Hey everyone! So, this is my first attempt at a Ratchet and Clank fanfiction! This is supposed to be right after Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction, and it's slightly AU because in this, Ratchet's parents are alive, and Alister was not banished and so he is with all the other Lombaxes in the other dimension (which Ratchet and Clank are going to using the Dimensionator ;D). This will contain some spoilers from the games, so just warning you now!

Please review and tell me what you think, if I should continue, and if you have any ideas for the name of Ratchet's mom/Ratchet's parents' personalities!

My Disclaimer is on my profile, but I'll put one here just in case! I don't own the Ratchet and Clank series, and nothing in it! I only own OCs (no clue if there's gonna be any in here even) and the idea for this storyline!

Thanks, and please enjoy reading!

Ratchet stared quietly at the Dimensionator.

He was safe now, as was the universe again. His friends were all safe...And yet he didn't feel quite as much joy as he should.

For years, he had been completely alone. Before Clank had even come along, he'd been alone for ages. To think, somewhere out there...Somewhere out there, there were other Lombaxes!

But he had stayed, even when given the chance. Perhaps he was crazy, or perhaps he was simply too kind hearted for his own good, all he knew was that now...Now another chance was in his hands.

"Ratchet."

The young Lombax jumped in surprise, looking away from the device in his hands, gaze falling on his best friend, Clank.

"Huh?"

The small robot tilted his head, seeming concerned.

"You seem to be distracted. Is something wrong?"

Ratchet smiled half-heartedly, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm...I'm okay, Clank."

Clank paused, looking at the Dimensionator, then back to Ratchet.

"You cannot decide if you wish to stay, or go to the other dimension where the Lombaxes are."

It was more of a statement than a question. Ratchet couldn't help but laugh slightly, his friend knew him better than he knew himself.

"You got me."

The little robot padded over, sitting beside Ratchet. The two sat there in a comfortable silence for a time, neither saying a word, until Ratchet finally spoke.

"What do you think I should do?"

Clank turned his gaze to Ratchet.

"I believe that the choice, in the end, is yours."

Emerald eyes flickered down.

"But...But what if I make the wrong choice? I can't risk never seeing you again, Clank, you're my best friend. You're the one person that's actually been there for me."

"It is because," Clank smiled slightly, "No one else know's how to tolerate your reckless antics."

Ratchet ducked his head, laughing slightly.

"Yeah, I guess you're right about that." The Lombax then became solemn once more. "But still, you're my best friend. And you're really smart too, so...So I really would like some input here."

There was another split second of silence, in which Clank inspected his friend. The young Lombax was staring at the Dimensionator, fingers curled around the cold, metal device. His feline-like ears were drooped low, showing he felt truly lost. Bright green eyes, usually so sharp and sure, instead shown with sadness and indecisiveness. Tachyon had said his father was dead, but that...That just didn't sound right. He didn't know why, but Ratchet's instincts told him that it was a lie. And usually, his instincts weren't wrong. It would make sense, someone as proud as Tachyon lying to save his dignity.

But he was too scared to go on his own. To...To be alone again...

Ratchet knew it was unhealthy to be so dependent on his best friend, but before Clank, he'd been all alone, just so alone-

"Wherever you go, Ratchet, I will follow."

The Lombax blinked, eyes flashing up in alarm.

"R...Really?"

Clank nodded.

"Of course. Someone must ensure you remain out of trouble."

A surprised laugh left the young male, and Clank joined in the laughter. After a moment, the fit of laughter faded away, leaving a companionable hush between them.

Ratchet looked back to the device in his hands, deep in thought.

A universe...Where he wouldn't be alone. But would he really be accepted? He had lived for so long in this dimension...He knew nothing about his own kind, not even the language.

Ratchet's cheeks burned slightly with embarrassment, but he quickly dismissed it. If he wanted to go...Then shouldn't he?

"Ratchet?"

"Let's try it." The Lombax looked at the small robot, who was staring back. "Let's try and meet the other Lombaxes."

Clank smiled, inclining his head.

"Alright."

The two of them stood, Ratchet carefully holding the Dimensionator as he moved a safe distance from any cliff edge, his friend following. He then carefully placed the helmet on his head, careful of his sensitive ears. Taking a deep breath, he steeled his nerves and looked straight ahead, gaze determined.

"Dimensionator! Find the Lombaxes!"

He pulled the wiry cord, and there was the whir of machinery before an odd portal opened. It looked clear, but rippled, like the surface of a pond, and its edges glowed blue.

Ratchet glanced at Clank nervously, and the little robot smiled encouragingly in return. And so, steeling his nerves, Ratchet stepped through.

His mind immediately began to spin, and he felt dizzy, nauseous. It felt like his brain was being ripped apart, and his body felt like it was being pulled in all directions. His heart pounded against his ribs, he felt like he would explode-!

But...Then it all stopped. The spinning, the pulling, it was all just...Gone.

Ratchet fell to the ground on his hands and knees, coughing roughly, ripping off the Dimensionator. It clattered away, but was quickly grabbed by Clank, who looked at his friend in concern.

"Ratchet?"

The young Lombax didn't reply for a moment, breathing labored, heart hammering. He coughed roughly a few times more, trying to drag air into his lungs, to calm his churning stomach. He could feel dust, dirt and sand under his fingers, feel a warm breeze blow past his twitching ears, and his sensitive nose could catch a scent that felt so familiar, but also so...Alien.

"Ratchet, are you alright?"

Emerald eyes flickered up, and Ratchet managed a shaky smile.

"Y-yeah, I...I just need a second."

Clank nodded, watching quietly as his Lombax friend slowly sat up, resting back on his heels and rubbing at his head.

"Ugh, ow. Not a big fan of inter-dimensional travel now..."

Clank smiled slightly, moving over. He activated Ratchet's Manifester, storing the Dimensionator safely in it among the Lombax's weapons.

"And you are surprised that traveling from dimension to dimension is uncomfortable?"

Ratchet sent him a half-hearted glare.

"Have a little sympathy, would'ja?" He complained, an ear flicking back in irritation.

Clank only chuckled, and Ratchet instead turned his focus onto examining their surroundings.

It was dawn, a warm golden sun only just starting to rise above distant mountains. The light cast shades of gold, red, orange and pink across the sky, though those colors were slowly fading to light blue. Around them, there were scattered trees and other plant life, poking through the sand and pebbles. Some patches of grass breached the dusty ground, and when Ratchet reached forward and brushed his fingers across the green blades, they were cold from the recently gone chill of nighttime.

In the distance, Ratchet could see a city, protected by high walls.

"Wow...Finding the other Lombaxes might be easier than I thought it'd be."

Clank shook his head.

"When has anything ever been easy?"

Ratchet offered a sheepish grin, thin shoulders lifting in a shrug.

"Well, either way," He said, standing. "We should go there. We can't stay out here. C'mon."

The Lombax helped Clank up onto his back, where the little robot shifted into a compact form. With his friend secure, Ratchet started off towards the walled city.

"It looks pretty much impossible to get in." He commented. "But I think I see a way past the walls. Your systems still working after dimension hopping?"

"My systems are all optimal." Clank confirmed, his voice soothing to Ratchet, who's heart was pounding as hard as a hammer. He felt nervous, far more nervous than he had ever been. Even when he'd been chased after by Tachyon, he hadn't felt this scared.

Would his people accept him? Ratchet didn't even know his real name, let alone anything about his people's tradition and history. He didn't know if he could do this...

"Ratchet?"

The young male jolted slightly, eyes lighting up as he came back to reality.

"Huh?"

"You have stopped. Is something wrong?"

Ratchet blinked, realizing that he had, in fact, stopped walking. His tail was lashing about anxiously behind him, and his fur was on end.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry, Clank. Just thinking."

He felt his friend shift a bit.

"You are worried?"

Ratchet shrugged, continuing his trek towards the city.

"Just a bit." He admitted, ears swiveling about as he listened to their surroundings.

"Why?"

The Lombax sighed.

"Because...Just because."

"You are anxious that you will not be accepted." Clank stated more than asked.

Ratchet laughed half-heartedly.

"Is it that obvious?"

"To me, yes." Clank replied. "But I don't believe there is any need to worry. From history records, I can determine that the Lombax race is not only honorable but can be very kind."

"But a Lombax who can't even speak his native language? I mean that...That's just..."

"I agree that it seems odd, but the reasons as to why you do not know about your own race is valid. Any flaws you may have, I believe, are easily overwritten by your many triumphs."

Ratchet smiled slowly, tail settling and ears relaxing.

"Yeah, I...I guess you're right."

"I am rarely wrong."

Ratchet laughed, lightly jostling the little robot.

"Now you're just beefing up your ego!" He accused playfully.

"Perhaps, e-he-he-he-he." The little mechanical being laughed.

Ratchet rolled his eyes good-naturedly. He was glad to have his best friend with him.