FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

A/N: A lot of the setup for this story comes from an abandoned story by Silver Wolf16 on FF.net, used with permission. The Star Fox crossover and the time travel are lifted directly from his story but that story faded out and focused on other things so everything from here on out is my idea.

Chapter 3: Letters from the Future

(Futureheart's message)

"Tenderheart, wait a moment!" Futureheart caught up to Tenderheart as he left the meeting.

Tenderheart turned to face his future self, "Yes?"

"About your letter. I didn't write one because I knew I could speak to you directly." He motioned to the front door, "I don't start Indy's training until later. Want to walk home?"

Tenderheart turned to see Love-a-Lot talking with her friends, then nodded, "Alright."

Futureheart smiled as they walked down the path in Care-a-Lot, "So, any questions before I start?"

"Why the long braid?" Tenderheart pointed to the long braid of hair that hung down Futureheart's back.

Futureheart reached back and touched the braid, "I just forgot to get it cut after a while, then Cheer started taking care of my hair. I kept it long because she liked it so much."

Tenderheart stopped, "Cheer?"

Futureheart turned back to face Tenderheart, "Cheer and I got married in the future" He held up a hand, "Don't worry about the tense, to me it's the past. But after I lost Love-a-Lot and with the earth being destroyed and my psionic powers emerging, Cheer was there to comfort me, and me her after she lost Champ. We fell in love and got married, and it kept me going." Futureheart's gaze had lowered as he spoke now he raised it to Tenderheart, showing him that he was crying. Futureheart wiped his eyes, "But what I want to tell you is this: you should spend time with your wife, and I think you should think about having children. I love Cheer Bear, my Cheer Bear, but you saw that I still miss Love-a-Lot and I know she missed Champ too."

Tenderheart stood there, digesting the information, "Is there anything else?"

Futureheart nodded, "I was...going to be a father. Right before I traveled back here she told me she was pregnant," he smiled, "I was happy, but now...if this works...he'll never be born and...sorry this isn't about me." He drew in a deep shuddering breath.

Tenderheart walked up to him, "Can you show me how to become psionic?"

Futureheart averted his eyes for a moment then turned back, "Fara might be a better for that, she knows more about psionics. I'm training Indy because he's already awakened and I just need to train him to use the power he already has. But..."

"But what?" Tenderheart asked.

"Once you awaken, there's no going back and the people of this planet might not take well to one of their U.N. representatives being psychic," Futureheart said.

Tenderheart looked awkward for a moment, "I remember how hard it was to get them to trust Love Heart. But it could be a great help, especially if I choose to bring it out naturally instead of waiting for something to wake it up. I'll think about it later," he turned back to the Hall of Hearts, "I need to go see Love-a-Lot."

Futureheart watched him go, then sighed and followed after him. He had chosen to live in the Hall of Hearts instead of getting his own house until things moved on.

OoOoO

(Cheer's letter)

Cheer was alone at home, waiting for Champ to return from the gym. She sat down on the couch and saw the datapad with the message from her future self. She stared at it for a moment, then reached out to pick it up and turned it on.

The screen changed to an image of herself, but looking a bit wearier and wearing a Starfox uniform without the flight jacket.

"Hello, me, I know this is weird but hopefully Tenderheart explained everything. I'm you, from the future. I don't have much to say really I mean at this point I probably don't really exist anymore, sort of," future Cheer Bear shook her head, "This is so confusing. Uggg enough OK. Look all I want to say is, be happy with Champ and don't let him go on any missions with Love-a-Lot. No he's not going to cheat on you, he would never do that...but he died, on a mission with Love-a-Lot." Future Cheer sighed and teared up as she spoke, "I don't want yo to lose him too, just...cherish your time with him and maybe start a family," she smiled, "I always thought Nimble Bear would be a good name for our cub. I hope you hear this and...show Champ too if you want. Champ, if you're watching this: I love you and I miss you," she touched her belly, "I'll tell Tenderheart later but, I'm pregnant with his child. I know this cub won't be born if things work out but...I know I want to be a mother. You know it too, Cheer."

Cheer had heard the door open as the last half of the message was played and she lowered the datapad to look at Champ, who had just walked in.

"Hi, Cheer. I heard... well..." Champ looked at her.

Cheer stood up, dropped the datapad and walked over to Champ and grabbed him in a tight hug. "I know, just hold me, please."

Champ pulled her close. Cheer looked into his eyes and they kissed.

OoOoO

(Fara's letter)

Fox entered his shared quarters to find Fara lying on their bed and staring at the datapad Futureheart had given her.

"Watching your letter?" Fox asked as he hung up his flight jacket.

"Waiting for you to get back." Fara sat up as Fox sat next to her. "If I have anything to say to myself then you should hear it too."

"I love you, Fara," Fox said.

"I love you too," they kissed as Fara hit play.

They turned to see a slightly older Fara Phoenix-McCloud sitting as a desk and facing the camera, "Hello Fara, and Fox I assume." Future Fara sighed, "I don't have much time to say this but just please try to save this planet. I've made a lot of friends with the Care Bears here on the ship, you know we named this new ship after you, Fox? It was an homage and...Fox just don't die OK, Fara don't let him do anything reckless, please. I don't want to force anything but...I know you love the mercenary life, but someday I want to settle down, take over dad's company and have a family. I know it won't be for a few years, after we deal with Andross but...just think of your futures too. Good luck."

Fara set the datapad aside. "She's right, you know. Dad can't run Phoenix Enterprises forever."

"I know." Fox put an arm around her, "I'm just having a hard time picturing myself as a house husband."

Fara smirked and turned to him, "You? Legendary mercenary leader Fox Phoenix McCloud a house husband?"

Fox chuckled, "You heard what you said, can't have me running around the Lylat system risking my life every day while you drive to an office every morning, and you need someone to look after our kits."

Fara kissed him, "Thank you Fox. I love you."

Fox kissed her back, "Just don't get too mad when I start reminiscing about the glory days."

OoOoO

(Confidence Heart's letter)

Confidence Heart was going through her cooldown stretches in the gym. She watched as Champ left through the front door and finished her stretches then headed for the locker room. She pulled the datapad out of her locker and sat down on a bench. Part of her wanted to share this with Love Heart and Miracle Heart, but first she wanted to see what it was on her own. With everyone running around, being in the gym was the most private place she could be. She listened one last time for anyone else, the started the playback.

Confidence Heart jumped to her feet in shock as she saw the image of her future self. Future Confidence was taller for one thing and dressed in a custom black uniform with yellow stripes that went up to cup her very prominent breasts, not to mention the fact that she was leaner and more muscular, looking very much like one of the Star Fox Team instead of the more 'teddy bear' look that she shared with the rest of the Care Bear Family. And then there was the very cool looking black and yellow mask with opaque lenses over her face.

Her future self smirked, "Hi Confidence Heart. I know what you're thinking and yes: I'm you from the future. As for why I look like this...that's a painful story. When everything was blowing up I..." she took a deep breath, "I saw Love Heart die and I tried to save Mira and I took a blast to the face from Mental Heart and almost lost an eye, and part of my ear," she ducked her head down and pointed to the still missing chunk at the top of her left ear, "But...I fucked up and Mira died anyway." Future Confidence removed her mask and wiped her eyes, showing the scars surrounding her left eye. "Everyone made this nano-healing chamber and put me inside to fix my face, you should have seen it before, it was a gory mess. But there was a side effect and here I am, the hottest Care Bear ever, at least by human standards." She smiled, "I bet Bright and Take Care will make another one of those things for the future. Maybe you should try to convince everyone to go through it so we can stop looking like plush toys." That got a chuckle out of Confidence Heart, despite the rest of the message.

Future Confidence sat back, "As for a message. Just show this to Love Heart and Mira and just treasure the time you have together, and if it doesn't work out then at least you should know you're the most badass pilot on the team, and we even got a transforming ship called the Mechwing. Oh and this," she stood up and turned around, showing off her two tails, "I'm a kitsune now too, don't know if you want to go through that process too but hey, the option's there." She sat back down, "Just be ready and fight like hell!" She pumped a fist, then the message ended.

Confidence Heart just stared at the datapad for a moment then set it back in her locker and headed for the shower. "Hmm, I wouldn't mind having a body like that," she smirked.

OoOoO

(Bright Heart's letter)

Bright Heart set the datapad down on his workbench and hit play. He saw himself, or rather his future self, sitting at a similar desk.

"Greeting, Bright Heart. Let me assuage your doubts and just say that, yes this real and I am from the future. I don't have a lot to say because I loaded all the data on our future tech into this datapad and a sample of nanites in a case on the back. You need to examine them to learn their weakness, something we were never able to do. One more thing: it's not your fault and you need to tell them. Data forthcoming."

"What's not your fault?" Gentle Heart stood in the doorway to Bright Heart's workshop.

Bright Heart turned around, his face hung low. "It is my fault. It's my fault that Andross is here." He looked up at Gentle Heart with pleading eyes, "My old interstellar pen pal was Andross. Because of all my messages to him, he was able to find Earth. It's my fault everything is going to be destroyed." He started to cry.

Gentle Heart walked over to her husband and crouched in front of him. "Bright Heart, look at me. This isn't your fault. You had no way of knowing he was a criminal or that it would lead to this. Even if you blame yourself then don't just sit here and wallow in depression, do something about it." She gave him a kiss, "You're the smartest person in the Kingdom of Caring, if anyone can think up a way to fix this, you can."

Bright Heart managed a weak smile and kissed her back, "Thank you." He turned back to the datapad, "I'll start telling everyone once I download all this information, and back it up."

Gentle Heart gripped his shoulders and smiled, "Don't worry, I'm here to help."

OoOoO

(Slippy's letter)

As soon as Slippy had some time alone in his quarters, he turned on the datapad, seeing an older version of himself sitting with his girlfriend, Amanda. Amanda smiled, "Hey Slippy. Hope things are going well in the past, at least better than they went before."

Future Slippy took over, "Not much to say, other than to make sure you study all the schematics I sent you, even if you can't build it until you get back to Lylat. Also check the sample container on the back and analyze the nanites. Bright Heart can probably help you."

"Make sure you come back to me too," Amanda added, "I can tell you that I miss you while you're gone." Then the message ended.

Slippy blinked, "That was short." He flipped the datapad over and opened a small compartment on the back and removed a case about the size of a AA battery. He plugged it into his personal computer and started up a diagnostic program. "Let's see how these nanites work."

OoOoO

(Defender Bear's letter)

Defender Bear wasn't sure if he wanted to view the letter from his future self. While Wish was out on a caring mission he just stared at the datapad on his coffee table. Noise from his daughter Hope Bear's room let him know that she was listening to her message, so he finally picked it up and switched it on.

The future Defender Bear on the screen looked very world weary as he spoke, barely looking into the camera. "Phoenix, I want to believe this will work and that you will be with your family after all of this is over. No matter what, protect them and don't let No-Heart tear you apart. During the battle, he tore the phoenix's spirit out of me and Wish...sacrificed herself to bring me back from the dead. I have Hope, my daughter, and I love her but I never wanted this kind of life for her. I want her to keep growing up and living in her home with her family. Do whatever you can to keep them safe."

OoOoO

(Hope Bear's letter)

Hope Bear lay on her bed as she watched her letter from her future self. "Hey Hope, I wish I had more to say but I haven't been able to do much on this ship. I run damage control and keep the ship from falling apart, if that's possible anymore. Actually look," future Hope Bear held up a hand and conjured a small flame in it, "I think I inherited some of dad's magic, but I never really tried to bring it out. I don't know if you want to do that but it might help. Just stay safe." Then the message ended.

A sound from the front door signaled Wish Bear's return. Hope Bear slid off her bed and headed for the living room to find her parents embracing. She saw tears on Defender's face and approached. Wish and Defender saw their daughter approach and reached out, pulling her into a group hug. No words were needed.

OoOoO

(The Lombardi family's letter)

Katt had just put her daughter Kalico down for a nap when Falco entered their quarters on the Great Fox. Katt held a finger to her lips to signal silence then motioned for them to step out into the hallway.

"Thank the star for soundproof walls," Falco said.

"Well, let's see what we have to say to us." Katt pressed the play button.

The screen showed an image of an older Falco and Kat with a six-year old Kalico seated between them. Future Kalico looked up at her parents, "Is it on?"

"Yep, go ahead," future Falco pointed to the screen.

Future Kalico grinned and turned to face the camera, "Hi mom! Hi dad! This is me, all grown up from the future."

"Not quite grown up," future Katt ruffled her daughter's headfur.

"Hey!" Kalico batted off her mother's hand, "But yeah, I'm here living on a big ship even with this war going on. My mom and dad are the coolest, that's you, and them," she pointed with both hands to the camera then up to her parents sitting next to her, "Kick Andross' butt for me."

"Yeah, we're pretty much the best," Falco smirked. "But try to make it better OK?

"Whatever it takes," Katt said. The parents' faces became pleading right before the message ended.

Katt lowered the datapad, "They're scared."

"Yeah," Falco nodded, "Can't blame them." He clenched a fist, "Let's make sure she gets to grow up."

Katt kissed him on the cheek, "She will. We'll make sure of that."

OoOoO

(Pace and Hugs' letter)

Hugs' home life had become boring. When Tugs and Connie got married they had moved into their own house which had mad Hugs feel awkward that she still lived with Grams, so she had requested her own house and moved out. But now she lived alone and even with Pace and Get Well having returned both were busy with their new careers and rarely had time to spend with her. Hugs sat in front of her computer lazily looking for a game to play, something she had picked up with all those years alone.

A knock at her front door caused Hugs to look up, "I'm coming," she called.

She found Patient Heart Liger at the door, "Hello."

Hugs smiled, "Hey Pace, come in." She led Pace into her living room, "Just stopping by?"

"Not just that. It's our letter," Pace showed her the datapad.

"Our letter?" Hugs sat down on her couch and Pace joined her.

"Yes. The letter from our future selves, it's for both of us from both of us." Pace found himself blushing, he suspected he knew the reason.

"Alright, let's watch." Hugs put her arm around Pace and pulled him close, which didn't help his nerves at all as the message began.

Future Pace and Future Hugs sat together on their bed with the camera facing them. Both were smiling. Future Hugs waved, "Hi past us. Hope things are going well."

"Things aren't going well for us here, except for one thing," Future Pace cleared his throat.

Future Hugs grabbed Future Pace's hand and showed off their silver wedding bands, "We're married!"

Future Pace carefully pulled his hand away but smiled nonetheless, "Yes, we are." He took a deep breath then looked right into the camera, "Hugs Bear from the past. I've had a crush on you for years, even before I went to university. I never told you because I was afraid it would ruin the friendship we had and just make things awkward at best. I didn't have the courage to say anything until we were on the Great Fox and Earth was already gone. Please don't wait for the apocalypse to talk about this."

Future Hugs pulled Future Pace closer, "And both of you, I know you're going to make a great couple so don't beat around the bush. I know you won't dive in but I think you've been friends long enough, so go for it." She gave a thumbs up then she and Future Pace kissed right as the message ended.

Both of them sat in awkward silence for a few minutes before Hugs finally spoke.

"He's telling the truth, right?"

Pace was still blushing but he nodded, "Yes, he's right. I do have a crush on you, I've had one for years. I don't want to be redundant, everything he said was true."

Hugs stared at the floor for the moment, "Honestly, I thought you and Get Well would have hooked up in college, since you've been sleeping in the same room for ten years."

Pace shook his head, "No, we're just friends. Get Well's smart and focused but you," he blushed harder, "You're kind, affectionate and always able to make me smile. I just love being around you whenever I can."

"Aww," Hugs leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "you're sweet."

"So where do we go from here?" Pace turned to look at her, face still red.

"We try to be a couple. I mean we're not fighters but this is a chance to have a relationship before the world blows up," Hugs giggled, "I don't know if I can feel the same way but let's give it a try. If it worked for them I'm sure it can work out for us."

Pace smiled, "Thank you."

Hugs stood up, "As long as you're here, want to have dinner with me."

Pace nodded, "Yes, please."

OoOoO

(Contrary Heart's letter)

Connie sat at her kitchen table, waiting for Tugs and Marina to come home. She stared at the datapad, torn between watching it before her family got home and sharing it first with them. She was just about to hit play when Tugs and Marina came through the front door.

Connie stood up and caught Marina in a hug, "How was school?"

"Boring," Marina stuck out her tongue, "What's that?" she pointed to the datapad on the kitchen table.

"A letter from me from the future," Connie released her daughter and stood up.

"Well let's watch it." Tugs picked up the datapad and motioned to the living room.

Moments later, Marina was sitting between her parents as they held the datapad between them and pressed play.

Future Contrary Heart Liger sat in front of the camera stone faced and took a deep breath, "This is all crazy and I don't even know if this is going to work, but if this does it's gotta be better than what's happened so far. Well I'm a fighter pilot and as much fun as it is, when I have time to myself I can't stand it. Flying out there facing death every day and coming home to an empty room with no one in it. I want to be back there in the Kingdom of Caring with Tugs and Marina and," future Connie was starting to break down, "I want this to work so I never have to be stuck out here and I wish I could hold Tugs and Marina in my arms again. Just promise me you won't let them die this time!" She was pleading to the camera. Future Connie sat in silence for a moment and then the message ended.

Marina looked up at her parents, and saw that Connie was crying and in an instant she was enveloped in a hug between her two parents.

OoOoO

(Peppy's letter)

Peppy sat on the command bridge, datapad in hand and going over ship systems with ROB. He sat back and finally started the letter.

Future Peppy looked world-weary, even more so than his present self as he spoke. "Hi, Peppy. This is odd but here we are, future talking to the past. All I can say is that things are bad here, really bad. Even with our victories we can't win and I know it. This is a long shot but I feel it's the only shot we have. You need to work with everyone and make sure they survive, especially Fox. I know you can do it, and if Tenderheart or Soulful Heart need psionic training then help them with it. You need every edge you can get."

Peppy set the datapad down then checked the ship's systems one more time. "ROB, I'm heading off the ship. Keep everything running in case there's an emergency unless you need to power down."

"AFFIRMATIVE"

OoOoO

(Get Well Bear's letter)

Get Well was at home in the hospital, going over some paperwork. It was tedious in the extreme but Take Care told her it was necessary and she needed practise just in case she had to run the whole hospital by herself. She sighed and took a drink from the travel coffee mug she had with her (to prevent any spills after a catastrophic spill in university nearly cost her a term paper) then leaned back in the chair, hand to her forehead.

"Hard at work, sis?" Cautious Heart leaned over the desk.

"And it's giving me a headache," Get Well sat forwards.

Cautious Heart smirked, "That or all that coffee. Now I'm really happy I decided to start taking missions, and going to care school, instead of following mom's path." She looked at the pile of paperwork, "How much longer."

"Another hour maybe?" Get Well groaned, "But I need to get it finished if I'm ever going to convince mom to let me work here alone."

"Good luck," Cautious Heart looked down at the desk and picked up the datapad, "What about this?"

"That's the letter from my future self," Get Well gently took the datapad from Cautious Heart, "I don't even know how to handle all of this, I mean what did I even say to myself?"

Cautious Heart grabbed a chair and pulled up alongside her sister, "Let's watch it then, you could use a short break."

Get Well smiled, "You're right," then turned on the message.

Future Get Well sat at a desk much like the one they sat at now, only more stylized like the Star Fox's interior. "Hey, me, how are things in the past? I know you just got back from university so you're getting settled in to mom's office and that after what you've seen you're going to be nervous about the days ahead, and you have every right to be," she smiled, "but there's one thing you don't need to worry about. You're going to be a great doctor, Get Well, just don't give up and keep working at it. I know the paperwork is tedious, and trust me even working on datapads doesn't help, but you'll get used to it...mostly. Just keep at it and work hard. Oh and one more thing, help mom to loosen up a bit, especially after she hears her message." Future Get Well leaned forwards and whispered, "She doesn't know that I overheard her recording her letter. You'll know what I mean when you see what she does after that."

Cautious Heart blinked as the message ended then turned to Get Well, "What does she mean?"

Get Well hummed for a moment then shrugged, "I don't know yet, but I believe myself so we'll just have to wait and see."

Cautious Heart stood up, "Have fun, I'm head over to see the unicorn twins again," she smiled.

"Right, fun," Get Well sighed and returned to her paperwork.

OoOoO

(Soulful Heart's letter)

Soulful Heart didn't waste any time once he got his message and made a beeline back to his home to listen. Sitting down in a chair to watch his message.

Future Soulful Heart also sat in a chair, one leg crossed over the other and fingers knitted together. "I never imagined I'd be on a star ship, and if circumstances were different I'd be thrilled about being able to see everything that exists beyond the solar system. But right now things are fucked. We can't win this war and this time travel plan is desperate, but it's our only option at this point. You have to make it work, matter what happens. Things are going to be rough in the days ahead but you need to stop No-Heart, Andross, Quenos and Mental Heart no matter what you have to do, and there is something you need to know. You're psionic, Soulful. Remember when you saw Flash Heart's ghost? This is why only you and Indy could see him. With what little I know I have limited precognition and a sixth sense, I don't know how far I could go if I learned this sooner but now you know. Ask Peppy or Fara for training, they'll help you. I know it doesn't seem like much, but if having some psionic powers can tip the scales even slightly in our favor then you need to take it, or we could lose everything."

OoOoO

Independent Bear stood in the Forest of Feelings with Futureheart Bear, who had the large sword he'd brought back from the future strapped to his back. In between them was a thick log they had procured for a demonstration.

Futureheart drew his sword and held it up for Indy to see. The handle was wound with leather to provide a strong grip with a hilt to guard the hand from the blade. The blade itself was quite thin and over half as long as Indy was tall (about the length of a longsword) with a black core and a silver blade; circuitry ran throughout the black core, connecting six tiny blue gemstones to both the hilt and every edge of the blade.

"This sword was forged specifically to be used by a psion," Futureheart held the blade down, "the gemstones are psychonite, a material that enhances and helps control psionic powers, the core is durabillum and the blade is made of laminate titanium, which spreads any energy it contacts to its outer edge. If you learn to focus your energy though this sword properly then you will be able to strike with a force far greater than your muscles can produce even with psionic aid. Watch." He stepped towards the log and swung at it hard, cutting a small chunk out of it about a quarter of its width.

He saw Indy's nonplussed expression then pulled back, "And now with psionics." A blue glow covered the blade and weaved through the circuitry, lighting up the gemstones and the blade. Futureheart swung again and sliced the log cleanly in half without breaking a sweat. "That is only one level of power you can have. Are you willing to commit to this training, no matter what it costs?"

Indy's face hardened, "I will do whatever I must to protect my family." He felt his arm spasm but kept it still, "No matter the cost."

Futureheart smiled, "Good, now let's get started."

OoOoO

"Plans, I need better plans," Cold Heart was going over a dozen different blueprints and plans on his desk. "I can't fight those fuzzy magi with these pathetic plans!" He shoved the papers off his desk and shouted, "Frostbite! Bring me another box of plans!" He shouted to the rotund man in a winter coat who scurried around trying to grab what he plans he could while Cold Heart tapped his foot impatiently.

"Really? You rely on someone like him for your menial tasks. How sad you are."

Cold Heart whirled around as the voice reverberated inside his head. "Who's there!? Where are you!?"

"Right behind you." The voice was level and calm but as Cold Heart turned to face Mental Heart even the professor couldn't help but see a coldness behind his eyes that rivaled his own. "My name is Mental Heart."

"What are you doing here?" Cold Heart briefly turned to see Frostbite skid into a wall then back to the visitor.

"I'm here at Lord No-Heart's request to bring you to him." Mental Heart said.

"HA!" Cold Heart glared, "He vanishes for a decade, not even bothering to fight those fuzzy wuzzies and now he wants my help? Forget it!"

"Very well, if you're certain." The whole castle started to shake.

"WAAAAA!" Frostbite stood up and tried to run, only to trip and fall on his face.

"What are you doing?" Cold Heart grabbed his desk to stay upright.

"Simple, I'm collapsing your castle." A large chunk of ice fell from the ceiling to the ground near them.

"Stop it!" Cold Heart stared and shot ice beams from his eyes at Mental Heart, only for them to be deflected off an invisible barrier.

"If you prefer I could kill you right now. We can't have a rogue element running around at this critical moment." A large icicle dropped next to him, shattering on impact. "If you want to live to defeat the Care Bears then join us and it will happen."

"Alright! Alright! Just stop!" Cold Heart felt the castle stabilize. "Where are we going?"

"Somewhere secure. Gather up your most important notes and return here. I will take you there." Mental Heart turned to Frostbite, "leave the bumbler here, he has no place in this company."

"Very well. Frostbite!" Cold Heart shouted, "Look after my castle until I return!"

"You got it, boss!" Frostbite said.