Disclaimer: See the Prologue

Chapter 1 – A Vow

The Great Fox II sailed through the void that was space, passing through a nearby neon-coloured nebula. It did not look that much different than the last command ship, only that it was hell of lot more expensive and took up much of Star Fox's paycheck after their last unfortunate assignment, which nearly costed their lives.

Looking from the Observation deck of the ship stood a lone vulpine, dressed in his piloting suit including the scarf. He watched at the many million dots of white litter the blackness of space, almost tempted to count every each of them.

'Everything looks so peaceful now,' he thought, 'What will there be for people like us?'

Krystal pulled the covers back on her bed, revealing her naked sweaty but beautiful body. She sat up, bare feet on the carpet. She rubbed her headfur, recovering herself gradually.

'Cerinia,' she thought, 'Why?'

She looked out the window into space at the Nebula the ship was happening to pass by. As like most of everything, it's beauty reminded her of her home planet and what it was made up of…

Peace-loving, culturally superior vulpines and vixens that were probably deemed too good for Lylat and such, was wiped out completely, where they received little help in fighting off their attackers. She had little memory of what destroyed Cerinia, but she knew that Andross, that damn ape, had something to do with it.

She looked over at her clock: 5:00am. In just a couple of hours waking life would once again dominate the deck of the ship. She decided to snatch as much hot water as she can so she stepped into the shower and turned the hot water full blast, but not enough to scald.

Krystal sighed, feeling the water overtake her. She couldn't help but smile, ruffling her hands through her hair. She always felt at peace when in the shower. Not surprising really.

5 minutes later, she stepped out and dried herself, before grabbing a robe and sliding herself into it. She needed a walk, just to clear her head. She figured she might take a romp through the Simulation room, set to 'Forest Walk,' but she decided to just head for the Observation deck.

She stepped out of her room, her foot now touching cold steel. She walked past the other guys rooms, Fox, Peppy, Falco and Slippy, taking in the design of the hallway of the new Great Fox, following what had happened 2 months ago, and everybody was still reeling from it.

Especially For, when he went up against the Aparoid Queen and defeated it single-handedly, but not after hearing it speak in his dead father's voice.

Krystal walked into Observation, where the more space greeted her from the large windows, which were surprisingly open. She sighed and leaned forward against the railing, staring out into the void.

"Someday, somehow," she spoke to herself, "I will find the answers."

Krystal then noticed someone standing next to her, also leaning on the railings, dressed in his everyday clothes.

He turned to his head towards Krystal.

"Good morning, Krys," he greeted with a smile.

"Good morning, Fox," she replied, returning the smile, albeit more beautiful.

Fox McCloud, leader of the Star Fox team; moved closer to her til they were side by side. They still gazed out into the darkness of space.

"How do you like the new ship?" Fox asked the former Cerinian princess.

"It does not look much different than the last one," Krystal relied, humour in her voice.

"I see that," Fox agreed, looking into her beautiful eyes.

Krystal's smile faltered when she sensed him looking into her eyes.

"Have you been crying?" Fox asked with concern, noticing that her eyes were slightly red, as if she had been crying for hours.

"Oh," Krystal said, rubbing her left eye, "It's nothing. It was just a nightmare."

"May I ask what is was about?" Fox asked.

Krystal stared at him questioningly.

"Err…that is if you want to," Fox quickly added, "If you feel like talking about it."

Krystal smiled appreciatively, "I trust you with my live, Fox. I feel like getting it out of me."

Fox took his hands off the railing to look straight at her.

"I keep having these dreams of my parents and Cerinia," she begun, "You know how I told you we were royalty?"

"Uh-huh," Fox said, nodding his head.

"Well, this one was different," Krystal continued, "It was about the soldier who saved my life, and in the process losing his own life. He rushed me through the burning city, pushing me in a ship along with a Staff and sent me off the planet, with enough time to it be destroyed."

'Wow,' Fox thought, 'Harsh.'

"The ship next landed on Sauria, a paradise. Then I woke up," Krystal finished, emotion raking her voice.

Fox was bewildered at Krystal having these dreams.

"How long have you been having these dreams," Fox asked, concerned.

Krystal looked at him sadly, "Ever since I was 7."

She then felt Fox's hand caress her cheek, before taking her hand in his.

"Krystal," Fox started, "I can't say or do anything to change the past, but…"

He inhaled…

"…You don't have to worry about anything any more. I'm here whenever you need me, as well as the other guys."

A look of determination crossed his face.

"Nothing will happen to you while I'm around," Fox finished, firmly.

Krystal stepped forward, hugged him gently and kissed him softly. The vulpine turned red as the kiss lasted a few seconds.

She broke it and smiled warmly, "Thank you Fox. You're so kind."

Fox returned the smile awkwardly, not expecting that kind of response from Krystal, "Anytime."

Krystal walked past him, her coat brushing with his fur; he turned red. He felt his lips and found that it was still warm from the kiss.

He smiled.

'I'll protect you, Krystal,' he thought, 'I promise.'

He then walked out of observation, heading for his room. Today would be just another day.