Here's a brief Q and A for this chapter.
Newcomer24: I apologize for the first chapter, I have hopes that this fic will get better for you later on. Also, the Saurian language is no longer gonna be used from this chapter onwards.
stephanieeiche714: Yes indeed. I can.
Disclaimer: Star Fox series is created, and owned by Nintendo. And Dinosaur Planet is created and owned by Rareware Studios, and Nintendo. Please support the Official releases.
Normal Speech
Saurian Speech and Thoughts
SCREAMING ON TOP OF LUNGS
Krystal and Kyte saw white taking up their whole vision as they got teleported into the shrine of their first Krazoa Spirit. Then when the light disappeared from their vision, and when their vision cleared up, they both found themselves in a completely different room than the one that they just left.
"We must be in the Krazoa Shrine. Now we must find the Spirit to return to the Krazoa Palace with." Kyte said joyfully as Krystal stepped off of the platform.
"What are we waiting for then? Let's go and find it." Krystal responded, just as glad as Kyte was, as she looked for a way forward. Fortunately, she found a ladder that lead upwards through the path, to the right of the next room. "Can you scout ahead a bit while I climb up? I'll meet you at the top."
"Okay." Kyte responded, hopeful that Krystal won't suffer on the way up, as she flew upwards to scout ahead. While Krystal climbed up the ladder to the top. It wasn't a long climb as she was able to make it to the top without trouble, meeting back up with Kyte.
"There's some fire jets rising out of the floor. And there's another bad jelly fish guard ahead." Kyte said, a little bit nervously, referring to the creature in the pit.
"There's also that red swirly thing that's blocking the way. It must be some sort of barrier that mummy told me about." She then said, showing Krystal the barrier that was indeed blocking the gate, looking like a red fiery swirling barrier, with a horned creature's skull, and a pair of bones making a cross under it. There was also some sort of ghostly head that floated around the skull in circles as well.
"Thank you for your eyes. I can take it from here now." Krystal said, praising Kyte's scouting. Before she then got to the jellyfish wraith guardian of the barrier.
Where she avoided its tentacles, as they tried to whip, and sting her. Before she tried to strike back against the jellyfish creature with her staff. Which was a bit hard, since it floated, while she was merely standing on the ground.
Not only that, but the jelly fish did get a little strike in itself after getting away from her staff, much to Kyte's horror when she heard Krystal yelping in pain. But fortunately, Krystal was able to strike back, by using her plasma blast to take it down when it tried to float away again.
"Are you okay?!" Kyte asked, noting the cut on her.
"It didn't hurt as bad as it looked. I'll be fine." Krystal said. "Let's keep going. The Spirit can't rescue itself after all." She humorously said to relieve the tension.
"Since when can it do such a thing? It's not like it has any legs to do so. Oh, wait." Kyte responded with her own sass.
Krystal couldn't stop a chuckle from escaping her own lips as she continued onwards, thinking about how funny that was.
Only to then see that the swirling vortex barrier was already gone, and that the gate was open. Which was a bit odd since Krystal remembered it being there while the jellyfish guardian was still there, so she wondered why it was gone.
It was a brief thought that she ended up figuring out, and had her feeling some sympathy for the jellyfish, before she, and Kyte was now moving onwards through the shrine's halls, on their way to the Krazoa Spirit.
Where, going to their right, Krystal, and Kyte saw that there was another pressure switch that was on the floor, and behind it was another jellyfish guard, and other jets of fire that was being sprayed out of the walls.
"Oh no. Another pressure switch. And this one seems to be timed with the gate at the end of the hall. I pray that we'll be able to pass it." Kyte said nervously, feeling that the time on the gate at the end of the hall was going to force them to run through the hall, which would be enhancing the risk of getting torched, or electrocuted by the jellyfish guard that was patrolling the hall like it was guarding the Spirit from them, regardless of them being friend or foe.
That is something that though Kyte was nervous about, Krystal wasn't going to be turned away by.
Although she suddenly noticed that behind her, was a basket barrel. Even though it looked like it was lighter than the stones, and the explosive barrels that she carried before, it could be heavy enough to hold down the button for them to get to the other end.
So she put it on the button, before running through the hall, making sure to avoid the fire jets along the way, as well as the jellyfish wraith. She might've felt her fur getting singed a bit by the second fire jet, but she wasn't caught on fire so far as she skillfully passed them, all while she had Kyte flying to the other end of the gate, so she can meet her there. All without panicking.
Which, would've upped the risk of both of them getting hurt by the fire, or the jellyfish wraith, because of it.
Thankfully, she obeyed, and flew off of Krystal's shoulder, as they got to the end of the hall and through the gate one by one, with Kyte going in first, where the gate ended up closing behind them despite the basket on the pressure switch. Probably because the jellyfish destroyed it while she ran.
Either way, they were both relieved that they made it to the other end of the gate, before they ended up seeing that they were in the room of the shrine, where they ended up quickly seeing that their objective was in the room with them.
Which was the Krazoa Spirit.
It was translucent purplish-blue color, that was illuminated by a violet light, while it looked like a face with blank blue eyes, a dour expression on its mouth, a chin that was longer than the other creatures' chins that she saw as it was pointed downwards, and it had thick strands of what could be tentacles that was extending out of the back of its head.
And it was aware of them approaching it in the room, as it focused on Krystal. "Welcome to this shrine, one of the last children of Cerinia." The Spirit spoke softly in her language when she was close enough.
At that, Krystal was shocked and dumbstruck, while Kyte was confused. "You… know of my lost home?! And… where I come from?!" She asked.
"Though we reside here, among the other few planets that house our power, we know of many things that happens in the Galaxy around us. And it extends to the nearby system, known as Lylat. And we also remember our former homes on such Planets that are no longer in Space, Cerinia included." The Spirit responded. "When the trouble began on this world, we knew that it was only a matter of time until you would come to its aid."
Krystal was in awe of its prediction. And yet, it was in a pleasant way. "Well, now I'm here. And I must ask. Am I… worthy?"
Though the Spirit didn't show it, Krystal could guess that it was smiling inwardly. "You are one of the few that we would allow, to use our powers. Your intentions are noble, and your heart is pure. But, only if you master 'The Test of Observation' are you able to have me become yours, and return me to my proper place in the Krazoa Palace. Do you feel that you are truly ready?" He then asked.
"I… I am." Krystal said boldly, while nonverbally telling Kyte to roost somewhere else, so that she can deal with this challenge alone.
"Then here's how this test goes. You watch closely, and find me in one of the six baskets that I'm going to hide in. If you're able to find me five times in a row, then you pass, and I'll be yours. But if you choose the wrong one even once, then you fail, and you are to be sent back to the pad that sent you to this shrine. Where you can either come back to face this test again, or simply give up, and leave this shrine in defeat."
Six baskets suddenly appeared around her as the spirit vanished. Before it then reappeared on the basket near her upper left. "And one more thing. These baskets can cause pain if you dare touch them while they still move. There cannot be any cheating in this test after all." It then said, before sinking itself into the upper left basket.
What the Spirit said last, had her obeying that rule, as well as made her weary of touching the baskets in motion, as she stood in the middle, and concentrated on the basket that the spirit was inside as it moved around her, despite the chaotic motions. She could've used her telepathy to sense the Spirit, but she was sure that the Spirit would've sensed her using it, and call it cheating, before ending the Test in her automatic loss. So she just used only her eyes, and wit, to complete the test.
Which proved little challenge this round.
The test quickly reminded her of the ball-under-the-cup game that many Cerinians, especially kids, ended up playing back when her home Planet was still around. (Herself being among the latter, especially while growing up in hers, and Randorn's tribe.) She made sure to not get blinded by the nostalgia of playing them, as she kept her eyes on the basket that the Spirit was inside, until the baskets stop.
Once they did, she chose the one basket that she knew the Spirit was in…
in the same spot that it was in, before it moved.
Whether it was trying to confuse her into choosing the wrong basket, thinking that it wouldn't pull a trick like that, she didn't know. All she knew, was that it didn't work.
The Spirit floated out of the basket, before appearing in another one, before it moved with the other baskets in circles at a bit of a faster rate. Then some of the baskets moved in a different pattern where at least three of them moved diagonally around the center, as they also moved around the other ones that stayed in their spots, before stopping in their new places around her, before the other baskets did the same thing.
She still had her focus on the basket that she knows the Spirit was in though, as it did it again, while she ensured not to touch the basket.
Soon, the baskets stopped, and Krystal was slightly disoriented, but she chose the bottom left basket, feeling that the Spirit was inside of that one.
It was. As it popped out, before vanishing to another basket, which was to her left.
That was when the challenge was starting to ramp up a bit, as the baskets not only moved around, and did some diagonal movement around the other baskets, and not only did four of the baskets move around in circles before stopping in their new spots, but they all did so at a bit of a faster rate. Which let her know that this isn't going to get easier from there.
Especially since she was a little disoriented when the four baskets moved to their new spots in a circle, while only two of the baskets stood in their places. But she was sure that she still had her eyes on the Krazoa Spirit that she saw vanishing into the basket that she saw moving.
And once the baskets stopped, she chose the one to her right, hoping that it's the right one.
Much to her relief, it was, as the Spirit floated out of it.
"Keep it up Krystal! Only two more rounds left!" Kyte said, rooting for her.
Encouraged by the cheers, Krystal didn't falter when the Spirit ended up in another basket that was to her right again, before doing the same three tricks for the rows of baskets again, only while moving them faster.
Krystal kept her eyes on the one that was moving, making sure not to get disoriented by the fast moving baskets, and the patterns of their movements around them, and above all, making sure that she isn't going to touch them, so she won't get hurt by them. And since she remained unmoving in the center of the room, and since none of the baskets ended up in the center of the room, it was easy to not get hurt.
Now she hopes that it won't get hard to see where the Spirit in the basket would move regardless of the speed that the baskets were going, as they moved fast through the room, around her.
Until, minutes later, they all stopped around her. And trusting her instincts, she chose the one to her left as the correct one.
She chose wisely, as the Spirit floated out of the basket of her choice. "Very good. One more try left." The Spirit said encouragingly, before vanishing, and reappearing over the basket to her North as she prepared herself for a challenge that she could get from the fifth time of searching for the Spirit. She was bracing herself for this one.
And for a good reason, as the baskets were as fast as they can be without being impossible to track the basket that the Spirit hid inside. Not only that, but a new pattern reared its head, where one pair of baskets ended up swapping in their places, either in a diagonal line, or through the center, forcing her to step aside so she won't touch the baskets, and get hurt. Which caught her off guard.
But not enough to cause her to lose her focus, as she was sure that she still had her focus on the basket with the Spirit in it as it moved around her.
She was trying not to lose her focus when another pattern also started, and caught her by surprise, where all of the baskets ended up spinning around her slowly at first, before accelerating after a few seconds, then a set of them started to diagonally move around her, before another set did the same thing, then after that, they all moved in a crazy pattern that randomly sorted the baskets somewhere in the room, while some of them floated through the very middle of the room, forcing her to jump aside so that none of them will crush her, before they stood stationary after some more patterns, showing her that she can choose now.
She was a bit disoriented from that trick, but she was sure that the spirit was in the basket in her bottom left, as she chose it, while feeling that she was making a shot in the dark in doing so.
And she ended up learning the hard way, that she indeed merely made such a move, since she touched it, only to then see that the Spirit was not in the basket, but in the one that was to its left, causing her to look down at the floor in sadness, and frustration at the miss she made. And before she knew it, she was back on the pad that sent her to the shrine.
After a fit of frustration, she saw the Spirit flying around her after appearing out of nowhere, before going through the doorway that lead to the path to the chambers where the Spirit is, all while she heard echoes coming from it, that she could barely put together as saying, "You have failed." to her.
Which was much to her dismay, since indeed, she has failed the Test of Observation. Supposedly, the easiest Test on paper.
And yet, the Spirit wasn't sending her away from the shrine, and back to the Palace. Instead, like it said to her, she still has a chance to face the test again, or to leave the Shrine in defeat, and despair.
She wasn't going to do the latter, regardless of the temptation to do such, and find a new Planet to make a home from for herself, Randorn, and her brother, since she failed to save this Planet. Instead, she just ran ahead to the path to the chambers, after some moments of somberly looking at the floor, feeling too determined to leave the Shrine empty handed.
After some more dodging of the jellyfish wraiths, and the fire spouts, Krystal was now in the chamber with the Spirit as a concerned Kyte flew to her. "Are you okay?! I just saw you vanish!" She said.
"I'll be fine. I… just failed due to the challenge. But… I can still try again, and succeed this time." Krystal said with a small blush, before telling her to roost somewhere else so she can retry the Test.
She was now in the center, facing the Spirit again.
"I apologize for the challenge. But it had to be this way, since making it too easy would've made this test child's play. And that would defeat the purpose of testing you for the others ahead. Life sometimes isn't easy, after all." The Spirit said.
As frustrated at the challenge as she was, she knew that the Spirit has a point. If she isn't prepared for any of the next couple of Spirits' challenges in the future, then she'd be bound to lose, and end up getting beaten for her troubles. Especially, if it involves the Sharpclaws, or General Scales himself.
"I understand. I can assure you that I am ready to try again. And this time, I will win this test." She responded determinedly.
"Very well. Let us begin." The Spirit then said before the baskets reappeared around Krystal, before the Spirit now chose the top left basket, before moving them around again at the same pace as the first one. Before she ended up choosing the basket to her top right, showing her that it wasn't using that trick again.
Then, after Krystal got to the second round, she kept her attention to the basket to the east as she kept her focus on it, before choosing it when it was to her south-east.
On the third round, Krystal chose the Spirit to her north-west, after some fast sorting, yet still not being as hard as it is in the fifth round.
And on the fourth round, she kept her eyes on the basket to her right as she made sure that it was the one with the Spirit inside of it. Luckily for her, it was.
And now it came down to the fifth round, where the Spirit was back in the same basket to her north, before the baskets were now sorting themselves on the same speed, and used the same patterns that threw her off a bit, along with the speed. But once they were all stationary, Krystal was sure that even though she was a bit disoriented, she chose the basket to her right, thinking that it's the one with the Spirit inside.
Shockingly, yet thankfully for her, she was for once, correct, as the Spirit flew out of the basket that she chose. Much to her pleasant surprise.
"Congratulations, one of the last of Cerinia. You have passed my test. And now, I am yours to take back to the Palace." The Spirit said, sounding proud of her for the win.
Which was pleasing to hear for Krystal, as she was now close to the Spirit as the baskets vanished around them both, before the Spirit suddenly flew into her, and launched her backwards, much to her shock as she found herself getting launched backwards, and upwards, before she suddenly felt herself softly descending downwards back to the ground.
Once her feet was on the ground, she now opened her eyes, and looked around at her surroundings, before then looking at Kyte as she descended.
Whom, was startled at seeing Krystal when she saw her eyes. But she wasn't scared since it was just the Spirit inside her, as she just smiled at Krystal.
"You've done it! You got the Spirit! I knew you could do it!" Kyte said happily.
All while Krystal was looking around, before feeling assured that the Spirit was in her after looking at her reflection, seeing that her eyes made a purple glow that illuminated her sclera. Causing her to raise her fist in the air in victory.
After that, and after Kyte roosted on her shoulder again, she was suddenly teleported out of the room, and out of the shrine itself.
After shaking off the disorienting effect of teleportation, Krystal refocused her efforts on returning to Randorn, alongside Kyte, as she walked out of the shrine's pad, and back into the chamber, where she saw that the captain was awake. "You're Randorn's child! I didn't think that you'd be the one to get that Spirit!" The Captain said surprised.
"I told you. She could be the one to save us." Randorn responded to the Captain. Before he then focused on her himself, seeing her eyes were a different color. "Ah see that ye got th' Krazoa Spirit." He said with a smile.
Before she could nod, the Spirit ended up floating out of her, showing itself to both the occupants that isn't Krystal, and Kyte, that she indeed has the Spirit, causing her to fall to the floor, weakened. Much to Kyte's concern. "Indeed, one of the last of Cerinia. I reside in her, and I am waiting patiently to be sent back to this place." The Spirit said, much to the surprise of even Krystal herself, before floating back into her body.
All while both Randorn, and the Captain was looking on in shock after flinching in surprise at what they saw.
"Wow. Ye truly got th' Spirit. Th' Spirit has chosen well. Ah knew that you were the one that kin save this Planet." Randorn said.
"Me? But I'm just a drifter, like you, and my brother. Who also searches for answers to why our Home Planet is gone. Can I possibly save this world as well?" She asked.
"Aye. You mustn't doubt yerself Krystal, nor should you underestimate yer own strength. Often th' greatest obstacle tae overcome, in order tae do great things, is tae overcome one's doubt. Ye must hope, 'n' know, that success kin be achieved, or ye'll be doomed tae succumb tae failure, even before yer challenge begins. 'n' ye must ne'er forget whit a've taught ye in th' past. " Randorn responded.
Krystal kept that in mind as she quickly expelled the doubts from her head, since she knew that Randorn is right. She must press on, and keep her doubts at bay if she is to save the planet from Scales, and from its power spiraling out of control. "I hope that I can live up to your trust in me, and do such a thing. Now, what do I do with the spirit now? Why must the Spirits be gathered here?"
"Th' Shrines keep th' Krazoa safe, an' out o' reach of th' evil folks that desires their power fur ill purposes. But as they reside in them, their power is ineffective, whin it comes tae keeping this world together. Only when all six o' them are together here, kin this Planet be healed, an' kin this war end." Randorn said.
She stood motionless of a moment, taking in the information, before she decided to step closer to Randorn. Whom was still recovering, as he was still sitting down on the seat. Before she then rested her palms on his torso. "Krystal? What're ye…"
"A way of giving you my thanks. Both for raising me well, and for your advice." She said, before she let the healing power flow through her, and into Randorn, to heal him from his wounds, if he had any left on him, as well as his exhaustion.
Which was helped by the Krazoa Spirit inside of her, amplifying her healing power. Which she sorta expected.
By the time she was done, Randorn was able to stand without issue. Much to his pleasant surprise as he stood up, towering a bit over Krystal. "Thank ye Krystal, for yer kindness. Ah truly raised ye well." He said, hugging her.
Which she returned to him.
By the time they were done, he now stood in front of her. "Just go tae that lift there, where th' doorway is. There's a hall in there that has a little circle at the end, where ye kin let th' spirit leave yer body. Afterwards, come tae me again, 'n' ah kin direct ye tae Thorntail Hollow."
"Thorntail Hollow?"
"It's a place that cannot be too far from Cape Claw. And it's in Discovery Falls, a section close to Cape Claw, that the second Spirit should be, but ye shouldn't go for it just yet. Cause once yer there, ye should first find th' Queen EarthWalker, whom should be there, and she should be able to direct ye to where the Prince could be, and from there, they can direct ye to th Spellstones. They are yer secondary objective, along with finding Sabre's reforged sword." Randorn explained.
Krystal nodded, understanding what he explained, before she was on her way to the circular lift, until she suddenly got her hand grabbed by Randorn.
"Wait! There's one more thing I almost forgot to tell ye. During yer time in the Shrine, I got a vision." He said, remembering having taken a little nap when she got in the Shrine.
"A vision? What happened in it?" She asked surprised, being familiar with his visions, viewing them as predictions of the future. And she hoped that this one isn't bad news.
"Yer gonna meet an outsider in Thorntail Hollow, as well. He isn't a Cerinian, so he isn't Sabre that ye'll meet. But nevertheless, he may prove to be a valuable companion for ye to have by yer side in this journey." Randorn said. "Just make sure that he's the kind o' fox that kin be helpful enough tae become yer companion, otherwise, keep yer distance from him." He then says, remembering the details of what the person is, as well as what he was capable of in his vision.
Krystal was surprised at what she heard from Randorn. And she didn't know what to think about this 'outsider' that she learned about. She did hope that he is the kind of man who could be nice enough to help her too. Even becoming a companion in the process. But she isn't scared of how dangerous he could be if he wasn't, as she nodded again to Randorn before proceeding to the lift.
Where once at the top, she, and Kyte, entered the hall, where she saw to her left, a rippling transparent force field that looked like it was made entirely out of water. Which made it difficult to see past it due to the constant ripples it made.
And on the other end of the hall, there was a circle on the wall, with a statue bust of the Krazoa Spirit's face on it, as it was in the similarly rippling section of the wall that was inside the circle. And in front of it, was a glowing little pad.
She quickly knew that it was the place where she can put the Spirit back into the Krazoa Palace. Even though she was also wondering a bit on what was past the rippling wall of water to her left.
Even though she did barely see what was on the other end of it. And she shivered at what she saw, as she hoped she isn't going to get trapped in there, before she kept herself together, as she jogged her way to the circle on the wall was, until she got to the pad.
"Could that be the place where you can place the Spirit back in the circle?" Kyte asked.
"It should be. Now to put the Spirit inside." She responded. Before she then got to the pad, before wondering what she could do to release the Spirit from her.
She decided to get on her knees in a pose of prayer, before she suddenly felt the Spirit straining to leave her body, causing her to gasp in pain at that feeling as she doubled over in pain, much to Kyte's concern. She felt like her own soul was going to get pulled out of her body too, in releasing the Spirit. She hoped it wasn't gonna happen as the Spirit was now floating out of her body to get taken by the statue bust as it got absorbed inside, when the statue started to shake a bit. Before making some sort of sound that dropped several octaves before the statue's mouth opened up, making a beam appear out, and into the rippling force field, as Krystal fell to the floor.
Krystal was able to recover after a moment, as Kyte was shaking her a bit, hoping that she's okay. "Are you okay Krystal?!" She asked.
"I'll be fine, Kyte. I was able to give the Spirit to the Palace, after all." She said, smiling at her to calm her down. "Now we just need to get to Thorntail Hollow, and find the Spellstone too. And hopefully, we may find another Krazoa Spirit along the way."
Kyte believed her, as she flew back to the entrance to the hall, waiting for Krystal to exit it, while Krystal ended up getting back on her feet while avoiding the beam that continued to dance out of the mouth of the bust, and was going to walk to the exit, when her senses of danger started to go off. Causing her to dive forwards, while rolling around, before turning around while drawing her staff, to see what, or who it was, that was behind her.
What she saw, was a phantasm that she initially didn't recognize, that was behind her. She knew it was evil, but she then started to realize what the spirit was, when her memory was jogged. And she was horrified when she saw what the phantasm was.
It was the same one that she saw, from her dreams of her Planet's destruction.
"It's you!" She yelled out.
The phantasm merely laughed in response, before he tried to strike at her, intending to knock her into the beam. Only for her to barely dodge his first strike, before she threw the first jab at her opponent, but her staff not only phased through the phantasm, but when she touched him with her foot when she tried to kick him, she felt an explosion of numbness on it. It felt like she put her foot through icy-cold water, while she also felt a shock of electricity as well. Which caused her to end up falling on one knee, leaving her powerless to dodge the next strike from the phantasm. Which left her berating herself for not using her magic to try to either harm, or stun the phantasm.
"AAAHHHH!" She yelled out, feeling herself flying through the air even though she blocked the phantasm's strike, yet still keeping her grip on her staff in hopes that she can still attack back when she lands. But she was in the beam as she was starting to fly through the air.
Only to suddenly be pulled out of the beam and out of the hallway by a telekinetic force as she now felt herself on the floor, right in the entrance of the hall, and near Randorn's feet.
"C'mon Krystal! Ye must escape, and go to Thorntail Hollow! An' ye mustn't lose that staff!" Randorn said, pulling her back up to her feet, before they both ran off the edge into the room where the Captain is, while rolling to bleed off the momentum of their fall, (Despite how old Randorn is.) where they were now running with the phantasm in pursuit.
The phantasm ended up getting briefly stunned by a plasma blast spell from Randorn, before the Captain of the EarthWalker was now leaving himself behind to hold him back. "Go on! I'll hold him off!"
"No! You have to follow us!" Krystal yelled out in sorrow, and anger. "Let us help fight that thing!"
"Ah'm afraid we cannot go back! Neither o' us stands a chance against whitevur that is!" Randorn said, keeping Krystal's hand in his own as he had to drag her from the EarthWalker, who was now fighting a futile battle against the phantasm, all while Kyte was also fleeing in terror of the phantasm, having flew out of the hall when she heard Krystal yell.
Krystal reluctantly obeyed Randorn, as she ran with him, and Kyte, down the corridor to flee from the room. All of them heard screams of agony from their protector, as he fought hard in his losing battle, but none of them dared to look back. Not even Kyte, as she, and Krystal was leaking tears from their eyes at the thought of the sacrifice that he made, and even Randorn was looking quite somber, at what happened too. But they were all determined to ensure that his sacrifice won't be in vain as they were now back outside.
Where Randorn was whistling for the CloudRunner, named Zephyr, that sent Krystal to the Palace. "Just remember what ah said about the outsider. Make sure he is helpful, an' make sure that he isn't on the side of the Sharpclaw!" Randorn said.
"But what about you?! Aren't you coming?" She asked.
Randorn shook his head. "Despite yer healing, I'm still not at full strength since I saved ye with me magic, and slowed down th' phantasm! But ah will meet ye at Thorntail Hollow! It shouldn't take long for me to heal!" He responded. "Do nae worry! Ah kin hide somewhere else in the Palace where the phantasm cannot find me! Just be sure to trust in yerself, and in the outsider, should he become yer companion! Now go! Hurry!"
Zephyr was now on the balcony with them, as a reluctant Krystal heeded Randorn, and got on the CloudRunner after putting Kyte in her arms, before both Randorn, and Krystal, had Zephyr speedily flying away from the Palace. Not that he needed to be told twice when he saw the phantasm trying to get to them.
He bolted into the air with Krystal on his back, as she looked back towards Randorn, hoping that he'd escape the phantasm as she was now riding on the CloudRunner as he flew in the air.
All while Randorn was noticing the phantasm bearing down on him, trying to grab him for imprisoning. Only for him to merely teleport out of his sight after building up enough magical power to do such. Much to his chagrin as he roared up into the sky in rage, before going back into the palace.
Krystal was on the back of the CloudRunner as she made sure not to drop Kyte, as they all were flying away from the Palace. Hearing the roar, Krystal felt a little intimidated at the roar, yet hopeful that it meant that Randorn has successfully gotten away from him.
"What was that thing?" Zephyr asked.
"I don't know his name. But I remember seeing him when my Home Planet was destroyed. Why he's here, I cannot guess an answer to. But I know that it isn't a good reason as to why." Krystal said.
"Either way, where to?!" Zephyr asked.
"We need to return to CloudRunner Fortress first, before we go to Thorntail Hollow! Mother must know of what happened here!" Princess Kyte said.
Krystal felt like echoing that notion, since she feels that she should give the news to the Queen that her daughter is safe, and to reunite her with her mother too.
Only for Zephyr to end up slowing down. "I'm afraid that is impossible." Zephyr said in shock at what he was suddenly seeing.
As was Krystal when she saw a humongous rock in the distance, which she knew, was a piece of the Planet itself. And knowing the direction to take, she then knew that it was the CloudRunner Fortress that was now floating away into space. Much to their horror.
"By the gods. This is worse than I feared." Zephyr said in quiet horror. While Kyte was also horrified at what she just saw, alongside Krystal as they all were left flying in place for minutes on end.
"Well, it seems that we have to just go to Thorntail Hollow now." Zephyr said after a minute of flying in place out of shock, while Kyte was shedding her tears at what just happened. After all, her mother could've been in the fortress when it floated off into space. And she was hopeful that she isn't suffocating.
After some moments of staring, Krystal got back to her senses. "Change of plans, we're going to Warlock Mountain first!" Krystal said.
"What? Why?" Zephyr asked while Kyte was wondering the same thing.
"If that thing is lurking around there, then I'd rather not think about my brother encountering that thing if he too is gathering the Spirits to the Palace! So I hope to give him something to protect himself with before he goes there. There should still be another staff in my room, that I can grab for him, just in case we meet before I find his sword that we were able to reforge beforehand!" Krystal said.
It makes sense to them, since he may have no weapon of his own, so Zephyr felt that a little detour might not harm them any. Especially if it is towards Warlock Mountain.
Warlock Mountain, is a home of Krystal's, as well as Randorn, and his son's, whom is named Sabre. Despite its malicious sounding name, it was a lovely place to stay for the Cerinians, and any friend that they have made in Dinosaur Planet. It was built by the dinosaurs, mainly the EarthWalkers, and CloudRunners, out of thanks for the Cerinians, for saving them from a vicious attack by the SharpClaw, when they attempted to kidnap the Prince of the EarthWalkers, only for Randorn to foil their plans, while Krystal lead the successful defense of the CloudRunners, when they also tried to kidnap the Princess. With Sabre also leading the other natives of the Planet against the SharpClaws in their Counterattack against them.
Before this situation, it was possibly the biggest attack that Scales, and the SharpClaws, has done to Dinosaur Planet, in their attempt to take it over. And the fact that they foiled the attack, and defeated them, had the natives thanking them with their building of their home in Warlock Mountain. Which was labeled as their new home. Even though Krystal merely drifted around in space, looking for answers, while returning to Dinosaur Planet safely.
Warlock Mountain should be a safe place from the SharpClaws. At least they hoped.
"Very well. Where is Warlock Mountain?" Zephyr asked.
"It should be at least fifty kilometers, South-West from here! Do you think you can make it there, before you drop in exhaustion?" She asked.
"I should be good for that long. But I might need a break from flying, once we're there, and it's getting dark soon too." Zephyr said.
"Very well then. Let us go to Warlock Mountain, and rest there." She said, feeling a little tired herself.
All while Kyte was still feeling worried about her mother if she was in CloudRunner Fortress when it floated off into space. Which Krystal noticed.
"Don't worry Princess Kyte. We'll ensure that CloudRunner Fortress will be back on the ground. And that your mom is safe from harm." Krystal said, calming Kyte down as Zephyr proceeded to fly ahead, on course to where the Vixen was pointing out to him on where to go. They were all looking forward to having a little break at that point.
Meanwhile, in the corner of the Lylat System
A Dreadnaught class ship was sailing through the open space, far from any asteroid field, Planet, or even Nebulas, among other things. And it clearly looks like it has seen better days, since it had some rust, or scorch marks on it, among other issues that it had on the outer hull, showing a visual testimony of its former glory days of back in the past when the Lylat Wars was still in full swing. And now it looked like it was in need of repairs.
It was not that the Owners of this ship didn't care for its well being. Quite the opposite in fact, as they would be willing to repair the ship that was for all intents and purposes, like a home for them. It's just that they were pretty low on funds to repair it.
They still had their emblem on the ship, even though it was a little faded. Which consisted of a red silhouette of a fox, with a wing on its back. While under it, folks nearby can barely make out the name of the team that owned the ship, which is a name that could still be barely read despite the ship's current state.
The name was Star Fox.
The crew of the ship, consisted of only three members, so far. Or Four if one counts the robot that was on the ship too. Whom was being repaired by one of the members, whom was a mechanic for the team. His name is Slippy Toad.
Loud rock music was playing through the bridge of the Ship, from a jukebox that looked to be older than the ship that they were in, known as the Great Fox, as the Toad mechanic bobbed his head to the music, yet not losing his concentration, or steadiness as he continued to fine tune the robot with adjustments.
With a final twist of the wrench, Slippy finished his repairs on the robot. "There, that should do it ROB." Slippy said.
The Robot known as ROB 64, or just ROB for short, stood up straight from his hunched over stance, before examining the work done on himself from Slippy. "Affirmative. I'm getting back to work." ROB said, before walking down the room as the music continued to blare through the bridge.
Which annoyed the senior member of the team, as well as the former fighter Pilot for the team himself, whom was a middle-aged grey hare, known as Peppy Hare. Whom was looking at the main chair in the room through the spectacles on his snout. "Hey Fox! Isn't this music getting on your nerves?! I'm trying to work on my maps here!" He said through the music.
The main chair in the room swiveled around to show the leader of the Team himself, who was a Fox named… Fox McCloud. Whom personally liked the music. But he decided to be nice, and heed the Hare's request. "Okay Old Timer." He said to Peppy, before turning to the Toad himself. "Turn the music down Slippy!" He said to Slippy.
Whom grumbled about turning down the music before deciding to toss the wrench behind him, hitting the Juke Box behind him, causing the music to turn off after some noise making.
Much to the Fox leader's annoyance. "Hey! Watch it, there's enough stuff breaking down here, as it is!" He said.
Any arguments that might've came, was put to the side when they all got an incoming transmission. Fox decided to push accept, causing a hologram of a familiar friend of theirs, to appear in the room. He was an older bloodhound wearing a red military cap, as well as a General's military uniform of the Cornerian Defense Force.
The whole team recognized who it was. "Hey guys! It's General Pepper!" Fox called to his team, making them all focus on the hologram of the General, that floated above the comm console.
"General Pepper here!" He said. "How are things on your end?" Pepper asked.
"It's all quiet, I'm afraid." Fox said deadpan. "And it's been that way for months. No Pirates to drive off, no wannabe dictators trying to take over the Planets, or systems, heck, not even Star Wolf is around, trying to challenge us to a duel. And frankly sir, we're bored out of our minds. And flat broke on top of that." Fox said, narrowing his eyes slightly. "But I'm sure that you're not making a transmission all the way out here, to see how we're doing, aren't you?"
"Indeed Fox. It is insight like that, that makes you a good leader." Pepper said, chuckling at his quip. Before he continued. "If you're willing, I have a new mission that you and your team can take."
At that, the team didn't hesitate when they said the two words that told him that they made their choice. "We accept!"
Pepper was surprised, and bemused at their answer that they spoke with no hesitation. "You didn't hear what it is yet. Are you sure you're taking this mission?"
"We've got nothing better to do, other than lazing about in this ship. And that ain't paying us any money. If it did, then we'd be doing more of it." Fox snarkily said. "So if you have anything to say about the mission, then go ahead."
"As you wish." Pepper said. "If you're that eager to go, then steer the Great Fox towards these Coordinates. I'll brief you all along the way there."
"So be it. ROB, you got them jotted down?" Fox asked.
"Affirmative, setting course to Coordinates. Estimated time, three hours, fifty three minutes." ROB said.
"Then let's use the jump drive, to make our way there, ROB." Fox said.
"Roger roger." ROB said, pressing some buttons on the bridge.
Suddenly, a rift appeared in front of the Great Fox after it zapped out a beam that created it. And soon, it sucked the Great Fox in, before vanishing.
Now, the Great Fox was zooming through space at the speed of light, through the rift. Which did put some worry on Peppy, and Pepper, due to the current conditions on the Great Fox, but Fox, and Slippy, were confident that it'll hold together when they get to Dinosaur Planet.
"Ten minutes left, until the Destination is reached." ROB said.
"That's enough time to bring you all to speed." Pepper said. "Okay, listen up. There is a little planet that is in the outskirts of the Lylat System. It is called Sauria. Or, as it's also known, as Dinosaur Planet. Due to the natives that reside there."
Fox was in awe of this revelation. "Actual Dinosaurs? Actual living, breathing Dinosaurs?"
"Actual living, breathing, talking Dinosaurs." Pepper insisted. "Unfortunately, they don't speak the Lylatian language, so you'll need a translator when you enter the Planet's surface, and speak with the inhabitants there. Also, the reason why you're learning about this place, is because Sauria, being a primitive Planet, has stayed under the radar until about a week ago, when we received a call for help from someone who identifies herself as the Queen of the EarthWalker Tribe. We sent some scout drones to that place, for some scanning, to get a better assessment of the situation. You'll see it for yourselves, but here are some photos we took of it." He then said.
Then his hologram disappeared, before showing the images of the Planet in his place, causing all three members of Star Fox to gasp in shock at the sight of the Planet.
Which had some pieces of it, torn off, as they were floating around it like asteroids.
"Holy mackerel." Peppy breathed out. "What is happening to that place?"
"As you can see, there are chunks of that Planet… that has been pulled from the surface." Pepper explained, as his image reappeared beside the other image. "Currently, we don't know what is causing this to happen, but at this rate, if Sauria explodes, it could have adverse effects on almost all of the Lylat System. The shockwaves, and debris would be an immediate hazard, but the alterations to Lylat's gravity in general could have drastic long term effects."
"Oh geez. I never liked asteroids. Both in real life, and in video games." Fox said deadpan. "Any hints on where we should start?"
"We may have enough of an Idea on what's going on, in the Planet, so I recommend going to Thorntail Hollow. But I recommend using your Arwing to enter Thorntail Hollow, as the chunks of the Planet is making a little field of asteroids. Which would make it impossible to land on the surface with the Great Fox, without suffering damage, so I recommend keeping it in Orbit. Also, there's another point I must make." Pepper said.
"And what is it?" Slippy asked.
"Fox, any advanced weapon you have on the Great Fox, must be kept on board. You are authorized to carry only your Blaster to the Planet." He answered.
"What? No offense General, but why only my Blaster? There could be strong foes that I might fight on the Planet, and I might need ways to defend myself." Fox said.
"That maybe true, but there are elements on Sauria that could actively oppose you. They are known as the SharpClaws, and the Queen suspects that they are behind the current crisis on the Planet. If you're captured, there could be a risk of those advanced weapons falling into their hands." Pepper explained. "And before you say, 'I'll simply ensure that they won't take my weapons. I'll never be captured if I have them.' then listen up. As there is ANOTHER reason why. The Queen herself notes, that most of the population of Sauria is scared of what has happened to their world. And your all-guns-blazing tactics, would likely inspire more panic, which would make this job harder in the long run." He then explained.
"Besides, this mission is about saving the Planet, not blowing it up. You'll need some info, not firepower, for 'this mission'. And it'd be difficult to complete it if everybody is either cowering before you, or attacking you, simply out of self defense." Pepper said.
Fox did want to argue against it, but he knew it'd be a detriment to do such, especially since Pepper's reasons made much sense. He wasn't happy about the restrictions, since there could be big beasts he could meet in the near future, among other dangers, but hey, he needed to keep his job. And he knew that it was better to avoid a panic, since what Pepper said is true.
"I understand General." Fox said.
"Let's be thankful that you get to keep your blaster, at the least. But you must not shoot it recklessly at anything that isn't a SharpClaw, or the Blaster is also getting restricted. Queen's orders after all." Pepper then said.
Fox couldn't argue with that part, as he did like his blaster. "Thanks General."
"No problem. But I recommend another weapon that won't need ammunition, or recharges, since you may be spending a majority of time down on the surface. And probably on your own, unless your teammates would like to join you on foot." Pepper said.
"No thanks. I think I'm too old to be running around on the ground of a primitive Planet. Let alone fighting those SharpClaws." Peppy said.
"I think I'm better inside this ship too. After all, if you thought I'm clumsy in a cockpit, wait until you see me in a fist fight." Slippy said nervously. "We'll be sure to keep an eye on the bigger picture while in here, while you're on the ground."
"I'm fine with that. Thanks guys." He said before focusing on the General. "If that's everything, then I should gear up for an extended ground mission." He said.
"That's the spirit Fox!" Pepper said. "Now, the first thing to do, once on the ground, is to find the Queen EarthWalker. She should be in Thorntail Hollow, and she should be able to guide you further once you meet her. The situation is very fluid, and there could be changes, but your goal should remain the same. So don't let those changes stop you, or leave you feeling lost. Your fee is being approved as we speak, so once the mission's success is confirmed, your account will receive it. The sum could change depending on what happens down there."
"Could it change upwards?" Fox said hopefully.
"As I said, it depends on what happens down there. If it changes at all, then it could have a chance to go up." Pepper responded.
ROB eventually got the members' attention by ending the jump through Hyperspace, showing that they were getting closer to Dinosaur Planet. "Now only at least 50 minutes away from destination. Arwings now recommended for use." ROB said.
"You heard him. Now go down there, and save the Planet. For all our sakes. And good luck Fox. Pepper out." He said, before disconnecting his comm.
"You heard the General, let's do this!" Fox called out to his teammates, who nodded at him in agreement.
His new adventure was about to begin. And little did he know, it was going to get interesting from there.
And done.
Here's the second chapter of Star Fox Adventures through Dinosaur Planet. Star Fox's journey is about to begin.
And in this, he gets to keep his blaster, but his other weapons are staying on the Great Fox.
Also, like I said, there's going to be some elements that I'm adding from the Dinosaur Planet game that SFA could've been if they made no changes to it. So expect them to come into play. Among other things that I plan to add in the future.
Finally, one more thing.
I hope that you enjoyed the chapter,
please give constructive criticism, just don't be rude,
And do not forget to read and review,
and once again, I do not own Star Fox or Dinosaur Planet. They are created and owned by Nintendo, and Rareware Studios. Please support the Official releases.
Theodore the Poet signing off.