I AM SUCH A TERRIBLE PERSON.

This was supposed to be a part of the next chapter, but I felt really bad about now posting anything for a really long time. It's only a short flashback, but it's still better than nothing, so here you go.

Shoutout to ih8kintaro for reviewing and beta reading this chapter. Thanks a lot man. ^_^

I'm going to try to pick up the pace from here on out. Next chapter is already in the works, I just need to finish it and clean it up.

Me: *opens the door to the basement* Alright guys, you can come on out now.

*growls from basement*

Me: *laughs nervously* Uh... No need to be angry... I left food for you guys... I think... *quickly shuts the door*

*more growls and some snarls*

Me: Um... *slips papers under the door* Here's the script... I swear I'll get you a buffet and a nice room if you don't eat me when you come out...

Wolf: Five-hundred bucks and you've got yourself a deal.

Me: Yes sir... O-O

Six Months Ago:

A tall figure stood in a small cavern in the side of a granite cliff face. The freezing rain left him dripping and cold, but he stood completely still, unfazed by the harsh, biting wind. Across from where he was, a huge waterfall could be heard with its eternal roar and seen with its dense mist that made it a symbol of power and strength, but today was different. The dark sky and cold rain made the waterfall more sad and gloomy. What had once represented strength and optimism, now casted an aura of anguish and remorse. The weather had left Corneria National Park almost completely deserted. The lone figure was the only living soul present that day. The only witness to his own pain, the lupine stood there completely still with heavy eyelids covering a mismatched pair of eyes, as if waiting indefinitely for something to jump out at him.

Wolf eventually opened and laid his eyes on the roaring waterfall. Located at the top was the Mccloud Monument, which was constructed at the end of the Lylat Wars. There were two statues that depicted arwings. The bases of the two statues had names etched into them:

"James Mccloud" and "James "Fox" Mccloud Jr."

Eventually, Wolf spoke out to the lifeless landscape, devoid of hearing ears.

"How long has it been since I last saw you? How long have I waited for you to return?"

Wolf's voice was answered only by the roaring waters and howling winds.

"You told me that you would be back, that I would see you again. It's been over ten years! How long do you expect me to wait for you to keep your promises?"

Tears were streaming down Wolf's face now, but no one stood witness to his anguish. No one was there to see, and especially not the one who mattered most to him.

"After you left this world, all I had left were the memories of you, and a false hope that things would get better."

Wolf looked at the ring on his finger, which still shone through the darkness of the storm. He also took off his necklace: a pendant dangling on a silver chain.

"These were all I had to keep going, to keep waiting. I had thought… that things might get better, but now I know that I am not that lucky. I had, and always will, be the most unfortunate person who ever lived. I'm done with waiting. I'm done waiting for some stupid hope that I may be happy again. No more."

Wolf took the necklace and threw it as hard as he could toward the waterfall. The chain caught on the arwing statue of James Mccloud, where it hung there, almost motionless despite the strong winds, but Wolf took no notice of it. He didn't want to see it ever again. After a moment of silence, he slowly pulled out a blaster. It was old and beaten, scratches and cracks in the dull metal, barely held together by superglue and duct tape. The Star Fox insignia was laser engraved into the side of the barrel, and although it had faded a bit, etched by hand on the grip, were written the words:

"From Wolf, to James, with love."

Wolf spoke again:

"I'm tired of waiting here for you to come back. I'm coming after you, and I suppose that if I want to follow you through the same door, I should use the same key. I'm coming for you, James."

Wolf raised the blaster up to his head and took a deep breath before pulling the trigger, but after hearing a click, nothing happened.

"Damnit! It jammed! That son of a bitch keeps me from dying even beyond the grave…"

Wolf pulled out the plasma cartridge to reset the gun, but when he did so, a small note fell out and onto the ground. Wolf bent down to pick it up. When he opened it, his eyes were met with words written so badly that only he could ever read it. He immediately recognized the handwriting. It read:

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Did you really think that you would solve problems by ending your own life? You know very well that I didn't want this to happen. You need to let go of the past because what has been done cannot be changed. Stop looking back. The past doesn't matter anymore. You should never let the past control your future. I may not be around anymore, but you need to move on. The future can only be brighter if you choose to follow the light at the end of the tunnel. Look, I'm sorry for making you do what you did, Wolf, but don't you dare try to kill yourself, or else I'll never be able to look at you again, and I'd never forgive myself, you, or anyone who was involved. Live on, be strong, and most importantly, go find someone else, and be happy with them. Don't let the world tell you that you can't be happy. That is my last request that I will impart onto you. Okay? With Love, James Mccloud"

After reading the short letter, Wolf fell backwards awkwardly onto the hard granite behind him. The clouds started clearing; the wind died down; the waterfall resumed its more peaceful gushing. Wolf folded up the letter and slipped it into his jacket before re-holstering the old blaster.

"Okay… I'm sorry… I was a stupid idiot to think like that…"

Wolf sat there for the next hour watching the clouds above clear. Soon, the sun was out again, and the stone monument was once again met with light. After his emotions had calmed themselves, he got up to leave. From behind him, at the top of the waterfall, a glittering pendant hung there on the chiseled stone, casting off silver and red sheens, but the glimmer would not meet Wolf's eyes again that day. As Wolf left, another figure appeared at the spot Wolf had stood. He looked toward the lupine's direction before saying:

"We've all been idiots at some point…"

This was shorter than I wanted, but I guess it's enough. Again... sorry for the long wait guys. You can thank Kint for pestering me enough to get this posted.

Next chapter will be posted... when it's done. PM's help with my motivation, in case you guys want the next chapter badly enough.

Reviews are greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone for not killing me!