• “Message from General Pepper. Priority One.”

    “We need your help, Star Fox. Andross had declared war! He has invaded the Lylat system. The Cornerian army cannot defeat them alone. Hurry, Star Fox!”


    Chapter One
    Fox McCloud

    Fox McCloud looked outside the window. He was always in space, and it’s beauty still astounded him. Corneria, forth planet in the Lylat system. He glanced down at it and was amazed at how glorious it looked. Blue and white stripes covered the planet. And then there was four pops of pink explosions on its surface. Fox looked over at his friend and teammate, Peppy Hare. The rabbit had worked with his father years ago, before James McCloud met his awful fate. Fox still can recall meeting up with Peppy, and being told that they were betrayed and James didn’t make it. He had a strong grudge against Andross, who would be sorry for ever messing with Fox McCloud, leader of the Star Fox team.

    Peppy Hare glanced over at Fox. He didn’t think that his old friend, James, would want his only son to take on the dangerous mercenary business. Maybe fight in the Cornerian army, but not this. He remembered when he had to tell Fox that James had gotten killed because their teammate and friend, Pigma Dengar, had lead them straight to Andross. Peppy doesn’t know what became of Pigma, but probably something not good. But Peppy was glad to keep his intelligence job here on the Great Fox. And, at least the Star Fox squad wasn’t lead by some kid. Well, Fox was still kind of a kid, he really needed to get better at his Arwing flying. He could fly the Great Fox fine, just not the Arwing. He sighed. There was a sharp blink from the “Incoming Call” light.

    Peppy signaled Fox to come over to the control panel at the head of the ship. “Incoming call from General Pepper of the Cornerian army.” Peppy told him. Fox grabbed the headphones on the table and placed them over his fox ears. He crossed his arms. General Pepper’s picture came onscreen once Peppy hit the small button to allow transmission.

    “It’s about time you showed up, Fox,” he said, looking gravely concerned and stressed. “You’re the only hope for our world!”

    “I’ll do my best. Andross won’t have his way with me.” Fox said. General Pepper closed down the link and Fox took off the headphones. He leaned against the cold, metal wall of the Great Fox ship and sighed. Andross, that evil scientist that his father had condemned to the wasteland Venom years and years ago. Why was that evil monkey back? But Fox was more concerned about if he would be able to save everyone like his father did or would he die on this mission? Guess you never know, he thought. Fox looked up at Peppy. “Where’s Falco and Slippy?”

    “They are in their rooms, sleeping.” Peppy replied. He gave Fox a stern look. “Something you should have been doing an hour ago.”

    “I’m fine,” Fox replied, walking over to the alarm. He slammed his fist against it and it’s screech flowed through the entire ship. He pointed at the robot in the co-pilot seat. “Keep this bird above Corneria. I’ll radio you when we’re coming back.”

    ROB, the robot, nodded, grabbing the controls.

    Fox and Peppy started down the hall at full speed, soon accompanied by Falco Lombardi and Slippy Toad. “What now, Fox?” asked Falco in a serious and annoyed tone. Only one hour of sleep. I may not do so good . . . thought Falco. He was the best Arwing pilot in the squad.

    “Corneria is close. We need to get into the Arwings and head straight for it. General Pepper seemed anxious and I noticed that their were explosions coming off the planet. As you can guess, that’s not good news.” Fox explained quickly.

    Peppy added, “Andross is back. He sent his cronies down to Corneria. We need to neutralize all threats.”

    “Slippy, what’s the status report on the Arwings?” asked Fox, annoyed that Slippy didn’t report them in before he went to sleep.

    “Arwings are fully repaired. Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, Fox.” Slippy replied. Fox nodded and they entered the loading bay. There it was. Fox’s Arwing, his pride and joy. But he didn’t have time to think about it. He flipped up the glass windshield and jumped in, almost crushing the sunglasses on his seat.

    “What the-?” he picked up the glasses. They had the initials, “J.Mc.” inscribed in the side. There was a small note tapped to the rim of the right lens. He took it off and read it.

    Dear Fox,
    I knew that I wouldn’t be able to see you for your birthday. So I asked Peppy if he could deliver this message to you before you left. So happy birthday, honey. I love you very much, and your father would be very proud of you. These were your father’s sunglasses. Wear them with pride, son. Be safe.
    Love you always,
    Mom.

    Fox stared at the letter from his mom. He hasn’t seen his mom in six months, probably more. And he remembered getting that call from his aunt…the call that said that his mom fell ill. Maybe he should stop by. But for now, he had a job to do. Fox put the letter in his pocket and thanked Peppy for giving him the letter. Even though it was a week late. It was probably sitting here for the week that they didn’t have any new assignments, so it was understandable why it wasn’t deliver on time.

    Fox looked at the glasses, seeing his reflection in their dark lenses. He did look like his father. But he knew that he couldn’t measure up to his father. He sighed. He put them on and smiled.

    Just then, Falco and Slippy’s Arwings flew out of the bay at the bottom of the Great Fox. Peppy rushed after them. Fox grabbed the windshield, flipping it down. He clutched the controls and flew after them.

    Enter Star Fox.