered remains of a building, casting a dark shadow across the ravaged street. Ratchet and his new companions, Xoruxshy and IF, stood shoulder-to-shoulder, weapons at the ready. The air crackled with anticipation.

"Looks like the Blarg wasted no time making themselves unwelcome," Xoruxshy remarked, her eyes narrowed behind her visor.

Five robotic Blarg Bombers patrolled menacingly on the ground, their pulsating engines threatening to drown out the rhythmic whirring of Ratchet's Omniwrench. Below them, a squadron of six Birdbots darted erratically, their beady eyes fixed on the unlikely trio.

"Don't worry," Ratchet declared with a confident grin, "we can handle this." He hefted his Omniwrench, the familiar weight a source of comfort.

The Blarg wasted no time. With a guttural roar, they unleashed a barrage of crude bombs. Ratchet, ever the strategist, sprang into action. He launched himself into a series of acrobatic leaps, dodging the explosive spheres with practiced ease.

"Four down!" he announced, a triumphant glint in his eyes. His trusty Bomb Glove had proven effective against the lumbering Bombers. Each well-placed explosion sent a Blarg robot sputtering and smoking, plummeting harmlessly to the ground.

The Birdbots, emboldened by the Blarg's failed attack, screeched and swooped down. IF, a blur of motion, met their assault head-on. Her Qatars flashed in the dim light, a deadly dance of steel as she effortlessly cut through their ranks. One by one, the Birdbots fell, their metallic bodies clattering to the pavement.

With the first wave of enemies neutralized, a momentary lull descended upon the battlefield. But the victory was short-lived. In the distance, the ominous rumble of approaching machinery heralded the arrival of more Blarg reinforcements.

The Blarg pressed their assault, the metallic clang of their boots echoing across the clearing beside the raging river. Ratchet, his breathing ragged, launched himself behind a half-crumbled rock formation, narrowly avoiding a barrage of rockets from the lumbering Blarg Bombers. He peeked over the edge, his eyes scanning for an opening. Beside him, IF crouched low, her nimble fingers adjusting the intricate mechanisms of her Qatars.

"They're relentless!" she shouted above the din of battle.

"Almost to the bridge," Ratchet replied, his voice strained. He glanced towards Xoruxshy, who was using her Gamer System device strapped to her arm, her brow furrowed in concentration.

"Good news," Xoruxshy announced, her voice strained but hopeful. "The bridge is a chokepoint. We can funnel them there and make a stand."

Suddenly, the ground trembled as five hulking Blarg Bombers emerged from the smoke and debris, their single, glowing yellow eyes fixated on the trio. Their rocket launchers whirred ominously, hungry for destruction.

A Frantic Defense

Ratchet knew they wouldn't last long in a stand-up fight. With a determined yell, he swapped his Bomb Glove for the trusty Omniwrench. "Take cover!" he shouted, diving behind the rock formation.

IF, a blur of blue and silver, didn't hesitate. She darted across the clearing, her movements a whirlwind of deadly grace. Her Qatars flashed as she sliced through the legs of a Blarg Bomber, sending it crashing to the ground in a shower of sparks. The remaining Bombers reacted with fury, their rocket launchers swiveling wildly.

Ratchet, using his agility honed by years of experience, weaved between the cover of rocks and the churning riverbank, his Omniwrench a blur as he deflected a stray rocket back at its source. The explosion rocked the clearing, showering them with debris.

One Bomber, its targeting system malfunctioning, lumbered towards Ratchet, its rocket launcher aimed directly at him. With a growl, Ratchet knew a ranged attack wouldn't reach in time. He rolled away just as the rocket exploded behind him, leaving a smoldering crater in the ground.

A Daring Maneuver

Thinking fast, Ratchet spotted a gap in the Blarg formation. He launched himself towards the closest Bomber, hoping to exploit a blind spot. The Bomber, its attention focused on IF's diversionary tactics, didn't react in time.

Ratchet landed a flying kick, connecting with the Bomber's exposed power core. A spray of sparks erupted as the machine sputtered and lurched. He used the momentum to propel himself past the Bomber, narrowly avoiding the wild swings of its mechanical arm.

Round 3: Bridge Bonanza

The Blarg offensive sputtered to a final trio. Three battered Blarg Bombers, the robotic foot soldiers of Chairman Drek, lumbered onto the rickety bridge, their single glowing yellow eyes fixated on the unlikely heroes. Ratchet and IF stood resolute on the opposite end, their forms silhouetted against the smoke-filled sky. Xoruxshy hovered nearby, the Gamer System glowing on her arm as she strategized.

The bridge groaned under the Blarg Bombers' weight, the timbers creaking ominously. The churning river below churned hungrily, promising a watery demise.

"Three down, looks like these are the last ones," Ratchet declared, gripping his Omniwrench with renewed determination. He glanced at IF, her eyes blazing with a hint of the Demon Flames power still lingering.

"Let's make sure they stay that way," she replied, a determined glint in her eyes.

A Fiery Finale

The Blarg Bombers, cornered and desperate, roared and charged. IF, already in motion, met their charge head-on. With a blur of silver and blue, she danced around the lumbering machines, her Qatars flashing as they sliced through exposed wires and cables. Sparks flew as vital components shorted out, one Bomber sputtering and falling inert to the bridge deck.

Ratchet, seizing the opportunity, launched himself across the bridge like a furry missile. He slammed into another Bomber's side, his Omniwrench connecting with a satisfying clang. The impact sent the machine staggering back, its single eye flickering ominously.

A Helping Hand

Suddenly, a figure zipped past Ratchet. Xoruxshy, her eyes gleaming with mischief, landed a playful but strategically placed kick on the remaining Bomber's rear end. The already off-balance machine teetered precariously on the edge of the bridge.

Feeding Time!

With a deafening screech, the Blarg Bomber toppled over the railing. It plummeted towards the churning river below, its form momentarily silhouetted against the churning water. A monstrous splash echoed through the air, followed by a ripple of movement in the water.

From the depths, a colossal fin broke the surface. A pair of beady eyes, the size of dinner plates, glared up at the bridge. A gaping maw, lined with rows of razor-sharp teeth, snapped shut with a sickening crunch. The Blarg Bomber, its metallic form mangled and sparking, disappeared into the depths of the monstrous creature's maw.

A Moment of Respite

Ratchet and IF watched in stunned silence for a moment before letting out relieved sighs. The bridge, though battered, still held. The remaining Blarg threat had been neutralized, devoured by a creature far more terrifying.

"Well, that was unexpected," Ratchet remarked, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "Looks like someone else is having scrap metal for lunch."

IF chuckled, wiping a smudge of oil from her cheek. "Just goes to show, there's always a bigger fish..."

Having crossed the rickety bridge, Ratchet, IF, and Xoruxshy found themselves on a new stretch of riverbank. The metallic groans of the bridge faded behind them, replaced by the sounds of rushing water and the chirping of unseen birds. A brief moment of respite seemed to settle over the trio, shattered only by the rumble of approaching engines.

Three Blarg Bombers emerged from a plume of smoke and debris, lumbering across the uneven terrain. Their yellow eyes scanned the area, quickly fixing on the unlikely heroes. Hovering just above the Bombers, a swarm of six Birdbots buzzed and squawked, their metallic wings catching the sunlight.

"Looks like the welcoming committee is a little... varied," Ratchet muttered, adjusting the grip on his Bomb Glove.

IF, her blue eyes glinting with determination, tightened the straps on her Qatars. "Don't worry, these guys are old news. Let's clear a path."

Xoruxshy, her brow furrowed as she scanned the battlefield with her Gamer System, interjected, "Be careful, these Birdbots seem faster than the last ones. They might try a flanking maneuver."

A Multi-Pronged Attack

The Blarg Bombers, eager to avenge their fallen comrades, charged with a guttural roar. Meanwhile, the Birdbots scattered, some diving towards Ratchet and IF, while others zipped towards Xoruxshy, their metallic beaks glinting menacingly.

Ratchet, ever the strategist, swapped his Bomb Glove for a well-timed concussion grenade. The grenade detonated with a resounding boom, sending shockwaves through the ground. The Blarg Bombers stumbled momentarily, their aim thrown off.

Taking Cover

IF, utilizing her agility, rolled behind a conveniently placed boulder just as a Birdbot swooped down, its metallic claws snapping at empty air. She emerged with a swift counter-attack, her Qatars flashing as she sliced through the Birdbot's wings, sending it plummeting into the river with a sputtering screech.

Xoruxshy, ever adaptable, activated a holographic shield just as a swarm of Birdbots swooped towards her. The Birdbots slammed harmlessly into the shimmering barrier, their momentum causing them to bounce back in disarray.

A Coordinated Response

Ratchet, seizing the opportunity, unleashed a barrage of Megabombs from his Bomb Glove. The explosive projectiles arced through the air, detonating near the Blarg Bombers. Shrapnel ripped through their metallic exteriors, smoke and sparks spewing from their damaged forms.

IF, taking advantage of the distraction, launched herself towards the nearest Bomber. Her movements were a blur of blue and silver as she scaled its side, dodging its clumsy attempts to swat her away. With a well-placed strike from her Qatars, she disabled its targeting system. The Bomber, blind and confused, stumbled back towards the riverbank.

A Strategic Move

Meanwhile, Xoruxshy, her holographic shield deactivated, noticed the remaining Birdbots attempting to flank Ratchet and IF. With a determined glint in her eyes, she accessed a limited hacking program on her Gamer System. The program, designed for simple devices, wasn't ideal, but it was all she had.

With a burst of static, two Birdbots twitched erratically, their control systems momentarily disrupted. Confused, the two Birdbots collided mid-air, falling to the ground in a crumpled heap.

Victory on the Riverbank

With the Blarg Bombers disabled and the Birdbots neutralized, a moment of silence descended upon the battlefield. Ratchet, IF, and Xoruxshy stood victorious, catching their breath and surveying the wreckage.

"Well, that was... intense," Ratchet remarked, a tired smile playing on his lips. He swapped his Bomb Glove back to his trusty Omniwrench, ready for whatever came next.

IF chuckled, wiping a sheen of sweat from her brow. "Looks like those Birdbots weren't programmed for teamwork."

Xoruxshy, a relieved sigh escaping her lips, deactivated her Gamer System. "Even with limited tools, a little ingenuity can go a long way."

Ratchet, IF, and Xoruxshy emerged from their recent skirmish, battered but unbroken. Before them stretched a wide-open expanse of dirt, a vast arena devoid of trees or undergrowth. In the center of this dusty plain, a large, circular patch of packed earth dominated the landscape, worn smooth by countless battles. Hovering a few feet above this arena floor was a sleek metallic ship, vaguely resembling a bird of prey. Three hulking Blarg Bombers flanked the ship, their single yellow eyes glowing menacingly, scanning the approaching heroes.

"Looks like we've stumbled onto a Blarg battleground," Ratchet muttered, hefting his trusty Omniwrench.

IF, a determined glint in her eyes, adjusted the straps on her Qatars. "More like a target. And we're walking right into it."

Xoruxshy, her brow furrowed in concentration, accessed the Blarg network through her Gamer System. "There's something strange. These Blarg seem… different. More coordinated than Drek's usual grunts."

A Tense Standoff

The Blarg Bombers, sensing their advantage, remained motionless, their rocket launchers aimed at the trio. Ratchet, ever the strategist, knew a frontal assault wouldn't work. He needed a plan, and he needed it fast.

Thinking Fast

Ratchet scanned the open area, his gaze darting between the Blarg and the hovering ship. An idea sparked in his mind. "Xoruxshy, can you use your hacking skills to disable those Bombers remotely? Maybe through the ship's systems?"

Xoruxshy's eyes gleamed with a mix of excitement and challenge. "The ship's network might be accessible. But it'll be risky. If they detect the intrusion..."

"On it," Ratchet replied, his voice firm. "IF, you and I will keep them occupied while you work your magic."

A Daring Maneuver

IF, a mischievous grin spreading across her face, cracked her knuckles. "Sounds like a plan."

With a silent nod, Ratchet and IF launched themselves into a flanking maneuver. Ratchet, relying on his agility, used the Blarg Bombers themselves for cover, dodging blasts of rocket fire as he zipped from one to the next. He landed on the back of a Bomber, surprising the lumbering machine. With a flurry of Omniwrench strikes, he disabled its targeting system and ventilation unit. The Bomber sputtered and coughed, its single eye flickering before it shut down entirely.

A Digital Disruption

Meanwhile, IF, a whirlwind of blue and silver, danced around the remaining Bombers. Her Qatars flashed as she sliced through cables and wires that connected them to the ship, causing sparks to fly. Just as a Bomber raised its rocket launcher to fire, a series of alarms blared from the ship's bridge.

Xoruxshy, having successfully hacked into the ship's network, had overloaded the Bombers' control systems. The machines sputtered and lurched, their yellow eyes flickering erratically before they shut down completely.

The Blockade Broken

With the Blarg threat neutralized, the trio stood victorious in the center of the dusty arena. Ratchet, IF, and Xoruxshy exchanged triumphant glances, catching their breath and surveying the scene.

"Nice work, Xoruxshy!" Ratchet exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face. "You fried their circuits good."

Xoruxshy chuckled, a hint of relief washing over her features. "Just a little improvisation. Though next time, maybe a less… explosive solution."

IF, wiping a smudge of oil from her furry cheek, nodded in agreement. "Still, gotta admit, that was pretty satisfying."

The sun beat down on the dusty arena, casting long shadows from the defeated Blarg Bombers. With the blockade broken, their journey to stop Drek could resume. But the question lingered – what secrets did the hovering ship hold?

Suddenly the ship landed, and a tridactyl humanoid hobbled out of the ship's back entrance, slightly bruised.

Mayor: Don't hurt me! Don't hurt me! What are you? Mercenaries? Torturers? Assassins? Hackers? I'll tell you anything! Here, take my infobot, it's all I got left.

Clank: Sir, we're not assass-

Xoruxshy: (winces at the hacker remark)

Ratchet: Hold on, let's see what he's got.

(A infobot displays an ad beginning with Qwark facing off against a Blargian Snagglebeast, standing in front of a pit of lava, and holding out his Q-Laser Pistol only for it to fizzle out, and for the Blargian Snagglebeast to lean down close to take a bite out of Qwark's head, only for the black and white scene to stop)

Qwark: Has THIS ever happened to you? Hi, I'm Captain Qwark, and believe me, there's nothing worse than staring down a Blargian Snagglebeast - from the inside - and knowing your equipment isn't functioning properly! That's why I come to Al's Robo Shack for all my electronic needs. Al has been the exclusive repair shop for my super electro gadgets since I was knee high to a sand mouse! If Al can't fix it, it's not broke, right Al?

Al: Er…

Qwark: You said it pal! So if you're fighting crime, or just fighting grime, heheh, come to Al's Robo Shack in Metropolis for all your robotic repairs. Al's Robo Shack, it's Qwarktastic!

Clank: Do you know what this means?

Ratchet: Yeah. Captain Qwark has really sold out.

Clank: No, it means Captain Qwark is on Metropolis! We could tell him about this invasion…

Ratchet: If we had a ship…

Mayor: Hunh? …uh a ship? You're not going to torture me? Well as planetary chairman, I could arrange for you to borrow our courier ship

Ratchet: Cool!

Clank: You can count on us, sir.

Ratchet: Er…right. Thank you…your…chairmanshipliness…

(Xoruxshy and IF facepalm)

Suddenly, Xoruxshy's Gamer System sends a notification to her via the Miles Electric.

Quest Complete: Find Ratchet & Clank A New Ship!

Quest Reward: Novalis Mirage Keyblade (Xoruxshy), Bulbasaur Qatar (IF), Skill Book: Scatter, Volume 1 (Unlocks Semblance: Scatter Lvl. 1 - Allows the user to move around and attack enemies at high speeds, leaving razor-sharp rose petals in their wake) (IF)

Xoruxshy: Hey, sis! Here's a skill book for you! Now you can run as fast as me and Sonic at top speed.

IF: Cool! (Uses the Skill Book)

Ratchet: Just to be clear, how fast is your top speed?

Xoruxshy: Last I checked, it was a little above the speed of sound.

Clank: But that would be impossible, due to the physical limitations of the mortal body.

Xoruxshy: Chaos Energy, Clank. Even the youngest Mobian has a minute amount of it from birth, and it manifests in different ways. Most have speed increases like me and Sonic, and some like Knuckles the Echidna have super-strength. Me, Tails, and IF however were mainly gifted with flight capabilities.

Clank: Interesting.

Upon the explanation being finished the bridge shortcut reactivates and the group heads back to the ship, where another quest begins.

Quest Started: Explore the Waterways

Quest Reward: Skill Book: Burn - Vol. 1 (Xoruxshy)

Ratchet: Really? Another quest?

Xoruxshy: Oh well, might as well get them all done while we're here.

Ratchet: Yeah, I guess you're right.

Upon taking their first few steps into the waterway cavern, an explosion overhead causes stalactites to fall, creating platforms for the group, leading to a pair of pistons going up and down. With some careful timing, the group manages to get up to the next section, where they find 2 Peckbots, easily swatted aside by Xoruxshy's Novalis Mirage Keyblade. Upon climbing up some stairs, they find 2 Blarg Bombers, 1 on either side of a small gap in the floor. Upon seeing one of them get hit by their own explosion and chuckling a little, Ratchet uses his Bomb Glove to defeat both of them. Upon more piston platforming, they enter the next room to find MORE piston platforming and a thin narrow walkway leading to the end of the path.

?: Dadblast it!

Ratchet: (chuckles) Look, plumber's crack.

Xoruxshy: (chuckles)

IF: Real mature, sis.

Plumber: What did you just say?!

Ratchet: I said, 'Look - the plumber's back!'

Plumber: Alright, wiseguy, shouldn't you be on one of them escape transports?

Ratchet: Escape transports?

Plumber: News flash: giant robots attacking. The escape transports are taking all the rich folks off this galdarn planet.

Ratchet: So why aren't you on one?

Plumber: Socioeconomic disparitoeconomic disparity.

Ratchet: What?!

Clank: He hasn't got enough bolts.

Plumber: Working people have to wait for Captain Qwark to save us.

Ratchet: Well, got anything worth a lot of bolts?

Plumber: (pulls an Infobot out of…you know what, let's just imagine it's his pocket) I got this thing - shows two weirdos ditching their ship. It's got coordinates to a desert planet, too.

Clank: An Infobot. Ratchet, Xoruxshy, IF, we could use that.

Xoruxshy: Alright. How much do you need to get on one of those escape ships?

Plumber: 500 bolts.

Xoruxshy: Here, I'll transfer them to your account.

Plumber: Thank you kindly, miss. Oh, and just so you know, the water is completely pure, thanks to the sewer purification system. Say hi to Pinkie Pie for me! (Runs over to said sewer pipe) Geronimo!

Xoruxshy: So that's why Drek wanted this planet.

Ratchet: Did he just slide down a sewer pipe?

(An infobot shows two green tridactyl humanoids in a solarship, being bombarded by missiles)

Skid: Mayday, mayday! This is the solarship Radical. We seem to be under attack from the planet's surface!

Skid's Manager: Relax Skid, it looks like some sort of fireworks display. Probably in your honor.

(Suddenly a missile passes right in front of them, narrowly missing the ship)

Skid: Whoa, that was close… (The ship is hit) Aaagh!

Skid's Manager: Pipe down, I can't concentrate!

Skid: Ooh, we've been hit!

Skid's Manager: Er… an unexpected detour. When we land I'll see if I can scare up an exhibition for you.

Skid: But I'm not gonna live that long!

Skid's Manager: (Suddenly sees a missile heading right for them) Kid, let's am-scray!

Skid: (Hits the eject button) Eject! Eject!

Ratchet: Did you see that guy on the left? That was Skid McMarx.

Clank: Does he know Captain Qwark?

Ratchet: I doubt it. He's a Pro Hoverboarder - always going off about how cool he is.

Clank: Looks like he's in trouble.

Ratchet: I'll say! I've never seen him look so freaked out…

Suddenly, the Quest Complete notification popped up on Xoruxshy's Miles Electric.

Quest Complete!

Explore the Waterways

Secondary Objective Complete: Buy the Infobot from the Plumber.

Quest Reward: Skill Book - "Burn Lv. 1" (Yang's Semblance - The more damage you take, the more damage you deal)

Noveria Complete!

Nexus Station has been updated!

Ratchet: By the way, Xoruxshy, what's this Nexus Station?

Xoruxshy: Oh, you want to see it? You'll have to fly the ship into the TARDIS. It may not look like it, but it'll fit. A Time Lord once fit a Ferrari in there.

Location: Nexus Station Basilicom

Upon getting out of the TARDIS, Xoruxshy is immediately jumped on top of by Vert, Neptune, Noire, and Blanc, to IF's amusement.

Xoruxshy: Ow… What are you all doing here?

Tails: They came because they all heard about your regeneration accident.

Xoruxshy: Oops…

Blanc: I have to say, the bowl cut does not suit you.

Xoruxshy: Hey, I didn't pick it!

Neptune: Anyway, who's the new furry guy and robot?

Xoruxshy: That's Ratchet. He's a Lombax. And that's Clank. I brought them to see the Nexus Station. Anyway, Ratchet. These are the four CPU Goddesses of Gamindustri. Neptune, also known as Purple Heart; Noire, also known as Black Heart; Vert, also known as Green Heart; and Blanc, also known as White Heart. For reasons unknown to us, Blanc is a Time Lady as well, although older than me. And this is my Basilicom. Here, light-aligned people and entities gather to travel from world to world. Now that I've traveled to your universe, Ratchet, that includes you as well.

Clank: It's amazing. What is its power source?

Xoruxshy: We don't really know. The most we can figure is that it runs off of people's faith in the CPUs.

Clank: In a crystallized form, I assume?

Xoruxshy: Indeed. Anyway, let's get you introduced to the main staff that are usually here. Antoine D'Coolette is our Basilicom Greeter and Concierge. He handles all the papers for traveling to and from different worlds.

Antoine D'Coolette: Greetings, Monsieur Ratchet, Monsieur Clank.

Xoruxshy: Antoine, how's Bunnie?

Antoine D'Coolette: Ze wife is doing fine.

(They head down to the weapons forge, which has increased in size, now having more machines and workers)

Xoruxshy: This is our weapons forge. This was based off of a Video Game, and is used to create weapons from enemy parts. Tails is the main overseer of this particular forge.

(They head down to the Gamindustri Floor)

Xoruxshy: And this is the Gamindustri Floor. It has gaming rooms for all consoles from Gamindustri, and a complete collection of all games ever published.

Ratchet: Oh…my…gosh…

(Heading down to the incomplete floor)

Xoruxshy: And this is where the floor that your world will be based off will be built by the Basilicom itself. As you can see, there are areas that resemble your home planet Veldin, and now Novalis. These are just copies, I'm not like Drek. Anyway, on to the final floor.

(Heading down to the Disc Floor)

Xoruxshy: And this is the Disc Floor. It used to be called the World Hub Floor, but we changed it. This is where the Worlds all interconnect. And here is your World's door. (Shows him a door with a gear pattern stretching across both halves of the double door entrance, with a cartoon picture of him on one side, and a cartoon picture of Clank on the other) Anyway, that's all I have to show you right now. So let's get going to Kerwan.

Omake 1: Bulbasaur Qatar Interview

Reporter: Here at Gadgetron headquarters, I'm joined by Gary, a Gadgetron employee, to discuss the recent release of the Bulbasaur Qatar. This new weapon comes hot on the heels of the highly-successful Bloomblaster, which took the market by storm. Gary, thanks for joining me today.

Gary (Gadgetron Employee): (Adjusts tie, clears throat) Absolutely. Happy to be here.

Reporter: So, the Bulbasaur Qatar. It seems like a rather quick turnaround after the Bloomblaster. Is there a reason for this rapid release?

Gary: Well, you see, Gadgetron is a company that prides itself on staying ahead of the curve. Innovation is our middle name! (Looks pointedly at the camera) Sometimes, uh, smaller companies with...less experienced leadership might rush a product out the door without proper testing or consideration for the market.

Reporter: (Raises an eyebrow) Are you referring to the Bloomblaster, by any chance? Its creator, Verity, is certainly young.

Gary: (Chuckles nervously) I wouldn't dream of naming names. But let's just say, experience counts for something. A truly innovative weapon like the Bulbasaur Qatar takes time and expertise to develop.

Reporter: Innovation, you say? But isn't the Bulbasaur Qatar essentially a rapid-fire seed launcher?

Gary: (Scoffs) Now hold on there. There's a lot more to the Bulbasaur Qatar than meets the eye. It's got germinating technology, advanced targeting with a photolytic vine-growth system...it's miles ahead of anything else on the market.

Reporter: Except for maybe having a catchier name?

Gary: (Sputters) The name is irrelevant! It's all about function! The Bulbasaur Qatar is a game-changer, and discerning consumers will recognize that.

Reporter: Well, Gary, time will tell if the Bulbasaur Qatar can live up to the hype, especially considering the Bloomblaster's popularity. Thanks for your time.

Gary: (Sighs, straightens tie again) Anytime. Just remember, when it comes to real firepower, Gadgetron is the only name you can trust.

Omake #2: Bulbasaur Qatar Follow-Up Interview

Reporter: We're back at Gadgetron headquarters, this time to discuss the ongoing controversy surrounding their latest weapon, the Bulbasaur Qatar. Joining me again is Gary, a Gadgetron employee. Gary, thanks for coming back.

Gary (Gadgetron Employee): (Slightly flustered) Ah, hello again. Things have been...interesting around here lately.

Reporter: Interesting is certainly one way to put it. The Bulbasaur Qatar hasn't exactly been the sales juggernaut Gadgetron expected, especially considering the not-so-subtle jabs you took at its competitor, the Bloomblaster, during our last interview.

Gary: (Clears throat) Well, the market can be fickle sometimes. But we at Gadgetron remain confident in the Bulbasaur Qatar's superior…germinating technology.

Reporter: Right. However, a recent surge in popularity for a weapon called simply "Qatars" seems to be overshadowing the Bulbasaur Qatar. These Qatars appear to be actual bladed gauntlets, a far cry from your plant-based projectile weapon. Any thoughts on this development?

Gary: (Scoffs) "Qatars"? Sounds like someone took a page out of a dusty history book and slapped a generic name on a cobbled-together weapon. There's no way these…these…improvised blades can compete with the technological marvel that is the Bulbasaur Qatar!

Reporter: Interesting that you say that, Gary. Because rumors persist that these "improvised" Qatars are actually a modified version of the Bulbasaur Qatar, created by a young inventor named IF, who took offense to your comments about her friend's Bloomblaster. Any truth to that?

Gary: (Silence, nervous blinking)

Reporter: (Holding up a gauntlet with the Idea Factory logo) This modified Katar, for instance, seems to possess all the functionality of the Bulbasaur Qatar, minus the germinating aspect, and with the added benefit of being a practical close-quarters weapon.

Gary: (Stammers) That's…that's preposterous! The Bulbasaur Qatar is a Gadgetron design, through and through!

Reporter: Except for the "Qatar" part, which seems suspiciously absent from your original marketing materials. It appears IF has taken your weapon, improved upon it, and given it a more marketable name.

Gary: (Sighs in defeat) Look, there may have been some inspiration drawn from certain…aftermarket modifications. But the new Gadgetron Qatars, coming soon, will be a vast improvement!

Reporter: Really? Because these new Qatars, leaked to the press just yesterday, look remarkably similar to IF's design, down to the ergonomic handholds and the optional bio-attachment capabilities.

Gary: (Avoids eye contact) Uh…convergence of design ideas in the marketplace? The future is bright for bladed weaponry!

Reporter: So, Gadgetron is essentially copying IF's design and claiming it as their own?

Gary: (Mumbles something inaudible)

Reporter: Well, Gadgetron, it seems consumers are no fools. They can see a blatant copycat when they see one. Perhaps next time, focus on true innovation instead of trying to discredit your competition. We'll be back to see how the "upgraded" Gadgetron Qatars fare in the market.