CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Lest We Forget

"So…I can't have it…even though I've suffered through all of the torture life could bring me, you still had to just keep taking baby steps out of my grasp."

Marcus opened his eyes to find himself standing in a misty abyss not unlike the Echo from the way it looked and how every sound echoed throughout the air, as well as how we was standing despite there being and feeling as though nothing was beneath his feet. He raised his hand and found that it wasn't see-through like he had been expecting it. Was he dead and was this the afterlife? Was it his psyche?

Just where was he, and why was he here?

What he did know was that Kursed was on her knees in front of him, looking at him with utter despair. He had never seen a look like this from her, and it actually made him begin to feel remorse for what he had just done.

"It's not fair…" she said, seething almost furiously. "I had to put up with getting pushed around all throughout my childhood…I finally get enough power to fight back and just when it looks like my goal's within reach…you have to go and kill me."

Marcus said nothing. Here was the most feared thing ever in his life on her knees in front of him, and not only was he not scared of her, but she looked absolutely pathetic. She had all the power she could have gained and now that it had been swiped from her, she was brooding.

The anger in Kursed eyes didn't vanish as she glared Marcus straight in the face.

"Couldn't you just give up like you were supposed to? Coyote died right in front of you and you kept fighting…you ruined everything for me. Why did I have to be the one without a body, huh? Why couldn't you let me live the way I wanted to? Why did my own family turn against me? HOW could they turn against me?"

"Because they knew you would do something like this."

"What did you say?!"

Initially, Marcus had tried to take the same method as Hephaestus and at least try to sympathize with her and see things from her point of view, but Kursed had gone far beyond what Aphrodite had done. She had known that what she was doing was wrong and she still did it.

Besides, what could he possibly say to her? What could anyone say to someone who didn't understand friendship…or love…or even the simple joys of living? Nothing. They'll just shrug it off and think it means nothing…or worse, take it as an insult to their ego being the narcissistic child they are. So he got through to her with the only way he knew would work: berating her.

"Yes, you were shunned as a child because you were different and that's never something a family should do, and yes, you've been through probably the hardest times of anyone I've met." he said sternly and without a single bit of hesitation. "But you know what? It's called life. If you can't learn to roll with the punches, then you may as well not even bother living."

"But…why? Why me? Why not Krystal?"
"It doesn't matter why. What matters is how you cope with it. Had you been willing to accept it and work towards proving your family that you weren't something to feared, none of this would have happened. You chose the wrong path, and you've paid for it with your life."

The words that came from Marcus' heart were firm and true. He meant every single word that he said and he didn't care that he was speaking the harshest words he had ever spoken. He was right and Kursed needed to realize that.

"Plus, it wouldn't matter if you had beaten me. There would still be someone who would eventually kill you all the same, and because you chose to do what you did, people will inevitably forget you ever existed. They don't want to know you existed because of everything you've done."

"After all I suffered through, you still think I deserve this? …You still think I deserve to be tossed aside like a piece of garbage?"

"Yes. I'm saying that you deserved this. And I'm not just saying that because of all the things you did to me, even though that's a big part of it. You did every possible thing to try and get something that you frankly didn't need because you failed to see that the ends do not justify the means. I admit that I feel sorry for you…but because of what you've done to everyone that's close to me, I will never forgive you."

Marcus turned away from Kursed who stood up in a mix of anger and despair, yelling in a choked way that clearly indicated her tearing up.

"You…you don't know what it feels like to be me, you stupid little son of a bitch!"

"No, I don't. I don't want to know, either. You're here because of you. No one else. No matter what you say, nothing will change how I feel about you. I never considered you a part of my family, and now…I know that I never will."

Marcus looked over his shoulder for one final glance.

"So I can say firmly and without a single doubt…goodbye. I hope I never see you again."

Kursed tried to continue arguing, but the weight of Marcus' words had overwhelmed her. Suddenly she knew that no matter how much she whined, she wasn't going to come back to life. Her sad and pathetic life was over and she knew it. His words had hurt her…they made her angry, but they also made her feel something she had not felt in ages.

She felt guilt. She knew at last that she had a chance at happiness and she squandered it. Now it was too late…she was dead…and she was going to waste away in Hell for all eternity. She could even see herself beginning to fade away into nothing.

"It's not fair…" she sobbed. "It's not fair! Why did I have to be the one to suffer?! WHY?!"

She could take it no longer. With her emotions finally getting the best of her, she burst out crying. Her cries pained Marcus from the realization that he had brought it upon her, but he didn't care. She deserved it. She ended innocent lives, maimed those who had done nothing wrong to her, and worst of all had refused to carry on after getting away from everything that pained her for even a moment. Now she was dead…and no one cared.

She bawled out one final word: "Mother!" The one word that every child could cry out and eventually have their crying soothed, right? Not her. And with that, she, her tears and the crying that came with them became nothing more than echoes steadily fading away into silence.

She was gone.

Marcus sighed and fell to his knees.

"It's over…not that it matters since I'm dead…"

"You're not dead, Marcus…just sleeping."

"…Coyote?"

"Behind you."

He turned his head and saw her. His true love standing there with every bit of her glowing a brilliant white save for her face. A good thing since he wouldn't be able to see her lovely smile otherwise. Marcus gazed at her in all her radiance for a few moments before smiling.

"You've never looked more beautiful." he said.

"Don't try to flatter me, Mark." Coyote replied, her smile growing wider. "You've done that enough already."

Marcus stepped toward her and embraced her, happy to feel her against him and not just have his arms pass through her.

"Sorry…I just need this right now."

"It's okay. You've more than earned it."

"…so what happens now?"

"You'll wake up soon."

"And you?"

He knew what the answer was, but that didn't stop him from feeling sad once she said it herself.

"I imagine someone will be along any minute to pick me up."

Marcus let go of her and looked down at his feet, a single tear falling from his face.

"I'll never see you again…will I?"

Coyote felt Marcus' cheek and gently raised his face to meet her gaze. Her hand was the warmest Marcus had ever felt it, and it served to soothe his sadness in combination with the way she lovingly looked at him.

"You can't let that get in the way of you living a good life, Mark. I know that I was a big part of your life and you'll never be the same without me, but I want you to do something for me."

"Anything."

"Move on. Even if I'm gone from your world, you're still you. You can still do great things. Just keep me in your memory, and I promise that I'll be in your heart no matter where you go or what you do. Find someone new, and show them the happiness you showed me."

"Okay…but I don't think I could ever take another woman over you."

Coyote smirked.

"That's fine…to be honest, I really don't know what I was thinking when I said that."

They both shared a well-needed chuckle, warming their hearts even for just a moment.

"That's the girl I know and love." Marcus thought. "Funny even in the direst of moments."

Coyote reached forward and took his hand.

"There is one thing I swear I want you to do, though."

"Tell your family that you love them?"

"Well, yeah. Be sure to do that…but the one thing I want you to do is no matter where you go or what you do…whether you decide to be with another girl or not…just promise you'll never forget about me and all the great times we had together."

Marcus smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Who could ever forget you?" he whispered. "Don't worry. It's a promise. Every moment we spent together…taking down Andross and Kursed together…all the missions we went through as members of Star Fox…even those little playful fights we had…I'll treasure every single memory of you until the time comes when I'll join you up there."

A tear slipped from Coyote's eye. After everything he had just said, she didn't want to leave him, but she knew he was strong. He'd be able to carry on.

"You have no idea how good it feels to hear you say that."

Marcus wrapped his arms around her shoulders, the softest expression he had ever worn growing on his face.

"I can well imagine."

They were about to seal the gap between them when a voice came from over Coyote's shoulder.
"Sorry. Did I come at a bad time?"

The two looked and saw him. A young and brown-haired human boy…well, almost a human boy. He wore several glowing rings around his forearms as well as gleaming white toga. Jutting from his back were two large white swan wings, and needless to say, he wore a soft and kind expression that a being like him would be known for having.

Coyote sighed and looked at Marcus with eyes filled with sorrow.

"Time to go."

Coyote was about to step toward the angel, but Marcus kept his grip on her hand. She saw him start to tear up again, and he nearly choked on his next words as he tried his best not to cry.

"Coyote…I…"

He couldn't get the words out. Coyote smiled and placed her hand on the back of his head.

"Here. We'll say it together."

Marcus sucked in a breath, and they both said the words in unison, kissing upon getting them out.

"I'll love you forever."

The angel smiled. It almost pained him to take this girl away from the boy, but that was the way it had to be. Besides, she was going to a better place now. He could wait, though. It was best for them to savour this moment.

"…man, I need a girlfriend." he thought to himself.

The two parted and continued to stare into each other's eyes. The angel stepped forward and took hold of Coyote's other hand.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked.

"As I'll ever be." Coyote sighed.

The two lovers looked at each other one more time, knowing that this would be the last time they would ever see one another. Somehow, though, it felt right. The two had been through the hardest of times, Coyote especially, and now they could finally have their rest.

They smiled and spoke in unison once again.

"Farewell, my love."

And thus, Marcus released her, and as he fell away, she rose higher and higher as the angel gently towed her along. She ascended into a bright light high above him, neither one taking their eyes off one another until they were out of sight. Once she was gone, Marcus smiled.

"She's with Him now…she's safe. There's no need for her to be hurt anymore."

He spun around as he continued to freefall, seeing that he was plummeting through the air straight towards Corneria. His smile grew larger.

"Finally…I'm home."


"He's coming to! Can you hear me, Marcus?"

Marcus' eyes slowly opened. Through his currently blurry vision, he could see only white and a single blue figure standing over him.

"Mom?" he asked.

"Yes, Marcus. You're home now."

His vision faded in and his senses restored. Despite the room being all white, he still spoke.

"Where…am I?" he asked.

Another figure appeared over him. His father.

"You're in the hospital, Mark."

"Hospital? What for?"

He sat up in the admittedly comfortable bed and looked around in surprise. Everyone was there. His teammates, Star Wolf, Falco and Katt. Even Isaac, Hepahestus, Aileen, Samus and Captain Falcon.

"When did you two get here?" he asked.
"A few days ago." Aileen said with a bright smile. "Corneria and Cerinia have established formal relations."

"Whoa…that fast?"

Everyone looked at each other like they were hiding something. Marcus sighed.

"Okay, what happened?"

Chase was the one to step forward this time.

"Uhh, Mark…there's no easy way to say this, but…you've been in a coma for more than four months."

"Wha…how?"

"Hey, it was your own doing. I'm not the genius who poured half his soul into Kursed and took away her powers…and I do mean 'genius' because I never would've thought of that in a million years."

"…it actually worked?"

"Yeah, but…at a price."

None of them said what that price was, prompting him to scan their minds to check for an answer. Then came the problem: he could hear no one's thoughts but his own. He turned toward his bedside table and stretched his hand out toward the vase, expecting it to telepathically fly into his open hand. It remained where it was.

His powers were gone.

"Damn…what else happened while I was out?"

"I announced that sine I was getting up there in years," said Peppy. "I would be stepping down as General of the Cornerian Army."

"What?!"
"Sorry, but it's true. I'm not getting any younger here, Mark."

Anna smiled.

"The good news is that he announced a replacement almost immediately: my dad."

Marcus' shock at Peppy's retirement quickly faded into happiness. Bill was the perfect candidate for General. Not just because he was Peppy's son-in-law, but also because he was probably one of the greatest soldiers in Cornerian history.

"Well, that'll do nicely."

He turned to Samus and Captain Falcon.

"So what are you two doing here?" he asked.

"We wanted to be here when you woke up." Falcon said. "Call it payment for what you did for the two of us."

"And also because we wanted to be here for the funeral." added Samus. "…we're so sorry to hear about your loss."

Marcus was confused for a moment before he reached a revelation. Funeral…loss…of course. Coyote's funeral.

"We held it off for a while because we…we weren't sure if you'd want to be there or not." Lori said, doing her best to hold her tears back.

"Held it off? You didn't need to…wait, what day is it?"

Krystal sighed.

"Oh, Marcus…"

She softly kissed his forehead and gazed at him warmly.

"Happy birthday, darling."

Marcus' eyes averted to the clock on his bedside table. 9:42 a.m. Saturday, July 28th, 2057. He smirked.

"Well, what do you know?"

He had been twenty years old for almost ten hours and he hadn't realized it until now. Very steadily, he got up out of the bed.

"I'm going." he said to Wolf and Lori. "I owe your daughter at least that."

Wolf smiled solemnly.

"Thank you, Marcus. It's at six."

"Okay. I'll be there."

Eight hours later…

Aileen and Hephaestus had taken the liberty of collecting Coyote's body from the top of Tartaros, so that way she could be given a proper burial. To say that she was being honoured in death was an understatement. She was given Krystal's wedding gown to wear since it was just the right size for her, and she was being placed inside an air-sealed titanium coffin to insure that her body wouldn't rot. On her tombstone was the following.

"Here lies Coyote Lorraine O'Donnell. 2038-2057. Beloved daughter, sister and friend."

While the priest read a verse from the Book of Corinthians, everyone that had been in the hospital room with Marcus bowed their heads in silence. The closest ones to the grave were Coyote's family. While Wolf and Lori listened quietly to the prayer, Scott stared at the grave in a manner that seemed almost emotionless. A few feet away, Marcus watched his every move.

The hand that wasn't being held by Lori was clenched and shaking, almost like he would lash out the second anyone other than the priest spoke. Judging from the way his lip was curled, he seemed to be biting it. The most noticeable thing, though, were his eyes. There were no tears, and Marcus could give him credit for being strong, but holding the sadness in would only serve to take its toll on his well-being if he didn't let it out or talk about it.

The funeral seemed to be going by faster than Marcus thought it would. Maybe it was because this was the first funeral he had ever been to. Watching people die wasn't something he was used to despite having it as an almost mandatory part of his job. He saw people die all the time, yet he hadn't gotten used to it after all this time. Despite Coyote's words about carrying on, what he couldn't shrug off was what he was paid to do. Yes, it hadn't stopped him defeating Kursed once and for all, but killing had consequences. What if he killed someone one day and then have their furious brother kill his parents for vengeance?

"I have to do it…there's no excuse not to. It has to be done."

The priest finally closed the book and looked out at the people around the grave.

"Are there any final words before we conclude today's ceremony?"

The O'Donnells stepped forward, and so did Marcus. Wolf and Lori tearfully embraced their daughter's corpse, while Scott continued to stare at it until the three of them left. Marcus knelt down by the coffin and smiled.

"I know I've said this already, but I can't say it enough…" he whispered, almost as though he were expecting an answer. "...I'll love you forever."

With that, he kissed the cold and lifeless lips before standing back. The priest nodded.

"This dear girl has been through many hardships and has finally earned God's grace of slumber." he said conclusively. "May she rest in peace, and may we remember her always."

With those words having been spoken, Coyote's coffin was closed and gently lowered into the six-foot hole beneath it. Everyone watched silently as the hole was filled in, laying flowers before it once it was finished. With that, the group began to disperse, though not without everyone taking turns to offer their condolences. Marcus didn't need to do so, because Wolf stepped toward him the instant he got the chance.

"Wolf, I…" Marcus started.

Wolf held up his hand.
"No need, Marcus…you said it enough already. Just let me say that…if it had ever happened, I would have been proud to call you my son-in-law."

Marcus said nothing and simply nodded. Thus, Wolf and his family left. Before the rest of the team could leave, Marcus was quick to catch up with them.

"I need to talk to you guys. Meet me at the Shack at eight."

He left without another word, leaving the others to wonder what he may have had planned.

"Whatever it is, it's gotta be a doozy." muttered Damalgo.


The four proceeded into the darkened Shack, looking all about for Marcus. Sure enough, they spotted him in the glow of one of the computer screens, though he had an almost frightening look about him. His face looked completely cold and lifeless, and as he turned toward them, they almost had the thought to back away…that is, until he shook his head.

"Wha…oh, sorry, guys. Must have dozed off."

"Yeah, you think?" Peter said in a snarky tone.

Chase flipped the light switch and Marcus squinted for a brief moment when the lights flashed on. He smirked.

"How 'bout that? Even after being asleep for four months, I'm still tired."

"So what's up, Mark?" asked Anna.

Marcus sighed. He knew this news was going to drive the four of them up the wall, but it was in his best interest and perhaps even their own if he could get his reasoning out.

"I've been thinking a lot about my stance as the leader of Star Fox for a while, and I don't know if you guys feel the same way about it as I do, but there's something I need to say about it."

The four listened intently. Marcus looked at every single one of them before continuing.

"This job is easily the most dangerous thing any person could do, and sometimes…it's even the most inhumane. When we get an assignment, it's most of the time just to capture or kill someone or blow something up. Now think about it: what if we killed someone one day and their furious brother came to avenge them?"

"We take them down, too." said Peter.

"Maybe, but what if we can't? I've lost my powers and we also lost a vital member of our team because of this kind of violence, so…I've decided that I'm leaving the team."

As was to be expected, the other four were shocked.

"What?!" Anna exclaimed. "Just like that?!"

"I'm sorry, but if you're thinking there's a way to talk me out of this, there isn't. Coyote died because of me…I don't want to go through anything like that ever again. I'm not doing it because I'm afraid. I'm doing it because I care. Falco did the same thing, leaving so he can look after Katt and Casey. I don't want any of my loved ones to be hurt because of me. I've already lost Coyote. What if I lose the rest of you guys?"

The four didn't argue, though they still seemed a little distraught be his decision. What surprised Marcus was their reaction, particularly when Chase spoke.

"Fine, but if you go, I go."

"You don't have to leave because I did."

"There's no Star Fox without you, Mark. Besides, you're right. We're gonna get our loved ones hurt if we keep this crap up."

Anna smiled.

"I'm with you. There's no mastermind left to try and kill us all. I mean, we got rid of Andross and Kursed. There's no one left."

"Right. You're our leader, Mark." said Peter. "You always seem to know what's best for us."

"Yeah." finished Damalgo. "And now we can all try new things. Y'know, find jobs that better suit our interests. I could be a foreign language teacher or a Cornerian ambassador for Earth. Who knows what we could accomplish with our kind of credentials?"

Marcus smiled. He never expected them to take it so well, but since they were, he felt nothing but pure satisfaction. Even after they had split up as a lovable group of mercenaries, they would stay as loyal to one another as they had always been."

"C'mon, you knuckleheads. Bring it in."

They all joined for a group hug, each team member giving a big "Happy birthday" to Marcus. When it was all said and done, they exited the Shack and took their own separate routes to return home and enter new beginnings.

Star Fox was no more, but there had been no pain in their parting. The nightmare was over…

…at last.


And thus the plot thickens further. Odd, considering it's coming to a close. And by the way, anyone know who that angel was? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Here's a hint: that's the third Nintendo franchise I've implied to take place within the same universe as Star Fox.

Yeah, I could just finish the story right there, but there's still one or two or...nine thousand huge plot pieces to put in before the big puzzle of Subspecies is finished. I'll work on them as quick as I can, but now that I've said that, it's gonna take me like two weeks to get the next chapter done, isn't it?

SOUNDTRACK SO FAR

Krystal's nightmare/"Save her..."- "Parabola" by Mer (Originally by Tool)

Marcus versus Coyote (friendly)- "Name of the Game" by the Crystal Method

F-Zero race- "F-Zero Medley" by Entertainment System

Space pirate attack- Space pirate theme from Metroid Prime

Ridley- Ridley's theme from Metroid: Other M

Falcon takes down Ridley- "The Meaning of truth" by Hiro-X

The date- Ilia's theme from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Coyote versus the shadows- "The Beautiful People" by Marilyn Manson

The star Lylat- Magmoor Caverns theme from Metroid Prime

Marcus and Fox/Marcus and Chase- "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Fox versus Kursed- "Du Hast" by Rammstein

Marcus and Coyote versus Nightmare- Nightmare's theme from Metroid Fusion (ArcX version)

The Nightstriker- "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath

The death of Commander Dane- "Mad World" by Gary Jules

The prisoners of Kew- Byelomorye Dam from Goldeneye 64

Escape from Sargasso- "Hard to See" by Five Finger Death Punch

Marcus and Wolf versus Master Hand and Crazy Hand- Final Destination from Super Smash Bros. Brawl

To Cerinia- "Laser Cannon Deth Sentence" by Dethklok

Aileen- "Working Class Hero" by Green Day (Originally by John Lennon)

The slaves- "Forgotten Children" by Tokio Hotel

Aileen's sorrow- "Narcissistic Cannibal" by EarlyRise (Originally by Korn and Skrillex)

Marcus and Aileen- "Name" by the Goo Goo Dolls

Aileen versus Aphrodite/Marcus versus Malice- "This Fire Burns" by Killswitch Engage (suggested by ianagainstcliffhangers. Thanks, man!)

The river Styx- "Where the River Flows" by Collective Soul

Marcus versus Coyote (infected)- "Mermaids" by Xandria

Coyote's death- Laura Palmer's theme from Twin Peaks

Marcus versus Kursed- "Magia" by Kalafina

Krystal versus Kursed- "Everybody's Fool" by Evanescence

Engaging the final beacon- "I Will Not Bow" by Breaking Benjamin

"I give up..."- "Leaving Hope" by Nine Inch Nails

Escape from the Echo- "Awake and Alive" by Skillet (another one suggested by ianagainstcliffhangers. Thanks again, man!)

The final battle: Marcus Alpha versus Kursed Omega- "The Beginning" by ONE OK ROCK

The sun finally rises- "Calling to the Night" from Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

Kursed's sad and lonely end- "Watch Me Bleed" by Scary Kids Scaring Kids

"Farewell, my love."- "Iridescent" by Linkin Park

Coyote's funeral- "In the Morning Light" by Yanni

Star Fox is no more- "Highway of Heroes" by the Trews