Cold Opening
[The scene opens with a shot of the plain grass against the leafless trees, before a single snowflake falls to the ground, followed by another…and then another…until the entire ground has been covered with fresh white snow. If you were to ask anyone what they thought of snow, the answers would be…mixed, to say the least. Some enjoy it, as shown by the likes of Apple Bloom and Applejack going down a slope together on a sled, with Angelina and her cousin Henry going down to the left, and Fox, Rabbit, and Raccoon going down to the right]
Apple Bloom: Yeah-HAY!
Applejack: HAHA, giddy up!
[Others aren't particularly big fans of winter, as shown by Thomas stuck in a snowbank right up to his nose and looking very annoyed as he looks at Terence clearing away at the drift]
Thomas: [muffled] Oh, for crying out loud!
[And of course, there are those that are indifferent to the weather. The scene cuts to a complex below a building before cutting inside and revealing a room that's mostly dark, save for the occasional spark being lit. It pans out to reveal a cigarette being lit by a lighter before it finally settles, revealing a grey hand and white-furred mouth putting the tip to its lips. Further out reveals Wolf sitting alone on a couch, a few bottles, presumably empty, are on the coffee table which he's also laid his feet up on. The lupine blows out a puff of smoke before giving a slight cough]
Wolf: AHEM…aaaaaaah…better.
[At that moment, a whistling howl whooshes against the window, causing Wolf to look over there, seeing some snow stick onto the window outside. A light creaking of wood can be heard amongst the wind]
Wolf: Hmmm…bit nippy today, init? Never mind…got me all the…[puts the cigarette in his mouth…and blows]...warmth I need…[coughs]...
[Wolf proceeds to lie down on the couch as the weather report reads snow for the next several days]
Wolf: Of course…tck, well, can't be much harm to me, being a…[yawns]...wolf and all that…yeah, just…hrrrrrrrrm…
[Wolf begins to doze off as his eyes become heavy before shutting completely, having pressed the bud of the cigarette just to be sure…the scene cuts to what appears to be a heavily wooded area, and in the distance, grey smoke can be seen rising above the trees. An eagle's cry is heard as the shot pans down to a trail, brown earth torn up and scattered everywhere, before revealing the cause of it; an aircraft having crashlanded just a few inches away from a tree, the vessel is covered in mud, grass, and grime, the windows have cracked, and several dents are visible throughout. A hand emerges out from the hole in the cockpit and out steps a lupine pilot, surprisingly in better condition than one would expect from such an ordeal]
Wolf: Wha…damn…where the hell am I…?
[Wolf looks around the area, all around are trees as far as the eye can see, with the occasional sound of chirp or a chitter coming from the forest. He pulls himself out from the wreck and hops down to the ground, surveying the mess]
Wolf: Ah, damn it…of course, get stranded in the middle of nowhere with a crapped out plane…haaaaaaugh, this'll be a bitch to fix…
[As Wolf stoically turns around to see the trees before him, the sound of a whistle catches his ear, causing it to flicker]
Wolf: The hell…? Who's there?
[There's no response, save for the small gust of wind]
Wolf: Hmmm…musta' imagined it.
[Wolf turns around and suddenly stops as the faint silhouette of something in the distance can be seen]
Wolf: What the…?
[The lupine squints to try and get a better view…only to not see anything at all]
Wolf: Ooooookay, that was weird…[sighs]...best get to fixing this-
[Wolf freezes again as the figure is suddenly right under a tree, just a few feet away from him. The grey wolf feels a little bit unsettled by this, but tries to put on a stoic face]
Wolf: Who are you?
[The figure doesn't respond, their whole appearance is covered in a large black cloak, with their arms behind their back. There is silence for a few seconds…before the figure slowly begins to walk towards Wolf]
Wolf: Um…I asked, who are you?
[Just a foot or two away, the cloaked figure stops…once again, only the wind can be heard between the two. The figure's head has been looking down for the most part…it slowly turns up and Wolf finally sees something beyond the darkness…a pair of red eyes staring back into his own…the lupine feels rather uneasy now, almost tempted to pull out a weapon, and as he reaches down-]
?: I wouldn't do that if I were you…
[Wolf's hand freezes in place]
?: Not that it would matter…
Wolf: What…what are you talking about? Who the hell are you?!
?: Hmmhmmhmm, Hell is right…because that's exactly where you're going.
Wolf: What do you-
[At that moment, the figure whips its head back, revealing that of a dark grey wolf's head. From behind his back, the lupine produces two sickles, sharp-tipped and all]
Wolf: I…?
?: Hmmhmmhmm, surprised to see me, Wolf? You shouldn't be, after all, you did have a nasty fall.
Wolf: How do you know my name, tell me why I shouldn't just blast you on sight!
?: Because you wouldn't be able to…did you forget, Death can't be killed…
[Wolf blinks and begins to feel slightly pale on the inside, this couldn't be…could it…]
Wolf: You…you're not seriously the Grim Reaper, are ya'?
Death: Well…[draws a sickle]...why don't we find out, shall we?
[On instinct, Wolf pulls out his blaster and attempts to shoot at the other lupine, who dodges before he can even land a shot]
Wolf: What the?!
[Wolf spots Death just a few inches away on his right and tries to shoot again, but he just leaps into the air, brandishing his sickles as he comes back down in Wolf's direction, the other lupine using his blaster as a shield to avoid the sickle. Wolf attempts to throw Death off him and manages only JUST]
Wolf: GRRRAH!
[The darker grey wolf slides back on his feet effortlessly, flashing a devilish grin as he suddenly rushes forward to corner Wolf]
Death: Good try, my friend…
[Death charges into Wolf, sending him back several feet]
Death: …but not good enough.
[Wolf picks himself up and charges back into Death, holding his sickles above him as best as he can manage]
Wolf: You're…not taking…me today!
Death: Haaaaaaa…that's what you think.
[Wolf and Death thrust at the same time, separating each other by several feet. The two wolves stare down each other intensely, waiting for the other to make a move]
Wolf: Whatchu just starin' at?
Death: Oh, nothing, just waiting to make the final blow. It's amusing to think you have a chance against me.
Wolf: Regardless, I ain't ready to get pulled to the afterlife, I got plenty left in me.
Death: That's what they all say…
[Death suddenly rushes forward once more, almost in a split second as he raises his sickles, one angle shows the lupine's arm to be a different fur color, almost orange]
Wolf: Come at…me…
[A metallic slashing is heard and Wolf's body falls…onto the floor, accompanied by the sound of glass rattling]
Wolf: GUH! What the…
[Wolf finds himself back in his apartment, though now lying on the floor as opposed to the couch, the bottles having toppled over, in addition to the ashtray. The lupine groans as he picks himself off the ground]
Wolf: Damn…that same dream again…?
[Wolf notices a bit of ash stuck to his cheek and tries to brush it off]
Wolf: Never was my finest moment…in fact, it almost killed me…and that strange…man in it. Guess I looked Death right in the eye, wouldn't say went to Heaven and back…man, that was a long time ago…god, the war was a bitch.
[The cigarette in Wolf's hand gets crushed and he throws it off]
Wolf: Saw a shit ton of people die in it…wouldn't be the first time…
?: Talking to yourself again?
[Wolf looks up to see Leon standing a few feet away from him]
Wolf: When the hell did you get here?
Leon: Did you forget I can blend in?
[Leon backs into a wall and his body color changes to match]
Wolf: Soooooo, you were just stalking me for the past…however long I was out for.
Leon: Not the whole time, just enough to see that you move around a lot…and you talk in your sleep.
Wolf: Hmph, coulda woke me up sooner.
Leon: I could have, I just chose not to.
Wolf: You're a cold bitch sometimes, Leon.
Leon: Because I'm the only one who can do it without getting my throat slit. Makes it fun for me.
Wolf: Hmmmmmm…it happened again.
Leon: Lemme guess, the war flashbacks? That's nothing new.
Wolf: Well, it was when I crashlanded after…you know what.
Leon: Oh yes, when we were serving the Andross forces and golden boy sent you hurdling to certain death, surprised you've not beat his ass into the ground for it.
Wolf: Last time I checked, you didn't get out so lucky either.
Leon: Only because of the pigeon, I've got a score to settle with him.
Wolf: [rolls his eyes] Yeeeeeah, you work on that crush of yours.
Leon: Ironic given I could say the same about you, don't think I didn't hear about your little mission.
Wolf: What, the one you didn't get invited to-
[Wolf trails off at Leon pointing a dagger at his nose]
Leon: Don't see why you need to get involved with his business, especially when we handled it just fine the last time.
Wolf: Well, it was sorta convenient, really, we happened to be in the right place to be picked up, we got talking, shot up the place, was a fun time overall. Besides, I'm just glad to be done with that crap, Scourge can kiss my ass.
Leon: Hmph, coulda given me a notice beforehand, I'd have wiped the floor clean with those bitches.
Wolf: Do I detect a bit of jealousy?
Leon: I could easily inject this through your nose if I wanted to.
Wolf: Well, that's a nice way to treat someone from a cold sweat.
Leon: Just…forget about it.
Wolf: …Are you…alright?
Leon: Is that a rhetorical question?
Wolf: I'm serious.
Leon: Whatever gave you the impression that I wasn't?
Wolf: Ya' sounded real miffed there.
Leon: And you care why?
Wolf: Gee, I dunno, maybe because of how long we've stuck together, that might give me a reason to care.
Leon: That means a lot when you're always thinking about someone else.
Wolf: I'm not obsessed. At least I don't keep stabbing a picture of a certain bird.
Leon: …That's a personal matter.
Wolf: [sighs] Wish ya' didn't make it hard to talk with you sometimes.
Leon: It'd be easier if you actually acknowledged me.
Wolf: Well, I'm doing it now, aren't I?
[Leon just looks away, seemingly uncaring. Wolf, however, stands up and approaches the chameleon till he's at least a foot away]
Wolf: Will ya' tell me what's bugging you?
Leon: I'm fine.
Wolf: Then sit down with me.
Leon: Why?
Wolf: Just…because.
[Wolf's claw tips brush against Leon's arm, the reptile is still turned away, though his tail curls]
Leon: Hmmmmmmmmrrrrrm…
[Leon wordlessly walks forward and sits down on the other end of the couch, still not looking at Wolf on his side]
Wolf: Still bitter?
Leon: Don't be coy.
Wolf: Whaaaaat, wouldn't hurt if ya' put down the batshit wall every once in a while.
Leon: Just like you putting down the macho wall?
Wolf: Given it's just us now, why not relax a little bit?
[Leon slowly leans down on the couch, facing towards the ceiling]
Wolf: You know, it's adorable seeing you be all pissy.
[Leon sighs. Wolf puts a paw down onto the chameleon's forehead and rubs it softly]
Wolf: C'mon…
Leon: It's just…you're lucky I consider you worthy enough to touch me like that.
Wolf: Cuz you'd prolly kill the person who did it otherwise.
Leon: Hmm, you know me too well.
Wolf: Of course, only I could tolerate your crazy shit.
Leon: Piss off…
Wolf: To you…
Leon: Did ya' see him?
Wolf: Hmm?
Leon: In the dream, duh.
Wolf: Yes…and, something else before I woke up.
Leon: Yes?
Wolf: His arm…it changed color…almost like…amber…
Leon: Hmmmmmmm, I wonder what they could mean…
Wolf: If he wanted to kill me, he'd have done it sooner.
Leon: You could have too.
Wolf: I know you're not gonna kill him.
Leon: Says who?
Wolf: I just know.
Leon: Hmph, says what you know.
Wolf: Okay then, 'settle the score'.
Leon: Only if you do the same.
Wolf: If I do…I promise things between us won't be any different.
Leon: Suuuuuure…do you really fancy him?
Wolf: I mean…the thought did cross my mind…
Leon: Hmmmmmmmmmmm…I knew it.
Wolf: Well, not surprising, is it?
Leon: You'd…never actually leave us, would you?
Wolf: Leave you? After all the shit we've seen? [leans his head down] I wouldn't dream of it…
Leon: But you would dream about getting killed.
Wolf: Shut up…
[Wolf looks up at the window, the snow appears to have stopped]
Wolf: Ya' know…I feel like taking a walk.
Leon: In that weather? Hmph, I wish ya' luck.
Wolf: Not by myself though…Leon?
Leon: What?
Wolf: Would ya' care to join me on a rendezvous with disaster?
Leon: I…sure…
[The scene cuts to the two walking down the street, having donned their winter gear; coats, scarves, hoodies, and boots, Leon's mouth in particular is covered by a thick violet scarf, passing by Katz, Facilier, Anastasia, Diaspro, Rainbow Dash, and Odette walking opposite to them. On the overhead rail, Donald and Salty can be seen passing each other with trains of tankers and salt vans]
Leon: Hmmmmmmrph, winter.
Wolf: I don't mind it that much.
Leon: Easy for you to say, you're a wolf, your kind's made for this weather.
Wolf: Well, if it's that bad for you…
[Wolf extends his arm out to pull Leon next to him]
Leon: Oh…anyone says anything-
Wolf: Don't worry, I'll have you sick 'em.
Leon: Good…
[The scene cuts to Sassy Saddles and Pink Panther walking in opposite directions from a cafe, as Fox and Falco are seen leaving with cups in hand, a bit of steam rising from the hole in the holder, while Mirta and Lucy are exiting from behind them]
Falco: Well, I suppose hot chocolate isn't the worst thing when you're walking in the snow.
Fox: At least it'll give us something to keep warm…and tastes pretty good, too.
Falco: Yeah…oh look, it's falling again.
Fox: And I thought you hated it when everything was wet and damp with no snow.
Falco: What, I did!
Fox: Hmmhmm, just joshing.
Falco: Of course…though lookit you, lightening up for a change.
Fox: Well, I needed to get out more anyway, no fun in just keeping to myself all the time.
Falco: Sitting on the couch with a tub of ice cream watching a soap opera.
Fox: Okay, I wasn't that down before.
Falco: Juuuuust joshing.
Fox: I…okay, I'll give ya' that.
Falco: Yeah, I'd figured yooooouuuuuuuu, oh my god.
Fox: What?
Falco: Look ahead.
[Fox looks straight ahead and sees just what Falco was pointing to; Wolf and Leon walking in the opposite direction, with the latter leaning on the former's shoulder]
Falco: Never took Leon as a bambino on the inside.
Fox: [clears his throat] Don't stare.
[Fox tries to pull Falco along and walk past like normal…]
Leon: The hell you staring at?
[Fox freezes and glances at Falco]
Fox: Really?
Falco: What?
[Wolf and Leon have stopped in place and look back at the Star Fox pilots]
Wolf: Heeeey…
Fox: Heeey…
[Falco and Leon stare at each other for what feels like an eternity]
Leon: …What, bitch?
Falco: Hmph, isn't that a nice way to greet someone?
Leon: I don't do nice.
Falco: Yeah, not the first thing that comes to mind seeing your face.
Leon: There are many things that come to mind seeing your face.
Wolf: So, you two got drinks? Interesting…
Fox: I mean, it's just hot chocolate…you're out for a walk?
Wolf: Yeah…we are…you won't mind talking for a bit?
Fox: So long as it's alright with…all of you. Falco?
Falco: So long as he doesn't pull a knife out, I think we'll be good.
Leon: I had no such intention.
Falco: Thaaaat's bullshit.
Leon: …Perhaps.
[The quartet looks toward a bench that Bean and Bark have hopped off and take their seats, in order of Leon, Falco, Fox, Wolf]
Fox: So…how've you been?
Wolf: Well, living for one thing.
Fox: Ah, same…
[A small gush of wind blows and Fox shivers, seemingly on instinct leaning onto Wolf's side…before realizing his position and backing off]
Fox: Uh, sorry about that.
Wolf: No…no, you're fine.
Leon: You going to get on with it or what?
Falco: Excuse me?
Leon: They've got something to settle, much like you and me.
Falco: I thought we weren't fighting, lest you didn't get the memo.
Leon: Come with me.
Falco: What?
Leon: Come.
[Leon wraps his tail around Falco's leg to pull him away, leaving the avian to give a confused shrug to Fox as he and Wolf are left on their lonesome]
Wolf: Well, that happened…but he's not entirely wrong.
Fox: What do you mean?
Wolf: Okay, I know you're not playing dumb, you know, us.
Fox: Yeeeeeeeah?
Wolf: Hooooooooo, how do I say this? Tck, you know that little mission we had a while back?
Fox: Yes?
Wolf: Well, it got me thinking…and a recent…thing I saw…how are we?
Fox: What?
Wolf: Like how are we?
Fox: Oh…well, I thought we were fine.
Wolf: Yeah…
Fox: Although, to be fair, given recent stuff, I've also been thinking about it.
Wolf: Really?
Fox: Yeah, I've had some time to clear my mind lately, and I've been thinking about us…in regards to…certain things in the past…
Wolf: Would they be accurate to what I'm thinking?
Fox: Does "aparoids" ring a bell?
Wolf: Oh, that's all too familiar.
Fox: Well, ever since that day, I've been thinking a lot about how much things changed in between then…we didn't see each other for a long time, and when I saw you again…it's fair to say I didn't expect your reaction.
Wolf: Oh, you mean me saving your ass not once, but twice.
Fox: [sweatdrops] Haaaaaaaa, yeah. But like, it was surreal to think about given what happened prior…
Wolf: Well, I don't know if you know, but I'm not the type to obsess over my adversary like an addiction.
Fox: In a way, I'm grateful for that. Because it let me reflect on the state of things…especially given how long it's been…
Wolf: Huh…guess you could say I'm in the same ball park…
Fox: Really?
Wolf: Yeeeeeeah…I kinda dreamt of when I went down during the war…and almost died from it.
Fox: Oh yeah, that was, uh, probably my doing.
Wolf: Yeah…strange, I thought I saw you in it…not that I'm holding it against you now.
Fox: Ah…but like, I was thinking…perhap we could have a bit more of a "professional" relationship.
Wolf: Sooooooooo, you and me, do the thing.
Fox: Slooooow down there, I didn't give you all clear.
Wolf: Why cuz you knooooow?
Fox: I know that you're thirsty.
Wolf: Oooooh, cold.
Fox: I know. But still, should you consider, you know, as a means of moving forward.
Wolf: I mean, any excuse not to be fighting you, I'll take.
Fox: Is it cuz you know I'd win?
Wolf: Not on the ground you would.
Fox: Is that right?
Wolf: Lemme think about that…[quickly pulls Fox into a headlock in a split second]...yes.
Fox: Oi! Hey, don't mess the hair up!
Wolf: Hmmmmm, says you.
Fox: [as he pulls himself out] I wonder if this is just natural for wolves.
Wolf: Which is?
Fox: Being obliviously masculine.
Wolf: Well, gives us the image.
Fox: Suuuuure thing, tough guy.
Wolf: Okay then, let's see about that.
Fox: Ooohoho, no, not again, c'mon.
[Fox chuckles as Wolf puts him in another headlock, the scene panning over to a nearby alley where Falco is pinned against the wall with Leon leaning on him, though not doing anything besides looking up at him]
Falco: How much longer you gonna keep up the bedroom eyes routine?
Leon: I can always switch it to something a little more volatile if you wish.
Falco: On second thought, this is good.
Character Guide:
Wolf O'Donnell, Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, Leon Powalski - Star Fox
Death/Lobo Muerte - Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Applejack, Apple Bloom, Rainbow Dash, Sassy Saddles - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Thomas, Donald, Salty, Terence - Thomas and Friends
Anastasia - Anastasia (1997)
Angelina Mouseling, Henry Mouseling - Angelina Ballerina (2002)
Bark the Polar Bear, Bean the Duck, Scourge the Hedgehog - Sonic the Hedgehog
Dr. Facilier - Princess and the Frog (2009)
Fox, Rabbit, Raccoon - Franklin
Katz - Courage the Cowardly Dog
Mirta, Lucy - Winx Club
Odette - The Swan Princess (1994)
Pink Panther - Pink Panther