A/N: Back from my vacation and with a long chapter to make up for that last short one. This is an extremely long chapter but it's a good chapter nonetheless. I think you'll enjoy this one as it ties in a few things. Also, remember Wolf O' Donnell is now officially a good guy!

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Star Fox. Nintendo and/or Rare do. Any relation to my original characters in anyway is entirely coincidental

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Chapter 15: A Krystal in Katt's Eyes.

Krystal was on her way to Zoness with a sad expression on her face. Getting Fox to go back was going to take a lot of work. Nonetheless she still had a mission to fulfill. She wouldn't let that stop her. If Fox wouldn't go back then she'd continue to Zoness. Krystal knew Fox wouldn't murder his father. It wouldn't make much of any sense whatsoever for him to do it. "What kind of fur would commit a murder and then never remember anything about it?" Krystal wondered out loud.

"A fur that didn't do the murder at all." Katt said following closer behind Krystal with her basket in hand.

"I'm sorry, this really isn't something that I should be talking to you about…" Krystal said.

"Why not? I've watched over him for a good ten years. I'm practically his mom." Katt smiled. "He even calls me mom. He's done that ever since he came here."

"What?"

"He won't go back. There's no way I can convince him. He said that he needed a good reason to go back."

"The only way he'll go back is if he's convinced that he didn't do the murder." Krystal shook her head "And I've said too much."

"You mean the murder of his father." Katt said. "Falco suspects that he does, seeing that when he first came to us, his clothes were covered in blood."

"Covered in blood?" Krystal's eyes popped. "Then maybe he really did do it."

"I don't think so." Katt shook her head. "Being the Princess of Zoness, I know that Fox would have nothing to gain by killing his father. Besides, at ten years old you won't even WANT the responsibility of the Kingdom. Being a King or Queen isn't about getting to do whatever you want, it's about taking care of the Kingdom."

"I see…" Krystal sighed. "Now how do I get the 'King' of Corneria to go back?" Krystal asked.

"You DON'T let him become the King of Zoness." Katt snapped.

"What do you mean 'King of Zoness?'" Krystal asked. "Fox doesn't even belong here."

"My father!" Katt snarled. "He wants HIM to be King just because he's a boy and has been 'like a son' to him for ten years."

"But Corneria NEEDS Fox right now!" Krystal shouted.

"What's going on? Can't the Queen handle it?" Katt asked. She had no idea what was going wrong in Corneria right now.

"The Queen?" Krystal blinked. She had completely forgotten about Vixy. She wasn't about to say that Vixy had passed away. "She was ill last time I saw her." She said without mentioning the death to Katt. She didn't see any desperate reason why Katt should know about it. But at least it wasn't far from the truth.

"Tell me, what's wrong with Corneria." Katt demanded.

"I can't say right now. I need to go to the palace of Zoness and ask the King. That's what I came to do in the first place. Corneria needs help, and if Fox isn't going to give Corneria the help they need, then I'll do the best I can." Krystal said, determined not to let the furs of Corneria down.

"My father won't be able to help much…but my mother is still healthy." Katt said. "My father is ill, which leaves mom in charge for now, until she steps down."

"Will she help?" Krystal asked with a glimpse of hope.

"She will, as long as you're not expecting to fight a war. The furs of Zoness don't want to be involved in another war." Katt stated.

"I can't make any promises." Krystal warned, "Corneria is in a deep hole right now and the Sharp claw are resurrecting."

"The Sharp claw!?" Katt gasped. "How long has this been happening?"

"Since King James was killed and Vixy went into a state of depression, unable to rule. So the Vice King, Scales stepped in."

Scales. That said everything. "Come to the palace with me." Katt suggested. "Tell my mom EXACTLY what you just told me and we could probably help in some way."

***

Wolf O' Donnell had finally reached Zoness. The jungle, while beautiful, was only a detour to him. This was urgent. 'If what Mia says is true then there isn't much time.' Wolf hurried himself. Mia had not been mistaken so far and for that Wolf couldn't doubt anything else that she would say.

Zoness was lovely all right. The skies were cerulean blue, unlike the polluted red skies of Corneria. Wolf took the moment to enjoy it in the exotic place while he could. The streets were crowded, but the furs so far were friendly.

Wolf wasted no time in trying to find the palace. But the food…it was so fresh. It was also CHEAP and it WASN'T bread. There was meat, eggs and everything else you could think off. Too bad Wolf had no money.

Wolf kept the letter he had close to him, as he couldn't risk losing it now. But what was he going to say to the King and Queen? He couldn't show them this false letter and say the King wrote it. He couldn't do that when the letter had stated that they needed to get rid of the King.

But then again, Wolf hadn't even read the letter. Its details were unknown. Well since it wasn't sealed in anyway and it was rolled up, he decided to unravel its mysteries.

Wolf read the letter over:

'Majesty of Zoness:

I have come with grave news that Corneria is dying and the new King has done nothing about it. He condemns himself in his room all day planning what could very well be the death of Corneria. It won't be long before he decides to Conquer Zoness as well. He'll move on until the world bows down to him. The King, Scales, has no intention of sparing any fur's life. Many have already felt his mercy by being driven out of home, and the Kingdom starves. Please, if you could, send help. The King of Corneria must be stopped for the sake of every fur in this world.'

***

Wolf read the letter once more. However, it wasn't for it's content. It was because it had just occurred to him that Mia did not write this letter. Wolf looked at the signature and recognized the handwriting there after. Mia didn't write the letter. Vixy wrote it. There was one last line:

'P.S. This is the last I can do for my Kingdom.'

Wolf rolled the letter up and pocketed it once more. 'She knew she wasn't going to make it.' Wolf thought. 'How long before her death did she write this?' Wolf asked himself. He then realized that he couldn't be distracted by such meaningless questions. What mattered now was getting Scales out of power.

Wolf proceeded to the palace through the busy streets of Zoness.

***

Krystal was struck with awe when she arrived at Zoness. The market place and the beauty were astounding to her. "This is beautiful." She awed.

"You haven't seen the palace yet." Katt smirked. "The streets are busy and all, but let's go through the market place. You'll get to see lots of exotic foods and once we get to the palace I'll give you something to eat."

This didn't sound like a bad idea at all to Krystal. They started into the market and Krystal looked at all the foods. Several kinds of different foods. Fish, fruits, vegetables. Krystal hadn't seen this kind of food in years. "Wow!" She exclaimed.

As they walked they saw a man at a fountain in what looked to be the center of the Kingdom. This man flipped a penny into the fountain and then walked away. "Why did he do that?" Krystal questioned.

"If you throw a coin into the fountain and make a wish it'll come true." Katt smiled. Then she gave Krystal a coin. "Go on, wish. But don't tell anyone or else it won't come true!"

Krystal walked up to the fountain and looked to see her reflection. Somehow, she still looked lovely after being in a place as dark as Corneria had become. She tossed her coin in and made a wish; for Fox to come home.

"Shall we go?" Katt grabbed Krystal's paw.

They were now in the heart of Zoness where the furs lived. "Tell me a bit about this place." The young vixen said to Katt. "I've never even seen a place like this before."

"That's because where you live is a dump now." Katt said, trying not to offend Krystal but what was it going to matter? It was the truth after all.

To Katt's surprise, Krystal laughed. "Yes, but before then it was the most beautiful place I had ever been."

Katt smiled. "You never left then."

"How are the furs?" Krystal asked, but then saw a human walk by and nod in greeting to her. "Well, how are the citizens?" Krystal quickly rephrased her question.

"Everyone here is nice on their own. The crime-rate is low and every since the wolf-pack was diminished we haven't had any problems anymore."

"Was there a Wolf O' Donnell in the pack?" Krystal wondered.

"No, there wasn't a Wolf O' Donnell. Actually the wolf pack was lead by ironically enough, a fox."

Krystal didn't question any further than that. "Tell me more about the people and furs!" Krystal demanded.

"Quite impatient aren't we?" Katt waved a finger in front of her.

"It comes from being in the slums of Corneria." Krystal retorted. "You learn never to let your guard down."

"Be that as it may, you can rest assured that no one will do anything to you."

"So?" Krystal went on. "What about the people?"

"Like I said, they're all nice. They'll lend you a helping hand even if they don't know you. That's part of the reason why Corneria and Zoness are allies. But no one here knows that the Prince, or should I say King, of Corneria is here. They don't know the royalties…not many citizens anyway. But that makes it easy for Fox to get around."

"How so? Wouldn't they know him by name at least?"

"Not when I gave him a different one. Don't worry, 'Arland' will be fine." Katt said as they reached the foot of the palace steps.

Krystal looked up in more awe at the jaded, crystal palace. "Amazing!" She gasped in astonishment. She felt like an innocent kit again.

"Shall we proceed?" Katt giggled.

Krystal nodded; she hadn't smiled this much in years and would've been happy to go.

***

Shane was once again picking fruits and coconuts in the jungle. He slid down the smooth trunk of the tree and landed on the ground without any problems. Falco had gone off to find Fox it seemed. 'Krystal can't win him over that easily.' Shane thought. 'But it isn't right to force him to choose.'

Shane began to walk back to the lake when suddenly, POUNCE!

Shane went face first to the ground and watched Fox leap off him with oodles of laughter to follow. "I get you every time." Fox laughed hard.

Shane picked up the fruits and coconuts he had in the basket and looked up at Fox and frowned. Fox had been pouncing him since he was eleven years old and yet Shane still couldn't predict when he was coming. "You should use that for a much more worthy cause." Shane said in a serious tone.

"Hey, I'm just trying to have fun. Sorry dad."

The mention of dad made Shane smile faintly. "So, where's my 'daughter?'" Shane asked referring to Krystal.

"She ran off to Zoness I suspect." Fox answered. "Said she was sent here for a reason."

"I see." Shane said picking up the basket. "You know, Falco is looking for you."

"Oh yeah, I pounced him too." Fox chuckled. "But I was thinking I should get back now. Mom seemed disturbed and she probably wants me to come back for a bit."

"Relax, Katt is probably jealous or something." Shane said.

"What would she be jealous of?" Fox tilted his head to the side.

"Older, but not much wiser are you boy?" Shane smirked. "Katt has grown attached to you in a wonderful way. So has Falco, and so have I. Katt probably isn't the only one a little jealous. Falco is too."

"But why?" Fox asked.

"Well, for the past two days you were with Krystal and ONLY Krystal. Sure you hadn't seen her in a while but they feel like you just kicked them out of their lives." Shane said. "Remember, Katt pretty much raised you."

"Yeah…I'm sorry about that. But I think I need to go home." Fox said. "Why don't you and Falco come with?"

"Maybe. King Monroe doesn't like us very much. Neither does Lady Monroe but I'm pretty sure we could do something about that. Katt says that her dad is ill."

"Yeah…" Fox began. "But Katt won't let me talk to him. She won't tell me why, she just says 'stay out of my dad's chambers. He's too sick to talk right now.' Then I hear him calling my name and Katt says 'Don't go.'"

"Why don't you just disobey Katt?"

"I don't know."

"She's got your wrapped around her finger!" Shane laughed. "The only thing left to do now Fox is get married to her!"

Fox frowned at that statement but then turned to walk off. "I'm heading back to the palace now. Come by and see me later on."

***

"P.S. This is the last I can do for my Kingdom." Lady Monroe finished reading the letter from Wolf.

"I respect why you've come here, but you realize that with the sharp claw back that could be the start of another war?" Lady Monroe said.

"I realize this your highness, and we want to prevent this, but there aren't enough furry to hold them at bay in Corneria. There are over 9000 sharp claw and Scales is training them for war even as we speak." Wolf said, trying to persuade her into taking action. "He doesn't care for the furs of Corneria and he doesn't care for weak Sharp claw either. If they aren't strong enough, or they bail on Scales he executes them." Wolf said moving a finger along the base of his neck.

"Even so, Zoness refuses to fight a war." Lady Monroe repeated.

"It isn't a war YET!" Wolf snapped as if he was no longer in the presence of royalty.

"I understand, but Zoness can't take on any sharp claw again. There has been peace for so long. I refuse to take action at this moment in time."

"But--"

"Perhaps Scales would like to negotiate? We could build him his own Kingdom perhaps?"

"Scales doesn't want his own Kingdom! He wants world domination!" Wolf raised his voice to the point where it was echoing.

***

"What is all the yelling about?" Katt inquired approaching the throne with a visitor. "And who is this?"

Wolf turned around to be facing Katt and her visitor…a blue vixen. 'Where have I seen her before?' Wolf thought.

While Wolf was lost in thought thinking of who this blue vixen was, she certainly hadn't forgotten him.

"You bastard!" Krystal shouted and drew her staff and was immediately on top of Wolf. "It's your fault! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!" Krystal shouted in rage pressing her staff against Wolf's neck and slowly cutting off his air.

"GUARDS!" Lady Monroe called and they were all assembled and trying to get Krystal off of Wolf. It took about four of them to subdue her.

When Krystal was finally relieved of her staff and was no longer in full control of her body, she hissed in rage looking at Wolf O' Donnell.

"Your highness, let us discuss this matter over dinner perhaps?" Wolf said.

"But of course. You can be our guest of honor." Lady Monroe said. "There is a guest room down the hall. Katt will show you to your room."

"What about her?" One of the guards perked up. "What do we do with this blue vixen?"

"Place her in prison for an assault on a royal guest." Lady Monroe spoke.

"Wait!" Katt intervened. "Let her be my 'guest' tonight."

Lady Monroe looked at her daughter in shock. "We cannot do that."

"Please, she is a friend of mine and I'm sure she has a justified reason for the assault on this lupine."

Lady Monroe usually did what was best for the kingdom but this time she eyed Krystal. The vixen looked virtually harmless but her clothes signified that she was a survivor of many perils in the past.

Now Lady Monroe was going to do what was in the interest of her daughter. It wouldn't be long before she would step down and give her the crown anyway. "Very well. But she is YOUR responsibility. Just as Arland was." Lady Monroe made herself clear as a window.

"I understand mother." Katt said.

"Keep her in a separate guest room." Lady Monroe instructed and then ordered the guards to release her.

Just as a guard was giving Krystal her staff back, Lady Monroe spoke once more, "Give that staff to me!" She ordered. "I still have to protect the Kingdom. This staff is a weapon.

"Wait a minute!" Krystal called out.

"You'll get it back when you decide to leave." Lady Monroe assured her.

***

As Katt walked down the hall to what would be Wolf's room they passed by Fox's and Wolf stopped for a moment. He looked inside to see the drapes and bed. "Red…" Wolf said. "That was his favorite color."

He looked more around the room and invited himself in. "Hey you can't go in there!" Katt said. 'This is nothing like taking in a ten year old kit!' Katt thought.

Wolf looked at the design of an inscribed Fox on the drapes. "This is his symbol." Wolf thought for a moment. "It can't be."

It was then that Katt grabbed his paw. "Come, to your rooms, both of you."

They first visited a nice room where the drapes and bed sheets were like every other room, green, blue and white. "What makes that last room so special?" Wolf asked.

"That's for our lifelong guests who lives here now." Katt said. "Krystal, this shall be your room, and Wolf, your room is across the hall. Don't kill each other!"

"I can't now that my staff is gone." Krystal said.

"But my claws would slice through you like butter!" Wolf threatened. "But I have no intention of harming you in anyway. I know who you are."

"Can I trust both of you alone for a few minutes? I have to go and speak with my mom." Katt tried to sound calm but she was frightened that there would be blood when she returned.

"You can trust us." Wolf assured her. "I've come on my business and she has come on hers."

Katt looked at Wolf with confusion for a moment but decided to let it slide. Then she walked out.

"I remember you now. You're Krystal." Wolf began as soon as Katt was gone. "You're here for the same reason I am." Wolf said. "You probably don't remember Mia's plan do you?"

Krystal stood in silence for a moment and tried not to make eye contact with the Wolf. "Mia never mentioned you in her plans to me. You were never there, how could you know her plan?"

"Because I'm part of it. She didn't mention me to you, but in vice-versa she mentioned your part to me."

"What part was that?"

"That you'd find Fox. Now that you're here before me, I'm to assume that Fox is somewhere in Zoness." Wolf assumed.

"I already found him." Krystal said. "He doesn't plan to go back and THAT'S why I'm here. To get help. I didn't believe Mia when she said Fox was alive."

"How does it feel to know that he is?" Wolf said looking Krystal deep in the eyes.

"It feels like…I'm seeing a ghost. Or that he somehow escaped the rules of death." Krystal said turning her back. "It's you're fault." Krystal said.

"How is it my fault?" Wolf demanded. "Tell me what makes this my fault?"

"You're Vice King, you tell me!" Krystal shot back.

"You mean because I aided Scales in the murder of James."

Krystal nodded slowly. "And now look where that got you!"

"Krystal, were it not for me you'd have never seen Fox again." Wolf said.

Just then Krystal turned and slapped Wolf HARD! "Don't tell me your lies!" Krystal said with a tear in her eye. "You didn't help him survive! Why do you say that? It's a miracle that he did!"

"It's true." Wolf said recovering from the slap. She watched Krystal turn her back again. "If it weren't for me, Scales would've had his head." He said as he brought himself closer to Krystal. "I'm here on the same mission as you are."

"What would that be."

"To find help for Corneria." Wolf said closing his one eye.

Krystal sighed as Wolf whispered to her, "We don't have much time left and you know that! Scales is aiming for 10,000 sharp claw and he's already got 9,000 ready. If we're going to persuade them, then we've got to work together."

Krystal sighed again and whispered back. "How do I know I can trust you? You were in league with Scales!"

"Am I here now?"

"Yes."

"Then trust me." Wolf assured her.

He let back and Krystal turned around to face him. "But what about Fox?"

"He'll come back with us if we can persuade Zoness to help us." Wolf said.

Katt walked back in with a pair of clothes for Krystal and a distressed look on her face. "What's wrong?" Krystal immediately asked.

"My mother is starting to agree with my father about Arland, that's what!" She didn't say Fox because Wolf was present.

"With all do respect Princess, I must ask for assistance for Corneria."

Katt looked up with a shocked face. "You're from Corneria too?"

"Yes, I was the Vice King. But now Corneria is in for it. Unless your mother agrees, Corneria will surely die, and Zoness will be next."

"Save it! Krystal has explained and I'll tell you what I told her. If it doesn't involve war than we could possibly help."

"If you don't help there WILL be war!" Wolf said. "It's either you try and talk to your mom or--"

"Won't happen. Mom won't listen to me. She says that me letting Krystal loose is not what is best for the Kingdom." Katt shook her head. "She's a great ruler for Zoness but she's too attached to Zoness and the people."

"So she doesn't want you to rule?"

"She wants someone like father to rule. She said that he was more fit to rule than she was."

"And she wants Fox?" Krystal concluded.

"Yes…"

"WHAT!?" Wolf shouted.

"Yes…Fox is here." Katt said.

"Not that, the fact that Corneria needs Fox badly. He can't possibly rule here."

"Wait a minute." Krystal quickly spoke up. "If we can hold out until Fox is King then it's perfect!"

"How so?" Wolf asked.

"If Fox is King, and we ask him to aid Corneria he'd probably do it! He wouldn't turn his back on his hometown would he?" Though Krystal was convinced he already had, she wouldn't believe it.

"That wouldn't work." Wolf shot the idea down. "When he's King here, should that happen, who would rule Corneria when it's all over?"

"Fox passes the crown to someone else?" Krystal suggested.

"But Zoness would be too devastated, assuming this leads to a war." Katt said finally sitting down on her bed and advising Krystal and Wolf to sit down as well.

"This is also true. Should it be a war in the end and Fox is in rule, he couldn't just turn his back on Zoness and leave right after."

"Then what do you suggest?" Krystal asked.

"We try to talk Lady Monroe into giving us assistance. Zoness and Corneria are allies, there is no reason why the citizens wouldn't be willing to fight." Wolf said. "We have to do our best. We can't win the battle alone."

"I know…" Krystal whimpered.

"I have a better idea." Katt smirked.

"What's that?"

"DO NOT let Fox become King here. Instead, let ME become Queen and I'LL order to help Corneria." Katt said.

Wolf looked at her for a moment and then to Krystal. "That could actually work. But remember, this is a moment where we have to assume EVERY THING!"

"Father won't last much longer, he's trying to pass the crown on now."

"What's stopping him?" Krystal asked.

"If he passes the crown on he'll give it to Fox." Katt said.

"And that's definitely not part of the plan." Wolf shook his head. "We have to stop that from happening."

Just then a servant walked in. "Princess, Arland has returned with two guests. Dinner is ready now and Arland said that he would be delighted if the whole 'Family' was there to dine."

"You hear that?" Krystal smirked. "Fox is right here, right now."

"Perfect." Wolf smiled.

***

Katt, Krystal and Wolf sat at the table with Fox nowhere to be found at all. "Where's Arland?" Katt quickly asked.

"I sent him to see your father since this time YOU weren't here to stop him." Lady Monroe answered. "Don't worry, we'll wait for him before we pray to Great Fox."

Wolf looked to see two anthros that he had never met before. "I'm Wolf O' Donnell."

"I'm Falco, and this is my good friend Shane. We're Arland's 'family.'"

Krystal leaned over to Katt while they were introducing themselves and whispered to Katt, "This isn't good."

***

"I asked for you for so long Arland and yet you never came. My wife tells me that it was Katt's doing and I couldn't have agree more." King Monroe said as his eyes were closed and his breathing became more labored. It was clear that this wasn't just the flu.

"I don't understand your majesty."

"Arland. For the past ten years you've been like the son I never had."

Fox smiled. "I WAS the son that you never had."

King Monroe managed a smile. "As tradition in Zoness goes, I can only pass the crown down to one of my own children."

Fox looked up. "Your majesty?"

"Please Arland, call me father." King Monroe managed a weak chuckle followed by a few coughs.

"Yes…father." Fox cringed. He wish that his real father had told him what the tradition of Corneria was.

"Even though biologically we are not related, you've been there to learn from me. My crown can only be given to one who can take the responsibility of the Kingdom. Arland, I want you to have my crown."

"Father…what about Katt?"

"Katt has good intentions…but you have leadership quality. That is something I don't see in Katt very well."

'You must be blind then.' Fox thought. But the fact that he had won and lost was good to him. He won that he'd be King but he lost that it wasn't of Corneria. But he wouldn't go back. There was nothing to make him do so.

"Arland, please continue my legacy. I know you will."

"But Katt is a Monroe." Fox said. "I can't accept this." Obviously, Fox hadn't forgotten what James had taught him.

King Monroe managed to hold his crown out. "Katt is a Monroe, but she hasn't been forgotten. She could be one of your advisors, or better yet, your Queen."

Regardless of what James had taught in the past to Fox, this was something that Fox couldn't pass up. This was destiny it seemed. Fox reached out with his paws and accepted the crown to the throne of Zoness. "Yes father."

King Monroe smiled and closed his eyes, "Thank you Arland." He said and fell into deep slumber.

"He's not going to wake up…" Fox said and eyed the crown that rested in his paws. Zoness was now his.

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A/N: I thought this was definitely an interesting spin on things for Katt and the gang. Not knowing that Fox has decided to take the throne of Zoness. With Scales' army nearly ready they're running out of time. But now they have to convince Fox to go back…