FIRST CATCH

Chapter 2! Regardless of what was said and done last chapter, I just know I had to continue with this fanfiction. I'd love the chapters to be a bit short and sweet though. Simply so I can skip all the redundant filler, and get right into the meaty bits of the story. Hope you enjoy it, and if you're interested in joining my Discord server, send Awesome Sawss a DM!

Luanastar owns nothing.

"Left, Falco! Go left!"

"Pipe down, Slippy! Just hold on..."

"...I'm sorry… O-Oh! The shield! Get more shield!"

"Slippy! Shut up!"

The duo of Falco Lombardi and Slippy Toad both sat on the couch within the common room of the Great Fox, playing a flight simulator game. The controller was in the feathers of the former, although the toad continuously yelled unnecessary instructions. Soon, the session ended with the plane exploding into myriads of little metal pieces, and Falco eventually quitting the game. The blue bird handed the controller to the young engineer, before stretching out his arms and standing from the couch.

"You can be such a headache, Slippy."

The toad frowned. "Hey, that's not very nice."

"Don't worry, I'm yanking your chain. Now, I'm boutta head out."

"Where are you going?" questioned Slippy, starting up a new game. "Just so I know what to tell Fox. Y-You know - in case he asks again."

As opposed to answering his question like a normal person, Falco scoffed.

"I'm not a little kid. I don't know why he's always on my ass. If he bothers ya, just let him know I went to the bar." instructed the brash pilot. "You know, the Boss Nicely bar on Sector Z? He better not follow me, though."

Slippy nodded his head like an obedient little toad, allowing Falco to end the conversation with his peer, and make his way to the vehicle bay. Of course, the captain of Star Fox had to be lurking somewhere in his room, so Falco ensured that he didn't make a ruckus on his way.

Reaching the bays, Falco boarded his personalised Arwing. The dashboard was a dashing indigo, and sitting above it was a hula girl in the left corner, and that same stuffed orange dragon. Booting up the engine with glee, Falco prepared to set sail across the atmosphere-barren and colourful field.

Accelerating forward into the vacuum, Falco pushed the engine to its limits, bursting out of the Great Fox and toward the previous combat zone. Glancing both left and right, the Arwing pilot could spot some familiar planets and areas where himself and his crew had been at war way back when.

On approach of the massive space station - that was painted green with a few Cornerian logos about it - the Arwing had received a message from a familiar face. Frankly, the feathered military academy graduate was just happy to find it was his captain, rather than General Pepper asking for errands.

"Falco! Where are you?" exclaimed the Fox, worriedly.

"Hey, chill out. I'm just going on a walk."

"Walk?! Come on, Falco! We both know you don't like walking!"

"You're right. Personally, I prefer the air."

While Falco snickered loudly, Fox seemed to be in the opposite mood.

"You aren't actually going to the Boss Nicely bar in Sector Z, are you? That place used to be a warzone! Next, you'll tell me you're going for a field trip to the Sargasso Space Zone!"

"Hey, just chill out Einstein, I'm still on your side."

The captain hadn't changed the downwards curve on his lips. If anything, it looked more emphasised as a frown.

"Falco, I'm really, really worried about you. There's some seriously bad company there."

Groaning, Falco threw his hands skywar- Uh… Towards the ceiling of the aircraft.

"Come on, Mom! I promise I won't talk to the bad kids!"

"I'm serious, Falco." demanded the captain. The look on his transmissioned face did not look impressed. "Turn back and head towards base. That's an order."

Despite heeding the order, Falco didn't alter his flight course.

"You for real? Listen - I'm only going to the bar for a drink. I'm not gonna cause any trouble. You can even track my Arwing."

Now, Fox seemed to be in deep contemplation. Falco was certain that he had put up a good enough argument.

"Ugh, alright." Fox finally conceded, much to the delight of the falcon. "You have one hour. Any more than that and I'm coming for you myself."

Falco loved the music that was coming to his ears. He returned the favour with a charming smile of his own, yet it had only made the captain shake his head in disappointment.

"Well… I guess I should be thankful."

"Falco… Just go."

The transmission ended as briefly as it begun. Thus, Falco was able to land on the space carrier in peace.

There were many aircrafts parked there in the designated areas, making Falco begin to reconsider his choices of where to get a drink. Nonetheless, he switched the engine off, and hopped out of his aircraft, eager to get a sip of a cold one.

Walking through the halls of the large bar facility, Falco passed by many anthropomorphic animals, but none he had actually recognised. As he traversed further down the hall, he could get a scent of the alcohol swarming throughout the building, alongside loud, indistinct chatter. The sort of atmosphere that practically formed the traditional bar setting.

Falco Lombardi now had a beam on his face, as he finally entered the main room of the bar. He felt right at home. Of course, the bartender's table was to the left, while there were a multitude of tables to socialise amid a flat screen television that broadcasted sports channels. Many animals occupied the seats surrounding them, accompanied with drinks of their own. Falco made up his mind and took a seat near the wooden counter across from the bartender, gazing at the various beverages behind the brown-furred ferret.

"Hey, 'scuse me?" Falco called out to the bartender, who then turned around from whatever he was doing. "Have you seen a pinkish cat around here? Blue eyes?"

Sadly, the bartender shook their heads, but at least opened their mouth to speak.

"Not at all. Is that a bird of yours?" the ferret asked, revealing a male voice.

Laughing, Falco resting both of his elbows upon the counter. "Haha, I wish. Just an old friend."

"Sorry, buddy, no dice." apologised the bartender, filling up a glass full of beer. "But, I have seen a pint glass with your name on it."

Falco grinned as the pint cup full of beer was generously passed over to him. "Thanks. Really appreciate it."

"No problem. It's on the house."

The bartender moved on to attend to some other customers, as the bird gladly gulped the beer given to him for free. He'd have to leave a tip, though. It was bar custom.

Over a small amount of time, the ambiance of the bar seemed to get a little bit quieter. It was slightly confusing for the revered Arwing flyer, since the building was in a state of uproar before he had gotten here.

Falco turned around to the members of the bar. Those at a desk, near to the television or playing table football and/or snooker all seemed to have their heads directed at one thing: The main entrance.

It's as if they had seen a ghost. It had reminded Falco of the face that Fox donned after destroying Andross on Venom.

Now, the ace pilot rotated the opposite way, and now realised what the occupants were staring at.

Three characters of close association to the bird stood at the doorway fearlessly. To the left, a panther of toned stature. One paw on his hip and a rose in the other. On the right side, a rival chameleon that made Falco shrivel in disgust. In the centre of them all, an armour-clad wolf with an eyepatch on his left eye.

All three then made eye contact with the lonesome bird, who wiped his beak of any remaining beer.

"Well… Hello, Lombardi."

That should conclude our chapter! I think I've got high hopes for the next chapter. If you find interest in this story, why not tell me why? See a way that I should improve? Leave a review! Thanks for the lovely read! Hope to see you all soon.

-Luanastar