General Pepper

General Pepper in Star Fox Assault.
General Pepper
Species	Dog
Voiced by	Dan Owsen (1993) David Frederick White (1997, 2011-Present) John Silke (2002) Gray Eubank (2005)
Debut	Star Fox

General Pepper is a supporting character from the Star Fox series. He was a hound dog who served as the commander-in-chief of the Cornerian Defense Force for many years.

Background

It was Pepper who exiled the mad Dr. Andross to Planet Venom. Five years later, he commanded the original Team Star Fox, a team of mercenaries-for-hire and ace pilots. Star Fox was usually called in when missions were too difficult for Pepper's men, or in times of trouble when his forces were stretched and scattered or losing. But after one ill-fated mission, the original Team Star Fox was disbanded with the leader MIA and one member turned traitor. The only remaining pilot, Peppy Hare, became a close friend of General Pepper for years.

Several years later, General Pepper commanded the new Star Fox team, commanded by James's son Fox. In Star Fox 64 Andross attempted an invasion of the Lylat system. Pepper called for Star Fox to go to Venom and defeat Andross. At the beginning of each mission Pepper would contact the crew either to tell them their objective or just make a general comment on their actions ("You've decided to attack the enemy base? Great idea, Fox!"). After Andross's downfall, things were quiet for the next six years until Pepper called Star Fox back into action again to solve some problems on the planet Sauria in Star Fox Adventures.

A year later, General Pepper continued his job in Star Fox Assault, this time against the grave threat of the Aparoid invasion. However, Pepper now looked more frail and deteriorated than in previous games, seemingly a sign of his old age. Things only got worse for Pepper when later in the game. During the Aparoid invasion of Corneria, Pepper and his ship were infected and possessed by the Aparoids, although apparently he was still able to speak like his normal self. Generel Pepper piloted his Aparoid-modified personal ship to gun down Fox. All the while he pleaded with Fox to kill him before the Aparoids took full control and turned him into a monster, preferring to go down in battle. Fox had no choice but to obey Pepper and attacked his ship until it was defeated, and Pepper's ship started to fall to its down with Pepper aboard. However, Peppy Hare, who had retired from flying, quickly piloted an Arwing for Pepper's ship to fall on, cushioning the ship's fall and saving General Pepper's life. But it was clear that Pepper would never be the same again.

Afterwards, perhaps as an effect of the Aparoid infection, Pepper became gravely ill and, confined to his sickbed, was unable to continue his duties as general. Pepper resigned from his post and hand-picked his old friend, Peppy Hare, as his successor. As of Star Fox Command his current status has not been specified.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• In the Super Smash Bros. series, General Pepper has been represented by a trophy and sticker (from Assault) in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, a trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and an Advanced-Rank Support Spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (using his Assault appearance). As a Spirit, his Support effect as to let player fighters start battles with a Back Shield equipped. When fought in a Spirit battle, Pepper's Spirit possessed Fox, and he would be capable of performing Final Smashes at random times.

Trivia

• His name is believed to have been inspired by "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", a classic song by The Beatles. There were various references to the song in the Star Fox comics of both 1992 and 2002 (in the latter, there was a villain resembling Peppers who was named Captain Shears; named after Billy Shears, a character in the song).
• His and Andross's species were inspired by a Japanese saying: "fighting like dogs and monkeys".
• At one point during the final battle with the Aparoid Queen in Star Fox Assault, she speaks with Pepper's voice to give the impression that he had been assimilated, but the whole thing was actually a ruse to trick Fox.
• In the original SNES Star Fox, Pepper was always seen wearing sunglasses. Pepper no longer wore them in Star Fox 64, and the habit of wearing them seemed to be transferred to James McCloud.