Chapter 8 - A Farewell to Dinosaur Planet, Don't Worry; We'll be Back

The next morning, Fox had officially decided it was time to leave Dinosaur Planet. Everyone was more than ready to leave. Well, everyone except Bubbles. Bubbles: "Well, Tricky, this is it. I knew that this would happen eventually, but I sure am going to miss you anyway." Misty: "Having a hard time letting go, isn't she?" Fox: "Yes. I don't want to do this to her but we all know this is what we're supposed to do. That's how life is."

He walked up to Bubbles and Tricky. Fox: "I'm sorry, kid, but we have to do this and you know it." Bubbles: "(Sob) I understand." Tricky: "I really am going to miss you guys. You're the coolest bipeds I've ever met and you're also my best friends." Fox: "I feel the same way. We've been through a lot together. I mean, without you, our mission would have failed, so…I've got something for you."

He pulled a cool-looking pin with the team's second emblem on it. Bubbles: "Can I give the pin thingy to Tricky, please?" Fox: "Oh, alright."

He handed the pin to Bubbles and she attached the pin to Tricky's forehead. Fox: "Prince Tricky, Earthwalker. You are now an honorary member of the Starfox Team."

Bubbles giggled gleefully. Bubbles: "Congratulations, Tricky!" Tricky: "Whoa! Awesome! I'm a member of Starfox!"

Tricky then looked at the Arwing. Tricky: "Do I get my own spaceship?"

Fox, Misty and Bubbles laughed at Tricky's cute question. Misty: "Sorry, Tricky, but you need opposable thumbs in order to own a ship." Tricky: "Oh…"

Bubbles had her arms behind her back. Bubbles: "That's OK, Tricky. I don't have any opposable thumbs, either. As a matter of fact…"

She pulled her arms out from behind her back and held them up. Bubbles: "I don't have any fingers, at all."

Misty laughed. Fox just smiled. Fox: "You don't have any hands, either." Bubbles: "Yes, I do, they're just, uh, balled up into fists all the time. I…think." Fox: "Right. Let's get out of here, OK?"

They were all about to leave. Bubbles: "Wait! Can I have another pin thingy for Beauty, too?"

Fox chuckled a little. Fox: "OK."

He gave another pin to Bubbles so she could attach it to Beauty's head. Bubbles: "I didn't want Beauty to feel left out, that's all." Fox: "I understand. OK, that's enough. Come on, Bubbles."

Fox walked off with Misty. Bubbles: "Bye, Tricky. Bye, Beauty. See you both real soon."

And they finally left.

Back on the Great Fox, Fox and Misty returned to the main room of the ship, hand in hand. Their friends were waiting for them there. Falco: "Finally. What took you guys so long?" Fox: "Sorry, we were just saying our goodbyes."

D.W. let out a small giggle. D.W.: "I understand." Slippy: "So, where to next, guys?" Misty: "Hmm…how about Earth. I checked one of my clocks and it's almost Saturday there." Peppy: "That is a good idea, Misty." D.W.: "Sure thing." Falco: "Heck, yeah." Slippy: "Yes!" Fox: "OK, then. Rob, set a course for the planet Earth."

The Starfox team made preparations as the Great Fox immediately headed for Earth. Falco: "Ah, yes, Earth. Thought I'd never live long enough to see that planet again." Slippy: "Oh, planet Earth, at long last, you and I will be reunited once more, beautiful, blue planet of the Milky Way Galaxy."

Falco was freaked out a bit. Falco: "OK…" Krystal: "Planet Earth? What is this planet you guys speak of?" Fox: "Earth is the home world of Misty and some of our friends." Slippy: "It is also where all of our human friends live."

He blushed. Slippy: "Like 3 of G.R.O.U.P.'s top spies, Sam, Alex and Clover." Krystal: "Sounds interesting. I would be delighted to check it out for myself." Misty: "Oh, you'll love it, Krystal. There are lots of nice people, like Professor Oak." Fox: "However, there are some people who are bigger jerks than Falco." Falco: "Hey!" Krystal: "Sure thing. A friend of Misty and my brother's is also a friend of mine." Fox: "OK, then, and Krystal?" Krystal: "Yes, Fox?" Fox: "Now that you have become one of us, there are a few ground rules that I need to set up." Krystal: "OK." Fox: "First of all, no calling me your "baby brother" in public." Krystal: "Alright." Fox: "Second of all, no showing strong affections for me in public, meaning no constant kisses, no smothering, no long, affectionate hugs, no DEATH hugs." Krystal: "Right." Fox: "And lastly, no going all overprotective on me. Princess Peach has done that to me enough and I don't like it." Krystal: "OK, I understand you, brother." Fox: "Listen, I know how you feel. I can understand that you've searched half the galaxy for me. I understand that it's been many years since we were separated. I even understand that I was still a baby the last time you saw me, but try to control yourself, OK? I have spent many years building a strong reputation and I want to keep it." Krystal: "Yes, brother."

Then, without warning, Krystal grabbed her brother and held him very close. Krystal: "Oh, Fox, I can't believe I'm with you, at long last. After so many years, I can finally touch you again."

Fox then pushed himself away. Fox: "OK, that right there is one of many things I do NOT want you to do to me. But, I'm willing to make an exception for now since we're not in public and around friends who have no reason to embarrass me."

Then Fox realized who was holding out a digital camera at the time. Falco: "Oh, man, this is perfect blackmailing material."

Peach then had Rayman swipe the camera out of Falco's hands. Falco: "Hey!" Peach: "Sorry, Falco, I refuse to let this picture fall into the wrong hands. Besides, I think this picture is just so adorable; I'm thinking about putting this in one of my private rooms in my castle, where no one can snatch it, or even see it." Falco: "Grr! Darn it!" Fox: "Thanks, Peach." Peach: "Oh, it's no trouble, at all, Fox. I just hope this makes up for how I've been." Fox: "It's…close enough."

Minutes later, Fox found Bubbles staring out the window, watching as Dinosaur Planet slowly faded away. He went on to join her. Fox: "Um…hey, Bubbles. Listen, we don't… I understand how hard this is for you, but I promise you we will come back, but we can't do that if we don't leave. I bet even Tricky would say the same." Bubbles: "My sadness of leaving that planet…"

She jerked her head towards Fox with a smile on her face. Bubbles: "Are being drowned out by the joy and excitement of coming back next week. I can't wait, but I will anyway. Fox: "Atta girl. You're really starting to grow up and understand a lot more things. I'm proud of you." Bubbles: "Thanks, but it really wasn't that hard." Fox: "You sure?" Bubbles: "Sure, positive."

Later on that day, Fox met up with Krystal again. Fox: "Uh, Krystal? There's…something else that I need to do."

He then pulled out the staff and held it up to her. Fox: "This staff, I've been meaning to give it back to you."

Krystal closed her eyes as she shook her head, then opened them again. Krystal: "No, brother. You keep it." Fox: "What? But…it's your staff; I was just borrowing it!" Krystal: "I want you to have it." Fox: "No…I…I can't take it from you. It…it's just…not fair…" Krystal: "It's OK, brother. You don't have to worry about that. I'm OK with this." Fox: "I…but…it just…doesn't seem right…" Krystal: "Hmm…I have a better idea."

She pulled the staff out of Fox's hands and placed it on his chair. Both he and Krystal stood in front of the staff. Krystal: "Let's undergo a little challenge." Fox: "Challenge? What kind of challenge?" Krystal: "It's somewhat of the duel that will decide who the staff belongs to." Fox: "Um…OK, so, how does this duel work?" Krystal: "We will grab on to it at the same time. From there, the staff's powerful magical energy will surge through both of us. This will continue until one of us lets go of the staff. Whoever does must surrender the staff to the other person. Are you OK with this?" Fox: "Well…if you think this will help to decide on who gets the weapon, then sure." Krystal: "OK, then, on 3, we will both grab the staff at the same time. Ready? 1, 2, 3!"

And with that, they both grabbed the staff simultaneously. From there, the magical energy surged through their bodies, just like Krystal said it did. This went on for a while, but then, she let go of the staff. Fox was left shocked as he held the staff in his hands. Krystal was able to recover from the ordeal. From there, she smiled at Fox. Krystal: "Congrats, brother. The staff is yours."

Fox stood speechless for a bit. He then looked at the staff and then back at her. Fox: "Thanks, sis. I…really…don't know what to say…" Krystal: "Think nothing of it. Just take good care of that weapon, OK?"

He smiled at her a little and then nodded once. Fox: "Sure, I will."

They both stood by, still grinning at each other.

And so, the Starfox team finally arrived on Earth after many days of space travel. A lot has happened within the next 24 hours. They reunited with Professor Oak after he and his grandson returned shortly before the Krazoa Palace incident. They were able to reunite with their Pokémon, especially Falco. They spent the rest of the day with their Pokémon, reliving old memories. Krystal, who was unfamiliar with everything her brother and his friends considered "good times", wanted to receive a taste of Pokémon training by wanting to catch and train Pokémon of her own. She looked forward to having battles with real Trainers. She really wanted in on the Pokémon world. Nothing could make her happier at that moment.

Then came the hardest part of all. When the day was over and the team needed to return to their home world, Corneria, it was time for Fox and Misty to say goodbye. This was the first time that they had to part after finding out that they were in love with each other. They had their farewell kiss and Misty sang her goodbye song, a beautiful melody that Fox had never forgotten. Then, Fox left Earth with dreams of reuniting with his new girlfriend. Misty also dreamt of a reunion with her beloved Fox, with tears in her eyes. Their lives were changed forever.

The End