Star Fox 2

CH.2: Changes

Fox McCloud jumped over Krystal's staff and with speed rolled to the left to let Krystal's staff smash into his shadow. Krystal twirled her staff and released a held attack into Fox sending him onto his back. Fox stared into the caring eyes of Krystal and smiled nervously as her sandaled foot was put on his chest. 2 months ago General Pepper had given Fox an unusual assignment that required less lethal tactics he was used to, rather it was more sociable and full of nature. Fox had been in the cockpit for some time and the only action outside of the cockpit was in the melee of fighters against the Master Hand. He befriended the Earth walker, Cloud runners, High tops, many others including Prince Tricky. The 1st time he laid eyes on Krystal he was glued to that spot.

His adventure on Dinosaur Planet was to retrieve the four spell stones and put them in their respective place the Force Point Temple. The 6 Krazoa Spirits collected saved Krystal's life but the thought to be dead Andross had resurfaced in the form of a Krazoa. He killed Andross in the end with the help of his wing mate Falco. Krystal helped him up and the two were close together, but both pulled away not knowing what would happen. "So, I guess that makes it 2-1."

"Yeah, but you have to admit you came close," she said teasing him. Fox smiled and followed her into the hallway, "so, how long have you known Peppy?" Fox slowed his pace down and gave Krystal a curious glance. She was just teasing him, maybe even flirting, and she jumped to how he knew Peppy?

"Well he originally served under my father James; he was a survivor of Pigma's betrayal and came home to report in to General Pepper. Great Fox was to be retired but with the help of my school friend Slippy we kept it together. I found Falco, ace pilot, and brought Peppy along and formed Team Star Fox. A few years before I came to your rescue he decided to take a break from the Arwing to analyze maps. To answer your question…a long time," Fox said as they turned left. Krystal wore a blue shirt and light blue pants since she currently had no position on the ship. Fox decided to wear his flight jacket with a green shirt and brown dusty outdoor pants. Their next stop came to the hangar where 4 Arwings were scattered across the bay and a hunched over form was welding. "Slippy-what have you done?"

"Hey Fox, don't blame me," Falco said as he got up holding a wing, "I happened to come here and found our friend tearing up our means of defense. Slippy care to explain to Fox why you demolished the Arwings?" Slippy raised his face mask and looked over his shoulder at the impatient fox. Turning off his welding torch he turned to face his friend. Falco waited also.

"As mechanic on this ship I have the right to fix or disassemble anything in need of it. Before we arrived at Dinosaur Planet, I fixed Rob up, not to mention fixed Fox's ship for his new mission. The advancements on the ships will be minor, but once your in combat you'll fell it." Fox grinned realizing Slippy was right and with his knowledge of machinery he had the right to fix the ship up. Just then the comm. kicked in:

"Crew of Great Fox meet in the ready room at 0800 hours," Peppy's voice said. Fox and Krystal turned around and ran down the hallway and sprinted the rest of the way there. Falco and Slippy also made it there via elevator and came in the other side. Peppy sat at the head of the table and had his fingers folded together. "I'm glad you can make it, please take a seat." Fox, Krystal, Slippy, and Falco all sat down and stared at Peppy who seemed reflective. "We have all been through a lot, and in those troubled times we've stuck together like glue.

"As the oldest member on the ship I feel it is my choice on what partially takes place. For myself I wish for…retirement," Peppy took in their shocked expressions before he continued, "I plan on retiring on the planet Krysky, it is a prosperous planet where veterans live. Krysky is our next stop so once I leave it'll be like I was never here. Keep your battles outside the ship and you'll make an old hare proud. Krystal would you be a dear and come up front?" Krystal slid out of her chair and stood before Peppy standing straight. "I here by dub you an honorary member of Team Star Fox, always keep your senses alert, especially when in a dog fight. The rest stays, so with no further ado let's eat." The farewell feast was full of memorable tales such as Fortuna and Venom. Fox added his own tales of Peppy's heroics which included a lost mission:

"Now Peppy don't tell me you forgot about Elan 5?" Peppy swallowed his steak and smiled at the reminder. "After Venom we got a job on Elan 5 to save a city from remnants of Andross's once proud fleet. Falco and I were stuck in a jam of bad guy projectiles and Slippy was in the Citadel working on the bomb. Peppy flew in and landed before the great building called "Lylat district" which today has been renamed "Peppy Hare district"." Peppy remembered the operation quite well and what Fox said had in fact happened.

Peppy checked his radar to see if any enemies were on his tail, only one did and the pilot was quiet sticky. "I got a bogey on my tail," Peppy said. His comm. had static and the way the enemy flew he knew he had a few minutes to fight back. Driving the yoke right he steered his Arwing past a brilliant fire of yellow and green. The enemy followed him and let his back shields have a field day. "Blast I'm hit!" He had a lot to live for and to die here would only cause those that love him to suffer. Smoke was trailing from his Arwing and warning sirens flashed on and off flooding the cockpit in red lights. The enemy on his tail let him have another volley of lasers and Peppy held the yoke with sweaty hands to steady his falling Arwing. A tall skyscraper was ahead and if he could lure the enemy in close enough he may be able to destroy him. "Hey bogey you want me, come in a little closer."

"I can destroy you just the same from back here," the enemy replied not falling for Peppy's challenge. Peppy went in close to the skyscraper and pulled up at the last second aiming for the sky. His enemy followed him and Peppy counted on it, with his free hand he flipped the boost switch that let his ship have an extra speed push and the jets of his Arwing boiled up his enemy's ship. "Argh…you blasted hare, now I can't see at all!"

"That's what I wanted," Peppy said with a smile. His enemy couldn't control his burnt ship and began to free fall to the cement. Peppy followed him and landed in front of the "Lylat district" that held the beacon they came for. Popping the hatch he jumped down and pulled out his blaster. "Fox I'm going in." Still having static and knowing the people inside had not much time he rushed in. The place was filled with records; many dated back to the Lylat wars. Taking careful steps he looked everywhere while his grip on his blaster tightened. "Hello, is anyone there?"

"That's far enough hare!" Stepping from the shadows was a hare with silver fur and whirring body which mean he was half machine. "Peppy Hare, I thought I saw the last of you on Aoroba V, then again it's a wonder you're still alive. We were such good friends once Peppy, what went wrong between us?"

"Jack Criller, the only reason you live now is because my quick thinking. Then you betrayed me and Pepper on Aoroba V, that's what went wrong. First you betrayed me, then Pigma Dengar on Venom, we'll I've become a lot smarter on the friends I trust now. Now hand over the hostages before I have to kill another," Peppy said with his blaster raised. Jack smiled at Peppy then shot 2 blue blasts to which Peppy rolled from. Peppy had his back to the bookcase as round after round of blue shots pounded into the wood. "Jack let them go now!"

"Peppy you haven't changed," Jack said while he reloaded his blaster, "always the caring hare about whose being held captive, never on the friend who lost his wife and child to the Cornerian flu!" Peppy sighed wondering if he hadn't changed, but it was put to rest when he heard the cry of a baby falcon. "If you haven't changed don't come out."

"Mommy!" The cry of the falcon sent Peppy from his spot of concealment and to face Jack. Jack dropped the baby and his mother dove forward to catch him. Jack took aim but Peppy had the shot first sending an orange shot through Jack's chest.

"Change for some happens over time, for the others it's merely a wait and see plan," Peppy said with his eyes averted from the dieing friend. The hostages were grateful for his well timed appearance and at the offer of money he refused, "keep the money and rebuild what has been broken," he said. Walking down the steps he saw three Arwings land, each held teammates and friends he'd known for about 2 years. Yet what he saw made him think of what Jack had said. Fox McCloud jumped out of his Arwing and met Falco Lombardi half way. The two were in each other's faces and by the time he got there, it was ugly.

"McCloud I said I had him, but no you had to shoot him when I had him within firing range! You know I'm sick and tired of your ways up in the air and on the ship. In fact I need a break," Falco said as he pushed Fox. Fox shoved him back and the two wrestled each other till Falco kicked Fox in the gut. "I'll see everyone else later, and it'll be when I feel up to it." Fox got off the ground and tried to get Falco to stay:

"Falco we're a team, if you leave we will be down 1 pilot, and in these times we need 4. Stay and maybe we could settle our differences, what do you say?" Falco turned his back on Fox and climbed back into his Arwing and powered up the engines. Peppy held his heart and felt like a strong part of his life was ripped out. Fox and Slippy stood speechless as Falco lifted from the ground and into space. They didn't go after him, they had no clue where he was going, and Team Star Fox was hurt badly that day.

"Those were days that will always be with me," Peppy said as he brushed away a tear. Fox sipped his soda and beside him the new member Krystal poked at her food. Slippy gulped down his fly salad and Falco rolled his eyes. "The planet Krysky is a day's length away, I think I'll sleep till then." As Peppy left the team they felt hollow inside and the food they ate was bitter. Everyone decided to retire for the night and see Peppy off in the morning.