Hey folks! It's been a while since I last played any Star Fox titles, yet I somehow found myself spending two entire days reading in this section which brought an idea to my head. So I just had to put it down ;)
I do not own Star Fox or anything related to it. I am just the owner of my humble imagination. Unfortunately, I am still not native to English so there might be some grammar mistakes (which were not intended in the first place). Enjoy!
Dark, silent and unchanging.
That were the things he liked about space. You could be for yourself, apart from society. He did not really fit into it after all, he was merely tolerated as long as he did his job. But they would not hesitate a moment to blame him for all the messed up things in the world when they thought there was a reason.
And why should they not? Blaming someone else for things you were to lazy to do something about is easy.
"People.." he thought to himself "cause and solution to all of our problems". He chuckled. "Gettin' a bit sentimental, are we?" he thought out loud as he looked through the wind shield of his cockpit into the black abyss of space.
"So, lets see where exactly I am. I should cancel the auto pilot before going to sleep, just wasting fuel that way." he said as he checked his instruments to pinpoint his location.
"Sauria, huh? Never heard of that planet but from the looks of it it has seen better days." The data his computer gave him only confirmed what he thought: A planet with primitive variations of life, dinosaurs in general, and different climate zones from frozen wastes over tropical beaches to moon like areas. Recently it was falling apart due to some unknown reasons.
"Ah well, let's see what the next larger planet is. As long as it's not Corneria I really do not care." He talked to himself a lot when he was alone in his ship, the sound of the engine and the regular beeping of his computer were some boring partners to talk to.
As he zoomed out his galactic map and noticed that Corneria was indeed the next larger planet he let out a small growl. He could not exactly tell why he disliked Corneria but something about that place made him nervous. He shrugged it off, "sentimental and paranoid. Way to go, kid!" he said jokingly to himself. "Anyway, I better get myself moving before my fuel runs ou...WHOA!" He closed his eyes as something went past his ship that was covered in a bright and strange light. And it was huge. He opened his eyes again and noticed that the glow had decreased so he turned his ship to get a better look at said thing. His jaw dropped almost to the floor as he saw a giant golden mask flying through space. It seemed to have come straight from Sauria's surface. "Well, that's...unexpected" he whispered to himself for lack of better words as he released the breath he subconsciously held. He shook his head to make sure that he was not imagining things. He was not. "Good. Since I'm getting more and more paranoid, the last thing I need to add to my list of disorders is hallucinating".
He was about to turn his fighter as he caught something in the corner of his eyes. He didn't need to really look at the speeding, quite small (compared to that huge mask) object that seemed to race after the golden face to know it was a fighter just like his. Something different caught his attention and that was the fact that it was coloured like an Arwing. And as he looked closer he noticed the emblem on the ships' side. It had the shape of a fox dashing forward. He gasped and gulped at the same time which caused him to cough. "A member of the Star Fox team? Here in the middle of nowhere? And what is he chasing that mask-face..whatever thing for? Maybe it's just..."
Just at that point the golden mask turned around and he could not believe what he saw. As the mask had fully turned it revealed an aged ape-face with a gray-white beard and a pair of eyes that burned with hate and hunger for power. The odd thing about it was that the face was accompanied by a pair of hands but the rest of his body was missing. Realisation was about to enter his mind as he heard a booming voice out of his communicator:
"This time you shall meet your end, Fox McCloud. It is about time I reunite you with your father!"
He was in awe and shock at the same time. "Could it really be...Andross? And McCloud is facing him alone? Damn brave that guy, one of the few animals that fight for their convictions and not complain about how bad life is all day." As he turned his look back to the now smirking face of Andross burning fury rose within him. Suddenly his mind jumped years back. He saw his brother's ship crushed and mangled by that face, as he stood on the bridge of the 'Dignity', the former flagship of the Cornerian army. His mind jumped back to reality and as tears made their way slowly down his cheeks he was ready to join that battle in front of him. He didn't even think about it, anger and fury that he long had buried rose within him and almost screamed for release. He was happy to oblige, that son-of-a-bitch had it coming way to long.
He contacted the Arwing that was dashing around space in order to evade Andross' attacks as he turned his own fighter to support the ape's only opposer.
Fox could not really grasp the situation he was in. It felt like a weird dream to him. "Andross is dead...I destroyed him myself...but that's him in front of me...so it really must be him...the one who killed my father...the one who threatens the entire Lylat System...the one who used her..."
His thoughts were interrupted by the beeping sound of his Arwings' communicator. "What? I don' have time for chit chat Slippy!" he yelled. That toad had an nick for calling him in the wrong place at the wrong time. But the voice that came out of the speakers was not Slippy's high pitched voice.
"Fox McCloud?" the voice asked as a picture of a raven appeared on Fox's screen. Fox just nodded, that raven really picked the wrong time to get himself an autograph. "Well, Dexter Raven here. I take it you fight that ugly fellow behind that mask? Just wanted you to know that you're not alone, I too have some unfinished business with Andross. Do you mind the company?" the raven asked. "Yeah, just stop talking and do something. Stay on the comm, just to be sure" Fox ordered in his usual manner. He hoped that bird was able to follow orders. "Got that" was all the raven replied.
Fox barrel rolled to evade Andross attack and got a short glance at the raven's fighter. It was pitch black and had no emblems or inscriptions on it. Nothing that provided information about it. "A freelancer then, huh? Dexter Raven...I heard that name before...I just can't put it into the right place yet...doesn't matter...I'll simply ask him later...but he had business with Andross? That guy is not on any regular freelancer's list..." A painful cry cut Fox out of his line of thought. He looked up and noticed that one of Andross' eyes was replaced by a crater and a small trail of blood oozed from it.
"That bird actually fired a bomb into Andross' eye...he really seems to be not just any freelancer...but this is my fight after all...that bastard has to be brought down for all he's done...". Fox's mind jumped back to the blue vixen that had been trapped in that giant crystal on top of krazoa palace. She was the most beautiful animal he had ever seen. "I just wish I knew her name..".
"Ahem, would you stop dreaming Mr. McCloud? I said I'll fight alongside you but I surely will not babysit you here! It's just not the time to..." Dexter was cut off as Andross slammed his fist into his ship's left wing causing it to spin around several times. "Dexter, are you all right?" Fox asked but there was no answer. "Great he's knocked out". Fox hammered his arwing's booster and dodged Andross rage-filled fist swings with ease. He locked onto the remaining eye of Andross, pulled the trigger and sent a bomb off right into the ape's iris. Andross screamed in agony. "All right McCloud now you die!" Andross created a deadly whirl with his fists hoping to crush Fox despite his lack of sight. Fox managed to avoid the blows that became more and more inaccurate. He saw a fist coming from his right and forced his arwing into a somersault and while doing so he charged power into a bomb. As he was in front of Andross' face again he released the trigger and shot glowing red orb into the ape's screaming mouth and made his way out of the explosions area of effect.
"Show yourself McCloud, I know you wish to see your fa..." Andross was cut off by a huge explosion that shattered the mad scientists face into thousands of shards.
"It's done...Andross is finally dead...". "Hey Dexter, are you ok?" the vulpine asked over the com. "Ouch, where am I?" the raven asked back as he came to. He took a look around. "I suppose that oversized monkey is done. I do not hear mad laughter and you are sill alive. Good job" Dexter still looked dizzy. "You know, you should probably follow me to the Great Fox, that spin you took didn't look exactly healthy and we can check if you are ok." Fox offered. He was really grateful that that bird showed up when he did because Fox was constantly thinking of that vixen in that crystal.
"Uh, well I guess I take you on your offer, I could use some rest and my ship could use some repairs as well. But don't mind I can fix that myself, last thing I want is to be a burden." Fox didn't expect such modesty from that freelancer since he mocked him out of his thoughts the same way Falco would and that avian was everything but modest.
"OK, just follow me, it's not that far." Fox said and with that the two pilots made their way to the Great Fox.
As they entered the docking bay of the Great Fox, Dexter and Fox climbed out of their fighters. Dexter still was dizzy form that spin he took and needed to rest a few moments against the ladder which led up to his cockpit to regain his focus. "Hrmpf" he muttered and only his will and stubbornness kept him from losing consciousness again. "Lets' move, no sense in standing around" he finally said an looked at Fox to guide the way. The vulpine nodded and made his way to the bridge.
The two animals didn't talk much while walking around the Great Fox. Dexter didn't speak much because he had to concentrate on staying awake and Fox didn't know what to talk about. But that raven's name made him curious. "Dexter Raven" he mumbled "I've heard that name before. Wait, you're that bounty hunter, aren't you? He asked with slight contempt in his voice. Fox hated bounty hunters, to kill individuals for money was wrong, no matter whether they were criminals or not. "I always thought assassins was a better term for your kind." Fox mentioned. Dexter looked up and Fox faced a pair of eyes burning with anger. "I don't kill for money! I never killed any of the people I caught! I just catch them and turn them in on a planet where they are searched. What the officials of that planet do to them is not my business. Besides, I pick my targets carefully, I don't run after petty thieves or con-artists. Most of the people I went after were murderers or worse. They lost their lives the moment the decided to kill someone. Yet, I don't kill them. There is no sense in fighting fire with fire."
Fox's jaw dropped at what Dexter told him. "That guy certainly is not a regular bounty hunter. The way his eyes stared at me when I called him a hired killer...that was pure anger...there seems to be more to that bird..maybe..." He was interrupted as he realised they were standing in front of the door leading to the Great Fox's bridge. Fox stepped through it and was greeted by Slippy who jolted from his position with a joyful "Woo-hoo!" and the elder hare Peppy who looked up from his screen and smiled. ROB just said in his usual way "Welcome back, Fox". They all failed to notice the black bird behind their leader.
"So Andross, huh?" Slippy said joyfully "thought we kicked him to hell for good the last time." Fox nodded "Yeah it surprised me as well to see him again, but I'm positive that he's finished now."
It was ROB to bring up the raven who placed himself in a darker corner of the bridge. "Unable to confirm identity of all people on the bridge, possible infiltration detected, suggest defensive actions". Fox stared at the robot for a second, bewildered by what he said but then he remembered Dexter who stood in a corner of the bridge, arms crossed. "But to be honest I didn't really defeat Andross all on my own. Guys, this is Dexter Raven, he was a great help to me out there". The raven moved away from the corner he stood in "Well, I would not consider myself a great help, I was unconscious for most of the battle. You defeated him in the end. But can we skip the part where we hug each other? My head rings like a bell on a wedding, I really could use some sleep." he said and added a 'Nice to meet you' but it was more mumbled than spoken. The adrenaline wore off and he started shaking. "ROB take Dexter to the medical station and check him out for any injuries. When you're done show him the spare room, so he can get some rest." ROB answered in his usual way "Affirmative, treatment of Mr. Dexter Raven in progress, would you follow me please." and with that the raven and ROB left the bridge.
Just minutes after they left, the door opened again. "I can't wait to roll with the Star Fox team again! You mind if I join you again?" said a familiar voice. Fox turned his head and saw Falco standing in front of him. Slippy and Peppy also noticed Falco and smiled. "Sure Falco, it's great to have you back!" Fox answered, glad to have his team back together. "Oh I almost forgot, I received this message for you Fox. It's from Krystal." Peppy said all of a sudden. "From who?" the vulpine asked, slightly confused. "Just see for yourself" the hare replied and played the message.
Fox heart skipped a beat when he saw that Krystal was actually the name of that vixen he could not stop thinking about. "Krystal..." He completely missed the first part of her message but came to when she said "And now there is only on thing left to do". And then the door to the bridge opened again and Krystal walked through it and over to Fox who was taken completely off guard "...and that's to say to say 'thank you'." Fox blushed, unable to say a thing. "You're not shy, are you Fox?" Slippy asked teasing. "I think I'm gonna be just fine" was all Fox was able to say which made Krystal giggle and Fox blush even more.
After the Star Fox team finished their debriefing with General Pepper, which was accompanied by constant "Woo-hoos" from Slippy everyone retired to their rooms. ROB informed them that Dexter was taken care off. He had no major injuries, he has a minor concussion but nothing serious. He was now in the spare room, sleeping. With everyone gone, the only remaining people on the bridge were Krystal an Fox. He was unable to draw his eyes from her. Every time he tried to focus on something else his eyes wandered back to her beautiful face. Krystal giggled every time she noticed him staring, which caused Fox to blush, each time harder than before.
"Well, Fox I think I shall take my leave then. Thank you again for everything you've.." Fox almost jumped out of his seat as he blurted out a "NO!". Krystal flinched at the volume of his voice and took a few steps back. "Keep calm you idiot, you're just scaring her..." Fox cleared his throat. "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you, it's just..I really don't want you to leave. Well at least not right now. I'm not trying to force you to stay here of course. It's just that I..would..like to..um..get to know you better..and..." His voice failed to serve him which caused him to blush. He felt as if his head was like a huge red lamp. He could hardly hear anything due the blood rushing through his ears. After he calmed down a bit he could make out a gentle giggle. He looked up and saw Krystal with one hand upon her mouth so that she would not burst out into laughter. Fox could not help but to smile at that scene.
Krystal was giggling all over. "He is just so cute. The total opposite of what you imagine of a hero. And he is one. He came to rescue me from that cursed crystal and saved me when I was about to fall into my certain death. He chased the krazoa mask into space without hesitation just to make sure I was safe. He faced dangers that others can' even imagine and yet he lacks the strength to talk to me without blushing. She was able to regain her composure after taking a few breaths. "I must admit that it has been a long time since I travelled with others and I would gladly stay here for a while. But I don't want to burden your team or your ship." she added smiling. She secretly wished for him to ask her to stay. She wanted to get to know her saviour of course. But she found herself to be very attracted to his genuine smile, his handsome face but mostly to his heart. The heart that was obviously filled with courage and care.
"Maybe he is the one I was looking for all my life. The kindred soul every living creature has. Maybe...just for once I will be happy in my life. After the destruction of Cerinia I felt like a husk, somewhat incomplete. But I feel safe around him".
With that thought she looked into Fox's emerald green eyes and somethin inside her told her that this vulpine was the one she was looking for all her life.
Little did she know, for Fox was having almost exactly the same struggle in his mind and heart. "After my father died, all I ever wished for was a family. Before I met Krystal I suggested the Star Fox team was the family I never had. I still fell like they are, but they are somehow incomplete without her...I just hope she feels the same way...". He took a look into her ocean blue eyes and vowed that he would do anything in his power to keep her safe.
Far away from the two vulpines, in a place of total darkness, someone, or rather something, was recovering from a defeat.
"You got lucky this time, McCloud..."