Forgotten Hope:Chapter 1

Great Fox, Den

Fox and the rest of the team are lazing around. They haven't had a mission in a while. Fox was laying on the couch in a daze, busy balancing a beer can on his foot as entertainment. Falco, geting sick off watching this for the past four hours, grabs his blaster and puts it on it's lowest non-leathal setting and shoots the can off Foxes foot. This sends Fox flying off the couch. Fox who was still in another world screams as he takes cover behind the couch.

" We're under attack, Krystal, Falco take cover! Slippy create a diversion!" Fox screamed at the top of his lungs.

Falco and Krystal burst out laughing while Fox sits there still in a daze and Slippy stomps out muttering something about ungreatful jerks. Fox finaly realizes what just happened and slumps back down on the couch glaring at Falco.

" You know Falco you should be more careful. You could hurt someone like that." Fox said through gritted teeth.

" Relax McCloud it was set to stun so if it hit you, you'd be fine, a little knumb but fine." Falco said with his trade mark smirk.

" Fox is right though Falco. But it was sure funny the way he reacted. I don't think I have ever seen Fox move so fast." Krystal said.

Fox layed there a few moments longer before getting up and heading for the door. Falco and Krystal watched him carefully.

" Fox, did we upset you?" Krystal asked with a concerned look on her face.

" No, I was just going to take a nap." Fox said, surpressing a yawn.

" That's not a bad idea. I think I'll take a nap too." Falco said streching. He then rolled over on the couch and soon fell asleep.

" I think Falco could sleep any where." Fox said as he left the den, Krystal following close behind.

" Sure seems that way." Krystal said as she watched the ceiling of the hall. " I'm begining to feel a bit tired myself. Think I could join you for a nap?"

Fox froze on the spot. He and Krystal were close, but not that close. He couldn't really say that they had a real relationship either. Fox cautiosly turned his head to look at Krystal out the corner of his eye. She was looking at him with an inquiring look. Fox swallowed once as he thought to himself. ' Ok Fox, she just wants to take a nap with you nothing else. Just stay calm.' Fox took a quick breath before he spoke.

" Sure, why not." Fox said.' Why not indeed' Fox thought to himself.

Krystal followed him to his room and they entered. Fox was thankful it was clean for once. If it hadn't of been for the fact he needed to do his laundry, there would be clothes every where. The door closed behind Krystal. Fox walked over to his bed and just flopped over on it. Krystal walked over and joined him. Fox had burried his head into one of the pillows for a moment. He suddenly felt Krystal's hand rubbing his back in a very soothing manner. Fox felt very relaxed and turned his head to look at Krystal. She was lying right next to him. She leaned in closer to Fox and nuzzled his head. Fox was begining to slip into sleep. He could hear Krystal humming and it seemed to fade.

Then it began to get louder again only it was deeper and a different melody. Fox opened his eye's and he was home on the couch in front of the tv which was off. He sat up to look for the source of the humming. Fox was surprised to see his mother, sitting on a two seater couch with his father, who had his arm's wrapped around her. It was his father who was humming. He was humming a song that he sang for Fox when he was a small kit. Fox couldn't believe what he was seeing.

" Dad?" Fox managed to get out. His father looked up at him and smiled.

" Well good evening sleepy head. How are you feeling?" James asked in a soft voice.

" A little confused right now." Fox said placing his hand on his head.

James stood then walked over to Fox and sat next to him. He gently put his hand on Fox's shoulder and looked at him with concern in his eye's.

" What is confusing you Fox?" James asked.

" Well you see, I thought you two were dead." Fox said in an unsure tone. Fox's mother got up and joined them on the couch.

" Oh, Fox, my baby." She said hugging him gently and she looked at James. Then James hesitated before he spoke.

" Well, son. I don't know how to say this but, well." James said, then looked to his mother.

" Fox, sweety, we are dead. I'm sorry baby." She said softly. Fox shot off the couch, looking at his parents.

" We are so proud of everything you've accomlpished Fox. And we love you so much. Fox just promise that you will always remember us. And who you are, no matter what comes your way, stay strong son." James said.

They just stared back at him, then they vanished. Fox was soon surounded by nothingness. Fox felt empty and cold. He felt so alone, like nothing would ever be normal again. Then he saw a light in the distance. Fox bolted towards the light. As he got closer, everything became brighter and warmer. He suddenly didn't feel so alone either. Fox stopped in front of what was causing the light. It was Kystal, Falco, Slippy and even Peppy. They were always there for him. They filled an empty void in his life. Fox just stood there taking it all in. He walked up to Krystal and wrapped his arm's around her. She smiled and nuzzled his head. The other's stood there smiling at him. Everything began to fade but Fox felt complete.