Redemption
A StarFox fanfiction by Kane
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Disclaimer: StarFox and all related concepts and characters are copyrighted by Nintendo. Please don't sue, it's all in fun. Ashe Rhinehardt is an original character; please do not use him without asking permission first.
This fanfic is rated PG-13 for violence, language, and use of the metric system. You've been warned.
This story is dedicated to Alex, who believed in me.
-
Prologue
It was still in the chamber. That was the first thing he noticed; the eerie stillness, as if something was waiting. The next thing he noticed was the lack of light. He could not see the walls of the room through the inky darkness. Then, as if on cue, a column of light, like a spotlight, shone down on the room's solitary occupant: Fox McCloud. He was hung by the wrists by chains to pillars on either side of him. His head was bowed, but his eyes were open and alert.
Above Fox, a figure began to descend towards him. Fox couldn't see it, but if he could, he most likely would have panicked. Slowly dropping down onto his shoulders was a creature best described as a demon. The monster's skin was black, and its claws were long as they reached for the helpless Fox. A cruel grin spread across its inhuman face, showing rows of gleaming sharp teeth. Without hesitation the creature sunk its claws into Fox's unprotected shoulders. Fox let out a sharp cry of pain as the claws pierced his skin, digging deeply into his muscles. The demon seemed pleased, and tightened its grip on Fox. Fox closed his eyes tightly, raising his head as he howled in agony. Blood began drip down the front of his shirt. The monster's mouth opened wide, lowering its jaws around Fox's head, as if to devour him. The sharp fangs grazed Fox's throat.
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"Fox! No!"
Peppy sat bolt upright in bed, his heart hammering away in his chest. His fur was matted with sweat. Reality came back into focus around him, and he sank back down onto the pillow.
God, what a nightmare.
The Lylat wars had been going on for almost eight months now. The Cornerian Navy, spearheaded by the StarFox team, had pushed back the encroaching Venomian forces out of Katina and Fortuna. From there, things had settled into a stalemate. Corneria controlled Katina, Fortuna, and Aquas, and Venom controlled Titania, Zoness, and MacBeth. Both sides regularly made sorties against the other, but each was just too well entrenched. Even when the StarFox team made any gains, the Venomians would retake what they had lost as soon as StarFox turned their backs. The war was quickly becoming a battle of attrition, which most people agreed Corneria couldn't win.
Peppy rubbed his hands over his face. It had been a long day. Three squadrons of Invaders had struck at Fortuna, and the team had spent most of the day fighting them off. It was a long battle, and Peppy was exhausted afterwards. He had gone to bed early as a result, while ROB piloted the Great Fox back to Corneria. Feeling too restless to go back to bed, Peppy got out of his bed and stretched. He put his glasses on, and looked at the clock. Only 10:45 PM. With a yawn, he left the room and walked down the hallway to the bathroom, where he splashed water onto his face.
Peppy took a good long look at himself in the mirror. There was definitely more gray around his muzzle now. It was even spreading to the top of his head. A few faint lines were visible around the corners of his eyes. Peppy hated it. Forty-one wasn't old. Was it?
Peppy sighed, brushing his long ears back with his hand. He sat down on the floor of the bathroom, hugging his knees close to him. He thought again about the strange dream. He had been taught that dreams had meaning, and he believed it. But what did this one mean? Was Fox going to be captured and tortured by Andross? No way, Fox would never be that careless. Peppy racked his brain for an answer, but found none. He was going to need some help for this one.
Peppy returned to his room and got dressed. He took his flight jacket from the closet and was putting it on as he walked downstairs through the Great Fox's lounge. The widescreen TV was on, showing a late-night horror movie that Peppy didn't recognize. Falco was stretched out on the lounge's leather couch, a stub of a cigarette smoldering in his beak. He looked up over the back of the couch as he saw Peppy walk across the room to the turbolift. "Hey Peppy, where ya goin'?" he asked, smoke puffing out around the corners of his mouth.
Peppy zipped up his jacket and stepped into the turbolift. "To church."
-
Even though it was almost midnight when Peppy reached the Concord Street church in Corneria City, the doors were unlocked. Peppy let himself in, quietly closing the door behind him. He knew the priest here, and how he often kept odd hours.
The small church was relatively plain in design. Stained glass windows covered either side of the church, leading to an altar at the far end, covered with a white cloth. A large encircled equal-armed cross, the symbol of the unified church of Corneria, was hung overhead. Long, tapering candles, almost a meter in height, stood on either side of the altar in holders. The air was lightly perfumed with incense. Padded chairs filled the church instead of the traditional hard wooden pews. It was very calm here, so late at night. Slowly, Peppy made his way towards the front of the church, sitting down in one of the chairs. "Father, are you here?" he called out.
A tall, lupine priest stepped out of one of the church's alcoves. He wore a long red robe, the traditional garment of the clergy during times of war. His fur was a dark, pepper-and-salt shade of gray. Peppy knew that the wolf had been black, but he had gone gray prematurely. The priest looked out towards Peppy. "Preston? Is that you?"
Peppy smiled. He hadn't heard his real name in years. "The name's Peppy, father. Or had you forgotten?"
The priest walked over to Peppy and shook his hand warmly. "How could I forget an old wildcat like you? How long has it been?"
"Four years, maybe more. You're looking well, Father Rhinehardt."
"Please, call me Ashe," said the wolf, taking a seat next to Peppy.
Peppy nodded. "How's business?"
"Busy," Ashe said. "There's never a shortage of the faithful in times of crisis. Though I could live my life out in perfect contentment if I never had to perform another funeral. How about you? Last time I heard you were with StarFox again."
"Oh yes, I'm still causing trouble out there. Fighting the good fight, just like you."
"I haven't been in a fight in years, Peppy."
"Liar. I bet you're carrying a blaster under your robe."
Ashe looked nervously towards the altar and blushed a bit. Peppy laughed. "Once a marine, always a marine," said the hare.
Ashe coughed uncomfortably. "So, what brings you out here in the middle of the night?" he asked.
Peppy told him about the nightmare he had. Ashe frowned, looking off into the distance as he put his mind to work. "Do you think it's a premonition?" asked Peppy.
Ashe shook his head. "No, it doesn't seem like that. How is Fox doing, anyway?"
"Well, he seems okay to me. Sometimes it's hard to tell with him. Last time I checked, that was your department."
Ashe smiled. "I admit I'm rather gifted in that area."
"You certainly are. So, what about the dream?"
"Peppy, you know I can hear a soul in trouble a thousand miles away, and I perceive that young Fox is in a lot of trouble right now. If it's as dire as you say it is, then I think you need my help."
"How are you going to convince Fox of that? He hates doctors, especially psychologists."
"I've got an idea. General Pepper owes me a favor, perhaps it's time I called it in."
Peppy smiled. "You're coming out of retirement?"
"Why not? This old wolf's still got a few more adventures in him. That is, if you don't mind the company," said Ashe.
Peppy chuckled. "Sure. It would be a welcome relief from all the kids I have to put up with. But why does Pepper owe you a favor?"
A sly smirk spread over Ashe's face. "I married him and his wife." Peppy's brow shot upwards in surprise. "What?" said Ashe. "I am a priest, you know."
Peppy grinned widely, and then let out a yawn. "Thank you, Ashe. I think I can sleep now."
"I'll call the general tomorrow morning," said Ashe. "Don't fall asleep in your cockpit." He held up his fist towards Peppy. "Rippers."
Peppy tapped Ashe's fist lightly with his own. "Rippers." He stood up and walked down the aisle towards the door.
"Aren't you going to stay and pray for a little while?" Ashe called out from behind him.
Peppy looked over his shoulder and smiled. "I already did. And I got what I prayed for."
-
-
Disclaimer: StarFox and all related concepts and characters are copyrighted by Nintendo. Please don't sue, it's all in fun. Ashe Rhinehardt is an original character; please do not use him without asking permission first.
This fanfic is rated PG-13 for violence, language, and use of the metric system. You've been warned.
This story is dedicated to Alex, who believed in me.
-
Prologue
It was still in the chamber. That was the first thing he noticed; the eerie stillness, as if something was waiting. The next thing he noticed was the lack of light. He could not see the walls of the room through the inky darkness. Then, as if on cue, a column of light, like a spotlight, shone down on the room's solitary occupant: Fox McCloud. He was hung by the wrists by chains to pillars on either side of him. His head was bowed, but his eyes were open and alert.
Above Fox, a figure began to descend towards him. Fox couldn't see it, but if he could, he most likely would have panicked. Slowly dropping down onto his shoulders was a creature best described as a demon. The monster's skin was black, and its claws were long as they reached for the helpless Fox. A cruel grin spread across its inhuman face, showing rows of gleaming sharp teeth. Without hesitation the creature sunk its claws into Fox's unprotected shoulders. Fox let out a sharp cry of pain as the claws pierced his skin, digging deeply into his muscles. The demon seemed pleased, and tightened its grip on Fox. Fox closed his eyes tightly, raising his head as he howled in agony. Blood began drip down the front of his shirt. The monster's mouth opened wide, lowering its jaws around Fox's head, as if to devour him. The sharp fangs grazed Fox's throat.
-
"Fox! No!"
Peppy sat bolt upright in bed, his heart hammering away in his chest. His fur was matted with sweat. Reality came back into focus around him, and he sank back down onto the pillow.
God, what a nightmare.
The Lylat wars had been going on for almost eight months now. The Cornerian Navy, spearheaded by the StarFox team, had pushed back the encroaching Venomian forces out of Katina and Fortuna. From there, things had settled into a stalemate. Corneria controlled Katina, Fortuna, and Aquas, and Venom controlled Titania, Zoness, and MacBeth. Both sides regularly made sorties against the other, but each was just too well entrenched. Even when the StarFox team made any gains, the Venomians would retake what they had lost as soon as StarFox turned their backs. The war was quickly becoming a battle of attrition, which most people agreed Corneria couldn't win.
Peppy rubbed his hands over his face. It had been a long day. Three squadrons of Invaders had struck at Fortuna, and the team had spent most of the day fighting them off. It was a long battle, and Peppy was exhausted afterwards. He had gone to bed early as a result, while ROB piloted the Great Fox back to Corneria. Feeling too restless to go back to bed, Peppy got out of his bed and stretched. He put his glasses on, and looked at the clock. Only 10:45 PM. With a yawn, he left the room and walked down the hallway to the bathroom, where he splashed water onto his face.
Peppy took a good long look at himself in the mirror. There was definitely more gray around his muzzle now. It was even spreading to the top of his head. A few faint lines were visible around the corners of his eyes. Peppy hated it. Forty-one wasn't old. Was it?
Peppy sighed, brushing his long ears back with his hand. He sat down on the floor of the bathroom, hugging his knees close to him. He thought again about the strange dream. He had been taught that dreams had meaning, and he believed it. But what did this one mean? Was Fox going to be captured and tortured by Andross? No way, Fox would never be that careless. Peppy racked his brain for an answer, but found none. He was going to need some help for this one.
Peppy returned to his room and got dressed. He took his flight jacket from the closet and was putting it on as he walked downstairs through the Great Fox's lounge. The widescreen TV was on, showing a late-night horror movie that Peppy didn't recognize. Falco was stretched out on the lounge's leather couch, a stub of a cigarette smoldering in his beak. He looked up over the back of the couch as he saw Peppy walk across the room to the turbolift. "Hey Peppy, where ya goin'?" he asked, smoke puffing out around the corners of his mouth.
Peppy zipped up his jacket and stepped into the turbolift. "To church."
-
Even though it was almost midnight when Peppy reached the Concord Street church in Corneria City, the doors were unlocked. Peppy let himself in, quietly closing the door behind him. He knew the priest here, and how he often kept odd hours.
The small church was relatively plain in design. Stained glass windows covered either side of the church, leading to an altar at the far end, covered with a white cloth. A large encircled equal-armed cross, the symbol of the unified church of Corneria, was hung overhead. Long, tapering candles, almost a meter in height, stood on either side of the altar in holders. The air was lightly perfumed with incense. Padded chairs filled the church instead of the traditional hard wooden pews. It was very calm here, so late at night. Slowly, Peppy made his way towards the front of the church, sitting down in one of the chairs. "Father, are you here?" he called out.
A tall, lupine priest stepped out of one of the church's alcoves. He wore a long red robe, the traditional garment of the clergy during times of war. His fur was a dark, pepper-and-salt shade of gray. Peppy knew that the wolf had been black, but he had gone gray prematurely. The priest looked out towards Peppy. "Preston? Is that you?"
Peppy smiled. He hadn't heard his real name in years. "The name's Peppy, father. Or had you forgotten?"
The priest walked over to Peppy and shook his hand warmly. "How could I forget an old wildcat like you? How long has it been?"
"Four years, maybe more. You're looking well, Father Rhinehardt."
"Please, call me Ashe," said the wolf, taking a seat next to Peppy.
Peppy nodded. "How's business?"
"Busy," Ashe said. "There's never a shortage of the faithful in times of crisis. Though I could live my life out in perfect contentment if I never had to perform another funeral. How about you? Last time I heard you were with StarFox again."
"Oh yes, I'm still causing trouble out there. Fighting the good fight, just like you."
"I haven't been in a fight in years, Peppy."
"Liar. I bet you're carrying a blaster under your robe."
Ashe looked nervously towards the altar and blushed a bit. Peppy laughed. "Once a marine, always a marine," said the hare.
Ashe coughed uncomfortably. "So, what brings you out here in the middle of the night?" he asked.
Peppy told him about the nightmare he had. Ashe frowned, looking off into the distance as he put his mind to work. "Do you think it's a premonition?" asked Peppy.
Ashe shook his head. "No, it doesn't seem like that. How is Fox doing, anyway?"
"Well, he seems okay to me. Sometimes it's hard to tell with him. Last time I checked, that was your department."
Ashe smiled. "I admit I'm rather gifted in that area."
"You certainly are. So, what about the dream?"
"Peppy, you know I can hear a soul in trouble a thousand miles away, and I perceive that young Fox is in a lot of trouble right now. If it's as dire as you say it is, then I think you need my help."
"How are you going to convince Fox of that? He hates doctors, especially psychologists."
"I've got an idea. General Pepper owes me a favor, perhaps it's time I called it in."
Peppy smiled. "You're coming out of retirement?"
"Why not? This old wolf's still got a few more adventures in him. That is, if you don't mind the company," said Ashe.
Peppy chuckled. "Sure. It would be a welcome relief from all the kids I have to put up with. But why does Pepper owe you a favor?"
A sly smirk spread over Ashe's face. "I married him and his wife." Peppy's brow shot upwards in surprise. "What?" said Ashe. "I am a priest, you know."
Peppy grinned widely, and then let out a yawn. "Thank you, Ashe. I think I can sleep now."
"I'll call the general tomorrow morning," said Ashe. "Don't fall asleep in your cockpit." He held up his fist towards Peppy. "Rippers."
Peppy tapped Ashe's fist lightly with his own. "Rippers." He stood up and walked down the aisle towards the door.
"Aren't you going to stay and pray for a little while?" Ashe called out from behind him.
Peppy looked over his shoulder and smiled. "I already did. And I got what I prayed for."
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