Disclaimers ... they're so cute. Here's mine: Nintendo owns the Star Fox series and Disney owns Power Rangers S.P.D. This fic is the first ever crossover for each series. Star Fox and S.P.D. have enough similarities to the point that a fanboy couldn't resist merging their universes together. I'm sticking to the Star Fox canon as best as I can to appease SF fans, but S.P.D. is my bigger love and I enjoy writing OCs, which you will see from both series. I say this because I was never a hardcore Fox gamer growing up but I loved the game nonetheless. Enough of my flappin'. R&R please.

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S.P.D. - The Zeo Nexus

by eternal

Chapter 01 - Eos

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At first glance, it was another faceless city enclosed by towers and neon street signs. The drizzle added another layer of bleakness to the already dismal metropolis and fell upon the cloaked citizens jamming the sidewalks. Most were looking to get home, some to second jobs, others to secret affairs. All things were grim.

This was one man's observation from his perch atop the roof of an abandoned warehouse. The setting was uninspiring yet familiar. It looked so much like home, but it wasn't. Earth was literally two galaxies away -- not bad considering the alternative assignments. This could pass for New Tech he thought; just with a lot more late afternoon showers and terrorism.

Behind the visor of the all-black, fitted helmet, the man's eyes winced at the memory of New Tech. It's been a while, precisely 13 months and nine days. He remembered how desperately he wanted the transfer, after everything that happened. He needed to escape the life he built so carefully for twenty years. It only took months however to destroy it.

The man sighed internally, mostly because his next break wouldn't come for two hours. His eyes caught sight of a moving figure across the way on another rooftop. His visor focused, allowing him to see far-away objects close-up. He already knew who it was, but with things the way they were...

"Man, I'd swear you were a statue if I didn't call ya every now and then to wake ya up!"

The Texan accent of his teammate spoke loudly over the comm-link. He endured him for as long as they have been on Eos and considering the lack of choice, became friends. Typically he never responded and today was no different. He never understood how the guy could keep good spirits in a place like this. The food was horrible, there were no Earth girls to know, and they worked the same detail for months on end. They bore the same skin-tight armor, black from head to toe, save the silver trimming and the canine insignia resting above the visor.

"I'll speak for you then. 'Shut up, Hawk. Just do your job, Hawk. What are you giggling about now, Hawk?'"

The man didn't so much as crack a smile, not that Hawk could see it anyway. He turned his gaze back to the streets to continue surveillance. Just seconds later did the comm-link reopen.

"What, Hawk?" the man asked, indignantly.

"Try Supreme Commander Birdie."

The man's heart dropped. He swallowed, hard.

"Sir, I apologize."

"Accepted. Cadet, the captain over the Eos mission tells me you're not happy with your assignment."

"Sir, I have not said anything of the sort. I proudly serve wherever S.P.D. sends me,"

"At ease, Cadet. Eos is a hell-hole. We all know this," Birdie said. The Supreme Commander stood from his chair and came to the window overlooking the blue skies outside his office. "I have a proposal for you."

"Sir?"

"We have a level five security alert being issued as I speak. We're bringing home a very special item and it must not fall into the wrong hands."

"May I ask what it is, sir?"

"No you may not. Experience has taught me even the most secure communication channels are vunerable to the ears of strangers. Let's get to the point, Cadet. I need you to pilot a vessel to help protect our cargo carrier. Will you accept?"

"Yes, sir. I go wherever S.P.D. sends me."

"Yes. You've told me twice now. I will contact Captain Hubert with the details of your departure. Thank you for your time, Cadet."

"Thank you for your's, sir."

The comm-link ended immediately. In a minute's conversation, hope replaced the numbness that long ago killed his spirit. He pumped a fist into the air and shouted. Hawk looked on from his perch, baffled.

"Now you gotta tell me what that's all about, brother."

The cadet stopped moving to answer back. His helmet barely contained his smile.

"Sky Tate is out of here."

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In contrast, things in New Tech were a lot more bright, and hot. The sun ascended in its burning crawl. School was nearing again for the city's minors, including the young cadets at the S.P.D. Academy. Those who had families lived off base (off-planet for some), but those who didn't have families stayed behind. That included thirteen year old Sam Dalton.

The junior cadet's stringy red hair was damp with sweat and matted to his forehead. He worked feverishly to get around his opponents who blocked the basket. The game was two-on-two, but Sam was at a serious disadvantage. Both of his opponents, and his teammate, were all identical. His supposed teammate worked against him also.

"Ty! This isn't fair!" Sam said inching his way in.

"So? You said you could beat a Triforian at basketball!" Ty replied, smiling.

The two-on-two turned three-on-one was unfair on purpose. Ty loved to win, no matter what. Two of his persons stepped away, allowing Wisdom to snatch the ball from Sam's hands and dunk. The three gathered together and bumped chests, their contact joining the young Triforian back as one entity. The sweat on his forehead took on a golden luminescence before fading away.

"Playing with you sucks," Sam said grabbing his drink from the bench.

Ty just smiled as he took his bottle and downed a gulp. Their attention was redirected as a thunderous noise cracked the sky. The boys looked up to see a familiar vessel descend from the clouds.

"S.W.A.T. Mega Flyer," Ty said identifying the ship.

Sam's eyes lit up. "Back from the trenches."

"Yep. Let's get out of here. I can't take this heat much longer."

"Same."

The boys sprinted off toward the Academy. Mega Flyer made its landing and began its entrance into the Delta bay. Minutes later three individuals exited the vessel. They were familiar faces to all that worked in the zord bay. They were heroes, the defenders of Earth.

As they walked across the floor, applause broke out. The man of the trio looked surprised. His eyes grew wide and his lips cracked a nervous smile.

"Come on, B. Relish in it while you're alive."

That was Z's usual response to the modesty Bridge exhibited. He disliked open accolades and it showed through his unnatural smile. Syd, in contrast, took Z's advice to heart. Like a newly crowned beauty pageant queen, Cadet Drew waved with a perfectly cupped hand.

Giant twin doors swooshed open across the way. A gear-grinding canine bolted through, flanked by two companions from behind.

"R.I.C., down!" Dr. Kat Manx ordered, her voice carrying across the bay.

"Here boy!" Syd said kneeling to greet her favorite pet. A marquee of smiley emoticons scrolled across his face plate.

The Pink Ranger stood up immediately, realizing she was also in the presence of Commander Anubis "Doggie" Cruger. She and the other two saluted their superior in unison.

"Rangers, welcome home. I am quite pleased," Doggie began. "This third mission should be your last in locating and containing the last of the Troobian revivalists."

"We've heard that one before," Cadet Delgado jested.

"I would also like to commend you three for the team work you exhibited on Marka 8. Having less man power with only three B-Squad Rangers now has proven challenging, but you really pulled it together out there," Kat commented.

"It does get tough with less fighters, but we're hanging in there," Syd said with a fading smile.

"Hey, we kicked bot. We're hardly hanging in there," Z retorted.

"Tell that to the nails I broke," Syd said holding up her right hand.

"Rangers," Doggie said cutting them short. "Until a drastic escalation is made from the enemy, Galactic Command will let B-Squad remain as it is. The Council has full confidence in the efficiency you three have shown in the past months."

"By that you mean the efficiency in the amount of money they save on having two less active Rangers?" Z asked with eyes on Doggie. Commander knew Z's understanding of S.P.D. politics. He dismissed the question knowing it was unethical for someone in his position to criticize the organization, whether S.P.D. was right or wrong.

Doggie cleared his throat. "In case you have forgotten, Sky is still active as B-Squad captain."

"How could I forget?" Z muttered.

"He is coming back eventually, right Commander?" Syd asked.

Doggie sighed. "That was the plan at first. After everything settled down, he was to return, but Birdie's temporary assignment for him has really snowballed."

"To our expense," Bridge added. "We seriously could have used his help this time. This was the riskiest mission yet."

"Hey, we did fine without him. We did our thing and we left. End of story," Z said. She was visibly angered by Bridge's comment. "If you'll excuse me."

Z sent off a departing salute to Commander Cruger and left through the nearest exit.

"Apparently some bruises don't heal," Syd said crossing her arms.

"She has got to get over this," Bridge said seeming annoyed. It was rare to hear him sound frustrated with anyone or anything. "If Sky does get a permanent transfer, then the Galactic Council must bring in a new captain. Three's not quite the crowd in our line of work."

"You make a valid point, Bridge," Kat said, nodding. "But like Commander Cruger said, they won't do anything until the stakes are raised. For now, you three are it."

Bridge and Syd exchanged troubled looks. Knowing additional enforcement was conditional even for S.P.D.'s greatest squad was unsettling, for both the Rangers and Commander Cruger.

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He's smelt death before. Once you smell it, you never forget it. This was far worse, a thousand times worse. The stench of death filled the starry skies above what was the remains of the Star Fox Academy. Fires were everywhere. Bodies lay dead across the broken walls, some beneath. For those who survived, their end was soon coming.

Rocks and glass crunched beneath the hooves of a creature who walked purposefully to a crawling figure in the distance. The darkness hid his features from the helpless being, save a sharp hook that took place of his left hand. His narrowed slits hungered for the blood of the white-furred creature at his feet.

Blood poured from the rabbit alien's mouth. His body was crushed beneath the wall that collapsed on top of him. If he wasn't killed now, then the loss of blood would.

"Peppy Hare!" the monster spoke. His smile was pure evil.

"That's ... Gen..General Hare t-to you!" Peppy managed to say. His speaking ability was nearly gone, like his life.

"You have been defeated, old Hare. What final words do you have before I end your existence?"

"You are evil... You will n-never win..."

"We already have!"

The monster raised his hook to end Peppy's life. Then a voice called out.

"No you haven't, Razoo!"

The tall creature turned his head to see a figure in the shadows. He limped past the fires and debris and stood just yards from Razoo. His cadet uniform was rent severely.

"What is this?" he asked, smirking. "It's over, Fox!"

A laser pistol was clenched in his left paw, poised to fire. "You kill him and you're done!"

"Don't you see, Fox? It's over! You lost! Your father's legacy lays on the ground around us!" Razoo said before laughing.

"My father's legacy isn't truly over until I'm gone. Leave General Hare alone. It's me you want!"

"No no, Fox. I would love to kill you myself, but that pleasure belongs to Andross. You will be personally delivered to him to be executed as he sees fits."

Fox and Razoo locked eyes waiting for the next move. Razoo's hook was inches from Peppy's face and Fox's gun was aimed for Razoo's head. Seconds passed in silence before a shot rang out, hitting Razoo's hook and again at his armored mid-section. The monster lost his footing and crashed into the debris.

"Who dares!" Razoo screamed.

"I dare," a squeaky voice answered.

Stepping out from his hiding place, a short figure hopped forward and landed beside Fox. It was Slippy Toad.

"Slip, you're alive!" Fox said. He embraced his close friend.

"Not for long!" Razoo said getting up. He began to charge at the amphibian.

"Quickly! My sword!" General Hare called out. His eyes pointed to where it lay.

Fox spotted the blade and dove at it. Taking the sword in both paws, he charged at Razoo and connected their weapons. As they started to duel, Slippy hurried and knelt at General Hare's side. He tried in vain to lift the wall off of him. It was far too heavy for the weak toad to remove.

"No, Slippy. It's too late for me," General Hare spoke, his voice growing weaker.

"No! Don't say that! ... We need you."

"Fox will lead you. You must listen." Peppy took a breath to continue. "Andross ... he came here for... for.."

"For what? General, speak to me!"

"... The Zeo crystal."

Slippy's eyes grew large. The power was legendary throughout the universe. It was rumored to have been lost for some time. Slippy shook his head.

"General, we don't have the Zeo crystal. No one knows where it is."

"We ... did, but we g-gave it..."

"Gave it to whom? Please, General! Tell me!"

"S .. P .. D .."

Peppy's eye closed. He was gone. Slippy's eyes watered as he lifted them to where Fox and Razoo were engaged in battle.

Their metals clashed and sparked with each swipe. Fox leaped into the air and brought his blade down at Razoo's head, which he side-stepped easily. Razoo went straight into a tornado kick for follow-up, but missed Fox. His hoove went over the shorter creature's head, thanks to the cadet's significantly smaller stature.

"If it's the last thing I do, you and the rest of Andross' creeps will be brought in!"

The fire they fought beside revealed Razoo's face, which appeared amused by Fox's comment. His skin was hard, brown, and cracked into tiny scales.

"It's easier to talk tough when you've got nothing else to loose, huh?" Razoo asked. His snake-like eyes turned venomous as he spoke. "I've lost plenty making sure Andross succeeds in his revenge against Corneria. In case you've forgotten, this government was responsible for my parents' death much like his own!"

"You're a bigger fool than you look! Corneria's government was not responsible for your parents' end! Andross killed them to brainwash you into believing they did, so you would join his side!"

"That is a lie! You would say anything now to have your life spared! Well it's too late for that!"

Razoo charged at Fox with his sword raised above his head. He swiped at the cadet, who rolled between Razoo's legs and delivered a fierce back kick to his rear. Razoo staggered forward, giving Fox the opportunity to strike. Mustering the remainder of his strength, Fox sailed through the air with Peppy's blade and struck Razoo as he turned around. He pierced the warrior's neck clean through.

A long silence ensued as Fox and Razoo stared each other in the eyes. Fox's clawed feet pushed off of Razoo's chest and back flipped onto the ground. From where he knelt beside Peppy, Slippy looked on mortified with what he saw.

"He ... he killed him," the toad said, aghast.

Fox's chest heaved as he watched Razoo fall onto his knees and then to his side. He approached Andross' slain warrior and pulled the sword from his neck.

"What have I done?" Fox asked aloud, his knees buckling and forcing him to the ground. What he did just hit him. "I'm no better than them."

Slippy hopped away from General Hare and landed next to Fox. "It's going to be alright. If you didn't, he would have taken your life first."

Fox shook his head with closed eyes. "It's against our code of honor to kill in ground battle. I should have contained him, Slip."

"With what? Our containment modules, our weapons, the base -- it's all gone now. You didn't have much of a choice."

Fox's eyes opened with tears soaking his furry cheeks. He looked to where General Hare lay. "Is he?"

"Yes. He is," Slipped replied, sadly. "I suppose we should start looking for any possible survivors, but there's something you should know."

"What is it, Slip?"

"General Hare said something before he passed, something I think they may or may not be true, something I know was at least a rumor, something--"

"SLIP, spit it out already!"

The startled toad answered. "The Zeo Crystal. General said we had it and they came for it."

"That's crazy! We don't have it! No one has it!"

"You're right. We don't have it, not anymore at least."

Fox stood up. "What do you mean not anymore?"

Slippy stood also. "General said we gave it to S.P.D."

"S.P.D.?"

"Space Patrol Delta."

"I know who they are, Slip!" Fox said shifting his eyes to where Peppy lay. "But why did we have the Zeo Crystal? We didn't General tell us?"

"I don't know. My guess is Andross will send them after S.P.D. next."

Fox nodded to himself, then to Slippy. "That's where we're going, too."

"What? Fox, you can't be serious!" Slippy protested.

"You bet your rubbery hide I am!"

"But the cadets! We need to help them!"

Fox turned from Slippy and stalked up a hill of debris that overlooked the destruction and ruins of the Academy. "Take a good look around, Slip! There are no survivors! And if there were any, their lives would pale in comparison to the ones lost if Andross does something with the Zeo Crystal! Worlds could be lost! Or maybe the universe!"

"But, Fox--"

"NO. We're going."

Fox made his descent from the hill and walked past Slippy, who continued to look at his friend the way he did when he slain Razoo. Fox looked around the vicinity as if he were looking for something.

"Slip, come. We have to find a functional Arwing and get out of here," he said turning to face the toad.

Slippy hesitated to move. Fox shook his head and continued to walk away. "Fine. I'll go alone."

Fox only got several feet before he heard the crunching of gravel in broken intervals.

"Wait for me!" Slippy said hopping quickly to catch up.

A small smile made its way onto Fox's mouth, the last one he would have for a long time. He sobered and turned back to Slippy.

"For General Hare," he spoke.

Slippy nodded in agreement. "For General Hare."

Fox and Slippy hurried away in search of a working Arwing. Unaware, they were being watched. A figure hiding amongst the debris scurried away, having witnessed everything.

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Outer space was peaceful, serene, and quiet. The man strapped into the pilot chair of an S.P.D.-marked travel vessel wished it were the same inside the cabin. The small craft zipped toward its destination, a destination unknown to both of the inhabitants seated inside. Coordinates were pre-set.

Country music played softly in the background to the tune of Johnny Cash's One Piece at a Time. Hawk was providing back-up for the late crooner as he leaned back in his seat and folded his hands behind his head. Next to him sat Sky, who remained virtually mum with the exception of an occasional cough.

"You may wanna get that checked out there," Hawk said looking to his companion.

"I'm fine," Sky said, dryly. His eyes fell on Hawk's music device. "Must you listen to that out loud? And sing?"

"If you've got ear buds, I'd be happy to plug 'em in my ears for ya."

"I have a fist. Will that work?"

"That's ain't very nice," Hawk said sitting up. He reached to his belt where his player was and lowered the volume. "Is that better for you?"

Sky didn't answer, leaving Hawk to believe yes. The Texan ran a hand through his cropped dirty blond hair and looked out the infinite frontier ahead of them. Even he was growing bored. Hawk was approximately Sky's height but had a slightly larger build. His classic American looks complimented his sense for adventure and thirst for danger.

"Man, oh man, I am so glad to leave that place. In case I've forgotten, thanks for recommending me for the assignment. Can I ask you something though?" Hawk asked.

"Yeah?"

"Why?"

Sky shrugged, keeping his eyes on space. "I guess I owe you. You tolerated me when I've been mostly--"

"A jerk? Rude? Cold? Hard? Getting close here?"

Sky shot Hawk a look. "Distant was the word I was going for ... but those would be accurate also."

"A distant, rude, cold, hard, jerk -- yeah that works for me," Hawk said, smiling.

Sky grinned weakly. "So what's next for you? Where do you want to go?"

"Home! I wanna see my baby girl," Hawk answered.

"You know that's not going to happen any time soon, so where else?"

"Heck, I don't know. I'm hoping for a miracle. I just want to go home and see my family."

Sky knit his brows. "You signed up for S.P.D. Seeing family is a luxury not afforded to most."

"I see that now. I'm just trying to provide for them the best way I know how. Don't you ever want to go home, Sky?"

Sky's face grew hard at the question. "I haven't had a home for a while now. ... I joined S.P.D. in eleventh grade to complete my education there."

Hawk laughed. "What kind of kid would want to go to school at S.P.D.? There's no football team and definitely not many girls to date."

"I didn't care about those things then," Sky replied. "I wanted to start training to become a Power Ranger, just like my father."

"That's an admirable thing. I wanted to grow up to be like my daddy, too. After he lost his legs in World War III, the Army was all I cared about, until I followed Donna into the Air Force that is."

"Why is it most of your life decisions involve some girl?"

"My mama used to say the same thing," Hawk laughed. "But what's done is done. S.P.D. recruiters offered me training for space travel and here I am! The big time!"

"The big time?" Sky asked. He rolled his eyes. "Big time is piloting a Megazord, being thrown through inter-dimensional vortexes and surviving, and having to save Earth from a gigantic meteor."

"Well excuse, Ranger Man. I may not have sat at the wheel of some big fancy Delta Car--"

"Runner. Delta Runner."

"Delta Runner, but where I come from this is bigger than the World Series and the Superbowl put together, for everyone except Daddy. But anyway, I'm sure you made new family while at S.P.D., right?"

Sky hesitated to respond. "Some."

"Well? Don't you keep in contact with them?" Hawk asked.

"I talk to them sometimes ... through e-mail. This guy I worked with, Bridge, put me on some stupid list, so he always forwards me these real corny jokes and wise old sayings. I don't even read them. I just delete them."

"I love those e-mails!"

"You would, wouldn't you?" Sky asked.

"If you love corny jokes, I've got enough to last us the rest of the way, wherever we're going."

"Please don't."

"You're no fun, you know that?" Hawk asked. "So who else you write to?"

"Hm. ... I hear from my friend Jack every few months."

"Oh, the guy you got to replace only because he resigned, right?"

Sky ignored the dig. "Yes, him. He travels the world constantly. He's big into charity work. Him and his wife started a missions program and they oversea some projects. He sends me updates and pics when he gets around to it."

"Well that sounds good. You got a girlfriend?"

Sky's face hardened once again. "No..."

Hawk smiled. "Did I hit a sour one there, Sky? What's her name?"

"Hawk--"

"Come on, man. You know all my stuff."

"That I never asked about," Sky responded.

"Was she a cutie? She break your heart?"

"I'm going to break something of your's in a minute. Put that crap back on if it'll get you to shut up."

"You got yourself a deal!"

Hawk turned his player volume back up. It was another Johnny Cash song.

Goodbye little darlin'. We're parting.
Parting don't always mean goodbye.
Although we had to part, you're always in my heart.
Goodbye little darlin' goodbye.

Goodbye little darlin' I'll miss you miss you.
Miss you like the stars would miss the sky.
I hate to see you go. I'm gonna miss you so.
Goodbye little darlin'. Goodbye

Goodbye little darlin'. I love you.
Love you until the day I die.
Would you dream a dream of me, wherever you may be.
Goodbye little darlin'. Goodbye.
You've found someone new. They'll be good to you.
Goodbye little darlin'. Goodbye.

Sky refocused on the space ahead.

Of all the songs...