PART ONE: ENTER ANDROSS
Our story takes place eight years after Fox won the SSBM Championship at Intensity. By this point, Peppy had retired, and spended much of his time writing maps. Slippy had quit the Arwing business to persue his technological inspirations. Falco had not been heard from since he lost to Fox. As for Fox, he was the last active Arwing pilot of the Star Fox Team. He took jobs around the Lylat System, trying to earn enough money to support him and his Team. He hadn't had a decent job in about a year, though, so as we begin, the Great Fox isn't in the greatest of conditions...
"Fox! Isn't this music getting on YOUR nerves? I'm trying to work on my maps!"
It was a grim day aboard the Great Fox. Slippy was lazily fixing ROB, Peppy was complaining about Slippy's music, and Fox was sitting idle. He was so bored right then... he really wished an adventure would come along to save him from these two.
He tolerated Peppy's complaint. "OK, old timer. Turn it down, Slippy!"
Slippy muttered to himself about Fox's bossiness, then tossed a wrench at Fox's jukebox, causing it to slowly grind to a halt.
"HEY!!! That costs money, you know, which I MIGHT add, we have almost none of!"
Slippy looked like he was about to say something in response, but was cut short by an incomming transmission...
"Look, guys! It's General Pepper!"
Peppy, Slippy, and even ROB turned to look at the holographic projection of the mutt's head. He hadn't contacted them since the Andross Incident.
"I have a new mission for you, Fox! You're to head over to Dinosaur Planet, because recently, large chunks of the planet have been breaking from the surface. This may lead to an explosion, and that would disrupt the entire Lylat System! You're to head down to the surface to investigate. On arrival, be sure to talk to the Queen Earthwalker, as she'll be able to help you. Oh, and by the way... we have recieved your request. If you are successful, the money will be forwarded to you immediately. Good luck. Pepper Out."
Fox grinned. "You heard the General. Let's Do It!"
Peppy smiled. Slippy gave the thumbs - up. Minutes later, Fox launched from the Great Fox in his Arwing, headed for the Planet...
Fox soon landed after lifting the pitifully weak force field that surrounded the Planet. Fox suddenly got a call on his communicator...
"Great job, Fox!" General Pepper had called again. He continued, "For a moment, I thought you weren't going to make it." His voice dripped with sarcasm.
Fox rolled his eyes. "Very funny, sir..."
"I know. Now, lisen up, because this is important. Contact a crew member with this communicator, and they will respond with as much information as they can possibly give. Remember, now... Slippy is a General Advisor, Peppy is where you go for Maps, and I can give you information on your current status... FOX! Are you paying attention?!?"
"Yes, sir..."
"Good. Now, I'll notify you if anything else comes up. Remember, your first goal is to locate and talk to the Queen Earthwalker."
"I will, sir. Fox OUT." Fox flipped the communicator off. He had grown tired of having to listen to that old fogey already, and he was just getting started...
And so, Fox started walking away from his Arwing, ready to begin his adventure, when he suddenly heard a loud noise. To his shock and surprise, the pieces of Planet that had drifted apart had started to float back towards the surface! It appeared that the spellstones had been contained! How had this happened? ANOTHER hero had risen? Who was this?!?
The Planet took about 5 minutes to pull itself together. Finally, Fox looked around at the Thorntails, who were cheering. Everything was right again.
Fox's communicator had buzzed to life. "Fox! My, that didn't take long at all! You sure work quickly these days! Congratulations!"
"Well... er... Sir, you see..."
But before Fox could finish, a loud rumbling sound rose from the ground. A large ship was flying towards Fox! He hopped in his Arwing and took off, ready for a fight. He was so pissed off right then that he blasted the ship right away.
BUZZEEP! "Now, Fox. Is that any way to treat the saviour of the Lylat System?"
BUZZEEP! "YOU!!! You're the one who finished this story before it even began! Give us a visual and show your face, coward!"
BUZZEEP! "HA! Coward! That IS a good one, Fox... do you have any idea of how much work it was to get this planet straight again?"
BUZZEEP! "Of COURSE I do! I MADE the friggin game, you boob! SHOW your FACE so I know WHO it is I'm PULVERIZING!"
BUZZEEP! "Very well, McCloud. Downloading visual..."
Fox sat back in his chair. BUZZEEP! "Take your time, traitor..."
BUZZEEP! "Why, Fox. I don't understand why you don't trust me. You don't even know who I am."
BUZZEEP! "Of course I do! It's Andross, you fool! I'm not that stupid! Probably 9 out of 10 people reading this story had guessed THAT..."
Sure enough, as soon as the visual downloaded, there was Andross... not that huge mutation, but the REAL Andross, the monkey. He was grinning that Andross grin, yet it was lacking that evil tinge to it...
BUZZEEP! "Very good, McCloud. But, I'll bet you can't guess how I came back! And no, I DIDN'T harness the power of the Krazoa!"
BUZZEEP! "Obviously, a collection of about, I'm guessing seven of your closest followers pitched in and used the power of the spellstones to revive you."
BUZZEEP! "Very good! But, there's only four spellstones. How did the other three help me?"
BUZZEEP! "Well, THAT I don't know..."
BUZZEEP! "MUAHAHAHAHA! You haven't changed one bit, McCloud. Just like that father of yours... ah! Now, to business. I'm about to contact General Pepper, notifying him of my goodliness. He will then pay me the money intended for you. At this point, I'll have your glory, your cash, and your dignity too, McCloud! They'll never suspect my master plan to DESTROY THE LYLAT SYSTEM!!!"
BUZZEEP! "You moron! You actually think that they'll PAY you?! They'd never trust you..."
BUZZEEP! "Fox, I'm a changed monkey. I'm not bad anymore. I do good around the galexy." Andross put his full confidence into those words.
Fox actually believed him until he remembered that Andross was planning to destroy the Lylat System again.
BUZZEEP! "Oh, McCloud, the fun doesn't end there, either! Not only will you be overshadowed, but you'll be exiled, too! MUAHAHAHAHA!"
BUZZEEP! "What the HECK are you talking about?!?"
BUZZEEP! "You'll find out soon enough. I've gotta shoot now, Fox... but in the meantime, here's some entertainment for me until you're banished. GANONDORF!!! GET YOUR FAT ARSE OUT THERE AND KILL FOX MCCLOUD! Andross out."
The visual went blank. Suddenly, an X-Wing flew out from the Large Ship.
BUZZAAP! "Ah, SHOOT! HOW am I supposed to shout insults without knowing the proper frequency? Ah, forget that..."
Ganondorf opened the ship's top hatch. He stuck his head out and screamed, "DIE, MCCLOUD!!!"
His purpose of shouting insults now fulfilled, he closed the hatch and flew at Fox!!! Well, of COURSE Fox could best him, Ganondorf still couldn't even correct his frequency. Fox shot a well-placed bomb at the left half of the X-Wing, which triggered an explosion. Ganondorf sailed downwards in a trail of smoke.
BUZZEEP! "BAHAHAHA! Now, THAT is entertainment! Ah, well, Fox. I must now go and collect my reward. All I have to do is turn in my captive here."
BUZZEEP! "Your CAPTIVE?!"
Another visual flashed on Fox's screen. Fox recognized him as General Scales, bound and gagged! Fox realized that either Andross was planning to split the reward with Scales, or he just caught him and made him out to be the bad guy. Andross had already admitted to being guilty, so... the only one that would suspect anything was him!
BUZZEEP! "So long, McCloud! Perhaps we'll see each other again in the not too distant future..."
The large ship soared off into space. Fox gritted his teeth and pulled the Arwing into a dive, followed by a graceful landing on the sweeping grasses of Thorntail Valley. Fox hopped out, then marched straight over to a large hole in the ground. That was where Ganondorf landed. Fox pulled Ganondorf out of the hole by his neck.
"Talk. WHAT is Andross doing?"
"Andross has pulled the four Spellstones from their force points and replaced them with fakes. These fake stones will absorb a certain amount of energy, then explode. This will cause the entire planet to shatter into millions of tiny pieces. It's rigged to explode in seven days from now, at 12:00 Dino time. Before then, Andross plans to be honored by absolutely everyone in the Lylat System for proving that you and General Scales worked together to destroy the planet, and collect their large reward that an inside source has prepared for him. After this, Andross will use a mighty device he has prepared to keep the Lylat System within balence after Dinosaur Planet explodes. He will rule the entire System, and if he is opposed, will simply shut off his machine and throw the entire System into oblivion. That's just the basics, but there's lots of small details as well."
"What?!? That dirty cheater... making me out to be the bad guy... but... why are you giving me such a straight answer? Why aren't you resisting me at all?"
"Put it this way. The prime reason is, I'm damn tired of you beating me up. I can't even insult you properly. I've helped you, now just PLEASE leave me alone..."
"Ok, whatever... but, why would Andross trust you with so much information?"
"Actually, he expected me to die from the fall. Somehow, though, I can survive through these things. Must be the power of the Triforce or something."
"So, I've got to find the four real Spellstones and return them, disable Andross's giant machine and expose his treachery to the Lylat System, all before the seven day time limit expires?"
"Yeah, that's pretty much the gist of it."
"Good. Let's get started."
"LET'S?!? I thought you were going to leave me alone!"
"Well, if Andross really told you EVERYTHING, you can tell me where to find this giant machine, the four real spellstones, and where Andross is hiding."
"That IS true... but, what's in it for me?"
"I'll show you the proper way to use an on-ship communicator..."
"WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?!? LET'S GO!!!"
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So, Ganondorf led Fox in the direction of the storage area for the two Fire Spellstones. Fox was quite surprised when Ganondorf started leading him towards the Ocean Force Point, but as Ganondorf explained, who would look for Fire Spellstones in an Ocean surrounding? Well, Fox saw his point, so in no time, the two were passing through Lightfoot Village on their way to Cape Claw. Ganondorf was starting to hear some strange rustlings in the trees above.
"Pssst! Fox! I think some Lightfoots..."
"LightFEET."
"Whatever. They're in the trees above us. Should we turn back?"
"Ah, don't worry about it. The rustling is way too clunky for any Lightfoot. It's probably just a strong gust. Trust me, if Lightfeet are in the trees above, you will NOT know until it's too late."
Ganondorf felt a bit better, but glanced upwards occasionally after that (just to be sure).
Suddenly...
SHUNKA!
As it turned out, the rustling WAS too clunky for a Lightfoot, but wasn't too clunky for Donkey Kong, who had just swung down and pinned Fox. Fox kicked DK in the stomach and jumped back. DK started to pound the ground in fury, but Fox jumped into a tree to avoid the earthquake. DK jumped up to grab Fox, but Fox used an Illusion to down his opponent. DK slumped to the ground.
"Ah, jeez... another of Andross's lackys. I really pity his taste in henchmen these days... I mean, Star Wolf was at least challenging."
"Oh, and I WASN'T?" Ganondorf was offended.
"Well, if you're hit down on the first bomb, and can't even contact me to shout an insult, I wouldn't really be calling you a quality pilot."
"GET OFF MY CASE! I've NEVER flown one of those new-fangled things in my life! NEVER! Horse was the only mode of transportation, if not just by walking! Oh, I had a loyal dark steed, of course... quite a tough cookie, he was..."
"Fastinating. Let's keep going."
WHUMPH.
DK had gotten up, and buried Ganondorf with a Headbutt! Fox quickly vaulted over Ganondorf's torso that stuck out of the ground (which was yelling, "You fat, ugly butt-brain!!!") and went into a Fire Fox. DK was blasted backwards in a wreath of fire. Fox pulled Ganondorf out of the ground, and the two continued onwards to Cape Claw...
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"Pae sixtee scaraabs to entar Cape Claaaw."
"What?! I don't have any scarabs, you stupid turtle-freak!"
"Ahaah! Yuu not go iin, than."
"Uuurgh... WHAT are we going to DO!? There's a silly turtle that won't open a gate here! He wants sixtee scaraabs!"
"I don't have sixtee scaraabs! How do we get past this moron?"
"If only there was a Staff Rocket Boost pad nearby, I could use it to launch us OVER this wall!"
"You mean, that thing there?"
Fox glanced over to see a small, gold square that emmited blue sparks.
"Yes! But... I DON'T HAVE MY STAFF! I was supposed to get it in this Adventure! Now everything's topsy-turvey! HOW do I find my staff?"
KLONK!
A staff fell from the sky and landed on Fox's head.
"Ah! My staff! Oh, right... KRYSTAL'S staff!" Krystal was flying overhead, on her Cloudrunner companion. She had dropped it from above to aid him in his quest. Fox smiled up at her. I mean, she COULD have given him a lift to Cape Claw, but this was much better than nothing.
"Grab on!"
"BwwwaaaaaAAAAAAHHHH!"
Fox and Ganondorf soared over the wall. Fox landed gracefully on the other side. Someone had dug a 20 - foot pit, and Ganondorf fell in this as he landed on the other side.
"Oooowww..."
Anyway, Fox and Ganondorf DID eventually make it to Cape Claw, safe and sound. Well, not completely safe, but sound. (Whatever sound means.) Ganondorf led Fox into a deep, dark cave. Once inside, Ganondorf did a hula dance and a secret passage opened. From there, Ganondorf grabbed a spoon off his belt and shoved it into a wall of the secret passage. A secret compartment slid outwards, and Ganondorf jumped on top. He used this platform to shove his spoon into yet another spot in the wall. Using this technique, he climbed the side of the massive passage s - l - o - w - l - y. A few hours, hula dances, and spoon jumps later, the first of the Spellstones was in Fox and Ganondorf's posession.
During this entire process, Fox stood at the entrance to the passage, still scarred for life at the sight of Ganondorf hula - dancing. However, the two left the cave with Spellstone # 1, so Fox wasn't complaining.
"I still don't understand. WHY would Andross reveal all these stupid little details to you? That's just bonkers!"
"I know. I can only imagine what he would do to me if he found me alive." Ganondorf imagined for a second, let out a yelp, and continued on his way. Evidently, imagining something that unpleasent wasn't something he wanted to do.
"So, where can we find the second Fire Spellstone?"
"Oh, that one's underwater. We'll have to either rent or build ourselves a Submarine, then dive down beneeth yon temple to retrieve it."
"UNDERWATER?! What if the stone... GOES OUT?!? It IS a FIRE SPELLSTONE, you know!!!"
"Yes, well, I didn't think anyone would look for it down here. I MEAN... oh, no..."
"YOU didn't think that? HEY! YOU made up this entire plan for Andross, didn't you?!? All this genius was YOUR idea!!!"
Ganondorf sighed. "Yes, it was me. I thought of the whole thing. Andross hired me for that sole purpose... then, he discarded me by putting me into the thing I feared the most... a spaceship. Not only was entertaining for him, but he would eliminate me so I couldn't leak any information about "HIS" plot."
"That MONSTER! He has to be stopped! GANONDORF!!!"
"GAAH! Don't yell like that! What is it?"
"Sorry, I'm in a bit of a rage right now. Okay, I'm under control now... whew. I just REALLY hate it when people treat others like that. Ganondorf! Not only will I teach you how to use a space communicator, but I'll teach you to FLY the ship as well!"
"You're kidding with me! No one's ever done something like that for me before!... Thank you."
"No problem. Well, let's get that sub ready, okay?"
"YEAH! Let's DO this thang!"
BUZZEEP! Fox's communicator ominously buzzed to life. "Ahhh... the son of James McCloud," said a sinister and evil-sounding voice.
BUZZEEP! "You know, Andross, you can just call me Fox. We're on first name terms by now."
BUZZEEP! "I think not, McCloud. I have to sound tough. I'd just like to let you know I've just collected my beautiful reward from the Cornerian Ministry of Defence. A very large sum of money. Why, I may just buy myself a Great Fox and blow it up at my own leisure!"
BUZZEEP! "Shut up, Andross! You may have fooled them, but I'll expose you for the traitor you are! That reward will come to me in a flash!... By the way, what WAS that 'Inside Source' that hooked you up with so much dough?"
BUZZEEP! Andross sighed. "McCloud, McCloud, McCloud. You have not been monitering me for the last few years. I've had many people working on that money. Oh, you'll just give it up, eventually. Not only are you outrageously outnumbered, but the only other being alive that knows my plan is no longer alive!! Wait, that came out wrong... er, forget that! You may have noticed a few of your old enemies back from Team Alliance, eh? Well, surprise, surprise. I've REVIVED the Alliance! They're back, and better than ever! Plus, they've been working undercover as members of the Cornerian Ministry of Defence to get me that reward! And instead of that dumb Falco as their leader, I am! TREMBLE at my MIGHTINESS!"
BUZZEEP! "What??? Then where IS Falco?"
BUZZEEP! "Not here, I'll tell you," replied Andross, surprisingly casually. "He hates you, we both know it. You completely robbed him of that SSBM Championship all those years ago, and he's just gone off to some corner to sulk with himself. Completely pathetic, really. So, I wasn't able to get him back for Team Alliance. HIS OWN LOSS! He'll be trembling before me in a matter of days, as will YOU! BAHAHAA!"
The communicator shut off as Andross signed out. Fox's situation was suddenly even more desperate than before. With the Alliance revived and stalking him every step of the way, he might not accomplish all his goals before the seven day time limit expires. This could be much more difficult than Fox thought...
----- END OF DAY ONE -----
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----- DAY TWO BEGINS -----
Fox had fallen asleep on the grass. He awoke to the smell of morning dew on the unusually calm grass. Hard to believe that in six short days, it would all be oblivion if he didn't do something about it.
Ganondorf had noticed Fox wake up. He had woken up about an hour earlier. He mentioned, "You know, Fox, if Andross has gathered the Alliance to be his henchmen, I think WE should get the old Star Fox team gang back together to help combat them. I was trying to compose a list of them, and I came up with these:
- Fox
- Luigi
- Bowser
- Peach
- Ganondorf
- Dr. Mario
- Young Link
- Mewtwo
- Pikachu
- Pichu
- Jigglypuff
- Samus
So, if we can just gather as many of them again as possible, they'll be able to combat the army that Andross assembled! But, how to do that in less than six days..."
"Ganondorf, that's brilliant! I can send my team over to check it out! Better yet," Fox said, gears in his head clicking, "We can even get the Blue Marine from Slippy to retrieve the other Fire Spellstone! But..." Fox continued, talking out his thoughts, which were suddenly going sour, "They think I'm the enemy now! At least, I think they do... I'll try contacting them."
--- An Hour Later... ---
"So, that's where we're at," Fox finished. He had just filled Slippy, Peppy, and ROB in on their situation. "Will you help us? Do you BELIEVE us??"
" 'Course we do, Fox! We've been partners for years! In fact, I'm dropping the Blue Marine and Landmaster Tank to your location as well. They have impact reduction units, so they'll be alright when they hit the ground. Just be sure they don't land on your head!"
Fox chuckled at Slippy's joke, thanked his team for their support, and wished them well on their voyage to recruit Team Star Fox back together. The Great Fox ignited its rockets and soared out of sight.
Suddenly...
KLANKCLATTERWHAM.
Both the Landmaster AND Blue Marine had landed on Ganondorf. A small chasm appeared where he used to be standing, and he was buried beneeth the two vehicles.
Fox peered into the pit. "Quit lying around, Ganondorf! We've got to get the Blue Marine into the water!"
Within the NEXT two hours, Fox and Ganondorf had worked out their plan. Fox had taught Ganondorf how to use the Blue Marine, and Ganondorf agreed to recover the second Fire Spellstone from underwater. Fox was to travel to Snowhorn Mountain to get the two Water Spellstones ("But, won't they FREEZE?"). Ganondorf had given Fox directions so that he could drive the Landmaster there, and recover the Spellstones. Then, they were to meet at the Force Point Temple to replace all four spellstones at once, to avoid an early explosion. They then would meet up with Peppy, Slippy, ROB, and the whole re-united Star Fox crew to plan and launch an attack on Andross, in a desperate, one-chance attempt to destroy his device (for it would still be able to throw the Lylat System out of balence) and expose his treachery to the entire System.
So, the REAL quest now began...
Our story takes place eight years after Fox won the SSBM Championship at Intensity. By this point, Peppy had retired, and spended much of his time writing maps. Slippy had quit the Arwing business to persue his technological inspirations. Falco had not been heard from since he lost to Fox. As for Fox, he was the last active Arwing pilot of the Star Fox Team. He took jobs around the Lylat System, trying to earn enough money to support him and his Team. He hadn't had a decent job in about a year, though, so as we begin, the Great Fox isn't in the greatest of conditions...
"Fox! Isn't this music getting on YOUR nerves? I'm trying to work on my maps!"
It was a grim day aboard the Great Fox. Slippy was lazily fixing ROB, Peppy was complaining about Slippy's music, and Fox was sitting idle. He was so bored right then... he really wished an adventure would come along to save him from these two.
He tolerated Peppy's complaint. "OK, old timer. Turn it down, Slippy!"
Slippy muttered to himself about Fox's bossiness, then tossed a wrench at Fox's jukebox, causing it to slowly grind to a halt.
"HEY!!! That costs money, you know, which I MIGHT add, we have almost none of!"
Slippy looked like he was about to say something in response, but was cut short by an incomming transmission...
"Look, guys! It's General Pepper!"
Peppy, Slippy, and even ROB turned to look at the holographic projection of the mutt's head. He hadn't contacted them since the Andross Incident.
"I have a new mission for you, Fox! You're to head over to Dinosaur Planet, because recently, large chunks of the planet have been breaking from the surface. This may lead to an explosion, and that would disrupt the entire Lylat System! You're to head down to the surface to investigate. On arrival, be sure to talk to the Queen Earthwalker, as she'll be able to help you. Oh, and by the way... we have recieved your request. If you are successful, the money will be forwarded to you immediately. Good luck. Pepper Out."
Fox grinned. "You heard the General. Let's Do It!"
Peppy smiled. Slippy gave the thumbs - up. Minutes later, Fox launched from the Great Fox in his Arwing, headed for the Planet...
Fox soon landed after lifting the pitifully weak force field that surrounded the Planet. Fox suddenly got a call on his communicator...
"Great job, Fox!" General Pepper had called again. He continued, "For a moment, I thought you weren't going to make it." His voice dripped with sarcasm.
Fox rolled his eyes. "Very funny, sir..."
"I know. Now, lisen up, because this is important. Contact a crew member with this communicator, and they will respond with as much information as they can possibly give. Remember, now... Slippy is a General Advisor, Peppy is where you go for Maps, and I can give you information on your current status... FOX! Are you paying attention?!?"
"Yes, sir..."
"Good. Now, I'll notify you if anything else comes up. Remember, your first goal is to locate and talk to the Queen Earthwalker."
"I will, sir. Fox OUT." Fox flipped the communicator off. He had grown tired of having to listen to that old fogey already, and he was just getting started...
And so, Fox started walking away from his Arwing, ready to begin his adventure, when he suddenly heard a loud noise. To his shock and surprise, the pieces of Planet that had drifted apart had started to float back towards the surface! It appeared that the spellstones had been contained! How had this happened? ANOTHER hero had risen? Who was this?!?
The Planet took about 5 minutes to pull itself together. Finally, Fox looked around at the Thorntails, who were cheering. Everything was right again.
Fox's communicator had buzzed to life. "Fox! My, that didn't take long at all! You sure work quickly these days! Congratulations!"
"Well... er... Sir, you see..."
But before Fox could finish, a loud rumbling sound rose from the ground. A large ship was flying towards Fox! He hopped in his Arwing and took off, ready for a fight. He was so pissed off right then that he blasted the ship right away.
BUZZEEP! "Now, Fox. Is that any way to treat the saviour of the Lylat System?"
BUZZEEP! "YOU!!! You're the one who finished this story before it even began! Give us a visual and show your face, coward!"
BUZZEEP! "HA! Coward! That IS a good one, Fox... do you have any idea of how much work it was to get this planet straight again?"
BUZZEEP! "Of COURSE I do! I MADE the friggin game, you boob! SHOW your FACE so I know WHO it is I'm PULVERIZING!"
BUZZEEP! "Very well, McCloud. Downloading visual..."
Fox sat back in his chair. BUZZEEP! "Take your time, traitor..."
BUZZEEP! "Why, Fox. I don't understand why you don't trust me. You don't even know who I am."
BUZZEEP! "Of course I do! It's Andross, you fool! I'm not that stupid! Probably 9 out of 10 people reading this story had guessed THAT..."
Sure enough, as soon as the visual downloaded, there was Andross... not that huge mutation, but the REAL Andross, the monkey. He was grinning that Andross grin, yet it was lacking that evil tinge to it...
BUZZEEP! "Very good, McCloud. But, I'll bet you can't guess how I came back! And no, I DIDN'T harness the power of the Krazoa!"
BUZZEEP! "Obviously, a collection of about, I'm guessing seven of your closest followers pitched in and used the power of the spellstones to revive you."
BUZZEEP! "Very good! But, there's only four spellstones. How did the other three help me?"
BUZZEEP! "Well, THAT I don't know..."
BUZZEEP! "MUAHAHAHAHA! You haven't changed one bit, McCloud. Just like that father of yours... ah! Now, to business. I'm about to contact General Pepper, notifying him of my goodliness. He will then pay me the money intended for you. At this point, I'll have your glory, your cash, and your dignity too, McCloud! They'll never suspect my master plan to DESTROY THE LYLAT SYSTEM!!!"
BUZZEEP! "You moron! You actually think that they'll PAY you?! They'd never trust you..."
BUZZEEP! "Fox, I'm a changed monkey. I'm not bad anymore. I do good around the galexy." Andross put his full confidence into those words.
Fox actually believed him until he remembered that Andross was planning to destroy the Lylat System again.
BUZZEEP! "Oh, McCloud, the fun doesn't end there, either! Not only will you be overshadowed, but you'll be exiled, too! MUAHAHAHAHA!"
BUZZEEP! "What the HECK are you talking about?!?"
BUZZEEP! "You'll find out soon enough. I've gotta shoot now, Fox... but in the meantime, here's some entertainment for me until you're banished. GANONDORF!!! GET YOUR FAT ARSE OUT THERE AND KILL FOX MCCLOUD! Andross out."
The visual went blank. Suddenly, an X-Wing flew out from the Large Ship.
BUZZAAP! "Ah, SHOOT! HOW am I supposed to shout insults without knowing the proper frequency? Ah, forget that..."
Ganondorf opened the ship's top hatch. He stuck his head out and screamed, "DIE, MCCLOUD!!!"
His purpose of shouting insults now fulfilled, he closed the hatch and flew at Fox!!! Well, of COURSE Fox could best him, Ganondorf still couldn't even correct his frequency. Fox shot a well-placed bomb at the left half of the X-Wing, which triggered an explosion. Ganondorf sailed downwards in a trail of smoke.
BUZZEEP! "BAHAHAHA! Now, THAT is entertainment! Ah, well, Fox. I must now go and collect my reward. All I have to do is turn in my captive here."
BUZZEEP! "Your CAPTIVE?!"
Another visual flashed on Fox's screen. Fox recognized him as General Scales, bound and gagged! Fox realized that either Andross was planning to split the reward with Scales, or he just caught him and made him out to be the bad guy. Andross had already admitted to being guilty, so... the only one that would suspect anything was him!
BUZZEEP! "So long, McCloud! Perhaps we'll see each other again in the not too distant future..."
The large ship soared off into space. Fox gritted his teeth and pulled the Arwing into a dive, followed by a graceful landing on the sweeping grasses of Thorntail Valley. Fox hopped out, then marched straight over to a large hole in the ground. That was where Ganondorf landed. Fox pulled Ganondorf out of the hole by his neck.
"Talk. WHAT is Andross doing?"
"Andross has pulled the four Spellstones from their force points and replaced them with fakes. These fake stones will absorb a certain amount of energy, then explode. This will cause the entire planet to shatter into millions of tiny pieces. It's rigged to explode in seven days from now, at 12:00 Dino time. Before then, Andross plans to be honored by absolutely everyone in the Lylat System for proving that you and General Scales worked together to destroy the planet, and collect their large reward that an inside source has prepared for him. After this, Andross will use a mighty device he has prepared to keep the Lylat System within balence after Dinosaur Planet explodes. He will rule the entire System, and if he is opposed, will simply shut off his machine and throw the entire System into oblivion. That's just the basics, but there's lots of small details as well."
"What?!? That dirty cheater... making me out to be the bad guy... but... why are you giving me such a straight answer? Why aren't you resisting me at all?"
"Put it this way. The prime reason is, I'm damn tired of you beating me up. I can't even insult you properly. I've helped you, now just PLEASE leave me alone..."
"Ok, whatever... but, why would Andross trust you with so much information?"
"Actually, he expected me to die from the fall. Somehow, though, I can survive through these things. Must be the power of the Triforce or something."
"So, I've got to find the four real Spellstones and return them, disable Andross's giant machine and expose his treachery to the Lylat System, all before the seven day time limit expires?"
"Yeah, that's pretty much the gist of it."
"Good. Let's get started."
"LET'S?!? I thought you were going to leave me alone!"
"Well, if Andross really told you EVERYTHING, you can tell me where to find this giant machine, the four real spellstones, and where Andross is hiding."
"That IS true... but, what's in it for me?"
"I'll show you the proper way to use an on-ship communicator..."
"WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?!? LET'S GO!!!"
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So, Ganondorf led Fox in the direction of the storage area for the two Fire Spellstones. Fox was quite surprised when Ganondorf started leading him towards the Ocean Force Point, but as Ganondorf explained, who would look for Fire Spellstones in an Ocean surrounding? Well, Fox saw his point, so in no time, the two were passing through Lightfoot Village on their way to Cape Claw. Ganondorf was starting to hear some strange rustlings in the trees above.
"Pssst! Fox! I think some Lightfoots..."
"LightFEET."
"Whatever. They're in the trees above us. Should we turn back?"
"Ah, don't worry about it. The rustling is way too clunky for any Lightfoot. It's probably just a strong gust. Trust me, if Lightfeet are in the trees above, you will NOT know until it's too late."
Ganondorf felt a bit better, but glanced upwards occasionally after that (just to be sure).
Suddenly...
SHUNKA!
As it turned out, the rustling WAS too clunky for a Lightfoot, but wasn't too clunky for Donkey Kong, who had just swung down and pinned Fox. Fox kicked DK in the stomach and jumped back. DK started to pound the ground in fury, but Fox jumped into a tree to avoid the earthquake. DK jumped up to grab Fox, but Fox used an Illusion to down his opponent. DK slumped to the ground.
"Ah, jeez... another of Andross's lackys. I really pity his taste in henchmen these days... I mean, Star Wolf was at least challenging."
"Oh, and I WASN'T?" Ganondorf was offended.
"Well, if you're hit down on the first bomb, and can't even contact me to shout an insult, I wouldn't really be calling you a quality pilot."
"GET OFF MY CASE! I've NEVER flown one of those new-fangled things in my life! NEVER! Horse was the only mode of transportation, if not just by walking! Oh, I had a loyal dark steed, of course... quite a tough cookie, he was..."
"Fastinating. Let's keep going."
WHUMPH.
DK had gotten up, and buried Ganondorf with a Headbutt! Fox quickly vaulted over Ganondorf's torso that stuck out of the ground (which was yelling, "You fat, ugly butt-brain!!!") and went into a Fire Fox. DK was blasted backwards in a wreath of fire. Fox pulled Ganondorf out of the ground, and the two continued onwards to Cape Claw...
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"Pae sixtee scaraabs to entar Cape Claaaw."
"What?! I don't have any scarabs, you stupid turtle-freak!"
"Ahaah! Yuu not go iin, than."
"Uuurgh... WHAT are we going to DO!? There's a silly turtle that won't open a gate here! He wants sixtee scaraabs!"
"I don't have sixtee scaraabs! How do we get past this moron?"
"If only there was a Staff Rocket Boost pad nearby, I could use it to launch us OVER this wall!"
"You mean, that thing there?"
Fox glanced over to see a small, gold square that emmited blue sparks.
"Yes! But... I DON'T HAVE MY STAFF! I was supposed to get it in this Adventure! Now everything's topsy-turvey! HOW do I find my staff?"
KLONK!
A staff fell from the sky and landed on Fox's head.
"Ah! My staff! Oh, right... KRYSTAL'S staff!" Krystal was flying overhead, on her Cloudrunner companion. She had dropped it from above to aid him in his quest. Fox smiled up at her. I mean, she COULD have given him a lift to Cape Claw, but this was much better than nothing.
"Grab on!"
"BwwwaaaaaAAAAAAHHHH!"
Fox and Ganondorf soared over the wall. Fox landed gracefully on the other side. Someone had dug a 20 - foot pit, and Ganondorf fell in this as he landed on the other side.
"Oooowww..."
Anyway, Fox and Ganondorf DID eventually make it to Cape Claw, safe and sound. Well, not completely safe, but sound. (Whatever sound means.) Ganondorf led Fox into a deep, dark cave. Once inside, Ganondorf did a hula dance and a secret passage opened. From there, Ganondorf grabbed a spoon off his belt and shoved it into a wall of the secret passage. A secret compartment slid outwards, and Ganondorf jumped on top. He used this platform to shove his spoon into yet another spot in the wall. Using this technique, he climbed the side of the massive passage s - l - o - w - l - y. A few hours, hula dances, and spoon jumps later, the first of the Spellstones was in Fox and Ganondorf's posession.
During this entire process, Fox stood at the entrance to the passage, still scarred for life at the sight of Ganondorf hula - dancing. However, the two left the cave with Spellstone # 1, so Fox wasn't complaining.
"I still don't understand. WHY would Andross reveal all these stupid little details to you? That's just bonkers!"
"I know. I can only imagine what he would do to me if he found me alive." Ganondorf imagined for a second, let out a yelp, and continued on his way. Evidently, imagining something that unpleasent wasn't something he wanted to do.
"So, where can we find the second Fire Spellstone?"
"Oh, that one's underwater. We'll have to either rent or build ourselves a Submarine, then dive down beneeth yon temple to retrieve it."
"UNDERWATER?! What if the stone... GOES OUT?!? It IS a FIRE SPELLSTONE, you know!!!"
"Yes, well, I didn't think anyone would look for it down here. I MEAN... oh, no..."
"YOU didn't think that? HEY! YOU made up this entire plan for Andross, didn't you?!? All this genius was YOUR idea!!!"
Ganondorf sighed. "Yes, it was me. I thought of the whole thing. Andross hired me for that sole purpose... then, he discarded me by putting me into the thing I feared the most... a spaceship. Not only was entertaining for him, but he would eliminate me so I couldn't leak any information about "HIS" plot."
"That MONSTER! He has to be stopped! GANONDORF!!!"
"GAAH! Don't yell like that! What is it?"
"Sorry, I'm in a bit of a rage right now. Okay, I'm under control now... whew. I just REALLY hate it when people treat others like that. Ganondorf! Not only will I teach you how to use a space communicator, but I'll teach you to FLY the ship as well!"
"You're kidding with me! No one's ever done something like that for me before!... Thank you."
"No problem. Well, let's get that sub ready, okay?"
"YEAH! Let's DO this thang!"
BUZZEEP! Fox's communicator ominously buzzed to life. "Ahhh... the son of James McCloud," said a sinister and evil-sounding voice.
BUZZEEP! "You know, Andross, you can just call me Fox. We're on first name terms by now."
BUZZEEP! "I think not, McCloud. I have to sound tough. I'd just like to let you know I've just collected my beautiful reward from the Cornerian Ministry of Defence. A very large sum of money. Why, I may just buy myself a Great Fox and blow it up at my own leisure!"
BUZZEEP! "Shut up, Andross! You may have fooled them, but I'll expose you for the traitor you are! That reward will come to me in a flash!... By the way, what WAS that 'Inside Source' that hooked you up with so much dough?"
BUZZEEP! Andross sighed. "McCloud, McCloud, McCloud. You have not been monitering me for the last few years. I've had many people working on that money. Oh, you'll just give it up, eventually. Not only are you outrageously outnumbered, but the only other being alive that knows my plan is no longer alive!! Wait, that came out wrong... er, forget that! You may have noticed a few of your old enemies back from Team Alliance, eh? Well, surprise, surprise. I've REVIVED the Alliance! They're back, and better than ever! Plus, they've been working undercover as members of the Cornerian Ministry of Defence to get me that reward! And instead of that dumb Falco as their leader, I am! TREMBLE at my MIGHTINESS!"
BUZZEEP! "What??? Then where IS Falco?"
BUZZEEP! "Not here, I'll tell you," replied Andross, surprisingly casually. "He hates you, we both know it. You completely robbed him of that SSBM Championship all those years ago, and he's just gone off to some corner to sulk with himself. Completely pathetic, really. So, I wasn't able to get him back for Team Alliance. HIS OWN LOSS! He'll be trembling before me in a matter of days, as will YOU! BAHAHAA!"
The communicator shut off as Andross signed out. Fox's situation was suddenly even more desperate than before. With the Alliance revived and stalking him every step of the way, he might not accomplish all his goals before the seven day time limit expires. This could be much more difficult than Fox thought...
----- END OF DAY ONE -----
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----- DAY TWO BEGINS -----
Fox had fallen asleep on the grass. He awoke to the smell of morning dew on the unusually calm grass. Hard to believe that in six short days, it would all be oblivion if he didn't do something about it.
Ganondorf had noticed Fox wake up. He had woken up about an hour earlier. He mentioned, "You know, Fox, if Andross has gathered the Alliance to be his henchmen, I think WE should get the old Star Fox team gang back together to help combat them. I was trying to compose a list of them, and I came up with these:
- Fox
- Luigi
- Bowser
- Peach
- Ganondorf
- Dr. Mario
- Young Link
- Mewtwo
- Pikachu
- Pichu
- Jigglypuff
- Samus
So, if we can just gather as many of them again as possible, they'll be able to combat the army that Andross assembled! But, how to do that in less than six days..."
"Ganondorf, that's brilliant! I can send my team over to check it out! Better yet," Fox said, gears in his head clicking, "We can even get the Blue Marine from Slippy to retrieve the other Fire Spellstone! But..." Fox continued, talking out his thoughts, which were suddenly going sour, "They think I'm the enemy now! At least, I think they do... I'll try contacting them."
--- An Hour Later... ---
"So, that's where we're at," Fox finished. He had just filled Slippy, Peppy, and ROB in on their situation. "Will you help us? Do you BELIEVE us??"
" 'Course we do, Fox! We've been partners for years! In fact, I'm dropping the Blue Marine and Landmaster Tank to your location as well. They have impact reduction units, so they'll be alright when they hit the ground. Just be sure they don't land on your head!"
Fox chuckled at Slippy's joke, thanked his team for their support, and wished them well on their voyage to recruit Team Star Fox back together. The Great Fox ignited its rockets and soared out of sight.
Suddenly...
KLANKCLATTERWHAM.
Both the Landmaster AND Blue Marine had landed on Ganondorf. A small chasm appeared where he used to be standing, and he was buried beneeth the two vehicles.
Fox peered into the pit. "Quit lying around, Ganondorf! We've got to get the Blue Marine into the water!"
Within the NEXT two hours, Fox and Ganondorf had worked out their plan. Fox had taught Ganondorf how to use the Blue Marine, and Ganondorf agreed to recover the second Fire Spellstone from underwater. Fox was to travel to Snowhorn Mountain to get the two Water Spellstones ("But, won't they FREEZE?"). Ganondorf had given Fox directions so that he could drive the Landmaster there, and recover the Spellstones. Then, they were to meet at the Force Point Temple to replace all four spellstones at once, to avoid an early explosion. They then would meet up with Peppy, Slippy, ROB, and the whole re-united Star Fox crew to plan and launch an attack on Andross, in a desperate, one-chance attempt to destroy his device (for it would still be able to throw the Lylat System out of balence) and expose his treachery to the entire System.
So, the REAL quest now began...