A/N: And the real story begins.

...All its people, all its creations, all its secrets, all was hidden in a single day and night.

-Krazoan Inscription

CHAPTER TWO

HOLY CATS! WHO ARE THESE GUYS?

Sunlight streamed in through the eyes of the Temple atrium, the beams landing on the sleeping forms of an orange furred tod and a blue furred vixen. The vixen, Krystal, stirred and opened her eyes, she could still feel the tod's arms around her, she was nestled snugly in his embrace. She let out a yawn that ended in a miaou sound and then looked beside her at her still sleeping mate. Placing a single finger beneath his chin she began to tickle him "Wakey, wakey Fox."

Krystal watched as Fox opened his eyes and looked at her, he said "Good, it wasn't just a dream was it?"

Krystal smiled, "No, but it did sort of feel like one."

Fox smiled back at her, "Yeah, yeah it did. You don't..."
Krystal put a finger to his lips, stopping the question before it could be asked, "No Fox, I've wanted that for a long time. And you were gentle."
Fox blushed, "Well, you did ask."

Krystal nodded, "And you did wonderfully." She kissed him on the nose and then hopped out of their little makeshift bed, "Now, shall we start things for the day? Places to go Fox, and so little time."
Fox smiled, "That's the Krystal I've always known, boundless energy!"

Krystal watched as Fox got up, she laughed at the color of embarrassment that came to his face when he realized he was still naked. "Oh Fox don't worry! I am too, and besides, after last night neither of us need to feel awkward about it. At least with each other."

Fox shrugged, "Sorry, old habits. After we get dressed and have something to eat what do you feel like doing today?"

Krystal thought for a moment, they had been to Thorntail Hollow, Volcano Force Point, even Ice Mountain. They hadn't been to the Walled City yet, or Cloudrunner Fortress, but those would require either several day's trek on foot or a flight in the Arwings, neither of which she felt like doing. "Well, why not Ocean Force Point? It's right here and I..." Krystal trailed off, she sensed something, indistinct, but a presence.

"Krystal?"

No, more than one presence, but she couldn't tell where they were. It was probably nothing, a flight of Cloudrunners going over the Cape, nothing to worry about. "Nothing, just a weird feeling." Krystal shook herself as if trying to get water out of her fur and then said "There. Now, puk puk eggs would be lovely this morning dear."
Fox smiled, "Figured as much. Puk puks will be ready just as soon as I find something to wear."

Krystal just smiled and set about finding her own attire for the day, she rummaged through her duffle bag and pulled out a pair of pink lace underwear that Katt Monroe had given her, a pair of shorts, a flattering gray shirt, and her own khaki vest. She dressed and then glanced at Fox, he was wearing his green jump suit and white coat, his ever present red scarf around his neck. "You always wear that outfit."
Fox looked at her and replied "I like it."

Krystal smiled, "Well so do I. How are those eggs coming?"

Krystal watched as Fox pulled out a pair of large puk puk eggs, "On their way."

Grabbing a pillow Krystal sat down cross legged on it and closed her eyes, time for a little morning meditation. Taking a deep breath she held it for three seconds before releasing it, she did this twice more before she felt her telepathic control loosen.

Meditation was extremely important for Cerinians, as telepaths they could read and pick up on other peoples thoughts and emotions, however Krystal and those like her had always maintained a strict control over their telepathy so as not to invade another's privacy without permission. Such control could be mentally exhausting though, and at least once a day, Krystal would take a few minutes to clear her mind and allow her telepathy to roam freely and in no particular direction. It was at times like these that she picked up the occasional errant thought from Fox or one of the other Star Fox members. Right now she could sense Fox thinking about last night, she smiled slightly at the fact that it was obviously as fond a memory for him as it was for her. She could also sense something else Kazo! What is that? Whatever it was, a collection of presences it seemed to her, and the same ones she had sensed before, seemed to be trying to hide themselves from telepathic detection. Oh if only they could do it right! Now they're just being annoying!

She opened her eyes and noticed that Fox was looking at her questioningly, "What?"
Fox shrugged, "You seemed irritated. Meditation doesn't usually make you like that. At least I don't think it does."
Krystal sighed, "I don't know what it is. I keep sensing something, or someone, but they're either trying to hide from me and doing a bad job of it, or I'm going insane and sensing things that aren't really there."
"Well, I think you're going insane personally."
Krystal raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"

"Yeah," Continued Fox, "Why else would a girl like you be in a place like this with a guy like me?"
Krystal laughed, leave it to Fox to always try and cheer her up. "Silly. There's no place I'd rather be." Her nose twitched, "Don't let the eggs get over done."

Fox turned back to the puk puk eggs, "Good call. I think they're ready."

Fox scooped the eggs onto two plates, placed a fork on each one, and then handed one to Krystal who dove in immediately. "Mmmmmm. Very good." Krystal loved puk puk eggs and Fox was something of wizard with breakfast foods.

When they had both finished eating Krystal stood up and said "Well, Ocean Force Point Temple?"
Fox stood up as well and nodded, "Sounds like a plan to me. Should we just leave our things?"

Krystal shrugged, "I was going to, I don't really plan on staying the night in the Temple."
Fox nodded again and took Krystal's hand in his, "Well then, shall we go?"
Krystal smiled and leaned into him for a moment, "That would be lovely."
It only took a few minutes for the two vulpines to make their way through the corridors that led from the Temple atrium to the courtyard just in front of the Temple proper. When they walked out into the sunlit and sandy courtyard Krystal stopped dead, she could sense those same presences, stronger, definitely close this time. "Fox."
Fox stopped and turned to look at her, "Yeah?"

"We are not alone."

Fox's ears flicked and Krystal sensed a heightened anxiety from him, she closed with him and said "Three of them."

Then, quite suddenly, three cat like figures jumped down from wherever they had been concealed, each of them with a short sword in hand. Fox reached immediately for his blaster but Krystal quickly put a restraining hand on his and said "It's all right, I don't think they mean us any harm, they're just being cautious."
"Nxe uho ei?" Who are you?
Krystal recognized the language, they were speaking Cerinian, known here on Dinosaur Planet as Saurian. Krystal regarded the cats more closely, they were all three tan furred with black rosettes, and each was wearing a diadem with a single diamond like stone. "Esocek."

Fox looked at her "What?"

Krystal glanced at him, "Roughly would translate as Ocelot. They're mythical. Or at least I always thought they were." She looked back at the three ocelots, "M dumo aj Krystal, kxaj aj M muko Fox."My name is Krystal, this is my mate Fox.

"Offworlders." Said the lead ocelot, a female with long yellow hair, she had seamlessly switched to English, "What is your business here?"
Krystal looked at Fox, Fox shrugged and said "Go ahead and take the lead, I think she likes you."

Krystal looked back at the ocelot, "We are simply exploring, we've been here before, it's where we first met, we're just reliving the past I suppose."
The ocelot female nodded, "My name is Mira, tell me do you know of any other offworlders who are on Dinosaur Planet?"

Krystal shook her head, "No, I'm fairly certain we were the only ones here, so far as we know."
Mira frowned, "Would you know of an offworlder named Salika? She is a vixen much like yourself, though not blue furred, she has stolen something of great value."

Krystal was about to respond that she didn't know when Fox said, "I know her. She's a mercenary captain with a penchant for working with the Venomian renegades. What did she steal this time?"

Krystal glanced at Fox curiously, "This time?"

"Long story."
Mira responded then, "It is not my place to tell foreigners of such things. But, if you could be of help..."

Krystal looked at Fox, "What do you say Fox? Fancy a little adventure?"

Fox shrugged, "Sure, why not?"

"What can we do to help then Mira?" Asked Krystal.
Mira smiled "You must first meet with my mother. She can tell you what you need to know," the smile faded, "And perhaps you can help enlighten us as to why anyone would do what this Salika did. Come with us."

Krystal noticed that Fox was looking a bit morose, "What is it Fox?"

Fox shrugged, "Nothing really. I have a history with Salika."

"Oh."

Fox took her hand, "Nothing to worry about, I'll tell you later though if you want."

"Yes. And don't worry, I'm sure it's fine."

Krystal and Fox followed Mira towards the Temple, Krystal guessed they would be heading to one of the warp pads inside. "Should we check in with Peppy?"

Fox nodded and brought his comm. to his muzzle, "Peppy, this is Fox, respond."

"This is Peppy. What is it Fox?"

"I might have just gotten us into a bit of a mission or something. Can you have the ship standing by to leave when I next contact you. And contact Command and ask them if they have any information on the current whereabouts of mercenary captain Salika Maria."

The comm. was silent for a moment. "Salika? The one you used to..."

Fox growled, earning him a surprised look from Krystal and a glance from the three ocelots. "Not now!"

"Sorry Fox. I'll have the ship ready."

"Thanks Peppy."

Krystal eyed Fox curiously, "Well, now I definitely want to know about you and this Salika."

"Like I said," Fox replied, "Later."

Krystal nodded and let the matter drop for the moment, Fox would tell her everything in his own time, there was no need to force him into anything. Besides she could sense that it was a touchy subject and she didn't want to antagonize him, best leave him be for now.

Krystal, Fox, and the three ocelots entered the Temple and were quickly led to a stone wall. Mira kneeled in front of it and spoke softly in Saurian, Krystal couldn't quite overhear what she said, but a moment later the wall disappeared in a flash of light. Fox looked at Krystal and then at Mira, "Um...how did you do that?"
Mira smiled slightly, "Removing a barrier does not always require force."

Fox looked utterly confused and Krystal said, "I suppose you don't know any of the stories about her people."

Fox shook his head, "Nope."

Krystal smiled, "Well then, maybe at some point we can have story time."

Fox huffed, "That would be good."
Mira led them past the opening in the wall and into a room with a single warp pad. Krystal saw Fox jump when he looked behind himself and giggled, "Back is it?"
Fox nodded, "Yep." The wall behind them was indeed back in place, looking as if it had never disappeared.

Krystal smiled, "They are a mysterious people."
Mira's tail flicked, "We do enjoy being so. Now come."
Krystal and Fox joined the three ocelots on the warp pad and a moment later Krystal felt the familiar feeling of being in two places at once. When it subsided she looked out onto a sight that took her breath away. Now here was something she had never thought possible.