Okay, I don't really know if his mom's name was Vixy, but I've heard that repeatedly. If I'm wrong, let me know.

Chapter 8: A Secret Long Kept

The plush carpet where he'd used to play with toy ships. The kitchen where his mom made fresh cookies. His fathers cushy chair, where he'd tell stories of valiant heroes defeating evil villains. Like ghosts the memories floated everywhere, clung to every wall. It was just as he'd left it, after his father had died.

Fox sat down slowly into his father's chair, trying to subdue the feeling of... dread... welling up within as he pulled out the second letter, and opened it.

Dear Fox,

I hope you obeyed me, and are in your old house, and alone. You can tell the others later, if you want, but this... this is something that I want, that your father would've wanted, to tell you one-on-one.

Fox, I lied before. I know the secret your father kept. I've kept it too. James would've told you when you were older, but I guess the time never felt right, and then Andross put a stop to that. I know I should've told you them, but I guess I was afraid to reopen old wounds for me, and open new ones for you.

This isn't easy to say. It involves your father, mother, and to a lesser extent you. Now, before you start thinking the wrong thing, James was devoted to Vixy, and to her alone, and she was equally loyal to him.

When you were known to exist, James had to tell several people right away: General Pepper, me, and one names Skye. Skye wasn't another pilot. Skye was a two-year-old fox.

His full name was Skye Damien McCloud.

Yes, Fox, you have an older brother. Ah, you have no idea how good it feels to finally tell you. I should have told you long ago. Forgive me, Fox, and forgive your parents for not telling you either. Skye's fate was a painful one for them. You see, about three months before you were born, Skye was kidnapped, and we never found out who or what happened to him. Your poor mother was heartbroken! She nearly went into labor when she heard the news. All of us, the entire fleet, all of your family's friends, we all poured our everything into the search, all for nothing. Secretly some of us thought Andross was involved - your father had caused him trouble before - but nothing could be proven. After seven years, Skye was declared deceased, but James never really gave up hope. His fondest dream was for you two to grow up together, to be pilots together, the best of friends. And until that caller mentioned James' secret, it seemed that dream was gone.

And so, Fox, I've gone to confront him myself, first. I know I might be making a big mistake, but I have to know. I have to know what might have happened to that snow-white kit I used to give back rides to, who used to pull on my eras just like you did as a child. Yes, I said snow-white, for your brother was albino. We always had to be careful when we took him outside, because of his sensitive skin and eyes, and James always feared that whoever had him wouldn't understand that, and would hurt him. If he's still alive, somewhere, I'm going to make this guy tell me what he knows, I swear it!

Fox, upstairs in the attic is your father's Academy foot locker. In it is a small chest. It's locked, but I was entrusted with the key. And now it's yours. In it is all known to remain of Skye McCloud.

Again, forgive us, all of us, for keeping this from you.

Peppy

A bit numbly Fox took the small brass key and went to the attic. He found the footlocker, and in it, under some clothes, he found the chest. With a heavy heart and shaking hands he opened the lid.

A folded baby blanket... some clothes... photos of the family... a small stuffed bear that rattled when Fox picked it up... and a small book... a baby book.

A few minutes later a teary-eyed Fox came back downstairs, carrying the chest, the baby book in his vest pocket. He felt numb inside, so much in fact he didn't hear Krystal.

"Fox! Fox!" Her distressed tone finally snapped him out of it, and he hurried out. He was relieved to see that the only ones with her were Falco and Slippy.

"What's wrong?"

'It's Peppy!" Slippy handed Fox a note and a metal object: Peppy's medal of Honor, earned for his valor against Andross when James had perished, and something he never was without. Fox opened the note.

Foolish Fox! You should not have sent your old friend. This if your final warning. Come to The Mixer nightclub tonight. Or the hare shall suffer your fate.

Fox growled, crumpling the note, and jumped into his car.

"Lets go! This ends now!"