Ring Toss

[The scene opens with a shot of the plaza; Angelina and Alice are coming out of a sweet shop with bags in their hands, Huck and Snag are going inside of a candle shop, Lady and Duchess are viewing jewelry in the window display of a jewelry shop, Kipper is coming out from the bakery with a few baguettes in a bag, and Carmen Sandiego is looking both ways as she comes out from a pawnshop before walking off. The scene then cuts to a cafe where several patrons are sitting outside; Haruka and Michiru are at one table while Blitz and Exile are sitting at the one to their right near the entrance, to the other side where Cat and Dog are sitting near the other side of the entrance while Rita and Georgette are at the table to their right. Standing at the front is an impatient Falco Lombardi tapping his foot absentmindedly]

Falco: [gives an exasperated sigh] Where is that Fox? For someone like him, you'd expect some kind of punctuality.

[At that moment, Fox comes up in a rush as he stops before Falco]

Fox: Sorry, I'm late.

Falco: About time you got here, I was starting to think you went up and ditched me.

Fox: Oh, c'mon, you don't think I'd be that cruel. There were just some things I needed to sort out back at my place.

Falco: What, did you redo the whole room? Thought you said; "meet me here at 12:00", it's now 12:30.

Fox: Oooookay, so maybe I lost track of time a little bit, but it's still light out and I'm here now, right?

Falco: Yeaaaaah…sure, what did ya' have in mind, genius?

Fox: Well, I thought we'd play it casually, you know, grab a bite to eat, maybe take a trip up into the countryside, get some fresh air for a change.

Falco: Hmmm, not the worst idea I've heard, we still on tabs for picking up you know who later on?

Fox: She has a name, you know.

Falco: [jabs Fox's shoulder] I know, I'm just messin' with ya', I'm still the go-to blue, init?

Fox: I can't help but wonder sometimes if you see Krystal as competition for my attention.

Falco: Don't think that's too hard to do, I was your first, and I was the one you came to after "the thing happened."

Fox: [jabs Falco's hip] Hey, you said you wouldn't talk of that!

Falco: Whaaaaaat, you remember how I let you in and we got ourselves wasted before deciding to make the most out of it. I seem to recall you thanked me for it.

Fox: You can be a real jerk sometimes, ya' know that?

Falco: Hey, it's why you like me, init, I keep your fur on the fritz to add some thrill into your life, while you bore me with all that lecturing crap, balances out nicely.

Fox: Sometimes I wonder if I have a thing for people that are polar opposites of me.

Falco: You probably do, now, c'mon, I wanna get this outing started sometime today, it was your idea after all.

Fox: [taps Falco's shoulder] Alright, hotshot, let's get you fed so you're not cranky. [leads the way into the cafe]

Falco: Hey, I'm not a child, ya' know.

[The scene cuts to a shot of Krystal standing against a wall at Pine Station, waiting to board Rheneas' train. She looks around the station curiously, spotting Snooper and Blabber at the ticket booth, Sergeant Tibbs combing Colonel's hair from behind, Trixie and Starlight Glimmer walking over the footbridge, Homura Akemi surveying the area with her usual brooding expression, and Sylvester resting on one of the benches]

Krystal: You'd never get something like this back in Lylat…then again, there's at least more variety here…

[Krystal looks over at Homura as if to strike up a conversation, but the raven-haired girl's stare is enough to make the blue vixen turn away]

Krystal: Okay, maybe not…plus, there was something…unsettling about her aura.

[As if she heard the vixen, Homura turns away to look at something else. At that moment, Edward pulls into the station with his train. Coming out of the second coach are Fox and Falco]

Krystal: Oh, there you are, got everything you need?

Fox: Yeah, well-fed falcon, good attitude on him, and everyone together.

Falco: You're an ass.

Krystal: Still have a sailor's mouth, don't you, Falco?

Falco: Adds a bit of spice to our relationship, doesn't it?

Krystal: That's one way to put it, another way would be to hope you never get into public speaking.

Falco: Oof, you wound me, Krystal, how will I ever recover?

Fox: Haaaaaaa, I'm surrounded by trainwrecks.

Falco: Says the captain of all trainwrecks.

Krystal: Before we self-deprecate any further, shall we get on board?

Falco: That's why we came here, didn't we? I call the window seat.

[As the three board the third coach in the roster, Fox sits to the right, Krystal in the middle, and Falco on the left. After everyone has boarded, Rheneas sets off. The shot cuts back to inside of the coach as Falco looks out the window]

Falco: You know, for something this vintage, it's got a strange…cozy feeling, ya' know.

Fox: Yeah, been a while since we did something like this, in fact, I don't remember the last time I took a trip into the mountains.

Falco: Prolly cuz you said you were too occupied with "projects" to care about doing that, or spending time with the people who've aided in every source of drama come your way, particularly a certain someone.

Fox: Modest, aren't you?

Falco: Modesty be damned.

Krystal: You two are adorable, aren't you?

Falco: Hey, you can call him adorable, you can call me charismatic.

Krystal: Whatever you say, Falco. By the way, Fox, how have you been?
Fox: Oh, well, you know, I've been keeping busy, you remember the strike that happened not too long ago?

Krystal: Heard it? The whole city spread it like wildfire, I'd be surprised if anyone didn't know.

Fox: Yeah, well, they called me in as a special assignment to give moral support for the pilots, I'd say everything went well all things considered, though I think my hand was close to falling off from the amount of autograph signing I had to do.

Falco: Oh, you poor thing, celebrity's life a bitch, init?

Fox: Well, I'm sure you'd enjoy the attention, wouldn't you?

Falco: When it's got people hounding you to the point of losing sanity, I'm much more content with just sitting back and chilling.

Krystal: At least here seems to be more humble, or as much as it can be.

[The shot cuts to Rheneas crossing over a stone bridge while Peter Sam passes by on the other line with a train of stone. It then cuts back to a shot across the inside of the coach surveying the other passengers; Angelina and Alice having some of their sweets, Pearl reading a book while Stella brushes her hair next to the gem, and then to where the trio are sitting as Falco leans against the window while Fox looks outside on the other side]

Krystal: You doing alright?

Fox: Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine…well, there's this one thing on my mind, but it's prolly nothing to worry about.

Krystal: It's about him, isn't it?

Fox: What?

Krystal: Did you forget that I can read minds?

Fox: Oh yeah, that…[under his breath]...damn.

Krystal: You seem awfully curious about someone that I'd least expect.

Fox: It's not like that, I assure you, I'm just…curious about what Wolf's even doing, like every time I see him, it's like a normal day, he's not being…well, "as expected", if anything, he seems almost…normalish…

Krystal: Uh-huh…and this has you concerned because?

Fox: Well, not exactly concerned, just that it's something I've been keeping tabs on.

Krystal: I'm sure you know those days are behind us, but I'll concede, I don't blame you for keeping a watchful eye.

Fox: I mean, I wouldn't say I'm suspicious in the sense that I think Wolf or the people with him are secretly plotting some scheme in the sewers, just that I wonder if they're…changed, like truly changed.

Krystal: Well, I can't predict things like that, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Falco: [blinks] Huh, whatchu two talkin' about, I zoned out for a bit.

Krystal: Oh, nothing too serious, just Fox and I talking about superstitions and all that.

Falco: Heh, weirdos.

Fox: Coming from one himself.

Falco: Shut up.

[The scene cuts to Rheneas pulling into Crimson Lake Station where Sir Handel is waiting on the other platform. The passengers disembark from the coaches and the Star Fox trio make their way into the station building. Krystal walks up to the kiosk to pick up a pamphlet, before walking back to Fox who is curiously looking at the time table]

Krystal: Not sure if this would be of any interest to you, but there's a list of activities going on at the lake.

Fox: Yeah, I think we can check 'em out, what do you say, Falco…Falco?

Falco: Sorry, I just nipped into the cafe to grab one of them Victoria sponge cakes, pretty good stuff actually.

Fox: You always make a stop for them, don't you?

Falco: [stuffs a piece in Fox's mouth] Hey, those things are delicious, and you know it.

Fox: [swallows] I stand corrected.

[The scene cuts to the trio making their way down the path to the lake where several travelers are doing various activities; Ami and Makoto are kayaking in the lake, Muriel is feeding a flock of ducks bread crumbs while sitting on a bench, with Eustace snoring next to her and Courage watching from her lap, and the most prominent example; several people having a go at ring toss; Dylan and Dolly at one post, Rarity and Applejack by another, and then one between Hokey and Loopy]

Fox: How about a game of ring toss, haven't played one in ages.

Falco: Well, for one, those ain't rings, they're throwing horseshoes, and I don't know how much experience you've got in that field.

Fox: Wanna bet, butterfingers?
Falco: Oh, you're on.

[The three approach one of the open sections for the game and they grab a horseshoe each to throw at the pole about ten feet away]

Falco: Watch and learn, Foxy, I'm about to pull it like a boomerang. [throws the horseshoe with confidence, but misses his target by several inches to the left] Oh, come on!

Krystal: I'll have a go next…[squints her eyes at the pole and throws, coming up short by two feet]...shoot.

Fox: It's all in the wrist again, and making sure you measure where you're gonna throw…[carefully aims his arm back and then throws at the pole, sticking the horseshoe onto it] Bullseye!

Falco: Hmph, lucky shot.

?: Lucky shot indeed.

[The trio turn to see another trio approaching them; Wolf, Leon, and Panther]

Falco: Oh, look, it's our favorite group of stalkers.

Leon: Ironic when we're not the ones to shoot up someone's place out of nowhere.

Falco: Okay, that was under different circumstances!

Leon: Hmm, I wonder if your sucking at throwing horsehoes is the result of such excuses.

Wolf: Playing a game of ring toss, are we? Well, I've not had a crack at it for a while, buuuut I think I've got a good shot.

Fox: Oh, really? Show me whatchu got, tough guy.

[Wolf wordlessly throws the horseshoe at the pole without turning, landing on square on the pole. Fox gapes at this]

Wolf: [smirks] How's that?

Panther: My, my, you've got some real wrist action there, that's a tough one to beat.

Wolf: Quite so, looks like this'll be an easy game for me.

Fox: Okay, if it's so easy, then how about we make this more interesting?

Wolf: Settling for a competition, are we? I see someone wants to prove themselves.

Fox: Well, you seem sure of yourself, so this shouldn't be too hard for you, unless, of course, you don't think you can match up to me.

Wolf: You say it like I'd turn down the opportunity, that's where you're wrong, I never back down from a duel, especially with you know who involved.

Panther: What say we join in for a little trio on trio action, first team to twenty-one is the winner, loser buys dinner.

Falco: Let me in on that, I can't wait for my meal to come outta your pocket.

Panther: Hmmhmmhmm, I wouldn't be so sure of myself, hermano, as a a feline, I'm known to be flexible.

Leon: Hope you're hungry because you're going to be starving by tonight, in more ways than one.

Krystal: [sighs] Men and their sense of chivalry, makes me wonder how I got mixed up in this.

Panther: I wish you luck, cariño mío, you're going to need it.

Krystal: Oh, don't think a lady can best a titan of a man?

Panther: Not at all, just that I look forward to afterwards.

Krystal: So long as the prize isn't wanting a kiss from me, then I'm good.

Panther: Oh, you don't need to worry about that, I wasn't seeking it.

Wolf: Ready to lose to a real man, pup?

Fox: If I can best a "real man" in the sky, I can very well do it in a simple game.

[The scene cuts to a montage of the two teams engaged in competition. A shot each shows one of them making their target; Fox with a smile, Wolf with a grin, Falco with a fist pump, Leon with a smirk, Krystal with a clap, Panther with a satisfied wave. A split screen shows the two teams side by side for their respective matches. It also shows their misses; Fox gaping, Wolf scowling, Falco stomping his foot in frustration, Leon kicking the ground, Krystal snapping her fingers with a frown, Panther shaking his head. Eventually, it leads to the two teams tied at eighteen points each. By this time, the afternoon sun has turned to early dusk with an orange hue in the sky]

Wolf: Okay, how about we make this next one triple or nothing?

Fox: Fine by me, the next team that makes the target wins the game.

Wolf: In fact, let's make it just between you and me, the ringleaders you could say.

Fox: Hmmm, someone's setting themselves up, aren't they?

[Falco, Krystal, Leon, and Panther stand back as the shot focuses in on the two leaders, squinting their eyes at their respective targets. They pull back…and release at the same time…a split screen shows the horseshoes approaching the poles…but only one manages to land it while the other is just an inch short of the target]

Wolf: I win.

Falco: Oh, come on!

Leon: Hehe, you know the deal, time to pay up, birdy.

[Falco grumbles vulgarly under his breath as Panther approaches Krystal]

Panther: Good show, wasn't it?

Krystal: You could say that, though paying for someone else's meal wasn't my idea of spending the evening.

Panther: Not to worry about that, I've no intention on bankrupting you. [winks]

Krystal: [sighs] You've changed quite a bit, haven't you?

Panther: I try.

Wolf: [puts a paw on a still slightly shocked Fox's shoulder] You ready to head off, pup?

Fox: What? Oh, yeah, right…how'd you do it?

Wolf: Do what?

Fox: You know.

Wolf: I didn't cheat, I just happened to win the game, I don't need some super secret thing to win ring toss.

Fox: Um…yeah, yeah, you're right there, don't know where I got that from.

Wolf: I reckon your nerves are getting to you, perhaps it's time you cool off once we get back to town, which reminds me…

Fox: I got it, you won the game, so I'm paying up. [looks up at the sky] Looks like we killed quite a bit of time with that. [hears Rheneas whistling in the distance] Guess we better hurry if we wanna catch the train.

[The scene cuts to Rheneas puffing down the mountain against the setting sun. Inside the carriage, Angelina and Alice are leaning on each other for a little snooze, Loopy rests on Hokey's lap, Courage snoozes on Muriel's lap as she pets him while Eustace grumpily pours a cup of tea from his container. In the back seats, the Star Fox trio have taken their previous position only with the Star Wolf trio behind them. Fox looks back at them while Krystal looks outside, Falco leaning against the window like before. Leon is absentmindedly watching the passing landscape, Panther examines his face in a small pocket mirror and Wolf looks at Fox with a wink, causing the vulpine to blush and turn around]

[The scene cuts to the train arriving at Pine Station where James is waiting to take the passengers back to the city. As they disembark from Rheneas' coaches, something catches Wolf's eye and he looks in the direction of what appears to be a silhouette behind a station column. However, as soon as he blinks, it disappears. Wolf looks to the left to see Homura seemingly staring in the same direction he was before the raven haired girl suddenly looks in his direction. The lupine eyes the girl as she walks away wordlessly]

Wolf: Strange that…

Fox: You say something?

Wolf: Huh? Oh, nah, it was nothing…

[The two trios board the first coach in the train and as soon as the all-clear is given, James sets off from the station, the shot lingers on as the last coach leaves the platform, the lights flicker out across the station. The scene cuts to James arriving at Oak Station to drop off passengers while Mavis passes by with a train of stone. Among the passengers that leave the coaches are the Star Fox and Star Wolf trio. Panther and Krystal are at the front of the group while Leon and Falco follow onward. Wolf and Fox are at the back as the former looks at the latter curiously]

Fox: Wolf…can I ask you something?

Wolf: Yeah, sure, go ahead.

Fox: Like…how would you consider us?

Wolf: As in what's our current relationship?
Fox: Well…yeah. Are we…there?

Wolf: Depends if you want us to be.

Fox: Ah, right…this is going to sound crazy, but…

Wolf: Yes?

Fox: I…I think I'd be open to it.

Wolf: Good to know, so long as both ends carry out their side of their deal, everything should be fine…

Fox: Yeah, that makes sense…I'd like that.

Wolf: Same here.

[The shot shows the back of the group as they walk down the screen before it pans up to show the full moon]

The End