Chapter 26: ... and the Knight

Fox burst out of the door just in time to see Sir Fox and Lady Krystal rounding the corner. They appeared startled at the slightly wild look in his eyes, as he ran up to them and grabbed Sir Fox by the arm.

"He's down there! C'mon!" The young knight had to run to keep up with his double, back down to the door. This time Fox paused some six feet from it, pulling Sir Fox close. "Call out to him," the captain whispered in a very low tone. "Say who you are." He looked then at Krystal. "And you don't say a word until Fox speaks first." She was confused, but nodded, and they approached the door. Sir Fox tried to peer in, then called,

"Can you answer me? It is Sir Fox McCloud." Again came the rattling of chains, and the voice, stronger than previously.

"Fox! It is you!"

Sir Fox's legs just about gave way, his face paling, and for a moment he was stunned. Then he cried out, tears running down his face as he beat upon the door almost frantically, as if desiring to batter it down,

"Father! Father, it's me, Fox!" Lady Krystal gasped.

"I thought - " she began in a whisper, then just shook her head, amazed.

"Fox, please tell me you're not here as Andross' prisoner," begged the voice of Sir James McCloud.

"Andross is dead, father. We won!" The others shadows marred the light from the opposite end, as Sir Fox futily banged his shoulder against the door, only to bounce off, rubbing it. And he'd been wearing armor!

"Are you okay?" asked Reverend Peppy as they reached the trio.

"Is - is that Peppy I hear?" Peppy actuallly had to steady himself against the wall, Sir Skye began to instantly weep and stand with his brother, calling out to his father, everyone (save Pilot Krystal, who'd never heard the voice before) appeared shocked beyond reaction, and Lady Vixy gave a cry of painful recognition.

"James?"

"Vixy!" They heard a low moan and the chains rattling as if James was trying to get up. Falco quickly handed over the ring of keys, and Sir Fox scrambled to find the match. Meanwhile, Lady Vixy, Sir Skye, and Reverend Peppy kept talking to Sir James, telling him to stay still and asking how badly he was hurt.

"None of them fit!" Sir Fox groaned in disgust and urgency to free his father.

"Wait!" Pilot Krystal said excitedly. "The key on the chain!"

It fit!

Eagerly Sir Fox pushed the latch and opened the door wide.

"AAARG!" Sir James cried, and those in the doorway saw him throw his arms up over his eyes. "the torches! Put them out! Please!" Panther extinguished all but two, which Pilot Fox and he himself held, and they ducked behind the door, lowering the lights so they were hidden, but still shed enough illumination for everyone to see what they were doing. They heard Sir James give a meek laugh. "I've been in blackness for so long, my eyes can't stand the light at all." Lady Vixy, Sir Fox, and Sir Skye were quick to enter.

"I've got it!" Pilot Falco said. "Slippy... no, the other Slippy... let me borrow your bag." It was handed over, and Falco requested a six inch cord. Pilot Fox couldn't see what he was doing, but he heard his team's approval, then the avian entered the cell. "Okay, this might feel a little funny on you, I promise it'll help. They're special glasses." Fox's ears perked up.

Of course! Falco's shades!

"They do feel a little odd."

"Well, they are made for me, but they should work until your eyes return to normal. Now lets test it. One of you, raise your torch." Panther slowly lifted it, and although the two behind the door heard a small gasp of pain, it seemed to be working.

"How is it?" asked Sir Skye.

"I... I can open my eyes! Ah, Vixy, my sons, you're the perfect first sight after darkness for so long. Although, Skye, I can still barely see you." There was a small laugh, slightly wet, as Panther stepped out from behind the door. Fox peeked around, and his heart lurched.

Sir James was in bad shape. He was gaunt, and his fur in ragged, dirty patches. His wrists were weighed down by heavy manacles, and an iron collar encircled his neck. His breathing was ragged and multiple scars attested to much abuse. And with those shades on, he looked so much like the father Fox remembered...

"Ah! The key fits here too!" Sir Fox eagerly unfastened his father's binds, and the sons slipped one under each arm to help stand and walk out. He eagerly looked around at the native set.

"Peppy, my friend... I'd honestly wondered if we'd meet next in the afterlife."

"You're too tough for that," Reverend Peppy replied as he used some healing magic on his friend. Then Sir James saw the non-natives.

"What in the world - " Sir Fox laughed.

"These are our friends, from another world, father. Some powerful magics, or the will of the gods, brought them here to aid us. Where they live there are other versions of all of us. And when their Fox wears my armor... Hey, where is he?" Everyone looked around, and realized it too.

Fox had vanished.