A few more month's has passed since Fox began his training, it has now been six months of the year of time he had until he would face off against Krystal, and his training couldn't get any worse. Every other day for the past three month's, Fox did simulation after simulation, in many different scenarios. Whether it was gun fights, hand to hand combat, or dog fights in Arwings, Fox's opponent was always Krystal, and no matter how hard he tried. He couldn't bring himself to kill her, even if it was just a simulation.

"I thought I'd find you up here." It was Miyu, looking very concerned about Fox. They were up on the balcony of the home they shared; Fox was in the hot tub, looking very depressed. It was a sad sight to see. Fox didn't reply to her, he was thinking of the last message they received from Krystal, just a few weeks back.

X

"It's been quite some time since I last sent one of these to you Fox." The blue furred vixen laughed to herself, she seemed amused about something. "My training has gone pretty well so far Fox, I'll show you." The camera then changed to show Krystal at one side of the screen, and a dummy with Fox's face on its own. Krystal then pointed the gun straight at it and blasted it into a million pieces. She turned to face Fox.

"As you can see, I have no hesitation of killing you; to bad you can't say the same." Fox gasped, how did she know that he couldn't kill simulations of her? She interrupted his thoughts. "Time is running out Fox, I suggest you get with the program. That is unless you want me to kill you in six months, then by all means. Be my guest."

X

"Do you, mind if I join you?" Miyu asked the red furred vulpine, he didn't give her an answer. She slowly got into the tub, sitting next to Fox. The bubbly, warm water was a sensation, but she didn't mind that now. She studied the larger vulpine, he was staring into space. She looked to what he was staring at, the afternoon sun was high over them, it gave the small forest a shady appearance, it was a pretty sight. But Miyu didn't take time to look into it now.

"Fox?" she asked, he didn't answer. Miyu put her paw onto the larger vulpine's leg. She's never seen him like this before, after a moment. he hesitantly drifted a paw over her's and grabbed it under the bubbling water.

"Are you alright?" he looked over to her and just mm'ed with a slow nod in return. Miyu lifted their paws out of the bubbling water, she then took her second paw and cupped it around his and brought it close to her heart.

"Come on sweetie. Tell me what's wrong." He didn't speak for a moment.

"Miyu…"

"Yes?"

"Thank you for your concern, the time and effort you put into me. Means everything." Miyu couldn't help to put a big grin on her muzzle, she set her head onto Fox's shoulder and spoke softly to him.

"Don't mention it, remember. I'll always be here for you, if you want to talk about anything, just tell me." There was a moment of silence, she continued. "But that doesn't answer my question, what's wrong?" Fox was hesitant to answer that, he spoke quietly.

"I'm, a failure. To you, to the team. To everybody." He let his head slide down, staring into the bubbling water.

"Don't say that."

"It's true; my training couldn't get any worse. Just watch, in six month's I'll wind up dead." Miyu grabbed his head, and gently turned it towards her's.

"Don't talk like that." He just exhaled slowly, Fox put his head on Miyu's shoulder, she was petting the flock of white hair on his head. She spoke softly to him.

"This is hard for you, this is hard for everybody. But, when it's time, you'll do what's right. You'll do what you have to do. I know you will." She sent a sweet smile to him. She turned her body and grabbed something from behind. It was a small box, wrapped up in a blue and red ribbons, she brought it close to him, and presented it.

"Happy Birthday Fox." He was surprised, he completely lost track of time ever since his training had started, he remembered celebrating Falco's and Katt's combined birthdays, but he must have been saddened to forget his own. He couldn't help to let out a weak laugh.

"Wow, this is a surprise." He grabbed the present from her. "Thank you." Miyu seemed happy. She kissed his cheek softly.

"You're welcome, well aren't you going to open it?" Fox shifted his gaze to the present. He slowly unwrapped it, being careful not to tear it apart and chunks of it would land into the hot tub, he set everything aside, and played with his present. It was a necklace. Silver in color and shaped like a heart, Fox shifted his gaze to Miyu and studied her's, it was practically the same. Miyu was smiling warmly to him when he looked at her's.

"Open it." He looked at it and slowly opened it; on each side of the heart was a picture of him and Miyu. There was a note in the middle that separated the two parts; there was an inscription on it. He read it out loud.

To the love of my life

And the bond we share

This will guide you when I cannot

Through you're pain and despair

Look up to the heavens

And know I'm there

With much love, your darling friend.

Miyu

Fox looked over to the lynx, and had a tear slide down his eye. Her gift had touched his heart. Miyu slowly wrapped her arms around him and placed her head onto his chest. Fox put on the necklace, and brought it up to his eyes. Miyu spoke to him.

"Happy Birthday sweetie."

X

"Where are we going?" Fox asked Miyu as she drove down the road.

"Pepper wanted to talk to us about something, say's its important." Miyu was half lying, half telling the truth. Fox just sighed.

"On my birthday? Nice way to go I suppose." Miyu just let out a soft laugh; they got to the military base and headed to the meeting room. Not before going through the guard door.

"Hello Captain McCloud, sir." He saluted the vulpine. "Please have a happy Birthday."

"Thank's." After they were out of earshot from the guard Fox asked.

"Does everyone know it's my birthday besides me?" Miyu couldn't help but giggle at Fox's honesty.

"Well, it is you're birthday. Shouldn't you have known?" Fox just let out a small sigh and bobbed his head.

"I guess." He sounded depressed. Miyu stopped and turned to him, and rested his head onto her shoulder.

"Hey, I'm sorry, don't worry about it. This is a happy day; don't let it get you down." Fox picked up his head from her shoulder and sent a reassuring smile to her; she lightly kissed his lips and started walking forward again. When they got to the door, Miyu let Fox enter first. He went into the dark room, that was strange.

"Why are all the light's out?" Miyu quickly covered Fox's eyes.

"Gee, I don't know." She told him in a sarcastic tone, through the cracks of her paws, Fox could tell the lights were on once again. Miyu slowly lifted her paws, and Fox could see it all.

"Surprise!" Everyone yelled out, it was a birthday party for Fox. The whole room was decorated, with balloons, ribbons, little party interiors. Everyone was there. Falco and Katt, Fay, Pepper and Peppy, Slippy and Amanda, and a surprise. Amanda was carrying a young baby. Fox let out a surprised laugh.

"Well, this was unexpected." Falco walked up to his old friend, with a hand on his shoulder.

"Jeez buddy, you must be pretty down to not remember your own birthday." He paused for a moment. "This is you're day man, just take it easy for now." He turned around and grabbed a small present. "Here." Fox took it from him.

"Thank's." he set it down on the nearby table, Fay walked up to him all happy.

"Here! Blow out the candles and make a wish!" Fox looked down onto the cake, it had an Arwing drawn on it and on the top of the cake words written onto it: "Happy 29th Birthday Fox." And was surrounded with 29 candles, to symbolize his age. Fox thought to himself, was he really that old already? Fay interrupted his thoughts.

"Me and Katt made it! Now make a wish!" Fay held up the cake to his muzzle, he thought about it for a moment. He then turned his head to Amanda, holding what must be her's and Slippy's baby, he smiled warmly to himself, and blew out the candles. It was hard to blow out all 29 of the candles. Fay waited for a moment, then asked.

"Well? What did you wish for?"

"It's a secret."

"Oh, that's not fair! Come on, Tell!" She didn't sound all too happy. Fox just simply laughed and shoot his head *No*. Fay let it slide; after all it was his birthday. She set down the cake, and then picked up her present and lifted it to Fox.

"Here, happy birthday! Open it up."

"I thought presents were after the party." Fay then reset it back down, looking at the necklace he was wearing.

"Well, you already opened up Miyu's present, why not our's?" Fox looked over to Miyu, she was just smiling happily. He couldn't find an answer, so he didn't give Fay one, they all were aware of what was happening. After a moment of silence, Fay gave up.

"Alright then, no worries." She picked up a party had and set it onto Fox's head.

"Let's party!" Fay blowed into the party instrument. There was music and dancing, Miyu and Fox danced together. After a while, they all sat down and ate the meal that was prepared for Fox, all talking amongst each other. Every so often, Fox would steal a glimpse of Slippy and Amanda, taking care of there baby, which he found out was Slippy's first son. Named Jake. He had his father's green dominant skin, but had pink spots all around him from his mother. He couldn't help to smile at the warm sight. It reminded him of his wish.

They began cutting the cake, Fox's favorite. A blend of Vanilla and Chocolate swirl. He and Miyu were feeding each other the cake. It was around the time Fox would open the rest of his presents he received. A guard ran in, he saluted the vulpine captain.

"Captain McCloud, sorry to interrupt. But this just arrived moments ago. Another Message from Krystal." He handed what was to Fox a medium size black box. Instead of the original yellow envelope. Everyone was looking at it, Fox opened it slowly. Inside were another Black metallic slim case, and the message. Fox picked up one with each paw. Looked at the message, then to the case, he noticed there was a note on it. He read it out loud.

"Please open this up after you have watched my message." Miyu cut in.

"Well, at least she remembered that today was you're birthday." She tried to sound positive. But no one bought it; they were all disgusted with Krystal to interrupt Fox's day of happiness. Fox walked up to the screen and entered the tape. After a moment of reading the data on the disk, Krystal's figure showed up onto the screen. She was dressed in formal clothing, and had a birthday hat on top of her head. She blew into the party instrument.

"Happy birthday Fox." She paused for a moment. "You didn't think I would forget about you today did you?" She laughed to herself, everyone was angry with her. But obviously she couldn't see that. She walked up and picked up a cake and showed it to the camera. There was a picture of a fire, and in the middle a burning figure, they couldn't make it out what it was, but it had to be Fox.

"Happy 29th, birthday Fox. It's just a shame you couldn't try some of the cake I made you, it's actually quite good." She picked up a piece of it and took a big bite from it. She put down her plate. "I just want you to enjoy this day Fox, because it's the last birthday you'll ever receive, be happy today. Oh and do remember to open my present to you, I'm sure you'll use it wisely, and It'll probably help in you're training." The screen went blank. Fox looked at his left paw holding the black metallic case. He opened it up, and let whatever was inside slip out and land in his paws.

It was a blaster pistol of some kind. Slippy was in awed, knowing what it was.

"Wow." Everyone looked to him, looking for an answer. "It's a Mark V Soul Mark blaster pistol, able to project twenty rounds before going into its five second cooling system. Each round able to puncture and penetrate even the toughest of armors.

"Pretty powerful stuff there." Falco added. Fox studied the pistol in his paws; it was light-weight, silver and black in color. He noticed that there was a little inscription on it. He read it out loud.

Till Death do us part. Happy birthday. Krystal.

Fox was shaken, at this gun. He just put it back in its black metallic case and set it down, and took a seat. Miyu walked up to him and put a reassuring paw on his shoulder.

"She's got some nerve, doesn't she?" Fay didn't sound too happy. Spoiling Fox's day.

"But she does have a point." Pepper added. Everyone looked up to see him. "I think it's time you saw my present to you Fox. Follow me." Fox reluctantly got up, followed by everyone. They were all brought to the projector room. Pepper opened the door.

"Step through Fox." He did so and Pepper closed the door behind him. Fox was in the room alone, all white. Pepper spoke to him through the intercom. "What you're going to see will be difficult Fox, but you must react to them. It's for your own good." Miyu spun Pepper around, looking furious.

"What are you doing?"

"Only what needs to be done. This will make him wake up, and learn that he must destroy Krystal." He spun back around and typed in a sequence of buttons. The white room Fox was in suddenly shifted. He saw Falco in his Arwing, being pursued, by none other than Krystal.

"What's happening Pepper!?" Fox shouted, but never received an answer; he just kept staring at what was going on.

"Krystal! Don't do this please, I'm begging you!" Falco shouted to her through the channel, Krystal never gave him an answer. Fox saw Falco was in a desperate situation, his ship barely holding together, Krystal had put a missile lock on Falco, and pulled the trigger. Seconds later Missiles collided with Falco's ship, blowing it into a million pieces.

"Falco!" Fox shouted, his friend was dead. Fox slowly lifted his arm, trying to grasp the scene. It then shifted to another scene. A combat field, of what seemed to be the planet of Katrina. He saw Slippy and Fay, being fired at. They were running for their lives. A shot connected into Slippy's back, making him collapse to the ground. Fay turned to her injured friend.

"Slippy!" She ran up to him and took a knee. She saw there attacker, but was still hidden from Fox. Fay tried to get the frog up, but couldn't.

"Leave me." The words escaped Slippy's mouth, weak and faint.

"No I won't! Just hang in there, help is coming." Fay looked up and began firing at there attacker, but ended up being shot herself, falling to the ground. She was holding her wound. The attacker turned her head and there was Krystal, she walked over to the dying frog. Krystal pointed the gun right at his head.

"Please don't. Don't do it." Fay spoke weakly, holding her arm to the scene. She eyes widened when she saw the horror, Krystal pulling the trigger and the shot connecting with Slippy's head, falling him instantly.

"Slippy!" Fox called out, almost screeching in heart ache. Krystal then walked up to Fay; she kicked her body over, making her turn onto her back. She put away her blaster, and pulled out a knife and held it closely to Fay's throat. Fay just looked up to her soon to be killer.

"Please." She called out weakly, but Krystal had no mercy for enemies. She quickly slit the knife through Fay's throat, her head rolling back, she was gone.

"Fay." Fox said quietly, he was starting to buckle to his knees, small tears forming in the corner of his eyes. He spoke quietly. "Please, no more."

"Stop this, now!" Miyu ordered Pepper. He didn't turn to face her.

"He must see of what could happen. If he will not kill her willingly, then we must give him a reason to kill Krystal." Peppy cut in.

"He's seen enough! Please stop it."

"It cannot be stopped; I ensured that it wouldn't be. He must see it all." They turned back to see Fox in the room, Miyu could see how hurt he was. The room then changed yet again.

"Not again." Fox said quietly, and looked up to the scene. He was onboard the Great Fox, on the bridge. He saw Peppy, his father life friend, falling to his knees, crawling away from his attacker. His body was covered in his own blood, some on his face. The attacker was toying with him, letting him crawl away as far as he could. Peppy sat up, leaning against a wall, and looked up to Krystal. Every single image of her, she had an emotionless expression on her face. She pulled out a small blaster pistol from her holster, and held it up to Peppy's head.

"No." Fox whispered, knowing of what was coming. "Don't do it!" He yelled out, but she didn't hear him, how could she? She was slowly putting pressure on the trigger. Until it finally released the shot, parts of brains and blood went gushing out as the shot contacted with Peppy' head. Fox saw the horrific scene of his foster father, was blown to bits.

"Peppy!" Fox let out a long screech in response to the scene. Miyu ran up to the door, trying to force it open.

"Open this damn door, now!"

"It cannot be opened, like I said, you must wait until the end." Pepper explained to her. She didn't give up though. She kept trying to force the door open. Tears were streaming down Fox's muzzle fast. It switched one last time. This time he was taken to a dark alley way. It looked familiar; he then realized this was the alley way where he first trained with the simulator. He saw Miyu running away from Krystal, she was injured, being shot in various spots, blood soaked through her fur. Krystal was pursuing her. Slowly but steadily, toying with her.

Miyu then began to feel her strength leave her; she began to get slower and slower, until she buckled to her knees and paws. Panting hard. A shot contacted with her back. Blood slightly flying out, she fell on her muzzle. She wasn't dead, but was bleeding badly. Krystal walked up to her, and kicked her to make her turn onto her back.

"Leave her alone!" Fox ran up to the scene, but was repelled back by some type of force field. At the hear of the shout, Miyu stopped trying force the door open, and went up to the scene, and saw what was happened. Tears were starting to take its form in her eyes, Fox looked crazed with anger and sadness. He just witnessed all his close friends' deaths.

Fox was banging on the invisible wall that separated him from what was taking place, trying to force his way through, but there was no way, all he could do was simply watch at the horrific scene. Miyu was near death, her paws slowly moving, showing that she was still alive. Krystal let out a wicked laugh, and got to her knees to talk to Miyu. Looking at her broken and bloody body.

"To bad this is the way that it end's for you, quite sad." Krystal picked up Miyu' head with one arm. She grabbed the blaster from her holster with her other, and brought it up under Miyu's chin. The gun charged, ready to fire.

"Any last words?" Miyu tried to speak, but couldn't she was simply too weak.

"Get away from her!" Fox demanded, but his order was denied, Krystal didn't seem to hear him. Miyu's breathes began getting less and less frequent, and more faint every time.

"I'll send you're regards." Fox couldn't see what happened exactly, but heard the shot being fired. He saw Krystal laying down Miyu's body again. Fox's gaze shifted to her paws, now frozen and has stopped there movement. She was dead. Krystal's figure disappeared, and so did the wall that separated Fox from the scene. He ran up to Miyu's now lifeless body, cradling it.

"Miyu!" There was no response. "Miyu please! Wake up! Wake up!" Fox was shaken her body violently, but still nothing, she was gone. Fox just rested his head onto her chest, holding her close. Blood was getting onto his clothing, he held there for a moment, crying loudly to himself. He didn't even try to choke back his tears. After a moment, Miyu's body faded away, Fox was surprised, he looked around him, and the room was white once again. He thought his torment was finally over, until he heard the maniacal laugh of Krystal, he turned his body to face her.

"You!" He cried out loudly. She just looked to him, smiling evilly. Instantly appeared the Body's of all his friends behind her. In the order of there deaths, first with Falco and last with Miyu. One by one the bodies were dropping, face down to the ground. All five covered in blood, and splattered when they made contact with the ground, Fox saw the line of body's of his friends. Blood was spreading around the white floor. His gaze shifted from one body to the next. His gaze lasted longer when he saw Miyu's body, his lover dead. The group was disgusted from the scene, some turned away, Slippy's son Jake was crying loudly.

"You'll pay for this!" Fox yelled out to her. Instantly a blaster pistol appeared in his grasp, Fox looked over to Krystal; she pulled out a dagger in each paw and charged at him. She jumped up into the air to strike him; Fox pointed the gun forward and fired several shots, connecting with Krystal's body. She made a loud grunting sound when the shots made contact with her body and collided with the floor. Fox walked up to the bloody wreck that was Krystal. Blood was soaking through her fur, and some slowly seeping out of her mouth. She looked up to him, and met his gaze. He was crazed with anger and hate.

"Die!" Fox yelled out, firing multiple shots, one after another at Krystal, she received each shot until the battery of the blaster was depleted. Fox was firing even when it was empty. Until he realized what he had just done. He looked over to Krystal's lifeless body, and then shifted his gaze to the five corpses behind her. He let go of his grip on the blaster and let it fall to the ground. He buckled to his knees, and was crying silently to himself. The simulator then ended while everything faded away. The door opened and immediately Miyu bolted toward Fox, she skidded onto her knees and quickly grabbed Fox, letting his head rest on her chest, stroking the white patch of hair on top of his head.

He was quietly sobbing, Miyu was trying to comfort him, but the scenes he saw were just horrific, she was crying a little bit herself, she tried to calm him down.

"Shhhh, it's alright now Fox. I'm here for you." She was slowly cradling them both. She kissed the top of his forehead, trying to calm him down. The group just watched the sad seen, feeling sorry for Fox, at what he had just witnessed first hand. Pepper stepped forward.

"Congratulations Fox, you killed the traitor."