Well this is my first attempt at a Star Fox Fic so please tell me how I'm doing. But first I want to clarify some things.
I don't hate Fox/Krystal nor do I prefer Krystal over Fara or Fara over Krystal as a love interest for Fox, this story just seemed that it might be likely to happen after the third ending of Star Fox Command. After all, as you'll find out in this chapter, Fara left Fox's life due to events out of her control and Krystal chose to leave him for someone else. Also I'm certain that Fara's maiden name is pronounced "Fennecs".
I have never played Star Fox Command so I am just going by what I read on wikipedia and on GameFAQs about the endings.
I know I skipped some details and had some oddities in the last chapter but that was for cliff-hanger effect, there will be more details in this chapter which should explain almost everything.
I just imagine that Wolf would have gained some respect for Fox after what's he's been through, if through nothing else than through pity. Also he has to be caring towards him team mates off of the battlefield or they might leave him and he wouldn't really be a good leader if he wasn't.
I am going on the basis that a credit on Corneria is roughly worth 10 cents Canadian.
Chapter Two: Past and Present
Krystal managed to hold back tears and invited Fox and Fara to sit with her; after consulting his wife Fox agreed and while they waited for their food, they exchanged conversation. Krystal explained what had happened with Panther and why she'd come to Corneria and by the time she was done, Fox and Fara's food had arrived. Krystal finished her meal in silence while the couple started in on their food. The blue vixen couldn't help but noticed not only their looks towards one another but she could sense their feelings towards each other, she knew they were in love and that she could never hope to win Fox back from this Fara Phoenix-McCloud.
When they had all finished eating, Fox, who was wearing a white t-shirt and grey shorts, decided that it was time to explain everything that he could to Krystal.
"Krystal," Fox began, "I know after what you've told us that seeing me with Fara must be a blow to your morale, but a lot of things happened in the last two years. But still this goes back a little farther. Nine years before we met I met Fara, she's the one who introduced my team to the Arwing class Starfighters and after a while, we fell in love and began seeing each other. She would have joined the team if she didn't have obligations as the lead test pilot and the head of space combat training at the academy at the time.
"One year later Andross tried to take over this system and my Star Fox team was called in the stop him. When we arrived in Corneria city, we had the option of either attacking a giant battle robot that was trying to destroy the city, or going after the main carrier of the attack fleet, we chose the latter option.
"After we returned from Venom after defeating Andross and collecting our payment, we learned that before the Cornerian military managed to destroy the robot that it had levelled a substantial part of the city, including the building where Fara had been during the invasion. I presumed she was dead and I left the planet, I drifted for the next eight years until Sauria." Fara then spoke up.
"When the building I was in was attacked I lost consciousness. When I woke up I was in the hospital; I don't remember much but I do remember that I had broken my left arm, right ankle, and left femur, had a punctured lung, a slight concussion, and had lost a lot of blood from numerous cuts and bruises. The doctors said it was a miracle that I survived long enough to make it to the hospital. I do remember that my most prominent thoughts when lying in that bed where about where Fox was and if he was alright. When I found out he left assuming I was dead I tried to get in contact with him, but he never returned to Corneria long enough for me to see him, I pretty much gave up hope when I heard he might be seeing you, Krystal."
"I see," Krystal said, she understood a little more now, "but how did you two meet up again?" Fox sighed and leaned back in his chair, careful not to tip it over.
"That's a chapter of my life that I never want to remember, but unless I tell you now a lot of stuff won't make sense."
--Flashback--
Two months had passed since Krystal left Fox to be with Panther and Star Wolf and Fox was a wreck in many ways. Currently he was sitting in a bar in Corneria City late in the evening and as had been the usual for him these last few months, he was getting drunk.
After Krystal left him for Panther, Fox had been heartbroken. His team mates and friends had tried to reconcile him but had all eventually either got too annoyed with him and left, like Falco, or realized that Fox didn't seem to want to be reconciled. Eventually he was left with just ROB and the heavy ship carrier that he had been calling home, and like some people, he turned to the only freely available material thing that he thought could help him, alcohol.
Now two months since those events he was still an emotional wreck.
"Hey barkeep," he said, obviously drunk, "get me another drink."
"I think you've had enough, and your tab is well past due mister McCloud." Fox raised his head to complain more when a glass ashtray nearly hit him in the head. He turned to see a tiger and a monkey arguing.
"Hey, you wanna mess with me!" he shouted and he started towards them, within moments there was a bar fight between the three.
--
Fara Phoenix was out for a late evening drive to help clear her head. Over a decade had passed since she saw Fox and she had long since given up trying to find him again. She had had nothing more than short flings or single dates. Sighing she parked her car outside of a bar she had been approaching. She picked up her purse and entered the building hoping to find someone or something interesting inside.
When she entered she got quite a shock as a beer bottle exploded on the wall just next to her face, a bar fight was in progress and everyone in the bar was keeping their distance from the three brawling creatures. A lucky punch from the tiger knocked the fox in the fight to his back, leaving him unconscious. Trying to be kind, Fara went over to the unconscious fox, when she realized who it was she gasped.
"Fox McCloud!" though he was quite a bit older she recognized him. When she looked up she saw that the barkeep, a Doberman, was about to dial the phone. Moving quickly she asked.
"What are you doing?"
"Calling the police," the canine barkeep replied, "those three have caused me too much trouble."
"Please let the fox go, I'll take care of him."
"Sorry, but Fox owes me 1587 credits for the last two months he spent in here and his tab is long past due." Hearing this Fara quickly reached into her purse and pulled out her credit card and a credit disk. She quickly transferred 2100 credits onto the disk and handed it to the barkeep.
"That could cover his tab; the extra is for you to keep quiet. I'll take him to my house for the night," Fara said.
"Fine, just make sure if he comes here again, he doesn't cause this much trouble." Fara nodded and went back over to the unconscious Fox McCloud. It was fortunate that Fara regularly exercised at a gym for she was strong enough to at least half-carry, half-drag the fox out to her car. She managed to get him into the back and strap him in before getting in the front and driving back to her apartment. On the way she noticed the scent of alcohol coming from Fox; she began to realize just what the barkeep had meant by two months. She wondered why he was even out here and not out in space on his ship. She had tried to avoid any media surrounding Fox so as to try and forget him after she heard he was seeing a blue vixen named Krystal even going so far as to just hide from the Anglar invasion some time ago. She sighed, hoping she would get some answers in the morning when he woke up.
--
Fox stirred into wakefulness with a massive headache, not to mention other pain from the fight.
'Oh the justice of a hangover,' he thought, wondering where he was. He opened his eyes and immediately he noticed one thing, under the sheets of the bed he was in he had no clothes on. A million thoughts, none of them nice, went through his head in that instant but a voice from the door brought him back to reality.
"So you're finally awake." Fox turned to see Fara standing in the doorway; she was wearing a blue unmarked t-shirt and jeans. Fox blinked, and then rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.
"F-Fara! I can't believe it, I thought you were dead!" Despite why he was in her home, the fennec couldn't help smiling.
"Yes I am alive. So how are you doing?" Fox suddenly remembered that he was naked underneath the sheets.
"Umm…I'm fine. I was drunk last night so did we…" he blushed, his voice trailing off. Fara couldn't help but snicker at this.
"No Fox, you were knocked out in a bar fight and I paid off your tab, plus a little extra, to keep the barkeep from reporting you to the police and a brought you back here; I let you use my bed and I slept on my couch. I took you're clothes to get washed and I put them in the dryer some time ago; they should be done in a few minutes. So," Fara sat down in a wooden chair next to the bed, "maybe we should do some catching up. You first, what have you been up to in this last decade?" Fox began his tale, the eight years of drifting were passed over quite quickly but he described the events on Sauria and of his involvement in the Aparoid and Anglar invasions. All the while Fara noticed that Fox barely mentioned Krystal, the vixen that she heard she had been dating so she asked him where she was. Fox's faced changed then and he started crying. This surprised Fara as she had only seen him cry once before, when he brought up the subject of his dead parents, Fox stopped and explained.
"She joined the Star Fox Team after my adventures on Sauria, and we became close. After we defeated the Aparoids I told her that I loved her and we began dating. Almost a year later I asked her to leave the team, for her safety and she ran away, crying. I know I was hard on her but I couldn't have lived with myself if she died under my command. During the Anglar invasion I found out that she had joined Star Wolf and begun a relationship with Panther Caruso. Two months ago, after we dealt with the invasion, she left me to stay with Panther and Star Wolf, breaking my heart," the fox's eyes clouded up again, "I've been a wreck for these two months, I guess his depression would eventually get me in trouble. Thanks for helping me Fara, sorry to be a trouble to you. So how have you been?" Fara sighed; she understood why Fox was so depressed now.
"My life hasn't been that eventful. I was in the hospital for two months after they pulled me from the wreckage of the building where I was during Andross' attack and I tried to find you afterwards, but you never came back to Corneria long enough for me to see you. When I heard you were seeing Krystal I tried to avoid anything to do with you, to avoid heartache, until I picked you up last night. That's all, I quit my job as pilot instructor to keep from seeing you and I've just drifted between jobs and dates since then." She sighed then stood up, "I better go check on your clothes they should be dry by now. I'll be gone for a bit so just stay there until I get back."
Fara left and Fox was once again alone in her room. He reflected on what she had said to him. After he thought that Fara had died he had never even tried to look for her; he felt guilty that he had caused her so much misery but truthfully he had completely forgotten about her until that morning.
As he lay back waiting for Fara to return a crazy idea popped into his head, he thought about it for a bit then decided he would go for it. By this time Fara returned carrying his clothes. She set them on the chair she had been sitting in earlier.
"Get dressed and meet me in the living room, I'll have some food ready by then." She left and Fox got out of the bed and proceeded to get dressed; his clothes consisted of a pair of grey pants and a green short-sleeve shirt, not to mention his undergarments.
What qualified as brunch with Fara was quite simple, just some pot noodles and orange juice. They ate in silence at the table in Fara's apartment's living room; when they finished Fox helped her with the brunch and the previous day's dishes. While she was washing and he was drying and putting away the dishes he decided to pitch his crazy idea to her.
"Hey Fara," he said.
"Yes Fox?"
"Want to join Star Fox?" Fara almost dropped the plate she was passing to him but Fox took it before she dropped it. Pausing for a moment Fara stared at him.
"What?"
"Do you want to join Star Fox; you can wait until we're done with these dishes to answer." Fara was silent as they finished cleaning and putting away the dishes. When they were finished, they sat down on the couch and Fox explained to her why he was asking.
"I've been emotional wreck for these last two months since Krystal left me, and now I guess I've finally realised that being a drunkard isn't solving anything. If it wasn't for you I'd probably be in jail now moreover the Great Fox and Rob are the only real things I've been able to depend on at this time. Maybe its time to start taking missions again and get my life moving, I just wanted to know if you'd be willing to help me." Fara thought on this for a moment before finally saying.
"Alright, but you have to do something for me first."
"What?" Fara held up her index, middle, and ring fingers.
"Three dates, I want you to go on three dates with me, tomorrow and both days after that. After that tell me how you feel about me and that will ultimately affect my decision." Fox was surprised by this but he quickly agreed to the condition, agreeing to pick her up at her apartment on all three dates. Shortly thereafter, he departed so he could prepare for the next three nights. Fara watched him leave through her apartment window thinking to herself.
'Fox, I wonder if any of your old feelings for me are left.' She sat down thinking things over.
'Fox, I've tried to forget you but part of me won't let you go, I just hope that these next three days will spark something. Now that I've met you again I don't know if I can go on without you.' Fara sighed deciding to drive downtown to get something new to wear for the date.
--
The following night…
Fox drove up to Fara's apartment building in the car he had rented, it was a simple blue four seater car, nothing fancy but well maintained so it looked decent enough. Fox wore a dress shirt and jacket as well as dress pants none of which he had worn in some time; they still fit him well enough. He had arrived a little early so as not to be late so he waited until Fara came out of the building. He was impressed to say the least; Fara was wearing a light blue dress that went down to her ankles and high-heeled shoes in the same colour. Trying to a gentleman he got out and opened the door for her.
"So where are we going tonight?" Fara asked.
"I
managed to get us reservations at Chez Song; I think I owe you for
covering my tab."
Fara blinked as Fox began to drive, it was
not the best place in town but Chez Song was still pretty high class. She thought that maybe Fox was taking this more seriously than she
thought. The night was fairly uneventful but people at the
restaurant who knew of Fox kept whispering about the two of them. Because of her sensitive ears, Fara was able to pick up on one or
more of the conversations, which made her smile, particularly at one
who commented on fox finding a new girlfriend after his last two
months of depression. The dinner passed mostly in silence with both
Fara and Fox both asking the other how their meal was. After the
meal fox picked up the check, along with quite a tip for their
waiter, and drove her home. Before getting out Fara turned to Fox
and said.
"Thanks for supper, Fox. So what are we doing tomorrow?"
"I was thinking a movie tomorrow night, see you then Fara," Fox drove back to his ship. Fara watched him drive off and a smile crept across her face. She knew that Fox had enjoyed himself so there was hope for her after all. She turned and walked inside.
Fox returned the rental car to the dealership and walked the rest of the way back to the Great Fox. While he was getting ready to sleep after he arrived he realised that he was actually happy for the first time since Krystal left him.
'Thanks for helping me out Fara,' he thought, 'I'm glad I got to see you again.' Shortly thereafter he went to bed, and fell asleep, his dreams for once not haunted by Krystal's departure but filled with thoughts of Fara.
--
The next day Fox chose to walk to Fara's apartment to pick her up and to walk her to the movie theatre; both were dressed casually. It took them some time to choose what to see but Fara finally chose a romantic movie. During the movie she removed the armrest between her and Fox's seats and snuggled up next to him, his fur giving her a warm feeling, both in her body and her heart; at this Fox found himself involuntarily putting his right arm around Fara and holding her close. Fox found, somewhat surprisingly, that having her close gave him a warm feeling.
After the movie, Fox walked Fara all the way up to her apartment. At the door Fara paused and took Fox's hands.
"Thanks for the date," she said, "I really enjoyed it. I'll pick you up tomorrow for a picnic ok?" Before Fox could reply, she gave him a quick kiss on his cheek and turned inside her apartment, closing the door behind her. Fox was dumbstruck by this action and as he walked back to the Great Fox, he was given time to reflect on Fara, not just these last two days but their relationship over a decade prior.
For some reason that kiss seemed to open a sluice gate for his memories, he could remember everything about his previous relationship with Fara: the dates, the flirting on duty, how much he had cared for her, and last but not least how devastated he'd been when he thought she was dead. Fox made it back to his ship he looked it over.
"Maybe its time I forgot about Krystal completely and started over, again." He spoke to no one but himself, "But this time, I won't make the same mistake I made with her."
--
It was late in the morning when Fara arrived to pick up Fox; she had traveled on foot and was wearing a backpack with the blanket and food for the picnic in it. She took the short time she waited for him to look over the Great Fox. She had done some research the previous night and knew that the one with which she was familiar was gone but this one looked more like a carrier than a battleship, which its predecessor resembled. She was wearing a sky blue skirt and t-shirt today and as she watched Fox approaching, she saw that he was wearing a white t-shirt and grey shorts. Fox came over to Fara.
"So, Fara, shall we?" he asked.
"Yes, let's," Fara replied and the set off on foot for the park outside of Corneria City. The 20 minute walk was mostly uneventful until Fara tripped on a loose stone in the path about 13 minutes into the walk and almost fell, until Fox caught her. Fara blushed and the red fox said.
"Maybe I should carry that backpack now, you've been carrying it the whole time." Fox lifted the pack from the fennec's shoulders and took it upon his own; for the rest of the walk Fara held Fox's left hand in her right.
When they arrived at the park, which was mostly devoid of trees and was quite bumpy, they set up the blanket and took the food out form the backpack. For the picnic Fara had made: ham and cheese sandwiches, a vegetable salad, and two slices of leftover apple pie that had been in her fridge. Though the picnic proceeded fairly well, neither of them noticed the storm clouds gathering in the sky. While they were both eating, they spoke little, as both were deep in thought. Fara was wondering if Fox was harbouring the same feeling for her that she had for him whereas Fox was considering what the future held for him; the previous day he had done some preparation for his upcoming missions in space, namely selling the improvements to his Arwing II and purchasing a second with the same abilities and upgrades. Another thing on his mind was his personal question from the previous night, about how he was going to proceed with Fara after this.
While they were both lost in thought they both absentmindedly reached for the last sandwich in the bag and, as could be expected, their hands met. Fox noticed this first and withdrew his hand saying,
"You have it Fara," his face reddening somewhat. Fara noticed this and blushed as she ate the last sandwich.
'I can't believe this, I'm 30 years old and I'm acting like a teenage girl on her first date, with the hottest guy in her class.' She was about to say something when a drop of water hit her left ear.
'Oh no,' she thought looking skywards noticing for the first time the thick cloud cover, 'I should have checked the weather before today.'
"Fox, we better get moving, it's going to star raining hard," even as she said this, the rain began falling faster. Fox noticed and helped her pack up the remaining food, which was just the uneaten pieces of pie, and he hoisted the Backpack over his shoulders. They had barely gone 20 steps when the clouds opened up and the rain came down in a massive downpour. Both Foxes ran for a short way until they realised that there was little reason to, as they were already soaking wet. As they walked back in the direction of the Great Fox, Fox noticed that Fara looked as though she was crying.
"Fara is something wrong?" he asked.
"I'm sorry I didn't see this coming. I should have checked the weather this morning so this wouldn't happen." Fox stopped and took her hand.
"Hey, Fara, it's alright, these things happen so don't worry about it." Fara smiled and blinked away the tears that had begun to form in her eyes.
"Thanks Fox. Do you remember what I said you had to do after our third date? I want you to tell me how you feel about me now, please be completely honest with me." Fox smirked at this and pulled her close as though embracing her.
"How bout I show you," before Fara could respond Fox pulled her close to him in a full embrace and kissed her passionately on the lips. Fara was amazed and at first too stunned to do anything but stand there, but she melted back into a return kiss with him, putting her hands at the back of his head as she couldn't put them around his back while he was wearing the backpack. They stood there in the rain with their lips pressed together for almost a minute before they broke apart. Fara's eyes seemed to twinkle in the rain as she stared into Fox's eyes.
"Fara, I love you. Please promise you'll stay with me from now on." Fara didn't need to say anything; she just cried tears of happiness and Fox understood. He smiled, "Com'on, we'd better get back to the Great Fox before we catch colds. Fox put his arm around Fara's shoulders as they walked the rest of the way.
--
Several minutes later, Fara sat on the couch in the main living area of the Great Fox wrapped in a blanket to warm up. Her fur was messy as she had dried herself with a towel and had not bothered to clean up otherwise; she was only wearing her underwear and bra, which she had dried quickly beforehand while her own clothes dried in the Great Fox's laundry room. Fox came in only wearing his shorts and drying his head with a towel. He put the towel down and sat on Fara's left, who blushed as she was barely clothed; Fox smiled when he noticed this.
"So," Fara said, "what you said back there…"
"I meant every word," Fox said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Fara blushed and Fox leaned back, putting his arm around her.
"After you gave me that kiss yesterday, all of my memories of you came flooding back. I can remember everything about our previous relationship," he turned to look at the downpour outside the ship, "So will you join me?" She smiled at him and snuggled close.
"Of course I'll join you, Fox. I love you and would never leave you."
--
Fara spent the night with Fox and the next day Fara moved out of her apartment and into the Great Fox. She and Fox agreed to share a room and a bed; it was as though the years they had been apart had never happened.
For his part, Fox was perfectly happy with his life for the first time since Krystal left him; he was in love again and he was ready to start out as a mercenary. Fara was also very happy, she had once again found Fox the only man she had ever loved, and was ready to start out anew. After Fara had unpacked just after lunch Fox got Rob to take the Great Fox into orbit. Fara and Fox stood on the bridge and stared out the main window; they could see Corneria with stars and other planets above it, from their perspective. Fox put his arm around Fara and asked.
"Like the view?"
"I love it; I haven't been in space for ages, thank you for this. So now what do we do?"
"We wait for a mission then…"
"Fox, incoming transmission from near the asteroid field, it is a distress signal." Rob's voice overwrote the couple's talk. Fox's eyes took on a more serious tone and he finished what he was saying, while moving forwards towards Rob.
"We figure out what's going on and go to it. Let's here the signal Rob."
"Affirmative, I am patching it through." The signal was full of static, which was expected considering it was a distress signal.
"This is George Phoenix of the Phoenix Freight Service flagship P.S.S. Tungsten. We are under attack by the Shark Teeth Pirates at point 539 near the asteroid field; we are carrying important cargo for Space Dynamics Inc. request immediate help from any Cornerian Fighters or Mercenaries receiving this distress call. Repeat, this is George Phoenix…"
Both Foxes listened to the call, Fara's eyes widened.
"Father!" she said.
"So your father is in trouble," Fox said. He smirked and turned to the robot. "Rob set a course for the location mentioned in the distress signal, Fara and I will be getting our Arwings ready for battle." He motioned to the Fennec, "Let's go Fara."
"Right," they both ran down the corridors to the main hangar bay as Rob took the ship at maximum speed in the direction of the asteroid field. When they arrived they each climbed into their Arwings. When they made it too their cockpits, Fox said across the bay.
"Do you still remember how to fly one of these things?"
"You forget, I was the test pilot for the Arwing back before you flew one, besides these controls look almost identical to the first Arwing so just worry about yourself out there," Fara replied as their canopies lowered.
"Alright, just remember I'm still the team leader out here."
--
Mark Felis was an orange tiger and the leader of the Shark Tooth Pirates. He sat in his custom ship, the Tiger Fang, which looked like an old Cornerian F-4 Phantom and like all of his group's ships had the insignia of a red mouth with shark teeth on the nose, circling the Tungsten along with the other 5 pilots of his pirate group like vultures circling an animal in its death throes. The freighter in question was heavily damaged; all of its laser defence turrets had been destroyed as well as half of its engines. Only a few more hits to its engines and it would be dead in the water. Mark could see this and it made him quite overconfident. He signalled to his men.
"Alright boys and girls, this ship's on its last legs so let's wrap this up and then the cargo's ours." Mark circled a couple more times before a large grey blip appeared on his radar. He glanced at the blip before signalling his group's frigate, aptly named the Shark's Tooth.
"Hey, what's that ship that just showed up?"
"One second, sir… Sir, it's the Great Fox, Star Fox is here!" Mark was a little confused.
"Star Fox, I thought they were washed up," he smirked, "all right, target the Great Fox, we'll take down McCloud then we will take the cargo.
--
"Fox, we have arrived at the battle site."
"Alright Rob, Fara, are you ready?" Fox asked. Fara's grip on her controls tightened.
"I'm as ready as I'm ever be, Fox."
"Then let's Rock n. Roll." Both Arwing IIs blasted out of the Great Fox's hangar and into the fray. At first Fara was nervous, but like riding a bicycle her piloting skill came back to her in an instant once she was in space again. She was able to force one of the fighter's to pull a drastic dodge move by detonating one of her nova bombs in front of it. In an instant, Fara was behind the fighter her Arwing's laser tearing through the fighter's engines and destroying it, giving Fara the surge of confidence she needed now that she was back in a fighter cockpit.
--
George Phoenix was in his mid 50s but had still insisted on leaving his wife, Christine Phoenix, to come on this important cargo run. He had been extremely worried since the attack on his ship began as he was sure that the ship would have been captured when the escort fighters and defence turrets had been destroyed. But when the attack on his ship ceased he was somewhat confused.
"What's going on?" he asked. The bridge was in less of a mess than would be expected, though there were some panels hanging open with wires dangling from them, the attack had mostly been on the freighter's turrets and engines.
"Sir, another ship has entered the field, the scanners are a little damaged but we've confirmed that it's the Great Fox."
"Fox McCloud," Mr. Phoenix's voice was a mixture of relief and slight contempt, "I thought he quit this business. Never mind, just keep the ship on course for Corneria; we'll discuss that mercenary's payment afterwards."
--
Fox and Fara had each shot down two of the pirate's fighters when Fox noticed the frigate Shark's Tooth moving to attack the freighter's remaining engines.
"Rob, fire the missiles at that frigate, we have to protect the Tungsten at all costs!" Fox shouted over his headset.
"Affirmative, firing missiles," the carrier launched its missiles at the Shark's Tooth. The pirate frigate had no time to dodge the missiles as they impacted on its front end. The though the Shark's Tooth was by no means a poorly built ship, but numerous battles had made the ship's frame weaker and the explosions caused the ship to tear itself apart. Mark's only remaining wingman was stunned by this, and that cost him his life as Fara's laser destroyed his fighter. Mark saw this and flew into a rage.
"You bastards, I'll get you!" His and Fox's fighters began circling each other, each looking for shots that could destroy the other. Fox signalled to Fara.
"Hey Fara, leave this one to me, just make sure your father's ship is ok."
"Alright just be careful, Fox."
"I will," Fox cut the transmission off and began to seriously pursue the fighter.
"I'll get you, and then I will get more men and start raiding again," Mark shouted to Fox over the comm. link. Fox chose not to respond but instead did a quick U-Turn and began flying away from Mark; the tiger chased after him and landed a few hits. He thought he was winning until Fox did a summersault getting behind him and fired a nova bomb, disintegrating his ship.
'He wasn't so tough; better make sure Mr Phoenix is alright.'
--
"Sir, the pirate ships have all been destroyed, one of the Arwing IIs is hailing us." The report relieved George Phoenix and he replied.
"Let him speak, put it on the main comm. screen." The operator gave his acknowledgement and a moment later, Fox's face appeared on the screen.
"Mr. Phoenix, long time no see, glad to see you're alright."
"Fox McCloud, I have seen you in about 10 years. I assume you want some compensation for this." George's voice had some acid in it but Fox chose to ignore the tone.
"That's right. Sorry it took so long to get here. Me and my wing mate will land in your ship's docking bay, meet us just outside the hangar, don't worry, the Great Fox will cover you while you return to Corneria." Fox's face vanished and George Phoenix sighed.
"Guess I'd better go. Let the Arwings land and then continue on course, I'm going to meet Fox at the hangar." Mr Phoenix then departed for the Tungsten's docking bay. He stood outside the door on the opposite side of the hallway; as he heard the two fighters landing he wondered who Fox's wing mate was. Possibly Falco or Krystal, but he knew that they were with other groups or doing their own thing. He got his answer when the door opened and Fox and Fara walked through holding hands.
"Fara, you're Fox's wing mate?"
"Yes, father, I am." Mr. Phoenix was stunned, his daughter's cheerful response was something he had not heard in years, since she had been separated from Fox she had been quite depressed and to see her happy again filled him with happiness; the way she was holding Fox's hand made him realise just how close they had become since they had met again. George smiled.
"Come with me to the cargo area, you can explain along the way." They did so. Mr. Phoenix listened as Fox related what had happened to him in the decade since the end of the Lylat Wars; though he frowned at some of the things he had done, George was glad that Fox and Fara were happy together, as they had been so long ago.
"So Mr. Phoenix, what exactly are you transporting that the pirates were so eager to get their hands on?" Fox asked. As he asked this they arrived at the cargo area.
"Something new for Space Dynamics let me show you," George entered the code into the door and it slid open.
"An Arwing," Fox said as he stared at the ship.
"The Arwing Mk III actually, this is just the prototype but the blueprints and parts for about half a dozen are here, along with notes that list how to fix the bugs. We also have the blueprints and parts for two Landmaster Mk IIIs and two submarines based on Slippy's Blue Marine."
The Arwing Mk III looked a lot like the Arwing flown by General Peppy Hare but with some minor alterations, such as the fact that the G-Diffusers were altered somewhat as well as the barrels for the ship's three lasers and the Nova Bomb launcher. Fox walked over to the ship and placed a hand on the white body of the Arwing.
"So about your payment," George was cut off by Fox.
"I have an idea, how about when we get back to Corneria you help me convince Space Dynamics to build me a new Dreadnaught Class battlecruiser and possibly get the latest models of Arwings, Landmaster, and this new submarine. I want to get the Star Fox Team back on its feet and that would cover this rescue job." Mr. Phoenix and Fara stared at Fox for a moment. George scratched his head.
"That's a pretty tall order, but considering the proposed power of the new Arwing model and how you were able to keep it safe, I think I might be able to convince them."
"Thank you Mr. Phoenix," Fox said and he turned and moved to rejoin the two fennecs.
The rest of the journey back to Corneria was uneventful and when they arrived they were greeted by the president of Space Dynamics inside the company's main office building. After some debate and discussion George, Fox, and Fara were able to convince the president to commission the upgraded Dreadnaught, which Fox planned to call the Great Fox 3, and the fighters, tanks, and submarines that Star Fox would need once they started taking missions again. In exchange Fox agreed to run some patrols at a standard wage with his team in order to keep supply freighters transporting goods for Space Dynamics safe from space pirate raids that had been increasing recently since the Anglar invasion had been averted. Fox agreed but said first he had to go see an old friend and he left, leaving Fara to talk things over with her father.
"So I see you've found Fox again and I can tell by the way you two are acting that you've fallen in love all over again, is that true?"
"Yes it is, father," Fara sighed, despite Fox having saved her in the past her father had never really approved of their relationship or of Fox's mercenary lifestyle, feeling that it was too risky, even more so than military life. Fara hoped that her father's opinion of Fox would change; her mother was of a different opinion and she had been more disappointed when he had left her after he thought she was dead.
"I see, nothing I say will change that," George put his hand on his daughter's shoulder, "then I guess you two have my blessing." Fara was momentarily speechless.
"Do you mean it, dad?"
"Of course, I see that there is no way you two will want to leave each other. Besides, you're our only child, and your mother and I aren't getting any younger, we aren't trying to hurry you along but we would like some grandchildren before we pass on, and your clock is ticking, so please, just try to settle down with him at some point before its too late for any of us." The elder fennec's words touched his daughter and she replied.
"Don't worry daddy, I won't let Fox go, now that I've found him again."
--
Fox stood outside the Cornerian military GHQ building.
"I haven't been here in a while," Fox fished an ID card that Peppy had given him out of his pocket, "I hope this still works." He approached the entrance, where two dog soldiers stood on either side of the double doors. Fox held up the card and both soldiers saluted as he made his way inside.
The base layout was familiar to Fox, as he had been there numerous times earlier in his life. He followed the familiar route to the General's office and when he arrived he found his old friend going over something on his desk. Fox smiled and said.
"Hey, old timer!" Peppy was startled to say the least.
"What do you mean old timer!" though his voice was laced with some anger, when Peppy saw it was Fox who had spoken his voice softened, "Fox, it's good to see you again, it looks like you're finally back on your feet."
"Yeah," Fox said, taking the seat on the opposite side of his old friend's desk, "I've found someone else after my break up with Krystal; or rather I've found someone again." Fox leaned back and stared at the ceiling, "I've found Fara Phoenix and I don't think I could be happier."
"I'm happy for you Fox; I thought that you would never break out of that state of depression."
"Thanks, General, but that's not why I came here. I want to let you know that Star Fox is going to be back in action soon enough, but with only myself and Fara, we won't last long in any battle. To the point, I want to ask if you have anyone on base who might consider joining me." Peppy took a moment to digest this and finally replied.
"I just may have two pilots who can help you, if you'll follow me I'll take you to their quarters on this base." Fox nodded and got up to follow Peppy as he led him through the hallways of the base. As Peppy was the Commander in Chief of all Cornerian forces no one even tried to stop them as they made their way towards the destination that Peppy had in mind. Eventually they arrived at a door in the soldier's quarters' hallway. Peppy knocked and there was some movement behind the door; a moment later a white cocker spaniel in her early-mid 20s slid the door open.
"General Hare, what brings you here?" she asked.
"Something which may interest you and Ensign Lynx, Ensign Spaniel, please permit me and my friend to come in." Ensign Spaniel moved aside to allow Peppy and Fox to enter. Fox took a moment to observe the room, it was a standard military pilot's quarters with two beds on either side of the room, a dresser/bookcase opposite the door, and everything was in pale blue colour. On the bed to the left of the door a lynx of about the same age as Ensign Spaniel sat, her back propped up against the wall, reading a novel, she looked up from her book when Fox and Peppy entered.
"Fox, allow me to introduce Miyu Lynx, and Fay Spaniel," Peppy said. Fay was the white cocker spaniel who had greeted them, she had large ears that went down to her shoulders, she had blue eyes, her chest was of average size, and she wore a red bow to keep her hair back on the back of her head; all of this made her look a little younger than she actually was. Miyu was an orange lynx with black stripes, her hair was a short military cut, though not unnoticeable her chest was smaller than normal, and her eyes were brown; unlike Fay Miyu appearance made her look quite mature, and serious, although not too much to enjoy a good joke. What Fox noticed mostly was that one of the stripes on her forehead was shaped like an arrow and pointed down at her face; both were wearing standard military uniform for the space division of Corneria. Peppy continued.
"Both of them graduated from the pilot academy here last week and were both tied for top of their class, however," his voice took on a slightly more serious tone, "As things are getting somewhat out of hand on our space combat division they have not had the chance to fly in actual combat, and might not get the chance for quite a while. It's a waste of talent so what I'm offering to you three is that Miyu and Fay both join Star Fox, I know from experience that you two will be accepted as long as your piloting skills aren't lacking." Miyu smiled and bookmarked her book before closing it.
"Sounds like a good idea, so this is the famous Fox McCloud," Miyu stood up and offered her right hand to Fox, "Nice to meet you." Fox took her hand and shook it saying.
"Same to you, I assume that you are Miyu."
"Got it in one." Next Fay offered her hand to Fox; she had a gentle smile and said.
"Pleased to meet you Mr. McCloud," Fox shook her hand as well.
"Please to meet you as well Fay, both of you welcome to Star Fox, now get your stuff together and meet outside the front of the base, and please wear something more casual." As both women began to pack, Fox and Peppy stepped into hall and began to leave the base.
"So, Peppy, do they posses any other skills I should be aware of?"
"Well," Peppy mused over it a moment, "Fay is quite a skilled mechanic and fighter engineer while Miyu is a good planner and strategist and knows quite a lot about the Lylat system and battle tactics; she may not look it but she is a real bookworm off duty despite her tomboyish personality. I'm sure they will be great additions to your team." Fox nodded and smiled.
"I'm sure they will as well, thank you Peppy, I'll take them back to the Great Fox when they're ready. We'll be taking missions in about four months when our new ships are ready, until then we will be running missions for Space Dynamics" The two old friends then Parted ways with Peppy heading back to his office and Fox heading out of the building. Fox waited outside for a few minutes before Miyu and Fay both came out of the building. Fay was wearing a short orange skirt and an orange t-shirt and was dragging a suitcase with wheels behind her whereas Miyu was wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt and was carrying a suitcase, which was larger than Fay's, which Fox guessed held her books.
"Well," he said, "I guess we should get going, it's quite a walk so let's get moving."
"Yes sir," Fay replied. While they walked, Fox found himself staring at Miyu's arrow stripe on her forehead. Eventually the Lynx asked.
"Is there something interesting about my head?"
"Oh sorry, Miyu, it's just that that stripe on your forehead reminds me of my friend, Bill Grey. He usually wears a helmet with an arrow that faces his face, just like that stripe on your forehead."
"I see," Miyu said.
"So anyways, I should let you know that for the next four months we will be flying patrols on a standard wage for Space Dynamics to keep the shipping lanes safe. After that we will have a new dreadnaught class battleship, the Great Fox 3, two Landmaster Mk. IIIs, two Blue Marine Rs, and six Arwing Mk IIIs."
"Hey Fox, when we get to Space Dynamics I want to try something, I have an idea for a specialized Arwing that Miyu and I could use but I just need time to design it," Fay's eyes had lit up with what Miyu described as her 'engineering look'. Fox shrugged.
"We'll run it by the president and chief designer, hopefully they won't mind."
--
When they arrived back at base, Fox decided to introduce Fara and the two new team members, Fara met them just outside the building and Fox went to stand by her as he made the introductions.
"Fara let me introduce our two newest team members, Fay Spaniel,"
"Nice to meet you," the white Spaniel said.
"And Miyu Lynx."
"Hey," Miyu raised her free left hand in greeting.
"Nice to meet you too, I'm Fara Phoenix, Fox's uh…"
"Girlfriend," Fox finished her sentence causing the Fennec to blush, "Now, Fay, I believe you had something to discuss with the President concerning our order."
"Of Course, if you don't mind, Miyu and Fara, I'm going with Fox to discuss this, could you take my suitcase to my new room please?" Fay asked.
"Sure, I guess so," Fara said. As Fay and Fox turned to enter the building, Fara took Fay's suitcase and began to pull it towards the Great Fox. Fara turned to Miyu and asked.
"So, how long have you known Fay?"
"Since high school," Miyu replied, "we've been close since our high school years but competitive when it comes to our piloting skills. And before you ask we're both straight, we just haven't found anyone who is right for either of use yet." Fara blinked.
"I wasn't going to ask."
"Sorry, its just an automated response, rumours about use circulated around in high school and even in the pilot academy," Miyu explained this as they arrived in the Great Fox and made their way to where the crew's quarters were.
"So, what do you think that Fay is going to design?" Fara asked, genuinely curious.
"Probably some sort of interceptor, we always preferred fast hit-and-run attacks to pitched battle so she might design something with higher speed, but lower shielding. Well I better unpack, where are our rooms?"
"Here," Fara said as they arrived at a pair of doors. Indicating one she said, "That's yours and this one should be Fay's. Just go unpack I'll take Fay's stuff into her room." The two each went into the rooms.
--
Fay had already met with the president of Space Dynamics and gone off to design what she called the Arwing Interceptor Type leaving Fox and George Phoenix alone to discuss some things.
"Fara told me what you said, about us," Fox said, "is it true?" Mr. Phoenix nodded.
"Yes it is. I know I've been hard on you in the past, but I haven't seen my daughter this happy in a long time. Just promise me you'll stay loyal to her."
"I will, Mr. Phoenix, Fara was, and still is, my first love and you know what they say about first loves."
"Yes I do. Very well then, just please take care of her." Fox chuckled.
"I'm sure she can take care of herself, but if it's any consolation, we'll take care of each other." George smiled.
"I'm sure you will."
"So, how's business?" Fox and George continued exchanging conversation for a while until Fay came back out of where she had been designing her ship.
"Done," she said.
"Wow, that was fast," Fox said, checking a wall clock.
"Well the design for the Mk III was pretty solid to begin with," Fay explained, "I just tweaked it a bit, gave it faster engines, which lowered it turning ability, lowered shields to allow for dual lasers, and lowered its nova bomb capacity from the proposed 6 down to 3 so as to reduce weight under gravity. Two of them will be completed at the same time as the rest of your, I mean our order and will replace two of the Arwing Mk IIIs."
"That's good to hear," Fox said.
"Also I was able to get two more Arwing IIs for Miyu and I for the next four months, it's not what we're used to flying but it will work"
"That's great," Fox stood up, "sorry, Mr. Phoenix, but we have to go. We were told that we would receive our orders once we got into space so I guess we'll see you in four months." Fox left with Fay following him and George Phoenix smiled at Fox's back.
"I guess I will, just keep your promises Fox."
--Flashback Ends--
"For the next four months we flew missions for Space Dynamics. When those four months had passed as we received our new cruiser and ships, Fox proposed to me with an emerald ring that he had bought with the money he had been saving since those missions began. My father was happy and my mother was ecstatic," Fara said. Fox took over for her.
"We flew various mercenary missions for the next six months we flew missions in our new ships. Fay was a big help as she was able to keep all of our ships and the Great Fox 3 in working order. Miyu was also a big help in planning our attacks, and both of them are very skilled at piloting their Interceptor Type Arwings. When those six months ended we returned to Corneria for our wedding. We were surprised to see Falco and Katt there along with Slippy, his wife Amanda, Bill, and Peppy; I would have invited you Krystal but I had no clue where you were and I didn't think you would either want to see me again or that you would appreciate that gesture. I asked if Falco wanted to join Star Fox again but he declined for that moment, saying he actually preferred to be on his own after the time he spent flying missions with Katt, I also think their becoming closer than they're letting on. Five months later we found out that Fara was pregnant. And seven months later, here we are, that's the whole story."
"That's nice," Krystal said. She was straining to hold back her tears as she had promised herself that she would not cry again the day that Fox told her to leave the team.
"I have to go now," she stood up and walked away. Fox was a bout to go after her but stopped, until Fara put a hand on his shoulder.
"Go after her, Fox, she needs to be comforted." She smiled, "Don't worry I don't mind just calm her down." Fox nodded then went after Krystal, leaving Fara at the table.
--
Krystal was trying her hardest not to cry, but it was getting hard when Fox came up behind her. Hearing him she said with some contempt in her voice
"Fox, shouldn't you be with your wife. You found her so easily after you lost me."
"Krystal," Fox felt for Krystal so he felt he should explain, "It's not that simple. I was alone and Fara helped me out of my depression not only that but she left my life by accident, and by something that was indirectly my fault, but you chose to leave me for someone else. You broke my heart and Fara helped me pick up the pieces and reassemble me heart. Also Fara was and always will be my first love, just as I was hers, and you know what they say about your first love, you'll never love someone the same way again. After that second date all my memories of her came rushing back and a regained the love I thought I'd lost."
"So why'd you come after me, to rub it in!" Krystal's voice was laced with anger as she quickly turned to Fox.
"Not at all," the todd put his hands on Krystal's shoulders, "Please you must understand. I'm sorry about how Panther treated you and I do still care about you. I just can't forget all that's happened in the last two years." Fox let go of Krystal and looked down at the palms of his open hands.
"In about two weeks I'm going to be a father. What kind of man would I be to drop Fara when she's this close to being the mother of my kits?" Fox clenched his hands, "I'd be worse than Panther if I did that." Krystal had calmed down after hearing this.
"I guess you're right, Fox. But what am I supposed to do now? I can't go back to Star Wolf after what happened and I don't really know anywhere else I could go?"
"Why not join Star Fox?"
"Because, it would be awkward, I just don't want to risk igniting your old feelings for me and forcing you and your wife to split up." Krystal was about to leave when Fox said.
"Krystal, but don't take this wrong way but while I care about you, I'm not in love with you anymore," Krystal was visibly shocked but Fox continued, "I know that sounds harsh but listen. When I saw you at the café I paused for a moment because I was afraid my old feelings for you were going to flare up again, but I didn't feel anything beyond some sympathy and concern for you." Krystal nodded.
"I understand, we've both changed a lot in these last two years, and now after listening to you, I don't know if I'm in love with you to the same degree as I was before. Those feelings might eventually wane in time."
"So," fox extended his hand, "will you join, I'm sure that Miyu and Fay will enjoy your company, also, not to sound like I don't actually want you around but your telepathic abilities would be useful."
"I see; it's just a side benefit in a way. Alright," she grabbed Fox's hand, "I'm back in I guess." She put on a smile.
"Good, we're going back to the Great Fox for the next week, and then Fara and I are staying with her parents, George and Christine Phoenix, for the last week until her due date. You should get to know Miyu and Fay a bit before we actually go on any missions." Krystal nodded.
A short time later all three foxes were in the shuttle that Fox and Fara had used to get to Corneria, Krystal having picked up her stuff form the hotel and sold the shuttle she had used prior to that, on the way to the Great Fox III, which was docked in orbit. While Fox was driving and Fara was sitting up with him, Krystal sat in the back area with her suitcase. Many thoughts ran through her head, primary among them were the false face she had put on when she agreed to join Star Fox. She looked out the front window at the Great Fox II which looked very similar to the original, except that it had an extra pair of wings each of which was halfway in-between the two on each side and that it had a larger fighter bay, two extra gun ports on the front, for a total of four, and a missile mounted on the end of each of the six wings.
'I guess that my life begins again today,' she thought to herself, 'I just hope that things work out better this time, I'm strong I'll get through this and maybe find someone else. But still I won't cry over this.'
--
End of chapter notes: I want to know what you think of this. I had to improvise a lot in order to get this chapter to work as I have little to no experience with real romance so the dates were mostly based on stuff I've seen in movies, anime, and read in romance Fanfics.
Also this story was inspired by two others, "Bittersweet" where Fara and Fox meet after Fox and Krystal have fallen in love and they decide to never meet again due to how awkward it would be for them and their future spouses. And one called "9 Months" which details Fox and Fara's first child being born, form conception to birth.
As both Miyu and Fay have never had personalities defined by Nintendo so I felt I should give them some distinction, this gave me some freedom to play with their personalities. While Miyu's tomboyish attitude was inspired by stuff I read on Wikipedia a long time ago her being a bookworm is something I came up with on my own. Fay as a mechanic was inspired by an image at deviantart called "Fay in the Sun" as she is seen holding a wrench. I know that doesn't mean she is one in any sense but considering they'd need a skilled mechanic on the team it was an idea I thought would be somewhat original and practical for the story.
Also read the stuff at the top again before writing reviews, I just re-read my reviews and some of them are a little biased. Not that I mind but still… You should know that I don't have a preference for Fox's love interest.