Team Darkstar

Team Darkstar is the name assigned to Ratchet's team during his time as a gladiator at DreadZone. In addition to Ratchet, it also consists of Clank, Al, Merc and Green.

Members[]

Ratchet: The primary contestant who is assigned to much of the fighting. He is placed into a suit of armor standard for DreadZone contestants, and fights his way through a series of gladiator courses on different planets within the Shadow Sector. He also fights at DreadZone station, participating in a range of tournaments, where he would fight the champion exterminators: Ace Hardlight, The Eviscerator, Reactor and Shellshock. Although he initially sees an opportunity for fame, he is guided on the right path thanks to his sidekick Clank.
Clank: In order for Vox to save bolts to hire a mission engineer for Ratchet, Clank is assigned this role. Throughout, he provides Ratchet with radio guidance on how to use DreadZone equipment and weaponry, as well as useful information for him to ensure his survival. He would later assist Ratchet in helping him to free the imprisoned contestants and escape DreadZone.
Al: In addition, Al is assigned as Ratchet's technical engineer. He provides Ratchet with Merc and Green, and gives them upgrades during his journey in DreadZone. He also figures out how to remove the Deadlocked collars that contestants are forced to wear.
Merc and Green: Two combat bots who provide Ratchet with fire support, morale, as well as utility. They previously belonged to a contestant who was perished, and were given tweaks throughout Ratchet's time in DreadZone. They usually provide Ratchet with shield support while he turns bolt cranks (or alternatively can be ordered to do it themselves), grind cables, EMP blasts, and hacking of devices.

History[]

Team Darkstar is formed after the events of Up Your Arsenal. Before their formation, Ratchet, Clank and Al are on the Starship Phoenix, and briefly learn from Sasha Phyronix that Captain Starshield was a victim of the illegal combat sport DreadZone. Shortly after, as they enter the Shadow Sector, the three are captured and taken to the DreadZone station. Ratchet is forced to wear the DreadZone armor, and the three are forced to wear deadlock collars, which could either be detonated or administer an electric shock.

After Ratchet is spoken to by Gleeman Vox, and finishes his training, he is teleported to his hub where Clank and Al are. Here, the two explain their purposes at DreadZone, and Ratchet expresses initial excitement at the fame DreadZone could be bringing, prompting Clank to remind him they are being illegally held prisoner. Al introduces him to Merc and Green, the two combat bots who would provide Ratchet with support. As Clank promises to help Ratchet to the best of his abilities, he is called in by Vox to fight at the DreadZone arena.

Although initially mocked for his size by the Vox News anchors, Ratchet proves to be a formidable fighter, completing the qualification course. He would then be assigned to fight his way through his first few courses on Catacrom Four, Sarathos, and Kronos, the latter being the location he would fight his first exterminator, Shellshock. He is successful in defeating Shellshock, and returns to the battledome to fight in the Avenger Tournament.

Team Darkstar continued to fight in a series of tournaments and courses on a variety of planets. The tournaments included the Crusader, Vindicator and Liberator tournaments, while being taunted by Ace Hardlight along the way, who maims Al for removing Clank's deadlock collar and forcing him to put it back on. Although unable to provide support for a while, Ratchet and Clank continue to push through DreadZone, hatching a plan to save the imprisoned contestants and put an end to DreadZone. In addition, Ratchet fights other exterminators such as Reactor, The Eviscerator and eventually Ace Hardlight.

Due to Ace Hardlight's defeat, Ratchet was nominated by Gleeman Vox to become the new grand champion of DreadZone. Because Clank and Ace warned him, Ratchet declines Vox's offer, who then forces him to run the experimental Gauntlet of Doom, believed to be impossible to complete. Clank reassures Ratchet that he will ensure Ratchet survives, and once he completes the course, orders him to destroy it so that it can never be used again. Back at the hub, Al had returned, and Clank informs Ratchet that he has found a way to free everybody. He redirects the shuttle to the core of the battledome, but this turns out to be a trap by Vox. However, Ratchet manages to buy time for everyone to escape, before confronting Gleeman Vox. When defeated, Clank arrives to extract Ratchet, Merc and Green, before the battledome is detonated, putting an end to the illegal combat sport for good. Ratchet's deadlock collar is also removed in the nick of time, as that too is also detonated. Although Ratchet, Clank and Al remained allies, Team Darkstar had disbanded in the destruction of DreadZone, and Merc and Green were presumably decommissioned or set free.