Disclaimer: I don't own Star Fox! It's owned by Nintendo. The story took place during Star Fox 64, sometime after your battle with Star Wolf at Venom 2. I was wrong about my first two disclaimers. There will be FEW flashbacks here. Anyway, the narrator is obvious. Go and read!
Rivals or Friends?
Chapter 2: Wolf Wanted
A few hours later, after Wolf's release, inside Fox's house at the suburbs of Corneria City…
I found myself beside Wolf's side. I finally convinced him to come with me. I don't know what I feel, but I think I can trust him. I believe his rest should be better here inside my house. Besides, his wounds are getting better and it's easy for him to find a job in my roof. "Welcome to my house," I proclaimed as I dropped a luggage full of his stuff at the entrance. "It's not large, but it's not shabby either."
"Nice turf," he complemented as he follows it with a whistle. He looked around the lightly-decorated living room, and sat at the sofa. He then looked at my living room appliance set. There's a large television-monitor, along with my newly-bought video-audio and sound system (I moved the old one in my bedroom). There are candles at end tables of the sofa along with the lamp. There's a coffee table at the center with some nifty gadgets like a compiler of paperwork and such. His attention however was on the remote. "You wouldn't mind if I watch what's on the news, right?"
I laughed when said that. "Now we're finally communicating like brothers," I smiled. "But first, you must help me unpack your stuff at the guest's room. You'll be using that." I wasn't thinking when I said those words earlier. I blurted them out as if Wolf is very close to me. Yes he is, but as an enemy, not as a friend. And for the first time, I showed what I felt to him. When he opened himself like that, I kind of feel light-hearted.
"I wouldn't call myself brother to you, but I would prefer if you call me a roommate," he replied as he scuffs the carpet with his toes. "And if you're wondering why I talk like this, it's because you have to deal me almost twenty-four hours… Oh, and don't worry about me being a mad dog during the night. I'm very quiet when it's already night time." He then chuckled and carried the luggage off to the guest's room.
I just nodded and led him to the room. We walked up on the stairs, and then we headed towards the room in front of mine. I opened it and gave him its card key and password. "The room's bare, but not tatty. I trust you with this room, okay?" I told him. He grinned in front of me. I then threw the bag at the bed and helped him unpack.
"Say Fox," he asked me in a funny manner, "I believe that from a person like you, there are house rules, right?" It makes me wonder why he asked that. Do I look like a person with conducts to follow? He then continued to place some garments he bought.
I replied, "Well, I don't know why you'd ask that, but there are only three." Even though I'm not sure I call them rules, the way I do them seems to be a policy that mustn't be defied. "Rule One: no loud noises during the night. The neighborhood doesn't want noisy houses during the dark unless there's a special occasion. Two: Always remember that the waste collecting vehicle always does its job during Wednesdays and Saturdays, about seven in the morning, so you better help me take out the trash." I wondered why I made those rules anyway… It seems that those are just the neighborhood's habit.
"And what's the third one," Wolf grunted in a humorous manner, "when an unknown salesman comes knocking at your doorstep, activate the anti-salesman trap. Oh, and I believe that one of your neighbors is a Star Fox crew." He then gave a wink at me; I answered him with a faithful smile.
"For a person who's new to the block, you're pretty good," I praised him as I pat his shoulders. "Yep! That's the third one! There're many sticky people here at the suburbs and you might not want them knocking at your doorstep! And you're right about another crew of my team living near here! In fact, he's very close…"
Wolf growled with a beam on his face, and then he continues to unpack…
A few minutes later…
I was approaching Wolf who was watching the news channel. When the show switched to commercial, he scanned at the newspaper. He seems to be looking for some available jobs. Now that opportunity rises, it's his time to tell what he suggests.
In our intergalactic news, the neighboring system Terra's capital planet Colonium leader General Apple has appointed the two once leaders of the famous Wolves of Albadheb Lupine Klaus and Fox McCloud as the new generals of the planet. Her resignation for being the headstrong leader has been acknowledged and was happy that the two leaders were actually their heroes. We shall put more on to that by Jenkins, our representative during the anointment ceremony… [I broke my promise not putting any Terran stuff here!]
"I never knew Lylatian media covers other systems," Wolf pondered. "Hmm… maybe I should try to be a reporter." He then tries a famous line from a reporter, which made me laugh. "And that's what makes the planet go around…" he jerked.
"Um… Wolf," I slowly spoke out as I sat beside him. His interest soon changes towards me. "Can I interest you to job vacancy? I know one in which you're very good at." I can see on his face his enlightenment.
"Really?" he answered after being surprised. "Then spill it out. You know me. I'm somewhat impatient…"
I took a breath and spill it out. "Want to join Star Fox? Peppy is planning to retire on using a fighter and just wanted be an aide for the team and Slipster, I mean Slippy, wants to be the head of our team's science stuff and declines Arwing piloting anymore." Silence builds up on us. I continued, "So there will be two vacancies for our pilots. Falco said that he'll be handling one of the recruitment, and I'll handle the other guy…" I then added, "And… do you remember what I told you earlier, hat there's a crew member living near here? Well, that's you…"
Wolf was shocked to hear those words. "Me? In Star Fox? You got to be kidding me!" he growled. "You know I don't want to! I can find another job; you'll just have to wait…"
I know he won't agree, maybe because there's a small grudge in him about it. But I won't give up. "Wolf… this is an opportunity for you! Jobs won't pop up like this one! Not only that you'll have a job, you can also redeem yourself as well! It's like a package!" I want to give him a positive feel about the team. I wanted to keep an eye on him too, but maybe that's not the reason I'm eager about him joining the team.
"Fox…" he whimpered in front of me. There's something that he was hiding and maybe he wants to tell it to me. "I can't hide it anymore! To… to tell you the truth… I'm very thankful that you helped me… I really wanted the job, being a Star Fox member, but… I'm afraid! I'm a hated person in Lylat, and I might ruin your team's reputation…" He then fell down on his knees, looking down.
I suddenly feel sympathy towards him. I sat down beside him, patted his shoulders, and held his hand. "Don't worry, I'll be there," I assured him down to his heart, "and nothing will go wrong… I swear…" Tears fell down from his brown eyes, and it made me feel more sympathized for him.
"T-thanks Fox…" he replied with tears falling down. "I feel better now…"
"Don't worry pal," I smiled at him. "I'm here…"