The Princess And The Maverick Vol 2

by SORARULES23

More than a year after Rapunzel and Orion left Corona for separate journeys. Both the Princess of Corona and the Maverick have returned with new friends. Nee challenges to face. Worlds to see. A Kingdom to defend. All the while preparing for the biggest challenge they'll ever face that is soon to come. (A sequel to The Princess And The Maverick: What If?)

8. A Stranger From The Outside

WE'RE BACK FOLKS! 🎉🎉🎉

I hope everyone enjoyed Mario Day. I sure did! 😁👍

But this chapter won't be about Mario or Nintendo. This will be about a certain character you helped vote into this story. And I believe I held back long enough. So for all those who either enjoyed or hated his movie adaptation last year. It's time to go INFINITY!...And…

Right after some comments! 😂

"killjoy." Maverick quipped.

Also I'm looking forward to the finale of the Last Of Us series. And I'm enjoying Madalorian Season 3 so far. 😁

"ACHEM! Comments?" Maveress inquired. 😏

Oh yeah!

SPYRO 101: Thank you, Buddy! Oh yeah it's great to see those two sisters come to terms. And trust me. They'll play a part in the story later. Thanks again for helping me write this chapter! 👍😉

RustyPete 12: Yep! All's well that ends well. Oh they're not really disposable thugs. The Wrecking Crew are actually villains of Thor from his comic books. Also as for Wolfwalkers. If it was Disney I definitely would have crossed it with that film. But since this is Disney and Kingdom Hearts and no one has made Wreck It Ralph or Roger Rabbit type loophole for that movie. I wouldn't expect it to happen any time soon. But….I won't put it past future fanfic writers to come up with something interesting for that. Thanks again for reading. I am deeply sorry for your loss. I hope you and your family are doing okay. 👍

Everyone, please show your support to RustyPete 12 and the loss of his family friend. 🙏🙏🙏

Alright. And now that we're all here.

LET'S GET DANGEROUS! 😎

---

A Stranger From The Outside.

One afternoon on the roof of Rapunzel's bedroom...

Since the tower of Rapunzel's bedroom at the castle was higher. Every now and then Rapunzel would take the time to learn about the culture of Orion's world from the roof of her bedroom tower. And they would have plenty of sky space to display the examples in neon constructs.

Rapunzel was leaning back with her arms behind her back while Orion was doing the same next to her. And Pascal was in between them taking notes.

Today. Orion was teaching them about Football. And NFL fan craze. So far Rapunzel was sort of catching on with all of the rules.

"Okay. So...If you mess up the fourth down, then you give the ball to the other team?" Rapunzel repeated.

"Yeah. That's what we call a turn over." Orion answered as he showed a football field construct up in the sky. With dots as players.

Pascal was taking notes on the piece of paper he was laying on.

"And if you clear ten yards, then your back at...First down?" Rapunzel inquired.

"That's right." Orion nodded.

"I think I understand, even though I still find some things about the game so confusing." Rapunzel said with a rub of her head. "But I will say it does look fun. Are there any teams with women players?"

"Not In the NFL. Most sports are for men who resemble overrated masculinity and body fuel. However….The ladies often are often used for the LFL or XFL as others call it. And hot damn their outfits are striking." Orion remarked as he displayed an LFL poster from his gummiphone.

Rapunzel sees the poster and all of those skimpy and clad women who try to resemble the legends of NFL. While showing off a lot of skin. If Friday were teaching Rapunzel all of this. She'd probably reveal that there are other ways for women to attend football.

"Woah!" Rapunzel said with awe and a slight blush. "Now those are quite the sports uniforms. Wonder what Eugene would say if he saw me playing this league."

"He'd probably ask me to take a picture a find a quiet place to manufacture the frosting." Orion quipped about Eugene doing playing with his junk.

Rapunzel, not catching the joke, just smirked as she thought of something..

"Knowing you, I bet you pictured Friday wearing that outfit." Rapunzel said while giving her brother a knowing smirk.

"Your point?" Orion inquired with a raised eyebrow.

'Eres punto?' TEC asked the same question in Spanish

"Just saying." Rapunzel grinned with a shrug before she thought. "Wait, does this league require shoes, or is that optional?"

"In every modern Earth that has the NFL or LFL. Yes. For the sake of every local fanatic TV network watching, it's against policy to miss a piece of any part of a traditional football uniform." Orion explained with a little wit. Then he grinned. "But...If you brought a football league to Corona..."

He was hoping to give Rapunzel the idea.

"That might actually be a great idea." Rapunzel said with an excited smile.

"I have to warn you though. Back then I used to sit in the living room playing video games while other guys would scream to the point of bruising their vocal cords whenever their team was losing. So...If you do make a kingdom football league. The fans might get more violent than the actual players." Orion bit his bottom lip.

"Well if they do, then we'll just have to remind them who's boss." Rapunzel said with a smirk as she held up her frying pan.

"Seriously, Zel. You better make sure to pick the right side. I remembered when me and my family went to stay at a hotel in Phoenix Arizona during the 2014 Super Bowl." Orion began to tell a short story.

"The Super Bowl? What's that?" Rapunzel asked.

"It's practically the biggest event in Football. You see, towards the end of the season, several teams are chosen, for their performance that year, to take part in the playoffs." Orion explained. "Think of it as a tournament. Each team plays against other teams until only two make it to the finals, where they play to win the trophie and the title of best team that year."

'Only two different teams can earn their way to the Super Bowl champion.' PRO added.

'And one gets to go home with the trophy!' TEC stated.

"Plus the fans who are watching either go to the stadium to watch the game in person. See a celebrity performance during half time. And meet some famous folks and act like life has meaning." Orion explained. "Or many others stay home to watch it on TV or big screen TVs with friends and family. Surrounded by Chips, soda, hot wings, BBQs, potato salad and high saturated fats."

'And to watch new movie trailers.' PRO added.

'And to watch new hilarious commercials!' TEC beamed.

"Ooooh. Sounds like quite a fun time. " Rapunzel said with a glint of excitement. "Now I'm really excited to start a football league here.

"Well I haven't told you yet. But during the 2012 Super Bowl. The New York Giants won over the New England Patriots. And...Well there was a Patriots fan next door. He got so mad his team lost that he tossed his TV out a 20 story window. And his dog." Orion stated and sighed while shaking his head. "Thank God that TV survived."

"Okay. That's just insane." Rapunzel said with horror on her face. "Why do people have such negative attitudes?"

"I know. Who does that? I mean I'm more of a cat guy myself. But you should've seen what my Dad was like whenever his team lost. He acted so connected with them he would come home or go out acting like he lost his Favorite car or something." Orion snickered remembering how his dad would act.

Seems like everyone's life depends on their own favorite teams winning. Even if their favorite team doesn't know them.

"It's just a game. I mean even if your team loses, the next day will come. It doesn't make much sense." Rapunzel said with a perplexed look.

"Trust me, Zel. If you were a hardcore sports fan. You'd scream louder than Ray Liotta as a T-Rex." That's why I never went that deep in the dark side myself. I'd stay a comic and film fan. And a video game consumer." Orion remarked.

"I'm with you there. Movies and comics will always be one of my favorites." Rapunzel said with a nod.

"But it still does good for connecting with folk by getting familiar with sports. So far I've taught you about the NBA. NFL. And...What's America's pasttime?" Orion playfully quizzed to see if Rapunzel remembers.

"Hold on. I know this." Rapunzel said before trying to think of the answer before the answer came to her. "Baseball!"

'TOUCH DOWN! SHE GOT IT RIGHT! A HOLE IN ONE!' TEC beamed as a bell rang as if it was a quiz show.

'That's Football. Jeopardy and Golf, Dumbass' PRO deadpanned to his A.I. brother.

"Anyhow. You got it. So, I've been thinking. To help spread life and spice up excitement around Corona. I'm thinking of reintroducing one of these sports to Corona. And out of all three of the ones I've taught you. Which one should we bring in first? Baseball? Basketball or Football?" Orion asked his sister.

"Ooh. They're all great sports. It's so hard to choose." Rapunzel said while raising up and tapped her bare foot as she tried to decide which sport to do first. "I would say either baseball or basketball. Football might be a little too violent to bring to Corona at this time."

Perfect sports can be violent. Baseball can cause damage from a perfect hit in the face. I think Basketball is safer, but trickier. I'd say random injuries happen often as a-" Orion was about to give an example as he sat up.

"Shooting star?" Rapunzel asked while looking up in surprise.

"Yeah! Perfect example!" Orion answered.

"No. I mean, I see a shooting star right now. Look!" Rapunzel said as she pointed up towards the sky.

Orion stood and looked up to see the shooting star flying like a meteor down across the sky. Orion squinted his eyes to focus and he figured it out.

"That's...not a shooting star." Orion said as he realized.

Then Yozora ran up to the roof of the tower using his freeflow abilities and stood next to Orion.

"Are you seeing this too?" Yozora asked as he looked alerted by this.

"You mean some sort of flaming object heading right for Corona? Hard to miss." Rapunzel said with urgency.

"This is what we call a global killer. The end of mankind. Doesn't matter where it hits. Nothing would survive, not even bacteria'." Orion quoted from the movie 'Armageddon'. "Just another typical Tuesday in our line of work."

'You're not gonna name this chapter Another Typical Tuesday are you?' PRO inquired with a fourth wall break.

"Hell no! I'm not repetitious!" Orion responded in a ridiculing tone.

Then they looked down and saw the fireball and so-called 'shooting star' crash in the woods near the entry bridge of Corona. And it was a loud crash like the sound of thunder. Which told Orion that it might be a vessel from outer space.

"Come on." Yozora said as he ran back down as he shifted into Verum Rex.

Orion shifted into the Maverick and helped carry Rapunzel who held on, and he flew down to follow Verum Rex with Pascal on the Princess' shoulder.

---

Down at the crash sight in the woods...

Down in the crater was a large vessel that fell from the sky. The impact caused the said vessel to cause the dirt to scatter and ashes of fire from re-entry were spread throughout the area, but it was dying too fast to spread.

This vessel however was a spaceship in the colors of white. Purple and green. And it looked more like a starfighter jet.

It had a symbol of a blue planet with a Saturn-like ring around, which was turned upward while leaning a bit to the right side. With eagle wings on both sides and a rocket ship pointing upwards.

This was the Star command symbol. And its pilot was standing up after being flown out and crashed out of the window. The pilot groaned as he stood up and looked around wondering where he was. But was un injured due to his space ranger suit that protected him from any damages.

This spaceman was the legendary Buzz Lightyear of Star command.

Around his head was a purple bodysuit that left only his face visible. He looked around with his helmet on, trying to look through the smoke vapor that surrounded him.

Buzz then pressed a red button on his suit's chest, trying to get in contact with his superiors.

"Buzz Lightyear to Star Command. Come in, Star Command." Buzz spoke, but no one responded.

This being due to the Mav Club's shields blocking his communications. He pressed the button again, trying to get a response.

"Star Command, come in! Do you read me?!" Buzz said loudly before muttering to himself. "Why don't they answer?"

Buzz turned around and gasped in horror.

"My ship!" Buzz exclaimed before running towards his ship to inspect the damages, finding it to be split in half. "Blast. This'll take weeks to repair."

Buzz then turned back around and opened up his wrist comm to access his mission logs on his communicator.

"Buzz Lightyear mission Log: Stardate 4072. My ship has run off course on route to Sector 12. I've crash-landed on a strange planet. The impact must have woke me from hypersleep." Buzz spoke as he recorded his mission log before jumping up and down, testing the ground and gravity. "Terrain seems a bit unstable. Probably my fault due to my ship's impact." Buzz pressed a couple buttons on his communicator. "Due to the smoke, there's not a readout yet if the air is breathable. And there seems to be no sign of intelligent life anywhere." Buzz concluded as he looked about the area, not seeing any man-made structures near him.

"Hello?!" Pete the guard called while standing in front of him.

"Whoa-yah!" Buzz yelled in alarm as he dodged and pointed his laser target beam at him.

"Whoa hey whoa! Did I scare you?" Pete asked as he was startled.

"I told you we should've greeted him from up here!" Stan echoed from above the crater.

"Yeaaah sorry. I'm Pete. Welcome to Corona. And I hope I don't get shot by whatever's in your arm to say...Or wonder what just happened." Pete babbled as he held his hands up nervously.

As he was jabbering Buzz noticed his Coronian guard batch on his chest. Which told Buzz he was the police of this planet.

"You know what I forgot to ask whatever was in my head. I just don't wanna die." Pete chuckled nervously as he still kept his hands up. Afraid that Buzz might shoot him.

But Buzz turned off his laser as he spoke up.

"Local Law Enforcement. It's about time you got here." Buzz said as he pointed at their badges before introducing himself. "I'm Buzz Lightyear, Space Ranger. Universe Protection Unit. My ship is crash-landed here by mistake."

Buzz started walking away to view the surroundings.

"Whew! Well that's a relief. Uh. I don't mean about you crashing, I just thought more sky pirates were back or something." Pete walked towards Buzz as he sighed with relief.

"I need to repair my turbo boosters." Buzz said as he turned around and walked back towards his ship. "Do your people still use fossil fuels or have you discovered crystallic fusion?"

"Honestly. We still don't know how a flashlight runs let alone...Whatever those things you said are." Pete answered while rubbing the back of his neck.

Then Buzz heard the sound of horses and turned to see more people approaching from the smoke as he was startled.

"Watch yourself!" Buzz protectively pushed Pete down.

"Oof!" Pete grunted as he was pushed face down and Buzz covered him like a soldier.

"HALT WHO GOES THERE?!" Buzz yelled as he pointed his laser target beam at them.

It was Really Rapunzel riding on Maximus with Eugene and lance riding on Fidella behind him.

"Woah!" Rapunzel exclaimed surprised as Maximus and Fidella stood on their hind legs startled for a brief. "It's Okay, we're not here to fight."

"Yeah, that's the last thing on our list of things to do today." Eugene said with a slightly nervous tone. "And just to give you a clue, she's currently the one in charge."

Buzz leaned down and asked Pete. "Do you know these locals?"

Pete raised his head up and spat dirt out of his mouth. "Yes. *Cough*. It's our Princess and her sweetheart." Pete answered while coughing.

Then Buzz lowered his laser and helped Pete stand up. "Alright everyone, you're clear to come up." He stated as he went up to them.

Rapunzel and Eugene came off Max while Lance remained on Fidella as Buzz walked up to greet them. Pete and Stand came over and stood on the other end of the group.

"I am Buzz Lightyear. I come in peace." Buzz Lightyear said as he stood in front of them.

Rapunzel's eyes widened in recognition. Because Orion told stories about Buzz and his legacy as Star Command's finest.

"Buzz Lightyear? I've heard of you!" Rapunzel exclaimed.

"Uh...Who now?" Eugene inquired with his hand on his chin looking curious.

Then Verum Rex and Maverick landed behind him. But Buzz wasn't alarmed since he met them both before. But Buzz was surprised to see them.

"Star Command's legendary top ranger. Recognize across multiple sectors of the galactic alliance and Star Command's pride and joy." Verum Rex declared with a grin.

"He's basically Buck Rogers if he had more gadgets on him than a swiss army knife." Maverick quipped.

"Mr Forge? Rex? This is your home planet?" Buzz inquired while looking surprised.

"His home planet actually." Verum Rex clarified.

"Alright. Well I can assure you this was all just a mistake. I was on route to sector 12 while in hypersleep. Next thing I knew I woke up here." Buzz explained the situation.

"Well, rest assured, you've found yourself among friends." Rapunzel said before introducing. "I'm Rapunzel, Princess of Corona as well as its current ruler."

Buzz, learning he was in the presence of royalty, gasped before stepping forward and dropping to one knee in a respectful bow with his arm over his chest.

"Your Majesty." Buzz said with great respect and reverence.

Maverick leaned in to whisper to Rapunzel.

"I have to warn you. He may seem like a dramatic Shatner, but he means well. Space alliances can do that to you." Maverick whispered.

"I'll remember that." Rapunzel whispered back with a meek smile before she addressed Buzz. "Please stand, Mr. Lightyear. Gosh it's such an honor to meet you."

"The honor is all mine, Ma'am." Buzz stood up and smiled. Then he looked serious as he cleared his throat. "I don't mean to pry but with my ship decommissioned..."

"You mean destroyed?" Eugene asked.

"Right, right. Anyway, this is an intergalactic emergency. I need to commandeer one of your spacecraft for sector 12." Buzz requested as he stated the matter at hand.

"The only ships we have are currently beneath the castle in our secret HQ. We're the only ones who use them." Verem Rex responded.

"You said there was an emergency?" Rapunzel asked in concern.

"I think it's best if we let Buzz explain at the lair." Maverick stated as he called on a ground bridge. "PRO. TEC. Open the back door, Boys."

'S'il vous plaît!' TEC mused in French.

Then suddenly a large portal opened which led into the main hall of the Mav Club. Which is something Orion uses to travel all around Rapunzel's world. Without the need of conventional travel or wasting fuel on a ship.

Buzz caught on to what this portal was for and quickly went back for a brief second to pick up a container with his ship's crystal fusion. Before he followed Verum Rex and Maverick through the portal.

"Stan. Pete. Tell the rest of the guards to let everyone know that this crash sight was just a false alarm. We don't want anyone panicking." Rapunzel instructed the two guards.

"You got it, Princess." Stan saluted Rapunzel.

Then Stan mounted Fidella and Stan mounted Maximus before riding back to town. Rapunzel and Eugene stepped into the ground bridge portal and into the Mav Club to hear Buzz's situation.

---

Inside the Mav Club mission room...

Buzz stood in front of the display orb of the mission room while everyone else was seated to listen. Yozora and Orion were out of their forms. While Buzz still had his space helmet on.

Not that anyone has informed him yet that the air isn't toxic.

"Over the last few cycles, there have been a total of ten Space Rangers who have gone missing in action. Including the three main members of my team. All of tham have gone dark without a trace or any evidence of struggle or awol. As a result, Star Command has been put on high alert and initiated a code 11-26." Buzz explained the situation of a missing group of Space Rangers.

"Goodness. I hope they're all okay." Rapunzel muttered.

"So ten people mysteriously disappeared in a short amount of time? I smell something hinky and it's burning." Eugene said with a frown.

"Excuse me, but what exactly is a Code 11-26? And does it hurt?" Lance asked.

"No. The code states that all second class Rangers have to be accompanied by backup and remain in contact at all times. I applied the same to my team. And they've all gone dark while they were patrolling Planet Ryken in Sector 12 to look for answers on ranger Cormac's disappearance. They all went dark last night." Buzz explained while looking serious.

"That might mean whatever caused the other Rangers to disappear could have caused your teammates to as well." Rapunzel said with a grim tone.

"Have you tried calling them again? Maybe there was just a bit of interference at the time." Eugene suggested.

"I keep trying now. But nothing's working." Buzz tapped his communicator.

"That might be my fault actually." They heard Rocket say as he walked in with Groot. "Sorry I couldn't help overhear about the MIA space heat deal. So..."

"Oh, Rocket, this is Buzz from Star Command. Buzz, this is Rocket from The Guardians of the Unknown, Ryan's team." Rapunzel introduced the two to each other.

"A pleasure to meet one of Forge's teammates." Buzz said with a salute.

"Yeah, hi." Rocket said in a bored tone.

"So Rocket, why did you say it was your fault about communication failure?" Rapunzel asked.

"Well remember the signal jammer we designed, Forge? Well I heightened the settings to jam any outside authority from calling us." Rocket stated.

"I don't know whether to call that dangerous or reckless. Rocket, what if anyone from the Nova Corp needed our help later and they couldn't reach us?" Yozora scolded.

"I know, I get it. But that's just it. If anyone answered those calls. They could see me in the background working on my experiments and probably, kinda maybe. Doing somthin-" Rocket almost as he held his hands up.

"Illegal?" Orion inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Hinky. I was gonna say hinky." Rocket defended.

"Yeah sure." Orion deadpanned.

"But I'll tell you what. I'll include Star Command as a contact on our unblock list and I'll even add in the local Pizza Planet as a bonus so no one can stay mad at their top engineer here." Rocket assured with a little smug wit.

"And add the Nova Corp." Orion said firmly.

"Consider it done...After I'm done thinking about it." Rocket gave a thumbs up before walking out to reconfigure the signal jammer.

"Jokes on him. The Nova still has my main phone number available. And there's no jam in that pastry." Orion muttered to Eugene.

"Heh. Just when he thinks he has the upper hand, you show just who wears the pants on your team." Eugene said in a witty tone.

"I'm quite curious. Why exactly would you have a signal jammer that powerful in the first place?" Buzz asked.

"Buzz, I am a young billionaire with infinite resources of magic, science and everything in between. After my sister and I came home to witness the Ravagers getting in contact with local delinquents and trying to Chernobyl this kingdom to death, I had to take some precautions to prevent it from happening again." Orion stated with a little witt.

"Alright! Star Command's been added to the 'No Jam' server! Try it now!" Rocket echoed from across the lair.

"I am Groot." Groot nodded.

Then the tree used the control panel next to a large display screen in the front of the mission room.

After he was done. The screen came on as it answered someone who finally got through. On the display was an old man with tan skin and a white mustache wearing a high ranking lead ranger uniform with a gold Star Command emblem in front. And a purple pegleg on the left leg.

This was Commander Nebula. Buzz Lightyear's superior officer of Star Command.

"Lightyear! About time I came through!" Commander Nebula snapped on the screen as he was frustrated that it took long for him to finally get an answer from Buzz. "What happened?!"

"Apologies, Commander. Much has happened since our last transmission." Buzz said with a Salute before explaining. "My ship was on course to Sector 12 when my ship crash-landed on Mr. Forge's world, where he has a powerful signal Jammer set up."

"On Forge's world?! Ugh…. I shoulda known." Command Nebula facepalmed himself.

"Yo! Commando Nubal! How's tricks?!" Orion mused a two finger salute.

"Save the jokes for your cereal box, Forge! You're lucky Madame President even authorized doing business with someone who doesn't give a damn about world order and galactic protocol." Commander Nebula scowled at Orion.

"I give plenty of damns, I just don't live by them." Orion shrugged.

"This reminds me of you and the captain." Lance whispered to Eugene.

"Shhhh." Eugene shushed his friend.

"Regardless, Star Command is under high alert. And we need to find out what happened to our missing rangers before anyone else goes missing. And the only thing I dislike more than you Forge is paper and failing to keep Galactic Alliance safe from impossible threats!" Commander Nebula said strictly while showing his dislike for Orion who was just grinning.

"The feeling is mutual, Generalissimo." Orion smirked and looked at the readers. "Can you believe he played one of the donuts from Sugar Rush? Seriously look it up."

"Grrrh! Ugh...Fine. Lightyear. There's been of plan. Turns out you caught yourself in a convenient delay because Sector 12 is a bust. The signal bounced all the way from where it originated on Seknarf 9." Commander Nebula informed them.

"Woah boy." Orion looked suprised.

"It had to be there." Yozora exhaled as he hung his head back.

"I take it since both you and Yozora seem to be sharing similar looks, this Seknarf Nine might not be one of the nicer places to visit?" Rapunzel whispered to Orion in question.

'BUAHHAHAHA- Was that out loud?' TEC meekly asked after laughing real loud at Rapunzel's question.

"Um...How should I put this without making any Jurassic World references?" Orion pondered how to answer.

"Seknarf 9 is independent world housing the most deadliest beasts across the galaxy. It's practically a nature preserve for monsters of every kind. All timed by the one who runs the place. Lady Hellbender." Yozora explained the extreme details.

"Lady Hellbender. Why does that sound like something out of that Airbender cartoon you showed us?" Eugene joked.

"A perfect name to go with a hostile place, I guess." Lance added.

"Oh come on you guys. I'm sure this Lady Hellbender is a lovely and friendly person." Rapunzel said, trying to sound optimistic.

After Yozora and Orion stiffle some snickers. It was Buzz who responded.

"Um...That's a huge negative, You're Majesty. Lady Hellbender is a ruthless gladiator, tamer and collector of rare monsters from many different planets. There's a reason everyone calls her the monster queen." Buzz stated the seriousness of this matter.

"Regardless of the details! It's where your team is Lightyear! And because Secnarf Nine is outside all galactic regulations, including the Nova Corps' jurisdiction. Hence why legally I can't send any other Rangers without a warrant. But since you've been declared practically stranded and acting for good cause. You're the only Ranger available. And you're going to need all the help you can get. Which means..." Command Nebula hesitated to say as he grit his teeth as his eyes peered to Orion. "I need...Grfmrfm..."

"Cammand Da Man say wha?" Orion quipped as he held his ear out.

"I said!...We need...Yrr hp..." Commander Nebula muttered the last part.

"A little more louder, Middle-Aged Commander Shepard. It won't hurt at all." Orion mused in a loud whispered while he held his phone up to the screen.

"I SAID I NEED YOUR HELP DAMN BLASTED! More importantly Lightyear needs your help!" Commander Nebula bellowed on screen.

You could practically see bits of spit scattered on the screen and the Commander was close to popping a vain.

"BOOM!" Orion beamed as he finished recording what Commander said with the camera on his phone as he began to make copies. "You all saw it! And heard! Commander High Volume says he needs me! I'm gonna make multiple backups of this."

"UGH..." Commander Nebula exhaled and smack his face before rubbing it and sighed. "Anyway. Good luck Lightyear. Hope your missions turns out a success. Now if you'll excuse me. I have to go wash my mouth out with soap an any plasma ammunition we've got. Nebula out." Commander Nebula concluded the call before the screen went black.

"I'm going to guess that Commander Nebula is not one of your biggest fans." Rapunzel said to Orion with a sly smirk. "And that you really enjoy pushing his buttons."

"Hell yeah. I could barley get him to admit that Star Command's updated security that they bought and paid for directly from Multicorp R&D, is the reason no one went missing in Star Command HQ." Orion remarked as he finished making copies on his phone.

"The Commander knows. He's just very strict and hates to give credit to anyone outside jurisdiction. Which in your case you're outside all of them." Buzz stated with a grin.

"I'm also the one who patent and sells your merchandise. Hell your latest action figure is selling like hotcakes throughout Xandar." Orion grinned.

"I'm only doing my job, I don't need that much attention from...Wait is it the one that glow in the dark?" Buzz asked looking wide eyed like an excited ten year old for once.

"And in a space ship collectors box." Orion revealed as he held one up.

It was an 11-inch Buzz Lightyear action Figure in a box that looks like his actual Star Command space ship. Complete with a multi voiced simulator. A light beam laser. High preasure space wing. Karate chop action. Wrist communicator. And one of Buzz's best quotes at the back of the box.

"If you're all smart enough to not skip a few sentences. Then you know it's the one from Toy Story. The father and god of all successful animations." Orion said to the readers.

"Uncanny." Buzz declared as he was impressed with the details of him as a toy.

"Wow! You have a toy based off of you?!" Rapunzel asked excitedly as she looked at the figure and sighed. "I'm so jealous. I wish someone would make a toy figure based on me."

"Well I mean...Barbie made a Rapunzel doll about twenty years ago." Orion said trying to ease that urge.

"Oh don't even try that with me. I've seen that doll before. And it looks absolutely nothing like me." Rapunzel said in a low tone and with a frown. "Plus, it was sold with shoes. But no frying pan? That makes no sense!"

"It's not like you were born yet. How would they know you'd be a shoephobe and have a weapon from the Food Network?" Orion jested back.

'If it makes you feel any better. He's developing a doll of you already.' PRO got to the point and displayed a Rapunzel doll on the screen.

The Deluxe Corona addition Princess Rapunzel Doll. Complete with a frying pan. Hair extensions. Guitar. Paint set. Pascal with squeaking sounds. And multiple dress selections with no shoes on any of them. Except for the winter addition for obvious prevention of hypothermia.

'It even sings!' TEC beamed.

"Oh my God! That is awesome! Eakk!" Rapunzel squealed as she looked at the display, before tackling her brother into a tight hug. "You are the best crazy brother, ever!"

"Ugh...Thanks for ruining the

Suprise, Apple Dick Drives." Orion groaned and hissed at his A.I.s while wincing in Rapunzel's large hug.

'We had to. The chapter would've been longer if we didn't end the conversation.' PRO stated nonchalantly.

"Are they always like this?" Buzz asked Eugene as he was both amused and wierded out by Orion and Rapunzel's sibling antics.

"No, it's usually more crazy. But you get used to it." Eugene said with a smirk.

"Well if you're both done talking Toys R Us. We need to have a team meeting. And since Hoshi is at the Twilight Town Spire for training, Donald and Goofy are both on patrol back home on the Disney Capital. It'll be with whoever else is available." Yozora said as he got everyone's attention back on topic.

"Right. I'll go find my wife." Orion nodded as he teleported out of the room.

"I'll go find Drax." Rapunzel said optimistically as she stood up and bare footed out of the room to go find Drax.

"When he said team meeting. Should we take that as an invitation?" Lance inquired at Eugene.

"I hope so, because after our Dark Kingdom Camelot-ish journey, I'm way above tag along meterial." Eugene gloated with a smirk as he leaned back.

---

While Rapunzel found Drax in the training wing. Orion walked down to the Spa wing. Where he passed through some shifting glass doors and a large light blue room with neon lights. And a large indoor pool with a water fall set up of palm trees around for a futuristic tropical set up.

Where Friday was swimming under wearing a dark red bikini. Only she was missing her top. On purpose.

Orion smirked and shook his head in amusement at his wife's disregard for being proper. Thankfully the doors were locked and only Orion could come in this way. Friday popped her head up from the water. Smiling at her husband while she floated in the water.

"Hey there my Blue Lagoon. We're about to start a team meeting. Wanna join us on a rescue mission?" Orion greeted and invited.

"Sure. But I should probably put something more than bikini bottoms on, now should I?" Friday said with a teasing smile, as she swam to the edge of the pool and climbed out, with the water running down her exposed body and pooling down her bare legs and feet. "You like what you see?"

Orion always loved seeing his wife's smooth blue skin exposed to for him. Which is why he made a mental note to swim in naked with her later.

"Like you even have to ask, Blue Curves." Orion smirked as he briefly drapped his arm around her and pulled in for a passionate kiss on the lips. Which she returned then he added. "But suit up quickly. Our Jay Leno boy scout from Star Command came by for help rescuing his lost teammates."

She knew by 'Jay Leno', he means Buzz Lightyear. He does have a somewhat large chin.

"Oh. Then I better look my best for our guest." Friday said with a joking tone she grabbed a towel and walked over to the automatic dryer panels to quickly dry off.

They're like fans on the floor and ceiling up against the left corner of the pool room, used for instant drying after a good swim.

"Not only that but apparently the last known location of Buzz' team was in Seknarf Nine." Orion bit his tongue about the serious business they'll be doing.

Friday looked conflicted at that while drying her hair with her towel.

"Yeah, we're gonna have our work cut out for us dealing with those beasts again." Friday said with a tired sigh before smirking. "Although on the bright side, we just might rescue some galactic mayor's pet runaway dinosaur and get praised for it."

"Or paid for it." Orion shrugged.

"Ryan. Money isn't everything." Friday gave him a one eyebrowed look.

"I know that. I mean I should talk, being a multiversal red Elon Musk with no politics or twitter. But we may have to involve some iffy business transactions to get into Lady Hellbender's fortress." Orion stated as he was writing some notes on a plan he had on his gummiphone.

"Of course. That woman only understands two things besides beast keeping and hunting." Friday said as she slipped a bra on. "Money and tough-looking men."

"Although we could use that to our advantage, cause we've got maybe those last two things.

...I think. Let's just get to this meeting." Orion insisted.

Then Friday placed on the rest of her Keyblader outfit minus the jacket which left her in the silver tank top. And walked out with Orion to go join the others.

---

Later on in the Mav Club Lounging room...

As everyone was either standing or sitting around the Mav Club. They all were discussing about Seknarf Nine and what has to go down.

Drax was sitting next to Friday who was sitting up against the support edge on the sofa on the left end of the room. While Groot was pacing a bit near them. Rocket was standing in front of the sofa near the coffee table. Buzz was sitting on the guest couch back at the front with Eugene and Lance sitring next to him.

Rapunzel was sitting on the sofa on the right with Orion sitting next to her and Yozora standing next to them.

"If we intend to rescue Buzz Lightyear's team. We need a plan to infiltrate Lady Hellbender's fortress." Yozora stated as the team meeting started. "Their signal came from directly inside, and it's inside where we need to go."

"Lady Hellbender will not negotiate with anyone that she's not adjacent with. She'll only let in those who are willing to do business and trade with. Plus an attack and assault will only result in making enemies with the wrong-" Drax said as he was listing the odds against them entering in.

"We're aware of the odds, Drax. Very well aware." Orion assured before he could finish. And he sighed leaning back. "We clearly need a plan getting in."

Lance raised his hand with a big smile.

"No, we're not doing the fake caviar delivery scheme." Eugene hissed.

Which made Lance sulk and drop his hand.

"I have a question." Rapunzel said, raising hand to get everyone's attention. "Exactly what would we need to be able to get a direct audience with Lady Hellbender?"

"In-a-nutshell. Case-in-point. She bends the every hellish beast to her will. Hence the name. Which means we need a monster. One hell of a savage killer for her to add to her zoo." Yozora answered for her.

"Which is why you all should reconsider my initial purpose." Drax declared.

Everyone of the Guardians except Rapunzel groaned in annoyance.

"Oh come on..." Orion groaned.

"Here we go again…" Yozora facepalmed himself.

"Give me a break." Friday muttered in addition to some old Kree swear words.

"Not Fing Fang Foom again." Rocket rolled his eyes.

"Yes we should go after Fing Fang Foom! Storm the eternal frosts of Malku IV and bring the mighty winged lizard down and sell his corpse to Lady-" Drax yelled with excitement like a warrior ready to storm a castle.

"First off! Lady Hellbender will mount are genitals on the wall if we deliver the body of a monster to her!" Orion exclaimed.

"She practically considers all monsters as people, children actually!" Yozora added.

"Plus there are easier ways to rescue and make money. Like what about selling Eugene's crap to the broker on Knowhere in exchange for a rare predator." Rocket suggested.

"What?!" Eugene exclaimed in shock.

"Oh come on, you've been hoarding them stupid jeweled tooth brushes ever since you came back. I mean, don't tell me they aren't worth nothing." Rocket snorted sarcastically.

"Then we take Fing Fang Foom alive!" Drax declared but most of them ignored him.

"Hey, those 'tooth brushes' are my hair combs! I need them to keep my hair in perfect condition!" Eugene exclaimed angrily. "Maybe you'd know what I'm talking about if you took the time to actually run one through your own hair, fur bag!"

"Guys." Rapunzel tried to ease their tension.

"It will be the hunt of the century." Drax insisted on the Fing Fang Foom idea.

"Lightyear's Teams in trouble and you can't be bothered to make sacrifices." Rocket criticized Eugene in a mocking tone.

"I am Groot." Groot said loudly.

"Set course for Malku Star System!" Drax insisted on Fing Fang Foom.

The tension was rising as they all were talking at once.

"We're getting off subject!" Buzz said to them.

"I will sacrifice your tail! How about that?!" Eugene glared at Rocket.

"Yeah mature. Real mature." Rocket mocked in a silly voice. "Rapunzel Rapunzel! Let down your hair but let me keep my hair brush."

"It's A COMB!" Eugene bellowed like he was blowing steam.

"And take us to the majestic mountains of-" Drax kept going.

"GUYS!" Yozora echoed which stopped them from arguing. Before he exhaled and remained calm to gestured Groot. "I think we should hear out what Groot has to say for a change."

He did notice Groot had something important to say. And Groot does seem to be the more calm and sensible one on the team.

"I... Am... Groot." Groot said, gesturing with his arms, what he said making everyone who understood him widen their eyes to various degrees.

"He says we should combine both ideas." Rocket translated.

"Sell Eugene's Hair brushes to Fin Fang Foom. It is brilliant." Drax said with a nod, misunderstanding what was said.

"Yeah, over my dead body is anyone laying a hand on my combs!" Eugene said angrily to Drax.

Rocket was still focused on what Groot just suggested.

"Yeah, you know, the only problem with your plan is that Lady Hellbender only buys monsters. And you are not a monster!" Rocket started, his voice rising towards the end before addressing the team "He's not. He's the sweetest, most-"

"I am Groot." Groot said to Rocket.

"No, you don't! This ain't something you can pretend!" Rocket exclaimed loudly.

"I... Am... Groooooooot!" Groot shouted, several vines sprouting from his back.

"Oh yeah?!" Rocket shouted back, hopping onto the table and pulling out several grenades. "You want monster?! I'LL SHOW YOU MONSTER!"

"Woah! Guys! Calm down!" Rapunzel exclaimed as she got between the two with her arms held out between them.

"Groot are you really offering to..." Friday nearly finished while looking suprised at Groot.

"No, no. He is not offering that, okay?" Rocket breathlessly tried to wave off out of concern for his best friend.

"It could work." Orion nodded while thinking.

"Who side are you on, Forge?" Rocket looked ridiculed at Orion.

"Don't bite the hand that feeds your bank account, Sly Cooper." Orion responded.

"Ahem. Excuse me." Buzz cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention. "I'm not exactly sure what's going on here, since I don't understand the Flora Colossus like you guys apparently do. So could you please explain to me what he's suggesting?"

"Our friend Groot is suggesting that we sell him to Lady Hellbender, posing as a monster." Rapunzel explained since she can understand him. But she felt concerned about this.

"Ah, right. Well we could just bust him out afterwards." Buzz figured.

"Absurd!" Drax said loudly, getting everyone's attention, before gesturing to Rocket. "Lady Hellbender seeks the monster within. The small ugly one is clearly the correct choice. He is cruel. Sadistic. His soul is filthy and filled with rage. The monster queen would pay a great sum for such a creature."

"Really? How great?" Rocket asked as he was intrigued at the idea, and willing to go through with it.

"How are you okay with this?" Friday asked Rocket.

"Because I know what I am!" Rocket snapped before gesturing to Groot. "And I know what he ain't."

"I am Groot!" Groot said, holding his hands out.

After thinking it over, Friday let out a heavy sigh.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I vote we sell Groot." Friday said after some hesitation. "As much as I don't like the idea, I honestly think Lady would go for him."

"Yeah, well, I vote for not Groot." Rocket said.

"I also vote for the creepy little beast." Drax said with his arms crossed.

"Well I guess I could add some spell mods for Rocket to make him look more vicious...So yeah. I also vote for Rocket." Orion concluded and looked at Friday. "No offense, Honey."

"Meh. None taken." Friday shrugged.

"Sorry guys but I vote for Groot. He can keep himself from losing it in case Lady Hellbender does something to trigger a certain short fuse." Yozora suggested.

"But shorter fuses are the best kind of vicious." Rocket said.

"Yeah...Lance and I abstain. We're mediocre politics." Eugene witted as he passed on voting. Lance nodded in agreement.

"Meaning you two are pussies." Rocket deadpanned.

"Nah we just make politics sweat." Lance waved it off.

Their past life of crime is proof of his fact on making them swest trying to catch them.

"I alos abstain because as a Ranger of Star Command, I'd rather not be held responsible in case anything goes south." Buzz also declined.

"Alright. Then it's three votes each." Yozora counted.

Then they all looked at Rapunzel.

"Zel? You're the deciding vote." Orion stated.

Who do they sell? Groot. A monster on the outside. Or Rocket. A monster on the inside. Rapunzel took quite a bit of time to think over the choices, trying to weigh the results and outcomes of both choices. After some time she let out a sigh and gave her answer.

"After giving it some thought... I think we should go with Rocket." Rapunzel said, surprising Groot and Rocket. "It's not that I don't trust Groot to handle it. It's just, if we went with Groot, we would have to break him out later, which could damage any future business with Lady Hellbender if God forbid we'd ever have to do so again. But with Rocket, he could break himself out easily. And his escape won't fall on us, but will look like he was just too feral for even her to contain."

Rocket was glad to see Rapunzel voting for him.

"Exactly! Look, you all will be in the clear from all of this once I'm out. Any of Lady H's crew who bleeds or loses a limb or wallet, it will all be on me." Rocket smirked as he looked insisted."Plus I've broken out of multiple prisons before meeting Forge, so I'll be out before you even get a receipt."

Well. He's definitely scarier on the inside. Untamed. Vicious and totally oblivious to the needs of others. Plus he's not people trained or-" Orion listed the reasons why he agreed.

"Yeah we get it, Forge." Rocket gestured for him to wrap it up.

"The point is. You'll make a fine monster." Orion concluded. "And we'll definitely need that tactical brain of yours to bail you once in there. But. Just to be 100% sure. You're definitely okay with this?"

"Uh...You kiddin? I can't wait to hold this over you." Rocket winked and chuckled.

"Okay then, Rocket. We're putting it all on you." Rapunzel said with a nod. "Give it your best shot."

"I give no other kind." Rocket nodded.

"Just try not to kill anyone or bite anyone's limbs off. Or blow anyone through the wall." Yozora warned.

"I make no promises, Rex. Except for that first one. I promise not to kill." Rocket smugly responded.

"Yeah he definitely is a monster." Yozora grinned at Orion.

"Told ya." Orion shrugged with a grin.

"Alright. Everyone get ready. Friday. Show Rapunzel. Eugene and Lance what they'll be wearing while we're out. Buzz, follow me and bring that crystal drive to the workshop. Orion and I need to figure out what happened to your ship." Yozora gave instructions to the team, being the leader and all.

"Also Goldie if you can spare a moment. I've got somethin new for that violent kitchen skillet of yours." Rocket walked over towards the exit and gestured Rapunzel to follow him.

Rapunzel's eyes widened in excitement, knowing her frying pan was getting another upgrade.

"Well then, lead the way, Rocket!" Rapunzel said excitedly as she followed Rocket out of the room.

"Alright. Meeting adjourned." Orion stood up while everyone was walking out to be prepared to blast off. "Oh and Fitz? Lancehorn?"

Eugene and Lance stopped to look at Orion who walked up and formally tapped each of their shoulders with the edge of his hands like he was knighting them with a sword.

"Mazel Tov. You're both Guardians now." Orion said nonchalantly before walking away.

Yozora nodded in agreement to them asnhe walked out with Orion and Buzz who carried the crystal fusion container in his arms.

"Great, we're finally officially part of the club." Eugene said with a smirk.

"But is that really such a good thing?" Lance joked with his own smirk.

---

Down in the Mav Club Workshop...

All around the shop. The More-On drones were operating the fabrication servers and maintaining the systems and equipment to optimum efficiency. Just to make sure things go well in case Orion or Rocket needs to work.

There was a work bench for Orion's equipment on one side of the room and Rocket had his perfect space on the other.

Buzz and Yozora was with Orion on his side as they were scanning to figure out what with wrong with Buzz' ship's crystal fusion.

While Rapunzel was with Rocket on his side. As he was screwing in a few details on the mod he had.

"I got a huge question, Goldie. Did you ever use a bow an arrow before?" Rocket asked asbhe was working.

"I used a crossbow once." Rapunzel said while looking a tad sheepish. "I didn't hit the apple. But I did hit the stem... By accident."

"Really? Huh. Well uh. I guess sharp shooters started somewhere." Rocket halted to process that before he resumed and asked. "How about something with bullets or lasers. Did you ever use a gun or pistol?"

"Well, I've often go down to the mansion to play videogames." Rapunzel said with a pondering look. "You know, like those first person shooter games and those Virtual reality type games."

"Yeah I heard about the craze and praise behind those things. Personally I prefer doin the real thing, but if you've played those kinds, than you'll know how the real thing works. As long as you know who were what your aiming at...Or how to aim for that matter." Rocket stated as he was nearly done tinkering.

"Does this have something to do with the new modification to my frying pan?" Rapunzel asked, hoping it did.

"Goldie. This has everything to do with your fry pan." Rocket clarified.

Then Rocket as he gestured for Rapunzel to hand him the frying pan, which she did. He attached mod to the handle end of pan which caused tech circuits to surge throughout the pan for a brief moment.

"Alright. Press that button on that handle thing." Rocket gestured to the small button above the hole on the handle.

"Okay." Rapunzel said while pressing the button on the handle, and her frying pan shifted into a laser crossbow. "Woah! Wicked!"

The laser crossbow looked more advanced than a regular cross bow. With lasers in the shape of arrows instead of arrows.

"I always noticed you tend to use your hair for range attacks. It might work on people, Heartless and stupid people. But out there in space. If you tried to wrap or whip your hair around or against a local Ogrode. You'd be dead wear you're standin if they grabbed hold and pulled on your golden mop like a velcro." Rocket elaborated using his wit and mild sarcasm.

"Yeah. That would be bad. But with this, I have even more options." Rapunzel said as she happily looked over her weapon in its crossbow mode. "Thanks, Rocket."

"Not so fast, Hyper Gold. I haven't explain how this works yet." Rocket held his hand up to stop her from talking and he resumed. "So basically. Chief Engineer Rocket Not-A-Racoon Esquire, has safe given you options. Press the button once to convert it into a cross bow. Press it again to convert it into a pistol. And a third time for it to back as a fry pan."

"Really?" Rapunzel said before pressing the button again, turning it into a futuristic pistol. "Nice! Now it's like those shooting games in real life."

"Also it has infinite ammo on both weapons, from the micro generator I've installed. But use it too much and it will overheat, but you'll only have a couple of really long tense seconds in the middle of a heated battle and wait for it to cool down." Rocket remarked as he pointed out the limit of both weapon mods.

"I'll keep that in mind." Rapunzel said before pressing the button again, turning her weapon back into a frying pan. "But since my frying pan was made with Vibranium, overheating won't be enough to damage this baby."

"Pretty much." Rocket said nonchalantly with his arms crossed. "Also since everyone here is nice nasty about killin. He will also detect a person's heart on any enemy your facing and it will only use non lethals stun rounds. The lethal rounds can only be used on non-people, Heartless. And occasional idiot monsters. Now you can thank me."

"Great! That means I won't risk accidentally killing anyone. Thanks, Rocket! You're a natural born genius." Rapunzel said enthusiastically.

"Top genius, Goldie. I don't settle for less." Rocket smirked.

Back over at Buzz. Orion and Yozora. Orion finally got the crystal fusion drive out of the container and cracked it open. And he realized what the problem was.

"Alright. I've figured out what went wrong." Orion stated.

"What's that?" Buzz asked.

"This isn't a fuel crystal. It's a star shard." Orion said as he recognized the material.

"A star shard?" Buzz asked, looking confused.

"Yeah. While fuel crystals are used in spaceships to traverse across your Universe. Our gummi ships use star shards like these to traverse across the Multiverse. That's why you never made it to sector twelve. You went way over the mark without knowing and your ship tore apart from the star shard's quantum energy frying your engine." Yozora explained it to Buzz for Orion.

"Bingo." Orion pointed at his friend's insight.

"interesting..." Buzz pondered as he rubbed his chin.

"So maybe someone in Star Command Headquarters engineering may have mistaken this for a crystal fusion?" Yozora guessed.

"That's not possible." Buzz said while he shook his head. "All of our equipment at HQ is handled and operated by the LGMs. Their hive minds would not have allowed such a slip up to ever happen."

"Okay then I have two possibilities. One either happy hour during a Breaking Bad marathon made their hive minds slip. Or...Sabotage." Orion concluded.

"Definitely the last part! Happy hour never makes me slip!" Rocket echoed from the other workbench

"He never did it while watching AMC." Orion said to the readers.

"Sabotage what exactly?" Rapunzel asked as she and Rocket walked over to hear what they have to say.

"Apparently someone Sabotage my ship switching out a crystal with a starshard. To thrust me out of my own universe and to strand me in a foreign one." Buzz revealed with a serious look.

"You're sure lucky that you ended up in this one." Yozora remarked.

"Who could've done this?" Rapunzel asked, looking concerned.

"Here we go." Rocket muttered in annoyance as he knew who Buzz's guess was.

"There's only one person who could be responsible for this." Buzz said with a serious look and clenched his fist. "This diabolical plot is without a doubt, was the convoluted work of none other than the Evil Emperor Zurg. The sworn enemy of the Galactic Alliance."

Rocket gave Buzz an exasperated look.

"Seriously?! Zurg's all you ever talk about on the news! Hell you think Zurg's behind every kitten stuck up a tree!" Rocket exclaimed in annoyance.

"The fiend! Why can't he leave cats out of his nefarious schemes?" Buzz relanted on his obsession with Zurg.

"Um, Ryan?" Rapunzel whispered to Orion as she leaned towards him. "Who exactly is this Zurg person Mr. Lightyear seems so obsessed over?"

"Every major hero has their trademark villain in the list. Batman and Joker. X-Men and Magneto. Republicans and Democrats. Disney and Bob Chapek." Orion listed examples while breaking the fourth wall. "For Buzz's Yang case. His Yin is Emperor Zurg. Rogue monarch and dictator in opposition to everything Buzz stands for."

Orion held up and showed an action figure of Zurg in his hand to Rapunzel. This toy is practically an exact replica of the real Zurg.

In real life, Emperor Zurg has tall purple thin-built but broad-chested humanoid of unknown species clad in armor and robes of royal purple. His head is always sealed in a great helmet crowned with horns, through which a pair of angular red eyes and a grille of yellow teeth (or at least a frowning bevor or mouthpiece) stare forth. His chest is clad in a grey and purple chassis, possibly of steel, his arms in gauntlets of steel tipped with cruel claws. His feet are shrouded by long, imperial robes of purple, and over all he dons a dramatic black cape lined with red, with upturned lapels in vampiric fashion. The clasp on of his cape is emblazoned with "Z" for an emblem.

"Irony this sold more on Knowhere than the Lightyear figures." Orion muttered about the Zurg toy.

"Yeah. He definitely does look like what you would imagine an evil space dictator to look like." Rapunzel said with a frown before looking curious. "But what does he look like underneath that armor?"

"No one knows. Maybe it's all just wires and gears inside. Or mutated Heartless that got smarter and built himself to look like a metro sexual Darth Vader." Orion quipped and shrugged.

"Maybe it's just some normal looking guy who wears it to look more intimidating." Rapunzel guessed before smirking with a joke coming. "Or, maybe it's two lab mice operating a robotic suit, as part of their long overdue plan to take over the world."

Then Orion paused the story with a TV remote and everything froze with ah pause icon in front of everything, then as he was breaking the fourth wall, he looked at the Readers.

"Well I can tell you what Zurg isnt. He is not an older version of Buzz with a forced sympathetic back story. It never happened!" Orion glared at the screen. "Not in this story! NOT IN TOY STORY! SO ***K YOU DISNEY! ***K YOU PIXAR! AND TRIPLE ***K YOU ANGUS MACLANE FOR THINKING IT WAS A GOOD IDEA!"

Orion fumed and huffed as his red face couldn't be even more redder. Then he calmed himself and stood straight.

"Alright. Back to it." Orion said with a smile as he pressed play.

Then Rocket spoke up.

"I'll tell you what he ain't. Back in business. Me and Groot ripped Zurg off a while back. Why do you think Star Control hasn't heard from him in a while?" Rocket remarked as he revealed.

Judging by his expression, Buzz found that info to be unexpected.

"If you're wondering. Groot, Drax and Rocket here are ex-inmates part of the Nova Corp's Space Stray Protocol." Friday explained.

"So whatever you're about to hear more than likely happened before we met them." Orion added.

"Ah. Lending a hand to potential recruits for redemption." Buzz nodded with an understanding smile.

"Well that and a six figure paycheck." Rocket shrugged.

"So what did you do exactly?" Buzz inquired about Rocket's Zurg comment.

Rocket let out a chuckle at the memory before explaining.

"During my days as a black marketeer, I was paid by Zurg to build him a death ray on his secret asteroid base. And I'm talking the kind of weapon that would destroy whole planets. Only I built him a toaster oven that looked like a death ray. And I set it to overheat." Rocket said before he started laughing. "And- Hehehehehe! And Groot! Groot and I quickly got out of there just in time to see our handy work blow up in his face! And taking his entire base with it! Hahahahaha!"

"I am Groot." Groot nodded with a grin.

"You walked away with how much?! Dude I you walked out with Zurg's bank account and his alimony savings!" Orion said with a shocked an impressed look when Groot revealed how much Zurg paid for him.

"Oh, he didn't pay us that much! Let's just say he should have gotten a better secret vault safe." Rocket said before laughing again. "I found and cracked that sucker without even trying! HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"Hold on. So your telling me you think Zurg is gone? For good?" Buzz inquired.

"Hahahahaha….Achem. Yep. Or maybe an armed toaster oven took him to a magical world with puppies and bombs." Rocket sarcastically responded. "Otherwise. Yeah. He rests in pieces."

"That's impossible, Star Command responded when Asteroid Z blew up. We never found a body." Buzz protested.

"Or evidence of an escape." Rocket added witty-like.

"Look. Let's just label Zurg as a possible cliffhanger." Yozora suggested.

"I was unaware that this Zurg liked to hang off cliffs." Drax said as he walked into the room. "If he's still alive, that would be a possible lead for his current whereabouts."

"For the last flarkin time. He ain't alive!" Rocket argued while scowling at Drax.

"Rocket, easy! Look just let everyone else have their on conclusion and focus on saving Buzz Lightyear's team. And to do that. We need you to look viciously savage as possible." Rapunzel eased the tension andngot everyone to focus on the plan.

"Fine." Rocket sighed and then grimaced with his teeth bared and he growled. "Hows...This?"

They had to admit. He kinda looks like a cat on rabies, which looks dangerous in the eyes of most humans.

"Or...Maybe I could call Donald to ise a spell or some holo-mods to-" Orion almost suggest.

"No." Rocket said firmly.

"I mean it won't be permanent. Maybe we could make you look bigger and addnin some-" Orion almost insisted.

"No one is modifying me, again. So whatever you're gonna say, flush it down and eat it." Rocket glared furiously at Orion.

"Alright. Here's hoping Lady Helltwister saw Pet Sematary to give her a good idea on scary and little. And furry." Orion said while holding his hands up in defense. "I mean I could've given you a raise."

"Look. I've been through the whole 'modify my body to look better' deal. I don't care if you pay me with Treasure Planet. I ain't modifying my body or going through a spell changer. I stay the way I am at all times. And that's final." Rocket said firmly with a glare.

Rocket was made from an illegal science experiment and robbed of his animal routes into being madeninto abkilling machine. Those days were a nightmare to him. And he has no plans of going through that again.

"He's only joking Rocket." Rapunzel said with an assuring nervous smile with her arm wrapped around Orion.

Rapunzel gave Rocket a look of concern. But it was Buzz who cleared the air.

"Well I think he's look vicious enough. So what do we need mods for?" Buzz said.

"Agreed. Just pretend this part of the conversation never happened." Orion suggested.

"Already did." Rocket answered while not looking upset anymore.

"Hey, Rapunzel." Friday called out to her as she entered the room. "Why don't you come with me to the customization wing to try out some new outfits for the trip?"

"Another new outfit? Sure. Lead the way, Thunder Sis." Rapunzel said with a smile as she moved to follow Friday.

As that brief tense moment finally passed. Everyone else got ready to blast off.

---

Down at the Customization Room...

While Rapunzel was standing behind a dressing screen. Getting into her new space outfit. She was telling Friday about Rocket's reaction to getting a new look.

"Look. Don't take it personal, Zel. Rocket didn't mean it, he's just been through a lot when he was experimented on. Most of the things they did were painful and illegal." Friday said to assure that the racoon wasn't really upset at Orion.

"I know. I just wish there was something I could do for him." Rapunzel said with a sigh as she continued to get dressed.

Pascal was standing on one of the desks nearby reading an open sports magazine like someone in the waiting room of an auto repair shop.

"Well the only thing we know he likes is making money. Drinking and blowing shit up. But if you really wanna make him smile. Maybe later, ask him about some of the best jobs he ever pulled or ask him about his favorite weapon." Friday commented and made a few ideas.

"Yeah. Maybe I'll do just that." Rapunzel said before stepping out in her new outfit, standing there with a smile, her left hand on her hip and her frying pan in her right hand. "So, what do you think?"

Rapunzel now wore a pink short sleeved shirt with some shoulder pads, underneath a gray vest, both shortened to show her midriff. She also wore a pair of gray long pants that only went down to half of her shins and she was barefoot.

"Are you going to away skip the boots we lay out?" Friday teased about Rapunzel's bare feet trope.

"Only if I can get away with it." Rapunzel said with a cheeky smile.

"You can. This time. Again. Because Secnarf Nine's air is warm around this time of year, and the rain is three times cleaner than the average modern earth. Especially the ones with bozos who think global warming is a real thing." Friday said and informed.

"Good. Then it looks like I won't be needing those boots after all." Rapunzel said with a smile. "So, are we ready to head out, yet?"

"Let's go sell a metaphorical monster." Friday gestured with a grin.

"Hey go easy. Lance's feelings aren't as firm as his ego." Eugene joked from the exit of the wing.

As he and Lance stood in their new outfits.

"Ha. Smooth. Real smooth." Lance snickered at his friend.

Eugene and Lance were both wearing leather jackets with orange and red triangle designs, Lance's jacket was in the color of dark navy blue and Eugene's jacket was black. They also wore black leather pants and yellow combat boots. They both already looked like they belonged in space.

"Wow, guys, you both look great in those outfits, especially you, Eugene." Rapunzel said with a flirty smile. "How do I look?"

"Ah, same ol, pink, bare foot, pretty eyes." Eugene mused with a teasing tone which made Rapunzel giggle a bit. Then he added. "But now you look like someone who would fit right in a scifi fantasy novel."

"We all do." Lance grinned.

"Yep. And if anything comes at us, they'll be in for quite the surprise." Rapunzel said confidently as she spinned her frying pan by the handle.

Just then Yozora walked in to check on them as the team were about to get the Solar Flair ready to lunch. "Is everyone ready? Eugene, Lance. I have to warn. Going up in space is much more different than sailing on water. Or flying in an airplane for that matter." Yozora caution with a small assuring grin.

"Yeah. It's higher up." Eugene said with a joking tone.

"Hey, Rapunzel, you were up there already. What's it like?" Lance asked.

"Breathtaking and humbling at the same time." Rapunzel answered. "I'm sure you'll both understand once we're in orbit."

"Alright. Let's roll out." Yozora nodded and gestured.

*"Wrong franchise, Bud."* Orion broke the fourth wall on the intercom.

Then on that note. Everyone on the team walked towards their next journey at the gummi ship hanger.

---

Inside the Solar Flare Bridge...

As everyone was seated at the upper deck and in view of front window as Yozora sat on the pilot seat.

With Orion on the co-pilot seat. Rocket operated the gun controls at his seat on the left side as usual. Drax was on his seat above him. Friday sat at the seat on the righr next to her husband with Rapunzel and Eugene seated next to her. And Lance seated above them. While Groot and Buzz was seated next to Drax. And Pascal was on Rapunzel's shoulder as usual.

"Preparing to launch." Yozora announced to them.

"Alright, Everyone. As we launch, grab on to the railings, hold on for dear flarkin life. Be on the look out for Lightyear's catchphrase for top billing and try not to pass out from the G's." Rocket warned everyone.

As the engines started and ship hovered.

*Forward engine thrust!*

"What's are the G's-SUS!" Eugene screamed as the ship zoomed out of the exit tunnel.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Eugene and Lance screamed. With Lance screaming like a high pitched girl.

"Rookies." Rocket rolled his eyes.

Then the ship flew out of the exit tunnel and zoomed up towards the high skies.

"WOOHOO! I LOVE THIS PART!" Rapunzel cheered as the ship flew up at high speeds.

'Me too!' PRO cheered.

'I HAVE STRONGLY MIXED FEELINGS!' TEC BEAMED louder.

Then as the ship broke through the atmosphere. It was starting to get less loud. And Buzz felt the need. The need to say it.

"Do you feel it?" Orion asked Buzz.

"Oh yeah." Buzz nodded with a sinister grin.

"Then let it out." Orion shared his own grin. Before he leaned over and whispered loudly to Rapunzel. "Get ready. He's about to say it."

"Say what?" Rapunzel whispered back.

Orion just pointed back at Buzz as as they reached the edge of space.

"TOOOO INFINITY... AND BEYOND!" Buzz yelled out with pride.

---

Across the open space of another galaxy...

This was a galaxy that actually neighbors and is connected to the galaxy of the Marvel Universe. Since Marvel's reality has many different aliens. It shouldn't be hard to figure that they have many more out there to do crossovers with.

But as the Solar Flare zoomed across the open vast reaches across the stars.

Down in the lower deck, while the radio played instrumental galactic music. Rapunzel, Eugene and Lance were sitting in a lounging area of the lower deck. With the Princess sitting near a large window admired how amazing the stars looked. All in different colors of purple and red. The gastrointestinal waves that matched. It was like the images of the hubble telescope except in person.

After a while Lance went over to get some refreshments and check out the TV channels space has on certain plaents.

While Rapunzel was sitting on the soft red furnished cushions, with her bare feet crossed. Sitting near the round window sill as she had frontrowe view. Pascal rested on her shoulder while watching the view.

"Wow..." Rapunzel whispered.

Buzz walked down stairs to notice the Princess was admiring the view. Very few adults out in the space realm have this kind of fasenation, unless they're scientists or children.

Rapunzel turned and smiled at Buzz. "Oh. Hey Mr Lightyear."

"Please. Call me Buzz." Buzz said with a friendly grin and asked. "So. First time out in space?"

"Actually, this is my second time up in space." Rapunzel corrected the famous space ranger. "The first time was when I went to visit Ryan's original home world."

"Well I can tell you. Space is something you don't get used to. But you can balance the experience. I learned to do that during my days at the academy." Buzz stated as he looked out of the window.

"It must have been exciting for you." Rapunzel said before looking inquisitive. "So, tell me about your teammates. What're they like?"

Buzz immediately thought about her questions and whistled a bit. "Where do I even start? Well first there's the young girl from Tangea named Mira Nova. Her race of blue aliens are known for their Intangible ability to phase through any solid objects. That and she's heir to the Tangean throne." He spoke of one of his first members.

"Wow. So you have royalty on your team." Rapunzel said with a smirk. "Hope you and her get along enough that she doesn't decide to throw you in jail when she becomes Queen."

"Haha. Not what you think. She's like ten to thirteen years younger than me, around your age maybe." Buzz chuckled a bit and clarified. "Besides, I'm in contact with a certain animal research scientist from the planet Karn."

"Oooh. Sounds like you got a girlfriend." Rapunzel said with enthusiasm. "What's she like?"

"You mean Ozma? Woof. She's doesn't take any nonsense from anyone. Cold and aloof, sure. But she's also has this passion for wildlife. So much so she's like a second mother to all the animal reserved on Karn." Buzz described his... Well, love interest.

"Nice. Well, I hope you and her have a long and happy relationship." Rapunzel said to Buzz.

"Thanks. I hope so too." Buzz said with a nod and a smile.

"So, who else is a part of your team?" Rapunzel asked with a curious smile.

"Well next there's Booster Munchapper. You'll recognize him as the huge, red scaly guy. Huge but soft. He was a fan of mine from the farming planet of Jo-Ad. But he started off as a Janitor at HQ until Booster proved himself worthy of Star Command's ranks. For a rookie, he's done a lot of good." Buzz said with admiration for his conrad.

"Ooh, I always loved underdog stories. They're underestimated but prove that they have what it takes." Rapunzel said with a nod.

"Couldn't have said it better Myself." Buzz respond. "And finally there's XR. He's the team's droid." Buzz started on the final member of the team.

"Oh, you have a robot on your team? That's so cool." Rapunzel said with enthusiasm.

"I've gotta warn you though. He's chatty. Like spastically chatty." Buzz said and emphasized.

"Oh don't you worry about that. I can be just as chatty." Rapunzel said with a cheeky smirk.

"If you say so. But he wasn't always like that. XR or the 'Xperimental Ranger' was built to copy all of my moves and adapt. He got destroyed during his first assignment and when he was put back together. Star Command's tech team ended up giving him a personality. He's witty, sure. But he's committed to Star Command in every way. Even if the LGM's threw too much into him." Buzz described.

"Well, I'm sure I'll get along with him regardless." Rapunzel said before a thought came to her. "By the way, who are these LGMs you mentioned?"

"The Little Green Men? they're-" Buzz was ablut to say when a holo-vid screen came on the window they were next to.

'Incoming call from Star Command HQ.' PRO stated.

'Insert 1995 reference here!' TEC beamed.

Then as the live vid came on they saw a group of ten LGM's that answered. Orion must've seen it was for Buzz and sent it to him. All green looking aliens with three eyes. And a single antenna on top of their heads. With all of them wearing their trademark one piece blue uniforms.

The LGM'S looked at Rapunzel and the others in the background of Buzz.

"Strangers." An LGM said.

"From the outside." Another one said.

"Oooooooooooooooooh." All the LGMs expressed.

"That would be them." Buzz gestured.

"Aaaaaw! They look so cute." Rapunzel said with a gushing tone. "Hello there. I'm Rapunzel."

"Greeeetings Rapunzeeeel." All the LGMs said at once.

"We have unscrambled a message sent by XR before he was cut off." One of the LGM's revealed.

Rapunzel's eyes widened as a smile graced her lips.

"That means your team is still out there." Rapunzel said to Buzz enthusiastically.

"Play back the message he sent." Buzz told the LGM.

"Plaaaayiiing noooow." One of the LGM's responded.

Then another display popped up as an audio recording with a wavy line in playback. The first thing they heard eas shooting. Rain and deep angry aliens voices screaming.

***"Whoa hey watch it that was my best missle! Uh hey there Buzz? I don't want anybody to think this is an emergency, well actually it is, I just don't want anyone to think I'm saying it's an emergency when it isn't. But it is. We may probably have ticked off, and by that I mean pissed off some of the locals for shooting a Octamian Snaggle Beast, while not knowing it was the petchild to the Lady of the House. hehe right? Who knew?"*** XR's voice was heard chatting.

***"JUST TELL HIM WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!"*** Mira yelled in the background.

***"I was getting to that! Anyway apparently this signal was a bust. And by that I mean someone gave us a false report and sent us to anger the wildlife's Mommy. And now they intent to take us prisoner and make us sit in a cell with no TV, can you believe that-"*** XR said in the message before it was cut off briefly then continued. With XR whispering. ***"Hey. XR again. Psst is this thing on? We're all locked up in Lady Hellbender's dungeon. But the good news is they have TV. I mean we're all alive, but really they've got TV here. Oh I gotta go. I can't let them see me sending this or they'll...Oh I don't know, feed us to their kids, make us direct a documentary or spank us. Who knows? Oh good! They're coming with food. And with...TAP WATER?! YOU ANIMALS!"***

Then the message was cut off.

"The second half of the message came in an hour agoooooo." One of the LGM's said.

"Mmmmmmmmmmmmm….." All of the LGMs sighed looking concerned.

It made sense that XR would put two messages in one. And it took a while for the LGMs to unscramble it.

"At least we know they're still alive." Rapunzel said but looked concerned. "But it looks like they're now Lady Hellbender's prisoners.

"Not for long." Buzz said with clenched fists. "But this definitely complicates the matter at hand."

"We still don't have info on Lady Hellbender's fortress." An LGM relented.

"impenetraaaableeee..." The LGM's said at the same time while looking worried.

Then Yozora Orion's vid chat icon opened up a digital screen on the window so they could talk to Buzz and Rapunzel while they piloted the ship.

"Did you get all of that?" Yozora asked them.

"Yeah. We got that." Buzz said with a stiff nod.

"What are we going to do now?" Rapunzel asked.

"The plan hasn't changed. We'll just have to bend a few details." Orion stated.

"Buzz, I know they're your team. But you may have to hang back. If Lady Hellbender or her men see's you with us trying to sell Rocket. They all might put it together that we're trying to do a jailbreak." Yozora stated.

And Orion spoke up before Buzz could deject.

"But that doesn't mean you won't be involved. How trained are you at stealth and infiltration?" Orion asked Buzz.

"I was top in my class. What did you have in mind?" Buzz asked as a smirk formed on his face.

"Alright. Once we approach the entry bridge to the fortress. Fly around either under or over the fortress. Evaluate any defenses and weak points that might be useful." Yozora stated the details on Buzz to do some recon.

"Got it. And then what?" Buzz asked.

"Find a safe spot that's nearby and hopefully that's close to a simple crack in the wall. Wait for Rocket to get in and hack into security and he'll guide you through the rest. And remember. Stealth is paramount. Lady Hellbender is not the kind of dame we wanna piss off." Orion stated and reminded everyone.

"No room for error on this one then." Buzz said with a nod.

"Also Rapunzel? Let me and Orion do the talking once we get in. Lady Hellbender is a lot of things. Social and friendly isn't one of them." Yozora advised Rapunzel.

"Got it. For once, my lips are shut." Rapunzel said with a serious look and a nod, knowing the seriousness of this mission.

"Also are we all certain Rocket is the best monster for this? Because he tends to pull the trigger at anyone who even thinks the wrong things to say." Yozora asked and emphasized.

"I heaaaard thaaaat!" Rocket sarcastically echoed in the background.

"And itchy triggers are the best kind of savage." Orion quipped.

"Well, I think he'll do just fine." Rapunzel said with a confident look. "Besides, we're a little late to be changing our minds now."

"We will only be too late once we're inside. But I do believe it is the right decision to choose the creepy little rodent." Drax said in the background.

"I ain't a rodent but thanks. I guess." Rocket replied.

"Alright look out the window, Zel. We're approaching Seknarf Nine." Orion said as the ship got in view.

Rapunzel looked out with her hands on the glass and even Pascal did the same. To see a planet covered in a large storm cloud.

"Judging by that and the weather reports. We'll be experiencing heavy rain." Yozora said.

"Great. Just what we need. Water from hell above!" Rocket exclaimed in exasperation.

"Wow." Rapunzel said in awe at the sight of the planet. "From up here, this world looks so beautiful."

"Sure you say that now. But wait until you're standing down there wet, and surrounded by an untamed wild that doesn't know whether to be desolated or crowded with big slimy killing machines. And also wet." Rocket deadpanned.

"Oh come on. This planet be as bad as you're describing it, can it?" Rapunzel asked.

"Zel. I'm gonna give it to you straight. You're not in Kansas anymore." Friday stated in the background.

"I thought her kingdom was Corona." Drax replied.

"Friday, I was once in the middle of the desert with dozens of terrorists pointing their guns, ready to shoot. I'm sure I'll be fine." Rapunzel said with confidence.

"They say the weather patterns of Seknarf Nine are tied to the temperament of its ruler." Drax shared a rumor.

"That's not how women work." Friday dejected in the background.

"Or weather." Orion added.

"I'm sure it looks worse than it is. Which is why we won't bring the ship down. Let's all head for the lower deck and prepare to be beamed down." Yozora told everyone.

Then the ship halted near the edge of the planet. Just a fifty meters away from the clouds. And the rest of the Guardians came down and and everyone followed them towards the airlock basement. Where it was sealed and they have a means to teleported precisely down to wherever they can on the dessicnated planet.

"Beam us down somewhere dry." Rocket said as they all were there.

"Rocket, I don't think this planet has invented dry yet." Orion said as he was typing and searching for a safe landing on the airlock teleportation terminal.

"Lady Hellbender has many legends. I look forward to seeing which ones are real." Drax stated with excitement in his voice.

"Sounds like you're quite the admirer of this woman." Rapunzel commented with a smirk.

"Everyone does. They say her armor is made from the first alpha carapace to ever surface the planet." Drax declared as he missed the point of Rapunzel's tease. "In fact they say she's bigger than the planet itself."

"Um, if that were the case, there wouldn't be any room for her, now would there?" Eugene said with nervous smile. "Plus, we would have seen her as soon as we reached this planet's orbit."

"Shifty Von Goatee's here is right. What I heard is that she can smell fear and uses it to salt her meals." Rocket made one up.

"What kind? Real or organic fear?" Lance said nervously.

"They even say she can cross the jungles of her planet in seven strides." Drax said.

"Sure she could." Friday sarcastically replied.

"Or she would've flown over the mountains." Drax added.

"Oh, she flies now?" Friday inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"She processes flying creatures." Drax answered.

"Where does he even get this stuff?" Rocket snorted.

"I doubt this planet even has a pamflet." Buzz remarked.

"I heard she shoots lasers out of her eyes." Orion said in a deep epic trailer-like voice.

"Now we're talking!" Rocket smirked.

"Ah. I have not heard that one." Drax replied in an impressed tone

"I heard they're actually nine of her. That's why it's called Seknarf Nine." Friday said with female sassy wit.

"Haha! That is preposterous!" Drax laughed at that one.

"And your rumors aren't?" Friday snorted.

"Maybe this woman is as old as the universe itself." Eugene joked.

"And maybe she could push her planet all on her own to another part of the cosmos." Rapunzel joked as well.

"Well we ain't gonna find out wasting excess of exposition up here. I found us a safe landing point that's just a short walk away from the bridge." Orion said as he locked on a spot down in the planet.

"How much is a short walk?" Rocket inquired.

"You know how all the Wal-Marts have a gas station on the other side of their parking lots?" Orion asked them.

"So...Close but not quite." Friday figured.

"Ugh I swear if you make me walk more than ten minutes..." Rocket grit his teeth as he warned and pointed.

"Relax, Ratchet's deadbeat uncle. I got us in as close as possible." Orion assured with a quip.

"Well, this is it." Rapunzel said, preparing herself for the start of the mission. "Alright everyone. Let's get this started."

Then Orion pushed in thhe buttons and switch to activate the ship's teleporter. And everyone was suddenly beamed down.

---

Down in the wilds of Seknarf Nine...

Suddenly the team appear in the jungle area near the bridge of Lady Hellbender's fortress which wasn't far since it was in close view behind the trees...Or if you can even call them trees.

Where they beamed down to looked quite exotic, with grassy areas and large structures and alien trees as well as rock formations that almost look like webs in the background.

"Wow. This place looks quite exotic." Rapunzel said as she looked around before looking up at the sky blocked by trees as she felt the soft wet ground beneath her bare feet. "This place gives off a vibe of extraterrestrial rainforest."

"Ugh. Rain forest. My other kind of hell. Did I ever mentioned how much I hate rain?!" Rocket exclaimed as the rain was loud.

"Yes." Eugene deadpanned.

"Yes." Lance deadpanned.

"Yep." Rapunzel deadpanned.

"Squeak." Pascal squeaked in a deadpan tone.

"I am Groot." Groot said with a deadpan tone.

"Yes indeed." Even Buzz deadpanned.

"Yes." Drax deadpanned.

"Very frequently." Yozora deadpanned.

"Almost every single day." Friday deadpanned.

"If I had a Unit for every time you said that, I'd be richer than Bernie Sanders." Orion deadpanned.

"Lady Hellbender's castle isn't even that far." Buzz noticed as he looked past the large growing plants on the other side of the seemingly bottomless cliff they were next to.

The cliff was blocked by wild vegetation and tree platforms that blocked them from falling.

"That is not a castle, Space Ranger. It is an impenetrable fortress." Drax said in response.

"Tomato Tomahto!" Orion said as he summoned his Keyblade.

Then Orion stepped ahead with Yozora standing next to him and they both began to cut away at the vegetation down a path which lead into an open area near a gray mountain formation. Where the rain got louder.

Then suddenly as Orion and Yozora stepped ahead of the group. They ended up seeing a crack through a large fallen rock blocking their back, with some kind yellow goey substance that emitted an oder.

"Ugh..." Yozora gagged at the smell.

"***k that smells like Max's anus." Orion covered his mouth.

"What's wrong..." Rapunzel said as she walked over, only to recoil with her hand pinching her nose shut. "Oh my God! That's the worst thing I've ever smelled…Ugh!"

"Oh come on. It can't be that..." Eugene walked over, only to recoil just like Rapunzel. "Geez! What did somebody die in there?! Was it someone's great aunt?!"

The rest of the team arrived to smell and react to it too.

"I hope I die right now! Gawd that's bad!" Lance expressed humorously as he nearly heaved.

"Shit that stinks!" Friday grimaced while trying to hold her breath

"That is...desturbingly fragrant!" Drax hated the smell as well.

"Sweet mother of Venus, what the hell is that?!" Buzz coughed from the smell. "I shoulda left my helmet on!"

"I am Groooot!" Groot groaned as he tried to wave the smell away as he coughed and turned his head from the smell.

"Yeah ***k this." Orion grunted.

Then Orion formed a neon shield around the smelly rock and turned backwards as he swung his arms down causing the rock to fly high away into the sky. Taking the smell with it.

Everyone looked a little suprised as it was always amazing to see how strong Orion is. Especially with his power.

"Meh. It wasn't that bad." Rocket shrugged.

"Says the guys that doesn't like baths?" Eugene mused teasingly.

"I take proto baths, Asswipe!"

Rocket snapped.

Then Orion noticed something near by as Yozora and he stepped up. It was a large metallic looking container with a wavy structure and in the shape of a large rectangle. Big enough to store six people in.

"Wierd?" Orion mouthed.

Yozora approached the container and called out to it. "Hello?! Anyone in there?!"

But there was no response inside the container. The group hesitantly walked up to the container. Until...

*Crash!*

*Roar!*

"Woah!" Eugene yelped as he and the others jumped back a bit while pumped and fidgeting, before he gave a nervous laugh. "Hehehe….Okay. That got my blood pumping."

They watched as whatever was inside continued rocking the container it was in.

"Why would Lady Hellbender cage this creature?" Drax asked.

"Uh, 'cause it's annoying as scut?" Rocket replied sarcastically.

"Perhaps it is food." Drax said as Groot walked up to the container.

"That thing's food?" Rocket asked with a credulous tone as he pointed at the cage.

"Yes. Monster food." Drax said back.

"Huh. I wonder what it tastes like." Rocket said in thought as he walked up to the container as well.

"I am Groot." Groot guessed what it would taste like.

"Euh! Why would it taste like that?" Ratchet recoiled in disgusted. "You know, we really gotta work on your taste, Bud."

Just then an idea popped into Friday's head. Walking into the entrance of Lady Hellbender with Rocket wide open for everyone to see will make their supposed monster look bad.

"Get it? Taste bud?" Rocket laughed a little in the background.

"I am Groot." Groot bemused a reply.

Then Friday walked up to Orion to talke with him.

"Ryan. We can use this." Friday whispered to her husband.

"Monster food?" Orion inquired.

"No, the cage. We need the cage." Friday whispered her clarification. "We go into the fortress with our...'Monster' peacefully waling beside us." Friday whispered and gestured Rocket. "We'll be laughed out of that place."

"Any bites?!" Rocket mocked the monster inside.

"I am Groot." Groot smiled and petted the top of the cage.

"Wait, You're petting it? Groot, don't pet the tentacle thing!" Rocket yelled.

"Careful, we don't know if it's contaminated." Buzz warned them.

"Of course it ain't! The d'ast rain is to thank for that!" Rocket scoffed and immediately snapped at Groot. "Stop petting it!"

"I am Groot?" Groot stopped and asked why.

"Because it's covered in teeth, that's why!" Rocket replied and saw Groot's expression. "Oh don't look at me that way. That things got bigger ones than mine! And more of em!"

"Bigger what?" Lance inquired.

"PICK ONE!" Rocket replied in a snap.

Drax walked over to Orion and Friday when he noticed they were whispering about something.

"Why are you whispering?" Drax whispered with them.

Rapunzel and Eugene came over when she noticed the same thing.

"Is something wrong?" Rapunzel asked in a whispered.

"No, no. Friday suggested we can sell our 'monster act' better if we had a proper cage to hide Rocket in." Orion gestured the metal container with the monster banging inside.

"I would be inclined to agree, that's if there wasn't a pissed off jungle jumbo inside." Eugene hissed about the monster in the cage.

"Release it then. Let me dispose of it." Drax declared as he stood confidently.

"Woah, hold on. Is killing it really necessary? Couldn't we just release it into the wild?" Rapunzel asked with a concerned expression.

"Which is exactly what we're going to do. But first we need to-" Orion almost said as he agreed with Rapunzel.

***ROAAAAAAAAAAAAR!***

Suddenly they heard a different roar coming from somewhere else. Groot flinched from the loud distance roar and accidentally bumped into the container's panel. Which accidentally opened it.

Everyone backed away as the large creature inside suddenly came out and roared at them. Which had the same roar as the other roar in the distance.

The creature was large, with a giant mouth like a flower with leafy-like flaps around. Almost as it it's lips weren tentacles, and it had a thick skin and blue all over the body. And it stood on all fours like a tiger.

"Uh, guys? Anyone know what that is?" Eugene asked in a nervous tone.

The creature raised its head before bringing it down again, releasing a loud roar.

"Yes. A monster!" Drax exclaimed as he drew his weapons before charging at the beast. "AAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

But when he got close, the creature batted him to the side.

***Smack!***

"It's…. A Slakebeast." Buzz narrowed his eyes in realization.

"That's bad?" Rapunzel asked while backing away from the monster.

"Very. We're gonna have to bring that thing down. They're a genetically altered creatures, extremely hostile and destructive to everything it stands on." Buzz stated in a serious manner as he locked his space helmet on.

"He's right, Zel. This thing doesn't even love anything. Or itself." Orion stated as he shifted into the Maverick and stood in his fighting pose with his keyblades summoned. "It's like Seattle."

"Well. In that case." Rapunzel stood as she used the mod Rocket provided and turned her frying pan into a pistol.

Yozora shifted on his Verum Rex form and stood with his keyblade and laser pistol.

And then Friday went into her Shift form.

Drax got back up as Rocket readied his laser cannon and Groot extended thorns around his large arms.

"Mmmkay? What about us?" Eugene asked as he and Lance stood ready for either fighting or running.

"Here!" Buzz tossed two star command laser rifles at them.

Eugene and Lance caught them and thanks to their training during the final battle against Lash a year a ago. They remembered how to use it.

They both smirked as the beast final charged at them.

Verum Rex slashed his keyblade at the large Slakebeast which staggered it's charge as they dodged out of the way. Eugene and Lance began shooting at one side. While Rapunzel was shooting at it from the other side. Buzz jumped and flipped into the air shooting the Slakebeast from above with his laser while Rocket shot at it with mini missiles from behind.

Unfortunately it's armored blue skin was too tough and its tail kept whipping away at Rocket's mini missiles. While Maverick slid under and slashed at his legs. Verum Rex twirled into the air and slashed at its head. But that did little damage. Groot ran over and tried smacking the Slakebeast in the face, but it shook off the mild pain and whipped it's strand lips to stink his hand making Froot wince as he then formed wooden ball fists to smacked it on top of the head and to the side of its head.

So far nothing was working until Pascal who was hanging on Rapunzel's shoulder. Looked inside and saw the monster's throat and saw its glowing uvula.

So the little chameleon narrowed his eyes and made squeaking noises as it ran and grabbed one of Rocket's dropped grenades and tossed it into the Monster's open mouth as it growled.

Suddenly the monster choked before Drax dashed over and slashed his knives against the Slakebeast's flapping lips. Then Buzz ran in, and jumped to the side and shot a direct hit at the choking Slakebeast. And then...

***BOOOOM!***

Causing the monster blow a large hole in its stomach and fall limp to the ground. Dead from the grenade.

Everyone stood up and saw that the fight was over and huffed in relief.

"Damn. Taught about your messy eaters." Rocket winced.

"This is why I tell everyone not to eat at Bostin Market." Maverick remarked.

Pascal ran back up Rapunzel's right shoulder and did a Superman pose as if he was gloating that they won because of him.

"Woo! That was intense. But we got it." Rapunzel huffed a breath with a smile as she shifted her pan back to Its base form.

"Yeah that was alright. And Pasktin? That was F' N' wicked what you did with that grenade." Rocket pointed and winked at Pascal on Rapunzel's shoulder.

While getting his name wrong.

"SQUEAK!" Pascal squeaked, puffing his chest in pride before looking offended at Rocket for getting his name wrong, which made Rapunzel giggle.

"He's right, Pascal. You did an amazing job." Rapunzel complicated while patting his head.

Maverick came over to the container and pressed the panel. "You're coming with me." He remarked.

Then the container shrunk its wavy patterns until it completely reduced itself into a small case the size of a backpack. Lance saw that happened and was a little amazed. While Verum Rex and Buzz Lightyear looked ahead and saw a path straight to the bridge

"This way!" Buzz called for the others.

Then everyone followed them up to where they're about to start their plan.

---

Near the bridge to Lady Hellbender's Fortress...

"Buzz Lightyear Mission Log: The Guardians and I are about to pull off a gamble of false advertisement in hopes to get into Lady Hellbender's Fortress. Where my team have been captured without any point of negotiations. Knowing Lady Hellbender and her none reasonable reputation. We have nothing huge to offer in return for my team's safe return. So as far as I'm concerned. What the Maverick calls 'Trojan Horse' is the only way." Buzz Lightyear recorded on his communicator device to document his mission report.

The team was being careful where they stepped while they got really far away from whatever was causing that distance roar earlier. The rain was still pouring down and Rocket hated this planet for it. But soon they made it to the start of the bridge.

"Alright we made it. It's just...A...Straight...Path." Verum Rex slowly said as he noticed how far the bridge goes.

It was quite the long distance between the start of the bridge all the way to Lady Hellbender's fortress. It was probably longer than the bifrost bridge to Asgard. Or the Brooklyn Bridge. They had a long walk ahead of them for this one.

"You can't be serious." Shift groaned at the sight before them.

"Okay. It's further than it looked. Much further." Maverick said as he gazed down the path before them.

"It's a flarking Infinity Bridge is what it is!" Rocket snapped and pointed.

"Ah, you are being dramatic, Rodent. The bridge ends at the fortress. Therefore it is not infinite." Drax said, not understanding the exaggeration.

"Yeah. That's comforting." Maverick deadpanned. "Guess we gotta go….For the action figures…..."

"Ryan!" Shift called to Maverick.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Rocket asked in a condescending tone.

"I am Groot." Groot said.

"Oh, right. The cage." Maverick said as he remembered the cage and pulled it out in its condensed form.

"Whole point of even getting the flarkin' thing was looking like we mean business!" Rocket said in a snippy tone.

Then Maverick pressed a button to enlarge the cage. And he opened the door with another button.

"Alright Rocket. Time to put on your monster face." Maverick said, gesturing to the cage.

"I only got one face, Forge." Rocket said as he walked into get in the cage.

Then Maverick closed the cage and got the hover wheels underneath to activate.

"There. Nice and dry." Maverick mused.

"About damn time." Rocket said inside the cage as he was glad to be under something to keep him from the rain.

Maverick took the front reigns and flung them over his shoulders and began stop in front to pull and haul the cage across the bridge. Thanks to the hover wheels. The container wasn't that heavy.

As they began walking and the rain kept falling. The walk wasn't a total let down. The weather was easy to bear. Especially since the rain water was cleaner than earth's. It was the right temperature outside. And Rapunzel looked up and gasped in awe at the sight of giant red whales up in the air flying, with stingray-like wings on its flippers and some under and over its body. They were flying gracefully across the sky and around Lady Hellbender's Fortress like seagulls.

***'Whale noises…'***

'Those up there are called the Acanti. They're like the whales you see on Earth. But less aquatic and more astronomical based.' PRO stated.

'And they taste better!' TEC teased.

Then one of the Acanti flew next to Eugene ane Lance making them flinch.

"Whoa! Too close, too close." Lance said nervously which made him shake.

"They seem a lot peaceful here than usual." Friday noticed.

" They're so….Wow." Rapunzel said, reaching a hand out as if to touch one. "I've always wanted to see a whale up close back home, but I didn't think I'd get this experience. It feels amazing."

"I'm sure it's real pretty, but could we not draw it's attention while I'm stuck in a flarkin cage? Please?!" Rocket said sarcastically inside the container.

"You volunteered to be inside it." Friday replied with a snarky tone.

After a while of walking. No one got tired since the fortress was in view. But as Maverick was pulling thr container from up front. Some of them was getting a little bored. And was probably missing the excitement from the fight earlier.

"Does anyone want a campfire song to pass the time? Oh oh! I know a good one. It's called-" Lance almost announced.

"No!" Everyone said at the same time. With Groot saying.

"I am Groot!" Groot responded which meant no.

"PRO? TEC? Does the radio still work? Does it at least have any commercials to spare the Author's poor thumbs of this long walk?" Maverick asked.

'We don't have a strong signal out here for our radio station. But this place has cable for some reason.' PRO stated.

"Anything we've got archived then?" Maverick asked in a small huff.

'Why don't we use the cloud?!' TEC asked in a whine.

"***k the Cloud! I'm not trusting all my personal info to a server ran by a bunch of foreign dumbasses." Maverick snapped.

'We have Randy Newman's top track from 1995.' PRO offered.

"Please no…." Maverick breathed in desperation.

'TOO LATE!' TEC beamed.

"Uggggh..." Maverick groaned and hung his head down as he walked.

(You Got A Friend In Me - Randy Newman)

Then the music started. Some of them nodded their head to the simplistic tune. Even Groot was. Rapunzel, Eugene and Lance were liking it. While Buzz pondered about it.

You've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me

When the road looks rough ahead

And you're miles and miles

From your nice warm bed

You just remember what your old pal said

Boy, you've got a friend in me

Yeah, you've got a friend in me

"Ooh, I love this song." Rapunzel said, swaying her hips as she walked and listened to the music.

"It definitely has a nice feel to it." Eugene said with a nod.

"Makes me long to hug an old buddy of mine." Lance commented.

"It is a nice song. But..." Buzz commented while looking contemplative as he scratched his skin. "Even though this is the first time I'm hearing it, for some reason, this song feels kinda strangely familiar to me. I just can't quite put my finger on it…."

You've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me

You got troubles, I've got 'em too

There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you

We stick together and see it through

'Cause you've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me

"Well, it's better than having the Author get chafed nails and squeeze the wifi in trying to Drax counting the clicks." Maverick sighed as he broke the fourth wall while walking across the bridge.

Some other folks might be

A little bit smarter than I am

Bigger and stronger too

Maybe

But none of them will ever love you

The way I do

It's me and you, boy

And as the years go by

Our friendship will never die

You're gonna see it's our destiny

You've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me

---

Then as the song was finally over. They were finally close and up front to Lady Hellbender's Fortress. They looked up to see how tall it was now. Modern and dense. The metallic works of dark red color schemes definitely matches the vicious work of the woman that runs the place.

"We're almost there." Yozora said to the team.

"Alright, Buzz this is where you split. Fly under the bridge or over the fortress." Maverick stated as Shift handed Buzz a stealth mode mod to help him camouflage.

"In a not shell. Recon. And search anything we should know in its defenses and look gor any cracks." Shift stated.

"I understand. I'll do the best I can and relay back what I find." Buzz said before he expanded the wings of his jetpack. "Good luck you guys."

With that, Buzz flew off and under the bridge to start his recon.

With Buzz flying about to do his part of the plan. The team walked across the entry bridge in between these giant red walls. As they were passing by a group of patrolling Hellraisers and a couple of merchants talking with them in another language that sounded like growls.

The Hellraisers were wearing uniforms, jackets and armors in a mix of white, dark gray and red. And wearing distorted masks to cover their faces which probably were ugly.

"Pfft. The thugs from Liverpool looked creapier than this." Eugene snorted in a mutter as he heard some of these guys grunting at each other

"and here I thought they'd be scarier." Lance snickered.

"Grrrrh!" One of the Hellraisers growled.

"Eeak!" Lance squaked like a girl as he flinched away from it. As he paced away humorously while shuttered. "They definitely had better barks..."

"Hey, Friday. Who are these guys, anyway?" Rapunzel whispered to Shift while leaning over so only she would hear her.

"They're the Hellraisers. Lady Hellbender's personal army. They consist mostly of fisfits, thieves and smugglers who all joined the cause, because they believe in her tamed kingdom of savage wildlife. Especially since there's a lot of units behind it all." Shift whispered back to Rapunzel.

"Remember. Let us do the talking." Maverick turned his head and whispered to Rapunzel.

"Mostly Ryan since he's better at business negotiations." Verum Rex added in a whisper.

Then they approached two elite Hellraisers that were standing giard over the front entrance. The two guards saw the Guardians approaching them.

"Hey, look what we've got coming." The first Hellraiser guard growled.

"Ugh. Are they serious?" The second one groaned.

"Guess we're going to find out." The first one responded.

Maverick would've gone witb an alias. But since they all knew Lady Hellbender wasn't easy to fool and they were doing this to get on her good side while rescuing buzz's team and to keep them from being held blame since Rocket will just bust himself out. They had to be direct when facing this transaction.

"Name?" The first Hellraiser asked in a growl.

"Guardians of the Unknown." Maverick answered.

"Never heard of you." The first Hellraiser growled back.

"I am Groot." Groot said to them.

"Bona fide monster sellers. Let by the Mav with the Mouth himself." Maverick said while pumping his chest with his fist.

"Today, anyway." Shift muttered. Mostly about selling monsters

"What's in the box?" The first Hellraiser asked in a growl.

"A monstrous abomination from Halfworld and the meanest S.O.B in the quadrant." Maverick answered.

"Pass." The first Hellraiser growled, rejecting the offer.

"Pass?!" Rocket shouted from within the cage.

"Rocket…" Maverick hissed back, hoping that their cover wasn't blown.

"I mean-ROAAAAAAAR!" Rocket roared from within the box.

"Thing's puny." The first Hellraiser growled.

"It is a Hell-beast, the namesake of your mistress." Drax said to the two guards. "You'd be wise to reconsider."

"Alright, get going. Before I change my mind." The first Hellraiser growled as he and the other moved to let them pass, allowing the team to move forward, not before calling out a threat to them as they passed. "And if the Lady don't like it, I'll be carting out what's left of you in that box."

Lance gulped as he quickened his pace to stay close to the group. Once they got inside the elevator straight ahead he'd feel more relieved.

"Hell-beast?" Shift whispered to Drax.

"It is an accurate moniker. The little beast has a hellish demeanor." Drax replied back.

"I like it!" Rocket called out from the cage.

They looked around the elevator and saw the dark metallic morbid theme and the red neon lights everywhere. It was designed to move around the fortress on any floor and position. And not just going up and down like most elevators. Knowing Maverick, he'll write down some notes to see if he can design something like that for the Mav Club later.

"Stealing my sense of fashion but making it morbid, huh?" Maverick inquired about the red and neon lights.

"Not exactly an easy way out if it all goes to hell." Shift noticed the interior.

"Don't worry guys. As long as we stick to the plan and stay calm, everything will turn out just fine." Rapunzel said, trying to reassure the team.

"Zel, I wish bottle your optimism and sell it as organic supplements. But after hearing what the door man said about Rocket..." Shift almost said.

"His mask was on too tight!" Rocket interrupted her.

"That was a mask?" Lance inquired about that Hellraiser's face.

"It's gonna go great. We got a killer monster, with Star Command's employee of the month with us and a solid plan." Maverick felt as optimistic as his sister who of course smiled.

"I would show more caution, Maverick. If Lady Hellbender realizes our deceit, her vengeance will be swift." Drax stated in a serious manner.

"What? We're suppose to be scared, just cause she's got teeth for soldiers, hell in her name and a glorified petting zoo?" Eugene chuckled feeling confident.

"That and she can't travel around the Multiverse. And the Nova confiscated all known multiversal travel hardware the Ravagers had." Verum Rex assured. "Even Master Yid Sen confirmed this universe doesn't have the magic or tech to follow us across the Multiverse."

"Well, that's at least good for us if God forbid we need to make a hasty retreat." Rapunzel commented.

"Wait a minute. If that's the case, then how did Buzz end up with a star shard in his warp drive?" Shift asked.

"We've talked about it actually. And Orion thinks someone not from around here tried to sabotage Buzz." Verum Rex answered.

"I think this whole missing rangers affair is Multiverse related. 'Vanished without a trace' isn't something you hear often from Star Command. It's got magic written all over it." Maverick stated.

"Could that also mean that Buzz's team were sent here on purpose?" Shift asked.

"If so, why? And who would gain by luring them here?" Rapunzel asked.

"I don't know. But whoever did obviously wanted us to break in and rescue them and more than likely start a shoot out. Which is not what we're going to do." Yozora stated.

Then the Elevator raised up to a wide open interior of Lady Hellbender's main tower. And everyone saw the metallic structures that resembled a mighty empire. With multiple platforms for them to land on. As the elevator hovered around the plave in a slow loop pattern.

"Woah." Lance muttered in amazement

"We clearly weren't in the right line of thieves work back than." Eugene remarked as he was amazed by how futuristic and rich like a sci-fi dictator this place was.

"It is appropriately impressive for a warrior of Lady Hellbender's stature." Drax stated.

"Someday, that's gonna be our stature." Rocket said inside the cage.

"Ha! Not yours." Drax responded.

"Come over near the cage and say that again!" Rocket snapped.

"Good, Hell-Beast! Let them hear your beastly howls!" Drax cheered.

"Lightyear what's your status?" Verum Rex called in on the secret comms.

*"I'm afraid to report that I was unable to find an entry point beneath the fortress. Nothing but rocks and... Old bones."* Buzz reported back to the group via comms. *"I'm going to fly around and see if there's anything at the top of the fortress.*"

"Alright. We're about to enter into Hellbender's throne room. Maintain radio silence until I call in or if the situation changes. Verum Rex out." Verum Rex responded.

Then the elevator passed some large wierd skull structure posed as a statue. Which got Drax's attention.

"A Ghalaron Skull! That is truly a priceless trophy. Behold!" Drax expressed.

"Which explains the vault." Shift remarked as they saw the doors close to the skull trophy.

"Priceless? Vault? Screw this sneaking around! Let's pull off a good old fashioned heist!" Rocket beamed inside the container.

"No!" Maverick and Shift exclaimed to shut him up.

"God he sounds worse than us." Eugene exhaled as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Or just like us." Lance shrugged.

Then the Elevator stopped directly at the hall leading towards the entrance to Lady Hellbender's throne room. With several guards posted in unison and a main lead Hellraiser standing by for the team to step off as Maverick lead the container off the Elevator.

This was the guideline for every seller that came to do business with Lady Hellbender.

"Follow me. And pay attention. You will not approach Lady Hellbender's throne. If she chooses to approach you, you will remain still. No erratic movements." The Hellraisers warned them as he led them to the entrance.

"Remember. Let us do the talking." Maverick whispered to Rapunzel. Eugene and Lance.

The three nodded as they kept walking as the doors opened. And inside was the throne room of Lady Hellbender herself. The structure of the entire throne room and style resembles that of a mighty hunter. If Spider-Man were here. He'd probably say that Kraven would be jealous.

Inside was a merchant who was already trying to make a sale to the legendary monster tamer herself. As Lady Hellbender was seen seated on her large throne. With her right leg hunched over the arm of the throne like a bounty hunter or side, or like Caesar. No one was sure if this alien merchant was telling the truth about his monster.

Eugene was just weirded out that this merchant had a deformed gray bird looking face.

"I am humbled by my Queen's countenance." They heard a merchant say as he stood next to a strange creature in a glass dome, before a grand throne.

"Spare me your empty platitudes." Lady Hellbender sighed as she sat on her throne, her form shrouded by shadows.

"Apologies my Queen. I meant no offense-" the merchant tried to say, only for Lady Hellbender to cut him off.

"I know what you meant. Do not play me for a fool." Lady Hellbender spoke with authoritative yet smooth voice. "You are not the first to claim they have captured a tara-tara.

"Y-you doubt its authenticity?" The merchant stuttered out.

"If it is what you say it is, prove it." Lady Hellbender said to the Merchant. "Or, suffer the consequences of every other would-be con artist."

"I assure you, my lady-" the Merchant tried to say only to be cut off again.

"I said release it." Lady Hellbender ordered, steel in her voice.

The merchant, with great hesitation, released the creature, letting it jump down and walk around, sniffing the ground.

"Hmph. We got this." Eugene muttered to the team quietly.

The strange creature bubbled and transformed in front of everyone, turning into a giant creature like the one standing nearby. Which surprised the team. This was a tara-tara. One of the few creatures in the galaxy that can transform into any type of beast it sees. While having the same abilities and traits of any said beast. But the tar-tara in its current monster form. Growled angrily at the merchant for being captured and imprisoned by it.

The transformed beast then pounced onto the merchant.

"AAAAAAAAH!" The Merchant screamed as the beast started tearing him apart and eating him.

Rapunzel let out a slight out a quiet gasp of horror, her hands shooting to her mouth with her eyes widening of the sight and sounds of the merchant dying in front of them. From brones being crunched and skin being tone. Maverick held up a pick it sign that read 'Rated T For Teen my ass' just to break the forth wall.

As the merchant continued screaming towards his death, Lady Hellbender jumped from her throne and landed on the platform, light now shining on her, revealing her to be a tall, attractive woman with green grey skin and red hair, wearing armor made of monster skin, showing off her legs, cleavage, and arms. Her gauntlets and boots were also of monster skin. She also held a staff with several fangs attached to it. And she had a scar across her left cheek which ended at the end of her lip.

"That would be her." Maverick whispered. And looked at the readers. "At least she's not a female Jabba the Hut. Otherwise the google fan artists would fill the earth with vomit."

"Tough competition." Eugene muttered and bit his bottom lip at the horror of the merchant being devoured. "Guess he really liked chicken."

After the tara-tara was finished eating the merchant, it turned around and charged at Lady Hellbender, who then lifted the tara-tara over her shoulder and tossed it into a wall.

The creature got back up and roared in Lady Hellbender's face, the woman not even batting an eyelash at the roar, not at all intimidated. The creature finally stopped roaring and calmed down, sensing she was far more powerful.

"You are free here." Lady Hellbender spoke with a soft voice and smile as she reached up and petted the top of the creature's head.

A moment later, the tara-tara creature changed back to its original form and walked off on its four legs.

"Bring in the next seller." Lady Hellbender ordered smoothly. "And transfer ten thousand units to that last one's next of kin."

The Guardians then slowly approached, Lady Hellbender turning towards them as they came closer.

As they approached. Lady Hellbender looked very powerful. Not just by what she owns. But how much she can dish out to tame a mighty space beast. That and the thin scar on her right cheek near her mouth makes her look like a bad ass.

"Speak." Lady Hellbender said to the team.

"I am Verum Rex. And we are the-" Verum Rex spoke up but stopped when Lady Hellbender held her hand up.

And she showed interest with an admiring grin thst gazed towards Drax. And then she approach him.

"Drax. The Destroyer. The undoing of Ronin The Accuser. In the flash...Mmmmmm..." Lady Hellbender said in a seductive and interested tone as she circled and sauntered slowly around Drax who stood firm. Lady Hellbender added in a sultry hum. "And...Such flesh..."

Her low hinted chuckled that sound almost like pillow talk was obvious. Especially when she stood in front of Drax.

"You're presence honors me." Lady Hellbender hummed.

"You are much smaller than I had expected." Drax said as the seductive demeanor went over his head.

"Oh? And what we're you expecting?" Lady Hellbender asked with a amused smirk. "Perhaps I can do something about it."

"Unlikely." Drax replied.

"We'll see, Destroyer. I can be quite...forceful." Lady Hellbender husked with a smirk.

Maverick looked down for a brief moment and looked at the readers.

"You can see it. But it's a lot bigger than it was a few seconds ago." Maverick said while giving a fourth all breaking innuendo.

Then Drax leaned over to Rapunzel.

"Princess Rapunzel. I believe she is flirting with me." Drax theorized in quiet tone. He asked for Rapunzel's opinion since she's good at match making and romance in the past.

"I believe you're right." Rapunzel said with a big smirk and a raised eyebrow, always loving the sight of possible romance. "Maybe you should do the same. Charm her with sweet talk. Flatter her."

"You got this, Man." Maverick assured.

Drax nodded as he stood confidently and patted Maverick's shoulder.

"It is for the best. Your savage negotiation skills are terrible." Drax replied calmly.

Which made Maverick raise his eyebrow at him and Rapunzel held back a short giggle. Then Drax approached Lady Hellbender but not too close so he could speak. The best flattery he knew. For a widower, he's not much of a skilled sweet talker. And he's about to prove it.

"Lady Hellbender. I see by the size of your weapon that you must be a skillful warrior." Drax said with his arms confidently crossed.

Maverick rolled his eyes and Shift mouthed 'Oh my God' in exasperation. And she muttered a few swear words in Kree.

"Hmmmm...Perhaps I can give you a demonstration sometime." Lady Hellbender grinned.

"You would make an acceptable opponent." Drax replied.

Lady Hellbender smiled a little. "Tell me, Destroyer. What brings you to Seknarf Nine?" She asked.

"Maverick. Show her the creature." Drax commanded like a leader.

"Aye aye, Kratos." Maverick muttered as he went and opened the cage.

Then as the cage opened up. Rocket walked out to stretch his limbs like he was a little old man almost.

"Ugh….About flarkin' time." Rocket groaned as he climbed out of the cage and cracked his back.

Lady Hellbender looked upon him with suprise, and then she laughed at the sight. "Ahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahaha!" She was laughing so hard, she held her side, making the others share nervous looks.

"What is it?!" Lady Hellbender asked after composing herself a bit.

"It? It has a name, lady!" Rocket snapped back, offended.

"And it talks! Adorable…" Lady Hellbender said with a big smirk and a chuckle as she gave Rocket a pat on the head.

"Forge... Make. It. Stop!" Rocket groaned in an almost pleading tone.

"When will it reach its big size?" Lady Hellbender asked.

"Big size?" Shift muttered.

"Yeah... I wouldn't pet him like that again unless you want to lose a finger." Maverick advised Lady Hellbender in a warning. "He bites. Hard. He did it to me twice. The first time was just for calling him a Wonder Pet."

And the second time was for putting a bottled water near his work bench. But Orion never took animal instincts personally. Besides, his fingers always grew back.

Rocket straightened his back and glared up at Lady Hellbender while growling and baring his sharp teeth.

"I admire a creature with some spirit." Lady Hellbender said, making Rocket look back at the team. "What would you call it?"

"It is a Hell-beast." Drax answered Lady Hellbender, making her look Rocket over again with a critical eye.

"It doesn't look like much." Lady Hellbender said, making Rocket groan with his head leaned back.

Lady Hellbender turned around and took a couple steps away from the group and walking a brief circle before facing them again.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think it was a woodland creature." Lady Hellbender said her thoughts.

"True. But did we mention it's one of a kind?" Maverick added. "Just look into those angry raccoon eyes-"

"I ain't a frickin' raccoon!" Rocket snapped at that with his teeth

"See? there's plenty of 'monster' to go around in there." Maverick continued.

"Hrrrrrggh…." Rocket was breathing heavily, looking intimidating.

"A big, scary, trigger-happy monster. That would make Satan himself feel vexed." Maverick continued as Rocket glared with pure rage.

"And what would you like for the... Hell-beast?" Lady Hellbender asked after looking Rocket over again.

"Seven thousand units." Maverick stated. "That's our offer."

Maverick figured since the last monster was worth ten thousand and way out of Rocket's physical league. It was still a high price. And not a desperate one. But Lady Hellbender was showing skepticism in Rocket's attempt to axt vicious.

"No. The creature is worthless to me." Lady Hellbender declared.

"Ugh..." Rocket groaned in annoyance.

"I would rather buy the Flora Colossus." Lady Hellbender grinned at Groot who widened his eyes.

"I am Groot." Groot said while looking at the team. Translated: "I knew we should've gone with me."

Rapunzel looked worried about what might happen next while Maverick was keeping his cool but showing concern.

"What? You wanna buy Groot?" Rocket gawked.

"Is he for sale?" Lady Hellbender grinned.

"No! He ain't!" Rocket pointed firmly at her.

"Stick to the plan, Rocket." Maverick hissed.

"I am Forge! And Groot is NOT! FOR SALE!" Rocket screamed as he ran up Groot's shoulder and started shooting at Lady Hellbender's troops. "RAAAAAAAAAGH!"

***Rapid fire!***

His cannon shot down five or six Hellraisers with his bullets.

"NO!" Drax exclaimed at the plan being ruined.

"ROCKET WHAT THE ***K!" Shift screamed as Maverick projected a neon shield to block enemy fire.

"Rocket, Stop!" Rapunzel exclaimed as she stood behind Maverick to avoid being hit.

"NO, GOLDIE! IT'S PLAN B TIME!" Rocket raged as he kept shooting.

Verum Rex exhaled and he jumped and waved his keyblade to cast a sleeping spell to knock out the rest of the troops. While Lady Hellbender jumped in the air and was about to strike Shift down. But Drax grabbed and gripped Lady Hellbender's weapon to block her. Which made Lady Hellbender smirk at him before he pushed her away.

But then Maverick teleported over and ripped open an ejection hatch down on the floor and the rest of the team ran. And jumped down.

"WHO'S THE MONSTER NOW!" Rocket exclaimed as he tossed a grenade at a top piller. Causing it to collasped as he and Groot jumped down the hole with the others. Before the column collasped to block their way.

Only for them to slide down a large Maverick saw that they were sliding across a slimey ventilation shaft and he and Verum Rex were sliding on their metallic boots. Shift was doing the same. Rapunzel was also using her bare feet to slide with finesse. While everyone else was sliding on their backs.

---

"And here I thought outer space was smoother than home!" Eugene yelled as he slides

"What were you thinking, Rodent?!" Drax exclaimed at Rocket as they were sliding.

"You heard that Jackal! She wasn't gonna pay two units for me!" Rocket snapped as they were sliding down the shaft.

"I know she lost interest, but there had to have been a better way to keep our plan on track!" Rapunzel exclaimed as they kept sliding.

"We are! The plan is to get Lightbright's team out! This vent leads to the dungeon!" Rocket exclaimed as they kept sliding down.

Which kinda suprised most of the team mates to hear.

"Oh what a great idea. And to make it better, there'll probably be dozens of troops just waiting down stairs to give us astro cookies. How could it get any better?!" Eugene said with a very sarcastic tone.

Shift saw the end of the tunnel ahead which lead into one of the halls below the fortress. And she narrowed her eyes and gave Maverick a quick look which he nodded to, knowing the idea.

"Leave that to me." Shift declared.

Then Shift lept and dashed ahead of the team. While Maverick flipped and curved to block the team's decent with a neon barrier and he covered the bottom layer with fire to block anyone from seeing them. Shift then shapeshifted into Lady Hellbender and landed at the bottom of the hall out of the open shaft from the ceiling.

Then a group of Hellraiser troops ran down from the other side up to her and they were suprised to see her. As they believed it was their ruler.

"What are you fools standing around for?! There's breaking for the back exit! GET DOWN THERE NOW!" Shift ordered them in her Lady Hellbender form..speaking with her voice.

"Yes, Mistress!" The Hellraisers legion obeyed and gestured the troops to run in the opposite direction.

Shift then walked over and opened a door to one of her vaults using a instant hack mod to her suit. The doors slid open and the rest of the team landed on the ground and ran inside for Shift to change back into her normal form.

Then Maverick closed the gates behind them. To help relief his anger.

Rocket saw an open bottle pf something strong an alcoholic. Which was a bottle of Centaurian Ale. He snatched it and took a big swig. He needed it to calm his nerves. But Drax looked very angry that his reputation with a legend like Lady Hellbender was tarnished because of him. He glared at Rocket ferociously. He stood up for him. He believed in Rocket's plan and this happens!

*"Um Yozora? The troops are getting spastic around the halls. What happened?"* Buzz called from Verum Rex's comms.

"Long story short, the sale did not go according to plan. We had to make an escape." Verem Rex said to Buzz leaving it at that. "Where are you at right now?"

*"I'm down at the sub levels of the fortress. I had to steal a brute's uniform to fit my suit in. I found out where the dungeon is. Meet me at the fourth floor west of the fortress."* Buzz responded.

"We'll be there. Rex out." Verum Rex ended the comms. And looked at the team as they were catching each other's breathes.

"Is everyone good?" Eugene called out.

Then Rocket finished drinking the bottle and burped. "Oh yeah. Glad I got that off my chest." He exhaled sounding a little drunk.

"Um, Rocket? What did you just drink?" Rapunzel asked out of concern.

Maverick shifted back into Orion while Verum Rex turned back into Yozora and Shift back into Friday.

Orion picked up the bottle and read the alien foreign markings.

"Dude you just dranked two quarts of aged Centurian Ale. That stuff can melt though a gorilla's stomach." Orion gawked.

"Not mine. I have livers of steels." Rocket gloated in a slur.

"Ready to put that to the test?!" Drax snapped as he approaches Rocket with his knives drawn.

Rocket drew his cannon and glared at Drax while aiming his gun at him.

"I am Groot!" Groot immediately wrapped his arms around Drax.

"Get off!" Drax snapped.

And he through Groot's arms away and slammed him down on the ground down. Making him grunt.

"Guys, Stop!" Rapunzel pleaded with them, holding her arms up in a placating manner. "Now's not the time to be fighting. We still have to rescue Buzz's team and get out of here!"

"I stood up for this vermin's plan and he humilated us! And almost got us killed!" Drax exclaimed.

"Drax calm the ***k down!" Friday snapped.

"This vermin has no regard for them or this team's safety!" Drax yelled and pointed at Rocket.

"That is true!" Rocket exclaimed while pointing his gun at him.

"He has no respect!" Drax snapped as he glared at Rocket.

"That is also true!" Rocket glared back.

"Hold on!" Orion got in between them as well.

"Rocket you don't mean that!" Rapunzel tried to ease his anger.

"Keep calling me 'vermin', Tough Guy!" Rocket dared Drax and raged in a drunken voice. "You just wanna laughed at me with your new girlfriend, just like everyone else!"

"Rocket, please! You're just drunk right now! No one's laughing at you!" Rapunzel said, trying to ease his anger.

"She thinks I'm some stupid thing, She does!" Rocket screamed.

By 'she' he meant Lady Hellbender.

"WELL I DIDN'T ASK TO GET MADE!" Rocket screamed with tears in his angry eyes. "I DIDN'T ASK TO BE TORN APART AND PUT BACK TOGETHER OVER AND OVER AND OVER! And turn into some...Some little Worthless gardening tool!"

Rapunzel's eyes widened in horror with tears building in them, a hand at her mouth. She was told about how he was once the little racoon who used to belong to Quirin, until he was taken and mutated. But to hear some of the details of what he went through, sent chills shooting up her spine.

"Rocket, no one's calling you worthless." Orion said to Rocket in a firm assuring voice.

"HE CALLED ME VERMIN! SHE CALLED ME CUTE!" Rocket cracked and sniffed in anger as he grit his teeth. "Let's see if you can laugh after five or six shots to YOUR FLARKIN FACE!"

Then Rocket clocked his gun and charged the cannon but Orion got in front and held his hands out while holding up a neon barrier.

"Nonononono! For the last time! Rocket CALM THE FLARK DOWN!" Orion screamed and implored him. "I'll give you a raise, a new ship, hell even an island if you want! I just need you to suck it up and vent all that rage on the ones trying to kill us and get this job done, alright?!"

Rocket just panted in anger in frustration before taking a breath in and letting out a huff and calmed down enough.

"Fine." Rocket said with a scowl. "But I don't want an island. I hate water."

Then he walked over towards the other exit of the room. Groot got back up after accepting Drax's help.

"My apologies, Noble Tree." Drax said with remorse. "I will make it up to the Hell-Beast when the time is correct."

Groot smiled and nodded as the otherd went for the exit while Rapunzel and Groot looked at each other.

"I am Groot." Groot said sadly. Translated: "Rocket didn't any if it. He's just been through too much."

"You're such a good person and great friend, Groot." Rapunzel said to Groot. "I'm glad Rocket has someone like you to have his back."

"I am Groot." Groot said softly. Which made Rapunzel smile. Translated: "You too".

"Alright now that the inspired dramatic license is over. Where did you say Lightyear was again?" Orion asked Yozora as they shifted into his armored form again.

---

Down at Lady Hellbender's dungeon...

Inside of a white polished cell with a glass door shield made out of bullet proof meterial. Was Booster. XR and Mira who sat in the cell waiting for time to pass.

Mira was pacing back and forth wondering what happens next. Booster was hunched in a corner with his arms wrapped around his legs...Or at least as far as his arms could reach. And XR was changing the channels on the TV hanging up on the left wall with a remote.

At least the guards let them keep wearing their space ranger suits. But too bad their weapons doesn't work on the door. And Mira's phasing abilities can pass through the solid pure Seknarfean glass. Or the walls for that matter. The walls would shock her every time she tried.

"Man these channels are worthless. Are these just bootlegs or fanfics of real natural material?" XR relented as he kept changing the channel

"Yeah well maybe you can ask the guards for better channels or maybe a cup a sugar with our parol." Mira said sarcastically.

"It's been a while since we've seen any of them. Where are they?" Booster wondered.

Just then they saw a Hellraiser brute walk up to their cell.

"Ah. Speak of the devil, there you are. What's on the prison menu today, chief?" XR asked as he stood up and rolled over to them.

"Today's lunch special..." The guard stated as he removed his helmet revealing himself to be Buzz as he grinned. "Is early parole without the fat, with a side salad."

"BUZZ! I knew you'd come and save us!" Booster cheered with sparkles in his eyes.

"About time you got here." Mira said with a smirk and her arms crossed. "I was starting to think we were going to have to find our own way out."

"Come on, where would you all be without me?" Buzz shrugged as he stepped out of the brute Hellraiser attire and used a decrypting device and plugged it into the door panel.

Just then Eugene, Lance and Rapunzel ran over to check on the situation along with Verum Rex and Maverick.

"Need a hand with the door? Cause we haven't got long." Eugene asked in a rushed tone.

"You don't know how to work the panels, Fitz." Maverick deadpanned.

"I know, I was just being nice." Eugene responded.

"Uh...You three are? I mean I know these two, one of them bought me a drink but who's blonde, heavy and skinny?" XR inquired looking at Rapunzel and the two with her.

"Hey I'm not blonde, I'm Chestnut brown." Eugene jested in defense as he fixed his own hair. And asked Rapunzel "Does space really make me look blonde?"

"Hehehe. I think he meant me." Rapunzel said with a giggle before speaking to Buzz's team. "Hello, I'm Rapunzel, Princess of Corona. And this is my boyfriend, Eugene, and our good friend, Lance."

"Rapunzel?...Oh yeaaaah. You're Maverick's sister!" Booster realized with a big smile.

"Oh right, the only other lasy besides his wife that he would never shut up about. I gotta say he spoke a lot about you is it true you believe shoes are Satan's secret minions? Me too." XR rambled on with witt and excitement.

"What XR is trying to say, is Orion told us all about you. One princess to another, is a frying pan really as effective as a terillium-metallic mallet?" Mira asked with a smirk as she leaned on the side of the wall.

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see, now won't we?" Rapunzel said with a cocky smirk while spinning her frying pan.

Just then Buzz managed to hack the panel and got the cell door opened. Booster Mira and XR stepped out as Drax. Groot, Shift and Rocket ran over when they heard Lady Hellbender on the intercom.

***"Troops! Do not let the Guardians escape, release the drones!"*** Lady Hellbender roared in the speakers as her voice echoed.

"We've stirred up the hornets nest." Verum Rex declared.

"They'll be expecting us to use the back and main entrance. We won't all make it if we use those." Drax stated.

"Which is why we won't. Where's the nearest balcony?" Maverick asked.

"Five clicks across the east hall." Buzz answered. "I saw it when I used the one above."

"Alright I know some of you can fly but the rest of us-" Eugene chuckled and almost witted.

"Fitz, can it. It's okay, I've got the ship locked on to our signature. We just got to get to an open view of the sky to teleport as all on board." Maverick stated.

"O-kay I'll put a pin in it than." Eugene bit his lip.

"They'll be comin at us hard. Are you three space heat able to kick ass?" Rocket asked Buzz's team.

"You bet!" Booster gave a thumbs up.

"Locked and loaded." XR grinned as he extended two blasters in his hands.

"Just point where I'll shoot." Mira smirked as she rolled her hair up and locked her helmet on.

"Ready for round two, Goldie?" Rocket asked Rapunzel as he was glad she had his back.

Rapunzel said before shifting her pan into its pistol mode.

"I'm locked and loaded, Rocket." Rapunzel said with a confident smirk.

"Alright." Rocket smirked as he cocked his gun and turned to stand with the group. "It's payday, Flarkbags."

The team was ready to run. And ready to fight the next wave of Hellraisers. After a dramatic turn that didn't go to plan. They still were able to save Buzz's team. And now it was time to roll. Lady Hellbender wasn't going to hold back on her means to take them down. But the Guardians weren't going to hold back either. They had a mission. And despite the dramatic complications, they'll see it through.

But unknown to the team. There was a tiny rebotic june bug om the wall in purple and red...With the initial ***Z*** in front. And a camera on top.

On the other side of the camera was none other than the Evil Emperor Zurg watching from his secret lair. Standing in front of some monitors showing him all the action at Lady Hellbender's Fortress.

"Interesting..." Zurg said evilly and chuckled as he tapped his sharp fingers together. As a plan was coming to his mind.

An evil one no doubt. But will he succeed. Or are the Guardians of the Unknown more capable than he realizes.

---

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS! 🎉 🎉 🎉

So as you can tell. I wasn't a fan of the Lightyear movie and I preferred the cartoon series from back on One Saturday Morning. And hopefully you all are happy with the characters from that show making an appearance.

And yeah if you all played the video game. You all know how the fallout with Lady Hellbender will play in the story later. Especially when it involves Fing Fang Foom.

"It wasn't much of a fallout as it was more like-" Maverick almost stated.

***Punch!*** 😵 💫

"No spoilers!" Maveress warned. 😡

"Ow! Fine!" Maverick exclaimed.😡

Play nice Mavies. 😏

Anyway, yes. Despite Rocket's protests, Emperor Zurg really is alive. But as for what he has in store for them and why are there are Space Rangers disappearing. Find out in the next chapter!

Thank you all so much for reading. I hope you all enjoyed and especially the Toystory references I inserted in. 😉

Be sure to Fave and Follow if you like what you see and don't forget to leave comments to let me know your thoughts. ⌨️

And as always Disney/Square Enix Fans

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!🚀

and also...

FISTBUMP! 👊 👊 👊 👊 👊 👊 👊 👊 👊 👊