A/N: OK, this chapter will be a major focus on Fox and his small gang, only
ten years in the future. Now that Vixy is dead, and Fox doesn't know,
things may change. Also, again, Fox we assume has forgotten about his
father's death. Or has he?
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 11-Perhaps a Prince Indeed
It had been ten years, and Fox was still living it up at the palace in Zoness. He hadn't grown out of calling Katt "mom" and he was still in that little world he was in ten years ago. He'd also gotten used to Katt's parents referring to him as "Arland" as well. He'd grown accustomed to Zoness, and declared it his new "official" home.
Fox was in the courtyard of the palace, taking a little walk. It would be time for him to visit Shane and Falco soon. Katt was probably going to be Queen soon, and she grew to like Fox much more than just a friend or a son. She grew to love him, and when she became Queen, she wanted Fox to be her King. Fox wasn't so sure however. It didn't feel right to him. Katt was too good of a friend, and should he become Katt's husband, it would probably screw up the perfect friendship they had.
Fox was older and wiser now. He also went out to visit Shane and Falco without the aid of Katt. Things had changed over the ten years. Fox suddenly got a bad vibe, and had a strange feeling that furs were suffering. He shunned the thought and looked at the position of the sun. It was noon and that meant that it was time for him to go and see Falco and Shane.
Fox walked back into the Palace and saw Katt exit her father's chambers. "How does the King do?" Fox asked. He had learned to be a little more formal, and knew how to better respect Katt's father.
"He doesn't look so good. The doctor says he has influenza." Katt said. "There seems to be no cure for it, and within time he'll die."
"I'm sure that your father will survive." Fox said. "He's a good man, and he'll stay strong."
Katt went up and hugged Fox. She knew that Fox knew what it was like to lose someone so close...so dear to you. After all, Fox had to leave everything behind him when he left for Zoness.
When the hug broke, Fox went to his room. Ever since Fox was thirteen, he had a room adjacent to Katt, rather than sharing a room. When Fox approached the dresser he stopped and had a quick thought. 'Something bad has happened.' He thought to himself but quickly dismissed it. 'It's not my problem.'
He opened a drawer and took out the Arwing dagger that he'd had since he was ten years old. It still had its nice golden blade and the ruby, sapphire and emerald were still in tact. The dagger still looked brand- new. It was also better that all the blood had gone. Fox found it better to keep the dagger with him at all times. Should Shane or Falco get into trouble, Fox could rescue them.
He unsheathed the six-inch long blade and took a moment to admire it. He admired the dagger everyday of his life.
"Everyday I find you here, looking at that dagger as if you'd never seen it before." Katt commented from behind. "Are you ever going back to Corneria?" Fox had grown accustomed to Katt asking that question everyday. Since the day Fox turned eighteen, Katt asked him everyday. It wasn't that he was overstaying his welcome; it was that Katt felt that he should be on the throne. Regardless of how much she wanted Fox to be her King.
"You ask me that question everyday, and everyday I give you the same answer. The day when someone gives me a good reason to go back, I'll go."
Katt never mentioned James to Fox. She thought that doing so would bring back terrible memories. But it seemed to her that Fox had forgotten about him. To Katt, that was sad. "Someday you'll go back Fox, when you do, I'll be going with you."
"What about being Queen here in Zoness?" Fox asked, obviously getting the wrong idea.
"I want to see Corneria for myself. I mean, who's in charge there anyway? The Queen can't possibly do everything herself!"
"My mom will be fine." Fox assured Katt. "She's a strong woman and I have no doubts that she has kept the kingdom in find condition."
Katt walked up to Fox and looked him deep in the eyes. "I've heard you in the night though." She confronted him. "You've been having nightmares. You really think something has happened to your mother. You think something worse has happened to Corneria. You scream everyday in your sleep 'Mother!' and then you stop."
It was true, Fox had been having nightmares. "I try not to think about it as much."
"Which is why you MUST go back to Corneria. You should really check up on your mom. You've been having these nightmares for almost a year now. Don't you think it's time you go back? If these nightmares are getting to you then you should go back and see what is happening in what is rightfully yours."
It wasn't the first time Katt had said that and every time she did, Fox thought more and more about going back. But he just couldn't face the fear of his father's death anymore. But he hadn't seen any of his friends in a long time. He began to wonder what became of Krystal and Slippy. Perhaps he SHOULD go back. Then he once more decided against it, "I'll go back when someone gives me a good reason too."
"Aren't your nightmares reason enough?" Katt retorted.
"No, I mean a REAL reason. A dream isn't always true."
"But they say dreams tell the future." Katt sighed. "I think it would be best if at some point in time you did go back and check up on your mom."
"In time." Fox replied. "Let's go see Falco and Shane now."
***
Shane was busy picking bananas off the trees in Zoness. Some were rotten and he tossed those away. He wanted only the best for Falco, Fox, Katt and him. Bananas were the only thing that grew on trees besides grapefruit and the occasional coconut, but they were rare.
Shane had crawled up the side of the tree and has a basket in tow. He grabbed a few bananas and whatever coconuts he could find before he slid down the tree and got to the ground. He moved onto the next tree and noticed some nice fresh bananas at the top. It always reminded Shane about how the food in Macbeth was never any good. He loved the natural stuff so much more than what was in the market. Sure it was natural, but they let it rot!
When Shane got to the top of this tree he noticed Falco was at the lake with...a vixen? "Someone else passed out in the desert?" Shane said aloud. It was then he decided that he probably had enough bananas and grapefruit. He quickly slid down the tree and scampered over to the lake.
***
Falco splashed a bit of water on the vixen but she was out cold. Shane soon walked up behind him with a basket full of whatever fruit he found. "It looks as if she hasn't had a bite to eat in days. Look at her, no wonder she passed out in the desert."
Falco noticed that he probably wasn't going to awaken her anytime soon, but at least she was breathing ok. Her stomach growled a bit and that was a sign that perhaps she really hadn't eaten in a while. "Where do you suppose she came from?" Shane ask setting the basket down.
"I'm not too sure, that's why we ask her when she wakes up." Falco answered. "She looks like she could use the rest anyway. She's a little pale and with the deep sleep she's in, I'd say she hasn't had much sleep either."
"She must've come from a real hellhole." Shane commented. "Worse than Macbeth."
"Maybe."
***
Fox made his way into the woods and made his way to the lake right away. They had plenty of food for Shane and Falco this time, including some meat for the two. But Fox was in shock once he got to the lake. "Who is this?"
"Someone found in the desert." Falco quickly said. "She'll be fine."
Fox looked at her more closely and realized that this wasn't just any vixen they found in the desert. This was actually Krystal. "How long ago did you find her?"
"I found her this morning. She looks as though she hasn't eaten for days. Judging from her deep sleep she hasn't slept real well either. Why do you ask? Do you know her?"
"Falco, this is Krystal. She's from Corneria. This is my best friend!" Fox stated. "I haven't seen her since I left."
Falco looked up at Fox. "Look where the time goes then? This would be a great time to catch up. Corneria must be under the worst rule then. Look at her Fox, she's so...weak."
Just then Krystal started to move. She moaned a little bit and slowly opened her eyes and sat up. The first thing she saw was the lake and it wouldn't hurt to have a refreshment. She took her paws and scooped up some water. Then she noticed Falco and took out her staff and extended it, "Who are you?"
"Whoa! I saved you." Falco quickly went to defend himself. "You passed out in the desert. If I hadn't come you'd have surely died." He held up his hands in defense in a sort of 'don't hurt me' type of way that all the "innocent" furs did when they were truly guilty. Krystal quickly retracted her staff. Falco looked pretty harmless.
Shane generously offered Krystal some food. Krystal didn't feel too hungry, but she hadn't had fresh food like this since the day James ruled Corneria. She took a banana that looked so fresh and colorful. In fact, the way that Zoness looked was so lively. She hadn't seen such bright colors in a long time. After all, the skies over Corneria were red and black mostly. Nothing grew in Corneria now. They had to be fortunate to even get rain.
"Who are you guys anyway?" She said to Shane and Falco. She hadn't yet laid eyes on Katt or Fox.
"I'm Shane and this is Falco." Shane introduced them. "But I think you'd like to meet those behind you too right?"
Krystal turned around and laid eyes on Katt and Fox. When she saw Fox she dropped her banana. "You look vaguely familiar."
"Well, I'm Katt and I guess you could say this is my son." She said pointing to Fox.
Fox looked at Krystal for a moment. "You're Krystal of Corneria. I haven't seen you in years."
Krystal looked surprised. "Haven't seen me in years? What are you talking about? Do I know you?"
"Krystal, it's me. Fox McCloud." Fox said and with that Krystal soon fainted again, unable to believe his words.
______________________________________________________________________
A/N: Yeah, I decided to stop there this time. Since I hadn't updated this fic in a while (I had been much more concerned with "Behind the Foxes Eyes") I decided that this chapter would be the perfect start. Anyway, let me know what you think. R+R!
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 11-Perhaps a Prince Indeed
It had been ten years, and Fox was still living it up at the palace in Zoness. He hadn't grown out of calling Katt "mom" and he was still in that little world he was in ten years ago. He'd also gotten used to Katt's parents referring to him as "Arland" as well. He'd grown accustomed to Zoness, and declared it his new "official" home.
Fox was in the courtyard of the palace, taking a little walk. It would be time for him to visit Shane and Falco soon. Katt was probably going to be Queen soon, and she grew to like Fox much more than just a friend or a son. She grew to love him, and when she became Queen, she wanted Fox to be her King. Fox wasn't so sure however. It didn't feel right to him. Katt was too good of a friend, and should he become Katt's husband, it would probably screw up the perfect friendship they had.
Fox was older and wiser now. He also went out to visit Shane and Falco without the aid of Katt. Things had changed over the ten years. Fox suddenly got a bad vibe, and had a strange feeling that furs were suffering. He shunned the thought and looked at the position of the sun. It was noon and that meant that it was time for him to go and see Falco and Shane.
Fox walked back into the Palace and saw Katt exit her father's chambers. "How does the King do?" Fox asked. He had learned to be a little more formal, and knew how to better respect Katt's father.
"He doesn't look so good. The doctor says he has influenza." Katt said. "There seems to be no cure for it, and within time he'll die."
"I'm sure that your father will survive." Fox said. "He's a good man, and he'll stay strong."
Katt went up and hugged Fox. She knew that Fox knew what it was like to lose someone so close...so dear to you. After all, Fox had to leave everything behind him when he left for Zoness.
When the hug broke, Fox went to his room. Ever since Fox was thirteen, he had a room adjacent to Katt, rather than sharing a room. When Fox approached the dresser he stopped and had a quick thought. 'Something bad has happened.' He thought to himself but quickly dismissed it. 'It's not my problem.'
He opened a drawer and took out the Arwing dagger that he'd had since he was ten years old. It still had its nice golden blade and the ruby, sapphire and emerald were still in tact. The dagger still looked brand- new. It was also better that all the blood had gone. Fox found it better to keep the dagger with him at all times. Should Shane or Falco get into trouble, Fox could rescue them.
He unsheathed the six-inch long blade and took a moment to admire it. He admired the dagger everyday of his life.
"Everyday I find you here, looking at that dagger as if you'd never seen it before." Katt commented from behind. "Are you ever going back to Corneria?" Fox had grown accustomed to Katt asking that question everyday. Since the day Fox turned eighteen, Katt asked him everyday. It wasn't that he was overstaying his welcome; it was that Katt felt that he should be on the throne. Regardless of how much she wanted Fox to be her King.
"You ask me that question everyday, and everyday I give you the same answer. The day when someone gives me a good reason to go back, I'll go."
Katt never mentioned James to Fox. She thought that doing so would bring back terrible memories. But it seemed to her that Fox had forgotten about him. To Katt, that was sad. "Someday you'll go back Fox, when you do, I'll be going with you."
"What about being Queen here in Zoness?" Fox asked, obviously getting the wrong idea.
"I want to see Corneria for myself. I mean, who's in charge there anyway? The Queen can't possibly do everything herself!"
"My mom will be fine." Fox assured Katt. "She's a strong woman and I have no doubts that she has kept the kingdom in find condition."
Katt walked up to Fox and looked him deep in the eyes. "I've heard you in the night though." She confronted him. "You've been having nightmares. You really think something has happened to your mother. You think something worse has happened to Corneria. You scream everyday in your sleep 'Mother!' and then you stop."
It was true, Fox had been having nightmares. "I try not to think about it as much."
"Which is why you MUST go back to Corneria. You should really check up on your mom. You've been having these nightmares for almost a year now. Don't you think it's time you go back? If these nightmares are getting to you then you should go back and see what is happening in what is rightfully yours."
It wasn't the first time Katt had said that and every time she did, Fox thought more and more about going back. But he just couldn't face the fear of his father's death anymore. But he hadn't seen any of his friends in a long time. He began to wonder what became of Krystal and Slippy. Perhaps he SHOULD go back. Then he once more decided against it, "I'll go back when someone gives me a good reason too."
"Aren't your nightmares reason enough?" Katt retorted.
"No, I mean a REAL reason. A dream isn't always true."
"But they say dreams tell the future." Katt sighed. "I think it would be best if at some point in time you did go back and check up on your mom."
"In time." Fox replied. "Let's go see Falco and Shane now."
***
Shane was busy picking bananas off the trees in Zoness. Some were rotten and he tossed those away. He wanted only the best for Falco, Fox, Katt and him. Bananas were the only thing that grew on trees besides grapefruit and the occasional coconut, but they were rare.
Shane had crawled up the side of the tree and has a basket in tow. He grabbed a few bananas and whatever coconuts he could find before he slid down the tree and got to the ground. He moved onto the next tree and noticed some nice fresh bananas at the top. It always reminded Shane about how the food in Macbeth was never any good. He loved the natural stuff so much more than what was in the market. Sure it was natural, but they let it rot!
When Shane got to the top of this tree he noticed Falco was at the lake with...a vixen? "Someone else passed out in the desert?" Shane said aloud. It was then he decided that he probably had enough bananas and grapefruit. He quickly slid down the tree and scampered over to the lake.
***
Falco splashed a bit of water on the vixen but she was out cold. Shane soon walked up behind him with a basket full of whatever fruit he found. "It looks as if she hasn't had a bite to eat in days. Look at her, no wonder she passed out in the desert."
Falco noticed that he probably wasn't going to awaken her anytime soon, but at least she was breathing ok. Her stomach growled a bit and that was a sign that perhaps she really hadn't eaten in a while. "Where do you suppose she came from?" Shane ask setting the basket down.
"I'm not too sure, that's why we ask her when she wakes up." Falco answered. "She looks like she could use the rest anyway. She's a little pale and with the deep sleep she's in, I'd say she hasn't had much sleep either."
"She must've come from a real hellhole." Shane commented. "Worse than Macbeth."
"Maybe."
***
Fox made his way into the woods and made his way to the lake right away. They had plenty of food for Shane and Falco this time, including some meat for the two. But Fox was in shock once he got to the lake. "Who is this?"
"Someone found in the desert." Falco quickly said. "She'll be fine."
Fox looked at her more closely and realized that this wasn't just any vixen they found in the desert. This was actually Krystal. "How long ago did you find her?"
"I found her this morning. She looks as though she hasn't eaten for days. Judging from her deep sleep she hasn't slept real well either. Why do you ask? Do you know her?"
"Falco, this is Krystal. She's from Corneria. This is my best friend!" Fox stated. "I haven't seen her since I left."
Falco looked up at Fox. "Look where the time goes then? This would be a great time to catch up. Corneria must be under the worst rule then. Look at her Fox, she's so...weak."
Just then Krystal started to move. She moaned a little bit and slowly opened her eyes and sat up. The first thing she saw was the lake and it wouldn't hurt to have a refreshment. She took her paws and scooped up some water. Then she noticed Falco and took out her staff and extended it, "Who are you?"
"Whoa! I saved you." Falco quickly went to defend himself. "You passed out in the desert. If I hadn't come you'd have surely died." He held up his hands in defense in a sort of 'don't hurt me' type of way that all the "innocent" furs did when they were truly guilty. Krystal quickly retracted her staff. Falco looked pretty harmless.
Shane generously offered Krystal some food. Krystal didn't feel too hungry, but she hadn't had fresh food like this since the day James ruled Corneria. She took a banana that looked so fresh and colorful. In fact, the way that Zoness looked was so lively. She hadn't seen such bright colors in a long time. After all, the skies over Corneria were red and black mostly. Nothing grew in Corneria now. They had to be fortunate to even get rain.
"Who are you guys anyway?" She said to Shane and Falco. She hadn't yet laid eyes on Katt or Fox.
"I'm Shane and this is Falco." Shane introduced them. "But I think you'd like to meet those behind you too right?"
Krystal turned around and laid eyes on Katt and Fox. When she saw Fox she dropped her banana. "You look vaguely familiar."
"Well, I'm Katt and I guess you could say this is my son." She said pointing to Fox.
Fox looked at Krystal for a moment. "You're Krystal of Corneria. I haven't seen you in years."
Krystal looked surprised. "Haven't seen me in years? What are you talking about? Do I know you?"
"Krystal, it's me. Fox McCloud." Fox said and with that Krystal soon fainted again, unable to believe his words.
______________________________________________________________________
A/N: Yeah, I decided to stop there this time. Since I hadn't updated this fic in a while (I had been much more concerned with "Behind the Foxes Eyes") I decided that this chapter would be the perfect start. Anyway, let me know what you think. R+R!