Star Fox: Digital Danger
By: Wolf E. Urameshi
Started: 2006-03-19
Finished: -
Disclaimer: All Star Fox characters and trademarks are property of Nintendo; no infringement of the law is meant in any way. Also, all original characters are property of their original owners and used with permission, when applicable.
A/U: Whew, I'm finally here after my PC's timely return. I humbly apologize for the delay, but anyway I'm here, right? Enjoy this new chapter!
Chapter 8: "The Hunt Begins, Part 1 of 2"
Two mere days had passed in a heartbeat for him. Dimitri looked on to the horizon from the window that lay beside his room as he searched the skies rather hurriedly. His main objective was to find Fox, probably in his Arwing, flying back to say hi and reassure them that his situation had been taken care of fully. But alas, it had never happened, and they had been left with nothing to look forward to. Cecilia loomed at him with her husband from the room's door. Dimitri refused to eat anything in the last days, only water, which was unusual for someone like him. Also he was working out a lot more than expected, and his carefree attitude had changed to that of a 'serial killer', as Janus put it. He really didn't know how else to describe it.
"Stop staring at me, I know you're there. What is it?"
Janus walked in quietly, not wanting to disturb him. "...Can't you eat something for once?"
"No."
"Why?"
Dimitri turned around and sat on the bed, looking at him with angry eyes. "It's not your business, now shut up!"
"Not wanting to eat is the least of your problems. Talk to me."
"No."
"What are you trying to do?"
"I want to do what you can't do."
Janus's inquisitive sixth sense told him this was going to be a shocking statement. "Which is?" He inquired impassively as Dimitri grinned back at him.
"I'll find him before any of you."
"Tsk, kiss that ambition good-bye. You're not alone in this, you know."
"Bah, humbug! I'll prove myself and show this stupid galaxy what we can truly do!"
"What has happened to this kid?" Janus meditated as he spit and swallowed each and every word in the conversation. "One day he was stating his dreams. The other his best friend disappears. Now he's on a conquest to best anyone and anything in his way, myself included. He refuses to do the things he liked to do, just for that. Oh, come on. How much more can he add?"
"Look, Dad. I have something to rectify." Janus looked up; instinctively knowing this was the Dimitri they used to know. "I don't know if you think I'm turning into a conqueror or anything, but just for facts, I'm still me." That did it: Janus's internal flame of agonic fury was turned on.
"Then why did you adopt this behavior?" Janus roared as Dimitri stood up in a decisive stance. "Why won't you do anything? What did we do to deserve this, huh? Come on, tell me already! Or did you lose your nerve?" Cecilia retreated while the argument ensued. She refused to be a part of this.
"Hey, I have more than enough of them here!" Dimitri fiercely replied as he hit his naked chest with his right fist, "You're the one who needs them, what with you being such a--"
"Why, you--"
"STOP! STOP AT ONCE!" The two looked at the door and were too shocked to see Falco standing there with Cecilia at her side. "You're doing two mistakes: Scaring the lady and wasting your time. Yo, J, lemme have a word with the kid."
"B-But--"
"It's alright, I'll try to take care of things here. You go outside and have a cup of coffee, okay?" Janus was forced to flinch and agree as he walked out of the room, head lowered down and not wanting to give a second look to neither of them. All Falco could make out of the sudden exit was a low, menacing growl. "Sorry, C, that includes you too."
"...Alright, I suppose I have no choice, do I?" She left them and closed the door, leaving Falco with Dimitri. Alone.
Falco looked at him in the eyes. Green eyes greeted him as the irises bent down. Somehow, Dimitri wasn't at peace. Falco looked around the room, very surprised. Models of unloaded weapons lined up the shelves, the roof had many spaceship models as well, and some pictures lay on Dimitri's bed. Ironically, after the argument that preceded the silence, none of the pictures had been turned down. At heart, Falco felt a mix of envy and pride over the room.
"...I envy you. Wish I had a room like this."
"Thanks."
Falco decided to set his ideas in motion. "So, tell me, what are you planning to do?"
"What?"
"Why the attitude? You're not yourself at all."
"I... Don't know."
Falco tried to hide his chuckle but it only came out as a slight sigh. "You don't know? I thought I was bad."
"Trust me, I'm worse than you. I want to be taken into account. But no, no one listens to the 'special kid.' Nope, no sir, no one."
Falco's surprise was practically evident. Even Fox could have noticed if he was there, but Falco didn't want to raise his name, did he? "What makes you think that?"
"Look, I want to help, okay? But I'm just a brat, am I? A brat supposed to be grounded in the confines of the domestic jail that represents this very room you're standing in? Oh, yes, this is very fun! You get everything and I receive nothing in return! Let me have a life!"
Falco broke out laughing, even though he was trying his hardest not to do so. "Kid."
"What's so funny?"
"That's your problem: You can't see one vital thing in this sort of thing."
"And that is, if I may know, not-so-dear sir?"
"It's not that simple. I'll set your diet for an example. You say you want to be a real strong guy. Okay, that's a good thing. Not complaining over here. But if you don't eat anything, how're you supposed to even grow tissue within those organs of yours?"
"I don't need food."
"You do. I should know."
"No, I don't need it!"
"Very well then, suit yourself and say hi to the spirits up there for me."
"Look, quit the jokes and get to the point. And you're a terrible comedian, by the way."
"Thanks, always got that. Anyway, you need to balance out your life. To start, what do you plan to do?"
"Saving him, of course."
"That's now what I meant. I meant how you will do it."
"Well, once I have info, I'll get into a ship and fly off to find him."
"And where will you get this info?"
"Wherever I find it. There's nothing wrong with looking."
This kid's making it impossible. "And where will you get the ship?"
"Well, I'll get it from the Great Fox, of course, seeing as to how this planet's empty-headed compared to the rest of the galaxy."
This one's the ringer. "Alright, you look pretty well-prepared. Let's see some reactions. Let's say you kicked some heads in a bar somewhere here--"
"Falco, there're no bars in this planet."
Falco erased his surprise with a smirk. "Fiction, kid! Fiction! Anyway, the guys told you he's in the galaxy's limit. Let's say you're flying there with an Arwing, but then the fuel starts to run out. No wait, runs out. You get out and send mayday signals, but you get no response, and you're left floating around. What will you do then?"
Dimitri had no response: the question stumped him. "…I'd... Die."
"Exactly. The path you want to take is a death sentence, kiddo. It'd be impossible, at least with your current skill level." Falco sat down in a chair near the door and the two stared at each other.
"What are you trying to say?"
"Too fast, everything has a time. Be patient and wait, or else you'll throw away everything. What do ya say? Wait or die?"
I can't die before he does. Falco's right-guess I've been an incomprehensible one. I messed up, I suppose... Though I refused to admit it. "...Life is my choice. Could you take me to my father now please?"
Falco's eyes lit up when he heard that. "Let me talk to him first, then I'll leave you two alone, k?"
"Sure, just make him apprehensive to me."
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Life goes on, I suppose. Stay tuned!