Starfox and it's characters belong to Nintendo.

Happiness... Sadness... Joy... Despair... Kindness... Greed... Pride... Humility...

Emotions are a powerful drive that pushes those that do what they did. Some are done out of vengeance. Others out of love. And those that only wish to survive in an otherwise cruel galaxy. From petty feuds over debts to bringing the galaxy into the deep depths of war to right the wrongs given upon them. Were their actions right? Were they misplaced? What lays before them as a result of their actions is the only true answer.

For Slippy Toad, Starfox's engineer and childhood friend of the famed Fox McCloud, fought alongside the team and allies against the Anglar Empire. Upon the end of the war, he had retired from the team to settle down with, now married, Amanda Toad. To help support not only himself but also his future family, he was appointed the next director of engineering upon his father, Beltino Toad, succeeding his predecessor as president of Space Dynamics.

Falco Lombardi, considered to be Starfox's ace pilot and friendly rival to it's leader, had went on continuing his love for flying and the life of a mercenary. Alongside childhood friend and debatable to be more than such, Katt Monroe, the two would go throughout the Lylat system, taking various jobs they could get their hands on. To aid in their line of work, ownership of the Great Fox II was given to him, much to the avian's protest. Even going as far as the tod leaving his arwing to the couple.

Members of team Star Wolf. Once reviled criminals who fought under Venom's banner and hunted by Corneria, were hailed as the savior of the Lylat system. Their infamy swept under the rug and bounties ranging in the tens of thousands credits wipes from the media. With the people of Lylat in their debt and a sum of credits so large, one can only wonder how they would be able to spend it all, they no longer live a life always on the run. Now, each day spent is of luxury and fame.

Many of those who fought tooth and claw in the many conflicts in Lylat's history had earned their dues. And yet, many would feel that they had given the galaxy all they had and could ever have, but in return, nothing.

Once a member of the Starfox team then deemed, the traitor in the eyes of the Cornerian people, Krystal in the midst of Star Wolf's peak of fame, left them team without a word and faded away into obscurity. Some say all the guilt had finally caught up and her life ended by her own hands. Others tell that the cobalt vixen had taken a new life as a bounty hunter. In the criminal underworld, a blue vixen by the name Kursed who had seemingly came out of no where, was building up quite a reputation among the other hunters. Few have ever had the thought of Kursed and Krystal as being one and the same. Fewer consider it to be true. Many believe her blue fur was only a result of the woman dyeing her coat.

The once great leader of Starfox and hero to the Cornerian people, Fox McCloud. Remembered for his courage, leadership, and a strong firm to do what was right. For many years, he had risked life and limb in many conflicts. From the death of Andross to preventing the destruction of the dinosaur planet, Sauria, to stopping the Aparoid invasion and ending with his partaking in the Anglar Wars.

For all the pain and suffering, fate should have granted the vulpine the peace and reward he deserved. But as for many know all too well, fate can either be a sympathetic angel or a cruel mistress. For the once famed Fox McCloud, the mistress had came bearing many misfortunes. The loss of his father's mothership, the Great Fox, disbanding Starfox seeing as they no longer had a place in Lylat's future, Krystal's position as a member of Star Wolf who now turned up missing. What hurt the tod more than her leaving was not because she joined his rivals, not because she flew into the arms of another man. Like a cold shard of ice running through his heart, it was the fact that the cobalt vixen will live on in Lylat's history, known only as, "The Traitor". Ever since, Fox, with what credits left Corneria had rewarded him for his efforts, had spent his days traveling with no real destination to go to.

Fichina

2.9 years after the Anglar Wars.

Far out from the vastly populated areas of Alse City, peace and quiet was common compared to the sounds of crowds moving about deeper in the city. It was that time of the year where families, friends, and lovers gather to decorate their homes with bright colors, sing songs, feast upon the magic of home cooking, and exchange gifts among themselves. Those that were still out and about were either decorating the already bright city with various bright and appealing ornaments to help brighten the night sky with various colors, buying gifts, or clearing away snow built up from days of snowfall. Typical for a planet where winter is the only season.

Deep in an alleyway, a single bar opened for those wishing to enjoy the celebrations or a quick drink before the night ends. Tonight though was rather slow for the establishment as it had only a single customer, sitting at the counter with a few empty glasses and bottles. A red fox, taking a shot of whiskey as he skims through a list of sorts on a datapad. Dressed in a simple black and white suit albeit with the lack of a jacket to complete the set, one would think he was a simple businessman who had just gotten out of work. Would have been true were it not for the blaster holstered on his hip. There were dark spots under his eyes, most likely from the lack of proper rest, and his clothes while showing signs of attempts to maintain it's cleanliness has worn down. Fox McCloud in the flesh.

"Another bottle, Mr. McCloud?" An old gruff voice caused the vulpine's ears to flicker towards the ceilings.

From what one could assume to be the kitchen, an arctic fox steps on out, wiping clean an empty mug with a simple white cloth. Even if standing, he would have towered over Fox by a few inches. The old tod seemed to be in his late fifties or early sixties though by his build, he is by no means a slouch. His attire was similar to the red vulpine, only with the addition of an apron.

Fox waved off the man's offer. He knew well when enough was enough. Better to be sober for the next day in the chance a job comes up. Civilian jobs were rather hard to come by for a man of his skills, but it was better off than involving a blaster or having to shoot down fighters.

"I'm good, Yoahn. I feel like I'm about to hit the gold mine tomorrow." He gave a weak smile as the arctic fox walks on over, taking the empty bottle and glasses.

"Heh... Still searching I see. Hope you find something soon. It feels like every other day, I find you with a couple of bottles. At some point, all of those credit spendings are going to catch up to you."

The younger tod could only chuckle at the sound of being low on cash. The reward for being Lylat's hero not once but three and a half times was hefty, although his bank was slowly but surely reaching it's halfway point to being empty. Upon arriving to Fichina, Fox had taken up residence at a simple apartment on the outskirts of the city not too far from the establishment. Perfect for one who prefers not to be around big crowds. Since then like the old vulpine said, he had became a frequent visitor to his bar; befriending the owner. What he likes about Yoahn was that no matter your status, you were always a customer in his eyes. It was unlike most other bars he had been to. Instead of the typical modern aesthetics that they had such as a predominantly white furniture with a few colors here and there. They were typically made of mostly fiberglass to give off that shine to please the more younger generation. As a finishing touch, there would usually be a dance floor for the more physical patrons, complete with black lights and upbeat music.

Yoahn's bar though, felt more as the kids would consider it, old school. The furniture were mostly wood, metal, and marble with cushions in between here and there. All neatly polished and according to the old man, he himself had hand carved every piece in the establishment. Whether it was true or not, who knows. But given the man's physique, it was likely the former. To give a warm more homey atmosphere, Yoahn had set up dim white lights to help bring color out of the brown wood, making the bar feel like an pub seen in some of those detective movies. The place lacked a dance floor with instead a stage set at the back of the room for a variety of shows. From comedy shows to simple karaoke night; something Fox himself may have tried out once or twice.

But most patrons come for one show and one show only. To listen to a song by Yoahn's wife and former Miss Lylat, Kiel'va Sadu. A fan of singing jazz, she would make a few appearances, playing the piano as she mesmerize the patrons with her song. For a woman around the same age as her husband, it would not be a surprise if she was mistaken to be in her late twenties or early thirties. The young tod had been to a few of her shows, and her music pleasing to the ears but unfortunately, it tends to open up old wounds. Seeing the old couple happily together tends to reminds the vulpine of a once possible future with a certain cobalt vixen.

Pushing himself off of his seat, Fox reaches into his pocket before laying on the counter a few credits before making way towards the door.

"Thanks for keeping the place open late for me, Yoahn. See ya." He reaches for the coat rack, grabbing a simple brown leather winter coat as the old tod swipes up the credits.

"Just keep yourself out of trouble out there. Just because its the holidays doesn't mean there isn't going to be some rascals out with their shenanigans. And be quick about it. Heard there is going to be quite a blizzard tonight." He waves the younger tod as he slips on the coat before pressing a key on the console next to the door, prompting it to slide open and bring in the cool breeze.

Time from moving between the bar and his apartment was at best a five minute walk away. Yet... Something crept up behind the fox's thoughts, sending a chill down his spine as he walks down the snow covered sidewalks which was rather peculiar considering the weather. A sudden desire to turn and go the other way that only grew more irresistible with every step.

"What now...? Creator, what is this?" Fox reaches up, scratching the side of his head as he continues his trek back to the apartment, trying his best to shake off the sudden urge.

Everyone has their breaking point and the vulpine was without exception any different. Letting out a cloud of cold air as he sighed, Fox turns around and walks the other way with a mixture of curiosity and unease running through his mind. Minutes of walking through the slow snowfall, taking a moment to shake off the snow building up on his person, the red vulpine found himself lead by the seemingly invisible force to an empty park. It was a rather small area; a few pine trees along with a single bench set next to one of the park lights. Sitting upon the bench was a single figure with their back facing the tod, dressed in what seems to be a pure white robes.

It was strangely quiet outside of the snow crunching as the vulpine steps closer. Along the way, the wind had begun to pick up, causing a long silvery white mane from the figure to blow to the side. Shielding his eyes from the upcoming breeze, Fox was a mere ten feet away when the figure began to stand up, slowly turning towards the vulpine. Although the robes were blowing off to the side, he could make out the figure was likely a woman and at a vixen at that by the sight of a smooth bushy tail matching the robes in color. On her face though brought the unease he had into a mild state of fear clawing at his thoughts.

A white porcelain mask resembling that of a fox, covers her entire face. Various violet lines drawn along the mask to shape out the design along with a pair of large curvy black spots for eyes, seemingly staring straight through the vulpine as though he was clear as glass.

Finally building up the courage to speak, Fox called out towards the woman. "Hey! You better get inside before the blizzard comes in!"

The woman responded with silence and continued with the gaze.

"Maybe she didn't hear me..." He called out to her again, yet just as before there was no answer.

The two stared in silence before the winds began picking up further, enveloping the vixen in sheets of snow. As much as he wanted to venture closer to help her, Fox had his own issues to deal with. Even with ample time spent on the icy planet, the cold never something the vulpine could get fully used to; even with the proper attire. Turning away, he makes a run back the way he came, keeping his arm up to shield off the storm.

Weathering the storm, many questions flew about in the vulpine's mind as he runs up towards his apartment complex, slamming his fist against the console to open the automatic doors before pushing himself into the main lobby. At this time, the room was empty as people at this time were either asleep or out drinking like him. Hopefully the former given the current weather.

His apartment room being a quite a few floors up, the tod decided to take the lift up. Entering a small circular room, the door closes behind him as he turns towards the console, tapping a single button out of many. A slight whirring noise follows before Fox felt the room being lifted upwards. Killing time, he turns around, gazing at the shrinking city below him, taking in the bright colorful lights shining through the harsh snowy wind. The walls around were made mostly of glass, giving anyone a beautiful view of the wondrous city. Likely to help attract tourists.

The lift comes to a halt at it's destination, opening the doors to a white hallway, giving off a slight glow due to the lighting. Typical Cornerian aesthetics. Making his way into his room, the tod gives himself one last shake before pulling his coat off, hanging it off the nearby coat rack.

"Where is that thing...?" He reaches around through the darkness before his hand runs across a small switch which he happily flips up, extinguishing the darkness.

If there was one disadvantage of having a predominantly white aesthetic the Cornerians had, it was the moment there is light, the whole room shines bright enough that it felt like having a flashlight in your face for the untrained eye. Other than that, it was a simple one bedroom apartment, having all the necessities.

TV, fridge, a couch, and most importantly a bed. The lack of a table was made up by a counter being put behind the stove, making the kitchen seem like a food stand one would find in the more urban areas of Corneria. One in particular was a noodle stand that Falco once introduced the tod to. A slight smile of nostalgia formed around the tod's muzzle as the more fond memories came back to him. From the first time slurping a bowl of hearty spicy noodles to the avian proving who could handle the heat. Long story short, it involved a bird with his head in a bucket of ice and the loss of fifty credits. Though... Such is the past and one cannot turn back time to enjoy it again... Or right the wrongs.

Eyelids growing heavy, Fox stumbles over towards the couch, feeling he would drop before he could even make it to the bedroom door. Every step felt heavier than the last before the vulpine drops face first onto the couch, feet hanging off the arm rest. Wasn't the comfortable couch, but could one expect from a cheap apartment? He turned his head to the side, growing tired of having his nose smelling old leather, towards the coffee table before him where a single holo terminal sits. Reaching over, a simple wave towards the holographic screen wakes the machine, giving off a low green light. He goes straight to his message box, skimming through all the junk mail, messages by either Slippy or Falco, and the occasional job offers from old employers. Back then he would have responded to his old friends, but as the months went on, Fox had slowly grew more distant from them. Replies wouldn't come from days to months until they outright stopped coming. Even in the farthest corner, there was just a small glitter of hope that message from his old flame would appear. If such were to ever happen.

Thoughts of her quickly fades away as the encounter with the strange woman began circling through his mind. And illusion born from intoxication? The Creator's way of showing signs of an omen? Questions pop in and out with no clear answer in sight. Such was already mentally taxing given his current state before his eyes start to close shut. The vulpine was just about to be pulled into a deep slumber when a sudden *ping* sound went off from the terminal, prompting him to jump from the couch and land straight onto the green carpet, face first.

"Argh... Fuck!" He rolled over onto his side, hands pressing down against his snout as a slight pained hiss escapes through.

Reaching up towards the table, the tod pulls himself up halfway as he reaches over with his other arm to open the message. The first thing upon opening was a logo of the Cornerian military.

"How did they find me...? And why now?" Upon his retirement as a mercenary, Fox had changed his email to avoid being bothered by the big wigs in Corneria.

Rubbing his nose a bit, Fox pulls himself the rest of the way and sat down on the couch. A slight hint of hesitation causes the tod's hand to tremble ever so slightly as he reaches towards the play button, just an inch away. He wanted to pull away, delete the message, and forget that it had ever came.

Yet... Screaming at the back of his mind, he wanted to see what could be so important that they had take the time and effort to track down his email. Letting out a long sigh, he decides to take the leap and hit the play button. The video took a moment to open then plays that familiar tune that had once came before general Pepper appearing to the team back during the Saurian Crisis. When an image finally appear, the first thing the tod saw was someone he spoken to for quite a while. Someone who had been by his side and raised him since the death of his father. His eyes widened in a mixture of shock and a mild bit of happiness. Dressed in a deep red military uniform stood a middle aged hare, showing signs of stress taking a toll but no less healthy.

"Fox... It has been a long time..."

Somewhere in Space

"Runaeh! Prep the warp drive and open the hanger doors!" A single fighter zips through space as volley upon volley of laser fire suit. Appearing on one of the screens was a single arctic vixen with a gentle smile upon her face which prompted a rather vexed expression from the pilot.

"You have attracted quite a few this time, Kursed. The landing net is ready for you. Shall I prepare the anti-air guns?"

"Just do it and hurry up! This thing is about to die on me any second now!" Kursed growled as she gazes towards the fuel gauge. Only 3% left and her home ship was still a bit of distance away. The enemy fighters chasing after her did not help the situation no more than the arctic vixen's calm demeanor.

Her job was simple. Kill a wanted gang leader and destroy their hideout near Zoness. It was suppose to be quick and easy but the lack of information and resources led to hunter with a squadron of the gang leader's remaining thugs to attempt at avenging their leader.

Up ahead stood a single frigate, almost half the size and length of the famed Great Fox, yet twice as dirty with rust forming in various places. Typical for an Lylat War era Venomiam relic. Back in it's day, the ship was used to carry and launch the experimental Shogun mechs during the fight against the Cornerian fleet in Sector Y. The mech while proven to be a formidable foe for the Cornerians, their spotlight was short lived for various reasons. Much of the blame for dropping the project was due to the death of Harrion, the lead director and pilot of the Shogun Warlord prototype who fell to the Starfox team. Now the ship, modified as an HQ, became the home of the rising bounty hunter, Kursed and Runaeh, her partner in crime and tender to vessel. Tis only fitting to give a ship a name and theirs were no different, granting the old relic the name, Azure Moon. A shame the vessel's current state could not match up to it's name.

As Kursed edges closer towards, streams of yellow lasers fly over her craft and towards her pursuers, managing to down one or two before the rest began to scatter. A sense of relief rained over the vixen as the anti-air guns had done it's work. The moment quickly passes as an alarm goes off inside her fighter as blinking red lights around the fuel gauge were going off. The fighter was out of fuel with only the momentum it had build up keeping it moving forward. Now, Kursed could only make sure she could land the ship across the top of the hull on the Azure Moon though given the current speed the vixen was going at, she needed to slow now the fighter before it tears right through the landing net and drift into space.

Drifting just above the ship, she immediately points the front of her fighter downwards as it reaches the bow of the vessel, causing it to skid across the surface. The vixen grit her teeth, feeling like she was experiencing an earthquake inside the cockpit while the craft lets out a long screech from metal scratching against metal. By some miracle, her stunt bore fruit when the landing net was able to halt her fighter to a complete stop.

"I did warn you not to go out on your mission without refueling, Kursed." Runaeh's face appeared once again. Her expression remained the same as the vixen's ship was lowered into the hanger.

With Kursed secured, the Azure Moon swiftly jumps into warp speed, escaping the angry pursuers. An hour later, the vixen gazes up towards her fighter as it was lifted away to the maintenance area of the hanger. She was still in her pilot suit, once predominantly pink was now replaced with black and shades of gray. It was perhaps better that way considering no one would take her seriously in what many would consider a girly color. Although it helped compliment her azure fur somewhat. Her ears flickered towards the ceiling as a pair of footsteps approaches from behind her person. An arctic fox with a disturbingly gentle personality for the career she works in. Her current attire was a simple white set of robes with sleeves long enough to reach down to her knees, entirely covering her hands. Reaching down passed her back were long strands of silver hair to help along with her deep violet eyes contrast with her fur and clothing.

"Runaeh, how is the Cloudrunner?" Time had not been kind to the fighter due to it's unique design. Parts were hard to replace with some being outright removed and replaced with parts from more common sources.

The cockpit had been enlarged to accommodate two people in the off chance that a job required the both of them. Due to the lack of knowledge on it's designs, the G-diffusers had to be removed and kept away from further damage than what was already been inflicted upon them. Along with other replacements, the only part of the original Cloudrunner were the pterodactyl-like wings the ship was named after. Even with the constant replacing, the ship shows signs of wear with blaster marks and dirt covering various areas.

"You are quite fortunate that this time, the ship has not been completely trashed." As if on que, the two quickly duck as one of the Cloudrunner's engine had exploded.

"... Perhaps I spoke too soon. We will have to make a stop at Kew for repairs. As of now, you are grounded for a while."

As much as she dreaded upon the fact, the arctic vixen was right. If she kept pushing the Cloudrunner, it was going to do more than just have engine failure. With a heavy sigh, the cobalt vixen turns away and walks off across the ship to her quarters. The interior of the ship was a far cry from the ship's outer appearance as the halls resembled more of that of a Cornerian vessel with white walls, an almost mirror shine floor and best of all, no broken lights. Back then, if the two were not out for a bounty, they'd spent the time either looking for more or cleaning and renovating the ship.

Now standing before the front door to her room, a quick tap on the console at the side and the door slides right open. A commodity for such an advanced age of technology. Many areas across the ship either had to be removed, renovated, or combined with others and her's was no exception. The previous captain of the ship was rather egotistical and wanted their quarters as grandiose as Venomiam styles can provide. The size of the place was the equivalent of two small apartment rooms. That was dealt with by simply removing all the fancy designs, splitting the room in two, and installing the necessities like a full bathroom and bed. One for Kursed and her partner. The windows had to be shortened because it had taken up the entirely of one wall so now they were more... appropriately sized with metal taking up most of the wall. With the intention of privacy in mind, the wall that separates the two rooms were sound proof.

Stepping on inside, Kursed began to pull down on the zipper to her flight suit before tossing it to the side, leaving the vixen in just a sports bra and shorts. All the work from the day has left her in a state most unpleasant to the nose. Nothing like a long shower to wash away the grime and ease the mind.

After what felt like hours under the shower head, the vixen steps out dressed in a fresh shirt and shorts, walks on over towards her bed that had been placed in the corner of the room next to a desk where most of her work is done. Wanted posters, bills, a check list on tasks needed to be performed by the end of the year, and a terminal to deal with all of that as efficiently as possible. As of now, the vixen needed only to cash in on the bounty and the money rewarded should be able to pay off the repairs to the Cloudrunner, stock up on food and fuel, and hopefully... Get the Azure Moon a paint job.

"Eight hundred thousand credits..." A message sent from the client, indicating that they sent the money to her bank account.

Before the vixen was about to turn in for the night, a knock came at the door.

"Runaeh, what is it now?" A low groan escaped her muzzle as she turns for the door.

"Come now, I am sure you have not forgotten what holiday is coming up." The holiday of giving as many called.

The door slides open, revealing the smiling arctic vixen, holding up a small box wrapped in red paper and a green bow to match.

"Always one for giving aren't you?" Kursed crossed her arms as she shook her head, smiling softly towards the woman.

"That is what friends. Now take it." Runaeh holds the box out towards her.

Taking the box, the cobalt vixen starts to tear apart the wrapping. Underneath was a rather ornate wooden box, no more than a foot long in length and decorated with bits of gold markings here and there. An eyebrow raised as she ran her finger underneath the lid. Out of all the presents Runaeh had given her, this one seemed to be the most expensive. Pulling it away, revealed what looked like a simple black wooden rectangle, slightly curved.

"What is this, Runaeh?" Dropping the lid, she grabs onto one side of the piece, finding a tiny slit opening towards one end that indicates it was two halves.

"A little something in the off chance that you find yourself in a pickle."

Before she could have a chance to delve further upon the strange gift, a *ping* noise came out from the vixen's terminal. Turning towards the screen, Kursed tilts her head to the side with confusion written all over her face. Flashing on the screen was a message bearing a large symbol of the Cornerian Army.