It's been 20 long years since Dinosaur Planet was restored by Fox McCloud. It has been a pretty lazy life since then. The team hasn't worked together for 17 years. The team slpit up and got jobs on Corneria due to Fox and Krystal starting a family. And Katt had finally tied Falco down and now they have a family as well. Fox works at the military base training new recruites for General Pepper, who is ready to rertire. Fox occasionally sees Slippy since he works in the Weapons R&D department. Fox was thinking about the team. He wondered what Falco was up to. The last time he saw Falco he was working on a police force. Fox was looking at his schedule and noticed that he had nothing to do the rest of the day or the next day. He thought about getting the old team together to catch up. He heads down to the Weapons R&D department.
" Hey Slippy, hows are things going?" Fox asked "Not bad but, not really good either." Slippy said while surveying Fox's face. " Thinking of the old team?"
Slippy could always tell when Fox was thinking about the old team because he would have a sort of dazed look.
" Yeah, I was thinking about getting the team together tomorrow and catching up or something." Fox said.
" So, have you heard from Falco then?" Slippy asked. Fox suddenly looked down.
" No, I havn't." Fox said.
He was wondering when he would see his friend agian. Then Fox heard a ringing that suddenly brought him out of his daze. He then realized it was his cellphone ringing. Fox let it ring one more time before answering it.
" Fox McCloud here." Fox said as he answered and got a surprise.
" Hey McCloud, how are things?" said a familar voice.
" Falco, is it really you? We were just talking about you. How've you been?" Fox said
" Oh, I've been just fine. Listen I could really use a small bit help. You see Katt invited her parents over tomorrow and her dad never stops comlpaining about me and my job. I need to get out of here but I can't leave without a good reason." Falco said sounding a bit desperate.
" Well how about the old team get together tomorrow after all it's been what 16 maybe 17 years. I think we should meet at Slippys. That is alright isn't it Slippy?" Fox said
" Sure it's O.K. Fox." Slippy said loud enough so Falco could hear him.
" Great idea Fox, Katt wouldn't stop us from getting together after so long." Falco said triumphantly. " See you at Slip's, later."
" Alright see ya." Fox said It was all set up. The old team was getting together. Well, almost.
The next day Fox heads out and takes a detour to a small flower shop. He buys a small bouquet of flowers and in no time he found himself in front of a grave marked Peppy Hare.Fox kneels and replaces the long dried out flowers in a cup of stianless steel.
" It's been a long time old friend." Fox said allowing a tear to escape.
For the longest time Fox had been in denial that Peppy, the closet person to a father that Fox had after his father died, was now gone. It had been the first time he had visited the grave since the funeral. He remembered it so well. He always told himself that it was just a horrible nightmare he had. It was raining on the day of Peppys funeral and it felt so much like a dream. But Fox had finally faced the facts Peppy was gone. The only thought of it that brought him any comfort was that Peppy passed on painlessly in his sleep. He let a few more tears escape those wonderfully green eyes of his then pulled himself together with the thought of seeing Falco. Fox perked up and said one final good-bye to Peppy and promised to visit agian. Then he left.He soon met up with Falco and Slippy.
" Hey Fox, what took you so long?" Flaco said.
" I just had something to take care of, thats all." Fox said looking into the sky.
Falco and Slippy could tell by the look on Fox's face where he was. Falco put his hand on Fox's shoulder. Fox looked over at Falco and Slippy he didn't want them to feel sad for him.
" Hey come on it's in the past, besides we got together to have some fun not mourn over friends past." Fox said but it did pain him some but felt the sooner forgoten the better.
So they put it behind them and went to a small restaurant to catch up and get a bite to eat. They spent hours talking about themselves, their famalies and work. Fox and Slippy admited that they were a bit nervous about General Pepper's retirement since they knew nothing about the man taking over.
" It sure would be nice to go on another mission with the team, huh?" Falco said nudging Fox with his elbow.
" Yeah, sure would" Fox admitted. Just then Fox's phone rang.
" Fox McCloud here." Fox said when he answered his phone like always.
" Fox how would you like to go on mission it's mostly just a ivestigation mission but you may find something " said a voice over the phone.
" Of course General Pepper sir." Fox said excitedly.
" Good, can you get the old team together?" General Pepper asked.
" Sure we're all here" Fox said.
" Good, I'll breif you as soon as you get to the base." General Pepper said.
They paid for their meal and then left. The thought of the mission had them really excited. Fox sure got a surprise when they got to the base.
" James, Emerald what are you doing here?" Fox asked his children but you couldn't really call them children anymore.
James and Emerald are twins. James is named after Fox's father and he looks just like Fox and unfotunetly, according to Falco acts just like Fox as well. Emerald was named for her emerald green eyes that always seem to sparkle. She is much more well behaved then James too. She looks just like Krystal. They are now 18 and have just graduated from school, much to Fox and Krystals pleasure, with top marks.
" You forgot your I.D. tag at home dad, here." Emerald said handing Fox his I.D. tag.
" And what about you Charlie? Last I knew you were home with your mom and her parents." Falco said while staring derectly into his son's eyes.
Charlie was Falco's only child and he looks and acts just like Falco. He also graduated and, to everyones surprise, right behind James and Emerald. And even though the three of them went to the same school Fox and Falco didn't have time to get together.
" James invited me, besides grandpa was driving me nuts. He thought I was you the second he came in the door he started yelling at me. He didn't believe it was me." Charlie said.
Fox just couldn't believe how much their children were like them, it was like looking in to the past.
" So since we're here any way can we go look at the Arwings. We promise not to mess with any thing." James asked.
Fox couldn't help but think about how just a few years ago James accidentily launched his Arwing and caused a big mess. Fox just kept telling James if it wasn't for James braking his arm in the inccident that he would have killed him even though he could never harm a hair on his son's head. Now fox thinks back and he feels James has changed since then and won't repeat his mistakes.
" Just as long as it's not a repeat of last time." Fox said and placed a hand to his head since just thinking about it gave him a headache.
" Cool thanks dad!" James said.
" What did your dad mean?" Charlie asked since he wasn't there when it happened.
" I'll explain later." James said and they rushed off to the Great Fox where the Arwings were kept.
" Emerald, could you go with your brother and keep him out of trouble." Fox said
" Just can't stop thinking about last time, huh?" Emerald said smilling at Fox.
" Nope, sure can't. I would feel better if you were with him around the Arwings." Fox said.
Emerald giggled then ran after her brother and Charlie. Fox, Falco, and Slippy went on thier way to meet General Pepper. They reached his offoice and his assistant sent them in.
" Hey old timer, long time since I saw you. You really want to retire?" Falco said as they entered the room.
" I see you havn't changed much Falco." General Pepper said motioning for them to sit. "We got an anemones tip that somewhere on the planet Macbeth someone is trying to resurect Andross."
General Pepper began. Fox and the others looked shocked.
"Now I don't know if this is true or some sick prank. But it would help to investigate this claim and soon." General Pepper said sounding more serious by the second. "Thats why I asked for you to do this mission Fox. You know how to handle Andross if this isn't just a prank." General Pepper said.
" I understand General sir. We will depart immiedietly." Fox said.
" First I would like you to meet someone who will show you all of Macbeths secrets. She's lived there nearly all her life." General Pepper said and paged his assistant to send in this person.
A young female wolf came in. She was a light grey colour with redish grey eyes and she looked very serious.
" This is Jessie Dowels. She is the best pilot on Macbeth and knows all its secrets." General Pepper said.
" It's a real honor to meet you Fox McCloud. And you as well Falco Lombardi and Slippy Toad." Jessie said.
" Great, if there is really something there, then you'll be a great help in finding it." Fox said. " But could you just call us by our first names."
Fox didn't know why but she reminded him of someone but he couldn't think who.
" I'll go get the Great Fox ready for departure." Slippy said to the group and leaves.
" I guess I'll go check on the Arwings." Falco said.
" Good idea." Fox said then Falco left.
" Fox you probely should show Jessie to the Great Fox." General Pepper said. " Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more work to do."
Then he left Fox alone with Jessie.
" Well I'll show you to the Great Fox." Fox said feeling a bit ocuard being alone with her but he didn't know why.
Fox led her to the Great Fox the whole time trying to figure out who she reminded him of. They reached the Great Fox and saw Falco talking to James and the others.
" So dad, you finaly got a mission, huh?" James said.
" Yep and I'm willing to bet you want to come along, right." Fox said.
" You know us so well, so can we, Falco already said Charlie could." James said with a determend smile.
Fox looked at Falco who gave his usual look surprise when these sort of things happen then he looked back at James.
" I guess it would be alright, you havn't been off of Corneria that much, It would be a great experience." Fox said knowing they wouldn't take no for an answer without complaints.
" Alright , thanks dad." James said and Emerald looked excited as well.
" Heck I might even let you pilot the Arwings." Fox said teasing them and they could tell.
Emerald was the first to notice Jessie.
" Who's that behind you dad?" Emerald asked cheerfully.
" Oh, this is Jessie. She's going to give us some help with the mission." Fox said. " And thats Emerald, James, and Charlie."
Fox said introducing the others. Emerald reached out her hand to shake Jessie's. At first Jessie just looked at Emerald. James and Charlie felt there may be some hostility from her and it showed in their faces. When Jessie shook Emeralds hand, she seemed to lighten up a bit then. She then turned to James and Charlie who looked a bit nervous.
" Sorry if I made you two nervous. I'v had a rough day untill I met Fox and the others." Jessie said.
" You didn't make us nervous at all." James lied.
" Yes she did I could see it in your faces." Emerald said. The four of them began to talk then walked off.
" Well, now all thats left to do is call Krystal and tell her aboot the mission. Hey Falco, you ganna call Katt?" Fox asked.
" Nah, I'll wait untill we leave that way she won't try to get involed." Falco said glad to have a mission with the team again.
Please R&R It may start out a bit boring I know but it getts better. I couldn't reveil to much. I'm already working on chapter 2.