Forgiveness

Despite his 'mercenary' title Fox McCloud was good friends with member of the Cornarian Military. His name was known by everyone amongst their ranks, and every young pilot always imagined themselves as Fox McCloud when he entered his cock-pit. Several of Fox's oldest friends had become high ranking officers in their ranks. And when he was asked to be a special speaker for an event at the Academy he couldn't turn it down.

He stood up there on a podium with the lights shining down on him as if he were from heaven above. The crowd clapped with equal enthusiasm. The only one who wasn't impressed was Falco.

"You know people seem to forget all the stuff I've done." He said glumly. Krystal shushed him with a smile.

" And so." Fox concluded." Don't ever lose sight of what's important. Study hard and make your dreams come true. Thank you for your time." As he turned away from the podium the crowd erupted into violent applause.

Fox descended the steps moving past some of the teachers and Academy staff to move out into the hallway. But he was stopped before he could get there. As he reached for the door handle a voice called to him.

"Mr. McCloud!" called a voice." Mr. McCloud." The Leader of Star Fox tilted his head and saw only one figure who stood out to him. A little monkey with white fur, big brown eyes and a smile coming towards him." Are you Fox McCloud?"

"I am." Fox said with a nod. He looked down at the boy's nametag to see his name read 'Bowman'." Nice to meet you Mr. Bowman." He stuck out his hand. The boy awestruck that his hero would know his name.

"P-Pleased to meet you, sir." He said." Is it true you've defeated Star Wolf?"

"Yes." Fox nodded his head.

"And the Aparoids?"

"Yes." Fox nodded.

"Cadet." Bill Grey said as he came alongside his friend and saw the young man standing there. Bowman quickly snapped to attention as the Officer appeared." Don't pester Mr. McCloud with such questions, you know the answers to them already. Go on, get ready for muster."

"Yes, sir." Bowman said with perfect military edict. But then turned a bright-eyes smile to Fox." It was a pleasure meeting you, sir." He smiled. Without another word he turned and left.

"Nice kid." Fox chuckled digging his hands into his belt.

"Cadet Bowman is one of our best pilots." Bill told.

"He's got spunk that kid." Fox chuckled." He reminds me of me." Bill turned his head and casted a strange glance at his friend.

" That is Dash Bowman." He told. Fox knew as much the boy had just introduced himself. But the next information Fox did not know." He is Andross' grandson." A dark gloom came over Fox's face.

"What did you say?" He questioned. Bill only nodded.

"And Andrew's nephew." Double whammy. With a look of hate in his eye Fox turned around to see the spawn of Andross disappear into the crowd. He could see it now both of them Andrew and Andross painted in the boy's face. Their twisted smiles cackling at him from a distance, the faces that haunted his dreams at night.

"Then what's he doing here?" Fox questioned with venom in his voice.

"Now calm down Fox." Bill said with both hands up." No need to make a scene."

"That was a wonderful speech." Krystal said as she and the rest of Star Fox suddenly appeared. She moved past Bill and kissed Fox. Though given the situation he was too angry to do the same, though she did simmer his anger some." Is something the matter?" she questioned upon seeing his aggressive look.

"Nothing." He replied looking at her and in the direction Bowman had gone.

"C'mon!" Falco said." Let's go out and get some drinks!" He led the way and Fox being pushed along by the group was forced to follow. He imagined that would be the last time he'd ever seen Bowman.

But fate had other plans.

The next time he heard from Bill he was asked to come and give a hands on show of his piloting skills. At the time of the request and entering his cock-pit for the exercise he thought nothing more than the fact that he was helping a friend.

He soared through the course set out for him. Shooting down targets, passing through hoops, doing barrel rolls. Evidently from the ground it was an impressive sight. Evidently beating the record and flying through the course in under three minutes.

When finished Fox disembarked his arwing to see the crowd cheering for him. And amongst the crowd he could see a familiar face, but it wasn't one he wanted to see. Dash Bowman was in the front of the group and clapping louder than anyone else. Fox rolled his eyes and walked down the ramp ready to get as far away from this as possible. But he wasn't that lucky.

"Mr. McCloud! Mr. McCloud!" called a voice. And Fox had an idea on who it was. He turned and saw he was corrected as young Dash Bowman came towards him." That was some great flying Mr. McCloud." He smiled.

"Thanks." He replied in a gravelly voice. Fox assumed this was all a ruse. A way to get him to lower his guard and then stick in the knife in him when he wasn't looking. But Fox McCloud was anything if not overly cautious.

The area began to clear fast. The students and teachers began going off in different directions. All except for Dash who stayed right before Fox. Now his worst fear was realized, the two of them were alone.

"Mr. McCloud?" Dash questioned.

"Yes." Fox replied not looking at him.

"I-I was wondering if I could ask you a question."

"If you'd like." Was Fox's response.

"You fought Andross didn't you?" He had expected this question to come up, it didn't surprise him in the least. Especially now when they were alone. This was now doubt it, the confession Bowman wanted to hear. After Fox uttered a breath no doubt he would pounce. Maybe to draw a knife to slit his throat or wrestle him to the ground to finish him with bare hands.

Fox tilted his head to get a view of the boy.

"Yes." He said." Twice. And I would gladly do so again if he appeared once more." His voice grew thick with anger. The anger he felt the first day he learned of his father's fate by that madman. Bowman's face softened and he looked to the ground in shame.

"He was my grandfather." He revealed." And I know what he did to you. How awful that must have been for you." He fiddled in his place but eventually managed to pick up his head and look at Fox. "I'm sorry. If that means anything." Now it was Fox who's face had softened. Like Andrew he expected Dash to worship his ancestor's feet and claim revenge for his death.

"It means everything to me." Fox said.

"I know what he did." Dash said." Not just to you but to everyone. I don't know what drove him to do it and I don't suppose I ever will. But he was still my family and I still love him."

Fox didn't know if he should have said anything but he did anyway.

"I can…understand that."

"I appreciate that." Dash smiled. Fox realized now he had been wrong about this whole thing. The sins of the Father should not transfer to the son. Dash was his own man with his own view on the world. The boy desperately wanted Fox's approval, he understood that now. " Sir can I ask you a question?"

"Yes." He answered.

"Can I join Star Fox?" Dash asked. Fox let out a small smile and laid a hand on Dash's shoulder.

"School is more important." He said." Find me after you've graduated. And if you're still interested we'll have you." Dash smiled from ear to ear." But until then tend to your studies, that's what's most important.

"Thank you, sir." He said." I will, thank you." He began turning away, ready to go and join his unit." And I'll see you in four years. I'll be there!" He waved to Fox who waved back as the distance between them grew greater.

Perhaps Fox had been all wrong about Dash. He was not his Uncle or his Grandfather. He was a kind boy with good piloting skills and a keen mind for doing the right thing. The hate within Fox had melted away there was no need to hold onto the burdens of the past. This could be the beginning of a new era, not just for Fox but the entire Lylat System.

But perhaps the apple does not fall far from the tree after all.