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

The Lylat system is on the brink of civil war, the notorious criminal Andrew Oikonny has assembled a massive force composed of his uncle's old forces and a new unknowed enemy. Holding up on the planet Fortuna, he faced the Cornerian Fleet head on, despite being out-gunned and out-numbered. However, thanks to the surprised number of fighters from his unknown allies, Oikonny was able to hold off the larger Cornerian Fleet. That was when General Pepper, leader of the Cornerian Military, decided to call in the one team capable of dealing with this kind of situation. In orbit around Fortuna, as his fleet fought off the larger Cornerian one, Oikonny watched from aboard his flagship with a wicked grin on his face. Sitting in the commander's ship the ape saw everything, the large screen in front of him showed the progress of the battle, and it did not go well for him. The Cornerian ships traded fire with the Venomians, pushing them back, the toad did not fare much better, their fighters completely obliterated after a single blast, and still the ape grinned. His assistant turned to him, a worried look on his simian face, "Sir, the Cornerian fleet is doing heavy damage to our forces. We can't hold out much longer!" he cried out, turning to him Oikonny smiled.

"Persistent, eh? Well, I think it's secret weapon time!", as he said that, several ships just materialized in space, just ahead of Oikonny's main fleet. They were long and slender, with a reptilian shape on their hull, turquoise-tinted metal shone from them. These were the craft of the samurai lizards, having been put into reserve before the battle commenced in a bid to lure the Cornerian into a false sense of security, laying ready to ambush at the perfect moment. Several missile launchers fired upon the opposing fleet, ships turning to flame debris, while others fortunately were only severely damaged. The admiral in charge of the fleet wasn't feeling very fortunate, the uniformed German Sheppard was tossed around by the explosion that rocked his ship, but he quickly regained his balance.

"Lousy ape! He's using stealth fighters! Have the ships regroup for another attack!" the admiral said. But just then, a jump-portal opened in the expanse of space, the emerald circle looking like water drops falling on a still pool. Then, a ship passed through, it was large, sporting four huge wings along the base. While the command bridge sat at the end of a long neck that extended from the top of the base. It was one of the techies on the admiral's ship that recognized it right away. "The Great Fox? Sir, the Star Fox team is here!" he said as the admiral turned towards his station, seeing the ship on his screen. He felt relief well up from inside and switched the image to the main monitor with a, "About damn time." under his breath with a grin.

On board the Great Fox, the team was assembled on the bridge, Fox stood in front of the rest of the team and spoke for them, "Team Star Fox reporting for duty!" The rest of the team looked up at the screen, which had an image of the fleet admiral. He looked at the team, taking each of the faces to memory. One by one he went over them, from Falco to Peppy, he took in every detail until he met some unfamiliar faces. A strange green hare with a red uniform and garish yellow boots and gloves, a white and pink feline in silver armor, and a four-armed duck in an orange jumpsuit, he was not familiar with these individuals, they must have been a new member he guessed, but he ignored it in lee of the situation at hand. "It's about time you guys showed up. Oikonny and his new friends are giving us a lot of problems here." The fleet admiral said. "Don't worry sir, we're on it," Fox replied as the admiral signed off.

Turning to his team, Fox asked, "Peppy, what can you tell us about the situation?" "It's definably Oikonny, he broke out of prison some time ago and amassed his old uncle's army. I'm surprised that there are this many followers left, especially after last time," he told them. "Pretty dedicated for a bunch of hired guns," Krystal commented. "Most of them are just in it for the money, that's all," Peppy replied. It is the other ships I'm worried about; they don't match any vessel on record." he continued, pondering aloud. "Maybe not on yours, but definitely on mine, it's worse than I thought, the Toads are already here!" Bucky interjected. "And to make matters worse, they seem to have the samurai lizards on their side!" Dead Eye said with rage in his voice. "Is that so, well Bucky what can you tell us about our new foes," Fox replied, diverting the attention to the green hare. "The Toads Kruisers would be the main concern, they are big and provide the mayoralty of the reinforcement, their range isn't very far, if you can get close without being hit you should be able to take the out. As for the lizards, honestly, I'm not sure, they keep everything about themselves a secret, try to avoid them as much as you can," he informed the others with a stern tone. "It is strange to see the toads working with this Oikonny, from what you told me they seem like they would be at odds. This is quite strange." Jenny added, wondering just what the toads were playing at. "Either way, we need to put him down. If he can amass his forces again, then there's no telling what he can do!" Fox said. "So, what do we do? Slippy asked before Falco answered with his usual flair. "What do ya mean "What do we do?" We're gonna put this crazy ape on ice!" the avian said. "That's the spirit boy! Croak some toadies for me while your at it!" Dead Eye told him vigorously. "Alright, people. Let's rock and roll!" Fox said as he and the others headed for the hanger, leaving Peppy and ROB 64 behind to man the ship, while the rest flew out in their arwings. The four ships flew towards the fighting, unaware of another presence, a ship, flying towards the battlefield behind them.

As the Star Fox team entered the fray, it was unclear who was winning the battle. Both sides fired on each other simultaneously, each side sustaining heavy losses. As they entered the first line of the enemy fleet they split up, Slippy and Falco went left and right, while Krystal went above, leaving Fox to go straight through. The enemy fighters saw him and flew to intercept; however, Fox was waiting for them. Evading their oncoming fire with the ease of years of experience, the leader of the famous mercenary team downed the fighters with ridiculous ease. However, the same could not be said for all the team members, "Fox, get this guy off me!" Slippy said as he flew in front of Fox's arwing with two bandits on his tail.

"Hold on, Slippy!" Fox replied as he targeted the fighters, he fired off a charged shot, the red ball of energy streaking towards its target. It hits home as the two fighters exploded in a cloud of fire and debris. "Thanks, Fox. I thought I was a goner." Slippy said, flying away. Fox was flying towards the enemy carriers, when he gets a surprise, not wasting time Krystal contacted him. "Fox, let's take them down together." Krystal said while she came flying in from above, forming up on his wing. "Ready when you are." the vulpine replied as both arwings flew past the defensive fire, landing strikes of their own to the enemy ships. Their hits struck their weak points, disabling or destroying the carriers. As the pair flew out of the blossoming explosions, they were linked up with the rest of the team. Falco smirked as he saw the pair, "Ah, a match made in heaven." he said, with a mock romantic tone in his voice. Fox turned to look at Falco's arwing with a sharp look, while Krystal blushed slightly from embarrassment. As they neared the second line, Oikonny became aware of their presence, a samurai lizard having turned his attention to them. "Sir, I have visual on the interlopers," he said to the monkey mogul. "Star Fox! Work 'em over! Oikonny ordered with haze, as he said that fighters materialized in front of the team. "Fox, watch out! It's a stealth squadron!" Krystal shouted; the team scattered as the missiles were fired. Before the pilots of the stealth fighters could react, the team acted faster letting loose with bolts of emerald laser fire, the stealth fighters were dispatched promptly. All the while, the mystery ship kept its distance, observing the battle with interest. It slowly inched ever closer as it wondered if they should go closer, the outcome of the battle seemingly already being decided when the team got involved. Still, it watched with interest, its quarry lay in that battlefield, and they were itching to finish it off.

As the team tore through the second line, the surrounding ships literally crashed and burned. Fighters, carriers, cruisers, even supply ships who were moderately armed fired upon the four arwings. As they were famous, and infamous for, the team tore through the line, all who met them ended in death. Oikonny felt a chill go down his spine and sweat beaded his simian forehead as he saw the four fighters tear through his armada. "Sir, they're through the second line! His assistant said, looking over the shoulder of one of the techies. "Is he some kind of demon?" Oikonny said aloud, seeing Fox's arwing down several fighters with ease, followed by the rest of the team who followed suit. At that moment a transmission popped up on the screen, it was the Toad Air Marshal "Oikonny, what is the meaning of this? You said we had nothing to worry about from the Cornerians, that they would pale in comparison to our combined might. SO WHY ARE WE BEING CREAMED RIGHT NOW!" he asked frantically. "Shut your blabbering, toad! I'm on top of things here, I'll deal with Star Fox myself! Turn this ship around!" he told him as he ordered his crew. On the battlefield, Star Fox caught sight of Oikonny's flagship as the ape began to turn around. "Lure him to the planet," Oikonny ordered, his assistant turning to face him. "What? Are-are you…?" he began but was cut off as the ship lurched forward. "There's nowhere for you to run, Oikonny." Fox said as the four ships followed the ape to the planet's surface.

Onboard the Toad Mothership, things were taking a turn for the worse. Panic and through the minds of all the toads onboard, this was not supposed to happen. They were supposed to sweep right through the Cornerian forces, but this mysterious new party was ruining things! The Air Marshal panicked as he weighed his options, if that ape could not lead them to victory, it was up to him to do it, for the glory of the empire! Just that moment, Toadborg entered the bridge with fury, "Air Marshal! What is the meaning of this, our troops are being overrun by a single squadron and you do nothing!" the cyborg demanded as he got closer. "Toadborg! Don't be alarmed, this is all that monkey's fault, but not to worry. I have already prepared to take matters into my own hands." he informed him nervously. "Your hands would only lead to more failure! Turn the ship around, we will strike at that squadron command ship and end this charade once and for all!" Toadborg ordered forcefully.

From inside the Great Fox, Peppy and the others watched as the Mothership turned towards them, before moving forwards at ramming speeds. "What in tarnation!?" Peppy exclaimed in surprise as the previously static ship got ever closer to them. "Those slimy scumbags are trying to ram us!" Deadeye added in indignation. As he said this, the ship began to open fire at them, causing the ship to shake. "Brace for impact!" cried out Bucky as he tried to find his footing. After the initial attack began, the crew began to find their bearings and prepare to counterattack. "Peppy, can we return fire at them?" Bucky asked the senior hare. "Affirmative, but I don't know how much help it will be on a target of that size!" he informed the captain, concerned for the safety of his crew and his ship. "Toad ships like this are vulnerable from behind, if we can find a way to hit right by the thruster, the whole thing would go up in flames. Think we can make a shot like that?" Bucky told him, slight concern in his voice. "Not without a gunner," replied Peppy in despair. "You need a gunner, you got one! Tell me how to fire this bird!" Deadeye said, stepping forwards.

From within the toad ship, Toadborg and the Air Marshal looked on in glee, if they could claim a victory here, they could claim the loyalties of the rest of the fleet, giving them not only more manpower but new technologies that would make them unstoppable. "Keep firing, don't let up!" Barked Toadborg with a smug tone in his robotic voice. Back on the Great Fox, sitting on the gunner's controls was a determined Deadeye. Peppy had just finished explaining how the guns worked and so it was now up to him to lead them to victory. The old pirate pulled every ounce of concentration in him, he could not fail, the shot had to be precise. As the two ships now engage in a game of chicken, he knew he would only get one shot. As the enemy ship began its assault, he fired, two torpedoes rushing through space toward the rear of the ship. They made contact, but nothing happened, for while they did contact the ship, it had not been with the thrusters but with the shields. The toad had wasted no expense on their new invasion fleet. From inside the Air Marshal smiled, "Those fools thought we would let ourselves be vulnerable. Ha, ha, ha. Will show them how wrong they were." he boasted as they prepared to open fire. Inside the Great Fox, the crew could only look on in despair, before bracing for the inevitable. When suddenly explosions flashed behind the Mothership, as the bulbous colossus began to go down in flames.

"What the…" Bucky began before a message went through. "Attention unknown vessel, this is Commander Sirius Dogstar, captain of the S.P.A.C.E. frigate Indefatigable. Do you read us?" said a familiar gruff voice through the coms. "I don't believe it." Said Bucky in disbelief. "Friend of yours?" Peppy asked, receiving a smile and a nod in return. "Attention Indefatigable, this is the Great Fox. We hear you, over!" Peppy said to the coms. "Boy, are we glad to hear you!" Bucky added afterward. "Bucky! Is that you old champ? What are you doing here." Commander Dogstar asked from his ship. "It's a long story old friend. But now we need to focus on the battle ahead. There are other toad ships still engaged, along with other enemy combatants, we'll send you the information!" he informed him seriously, the shock of the situation having passed. "Got it, anything else we should know!" was all he replied. "We have some guys on that planet over there, there are currently fighting the mastermind behind this attack, try to keep any reinforcements from getting through," Bucky informed.

On the surface of the planet, one could believe why it was given the nickname "prehistoric planet", most of the planet was covered in dense tropical rainforests and jungles. Very few places have been mapped out, and fewer still have been inhabited, due to the climate, or the planet's own environment. However, that's probably why Oikonny headed down in the first place. As his flagship neared the surface, the four arwings behind him drew ever closer to him, Star Fox team was not about to let their quarry go so easily. "Make our way to the heart of the jungle! Let's lose them in the trees." Oikonny ordered as the ship headed towards the thick of the trees, the arwings followed suit. Branches from the trees yielded and broke from Oikonny's flag ship, while the nimble arwings easily flew around them without difficulty. Oikonny noticed and gritted his teeth, "Let's give them a present. Fire!" he ordered as the rear of the ship opened and several gun emplacements sprouted firing on the four fighters. The scarlet bolts danced and seared the foliage but failed to hit the arwings. Fox fired at one of the turrets, destroying it, Falco and Krystal also shot one down, while Slippy shot at another, but missed. It targeted him and let loose several scarlet bolts of death at Slippy, but he barrel-rolled just in time, deflecting the bolts away from him, then fired a charged shot at the turret, destroying it in a macabre of flames and debris. Oikonny cursed, then urged his ship forward with post haste.

In moments, the ship came to a clearing, which lead to a ravine in which the flagship descended as the arwings followed in hot pursuit. Then, Oikonny's ship turned around to face them, "I've had just about enough of you!" he shouted. Then, something unexpected happened; Oikonny's ship began to change shape. First, it was the rear engines, the couplings holding them together fell off, and the engines floated in front of the long fuselage, and transformed into something that looked like hands, the fingers curling into fists, then the fuselage came apart, and forming a long face that resembled Oikonny's own visage. The fists pounded against each other, then took up a battle stance that only a disembodied head with hands could do. The team looked on, more from surprise and shock than anything else; in fact, it was Falco who spoke his mind, which was what the team was thinking, "What's this? An Andross wannabe?" he asked, nearly laughing.

"W-watch your mouth! I'll show you!" Oikonny shouted in a rage. "You think you can take me? Don't make me laugh!" Fox replied as he gunned his engine and rode his arwing forward, followed by the rest of the team. Oikonny swung out with his mechanical fists, hoping to swat them down like insects. However, the arwings were too nimble for him, and easily evaded his grasp.

Peppy, who was monitoring the fight from the Great Fox, did a quick analysis of Oikonny's ship, "Fox, aim for his hands! His weak spot is the vulnerable spots in his palms!" he informed him. "Of course, it's the hands with these people," Fox thinks as Oikonny reared his hand back to throw a punch at him, it was slightly opened, but just enough to leave the weak spot exposed. Fox aimed a nova bomb and fired, the weapon made a b-line for the open hand, and detonated, turning the hand into useless scrap. Oikonny swung the useless limb in anger against the side of the ravine, then focused on Fox once more. "Don't get cocky just yet, Fox! I still have my good hand left!" Oikonny said as he swung out at Fox. The vulpine dodged the wild swing and fired at the face of the mechanical double. The emerald shots scorched the outer hull, while throwing sparks here and there, indicating that Fox was doing some damage to the ship. Fox smiled in satisfaction as he saw the miniature explosions, suddenly Krystal surged forward, letting loose her own barrage on the ape's visage. However, Oikonny saw her coming and using his remaining hand, he grasped the arwing in his grip, and held it close to his hand. Fox saw this and nearly felt his heart stop, Krystal looked at him, fear evident in her eyes. Oikonny laughed in triumph, "What now, Fox? You can't do anything while I have your precious girlfriend here! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ¡ha!" Fox felt his anger well up as he snarled at the mechanical double of Oikonny, "If you hurt her, I will make you suffer for the rest of your miserable existence!" he growled, while Oikonny only laughed in response.

"Of course, you will. Or rather, you would if I didn't have her!" he waved the arwing in front of him tauntingly. Krystal looked back at Oikonny, then back at Fox, "Krystal, hold on! I'll get you out of there, I promise!" he told her. "Oh, I don't think so. I'm going to make my getaway, and me and her are going to get, shall I say, better acquainted. So long, lover boy!" then Oikonny started to rise in the air, Krystal still in his gasp. She looked down, and tried to communicate with Fox, "It'll be all right, Fox. It will work out in the end; I know that you'll come for me." she told him with her mind. Fox looked up in distress, calling out to her, "No, Krystal!" "Fox!" she cried back, just then several beams of light rained down from above and collided with Oikonny's flagship. "UNCLE ANDROOOOOSSSSSS!" Oikonny cried out as his ship fell to the ground, nothing more than a smoking, smoldering ruin. Krystal's arwing came flying from the cloud of smoke and debris, taking her place next to her teammates. Fox flew in front of her, "Krystal! Are you all right?" Fox asked worried, Krystal smiled at him and nodded. "It's so good to know that you care, love." Krystal says through her telepathy, Fox chuckles before looking at the ruins of Oikonny's ship.

"What was that?" Fox asked aloud before Slippy demanded their attention, "Hey, guys? I got something on my scope!" Slippy said nervously. "Where's it coming from, Slip'?" Fox asked, "From above us!" the amphibian replied. The team looked up and looked up in surprise at what they saw; it descended from the sky and hovered above the ground. It was coned in shape, with metal-like appendages showing. Then, the appendages opened, revealing what the thing truly was, a giant metal moth. It had six segmented legs, thorax, abdomen, and head of an insect, but the wings were split into twelve different pieces with six on each side of the body, with an eye-looking orb on each end. It fluttered in front of them, the wings squeaking metallically, along with its own metallic shriek.

"What…is that?" Fox asked, "What strange thought patterns…" Krystal said, trying to penetrate its mind. "It's as if it doesn't have a mind of its own, as though it were merely a drone…" However, it was Peppy who recognized it right away, "Oh, no. It can't be…" the old hare says, voice full of dread.

"Peppy, what's wrong?" Fox asked.

"Aparoid, Aparoid, Aparoid…" ROB said, repeating the same thing, over and over.

Author's Note:

I'm back! Thank you all for your patience, it makes me happy to see my work be appreciated. With this said, we're finally at the events of the games, all players are on the stage and that clock has started. How will our heroes go to deal with this new threat?

Stay toon to find out!