Chapter 3

The blue vixen lay on the floor for a long time before she realized the torch had gone out and the darkness had returned. It was very dark, but not as dark as the warp room. She could see shadows, vague shadows, mostly just outlines of the stone posts on the circling pathway and the steps descending to the center of the room.

Krystal stood and rubbed her face fur. The salt from dried tears always left telltale marks all over her cheeks and she hated letting anyone know she had cried. Unfortunately, water was the best solution and she had none.

Giving up, she looked up at the ceiling and noticed the light source. She couldn't tell exactly where it came from, but several small openings lined the roof and pale light came in. It was also the source of the light breeze she felt in the staff room.

Along the pathway, Krystal noticed four large openings and one smaller doorway; she approached it. Looking in, she saw it housed ascending steps that curved with the room. It had to lead to some room where the light was coming, and she was insanely curious about it. She was torn on finding the light source and exploring the rest of the caverns and rooms.

Similar indecisive moments had been solved by a simple solution. Krystal pulled out her staff and left it in its retracted state. She set it on the floor and spun it. The tip came to rest facing the small doorway and the vixen had her answer.

Replacing the staff on her belt, Krystal began climbing the stairs. It wasn't long before she could no longer see, and she regretted leaving the torch. Using the staff again for light, she continued.

The ascent was tedious, and Krystal became very alert to every sound. Her footsteps echoed eerily off the stone walls and she glanced behind herself frequently. Each time she felt ridiculous for doing so, but she was not used to the confinement of tunnels and the oppression of pitch blackness.

She suddenly longed for a nice tree to climb.

Ahead, Krystal noticed the stairs ended in a small foyer and a stone wall. Her legs ached from the exertion and she outwardly groaned.

"All that for nothing," she bemoaned the wall.

She leaned against it, and it abruptly opened. Krystal tumbled out into bright light, rolling once and coming to rest on one knee. The natural light nearly blinded her, but once she became used to it, she realized she was in the wind chamber of Krazoa Palace. She had only seen a few glimpses of it, but the giant fan platforms were a dead giveaway.

Looking back at the wall, Krystal realized the doorway was solid. Frantically, she pushed all over the wall, trying to find the entrance again. It was gone, and she had no way to go back in. She was stuck.

It took all the restraint the vixen had to not cry again. Krystal hadn't the slightest clue about getting out of the deep pit she was stuck in. The walls looked smooth and nearly impossible to climb, so she began looking along the round wall, hoping for some footholds.

She noticed a ladder. Reluctantly, Krystal climbed to the first level, glancing back in hope of seeing the opening, but it was in vain. She remembered Fox talking about the Warp Stone sending him to Krazoa Palace each time he collected a Spirit, so she looked for the north tunnel and wound her way outside, where the sun was shining and the air was fresh.

'So frustrating,' she thought as she stood on the warp dais, 'I look for answers and I get more questions. When will this end?'

Fox and Tricky were surprised to see Krystal waiting for them so soon in ThornTail Hollow. They had traveled to Moon Mountain Pass and stood before the Volcano Force Point Temple. Dinosaur tracks were visible in the dust on the bridge, and Tricky had examined the doors for tampering, but they were untouched. After that, the two had returned.

The three had a feast on PukPuk Eggs and DumbleDang Pods, and Krystal managed to avoid answering in detail to questions about her exploration. She easily fooled Tricky, but Fox could read her better than the little EarthWalker.

It was late afternoon when the three set out for Cape Claw, intent on spending the night on the beach. They arrived in time to watch the sunset while setting up their camp. Tricky settled down on the sand, happy as could be. Fox and Krystal stayed up, both staring into the small campfire.

"What did you see in Krazoa Palace?" Fox asked.

Krystal was silent for a while before she answered, "I saw much. I found answers and I found questions. Far more questions than answers. It all makes sense now. The Star Gems, the language, the similar plants. I cannot believe I did not see it from the start."

Fox nodded, "So the WarpStone was right. What was there in the palace that gave you all these questions?"
"The tunnels under the palace contain artifacts from ancient Keepers. I found parchments, statues, an ornate staff, and a couple rooms. I found an opening that led to the main Wind Chamber, but I could not return through it."

Looking at him with a miserable expression, Krystal moaned, "I came here looking for clues of my planet's disappearance. I want to leave and continue my search, but I think there is still more to be found here. I had no home before, now I think I might be able to find a new home here."

"I'll always be here for you, Krystal," Fox said, "If you need help, I'll help you any way I can."

"Thank you, Fox. You have no idea how much that means to me," she genuinely smiled.

Fox's heart melted. 'I've known her two days now and I think I'm already falling for her,' the vulpine thought.

"The parchments were so fragile that one crumbled into dust when I touched it. I wish I could read each one, but I am afraid to move them," she added as she gazed at the stars.

"We have a device that can scan through layers and maybe see what is on each layer," Fox said, watching her eyes light up, "You can borrow it. I'll have Slippy send it down and you can use it tomorrow."

She smiled again, and Fox couldn't help but smile back.

The next day, it seemed to Krystal that the group took hours to get around and travel to Krazoa Palace. The vixen had devised a plan to return to the lower levels by warping to the WarpStone, and then having him warp her to the tunnels. It wasn't needed, however, as Krystal found she had warped directly to the lower levels from the outside.

She was armed this time with a glow stick and the scanning device Slippy had sent. Fox had taught her how to use it, and Krystal found the operation quite simple.

Making her way down the tunnels, the bright yellow light illuminating the claustrophobic tunnels, Krystal found the Chamber of Secrets, as she named it.

"Let us see what you may reveal," the vixen murmured and started the scanner.

The small gadget took ten minutes to scan and a few more to process them all. Krystal sat cross-legged on the stone floor and waited until the scanner was finished. Before she left, however, she added the exits to the room on a paw-drawn map. As she made her way to the huge chamber, she added each room and doorways to the map as well.

She met Tricky and Fox in one of the magnificently decorated rooms on the first level. From there, the group explored as much of the first level as they could, considering the fans were not on and no one could figure out how to get them started.

Krystal was hardly satisfied with the meager exploration, but there was little else they could do. They returned to Walled City by afternoon, much to the (well-hidden) relief of the King.

Fox and Krystal bid their farewells to the Dinosaurs and departed the planet by evening.

The vixen sat at a computer terminal almost immediately after takeoff and called to Fox, "How do I hook this up?"

"The scanner? Peppy is the expert in that area, I'm sure he'll be glad to help you, provided you bring him a cup of coffee," Fox smirked, but rested his paw on her shoulder, "Just a few more minutes, okay?"

The flight was short and soon Peppy and Krystal sat in front of a large screen. The old hare had his coffee in paw and had hooked up the scanner to the computer.

"Here we are," he said, "Pan across the first layers by dragging your fingers in the direction you want. Flip through layers using these arrows."

"Simple enough," Krystal murmured, already entranced by the cryptic writing she recognized.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to observe," he said.

The vixen blankly nodded as she poured over the parchments. Peppy showed her how to rotate the view when the parchments were crooked. Most faced up and were readable, but some were upside down, or damaged beyond recognition.

Each sheet she read was like looking into the past. Nearly all the instructional sheets were taught to all Cerenian youngsters. Others detailed care of Shrines, and one had information on contacting Spirits without having to pass tests. One particular sheet was legible, but she didn't understand the code it was written in.

Peppy suggested running it through a decode program. Their wait was short and the program returned an even stranger message: Cold Shrine leads to warm caves.

Krystal stayed well up into the night, eventually absently bidding Peppy good night. Fox came by later to check up on her, and found the vixen reclined in the chair sporting a far away look.

"Find anything interesting?" he asked.

"I think I will stay on Dinosaur Planet," she said quietly, "Perhaps I was led here, called home, even."

She turned to face him, "There are ways to contact the dead through Krazoa Spirits, but you have to be a trusted Shrine Keeper. I can contact the dead through the Spirits and find out what happened to Cerenia. After that, I still have a home."

Fox was stunned, to say the least. "You're going to have to talk to the King and Queen EarthWalkers. And probably the other tribes. Good luck with the Lightfoot."

"Yes," she hesitated, "I was hoping you could help me with that. I am not sure what I would do; perhaps act a medium between tribes. I will put most of my effort into protecting the Shrines and the Force Point Temples."

"It sounds like a solid plan," Fox said, "Now that we can afford it, Star Fox can loan you some equipment like a speed bike and camping equipment. Whatever you need."

"A speed bike? That would definitely be a great assistance."

An uncomfortable silence fell between them and each twang and bump in the ship seemed magnified. Trying to break the heavy quiet, Fox looked at the screen.

"So these are the parchments?" he asked, feeling dumb.

"Yes. Most are readable, but some are not… readable," she stumbled, showing her still tenuous grasp of Common.

"That's too bad," he said, "I'll send a message back to the planet tomorrow. Maybe get the tribe leaders together…" He decided that wasn't a good idea, "We can just talk to the King and Queen EarthWalkers. They trust me, and they'll listen to the WarpStone. It'll work out."

"I owe a lot to you, Fox; I do not know how to repay your kindness," she said softly as she stood.

Fox blushed under his fur as the blue-furred vixen kissed his cheek gently. The moment was heartfelt and tender, and ended all too quickly. Krystal bid him goodnight and left for her guest room.

The next morning found them returning to the planet and into the audience of the King and Queen EarthWalker. Krystal had pleaded her case, and Fox stood by looking pretty. He felt like a showpiece, but he didn't mind.

"You say this all came from the WarpStone?" the King asked, "I think I will talk to him myself. Keepers? My troops do a good enough job."

All were silent as the King's words echoed around the chamber. Chambers that had recently held a RedEye, as the troop's best hadn't been good enough.

Ever the calming force in her husband, the Queen cleared her throat, "I think having a smaller and more agile set of eyes might be a good idea. If Krystal thinks she can help us protect the planet, why not let her try?"

There was some deep-rooted prejudice against the furs that the King couldn't help but notice was rearing its ugly head. Perhaps many years ago there actually had been a falling apart, and the racism was bred into him.

But his wife, right as usual, had brought up good points.

"Let me talk with the WarpStone before I make my final decision," the King said.

The Queen, however, knew he had already made it. Fox and Krystal were soon attacked by Tricky, who had brought his ball. The King was gone for a few standard hours. When he returned, neither fox nor vixen could read his expression. The lavishly decorated EarthWalker took his place by his wife and looked at the two.

"The WarpStone has confirmed all that you have said," he spoke gravely, "This is an important task that both the planet Spirits and I are entrusting to you. I will grant you a main residence in Krazoa Palace, but you will be welcome here as well."

Krystal could hardly contain her joy when she heard the permission. Fox put his paw on her shoulder in reassurance.

"I will do my best," she finally said, "My first task will be to contact all tribe leaders."

"All?" the Queen asked incredulously.

She rethought the statement, "As many that will allow me entry. I must try to make each understand my place here. Not as a threat, but to help."

"I don't think many Red Eyes will think of you as anything but a threat, or even a spy. The SharpClaw are not so volatile, but..." the King trailed off.

"I will at least try," she said again, and all who heard knew she meant business.

After word had been spread around the Krazoa Palace guard that Krystal was allowed on the grounds unaccompanied, most either nodded in greeting or simply ignored her. She and Fox were walking around the first floor looking for a suitable place to set up the small bed, desk, and chair that Fox had given her. The said objects were currently floating behind them on a hover cart.

It had been a gift from him, but Krystal had repeatedly denied receiving it until he finally made it clear that she must accept it. Fox wondered how he would get her to accept one of their old speeders. Really, it was Slippy's to give, but he had no attachments to it. Instead of trying to force her to accept it, he decided to leave it somewhere for her to find it.

For lack of small rooms on the first floor, Krystal decided to just stay in a corner of a larger room and set up the room dividers. She chose the room where she had talked to the EarthWalker and where the Krazoa Palace Shrine was located. Fox helped her set up the furniture.

"If you think you'll need this hover cart, just let me know and I'll bring it back to the planet," Fox said.

Krystal had finished making her bed and turned to the fox, "I will, thank you. I can do that through this P-D-A?" she sounded out each letter carefully.

"Yep, right here," he showed her the screen touches to get her in communication with the Great Fox.

"Again I thank you, Fox," she kissed his cheek.

Fox stood a while by Star Fox's small transport, wondering if Krystal was real. She was nearly perfect in his eyes. No, she was perfect. Fox was getting older, and the urges to settle down stung deeply in the night when he was alone in his bed, just wanting someone to cuddle.

He took one last glance at Krazoa Palace before getting on the transport. He hardly knew Krystal as a person. They could be the most incompatible pair to ever meet. Still, he hoped for a chance to meet the vixen more and get to know her. He had a feeling, despite how notoriously unreliable his feelings were, that they would become more than friends.

Krystal was eager to rise the next morning. She jumped out of her bed and grabbed her staff before leaving her small enclosure. There was an experiment she needed to try.

In the pile of parchments, she found instructions on starting the wind lifts. It took the vixen only a few moments to reach the center lift. She extended the staff and took a deep breath. Krystal twirled the staff once above her head, then set it strait down in the center of the metal casing.

Nothing happened.

She tried again with no results. The third time, she twirled it the other direction, set the staff down in the center, and nothing happened for a few seconds. Then, the fans began spinning and she was lifted into the air.

"Yes!" she shouted as she floated around the center, "Where to first?"

Krystal explored each level, starting with the second. She used her staff to help direct her in the wind flow. In some rooms, there were relief carvings of Krazoa Spirits, and she took note of where each was. Peppy had programmed her PDA with maps of the entire planet, but she felt that if she was going to protect the shrines and Spirits, she should know by heart where they were.

The entire day was spent searching each nook and cranny of the Palace for secrets she could use to unlock the many mysteries still shrouding her ancestors. Ultimately, she reached the uppermost level of the structure. By then, the sun was setting and the sky was alight in a myriad of colors.

Krystal leaned against the stone edge and sighed. She would have to start speaking to the other dinosaur tribes personally. The vixen couldn't rely only on the King and Queen EarthWalker's tenuous approval. It was only by the urging of Fox and word of the WarpStone that had convinced them, and they were one of the more friendly tribes on the planet.

The Queen EarthWalker had mentioned that the CloudRunners were not exactly on peaceful terms with the EarthWalker and ThornTail tribes, but they were one of the more reasonable of the land tribes. So, Krystal had decided to pay them a visit, and maybe even see the CloudRunner who had helped her when she had first arrived.

She did realize she would have days of travel ahead of her, but many of the EarthWalkers she spoke to told her the food was plentiful along the way, and the streams were fresh, but far between. If her ancestors had had a more convenient means of travel, she wished it had been written on the parchments.

Krystal suddenly wanted to explore the lower levels then. One thing that was among the parchments was the key to the stone doorway that had trapped her out that first day. A simple tap with the business end of her staff would do the trick. Why she didn't think of it in the first place astounded her, but at the soonest she would finish her exploration.

More important were the meetings with the dinosaur tribes. She yawned then, and knew she'd have a lot of work during the next few days.