We're back folks! 🎉🎉🎉
I gotta say. I'm super pumped and excited. Not only did I see Spider-Man Across The Spider-Verse.
10 OUT OF 10! GO SEE IT DAMN IT! NOW!
But also we're finally getting a sequel to one of my all time favorite Playstation games. Tiled….SPIDER-MAN 2!
"YES! MOTHER OF GOD IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING!" Maverick screamed in excitement. 😁
And also the game probably might give me some ideas for how to handle Spider-Man in my upcoming Kingdom Hearts III based story. But first let's get through this one.
And also the comment section. 👌😉
SPYRO 101: Oh trust me. Rapunzel Maveress will make an appearance much later in the story. AndI thank you once again for helping me with this story. 😉👍
RustyPete12: Well that psychic gulag bit was actually a reference from the Guardians Of The Galaxy video game. Including this version of Cosmo. But yeah, Thanos' body being in the Collector's museum is something I won't spoil. But it's important. But as for Cosmo's puppies. I promise. They'll show up again much sooner than you think. 👍😉
Also for the sake of continuity clarity. When I said that the Avengers were going to be based on Earth's Mightiest Heroes. I meant that they'll be 'mostly' based on it. Sake designs and voice actors. But they'll have some MCU aspects mixed in. Especially since the Guardians Of The Galaxy were in the show at one point. It wouldn't make sense to fully base this story on their show. Just most of their show.
But Spider-Man however is still based on Josh Keaton. 👌😉
"It was awesome to see his cameo in-" Maverick almost spoiled.
SHUSH! NO SPOILERS FOR THE SLOW FOLKS THAT DIDN'T SEE THE MOVIE YET!
"fiiiine! Sheesh." Maverick exhaled.
Alright! Now that we're all here!
LET'S GET DANGEROUS! 😎
Showdown on Planet Z.
A while back in Corona...
This took place a few months after The Guardians of the Unknown defeated Syndicate XIII. Orion had just gotten off of work and was invited to the castle Library for a game of Chess with King Frederic.
Frederic was sitting on one end of the table with his royal attire on. And Orion was in his dark navy business suit and tie. Sitting on the other end. So far they've been playing for five minutes and it's going well on a tie in so far.
But that'll change soon.
"You're toying with the tiger, Old Man." Orion mused as he made another move.
Frederic chuckled lightly as as he remained composed as ever.
"You're independent keyblade wielding status. Won't save you here." Frederic grinned.
"Yeah I'm kinda unarmed for this one. Between all the wine, women and spell casting in space, I don't have half the time to practice my witts in the chess field. But it never stopped from being undefeated." Orion remarked and cleared his throat. "Four years in a row."
Then Orion placed a knight and took one of Frederic's pawns. "Sorry, but at least I made sure your pawn didn't suffer in his death."
"As much as I appreciate that, I promise it shall be your undoing. I've been playing this game since I was much younger than you are now when my father taught it to me." Frederic said confidently. "How about you? Have you ever practiced playing Chess with your Dad?"
"Eh...One time. A night before a company picnic at the Forge estate in Moscow. I had him cornered with three pawns. Two knights. One rook. A bishop and the God save her, the queen. All he head was just the King and Queen. One wrong move and he would fall harder than Sodom. Than he got a ping saying he was late for a meeting and we never finished. But later on he told me he won. Despite that I was in the lead." Orion told him and scoffed.
"Really? How's that?" Frederic asked as he used one of his knights to take Orion's Rook piece.
"I wondered that for days. Until I went back and saw that the chess board was still left off from where we last played. And I made the move for him." Orion described. "I took the queen and realized she can have multiple moves based on a legal maneuver. And I had her take out my six. And let the King take the rest. Turns out he wanted me to corner him."
"Oh, and for what reason would that be?" Frederic asked, intrigued.
"The moment I had all the pieces in place. I didn't realized he had his strategy already laid down. Ready to strike like a raddle snake in the bushes. And I had no way out, thinking he had no way out." Orion explained as he moved a pawn to take one of Fred's pawns. "One thing I've learned from being a Maverick is that the bad guys. The 'antagonists', are never gonna play fair. So I've learned to be more unfair."
"Sounds like a very wise move there." Frederic said with a nod.
"It's technically what all Keybladers are taught. 'The light exposes weakness in the strongest darkness. The obstacles in your path defines the path. What stands in the way, becomes the way'. It's an old Foreteller verse." Orion stated as he had Frederic's queen piece corner by some of his important pieces.
"Old, yes. But one cannot deny the wisdom behind those words." Frederic said as he began to make his move to win the game.
Orion noticed how Frederic used his Dad's famous chess move to beat him.
"Crap. The King called my bluffs. I taught you too well." Orion grinned.
"Hahaha. I actually learned that move years ago. And I believe that's checkmate." Frederic said with a smug look.
"Yeah well try that move in real life and people will think you're the next Henry VIII." Orion snickered.
"You know, Orion. You might wish to consider trying that move in the event you find yourself in another tight spot against an enemy. You just might prevent a lot more casualties." Frederic recommended.
Orion knew he had a point. Not every situation can be solved with a Keyblade or neon or fire. Some situations will require his witts and putting on the right impression to make his opponent jump to a conclusion. What better way to get an enemy to drop his guard, then to have him think he already won?
"I'll keep that in mind." Orion replied and then looked at the author. "We can end the flashback here. I think they'll get the connection and your thumbs are getting sore trying to look up the rules behind Chess. So move along already."
And on that note we return to the present.
In the present day down on the red world of Planet Z...
The planet itself was red as blood from the skies to the industrial streets. With patrolling yellow robot troops with mini turret arms called Hornets. The streets and residents were mostly robots, cyborgs, or the Grubs and Brain Pods that work for Zurg.
Speaking of which. In the middle of the planet stood a tall, dark red towering Fortress with two horns at the side and a large Z emblem in the middle. On the top of the tower was a balcony with a view of most of the planet. And Zurg himself. Was standing there. Staring up at the sky. As the evil radio played in the background.
He was listening to the evil version of a Johnny Cash. More like Johnny Ash.
"And they left hundreds injured~ And thousands, without food or waaaater~" Johnny Ash sang over the radio.
"Ah….I love a happy ending." Emperor Zurg said with a happy sigh as he gazed up at the stars.
Just then one of Emperor Zurg's Grub Minions came over looking timid as all the others were the same. Coming to deliver some news to Zurg.
"What now?" Zurg groaned while sounding annoyed.
"Um...Evil Emperor? Our Hornet troops just brought in some more prisoners." The Grub addressed nervously.
"Oooh, excellent. Fresh meat to tenderize." Zurg said with an evil chuckle. "So, who are these new prisoners?"
Just then the Brain Pod named 41 came over to report the name of the prisoners.
"It appears they've brought in two main members of the team called the Guardians Of The Unkown." 41 answered.
"Guardians Of The Unkown? Sounds complicated. If you don't know what your guarding why waste the sweat at all?" Zurg pondered.
"They're the team we've all been monitoring back on Seknarf-9 as you ordered." 41 reminded.
"Right...An interesting bunch. Tell me. Is it that Raccoon with the itchy trigger finger? Or one of the other minors?" Zurg inquired with his hands behind his back as he proceeded ahead of them.
"Um...They've been identified as the Maverick and Shift." 41 revealed.
Zurg froze for a moment before he responded.
"Ah yes. The famous Maverick. An individual who's just as annoying as those blasted Space Rangers." Zurg said before chuckling darkly. "I may not know who is under that mask. But I will be taking great pleasure in tearing it off of him soon."
"Shall we send them to the dungeon along with the others?" Grub asked.
"No. Take them to the throne instead. And have two restraint chairs set up in front of my throne." Zurg ordered his minions. "Hopefully, the revenue from this will allow us to afford to thoroughly clean the torture chamber after that last prisoner."
"Um…You mean the one that peed on the floor the moment he saw the instruments? The Grub asked nervously.
"Don't remind me! I had to cancel the entire session because of the foul smell! Ugh!" Zurg snapped and groaned in irritation as he massaged his temple.
After that, Zurg made his way to the throne room where he would be in charge of interrogating Maverick for the info he was after. And more than likely to spill the beans on his big plan.
After all. He's never met anyone like Maverick.
Down in Zurg's Throne Room...
The reason Maverick and Shift were captured was all a part of Yozora's plan. One that Orion was one hundred percent onboard with. So with the help of Cosmo. The Guardians used the continuum cortex to send Maverick and Shift towards Planet Z under the radar. Where they got cornered by some Hornet troops and were captured.
What should've been a red flag to them was the fact that Maverick and Shift both surrendered almost without a fight.
As Zurg was entering down the hall with 41 in tow. They could hear the faint noise of a humorous guy.
"No, I don't know why you're not fair!~ I give you my love, but you don't care!~ So what is right and what is wrong?!~ Gimme a sign!~"
"Oh for the love of... Who's playing 24's records again?!" Zurg asked in irritation.
"N-no one, sir. It's one of the prisoners." 41 said while gesturing towards his throne room. "He's... Not all there."
Zurg proceeded over to where the prisoners were held as he saw Shift and Maverick sitting with their wrists restraints to the arms of the metal chairs and their ankles restraint to the legs.
While Maverick was echoing the room with his insane song. Much to everyone's annoyance.
"Baby Don't hurt me!~ No More!~ What is love?! Baby Don't hurt me!~" Maverick exclaimed the song.
"I'm very tempted to do it." Shift gritted her teeth in annoyance.
The Throne room was large and spacious. With a red metal exterior with Grubs working over by terminals everywhere along with some Brain Pods operating the equipment around the place. There was even a large dark red and purple high throne in the middle of the room, with a few stair steps leading up to it.
"Can I get some service from a WOMAN?!" Maverick exclaimed humorously.
Everyone who worked for Zurg in the room looked at Maverick briefly before they went back to work. Then Maverick looked back at Zurg who entered in with his Minions.
"Oh it's about time. Evening, Ma'am! I'll start off with some Ice Tea and a few apitizers. Maybe some hot nachos with a side of chicken wings. And could we have a seat over at the corner? I don't want anyone staring at my lady's manicure." Maverick humorously spoke up.
"Get comfortable everyone. He's always like this." Shift warned the Minions.
"Oh have mercy." The Brain Pod named 34 whimpered as he facepalmed himself.
"Oh, I am quite familiar with the annoying wits of the Maverick. But we'll see if he still has that spirit after I finish breaking him." Zurg said, giving an evil laugh as he walked up to stand in front of Maverick with his arms behind his back. "Buahahahahahahaaa!"
Then Zurg heard Maverick stifle a laughter as he looked down at him with a frown. "What?" He inquired.
"Nothing. Nothing. It's just...Pfft!...I didn't know you were going to compete on the next season of Reul Paul as Drag Vader! Hahahahahaha!" Maverick finally bursted out laughing. "I mean what's with the purple viking dress, Armin Shimerman?! We're they scalping all of the men's clothing?! Hahahahaha!"
Zurg's purple armor kinda asked for it. But Zurg clenched his fists in anger as he got up in his face
"Silence, you fool! You will show respect!" Zurg snapped in anger.
"Sure thing, Aritha Franklin. It's fine. I like my women like I like my coffee. I have a deep respect for coffee and would never discriminate against coffee based on its gender." Maverick quipped in response.
"You're very lucky that I need you alive. Otherwise I'd introduce you to a galaxy of pain." Zurg said with a growl
"Oooh my next door neighbor." Maverick mocked.
"Could we just move on, Please? If you keep droning on with him this could go all night. Trust me I know." Shift deadpanned a suggestion.
"That's fine with me. The longer you're both in my clutches, the further along my plans shall go without any complications." Zurg said to them with an evil glint in his eyes. "You see, Part of my evil plan was to capture a certain selection of rookie Space Rangers for a certain plan to implant corruption into Star Command. Since they're inexperienced, it makes it much easier to use them for phase two of my plan."
"Win over the white house with counterfeit numbers and to increase gas prices while getting rid of the guns to open the gates and let the cartel wipe out the competition? Yeah sorry. Someone's already doing that." Maverick mused a political joke.
"Ignore him." Shift sighed as she asked a serious question. "Didn't you already try mind control last time? First a giant ray and now...What? An earworm next?"
"I have recently come across something different, something that has tipped the scales in my favor." Zurg said with a smug look before commanding his Grubs. "Bring in our secret weapon!"
On command, the Grubs run out and quickly roll in a large steel and glass vessel that contained something both Maverick and Shift recognized. It was a black rock. One of the ones created by the moonstone. How did it end up in space? And wasn't Cassandra the last person to have the power of these things?
"Where the hell did you get that?!" Shift responded in shock.
"No one knows where they came from. They were found among the ruins of Vormir." 41 answered for them.
Vormir? Where Thanos killed his daughter to gain the Soul Stone?
"And they're quite the durable rocks. It took the use of one of Thanos' old daggers that were left behind after his death just to cut one loose. But it was worth the effort." Zurg said as he leaned against the container, giving it an affectionate petting. "After all, it has a very... Delicious dark essence."
"Oh God." Maverick gagged at the thought of Zurg getting laid by a rock.
"Oooookay? So where is this going?" Shift inquired.
"The black rock has a pure source of Darkness. And when liquefied and processed, the rocks can be turned into a gas." Zurg explained as he stood up straight. "A very special gas that can turn anyone with a weak and feeble heart into... A Heartless."
"And I'm guessing you already found a way to do that by using us as guinea pigs? Cause my dark side is kinda dull. Like a Dollar Tree firecracker." Maverick inquired hurmously.
"Of course I haven't! If I had, I would've wiped out all of Star Command by now!" Zurg snapped angrily before reigning in his anger and speaking calmly. "But that's where you come in. I'm well aware of your history with the rocks, especially when the Syndicate spoke of your battle against Lash. And you're going to tell me how to access and control the dark power within the black rocks."
"Well it's actually activated by a magic word. You wanna know what it is?" Shift smirked mischievously.
"Do tell." Zurg grinned as he leaned over.
"It's all contained in the word. Opus Ruy." Shift stated.
"Opus Ruy." Zurg repeated the word before ordering his minions. "Grubs! Translate it!"
The Grubs quickly got to work to translate the word. When they did, they grew nervous.
"It's... Um..." A Grub hesitated, angering Zurg.
"What is the translation!? Tell me!" Zurg demanded.
"Ok. Ok. It... Uh, translates to..." The Grub hesitated before saying the translation. "Up yours."
"Burn..." Maverick muttered humorously which made Shift smile in satisfaction.
"You... Insolent little!" Zurg snapped angrily at them. "Tell me what I want to know or I will take drastic measures!"
"Like what? Go make us get your belt?" Shift snorted.
Zurg, in response, just snapped his fingers, causing seven cells with red phase shifting barriers to rise from the floor. And in each of those cells were the missing Space Rangers.
"Here's how this is going to work." Zurg began in a threatening tone. "You can either tell me what I want to know. Or you can watch helplessly as I incinerate every last of my captives, one by one until none are left alive. Your choice."
One of the Space Rangers were showing in the cell. But the barrier he was stuck in was blocking the sound from inside. They could hear everyone standing around outside their cells. But everyone outside can't hear the prisoners. And some of them were scared while others were yelling for Maverick to not talk.
Luckily Maverick's part of the plan was already in motion. And he knows how to work with these type of villains.
"Kay that's dark an all. But I know you won't do that." Maverick gave Zurg a one eyebrow look.
"And why wouldn't I?" Zurg mischievously chuckled.
"Cause you wouldn't go through all of this trouble to capture every single one of these rangers just to axe them off in secret. You kill even one of them. And that's a lot of effort wasted. Hours and resources you've used down the drain." Maverick pointed out.
"Hmm. You do raise a valid point." Zurg said while scratching his chin. "That's why I have an alternative solution."
Zurg then made a motion with his hand, signaling one of his Brain Pod minions to come on over with a needle and syringe in its claws. Then the Brain Pod injected something into Maverick's neck. More like in the fabric ends of his neck. On the left side.
"Oh my God. Man Ray just gave me a roofie." Maverick said jokingly.
"What did you just do?" Shift demanded to know, taking this not as well as Maverick.
"I just injected your friend here with a little truth serum." Zurg answered before glaring at Maverick. "Now, I shall get the answers I seek."
"Don't worry Babe it won't work...actually I lied it's working." Maverick said plainly before he gasped in awe. "Ah cool! It is truth serum! Can you also make donuts without hydrogenated oils?! My author's Mom still won't let him buy any with her Sam's card!"
Anyways finding a perfect moment to break the fourth wall. And yes I'm still trying to find a perfect way to make home made donuts, cause apparently krispy Kremes lied to us about healthy oils and only let's Wal-Mart carry the seemingly healthier ones. Actually they say it is healthy. but the sugar and hydrogenated soybean oil says otherwise and- OH GREAT! THE TRUTH SERUM WORKED ON ME TOO!
"As expected, The truth serum has taken affect instantly." Zurg said with a triumphant tone. "Now then, Maverick. Tell me how to truly access the power of the rocks."
"Okay but I have to warn you all the details are crucial. You're writing this down?" Maverick asked one of the Grubs.
"Got it." One of the Grubs answered as he got out a notebook and pin.
"Perfect. So listen carefully Emperor Z. In the beginning. Tony Stark created the company. And the Jericho. And the Jericho was without sells. So Tony said. Let there be money. And there was money. And he called the money 'His' and the wallets 'Theirs'." Maverick told a different story in a biblical style.
While this was going on. A small neon areal dronenin the shape of a tiny pigeon was watching and listening to the whole thing.
Meanwhile back in the Solar Flare…
After using the continuum cortex back at Cosmo's tower on Knowhere to teleport Maverick and Shift into Planet Z.
The rest of the team went back to the gummi ship to fly off and were all currently watching from the monitors of the teleportation room. While the Solar Flare hovered above the surface of Zurg's planet. They all stood by as some of them were trying their best not to laugh. Most of them already failed and were laughing hard at the situation.
"Mav's got em right where we want em." Yozora smirked as he was listening to his best friend drive Zurg insane.
"I am Groot." Groot agreed with a nod.
"Forge's ability to anger and confound his enemies is truly great." Drax said with a smirk. "Though his storytelling skills leave a lot to be desired due to inaccuracy."
"He should really write his own book on jokes." Hoshi said trying not to giggle.
"I think he's already working on that." Rapunzel said with a giggle, while Pascal was rolling around on her shoulder, laughing.
"Hahahahaha! Man, this kid's a riot! " Eugene said as he was already laughing.
"Hahahahaha! I wonder what Tony Stark would say if he heard all this." Lance said with a laugh.
"Alright alright. We'll watch the rest later, Gang. I've got it all record. Now it's time for step two of Rex's plan." Rocket said as he walked over and displayed a map of Zurg's Fortress.
"Alright. Phase two." Rapunzel said enthusiastically. "What's my part in the plan?"
Yozora brought Rapunzel over to explain her part of the plan. While this was going on. Buzz and his team were busy on the bridge of the ship, marking all of Zurg's patrols and security turrets with the ship's locking system.
"You're plan actually just got better. You'll have to make your way to Zurg's Black Rock cash that are all stashed in the research station on the fifteen floor of his Fortress. Mirra and XR will back you up for support." Yozora explained the plan as he used tiny holograms of them to explain the plan. "Once there use your magic hair to set off all the rocks to bring Zurg's Fortress down."
"Got it." Rapunzel said with a nod before smirking. "Zurg will definitely not know what hit him by the time we're done."
"Also, Hoshi? You're in for your speed ability. Apparently the power to the rangers' cells are being fueled by a lightning harness driven five four of these giant mechanical wheels along the sub levels here." Yozora explained as he showed the wheels on the map. "You're Job is to drive each of them backwards one at a time, to sabotage the power."
"Underwood, sweetie." Hoshi said, smiling at her boyfriend.
"Drax. Zurg will be sending re-inforcments of elite warbots on the command center of the 40th floor. You and Booster will be dealing with them by sending them to the scrap yard." Yozora stated as he displayed the command center.
"That might be difficult. Wouldn't it be easier to just destroy them instead?" Drax asked with his arms crossed.
"Huh?" Yozora inquired.
"You said 'send them to the scrap yard. I don't know where that is and it would take too long to find. So I will just simply destroy them." Drax stated.
"Yeah...That's what I...Okay." Yozora deadpannned as he moved on to the final part of the plan. "And finally. Eugene. Lance. You two will accompany Rocket and Groot to the roof of the Fortress..."
"And we'll use these works of art I made, formally known as explosives. To blow up they're radar tower and military grade communications disruptor." Rocket finished for Yozora. "Otherwise they'll send missiles to flark up our ride and we won't be able to teleport outta there with the jammer blocking the signal to the ship's teleporter."
"What he said." Yozora nodded and gestured to Rocket.
"Wait. If they're blocking our signal. How are we able to teleport down there?" Hoshi asked.
"Technically they're not. The jammers only work as a means to keep us in. Not keep us out. Zurg jas a twisted ego of keeping all would-be trespassers as his prisoners. Or table frog." Yozora pointed out.
"Anyhow. You boys good with explosives?" Rocket asked Eugene and Lance.
"Well, that shouldn't be too hard for us." Eugene said with a shrug and smirk.
"Yeah, we both had to arm explosives during the final battle against Lash." Lance added.
"Good. Then you two will carry the bombs." Rocket shrugged and gestured to the bombs on the table to the right.
Eugene and Lance looked over and saw a bunch of improvised explosive devices that look futuristic, but built by a humanoid raccoon. And rather fragile.
"Uh, I'm starting to regret saying yes to this." Eugene said nervously.
"Me too, man." Lance said, just as nervous.
"Also I should point out that you're going first. We can't strike with the rest of the plan until you the four of you take out the radar and disruptor." Yozora pointed out.
"So, no pressure." Eugene said with a resigned sigh.
"Why do I see pain in our future?" Lance groaned.
"Ah, you two babies worry too much. This'll be safe easy." Rocket said confidently.
"I am Groot." Groot said in agreement.
"After Rocket and Groot blinds their surveillance and interference. We need to all strike at our designated targets. While Zurg still thinks he won. Once you're all through. Meet us at the top floor where we'll be backing up Mav. Shift and Buzz in taking on Zurg. I'll be busy taking out any hornet guards that will alert them while you all do your part. Remember. Mav is counting on us." Yozora stated the seriousness in this manner.
"Don't worry, Yozora. We got this." Rapunzel said confidently.
"Alright. Let's get to it." Yozora said as he shifted into Verum Rex and looked up. "PRO. TEC. Beam us down."
'Can do!' TEC beamed.
'As long as there's no Death Star rip offs.' PRO added.
Then the team materialized down to the world of planet Z in different locations to disrupt Zurg's operation and his advantages. Fortunately Maverick's mouth was doing the rest of that.
Meanwhile back down at Zurg's Fortress...
Maverick was still going on with his seemingly made up story refurbished in the style of his own vernacular. While some Grubs were taking notes. Other ones including the Brain Pods were confused. And Zurg was standing their looking exasperated as his eye was twitching.
"And then Mouses said onto Foxraoh 'Let my X-Men Go! So that they may film a reboot with me in the MCU. But instead they said no and the mouse bought their company instead. So now-" Maverick told a fourth wall story and almost finished until.
Zurg exploded, screamed and snapped.
"Rooooaaah!" Zurg roared in anger and grabbed two of his grub minions and tossed them through the wall before they could even let out a scream. "Enough of your nonsense!"
"Ugh…." The two grubs moaned in pain against the wall.
"Oh please. Like yelling at him is gonna stop him." Shift said with an amused tone. "He's like a living jukebox. And you just put a dime in him. So now you've gotta let the whole song play out."
"Besides I was trying to lead up to the part where I point out that the rock is magic and all mayic has to be activated by a spell. And I know this cause I leave all of my deep mystical classified info and my neighbors apartment. Along with a copy of Shift's yaro root pie in braille." Maverick remarked and gasped humorously. "GOD DAMN TRUTH SERUM!"
"You shared a copy of my sacred one of a kind Yaro Root pie with Al?!" Shift exclaimed in anger.
"I thought it was okay! It's not like she can share it with anyone! Not everyone reads in braille!" Maverick argued.
"They've got translators for that, DUMBASS!" Shift bellowed.
Zurg just stared blankly at the married couple as they bickered. It was obvious they were married.
"And this is why I never got married. Wedlock is just too toxic. Even for me." Zurg said to 41 while Maverick and Shift continued bickering.
"Alright you know what?! ***k you! I worked my ass off to make some perfection only I can make and you decided to give it away! Why don't you post our marriage license on the internet!" Shift exclaimed.
"Why the hell would you want to waste time making a pastry dish perfect when you already are perfect?! In fact your the only sentient being who can make kosher lobster!" Maverick snapped back.
Shift paused for a second before her mood lightened significantly.
"Aww, that's very sweet of you to say, Baby." Shift said affectionately.
"I meant every word of it, Baby. And to make it up to you. I'll book us a weekend at the Zeta Splash resort on Planet Gorad. I got in contact with a Tangean escort that works there. She'll even make us drinks and give you a massage." Maverick mused with a wink.
"Oooh, I'm definitely looking forward to that." Shift said in a sultry tone. "You're so good to me baby. Let's never fight again."
"Oh Stars, help me." Zurg groaned while gulping in disgust. "I think I'm gonna be sick."
Meanwhile on the roof...
Rocket had finished putting the bombs around the disruptor and radar on the top of the Fortress. Thanks to the help of Eugene and Lance who were getting thing done a lot faster. And with the help of Groot who binded the bomb parts with vines everywhere.
Rocket was placing a remote control that was the size of a TV table on the floor as he gestures for Groot to squat down to his height. Groot does so on one knee to look down at the little humanoid raccoon.
"Alright. First you flick this switch then this switch. Thst activates it." Rocket pointed at the two switches on the right of the remote. Then he explained which of the red buttons to press. "Then you push this button which will give us a short window to get outta here. Now whatever you do. Don't push this button. Because that will set off the bombs immediately and the four of us will be dead."
Basically flip the left switch first then the right switch. Push the left red button but not the right red button.
"Now. Just to make sure this isn't a repeat of how we lost our crew from Rajak. Repeat back what I just said." Rocket instructed with his arms crossed.
He was hoping Groot would get this right. Judging by his slighlty confused expression like a child's attention span in junior high. Probably not.
"I am Groot." Groot repeated the first part.
"Uh huh." Rocket nodded.
"I am Groot." Groot said the next part.
"That's right." Rocket nodded.
Then...
"I am Groot." Groot pointed at the button to the right.
"No! That- that's the button that will kill us! Try again!" Rocket snapped.
Then Groot paused and scratched his chin to think for a moment.
"I am Groot." Groot repeated.
"Mmhm." Rocket nodded.
"I am Groot." Groot repeated.
"Uh huh." Rocket nodded.
Then...
"I am Groot." Groot pointed at the right button again.
"NO! THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU JUST SAID! HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!" Rocket exclaimed and scowled up and pointed at the talking tree. "Which is the button you're not suppose to push?! Point at it!"
Then Groot who had a confident smile, pointed at the right button again.
"NOOO!" Rocket exclaimed.
"Hey, Fur-Face! Maybe it's not much of a good idea to make the tree holding the button that'll kill us all nervous while we're on the roof of a hundred and twenty story building!" Eugene yelled over to Rocket.
"Shut up and give me some tape! Do any of you have tape up there?! I'm gonna tape over the death button!" Rocket yelled back.
"I don't have any tape!" Lance yelled out from the top of the radar dish.
"Mean neither but I'll check!" Eugene yelled out as he called everyone on his comms. "Hey Buzz?! Do you have any tape?!...Rapunzel?! Do you have any tape?!...Rocket's asking!...Yozora! Do you have any tape?!...Hoshi?! Any tape?!...Orion?!...Wait nevermind!...Drax! Do you have any tape?!...Yeah scotch tape would work!...Then why did you ask if scotch tape would work if you don't have any?!"
While this was going on. Rocket was tapping his foot looking impatient as he rolled his eyes several times and sighed. While Groot was pondering how the remote would work.
"Nobody has any tape!" Eugene said to Rocket.
"Not a single person has tape?!" Rocket yelled out.
"Nope!" Eugene shook his head.
"Did you ask Mirra or Booster?!" Rocket inquired. "Maybe their droid has em!"
Eugene pondered for a moment before replying.
"They were right next to Buzz when I asked him! If either of them had tape, you would think they would have said something when I asked Buzz!" Eugene yelled back.
"I knew you were lying!" Rocket yelled back.
"You have priceless engineering tools and are the only one besides Mav who operates the Tech room! So if anyone has some kind of tape, it would be you!" Eugene yelled back.
"That's exactly my point! I! HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING!" Rocket bellowed as he through his hands up.
Then suddenly Groot flipped the switches and pressed the red button. Starting the short countdown.
"I AM GROOOOOT!" Groot yelled as he ran and grabbed Rocket who quickly climbed on his back, and snatched Eugene and Lance and held them in his arms like two footballs.
Then Groot jumped off the roof just seconds before the explosion.
"WE'RE ALL GONNA DIIIIIE!" Lance shrieked like a girl as they were falling off the roof.
Lance completely forgets that Groot can survive heights more than one way. What a idiot.
Meanwhile back inside with Zurg...
"And that's why Neil Druckmann hates dogs." Maverick concluded his truth serum based story and he sighed as he pondered. "What were we talking about?"
"ARRRRGH!" Zurg snapped as he acted like he was tearing his eyes out, before he got in close and bellowed. "THAT'S IT! You have done nothing but waste my time! Well, I've had enough! Tell me how to control the rocks, or I will make you suffer!"
Before Orion could say anything. There was a loud explosion that was loud explosion heard on the roof.
While outside. Swift was running across the gears of the four wheel generators so fast that she was on all four wheels. And she caused the four wheels to pop out of place instantly.
*BOOOOM!*
"What is the meaning of this!?" Zurg exclaimed in anger as the explosions occurred.
Maverick smirked as he looked around to see the cells power down on all seven captive space rangers. And they all step out and locked their helmets for a fight.
"Checkmate." Maverick quipped as he was remaking on his dad's famous chess maneuver.
Then he tore off the restraints as Shift fried her restraints completely off and they stood to summon their keyblades and stand with the Space Rangers.
"Raaagh! Hornets!" Zurg shouted to his minions. "Destroy them!"
Then suddenly a squat or Hornets flew into room and came from the hatches from the ceiling. Then Zurg descends down a secret floor panel as an elevator to escape. Leaving the Hornets to fight.
The Hornets began firing as Maverick and Shift spins their keyblades to block the fire while Maverick projected neon berriers around the Space Rangers to protect them from the blasts.
Maverick and Shift jumped over and managed to slash at five Hornet Drones as the Grubs and Brain Pods ran away screaming in terror from the fight and laser fire everywhere. Even the Space Rangers were holding their own. As they shot their lasers at the Hornets.
But more were coming.
Just then. Buzz Lightyear flew in from the open hole on the roof and landed behind Maverick as he started shooting with his laser as Maverick was spinning and slashing with his keyblades.
Then Verum Rex came in and landed as he smashed the floor. Causing fifteen Hornets to shatter. And he stood back to back to back with Buzz and Maverick.
"Is this the only thing that ever happens on Planet Z?!" Verum Rex asked Buzz as they were fighting the Hornets.
"For the most part, yes. Although it does get a little more dramatic sometimes." Buzz said with a shrug.
*"Verum Rex! The big ranger and I have destroyed the command center. We are dealing with the reinforcements as we speak."* Drax said over the comms.
*"Hey! Who are you calling fat?!"* Booster yelled over the comms.
"Good work, Drax. Now, continue dealing with anymore troops in your way and regroup with us at the top of the fortress." Verum Rex instructed.
Meanwhile down at Zurg's main science lab...
Rapunzel. Mirra and XR were running down the halls to the lab where Zurg keeps all of his black Rock cashes inside. Needless to say there were hardly any troops to fight.
Thanks to Drax and Booster for dealing with the reinforcements and the fighting going on at the top. There was hardly anything to hold them back.
"You know it's usually more exciting when we're shooting at something or someone that blew my arm off. I know I shouldn't feel that way but what is insurance for?" XR humorously said as he eas rolling on his wheel feet as they ran.
"Well, I'm sure it's gonna get more exciting for you soon." Rapunzel said as she ran with the sound of her bare feet hitting the ground barely made any noise.
"So we get to the rocks kept in whatever lunch box Zurg's keeping them in, and then what?" Mirra asked Rapunzel curiously as they ran. "Yozora didn't tell us how to, you know. Make them go boom or whatever."
"Don't worry. I already know how to make the rocks go crazy." Rapunzel said with a smirk.
Once they made it to Zurg's lab. They saw a bunch of tables with chemical compounds and test tubes. With weapon parts on the racks and schematics for other means. There was a large computer screen over on the side of the room. Connected to the wall. And in the middle of the room. Was a large container pod of glass. Inside was a large pure spike of the black rocks that invaded Corona.
"One moment, Ladies I'll have that thing open faster than you can sing the lyrics to William Tell! Wait. Does he have lyrics?" XR said witty-like as he started typing on the terminal to the lab so he can open the glass around the black rock.
"Okay I'm confused. If those rocks were only seen in your world, how did it end up here?" Mirra wondered as she was having trouble trying to figure it out as they stared at the Black Rock.
"I'm not entirely sure." Rapunzel said before she had a grim look on her face. "But I think I might have an idea."
"Hey I think I got something! Apparently one of the literal Brainiacs that run technicians around here left a text log on where they found this Black Rock." XR stated as he was typing on the computer.
"Really? Let me see." Rapunzel said as she moved to look at the screen.
The text on the screen was written by a Brain Pod named 17.
***'17's log. Apparently our Hornet troops could barely hold out against the blue haired girl. Her armor and sword was the same as these rocks. And I barely got out of there alive. I hope Emperor Zurg makes it worth it for all the trouble we went through to get this. Because I have my doubts about the negative reactions from this unbreakable specimen. Gosh. And I sure hope Zurg never reads this.'***
"Blue haired girl." Rapunzel muttered before looking down. "Cassandra."
"Who?" Mirra asked.
"It's complicated. Long story short, Zurg doesn't have the real source of the black rocks." Rapunzel said, looking down.
"Okay so. Do we need the source for the rocks here?" Mirra asked as she was feeling a little anxious to defeat Zurg.
Just then. The glass shielding was removed from around the rocks. Thanks to XR's quick hacking.
"No. We just need to do this." Rapunzel said as she took a strand of her long hair.
Then the Princess whipped her strand over to touch the rocks by the tip of her hair. And then the Black Rocks began to rapidly extend around the tab. Tearing it apart as everything started falling and the Rocks were spreading through the walls.
"I'm...Gonna go meet you upstairs." XR nervously said as he extended his space wings and flew out through the exit.
Before it collapsed behind XR. Mirra and Rapunzel would be trapped if it weren't for one important fact. Mirra is Tangean.
"Hang on!" Mirra exited her wings as she took Rapunzel's hand and flew up to the ceiling and Mirra phased them both through the ceiling.
Right before the lab collapsed from the extending rock spikes everywhere. And they were spreading fast.
Back upstairs of the Fortress...
As more Hornets were piling in. Drax and Booster both ran in screaming as Drax rammed through twenty hornets while Booster slammed his belly down on top of some and caused other hornets to fall.
But then suddenly more Zurg bots that were black and purple, walking on two legs with turret arms and with the face of Zurg came in from the front wall hatch and started shooting at the heroes. But Maverick blocked their fire with his neon.
"This is getting a little hot, Buzz! Get the rangers out of here! We'll keep Zurg's toys busy!" Verum Rex suggested as he was spinning his keyblade and zoomed to slash on a large Zurg Bot in half.
"Right!" Buzz agreed before addressing his fellow Space Rangers. "Listen up, Rangers! Follow me! We're flying out of this death trap!
The rangers nodded and followed Buzz out of the entry from the roof hatch above which he opened. Buzz kept it open and waited until all of the rangers were outside before he turned to leave with them. But then the roof hatch closed before Buzz could fly out. And he halted and turned to see his arch enemy arrive.
Then Suddenly Zurg rose up from the elevator with a large ion blaster from his right arm.
"So we meet again. Buzz Lightyear. For the last time." Zurg declared with confidence as he stood against Buzz.
"Not today, Zurg!" Buzz declared, getting into a fighting pose, ready to do battle against his arch enemy.
Then Zurg started blasting at Buzz with his large gun. While Buzz flew up and dodged his blasts while in the air. As he fired his laser at Zurg who kept weaving to avoid his blasts.
Meanwhile Maverick was standing next to Shift as he lunged fire balls at the hornets while Shift struck some with lightning.
"For the record! That was really great acting getting mad about the pie recipe!" Maverick remarked as they fought off the robots together.
"Thanks. You weren't so bad yourself." Shift said as they fended off the robots. "Although I'm hoping you were being serious about that massage deal you were offering."
"Darth Ivan pumped me with truth serum, remember? But that was supposed to be a surprise for this weekend." Maverick assured as he was still taking down robots.
"Surprise or not, I'm definitely looking forward to it." Shift said, striking down several more robots.
"I've gotta warn you. She's a masochist and her blue berry melons are sensitive." Maverick remarked as he gave Shift a boost and leapt her in the air.
"I'm really liking this more and more." Shift said as she sliced another robot in half.
While Verum Rex and Swift were busy fighting together as Verum Rex was shooting them down with keyblade pistols as he flipped around as he was shooting robots down. Shift was using her super speed to run around the room to shred them as they came. She even busted open the exit doors as Rocket came in shooting and screaming. And Groot came in so smack some robots aside.
While Lance and Eugene camenin to use their space pistols to shoot down robots.
"Can you believe We'd one day be sweating without getting paid?!" Lance remarked at Eugene as they were shooting hornets down.
"Seriously!? We're on another world, shooting down robot hornets! I think not getting paid is pretty mundane compared to this!" Eugene commented back while shooting down more hornets.
"Another universe, Mon ancien criminel. Another universe." Lance mused as they kept shooting.
As Buzz was dodging Zurg's blasts, a hornet nearby fired a stunner shot and zapped Buzz on his left side.
"Ugh!" Buzz yelled in pain as he fell to the ground near the exit sluth exit doors.
And then as he struggled to stand back up. Zurg came over and aimed his ion blaster to Buzz's face.
"Prepare to die, Lightyear." Zurg said sinisterly with his blaster to his face.
Buzz closed his eyes and turned. Preparing for the worst. Until...
***BANG!***
However...Zurg never fired. Instead Zurg's face twitched as he fell to the ground. With Rapunzel standing behind him with her frying pan raised.
Rapunzel knocked Zurg at the back of his head with a vibranium frying pan!
"That's gonna leave a mark." Buzz cringed seeing this.
"And that is why a frying pan is my favorite weapon." Rapunzel smirked as she held out a hand for Buzz to take.
Buzz smiled and took her hand and stood up and saw the rest of his team with the Princess of Corona.
"Sorry we're late. But we better get going. Those rocks are spreading fast." Mirra said with an urgent tone.
"She's right. You've got ten seconds before you're all space ka-bobs!" XR yelled from outside as he could see the spread.
"PRO! TEC! Get us out of here!" Maverick yelled as there was no time to fly out or run out.
"Buzz, may I do the honors?" Rapunzel asked, referring to his famous catchphrase.
"By all means, Your Majesty." Buzz said with a smirk.
"To Infinity... And Beyond!" Rapunzel yelled with her frying pan held up as they were all beamed out of there.
Then as the Space Rangers and the Guardians were all beamed onto the ship. Even the captured rangers were beamed up and XR went up to the gummi ship as well. The ship went into hyperspace.
Zurg awoke to see his Fortress crumbling from the might of the black rocks as he stood up in defeated anger. As the rocks surrounded the Fortress. And him as well.
Was this really the end of the Evil Emperor Zurg?
"No...NOO! CURSE YOU BUZZ LIGHTYEAAAAAAAAAAAAR!" Zurg echoed with his arms out.
Before the Fortress crumbled and fell in the black rocks. Leaving behind a crater as all of his minions ran out.
Later on at Star Command central...
The Guardians of the Unknown were summoned to the office of Commander Nebula as he stood before the team. And Buzz's team stood next to them.
This truly was a good day for Star Command and the Galactic Alliance. The legacy of keeping the lives of the stars safe from the threat of evil. And now the Guardians will be part of the same legacy.
Actually. They always were.
"Guardians. I don't think words can express the gratitude that you all deserve. You have all kept Star Command from falling into its darkness hour when we needed you all the most. We're all in your debt." Commander Nebula smiled at all of them.
"Achem?" Orion inquired with a smirk.
"Ugh….You too, Forge." TheCommander exhaled as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Thank you, Commander. But you don't owe us anything." Yozora said with a slight bow.
"He's right. We were just doing our jobs in stopping the forces of evil." Rapunzel said, giving the Commander a friendly smile.
"Hmm. You know for a moment there you all started to sound like rangers yourself." The Commander remarked with a smile. And he walked over to his chest to stack some papers. "From what we've gathered at the crater around the Fortress. Zurg's body was never recovered. Meaning either there's nothing left of him or he's still out there."
"From our experience, Sir. We can all only assume the latter." Buzz concluded.
Then the Guardians looked at Rocket. Wondering if he's going to conclude the same thing he did before.
"Nope! I won't assume or conclude anything this time. I'll leave that for the other Nova brand here." Rocket said as he waved it off.
"You know since our shift ended. We can all get a little more acquainted. And not in any dirty way that might sound, I mean for a bite to eat. Yes robots can eat, what is this? 2010 or something?!" XR wittily suggested.
"What he's saying is you're all invited to come with us so we can chew the rag a while at Cosmo's Cosmic Diner." Mirra smiled as she mentioned the place the team always goes for a good space meal.
"And not to be confused with the talking dog." Booster chuckled timidly.
"Speaking of Cosmo. I let him know that our plan of using a part of his continuum cortex to travel discreetly into Planet Z and getting captured to infiltrate the place actually worked. He said thank you and also billed us for using the cortex." Yozora told the team.
"Cheapskate." Rocket snorted about the dog.
"What? He's got pups to feed." Orion pointed out.
"Well, technically it was Yozora's plan that got us this win." Rapunzel said.
"Why do you think he's the team leader?" Orion shrugged with a smirk.
"Wait. I thought you were the team leader." Buzz said to Orion.
"Nope. He is." Orion pointed at Yozora. And shrugged. "I just pay for everything. Design everything and make everyone look cooler. And gave him a starter."
"Orion started the team. But he gave me the wheel after I came back to stop the Syndicate." Yozora explained further.
"Boy do we have the perfect conversation to spin the clock faster while chows cooking at the diner." XR remarked.
"That sounds great. But first." Rapunzel said before turning to Orion. "Ryan, is it alright if we have a quick word, in private?"
"Sure Sis." Orion said as he walked with her.
Orion and Rapunzel walked out and stood in the hallway while the doors to the office were closed
"I hope this isn't a serious talk about my diet. Because my healing factor can't let me get fat." Orion said.
"No, that's not what I wanted to talk about." Rapunzel said with a giggle before she got serious. "What do you know about Vormir?"
"Vormir?...Oh yeah. That's where Thanos found the soul stone. To understand what happened I'll give you a little background first. Thanos' favorite adopted daughter was a Zehoberei named Gamora. Who was a runaway and someone who joined the Ravagers at the time. Not the ones that attacked Corona but the ones that followed a much more seemingly honorable code. Lead by Stakar Ogord. The founder of the Stakar Ravager Clan. They're sort of like space Robin Hoods. Not the kind your boyfriend was just now." Orion explained while giving a backstory.
"What happened to her?" Rapunzel asked.
"She was in a relationship with Richard Rider. AKA Nova the Human Rocket. He's sort of like the Buzz Lightyear of the Nova Corp. They were in sort of a forbidden relationship because Ravagers and Nova were enemies. Especially since a lot of them are wanted by the Nova." Orion stated one important fact.
"Sounds a lot like Romeo and Juliet." Rapunzel commented.
"Why do people always refer steller romance to a story about a divided set of neighbors and two harmoniously stressed out teenagers who commited suicide cause one of their male men were not fast enough?" Orion inquired with a ridiculing tone about Romeo and Juliet.
"Just because while it was tragic, doesn't mean it wasn't also beautiful in a way." Rapunzel said.
"It's overrated. And overhyped. And overused to over shadow Pride and Prejudice." Orion deadpanned humorously.
"Oh, you don't know what you're missing." Rapunzel said with a smirk.
"I beg to differ. I read the book. Saw the plays and even saw the film with actors Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey. And don't even get me started with West Side Story and the remake." Orion revealed with a disagreeing tone. "I prefer 'Much Ado About Nothing'. Cause Romeo and Juliette's ain't got nothing on Beatrice and Benedick."
"I'll have to trust you on that." Rapunzel said, smirking.
"Don't trust me. Watch it. They made a movie about it in 1993. Director and actor Kenneth Branagh. If you love comedy and romance. Let's go watch it when we get home." Orion insisted with witts.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Rapunzel said before getting serious again. "But first, Vormir."
"Right. Anyway, Gamora also had a bitter rivalry with her adopted sister, a blue Luphomoid Cyborg girl named Nebula. But they eventually made up. And Nebula hated Thanos because when they were kids, he kept replacing parts of her body with machinery every time Gamora would defeat her during their training." Orion said grimly. "And Gamora kept winning again and again. And Nebula would loose more and more of herself."
"Oh my God. That's just awful." Rapunzel said in shock, feeling sick at that bit of information.
"Nebula later on defeated Gamora in combat, it happened in the caves of planet Autan when the Ravagers were treasure hunting. They had an argument and soon came to an understanding when Gamora was trying to survive as an orphan girl adopted by the mad titan. And Nebula suffered for it. Soon they rekindled their sisterhood and Nebula set off to get her revenge on Thanos." Orion stated as he continued the story.
"Well, that's good that they reconciled." Rapunzel said with a relieved smile.
"Yeah but Nebula should've known that heavy brute force and conventional space weapons weren't enough to bring Thanos down." Orion said grimly.
"Yeah. That's true. I take it that her revenge didn't go as planned?" Rapunzel asked.
"That's putting it mildly. When Nova and Gamora tried to stop Thanos from stealing the reality stone from the Collector. They failed and Gamora got captured. Thanos knew that Gamora hid the location of the soul stone and he also had Nebula captured." Orion said the grim part. "He tortured Nebula. Getting her to scream right in front of Gamora until she finally confessed that the stone was on Vormir."
"Vormir was the location of the Soul stone?" Rapunzel muttered.
"Yeah. There he took Gamora and they found a phantom there. Who turned out to be the Red Skull." Orion answered and revealed.
"The Red Skull?" Rapunzel gasped. "You mean the same Red Skull Captain America fought in World War II?"
"Yeah. You see after Captain America foiled Red Skull's plans. Everyone assumed he died the moment he picked up the space stone, I mean the Tesseract and got vaporized. He wasn't. Red Skull was sent to Vormir and somehow was physically tied to the planet. He was broken after more than 70 years of being part of the planets empty void." Orion explained.
"I thought he was already broken." Rapunzel commented.
"Yeah well he's more broken. Even Captain America didn't take joy in finding out the fate of his oldest enemy." Orion stated.
"That bad, huh?" Rapunzel said while cringing.
"That bad. And he guided Thanos and Gamora to the top of the highest mountain peak of the mountain where Red Skull explained that to acquire a soul stone was for a soul
a sacrifice of the something you love the most." Orion explained.
"Oh my God... Please tell me Thanos really didn't do what I think he did." Rapunzel pleaded with growing horror in her eyes.
"He did. At first Gamora gloated thinking that we won because Thanos taught everyone that love was a weakness. Unfortunately. His weakness was Gamora." Orion revealed. "Gamora realized that his tears weren't for himself. And then he tossed her off that cliff. And retrieved the soul stone."
"Oh my God... How can a father do that to his own daughter!?" Rapunzel exhaled in shock and anger.
"Thanos was obsessed with his goal. And he believed in his cause and the hard calls to do it." Orion stated. "Not that it worked out in the end. But we almost lost because of it."
"And what happened to Nebula?" Rapunzel asked, hoping she at least survived.
"Well. Doctor Strange got kidnapped by Ebony Maw. A member of the Black Order. All of Thanos adopted children. But when me and the team had to split up to hunt after the stones around the Marvel universe. I went with Ironman and Spider-Man to go and rescue Strange. And the four of us met up with Nova to head to Thanos' home . world on Titan. As a means to take the fight go him where he would least expect it." Orion stated the first part.
"And that's when you met Nebula." Rapunzel guessed.
"She came in the middle of our fight with Thanos. She crashed her ship into him but she survived. And we tried to take Thanos' Infinity Gauntlet off. We almost won early. But then...Richard Rider ended up demanding where Gamora was." Orion sighed.
"And he didn't take too well to the answer he got, did he?" Rapunzel asked.
"No. We almost got the Gauntlet off. But Richard snapped and started punching Thanos. Which got him out of our grip." Orion nodded as he shrugged. "So we had to stop him the hard way later. You know those details."
"Yeah. You told me about that." Rapunzel said with a nod.
"But anyway. Vormir should've been left in ruins. But if an Infinity stone was left on Vormir than the black rocks..." Orion paused as he pondered, he was beginning to realize something .
"What, Ryan?" Rapunzel asked, looking concerned.
"Hold on. I was gonna say maybe Cass is trying to follow the trail of the dark stone from the other Infinity stones. But now I think that's impossible because we would've found her by now. Strange has the time stone. The Space stone's in Asgard and the power stone is on Xandar. She knows not to go there because we would find her that easily if two stones came in contact." Orion said as he was pacing around while brainstorming.
"Then what could this mean?" Rapunzel asked.
"I think the better question is what made the soul stone different from the other stones? Each is a singularity that predates the basic elements of the Multiverse. One stone controls time, another controls space, one has power the other has a mind to take minds. One changed perspective in reality. You have the one for light and she has the one for darkness. Meanwhile the soul stone was meant for a prize after sacrifice. Because a soul isn't an element." Orion pondered while Rapunzel was listening.
"Then what category does it fall under?" Rapunzel asked.
"Good question. Maybe that stone doesn't have a singularity. But like how a soul can contain light. Then maybe the soul stone... it contains one we never heard of. And if an Infinity Stone can supercharge another. Than maybe Cass was hoping to find it to enhance her abilities. The problem. Is that I have the soul stone at the Mav Club. Cass doesn't know that and even if she did, she knows can't face me in her current level 1 state." Orion figured.
"This means Cassandra was the one who left those black rocks behind after trying to find the soul stone." Rapunzel said with a serious tone. "Then Zurg found them and tried using them for his evil plans.
"And it sure brought the house down. Literally." Orion nodded and snickered at the pun he just made.
Because it brought Zurg's Fortress down.
"What should we do now then?" Rapunzel asked.
Orion wondered for a moment until something came to his mind.
"You said Cass turned because she saw a memory of her mother in...That House Of Tomorrow's Yesterday?" Orion asked Rapunzel.
"It was actually the House of Yesterday's Tomorrow. But yes." Rapunzel answered. "It was this magic door Cassandra found when she was lost in that place. And it apparently showed her the past."
"Yeah sure, but. What if she didn't find it on her own." Orion theorized.
"You're saying someone lured her there on purpose?" Rapunzel asked.
"I mean it's not like Cass to just think on her own that the Moonstone belongs to her right? Then we have to just conclude the facts. That someone used her repressed memories to manipulate Cass. Meaning she didn't get to Vormir alone. Someone is her next door Palpatine." Orion concluded.
"But who? Who's doing this?" Rapunzel asked with great concern on her face.
"I don't know. But I intend to find out and it starts with studying the Soul Stone back home." Orion affirmed.
If Cassandra wanted it. Then something in the Soul Stone has the answers.
"You're right. But be careful with that stone." Rapunzel said to him. "I know just how dangerous even one of those stones can be. And there's no telling what you'll find in that one."
"What? You think an unstable power unknown to all life might be lurking in the center of that cosmic tootsie pop? Never crossed my mind." Orion quipped in agreement as they were walking back over to the commander's office.
"Ryan, you never cease to be obnoxious." Rapunzel said good naturedly.
"No. I just never cease to be a certifiable asshole. There's a difference." Orion teased.
"You're right. And someone might say you're both." Rapunzel said humorously.
Orion shifted into Maverick and glared directly into Rapunzel's face and humorously spazzed out.
"In what way, am I not obnoxious! If I am, I hope to be shot!" Maverick snapped.
***Bang!***
A bullet hole appeared on his fore head.
"Un-shot!" Maverick added.
***Pop!***
Then the bullet hole disappeared.
"And given a Playstation VR 2 Horizon Call To The Mountain Bundle!" Maverick quickly added with the same snapping town.
Then Maverick looked down and saw the PS VR Horizon Call To The Mountain Bundle Box sitting there.
"GAH!" Maverick squeaked like a girl. And clinged to Rapunzel humorously. "Careful. Sis. This space is haunted." He whispered loudly.
"Hehehehe! Careful, Ryan. You look like you've seen a ghost." Rapunzel said while laughing.
Then Maverick realized. "Wait. He said as he shifted back into Orion. "That's Friday's line before she wears a new exotic outfit." He said.
A second later, Friday appeared behind Rapunzel, Laughing and holding up something in her hands.
"Surprise, hot shot!" Friday said with a smirk, holding out her gift.
Orion saw the VR 2 in her hands and then looked over at the VR 2 on the ground.
"What's with two of em?" Orion inquired.
"Well the other one is mine. While this one is yours." Friday said with a smirk.
Looked exasperated at first before he smirked and formed a neon censor wall with the word 'censored' labeled on it as it was placed in front of Rapunzel to block her view of Orion and Friday.
"Mmmmmmmm..." They both moaned and kissed loudly.
"Oh Baby you're the funds in my Capital One." Orion flirted as they kissed.
"Oh, aren't you sweet?" Friday said flirtingly as they kissed.
"Oh boy." Rapunzel sighed in amusement.
Then Orion teleported Friday and VR 2 boxes out of the halls and onto the gummi ship. Leaving the consor wall to fall and fade away. At that moment. The Guardians and Buzz along with his team came walking out while chatting.
"And that's how my head popped out for the tenth time. And trust me the eleventh one is the longest." XR finished his story.
"Woah. Now that's a fifty unit story." Rocket said before smirking. "Ya know, I'm very interested in testing one of my explosives on you one day."
"By all means. I'm easy to repair anyway." XR said with a go ahead gesture.
"So. Yozora just told us about some kinda demon you all may or may not be facing..." Buzz came over saying and noticed Orion wasn't with Rapunzel. "Where's Orion?"
"You don't wanna know." Rapunzel nervously said.
"Right... Whelp. Me and my team will be ready when you call." Buzz stated with a grin.
"Count on us to answer, Rapunzel." Mirra smiled and gave a thumbs up.
"Thank you guys." Rapunzel said with a grateful smile. "Glad to know you're gonna have our backs."
"Also...Cosmo just sent the Blood Brothers to us for prison transport and he'll also assist in keeping Lady Hellbender off everyone's back." Booster added.
"But don't drop your guard if ever you find yourself in a Guardians shift in this part of the galaxy. After all you killed her kid, which is sick, I mean who adopts something with a face and appendages only a mother would lo-...I'm gonna stop there before I give anyones some pretty disturbing images." XR ranted wittingly.
"Anyway...It's almost chow time and we're heading out to Cosmos Diner. You wanna come?" Mirra offered to Rapunzel and the team.
"How can the mutt be Knowhere's chief of security and run a diner?" Drax asked while looking confused.
"Again. They just said it was a different Cosmo." Rocket groaned.
"A different person but the same species. Even the Cosmo we met in prison was a mutt." Drax furrowed his brows.
Rocket was about to relent and deject until he froze. "This is true." He shrugged.
He wasn't really a dog. That other Cosmo in prison was just a 'Mutt' in nature.
"Sure. I'd love to get some food with you guys. I think it's a perfect way to celebrate our victory over Zurg." Rapunzel said, accepting the invitation.
"Yeah well the victory for you folks is only permanent for us, especially since Zurg never stays down no matter how many times he crokes on failure. Buy hey! What's star command for?" XR chatted as they walked together towards the Gummi Ship.
"To protect and serve." Rapunzel said with a smirk before turning to Hoshi and whispering to her. "Hey, Hoshi, I was wondering... What ever happened to Nebula after Thanos fell?"
"Well after everyone took their time to recover from the Infinity War. Nebula later on was recruited by Tony Stark to join the Avengers. She's done a lot of good with them ever since. Especially since Orion pulled some strings with Ko-Rel to have her criminal record expunged." Hoshi answered.
"Well, I'm glad she was able to find something, especially after everything she's been through." Rapunzel said, relieved for the poor woman.
"More often great heroes are born from conquering tragedy. Our team can be a great example. Especially our legacy." Hoshi replied with a small smile.
"Well, I think the legacy of the Guardians of The Unknown will only grow even more as time goes by." Rapunzel said in thought.
That the Princess was right about. With them bringing in another victory for Buzz Lightyear and Star Command. The Guardians are geared up for what will soon be another trip to seal their legacy in taking on the worst that the Multiverse has to offer.
And in spite of what Rapunzel and her friends have seen so far. It is only just the beginning. And no matter what she'll face. She'll have her brother Orion Forge to be at her side through it all.
And they'll all see it through, To Infinity And Beyond!
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS! 🎉🎉🎉
So yeah as you can tell. Emperor Zurg is obviously not dead. But…I can't say he'll appear again in this story. But Buzz is now part of a reserved group for the big finale much later on. 😉
But as for Gamora being referenced as well as her death. She and Richard Rider AKA Nova The Human Rocket were in a relationship in the comic books. So it's not totally an OOC for that aspect being added. But yeah the Soul Stone will play a role later. In that GOTG video game kinda way. 😉
And also the next chapter will be based on the Tangled episode titled 'The Lost Treasure of Herz Der Sonne'. Which we all know is a parody of 'It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World'. 😂
Also did anyone catch that Fairly Odd Parents reference I made earlier in this chapter? 😉
Anyway. Thank you all so much for reading!
Don't forget to Fave and Follow if you like what you're reading. And don't forget to leave comments to let me know your thoughts.
And as always Disney/Square Enix fans!
FISTBUMP! 👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊