It had been twelve years since the demise of Buzz Lightyear, and life had bounced on to a new normal that was a resemblance to the old normal. The pain, the haunting of the past, and sorrow weren't as pronounced in the tower that belonged to the Evil Emperor. Zurg was in the middle of enjoying watching the demise of a pest through the other end of the glass as his current captured target was in a torture room bearing hallmarks of body horror. A loud voice drew the attention of the Evil Emperor then turned in the direction of the noise observing Raptor Chill carrying a large swan in his hands and handed it over to the Evil Emperor that was then pecked by the creature.

"WHAT IS THIS FOR?" Zurg held the creature afar by the neck.

"It's a menace that got caught up in a rescue mission helmed by Captain Darkmatter who gave it to me to hand over to Karn, but, it's preferential environment is kinda' illegal to visit the planet," Raptor Chill explained, nervously, tapping his fingers together over the rage of the Evil Emperor. "but since you're not bound by regs," he finger gunned back at the Evil Emperor. "that's your evil thing to do."

"Hiss! Hiss!" The swan hissed back at the Evil Emperor. "Hiss! Hiss!"

The swan flapped her wings at him.

"Get off me!" Zurg cried

"Hiss!" The swan hissed.

"I'll take my leave." Raptor Chill turned away, smug, then began to walk away.

"W-WHAT DO YOU MEAN WARP DARKMATTER IS STILL a SPACE RANGER?"

Zurg flung the swan into a pile of grubs that were mercilessly attacked, chasing them, with wings spread out, long neck craned, bill against her chest.

"Technically, he's a Rescue Ranger." Raptor Chill said as he turned around.

"That's not what I meant?. . ." Zurg said, genuinely confused, genuinely startled.

"Sir, are you aware that his current partner Van Selling often has his gaze off Darkmatter during a rescue mission when they are fighting against threats?" Raptor Chill replied then squinted. "Or is that your new mole?"

Zurg sat down into the nearest chair and rested his hands on his knees then had a heavy sigh.

"He's going to die in a blind spot."

Zurg rubbed the centerpiece between his two optics then lowered his hand down on to the arm rest.

"Was that image of him in the future. . ." Zurg tapped his helmet quite perplexed. "Was it Praw Darkmatter?" then he shook his helmet. "No!" The Evil Emperor's hand clenched. "Praw was made to take the Space Ranger Corps apart- he'll never fit in as a Space Ranger."

It was concerning seeing Zurg acted like he had been defeated and all there was left was ruins all around him of an evil scheme that had failed and was very confused. The way that he talked was the way that a tired old man would talk. As if the years had finally weighed down upon the Evil Emperor's figure, in his soul, and in his very mind. The Evil Emperor then clenched his servos as he stood up to his feet then stretched his arms out and let out one of his familiar curses.

"Curse you, Warp Darkmatter!"

Zurg turned toward Raptor Chill.

"Brainpod 10985!" Zurg grabbed the Brainpod out of thin air. "Explain to me how Warp Darkmatter is headed toward certain death and how he became a revered figure to Star Command!"

"You visited one plausible future, Evil Emperor Zurg."

Zurg stared at the brainpod, his grip loosening, his glare still as present upon the smaller figure.

"One. . possible. . future?"

"What is set in stone is your visit, your subsequent defeat of Evil Buzz Lightyear, losing your toys there, what you heard and dug up happened here, though. . . " the brainpod tapped their claws together. "It's all subject to change into something different since it is known."

Zurg dropped the brainpod to the floor as his anger subsided.

"This makes it easier to stomach the idea that Warp Darkmatter goes out being a Space Ranger." Zurg's long claws danced with precision, up and down, as though he were playing a piano. "I shall admit, it's not going to be the same kicking around other Space Rangers . . ."

Zurg looked toward the creature that had been handed over to him as he rubbed his emblem then shifted toward Raptor Chill.

"You."

Zurg pointed at the rookie.

"Me?" Raptor Chill said.

"Yes, you. It's always you who gets unexpected results when a errand doesn't go the way that I want."

"My lucky trait."

"Once Warp Darkmatter dies; this working relationship and employment will be terminated." Zurg turned back toward the two way mirror gazing through it while linking his hands behind his back as Raptor Chill etched in alarm.

"But-why?"

"I'm leaving. You really should pick a different career path." he unlinked his hand then waved it in mid air. "Or fake your death." The Evil Emperor began to walk away as the creature tagged after him and stretched his arms out for emphasis for the next part and walked away. "Take your pick!"

"Evil one, uh, what about the creatur-"

"Put a cork in that audio synthesizer!" Zurg shot back as he picked up a coffee mug then crushed and steaming contents fell around his long claws. "I'm having a moment!"

"Alright." Brainpod 10985 said then shifted toward Raptor Chill and toward the creature. "Come here, swany, come to brainpod, come to brainpod."

Raptor Chill took a few steps back then turned away and ran.


It was dark in the heavily forested landscape. Torches were set alongside the log cabins burning well into the night that was full of life and relative peace under the cloak of darkness left to peace. There was security posted around the place armed with weapons pacing back and forth keeping an eye out for figures that didn't quite belong. Behind one of the security details, one of them was yanked into a bush with their mouth covered and struggled as they were kicked into it. The other security personnel turned back toward where their companion had been then crept forward staring at the motionless bush. Once they were close enough, a fist knocked them out then fell back with a thud then was drawn into the bush.

By the time that another member of the security detail arrived, the evidence of what had occurred was long gone. The security detail fired into the bush all at once as Warp casually walked behind them into one of the buildings then came back out a child in his arms, turned on his wings, then flew off into the sky as all attention was on his partner. He made it to the ship then set the child into the passenger seat.

"I want my momma." Veena whined.

"Your momma is waiting for you back at Morph." Warp assured.

"I want her now!" Veena stormed. "I want my momma!" she started to wail, tears flying, shaking her fists. "I want my momma!"

"Hold up one moment." he opened his chassis then peeled out the toy Evil Emperor as the little girl was getting very upset. "This is a very old toy," he felt along the lower purple frame that had been added with a hint of red. It wasn't like a dress, in sharp contrast to the source material, with wheels below. "One of my kids made him during school." he handed the toy to the little girl. "He's fearsome, he's scary, he's got this memory thing in his armor so if you smack him against anything he'll bounce back to the way that he was from memory."

Warp started to laugh.

"Hence the name." Warp said.

The little girl held the toy with care.

"What's his name?" Veen asked.

"Evil Emperor Zurg," then Warp added. "the dummy."

The little girl looked up toward Warp as she paled.

"The!" Veena exclaimed, even a bit confused.

"Be careful that he doesn't land in the actual Evil Emperor's hands, Zurg will get angry at being horribly inaccurate," then Warp added with a casual smirk. "might just enslave you."

"Enslave me!" Veena exclaimed.

"And your family." Warp said to her horror.

"Nooo!"

"That's your mission." he tapped on her chest then pointed back at the toy. "Keep him nice and safe, and best of all, never, ever, let me see that toy ever again after this mission."

"But my little sis-brother!" Veena added. "He's still down there!"

"You have a little brother?" his features fell at the unexpected news.

"Mom adopted her after the crash! She doesn't remember, she says he's part of the family, and he is!" Veena insisted. "She's a orphan!"

"Okay, okay, kid," he set his hands on the side of her shoulder. "Crush him." Veena stared at him, blankly. "Now."

Veena dug her fingers into the frame of the machine, repeatedly, each time that her fingers stopped moving, it was right back to the way it had been before.

"Darkmatter to Van Selling, we got another problem. Van Selling? Van Selling." he tapped on his comn then swore. "Blast!" he looked toward her. "We'll handle it-does he have a toy that makes him stand out?"

"A stuffed purple dragon that looks like a donkey," Veena began to describe. "it's big, it's-"

"We'll be back in five minutes." Warp held his hand out as Veena squeezed the toy as a coping mechanism and he bore a smile. "Stay put. If we're not back in five minutes. . . say Miss Doubtfire. She'll take care of you from there."

"Please, he's only three!" Veena cried.

Warp turned on his canopy then made a run for it leaving the bridge. Veena sat there, clenching the toy, terror in her eyes, frightened, full of anxiety with very little comfort. Abruptly, from across the security detail, there was a 'nah nah nah' that was slow and smooth drawing their attention toward the source of it. Van Selling was leaned against the side of the wall twirling a weapon by the trigger and cupping the side of his face with his other hand looking in amusement toward his opponents.

"Abducting the Junior Ranger after their parents shuttle crashed," Van Selling said.

Their eyes were fixated on the weapon watching it twirling, alarmed, tense.

"That's a very special kind of stupidity." Van Selling continued.

They clenched their jaws.

"Normally, we rescue people or in general cadets from hostile environments." Van Selling said.

They braced themselves for the beginning of the environment.

"However, since this kid was adopted and lost their parents to Zurg years ago, Darkmatter went to great lengths to save that kid, promising them that everything was going to be okay."

Van Selling stopped twirling then aimed the crowd.

"Everything isn't fine, isn't it?" Van Selling asked.

Van Selling's features darkened.

"Hurting a child, threatening them, terrorizing them, taking them when they are scared as hell and want to go home."

"That child is a annoyance." one of the members said. "We're only taking care of them for our employer."

Van Selling aimed the weapon toward the sky as he bore a smirk.

"What are you doing?"

"A annoyance." Van Selling started to say. "You said."

"Yes! they won't be quiet."

"Shut up! He's plotting something! He's making us confess!"

"Why shouldn't we be confessing to a done deal? The Ranger is here after all, and we're going to be dead.

"There's something else in here." One of them said as Van Selling's features remained transfixed. "There's something else in the forest!"

"No, there isn't!"

"He's terrorizing you!"

"He's doing nothing!"

"Acts like he's about to do something that will inconvenience us."

"All Space Rangers have that look!"

"Not one quite like us!"

Van Selling pressed the trigger then the electric transformer above his head exploded and bits and pieces of it crashed onto huts. Flames began to spread around the log huts and began to eat them as smoke drifted into the air. Warp peeked into the buildings for the younger sibling that featured going into the building that which held Veena. The Space Ranger frowned as distant shots were overheard behind him seeing that the child was nowhere to be found. He went into the burning buildings searching for the child. His gaze landed on a window that had the distinctive sight of a purple dragon-donkey then he activated his wrist laser and stormed into the wooden log.

The little boy yelped as the abductor turned in the captain's direction then ripped put a spear and shot it after the Space Ranger who stepped aside then leaped on to the nearest wall missing a omni blaster blast then tackled the criminal down to the ground delivering a cold punch knocking them out cold. The Space Ranger picked up the little boy then flew out of the room as the target proceeded to come to, groaning, picking up a spear then gave chase after the Space Ranger. The spear was destroyed with a laser blast by Van Selling. Warp flew after the direction of the Star Cruiser with a grin that was in low orbit right in the general layer of the atmosphere that had oxygen. The target aimed and threw after the Space Ranger who merely laughed it off carrying the bundle in his arms. The security detail were all tied up and bound out in a clearing far from their burning makeshift small headquarters.

Warp made it inside of the ship via the port door and closed it behind him then walked on down the corridor into the conn.

"Veenie!"

"M'Navi!"

Veenie caught M'Navi, tightly, holding on to the other toy and Warp smiled.


King Nova bore a smile as his long time advisor arrived to his bed side. He didn't look well in contrast to his friend, visibly. It was the way the tired baggy eyes were present, his normally well and tidy red hair was messy tinged in shades of rose-gray, the way that his blue skin was pale, and how he were in his vibrant night ropes. He was surrounded by tissue boxes decorated in various colors even as the paper remained the same color in general. Beside him was a large trash can that held a large collection of stained tissue paper. The normally healthy king who ruled Tangea and dealt with its affairs was not performing his duties.

Daylight was pouring in through the window in his chamber providing some light for him in the darkness and dreariness of the room that was vibrant, alive, bouncing in various colors that were familiar and comforting, consistent, never changing even as the people in it's walls grew old and perished. Even as new faces popped in from time to time witnessing the history of the world change in it's existence starting with it's construction, to the beginning of the monarchy coming into form, the first sound of wails, the first laughter, the first sound of relief, and tired bed talk, even the whispers of pain and love and heartbreak, even the promises made behind these walls, even hearing nefarious plots from time to time. It had heard the king's first giggle, his first words, his first tantrum, it had heard him falling in love, it had heard Mira be welcome into his world. It had heard her mother's voice, the king chose to believe that the memories made with her were still there etched in the walls as mere feelings even when she were gone, passing away when Mira was very young, in her sleep.

It was quiet in the chamber between the king and his advisor for a very long moment.

"Mira should be disclosed about your illness." Lord Angstrom said.

"Unacceptable."

"You asked for advice after the diagnosis, your majesty." Lord Angstrom recommended. "This is the advice."

"Can this be delayed?" Nova asked.

Lord Angstrom had a brief scowl then his features softened, somberly, then shook his head.

"Waiting for your daughter to come to her senses and stop with her tom foolery as a Space Ranger is on the top of bad ideas."

The king knew that, it risked the monarchy, and yet, even after all these years; she was still alive. She was his only daughter, the only relic of her mother left behind.

"She's young, my friend." Nova reminded.

"Do you want Mira to learn that you're dead then a few hours after be coronated?" Angstrom asked. "She has no choice in the matter."

"But the dread over her head that her entertainment has a deadline." the king pointed out to the advisor. "She can't enjoy the last moments of her freedom with that over her head, can she?"

Angstron briefly grimaced. As appalling as it were, playing with monkeys, giant cats, giant creatures, strange machines; it was a life that would one day be needed to benefit her skills in problem solving, strategically. Being a Space Ranger had it's benefits. A social life beyond the castle walls, significant freedom, not being weighed down by responsibility regarding one planet.

"Then there is something that can be said." Angstrom came to a decision. "Lie to her." he shared some pity upon his friend. "That you'll get better. . . You are a patient old man but the illness is not. The otherworlders that she serves with. . . she will have to be married after the fact."

"Mira will decide for herself regarding the next heir." Nova changed the subject, suddenly, drawing the concern of his advisor. "She can opt for a surrogate like her mother and I did, or. . ." his eyes rested on the window. "adoption from the Tangean people," his gaze lowered down. "or the ground worlders." The king shuddered at the thought. "She could be what unites us all. . or, if she does pursue that union with Romac, it could bite her in the end being powerless to save him or anyone being near him."

"Philip. . . what are you trying to say?'

"My final wish is that she not endanger children or Tangea, she can marry anyone that she wants, just not a grounder." Nova said, final.

"B-b-b-b-b-But, wouldn't adopting a child who is a grounder put them in danger as well?" Angstrom's concern grew in size. "Being unable to save them? Walled up?"

"The castle and the monarchy is up for changes, small ones, in increments until they're being; ones that benefits both parties." Nova explained to his advisor. "And send my sincerest apologies to Romac, will you, my old friend?" he held his hand out for the lord. "If things had been different, grounders not having the effect as they do on Tangeans; they would have made a lovely couple."

Lord Angstrom took the king's hand then squeezed it.

"They would have."

"I need more energy."

"What do you have in mind?"

"Hmm. . . I was thinking, lately, that phasing my hand through a solar panel could do. It will help against this illness, fighting it, tooth and nail as those otherworlders say."

"Your majesty, the press spokesperson wants to know, should you pass, what to say was your cause of death?"

"Natural causes. Don't let her know about Lord Freeves, the other worlder, that . . . man. . ."

"She won't know about our dealings with him."

"Promise me not one word won't be said. Explain to her, if changes are to be instilled, it has to be done in a very tasteful way that doesn't upset both the flyers and the grounders."

"I promise."

"We saved Lord Freeves from dying in space in that tiny craft." the king proceeded to hack into his fist. "W-w-w-w-we should have left him there to die." he looked toward his old friend with regret and personal shame in the matter. "I should have taken your advice."

Lord Angstrom got up to his feet then walked away but halted in his tracks at gazing toward the king in pity then turned his attention away shaking his head briefly closing his eyes and phased through the wall.


Two weeks later, PS 19 To The 3rd was having the usual school day. Quark held on to his collection of school books as he busied himself off toward the classroom that he was set to be in. He paused in his tracks, surveying the high foot traffic then walked over to the side of the wall and set his books alongside him waiting for the traffic to thin out. From afar, a teacher observed the boy with his arms folded, a mirror image of a long lost student, his fingers tapping against his shoulder, waiting. She smiled, fondly, remembering how he went over to his locker and returned books between classes to lower his load. She stepped back then took out a tablet and returned to a game.

Quark saw his opportunity then picked up his books and walked on.

"Did you hear how your dad totally let your other dad die?" came a voice from behind him.

Quark halted in his tracks then he shifted in the direction of the voice

"My dad would never do that to him." Quark glared back.

"Then why did he confess three years after the fact?" The student asked, almost mockingly, condescendingly.

"My dad had survivors guilt." Quark said, matter of factly. "Try being partners with the greatest man that ever lived and being saved by him."

"Do you know how he died?" the student's voice sounded strange, a bit like a adult trying to sound young.

"Why do I need to know something as morbid as that?" Quark asked back, bewildered.

"Because you look exactly like him, dumb ass." the student said.

Quark looked toward the photograph that his companion was pointing toward.

"Every day, Captain Darkmatter looks at you, he sees him, he sees Buzz Lightyear growing up. In fact, he's still his partner in a way. He's haunted by his big mistake, why did he adopt you? To fix his biggest mistake, that's why. To be there."

Quark turned toward his companion. Roughly his age. His companion had an uncanny valley. Didn't look quite like a child and yet they did at the same time.

"You're. . ." Quark began to acknowledge. "not a student."

Quark squinted at the newcomer as he dropped his books then cracked his knuckles.

"Y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-yes, I am!"

"You know how the people of Morph practice no violence?"

"Children are instilled to find peaceful solutions with their hearts and their intelligence."

"My other dad practiced that."

"And?"

Quark grabbed the newcomer by the throat then yanked him close to his face then smiled.

"I am not my other dad." Quark said.

Quark's hand became a fist then delivered a sharp punch, repeatedly, the newcomer caught the flying fist then punched the young boy at the boy causing the icy grip around their neck to be released. The boy regained his footing then delivered a sharp punch causing the new comer to stumble back landing to the floor. Quark charged then crashed on to the impersonator, and slammed them multiple times against the ground, pieces of skin falling off, revealing their gray helmet with two rings at the general area where a visor should be that were glowing yellow.

He lifted the machine up then slammed them against the nearest locker. The machine shoved him back with a direct punch to the face. The commotion drew attention to him as the machine tackled the young boy who then smacked his knee in the sensitive area of the chassis earning a loud groan. The machine shoved the boy off then fell to the side landing to its knees. The twelve year old boy tackled the machine down then slammed the machine's head against the ceramic floor repeatedly.

A crowd gathered around them cheering on Quark as dents appeared on the helmet of the machine which spread and grew in size and width. The machine reached out then clawed into the boy's forehead breaking free of the binds around their digits leaving a fine trail of blood above the eyebrows reopening the nearly invisible old scar. The boy swung the machine against the locker and swung his fist into the chassis repeatedly revealing the articles of clothing was mere decoration as was the skin with sparks hidden beneath and exposed electrical wire then Quark was yanked back by the principal.

"Quark, what in tarnation are you-" the principal shrieked at the figure on the ground. "Good lord!"

The machine got up to their feet and made a run for it fleeing the school.

"And stay out!" Quark shook his fist, aggressively, as the student body tossed their lunches after the machine.

The principal glared down upon the injured boy holding him by the back of his shirt.


Nebula ran from his desk, making a bolt for it in the rec room, the door closing behind him. He quickly gathered all the chairs, the desks, the shelves, blocking the doorway from the desk. The commander stepped back, folding his arms, relieved. He sat down in the last chair and proceeded to take a nap. When he came to, he felt nice and refreshed.

Slowly, with trepidation, he removed the pieces of furniture and put them in the wrong places that they didn't belong in. He peered out of the room, scowling, then flipped his comn open and flickered through searching in his schedule and the current time. He paused at the next order of business below 'observing cadets and rookies in the training deck'. Consider the admiralty's request to join them. Nebula flicked the roof of his comn on to his sleeve then walked on.

"Commander! Commander! There you are!"

Nebula turned in the direction of the voice, recognizing the source.

"What is it, ranger?"

"It's about another ranger. . ." Raptor Chill said.

"What about them?" Nebula said.

"One of them is dirty." Raptor Chill said.

"Stop right there, Chill." Nebula held his hand up stopping the rookie from continuing. "Report to Ranger Internal Affairs." the commander turned away then flipped open his communication console. "Nebula to Darkmatter."

"Darkmatter here."

"Meet me in the conference room in one hour!"

"We'll be right there." Darkmatter bore a smirk. "Van Selling and I are busy chowing down on some Cosmic Ribs."

"He bet that I can't finish it!" Van Selling was overheard.

"Eating five in one sitting is hardly possible and very messy," Warp said, smugly, in response. "You're gonna lose and end be spying on Quark on his first date when he's sixteen."

"Nah uh!" Van Selling protested. "Be a helicopter parent but not on my dime!'

"Come alone." Nebula requested that sent the smirk dwindling away replaced by confusion.

"Alone, commander?" Darkmatter asked.

"ALONE!" Nebula yelled, with emphasis on the word. "Nebula out."

The captain flickered off the comn console with a smirk.


A little over an hour passed, and Warp arrived to the conference room. Nebula, the Ranger Internal Affair officer was there, and three LGM. There was nothing worse than a mole in the Space Ranger Corps to Star Command, it either mattered to that of life or death. To people like Warp, moles were merely a piece of entertaining spice that were useful and got rich in the process. Everyone wasn't in their space suits, more so in their formal uniforms. The commander had sent a message in the intervening hour regarding the uniform variation that was being worn. The Space Ranger sat down into one of the chairs then shifted his attention

"Raptor Chill, tell them what you told me." The Internal Affairs officer said.

Raptor Chill gazed toward the commander and the captain before speaking.

"It's your partner, Captain Darkmatter." Raptor Chill began to say. "Van Selling is a mole for Lord Freeves."

Warp's jaw fell as his brows lifted as he turned his attention toward the commander who was alarmed and shocked as he were.

"Lord Freeves, the lord of three planets." Nebula said.

"Never heard of him." Warp admitted drawing Raptor Chill's attention. "Relatively new on the block. News hasn't mentioned that name."

"Those planets are outside of the territory of the Galactic Alliance, they are neutral planets, refusing to butt in on anything for the sake of peace, and much to their credit, they've only list roughly four hundred people resisting him."

"Four hundred? That's very low."

"Got no reason to doubt them, it came from them, not from Lord Freeves on a secured channel. Maybe it was just four hundred because he admired the way that he was welcomed by them."

"Why hasn't Zurg conquered them anyway?"

"Has to have put them in the back burner for a pick me up." Was the commander's suggestion then shifted his attention back. "Continue, son."

"I discovered that was the case when we were drinking one night a few months ago, after our shared shuttle crashed at a out back planet, pre-lightspeed." Raptor Chill began to explain. "We didn't know whether our signal had been sent out or hadn't as a result of collision against the comet. For all we knew, we were going to spend the rest of our natural lives on the planet, with one of us very wounded, and having to rely on each other for support, my partner and Milky Weight's partner as well were killed during the collision." the Space Ranger briefly closed his eyes. "It was a freak accident."

"Yet, you were drinking." Warp pointed out. "Where did you get the booze?"

The Space Ranger sweated.

"Ranger. . . this is a military branch, we are not the police." Nebula reminded. "Beyond our reach."

"We were smuggling a shipment for this civilization battling on their own against Zurg, they won, anyway, and they got the shipment, a significant less for the victory party."

"That was a really good party." Warp said with a laugh. "Fireworks exploding all over the place, all the grades, really fantastic sight to see, people dancing and singing, never seen that kind of unity, even the crying."

"They're lucky." Nebula agreed with a nod then turned his attention toward the Space Ranger. "Chill."

"We traded secrets, and, er, Van Selling doesn't remember because he drank really heavy. I thought he was joking about being a spy, a mole, a traitor, until recently. . ."

Raptor Chill took out the evidence then set it on the table, a collection of recordings, the face of Lord Freeves, discussing, talking, all the videos were paused. The mole observed how Warp looked pained. Hurt, in general, just aching. It was a special look of pain. Like he knew something was going to happen, and it wasn't going to be pretty. As if he had been through something like that. Before.

"How did you get your hands on these without getting caught?" Nebula asked.

"Claiming to be trying to take a good selfie shot." Raptor Chill said.

Raptor Chill knew what really happened; the two bonded together after the crash landing, Raptor Chill at Van Selling's mercy, Morgue Blast and Raptor's partner Ranger Sanfraic finding them in the middle of their laughter reflecting how their career occupations as moles were effectively over just as it had began, a fight breaking out, punches, Raptor Chill calling out for peace given they were stranded and all they had for company and aids for survival was each other. They couldn't exactly kill the one person who could be their best friends for life on the pre-civilization world.

Those words prevented their swift demise for the moment. A laser fight ensuing between Van Selling and the duo did happen a few days after Morgue Blast reported Booster, Mira, and XR were on their way. He remembered the tense moment, reluctant to attack fatally, and risk their scorn that revealed to Team Nova regarding his secret during the rescue. Van Selling had no problem attacking them while Raptor Chill cowered.

"Is that it?"

"There's a lot more but it has to do with other matters that concern you alone, Commander." Sarah, the internal affairs officer, said.

"Negative." Nebula declined the request. "It also concerns him."

"Why?" Sarah said.

"Darkmatter." Nebula turned his attention toward the captain. "Do the honors."

"My kids are going to become teenagers, like to be able to make the schedule personally to teach them how to drive."

"When?"

"Uhh. . . give it two to three years, whenever they want to learn how to drive."

"It's a slow transition." Nebula sported a big grin. "And I am going to be rid of that stupid desk." then he added. "Proceed, Chill."


The hours toiled by and the Lightyears exited school along with their core group of friends. Quark lagged behind the others taking his time keeping his head lower, keeping himself small, avoidable, keeping his eyes out for the machine that he had fought by hand. Kids boarded the school buses and a number opted to walk back home. Quark kept his guard up for a long while until he were certain that he was the only one on the street. He took out his black and orange small basketball from his pocket then tossed it into the air as he walked back home. His laughter echoed in the air as he walked on.

Quark twirled, spinning on his heel, catching it by his shoulder, then watched it fall down his shoulder, down his elbow, and down to his hand. He carried on walking multitasking along the way taking the safe route home. He paused, every once in awhile, gazing around the area, something he didn't do everyday. His alarm was raised, held up, prodded, drawing his complete attention similar to a soldier who had been put on the field. He heard the sound of sticks breaking then made a break for it taking twist and turns until arriving to his usual street after taking random turns to lose whoever was following him. He relaxed, sure now, that he wasn't being followed. Quark tossed the ball into the air then paced in circles waiting for it to come back down.

"Looking for this?"

A tall old man with a big chin armed by a walking stick came out into the light with grayed hair in a bun and curly hair dangling from the forehead.

"Yes!" Quark replied.

The old man approached the boy with a smile then halted in his tracks once he became concerned.

"Where did you get that bandage from, student?"

"Oh?" Quark pat on his forehead with the wide scar. "This old thing?" he rubbed the bandage. "I got it from fighting a robot this morning."

"Why did you fight a robot twice your height?" the old man set his hand on his hip.

"It was disg-I already told Ranger Fisher and Ranger Dafferdale about this."

"Ranger Fisher? Ranger Dafferdale?"

"Yes, sir."

"I. . ."

"Friends of them?"

"Not directly." the old man looked toward the sky. "More like someone who was aware they existed."

The older man looked sad gazing up toward the night sky.

"How long ago did you in-directly know them?"

The older man was silent for a long moment as his features became dulled as he clenched his hands, his broad shoulders raised, shifting toward the boy.

"A long time ago."

"My name is Quark, what's yours?"

"You've got a big forehead for a kid."

"My teachers tell me that all the time. Got my good looks from my other dad."

"Your dad must be proud of that." The stranger smiled upon Quark.

"He's super protective." Quark noted. "Won't be surprised if I got a tracker somewhere in my uniform or in my backpack!"

"Helicopter parent."

"It's annoying."

"I knew a kid like you, a long time ago, except he didn't have a dad," he looked aside, his shoulders lowering, mood soured. "Or a mom."

"What happened to them?" Quark asked.

"They died. The kid, he was spared, his homeworld had a secure and strong system, he was dropped off with his nana before they left."

"He didn't have parents?"

"Affirmative." he looked back with a bitter smile upon the boy. "He grew up okay, fighting the good fight, got taken out of the field one day, hasn't been a Ranger in a long time."

"Did he know my dad?" Quark asked with big eyes.

"Good chance that he did."

"Why are you out in the dark?" Quark asked.

"Walking." he squinted upon the boy. "Why are you not at your dwelling?"

"Just got off school." Quark replied.

"Here's your ball."

Quark was handed back the ball,

"Thanks, sir!"

"And be careful, if gets thrown in the road, don't run after it. Not worth it."

"But it's my o-"

"No buts!"

"It's really special."

"I had a ball like that, busted several windows, got a black eye, scraped knees, and scraped elbows, was a disaster boy back then."

"My nana would cry if she knew that I lost it."

"Items are not as important as children."

"Toys and kids are equally as important. It's the one thing that goes together swimmingly"

"They do, but not like balls when it means putting a kid's life in danger."

"Lightyear!" Quark and the stranger turned in the source of the voice. "Would you like to go to pizza planet instead of having dinner at the-MY GOD, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR FOREHEAD?"

Quark, nervous, rubbed the back of his neck then shifted toward the stranger.

"Gotta go." Quark said then waved back at the frozen stranger who looked down toward him, horrified, taking small steps back. "See ya."

The stranger watched Quark run off then leap into the van into the passenger seat.

"Back seat, partner." Warp pointed at the back.

"But it's full!" Quark reminded as Warp smirked.

"Not the back BACK seat!" Chari pointed out, loudly.

"Go back, little gremlin." Gamma added.

"Little marine!" Oort joined in.

"Wrestler!" Hoichi said.

Quark groaned, then opened the door, hopped out, then closed the door and made his way over to the back, the door opening. Warp drove on by Buzz as the children cheered on, 'Pizza planet!'. He was stunned, beyond words, stepping back then settled into the nearest park bench. He clenched the side of his head feeling a tremble feeling his world spinning around him in shock.

Why was Warp raising his son? When did he have a son? Warp being a dad? He imagined him as the kind of guy who refused to have kids, enjoying being a mercenary and all, children getting in the way easily becoming the subject of consequences and following in his footsteps. He took out his small phone then set in her number.

"Nana."

"Buzzy bear, what's wrong?" Nana's voice came over concerned.

"Why didn't you tell me that I had a son?" Buzz asked, confused.

"You told me that you don't intend to stay." Nana said, her voice was tired. "Tell your son and say 'hey, the man who you were cloned after is back and he's not staying long'. I didn't want to give him that excitement and take it away from him immediately."

Buzz looked in the direction that the van had went.

"He made five clones." Nana said

Buzz rubbed his forehead as he began to laugh that grew in volume as he leaned over, tearfully.


Raptor Chill left Star Command, tired as hell. Milky Weight dropped him off at his apartment then drove off with the music blaring from the small car. The Space Ranger entered the house, closing the door behind him, then stripped out of his uniform and set it aside, stacking up, the uniform standing on its own alongside the doorway. Milky Weight approached the large phone then keyed in a number and took out another remote, setting a command, then waited. In a few short moments, within a yawn, a slice of taco pizza was set in front of him. He cupped the side of his face while waiting music played for a long moment. The screen flashed to life suddenly while he was in the middle of eating his third slice.

"Zurg here. Hmm, good evening, Raptor Chill, looking for another errand? Got none tonight. Go to sleep."

Zurg hung up on him then he watched his employer appear rather irked.

"You said that he would become revered." Raptor Chill said.

"Who now?" Zurg said.

"Warp Darkmatter, sir."

"Ah, yes him," Zurg rolled his optics with a wave then folded his arms. "old news."

"He's transitioning-"

"He's transitioning again! What gender? Is he going back to unisex? That must be a rather painful process, he swore that he would never go back, sounds like something changed, which is unusual, Darkmatter was so dead set on being a man." Zurg began to bullet out questions as he twirled his claw, speculating.

"He's transit-"

"Or is he gender fluid?" he stopped twirling as he leaned forward taking up space on the phone. "Or non-binary?"

"He is-"

Zurg leaned back.

"Or is he agender?" he turned away from the screen heavily taking it into consideration. "Then what's Warp Darkmatter's pronouns?" he turned back toward the screen then stretched his arms with a shrug as Raptor Chill yawned. "Is it xe/xem?"

"Will you let me finish?" Raptor Chill asked.

"Very well then." Zurg folded his arms with a scowl. "Finish it."

"He's transitioning to Commander." Raptor Chill surprised the Evil Emperor.

"Oh goody, terrorizing him every so often!" Zurg rubbed his claws together, gleefully, with a laugh. "How long?"

"In a few short years-" Raptor Chill stopped watching the evil emperor jotting down on a tablet. "Evil Emperor Zurg, what are you doing?"

"Making a separate list of evil things to put on the back burner until he's commander, naturally." Zurg sounded pleased. "Ooooh, Buzz Lighyear would have never accepted the commander role, all hands on, he was more appropiate for the field rather than training cadets and rookies."

"Night, Zurg."

"Ta-ta."

The screen turned off then it flickered back on.

"I've been reminded by a grub that you haven't taken in back pay! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ACCOUNT at Trade World?"

"Oh, that, too tired, busy, busy, busy, busy, Lord Freeves been trying to conquer a world and transporting weapons and smuggling them to you without bringing alarm has been very distracting."

"Since when is Star Command doing that? The Galactic Alliance has refused to admit them due to their part in a old empire that Lord Freeves's people insist."

"Morph is doing the supplying, mostly. It's a joint military operation. It's a all hands on deck mission fighting against someone Nebula compares to being worse against you."

"Just how bad is he?" Zurg asked.

"Genocide." Raptor Chill asked.

"So? I did, and tried, that a number of times!" Zurg set his hands on his hips with a laugh. "He's nothing special compared to me!"

"Move his people in, remove names, destroy monuments, destroy museums, cover up their existence-" Zurg gasped, horrified. "You know-general erasure thing."

"Go to sleep, Raptor Chill." Zurg's horror had faded. "You're too tired to explain what he is doing! Zurg out."

The screen flickered off leaving Zurg all alone and general unsettled in his throne room regarding Freeves then made his way to his bed chamber tired.