Two weeks after they arrived back at the Great Fox II, Krystal was rushing around her room dressing for the ball that was to take place that night. She was still in shock that they were going to one and Fox still hadn't changed his mind about going. She was so excited about it that she didn't know what to do.

She sat in front of her vanity and looked to her hair. She didn't know what to do because her hair was not very long. It was a little lower than her shoulder now but she felt she couldn't do anything with it. After a short while she pulled her hair back and started putting it in to a French twist. She smiled and nodded in approval before she went in to her bathroom and did her make-up. She would run back out and put a few small diamond clips in to her hair before putting her gown on.

Falco came from his room and dressed in a simple Black Tux with a black bowtie and vest his feathers slicked back neatly. Slippy walked out of his room and smirked to Falco as he was dressed in a baby blue tux with a ruffle shirt with a blue tie and vest. Falco looked to him and shook his head pushing him back in to his room helping him get his black tux on.

"Why do I have to change? I like that tux."

"Slippy the last time you wore that, was during our graduation party, and it was ridiculous then!" Falco spoke sharply. Slippy was a good friend with ZERO fashion sense.

"Aw ok I will put the black one on then."

"Thank the lord. Hurry though we are all leaving shortly unless Krys take forever." Falco laughed a bit.

Peppy walked out of his room dressed in a black tux with a black bow tie and cumbers bun. He waved a bit and held a top hat, black coat, white scarf, gloves and cane in his free hand before putting the hat on, then his coat followed by his scarf and gloves.

"That's a very classy look Peppy." Falco smirked, crossing his arms leaning against the wall.

"Thank you, Falco you should grab a coat. It's chilly this time of year." Peppy smiled and walked down the hall.

"Thanks for the advice." Falco waved before walking to his room to grab his coat.

Slippy walked out of his room in a black tux with a bow tie and cumbers bun like peppy. He sighed and grabbed his coat before heading to the bridge to join Peppy. When he got there Fox was there and dressed in a black tux with a black shirt, soft gold tie and vest.

Slippy smiles and walk to Fox and Peppy. Falco walked in and laughed a bit as he walked to Fox Slapping him on the back.

"Hey you clean up pretty good, Fox."

"Ah, yea thanks Falco." Fox spoke a little embarrassed. "Well let's get down to Corneria; we have a limo waiting for us at the Corneria Space Base near Pepper's Manor."

"Ok maybe we can land before Krystal is done." Falco snicker and sat in his chair, while everyone but Krystal took their Position to land the Ship.

Fox smiled and started to type a few things in to his console quickly before smirking and glancing at Falco. Fox made a couple calls during the past two weeks to find a certain deep-pink cat.

One week prior:

"Kat, it is Fox." Fox chirp happy to have found her.

"Oh Hi Fox. I haven't heard from you or any one in a while. How is Falco?" Katt sounded worried.

"Fine, He is fine. We are going to The Victory Ball that Pepper holds every year. I would like you to come with us." Fox hummed softly over the communication link.

"I don't know. Falco might still be mad at me." Katt sounded like she was pouting.

"He is not actually. He has been moping around since he got back from his last mission." Fox sighed. "Meet us at Corneria Space Base near Pepper's Manor."

"Ok, I will go. I got a nice black dress." Katt gave a slight hum showing her spirit had been lifted a bit.

Day of the ball:

Krystal was in her room reading a message she received from James. She had informed him almost two weeks ago that Fox wanted to go to the ball. She was so excited still and when she finished she got up and headed to the bridge.

J-Fox: I am glad your going, Get Fox to relax and enjoy himself. Even at such an event he might be too serious for his own good. You have fun to Miss Krystal.

The bridge door opened and everyone looked back. Falco looked to her and felt really bad for what he had almost done and the fact Katt wasn't going to be there with him. Slippy clapped his hands to her as Peppy smiled nodding in approval. Fox turned and almost fell from his seat. This was the first time he saw that dress and saw her in it.

"You look Nice Krystal!" Slippy spoke cheerfully.

"I agree. Do you have a sweater or wrap my dear girl, it's chilly out there." Peppy got up slowly getting ready to leave

"Yes I do, Peppy, thank you for reminding me." Krystal smiled and walked to Fox.

Fox just sat not saying a thing as he couldn't speak at the moment. Krystal was wearing a beautiful gown. The top was strapless and gold and was cut straight over from arm to arm before dipping in the back slightly. The skirt had a bit of gold around the waist that cascaded down in an elegant design. The skirt dropped to the floor and dragged slightly in the back and was the perfect Ivory white color. Her shoes though not seen were ivory white while she had matching long gloves that went up to her upper arms Krystal did a slight twirl.

"What do you think Fox?" she spoke smiling to him

"It… ah… um… eh… Krystal pretty dress...wears you." Fox still couldn't talk.

Everyone laughed a bit as they all started to head out of the ship. Preppy was first and looked around. He smiled and walked to the long black limo that was waiting for them. Slippy followed and hummed softly. Falco Stepped down and looked back putting his hand out to help Krystal down the steps. She took his hand and stepped down slowly.

Fox walked out a moment later holding a small box. He watched as Krystal Climbed into the limo. Falco looked in seeing a pair of pink legs crossed in the corner away from the door. He leaned down and looked in seeing a very familiar pink feline sitting looking to him. He took a deep breath and climbed in and moved over sitting with his back to the driver with Peppy on his left and the armrest to the right. Fox soon stepped in sitting by the door across from Falco next to Krystal.

The drive was quiet and was only about 15 minutes. Fox looked out the window and scratched his head a bit. He opened the box and smiled Krystal sat looking out the window.

"I called Pepper After I decided to go this year and well He told me it was a masquerade this year." Fox pulled out a Gold feathered mask on a decorated handle handing it to Krystal before pulling a black feather like Krystal's handing it to Katt, a solid white for Peppy and a black one for Falco and another white one for Slippy. "Sorry I didn't get any special colors for every one I didn't know what colors you guys were wearing, you don't have to wear the mask anyways."

Krystal and Katt held theirs up to there eyes and smiled before looking out the window. There was a large crowd of paparazzi and regular civilians waiting to see everyone that came.

The limo stopped and the driver got out and opened the back door on Slippy's side. Slippy stepped out and smiled. He waved and stepped away from the limo to wait for the others. Peppy was the next to come out he was wearing his white mask waving to the crowd. Falco looked to Katt before getting out slowly and extending a hand to help her out. They Camera's were flashing and people calling for attention.

"I want to apologize." He whispered to her as he escorted her away from the limo to join Peppy and Slippy.

"Let wait till we get inside, don't need any noisy newspapers knowing." She spoke through her smile.

Fox stepped out slowly and everyone turned to him taking pictures. He turned and helped Krystal out of the limo before turning and escorting her down the carpet that was laid out. The camera flashed and girls screamed while guys whistled until everyone disappeared into the building having their coats and such taken from them.

They walked up the steps of the manor and to the ball room in the back. A short pudgy looking duck stopped them and smiled. He held a large clipboard and smirked.

"And who do we have here?" the duck quacked out.

"We are the Star Fox Team and company." Fox spoke softly

"Ok, Fox, Falco, Peppy, Slippy, and Krystal you're good and she is?" The duck spoke sternly

"She is the company, and my date. Her name is Katt Monroe" Falco looked down to the duck.

"Ok, I will introduce you." The duck waddled to the door opening it and walking to the top of the stairs. "Your attention Please." He called out.

Everyone in the party looked up slowly. They wondered who was here now.

"Now introducing, the Oldest Member of the Star Fox Team, Peppy Hare. Team mechanic and inventor Slippy Toad," the duck called out as they started down the steps to join everyone as they started to applaud for them "Ace Pilot of the Star Fox team Falco Lombardi and his date Katt Monroe," every one applauded once again stopping when the duck spoke again. "Star Fox team's telepath, Krystal and Finally, the Team leader, and the vulpine that destroyed Andross for good, Fox McCloud." Fox and Krystal walked in to view and started down the stairs. No one clapped but saluted them before clapping.

General Pepper walked over slowly using a nicely decorated cane. He Saluted and shook hands with Pepper before making his way to Fox. Slippy's dad Beltino walked over and hugged Slippy before dragging him off to talk. Katt and Falco walked off finding a quiet place to talk.

"Fox McCloud, I never thought I would see the day you came to one of these balls." Pepper laughed a bit Saluting Fox.

"Yea well it's been almost a little over ten years since the accident. I figured dad would want me to come at least once." Fox saluted back speaking softly

"Yea, it has been a long time. In a way this ball is for the memory of the great Pilot we lost." Pepper spoke softly. He looked down at his watch and smiled "OK well it's almost time for the award Ceremony." Pepper walked away and found his way to the stage in the ballroom.

Three figures walked up behind Fox while one slapped him on the back another walked right to Krystal taking her hand kissing it. While the last searched for Falco.

"Hey Fox, Didn't think I would ever see you here." The gruff voice spoke coolly

"Oh, Hello Wolf, good to see you and your crew, Leon and Panther." Fox looked to then and when he saw Panther the fur on his neck stood on end.

Panther was purring over Krystal as she frowned slightly before smiling and nodded. She pulled her hand from him and walked to Fox. She whispering to him that she would dance one dance with panther. The lights flashed telling it was time for the ceremony.

Everyone in the room found a table to sit at and sat as the lights dimmed and the stage lights turned on. Everyone clapped as General Pepper took the microphone. He waved to silence people before holding up a card.

"Welcome everyone to the tenth annual Great Victory Ball. I would like a moment of silence for all those we lost this year." He dropped his head as did everyone else. He waited about 20 seconds before clearing his throat. "It's great to have everyone here and those we have been waiting, about ten years, to come." He laughed a bit. "OK We has a few high honored medals to pass out." Pepper rambled on passing out a few medals.

Fox crossed his arms watching quietly. Krystal smiled and patted his arm lightly for reassurance. Fox smiled a bit feeling better to have his friends there. Even Falco was happy as he had made up with Katt and was holding her hand and keeping her close to him.

"The purple heart we would like to give to a dear friend Peppy Hare. For sacrificing his safely for the slight opening he gave to help destroy the Aparoids." Pepper smiled and Peppy got up and walked up the stage taking the Purple Heart and shaking hands before sitting back down. "Ok, we have eight Diamond Stars left. For their honorable duty in the past year, as General of Corneria I am more than happy to give these out. This is the most Diamond stars we ever had to give out. Unfortunately one is not here to get his star for his outstanding duty. Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, Krystal Fox, Leon Powalski Panther Caroso, Slippy Toad, and Wolf O'Donnell, please come to the stage to receive your Stars for your excellent work in the defeat of the Aparoids"

The seven got up and walked to the stage. Once on the stage, Pepper walked down the line clipping there stars to their pocket. When he reaches Krystal he wasn't sure he didn't want to try and put it on. Krystal laughed a bit before putting her hand up to accept it to put it on herself. Pepper smiled and laughed handing her the star as she clipped it right to her dress easily. When he finished and saluted them all as they all saluted him and everyone that was watching.

"The last star I unfortunately cannot give to the fearless Pilot, and one of my dear friends, I just hope his son will accept it for his father. Fox I would like to present you with the Diamond star that was to be your Father's." Pepper held an opened velvet box.

"Thank you sir, I am sure my father would have been honored to receive this as I am now having received my own." Fox took the box and closed it saluting again trying to keep a straight face.

Every one stood and applauded as the seven of them all walked down from the stage. Fox walked back to the table and sat looking to the box as he placed it in front of him. He wasn't sure if he should be happy, sad, or anything for that matter. He took a deep breath and sighed softly. The band moved up to the stage and started to play. Krystal looked to Fox and smiled taking his hand. He looked up to her and shook his head he needed a moment to clear his head.

Panther walked over smoothly and tapped Krystal's shoulder extending his hand. She sighed softly and took his hand as he escorted her to the dance floor with a few others. Falco and Katt were out there dancing, even Slippy found a cute girl and he was dancing to. Peppy was with Pepper talking watching the young pilots dance and have fun until the lights flickered a bit as the duck walked out to the stairs. Every one turned wondering who would come this late.

"Now introducing the mysterious masked Vulpine," The duck waddled away quickly as a being walked to the stairs in a half masked that covered the top half of his muzzle up it even covered his ears a bit. He was dressed in a black tux with a gold tie, gold vest, and white gloves.

The fox walked down the step as every one whispered wondering who he was. He walked past the crowd to the dance floor right in front of Panther and Krystal. He smiled to Krystal before opening his hand to her.

"May I cut in?" His voice rang through out the area as the music started to play again. People looked to him as he pulled Krystal close and started to dance with her.

Fox ran over and looked to Panther as he was a little confused. He never had any one take a girl from him. Fox growled not knowing who the other fox was but he didn't like him all that much.

"Who are you?" Krystal asked softly as she twirled out then pulled back close

"You should know who I am without having to ask My dear." His voice was soft so now one could hear as the music still played everyone watching Krystal and the mysterious fox.

"You're …" Krystal was cut off by his finger as he dipped her.

"Don't say a thing."