What's this? This story is updated again after so many months?

Hehe, sorry. I have actually been active in other fandoms( the Spyro one as of late) and have been doing a lot of stories focused on that. But given how this one is my most well-known and Star Fox Event Horizon was getting updates, my interest was renewed. Also, I still wish to finish this. We are over halfway there by this point. And I have some big stuff planned for the rest of the plot.

It was approaching dawn by the time fox's group had made it to what Tricky claimed to be the light foot village. The area itself was calm and serene. Not a sound was to be heard. They were back in the jungle again, the lush canopy overhead blanketing the ground beneath it in shadows.

"You sure this is the place?" Fox asked.

The young Earthwalker nodded eagerly. "Yeah, yeah. Of course. Mom takes me here all the time." He stated.

The vulpines each exchanged glances.

"Doesn't look like there is anything here." He stated.

Tricky snorted. "That's because it's hidden." He stated matter of factly.

Krystal, however, shifted uncomfortably.

"Fox, I'm sensing thought patterns from several foes in the-"

Before she finished her sentence, she a group of bipedal dinosaurs fell out of the trees, surrounding the group, spear in hand.

They each walked upright and wore tribal clothes akin to Krystal but more ragged in texture and color. Each was orange, and about as tall as the vulpine, but had long reptilian tails and features. They did faintly resemble upright Hookclaw.

Fox made to draw his weapon, but Krystal stopped him. She coaxed him to put his hands up.

"State your business, outworlders. Why are you here?" One of the Lightfoot warriors spoke.

Fox decided to play the mediation. "We come in peace-"

But the young Earthwalker interrupted him. He jumped up and tried to get the warrior's attention. "Hey, hold up, it's me, Tricky!" He said, inciting the warriors to looked down at him, only now noticing his presence.

"These are more friends, my sent them to look after me." He said.

The lead warrior lowered his spear. "Ah, young Prince Tricky, we are pleased to see you are alright. After we heard news of your capture, we feared the worse."

Trucky nodded. "My friends here saved me. They are here to do the same for the rest of the world." The little prince said happily.

The dinosaur looked over the vulpines. "Oh, I see now. You are the saviors we have been hearing about. So pardon our manners."

They glanced over to Kyte, with looks of intrigue.

"Interesting… we thought you hated cloud runners, yet one of their princesses travels with you…" the lead Lightfoot muttered.

Kyte nodded shyly. "Yeah… things happen…"

Tricky spoke up happily. 'It's a long story, but let's just say I had a change of heart. She's my friend now." He said happily.

The warriors shrugged.

Krystal smiled but decided to but in before anyone else could speak. 'Forgive me for being blunt, but we have an urgent matter to attend to here. The prince mentioned we should talk to your chief." She said.

The warrior nodded. "At once, then." He said, turning and beginning to lead the group further along the wall, likely towards an entrance.

The trip through the village was of little note. The village itself was interesting. Situated in a swamp, the huts were suspended above the water. They were constructed of simple, light-colored wood. They each were constructed in a circular shape, with a simple dome roof over them. Across each house, bridges and catwalks were connected.

Various Lightfoots stared from afar at the outworlders and royal children. Each was a different shade of orange or green, some even brownish in color. All wore loin-cloths or tribal outfits. Krystal took note of this, it was like what some of her fellow Cerians had worn. From what she could gather, this tribe may have been a hunter-gather community. She could easily see them using their stealth abilities to hunt. She had already known them, or at least some, to serve as spies for the Earthwalkers. Based off what Tricky said earlier in the adventure.

The chief's hut was across a bridge in the center of the village. He was attended to by a few guards armed with spears, as well as particularly large and buff dark orange lightfoot. The chief himself had frills along his head, orange scales, and a word 'crown' of sorts with different colored feathers, or possibly leaves, on it. He was seated on a rather orange thrown. His hut had things like trophies or murals of Lightfoot's painted around. In the center of it was a Krazoa.

When Krystal's group was brought to them, he looked them over with a questioning gaze. When he saw the prince, he gave a slight smile, nodding his head to acknowledge the young Earthwalker.

Tricky nodded back, and then the chief gazed at the Cloudrunner on Krystal's shoulder, raising a brow.

"Ahh, I see we have guests. Young prince, it is good to see you once more. How is your mother doing." The chief said, his voice shrill.

Tricky nodded. "You too. Mom is fine now, thanks to my new friends here." He said, gesturing to the vulpines.

The chief nodded. "That is good. We feared the worse after word of the attack on your home reached us. Though I will add, you have some rather unusual company." He said, looking over the outworlders. Kyte caught his eye. "And I will say, I was certainly not expecting to see the Cloudrunner's princess with you." He noted.

Tricky smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, a lot happened. She helped my mom and has been out on the adventure with us. She is my friend now. Oh, forgive me, but we actually needed your help with something. You see, these outworlders, are my friends. That's Fox, the blue one is Krystal, and the other one is Krystal's dad, Randorn." Tricky began introducing them.

Krystal decided to speak. "Greetings. We are humbled to be in your presence-"

The chief held up his hand to stop her. "You can cease the formalities. I know who you are; it's because of your efforts our world may yet know salvation. It is an honor, really to be in your presence." He said. 'Though my kind is normally… adverse to outworlders, I think for you three, we can make an exception. And yes, we know of your father, Randorn. He visited my tribe before." The chief noted. "Good to see you are well."

Randorn nodded in response.

"Now, I believe your young friend said you needed my help. What can I do for you?" The chief inquired.

"We seek the Krazoa spirit. We were told one dwells within your village. We need its aid to mend the planet." Krystal said.

The chief nodded. "Hmmm, yes, I believe I can show you where the shrine is. But, first, a test." He said. "It is our custom to have anyone looking to visit the shrine take part in a test."

The group groaned.

The chief chuckled a bit. "Not to worry. It is a simple task. It will not take one; it is simply a custom of ours. Merely find three flags we have hidden across the village, within a time limit. It is that simple." He stated.

Fox raised a brow. "You know, I used to play a game like that as a kid." He stated.

Kyte perked up. "This actually sounds fun, can I do it?" She asked.

The chief shook his head. 'Young one, you can fly. It would be too easy. While I am glad to hear you may enjoy this, it is to test one's intuition. Only then may you see the Krazoa." He said.

Krystal raised a brow. " Is it really this simple?"

The chief sighed. "Yes. Originally we had it to where you must be our finest warrior in combat, but I found that lead to a lot of broken bones because someone kept going overboard." He said, looking over at the buff Lightfight. He gave a sheepish smile and said nothing.

Krystal frowned. "Ok then. Well, you can consider it done then." She said, with a wink at her friends and father.

The other vulpines caught on to what she was doing and nodded.

Sure she was going to cheat this one time, but there was much at stake here and no one wanted to waste time on childish games."

The chief nodded. "Very well then. You may start at your leisure." He said.

Sure enough, Krystal passed Kyte off to her father and readied herself. To be honest, though, she had already read the chief's mind to know where these were…

Within only a short amount of time, Krystal had cleared the challenge and the chief was showing them the way to the shrine. The rest of the group had rejoined her at the center of the village, where the shrine was held.

"Well done on your trial, Krystal. The shrine is here. Within the cave, you shall find a magic transporter. Simply step on it and you will find yourself within the shrine." He said, getting to the point.

"Thank you," Krystal said to him.

The chief nodded and took his leave, turning briefly to the prince. "I must say, you have partaken in many great adventures during your time with your friends, young prince. You have grown much, I can see, but do take care of yourself." He said.

Tricky nodded. "Yeah, yeah. Thank you. But don't worry, they have been doing a good job of keeping me safe. And I trust they will continue to do so." He stated.

The chief simply nodded and left them alone, heading back to his hut.

After a few minutes of making sure he was gone, the young Cloudrunner spoke up.

"Krystal, are you sure it was ok to cheat on the test like that?" Kyte asked innocently.

Krystal gave a slight laugh and caught shrugs from Fox and a half-amused, half-disapproving look from her father. Sure, she had cheated at this but there were bigger fish to fry than wasting time on a pointless. The planet relied on them. She was merely being pragmatic in using her abilities to win easier. But then again, this was not the best example to set for the kids.

"Well, no. But I did it to move things along; it's vital we get this Krazoa as soon as we can." She reasoned. She then looked sternly at both Kyte and Tricky. "But both of you better not think of cheating at things. I had my reasons and maybe the situation can call for it… sometimes, but do not make this a habit. Understand?"

Both kids nodded earnestly.

She smiled. 'Good. Now, about that shrine. I think I can take it from here. You four should rest up a bit." She reasoned.

Fox shook his head. 'Let me come in. Sure I have a spirit already, but maybe I can help if needed still." He reasoned.

Krystal shrugged. "Do as you wish. But, who knows? If it's something like that trial of combat, then maybe you can lend a hand." He reasoned.

She turned to her father. "Dad, can you watch the children? We should not be too long." She said.

Randorn nodded. "Of course. Take care of yourself and be careful in there. If there is one thing I learned from my time here, it's that you never know what to expect from this world. This trial could be harrowing for all we know." He looked his daughter straight in the eyes. "Be careful in there." He said.

Krystal nodded. 'Of course." She said, waving off to him and the kids.

As she turned to enter the cave the transporter was in, Fox took a moment to speak.

"Don't worry, she's tough. And I will be here to support her in this." he reasoned.

The old Fox nodded and bid him good luck.

Soon, both vulpines had entered the cave and gotten on the teleporter.

Sure enough, the pair of vulpines had been teleporter into the shrine. Like the others, its interior was composed of a simple hallway, with walls and floors like that of the palace. Its hallways gave way to a larger room with a pedestal, like the other shrines. As the pair of foxes walked into the room, stopping just before the center platform.

Fox looked forward. "I can handle this one; I am sure the spirits won't mind sharing a body." He joked.

Krystal shook her head. "No, the pain of releasing them is hard enough with a single one. And you did the last test. Allow me to do so." She stated. Fox was about to protest but she shook her head.

"It's ok Fox, I am ready for this. I've done this before, I will be fine." She affirmed.

Fox shrugged. "Alright then, just be careful," Fox replied.

Krystal nodded as they approached the platform in the center of the room. A spirit manifested and hovered over them.

"Greetings, brave ones. I am aware of your purpose here. I can sense you know I will gladly help, but first, you must prove yourselves to me." The spirit said, in a ghostly voice.

Both vulpines nodded.

"Very well. I offer you this test: pass it and I will aid you in your quest. The ghostly voice said. Its tone, however, grew ominous.

"Be warned, this test will push you to your psychological limit. While fear is a primal instinct all feel, your telepathic abilities will exacerbate the experience." The spirit said.

Krystal shifted uncomfortably a bit. She did not expect this test to be a walk in the park. Hearing her telepathy would make an already harrowing experience

Worse would be unnerving, but she knew to expect as much. Bringing a telepathic meant having to control your emotions; and feel them more than a normal person would.

She shifted her thoughts back to her motives for doing this: saving Sauria. And for Kyte and her family especially. And of course, the many lives at stake from the potential aftermath of Sauria's destruction,

Finding the motives she needed, she mentally raced herself. She had to come too far to back down.

"I am aware. I am ready." She affirmed.

The spirit did not give a noticeable reaction.

In an instant, the room was enveloped darkness. The vixen saw nothing for a minute.

Until she was greeted with a sight she wished she never would have to see again.

Suddenly, she was looking out through the window on her shuttle, watching her home world.

The sight of Cerinia sent shivers down her spine, yet a warm feeling of nostalgia and comfort. all the same. Its beautiful blue atmosphere, caused by what many considered the Krazoa's protection, shined brilliantly among the stars, complemented by the darkness of the space around it.

Why would she be sent here?

It took her all of three seconds to figure out what moment this was, though.

Within seconds, the entire planet exploded, suddenly, without warning… just like she remembered.

Her blood ran cold, and she shook still, her gaze fixated on the horrific sight before her, as her home, and everything she knew and loved was lost right before her.

Her heart sank. This was just a memory, perhaps warped a bit to how it really went down but…

Seeing this sight again… it took every inch of her strength not to break into tears.

"No...no… not again, please…" she mentally begged. However, she slowly managed to regain some bearings.

"It's just a memory. It hurts but… I've had to live with this for months." She affirmed. Cerinia's destruction was like a scar to her that would never truly heal, but she knew had to live with it. And she had learned to. She had been forced to.

Regaining her bearings, she closed her eyes, and glanced away.

Surely this was not it, right? She was pained by her homework's destruction, but it was not something she feared anymore; having accepted the truth of it long ago. What did the Krazoa intend by showing her this?

Suddenly, she opened her eyes again, and again she was surrounded in darkness.

However, she heard a familiar voice, calling for help.

"Krystal!" A young voice cried. She turned, and saw Tricky, running toward her, a panicked expression on his face. He was running from enough, the forms of a few Hookclaws manifested behind him. Krystal tried to dash towards them but found herself frozen in her spot.

She could only watch helplessly as the shadowy firms of the Hookckaws pounced on tricky.

"Krystal!" He yelled a final time before he was caught.

The vixen's heart sank, but before she could even react, another young voice caught her ears.

"Krystal, help me!" Kyte's voice yelled. Krystal saw the girl on the ground, injured.

Again she was frozen in place, unable to move. To the vixen's horror, a Red Eye appeared out of nowhere, standing over the young Cloudrunner with a ravenous gaze.

"Kyte, no!" Krystal yelled.

Krystal!" Kyte yelled, mere seconds before the beasts' jaws snapped shut over her. Mere moments after eating the girl, the beasts faded away into nothingness.

Krystal fell to her knees

She had little time to grieve, however.

As if to drive a knife in more, she saw her father's form, sprawled dead on a floor, looking similar to the interior of the Krazoa Palace. She could not even cry before she saw something else just to the side of her father's body.

Suddenly, she saw herself looking up at the familiar face of General Scales, whose cold gaze looked down at her.

It took her all of one moment to notice, in his good hand, he had Fox by the neck.

Krystal barely had time to process what she was seeing before she saw the General turn to her.

She did not even attempt to move. Scales' illusion said nothing, it stood over her, and reached for his sword.

What did she care though? Everything was lost, everyone she-

"No." She suddenly said, trying to fight through her emotions.

"No." She repeated, standing up. "It's not lost." She muttered. Her mind was surging with emotions at the moment, more than she could process. It was like an internal battle in itself. But the vixen did her best to push on. "I've been through pain before. But I push on."

She drew her staff. However, a screeching, ghostly voice, separate from the scales illusion before her, boomer through the 'room'( or mental scale she was in)

"Are you really?" It asked. "I sense your mind, your emotions. You lie to yourself!" The voice, now appearing in a calmer tone, told her.

Krystal was caught off guard a bit. "I-"

"Delude yourself. You think yourself above the pain now, that you are somehow immune. But face it, it never truly left. But you don't just hurt, so you?" The ghostly voice inquired. "You are afraid." It said with an icy tone.

The vixen was at a loss for words. "I-I…" she tried to defend herself. "What do you know!?" She spat back.

She was met with sinister laughter. "Nothing more than you, it seems…" it said.

Krystal was enraged. How could the Krazoa be so cruel? To force her through this pain again.

"I am trying to help you and save your world, and yet you torture me?!" She shouted back.

The Scales illusion faded. To her shock, it was replaced by a sight that caught the vixen off guard.

An illusion of herself.

She saw it. Herself from a few months prior to Cerinia's destruction. She was scantly clad in her traditional Cerinian garb.

It said staring at her. "Who said the Krazoa tortured you?" It asked, before fading.

Then it hit her. This was all her own mind. Every thought, every retort. It was her subconscious.

She stopped the staff and clasped on the dream ground, afraid. Tears ran down her face.

She had lied. To no one but herself. She was scared and afraid. And she knew what of.

She had spent her months drifting alone in space searching for answers fruitlessly, she knew. She thought she was coping with the pain, that she had moved beyond it. But she was wrong; she merely buried it.

She had grown to live with it, but never fully moved last her feelings. She had been running from them.

She accepted her family was dead, and her people were gone. But since coming to Sauria, she had started forging emotional connections again, a feeling she had nearly forgotten. She had lost all the emotional connections she had previously.

Now, she had not only regained some, namely her father's survival, but she had gained new ones.

A little sister in Kyte, an invaluable friendship, maybe even love, in Fox. Another good friend in Tricky.

The little ones were now something for her to protect and guide, and Fox a companion to fight alongside and confide in. Her father, a part of the family she thought was lost. She regained so much.

Which was why she was terrified this whole time. She had so much to lose now.

She knew from experience just how quickly loved ones could be taken from her or lost. It was why she protected her friends with all her might. Why she panicked to defend Kyte and Tricky from the Sharpclaw so fiercely, why she nearly decided to cave to Scales' demands in the fortress. Why she defended the dinosaur tribes with all her might.

She has clung so desperately to her new friends. And now her connections with the Star Fox team too… She was so desperate for companionship she jumped at any opportunity she had to regain it.

And she knew why she saw Scales here again, in this test: he was the thing that could take it all away again; the monster who would destroy it all.

Scales was indeed a monster who needed to be stopped, but Krystal now knew how much she feared him. Sure he was a skilled combatant, a tyrant who possess cunning and the resources and army to carry out his will. Of course, Scales was a threat; to Sauria and the galaxy. What normal person would not be afraid of a cruel tyrant? But no, that was not why Krystal truly feared him…

It was because he had nearly taken everything from the vixen. While his lackeys carried out some of the deeds, he personally nearly killed them all. Kyte, Tricky, Fox, were all captured and threatened for their lives in the Cloudrunner fortress. She had not shown it but that threat sent chills down her spine. Additionally, even her father was nearly killed by Scales' hand. And then there was his scheme here in Sauria that they were trying to stop. That this tyrant would, knowingly or not, blow up a planet, and kill a civilization…

"No," Krystal growled, getting up. "No." She said, louder. She stood up.

She would not let this happen. She knew now, she was scared of losing her friends, that it would shatter her again. But she would not let that happen. Her friends were strong, but she would be here to protect them all the same. She had to. They and Sauria, much of Lylat even, were counting on her and Fox. Even if those in the nearby planets did not know it. But the Saurians of course, did.

"I will not fail." She said to herself. "I will not cave to my fears or pain. If my friends are here, I know I can do this. I will keep them safe." She affirmed.

To her relief, the illusionary realm began to fade. And not a moment too soon.

She woke up screaming. She stood up, finding herself on the platform again.

The spirit floated nearby. "You are indeed strong." It complimented.

Sure enough, it entered her body, causing the familiar feeling from before to wash over her again. But she said if no heed. She had just experienced far worse pain.

It was done. Krystal had succeeded. And knew where to go from there.

Yet, she could barely take it anymore. Though she overcame her fears she accepted her pain, it still hurt...

Losing her usual collected demeanor, she hugged Fox firmly, tears streaming down her face.

"Krystal?" Fox said, surprised

Returned the hug. The pair just held each other like that for some time, sitting in silence….

Krystal said nothing for a solid three or so minutes, merely letting tears roll down her cheek. She was exhausted, emotionally and physically. Even a warrior as tough as her had their limits; relieving one's greatest pain and confronting their greatest fear in succession pushed her to her edge.

After a bit longer, she finally broke the embrace and spoke. "Thank you…" she nearly whispered.

Fox nodded, looking at her unsure if he should ask or not. Krystal could tell what he wanted to ask, and understand why he was hesitant too. She held up her hand.

"It's alright, Fox. You can ask. I actually would appreciate discussing it." She assured him.

The vulpine nodded. "... are you ok? I am just guessing but…" he stopped himself, not wanting to press it. Krystal sighed.

"... I saw the destruction of my home again. But that was hardly worse than being made to realize what I actually fear." She stated. "I can't lose you, Fox. You, dad, Kyte, Tricky… I made it no secret you are the first companions I have had in some time. I… I think you know my feelings." She said, intentionally wording that in a vague manner. There was a specific double meaning for Fox, but she did not know by now if he returned those feelings or not.

She looked at him. "I am aware this is a childish request… but can you promise me something?" She asked.

Fox nodded earnestly. "Of course."

She looked at him. "Promise me we will make it through this. I know you are strong and have seen your share of battles. So has my father, but Kyte and Tricky… we need to protect them. It is their choice to continue to follow us but promise they will be ok; that you will be alright." She pressed.

Fox looked at her but nodded firmly. "I promise, Krystal. I will get us all through this," he said.

The vixen took that as confirmation. Of course, she needed to protect the kids and would do the same for her friends. It was a bit of a childish thing to ask, but right now… she needed this. She needed some kind of assurance, even if it was just lip service, that things would be ok. That she was not leading her loved ones to their death in fighting this tyrant. For her own mental health, she needed to hear those words. She looked at Fox again and smiled. She gave him a hug. "Thank you…" she said.

She took a minute to sit on the edge of the room's main platform. Fox sat next to her.

"Forgive me, but I don't wish the others to see me like this. I know they would understand but… let's just take a moment." She said, savoring the moment of clarity and peace.

Fox nodded. He said nothing else, merely sitting next to her.

It was funny, really… that misery could yet bring clarity. After all, was said and done, the vixen felt… at peace. Like she had finally accepted a part of who she was…

Yeah, I know I got through the Lightfoot trials really fast, but they honestly felt like boring filler and I wanted to get to the interesting part. Hopefully, you got a good laugh from that scene. Look, I never liked Lightfoot, ok? I really could not find a way to make them more interesting. So, I instead made the test of fear more interesting in their stead. Helpfully I succeeded in that. And now that Krystal has angsted again, we can continue to the rest of the main plot. I hope I succeeded in giving her conflict and attachments more depth.