Author's Note: If you want to know what the name of this chapter is, slap yourself on the forehead. Did it? Hear the noise? That's the title. All will make sense, I promise.

Chapter 28: (insert the sound of the slapping of foreheads here)

The feast that night was indeed grand, and huge, mostly due to Andross' well-stocked pantries (prompting a comment from Falco about villains leaving well-stocked pantries for the heroes' use after they win) and a little bit of Magus Panther's magic. Everyone involved in the final assault and the former prisoners all had a place in the banquet hall and plenty of food and drink, after getting cleaned up and having their hurts tended to. Mostly for fun, Sir Fox had the members of the Star Fox team sit next to their doubles, so it looked like there were two Foxes, two Falcos, two Peppys, and so on. Sir Skye had taken the time to wash the black dye from his pristine white fur, so he matched Pilot Skye, and they took great delight in trying to confuse their little brothers by speaking at the same time or for each other. Clothing was the only real way to tell any of them apart. The tale of their heroics was told once all were assembled and eating, and it was agreed upon that both groups were heroes.

Sir James looked much more like himself after getting cleaned up and a little food in him, though he still had to wear the shades to protect his eyes. Fox discovered is wasn't to hard to look at him, despite the shades, and he was even able to talk about his father some. It was during one of these stories that the door to the hall opened wide and a voice called,

"Who do I have to thank for freeing me from that vile spell?"

Instantly everyone jumped up, Sir Fox, his friends, Sir James, Sir Skye, and Lady Vixy moving to greet the king, while all the members of team Star Fox looked at each other, and in unison all slapped themselves on the forehead.

"Somehow," Fox muttered, as they dissolved into amused grins, "I should've guessed!"

"King Pepper!" Sir Fox greeted cheerfully. King Pepper, an exact double of General Pepper, looked at his friends and smiled broadly.

"Glad to see all of you, although James, you look a little worse for wear, and what are those glasses?" James laughed.

"We have Andross and his dungeons to thank for that."

"Yes, that villain. Where is he?"

"Dead, sir," Alchemist Slippy answered. "As is Scales, his partner."

"Good!"

"As to your original question," Reverend Peppy spoke up, before turning to look over at the assembled and standing Star Fox team. King Pepper tipped his head in surprise, then looked at their native twins.

"Seems you have quite a story to tell." He grabbed an empty chair, and a place was made between Sir James and his sons. It seemed that, like General Pepper, King Pepper didn't stand too much on formalities, as they instantly started calling him Pepper, though the younger heroes tended to say 'Sir' out or respect as they told the story over. He listened, then nodded.

"Well then," he said, looking at Pilot Fox and his crew, "it seems we own you a debt of thanks. You've saved my entire kingdom and all her people."

"We couldn't let Andross win here," Fox replied.

"Still, you deserve a reward for your heroics." He stood and moved to stand near the center of the room, turning to face the head table. "Come stand before me." A touch confused though the native set all had delighted looks in their eyes, the Star Fox team obeyed. King Pepper drew his sword. "Kneel." A realization hit all of them as they knelt to one knee, and with a tap to each of their shoulders with the flat of the blade King Pepper knighted them; Sir Fox, Sir Skye, Sir Peppy, Sir Slippy, Sir Falco, and Lady Krystal. They stood to thunderous applause and cheers. King Pepper smiled. "It is the highest honor I can bestow, though if there is any other reward you desire that is within my power to grant, I will do so gladly." The newly knighted group looked at each other and nodded in unison, then turned back to the king.

"We have been rewarded enough," Fox said for them. "This will definitely be an adventure we'll never forget!"

"Then may this be an additional reminder of how grateful my people and I are." King Pepper took off a pendant around his neck and passed it to Fox. "And I insist." The group gathered around to see the emblem on the disk: a crown with a shooting star through it, under a large star not unlike the one Reverend Peppy wore on his own pendant.

"Thank you," Fox replied, putting the necklace on.

King Pepper handed out other rewards that eve. To the McCloud family he gave additional land, and to each of the heroes who'd followed Sir Fox through the years he gave the same, as well as returning their own land to them, of course. Lord Wolf he allowed to keep most of the land he'd taken during the years, to govern as he saw fit with the condition that he break no laws of the kingdom nor bring injustice down upon those he govern in the process. Lord Wolf agreed, of course. It seemed he was content to leave others well enough alone, as long as they extended the same courtesy to him. Lastly, King Pepper informed those there that that day Andross' reign of terror ended was to be a national holiday, The Day of the Shattering, on honor of the heroics shown by all those involved. Sir James offered all present rooms or at least a comfortable place to rest for the night, and all went to bed.