"Move it, furball!"

Fox had been through a lot over the years, but never had he ever faced this level of indignity. Even the hazing he had gotten back at the academy wasn't as bad as this. Stripped of his gear, the crocodiles creatures, which he had learned from overhearing them talk, were called Kremlings, had kept the barrel of a blaster to his head almost the entire time. They chained him up to a gang of other prisoners, no doubt slaves, and were being marched across the beach to a foreboding ship just up ahead.

It was a puzzling sight; these Kremlings were still using sailing ships, on a planet that looked to be hitting the industrial age. And yet, they had energy weapons? Fox couldn't figure out just how these crocs were smart enough to develop primitive blaster tech, but were stuck using sailing vessels from the 1500s. But his thoughts were preoccupied by the constant threat of being fried to a crisp to really put much thought into it.

KER-CRACK!

Oh, yeah, the whip cracking. That certainly made it hard to think, not helped by the beating of the sun or the constant barking of the Kremling Slaver in his ear. Fox forced himself to look forward, trying to bear physical abuse and keep his wits about him. He grit his teeth and continued to walk with his chain mates, occasionally stealing glances around him, but there wasn't anything of note to really see.

Well, all except for his fellow slaves. Some were Apes, some were Monkeys, but regardless, Fox couldn't help but feel the skin beneath his fur crawl. He might not have realized it at the time, but the Lylat Wars had given him quite the grudge against simian-kind. Seeing them in chains, members of the same race of his sworn enemy, gave Fox a certain sense of catharsis.

And Fox hated that feeling. In fact, he was mentally kicking himself for feeling this way. After all, whoever these folks were, they were innocents. Trapped in the same situation as he; they clearly weren't soldiers, pilots, or anyone remotely related to the Andross Army. They were not his enemy.

KER-CRACK!

In fact, his enemy were the scaly bastards cracking the whip.

"Get up, ya mangy Kong!"

Fox turned his head, watching as a Kremling gave a harsh kick to the ribs to a poor Ape. He let out a desperate cry, as if no air left his deflated lungs. "I said get up!"

"I-I'm sorry, please!" The pleading Kong's nose was in the sand, his beefy arms chained behind his back much like Fox's. His fur black as night with grey accents, and a mess of dreads resting atop his head. "I-I can't go on. My body won't move."

The Kremling sneered. "I didn't ask for a report! I told you to get up!" Fox watched as the whip cut through the sky. It cracked again, now against the Kong's hide as he released a painful wail. Fox felt his stomach rise up, forming a lump into his throat. His ears burned, the cries of that Kong would be etched into his brain for years to come as he watched the Kremling lash at him. "I said stand! Stand you mangy rug!"

Sharp teeth began to clench as Fox watched the display. This was a disgusting display; Ape or not, no creature deserved this. Even someone like Andross deserved some form of dignity.

As the Kremling pulled his arm back to lash at the Kong once more, Fox sprang into action; he jumped right for the Kremling, twisting in the air as he landed a heavy roundhouse kick right to the crocodile's head. He let out a pathetic cry as the heel of Fox's metal feet bashed into his skull, sending him spinning into the sands of the beach. He wasn't moving; Fox wasn't sure if he was unconscious or dead, but he had little time to think. In fact, now was the time for instinct.

Fox ducked under a Kremling trying to bash Fox's own skull in with the butt of their rifle. Fox then swiftly did a back flip, flying through the air with the grace of his Arwing before he smashed the soles of his feet into the Kremling's head. His powerful stomp sent him onto the beach. He could feel the eyes of Kremling and Kong alike on him as he kicked away another Kremling's raygun.

In the heat of the moment, Fox couldn't help but smirk. The thought that he was literally beating them with his hands tied behind his back was amusing, but his enjoyment was cut short when a Kremling simply pointed their rifle right for Fox and pulled the trigger.

Now it was Fox's turn to cry to the heavens as electricity shot through his system. It was like getting hit with several tasers at once, Fox's entire body becoming limp before he fell onto the beach, uneven laughs escaping his muzzle. His vision was blurry, his hearing starting to turn fuzzy as he lied there in the sand.

"Get walking!" A Kremling shouted to the chained Kongs. Fox could barely make out his blue scales, looking distinctive from the green-scaled crocs that he had seen before. But it was hard for him to focus, just looking like a blue blob for moments before Fox did his best to squint. "Drag that whipped mongrel if you have to. Throw him and our foxy friend here." His voice sounded distant, like Fox was hearing him under water. He tried to focus, but his senses began to fail him as he felt someone grab him by the scruff of his neck. He struggled, but was too weak to escape the grasp. In fact, he was too weak to move.

Fox didn't remember falling asleep. He was sure he was still fighting, for himself and the downed Kong, but when his eyes popped open, the vulpine pilot gave a harsh gasp. He tried to sit up, but his numb body was slow to respond. Not helped by the fact his arms were still bound. Fox could manage to move his legs, the robot prosthetic still functional and the nerves connecting them to him not as fried as the rest of him.

His green eyes started to dart around, but he couldn't quite tell where he was. It was dark, the moon's light being his only light from the porthole above. As he stared at the bars in front of him, he realized he was in the brig of the ship, but that was all he could decipher from where he was lying down. Fox grit his teeth, struggling to force himself to pull himself off of the floor and sit up, but the pilot was so exhausted that he had to press himself against the wall in order to keep from falling back to the floor. The cold wood felt like ice touching veins, sending a new jolt up his spine.

"Nice to see you're awake."

The new voice was unfamiliar. This voice was much softer. At first, he thought his jailer was a lady Kremling, but Fox glanced to his right. He craned his head to see another Kong. The lady ape had a much slender frame when compared to her male counterparts, with blonde hair that flowed down her shoulders. Blue eyes met Fox's green, her body loosely covered in what Fox could only describe as a golden bikini. In a way, it complimented her bondage, as the Kong was chained to the wall behind her.

"It was awfully lonely just lying here with nobody to talk to. I was starting to think that I'd go crazy in here before we reached Krokodile Island..." The Kong gave a sigh as she watched Fox turn to face her properly.

"Krokodile Island?" Fox mumbled to himself, but quickly tossed the question to the side. "Let's put a pin on that; who are you and where am I?"

"Tiny Kong." She spoke curtly, but her bubbly tone took out any sort of sting her response might've had. She began to muse, "although, I guess 'Tiny' doesn't fit me too well these days. Puberty, am I right?" She cocked an eyebrow at the mercenary, a sly smirk on her face as Fox began to blush and shyly glanced away. Her giggling echoed in the brig as Fox questioned how anyone could be so upbeat while bound to a wall.

Fox tried to force that question out of his head. Maybe he didn't want to know.

"Where we are, though, that's a big question." Tiny explained, "we're on a Kremling Slave Ship. We're slaves." Tiny told her, "we're sailing for Krokodile Island, the homeland of the Kremlings." Fox's sharp eyes saw the slight twitch of Tiny's face. "I think I heard a guard mention throwing you into the Fight Pit, so you'd better rest up while you can." She sighed as she stared out a distant port hole. "Though, I'd trade places with you in a heart beat. I'd rather be forced to fight for my life than have to dance for ."

"Alright, slow down a minute." Fox spoke up, "I'm, well, let's say pretty new here. Who is ?"

The Kong was confused by the question, looking at Fox bewildered, but decided to explain all the same. " is the King of the Kremlings. They've been the enemies of the Kongs for as long as I can remember. Maybe even longer than that. The Kings of Kong Island have always been able to fight off the Kremlings, and I was one of his elite warriors." Fox watched a smile form on Tiny's face. It was genuine, but longing, as though she was remembering better times. But then, she flinched. "Then, something happened."

As she spoke, Fox was starting to feel the paralysis leave his body. He could move more easily; or, rather, he would if he wasn't still bound. "What happened then? How did this happen?"

"A star." Tiny Kong said, "a star fell from the sky, burning white hot. So white it illuminated the sky in a blinding light when it landed on Krokodile Island. Suddenly, the Kremlings had guns that shot burning light and giant, metal contraptions. We were overwhelmed by their new weapons and all we could do was watch as our beautiful Kong island was turned to a giant factory."

She bit her lower lip, but it did nothing to stop the tear from flowing down her cheek. Fox watched it glimmer under the moon's light as it began to shine upon her. Fox McCloud felt a burning rage boil inside of his chest. In that moment, Fox's resolve was reforged in hot iron. His mission wasn't just to escape this planet, it was to free these Kongs from their bondage and stop these Kremlings.

" won't have his way with me." Fox finally spoke, getting Tiny Kong's attention as the mercenary continued. "And his hold on both this planet and your people will not stand." Tiny Kong felt her words trapped in her throat, but watched as Fox started to stand onto his feet, forcing himself to stand. She watched as Fox stood to his full height and pull back a foot, as if ready to kick. "Don't move."

Tiny Kong felt a lump appear in her throat, shutting her eyes as Fox threw a swift kick. The toes of his metal feet cut through the air, and then the chains that held one of Tiny Kong's chains like butter. 'CLINK' his foot went as Tiny Kong felt her left hand gain slack.

Her blue-eyes went wide as she looked at her free hand. She slowly moved it about as she looked at it; freedom. Her eyes slowly looked over to Fox, just as he had kicked her other hand free from the wall. Tiny Kong let out a gasp after watching the display as she started to rub her freed wrists.

"That any better?" Fox asked, a toothy grin flashing in the moonlight. Tiny Kong slowly nodded along, still in shock. "Good, now keep back." Fox then turned to the bar doors of the cell. As moonlight flooded the brig, Fox could properly see the cells outside his bars. The eyes of Kongs had all fallen onto Tiny Kong and him. Fox pulled back his robotic leg and got ready to kick the bars down, but suddenly felt Tiny Kong grab his shoulder and give a hard pull away from the cell door.

"W-wait." Tiny Kong said, hushed hiss escaping her lips. Fox had to bite his tongue if he didn't wanna give out a sudden shriek. Once his balance was recovered, he turned to face the Kong who had yanked him. "Kremling's are sleeping. Now's the perfect chance to gain the element of surprise." She began to head to the cell bars, leaving Fox puzzled as she watched her. "Let me show you why they still call me 'Tiny'."

Fox watched as Tiny Kong put a finger into the keyhole of the cell. At first, nothing, but then, before his eyes, Tiny Kong began to vanish! No, not vanish; it was hard to see in the dim moonlight, but she was shrinking! Smaller and smaller Tiny Kong shrunk until Fox couldn't see her at all. He couldn't believe his eyes in that moment. Was he dreaming, was there ever a Tiny Kong? Doubt began to fill his mind like water a glass, but then, he began to hear noises.

CLINK! KER-KLANG!

The noises echoed in his cell, making the vulpine's ears twitch. If Tiny Kong did shrink, then was she in the cell's lock? With a final 'CLICK', Fox was left to watch as the door slowly swing open. Fox held back a gasp as he approached the door and looked to the left. Then right. No, she wasn't imagining this; the door was open!

And then, another 'CLICK', the binds that kept his arms secured behind his back felt loose and then fell onto the wooden floor! Fox craned his head behind him, watching a speck begin to dance in the moon's light before growing back into a Tiny Kong, landing on her feet before him. He watched her stretch in place, cracking and popping her joints.

"Man, I don't remember getting so stiff after that stunt. I guess it's really been a while." Fox pulled his hands up to himself, closing them into fists and opening them again. If this was a dream, it sure felt real.

"How...how did you do that?" Fox asked.

"Ancient Magic." Fox was about to blurt out a 'what', but Tiny Kong cut him off. "We should probably save the Q&A until after our mutiny." Tiny Kong pointed to the cells behind them, prompting Fox to look at the group of Kongs, all staring at the two of them with glittering eyes. Fox turned back to Tiny and gave her a nod; they had work to do and not much time to get it done.

Fox headed out of the cell, dashing to the far end of the room , stopping just short of the door to the upper deck and grabbing the key ring that was hanging there. Perfect place place for the jailer to keep them when the Kongs couldn't reach. He turned to his fellow prisoners, starting to unlock a cell door. "Listen up," he spoke, "my name is Fox McCloud. I'm a stranger to you all, I'm sure."

The first door swung open as Tiny Kong raced in, starting to help her fellows up off of the floor. Fox moved onto the next door, "this isn't the first war I've fought, but I can't fight it on my own." He's also never fought one on foot, but that was a detail that didn't need to be shared presently. He moved onto the next cell, opening the door again as he watched the Kongs cling onto the bars and watch Fox open it. He looked inside and saw the Kong with dreads from before, hunched over and staring at the floor. "If we work together, we can take this ship. We can all be free from this hell world has built."

Staring up at Fox, the Kong watched as Fox began to stand over him and extended a hand to the dark-furred ape. He slowly looked up at Fox, showing him a pair of burning, red eyes. "If you're able to fight, then fight with me." Fox watched as the solemn face on the ape's face turned into a wide grin, flashing the golden teeth in his mouth. He took Fox's hand and shook it.

He had a vice for a grip, enough to make Fox think he was going to turn his bones to powder, but he was able to keep his face from showing his pain.

The ape then began to stand before Fox; he wasn't just tall, he absolutely dwarfed Fox in height. "I owe you one, stranger. I, Dread Kong, will fight beside you."

Fox smirked back at him. "Good."

Note:

To Newcomer64: First of all, you are right. But if i put it there, then nobody would read it; at least, I don't think anyone would. A bad excuse, but there it is. If someone from on high decides to smite me for wanting my pet project to be seen by as many eyes as possible, then so be it. Let the chips fall where they may and all that Second, no, it's not 'necessary'. But I am writing this fic as though it's in the SNES Era of Star Fox and not with modern interpretations. Mostly cause Star Fox 2 is my favorite Star Fox game out of the few games I've played. Finally, your last question...well, I guess that was answered in this chapter. And that is why this is a crossover.

To AlmaShade: Sorry mate, it wasn't meant to be. Though, I will admit, the mental image was quite funny.