The Menace

[Quoux]

Hey, I'm Quoux. Now I normally like to draw, but I felt like making this cause I also love to write. Expect this to be illustrated. It's starfox related, so it's okay. It's based mostly on Krystal, but she is not exactly the main character. My interests are Cerinia, and the Lylat slum culture. I WOULD LOVE CRITICISM. I need to get each characters "voice" right.

Alrighty, here it is.

One year ago, a spacecraft silently shot away from a doomed planet. The occupant of that spacecraft would later be known as the last remaining survivor of Cerinia; The princess of Cerinia, Krystal. Beckoned by the cries of pain and anguish from Sauria, the telepathic blue vixen traveled there to lend the dinosauric inhabitants her aid. With the help of the Starfox team, mainly their leader, Fox McCloud, the planet was freed of the scourge General Scales. By her display of combat ability and the will to do good, Krystal was admitted to the Starfox team as a pilot. With almost no leads to the Cerinian Disaster that destroyed her world and her parents, the once-princess Krystal gave up search.

But not only one craft left Cerinia. It is possible several crafts had departed, hours after the princess. Eleven crafts, to be exact, possibly left the planet at the same time. The Royal High Guard of Cerinia, the life-sworn protectors of the Cerinian royalty. Although the fact that eleven crafts departed is mere speculation, it is known, however, that a second craft did depart. It contained Fyre, one of the eleven elite. His duty to protect the royalty drove him to chase down the princess and assure her safety. Unfortunately, when Fyre departed, the doomed planet met it's horrible fate. In a matter of seconds, the planet was a supernova, a large explosion that echoed outward for 10 spacenauts in either direction. Had Fyre left the time Krystal had, he would have been fine. But instead, his ship was hurtled into the Sargasso region and he ejected over a section of landing area. He was surrounded by criminals and low-lifes; but after a couple days he adapted to the way of life, and managed to steal himself a spacecraft, an Arwing in poor repair, with illegal modifications. Fyre quickly departed, chased by the gang who owned the spacecraft. He out-flew them, when passing into an area of space protected by the soveriegnty of the Cornerian Defense. Fyre spent a year in Corneria, trying to find any lead to his beloved princess. He refused to believe that she had been lost, he had sworn his life to protect the royalty. As the last living member, he had no choice but to find her and keep her safe. And then, he overheard a speech transmission from the Cornerian military on a stolen radio from the Starchase team reporting on how Starfox had gained a new member, and how their own team needed to step up their game. The new member was a fox. A blue one. Named Krystal. After learning of the "den" of the Starfox team on Papetoon, Fyre departed immediately, convinced that the Starfox team had kidnapped Krystal. Not a person knew he came or went.

~#~

"So, it's been one year already, hasn't it?" Peppy said. "I guess I'm getting old!"

"Come on, Peppy. Your not that old! Don't think like that on your birthday." Slippy said, cleaning a couple of mechanic tools.

Fox smiled at his friends, as Krystal giggled beside him. Falco shuffled through a deck of playing cards. They were all seated around a table in the Starfox living room of the Great Fox. They were gathered there to honor Peppy's birthday, and him turning 62 years of age. It was night on Papetoon already, so the overhead lights had turned on automatically as their presets dictated. The Great Fox was docked at the den boomdock, which was on the outskirts of the Papetoon captial of Terina.

"Ugh, perhaps I'm getting to old for this stuff." Peppy joked, taking a sip of Papetoon ale.

"You, Peppy? Nah, I think you've got a few years left as strategist." Fox said playfully.

"Awhwahwahwa!" Peppy laughed. The team sat back and enjoyed their Papetoon ale.

"All I know is, I ain't gonna retire from this job, ever." Falco said. "I love it to much."

"Well that's admirable, Falco." Krystal said. She brushed he hair with her hand. Falco paused shuffling throught he cards and his eyes had a faraway look for a second, before he resumed his vigilant shuffle.

"Yeah? Well, you still won't be a better pilot than me." Fox antagonised.

Falco dropped his hands to the table and slightly looked up with a perturbed look on his face. Krystal giggled beside them. Outside the window panels behind them, the stars of space could be seen shimmering and glistening in the black inky darkness. Such unknown secrets lay in those black depths. Fox wanted to know them. A bright shooting star streaked it's way across the skyline. Some peice of space material entering the atmosphere, probably.

"What about you, Mrs. Krystal?" Peppy asked. "What do you think of this job?"

Krystal thought for a seconds. 'Well, any job where I can help people in trouble is a good job. Besides, I have great friends here." Krystal smiled.

"That's right!" Slippy said. Falco nodded, shuffling that deck of cards.

"I say cheers, to our Peppy and our jobs." Fox said.

"Agreed," the others chorused in, tapping their bottles and glasses of Papetoon ale together, and then taking a long draught of them.

The static on the intercom briefly appeared, followed by the voice of R.O.B. saying "Fox, a Blue Marine spacecraft has landed directly nearby the Great Fox."

The team looked up in puzzled confusion. "Who could that be, I wonder?" Fox voiced aloud.

"A military officer?" Slippy put in, pausing his cleaning of the mechanic tools.

"Couldn't be. They don't know the location of our den." Falco interjected.

Fox stood up and went to the intercom transmission speaker, and pressed the red button below the word "Speak". "R.O.B., identify spacecraft passengers."

"No passengers detected." R.O.B. answered a few seconds later. Fox turned and looked back at the team in bewilderment, and saw his reaction mirrored on their faces. He turned back and pressed the button again, and ordered "R.O.B., please scan area for lifeform heat signals." And then waited for the answer. "No lifeform heat signals detected." R.O.B. analyzed.

Slippy and Krystal's faces looked slightly frightened, as did Fox. He reached into a nearby cabinet and pulled a PX80 laser pistol from it, checking for it's charge. He tossed it to Falco, who had long since put his deck of cards down, and said "Falco, you take this. We'll go outside and check the area." As he pulled a second gun from the cabinet.

"Wait, Fox, let me try to see if I can sense any feelings." Krystal said, reaching up a hand to halt Fox. Fox looked unsure, but then nodded. Krystal placed both hands on either side of her head and concentrated hard. "I sense... anger..." Krystal said, still concentrating. "And...and..."

"I see, so it is an enemy," Falco concluded.

"No, wait." Fox cautioned.

"Anger, and..." Krystal continued, "And... Worry."

Falco nodded enthusiasticly, "Alright, I get it. Some criminal is gonna try to kill us, but he's worried he won't do it. Yeah, well he better be worried, I'll put a laser right between his-"

"No, no it's not that kind of worry." Krystal tried to explain, lowering her hands and shaking her head. "It's something else... like the worry for a loved one..."

"What that doesn't make any-" Fox began, but the loud thump! cut him off. Fox pressed the intercom button, and asked "R.O.B., what was that?"

"Something hit the top of the Great Fox," R.O.B. answered.

"Where is it now? Can you find it?" Fox asked.

"Yes. It is- it's inside the ship! It's in your area!"

"What!?" came Fox's incredulous reply. he turned and looked back at the frightened faces of his teamates.

[Star_Dragon]

Wow. Interesting, if I may say so myself. You've more writing talent than you think, comrade. I look forward to future chapters.

[Quoux]

Thanks! In that case, this next piece is in your honor.

Krystal, Slippy, and Peppy had stood up uncertainly, not quite sure how to react exactly. Krystal wished she had her staff in her hands and not in her room. Falco Was standing a bit farther from the table than everyone else, his gun close to his head, ready to shoot any intruder if need be. Fox walked over to the table that everyone was standing at and began talking about procedure.

"Falco, you'll cover the rear as we make our way to the command board, where more weapons are." He began. "Krystal, Slippy, and Peppy, you follow me. We'll head directly down the hall and then-"

BOOM!

A smoke bomb was tossed onto the table and it exploded in a cloud of red gas. Fox heard the surprised shouts of his team mates, and then Krystal's voice cry out "Help!". Although he couldn't see; Fox's eyes burned with anger and he shouted back her name. "Krystal!"

"Fox!" Came Krystal's frightened reply. He silently cursed that he'd let Krystal befall danger. He ran in the direction that Krystal's voice came from.

As the smoke cleared, Fox began to make out his surroundings. There was the table to his left, with spilt bottles of Papetoon ale. Falco's cards were littered like leaves all along the floor, and he could make out the bodies of Falco, Slippy, and Peppy as they waved to clear the smoke. He couldn't see Krystal. "Krystal!" He shouted frantically; hopefully. He was rewarded by Krystal's frightened reply, "Fox!" directly above him. He twisted his head and leered upwards, making out the body of Krystal, and someone else.

"Who-" he coughed, as the smoke cleared even more. "Who are you?"

And then all was clear.

Above, on the steps that lead to the other side of the Rec room, was a red furred fox, with his arm outstretched, holding Krystal back. He looked incredibly serious; experienced, even. But he couldn't be any more than twenty years of age. He wore a military styled cloth vest and a familiar military styled jacket underneath. It wasn't Cornerian, it was something else... And he had combat boots on with a belt that strapped two laser pistols to his side, along with a royal looking sheath containing a sword. In his left hand he held completey steady, a laser sighted 6mm pistol with the aim beam landing directly on Slippy's sweaty forehead. His eyes were fierce, like fire. His demeanor, his essence, was completely serious. And his authoritative voice rang out along the hall, speaking to everyone there;

"Your under arrest," He stated monolithically. "For your act of treason of kidnap of Royal blood, I hold you under arrest by the authority of the Cerinian Royal High Guard!"

His words drew a loud gasp from Krystal, along with every other inhabitant of the room.

~#~

Krystal did not believe a word she had just heard. It appeared that everyone in the room, besides this rough stranger, was just as confused. But by those words, it was like she entered a state of shock; her view swam like a sea before her, and everything seemed slightly tilted. She knew her mouth was open, but she did not care to close it. This information needed to be processed, first.

"What did you just say?" Fox asked. Slippy shook with his hands up, but calmed down as the laser switched to Fox, whose hair visibly bristled. He held his gun up in return. Krystal admired his reserve of courage.

"If you do not yield, I shall have no choice but to arrest you by necessary force." The stranger said.

"I'd like to see you try," Falco said, aiming his gun at the stranger fox.

The fox's eyes shifted over to Falco. It was such a glare that could break bone; that could ignite a forest and burn it to the ground, like a hammer that could seperate an entire mountain. Krystal was afraid, and yet, felt protected, by that glare. Falco on the other hand, shook and dropped his gaze immediately.

"You kidnapped the princess," His voice shook with rage. "You will be punished."

"Look, no-one's been kidnapped," Fox said fiercely. "We don't know what your talking about! Now let Krystal go!"

The fox's gaze shifted to McCloud. The corner of his mouth rose and trembled in a growl. Krystal could see Fox fighting the urge to look away. Instead, shakily, he met his gaze evenly.

"I will not allow you to kidnap her again!" the fox shouted. "Do not worry, princess, you are safe now." He turned and told Krystal. She was a bit surprised. Infront of her, her team mates again gasped in surprise. It just now dawned on her the magnitude of what was happening. This fox in front of her was some kind of Cerinian guard. but Cerinia was destroyed! This meant she wasn't the only survivor, the only refugee. And he was living proof of it.

"Who... Who are you?" Krystal asked.

He turned and looked at her kindly. "You do not remember me, princess. My name is Fyre. I am on of the eleven Royal High Guard's of Cerinia. I'm here to protect you."

[Star_Dragon]

Oh, wow. Nice.

And, for the record (And I don't mean to nag), the proper term for the crime Frye referred to is "Attempted Kidnapping of Royal Blood." But meh - no biggie.

[Quoux]

Oh, Thanks! Okay, I'll make sure I chanege that. Haha, sorry I've not posted in awhile. Here's another part.

Krystal scanned his face. No, she did not remember. Could he really be who he said he was? Yes, his feelings backed up his words.

"You're really from Cerinia? But, Cerinia is..." Krystal could not complete the sentence. She did not fully understand how another survivor could be here, infront of her.

"Yes, I am. Cerinia IS destroyed. And yet, that doesn't make us destroyed, as well."

This was too much for Krystal to take. It had been so long, accepting her home planet's demise. Her parents. Her friends. her beautiful home. She broke out in sobs.

"Krystal!" Fox and the rest shouted. She could feel they were worried. "This whole time... I kept trying to find reasons why... why Cerinia was destroyed... trying to find survivors..."

Below them, the Starfox team realised what Krystal was feeling. They could only have tried to imagine before, but now it was clear. It could not be more clear than as if they had Krystal's telepathic powers themselves. And not only so, but they realised how this strange Fyre guy felt, as well. He was the only other survivor of a dead planet. Of course he should feel protective of the second last inhabitant.

"Look, my princess, we must discuss this matter. But here is not the place. I must get you out of here-"

"No, I'm sorry..." Krystal wiped her eyes. "These people, they are my friends."

"Your... friends?" Fyre asked, confused.

"Yes, it's... it's a long story." Krystal said, smiling. She turned her head and looked down at Fox.

Fyre turned his head, too, and fixed each one of them collectively with one of his gruesome stares. "Friends... hmm?"

"Umm, yes..." Fox said, scratching his head. "This has been quite the night for nostalgia, I believe..." He holstered the laser in his gun belt and let his shoulders relax. His fur had long ago settled.

"Sure has, Fox." Slippy agreed. "I hope we are on good terms now, Mr. Fyre?" Slippy gambled.

Fyre sniffed. "I at least trust that you have kept Krystal safe up til' now. I suppose that doesn't go without merit."

"What will you be doing now?" Krystal asked.

"I intend to stay and protect you." Fyre answered simply.

"Mr. Fyre, I'm sure there is a room aboard the Greatfox that you could stay in for the time being? Or do you have a... residence.. elsewhere..." Slippy's intentions were genuine, but that last wording may not have been a good choice. Falco winced as it was being said as well.

"Good idea, Slippy." Fox said. "Mr. Fyre, you're welcome to stay as long as needed. You do have a... unique... situation."

Krystal laid her hand on Fyre's shoulder. "You must tell me more about Cerinia, Mr. Fyre." She pleaded. Fyre sniffed, and softened at her touch. " That I shall, my princess." he turned and walked down to Fox and the rest of the team, and shook their hands. "I thank you for allowing me stay. I did not mean to be so... harsh earlier."

"It's fine, we understand." Slippy nodded.

"Yes, there is no need to apologize, Mr. Fyre." Fox said, with a smile. Fyre looked Fox in the eye, but his gaze was a friendly one. "Please, just call me Fyre." he said with a smile.

"My room is just down this hall, we will talk there." Krystal said, pointing to an open hallway leading out of the Rec. room.

"Yes, but first, allow me to show you your room, Fyre!" Slippy said, and led him down the hallway.

Falco shrugged, and gave the laser pistol to Fox. "Well, this has certainly been eventful." Fox said. He pressed the comm. button and told R.O.B. that the team was going to retire for the night. "I suppose we will better introduce ourselves to our new guest in the morning. I'm still a bit confused... I think some sleep should do me good..." He said, and then walked off down the hall after Krystal and Fyre and Slippy.

Peppy let out a sigh and then turned to Falco, nugging him with his elbow. "Well, I never! A mysterious lost survivor from a dead planet, held at gun point, and then some drama of epic proportions, and a new guest! This has been the best birthday EVER!"

[Quoux]

The stars above Papetoon, similar to those above Corneria, are dulled from the drab and pollution that drifts off the planets surface. Had those stars not been masked by the squalor of life, their reverance and gloomy vigil would have reflected the only awake occupants of the Greatfox.

Under the windows of Krystal's room, Fyre and Krystal discussed their situation. There was certainly alot to talk about.

"So there were eleven of you?" Krystal asked Fyre, interested in the Royal life of Cerinia. Since princesses were not allowed to learn about Royal policies and traditions until they were promoted, Krystal had many questions for Fyre, who had to be involved in each of them.

"Yes, the High Eleven, we were called. I remember all of them, like it was just yesterday, while in fact it was a year. It is almost unthinkable that I will never see them again, but I have dealt with it long ago. They had so much... power, and... and... LIFE." Fyre said, drearily.

Krystal kept quite for awhile, not knowing how to phrase her next question. "And... and my parents?" She asked. She just said it how she felt she should; she felt there was no need for traditional speaking like Fyre did.

"They were very vibrant people, you know. Forthusis, your father, was quite a comical fellow, and he was quick and clever with his humour. And your mother, now she was the kindest woman I've ever met. Both of your parents held your power of telepathy and empathy; all members of the royal family do. Your grandparents, their parents, and so on..."

Hearing of her parents again brought a pure, glistening tear to Krystal's eye. She let if fall down the fur of her cheek and onto her lap, where in reality it made no sound at all, but could not have made a louder sound than an arwing smashing into an ocean to her. She hoped that Fyre wouldn't see, because she didn't him to make a deal out of it. "What else about Cerinia was unique?" Krystal asked to change the subject.

"Well, the Cerinian Symbol, the one that is dyed onto your fur, and emblazoned on my coat. It is a bird's eye view of a rock formation on the northern tip of Cerinia. It has been there since anyone could write or speak stories." Fyre informed.

Krystal was geniuenly interested. Never had she heard much of the Cerinian Symbol, only that it was worn by people who were close to the royalty, and of course, by buisnesses to attract customers and instil a sense of globalism. But a new thought was directed into Krystal's mind. "So... what happens now?" it was a small question, but the amount that the question carried was enough to crush that small fragment of a sentence under the weight.

"Well, the first and most important thing is to keep you safe from harm," Fyre said. With him, Krystal felt incredibly protected. "As well, we need to find who or what caused the Cerinian disaster."

Krystal agreed; whatever was responsible for the Cerinian Disaster, they would find out. With the two of them, it was inevitable. "And then what?" Krystal asked.

"The new Cerinia. Once a suitable planet is found, it will need to be re-populated." Fyre said. He did not realise what he was saying, he was thinking of finding other survivors in the other planets.

But Krystal was not on the same thought process of Fyre. She read his feelings and was alieved of some of the akwardness, but the thought of this was still to soon. Whether Fyre thought this or not, it was also inevitable. She longed to change the subject once again. "Um... Do we have any leads to the Disaster?" she asked nervously.

"In fact, while I was tracking military radio signals, I picked up a coded report transmission of an object landing on the ice planet with a trajectory from Cerinia. Multiple reports have come in very similar to that one, but the ice planet report seems to be most trustworthy. I believe we will start there." Fyre said.

"Wait, tracking military radio signals? That's illegal!" Krystal exclaimed. "And didn't you say they were coded?"

"My princess, I had to do what was necessary to learn what was needed. And as for the code, well, it wasn't to hard to crack." Fyre said with a smile of pride.

Krystal was surprised. Fyre was incredible, and dedicated to his job. She was honored that she had such a guard to look after her, even if she didn't feel that she need to be looked after. And the fact that he could crack the intense Cornerian military code was a feat in itself. She smiled as well. "Good deal." She said. "I say we have a talk with Fox in the morning and see if we can head to the ice planet."

[Quoux]

Fox awoke groggily, but after wiping his eyes and a quick brush of his teeth, he was a functioning fox again. He stepped across his room that was lit by Lylat the star, and threw on his Cornerian military trousers and a military regulated green work shirt. The team had a couple more days of rest before accepting another mission, which was welcomed by all members of Starfox. And even though he appreciated the break, being away from the controls of his Arwing and the dark reaches of space was a toll on Fox.

Fox opened the door into the hall and drowsily stumbled out wiping his face. He blinked his eyes to clear the bluriness, and looked up.

"YAAA!" he shouted in surprise, his tail fluffing out like a trophy cleaner. Fyre was standing right in the middle of the hallway, wearing his shattering glare on his face, smashing right into Fox. Fox rubbed his eyes to make sure he was seeing what he was seeing. Yep, Fyre was standing there. The memories from the night before flooded into Fox. Woah, stupid Papetoon ale... Fox thought. The door behind Fyre opened and Krystal appeared. "What? What's- EEE!" She shouted, almost barreling into Fyre as Fox did.

"Good morning, Mr. Fyre..." Fox said in an edgy tone. "I didn't expect to see you standing in the hallway. I thought you'd... be in your room."

"My room? I have a job to do, and that is ensuring the princess's safety." Fyre answered simply, erasing the threatening glare from his face and replacing it with a more normal look.

Fox was slow in the morning, so as he unfluffed his tail he asked. "Well, what does that have to do with the hallway..." he said tiredly.

"I made sure no one entered her room while she was asleep. Just because you offered me hospitality doesn't mean I'll let down my gaurd." Fyre said as if this was all completely normal.

"Wait... You stayed in front of my room all night?" Krystal asked with a shocked, and slightly creeped out expression.

"That's what gaurds do, yes." He answered simply.

"Didn't you need to sleep?" Krystal asked, standing in her doorway.

"Nonsense. Besides, if I needed to do that, I have trained myself to sleep standing up and with one eye open." Fyre said with a sniff. Krystal was speechless.

Fox stood with an incredulous and bemused looking on his face. He sighed, placed his hand on his head, and continued walking down the hall. "C'mon, let's just go get some breakfast..."

-----------------

Well, Fyre certainly is a strange one. Fox might have to get used to these surprises.

[Quoux]

Falco, an early bird as always, was standing at one of the big windows lining the walls with a mug of Papetoon coffee in his wing.

"Good morning, Falco!" Fox and Krystal said in unison. They chuckled at the coincidence.

"Well good morning you three. I see you have moved from the hallway, Mr. Fyre..." Falco said with a disdaining tone. It was apparent that he had run into Fyre the very same way as Fox and Krystal. He certainly had disturbed the usual routine of the Great Fox.

"I go where the Princess goes." Fyre answered.

"Um." Falco shrugged, looking questioningly at Krystal.

Krystal shot him a look that portrayed a loss of what to do about it. Fyre saw the whole thing, but didn't react to the slightest.

Fox walked over to the Food Dispenser. He opened the selection menu and selected the number of diners. Falco had already eaten, so he supposed he'd just press 4. Oh, wait, Fyre. He might as well select 5. The next page was a list of foods that could be served. Fox chose the usual for the Great Fox team.

"Fyre, would you like to have a look at the breakfast selection? I'm sure you'll find something to your liking here." Fox said to him.

"Water and bread." Fyre answered.

"Is... is that all?" Fox asked courteously.

"That will be fine for me." Fyre answered.

"I'll surplus the portions for you, then." Fox answered. Fyre nodded in thanks.

After Fox had finished, he began walking to the table that they had been sitting at yesterday. "Please, Fyre, have a seat with us."

"Thank you, Fox." Fyre accepted, and sat down with the others next to Krystal. Fox sat across from her, and Falco sat on the other side of Fyre. Peppy strode into the room with a skip in his step and sat down at the table between Falco and Fox.

"Well, good morning, everyone!" Peppy greeted them. They all greeted him back. "Fyre, I trust you had a good night's rest?"

"It was good, thank you." Fyre said.

Fox, Falco, and Krystal exchanged looks.

Slippy walked in and sat down next to Krystal. "Looks like it'll be a good day today!"

Fox nodded. "Yep. I hope we get a job, no matter how small. This vacation thing is getting on my nerves. Not to mention, we have a duty to stop evil in the Lylat system."

Falco nodded in agreement. "You can say that again. I've been itching to fire my Arwing blasters for awhile, now."

*DING*

"Breakfast is ready!" Fox announced, and went to get the plates for the crew. He grabbed and delivered Slippy's, Fyre's, and Peppy's, and then he went to grab his and Krystal's. As he turned toward the table, he found himself face to face with Fyre.

"Umm, did I miss something, Fyre?" Fox asked hesitantly.

"I'll be needing to clear the Princess's food before you deliver it to her." He informed.

"Fyre, I assure you, there is no way this food could have been poisoned!" Fox tried to calm him. It was kind of like trying to dry the surface of a lake. Fyre just starred at him seriously.

"You've got to trust me on this one." Fox furthered. No use.

"Then how about you trust ME on this one?" Krystal said.

Fyre turned around, confused. "But... I have to-"

"I understand, but please, you don't have to do that, Fyre." Krystal said. "I'm quite capable of watching out for myself."

Fyre became adamant. "Princess Krystal, this is for your assured protection. Where there is no doubt whether or not you can protect yourself, there may be other forces at work here that-"

"No, Fyre, that's an order." Krystal said. Her voice now became adamant. The crew of the Great Fox looked up in surprise at Krystal's tone, but they figured it couldn't be helped. It was for the best.

Fyre walked back to his seat and sat down dejectedly. "As you command, Princess Krystal."

The rest of the breakfast went on in talk of previous missions and stories. Fyre, near the end, began to join in as well, and it seemed that the team was beginning to get along. They even felt that they were intrigued by each others stories. Fox told Fyre the story of how he met and saved Krystal, and Fyre found he had a new trust in Fox.