A/N: Whew, that was a LOOOOOONNG time! Sorry for the extra late update, but a lot of things have been happening here. Not just bad things, I might have a record deal so I'm like really tryin to put a demo out. Wish me luck on that, lol. Anyway go on and read the chapter! Review pwease?
Disclaimer: If I owned StarFox, Krystal wouldn't look like such a slut, just sayin'.
Part III: The Last Command
I sighed as I stood in the elevator, waiting to go to the third floor. This thing's taking forever, I thought. Falco, Slippy, and Peppy were with me, their expressions mirroring mine. Slippy had bags under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept in days (that wasn't the reason, however, I could see the tear stains on his cheeks). Peppy's wise face had gained a few more wrinkles from the ordeal, his eyes were bloodshot and his fur was crusted with dry tears. I wondered how I looked, I haven't seen a mirror in days.
"If this damn elevator goes any slower, I swear I'm gonna jump out and take the stairs!" Peppy muttered, breaking the long and tension-filled silence that had taken space around us. We all chuckled lightly at his random outburst. You would usually expect that from Falco, but not from the usually docile Peppy.
"Hey, that's my line, Gramps!" Falco exclaimed, smirking playfully (speaking of). "Since when did you get so hot?"
Peppy flashed a light smile and replied, "I'm not getting any younger, so I need things to go fast." We all chuckled again, "And that's General Gramps to you."
Peppy had left Star Fox not too long after the Aparoid Invasion, taking over Pepper's job as Corneria's general because the sickness caused by the Aparoids forced him into an early retirement. He had been busy at work when he got my call, but he dropped everything and made his way to the hospital. I truly admire him for his caring personality, treating his former captain's orders as if they were a natural command.
Slippy stayed on the Great Fox, keeping the ship in working order. Our captain may be out, but you never know when an emergency will arise. Although, I could tell that he never quit tinkering. It looks like he never slept, fearing the nightmares of what is yet to come. He probably hadn't eaten anything, either. His pudgy stomach was closer to his body than usual.
Ding! The elevator came to a stop on our floor, much to the relief of us. Falco muttered a grateful 'finally' behind me. I smirked, but it immediately fell when I began to think about what Fox wants to talk to us about. I could only guess at what it was. I just hoped it wasn't something real bad...
We soon arrived at Fox's room. I went in first, the rest of the crew following behind me. I looked at Fox's bed, surprised to find him not there. Instead, he was staring out the window, seemingly not aware of our presence yet. His hospital gown was held tightly around him, as if he were cold. Without turning around, he quietly announced, "Hey, guys," I could see a small, sad smile on his muzzle, "It's nice to see you all together again, as a team. Just like old times, huh?"
"It's good to see you, too, buddy," Falco said, hints of sadness hidden by his usual sarcastic tone. Fox smiled at him, before slowly making his way over and wrapping us all in a group hug. We were a little taken aback, but we gratefully returned the gesture. Fox never really did things like this, but we understood; this would probably be the last time all of us were together... the last time Fox would see us all together alive.
"So what did you want to see us for?" Slippy asked after we broke the embrace. I knew that Fox had wanted to see us for something other than a casual (if you call this casual) visit. I saw Fox's ears lean back into his skull. He obviously wanted the moment of reunion to last longer, but he decided to answer.
"Okay, guys, I have some news..." He began, his back straightening as if he were getting a mission from General Pepper (he was talking to the General of Corneria, however). It was pitiful, though, because we knew how weak and airy his voice had gotten in these short months. After a brief pause, he said, "Firstly, Star Wolf is coming to Corneria."
All of our faces contorted into confusion, wondering why he would want them here, especially at this time. We briefly looked at each other, then looked back at Fox in a silent demand for explanation.
He finally took the hint and quietly answered, "I wanted to see them." He turned his face away as if he were ashamed of what he just said. He glanced at me for a second, but then looked back down.
Falco was the first person to speak,"Okay, that's cool and everything, but is Star Wolf really clean? I mean, once a criminal, always a criminal," His face showed disdain and also a slight hint of fear. Falco did have a point, Wolf may have been clean, but we don't know how the rest of his team is.
"Wolf's changed, Falco. He's cleaned himself up quite nice. Besides, it will most likely just be Wolf. Leon and Panther will probably stay on the ship," Fox said, trying to assure Falco and the rest of us. Still, that just meant that Leon and, Panther especially, will be just around the corner.
Falco sighed, obviously not agreeing to the idea, but deciding to go on with it anyway, he replied, "Fine, I just hope you really know what you're doing, man."
"I can handle it, Falco," he replied, waving his hand in dismissal, "Anyway, there is something else I want to talk to you guys about..."
He looked very uncomfortable and nervous, as if he were about to ask a question that he was never supposed to ask. "Go on," I said gently, trying to coax him into a more calm manner. I knew raising his blood pressure would hurt him, it could probably put him in a coma or worse...
He takes a deep breath before saying,"Okay. Uh... Let's see... What are we going to do about Star Fox? What's going to happen to it when I'm gone?" He rubbed the back of his head, a habit that happens when he's nervous or embarrassed. I was shocked at his question, but it was one that had to be addressed. What would happen to the team after he dies? I didn't want to think about this, but I could already feel the tears welling up in my eyes.
Peppy looked at Fox, his ears downcast. He must have been thinking about James... and how hard it had been for him to move on. It's terrible, really. He lost his best friend hardly fifteen years ago... and now he's about to lose his best friend's son, which might as well have been his own. He has it the worst of all of us.
After what seemed like centuries, Peppy sighed and spoke softly, "Well, Fox, I guess we'll have to pass on the shoes to someone else."
"Yes, I know, Peppy, but who? I mean, no offense, but you are too old to do it..." Fox replied, face contorted in a mix of confusion and weakness.
"None taken. I really don't want to lead a team by myself, that was yours and James' job," he chuckled sadly, eyes weighted down with recollections of years long ago, " That just leaves it down to Falco, Krystal, and Slippy, then."
All three of us looked at each other, our eyes each reflecting the surprise and fear of the upcoming situation. I looked down at my feet for a while, waiting for someone to start speaking. After a little while, Slippy broke, rather abruptly, the silence , "I sure as hell know I can't do it! I can hardly pilot an Arwing for godsake!" we all chuckled at his random outburst.
"Relax, Slip, we wouldn't make you do it against your will," I said, a slight grin still playing at my lips. "That just leaves me and Falco." I looked at the blue-feathered avian in question. He looked down at his feet in thought.
After a few moments, he shook his head and said, "No, I can't do it, I'm too much of a loner to even think about that." He looked at me, knowing that I was the last one left yet to decide.
I could feel all of their eyes on me. I looked at all of them, their faces in hope and expectancy. Then my eyes rested on Fox. He gave me a pitiful, begging look. It was one I never expected to see from him. After a long minute, I gave them my answer, "I'll do it. I will lead this team..."
Fox started to lightly clap his hands in celebration, his face etched in a proud grin. The rest of the team playfully cheered with him. They were really happy, but I was scared out of my mind. I guess I'll figure out what to do when it happens...