Author's Notes; Crossover AU. Megaman X and StarFox. Shounen Ai. Fluffy. Drama/Jealousy. Action. Spoilers if you haven't played StarFox Adventures. This chapter covers the incident in the mother Thorntail's nest to all of the first visit to Walled City, including getting the second Fire Spellstone. Creative liberty on the passing of energy from a Krazoa Spirit into Zero's body. Nothing like that happens in the game, it was just an interesting idea..Anyways, jealous Zero, because why not..Lighting the beacons also has creative liberty..Nothing is there to just boost Fox and Tricky onto the platforms, you have to go through the main temple..I used to be horrified of the RedEye..Now, I think their reactions when you pass close to them are hilarious..The first time I tried to light those beacons, it wouldn't let me try again for some reason..I still don't know what that was all about..Otherwise, its my favorite part of the game, regardless of how short it really is, but at least it gets made up somewhat on the second trip..Please enjoy..

Inheritance

Dusk had fallen. Zero needed time to get his energy back from releasing the Krazoa spirit. Poor thing, he's so powerful yet tires so easily. In that regard, he's much like a cat. It seems fitting though with that long mane and his personality. I guess he's a lion then or maybe a panther. I stayed beside him contently, wondering what the experience was like. If we were going in turns in taking the spirits to the palace, that means I'm next. Every little bit of insight helps and so far, I'm very unsure of this.

Looking at Zero's peaceful face as he rested, I noticed something very strange. The scar over his left eye had turned purple and there was a curious energy spreading through his body. It was centered around the scar and in his chest. I wonder if this is yet another parting gift from the spirit he released. I heard him speak Dinosaur at the palace without needing my translator to understand that EarthWalker soldier. What exactly has this entity done to him?

Overhearing my mumbling, the Warpstone clued me in. He said that the spirits favor those traumatized by chaos and misunderstood and if the carrier of one of the spirits is such, some of their powers are passed down to them. I lifted Zero into my arms, who was asleep and remained so as I held him. When I think about it, Zero is most definitely far more broken and misunderstood than me. I admit, I'm not the most open person and hate to fight. He's been used many times against me, even though I know in his right mind, he would never hurt me. I so hope the Krazoa's powers, whatever they may be, would help us out.

I kept him tightly in my arms, resting my head against his chest lens until Fox and I heard a cry for help from almost right beside us. The mother Thorntail was the one responsible because some creatures were trying to steal the eggs in her nest. Fox went in promptly while I sat Zero down by the nearby tree. 'I'll be right back, Z.' I whispered, kissing his cheek before rushing into the nest with my Buster ready. These pests looked just like the big and small creatures, Snipluk and Snaplak, we encountered in DarkIce Mines and they were coming from holes in the walls.

After a few shots, Fox decided that just whacking them with the scepter when multiples came along wasn't enough so he used an upgrade, the Ground Quake. It was a good move, but the tremor kept making me wobble. One nearly got away with one of the Thorntail's egg when the scepter ran out of energy, but a black blur stopped it just before it got away. Then I felt something embrace me from behind. Leave it to Zero to be right on time. That's when I noticed that his eyes weren't open. He did that while still asleep? He's always been very protective of me, but this is very impressive. Maybe the spirit has somehow tuned up his senses.

Afterwards, the Thorntail mother revealed another cave for Fox's scepter to get another upgrade. I stayed back with Zero near the nest. He gently sat down, setting me in his lap, and used my back as a pillow. He's never done anything like this in his sleep before. When he woke up, I told him what had happened. He seemed to be in disbelief, but when I told him what the Warpstone had said and let him look at his scar in the water, he looked contemplative. He was getting food and water when Fox got out of the cave. The mother Thorntail had told us that she had gotten a message from the queen EarthWalker and to go there promptly. One thing after another.

Once there, the queen told us that the king was taken prisoner in the Walled City. This really worried Tricky and Fox asked for a pointer to the Gatekeeper so we could go there. The most shocking thing came from her mouth; The king is the Gatekeeper. This made me pass right out, but I felt Zero pick me up bridal style and gently nudge me awake. Thankfully, there was hope. The king knew the Sharpclaw would come for him so he hid his powers behind a strange sealed door. Finishing her explanation, the queen said she couldn't break it. Fox didn't seem phased though and used the newest upgrade to his scepter to open it. This let out a wave of energy that rose to the sky and became a portal, much like the ones in Cape Claw and SnowHorn Wastes. Visiting an actual dinosaur city will be interesting. I wonder if we could get a signal from HQ there too.

Rampaging Tyrants

If what the Warpstone told X is true, then that spirit I returned passed some of its powers to me. How bizarre. The only real reasons I'm inclined to believe it are the fact that I can still comprehend the Dinosaur language and because I woke in the mother Thorntail's nest after X and Fox had cleared out some pests, not to mention that my scar has turned purple. Ok, I know I've done some crazy things in battle, but killing an enemy while asleep? A testament to what has transpired because I don't sleepwalk. I guess I have to believe it. I'm just hoping these new powers are useful.

That was quite a story from the queen. I had no idea there was a dinosaur city, but this king must be very wise maybe even, as humans say, clairvoyant. It was even more of a shock when we arrived at this so-called city. Four Tyrannosaurs lumbered around on each side of a huge central temple. They all looked to be starved. I'm pretty sure no one in this group fancies being their next course. This didn't look much like any city we've ever seen, more like temple grounds. There was this huge central temple, a red temple on the left, and a blue temple on the right. I could somehow sense X's horror seeing the Tyrannosaurs, keeping myself close to him after jumping off the Arwing.

My attention immediately went to the top of the central temple. Something told me something familiar was hidden there. X had also warned me that both my head and chest lens had turned a darker purple than my scar and had began to lightly pulse. Is it possible I can now locate Krazoa Shrines? I lost my track of thought when two familiar voices came in on X's communicator. Imagine that, we actually got a call from Signas and Alia after fuck knows how long. I could see their images in front of X's face as he talked to them, Alia was already trying to subtly advance on X. 'Get those stupid teleporters fixed already!' I interrupted. I was surprised Signas didn't fire back. Alia stopped any chance he had of it by asking if I was ok, seeing the odd colors of my head and chest lens and noticing my scar. 'I'm fine.' I insisted. It was none of her business. X filled them in on the situation and showed them the patrolling Tyrannosaurs, or as Tricky and Peppy called them, RedEyes when they didn't believe us. Signas said that the teleporters had been shutdown and under maintenance, damaged by a very strong passing storm. They had just gotten power back online and the repairs would take time. Alia then tried to console X, saying she was there if he wanted to talk. I hate it when she does that. She may seem well-intentioned, but she secretly wants to take X from me, I can swear by it. 'Mind your business, Alia, he's just fine with me.' I said, cutting the call off. That got me a good scorn from X. 'What was that about? What's the matter with you, Zero?' X asked me, crossing his arms. 'You do realize that she's crushing on you and is trying to advance on you, right?' I asked. 'I know she's crushing on me, but she was just trying to be nice. Zero, are you jealous?' He asked. I turned my back to him, crossing my arms. 'I don't want to lose you. Without you, my life has no meaning and I barely know what to fight for.' I felt X cling to my hair. 'Zero, Alia pales in comparison to you. She shouldn't be considered competition. There is no one like you. No one could ever take your place. I never want to lose you.' He comforted, climbing onto my back and hugging me tightly. 'Danke, liebste. Ich liebe dich so sehr.' I told him, feeling soothed by his touch.

After our episode, we were left wondering two things; What was at the top of that temple and how to free the king. Fox was of the mind that the beacons in front of their respective temples were to be lit in the time of day they corresponded to; The red one in the day, the blue one at night. Since it was sunset, he went towards the blue one. I took flight for the top of the temple, noticing that the pulsing of both lens of my armor were getting more rapid. I could see Fox and Tricky trying to dodge as they caught the attention of the RedEye. X was worried, but Fox is pretty gutsy. If he wants to live dangerously, fine, let him.

Both lens were shining when I landed on the top of the temple and looked around. No shrine warp, my head was starting to hurt, and we noticed that I had begun to shiver. I was reacting to a hidden Krazoa Shrine in the same manner Fox's scepter reacted to the presence of one of those upgrade caves, making X rub me down in worry. 'Maybe its just under the top somewhere.' X said thoughtfully. 'That seems to be the case. Perhaps the king might know something about it.' I agreed. 'Let's ask when we find him.' He nodded. I nodded back, keeping it in mind and noticing a red panel near a bridge with a sun and moon on it. I managed to spot Fox waving me down, seeing that he had the beacon active. I flew down towards them to see what the problem was.

He asked if I was strong. What kind of fucking question is that? Turns out, he needed a boost up to the beacon's platform to light it. I shrugged and cupped my hands together for him, seeing that my headache and shivering had stopped. I guess those meant I had been right on the hidden Shrine. I boosted him up onto the platform and lifted Tricky up with him. Once the beacon was lit, we saw the moon image on the red panel near the bridge light up.

Resting a little as we waited for sunrise, we stayed behind the beacon platform and I allowed X to baby me to his heart's content, being sure to stay quiet. Just the therapy I needed from that spat. We knew Tyrannosaurs couldn't see or hear very well so we were safe for now. Once dawn broke, we had to move. Fox took off promptly and when X was on my back, I flew high above the RedEyes. I gave Fox and Tricky a boost once behind the red beacon's platform, letting them light it.

We found that the sun and moon panel slid back and led underground once both beacons were lit. Inside, dodging the RedEyes, we found the king we'd heard so much about. Tricky was happy to see him. Where the queen had rubies on her head, he had diamonds. He also had a yellow and pink garment on his back. He addressed Fox as the hero of Dinosaur Planet as they talked and cut him off when Fox was about to ask for the Spellstone. That is one very wise dinosaur king. He pointed him towards a new bridge and one more upgrade cave before stopping me, wanting to see my scar. 'Scales gave you that scar, along with many others. However, because of your past, nature, and the way your body works, the spirit you returned imbued you with many abilities of a Krazoa. Instead of isolating it, your body probably tried to adopt it while it was inside you. With this occurrence, Irregular Hunter Zero, you have become something of a modern reincarnation of a Krazoa. Your senses should be even sharper and in time, you will learn how to harness your new power. Before you ask, your reactions are not unfounded. There is indeed a Krazoa Shrine at the top of the temple. For now, you are here for the Spellstone. You will return after all the Spellstones are in their proper place for the spirit. Like the third spirit, it too will take your body.' He explained. I tried to let this all sink in, feeling X caressing me. 'If X takes a spirit, would he be given the same treatment?' I asked. 'Because you have both seen true horrors together, it is very likely. However, because your body is wired differently, he may not take as much energy nor learn as many abilities as you.' The king answered.

After the chat with the king, Fox returned with his new upgrade. Now it was time for the fun part; Killing the RedEyes. Fox's Ground Quake had been taken up a whole two notches. He used it to topple and send those RedEye to the ground. From there, we had two options; Fox could shoot them with the Fire Baster or a fully charged shot from X's Buster would finish the job. We decided each would take out 2 RedEye and when that was done, we got a gold RedEye tooth from an isolated chamber near the blue temple. We noticed switches under the leaves of one tree on the other side of the river on each side of the main temple. Once all were active, activating red and blue flames on the pillars of the Arwing's platform, there was a shining ring in the river not far from the dock. 'Ready to get wet, my precious?' I asked with a smirk. I heard him chuckle as we ran to the dock. Fox waited for us at the end of the river near the red temple. The current was fast by itself as I jumped in, pushing me along. I swam through the shining rings as they appeared, keeping X above water as much as possible.

When we finally got to the chamber the silver RedEye tooth was in, I had to borrow the scepter to get the container open. Shaking myself and X dry, I carried the large silver tooth carefully to the underground chamber the king was in, remembering seeing two RedEye statues, one red and one blue. I guess this one should go in the blue one's mouth. When Fox placed the gold one in the red one's mouth, the statue rose from below ground and got level with him. The same happened when I placed the silver tooth in the blue one's mouth, but the gate directly behind the king opened. This was, as the King EarthWalker said, the lair of the King RedEye. He must have the Spellstone. Tricky stayed behind with his father.

We ended up in a large chamber underground filled with pressure plates on the ground, shock wave panels on the walls, and gates on each corner guarding explosives. The gate behind us slammed down, knocking Fox to the ground on his behind. I hovered in the air nearby focused foward. Something very large was approaching. A few long and loud roars confirmed it to be the other king. He began his rampage along the chamber walls, the hallways just wide enough for him to move back and forwards. As he approached, we noticed that the Spellstone was firmly lodged on his forehead, denting his very skull. Fox had already armed himself with an explosive, standing on the pressure plates which shocked this enormous RedEye to the ground allowing Fox to throw the barrel on the RedEye's head. We had to take cover promptly as the RedEye got up, hiding in small cervices some had energy for the scepter and some didn't. The new pressure plates spawned a little closer to the shock panels they activated and with each hit we got in, the more precise the timing needed to be on pressing down the plate after the RedEye roared. X decided to face his fear and try to hit him on the fourth round. I was both proud and nervous to see my angel face his fear, worried for his safety so I stayed closeby and watched. The pressure plates were now just before the shock panels and the RedEye was coming. I could see him shiver, holding the barrel as the RedEye roared at him. He stepped on the plate, shocking the dinosaur down and clocked him with the explosive barrel. That seemed to be the end of the fight. 'Good job, X.' I said, landing beside him as Fox came and pried the Spellstone from the RedEye's forehead. X was able to catch it as it flew out, cleaning it off. I noticed the jaws of the RedEye open and lurch forward. I grabbed X and rose into the air. Fox backflipped onto the dying RedEye's head. The dinosaur wailed and screamed trying to get him off before dropping his head, uttering a low groan as he finally died.

The King EarthWalker was at the landing platform to see us off, along with Tricky. He seemed almost hesitant about leaving, but his father encouraged him on. So, now we have three Spellstones down and three Krazoas left. X gets to place this second Fire Spellstone and take the next spirit to the palace. He finally gets to be the leader I know he can be, even if for a short while.