Forgotten Instincts

Chapter 6: Finding Peace

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you all,” Vixy said, smiling. She then noticed Fox standing on all fours, cocking his head at her. “Is… he all right?”

“Besides the amnesia, he’s fine,” said Peppy, coming up behind Vixy with Slippy and Ringo.

“Do you think you can help him, Ms. Vixy?” asked Slippy urgently.

“I’ll try my best,” she replied. She walked over to Fox and kneeled in front of him. “Fox, honey, it’s me, your mother. Remember?”

Fox crawled over to Vixy slowly. He blinked at her in confusion for a moment, and then he touched noses with her, sniffing her. He gave a happy growl of recognition and snuggled her warmly. Vixy hugged her son in return.

“At least he recognizes you,” said Falco. “That’s a start.”

As Fox snuggled his mother, he saw a heart necklace around her neck. He gave a small bark of confusion, trying to remember. Vixy gazed into Fox’s eyes. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” she asked gently. Fox bit at her necklace and whined.

Vixy touched the necklace and smiled. “Oh, this. Your father gave this to me before he…” Her voice wavered. She cleared her throat and continued. “He gave it to me before he left on his last mission… to Venom… where… he…” Vixy stopped in mid-sentence and began to cry, her tears dropping on Fox’s muzzle.

Peppy, Falco, Kip, Ringo, Bill, and Slippy ran to Vixy and Fox. Peppy put his paw on Vixy’s shoulder comfortingly. “Vixy, it’s all right, don’t cry…”

Fox gazed at his mother for a moment. And suddenly, it all came together…

---

15-year old Fox McCloud landed his Arwing in the hangar of the StarFox base on Corneria. Kip, 15-years old as well, watched him climb out of the cockpit. “Gee, Fox, you look pretty happy,” said Kip. “What’s up?”

Fox grinned at her. “I’m gonna get this weekend off to visit home. I can’t wait to see Mom again.”

Kip smiled. “Lucky you. I can hardly visit home. They all live on Ausya.”

“That’s pretty far,” said Fox.

Kip nodded. “But that’s ok. Whenever I need some home-cooking, I’ll just visit your home.”

Fox laughed. “Well, be sure to come over this weekend. Whenever I go home, Mom always cooks enough food to feed the whole Cornerian army.”

“Goody,” said Kip. Then the two friends both giggled.

Suddenly, there was the noise of a ship, and a severely crippled Arwing flew into the hangar. It landed with its tail smoking badly. The cockpit hatch opened, and Peppy Hare climbed out, looking just as beat up as the Arwing.

General Pepper and two other StarFox members ran in. “Peppy! Are you all right?” asked the general.

Peppy nodded slowly as he touched the floor, and then he collapsed. Fox and Kip ran to him. “Peppy, what happened?” asked Fox urgently. He knew Peppy had gone with his father and Pigma Dengar to Venom to investigate suspicious activity there. What had happened to them? “Peppy, where’s Dad and Pigma?”

“Pigma,” hissed Peppy with malice. “That filthy swine, he betrayed James and me! We were captured by Andross’s forces. I barely managed to escape.”

Fox felt his heart lurch. “Peppy… where’s Dad?”

Peppy looked up at Fox sadly, and Fox realized he already had his answer. “I’m sorry, Fox…” whispered Peppy. “Your dad’s gone…”

Fox was dumbstruck with horror. His dad, the one person he idolized and admired more than anyone else… was gone. With a cry, he jumped to his feet and ran.

“Fox, come back!” called General Pepper. But Fox didn’t listen. Nothing mattered anymore. He burst out a side door onto a grassy hill overlooking the city. He stumbled, and fell on his face, sobbing. A few moments later, he heard soft footsteps behind him, and then Kip was next to him.

“I’m sorry, Fox,” she whispered, as Fox sat up. “But it’ll be ok…” Fox shook his head at her. It would never be ok. Never again.

But he accepted the comforting hug she gave him all the same.

---

With a flood of emotion, Fox’s memories came back. He blinked at his mother, who was still crying, and then hugged her. “Mom…” he whispered. “It’s ok…”

Vixy looked at him in shock. “Fox… you remember again.”

Fox nodded at her, and then looked around at his friends. Falco. Kip. Peppy. Slippy. They were all there, and Fox took comfort in the fact that they were there for him.

“Fox! You’re back!” cried Kip tearfully, jumping on her friend and hugging him tightly.

Bill sighed in relief. “Thank goodness. You gave us a scare there. Don’t you know what we’ve been through on your behalf?”

“What do you mean?” Fox asked, confused.

Kip smiled. “Never mind about that. All that matters is you’re back with us once more.”

“That’s right,” said Vixy, wiping her tears away.

Slippy turned to Ringo and smiled. “Isn’t it amazing how fast Ms. Vixy got Fox to remember again?”

Ringo shrugged softly. “I guess… all you need is that one thing that brings back the strongest memory you have.” What it all comes down to is the love and friendship that unites us all, he thought, his eyes growing sad. But no one noticed.

Falco kneeled next to his friend, looking ashamed. “I’m sorry, Fox… I…”

Fox cut him off. “Don’t be. It’s all ok now.”

“But Fox, you were almost killed because of me. What kind of friend am I?” asked Falco, astonished.

“One of the best,” replied Fox, hugging his friend tightly. “You never get that close to dying again, all right?”

Falco was shocked for a moment. Then he nodded, and hugged Fox back. “And you never get that close to leaving me, all right?” Fox nodded also, and looked down, trying to hide the tears filling his eyes. But he was surprised to see a tear hit the floor next to his leg. He looked up, and realized it was Falco. Falco was crying… for him.

Kip stood next to Peppy and hugged his arm, smiling up at him. “Those are probably the closest of friends anywhere in the universe, huh, Peppy?”

Peppy opened his mouth, about to say something in reply, and then closed it again. Forget it. All was at peace.

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I hope you enjoyed that! It really is one of my better stories, I think... Anyways, if you haven't already, please review. Until next time... (flies off)