Chapter Fourteen
Fox vs. Kursed
"Krystal, are you all right?" Fox keeps his blaster trained at Link.
"She won't be, she is dangerous," Link points his sword towards the downed Krystal.
Fox fires his blaster, hitting Link in his right shoulder. Link yells as he grabs his shoulder in pain, "I told you, Link. Leave her alone."
Link looks over to his left, where his shield is laying on the ground. He figures if he can get his shield he can protect himself from Fox's blaster. Link makes a run for his shield and gets shot again, this time in his right side. Link falls down to his stomach and holds his side. Before he could recover, Fox runs up and kicks Link down the hole.
Fox walks over to Link's shield, "I told you to stay away from my girl," He taps the shield with his foot causing it to go down the hole as well. "Are you alright, Krystal?" Fox runs over to her and kneels down next to her.
Link fell right on his back, "Damn, that sucked," he does his best to sit up and as he does, his shield comes down hitting him in the head and bouncing off and landing on the ground next to him. "OWWW! Correction that sucked," Link grabs his head with his right hand, while using his left to grab his shield.
A sinister shadow approaches from behind him, "Are you alright, Link?"
The voice was dark and quiet, yet at the same time loud and cold. Link spins his eyes to see the Dark Link holding up his sword over his head.
"Don't worry," the Dark Link steps back a couple of feet, "I will fight you with honor, get up and let me know when you're ready."
Link grinds his teeth, knowing after the fight with Kursed, three blasts and kicked down a hole from Fox he was in no condition for a fresh opponent, especially one as strong as the Dark Link, but what choice did he have. None, and he knew that, as he stood up and held his sword and shield and was in his fighting stance he uttered two words: "I'm ready."
-
"Oh, Krystal," Fox wraps his arms around her, "I missed you so much."
Krystal said nothing and looked at him with an angry but satisfied look on her face.
"Let me help with that," Fox reaches into his side pocket, where he keeps a small first aid kit and sets it on the ground.
"I don't need your help, Fox," Kursed was firm and almost scared him.
"Look, I know you are mad at me but I just want to see your shoulder where he stabbed you."
Kursed slides the collar of her shirt down so he can see the wound. The wound was not as deep as Fox thought, the wound cut skin and went down a little bit but it wasn't enough to do any permanent damage, if she dressed it up properly now it not only would let it heal properly, but because of her natural healing ablities of her own kind, she would be able to get away without even a scar. Fox took no chances as he pulled out a substance to clean the wound and some bandages. Fox treated the wound and wrapped her shoulder up to stop the bleeding.
"You worry to much, McCloud."
As Fox was putting away his kit, he sighed, "You are right, Krystal. That is probably why I chased you off in the first place."
Krystal's eyes went from anger to depressed, "I had no where to go, Fox."
Fox looks away, "I know, Krystal. So much time lost and our relationship is completely shattered, I understand that you don't trust me anymore."
-
"SCALES!" Ganondorf yelled from the room of the device controlling Krystal.
"What is it now, your darkness?" Scales slithers into the room.
"I told you to stop calling me that," Ganondorf turns and has a hideous evil look on his face, directing it towards Scales.
"Watch yourself, Ganondorf. We are partners in this, let's not forget I invented that device."
"Yeah, you did. But it is my power that was used to make it do what it does, and it is failing."
"What are you talking about?"
Ganondorf points at the device as the needle of power begins to drop, "What is causing that?"
"She is forgetting her anger, we must turn it up."
The device itself is a giant black contraption, with a chair connected to it. The red power switch on the main screen controls the darkness driven from it, the higher the level, the more evil and sinister Kursed will become. The white dial has a green arrow that points how strong her own will to the evil has become and it is slowly going down. Turning it up will cause it to go more into the middle, however if it goes into the red it, the evil will become so deadly it will literally destroy Krystal, it will feel as if her brain has exploded and she will certainly die, if exposed to long. The device also has a remote that is handheld, which also has a red switch and a white dial and can be controlled from wherever.
Ganondorf puts his hand on the red switch, "Then lets turn it all the way to level ten, enough of this level one crap."
"NO!!!," Scales pushes Ganondorf away from the device, "Are you insane? That will kill her for sure."
"So what? We are going to kill her anyway, aren't we?"
Scales looks into Ganondorf's eyes, "Firstly, we want her to kill Fox first yes? Perhaps Link as well? And Second, I may have other uses for her after she is done. Killing her is a last resort."
"FINE, then level 5."
"Still to much for now," Scales turns the knob twice, "Level 3 will sufice for now."
-
"Krystal, I am just so thankful, you are not dead."
Krystal's eyes flash red briefly as the upgrade from the machine takes effect, "Funny, I can't say the same about you," Kursed slashes at Fox's face with her claws on her right hand, scratching him and taking some skin as well.
Fox steps back and holds his cheek from where she scratched him, he can feel the blood starting to come from the wound, "Krystal, what are you doing?"
"Living my life, as everyone's KURSE," Kursed grabs her staff and back swings Fox in the face knocking him down.
She runs at Fox, who grabs his own staff from behind him and as she is swinging her staff down, Fox pulls his over his chest holding it with both hands stoping her swing.
"Heh, you built your own staff?"
"Yes, Krystal, I did. It reminds me of you and comes through for melee combat."
"Hmm," Kursed smiles, "Well can it do this?" Her staff head begins to turn blue.
"No, it doesn't have powers like yours, but your hand to hand is not as good as mine," Fox pushes back on his staff knocking Kursed's staff up and giving him enough room to back somersault to his feet, he holds his staff in a fighting stance as Kursed holds hers the same way.
"My hand to hand not as good? Let's find out."
"Krystal, I don't want to fight you, I want to help you."
"Help me? It was you that put me in this position."
"No, Krystal. I didn't mean for this to…"
"Name is Kursed," She runs up and swings her staff at Fox who blocks with his own. She starts to swing it faster and faster, but Fox just keeps blocking refusing to fight back.
"FIGHT ME, FOX!"
"NO!"
-
Link raised up his sword as the Dark Link swung downward so he could block his attack. All though, Link was able to block his blow, he was completely weakened from his battle with Kursed and being shot three times by Fox, he just had to retreat from this fight, but how?
The Dark Link swings horizontally inward, Link blocks with his shield, however the impact was enough to take him off his feet and slide on the ground. Link considered using a medallion around his neck to warp out, but the walk all the way back to the desert would be too much. The only locations where he could be taken to was the Lost Woods, outside the Forest Temple and back on Death Mountain, next to the Fire Temple. Both were completely out of the question, but if he kept delaying to figure out what to do, he wouldn't have a life to teleport. Dark Link was too fresh in this fight, if Link was going to beat him, he would have to pray he made a stupid mistake and the odds of that were slim to none.
-
Fox was finally taken to the ground, he could have only blocked without fighting back for so long, Kursed stood over him holding her staff in her hand. She had already kicked Fox's staff away from him, he was at her mercy.
"Finally, I have shown that I am the strongest."
"Sure, Krystal," Fox didn't care what she thought at this point, he was going to say whatever he could to make her stop, "You are the strongest, now can you please stop?"
Kursed moved the sharp end of the staff over Fox's neck, "It will be all over soon, my dear. Isn't fate funny?"
"How so?"
"At this time, we could have been together, flying around the galaxy, saving people, maybe have a family…" Kursed closed her eyes briefly.
Fox thought to the visions he had and one name came to his mind, "Marcus," Fox whispered the name thinking of what his own family would be like if he only loved her. Now he knows that future will never happen, she is to far gone.
"Did you say something, Fox?" Kursed opened her eyes back up looking down at Fox.
"No, only that I wish things turned out differently."
"Not me. How could I be with someone who would cast me aside?" Kursed rose the staff up and was ready to finish Fox.
"Just stay alive, Krystal that is all I wish for. As long as you live, I can die in peace," Fox closed his eyes and awaited the blow.
Kursed put away her staff and backed up off of her victim.
Fox opened his eyes and leaned up, "What are you…why don't you kill me?"
Kursed glared down at him, "Don't look to much into it, you saved me from Link and now we are even."
Fox smiled maybe there is a little of the good Krystal still inside, "Krystal, I…" was as far as he got when Kursed smacked him in the face with her staff.
"The name is Kursed, and if I see you again, I will kill you."
Maybe there isn't.
Kursed began to walk out of the cave, however Fox stood back up and grabbed her shoulder, "Krystal, please……."
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Kursed turned around sidekicking Fox enough to knock him over the same hole that Link fell down into, "I Told You, I If I Ever See You Again, I Will Kill You," Kursed kicked Fox again knocking him down the hole.
"AAAAAH," Fox yelled as he fell down the hole.
Kursed looked down the hole, making sure he was gone before leaving.
-
The Dark Link swings his sword sideways knocking Link's guard open by hitting his shield so hard, it forced Link's arm out. With a fresh opening the Dark Link moved his right arm back, elbowing Link in the face. Link fell to the ground, as the Dark Link was walking towards him he hears a scream from behind him as Fox falls to the ground.
As Link is still on the ground trying to recover, the Dark Link takes this opportunity to kill Fox as well. Fox, lying on his stomach, puts his hands on the ground and pushes himself up a little bit, looks up and sees the Dark Link approaching him. Fox is in no mood to deal with this guy, Fox reaches underneath his vest into his shoulder holster and pulls out his blaster and starts shooting at the Dark Link. The Dark Link ducks and dodges Fox's blasts as well as he can, but Fox is firing too fast, there is no way Dark Link can dodge them forever or get any closer. Fox isn't firing accurate he is just simply firing wild but it is enough to keep the Dark Link at bay.
The Dark Link looks at Fox then looks back at where Link fell, he has disappeared, "Damn," The Dark Link looks back at Fox, "Maybe another time, Fox. We will see you around," The Dark Link dropped down behind his shield and his body slowly descends into the ground and disappears.
Fox rolls onto his back, finally happy that the battles are over for now. He laid there for awhile pondering on what to do about Krystal, Scales, Link and even the state of his own team. "Falco, are you there?" Fox speaks into his watch communicator.
"Hey, McCloud, what's up?" Falco, who is still, along with Katt, flying way over the castle to keep out of the sensors.
"Falco, I am sending you my exact location, could you come pick me up?"
"Yeah, sure I guess. Why what's wrong?"
"I am just simply exhausted, Falco. Just come get me."
"No problem, I'll be there as soon as I can."
Fox breaks the communication lays his head down and takes this opportunity to take a nap while waiting for Falco.
Fox didn't realize how exhausted he was for he soon found himself in a deep sleep.
-
"Krystal, I love you so much. Will you forgive me?" Fox looks into Krystal's eyes, as she stares into his.
"You know I would love to spend the rest of my life with you," she turns her eyes away.
They are standing on a bridge overseeing a lovely river, however the sun was behind the clouds and a storm was brewing.
"What is the problem then?"
"I am nothing more than a Kurse now," She turns her head towards Fox, her eyes are glowing blood red.
The sound of thunder is loud and sounds close.
"Krystal, you were never a curse to me."
"Then why did you cast me away!?" lightning was seen flashing through the sky as the rain started to fall.
"Krystal, you have to forgive me."
Her eyes went back to her blue color, "I am giving you a warning, Fox. You have seen me, I am too far gone."
"I can save you, Krystal."
"Part of me has already forgiven you, but I can't put it behind me. My anger is too strong for me to handle."
"What are you saying?"
"If I can't be saved, you must promise…you will……destroy me."
Fox's eyes opened wide, "You are asking me to betray you again? There is no way would I ever take your life."
"Would you rather have me like this?" Krystal's eyes go back to the red color and her teeth begin to grow into long fangs. Her clothes change from her flight suit, to an all black getup, complete with a black and red cape and chain like vest. The lightning has picked up and flashed during every single change her body went through.
"Krystal…" Fox couldn't stand her like this.
"I am Kursed now, Fox. What will you do? Leave me like this or destroy me and remember me for who I used to be?"
Fox walks towards the hurting vixen.
"Stay back!" Kursed yells as the wind picks up against Fox keeping him from walking any closer.
Fox puts his arm over his forehead, "I love you, I can't kill you."
"But you can leave me like this."
"I can save you, no matter what happens, you will always be Krystal inside."
"Too much anger turns to hatred and then there is no going back. You can never truly heal from this."
Another sound of thunder is heard through the sky.
"Krystal…"
"Promise me, you won't let me suffer."
"I am not going to kill you."
"What if you can't save me?"
"I will."
"What if you can't??" Krystal's eyes begin to water.
"I can and I will."
"BUT WHAT IF YOU CAN'T!!!!" Krystal drops to her knees as the water splashes, she puts her hands over her eyes.
The wind dies down enough for Fox to walk to the downed Krystal, he puts his hands around her, "I can save you, Krystal."
She looks up into his eyes, "If you are so sure, promise me now."
Fox wakes up from his nightmare and he is finds himself staring at the Great Fox's ceiling, "I promise, Krystal…I will not let you suffer. If I truly can't save you, I won't let you suffer from yourself."
"What?"
Fox sits up, "Falco?"
"What did you say?"
"Oh, sorry it was nothing. I just had a nightmare," Fox looks around and notices Falco is the only one in the room, "Where is the rest?"
"Slippy and the girls are fixing some grub right now. I can't believe you slept through everything. I found you sleeping like a baby in that nasty cave. I tried to wake you up but you were out like a light, even talking in your sleep. Sorry about this, but I scooped you up and put you in the cargo hold of my Arwing and flew you here. I thought you would have woken up from the fun ride back there but when I opened it up you were still sleeping, me and Katt carried you in here and placed you on the bed."
"I must have really been out of it," Fox puts his hand on his forehead.
"So what are we doing now?"
"I am guessing taken a breather," Falco reaches down to his hand.
Fox grabs his hand and makes his way to his feet, "I am fine, Falco. Just needed some rest, and some food does sound good right about now."
"What is the game plan now?"
"I know what needs to be done, gather the team to the bridge after the food is done, we will be eating in the bridge. Falco go check on the team and I will meet everyone there."
After the meal had been prepared Falco, Slippy and the girls made their way to the bridge. The girls served some pasta with some garlic bread and everyone sat around the table. Fox pushed some buttons and brought up the castle in the desert on the hologram sitting in the middle of the table.
Fox takes a bite of some bread, "So girls, what did you find out?"
"Not much,"Katt started, "There is no way of getting closer to the castle without getting detected honestly I wouldn't be surprised if we did get spotted. We are dealing with an intelligent adversary."
Falco after stuffing his face turns and opens his mouth, "What do we do about Link?"
"First of all, Falco," Fox gives Falco a stern look, "Don't talk with your mouth full."
"Oh get off my back, we live together you aren't my mom."
"Yeah yeah, it is still rude. Besides how do you plan on impressing Katt with your table manners?"
Falco looks at Katt who smiles at him, "Like this," He picks his plate to his face and tips it so the majority of the food falls into his mouth, even though quite a bit did hit the floor.
Falco has a big smile, until Katt smacked him in the back of his head.
"Hehe," Falco starts to chuckle.
"Rob," Fox turns to his faithful robot.
"Yes, Fox."
"Don't worry about the dishes, Falco is taking care of the cleaning."
"WHAT!" Falco is hysterical.
"Maybe now you will learn your lesson."
Falco crosses his arms, "Great."
"Anyway," Fox goes back to business, "I am not even a 100% sure Link is our enemy. He is heading towards the castle with a purpose. Also every time I confront him he mentions Princess Zelda, he actually thinks we have her or in cahoots with the ones who took her."
"What about Krystal?" Amanda decides to bring her up.
"I don't know what Krystal is doing. I don't know if she is being controlled or actually acting of her own accord, but right now she is not the top priority."
"Fox?" Katt questions his judgment.
"I am sorry, Katt, but Link is getting to be a problem. He is walking towards the castle right?"
"Correct," Falco had already relaxed from earlier, "Your point?"
"We are going to capture him."
"What?" Slippy wasn't sure about this one, "we need to capture him?"
"Interrogate him actually," Fox looks extremely serious, "We need to surround him, Slippy and Amanda you two will swoop down over the castle and fly towards the field and when you get him over you in your radar, I want you to land a good hundred yards in front of him so he isn't going any further."
"Not a problem, Fox." Amanda gives Fox a thumbs up.
"We won't let you down," Slippy gives Fox the okay sign.
"Good, now Falco, Katt, you will take a pair of Landmasters and send them down where those ruins were where you found me and drive towards the castle and we will surround him."
"Gotcha, Foxie."
"Falco, I will ride with you and when we get there we will capture him and bring him back here. So remember we want him alive." Fox leans back in his chair, "But first, I want to watch Falco actually do some work around here."
Falco throws down his napkin, "Fine," Falco mutters to himself as he cleans the table after everyone had finished.