Note: I watched King Kong on TCM on Monday, so that was fun. While I'm at it, I might as well watch some more horror movies on TCM when they're on. As I watched King Kong, I saw that I was way off when I wrote Eighth Wonder of Corneria. Oh yeah, I should get back to this story now, should I? Fox is going to make a return in this chapter, just not how you would expect him to return. I should really stop spoiling what will happen in a chapter before it happens. Before we move on, I want to say something to a new reviewer in this story:
AnonymousDew: Sadly, Krystal is not the one who is going to save Fox. It's going to be someone else, just not a vampire. Sorry about that.
Okay, I'm going to shut up now, let's jet!
Chapter 13: Undead Fox
Fox's corpse was underwater, leaving everyone unable to retrieve it. However, outside of the water was a being in a dark cloak. This being waited patiently by the lake, as if expecting for Fox to come back up.
"Fox McCloud," He whispered, "come to me."
Without warning, Fox sprang out of the water while screaming in pain. As he came up, the vulpine saw that there was a cloaked figure waiting by the lake. Taking this strange character's hand, the now dead mercenary found himself being pulled onto the grass.
"Easy kid," The cloaked figure said, "there's no need to panic, especially considering how you just died."
"Thanks for the rescue, I guess." Fox said.
"I'm more of a killer than a savior," The being said, "but you're welcome."
"Why did you save me anyway?" The vulpine asked.
"Because I wasn't expecting it." The mysterious figure stated, "Your expected death date was when you were ninety-five, but something cut your life short."
"Tell me about it," Fox said, "Krystal impaled me with a sword!"
"I saw that." The figure said.
"But I don't think that it was her fault." The vulpine looked down, "Before she stabbed me, her eyes had an odd look to them, as if she were hypnotized."
The realization hit Fox like a speeding train.
"Wolf was controlling her with his mind!" He nearly shouted, "It makes sense, given how he turned her into his vampire servant!"
"It's a disturbing fact, to be sure." The cloaked stranger said.
"Why did you bring me up?" The vulpine asked, "I'm not much of a use to anyone now that I'm dead, now aren't I?"
"I actually have a job for you." The figure stated.
"What is it?" Fox asked.
"To kill Wolf O'Donnell and free the love of your life." The being said.
"What if I can't?" The vulpine asked.
"If you can only do one of your tasks, that's fine." The being noted.
"Why do you want me to kill Wolf anyway?" Fox asked.
"He forced your lover to kill you, didn't he?" The cloaked being asked.
"Yes." Fox answered.
"Then it's your opportunity to kill him for revenge." The figure stated.
"Is there another reason that you want Wolf dead?" The vulpine asked.
"He's cheating death and poisoning the world with his evil." The mysterious figure said.
"Why would you say that?" Fox asked.
"Because death and morality give life its meaning." The cloaked stranger said, "Death lets you know that your days are numbered and that you can cherish what you have in order to accept it without fear. Morality, on the other hand, lets you know what is right in life and what is wrong."
"With that in mind," The vulpine sighed, "I still can't beat Star Wolf's undead army without a weapon."
"When I resurrect you," The stranger said, "you will have access to abilities that will give you an advantage over your enemies."
"That's good to know." Fox said.
"I'm also willing to give your old body back when your job is done," The being said, "do we have a deal?"
"Well ..." The vulpine tried to speak before being cut off by a familiar voice.
"Fox."
After that one, another voice rang out.
"Do it, honey."
Fox turned his head and saw both of his parents: James McCloud and Vixy Reinard. They looked at their son with approving eyes.
"Are you sure about this?" Fox asked, "I mean, it would be nice to be with you again."
"Hold on to us in your memory, my son." James said.
"Now isn't the time for grieving for us," Vixy calmly said, "it's time for you to slay the undead with your friends and save the day."
"Very well then," Fox said, turning towards the cloaked being, "I accept your offer!"
"Hold still." The stranger calmly said as he gestured towards the vulpine.
For a few minutes, Fox's body began to change. His weight was shrinking by a considerable amount, his front and bottom jaws had been lined with fangs, his hands had turned into sharp claws, his eyes were glowing an ethereal green, his fur had turned into a sickly burgundy, and the only clothes on his body were a scarf over his mouth that looked like the one Krystal was wearing and the pants he had been wearing before.
"From this point on," The cloaked stranger said, "you will only be able to subsist on blood and souls. When you kill Star Wolf's undead army, you will be given the chance to destroy them with your new powers. When Wolf sees you, he will have no idea what's coming towards him. Is that understood?"
Fox nodded.
"Very well," The being said, "I suppose that now is the time to get your job started."
"Before I do so," Fox spoke, "I have only this to ask: who are you?"
"I go by many names," The figure stated, "but you can call me Death."
Fara and Orlando sat down on the grass near the castle. They couldn't believe what had happened: not only had Krystal killed Fox, but Wolf (or Volk) was calling her the Queen.
"Fox," Fara whimpered, "I failed you!"
"Don't cry Fara," Orlando gently said, "I'm sure that he's off to a better place."
"Sure he is!" The fennec was near tears, "He's probably burning alive while Star Wolf is holding all of our friends hostage! Even worse, Krystal killed Fox! That traitor! How could she do that to him?! He loved her!"
"I'm sure that there's a better explanation for Fox's senseless murder." The coyote put his hand on her shoulder.
"There is," A familiar voice rang out, "Wolf was putting her through mind control!"
Fara and Orlando turned their heads to see where the voice was coming from.
"Fox?!" Fara asked in excitement, "Is that you?!"
"Yeah, it's me." The now-undead vulpine said.
"And you said that Wolf put her under mind control?" Orlando asked.
"Yes," Fox stated, "and, before he threw me out of the castle, that creep told me that he was going to marry Krystal and turn her into his Queen!"
"What does that mean?!" The coyote asked.
"It means that Krystal is in danger!" The vulpine-turned-monster clenched his clawed fist, "Not only her, but everyone else!"
"Then we've got to stop him!" Fara said.
"Without a doubt," Fox said, "but my main priority is killing Wolf -or whatever he may call himself- and saving Krystal!"
"But there's an army of the undead awaiting us!" Orlando said.
"Then we'll kill them all!" The vulpine announced, "But we'll spare Fay, Miyu, and Krystal because they were Star Fox members before Star Wolf got to them!"
"I like the sound of that plan," The coyote smiled, "especially if it makes me a much better vampire hunter!"
"We're with you Fox," Fara took out a stake, "one hundred percent!"
"Good," Fox stated, "because we're going back in there! I mainly want to experiment with my new abilities!"
Note: I really shouldn't have ended the chapter right there, but a cliffhanger prior to the next chapter might get someone interested. Before you ask who Fox was talking to was, of course it was the Angel of Death. Who did you think it was, Alex Mercer? So yeah, Fox is pretty much Raziel now, except he'll have his body restored when he finishes off his task. The next chapter will show some of Fox's new, yet frightening, abilities. However, I won't spoil anything else about the next chapter here, so you'll have to read it if you want to know what happens next. What did you guys think of this chapter? If you want to, let me know when you leave a review or give a constructive criticism. I hope that everyone is doing okay. Until next time guys, peace!