X-X-X-X

Chapter 2

Reconstruction

Krystal did not know how long she had sat in Foxs' quarters; her mind had been in tatters, beleaguered. While she was not in the best of moods, she had recovered from her ordeal. The cobalt vixen felt somehow empty, like an enormous amount of weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She by no means felt guilt free or happy, or that she could move forward, realization dawned on her that crying and letting out all that pent up frustration and sorrow in one fell swoop, had been what she needed most. Not the touch of a man, or someone to hold her. What was needed was a chance to adequately express just how she felt and be true not only to herself but her friends as well.

And what she felt like at that moment, was a complete rotten bitch. She had wronged everyone she knew, Peppy, Katt, Slippy, Falco, Bill, all their friends, and allies. Worst of all, she hurt her family, and the man she loved most, she brought shame upon her fallen people. In a childish fit of pride and anger, she threw away the best life anyone could ask for and would have continued as such, if only she had been patient and talked with Fox, instead of storming off like a pouty teenager.

Krystal had found her way to the bridge during her reflection, and it was where ROB had once been, the Great Fox was left to languish for some time. The expectation that fox would come back and reclaim it, but never did. It was just as it had been when she first set foot here. The first time she got to talk with him. Once more the echoes came forth, she took a deep inhale as the scene played out in her head.

"...And that's to say thank you…"

"I detect Fox McCloud's temperature is rising."

"Haha! You're not shy are ya, Fox?!"

How bashful he had been, so cute and adorable, how strong his eyes looked, and yet, for all his destructive nature; he was still humble and the most handsome vulpine she had ever met. Back then, she wanted to spend her life with him, to fly amongst the stars, to fight by his side and maybe one day even give birth to his children.

For the first time in years, she smiled with genuine happiness. Krystal remembered that first year, it had been an enjoyable experience. She had spent so much time alone among the stars after Cerinia fell, she had a home, she had a family again. Most of all, she had a prospective mate. All of that was gone now, the question that burned most within her mind, was where to go from here?

Do I forget about Fox and move on with my life… Do I go back to Panther and Star Wolf?

"And do what… listen to Panther talk in the third person for the rest of my life? While he talks all flowery at me, rather than to me?" She muttered angrily. She had become increasingly exasperated with Panther. His charms had quickly worn off. Why she was still with the idiot… well, no, she knew two reasons why she was with him. To get back at Fox, and the simple fact she didn't want to to be alone.

"Gods… I'm pathetic." She planted her face firmly in her paw.

My other choice is to go looking for Fox, and he could be anywhere by now. He could… No, I refuse even to think that. If Fox were dead, I would certainly know.

It was a bold claim, but not an unfounded one. Despite their relationship, Krystal and Fox never fully realized their relationship. The pair had been close. Far closer than anyone had been to him in a very long time. She knew it, in her heart, that Fox was alive somewhere. She just hoped he was okay, and no matter how vain it was, she desired to see him again.

Where do I start though, where do I even begin?

In a flash, a stroke of brilliance, or perhaps just a stroke at the rate she was going. An idea came forth; it was desperate, it was stupid and highly unlikely ever to work.

But gods if I am out of options; and this is all that's left to me, one last try, to do what's right.

X-X-X-X

General Peppy Hare stood at the top of The CDF's command and control tower, eyeing Corneria city and the vast coast it boasted. The old hair gingerly stroking his magnificent mustache, his officers uniform neatly pressed, laurels done up correctly. A little adjustment of his glasses as he gazed out over one of the most memorable battlefields of his life. He was in the midst of his reverie when a young officer approached.

"General Hare, Sir! I have a message from the Great Fox."

Peppy blinked, only one person was on that ship, and he knew who it was. Peppy was tempted sorely to brush off the call, but if it was her, he hoped somewhere, that maybe a shred of the blue vixen he had helped train, still survived somewhere in that embittered heart.

"Patch it through to my office, Lieutenant."

"Sir!" The canine walked off. The ancient hare closed the door into his office and made sure everything was in place. He didn't want anyone eavesdropping on his call. Let alone any snooping reporters or hackers get whiff of it.

A brief bit of static and the picture cleared on his desk as Krystal appeared on his communicator screen. Peppy was shocked, to say the least; Krystal looked like hell, her ordinarily beautiful eyes were tinged red from crying, her hair was disheveled, and her facial fur looked an utter mess.

"Krystal… is everything alright?" That fatherly tone he took with those who were closest to him, it had slipped out with such ease. Even after all the hurt and pain she had caused, Peppy still did think of her as family.

She took a deep breath, her ears were down, and whiskers had long since drooped. She did give Peppy a smile. However, it was one that made her uncomfortable, but she was at least trying. "No Peppy, everything is not alright."

Her voice was timid, scared, vulnerable. She usually was fiery and vicious. It was a surprise for Peppy, and it gave him a gentle ray of hope.

"What's wrong Krystal?"

"Peppy, I… I need to talk to everyone, in person. Not over a communicator."

Peppy's first response was almost a"fat chance" from his lips, but he saw it in her eyes, the way she expressed herself physically, all those years working with Fox and James, he knew vulpine expressions like the back of his paw.

This is on the level, Peppy thought to himself.

"Krystal… that's not going to be easy to convince everyone. I hope you understand."

"I know Peppy… believe me, I know. Who can blame them after what I did? Even if only two of you show up, I'll consider it something." Her voice was so dejected and filled with choked back emotions.

It must be taking all her willpower not to break down.

"Where did you want us all to be?"

"Here," she responded. "Where it all started, only seems proper after I buggered everything."

"Fox playe-"

"Don't… Fox did nothing wrong. I know that now, just wish I realized it sooner. We all might still be together."

Peppy gave her a nod. "I'll try Krystal, but I can't make any promises to you."

"I understand Peppy, thank you, even if it doesn't work, thank you." She meant it to. Her voice alone said it all.

"Just don't do anything dumb, alright?"

The vixen gave a simple nod to her friend, someone she considered a father figure. As the call ended she let out a deep exhausted sigh, tears streamed anew from her eyes as she held her head in those pink-gloved paws. "What have I become?" she muttered quietly. "Can I undo all that I have done? Or at least try to rebuild my bridges?" The rough-shod vixen took a deep calming breath before she stood and went to where her old quarters had been.

She was surprised to find things were just as she left them, no one had been in there save for Fox. His scent lingered on; he had likely come in here for something, anything to inspire him so that he might have a chance of recovering a lost love. His devotion to her wrenched her heart once more, and she had left him asunder. Bit by bit her eyes trailed around the room before she a sharp gasp left her lips.

Krystal quickly sprinted across the room and scooped the object in her hands, holding it as tightly as she could.

"My staff… he found it! After the Aparoid invasion…" Her voice was cut short as the weapon glowed with dark energy and rebounded off of her, forcing her away with a gravitonic blast. A loud yelp emitted from her lips as she was tossed back and hit a nearby wall with a distinct thump.

Panic set in, the last relic of her people was turning its back on her. "No! No! No! No! You can't reject me! You're all I have left, all I have left of him and my home!" She quickly wrapped her paws around the staff, trying to force her will onto the weapon, to push it into obedience. She would be damned before she lost this part of her life as well.

It was a contest of wills, while her staff was not "alive," it still had some instinctual nature about it. It could tell the pure of heart from the wretched, and it could choose its handler. In her case, she was found unworthy. The staff was telling her as such, that it would not function properly for her anymore.

The sheer feeling of betrayal that set in her heart, that the one piece of her home besides her tiara was rejecting her; It was as painful as losing Fox all over again. Still, she held on, trying to express to the staff that she was working to repent, she was attempting to make things right! She felt remorse, and she understood the terrible actions she had undertaken and how it hurt all those around her. She needed the staff, it was apart of her, just as Fox was.

Please! I beg you, give me the chance to redeem myself. I can't do this without you!

The staff had been humming deeply, ready to discharge another blast, the humming, however, came to a halt. Krystal could feel it; it was contemplating. Should it? Would it?

A tingle in the back of her mind tipped her off. The conveyance that came forth was more than enough.

One Chance.

Two Days later

Peppy hare sat in the back of a military transport shuttle with the rest of his family, Falco, Slippy, Miyu, and Fay, and even Katt had opted to come along, though she sat away from Falco, apparently, the two were arguing again or some such nonsense.

Falco of course, could not keep his beak shut. "I can't believe we're doing this, it's probably a trap, just like the one that almost killed Fox!" He huffed, crossing his wings over his chest.

"We don't know that Falco! And besides, if Peppy says it's on the level, I trust his judgment." It was Slippy who defended the old Hare.

"We don't abandon our family Fal-"

"Bullshit old man! She turned her back on us, almost got Fox and the rest of us killed! What in the name of whatever deity exists do you think I will ever trust her again!"

That turned the mood deadly quiet, and to everyone's shock, it was Katt who spoke next.

"Because if this is on the level as Peppy says. It means she's trying, whatever vicious bitch possessed Blue, is hopefully gone. We've given multiple chances to everyone in this room, barring Fay who is probably the most innocent among us."

"Hey!" The small canine barked back at the feline.

Uneasy chuckles filled the air, it lightens the mood slightly, but people were still on edge. They were expecting the worst, but hoping for the best.

Miyu offered her voice to the rest. "Do you really think she means it?"

Peppy gave a nod. "It was clear on her face, she realized her mistakes, I truly believe she wants to make right, for all she's done, Krystal at least deserves a chance to reconcile. Despite what some of you may think, she is still apart of us. The black sheep she maybe, but that doesn't mean we abandon those of our family who lost their way. We already did that once." Everyone's head turned to the floor, the uncomfortable truth already out in the air.

Even Falco couldn't argue with what Peppy said, he grumbled something under his breath and leaned back as the shuttle made its way to the Great Fox.

Krystal stood on the bridge, her Star Wolf uniform had been discarded and trashed. She never wanted to see that outfit ever again. Instead, she wore her old uniform from the Aparoid invasion. The sleek blue and black flight suit clung wonderfully to her curves. Her paws ran over her own body as she recalled the hungry stares Fox didn't think she noticed. How she would intentionally bend over in front of him on more than one occasion, or give him a glimpse down her top with the window into her chest. The little games they played, it made her sigh forlornly at the memories. She hoped to her gods that she would be able to create new ones with her family, and most of all, Fox.

The ship had alerted her to the shuttle in the docking bay atop Great Fox. Peppy had told her that through some work, he got everyone to come along. This was her chance, and even if they rejected it, she could at least say that she tried. The blue vixen paced back and forth, waiting as anxiety built, waiting for her family to come through the main door. Her tail lashed around; she was trying to keep herself calm and relaxed for this defining moment. She was failing.

The door opened with a soft hiss of the hydraulics and her eyes rose. The first through the door was Peppy, followed by Falco, Slippy and the rest of the gang. She took a slow deep breath as they all filled in. Each one looking at her with different emotions, ranging from accusatory to outright hostility. Katt, Slippy, and Peppy were the only ones approaching this openly, though she could sense Katt was on a knife edge, it wouldn't take much to piss off her once best friend.

"Well… we're all here." Peppy spoke quietly.

The ball was now in Krystal's court, she paced quietly, left and then right, all eyes on her. She had no speech prepared, no excuses. This was it, sink or swim, her staff was strapped across her back, threatening to fire off again if she dared waver an inch.

With a final deep breath, Krystal found her courage to speak.

"I want to start off by saying, thank you, for at least coming and hearing what I have to say. It took a lot for you all to even consider it. For that, I am ever grateful to you all. Even if we part ways from this as adversaries, or never to speak to each other again, I fully understand and will hold no grudge against any of you." With a pause she waited to see if anyone would respond, the room remained silent, all eyes still on her, she continued.

"I know I can never say I am sorry, or any words I speak will ever make up for what I have done. I betrayed everyone in this room. I turned my back on my family and those who loved me, for petty revenge and childish pride. I hurt the ones who loved me most, most importantly, I chased off the one man in our lives who united us and brought us together." She had begun to choke up but held it back as best she could, her eyes were closed, and head hung towards the floor with ears wilted and tail dangling limply between her legs. Both her gloved paws twitched nervously against each other. She, however, soldiered forward and rose her head, tears welling in her eyes.

"I chased away the man whose only crime was loving me and being the greatest hero any of us could ever know. I destroyed all that you worked for, what I did, is unforgivable. I don't expect to earn your forgiveness today, not with these words. That's why I wanted to tell all of you here, I'm leaving Lylat, and I'm going to look for Fox. I'm going to do my best to bring him home."

That got a reaction, everyone's eyes went wide, even Falco's beak hung open slightly. No one knew how to respond to that declaration, the fact she was doing a total 180 from what she once was.

"Even if he hates me, loathes me, as he should, I will still try. Because he tried to bring me back to the path of righteousness… and I denied him, denied everything we had, ignored all that each of us had shared in. For that, I beg you, grant me one last chance to redeem myself in your eyes."

Silence hung for what felt like an eternity. No one moved, no one breathed. Krystal cursed herself, how could she possibly think they would give her a chance, especially after all she had done. Her tears threatened to spill once more as her tail lay limp upon the floor. That was it. She had failed, no one would give her a chance, she should have known, what she did was irreconcilable.

However, a sound of boots tapping off the deck plating met her wilted ears. She dared not look up, to see who it was. At least, until a familiar pair of boots she recognized was at the top of her vision.

Krystal's head rose to gaze upon her former best friend; tears streamed down her cheeks as the feline stood before her. A look of anger and sorrow in her piercing blue eyes, Krystal watched in slow motion as her left paw reared back and with an open palm, slapped Krystal across the face. A loud yelp came forth. She knew that she deserved it, no retribution or complaints came forth.

"That was for hurting Fox." She spoke, as a second slap hit the other side of her face with the back of that same paw. "That's for betraying mine and everyone's trust."

"And this… this if for finally realizing what a stupid girl you've been, and finally came back to us." The felines arms wrapped around Krystal and pulled her in. Krystal was buried in emotion. She felt Katt genuinely hold her like she would comforting a sibling.

At that moment, Krystal broke down entirely. What she felt in Fox's quarters, was just the first half of what she needed. Once more, the dam burst, and it all came pouring out. Krystal's head buried into Katt's neck as she wept openly and powerfully as she clutched the Pink feline as tightly as she could, using her as a rock to keep herself stable and prevent her falling into a dark pit of grief.

"Shhh… it's okay Krystal… Enough of that, you're a strong vixen." Katt spoke encouragingly.

Others began to move in closer, Peppy and Slip were the first ones, coming to stand by her side and offer the telepathic vixen comfort. Miyu and Fay followed suit not long after, knowing their wayward friend and "sibling" was doing her best now. She had a long way to go, they all knew it, but all the effort she put in, it was a sign of her dedication; they would give her a chance.

Falco was the last, he stood with both wings crossed, Katt was her best friend, almost like a sister, but Falco was like the big brother of the team, the only people's words who mattered more than his, were Fox and Peppy.

She hoped, she prayed the bluebird would give her the opportunity, and with a loud "bah" he threw his wings up in typical Falco fashion. "I'm not good at all this emotional crap! At Least you had the damn good sense to come around, even if it took you an age. You get your chance Krystal, but you screw this up, so help me, I'll shoot you down!" It was a joke, they all knew it, it was just how Falco behaved.

Krystal gave a nod to each of them. "Thank you, all of you. I don't deserve this."

Katt gave her a gentle pat on her stinging cheek. "No, you don't, but that's why we're a family girl, even when we screw up big time, we don't turn our backs on em'. I just wish we hadn't left Fox alone. Him departing was partially our fault as much as yours."

That caught Krystal by surprise. "What?"

Katt nodded in affirmation. "We all went our separate ways after it fell apart. We left Fox here, by himself. That's on us; we should have been there for him just like he was for all of us."

Everyone nodded, even Falco agreed.

"What's your plan Blue?" Miyu spoke up, curious as to how the vixen was going to try their estranged leader.

"Well, I'm heading back to Star Wolf and tie up all my loose ends there, get my stuff, and then I'm off."

"And Panther?" Katt said with a raised eyebrow.

"Done with him, as much as I am awful for using him as I did, his mind is a place I would very much rather forget."

Katt let out a sigh of relief. "Okay, your good sense has returned. You know he's not going to take that well, right?"

The cobalt vixen sighed. "Yea, I know, but Wolf and Leon, ass holes they might be, they aren't bad, Wolf will back me up, Leon will go along with pretty much whatever Wolf says."

"Just be careful Krystal, Panther is not Fox, and if I know his psyche profile, as well as I, think I do, Panther might do something stupid or try to hurt you." Peppy always had sage advice, it was something she already didn't know, but it was the simple fact Peppy even said it, it was a sure fire sign of care.

"Right, well, I am Sorry for not wanting to stay around, but I have things to do and a Fox to find."

"Where will you start?" This time it was Fay.

Krystal took a deep breath; she knew Peppy would not like that part of her plan. Because only Fox, Peppy and herself knew the power of the Krazoa, and you needed to be pure of heart to deal with them.

"The Krazoa on Sauria."

Immediately Peppy's eyes went wide. "Krystal! No, you can't!"

Peppy's sudden outburst made everyone but the cobalt vixen jump.

"Uhh, Pep? Wanna tell us what's up?" Falco chimed in.

"When Fox interacted with the Krazo on Sauria, he did so successfully and, I know this is going to sound insane or absurd given his career and everything. It was because he was pure of heart, just like how they kept Krystal alive in that diamond, buying Fox time to free her."

Falco shook his head. "Okay, let's say all this nonsense is real, what happens to Krystal?"

"Best case, they'll just send her away or not interact with her at all. Worst case, given how she's tied to them, they'll kill her."

Everyone's eyes turned to Krystal. "It's true, I am willing to risk my life to find Fox, and the Krazoa are the only ones who might have an idea of where he is, all the databanks here have been scrubbed. Before anyone asks, yes, he is worth it."

It was clear dissuading her from that course of action was not going to happen. Peppy sighed.

Just as stubborn as Fox.

"Alright, Krystal… then, I hope for the best. Send us a message when you get back from Sauria." Krystal nodded her head, signifying she understood before she gave each member of the old team a firm hug. Even Falco got one to which in an uncharacteristic moment, he returned with full force. "You take care of yourself Blue, and bring Foxy boy back. He owes me beer money." Both shared a chuckle and nodded. As she departed the bridge, she could feel everyone's thoughts, some were still dubious, but they were happy to see her again as her old self, and not who she had become.

Krystal had a new purpose now, or rather, an old one reborn. But before she could, she needed to deal with Star Wolf and Panther.

"Oh what fun that's going to be." A sigh of exasperation left her, she powered the bird on and took off into the dark of space. Her heading set for Star Wolf's base in Corneria.