Chapter 2 (RIKU): The Space Ranger Corp

Chapter 2 (Riku): The Space Ranger Corp

        A room filled with many gadgets and odd devices can be seen.  Lights and screens of data flash every second, keeping the many that passed through the infamous Star Command Training Deck.  But at this moment, only three people stood in the room.  The first was a grizzly looking older man with a long grey mustache that stuck out well past the rest of his face.  He walked with a limp, because his leg had been damaged beyond fixing in combat and he had it replaced with a metallic peg.  The second figure was a slender young woman with orange hair and blue skin, who seemed to be addressing her two officers in the room.  The third was a well built man with a small strand of a beard on his chin.  The three all seemed to be arguing over something.

        "What makes you two showoffs think that Zurg won't suspect that Alpha-1 prototype?" the grizzled veteran asked the other two rangers bitterly.  "That stinking bucket head probably already knows about our plans since he stole the LGM's uni-ma-call-it."

        "Unimind, Commander Nebula" the man pointed out.  "And Zurg will more than likely have Planet Z protected for a full scale attack than a small one man ship.  And I'm the only Space Ranger that Zurg fears, sir.  No one else should have to be harmed for his vendetta against me."

        "But Buzz" the young alien woman argued, "I'm just as capable of undermining Zurg's plans.  If the Unimind being in Zurg's hands is too dangerous, then shouldn't someone who can control his robots be the one to infiltrate his operation?"

        "You don't know what Zurg has planned, Mira" Buzz warned the young cadet.  "He has more than just the average robots and alien bounty hunters on his side.  Thanks to his new partner, he now has creatures at his disposal that can't be affected by our weaponry.  They singlehandedly crippled the LGM homeworld.  And of course, he has his new lackey Agent Z.  Even I was no match for him."

        "Which is why neither of you are going on a suicide mission to Planet Z" the old man growled.  "We're doing this my way.  Star Command will launch a full assault on Planet Z at 0800 hours."

        "But Commander Nebula--" the man began to protest.

        "That is an order, Lightyear.  I want neither of you two anywhere near the Alpha-1 so long as--."  Before Commander Nebula could finish, a blaring alarm sounded throughout the room.  "What's going on now?"

        "Alert!  Alert!  Unidentified Flying Object approaching Star Command!  Alert!  Alert!"

        "Unidentified Flying Object?" Nebula repeated.

        "Warning!  Warning!  Intruders in the Training Deck!  Warning!  Warning!"

        Nebula turned to his two young rangers.  "Nova!  Go check out the situation on the Training Deck!  Lightyear, go out and find out what that Unidentifiable Object is, pronto!"  

        "Yes, Commander!" both rangers answered, saluting the Commander before hurrying out of the room.

        Riku's self-piloting pod sailed through the great void of space, as the young armored warrior tried his hardest to control it.  He tried jerking the controls, but that only swung his cannons around.  And he didn't want to just blast things aimlessly.  The last thing he needed was local trouble.  If he could find any locals, that is.  

        The young warrior lowered his head to look inside his pod.  There were dozens of wires and cords that seemed to zigzag and spin all over the place.  I can't tell which of these is to shut off the Auto Pilot.  If I can't get this thing under control, who knows who could get hurt?

        As Riku struggled to keep his pod afloat, he saw a large white, green, and purple space ship flying towards him.  From another loudspeaker, Riku was addressed by an eerily similar voice to that of the announcer from the ride.  "Attention!  This is a warning from Buzz Lightyear of Star Command.  Shut down your engines at once!"  

        "I don't know how to!" Riku called out.  

        "Shut down engines or face blaster fire" the voice ordered again.  "You are in direct violation of the Code VXII - 047, which states that all interplanetary travel is to be done within Alliance regulated vehicles!  I order you to shut down engines!"

        "I told you I don't know how!" Riku shouted again.  Riku was prepared to endure blaster fire, which would likely incinerate both him and his vehicle.  But in an instant, a long metal cable shot from the space ship and caught onto his pod, dragging him towards the ship.  As the ship lost it's steering capabilities due to the strong cables, the thrusters shut down, allowing Riku to exhale in relief.  "At least I'm not going to be vaporized" he thought aloud as he was dragged into the large ship that loomed above him.  

        Within seconds of docking, Riku found himself face to face with a man in a green and white space suit, aiming a red beam at him.  "Who are you?  What is your system of origin?"

        Riku, half-desiring to launch his Keyblade at his attacker, sighed.  "I'm Riku.  I come from a galaxy very far away.  Would you mind telling me where I am?  I lost control of my pod, and--"

        The ranger shook his head.  "I'll be asking the questions, Riku!  You have many to answer for, including your reckless driving in unauthorized territory in an unmarked vehicle!  Don't you realize you could have been killed?"

        "I told you!  I couldn't control this thing!"  Riku pointed towards the pod, which fizzed slightly, but didn't move.  

        Buzz refused to believe it.  "You're under arrest until I can sort this out.  I'm taking you back to Star Command!  Buzz reached onto his belt and pulled out handcuffs.  

        Riku called forth his Keyblade.  "Just try it!"

        "Threatening Captain Buzz Lightyear with a weapon?  That's another charge I'll add to your rap sheet, young man!"

        Riku lowered his weapon.  "Wait.  Buzz Lightyear?  As in, the Space Ranger?"

        Buzz nodded.  "And for threatening me--" the ranger quickly sweep kicked Riku, knocking him backwards and the Keyblade out of his hand.  Within seconds, Buzz caught his wrists and restrained them in the cuffs.  "--that's 10 years in Galatic Prison, Riku!"  Buzz began to drag Riku away, when the Keyblade vanished and appeared in Riku's hands once more.  "What the--"

       Before Buzz could react, Riku flicked his wrist, freeing himself and aiming the weapon at Buzz.  "Look, Buzz.  I'm not an enemy here.  I was sent here to deal with see if any dark creatures have been sent here.  Have you seen any enemies that don't look like their from here?"

       Buzz looked at the young man, puzzled.  "You know about Zurg's new--"  Buzz's question was cut short by a loud alarm.  "The alarm!"  Buzz hurried back up to the main deck.  Riku stood alone in the docking bay, thinking about his experience so far.  

        Well, if the Heartless are here, then I have work to do.  Riku followed Buzz to the Main Deck.  When he arrived, he heard Buzz and another man who looked like him shouting.  

       "No, sir" Buzz answered bitterly, "I haven't seen the Alpha-1.  Where did she take it?"

        "She's headed for Planet Z, Lightyear.  Just make sure you stop her before Zurg vaporizes her.  She is your partner, after all."

        "For the record, sir, I didn't actually say she was my partner.  But I'll go after her."  After hearing the answer he wanted, the other man cut the line, causing Buzz to pound his fist on the navi-computer.  "Blast!  If I didn't have enough to worry about."
        "What's wrong?" Riku asked casually.
        "Ranger Mira Nova has hijacked a prototype rocket to sneak into Planet Z, against orders from Commander Nebula" Buzz explained bitterly.  "She is crafty, that one."
        Riku snickered to himself.  "From the sounds of things, you wanted to take that ship out yourself."
        Buzz glared back at Riku.  "Go wait in the cargo bay.  I still want to know where you come from, cadet."  Riku rolled his eyes and left the Main Deck.

        But as he entered the Cargo Bay, he came across an enormous red alien and a small robot that was painted to look like a space ranger.
        The big alien jumped back in fright.  "I told you Buzz was onto us, XR!  We shouldn't even be here right now."
         Riku summoned his Keyblade once more.  "Stowaways?"
        "Perish the thought, young man" the little robot answered, in the voice of a used car salesman.  "We're space rangers along side Buzz and we--"
        "Booster?  XR?" Buzz called angrily from behind Riku.  Buzz folded his arms and glared at both stowaways coldly.  "Simple question.  What are you doing here?"
        "Yeah buddy!" XR shouted, turning towards Booster, who lowered his head in shame.  "We want answers, and we want them now!"
        Buzz growled.  "I meant both of you."
        XR now looked at Buzz, a look of guilt building on the little robot's visual receptors.  "It's a long and extremely complicated story that, personally, I think we should just sweep under the rug.  And since we're a couple of janitors, I can tell you that will not be a problem."
        Buzz looked as though he was going to explode.  "You two stowed yourselves on my ship, without any clearance of any kind, and could have gotten yourselves killed.  Do you realize you two have to go to prison now?"
        "Buzz" Booster pleaded, collapsing to his knees, causing the ship to rock back and forth.  "If I get convicted, I'm never going to be able to become a Space Ranger.  Please don't tell on us!"
        "Sorry, Booster" Buzz replied, "but you of all people should know the rules about trespassing in restricted territory.  I have no choice but to--"  Buzz felt his communicator ringing on his wrist.  "Lightyear here."
        "BUZZ!  I'm in trouble!" shouted a woman's voice on the communicator.
        "Mira?  Where are you?"
        "Rhyzome!  There's all these dark creatures surrounding the ship.  They've shut down all my controls.  Pretty soon, I'll--"  The line went static.
        "Heartless!" Riku grunted.  "I can handle them.  Bring me over to the ship."
        "These monsters are no joke, kid" Buzz argued.  "They wouldn't even be fazed by my weapons.  What makes you think you can stop them?"
        "I've dealt with them before, Buzz.  Now, get us to Rhyzome.  If we don't, Mira will be swallowed by the darkness."
        Buzz looked absolutely disgusted, but nodded.  "I guess, for now, I have no choice.  Let's go rescue Mira."  The two hurried for the command deck.  Buzz turned back to Booster and XR.  "Stay here.  That is an order!"  Booster and XR looked down in despair as they were once more left alone.

New Party Member: Buzz Lightyear

HP: 35

MP: 100

Friendship: 35

Weapon: Star Command Laser (+3 ATK, +0 MAG)

Armor: N/A

Accessories: N/A

Items: Potion x2

Ether x1

Abilities

Rocket Blitz: Fire several rounds of laser fire, culminating in one final blast (Costs 10 MP)

Wings: Fly in the Air for a limited period (Cost 10 MP)

Plasma Cannon: Unleash a lethal high powered laser blast (Cost 20 MP)

Fire Boost: Boost the power of Fire Based attacks

Thunder Boost: Boost the power of Thunder based attacks

Item Boost: Boost the healing effect of items on the field

Draw: Draw in nearby orbs

Second Chance: Retain 1 HP when dealt critical damage

        As Buzz piloted the ship towards where Mira had reported from, he could see the ship being blanketed in darkness.  "Mira..."

        "She'll be alright" Riku assured Buzz.  "I just have to get to her."  Buzz and Riku walked towards the escape hatch.  Buzz pressed a purple button on his armor, causing a clear protective helmet to appear over his head.  Riku slammed his armor once more, to summon his Armor of the Risen.  "Let's go!"  With that, Riku and Buzz launched themselves towards the Alpha-1.  

        

        As Buzz and Riku made it into space, Buzz turned to see several heartless attacking his ship.  "My ship!"  Buzz rocketed over towards the ship's hull and began trying to drag the Heartless off of his vessel.  As one of the Heartless leapt to attack Buzz, Riku dispatched it with one swing of his Keyblade, the Road to Dawn.  

        "No you don't!" he shouted, raising his Keyblade for the attack.

Defeat the Heartless

        As Buzz and Riku dispatched of the last of the Heartless aboard the ship, they saw Mira floating towards them, unconscious.  Buzz caught her and tried to feel for a pulse.  "She's just unconscious.  We need to get the Alpha-1 back into custody.  Riku, I'll leave that to you."  

        Riku nodded and turned his attention towards the ship, which seemed to launch itself towards Buzz's vessel.  "No!  It's being possessed by the Heartless."

        "Don't destroy it!" Buzz shouted as he brought Mira below deck.  "I still need to bring that back to Star Command in one piece."  With that, Buzz closed the hatch leading to the Main Deck.  

        Riku dodged another assault from the vessel, and as it turned around for another onslaught, Riku readied himself for a fight.  "No chance!"

Boss Battle: Alpha-1

HP: 350

Get Bonus:

Riku: +6 HP (30 Total)

Buzz: +10 HP, +10 Friendship

        The Alpha-1 staggered back after recieving a powerful blow from Riku's Keyblade.  With one defiant smile hidden by his armor, Riku fired a pulse of light at the ship, expelling all remaining Heartless on the vessel.  With that, he gave a thumbs up to the Command Deck, where Buzz fired another cable to attach onto the ship and drag it in.  Riku grabbed ahold of the Alpha-1 and followed it inside.  

        "I guess I owe you an apology, Riku" Buzz answered as the ship sailed through the stars.  "I thought you were one of Zurg's agents sent to annihalate me."

        "It's fine, Buzz" Riku accepted gladly.  "But who is this Zurg guy."

        Buzz growled once more.  "Evil Emperor Zurg.  He rules over half of the galaxy.  He's been plotting to conquer the rest in one fell swoop.  I've been trying my hardest to bring Zurg to justice, but he always manages to stay one step ahead of us.  Because of my recklessness, I lost my partner, Warp Darkmatter.  That's why I don't want anyone else to fall in harms way because of me.  I have to stop Zurg, alone."

        "Since when has Zurg been using the Heartless?"

        "For a while, it seems" Buzz answered, looking back to check on Mira, who was slowly regaining consciousness.  "I first encountered them when Zurg attacked the planet of the Little Green Men, who help operate Star Command.  He stole a very important artifact from them: the Unimind.  It allows the LGMs to become one with one clear and present mind.  Without it, the LGM's have fallen apart.  And now, with the Heartless at his beck and call, we have no other choice but to--"

        Another alarm blared on the deck.  Mira rose to her feet and looked towards the radar.  "There's some kind of energy beam heading towards us!"

        "Not for long!" Buzz grinned, spinning the ship out of the way of a huge black and purple energy beam which hurtled towards the unknown space.  "Where is it headed?"

        Mira gasped.  "It was being fired towards Star Command!"

        Buzz activated his communication line.  "Buzz Lightyear to Star Command.  Come in, Star Command.  Star Command, come in.  Do you read me?"  When Buzz received no answer, Buzz shook his head.  "I don't like this.  Let's head back to Star Command.  I have to drop off the two stowaways anyway."  With that, the ship stormed off towards the Capital Planet.