Chapter 2

"It's beautiful today, isn't it, James?"

"Yes, my love, it is."

James and Vixy held hands as they walked through the park, blissful as could be. They loved to take walks together, just enjoying the fresh air and each other's company. They often took their young son, Fox, with them. He was walking behind them, doing his best to keep up with their pace. Whenever he fell too far behind, his parents waited for him, and he caught up. It was indeed a beautiful day outside; there was sunshine, a light breeze, and a clear, blue sky.

"It's so much nicer when you're around, James…"

"It's nice to be around, Vixy…"

They spoke in reference to the fact James was gone so often, serving as the leader of Star Fox. James hated to be away from his beloved wife and son, but he felt obligated to fight for Corneria, which he had made a long career of. The three McClouds cherished any time they had together, even if it wasn't a lot.

Young Fox found himself lagging behind more than usual, and his parents kept on walking and talking, seemingly unaware he had fallen behind again. The once sunny sky had suddenly turned a dark gray, and the entire environment started to turn black. Fox began to run now, but it was no use; the faster he ran, the further his parents got from him. Fox could only watch his parents disappear, leaving him behind, leaving him to be lost…

Fox jolted awake, feeling sweat running down his cheeks. He had experienced this feeling too many times in the past few months. Too many dreams like this. Too many memories twisted. No escape… Defeated, Fox buried his head in his hands, deciding not to go back to sleep.

After thinking through the rest of the night, Fox decided he wanted to visit Peppy Hare. He was like a father to Fox, and one of the few comforts he had left. Peppy was James's closest friend and used to be a Star Fox member, but had retired from the squadron and currently served as the Cornerian Army General. He replaced General Pepper shortly before the Anglar War, who passed away from a severe illness soon after the war.

Fox decided he would go to the Cornerian Army Center later, when he knew Peppy would be close to getting off work. Fox spent the daytime continuing to think things over, much like yesterday. And many days before that. He thought about the dream with his parents; it was the first he had in a long time to include his mother, who had died when Fox was very young. Many of the dreams he had lately included his father, but not his mother. He wished he could have known her better. He also had many dreams of Krystal – ones that usually began benignly, and then turned sour like his latest dream. Many of his memories returned to him in his dreams, first bringing Fox to a calm and happy state, and then they would turn on him. He did figure though it wouldn't be any worse than to dream only of happier times, only to wake up and find himself where he was now.

Fox also thought about last night, eating dinner with Falco and hearing about Dash Bowman. It was pitifully one of the most eventful nights Fox had experienced in a while, so it stayed in his mind. He was grateful to still have a friend in Falco, but he wasn't a comforting source like Peppy. Getting out of the house again though helped inspire Fox to visit Peppy, and Fox knew if anyone could help ease his mind, it was him. Fox thought about Dash, and how he had once helped him defeat Anglar forces on Corneria.

He played a part in helping us win that war. He seemed just fine! Unless it was all just a part of his plan… to let us get the device and clear up Venom so he could take it… continuing Andross's legacy…

Before killing the Anglar Emperor on Venom, the Star Fox team recovered a device from Planet Titania, which was used to neutralize the acid of Venom's seas, and also helped the planet return to a hospitable area. Andross had created and hidden this device on Titania, and the Star Fox team found it and used it to enter Venom and eradicate the Anglar forces. When the war was over, Dash stayed on Venom, and he rebuilt it to be a strong planet like Corneria. Many residents from all over the Lylat System moved to Venom as the news spread, and it seemed now Dash wanted it to be the galaxy's most prominent planet. Fox was truly worried there would be another war.

Once the early evening arrived, Fox left to go to the Cornerian Army Center. He still knew the path there, and he decided to just take a walk instead of paying a bus fee. Fox still had plenty of money from his time with Star Fox, but he tried to conserve it whenever possible. He hadn't bothered looking for any part-time jobs yet. He also figured he needed more fresh air tonight, so he just walked.

To a tourist, Corneria City would be a beautiful site, but Fox had lived here so long he stopped admiring how grand and beautiful it was. The tall buildings, the beautiful lights at nighttime, the sheer, large scale; all of it was simply familiar to Fox. It was a quieter night outside than usual, to Fox's enjoyment. Many hadn't left work yet, but usually the streets of Corneria were always bustling. When he reached the Cornerian Army Center, he noticed some people were leaving. He hoped Peppy hadn't left early.

The Cornerian Army Center was one of the most impressive buildings on the planet. It was actually comprised of more than one building, but the main one, the office building, was a giant, blue dome, and it donned the Cornerian Army logo. Fox went inside, and when he explained who he was, the receptionist immediately allowed him to see Peppy. Fox had to navigate through some hallways and up some stairs, until he was able to find his old friend. There were hundreds of glass doors with names on each of them, so it wasn't an easy task to find Peppy's office despite getting instructions from the receptionist. Fox eventually found the door he wanted, with the words, "General Peppy Hare" marking it. Fox knocked on it.

"Come in!"

Fox entered the room following Peppy's permission. He found Peppy sitting behind a desk, with a stack of paperwork in front of him. The room included numerous cabinets, a stuffed trash can in one corner, and also a computer on the desk. Peppy looked up from a paper he was writing on, and saw Fox standing in the doorway. Peppy was a gray rabbit with dark, red eyes, and was wearing the traditional bright red uniform of the Cornerian Army General. He also sported a large mustache beneath his nose and small spectacles.

"Fox! What a pleasant surprise!" Peppy greeted him, baring a large smile.

"It's great to see you again, Peppy," Fox said, making a slight smile.

Peppy got up from his desk to greet Fox with a bear hug, to which Fox reciprocated meekly. He didn't mind the affection, but Peppy sure gave a tight hug.

"It's been too long, Fox! What brings you here?" Peppy asked.

Fox, a little hesitant, began slowly, "Well… I really just came here to talk…"

"Great! Maybe we could catch up?" Peppy suggested eagerly.

Fox held off on opening up, instead asking Peppy, "Sure; how have you been?"

Peppy's smile drooped, and he answered, "Could be better. In all honesty, I've become bored by the job. It's been nothing but overseeing things and paperwork lately. Lots of tedious regulations and whatnot. Frankly, I think I'll be retiring soon!"

"You've more than earned it," Fox said. "There's no need for you to put up with a job you don't like."

"Well, thank you," Peppy said. "But I couldn't refuse General Pepper when he asked me, rest his soul. Of course, that was a different time, when we were at war, and now it's been quiet for some time thankfully. I have heard rumblings though about Venom lately. That Dash Bowman seems to be an unstable character…"

"Yeah, I heard about it too," Fox said. "Just last night, on the TV. Let's hope it's just talk."

"Indeed," Peppy agreed, nodding grimly. "Andross was hard enough to deal with, let alone his grandson. I remember seeing him during the Anglar War; he seemed like a nice kid!"

"I thought so too," Fox replied. "He helped me out in a battle before I made my way to Venom. I didn't even know it was Andross's grandson until later, when he told me he wanted to stay on Venom after the war, but I figured it didn't matter that much. Just because he's related to Andross doesn't mean he has to be the same way, right?"

"True," Peppy said. "However, he might be bitter about Andross. Maybe he was just waiting for the opportunity to get back at us?"

"I thought about that," Fox said. "I did kill his grandfather… It makes sense he'd be bitter about it."

"True, but a full-scale war is no way to go about it," Peppy commented.

"It might not matter; he could be a madman, just like Andross," Fox replied. "We went to war because he was bitter about his banishment. I'd say that was taking things too far."

"You're right," Peppy agreed. "We definitely need to stay alert. But enough talk about war; I want to know how you've been!"

Fox sighed, and replied, "Not so great, really. A lot of bad dreams lately, not feeling well. You could say I'm kind of at a loss right now."

"Really? Why is that?" Peppy asked, with fatherly concern in his voice.

Fox hesitated, trying to find the right words. "Well… I just haven't really had much of a drive. You know, to do anything."

Peppy placed a hand on Fox's shoulder, and tried to offer reassuring words. "Maybe it's because you were so used to flying with Star Fox? I know that you must have gotten very used to it, so a lack of purpose would be understandable. But maybe there's a new calling out there for you. You might just not have found it yet."

"Could be," Fox said. "I'm not sure if I want to keep flying or not. I really don't know. In the last war, I thought about my future. About what I really wanted. I hated myself for forcing Krystal off the team. I shouldn't have pushed her away like that. I only wanted her safety, but I shouldn't have made her leave. She knew what she was doing, just like me and the rest. I was selfish… I eventually realized I only wanted a life with her, but it was too late…"

The two stood silent for a moment. Fox was frustrated with himself all over again, reliving his mistake again.

She knew the risks. She had just as much a right to be there as me. But I didn't want her to die…

"She is back with the team though, right?" Peppy asked.

"Yes," Fox confirmed. "She and I never exactly made up, though. I mean I apologized and everything, but she… she didn't really seem interested in getting close again. I'll probably never have that again. Peppy, I don't know what to do…"

"Call her," Peppy said, almost immediately.

Fox looked at him incredulously. "Call her? We haven't spoken in months, and I… why would she want to hear from me?"

"Fox, you have to make contact again," Peppy told him softly. "You don't know until you try. I knew you two were very close. If that love is as strong as I thought, you two can make up and go on. You have to try."

Fox thought about it. The thought had crossed his mind months ago, but he had instantly decided against it, figuring Krystal would have no interest to be with him anymore. As far as he knew, she only rejoined the team to keep fighting for the galaxy. Not to be with him again. Then again, he never knew for certain. Was it possible she would want to be with him again?

"I'll try," Fox agreed. "I don't want to live with any serious regrets if I can avoid it. Seems like I've been stuck in the regret of losing her, though… do you have any regrets, Peppy?"

Peppy thought for a moment, before answering, "Nothing too serious, I suppose. Everyone has some, big or small, but I try to be at peace. Take it from an old rabbit, Fox – you want to settle anything you can while you're young. Even if things don't go your way, at least you'll know you tried to make things right."

Fox nodded, and said, "You're right Peppy. If I don't try to talk to her again, that'll just be another thing on my mind. I'm just worried no good will come out of it."

"Don't worry," Peppy replied, smiling at Fox. "If you worry, you won't have confidence. You were such a confident leader, Fox; I know you can at least try."

"Thanks, Peppy," Fox said, and he managed a full smile. "I really appreciate you being here to talk to me, you know."

"It's my pleasure," Peppy replied. "I think of you as my own son, you know. And I'm proud of the man you've become. Just because you're lost now doesn't mean you can't find your way back."

Fox was the one to hug Peppy this time, truly grateful for him. He loved him like a father. He was the one person Fox could open up to and fully trust. Falco and Slippy were good company, but not like this.

"Thank you."

"It's all right, Fox. I know you'll be all right."

When they released hugging, Fox gave Peppy another smile, and said, "It was great seeing you again, Peppy."

"It was great to see you again as well, Fox," Peppy replied, smiling back. "You know you're always welcome to drop by. Please, do take care."

"You too, Peppy," Fox said. As he made his way for the exit, he added, "And don't stick around here if you don't want to!"

Peppy chuckled, and said back, "You let me worry about that!"

Fox nodded, still smiling, and left the office. Today he had genuinely smiled for the first time in a long while. In his mind, he thanked Peppy for that as well.

When Fox returned home, he still delayed for a couple hours before calling Krystal. He wanted to get it over with tonight, or he'd be stuck thinking about it in bed all night. He practiced what he wanted to say several times before actually picking up the phone. He talked to himself and paced his living room, hoping he could find the exact, right words. He knew it'd be much harder when he actually talked to her, but he hoped he'd be better prepared this way.

After a while, he decided to make the call. He took a deep breath, anxious to hear her voice again for the first time in months. Finally, he picked up the phone, and dialed her number. He never forgot her number. He pressed the phone to his ear, and with each ring, his heart beat faster. He could feel himself sweating, worrying more and more. And then…

"Hello, you've reached Krystal. I'm sorry I'm not available to take your call right now, but if you leave your name and number, I'd be happy to get back to you. Thank you."

Her answering machine. Fox groaned at the anticlimax, before speaking into the phone. He was still nervous, but not as much. He knew he didn't have to give her his number, so he just went on with his message.

"Um, Krystal… It's Fox. I-I know we haven't spoken, for a while, but I really want to talk with you. I just, uh, I just want to see you again. I wondered if maybe we could see each other again. There's some things I really want, really want to say. I just wonder if maybe we could get together. Please, call back. I, I hope you're doing well. Bye."

Fox quickly hung up. He breathed a sigh of relief, finally getting the call off his chest. He could only hope now she would reply, and that the reply would be a positive one. He was glad he took Peppy's advice, even though he still worried it would be for nothing.

After the call, Fox went to his bed and curled up again for the night. He sincerely hoped he'd sleep better tonight. He felt particularly alone right now, particularly depressed. He wished Krystal was with him. And that it could be years ago, when he thought they'd always be together. He wanted her back.