Disclaimer: None of the following characters are mine, and they belong to Nintendo - All of them.
Chapter 11: Reunion
It was almost as if things were back to normal. Just almost.
Only a month had passed since the events on Aquas. Star Wolf had been prosecuted and imprisoned by a court in Corneria, but Krystal was found innocent. She was released only on the grounds that Star Fox would have to keep a close eye on her, a sentence they were all too willing to accept.
Dash had proven himself to be quite a reliable ally, and by Fox's request to the Cornerian fleet he was now an official member of the team. They were all currently commissioned to patrol the outskirts of the Lylat system in the Great Fox III. It wasn't a very eventful job, albeit an important one.
A typical day for Star Fox usually meant Dash and Falco spending their time in their Arwings, doing target practice in the nearby asteroid fields and sparring each other on occasion. This meant ROB would be left to making all the repairs to their ships. Despite his usual sarcasm, ROB never seemed to complain for some reason.
As for Fox and Krystal, they were practically inseparable. Every day you could find them in the control room, talking to each other in quiet voices and most likely trying to make up for the time they had been apart. Fox never hesitated to start working when something needed to be done, of course, but whenever Falco and Dash found themselves in the same room with the two it was somewhat uncomfortable and potentially awkward. Hence them hanging around outside of the Great Fox III.
On one of these routine days ROB had called everyone to the control room over the intercom. This was odd, but as nothing else was happening, Falco and Dash joined the other two, taking their seats in front of the enormous hologram projector. Fox and Krystal sat together on the couch, staring at each other. Dash and Falco tried their best to ignore them.
"What's this all about, ROB?" Falco asked.
ROB just shook his metallic head and tapped a few buttons on the keyboard. Then he finally replied in his monotonous voice, "Incoming transmission from Slippy."
Fox's head snapped up. "Slippy? But-"
He was cut off by the hum of the projector as it brought up the image of his long lost friend, shown in the cockpit of his ship and smiling sadly. "Hello Fox."
Fox stood up and took a few steps forward, staring at Slippy's face. He extended his hand forward as if to touch the image, but his hand fell through the hologram.
"If you're watching this then I'm most likely dead, so don't get the wrong impression," Slippy said, knowing how Fox would react, "I've programmed ROB to send you this message as soon as you and Krystal get back together. I wanted to tell you that I'm proud of you, Fox."
Everyone in the room was still, watching Slippy and holding on to each word he gave.
"Ever since the Apparoid Wars I knew you and Krystal belonged together," Slippy chuckled, "But I didn't imagine she would join Star Wolf. You do know why she did it though, right? Because of the way you treated her." Slippy shook his head and gazed upward. "Don't push her away Fox. She's not inferior, and you know it. Think back to the warrior she once was on Sauria."
As Fox continued to take in Slippy's words, Krystal wordlessly joined him at his side, taking his hand.
"And Krystal," Slippy continued, "If you're watching this too, you should know by now how determined Fox is to protect his friends. I can't tell you how many times he's saved my life in the face of danger. All I can say to you is to get used to it. He's quite hard-headed, you know." Slippy laughed a little again, but soon his expression became serious. "I'll miss the days when we fought against Andross. I'm never going to forget those great experiences, Fox. And, well... I'm not exactly the pilot I used to be. I have a feeling that I'm not going to last long as I go up to help you in a moment. But you know what? It's alright. If my death is necessary in stopping Star Wolf once and for all, I'm willing to do my duty. Don't worry about Amanda; she can take care of herself."
Slippy now stared directly through the screen, as if being able to see Fox eye to eye. "I'll miss ya buddy. Remember the advice I've given you, and the best of wishes to Team Star Fox. Slippy out." With a final smile, the hologram began to depixelate and the projected image eventually vanished.
Fox kept staring into the empty space, contemplating everything he had heard. Slippy. His last words before his untimely death. What his final dying wish was for him and Krystal. Finally taking notice of Krystal next to him, he pulled her close and said, "Never again. I promise."
His words had many meanings, both obvious and implied. To Dash, the spectator who was practically jumping with excitement, it meant Krystal (as well as himself) were going to stay permanently.
It was apparently enough for Falco, however, for he suddenly turned around, walking out of the room.
"Hey!" Dash called out to him, "Where are you going? Krystal's officially back on the team!"
"Yeah, but if they decide to start making out then I don't want to be around to see it," Falco replied as he left through the door.
Dash, now realizing that he was alone in the room with the couple, hastily scurried out to follow Falco. The two who were left took no notice.
"I meant every thing I said on Aquas," Fox whispered to Krystal.
"I know," she replied softly.
THE END
Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed my story, and I must deeply apologize to those who I kept waiting for too long. I'll take full responsibility. Now you can leave a final review, and hopefully (if you liked it) I won't have any regrets in writing fics in the future. ;)
Until next time,
Teengamer out!
