Chapter 6
Awakening Completed pt.2
The mission started, and all five members were in thier respective arwings. They waited for thier client to show up. Jim still felt that the mission was pointless. 'What's wrong with normal security? Why come to us?' He wondered. 'Because of our reputation.' Krystal replied, matter-of-factly. 'Still, I don't like it. It feels like such a... waste of potential.' 'You'll get used to it. Ask me sometime, about the mission to Katina.' she communicated with a laugh. 'I'll have to remember that.' he replied, smiling. Thier client arrived, and Jim was not surprised by what he saw; it was definitely one of the expensive pleasure cruisers he had researched, with its angular shape, curved wings, and colorful, smooth exterior, Jim was rather disappointed. 'I'll bet that she's a 'daddy's girl', just like the kind I had to deal with on Earth.' 'Did you escort them, as a soldier?' Krystal asked, through the rapport. Jim was getting more and more used to it. 'No. The kind I'm reffering to, are the ones I had to deal with in high school. Ask me about it sometime.' 'I'll have to remember that.' she replied, smiling. "'Kathrine's Zephyr' to Star Fox team. You will escort us to Zoness, and without incident, understood?" "Star Fox team to 'Kathrine's Zephyr', roger." Fox replied, in a diplomatic tone, but Krystal and Jim both knew that he was steaming on the inside, at being ordered around thus. 'See why I disliked the idea?' Jim communicated to Krystal. 'Unfortunately, this isn't the first time.' She replied, with a sigh. The trip to Zoness was rather uneventful. The team was spread out in a circle around the ship, not really expecting an attack, hired mostly as an honor gaurd. 'She just has us, just to show off how much cash her family has.' Jim thought, irritatedly. 'At least they're paying for us.' Krystal replied, listlessly. 'Could you please, leave me to my thoughts, right now? I'd prefer not to talk about this.' 'Something bothering you?' 'Yeah! I'm a trained killing machine, being used as like an expensive commodity! It's disgraceful!' he mentally shouted. Krystal stifled a laugh. 'That's the same way Falco acted on our mission to Katina.' 'Surprising, since Falco couldn't shoot for crap, even with his life depending upon it.' Jim thought, amusingly. Fox sensed everything through the rapport he had with Krystal, and couldn't help but smile himself. The boy reminded Fox of when he was younger; rash, arrogant, and a little over confident. Even though he has seen combat, if what Krystal says is true, he hasn't really lost his adolescence just yet.
"Are they in place?" "Yessir! The team and target are just now passing over Titania." "Excellent. Not only will we have a large check coming to us, but we'll also be able to settle some old debts as well." "Just so long as there's plenty of action, like you promised. I want to really test my skills." "Don't worry, boy. You'll get the chance, soon enough."
The team plus cruiser were just over Titania. The desert planet was a shining metallic color, as the sun was shining down on it. Having spent some time in the desert environment, Jim imagined that it would be little more than rocks and sand. Just then, his long range sensor just went off, signaling that there were unidentified craft nearby. He tried to get the IFF(Identify Friend/Foe) beacon from them, but were either too far away, or did not/would not transmit. Jim hoped for the latter. He switched comm frequencies to Fox's arwing. "Fox, I got bogies on our six o'clock, and closing." "What kind?" "Can't tell, thier outta sensor range, but thier size tells me that thier small... probably single-manned craft. Oh-oh, I got something. Getting ship I.D. now." The ship that was I.D.'d, just flashed on his screen, and Jim just felt his heart sink to his gut. "Fox, I'm sending you my data now. Please, tell me that isn't what I think it is." Fox recieved the data transmission, and knew that Jim's fears were not misplaced; only one type of ship was red/white, had four wings, and dagger shaped: wolfen. "Well, well. I see that you have a new member, Fox. Pity, you wasting your time on the welp." Jim knew that deep, menacing voice from holo recordings. "You never faced an American soldier before, Wolf! Don't expect me to go down so easily!" Wolf's lupine visage flashed across his HUD(Heads Up Display), bearing a toothy grin across his eye-patched face. "You know me, boy. But I don't know you. I like to know the names of the people I kill. And, did you just say 'soldier'?" Wolf laughed out loud. "What kind of a military would take in a worthless welp like yourself?" Jim felt his blood boil over. 'Why that miserable mother-' "What do you want, Wolf?" Fox shouted. "What I want, is simple, really. I want that V.I.P. that you're escorting." "Nandaiyo!" Jim exclaimed the Japanese term for "What was that!" "I was hired by one of her father's enemies to bring her in, and they paid, generously, for you to stand in my way. However, if I had known that I was going to run into you, I would've taken the job, for free." "Hmph! Pity, them wasting they're money like that." Jim forgot he left his comm on, and Wolf did not take kindly to the remark. "I'll make you pay for that one, boy!" "Over my dead body, Wolf!" Fox shouted. Soon, both squads broke off to engage in dogfights. Jim, with Krystal on his wing, took on two wolfen. A voice purred over his head-set, and he recognized who it was; "It would appear that you have another person who wants to be the center of your affection, dear Krystal. If I remove him, perhaps, you will have eyes only for me." "Panther, leave him alone!" 'So, this is Panther, eh? His profile said that he was a decent pilot. Let's see how decent.' Jim angled his arwing in a head-on duel between him, and his opponent. Then, he saw the other wolfen pop up behind him, probably hoping that he'd be too busy to notice. Jim pulled up, just in time to evade a pair of scarlet bolts. He looked back, to see the wolfen after him. Then, a voice he did not recognize sounded over his headset; "I'm your opponent, 'soldier boy'!" The voice sounded young, and full of arrogance. "And who, praytell, are you?" "My name, is Rigger. And my name, is synonomous with 'death'." 'Definitely a noob.' Jim thought. If the pilot was gloating like that, he'd have to be either really good, or a rookie, and Jim was betting on the latter. Laser bolts danced around him, while he dodged and juked out of thier way. He glanced back, just in time to see Krystal take a shot at Panther. He smirked, then focused back on his own situation. He continued to dodge the bolts, then decided to try something; He pulled his arwing up ninety degrees, suddenly, and cut the power for a split second. He saw the wolfen fly beneath him, with the words "What the-" sounding. He quickly turned everything back on, and pursued his adversary. He was right behind him, and he let loose a nova bomb, which detonated right beneath him. "Krystal, you alright?" "Yes, just took som pot-shots from your opponent, before finishing Panther." "Speaking of which, how's you admirer/stalker doin'?" he asked, with a smile. "He won't be bothering me for a while." she replied. He flew right beside her, and flashed her a thumbs-up, smiling. Krystal returned the gesture. "Alright, let's back up Fox, and pray that nothing else happens." "Right, I'm right beside you!" "You always are, love." Krystal blushed for a moment at the remark. Then, Jim felt it once more, like what he felt whenever he was near Fox, when he was possessed bythe Dark Breed, like 'an alarm?' "Krystal, WATCH OUT!" "Wha- ahhh!" Krystal was hit from above, while Jim rolled out of the way. "Krystal! Are you okay!" "I-think so. Just took a nasty hit. My shields are almost gone, though." "Fall back. If your shields are depleted, I don't want you to become a casualty." "Do not, underestimate me, Jim." she replied, slightly growling. "You let the girl and boy beat you two? Worthless scum!" Wolf was after them, and he sounded pissed. "Pick on someone your own gender, Wolf!" Jim was enraged at Wolf. True that he didn't want Krystal to get hurt or worse, but the thought of losing her, just seemed unbearable. 'Why do I feel this way? No, I have to focus!' " The noob was a decent pilot, Wolf. In fact, I'd say he rivaled you in skill." The taunt definitely got his attention. "Leon, take the girl! The little runt-bastard is mine!" Wolf snarled. "Yessir!" Jim recognized the high-pitched, mechanical sounding voice, Leon Pawolski, the chameleon lizard was Wolf's right hand man, and top ace of Star Wolf, said to be second, only to Wolf himself. "Anyone out there!" Jim sounded on all frequencies, as he dodged Wolf's shots. "Fox, here. He got my wing. I can't make it in time. Sorry, Jim." "Anyone else!" He was growing desperate, and the sound of static over his headset was less encouraging. He felt his ship rock slightly, and knew that he took a hit. His shield meter just dropped a full qaurter. "Sa-maaa!" Jim cursed. He did a barrel roll, that deflected most of the bolts, and did a u-turn, Flying over wolf, to aide Krystal. She was dodging his bolts, but he knew that won't last long. He locked onto Leon's wolfen, and fired a charged blast at him. It hit, taking down his shields. He locked a nova bomb onto him, and fired. The attack took out a wing. Not really a critical hit, but it did make the reptile back off. He glanced over at Krystal's ship, and flashed her a smile. She returned it. He knew that both of the wolfen would be upon him soon. "What a pain! Leon, forget the girl! Let's take this bastard out!" "Yessir!" Soon, both ships converged on the arwing, and Jim led them on a merry chase, doing rolls, turns, anything he could think of to keep his opponents off balance. "Jim! Please, hold on, I'm on my way!" Krystal sounded. "Yoooossshhhh! IKZUUU!" Jim shouted excitedly. He took out his earbuds, and put on his music, getting his blood pumping. He was now doing daredevil stunts that most pilots would not attempt, stunts that he didn't even know how to do, but he knew, all the same. He was listening to the Ultraman Dyna intro, the full version, and it was getting him excited. "Damn! Won't this kid hold still!" " What's wrong, old man? Feeble in your old age?" "Now, you are dead!" Wolf practically roared. Krystal was right behind them, firing shots of her own. The song ended, and the full intro of Ultraman Tiga played. Krystal heard the music through the rapport, and she knew of its effects on Jim. 'Why is it getting him so excited?' Jim pulled his arwing up, suddenly, spinning around. Wolf and Leon followed after him, with Krystal close behind. Soon, both ships were going straight up. His shields nearly gone, Jim quickly turned his ship around, the music getting his blood boiling, and was heading straight for Wolf's and Leon's ships. Suddenly, he let loose a nova bomb, his last one, and pulled away. It detonated right in front of Wolf and Leon, and both disappeared in the ensueing blast. "WHOOOOO! Simper Fi, assholes!" Jim shouted, excitedly. Just then, warning lights sounded, indicating that he just lost his thrusters. Evidently, they were'nt meant for the kind of stresses that he put them through. Soon, he was pulled in by Titania's gravity, of which none of the pilots did not even notice. Jim angled his arwing into re-entry with the planet. 'If I can't fly, I might as well land,' he thought. "Jim, what in God's name are you doing!" Fox sounded. "My thrusters are gone. I'm gonna try a controlled crash-landing on Titania." "That's insane! You'll be killed!" Krystal shouted. "I was already in her pull when my thrusters went out. Don't worry, I'll be fine." "NO YOU WON'T!" Wolf roared. Along with Leon, both wolfen converged on the arwing. "JIM!" "I see 'em, Krystal. So, think you're brave, eh Wolf?" All three ships were in re-entry, turning red in the process. Jim knew that the arwing could handle it, but wasn't sure about the wolfen. "Jim, pull out! Please, PULL OUT!" Krystal was nearly hysterical. Jim saw her through the rapport that they shared. "Krystal, don't be sad. I'll be alright. This is... my destiny." "NOOOO! Please, don't leave me! I loved you, and still do! I promised to watch over you!" "Krystal..." "Please, don't do this to me! Please, pull out!" "KRYSTAL!" "'gasp!'" Jim had a gentle smile on, and said, in Japanese "Sayonora, Krystal-chan. Arigato," before switching off his head-set. In her arwing, Krystal could not stop crying. One of the few people that she has loved, now faced destruction, and she was powerless to help. She wept openly ,tears running down her face. As the ships entered the planet's atmosphere, Jim could've sworn that he saw his ship, glowing a scarlet aura, though not exactly from re-entry, and he blacked out.
When he came to, he saw that he was lying on the desert floor that was Titania. He looked around, sitting up suddenly. He saw the crater where his arwing was in. "How'd I get out here!" he nearly shouted, getting to his feet. He checked himself, and saw that nothing was broken. He took his wristwatch/communicator, and tried to comm a certain blue vixen, whom he knew will be overjoyed at learning his fate.
In her arwing still, Krystal could not help but feel hollow. Her tears have been spent, she had none left for sorrow anymore. 'Why? Why did he leave me like that?' she wondered, sadly. "Houston, we have a problem, repeat, we have a problem!" She knew that voice, all too well, and hoped that her distraught mind was not playing tricks on her. "Ji-Jim!" "No, it's Idi Ameen. Of course it's me! Could you send a tow truck, or something, my arwing just got totalled. And by 'totalled', I mean 'beat to crap'." "Of course! Don't move, don't do anything, just stay right there!" "Where the hell would I go, love?" he asked, laughing slightly. Krystal laughed as well, tears streaming down her face. She may have none left for sorrow, but had plenty for happiness, as she raced for the human, homing in on his signal.
Jim made his way to the crater, and saw what remained of his arwing. It didn't even look like an arwing; it was blackened from re-entry, half of a wing was gone,and the once sky-blue G-diffuser wing attachments were all but burned clean off. 'No way in hell am I flying out of here in that,' he thought to himself. He pulled out his earbuds, and listened to some music. He wondered where Wolf and Leon were. 'Probably on another part of the planet, or burned up in re-entry.' He hoped for the latter, but doubted it. About ten minutes later, he heard the tell-tale sound of thrusters over his mp3, and saw an arwing land several meters from the crater. When it landed, he put his earbuds away, and saw the occupant climb out, seeing the tears stream down her blue furred, vulpine face. He couldn't help but smile openly. She bolted at him, and tackled him to the ground in an embrace, this one nearly crushing the life out of him. He felt her lips pressed against his, in a display of unbridled emotion. After several seconds, she pulled away, tears streaming down, and landing on his face. When she spoke, her normally liquid sounding voice was breaking; "Don't you ever do that again! Ever! If I had lost you..." She was unable to finish, and simply rested her head upon his chest, listening to his heart-beat. "You won't lose me. I'll always be with you, Krystal-chan." She still had tears left, as they fell from her face, and onto his rising and falling chest.
He didn't know how long they laid there, but he knew that, sooner or later, they'd have to leave. "Uhh, I know that this is a heart-warming moment, but, can I get up?" "Hmm? Oh!" She got up quickly, her face going red. She looked at him, eye to eye, and said, voice still trembling "I will never let you out of my sight." She embraced him, saying over and over, "Never again, I'll never lose you again..." At that moment, Jim realized, that, no matter what, she will always hold him in a special place in her heart, it just took a near-death experience for him to see that. Maybe, just maybe, he could... "Krystal... there's something that, I want to... tell you." "Yes?" she said, looking at him, eye to eye once more. "I..um, I'd..like to-" He felt it. The same sensation he got from Fox, when he was possessed by the Dark Breed. At that second, he heard the tell-tale 'cha-chik', of a blaster being set on different levels. "Krystal, GET DOWN!" He shoved her to the ground, while an excruciating pain lanced itself across his shoulders. He gave a pained shout, and fell to the ground, placing a hand behind him. Instantly, he thanked God for the vest. "NOOOOO!" Krystal ran over to Jim, and looked at scorched fabric, and reddened flesh. Jim turned himself over, to face Krystal once more. She was smiling again, thankful that her friend was still alive. "Damn, I was aiming for his head." He knew that voice. They both faced the direction of where the voice came from, and saw Wolf and Leon standing upon a mound, both lupine and reptile had blasters drawn. Krystal pulled out her staff, extended it to full length, twirled it, and struck a pose, lips curled into a snarl, her ears back, and eyes burning fiercely. Suddenly, Jim was glad to be on her side. "Leave us alone!" she growled. Jim took out his nine-mil, and took aim at Wolf's head, the action taking less than seconds to perform. Wolf merely chuckled at this. "Awww, how adorable. The children, would like to play with us." "Indeed, sir. Should be quite fun." the chameleon sounded in that high-pitched maniacal voice of his. They both took aim, and fired at the pair. Jim braced himself, but saw the bolts stop in thier tracks, halted by a blue wall of energy. He glanced over at Krystal, who had stuck her staff into the ground, erecting a blue force field around them. She looked in his direction, and nodded. Jim took aim at Leon, and fired several shots at him. They exited the barrier, and struck the chameleon dead center of the chest. The did not penetrate the suit all the way, but he bet that it stung like hell. The rounds even knocked him off his feet. Wolf snarled in rage, and charged at them. Jim emptied his clip at the maddened mercenary, but the rounds merely bounced off of his flight suit. He crashed against the forcefield, and was soundly repelled. Jim chanced a look at Krystal's direction, and saw the vixen start to tire, sweat coming in droves, her breathing was heavy. Wolf was getting ready for another dash. Jim dropped his empty clip, and grabbed another one. Wolf crashed through the force field, just as Jim inserted the clip. He tackled the human as he got off a wild shot, and slammed him to the ground. Wolf extended his claws, each one the size and length of his middle finger, and was going to rip his face off. Just then, Krystal gave him a solid whack on the head with her staff, sending the merc back. She stood over him, never losing her snarl. "Leve...him...alone..." she growled. Then, Wolf was upon her, before she could react, his hand was on her neck, crushing her windpipe. She knew that it would be seconds before she lost conciousness. "Hiyaaaahhh!" Jim executed a flying kick, that landed in the middle of Wolf's back. Startled, he dropped her, and whirled to face the human. He was met with a spin-kick to the face, then another, and another, making him step back away from them. Standing over Krystal, Jim got into a combat stance of his own. He was going to show Wolf what it means to have a blackbelt in karate, just like he had shown Fox and Falco, several times. "Come near her again, and I will kill you, douche bag." Krystal looked up, and felt relief fill her body. Wolf looked at the young human, amused. "Have some spirit left, eh? Good." He extended his claws again, taking his own combat stance. "Come on, come at me!" Jim rushed to meet the challenge, head-on. Wolf slashed with his claws, that Jim either dodged, or blocked, countered with a move of his own. However, while Jim had skill, he lacked the force to do any real damage. Wolf had that protective flight suit, and also his own well built physique. Wolf, however, could not easily land a blow on the young man, who dodged, blocked, kicked, punched, or chopped at his form. Jim was forcing Wolf back, which appeared to be his goal. Wolf tried to land a slash, but Jim cartwheeled out of the way, came up, blocked a kick, and planted one of his own in Wolf's gut, this one making him slightly double over, and delivering a solid spin kick to the face. Wolf stumbled back, and snarled at the human, blood trickling down his lower lip. Jim glared at the Lupine, never taking his eyes off of him. With a roar, he charged at Jim, who summersaulted out of his way, and came back up in his combat stance, in a kneeling position, ready for anything. Wolf lowered his arms, and smiled a toothy smile. Jim tilted his head to one side, puzzled. He gestured to behind the human. Jim turned, and to his horror, found Leon holding a dagger at Krystal's neck, the blade nearly puncturing the skin. Jim turned his head back to Wolf, who laughed maniacally, with Leon joining him. "So tell me, who will protect, the protector?" Jim got the idea, and lowered his arms, awaiting for what was to come. Wolf did not go easy, he assaulted the young man every which way, albeit a slash, punch, kick, etc. all over his body. "Nooo! Leave him alone, Wolf!" When Jim's form crashed to the ground, he unsteadily got back up, covered with bruises and wicked lacerations. When Wolf heard Krystal's shout, he struck the human in the gut, doubling him over, and floored him with a hammer-drop. He grabbed Jim's head by the hair, and said "You will watch this," with an evil grin, and slammed his head back into the ground. He walked over to Leon and Krystal. "I've got the little kit, Leon." The chameleon backed away, as Wolf grabbed her by the neck, and forced her to her feet. He then slammed her body against Jim's wrecked arwing, and held her there. As she fought against his grip, he extended his claws again, and tore the top half of her flight suit, exposing much of her upper body. She screamed, and Wolf laughed. "Let her go, you BASTARD!" Jim shouted. Jim tried to stand, but his body was sore all over. When he finally got to his feet, he lost his balance, and fell to a knee. Wolf guffawed at this. "I can smash your body, and crush your bones, but seeing her like this will break your spirit," he turned his gaze back to Krystal, "and her luscious body." He felt his libido going, and Krystal gagged at what he planned to do to her. "I'm going to enjoy this." he said, licking his lips, hungrily. 'Where is that power? I NEED IT NOW!' Wolf raised his clawed hand, and was about to bring it down, and remove what was left of Krystal's top, while she cringed. "KRYYYSTAAAAALLL!" Time seemed to have frozen, as Wolf held his arm up, and Krystal still cringed, while Leon smiled maniacally. Then, Jim saw a light beside him. Still kneeling, he looked up, and saw the Ultra, most likely for the final time. "You have now called upon your power for the first time. Now, use it, to protect the person, whom you hold closest to your heart. Farewell... Jim-kun." The being was dissolving into light particles, all of which entered Jim's body. As they entered his form, he felt the pain leave his body, replaced by new vigor, and warmth. He rose to his feet, and Yelled the words that flowed out of his mouth as easily as breath, "GAAAAIIIIIII-YYYOOOOOOO!" There was a mighty flash of crimson, and Jim turned into a ball of light, and flew at Wolf. When the Lupine saw him, he was frozen in place from shock. The light hit him, and sent him flying. It stopped in front of Krystal, and took shape; it was humanoid, with musculature present all over its body, and a sense of overwhelming power eminated from it. When the light was absorbed by the being, what she saw made her jaw drop; standing in front if her, was an Ultra. It looked almost exactly like the one that saved Fox from the Dark Breed, except for a slightly different color scheme, including 'briefs', instead of 'shorts'. When it looked at her, she saw that the 'eyes' were not shining gold, but were instead glowing a sky-blue color, the same color as the light that glowed on his chest. She looked into the eyes, and felt the person behind the mask-like visage. "J-Jim?" the entity nodded. She smiled, and collapsed. "Who the hell are you!" Wolf shouted at the Ultra. 'Jim' turned his metallic head, and addressed Wolf in a slightly distorted voice. "My name, is Ultraman." "What are ya, a third-rate power ranger, or somethin'?" 'Jim' did not answer the taunt, instead, he got into his battle stance. Wolf had had enough, and charged at the Ultra, claws fully extended. Both combatants locked hands, and it became a contest of strength. Neither gave the other an inch of ground, then, 'Jim' tightened his grip, and the sound of bones cracking could be heard, and Wolf's wail of pain was far louder. The ultra delivered a swift kick to his gut, that sent the lupine flying right into Leon. Both of them stared at the red and silver warrior of light. "Let's waste 'im!" After popping his fingers back into place, Wolf got out his blaster, as did Leon, and started firing scarlet energy bolts at the Ultra. Krystal gasped, but the ultra placed his fists on his waist, as the scarlet bolts were harmlessly deflected off of his body. Both reptile and lupine could only stare in shock, at what they had just witnessed. "Wh-what in God's name...are you?" Wolf asked, in shock. "I am the embodiment of justice. Now, feel my light!" He threw his right arm straight up in the air, where light and energy seemed to gather around it. After a few seconds, he swung his arm down, shouting "Speciummu..", then, he brought his left arm, horizontal, in front of his right arm, verticle, both had the hand and fingers outstretched, forming a cross shape. As soon as he did this, , he shouted "Kousen!", and a blue/white beam erupted from the edge of his right hand. The beam struck the ground where the mercenaries were standing, and were sent flying by a huge explosion. They flew about fifty feet away, and rested upon the ground, thier forms still. 'Jim' shook a fist in triumph, while Krystal tried to rise. The Ultra turned to her, and she froze in place. He moved towards her, and she tried to back away. "Do-don't be afraid.." he said, gently. "It-it's just me." She looked into the eyes once more, and saw Jim, smiling, behind the metallic visage. She returned the smile, no longer afraid, and stood up. When she did, he looked away, covering the side of his face, especially his eyes. Puzzled, she looked at herself, and saw that her breasts were showing through her torn flight suit. Blushing, she tried to cover up with both arms, and was turning a bright red, even under her fur. 'Jim' turned to her, and placed his hands just inches away from her bare upper body. Krystal backed off. "Please, trust me." he said gently. For some reason, she felt like he could. Then, golden light swirled from his open palms, and covered the torn upper body of the suit. In moments, the suit was repaired, with no sign of the damage done to it. She looked at herself, then at the Ultra. a swirl of golden light enshrouded his own form, and when it disappated, Jim was standing there, his wounds healed, and damaged suit also repaired. He was wearing that warm smile that Krystal had gotten to know. Then, his eyes rolled up into his head, and he fell forward, exhausted. Krystal caught the young man, just before he hit the ground. She sat there, shaking him, trying to wake him up. His steel grey eyes flashed open, and rested upon the blue furred visage he had come to know, oh so well. He placed a hand on the side of her face, and she put her own hand on top of his. "The awakening... is complete?" He nodded, gently. Then, she buried her face in his chest, promising to never let him go.
On board the Great Fox, the team was gathering around the pair, especially Jim, who had seemingly returned from the land of the dead. After about several times of telling the same thing, about him crash landing on Titania, and being picked up by Krystal, did they decide to give him some breathing space. The pair didn't tell them about Jim's transformation, since they did not need to know at the time, and they had no proof. Later that night, Krystal was in her room, looking at one of the photos of her and Fox. Lost in thought. When he saved her on Sauria, she developed feelings for the vulpine. However, upon learning about his girlfriend, Fara, she felt those emotions die inside of her. Now, along comes Jim, seemingly out of nowhere, and stirs to life those old feelings. 'Why, do I feel this way about him. Ever since I first met him on Earth...' there was a knock at her door. Clad in a tank-top and shorts, she walked to answer it, and saw Jim standing there, as if hearing her thoughts about the young human. "Oh, hi Jim." she said, smiling. "Can... I come in?" "Of course." She stepped aside, to allow the human to walk in, seeing him in an 'ARMY" grey shirt, and black p.t. pants, his usual relaxing attire. "Listen, back on Titania, there was someting that... I needed to tell you. I wanted to tell you that... well, I uhhh, I- ah, crap." He hung his head, shoulders slump, unable to find the words he needed to tell her. At that moment, he felt her furred hands on the sides of his face, as she kissed him. Not the usual one placed on his cheek, but rather, the passionate kind, placed on his lips. Caught off gaurd, he backed away, with her still making contact with his lips, and both fell onto the bed. He tried to back away, but she wouldn't have it. Finally, she broke away. "Why... did you just..." "Because, I love you. And that's what it was that you were trying to tell me on Titania, wasn't it? You were trying to tell me, that you loved me in return." Jim felt his face turn red in embarrasment. "You don't have to play the 'tough guy' act around me." she giggled slightly, "I already know that you're a big softie." "How...did you..." "Your transformation, when I needed you, was proof enough." she replied, resting her head on his chest. "Would you like to spend the night with me?" "I'd... like that. Very much so."
Later that night, as they held eachother in her bed, Jim finally felt like he found someplace where he belonged. As he looked down at Krystal's sleeping form, as she curled herself next to him, arms wrapped around him, purring in her sleep, he realized where his strength came from, it just took a near miss of him losing his friend to make him see that. Then, he allowed sleep to take hold, as Krystal snuggled closer to him, and he held her close.