A pitch-coloredduffel bag cut through the darkness, and landed with a soft thud upon the bedside table. A sleek paw deftly grazed the light switch, exerting just enough force to move the switch – minimal energy used, and none wasted. This was how Panther preferred things to be: sinister, quick, seamless, and seemingly no effort.

Panther glided across the floor to the bed of hisnew apartment. The apartment was a rather droll place –nothing special. The apartment was really nothing more than a temporary stop for Panther until his job was complete.

His job. Panther's teeth flashed in a grin that was not as much unpleasant as it was... Cold. The job was killing Peppy, that annoying fool of a rabbit. Peppy had several times made Panther look foolish back when Star Fox and Star Wolf were not just alive, but rivals. Panther was more than ready to extract retribution for those humiliations. Panther sat himself down on his bedand glanced to his left toward his duffel.

With almost a mind of its, Panther's left hand glided over his duffel, and the it seemed to open like a flower. The bag's contents weren't exactly what you'd find in your ordinary daisy, however. This was Panther's flower, and the content fit accordingly. Despite the dim light gracing the room, the contents of the bag gleamed. Every possible tool an assassin could ever use was tucked neatly away inside separate compartments. Some of the pieces were used to disintegrate victims. Other pieces were used to physically tear victims apart. There was one odd looking machine in the bottom left corner that actually turned victims inside out, but that wasn't what Panther was interested in just now. Panthers hand roamed to the very center of the bag where Panther kept his prettiest toy where he could always admire its deadly beauty. Panther undid the straps that secured it to the bag, and gently lifted it out. Simply looking at the weapon would tell the observer that it was built for one purpose; bringing death to the universe. The weapon was jet black with a polished sheen only a caring owner could achieve. The weapon was rather compact relative to it's ability, about the size of a standard issue blaster rifle the police used. The technology employed, however, was well ahead of anything that Spec-ops teams had available, let alone law enforcement. Inside the inner chamber of Panther's merchant of death were two atoms; One atom of Hydroxigen Plerusiaxide and the second a simple hydrogen atom. Plerusiaxide was a rare element only discovered a few years prior. It was known to be violatile, but as of yet the self-absorbed scientists hadn't found a practical -yet safe and legal- use for the new element. Terrorists were not hindered by legal red tape, nor were they worried about safety. Within a year, an underground group had come out with the deadly tool that Panther now cradled. By spinning the Plerusiaxide atom to near the speed of light and then causing it to collide with the hydrogen atom, a reaction was then generated capable of blowing through a three meter thick wall made of solid diamond. After causing the reaction, the weapon then channeled the energy into a second chamber which formed and molded the energy into a state in which it could be directed with a great degree of accuracy. The energy was then finally channeled into the barrel, which had little purpose but to direct a now thin and short beam of incredibly destructive energy into whatever was unfortunate enough to get in it's way. Panther's weapon was incredibly destructive, just like Panther himself. Some assassins liked having a jack of all trades weapon. This, however, was no jack. This was Panther's joker.

Panther acquired the weapon the way he usually did: Killing. Panther had quite a network of roots and informants in the underground world and he knew before almost anyone when the weapon was completed. Panther grinned at the memory. It was really the inventors fault more than anyone. You simply don't make a weapon like this and expect people not to want it. Panther wanted it.

And Panther always gets what he wants.

Panther carefully placed his precious weapon back in his bag and resealed the duffel with the same seamless grace and precision with which he opened it. Panther was still smiling, and the smile was just as cold. Panther had someone to kill and plenty of fun ways to go about doing it.

Despite having a job, Panther was still uncertain about his employer. Panther disliked the way the deal had been set; It wasn't Panther's way. Panther's way to be in control and to know exactly who and what he was dealing with. For this job, Panther knew almost nothing as far as who had given him this job. Or, for that matter, how he would be paid. This was an unfortunate turn of events, and this meant Panther had a potential loose end in this mysterious employer. What was even more disturbing was the fact that Panther, despite his wide reaching network of information, was unable to get the slightest read on who would go through as much trouble as the mystery employer had to eliminate Peppy. There were crackpots and jealous peers, but Peppy was well received by the public. There were no crackheads that would go this far. No matter how far Panther dug, there was nothing he could turn up to so much as hint as to who this could be. Panther growled. Even though he didn't get the answer to this particular question, he'd found other much more interesting things.

Chief among them Kursed.

Or should I call her Krystal?

Panther had uncovered the past that Krystal had tried so hard to bury beneath years of misinformation and dead leads. Sifting through his many sources, Panther had managed to piece together almost the entirety of the the lost history of the blue vixen. Panther had spent good time and effort on doing so, which seemed unlike him. Panther had little regard for life; his job dictated that he be willing to forgo a friendship for a client. If any of his past friends were there, they would have mocked him for this seeming folly. Oddly enough, the answer was buried in Panther's past, which he too had tried to leave and forget.

_ A Few Years Prior, At A Motel Located Within the Lylat System – Exact Location Unknown._

Panther was ready.

Panther was not a new player in the game; He was a hunter. Panther would stalk his prey, pounce, and would never miss. He never expected to miss either. His confidence was well founded – He was the very picture of a ladies man. His dark black fur was glossy and well kept. His teeth were pearly white, and his tail was active and enchanting. Panther was secretly extremely prideful about his tail, and he spent almost and entire hour of his daily workout working on gaining increasing ability to conduct the movement and actions of his tail. This was a well kept secret, as there was no doubt that Panther would never hear the end of it from Star Wolf. Plus, who knew if Krystal would approve?

Ah, Krystallll...

Panther purred out the name of his latest prize-to-be. She was positively enchanting in every possible way known to the male species. She had come over from Star Fox not three months before. She'd been heartbroken and torn open at the time, and obviously still was. It was clear to Wolf that joining his team was nothing more than a way to strike back at Fox, but Wolf allowed her to join anyway. She was after all a decent pilot. As for the scenery she provided, well... It couldn't hurt the public image.

Panther had been trying hard to draw her in since the day he had seen her. Panther's charms were legendary and his smile as charming as they come, but Krystal seemed almost disgusted with Panther's advances. Each time Panther made a move, Krystal countered and destroyed his offensive attack. This did not deter Panther. For Panther, this was a game of chess in which his opponent had three times his pieces, and three moves to his one. An impossible scenario to win for everyone except the famed Panther. His major move was in action now, and had taken some time to coordinate. Panther had taken an excused absence from Star Wolf without explaining why. He had flown down and rented a fabulous room in a very glamorous hotel. He could not explain this to Wolf because Wolf would then have to cover for Panther if Krystal asked what Panther was up to- which she undoubtedly would. Krystal would know immediately if Wolf was lying, so it was best for Wolf not to know anything.

Those who are ignorant cannot lie...

Panther then invited Krystal down planetside without actually telling her he was in a hotel. He simply gave her coordinates and told her to meet him. Not many details, he wanted her to be curious enough to come down without a drawn out explanation. She'd grill Wolf, and finding nothing she would then come down to meet him and the game would commence. The curiosity commanded by Panther would doubtless drive her to the point of insanity if she did not come see, so Panther was confident he would have her within the hour.

Panthers confidence was beginning to wane eight hours later.

*RAP RAP*

Two short, staccato knocks sounded out on Panther's door. Leaping off the motel bead, Panther bounded to the door. Before he opened it, however, Panther took a few minuets to brush back his hair, make sure he was sleek... Work a few kinks out of his tail. Just to keep her waiting, and in suspens-

*CRASH*

Panther stared with his mouth slightly agape at the now splintered door sagging crazily on one hinge, and a calm blue vixen standing uninterested on the opposite side.

"Hello Panther. You wanted to see me? I really hope this isn't a lame attempt at trying to seduce me, I'm really in a rather foul mood right now." Krystal smiled as she finished. It wasn't a pleasant smile. It was a I-will-kill-you-if-you-are-screwing-with-me smile. Panther realized this was no time to try and set up a lovely evening. If he wanted a chance, he would need to get to the point.

"Hello darling... I was wondering if you could spend the night? For such an expensive hotel, the bed is rather cold..."

"You really did, didn't you Panther? You dragged me down here to hit on me, didn't you?" Krystal stepped across the doorway. Panther was feeling threatened and on the defensive. He tried to flash a smile.

"I am not hitting on you. I would never 'hit' on an object of such exquisite perfection!"

"It seems like you're doing it now asshole. Maybe rethink your plan?" Krystal snarled the insult. Panther decided to try a different tack.

"I merely wanted you to spend a night with someone to help you forget your troubles and your past is al-" Panther was in midsentence when two things snapped. One was Krystal. Her eyes flashed red and she snarled out a frightening curse as she jumped Panther. The second thing to snap was Panther's rib. As he went flying across the room propelled by a solid right roundhouse kick. Almost before Panther impacted the far wall, Krystal was right back in his face. Punches fell like rain and claws like lightning. Panther was in shock before he could defend himself. Krystal let off her attack only long enough to haul him upright and body slam in him down, causing Panther's head to smash against the floor. Krystal resumed hitting him, but this time used he strikes to punctuate her words.

"You. Don't. Know. What the HELL. You. Are. Getting. Into. You damn. BASTARD. You think you can just. Sleep. With me? DAMN. YOU." Krystal paused again to lift the dazed and bloodied Panther up and throw him bodily across the floor. Krystal slowly made her way over, yelling all the way.

"I've gone through HELL and back and it's JUST beginning. You think you are the real shit don't you? You bastard, you poked in the wrong damn place this time. You think you can take his place? Fox is more man than you are or EVER will be."

Krystal proceeded to kick the prostrate form of Panther.

"If you ever bring this up again, I swear to God or WHATEVER you hold holy I will make you suffer through a hell well worse than anything you will find in life after this. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME? DAMMIT, DO YOU.. DO You... Do..." Krystal's screams slowly melted to gasps, which became sobs. She slumped over, tears and emotions racking her entire body.

"Damn you Fox... What have you done..." Krystal whispered.

Then she fled.

That was the last moment in which Krystal could be easily traced. She desperately ran from everything and everyone. Her name, her past, her friends, everything. Gone. Wiped. But she couldn't wipe away the memories. Not hers.

She couldn't wipe Panther's memories either.

_ Current Time, Peppy's House_

Oh God, Fox, what are you doing? You never think this stuff through. Damn it damn it damn it. Why do I get – Oh to hell with it.

Fox was extremely agitated and nervous. It was mainly his location that was making him edgy. It was rather odd that Fox had tangled with snakes, giant lizards, flesh-eating talking birds, and heaven knows what else, but none of these situations made Fox quite as nervous as the one he was presently in. To be specific, he was outside the door of Kursed's room. As much as the specific place bothered Fox, it didn't bother him quite as much as the fact that he had just knocked on Kursed's door.

You know what's going to happen, she's either going to kill you, or she's going to maim you, or cause you extremely unpleasant bodily pain, or... DAMN it Fox, why the hell are you doing this?

Fox was pacing up and down in front of the door. Fox could almost feel the carpet wearing thin under him. It had been three minutes since he'd knocked on her door, should he try again? Or he could leave. Yes, leaving would be the better bet for his long term health, but... He had to speak with her again! He had to explain, or at least try. He had to do something. Anything would work. But Fox was certain that if he didn't at least try after these years of pain, sorrow, and wishing for a second chance then he would never get that chance again. With that in mind, Fox strode up to the door again and again let his fist fall.

*Bang Bang Bang*

Fox stepped back, and watched the door like a hawk. One minute slipped by, then two. The door just stared back at Fox, completely unrelenting and unsympathetic. In fact, in Fox's mind, the door was almost telling him to screw himself. It was mocking him. It's deep face that he had admired a few hours before was no longer an ornate piece of art, it was an ugly leering face throwing Fox's dreams back in his face. Fox's temper started rising, and he gritted his teeth.

Don't lose it Fox... Don't lose it...

Fox stared hard back at the door, as if trying to win. The door wouldn't budge and wouldn't back down. It just sat there, staring back at Fox, leering, applauding his failures, clapping, whistling, goading, prodding.

"THAT'S IT!"

Fox took a step towards the door, fist raised. Death and thunder would have surely come down upon the poor woodwork had the door not suddenly relented. Fox stopped, confused. Did the door just back away? Fox blinked. The door hadn't back off, it had opened. Kursed was standing there, glaring at Fox with daggers in her eyes.

Fox took several seconds to piece together the peculiar scene from what he imagined Kursed point of view to be. Fox had woken her up, banged on her door, screamed he'd had enough, and was now standing in front of Kursed with a red face, bloodshot eyes, and a raised fist. No matter which way Fox turned it, he couldn't find a way to make this look good.

"Uhh... Kursed!... I was... coming to uh... heh, talk to you, and there was... there was a bug on the door, you see, and I was going to mash... uh..." Fox's utterly lame and pointless excuses trailed off when he looked at Kursed eyes. They were filled with fury and pain, and utter, undiluted rage. Fox felt his head get light. He was utterly screwed,and he knew it. Fox's tongue searched for answers, excuses, reasons, explanations, and absolutely nothing was coming out. Fox was once again in front of Kursed and once again was unable to form intelligent sentences. This time, however, it looked very likely that Kursed would dismember him instead of ignoring him. Fox needed to act, but he was locked up. Too late. Kursed took a step forward, and Fox saw a flash of brilliant blue fur...

_ A Few Hours Later_

"Wakey wakey dumarse. God, it feels good to say that knowing you aren't going to threaten me with some form of punishment. You know what, I really am starting to enjoy being free, Fox. I really am."

Fox was utterly lost and disoriented, unsure of where he was or when. But the voice he remembered. It was like a far away memory locked deep away, like his childhood memories. Every now and again he'd stumble on one or two and take a few minutes to reminisce about his past, but this was much more real. This wasn't childhood, and this wasn't fleeting. This was... Falco?

Fox slowly opened his eyes and adjusted to where he was. He was on a bed; that much he could gather. As Fox's mind's pieces fell back into place, he was able to determine he was lying on his bed in the room that Peppy had given him. Fox rolled his eyes over to the left side of the room, trying to locate the voice.

"Tell me Fox, did she slug you? I can't find a mark on you to save my life, but I swear to God you were unconscious and everything. Really freaked me out, y'know? Thought she'd done a number on you."

Fox shrieked. It wasn't a manly shriek, it reached a higher pitch then Fox's voice had for several years.

"HOW the HELL did you get in here? Where'd you come from? WHO ARE YOU! You aren't Falco, you can't be Falco! I'm dreaming... No, I'm crazy! I'm just crazy, that's all. Hahahaha! I'm crazy! I've gone off my rocker!" Fox had at some point during his slightly deranged monologue gone to the far wall of the room, and was now staring wild-eyed at the foot of his bed, where a feathered avian creature sat, laughing his ass off at the scene he's just witnessed.

"Fox! It's me! Falco! One and only, and I can still kick your ass in an Arwing any damn day of the week!" Falco stood up, straight and proud. Fox just stood against the wall, left eye with a peculiar twitch.

"You... You aren't... What? How? How did you get here?" Fox was in borderline shock. Falco was still laughing.

"I found you out on the floor, dude. Peppy sent me back here, and I was in the hall, and you were facedown in front of Kursed's door. Funny thing, you were unconscious and all, but I didn't see a welt or anything, it was almost like you fainted." Falco had his mirth somewhat under control now but wasn't entirely through with his convulsions.

"But... How did you get... HERE? Here-here Falco!" Fox was still against the far wall. Falco choked down his laughter.

"It's a bit of a long story. Anyways, not the time now." Falco sobered down completely before he made his next statement. "I'm really more interested in your story."

Falco flashed a quick grin again.

"Especially the part about how you got you ass kicked by a skunk. I want all the details on that one."

Hey everyone, I hope ya'll had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I hope you enjoy this chapter, and thanks for all the comments. Remember, I embrace criticism, but don't particularly like flames. Thanks!