The planets celebrated for weeks after the war had ended. The soldiers captured, interrogated and set free or jailed depending on what the Cornerians found. The princess and prince of Benaria were alive due to the information the spy on the stations gave and were both able to partake in the joy. Thanks to Lynx, many Cornerians survived the attack on the station, though many still died. During the celebration, families of those who died received the awards for their fallen. New treaties and deals conspired between the planets to ensure long lasting peace, and greater economic advancements.
Eight weeks after the war's end
Everyone was back where he or she belongs, well almost everyone. Wolf was still part of the Fox team, much to his distaste. Panther was on Benaria going through massive amounts of Training. Thanks to the Cornerian army, they were able to keep Panther a secret from the public. Panther would have to introduce himself to the court and planet in two months time, and he was to accept the crown. Lynx was in prison. At the start of her trail, she got a chance to say how she pleads and she only spoke one word, guilty. The court was surprised be her plea and then was even more surprised when she asked for full punishment. She would be in prison for 15+ years and she did not care.
Wolf sat in his room on the Great Fox scribbling down flight maneuvers on a piece of paper. He heard the buzzer at his door go off and he looked over before getting up. He walked over to the door, unlocked it, before opening it looking down to Fox. Stepping away, he let Fox in before he sat back at his drawings. Fox stepped in and looked around at the plain room.
"Wolf I just wanted to let you know we are going to be landing in Benaria in about 2 months to watch the coronation. We will land a few days before though." Fox spoke informing him of everything that was going to happen.
"Really well that's good to know. Be nice to see how he is doing." Wolf frowned a bit and looks to his pictures again.
"Yea, we can relax when we are there, and you can spend some time with your old friend." Fox nodded and left the room.
Just as Fox had said, they landed about two months later at the base of Benaria and then escorted to the palace. They arrived at the palace and walked in, before meeting Emalia and Panther. Emalia smiled bright and ran straight into Pepper hugging him tightly.
"Uncle Pepper!" she cheered as he scooped her up with a smile.
"Hey Panther, how are you?" Fox walked over to Panther taking his hand shaking. "How has life been treating you?"
"Good, I guess." Panther's voice was soft and he seemed very defeated. "I am still getting use to it."
"Yea, I can guess." Fox smiled weakly, knowing he could not do anything to help. "Well we still have your Wolfen in the hangar of the Great Fox. If you have time, maybe you can take it out for a joy ride."
Panther smiled and nodded he liked that Idea. He turned and looked to Krystal seeing her very heavy with a child. Panther smiled and hugged her tightly and looked down to her. Krystal hugged him back as she was happy to see him for the first time in a while.
"You look beautiful Krystal. How much longer do you have before you give birth?" Panther smiled to her placing a hand on her belly feeling it was hard from the baby inside.
"The doctor said about a month or two. We found out its twins not one." Krystal smiled and looked to Fox with a bright smile. "And we found that Fox is the father of both."
Fox smiled triumphantly as he and Falco walked to Pepper, joining him and Emalia. There was a lot to talk about and to catch up on. The group walked out to the garden for lunch, but Panther and Wolf stayed behind. There were a few private matters for them to talk about before they could join back with the others.
"So are you enjoying your pompous royal ass?" Wolf glared at him.
"As much as you are enjoying your arrogant side winged one." Panther glared right back both holding their ground neither budging.
Wolf and Panther stared at each other's eyes burning into the others. Wolf had too much stubborn and prideful to apologize to Panther for kicking him off the team. Panther had a lot of pride and did not want to be the first to break down and apologize but he knew it was his fault. Taking a deep breath Panther calmed him and started talking.
"Wolf, I am sorry I lied to you for as long as I did what I did. The prince of Benaria was dead. If I said who I really was, you would have brought me back for the reward. When they gave up on finding me and declared me dead, I was not lying about who I was any more. And technically I never lied, I used my real name with you, and I never said I wasn't the prince." Panther spoke firmly getting right to his point before Wolf could interrupt him.
"You know I do not care for your excuses, it's just one on top of another. You are right if you did say something when they first were looking for you I would have turned you in, but did you ever think to say hey Wolf, I am the dead prince of a planet. If you explained why you took off, I would have understood. Hell I took in a wanted cast off from the Star Fox team, just because he was a decent tactician." Wolf retorted with his argument. "And like I said before, had someone found out who you were, it would have put the team and base in jeopardy of being attacked."
"You are right Wolf, and I am sorry again." Panther smiled, putting his hand out to him. "I may not be able to join your team but we can still be friends, right?"
"Yea, you still are one of the best friends I have had." Wolf took Panther's hand in a shake. "Now I have to find someone to replace your sorry ass, as well as, Leon's."
"Sorry, I cannot help, but I did hear of a cat that was recently imprisoned who has great fighting skills both in the air and on the ground." Panther smirked "She is quite the looker too."
"Really, I will have to look into that." Wolf smirked and shook his head as they both headed to join the others in the garden for lunch.
The Garden was beautiful with all the different flowers. In the center of the garden was a patio with tables and chairs with all their friends. Krystal sat next to fox her feet in his lap as he rubbed her leg affectionately. Slippy was next to Fox on the other side and Falco. Peppy and Pepper sat side by side a chair on either side empty. Emalia sat in peppers lap laughing, having a good time. Wolf walked over and sat between Falco and Peppy. Panther stopped by a large rose Vine and pulled out a fully bloomed red one before joining the others. He smiled and placed the Rose in his sister's hair before sitting next to Krystal and an empty chair for Emalia.
"So you two kiss and Make up?" Falco chirped at Wolf getting a death glare and an elbow to the stomach.
"Falco be nice." Fox chuckled.
"Yea, we all know you're jealous of Wolf for having Panther near him for so long." Krystal spoke up in a teasing manner, it made Wolf chuckle a moment before he realized she was teasing him to.
The group laughed at the jokes and stories that went around the table. This was going to be the last time they would be able to hang around like this. Pepper was retiring; Peppy got promoted to General taking Pepper's job, Wolf, would leave to restart his team. Krystal and Fox were going to have a family. Slippy was going to work with his father and Falco was going to join up with Katt. They were all planning to go their own ways.
"Wolf Your Wolfen was pulled from the Hangar of the Great Fox." Fox spoke looking over to Wolf. "You no longer need to stay with us. You can leave to make a new team whenever you wish."
"Thanks Fox." Wolf spoke quietly before looking up to the sky. He was going to be free again. Free to roam the stars once more.
"Fox, did you remember to lock the Hangar?" Peppy interjected with a bit of concern.
"Oh, shit. I didn't." Fox diffed himself in the forehead. "I wouldn't worry though, All the Arwings in there are locked or in repair. Well all, except the second Wolfen, and that reminds me. Wolf you can leave that one with us till you find a pilot for it."
Panther's ear twitched hearing that his Wolfen was so close. How he wished to run to his Wolfen, fly off and never return. Everyone there knew he hated it here on the planet. Even his little sister knew he hated it here so much. Krystal slide her feet from Fox's lap and smiled before getting up slowly.
"Everything ok Krystal?" Fox looked up to her worried.
"Just tired is all. I am heading back to the Great Fox for a nap." Krystal smiled to Fox.
"Would you like me to walk you there?" Fox started to get up.
"Thank you Fox, but I was hoping Panther would like to, you know give him one last chance to try and sweep me off my feet." Krystal giggled poking a little fun at Panther. Even with all the years of him chasing her and flirting, she still got away.
"I would be honored to walk the wonderful Krystal back that is if it is ok with you Fox." Panther nodded getting up putting his hand out to her waiting for Fox not to want to kill him.
"Yea go ahead not like you will succeed" Fox smirked and glanced to Wolf with his cocky looking eyes.
Panther took Krystal's hand and wrapped it around his arm and walking her back to the Great Fox. The walk was not long in the least bit and it was a nice quiet walk with no one following them. Panther had a few suspicions as to why Krystal wanted him to walk her back and not Fox. He looked down to her opening his mouth to speak only to be cut off before even saying a word.
"I asked you to walk with me because we have a few things of your still on the Great Fox and I wanted to say Thank you." Krystal smiled up to him.
"Thank you for what?" Panther was a little confused. The only thing he ever remembered doing was causing her team problems.
"Thank you for helping me save Tricky, and for helping in the war." Krystal smiled and walked in to the Great Fox with him through the Hangar door. "Thank you again for walking me back. Your things are already packed and ready to go."
Krystal pointed to a box sitting under his Wolfen. She walked away going into the living area of the Great Fox leaving Panther alone in the hangar. Panther walked over and looked down to the box opening it up to see what was inside. His coat was in there as well as a few pictures of his friends and a letter. Picking his coat up he smiled before hearing a jingle looking back into the box he saw the keys and control for his Wolfen. He looked around and picked them up turning to look at his ship.
The ship sat idly cockpit opened and the under compartment open as well. This was too much of a coincidence. He could just jump in and leave. He looked to the letter in the box opening it and reading it.
O'300 hours location coordinates 1997SF64
Panther pushed the box in to the undercarriage of his ship taking only the coat key and letter from the box. He checked the time and say, it was already two in the afternoon. He had little over 12 hours before he had to be at that spot. He left the Great Fox and went back to the others in the palace garden to spend more time with them.
Before everyone knew it, it was already very late and Emalia had fallen asleep in Panther's arms. He learned a lot about her in the short time they were together and he already had the protective older brother attitude in his head. He walked to the door with everyone and said his farewells before bringing Emalia to bed he looked to the clock, It was 11 at night and he had four hours.
"Emalia I am sorry for dropping this burden on you but I cannot live like this." Panther whispered softly. "I promise I will see you again."
As quickly as he could, he went to his room and dressed in something a little less nice and a little more comfortable. Throwing his coat on over his black stealth suit and he slipped out the window and looked back to his sisters room from outside and took off quickly and quietly. He escaped the palace yard without being seen and got in to the Great Fox without setting alarms off. He only had one chance to do this or he would be caught.
Panther climbed in to his Wolfen and turned it on. He closed his eyes and forced the Hangar lock to let go and shot out quickly taking to the sky. Alarms blared in the Hangar as he forced the lock and escaped he pushed as hard as he could to escape the planet before ships came after him, before the military came after him to drag him back.
Fox quickly woke to the alarm going off on the bridge he looked to the screen to see what was going on and only smirked turning the alarm off. Everything was going perfectly as planned. Fox lay back in his chair and closed his eyes going back to sleep. Having spent weeks communicating with young Emalia, Pepper, and Wolf about this plan, he was glad it succeeded, as Panther was the only factor that could ruin it.
Emalia had woken up and ran to her window watching as Panther snuck through the yard and waited till she saw his ship fly up over the trees and into the sky. She smiled and sat on the floor looking to the sky as his ship disappeared. She looked down then went to her stuffed animals to sleep once more. She was happy that Panther was going to be happy and she was going to hold him to his promise even if he did not think she heard it.
Panther arrived at that location on the letter and he had about 20 minutes to wait. He looked around for something anything and saw nothing. No star, planet, or moon, not even a speck of space dust could be seen near where he was located. He waited and sighed heavily, even if this was nothing he was free again. His time clicked on his clock saying 3:00AM he was greeted by a Black Wolfen flying over head then zipping off. Panther jumped slightly as it surprised him before he took off after him.
"So what is a stray cat doing out here in the middle of space" Wolf's voice boomed over the radio.
"Me? I am just looking for sexy woman, and a smart ass pilot looking to start a team." Panther chuckled back at him.
"Woman Nah got none of them, but I am a smart ass pilot looking to start a team. Think you got what it takes to join cat?" Wolf smirked as Panther caught up.
"I do not think, I know." Panther felt alive again flying as fast as he could with his best friend.
"Well then let's see if you're qualified. Let's head to Corneria, to the military prison near the main base." Wolf pushed on heading right to the base no stopping.
Corneria Military Prison 6:00am
Loud booming sirens were going off, as there was a break in going to be a potential break out. Panther and Wolf made their way through the maze of halls and taking out guard with ease. As quick, as they got in they were even quicker with getting to their destination. Panther strolled down the hall of cells as they were in the woman's half of the prison. He stopped and turned looking into one cell seeing a feline woman sitting on her bed knees tucked against her chest. She glanced up to him as he only smirked to her.
"Hello gorgeous, we are going for a ride, want to join us?" Panther purred out as he moved close to the bars and leaned on them.
"Less than five minutes and you're already flirting with the women in here." Wolf stomped over and made quick work of the door to the cell. He walked in and looked to her. "Hello Lynx, We are recruiting for our team."
"I am not interested." Lynx spoke softly leaning back against the wall on her bed. "Why would I leave when I have no reason to go?"
"Lynx get off your ass and let's go. We need you for our team, you're the only person that is good at fighting, piloting, and is crazy enough to join." Panther smirked as he walked over. "Plus the benefits are great, own ship, 1/3 the pay of jobs."
"If you put it that way, it sounds more fun and I have been here long enough to know Hawk, would like me to have fun and be free." Lynx got up and she followed them out of the cell.
They ran and escaped as quickly as they could. With Lynx with them, they had a full team and an extra hand to escape. They weaved through the halls removing guards in their way until they got outside. Once outside it was pretty, much clean sailing. They got to their Wolfens and climbed in. Panther pulled Lynx up in to the back, and closed the cockpit, taking off following Wolf up and out into the sky. They next destination was the rogue hideout, their old home. The Star Wolf Team was officially reborn and once again, everything in the Lylatt system was at peace once more.
Two months later
Fox was relaxing on the bridge of his ship. After many talks and planning, the Star Fox team stayed together; not just, because they were friends, but also because their needed to be a team out there to keep the Star Wolf team in check. Falco was at his console messing around with a new project, and Slippy was yet again upgrading Rob. The only loss was that of Peppy. He was a good friend but now he was a good boss as he was now General Peppy hare. With the loss, there was also a gain; Krystal had given birth to a set of twins. They were both boys and they both looked just like Fox with the brown hair and white marking however they definitely had Krystal bright green eyes.
Krystal walked in to the bridge holding the small kits in her arms. She walked over to Fox and without even asking he took one from her and smiled. He was doing what his father wished, to have his family in space with him. Falco looked over and got up taking the other from Krystal and smirk playing with him. Falco had a soft spot for kids, who would have guessed. Katt and a pink frog, Amanda, Slippy's Fiancée' walked in. Katt walked quickly to Falco and smiled at the baby as Amanda joined Slippy. All was quiet and relaxing until the hailing buzzer went off.
"Who would be calling us, we are on vacation." Krystal walked over to Peppy's old console and checked before smiling. "It is Wolf."
"Put him through." Fox spoke quickly trying to hush a fussing kit as Krystal put it through.
"Hey Fur ball. What brings you to our neck of the space?" Wolf smiled leaning back in his chair in his base office.
"I am more curious to how you knew we were out here." Fox replied sharply. "That and we are on Vacation heading to the Sauria"
"Well then I am afraid I cannot let you pass." Wolf crossed his arms watching him.
"Why not Wolf?" Fox growled a bit holding the kit as he stood up.
"Two reasons, one we haven't had a good dog fight in a long time and two, you have a bundle in your arms." Wolf smirked as another voice sound over the speaker.
"Bundle?" Panther's voice sounded being curious as he looked over Wolf's shoulder and sat fox on the screen. "Is that? Krystal gave Birth already?"
"A Baby I want to see" Lynx ran over pushing panther to the side looking. "Oh it's so cute; it looks just like a mini Fox."
"Calm down woman it is just a baby. Look Falco is holding one too. Krystal had twins." Wolf sighed slightly. "So Fox what did you name them?"
"This one," He moved the baby to face the screen. It had a bit of a Mohawk where the white mark was on the top of his head. "His name his James, the one Falco is holding his name is Fox."
"So you have James and a junior. How quaint," Wolf chuckled as he got up. "Fox you have ten minutes to get your team in to the field, or I will start firing on the Great Fox."
Communication stopped quickly and Fox shook his head with a smirk. He knew Wolf well enough to know he would not open fire on the Great Fox. Falco handed junior over to Krystal and left to get ready with Katt following him. Slippy shook his head and kept working. Krystal and Fox left going to the Babies room with Amanda right behind them.
"You two have fun and be careful I will watch over them for you." Amanda smiled.
"Thank you Amanda, they both ate so they should be fine till we get back." Krystal hugged Amanda in thank as she left to put on her blue catsuit. Fox followed to change into his pilot jumper and grab his coat.
The Star Fox team was quickly ready and at the hangar waiting clearance to leave. Rob's voice sounded and light turned green. Fox, Krystal, Falco, and Kat Shot out of the hangar full speed and raced in to the open area around the rogue Base. They were on the field and then joined by The Star Wolf Team Wolf, Panther, and Lynx came out ready, the game was about to begin once more as neither side wasted time and got right to fighting.
"You are going Down Fox!" Wolfs voice cried out in battle of the radio.
"Not before you, Wolf!" Fox called back as they went head to head.
This was nothing more than a game for them now that peace was back. Friends fighting friends for fun, not war, how long this peace would last no one would know. They only hoped it would last a long time to come.
~fin~
