It was five years after "The McCloud Revolution" and the collapse of the public image of the CDF. Media relations with the Cornerian Military were slow to repair. Even now the media fear mongers are fast to call attention to any secrets or dodged questions that they encountered. But the new leaders of the CDF were patient with them, and had good relations with the general public and recruitment was up for the first time in years. Part of that was due to the publications released by James McCloud as part of his rehabilitation. The non-official autobiography of the vulpine responsible for the biggest revolution in Cornerian history is set to be the most popular book in recent history. James himself refuses to make anything official. Too overwhelmed by the attention, James left Corneria for a quiet life as a mechanic.
Fox McCloud however, watched the news of his father from his tiny screen in his bar on
Kew. At first he took a little cruel joy in watching his father become a celebrity again. Then he was too reminded of his own treatment by the over excited populous of Corneria and his joy turned to pity. When James had suddenly announced he would be leaving the city to seek a quiet life on Macbeth he couldn't help but feel a little proud of his estranged father.
With his side job as information broker it actually wasn't too hard to track down James. Even after he used the last of his connections to erase his trail to the garage in a town two hours drive over land away from the nearest space port. Fox watched from a distance at first. It was an interesting sensation actually, looking at James and not being overwhelmed with anger.
He seemed so ordinary now, wearing oil stained overalls and crawling underneath someone's ship with a rag hanging from his pocket. Honest work. Simple life. Fox chuckled a little before walking towards the garage. He had planned this visit with the owner weeks ago. The owner was sitting on a chair in the front of the garage, he waved at Fox before shouting "That's lunch!" and quickly his employees started to finish up their current task before filing away into their lunch spots.
"The dirt looks good on you James." Fox called to the vulpine as he got to his feet.
James looked over and said nothing in reply at first instead he took the rag out of his pocket and started to clean his hands. "Didn't expect to see you."
"Here, or ever again?" Fox asked walking forward slowly.
"Both." James replied.
"Yeah well, it's not the first time I've done something stupid." Fox chuckled.
"Not the last either I'd expect." James replied with a grin. "What brings you to my patch of dirt?"
"Why don't we catch up over a drink? It's fucking hot here." Fox said with an uncomfortable tug at his shirt.
James grinned and looked over at his boss who waved him away before heading into his garage.
The pub that James took Fox to was a hole-in-the-wall type of pub with a friendly staff and comfortable atmosphere. Fox had some professional admiration for the place. He motioned to the bartender for a pitcher of the local beer. He noticed that James nearly moved on autopilot to a booth near the back."I'm pretty sure Falco would like this place." The vulpine said as he sat down.
James looked around, seeing a few brand new signs from Corneria's recruitment campaign. He smirked as he saw an old photo caught his eye, recognizing some faces. "I think he's already visited here." The older vulpine pointed just over Fox's shoulder, making the younger McCloud turn around. "I see him, Katt, and I think Star Wolf."
Fox chuckled. "I wonder if all parties involved stood there willingly."
James handed the waiter some credits as he arrived with their pitcher as well as two glasses. "You hear from him lately?"
Fox took the glass before replying. "Well, after his medal ceremony, he went looking for replacements for Star Falco. I think Ghost and Krystal tried to apply as a joke. About five months after that Falco managed to get Bill Grey to join his team. I guess Bill finally had his fill of the military life."
"Good for him." James raised his glass, clinking it gently against Fox's.
"Falco and Katt come to visit every so often. Somehow they managed to get Whitefur's permission to take their visits off the record. Guess our name still holds some weight in Lylat." Fox took another drink of his beer. "Speaking of Katt, she's CDF now. I'm sure it's just for legalities, being a merc team looks better than being solo."
"Falco has a good head on his shoulders. From what the media tells us, he's really committed himself to being a good leader. And it's like he's demanding the pressure of being Lylat's hero."
"Don't worry, I've heard all about Falco." Fox smiled and downed the rest of his beer. "He came to me asking about how I would react in certain situations. Plus, he always paid me for my time."
James scratched his chin. "My guess is he was looking more for confirmation than anything else."
Fox raised an eyebrow at his father.
"Your job forces you to change how you think. You've no doubt suffered through countless tales from regulars at that bar. When Falco came to you, I think he just wanted a straight up answer." James took a moment to fill their glasses again. "Besides, just because we're no longer leading a team doesn't mean we lose the mind for it."
"Consultant sounds better than leader if you ask me." Fox mused. "Anyway, how have things been here? I think you're still the hardest person to get info on in Lylat."
James laughed heartfully. "You've basically seen what I do here Fox. It's simple, a lot simpler than what I was doing." James's smile faded as he noticed his son's hardened expression. "I figured you meant something else."
Fox nodded. "I should have asked, how have you been since…"
James cleared his throat. "Since coming back from the dead?" The vulpine moved the pitcher and their drinks aside. "As soon as I was cuffed, things happened quickly. The trial was simply a way of recording our deeds publicly. After that, I was taken to a holding cell within the Military HQ to 'wait until they created a new level of security within a prison'. I would have been flattered had I the mind to care."
"To be fair, what you did kinda pushed them into a corner."
"They pushed first, I just pushed back harder." James laughed. "I'm not sure when, but one day Slippy came to visit me. He told me that everyone in the CDF knew what I did - but more importantly - they all knew why I had to do it. He told me if I was interested that I could go into rehab. Get myself familiar with the public of Lylat again. It took him a week to convince me to take the offer and not sit in a cell for the rest of my life."
"Obviously you took it. But how did that get approved? Even with the entire CDF supporting your enrollment-"
James put up his hand to stop Fox. "At the same time Falco went to visit the General Whitefur. I'm not sure how, but Falco convinced him to give me a full pardon if I took rehab."
"Yeah I heard about that, rehab for what?" Fox asked with an eyebrow raised.
"They seemed to think that I had some sort of personality disorder." James tried to laugh but it came out in a dry exhale. "Guess being on the edge of space for so long did something to me. Never mind being out of society for so long. My rehab allowed me to let go of a lot of bitterness and focus on healthier emotions."
"Yeah I suppose." Fox nodded and took a drink of beer. "We had a lot to be bitter about."
"So what happened to the others?" James asked after the curiosity had eaten away enough at his pride.
"Well, Pepper passed on a year ago - I'm sure you know that. Beltino is still under house arrest, he's got a nice house in the country where he's allowed to tinker around. He's the happiest he's been in a long while. Slippy tries to get out once a week to see him, he asks for advice. He's semi-retired himself, married to Amanda now too. He is kept on as a part-time consultant for the CDF. Peppy has gone into hiding, no one has heard from him in a few years. Even his daughter says she can't reach him. I've been able to pick up on a few things during some of my business deals but you know, I'm not sure I'll ever want to open up that part of my life again."
"You know, I've been thinking a lot. Beltino's kid - Slippy. He asked a lot of questions I didn't have answers for at the time. But its been a few years and I have had more time to think that most. I've got a second chance to look at my life with a clearer head. I was wrong in a lot of ways, but I don't regret what I did because I got what I wanted in the end. I know that makes me selfish."
"Selfishness is not always something to be ashamed of." Fox said after taking a drink. "I can appreciate what you had to do too. In the end me and you were just byproducts of a shitty situation."
"Yeah well, it was selfish of me to leave you." James said softly. "Sorry."
Fox was silent for a while after hearing the apology he had been waiting on for most of his childhood. "I grew up without a father or grandfather - I can't see any good reason selfish or otherwise to put my son through the same thing."
"Krystal finally settled down eh?" James chuckled.
"For now." Fox grinned in reply. "Can't say if she'll ever lose her appetite for adventure, but the thrill of the hunt wore off. Ghost stopped needing the money and the interest has worn off. They're tired of taking lives."
"I understand that." James replied solemnly and took a long drink of his beer. "I'm still under pretty close watch, but I'd like the chance to see my grandson grow up."
"Well, we certainly can't raise him on Kew." Fox laughed. "Hopeless hooked us up with a safe place. Papetoon. I'm sure you've heard of it."
James felt nostalgia wash over him. "Yeah. I've heard of it."
"There is a certain poetry to it you have to admit. Finally a McCloud getting the life he deserves - starting where we started."
"It's about damn time." James agreed with a little chuckle. "When is she due?"
"She's still a couple months off." Fox replied with a happy smile. He looked at the clock on the wall and then stood. "Sorry, looks like that's all the time I've got."
"Yes sure." James said softly and standing as well. "You're a busy guy."
"Try to be." Fox agreed. "Now that I know where you live I'll try to stop by."
"No need to attract attention." James said with a shake of his head. "You'll be busy enough just getting ready for your son."
"I guess you would know, wouldn't you." Fox said gently.
"Yeah." James agreed as they started to walk out of the pub. They stayed silent until Fox's vehicle was in sight. "You'll let me know when I can come see my grandson won't you?"
"You'll be the first to know." Fox said and put a hand on James's shoulder. "His name is Marcus."
"Marcus." James repeated with a sincere smile. Fox removed his hand from James's shoulder and started to walk to his vehicle. James watched Fox get into the driver's seat and prepare to drive off. Fox gave him one last wave before he took off, kicking up the soft ground as he sped off towards the spaceport. James chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Marcus." he said again and then burst into laughter. He whistled a little as he walked back to the garage - his lunch break was over.
Fox smiled as he looked back at Macbeth, finally ready to start his life. Not as Shattered or Fox, but as a husband and a father. He set his arwing to auto pilot and sat back in his seat. A toothy grin danced on his face. Now he could start the life that he knew Tyronos must have meant. He had found that peace, and now knew where he was headed.
Home.
"I'm back!" Fox called as he approached his nearly empty den. The front light came on almost immediately after he had called out. He saw Krystal step out the front door - silhouetted by the lights behind her. Fox grinned and walked faster.
"How was the visit?" Krystal asked gently after welcoming Fox back with a long hug.
"Better than expected." Fox smiled with relief. "Easier."
"I'm glad." Krystal replied and returned the smile. "What did he say?"
"I think the idea of being a family man after all this appeals to him." Fox grinned. "Can't say I'm not a little jealous that our son will get a better man than I had but…"
"Oh Fox." Krystal sighed and kissed her husband's cheek. "Babies have a way of mending families sometimes. Let's just be thankful that we can give our baby the only grandparent he has."
"I know, I know." Fox said with a shake of his head. "Maybe it's a good kind of jealousy."
"I don't think there is ever a good form of jealousy." Krystal laughed and they turned to enter the den.
Fox got a shower and then sat down at the table to eat the late supper that Krystal had laid out for him. She sat contently in the chair beside him while he ate.
"Falco stopped by while you were away." Krystal said after Fox had cleared his plate.
"Oh yeah, what did he want?" Fox replied reaching over and rubbing Krystal's pregnant stomach contently.
"He said Katt had bought some things for us, and wanted us to stop by sometime soon to get them."
"I wonder why he didn't just drop them off himself." Fox mused.
"They planned a surprise baby shower." Krystal laughed. "I don't think I was supposed to know, but you know how crazy my telepathy has gotten since Marcus started producing his own signals."
"Yeah sure." Fox teased. "Well I suppose we should go, seeing as they've gone and planned it for us."
"It's going to be on Corneria, are you okay with that?" Krystal asked gently.
"Yeah." Fox said after a moment. "I mean I'm not going to dye all my fur back just for one visit, but I don't see any harm in it. I think Corneria has finally gotten over their obsession with the McClouds."
"Yeah." Krystal laughed. "Well then, we should get some sleep if we're travelling in the morning."
"Yeah I'll be there in a bit." Fox said softly. He kissed Krystal's hand as she walked by and sat in his chair a while longer.
For a while Fox sat there, indulging in the silence. What had once been a bitter sensation now comforted him. Maybe it was the years of suffering that allowed him to be so reflective or maybe it was the incoming arrival of his son that made him nostalgic. He thought of all the pain that he had once indulged in and the person it made him. He was glad that he had those dark times to remember - if only because they made his life now seem that much sweeter. He laughed to himself, assuming that Tyronos would be there. He owed a lot to the vulpine (including a punch to the face) he was a pain in the ass for most of their relationship, but a necessary one. A lot would have been different if it wasn't for him. Then again that was true for most of Fox's friends. He smiled and stood, stretching a little before walking towards the bedroom.
When he got to the bedroom, Krystal was already sleeping. He smiled as a wave of affection washed over him. A soft ticking sound drew his attention as he sat down on the bed. The analog clock Tyronos had given them during his last visit seemed to be stuck. Fox shook his head. "Cheap bastard." He chuckled and held the clock in his hands. "A shattered clock will still tick... I thought I recognized him." He turned the clock over and turned the handle a few times, when he flipped the clock over again the second-hand was turning freely. "Not stuck in the same second anymore."
Fox laughed again as he placed the alarm clock back in its place on the table. He snuggled into Krystal and smiled as he fell asleep.
It's done! *sheds a tear* I seriously didn't want this to end. But as that saying goes 'All good things must come to an end.' I find it so surreal that this one off story that I started back in 2010 would turn into what it did. Words can't describe my feels for this story.
Thanks to everyone, and I mean that. From those that stumbled upon this story in it's beginning stages, to those that caught the tail end of it. You're all amazing, don't let anyone tell you different!
Special thanks to those that reviewed!
Fox McCloud SNR, Mitch3ll6900, KaijuKnight, DaijuWilliams, Mr. U.N. Owen, Lurker, cam2016, Awesome, 123lionclan, Blazehunter64, Bryan McCloud, 800M23, A Drunk Canadian, K4SSB4, Insane Warrior0, ItsR41, Troygroomes, SpyketheWolf, Starfighter-105, Zythxx, SlyuxVixen, Kazila, General Whitefur, Jesusismygod2, Guest, and Jeff!
I do have to make one thing clear. THERE WILL BE NO SEQUEL to this story. There is no reason for me to continue this particular plot. As far as I'm concerned, it's finished. However there will be an open Q&A. If you've got questions regarding this fic or what's next for H-T then be sure to include them in a review or send me a PM!
In a reply to:
Mitch3ll6900 : Peppy is a total prick in this story, but I hope it was understandable why he was acting the way he was. 2. It wasn't included because I didn't feel it was necessary to put into that chapter. But I hope the summary I included here gives you the answers you wanted =) 3. Break them up? No, no, no. It was always my intent to have Fox/Krystal back together by the end of this story. I'm too much of a fan of that couple to do that to myself let alone my readers. 4. Well, that might have something to do with it =) Also, sorry about the contest that you posted. I took a look at it, but due to RL stuff I was unable to sit down and submit anything. I'll keep an eye out if you do anymore and try again then.
Bryan McCloud : Wonder no more! James as a mechanic, who'd of thought eh? Hope you enjoyed the ending! =)
Kazila: Well that would make two of us that did! (At the very least)
Fox McCloud SNR : Thank you very much! I knew going into this that I was going to try something that no one else had. I'm glad people liked it! =)
Guest: That review was perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.
KaijuKnight : Thanks! You've certainly helped to make this story what it is. Like I said before, I wish people could get reviews like you gave me all the time! The 'disturbance in the universe' was actually my beta's idea, and I loved it! Sure, I guess I could write about the years it took Fox to find James, but at this time I am done with Shattered. Oh, and you totally nailed it with that guess! =) Not that it was too hard right?
Blazehunter64: Sex, when put into a story at the wrong time makes it feel awkward, and honestly I never found a spot in this story that would allow for that. I'm glad it kept you so enthralled though! Hopefully you liked how it all turned out!
Next project from ol' Hopeless? Star Fox: Circumvention. We're getting Corrupted all over again! =D
Peace,
H-T
Q&A is officially open! Ask away! Update 13/07/2014
In a reply to Chp.21 Reviews.
Troygroomes - If it's going to have a sequel I'm not writing it. To me Shattered is complete. =)
Kazila - I'm hoping the next story I get to work on will be as good if not better than this one! And yes, the song totally fits this chapter. Glad you caught on to that!
Fox McCloud SNR - Peppy's character was just wonderful to work with in this story. At this moment we can assume Lylat's going to be calm for a while. And I'm glad you feel for the characters =) You know, it feels weird for me to be done this story as well. Something that took 4 years to finish, but I guess that's just how long it needed. Glad you enjoyed it!
Dudes12 - I'm glad you think so! Don't worry, I'll have something new by the end of the summer at the latest!
Blazehunter64 - Hmm. I've actually never heard of Tenchi Muyo GXP before. So I guess I'd have to stream that stuff online and check it out. As much as I'd like to dive right into the fandom *sweatdrop* But I will admit, it does sounds like an interesting idea.
KaijuKnight - I'm glad you like it. And I completely agree, this one is much more 'completed' than my other stories by far. And I think Hopeless was used more as a tool in this story. It's how I plan to write him in the future as well. Ghost's personality is a lot easier to write when you use Google Docs with the owner Kazila. She had direct input on every part of Ghost's involvement. =) SFWF! (Star Fox Writers FOREVER)
bryan mccloud - I thought my hint was too subtle lol. Star Fox: Circumvention, Corruption's sequel is my next story. First chapter should be out by the end of the summer by the latest. But, I'm not really feeling a one shot for this story. As I said to Troygroomes, if there is one, I'm not writing it.
Jeff - Thanks for your kind words! Next up is Star Fox: Circumvention. And based on the reviews I've seen on Corruption, I think you've just about finished that! But don't worry, I'll have something new by the end of the summer at the latest!