Chapter 13: Masks Removed

"He - he's not really black?" Krystal whispered.

Indeed, the fox's fur was now grey-streaked from where the liquids had doused him. He blinked furiously, trying to get it out of his eyes.

"Who are you? Where is my brother? Is he alive?"

"YES!" That shout made both Peppy and Fox's hearts leap in hope. "Yes, Skye lives! And now, now you will die!" He advanced, and Fox knew that this was it... and then he suddenly cried out, his eyes snapping shut and backing away a step. His eyelids fluttered, and at first they thought the fur dye had gotten into them.

Then, from the corner of his left eyes, out slid something to rest, glistening, on his cheek. Not a tear, though.

A contact lens.

Fox gasped as the eyes were opened. One green... one pink.

"N - no - " He backed away. Peppy's question was straight from his soul, and wet with heart's blood.

"S - Skye?"

"Skye McCloud stood straight and tell, his pose so much like that of his father and brother none doubted the kinship.

"Why, Skye?" Fox asked softly, eyes wet. "Why?" Skye growled.

"Because you were wanted. You were loved. And I was cast out!"

"That's not true!" cried Peppy. "You were kidnapped, stolen away from your family and friends." Skye paused. Maybe it was the hare's tone, maybe it was Fox's tears, but he paused.

"I've been told all my life I was rejected..."

"You. Were. Taken." Peppy repeated. Then he drooped. "And it's all my fault." Both McClouds clinked and said in unison,

"Huh?"

"Okay, that was freaky," commented Falco.

"I was right next to you when you vanished," Peppy confessed. "James, you, and myself were at the park - you loved it there! - for a day out in the sun. As usual, we were careful with your fur. You wore sunscreen, and your 'pilot shades,' and a hat, and we had an umbrella too. I carried you on my back while we walked there. Just like Fox, you loved to be up high, and loved pulling my ears even more.

"We stopped by your favorite tree, where there was a bench for me and your father. Your mother was resting, being heavily pregnant at the time. I set you in the grass right next tot he bench, where a cricket instantly had your attention, while James went to get a cool drink for each of us. I remember it was very busy." He put his head in his hands. "It seems I looked away for only a second, but when I looked back, you were gone!

"We searched the park, called the police, did all we could. But you'd simply vanished!" He was sobbing now. "It's a day I've never forgiven myself for!" The bloodied blade lowered a bit.

"But... Master Andross..."

"Andross?" Falco interrupted. "You can't believe a word that bastard says!"

"He had your father killed," Slippy added. "And killed lots of innocent people."

"If he'd the one who hurt you, Skye, you should thank Fox. He destroyed Andross." Krystal finished. Skye turned back to face his brother, who was trying to stem the flow of blood from his shoulder with little success.

"If that true?"

"Yeah." Fox panted from the burning pain. "Skye... I'm sorry." The blade hit the floor.

"W - what?"

'I'm sorry Andross kidnapped you, hurt you so bad. I'm sorry... no one even found you. I'm sorry I didn't find out about you... until now... because if I'd known I swear I would've found you, not stopping until you were safe back home... or I'd seen your grave. And anyone who'd hurt you, taken you, would've had no escape from me." He panted some more, head bowing in pain. "I'm sorry you think no one cares, loves you. Dad and mom loved you, Peppy does, and I love you, brother, no matter... how much you hurt me. And I'm sorry you feel such hatred towards me..." He sank to his knees, quickly feeling lightheaded. "But I won't... fight you Skye. Do with me... what you will, kill me is you must - " Fox looked up at him, eye to eye, tears streaming down his cheeks. " - but I won't fight the last... blood kin... I have." His head bowed again, whispering, "Not even to save my life."

"For a long moment, no one moved or spoke, the only sounds being Peppy and Fox's tears, and the wet drip of Fox's blood falling to the floor. Then...

"What... have... I ... done!"

Skye rushed to Fox's side and knelt, laying the younger fox down and pressing his hands to the wound, looking to the others with wide, panicked eyes. "What are you waiting for? Someone call an ambulance!" Slippy darted to the bar phone as the others crowded around. Fox lay quiet, staring up at them all, slipping into unconsciousness.

"Fox!" Krystal cried.

"Fox! What had I done! Fox! Please don't die! Please! Give me another chance! Brother!"

Fox slipped away into blackness.