Chapter 2: Kursed……

The young vixen clutched her heart; her lungs burned and she was bleeding terribly from a wound in her shoulder. She quickly flattened her back against a wall. Where she stopped to catch her breath, she was breathing heavily, there was no telling how long she'd been running, by now she must have run all over the city. She hadn't bothered to stop to check to see if the one's in white were still chasing her, before rushing off yet again. There was no chance she could have gone back. She saw them dragging Fox's body away from the tower; she finally stopped when she found herself far from the tower. Fox had always told her that if something should ever happen to him, she was to run to the star port and go to Sauria, apparently where she'd be safe. Nobody went to Sauria and it would give her time to sort things out. It was as she finally leaned against her personal Arwing that she sniffled wiping a mess of tears away from her face…

Her mind instantly went back to what had happened; Slippy was with her when they'd heard the first gunshot, however as they ran to meet Fox something hit her…a bullet that was possibly still in her shoulder. She tried to see who it was that was shooting at her but, before she could realize anything, Slippy had taken her paw and was quickly leading her through the tower. They stopped for a moment, before a dark figure appeared behind them. It all happened so fast that she didn't even have time to read anyone's minds in the room. The figure shot at her, but, Slippy knocked her through the window of the tower…the last thing she remembered hearing was the water when she hit. She had no idea what was going on, just that someone had come and was waiting in the tower for the entire team to be together before they struck…she was certain that it was some kind of hitman, hired by one of the many enemies that Star Fox had that Fox had been forever informing her about. She didn't want to do it but, there had to be a reason why it was Fox had told her to go to Sauria if something were to happen to the team, and so the lonely vixen climbed into her Arwing and did as Fox had told her so often. She felt as though she'd never stop crying; Fox, Peppy, and Falco were gone…and Slippy had given his life to save the young vixen. Her overwhelming feelings of sorrow, and desperation slowly melded together as the ship broke into the small planet's atmosphere, molding a burning feeling she'd never known before. It burned deep within the recesses of her soul, in places she'd never really know before; a rage and anger that forced her teeth to clench tightly, actually hurting her jaw. Though her tears still made her vision blur…however, her mind seemed to shift, though she still cried for her friends, and her loss the majority of her mind went red. She wanted blood, for the people that had done this to pay, and would get it at any cost…

******

Three years later……

Planet Katina, Varner City

A small tavern in a run down neighborhood…

******

The city had fallen, without the aid of the Star Fox team the military didn't stand a chance against the remaining Venomian forces that invaded the Lylat system; they came in droves, and in the end the general was given no alternative option but, to surrender for the good of all the innocent lives that would be lost were he to resist. General Pepper's execution was made public to dampen the hopes of any that thought to stand against Andrew's new gained authority…the Trinity Accord ceased to be, ties were broken between Lylat and it's sister star systems. The cities were to pay a steep price…most of Katina was leveled, cities were set to burn, when Andrew caught wind of the Katinans' plans to fight back…his retribution was swift. Nobody in Katina City was spared, men, women, children……there was no quarter given, the city would be made a prime example of. It had been such a short time since she'd last been here, the owner of the bar was a nice fellow named Zig; he was an interesting person, managing to believe that one day Star Fox would come to their rescue. The bar always seemed to smell horrible, a rancid mixture of urine, vomit, and the putrid stench of the cowardice radiating from the militiamen that sat in the bar drowning their fears and sorrows. She stopped at the message board next to the door; this was a place where any odd jobs would be posted, any call for a bounty hunter would be posted here. It was as she ran a claw over the lines of a job that looked promising that she however noticed a small wanted poster and quickly pulled it from the board. It was a photo of a young vixen with pale white fur; in the image she wore her hair back in a long ponytail, and wore something like a tank top, that stopped just shy of her left breasted before cutting diagonally across her abdomen where it joined with her beltline; a long cloth hung from her black belt, which covered her entire left leg down to the knee, while the other leg was only covered by a pant leg that led half way down her thigh, she wore heavy shin high boots and thick fingerless gloves, and propped against her shoulder was a unique weapon that most people in Lylat were not used to seeing at all…a long golden shaft, roughly five feet long, with a long curved blade sprouting from one end…nobody knew why she carried a Scythe of all things but, the one looking at the poster understood perfectly well as her light blue eyes developed a glint of success…

"They try too hard." She said to herself.

A bit flattered that they were still looking for the so called "Angel of Death" the vixen had made herself out to be. The vixen made a mental note of the sum on the face of the poster. Two hundred fifty thousand credits…more than enough money to make an entire family very happy for a very long time. With a light sigh, she entered the bar; there were only four animals inside besides the old lizard behind the bar; one red furred vixen serving drinks, a raccoon sitting at a solo table, and a black feathered avian in the back of the area talking with a strange animal that hid his face behind a black, wide brimmed hat. The white vixen approached the bar and placed her wanted poster on the counter. The iguana rubbed his scaly green mitts together in a dry towel…

"I know what you're gonna say Kursed…" He said, "There was nothing I could do they were threatening to shut my bar down. This place is my home too you know?"

Kursed sighed, "Yeah, Zig. Just keep this short and sweet I think I have someone tailing me." She said turning her eyes alone toward the door.

Zig produced a small brown folder, "It's not much but, I figured you could use the cash."

Kursed sifted through the files one by one, and sighed as she held one of the pages, "Bodyguard? I hate these jobs."

"Well you've made one hell of a name for yourself." The reptile replied, "People all around the Lylat system, either want you to work for them or wanna kill you."

The white furred vixen chuckled, "I think I prefer it when they wanna kill me." She said, "Gimme my usual before I go." She said sitting there for a moment staring at her wanted poster before the iguana behind the bar sat a small glass of clear liquid in front of her.

"It's a good picture this time at least." He chuckled.

The vixen downed the drink and lay the glass on the table, "Yeah…last one didn't even look like me." The vixen lay a small bit of money on the counter which the barkeep kindly rejected.

"You think I can start forcing people to pay me for water?" He asked.

The lovely creature stood up stretching her back, "With the way things look, you may have to pretty soon." She said, "You hear about that last senator they caught?"

The reptile simply shook his head, "Yeah. Him, his wife, two daughters, and his son…found he was a member of the resistance, wiped his whole existence off the map."

"Any luck with that information I asked you for?" She suddenly changed the subject.

Zig sighed leaning in close to her, "Listen…" He whispered, "I did a lot of digging on that. Apparently the McCloud job was hit off by some real pros." He said sliding a small folder to her, "They call themselves "The Wraiths"…some old terminology, kind of ghost or something. Now these guys are good……beyond good, in fact according to historical records they don't even exist."

Kursed slid a small photo from within the small portfolio; it was of an animal who's muzzle was all that could be seen from beneath a light gray hood, which matched the uniform he wore. It was tight, and was held tight by a thick leather belt across his abdomen; it's coat hung down past the animal's knees, small cut outs in the cloth made for easier running and gave it several tails of cloth that hung down around his legs. He wore slightly baggy pants that matched, and wore thick leather boots…

"Unfortunately there's no way of telling where they are or how to find them."

The reptile was certain that the vixen was on the verge of staring a hole in the photo that rested in her paw, "This is them." She half whispered, "I know it is. I've seen one of them before."

******

Three years ago……

******

The gunshot that rose across the Den was enough to cause Krystal's fur to stand on end; it had come from in front of the tower, where she recalled them leaving Fox. The vixen quickly rushed through the halls picking up Slippy along the way. However, as the two headed toward the elevators a strange figure seemed to appear from the shadows; dressed in a white, hooded uniform. She was both surprised and shocked as her arm was jerked nearly dragging her off her feet as Slippy quickly took her paw and rushed off into a sealed off room. The vixen couldn't really believe what was going on as she felt her heart pounding out of her chest, which matched in tune with the throbbing in her shoulder from the unusually bulky little reptile's death hold on her. She'd always thought the little mechanic was just portly for his size, her mind was instantly changed. It was as they entered another room that the vixen instantly froze; the stranger was already there aiming an archaic pistol at her. She could already feel the burning in her chest from the bullet, she knew it was coming. A million different things rushed through her mind all at once; why this was happening, all the things that she was yet to do in her life, as well as all the things that remained unsaid…

The shot sounded like thunder, but, surprisingly enough there was no pain. She instantly thought she'd stumbled only to find a bleeding Slippy trying his hardest to fight back to his feet; his little hand covering a small wound that seeped blood from his chest. The vixen instantly covered her mouth; Slippy had seemed like the last person to take a bullet for anyone…

"Slippy…" She whispered with tears in her eyes.

Suddenly the assassin drew his aim back to the vixen; this time however instead of gunfire the only sound she heard was that of a screaming toad, and shattering glass. The team's mechanic had lunged at her again, this time heaving the young vixen through the window that lay only a foot or so to her right sending her careening off into the lake water's below. It felt like forever before the vixen rolled onto her back coughing up mess of water before rolling onto her paws and knees, heaving and gagging as her body desperately expelled the water that she'd nearly drown on. With tears in her eyes the vixen looked back across the lake where the tower looked much smaller, and reached out with her mind desperately grasping out in a hopeful attempt to latch onto the minds and thoughts of one of her friends. However, the only thing she received, was the frightening silence of her own mind, and the sight of her new home engulfed in flames. She screamed out loud for her friends but, in the end nothing could be done…

******

Present day……

******

Kursed quickly sat up from her dead sleep, before recoiling at the feeling of her head colliding with the overhead panels of her small ship. She was breathing heavily, and was drenched in sweat. Not one day had gone by since it had happened that the nightmares didn't haunt her sleep. She slowly lay back in her seat; and drew her eyes shut, cursing herself for not being able to stop what had happened, for being weak. Opening her eyes, she knew better than to expect to see the stars and blackness of space, she had no idea why she'd fallen asleep in her Arwing while it was docked in her small transport's docking bay. With the powerful sent of sweat that filled the cockpit of her Arwing, it took the vixen only moments to make her way off to her small bathroom to wash the smell out of her fur…

The hot water that ran over her body gave her no comfort, as she remembered that it used to when she still has something worth feeling happy about. She didn't stand, instead the vixen simply sat leaning against the far wall of her shower with her head resting on her knees. Not a day went by since the attack three years ago that she didn't cry, crying seemed like all she could do for her friends anymore. She tried her hardest to be the stone cold bounty hunter she'd made herself out to be, but, when she was alone, there was nobody for her to waste her reputation on…just herself, and a handful of memories and broken dreams. She wasn't certain how long she'd been sitting there before the water went from hot, to warm, to freezing. She stepped out of the shower wrapping herself in a long towel…

"ROB!" She called, "Where are we?"

Suddenly a familiar voice echoed into the room from the PA system, "Prantella outer aerospace. Geosynchonized orbit obtained at 2100 hours GST."

"How long have I been in here?" She asked herself.

"Captain's shower unit has been active approximately 2 hours 15 minutes 44 seconds."

The vixen wiped her eyes, she still felt as if she could feel the tears running down her face, despite the fact that there was too much water from her shower to tell. She sniffled a bit before walking out into her room; just as blank and devoid as she had left it. She didn't want any mementos of the old team , her telepathic mind was a unique tool in most cases; however, it was through this that she gained a sort of photographic memory of things, and it was her memories of the team that truly pushed her toward the breaking point. The worst thought however, was that she had been given every opportunity to tell Fox about the blossoming feelings that she'd began to feel toward him, and now……she would never have the chance to do so. It was this thought above all others that drove her man, so many "what if" scenarios played out in her mind that it often made her want to get drunk just to wash the thoughts away…only to recall that she had literally no tolerance for alcohol. She kept herself busy with constant jobs as a bounty hunter to stave off the constant barrage of thoughts and memories, while at the same time hoping that one day, one of jobs would bring her across the people that had ruined her life again. She couldn't even remember how long ago it'd been since she'd dyed her fur white to mix in with the patterns on her arms and legs…a blue vixen was unheard of in Lylat, however, a white one was rare, but relatively overlooked. She slowly made her way down the gloomy halls of her small ship, stopping at a moderately small kitchen area before leaving it with a small mug of coffee. It was shortly after she had joined the Star Fox team that she'd become slightly dependant of the caffeine rich drink to wake up; then again Slippy was the only person she never really saw drink any in the mornings. The vixen sighed as she walked through the halls, stopping to look through a small port window; it seemed that no matter what she did throughout her day, she was constantly reminded of Fox more than anything else, even the dim green glow of the small moon that her ship orbited reminded her of his eyes…

"ROB…" She called, "Start decent……activate the hack protocol for docking."

"Affirmative…" ROB's monotone voice replied over the PA system.

The ship shook a bit, causing a small wave to surge through her mug of coffee, sending a small bit of it cascading over the edge, as the small ship broke synchronized orbit with the planet. The vixen quickly lurched her mug around ahead of the liquid that had spilled over allowing it to fall perfectly back into her mug. She looked at her reflection in the surface of the liquid with a smug grin; she knew Fox would have been impressed with how far her abilities had matured in a span of three simple years, but, it was in those three years that she'd been forced to hone them to a razor's edge. She sighed shaking her head…

"I've got to get that left port stabilizer fixed." She said to herself.

The vixen wondered as she sat there, how long would she have to keep searching, before finding the animals that had ruined what could have been a start for a complete and happy new life for her? She'd often thought of going back to Sauria where she'd spent a good portion of those three long years alone…she often wondered what Katt was doing at the moment…she'd really enjoyed being around the feline after meeting her, after Fox had introduced the two they became very close friends. However, as many times as Krystal attempted to contact her…she could never reach the pink feline. It was hard at times for her to imagine Katt still living out there…with all her friends gone, the feline was the type to seek revenge, even at the cost of her own life. The vixen managed to shake off her heart's impulse to cry at the constant memories that the thoughts caused to rush through her head and slowly turn her attention to the small planet as her ship broke atmosphere. She could scarcely see the tiny town she was to land in; however, she'd been here before. The small 'dust town' was called Hope of all names. Hope……she nearly laughed at the word in general, why someone would name a town after something that didn't even exist…it was ridiculous. Soon, however she set down near the end of the tiny town; despite the planet's green appearance, the place she landed was a small wasteland, not quite desert but, still lacking in general life. The only real means of life found were a well that drew water from a small underground spring in the area, and a garden tended by the townspeople some local wildlife that the residences had clearly discovered were edible were kept in small stables near several small wooden dwellings, apparently they weren't very harmful. The town consisted of a single street, roughly a mile or so long, with small structures on one side of the other; some of the homes were quite well built, small wooden homes constructed by people that most likely had a past as a carpenter of some kind in the past. While other small homes were, nothing but the ships people came here in. The massive road that she now stood in was carved into the dry, arid soil by a crashed mass transport ship that had ran from one of Andrew's attack ships at the beginning of his attacks, even some of the remains of the massive transport were used in some roughly constructed dwellings. As the white furred vixen walked along the lonesome street she noticed a pair of young wolf cubs playing with a ball that was composed of stitched up patches of leather…she slowly approached the two only to have them recoil…

"You two know where I could find Doctor Zang?" She asked managing the first actual smile she'd worn in a long time.

The young female of the two took a step toward the half bent over vixen, "You-you're Kursed." She pointed, "Mama talks about you all the time. Are you really gonna stop the bad people so we can go home?"

Kursed sighed, "I'm trying…" She said half heartedly, "Right now I need to talk to the doctor. Have you seen him recently…he's kinda short; a panda if my sources are right."

The young male of the two approached laying his arm over the little girl's shoulders, "He lives just past the hall Papa's helping build at the end of the town." He said pointing down the street, "He's really weird and just about half blind…but, he's smart. He built the machine that pulls water out of the ground out of the spare parts from the crash."

The young male was clearly the elder of the two, "Thank you." Kursed smiled handing out a small bit of money.

The little she wolf took a small metal coin, "What's this for?"

"We don't use money here." The little once that was clearly her older brother said.

The vixen smiled, "How about these then?" She chuckled pulling a pair or her favorite snacks from her back pocket, she knew how rare chocolate was here, "Just be thankful…they're my last two."

The two very happily took her new payment for the information and ran off back to their game. Kursed sighed as she watched the two play around kicking their ball around while eating their small reward; it was so easy to please a child. Her maternal instincts painfully reminded her of a small dream she often had of having several of her own. Often picturing her life were this all to have never happened. She smiled at the two, they were incredibly cute and innocent, it was hard to believe that she could find children this carefree amongst all this tyranny. The young male smiled and waved to her which she kindly responded to before placing her paws in her pockets and heading off down the long street. If there was anything that could brighten her rather grim outlook on life, it had to be children. She lost sight of the two shortly after walking a distance into the small town; she could almost feel the eyes of the townspeople roaming about her, sizing her up and trying desperately to make heads or tails of her as she slowly made her way down the roads. Kursed only imagined what it was she must have looked like, a white furred vixen, dressed in all white, carrying a scythe of all things on her back. She chuckled inwardly at herself for actually stopping to acknowledge what others might actually think about the way she looked, when she stopped caring so long ago. Her path down the street was a shorter one than she'd at first thought; before she reached a large wooden structure, clearly the building that the young wolf cub had told her about, a number of animals moved about working on the large building. There was no doubt that the building just a short ways down the street further must have been the doctor's place, as it had a sign reminiscent of a pharmaceutical store; a capitol R, with an x across it's elongated leg. She stopped before the entrance and rose her fist…

"No need to knock miss…" A voice quickly called, "Please come in."

Looking about for a moment, in the case that someone was watching, she entered the place. The strong smell of herbs and other random medical items and chemicals made her eyes water a bit; she quickly closed the door behind her…

"How did you……."

"Know it was you Miss?" The voice asked, "I may be a bit more than half blind, but, my other senses are far from average. Please come into the back."

Kursed slowly stepped through the place, her mind on end keeping her telepathy constantly scanning her surroundings, however the animal inside was clearly blocking her mind somehow. The place was simple enough; there were several small shelves of medical salves and such, while there was no counter but, instead a small round table of wood, where behind there was a doorway covered by a light red cloth…

"Please sit down Kursed." The animal called from the back room, "I will be with you shortly…I am afraid I must get my effects in order." He said allowing her to sit where she noticed a small teapot and matching ceramic cups.

She sniffed the contents of the pot, it was not an unpleasant smell…

"I tried my hardest to grow my own tea leaves…" The animal in the back said, "However, my results have been……unsatisfactory."

Kursed sighed as she lay back in her seat, "Thank you…" She replied, "I'll pass."

"You are uncertain how to react to one you cannot instantly read…" The doctor said, causing the vixen to pause, "I cannot say that I blame you. I too was that way once…" As he said this a slightly short panda stepped out from beyond the curtain, "…but, once you learn to read beyond the mind you can see things about others that even they themselves may not see clearly."

The animal carried a small box with him and sat across from the vixen; he wore a strange garb, a long elegantly crafted robe embroidered with golden sections that resembled bamboo birds. He was much thinner than the panda's she'd met before, thought she'd met very few, and had a funny sort of mustache, which was very long and thing hanging down the sides of his muzzle; he wore a very small pair of round glasses…

"I can see why it is you need a guard." She said lightly as he grunted sitting across from her.

The old panda laughed, "I will admit that I am far more on in years than I would like to admit." He said, "I am happy to see that you are so very prompt."

Kursed sighed, "If my clients aren't happy I don't get paid."

"Hmm…" The old panda hummed, "Is that truly why you accept such strange jobs for a known bounty hunter? Or is it because you are looking for something yourself?"

Kursed simply gave the old man a very strong glare…

"I meant nothing by it Miss." He explained, "Simply making observations…I sometimes do that."

Kursed sighed, "This isn't a social call Mister Zang."

"Indeed it is not…" He replied, "I wish you to escort me somewhere." He said tapping the wooden box in front of him, "I am to deliver the contents of this box to a client of mine…you see I deal in illegal surgical advancements for the physically challenged."

Kursed scoffed, "You mean you deal in Neural Links." She pointed out, "I'm far from stupid Mister Zang."

"This animal that I am to deliver this piece to…" He said, "I will admit is an important person. Due, however, to this animal's importance…and infamous nature. I cannot release to you his name or nature."

Kursed sighed, "Where are we taking it?" She asked.

The panda sighed, "We will take your ship." She sighed, "A small planet inside the Stygian System. It is a very rural place, where very few animals actually live, this makes it a grand location for the many customers that I have that wish to have Link enhancements installed."

"Why do you need my protection then?" The vixen asked.

Zang sighed, "Unfortunately, like here…on this planet. There are people on this planet in Stygian that would rob me of this Link for sell on the black market. I would tell you who my customer is, but, you are typically a mercenary, and there is no telling for whom you may work next." He said, "So you will escort me to my lab there on Virranas. There you will be paid and your services will no longer be required."

The vixen thought for a moment as she sat there, "How much?"

"Six hundred thousand." He said, "And if there is anything else that I can help you with…I will."

Kursed thought for a moment, "Hmmm…sounds good enough. At least the money will pay for a new stabilizer for my ship."

"Well then…" Zang replied, "I suppose we've reached an understanding?" He asked extending his paw in friendship.

The vixen sighed, "I suppose we do." She replied shaking his paw, "Should we leave right away, or do you need more time?"

"I have everything I need…" The doctor replied, "You can lead the way to your ship at any time."

******

Kursed was happy to, once again, be aboard her ship…it was the one place where she felt she belonged anymore. Her ship only had one spare room, the others were used as a training room, since the small transport didn't have it's own, and a storage facility for her weapons and other assorted gear. The vixen however was slightly annoyed, as she knew her trip to Stygian would take some time, and with an unfamiliar animal aboard her ship. She was certain he was no particular harm in any way, she simply did not like the idea of him invading her only means of sanctuary. The hours of their first day of travel seemed well off enough, however, the panda that she transported seemed to stick to himself, while at times simply roaming about the ship, examining this and that for no particular reason. It was late afternoon the second day when Kursed was busy in her docking bay repairing her only Arwing, when the doctor walked slowly in……

"I she you attempt to busy yourself with manual labor to offset your emotions." He said causing the vixen to slip her grip banging her knee with a wrench.

The vixen hobbled for a moment hissing in pain, "What are you talking about old man?" She demanded.

The panda sighed as he walked in no general direction, "You work alone, and yet your ship is the cleanest I have ever seen, even when I was a Naval Medic for a Cornerian ship." Zang pointed out, "You now busy yourself with a fighter that is not in need of any repairs or maintenance." He half smiled, "You try far too hard to hide your feelings from yourself my dear."

Kursed looked to the old panda, "You're not just some old man…" She said, "What the hell are you?"

Zang chuckled lowly, "I am……just an old man." He said, "However, like you I have heard the thoughts and feelings of others around me since I was very young. Telepathy is not nearly as rare an ability as you might believe."

"You've been in my head?" She demanded.

The doctor sighed, "I feel that I much apologize. But, in your mind I see such a bright, loving young lady. May I ask what happened to……Krystal?"

Kursed simply looked to the ship lowering her head, "……she died. I can't afford to be that person anymore…she was weak…the weak die, and I can't afford to die, not yet."

"Revenge?" The panda asked, "Is that what keeps you alive?"

The vixen suddenly threw her wrench to the ground, "You're getting way to nosey old man." She growled.

"I apologize…" Zang said, "You see…my wife, she was killed when Katina was invaded. I managed to get to the evacuation ships that were being sent off of the planet. She had a magnificent spirit." He said, "You see, she would go out of her way to help anyone that she was certain needed her help…even if that person did not want her assistance, she would make certain that said person would have the knowledge that they could come to her for help." He said with a smile to the white furred vixen, "I extend this same offer to you……as well as any other animal, in her name."

Kursed sighed…

"Mia…she had this saying…" He said, "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. But, today is a gift, that is why it is called the present."

The vixen thought for a moment, "Do……" She paused, "What do you know about something called The Wraiths?"

The old man mused, "Hmmm……this information would help you in some way?"

Kursed turned to him, "More than you'll ever know."

The panda looked at her for a moment and his short smile slowly shifted to a saddened look, "They took him from you." He said, "I see…" He added standing and heading out of the room, "My client on Virranas, he is very well informed…I will gather what information I can from him."

Kursed kept her face turned toward her fighter in hopes that the animal would not see the tears in her eyes, "If you can get any information……I'll drop my fee."

"I will do what I can." The old bear replied as he slowly moved out of the docking bay.

******

Another day slunk by in hyperspace, and Kursed still kept herself busy just as the old bear had said, mainly with manual labor of some kind. She found that the trip was not as plain as she'd have though, it seemed to pass relatively quickly though there was an awkward moment or two in which the doctor had found her, wrapped in the overbearing weight of her sorrows. She found it odd however, he never said anything when he had found her crying, he would simply sigh and leave her to herself. Perhaps he was simply showing enough respect to leave her be, or simple was afraid to bother her; either way about it, he had managed to leave her be until the day they reached the planet Virranas. At one time Virranas was a shining example of Lylatian influence in the Stygian system, a Utropolis, a planetary city. One of the only three in the former Trinity Accord. Kursed looked out over the massive city as the automated landing systems that had been programed into ROB took over, slowly taking the ship down into the hanger they had reserved. Luckily not all of Andrew's influences had reached out this far…Stygian was still it's own star system and there was no full control over anyone or anything there. The city itself was split among three parts; upper, middle, and lower city. The upper city was located roughly a mile or so above ground, while middle city, and lower city culminated the area beneath; lower city was were they were headed. It was a place where nobody would ever look for them, and most of all, it was dangerous. The place seemed to soak up all the pollution from the other two tiers of the city, it was where anyone could get anything done for the right price……

Kursed was amazed at how quickly the panda was willing to take the tram down to the lower parts of the city. The tram was no more than a monorail train that ran along a spiral track leading down through middle and lower city. It was sitting there in that small car of the tram that the white furred vixen could see and hear how things went in the city. Animals of all sorts, and backgrounds grouped together, she could hear all sorts of thoughts; shameful, sorrowful, hopeful, lustful……it was the same no matter where she went in modern civilization. People didn't think about each other anymore, only of themselves. There were several young males in the back of this very car. She could hear their devious thoughts, chatting softly amongst themselves about attacking and raping some young female they'd passed boarding the tram. The pale furred vixen looked over the small crowed; it was a young wolf, rather stout, strong looking, and his two friends, a young black furred panther, and a green feathered avian. She glared in their direction before looking back to the panda. They reminded her of Star Wolf, had the avian been a chameleon it would have fit them all perfectly. The vixen ran a paw over a flap of cloth that hung from her neck, it was a long cloak to keep her weapon from being too obvious. It was as the tram stopped it's first time that she stepped aside to allow a small group of animals to go by; one being a young, fairly attractive little minx girl with golden colored fur and hair. Followed by the three that Kursed had noticed. She was conflicted, until a paw touched hers causing her to look to the doctor……

"Go…" He half whispered, "I will stay on the tram and wait for you to return."

Without a second thought the vixen rushed out the door; her mind was still locked on to the young wolf's. His thoughts disgusted her to no end, she'd seen the same sort of thoughts toward her far too many times…and foiled an attempt or two as well. Middle city was much more like upper city, than anything else, it was simply cast in the eternal shadow of the city above. It was understandable that the predators would look to victimize someone here. It was far too easy for someone to find a decent hiding place here…where they could get away with just about whatever they wanted. The wolf she still kept a lock on; he was young, and completely out of control of his own hormones, along with a strange thirst he had for blood…he not only had mind to rape the young minx they were following……he had plans of killing her as well. Kursed looked over the side of the catwalk that she followed the young triad of animals along; it looked down into lower city over a protective railing. The catwalks were like floating sidewalks over the heads of the people and city far below. She had thoughts of simply tossing them over the railing and watching them scream to the ground nearly a mile below. The three would never see her coming, she would be gone long before they ever even had the notion to turn around. When the three were free, or at least thought they were, the young wolf made his move. He was like some sort of snake, they'd clearly planned this out. He quickly lurched up behind the young minx pulling her into a small service area between two buildings. It happened so fast that Kursed was hardly able to believe it, however, as soon as the other two followed behind him, she was quick to follow in step. The young wolf had his paw wrapped around the golden furred girl's muzzle while holding a knife to the side of her neck. The only thing that really drew the three drooling beasts' attention away from their prize, was the sound of footsteps behind them. The wolf's attention was the main one she wanted at the moment and she got it……

"Who the fuck are you!?" He demanded, "Always room for one more!"

Kursed slowly dropped the cloak that hid her attire and weapon, "Promises, promises." She replied slowly pulling her Scythe.

The black feline of the tree instantly stepped away from his friends with a horrified look on his face……

"Niki what the fuck is your problem?!" The wolf demanded.

The feline stumbled over a trash can barely catching himself, "Kursed……" He muttered, barely loud enough for the others to hear.

The minx looked to her with worried, yet pleading eyes……

"Listen…" The panther Niki said, "I never wanted any of this, this was all D's idea." He pleaded backing against the wall.

Kursed turned an accusing eye to him before looking to his friends, he was telling the truth, "Go home boy." She whispered, "You don't need to see this."

As the panther rushed off, the others looked to Kursed, "Hah." The wolf scoffed, "Kursed? I don't see what the big deal is. Just another bitch to me." He said, "Tony…" He said looking to his avian friend, "Handle the "so called" bounty hunter."

Kursed's eyes turned to the avian as he reached into his small blue vest producing a small blaster, which he proceeded to aim in the white vixen's direction. However, all she did in reprisal was glare angrily at him. The avian looked to his wing with a horrified look on his face; the weapon and his wing seemed to both twist toward his wolf friend…

"Tony! What the fuck are you doing!?" He shouted.

Tony struggled against his moving arm, even attempting to use his other arm as a means of forcing it to comply, "I-I-I-It's n-not me." He shouted, "This bitch must be doing it!"

The wolf looked to Kursed only to see her wearing a smug grin……

"Let 'im go or the bitch dies." He shouted placing an emphasis on the knife in his paw.

Kursed thought for a moment resting her paw on her thigh…

"Are you really this desperate……Damion?" She asked causing the wolf to look at her in surprise that she knew his name, "None of the men I've ever know are so pathetic as to need to rape someone to get laid. Then again, maybe you'd be just as disappointing if she wasn't being forced."

The wolf growled in anger before a silver blur shot by knocking the knife from his paw. He screamed out throwing the young minx to the ground, who quickly rushed toward her pale furred savior only to have her arm caught by the avian, who's other wing was impaled by a small straight shaft of metal, which had clearly robbed him of his weapon. He now however found himself with the curved blade of a scythe about his neck…

"This is your last chance." She warned him as the young minx stood behind her shaking, "Trust me when I say that I'm not into repeating myself."

The avian looked to the wolf behind him, while keeping a clear eye on the blade at his throat, "D……I-I'm sorry man." He said cradling his heavily bleeding wing, "But, this is too much. I'm not letting my mom bury my ass for this stupid shit." He said looking back to Kursed, "I-I'm sorry……just let me get to a hospital, okay?"

Kursed glared at him, "Don't apologize……just get out of my sight."

As the avian left the small alleyway, the wolf took the moment to go on an offensive, lunging at the white furred vixen with his claws bared. Kursed's motion wasn't to move herself, rather she tripped the young minx causing her to fall back against the wall and out of harms way. The young Lupine's claws cleanly grazed the side of Kursed's cheek, leaving three small trails of blood behind. Before his feet could even touch the ground, the vixen's leg slammed into his knee, sending him spinning sideways. Just as he spun into an upside down position, the vixen reached out with a forceful overhand punch; her fist connected between his legs, before driving his skull into the hard ground under foot. The young minx took the opportunity to stand up, she'd never seen a female fight so ferociously. The motions that Kursed had made were such that, the few times she did attack…the minx did not even see it……

"Are you alright?" Kursed asked looking to her.

The minx nodded, "Yo-you're hurt."

Kursed ran a paw over the injury on her cheek, a simple scratch compared to others, "Don't worry. I heal fast." She said, "You're not hurt?"

The minx looked herself over before pulling the strap of the tank top she'd been wearing up, covering her revealed breast, "Ruined my favorite shirt…and broke my bra, but, I'm okay." She replied, "Thank you."

"Don't mention it." Kursed replied pulling a blaster from a holster behind her back, "Here…" She said tossing it to the minx, "Learn how to use it. Pretty girl like you needs to know how to defend herself." She said walking away, "You should head home now."

The minx looked to the unconscious wolf laying in the alley, "What about him?"

"Call the cops, kill him…your choice." The vixen replied.

It wasn't long after Kursed got back to the tram that it stopped at the station; she quickly boarded it and sat next to the old panda that waited for her……

"The Kursed that I have heard talk of was not nearly so caring." Zang said in a low tone.

Kursed looked out the window with a sigh, "People say what they want……I could care less."

"I can see that…" The panda replied with a smile, "Can you honestly convince yourself of the same?"

Kursed sighed, "Just shut up old man."

The panda chuckled as he looked away…

******

Kursed was getting impatient; she'd been left sitting in an empty room in a run down old building for so far, just over four hours and she was beginning to regret telling Doctor Zang that she'd wait for him…but, the information he'd promised her in place of money was more than she could simply pass up. She sat by simply making certain that her thoughts were only of her job to keep from letting her thoughts wander. She wondered what the deal was with this animal the doctor was working on; he must have been someone important if the panda was so certain that he'd have the kind of information that she needed. The light furred vixen sighed as she looked about the room; the place smelled pretty bad for what Zang called a Doctor's Office, but, then again what he was doing was illegal so such a grungy place was probably his best option, it was a rather small building, tucked away in the middle of a back street that seemed pretty devoid of life, it was clear that this place was only known by the people that knew the good doctor. The rustic little building's interior was rather drab, with empty bottles and such…empty cans scattered the floor along with old newspapers and some other things she was not so sure of. The building was clearly some sort of; hotel or apartment complex of some kind, as there was a receptionist's desk in front of her, however it was just like most of the rest of the building, it was black, like it had at some point been on fire. The vixen let out a long winded sigh, before a door opened allowing a dark gray furred Coyote to step out; he was wearing a patch over his left eye, and a light green vest and cargo pants, followed by the doctor……

"Ah…" He said, "I apologize miss. This is Akuba Reiko."

The Coyote extended his paw graciously, "Most people call me Reiko." He said simply lowering his paw as it was clear she wanted nothing to do with it, "Zang told me you were looking for someone…since you escorted him here I guess that means I owe you…"

Kursed pulled the photo that Zig had given here and handed it to Reiko, "These people killed someone very important to me. I've been looking for them for some time and this is the closest I've gotten so far."

Reiko studied it closely, the vixen noted that there was something about the way he was looking at the photo, "I've heard of these guys." He said, "They're good…assassins, lot of people don't believe they exist because of lack of sightings…I just say they're that good."

"You've see 'em before?" Kursed asked.

"No but, I wish you luck trying to find 'em." He said, "I once heard that there's a Wraith no matter what city you're in, no matter where you go. So if you aren't finding them…they either don't exist, or you're having the same luck finding them that everyone else is."

Kursed thought for a moment, "Wait, you said…there's a Wraith in every city? Right?"

Reiko chuckled, "No. I said, that's what I've heard. There's no guarantee that you're going to find these people Kursed."

The vixen huffed at him before looking to the doctor……

"Don't toss this at him." Reiko said, "You really think I wouldn't know who the hell you are? The white furred Angel of Death…deadliest bounty hunter in Lylat. Oh I've heard of you…I'm surprised everyone hasn't." He said handing her back the photo, "I really wish I could help you further but, I can't…"

Kursed shoved the photo into the folder, "Fine…you kept your end of the bargain Doc…keep your money." She sighed leaving the building.

Kursed stopped for a moment and sighed, it had all been a waste of time, and she was certain that she'd found something important this time. With another disappointed sigh, the white furred bounty hunter headed off into lower city, she'd head back to upper city where she'd try to find a decent room for the night…

******

The panda doctor took a seat in the burnt out old waiting room after the vixen had left. He was certain that Reiko would have helped her but, in the end he was wrong and now felt horrible for wasting the poor girl's time. A saddened sigh from the old man caught the gray furred Coyote's attention from across the room…

"You said it yourself Zang." He said, "She's after blood. I couldn't risk it."

The panda held up a paw, "No I understand…" He said, looking out the window watching her walk off, "I just wish there was another way to help her. The poor girl is destroying herself trying to find the Wraiths. You know she'll never stop."

Reiko sighed, "Yeah I could see it in her eyes." He said holding his fingers against his head next to his ear, "Six…you see her?" He asked clearly on a communicator, "Good…don't let her out of your sight. And don't let her see you……she's……dangerous."

"You don't trust her?" Zan asked.

Reiko sighed, "I don't trust anyone that can pry into my thoughts." He replied, "I'm not going to hurt her or anything, I just want some eyes on her while she's here…or at least while I'm here."

"Like I said you're free to move about an all just make certain that this patch stays on for at least a day." The doctor said, "It will take some time for the Link to work itself into you synapses."

Reiko sighed, "I'm gonna miss my real eye." He said running his paw over the patch over his left eye.

******

Kursed wandered into the room she'd rented for the night; it was a modest little hole for what it had cost her, nothing her pockets as a bounty hunter wouldn't miss. It was in a high up place, one of the tallest buildings she'd seen in this small region of Upper City, it made her feel a bit safer knowing that she could see her hanger where her ship was birthed. She sighed a bit however as she sat on the disturbingly comfortable bed; it was a bit too large for her to sleep comfortably tonight, there was a large plasma television, but, she didn't care for tv that much really. The room had two large windows across from her bed, giving her a panoramic view of the city, at the moment her only real concern was with the huge tub that lay in the bathroom. The vixen dropped most of her gear to the bed and headed out into the bathroom. The tub was pretty big, one of the biggest she'd ever seen actually, at least for a solo room…the vixen slowly peeled away her outfit before stepping into the waters, letting out a relieved sigh as she lowered herself into the waters…but, her relief was fleeting, as she leaned her head to rest on the far end of the tub. Her mind slowly slipped back to her slightly depressed state, she was certain that she was so very close to finding a good lead to who these Wraiths were. She slowly slid down until her muzzle was the only part of her that wasn't fully submerged…

"What am I gonna do?" She asked herself, even though with her ears underwater she could only hear muffled sounds, "These guys are like ghosts. I'm starting to think they may not even exist."

She wasn't sure how long her bath lasted, but, it didn't matter it was the most relaxed she'd been in a very long time. She found a bath robe on the wall and slowly walked back out to the bed, she'd have her gear washed and wear it again in the morning. Right now she simply wanted to lay down, and hopefully, for a moment, forget that this day had even happened…

******

A young animal stood on a solemn rooftop dressed in white robes; Reiko had given her an order to watch the vixen that had come to see him. She still didn't see how the pretty little vixen she was watching could possibly have been so dangerous that he wanted her watched. Her perch was high up, there was little chance of her being spotted…it was lowly lit, and for the most part she was well hidden. She perched atop a small rail, displaying that her balance was a far shot above what other animals would have thought possible. She eventually moved to a sitting position, and sighed…she'd been sitting there for nearly an hour and it didn't seem like the vixen was doing anything but enjoying her……

The young assassin couldn't believe her eyes, she'd only taken her eyes off the vixen for a moment and now she was already gone. She quickly pulled her specs out and searched the area for the white furred vixen she'd been watching…however, there was nothing. It was as she panicked however that the familiar sound of cloth flapping against the wind caught her attention causing her to drop her binoculars…

"Turn around." A voice behind her demanded, "NOW!"

She slowly did as she was told, only to find the vixen standing there with her Scythe ready…

"Where are the other Wraiths?"

The animal simply looked back over her shoulder, "There's no way out of this…" Kursed explained, "There's only one way down and it's behind me."

The assassin simply held out her paws and leaped backward over the rail, causing Kursed to rush to the rail. She then noticed the animal release a small weapon that produced a wire which she then swung away on. The young assassin landed in the street and simply cast aside the item before reaching her fingers to her ear and rushing off…

"Two…" She called, "This is Six. I have a problem. She spotted me I have no idea how she did it but she spotted me." She shouted rushing down the streets, "I think I lost her on the rooftops but, I'm not sure."

The assassin rushed down the street, and soon found herself completely out of breath; however, as she rushed off hoping she could keep away from the bounty hunter, something stuck the ground with a metallic chime only for her to notice that several small metal spikes were lodged into the road at her feet. The animal quickly leaped away hiding behind a vehicle…

"Two…" She half shouted out of breath, "…she caught me. I……I can't even see her."

A huff of air caught the assassin's attention before a chill ran up her spine, "Try looking behind you." The vixen's voice growled.

The assassin quickly rolled to her left, only to feel the air of the Scythe's blade tug at her fur…and in an instant the vehicle she'd used for cover slowly fell into two equal halves. She looked on in amazement and horror, she'd never known a blade could be so sharp. However, she dove away and with cat like agility managed to get to the top of a street light out of the deadly weapon's reach. Unfortunately, if the Scythe had cut through a car, a street light was hardly any different. The young assassin grasped desperately at the hub of the street light as it toppled to the ground, sending the animal rolling across the street and into the wall of a tall building. Kursed made her way quickly to the downed animal, only to see that her hood had fallen away from her head, revealing a very lovely pink furred feline's face who's muzzle was covered by a small black cowel. She instantly recognized the light green eyes, and incredibly feminine features of Katt Monroe…however her attention was quickly driven away toward the sound of approaching sirens; her spectacle had attracted the local authorities, so it was best that she made herself scarce…and quickly. The vixen managed to clear the streets just before the police managed to arrive at the destructive scene. Now as she stood in her room, looking out over the city, the young vixen knew……the Wraiths were real, and one of her best friends was one of them.