Childhood - Chapter 1

Veldin is a peaceful planet in the Solana galaxy. Most people there are not very aggressive, however it’s also a huge laughing stock as a result.
Its inhabitants consist of outcasts or people who don’t have enough money to get out.

In this planet lives a beautiful couple of mechanics, Isoch and Constel. Their dream was always to have a happy family and move to Marcadia. Unfortunately, due to an incident, Constel is sterile and cannot have kids no matter how hard she tries.
This isn’t the only problem in their life. As Isoch grows older, he’s unable to work on ships and weapons. As a result they’ve been steadily losing costumers. If this keeps up their establishment is bound to go bankrupt.

One day, while watching the stars with his wife, Constel noticed an object falling from the sky.

“Look honey, a shooting star!”
“It’s beautiful, let’s make a wish…”

And after that, silence.
They just stood there, with their eyes closed until they fell asleep next to each other.

The next morning, Isoch woke up on the ground with bugs crawling all over him.

“Argh! Get off me!”

His girly screams awoke his wife.

“What happened?”
“I guess we just fell asleep watching the sky. Hopefully nobody robbed us…”
“I’m sure it’s fine. Why won’t you go hang out with the guys at the bar?”

Isoch thought it would be a good way to relax a bit, seeing as how the past few weeks had been very tense.

“Isoch! Where have you been?! Your fur is almost as messy as your face!”
“Haha, very funny Proto…”

Isoch sat at the counter and asked for a bottle of beer.
The bar wasn’t very full. Not that it was very surprising considering how awful everything in it is.
Usually people just walk in to use the barely functioning restroom.
Barbley and Proto were there though, as usual.
Barbley, being so imaginative, started going on about another one of his stories.

“So, fellas, how many of you have tried hunting the Golden Dragon?”

This story peaked David’s interest though.

“Golden Dragon?”
“Of course, it came down from the skies last night! They say that he has a ferocious roar, golden scales and big striped wings on his head.”
“Are you sure you’re not making this up, Barbley?”
“C’mon, Isoch. Who do you think I am?”
“The same guy who convinced the entire town that the sky was falling…”
“That was almost 4 months ago, let go of the past, furry guy!”

Despite his doubts, Isoch decided to go to the mountains to see if Barbley’s story wasn’t all bullcrap.

When he got there, he noticed there was definitely a roar. Isoch was starting to get worried, he grabbed a wrench from his toolbox.

“Not as useful as a gun, but it’ll have to do…”

The mountainous area was very confusing, almost maze-like. Isoch had to use his ears if he hoped to ever find the source of that “ferocious” roar.
It seemed like it was coming from a big hole in one of the mountains.
Isoch hesitated before reaching out to see if he could find anything.

What came out was certainly unexpected, an infant with yellow fur and big ears. His eyes were green, almost like emeralds and he had very big claws on his hands.

“Well, you’re a far cry from a dragon, little guy. What’s your name?”
…
“Am I really asking a toddler for his name? Anyway, do you happen know where your parents are?”

The child reached out for Isoch’s toolbox and pulled out a strange tool. Seems like Isoch didn’t use it much.
He realised what it was after a closer inspection though.

“A ratchet?… Is that your name?”

The little boy nodded.

“Ratchet… what a strange name. I’m Isoch, it’s nice to meet you…
I guess your parents aren’t around here, huh? Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you, Ratchet!”