Star Fox and its characters do not belong to me. They belong to Nintendo. I only wrote this to entertain you. 'Nuff said.

In the beginning

By Jack Stryker

Fox tossed and turned in his bed. Despite how exhausted he was from his previous mission, he somehow just couldn't sleep. Finally, he opened his eyes and just lay down on his back. His son, Max McCloud, who was about to turn eight years old, was in a sleeping bag next to Fox's bed.

Fox and Krystal had fallen in love after their adventure on Dinosaur planet. Three months after they married, Krystal gave birth to Max. Max always looked up to his father. Whenever Fox went on a mission Max would always want to go with him, but his parents wouldn't allow it, because they didn't want him to be put in any danger. Finally, one day Fox decided to take Max with him if he promised to stay out of trouble. Max kept his promise and got along well with the rest of the team. The Great Fox was now headed back to Corneria.

Fox glanced at his son, who was now sitting up and wide-awake.

"You couldn't sleep either?" he asked.

Max shook his head.

"Don't get me wrong," he said, "I love this ship. It's just that I don't feel right having to sleep here."

"I know what you mean, Son." Fox said, "It's not the easiest place to sleep in."

Max nodded.

"Dad," he said, "Why do you do it?"

"Do what?" Fox asked.

"Why do you go on these missions? I hardly get to do anything with you. I want to spend more time with you. That's why I always wanted to come with you."

Fox grinned and stroked the fur on his son's head.

"I know." he said, "I wish I could spend some more time with you too, but there are planets that need saving and General Pepper pays us to do it. Part of that money helps me and your mother put food on the table and deal with our taxes. That's why I started this job and that's why I still do it."

Max grinned at his father. He was a great hero, not only for saving people who needed it, but for providing for his family as well.

"You want me to tell you a story?" Fox asked.

Max nodded excitedly. He always enjoyed Fox's stories. Fox had already told him about how he defeated Andross on Venom, how he saved Dinosaur planet and met Krystal, and how he and Krystal started falling in love.

"I want to know how you became the Star Fox team leader." said Max.

"Well, that's quite a story, Max." Fox said, sitting up, "It dates back to when I was about your age. Sit down and I'll tell you the story."

Max got up sat down on the bed next to Fox, who began his story.

Originally, the Star Fox team consisted of Peppy, Pigma Dengar, and your grandfather, James McCloud. They were the best pilots in the Cornerian airforce. Your grandfather was my hero and I looked up to him.

One day, I was sitting on the porch, in front of my house tossing a baseball in the air and catching it in a mitt. After a while I noticed a red car driving down the street. I ignored it at first, because a lot of cars came by my street, but this car stopped at the sidewalk in front of my house. I became very curious when I saw Peppy come out of the car and walk towards the house. It was that point when missed the ball and it started to roll down the hill. As I went after it, Peppy picked it up.

"Here you go." he said, tossing it to me.

I caught it.

"Thanks." I said.

"You're welcome. Is your dad here?"

No sooner than he asked, your grandfather came outside.

"Hey, Peppy!" he said.

"Hey, how's it going, Jim?"

"Fox, I'd like you to meet my best friend, Peppy Hare."

I was shocked. I couldn't believe that Peppy Hare was right there in our front yard. I'd heard a lot of things about him, but I didn't think I'd actually get to meet him in person. Peppy stayed for dinner that night and the two of them told me stories about some of the missions they had together before they both left for a movie. Before I met Peppy I had some doubts about military service, but now I'd made up my mind and decided that I would become I pilot like my father.

* * *

The next day was probably the most tragic day of my life and one that I'll never forget. My mother was coming to pick me up from school that day, but her car had broken down and was in the shop, so she had to take my father's car. Anyway, I was waiting for her at the usual spot talking with my two best friends: Bill Grey and Falco. I had just told them that I was going to train in the Cornerian airforce.

"You're really gonna do it?" asked Bill.

"Yep." I said, "I'm going to the academy as soon as I finish school."

"Well, I won't let anything happen to my best friend." said Falco, "I'm going too."

"Yeah. Count me in." said Bill.

A few seconds later, I saw my Mom pull up.

"That's my mom." I said, "I'll see you guys later."

As I neared the car, I noticed mom smiling and waving at me. I started to wave back and that's when the explosion happened. I don't know how I survived, but I remember hearing voices as I blacked out.

"Fox! Fox, are you alright?!"

"Help me get this off him!"

"Oh, my God! Somebody call 911!"

I gradually woke up a few hours later in a hospital bed. Several areas of my body were bandaged. I could hardly move a muscle without it hurting.

"Thank goodness you're awake." a voice next to me said.

I turned my head and there was Peppy.

"We were beginning to think you wouldn't survive." he said.

Before I could ponder what had happened to me, my father came into the room. After seeing me awake, he ran over to me and hugged me hard.

"Fox!" he said, "I'm so glad you're alright!"

"What happened?" I asked, "Where's Mom? Is she alright?"

Dad let me go, looked me in the eye, and said, "Son, I… I'm sorry to say this, but… somebody planted a bomb in my car intending to kill me. Your mother was wounded terribly in the explosion and there was no way to save her. I'm afraid she's… she's gone."

I couldn't believe what I had just heard. I immediately cried my eyes out.

Next chapter: Peppy takes over and tells Max about what happened during that fateful mission where James was killed. Coming soon.