Note: Alright, I'm back on track with this story, and I'm feeling confident about continuing it. From what I can tell, I might have three chapters left in the Adventures portion in the story, then I'll move on to next portions of the story. Before we move on, I want to say something to four reviewers.

The White Wolf named Alex: Thanks, and I really like your stories, too. I can't wait for the next chapters of them. As for this story, I hope that you like this chapter.

Ron: Krystal being hardcore in this story can be explained as what she would be like if she wasn't trapped in a gem for nearly all of Star Fox Adventures. Chances are, she might have trained on Sauria in the few months before Star Fox arrived on the planet in this story. If Nintendo ever does a remake of Adventures, I hope that they change things, letting Krystal keep her staff, not getting thrown overboard, and being playable from the start.

As for that Event Horizon movie, I've never seen it, but I might never see it. Star Fox Event Horizon is a fan game that I personally don't like. Look it up sometime. I hope that you like this chapter.

jimerjam: I try to be as descriptive as I can, but I write what I can. Also, dude, your stories are really short, but you're telling me to be more descriptive? I don't mind the criticism, but you're being kinda hypocritical.

Big Bossk Man 92: Yeah, the SharpClaws aren't smart, but they make up for their lack of intellect in brutality.

Alright, now that I'm done with that, it's time for chapter nine.

Chapter 9: Dragon Rock

Standing in his tower, overlooking his fellow SharpClaws, General Scales made sure that he would have enough soldiers to fight off the invaders that were assisting Krystal at every moment. He was baffled that they were almost finished in their mission to save Sauria from destruction. A soldier had told the SharpClaw leader that Krystal, with help from her new allies, had succeeded in returning three of the SpellStones to the Force Point Temples. In addition to that, four Krazoa Spirits had been sent back to Krazoa Temple. Wherever Krystal was at now, the SharpClaws were told to keep their guard up for her. Given what they were told about the cobalt vixen, they were eager to defeat the invaders that were helping her gather what she needed to save Sauria.

Now that there was one SpellStone and two Krazoa Spirits still out of their respective areas, Scales was eager to keep them away from his enemies. Even if he was in an arranged marriage with Krystal that was bound to happen, he still had to defeat her and prevent her from saving Sauria. A problem with his plan would be that the invaders would be in his way. With their more advanced technology, the SharpClaw would have to disarm them in order to defeat them. From there, the invaders would die at his feet, and Krystal would be his. After all, her father promised Scales that he could have her.

Before Scales could speak to his SharpClaw soldiers, he heard a voice speaking to him.

"Scales," the voice spoke, "you are running out of time to kill the interlopers."

"I'm well aware of that, Lord Drakor." Scales said.

"And what are you doing about the situation?" Drakor asked.

"Once they come, I will slaughter the invaders!" The General said. "Once they're dead, I will have my men get Krystal ready for the ceremony!"

"Krystal?" The shadowy figure asked. "Krystal Bodimead? The Princess of Cerinia?"

"I see that you know her!" The SharpClaw said.

"Yes," the being said, "and from what I can tell, you are expected to take her as your bride."

"It was part of an arrangement from her father, and I am willing to take it! Even if I have to stop her from destroying Sauria, she'll be in safe hands with my tribe!"

"Just promise me that you'll kill the invaders who are with her. They increase the threat to my power as long as they live."

"I won't let you down, Lord Drakor!"

After that, Scales went to speak with his fellow SharpClaws. As he spoke with them, the General told them to keep their guards up, keeping an eye out for Krystal and her allies. The soldiers agreed to do so, eager to slice their enemies into pieces. If killing Star Fox failed, they would be taken prisoner. Krystal would be given to Scales, proceeding on with the wedding ceremony that would make her his. While Sauria would be destroyed, the SharpClaws would die knowing that they achieved victory.

Meanwhile, Fox, Peppy, Slippy, and Krystal were back in ThornTail Hollow, taking some time off before they went looking for the final SpellStone. While Peppy sat down in a hut, Fox, Slippy, and Krystal were doing some exercises prior to the mission. Fox was doing some pull-ups, using a hardened branch in order to exercise in a way. As for Slippy, he was doing some push-ups, even though he messed up a majority of them. Krystal was practicing hand-to-hand combat on a training statue, he staff being fastened to a scabbard that was made for it back on Cerinia.

Upon finishing up his exercises, Fox hopped down from the tree and went to speak with Queen EarthWalker, hoping to get some information on the last SpellStone's whereabouts. The Queen, joined by her husband, were overlooking their fellow EarthWalkers. Tricky wasn't with them, as he went to talk to Peppy. Once Fox approached the King and Queen, he was greeted by two happy sets of eyes.

"Fox, you're here." Queen EarthWalker spoke.

"Yes," Fox spoke, "but I'm here to gather information."

"Information for what?" King EarthWalker spoke. "If you're here for information, tell us what you need information on."

"If we're going to look for the last SpellStone, we need to know where we need to go in order to get it." The orange tod said.

"The last SpellStone?" The King asked. "Have you already returned the other three to their destined places?"

"Yes, one for the Volcanic Force Point Temple, and two for the Ocean Force Point Temple." The vulpine said.

"What about the Krazoa Spirits, Fox?" Tricky asked.

"From what I, and to a greater extent, Krystal, can tell, there might be two or three left to find on Sauria." He stated. "Don't worry, we can still look for them."

"Fox," Queen EarthWalker spoke, "before you leave with Krystal and your friends, I suppose that it's right to tell you about the location of the final SpellStone. Are you ready for the information that I'm about to tell you about?"

Fox nodded, showing he was okay with what he was about to be told.

"We've been told it's a rumor, but I believe that the final SpellStone is located in Dragon Rock." Queen EarthWalker said. "It's one of the main territories of the SharpClaw tribe, which might make it the most dangerous part of your journey."

"I've been dealing with SharpClaws with the others all this time, so there might not be much of a challenge." Fox stated.

"Then this will make you think twice about Dragon Rock: the SharpClaws are said to be under the command of a mysterious beast!" The Queen told him. "It's never been revealed what he looks like, but he is rumored to be a Kamerian."

"A Kamerian?" The orange tod asked.

"The Kamerians were a race of aliens that resembled dragons." The EarthWalker said. "They died off after they found Sauria, perhaps due to the Krazoa sensing that they were too dangerous. It was with their presence that a meteor crashed into what is now Moon Mountain Pass, which helped give birth to the SharpClaws. The last known Kamerians died at Dragon Rock, which became their final resting place. If the true commander of the SharpClaws is a Kamerian, then he's more than likely a descendant of them."

"We'll find out when we take on Scales, okay?" The vulpine said. "Krystal, Peppy, Slippy, and I are going to move out. If we don't come back, then we tried our best to save Sauria. However, it would be a good idea to send reinforcements from your fellow tribes."

"We can do that, Fox, just make sure that no SharpClaw prevents you from saving the day!" King EarthWalker said.

Fox nodded and got a confident look on his face, showing that he understood. He then began to walk out of the hut, making sure that his blaster had enough rounds left for the next task. Before he could step out, however, Tricky came up to him.

"Fox, I know that you said that you were going to do this with Krystal and your team, but I'm coming with you!" The EarthWalker Prince said.

"Tricky, are you sure you want to do this?" Fox asked.

"I've been doing some combat training since you guys sent me back here, and I think that it might be helpful to you guys!" Tricky said. "After all, the SharpClaws need to pay for all of the pain and trouble they have caused!"

Leaving the hut with Tricky, Fox met up with Peppy, Slippy, and Krystal.

"Alright, let's move out!" Fox said.

"Is the Prince going with us?" Slippy asked.

"Yeah, and I'm going to smash some SharpClaws!" Tricky said.

"Tricky, I know that you have been training, but I wouldn't forgive myself if you got killed." Krystal said.

"Don't worry, Krystal, I won't let the SharpClaws overpower me." The EarthWalker said. "I might even surprise you!"

"We'll see once we get to our next destination." Peppy spoke. "Where are we going next, Fox?"

"Dragon Rock." Fox said.

"Oh boy, I was afraid that you would say that!" The hare stated.

"Let me guess, you heard about its history?" The orange tod asked.

"Yeah," the lepus said, "and there might be the sole survivor of the Kamerian race in Dragon Rock!"

"Guys," Krystal spoke, "we should get going. We'll find out if a Kamerian is in Dragon Rock after we take down Scales."

"I still can't believe that you were supposed to marry him, Krystal!" Slippy said.

Krystal sighed in annoyance and facepalmed. She was not amused by Slippy bringing up a subject that wasn't important at the moment. However, the cobalt vixen brushed it off, heading to WarpStone's hand.

"WarpStone, we need you to send us to Dragon Rock!" She spoke to the sentient boulder.

"Sure thing, lass!" WarpStone spoke. "Are ye going alone?"

"No, the others are coming!" Krystal said. "That includes Fox, Peppy, Slippy, and Tricky!"

"Don't forget about me!" A familiar voice called out from the horizon.

Flying down at Krystal was Kyte. The CloudRunner Princess was dressed in some armor, presumably the armor of a trainee. She landed on WarpStone's palm, standing next to Krystal. As soon as they got on the Warp Pad, Fox, Peppy, Slippy, and Tricky saw the CloudRunner. Needless to say, they were surprised.

"Kyte?" Fox asked. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm going to fight for Sauria until my final breath!" Kyte said.

"Aren't you the Princess of the CloudRunner tribe?" Slippy asked.

"Yes," she said, "but I've been taking fighting lessons in order to help keep the SharpClaws at bay!"

"So have I!" Tricky said. "We should tag team at Dragon Rock!"

"Guys," Krystal said, "let's get going! We shouldn't keep WarpStone waiting!"

"Right!" Tricky said, nodding his head.

"Sorry." Kyte apologized.

"You're alright." Krystal said to the CloudRunner Princess, then turned her head to WarpStone. "Alright, WarpStone, send us to Dragon Rock!"

"Right away, lads and lasses!" WarpStone said as he used his magic to teleport Star Fox, Krystal, Tricky, and Kyte.

With the magic surrounding them, Star Fox, joined by their allies, found themselves being teleported. Fox, Peppy, and Slippy watched as Krystal, Tricky, and Kyte disappeared, hinting that they had reached their destination faster. Star Fox waited longer, knowing that they weren't as trained in Sauria's magic as the residents of the planet. After a few minutes, the three got ready to brace for impact. Suddenly, they found themselves landing on a Warp Pad, seeing that Krystal, Tricky, and Kyte were already off of it. They were now in the area they needed to go into: Dragon Rock.

Meanwhile, General Scales was waiting in his watchtower. The SharpClaw thought about his plans and how they would carry out. He was now in a conundrum, given how Lord Drakor's patience was running out. The being was expecting Scales to please him, even if it meant the total destruction of Sauria. Scales understood his tasks, knowing that he would be facing Star Fox, Krystal included, any minute now. From there, the fate of Sauria would be dependent on whoever won the battle. If Star Fox won, they would use the remaining SpellStone and Krazoa Spirits to save Sauria, while, if Scales won, Krystal would be his bride, Star Fox would be killed or captured, and Sauria would either be destroyed or permanently damaged.

All of a sudden, a SharpClaw soldier stumbled into the watchtower. The soldier's armor was heavily damaged, to the point where a single shoulder pad and the loincloth were the only remnants of it. He was fatally wounded, having open wounds in his chest and abdomen. Blood trickled out of the wounds, making him delirious and bringing him closer to death.

"Sir ... we're under ... attack!" The soldier gasped.

"Is it Star Fox?" Scales asked.

"Yes," he said, still gasping for air as blood trickled out of his mouth, "but ... they're with the Prince of ... the EarthWalkers ... and the ... Princess ... of ... the CloudRunners!"

The soldier collapsed, blood still spilling out of him. Scales went over to him, looking down at the dying subordinate.

"Where are they?!" Scales shouted. "Tell me!"

"They're at ... the entrance of Dragon ... Rock!" The soldier let out his dying breath, letting out a choked cry as blood pooled out of his mouth.

Enraged, Scales went to the entrance and shouted at the SharpClaw soldiers who were around it.

"All of you, attack!" He shouted. "There are enemies at the entrance of Dragon Rock! Bring them in or take them down! Don't kill the vixen, bring her here alive!"

Upon hearing their orders, the SharpClaws raced to combat the intruders. They grabbed their daggers, hoping to cut them down with a single strike. If that didn't work, the Saurians would instead use brute strength to kill them. Either way, the soldiers would not let any intruder pass, as they threatened the rule of the SharpClaws. They were all eager to kill the intruders, save for a vixen that their General had mentioned. Chances are, if they killed said vixen, he would kill them.

Walking through the entrance to Dragon Rock, Star Fox, Krystal, Tricky and Kyte were on their guard. The six looked around for any SharpClaws that came their way, with Krystal's telepathy helping to detect any hidden ones. Fox, Peppy and Slippy had their blasters pointed out, ready to fire them at a SharpClaw who challenged them. Tricky and Kyte agreed to tag team, using what they learned in their training to fight. The group walked through Dragon Rock, letting nothing stop them in their mission. And nothing would stop them until they got to Scales.

"Are you sensing any SharpClaws, Krystal?" Peppy asked.

"A group is approaching us." Krystal said. "They're armed with daggers, but we'll be able to take them down as long as we give it our all!"

"We will, trust me!" Fox said, eager to take down the SharpClaws that came in the group's way.

All of a sudden, several SharpClaws ran towards the group. However, they did not show fear in front of their aggressors. In fact, Star Fox fired their blasters at the soldiers. While they managed to kill two of them, the other three only got seriously wounded. Seeing that, Krystal fired a beam from her staff, decapitating the SharpClaw she was aiming at. Tricky was up next, killing another one by jumping on his head, crushing it. As for Kyte, she threw a fireball, burning the SharpClaw she was up against into ashes.

Once that was out of the way, Krystal began to use her telepathy to look for the remaining Krazoa Spirits. However, they were both faint signals. As far as she knew, one of the Spirits was more than likely with Scales. As for the other one, its location was unknown for the most part. Walking forward, her telepathy got interrupted by a few other signals. Knowing what they were, Krystal fired her staff, freezing the SharpClaws who were hidden.

Alarmed, Fox went up to Krystal.

"You okay, Krystal?" He asked.

"Yeah, my telepathy got interrupted by a few SharpClaws." Krystal stated. "Let's keep moving!"

"Did you find where the Krazoa Spirits would be at?" Slippy asked.

"I only found the location of one, and its with Scales." The cobalt vixen said. "As for the other one, we'll figure out where it's at when we take down Scales."

With Star Fox, Tricky and Kyte following her, Krystal led the group through Dragon Rock. Her telepathy was still on, which allowed her to sense the Krazoa Spirits better. The cobalt vixen felt them get stronger, as if they knew that she was coming. As the group continued on, they encountered a few SharpClaws. This didn't deter them, as they defeated the soldiers with little effort. The only thing that was on their minds was finding what they needed to get in order to save Sauria.

After a few minutes, the group found themselves on a battlefield of some kind. Stopping in their tracks, they looked around for any SharpClaw soldiers or Scales. As for Krystal, her telepathy was telling her that someone was approaching them. While that happened, everyone else looked around for an enemy.

"Weird, this place is so barren!" Slippy spoke.

"You'd think that the SharpClaws and their leader would be training or something, but no one's here!" Peppy said.

"Creepy!" Tricky said.

"You got that right!" Kyte stated.

"Keep an open eye, everyone, General Scales could be here at any second!" Fox said.

Without warning, Krystal dropped to a knee. This startled the others, who stopped looking around. They approached their friend, worried about her.

"Krystal, are you okay?" Peppy asked.

"Everyone, look out, there are traps laid out around you!" Krystal cried.

"Traps?!" Slippy cried. "Oh boy, we better get out of here!"

Before anyone could move, Tricky and Kyte were ensnared in a net.

"Help, we're stuck!" Kyte screamed.

"Hold on, I'm coming!" Slippy said as he rushed over to the two, eager to free them.

Despite his willingness to help out Kyte and Tricky, Slippy was ensnared in another trap. This one was a rope that lifted him off the ground, hanging him upside down. Peppy tried to shoot at the ropes, but missed. The hare then tried to free his allies, only for him to get caught in a trap. Said trap bound his arms and legs together, essentially putting him in a hogtie. Seeing the others ensnared, Fox tried to help Krystal off the ground, hoping that she would be able to free them.

"C'mon, Krys, we have to help them!" Fox said.

"We won't make it, he's already here!" Krystal cried out in pain and terror.

Before Fox could get Krystal in her feet again, a shadow quickly rose over the two. Upon seeing it, Fox became angry, knowing who it belonged to. As for Krystal, she was intimidated, but she was willing to stand and face the person. Her telepathy rang as she stood up, putting her hand on Fox's shoulder for balance. The orange tod dusted off the cobalt vixen, helping her get ready for the fight they were about to enter.

"Hello, my friends, and welcome to Dragon Rock!" A familiar voice greeted. "Unfortunately, almost all of you will not survive what's going to happen next. However, Krystal, being the sole survivor of Cerinia, you will be spared from death, as it will only be granted to the three invaders who have been working with you. Don't worry about the EarthWalker Prince and the CloudRunner Princess, though. I trust that they will make excellent servants."

Turning around, Fox and Krystal saw Scales standing proudly. The General of the SharpClaws was wielding a dagger, providing another weapon to use alongside the prosthetic claw that had replaced his other hand. Those weren't the only weapons he had, however. The Saurian had an ammo belt of grenades wrapped around him from his left hip to his right shoulder. Fox and Krystal stood their ground, knowing that they had to defeat Scales in order to free their friends and continue on with their mission. Both of them knew that this would not be an easy battle.

Note: Welp, it's time for Fox and Krystal to face off with Scales. Where the General got those grenades, they could've come from anywhere. He could've made them himself, for all we know. Perhaps it will be revealed in the next chapter. Who will win this battle? Until next time guys, this is Newcomer24, signing off. Peace!