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Disclaimer: I don't own Star Fox, Yugioh, or Star Wars.

Encounter

Chapter 21

Building Aggression

It's been a month already since the situation happened. Through that month, a small group of Jedi came to the planet to make a full sweep of the planet to search out for any other Sith within the area. No one could confirm anymore sith. The only thing they could get out of that would be that they were trying to target the two Jedi in the city of Domino. Also, they had a funeral for Lisa as they cremated her and sent the ashes to the Jedi Academy for the older sibling to bury. At the same time, Serenity sent Lisa's lightsaber to her as well as a note to the older sibling just to say her thoughts on Lisa as a friend, which the note had very well said comments.

Today, Yugi invited everyone to a Christmas party that he and his Grandpa are running. Yugi did decide to invite Falco and Fox, but their answer depends on if they have to work or not. Serenity's been looking closely to Fox's emotions recently in school. The thing about it is that he didn't seem as pleasant as he did a while back. Serenity was keeping a close eye on him to make sure that nothing happens to him.

The day has rolled around the corner as December 25th has arrived. Yugi was outside waiting for his friends as the cold snow was falling to the ground. Everyone came in one big group, all but Fox and Falco. Yugi and Serenity were both getting worried that they weren't able to come. Just before they went inside, they saw Falco pull up to the Turtle Game Shop and park the truck along the sidewalk. Falco got out of the driver's side while Fox got out on the passenger's side.

"Hey guys," Yugi greeted. "This is kinda unusual of you."

"About what?" Falco asked.

"About you driving; I've never seen you drive before."

"Well, that's because Fox didn't feel like driving today, so I decided to drive. At the same time, I had to literally dragFox to here."

"Oh…well…come on in."

With that, Falco and Fox went inside to at least try to enjoy a Christmas at the Moto's residence. Yugi's grandpa was already in the kitchen cooking up some ham for the party while everyone else that was there earlier were helping with the tree, all except for Seto. Seto was too busy with some business issues that were in his way during the Christmas break. Just asthey finished the tree, they all decided to sit down and have a good time together. Fox and Falco were still standing in the entry way, watching what they were doing.

"So, are you feeling any better, Serenity?" Téa asked.

"Yeah, I guess so," Serenity responded. "I'm still having problems getting those events out of my head, but I've gotten used to what happenedon that day."

"Hey, sis," Joey called.

"Yeah, what is it Joey?" Serenity asked.

"Can you do me a favor and not stand under any mistletoes?"

"Joey, you don't have to worry about that," Yugi said. "We don't have any up."

"Besides, we just want to enjoy a normal Christmas Eve around here," Téa said.

"I agree with that too, Téa," Mai said.

Falco decided to sit in the circle with the rest of the group while Fox was sitting out by the window sill, looking outside as the snow fell to the ground. Yugi's grandpa came out and looked over to see that Fox wasn't doing much with the group. Grandpa went over to Fox to speak with him in private.

"Fox, you haven't been very active lately," Grandpa said.

"Well that's because I have some issues on my mind that I'm still clearing up."

Grandpa only stood there, thinking to himself why Fox has been acting this way. Before the event happened, Fox seemed to be a bit happier than this, but now it seemed liked something happened to cause Fox to act this way.

Serenity went over to the entrance to the shop from the living room to grab something. Serenity brought over a large case and opened it up to get her guitar out. Serenity had it in position as she had the pick in her left hand, ready to play Christmas songs with the group. Falco got up and decided to go into the kitchen since he wasn't much of a Christmas song singer and because he wanted to know if Grandpa needed help. Just as they all began to sing Silent Night, Fox began to think about a freak accident that happened at the temple when he was younger. He remembers that freak accident as many soldiers on both sides were killed. The one thing that is still glued to his mind through that accident was something that pierced his heart every time he thought of it. Not just Dessan, but one other person kept aching his heart as he can't get the images out of his mind at this point. Before anything else, he kept hearing his name being called out by many people. He pulled his mind back to reality and looked at the others.

"Huh…what?" Fox asked.

"It's time to eat, that's what," Tristan said.

"Yeah, let's DIG IN!" Joey said as he rose his arm up in a victory like way.

Everyone else but Serenity and Fox went into the kitchen as they were ready to eat the food that Grandpa and Falco were able to make for everyone. Serenity finally has an opportunity to talk to Fox, giving her time to understand more about what's wrong with Fox.

"Fox, I want to know why you've been acting the way you have," Serenity asked.

"…I don't want to talk about those matters," Fox responded.

"Look, you've helped me get back with Joey as well as helped me in the worst of situations."

"…It's not like I had a choice; as a Jedi, it's my job to protect the weak and helpless."

"I know that, but I just want to know what's been bothering you."

"…………It's just some accident that I've been thinking about. No big deal."

"It has to do with Dessan, doesn't it?"

Fox's ears perked up, wondering how Serenity got that kind of an impression in her mind. Fox was wondering what all Dessan told her.

"Tell me…what did Dessan tell you about that accident?"

"He said nothing about it except that you were under the impression of the Dark Side at one point, that's all."

"…Did…did he say anything about Lauren?"

"What about her?"

"…Never mind. It's nothing."

With that, Fox began to go into the kitchen to get a bite to eat. Without a word, Serenity followed in and decided to sit next to Joey, who was saving a spot for her just to keep her away from Tristan and Duke. Him knowing them, they might try something that might be too nice. Serenity began to get some of the ham and such as everyone else was already digging in. Fox only sat there, thinking about how his efforts to stop Dessan before was for naught. He couldn't get it out of his mind as he couldn't even bear the fact that Dessan survived all of those events. First it was Kyle Katarn that killed him first, or so they all assumed. And second was Fox's effort long ago, but Dessan somehow survived that too. Fox wanted to leave the table, but he knows that someone's going to follow. He couldn't let anyone get hurt, so he decided on one thing.

"Guys, I have to go to the station to pick something up," Fox said.

With that, he left the table and began to walk to the entrance. Serenity pushed back her chair and began to follow Fox out, trying to see what he's up to. When she got out of the kitchen, she found that Fox was already turning the corner to leave for the shop's entrance. Serenity began to take a quick jog out to catch Fox before he left the shop. When she got to the shop entrance, she was able to catch up to Fox before he left the shop.

"Fox, wait…I need to talk to you."

Fox only stood there, not even turning around. He only turned his head a little and told her one question.

"What's there to talk about?"

"I need to know what's been bothering you."

"Like what?"

"Like…Lauren…"

Fox only froze there, thinking about something that gave him a spine chilling worry. Fox slowly turned around and looked at Serenity only to see that there's a flame of determination in her eyes; determined to get the truth out of him. Fox stood there, facing Serenity; wanting to know what's gotten into her.

"Serenity…why are you like this?" Fox asked.

"Tell me more about Lauren, can you?"

Fox stood there, trying to think of something else he could remember that he hasn't told them yet, he's told them everything. Everything except one thing, yet he can't say a word on it.

"Look, there's nothing more to say about her."

"Isn't there? Then why haven't we seen any recent stuff about her?"

"Look, you're persisting on a lost cause."

"And why would you say that it's a lost cause? Because Lauren never lived, did she?"

Fox stood there stunned at this event. He doesn't know where she got this from, but she doesn't have the right to say that. Fox knows just about everything that there is to talk about with Lauren, but he has nothing more to talk on.

"Fox, I want to know more!"

Before Fox could talk anymore, he began to walk out the door. Serenity went over and tried to stop Fox. She put her hand on his shoulder, but the thing about that was a mistake. Fox wheeled around quickly and threw Serenity to the wall and within a second he had his hand around Serenity's neck. Serenity began to gasp for air, trying to get out of Fox's grip. Serenity began to look into Fox's eyes, but she can only see one thing in his eyes. She can see a burning desire for revenge as well as a building aggression. Serenity began to feel light headed as her lack of oxygen began to get to her. She finally blacked out, not knowing what else will happen to her, or what's happening to her now. She finally awakened to see her friends surrounding her, worried about her as a cold air was flowing in.