Krazoa Palace; Dinosaur Planet's most sacred place. A mountain hidden in a storm. A winding palace built for the Krazoa, ancient spirits of peace that breathed life into the planet. Sauria.

Here, she awoke. A glass prism surrounded her, holding her trapped and suspended in the rain. She hadn't eaten in days, but the endless storm from the ominous clouds above had quenched her thirst. Her blue fur was sopping wet, but the air was warm enough to keep her from catching her death.

She couldn't move most of her body, but her eyes counted the purple Krazoa Spirits that circled the prison. Still four... How much longer? She thought. As if on cue, his presence entered her mind. She sighed in relief. It was such a calming, familiar presence... She had never even met him, but there was something familiar about the handsome stranger that had been working so hard to save her.

The sound of an arwing flying to the ground was heard. Krystal closed her eyes and smiled. Knowing he was here brought her hope. The soft ambiance of rain covered the sound of his steps, but she knew where he was going; down into the palace to release another spirit. Another spirit, and another step closer to being freed.

It was several minutes before the long awaited Krazoa Spirit slipped up through the gaping hole below her cage. Only one more, and she would be free.

The gate that had blocked off the final shrine opened. Fox came up from the wind lift at the front of the raised platform where she was imprisoned, and walked over to the now open warp pad. He vanished, presumably reappearing within the shrine.

It was only a few short moments before Fox returned, but to Krystal, it had seemed an eternity.

He hurried to the final release spot, the one place he had yet to go, and the spirit left his body.

"Yeah!" He said in triumph, throwing his fist into the air.

Suddenly, the Krazoa began to circle Krystal with a growing aggressiveness. The black pointed spires below and above the prism that held her captive began to spin faster and faster, slowly closing in the space between them.

"What's going on? You said this would save her!" Fox cried accusingly at the Krazoa. He jogged cautiously toward the raised platform, not sure whether to run or stay put.

As if in response to his angry comment, a Krazoa turned off its circular course and flew directly into Krystal's body, rendering her unconscious.

"No!" Fox yelled, darting toward her. He felt helpless, standing just out of reach as spirit after spirit entered her prone body.

She groaned as the sheer power of the Krazoa overwhelmed her tiny frame. The prison she was in acted as a catalyst to amplify this power, and began to channel it out of her body. Sensing that their powers were being used for evil, the Krazoa fled from her prison - but it was too late.

The ground began to tremble below Fox's feet. He stood below Krystal, on guard for the unexpected. "Wake up!" He cried. "Wake up!"

Krystal winced as she slowly regained consciousness. The black spirals that had supported her prison exploded, snapping her out of her daze. She had only passed out for a few seconds, but to her, it had been an eternity. She had missed something... something big.

But before she could stop to think of what it was, she was falling.

She screamed, realizing now that the many nightmares she had endured of her falling from this prison to her death were about to become a reality.

Air.

Space.

Time.

These had no meaning in the second that she began to fall. One thought and one thought only forced its way into her mind.

No, not a thought... a voice. A man's voice.

"Don't forget me, princess..."

Her focus shifted back to reality as a shining object flitted in front of her eyes. She reacted in an instant, snatching her arms forward and grabbing hold of the pole-shaped object. She recognized it after only a few milliseconds.

It was her staff.

Her weight pulled the end downward, and for a moment she thought she would still fall to her doom below, but then the staff jerked to a halt. Her hands slid to the edge of it with the momentum of her fall, swinging her precariously on the edge of doom.

Her fear was replaced with a flooding relief as she felt herself being partially lifted, and she reached out desperately for solid ground. Her hand grasped the cement edge of the palace roof.

She pulled herself up to her elbow and released the staff, trading it for the safety of the roof.

Another hand rested a few inches from hers. Until that moment, it hadn't occurred to her that she had been rescued by a being.

And that that being could possibly be Fox.

She looked up into his emerald green eyes and held his gaze. There, dangling on the edge between life and death, she fell in love.

She pulled herself up as Fox turned his attention from her to the head of the Krazoa statue that had come off its post with a terrible rumble. It was slowly starting to circle the raised platform where they now stood.

"I am reborn, the mighty Krazoa god, muahahahahaha! Kneel all those that stand before me!" It shouted at the two vulpine, laughing maniacally.

"We will never kneel to you!" Krystal retorted, stomping her foot and pointing for emphasis.

Fox took the staff that was still in his hands, and with a few twirls for show, he aimed it at the Krazoa head. It occurred to him that there were better weapons than a thin metal rod, and he stepped back, sliding it home into his backpack.

He opted instead for standing defensively with one arm out in front of Krystal.

Her focus was drawn from the looming Krazoa head to the glittering gem in Fox's backpack. "Give me that!" She cried, yanking her possession from his belongings.

"Hey, w-wait!" Fox said in protest as he turned to face her. "Well, thanks for nothing. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be standing here at all!" He said, quickly, trying to take her mind off of the staff. He crossed his arms. That staff had grown on him. He wasn't quite ready to give it up.

"My staff!" She cried, ignoring him. She raised the weapon to fire on the escaping enemy. "You're back..."

Team Star Fox

in

A New Beginning

Chapter 1: Thank You

Krystal ceased her firing as the Krazoa disappeared through the warp gate, followed by Fox's arwing. She shortened her staff and tucked it under the strap that held her loincloth to her hips. Then she jogged lightly off the raised platform, and laid eyes on a crate that held a SharpClaw symbol.

She struck it once with her staff, but it didn't break. She struck it again with the remains of her energy, and it crumbled to pieces. There was a Puk-Puk egg inside of it.

She fell to her knees and snatched it from the ground, taking a deep bite and savoring the sweet taste. She was quite hungry, having been trapped inside the transparent prism for nearly two days. She soon found another box, and quickly devoured the tasty snack within. After her hunger was duly satisfied, Krystal went down to the lower level.

Immediately upon coming out of the wind lift, a SharpClaw ran at her in an offensive manner, club ready. She extended her staff and took a defensive position.

The SharpClaw stopped in his tracks and covered his face with his hands, afraid she might kill him on the spot. "Please! I not hurt you, just don't kill me!" He said in his raspy voice.

"As long as you're not hurting me, I won't hurt you." Krystal said, shortening her staff but still eyeing him suspiciously. This was a SharpClaw, and they were seldom friendly without a motive.

"You've got staff… Are you Fox McCloud?" The SharpClaw asked.

"No, I'm Krystal." She said with a giggle. "Fox was using my staff. He rescued me from the top of this palace, and I took it back from him." She paused, realizing how selfish it sounded coming from her. "…He flew off in his ship after that Krazoa statue." She explained.

"He defeated General? Is General dead?" The SharpClaw asked eagerly.

"Yes, I believe Fox defeated him. I saw him enter the last shrine, and Fox went in not long after him. I doubt he would have given up his Krazoa spirit without a fight."

The SharpClaw cheered. "Scales is dead!"

"Could you do me a favor?" Krystal asked. "You don't happen to have a ship I could borrow… Do you?"

"SharpClaw have ship at Ice Mountain." He said. "WarpStone help you. Get you there."

"Thanks for your help. And for all of our sake, I hope the General is dead, too." She added, and then walked away.

She found a path that most likely had a warp pad, but a metal gate blocked it off. She spun her staff around, and prepared to hit it. The entire rod glowed a deep blue. She spun around and struck the gate with the end, breaking it to pieces that scattered on the floor.

Down that tunnel and off a short ledge lay an open warp pad. She stepped onto the pad and used it to get to ThornTail Hollow. The WarpStone immediately stopped her.

"And just where do you think you're going?" He asked.

"Ice Mountain?" She said, more inquiring why he was stopping her than telling him where she was going.

"Ha! You can't go to Ice Mountain without bringing me a gift first." He said, secretly hoping he'd get another rock candy. In truth, he hadn't been able to stop thinking about the candy since Fox had first approached him.

"Like what? I don't even have anything." She said.

"Hmm… how about that?" He asked, pointing to the object she had in her hand.

Krystal looked down. "My staff!" She cried. "No, I wouldn't. I could never give it up again. My father gave it to be before he died. It's all I have left of my past. I'd be lost without it."

The WarpStone shrugged. "Well, I'm afraid I can't help you." He said. Krystal sighed.

"Well, alright. I'll find another way to get to Ice Mountain." She said. "But I might be too late, and if I'm too late, I'll never get to thank Fox for saving me, or the planet..." She added.

Then, slowly, she turned and took a step away. And then another.

"Ah...wait, alright. I'll take ye. But it's only for Fox!" The WarpStone said guiltily.

Krystal turned back around and smiled. "Oh, thank you! Now I'll be able to catch Fox before he leaves!" The WarpStone held out his hand, and Krystal carefully climbed on.

"Are you ready to warp?" He asked. Krystal nodded eagerly. Using his powers, the WarpStone teleported her to Ice Mountain. As she disappeared, he sighed sadly. "Nobody ever brings me gifts anymore."

Krystal sighed happily, walking out of the small cave and into the cold, snowy atmosphere of the mountain. She shivered a bit. A large, metal ship was parked in the center of a wide area. Two SharpClaw were arguing about something.

The vixen attempted to sneak past them, but they saw her. "Hey! Stop!" They shouted at her. Krystal gasped, extending her staff.

They stopped in their tracks when they saw her weapon. "Hey… she got the staff… What Scales said?"

"Scales dead…Not say nothing."

"He said, who has stick, kill us…" They whispered to each other. "What you want?"

Krystal sensed what they were arguing about. "I'd like to borrow this ship, if you don't mind." She said, still aiming her staff at them.

"You no borrow ship… it ours!" One of them argued. He immediately realized he'd just disagreed with the creature that had the power to end his life.

Krystal aimed her staff at the one who'd spoken. He flinched. "I need to borrow the ship. I'll bring it back when I'm done with it." She said.

The SharpClaws said nothing. They just stared at her, afraid that she'd kill them if they so much as spoke.

"Okay, I'm going to take the ship now. If you so much as think of sneaking up on me, I'll use my staff on you." She threatened.

They were beside themselves with fright.

Krystal smiled to herself as she walked onto the ship. My, Fox has built up quite the reputation for my staff. She let out a quiet giggle. Hmm… now what? I've got the ship, but how does it work? She looked over the controls, trying to remember what her brother had taught her years ago. Okay… this one should turn it on… she thought as she flipped a switch. These must be the controls to steer…

There was a pad with several numbers and symbols. Hm… I think this is how you call someone… but I don't have any information about his ship… Krystal carefully lifted the ship out of the small area, and flew toward space.

As she exited the atmosphere, she couldn't help but look off into the distance. No one could see it until they got close, but a small barren planet floated not too far from Sauria, just beyond the Lylat System. Krystal knew by heart where it was. She'd never forget. She couldn't…

She turned her attention to the controls as an asteroid floated by just outside the window. Off to her left, the Krazoa Spirits floated through space, pulling the chunks back into their rightful places. She smiled at the magnificent sight. "He really did it. He saved Sauria."

A grand ship with the symbol of a winged Fox drifted ahead in the planet's orbit.

The Great Fox was just in range of her ship's radar. After messing with the controls, she was able to make the ship send a call of some sort.

Peppy Hare let the call through. "Yes? Who is this? Are you alright?"

"This is Krystal."

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" He asked.

"Nothing's wrong at all. I'm perfectly fine, why do you ask?"

"You sent a distress call, you know…"

"Oh! I'm sorry! I'm…I didn't know how to…"

"Ah, never mind it. As long as you're okay. What do you need?"

"Um… well, is Fox there?" She inquired. As soon as she'd asked, she knew the answer. She sensed his presence farther away. He had gone back to the Krazoa Palace, in search of her. The realization brought a slight grin to her face.

"No, I'm afraid not. He ran into a bit of a problem, but he should be back soon enough. When he gets back, would you like me to leave him a message for you?" Peppy asked.

"Um… well, no, actually." She said, noticing a perfect opportunity. "You can play back messages, yes?"

"That is how the machines work, yes."

"I'd like you to record a message from me, and play it back when you see my ship in the window. If I time it just right... I'll be able to walk in right at the end. No?"

Peppy sat thoughtfully for a moment. "Yes, that is possible. I'll forward you to the recorder in a minute. Is there anything else you need?"

"No, that's all. Thank you." She said.

"I'll keep a look out for you. Here you go, just wait for the beep sound and then start talking."

There was silence for a moment, and then a soft tone.

"Hi, Fox. I really appreciate what you did for me. I'm just so sorry we didn't get much of a chance to talk… I'm left with just one more thing to do." She looked down at the control board and punched a red button on the number pad.

Her call was cut off.

She sighed, wondering if she would be able to time it right.

(30 minutes later, on the Great Fox)

"Woohoo hoo! Yeah!" Slippy Toad jumped up and down with glee as he heard that they would all get paid for rescuing Sauria.

"We can finally repair this ship." Peppy said happily.

"And I really need some oil. These joints are not what they used to be." Rob the robot said in his usual monotone voice. His left arm slid out of place, and he quickly put it back.

"And I can't wait to get back with the Star Fox Team. Hey guys, you don't mind if I hang with you again, do ya?" Falco Lombardi asked as he walked through the Docking Bay door.

Fox paused to think for a minute, giving Falco a teasing look, as if he hadn't noticed the extra arwing resting in the Docking Bay when he returned from Sauria. "Sure, Falco. It's great to have you back." He said finally. Falco gave Fox his usual playful smirk and walked toward the group.

"The Star Fox Team is back together again!" Slippy said happily.

Peppy, who had been staring out the window, suddenly looked up. "Oh, Fox! I almost forgot. I received this message from Krystal."

Fox's face lit up as Krystal's face came up on the holographic projector.

"Hi, Fox. I really appreciate what you did for me. I'm just so sorry we didn't get much of a chance to talk... I'm left with just one more thing to do." The sound of a ship landing on the guest landing pad during the message caused several skeptical looks. Fox's ears twitched as he listened to the ship lock onto the pad and turn off. A few seconds later, the docking bay door opened.

"And that's to say, thank you." Krystal said, smiling as she walked toward him.

Fox was caught off guard. "Well… uh, okay… I mean, sure! No problem!" He blushed lightly, realizing he had just made himself sound like an idiot.

"Ah ha-ha! You're not shy, are you Fox?" Slippy teased the blushing vulpine as Falco elbowed him. Krystal smiled, standing nervously next to Fox.

"My sensors indicate Fox's temperature is rising. Are you okay Fox?" Rob asked in his monotone voice, causing the others to break into laughter.

"I'm gonna be just fine." Fox said, looking at Krystal.

Falco cleared his throat. "Well, now that I'm back, I'm gonna head down and make sure Slip-up hasn't done something awful to my room while I've been gone…" Slippy looked down guiltily. "Slip, I think you might have some explaining to do."

"Err... I think I'd rather stay here." Slippy mumbled. Falco shot him a glare, and the startled frog reluctantly followed him off the bridge.

"This is gonna be good..." Falco snickered, hiding just outside the door.

"Oh, boy. I'd better follow them and make sure they don't get into trouble." Peppy said, leaving the two foxes alone with only Rob, who seemed to get the hint from the other members and turned to fiddle with something on the control board.

"I, um... I just wanted to say thank you, for everything." She paused. "But I do have a question."

"Yeah?"

"Why did you help me? You didn't know who I was. I could've been evil!"

Fox shrugged. "Well… I mean, saving you was a part of the mission. And besides, I couldn't just leave you there to die." He said.

"You're a very kind man, Fox. Thank you." She took a breath and then kissed him on the cheek.

His face flushed and he avoided eye contact. "Uh, y-you're... welcome. Any time."

"Well, Fox, I guess this is goodbye. Could you take me back to my ship?" She asked, walking toward the Docking Bay.

"Goodbye? Yeah, of course." Fox said, disappointed. He walked with her onto the elevator that lead to the Docking Bay, and pressed the according button. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

"Is there something…you wanted to say?" Krystal inquired, sensing his reluctance as the elevator stopped and the door opened to her borrowed ship.

"No, I... I guess not." Fox said quickly. The regret surfaced immediately.

She smiled, slightly disappointed. "Goodbye, Fox." She turned and walked away with one final glance over her shoulder, and just like that, she was gone.

In that one moment, all Fox could do was stare. He didn't know what it was that had caused him to freeze. Perhaps it was the lighting in the elevator, or the way she smiled, or maybe it was the way her hair was gently tossed when she turned toward him before the ship's door closed. He was just stuck there, standing like an idiot as she left. The elevator returned to its stationary spot by the bridge. He stood there quietly for several minutes before opening the door.

"Fox. Fox!" Falco snapped, walking away from the surveillance area of the control board.

Fox snapped back into reality. "Gah! What!"

"You idiot! You just let her go?! I have never felt so disappointed in you in my life. How about, 'why don't you stay?' or 'Hey, I'd really like it if you didn't leave' or maybe even a 'I'd like to bone you and if you go now I'm going to be depressed for the next year'. But really?" He raised his voice to a mocking tone, "No, I guess not!" He scoffed, speaking normally again. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!"

Fox fumbled for words. "It's too late, I mean, she's gone. I... I guess I'll... I'll just..."

"You sorry excuse for a mercenary. Stop guessing! You can bash in bad guys and face foes a hundred times your size but you can't talk to a beautiful girl? Go after her!" He pointed aggressively towards the Docking Bay. "You obviously like her, so do something! Don't be like I was with Katt. I let her go because I was stupid. I could've gone after her, but instead I just sat there and watched her leave. Go after her now, or sit there in silence and wish you had for the rest of your life." Falco said.

"Falco, I can't. What would Peppy say?" Fox countered. "My father wouldn't be proud of me holding up our payday just for a girl. This ship needs repairs. Plus, she's got things to do down there. I can't just go and mess it up because I feel like it. It's just a dumb feeling anyway."

"Peppy? Your father? Your father would be damn proud of you if you left right now. I can promise you if you let her get away right now, he's going to turn over in his grave and weep. You're breaking your own dad's heart!" Falco accused. "He probably wanted to have grandchildren some day!"

"But I-"

"But what!" Falco cried.

"I can't just-"

"One more word. One more word and I swear..." Falco began.

"Falco!"

"YOU GET YOUR ASS OUT THAT DOOR THIS SECOND OR SO HELP ME, MCCLOUD, I WILL BLAST YOUR DAMN KNEECAPS OFF!" Falco shouted, drawing his weapon.

"You wouldn't..." Fox said.

"Oh, really? You wanna wait and find out exactly what I wouldn't do?" Falco asked. "Everyone already thinks we've got prosthetic legs, why don't we make it a real thing?" He cocked the blaster and aimed at Fox's knees.

Fox turned and bolted out into the Docking Bay. Had he been able to hear into the bridge, he would have heard Falco's laughter.

Twenty minutes later, Fox sat in his arwing, headed back down to the surface of Sauria. He didn't know where or how to start searching for her, or if she was even there. All he knew was that he was going to find her and take her back with him, no matter what.

He headed into the atmosphere and turned on his radar. A ship was cooling off at Ice Mountain. It was the same ship she'd been on less than an hour earlier. Fox sighed. He knew it wasn't going to be easy for him to get the guts to invite her back, but it was something he had to do. Why am I listening to Falco? I know him better than that. He wouldn't have actually shot me... but maybe he's right. I know I feel something... maybe this isn't such a bad idea.

One thing was certain: if he refused to go, Falco would never let him live it down, and that wasn't something he was looking forward to. He flew over Ice Mountain and landed at ThornTail Hollow. She wouldn't stay in Ice Mountain long, not with what she's wearing... I'll bet she came here. He shut off his ship engine. Well, here goes nothing...

Author's Notes: It's been 10 years since I started this story, and I've cherished every minute of writing it. This story has been with me through good times and bad, through breakups and new relationships, through my best days and my worst days. Finishing it was bittersweet, but all things must end eventually to make way for new beginnings. I hope that you, reader, enjoy reading this story even a fraction of the amount that I enjoyed writing it. I couldn't have done this without you. Thank you.

Welcome to the lost corner of the Lylat System.

Welcome to A New Beginning.