Wolf Brother

Disclaimer: Star Fox and its trademarks are owned by Nintendo. Other characters are owned by me.

I'm sorry for the delay on my other story - The New Enemy. I had it proofread, so when I get it, I'll update!

II - The Young Fox

What happened here? Fox, Wolf, why is this place messy?

The cookie jar, it fell… It fell all by itself… Mom, it fell by itself, as if it had life!

Now Fox, what did I told you about lying? Okay, Wolf, what really happened here?

Um… I… I was getting cookies when I accidentally pushed it. The jar fell and it got broken into pieces.

Hmm… I see… Fox, go up to your room and clean yourself. Wolf and I will be having a little chat.

Okay, but mom, can you go easy on him? Oh, all right, I'll go…

Wolf, you're not a good liar. I know it wasn't you, since Fox was the one who was messy. I am proud because you cover up for your brother, but sometimes, you mustn't try to defend everything… You have to know when to do that and when not to do that. Do you understand?

Yes, but… I really don't want to see him cry. It makes me sad…

Wolf…

The coach whistled with a strong tune. Everybody lined up outside the soccer camp. Fox, Falco, and Goushin, three people who were also best friends to each other, tried to make sure that they'd be seated at the same row in the bus. Others were just busy being noisy about the oncoming ride.

When the bus arrived, their instructor commanded them, "All right, get inside and try to relax. When we get to the stadium, we'll be in the assembly, and it will all be hard… so don't try to tire yourself, okay! We're in the championship match, so I expect you guys to give your best later."

After all replied with aye, they entered the bus. Fox, Falco, and Goushin were able to occupy one three-person seat, so they weren't separated from each other. As time fled, everybody was seated and the bus started to move. It would take at least an hour or so before they could reach the Corneria Stadium, though. They had plenty of time to do things.

"Say Fox," Falco asked his seatmate while taking out a sandwich he packed before leaving his house, "are your folks coming to watch the game? My mom and pops said that they will arrive more or less during the ceremony." The vulpine just smiled.

Goushin replied, "Hey, me too, although they'll leave about after the ceremony. They aren't really the long speech type."

"Man, you guys are so, so lucky!" Fox complemented them with a pat on their shoulders. "Since my mom works in a far place, I cannot possibly call her. My dad won't be arriving, since he usually comes home late. My brother cannot come because he has college work to do…" The two sighed, but he just hid his worries with a smile.

"…but at least they should take a glance at me… I… I don't have the guts to give my best if no one's looking, especially you, bro… I don't know why, but… I don't feel confident enough when you're not around, looking at me when I am doing something… You were always there to support and correct me… and to be my cushion when I fall… Wait… Am I… Am I being a burden to you?"

"Speaking of your brother," Falco wondered with inquisitiveness, "isn't he the one who was orphaned? I mean, between you two, he was the one who was adopted by your parents, right?" Fox nodded, but by his facial expression, he didn't want to talk about it anymore. "Ah… Okay… Anyway, what are your plans after we finish this championship, after we win the trophy?" The vulpine just grinned and shook his head.

Goushin smiled and proclaimed, "Though being optimistic isn't a bad thing, we mustn't push it too far. You know what they say - Karma is watching." The two just sighed and relaxed from their seats.

After many minutes of traveling, they finally reached their destination. Everybody got their things ready and exited from the vehicle. They were not the ones who reached the place in time, though.

Fox and his friends looked at the different buses parked at the parking area of the arena reserved for players and special guests. He saw different people who were probably special guests and such. However, the one that took their sight was their opponent's group. A gang wearing red-yellow colored uniforms confirmed his memory that they were the opponent team. Their team's name was Pale Dusk, and as he recollected their records, they had never lost a match, whereas the team he's joined, the Blue Horizon, lost one match at the semis. A slight feel of nervousness struck him.

After a while, the two teams lined up outside. Many people were cheering as they took the entrance. Half of the stadium supported the opposition while the other half backed Blue Horizon. In fact, Falco's and Goushin's folks made it just before the ceremony began. After the commemoration speeches and such were given, firecrackers were fired and displays were revealed, and the whole crowd cheered. However…

"He's still not here… Big brother Wolf," he thought as he looked at his teammates' parents."Wait… what am I thinking? He told me earlier that he might not make it… Why am I forcing him to come, anyway? He has his own life… and… I have mine… but… I cannot stand without him… I somehow need his support right now. I need his smile, his light, his guidance… It feels like I couldn't do it…"

"Fox?"

Goushin startled him. "Hey, you're in deep thought! The match is about to begin, are you ready?"

"Yeah," Fox nodded as he put on his kneepads, "I… I am okay… Let's go!"

He took his position in the field. He looked at everyone, and his teammates were already in place too. He then looked around at the audience quickly, but he saw no sign of his relatives. He felt nervous. It's not like they had a star player or anything, but the Blue Horizon looked to him as a good goal shooter. If he felt nervous, they might lose morale in the game. He couldn't let that happen, but he couldn't concentrate either because his idol wasn't there.

A whistle shook him out of his thoughts. The game had begun, and yet he wasn't mentally ready. Almost every time he attempted to steal the ball, he failed. Sometimes, when the opportunity was open for him to shoot for goal, he couldn't. Somehow, there was something inside of him that was missing.

"Fox McCloud, what's the matter?" the coach asked him during the break. "You seemed to be out of thought back there."

"Sorry sir," he whimpered as he looked at the ground. His thoughts once more echoed within him. "What am I doing? Snap out, Fox! Stop being too dependent!"

As the game continued, he walked out to the benches and looked once more at the seats. He wasn't opting to see him there, though. However, he was enlightened, for he saw Wolf waving a large finger foam. Beside him was their father cheering as well. He became happy, and an unknown aura of some sort energized him to do his best.

Goal here, goal there… He stole the ball and revitalized the team. They were catching up. However, the score was only a point away from the foe, and they had ten seconds left. Fox breathed out and thought, "They're watching… This is my chance to make them proud of me… I will win this championship!" Nine… he followed the lost ball. Eight… he quickly slide-kicked it. Seven… Six… Five… He took a fine position. Four… Three… He kicked the ball to the goal. Two… One…

GOAL! The whole crowd cheered and wailed. Fox was risen up by his teammates. They won the cup! He was happy, for he made his favorite companions see something they could be proud about him.