Forgive me for adding an OC to this story. Just don't label him as a Mary Sue right away as I know readers have tendency to do, all too frequently.
I know many people think that Fay is a poodle but I don't think poodle's have ears as large as she does and I remember Wikipedia named her as Fay Spaniel at one point about a year before I wrote this.
I think that Krystal is more of an empath in general and is only fully telepathic when she concentrates on someone's specific thoughts or when she senses or is sent a powerful thought (such as when she was alerted to Sauria in Assault).
Also just in case you were wondering at this point in the story the characters are of the following ages: Fox is 31, Fara is 32 (but only really 3 months older than Fox instead of a full year), Miyu and Fay are both 26, Krystal is 24, my OC is 25
Also the line Fox says about first loves is pulled almost directly from the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Relics". The scene it's from is where Scotty and Picard are on the holodeck recreation of Scotty's Enterprise's bridge. After Scotty comments on the first Enterprise (excluding the one in Star trek Enterprise) being the first ship he served as chief engineer as being the most memorable; Picard mentions his first command, an old rundown ship called the "U.S.S. Stargazer", and how despite the fact that his Enterprise D is, statistically, far superior in every regard that he would sometimes give anything to command the Stargazer again. Scotty's next comment is where I got the line from and it is as follows:
"Ah, it's like the first time you fall in love. You never love a woman quite like that again."
Now for anon. Reviewers:
Fin: Although your first review was a bit biased your second review got me thinking. I'm glad that someone actually likes my story enough to write a detailed review about it and here's the odd thing. When I first saw Krystal in an ad on TV I didn't know her name, or anything else about her for that matter, later I read a story that depicted Fox married to someone named Fara Phoenix, due to the fact that this Fara I read about knew of some magic and because I did not know she was a fennec (at the time I thought her last name was pronounced "fenix") I actually thought that the blue vixen was Fara as I had not read any other story that featured either of them, read any data about either character online, or played either Adventures or Assault. As for the Panther thing and anything relating to Star Fox Command, like I said I haven't played it and don't own a DS so I have to go with what I read online at GameFAQs and Wikipedia and improvise off of that (IMO, Panther's character was vaguely defined in Assault). As for the materialistic thing, Fox means he does not want to sound like her powers are the only reason he's inviting her back.
Chapter 3: New Arrivals
A spaceship flew into orbit around Corneria. The ship was a small fighter but it was clearly well used owing to the wear and tear from collisions and weapons' fire along the hull. The ship was steel grey but the once silvery grey paint was visible in some places. The ship itself had a wide body with a triangular nose, where the cockpit was located, and forward swept wings with missiles on each end and a gun port at the closest possible point to the fuselage without actually being part of it. The ship's engines were running at a low level as the ship had gone without being refuelled in quite a while.
The figure in the cockpit was a fairly young and odd looking fox. He was about 25 years old with primarily red fur but with greyish fur on his ears, the rear half of his tail, and his hands; he had hazel coloured eyes. Had he not been wearing jeans and heavy boots one could have seen that the "boots" of his feet had the same grey fur colouring. His short hair was the same grey as the greyish fur on the other parts of his body. He was wearing black jeans and brown heavy boots along with a black t-shirt. His one other distinguishing feature was the katana at his left. The sword was in its black scabbard and had no adornments other than the artistic fabric on the handle to increase gripping power and the brass cover at the tip of the scabbard. The sword blade would have been almost a meter long had it been out of its scabbard and the handle was long enough for either one or two handed wielding making the sword itself a little over a meter in length; its guard was an oval that followed the length of the blade almost perfectly. Behind the only seat was a suitcase that was full of his few belongings.
The young fox had his arms crossed and his eyes closed as his fighter was on autopilot. He opened his eyes and stared at the blue planet.
"Corneria," he said in his medium bass voice, "I haven't been here in almost a decade." He took another moment to stare at the planet before asking himself, "I wonder if Star Fox is here? I hope so otherwise I wasted my time coming here."
The fox sat forwards and disengaged autopilot. Taking the controls in his hands he used his nav. computer to scan for any Dreadnaught class battleships in the area. He picked up one in low orbit a short distance off about 65 degrees to his left. Smiling to himself he turned his fighter, the Gladius, in the direction his navigation computer had indicated.
"I just hope their recruiting, or I'll just have to set down and get a job on Corneria."
--
The week was up and Fox was panicking somewhat. Fay closed the engine panel and climbed out from under her interceptor Arwing, which she had pulled onto the service deck and was giving a once over and doing some minor repairs, and watched in amusement as Fox dashed around loading some things of his and Fara's into the Great Fox's shuttle. Despite Fox's somewhat panicky nature Fara was calm and made her way, unassisted, to the shuttle.
Fay swiped her hand across her grease stained face. She was wearing a formerly white shirt, now stained with oil and grease, and overalls which she always wore when working on or fixing anything mechanical on the ship. She shook her head at the display Fox was putting on and she turned around to check the laser on the left side of the fighter.
Fox had a lot of things on his mind when the communicator on his wrist beeped. He hurriedly answered.
"What is it ROB?"
"A single fighter approaching the Great Fox 3 has contacted us. He is requesting to speak with you."
"Alright patch it through but make it quick."
"Affirmative," Rob's robotic voice was replaced by a medium bass voice.
"Fox, if this is you I'm just letting you know that I want to try and join your team. I'll be landing in your carrier in about five minutes so I hope I can meet you then and see about joining you team." Before Fox could say anything the transmission cut off.
"Great, just great," he muttered, "now what am I supposed to do?" He thought for a minute and then noticed Krystal walking past the door that led from the rest of the ship to the docking bay.
"Hey Krystal!" he called out to the blue vixen, who turned to him in response, "could you take Fara down to the planet and wait for me there, I need to meet someone first. I'll take down an Arwing that you can use to get back here."
"Alright," Krystal said. There was some reluctance in her voice but Fox missed it.
"Thanks, Krystal," he said. Fox stood waiting in the hangar as Krystal took off in the shuttle which was carrying his pregnant wife, Fara, and the things they had packed for their week-long stay with her parents until Fara had their son.
On the way down to the planet Fara came up to the cockpit and sat down, while resting her hands on her swollen belly, next to Krystal who was at the controls of the shuttle. Fara noticed the sad look in Krystal's eyes and decided to ask something that had been on her mind a while.
"Krystal, do you hate me for 'stealing' Fox from you?" The blue fox shook her head.
"No it's not that, Fara, it's just… every time I look at you, and see that you and Fox are so happy together and that you are expecting a child, I can't help but see a life I could have had if I'd done things differently in the past. I just can't help but see your position in Fox's heart as one I could have held if I hadn't broken his heart." Krystal's voice was laced with sorrow and she seemed on the verge of tears. Fara felt sorry for her but was also a little confused.
"But then why were you so willing to join Star Fox then?"
"Because, if I didn't I wouldn't have anywhere else to go or anything else to do. Not only that but even if I can't have him the same way you do, it hurt more not knowing if he was even alive. He's a real leader because he seems to radiate calm, now more so than ever."
"Except when he's running in around in a panic for my sake," Fara chuckled. In spite of herself, Krystal couldn't help laughing a bit as well."
--
Back on the Great Fox 3 Fox watched as an old, yet quite well built fighter landed in the hangar. He watched as an odd looking 25 year old male fox—carrying a sheathed Katana at the top of its scabbard in his left hand—climbed out of the cockpit. Fox immediately noticed that this newcomer was some sort of crossbreed by the silvery grey markings on his points. The odd fox came up to Fox and said.
"My name is Wilson Kitsune; I'm here to join the Star Fox team." Wilson's calm smile made Fox a little calmer but he knew he had to be quick.
"Nice to meet you, Wilson, I'm sorry but any proceedings to get you to join will have to wait a week. My wife, Fara Phoenix-McCloud, is waiting for me on Corneria and I have to be with her; we're expecting out first child in a week."
"Ok then, so can I just stay here while I wait then, maybe I can also use the time to give Gladius," he gestured with his right thumb over his shoulder at the fighter he had come in, "some work that it's needed for some time."
"I'm sure that would be alright," both foxes turned to Fay, who had finished work on her ship and was coming over to them, wiping her hands on a rag, "if you want I could give your ship a once over for you."
"She's right," Fox said, "but forgive me because I have to go. Please try to get to know Fay, Miyu, and Krystal in the next week." Both Fay and Wilson watched as Fox ran over to his Arwing Mk III and jumped in the cockpit then blasted out through the atmospheric force field towards the planet. Fay smiled at the newcomer and moved closer to him to be able to talk with him more easily.
"Well, Wilson, if you have anything in that fighter that you need, then I suggest that you get it out before I check it over," Fay said. The odd looking fox nodded.
"Alright, could you get someone to show me where I can stay for the next little while?" Fay nodded in response.
"Alright," she pressed a button on the control console next to the doorway leading to the rest of the ship, "Hey, Miyu?"
"What is it Fay," came Miyu's alto voice over the intercom.
"We have a guest, could you come down to the hangar and take him to his room please?"
"Alright, just hold on a minute." Fay shut off the intercom and then smiled at the fox.
"Well, since repairs are done on my fighter, I guess I could take a look at yours. What was it called again?"
"It's called the Gladius, and thanks for checking it out, Miss Fay."
"If you want to say that correctly, it's Miss Spaniel," Fay said as she walked over to the newcomer's ship, picking up a toolbox along the way however Wilson beat her there and pulled out his suitcase before going back to stand by the door. Wilson waited a couple minutes before Miyu arrived at the hangar.
"I assume you are the new pilot, my name is Miyu Lynx, and you are?" Miyu posed the question while holding out her hand in greeting.
"Wilson Kieran Kitsune, it's nice to meet you Miss Lynx."
"Please, I prefer to be called Miyu, not Miss anything," The lynx sounded a bit annoyed but Wilson ignored it instead saying.
"So, where will I be staying for the next week or so?"
"We have four vacant quarters onboard; you can stay in one for the time being. Please follow me," Miyu began walking down the corridors with Wilson in tow carrying both his sword and the suitcase he had retrieved from his ship. On the way, Miyu couldn't help but noticed Wilson's odd fur colouring and asked.
"What is with those silvery patches on your fur, are you over stressed?" Wilson glared at her minor joke.
"Ha ha, very funny Miyu," the sarcasm in his voice was replaced by his original tone as he explained. "Actually, I'm a cross-breed. My father was a Cornerian Red Fox, like your team leader, whereas my mother was a Fichinan Arctic Fox. I'll tell you the story later when you all are present as it is quite long and I don't want to repeat myself." While they were talking they arrived at the quarters that Miyu had decided Wilson should stay for the next week.
"Well here we are," she said, typing in the code to open the door. She quickly showed the cross-bred fox the code before she explained that the rooms were insulated so no one could hear what was going on inside unless the door was open. Miyu smiled for a second and made a small joke.
"Fay and I think the reason for the soundproofing was because Fox and his wife share the same room, if you see what I mean."
"Nice," Wilson's sarcasm and glare showed that he clearly understood what Miyu meant. "So is there a gym on this ship? I haven't had a chance to stretch my muscles in ages."
"Of course there is, just use the map on your computer to find out where everything is; you'll need to familiarise yourself with this ship if you're staying with us for any length of time." Miyu left Wilson to his own devices to go back to whatever she had been doing beforehand which in this case was reading a novel, that she had picked up on Corneria recently, in the ship's living room.
Wilson set his suitcase down on the bed and opened it. Inside it were some sets of clothing and one other thing, another Katana, with a white scabbard with no cover on the tip and white gripping fabric with some golden thread woven into it instead of the black fabric on the handle of the other. He set his own sword leaning at the corner of the head of the bed in the room and took the white one from his suitcase and setting it on the dresser in the room. He took some workout clothes out of his suitcase and set them aside.
Wilson decided that he might as well work out for a bit since he had the time, but first he had to find out where the work out room was. He sat down at the computer in the room and pulled up the maps of the inside of the Great Fox 3. He stared at the maps for a good ten minutes before he decided that he knew the ship well enough to find his way around. After changing into his workout clothes, a white muscle shirt and black shorts, he left for the ship's gym.
When he arrived at the gym, which was on a higher level of the ship than either the crew's quarters or the hangar and just one level above the living room, Wilson noticed that in addition to the workout equipment, that there was a two person 100m oval track, a jukebox that looked like it was an antique, and may have been put there as a joke, and, somewhat to his surprise but by no means displeasure, some gymnastics mats set up on the floor which could be used as a sparring area. He walked over to the jukebox and looked over the music selections, seeing that there were some heavy metal and rock songs, he tried one. The machine appeared to work but then stopped. Annoyed, Wilson kicked the machine and it came alive with light and the sound of an old rock band.
"That's better; I work out better with music. Not very loud though," he went over to the bench press and set the weight at about 50 kilograms, he then lay down on the bench to begin his workout.
--
As they both knew Fox quite well, both Fara and Krystal waited for him at the landing area near where the Phoenix-McClouds would be staying for the following week. When Fox's Arwing landed he greeted the two vixens, buzzed his wife on the cheek, and bid Krystal farewell. Krystal said a quiet goodbye to the couple and climbed into the Arwing Mk. III that Fox had used and took off back into orbit to return to the Great Fox 3.
Along the way she thought about a lot of things, predominant among them was her decision not to cry. When Fox had broken ties with her over two years ago she had cried for quite a while but after that she had promised herself that she would never cry again. While she had kept that personal promise she had come close to breaking it several times over the last week. However there was one question on her mind at the moment, she had overheard what ROB and Fox said about someone wanting to join the Star Fox team and she wondered what the potential new member was like. These thoughts ran through her head as she landed and disembarked. She noticed that Fay working on a new fighter in the bay, which had clearly seen better days, and went over to her asking.
"Fay, whose fighter is that?"
"It belongs to that odd looking fox, Wilson Kieran Kitsune," she replied while opening a panel on the ship's port side, "he called it the Gladius and it's in pretty bad shape; I'm amazed that our friend made it this far considering the condition this thing is in. The armour is almost to the point of buckling, the shields are overworked, the engines are in decent enough condition but the afterburners are fried and the ship is almost out of fuel." Fay closed the panel and went over the left wing tip.
"These missiles on the wings are in good condition except that I've disarmed them so they won't go off in the bay, but they have quite a concentrated array of explosive power. In other words they won't produce the same wide area damage as Nova Bombs but they will deal more damage to a single point on a ship." Krystal was amazed to say the least.
"You can tell all that just by doing a 20 minute check?"
"Of course," Fay replied, smiling, "if I'm going to be a good mechanic I have to be able to give a ship a once over in a very short period of time." She shrugged her shoulders raising her hands to form a "W" with her arms as she spoke her next sentence.
"As for repairs, I'll have to wait to speak to Wilson again. I might be able to make the ship more manageable but I can tell from its current state that it hasn't been properly repaired in quite a while so it might be better just to build a replacement, but I know how some pilots get attached to their ships." Krystal nodded.
"Alright, I'm going to me room for a bit, see you later," Krystal departed leaving Fay to her work.
When Krystal arrived at her quarters she was about to enter when she noticed a smell coming from the direction of the workout room; it was the smell of perspiration. She turned and saw Wilson walking down the corridor with sweat glistening on his fur. She grimaced as she saw that he had obviously been working out and had not showered yet. The odd looking fox noticed her and extended his hand while approaching her.
"Hey, you must be Krystal. I'm Wilson Kieran Kitsune, pending member of Star Fox, nice to meet you." Krystal listened to him but did not extend her hand.
"You would be correct. I'm sorry to be rude but you smell like you've just been working out so could you please shower before shaking my hand?" Wilson lifted his raised arm and smelled, quickly pulling his arm away from himself after doing so.
"Whoo I guess I smell pretty ripe. We'll talk after I've showered." As Wilson turned into his room Krystal just stared after him for a moment. After sitting on her bed for a minute and, not having anything to do, she decided to go and meet this new candidate for the Star Fox team. Krystal exited her room and pushed the buzzer for Wilson's door; as the rooms were soundproof she did not get a response until the door slid open and Wilson stepped out, his fur somewhat dishevelled and wearing the same clothes he had been when he arrived on the ship.
"So let's try again, I'm Wilson Kitsune and you are Krystal, correct?" he said, once again extending his hand. Krystal took his hand and shook it saying.
"Yes I am. So," she released his hand and was about to say something when Wilson cut in.
"I am half Cornerian Red Fox and half Fichinan Arctic Fox; that's why my fur looks like this, though I'm more arctic than red despite my appearance." Krystal blinked.
"I see, so now what?"
"Want to watch some TV in the living room?"
"I guess so. I don't really have anything else to do." So they departed to do just that.
--
Six days later: Miyu, Fay, Krystal and Wilson were in the Great Fox 3's bridge listening to Fox on the comm. system. Apparently, Fara had been one day premature of her due date and Fox was calling from the hospital. While they were all listening to Fox's recount of the slight rush to the hospital and the slight worry that he and Fara's parents had had at the crucial moment, Fay was the first to ask him a question.
"So what does he look like?"
"Well, we can't say whose eyes he has, Fara's eyes and mine are too similar, but he has my ears and Fara's fur colouring. We named him Todd," at this comment Miyu couldn't help but chuckle. Wilson glanced at her asking.
"Did I miss a joke?"
"No, it's just that a todd is a male fox. Is that a tradition of some sort, Fox?" Miyu asked this last part to Fox.
"Well," Fox paused for a moment, "I think my mother once said something about it being traditional in her family to name the eldest child of the family after the species in some way, which is why she was named Vixy and I'm called Fox."
"Makes sense," Wilson said.
"Well I've got to go, can't leave my family waiting," Fox stopped and spoke the next part with less enthusiasm than before, "It's funny, ever since my parent's died I've wondered what a family would be like, and now I don't know how to feel about it. I better go." Fox closed the comm.
Krystal, who had been silent the entire time turned and left the room. Wilson noticed and went after her.
"Something wrong, Krystal?"
"No, I'm alright," she replied.
"You're lying," Krystal turned to Wilson somewhat surprised.
"How can you tell?"
"I don't need to be an expert to tell that from you at the moment. I also think that you have some stuff to burn."
"What?"
"I think you have a lot of pent up tension, frustration, and disappointment right now. Do you have a weapon of some sort?" Though confused, Krystal didn't sense any bad intent from the odd looking fox so she replied.
"Yes I have a staff, but why?"
"Just get it, get into your workout clothes and meet me at the sparring mats in the gym, I'll explain there." The two of them walked back to their quarters and split up at that point. As Wilson had be wearing his workout clothes since before the call, because he had been going to work out until they got the call, he was in an out of his room faster than Krystal, he had taken the white sword, still in scabbard from the dresser and proceeded to the ship's gym.
--
Fox put the video phone's microphone on its receiver and sighed. Truthfully he was nervous about what kind of father he'd be as he had known his father most of his life owing to the fact that he had flown as the original Star Fox Team's leader and his death at the hands of Andross due to Pigma's treachery. He turned around to see George Phoenix behind him.
"Oh hi Mr. Phoenix," He said a little nervously.
"Please, Fox, You can call me dad if you want, you are my son-in-law now after all."
"I guess," George could see that Fox had something on his mind and while they walked back to Fara's room, he asked him.
"What's wrong, son?" being addressed with that pronoun caused Fox to stop for a minute.
"It's just that, I never really had my parents for a large part of my life so I'm really concerned about what kind of father I'm going to be for your Grandchild."
"I think you'll do fine," George said, "you've taken care of Fara ever since you two were re-united almost two years ago."
"Thanks," as the two resumed their walk, Fox commented, "I find it hard to believe that you trust me this much, I remember back when I was dating your daughter before the Lylat wars that you were opposed to our relationship because of my, how did you put it, 'uncertain and risky lifestyle.' Needless to say I was surprised when you gave us your blessing and even offered to help pay for and organize our wedding." George couldn't help but chuckle at this.
"Yes I do remember but after you left, thinking that she was dead, she was quite depressed which tore me up inside. When I saw how happy she was that day on the Tungsten, and remembered that she had not been that happy for years, I just couldn't bring myself to try and pull you apart."
"Thanks, dad," George smile. By now they had arrived at Fara's room in the maternity ward. Upon entering, Fox immediately went to his wife's side. Christine Phoenix moved to her husband's side at the door and they watched the happy couple with their first-born son, who was sleeping in Fara's arms.
"He's beautiful, Fara," Fox said, "So was all of this worth it?"
"Of course, silly," she replied, kissing the tip of her husband's nose, "even the pain was worth it to be here with you and our little Todd. Would you like a daughter as well?" she asked. Fox almost choked, causing the three fennecs in the room to laugh. Todd Phoenix-McCloud slept silently through the whole ordeal.
--
Krystal emerged from her room wearing her workout clothes, a white t-shirt with bluish grey shorts, and carrying her staff in its compacted form. She made her way down to the gym wondering what Wilson had in mind. When she arrived she was a little surprised to see the cross-bred fox carrying a long curved sword in its case.
"Finally made it," he said.
"Wilson, what are you thinking?" Krystal asked as she moved towards him. Wilson smiled.
"Simple, let's spar; I've found it's a great way to relieve tension."
"Wait," Krystal protested, "How is it a fair match if you have a sword while I only use a staff, as powerful as it is."
"Two things, first any weapon is capable of being unbeatable provided the user knows how to wield it correctly and second…" Wilson drew his sword and showed it to Krystal. The blue vixen had never seen a sword like it before. The blade wasn't straight but, as she has guessed owing to the shape of the scabbard, curved. What struck her as odd was that the white handled curved sword that was about a meter long had the silver-grey cutting edge the incurve and the black blunt end on the out curve instead of having both edges bladed or the only blade on the outcurve.
"This is an old type of Fichinan sword called a katana; this particular type is a sakabato, a reverse-bladed training sword. I thought it would make this fight even if I only use the blunt end to attack; it's safer as well."
"I suppose," Krystal said. She extended her staff and walked over to the sparring mats and took up a fighting stance facing Wilson and they began sparring. While Wilson was fighting her in earnest, Krystal did not seem to be at the top of her game; Wilson managed to disarm the azure vixen three times practically effortlessly. After the fourth time he knocked her staff out of her hand and her to the floor he sheathed his sword.
'I know she can do better than this, but her heart just isn't in it,' he sighed, 'forgive me for this but I don't see an alternative to get her to fight.'
"That's all you've got," the cross-bred fox's voice became mean spirited, almost insulting.
"Well forgive me, I'm not exactly in a fighting mood," she said, sounding a little dejected.
"Well I'm not surprised; a weakling like you wouldn't be able to fight me anyways." Krystal twitched; seeing that she was starting to get mad Wilson smiled.
"I didn't think that a self-righteous bitch like you doesn't have the will to actually defend…" he was cut off as Krystal swung her staff full force at his head and he was forced to dodge.
"You arrogant little bastard," she said seeming to burn with fury, "I'll teach you to say things like that to me!" Wilson backed off raising his arms in protest as Krystal bore down on him.
"Whoa Krystal hold it."
"Why? Do you think I'm just going to let it go after you insulted me?!"
"Krystal sorry I as just trying to get you to fight more seriously," Krystal stopped.
"What?" Krystal lowered her weapon and held it one hand. Wilson stopped backing up and lowered his hands.
"I was just trying to get you in a fighting mood," he walked over the jukebox, "Not only that, but like I said before you need to work out your frustration."
"Well I'm not homicidal anymore, but I'm still ticked because of what you said about me."
"Alright, we can get back to sparring in a sec just let me turn on the music," he pushed a button on the jukebox, nothing happened. Frowning he pushed again, and then tapped it several times.
"Stupid machine," he said. He raised his fist above his head and brought it down hard on the top of the jukebox putting a dent in it. The machine shuddered from the blow and flared to life; a moment later it began to play the heavy metal tune that Wilson had selected to accompany their fight. He turned back to Krystal and drew his sakabato.
"So I assume that you will be fighting at full force now?" he asked.
"Right," Krystal raised her staff and took up a fighting stance.
"Then since you're fighting at full force," held up his sword in a fighting stance using both hands, "I will show you no mercy, so get ready!" He rushed at the blue vixen as she held up her staff in preparation to counter.
--
Miyu had gone to read in the living room when Fay, who had obviously just showered, walked in. Miyu lowered her book and glanced at her.
"Just washed the grease out of your fur?" she asked in a somewhat joking manner. Fay glared at her for a moment.
"Don't joke about that Miyu, I've told you how hard it is to wash grease out of my fur, it's just plain difficult no matter how you slice it." Fay sat down next to Miyu.
"So, what are you reading?"
"A novel called Redwall; it takes place in medieval times in this place called Redwall Abbey and tells the story of a young abbey mouse named Mathias as he deals with the invasion of his home by a vicious rat called Cluny the Scourge and his horde of, as this book calls it, vermin."
"Who wrote it?" Fay was genuinely curious.
"Someone named Brian Jacques, he died long before space travel was an everyday activity but his books are still being printed because of their popularity; this book has numerous sequels and prequels which I hope to be able to read." Fay was impressed with her knowledge to say the least.
"You sure know a lot about authors and novels."
"I do seem a little obsessive about it but it's my hobby, just like you and your engineering thing, so I research about the stuff I read extensively."
"Well thank makes sense," Fay said. Fay then sat forwards suddenly. Miyu had known Fay long enough to know that the cocker spaniel's hearing was more sensitive than her own; she put a bookmark in her book, set it down, and asked her friend.
"Do you hear something, Fay?" Fay nodded.
"It sounds like some sort of rock music from the workout room."
"I'm surprised that you can hear through the insulated walls."
"Ordinarily I wouldn't, but with the ships system running so quietly and with no one else onboard but Krystal, Wilson, and ourselves it's easier than you think. Also, in case you forgot, only the personal rooms are insulated against sound, the rest of the ship carries it fairly well."
"Guess what I said about obsessing about our hobbies was true," Miyu commented, chucking to herself.
"Well," Fay stood up, "let's go see what's going on in the gym." Miyu shook her head as she stood up and followed her spaniel friend out the living room door and towards the gym.
--
Now that Krystal was fighting at her full strength, she and Wilson were now on more even ground in their sparring match; they had been striking and blocking for about three minutes and neither of them had landed a blow on the other's body or managed to disarm the other. By this point both of them were beginning to tire; Wilson was amazed at Krystal's determination and her skill with her staff.
Deciding to try one last move on her Wilson stepped back and gripping his sakabato in both hands swung it back over his right shoulder. Krystal held her staff like a spear and rushed the cross-bred fox; seeing his opportunity, Wilson swung his sword full-force at Krystal's staff, knocking it to the ground and sending it skidding towards the gym door; the force of the blow sent the vixen onto her back. Both foxes were now panting from exertion. Wilson pointed the sakabato at Krystal's head, with the dull tip about 25 centimetres from her face, and said.
"Looks like… I win."
"You not bad with that sword of yours," Krystal said.
"I'll say," Wilson turned to the door—while sheathing his sword—and saw Miyu and Fay, the former of which had just spoken and the latter of the two had just crouched down to pick up Krystal's fallen staff. Turning back to Krystal, Wilson offered his right hand to her and helped her up after she had taken it; after Krystal had gotten to her feet, Fay returned the vixen's staff to her. Krystal reduced her staff back to its storage size, which was one-third of its regular length.
"Where did you learn to fight like that?" the vixen asked Wilson.
"On Fichina, like I said it's a long story but once Fox and Fara return I'll tell all of you." Wilson smiled at Krystal and said, "Looks like you've worked out your frustration, but not your disappointment. Not to sound offensive but why don't you cry for a bit, it can help." Krystal averted her gaze from Wilson.
"I won't, I promised myself when Fox made me leave the team that I'd never cry again."
"So you became like a devil?" Miyu asked.
"What?" Fay was confused, as were Wilson and Krystal. Miyu shook her head in exasperation and replied.
"It's from an old saying that says that devils never cry; in case you're wondering I read this in a book on proverbs."
"I see, so what's your point," Krystal asked.
"I think she means that not crying is the reason you are having such a hard time accepting your losing Fox to Fara or other things that you may have lost," Wilson explained what he though Miyu meant.
"Right," the lynx replied, "but there's something else I once read. Let me think," she closed her eyes in though before continuing, "It goes something like this
Though he is full of malice and hate,
And bears nothing but ill will towards all beings,
Even a devil may cry, if he loses a loved one."
Krystal blinked and for the first time in two years a tear coursed down her cheek. Krystal dropped her staff and then squeezed her hands into fists as her eyes began to water and tears streamed down her face. Suddenly Krystal pressed her palms onto her eyes and began crying. She cried for Fox, for her parents, and her lost home planet Cerinia; she collapsed to her knees, crying her eyes out. Seeing that she needed help, Fay helped Krystal to her feet—while she was still crying—and picked up her staff saying.
"Come one, Krystal, I'll take you back to your room," the white cocker spaniel then led the azure vixen back to her quarters leaving Miyu Lynx, and a quite surprised Wilson Kitsune, in the gym. Wilson gave Miyu an odd look.
"What was with Krystal? I guess she really loved Fox." Miyu stared, open mouthed, as the fox.
"What? Did you learn anything about her in the last week," Miyu's voice was a mixture of surprise and annoyance.
"What do you mean?" Wilson asked. Miyu sighed and replied by saying.
"Krystal told me earlier last week that she's the last known being from the planet Cerinia. Her entire planet was destroyed over a decade ago through the actions of Andross, she just doesn't know how because she was only 10 years old at the time. For some reason that she hasn't told us she was sent off the planet and saw it as it was destroyed. After I said the line 'even a devil may cry if he loses a loved one,' the fact that she's lost so many loved ones—because she apparently hasn't cried in two years—must have really caught up to her."
"Oh man and I though I had it bad, losing your entire planet must be hard on you." Wilson saw Miyu's quizzical glance and decided to say something about his past, "I lost my parents during the Lylat wars, sorry for sounding like a broken record but I'll tell you the whole story when Fox gets back."
"Alright," the lynx turned to leave the gym, "I'm going to go check on Fay and Krystal." As Miyu left, Wilson drew his sakabato again.
"Alright," he called after her then said to himself, "I'd better keep practicing."
--
Fay had led Krystal back to her room and left her to cry herself, presumably to sleep, on her bed still wearing her workout clothes. As she closed the door, she heard footsteps and turned to see her lynx friend coming towards her.
"So, how is Krystal?" Miyu asked.
"Still crying, poor girl, I guess what you said really got to her," Fay replied
"Yeah, I just hope that she isn't mad at me when she wakes up tomorrow."
"I don't think she'll be she doesn't really like to hold grudges from what I know about her." Fay smiled but before Miyu could respond ROB's voice cur in over the intercom system.
"Attention, temperature in gymnasium has increased by 400 in the last 90 seconds."
"What?" Miyu said, taken off guard by the announcement. Both friends exchanged silent looks and dashed to the lift which would take them back to the level the gym was on. When they arrived they found an exhausted, sweaty Wilson Kitsune just pushing the last of his sakabato katana back into its sheath. Miyu blinked as she swore fro a second that there had been smoke coming off the sword but instead said.
"Are you ok? ROB said that this room just greatly increased in temperature a short time ago."
"Well I feel warm but I have been working out, maybe the ship's sensors or a bit off." Before either of the high-school friends could say anything else, the fox left the Gym and headed back to his room. Miyu turned to Fay and said.
"I must be hallucinating because I swear his sword was literally smoking a moment ago."
Later that night the rest of the people on the ship were asleep—or recharging in ROB's case. Krystal had fallen asleep hours before, after she had finished crying, and for once had a peaceful and dreamless sleep.
--
End notes: Well that's the best I could do but sill I am ready to receive all the flak that I know I will for using a character who was not created by anyone who wrote a Star Fox Story before because I know that I will.
Sorry, I just have seen a lot of OC bashers for stories like these in numerous places.
At any rate if you are not just going to flame him, I would like opinions on Wilson Kitsune (the character) and please try not to be biased.
Also I do plan to write at least one more chapter but I am almost done this story, I will try to have it up before the end of next week.