Well I thought that I might elaborate on some things in the last chapter. First sorry about what I said about how people react to OCs but someone flamed an older work of min (which I've since removed) because of the use of an OC in that story.
There are a couple references to Devil May Cry 3 in the last chapter.
The first is the jukebox during Wilson and Krystal's duel. During the first mission cut scene in Devil May Cry 3, Dante tries to get a jukebox working before he fights some demons, but it doesn't work after he pushes a button about six times. He then smashes the top hard with his fist, putting a huge dent in it, and the machine starts to work and blasts heavy metal music forth. Wilson does the exact same thing with the jukebox in the gym, albeit the dent isn't as large as he isn't as strong as Dante but the music is still the same. If I could add music to the story it would be the same music played during the first mission of Devil May Cry 3.
The line "Even a devil may cry, if he loses a loved one," that Miyu says is actually taken directly from the game Devil May Cry 3 that line is said by the character Lady at the end of the game in reference that Dante lets a tear fall from his eye after witnessing his brother Virgil fall into the abyss; when asked if he crying Dante replies by saying "devils never cry" (something noted by Miyu) and Lady responds by saying "I think somewhere out there even a devil may cry if he loses a loved one". The other lines in that quote that Miyu says I just made up to add some depth to the line by building up to it.
I know that I lack any flashbacks in the story, but I they would spoil some things later and also I did not know what I wanted the characters to say in the flashbacks.
Chapter 4: New Beginnings
When Krystal awoke the next morning, she felt oddly calm considering the previous day. She sat awake on her bed for about an hour thinking things over; both the sparring match with Wilson and what Miyu said had allowed Krystal to work out all of the emotions that had been building up and that she had been harbouring since Fox broke up with her two years ago. She stood up and went over to her room's window on space and stared out into the Lylat system, as her side of the ship was facing away from Corneria, and realized that she was at peace with herself for the first time in a long time. Mentally she had forgiven many people, including herself but excluding Andross, for some things that they had done in the past that had affected her adversely, whether they had done those things on purpose or had done something that unknowingly had caused her pain. Krystal smiled to herself and decided that she should get dressed and prepare to face her day, but this time with an open mind and a relieved heart.
--
Breakfast in the Great Fox's dining area was silent when Krystal arrived. She hadn't realized that she had slept in until she arrived and saw that everyone else was already awake and eating the breakfast—which was bacon and scrambled eggs with toast—that Fay had made, as she had been the first awake, as she felt that after the previous night they would all need a pick-me-up that morning. The meal was taken in silence until Wilson, who was wearing his workout clothes (which had been washed the previous night) and was the first to finish, spoke up.
"Krystal about yesterday, I'm sorry. I didn't know what you'd been through." Krystal swallowed her mouth full of eggs and replied.
"That's alright, I've calmed down and after yesterday and last night I feel better than I have in ages."
"That's good to hear," Miyu said, "I was afraid that quote I said may have hurt you."
"Not really; you guys were a big help. Also it helped me make an important decision; I'm going to stay with Star Fox." Fay swallowed and gave the vixen a sideways glance before saying.
"What do you mean by that? I thought you were going to rejoin the team anyways."
"Actually I had planned on leaving today," Krystal put down her fork and knive and began to explain what she meant. "When I saw that Fox was happy with Fara I knew that I should leave to prevent complications, but when I saw that Fox was willing to let me on the team I thought that I should leave without him knowing. Before I left, I wanted to make sure that things would be all right so I waited until his son was born just in case something happened. When I saw that he and Fara were going to be all right, I decided that I'd get up early today, go down to Corneria, and get a shuttle to leave this place with."
"Then what would you have done? From what I've heard there weren't many places you could go." Wilson had said this while leaning back in his seat.
"I thought that I would be a bounty hunter. I would change my name and make a living for myself in my own way; I had been planning to call myself Kursed and to make sure that if Fox ever ran into me that he would never recognize me. But after the sparring match yesterday and the cry I had last night I feel more relieved and at peace with myself than I have in a long time. I know that I can never win back Fox but a least here I have people who care enough about me to make sure that I'm alright, even though until two weeks ago I didn't even know about you. I still feel hurt from all the things in my past but I don't think that running off will solve anything."
"Well I'm glad you decided to stay, excuse me," Wilson got up and left, leaving the three women to finish their meal. The fox made his was back to his room, he was glad that Krystal was staying, though he had only known her for a week he had begun to understand what it was life for her after the previous night, and he respected her ability to remain as cheerful and calm as she did despite her past. Upon reaching his room, he opened the door and entered. He went over to his dresser and gazed at the picture set on the middle of the top of the dresser. The picture was of an older couple, a male Cornerian red fox and a female Fichinan arctic fox. On the bottom right side of the picture were scrawled the words: Frank and Yamato Kitsune, best wishes for your new life.
This picture held a lot of significance for Wilson because it was a picture of his parents, given to them by Wilson's only uncle, his father's brother, who had been his father's best man at the wedding. He sighed, thinking that he and Krystal were similar in at least some way because they had both lost their parents. Wilson sighed and wiped a tear from his right eye. He picked up his Sakabato, deciding to go to the gym and practice for a bit.
--
After finishing breakfast, Miyu offered to clean up, as Wilson had left, Fay had cooked, and she felt that Krystal should have some time to herself. When Krystal exited the lift on the level where the quarters were she met Wilson, who had been waiting to use the lift himself.
"Hey, Krystal," he said. Krystal noticed that he was carrying the reverse bladed sword, which he had referred to as a sakabato, with him. As she passed him Krystal decided to join him in another sparring match so they could truly compare their skill, now that she would be fighting with skill instead of anger. She jogged back to her room, entered, and proceeded to change into her workout clothes. Before leaving she grabbed her staff, still compacted, and dashed off to the gym.
Wilson had pulled out his reverse-bladed katana and was doing some practice swings when Krystal walked in carrying her staff. He stopped mid swing, lowered his sword to his side and turned to her asking.
"Krystal, why do you have your staff with you?"
"I want to spar with you again," she replied, extending her staff and walking over to the dueling mats, "now that I've calmed down I want to see which one of us is really the better fighter. Best three out of five?" she took up a fighting stance. Wilson smiled and held his sword in both hands in the vixen's direction.
"You're on," the Wilson's reply caused both foxes to dash at each other, each of their weapons striking the other's weapon. Wilson was pushing his sword against Krystal's staff, which she was holding in both hands, and was using the middle to hold back Wilson's sakabato.
"You're stronger than you look," Wilson said, feeling just how strong she was as she was able to hold back his sword.
"Same to you," Krystal replied; she admitted mentally that it was taking all of her strength to hold back the sword. They both jumped backwards and then Wilson charged, striking out several times at her, forcing her to block in rapid succession.
About 20 minutes later the two foxes were panting from exertion, sweat glistening on their fur. They were tied at two wins each and this was their final round of combat. Krystal hit out at Wilson with her staff but he managed to block it and, with a twist of the sakabato, he disarmed her. Krystal fell to her rear and stared as Wilson pointed his reverse bladed katana at her face.
"You're pretty good," he said, sheathing his sword, "I haven't fought someone this evenly in a long time."
"But I still lost," Krystal said as Wilson helped her up.
"True, but I was on my last legs during that last blow, you might have won if that last attack of mine failed."
"Maybe," Krystal hung her head a bit.
"Just don't get down about it, we just managed to cure you of depression so don't revert," Wilson then left to go shower and change. Krystal just shook her head in amuzement.
--
Ten days later Fox and Fara Phoenix-McCloud had returned to the Great Fox 3 and had just managed to get their son, Todd Phoenix-McCloud, to fall asleep. Now Fox, Fara, Miyu, Fay, Krystal, and Wilson were sitting in the living room. Fara and Fox were sitting on one of the loveseats, Krystal, Miyu, and Fay were sitting on the couch, and Wilson sat on the loveseat, across from Fara and Fox, by himself. The baby monitor, that Fara had purchased on Corneria mostly because the quarters of the Great Fox were soundproof, was set on the end table next to the loveseat where Fara and Fox were sitting. Fox was wearing a white sweater and blue sweatpants. Fara was wearing a pink t-shirt and shorts of the same colour. Miyu was wearing a navy blue t-shirt and blue jeans. Fay wore a pale yellow t-shirt and skirt. Krystal wore a sky blue short-sleeved shirt and shorts while Wilson was wearing a white T-shirt and black rugby pants. Miyu was the first to speak.
"So Wilson, as long as we're all in the same place at the same time why don't you tell us about yourself. You told us that you would tell us your whole story when were in one place." Wilson smirked.
"Yeah I did, alright I'll explain." The cross-bred fox leaned back and began to recite.
"I might as well explain about my odd appearance in some detail first. You see my father was an orphan on Corneria who was never adopted and therefore never received a last name. His name was Frank; he was a Cornerian Red Fox and when he was old enough he was able to enrol in the Cornerian Military academy. Eventually he completed his training and was assigned to escort and oversee the maintenance team that repaired the Climate Control Centre on Fichina.
"My mother was Yamato Kitsune. She was a descendant of the Fichinan Arctic Fox warriors that lived on Fichina during the medieval periods of our worlds; her father was one of the only people alive at the time that still practiced those traditions. Yamato had a good family and education and eventually got the education and experience to become part of the team on Fichina that helped maintain the planet's Climate Control Centre.
"The two of them met on my father's first assignment to oversee the regular maintenance. They fell in love after a short time and my mother, Yamato, decided to get transferred to my father, Frank's, division on Corneria. One year later—after making sure they were right for each other—they were married and I was born the year after that. My odd fur coloring comes from a mix of the Cornerian red fox and Fichinan arctic fox genes.
"When I was 10 my parents got a letter from my grandfather on Fichina. It said he wanted us to come for a visit so that summer when I was out of school we managed to get a flight to Fichina. When we got there and I met my grandfather I was amazed by the collection of medieval Fichinan weapons that he had: katana, naginata, spears, bows and arrows and even some samurai armour. After a few days he asked me to try and use a bokken, a wooden katana. When I first tried using a bokken I found that it felt quite natural in my hand and my grandfather asked my parents and me if I could stay with him for some time in order to train in how to use those weapons properly. After talking with me my parents decided that I would spend every summer with him learning about my heritage on my arctic fox side and how to fight with those weapons. My parents then returned to Corneria, as the summer had just begun, and began my training.
"Unfortunately that's when my easy life ended because shortly thereafter shipping lanes in the Lylat system closed after some weapons were smuggled to the planet Zoness allowing its pollution to begin."
"I remember that," Fara spoke up, "I was still the chief flight instructor in the flight academy at the time. I heard about the smuggled weapons on the rebellion by the factions on Zoness but I never knew that they actually prevented travel between planets."
"Well they did," Wilson continued, "and I was stuck on Fichina as was another boy about my age; that boy had come to learn how to be a skilled sword fighter and began to train alongside me. Because I was cut off from leaving the planet my grandfather, Andrew Kitsune, began to train both of us with everything he knew, even teaching me some trick I didn't know that I could do but enough about that.
"Because transportation stayed closed up until the Lylat wars broke out the two of us were able to learn a lot of things in a very short periods of time for martial artists, but when those two years ended the Lylat Wars broke out. We were able to ride out the invasion of Fichina and wait until the Star Fox team had defeated Andross."
"You know," Krystal said softly, "It was just before that that my planet was destroyed. Andross must have done it just before launching the invasion of your system. But you all know enough about that. Wilson, please continue." The cross-bred fox nodded.
"Ok, anyways when the war ended I found out that my parents had been killed in the attack. Their house had been crushed by a giant robot long before the Star Fox Team entered Corneria City. When the shipping and passenger lanes were open I went to their funeral; it was a closed casket because, well, suffice to say seeing what was left of their bodies would have made people retch. After that I went back to Fichina to resume my training and I remained there for about five years. It was during that time that I found out I still had relatives; my father had had a twin brother when they were in the orphanage. They were both orphaned at a very young age and my uncle had been adopted before they had been able to form a close bond. When my father was still in the Cornerian Military Academy they met and my father turned down a chance to live with them. I also have a cousin named Alex but our relationship had been…strained to the say the least and I'd rather not discuss why.
"Anyways after my friend and I had completed our training we both left; I managed to get my ship, Galdius, built on Eladard—the first place I went after leaving Fichina—and I began working as an independent bounty hunter. Trust me it wasn't easy, I went about that for some time, until the Aparoid invasion. I knew that just one ship wouldn't be able to fight them all especially considering that at the time I was not a good pilot—though I have improved since then—and I was forced to avoid them. When the invasion endedI found out that I had lost my grandfather to the Aparoids. After that, until I came here, I was just wandering the system looking for a purpose; the Anglars didn't bother me much considering. I came here after hearing that Star Fox and been re-established. Well that's pretty much all I have to tell you." The air in the room was dim, considering the tale that Wilson had just told.
"I see," Fox said. His voice was almost neutral but one could tell that he felt for the cross-bred fox.
"It's no big deal, I only lost my family and from what I know Fox has as well, and Krystal lost her entire planet so it's really no big deal. So what exactly do I have to do to join the Star Fox team?" Fox though for a moment before saying.
"Well you have to be a good pilot, because a lot of our missions are either in space or atmospheric combat. Also we prefer that you have at least one other specialized skill to use."
"I see," Wilson said.
"I think we should go and use the simulators on Corneria, I don't think that Wilson's Gladius will survive a rough space engagement, even with the repairs I've done to it," Fay suggested. Wilson gave her a sideways glance.
"Hey, the Gladius has served me well in these last several years…"
"And from what I can tell it hasn't been through a proper mechanic in all that time." Wilson was speechless after what Fay said. While he was silent the white spaniel continued to speak.
"If you want my opinion as the mechanic of this team, I think you should just use the basic design of your ship to build a new one; it's in such bad shape I doubt it could survive in any sort of pitched battle."
"Maybe, but I would rather leave it as it is until it absolutely has to be replaced," Wilson said.
"Maybe you should take Fay's advice," Miyu spoke up, "Fay knows what she is talking about."
"I guess, but that's not the point for the moment."
"All right, then get what you need from your room and come to the hangar, we'll meet you there," Fox said. Wilson nodded and everyone except the Phoenix-McClouds left the room.
Fox turned to Fara and asked.
"You don't mind if I go down to Corneria do you, Fara?"
"Not really," Fara smiled. "After all, someone has to look after Todd, and I'm the only one who can feed him."
"I guess so but I promise I'll help out more after this," Fox got up and left to get the shuttle ready.
"Hopefully Wilson will be good enough to join the team. It seems like our team has a way of attracting people with troubled pasts, Fox and Krystal both know what it's like to lose family." Fara's train of thought was interrupted by the baby monitor sounding her son Todd's crying. Fara sighed and got up.
"Guess he's hungry, better go and feed him," Fara got up and made her way to her son's room.
Wilson was in his room grabbing his katana. Instead of the white sakabato he was instead taking the katana with the black scabbard that had been in this room since he had first been staying on this ship. He also took a cloth sword belt and fastened the katana at his left so that it curved downwards. As he stepped out of his room and made his way to the lift he crossed paths with Fara. Before he could enter the lift Fara stopped him and said.
"Wilson, can I talk to you?"
"Sure, what is it Fara?"
"After hearing your story, I think maybe you should get to know Krystal a little better; she knows what it's like in your situation." Wilson gave Fara a sideways glance.
"Are you trying to play matchmaker Fara?"
"Maybe, but still you should still get to know her. I've only known her for a short time but I can tell that despite having let go of her pain, she still needs someone she can talk to." Wilson gave her a quizzical glance and moved past her to the elevator. Fara smiled after him as he closed the doors and went to feed her son.
--
Wilson arrived in the launch bay to find Fox, Krystal, and Fay waiting for him. Fox immediately noticed the sword at Wilson's side.
"Hey, Wilson, what's that sword?" Fox asked.
"It's the sword that I was given at the end of my training; I thought I might need today." Wilson walked to the shuttle but paused and gave Krystal a look, thinking over what Fara had said to him a moment ago. He shrugged and boarded the shuttle.
While the shuttle was flying towards Corneria, with Fox at the controls, Wilson just had to ask him what exactly they were going to do. Fox replied by saying.
"We're going to the GHQ of the Cornerian Military; my old friend, General Peppy, is there and should be able to give us access to the flight simulators.
"Alright, just remember I'm not the best pilot, especially compared to you guys," the lack of confidence in Wilson's voice caught the attention of Krystal, who was sitting just behind the cockpit.
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll do fine; if you were a bounty hunter this shouldn't be all that difficult."
"I guess so. I'll try to remember that, Krystal."
--
Once at the Cornerian GHQ, Fox led Wilson, Krystal, and Fay to the General's office. When they arrived, Fox told the two women to wait outside and took the potential new recruit in to meet Peppy. The elder hare was sitting at his desk staring at some reports, which he had just received which he was certain he knew what they said, when the two foxes walked in. Glad for the distraction from paperwork, which was mostly what he did these days, Peppy stood up to greet them.
"Well, Fox, it's nice to see you," Peppy extended his hand, which Fox shook in greeting. Peppy turned to look over the oddly coloured fox.
"So Fox who is this?"
"This is Wilson Kitsune, he came to the Great Fox over three weeks ago hoping to join the Star Fox Team. Unfortunately he came just as Fara and I were leaving to stay here for Fara's last week of pregnancy so until today I haven't really gotten to know him or give him some tests to see if he is up to snuff," fox replied.
"I see, so how is you little Todd anyways?"
"He's doing well, I was afraid that I wouldn't be a good father at first, but after seeing him asleep in my arms just after he was born I have let go of my insecurities. Nevertheless, I'll discuss the points of being a father some other time. I came here to see if we could borrow the flight simulators to test Wilson's abilities." Peppy though on this for a moment and then replied.
"Alright, just bring him, and anyone else who accompanied you, with me and we'll see how he does."
A few minutes later Wilson sat in one of the academy's simulators as Peppy showed him the controls. When he had finished giving the instructions Peppy began to say just how the simulator worked.
"You have Three minutes to shoot down as many of the computer controlled enemy fighter as you can. If you are shot down your ship will respawn but 10 seconds will be deducted from your remaining time in addition to how long it take for your ship to re-spawn. The average graduate from the flight academy can manage 100 kills with 4 deaths; Fox holds the record at 215 kills and no deaths."
"Only 215, that doesn't sound like much of an increase considering his reputation," Wilson commented.
"Actually the simulation gets more difficult the more fighters you kill, in other words the enemy ships take more hits to go down and begin to use better tactics as you shoot more down."
"I guess that makes sense, well here I go," Wilson pushed the launch button and the simulation started.
While Wilson was shooting down the simulated fighter, with Fay and Krystal watching, Fox was talking with Peppy.
"So, Fox, as long as we have a minute please tell me, how are you adjusting to being a father?" Fox sighed.
"I'm doing well enough but I'm just afraid, of a lot of things."
"Such as?"
"I'm afraid that my job might cause my son the same problems that I had, losing his father and mother, also I'm concerned that I won't be helping Fara enough. Mostly I'm concerned about how he'll react to being on a mercenary ship when he's older."
"I'm surprised you think that he wouldn't like it." Fox blinked at Peppy's statement.
"What do you mean by that, Old Timer?"
"Fox, if
Todd is yours and Fara's son I doubt that he wouldn't be
fascinated with what you do and want to follow in your footsteps,
after all you felt that way about your father.
I was there to
see your reaction when he told you what he did for a living, before
the incident at Venom, and you immediately wanted to be a pilot when
you got older."
"I guess so," Fix smiled, putting his hand on his old friend's shoulder, "thanks Peppy."
"Anytime Fox."
"Ok, I'm finished," Wilson's voice drew their attention away from each other. Wilson climbed out of the simulator as Fox went over to check the point roster.
"98 kills and no deaths," Fox stated, checking the score.
"So, how is it?" Wilson seemed nervous as he asked which was unusual for him.
"Not bad at all," Fox said, "The kill rating is below average but your survival rate is perfect."
"When I was a bounty hunter," Wilson explained, "I was always more concerned with my survival than with how many kills I got, besides I usually tried to force them to land so I could go after them on foot. Truthfully I'm better on land than in the air, especially in hand-to-hand combat," as he said this last part he looked down at the katana, with the black handle, at his side and touched it with his right hand.
"I see," Peppy appeared to be thinking.
"What are you thinking, General?" Fay asked.
"I was thinking that maybe Wilson would like to try our ground battle training area as we have quite a sophisticated setup. However this is real and not a simulation as we find that on foot combat simulators aren't as accurate for judging a person's abilities, because each person has different reflexes and hand weapons behave differently in real life."
"Is it dangerous," Krystal asked in concern.
"Not really, the battle robots use stun rounds instead of bullets or energy blasts so he should only be knocked unconscious if he is hit too often."
"Sounds like it would be a good way to test his skills, are you up for it Wilson?" Fox turned to the crossbreed, who nodded.
"Alright, just tell me what I have to do." Peppy motioned for them to follow him and eventually they arrived at a double door, which led to a large dome shaped room that had a light forest setting with a few large rocks and some trees with leaves. Next to the door was a weapon's locker containing numerous weapons that the Cornerian forces used in ground combat.
"Just take any weapons and any ammo you need from the locker that you can hold on a weapons belt and go into the courtyard, the battle will begin once I input the command codes from the observation area. Don't worry about hurting us because the entire courtyard will be shielded during your session." As Peppy explained this, Wilson went over to the locker and picked up four 200 round clips for the machine gun, and half a dozen grenades as well as a weapons belt to hold both the ammo and the grenades. He made sure that his Katana was secured at his left and picked up the machine gun, carrying it in both of his hands. Before entering the combat area, Krystal spoke up.
"Wilson."
"Yeah," the crossbred fox turned around.
"Good luck out there."
"Thanks, just watch me." As Wilson entered the door, Peppy led Fox, Fay, and Krystal to the observation room, which was also the control room for the practice battles. While the others stood, watching, Peppy grabbed a microphone and spoke, his voice being projected into the courtyard.
"Are you ready," Wilson nodded to the observers before gripping the machine gun in a serious way. Peppy entered the code into the control panel and almost immediately, six circular hatches in the courtyard floor opened and six humanoid robots that were about Wilson's height were raised into the courtyard. Upon seeing Wilson, the six robots turned to him and each fired off an electric shock bolt at him. Wilson doged easily and sprayed the first robot with shots from the machine gun, less than a dozen shots and the robot was destroyed. Before the slow robots could fire again, Wilson quickly turned and put holes in each of the robots.
"Too easy," he commented as he had not even use dup a full clip yet. Even as he said this eight more robots, slightly taller, wearing more armour, and with a single visor like red eye, appeared out of the circular hatches in the floor. Wilson turned and hosed the first one he got in his sights with ammo from his machine gun, but he only got 3 shots off on the next one as he heard his gun click empty.
"Damn," he swore as he dodged shock bullets.
Krystal watched as Wilson was surrounded by the second level robots. She was concerned, but mostly about him failing as she knew he wasn't in any danger.
"Whoa!" Fay's comment drew attention to the fact that Wilson had just jumped quite high into the air, out from in the middle of the robots, and had landed near to a rock, which he quickly ducked behind. The robots still relied on visual sensors and had not noticed him yet.
"That was quite a jump," Peppy commented, "looks like he's suited to ground combat."
"It's only the second group, let's watch him for a bit longer," Fox said. Krystal was thinking on something that she had noticed.
'I could swear I saw the air around his feet compress before he jumped,' she thought, 'I wonder what he's thinking.' Krystal began to tune out the other's emotions and began focusing on the thoughts of the fox in the courtyard.
Wilson ejected the spent clip from the machine gun and quietly slid a new on into the gun until her heard a 'click' which confirmed that the clip was in place.
'Making that jump was risky with them watching me, I'll have to be more careful in the future,' he thought to himself, not knowing that Krystal was focusing on hearing his thoughts at that moment. The fox took a quick look over the rock and saw that the robots were all still close together. Smirking at this, he grabbed one of his grenades, primed it and tossed it over his shoulder. He waited in the satisfying "KABOOM" and he looked out to a smoking hole with the pieces of the robots strewn in quite an area. He smirked but then lifted his machine gun in preparation for the next wave of enemies.
--
Fara emerged from her room having just managed to get Todd to fall asleep. She felt grateful that her son had decided not to be a handful that day because it gave her some time to relax. Fara went up to the living room and found Miyu sitting on the couch and reading a book.
"Hey, Miyu," the lynx looked up and saw Fara.
"Hey Fara, are you done with your kid?" Miyu asked.
"Yes, he just needed to be fed."
"I see, so how's being a mother working out?"
"It's not as bad as it's made out to be," as Fara said this she sat down next to the lynx, "but it's no walk in the park. Usually Todd needs us constantly, especially at night, but Fox's worry about him being a good father is actually more helpful than you might think."
"In what way?"
"He's volunteering to help with almost everything, well except feeding because at this stage only I can do that. I just hope that he gets more confident, I would like a second child and I don't have as much time as I used to."
"He'll come around, I haven't known you two for long but I'm sure Fox won't mind a second child if you don't try and force it on him." Fara smiled.
"I'll try to remember that. So what are you reading?"
"Mossflower, it's a prequel to the book Redwall."
"Oh, you mean that series about the creatures living in medieval times, does that qualify as fantasy." Miyu shrugged.
"In a way, with things like ghosts and a sword that is seemingly indestructible, but with the things Fox has told me that he's encountered it's hard to say if it is or not."
"I see, you think Todd might like those books when he gets older?"
"Possibly, they're children's books in general but I do enjoy them."
"I see. Miyu, have you ever considered becoming a mother?" the tomboyish lynx was taken aback by her question.
"Me, a mother? I doubt it; I'm pretty happy how I am right now."
"Well what if you meet someone who is to you like Fox is to me?"
"Maybe, but I'll wait for that to happen before I even try to decide."
--
Wilson had destroyed eight waves of robots by this time and the courtyard was strewn with robot remains. The fox was running low on ammo; he had no spare clips for his machine gun and only one grenade left. He was now up against a large tank like robot that lacked a turret. As the robots main guns recharged, Wilson ran behind it and fired at one spot on its back until he had blasted a hole just large enough for a grenade. Taking a chance, he primed his last grenade and threw inside. Ducking behind a rock he counted down the seconds until the grenade went off with a satisfying "BANG". Looking over at the remains of the robot, he saw that the grenade had blown off a large amount of its rear section, rendering it useless.
"Alright, just one last wave to go, are you ready for this?" Wilson nodded towards the observation booth where Peppy was waiting for his confirmation. He waited and heard a loud noise and turned to see a robot roughly 2.5 times his height with tank treads instead of legs and a bulky humanoid torso with a head that appeared to be merged with its torso, and large arms that each ended in a gatling gun, which he knew would fire stun rounds. Taking initiative, Wilson began to hose the robot with rounds from his machinegun but it was only a very short period before the gun clicked and he realized that he was out of ammo.
"Damnit," he swore to himself as he tossed both the empty machine gun and the now useless weapons belt, which he had detached, away from him. The large robot took aim at him and began to fire off numerous shock blasts at him. Wilson was able to dodge most of them but one struck his arm sending a powerful electric jolt through his body. Though he had had quite a bit taken out of him from the other waves he was not just going to stop and give up. Ducking behind a rock and momentarily hiding from the large robot's assault, and he knew he couldn't hide for long as it could track him with other sensors.
In the viewing booth Peppy, Fox, and Fay were quite impressed with Wilson's progress; Krystal had noticed but was more focused on listening to the crossbred fox's thoughts.
"I must say, he's very good in ground combat. Very few people can make it this far alone but no one has been able to take on that last one alone; it's hard enough in groups," Peppy said.
"I guess, but I don't think that he's going to give up," Fay replied.
'No, he's not,' Krystal thought to herself, 'he's going to do something.' She began to focus harder on his thoughts.
Wilson knew it would not be long before the robot started attacking him again.
"Guess I'll have to," he said, pushing his sword just out of its sheath, "I just hope this works." Running from his hiding place into the full view of the robot, he pressed the blade of his sword against the inside of its sheath and used the extra power to draw his sword with a large amount of speed in the direction of his opponent. To everyone's surprise except his own, and Krystal who had been reading his mind, a wave of fire flew from the blade and struck the left gatling gun forearm of the robot. The fire was hot enough that it melted the barrels of the gatling gun making it useless.
"Did he just shoot fire from his sword?" Fox asked in surprise.
"It's magic," Krystal replied, "I've been reading his mind. Not only was that fire blast magic but that jump he preformed earlier had something to do with making the air underneath him compress the air under his feet to increase the power of his jump."
As they spoke Wilson ran at the robot's remaining gatling gun on its right hand. Though tired he dodged the shots and compressed the air under his feet. Using the compressed air like a springboard, Wilson jumped at the gatling gun on the robot's right arm with his sword over his head. He swung down hard when he was close enough and severed the front half of the gun. Wilson landed and heard the satisfying sound of the weapon hitting the ground. The fox sheathed his sword and was relieved to find that the robot had stopped attacking him. Before he could question this he heard Peppy's voice over the speakers.
"That's enough, that robot is costly to fully repair and disarming it is enough." Wilson sighed in relief and made his way to the door as the shield went down. When he arrived he was greeted by the other four. They all immediately noticed that Wilson looked drained, more so then they thought he should be.
"Good thing that gun barrels are hollow, didn't think I could pull that off if it was solid," Wilson commented.
"Why didn't you tell us you could use magic?" Krystal asked.
"Well, mostly because I don't like telling people that I can, because it usually causes problems. But Krystal, how did you know that was magic?" Krystal smiled at Wilson's question.
"I can use magic too, through that staff I used to duel against you."
"You do, it must be exhausting to use it."
"Not really, I draw power from the energy gem on my staff so it doesn't affect me all that much."
"Well my magic draws power from me so if I use it too often, or I use complicated or powerful techniques, I might collapse from exhaustion. I feel drained just from those three attacks. In case you're wondering I can use fire and wind magic, fire more so than wind."
"So is that what the source of the heat increase was in the gym two weeks ago?" Fay asked.
"Yeah, I was trying to practise low energy fire use that day, but I stopped when the sensors picked it up," Wilson replied.
"So, how strong is that sword?" Fox asked.
"Pretty strong; it was given to me by my grandfather at the end of my training and I've used it ever since. It's light enough for me to use and somehow it has never needed to be repaired once since I got it; its blade hasn't even dulled."
"It must be quite strong to cut metal without dulling," Peppy observed.
"It is, I can even cut rock with it but it still takes some strength to force it through stronger stuff." After hearing Wilson say this, Fox chuckled slightly.
"Well that settles it, after seeing that you have quite a high survival rate in space and your impressive ground combat skills, let me sabe the first to say 'Welcome to the Star Fox Team, Wilson Kitsune.'" Fox extended his right hand hand. Surprised and relieved, Wilson grasped his hand and shook it.
"Thanks, Fox, this means a lot."
"Think nothing of it, and after seeing you in that ground battle, I guess you'll be our ground combat specialist, we do need someone who's better suited to ground combat."
"Great," Fay said, smiling.
"And with me as the team's telepath, looks like Star Fox may be stronger than ever," Krystal added. Wilson gawked at her.
"You're a telepath?" he asked. Krystal then remembered that she had never actually told Wilson that she could read minds.
"Yes, though I can only read specific thoughts if I focus on a particular person's thoughts, otherwise I just get their most powerful conscious thoughts and their emotions clearly," the blue vixen explained.
"Well that clears some things up, I guess you figured out I could use magic before it was obvious."
"Yes, I sort of did."
"Well at least I know now."
"Then let's get back to the Great Fox, we should tell Fara and Miyu that you're now officially a member."
"Well then get going, I'll handle things here," Peppy said.
"Thanks, Peppy, see you some other time," Fox called back to the hare as the four members of Star Fox made their way out of the building. Peppy turned to look at the mess left by Wilson's battle session and sighed, turning on the PA system.
"Could the repair crews for the ground battle training area please come down here, this place needs to be fixed and cleaned up before it has to be used again."
On their way back to the shuttle Krystal asked Wilson.
"So, do you think you'll like being with Star Fox?"
"Sure, but still tomorrow's another day," Wilson replied.
'And another day to get to know Krystal better; maybe I should Fara's advice, she is kinda pretty after all and smart, and not too bad with a staff.' Wilson looked ahead to the shuttle, not noticing Krystal blush.
She had been reading his thoughts.
--
Well time for some extra notes.
The battle scene in the training area was difficult as I was trying to both show that Wilson was competent in ground combat and not make him seem overly powerful. I had to mentally rewrite the scene several times to make him be shown not to be overpowered and ever remove an extra part at the end that would have pushed him past that point.
I hope that you like this chapter; it was harder to write than the others.