Author's Notes: Falco's accent looked a little weird, so I've decided to stop typing like that. Now you actually have to use your imagination! gasp In case you didn't notice I'm using some quotes from the game (Fox. Get this guy off me, ect.). It makes it feel more like the games.

Star Fox: Lylat Chronicles

Chapter 6: Back at the Academy

It was a beautiful day outside at the Cornerian Flight Academy. It had been like this all week, but the beauty was lost on the final year students. They were inside getting ready to train on the flight simulators.

Once again they were practicing the Battle of Kysar. The students had to fight for the continent of Kysar on the planet Katina. Katina had a war ravaged past, but historians thought that his was the most important battle fought in Katina's history.

After practicing and studying the battle for weeks, less than half of the students survived each time. One of the first students to crash and burn, as the students called it, was Fox McCloud. He was a bright boy, but reckless. Even though he "died" quickly, only one of the other students could match his scores, "Tough" Falco Lombardi.

He was a kid off the streets who got a scholarship for his fighting and pilot skills. Even though he and Fox both had no parents, instead of becoming friends, they were rivals.

Falco walked up to Fox before he could get to his simulator.

"Yo! McCloud!" Fox narrowed his eyes and turned around. "You going to beat your record and last three minutes?" Falco jeered.

Fox smiled. It was never a good thing for his enemies when he smiled.

"We'll settle this today Falco. Today half of us are Cornerian, and the other half are Kysar pilots. I've studied for the test. Corneria will crush Kysar". Team leaders were decided by a written test given to each pilot before they picked a squadron. Fox's best friend, Slippy Toad, got perfect scores on written tests, so naturally Fox came to him for help. Unfortunately they weren't taking this class at the same time.

Falco's way of acing the test was having someone hide in the library giving him the answers via walkie talkie. "Studying! Who needs it?" Falco said as he got a perfect score. 10 minutes later the results appeared on the screens of their simulators. Fox McCloud's Star Fox team versus Falco Lombardi's Space Pirates.

Next up were captains. Fox's other best friend, Bill Grey, was leading his Husky squadron. Like Fox he named after a team his father was on. Will Grey wasn't in the army anymore (he retired) but he is still one of Corneria's greatest heroes.

Katt Monroe, to Falco's dismay, was his captain. She's had a crush on me since 5th grade. He moaned silently.

When Bill saw Falco's captain he started sniggering. "Hey Fox. Is this a battle or a wedding?" He made sure that his comm. System was broadcasting to everyone. He got laughs back. "If our blasters shoot rice then I think I know which one it is," replied Fox.

"I'll remember this as I shoot you down, McCloud," said Falco angrily.

Professor Peppy interrupted the rude comment Bill was muttering under his breath. "Alright guys, it's your final exam. If you pass, then you're in the Cornerian Army."

When the countdown to launch began, Fox closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Alright Dad, if I pass I'll be in the army just like I promised you before your…last mission. Fox thought to himself. The computer beeped at the five second mark.

5…4…3…2…1… "Okay Star Fox, full speed ahead!"

Fifteen Guardian I fighters (similar to the ships piloted by Corneria in the Orbital Gate level of Star Fox: Assault) flew out of the hangar of the simulated Cornerian War Ship, Freedom. The fighter's cockpits were spherical with blaster positioned on paneling two meters away from the cockpit, with wings in between.

As they entered the atmosphere, Fox looked at his wings and noticed the red glow of heat instead of silver. If the metal hadn't of been heat withstanding, they ships would have fried before getting to the troposphere.

Wait a minute, the Guardian I is a prototype, why aren't we using CAFs (Cornerian Army Fighters, they are used in the Katina Battle in Star Fox 64)? I wonder if they plan on finishing these soon. Fox didn't have time to think about this more because they were now above the continent of Kysar instead of above the sea.

"Got something on radar Fox. Falco's Invader II fighters (Enemies in Katina Battle in Star Fox 64)." Bill announced.

"Show 'em whose boss!" Fox put action to words as he pulled up his HUD (heads up display) and put his cross hairs on the first enemy. With one pull of the triggers one student would have to repeat the test in two weeks.

Fox didn't have time to celebrate because a burst of lasers collided with his shields. Fox locked-on and fired a shot. The pilot rolled out of the way and smirked, until his engines were filled with plasma. Another pilot fell to McCloud.

Unfortunately, most of the good pilots were on Falco's side. Darn it! This isn't working! Wait! That move that Bill made up. That might work…but it's risky. Fox opened up his comm. system with a flick of a switch. "Bill, time for your special plan." "You sure? Fox" "It's our only chance."

Fox and Bill ascended into the air until they were above the clouds. They went forward 25 meters, turned around, and dropped straight through the clouds. They both quickly choose enemy targets that were near other enemies and they each fired a bomb.

Fox watched as two explosions engulfed the enemies. "FOX! WATCH OUT!" Bill shouted. "Huh, what! NO!" Fox had forgotten to top his free fall and collided with the brown dirt of Kysar before he could slow down.

A few minutes later, the seal on his flight simulator hissed open and Fox jumped out. Peppy was standing there waiting. Fox looked around; there was no one else around. "Where is everyone?" He questioned.

"I'm giving everyone their grades one at a time." He explained with a grim face. "Here, take this." He handed Fox a folded piece of paper. Fox opened it up and looked at Peppy. The hare's face changed from a stern face to a smile. "87?" Fox stammered. Peppy nodded. "Yep, welcome to the Cornerian Army, Flight Officer Fox McCloud."