A/N:This chapter was a bit shorter than most of the others; on top of that I recently had a post about something regarding the trinity accord, and then realized that not everyone has read one of my stories before. So ^^ to explain: the Trinity Accordis a fundamental peace treaty between the Lylat, Stygian and Dan'jas Star Systems. They are all bordering systems; though Stygian is lax on it's policy due to it's lesser involvement their place in the Accord is more of a courtesy than anything else. Dan'jas is seedy, but widely unpopulated. What planets are inhabited are either under EPA (Evolutionary Protection Act) or are very just and law abiding. whereas in Stygian most races tend to stick to their own. I at least hope that cleared up something...apologies for any confusion.

The Footsteps in the darkness ~ SkullFox

Black and Blue

Skye had been waiting for this day all month. Two weeks didn't seem like much but, to her amazement Marcus seemed surprisingly upbeat about his day. He'd been looking forward to the day that he would finally prove himself, not just to Skye and the others of the class, but, Skye could see that this all meant just as much to him toward his father.

Skye was certain that it would not be a lasting fight, after all she'd sparred with Caruso many times before. Sure he was fast, and to be honest he could throw a punch, his problem was with the one thing that Skye had furiously pounded into Marcus...young Robert Caruso could simply not take a hit to the face. Glass jaw didn't seem to actually cover it. The day actually started out normal enough; Skye woke early, oddly enough she actually walked out into the hall of the dorm building before realizing that, in her mind, she was headed to the McClouds's kitchen. It was as she found her way into her room and sat back on the foot of her bed that the canine sighed at herself. She'd gotten used to them all; Krystal had shared so much about Kursed with her, more than she'd ever imagined she'd learn. Fox McCloud had quickly become a clear mentor to her, even though it was a risk, he had told her of her being an O'Donnell. She'd learned so many things in those few weeks about her father, before which she'd known nothing of the man. Looking back on the whole things, she realized just how much she actually felt she owed them all...

She took little time in getting her favorite suit of clothing together, her star printed short shirt and belted pants. Her gloves were always saved to put on at the last moment. Sometimes it was more sooner than later, but it was still always the last thing she ever bothered to put on. She'd heard that most of the parents of the graduating CQC classes would be there to see their childrens's last matches. The last actual match of the night would determine the single cadet that would be left out of the graduating class. The traditional means of which this was done, was that the two lowest graded cadets would spar for the chance to get through. This would actually be different however, as Caruso was in the mid-class range, and Marcus was a late addition to the class. Therefore, in the act of fairness, Marcus was given the opportunity to actually pass...of course this also meant that another cadet had a chance to be left back but, being that cadet was Robert Caruso...it didn't seem to bother any of the other cadets at all. Even as Skye stepped into the hanger where many had gathered to see the results of the final class, the canine found Krystal and Fox standing by both speaking with Marcus for a moment before Krystal made her way to Skye, who smiled politely...

"Hello Dear," The blue vixen said, "how have you been?"

Skye chuckled rubbing her neck a bit, "Actually, it's been confusing. I think I got a little too comfortable with that wonderful house of yours."

Krystal smiled as she patted the canine's shoulder, "Listen Dear, you are perfectly welcome anytime...our sofa is always empty without you there," She replied looking back toward the center of the room, "I am worried about Marcus."

Skye shook her head, "Don't worry about him. I sparred with him just a few days ago. This is his fight, he want's to prove this to himself more than he wants to prove it to anyone else. Why wouldn't you allow Fox to teach him?"

Krystal shook her head, "I never want Marcus to see that side of his father. Fox retired and became a full time father, that was all I could have ever asked of him. I wanted there to never be a need of such violence in Marcus's life, but..." She lowered her head, "...it would seem he is his father's son in more ways than one."

Skye stepped up beside Krystal, "He's a good person..." She assured the blue vixen, "...the military could use more people like him."

"I wish I could have taught him myself, but..." Krystal sighed, "...there are simply some traditions from Cerinia that I will never go back on."

Skye nodded, "Well you weren't there to see him when we sparred," She smiled, "I like to think I did a good job. Speaking of which, where were you and Mister McCloud the other day? I wanted to talk to Fox about something but, you were never there."

Krystal chuckled, "I had a..." She paused patting her belly, "...doctor's appointment," She sighed contently, "a girl this time. Unfortunately if Marcus leaves with the military, he will not be around to get to know his new sister."

Skye chuckled herself as she looked to Krystal, "Really? How long are you?"

"Nearly two months." She sighed.

Skye smiled, "You hide it pretty well."

Krystal nodded, "Well, that will not last long. I did not begin to show it with Marcus for months. It seemed after that I was gaining ten pounds a day. Even though that is a bit ridiculous."

"I understand," Skye chuckled, "having a figure like yours when I get to be your age. I'd freak out about loosing it too."

"I will admit that when I began to grow with Marcus," She sighed, "I actually believed that Fox no longer found me attractive. In truth the poor dear was just uncomfortable with having sex while I was pregnant." She laughed.

Skye suddenly looked to a rather tall black panther who bowed his head to Krystal before kissing the back of her hand...

"Lovely as always," He smiled as he looked to Skye where he repeated the process, "ah, you must be Summer Skye...gorgeous name for a lovely young lady."

Skye gently pulled her hand out of his before he had a chance to do anything to it, "Anyone that can talk like that is more full of it than a port-a-john."

Krystal sighed, "I do not much think that Fox would appreciate your being here Panther, at least not so close to me. I would hate to see him have to harm you again."

As he walked by Skye cast her eyes at Robert causing him to look to the ground as he walked by, "So, Mister Caruso. Was it you that taught him to carry weapons to use on women? Or did he pick that one up for himself?"

Panther chuckled, "Learning ones' place is not necessarily a bad thing."

Skye smiled, "Well then you're gonna love this. Cuz Marcus is about to wipe the floor with Robbie's face."

It was as Panther passed them by finally that Fox and the well toned cat seemed to exchange a few words before Panther lowered his head and took his leave to the far end of the hanger. Deciding that it was much better that Marcus not see her after what had happened between them, Skye stayed on the sidelines with Krystal. Finally however, Falco stepped into the center of the room calling all attention to him...

"You all know how this works, after all most of you are either part of this class," He chuckled, "or like myself, were at one point a part of this class. We all took the same pledge when we started this class and it hasn't been any different since we were all here. The are thirty one cadets, and only thirty seats on the graduation board," He sighed, "now I know this is different than usual but, it was the decision of the Academy Board. We normally have this test at mid-term and allow the cadets to pick out their own sparring partners in order to solidify their ranks; but, due to circumstances beyond our control, Marcus was a late addition to the class, bringing us back up to thirty one cadets. Since he's now the lowest ranking cadet, this means his only hope of graduation from CQC training it to best someone of a higher rank than himself. His choice was the cadet leading in sixth rank, Robert Caruso. The single digits symbolize the best nine cadets in the class...so he's shooting high here."

Skye sighed, "I know he can beat him."

"Of course he can..." Krystal replied patting the canine's shoulder, "...you are a very good teacher."

Falco raised his arms, "Okay, you all know the rules here, but, just in case. Ring out, inability to continue fighting, or Yielding are the only three ways to win. So either one of you can't continue, gives up, or is knocked out of the circle on this matt. I know this whole thing sucks but, this is tradition. Best not let me catch any low blows or other dirty fighting either. This means you Caruso. I've had enough of that from you this year..." He cut his eyes at the black feline, "...one cheap shot, and you won't only loose out on this class, you won't be coming back next year either."

"When you're both ready, I'll give the word." He said stepping away.

Fox suddenly approached Skye, "He...he wants to talk to you. Said it's important."

Skye shrugged as she headed over to the far right corner of the mat where she found a slightly nervous blue fox sitting on a small stool, "Hey. You doing alright?"

Marcus sighed, "I don't think I can do this. Too much to think about."

Skye sighed and shook her head, "Please tell me this isn't about that talk we had last night," She said receiving no response, "what more do you want me to tell you?"

Marcus sighed, "One date..."

"What?" Skye asked.

Marcus sighed again, "You never told me about what was gonna happen when I help you graduate flight training; and if you intend to hold up your end of that deal, I at least want to have one day with you. Not even a date if that's your concern...I just want to know I got to spend more time with my best friend before she left and forgot about me..."

Skye shook her head with a sigh, "I'll do it but...you and I have to have a talk about that attitude," She said patting his shoulder, "now kick this guy's ass okay?"

Marcus kept his eyes on the black feline that stood across the mats, who clearly in an attempt at intimidation, removed his shirt before tossing it to his idle father. Most males his age would have found him as such, after all his build was several times what of Marcus himself, who seemed rather frail in direct comparison. Despite any direct differences between himself and his predetermined opponent however, in a mocking way Marcus removed his own shirt tossing it to his own father. He could instantly seen Falco chuckling and shaking his head at the gesture. Marcus stood up dancing around a bit for a moment to warm himself up...

Taking to notion that he would simply rush in and end the fight before there was time for one to begin. Caruso shot forward, displaying a power and speed that belied his age. The high planted roundhouse kick however soared through the air, impacting nothing before the feline toppled back with his arms crossed over his ribs. The strikes were not excessively powerful, but, he felt several in the short transfer that place the blue vulpine to his back standing in wait for the cat's next move. Robert took a moment to collect himself, he'd picked a fight with Marcus here and there, but, the little blue fox had never actually attempted to fight back. A quick glance to the young canine standing on the sidelines told him everything. Her hips cocked to one side with her hand resting on her hip, while she wore a feint grin. There was no possible way that she could have trained him this well in the amount of time she'd been given. As a look of anger washed over Caruso's face, the cat spun toward the animal that now stood behind him. The kick was easy enough to spot as he dropped low, however, as Marcus approached the ground once again he found the burning pain of the very same leg striking firmly against his ribs sending him painfully to the mat, the kick actually causing the young panther to stumble back from the fallen fox a bit. Falco quickly rushed in beside Marcus as he lay there for a moment clearly with intense agony coursing through his body...

"You still good kid?" The bird asked.

Marcus slowly made his way to his knees before clambering to his feet, "Yes, I will be fine," He said looking to his opponent, "Skye has kicked me much harder."

This time Caruso rushed in, with his fists swinging; Marcus was amazed at how slowly he appeared to be moving...at one point he recalled Robert being able to dance circles around him with a merry smile on his face. However, this time Marcus seemed to easily dodge every blow without having to bother blocking any strike. Though several of the strikes missed the attention of several onlookers, both Fox and Krystal managed to see it all quite well. As Marcus's elbow deflected a wild haymaker from the feline's left hand, the blue fox's right food lashed out. The first kick to the softer space between Robert's ribs and hip caused him to instantly loose his breath, before two more kicks climbed the feline's side causing him to drop to one knee. Finally Marcus dropped into a tight spin before driving a wild kick into Caruso's skull sending the both of them to the floor. Once Falco called the fight on the account that Caruso could no longer stand under his own power, the young fox's father was the first to his side...

"Where did you learn one of my kicks like that?" He chuckled patting the boy on the back.

Marcus smiled, "You always said I learn well by watching," He replied looking about, "where is Skye?"

Fox shook his head, "She stepped out when you ended the match. Looked like she had something on her mind."

Marcus held his side as he stood up, "I think that kick might have bruised my ribs."

His mother stepped in helping him along, "If Falco is done now, I believe you could use a little time in the infirmary."

Marcus shook his head, "No mom. I'm fine...really."

Krystal smiled to Fox, "Are you certain dear?"

Marcus chuckled, "Yes mom," He said stepping away from his folks, "look I need to talk to Skye about something."

Fox chuckled patting the little fox on the back, "Alright, tell her she's welcome to come to our place for dinner tonight."

Marcus nodded, "I will dad. Not sure how she's gonna respond to that though."

Marcus made his way out of the room, only to find that the canine was nowhere in sight. A short walk however brought him to find Skye seated on a planting pot that housed a single tree with a small mess of multi-colored flowers along it's base. It was a bit strange that she'd be sitting there but, not long after he sat down she sighed and patted his shoulder...

"You did real good in there," She chuckled, "I was hoping that you'd embarrass him like that. Still wasn't expecting what I saw, if I had to say so...you're probably better than I am now."

Marcus shook his head, "Don't think so. I'm sure that isn't true; but, that's not really what's on your mind right now is it?"

Skye chuckled, "I'll admit that there was a part of me that hoped you'd loose that fight."

Marcus looked at her in shock, "What?"

"It's true," Skye nodded, "mostly because I've never bothered with males and dating and all that girly crap. I guess I was thinking that if you lost I wouldn't have to hold up my end of the bargain. I've always been a bit of a coward when it comes to things like this. Never even went to any of the dances in school."

Marcus shook his head with a chuckle, "Neither have I. Mom was always afraid that I wouldn't fit in at school or in the Academy. Most of my life I was home schooled by mom and Uncle Slippy. I've always thought about it, but, mom was pretty adamant about my staying home, she was always certain that others would look down on me because of my abilities."

Skye thought for a moment, "You've never actually been in my head have you?"

"Only once," Marcus replied, "that first day we met. I was curious about your intentions so I might have panned through your thoughts for a moment. Nothing my mom hasn't done a couple thousand times. A quick scan of a mind won't give you much more than a little information. What you were feeling, what you were thinking at that moment, just what was on the surface. Sort of why I was so quick to trust you. You seemed pretty peeved at Caruso so I just went with it."

Skye sighed, "Kinda removes the whole part of trying to judge a person's character doesn't it?"

Marcus nodded, "I suppose, but, mom always told me that a Cerinian's trust is only put to those who deserve it. I guess it's because we can read so much of a person's character through scanning the surface of their minds," He said issuing a rather drawn out pause between them, "Look...you don't have to honor your part of that whole deal. It was kind of a stupid wager anyway."

Skye shook her head, "No. It was a deal, and I don't go back on my word. I just better not hear anything around the Academy...or you'll have to find out whether or not you are better than me."

Marcus shook his head, "Just a couple of friends hanging out. Not so sure how that could be twisted into a bad thing," He chuckled, "look I'm not like asking you to hang off of me like a drooling cheerleader on a Powerball Captain. Like I said before, I just want to know I got to spend time with my only friend before she leaves and forgets I ever existed."

"Okay that's the last time," Skye said suddenly slapping the back of the young vulpine's head, "why do you constantly insist that you're not worth remembering?"

Marcus shook his head, "Everyone forgets. Dad doesn't even remember what grandpa looked like, neither does mom. If someone like her can forget her family, what's to stop someone from forgetting someone like me?"

Skye nodded hesitantly, "Hmm...powerful argument," She smiled taking off the collar she wore before setting it in his hands and taking the strange looking stone he wore around his neck, "now neither one of us can forget the other."

Marcus looked to the stone she tied around her neck, "Um...that stone. It belonged to my mom. She gave it to my dad when...well...when they decided they were going to stay with each other."

Skye lifted the bright red stone to inspect it, "Wow really?" She asked as she began to fiddle with the knot she'd tied, "if that's the case..."

"No..." Marcus said quickly grabbing her hand, "it looks better on you than it does on me," He said buckling the collar around his neck before chuckling, "your neck is thicker than mine."

Skye sighed patting him on the back, "Look. I'm...I'm not really doing anything tomorrow..."

Marcus nodded as he stood up, "Speaking of free. Mom and Dad wanted me to tell you that you're welcome at our place for dinner. I think mom got a little attached. She tends to do that."

Skye nodded, "I really like your mom," She said, "so go ahead and tell them that I'll be there. For right now I have to get to my new flight class and find out who my new instructor is. They claimed that Mister Lombardi couldn't handle any more teaching for a solid year."

Marcus laughed, "Yeah, I think my dad might want to talk to me too. Not to mention I'm going to have to watch my back from now on. I've been told Caruso has a bad habit of attacking people with weapons."

There was no real response as Marcus sat there, waiting until he would finally decide to return to his parents. Fox and Krystal simply stood near the door of the hanger to look out at their son who watched as Skye circled by on her T-board before shooting off at a high speed...

"I fear this may all be going too far love..." Krystal sighed resting her head on Fox's shoulder, "...they are far too young for this."

Fox shook his head while patting the vixen on the back, "I wish there was another way but, there isn't," He replied, "she's got Wolf's attitude and her mother's looks. I know she'll put together a good list of candidates. I had to call back the deadline a bit but, that much couldn't be helped. Have you gotten any other messages from him?"

Krystal sighed, "No. The Ether has been very unclear these last few days. I fear the worst."

"When do you think they'll be coming?" Fox asked.

Krystal shook her head, "I wish I knew love, however, I hope that you are right, and at the same time I hope that you are wrong."

Fox sighed laying his head against hers, "Yeah...so do I."