Ty Parsec

Ty Parsec is a fictional Space Ranger in the Disney animated science fiction adventure series, "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command". He is voiced by Steve Hytner and first appeared on November 14, 2000, when the episode Revenge of the Monsters premiered. Though infamous, he is a longtime friend of the show's star character, Buzz Lightyear.

Character
Ty is noted as being an old Academy friend of Buzz Lightyear and, unfortunately, has a long-running reputation for having been rescued by him 50+ times. Needless to say, he seems to be a constant magnet for trouble and misfortune, which hampers his reputation as a Space Ranger.

However, his most notable trait from the series seems to be his ability to transform into the robot-ravaging Wirewolf.

Personality
It had been made clear that Ty Parsec is feeling the pressure of living in the shadow of the universe's greatest hero (Buzz Lightyear). His friendship with the hero has suffered as a result of his embarrassing reputation as a 'damsel in distress'. Therefore, he has grown somewhat bitter, jealous, and sarcastic. He has clear insecurities about himself and lacks the ego that Buzz possesses. After the Wirewolf incident, their friendship made a rebound and, consequentially, Ty's attitude also made a notable improvement.

Despite his shortcomings, he also displays a courage and selflessness worthy of his Space Ranger status. He shows he is often willing to put others' needs and well-being before his own.

Alter Ego
Ty possesses the ability of robotic lycanthropy, giving him the ability to transform into a creature known as a Wirewolf. His transformation abilities came about through a bite he received from the robotic 'energy vampire', NOS-4-A2. Ty is able to morph into the Wirewolf by the light of the radioactive green moon. This moon only rises over the planet of Canis Lunis.

Like NOS-4-A2, Wirewolf 'eats' electrical energy that is produced by robots and other objects run by electrical energy.

Abilities
As a Wirewolf, Ty has displayed superhuman strength and durability. It is not stated what the Wirewolf is constructed of, but it is a strong metallic alloy - possibly armorillium or terillium carbonic alloy (fictional metals that only exist in the Buzz Lightyear of Star Command universe).

The creature by itself seems to possess the intelligence of a living wolf and acts primarily on predatory instinct. With the later influences from Ty, it appears to have more capability of human-like thought and emotion.

Wirewolf has only spoken once (incoherently); it mostly vocalizes in growls, howls, and other lupine methods. It has the ability to walk on twos, but can run faster on all fours.

It can break down very thick, metal doors and its claws can puncture straight through them without much effort. Retractable wings have also been at its disposal, allowing Wirewolf the ability of flight. It may also shoot out wires from its hands. These wires can grab onto people or objects, and have been used to capture or drain its targets of electrical energy.

Ty gains control of the Wirewolf in Revenge of the Monsters.

Other abilities may be present, but have not been fully explored in the series.

Appearances

Wirewolf
This episode originally aired on December 28, 2000 and is intended to pre-date Revenge of the Monsters, even though it actually premiered about a month afterwards.

Synopsis
Ty Parsec is put on assignment to protect a new power plant that the Galactic Alliance has established on a deserted planet known as "Canis Lunis". While on patrol, he happens upon the energy vampire, NOS-4-A2. Ty fights off the villain, but not in time to save his robot sentry. He sends out a report to Star Command.

Shortly afterwards, much to Ty's dismay, backup arrives to the planet in the form of Star Cruiser 42. This results in what Buzz Lightyear claims to be a grand 'rescue reunion'. Ty leads them into the power plant and shows them around. He explains that his assignment with Operation Moonbeam involves the covertion of the radioactive light given off by the planet's green moon into a viable power source. Ty claims this power may become bigger than crystallic fusion (a fictional crystal that powers most ships in the series).

After their tour, Buzz proposes a search party to find it. And so, in groups of two, they head out into the spooky landscape on their quest to hunt down the perpetrator... However, NOS-4-A2 finds them first. A constant victim of NOS-4-A2's attacks seems to be the little robot member of Team Lightyear, XR. He is soon pursued by the hungry energy vampire and sends out a cry for help. Hearing his cries, both Buzz and Ty rush to the rescue.

Ty arrives first and physically tackles NOS-4-A2 to the ground, mere inches from enjoying his next meal. The two wrestle for control, until NOS-4-A2 sinks his teeth into his opponent's enviro-suit. Canis Lunis is known to have toxic air, so Ty is left gasping for oxygen. Meanwhile, Buzz Lightyear leaps into action for "rescue number 51". He directs the power plant's energy-collecting satellite towards NOS-4-A2, using it to drain him of his energy. NOS-4-A2 releases Ty and attempts to escape.

However, Ty grabs him and fearlessly holds onto him, in an attempt to let the satellite finish him off. NOS-4-A2 claws away at the fabric in Ty's suit, before landing a bite into the Ranger's exposed left arm. Ty abruptly releases him and the villain escapes into the night.

That evening, as he gazes out the window at the glowing green moon, the effects of the bite become apparent. Wires emerge from the 'harmless' bite and, much to his horror, he begins to transform in the radioactive light.

For some time, Wirewolf runs loose on the power plant, before finally reverting to his human form. Ty, disoriented and confused, retreats to his cabin.

Team Lightyear soon happens upon the mutilated robot and Buzz Lightyear calls them together for a meeting. Plans are to set up a trap for it in a nearby warehouse the next night. As they wait, the moon comes out and Ty transforms once more. This time, tearing XR apart and running off. Team Lightyear pursues him until they find Ty semi-conscious in one of the cabins.

Questions arise as they discover he's holding XR's voicebox. That's when Ty realizes that he is the Wirewolf. Fearing for his friends' safety, Ty urges Team Lightyear to leave him on the planet. Buzz Lightyear refuses to believe that his best friend and the Wirewolf are one in the same, but Ty insists that they are all in danger. Still, Buzz insists on 'rescuing' him.

This sparks Ty's anger and he transforms once again, turning on Buzz and his team. With little defense against Ty's powerful alter ego, they retreat.

Wirewolf and Buzz Lightyear square off against one another on the landing field, while the rest of his team completes something called the "Newzonian Maneuver". Buzz is captured by the Wirewolf, who begins to drain the energy out of his suit. As Buzz gasps for breath, claiming that only Ty can save him now. This seems to awaken Ty's resolve and he finally takes control, stopping the Wirewolf.

At that moment, the rest of the team sends Star Cruiser 42 crashing into the moon. Simultaneously, Ty reverts into his human form.

Feeling guilt for his actions and his grudge against Buzz, he later thanks him for being there to rescue him. Their friendship shows signs of restoration as Buzz also credits Ty for saving his life.

A sequel is preluded to in the closing sequences of the episode as NOS-4-A2 flies into the sky with a piece of the radioactive green moon, claiming that the Wirewolf "shall live again". This is the first mention of the robotic lupine having a name.

Revenge of the Monsters
This episode originally aired November 14, 2000 and is intended to happen after Wirewolf, even though it actually aired before the aforementioned episode.

Synopsis
After the Wirewolf incident on Canis Lunis, Ty Parsec is put on military tribunal. His continued service in the Space Ranger Corps is threatened by the mounting evidence that he may become a threat. Commander Nebula insists that he is a loose cannon and he fears that Ty may one day "tear apart" his fellow Rangers.

Ty argues that he's been cleared by the medical staff and Team Lightyear is also present to plead his case, but the arguments fall on deaf ears. Commander Nebula orders that he be discharged from service. Buzz Lightyear steps up to give another argument, but Ty stops him. Although saddened by the sentence, he valliantly accepts his discharge, backing up his claim that it is for the good of his comerades.

Ironically the wall next to them explodes and XR's villainous 'big brother', XL, makes his appearance. He makes it clear that he intends to kidnap Ty and aims a web-launcher at him. Mira Nova pushes him out of the way, landing in the net herself. Immediately, Buzz steps in to defend his friend, along with Commander Nebula. XL grabs Nebula and an unarmed Ty attacks him in defense of his former commander. As he takes the robot down, Team Lightyear rushes in to hold him down.

Mira urges Ty to get out of the area. He dashes out a back hallway. Unfortunately, he runs into NOS-4-A2, who was apparently waiting for him. He slips a piece of Canis Lunis' radioactive moon on a string around Ty's neck, forcing him to transform against his will. Wirewolf attempts to attack the energy vampire, but NOS-4-A2 takes control of him.

Using Wirewolf as a personal attack dog, NOS-4-A2 frees XL and manages to escape through a hole in the ceiling. Having taken Ty with them, Nebula orders Team Lightyear to bring him back.

Meanwhile, NOS-4-A2 and his two new assistants land on Zurg's planet: the dark, eerie land of Planet Z. NOS-4-A2 breaks into the grand throne room of the Evil Emperor, intending to overthrow his master, and incidentally Wirewolf chases him off. As Zurg retreats in his ship, NOS-4-A2 begins plans for his "Wirewolf Ray". The device, once containing a Wirewolf, can turn other races, species, and people into Wirewolves. Thus spreading the "Curse of the Wirewolf" across the galaxy.

Team Lightyear arrives to a horde of Hornets NOS-4-A2 has taken control over. Once they arrive at the Z Tower, Buzz is shocked to find his best friend trapped in a clear containment unit at the end of the giant "Wirewolf Ray". NOS-4-A2 'demonstrates' it on Team Lightyear. With one howl electrocuted out of Ty, Mira Nova and Booster Munchapper are transformed into Wirewolves themselves. Both of them turn on Buzz and XR, who barely escape.

NOS-4-A2 then turns the Wirewolf Ray on the center of the Galactic Alliance, Capital Planet. He also fires it on Star Command, each shot draining the Wirewolf within the device. He then reveals that his intention is to take over the universe by turning everyone into robots. Their purpose, he states, is solely to feed him.

Meanwhile, the two remaining heroes find themselves in an alley, where XL confronts them. Buzz Lightyear manages to convince XL that NOS-4-A2 is only using him for his own evil purposes. He eventually makes the former Star Command wipeout believe that he can still join the forces of good by helping them oust NOS-4-A2.

And so, XL returns, claiming to have killed the great Buzz Lightyear. Pleased, NOS-4-A2 claims that XL has no further purpose for him anymore and now will become his next meal. However, Buzz makes a dash for the Wirewolf Ray and the energy vampire goes after him. This provides a chance for XL, who shoots XR out of his body compartment at the Wirewolf Ray.

A giant explosion follows, injuring both Buzz Lightyear and NOS-4-A2. As the smoke clears, Buzz is found clinging to a craggy edge of the partially-destroyed building. In revenge, NOS-4-A2 grabs suit and begins draining the energy out of it. Before he has the chance to finish, Wirewolf reaches out and grabs NOS-4-A2.

For the first time, Ty seems to have gained full control over his alter ego. As NOS-4-A2 yells about Wirewolf having to obey him, right before the robotic lupine impales him onto a sharp spire. NOS-4-A2 then self-distructs.

Once the remaining piece of the radioactive moon is destroyed, Ty is able to revert himself. At that same moment, Mira, Booster, and people all across the galaxy revert as well.

Due to his heroic actions, Ty's discharge order is revoked by Commander Nebula and he is able to return to his service in the Space Ranger Corps. XL is also welcomed to Star Command as a photocopier/fax machine.

The Evil Emperor Zurg had also returned to Planet Z, but must clean up and rebuild after the mess NOS-4-A2 left.

War, Peace, and War
This episode aired November 11, 2000.

Wirewolf appeared for a cameo role in the musical sequence titled, "Let's Make Peace". He was seen on the Alliance Plaza, allowing a group of Zurg's Hornets to pet him.

Other Media
*Ty appeared in the Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Action Game (PC) as Wirewolf. He was the boss on the second Canis Lunis level, where (as Buzz Lightyear) you are in a race against the clock to stop the Wirewolf's rampage around the power plant.

*The unreleased Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Soundtrack features the "Wirewolf Transformation" orchestrated sequence.

Affliciations

Friends
*Buzz Lightyear has been friends with Ty since they attended the Space Ranger Academy together. It is implied that they have been on, at least, 50 missions together. He's now the pride of Star Command and Captain of Team Lightyear.

*Mira Nova is part of Team Lightyear and seems like the most understanding member of the team, therefore she often points out emotional problems between Buzz and Ty. She's regarded quite kindly by Ty and seem to be on good terms with one another.

*Booster Munchapper is a former Star Command janitor who became a Ranger. He idolizes Buzz and can often get on Ty's nerves because of his obsession. He is also a member of Team Lightyear.

*XR is the only robot Ranger on the force and is another member of Team Lightyear. Ty has saved him once from NOS-4-A2 and XR touts him as his hero... Until he tears him apart as Wirewolf.

*Warp Darkmatter is a good guy turned villain. Even though he is currently Zurg's number one evil agent, he used to attend the Space Ranger Academy alongside Buzz. It is only logical to note that, even though it was never mentioned, he may have also known Ty from the Academy.

Enemies
*Evil Emperor Zurg is the archenemy of Buzz Lightyear. However, every Ranger is sworn against everything he stands for.

*NOS-4-A2 is Ty's personal archenemy. The two have been coming at blows with one another, ever since Ty received the bite that turned him into a Wirewolf.

Cultural References
*The name NOS-4-A2 is a play off the old movie vampire, Nosferatu.

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See Also

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