Chapter 17
The Party
Roka was sleeping on the couch in Fox's apartment. He was having a horrible nightmare:
Fox: Be da bob it din do ba badda.
Peppy: Bankuin bank, gingon guin bank.
Falco: Gibol bi gabba.
Slippy: Gip gibbip, gip gibbig.
Roka woke up with Krystal standing over him.
Roka: AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Krystal: Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to scare you.
Roka: I had a horrible nightmare! Eveything was 16-bit! And everybody was speaking in some horrible gibberish I couldn't understand!
Krystal: Oh my that must have been horrible.
Roka: It was.
Krystal: I came ahead of everybody else. I wanted to see how you were doing.
Roka: Thanks.
Krystal: Roka, there's something I want to ask you. Why is Fox's TV set lying on the sidewalk outside of the apartment three stories below?
Roka: I threw that piece of crap out the window, why?
Krystal: You are going to be in big trouble mister! Wait till Fox hears about this!
Roka: Don't worry about it, I bought him a new one.
Krystal looked over at the ridiculously large flat screen TV mounted on the wall. It looked that one model that recently came out to the public. They were worth about six thousand credits.
Krystal: Wow...
Roka: You may not know this, but earlier this week, someone tried to gun me down on this very apartment. The TV was caught in the crossfire and she didn't make it out alive. But don't tell Fox about the new one, that's a surprise ok?
Krystal: Ok. "There's something wrong with him, I just noticed it. But it looks like he's holding a secret. Ever since he tried that P.P.E, he has a stronger mind and I can't read his thoughts, I hope nothing bad has happened."
Roka: Krystal? Are you OK? You're looking at me strange. Is it because I'm so adorable?
Krystal: Roka! You conceited little thing you. Hehehe.
Roka: Lets make breakfast! I'm hungry!
Roka made his special pancakes that he always made for mad for the Star Fox team. He used simple ingredients, but he knew how to use them properly, his grandmother taught him the skill of eye-balling measurments without using a measuring cup. In five minutes, Roka had his pancakes on the ready. He brought them to the table where Krystal was impatiently waitng. She couldn't understand why, but whenever he cooked something she was so impatient to get it.
Krystal: Yum! I love these! Thank you so much Roka. (gives him a kiss on the cheek)
Roka: (blushing) Ay! What was that for?!
Krystal just smiled and laughed as he blushed.
After breakfast Roka urged Krystal to meet Roxy. He told her that he would pick her up.
Roka: I'll bring her here in a half an hour, you can try out the new set I installed. See ya later!
He ran downstairs and left the building. He pushed his bike to the large elevator type thing and landed on the real ground. The floating buildings bothered him. He slammd the starter and sped off th the south corner of Corneria City and stopped at Roxy's house. It was ten in the morning and she was awake already. Roka rand the doorbell and she rushed straight to it. She looked worried.
Roxy: I can't find any nice dresses for the big party tonight. I have nothing to wear!
Roka: Don't worry about, we can run to a tailor and have one made just for you, my treat!
Roxy: Thank you so much you foxy thing you. (kisses him on the cheek)
Roka: (holds up fist and blushed) Stop doing that!
Roxy: Hahaha! You are so cute when you blush like that!
Roka leads Roxy to the unusual looking transportation device which was his bike.
Roxy: This thing looks weird. I always see you riding this, it doesn't hover or fly. It looks unsafe.
Roka: Hop on the back! It'll be fine!
Roka popped the clutch in first causing him to pop a wheelie. Roxy screamed and held him titghtly around the waist, which was according to plan. He sped off to an upscale tailor somewhere in the city and led her inside. The old turtle looked at him with a surprised expression.
Tailor: Well loookie' here. The rich little youngin' has a girlfriend. Yehehehe!
He took her in the bcak room and made measurments. When she came out, she went from denim shorts and a pink t-shirt to a beautiful blue silk dress. She was wearing the emerald neclace that Roka gave her. He found himself staring and at a loss for words. He was parylized. The light gray vixen put him under some strange spell.
Roka: Umm. Uhhh. Errr.
Roxy: What's the matter? Oh no! Does this make me look fat?
Roka's gace was rather red. He was wearing a dumbfounded smile and smoke was coming out his ears.
Roka: Wow... So beautiful...
Tailor: Snap out of boy! Are you gonna ask her or what?
Roka: Oh! Right! Roxy, will you go the gala with me tonight?
Roxy: Ofcourse I will!
Tailor: Good job sonny! You faced your fears like a man!
He paid the rather large fee and the dress was put in a box. The little love birds left the store and the made there way to the apartment complex hundreds of feet above. After doing all the things necessary to get there, Roka took Roxy to the apartment where Krystal was watching the news.
Roka: High Krystal! I want you to meet my best girl Roxy.
She stood up off the couch and walked up to the young vixen.
Krystal: It's nice to meet you Roxy.
Roxy: Wow, it's really you. Krystal from Star Fox!
Roka: That's Krystal, my obnoxious best friend!
Krystal: Just because I read minds doesn't make me obnoxious you little twerp. Come here you!
She gives him a noogie and he yells "uncle!" Roxy found it so strange, she didn't seem like anything that she had thought before. She was a regular person, a friend.
Roka: Owie! I give! I take it back!
Krystal: That's better. Good boy. Now lets call Fox and see if he's coming. However, they didn't need to. They heard him cursing Roka outside. He was mourning the death of his baby. He lost his companion, his friend, his flat-screen. Even though he knew of her death, to see her lying on the ground like this was too much. He charged towards the third floor and came crashing into the apartment with fire in his eyes!
Fox: ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! YOU THREW MY BABY OUT THE WONDOW!! HOW COULD YOU?? I HATE YOU!!
Roka: Quit complainin' ya big baby! I got you a better one.
Fox: -Gasp!- It's wonderful!! I love you Roka!! (give him a bone shattering embrace)
Roka: Buaaaa! Cough! Cough! I'm dying!
Falco: Wow, get a load of that tube!
Peppy: That's the biggest TV I have ever seen.
Roxy: Oh my gosh, it the whole Star Fox team!
Falco: Who this Roka? A fangirl. (scarcastic like)
Roka: Cut it out feather-fag. She's my girl.
Falco: Oh, that's right. You ain't got any fangirls!
Peppy: "Oh boy.He angered the king of one liners. Here it comes."
Roka: Beats havin' a bunch of drooling fanboys.
Slippy: Ow, that's harsh.
Falco: Why you little... Grrrrrrrrrrrr!!
Roka: Burn baby burn! Muahaha!
--
Krystal: So how did you come to meet Roka Roxy?
Roxy: It's kind of cliche' really. One day I was being mugged.
Krystal: Oh my gosh.
Roxy: Anyway I saw a red vulpine using a cruch walk into the alley. He boldly confronted the mugger and the mugger hit him in the face, but he got right back up and pulled out a strange looking blaster that was as big as his arm. He scared off the mugger and he handed me my purse. They way he looked at me was so cute! He got all red and nervous. He then asked if I was hungry and he took me out to lunch. He even beat up my old boyfriend because he hit me.
Krystal: He did what? Nononono, not Roka. He's a hyper little practical joker. He would never do anything like that.
Roxy: Guys can a femimine side too. What? You don't believe me? Why are you laughing?
Krystal: I can't believe it. He has shown compassion before but I never knew that he was a little lady's man.
--
Fox was flipping channels on his new flat-screen. He loved the TV but not all of the dumb commercials. He couldn't find anything to watch.
"Are you fat? Are you so fat that you can't fit through doors? Or maybe you would like to shed off a few pounds so you can go to a party and not look so fat and ugly in you dress. Then Supplement X is for you!!" -click-
"Big Billy here! Do you have stains in you carpet? Because if you can yell half as loud as I can then the stains will be scared right off your carpet!" -click-
"Who?! I SAY who? Will stand up and be SAVED!!" -click-
"The all new Super-Vac makes cleaning your house easy AND fun!" -click-
Poor Fox along with the rest of the boys were getting sick of all the stupid comercials. As a last resort, Fox turned to CNN (Corneris News Network).
"A shocking discovery has been made today as many street gangs have literaly been over to law enforcement bound and gagged. With each gang apprehended, an anonymous caller informed the police of the gangs capture, and arrest a not was found pinned to one of the gang members saying 'compliments of the Blue Creek Mafia'. Apparently, a small group of vigilantes has been ending crime in Corneria City..."
Fox had a strange suspicion. He remembered the letter, and gave a look at Roka that made him uncomfortable. He left the couch and walked to the dining room where Roxy and Krystal were having a "girl talk".
Fox: (Whispering) Hey Krystal, I need you to do me a favor. I have a strange suspicion that Roka in involved gangs. Can you look into his mind?
Krystal: (Whispering) I will try, I can tell that he is hiding something, but ever since the experiment he has been able to keep me out of his thoughts. His mind is stronger than it used to be.
Roxy: What's going on?
Fox: Nothing, don't worry yourself about it.
All three of them entered the living room where Slippy, Peppy, Falco, and Roka were sitting on the couch waching "The Comedy Hour" they had grown bored of the news.
Fox: Give it a shot Krystal.
Krystal peered into Roka's mind. He had let his defenses down (or so she thought,) but Roka could tell and decided to think of something horrible. He let her enter his mind. "I can't believe that Fox was checkin' out babes on the internet. I'm gonna give him some massive blackmail. It is going to be too funny if Krystal finds out. I wonder If I should really nark on Fox though, even though he is my friend, his tirade of dirty internetting should come to an end."
Krystal found herself in shock, was Fox really looking at dirty websites? She could feel a fury boiling inside her. She turned and slapped Fox in the face. The resound shockwave of a might smack could easily be heard. Roka looked ove the couch and quickly found himself in tears. It was the practical joke of a lifetime. He fell off the couch and was on the floor laughing.
Krystal: Roka! How could you?
Fox: Why did you hit me? (almost in tears)
Krystal: I'm so sorry Fox. (returns gaze to the hysterical little vulpine) I'm going to kill you! (drives her fist into his face)
Roka had just been plastered in the face but he was still laughing hysterically. Falco could tell what had happened, Krystal read his mind, he thought something horrible, and then she turned on Fox.
Falco: Hey Roka, what exactly did you think?
Roka: That's a secret.
Peppy: That boy really is too much.
Krystal: I can't believe you would trick me like that Roka.
Roka: (Still laughing, so imagine distorted speech) I knew you were reading my mind the whole time. The joke was on you! Ahahaha!
Roxy: ENOUGH! (Whole team looks at her mouths closed) What is going on?!
Krystal: I tried to read Roka's mind because he was hiding something. I'm sorry.
Roxy: Roka, for whatever it was you did, APOLOGIZE!
Roka: I'm sorry. "wow, I didn't see that comin'. maybe I will behave a bit better around her."
Roxy: (calmly) Thank you, you're forgiven.
Everybody on the team was surprised at her leadership ability and her overwhelming "voice of authority". She was a fifteen year-old girl, but seemed more intimidating that Wolf. From then on, nobody got on her bad side.
Later in the day, the gala begins.
The team and Roxy got in Fox's flying car and they flew over to the big donation-drive gala. They arrived at the big floating building and a valet parked the car. They entered when a guard gave Roxy grief.
guard: Young lady, do you have an ID?
Fox: She's with us.
guard: Yes sir.
Roka: Good goin' Fox!
They entered the big ball room. It had a dark polished wooden floor and the ceiling was shaped for exceptional accoustics. The place was full of the rich&famous. Roka noticed a lean and toned avian, it was really him!
Roka: Wow! It's Duck Norris! The Venom Ranger! (If you don't get that lame joke you deserve to die.)
Roka saw many other famous actors, rich beurocrats, politicians, and a few famous comedians. Many famous people there he recognized, and utterly disliked. He mostly like the actors who went against popular media: the hardcore patriots. He was able to strike up a conversation with some of the more southern-ish comedians. He then looked over at a fluffy white feline who he guessed was that one slutty actor, whoever.
Roka: It's so ridiculous how women sway thier hips, I mean, C'mon! I can do better than that! (grabs a wine glass and walks swaying his hips whilst seductively swinging his tail).
General Pepper: You are too much Roka. Hehehehe.
Roka: (Blushes a little) Oh! Hello sir!
General Pepper: Don't worry about it, tonight we are friends, not coleagues. Now tell me. What was that message you wanted to give me that was so important?
Roka: Rooster says "AY!"
General Pepper: WHAT!? You mean that grumpy old cock fighter with the stomach of a rock and fists of iron?! He's still alive?! How did you know him?
Roka: "He's gonna pull out a gun and shoot me, I just know it." Old man Cogburn is my friend and mentor...
General Pepper: What?... I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!! So that's where you got your strong will to live! (Get's low to his ear and whispers) So, did he put you through that ridiculous "orientation"?
Roka: (Also whispering) Yup, sure did.
General Pepper: (Big smile on his face) How did it go?
Roka: I passed.
General Pepper: I made it to the drinkin' part, but passed out, what happened after that?
Roka: I had to get in an all out brawl with him.
General Pepper: Did you win?
Roka: After two hours, I finally did.
General Pepper: (Throws arms in the air) I don't believe it! You actually beat that old bird at his own game. Well then, you have a reputation to uphold young man.
General Pepper actually stood at attention and saluted Roka, he returned a salute. Fox at least noticed that much. "What did he do to make General Pepper pull a stunt like that? I wonder..."
Roka liked parties, he wasn't a party animal. But, he was the life of the party without a doubt. The party was alright, but there was one thing bothering him. On the stage there musicians playing classical music, he did notice however, a piantst. He was an old turtle sporting a nice pair of black sunglasses. His expression was that of boredom. He walked next to the stage and spoke to the turtle.
Roka: Excuse me, what's your name?
??: Where are ya' son? I'm blind in one eye and I can't see out the other. Yehehehehe!
Roka: To your left.
??: Ahh, there we go. My name is Jack Maston.
Roka: Know any old songs?
Jack: I do.
Roka: Wanna' do a number together?
Jack: I have been playing this boring classical music for hours. I'd love to!
Roka wispered something in his ear and he stepped on the stage. The old timer plucked a few keys and found the ones he was looking for. Fox didn't even notice until an upbeat tune began playing on the piano, he looked over and saw Roka on the stage. A deep and imposing fear nestled down in his heart, to his experience, Roka was a horrible karoke singer. The team was at a night club once apon a time; Roka and Krystal sang "I've got you babe" They were both offtune and rather comedic to say the least. He was about to run after him but it was too late. The old pianist was pounding the keys and Roka began to sing a Rock'n'Roll number from ancient times:
You
shake my nerves and you rattle my brain
Too much love drives a man
insane
You broke my will, oh what a thrill
Goodness gracious
great balls of fire
I learned to love all of Hollywood
money
You came along and you moved me honey
I changed my mind,
looking fine
Goodness gracious great balls of fire!
You
kissed me baby, woo...it feels good
Hold me baby, learn to let
me love you like a lover should
Your fine, so kind
I'm a
nervous world that your mine mine mine mine-ine
I cut my nails
and I quiver my thumb
I'm really nervous but it sure is fun
Come
on baby, you drive me crazy
Goodness gracious great balls of
fire
Well kiss me baby, woo-oooooo...it feels good
Hold me
baby
I want to love you like a lover should
Your fine, so
kind
I got this world that your mine mine mine mine-ine
I
cut my nails and I quiver my thumb
I'm real nervous 'cause it sure
is fun
Come on baby, you drive me crazy
Goodness gracious great
balls of fire!
I say goodness gracious great balls of fire...yeah...
Through the whole song, he noticed that everyone had their eyes on Roka. Even General Pepper was tapping his foot and the weird part was, he was actually doing pretty good. Was there something about the stage that made Roka different? Almost everybody gave a loud cheer, almost everybody. He gave a little bow and non-chalantly walked off the stage and sat at his table drinking a glass of water. Fox had to know what was going on.
Fox: Of all the stunts you pull, you have the audacity to steal the party that you were so graciously invited to?
Roka: The pianist was bored, so I did him a favor.
Fox was mad at Roka, he was chewing him up and spitting him out like cheap tobacco. He didn't notice an old man walking uo to them, he was being assisted my his wife, an old she-turtle. They walked up to them and Fox stopped chwing him out.
Jack: Tell me boy, I wan't to know your name. At least leave me with that memory.
Roka: My name is Roka Embers.
Jack: Good name, take good care of it. Who's this I feel, soft fur. Perhaps your father?
Fox: My name is Fox McCloud.
Jack: Your boy has a good singin' voice. You should give him some lessons, the send him back to me. We will become the next great music band of our time.
Roka: (Glitter in his eyes) Really?!
Fox: What?!
Jack: Yehehe, just kiddin'. I'm old, this will probably be my last performance, thanks to you Roka Embers, my career went out with a bang. You know the old saying, "Better to burn out thanto fade away." It was an honor.
Jack and his wife walked to a table talking about old times.
Roka: See Fox? I did him a favor and all you did was pick on me. (Gives him the puppy eyes)
Fox: Uggh, I'm sorry.
Roka: You're forgiven.
Fox walked over to Falco and the other team members where doing whatever, Krystal and Roxy seemed to be having a good time. He got up and was about to grab a bite to eat when someone called out his name. It was Edward DeLounge, some rich politician of sorts that was arrogant. He didn't like people taking away attention from him. He didn't like Star Fox and he especially hated Roka.
Edward: Roka Embers, youngest member of Star Fox, infamous audacious idiot.
Roka: Yup' thats me. (Eye-balls thw white French poodle and noticesthat he had one too many)
Edward: The little troublemaker, the butt of the joke, the failure.
Roka: Sure am... look here pal, if yer' trying to insult me then you're not going a very good..
Edward: The incpompetent fool, the son of man who left him behind in the dust!
Roka's black tipped ears perked up, he got out of his chair and gave him a stern look.
Edward: Oh. I'm sorry, did I touch something there?
Roka: Now you listen to me! My father died doing his job, he died with his boots on, like a man!
Edward: Hahahaha! He died alright, but his boots were burnt right off! Hahahahaha!
By now he had everybody's attention, General Pepper decided to intervene. He believed that Roka had handled himself pretty well so far, but from what he knew of his condition, Roka's will couldn't last forever.
General Pepper: Cut it out mutt! This kid has the fists of a southerner, you will regret pushing him too far.
Edward: OH? Is that a threat? He's nothing but some uneducated little runt. A dumb hick. Go back to the hills! Ahahahaha! Look at him, he's tearing up! He's no hero, he just a little coward! Ahhhhahahaha!
General Pepper: Your funeral, you had better shut your mouth.
Roka calmy walked up to the skinny poodle and looked him in the eye, "Someone oughta' belt you in the mouth! But it ain't gonna' be me... (turns his back and shrugs) awww hell... IT IS GONNA BE ME!!" He reared back and lunged forward, giving the snooty politician a haymaker that would have brought Rooster Cogburn to tears. He was sent flying a good ten feet or so, he lost a tooth from that one. General Pepper looked over at Fox and shrugged his shoulders. He gave a look as if to say "What? I didn't see anything."
General Pepper: Damn, what a shot...
Roka: I'm leaving...
Fox: Roka wait!
Roka began walking towards the big door at the end of the building, two emotions were maxed out in his heart: sadness and anger. If the third emotion, fear, was pressed into him, he could snap, General Pepper knew of this because Beltino had recreated the invention that Slippy and Roka made. It increased the ability of the mind and body, but it had side affects: if certain emotions ran too high, the host of the P.P.E could posibly lose control. Roka had been permantenly affected by his device; because of it, if his anger was maxed out, his physical strength would double, if sadness crept in, he would be in total darkness, and if fear entered his heart, he would run for hours to save himself. Now, if all three emotions wer at their peak, he would lose control of his mind.
As he was laying on the floor, Edward pulled out a blaster and charged it up. General Pepper caught him but he was too late, a green beam flew towards Roka. Before he knew what had happened, he saw a green light fly thorugh his right abdomen and he saw blood trickle down, he simply stopped walking and turned to Edward, fear had taken place in his heart, not the fear of death, but the anticipation of it. He looked at Edward with a piercing gaze the even blind could see. His pupils were gone, they were white, nothing but a blue hollow remained. He looked though as if he was dead. His right hand was on his abdomen and his left fist was clenched, the desire to kill was in him. An insatiable lust for blood was consuming his body, he slowly walked towards Edward who was in great fear now, the security had him and he tried to run.
Roxy: Roka! Roka! Please dont die!
She ran up to him and looked into his cold eyes, he came back to life, even if for a second.
Roka: I..I.. I'm sorry...
He ran out of the building, Falco and Fox began to chase after him.
Falco: Roka! Come back!
It was too late, his mind was in a blurr. He ran out of the building and looked for a way back to the ground, he found a high speen elevator and it rushed him back to the ground. He began to run. He ran for miles, bleeding and hurting. He ran to the only place he felt safe, he needed to see Mike. He kept running until he found Center Street, panting and wheezing. A still calmness pushed the strong emotions out of his body. "Oh good, I made it." He looked up at the starry night sky and colapsed.