PART THREE: THE ASSULT OF THE S-C DEVICE VESSEL
Fox trundled up to the temple through the ebbing sea of lava surrounding its exterior. On the far side he caught a glimpse of his Blue Marine, resting on a pier next to the temple. Fox thought to himself, well, at least Ganondorf wasn't lying.
Fox entered the temple, its damp, harsh winds whipping his fur. He clutched his two hard-earned Spellstone prizes in his hands as he crept towards the entrance to the main chamber. As he entered this chamber, his fur stood on end in surprise. The place was enormous! Four giant beams of energy, being contained within four fraud Spellstones, shaking now that they had absorbed such power. And there, next to them, was Ganondorf, sitting with the two Fire Spellstones and looking a bit miffed.
"Thought you wouldn't make it, Fox..."
"I ran into some trouble. Come on, let's get this done. Now, remember, we'll have to replace them all at once, and quickly. If Andross sees any energy escape, he'll know what we're doing, and we'll be busted. So get yours into position. On my signal, we'll switch the stones."
Ganondorf did as Fox said, and they switched the stones. The real Spellstones had been replaced, foiling one part of Andross's plot!
"Now, we'll have to launch these fake stones into space, so their energy won't hurt anybody... but we'll need the Great Fox to do that. So, we'll get to wait it out."
So, Fox and Ganondorf just kind of sat down and waited. It was rather awkward. Eight years ago, Fox blasted Ganondorf off his ship to take the SSBM Championship from him. Only four DAYS ago, Fox blasted Ganondorf out of the sky again and almost took his life. And, yet... none of that was as bad as what Andross had made Ganondorf do. Use him as the brains of his operation, take all the credit, then try to kill him off. So, Fox couldn't help but feel sorry for the green figure sitting opposite him in that chamber. He never got any slack.
"So... erm..." Fox mumbled, making a lousy attempt at conversation, "You all ready to beat up the Alliance again?"
"As long as I take Link down again, I'll be happy with my accomplishments."
"Well, ehm..... that's nice....."
The Great Fox finally arrived to break up this idle chatter. It was the late evening of Day 4, on the verge of Day 5. In exactly two days from now, Andross would move to take over Lylat, and Fox would have to be there to stop him. Fox shuddered. That wasn't much time to prepare to attack his ship.
"Hey, Fox..."
Fox was still thinking about Andross when Ganondorf spoke up. "Yeah?"
"You know that attacking Andross will be like proving yourself guilty."
" 'Course. That's why I intend to get evidence of Andross's treachery."
"Very good, Fox. I see this isn't your first encounter with a genius. Anyway, while I was working WITH Andross, I prepared an extra set of blueprints of his machine, and stored them in my personal safe. Andross didn't know about it. It was where I kept my most important things. If you can get me there, I'll not only be able to get you the blueprints, but some weaponry for our team as well. You'll have to give me cover as I crack the safe, though."
"Thanks, Ganondorf! That shouldn't be a problem."
This was said just as the Great Fox beamed them up to the ship. So, as the waves of matter distorted his speech, it sounded more like, "Hank, Hanonho! At oul be prole."
When Fox got back up to the ship, he was relieved to see his entire re-assembled crew. Before he knew it, he was in Samus's embrace.
"Heard you needed some backup."
"It'd be handy. We're in a tight spot right now... wow, it's been awhile. How've you been?"
So, as Fox and Samus caught up, Ganondorf was busy explaining the interior of Andross's control ship.
"So, we're going to have to get through this passage," Ganondorf pointed out on his 3-D holographic projection. "Once we're in here, I'll have to crack a safe. Then, stand by, as I'll be getting each of you your upgraded blaster. I'll also grab my just-in-case C-4 bomb, sos that we'll be able to destroy the weapon. Once we've done that, we'll be picked up from the ship here. Any questions?"
The crew just sat there, slightly confused as to how the heck Ganondorf knew all this. Fox, who was sitting nearby with Samus, chuckled to himself.
The Great Fox slowly drifted to where Ganondorf said Andross's device would be hidden. While that happened, the entire Star Fox team prepared themselves for combat. Everyone was armed with a basic blaster, with the obvious exception of Samus, who had a canon of her own. Everyone else could be found training and perfecting their skills.
Finally, the S-C Device Vessel came into view. Everyone crowded around the ship's portal for a look. It was monsterous! Like a massive floating giant, the ship floated closer and closer, as Ganondorf explained that this S-C Device (or, System Control Device) had a main control room, where the C-4 bomb would be planted to destroy the ship. The entire mission was mapped out with expert precision. Even Andross wouldn't have expected it. Problem was...
"The ship is empty!"
"WHAAT?!?"
"Our scanners aren't picking up any signs of life within that craft. Either they've evacuated it, or somebody beat us to it..."
"Andross didn't mention this to me, ever..." Ganondorf looked as confused as the rest of the team.
The Great Fox linked to the craft using Space Tubing. The enitre Star Fox team boarded, equipped with weaponry and all.
"Where IS everybody?"
"Oh, the irony... we came here expecting Andross, the highest of importance of evil. Now, there isn't even a tiny shread of evil anywhere in here!"
"I'm not so sure about that, Ganondorf. Everyone, stay close. I smell a rat."
Sure enough, a cloak in front of Fox shimmered and disappeared, revealing Mario.
"Yup, I was sure I smelled a rat."
"A-shut up, a-looserss! You-a shall now a-face the wrath of-a Andross!!! A-ATAAAACK!!!"
Suddenly, the entire Alliance uncloaked and charged at Team Star Fox! It was the 8-year ago fight all over again. Extreme chaos. Fox and Ganondorf were just able to squeeze out of the massive melee. Fox caught glimpses of the Ice Climbers hanging onto Bowser, who ran around dousing flames on Yoshi. Roy was duelling Young Link, sword - to - sword, and Jigglypuff was jumping up and down on Ness, whos yo-yo was wrapped around Pikachu's neck. Fox and Ganondorf raced down the passage, Ganondorf morphing to Ganon as they ran. They finally reached the storage room where the safe was.
"Well? What are you waiting for?? Crack it!!"
CRAAACK.
Forget locks. Ganon sliced the top 1/3 of the safe off.
"BE CAREFUL!!! THERE'S A FRIGGIN C-4 BOMB IN THERE!!!!!"
"Sorry... I kinda get over-violent when I'm in Ganon morph... oh! Here's the firearms!"
Ganon stepped back as a small pile of upgraded firearms, a C-4 bomb, and a package of paper tumbled out of the safe. The bomb looked like it had been broken off from something... Fox quickly shook that off. He needed the team to come pick up the firearms! Swiping up the Blueprints Ganon had passed him and pocketing them, he screamed down the passage, "TEAM STAR FOX! TO THE SAFE! TO THE SAAAFE!"
Fox soon heard the sound of clattering feet, paws, and high heels down the passage. One by one, the members of his team popped into the room. They finally sealed off the door. As of now, the plan was working properly. Each team member chucked away their basic blaster and grabbed an upgraded one. Ganon took charge of the situation.
"Right. Bowser? Let's take this wall down."
CRASHBATTERWHAM.
The entire wall broke through to reveal the main chamber! Ganon immediately morphed back to Ganondorf to set the bomb (YOU try setting a C-4 bomb with those fingers). The others worked at barricading all three entrances to the place, including the one they "made". Finally, the bomb was set into place, just as the Great Fox's space tubing penotrated the window, sealing off the gap to space. There was now a safe passage to the Great Fox through the tubing! They had to hurry, though, as that bomb's timer was only at 5:00!
"Let's go, team."
"Can't let you do that, Star Fox!"
"Andross has ordered us to take you down."
"Peppy! Long time, no see!"
"Andross's enemy is MY enemy!"
"No, not... STAR WOLF!"
The entire Star Wolf team was de-cloaking, right in front of the Space Tube! One by one, they climbed up into the Great Fox. Team Star Fox tried to stop them, but he was too late, as the Space Tube retracted, leaving them stranded on the ship!
Fox desperately glanced around. "SAMUS!!!"
"What?!"
"You have to activate your Foto-Suit! Use it to get to the Great Fox! You have to re-activate the Space Tube! FAAAST!"
Without a second thought, Samus plunged herself through the airlock and into the open space. Her suit couldn't take it too long. She had to get to the ship as quickly as she could.
Suddenly...
TSEWWW! TSEWWW!
Bolts blasted past Samus! She glanced over her shoulder to see Marth and Roy activating space blasters to take her out! As she watched, Fox, Pikachu, and Young Link appeared there to break it up. Samus continued on, whilst glancing at her HUD. There was 2:30 until the bomb went off.
She finally reached the airlock to the Great Fox. She drifted in to see... total mayhem. The lounge area was completely trashed. The Star Wolf team was chuckling merrily over the limp bodies of Slippy and Peppy! Had they KILLED them, or just knocked them out?!? Samus tried not to think about death, and snuck over to the space-tubing unit.
Like a silent, white snake drifting through space, the tube re-attached to the S-C Device Vessel. The Star Fox team quickly retreated, as the bomb's timer wound down to 30 seconds! They didn't have time to retract the tubing, so they just cut it off as they flew away. As for Star Wolf, well, do YOU think they'd have a chance against TWELVE opponents??? They realised what had happened too late, and were apprehended by the Star Fox Team easily.
Ganondorf activated an on-ship computer. A visual flashed on-screen of the S-C Device Control Vessel.
"Three."
"Two."
"One."
BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMM.
The entire ship was immediately engulfed in flames. The bomb had been placed perfectly, and the Device was 100% unoperational.
"He-ey!" Peach spoke up. "Did the Alliance get away? Or were they blown up?"
Fox glanced to the rear-ship visual to see an escape vessel fly away from the wreck.
"FOLLOW THAT SHIP!" Fox commanded.
And so, their quest to defeat Andross once and for all, REALLY got underway.
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They followed the ship for half a day. During that time, there was nothing much to do, except watch the poor, helpless Alliance make their way towards safety, which was undoubtedly provided by Andross himself. They flew a long ways back, and had Slippy's newly-designed cloaking system to cloak the Great Fox. (Oh, Slippy and Peppy were NOT dead, as it turns out.) So, for that time, once again, there was much training going on, to prepare Team Star Fox for their combat. Undoubtedly, Andross would have them fight hand-to-hand again, but Star Fox had no problem with that, himself. They were victorious last time, anyway. HOW hard could it possibly be? Anyway, Ganondorf could be found training with Mewtwo:
"Okay, Ganondorf. Send a projectile attack at me so I can practice my confusion."
"I don't HAVE a projectile attac... waiiit. I've got it..."
Ganondorf headed over to Slippy's mechanics corner, and picked up a wrench. Throwing it straight up, he Warlock-Punched it towards Mewtwo.
Bwazooo!
Mewtwo reflected it right back. It nailed Ganondorf in the stomach, and he tumbled back and slumped against the wall...
Meanwhile, Dr. Mario was pitted against Luigi in a practice-battle. Luigi sent a few fireballs at Doc, who countered with a few pills. Then, Luigi tried a Green Missile, which was turned around by the Doc's cape. Luigi reversed and hit Ganondorf, who was still slumped against the wall.
"OOOOOOOOOOOF!"
Ganondorf rolled across the floor in pain. Luigi kept apologising, failing to realize that his Missile had caught Ganondorf's chest on fire. He rolled around to try and put it out...
Meanwhile, Bowser was practice-battling with Pikachu. Pika tried an electric shock, but missed. He then tried a Skull Bash, but fell short, and landed at Bowser's feet. Bowser got that gleem in his eye, and started to fall forwards into the Body Press! Pika just rolled out of the way, but Ganondorf, who was still rolling around to put out the fire, rolled underneeth Bowser by mistake...
POOOUUUUF.
Ganondorf was a pancake. He slowly waddled to the First-Aid sector, while Fox quipped the comment, "I've heard you throw something on a fire to put it out, but something that big? Not too necesarry."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
After hours of strenuous training for Team Star Fox, and strenuous recovery for Ganondorf, they finally watched as the escape vessel disappeared into a cloaked ship. The air tensed. The ball was in Andross's court. He could either start a Ship VS. Ship duel, which would probably fail for him. He could try to deploy his Alliance members, but they were week. Or, he could just run away, and since he had a cloak, he'd probably get away with the money. The most likely option for him was #3, as he could just escape with the loot and not have to face the Cornerian Ministry of Defence... suddenly, Fox's mouth gaped open.
"What is it, McCloud?"
Fox stood there for about three seconds, turned, and pinned Ganondorf to the ground.
"You TRAITOR! You lying, skinky, skanky, SKANK! Just how STUPID do you think we are?!?"
"Fox!! What are you doing?!?" Peppy and Slippy had run up. The four of them were piloting the Great Fox at the time.
"We need to blow up the ship, and get firearms for everyone. So, all of a sudden, there's just enough firearms for everyone in this guy's safe, PLUS a C-4 bomb just lying around in there? I can understand his Blueprints being kept there, but doesn't the rest seem a little... SUSPICIOUS to you two?"
"Well... that's true, but he may have planned his escape beforehand. That's not enough proof."
"The bomb we used had been broken off from something! From a BIGGER bomb, perhaps?! Is there something that you're... neglecting to TELL us, Ganondorf??"
"Of COURSE not!...OW... (Fox was gripping Ganondorf's hair, and it looked like it was going to rip right off) I planned my escape before I left, he's right. I got that bomb from a double-basement floored side-chamber that was labelled, 'Beware the Leopard'. And yes, it DID look like it was part of a bigger bomb at one point but... OW... I was never TOLD about anything!! I never thought that up!"
Fox got off Ganondorf, who got to his feet, shaking.
"Well, this must be some of that Andross spice added to your own plan. He always WAS a step ahead... if that bomb is planted where I think it is, at the core of Dinosaur Planet, then when it blows, the Spellstones won't be able to contain the energy! They'll be destroyed, along with the planet itself! Well, we'll just need to get one step ahead of him in turn. We'll deploy a fleet of Arwings with choice individuals to get back to the planet, to... reinforce our plan of attack. The rest will keep watch on Andross's ship. With Slippy's new cloak de-activator, we'll be able to locate them on radar without their knowing. If they run, we'll have their position. Once the Arwings get back, we'll connect the ships with space tubing, and attack Andross head-on. Oh, and by the way, sorry, Ganondorf," Fox said, while pushing a button behind him.
Ganondorf just grumbled, "No prob," while massaging his hair.
"As for who's going, I'll have to, since I'm the one that knows what to do. I'll have Samus, Slippy, and Bowser come with me. Samus has flight and combat experience. Slippy has the mechanical knowledge I'll need, and Bowser can act as Slippy's bodyguard. Plus, they all know how to operate Arwings. (Bowser had learned during my first storyline.) Ganondorf, you're in charge while I'm gone, okay? Don't let Andross get away."
"Sure thing, Fox."
For Fox, this was a perfect oppertunity to test Ganondorf's loyalty. Ganondorf COULD let Andross escape, but Fox had attached a Tracking Device, also invented by Slippy, to Andross's ship when he pushed that button. Either way, he'd know where Andross was, and where Ganondorf's loyalties lay.
Either way, Fox was heading out for the last leg of his long journey, to finally end Andross's plan. Since it was already the morning of day 6, with less than a day to go, he didn't have much time to dwadle...
Fox trundled up to the temple through the ebbing sea of lava surrounding its exterior. On the far side he caught a glimpse of his Blue Marine, resting on a pier next to the temple. Fox thought to himself, well, at least Ganondorf wasn't lying.
Fox entered the temple, its damp, harsh winds whipping his fur. He clutched his two hard-earned Spellstone prizes in his hands as he crept towards the entrance to the main chamber. As he entered this chamber, his fur stood on end in surprise. The place was enormous! Four giant beams of energy, being contained within four fraud Spellstones, shaking now that they had absorbed such power. And there, next to them, was Ganondorf, sitting with the two Fire Spellstones and looking a bit miffed.
"Thought you wouldn't make it, Fox..."
"I ran into some trouble. Come on, let's get this done. Now, remember, we'll have to replace them all at once, and quickly. If Andross sees any energy escape, he'll know what we're doing, and we'll be busted. So get yours into position. On my signal, we'll switch the stones."
Ganondorf did as Fox said, and they switched the stones. The real Spellstones had been replaced, foiling one part of Andross's plot!
"Now, we'll have to launch these fake stones into space, so their energy won't hurt anybody... but we'll need the Great Fox to do that. So, we'll get to wait it out."
So, Fox and Ganondorf just kind of sat down and waited. It was rather awkward. Eight years ago, Fox blasted Ganondorf off his ship to take the SSBM Championship from him. Only four DAYS ago, Fox blasted Ganondorf out of the sky again and almost took his life. And, yet... none of that was as bad as what Andross had made Ganondorf do. Use him as the brains of his operation, take all the credit, then try to kill him off. So, Fox couldn't help but feel sorry for the green figure sitting opposite him in that chamber. He never got any slack.
"So... erm..." Fox mumbled, making a lousy attempt at conversation, "You all ready to beat up the Alliance again?"
"As long as I take Link down again, I'll be happy with my accomplishments."
"Well, ehm..... that's nice....."
The Great Fox finally arrived to break up this idle chatter. It was the late evening of Day 4, on the verge of Day 5. In exactly two days from now, Andross would move to take over Lylat, and Fox would have to be there to stop him. Fox shuddered. That wasn't much time to prepare to attack his ship.
"Hey, Fox..."
Fox was still thinking about Andross when Ganondorf spoke up. "Yeah?"
"You know that attacking Andross will be like proving yourself guilty."
" 'Course. That's why I intend to get evidence of Andross's treachery."
"Very good, Fox. I see this isn't your first encounter with a genius. Anyway, while I was working WITH Andross, I prepared an extra set of blueprints of his machine, and stored them in my personal safe. Andross didn't know about it. It was where I kept my most important things. If you can get me there, I'll not only be able to get you the blueprints, but some weaponry for our team as well. You'll have to give me cover as I crack the safe, though."
"Thanks, Ganondorf! That shouldn't be a problem."
This was said just as the Great Fox beamed them up to the ship. So, as the waves of matter distorted his speech, it sounded more like, "Hank, Hanonho! At oul be prole."
When Fox got back up to the ship, he was relieved to see his entire re-assembled crew. Before he knew it, he was in Samus's embrace.
"Heard you needed some backup."
"It'd be handy. We're in a tight spot right now... wow, it's been awhile. How've you been?"
So, as Fox and Samus caught up, Ganondorf was busy explaining the interior of Andross's control ship.
"So, we're going to have to get through this passage," Ganondorf pointed out on his 3-D holographic projection. "Once we're in here, I'll have to crack a safe. Then, stand by, as I'll be getting each of you your upgraded blaster. I'll also grab my just-in-case C-4 bomb, sos that we'll be able to destroy the weapon. Once we've done that, we'll be picked up from the ship here. Any questions?"
The crew just sat there, slightly confused as to how the heck Ganondorf knew all this. Fox, who was sitting nearby with Samus, chuckled to himself.
The Great Fox slowly drifted to where Ganondorf said Andross's device would be hidden. While that happened, the entire Star Fox team prepared themselves for combat. Everyone was armed with a basic blaster, with the obvious exception of Samus, who had a canon of her own. Everyone else could be found training and perfecting their skills.
Finally, the S-C Device Vessel came into view. Everyone crowded around the ship's portal for a look. It was monsterous! Like a massive floating giant, the ship floated closer and closer, as Ganondorf explained that this S-C Device (or, System Control Device) had a main control room, where the C-4 bomb would be planted to destroy the ship. The entire mission was mapped out with expert precision. Even Andross wouldn't have expected it. Problem was...
"The ship is empty!"
"WHAAT?!?"
"Our scanners aren't picking up any signs of life within that craft. Either they've evacuated it, or somebody beat us to it..."
"Andross didn't mention this to me, ever..." Ganondorf looked as confused as the rest of the team.
The Great Fox linked to the craft using Space Tubing. The enitre Star Fox team boarded, equipped with weaponry and all.
"Where IS everybody?"
"Oh, the irony... we came here expecting Andross, the highest of importance of evil. Now, there isn't even a tiny shread of evil anywhere in here!"
"I'm not so sure about that, Ganondorf. Everyone, stay close. I smell a rat."
Sure enough, a cloak in front of Fox shimmered and disappeared, revealing Mario.
"Yup, I was sure I smelled a rat."
"A-shut up, a-looserss! You-a shall now a-face the wrath of-a Andross!!! A-ATAAAACK!!!"
Suddenly, the entire Alliance uncloaked and charged at Team Star Fox! It was the 8-year ago fight all over again. Extreme chaos. Fox and Ganondorf were just able to squeeze out of the massive melee. Fox caught glimpses of the Ice Climbers hanging onto Bowser, who ran around dousing flames on Yoshi. Roy was duelling Young Link, sword - to - sword, and Jigglypuff was jumping up and down on Ness, whos yo-yo was wrapped around Pikachu's neck. Fox and Ganondorf raced down the passage, Ganondorf morphing to Ganon as they ran. They finally reached the storage room where the safe was.
"Well? What are you waiting for?? Crack it!!"
CRAAACK.
Forget locks. Ganon sliced the top 1/3 of the safe off.
"BE CAREFUL!!! THERE'S A FRIGGIN C-4 BOMB IN THERE!!!!!"
"Sorry... I kinda get over-violent when I'm in Ganon morph... oh! Here's the firearms!"
Ganon stepped back as a small pile of upgraded firearms, a C-4 bomb, and a package of paper tumbled out of the safe. The bomb looked like it had been broken off from something... Fox quickly shook that off. He needed the team to come pick up the firearms! Swiping up the Blueprints Ganon had passed him and pocketing them, he screamed down the passage, "TEAM STAR FOX! TO THE SAFE! TO THE SAAAFE!"
Fox soon heard the sound of clattering feet, paws, and high heels down the passage. One by one, the members of his team popped into the room. They finally sealed off the door. As of now, the plan was working properly. Each team member chucked away their basic blaster and grabbed an upgraded one. Ganon took charge of the situation.
"Right. Bowser? Let's take this wall down."
CRASHBATTERWHAM.
The entire wall broke through to reveal the main chamber! Ganon immediately morphed back to Ganondorf to set the bomb (YOU try setting a C-4 bomb with those fingers). The others worked at barricading all three entrances to the place, including the one they "made". Finally, the bomb was set into place, just as the Great Fox's space tubing penotrated the window, sealing off the gap to space. There was now a safe passage to the Great Fox through the tubing! They had to hurry, though, as that bomb's timer was only at 5:00!
"Let's go, team."
"Can't let you do that, Star Fox!"
"Andross has ordered us to take you down."
"Peppy! Long time, no see!"
"Andross's enemy is MY enemy!"
"No, not... STAR WOLF!"
The entire Star Wolf team was de-cloaking, right in front of the Space Tube! One by one, they climbed up into the Great Fox. Team Star Fox tried to stop them, but he was too late, as the Space Tube retracted, leaving them stranded on the ship!
Fox desperately glanced around. "SAMUS!!!"
"What?!"
"You have to activate your Foto-Suit! Use it to get to the Great Fox! You have to re-activate the Space Tube! FAAAST!"
Without a second thought, Samus plunged herself through the airlock and into the open space. Her suit couldn't take it too long. She had to get to the ship as quickly as she could.
Suddenly...
TSEWWW! TSEWWW!
Bolts blasted past Samus! She glanced over her shoulder to see Marth and Roy activating space blasters to take her out! As she watched, Fox, Pikachu, and Young Link appeared there to break it up. Samus continued on, whilst glancing at her HUD. There was 2:30 until the bomb went off.
She finally reached the airlock to the Great Fox. She drifted in to see... total mayhem. The lounge area was completely trashed. The Star Wolf team was chuckling merrily over the limp bodies of Slippy and Peppy! Had they KILLED them, or just knocked them out?!? Samus tried not to think about death, and snuck over to the space-tubing unit.
Like a silent, white snake drifting through space, the tube re-attached to the S-C Device Vessel. The Star Fox team quickly retreated, as the bomb's timer wound down to 30 seconds! They didn't have time to retract the tubing, so they just cut it off as they flew away. As for Star Wolf, well, do YOU think they'd have a chance against TWELVE opponents??? They realised what had happened too late, and were apprehended by the Star Fox Team easily.
Ganondorf activated an on-ship computer. A visual flashed on-screen of the S-C Device Control Vessel.
"Three."
"Two."
"One."
BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMM.
The entire ship was immediately engulfed in flames. The bomb had been placed perfectly, and the Device was 100% unoperational.
"He-ey!" Peach spoke up. "Did the Alliance get away? Or were they blown up?"
Fox glanced to the rear-ship visual to see an escape vessel fly away from the wreck.
"FOLLOW THAT SHIP!" Fox commanded.
And so, their quest to defeat Andross once and for all, REALLY got underway.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
They followed the ship for half a day. During that time, there was nothing much to do, except watch the poor, helpless Alliance make their way towards safety, which was undoubtedly provided by Andross himself. They flew a long ways back, and had Slippy's newly-designed cloaking system to cloak the Great Fox. (Oh, Slippy and Peppy were NOT dead, as it turns out.) So, for that time, once again, there was much training going on, to prepare Team Star Fox for their combat. Undoubtedly, Andross would have them fight hand-to-hand again, but Star Fox had no problem with that, himself. They were victorious last time, anyway. HOW hard could it possibly be? Anyway, Ganondorf could be found training with Mewtwo:
"Okay, Ganondorf. Send a projectile attack at me so I can practice my confusion."
"I don't HAVE a projectile attac... waiiit. I've got it..."
Ganondorf headed over to Slippy's mechanics corner, and picked up a wrench. Throwing it straight up, he Warlock-Punched it towards Mewtwo.
Bwazooo!
Mewtwo reflected it right back. It nailed Ganondorf in the stomach, and he tumbled back and slumped against the wall...
Meanwhile, Dr. Mario was pitted against Luigi in a practice-battle. Luigi sent a few fireballs at Doc, who countered with a few pills. Then, Luigi tried a Green Missile, which was turned around by the Doc's cape. Luigi reversed and hit Ganondorf, who was still slumped against the wall.
"OOOOOOOOOOOF!"
Ganondorf rolled across the floor in pain. Luigi kept apologising, failing to realize that his Missile had caught Ganondorf's chest on fire. He rolled around to try and put it out...
Meanwhile, Bowser was practice-battling with Pikachu. Pika tried an electric shock, but missed. He then tried a Skull Bash, but fell short, and landed at Bowser's feet. Bowser got that gleem in his eye, and started to fall forwards into the Body Press! Pika just rolled out of the way, but Ganondorf, who was still rolling around to put out the fire, rolled underneeth Bowser by mistake...
POOOUUUUF.
Ganondorf was a pancake. He slowly waddled to the First-Aid sector, while Fox quipped the comment, "I've heard you throw something on a fire to put it out, but something that big? Not too necesarry."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
After hours of strenuous training for Team Star Fox, and strenuous recovery for Ganondorf, they finally watched as the escape vessel disappeared into a cloaked ship. The air tensed. The ball was in Andross's court. He could either start a Ship VS. Ship duel, which would probably fail for him. He could try to deploy his Alliance members, but they were week. Or, he could just run away, and since he had a cloak, he'd probably get away with the money. The most likely option for him was #3, as he could just escape with the loot and not have to face the Cornerian Ministry of Defence... suddenly, Fox's mouth gaped open.
"What is it, McCloud?"
Fox stood there for about three seconds, turned, and pinned Ganondorf to the ground.
"You TRAITOR! You lying, skinky, skanky, SKANK! Just how STUPID do you think we are?!?"
"Fox!! What are you doing?!?" Peppy and Slippy had run up. The four of them were piloting the Great Fox at the time.
"We need to blow up the ship, and get firearms for everyone. So, all of a sudden, there's just enough firearms for everyone in this guy's safe, PLUS a C-4 bomb just lying around in there? I can understand his Blueprints being kept there, but doesn't the rest seem a little... SUSPICIOUS to you two?"
"Well... that's true, but he may have planned his escape beforehand. That's not enough proof."
"The bomb we used had been broken off from something! From a BIGGER bomb, perhaps?! Is there something that you're... neglecting to TELL us, Ganondorf??"
"Of COURSE not!...OW... (Fox was gripping Ganondorf's hair, and it looked like it was going to rip right off) I planned my escape before I left, he's right. I got that bomb from a double-basement floored side-chamber that was labelled, 'Beware the Leopard'. And yes, it DID look like it was part of a bigger bomb at one point but... OW... I was never TOLD about anything!! I never thought that up!"
Fox got off Ganondorf, who got to his feet, shaking.
"Well, this must be some of that Andross spice added to your own plan. He always WAS a step ahead... if that bomb is planted where I think it is, at the core of Dinosaur Planet, then when it blows, the Spellstones won't be able to contain the energy! They'll be destroyed, along with the planet itself! Well, we'll just need to get one step ahead of him in turn. We'll deploy a fleet of Arwings with choice individuals to get back to the planet, to... reinforce our plan of attack. The rest will keep watch on Andross's ship. With Slippy's new cloak de-activator, we'll be able to locate them on radar without their knowing. If they run, we'll have their position. Once the Arwings get back, we'll connect the ships with space tubing, and attack Andross head-on. Oh, and by the way, sorry, Ganondorf," Fox said, while pushing a button behind him.
Ganondorf just grumbled, "No prob," while massaging his hair.
"As for who's going, I'll have to, since I'm the one that knows what to do. I'll have Samus, Slippy, and Bowser come with me. Samus has flight and combat experience. Slippy has the mechanical knowledge I'll need, and Bowser can act as Slippy's bodyguard. Plus, they all know how to operate Arwings. (Bowser had learned during my first storyline.) Ganondorf, you're in charge while I'm gone, okay? Don't let Andross get away."
"Sure thing, Fox."
For Fox, this was a perfect oppertunity to test Ganondorf's loyalty. Ganondorf COULD let Andross escape, but Fox had attached a Tracking Device, also invented by Slippy, to Andross's ship when he pushed that button. Either way, he'd know where Andross was, and where Ganondorf's loyalties lay.
Either way, Fox was heading out for the last leg of his long journey, to finally end Andross's plan. Since it was already the morning of day 6, with less than a day to go, he didn't have much time to dwadle...