Star Fox: Return

Note: This fanfic takes place soon after the initial ending to Star Fox: Command, titled The Angler Emperor.

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Fox

Chapter Thirteen: Will the Real James McCloud Please Stand Up?

Orbit over Fortuna
11:10 Cornerian Military/Ship Time

Another blast struck the side of Falco's fighter, rocking it. "Shields Failing!" he yelled.

"Just hold on a little longer!" Dash yelled back. "I've almost got it!"

"Got What?" Falco demanded. "How the hell do you plan to get us out of this mess?"

Behind them, a large Venomise battle cruiser loomed, firing every weapon at the fleeing ships. Another blast from the main cannon clipped Falco's wing.

"My shields are down!" Falco yelled. "If that had been a direct hit, I wouldn't be here right now! Dash, whatever you've got planned, now would be a good time to do it!"

"Get in front of me!" Dash ordered.

"No! Do it now!" Falco yelled back. He was getting fed up taking orders from this kid.

"Fine! Then power down and don't blame me!" Dash yelled back.

Something in Dash's voice told Falco to obey, so he did. His Sky Claw continued forward on its own momentum as he shut down every system. His eyes widened in surprise as Dash's ship began to glow, and then he was blinded by an enormous flash of light.

Abandoned Jail
Urano City, Katina
11:25 a.m. Katina Time

Wolf rubbed his neck in relief as James McCloud tossed the last bomb collar out the window. "Thanks. I guess I owe you one."

James shook his head, "No you don't. I still owe you one. Krystal was still a member of your team when I attacked her twice. Saving your live hardly repays for my mistake."

"Panther can fix that," Panther said and walked up to James. James looked at him and raised a questioning eyebrow.

WHAM!

Panther's punch sent James flying through the wall. Luckily, the wall was cheep wood, so James was not hurt, aside from a few bruises. The fox stood, grunting slightly, "I guess I deserved that."

Leon cackled with laughter, "Even if you didn't deserve it, it sure makes me feel better. I'm just sorry it wasn't me who punched you."

"Here," Wolf said, tossing James his twin blasters. "I believe these belong to you."

"Thanks," James responded, placing the blasters in their holsters. "Feels nice to have that weight back." Then he noticed Fara slumped on the floor. "Fara!"

Everyone turned just in time to see Fara loose her last meal on the floor. The vixen pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her muzzle, muttering an apology.

"What's our next move?" Panther asked.

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm going after Thomas," James said. "This is the second time that faker stole my ship, and I'm not about to let him get away with it."

Wolf nodded, "You do that then." He turned to Panther and Leon. "Let's get Fara back to her house, and then we're out of here."

Star Wolf left, but James remained behind. "I'm waiting for you, Thomas Derkan."

Orbit over Katina

"Follow me," the fake-James said. "I know of a good place where we can repair our ships.

"Lead the way," Fox answered. I wish I knew who the hell this guy was and why he's imitating my father, he thought to himself. He, Krystal, and Kevin followed his father's black Arwing down toward Urano City.

The comm crackled, and Wolf's voice suddenly came through it, "Nice of you to join the party, Fox. Unfortunately, you're not invited."

Three all too familiar fighters soared towards the group as Leon cackled, "Sorry if we shoot you, but you have an imposter among your midst."

"Leon, your grammar is terrible," Panther remarked.

"Look who's talking, Mister I-refer-to-myself-in-third-person!" Leon shot back.

"Close that fly trap that you call a mouth, Leon," Krystal said firmly. Leon replied with a few well chosen curses, but no one listened to him as Krystal was still talking. "We know we have an imposter, Wolf."

Fox swerved behind his father's Arwing and said, "He's right here." He fired a warning shot and said to the pilot, "I don't know who you are, but you are not my father."

"How dare you, son!" the fake-James roared.

"How many times did you attack Krystal?" Fox asked.

"Why would I attack your girlfriend?" came the response.

"You're not my father," Fox answered, "or you would know. Where is James McCloud?"

"Right here!" yelled a voice. Everyone looked to see a black clad crimson fox wearing a jetpack flying towards them. "I believe that you're flying my ship, Thomas Derkan!"

"Finder's keepers, McCloud!" the now exposed Thomas yelled. His stolen Arwing boosted forward.

"Star Wolf," Wolf yelled, "Time for some well deserved payback!" The three Wolfens shot forward in pursuit.

Fox began hitting switches on his board, "All craft, report!"

"Krystal Caruso, on your starboard," the vixen said, moving into position.

"Kevin Jay, on your port."

"James McCloud, on your wing, literally." Fox turned to see that his father had landed on his Arwing II's right stabilizer wing. Looking at his son through his shades, James McCloud nodded.

Fox grinned, "All right, time to catch a criminal. Star Fox, Move Out!"