A/N: Thanks for the review, Fox! I hope everyone had a great New Year!
Mira charged down the steps, staring up at the Hyper-Hornet fearfully. What had become of her father?
To her annoyance, the Royal Court began to snicker amongst themselves. She wasn't the only one who found this irritatingly inappropriate, for Zurg leaned forward in confused indignation. "What? What's with the chuckling? What's so funny?"
Lord Capella sneered. "Oh, a poor, undeveloped buffoon like you wouldn't understand."
A frown creased Mira's face. Can't they see that my father's in grave danger? And so is Tangea if we don't do something!
The king's secretary, Sir Gemini, approached one of the walls. "We Tangeans can ghost through any solid object." To demonstrate, he phased his hand and thrust it through the wall, then pulled it out again triumphantly.
Steepling his fingers, Lord Capella threw a smirk in Zurg's direction. "I expect old Nova to bounce out of your so-called 'Hyper-Hornet' any moment now."
Mira felt like slapping her forehead. Of course! Daddy'll be fine! He just needs to ghost out and then we can run to safety and send the guards to deal with the robot.
Grimacing uncertainly, Zurg knelt beside the short green insectoid operating his hover-throne. "Did we count on that?"
"Oh, yes, Evil Emperor," assured the minion. "The Hyper-Hornet is outfitted with an anti-Tangean hull."
Oh, craters! Fear returned to Mira's face, and she looked around helplessly. What are we going to do?
"Ha!" the emperor gloated. "So, who's the poor, undeveloped buffoon now, huh?"
Without warning, the rubble strewn across the floor began to quiver, and a second later it was blasted in all directions by a red laser beam from beneath. "That would be you, Zurg!"
Buzz is okay! Mira's heart leapt - a saviour had appeared.
Emerging from the pile of broken ceiling pieces, the Space Ranger levelled his arm at Zurg and pressed an unseen trigger, causing a red beam to shoot from his wrist. Zurg ducked the blast, groaning at the sight of his enemy.
"Hyper-Hornet, destroy Buzz Lightyear!"
On command, the hornet turned around and shot a green pulse from its hand, blasting Buzz upwards. Mira gasped as she watched him perform a mid-air somersault and aim at the robot as he fell. Unfortunately, before he could fire, the hornet sent out a wave of red energy rings from its chest, and they wrapped themselves around the unfortunate Ranger. He dropped to the floor, his arms pinned to his sides by the restraints, and struggled to break free.
Mira nearly screamed when she noticed what the hornet was doing. After raising its huge metal foot, the 'bot began to slowly bring it down above Buzz.
In a moment of quick thinking, Lightyear pressed a button on his suit. A pair of wings emerged from the jetpack on his back, breaking through the energy bands and freeing him in time to fly away before the foot came crashing down.
Wow, he's good, Mira marvelled.
Without even pausing for breath, Buzz flew in for another attack, firing at the hulking robot. It fired back, waving its arm at him as he flew around its head as though it were trying to swat a fly.
Clasping her hands over her face anxiously, Mira eyed the nobles around her. "Shouldn't we do something?"
"Right, we'll immediately..." Capella shuffled indecisively. "...form a committee to... evaluate the situation." Concurring with his choice of actions, the other nobles followed the lord as he began to walk away.
Mira clenched her teeth, then spun around and called after them, "Actually, I-I had something a little more pro-active in mind! You know, maybe we could..." Already the nobles were ghosting out the room. "...fight or some- Aw, craters!" She folded her arms. They're going to be a lot of help.
"I heard that, Mira!" echoed the voice of her father from inside the robot. "No need for coarse language!"
This brought a smile to Mira's face. Daddy's okay! He's trapped, but at least he's okay!
Meanwhile, Zurg was gleefully watching Buzz's futile effort to fight his hornet. Chuckling, he shouted to the Ranger, "You can't keep this up forever, Lightyear! My Hyper-Hornet never tires!"
"Neither does Justice," retorted Buzz, dodging the arm of the hornet as it tried to swat him. He continued to fire at the robot, but each blast simply bounced harmlessly off the thick hull.
This doesn't look good, cringed Mira.
And then it got worse. A lucky swipe of the robot's arm connected with Buzz, and he was thrown against the wall with such force that he broke through, falling out the palace and towards the distant ground.
When she heard his cry as he fell, Mira realised the Ranger's jetpack was no longer functioning, otherwise he would have flown to safety. He's going to die! And if Buzz fell to his death, then Tangea was doomed too. What am I going to do? Her mind was reeling - this was so far removed from any situation she'd ever been in before. Suddenly, one of the floating refreshment tables caught her eye, and she took a running leap onto it. Glasses hit the floor and shattered, spewing water everywhere as the table took flight. Using her feet to control its path, she maneuvered the makeshift craft towards the wall and focused her mental powers, phasing herself and the table so that they slipped harmlessly through.
When she glanced below at Buzz, she saw he was still plummeting downwards, heading for the shallow river that ran beneath the palace. He waved his arms, struggling helplessly against gravity, while a stream of smoke poured from his useless jetpack.
I only have one shot at this! Mira pressed her weight down as hard as she could on the table, pushing it towards the falling Ranger. I have to catch up with him in time! I have to, I have to! As she repeated this to herself, Buzz grew closer and closer, until at last she was within arm's reach of him. Yes! Throwing out her arms, she grabbed hold of him and pulled, lugging the heavy Ranger onto the table.
For a few frightening seconds, she feared the craft wouldn't be able support their combined weight, for it dropped rapidly downwards. However, it soon rose again, and she let out a sigh of relief. "Hi, need a hand?"
Buzz grinned. "Thank you, Princess. You saved my life."
Mira steered the table upwards, heading for the palace. "Well, I had to. You're Tangea's only hope."
Instead of going back to the throne room, she found an empty balcony outside the council chambers and brought the table to a stop. Buzz hopped off, holding out his hand so he could help her down. "Not necessarily." Moving towards the windows lining the balcony, he pulled back the curtains. "Uh... Your people really are capable of defending themselves in ways my crude mind can't hope to grasp." There was no note of mocking in his voice, but it was filled with sarcasm.
Mira smiled in embarrassment. "Yeah, I don't know if we can count on my people." They'd give away Tangea to Zurg if it meant avoiding a fight. Daddy wouldn't - he's too proud and stubborn - but the others are cowards!
Pulling back more curtains as he rummaged around for anything that could help them, Buzz replied, "Well then, it's just you and me."
Mira laughed in relief. He wouldn't joke like that unless he had a plan. Maybe he's got back-up waiting somewhere, or a secret ship in orbit! "Yeah, right," she giggled.
"Something funny, Princess?" Buzz eyed her strangely, and she stopped laughing.
"Oh! Uh, you - you're serious?" Her eyes widened. He couldn't possibly... He can't think... When she saw Buzz nod, her anxieties returned, even stronger than before, and mixed with indignation. "Um, I'm a princess. A princess! I don't know anything about fighting evil emperors!" Who does he think I am? I'm not one of his Rangers! I can't do this! Surely he can't expect me to -
"Princess," Buzz's voice was firm, "there's one thing I've learned on my many adventures." Laying his hand on her shoulder, he gazed intently into her eyes. "You never win if you're busy counting the reasons you'll lose."
She giggled again, though this time it was to break the heaviness of the atmosphere. "Yeah, right." There's no way he can really mean that. The two of us can't stop Zurg alone! Buzz, however, never dropped his intense expression, and Mira quickly cut her laughter. "Oh, oh! Serious again, right? Sorry."
"Dead serious."
Okay... Now what? "Look, how are we supposed to stop Zurg? He's got a giant robot - we're just two people!"
"Two determined people, driven by the forces of Good, fighting for the cause of Justice and Freedom. That's more than a match for anything Zurg's got."
Mira shuffled her feet awkwardly. "Um, yeah... Okay. That's great, but it doesn't really answer my question..." This is not going to end well. I know it.
"Like I said, Princess," answered Buzz, "don't count the reasons you'll lose. Trust that Good will triumph." He smiled in encouragement. "We'll think of something. I've stopped Zurg before, sometimes on my own. Having you at my side makes it twice as likely I'll stop him again."
"But I'm not you! You were trained for this kind of thing, while I was trained to act like those other pathetic royals back in the palace! You learned fighting, and I learned etiquette! How can I be of any help?"
"Look what you've done already." Buzz gestured to the hovering table. "You saved my life. No one else lifted a finger to help me, but you did. Don't sell yourself short." He leaned closer. "Remember what I said earlier about doing good? About making a difference?"
"That it's the only thing that really matters?"
"Exactly. You have an opportunity to do good now, Mira. You don't have to wait till you're the queen. Will you take it? Or are you content to be like all the others - a pampered royal with no backbone?"
She turned away, hugging her arms around her sides. "I am just like them, aren't I?" Sighing, she glanced back at Buzz. "All right. I'll do whatever it takes to free Tangea. Got any plans?"
A grin flashed across the Ranger's face, and he nodded in satisfaction at her decision. "Of course, Princess." Guiding her towards the wall, he continued, "Ghost me in. I think I know how we can bring down that robot."
Some time later, slipping through as quietly as she could, Mira emerged from a wall and ended up in a shadowy corner of the throne room. So far so good. Clutching the weapon she'd taken from the armoury, she took a step forward and surveyed the room. Her hands gripped tightly around the base of the gun in anger when she saw Zurg.
He was lowering himself into her father's throne - as if it were his - while minions scurried about below and the Hyper-Hornet stood nearby, a silent sentry. Apparently the shape of the throne didn't suit him, for he shot up again a moment later. "No, no, no, no! It just won't do! I'll need a new throne. And - And get me one of those vibrating lower back massager thingies!"
"As you command, Evil Emperor Zurg!" One of the little green insectoids nodded, writing down the order on a clipboard and rushing to fulfil it.
How dare he! Using anger to push away her fear, Mira stepped out of the shadows. The minion collided with her leg and fell onto his back, only to look up to see a gun barrel pointed at him. "Cancel that order. Father likes his throne just the way it is." Raising the gun, she aimed it at Zurg, who showed annoyance rather than fear.
"Hyper-Hornet, destroy the princess," he sighed.
On cue, the giant robot came to life, stomping towards her and firing a green pulse from its hand.
Don't panic, don't panic, don't panic. Mira leapt aside, somersaulting across the floor and springing up again so she could level her gun at the robot. Green fire swept across the floor where the hornet's blast had hit, but she tried not to let it bother her. Remembering that the robot was impervious to laser fire, she raised the gun higher and instead shot at the chandelier hanging from what was left of the ceiling. Her aim was far from perfect, but after several tries she finally hit the cable suspending the chandelier and it came crashing down. It smashed down on the robot, pinning its arms to its sides, just as the energy bands had done to Buzz.
Maybe this isn't so tough after all! Mira smirked, a rush of adrenaline flowing through her body as she surveyed her handiwork. Time was precious, however, so she didn't pause long. Leaping at one of the walls, she phased through, hearing Zurg yell 'stop her!' in the background and the sound of breaking metal as the hornet burst from its bond.
She ended up in a corridor and immediately began running, her speed quickening when she heard the wall collapse behind her. The hornet had broken through, and was gaining on her with its long, hulking strides.
Her heart pounded as she dodged laser blasts, some of them almost singeing her cape, and she pushed forward with as much speed as she could. "Now, Buzz!"
Emerging from around a corner, Buzz flew out on the table with a long banner grasped in his hands. He zoomed forward with the billowing flag, circling around the hornet over and over until the banner was wrapped around its legs. He then let go and retreated. The robot tried to stomp after him, but instead tripped and fell face first to the floor, cracking open and smashing to pieces.
Yes! Finally able to stop running, Mira leaned against the wall and breathed a sigh of relief. We did it!
Buzz jumped off the table, landing on the remains of the robot's back. Grabbing the table, he used it to pry open a compartment, and when he'd pushed it aside a voice called from within, "Hello?"
Daddy? A smile broke across Mira's face as she watched Buzz help her father out of the cramped compartment. "Daddy!" He's safe! She rushed forward and embraced him, wrapping her arms around his back and clinging to him with all her might.
Their joyful reunion was cut short, however, by a dual-toned voice calling, "Oh, tell me that crash was the sweet sound of Evil triumphing!" Zurg's hover-throne rounded the corner, with the emperor onboard, looking quite anxious.
"That," Buzz retorted, his back still turned to Zurg, "was the sweet sound of Freedom. Tangea's freedom." He swung around and aimed his wrist laser at Zurg, a smirk on his face.
Zurg stared at the remains of his hornet, his eyes bulging with horror. "Curse you, Buzz Lightyear!" He shook a pair of fists at the Ranger, who continued to grin smugly.
"And, uh, yeah...?" prompted Buzz.
"Yes, yes," Zurg waved his arms angrily, "curse you too, Princess!"
Mira couldn't help smiling in satisfaction, her eyes shining with pride as Buzz gave her a thumbs-up. I... I did it! I helped defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg! Buzz's words on the balcony suddenly made a whole lot more sense. Once I stopped focusing on why I couldn't do it, and just went ahead and did it, I was able to make a difference! And it felt good - even better than Buzz had described. I finally feel like I've accomplished something important.
"I suggest you get off this planet, Zurg, or I'm going to have to take you in," Buzz threatened the emperor.
"I'd like to see you try, Lightyear!" Not waiting around to give him the opportunity, though, Zurg made a rapid exit.
After Zurg left, Buzz turned to King Nova. "I'll call Star Command and have them send out a couple of cruisers to guard to Tangea for awhile, just in case Zurg tries something again."
Nova nodded, biting his lip. "You... er... You did all right for a... uh..."
"Talking ape?"
Gritting his teeth in embarrassment, Nova nodded. "Something like that. I... Well, I'm... grateful for your assistance."
I can't believe it, Mira giggled. He actually apologised - and to an off-worlder!
"Any time, King Nova." Buzz saluted. "I'm a Space Ranger. It's my duty to protect the innocent against evil forces like Zurg. Besides," he put his hand on Mira's shoulder, "I couldn't have done it without the help of your daughter. Great job, Princess - thanks to you, Zurg's evil plan is history!"
Her cheeks reddening, Mira shrugged. "I didn't do much..."
"On the contrary, for someone who doesn't know anything about fighting evil emperors, you handled yourself very well." He grinned. "Maybe you should think about signing up with Star Command."
Mira laughed. "'Space Ranger Mira Nova' - sounds pretty cool!"
"Hardly." Folding his arms, King Nova glared at Buzz. "Don't give her any foolish ideas, she has quite enough already." Then his gaze softened, and he let out a sigh. "Listen, Ranger Lightyear... While I was in that awful robot, I did something thinking. Perhaps you were right about what you said - Tangea could use protection against the likes of Zurg. I hate to admit it, for we've always been very self-sufficient, but I don't ever want a repeat of what happened today." He steepled his fingers. "Perhaps you could find those ambassadors and bring them to me. I'd like to talk to them again. This time I'm willing to hear what they have to say."
Mira's mouth fell open. Is he serious? "Oh, Daddy, that's wonderful!" Throwing her arms around him again, she kissed his cheek. "Are we finally going to join the Alliance?"
"Perhaps," Nova sighed, stroking Mira's hair.
Nodding in pleasure, Buzz began to walk away. "I'll make that call to Star Command and get the ambassadors. You're making an excellent choice, Your Highness."
"Probably not, and the people are going to be furious, but I have to do what I can to protect my world." Nova hugged Mira one more time, then glanced around. "Where are those useless guards of mine? I need a clean-up crew in here to remove this robotic monstrosity!"
After had Buzz left and her father had wandered off to find the guards, Mira remained alone in the hallway, her hands clasped to her chest. I can't believe it! I can't believe everything turned out so well! She'd never realised her father had it in him to put aside his pride for the sake of his kingdom, and it filled her with a new respect for him. Maybe he's a better man than I thought. Suddenly, her world which had looked so bleak a year ago was bright and full of promise. Who knew what the future had in store...
Maybe I'll even become a Space Ranger one day! She laughed at the idea, but it was curiously appealing. The Space Rangers got to travel throughout the galaxy, and most importantly they helped people, pledging their lives in the service of Good. The only thing that truly matters, she thought, remembering Buzz's words.