Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Star Fox, any characters who do make appearances in this fan fiction belong to Nintendo, except several other custom which are my characters.

Prologue: Day to Day Bounties: Routines Change

Several Months after the incidents with the Aparoids many things had gone for the better in Lylat, the remnants of a defeated Venomian army retreated and went into hiding and the Aparoids had been flushed out of Corneria and the surrounding planets once infected by the creatures. There was over all peace and things returning to normal in the rest of the system, but Star Fox's break-up came as news to those who 'put an ear to the ground'. It came out in some new light; that Star Fox was broken up and no longer the team they had once been.

While Krystal had temporarily been together with Panther Caroso of Star Wolf, later it was found that it wasn't working well enough for her tastes and she left and joined the Cornerian Army as a pilot for them, Fox went his own way with ROB 64 and the newly designed Great Fox, while Slippy was left to time with his new found love Amanda. Things were in their neutral state, but mention of a small time bounty hunter came slow through Lylat. He'd made himself known during the latter half of the Lylat War by destroying the part of the fragmented fleet set in Area 6, assassinating many generals on Venom, and single handedly taking down two bases on the Planet Venom; this stranger became someone known by some people in Katina and Zoness on the common. Though he was known for spending his time on the Saragasso Space Station, he was known as the '6 Ball of Death' as often spoken; his enemies were destroyed by a '6' Pool ball he'd shoot with his alloy pool cue.

The scum glared at the Cerinian and growled silently and sneered at the wary sight of this young man alone at the bar. He'd earned quite a reputation in his short time as a bounty hunter, having claimed over 26 targets in the period of 3 months; each commander in the Venomian army whom were key players to the downfall of Venom's main morale. This single fox put them down, despite his open and honorable approach to battle; he defeated these men with his unique form of battle. It seemed not to matter to him what kind weapons they used, even if they were to use vehicles against him.

"That bastard defeated the top 26 generals in the Venomian army; I didn't think anyone could beat that General Rastis. That son of a bitch could fight one hell of a sword fight and killed several pilots from Corneria wielding blasters, they say he was amongst the most prestigious of generals and treated like royalty." The first of the scum gathered at the table had commented. His buddies seemed to be non-believing of his words, even then the third of them shaking his head at him.

"Don't believe he killed Rastis, I served with him before I became a bounty hunter. He taught me how to fight and how to be a man; I was a young simian and became an ape when I trained with that man. I won't believe Rastis lost to true trash like that outcast who just waltzes around like he's the lead man around here." The third scum had spoken up, standing and glaring at the back of his head where he stood; while the second scum spoke up, his canine fangs baring as he spoke.

"That's right! We don't just let trash walk in and around here this way, coming into our territory and start acting like he's some badass!" the tension between the two scum and the young Cerinian was building; though only from the side of the scum it seemed.

The Cerinian remained with his back to them, sitting at the bar and there the scum had a view of his back; each stepping towards him now and drawing their blasters into hand. Both were thinking the same thing; that they would teach this punk kid some lesson, they were going to take him down.

"Well fellas, you seem to have a problem with me as far as I can sense. Well if you want to say it, you may as well confess without me having to hear such annoying thoughts." He spun on the stool, his left foot slamming across the face of the simian as the stranger came to stand; his pole cue at the throat of the dog, the bounty hunter pressed the tip into his throat and gave a faint smirk as he leaned in to the scum's ear.

"Scared are we…? But you were bolstering a lot of bravado in that head of yours…maybe I should let you taste this Cue's tip, by putting it down your esophagus…hmm?" the dog let off a visible gulp, giving him a spooked look; since the pressure of the cue was only growing firmer.

The simian rose with the blaster in hand, his face swollen with busted capillaries; a fresh meaty visage of the damage that the bounty hunter's sandal had caused his face. The look in his eyes almost pure murder, the blaster reaching to aim for the bounty hunter; but when he fired the blaster was knocked up by the Pool cue's other end.

As this happened, the bounty hunter's cue tip had thrusted forward and smacked the canine in the esophagus, causing him to choke rather abruptly; with his shoulder slamming into the Simian's solar plexus and sending him back into the nearby table top. With the simian dealt with, the bounty hunter had grabbed the canine's wrist and ducked down; throwing him forward into a toss with such force that it threw his back into the counter top, this move leaving him left in pain to fall to the floor.

"Well fellas I gotta be moving on now, I don't think you losers would be so stupid. You know who I was, but you just had to disturb me didn't you? Well, I'll leave you alive just this one. The name's Aver and don't you clowns forget it." he said this, kicking the dog's chin and leaving him on the floor groaning as he walked off; well it was time for him to get on his way and head towards Corneria.

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Things on Corneria were rather slow, as the army rebuilt itself things had just been going slow and not for the better of things; since the break up of Star Fox, things were a little shakey on grounds with Peppy being the commanding General of the Cornerian in the place of the deathly ill General Pepper, he accepted Krystal and just didn't want to hear anything from Fox.

It would be odd enough as it were, having to be contacted by the now lone mercenary; Peppy thought it reckless of Fox to brashly be a lone hunting mercenary in the current times, despite the peace that was currently upon them. Peppy went in to check on Krystal, personally he'd come down, with his obvious envoy following him; guards of all kinds to watch over him. He commanded them to remain in the hall and proceeded to her room alone, he wanted to chat with her a little bit.

Peppy's fist lightly rapped at the door, there hoping to reach the vixen and that she wasn't busy, so that it might be too bad a time to chat with her. "Krystal? Are you available to chat right now?" his familiar voice came through the door, reaching a smile on Krystal's muzzle.

"Please come in Peppy, I've just settled in." she said seeming to be alright, it had been a few weeks since last she'd seen both Panther and Fox. It simply hadn't worked out between them…it was a personal hell for her, to be caged by what she felt was love and then to be forced out of a job she'd grown to love; this done to her by the very one she loved, all because 'It was for your safety.' Those words spoke to her and brought a growl from her lips.

As Peppy stepped into the room, he found Krystal's eyes clouded for a single moment, before her soft mask of a smile came upon her; it was a mix of a mask and actually missing the elderly hare. He came forward and she hugged her close, there was never quite anyone who was as good a friend or as wise as Peppy to her. He had words of advice that often paid off for her, aiding her in moments of need or just plain bad luck.

"So Krystal, do you like the room? I could arrange for you to get roomier quarters if you'd like." He gave the offer, though she dismissed it as quickly as he offered it; though with a light smile on her muzzle.

"Thanks Peppy, but I won't need a bigger room; this one is more than fine. In fact it's pretty cushy for what I was dealing with before." Her words died down as it brought back some lousy memories of her short time with Panther; despite him being sweet he moved just a bit too fast for her tastes. There was nothing that she cared to think about in either case, she just…needed a break and was taking a break from dating all together.

"Are you okay Krystal? I mean really okay? You don't need to kid around or tell me yes for my benefit, I want to know if you can handle this." He was being serious, that much had her glad for him being there.

"I'm fine Peppy, just that things in my personal life were rough, all one ever needs is time or healing and that's what I'm taking." She said this pretty softly, looking down and shaking her head gently. She gave a little breath and looked up at Peppy. "How're things now a days General?" she grinned, since his being General now was quite a big step compared to his being an advisor for Star Fox; but there were none better for the job than him.

"Things are going, being a General can be a pain in the tail every now and then, but we're managing and Corneria is finally at peace. At least we can calm down and finish clearing away elements of the Aparoid invasion." His words were cut short, since there was some hefty knocking on the door; one of Peppy's vanguards was knocking on the door now in a bit of a rush.

"Sir, we just got news from Katina, there's something about Oikinny's resistance forces attacking a base out there, I think their in danger!" the words had reached Peppy's mind, and words came without thought.

"Scramble mobile infantry and send a few squadrons over to Katina immediately, Krystal are you able?" the question, received a nod from her immediately; action at last.

"On my way immediately, General." She gave him a salute as he exited the room, though drew back to give her one more message before his departure.

"Good Luck leading your squadron Krystal, they're assembling in hangar 6." He gave her a salute in return for hers early, before departing now; leaving Krystal momentarily stunned.

It seemed that it wasn't just action, but a field promotion directly from the General himself; she'd let him see that he didn't waste his kindness so shortly, she suited up quickly. "Last time you rise from the ashes, Oikinny." Some small bit of venom spoken, that ape had caused enough trouble just before the Aparoid invasion; it was time to quell him once and for all.

(End Prologue)

Things are off the ground for Krystal, slowly things coming into settle and now some action; things will heat up when Krystal meets the squad before they get to Katina. Tune in to see what happens o.o

R&R please, no flaming.