Chapter 10: The Sword is Passed

"What!" exclaimed Pilot Fox incredulously. "Andross win!"

"It galls me too," Sir Fox agreed, "but I am too wounded to move, at least very fast. It is impossible to get to the chapel in time."

"Couldn't one of the others take the sword?" asked Pilot Fox. Reverend Peppy shook his head.

"No. Watch." He reached as if to grasp the sword's handle, but there was a spark of white light and he jerked his hand back, shaking it. "Only a male knight of the McCloud line can touch the sword with a bare hand, and only in a bare hand can it be wielded in battle, as its ancient magic dictates. Sir Fox himself couldn't touch it until I knighted him, soon after we saved Sir Skye, and even then I had to use heavy gloves to do so, gloves that were ruined in the process. This mark on my robes - " He indicated a dark gray-brown spot. " - is from when I was forced to use it to pprotect my hands, when I kept it from Andross."

"Fox," Lady Krystal said suddenly, but she couldn't help a smile when both Foxes looked over, despite the severity of the moment. "Ahem, Sir Fox, I believe I know what you are thinking, and you cannot be serious. It won't work."

"Only one way to find out." Sir Fox, grimacing slightly, reached his left hand over to touch a ruby on his right gauntlet. He focused a bit, and all the armor glowed and vanished, leaving him in a pale green tunic, brown pants, and boots. The ruby was now attached to a gold bracelet, which he removed and held out to PIlot Fox. It was comprised of two quarter inch bands which angled up to cradle the ruby, surrounded by a ring of gold. The bands fused together towards the bottom, leaving gap to slide the wrist through. The pilot took the offered item and examined it. "Put it on, then try to picture any piece of my armor you can. The mental image must be perfect." Pilot Fox slid it onto his right wrist, after removing his communicator, and closed his eyes to focus. He imagined the helmet, as it had caught his attention. He remembered the intricate feathered winds, and open face, the obvious care taken in it's creation. The others gasped, and simultaneously Fox felt a light, encasing pressure over his body, arms, legs, over his head and feet. He opened his eyes to see he was wearing Sir Fox's armor. The knight leaned back with a sigh of relief. "It accepts you."

"Huh?"

"The armor is much like the sword, only specifically made for one person alone, attuned to my blood. However, it seems your blood is enough like mine to satisfy the magic."

"Fox!" interrupted Archer Falco, "you can't be thinking - " An upraised hand from the knight silenced him.

"Fox," Sir Fox said slowly, "the armor accepts you as me. Therefore so too will the sword. I cannot make it to the chapel, and none of my comrades can carry it there. But you could. I know this isn't your vow, nor your war, but please, help me stop Warlord Andross, end his reign."

All were silent as Fox sat there, eyes closed and thinking. Sir Fox began to get worried. Then, Fox opened his eyes, picked up his communicator... and tossed it into Sir Fox's lap.

"Skye is locked onto my communicator, so you'll need it."

"Than you'll help?" Fox nodded.

"Andross - that is, our Andross - hurt a lot of peoople before he was finally taken out for good. I can't let that happen here, not if I want to live with myself."

"But Fox," PIlot Slippy spoke up, "you might not be able to hold the sword either. You're not a knight."

"Knight, captain, close enough." Sir Fox held out the sword in its sheath, and Fox accepted it, buckling it on. "Heh, right handed, just like me." Alchemist Slippy's eyes suddenly lit up, and he removed his goggles, holding them out to his counterpart.

"I'll not leave Fox undefended," he said, "so you might need these." Lady Krystal nodded.

"Excellent idea, Slippy. If Fox's armor accepts his double, then so will our things, items they'll most likely need." the toad nodded, then explained,

"The goggled will let you see through illusions, and my pack will give you whatever items you say you need, be it a potion of healing or a sword or a rope. Just be very specific, or it might give you what the magic thinks you need. It's usually right, but it can be riddlesome. And it can only be called upon twelve times every twenty-four hours. It will be another four or so hours until that power reactivates." Lady Krystal handed over her wand.

"I feel you are like me. This will enhance your natural abilities, as well as teach you a few new ones I'd suspect. It will let you know what to do." Archer Falco frowned.

"I'm not so sure I like this, but it seemed to be the best plan." He removed his quiver and bow. "Can you shoot?" Pilot Falco snorted.

"My record on the target range is still unbeaten, and for your information that included archery."

"Good. With this bow, your skill will double, and the quiver never empties. Take good care of them." The reverend smiled a bit sadly.

"If only my skills could be so easily passed. But they are divine gifts alone, and cannot be given away."

"Understandable," replied PIlot Slippy. "I just hope you all will be okay unarmed." Pilot Slippy's eyes abruptly lit up as well.

"I've got an idea. Um, Slippy - wow that felt weird to say - follow me." The two toads moved into some nearby brushes out of sight. They returned about three minutes later and stood side by side. Alchemist Slippy had his pack back on.

"What were you doing?" asked Sir Fox. "And I thought you were going to let your double use your pack." Both toads grinned, looked at each other and nodded, before one replied,

"I did, friend." Eyes popped wide, for by all appearances it had been Pilot Slippy who had spoken, in Alchemist Slippy's speech mannerisms.

"Fooled you guys," laughed the other Slippy.

"You switched clothes!" exclaimed Lady Krystal.

"Yep," PIlot Slippy replied. "I figured that since our Fox looked like Sir Fox when he wore the armor, it would be the same for each of us. I mean, not even you guys could tell us apart, and you've known us for years! If we dress in their clothes, and then if any of the Warlord's thugs saw us they would think we were them - "

"And then we can draw them away, excellent Slippy!" finished Fox.

"Plus it might shake their morale as well," the reverend added. "Many saw Sir Fox take his wound, yet you are unhurt. Though I have come to a decision. I will not remain here with you, Sir Fox."

"Huh?"

"My gifts might be useful to the continuation of your quest, and as I cannot lend them to my counterpart, I must instead go with them. Plus, otherwise, who would lead them to McCloud Keep?"

"And my arm would clearly mark us as fakes," Pilot Peppy put in. "It makes sense. I'll be able to help Skye when he arrives as well."

"Speaking of Skye," Pilot Fox put in, "what's keeping him?"

"Lets find out." Pilot Peppy activated his communicator. "Team Star Fox calling Great Fox II. Skye, you there?" Skye responded, the hologram appearing.

"I'm here." He sounded annoyed. "I know, I'm taking forever. The med wing's totally wrecked! Seems every cabinet door and drawer popped open and all the supplied spilled everywhere. I'm having to put the suture kit together piece by piece!"

"Okay. Just wanted to make sure you're all right. I'll be here to help you when you arrive."

"Where's Fox off to this time?"

"We're lending out doubles a hand taking care of a few problems."

"Oh. Fox, I hope your listening. Be careful." Fox chuckled.

"Will do," he said so Skye could hear, and Peppy broke communication. While this had been going on, Falco and Krystal had been donning some of their twins' spare clothes, and putting their clothes into spare backpacks that the native set had. Indeed it was near impossible to tell who was who.

"As long as you do not remove the armor," Sir Fox said to his twin, "your own clothes will be hidden."

"Sounds good. Oh, and here." He handed over his blaster. "Just point it at anyone you want to hurt, and squeeze the trigger. Just don't point it at anyone you like." The knight nodded, and the others did the same.

"Everyone ready?" Reverend Peppy asked. They nodded. "Then lets go. We have only a few days."

"May good fortune smile on us all," was Sir Fox's parting farewell.