"His evacuation shuttle is headed toward the sun!" Eon announced.

"Turn on the tractor beam, Eon!" Era ordered, fearful for the specimen's life, scowling.

"Tractor beam has been engaged," Eon supplied with a press of the buttons with necessary precautions added. "shuttle craft is suspended," The trio looked on in concern. "scanning for life signs."

"kjlkjd bfe bjseljber." Epoch said.

"Weak life sign is always bad news, Epoch." Era said.

"Are we too late?" Eon asked.

"Hardly." Era folded his arms with a smirk. "If we got the recovery tanks ready from the last subject."

"All ready to go, Era." Eon replied with a smile.

"Dgjdslj jkejbgbrg heiu eiuer." Epoch said.

"Epoch makes a good point." Eon said then turned in the direction of his science partner. "Where are we going to keep the evacuation shuttle?"

"In the shuttle bay," Era replied then added. "Then we can study the willingness to leave sanctuary from a alternate counterpart."

"That'll make this study far better than expected," Eon said.

The group laughed as the shuttle was taken into the large ship then guided down on to the floor where it was guided down by a series of metal arms once the tractor beam was deactivated. The back end opened once the base met the floor then Epoch went in first, Eon hiding behind the pink chassis-ed counterpart who's head was in desperate need of molting just as his was in comparison to the older member of the group. Warp was slouched in the chair wearing a seat belt, unconscious, his orange uniform was visibly stained, soft groans were audible coming from him. Epoch and Eon were able to extract him from the chair then dragged him out of the evacuation shuttle.

Epoch and Era set him upon a table. The machines extracted his pieces of clothing as a large tank was extracted out of another room labeled 'medical regenerative tank'. They drugged Warp in the middle of removing all pieces of the orange jumpsuit that decorated his frame, the orange boots as well, and the tracking device that was implanted inside of him was extracted out of his arm then fixed it up. The tracker was thrown out into open space as the craft departed the area of space that Warp had been retrieved then went into the alpha quadrant leaving behind the gamma quadrant.


Warp was connected to wires, tubes, and a oxygen mask set on his features. Era looked on toward the number of visible wounds on the counterpart in the green liquid on his free time with his companions watching them fade away as the days passed on, the significant one at the head melted away replaced by healthy skin, returned eyelid, eyebrow coming back, heavy scarring in his arms, legs, and hands vanished. As if they had never existed at all leaving only markings that Eon had recognized as kit pods faintly covered by the symbol of Star Command. There was the faint scar along the side of his cheek that lingered behind as a shadow.

"He's having another nightmare!" Eon grimaced at having to announce.

"Let him wake up, Eon!" Era announced.

"Is he ready?" Eon asked, concerned.

"He's not a child." Era reminded him then bore a grin. "The only question is if everything is in place and if he will manage to escape alive."

"Specimen Darkmatter will escape alive." Eon said.

"My heart says otherwise." Era said as Eon rolled his eyes.

"Then this study will be over." Eon said.

"Don't be a peon dismissing Evil Emperor Zurg this fast, he brought him here most likely." Era shook his servo with a glare. "Not over by a long shot!"

"We are ready." Eon bore a grin in response.

"Chlorm, stations!" Era announced with a snap of his fingers.

Abruptly, Warp awoke, overpowering the lowered dosage of the drugs, growing frantic, then shoved the cords off, and swam to the top knocking it off and flipped out of the container. He shook of fall all the goo decorating his frame feeling renewed and better than he had in recent years. He landed onto a metal arm then swung off it landing down to his feet as he observed the unfamiliar surroundings with his hands in fists. He made a decent landing to the ground then looked around scanning the environment then made a run through environment passing by Eon as he made a bolt for through various rooms. The defense system fired after the Space Ranger as expected, nailing him in the back of the knee, but he didn't stop running, he was defiant, there was a desire to make it out this time as the defense system kept on firing after him. He ran on finding the escape shuttle at the bay waiting for him. The Space Ranger bore a grin in response to the familiar craft waiting to take him somewhere far off from this abandoned facility.

He ran in, adapted to the console with memory from using a stick on his mind. It had once been his weakness, decades ago, during the academy, his flight instructor had complained about his lack of attention and had forced him to date a navigational oriented Space Ranger who had one of the best and smoothest ways to describe flying to him when it came to using the stick. Flight was part of nature, flight was part of the mind, there were creatures that flew leaped back then flew and some creatures that ran on attempting to fly into the air after a decent jump. It was all about feet and the wings, drilled into his head, repeatedly, in ways which made it a memorable lesson. He flew the craft up then the back end closed and he flew out of the chlorm lab heading for freedom.

"Excellent!" Eon cheered.

"And the study with this specimen continues." Era said, pleased.

Epoch pressed a series of buttons cloaking the ship that followed the Space Ranger.


Fortunately for Warp, the evacuation shuttle came with a spacesuit, one that he had worn once years ago, it was red, gold, and green. He recalled the incident in question as it had been the first time around when he went into prison without fighting about just as he had done the second time around. It was easy to extract a mask on Tradeworld, his voice disguised, doing his part getting a booster for the new variant that was out and several vaccines for everything imaginable in this world. He sold the evacuation shuttle for a less obvious craft, not really paying attention to the blood stains that had sunk beneath the boards, staining the chair, and how his finger prints were all over it. Tradeworld became a specter once getting things in order heading for the alpha quadrant discarding the mask to the side.

He looked at the mirror in the center of the bridge, he could see more gray along his hair that was sprinkling on about the area. In contrast to his counterpart, there were less gray in his hair and he had to appear youthful at his point in contrast to how old he felt. He stared then smiled, he could see himself. Warp Darkmatter, the aging Space Ranger. He had a heavy sigh then gazed toward the window. Going back to Planet Z wasn't a option he wasn't going to go back there. Never. Ever. He rubbed his forehead then shook his head at the uncomfortable memories that crossed his mind spending years of his life in the existential version of hell. His shoulders lowered with a reminder; Buzz Lightyear was going to face him whether he wanted to sooner or later. Warp put the ship on autopilot then leaned against the wheel, dreading, bearing a heavy sigh.

"Halt! You're running the lightspeed limit!"

And it were Buzz Lightyear's voice over the comn.

"Then how are you keeping up with me? Exempt? Breaking the law, much, Lightyear?"

"Doesn't matter, Warp!"

"Oh, it truly does." He grinned then gazed up toward the craft below him and shifted his gaze toward a asteroid. "By-bye."

Warp went into a asteroid taking the forty-two with him, quickly motioning his way with the stick shift and other parts to go his way. It was late, Warp acknowledge that, why would Buzz be out in the middle of the night instead of being at home sleeping? What was going on out there that he weren't aware of? These were questions that he didn't like on his mind. He was grinning, fleeing through several tunnels, cackling, as the forty-two carried on after him. He saw the passageway getting narrow and narrower that it became apparent he were losing the determined Space Ranger in his wake. It was satisfying knowing Buzz Lightyear's ego would be remarkably damaged.

He took pleasure in that, it was entertaining. He laughed, twirling the ride deeper then twirled out of it into a far larger asteroid. He was right where it had all began with the predicament; the Jupiter 2 Asteroid belt. He spun the vehicle down into a narrow tube then turned around and waited for the Space Ranger to attempt fly through the hole. He wasn't going to do that, surely. Buzz Lightyear wasn't going to kneel down to the level that a determined hamster would bow down to when it came to escaping something that it did not like to be in. He smirked, relaxing, until spotting the crushed forty-two soaring on past Dr Smith's Hiding Spot. He waited, five minutes, then flew out of the way, with a sigh of relief flying on out of the hole with his eye on the fuel indicating it had enough to past the area where the hole had once been. Slowly, Warp drove out of the hiding spot then arrived to where the entire episode had begun.

He was back there; years after the fact, same spot, same place, different person. All that heavy layered of grief was gone leaving only a thin layer behind, less hurt, less as great, better. Nebula's reason leaving him there to deal with a issue, it didn't need to be told, he had a general idea that's why his team wasn't brought in. There wasn't anger, only forgiveness for the commander's decision. In hindsight, he did need it to vent. He grimaced looking at the small mirror beside him spotting the determined forty-two behind him. He rolled his eyes then proceeded to cross the gap making a bolt for the alpha quadrant leaving the gamma quadrant behind. He tapped his fingers on the wheel, increasing the lightspeed limit, and the forty-two was chasing after him still like a determined bull. Warp could only roll his eyes so hard.

The forty-two was above him when Mira descended down, pushing her rockets fast as she could then landed behind him, then ghosted the green glowing moon rock into his chest then took her free hand further in past the newly placed item wedged inside. Her hand moved toward his heart and gave it a squeeze. The vehicle came to such a abrupt halt then Mira was flung off with the unexpected movement and shrieked landing on to a passing by traveler's ship. Warp leaned forward, clenching his chest, his heart feeling like he had chest discomfort that was terrifying. A sudden weakness had fallen upon him, his grip on the wheel slackened, flinging him toward a oncoming moon feeling weak and he couldn't stop the vehicle no matter how hard he tried to lift his arm, it only fell aside, his gaze shifting toward the quickly approaching moon. Craters. Instead of terror in the last few seconds, there was only acceptance for what came next.

The craft collided against the moon taking him with it in a small, loud, and eventful explosion. He lifted himself up, unwell, his arms shaky, strength ready to pull a rain check. He felt along his abdomen feeling any pieces of glass that may have protruded his suit only feeling sensitive wounds, aching, familiar feeling. Not a surprise for someone named Warp Darkmatter. There had been worse crashes in his nearly three decade long stint being a Space Ranger. He dragged himself forward out of the trench then fell against the remains of a beaver lodge on dry land with a thud and turned on to his side, slumped. He was unexpectedly thirsty. Very thirsty.

"Warp, look up!"

His mind parted from the inwardly performed pity party at the sound of rocket engines running distantly with a roar. Warp gazed up toward the visibly damaged forty-two that was landing in the distant. He smirked, finding the strength to be a annoyance, he hated paperwork, and speed limit paperwork was the worst. It meant leaving a imprint behind, physical, that there had been two Warp Darkmatters. The less that was left behind, the easier it would be not to get confused between two people and cause some legal problems that required time and his very presence sorting out. That was not desirable. If Booster would here, he would find it the most funny, Mira giggling, XR insisting he knew that Warp could do identity theft. He looked toward his sight imagining the visual then warmly smiled for a long moment.

Warp set himself up cradling his waist as a idea seeded into his mind. Warp ran into the thick forest then leaped into a large bush, rolled, landed on his knees. Ahead of him there was a stream of water that he approached and knelt down. He pressed a button deactivating the helmet on the forearm console. He put his hands into the water then slipped out a meager handful of water and sipped from it, performing the action, over and over, then splashed his face with the water, rubbing the side of his temple. His skin burned, and burned, and burned. He clenched the grassy mound waiting for the burning to cease until it was gone. His figure was covered in sweat, goose bumps, as he took another handful of water then sipped from between his hands.

"Why are YOU here on my day off?" cried a familiar voice behind him.

Warp stood up to his feet with a roll of his eyes then punched Darkmatter out knocking him down and glared him down

"Ow!" Darkmatter cried.

Warp cracked his knuckles as he walked on.

"Did you track me?"

Warp laughed, shaking his hand, then walked on past him.

"Did Evil Emperor Zurg put you up to this?"

He leaned against a tree then set his hands on his knees, his chest aching as his counterpart approached him.

"No." Warp replied, leaning off the tree, feeling slightly dizzy, then resumed walking on.

"Buzz changed your mind." Darkmatter acknowledged.

"He did." Warp opted to say. "In a big way."

"Weak." Darkmatter shot back. "Be a pal and tell me what's the anniversary about?"

"It's about . . . Doing the right thing." Warp had his back to him, his voice low, looking aside, sorrowfully. "However terrible the personal cost. But, that doesn't have room in your book. Never will. Knowing you."

"Come on, I am you." Darkmatter pointed back at himself. "Can tell anything!" Darkmatter stretched his arms out. "What did he do?"

"Nothing." Warp said.

"Nothing!" Darkmatter came around him. "NOTHING?" he stretched his arms out then clenched his hands in front of his chest. "That's a lot of moonrocks!" he set his hands on his hips. "He did something!"

"He made me see the light is all!" he roughly shoved his counterpart away then walked on. "The further that Buzz is away . . ." he looked aside with a heavy sigh, his shoulders lowering, grimacing. "better off."

"What did he do?" Darkmatter asked with a scowl. "Don't like this side-"

"Of yourself?" Warp finished, then shifted toward him.

"Affirmative." Darkmatter replied with a long stare.

Warp had a equally matching glare in the direction of the mercenary then shook his head, ashamed, disappointed, lowering his gaze.

"Too bad." Warp shifted away with a dark look etched on his features. "Glad that working for Evil Emperor Zurg was taken off the table." his hands were clenched, saying a truth that was correct, verbally admitting that some good had came of the loss, acknowledging some of his personal growth, of a choice that would have made Buzz Lightyear proud then he gazed toward the morning sky with a smile and a content sigh. "Would have crossed a line for Star Command."

"How?" Darkmatter asked, bewildered. "It's what we looked forward towards after Buzz Lightyear did one of his personal logs saying to 'to infinity and'-"

". . . beyond." Warp lowered his gaze with a smile then laughed.

"It's the most cheesy thing ever!" Darkmatter came to Warp's side stretching his arms out. "Annoying! Stupid! Ridiculous! Hearing it every day!"

Warp walked on into the forest as his amused demeanor faded.

"We're not the same person." Warp replied. "Because obviously," Then he decided to get under his counterpart's nerves, gleefully. "To infinity and beyond isn't appreciated here."

He sped walked away from the mercenary who tagged after him.

"Come one, we share the same face!" Darkmatter was jogging after him as Warp kept up his pace. "No, no, no, that's awful coming from me!"

"Negative on that, Darkmatter." Warp took a left turn going deeper into the forest. "Just a kid."

"Same name!" Darkmatter added as Warp halted in his tracks.

"Affirmative." Warp said.

Darkmatter took the advantage to get closer.

"Same birthday!" Darkmatter said.

Warp grimaced. Were the details the same here? Buzz being alive was a large detail. And his counterpart looked younger than he were. The passage of time between their two worlds were the same, last he recalled, regarding how long he were away.

"Rain check." Warp shrugged.

Warp resumed his path ahead of the mercenary.

"Same ex-partner!" Darkmatter stressed.

"Affirmative." Warp confirmed.

"Same academy days!" Darkmatter added.

"Affirmative." Warp confirmed, again.

"Spent twenty years working with him!" Darkmatter reminded.

"Affirmative." He looked aside in fondness, at his days, briefly closing his eyes with a smile.

"And had the same Moon of Doom episode!" Darkmatter finished.

Warp turned around facing his counterpart, both of his hands clenched, with a death glare, halting in his tracks. He could still see Buzz's smile, the last one, watching the Space Ranger shrink before his eyes. He remembered Buzz Lightyear becoming among the disaster that was brewing with flames, smoke, falling material, pieces of hornets all over the place, the inking of a dark ooze that marked the ending of a far honorable death. It was the perfect ending and it wasn't truly meant to be his ending. It wasn't supposed to be. It wasn't meant to be. Warp could still hear the roar of the flames, distant ones, like he were still there, surrounded, he could still remember the sweat on his ex-partner's features. The disbelief on his features after being told the truth.

Darkmatter came in front of Warp as he continued talking about the events that unfolded, the uni-mind, being broke out of transport on the way to processing, and complaining about the missions that his Lightyear had gotten involved. Darkmatter was living a life that should be Warp's and whining about it. Simply whining about something that should be taken with gratitude. Darkmatter had everything to lose. Warp had nothing to lose. It made the Space Ranger quite angry as his blood boiled as he trembled with rage raising his fists up. Angry like Zurg would be when his evil plans were normally foiled. It was infuriating. His eyebrows twitched. Darkmatter was turned away, oblivious, to the rage, continuing to talk. Warp tapped on his counterpart's shoulder then Darkmatter turned toward him. Warp punched out his counterpart, hard this time, knocking him to the ground then walked away rubbing his fist abandoning him as he walked on further.

Darkmatter lay under the shade for several hours, Team Lightyear kept missing the ex-Space Ranger hidden by the heavy density of trees surrounding him and falling leaves that coated him as the daylight changed into night. Finally, Darkmatter started to come to, groaning, lifting himself up. The mercenary lifted himself up rubbing the back of his head with leaves trapped in his suit then cupped his left eye, it ached. He set up to his feet then scowled, bending underneath the branches, breaking branches, stepping over leave piles, creeks, following the already taken path of his counterpart with a intent to kill. His free hand was in a fist.

"Evil Emperor Zurg to Warp Darkmatter!"

"Darkmatter here."

"Your service is necessary."

"No."

"Might I add, there's a new suit waiting in the wings."

"What's the mission?"

"Simply hop over to the tower and you'll see."

"Is it simple?" Darkmatter asked.

"Very simple." Zurg said. "Extract them, need them for a simple question, then they'll be put right back," The Evil Emperor laughed. "Can always trust children to tell what they've seen."

"On my way!" Darkmatter said.


The grandchildren opted to take their suits to the memorial that Nana was taking them. They were tired and more comfortable in the last pieces of equipment that their last pseudo parent had gotten for them before being blasted out of their lives. Chari could still remember the loud roar, still remember him going in, and never coming back out, Treevo getting inside and blocking the doorway from being entered. It was a memory that stung, longer than all the nightmares, longer than all the nasty memories of playground tussle, the wrestling with big bullies and winning in the end much to the discipline from the principle and Nana Lightyear. Gamma didn't quite understand what was bad about subduing a bully and teaching them a lesson not to mess with someone who was obviously vulnerable. Gamma was quite proud of Chari. It had been a year since Gamma had been here, it was dark, moody out, Booster had driven them there with Nana in the driver seat and XR among them all retelling a Space Ranger mission.

He got to them, in the most endearing way possible, his stories full of explosions, destruction, and creative ways to catch the criminal that ended the chaos. And yet, XR sounded like there was something missing in the tale every time that he started to say, "And so Warp-" only to cut himself off. It was getting hard to remember him, day by day, memories fading away, quickly, of before his unfortunate demise. Gamma tore his attention off, what was he to them? What had he been? A year ago, Gamma would have answered that question promptly. A parent, someone who chased away the nightmares with stories of their dad. This time, he had none to answer. The stories were unable to be remembered as they were lost to time, lost to the destroyed halls of the house, leaving a gap of what had once been in his memory. Merely a crater. Just like the one that rested in front of the group. He didn't want to die like Warp, planet side, having a important event, he wanted to die in space actively fighting. Who was Warp that XR kept mentioning?

There was a knock from the side of the door drawing all their attention and a oddly familiar face waved at them.

"Papa Darkmatter!" Chari cried.

"Warp!" Quark cheered.

"Who's that?" Hoichi asked.

"Warp who?" Oort asked.

"Who?" Gamma asked.

"Who wants to go on a fieldtrip?"

"Me!" Gamma cried.

"Sssh." Darkmatter set his finger on his lips.

"Me! Me! Me!" the children cried.

Darkmatter grinned in response then opened the door.

"Go through that portal and you'll be on the other end."

"Field trip is better than doing nothing!" Gamma cried then was the first to charge on with a laugh. "Come on, Rangers!"

"Let's go, Lightyears!" Oort cried, tagging along as Hoichi and Chari followed.

"I missed you." Quark hugged Darkmatter's leg.

"Not your Darkmatter," Darkmatter replied as Quark stepped back, linking his hands behind his back, his guard raising up, stepping back. "uh," He wore that distinctive questioning Buzz Lightyear look. "something like his brother."

"Where. is. he?" Quark asked, pausing, for emphasis.

"On the other side waiting for you." Darkmatter pointed toward the portal.

Quark looked toward the portal then he looked like a scared five year old.

"I am scared." Quark admitted.

"Don't be, Zurg likes some questions answered." Darkmatter replied. "He treats kids nicer than he does adults in my experience."

"Evil Emperor Zurg!" Quark stepped back, clenching his hands, tense.

"And your Warp Darkmatter hasn't told him," Darkmatter said, earning a chuckle from the child.

"He gave you that black eye," Quark asked. "didn't he?"

"Terrible thing to do to a man." Darkmatter rolled his eye, a ice bag pressed against his eye. "Especially when it's you."

"Can't blame him." Quark replied

"Why can't you blame him?" Darkmatter asked, at the edge of his own question being answered.

"Need to know information." he zipped his mouth with a hand. "ZZZ." he lowered his hand. "ZZZ."

"Alright, you ornery child." Warp shoved the boy toward the portal. "Then go get your friend back."

Quark's eyes were big as saucers as, in his view, understood to be given the clearance to perform a rescue mission.

"Yes, sir!" Quark bore that characteristic Buzz Lightyear grin then walked into the portal.

"Warp!" Booster cried, loudly. "You're alive!"

Warp turned on his stun mode then fired at the Space Ranger and ran back through to the other end of the portal. The grandchildren were gathered in a circle, Gamma was in the front acting a shield, alongside Oort who had a defensive position, Chari was trembling between the two, and Hoichi was the second member in a defensive position ready to attempt herself. It was almost like seeing a squad of Buzz Lightyears surrounded by hornets, some of them wore hoods, and some didn't. Warp counted their heads, each time landing on four, then his attention toward the Evil Emperor Zurg who was trembling with rage ready to burst.

"There's four of them!" Zurg announced turning away from the four children toward the mercenary. "Where's the fifth?"

"Why are you looking at me for?" Darkmatter shrugged. "They all went through the portal."

"Evil Emperor Zurg, there's been a glitch." Came the announcement from Brainpod 18. "He's in this universe."

"WHERE IS THE FIFTH?" Zurg roared.

From somewhere in the Alpha Quadrant, a blue portal opened on a cliff. A figure stood out in the portal, frozen, immobilized, adult sized, then stepped out of the portal with their shadow highlighted by the bright blue light illuminated by the portal behind them wearing distinctive Space Ranger gear and holding on to the hand of a distinctive cowboy toy in the other hand. Silence carried in the air until the sound of a wolf howl echoed in the night. It was Quark, looking around, weary, cautious, scanning his surroundings, taking another step forward then set his hands on the edge of his hips. He had a distinctive Buzz Lightyear look with the faint scar above his brows standing out against his features.

"Working on it, Evil Emperor Zurg." was the reply.

The portal closed behind Quark who dropped the toy then flipped open the console revealing his wrist laser.

"Bam!"

A red blast erupted out of the device as Quark stared on then looked back at himself as he stepped back falling over the edge with a scream.

"Darkmatter, once these children have answered my question, you are to return them." Zurg then added. "Returning things is not my strong suit."

"Neither is mine, we share something in common, Evil Emperor Zurg." Darkmatter said with a smirk as Gamma looked on in horror at Zurg and Darkmatter, scared, confused, and betrayed.

Quark pressed his red button, his wings activating, carrying him down and caught the falling toy.

"Got ya, Woody!"


Darkmatter returned to the planet early that morning to finish what he had intended to do only sometime ago. Glowing yellow cords wrapped around his figure, damaging his chassis, burning beneath his red sleeves, biting into his armor, as he were yanked from the path. Darkmatter was turned in the direction of a seven foot tall humanoid being presenting as female with green skin, pointy ears with earrings, strange tattoos, a gem on her forehead that was glowing, and golden glowing spots along her temple even going down her neck, glowing gold as the long tentacles that was her hair. And she looked angry at him, really angry. Darkmatter didn't know her.

"Hello, Ranger Darkmatter." was the greeting. "Would have killed you at that hole if it weren't for. . ." She stared at him. "Ah, wrong one."

"Who are you and what's your problem?"

"Formerly Evil Queen Barbossa." Evil Queen Barbossa said.

"Like the captain of the Black Pearl?" Darkmatter asked.

"Pssseh," Evil Queen Barbossa waved her hand looking away then folded her arms. "That's Captain Jack Sparrow, my sister," she scowled at the mere mention of the name. "Jackie," she turned her attention upon him. "is named after that madman."

"Not a bad name." Darkmatter commented.

"It is when they live up to it!" Evil Queen Barbossa said.

"Still, not a bad name." Darkmatter shrugged. "Can imagine worse."

"Jackie told me, 'Oh, sister! I like stealing from ships, paying my shipmates fairly, the adventure on the sea, fighting with swords, and oh my pronouns are she/they, I love everyone for who they are, and I like drinking rum!' and then she poses numerous headaches; she's a pirate!"

"How is that my problem?" Darkmatter lowered his head, glaring back.

"She freed a ship full of slaves!" Evil Queen Barbossa exclaimed as he rolled his eyes. "Prized goods!"

"Still don't see it." Darkmatter had a pointed glare.

"And it's all because of Space Ranger Darkmatter that it happened!" Evil Queen Barbossa exclaimed. "Chasing after Zurg, crashed on to this world with his machine XR, crashed deliberately aboard the ship!"

"Craters." Buzz, far as Darkmatter were aware, never met this individual.

"My people overthrew me because oh, we can't have that, can't have a murderous evil queen wanting all pirates dead, we need the good one! We need a royal spared!" she stretched her arms out, her brows raising, her eyes featuring rage. "Surprise, moonheads!" she clenched her hand looking aside then knocked a tree out of the ground with a simple swing. "They're not interested in ruling-and Mira," She glared back at the mercenary. "the Tangean," she was trembling with rage. "had the gall to talk her into it, reforming the monarchy!"

She paced back and forth.

"Had them hand off duties to someone down the line just for her sake!" her fingers bent toward the ex-Space Ranger. "And he hates pirates, less than I do," she bore a wicked smile revealing hundreds of sharp teeth then it faded. "But he's not evil as the family is meant to be!"

Evil Queen Barbossa brought the mercenary closer to her face as she smirked.

"How does it feel to know that Buzz Lightyear lost and you won in my world?" was the question asked by the Evil Queen Barbossa.

"Pretty great." Darkmatter said as her features eased.

"He hasn't talked about it then." Evil Queen Barbossa aaid.

"How ugly you are?" Darkmatter proceeded to smirk in response with his reply. "Yep."

She bore a bored look as her anger loosened, rolling her eyes, at his comment. Darkmatter was flung away through the forest as the figure proceeded to make a bolt in the general direction that the forty-two was in. The mercenary was left there on the ground, unconscious. Evil Queen Barbossa walked on, the octopus like tentacles below her figure wrapped around the center of trees searching for the Space Ranger. Her eagle eyed vision searched through the landscape searching for the stand out colors that were green, red, and gold. Buzz Lightyear and the team were still on the planet searching for Warp to issue a lightspeed ticket largely unaware of the presence of the newcomer.

A trap was set off, and the Evil Queen Barbossa turned in the direction of the loud snapping coming from across. Her eyes widened observing a large old tree decorated in spikes being flung her way. She moved out of the way, the traps made in quick succession guided it after the Evil Queen Barbossa, then it crashed, loudly against her. Darkmatter lifted himself up watching the tall being crash to the ground. A loud yet distant celebratory "Yeeeesssss!" echoed in the air drawing his attention away. Darkmatter squinted, searching for his figure, the loud cheering of his counterpart lingering in the air. He looked back toward the giant's figure taking a few steps forward then further and further until he were by the side of the giant being.

"Why is he still a Space Ranger?" Darkmatter asked.

The Evil Queen was bleeding, in pain, yet summoned a smile.

"Does it have to do with the Moon of Doom?" Darkmatter asked.

"The line of being in the know was crossed." She bore a smile. "You walked out of that here." she laughed, giggling, blood pooling down the side of her mouth. "Traitor."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Darkmatter asked. "Crossed out of it? Crossed into it? What do you mean?" he yanked the dying Evil Queen Barbossa up by a long cord. "Did Lightyear ask for my admission into the need to know basis?"

"Go to Venus and ask the bringer of destruction for the answer." was all she said.

Darkmatter let go of the hair then stepped back watching her die.

"Someone doesn't belong should go back once they came." Darkmatter said.

"When he goes home, first." Evil Queen Barbossa said.

Darkmatter stepped back with a grimace then ran in the opposite direction away from her turning on his wings flying in the general direction of his warship that was in the distance. He looked down spotting a familiar figure fleeing in the other direction heading for the direction of what appeared to be a Star Cruiser. He turned on his plasma blaster and proceeded to fire after him, filled with bitterness, anger, and general resentment. He watched his graying counterpart leap between the trees that varied starting from no leaves to gradually having leaves making it hard to determine where the target was. Behind Darkmatter, there was laser fire behind him striking down his wings hitting his fuel. He had been this close! This close! He fell with a shriek landing behind his counterpart who ran on behind him.

Darkmatter got up to his feet then fired at him as his counterpart weaved between the trees that were consequently damaged. His counterpart, petty, stuck his tongue out, put his thumbs in his ear, enraging Darkmatter then ran on. Venus, he hated him. Out of the blue, Buzz crashed Darkmatter to the ground and promptly cuffed him, restricting movement, with one hand set on the mercenary's back. Buzz was joined by Mira as he lifted the very unhappy mercenary up to his feet. Darkmatter didn't pay attention to what the Space Ranger was saying, only in the fact that he had lost a golden opportunity, pouting, unhappy, scowling, a dark cloud looming on the mercenary's head as he were directed to the forty-two on a far clearer path that was spared any road blocks and nothing to remotely trip over, fortunately.

"You have several charges to answer for and stand trial for this time." Buzz annouced once arriving to the forty-two.

"What's the new charge?" Darkmatter asked, exasperated.

"Going beyond the lightspeed limit." Buzz said.

"Over a speeding ticket?" Darkmatter asked.

"Yes." Mira and Buzz added.

"Ridiculous! How did you know that I was speeding?" Darkmatter glared at the duo with a squint and his eyebrows hunched together. "Never mind," he raised his head up with a scowl. "you're Buzz Lightyear."

"Buzz and I were there, you lead us into a asteroid trying to lose us." Mira reminded the mercenary.

"You got the wrong Warp Darkmatter." Darkmatter said.

"Wanna bet?" Mira asked, glaring toward Darkmatter.

Darkmatter scowled with his shoulders hunched, quite unhappy, his counterpart was running from Team Lightyear, they weren't terribly different after all.

"That. wasn't. me. Princess." Darkmatter said as Mira looked at him skeptically as he looked up spotting his counterpart climbing up the ship. "He's literally stealing the forty-two!"

The duo had their backs to the forty-two.

"We're not falling for that trick, again." Mira folded her arms.

"Affirmative, we are not." Buzz agreed.

"HEY!" Darkmatter shouted.

"Settle down there, Warp." Buzz said.

"He's giving me the middle finger!" Darkmatter looked back and forth between them as his counterpart smirked then leaped into the craft.

"He's losing it." Mira said.

"Badly." Buzz agreed with a nod while he flipped open his comn panel and proceeded to do a personal log facing the direction of the forty-two.

Warp went to the shuttle craft end of the ship, admiring the familiar pieces of equipment. It was damaged with little wear and tear from the last few years. Some of the panels were destroyed and some of them were not. It was a familiar sight, fondness, as he rubbed the damaged console recalling the last time that it happened on his watch. He had been slumped in a tube, unwell, on a time limit, Mira was stubborn, eager, and determined to get the antidote. He could still recall hearing the ship be crushed going through the long narrow tube chasing after the scientist who wanted to turn everyone into creatures that were a mix of a German Shepard, short hair cat, and a spider monkey. He was slowly changing in that moment, slouched, his side against the tube, instead of remaining at Star Command. He had dragged himself out of Star Command volunteering himself as a test subject for the potential antidote. Mira and Booster did well in apprehending the fugitive and XR, all in one piece was able to extract him.

He could still remember the android's words, "Warp, buddy, we got it!" looking over where the small android had once been bearing a grin back then. The memory played out as a distant transparent specter to the Space Ranger watching his companion deactivate the tube's wall and yank him out of the tube. He could see himself using XR as his support standing up to his feet as they worked their way out the bridge. He leaned against the tube feeling weak, propping himself up then moved out through the doorway, pressed a button, the elevator moved him up into the top right where the remarkably intact shuttle craft was. He felt something wet below his nose, he placed his finger above his lips and lowered his hand observing dark blue blood that was wiped off his pant leg as he proceeded to trudge on toward the seat using his wall as his support. He set in the familiar commands, buckled up, then the shuttle detached and flew off from the ship. He was hungry and he needed to eat a decent well cooked and prepared meal before living a low profile in the Alpha Quadrant.


Booster closed the console then looked toward XR who was driving a spare shuttle craft, a rental, gazing on toward the spectacle before them. The giant pressed a series of buttons then high tailed after the departing shuttle craft.

"Booster, it's not remotely done!"

"Change of plans, XR." Booster replied as XR shifted toward him. "Someone stole the forty-two's shuttle craft."

"Stole our shuttle craft? Why is that important? We can get a new one. This has more precedence!"

"And Buzz got our Warp Darkmatter in custody." Booster replied then bore a grin. "Celebration!"

"If Evil Emperor Zurg doesn't bust him out like he normally does on the way to a prison complex." XR commented, pouting, a dark cloud above his helm.

"There it is!" Booster announced.

"Fast!" XR had a speed-o-meter out. "And breaking the light speed limit!"

"And there goes another ticket." Booster said, bemused, as he tailed after the stolen shuttle craft.

"Let's find out what kind of punk would steal a shuttle craft from good ol' Buzz." XR said.

The duo sped after the vehicle heading toward a nearby planet that travelers went to during a long trip, a traveling station. The shuttle craft descended through the atmosphere then arrived to one of the cities then lowered and parked into a parking space. The Space Rangers parked from across the stolen spacecraft then exited the sides after unbuckling their seats. XR and Booster came to the side of the shuttle craft then watched as the back end of the shuttle opened then they waited as the smoke cleared away from the back end from the rockets featuring a dark figure exiting the back end of the vehicle, coughing, into his fist.

XR lowered his numerous blasters at the lack of the additional shapes along his shoulder as Booster's arm remained at the ready. The smoke cleared as the figure leaned against the wall. There was some blood around his mouth that he wiped off with a simple brush of his sleeve then stood up, his shoulders raised, determined, bearing a look demeanor. Booster just stared there floored, watching the Space Ranger walk past him, gaping.

"XR to Lightyear," XR opened his comn.

"Lightyear here."

"You're not going to believe this." XR warned.

"Try me." Buzz said.

"Warp Darkmatter." XR said. "The OTHER one."

"Still needs to pay his speeding ticket." Buzz said. "Let me guess, he is headed to the nearest dining area of the city."

"How do you know?" XR asked.

"He said he was going to one before his escape!" Mira announced over the comn.

"He just escaped the forty-two by Zurg's forces." Buzz said. "We're drifting out here in space."

"Go get him, XR." Booster said as the small android shifted toward him. "I'll keep close watch on him."

"On my way." XR closed his comn then rubbed his servos together, giddy. "XR to Buzz Lightyear's rescue, man, heroic!"

Booster looked on in concern in the direction that Warp had gone and XR zoomed around his friend.

"And he's sick." Booster said.


Warp had gone to this particular establishment many times after Buzz died, Cosmo's Diner was great but it held a string of painful memories, everywhere he looked there would be a memory of Buzz Lightyear playing out, imagining him being there, retelling a mission. He hadn't gone to Cosmo's Diner often as before when alone. He hid back the pain, doing well, shielding his crew from it, keeping up the facade that he had erected on the day that he picked up the corpse into his arms. He smirked, staring at the owner discussing with a familiar person, then he stepped forward, and took another step forward, his knowledge coming to the surface. He tapped on the owner's shoulder that drew their attention toward him and waved his hand toward them with a knowing look.

"Like to keep those five stars, Mx Zeabody?" Warp asked. "Or should I alert the entire Galactic Restaurent Chain of your shady business dealings?"

"What shady dealings?"

"Nothing, nothing, we'll have a server over in five minutes, be seated over there, mr-uh-you're not Agent Z?"

"Could have been, but it went over to my ex-partner." Warp admitted then winced as the owner directed him to the nearest table. "Ooops."

"Ah, does he pay visits?" Zeabody asked.

"Often." Warp lied, quickly, seating down alongside the window. "He rates it as his top ten places,"

"Good! Good!" Zeabody exclaimed. "That kind of publicity may be helping my business out a lot!"

"What are you talking about?" Warp lifted his brow then lowered it, his arms folded on the table, curious. "It's number twenty-five in the best places to visit."

"Err, things are drastically different." Zeabody tapped all their fingers together. "Bad publicity, villains coming and going here, bad goons."

"That makes all the difference. . ." Warp grew alarmed and confused as his brows rose. "Wait, are they the cooks?"

"No, no," Zeabody shook their multiple arms with a laugh. "they're the servers."

"Hopefully, they're none of the people who crossed my radar." Warp said. "Nope, don't recognize any one here. Save for you."

Zeabody grew a broad grin then departed leaving Warp alone. A server arrived once Warp had read the book, it was full of everything that had been at the last barbecue, ribs, steak, hot dogs, big burgers, pasta meals, and much more. His stomach growled at the words on the printed page, he had to squint, his vision was failing him, getting older, he misread one of the text as something else and shuddered. He ordered two ribs, fish, a salad, a nice box of french fries, two chicken legs, and rice, even two glasses of water. He was going to need it. The server departed leaving him to the empty table as he waited and waited and waited largely unaware that Team Lightyear was searching for him. Darkmatter was walking past the window when he halted in his tracks, observing his patiently waiting counterpart, then quietly turned around and walked the way that he had came whistling.

Booster came by, whistling, passing by Darkmatter then watched as the large tray of food was set on the table. Warp proceeded to eat the chicken legs, quickly, then the salad, eying at the ribs. Booster watched him devour the first rib in between eating a bowl full of rice, happy, content. Warp paused, using the table as his support, wavering, as he were regaining his balance. Booster felt pity for the Space Ranger. Booster opened his comn then sent a message to Buzz who was quite a distance away then entered the restaurant, quietly. He could tell Buzz after the ticket had been issued about Warp's health. He arrived to the station that the other Space Ranger was seated while halfway done with his rib.

"How long has it been since the moon of doom?" Warp asked with a sigh.

"It has been five years." Booster said

"Five years?" Warp stared at the giant.

"Uh huh." Booster replied with a grin.

"Only five years?" Warp repeated.

"Just five years." Booster grew concerned.

"Only. . . five. . . years."

"What?" Booster grew curious with a tilt of his head. "Expecting a decade?"

"Close to it." Warp admitted.

"You have to go back to the tower." Booster's comment drew the Space Ranger's alarmed attention. "Whatever Zurg did, it's the only way back home."

"NO!" Warp blurted out, loudly, drawing attention toward him. "No. . ." he lowered his head. "I would rather become a wirewolf like Ty than . . ." he rubbed his forehead while leaning his arm against the table. "go back there." The Space Ranger briefly closed his eyes with a pained sigh then his shoulders lowered and his gaze shifted toward the giant at the other side of the table. "Booster, do you know how unlucky my world is?"

Booster puckered his lips looking aside with a grimace tapping his fingers together.

"Can't imagine a world that lost Buzz Lightyear." Booster shifted his gaze toward the Ipsedan. "that's the only reason why Warp Darkmatter would go against his nature."

"Unlucky." Warp took a large bite out of the ribs then chewed and dabbed along his mouth with the napkin. "Warp Darkmatter still being a Space Ranger."

"That's a pretty lucky world!" Booster insisted. "Using those skills, doing things in his name, to be better than yesterday, Buzz rehabbed you." then the young giant added. "That world would give anything to have their Warp Darkmatter back."

"If I go home. . ." Warp said, setting aside the empty plate then wiped the stains off his features with a shake of his head. "Evil Emperor Zurg is going to follow, and all that chaos, two Zurgs, double the army; evil would win." he glared back at the younger man. "Dead." He squeezed his eyes close, painfully, then wiped the area underneath his nose as Booster looked on in concern. "Sorry, allergies."

"Star Command could use someone more familiar to Zurg than Buzz is."

Warp bore a small fond smile at the younger man then shook his hand as he lowered it and swallowed his bite.

"Zurg is going to intrude one day." Booster warned the older man. "Personal life is off the table."

"Talk from experience, Booster?" Warp lifted a brow.

"Talking from observance." Booster replied as he ate a french fry. "There have been instances that Buzz Lightyear and Ozma Furbanna's relationship was growing, Zurg would interefere, they had areally nice wedding." Booster ate the french fries that had been offered to him piece by piece, wiping off the crumb with his large hand, fondly recalling previous instances. "The priest asked if anyone had a objection-" the giant laughed. "-and Evil Emperor Zurg barged!" he parted his hands. "boom," was added for emphasis then bore a grin. "crashing in," Warp chuckled at the retelling. "popping the bubble that Buzz was free of him. Don't really know that blue tall guy Buzz had as his best man."

"He hates me." Warp folded his arms with a laugh as he leaned back. "This is a entirely different nemesis relationship."

"There's types?" Booster asked, surprised.

"There's the 'I like to terrorize your waking moment, foil your plans, I admire your tenacity, and try to win but only I can kill you' nemesis," he gestured toward the window as he proceeded to explain to the giant. "I like you and i don't know how to properly express it but here's some things to show off your strength and say that you like me' nemesis, 'I am jealous of your strength, the admiration, the celebration, and being the hero. And now, I am the one with attention!' nemesis, 'I really don't like you' nemesis, then there is 'I want to kill you nemesis once and for all' relationship." Warp folded his arms as he leaned against the frame of the chair. "Zurg hasn't appeared so far." he shrugged before adding with a smile. "Means he has lost interest in me."

"Don't count your cosmic ducklings, Warp." Booster warned him.

"Thinking of becoming a defense instructor, preferably at the academy, home bound." Warp said. "If the LGM can't help me either get home. . . Frankly, Booster; if Zurg and I were in the same room, the last thing that he will know is these fists, my wrist laser, and my feet." he looked aside with a grimace. "And it won't stop him getting another Warp Darkmatter, killing him, just dying to figure out what the anniversary is."

"Does he know?" Booster asked. "He has to know!" Warp was quiet looking aside, trembling, his hands clasped together beneath his chin. "You told him."

Warp trembled as he took a sip from a cup then set it down on to the table.

"Doesn't believe it." Warp replied then shrugged. "Not my problem anymore."

"How about we ask our Darkmatter to use his magic and sabotage the files?" Booster suggested.

"There are brainpods who designed the cratered thing, Booster!" Warp replied, exasperated, smacking his fist against the table, demonstrating the anger. "Been there, done that, seen it back up in no time." he smirked, cupping the side of his face, then had a tired laugh. "It was fun to hear him curse at me." He looked aside, fondly, then his features softened. "Highlight of my time being his nemesis."

"Sounds to me that . . ." Booster began to acknowledge, his ears lowering, sadly. "You are . ." his gaze was lowered as Warp's vision briefly darkened. "stuck here."

"Can you live with knowing that, Booster?" Warp felt weak again, placing a hand on the edge of the station beside him.

"Sure would," Then Booster bore a broad grin as he looked out the window. "Don't know if Buzz Lightyear could."

A series of footsteps became loud behind him causing his heart to race then the footsteps paused by his side.

"Your lightspeed ticket, Darkmatter." Buzz said.

"I'm broke."

"Not!"

"That's illegal, and no."

"He's you!" Booster exclaimed.

"And it's the correct thing to do!" was the reply. "Using ill gotten gains to make something better out of it."

"Ah, come on, you're against identity theft." he shook his head, disappointed, in his ex-partner leaning against the back rest. "Don't sink that low, Lightyear. It's embarrassing."

"That't not sinking low." Buzz replied. "It's being reasonable."

"Nah, no, put that past behind me." Warp shook his hand with a grimace as he lowered his gaze down. "Doing evil things make me get sick." he shuddered then shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut, pained. He took another bite of the french fries as he opened his eyes with a heavy sigh. "Had to do a evil thing for a Space Ranger, appalling, but it was part of the mission."

"Warp, you look rough." Inwardly, Warp was even rougher as Booster shifted his gaze toward the Space Ranger who looked worse than before. "Did someone beat you up?"

"Allergies." He got up from the chair then skillfully moved past the Space Ranger. "Bathroom."

"Hold on a minute!" Buzz announced as Warp slammed the door behind him. "I recognize that illness anywhere!" Warp locked the door behind him then looked at the mirror. "That is radiation poisoning!"

Warp looked down toward his hand, one finger looked wimpy, he peeled it off, revealing a white rounded metal base. He felt along his four fingers feeling wires in between them. He looked toward the mirror. This was exactly the way that Ty molted into the Wirewolf, on his own choice, Warp was there, he was by his side, taking a personal day for his friend while his team dealt with another matter. Ty, the human, was gone, Ty the Wirewolf was all that was left, it was conducted with a choice. A single implant, in his heart, it was in his being, from a radioactive green moon rock. The operation a success. Ty had done it for the sake of a mission and his well being, it had been concerning, it felt like the Space Ranger was over eager, the Space Ranger informed Warp that he was going to become a hero in his own right. In Buzz Lightyear's name. And he was strong, he controlled the beast, he loved himself every piece of himself.

"We can help you with that, Warp." Buzz said.

A quick plan rushed into his mind, he knew a place nearby, a family, who he caught in the middle of smuggling a member of their clan that fell victim to a rare genetic disease that turned one into a unique mindless beast and released them into the wild. Warp was trembling as he clenched on to the side of the sink feeling sick. Evil Emperor Zurg did this. It was the most sure thing that he could wrap his head around. It had to be from before Evil Emperor Zurg released the Space Ranger by means of displaying a obvious exit. Had to be gradually released by the amount of healing that his body did. The Evil Emperor was tricky like that. It had to have been done during one of those times in which Warp had passed out. How did he know that Nos-4-A2 bit him? It was a random guess, Warp satisfied that question, that he were there with Buzz Lightyear, still his partner, very alive.

"No, you can't." Warp said.

"It's easily treatable." Buzz said.

"Fine, you win. I'll be out in fifteen minutes." Warp said.

"Yes!" It was a loud cheer. "Mira is getting the medical kit!"

"And oh, one last thing." Warp added. "What was it you said to a cadet who turned bad?"

"There are many things that I've said to cadets who turned out that way." Buzz replied with a fond laugh, different, yet it hurt all the same hearing someone elses laughter instead of that familiar one. "Be more specific, partner."

"The universe is unimpressed." Warp moved a series of crates on top of another. "I. . . I am. . . Sorry about the betrayal." he shifted toward the doorway that was silent, looking aside, regretfully, then back apologetically. Buzz lowered his gaze from the other side of the door, remembering the betrayal, then his mood raised with hope at the remorse displayed by his ex-partner. "It's been the number one regret for a long time since things changed." he looked toward the window then back toward him. "It wasn't really worth it."

His luck had to hold just long enough after getting to the room.

"We'll get you back to your Buzz Lightyear in no time, Warp." Buzz promised.

He looked out the large window, wincing.

"'About that. . ." Warp said as he heard Buzz walk away.

"Booster, he's said sorry about betraying me!" Buzz was over the charts.

Warp used his free hand to slide the window open, he leaped out, then closed the window behind him.

"On this day . . ."

He fled, taking passages that were rarely used, only aware of it because of the family, a entire city feared it, the family had guided the beast to their place with Team Darkmatter's help guiding the mob in a drastically different direction.

"I vow no ranger. . ."

He had been there, dropping pieces of meat for the animal.

"will fall in harms way. . ."

It was a fairly cute creature that was like a maine coon breed with a fox except it had talons and spikes on wings left on each side. And it were twice the size of a average being.

"because of me."

After the long journey, Warp made it to the street where the couple lived. He clenched his hands, grinning, his back aching, desperately wanting to bend in ways it shouldn't. His legs were being hit repeatedly by a racket with pain. He climbed up the series of metal stairs until making it to the doorway in question. He looked around, grasping the edge, feeling like he were about to fall off without any support. Warp summoned his strength then stood upright and scanned the sky for any Space Rangers, even for a small android, his fifteen minutes were almost up. He pressed on the doorbell. The door opened to him featuring a older couple, the Talphs.

"Still got that sound proof room that can be removed?" Warp winced, leaning against the door frame, his skin falling off the side of his face. "Ranger Darkmatter, not Mercenary Darkmatter."

"Welcome!" Mrs Talph said. "How can we help? Is there a criminal running around? Poisoned you? We can't help with the last part."

"I need to be taken to the Alpha Quadrant." Warp said he bore a grin. "Got a personal rule about not hurting Rangers but the wirewolf would decide otherwise. Too risky."

"You helped us?" Mr Talph asked.

"All the way." Warp was bleeding, he could see the world around him was spinning, his being aching, changing, all over, quickly.

"Is our grandson alive?" Mrs Talph asked.

"Very alive." Warp confirmed, nodding, the couple clenching on to each other. "Visit him every night with a Ranger."

"Come on, Ranger." Mrs Talph took his offered hand then closed the door behind him. "The basement is right this way, we moved it down stairs after losing him."

"Thanks." Warp said, meekly.

"We'll have you moved out by tonight," Mrs Talph asked. "like some dinner left out?"

"Negative." Warp said with a laugh as he shook his head. "Had a big meal."

"Nonsense, we're cooking!" Mr Talph announced closing the kitchen door behind him with a grin. "We're leaving food out for you in the doggy door!"

Warp was slid into the white room.

"Shut the door!"

The door was shut then his eyes glowed from yellow to red, growing larger, his hands set on the floor as he lowered his head. Cords erupted from starting from his fist then spread all over wrapping around him as his fingers popped off replaced by metal claws, his rubber uniform showing signs of cords traveling underneath it, the long screams of suffering went unheard, the suit adapting to his changed form. What was left of Warp was all but mere pieces of skin left inside of the suit.