Disclaimer: Bucky 'O Hare created by Larry Hama, Star Fox is copyrighted by Nintendo.
Finally, on the way to Corneria, our interdimensional travelers enjoy a well-deserved rest. With most of the crew gathering in the break room, Bucky could finally breathe relief. His main priority was enjoying some well-earned levity with his friends. Sitting in a quiet corner of the room, the crew of the Indignation shared laughs as they talked about their experiences.
"Cheers!" they say, knocking their glasses together before sipping their smoothies. "Ahh! You sure know how to make a good smoothie Bruiser!" Bucky complimented his friends and enjoyed having some downtime with them. "You can say that again!" Willy agreed, gulping down his drink in record time. "Yes, just the thing to calm our nerves after the last few days," Jenny added, enjoying the drink in the company of their friends.
"You said it, Jenny!" Bucky replied with a smile, "But don't get too comfortable, we're not done here yet!" he reminded her, his mind thinking back at everything that had happened. It had been some time since they had arrived, and though he was grateful for Star Fox's help, he was eager to help on his own. "The first thing we do should is finally fix up the Indignation, hopefully, Commander Dogstar can help with that," he told them, prioritizing what the should do as soon as they arrived.
"Yeah, the ship is still in desperate need of repairs, most of the weapon's systems are completely shot out!" Willy pointed out, now done with his drink, as he listed all the things that were yet to be fixed. "Not to mention all the upgrades we could make! Slippy's been teaching me all about Cornerian engineering, we could give the engines a complete overhaul, make her better than new!" he exclaimed excitedly, thinking about all the things he could do.
It did Bucky good to see his youngest crewmate back to himself so soon. "Good to hear Willy, but we should focus on getting her back to working shape!" he told him, glad to see him this way, but still focusing on the important things. "Will do Bucky! Sorry if I got a little excited." Willy said bashfully, rubbing the back of his head. "Nothing to be sorry for, Willy! Just be mindful about what's necessary for now." Bucky told him wisely. The sooner his ship was in top shape again, the sooner he and his crew could resume their real fight.
While he knew the aparoids were a grave danger, his main concern was still on the toads. They had been far too silent for his liking, with the closest thing to action being Al sticking out on his own. A threat certainty, but not as much as the entirety of the Toad Empire could become. He shuttered thinking what they could do with access to this universe's technology, or heaven forbid the aparoids themselves.
He couldn't help but think they had some form of connection, their appearance far too close to be a coincidence, but that could wait. His team deserved the rest, and they still had a long way to go before they arrived at Corneria. "It's good to see you already thinking ahead, Captain! But you should really liven up a bit. It's important to take mental breaks now and again! Especially after such a hectic mission." Jenny told him in a serious tone, clearly speaking from experience. After all, she also had a thought mission not long ago.
"Not to mention you could use a wardrobe change captain." She added playfully, pointing at the wear and tear on his clothes. "Right! I can always count on you to look out for us Jenny!" Bucky said with a smile, glad to have her here to help them unwind. He would be lying if he said he wasn't excited for the trip ahead. After spending so much time inside the ship, he was eager to see the planet that had made it, he just hoped they would be able to help.
Jenny didn't have to use her powers to see was he was thinking about, because it had also been on her mind. The toads arrived, so short before the aparoids appeared, the fact they had even come here in the first place! They had been prepared, which made their silence even more concerning, just what were they planning, and how long before they showed themselves. The encounter with Al had been but a fluke, the rest of their forces remained unaccounted for.
What could they be waiting for? She didn't have a clue; she could only hope that having them here would help. And that most of their forces were here, as despite the relief that having the Indefatigable was, they had left their home completely undefended. Something that weighed heavy on her mind, especially as she looked at Felicia laughing with her crewmates. Just what had she been thinking?
But such thought would have to wait as team Star Fox had arrived to join them in the break room. "Hah, it does my old heart good to see you lot taking a well-deserved rest," Peppy said with a hearty laugh, as he walked towards them. "So, any idea what you'll do when we reach our destination? You've certainly had plenty of time to think about it. Sorry, about that by the way!" Fox asked them, leaning over the couch with a friendly smile. "Hey, don't mention it. After everything you've done, it's the least we could do!" Bucky answered him sincerely, "But as for your first question, we obviously have to fix the Indignation, the old bird has been on the ground for too long." he responded truthfully.
"No doubt about it, fortunately, I think I know the right people to ask for help," Peppy told them, already having something in mind. "It's good that you are thinking proactively, but you should really take some time to relax. It'll take a while to resupply, and once we're gone, we won't be back for a while." He reminded them, wanting them to have a good time, especially after all the stressful situations they had been in.
"Don't worry about them Peppy! Me and the others already have a little sightseeing tour cooked up. You know, as a sorry for making you risk your life's apology gift!" Fox told them cheekily. "Fox, you didn't have to! We were more than happy to help!" Jenny told him, flattered that they had thought of them, but not wanting to seem like a burthen. "I know! But we still wanted to; besides, it's been a while since we've been in Corneria. It'll be nice to take it easy for a while!" Fox told them smugly, knowing well the type of people they were.
"But what about Pigma, and the aparoids? Should we get back to them as soon as we can!" Bucky asked concerned, not sitting right with letting something so important aside. "There's nothing we can do about the aparoids now, we can't very well fight them without supplies. But as for Pigma, we already have that coming. While Fox and Falco's little chase didn't end up like we hoped, it wasn't a complete waste." Peppy revealed with a slight smirk, "We manage to scan his ship and get a precise readout of his engines. Even now, ROB and Blinky are hard at work pinning him down, it won't take long to find him once we're up and running again!" he ended confidently, sure that this little hog chase was at an end.
"Well, if that's so, then I wouldn't mind seeing more of your world. It'll be nice to take a breather, and do a little resupplying ourselves!" Bucky replied jokingly, drawing attention to his outfit with a grin. "Ha, ha, well said Bucky! Now I must get back to the control room, but please, meet me at my quarters when you're done here. I have something I want to give you!" the older hare told him with a jovial tone, as he turned around and headed back to the bridge.
"Any idea what that's about?" Bucky asked intrigued, Fox merely shrugging. "No clue. Falco was also working on something. Didn't tell us what though?" he said before joining the rest of his team. "Enjoy the break!" he called back happily, leaving them to get back to their festivities. However, Bucky couldn't help but wonder what they had in mind.
Meanwhile, away from the festivities, inside the Great Fox's small shower room, a certain four-armed duck was enjoying himself. Having had his wounds checked and being declared fit for combat, he had been sent here to clean up. Getting out of the steamy shower, he let out a sigh of relief, it had been too long since he had relaxed. After the constant close calls and nearly blowing himself up, the waterfowl needed some time to himself.
Firmly wrapping a towel around himself, the four-armed mallard had a new challenge ahead. His outfit had been wrecked during his last fight, and though he wasn't one for fashion, he still needed to put something on. However, due to the circumstances of their arrival and his unique physiology, he didn't exactly have any spares. This presented a problem, albeit not a crucial one, as he could simply put on his ruined outfit until he could get it fix when they reach civilization.
Reaching out to where he had set his things, Dead-Eye was surprised to find that his clothes had been taken. "What the..." he said to himself, before furiously storming out of the room. "Alright! Who's the wise guy!" he yelled, searching for the guilty party. But he didn't have to search long, as a voice quickly answered from the corner.
"Calm down old timer. You're getting the floor wet." Cried Falco's sarcastic voice, as he leaned against the wall with something in his arms. "Here, take this!" he said, tossing the item his way. "What is it?" he asked absentmindedly, before looking to see if it was a flight suit. It was orange with a black neckline with two angled rectangles beneath it, two additional sleeves were stitched to the side.
"Just something I threw together, consider it a token. You did well out there, I respect that!" Falco told him casually, while Dead-Eye stored at the suit in surprise. "Thank you." He said simply, not sure how to take this, he hadn't known Falco for long, but somehow this felt odd. "Don't mention it," he replied casually, before turning to leave. "Why?" Dead-Eye quickly asked before he could leave, making Falco stop in his tracks to think.
"You used to be a pirate, right!" Falco asked him out of the blue, deciding to answer his question with one of his own. "Yeah, what about it?" Dead-Eye asked, not seeing where this was going. "Why did you stop? Why did you decide to start helping people?" Falco asked, waiting for an answer. "Well, I guess it's because I could. I was always savvy with a blaster, so why not use it to help protect my own?" the old coot replied earnestly, but the raptor wasn't done with him yet.
"Couldn't you do that with your old crew? Why join Bucky and the others? Why protect others that have nothing to do with you?!" Falco asked more sternly. Dead-Eye was getting annoyed with the impromptu interrogation, but he could see what he wanted to know. Why risk your life for us? That was the question that went unsaid between the two avians, the one question that truly mattered.
"Because it matters to me! This was my fight, and I refused to back away! When those toads began attacking others, I knew it would be a matter of time before they came after us! The rest weren't ready to fight then, but I was! I ain't no yellow-bellied coward, I wasn't gonna wait for them to come to me! I was taking the fight to them no matter the cost! And something tells me you know a thing or two about what that's like!" Dead-Eye told him sternly, speaking truthfully to the younger bird with a sense of compacity.
"Hah, so you got me all figured out, no? Well, you are right about something. I do know what that's like. I used to be part of a gang, the Free-As-A-Bird. We were a couple of hot rodders, just going with the flow, messing around. Until war loomed in the horizon, Fox offered me a spot on his team, and I agreed. I felt I had more to give, and that it was my duty to fight. Besides, couldn't have Fox have all the fun, I've been doing this ever since. And frankly, I wouldn't change a thing." Falco told him, thinking fondly to his pals.
"My old crew is still out there, doing their thing and helping around from time to time. I miss 'em, but I know where my place is. And I'm glad to see you do too. See you in the air pal, glad to have you as my wingman!" he added with a smirk, before offering a hand to Dead-Eye, who gladly accepted with a smile. Leaving their separate ways, now with a little more understanding and respect for one another, glad to have each other's back out in the field.
Meanwhile, in another part of the ship, Willy was sitting by himself with a tablet in his hands. He was entertaining himself by looking at the ship's specs and reviewing the various equipment and technologies that made up the ship. He had always found comfort in science, so learning an entirely new set of principles to learn was the ideal thing for him to do, especially given recent events.
He had managed to keep it from his friends, but he was still concerned with his current predicament. He was stranded in another reality for the first time, with maybe no way for him to return home. Which is part of the reason he looked forward to getting to Corneria. Not only will it after him a distraction from it all, but hopefully, he can learn more about their technology and figure out a way to make it back home.
While he was busy burying himself in the various schematics, another person approached him. "Hey there buddy! Been looking for you! The others were wondering where you went, had a feeling I would find you here!" Slippy Toad said, startling his young new friend. "Oh, hey Slippy! I'm just looking into some things, figured I'd make myself useful while the others rest up a bit. Bucky wants to have the Indignation up and ready as soon as possible, and as it's official engineer that job falls on to me!" he said with pride, grinning at his fellow engineer.
"Wow, that's a pretty big task! Mind if I help?!" Slippy asked excitedly, wanting to help the young boy. "Uhh, sure. I don't see why not!" Willy answered, a bit unsure, but trusting of his new toad friend. "Glad to see the clothes fit you, I was afraid they'd be too big," Slippy told him, pointing to the yellow jumpsuit he had given him, trying to start some small talk. "Yeah, they're really nice. Thank you for them!" Willy replied honestly, grateful towards him.
"Don't mention it! I know how dirty engineering can get! I'm just happy to be of help." he responded before silence filled the room. "I heard what happened with the accelerator, sorry you can't go home anymore," Slippy said suddenly, breaking the silence with genuine concern for his new friend. "It's alright! I sort of guess something like this could happen...But I'm not giving up so easily. I'll keep trying how many times it takes, I'll make my way home sooner or later!" he said with resolve. "In the meantime, I just want to help the others on their mission!" he told him, going back to check on the console.
"That's the spirit! So, what are you working on now?!" Slippy told him with a smile, glad the see the young human was in good spirits. "I'm trying to learn more about the engines, maybe if I can find a way to tie them into the ..." Willy rambled while Slippy listened, getting lost in his work. Slippy smiled again, glad to see that things would work out just fine.
The two tech heads continued their discussion for some time, but in another part of the ship, another duo prepared to meet. Bucky was standing before Peppy's room, intrigued as to what the old hare would want with him. He wasn't quite sure what to make of him, he had been nothing but kind to him and his crew. Helping them settle in and treating them with kindness and care. Yet he seemed to have taken an interest in Bucky, allowing him to train on his Arwing and go on missions with the others. He couldn't say he minded, but he was intrigued as to why.
Not wanting to waste more time, he knocked on the door. After a few seconds, the automatic doors opened, and Bucky stepped in. "Ah, Bucky my boy! Come in, come in. I'm glad you could make it." Peppy said, ushering him forward jovially. "I do hope this wasn't a bother," he asked calmly, straightening up behind a small personal desk. "Not at all Peppy! After all you have done for us, this is the least I could do!" Bucky answered, his tone matching his host, as he gently sauntered towards the desk.
"Yes, well, it's not like you guys have helped out around here. We are truly grateful to have had your assistance during these last few outings." Peppy admitted kindly, offering him a small smile. "Thank you! I appreciate it. But something tells me that's not all you've wanted to talk about?" Bucky responded, not wishing to be rude, but eager to get on with it.
"Always on task, I see. I like that about you Bucky!" Peppy commented with a kind smirk, " Very well, I did indeed have something I wanted to discuss with you." He said, his tone switching to a more serious and professional one. "I know you and your friends are eager to get back up and fight, but have you given any thought beyond that?" the old hare finally asked, getting right to the point.
To say Bucky had been caught off guard would be an understatement, it was a simple question, one that was very reasonable, yet one he wasn't expecting. Sure, it had grazed his thoughts before, but never for long. In truth, it kinda scared him, because he knew were such thoughts would leave. "Well, if everything goes fine, then we would tackle the Toad Empire and..." he was cut off. "I mean beyond that, once the aparoids and the empire have been dealt with, what do you plan to do in this universe." Peppy reiterated, being clearer with his question.
"In that case, we will focus on a way to get home," Bucky answered, plain and simple. "And what if you can't?" Peppy asked bluntly. "I beg your pardon?" was Bucky's response. "I don't mean to be rude; I assure you Corneria's scientist will surely give you their full support, especially with your accomplishments in the battle of Fortuna, but dimensional travel may be beyond their reach. I just want to make sure you have a plan for the worst, that's all." Peppy explained, with the kindness of a father worrying about their child.
Bucky appreciated the concern, and he knew it was warranted, but he really didn't want to think about it. It was a serious concern, which was why he dreaded it. "I suppose we will do what we always do, help others fight for peace. Perhaps join the Cornerian military." Bucky replied, thinking it was the soundest response he could give. "Why do you ask, if you don't mind?" Bucky asked instead, now more curious at the old pilot's questioning.
With a kind smile, Peppy reached toward the bottom of the desk and pulled out a small flat box. "Open it." He said, handing it to Bucky. Bucky did as was asked, opening the lit to reveal a neatly laid out red flight uniform. "It was mine back when I first joined, back before things became as they are," he said reminiscing about the old days, picking up a picture of the original Star Fox team, his figure obscuring a certain member. "Bucky, I'm getting too old for this. I've been thinking of retiring for some time now, the others know it too. But I've wanted to find someone to take my place." he explained, turning his gaze to meet his. "I would like it to be you!" he told him, in a completely serious tone.
"I...I don't know what to say?!" Bucky admitted, not expecting this at all. "You don't have to say anything! I know this is a serious choice, and so far only hypothetical! But if worst comes to show, and you really can't return home, I would like to offer you a place here." Peppy responded his tone back to his usual caring self. "Thank you, I'll think about it," Bucky said, handing him back the uniform. "Keep it! Consider it a gift, besides you need it more than me!" he replied jokingly, sharing a laugh with his fellow hare.
Sometime later, most of the crew of the Indignation, plus Captain LaFloo, were waiting in the command room as the ship drew nearer to their destination. "I wonder what's taking Bucky and Dead-Eye so much?" Willy asked, looking around for his friends. "I'm sure we'll find out sooner or later," Jenny replied wisely, and as if on cue one of their friends appeared.
Dead-Eye made his way towards the bridge, sporting his new look. The new orange suit fitted snuggly beneath his harness, with the new sleeves fitting nearly seamlessly into the design. Silver boots completed the look, complementing the guns strapped to his holsters. "What you lot staring for, never seen an old sea bird with some new duds!" Dead-Eye exclaimed in a playful tone.
"Not when it comes to you! Did you raid our host closet or something?" Mimi commented with her typical snark, a small giggle escaping her lips. "Hey, I'll have you know that this was a gift. Some people appreciate what I do around here!" Dead-Eye replied with indignity, scoffing at the brunet vixen. "Ignore her Dead-Eye, I think you look great!" Jenny intervened, deescalating the situation with a genuine compliment.
"So that's what you were working on?!" Fox asked his old-time friend. "Maybe it was, besides he's certainly earned it!" Falco told him, giving his fellow pilot a thumbs up. "Yeah, I guess he has!" Fox agreed, putting up a thumbs-up of his own. "So, are we set to go or what?" Dead-Eye asked, waiting impatiently for a response. "Nearly there, just waiting on Bucky to get here!" Fox replied nonchalantly, looking at the familiar stars of the system. "Where is the captain anyway?" Dead-Eye asked, not having seen him since he got on the ship.
In another example of cosmic timing, Bucky just so happened to show up at that very moment. The others gasped as they saw him walking in, his new look in full view. He wore a near complete Star Fox flight suit, complete with black gloves and silver boots. He had decided to not wear the jacket and scarf and had placed his usual blaster in the holster instead, his usual flight cap still adorning his head. After adjusting himself, he looked up to find the rest of the room looking at him.
"So, what you think?" he asked casually, sharing a smile with his friend. "Looking good captain!" Dead-Eye said, offering him four thumbs-up. "Like you walked straight from the academy!" Jenny added, admiring her captain's new look. Mimi had no comment this time, merely staring with a faint blush on her face. "He sure cleans nicely, doesn't he!" Peppy added jokingly, smiling at how his old uniform fit him. "He sure does." Mimi managed to mumble in awe. The others laughed, further worsening her flustered face, as Bucky merely glanced away.
"Enough about me! How are we doing on our arrival? Anything of worry?" he asked, looking at the bridge crew. Fox confidently replied "Noting but smooth sailing! In fact, I think we will be arriving at our destination in three...two... one!"
And as if of cue, the jewel of the Lylat system came into view. After all the trials and tribulations, the near encounters with death, they had finally done it.
"Bucky O'Hare, welcome to Corneria!"
Author's Note:
They've finally arrived! Sorry for the delay, I had some health issues to deal with, plus a slight case of writer's block! I have a few more unique chapters before we get back to the main story, so please give me some feedback. I've tried to keep everyone in character, but some notes would be appreciated. I hope you all enjoy it, I won't be able to update as frequently, but I will still try to continue until it's done.
Thanks for your time, until next time!