A Wolf in Fox's Clothing

Chapter 1 - Identity Crisis

My name is Wolf O'Donnell, leader of Star Wolf, and the eternal rival of Fox McCloud.

I felt cold metal. It felt like I was lying down on some metal plane. My hands and limbs were restrained tightly. My head was spinning. I was... naked. All I recalled was that my team and I were going to a rendezvous point after taking a mission from someone named Doctor Lander when all of a sudden, some big explosion knocked us all out.

"Star Wolf," a voice cracked. "Finally, you have awakened."

I want to respond, but I was too weak. All I could do was very shot words. I looked around. Aside from the white room with a large monitor, all I saw was a sickly raccoon.

"Who...?"

"Doctor Lander, your client," he giggled. Next time, I should double-check my clients before taking their deals. "Well, now that you've awakened, we could discuss the job I am about to give you."

"What... made... think...?" What made him think that I would still accept his job after doing this to us? Speaking of which... where are Panther and Leon?

"What is it?" he jerked. "Oh, nothing? Okay! In any case, my job for you is simple." He pushed a button, showcasing some sort of various classified information. Something in the monitor made me miss a heartbeat. It showed... Aparoids? "Familiar? Yes, yes, Aparoids. You see, I learned some dirty little secret in the Cornerian government when I was working in there. While you and Star Fox team destroyed these bugs, the Cornerian government was able to acquire one small Aparoid. It died when the Queen was destroyed, but the government was able to save the DNA profile of the bug. They recreated it in a small machine sealed within their laboratory."

"Sh-sh-shi..."

"Indeed, they kept it a shi-cret!" Damn. "The public would go ballistic should they hear this!"

"Why... do... you... think... I'll... do...?"

"Oh? Simple," he muttered, pushing a button. The monitor changed to a camera view of... oh my goodness... Panther and Leon! They were stripped off, chained and heavily wounded. Who was that brown figure with them, who was also receiving a similar treatment? "They are currently recovering from the explosion, but I could cut their treatment and enforce them some... shock! If you don't cooperate, I'll kill them. I might provide some medical institutes with new bodies for autopsy!" He was diabolically insane! "Oh... and that one is Fox McCloud. He was alone when I sent a distress signal, and boom!" Fox? That bastard.

"Why... Fox... too?"

"Let's just say he is as important to the mission as you are," he grinned. "Now I know you aren't much inclined in saving him as opposed to your comrades, but I'll still kill him if you don't do the job. After all, without Fox, there won't be a rival for Star Wolf!" Curse him!

"So... what... does... this... have to... do...?"

"You'll sneak in and steal the thing for me," he continued. "I'll give you a week to do that, by the way. If you give it to me within a week, I'll set your friends free. If you fail... well... you know what happens!"

"What... Fox... have... to...?"

"Well, Fox McCloud is the most celebrated person in Corneria, right? Don't you think he will get privileges quite easily as opposed to some normal soldier, or you?" Obviously, but then why me? If he knew that, then wouldn't he be luring Fox only?

"Why... not... him...?"

"Because he lacks the skill! He lacks the experience! He lacks the grit!" he suddenly shouted. "You, my lupine friend, on the other hand, have experienced the terror throbbing in your heart! Every second counts for you, especially in a dirty, dangerous situation!" Wait, what?

"Wha... How...?"

"You haven't heard of plastic surgery have you, Wolf?" His words made me shiver. My fur stood still, shocked. I had a feeling I knew what he would do to me. "Yes... yes! Bleaching your fur, while painful, will do the trick! Changing the retina pattern, even recovering your left eye, is quite a simple task for me. Your tail has a split? I will simply stitch it back!" How... horrible! That idea wanted to make me vomit!

"No... No... Please..."

"You have no choice, Wolf. Unless you are a cold-hearted bastard that everyone seems to think, I don't think you could bear the idea of your comrades and Fox screaming in pain as they cling to their last breath!"

Suddenly, a stream of electricity blasted into me. It was so painful! I shouted so loud, hoping that someone would save me - some miracle would occur to pull me out of this. It knocked me off my head. It was too much to bear. My eyes slowly died, as well as my consciousness. The last thing I felt was liquid running onto my fur... my skin. I felt a prick from my shoulder, but soon everything faded away.

"Remember, Wolf, just one week. Or they die."