Chapter 13

Fox knew he should feel happy he knew who was responsible for taking Krystal and capturing Star Wolf, but he was far from it. He felt very depressed to hear Fara's father was the culprit. It was so unexpected, and so unfair...

It hung in his head all the way back to Corneria. Fortunately Leon and Panther remained unconscious for most of the trip, and Wolf didn't cause trouble. Fox didn't know how he would be able to explain it all to Fara...

Once they got back to Corneria, Fox, Falco, and Slippy brought the Star Wolf members to the same jail as Oikonny. It was relieving to have them locked up.

"Have fun with Oikonny!" Falco yelled at them sarcastically.

On the way to Peppy's hangar, Fox explained everything that happened to Slippy and updated Falco. They both seemed shocked when he finished.

"Gosh, I can't believe it was Fara's dad!" Slippy cried.

Meanwhile, Falco snapped, "I told you there was something wrong with the Phoenixes!"

Fox was so nervous about how to confront Thomas. He didn't want to hurt him, but he could never let Krystal's capture pass. He decided he would ask Peppy for advice.

At least Wolf, Leon, Panther, and Oikonny were all behind bars, and Tony was dead. The less criminals to worry about the better. Only one remained...

Once again, Peppy was already in the hangar to greet them. Slippy ran back to Beltino's room while Fox and Falco hung behind.

"So... How did it go?" Peppy asked.

Fox explained everything to his old friend, just as he had done with Slippy. Peppy seemed surprised by a lot.

"I can't believe all that happened!" He exclaimed.

"I barely can myself," Fox agreed. "It won't be easy confronting Fara's father... What should I do?"

Peppy thought for a moment. "First you should find out if Krystal is really dead or not. Ask him of his intentions for kidnapping her. Be cautious and wise with all your moves. I can't tell you how exactly to take him down, you must figure that out..."

"I'm just so nervous about it, Peppy..." Fox said.

Peppy rested a hand on Fox's shoulder, smiling brightly. "You know how proud I am of you, and how proud your father would be. I know you'll make the right choice..."

And then, they both hugged each other. Fox held back his tears; he felt like he was hugging his father. No one treated Fox like Peppy...

"Thanks, Pep," Fox smiled weakly.

"Well... I know you'll do well. Trust your instincts, and never give up!" Peppy said again with a grin.

Fox and Falco went back to Beltino. They had to track down Thomas Phoenix. They found Slippy talking with Beltino when they arrived.

"We need you to track down one last place, Beltino," Fox said.

"Sure thing; Thomas Phoenix?" Beltino asked.

"How'd you know?" Falco wondered.

"Slippy told me all about it," Beltino stated, looking up his target.

The screen displayed Thomas's location.

"Says he lives in a mansion in northeast Fortuna. His home is completely alone..." Beltino said.

Fox recorded the coordinates so he could find it easily. He turned to all of them.

"I want you to stay here, Slippy," Fox said. "You can come if you want, Falco."

"I have your back, buddy," Falco replied. "Besides, Star Wolf gave you trouble last night."

Fox nodded, and he left the room with Falco.

"Best of luck!" Slippy and Beltino shouted after them.

They began their journey to Fortuna. No more waiting. It was time to end his quest...

Fortuna was a lush, grass-coated planet. The Star Fox team had been there at the start of the Aparoid Invasion trying to capture Oikonny... Back when Krystal was with them...

It would have been nice to take in the beauty of the planet, if not for the pressuring circumstances. Eventually they located the big mansion. Thomas's house...

Fox and Falco were shocked to discover Krystal's old Arwing next to another! It must have been taken by Tony as well. Fox and Falco parked theirs beside the others.

"I wonder why he wanted it..." Falco said.

"Maybe we'll find out," Fox said.

As expected, the door was locked when Falco tried to open it. It was a spectacular mansion, huge and mostly mahogany-colored. Falco turned to Fox.

"Ready?" Falco asked.

"Ready," Fox confirmed.

They took a deep breath, and kicked the door to the mansion open.