Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, and I'm extremely mad at the fact that they haven't appeared in any new games!

Author's Note: Thanks to Galadriadhar for pointing out some errors.

Chapter 8: Respite

It was the middle of the night on Aquas, and the moon shone brightly in the middle of the sky. Enjoyment of the beautiful climate and scenery would probably occur if there wasn't an evil space league assembled somewhere on the planet. Now was the time to take action, and now was the time to finally end Star Wolf and avenge Slippy. Fox thought these things as he, Falco, and Dash hid their ships they had just landed and set up a camp.

"Alright guys, this is our base from now on," Fox announced, "You will always report to me in this clearing at all times unless you tell me where you're going, understand?"

Falco nodded and Dash saluted. At that time they continued setting up their living space; there was no telling how long they'd be there. This would be perhaps the only rest and respite they'd get before the fight with Star Wolf began. As soon as a fire was started, Fox began telling Dash all he knew about Star Wolf to prepare him, (without going into detail about Krystal). When Fox was satisfied that Dash was "educated" enough about the enemy's tactics, he went away to the edge of the clearing near the forest undergrowth to keep watch. The night sky was bright with stars and moons as well as neighboring planets.

As soon as he was sure that Fox was out of earshot, Dash asked Falco, "So what's the whole deal with Krystal being on Wolf's team? I thought she was with Fox . . ."

Falco sighed, "It's a long story kid. She was with Fox, but certain things happened. . . ." It was then that Falco told Dash the whole deal with Fox and Krystal, and what was going on. ". . . .So now Fox has to defeat Star Wolf, and get Krystal back."

"So do you think that she'll forgive him? Do you think that she'll come back?"

Falco sighed again. "We can only hope kid. We can only hope." At that point they both went to sleep, safe by Fox's watchful eye.

Long after Falco and Dash fell asleep, Fox continued to sit on his rock, staring at the night sky. He had been like this all night, contemplating all the recent events that had just happened. In the evening was always when he could remember things clearly, the images in perfect definition. Krystal running away from him in tears. General Peppy's encouraging smile. Slippy's ship plummeting towards Aquas. . . .

CRACK!

Fox quickly stood up, aroused from his depression. The sound had come out of nowhere, as if someone had stepped on a twig. He could have easily imagined it, but his keen ears and sharp senses made him sure that someone had just been spying on the camp.

Fox immediately left their area, searching for whoever (or whatever) had just been watching them. As he fled into the thickening jungle, he looked back at the clearing, hoping Falco and Dash would be safe. Fox turned his head forward, hearing a faint noise ahead of him. He charged forward, the sound of footsteps getting closer. After a few minutes or so, the noise stopped and Fox halted his pursuit. Panting, he took a look around himself. He was in a particularly dense part of the undergrowth.

BANG!

Suddenly, out of nowhere, there came of a puff of smoke and Fox was temporarily blinded from anything.

"What the h-! ", Fox stopped what he was saying as the smoke cleared to reveal a lone figure in front of him. The person, (at least it appeared to be a person of some sort), was clad in ragged bands of cloth wrapped around their body so that the only thing exposed was a pair of gleaming violet eyes.

Fox silently but hastily pulled out his blaster and kept it pointed at eye level toward the figure. Whatever it was, it didn't appear to be armed, but Fox didn't let his guard down.

"Who are you?" Fox stammered, clearly nervous, but his grip did not falter.

It was a moment before he, she, it, whatever, answered. When they finally spoke it was in a much muffled tone, as their mouth was covered, so their voice was barely understandable and completely indistinguishable in any sort of way.

"I am Kursed, a guardian of this planet. Who are you and why are you here with weapons?"

The reply threw Fox off guard. He did not expect any member of Aquas to be near their encampment, let alone recognize that they meant harm to a certain group taking refuge nearby.

"That is my business, but since you are so interested I guess I should tell you that one of my enemies is using your planet as a safe haven after committing grand theft as well as murder. I am sent here on Cornerian orders to take him into custody."

Fox waited for Kursed to start questioning him, but instead she turned around and sat on a nearby rock (Fox had a distinct impression that Kursed was female based on her figure). She then turned her head and stared at the sky. Fox slowly lowered his gun. This intelligent inhabitant of Aquas didn't seem to pose any threat, just concern.

After a minute or two of deep contemplation Kursed spoke, "I know who you are looking for, and where they are. But I must now ask, is this the only reason you are chasing them? To arrest them?"

Fox stiffened. He had kept trying to keep Krystal out of his mind, to fully immerse himself into the mission. Now he was reminded of her yet again, and his problem of facing her once more became apparent. What would he say? How could he possibly win her back?

"N-no . . . . . no, someone on Wolf's team . . . . . well, I made a mistake a long time ago with the most extraordinary person I've ever met. Her name is Krystal, and I don't know if she'll ever forgive me now . . ." That was when Fox launched into his life-long story about himself and Krystal, how they met, what they had been through, and his true reason for wanting to track down Star Wolf. He wasn't exactly sure why he was telling someone he had only known for a few seconds, but there was something comforting, something familiar about Kursed's attentiveness. The guardian was entirely still the whole time Fox talked, never speaking, never even blinking.

Fox finished, ". . . and now I don't know if she'll speak to me, because of the biggest, stupidest mistake I've made, and I've regretted ever since then." Fox sighed, out of breath. It must have been at least hours that he had been talking, and he was exhausted. After finally catching his breath, he muttered "I don't think I'm worthy enough to deserve her anymore."

Kursed stood up. Fox didn't look up at her. With a touch of conclusiveness in her tone of voice, Kursed said, "The people you are looking for are to the north, near the mountains." She then turned her back on Fox. "Sometimes the best gift a man can ever give a woman and recieve respite for is honesty. I am sure you won't have a problem with that." With those last words came another BANG! and she was gone in a puff of smoke as before. Fox wasn't sure how he knew, but he was under the impression that Kursed was grinning when she departed so mysteriously. Now he just stood there, pondering that single bit of advice she had left him.

Fox looked up, and with a shock realized that it was the break of dawn. He rushed back to the camp, hoping to find Falco and Dash unharmed. There was an enemy to be stalked, and a battle to be fought.

Another Author's Note: Yeah, yeah, I KNOW you already figured out Kursed's identity. Just because it's obvious to you doesn't mean it's obvious to Fox. ;-)

Extra points to anyone who can tell me where I got the idea for Kursed (not you though, Gala!)

Hint: It's Nintendo, but not just Star Fox Command.