(Let's rock 'n' roll)

Chapter 2

"Huff! Huff!"

The russet-gold fox ran further down the empty city street, desperate for any sign of his comrades.

"Team? Guys! Where are you?" the fur called out. No answers came. He was on his own, all by himself in a lifeless city.

"Where the hell are they?" he thought to himself.

As his endless sprint continued for a few more seconds, he thought he could see something in the distance. A blue figure, obviously running to him but so far off, the person's advance seemed very slow.

The vulpine sped up and started recognize the other. It was a fox as well, and a female, a long-time friend of his.

"Krystal!" he called out.

She looked to him and waved her arm up. "Fox! Over here!"

Before long, the two managed to close the distance between them, each grasping their knees as they sucked in much-needed air.

The cobalt vixen stood up to speak. "Fox, where have you-!"

Before her query could finish, she was interrupted by the sounds of several hissing snarls. Both looked around for any sign of the noise's source. From the dark alleys surrounding the two companions, several strange and vicious looking reptiles emerged, stalking the foxes like predators.

The blue female backed up to the other's backside, while the orange male did the same. They held up their fists, ready for a fight. The male looked around, feeling he had seen this spectacle somewhere before.

"Is this…the Krazoa test of Fear?" he asked himself, within his own mind. "No. This isn't it. There's no Krazoa here. What's going on?" he demanded, though none could provide an answer.

Suddenly, the raptor creatures lunged forward, pouncing towards the irate vulpine. "Back off!" he shouted as he ducked and flip kicked the lead raptor behind him. He immediately stood back, waiting for the next advance. "You ok Krystal? Krystal?"

When he received no answer, he turned to check her location. All he saw were several raptors eyeing him menacingly.

She was simply gone.

"What'd you fuckers do to her?" he demanded, his own fangs barring. He knew they couldn't answer, but he didn't care. He wanted answers, now.

His Jurassic audience merely hissed at him harshly.

He had lost all his patience. "Answer me!" As he shouted, he ran forward and attacked the prehistoric beasts head on. Some backed off as he tore wildly through their lines, striking in every direction he could.

Through all of his onslaught, the lone mammal noticed that some were merely watching the display. "What are they doing? Velociraptors are group hunters."

All the raptors on top of the fur immediately jumped off and began to regroup with the others. As he got up to charge again, they all suddenly lit ablaze, burning like a wild fire.

"What the-!"

The burning beasts gave one last chorus of growls before they rose into the air and disfigured into natural flames. The floating fires began to rush towards a central point and mold into a different shape, as if the fire was made of clay.

The new image was that of a giant, flaming fox's head. The demonic expression blazed madly as it unleashed a roar of primal fury. Menacingly, it looked back down to face the lone, much smaller fox. It's 'mouth' opened as its terrible demon voice uttered one simple word.

"Fox…."

The now identified Fox looked up at his flaming 'cousin'. "What are you?" he asked, now frightened by the immense being.

It didn't answer right away. It merely chuckled at the ignorance of the smaller being.

"You….."

Fox looked up to him, eyes wide and mouth open. His voice was gripped by fear, before he finally managed to speak.

"No!"

The flaming beast roared with laughter before it opened its mouth and unleashed a vast wave of burning flame upon Fox. He threw his arms up in futile defense from the blazing attack.

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

"NO!"

Fox bolted up from his bed in a panic. His mouth stood wide open as he breathed to calm his heart. It was thumping with the force of aerial explosions. As his chest and abdominals heaved up and down from the exchange of oxygen, the cold sweat on his body seeped down his perspiring body. He gripped his bed sheets as if to never let go.

After a few minutes, he began to calm down a little, slowly taking in the comfort of his familiar bearings. He put a hand to his streaked forehead and closed his eyes, trying to push the images out of his mind.

"Holy Kyuubi," he finally exclaimed. "That was a fuckin' nightmare."

Fox got out from his bed, clad in a black t-shirt and ash-gray sleeping shorts. He went to his private bathroom and turned on the sink to get some water in his face. He shook his head quickly to get the water out and checked his image in the mirror. Aside from the tired eyes, and his fur and shirt being darkened by the damp sweat, he looked ok. He was still young after all, by all means.

At the age of twenty-seven, Fox McCloud was still an active mercenary-for-benefit-of-public-good-hire, along with his crew of pilots and fellow elite mercenaries, the legendary team StarFox. The group had changed slightly since the time of the Lylat wars.

The current members were Fox of course, along with long-time friend and ace pilot Falco Lombardi, mechanical specialist and researcher Slippy Toad, and telepathic fighter and beauty, Krystal. The aged rabbit, Peppy Hare, had since retired from the squadron after the recent Aparoid threat, which had been thwarted by StarFox. He now spent his days working for the Cornerian Air Force.

Fox and his friends were currently enjoying some vacation time, since 'tis almost the season. They were currently staying at the team's house on Corneria, originally the McCloud family household. The beautiful two-story residence had been technically inherited by Fox when he was only seventeen. It's warm and comforting appearance both in and out seemed like the perfect place to spend Christmas with his friends, who were also his closest family.

Each member was staying in a different room on the second floor, Fox's being the furthest down the hall to the left. Just across from him was Krystal's room.

The nightmare seemed very insignificant as the warm thought of the vixen entered Fox's mind. Over the past few years, Fox was truly smitten over the beautiful young woman. He simply cursed himself for being as timid as he was. She continued to flirt lightly with him now and then, and all he still could do was stammer and just respond politely.

"Oh well. She's too perfect anyway. Best not get myself over-excited," he reminded himself.

The poor lovesick vulpine was making his way back to his bed, not before grabbing some fresh sheets from the closet. He thought of how he was going to get back to sleep, and thought of Krystal. "It would definitely help. Come one dude. Stop thinking about it."

There was then a light knock on his door.

"Fox? Are you all right? I thought I heard you yell something," spoke a gentle female voice.

McCloud smiled in bliss at her angelic voice. He'd trade his tail to wake up to that sound everyday. He then began thought of how to respond to her question.

"Aw it's nothin' Krystal. I'm fine. Thanks, though," he whispered from behind the door.

Things were quiet for a moment.

"I didn't even need my powers to see past that one," Krystal laughed to herself.

Fox would've joined in the humorous action, had it not been a stressful subject. "Yeah, I'm sorry. I guess I shouldn't try to put something past a psychic." He then noticed they were still divided by the entrance. "Oh uh…you can come in, if you want. I'm decent," Fox offered, hoping he didn't sound pathetic.

The doorknob turned slowly as Krystal entered the room, and quietly closed the door. She looked at him and smiled. "Hey."

Fox blushed, given the awkward circumstances. "Hey," he answered weakly. The tired fur took a seat on his bed and patted the space next to him. "Here. Have a seat," he said politely.

She nodded in thanks and sat next to him. The blue fur was wearing a pink tank-top and her white sleeping shorts. She had actually considered wearing her underwear to talk to him, just to tease him, but made the more ladylike decision.

"Anyway Fox, was something wrong?" she inquired sweetly.

"Eh…..nightmare," he answered, sheepishly. "Sorry if I woke you."

"No worries. I actually prefer these chances we get to talk," the girl answered with a bright smile. "And a nightmare, huh? Well nothing to worry about. It's only a kind of dream, right?"

Fox grinned. "Yeah I guess. It was just….well, it was really vivid. And it was almost symbolic. It was like some kind of omen nightmare like in a movie."

Krystal leaned against him and put her hand on his, which sat on his knee. "You and I have had some very similar experiences. If something's unnerving you, you can tell me about it. That's a special part of our relationship."

As her head now lay on his shoulder, he leaned his against hers. And without even trying, she had already made his night. "Well…I guess I could tell you. Some parts sound a little silly though, and you make an appearance."

She giggled at his remark. Oh, what Fox would give to hear that whenever he wanted. "Well seeing as how I was in it, now I have to know."

So Fox told her the entire dream, from start to finish; the city, their meeting up, the raptors, her disappearance and the strange flaming apparition. Krystal listened with captivated attention to every detail as she played out the pieces of the dream in her own mind.

The male of the two blushed after he finished. "Pretty silly after all, eh?"

Krystal eyed him suspiciously, thinking of all the details that he had just recited. "Actually no. If I were you, I would see it as rather ominous myself. Especially the part about the demon fox. You said you don't recall experiencing anything like the last one, right?"

"Definitely not," replied the curious McCloud. "Why?"

The vixen let out a hum as he sat in deep thought. "I don't know why, but something about that sounds somewhat familiar."

Fox's eyes widened. "You've seen a blazing vulpine?"

Krystal shook her head 'no'. "I would have remembered that. Still, why does that sound as though I've heard of it before?"

The male fur shrugged. "Well ya' know, you've linked our minds now and then to talk mentally. Could some of your memories maybe get mixed up with mind? I mean, if they could, and they were in my mind, then I'd be able to dream of them since they're in my memories, right?"

Krystal pondered the possibility. "It seems possible. Let's see now…" she spoke as she seemed to think of something.

"Ok let's see. Fox, a few nights ago, I had several dreams during the course of an evening. During one, Falco was celebrating his nineteenth birthday and was expecting a stripper to arrive. When the doorbell rang, he, along with all of you and some other furs, rushed to the door. He opened it up and was met with a cross-dressing male entertainer. The furs all around him, you included, stared laughing hysterically while Falco blushed so hard he turned crimson. Does that sound famil-!"

She was cut off as Fox stared dying of laughter on his bed. "HAHAHAHAHAHA! OOOOH SHIT!" He tried to settle down from the spasms. "Oh man, that was the best prank ever."

Krystal looked stunned. "Er…..then I guess that was a memory of yours."

"Yep. Me, Bill and Slippy decided to punk him that year. So we've proved that we can share memories. The remaining question is still how you have any memory of a blazing fox."

Krystal thought for a moment. "Indeed. I still can't come up with anything, though."

She let her chin rest against her fist as she tried to search her mind, before noticing that it was still late.

"Oh, Fox? Did you want to go back to sleep by chance. I don't want to keep you up."

Fox shook his head. "I'm good. Besides, I'd rather not risk another bad dream right away."

She rubbed his cheek with her hand. It flushed red as the warm blood rushed to his bashful face. "You're going to have to sleep again sooner or later," she whispered with a smile. "Might as well get it out of the way."

He smiled at her. "You're right. Sometimes a nightmare gets a good dream for a follow-up, after all."

Krystal patted his streak. "That's my captain. Maybe you'll dream of an exciting new mission. You never know," the cheerful vixen assured him.

Fox grinned. "Better yet, maybe I'll dream of you."

As soon as he had realized what came out of his mouth, the male fox's eyes widened in fear, and his hands jumped to clasp over his snout. "Fuck!" he mentally shouted at himself.

Still with his ashamed expression, Fox turned to see Krystal, looking modest and blushing beautifully at his remark. "I'm flattered," she giggled.

He swallowed a large gulp and rubbed the back of his neck. "I uh…er….that was a little embarrassing." In his mind, Fox sent every prayer he could to the good Lord, requesting that a lightning bolt kill him on the spot.

"I'm actually glad you said that," the vixen told him. "You know how to make me feel special."

Fox was about to say something bold again, but this time, he was intending to. "Well, Krystal, you are a special vixen."

He waited for a response, which he got. The only thing is that he was expecting it to be verbal. His heart started to race as he noticed Krystal's lips on his cheek; his first kiss.

"Thank you Fox," she whispered sweetly.

"Thank me? Thank you, Krys!" Fox laughed.

"You deserve it. I only wish I hadn't waited so long."

The two stood silent for a moment. Thinking of what had just happened. As long as there was an open opportunity, Fox realized he should probably take it.

"Krystal, can I tell you something? It's a little important."

She looked up at him curiously. "Sure thing, Fox. What is it?"

The vulpine took a deep breath, half-believing he was about to do what he about to do. "Kyuubi help me," he thought to himself.

"Krystal, I….well…Ok. Krystal, we've known each other for a few years now, and already, I'd say we're best friends."

"As would I," Krystal agreed.

Fox continued. "I don't know if I've either been discreet about it, or if I've made it more obvious than I wanted but…."

Fox was about to reveal his confession when his com-link bracelet started beeping from his desk.

He smacked his forehead while Krystal jumped, caught off-guard. "Sorry about that," he grunted. He reached over to pick up the device and pressed a button to flip the screen up. The small panel revealed the mechanical team member, ROB64.

"Sorry for the disturbance, Fox. Greetings also, Krystal," the droid said as kindly as his programming would allow.

"Good evening, Robert," Krystal greeted him nicely.

Fox eyed her awkwardly. "Robert?"

Krystal shrugged. "I think it sounds cute," she laughed.

ROB's synthesized voice brought them back to focus. "Fox. There is a message from General Pepper. Code Green situation, currently active. Please Report to Air Force base. ROB out."

Fox tossed the compact accessory into his laundry basket. "Well, things have been a little quiet lately."

Krystal stood up and stretched. "I'm going to go change before we see talk to Pepper. It's a shame really."

The captain looked to his crewmate, confused. "I thought you liked missions."

She turned and sat back down next to him. "Oh I do. It's just…"

"Just…..?" Fox continued, waiting for her to finish.

She leaned her snout to his large ear and whispered.

"If we could've gone back to sleep, I thought you might've need some company to help with your dreams."

She gave him quick kiss on the cheek and shot him a naughty smile before hopping out of the room.

Fox fell back on his bed, looking stupidly at the ceiling.

"A nightmare……….and a dream come true. Oh well, back to work."

He threw on a pair of pants and boots and made his way to the wake up the team, ready for his next adventure.