-Chapter 2: Two for none team

Buzz wandered out of the Starcommand employee's entrance hall, used strictly for quick access by Starcommand rangers, scientists and the janitorial staff. He wasn't on duty until around noon , but there was always evil to foil and Warp was due to be on duty right about now anyway.

Buzz continued on his way, ready to begin his day's work as a space ranger. He headed for the usual spot for his morning shift, the level three facility break room, which was one of the largest in the structure and it always came equipped with fresh made coffee and the best snacks to grab and go.

As he entered the hallway, he caught sight of a familiar young dark skin ranger, Rocket. The ranger gave a pleasant smile as he approached, accompanied with a wave.

Buzz returned the same gestures as was appropriate, thinking they'd pass quickly as the two had a bit of a rivalry ever since the academy. "Hey Buzz, just heard the news. Wow, it's like the end of an era." Buzz's eyebrow went up, but Rocket was already down the hall to investigate further. He didn't give it much more thought. Entering the faculty room, imminently he spotted hias three rookies chatting amongst themselves in a distant corner of the complex.

"Morning Buzz." Mira chimed.

"Hi Buzz!" Booster added.

"Morning rangers, did I miss much?"

XR crossed his arms, "Around here? Nothing much. Can you believe they actually made us do inventory duties yesterday! An advanced one of a kind robot ranger and I get inventory duty. I mean come on!" He continued to pout.

"But XR you must be really, really good at inventory. Numbers and robots go hand and hand I thought?" Booster speculated, with his usual happy grin.

"That, my friend, is a no good stereotype, I'll have you know some robots are the worst at numbers! Also someone should probably double check inventory today. Not because of me! but just for you know…accuracy purposes."

Buzz chuckled lightly at his friends. "Sounds like you three had a good day of hard, honest work, you know it's not always about fighting Zurg, high speed pursuits, high stakes life or death adventure, the whole galactic federation counting on you. No sir, being a ranger is about doing your part, no matter how big or small." Beginning his typical spiels.

"Yeah, we sure have been doing more than our fair share of the small if you ask me." XR feeling his sulky mood continue.

"What he means is-" Mira stepped in. "We are ready for some action Buzz, some big action, like you said. Big and small!"

"Yes please! Today can we go out with you, Buzz? Please!?" Booster shouted.

"Well, my favorite rookie team needs a little action from time to time, but I promised Warp we'd do some missions like the old days. I better go talk to him first. I couldn't get a hold of him last night, he didn't call in sick did he?"

"Ranger Darkmatter? No! I saw him heading over to launch bay 22 not too long ago."

Buzz thought for a moment, "Launch pad 22… That's Rocket's ship?"

"Yeah… Not sure why since your ship is obviously star cruiser 42 and always has been." Booster continued.

Buzz's face scrunched in thought, "oh… I'll head over there, see what the 411 is. I'm just gonna grab me some of the most important meal of the day, I'll get back to you after I talk to him, team." Buzz assured.

Nebula walked in next, a groggy pace as it had been a late night and an early morning for him. He stopped and watched, when he spotted Buzz march cheerily across his way to the fruit table. He watched the hero ranger for just a bit longer before entering.

The three rookies were a bit surprised when their superior walked their way, Nebula not interested in pleasantries, he managed to mumble back as they gave their proper respects; while giving a certain bot the cold shoulder as per the usual. Nebula, not one for wasting anyone's time, especially his own, quickly got on topic.

"I guess congratulations are in order for the rookie Lightyear squad, huh?" The three looked at him blankly, but the commander didn't seem to notice. "I suppose you three really did know what was best after all. Seems to me Buzz took things well huh?" he paused taking a taste of his coffee, "I suppose nothing lasts forever, not even team Lightyear and Darkmatter."

The three rangers gasped. "Darkmatter and Buzz broke up!" Booster howled uncontrollably.

"Ah…Buzz hasn't told you three yet?"

"N-no…" Mira stammered. Nebula's shoulders slumped and even his mustache drooped with them.

"Wait, wait, wait pops! Are you saying officially… they broke up?! Like over!? Donzo!? The man is available for a lovable trio of rookie rangers, that kind of over?"

"Yeah, do you mean as a team or is this a personal break up deal!?" cut in with fan boy enthusiasm.

"Wait? Buzz and Warp are a thing? Like a thing, thing? I mean I had a hunch-Were they dating-are they dating?"

"You didn't know? Cuz I'm sure even Emperor Zurg knows and he's on the opposite side, Mira. You are really out of the loop." XR scoffed.

"Not my fault nobody tells me anything-"

The commander gave a clearing of his throat, "I'm not here to get all gosipy, rookies, but yes Warp asked for a formal partner change, as of the two's personal relationship. None of my business. I assumed you'd be one of the first to know, so I'm guessing Lightyear doesn't know yet either.'' The three still looked rather dumbfounded, he took a long sip of his mug. He peered over at the other ranger again, he was about to make his way back after deciding on a Tangean tangerine from Nova's home planet.

"All right rangers listen up, apparently it's been a slow news day, so I'll ask the three of you to keep it quiet until he can hear it properly from Darkmatter himself. If he doesn't do it soon I'll drag the scamp over myself to do it." Each one nodded in agreement with thier commander's orders.

"Buzz is heading over to see ranger Darkmatter after this, commander Nebula." Booster confirmed.

"Good, the sooner the better." the commander nodded and forced a smile to Buzz before heading out.

The three found themselves following after Buzz to launch bay 22, Lightyear was enjoying his tangerine as the others awkwardly slinked behind him knowing what was to come.

"What's wrong, you three seem… quiet?" Buzz shrugged.

"W-wrong? Nothings wrong! what could possibly be wrong?" Mira stamered.

"Smooth." XR whispered to her. not noticing the near meltdown Booster was having over keeping a secret from his beloved idol.

"I can't take it! Commander Nebula told us Ranger Darkmatter requested a new partner and now team Buzz Lightyear and Warp Darkmatter is no more!" he hyperventilated.

Buzz blinked.

"Ouch…" XR backed away.

Darkmatter was resting on the railing with his fellow rangers, Even, Ty Parsec and Rocket. He didn't notice the others approaching until Rocket called out "Lightyear!" waving as he and his rookie crew walked up.

"Hey, with this new team up I think we're about to give the new team Lightyear a run for their credits, huh?" he teased.

"Well if your technique is stealing my partner right from under me I'd say those credits would be dirty…er because that would technically still be gambling if you hadn't done so… still." Lightyear was visibly steamed crossing his arms.

"Buzz he didn't 'steal me', now you get the rookies and I get less busy work, it's win, win." Warp looked away from the other.

"Yeah, and I get a new partner to kick Zurg but with." Even chuckled excitedly. "We're teaming up with Rocket and Ty for our first mission together, after that we'll get assigned our own star cruiser!"

"Yeah," Rocket agreed. "You know the rules, Lightyear, only even numbered teams are allowed in the field and a sanctioned crew is no more then-"

"Four, no less than two." Buzz finished, "I know that, I wrote that! I just feel like I should be told that my partner… isn't."

"Oof, sorry bud, thought you knew. " Rocket non apologized.

"You weren't scheduled until noon, thought I'd have more time. Should have known ol' Lightyear would punch in for the early shift." Warp shrugged. "Well, now you know and since you do we should really get going. Heard Zurgs got something cooking up on TradWorld, go have fun with your new team Lightyear." the ranger waved him off, walking onto the ship.

"Catch you later Lightyear. No hard feelings!" Even called, the other rangers followed suit.

Buzz watched as the ship's doors slid behind them taking off.

The ship had landed and Warp was working on cooling down the thrusters at his station of the control panel, Rocket and Even were changing out of uniform for some undercover work. That's when Ty Persec came back from scouting, he took a seat over by Warp. "So you finally ditched the famous Buzz Lightyear huh? Hey I can't say I blame you, after this TradeWorld thing you should come out with us, you know mingle now that you and Lightyear are… well completely over."

"Thanks, we're not field partners anymore, but I'm not sure if we're over, over… yet." Warp corrected. "It's just better this way, with his new team and all."

Ty's brow went up. "Really? That seemed like a break up to me, plus I've never seen Nebula do paperwork that fast, must have known you were serious. oh, and believe me I get it, when you went undercover that one year I was assigned Buzz's partner. Trust me I do not envy you." Ty sighed as a figure listened from the open ship's docking door.

On planet Z one of Zurg's grubs was running chaotically through the hallways, his croaky voice calling for the evil emperor managing to bump into another grub pulse a brain pod or two as he went. "Your evilness, your evilness!" he called. Zurg was busy testing out one of his newer contraptions when he called back, "What!? Can't you see I'm being dastardly? This better be important." he sneered, the Grub tripped to the floor cowering.

"Yes, my evil emperor… it's just… I have news-i-its about Buzz Lightyear, your evilness."

"Fine, continue." he ordered.

"Just got word from one of our spies on TradeWorld that team Lightyear and Darkmatter are no more!"

"No more!?" Zurg gasped.

"You mean as a couple or like what? I need details and tea, spill it who broke up with who?"

"I… ah believe all we know is they broke up as field partners sir, our reports say Darkmatter dumped Lightyear, but there are claims that it was mutual." they reported.

"Tsk, that's what they always say, but it's never true you know. Poor, poor Lightyear." Zurg shook his head, faking sympathy. "Adequate work today grub, I'm sure we can figure something evil to do with this. I was getting rather bored, evil schemes don't grow on trees unfortunately. With this…" Zurg put his claw to his chin, "Oh yes, this will work just fine." he chuckled before he began his signature evil laugh.

ITS DONE!

Its been to many years how do I deviant art? Well its been seven years I know so many have been waiting for chapter 2... lol can't believe it, seven years sorry to leave it hanging, but I'm glad I can finally post ch2. It was half done, polished it finished it and here we are. thanks to CreationHive because I stumbled upon chapter 2 in my files and didn't have a saved version of ch 1, but remembered its still here on deveantart. Your comment is what really motivated me to finish this, hope you like it