Cornerian Air Academy Simulation Training, 4:00 PM
Each member of Star Fox, from the best to the worst, was a fantastic pilot. Even the least talented among the team had the ability to take out possibly half of a planet's military with their Arwing alone. The other similar quality of every pilot on the team was that they had all been trained at Corneria's Flight Combat Academies. Krystal was the only member who served as an exemption, but was nonetheless trained by her teammates, who were it's top graduates anyway.
These facilities produce the best of the best, because they are taught by the best. So it should be a surprise to no one that Peppy Hare is one of the best instructors that can be found. The old adventuring rabbit had retired soon after the Aparoid attack. He since then has been spending his days teaching young recruits the tricks of the flying trade.
Of course, Fox always made sure to keep in contact with him. Peppy was, after all, the closest thing Fox had to a father after James had died. The thing with frequent phone calls and transmitted messages is that they just couldn't compete with being with someone in person.
And while he was down in the city, McCloud would make sure to get a lot of time hanging out with his favorite hare. Fox pulled up to the academy, Slippy in the passenger's seat. The two got out and took a moment to soak in the blissful memories that they felt as soon as their eyes fell upon the academy.
Slippy was the first to speak. "Hey Fox, I'm gonna see you and Pep' later. I told my dad that as soon as we got down I'd take him for a night on the town, just me and him. I'll be home a little bit late. So tell Peppy I said 'Hi' please."
"No problem Slip," Fox answered. He closed the door and locked the car. "You and your dad have fun, ok? I'm gonna go find Peppy. I need to talk to him."
Fox and Slippy both walked into the reception room. They then each took a different hallway to their destinations.
Slippy looked back. "I'll catch ya later Fox. Oh and good luck tonight, lemme know how it goes."
Fox stopped dead in his tracks. "What the-? Slippy how do you know about that?" Fox asked him with confused glare.
"I heard you and Krystal a few times while I was passing the kitchen this morning. Don't worry I won't tell Falco, or anyone else just in case", the toad remarked.
With that, Slip disappeared into the hallway as Fox remained still. "Hmmmm. Well I guess as long as he doesn't say anything to bird-brain it doesn't matter", the vulpine said to himself.
Fox had other things on his mind. He needed to talk to Peppy, not just to catch up, but he needed some advice. After a minute Fox came to the simulator room.
It was like the hangar that the team had docked in earlier. The room was a vast space filled with commanding officers, instructors, recruits and about thirty huge flight practice simulators, a few of them rocking and rotating to create the effect of real flight motion in the air or in space. Only five were being used, as Fox counted the ones that were active. Each of them had large exterior screens so that the display on the inside monitor could be seen by more than just the recruits and instructors.
Fox scanned all the screens carefully. He ran over to the one furthest from the entrance.
The screen suggested that the pilot was maneuvering through several tunnels and gaps in a large meteor belt. Several Venomian ships appeared and the screen and began to open fire in the ship's direction. The display seemed to spin clockwise three times. The spinning was followed by a large barrage of blue laser fire that sped from the ship and eliminated the enemy fighters. A large GOAL ring began to get bigger in the screen until the ship seemed to pass through it. The entire simulator let out big amount of steam pressure and rested in its inactive position.
Fox grinned. "If I'm wrong then I'll be coyote's uncle," he thought to himself.
Just as he had predicted, the cockpit opened, and out came some young raccoon in an academy uniform. The recruit turned to the open door and smiled. "Thank you Captain. I wouldn't have finished the level if you weren't helping me every step of the way," the raccoon said with a lot of gratitude.
"No need for thanks, Anthony. You did great," came a voice that was still inside the ship. Peppy climbed out and patted the youth on his shoulder. "That was some pretty good flying. You remind me of an old friend of mine," Peppy told Anthony, clearly impressed.
"Are you referring to me, or Falco, old timer?"
Peppy turned around to face the source of the voice. His eyes took on a very comforted and glad look. "Well clearly I'm referring to Falco. I said this boy's got talent didn't I?" the rabbit said chuckling.
Fox chuckled himself and walked over to Peppy. The two wing mates gave each other a big hug. Peppy chuckled, "Whoah now. Hehehehe. Be Careful with the power behind that affection my boy. I'm an old man ya know."
Fox stepped back. "Yeah but you're still live and kickin", he said to the aged hare. "It's good to see you face to face Peppy. How's the instructor life treatin ya?"
Peppy answered, "Well it's not saving the world along side you and the rest of the gang, but I'm definitely a happy man working here. How 'bout yourself? How're the guys, and how's my favorite 'niece' been? Hehehehehe."
Fox game him a small look, then laughed himself. "Falco and Slippy are doin fine, same ol', same ol'. And Krystal's good too. Actually, she's part of the reason that I need to speak to you in private. Do you have a few minutes?"
Peppy patted his back. "I just got off the clock, son. Let's head outside."
A few minutes later the two were out front of the building, drinking some sodas they bought from a mobile vender parked out front. They sat on the edge of a curb, like a couple of street teens just chillin out.
"Mmm. Nothin' like Orange Pepsi", Peppy said, licking his lips. "I could go through a box of Cherry Cokes everyday myself," Fox said in between gulps.
Peppy downed the rest of his drink and tossed the can into a recycling bin. "So Fox, we're alone. Now what was it you needed to talk to me about?"
Fox spent a few more seconds chugging his coke. He finally finished and threw his own can in the bin.
"Peppy, you've gone on your share of dates when you were younger, haven't you?" Fox asked kinda sheepishly.
Peppy figured it out right away. "Oh. Fox, say no more. You've finally at long last asked out that sweet Krystal on a date, and you're a little short of knowing what to do. Am I right?"
Fox could only look amazed. What was so complicated to say for him, Peppy summed it up without having to hear any hints other than the word "date". "Uh yeah, Peppy. I actually wanted some advice for the night and yes it is a night that I'm gonna spend with Krystal. I just wanna make sure I have everything in mind to be as good of a gentlefox as I can and to able to show her to a good night."
Fox paused and looked down to the ground. He began speaking more calmly, "For some reason I have this feeling that I like…have to do it absolutely right, like there's a reason but I can't figure out what it is. And yet I know there's a reason to begin with. It goes just beyond the face that I really like her."
Peppy took in Fox's words and though deeply. Then he smiled. "Fox my boy, I think I know what this feeling is. But I can't tell you. You need to come to interpret it on your own. However I can give you something to work with."
Fox's ears perked up. "What's that?"
"You, Fox McCloud," Peppy began, "have nothing to worry about. You and her are a natural pair. You became friends as soon as you rescued her, and let's face it, when you meet a lady via a rescue, that pretty much involves the same outcome everytime. Just be yourself, be polite, treat her special, and make it known to her that you don't just want a date, but that you want to show her how much you care, that your affection for her is sincere."
"Are you sure that's gonna be enough, Pep? I trust you and all, but I'm just not satisfied. I wanna do somethin special. I want to give her a diverse night: fun, romance, good food, entertainment, enjoyin the moments, everythin. I not only have to try to be perfect. This night has to be perfect. Special night for a special girl, know what I mean?" Fox started to sound worried. He put his head in his hands and tried to calm down. This talk was starting to put more stress into his head rather than help him.
Peppy smiled and put a hand on Fox's shoulder. "Ya know Fox, you've really grown up."
Peppy chuckled and looked at the son he never had, then to the sky. "I remember," he began, "it wasn't long ago, when you could probably have used your reputation to get under the covers with just about any girl you could've chosen. And yet, things like that never tempted you. All you ever thought about was to always be prepared and defend this planet without hesitation, to always see to it that your father never died without his death being avenged. And now it seems that this young vixen has finally cracked your shell. I'm proud of you Fox, because when you finally turn your thoughts slightly towards choosing someone, it turns out to be the only woman who, at least I think, is absolutely perfect for you in every single way."
Fox looked up at him. "Peppy?" he said.
Peppy raised an eyebrow. "Yes?" Peppy responded.
Fox's eyes looked moist. "What.." Fox paused. He felt a small choke. "what do you think...he would have thought of her?"
Peppy looked at him with a comforted look. No matter how lethal Fox actually had the potential to be and had been, he still had a heart, still loved, and felt the same permanent wounds that everyone did. That's what was special about Fox. This is what separated the "mercs" from the heroes.
Peppy hugged Fox with his arm. "Not 'would have thought', Fox, but 'is thinking'. Somewhere up there he's been watching the two of you since you met. And I'm willing to bet if he were here right now, he'd been encouraging you as much as I'm trying to. And also, just like me, he's incredibly proud. It's not just the two of us, mind you. She's standing right next to her husband, keen on Krystal, watching and waiting for you two to come together just like they did."
A tear began to form in Fox's eye. So did a small smile on his face at the same time. He wiped the tear away with his claw and sniffled.
"You really think so, Pep?" Fox asked with an encouraged look.
"I know so, Fox. I know so", Peppy answered him. You and Krystal remind me so much of James and Vixy. The two of you are pretty much destined for each other. There's nothing for you to worry about. With each moment you'll know exactly what to do. Just be confident and, like we've always told you, 'trust your instincts'."
Fox sniffled and gave Peppy a big hug. He had given him just what he needed with those last couple of sentences. "Thank you, so much, Peppy. You've really helped me with this", the vulpine said to his friend.
"Anytime Fox. I want this for you just as much as you want it for yourself. You have my support the entire way, son", the old hare answered in a comforting tone.
They let go, and Peppy looked at his watch. "It's half past four. Your date is at five, you said?"
Fox looked at his own watch then looked back at Peppy. "Yep. My guess is she'll be all set in fifteen minutes. I'm gonna head home and get changed. I'll have to talk to you later Peppy."
"All right then. I should probably head home and take a nap. Though a great pilot I still am, it takes a lot out of you", Peppy said with a sly grin.
The gave each other another hug. Fox spoke up, "Thanks again Peppy, really."
Peppy patted his back. "Your welcome, Fox. I love ya, son"
"I love you too, old friend", Peppy replied. The two stepped away and started heading to their cars.
"I'll let you know what happens as soon as I can Pep", Fox yelled from where he parked.
"All right then. I'll be waiting, and I'll want all the details. But you can skip the part that's probably gonna happen at midnight. Hehehehe." Peppy grinned slyly and got into his car. He waved from the inside and drove out of the parking lot.
Fox watched him and got into his own car. "Filthy old bastard", Fox said to himself with a chuckle. He got into his car and got it started and made his way out of the lot.
He smiled as a thought occurred. "Hmmm. I guess we would be just like Mom and Dad. After all, me and Pops have a ridiculous resemblance, and Krystal is the only girl I know who could be as beautiful as Mom."
After a few minutes he pulled up to the house. Fox stepped out of the car and could see Krystal putting on some makeup through her window.
"Fixing what ain't broke, eh Krys?" Fox said. He looked at her a few more seconds. He took in a deep breath and started walking to the door.
Fox put his hand on the handle. "Well, here goes."