A/N: OK there are actually going to be a couple more chapters (it'll end at about 27 chapters). Anyway just to let you know Pepper IS at Mia's. He just didn't have any dialogue and I wish I'd said something more to let you know that he was actually there considering he didn't talk and I didn't mention that he walked in with Shane and Katt (I only mentioned that he left the pub with them). Anyway, I'm really sad this has to end but well...all good things do.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Star Fox, Nintendo and/or Rare do. Any relation to my original characters in anyway is entirely coincidental. ________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 25-Return to the Fox's Eyes

Shane woke up the next morning with the potion in hand. It was now or never. Today was the day he went back. Of course he could've waited if he really wanted to. Fox probably didn't even believe he'd come back. Perhaps that was why Fox let him go? No of course not! Fox knew Mia, and he also knew that Mia was capable of transforming Shane back.

Shane sat up on the couch that he'd fallen asleep on. Katt was in the chair sleeping while Jon rest on the other couch in the room. Shane stood up and walked to the back room and saw Mia asleep at her desk.

Shane scratched behind his head and then motioned over to Mia and light shook her. She grunted and turned her head to the side so that she wasn't facing Shane. Shane smiled but shook her a bit again. This time Mia woke up and looked up at Shane. "What do you want?"

Shane looked down at the potion he was holding and then back at Mia. "Thank you for what you've done to me. You've shown me a new life. Not only that, but you showed me a side of me that I never knew had."

Mia, still tired, managed a smile. "I'm glad that from my curse I actually gave you something." She stood up and kissed Shane on the cheek. "It's almost time to go."

Pepper walked in as his furry form, and it was the first time Shane had seen that he too was a shape shifter. Pepper eyed both of them before asking, "Are we leaving?"

Mia nodded before she walked out only to be face to face with Jon. "Yes?"

"So when are we leaving?" He smirked.

"I thought you were going your own separate way?"

"I decided that I want to see just how this ends." Jon replied. "I like to see small little love stories don't you?"

Mia looked back at Shane, who was being pestered by Pepper a little bit. "Sadly he has to go." Mia thoughts came out loud.

"What was that?" Jon said sticking a finger in his ear.

"Nothing." Was Mia's only reply.

***

Fox didn't really believe that Shane would come back as a fox again. But he had reason to think so considering what he saw of Mia and Katt. 'Shane will just run back to them.' Fox thought. 'Either way he's only going to hurt her in the end. What does he have that I don't?'

Falco walked in to see Fox resting on his cot. "Feeling any better?" He asked.

"Not really. I've lost just about everything Falco. I lost Krystal and I let Shane get away. I don't want to grieve over losing Krystal, but I certainly didn't want to lose Krystal to HIM."

"Was that all it was between you and Shane? A game for Krystal?" Falco inquired. "If you think of love as a 'game' Fox then you're not better than Shane was. Love isn't a game that you play, it's something that you give." Falco sighed. "When was the last time you showed Krystal love? The only reason Shane is going to make off with YOUR girl is because he shows her love. When was the last time you showed Krystal any love?"

Falco had a point. Fox had been so obsessed with getting rid of Shane and finding out answers about him that he nearly forgot what mattered most to him: Krystal. But hadn't he done all that for Krystal? Perhaps Krystal didn't see it the way he did. Fox sighed a little bit thinking of what Falco had just stated to him. He hadn't shown his affection the way Shane had. Fox suddenly felt like the twelve-year kit he was when he first met Krystal.

"You don't know how lucky you really are." Falco walked out with those last words left echoing in Fox's head.

'What was that supposed to mean?' Fox thought.

***

Krystal was thinking too much again. She knew how much she loved Shane, but she wished Fox would show it more. The only reason she had even grown to love Shane in the first place was because he reminded her of Fox. The sensitive side of Fox.

Krystal was making herself a cup of tea trying to forget everything about Shane being a human and Fox doing his duty. 'I wish he'd stop doing his duty and be with me sometimes.' She thought as she put some creamer into her tea. It seemed that since Shane had come around Fox had been to into getting rid of him. She wished those two would get along. She never quite got the answer as to why Fox attacked him. The only excuse Fox had ever given her was that it was his "Duty to protect the furs." She didn't like that side of Fox. Fox was all about protecting now.

She sat down in her living room and looked at the painting Bill had given her on her fourteenth birthday. The only fur she kept looking at in that painting was Fox. 'I wonder how things would be had Shane come back then.' She thought. Then she realized that she didn't want to think about that. Things could've actually been a tad bit worse that way.

She then relaxed a bit and took another sip of tea. For some reason the tea didn't taste good anymore and she soon set it down never to pick it up again. Her thoughts of Shane and Fox were too true to her. She'd seen a change in both of them. Well, to her the change was big. Shane had become more open to her. Fox on the other hand, was growing more ruthless. But maybe it wasn't Fox's fault. Maybe in the end it all really DID connect to Shane. If Shane had never come, would things be different? Would Fox still love her? She was beginning to think that Fox didn't have the same love for her anymore. Since Shane had come Fox had been less affectionate and didn't do nearly as much anymore.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door. Of course, since Krystal didn't want to be rude, she answered it. Again it was Falco. Krystal stood in silence. 'He's probably got another lesson to teach me or something.' She thought. Falco was always the moral one it seemed.

Falco held his head low and sighed. "You really should tell Fox how you feel. It would help out much more. You never know Krystal, he might feel the same way."

Krystal already KNEW Fox felt the same way. The problem was that he never SHOWED it anymore. "I know I should. But I want him to confess to me."

"But why?" Falco asked. He knew he probably shouldn't even be getting involved in this but he couldn't stand to see Fox or Krystal acting the way they were. "Don't you realize how childish you both are acting? You're both acting like kits again! If you really loved Fox and cared for him then you'd tell him already. You know he feels the same way then why don't you tell him?"

"Why doesn't he tell me?" Krystal retorted. "What's made him change so much?"

Falco was silent for a moment. "In the past few weeks Fox hasn't had anyone to love. You're too in love with Shane to the point that Fox thinks he's lost you."

Krystal didn't like to hurt others and she had no idea that it had gotten this bad between them. "I'm sorry to hear that." Krystal said lowering her ears. "I didn't mean to make him feel that way."

Falco put a hand on her shoulder. "I know that, and I'm pretty sure he does too. He'll be fine, but someday you two..." Falco suddenly smiled. He stopped what he was saying and then he turned his back to Krystal. "I probably shouldn't get anymore involved than I already am. I'll see you later Krystal. But please, think about Fox. He's done so much for you." Then he walked off.

***

Shane, Mia, Katt, Pepper, and Jon were in the woods now and deep enough so that no one would see them. "I'm going to miss some of those people." Pepper said. "Those who came to the pub were so nice."

Mia nodded. "But with those outside the pub, I don't think we could've stayed any longer." She then looked to Shane. "It's time you made your decision. Corneria isn't far from here. It's time to decide your destiny."

Shane looked at Mia, and then at the potion he was holding. Then his eyes went to Jon. "Sometimes destiny changes." He said. 'Of all the love I have for Krystal...' He thought inside. Then he thought of...Fox. Shane looked at Jon again and thought about what Jon's destiny was. Then he removed the cork from the bottle and sniffed it. He wasn't in any type of hurry. Then in another swift moment he drank the potion down. "Hey this taste much better than the other one." He said before he began his transformation into a fox again.

"The last species you'll ever be." Mia said.

***

Fox rested on his cot, thinking about what Falco had said to him. 'I haven't shown my love to Krystal...' he thought. 'How could I have been so insensitive?' Perhaps he really had been too obsessed with Shane. At least he tried to like him, didn't he? That wasn't good enough though.

Still convinced that Krystal had chosen Shane over him, he decided that perhaps he'd start a new life soon. He'd lost Krystal, but that still couldn't get him down. Fox looked at his dagger that he placed on the floor next to the cot. "I don't want to do this anymore." He thought aloud. "Perhaps it's about time I find my own destiny." 'Great, now I'm starting to sound like Shane.'

He sat up in the cot and raised his ears. As soon as he had done so he heard a flute. "It can't be..." Fox quickly jumped to his feet. "Already?" It was the same tune that hypnotized the village before. The same tune that played when Krystal disappeared into the woods. "He's already come back?"

Fox dashed out the hut. He wanted to go and greet Shane but he seemed reluctant about it. After all, this was the one who took away the only vixen he ever truly loved. But what more did he have to lose? This was the moment for Fox to make amends. Great Fox knew if he would have any other moment to do so.

***

Krystal recognized the tune. "He's back!" she screamed excitedly. Seeing Shane again would be a nice treat considering what she was thinking about. She quickly jumped up and ran out her door.

***

Shane walked into the village playing his flute, being followed by Pepper, Katt and Mia. Jon probably stayed back because of what Fox did to him before, but he at least approached with Shane and company. Just further back.

Shane was greeted by Fox first and then noticed Krystal running up behind him. There were some furs that stopped their usual business and just watched. When Falco noticed that Shane was back he could only think it meant one thing: trouble. Instead Falco approached just to see what would happen. But that wasn't his only reason. He also wanted to see Katt for old time sake.

As soon as Fox and Krystal approached, Shane gave a smile. He was a little nervous about being around Fox, but he decided that he would live through it all.

"You came back sooner than expected." Fox began. "I'm glad to see you're once again a fox though."

Shane noticed that Fox was relaxed. That was a good thing at least. Thank goodness for it too. Now he didn't have reason to be scared.

Shane looked at Krystal and deep into her emerald eyes. Then he looked to Falco who smiled. But Falco wasn't smiling at Shane, he was smiling at Katt.

"It's been a while." Falco said nervously. "You forgive me?"

Katt smiled back, "I forgive you. But I won't be here for long." She said.

"Neither will I." Shane said and tried not to close his eyes. Saying what he had to say was going to be hard.

"Why not?" Krystal and Falco asked in unison.

"I've decided that I want to return to the village of Zoness. My birthplace." Katt began. "I haven't been around furry civilization in ten years. I came back to say my goodbyes before I go."

Falco walked closer to Katt and whispered, "But why?"

Katt smiled and gave Falco a hug. "I've been hearing Shane and Mia talk about nothing but destiny for a long time now. I've decided that I want to go and find my destiny." Katt answered. "Maybe you should think about your destiny."

Krystal looked a little sad that Shane would no longer be there. "Why are you leaving then?" Krystal asked. She was a bit nervous to be around Shane AND Fox. She was comforted by the fact that Fox was back to normal at least.

Shane looked back and signaled Jon over. "Krystal, Fox, I'd like you to meet Jon. The first human friend I've ever made before."

Jon nervously walked up to them with a wave and murmured, "Please don't kill me. I'll be gone in a minute."

"No one's going to kill you." Shane laughed a bit. "Anyway, Jon is a traveler and he wants to go around spreading peace between humans and furs." Shane lowered his head and then raised it with a smile. "I know both sides of the equation now, and I decided to go with Jon. It would be easier for him to achieve his goal if he had a fur with him. So I'm leaving." Shane finished.

Shane looked at Krystal who gave him a big hug. "Will we ever see you again?"

"I'll come back and visit. I promise." Shane said releasing her from the hug and crossing his heart.

Fox extended his paw towards Shane with little reluctance this time. "I hope our paths cross again Shane." He said as Shane took his paw and shook it. Shane was surprised at this little act by Fox, but somehow thought there was a trick to it. Like maybe during the shake, Fox would unsheathe his claws or something. But nothing happened. Perhaps Fox really meant it. "I'm sorry for our differences Shane. When our paths cross again, let's start over."

Shane smiled. "Fox, we already have."

Shane then looked once more to Krystal who managed a smile. He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Then he realized he was still holding onto Fox's paw. He then grabbed Krystal's paw and clasped hers with Fox's. They didn't resist each other either. Falco watching this only smiled. Shane himself smiled too. "I can't stay with you Krystal. I can no longer ruin what you two have. That's why I'm going with Jon. But I'll see both of you soon."

Fox looked Krystal deep in the eyes. He knew what he wanted to say but for some reason couldn't find the words. Krystal, for some reason couldn't find the words either.

"Well, it looks like Corneria is fine, but Fox you've done too much. From this point on, I'll assume all authority in Corneria." Pepper announced and this only made Krystal happier. Still something was wrong with Fox.

"I'm going to travel with Jon and Shane." Mia said. "It'd be nice if they had a human and fur in one to go along."

"And our first stop will be Zoness." Jon smiled at Katt. "Are you coming with us Falco?"

Did they really just invite Falco? He smiled but then looked at Fox and Krystal. "I'd love to go, but I've got too much here right now." He declined. "But I'll go to Zoness to see you one day Katt."

Shane was glad that things were looking up for a change, but sadly, all good things had to come to an end. "It's time for me to go." He announced after giving Krystal one last kiss on the cheek. "I'll come back sometime. You'll see."

Shane, Jon, and Mia all turned around and started to walk off. Shane turned back and said one last thing. "Oh, and Fox I want you to remember this. Behind every Foxes Eyes, lies a human." Then he was gone. Katt gave Falco a kiss before she too turned and started walking with them.

Once the four were out of sight, Falco went back to the hut with Pepper to help him set up. Krystal looked to Fox and when she did, Fox dropped her paw. "I'm sorry Krystal."

"Sorry for what?" She asked perplexed.

Fox said nothing; he only started to walk off.

_______________________________________________________________________

A/N: In case you couldn't tell, this part of the fic was altered once it got removed the first time. The first question, as to what Shane is going to do has been answered. But what about Fox? Fox still thinks that Krystal is madly in love with Shane. Oh, and I AM thinking of a sequel to this fic (It'll take place in Zoness of course) but I don't know about it yet. Anyway, R+R! The next chapter is that "special ending" I told you I'd have.