Things had been tough after Andross' demise, real tough. The huge pile of money we'd been given from General Pepper had lasted about a day, all being spent on repairs to the Great Fox and individual Arwings.
When two months had gone by with no work, I started to get worried. Slippy had tried to keep a positive outlook, telling us each morning that work was on its way, but Falco and I had to stay realistic. That's when the fights broke out. With the lack of adventure, Falco's patience was wearing thin and to be honest, so was mine. Although Slippy thought he was doing the right thing by keeping our spirits up this only irritated Falco further.
Today was no different. We all got up to bridge early as usual that morning, hoping that a mission had arrived overnight, only to discover we'd been disappointed yet again. I sighed and slid back into my seat. Peppy, who was sitting across from me, held a solemn look and wrung his fingers together thoughtfully.
"Fox this is getting ridiculous. How are we supposed to survive like this?" Falco asked, throwing a feathered hand up in frustration.
"Lylat is at peace Falco, there's nothing for us to do." I told him tiredly. We had this argument at least once a week, always ending with one of us storming out.
"Then what's the point in us even keeping the team together? We're doing nothing but slowing dying, not only from starvation but from boredom." He complained.
"We can't split up! We saved the galaxy remember? What if they need our help again?" Slippy argued.
"So are we just going to sit around and wait for some demented scientist or psychotic killer to take over again? Who knows how long that might take, it may not even happen in our life time!" Falco said raising his voice. I rested my head against the headrest in defeat. I really didn't want to listen to their arguing again. Falco was right though, we did need to get out there and look for work ourselves, not relying on the military to hand it to us. A loud beep interrupted my quiet musing. My head shot up and I looked hopefully at the view screen.
"It's for you Fox from a 'Master Hand'" Peppy told me as he read the message.
"Master Hand? What kind of a name is that?" Slippy cringed.
"Well what does it say?" I asked, ignoring him. Peppy's eyes widened and he flipped the screen over to me so I could read it. I quickly opened the electronic envelope.
Dear Commander Fox McCloud
I'm delighted to say that you have been personally invited to the most prestigious competition where you will show you're skills as Lylat's finest.
You will be up against the most gifted men and women throughout the universes and this is not an opportunity that should be missed.
Please understand that by accepting this challenge, you will be staying at the famous Smash Mansion for a minimum of twelve weeks where you will not be able to contact family or friends directly, only via single page messages.
At the end of the twelve weeks, if you present yourself as the best and brightest, you will be going home with not only one million coins but the title of Nintendo's Star.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Yours truly,
Master Hand.
I sat dumbfounded, staring at the message. I read it again, even reading it out-loud, but each time it remained the same. Surely there were better, brighter candidates out there. And one million coins? It seemed too good to be true. I looked around the room at my friends, each showing their own looks of surprise except for Peppy who gave me a knowing smile.
"One million coins?" Slippy asked, nearly falling out of his chair.
"Lylat's finest?" Falco asked, equally as shocked.
"I know." I breathed. It seemed great, fantastic even, but one thought kept nagging me. If I accept, what will happen to the team? Falco would flee as soon as I stepped off the ship, looking for some sort of entertainment. Then Slippy and Peppy would go and work at the academy. There would be no more StarFox, no more banter before missions, no more fighting for Lylat and its people. When I would return, there would be nothing and I couldn't handle that, not again.
"I can't do it." I said sadly.
"What do you mean you can't do it? Did you read the bit about one million coins? We would be set for life, new upgrades, weapons, everything!" Slippy exclaimed.
"You just want new toys." I teased.
"Maybe." He replied and crossed his arms.
"Why?" Falco asked bringing the subject back on track.
"Well what will happen to you guys if I go? Twelve weeks is a long time." I argued and to my surprise, Falco laughed.
"Don't worry about us, Fox. StarFox will be right where you left it when you get back." He assured me, subtly telling me that he wouldn't leave while I was gone.
"Yeah, don't worry, just imagine how great it would be to be in this competition. 'Lylat's Finest.'" Slippy enthused. I looked at him thoughtfully, then to Falco, who had seated himself and then to Peppy.
"You really think I can do this?" I asked him. He chuckled and leaned back into his chair.
"Fox, if there's one thing I've learnt about you, it's that you can do anything when you put your mind to it." He told me.
"Alright, since you've all ganged up on me, I guess I don't have a choice." I grinned. "Sign me up."
I pulled out the very dusty suitcase from under my bed and opened it. The last time I'd left and had to use it was when I went on flight camp in the academy. It brought back fond memories of Bill and I causing and being in trouble. I left the suitcase and started packing clothes for the competition. In the reply letter I had received from signing up, it told me that all I would need in the way of clothes was casual and one formal outfit. There was going to some sort of ball near the end of the competition. I was never good at those sorts of things, dressing up and acting pretentious. This was evidently shown when all I could find in the way of formalities in my wardrobe was my father's old blazer and red tie. I decided that although it may still be a bit too big for my frame, I would take it anyway for sentimental reasons.
My father was a tall, proud fox that could make any female fall head over heels with the twitch of a smile. I however was never going to be tall and had quickly resigned myself to the fact that Falco was always going to be that little bit higher than me. I placed the suit carefully inside the case and continued sorting through the things I would need.
I ticked my clothes off of the list I was given and read the next line: weapons. Whether that be fists or fire they said it didn't matter, what ever made you stronger, so I chose both. I grabbed my trusty blaster and headset. I went to take my reflector but remembered what Slippy had told me about it still working at about fifty percent so I left it. He had however given me a new pair of boots, boasting about how they contained some new 'awesome special features.' They looked the same as my current boots so I shrugged and put them in the case too.
Ticking off weapons I looked at the final necessity: a piece of home. I looked at the words carefully trying to understand exactly what they meant. Did they mean a rock from Corneria or something from the Great Fox? I debated it for a moment and decided that since I lived on the giant ship, that it qualified as home. I looked around my small room, trying to pinpoint what would describe home the best, when my eyes landed on a picture. I walked over to it and held it in my hands, smiling and deciding that it was perfect.
The intercom came to life and the robot computer known as ROB 64 made himself known.
"The courier is ready for your arrival Sir." He announced.
"Thank you ROB, I'll be there in a moment. And what have I told you about calling me sir?" I scolded and zipped up my suitcase.
"Sorry Commander." ROB said and cut the link.
"Close enough." I sighed. Taking one more glance around my room, I walked out the door and down the hall.