Chapter 19: And the mission is...

"Do it, and she dies," Scales threatened smoothly.

"Let her go, Andross," Fox growled.

"An exchange, Sir Fox," Andross replied. "Toss the Archwing to me, and your lady goes free." Krystal began to shake her head no, but Scales tightened his grip, causing her to gasp as one of his claws pressed in rather painfully.

"How do I know I can trust you?" Fox retorted, holding the blade battle-ready.

"You don't. Now, the sword." Fox hesitated.

"Do what you have to," Peppy comforted, his tone sad. For them, this was a no-win situation, and they all knew it.

"I'll deal with you alone, Andross," the captain-playing-knight replied. Scaled handed Krystal over to his liege and stepped away, grinning toothily.

"Your decision?" Fox sighed, then nodded his agreement." Fine. Throw the Archwing, up into the air, mind you, not at me directly." Fox threw the glistening blade up in an arch. Andross shoved Krystal at the heroes, quickly holding up his hands and casting a spell. Black light formed in his palms to shoot out at the sword.

The Archwing, blade, hilt, and pommel all, shattered into bits to lay scattered and smoldering on the ground, the precious ruby naught but dust.

"Yes!" Andross laughed in triumph. "The king is forever dead! I have won at last!" The heroes huddled together sadly, especially Peppy who had also lost a dear friend.

Then, abruptly, Fox's ear perked up, and he raised his gaze, a sly, confident expression on his face, triumph glittering in his eyes.

"That's what you think! Slippy, now!" The toad reached into a pocket on his bag and grabbed something, throwing it to Fox: a red, shiny ruby. Andross' eyes widened as he realized the truth.

"Noooooo!" He lunged, but Fox was swifter, bringing the ruby down into the still-glowing alter with all his strength. It shattered, with an explosion of bright white light that made everyone throw their arms up to shield their eyes and look away, and Fox to also take a couple of steps back. When they could look again, the ruby fragments were glittering brightly. The altar's glow shifted to a deep, royal purple, and a white mist arose, forming into a ball. When it was about the size of a volleyball by Fox's guess, it shot up through the ceiling and vanished.

"Mission accomplished!" Fox shouted triumphantly, punching a fist into the air, at the same time hearing Krystal cry out,

"Fox, look out!" Fox tried to jump aside, suddenly remembering where he was, but was caught from behind by the front of his throat in a choking grip, and spun around, lifted from his feet by Andross.

"You... bastard!" Andross growled, tightening his grip. "Your life ends NOW!" Fox gagged and struggled, kicking the crazed warlord several times with his armored boots, but it seemed as if rage had granted the villain an immunity to pain. The others moved to help Fox, but quickly found themselves with their hands full with Scales as the Sharpclaw went into a kind of bezerker frenzy.

"Fox!" Krystal called in vain, desperately trying to get to him, or use her powers, but Scales grabbed her and tossed her like a rag doll against the wall, knocking her out.

"Hope you had a good life," Andross growled, as black spots danced in Fox's vision. "Now," He tightened his grip. "Say goodbye!"