"Yes, he will be able to help… What news?"

"Lord, the… succubus… has just arrived…"

"Get that love struck tone out of your voice! You should know better!"

"F-forgive me, my lord…"

"Ah, I suppose some are not as strong-willed as I… nevertheless. Send orders to get the demon in gear."

"Yes, my lord."

X

Krystal shot up in her bed, gasping for breath. It felt like she had been forced under water for hours… I'm sweaty enough to have been underwater, too… She laid back down in her bed, trying to go to sleep, but her mind raced…

Fox got up, ate, showered, and got to the bridge of the Great Fox. He sat down in the command chair, and looked at the monitor. It had been three days out of three to reach Corneria, and he was anxious to set down. After awhile, the rest of the crew joined them, Krystal being the last. Wow, it looks like she's been in the shower for hours, he thought. Why, I wonder… She sat down at her seat, and he looked away.

"Fox, we're heading out of warp! We should all buckle up," said Slippy. Fox nodded. Since the Great Fox was going at tremendous speed, and had to stop quickly before they smashed into Corneria's atmosphere. That was a lot of kinetic energy they needed to bleed off.

As they exited the warp gate, the bars of light outside the Fox started to lessen, and finally they faded away. The team was pushed forward in their seats slightly, but then Corneria came into view, and they could sit back again. Fox switched on the com system to Corneria Traffic Control. "This is the Great Fox, requesting permission to land." The com system sounded in an official voice.

"This is CTC, we have you on radar. You may proceed to your usual spot, Great Fox." Fox acknowledged back, and started the flight down to their LZ. It's good to be home again, Fox thought.

While Krystal, Falco, and Slippy were at the Archives in Corneria City, Fox was visiting an old friend…

"Fox! It's great to see ya again!" said Peppy as Fox came into his house. The house was small, but comfortable.

"It's good to see you too, old timer. How've things been?" Fox asked.

"Ah, none too quiet, let me tell ya, but I've found things to do," he told Fox. "So, how've you been?"

Fox frowned. "Not as good as I'd like… You see…"

After Fox had told the story, Peppy was surprised. "I've left for not half a year and already you've gotten yourself into trouble?" he said with good humor. "I guess that's why the others aren't here. Well, do you need my help? I can always come out of retirement-"

"No, I think we've got it," Fox said quickly. He didn't want to get Peppy into more danger. He could have come if Fox said yes, but… he was old, and Fox didn't want him to get himself in the line of fire…

Peppy looked a little disappointed. "Ah well," he said, "I guess I'll just have to keep the home fires burning. But if you'd like to stay longer, you're welcome."

"Thanks Peppy, I'd-" A beep from his comlink cut him off. He listened for a moment to the message played in his ear, then said, "Sorry Peppy, I've got to go. We've discovered the location of the world that demon told us of. Sorry I couldn't stay longer." They said their goodbyes, and Fox left Peppy, alone with his thoughts of days past…

That's chapter X. Review, if possible. Thanks, all, for your kind words.

Black Footman342