Author's Note: I feel I must apologize for having taken so long to push this chapter out. Things often get in the way. I will try harder though to get more done more quickly next time! Sorry to all my readers for the long wait; I will try to be quicker next time! Please enjoy!

Chapter 16

"Here we are!" Jason chirped as the group reached Corneria City.

It was a very welcome sight for Fox, Slippy, and Amanda to see again. Though there was still damage from the attack on the city, this was home – especially to Fox. His heart beat fast, excited to finally see Krystal again. There were other things to take care of, but she stayed at the front of his mind.

"When Bowman had us locked up, I was worried we'd never see this place again!" Slippy remarked.

"I was too, darling," Amanda agreed. "How awful that would have been…"

"I'm glad you all did make it out!" Jason said.

"What about you, Fox? Weren't you worried about getting out?" Slippy asked Fox.

"Yeah… I didn't expect to make it out," Fox admitted. "We were in there for days. An escape didn't look likely…"

"Well, you did get out! And now there's no stopping you from ending this war!" Jason said enthusiastically.

Fox smiled, happy to have a vote of confidence. "Thanks, Jason. We'll do our best."

"You'll be fine; you've always pulled through before, after all!" Jason remarked.

"I appreciate it," Fox said. "We'll have to be as ready as ever for Bowman, though. He's out for blood and he has to be taken seriously."

"That's for sure," Amanda agreed. "He nearly had us back there, and his army has been relentless!"

"Definitely as challenging as anyone we've faced to this point!" Slippy agreed with them. "But now, we'll get Falco and Krystal back! And hopefully lots of the Cornerian Army, too!"

"Like I said, I have no doubt you'll be victorious," Jason said to the three teammates. "Here we are – the Cornerian Army Center!"

The group looked below the ship to see the familiar Army Center building. It was fortunate Bowman's forces hadn't caused much damage to it in their assault on Corneria. Jason landed his ship close to the building; before reaching the ground, several Cornerian soldiers had rushed out with guns in hand. One of them recognized Fox inside the ship, and signaled for the others to put their weapons away. Once the ship was parked, Jason, Fox, Slippy, and Amanda got off and were warmly greeted by the soldiers. Lance Mitchell, Falco's friend, was among them.

"Fox McCloud! Slippy, Amanda! It's great to see you all!" Lance cried happily.

"The last thing we were told was that you were captured by Bowman," another soldier said. "We were worried you wouldn't make it back!"

"Well, we did! And now we're ready to pay Bowman back!" Slippy said enthusiastically.

"Right this moment? Wouldn't you care to take the rest of the day off?" Lance asked.

"That's probably a good idea," Amanda agreed with the guard. She turned to Fox, asking, "What do you think, Fox? You are the captain."

"I definitely think that's a good idea; we need to get some rest and be as prepared as possible before we go to Venom again," Fox answered.

"Sounds good," Slippy said. "I just can't wait to put out that Bowman! The guy's a total creep and needs to go down!"

"True enough," Fox agreed. "When we're at full strength, we'll be able to finish the job. First thing's first; we need to rendezvous with Krystal and Falco. Then we should meet with Peppy about the plan for attacking Venom."

"That'll work; who do we contact first?" Amanda asked.

"Well… if you two don't mind, I'd like to see Krystal alone first," Fox said slowly.

"No worries; we can meet up with Falco in the meantime," Slippy suggested. "Then maybe we can all meet back here to talk to Peppy?"

"That's a good idea," Fox said. "Let's meet back here at 6:00. That should give us a few hours. We need to find wherever Krystal and Falco are…"

"As far as I know, Krystal should be at her house," Lance said to Fox. "You see, when she and Falco got back, she wanted to set right back out to rescue you all from Venom. Peppy told her it would take a long while to have enough soldiers to be able to attack Venom, and it was too risky to go right back out. Since the Cornerian Army is currently spread out in the galaxy and we needed to keep our home planet protected as well, there was just no opportunity open. Peppy wasn't happy about it either, of course, but it just wasn't feasible. Krystal went back to her home and we haven't seen her here since."

"I see… what about Falco?" Fox asked.

"He was also pretty ticked off that he couldn't go back. I'm not sure if he'll be at his house or not, though. You know Falco as good as me; he is pretty restless…" Lance replied.

"Do you know how we could get in touch with him?" Fox asked.

"You could try his communicator?" Lance suggested.

Fox's eyes popped, and he suddenly felt dumb for having forgotten all about the device.

How the heck could I forget about that dumb thing?! I could have tried talking to Krystal and Falco a long time ago! Fox thought to himself.

"Right… we'll try that," Fox said, a little embarrassed.

"We'll worry about getting in touch with Falco," Amanda said. "You just take care of Krystal, Fox."

One of the guards, who had been staring at Jason for most of the conversation, spoke up. "Mr. McCloud, I don't mean to sound rude, but who is this man with you?"

Fox knew the guard was talking about Jason. Jason awkwardly stood in his place without speaking. Fox had grown close to the older fox already, and he wanted Jason to feel welcome and part of the group.

"He's a friend who helped bring us here; he's good," Fox told the guard, then smiling to Jason.

Jason faintly smiled back. The guard simply nodded and looked away from Jason. Fox turned back to Lance to speak to.

"Could you give Peppy the word that we're back and we want to have a meeting sometime after 6? I guess 6:30?" Fox asked.

"Will do, Fox," Lance answered. "I'm sure he'll be pleased to know you're back! I know we all are!"

"I suppose my business here is concluded then…" Jason said with noticeable sadness. "I should be getting out of your way."

"Hold up!" Fox said as Jason began walking back to his ship.

"Listen, um… you don't have to leave now if you don't want," Fox said. "You could stick around. We just met you, and I don't want to have to lose you just now… please, won't you stay?"

Jason heard the sincerity in Fox's voice and saw it in his eyes, and it made him happy. Jason smiled at the younger Fox, thankful to feel wanted again. Fox wanted Jason to feel welcome and didn't want to lose him so soon after meeting him.

"Well, since you don't mind, I guess I will then!" Jason replied.

Fox smiled back at Jason, pleased with the response. He was grateful to have another link to his lost father, and he wanted to know more about Jason. Fox turned his attention back to the soldiers.

"Make sure Jason is comfortable and welcome here; treat him like you'd treat me," Fox instructed the guards.

"Absolutely, Fox," Lance replied.

"Good. I have to go see Krystal now; I'll meet with you guys here at 6," Fox said to Slippy and Amanda.

"Okay then," Slippy said. "We'll try Falco on the communicator; hopefully we'll have some luck and we'll be able to get him in the next couple hours. See you later, Fox! You too, Jason!"

"Good luck!" Jason said to Fox, Slippy, and Amanda.

"Thanks; see you all later!" Fox said.

Fox departed from the Army Center and immediately began to make his way for Krystal's house, walking at a brisk pace. Since Krystal's house wasn't far from the Army Center, Fox didn't even bother to call her on his communicator. He just wanted to talk to her in person. He would be there soon, and finally get to be with her again.

Reuniting with Krystal was the only thing on Fox's mind for the moment, and it made him walk quickly. The more Fox thought of seeing Krystal, the faster he walked – until eventually he found himself running to her house! There were many citizens walking the city streets around Fox, who were gasping and pointing as they saw him. They were stunned and joyful to see the Star Fox captain again, and suddenly the whole area near Fox was becoming loud with applause and cheer. Fox ran past the citizens of Corneria – creatures of all kinds – who smiled and cheered at seeing him.

"IT'S FOX MCCLOUD!"

"FOX IS BACK!"

"I KNEW HE'D RETURN!"

"HEY, FOX!"

"HE'S BACK!"

"FOX!"

The screams and cheers around Fox made him smile as well. It suddenly felt like a small parade was taking place around him! Fox kept on running and grinning, his energy rising from seeing the people cheer him on. He acknowledged the crowd, waving and smiling back at them. It was encouraging for Fox to see just how much the people cared, and how much they wanted him to succeed. He had always known they depended on him and rooted for him, but for him to actually see them cheering this way before the war was even won was truly special.

It wasn't long before Fox reached Krystal's house, since he had been running most of the way. Fox had to leave the cheering crowd of citizens behind him for now, who continued cheering amongst themselves after Fox had left the crowded area of the city. Fox, now at Krystal's doorstep, took a deep breath. The optimism from the crowd and the thought of seeing Krystal again was making Fox's heart race with excitement. He knocked on the door.

Several seconds passed – which felt like minutes to Fox, until Krystal finally came. When she opened the door and saw Fox, her eyes grew big, and she froze up for a moment, clearly shocked to see him. Her appearance was haggard, but the sudden sight of Fox made her suddenly become much livelier. Still unmoving, she studied him for a minute, making sure it was really Fox she looked at. Fox took a step closer to her, smiling at his beloved.

"Krystal…" he said softly.

Before he could continue, Krystal unfroze and threw herself at Fox. She wrapped her arms around him so tight he began to choke! Fox tried to speak again, but before he could, she took his head and began to kiss him passionately. Fox kissed back, blissful to be in her arms once again. It was a moment he had longed for in his prison cell – one he had worried he may not get again. He cherished this embrace more than any other, and when Krystal finally loosened her grip a little, he hugged her back and held her close.

"I… I thought the worst," Krystal whispered in Fox's ear. "You were gone for days…"

"I'm here now," Fox whispered back to her. "Everything will be alright…"

The two continued hugging, savoring this wonderful moment of reunion. This went on for a minute or two in silence. When they did eventually release each other, Krystal cleared her throat and raised her voice from the whispering.

"We should talk," Krystal said.

Fox nodded. The two walked into her house and closed the door behind them; they were now together there for the first time since Bowman had declared war. They sat down together in the living room, and Fox began to tell Krystal about everything since his capture.