The New Enemy

Disclaimer: Star Fox, its trademarks, characters, etc. are owned by Nintendo. I do own, however, this story, and other characters that don't exist in the game.

Episode 1: The Crew

A year had passed since the Aparoids, an alien being that can assimilate both living and machine to control its host, invaded Lylat System. Thankfully, Star Fox, with the help of others, like the Cornerian Defense Force and Star Wolf, stopped this menace. Many things occurred, and now, inside Great Fox…

"Give me that towel! Hey, Wolf, that's mine!"

Fox yelled as he wrapped himself with another white towel. It seemed that he took a shower with Wolf, and basically, the lupine took his towel. "Wolf, will you please give that towel to me."

"You're already wearing one, pup," he growled as he wrapped himself with it. He then started putting on his underclothing and his eye patch. "Besides, I don't see a name written on this so-called towel of yours." Fox just glanced at him angrily, but then laughed out. "What? What's funny?"

"I didn't realize you know how to reply with humor," Fox jeered after putting on his suit. It was basically a blue sleeveless garment. He's also wearing his usual grey pants. He's not in a mission anyway. "Anyway, they're probably eating now. We should go… and please don't call me a pup! I'm already in my twenties and you're just a year older than me."

Wolf, who was wearing the same outfit, with the upper clothing only colored red and the pants colored dirty blue, chuckled, "And you call yourself the leader of Star Fox. You should punish them for not waiting for you… You're still a pup for being an alpha... Calling you pup suits you." Fox just sighed.

As the two opened the door, they were surprised to see Peppy Hare. "Wow, this looks like a new development," he chuckled, making the two look keenly on him. It was rather odd that Fox and Wolf are together. "Lylat's fiercest rivals are now talking to each other and are hitting the showers together."

"Well, Leon and Falco aren't killing each other, and Panther's befriended Krystal, although I'm sure sometimes he stalks her… What's wrong with talking to Wolf?" Fox growled back. "Besides, we still consider each other rivals!" Peppy just smiled with a disturbing intent, and Wolf just crossed his arms while giving a smile. "Anyway, we're hungry. Is the mess hall ready?"

"Yes, and guess who cooked today," the hare replied with a laugh as he left the hall, "Powalski's doing the food, and I'm interested on what the meal's going to taste."

Wolf told to Fox in a teasing manner, "Finally, you guys are going to eat real food." Fox wondered on what it meant.

"What does that mean? Are we going to eat those manly foods you eat in Sargasso years ago?" he chuckled back, but Wolf was serious about the meal deal. "Uh, you're not kidding, right?"

"Nope… Leon's a true chef. Bite my ear if I'm lying…"

Fox just sighed once more. The two continued to walk towards the mess hall.

Speaking of Star Wolf, you're probably wondering why they are inside Great Fox. Well, after destroying the Aparoid Queen and the Aparoid Homeworld, Star Wolf was able to survive. They returned to Sargasso, but it seemed Corneria had already taken the place. Star Wolf was caught, and well, they were still considered as scoundrels. Fox heard about this, and he saved the three from execution by defending them. They, after all, saved the system with them. While the two showed true gratification, Wolf just gave short thanks and spoke to no one. Of course, this didn't go easily. Star Wolf was given a condition; they should continue helping Star Fox if they want their names to be cleared by staying with them. Salary's not a problem. Well, the condition still continues up to today…

"I place my queen here… and there… check," Panther proclaimed after moving his black chess piece onto a square of the chessboard. Apparently, he holds the record for winning chess matches against anyone in the ship, without losing. Could his foe ruin his record?

His opponent, Falco Lombardi, who actually had less experience in this game, knew he'd lose. He thought of something for gaining an edge. "Okay, Panther, let's make a deal," he told his opponent, "who ever loses to this game gets to kiss a girl!" He knew Panther would do anything for a woman, specifically Krystal, and kissing her… well… I'll leave it to you for describing it. Falco never has anything for her, but he's pretty sure this flirt would give it up.

"Err… you're a cheater, bird!" he growled as he slowly hovered his palm to his king. If he pushed it down, it's like raising a white flag of surrender. "Must… control… Panther… record or kiss…" Sweat continued to flow on his head. However, he made a heavy decision, well, heavy for him. He swiped a rook to a square and proclaimed, "Checkmate… Drat… Did I sin so much that I have to face such consequences?"

Falco grumbled with annoyance. "Shit… I thought he's going to lose…" His stomach suddenly erupted after that thought. "Man… I'm hungry. Hey Panther, wanna bite some chow?"

"Yes. I'm dreadfully hungry as well," he replied. He then thought of the loser's consequence, so he asked Falco, "Um… Falco, can we forget the deal? You don't have to kiss Krystal, you know…" Falco just laughed.

"Nah, don't worry about that! Besides, I don't have the guts to do that boner," he leered back loudly. He was obnoxious to the fact that he just relieved the panther's stress.

Meanwhile, inside the kitchen, an amphibian and a reptilian were continuously arguing about what to cook. Slippy was ordered by Peppy to follow Leon's instructions, and well, he was a bit irritated from the chameleon's commands. Krystal was inquisitive about their racket, so she checked up on them.

"Hey, what's with all the yelling and messing?" she asked them as she saw steam building up in the room. "Your psyches are rather, um, disturbing…"

"I'll tell you why!" Slippy grumbled as he cleared the white smoke. Krystal suddenly laughed after seeing him with a tall chef's hat. It was so loose that the frog's head could fit into the cap. "What's the deal with wearing this hat? I can barely see anything! What's with the oven and grill? Can't we just use the microwave?"

"My poor unrefined mate, you don't know the basics of cooking five-star class meals, do you?" Leon replied with finesse. He pulled out something from the oven and immediately covered it. He then continued working on his meal. "If you want to eat real food, you have to do it with style and finesse, not to mention soul and heart. Foods prepared with such grand passion soothe the soldier's spirit!"

"Why can't I see it when we're fighting you," Slippy whispered back. However, Krystal thought of it otherwise.

"My, my… You're really outdoing yourself, Leon Powalski!" she complemented him for she just used her telepath ability. "I can read your thoughts… and the food you kept on that tray is simply… scrumptious! What are the other meals?" Leon, while flattered, scolded him.

"Now dear, please stop it! You'll spoil the surprise! I suggest keeping those in your mind!" he hissed. Krystal laughed and agreed. Slippy just didn't get it.

How was it? Did you like it? I know it's kind of short, and the story's plot isn't revealed yet… but it'll come out! Just keep watching!