Fox took a long look from the bridge of the Great Fox, staring at where Andross had finally died. Fox felt relief, but also a touch of satisfaction as he remembered that he had just slain the crazed monster who was responsible for much death in the Lylat, and, more personally, his father's death.
That's when the thought entered Fox's mind... that of his father...
He remembered the original team, his father, James McCloud, his mentor, Peppy Hare, his friend Bill's dad, Henry Grey, his rival Wolf's dad, Cyrus O'Donnell, and his friend Slippy's dad, Beltino Toad. James, Peppy, Henry and Cyrus did most of the flying and fighting while Beltino worked as an engineer and operator, similar to ROB's job. They all flew in Arwings and flew from the same mother ship, the Great Fox. They all had numerous adventures and missions together... until... that day on Venom. It was that day that a rogue pilot, a coward named Pigma Dengar, faked a distress signal and lead James to Andross... which would lead to his last moments... After his father's death, Peppy, Henry, Cyrus and Beltino dispersed and went separate ways... Fox's teeth ground as he thought of that moment. He deeply hated Pigma for his cowardly actions. Fox would never forgive him... And he could care less about what happened to Andross either... He was nothing more than a monster... and he finally got what he deserved...
However, his mind calmed a bit when his sentiments returned to their recent success. Since he took that gaze starting from when ROB noted his need for oil, it was finally interrupted when a voice, highly familiar, entered into the room, expressing his desire to be part of Fox's team... again. It was none other than Falco Lombardi, the blue falcon and the ace pilot of the team.
"Hey guys," Falco said, "You don't mind if I hang with you again, do ya?" Falco said this with a sincere tone of regret as the motive behind his words. He knew that Fox wasn't particularly happy with Falco leaving the team. Fox would echo this with crossed arms and a look of tension gazed at Falco, but this quickly turned into a smile.
"Sure, Falco," replied Fox, "It's great to have you back." Voices of approval came from behind them, voices belonging to Slippy Toad and Peppy Hare.
"The Star Fox team is back together again," exclaimed Slippy. Peppy suddenly remembered something.
"Oh Fox, I almost forgot," started Peppy, "I received this message from Krystal."
Fox thought, Krystal. Fox remembered her, Krystal was a Cerinian fox he had met on Sauria... and she was extremely beautiful. She had lovely blue and white fur and gorgeous turquoise eyes that went beyond mesmerizing. She was indeed very beautiful, but he could tell from his short time with her that she was also a fighter. Still, her eyes revealed her as being incredibly kind, very friendly and helpful... He wondered why she sent him a message.
Fox and Falco saw Krystal appear as a hologram on the message receiver. As Fox listened to Krystal's message, he saw that Falco, when he saw Krystal in the hologram, seemed attracted to the vixen.
"Hi, Fox," spoke Krystal gently in her sweet sounding British accent, "I really appreciate what you did for me. I'm just so sorry we didn't get much of a chance to talk... I'm left with just one more thing to do..."
Fox could hear a noise from behind the door leading to the bridge. Once it slid open, there Krystal, herself, stood.
"...And that's to say... thank you." Krystal stated, finishing what her message left out. Krystal came in and started walking towards the team. She was even more beautiful in person, and Fox felt this as she walked closer to him.
"Oh u-uh," Fox stuttered, "... w-w-well um... s-sure no problem." Krystal stood in front of Fox, sensing Fox's shyness and giving him a calm, reassuring look. While Fox was losing his stature, Falco looked at the very beautiful vixen. Indeed, he found himself very attracted to her, her soft blue and white fur, her silky blue hair and sparkly eyes, her soft, pretty face... her sexy, slender and comely figure, which is likely what came to his mind most when he saw her. Wow, she is so hot, Falco thought to himself.
Slippy laughed, "Ha ha ha. You're not shy, are you, Fox?" Falco gave Fox a smirk, noting Krystal's attractiveness.
"I sense Fox's temperature is rising," ROB chimed in, "Are you okay, Fox?"
Everyone broke out into laughter at Fox, who stood there, embarrassed. Gaining back his stature, Fox turned to Krystal. "I'm gonna be just fine." Fox and Krystal looked at each other, each with a smile.
"So", started Fox, "...uuh h-"
before Fox could start, he found Falco's arm pushing him back as Falco took his turn to stand in Krystal's presence. "Well hey there, beautiful," Falco started to Krystal, "So you're that vixen chick Fox picked up off Sauria, huh... Well, you are very beautiful... I heard you helped take Andross down. I like a girl with that kind of fight in her..."
Fox became very annoyed. "Oh, good lord," Fox stated as he crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. Fox was aware this might happen, as he knew Falco was a bit of a ladies' man and, most of the time, he was successful in scoring dates. Fox wasn't too concerned, because Falco was never too inappropriate. Still, Fox remained irritated.
"Hi, sir," Krystal said, "I'm Krystal."
"Lovely name, Krystal," stated Falco, "I'm Falco Lombardi, the ace of these cards."
Krystal looked at him innocently. She was a very intelligent individual, brilliant even, and she could tell the meaning of the avian's words. Still, she was a very kind person, and she could tell that this Falco, despite his cockiness, had a good heart, and she remained friendly to him.
"You seem lost," Falco said to the vixen as he placed his arm around Krystal's shoulder and started walking her to the exit. "Come on, I'll show you around."
"Hold it!" Fox started as he walked up to them. He spoke to Krystal. "Krystal, there's a spare room just four doors down the hallway. You can stay there, this key will get you in... so enjoy."
"...You mind if I shower," Krystal said, blushing a little, "It's been a while since I've had one."
"Sure. There's one in your room. I'll bring up some clothes for you." Fox took the key from his jacket and placed them in the palm of Krystal's hand, before turning to Falco, "Falco, a minute."
Krystal looked a bit confused at the situation, but then turned and left the bridge, waving to the team members as she left. Falco looked at Fox, "Big buzzkill, isn't he?" Falco stated.
"He fucking wishes," Fox said calmly, yet annoyed with the falcon. Fox grabbed Falco by the front of his shirt and sat him down in the chair just next to them, "What are you doing, Lombardi?"
"What, she's cute," Falco responded with, 'It was just a little harmless flirting."
"Oh, was it..." Fox stated sarcastically, crossing his arms.
"Look, after she joins, if ya want her so bad, I'll back off... but I'll have her if you won't."
"No one is 'having her' you idiot." Fox walked over to the control board and looked out the window, "...And she's not staying here."
"...What do ya' mean," a curious Falco questioned, "Aren't ya' lookin' for recruits, last I heard?"
Fox started walking off the bridge to the exit. He started speaking again, "...No... She'll stay here overnight and then we'll drop her off at some port, she'll continue with her life, and we'll do the same with ours... that's it."
Falco was a bit surprised by Fox's words. Fox seemed more depressed and serious than usual, and Falco pondered this as he sat back in his chair.
Krystal stood in the hallway. She had heard everything Fox had said to Falco from behind the door, feeling a bit of sorrow as Fox said those words. She could tell that he was hurting inside. She wondered the reasons as she heard Fox coming down from the bridge, and Krystal was almost startled. She didn't want Fox to think she was eavesdropping.
She lost her grip on the key he had given her, but quickly caught it again. Having a blush on her face, Krystal quickly opened the door with the key and rushed inside, closing it behind her. She had done so in the nick of time since, immediately afterwards, Fox had left the bridge and started walking down the hall.
Krystal sat on the bed in the room, feeling slight embarrassment. However, she decided to just get her shower, so she undressed and was about to step into the shower... But that's when she heard a knock on the door.
"Krystal?" spoke Fox from the other side.
"I'm in here... Hold on." Krystal said, as she grabbed a towel and held it over the front of her torso.
"...You okay?" Fox asked.
"Come in." Krystal replied.
Fox did as she said and opened the door, setting some clothes on the table next to the door. When he looked up Fox saw the naked Krystal, the beautiful blue vixen only having the towel to cover the front of her mid section, from her breasts to her hips... Fox blushed as Krystal walked towards him.
"...Hi," Krystal greeted, coyly.
"Uh... bad time?" Fox wondered, blushing.
"It's fine," Krystal reassured, "I'm fine."
Fox saw that Krystal was very shy, and he became attracted to this. As Krystal stood before him, Fox felt himself get a bit flustered.
"T-there's the clothes I got," Fox stated, "They're all I could find."
Krystal looked over and saw a black t-shirt, grey shorts and a pair of socks and black boots. She was grateful. "...Thanks," Krystal said.
"So... What did you want to say?" Fox asked.
Krystal blushed a little as she started speaking, "...I-I-I wish to give you my thanks... For taking me in."
"Well... Least I can do."
"This is an incredibly nice ship," said Krystal, "It's Fichinian, right?"
Krystal had regained Fox's attention. "Yup. It's an old carrier cruiser," Fox said, "It's been a symbol of this team... Ever since my father was the leader."
"How is he," asked Krystal concerned
"...He died."
"...Oh," said Krystal, feeling sorrowful and embarrassed. "...I-I'm really sorry." Why did I ask him that? Krystal thought.
"It's nothing." Fox reassured.
"It's just," Krystal said, "...I'm sure you miss him."
"Of course... but that was fifteen years ago. I'm good." Fox then looked down the hall, "...I have to go work in the hangar... Just get a shower and get dressed."
"...Right." Krystal said, blushing a bit and moving strands of hair out of her eyes.
With that, Fox left, leaving Krystal to herself. Now having her alone time, she entered the shower and turned it on... And as Krystal stood there, the warm water pouring all over her naked body, she absolutely enjoyed the heavenly water that rained over her, cleaning her up. This is wonderful, Krystal thought.