A/N: Sorry for the long wait. Here's the second chapter. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Fox

Chapter 2

[June 2, 2673]

1400 Hours

Corneria Flight Academy

"Watch your six!" Linus yelled. James did a quick turn-around and fired a shot right the skull of a hologram. He primed a grenade after coming up to a corner. He tossed it around the corner. The explosion went off and the sounds of damaged holograms were heard. The group of four ran to the end of the trail, firing at attacking holograms.

"3 minutes 39.54 seconds. Close but you didn't beat your high score," came a voice through the speakers.

"Thanks Archer," James said taking a seat to remove the heavy gear. A hologram of a hawk wearing sniper gear appeared in front of James. Archer is the A.I. of the academy. They changed back into their uniforms and proceeded out of the obstacle course area.

"I hope you'll try again at least one more time before your graduation," Archer said, following James out.

"I don't think I'll have the chance to. Sorry Archer," James replied.

"It's alright. I'm sure someone of your skill will come by."

"I doubt it. See you later. I'm gonna take a walk around the perimeter." James left the building and proceeded down the trail. It was a nice but hot day. He figured he'll walk around for ten minutes them walk back inside. 'Rather not get cooked out here,' he thought to himself. He began walking the trail around the property. A sudden mental pain hit him, hard. It was a mental cry for help nearby. He ran in the direction the scream came from. Around the corner of one of the buildings he saw a group of 4 guys surrounding someone. Without even thinking he charged into the group and knocked out one of the guys. "Looky here. A McCloud interfering with us. Know your place," said one of them as he threw a punch at James. James immediately side-stepped and used his momentum to throw him to the ground. Another tried to kick James. He wound up jumping and brought his elbow down to the other's knee, bending it the wrong way. The fourth pulled a knife as James stood up. "Do you really want to go this way?" James asked, not even looking at the one with the knife.

He charged at James and tried to jab it into James's heart. James grabbed the hand with the knife and put it into the leg of the attacker. He fell screaming in pain. All four men laid on the ground unconscious. James went over to the person they were attacking. "Roxxanne?"

Before any more words were spoken, Roxxanne jumped up and wrapped her arm around James. He hesitated before returning the embrace. What may have seemed like forever it was only ten seconds before the embrace was broken. "I-I'm sorry," Roxxanne said nervously.

"No no it's ok. Just not as surprising as something else."

"What's that?"

"You- you're a Cerinian."

"Wha- how did you know this?"

"Let's just say your mental screams for help hurt my head a little." James rubbed his head after saying this.

'Wow. I'll have to be more careful next time.'

"It still won't help any unless you put up some mental wall." Roxxanne collapsed to her knees. James helped her stand up. "Come on. To the infirmary we go."

1530 Hours

Outside the Infirmary

James sat in the chair outside the infirmary, waiting for the injury report. The door opened and James stood up. Roxxanne walked out of the infirmary. "How are you doing?" James asked.

"Just a few bruises and exhausted. I just need to rest a little. Why are you helping me anyway?"

"I was raised to help the needy."

Suddenly the intercom came to life. "James McCloud to the Dean's Office... Immediately."

"Oh boy. I'm in trouble," James said looking at the nearby speaker.

"Well go. I just need rest. I'll be fine."

James nodded as he ran towards the office. 'Just think of me when you need s

'James. Who is that?'

"Oh shit." James knew exactly who that was.

Dean's Office

James braced himself as he stepped into the office. He felt his heart sink once he saw who sat in the chairs in front of him. "James has been caught by cameras fighting four different students. He was protecting someone but he could've killed one of them. Some restraint is necessary," the Dean was saying to Fox and Krystal.

"So who were you protecting?" Fox asked, without looking up at James.

"Roxxanne Evans," James replied without looking at anyone. Krystal stirred in her seat a little. "I see nothing wrong, sir. The one that I wounded badly did pull a knife on me."

"So not only was he protecting someone he was defending himself. We're done," Fox said standing up. He grabbed James around the neck before he could even turn around and dragged him out to the hallway.

"Ah! Get the hell off of me!" James was yelling. Fox let go of the black and red vulpine.

"So tell me what was going through your mind when you went to protect her," Fox stated.

"Don't let her get pummeled just because it's someone I don't know."

"Good. But when you're out in the field of service- orders triumph everything else."

James sighed. "Right. Got it."

Krystal walked out of the office and spotted Roxxanne. She quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her over. "Roxxanne?" she asked.

"Yes?" Roxxanne replied a little nervously.

"I'm Krystal. Your mother is Sophita Evans. Correct?"

"Umm…yes."

"Last time I saw you, you were only a child."

"Oh? Well I don't really get out much."

"You should before you're shipped out. I gotta go before those two bet on a race."

"Ok. See you later."

Krystal left Roxxanne and went over to Fox. She managed to get to them before they made a bet. Roxxanne walked over and gave James a quick peck on the cheek after Fox and Krystal left.

"I should go," Roxxanne said after a few seconds.

"Same here."

"I'll be seeing you later?"

"Most likely, Roxy."

"Roxy?"

"Nickname. Get used to it."

The two went their separate ways.

Roxxanne finished washing her paws after using the bathroom. She wished that she had her Cerinian sword with her so that she wouldn't have to rely on others for help. She looked at herself in the mirror. 'I gotta toughen up. Can't let others save me too much. Then I'll seem weak,' she thought to herself.

"Yes. Rely on yourself. You don't need anyone," came an indistinct but clear voice. Roxxanne looked around at where the voice could've come from. "Who's there?" No one answered her. She shrugged it off and left the bathroom.