Chapter 10! Enjoy!
SFP – 10:00AM
"What?" Was all Fox could say. How was it possible that someone else on Cerinia had survived Andross's attack that destroyed the planet? "Are you sure?"
Krystal looked towards the last place she had saw the car. "Positive. I could never forget him. He's the same guy that got me off Cerinia before it exploded." She felt Fox wrap his arms around her own, knowing how emotional a subject her home was. The memory had been bits and pieces until now. Suddenly it came rushing back, the missing links connected quicker than she could blink, and she swore she could smell the forest just outside her village.
Cerinia – 2 Years ago
Krystal sat alone in a meadow close to her village. She was trying to meditate but something had been troubling her. For a long while now she couldn't shake the feeling that something horrific was about to happen on Cerinia. Some in her village agreed with her, while her elders played it off as her mind simply not being as attuned to the world as theirs. So she often found herself outside of her village, listening to the sounds of nature as she struggled to get rid of that feeling looming in the back of her mind.
She would normally stay out of the village for hours on end, not that it bothered her, or her family. She always stayed within sensing distance of her mother or father. Not that they had much time to keep track of her, what with countless trips to other villages, and temples. Such was the way of royalty however, they needed to be present as every single rite of passage, every council decision, anything and everything it seemed. Although Krystal was happy to be of royal blood, she dreaded the time she would have to give up her freedom to it.
Suddenly she felt another presence near her, one she had not felt before. In an instant she stood and faced the intruder. A few feet away stood a vulpine with strangely colour fur, beside him was a machine that could only be described as a giant metal bird. Krystal looked from it to the vulpine, settling into a defensive fighting stance. "Who are you?"
The vulpine looked over at Krystal, and sighed. "No... not this again." He pulled a translator out of his pocket and place it in his ear before he took a step forward, causing Krystal to raise her staff.
"One more step and I will turn your hide into ashes. Now I will ask you again, who are you?" Krystal began charging a fireball to enforce her point. She looked him dead in the eye and tried to sense his thoughts.
"Stay out of my head." The vulpine growled. "Your name is Krystal, Princess of Cerinia. For a while now you have felt something happening to the planet. I am here to make sure you survive."
After a few more attempts at reading the mysterious vulpine's mind she gave up. "You have a strong mental barrier, and you know about me, but you have yet to answer my question."
The vulpine nodded. "Nor will I. If you truly want to know, then all you have to do is wait. The computer in my ship will tell you who I am."
Krystal lowered her staff, the charge dissipating instantly before she rested one end on the ground. "Fine. If you know what I have been sense than you must know how few believe me."
"No. Your voice isn't as weak as you think. Your elders must have felt it by now, and are playing it off as something that is within their control. Because when the villagers find out how correct you are it'll be too late." The vulpine looked down at a weird device on his wrist, his eyes widening as he noticed the time. "Look Krystal, I don't expect you to believe or ever listen to me. But you must get off this planet. You must survive, your future is too important to be lost here."
"What do you mean?" Krystal could feel the sorrow emanating from the vulpine. "I can't just leave, I have nothing to help me survive in space. Why do I have to go? My parents will forbid it!"
"I have brought a great evil here. He has been tracking me since he killed her... Your parents are leaving soon to determine his fate." The vulpine choked back a few tears. "I can stay here for a while longer, but you must get off planet. If you're here when he gets here... the legacy of Cerinia will be lost." Krystal stood rooted in her spot, trying to understand his words. "Krystal, there is no time to waste. Run back to your village, tell them to get everyone to safety now! GO!" He watched as Krystal ran towards her village and bowed his head. "You will be the only one to survive this... and it's all my fault." He looked back up and sighed. "But it was the only way to save both of you."
Krystal couldn't understand why she trusted the vulpine, but she knew he was telling the truth. She called to everyone telling them to seek shelter, or ready their arms. Most ignored the young princess, as she raced to her home. "Mother! Father! We must leave! A terrible evil has arrived on Cerinia!"
An attendant was quickly at Krystal's side. "I'm sorry Princess, but the King and Queen have left to attend an emergency meeting in the council chambers."
Krystal felt tears in her eyes. "He was right..."
"Princess?" The attendant asked before Krystal took off again, heading back to that vulpine.
'Mother, Father. I'm sorry but I must leave, I know it is without your blessing, for that I cannot ask for forgiveness. I must see where this leads me. I will be back.' Krystal reached the meadow, but only saw the ship waiting for her. She could sense a residual energy lingering around, but she could no longer sense the vulpine's presence anywhere. As she neared the ship the hanger door opened, causing her to jump back and pull out her staff. After a few moments she lowered her guard and walked inside of the ship. There wasn't much to it, enough room for a small shipment of supplies, sleeping quarters, a short walk and she was at the cockpit. As the door behind her shut she heard that vulpine's voice once more.
"Krystal, if you are hearing this than I am already gone. Don't worry about me, it's better that you travel alone. I am sorry for forcing you away from your loved ones, for that is no easy burden on anyone." There was a brief pause before he continued. "The ship will fly itself to Corneria. It's the capital of Lylat, you will find your destiny there. In the bedroom you will find a suitcase. It was as much as I could fit it. You will want to buy some new cloths, because Corneria will be rough on you if you keep your royal attire. Good luck Krystal, you'll thank me when we see each other again."
Before Krystal could sit down the ship began to power up. "Auto pilot engaged, course set. Destination Corneria. Approximate arrival time is five days, three hours, forty three minutes. Welcome aboard call-sign Hopeless, please enjoy your flight." The computerized voice caused the vixen to latch onto the pilots seat. Once she calmed herself down enough, Krystal whispered the vulpine's call-sign, before leaving to check the bedroom. As she sat down on the bed, the ship took off causing the suitcase and her to roll off the bed. She yelped as she hit the floor. "Gravity regulated."
"Hardly a way for a princess to travel." Krystal grumbled. She grabbed the suitcase and placed it on the bed. It took her a few minutes to get the latches open, but once she opened it she saw a folded piece of paper and multiple other items she couldn't identify. Krystal grabbed the paper. "Read me." Krystal unfolded the paper. "So... this is where fate is taking me... Corneria." She smiled and stretched, ready for a new adventure.
SFP- 10:10AM
"Krys?" Fox asked gently moving her shoulder. "Hey Krys, you're starting to freak me out a little bit," Krystal shook her head and blinked a few times before she look up at Fox. "I thought you were lost in that memory forever."
"Hopeless... his name is Hopeless. He's the one who got me off Cerinia, he saved my life." Krystal smiled. "I never did thank him."
"I'm sure you'll get the chance." Fox said after a few moments. "I'm just glad we don't have another enemy to deal with. C'mon, lets get this place ready for opening."
"Hey Fox, Krystal!"
"We certainly are getting lots of visitors today..." Fox sighed in annoyance. Before turning around to see Kara, and who he assumed to be her boyfriend walking towards them. "Kara?"
"Kara!" Krystal walked up to the rabbit and gave her a firm hug. "Oh my gosh you're getting huge!" She back up and looked at her very much pregnant belly. "How far along?"
"Six months." Kara beamed."Oh, where are my manners. This is Bryal Sol, my boyfriend and the father." She pulled Bryan forward a bit, putting him on the spot. Bryan was a vulpine with green fur and multi-colored eyes, green and purple. He stood about Fox's height with a lean build.
"Hi." He said before retreating behind Kara.
"You'll have to forgive him, he's a bit shy at first. But he's amazing once you get to know him." Kara giggled.
"Well, you can't blame him for being star struck." Krystal smiled warmly at Bryan. "I'm Krystal, and this is Fox McCloud."
"I... I know who you two are. Kara has told me all about you." Bryan attempted a smile but only got a smirk.
"Nice to meet you Bryan. Fox extended his hand with Bryan readily took, shaking it firmly. "So you're Kara's boyfriend eh? She never really talked about her personal life at work. She's quite professional like that."
"Let's go inside, before people think this is a meet and greet!" Kara laughed. Fox nodded and led the small group inside SFP. "It's been a while since I've been here. How are things?"
"It's been pretty hit or miss." Fox replied as they all sat down. "But we're surviving."
"Well that's good. If Bryan would let me, I'd still manage this place from home, but he insists that I relax."
"I encourage that you relax dear. "Bryan wrapped and arm around her. "But you seem to be out and about whenever you get the chance."
"Can't blame her. She was used to running a restaurant to suddenly forced to take it easy... I'd go nuts too." Krystal giggled. "So, have you decided on any names?"
Kara shook her head. "I didn't want to get an ultrasound, so we're waiting until the little guy or girl is here to choose a name."
"I think I would want to know what sex it is, at least then we could get everything ready." Fox said, causing Krystal to look over at him with a smile. They hadn't really talked about anything like that yet, but he knew that it was going to come up eventually.
"To be honest, I don't mind if it's a boy or a girl. I just glad that we can start a family." Bryan grabbed one of Kara's hands and squeezed it. Fox and Krystal could see the love between them, and it warmed their hearts. "If it is a boy though, I kinda like Joey Cloudy." Kara squeezed his hand and nodded.
"So what do you do for a living Bryan?" Fox asked.
"Oh, I.. uh.. work at a provisions shop in downtown Corneria. We've got some good contracts so the pay is decent enough for us to live comfortably." Bryan replied, there was just a hint of worry in his voice, but it was more than enough for Krystal to sense.
"Sounds like you could use a few more contracts." Krystal bumped Fox's arm a bit. "Some of those expire soon huh?"
Bryan looked at Krystal with confusion. "How the..."
Fox laughed. "She's telepathic, don't worry we all forget that. Some, meaning me, more than others." Bryan shook his head in amazement. "So, a provisions shop huh? What type of military equipment do you hold?"
Bryan rubbed his chin for a few seconds. "Honestly I can't think of anything we don't carry. Some military officials have bought a few things, I try to give them the best deal I can, but I don't own the place..."
"Ok." Fox tapped a few keys on his wrist comm. "Hey Slip, when you get this check out the provisions shop at..." He looked up at Bryan expectantly.
"Just down the street from the mall." Bryan replied in a mild shock.
"Just down from the Cornerian Mall. See if we can get a Star Fox, or military contract going. Fox out."
"Fox..." Kara giggled. "I think you broke him." Sure enough Bryan was sitting there mouth agape, still in shock at what had just happened. "I'll thank you on his behalf."
"Guys! I don't want to... Oh hey Kara!" Kiko quickly walked out to the table. "Bryan, I haven't seen you in a while."
"Hey Kiko, how have you been?" Kara smiled at the white vulpine as he grabbed a chair and sat down with them.
"I'm good, keeping busy doing your job." Kiko laughed. "Listen I hate to be an asshole but we've got work to do."
"Yeah, yeah." Krystal grumbled she stood up and gave Kara another hug. "Let us know if there is anything else we can do to help!" She patted Bryan on the back, causing him to finally come back to reality. "Later Bryan."
The rest of them stood up. Bryan grabbed one of Fox's hands in his own. "Thank you so much . It means a lot to me."
"Please call me Fox. And it's no problem, glad to be of assistance." Fox grinned. "Kara, it was nice seeing you again. As soon as you are able you have a job here."
"Well be back for visits more often." Kara waved as she left with Bryan.
"Bye guys!" Kiko said as the door shut behind them. "So... lets go see what kind of trouble we can stir up today."
"Are you kidding, the day is just starting and I feel like it's time to go home." Fox laughed as they walked behind the counter, and began to get the store ready for another day of business.
Yay back story! More updates coming soon as I can get them up!
H-T
Bryan is owned by bryan mcCloud
Kiko is owned by Jumanji8
Kara is owned by Hopeless-Tyronos
All OC's used with permission.