Star Fox: Providence
Prologue
Falco could hardly believe the time that flew by in the interim between the Anglar-Corneria War and now. It just felt like one thing after another had happened! First, Dash Bowman, a respected pilot of the Cornerian fleet, decides to fly off to Venom of all places and decides to 'rebuild' it from the ground-up, supposedly trying to 'rectify' the mistakes of his uncle. Of course, to Falco, who was a part of the force that spearheaded the attack against Andross, he couldn't help but be cautious around this proclamation. Most things that involved Venom in some capacity had a tendency to be bad for the Lylat system, but he supposed he was just being overly cautious. Then, Amanda and Slippy were married. Not that it was a surprise to the falcon; he could see it coming from a million miles away. It just meant that his schedule was going to be occupied with getting the right suit for the thing, finding the right gift, maybe get Katt to accompany him if she is willing, that sort of thing. The wedding went off without a hitch… Until Fox decided to propose to Krystal during Slippy and Amanda's wedding. Granted, it was after they had already said their vows and had been officiated, but the silence that followed was palpable to everyone except Krystal, who, of course, accepted. The ex-ace pilot took a video and had to physically contain himself from bursting out into laughter.
After that debacle, the two foxes were then set to be married a few months after Slippy and Amanda's marriage, and just like the frogs, their marriage went off without a hitch. Falco had half a mind to propose at their wedding just to continue the cycle, but even he had to realize that he's not exactly the type to be chained down by a piece of paper to someone. Not that he doesn't believe in romance; he'd rather just live freely than have to constantly care over someone like a parent. However, not every single thing that had happened between the Anglar-Corneria War was so cheerful. A year after the marriage of Fox McCloud and Krystal, Peppy Hare, the mentor of Star Fox and friend to James McCloud, had died. He had apparently died peacefully in his sleep due to a stroke.
Falco was not known to cry. He usually put on the face of a super macho tough guy who doesn't deal with anyone's bullshit, along with being a wise cracking jackass. But, even he, upon hearing the news of Peppy's death, couldn't help but let out a few choked sobs. The old bastard was like a father to him, more than his own. His death was unavoidable, and they all knew it would come soon. But it still stung, especially when the funeral was held. It was strange to the falcon. How he could still hear Peppy yelling for Falco to slow down, to listen to orders, and yet, he could look at his lifeless face, one that was so full of energy and life. He had to give it his all to not break down and cry at the funeral. He knew that, if anyone wouldn't want him to cry, it'd be the old son-of-a-bitch himself. Maybe he came off as disrespectful. He'll admit that. But, in his own mind, it felt right. He didn't stick around for the whole ceremony; He just wanted to look at Peppy's face one more time before they buried him with all that gaudy fanfare. He was a hero, yes, but the falcon believed he wouldn't want all that celebratory bullshit, all those horns, all those soldiers there. But, it wasn't his choice to make.
The ace pilot would walk into the Astro-nonymous Bar, taking in the scent of alcohol, cheap food, and musty old wood. It was a wonder how this dive still stood on Corneria of all places, seeing as how everything was rapidly upgrading technologically… And yet, this dirty, about-to-fall-apart bar was still standing. It was anything less than a miracle, which is great, because though the food here would probably kill you, the drinks were cheap and of decent quality. Which made it a favorite amongst the Star Fox crew during their down time. Scanning the dark brown planks, Falco soon spotted his former crew mates sitting in a nearby booth, and waved them down. Walking over, Fox had already seemed to get an early start, while Slippy just seems to be drinking water. Figures, the frog never really seemed to like drinking all that much.
"So, how's it going, family men?" The falcon stated with as much of his smart ass tone he could muster. Though he had grown lax in the past few years, he still had his signature cockiness and smarm. Fox let out a single 'heh,' before Slippy let out an exasperated sigh and took a sip out of his water glass.
"Man, is fatherhood really that bad? Normally, you guys would try to tell me to 'piss off' or something, but now? A chuckle? Makes me relieved I'm not hitched." He'd add on, leaning back on the booth seat as Fox would finally let out a full chuckle, looking back at the blue bird.
"As if any woman would wanna date your annoying ass." He'd tease, lightly slugging him in the shoulder, as Falco would scoff. Who knew that a relationship could relax a man? If this had been during their service, Fox probably would've said something worse, and Peppy would've had to de-escalate the ensuing fight. Then again, it could also just be age that has wizened the both of them. Slippy, meanwhile, almost sank into his seat. Not failing to notice this, Falco turned his attention to his former crewmate.
"Fatherhood not suitin' you, Slip?" Falco inquired, eyebrow cocked. Slippy, almost like a broken record, let out another forlorn sigh as he sat himself back up. Taking a sip of water, he'd shake his head a bit.
"It's not that. I like being a dad, actually, it's just… So nerve wracking, you know? Amanda is already pregnant with her 4th child-" That got a spit take out of Fox, who coughed up the remaining droplets of alcohol that got stuck in his throat. Wiping his mouth, the toad would begin to sink back into his seat again.
"4th..?! Gods above, Slip, you really… I didn't think… Well, I just-" Fox stumbled over his words, already semi-inebriated from the mild beer. Falco couldn't help but crack a smile at his friend's inability to hold his drinks. He was already pretty bad, and it seems like he's only gotten worse over the years if that's possible. Patting the toad on the back, Falco gave him a thumbs up of encouragement.
"Well, I don't know anything about parenthood myself, but, all I can say is good luck there, Frog Boy." The Cornerian gave an encouraging smile, which seemed to lift his spirits a bit. Fox seemed to recover from the shock, before Falco turned his attention back to the leader. Of course, now, he was beginning to sport the shades… Something Falco was beginning to suspect was genetic at this point.
"But, onto you, Fox… Krystal expecting, yeah?" He'd finally receive a drink from a waiter, holding it in anticipation of a sitrep of the situation over at the McCloud household. The Vulpes scratched the back of his head, as if trying to shake the alcohol out of his brain, before he nodded.
"Yep, yep. Dunno if it's gonna be a boy, but, I already decided that, if it's a boy, then I'll definitely name him James… Or maybe Marcus. If it's a girl, though, I'll name 'em… Uh… Shit, I jus' had it a second ago." The Fox stared at the table, trying to concentrate his slipping intelligence as he continued to sip more and more beer. Falco couldn't help but snicker under his breath at the predicament, and even Slippy couldn't resist the urge to burst out into laughter.
"Need help there, Captain?" Falco asked, covering his beak as to not give away the fact that he was currently cackling.
"Yeah, you know you can count on us to help-" Slippy snorted, "Help you if you need it." He finished, their captain becoming more and more annoyed.
"Whatever, I'll get it eventually. I just hope they're not a pilot." The pilot leaned back in the booth's chair, trying to clear his mind. The comment elicited a snort out of both Pilots, before Falco leaned forward, head in hand.
"Well, let's see… Their mother is Krystal McCloud, a legendary pilot hero, and their father is Fox McCloud, the legendary captain of the other pilot heroes. I think it's gonna take the planets aligning to make the kid not a pilot, Fox. Wouldn't be surprised if they popped out of the womb with their piloting license in hand and the keys to an Arwing in the other." Falco quipped, spreading his arms out across the top of the booth. The topic of Arwings seemed to make the Toad remember, or maybe, realize something.
"Speaking of Arwings, did you guys see the newest weapon the Cornerian Army is developing?" Slippy asked. Fox seemed to be confused at first, but remembered too late, as Falco would intervene before he could get a word in.
"Those 'Arsuits?' Yeah, they seem interesting to say the least. Seems unlikely that they'd be a one-off kind of deal. Stuff like that-" He'd be cut off by Slippy, the toad having stars in his eyes just talking about the new inventions.
"It'd be revolutionary! Imagine the capabilities a simple Arwing could do, and multiply it by a thousand! Nano-Carbon Steel frame, with a Fiber Plasteel exoskeleton and armor! Fully articulated limbs, and the engine! Oh, don't even get me started on the engine! Able to convert Solar energy into power, runs on Hyperion Power? It's practically never going to need to be refueled! And the customization, good gods, the customization-" Slippy began to ramble, as the two pilots, though interested, looked at each other. Either he's going to stop 20 hours from now, or one of them has to step up and remind him that they're only here for a finite amount of time. Looking at Fox, the Cornerian sighed, before putting his hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Slip, It's really interesting. Really. But you need to realize that we're not as tech savvy as you are. So, please, take a breath, and try to slow down." The Vulpine explained, as Slippy, almost on command, paused. Blinking, the toad nodded, realizing how long he was going on for. Clearing his throat, a light blush forming on his face, Slippy tried to collect his thoughts.
"W-Well, anyways, my point is that they're really cool." He chuckles, rubbing the back of his head.
"I'll probably get one if one is available to me. I dunno." Falco shrugged, before the captain shook his head.
"My pilot days are far behind me. I've had my fill, especially after three whole wars." The way Fox chose his words, it sounded like he meant it as a joke, but… The mention of the many wars they've participated in only elicited silence amongst the three of them. It was an understandable sentiment, especially with how mentally taxing it was to their captain. Multiple times, crewmates were at danger of dying… Or worse. And the death of General Pepper was fairly traumatic to everyone involved; No one deserved to go the way he did. Eventually, Falco broke the silence, taking a giant swig of his drink, before setting it down on the table.
"Well, my piloting days are just getting started if you ask me. Though, I dunno how much I can improve if I'm stuck down here in Corneria." Falco retorted, before the two pilots looked to him, a look of confusion on their faces.
"You're gonna… Leave Corneria? Again? But it just felt like we got together again…" Fox bemoaned, before Falco shrugged his shoulders in response.
"Well, just stay safe." Is all Slippy said; Even he knew that once Falco has his mind made up, it's nigh impossible to dissuade him.
"Yeah. And, Fox? Try not to go to another planet and find Andross doing another goddamn plan there, yeah?" Falco teased, before his Crewmates would let out a hearty chuckle, recalling their adventures on Sauria in a good light.
"I'll try, Birdbrain." Fox teased back, before Falco let out a follow-up chuckle. With a smirk on his face, the falcon stood up. Giving Slippy a slap on the back and Fox a fist bump, Falco began to walk out of the bar… Before stopping midway. Turning around, he'd fish a micro-communicator out of his pocket: A small, circular token, it would, once activated, establish a link between one other micro-communicator, and produce a holographic call. With a smile, Falco brought his feathered hand to his forehead, giving his captain a final salute, before walking out of the bar.
Looking up into the night sky, he'd think back to all of his memories with his crew. Good, Bad, Ugly. With that, Falco walked into the city night, and, from that moment on, disappeared off the grid.
Katt Monroe never really considered herself the type to teach; She actually hated kids until recently. She supposed it had all to do with the fact that, once you see so much death in a war, you'd just simply gravitate towards the ones with the most life in them. It was almost refreshing to see people younger than her. They were so full of life, energy, vim and vigor. They hadn't experienced the horrors of war. It reminded her of when she and Falco met in the Flight Academy. It was a shame that he had decided to disappear on all of them, but she always figured he would. He always flew solo, even if he was on a team. Well, there was no use in her thinking about stuff she couldn't control. Looking at the clock on her desk, she had only just realized that it was so late in the night! The other instructors there almost joked that she lived in the academy, what with how late she would usually stay. Cursing to herself, she began to sort through all the paperwork she handed out to the students, before she heard a knock from the front door. Thankfully, her office was placed near enough to it that she could hear it from the echo-y hallways. Instinctively reaching for a blaster, she'd sneak out of her office and scanned the perimeter around herself. Nothing so far.
Slinking down the hallways, disguised by the gloom and darkness of night, she slowly but surely made her way to the front doors of the Flight Academy. Surely, if the Cameras were working as intended, they would've captured some kind of footage of this mystery person…? If it even was a person. For all she knew, some of the kids got a drone ROB and decided to fuck with her. Taking a deep breath, she gripped her Blaster and opened the door, only to be greeted with a small bundled piece of cloth… No, wait, it moved. Cautiously, she went to unwrap the bundle while it was still outside, and found the hand of a child poke out of the lump of cloth. Unsettled, she began to fully unwrap it, only to leave what appears to be an infant. It looked like a Wolf Cornerian, and though the question was definitely raised in her mind, she had to remind herself that there are many Wolf Cornerians. He was not the only one. With no one around, Katt let out a sigh and picked the small baby up, wrapping him in the same cloth as to protect him from the cold. She supposed she'll have to find someone to take care of him...
A/N: This is actually my first fanfiction on this website! So, to all of you reading, all I can say is... Thanks! It's probably not perfect, and I will be the first to admit that, but I'm willing to listen to criticism. I like Star Fox, though I wouldn't call myself a mega expert on a lot of details, so if I get a few details wrong, I will be the first to admit that I don't know everything there is to know. Also, in case you can't tell, this is fairly inspired by Mecha shows, so if you were looking for the Arwing battles of regular Star Fox, then please, look else where.
Again, thank you for reading!