Chapter 38: The Old Arwing
The Great Fox sped through the vastness of space, its engines humming steadily as stars streaked past. On the bridge, the crew was lighter than they had been in days. Though tension lingered, knowing they were headed back to the Mushroom Kingdom where chaos awaited, a glimmer of hope warmed the air. They had endured so much—and they weren't giving up now.
Slippy entered the bridge quietly, catching Fox's attention. "Fox, I finished that project I was working on," he said, excitement sparking in his voice.
Fox's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Good. I've been waiting for this." He straightened, glancing around at the crew. "Everyone, meet me in the hangar bay. Samus, you too."
Minutes later, they gathered in the hangar, the air filled with a quiet curiosity. Krystal, Falco, and Samus exchanged glances, each wondering what Fox had in store. As the hangar doors slid open, dim lights brightened, revealing an old Arwing resting proudly in the center of the bay. Freshly repaired, it bore the marks of a life lived—dents, faded paint, and the subtle scars of battles long past.
Fox turned to Krystal, his expression warm and sincere. "We've all been doing a lot of thinking, and… well, we agreed we've got something good going here." He nodded to Slippy and Falco, who each gave small, encouraging nods. "We'd like you to stick around." He gestured to the Arwing. "So, we had Slippy fix up this old ship. It's yours, if you'll take it."
A flicker of surprise crossed Samus's face, but she smiled, clearly approving.
Krystal's breath hitched, her eyes widening. She took a step closer, the weight of Fox's words sinking in. She reached out, fingers trembling as they brushed the cool metal, as if needing to feel its reality. In this old Arwing, she saw more than just a ship—she saw acceptance, a place to belong. Her heart swelled with emotions she hadn't dared to hope for.
Falco smirked, crossing his arms. "Go on, Krystal. Check it out. Take it for a spin—just don't crash it, okay?"
Krystal chuckled softly, though her voice trembled. "I… I don't know what to say…"
"'Thank you' would be a good start," Falco teased, drawing a soft laugh from the crew.
As she walked around the Arwing, her gaze fell on a name painted just beneath the cockpit window: Peppy. Her eyes softened, and she looked back at Fox, realizing the significance. She ran her fingers over the faded letters, whispering, "I hope I can do this justice."
Fox nodded, his expression tender, proud. "Yeah. It was his first Arwing. We kept it around as a spare, but… I think he'd be honored to let you fly it."
Samus, who had been watching quietly, grinned at Krystal. "I took that Arwing out myself once, on a bombing run over Bowser's Kingdom. The cockpit was a tight squeeze, but it got the job done," she said with a wink. "Just be glad Slippy's kept it in better shape since then."
Falco laughed, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, and you didn't exactly bring it back in one piece, either."
Samus shrugged, unfazed. "Had to blast my way through a fleet. It got the job done."
Krystal's hand rested on the Arwing's side, her heart filled with a rare sense of home. For a moment, she thought she felt Peppy's steady presence guiding her, like a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice almost inaudible. "All of you."
Fox's face lit up. "We're glad to have you with us, Krystal. Welcome to the team."
The words hung in the air, settling like a warm blanket over the crew. For the first time in what felt like ages, the team felt whole, like they'd regained something lost in Peppy's absence. Falco shifted slightly, his gaze dropping, as if to mask the flicker of emotion in his eyes. Slippy took a deep breath, visibly relaxed, the ever-present tension in his shoulders easing just a little.
Fox's eyes swept over his crew, a rare look of quiet pride softening his features. "Peppy… he'd have liked this. He'd have liked you, Krystal," he said, his voice almost a whisper. "He'd say we're finally back where we're meant to be."
Krystal's heart swelled with gratitude, and for a moment, she felt the comforting presence of Peppy's spirit, as though he were watching over them all, his steady hand guiding them.
Just then, the Great Fox shuddered, slowing down abruptly. Falco glanced at the control panel, frowning. "Something's up. We've stopped."
Slippy leaned over his console, eyes narrowing as he scanned the readouts. "The autopilot kicked in—picked up a whole fleet of ships ahead."
In an instant, the air grew tense, the lightheartedness replaced by a focused alertness. Fox's gaze hardened. "A blockade. Looks like they're expecting us."
Samus's eyes sharpened as she looked out into the void. "Feels like a trap. They probably know we're here."
Her gaze caught on a glinting asteroid field beyond the viewport. She gestured toward it. "There. If we hide in the asteroids, we might avoid detection. It's risky, but it's better than getting caught in the open."
Fox nodded. "All right, we'll head in and keep ourselves hidden. Slippy, I need you to do some recon. Take your Arwing and scout ahead. And… Krystal, I want you to go with him."
Krystal blinked in surprise. "Me?"
"Yeah," Fox replied, his tone resolute. "You've got your Arwing now. Time to see what it can do. And besides, you're part of this team. We need your eyes out there."
Krystal's heart surged with determination, and she nodded. "Understood. I won't let you down."
Falco grinned, amusement glinting in his eyes. "Hey, don't go all sentimental on us, Krystal. Just come back in one piece, all right?"
She shot him a playful glare. "I'll do my best, Falco."
As they prepared to launch, Krystal hesitated, glancing out into the void beyond the hangar. A shadow of unease washed over her, a whisper at the edge of her thoughts, as though something dark lurked nearby. "I just… have a feeling we're not alone out here."
Fox caught her tone and nodded. "We'll keep our eyes open. Whatever's out there, we'll be ready."
The crew dispersed, each moving to their station. The Great Fox glided into the asteroid field, slipping into the shadows. Silence fell over the bridge as every eye fixed on the readouts, waiting.
Slippy and Krystal climbed into their Arwings, engines humming as they prepared for launch. The hangar doors slid open, revealing the vast expanse of space. Slippy gave her a thumbs-up. "Let's do this."
Krystal's grip tightened on the controls. The warmth of the team's welcome still lingered, grounding her, giving her courage. "Right with you."
As the two Arwings darted into the dark, silent void, Fox watched them disappear into the asteroid field. His mind shifted to the battle they all sensed was coming. They'd come so far—and they weren't finished yet.
He exhaled, eyes fixed ahead. "Stay sharp, everyone. We don't know what's out there, but we're ready for it."
The ship settled into its new position, engines humming in the quiet, hidden from view. But the real test was just beginning.