A/N: Okay it's been about two or three months but I can actually update now! I've been busy and away for the past few weeks and now I can sit down and start writing again! This new chapter for this fic I feel is a great chapter and begins another thing I'm good at. Suspense, Mystery and things that'll make you wonder how the fic will turn out. I rather like this chapter and I hope you do to.

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

Chapter 9: Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf

It was in the late tranquil night when Krystal and Wolf were making their way to the lake. The land surrounding it was nothing more than a forest of luscious evergreens and pinewood. The grass was greener than ever and the scent of the forest was never better. To Krystal the trip wouldn't be a total loss.

Wolf, however, was no fool. He knew Krystal wasn't comfortable. He was quite certain that Krystal would put on an act of her own. Wolf would be just as wary as anything.

The two walked along in silence, Wolf leading the way. He never looked back to see if Krystal was following. It was as if throughout their journey he'd been thinking of something to say to her. "I hope we can work out our differences." Wolf said. It was the only thing he could think to say. Even as he said this he lingered on without turning his head.

When Krystal gave no response the lupine finally came to a stop. He looked back at her and smiled. "It's rather quiet, don't you think?" Even to this the princess gave no reply. "The lake is just up ahead, right? This will truly give us a chance to know each other."

Krystal continued along in silence but nodded anyhow.

When the two reached the Crystal Lake they sat down. Crystal Lake had been around Cerina for as long as anyone could remember. It was a beautiful lake that reflected the sky almost perfectly. The moonlight was the only thing that could bring out the true essence of the lake. Without the moonlight the lake didn't glow nor would the fireflies come out. The scent of the lake wouldn't be as fresh either. Many in Cerina wanted to call the lake "Moon Lake" but because of its Crystal glow it has always been called "Crystal Lake".

Wolf didn't say much as they sat by the lake. He removed his shoes and dipped his feet in and began to relax. He urged Krystal to do the same but she only sat down beside him and crossed her legs.

"The lake is nice." Wolf said. "I wish we had one in Corneria."

"There's no lake where you come from?"

"No, where I come from is in the middle of a desert. Sand dunes as far as the eye can see. There's a jungle near the neighboring Kingdom of Zoness but even that is far away. This place is beautiful."

Krystal closed her eyes and breathed heavily. I said I'd give him a chance. Maybe I should hear him out.

"Do you come here a lot?" Wolf asked and looked at Krystal.

The vixen shook her head and refused to meet with his eyes. "I don't come here… ever."

"Why not? The lake is beautiful. Just like you." Wolf said.

Despite the complete cheese he used in that last line, Krystal had to admit that he was right. The lake was incredibly gorgeous and it glowed.

But the vixen still wasn't fooled. What's with him all of a sudden? Now he's being nice… This doesn't make sense. She decided to go over to Wolf and have a seat. It couldn't possibly be that bad could it? But behind Wolf's façade she knew he still couldn't be trusted.

"Why don't you like me?" Wolf asked as he put an arm around her shoulder. "I'm sure I'm not all THAT bad."

Krystal sighed. She couldn't take it any longer. "Who are you trying to fool?"

"Whatever do you mean?" Wolf played innocent.

"Why did you go through with a forced marriage? You don't know me and I don't know you." She came to a stance. "I can't believe you're going to sit around and act like this is fine with you. Why did you come to Cerina?"

"I came because I was to meet you. I figured if I was to be forced into marriage I should at least get the chance to know who I'm getting married to, don't you think?"

"But you don't care about me. You don't care about Cerina! So why did you come to Cerina?"

Wolf sighed. She was no fool. "I thought we were going to take this moment to actually get to know each other. You said you'd give me a chance and now you're standing here, attacking me."

Regardless of the fact that he was right, Krystal only had this one shot. She wouldn't be able to get away with it at the Palace. "You don't care about me do you? Just tell me the truth."

Wolf sighed. "I came to meet you… get a chance to know you. I'd hope you'd want the same seeing as how we're both forced into this."

"Then tell me the truth about you. Tell me EVERYTHING and leave nothing out."

Wolf stood up insulted. "You think you're pretty smart don't you? Krystal, I won't lie to you. We're both not so different, you see. We're both forced into this so why not try to enjoy it. You said it yourself you don't know me. So why not get the chance to know me now? Let me show you that I'm not so bad. I'm really not a bad character."

Krystal sighed. "You can fool the rest of the Kingdom, Wolf. But you won't fool me."

"I'm not fooling anyone." Wolf said.

"You're right about that." Krystal said.

"But you're not fooling anyone either!" Wolf smiled.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Krystal said.

"I KNOW who you're friend is! I know Shannon knows too. Shane is it? He's the thief Shannon has been after and now he's a member of the guards. Imagine if your father knew that you and Shannon were harboring a thief IN the Palace?"

"You're a real bastard!"

Wolf walked up to Krystal slyly as if he knew more. "You give me a chance and I'll make sure your father NEVER knows anything about Shane. He already dislikes Shane as it is. I'm sure he'll be more than happy to put him away."

Krystal held her head down and breathed heavily. "How did you find out?"

"It doesn't matter how I know or 'found out'. Give me a chance… maybe we can fall in love. Give me that chance and I'll spare Shane the luxury he's taken from his friend in the cell!"

Shane came back to the cell with a loaf of bread with Larc following behind him. The two were wrapped up in a conversation and Fox was waiting back at the cell.

"So you've been a guard for quite some time?" Shane asked.

"Yeah. For about ten years or so, I guess. Never in my life have they ever allowed a FOX to be a member of the guards. It's all new to me. So why not tell me a bit about yourself?"

Shane wasn't quite sure where to begin and while he was lost in thought he stepped past the cell. "Shane, turn around."

Shane looked back a little embarrassed but was glad Larc didn't do anything to him for it. "I don't really think I want to let you know just who I am."

"It won't make a difference. Whatever is said in the dungeon stays in the dungeon." Larc assured him.

"Anything said?" Shane asked.

"Absolutely." Larc confirmed.

Shane looked to Fox and smiled. "This is my best friend, Fox McCloud. We've both been through quite a bit over the years. Fox is a thief and I'm his partner in crime… literally."

"So YOU'RE the partner Shannon keeps talking about." Larc said. "Well, he did say that he had one thief and one more to go when he was first placed here." He pointed to Fox.

"Shannon knows already. It's because of him that I'm a guard now." Shane said.

"Well, your secret is safe with me. I won't tell anyone, especially the King." Larc gave him his word. "But I have to let you know. You try to screw me over and your ass is going down. I don't take shit, not even from fellow guard members."

"I wouldn't dream of giving you any… shit." Shane said as if he were a little kid cursing for the first time.

"So do you think you could get me out of here?" Fox butted in. "It would be nice."

"I don't know if I can do that kid."

Fox sighed. "Because of James McCloud, my father." It was worth a try at least but Fox was beginning to doubt he'd ever see the outside world again.

"At least you have a bed to sleep on." Larc commented.

"Maybe Shannon can do something." Shane suggested. "I'm sure if I were to talk to him for a little bit I'd be able to get something out of him. It might not be much but I don't think the King and Queen know you're the son of James. If they don't know that maybe Shannon can persuade them to let you be a servant."

"That's pushing it kid. It won't work. The King and Queen don't want to be fooled like that again." Larc said.

"Well, someone has to do something." Shane said.

"Where are you getting at?" Larc asked.

"It's pretty obvious. We want to get back on the streets." Fox said.

"Why would want to do something like that?" Larc asked with a strange look on his face. Why ANYONE would want to live on the streets was beyond him.

"It's where we belong. This is nice and all but once you've been on the streets all your life, it's what you're used to." Shane said. "I love it here in the palace but it isn't home."

"Anyone would dream all their life about being here. Even Fox himself said he'd rather be here than the streets." Larc said and Fox nodded.

"Well, from being in here and actually taking a moment to walk around, I don't think I want that. And Fox certainly wouldn't like it."

Larc gave Shane another funny look.

"I don't think I'd like living in a place where the only thing furs are going to do is bark orders at me all the time. I wouldn't be able to stand it. I want to be free just like I was before."

"You realize if you got back out to the streets we'd be on your ass again. You'd rather be chased down?"

"The chase is much more exciting anyway." Shane smiled. "A life in the palace only seems glamorous. I think I'd prefer the air of the streets."

Larc smiled and turned to Fox, who was eating his bread. "Is that true for you too?"

"Well, as much as I'd like to enjoy one day in the palace… I think I'd much more or less like living my OWN life."

Larc smiled more and nodded.

"Besides," Shane continued, "some of the people scare me. The King and Queen obviously don't like me and Jade is always giving me funny looks… and well, that Wolf character… he's the worst. How can you stand him?"

Larc raised a brow. "The King and Queen scare everyone; Jade probably just likes you in that 'special' way and to be honest, nobody likes Wolf."

Fox spoke up. "Then why do you listen to that bastard!?"

Larc shrugged. "We don't have a choice. The King and Queen are going to force her to merry him. Don't you think a vixen as old as Krystal is old enough to make up her own mind? Why the hell should she be forced to merry anyway?" Larc sighed and stood up straight. "If the King and Queen didn't ask us to we'd probably kick that bastard out."

"Why don't you?" Fox asked.

"I just told you kid, we can't. We have no authority to govern the King or Queen's decision. I like the King and Queen. They're like family to me… and they're the only family most of the servants and guards in this palace have. I couldn't go against them."

Fox sighed and knelt down. "How long has this platinum vixen been down here?" Fox asked.

"Platinum vixen?" Larc asked.

"Don't play dumb; you know who I'm talking about." Fox seethed. "How long have you been keeping her prisoner?

"I haven't the foggiest idea what you're talking about. I remember and old woman in the cell… not some vixen."

"How long has she been here!?" Fox demanded.

"I don't know actually. She's been down there since I came." Larc answered.

"Since you came!?" Fox and Shane both said in unison. "Came as in joined the guards?"

Larc nodded. "The King says she's never to go free… ever. He never really says why. All the King ever says is she's never to leave. He never says why. He also acts as if she isn't here. He refuses to discuss the woman or anything."

"Do you know who she is?" Fox asked.

"She claims to be Mia. But that can't be true. Mia died."

"She died?"

"Twenty years ago, Mia passed away. The woman down there is crazy. Mia was a beautiful platinum vixen. Whenever I go down there… I only see a worthless old hag."

Fox didn't say anything. He stayed silent. Was the woman crazy? Was HE crazy? Should Fox trust that the shape-shifting woman really is Mia? He began to doubt it but he'd seen her as the vixen. So he COULDN'T be crazy could he?

"It's starting to get late, don't you think?" Larc stretched and yawned. "Maybe we can talk more tomorrow. I take it you want to talk to your friend more? Hope I didn't interrupt your conversation earlier." Larc said.

"We'll be fine." Shane said and Larc was gone in an instant.

"What an amazing character." Shane said as Larc walked off.

"He's pretty friendly. Just don't give him crap or else he'll make your life hell." Fox warned. "I want you to do something for me." Fox said.

"What?"

"I want you to get to know Krystal for me." Fox blabbed out and it made Shane swallow hard. "She may be royalty but behind every princess is a soul."

Shane didn't say anything. "I know she doesn't want to merry that Wolf guy… but I think I already mentioned that."

"You did. But I'd really like to know what makes her tick. What's she looking for?" Fox asked.

"Who knows? But it's kind of hard to find a moment with Krystal. I have to worry about my duties now. There's also Wolf to consider."

"What about him?"

"He's ferocious! I can tell just by looking at him!" Shane exclaimed. "Wolf has GOT to be some kind of demon or something. He scares me."

"Why do you say that? He doesn't seem so scary from what I've heard."

"Well, he's always so… calm."

Fox laughed and hit the ground hard, "THAT'S what scares you? You've only known Wolf a couple of hours and THAT'S what freaks you out!?"

"It isn't just that. He backed Shannon up when making me a member of the guards. It's too fishy Fox. He knows something. He doesn't seem threatened or scared about my being here. He's up to something and I don' t like it."

Fox ceased his laughter and realized that Shane was right. "Do you think he knows something we don't?"

"I hope not. He scares me Fox. I don't like him. He seems to calm and collected and his royalty scares me more than Krystal having her own personal servant." Shane shivered. "You know what scares me most?" Fox shook his head as if being a kit listening to a grand story. "He only has one eye."

"Why is that so scary? Haven't you seen a pirate before?"

"That's not it. His one eye scares me Fox. He has a piercing look. He's up to something, Fox. That something couldn't possibly be good. Every time I look at the eye it twitches as if it's trying to tell me something."

"What would that something be?" Fox asked.

Shane shivered more. "The eye seems to say: 'I know who you are!'"

A/N: Not quite THAT long of a chapter. I know I was gone for a few days (days, HAHA that's a good one try a couple of months). I know this throws some people for a loop but hey, I have to do SOMETHING to grab your attention again and this was the best way to do it. So what is Wolf REALLY after besides domination? And just how DOES he know who Shane is? And what the hell is up with his eye? Well, I'd be spoiling if I answered ANY of these questions now so just read on as the fic progresses.

Anyway, before I end this chapter I want to share something with you all. I've got another story in the planning stages (The storyline will be in my bio) but the problem is, I've got no title for it. I've gotten far enough for a title but I can't decide on one. If anyone has any insight let me know. The idea is in my bio and is described as "Working Title". If anyone thinks of anything to call it then drop me an e-mail or post it in a review (and be sure to tell me if it sounds like a good idea!) You can also IM me if you want to know more about it.