Chapter 54

"So you're not coming back? Going on to the military academy already?" Fox was talking to Bill over the phone.

"Yeah, they presented me with this opportunity now. So if I go now I'll be done a year early, and it's more likely that I'll have more of a position than just a pilot." Fox's ears drooped a little hearing this, knowing that his friend was leaving and a reunion was not looking likely in the near future. "I'm glad you made the decision. We'll all miss you."

Now it was Bill's turn for his ears to droop a little. "Yeah, I'll miss you guys too. But this is my-" "Bill, you don't have to keep telling me the same thing. I understand this is your opportunity, I totally want you to take it too. You don't have to defend yourself, we're on the same side." Fox was telling him as he laughed a little to help the dog rest easy. He could feel his friend's warm smile on the other end of the phone.

"So you're leaving this week?" "Yeah, tomorrow. Almost finished packing now." "That's good, can't have you leaving anything behind. Go ahead and finish all that up, I'll see you later Bill" "See you later Fox". Fox hung up the phone, certain that it would be quite some time until he got the privilege of talking to Bill again.

'Guess there's just three of us now.' He just stared at the wall, taking in that he was down to two now.

'I'm glad he made the decision for himself. He has to win his independence somehow I guess.' Fox looked at his calendar on the wall beside his desk. 'Saturday, and school starts back on Thursday. Got a little time left now.' Fox walked around his house with plenty of time on his hands.

"Hey dad, what are you doing today?" He asked his dad after looking at his clock. "Nothing important, what prompts you to ask?" "Well I've been thinking about the offer, told the guys, and they're in. And you mentioned something about some kinda training?"

James' ears perked up at his son's question. "That's right! I almost forgot, you have a little bit of physical training that should be done. Considering you've gone with me on missions in the past, it should be easy for you. However a little review shouldn't be a problem. You wanted to go over all that today?" Fox nodded to his father's question. "That's great, we can leave here shortly." A few minutes later they loaded up in James' car and were headed off to the gym.

They arrived and James was directed to a room off to the side of the gym. He waved over towards a gray vulpine, who returned the wave. "Fox just needs a standard self-defense test is all." 'Basic? Then why is this such a big deal?' Fox thought with a confused look on his face.

The gray vulpine stood opposite of Fox and told him, "All you have to do is knock me down. Don't go for the eyes, don't go between the legs, other than that anything goes. Let me know when you're ready." Fox just cocked his head back and forth in confusion as he stepped forward. "Okay, let's do this." Fox assumed a stance that was defensive, the gray fox did the same. After hesitating a moment, Fox launched a left handed body shot towards the fox. The gray fox quickly dodged the punch, grabbed Fox's arm, and hip tossed him onto the ground.

"Oof!" James just laughed a little bit. "I like the straightforwardness, but you need to be a little bit quicker if that's what you wanna try." Fox got up and nodded his head.

This time Fox feigned a right hook, when his opponent reached for his arm he quickly withdrew it and took a step forward towards the other fox. He expected his opponent to retreat, but instead snuck the front of his foot behind Fox's leading foot and then pushed him back, causing him to easily fall right over.

"That was a clever move." Fox told as he dusted himself as he got back up.

'So then what should I do? Every time I get close to him he'll grab me.' He thought a little as he stepped forward. He took a quick jab at the fox's face to establish how much range he had, he didn't aim to make contact, just to see the length of his range.

'Right, got it.'

He faked a punch with his right arm, retracted it and launched a left legged kick at the outside of the Fox's knee. It landed and was a clean blow, bringing the fox down to one knee, staggering him.

Fox took another quick kick to the Fox's newly lowered right shoulder and then he spun quickly and launched another kick at the opposite shoulder to ensure the fox was on his back.

"Oof!" It was now the elder fox's turn to hit the ground.

James even managed to raise an eyebrow at what he just saw. "Are you okay?" Fox asked as he extended a hand towards his defeated opponent. "Yeah, I'm fine. That was great, everything you did was well done." Fox smiled as he helped the other up.

"Using your arms to measure the length of space between us, then using your legs to attack, full well knowing they would reach and then some. Not to mention knowing that they are much stronger than your arms." The gray fox nodded at the younger vulpine then looked over at James. "He passes, easily." "Good to know, thanks for your help, come on Fox."He waved his son out and they began walking back to the entrance.

"That's it? That's the big physical test? That was really easy." James just laughed a little bit. "I figured you would pass it easily, you've always seemed to have a knack for some basic combat, especially using your legs." Fox had never thought about it, his legs were surprisingly long and well built too.

"I never really thought about that. Must be from playing so many sports with running." "Guess so. Looks like it's coming in handy for you now, you're one step closer to completing the requirements for the offer now."

Fox smiled a childish smile thinking about how close he was. He was so close that he could see all of it, but he still had one more obstacle in his path, one that was larger than he can always remember.