Starfox Origins - Prologue

Before the mercenary team known as Starfox thwarted Andross' plans to conquer the Lylat System…before they saved Dinosaur Planet Sauria and beyond from a tragic fate…before they destroyed the aparoid menace…there was The Black War.

Thirteen years before the events of the original Starfox, war had erupted between the planets Corneria and Erdes. Space was alive with the blood, sweat, and tears of two sides with opposing ideals. Fox's father, James McCloud, was unexpectedly thrown into the conflict. Desperate times called for desperate measures.

A cunning and powerful entity known as Judas is responsible for the ignition of the war. His true intentions for starting this epic clash remained unknown. It will be up to the Cornerian Army, including James and his fellow teammates, to stop Judas and end the Erdesian threat.

Not only will James have to fight for the fate of the galaxy, he'll also have to face his past and confront his inner demons…

Chapter 1 - The Life

Florence, Corneria. It was a quaint little village in the countryside, far away from the hustle and bustle. Life was quiet and simple for the villagers of this land of rolling hills and plains, and they wouldn't have had it any other way. Advanced technology was not a staple in Florence, and they were happy just the same. Agriculture was the main way of living.

Everyone in Florence knew each other. This tightly knit society helped one another in need, like one big support system. The people got along nicely and were some of the most pleasant folks you would ever meet. As gracious as the population was, they didn't pay too kindly to outsiders. If you were new here, expect some cold stares and complete silence as you walked the streets. It takes some time before they warm up to you.

In this rural community lived a man, who was an expert pilot that served in the military many years ago. Popular belief was that he had no equal when it came to flying. He was a force to be reckoned with. Whenever he is at the controls of an aircraft, he was a maestro. The plane would dance to whatever tune he meticulously conducted. Whether it would be a rousing overture, a whispering waltz, or an unfinished symphony, he was a Master of his craft. The baton was broken, however, when an unfortunate incident had forced him to retire from the field altogether. It was undoubtedly the saddest day in his life…

Now this legendary ex-pilot has decided to settle down, and start over anew. A fresh start would wipe the slate clean. This would be a new beginning. He wanted to be away from it all. No more fighting. No more war. No more death.

This is the tale of James McCloud, aka 'The Beast on the Battlefield'.

"ZZZZZZZZ…"

He lied there asleep in bed, with the covers twisting around him like a snake. His long white-tipped tail drooped off the side. The fox's tan fur was messy and mangy, his right hand rested comfortably down deep in his black boxers, no doubt grabbing a hold of something. He snored out loud. His tongue flopped out of his mouth, and the white crust on his chin was evidence of overnight drooling.

His wife, his better half, on the other hand was slumbering neatly underneath the covers, regardless of the noise. The tan-furred fox's innocent face gently warmed from the sunlight through the window. A twaft of silky red hair flowed down to the nose. She laid on her right side with her head on her hands, facing away from her mate.

The two slept peacefully, until a loud noise from the living room…

BOOM! BOOM BOOM! BOOM! BOOM BOOM! YEAHHHHHHH!

"…mmm…looks like our little monster is up, James." She mumbled, eyes still closed.

"ZZZZZZZZZ…"

"It's your turn to fix breakfast you know. Get up."

"ZZZZZZZZZ…"

"James. Wake up."

"ZZZZZZZZZ…"

"James. I'm going to kick you out of bed if you don't wake up."

"ZZZZZZZZZ…"

"Don't say I didn't warn you…"

With a swift and mighty boot to the rear end, the husband was forced out of the bed and fell to the floor with a thud. He was more annoyed than hurt. With an unintelligible grumble, he stumbled to his feet. Once he turned his head back and forth to get a bearing, the 33 year old wobbled his way out to the living room, eyes still mostly shut.

Their humble little two-bedroom home was warm and cozy. It had a relaxing aura to it. Julia was a nut for decoration, so naturally the solid oak walls were lined with various doodads such as plates, plastic flowers, and framed pictures of their family. Antique lamps sat on two small tables in the living room. The coffee table was empty and the television was off. The couches would normally have throw pillows on it, but they were scattered all over the floor, thanks to a certain little kid.

"Hey dad! Look at me! Check out this dance!"

Their adorable little 7-year old son Fox McCloud, in nothing but a pair of sunglasses and green boxers, strutted around in a circle. He shook his butt in a rude manner, causing his tail to follow suit. Like any kid his age, he craved attention.

"(Oh great…can't wait to see this…)"

He finally opened his eyes. An unusual feature about James McCloud was immediately apparent. His left eye was blue, and his right eye was green. The wife had blue eyes, and the little offspring had green eyes. When asked about this from his son and wife, his answer was 'a birth defect'. Fox thought it was so cool. His wife thought it was weird.

"It's way too early in the morning to be shaking your butt, son."

"No it's not! See? See? I'm doing it now! Shake shake shake! Move move move!"

"I'm going to fix some breakfast, because your oh-so-sweet-and-wonderful mother is too lazy to do it herself, so try not to destroy the house by then."

"I heard that!" came a yell from the bedroom.

Fox pointed and laughed. "Ha ha! Busted dad!"

James mumbled some more before heading to the kitchen. "Whatever…And put some clothes on Fox. You know better than that."

Fox pointed again. "You're wearing only boxers too!"

James' 5'11'' body was toned quite nicely, thanks to his daily regimen of jogging 5 miles around the countryside. He had some noticeable muscle underneath all that fur and Julia loved it. She was pleased in more ways than one.

James placed an empty bowl on the table and took out a box of chocolate puff cereal, then commenced pouring. "It's because I'm an adult. When you grow up, you get to walk around the house in as little clothing as you want. You can be naked if you want to."

"Really? Naked!"

"Yeah. It's real cool."

"DEAR!" came another yell from the bedroom.

James grimaced as he poured the milk. Fox shoved a spoonful of chocolaty goodness in his mouth. "Haha! munch! chew! Busted again!"

"I THOUGHT YOU WERE ASLEEP!"

"NOT SINCE I KICKED YOU OUT OF BED!"

"Heh…" James turned around and quickly snatched Fox's bowl away, much to his dismay.

"Heyyy!"

"I already told you. Put on some clothes. You can have your cereal back after you do it."

"Fine…" he sighed, then strutted into his room.

James helped himself to some cereal and sat down at the kitchen table. Milk was already dribbling down his chin as he chomped down. He wiped it clean with a swipe of the forearm. Proper manners weren't exactly one of his strong points. He felt two hands holding his shoulders and he looked up. There was Julia, looking pretty decent in her orange morning robe.

"Morning James…" she whispered to him.

"Morning Julia…" he whispered back, then snuck in a little kiss.

"…Have you been drinking, James?"

He felt a lump in his throat, and quickly looked away. A hot button issue. "Uhhhh…why do you ask?"

"Because I can smell it on your breath."

"…what if I said 'no'?"

"Then you would be lying."

"…what if I said 'yes'?"

"Then you would be in trouble."

"Ummmm…uhh…let me get back to you on that hon." He said as he scratched his head nervously, not daring to look her in the eye.

"Good call James. Very good call. Be sure that you do, or you're sleeping on the couch tonight."

"heh heh…(aww man…I'm so in the doghouse.)"

Fox came back less than a minute later, fully clothed in a pair of blue jeans and gray t-shirt and socks.

James placed his cereal back on the table and the little vulpine resumed in inhaling it. Julia tossed back her hair and went to the counter. She whipped up her usual morning fix of black coffee. She hasn't changed this routine for twelve years, long before they were married. It ran through her veins. Her husband didn't bother asking what she wanted for breakfast. What was the point?

"Chomp chomp! Chew chew! Crunch crunch!"

The three had sat down at the kitchen table. It would've been quiet if it wasn't for the father and son eating their food with their mouths wide open. Julia ignored them as she continued reading a murder mystery novel. 'The Question' Page 142. She had gotten used to the crunching.

The window gave a view of cherry blossoms that flittered through the air, signaling what season it was. They were looking forward to warmer weather and longer days.

James finished first with his meal, complete with drinking the milk from the bowl. Fox finished a few minutes after, now wearing a white moustache. Mr. McCloud took the two empty dishes and tossed them in the sink, then sat back down at the kitchen table.

Now it was completely quiet, but Fox was into some mischief. Julia kept reading.

He stretched out his face and stuck out his tongue, directed at his pop. James replied by crossing his eyes and making a wide chesire cat grin. Julia turned a page, appearing absorbed. Fox came back by blowing up his cheeks and wiggling his ears. James dragged down his eyes and pushed up his nostril, then turned and faced toward his wife. It was all without a sound, but that doesn't mean she didn't notice.

Julia smacked James in the head with the novel and continued reading like nothing happened. "You think I didn't see that, dear?"

"Ow..." he said, rubbing his cranium. "Why didn't you hit him? He was making faces too."

"That's because he doesn't know any better. You, on the other hand, should."

Fox pointed and laughed at him. "Ha ha! Busted AGAIN!"

James got up and went to his bedroom to put on a pair of blue jeans, then returned and kissed Julia on the cheek. He didn't put on a shirt. "I'm gonna go jog. I'll be back."

"Alright James. Be careful."

Fox waved. "Bye dad."

"Be good, son. Don't aggravate your mother. That's my job." He told him with a sly grin, then left.

"(Dork…)" Julia thought to herself.

James began his morning run through the main street of the town. The sun barely peeked over the horizon and the grass with moist with dew. It was a bit on the chilly side, but it didn't bother him. Most of the villagers weren't even up this time of day, except for Samson. The old bearded badger was tending to his tomato garden.

He raised a hand as he passed by. "Morning Sam. How's the tomatoes?"

"Ah…hey there James. They're looking real good this year, might be our biggest harvest yet."

"Sounds great! See ya later!"

James went uphill to a plaza, where there was an intersection of four. The grocery store was on the southwest corner. The path to the north lead to the woods. The west path lead to more houses. He made a right and took a long winding road around the countryside, the same 5 mile path every day.

He kept a brisk pace past the wheat and corn fields, not slowing down one bit. The whistling of sparrows and the slight wind kept the trek soothing. Uphill and downhill, James never missed a step.

A while later in the grocery store on the southwest corner of the plaza, Julia was shopping for the essentials in a flattering red blouse. She had bread, milk, cereal, and eggs in her cart. Now she was in the last aisle for some extra snacks.

The small, modest store was always tranquil, and no more than a dozen customers were ever inside at one time ever since its opening, which was 24 years ago.

As usual, Fox was getting himself into trouble. While his mother was on one side of the store, he was on the other with a big jar of pickles. An overactive imagination combined with breakable objects is a dangerous thing.

He ducked down in a three-point stance with his hand wrapped around the jar. "Boo forty-two! Boo forty-two! Hup! Hup!"

Fox danced around the empty aisle with jar held in a statue of liberty play. "Who will Fox McCloud pass it to? Oh noes! I'm open! I'm open! Pass it to me!"

He tossed the jar up in the air, and tried to catch it…but he missed. The glass container slipped past his arms and hit the floor. A loud shatter followed by an explosion of pickles. "Incompeet! Outta bounds! No good!"

Julia grumbled to herself as soon as she heard the glass break. She stomped past the aisles until she got to the last one. The mother turned and looked at her son dead in the eyes.

There was Fox, acting oh-so-cute-and-innocent. "Somebody broke these pickles mommy!"

She pointed straight down to her feet. The expression on her face said it all. "C'mere Fox. Now."

His bright face instantly turned grim, his ears folded back, and his tail drooped down. He put his hands behind his back and looked down. Fox had the sympathy look down pact. "Okay…" Step by step, he walked to his mother.

Her eyes followed him until he was at her feet. He still didn't look up.

"Fox. What did I tell you about playing in the store?"

"…"

"Fox. Your mother is talking to you. What did I tell you about playing in the store?"

"…Not to do it."

"Then why did you do it?"

"…"

"Fox."

"…"

"Answer me Fox. Right now."

"…I…I…I don't know…"

"You don't know?"

"…No…"

"Why did you do it?"

"…I…I wanted to play football."

Out of nowhere, she pinched Fox's ear with a tight grip. "You know what I have to do now because of you? I have to pay for those pickles!"

"Owowowowowowowow!"

At ten minutes before eight o'clock, James arrived at his source of income on the outskirts of the village. Six days a week, at least 9 hours a day. Pay wasn't too great either. His job was menial farm work. Transporting lumber and other raw materials onto trucks was one of them. It was real backbreaking labor. Not quite as exciting as being a pilot, but it gets his family through.

The athletic fox stood before the huge farm, now with a white tanktop. A big red barn was surrounded by acres of corn and wheat on one side, and a pasture of various farm animals on the other side. The farmer's house that sat by it was modest, only one bedroom. Smit, the 54 year old otter, never married. He was the only one living here.

"You're early James, as usual." Smit told him. He pointed to the huge pile of lumber behind the barn. "When Benjamin gets here, I need you two to haul all those onto the truck in the driveway. When you're done, I'll have more for you to do."

"Sure thing."

At one minute after eight, James' #2 best friend and coworker arrived. Benjamin Dotson. He was a monster of a bear, nearly 12 inches taller than the fox. He was also in tanktop and jeans. Benjamin had a husky frame, mostly fat but certainly not flabby. Despite his intimidating figure, he's really a laid-back fellow. Don't think he's soft though, he won't hesitate in swingin' if you get out of line.

"Eeeeey there J Mac!" he bellowed, then a big pat on his back. "Always the first on the job I see."

His massive frame cast a shadow that completely enveloped James.

"S'up Benji. How's it hangin?" he greeted with a return pat.

"Bah…same old same old, man. Wife naggin', kids are drivin' me nuts. You know the drill. So what's Smit got planned for us today?"

"He says we gotta carry all that lumber and put it in the truck over there. Once we've got that out of the way, he'll have his next order."

"Hah. Alright. Sounds easy enough. We'll get it done in no time. You ready to get to work, J Mac?"

"Ready when you are Gentle Ben."

"Did you say something little fox?"

"Heh heh…nothing. I'm just kiddin'. Let's do this."

Smit was inside the house eating an egg sandwich as James and Benjamin began the man work. The fox was stronger than he looked. Without so much as a grunt, he hoisted one end of the twenty-foot log up to his chest. He held it steady with both hands and then swiveled around 180 degrees. It was now on the right shoulder with his right arm securing it.

Benjamin was well, as strong as he looked. With one hand, he lifted up his end with moderate effort. The log was carried from the back of the barn around to the front. It was tossed into the back of a large waiting truck. That's one down, fifty-eight to go.

After hours of lifting and carrying, they were halfway through the log-hauling. The sun was higher and their side of the world was wide awake. It was comfortably warm, around 74 degrees. Smit was kind enough to give them a couple sausage sandwiches and glasses of orange juice. The meat was nice, thick, and greasy, the kind that'll stick to your ribs for a long while. James and Benjamin sat on the front porch of the house as they ate.

The bear took a huge bite, the juices quickly filling his mouth. "Mmm mmm! Just the way I like it. Smit knows how to make a good sausage sandwich. I wish my wife was this good of a cook."

The fox didn't start his sandwich yet. He took a sip of OJ instead. "How is she, by the way?"

"Bahhhh. It's getting real bad James. Real bad. Nowadays, I can't even go a day without arguing with her. We often go to bed mad. We throw things around the house. It's really getting on my last nerve. I swear I was this close to…to…"

"Hitting her?"

"…Yeah…but I don't play that game. I would never ever hit a woman, no matter how pissed off I get."

"You've got a good heart Benji."

"Everytime one of our kids does something wrong, we somehow end up blaming and cursing each other instead of the runt. One time Jeffrey broke a window, and she ends up yelling at me because I wasn't watching him. I was making them breakfast for crying out loud! I don't have eyes in the back of my head!"

"I'm sorry to hear that. Have you tried talking it out with her?"

"Trust me. We've done that a million times already. It just makes it worse. She often talks to her grandmother on the phone, crying and swearing about our dysfunctional family."

"That's a shame…" James said with sincerity. He wasn't really good at this type of subject. He thought it was best to keep the responses short.

"It really is. It seems like every time we talk, it magically turns into an argument. Our son and daughter…I hear them cry sometimes. They want us to love each other again, but it's not going to happen. I hate to say it, but I'm seriously considering a divorce."

"…Perhaps it's for the best."

"Yeah…but who's going to get custody of the kids? I love them too damn much to lose them. Sure they're a pain in the ass at times, but it sure beats battling the wife."

"One for you and one for her perhaps."

"That's probably how's it going to be, better than nothing I suppose."

Benjamin finished his sandwich and licked his claws eagerly. James didn't even start on his.

"…You gonna eat that?"

"Hmm? Oh…no. You can have it." He replied, handing him the still hot food. One third of it was already in the big bear's mouth.

"So…James. How are you and your wife?"

"Eh…so-so. We're getting along fine…I guess..."

"You're such a damn liar J Mac. You two are like bunnies, jumping on each other's bones every chance you get."

"Heh heh…alright you caught me. Sorry. I didn't want to make you feel bad about your relationship."

"Don't worry about it man. I already got my share of the action. How do you think I got two kids?"

"Adoption?"

"Very funny. You're a regular comedian."

"I try."

No more words were exchanged until after Benjamin finished off his second sandwich and orange juice.

"So…Ready to finish off the rest of the logs?" the big one asked.

"Yeah. Let's go."

The rest of the day continued like clockwork. James and Benjamin performed the assigned tasks from Smit. He kept a pitcher of lemonade and a few more sausage sandwiches out for them just in case. Shoveling manure while wearing masks, milking the cows, bailing the hay, feeding the pigs, shucking the corn, among other things...were all done without incident. They've done this so many times. It was burned in their brain.

It had been a long arduous day. Their bodies and spirits were nearly depleted. At 6:42 pm, it was already dark. The sun had long retired before they did. The two workers received their day's pay of forty dollars each from Smit, in which they quickly pocketed.

"See you both tomorrow. Careful now, you hear?"

"We will." They both chimed.

James and Benjamin walked down the dirt road out to the main road, where they went their separate ways.

"See ya tomorrow J Mac."

"Later Benji. Good luck with the wife."

"Whatever. I know you'll have a good night. Freak."

The fox blew him a raspberry before he made a turn. "Night Ben."

"Night man."

James took off his tanktop and began his long jog back home. Normally this night run would be tiring for his worn out body, but he was looking forward to what he was going to get when he got home.

Spaghetti was already prepared on the table as Julia McCloud washed the dishes. She and Fox had already eaten. The three didn't always eat together. The mouthwatering aroma of Italian food was strong in the house.

James arrived at his humble abode and opened the front door. Julia continued washing the dishware, unaware of his husband's presence…just the way James liked it.

A toothy grin spread from ear to ear as he snuck across the living room to the kitchen, like a lion on the hunt, like a predator searching for his prey, eyes on his prize. The way the red blouse hugged those curves of hers was very seductive.

The wife was still unaware, until a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around her waist from behind. A suddenly affectionate James rubbed his face on her back, purring like a lovesick kitten.

"EEP!"

"Hi honey. I'm hoooooome."

"Jerk! You almost gave me a heart attack!"

"I'm oh so sorry…please forgive me…I'm begging you…Your Majesty…" he mockingly pleaded, then snuck a kiss on her cheek.

"God you are such a dork."

"I try."

She began scrubbing a plate. "So…how was work?"

"Nothing special. It was the same old thing. Carry this, shovel that. I think Benji gained some weight."

"That ain't surprising. That man loves to eat."

James had a secure hold, and leaned forward onto her. Julia was getting awfully warm from coming in contact with her husband's body, which was hot from all that running.

"So how was your day, foxy lady?"

"Oh boy…Fox thought he was sooo cute when we were at the grocery store."

"What he'd do now?"

"He was playing football with a jar of pickles, and let's just say he made an incomplete pass. I grounded him for a week."

"Where's Fox?" he asked.

"He's asleep in his room."

He raised an eyebrow. "…Oh really?"

She immediately knew what he was thinking. "...James…"

He began kissing her neck slowly and passionately, making her temperature rise even higher. Julia narrowed her eyes and let off an elated sigh. Her cleaning of the dishes slowed down to a crawl.

"…James…"

He slipped a warm paw up underneath her blouse, caressing her soft stomach. James was smooth about it.

"…James…"

With the other hand, he began to undo the very top button of her blouse…

"…Ja…James…aren't you…hungry? There's…a…spaghetti…dinner on the…table…" she said between breaths.

"But I'm not hungry for dinner…I'm hungry for you."

The male sniffed her ear, tickling it ever so slightly with his whiskers. He continued unbuttoning her. She snickered lightly, until he did the one thing that pushed her button…the one thing that set her off… James licked around the rim of her ear.

"…Oh god…" she gasped, dropping the dish in the sink with a loud clang. She had a brief moment of ecstasy as she closed her eyes. Her system just had a jumpstart. "James…James…you know that's my spot…you know what that does to me…"

"C'mon Julia…let's do it. The night's young."

"We can't…do this…while…oh my god James…ahhh…Fox is in the house…"

"He's asleep…he won't know my dear…" he spoke softly, then another lick and nibble on the ear.

"…okay…okay…okay…okay…"

Screw the dishes. Julia's blouse was fully unbuttoned. She was hot and ready. He was hot and ready. Not a moment too soon they were embracing in hugs and kisses…which soon elevated into heated grasping and stroking. Articles of clothing peeled off one after another as the two tangled their way to the living room. They didn't care knocking a lamp over before reaching the couch.

James gently lowered onto her, kissing and nibbling her neck. Julia put both of her hands on his back, gripping it tight. Their chests were pressed together, two hearts thumping hard for one another. His moist breath heated her chest as he suckled on it. Julia panted out loud repeatedly as he pleasured her. Her grip tightened, and felt a rush to her loins. The lovemaking only got deeper…

"…James…"

"…Julia…"

In the middle of their fooling around on the couch, Fox emerged from his room and was thirsty. He knew what was going on. It wasn't the first time he saw them. Covering his eyes, he went to the kitchen and helped himself to a glass of water. The little offspring paid no mind to the trail of two pair of underwear, shirt, pants, blouse, and bra on the floor.

The noises didn't bother him either. The moaning, panting, and creaking of the couch didn't even faze him. He didn't look anywhere but straight ahead as he went back into his room. Not a word, except for this. "Eww..."

They continued well into the night.

At 3am, the two were sleeping peacefully on the couch. Their bodies were cuddled together in a way as if protecting one another. It was endearing.

It was like any other night for the McCloud residence, until a noise disturbed their slumber.

Knock knock knock…

James' ears popped up and his eyes snapped open. He was wide awake and laid completely still. He listened for it again.

Knock knock knock…

Julia was gently nudged on the arm repeatedly before coming to. "mmm…what is it hon?"

"Shh…listen."

…

Knock knock knock…

She began getting nervous. "Someone's at the door. Who could be at this hour?"

"Julia, go to Fox and watch over him. Don't wake him up."

"What are you going to do?"

"Don't worry about me. Just go."

"…Okay…but be careful. Please be careful. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."

She fumbled in the darkness for her bra and underwear, then disappeared down the hall. James went to the kitchen and scrambled around in the drawer. "Forks…spoons…butter knife…ahh…steak knife."

He held it horizontally in a defensive position.

Knock knock knock…

He slinked toward the door in the darkness, weapon ready. James was naked, but didn't really notice at the moment. He tried looking out the window to see who it was, but couldn't get a visual.

Knock knock knock…

The fox cautiously reached forward and got a grip on the doorknob. Slowly…slowly… He breathed deep, and ever so slightly turned it clockwise..

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK…

He almost jumped and let go of the knob, but kept his cool.

"No guts…no glory…" he muttered to himself, then pulled the door wide open and dashed ahead. Knife aimed.

Chapter 2 coming soon…