Disclaimer: Even if it's my life-long ambition, I do not own Star Fox.

Chapter 10: Reprieve

The cry rang out and rebounded against the rock face, echoing across the clearing. As the sound slowly diminished, it left an absolute silence. Nothing broke the quietus; not a creature could be heard. Even the wind seemed to be muted, waiting for a response.

Everyone in the clearing was at a stand-still, either unconscious or watching the stolid and unmoving Fox. His focus was unfazed, the gun in his hand still pointed at Panther's forehead. He was so close, so ready to take down his adversary. Nothing was supposed to stop him from achieving his goal, and yet only one voice in the entire universe had just done so. Had it been anyone else his concentration would not have been affected in the slightest, neither would his finger stop from pulling the trigger. But nonetheless he hesitated now, awaiting to hear the voice again, to make sure that he wasn't imagining it in his mind.

When he didn't hear anything, Fox broke the silence in a low growl, "Give me one reason I shouldn't kill you right now."

Panther remained quite still, staring at the ground and apparently refusing to reply. Either he knew death was imminent or he couldn't think of any reason good enough. Fox felt a surge of satisfaction and made to charge up the blaster until his actions were halted once again by the voice.

"Don't kill him!"

Fox was sure of it this time. But he didn't move a muscle. Without turning around, he said aloud, "He killed Slippy."

"I know. But that wasn't the intention. Leon fired the PQ-7 half-hazardly. It could have hit anyone-"

"Don't you get it?" Fox yelled, his cold eyes still fixed on Panther, "He deserves to die! Slippy was murdered at his command, and he was going to kill Dash too! I can still see the hatred in his eyes. He has no right to live any longer."

"But Slippy and Dash were fighting just as much, willing to put their lives on the line. They knew what the risks were."

Fox couldn't take this for much longer. He wrenched his gaze from Panther, thrust his head up towards the sky, and screamed, "HE'S A MURDERER!"

The voice behind him didn't answer for a moment. As Fox regained his composure the voice replied, "So are you going to become one too? Think about it Fox. You'll be a killer as well. How could you possibly justify killing Panther in cold blood, besides revenge?"

This time Fox turned his head, but his grip on the blaster did not loosen.

Sure enough, Krystal was standing about ten feet away from him, a look of concern etched into her countenance.

"He took you away from me," Fox whispered softly, but audibly.

"No Fox. I left you," Krystal said, her voice shaking a little, "I left because I thought I couldn't turn back. Because I had joined Star Wolf before, I assumed the good in me was gone. I couldn't bring myself to help you as I had done in the Apparoid Wars. It was my-"

"But you only joined them in the first place because I pushed you away!" Fox interrupted, his voice cracking slightly, "Because I didn't want you to get hurt. Panther gave you a better alternative."

As Fox listened to his own words, a deep realization came over him. He slowly, hesitantly lowered his blaster. But just as soon as his arm became slack did it straighten again, this time pointing at his own head.

"So that's why," Fox murmured aloud, "You really should be with him. I've been a fool."

"No Fox!" Krystal's tone was pleading now in desperation, "You're not the only one with regrets! The minute I had joined Star Wolf I wanted to go back and I've hated myself ever since for it! I...I feel kursed because of it." Her violet eyes glistened in the sunlight as a small tear trickled down her face.

And then Fox understood. No one else caught the double meaning of Krystal's word, but it was clear to him now. He had already explained everything he needed to; she knew how he felt, and all that was left was her reply.

Krystal gradually moved forward, one step at a time. "You were worried about me. I shouldn't have gotten angry for that." She was directly in front of him now, level with his green eyes. "I was at fault, and I'm truly, sincerely sorry for it." She reached up and steadily brought Fox's arm down, keeping eye contact with him. She gently pried his fingers off of the blaster and proceeded to drop it on the ground but continued to hold on to his hand. And then she whispered, "I forgive you Fox."

That was all he was waiting for.

Fox threw his arms around Krystal while she did likewise, encircling each other into a warm never-ending embrace. Silent tears streamed down both of their faces as they tried to express their feelings for one another through that simple gesture of affection. Time stood still, and they were completely oblivious to the world. Only one thing mattered to them right now.

It was a very tranquil scene, and the only slight impediment to it occurred when Panther dived forward to seize the blaster below Krystal's feet. Before he got the chance, however, he was knocked out by a swift kick to the head, courtesy of Falco. Wolf and Leon had already been similarly apprehended earlier.

With Dash slung over his shoulder and three unconscious Star Wolf members being dragged behind by a cord he had brought along, Falco left the clearing in the direction of the concealed Arwings, leaving the fox and vixen behind.

He could tell they would be a while.