Chapter 2

From Runaway to Stowaway

Fox came to just as soon as Wolf and his gang left. As soon as he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a shaggy-looking human being with long bangs in his face and a soul patch just at the tip of his chin. Usually, someone who sees a guy like that leaning over them would call the police, but Fox kept calm, as though he knew there was something good about this guy. "Are you okay?" Roy asked, holding out his hand. Fox hesitantly held his hand and replied, "Yeah, I'm fine." As soon as Fox got to his feet, both Falco and Krystal opened their eyes and stood up from the sidewalk. Falco had an uncontrollable urge for vengeance, and since he didn't know that Roy saved their lives and thought he was about to kill Fox, he immediately ran towards Roy, pounced on him, and began socking him in the face in rapid succession.

"Falco!" Fox shouted. "What the hell are you doing?!!" "Wasn't this guy about to kill ya?" Falco asked. "Yeah, he was going to kill me by getting me off of my butt," Fox replied sarcastically. "Of course he wasn't trying to kill me!!!" Falco suddenly felt embarrassed, since he let revenge cloud his judgment and pound on an innocent civilian, so he got off of Roy and held out his wing to help him. Hesitantly, Roy took Falco's wing and stood up from the cement sidewalk. As if what Roy was seeing wasn't confusing enough, what he was feeling was even stranger; Falco's wing actually felt soft and feathery, unlike the phony bird costume that has those plastic feathers on their wings. "Sorry about the whole 'beating you to a pulp' thing," Falco apologized. "Don't worry about it," Roy replied, rubbing on his face to ease the swelling. In an effort to not look like an idiot, Roy immediately stopped rubbing his face and set his focus onto the group. "My name's Roy, by the way," he presented. "So, err, who are you guys?" Roy asked in a confused tone. "Oh, right," Fox started. "My name's Fox McCloud." He then turned towards the falcon and introduced, "This bird that nearly beat you to death is Falco Lombardi." Finally, Fox turned towards the blue fox and introduced, "This young woman here is Krystal." "Pleased to make your acquaintance," Krystal added. Roy was about to open his mouth and mention something, but Krystal immediately cut him off and said, "I don't know my last name, either. I was separated from my parents when I was very young." Roy was dumbstruck, but then regained his focus when Fox continued, "We're the Star Fox team."

Roy stood and listened as Fox told him about their background; what they did, where they were from, what ships they were flying, and who those bloodthirsty criminals were that nearly killed them. When Fox finished, Roy inquired, "So if you're mercenaries from this so-called 'Lylat System,' what are you doing in this solar system?" "Well, it started about four years ago," answered Fox. "Astronomers at the Cornerian Observatory have discovered that there was another planet besides the ones in our solar system that could retain life." "And let me guess," Roy cut in. "They decided that you guys would be best for the reconnaissance mission after a few more years of research?" "That's the short-and-sweet side of the story," Falco answered. Roy nodded, then he checked his watch and said, "Well, I guess I'll be going now; it's getting kinda late." He turned and was about to walk away until Fox grabbed his shoulder. When Roy turned, Fox said "Before you go, we'd like to thank you for saving us tonight." Fox then reached into his back pocket, pulled something out, and it in Roy's hand. When Roy looked in his hand, he noticed that Fox had given him a large emblem, but it wasn't any emblem he had seen, however; it was in the shape of a red fox with large wings of about the same length as the body and, to Roy, felt as though holding it gave him a sudden surge of power. "As of right now," Fox announced. "You are now an official member of Star Fox."

Roy took the news with silence, as if he were saying "What the hell?!!" and "Awesome!" at the same time. Krystal didn't seem surprised, mostly because of the fact that she could read minds and could tell what everyone was going to do; Falco, however, seemed a bit dumbfounded. "Thanks, Fox," Roy thanked, setting his focus off his new badge and back onto Fox. "Fox, are you insane!?!" cried an aggravated Falco. "Did you already forget the last time--" Falco was instantly cut off when Krystal held her hand over his beak to keep him from finishing what he was about to say. Roy seemed a little confused about why Falco needed to be silenced, but then brushed it off his shoulder and said, "Thanks for everything, Fox. I'll see you later." With that, he walked away with a newfound contentment. He then heard Fox yell out, "Wait!" Annoyed, Roy stopped in his tracks and turned his head slightly. "You forgot your vehicle," Fox reminded, gesturing to the motorbike. "Don't worry about it, Fox," Roy replied. Fox, Krystal and Falco looked confused until he continued with a smirk, "It's not even mine."

Roy finally got to his apartment at about one o'clock in the morning. He knew that he had to keep quiet because his mother was probably asleep by now. Carefully, he snuck through the living room until one of the lamps turned on. Roy jumped and turned towards whoever turned it one. To his surprise, it was his foster mother who, as usual, didn't seem very pleased to see him. "Where the fuck were you?" his mother demanded. "I already told you," Roy started. "I was going to be working late tonight and I wouldn't be home till late." "Don't give me any of that bullshit," his mother argued. "I'm pretty much the only one who actually makes fucking money around here!" Roy was beginning to get pissed off, so he cut in, "Well at least I don't spend my hard-earned cash on marijuana and heroin instead of actually paying the goddamn bills." "I have a good explanation for why I'm an addict," his mom excused. "It just feels really good and it helps me forget that son-of-a-bitch father of yours!" "You always have to fucking blame everything on Dad, don't ya, bitch?" Roy accused. "You know what? Fuck this; I'm goin' to bed." He then stormed into his room and slammed the door. Roy went to sit on his bed and think about how he was going to free himself of his own torment, more better known as his adoptive mother. While he was busy in his thoughts, he heard a faint sound coming from the windowsill that went, "Mew."

Roy turned to see Shade, a black stray kitten that he had befriended ever since he moved into the apartment complex. "How're you doin', Shade?" Roy asked, stroking the kitten's head. Shade didn't have to understand "human-talk" to know that something was wrong with him, so she leapt into Roy's lap and purred contently, hoping to cheer him up. But still, Roy was as distraught as ever. He looked around his room in hope of finding something to help him with his predicament. He then set his view on a photo frame sitting on his nightstand. Roy picked it up and saw a memory that made him feel both happiness and depression; it was the photo of his real family: his mother, father, himself and his twin brother. He still hasn't forgotten that day; it was the day that sent his life hurtling through hell. It was only ten years ago, but the memory was still singed into his mind. He still had recurring nightmares about that single day; coming home to find his two parents dead on a separate noose, and his older brother still nowhere to be found was too much to bear.

As tears welled up in his eyes, Roy put the frame back on his nightstand and lay back on his bed. Shade was standing on the pillow next to his head with a curious look on her face. Roy, turning his head, asked Shade, "What would you do in a situation like this?" Shade let out a small mew that probably would have translated to, "I'd run away if my mother was like that." Roy probably understood, because thought for a second and replied with a grin, "I like the way you think." He then leapt off the mattress and went to the closet. He opened the door, pulled out a duffel bag and began shoving about a month's worth of clothing into the bag. Then he rushed to his bathroom and stuffed his toiletries into the side pocket. Finally, he pulled out a piece of paper and wrote his goodbye note to his mother.

Mom, (or should I say, Denise,)

If you're reading this, then you already know that I'm gone and you're the reason because you're a fucking superficial bitch. I'm sick and tired of the way you treat me. I tried to help you out when Dad left you seven years ago. When your house burned down, I let you stay in my apartment. I fucking bent over backwards for you, and this is how you repay me? You treat me more like a slave than a son. You even make me do your own work in my own home! So guess what? You can take this adoption and shove it up your ass, for all I care. I've decided to go wherever you aren't, and no matter what you try, I'll never come back.

Your former slave,

Roy

Roy put the note on his pillow and opened the window. When he and Shade (who was snug in his coat pocket) were out on the fire escape, Roy closed the window and declared quietly to his tiny companion, "This is the beginning of a new life."

Meanwhile, at an abandoned motel on the outskirts of town, Fox and his gang were getting ready to get some sleep, with Falco on the couch, Fox in one bed, and Krystal in the other. "I still think that was a bad idea, Fox," Falco complained. "Come on, Falco," Fox disagreed. "I'm not quick to judge a guy's character, nor am I stubborn about who I think they really are." "Fox is right," Krystal put in. "Besides, Roy seemed like a nice man." "Exactly, he SEEMED like a nice guy," Falco repeated, putting emphasis on "seemed." "Falco, you're being paranoid," Fox argued. Falco then shot back, "I'm just trying to keep history from repeatin' itself. Besides, you remember the last time a human came to Corneria?" Fox yelled, angrily, "I haven't forgotten, Falco!" He then continued, "Now let's just get some sleep." The room then went quiet as Fox switched off the lamp. As everyone fell asleep, Fox was just lay there wide-awake, thinking about bringing the first human to Corneria and the consequences of doing so.

As the Star Fox team was falling asleep, Roy was wandering through the city, hoping to find a good place to rest his eyes. No matter how hard he tried, however, he just couldn't find the right spot. Giving up hope, Roy went over to the park and sat down on a bench. He felt it as a good spot to relax; it was eerily quiet at night (which was great in Roy's opinion) and the nighttime air was cool and calm. Despite what he was going through, Roy thought of this moment as relaxing. As he sat there in the park, his eyelids began drooping and his limbs started feeling heavy, and, eventually, Roy began to fall asleep.

His dream, though, was the manifestation of the tough life he had to endure. When his dream started, for example, all he could see was his brother being shoved into a van. He tried to run and stop them, but he couldn't move, so he had no choice but see the van drive away and hear his brother screaming from the van, "HELP!!!" Roy then turned around to see his parents hanging from their necks on nooses. Roy's eyes welled up with tears at the sight of his dead parents, but in an instant, sadness changed to fright when he turned his head to find his worst fear of all: his foster mother, with a lit joint in her mouth and a shotgun in her hands. With a smile on her overly mellowed-out face, she threatened, "If you won't do what I want, then you will die." With that, she pumped the barrel, pointed the gun at his head, and fired.

Roy's head jolted up from the bench as cold beads of sweat dotted his face. He rubbed his face to make sure it wasn't riddled with bullet marks. Feeling that his face was unmarked, Roy slouched back in the bench with a sigh of relief, looked at his watch, and saw that it was four-thirty in the morning. He then looked down to see Shade looking up at him. Smiling, he stroked the kitten's back and said quietly, "I'll think of something." As if on cue, thunder boomed overhead and a shower of rain poured down in the entire city. Roy then sheltered Shade in his coat pocket and leaned his head back on the bench, feeling the freezing rain lightly smack his face. Then he had an idea as to how they were going to start a new life. Roy wrote in his note to his mother that he was going somewhere where she couldn't find him, and where else would that be besides out of the city? The city limit was just a couple miles away, and there was a closed-down bike rental shed at the corner of the park. Roy then rushed to the shed, grabbed a bike, and pedaled out of the city, with nothing but his bag of clothes and his little buddy riding in his pocket.

Roy pedaled for about half an hour before he finally found shelter: a run-down old motel that was once used for tourism, but now was just used as a space-waster. It was littered with crates and fallen branches, and smelled like warm compost. Little did he know that this was the same motel that the Star Fox team was sleeping in. Roy dismounted his bike and quietly stepped by the motel, but was caught off-guard when he stepped on a broken twig. He flinched, but relaxed when he looked to see that it was just a small piece of wood. Then he heard a door open in front of him. Frightened, Roy dived behind a group of crates and peeked over to see who it was. To his astonishment, it was Fox who stepped out of the room. He turned his head to the left and right, but saw that no one was around. Hmm, I thought someone was out here, Fox thought. He then shrugged and went back inside to go back to sleep.

"Wait a minute," Roy muttered quietly. "If Fox is here, then that means this is where the team is hiding out." Roy then peered over the crate to try to find where the team could've hidden their ships. They should be here somewhere, Roy thought. He then stepped from behind the crate and stealthily crept around the motel, this time making sure not to step on any twigs. When he finally got behind the motel, he looked around and saw that there wasn't anything in sight; it was just an empty field. This doesn't make any sense, Roy mulled over. How could they be here if they didn't have any ships? Roy took a few steps forward when, suddenly, he bumped into something solid. Roy looked to see what obstructed his path, only to find nothing. Just then, his back pocket began pulsating. He reached into his back pocket to find his membership emblem vibrating with a vigor that could've powered a massage chair. Then he noticed something that he never noticed there before: a small red button, just where the eye was supposed to be, almost camouflaged against the rest of the badge. On impulse, Roy pressed the button and, all of a sudden, a large, streamlined starship materialized in front of him. He was astonished at what he was looking at; the flying machine seemed as though it were painted white with bluish highlights. To make things even weirder, there weren't any stands holding it up; it was just "hovering" in mid-air.

"Well, it isn't a motel room," Roy mumbled. "But as long as it keeps us dry, I'll take it." He leaped up onto the nose of the ship and tried to pry the visor open. He used all of his strength, but it wouldn't even budge. Then he noticed a faint green glow on the end of the ship. Leaping off the ship, Roy investigated the site and saw what looked like a scanner. Then an idea popped into his mind; he pulled out his emblem and searched the edge for something like a bar code. He couldn't find it anywhere, so seeing that both the emblem and the scanner were a perfect match in size, he attempted to open it by placing the smooth "button-less" side into the light. Sure enough, air hissed out from under the hatch and opened, giving Roy a chance to get out of he rain.

Roy climbed into the ship, stood up and tried to pull the visor down, but it wouldn't move, just as it was when it was closed. Frustrated, he looked around the cockpit for a way on how to get the hatch down. It wasn't easy; the front dash was covered with over 50 buttons, each one with a different characteristic. Eventually, Roy found a small switch that looked like an arrow pointing downward. Nervously, he pressed the switch and, thankfully, the hatch descended slowly. When the hatch was tightly shut, Roy climbed behind the pilot's seat and lay there, hearing the rain pour on the glass and, after a while, fell asleep.

The next day, the Star Fox team walked out of the room and to their Arwings. As Fox and Krystal removed the cloaking devices on their ships, Falco just stood there, confused as to how his ship's cloaking device was offline. I could've sworn that it was set up last night, he pondered. Instead of worrying about it too much, he just climbed into the cockpit, put in the ignition sequence, and flew with the rest of the team to their mother ship, the Great Fox, unaware that he had a certain "passenger" in the rear.