Corneria, three years after LW: Explosions went off everywhere as fighters from both the Venomian Air Force and the Cornerian Defense Force went at it above the major cities. Explosions tore through buildings, the streets, and various other objects. Down on the ground Fox and the spies walked through the streets as explosions went off all around them.
"Oh boy this is one hell of a fight!" said Fox excited as more fighters roared by overhead. "I haven't been seen a fight like this since the Lylat Wars."
"Yeah, a blessed four years ago," said Mike. Fox's eyes went wide-open when he heard Mike say that.
"What?" asked Evlyn.
"Nothing, I just forgot it was that long ago. It seems like longer," said Fox nonchalantly as down the street the top five levels were blown off a high rise and plummeted to the ground.
"Is this really safe?" asked another team member. Fox shrugged.
"Beats me. But according to the data you've already pulled we know at least what building is going to blow up when and then there's nothing better than an eye witness account of the events," said Fox as yet another massive explosion went off. All around them military personnel and civilians were scrambling all over the place.
"They're not very organized are they?" Fox asked. Mike shook his head.
"No they're not," he admitted. "Fools think that by not preparing for war it won't come. Misguided fools. Of course so are we for attempting this stunt now. Is it wise to put up cameras and other recording devices during a battle, it would be easier to put them up during the cleanup effort."
"Yours is not to wonder why—yours is but to follow my instructions and eat pie in the sky," said Fox as they approached a lamppost.
"What?" Evlyn asked as the group clustered around the post. Fox shrugged.
"Andross said it when I questioned his orders about my latest mission. I never really understood it until now," said Fox in a distant state. He quickly shook his head and snapped out of his reverie. "Just put up the camera."
The team nodded and propped up a stepladder against the lamppost and two members scrambled up it as a fighter with flames sprouting out of it flew down the alleyway and crashed near the end of it. Screams were heard, as the pilot was being burned alive as they tried to escape their craft. Fox just shook his head before returning his attention to the crew.
"We're done," said a member of the team and they scrambled down the ladder. The ladder was then closed and the team began walking off.
"What about the pilot?" Mike asked pointing to the wreckage behind them. Fox shrugged.
"It's not our battle so it's not our concern," he said simply. "Remember, after all, that we're only here to observe not to interact. That pilot in all likelihood died during the attack before we came into this existence so we have no right to change things."
"Yeah I guess you're right," said Mike nodding. "So where's our next stop?"
Costal City, five years prior to LW: Andross had just returned from his reality after being patched up and was currently in a giant warehouse housing the dimensional teleporter. Inside were several racks of weapons, supplies, vehicles, and other devices. In the center of the room was the Scorpion Class Attack Craft. At the end of the warehouse, Andross stood face to face with Dan.
"Greetings Mr. Owen thank you for rustling up these supplies on such short notice," said Andross. Dan shrugged.
"You pay well let's just say that," said Dan. Andross nodded.
"So what're your plans for the next month?" he asked nonchalantly. Dan shrugged.
"I figure since I'm here I'll spend the next month or so in Coastal City, I'm do for a vacation anyway. Starting up a new business venture is hard work," said Dan. Andross nodded again.
"I hear that. Anyway, confidentiality ensured, you never met me," said the Emperor. Dan nodded and left leaving several large crates of supplies behind.
"Alright, you get to your work and I'll get to mine," said Andross. The team nodded and boarded a city maintenance vehicle and peeled off out of the warehouse as Andross pried open the crates and began taking out the supplies he'd need to fix his craft.
Eight years in the future: The victorious forces of the CDF flew over the damaged Corneria City. Fox and the team member stood among a large crowd as they cheered the heroes of the war. Fox just shook his head in disgust.
"Why are they partying? These town isn't going to fix itself," said Fox.
"They're fools. Plus they have no idea Mantia is coming," said Mike. "I'm glad we don't do things like this back home."
As the procession continued, Bill Grey and Katt Monroe walked down the street amidst all of the confetti.
"Never that I'd see a sight like that," Fox laughed. "The traitor and the hero all in one shot."
"You think that's a shock, here you come," said Evlyn. Fox jerked his head to the right and watched as the newly liberated Star Fox team rode down the street in a hovercar.
"What do you think of yourself?" asked Mike laughing. Fox shook his head.
"I don't know what to think. At the moment I think he's a pompous ass but in the future who knows?" asked Fox. Mike nodded and the team turned to leave.
"So how long before Mantia shows up?" Fox asked.
"Three days. We're going to bug out right before then though," said Mike.
"Why?" Fox asked as they reached an apartment complex with burn marks across it.
"You think Corneria City is damaged now, when Mantia arrives he's going to level it to the ground. Then the capital is going to be moved to Coastal City and Corneria City will become a gigantic slum," said Mike. Fox shook his head.
"These fools sure took their freedom and squandered it," said Fox. Mike nodded.
"Sometimes freedom means the freedom to do nothing," he responded. They entered into the complex and up to their room and all sat around taking out various videotapes and cassette tapes out of various devices and replacing them with new ones.
"So what's your impression of this reality so far?" asked Mike tossing Fox a drink. Fox just shook his head in confusion.
"I see what could be a great potential for these people. With their freedom they could very well accomplish great things there's no doubt about it. But they've squandered their opportunities. We have less freedom then they do yet here we are more advanced then them. The question is, what does that say about us…or them?" Fox asked. Mike nodded.
"All the same though, I like our reality better," he said. Fox nodded.
"Yeah me too," said Fox.
The past: "What do you mean you won't tell me?" Vicki demanded.
"For the last time, Andross' location is classified," said the boss of Pacific Pharmaceuticals.
"Is he in Coastal City?" Vicki asked.
"If I say no will you go away?" the director asked.
"Yes,"
"He isn't. Nor is he here. Why do you care?" asked the director.
"Because according to my research he's ordered a lot of genetic material and I want to know why," Vicki responded.
"This conversation is over," said the director and with that the phone went dead. Vicki leaned back and sighed. It had been three weeks since she'd seen Andross on that news broadcast and she'd been doing research into him. It had been tough work, but so far she'd discovered he'd ordered a lot of fissionable products and genetic material to some secret lab.
"There's no doubt it," she thought. "He's making clones of himself."
Vicki quickly began pouring over the information again when air raid sirens went off all around her.
The warehouse: "It's started. Good luck Emperor," said the team leader right before he vanished through the gate. Andross quickly attached the last piece of technology to the engine and ran outside to the blare of air raid sirens as a massive figure approached Coastal City from the air.
The future: Fox stood on Main Street as air raid sirens went off all over Corneria City. He then watched as a massive figure approached Corneria City from the air.
"Now that's a bio-weapon," said Fox and Andross in their respective times as Mantia launched its attack.
The past: Mantia charged into Coastal City and began taking out buildings left and right. Andross watched for a few moments before Mantia began a run for the warehouse. Andross turn and ran into his fighter. He quickly fired his blasters at the teleporter, vaporizing it before slamming on the accelerator and roaring out of the building before Mantia crashed into it, collapsing it. Andross fighter took off above the city streets as Mantia gave chase while destroying every building along the way. Andross was quickly running out of room as the bio-weapon continued to accelerate regardless of what moves Andross made.
"I gotta hand it to you Andross you sure made 'em good," said Andross. Then it occurred to Andross to try reasoning with the creature since he 'was' its master. But then Andross remembered that his counterpart had made sure the thing wouldn't even obey him so why bother? The Emperor quickly keyed in the dimensional transporter when Mantia had a sudden burst of speed and swallowed the fighter whole.
The future: Fox picked his way through the rubble of the demolished CDF HQ. In the background was the Great Fox and Fox was hoping to get a good look at it before it was hauled away.
"That Mantia sure did a number on this place," thought Fox shaking his head. "No wonder Andross banned genetic engineering back home."
Fox finally got through the rubble and began walking towards the crashed dreadnought. As he approached it, he encountered a security detail.
"Halt!" they shouted. "Identify yourself!"
Fox spun around. "It's just me guys."
"Ah Commander McCloud. I thought you were visiting General Pepper in the hospital," one said.
"I had to come back to pick up a few things from the ship," said Fox nonchalantly.
"Hard to believe what Mantia did here," said the other guard.
"Yeah it's terrible," said Fox somewhat sincere.
"That madman Andross sure stuck it to us this time," said the first guard. Fox's eyes snapped up at that.
"Yeah, thank goodness Fox McCloud killed that madman," said the second as Fox's hands quickly clenched into fists.
"Yeah, pure wacko. He was an insane maniacal madman right Fox?" asked the first. Fox's fists had begun trembling.
"I'd rather not say my opinion of him," he said, his voice shaking. The two officers laughed.
"Yeah I hear that. Your opinion would really be a hateful one," the second officer said. Then the two walked off to continue their patrol. Fox shuddered.
"I know they were only talking about the Emperor's counterpart, but still it's hard to hear bad things mentioned about him," Fox thought. He then picked his way to the dreadnought and entered in through the bottom launch bay. The bay was just about empty save for the Blue Marine and Landmaster in their berths on the far side of the bay. Fox made his way through the bay and into the elevator. There was just enough to power to hoist the thing up to the crew quarters and then it cut out. Fox emerged into the darkened corridor and quickly turned on his flashlight. He walked down the darkened corridor until he finally came to Fox's room. He pulled open the door and walked inside. The room was surprisingly meticulously clean. There were very few personal effects, the only real things noticeable in the room where the large pieces of paper on the walls with notes furiously scribbled on them. As Fox leaned closer he saw that they were all about
"Stuff on my father and Fara Phoenix. Belief that they're trapped in an alternate dimension and the only hope to rescue them is with a dimensional teleporter like a Gorgon. What the hell is a Gorgon? Oh Fox you obsessive fool," said Fox shaking his head; glad he wasn't this crazy. He then exited the room and made his way to the bridge. The bridge was likewise deserted so Fox walked in and sat down in the center chair. He pulled out an UVCAF issue power cell and was about to plug it in to the computer attached to the chair when he heard a rustling. Fox tensed and reached for his blaster inside of his vest. After he heard the rustling moving closer he yanked it out and aimed it at the disturbance.
"Hello Fox," said the mechanical voice. Fox immediately snapped up his blaster as RobGCN approached him.
"Hello…Rob," said Fox a little unsure of the robot's designation.
"Greetings. What are you doing here?" Rob asked.
"I just needed to access some files," said Fox simply. He placed the power cell into the jack on the side of the computer and it powered up.
"I will observe," said Rob. Fox nodded a little nervously.
"Say Rob, can you get me a drink I'm thirsty," said Fox. Rob nodded and moved towards the drink dispenser. Fox then attached a device to the front of his blaster.
"Rob look out!" shouted Fox as he fired the gun. An electrical discharge flew out and shut down the robot. Fox quickly placed his PDA into the side of the device and downloaded everything the entire ship had to offer. He quickly took his PDA then erased any knowledge of his being there and on the way out he yanked down part of the ceiling and placed it on top of the robot.
"You've got to be careful these ceilings are dangerous," said Fox simply before taking off. He exited the ship and ran off towards a cluster of buildings as the Great Fox was hauled away. Fox returned to the hotel room that the team had been staying in before they'd bugged out and accessed the PDA. He scrolled through the usual stuff, fleet reports, supplies, etc until he came to a file marked dimensional teleporter.
"This is just too bizarre," thought Fox. He accessed the file and found information pertaining to a dimensional vortex designed by Andross, the Andross of this reality. There were notes that it was in a large hanger in the wilderness of Corneria, but the Fox of his universe was unsure as to whether or not it was there. The notes indicated that Fox would seek out this device sometime within the next month.
"I don't have a choice, I have to destroy it," thought Fox as he armed himself and took off towards the wilderness.
The past, CDF maximum security prison: Andross was hauled into the prison and thrown in a cell next to Warlord Hammer.
"You can't trap me behind these insignificant bars!" shouted the warlord. "I will escape and make you all pay!"
Andross said nothing, but just sat down on his cot and stared at the wall.
"What're you in for hero?" asked Hammer. "Make one breakthrough too many so you had to be put away? I know the feeling. That's what happened to me when I was assigned to that research facility and we began making clones. They jailed me and I escaped vowing revenge!"
A janitor came in and began sweeping the room. "That's not what happened and you know it. You were reprimanded for the 'technician debacle' but not thrown in jail. You crash landed on Venom and received a head trauma that altered your psyche causing you to go mad months after the accident," said the scientist.
"Lies! The CDF is full of liars! When I escape, they'll fall to my glorious hammer!" shouted the insane warlord.
"Oh shut up," said Andross and the janitor in the exact same voice. Andross snapped his head to the right to look at the janitor as he took off his hat and glasses to reveal the Emperor of the Lylat System.
"Good it looks like your clone has come to rescue us!" shouted Hammer. The Emperor looked at him.
"How little you know," he said, pulling out a blaster and stunning the madman. Hammer had been too loyal to the Emperor to permit him to kill the Warlord in any shape or form.
"Hello Andross," said Andross simply.
"Hello counterpart," said the Emperor. "Do you know who I am?"
Andross shrugged. "Well if you're not a clone or a highly trained actor I can only surmise that you're from an alternate universe."
"Very good. Of course I'd expect a high level of intelligence from myself. Now then, do you know why I'm here?"
"To gloat I assume. That's what I'd do," said Andross not even attempting to guess.
"C'mon at least try," said the Emperor. "It's at least what you deserve to give yourself."
Andross sighed. "You've come here in an attempt to prevent me from falling to evil and destroying the Lylat System while simultaneously attempting to justify your position in life. Well am I right…Emperor?"
"You know who I am?" the Emperor asked, deflecting the troubling statement made by his counterpart.
"Of course I know who you are. Like you I was once interested in the theory of alternate dimensions so I built myself a dimensional portal with the intent of escaping this harsh reality," said Andross.
"So why didn't you?" asked the Emperor, his interest piqued. Andross shrugged.
"What would that accomplish? People would still be mean and cruel in this reality. Bullies would still torment the weaker kids no matter what their age was and boy had I been bullied all of my life. Creatures are still going to die alone, starving, and forgotten. Finally, thanks to some outside intervention, I'd had enough and decided to change things around here," said Andross.
"How?" Emperor asked incredulously. "By leveling the Lylat System to the ground? What's that going to accomplish? Why not try a less forceful tactic like bringing these issues into the public's eye?"
Andross nodded. "I tried that once, it failed thanks to the bullies out there who don't want to see a change in the status quo. Now like your archrival Calhoun that in order for things to be right you have to make them that way."
"How? By eliminating all of your enemies?" asked the Emperor.
"Why not? It's what you do," said Andross. Silence filled the room after that statement.
"It's nothing like what I do," said the Emperor weakly.
"We're the same person Andross. You can't avoid becoming me anymore than I can avoid becoming you. I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but ultimately it's the truth," said Andross. "Believe me, I too have been trying to avoid becoming this madman but there nothing I can do about it."
The Emperor slumped down against the wall in shock.
"Depressing isn't it?"
Andross and the Emperor turned their heads to witness a new arrival in the room.
"Who're you?" asked Andross.
"I'm the Doctor," said the Doctor walking into the room from his blue machine.
"You look different then the last time I saw you," said the Emperor. The Doctor nodded his blond hair.
"Yes I died since you last saw me," said the Doctor nodding.
"Died?" asked Andross.
"It's a long story involving a radar dish but simply put I'm here now," said the Doctor sitting down on a chair next to the Emperor.
"Why? To gloat," said the Emperor. The Doctor shook his head.
"No. Just to ensure that you don't go into a dark depression following this revelation," said the Doctor.
"Did you always know?" asked the Emperor.
"That you were no different then your counterpart, yes I knew. In fact believe it or not it had to be this way. Your way of life is what your system needs. It might not want it, but sometimes what's popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular," said the Doctor.
"Yes but still, I like to think that I'm better than him," said the Emperor pointing to Andross.
"You are though," said the Doctor.
"How? I murder and slaughter my enemies like he did," said Andross.
"Yes but according to your society that's simply how things are done. Remember its society that truly judges your actions not you. You can only do what's best and go from there," said the Doctor. "If society later judges you insane then that's not your fault."
"What about Calhoun then?"
"Society had judged him insane it's just that he eliminated society to get his way," said the Doctor.
"So what? He's guilty of the same thing just on a smaller scale," said Andross on his bed.
"He's right," said the Emperor falling into a deeper rut.
"Look, I wouldn't have changed history if I didn't think that you were a competent commander and could prevent Mantia from destroying the Lylat System," said the Doctor.
"Are you serious?"
"Of course, I never make mistakes. Of course there was that incident with the Daleeks but was a misjudgment on my part more than anything," the Doctor began rambling.
"Thank you Doctor," said the Emperor finally standing up. "I think I finally know what to do back home."
"Well good luck," said Andross. "Really I mean it. I at least want you to live a better life than me."
"Here's to your impending death," said the Emperor. Andross shrugged.
"I'll come back…somehow," he said nonchalantly.
"Whatever," said the Emperor. "I've got to pick up Fox and go home."
"Actually I need to have a talk with Fox. I'll bring him home when I'm done," said the Doctor. Andross nodded when suddenly the door burst open and Vicki rushed in.
"I knew it!" she shouted looking at the Emperor and Andross.
"Vicki this isn't what you think," said the Emperor holding up his hands.
"Clones!" she shouted. The Emperor looked at the Doctor who shrugged wide-eyed.
"I'm no clone! Who the hell are you anyway?" demanded Andross. "If it's so easy to break in then why the hell haven't I been able to break out yet! That's it I'm going to bed!"
Andross laid down on his cot and instantly began snoozing.
"Vicki, I'm not a clone I'm from an alternate universe where I'm Emperor of the Lylat System," said the Emperor.
"Finally an expose for my publisher!" shouted Vicki reaching for her tape recorder.
"Do you have any way of solving this problem?" asked the Emperor. The Doctor instantly began searching his pockets.
"No," he said a moment later. A device on his wrist began beeping.
"Uh-oh time to go Andross," said the Doctor hustling him into the TARDIS. A second later it vanished right before CDF guards burst into the jail.
"Attention unidentified individual you are under arrest for breaking into a maximum security penitentiary," said General Pepper.
"But there were two Andross's here I swear!" said Vicki. "God I was so close!"
"Clearly a nutcase sir," said one of the guards.
:"Get her out of here," said Pepper. "And double up the security I can't afford to let Andross or Hammer escape from here."
Pepper took one last look at the room before exiting it.
Outskirts of town: The TARDIS emerged from the nothingness and rested next to the camouflaged Scorpion Class fighter.
"Here we are," said the Doctor as he opened the door. He went out and stood next to the fighter as Andross followed as well.
"You know this is a most remarkable piece of technology, very similar to my own TARDIS," said the Doctor next to the Scorpion. "It can do just about everything mine can. Although yours is probably more reliable than my old girl."
"Yeah well you won't have to worry about this thing anymore. I'm going to have it destroyed when I return back to Venomia it's too much trouble," said Andross.
"Too bad, it's a wonderful device," said the Doctor nodding.
"Take it," said Andross.
"No I couldn't. Besides, I don't really have any place or need for a weapon," said the Doctor.
"Yes well, I've got to get going," said Andross.
"Me too. Remember, you are who you are and there's a reason for that," said the Doctor stepping back into his machine. It vanished and Andross zoomed off in his craft as it vanished as well.
The future: Fox watched as Mantia flew off into the upper atmosphere for the rest of the Lylat System. Fox shook his head and walked to the massive hanger doors of the old Pacific Pharmaceuticals Co. building. Fox looked the doors over, shrugged, and walked in through the small door in one of the hanger bay doors. Inside was a large bay littered with various bits of technology along with plenty of dust floating everywhere. Fox took out a camera and began snapping photos of the technology in case Andross wanted to salvage some while he searched for the dimensional shifter. When he finally found the device, he heard a strange cranking sound, but he put it aside as he began observing the device. He found a paper file and began reading it.
"Very interesting," he said.
"Isn't it?" asked the Doctor right next to him. Fox jumped and pulled out his blaster, which the Doctor deftly removed from his hands.
"Interesting weapon," he said. "A bit primitive for my tastes though."
"Doctor!" shouted Fox. "Is that you?"
"Yes it is," said the Doctor.
"You look…younger," said Fox.
"Yes well, it's a long story," said the Doctor laughing.
"Somehow I'm not surprised," said Fox smiling. "Still it's good to see you again."
"And you as well," said the Doctor.
"So what brings you back to our…I meant their reality? I hope things haven't gone sour again for the Lylat System," said Fox. The Doctor shook his head.
"No, not yet at any rate. I just came by to say hello," said the Doctor.
"And that's it?" asked Fox unconvinced. The Doctor smiled nervously.
"No not entirely. I wanted to say I was impressed by your selfless desire to have Andross try and convince his counterpart not to turn to evil," said the Doctor.
"Did he succeed?" Fox asked.
"Unfortunately no. But he has gained some valuable insight into himself," said the Doctor.
"That's good," said Fox looking the device over.
"What're you doing?" asked the Doctor confused.
"Deciding how to destroy this thing," said Fox.
"Why?"
"It could be used to bridge the gap to my reality and I can't afford to let it survive, it's a security risk," said Fox.
"Oh,"
"You don't care?" asked Fox tapping the device.
"Sorry but back on Gallifree it isn't difficult for someone to steal a TARDIS and do who knows what," said the Doctor. "I should know; I'm one of them."
"You stole your machine?" asked Fox. "That's interesting. Why?"
"My planet was slowly falling apart and my family was engaging in illegal acts so I broke into a maintenance bay and stole my TARDIS," said the Doctor.
"Go figure," said Fox pulling out a device and slapping it onto the dimensional shifter. "Well time to go."
"Wait! Come with me I need to present you with a proposition," said the Doctor. Fox looked at the device before nodding.
"Alright let's move," said Fox. The Doctor nodded and the two entered the TARDIS, which subsequently vanished as the shifter exploded, briefly causing a temporal/dimensional vortex, which sucked in some of the nearby technology before vanishing. Onboard the TARDIS, the Doctor stood with Fox in the control room.
"So what's your proposition?" Fox asked.
"Well simply put, I want to offer you the same opportunity as Andross did to convince your counterpart not to go insane," said the Doctor.
"What do you mean? I wasn't aware that I went nuts here," said Fox.
"I think you have a pretty good idea that your counterpart will. You saw all of those newspaper clippings and scribbled notes about your father and Fara Phoenix. Throughout the next fifteen years your counterpart is going to fall into a deep and dark depression until it all comes to a head with a device named Gorgon1. Your attempts to capture this device and use it to find Fara Phoenix and your father will cause shadowy elements of the government to emerge. This will cause dark times to descend on the Lylat System as wide scale panic will erupt and the system will plunge into civil war," said the Doctor.
"I don't recall Andross ever mentioning that happening in 'the dreamers' timeline," said Fox confused. The Doctor nodded meekly.
"Ah, my mistake. It's a branch of a branch," he said. "In this particular branch you pursued it while in 'the dreamers' universe you simply just vanished."
"I see," said Fox. "And how many of these branches exist? I only ask because it's been suggested that infinite alternate dimensions exist all based on random particle movements."
"Surprisingly there aren't as many as you think. In your case there's the pure universe, your universe, 'the dreamers' universe, and the Gorgon1 universe. But in other Fox's cases there's more," said the Doctor.
"What?" Fox asked even more confused.
"You know the saying the world's a stage and all the people on it are the characters? Well that may be more true than you realize," said the Doctor.
"Andross told me the same thing! What does that mean?" Fox asked.
"So he does know. That's interesting, he sure shoulders the burden well," said the Doctor.
"Know what?" Fox demanded.
"That you're a fictional character designed by beings with incredible powers to make you do and say what they want," said the Doctor.
"Yeah I already know that," said Fox.
"You do?" asked the Doctor incredulously. "Since when?"
"I don't know, it just seemed the most logical explanation for all the weird things that've been going on lately," said Fox. The Doctor nodded.
"Yes, I'm afraid we're all victims of these individuals," said the Doctor. "But I find it interesting the scenarios I wound up getting myself into."
Instantly a button began beeping.
"Ah we've arrived," the Doctor said. He pressed a few buttons and walked towards the doors. He opened them and stepped out into a hallway.
"What's this place?" Fox asked.
"The hallway outside of your room. You're now debating whether or not to pursue Gorgon1 or not. If you want to prevent yourself from going south, you'd better have a talk with yourself now," said the Doctor. Fox nodded and sighed before walking to the door. He pressed his thumb against it and it immediately opened. As soon as he walked in the door, a blaster bolt flew out and smacked the wall to his right. Fox measured the distance with his hand and shook his head.
"You're getting lax Fox," he said.
"How would you know?" McCloud demanded from the shadows.
"Believe me I know," Fox responded.
"I'll bet you do," said McCloud. Fox walked over to a table and flicked on the single hanging lightbulb. His counterpart sat at the other side with a bottle of green liquid and a disk plugged into a reader.
"What's this?" Fox asked reaching for the reader. McCloud snapped it up and put it away.
"None of your damn business," he said, slightly drunk. Fox held up his hands.
"Clearly Gorgon1 belongs in your reality not in mine," Fox responded. The door suddenly began opening and McCloud pulled out his blaster and was about to aim it at the door when Fox yanked it out of his hands. The Doctor stepped into the room and shut the door.
"Don't mind me," said the Doctor beginning to wander the room looking at the sparse objects in the room. McCloud began drinking from the bottle.
"Drink?" he asked. Fox shook his head.
"No thanks I'm not thirsty," he responded.
"Your loss because that means more for me," said McCloud with a grin. He held up the bottle again, but Fox pushed it away.
"Why are you doing this?" Fox asked.
"You wouldn't understand," said McCloud.
"Try me,"
"Fine! My father is dead, my old girlfriend is dead, Krystal left me," began McCloud.
"You dated that Cerinian?" asked Fox incredulously.
"What of it?" asked McCloud hiccupping.
"I just find it ironic that I killed her in my universe," said Fox.
"Yeah life's just a barrel of laughs isn't it?" said McCloud angrily.
"Whatever. Go on," said Fox.
"Pepper hates me, Falco who is my only teammate left I've alienated, and I've got bill collectors hounding me down. Believe me I don't care what happens to me now," said McCloud.
"What about the Lylat System? Don't you care about it?" Fox asked as the Doctor began examining a sonic toothbrush.
"Put that down!" shouted McCloud as the startled Doctor dropped it. "No I don't care! What has this miserably system ever done for me? Huh? Nothing! All it's caused me is misery!"
"So? The door swings both ways. Sometimes you're on top of the world, other times not. It's your ability to survive both that truly makes one strong," said Fox.
"Spare me your bullshit," said McCloud.
"It was worth a shot," said Fox shrugging. "I always told Andross to delete that from the charter but he always refused."
"Wait a minute!" shouted McCloud. "What do you mean you told Andross?"
"Where I come from, Andross is the Emperor of the Lylat System and I serve under him," said Fox.
"How could you do that?" demanded McCloud angrily. "He killed out father! At least I'm sure he did in your reality."
"Yes he did kill my father as well," said Fox nodding his head.
"Then why aren't you furious at him and out to avenge James's death?" demanded McCloud.
"Because I never knew my father. I don't have any memories of him besides his service record," said Fox. "Every child is separated at birth and raised in specially trained schools. They grow up, choose their career path and go from there."
"That's barbaric!" shouted McCloud.
"So is what you're doing to yourself but you don't see me complaining," said Fox.
"But here you are trying to stop me," said McCloud with an evil grin.
"Yeah and I'm beginning to regret it as well," said Fox nodding.
"So leave," said McCloud pouring himself a drink.
"Won't you at least consider not pursuing Gorgon1 and turning your life around?" Fox asked.
"No. It's too late for me Fox. But your life doesn't sound so bad. Get back there and live it," said McCloud. "For the both of us."
"So you're still going to pursue the weapon?" asked Fox. McCloud nodded.
"Yes. Although they've confiscated all of my weapons so I don't know how I'll pull it off," said McCloud.
"You'll adapt, you always do," said Fox. "Let's go Doctor."
A crash was heard as the Doctor dropped the object he was holding before he nodded and headed for the door.
"And for the record McCloud, I'm not that much different then you are. Nine years ago I was in the same rut that you were in, but then the Lylat Wars happened and I found my calling once again," said Fox. "I need to conquer to continue to survive."
And with that Fox and the Doctor left. As McCloud sat there continuing to drink from his bottle, a vortex opened up and dropped the weapons that had been sucked into it from 'the dreamers' universe. McCloud took them and snapped them up.
"Excellent," he said with an evil grin. Outside in the hallway, the Doctor and Fox boarded the TARDIS and it took off.
"Sorry you couldn't have been more helpful," said the Doctor. Fox shrugged.
"I hardly doubt I would've changed my mind," said Fox. "Nevertheless thanks for the opportunity Doctor."
"It's the least I could do," said the Doctor.
"Tell me, why are you so interested in our system anyway?" Fox asked. The Doctor shrugged.
"Mostly because it reminds me of how things used to be back home on Gallifree. That was back when we were interested in exploration and had master the dimensions of time and space. But events transpired that robbed us of our love for exploration. Now when I see your civilization I can't feel but be reminded of my own," said the Doctor. "Granted your exploration comes in the form of conquest, but you ultimately make life better for all, and that Scorpion is merely a TARDIS in disguise."
Fox nodded. "I hope we'll see each other again."
"I know we will. As long as you meddle with time and space I'll always be watching," said the Doctor as a panel beeped. "Ah, we've arrived."
ThornTail Hollow: Hammer, Leon, and Andrew were still sitting at the table drinking their lemonades when an explosion rang out and the Scorpion flew out of the void it had created while the TARDIS materialized nearby.
"Emperor, Fox," said Hammer acknowledging them as they approached while the TARDIS vanished again. "I trust you accomplished what you set out to do."
"Yes, Calhoun's corpse is in the cargo bay of the Scorpion for immediate transport back to Venomia," Andross said, not acknowledging the other events that had transpired in their absence.
"So what now? The UVCAF colony ships are scheduled to arrive soon and there's really nothing more for us to do here," said Hammer.
"Actually admiral, I've come to a decision," said Andross.
"Really?" Hammer asked confused. "About what?"
"While I was gone I realized that I've been working myself too hard to make the UVCAF the best it can be. It's fine progressing on its own without me," said Andross.
"So what are you saying?"
"Hammer, I've decided to finally take a vacation. I don't when I'll be back or if I'll be back. You will be the new Emperor until my return. Goodbye," said Andross leaving for his Scorpion as the others look at him in shock.
"Sir, are you positive about this?" asked Leon.
"Yes, for the first time I truly am," said the Emperor. "Good luck, the UVCAF is yours, take care of it like I have. See you in the future."
The Scorpion blasted off and took to the sky as a pair of colony ships descended on ThornTail Hollow.
"Uncle Andross!" shouted Andrew at the departing ship.
"So what now…Emperor?" Fox asked. Hammer shrugged.
"We continue in Andross's footsteps. Continue to conquer to spread the influence of the UVCAF while making things better for life at home," said Emperor Hammer. "And just wait for the future to play itself out."
A half-hour later The Manita 01 and The Monkey's Paw departed into orbit and blasted off back to Venomia and the Lylat System.
Nearby: "Looks like our mission succeeded," said Anguirus111 watching the vessels break orbit.
"That it did," said the Doctor nodding. "That it did."
"It's about time Andross had a vacation," said the writer.
"Yes well let's hope our meddling in this storyline will allow it to survive for countless millennia more," said the TimeLord. "Now if you'll excuse me, Adric and the others await my return."
"Goodbye Doctor," said Anguirus111. "Until we meet again. I'm finally done with my meddling in this universe and boy was it fun."
The TARDIS vanished and Anguirus111 opened a portal back to
"Vaya Con Dios Lylat System, Vaya Con Dios. Good luck and God bless," said Anguirus111 and then he was gone forever.
…And so ends my final Star Fox story.