Disclaimer: See the Prologue

Chapter 12 – Confrontation and Resolution

Fox, Falco, Krystal and Jacques stood before the Venomian Commander, whose eyes had lit up a hellish crimson and he was wearing a smile. They stepped back some, instead of Jacque, who stood his ground defiantly.

"What business do you have here, daemon?" Jacques asked, glaring, "Foul spawn of Chaos!"

"A defiant one, aren't you Space Marine?" the Commander replied.

"What is going on here?" Fox demanded, "Who or what are you?"

"He is possessed by an entity from The Warp?" Jacques cried, "It has taken over this Venomian's…"

Suddenly the Commander/Daemon thrusted his hand outwards and they were all thrown back.

"Wagghhhh!" Falco cried as they flew across the room and landed on the large space in the middle of the room.

"You poor, sorry mercenaries," the Commander spoke, almost sympathetically, "Caught in the middle of my quest to take over this rather remarkable system."

They all felt their bodies freeze up as they floated in midair, courtesy of the mental energies emitting from the daemon, who was inhibiting the body of the Commander.

"What do you want with me?" Jacques choked out.

"I see you still want to know why the Venomians want with a single Marine like you?" the daemon said, "Why a solitary warrior of the false Emperor."

"Why?" Fox cried, struggling against his unseen binds.

"Only one subject is required if you want to create a whole army of loyal, genetically perfected, powerful foot soldiers through gene slicing and therapy."

"You mean…" Fox said, remembering what splicing really means, "Cloning?"

"You catch on pretty quick for an alien," the daemon said, "I was hoping that that pathetic ape Oikonny would have acquired this piece of Imperial meat already and would have begun draining him of his blood. If everything was on schedule, he would have already churned out an entire legion…"

He then smiled.

"…so I can defile with the power of Chaos and take over this system."

"C…Chaos?" Fox queried painfully.

The daemon rolled his eyes, "I thought the Marine and…."

He eyed the Cerinian, before stepping up to her and putting a hand on her cheek.

"…this pretty blue vixen would have told you about the power of Chaos by now."

He noticed Jacques looking at him with a face of anger, and that it was because of his hand on the Cerinian's cheek. He smiled and slapped her face painfully.

Fox's eyes widened in horror; Jacques almost cried out in panic.

"You can't do anything to me Marine," the daemon said, "Or any of you aliens. You are powerless against Chaos. Soon Oikonny will bring reinforcements to this mudpit and will commence operations immediately. I expect to have my army in a few days."

"WE WILL NOT LET YOU!" Jacques cried, "YOU CHAOS SEEK TO DESTOY ALL THAT LIVE!"

"Who said I was of Chaos?" the Commander/daemon said, "Me and that spirit you unfortunately released from his physical shackles no longer serve the Dark Gods. The both of us broke out…"

He then eyed the flat stone on the floor.

"…in the form of this artifact, which is useless now. We embodied it and simply waited for something to pick it up."

He then crushed it under his feet.

"Whoever owned this pathetic shell," he said, referring to his form, "Should have known better than to come near the Blood God's temple and steal his belongings. Andrew Oikonny knew the power of Chaos and had this Venomian extract one of it into his fake Bloodthirster…"

He paused to see their bewildered faces.

"…while I merely took him over, and has been behaving disturbingly like him since."

"So you're a deserter to your own gods?" Krystal snapped, he face stinging slightly from being slapped."

"I was bored," the daemon said, "Standing in the darkness of the Eye of Terror, ignored by Khorne and the other gods. So I've decided…"

He smiled.

"…I'll become a god," he said, "The God of Lylat."

"You are one crazy ghost," Falco chided, "Chaos, The Warp, Dark Gods. What a load of horse…"

Suddenly, chained lightning erupted from the daemon's finger in anger, frying the avian, which screamed in pain.

"FALCO!" Fox cried.

"Watch your tongue, fried chicken!" the daemon exclaimed, giving off his own glare

Afterwards, there floated a smoking, blackened Falco, who just coughed and let out a chuckle.

"Motherfucking spirit," Falco grumbled softly

Just then, Krystal felt the daemon hold on her weaken, possibly from firing off lightning bolt's from one's hand and trying to focus on his prisoners at the same time.

"YOU MONSTER!" Krystal cried.

She suddenly broke from the daemon's grip and delivered a drop kick to his face, sending him to the floor. The others fell from the air, where Fox and Jacques quickly picked themselves up from the floor, ignoring the bruises that covered their bodies.

Except Falco whom laid on the ground semi-conscious.

"First I get shot down," he said, "Then I get put in jail. Now I just got fried," he said, rather humorously and in a concussion, "What a day."

Krystal grabbed her staff from the ground and waved it at the daemon.

"You don't have the mental prowess to stand up to a pure Chaos daemon, Cerinian," the daemon growled.

"You have to exorcise the daemon out of it's host, Krystal" Jacques exclaimed, picking up a blaster rifle, "Then destroy it for good."

Krystal nodded, "I will."

She was determined to destroy this evil. She swung her staff at the daemon, who swerved to avoid it's righteous blow. He then dove forward towards her, before receiving a laser bolt through the shoulder, courtesy of Fox.

"Impossible!" the daemon cried, "How can I feel pain?"

"Why don't you take on all of us?" Fox asked, gripping his rifle, "Then you'll understand true pain!"

Taking the chance, Krystal swung again at the distracted daemon and smacked the daemon across the face, sending him to the ground. Krystal stood over him, staff pointing at his face.

"You will regret doing this, Cerinian!" the daemon growled, "Chaos will come for you."

Krystal could only smirk, before driving the staff into the Venomian's chest, where crimson light tore out of his chest, mouth and eyes.

"The daemon is trying to flee!" Jacques cried, "Destroy it!"

Krystal gripped her staff as it's enemies tore away at the daemon spirit, which let loose a monstrous scream which caused Fox and Jacques to cover their eyes as the windows in the control room shattered.

The crimson light slowly dissipated as the staff consumed it. The screaming soon stopped, followed by a blinding light.

"Ahh!" Krystal cried, covering her eyes and dropping her staff.

The light also soon disappeared. Everyone opened their eyes slowly, with Fox running them gently.

"What happened?" Fox queried softly.

Krystal smiled, "I did it."

"Did what?" Fox asked again, "looking at the smiling vixen, who held her staff in triumph.

"I exorcised my first daemon," she said, almost with joy.

Falco got up slowly, rubbing his forehead slowly. He noticed the still form of the Venomian reptilian.

"He's dead," Falco said.

All eyes turned to the avian, who was leaning against the wall.

"What was that?" Krystal asked.

Jacques pointed at the Commander, and she gasped. Jacques wasn't all that surprised.

"You focussed too much energy into the possessed, Krystal," Jacques explained, "You destroyed the host's soul as well as it's parasitic guest.

He then noticed an almost upset look on her face.

"But the loss is of no consequence," Jacques said, "On the contrary, you've terminated one of Disorder's leadership figures."

Krystal looked at Jacques for a second before nodding. Still, she couldn't shake the fact that she directly killed a living creature, even if he was a bad guy.

"We better get out of here, before Andrew shows his ugly face again," Fox said, "Let's see if we can call for help."

On board the Great Fox, Slippy and Peppy stood around quite nervously, waiting to hear Fox's voice to grace over the coms.

"It's been fourty-five minutes,' Slippy said, "And when I left the fort the guys were in a bad state."

Peppy sighed, "We'll have to assume they've been either captured, or…"

He was about to finish his dreadful sentence when a beeping sound came from ROB's terminal.

"Receiving transmission from planet surface," ROB answered.

Peppy? Slippy ROB? Fox's voice began, Anyone there?

Peppy was quick to answer it, while Slippy flashed a happy grin.

"Fox? Doggone it, what happened to you!" Peppy exclaimed, "Where are you? What is your situation?"

Calm down old timer, Fox chuckled softly on the other end, It's a long, fantasy-induced story. We need pickup.

"Why?" Peppy asked, smiling slightly, "What happened to the Arwings and the Landmaster?"

Err… Fox begun, Does our insurance cover 'Destruction by Demonically Possessed Robot?'

20 minutes later, the Great Fox flew away from Cython IV, where all were present in the hangar bay, looking over what remained of Falco and Krystal's Arwings and the Landmaster."

"Goddamn it," Falco cursed, the effects of being fried by lightning all but worn off, "This'll take a chunk of our budget to patch up."

"I'll say," Peppy agreed, just as annoyed, "What happened out there?"

"I think Jacques can explain better than I could," Fox said.

All eyes turned to Jacques, who stood there, arms crossed.

"We were attacked by two elements of Chaos," Jacques begun, "A demonically possessed imitation Bloodthirster and the Commander himself was possessed by a daemon also, which I assume they came from this stone."

He opened his palm to reveal the broken pieces of the flat stone, which was heavily inscribed. The pieces were large enough to be fit back together like a jigsaw.

"Alright," Peppy said, I understand all that. Now…what is Chaos?"

"Chaos are the entities that live in The Warp, which is the other realm besides the one we are all living in. They consist of daemons, monsters, heretics and vile, unspeakable, indescribable evil."

That last bit made everyone once again feel uncomfortable, even Jacques himself shuddered after saying all that..

"Ok," Falco said, "We're through being made terrified, now let's get to more important matters…"

All eyes now turned to Falco, who smirked at getting everyone's attention.

"…our pay."

Everyone sighed, except Jacques.

"Peppy better pay double for what we've all just being through," Fox grumbled.

Jacques rolled his eyes and thought, 'Mercenaries.'

Soon they were at the bridge, with ROB patching through to the good general.

"What is going to happen to me, McCloud?" Jacques asked Fox.

"We'll have to convince Pepper that you're not hostile towards Corneria," Fox replied, "Or Lylat for that matter."

Jacques nodded in acknowledgment, before Pepper's image appeared on the projector.

Star Fox, Pepper begun, Where are you? You have arrived at Corneria hours ago.

"We've ran into a few snags, general," Fox replied, "We've just taken out a Venomian fortress on Cython IV."

Cython IV? Pepper replied, I can't believe Oikonny would build a fort on that craphole. I've been meaning to destroy it but…

"Let me guess," Fox said, "The stink."

That's it, Pepper smiled humorously, Anyway, what about that Space Marine you'll suppose to deliver to me?

Jacques decided to make himself known.

"I am here," Jacques said, stepping forward.

Pepper was shocked, By the devil McCloud, there's a human on your bridge.

Fox smiled, "Relax Pepper. He's on our side. He helped us take down Cython IV."

Are you insane? Pepper almost cried, It could turn on you at any second.

"His name is Jacques Mortensen, Ultramarines 2nd Company," Falco argued, "He saved our butts, and possibly the whole system."

"I come in peace, general sir," Jacques said, "Besides, I am not your enemy, the Venomians are."

I know that, Pepper said with light hostility, Anything new in particular I should know about them?

"What about cloning, sir?" Fox asked.

Cloning?

"And daemons?" Peppy added.

Whare you all talking about? Peppy demanded.

Fox sighed, "Jacques. You mind?"

Jacques smiled, "Not at all. He must know."

The Space Marine took his time to explain to Pepper about why the Venomians, specifically the Chaos daemons, want with him. He then told about Chaos and The Warp. He left out his past and Cerinia's destruction, however.

Interesting, Peppy said, Is there anymore Chaos activity?

"I can sense no more taint, general," Jacques said, "The Warp has been put back in it's place."

Lets hope it stays that way, Pepper said, Alright, I'm convinced that 'Brother' Mortensen is not hostile, but there is no way I'm letting him set foot on Corneria.

"Understood," Fox said, "Now, about our pay?"

"Oh yes," Pepper said, clearing his throat, "Since technically you've stopped the Space Marine from falling into Venomian hands, I'm transmitting your pay now. Oh, and a little extra for Cython IV."

Everyone smiled at that, except Jacques.

"Good job. Pepper out."

His image disappeared. Falco sighed.

"Finally," he said, "I'm gonna go lie down for…let's say…ten to fifteen hours."

He turned to leave the bridge, where he sighed both loudly and with exasperation.

"Lombardi?"

Falco stopped, and turned to Jacques.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for speaking for me," Jacques said, smiling appreciably.

Falco nodded and returned the smile, albeit slightly suppressed. He stepped out. Slippy walked up to Jacques and nudged his shoulder.

"Don't get used to that, pal," Slippy said, "It's only once in a blue moon when Falco's feeling like doing something nice."

Jacques nodded.

"So," Fox said, smiling, "What next for the Ultramarine?"

Jacques sighed, "I am not sure. I am possibly millions of light years from the nearest Imperial controlled world. And besides, they probably think I'm dead."

His back turned, Krystal whispered something into Fox's ear, which perked up at what Fox said.

"Er…Jacques?"

"Yes?"

"Would you like to join us?"

Jacques turned fully towards him.

"Could you repeat that?" Jacques said.

"Want to join Star Fox?" Fox asked, "We could use some muscle like you?"

Jacques couldn't believe what was happening. Fox was offering him to be a part of a warrior caste again. It was Jacques' purpose as a Battle-Brother to serve someone higher-up, and this was his chance to step fully into the fray once again.

Jacques looked at Fox for a few seconds, before responding, "I would, Brother McCloud."

Fox smiled and stretched his hand forward, "Then you are now an honorary member of Star Fox."

Jacques returned the smile and shook it…gently this time.

"One more thing?" Fox said.

"Yes?"

"Please just call me Fox," the vulpine replied.

"Agreed."

Slippy was next to shake his hand, next by Krystal.

"I'm glad you've decided to join us, Jacques," Krystal said, smiling.

"As I am, Your Hi…Krystal," Jacques said, deciding to refer to her name from now on.

ROB once again cut through the happy moment, where he was once again delivered anything but good or cheerful news.

"Incoming message from Cornerian Command," he said.

"What does it say?" Fox said.

"Wing Commander Bill Grey has been found alive and well outside Sector C," ROB reported, relaying the message.

"That is good to hear," Jacques said.

Everyone else smiled at that, even Jacques.

"And has been committed to Corneria Mental Institute due to mental trauma," ROB finished.

Fox's mind suddenly crashed.

"What!"