Sadly Ratchet passed away at only a few months old, but Pedal and Sprocket were thriving. They were becoming more independent, although they were strongly bonded and still did most things together, adventuring in the fields and playing in the garden.

Of course their mother, The Cat, was still a big part of their lives. Pedal saw himself as her protector, having taken over the mantle from his big brother Ana Half-Tail. And Sprocket had a close mother-daughter relationship with her mother.

But still, however grown up they were becoming, they were never too old to try and grab a quick feed from their mamma.

Sadly, around this time, Pedal and Sprocket became seriously ill, probably due to poison which they ingested in the fields (maybe from a poisoned rat). For over a week they hovered between life and death, but slowly they pulled back, although Pedal never recovered fully; he remained small, and not as strong as he had been. But their bond was stronger than ever and they spent more time in The Cat’s Garden, enjoying each other’s company and that of their mother.