Disclaimer: Bucky 'O Hare created by Larry Hama, Star Fox is copyrighted Nintendo.

Aboard the halls of the Great Fox, the tension was at an all-time high. After stopping a combined attack from Venomian and Toad forces, the team was forced to fight for their lives as an unprecedented new foe appeared. A strange cybernetic creature that Star Fox's resident senior member seems to be familiar with. And so, our heroes prepare for briefing, eager to learn exactly what they're up against.

Feeling the need to inform his crew about their newest development, Captain Bucky O'Hare decided to break from the group.

"I should regroup with the others, let them know what's going on!" Bucky told them as they made their way towards the bridge.

With an understanding nod, Peppy answered, "I agree, they need to know what is going on. I'm afraid you and your friends might have to stay here a while longer." he said dejectedly.

"You all have been more than kind to me and my crew, if there is any way that we can help you, we will without a second thought," Bucky replied sincerely, putting a hand on the old hare's shoulder.

"Thank you sunny, we might need to take you on that offer! Now go, your friends should be by the garage, let them know what is going on, and get them to the bridge. I have some things to prepare." Peppy said with urgency, speeding on towards the bridge as the others glanced worriedly.

Understanding the severity of the situation, Bucky made his way towards the garage, having become familiar with the layout of the ship during his short tenure. As he did so, his mind also raced, thinking about just how serious this whole thing was.

"So, not only have the Toad established themselves in this universe, but some mysteries foe happens to show up? Could it be a coincidence, or something more? I hope it's just a coincidence, for all our sakes!" he thought worriedly, remembering just how formidable this new foe was.

He finally made it to the garage, the specious hanger standing before him as crew members ran from corner to corner making repairs. From the doorway, he saw what they were working on, the broken-down hulls of their faithful frigates. The Righteous Indignation and the Screaming Mimi were still quite banged up, but repairs were certainly on their way. Any leaks and sparks were already taken care of, as their crew now worked on replacing what was broken. Walking through it all Bucky quickly spotted his crew, Bruiser and Wally diligently working on the ship as the others helped in any way they could.

"Okay, so maybe if we try attaching this with that, we could…" he could hear absentmindedly as he approached.

"Seems like you have everything under control here!" he said with a smile as he revealed his presence. His crew quickly turned towards him with a smile.

"CAP'AIN, CAPTAIN O'HARE, BUCKY!" could be heard together as everyone rushed over to surround the green hare.

"How did the mission go!" Jenny asked first after the others had given him some space.

"Better than I could have hoped, that Arwing sure packs a punch!" Bucky replied confidently, trying to put their worries at ease. They didn't say anything, but he could tell they had been worried, it wasn't often they had to work apart.

"Hah, good to hear that Bucky my boy! Can't wait to give one of em a good old test drive!" Dead-Eye said in his telltale boisterous voice and spunk.

"Tell you what, next time I have to go out I'll take you with me!" he told his friend with a grin on his face, he had mist them in the thick of the action. "So, how's the old girl holding up!" he added, gesturing towards their ship with a smile.

"She's doing great! We already completed all the external repairs, realigned the thrusters, and changed the capacitors. Now we just need to find a way to replace what's been destroyed and finish patching up the photon accelerator!" Willy replied excitedly.

Bucky looked on at his young friend happily, before something nagged in his mind. He momentarily looked down, catching the attention of his first mate.

"Bucky, is everything okay?" she asks worried, sensing the unrest within her captain's mind.

"Everything is fine Jenny!" he responds reassuringly, "But we are needed on the bridge, Peppy wants everyone briefed on our current situation!", he informs them professionally, hoping they would comply without further questions.

"Plus, I would like to see if we can open communications with Commander Dogstar, his help was invaluable out there!" he adds truthfully, while also hoping the excitement of having their old ally around would entice them further. He knew he could count on them, but he didn't know just how bad things were, he figured it would be better to keep his concerns to himself until he could verify them.

"Hah, good ol' Dogstar! Sure, was a surprise to see the old sea dog again!" Dead-Eye said gleefully, before adding, "Course, we might not have needed him I was out there!" he joked with the others, all of whom shared a small laugh, knowing it was all in good spirits.

"Well, I'm sure you can tell him that when we rendezvous with him on Corneria!" Bucky added with a smirk.

"We're finally heading for Corneria! That's great! Do, I wonder how he got here, maybe we can use it to get back!" Willy asked, his curiosity ignited by the prospect of multiversal travel once more.

"I believed he just hitched a ride with the toads, sorry kiddo!" Bucky told him sincerely, also having been hopeful of the prospect of safely returning hope. In truth, he had been worried about that little detail since he arrived, but the urgency of their mission had kept him distracted.

"That's a bummer, guess we are back to our first plan, stealing the gate right from the toad's noses!" Willy said confidently, the boy genius was eager to get back in the fight. Ever since he started on these adventures, he had discovered that he loved helping others, it made him feel fulfilled that his genius could be used to benefit others. It was all he had ever wanted, to make a difference with his brain!

He was so excited to get going that he didn't notice he had dirtied his suit with grease and oil when he wiped his hands on it. His excitement proved to be contagious, as the others soon followed him as they made their way to the bridge.

Sometime after, Bucky had taken the lead, with Jenny right behind him. As she neared him, she whispered, "So, Bucky? Did the mission not go as planned?" she asked slightly turning towards him.

"Sort of… They got Oikonny, but then…" "Then what?" Jenny asked. "We had to blow up that thing… Aparoid, I think that's what Peppy called it?" Bucky said, hanging his head low as he went into deep thought.

Jenny could tell that something was bothering him, something about this new situation had gotten him worried. If she knew her captain well, they were probably the cause for his concern. He was probably worried about them, but why? Sure, the situation was far from ideal, but it had always been that way!

Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice from the speakers, "Captain O'Hare, you and your crew are needed on the bridge immediately," Peppy said through the comms, his voice devoid of all emotion. Jenny looked at Bucky with a 'what's going on' look before he shrugged and carried on. He was just as much in the dark as everyone else was. "This must be serious." Jenny thought, as the gears in her head started turning, "There's something going on with these aparoid things. And whatever it is has just made things far more complicated." She thought as they made their way towards the halls of the Great Fox.

The door to the briefing room automatically swung open as the crew of Righteous Indignation walked in. Looking around the room, they could see Team Star Fox waiting, a mix of anticipation and worry etched on their faces. In front of them, Peppy rubbed his forehead in thought as he worked on the controls of the central monitor. When he finally caught it to work, they were met with the visage of an elderly hound in a red uniform.

"This is General Pepper, commander-in-chief of the Cornerian army hailing Great Fox. Do you hear Great Fox?" he said through the screen, Bucky recognizing it from his brief time on the battlefield.

"This is Great Fox! We hear you General Pepper!" Peppy replied with a jovial tone. "Good to hear from you, old friend! I've received reports on your team's involvement… And of the current situation we are in." Pepper responded, his tone shifting when the new topic arose. "But first, I believe you have someone with you I would like to speak to!" he says, gesturing towards Bucky and his crew.

Following protocol, Bucky was first to introduce himself, "Captain Bucky O'Hare, of the S.P.A.C.E. frigate The Righteous Indignation. Happy to meet your acquaintance General Pepper!" he said in a calm professional manner.

"Likewise, Captain O'Hare! I have already been informed of your situation by one of your compatriots, Commander Dogstar I believe!" he said thoughtfully. " I wish to thank you for your efforts out there today! Know that we will do anything in our power to aid you in your mission." he continued, the thankfulness clear in his voice.

"Thank you General, I look forwards to working with you! My ship is currently in need of repairs, we hoped you could assist us with that!" Bucky replied gratefully, taking the opportunity to make the necessary connection for the coming turmoil.

"I shall see to it! Do, I am afraid this was not just a social call." The general said as he steeled himself before turning towards Star Fox, "Members of Star Fox… A grave danger looms. The Lylat System is in peril.", he announced with his head hung low.

"What! How do you know?" Fox asked. "I…er…the research director will brief you on the details…" Pepper said as an older toad in an orange jumpsuit and thick glasses entered the briefing room. "Well, hello everybody," he said before Fox cleared his throat and made a gesture with his hands that told him to adjust his glasses.

"Oh…" he said and did so. Before the team's resident toad exclaimed something in surprise, "Dad! You never told me you were the research director!" Slippy said. Indeed, this was Beltino Toad, father of Star Fox's very own Slippy Toad. "Well…umm…of course I…anyway…" Beltino said stunted and grabbed a remote attached to the base of the VAC before continuing.

"These aparoids… "Beltino began before Fox interrupted. "Aparoids?" he asked in confusion. "Indeed. These are the enemies you faced earlier." Beltino clarified before carrying on with his presentation. "I believe it was about seventeen years ago…" he said and pressed a button on the remote, and a video image of the Cornerian Fleet came on the screen.

Beltino hit the play button and continued, "An entire fleet was destroyed by a sole aparoid. We were somehow able to survive that trial…" he said desheartenly, "but that was just a taste of what's coming! We've been able to analyze the core memory you picked up Fox, but it'd be better if we had, perhaps, a whole specimen to work with." Beltino said and looked at Fox. Fox nodded as he watched the VAC display one Cornerian ship being destroyed after another.

"Wow…just one aparoid did this!" Krystal asked, in fearful awe as she too watched the footage. Beltino stopped the tape and nodded, "Yes…and if—" he began to say before he was interrupted by General Pepper.

"Fox, we're receiving a distress signal originating from the Katina Outpost. However, we're unable to contact anyone there. We suspect aparoid involvement. We need you guys to go down there and figure out what is wrong." Pepper said with urgency.

"No problem at all, sir! Fox replied. "I'll fly down and try to find out where the distress signal is coming from and-" "You're going alone? It's too dangerous! I'm coming with you too, Fox." Krystal interrupted, demanding to go with urgency. "No! I want you guys in Arwings, covering me from above orbit around Katina." Fox said as he smiled at her, Krystal nodding with a sigh. "All right, I'm really counting on you guys. Let's do this!" he said as they prepared to leave.

"Hey, Fox. I want to join you in this assault!" Bucky called out behind them. "This is as much our fight now as it's yours!" he said with resolve. Fox thought of this for a minute, before making up his mind, "You did well out there earlier. We might not be here without you. Fine, you can join us!" he said decisively, giving the green hare a smirk.

"Well if he's going then so am I!" Dead-Eye interjected loudly. "What?" Fox asked as he stared at the Indignations gunner in confusion. "Ye heard me! If the Cap'n going, then so am I. I've been itching to get back in the fight!" he exclaimed excitedly.

Fox wasn't so sure doe, "You sure you can handle yourself out there?" he asked skeptically. "I was a pirate before I joined the fight! I can handle anything!" replied the crack-shot gunner proudly. "We don't have another craft available," Fox stated. "I'll take the Toad Croaker from the Indignation, I don't care. But you ain't going out here without me!" Dead-Eye said without hesitation. Fox just stared at him; eyes looked before a smirk grazed his might, "Alright, we leave in five minutes! Didn't be late!" he said nonchalantly.

"Aye aye, Captain!" Dead-Eye said as he left for his shuttle. Fox, again, took to walk down the corridor that led to the Arwing hangar." Whaddya think is goin' on, Fox?" Slippy asked suddenly. Fox shook his head before saying, "Your guess is as good as mine, slip-up." he added endearingly as the group finally made their way to the hanger.

"Ok,slip. Try not to get stuck in the cockpit this time, will ya?" Fox said to him with a laugh, jesting in good fun before the mission. "Sure…" Slippy responded, obviously embarrassed, but knowing he meant no ill with it. Turning towards the far side of the hanger they spotted Bucky climbing into Peppy's old Arwing.

"Ready to go Bucky?" Fox asked their interdimensional friend. Giving a thumbs up, Bucky replied, "All systems are go! Ready when you guys are!"

"Alright then, prepare for launch sequence, we wait on Dead-Eye before heading straight for Katina!" he announces as the team prepares to depart.

Once outside the Great Fox, the team drifted as they waited for their final member to appear. "You sure about bringing the new guys Fox!" Falco asked through the coms, unsure about the situation. "You saw him out here Falco, Bucky is an asset, plus if the situation is as bad as they said we'll need as much help as possible!" Fox responds, clearly having given thought to the situation beforehand.

"I know of Bucky, but I still have seen anything from the duck that impresses me," Falco said in his trademarked cocky tone, clearly not feeling comfortable taking a relative unknown on a mission of this urgency. "If Bucky says he can handle himself then I trust them!" Fox tells him confidently.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Fox! I'm flattered you think so highly, as for Dead-Eye, you have nothing to worry about. But him behind a blaster and he's the best wingman you could ever want." Bucky intervenes through the radio, having heard the conversation.

"You heard that Falco, nothing to worry about! Besides, it's just a recon mission, just in and out." Fox says confidently, trying to play it off, but deep down he was relieved they had someone like him for this mission. If the aparoids made another appearance he wanted every gun available on them.

Just then a strange small craft approached them, Dead-Eye atop the Toad Croaker. The Toad Croaker, a small recon and assault craft usually carried within the starboard side of the Righteous Indignation. Sacrificing heavy weapons and armor for speed and maneuverability, the Croaker is an ideal runabout craft for scouting out hidden Toad emplacements, performing tactical assaults on enemy facilities, or even boarding enemy crafts, making it the perfect craft for this mission.

Looking at the craft, Fox could only stare in bewilderment. Having finished looking over at the Croaker, he says, "So that's the ship you're bringing!"

Scoffing, the four-armed duck just said, "She might not look like much, but with a good pilot behind the wheel it can keep up with whatever you throw at her!" he brags as he revved the ride up.

Impressed with his determination and confidence, Fox relented with a smile, "Fair enough! Alright gang, next stop Katina!" he orders as they make their way to the planet.

Far away from our heroes, the toad forces have finally returned to Venom. Descending over to the thick canopy of clouds, the massive, damaged ships of the Toad armada make their way planet side.

Departing from the main craft, a small transport landed on the crowded streets of the planet. As the doors slowly open, the imposing form of Toadborg walks out. As he stepped out on the streets, two figures walked towards him, Al Negator and Sly Leezard.

"So, what know, you still owe me, and the locals aren't likely to take kindly of us ditching their leader!" Al mention casually, getting straight to the point. "I could perhaps persuade them to think otherwise, for a prize!" he adds with a predatory grin.

Not wishing to be overshadowed by the mercenary, Sly speaks his mind, " You also promised my and my men conquest! These pitiful battles can hardly be called conquest. The conquering spirit of my people cannot be contained toad! I suggest you uphold your end of the bargain!" he says with a smugness to his voice that was not appreciated by their host.

"Step aside, I have far more important matters to attempt to!" Toadborg says as he pushes them aside, "You can settle your debts with the Air Marshall!" he says as he continues to march forward. The Air Marshall gulped as their reptilian allies turned towards him.

Walking towards the palace doors, he ignores the looks on the locals' faces as he marches towards the deepest sanctums of the building. He arrives at a massive computer room, full of old but highly advanced computers of unknown design. What was once Andross's laboratory, is now KOMPLEX's newest residence.

Kneeling down, he faces the massive screen saying, "My master, we have found them!" he reports dutifully.

Silence follows, before the synthesized voice of KOMPLEX replies, "Are they of use to me!"

Standing to face him, he replies, "They are more than we could have hoped for. I witnessed them destroy an entire squadron like it was nothing!"

KOMPLEX contemplated this before answering, "THEN THEY MUST BE MINE!" he bellows assertively.

"THE APAROIDS WILL SOON BELONG TO KOMPLEX!" he proclaims, as the piece of technology that had brought them there glowed an eerie violet hue.

Author's Note:

I'm back! Sorry for the delay, I have been preoccupied with other work. But, now that I have returned, I promised to update this story every two weeks. I'm trying to take some of the criticisms you have given me to heart and attempting to improve my work. I know this chapter isn't the largest, but I hope you all enjoy it.