Here's the next chapter.

Disclaimer: (Why do I have to say this over and over again?) I don't own Star Fox, Yugioh, or Star Wars.

Encounter

Chapter 23

Scars of Life

It's only been about 25 minutes since Fox began to walk with Serenity in his arms. Serenity's feeling better now after Fox gave her his thermal vest that he wears underneath his other layers of clothes. Serenity's body began to regain feeling again as the warmth coming from the vest was helping her. Despite the fact that it's a bit too big for her to wear, it's enough to keep her warm through the cold weather. Fox's fur already keeps him warm from the cold weather, but he's required to have a thermal vest just in case of sub-zero weather. A few minutes of walking has passed as Fox could see the house from their standpoint as they were getting closer.

"Fox, can I ask you something?" Serenity asked.

"…Sure," Fox responded.

"Why are you helping me? You could've easily been helping someone else like this."

"……It's because there's something about you and your brother that I can see in Lauren and me."

Serenity only relaxed in Fox's arms with that in mind, but it still kind of bothers her that Fox helped her out of more situations than the others. Just as they arrived at the house, Fox carefully set Serenity down onto her feet so that she could walk on her free will. Serenity's able to stand again now that she can feel her whole body again. Fox unlocked the door and opened it for her so that she would be able to sit down as soon as possible. Fox went over to the stove in the kitchen, and began to make something to drink. Serenity sat on the couch and wrapped herself up in a blanket she found folded up on the couch while she still had the thermal vest on. Fox came in with a cup of cocoa as he gave the mug to Serenity. She took some small sips from it since the drink was still extremely hot.

"Careful you don't burn yourself," Fox said.

"I'm fine," Serenity responded.

While Serenity was relaxing, Fox went to sit by her; waiting for her to be ready. Serenity was able to drink down the cocoa quickly so that they could start.

"Fox…can you tell me your problems, why you've been acting the way you have, and…what of Lauren?" Serenity asked.

"Hold on…one question at a time," Fox said.

"Okay…go ahead and start on any subject."

Fox sat there, thinking about what he should say and how he should say it. After a minute of thinking, he found the words to describe a certain subject.

"Serenity, I have to tell you this; just be ready for the truth…the truth about my life."

"Fox, I've been ready ever since I started being like this."

"Okay………when my mother died, I didn't understand a thing about it until I got a little older. My sister and I couldn't understand what happened and how, but we knew how it felt to lose a mother. When my father died…well…that's a long story. I began to lose control of my emotions a little at that point because of our parents' deaths. The only thing that helped was one person."

"And that would be Lauren, right?"

"Yes, it was thanks to her that she kept me balanced on that borderline between peace and insanity."

"You've already told me that story, but…there's something else about it…isn't there?"

"The reason why I said that is because there was something that my mother kept away from us…away from Lauren and me."

"Why?"

"Because…there's been a confirmed rumor going around that my mother…she's truly a member of the Reinard family."

"What about it?"

"The Reinard family all consisted of Sith lords. Each generation, no matter what, ended up being a Sith in the end; but there was one exception."

"And that's what, your mother?"

"Yeah; before she married my father, the Jedi knew her as Sarah…I think Berkling…but others somehow thought that she was a Reinard offspring. Everyone knew that the Reinard family all consisted of Sith, and one of the Reinards named Vixy Reinard was the only one who didn't fall to the Dark Side; but that didn't stop my father from falling in love with her."

"But…where are you doing with this?"

"Where I'm going with it is that…well…think about it. If my mother's family consisted of the Reinard family blood, I'm sure I have Reinard blood within my veins."

"And that explains your strange behavior, right?"

"Yeah, that explains how I was easily seduced to the Dark Side."

"But…why wasn't Lauren seduced to the Dark Side?"

"…Sometimes, some have the power to resist the temptations of the Dark Side."

"I see. So…what else do you have to say?"

Fox sat there, trying to get to certain subjects since each thing has a connection to each other. He's trying to find ways to get to the one thing that concerns him most, but he can't find ways to lead her to it.

"Fox…maybe…I should ask you this one thing," Serenity suggested.

"What?"

"Is Lauren really a real person?"

"Yes, but whatever Dessan said to you is a lie."

"But…how can you back up what you said?"

"Serenity…do you remember that lightsaber you and your friends made?"

"Yeah…what does that have to do with it?"

"Well…isn't that enough proof for it?"

"Well…I guess, but just going off subject…can you tell me how we did with it for sure?"

Fox went over to the cupboard and pulled out a box that was used to store their school project in. He opened the box and held it in his hand. He then tossed it over to Serenity, letting her examine it herself.

"What do you think?"

Serenity looked at the lightsaber as the somewhat scope type of design seemed to suit her likings. The lightsaber design that derived from Anakin Skywalker when he was still in training was the design she and her group used. Serenity placed it on the table as she finished examining it. Fox then used his Force powers to bring the lightsaber to him. Just as he grabbed the lightsaber and ready to put it back in it's box, Serenity wanted to ask him something.

"Uh, Fox…how is it that Lauren's lightsaber design is the same as ours?"

"I don't know…I guess it's by chance."

Just as he opened the cupboard, he threw the whole box to Serenity this time. Serenity saw it coming at her and caught the lightsaber as it came out of the box. Serenity stood up again, somewhat angry at Fox for doing that.

"Fox, what was that for?"

"Serenity…I want you to take a good look at that lightsaber."

Serenity only held it up in front of her only to see something as Fox turned around. What was in his hands was a lightsaber with the same exact design as there lightsaber.

"…Fox…but…if…what's going on here?"

"The one you have…take a good look at it."

Serenity began to look at it, thinking that there might be something on the hilt. She found something interesting on the bottom of the lightsaber, seeing something that she was quite confused about.

"What does…W7 mean?" Serenity asked.

"Serenity…think about it…use those skills of yours and try to figure something out."

Serenity began to think about it for a while…not understanding what Fox is getting at. Fox went over to the couch and sat down, waiting for her answer. He then looked over to see a blank stare coming from her, and a sign that she didn't even examine the engraving again.

"Fox…I don't understand…what does it mean?"

"Serenity…here's a hint. Turn the lightsaber around 180 degrees and you'll find your answer."

With that, Serenity did and looked at it again. As she looked at the engraving again, something about it surprised her; something caused her heart to skip a beat.

"But…it…can't be…"

"It is…LM…are the initials to…Lauren McCloud."

Serenity sat there, not understanding any of it. She looked over to see something in Fox's eye, something that's causing him to shed tears.

"Fox…what does it mean?"

"…Serenity…this one thing…has caused me grief all my life…ever since that day…the day of that attack on the Academy."

"What happened?"

"…All I can say is that…"

"What?"

"…Serenity. Lauren…my dear sister…died a long time ago."

As she heard that, Serenity's eyes widened at the shear thought. The one thing Fox hid from everyone that doesn't know of this.

"Serenity…on this exact day…when she just became a Jedi Knight of the New Republic…she died during that attack…by Dessan's hands."

"Is…is that why you hate Dessan?"

"…Yes…that's what caused me to fall to the Dark Side so easily. Without her…I lost all control of my emotions…I couldn't hold myself together. My life…all fell apart as she was lying in my arms…dying from a fatal wound made by Dessan. Her heart was bleeding out from an attack with a throwing knife that was supposed to be for me. Lauren…she…she saved my life in place of hers. I can still feel the blood all over me…her blood…as she died in my arms. When she died, I began to take matters into my own hands…and decided to kill Dessan once and for all. I searched out Dessan within a matter of minutes and boarded his ship. Anyone that got in my way was killed instantly. When I got to Dessan…I did all I can to kill him. I guess it wasn't enough."

"…Fox…now I understand…now I understand why you fell to the Dark Side."

"Yes…but that's when Master Skywalker and Kyle Katarn told me about the Reinard family heritage. I decided to have Luke lock my memories of my training as a Jedi, my Force powers, my skills with a lightsaber, and…memories that I'm regretting to have locked away."

"Which are of what?"

"…of Lauren."

Serenity sat there in shock, knowing how memories must be kept, even if bad things did happen. She doesn't understand why Fox wanted to lose those memories.

"Fox…why did you do that?"

"…Because I thought it would stop the pain."

"But…what happened after that?"

"…somehow, it made it worse."

"In what way?"

"…I was trying to remember something…something that I wanted to know. Every time my best friend, Bill, would speak to me, he seemed to have been in a state of loss."

"Why?"

"Because…my best friend loved my sister…as she loved him. It was so hard on him that...that I couldn't even understand his pain because of my stupidity."

"…I'm sorry to hear that."

"…Serenity…when I met Krystal…who's a Jedi on her planet…she somehow found out of these locked memories and unlocked them for me."

"What happened then?"

"…All of the training I went through, almost all of the Force power I knew, all of the skills I had…and…the memories of Lauren…were unlocked."

"I'm pretty sure you felt awful."

"As soon as I got my memories back…I tried to find Lauren's spirit…but…I couldn't find her. Not even my father could find her."

"Fox…I suppose it's hard to bear the fact…that you won't be able to see her again."

"…Serenity…do you remember that day…when 'Bandit' Keith Howard attacked you and Joey?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Because…that's how those emotions that I left dormant for such a long time began to come back into play…because of what you did to try to save Joey."

"Fox…how?"

"Because…it reminded me of Lauren's death…that's why."

"And that's why you saved us the way you did?"

"Yes, it is…that's why I was protecting you and Joey…because I didn't want you two to feel what I've felt."

"…Fox…I'm sorry…to hear this."

"No…I should be sorry…I kept this hidden away…I kept this away from you, from your friends…from everyone that doesn't know."

Fox only sat there with his head down as his emotions began to flood his mind. Serenity wanted to do everything she could to help, but she couldn't do much since she doesn't know that pain.

"Serenity…that's why I also kind of envy you. You and Joey are still there for each other, but my sister died…and can't be found…"

"Fox…I…I don't know your pain…but…I understand your loss. I don't know why I think this, but...someday…you might find Lauren."

After hearing that, Fox only sat there as he began to chuckle to himself. Serenity looked up, wondering what got to him.

"Huh? Fox…what's so funny?"

"I don't understand how you have this much faith, but…now that I think about it, even a little faith can defeat the Dark Side."

"Fox…just have faith…you might find even the slightest sign somewhere."

"…Serenity…right now, I want to be with Lauren again…hear her voice again…and see her smile."

"More importantly, you want to see Lauren again, right?"

"Yeah…but no one has seen Lauren…not even since she died."

Serenity sat there as some tears of sorrow began to form in her eyes. She understands how Fox feels because of what happened between her and Joey. She wiped her tears away and began to talk.

"Fox…I understand how you feel. When Joey and I were separated, I thought I was going to go blind…before I could see Joey again. Thankfully…the operation he paid for saved me to see him…one last time before I may go blind again."

"Serenity…give me a little bit of time…and you won't have to worry about that ever again."

Serenity looked up to look at Fox after he said that. She doesn't know how, but she has an idea of it.

"Fox…you're saying…there's a way to stop it?"

"Yes…but once I get more information…I'll tell you about it later."

Serenity began to smile at what she heard, giving her some hope. Fox still sat there, waiting for anything else to talk about.

"Fox…is…that all you have to say?"

"Yeah…but can you do me a favor?"

"Sure."

"…Please…let everyone else know what I said…tell them the truth why I haven't seen Lauren in years."

"Fox…I'll do that…but…can you do me a favor as well?"

Fox looked up straight at Serenity, waiting for what she wanted. Serenity took a deep breath, wanting to tell him something important.

"About…what happened…I probably would've said to let your past go…but you're different. You were traumatized by her death, but she's still there for you…in your heart. I…I don't know what's the possibilities of it, but I'm sure that Lauren's still there, waiting for you. Just keep your hopes up and you may find her someday."

Fox only sat there after hearing that, but something seemed to make his heart skip a beat.

"Serenity…like the other psychologists, you're just like them."

"Fox…I'm sorry if I didn't help, but I tried."

"But what you said is something that makes you different. You can comprehend situations better than other people."

"…Fox…why do you say that?"

"Let's just say one has to experience what someone feels to know what to say."

"Then…you think…"

"Yeah…it did help in some way…you're not like them because you've been through the pain of separation. You knew what to say to me and how to put it together, which is why I'm hoping you can succeed to become the psychologist you want to be."

"Fox…"

As she heard that, her eyes began to fill with tears again. As Fox got up, Serenity got up quickly and began to hold him tightly, thanking him for what he said. Fox looked down as he could hear her sniffing from crying. Fox put his arms around her neck, holding her as he began to think about what she said.

"Serenity, I'm sure your brother would like you to be back."

Serenity let go of Fox as she looked up to see that Fox was ready whenever she was ready to leave. She took her pink coat and put it on as they went to the garage. As Serenity came out into the garage, Fox pulled the tarp off of a speeder bike much similar to the one that Falco uses, but instead of it being brown, it had a grayish color to it with some emblems on it.

About 5 minutes has passed since they left the house as they arrived back at the shop. Serenity hopped off the bike and took the helmet off that she wore for her protection. She set it on the back of the speeder bike where it was and began to walk to the door. She heard Fox leave at a quick pace as the sound of the speeder bike echoed in the distance. When she opened the door, she saw that Joey was sitting on the shop counter, waiting for Serenity. As Joey looked up, he got off the counter and walked to her. Serenity only stood there, waiting for a scolding from him or at least something. The only thing that Joey did was embrace her, happy to see Serenity alive and well.

"Serenity, I almost began to think that you would never come back," Joey said.

"Well…what I did…I'm sorry."

Serenity looked over to see that everyone that was still there were happy to see her back alive. Falco just got to the shop to see Serenity there, but Fox was nowhere to be seen. He began to proceed to the door, but what stopped him was Yugi, who was asking a favor of Falco.

"Hey, why don't you stay over for the night?" Yugi asked.

"I can't," Falco responded. "I have to be at HQ by tomorrow morning to send a transmission to Corneria on my report of things so far."

"Oh…well…have a safe trip back."

With that, Falco opened the shop door to leave for their rented home. Yugi, Joey, and Serenity began to proceed back into the living room as they were waiting for Serenity to open the gifts that she got from her friends. Serenity looked over at the couch to see Mokuba, but Seto was nowhere in sight to be found. She figured that he had some business to take care of back at Kaiba Corp., but that didn't matter to her. She was somewhat sad that she couldn't see what everyone else got as well as leaving everyone in wait for her return. She was willing to open the presents, but the gifts she gets doesn't add up to what she did for Fox. She wanted to tell everyone the truth about what happened, about what Fox went through, and to tell about Lauren's death.

"Everyone…about Fox…there's something I have to tell you."

Two hours has passed as the clock stroke at midnight as everyone is asleep from the stressful Christmas. Outside the window, someone is standing there, watching over them as they were fast asleep, but more specifically at Serenity. He could only imagine what kind of pain he put Serenity through, so he wanted to give her something to make up for that.

"Serenity…I'm sorry for putting you through that pain just to get me to tell you the truth, but I'll make it up to you somehow."

He knew the perfect present to give to Serenity as he wants her to have it, despite the dangers of it as well as a couple of other things. One of them should keep her hopes up for a while longer, and the other is something he wished to hold until later, but he felt now is the right time to give her the letter addressed to Serenity. Just as he began to leave, something gave him a chill down his spine. He began to sense someone's presence through the Force, but what he felt didn't cause him anger or hatred. He felt a presence that he's felt before, a presence that he could never forget, a presence…that he wanted back in his life.

"Somehow…I can feel your presence again. Please, I want to see you again."