DESCENT IN THE SOUL:
By: Shade Monroe

 *Author's note (lookie here!) - Shade is my character, Tint is the name of his old ship, and Iriah is the name of his new one. Wolf O'Donnell, Andross, Andrew Oikonny, Leon Powalski, Pigma Dengar, James McCloud, Bill Gray, Katt Monroe, Falco Lombardi, Peppy Hare, Slippy Toad, Fox McCloud, General Pepper, and Fara Phoenix are copyrighted by Nintendo. Mariko, Ariel Triton, Vixen, and Beatrice "Boomer" Gray are ShadowWing's characters and cannot be used without ShadowWing's permission. Usagi Yojimbo and Space Usagi is copyrighted by Stan Sakai. Anyone's name that is not in Italics is just there to be noted. Also, this story goes in right after the fourth chapter of "Black Dolphins Rising" by ShadowWing, but everything after the escape occurs during the fifth chapter.

Chapter One

Shade had been in hyperdrive for about 22 standard hours. He was anxious to return to the Lylat System, even though he feared the worse. He had been radioed about 24 standard hours earlier, and the message had been grim.

Shade was still shaken up from the message. If Corneria was truly under attack, then it meant that all other bases had been taken, including the one on Katina. Meaning that Bill had either been taken hostage, killed, or was fighting at Corneria. It also meant that Beatrice... Shade shook his head. 'Now is not the time to think about her. She can take care of herself. Same with Katt. They're both very resourceful. They should be fine.' thought Shade as he stared through the canopy. He looked at the navigational controls. "Approaching destination, ETA: 00:01". 'Here we go...' he thought as he prepared to drop out of warp.

He dropped out of warp just in time to see a fleet of Venomian transports leave Corneria with little to no escort. He knew right then that Corneria had been taken. He figured that they were slave ships, so he didn't engage for fear of killing fellow Cornerians. He may had been born on Zoness, but his loyalties lied within Corneria, and if need be, he would fly for them without pay, although he always preferred to be paid. He quickly messaged the ship he was escorting to change course and be on guard for Venomian ships no matter where they went. Then he laid in a course for Venom itself, and hit the hyperdrive. He knew this might be a suicide run, but he was going to take down as many Venomian troops as he could before they got him.

During the hyperdrive flight to Venom, which was about 0.25 standard hours, Shade heard many voices in his head, an saw many faces. He had no idea who they were, why they were there, or what they wanted, but they all seemed to have one thing in common. They were all half-dead Cornerians in Venomian prison cells, screaming in pain. He then recognized one solitary figure out of the masses in his head. He saw... it couldn't be! But could it? Was it really her? He shook his head. The dreams he had had when he was a teen, he had seen her. He felt as if he KNEW her. She looked up at him and said one solitary word: "Help..."

Shade dropped out of warp and instantaneously powered up his weapons and shields. He had dropped out of warp just outside Area 6, and had the first line in sight. He hit the engines to full speed, activated the boosters, and started shooting. He could see ship after ship go down in his fury, and smiled. He was going to take out all the ships that challenged him, and if possible, to the same to Venom. He knew that Star Fox had taken this route down to Venom, and they had all made it. 'But,' he thought, 'there was four of them, and there is one of me.'

He never knew of the surprise that had been set for him. He continued to battle his way through, and eventually pierced the first line. His shields were at a steady 90%, but he knew the worst was not over. Shooting non-stop, he passed the second line. Shields were then at 85%. He figured that the worst beating would be either the third line or Venom itself. Then came the surprise. 500 battleships decloaked right in front of him. If his ship ran into one, the battleship would survive, but he wouldn't. They tightened formation so there was only one hole through. The middle of it all. He punched the engines on overload, deactivated his guns, and hit the boost. He was going Mach 17, at least. The g's kept piling on regardless of the G-diffuser system, and the hole kept getting smaller. However, somehow, he made it. 'You gotta stop relying on your blind luck, Shade,' he thought to himself as he slowed down, cooled his engines, then reactivated his guns. He saw he was receiving a message, so he activated the com.

"Yeah? What do you want?" Shade asked through the com.

"Turn on your video and you'll see." was the only reply. It was given by Leon, and he didn't like the sound of it. Cautiously, he activated video. The sight sickened him to the bone, and his heart raced.

"Katt?!?! What has he done to you?!?!" Shade screamed in terror. Katt had obviously seen Leon's handiwork, as she had bloodstains and patches of missing fur all over her body.

"Shade... turn back..." was all Katt could muster before Leon struck her across the face with the back of his hand.

"Silence, woman!" he said, "Now, surrender your ship, or she dies. She will die a long, painful death. Or, she could live. It's all up to you, pilot. Shade, I think it was? Ah, yes, the pilot who got Pigma a year ago. I'm not surprised. You can obviously fly, seeing as your ship is in good shape. Surrender yourself and your ship, and she can go freely. Otherwise, she dies, here, and now."

"Don't do it, Sha-!" Katt said before being stabbed in the left leg.

Shade could take no more. "I surrender. On one condition. You let Katt go. Now. Heal her, give her back her ship, and let her fly away. Far away. I will be escorting her. I do not lie, and I keep my word. She can vouch for me. Otherwise, no deal."

"You seem to forget who holds the power here. I have Katt. You are so far away that any last minute heroics would get you killed at the least. At best, you would be here to see her die. Right before we kill you with her. In front of StarFox, of course." Leon laughed evilly. "We have them, too."

"Prove it, you green freak."

"Alright. You will regret that remark. But, here they are."

The camera view on the vid/com changed, showing four members of StarFox, and Bill Gray, but no Beatrice Gray or Mariko. "Where's Mari? Couldn't get her?" Shade taunted.

"She escaped. Other than that, we have them all here. I could kill them, too. Except Fox, of course. Andross wants to see him suffer. So, do you want to witness the death of StarFox, Bill Gray, and Katt, or surrender now?" Shade thought about it for a moment, then decided. "You delight in torture more than in death, Leon. You wouldn't kill your precious 'toys' if Andross ordered you to. You would fake their deaths and torture them more. You won't kill them. So, I won't surrender. Prepare to be attacked." Shade ended the com link the minute after he said that, and then entered Venom's atmosphere.

"I will kill that cocky cat if it's the last thing I do!" Leon screamed. Katt just smiled. Shade's defiance to Leon had given her new hope. Leon glared at her. "If I can't kill him, I'll kill you then!" Leon raised the knife he had and was about to kill Katt when the alarms blared. "STARWOLF TEAM, GET TO YOUR SHIPS. STARWOLF TEAM, GET TO YOUR SHIPS." was the ever-so-loud voice heard over the speaker. "Damn it! Of all the timing in the galaxy..." Leon muttered as he ran to the docking bay. Katt sighed with relief.

Shade blasted down ship after ship that came after him. They were no match for the anger-filled cat. Shade's feline reflexes came in handy so often that he gave up keeping count. Then he saw four familiar blips on the radar. 'Great. StarWolf. I get to fight them AGAIN. Last time I lost... How can I win this time?' Shade thought. Then he had an idea. He pulled the same maneuver he did breaking through the battleships. Only this time, he had a nova bomb hanging out of his bomb bay doors. He aimed for what he believed to be Leon's ship, and flew directly above it. He released the bomb when he knew there was no chance of Leon dodging. He flew past StarWolf, the shock waves from his jet breaking their formation and forcing them to collapse towards each other. Then the bomb went off, sending the four ships flying, and Leon's headed strait for the ground. The others had lost their wings and 80% of their shields. "He's too strong!" Leon exclaimed as he crashed into the ground. The other three pilots pulled U-turns and broke formation. Shade heard a feminine voice give orders, instead of Wolf's.

"Pigma, go left. Andrew, go right. I'm taking this cocky bastard down."

"Whatever, Vixen." Pigma said.

Shade was shocked. "What happened to Wolf?" Shade asked.

"He died." was the only reply.

"Well, I see they all follow your orders. You must've done something to earn their respect. You sleep with 'em all?" Shade said as he shot at Vixen.

"In their dreams!" Vixen screamed, shooting back at Shade. All of the sudden, Shade's mind lost all focus. He went back to that memory, Nightengale dying from the bomb.

He screamed, "What are you doing to me?!?!"

"Just using yourself against you, that's all." Vixen said in a calm tone of voice.

"It... didn't... HAPPEN LIKE THAT!" Shade's anger helped him resume all focus on the battle. However, it only let him focus on one thing. Killing Vixen. "YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Shade yelled as he shot at Vixen head on. He didn't even try to dodge any shots. His only goal was to take down Vixen.

" I'll get an apprentice out of this... I can sense it!" Vixen exclaimed, "Yes! Pigma, Andrew, help me disable his ship so we can lock a tractor beam onto him!"

"Yes, ma'am." They said in unison. They had to team up on Shade to defeat him. It took them all 20 minutes, all of Pigma's shields and Andrew's ship to do it, but they finally disabled Shade to the point to where they could lock a tractor beam onto him and take him prisoner. He was led at gunpoint to the cell that was formerly Mariko's, and it hadn't quite been fully repaired, and the anti-Knight technology was remodeled and but not reactivated yet.

When Vixen saw him in person, she whistled. "This is a potential Rogue Knight! A powerful one at that! I'm surprised Mariko didn't notice it in him. Oh, well, her loss."

"I would never go by your code. You make me sick. You attack the innocent, help the guilty, and take all you can for yourselves. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that you killed Wolf just to lead his team." Shade spat, "You aren't even a fox, but a cat. Why call yourself a bitch?"

Vixen slapped him across the face and exclaimed, "You will learn my ways whether you want to or not. As for Wolf, he was killed by a Cornerian Pilot. That's all I know of it. And about my NAME: how many people look for a feline when the name is VIXEN, hmm?"

"Yeah, right. You have a point about the name. So, you caught me. You gonna kill the prisoners, Leon? Oh, sorry. You aren't in the condition to walk right now. A message from my friends." Shade struck Leon's neck in a way that even Vixen isn't sure how he survived, much less without any visible injury. Vixen threw him against a wall with her mind, rendering Shade unconscious.

When Shade awoke, Katt was staring right at him. "Shade! Are you ok? Speak to me!" Katt cried. Shade just moaned. "You're alive! Thank God!" Katt exclaimed.

"Ungh... I think I'm ok... where am I? Last thing I remember is hitting a wall after clawing Leon's neck open. I see you're all alive." Shade said, moaning. Waking up, no matter what from, was not a pleasant experience for him. "Better yet, why am I not chained up? Hell, they didn't even search me!" Shade pulled out a lock pick and a blaster. He quickly hid them again. He didn't want security to know he was armed so well, not to mention having a lock pick.

"Where'd you get THAT piece of hardware?" Falco said, referring to the lock pick. Shade smiled, "Beatrice made it for me. It can get me into any low security place, and with a little work, high security as well. It could get me out of this joint. Although with Lylat as it is, I dunno how much good it would do me..."

"Hey, Mariko made it out, and hasn't been back here yet. In fact, she's joined a new little group including three other pilots who seem to be quite effective at making Andross mad." Fox said with a grin. Shade laughed a bit. "Looks like Mariko's having some fun..."

Just then Vixen came in with six armed guards. "Ah, the murderer of Wolf is here to see me," Shade said when he spotted Vixen, "what now? Another slap in the face? Or maybe slamming me against the wall again? How about messing with my mind... no, you already did all that. You have to have something new. Being a Rogue Knight, as Mari would call you, you always have something up your sleeve." The answer to Shade's insult was two arcane sabers at his neck.

Vixen stared at him with anger, "One more peep out of you, boy, and you peep no more. Understood?" "Yes'm." Shade said, mockingly saluting her.

"You got guts, boy, I'll give you that. You already bear the mark of fire 'akune' on your brow. Ancient Imperial. Did you know that, boy, or was this something you came up with randomly?"

"I've worn it all my life. I'm not taking it off for anyone. Took the CDF Academy a year to figure it out. How long will it take you?"

Vixen tossed her hair, "Not long at all. You see, I am rather liking that bandana. In fact, I am liking it so much that I wish to have it. But, seeing as how I am going to train you, I might as well start on your good side so you don't have a constant reminder of why to hate me. Lifelong possessions do not fade as well as loyalties during a brainwash."

Shade gave a long, hard stare to Vixen's eyes. "You would never be able to brainwash me. I would die first. Understand? If not from one of you during my escape attempt, then through suicide. Get it in your thick skull. I'll never be one of you. And this is why."

With that, Shade's eyes glowed a pure white, and his hands thrust out in front of him, throwing both Vixen and the guards back, making Vixen drop her sabers. Shade grabbed the sabers and bolted, before anyone could make a move. "You never told us he had Knight training, you stupid bitch!" Vixen yelled at Katt. "I never knew..." Katt said, awestruck at Shade's outburst of power.

Shade bolted through the compound, dodging lasers and guards as he ran. His soul's powers had already been used, so he couldn't stop the release of power. His body engulfed itself in green flame, and he ran to his ship, fire engulfing anything, or anyone, in his path. The power of his soul had been released, and he now had to learn to control it. 'I never knew I had such power... but... it just saved my life, and countless others. Heh. Vixen thought I could be a Rogue Knight. She was so wrong. And is SHE going to regret doing that!' Shade thought to himself as he sped through the docking bay.

"Hey, nice jet. Mind if I take it?" Shade said to Pigma, punching him with a flaming hand. He leapt into the cockpit, and the flaming around his body ended. He was glad, because he didn't want to wreck the leather seating. He was glad he kept nothing of value on the Tint. Shade spotted the Tint about 10 yards away, unrepaired, and with the red and black paint job of StarWolf. 'I'll just have to retrieve that later,' Shade thought, 'I'll head to the system Mariko talks about. No one allied to Venom should be there. It's Imperial, to my knowledge. Any bases there are sure to have leftover supplies. Plus, knowing Mari should help.'

Shade gunned the engines to his new WolvenII and launched into the sky. After taking the back route off of Venom, he locked in the coordinates for the system. He had no idea what he was going to find there, but he knew that ANYTHING was better than Venom. Shade was amazed at the speed the WolvenII jumped at. When he reached orbit of the first planet, he dropped the WolvenII out of hyperdrive, and descended unto the planet beneath him. He never guessed that it would be occupied. "State your name an business here!" "I'm Shade Monroe. If you're anti-Venom, I'm with you. Otherwise, suck it."

"We are anti-Venom, I think. Land and be prepared to be taken into custody."

"You got it. Shade out." He landed, asked for the red on the WolvenII to be painted white, and let himself be taken into custody. He gave absolutely no resistance, and even gave up his weapons and tools. He had only one thought on his mind. 'Nightengale... you helped me... thank you...'

It was about five minutes later that Shade realized exactly who had taken him into custody. 'A samurai? Mariko's talked about them, but I've seen them before. I need to talk to him again, soon, and let him know I have "connections". I bet she doesn't have that high of a name here, but I need to let him know I'm on her side, and know her. That should help me get SOME support here.'

A large rhino appeared in front of him. "Pilot? You have been cleared. Although your swords have been taken into custody, you are otherwise free to all your belongings."

"Thank you, sir. I might as well tell you now my name is Shade Monroe." Shade replied in perfect Imperial. The rhino stood for a moment, confused, then started up again.

"I'm Rhogen. I hope YOU don't have any relations with Usagi. Last thing I need is another family reunion to get in the middle of."

"Uh... Who's Usagi? The only person I know with an Imperial name is Mariko."

Rhogen almost jumped out of his shoes. The last time he'd seen Mariko, she had picked up a prototype jet from Usagi. He never found out the reason, choosing to leave Usagi's personal affairs out of his own. It looked like that was now unavoidable.

"What's your relation to her, Shade?"

"She's a friend. I met her when I met StarFox. She's a member, you know. She helped me meet my sister, Katt, and my girlfriend, Beatrice Gray."

"Usagi will want to talk to you. I'll get you your stuff back. Fly with me, though, or you might be mistaken for a member of StarWolf."

"Where are you taking me? Hey, what are you doing?!" Shade was panicking. Rhogen had grabbed him by the wrist and thrown him into his ship. He then produced a bag and climbed into the back of the WolvenII. It made for a tight fit, and Shade had no idea what Rhogen was planning. He just knew that a large rhino who looked like a pirate and acted like a samurai had just told him to launch and had climbed into the back of his jet. Shade took off and headed for the coordinates that Rhogen had given him.

"Might I ask where you are sending me?" Shade asked Rhogen with a worried tone. Rhogen just looked up at Shade (which was quite difficult to do being crammed into the back of a WolvenII) and said, "White Star Castle, home of Lord Kiyoshi."

Shade just hit the boosters and was dead silent the rest of the trip.

"Usagi, sir, a Venomian fighter has been spotted on the radar heading this way. It's been identified as belonging to StarWolf. It's a WolvenII jet."

The rabbit ran to the radar. "What?!?! How could a Venomian fighter make its way to White Star with no opposition? That jet's in perfect condition! How," Usagi went on, "could that possibly happen?"

The panda at the radar station looked at the readings and stated, "I don't know, sir, but it made it. Its hailing us, sir."

Usagi was puzzled. "Answer the hail."

What he got was a voice he's never heard speaking fluent Imperial, asking if this is a good idea, and Rhogen saying they need to see Usagi, so dock.

"Uh, may we dock, please? We need to see Usagi, I'm told, by Rhogen, here." Shade's voice was shaky and worried, and a little bit scared.

"If Usagi is there, let me talk to him, Shade."

"All right, Rhogen. You take the com."

"Usagi, you there?"

Usagi had then recovered from the shock and replied, "Rhogen, is that you? What are you doing in a WolvenII? And who are you with?"

"Usagi! You're there! Meet us in the hangar, alone. I have something to show you that is of interest, besides this ship and her pilot. He was carrying two arcane sabers, the weapons of Knights."

"Another Knight?! Rhogen, are you sure he isn't a Rogue?"

Shade spoke up at these words. "I am not a Rogue Knight. I am also not a Knight. I acquired these during my flight here, so to speak. I'll explain later. Just let me land."

Usagi replied, "Ok, Shade, was it? You may land in docking bay 4, section 5, authorization code 23514591. Remember that number, Shade, as you are going to need it to get your ship and belongings back."

Shade landed the ship and jumped out REALLY fast. One reason was that Rhogen was pushing him out so he could stand up. Another reason was that he didn't like the pilot seat of the WolvenII, it being made for Pigma's big butt, not for a pilot of a compact muscular build. And the last reason was because there was a blaster pointed at him, being held by Rhogen. Shade landed on the ground under the left wing, then began to pick himself up.

Shade stood up and sighed in relief. The rabbit had come to talk to him. It was now or never.

"Good day... Miyamoto Usagi, right? Rhogen told me to meet you."

Usagi was recovering from the shock of meeting one of Mariko's Lylatian friends, not to mention one that was fluent in Imperial. "You know Mariko? How? Why?"

Shade sat down and motioned for Usagi to do the same. "Long story. I'll begin when I started being a Mercenary."

"It was about one and a half years ago. I was expelled from the CDF, or Cornerian Defense Force, and stripped of my rank as 1^st Lieutenant of Mammoth Squadron for the death of three pilots, including my fiancé and wingman. I took what money I had and bought an InvaderIII through the Black Market. I proceeded to use the Black Market to get all sorts of modification parts, and my ship ended up looking like the CatsPaw, my sister's ship. I named it the Tint. I then proceeded to go through normal Merc jobs; escort, rescue, I need not go on. I was then hired by the CDF, I don't know why, to escort a transport of over 50,000 soldiers and over 1,000,000,000 credits in supplies. I guessed that the run would be easy, so I didn't fully repair my ship from the last job. I was so wrong. StarWolf attacked, and the transport convoy and I would have surely died had not StarFox came to the rescue. I was unconscious then, but I awoke three days later on the Great Fox. Mariko had apparently been my medic for the occasion, as her work was being complimented by Fox."

Usagi looked up, "That's when you met her?"

"No," Shade replied, "I met her later. I had a dream that night, and it was of the death of my wingman. I awoke in a sweat, bolted to my battered ship, and launched for Titania. When I got there, I found her REAL killer. Her killer was apparently after me, not her. I realized then that she died to protect me, and I had to truly avenge her. After a short battle, my engines were dying, so I cut them off. I then let loose my entire arsenal of weaponry at my opponent, disintegrating her. My engines failed to turn back on, and my ship crashed into Titania's ocean. I survived due to Katt Monroe's following of me. She took me back to the Great Fox, and Mariko once again treated my wounds. I met her when I woke up. We've been friends ever since. I owe her so much for helping me find my father and Katt, who is my half-sister."

Shade looked at Usagi, who looked like he was expecting more. Usagi then realized that the story had ended, and replied, "Interesting story. But that does not explain the arcane sabers and the WolvenII jet!"

Shade looked into Usagi's eyes. "I stole them."

Usagi was shocked. "You can't just STEAL two arcane sabers and a WolvenII! I don't believe you!"

Shade stood and turned around. He crossed his arms and looked over his shoulder. He struck quite an intimidating pose. "I do not lie. Not to friends, not to family, and not to the family of friends. I have 'powers' that need to be trained, but I can use them. I already have. I can only use them during times of crisis right now. I won't be using 'telekinesis' or 'magic' anytime soon. I have heard that a samurai can see the truth. Can you?"

Usagi peered at Shade as if in thought. After several minutes of silence, he said, "All right, I believe you. Why did you come here? And more importantly, how come you are so fluent in Imperial?"

Shade sighed. "I am here seeking refuge. I'll tell you about my flair for languages later. I can pull my weight, and am a good pilot as well as a ground troop. I can serve you in that way until Corneria is free of Andross again. I can also owe you a debt. Or..." Shade paused and thought.

"Or... what? What are you thinking?" Usagi said, becoming impatient.

"Or... you can help me free Corneria. I need modifications done to my new ship that I took from StarWolf. Not just the paint job, but modifications to the weapons, shields, and such. I am sure you can help."

Usagi sighed. "I can't get you what you want. You'd have to talk to Lord Kiyoshi. "

Shade looked Usagi right in the eyes. "You can get me what I want. I can pay for what I want. I have all my personal resources on me. I just want it, and want it now. I don't care about legality at this point. Consider it 'free trade'. I just want my sister free from Venom."

Usagi raised an eyebrow. He couldn't decide whether or not to punch Shade right there, or to actually help him. He seemed dangerous, and if he really did steal the sabers and the WolvenII, then he could potentially cause even MORE problems here if he didn't help him.

"All right. I'll do what I can. Give me a list of what you need, and I'll get you what I can. If you want anything else, go talk to Rhogen. You must agree on something first, though."

Shade turned to face Usagi and sat down. "What? Anything, I just want to save my sister and my girlfriend!"

Usagi looked Shade strait in the eye. "Do you have any code you follow, Shade?"

Shade raised an eyebrow. "The code of one fighting for those they love. That good enough for you?"

"Very. You must promise me, on your honor and soul, that you will use these things I get you for good, and not for evil. You must take an oath stating that you will not use these for personal gain, or revenge, but solely for the freedom of you sister and your lover. "

Shade nodded. " I swear on my soul that I will use whatever you get me for the sole purpose of ending Andross's reign on Venom and freeing the Lylat system once again. Only when that is done, will my sister and my love be safe and free."

Usagi sighed. It was going to be another one of those days...

"Maybe we can negotiate over a meal? I haven't eaten for about 34 standard hours. I'll pay for it."

Usagi looked at Shade with confusion. A minute ago, Shade had been a nervous wreck, then a brave warrior, and now he was acting social? "Uh, ok. What type of food do you eat?"

Shade relaxed, looked up in thought, then back at Usagi. "Whatever you feel like eating. I'd eat just about ANYTHING right now! By the way, I have some stories about Fox and Mari you just might like to hear..."

Usagi's eyes lit up. "Gossip?"

Shade smiled, "Why not?"

Shade began to tell all sorts of gossip and stories to Usagi as they left the hangar and headed to a private room in White Star Castle.

Shade's was eating Koi sushi, Usagi had some unidentifiable vegetables, and Rhogen had lots of Teriyaki. Shade was eating very fervently, hardly stopping to breathe, Usagi ate slowly, and Rhogen ate like a rhino. Rhogen, surprisingly, had the worst manners, and Shade had the best, even for this system's etiquette. Rhogen was the first to speak.

"Hungry, Shade?"

"Yeah," Shade replied, finishing his sushi, "I haven't eaten for over a day."

Rhogen grinned and said, "Been busy?"

Shade sighed. "I'll tell you all about it..."

Usagi was still looking at Shade. He simply stated, "From the beginning, please."

Shade sipped his tea. "I was on an exploratory mission escorting the CEF Deviant to the Sol system." Usagi and Rhogen nodded. "We had reached the system when we received a distress call from Corneria."

Usagi looked up. "When the takeover occurred?"

"I believe so. The message stated 'All ships come back. Be at battle stations. Deploy all warp capable ships. My ship, the Tint, had warp capability, so I went ahead to scout it out."

Usagi looked in disbelief. "That was over a month ago, even at warp it took you that long to get back?"

Shade looked at Usagi. "Yes, the Sol System is VERY far away..."

Usagi smiled. "I understand. Continue."

"I arrived at Corneria to see a Venomian transport leaving, unguarded. I immediately radioed the CEF Deviant what I saw, and headed for Venom."

Rhogen gave Shade an odd look. "Why there?"

"Revenge."

Usagi and Rhogen both said, "Ah..."

"Corneria was taken. Nothing left. What would you do?"

Usagi replied, "I understand all too well... please go on..."

Shade looked up, and sighed. "I made it to Venom, and dropped out of warp. I accelerated to top speed and boosted through the ranks. I must've taken out 500+ ships, not to mention multiple battle cruisers."

Rhogen looked at Shade, "Yeah, I'd say you were pissed..."

Shade looked at Rhogen. "That's when I met StarWolf."

Usagi absently rubbed his jaw. "StarWolf... I remember them..."

Shade looked at both of them. "Four familiar ships, one new pilot, by the name of Vixen." Usagi raised an eyebrow. "She's taken Wolf O'Donnell's place as the leader of StarWolf. She's a Rogue Knight, probably hired to counter Mariko."

Rhogen was surprised. "Now how'd she do that?"

Shade shrugged. "He's dead, or so they say. I think she killed him or something."

Usagi looked at Shade with a tilted head. "You don't believe he's dead?"

Again, Shade shrugged. "He might be, he might not be. Wolf is strong, despite his lack of honor."

Usagi regained his composure. "Hmm... please go on."

Shade thought for a moment, then resumed. "Lesse, they disabled my ship, but not until I took down Leon, Andrew, and Pigma, in that order. That should explain how I was feeling." Rhogen laughed, and Usagi nodded. "Vixen's ship was barely capable of flight, much less combat, when they locked onto me with a tractor beam and took me prisoner." Both Usagi and Rhogen chuckled at that. "She knocked me unconscious after that with a wave of her hand. Threw me against the damn wall." Shade rubbed his head, revealing his bandana and it's kanji. "It still hurts."

Usagi looked at the bandana with interest. "Interesting... where did you get the bandana?"

Shade just replied, "My mother gave it to me."

Usagi asked, "Was she from the Imperial System?"

Shade shrugged. "I don't know... I don't know much about her at all."

Usagi thought a moment. "Your father then?"

Shade shook his head. "He's Zonessian through and through. Born and raised."

Usagi took a good look at the kanji. "Ah... do you know what that symbol means?"

Shade nodded. "It's Akune, which means fire. I studied Imperial when I got the bandana."

Usagi nodded. "I've heard of such totems, but I don't know much about them. Mariko might, though..."

Shade sighed. "I'll asker if I see her again. In these times, I don't know..."

Usagi looked Shade in the eye. "When you see her again..."

Shade looked at Usagi in confusion. "Huh? What do you mean, when? She was captured by Venom, but escaped. That's all I know."

Usagi smiled. "Mariko and I are twins, last I looked she was VERY much alive..."

Shade was suddenly full of energy. "Is she here?! Can I see her? I need to see a familiar face..."

Usagi shook his head. "No, she's not here. She needed some things that I could get her and I saw her a week or two ago." Shade swore. "She was with others, though."

Shade looked up. "Others? Who?"

Usagi went into thought, then said, "There was an attractive red-haired rabbit named Ariel Triton," Rhogen flinched at the mention of Ariel's name, "and a young blond dog, I think they called her Boomer..."

Shade spit out his tea. "Boomer?!?!"

Usagi wiped the spit tea off of his kimono and continued. " Yes, they did call her Boomer, she snitched the plans for the jet Mariko needed right out of my hands..."

Shade was ecstatic. "Beatrice is alive!" He sighed in relief. "Thank the gods! She's alive..." Shade just stared into space.

Usagi looked at Shade quizzically. "I assume you know her?"

Shade woke out of his love daze. "Huh? Oh, yeah. She's my girlfriend. Mariko introduced us." Rhogen rolled his eyes. "What, Rhogen?"

Rhogen smirked. "Never mind..."

Usagi tried to change the subject. "I see, please go on."

Shade continued. "Ok... I woke up in Mariko's old cell. I saw my sister, Katt, at the other end of the corridor, as well as the other members of StarFox and Bill Grey, Boomer's brother."

Usagi cocked his head. "How could you tell it was Mariko's old cell?"

Shade shrugged. "It had been broken out of recently. And it had some added 'features' that the other cells didn't, like anti-mind technology. Apparently Vixen thought I was a potential Knight."

Usagi raised an eyebrow. "Why did she think that?!"

Shade looked worried. "I don't know... but my reaction later probably explains why." 

Rhogen eyed Shade. "Not to seem blunt, but anything weird happen to you lately, as in Knight weird?"

Shade looked down. "I'm getting to it. Vixen came into my cell with an armed escort."

Usagi spoke up. "Mariko once told me that A knight can sense another even if the other doesn't know what they have."

Shade glanced at Usagi with his peripheral vision. "That's probably it. Anyway... First, she tried to reason with me. No luck. Then she put her sabers to my throat."

Rhogen opened his eyes wide. "That would make me shut up..."

Usagi smirked. "Some how I doubt that Rhogen..." Rhogen glared at Usagi with disapproval.

Shade resumed his story. "Anger overwhelmed me, and I thrust my hands out, throwing Vixen and the guards against the wall, and making her drop her sabers."

Rhogen's eyes widened. " THAT would classify as 'Knight Weird'"

Usagi raised an eyebrow. "THAT would explain how you got the sabers..."

Shade's voice grew shaky. "I grabbed her sabers and ran, but not until after my entire body ignited in green flame..." Shade stared at his hands. Both Usagi and Rhogen stared in disbelief. "What am I?" Shade sighed.

Usagi was the first to get out of his daze. "Flame?" He looked at the bandana on Shade's brow. "I wonder it that has anything to do with it."

"It might," Shade replied, "I don't know lately... Anyway..."

Usagi nodded. "Continue."

"I ran out of the base."

Rhogen raised an eyebrow. "Smart move."

Shade gave Rhogen a look that froze him in his tracks. "I saw Pigma by his WolvenII eating some chips. I punched him and took his ship. I stopped burning at that point."

Usagi put the pieces together. "Ah... now things are falling into place."

"I launched for this system immediately after that."

"So you came to the Imperial System seeking assistance?"

"Yes. Now, for what I need..."

Usagi sighed. "I will try to give you as much as I can, but mostly my hands are tied at some points..."

Rhogen just grinned from ear to ear. "But mine are not..."

Shade looked at Usagi. "I've seen your robotic guards. I think you call them samuroids. I need the parts for one, but only one 19' tall..."

Usagi looked up. "That should not be a problem. I'll call Dr. Tamako about it, he always enjoys a challenge..."

Shade continued. "I'll need some experimental technology relating jet/mech transformation."

Rhogen grinned. "One place. Gadget World... it's got everything..."

Shade nodded. "I'll go there.  I also need the facilities to work on this ship of mine."

Usagi spoke up. "I can try here at White Star, where Mariko's jet was stored. It would be a good place, it's still vacant."

"Thanks," said Shade, "I'll also need paint. I can't have that ship looking like it's from StarWolf."

"Full repair and building facility there, paint should be no problem..."

"I'll also need a surge katana. The katana and plans," Shade added, "I'll explain later."

Usagi shook his head, "I cannot help you there."

"Just one. I won't be keeping it. I'll need it for the ship."

Usagi shook his head again. "My family has to sets, the one's I carry and my Father's... I no longer carry my Father's... You might find a swordmaker who could get you what you need, but I cannot."

Shade nodded in understanding, and pulled out a data PADD. "I need access to ALL this technology," Shade said, handing Usagi the plans, "if I lack one component, the whole ship will fail."

Usagi stared at the PADD and handed it to Rhogen. "I think he is better prepared to handle this..."

Rhogen looked at the PADD and grinned. "Looks like a trip to Gadget World for us, Shade..."

Shade sighed. "It's not going to be cheap, but it'll be one hell of a ship when it's complete."

Rhogen grinned. "It will be one hell of a ship."

Shade smiled. "I got the inspiration off an old book series. Only this one will work." Rhogen grinned wider. "It's called 'Robotech'. Ever read it?" Usagi shook his head but smiled.

Rhogen replied, "Never heard of it. Do you need anything else?"

Shade nodded. "A name for the ship. No ship like this is complete without one."

Usagi spoke up. "I have found that it is better to wait until the ship is complete before giving it a name."

"Gotcha," Shade replied, "anyway, I need some more native clothing as well. That's the last thing on the list."

Rhogen laughed. "Your department, Usagi!"

 ***********************************

Some time later, Usagi was handing Shade a black hakuma, a white kimono, and a pair of waraji behind a screen. Usagi waited for a while, then said, "Well?"

"How... do you put this on?" Shade said, struggling and putting on the clothing completely wrong. Rhogen shook his head and laughed. Shade gave him a dirty look.

"This way, Shade." Usagi said, showing him.

"Aha! Why'd they make it so damn tricky?" Shade said. Usagi shrugged. "A shirt and jacket is so easy to put on. The hakuma and kimono are not." After a few minutes of waiting, Shade came out from behind the screen looking very Japanese. "This looks better. How do I look?"

Rhogen commented, "The bandana matches now."

"Gee, thanks." Shade said sarcastically. Rhogen shrugged. "Really, do I fit in? Do I look Imperial at all?"

Usagi looked at Shade, impressed. "Yes, you do. You look like you've lived here all your life, actually."

"Thanks, Usagi. Rhogen, you mentioned 'Gadget World'... where is it?"

Rhogen grinned and said, "Let's grab my ship and I'll show it to you..."

"Usagi, can you move my ship into Mariko's old hangar and paint all the red white? That, and just in front of the cockpit, could you have 'Akune' painted for me? I'm guessing it's going to be my trademark for a while..."

Usagi nodded. "No problem, Shade."

"Rhogen, let's go!"

Shade and Rhogen were in Rhogen's ship, and had just landed on "Gadget World". The first thing Shade saw when he stepped out was sand. A LOT of sand. Water didn't seem to be around for MILES. The numerous bars told him otherwise. Apparently they had some sort of device that made any kind of drink you wanted out of thin air. Rhogen smiled and simply said, "Replicators." Shade ordered many drinks just to watch them appear out of nothingness. Rhogen simply laughed and dragged Shade to the ship parts dealer in the city.

When they entered, a Praying Mantis stood wearing Oriental clothing of the high class and a tattoo on his right eye. Shade and Rhogen immediately recognized him as a Knight. Shade cleared his throat. "Hello, I'm Shade Monroe. Could you help us?"

The Praying Mantis turned and smiled. "Of course, soul-brother."

Rhogen looked at the two of them, confused. Shade's eyes opened wide. "Soul-brother? I don't know why, but I don't deny it... in fact, I feel we ARE brothers..."

Rhogen sneaked out the door to hide from the conversation and in order to stay clear of Shade, who was beginning to REALLY spook him. He was quickly spotted by someone to whom he owed something and was chased away. The Praying Mantis looked at Shade, smiling. "Yes, we are soul-brothers. You are a potential Knight, as you always are. Looks like you're better than I am this life."

Shade was suddenly filled with memories from past lives, and felt like he had known the mantis for millennia. "It appears so, Shi-Lin, it appears so... anyway, I need to get these parts for a ship I'm building."

"Always the creative one, Shade. Let me see them." Shade handed Shi-Lin the PADD that contained the plans for his ship. Shi-Lin's jaw dropped. "You're making this NOW? This isn't supposed to be built until you find the mother of the Child of Destiny!"

Shade's eyes widened. "'Child of Destiny'? What are you talking about?"

Shi-Lin sighed. Shade didn't have access to his soul's full memory. He took a deep breath and told Shade the legend:

Shade nodded. "Apparently it's time..."

"These are dire times indeed..."

"Yes, they are. Guess what I've found out that isn't in the legend?"

"What?"

"I'M the Father of the Child of Destiny."

Shi-Lin almost collapsed in surprise. "WHAT?! You're supposed to be the child's guardian, not father!"

"Well, legends aren't perfect. Anyway, about my ship..."

"Yes..."

They both went into the back room and discussed for three days what would be needed. Meanwhile, Rhogen was running from various people and hiding out on his ship. Shade and Shi-Lin did not come out of the back room for the three days they talked. They neither ate, drank, nor slept. On the third night, Shade came out holding a ruby pendant with a very magical glow emitting from the ruby's center. Shade's appearance had also changed drastically. Over his right eye was the Kanji of Tree, or Life, in a very dark forest green. On the back of his neck was the Kanji of Rain, or Water, in a whitish-blue. On his right paw was the Kanji of Earth in a greenish-brown, and on is left paw was the Kanji for Cloud, or Air, in a vibrant white. Rhogen didn't recognize Shade until Shade produced the plans. Shi-Lin gave Shade all the necessary components needed free of charge, but Shade paid him anyway. Rhogen remained silent the rest of the trip. Shade began to explain it all...

Chapter 9

Shade began his tale. "When I went into the back room with Shi-Lin, time seemed to stop. What may have been three days for you has been three long weeks for me. My body may have gone into a sort of slumber, for what I saw could not have been contained in that room. He said these four words: 'Your training begins now.' Instantly I could not move. I had to learn how to move all over again. I also had to learn how to control outbursts of power. I was never given any guidance, just a constant stare. I eventually learned how to control the four basic elements: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. Apparently, I had complete control over a 'fifth' element... Life. If it wasn't for that element, I wouldn't be here now.

"After two weeks of 'fluctuating', I heard a voice. It said 'live or die', and immediately I was faced by a horror that I have not seen since I witnessed the death of my mother. It was a white cat, grinning evilly, wielding two red sabers. I have seen the beast since, but I have not entered combat with her before... I brought up my hands and was somehow able to deflect her sabers with my hands, but I was not able to fight back. Not physically. I had to use her weapons against her.

"I realized that after a day of fighting that there was no way for me to harm her directly. I waited until her swords were swinging wildly, her mad laughing driving me insane... then I struck. I pushed her sabers under her neck and crossed them, holding them. As I had hoped, she pushed back, and I released my hold. She had defeated herself with her own overconfidence. I then heard a voice. 'The Trial of Earth has been completed.' The Kanji now on my right hand glowed with a supernatural glare, and became what it is now. Then I heard a voice again. 'The Trial of Water shall begin.' I soon saw arrows flying at me from all directions. Like water, I had to fit between the arrows and flow through the gaps to stay alive. It lasted for a day, then the arrows ended. The Kanji now on my neck glowed much like the one on my hand, and also became permanent. The voice spoke again. 'The Trial of Water is complete. The Trial of Air shall begin.' Once there, I saw a raging inferno behind me, and cliffs in front of me. I ran, faster than I had run before. The raging inferno caught up to me, and I felt the flames engulf me. Remembering the wind, I jumped as far as I could, as high as I could, as fast as I could. As one knows, air is not harmed by fire. In this case, I became air. I flowed like the wind, past the fire, past the cliffs, to the other side. There I landed, my jump ended. I turned to see the fires stop and the cliff, and burn away. Then I heard it. 'I am impressed, you seem to have beginner's luck! You have passed the Trial of Air and the Trial of Fire simultaneously!' The Kanji now on my left hand, and the Kanji on my bandana glowed like the others, and the one now on my hand became permanent. The voice spoke again. 'There is one more test you must pass. It is hard and long. You must remain ever faithful to your lover, forever love and protect your sister, and protect your lover's soul and honor as if it were more important than your own.' I simply nodded my head and replied, 'That I will always do, and will do so at the cost of my own honor, life, and even soul.' The voice was pleased. It replied, 'Then go now, Shade Monroe, and live up to your vow! Then you will be a true Knight! Go now, and save Corneria! In doing so, you will save both your sister and your lover, and many others as well! Farewell, and may your soul be ever glowing!'"

Usagi was the first to greet Shade when he came back, as no one else recognized him or even knew who he was. Usagi didn't notice the Kanji at first. "Welcome back, Shade. The trip was a success?"

Shade looked up at Usagi, giving him a good look at the Kanjis. "I got all the necessary things."

Usagi's jaw dropped. "You're gone for a week and you became a Knight already? You're covered with the elements!"

Shade nodded. "It has to do with my destiny. You don't want to know."

Usagi nodded. "You got that right..."

Shade went towards his ship, covered with a fresh coat of white paint and sporting the Kanji of Fire, Akune. "Nice job. The sooner I can get to work, the better."

Rhogen came out with a platform that seemed to be hovering, loaded with parts. He just gave Usagi a look of horror and took the parts over to the WolvenII. Usagi had the giant samuroid taken out to the ship's hangar, and they left Shade to his work. Shade never left the hangar for a week, and his meals were brought to him. He stopped only to eat and drink. After a week of work, the ship was complete. It resembled NOTHING like the WolvenII or samuroid it was made out of. Its wings were long and thin, going for many feet behind the ship, but only going about 3 feet out from it. It had a scatter laser on the nose, and two hyper blasters, one under each wing. The nose also had a focusing capability to make a beam similar to a Knight's saber, only much larger. The main body was white, and the wings and G-diffusers were solid black. Only one thing was missing. A source of power.

Shade asked Usagi if he could have some water, a feather, and something dear to him.

Usagi sighed. "Water and a feather, yes. As for something dear, I can't give it to you."

Shade smiled. "Step one and two complete... now for step three."

The water was brought to Shade, and he put the feather in the center, and he also put the ruby pendant in the water. He dropped to his knees and seemed to pray. It was then that a figure appeared, shimmering, a human with wings, a beautiful woman, an angel. The figure immediately shot through the air like a bolt of lightning and went right into the ship. The pendant's glow disappeared, the feather became dust, and the water was gone. The ship hummed to life. Shade smiled and rose. "Step three complete. The Iriah is made." Shade took the two sabers he had stolen from Vixen and put the ends together. He then placed the sabers on the dust of the feather. The dust became part of the sabers, and they merged into one to become a staff. "My job here is done. I must say farewell."

Usagi and Rhogen just stood dumbfounded as Shade boarded his ship and took off.

Shade had just dropped out of warp (or his ship's equivalent, it certainly wasn't hyperdrive) orbiting Corneria. He immediately descended and converted the Iriah into "battle mode". The ship transformed from a jet into a humanoid robot wielding a large blaster in it's left hand and in place of the right hand was the nose blaster, focusing it's energy into a saber of very large proportions. Shade hailed the first base he saw. "Free all Cornerians and leave or be destroyed." His answer came in the form of Invader Is, Invader IIs, and Invader IIIs launching from the base. He shot down all that came out with the blaster, and any he missed, he took down at close range with the saber. A large robot was deployed from the base, as was a carrier. Shade ran the robot through with several swipes and stabs with the saber, then unfocused the beam and shot at the carrier. The carrier fired back, and it hit the Iriah several times. Shade started to run the ship back and forth, zigzagging and jumping around to dodge the shots from the carrier. The carrier never had time to react when the Iriah jumped on it and started to hack it to pieces with a re-focused beam of energy. Shade then saw multiple Venom transports leave the base, all being shot at. He smiled and went on to the next base.

Shade had many run-ins like this. After a while, bases began to evacuate before he came, but others fought him. His ship's shields were pretty low when he made it to the last one, and the biggest one. It was a re-built Alpha Base, where Boomer used to be stationed. The usual wave of Invader's came at him, but he noticed some Wolven jets in the mix, too. 'So, he finally figured out that Wolvens are better than Invaders. It took him long enough.' Then Shade felt sick. The shields had failed, and the Iriah was hit. He changed into jet mode, hoping to out maneuver the jets remaining in the dogfight and finish them off. He never got the chance. Suddenly, the Great Fox came out of the sky and the remaining Invaders fled. Shade landed his ship and started to repair it immediately. "Sorry, Iriah. I should've been more careful..."

The ship bleeped. It answered back in a feminine voice (and in Imperial), "I'm ok, Master Shade. I will regenerate all damage within the next 24 hours. I will look as if nothing hit me."

Shade smiled and replied (in Imperial), "I hope so, Iriah. And please don't call me 'Master'."

"Of course, Shade."

Shade ran into the base to see about the conditions of the prisoners. He noticed that they were nearly all half-dead, but a vixen stood out from the rest. He ran to her. "Are you ok?"

The vixen looked at him, puzzled. "I-I think so... are you a Knight?"

"In a way. You might call me one, although I don't have the complete training."

The vixen frowned, then smiled. "I'm Fara Phoenix, you?"

"Shade Monroe."

Fara pulled back. "You don't know Katt Monroe, do you?"

"She's my half-sister, why?"

Fara glared at him with hatred for a few minutes, then calmed down. 'He just saved my life, and countless others. Maybe he ISN'T a Knight. But, if he is related to Katt, then he MUST know Mariko (bitch, man-stealer...), but he seems nice. He IS kinda cute, now that I look at him!' "Thank you for saving me... Shade." She smiled at him.

"No problem. Let's get you out of here." He picked up Fara and carried her outside to his jet. He set her down in time for her to pass out from exhaustion and overwork. Shade gave her some water and food after he woke her up. He then saw that the Great Fox had landed. "I have to do something, I'll be right back." Fara wrapped her arms around Shade and kissed him on the lips. Shade opened his eyes wide, then began to return the kiss. 'Just to make her feel better, she needs it.' thought Shade, although he knew that deep down he was enjoying the kiss.

"Come back quickly..." she cooed. Shade ran toward the Great Fox, then noticing a blue and white ship landed, and that it was empty.

'Great,' he thought, 'Beatrice just saw me kiss her. I am going to be dog food when she finds me..."

Shade knew that he had a LOT of explaining to do to the first person to get off the Great Fox. To his regret, someone tapped him on the shoulder, and when he turned, it was Boomer. Lucky for him, she didn't recognize him at first. All he could think about besides her was that she might have seen Fara kissing him... Shade sighed and took a breath. But that is a story for another time.

~Finis~