A/N: Thus begins the start of Sheppard's productivity skyrocketing, as I've finally escaped high school prison. This will be a side project to AS;AM, but that's not to say that this will be neglected as all my other projects seem to fall victim to. But, enough of that.
So, This story will be a unique one. What do I mean by that? Well, with information given much later in this chapter, I'll need you guys' help. If you're interested in having your character appear in this story, follow the link on my profile. That will lead to a little spreadsheet I put together for this. All you've got to do is fill out a spot with your character's information, and he/she will appear later on. Though, I will stress to be inclusive and descriptive with your character, otherwise he/she might not make it in.
Enjoy guys, and I look forward to seeing your characters! Next chapter will go up as soon as I can get it done.
-Sheppard
Chapter 1 — Skirmish
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From the claws on his hind digits to the endmost hairs on the peaks of his ears, and from the tips of his whiskers to to the very bottom of his bushy tail, and everything in between, hurt. He'd have an easier time counting what parts of his body didn't feel like they had been submerged in lava and rolled over with a tanker truck. At this point, he really wished he could sweat to relieve himself of the immense heat brewing within his pelt, but instead had to pant and whine in protest as he fought with his body to continue. With a limp tongue and almost as limp arms and legs, he held up his arms in a half-assed attempt at protecting his weathered face and body.
His lynx opponent, who barely even looked as though she had spent the last half an hour on the mat with him, clapped her hands together. "Aw, c'mon Foxy; you can't be dyin' on me already."
"No, no, I'm… I'm good," Fox breathed, staggering on his feet as if he were in a drunken stupor. "You… you think I've had enough already? I'm… I'm Fox McClah… ow… oud… and… I'm not gonna…"
"I think you should sit down, Fox," a voice he could only register as an anamorphous blur of blue in his peripheral vision said as if to warn him.
Fox didn't really know if he waved back at the voice or not, he was too busy swimming to comprehend if he did. "Nahhh… You see this? I'm… perfectly fine…"
"I think you hit his head too hard, Miyu."
The lynx shrugged… or nodded… or might've flipped him off, Fox honestly couldn't tell the difference. Although he did find a victory when he realized that the other voice belonged to Falco, and obviously he had gotten done icing his sore knee if he was at the side of their mat. Nevertheless, much to both Falco and Miyu's dismay and against their words, Fox insisted that he continue.
"Suit yourself," Miyu commented, and in an instantaneous moment, Fox went from staring at Miyu's blurry frame to staring up at a ceiling that was rotating on an invisible axis and was ascending and descending depending on where it was. The floodlights above were like miniature suns in his eyes, but he didn't even have the mental capacity to close them. He truthfully didn't even know if he was conscious or not. Or if he was on the same planet anymore.
Miyu looked down at a prone and sprawled out Fox, eying the only movement coming from him, which was the rising and falling of his chest. Irregular and hoarse, Fox's breathing escaped out of his ajar muzzle on its own accord. His tail and ears, which were usually sensitive and perpetually in motion, were still and unmoving—just as much as the rest of his body was. If it wasn't for his chest evidently heaving, one might think he was dead.
Miyu crouched down by his head and snapped her clawed digits in his face. Fox's wide open emerald eyes refused to recognize the movement or the noise, rather opting to absentmindedly stare up at the rafters.
"Welp, you finally did it," Falco commented. "You killed him."
"He's fine," Miyu grinned devilishly. "Gotta knock some sense into him some way."
"True," Falco chuckled. "Need help?"
"I got 'im," Miyu assured, clasping Fox's taped wrists, then put her entire body weight and muscle into pulling his limp body off of the vinyl mat and onto the cement floor. She dragged him across the floor until she could prop his body against the back wall. She stepped back a few feet to examine her work. "Fox?"
He made a weird moan drowned out by drool as a reply.
"See? He's okay," Miyu nodded at Falco. "Just got his bell rung."
"I'll get him up," Falco sighed, approaching the limp vulpine. He dropped to his knees and folded over so that he could get right up in Fox's face. He gently pulled Fox's muzzle into place, and then abruptly slapped the top of his muzzle, eliciting a whine from the vulpine as he weakly pushed the bird away.
"Told ya," was all Miyu said when Fox's eyes began to move around and perceive his surroundings. He took about another minute or two to breathe and wake up his damaged senses, but in doing so, a previously dormant instinct surfaced when he meagerly curled up into a ball on the floor, the cold cement acting as a viable bed. The poor vulpine refused to make eye contact out of shame and embarrassment.
"Foxy, come on," Miyu purred, combing her claws through the tuft of cream fur on his head. "You're okay. I didn't hit you that hard."
"I'm concussed," Fox murmured.
"You just got your bell rung," she assured, gently pulling Fox back up to a sitting position. Fox resented this idea and attempted to lay back down, but he wasn't strong enough to contend with her. Gradually, Fox relented enough to allow her to pull him up to his feet, but immediately staggered upon taking his first step and fell right into her awaiting arms. "Easy, Foxy."
The fox didn't escape her grasp right away, opting to lay his aching head against her. The ringing in his ears began to subside, as did the throbbing pain just about everywhere else, all because he felt the most comfortable and secure directly where he was. Although she gave him a bit of a condescending look, she couldn't refrain from consoling her injured Foxy, especially when he gave her those eyes in return. Easing his psychological pain, Miyu planted a tender kiss on the base of his forehead before guiding him over to the benches on the adjacent side of the mat.
Miyu saw the faint hint of jealousy present in the bird's facial expression after seeing that extra bit of affection, then pounced on her opportunity. "Don't worry, you can have him after I'm dead."
"Ha ha, real funny," Falco sarcastically retorted, ripping off an ample amount of gauze from the roll. "Even if I did want him, I wouldn't touch him after what you put him through." Seeing the glare being directed his way, Falco added, "Well, I—for one—would never get in between a bond so tight between two of my closest friends, so you have nothing to fear."
"Smooth, bird," Miyu giggled, draping a damp towel over top Fox's aching head.
"You're just jealous," Fox commented, slurred words and all.
"Don't kid yourself, Foxy-boy," Falco laughed, encroaching on a slim bag hanging from the rafters. "I'm happy I'm single. Less girl drama to deal with."
"Them's be fighin' words, birdy," Miyu jokingly sneered. The three of them shared in respective laughs as they continued to do what they were doing. Falco, now all taped up, began to attack a leather punching bag with a few light jabs and kicks, while Miyu continuously made sure that Fox was resting and recovering properly.
Great Fox maintenance periods were always times of relaxation and nonsensical banter for the Star Fox team. While their flagship and headquarters underwent the usual round of tune-ups, reparations, and modifications, the six-man mercenary team enjoyed their own ways of staying entertained on Corneria. Peppy made it a point to meet with General Pepper to discuss the business, Slippy always visited the repair center to see if he could pick up some engineering skills, and Fay would always do her own thing. That left Fox, Falco, and Miyu all together.
As their usual ritual dictates, the three would spend the day at the local gym: having fun, training, and greeting fans that were lucky enough to stumble upon them. Fox visited this place ever since he and his family moved to Corneria, and ever since, the family staff there has recognized and befriended the vulpine so much that they proudly endorse the Star Fox team.
Yet, their endorsement seems to be their only sort of slight income, now that the Lylat Wars were over and peace had once again reclaimed the system. Income for his team fell off a metaphorical cliff. In fact, this round of repairs would be the last he could afford for the Great Fox until he could catch a break and get contracted again.
Fox's sensitive ears twitched when the bell over the front door chimed, causing him to cringe as well. Over the light thumping of Falco's punching bag, and of his own heart, Fox heard an unfamiliar voice conversing with the manager, before that same voice thundered over what noise there was.
"Okay feathers; off my mat!"
Fox cranked his head around to see a massive white fox that towered over everyone approach their area. Snow white fur coated the vulpine's body, with a stretched out tank top adorning his well-built, yet toned and slim frame that was prevalent even through the fur. His long, white hair had a single streak of cherry red dye that spanned from the upper base of his right ear all the way down to beyond his shoulder blades where the hair tapered off. Adding to his interesting appearance, an intriguing white pattern was stitched into the vulpine's maroon trunks, resembling that of an ancient tribal pattern. With muzzle contracted and razor sharp teeth bared, the white fox managed to intimidate Falco right off the mat.
"Uh, hey," Fox started. "We've got this area reserved."
"So, what?" he grunted in an accent that indicated that Cornerian wasn't his first language, nor his second. He didn't even bother to spare a glance to Fox as he sized up the bag in front of him.
"You can't just kick us out," the vulpine answered, only slightly aggravated.
"Look like I just did," the fox commented, jabbing away at the bag.
Falco scoffed. "Hey, buddy; you know who we are?"
"I have no care," he remarked disinterestedly, throwing heavy strikes upon the bag, each one launching a resounding boom upon impact within the gym.
"Star Fox ever ring a bell?" the avian questioned with mock respect.
"Thought you seem familiar," he muttered after a moment of silence. "Yet, who am I to remember—how you say…" he started rolling his wrist as he faced the team, his left knee bobbing as well. "Yesterday's celebrities? You have not been relevant in years."
That comment immediately tripped a wire in Miyu's head. "Uh, excuse me, but who are you?"
The vulpine huffed impatiently, staring down the lynx with narrow yellow eyes. "Itami," he answered with a quick nod of his head. "Lecter Itami. Now may I be allowed to train in peace?"
"Not when you come in here and say you're entitled to our spot," Miyu snapped.
"Easy, Miyu," Fox said calmly, gently pushing on her shoulder in order to stand up, much to his body's reluctance. "Is there a reason you felt the need to jack our spot?"
"Listen, Itami wish not to argue," Lecter sighed, eyes fixated on the bag as he held out an upright gloved hand. "Why don't you Star Foxes play with your toys and let Itami play with his, hai?
"Listen, bud," Falco interjected. "I'd be fine with letting you spar here, but acting like an entitled asshole once you get here changed my mind. I have half a mind not to kick you out myself."
Lecter barked out a laugh, slicking his hair backwards with his fingers directed towards his forehead. Again, his knee began to bob as if restless and itching for usage. "You amuse me, bird. Itami like what you say, but you have no chance against me. Not even if you were actually ready to fight."
"What the—" Falco sputtered, immediately looking at Fox with shock in his eyes. "You hear this guy?"
"We don't want trouble, Lecter," Fox intervened.
"I do!" Falco retorted.
"Backing down again?" Lecter said tauntingly, his subconscious, swaying movements conveying an egotistical charisma that immediately got under Fox's fur. "That is the Star Fox way. I much preferred Star Wolf anyway. They—what's the saying? They… had the balls to back up what they said."
It was Fox's turn to be aggravated at his comment. "Excuse me?"
"They have nobody on their side, and you have an army… still, you struggle. You almost lose."
"But we didn't," Fox quickly countered. "And I don't appreciate you coming in here and bashing my team."
"Ah, ba, ba, ba, this is all childish arguing," Lecter stiffly elbowed the punching bag, swaying it enough to make it bump into Falco and almost make him lose his footing. "Itami come to train, but you arrogant Star Foxes distract me."
"We're arrogant?" Falco scoffed.
"Listen, Mister Fox," the white vulpine started, pointing a clawed digit inches away from Fox's nose. "Itami will be kind to you this time. Interrupt me again, however, and you will be much less fortunate."
"Who do you think you are?" Miyu hissed.
Lecter grinned smugly, slowly backing away while stamping his feet lightning quick. "A fighter. Strikeforce. Hear of it before?"
"Can't say I have," Fox mumbled.
"Why am I not so surprised?" Lecter laughed to himself, pacing while continuously snapping his fingers. Even as he walked around with a slow, unconscious route in front of Fox's bench, his feet and legs danced with that same charismatic attitude. "You only mercenaries after all. You sit and press buttons all day. Itami believe you do not know the first thing about my career."
Not allowing Fox or Miyu to retort, Lecter abruptly stopped his movements, held out his paw above his head while pointing a clawed digit down at him, and then added, "But, you may surprise me. You do not like me, hai? Then why don't we settle this? You can fight?"
"I'm not in the mood," Fox dismissively answered.
Lecter's eyes narrowed even more, displeasure prevalent on his muzzle. "Coward," he spat in the most disrespectful tone he could muster, immediately turning his head away. "Hmph. Maybe it is because you know you will lose to me. Fine then. Know that my challenge is always open."
"Hey, nobody calls my Fox a coward!" Miyu snapped. "You want a fight? I'll fight you right now!"
Lecter merely laughed again and began to exit their area, not straying from the beat of his own drum. "I wish not to injure an… amateur fighter. Prove to me that you are not, and Itami shall accept your challenge."
"Amateur?!" Miyu snarled. "I'll show you amateur!"
"Ba, ba, ba; Itami say I only accept challenge from someone who will… how you say— stand a chance?" Lecter flashed razor sharp teeth her way, followed by an all too deliberate wink. "Itami is X-Division champion for Strikeforce, and for good reason. Only trained fighters can stand with me. Prove to me you are, then I will fight."
"You don't scare us," Fox growled. "I'll bite. How would I be able to?"
Lecter chuckled, slicking his hair back in the unorthodox way he did. "You are lucky. Our tournament starts next week; open to all who can qualify. Itami will be waiting at the top… if you can make it that far." With that, he barked out another laugh and left the gym.
Seconds later, Falco poked in next to the two of them with a tablet screen displaying what the white vulpine just talked about. "He's right. Strikeforce's "Lethal Lockdown" tournament. Twenty four fighters can compete; the winner of the tournament can fight Lecter Itami for the X-Division championship, as well as claim a—holy shit!"
"Five-hundred thousand credit reward!" Fox couldn't help but shout aloud, yanking the tablet screen towards himself.
"Wow!" Miyu gasped. "That can—"
"That'll keep us out of bankruptcy for an entire year!" Fox finished for her. "You know how we've been stale for jobs for years now? This can hold us over!"
"Plus, if you dethrone Itami, that'll get you massive publicity," Falco commented. "Might get us some more jobs. Hell, you don't even need to beat him to get your name out again."
"Oh, I want to beat him all right," Fox growled. "If he's gonna trash-talk my team—my family, then he's gonna have to face his words."
"I'd love to see you kick his ass," Miyu laughed. "I never liked anyone who dyes their hair some weird, unnatural color."
"I just didn't like his attitude," Fox added.
"Uh, Fox?" Falco started, pointing at his tablet. "You better start training more. Itami hasn't been defeated in the past thirty-five matches he's competed in. He's got a professional record of forty-seven and three; most of them knockout victories."
"Then I better get started," Fox said, removing the towel from his head. "Ready for round two, babe?"
"Only if you're up for getting your ass kicked again," the lynx purred.
Fox shrugged. "Guess that's my only way of getting better."
Oh, btw; yes, that's Lecter in the story cover. He's cool. Might be my favorite character I've created so far. Well, he won't dethrone Sheila, but you get the gist. ;)