Disclaimer: I don't own Star Fox! It's owned by Nintendo, and Terra System, names, etc. are license of Galaxy Wulf, in which I own. 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. I suggest reading my other fics, since they're also good! Go and read!

Rivals or Friends

Chapter 17: Memories

"Where am I?"

I couldn't tell where I was… It all felt like I was in a deep void. Everything… everything was so blurry…

"What… what's this?"

I smelled something. I smelled rotting carcass. When I looked down, I was horrified. I saw Fox, Falco, Slippy, Peppy, Leon, and Bill dead. Their bodies were torn apart. Limbs were separated. Organs were ripped asunder. I couldn't take it. It all felt like I was in a dreadful nightmare.

"What did I taste on my tongue? Was it blood?"

I touched my mouth. Blood was dripping from my teeth. My fangs were stained with the crimson humor, and bits of flesh and clothing were in my mouth. I can taste them… A horrific thought approached me. Did I kill them? How could that be? I didn't want to kill them!

"This is all insane… Is there a stop to this madness?"

Another me approached me form the shadows. He suddenly thrust his palm to my face, and lacerated it with his claws. Blood dripped from my wounds. I felt everything inside of me was crumbling… they're all falling into pieces. Was I losing my sanity?

"WOLF, WAKE UP!"

A voice cracked me out of my nightmare. The vision instantly faded as soon as I opened my eyes and welcomed reality. Finally, the horrific vision ended.

"Wolf," Fox asked me while he took a breathing room, "are you all right? You were sweating and breathing heavily while asleep! You're heartbeat rate also increased. You made me worried."

I wanted to reply, however, my muzzle was strapped, preventing me from opening my mouth. It was probably because of the sudden personality change that happened earlier. I hope everything was fine. Anyway, all I did was nod. I knew this was for the best. I didn't have to beg to take these chains off.

"Sorry about this," he apologized as he sat beside me, "but I have to… You know, I lot happened earlier when you got mad. It was… terrible… The wild you attacked Bill, and well… he was put to a critical, but thankfully a recoverable, state." He then looked at my eyes, and I looked at his. They showed sympathy and compassion. "I'm not blaming you or anything about this, though! It's not your fault… I know… Wolf… once we remove that curse of yours, I promise… I'll do anything to make it up for you. Why do you have to endure this suffering for the sake of change…? Why?"

I never felt such feeling towards him. Fox… he's blaming himself about the situation. Although I had said to him many times that it's not his fault, he kept on telling me that it's his. If only I could tell him, I should be the one who should say sorry… I'm the one who was giving him burden. Since the day he saved my life, I changed my view towards him… and slowly, I was able to admire him to a higher degree.

"Wolf, do you know that before, when we were rivals, I never actually thought about you being my best friend?" he whispered as he placed his arm to my shoulder. "We were all so dedicated in proving that the other's a weakling… and that only one can be number one… However, I knew that Andross was just using you, and well, I just thought that you guys, you and Leon, should be given a chance. That changed my goal when fighting you for the last time…"

I looked down. I didn't deserve his rescue. I was a big greedy bastard before. I never cared about other people. All I cared was bounty. Andross gave me that. For a bonus, he gave the one thing I used to like… tormenting Fox McCloud… tormenting him. It was all… just a set-up, I guess… When his sudden change of tone on our last fight echoed in my ears, I knew not everything would be the same since then… but not this extreme…

"So Wolf… What do you think about our fate? Was it really just a coincidence that we fought in Venom?"

Coincidence? I didn't think so. But… maybe… it's fate… Maybe we're destined not to be rivals… but to be friends… Maybe, the rival thing was just a decoy for us to meet and to get to know each other… then fate would play her cards. Maybe this personality change of mine was a challenge for the both of us… Maybe, we could clear this problem, and maybe… just maybe, we could enjoy our friendship…

Fox placed his head on my shoulder. I then placed mine on top of his head. Although I couldn't speak, I'm pretty sure he got my message. He smiled a smile of spring. I was never this happy in my life… about friendship… about trust… about companionship…