The Grand Final

Chapter 28: Desert Battle

Since nobody was in a hurry to get to the next destination the teams decided to take a couple of days off traveling to Titania to rest. Nicholas however did report to Kareem about what Chaz had said. But without answers, what the frog had said just gave way to questions. Still the period of rest was what everyone needed. The species who were dating someone spent the time with the one they loved. Except in the case of Falco and Katt who had gone beyond what the other couples had.

X

There wasn't really a reason why he had woken up, it just happened more often than not. Either way, he was used to it by now. Part of him figured it was just the alcohol inside his body that refused him to sleep the entire night without need to wake up once to take a piss or get a drink. Regardless the avian couldn't help but feel much better about it now, and for a good reason to. Falco turned his head to the left and could make out the naked form of Katt sleeping beside him, her head resting on his muscled chest, his wing around her. Falco saw her smile and could tell she was happy.

He threw the covers off and stepped out of the bed, his bladder screaming at him to find a toilet before it burst. The avian heard his girl mumble sleepily as she felt for his body. Finding nothing, the feline reluctantly opened one eye and didn't see her avian.

"Falco?" she asked groggily.

"Just heading to the bathroom," he replied. "Go back to sleep."

Not needing to be told a second time, the black and white female pulled the covers up and turned back over before falling asleep again. Falco couldn't help but grin in amusement. The avian didn't like to talk about relationships and feelings much, always passing them off as weakness and stupid, pointless conversations. But that didn't mean he wasn't happier than ever since he and Katt had hooked up. The feline was amazing, a perfect match for him in every way. Falco loved her cocky, powerful attitude, how she challenged him at almost everything they did, even when having sex.

The night they had first done it Falco knew that he and Katt didn't regret it. That's how they were like. They weren't the type to talk about feelings very much, instead better at showing them instead, and had done so almost every night since then. Especially before a battle in case they never got the chance to do so again. A smirk crossed Falco's beak as he remembered Fox telling him to keep it down when the avian explained that he and Katt were sharing a room. But he didn't care that it was no secret what was going on between the two.

"I love her," thought Falco. "That's all that matters. The others are in the same situation, just going slower. Nothing wrong with that." He knew that like him and the feline, the rest of his friends who were in a relationship also shared a bed but weren't having sex. They weren't in a hurry and had still not gotten to that point. Even after all this time. After taking care of his urgent need, Falco made his way back and onto the bed. As if sensing him, Katt rolled into him, snuggling up next to her avian the second he lay down. They both knew they were lucky to have each other. When they both got up the next morning, the ended up taking a shower together and making love in there.

Meanwhile on the Star Flight mother ship, Nicholas awoke. The vulpine looked to his left and found his beautiful angel sleeping peacefully, one arm on his chest. The part Cerinian gently stroke Fara's cheek. He then lay there, waiting for his girl to wake up. As if on cue, the vixen did stir before opening her eyes. She let out a grin while looking to him.

"Good morning beautiful," he whispered and held her tight.

"Morning handsome," she responded and kissed his cheek. Fara was just filled with happiness. Nicholas looked deep into her eyes. Even though they had changed because of the Krazoa inside of her, the vulpine could still imagine the green they would have otherwise.

"What is it?" asked Fara in a loving voice.

"Just thinking how lucky I am to have you," answered her boyfriend. The vixen nuzzled his neck.

"I think I'm the more luckier one."

"Maybe we both are then. Now, as much as I would like to stay on the bed with you, we've got things to do." Fara pecked him on the lips and the two got up. Even though the teams were resting, the next battle had to be prepared for.

"I'm going out for a run; care to come?' asked Nicholas to his girlfriend. The vulpine figured that would be a good way to start the day.

"I'm going to take a shower instead," she said. The part Cerinian nodded, and began to head out but was stopped when Fara grabbed his paw. He looked back to her.

"Join me," she whispered to him. Nicholas's face flushed. It simply was amazing that the somewhat shy vixen had become so outgoing and risk taking since they had gotten together. He could hardly get out his next word.

"W-what?"

"You heard me. Why don't you join me for a nice, hot shower?" Fara smiled cutely at him, thinking it was cute just how nervous he was getting.

"I-I'll pass." He tried to pull away, but the vixen wouldn't let go of him.

Awwwwww," she let out, trying harder, pulling the part Cerinian closer to her. The vixen could see the blush on his cheeks. She batted her eyelashes at him, and asked in a seductive tone, "Please?" Nicholas's brain was in overdrive trying to think of a quick excuse for her.

"I showered last night," he said. Fara giggled at him.

"Don't lie to me. You don't want to share the same shower? We share the same bed," responded the non Cerinian as she pulled the vulpine into a hug, wrapping her arms around him tightly.

"That's different."

"How?"

"Because we're wearing something."

"Barely."

"Look," her boyfriend replied. "It wouldn't make sense for me to take one now, go on a run, and take another. Don't you think?" Fara just sighed; he had her there. She left go of her grasp of him.

"Okay," the vixen said sadly, lowering her head. Nicholas made her look at him by placing his right paw under her chin. He placed a kiss on her lips. "Maybe someday babe." He headed out the door.

"Yes. Someday; defiantly," said Fara out loud after he left. The whole time, the stirring from her loins had happened. The vixen realized it was a calling that she wanted Nicholas. To have him like she needed oxygen and food. In short, Fara had brought up having a shower because the non Cerinian wanted to have sex with him. But how long? Her fingers went down and touched her opening and gasped at how sensitive it felt to her touch. The vixen realized that she had wanted to do it with Nicholas for a long time now. Still Fara figured she could wait a bit more before trying. The vixen then went into the shower, and ended up releasing the sexual tension in her body after getting cleaned by fingering herself.

Elsewhere Fox was still wondering why Andrea reminded him of someone. It was something in the snow monkey's face. Krystal noticed him deep in thought.

"Are you alright darling?" asked the vixen.

"Yes…" he responded. "It's just Andrea, Dash's mother."

"What about her?"

"I seem to think I've seen her before. I know it's crazy because we've never met."

"She must be reminding you of someone," said Krystal.

"That's what I figured."

"Maybe you're just thinking that." The Cerinian then went to the vulpine's side and laid her head on his shoulder. "It was nice to go back to Sauria even though we had to fight on it. It brings back those memories."

"I know what you mean," responded Fox and wrapped his arms around her.

"At least this time we didn't have to fight Andross." As soon as she said that, the non Cerinian's eyes went wide with shock. Images of the dead monkey went through his mind. Andrea's face also popped up as well. Krystal felt his mood change.

"Fox, what is it?" she asked.

"It can't be…" whispered the vulpine. He then let go of his girl and ran to find a way to contact Nicholas who could get him Andrea. He had figured it out. Her face bore similarity to Andross's face.

"Fox!" shouted the vixen and ran after him. The vulpine managed to get Nicholas.

"Fox, what is it?" asked the part Cerinian from the communications screen.

"I need you to contact Andrea, there's something I need to ask her. It's urgent."

"Stand by." Fox only had to wait a couple of minutes to get in contact with her. Krystal caught up to him.

"What is this about?" she asked. Her boyfriend may no reply as the female snow monkey's face came up.

"Nicholas told me you wanted to talk to me," said Andrea.

"Yes," answered Fox. "Tell me, did you know an Andross?"

"Wait, what?" asked Krystal. Andrea's face instantly turned to a guilty looking one.

"I guess I can't hide it anymore," she said. "Don't move, I'm coming towards your ship. I think it would be better if I said this in person." The vulpine nodded and the screen went black.

"Fox, are you going to tell me what the hell is going on?" asked the pure Cerinian.

"Her face… I can see Andross's face in her." Krystal let out a gasp of shock.

"That can't be," whispered the vixen. "Are you saying she might have some connection to him?"

"I don't know, but I have to get the answer from her." Not too much latter Andrea and Jasper had arrived at the mother ship that Star Fox was on. And waiting for them was the vulpine and Krystal. The two primates went over to them.

"Andrea," said Fox. "Why is it that I can see Andross in your face?" She let out a sigh.

"So you made that connection?" asked the female primate. "I thought I could keep this a secret, but not anymore. I'm one of those who knew him quite well. More so than anyone else. Or at least I thought I did." Jasper didn't say anything; he was just watching Fox.

"But how did you?" asked the vulpine.

"Because Andross… was my father."

Disbelief roared through the non Cerinian's body when he heard this. Krystal felt the shock in her veins. "But… that's…. it can't be…" whispered Fox. "Andross never had any children."

"He did," replied Jasper. "I can tell you it's the truth. Andrea is Andross's child as much as I don't like to admit it."

"But then that means Dash…"

"Yes; he's Andross's grandson." Fox slumped against the wall behind him.

"Tell me everything," said the vulpine. So Andrea and Jasper did. The female primate also explained to the non Cerinian that she had cut off ties from him before the Lylat war and had battled against his forces. She also stated that she was grateful that Fox was the one to fight Andross and not her. Lastly, the primate said that she didn't want revenge for his death and wouldn't turn against anyone in this war.

"I see…" said Fox. "Does Dash know?"

"He doesn't about what Andross did," replied Andrea. "But I figured now was the time to tell him."

"I'm with her," stated Jasper. "Our son needs to know this. We'll go with you to your next target to do so." It was decided that everyone was to meet in person to discuss this and the attack on Titania the next day. They gathered on the mother ship of Star Flight right by the planet.

"What are you doing here?" asked Dash when he saw his parents.

"We… need to tell you something," replied his mother.

"Well, I guess it must be important." Fox was looking closely at him.

"I can see your grandfather in you," said the vulpine after a bit. This made Dash look up. Everyone else but those who knew were wondering what the non Cerinian was talking about.

"Fox, I don't think you should-" began Krystal, but the young primate interrupted her.

"Wait, hold on a second. So you knew him?"

"Yeah. I did," answered Fox. "And I'm the one who killed him."

Dash's face went to one of shock as he looked down, taking in the information. It then changed to anger and he whipped out his blaster and pointed it at the vulpine. Krystal drew hers. Everyone else just was just watching.

"It was you?" asked Dash in anger.

"That's right," replied the vulpine.

"Fox!" exclaimed Krystal.

"Better put a leash on that vixen," the young primate stated. The non Cerinian singled the vixen to lower her gun.

"This is between me and him," stated the vulpine. He then got closer. "Go ahead, shot. You have every right to. Just promise me you'll survive. The future depends on it."

"WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO?!" shouted Dash.

"Stop it!" yelled Yuki.

"Put your blaster down! Now!" ordered Krystal with hers at the ready.

"Tell me, were you just… following orders? Or was it personal?" asked Dash, breathing hard.

"Both," answered Fox. The primate cocked his blaster, ready to shot.

"Dash, please stop!" his girlfriend begged. "Just put your blaster down!"

"I'm going to put a shot in your head!" yelled Krystal, also ready to attack. Dash let out a yell and fired. The shot grazed Fox's cheek. Everyone was left in shock. The male snow monkey then spoke.

"There are more important things at stake than you and me. Besides… I've always know what happened." His parents and Nicholas were surprised by this. "Tell me everything. I need to know from you guys." So Andrea, Jasper, and Nicholas told him and everyone else about Andross, his connection, and what he had down. Those who didn't know were left in shock.

"So that's it, huh?" went Dash when they were finished. "And here I thought dear old grandpa Andross was just a deadbeat who skipped out on us. Oh no; he was actually a freakin' nut job who almost destroyed the Lylat!"

"His actions have nothing to do with you," stated Yuki.

"Yeah, but his legacies if he left anything behind and the fact he was a relative does! You really think crazy doesn't run in the family? That nothing of who my grandfather was didn't somehow get passed on down to me?!" Dash let out a breath. "I'm just saying… The guy that I am, the things I've done… at least it all makes a little bit more sense now."

Yuki went right over to him and gave him a look. "What?" asked her boyfriend.

"You can blame your grandfather all you want. But at some point, you have take responsibility for your own actions." The female then walked away, annoyed at Dash. She didn't even look back at him. He just sat there in silence.

"I think it would be best if you sat this out," went Nicholas. "For you're own safety." The male got up and left without another word. His parents then took their leave, having told their son what they wanted him to hear. Everyone else didn't say anything as they thought about what had happened. The part Cerinian then spoke up.

"I know that came as a shock. But right now, we need to focus on this upcoming attack."

"He's right," stated Peppy. "I took a look at it seems enemy forces, but especially those belong to the Anglar Emperor are really guarding this planet."

"I noticed as well," commented Nami. "Is it because it's the last stronghold before Venom?"

"It's more than that," stated the older hare. "As you know, the Venom Sea is extremely acidic. At the moment, there's no way we can get anywhere near it."

"Our ships wouldn't last ten minutes in that environment!" stated Slippy.

"Well, before our first battle with Andross, he was thinking. He put together a plan to terraform the whole environment. He wanted to make Venom a more hospitable place to live."

"Wait.. he actually wanted to neutralize the acidity of the Venom Sea?" asked Amanda.

"Exactly! Before his first death he hid a device on Titania to do just that!"

"Aw, that's crazy talk!" Falco commented. "Why would he do something like that?"

"I bet he wanted to build a perfect world of his very own," said Fox.

"He also built four bio weapons to protect the device!" commented Peppy. "I bet those things are still there to."

"Four huh?" asked Kool. "That means one for each team."

"So if we find the bio weapons, we find the device," stated Wolf. "Sounds good."

"But we'll need help to fly in," went Nicholas. "While forces engage the enemy in space, we'll head to the surface of Titania."

The next day everything was ready. Dash and Yuki wouldn't be a part of this fight. The clone and Lylat forces engaged the enemy in space, allowing the four teams to head to the surface. From there, they all split up. Fox took Falco, Katt, Lucy, Ben, Slippy, Amanda, and Krystal. Kool and the Hot Rodders were in another group. Wolf had Luna, Leon, Panther, and Miyu in his group. That left Nicholas with the others.

The teams flew and fought their way through enemy forces. Sometimes taking down missiles and taking over enemy bases. There were rough spots, but still the mercenaries kept fighting. But just when they thought they managed to get all of them, an image appeared on the screen of each ship. It was a green one of Andross's head.

"I am the ghost of Andross…" it went. "I protect this place with my bio weapons!"

"A-Andross?!" asked Peppy. "No... That's not possible!"

"Something is closing in and fast!" stated Slippy.

"Um, guys?" asked Wolf. "Something really large is coming right towards us…"

"Same with us," went Kool.

"What is that huge thing?!" asked Fay. Four things emerged from the sand where each of the teams were. One of them was in the shape of a worm colored gray with rotating green parts. This weapon was by the Hot Rodders. The next one appeared before Wolf's group. It was in the shape of a bee, with the head dark gray, the middle of the body blue, and the end the same color as an actual one. The wings were blue with green and pink colored sections on the inner part. The third weapon went after Nicholas's group. It was colored gray and looked like a two headed ostrich. The last one appeared before Star Fox. It looked like a gray ape with green eyes.

"This device will never make it into your hands!" went the image of Andross. "This is where you meet your doom! Sleep forever in the warm sands of Titania!"

The worm like weapon by the Hot Rodders then went under the sand. They saw that the end of its tail was glowing, showing that section was the weak point. They flew in to attack, but had to dodge the rocks it launched at the ships. Meanwhile Wolf's group got attacked by the bee's weapon which then disappeared from their sight before reappearing behind them.

"It can teleport?!" snarled Miyu as she and the others dodged the shots the weapon shot at them. It moved back and forth really fast, meaning it would be hard to hit.

"What a pain," growled Panther as he fired at the weapon.

Elsewhere, Nicholas's group flew after the third bio weapon. "Aim for the heads!" shouted Bill. The team then had to dodge the shots and missiles fired from those parts.

Finally Fox's team went after their target. They saw that right where the legs joined was a glowing spot; the thing's weak point. As the machine ran, it brought up pillars that had three heads with glowing faces on them and colored dark gray. These things fired lines of blue colored electric energy. It was in the way of attacking the weak point.

"That's done it!" stated Fara as she finally managed to destroy one of the heads on the weapon attacking her team. The machine stopped running and the last head buried itself under the sand and emerged elsewhere to attack.

"You've gotta be fucking kidding!" growled Cody and fired himself. Some shots latter, the head was destroyed. The weapon fell over into the sand. At the same time the worm like weapon also got defeated by the Hot Rodders. Then Star Wolf got the machine attacking them which also fell into the sand. Finally Star Fox's opponent also fell.

"That's it; we did it!" said Fox.

"But where's the device?" asked Krystal. From the four fallen machines, a beam of light came out and joined together. It then shot and stopped at a certain spot. From the sands, a ruined building emerged.

"He must have hidden it there," commented Nicholas. "Fara, Fox, Krystal. Come with me. We'll get it."

X

It didn't take long for the four to arrive at the building. The foxes got out of their strikers and approached it. "So this is where Andross hid it?" asked Fara. "How long has this thing been buried?"

"Who knows; all that matters is we get it as fast a possible," said Fox. Nicholas suddenly whipped his head above.

"Look out!" he shouted. Everyone moved out of the way as something came in from above. The foxes brought out their Cerinian weapons, squinting to see what it was as the thing had created quite a cloud of sand and dust when it landed. It took a bit for it to clear. When they saw who it was, Nicholas and Fara's eyes went wide with shock.

"It's The Horned Wolf King," whispered the vixen. The enemy brought out his Cerinian weapon.

"I'm sorry, but this is as far as you go," he growled. The four foxes brought out their weapons.

"You can't take on all four of us," stated Fox.

"I beg to differ!" shouted the lupine. His ax began to glow with a black colored energy that was surrounded by purple colored energy. The who thing began to cackle with red pink colored lighting. "Dark Matter Demolition!" The Horned King launched the attack in a huge arc. His opponents had to move out of the way of his special Energy Beam technique.

"What an attack," Krystal commented under her breath. "I've never seen something like that before." Everyone then heard a noise.

"What was that?" asked Fox. They all turned and saw a huge rock behind them.

"Has that always been there?" Fara asked. She didn't remember it being there before.

"Stop it!" went the inanimate object to the enemy lupine. "Now!"

"A talking rock?" asked Nicholas.

"Hey, long time no see." It began to glow with a white light. The foxes watched in shock as it transformed into Netami. She then began to walk toward them. "How are you Mr. Weakling?"

It caused the part Cerinian to snap who hatted to be called stuff like that. "Damn it, I told you before; don't call me that!" he yelled while aiming a kick at the enemy. The lizard managed to dodge the attack.

"Hey calm down!" she exclaimed. "I'm just here to get the device, nothing more than that! I don't even want to fight you weakling-"

"Again with it!" shouted Nicholas and swung his fist at the chameleon. She jumped back a bit.

"What are you talking about?!"

"Five times! You called me weak twice here! And three times while on General Skull's ship! Don't tell me you've forgotten about that!"

"Impressive," muttered Netami in a sarcastic tone. "You've got a sharp memory there." The Horned Wolf King went right by her.

"So it seems you don't want us going to Venom," stated Fara. "This is perfect actually. We'll take both of you in."

"Very well," responded the female chameleon. "Let's see how good you are with that sword. You held off against Scales, but how will you deal with me?!" She along with Fara and Krystal charged at each other. Nicholas and Fox went after the other enemy.

"You really know how to use that thing!" stated Netami as she dodged swings from the non Cerinian vixen. The lizard hadn't called out her weapon yet.

"Thank you for the complement!" Fara responded and managed to get the enemy on the side. The wound began to heal up; this one also had the healing abilities like Chad. Which meant Netami had the chip in her. The chameleon let out a grin.

"You feel for it!" she stated and her left arm transformed, becoming that of a rubber house. It tightened around the vixen's neck, stopping her.

"Good isn't it?" asked Netami as Fara struggled to make the limb let go. "And you normal species can't do anything like it! So what will it be? Knocked unconscious by lack of air?" She then called out her weapon. "Or by loss of blood?"

Her opponent chuckled. "None of the above!" she stated and dropped her sword. She then kicked some of the sand on the ground into her face. The lizard flinched as it got her eyes. Fara used this to take her hand holding Netami's Cerinian weapon and cut off the limb that had been transformed. She then grabbed his sword and slashed at the enemy straight across the middle. Netami groaned in pain as her chip began to heal her body. The lizard stumbled back and landed on her right foot. It then sunk down into the sand a bit, more so then someone with normal weight would. The enemy then went to her knees, and the same thing happened. Fara and Krystal saw this and wondered what was going on. Netami was a lot heavier then she looked.

"That was a dirty trick," growled the chameleon. "Blinding me… that's not playing fair."

"Given the fact you can regenerate, you can't blame a guy for fighting dirty," said the vixen. "So want to go again? You can't win against us."

"You fucker!" shouted Netami. "A mere non Cerinian can't talk down on me!"

"You seem to underestimate me," responded Fara. "And that's a mistake!"

Meanwhile Nicholas and Fox continued to attack The Horned King. But he just kept dodging or blocking their attacks.

"Why can't we hit him?!" growled the vulpine. Their battle crossed paths with the other two foxes.

"Watch it!" exclaimed Fara. "I don't want to hit you!" She then ducked a blow from Netami, and responded by cutting off her right leg. The lizard fell to the ground with a yell of pain. Once again she sunk into the sand a bit, creating a small indentation of her body. All of a sudden the ground began to open up.

"What the hell?!" asked Nicholas. Fara, realizing what was going to happen, moved and pushed him out of the way. The ground continued to open more and Netami fell into the hole that was created along with Fox and the vixen.

"Fox!" yelled Krystal, her paw reaching out for him. The hole then closed up, leaving nothing there. Both her and the part Cerinian were in shock with what had happened. The vixen then let out a heart wrenching cry.

X

Fox slowly stirred and then awoke. Where was he? The vulpine raised herself up. He was in a dark area. The non Cerinian couldn't see at all; it was totally dark in here.. Reaching inside one of the pockets on his outfit, he brought out a light to help him see. Judging from the ground he was on, he was beneath the surface.

"What is this place?" Fox whispered. It looked like there was only way to go and that was to the right. The left was blocked by rock where he had been. The vulpine made his way forward. After a bit, he entered a huge underground room. Again it was still very dark.

"Hello?" called the vulpine. "Is anyone there?" His voiced echoed throughout the place. "Damn it… It's Nicholas's fault! If he hadn't charged like that, I wouldn't be in this mess! That idiot!"

"Who do you think you are to call him an idiot?" went an all to familiar female voice. Fox turned around.

"Fara!" he stated.

"You can't call my boyfriend an idiot when he's the smartest guy I've met," commented the vixen. She had a light out as well in one paw, and some kind of device in the other.

"Are you okay?" asked Fox and started forward, but then stopped. "Hold on…"

"What's wrong?"

"How do I know you're not Netami in disguise?"

"Oh come on!" exclaimed Fara. "Do you want me to describe blow by blow of my fight against Krystal in the tournament?"

"Okay, you're defiantly her."

"And what about you? How do I know you're not her?"

"Shall I tell you everything about Krystal including personal information?" asked Fox.

"Okay, it's really you."

"So how did we even get here?"

"Last thing I remembered we're fighting and then this hole opened up in the ground and we got caught in it," stated Fara.

"So you think it's some kind of secret entrance to someplace?" asked Fox.

"Most likely. I think it's one to that building that popped up. Take a look." She held up the device in her paw. It was showing some kind of underground map.

"What is that?"

"It can make a map of the surrounding area," explained Fara. "Amanda made it. Looking at it, we seem to be below the surface right next to the building."

"Poor Krystal, she's probably freaking out right now," whispered Fox. "But at least there's an exit. I saw an entrance way in. Let's find the device and then get out of here. How big is this place?"

"Umm….." responded the vixen and the vulpine took a look at the map. His jaw dropped.

"You've got to be kidding me! Seriously?! This place is huge!"

"So it's a bit big," stated Fara. "I'm still going to look."

"Fine…" growled Fox. "Let's go…"

The two went from room to room, not finding anything. Little did they know that Nicholas and Krystal were also looking for them and the device since The Horned Kind had managed to escape. Eventually both foxes managed to find a room that had many arches in it. And there on a table was the device.

"There it is," said Fox. "Let's take it and get the hell out of here." Fara then turned.

"Hold it,' she commented. "There's something out there." The vulpine turned and saw someone approaching them.

"Hey isn't that…?" he asked.

"I should've known it would be you guys," said Netami as the lizard came into full view. She took a seat on a stone rock that was in the room.

"Damn it; why did an enemy have to show up?" growled Fara. She knew that both her and Fox were in no condition to fight considering the scuffle they had on the surface and the time spent looking for the device. Netami looked like it as well. Or she could have just been using here powers to pretend.

"I never thought I would be back in here one day," she commented.

"Wait, you've been here before?" asked Fox. "How can that be? Unless maybe you…"

"So you've figured it out huh?" asked Netami. "Yeah I once was employed to Andross as his spy before I joined up with Shade."

"Funny I don't remember you during the Lylat war. Although… did you know about a vixen named Vixy?" That was the name of Fox's mother. She had died by Andross's hands due to a car bomb meant for James. Everyone else knew about her and had seen the photo. When they had compared the photo of her to Fara, they could see a resemblance.

"Are you serious? Nice try, but you're mother's death was all on his hands. I had nothing to do with that. And do you really think I would be involved directly with the fighting? Idiot," commented the enemy.

"You… were employed to Andross?" asked Fara.

"Yep!" stated Netami. "Before I met Shade I ran from Eladard and found that scientist. Realizing I could be useful, he gave me the power of transformation that you've seen. I couldn't have asked for a more enjoyable job then that before the one I have now."

"Wait a second," said Fox. "If you worked for him… then you must have been involved with the Cerinia incident."

"Oh that planet, what about it? You know what Krystal said about that right?"

"She said Andross was responsible for its destruction."

"Yep!" responded Netami. "And the one who told him all about where it was was me!" Fox and Fara felt the shock go throughout their bodies. "You have no idea how good that felt. Because I of me I was able to help to destroy an entire race! I mean talk about intoxicating!" The vulpine slowly walked towards her, fist clenched, and anger in his veins. "Oh and the best part? The Cerinian I pretended to be; she was actually one of those who wanted to do what she could to get off that god forsaken dump of a rock. And listen to this! The rulers there didn't want her to leave because they thought she was too powerful to be out of their sights! You know I don't think I'll get over how easy it is to kill species!" Netami let out an evil chuckle at this revelation.

"So you're responsible," said Fox with a growl as he got closer. "You're the one who told Andross where Cerinian was. You caused so much grief to many people. And it was you… you're the reason why Krystal is the last of her kind! YOU'RE THE ONE TO BLAME!" The vulpine having gotten close enough to the lizard slugged her in the face; he didn't care that she was a female. The male made contact, but Netami didn't go flying. She still sat there, only her head got moved. Also red lighting came out of her body for a brief second.

"What the hell?!" whispered Fox. "She didn't budge!"

"Okay then, if that's how you want it!" snarled Netami. Her body began to cackle with more red lighting.

"Fox! Get back!" yelled Fara and the male did as the lizard stood up.

"I'm going to show you two something neat before I capture you! Consider it a parting gift!" Her body began to get large and her voice deeper.

"Did you notice her footprints back when we were all fighting on the surface?" asked the vixen.

"What? No," answered the vulpine. "What's your point?"

"Just that she's heavy for the size of her body… she's probably bigger than she looks…" The two then gasped at the site. Netami had finished transforming.

"Behold, my true form!" she yelled. Her entire body had become white, and the cloths were gone. Her headband remanded the same. The lizard had gotten four legs and had spikes on her upper back and one on top of her head. Her eyes had become pure black and the nose had change. The mark of Shade and her tattoos were still the same but had gotten larger. The enemy landed on the ground, knocking Fox and Fara back.

"Damn!" shouted the vulpine.

"What the hell?!" asked the vixen. "How can something like that exist?!" They then noticed that along the neckline and behind the front legs were faces of different species, all moaning and shouting in a mix of different voices. But they didn't have time to focus on that as the saw that Netami was about to attack. She swung her tail at the vixen who barely managed to dodge the incoming limb. She got caught by a front leg and was sent flying. The non Cerinian hit a pillar and let out a cry of pain.

"Fara!" shouted Fox before he got sent flying back as well. Netami let out an evil laugh. The vixen used this opportunity to get by his side.

"Can you fight?" she asked.

"I won't go down that easily," he responded. Both brought out their Cerinian weapons. The enemy put on an evil grin. "Can we take her?"

"I doubt it," responded Fara. "She is a giant monster after all. And on top of that, I took some damage from her attack."

"Yeah, I'm pretty beat up as well. But that's besides the point. All that matters now is filling her with some pain!"

Netami let out a roar and jumped at the two. Both foxes were barely able to dodge the attack. Fara then ran underneath the body and slashed at it with her weapon. The enemy let out a roar of pain before falling to the ground.

"You bitch!" yelled the lizard and knocked the vixen into a pillar with one of her front legs. The non Cerinian made contact and some blood came out of her mouth.

"Fara!" shouted Fox and then charged forward. "Alright Netami; time to die!" The vulpine then stopped in his tracks.

"Help me!" gasped one of the heads on the enemy's body. Tears were going down its face. "Kill me!" The vulpine was left in shock. "Help me die! I beg of you!" Suddenly the face transformed into another one. It let out a mad laugh. Fox took a couple of steps back. He realized what the faces were. The vulpine could hear the voices of them calling out to die, and say other things. Suddenly the one laughing got stabbed by Fara. Netami felt this and tried to get the vixen. But she was too quick. The other non Cerinian grabbed Fox and moved him out of the way.

"Come on, snap out of it!' she exclaimed. "Why didn't you attack her?!"

"… a specie…" Fox responded. "Those are species… they need our help… They're trapped-"

"That's a trick Fox!" Fara exclaimed. "She's a monster!"

"But they…" went the vulpine and the vixen grabbed him by the collar.

"Listen to me!" she yelled. "Those things are monsters!"

"I'm finished playing with you!" shouted Netami. But before the lizard could attack, the room was suddenly filled with laser fire. The enemy quickly retreated and disappeared. Fara and Fox turned and saw Nicholas and Krystal standing behind them, blasters out.

"There you are!" said the part Cerinian. He then saw the shape the two were in. "What the hell happened to you?!"

"Netami," answered Fara. "She got sucked into the hole with us. We fought her, but it looks like she got away."

"No matter." Nicholas looked and saw the device. "Let's grab that and get the hell out of here."

As they were walking back, Fox and Fara decided not to tell the part Cerinian and Krystal what Netami had told them. Such information would only be a distraction.

X

Although Netami had managed to escape, at least the four had managed to get the device. As soon as the they came out, Krystal lunged at the vulpine, her arms going around his body. "You're okay…" she whispered.

"Of course I am," he answered. "I'm not leaving you." The vixen found his lips and the two stood there, lip locked before coming apart after a minute.

"Let's get this back to safety," stated Nicholas.

In a little bit, all the teams were gathered together. "Whoo-hooo!" exclaimed Peppy. "Great job everybody!"

"So this is the neutralizer that Andross created, eh?" asked Wolf. It was green and oval shape. In the middle was a glass like section with crackling red energy inside of it. Finally four leg like parts were at the ends, with two on each side.

"Let's get this thing into the Venom Sea as soon as possible!" stated Ben.

"Wait," responded Kool. "What if it doesn't work?"

"Don't look at me!" said Slippy. "I have no idea how this thing functions!"

"Ha!" exclaimed Falco. "Looks like we'll have to trust the twisted genius of Andross!"

"We have no room for error!" said Katt. "It HAS to work!"

"I suppose so," went a voice. Everyone looked to see Dash and Yuki approaching them.

"Dash," said Nicholas. "How are you feeling now?"

"Somewhat better," answered the primate. "Enough to help finish this."

"Are you sure?" He nodded.

"During the fight here I was doing some thinking," explained Dash. "It's what I needed. Now that I have, I can help the rest of you fight."

"In that case, let's get going," said Nicholas. "Prepare to launch." All the teams got ready and the part Cerinian singled the remaining fleet to fly towards Venom. The final battle in the Lylat was about to begin.