Author: FLIONESS Subject: The New Year's Bash pt. Posted: JANUARY 22, 1999 08:33 AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter and the following have NOTHING to do with HOAR's "SF New Year". ~Flia~ --------------------------------------------- Flia lay on her bed at home. Sighing heavily, she closed her eyes, trying to escape the different feelings going on within her. Suddenly, her comunit beeped. "Hello?" she answered groggily. "Flia," a voice came from behind. "It's me Alton." "What do YOU want?" she snapped, trying to hold back tears. "I want to apologize," he answered her. "Apologize?" Flia replied confusedly. "For what?" "For arriving when I did," Alton muttered. "For ruining your little get-together. I know it was important to you, so I wanted to apologize." Flia sighed. "It's OK," she answered. "Really?" Alton replied. "Thanks." There was a sudden pause. "Um, I know this is a shot in the dark, but would you mind being my date to the New Years Eve party over at Starlight Express?" Flia blinked in surprise. "I really want to go, but don't want to go alone. Seeing as how I know you best, well..." He paused. "I just want to go with a friend." Flia blinked again. This was totally inexpected. Then again, EVERYTHING Alton did was unexpected. "Sure I'll go," she finally answered. --------------------------------------------- "Ooooooooooooooooooooh....." Perria taunted, showing off her new orange party dress. "La Chica, Flia's got a date to the party..." Flia glanced away from her mirror and rolled her eyes. "And he's FINE, too," Chamille added, applying some mascara. "He is NOT a date," Flia insisted. "He's merely my escort for the night. He said he wanted to go with a friend. And that's me." "Yeah right," Chamille retorted, applying some blush. "You KNOW you want him." "Since when have you been so involved in MY personal life, Chamie?" Flia replied, using Chamille's hated nickname. "I thought you had YOUR OWN man to worry about." Perria burst out laughing as Chamille turned beet red with anger. "Shut up," She snapped. Flia glanced at Perria, who was still laughing. "And I thought YOU were too busy tryin' to get your lips on Bill Grey." She taunted at the young Chihuahua. Perria's laughter subsided into frustration. "I--" Perria and Chamille said at once. "Please," Flia interrupted. "I don't want to hear what you have to say. Just finish getting ready, OK?" she then returned to her task of applying lipstick. Alton nervously approached the front door of Flia's apartment. He had felt anxiety knotted in his stomach all day. He was worried about everything from the way he looked to what he was going to say when his date opened the door. Raking his fingers through his long black mane, he anxiously rang her doorbell. "He's heeeeeeeeeeeeeere...." Perria taunted. Flia sighed and stepped out of her room. She was wearing a long jade green club dress. She wore earrings of her birthstone, August peridots, and her blue hair was released from it's usual ponytail and hung about her shoulders. "How do I look?" she asked her staring friends. "Great, Flia, great." Chamille replied, giving her a knowing wink. The bell chimed again. "You better answer the door, Chica," Perria added coolly. "Your date is waiting." Flia's friends stifled a giggle as she opened the door. Alton's eyes averted toward her. Swallowing nervously, he took her arm. "You look beautiful," he managed to say. Blushing, Flia eyed the ground as they began to walk, arm in arm. "Thank you," she replied. "I don't...usually dress up like this..." Alton smiled at her. "Well," he said, "I thought you were beautiful to begin with..." Flia stared back at him. His grin was sheepishly charming, and very attractive. Her face grew even more red as these thoughts crept into her mind. "You certainly blush easily," Alton commented, his blue eyes sparkling once again. "Yeah..." was all Flia managed to say. --------------------------------------------- The Starlight Express was PACKED. "Sheesh," Falco grumbled as some guy stepped on his toe, er, talon. "Can't we go anywhere without being stepped on?" "Guess not," Katt replied. "Why don't we just go home? We can have just as much fun there..." Falco grinned. "You have a point," he said, taking her hand. "Let's go." They then proceeded to leave the club. "Don't think we'll be seein' THEM again tonight," the young bartender chuckled. Flia glanced at the young fox, and could have sworn she saw him before. "Hey, do I know you?" she asked him, sitting on one of the stools. The bartender merely quirked an eyebrow at her. "I dunno," he replied, wiping a glass. "do ya?" Flia stared at him once again, then her eyes widened with realization. "I know," she said suddenly. "I saw your face on the news once. You're Enigmafox, aren't ya?" "Bingo," Enigmafox replied with a smile. "I was in Corneria and they just so happened to need a bartender here. And it pays GOOD on New Year's Eve. So, what'll it be, lion-girl?" "Hmmm," Flia mused, "I like your pink materias. Give me one of those." "K," Enigma replied, handing her a glass. Flia smiled, took the drink, turned around, and went off to join her friends. She hadn't even reached Alton when two girls, a cheetah and a husky, screamed her name. Turning to them, Flia couldn't help but smile. "Dianne!" Flia cried, waving. "Helena! What are you doing here?!" Her friends ran up to her. "We got a gig here," Dianne the cheetah answered her. "Yeah," the husky, Helena, added. "Singin' for the Starlight Express pays good, especially on New Year's Eve." Flia smiled. "So I hear," she said. Dianne stared at Flia regretfully. "The... group's not the same without you," She muttered. Flia sighed. "You guys are doing fine, I'm sure," she answered. "I have a galaxy to defend now." Dianne smiled bitterly. "Yeah, you're out there savin' our tails," she retorted. "And I'm happy for ya." She paused and looked down at the floor. "But I DO miss the old days." "Why don't you sing with us?" Helena broke in. "For old times sake." "Can you sing, Flia?" Alton said as he approached them. "Can she sing?" Dianne interrupted. "Heck, she was the lead for our group!" Alton smiled at her. "Will you sing, Flia?" Helena continued. "Please?" "No..." Flia answered. "I don't want..." "Come on, Flia," Alton broke in. "I want to hear you." "Come on, Flia..." The two girls kept muttering. "Fine," Flia grumbled. "I'll sing..." Her friends let out a shout of joy. "But you owe me one later." "Yes MA'AM!" Each of them saluted to the young pilot. --------------------------------------------- "You know this one?" The band director handed her a piece of music. It was entitled "The Other Side of the Road", and it was written by.... Flia blinked in surprise. This was one of her brother's songs! Looking over the music, she recognized it right away. Rey...used to sing this to her before he... Flia shook the memory out of her mind. "Sure I know it," she answered. Handing the music back, she went and took her place on the stage. And as the soft music began to play, her sweet alto voice began singing with the melody. .... Flia fell to her knees. She couldn't sing any longer. Tears rushed to her eyes and she began to sob uncontrollably. All the memories of her past flooded her mind, and she lost all control of the present. Quickly, Alton ran to her side, not knowing what to do. Author: FLIONESS Subject: New Year's Bash pt. 3 Posted: JANUARY 26, 1999 20:35 Fox slowly danced with Fara as Dianne and Helena sang a pretty love duet. Though he was having fun, Fara noticed that Fox was worried. "What is it, Fox?" She asked. Fox shook his head. "Just worried about the kids, I guess." he replied, resignedly. "They're just fine with Cassandra," Fara reassured him. "I'm not so sure with your cousin..." Fox muttered. He spotted Alton, and motioned him to come closer. Alton reluctantly did so, worrying about what Fox would say. "Is... Flia OK?" Fox asked him. "Yeah," Alton replied, relieved. "I've managed to get her to stop crying. She told me what this was all about, her brother having written that song..." "Yes," Fox answered quietly. "Well, I thank you for coming to her assistance. She is a dear friend of mine." "No thanks necessary," Alton replied. "I'm only doing what I think is right." With that, Alton headed backstage to check on his date. --------------------------------------------- Andrew Oikonny stood firmly in his mothership. His ship was surrounded by starfighters, all of his pilots. "It is time to attack," he said. "Corneria celebrates. Now is the time to go in... when they least expect it." His generals nodded, all but one that is. His solitary eye gleamed with disgust at the thought. Oikonny noticed this right away. "Problem, O'Donnel?" he growled at the gray wolf. "Yes, sir," Wolf O'Donnel replied, trying to remain as calm as possible. "They are CELEBRATING, my lord. It is not honorable to--" "This ISN'T a question of HONOR, Wolf," Andrew snarled. "We must strike, and we must strike NOW!" Wolf merely growled in return. This wasn't right. He had known Venomian life was corrupt in the first place, when Andross ruled... but NOW... Andrew didn't have the courage, honor, or bravery needed in a leader. Wolf had half the mind to return to Corneria... No. That would be worse than staying on. No one would trust him... would they...? Certainly not Fox McCloud and the StarFox team. And definitely NOT Katt, after... He shook his head in fear and disgust, wanting his life to be over... --------------------------------------------- "It's almost time for the countdown!" Alton cried excitedly. "Come on, Flia, don't you want to be with the party..?" Flia sighed. "I guess so..." she muttered, walking with him outside to where the action was, watching her friends closely. Perria was still determined to win Bill. However, he managed to avoid her. Frustrated, she turned to a young, handsome fox standing against the wall. In a desperate move to arouse Bill's jealousy, she slowly approached the fox. "Hey, guapo," she said in her most flirtacious voice. "Care to dance?" The fox flushed, stuttering. "Well, I uh, I--" Without another word, Perria grasped him in her arms and began to slowly sway back and forth. "I..." the bewildered fox continued. "What is your name?" Perria asked him coaxingly. "V-v-Vik..." the fox replied. "Soy Perria." the chihuahua said gently, resting her head on his shoulder. "Hey Bill," Slippy laughed. "I think Perria's lost her interest in you." Bill glared at Slippy, and then glanced at Perria. She seemed so happy... Quickly snapping out of it, Bill flashed Slippy a smile. "Well," he said, "All's well that ends well. I'm glad THAT's over." "Suuuuuuuuuuuure you are," Slippy taunted. "Shut up," Bill snapped, glancing at a nearby robot. "Hey Squeaky," he said to the R2 unit, "Get me another drink will ya?" 'Squeaky', as Bill had called it, made several loud whistle and beeping noises as it rolled towards the bar. Meanwhile, Chamille was storming out of the club. Confused, Slippy darted after her. "Chamie!" he cried, "What are you doing?!" The pretty young chameleon turned around and glared at him. "First of all," she said calmly, "the name's CHAMILLE. Second of all, I am SICK and tired of you following me everywhere I go. For ONCE, leave me alone, OK?" With that, she boarded her aircraft and left the area. --------------------------------------------- "Time for the countdown!" Alton cried. "5...4.....3......2.....1..HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!" Everyone screamed. Fox pulled Fara to him for a long kiss. Bill winced as Perria suddenly grasped Vik's uniform and kissed him passionately. Flia and Alton stared at the two couples. "I..uh...I guess.. we should..." Alton stuttered. Flia looked deep into his eyes, and, for the first time, felt a longing desire too powerful to be ignored. "I...uh..." Alton continued. Without saying a word, Flia wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately, as fireworks exploded above them. When the kiss was over, the two lions gazed into each other's eyes, not saying a word. "I.." Alton tried to speak, but it was to no avail. Suddenly, the building shook violently. "What the--?!" Bill groaned, his drink spilling all over him. Suddenly, an image of Andrew Oikonny appeared on a giant screen above the dance floor. "ATTENTION CORNERIANS!" Andrew's voice rumbled through the giant speakers. "WAR IS ON THE HORIZON! YOU SHALL NEVER DEFEAT ME! OIKONNY OUT!" His image dissappeared, leaving several confused party-go'ers standing there, bewildered. Author: FLIONESS Subject: New Year's Bash pt. 4 Posted: JANUARY 29, 1999 17:52 "FOX!" Falco screeched, storming into the room. "What's going on, that you would get me up in the middle of a VERY fun night?!" Fox and the others stared at him, as Katt ran in behind him, trying to fix her hair. The others managed to suppress their laughter, but Slippy couldn't help but release a high-pitched giggle. Falco glared at him with the "look of doom" and Slippy quickly wiped away the smile on his face. "Falco," Fox said calmly, "Andrew Oikonny has attacked. We must prepare for battle." "WHA--?" Falco and Katt stared at the commander. "Come on, you guys," Bill interrupted. "We got a score to settle." The others nodded. "Bill," Fox began, "You take Peppy's Arwing for now." Bill nodded. "StarFox, get to the spaceport and board Great Fox. I'll meet ya there." They all ran out the door as Katt looked around. "Wait," she said. Everyone stopped and looked at her. "Where's... Chamille?" Perria shrugged, an unconcious fox leaning against the wall beside her. "You mean the chameleon?" another fox spoke up, walking towards them. "My cousin's wingman chased her off." He chuckled. Flia stared at the fox, recognizing him. "FJ...?" She asked, her eyes wide. "Remember me? We met when I was still a kid!" FJ grinned, surprised. "FLIA?!" He cried. "OH MY GOSH! The last time I saw you, you were what...?" "Ten years old," Flia replied. "Fox's 'little buddy', they called me." She giggled. "Well I'll be...WHOA!" He nearly tripped on the unconcious Vik. "Sheesh, how much has THAT guy had?!" Perria grinned. "He's had... ENOUGH..." She replied, placing her hands on her hips. "OK OK," Katt interrupted. "Time to get ready for battle. Chamille is gone, so..." She turned to Alton, smiling. "You mind fighting in a battle with a couple of girls?" Alton glanced at Flia, grinning from ear to ear. "I don't mind at all, Commander," he answered. "Good," Katt replied. "If I were you I would take this opportunity to show Fox what you can do." "Yes Ma'am." Alton saluted.