Chapter Two: Blast From The Past
13 years ago
Kursed hears the panicked voice of the sergeant and tries to tell him that she is ok, but she tries shouting at him through the darkness and gets no such luck. Kursed looks in the darkness and tries to come round by opening her eyes. "Krystal, are you ok?" a very familiar voice said. Kursed opens her eyes to look directly into the red eyes of a black and white fox. "Chase? Is that really you?" Kursed said stroking his cheek. "Of course it is girl, we've only been going out for one year now," Chase said. How long was I out? Kursed said. "Bout fifteen minutes, you said you needed a quick nap," Chase said stroking Kursed's head. Kursed sits up and looks around, scratching her head.
"Is something wrong Krystal?" Chase said. No, nothing, Kursed said. Kursed said to herself, "How the hell did I end up back on Sauria when Chase was alive?" "I must be tripping!" Kursed shook her head quickly, stood up, and walked to the edge of the cliff. Chase stands up as well and walks over to Kursed and wraps his arm around her shoulder. Chase looked at Kursed and raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Are you sure you are all right?" Chase asked. Yes, I'm sure, Kursed said the soft feel of Chase's fur on her shoulder almost sent her reeling. She realized she had gone back in time, or that's what she thinks had happened. Chase, can I ask you something? How old am I? I know I should know that, but remind me again, Kursed said.
"You're sixteen, we started going out when you were fifteen. And again are you sure you are ok?" Chase said. I said I'm fine! Kursed said and turns her back on Chase and scans her body quickly; then she turns to face Chase again. I had the weirdest dream, I dreamed about being a social outcast, changing my name to Kursed and leaving the Lylat system. I remember going to Planet Kew in the Toyus System to start a new life. There I met a young raccoon that goes by the name of Bryce and he offers me a job. Then I meet Fox Mc Cloud at a Club called The Asteroid, and I ate him out for dumping me and ruining my life as I once knew it. I meet Panther Caroso a member of the team of crooks, Team Wolfen, who was now the founder and head of Pantherstrike Industries. He gives me a lot of things to get me by including a brand new ship, free of charge. Then I hunt down Wolf O' Donnell to get revenge on him for using me while I was on their team, it's a long story don't ask.
I catch him here on Sauria at Krazoa Palace up to no good. I run in with Bryce armed and ready to fight, we follow a Royal Sharp Claw Guard to the King and Queen. I call for back up and they arrive in less than five minutes, and they are rescuing me and Bryce. We are leaving when five gunshots echo though the Palace. Four hit Wolf three hit his heart, a fatal blow, before he hits the ground he fires a lone round at me, puncturing my left lung. I collapse to the ground clutching my wound and said, "I'm Hit" before blacking out. Then I woke up to see you! Kursed said out of breath." That must have been one hell of a bad dream, but at least you're with me." Chase said. Yeah, I guess so, it was horrible! I thought I died! Kursed said hugging Chase. "Ah dreams are dreams," Chase said stroking Kursed to calm her down. Thanks for your support, no wonder I went out with you. You know how to cheer me up all the time, Kursed said.
Chase smiles and blushes slightly. "Well I do know how to work with girls. Back in the Cornarian army flight school I became the shoulder for new female pilots that were not used to killing people. They came to me for a shoulder to cry on, I couldn't refuse them, and they needed my support. Hell, I admit that I checked them out, they all had racks to die for, but I knew deep down that they were not for me. Until I was assigned to the mercenary team Star Fox and told that I was supposed to protect Sauria, I obeyed and came to the surface, then I met you, I knew once I saw those emerald eyes, you were the one for me. " Chase said. I should slap you for checking them out, but I cannot stay mad at you Chase when you give that full of yourself smug grin, Kursed said. Chase was about to kiss Kursed when a high pitched beeping filled the air. "Aw hell! Always at the worst times! I got to go Krystal. I am needed in orbit. I will be back soon! I promise!" Chase said running to his Arwing fighter. Kursed giggles and waves to him, Chase returns the wave and leaps into the Arwing.
In no time he was headed for orbit. Kursed pulls out the hologram communicator he gave her and calls Chase. "Yeah Krystal, what's up girl?" Chase said a hologram an eighth of his normal size. Promise me you will be safe! Kursed said. Chase laughs, "Krystal, when have I been otherwise!" Chase cuts the signal soon after that sentence and Kursed laughs. I'll kill him if he gets hurt! Kursed said to herself. Hours come and pass and Kursed gets concerned about Chase. I know Chase; he never forgets to answer his Holo-communicator! Something bad happened! I can feel it! Kursed said. Suddenly Kursed's communicator rings and she straightens out her hair and answers it. Hello? This is Krystal, yes, I know Chase, what about him? Kursed said triggering the speakers on the communicator. "I regret to inform you that your friend Chase was shot down thirty minutes ago by enemy craft in orbit. We sent a rescue team to his crash site and they reported he was dead. I am sorry." Then the connection ends. What?! Kursed said dropping the communicator. Chase is dead? No, I know he's alive! I won't believe it! I won't! I will find out myself.
Kxaj aj Krystal succadw ud0 uluacurco Cloud Runners, a doot u hato ke vadt u vhaodt! Kursed said in Saurian the language of the Dinosaurs on the planet. In no time a Cloud Runner lands in front of Kursed and looks at her and says, "I understand English, no need to use the native tongue." Did you see a flaming wreck on the way here? Kursed said. The Cloud Runner nods; Kursed gets on its back. Take me there! Hurry! Kursed said. The Cloud Runner takes off and heads over to the wreck as fast as its wings could carry it. In seconds it landed in front of the mangled heap that was once Chase's ship. Kursed jumps off its back and runs to the cockpit glass and pries it open with every muscle in her body. Kursed gasps in horror to what she sees next. There sat Chase, bleeding from a gash in his forehead, warm blood matted the surrounding fur. Kursed gently picks him up and pulls him out onto the grass and stretches him out. She shoots for his hand and picks it up and rubs it, trying to get him to respond, nothing. She begins to administer CPR on Chase, and hadn't of done it for ten minutes when suddenly…… (Gasp) (Cough) (Cough) (Hack) "Ugh! Krystal? Is that you?" Chase said clasping her paw with his.
Yes, it's me! Are you alright? Kursed said. "I am, thanks to your quick thinking. I owe you my life!" Chase said rubbing his head to be surprised by getting a paw back coated in blood. Take it easy Chase! I will take care of you! Kursed said removing the Medical Kit from the Arwing, what was surprising is that it was still intact. She walks back over to Chase and sets it down on the ground next to his forehead. Ok, let's see what the damage is! Kursed said putting on sterile gloves. This may hurt a little bit, Kursed said. She slowly touches the wound and opens it and removes gauze from the kit. "Ouch! Damn that hurts!" Chase whimpers. Suck it up Chase! I won't take long. Kursed wipes up the blood on his matted fur with the gauze and then reaches into the kit to remove a sterilizing solution. Ok, I need to disinfect it, this may hurt a lot, it may not, Kursed said. "Get going, I don't have all day!" Chase said impatiently. Don't rush me Chase or you're eye will meet the solution in an unpleasant way! Kursed said. "Ok! Sorry for rushing you! Take your time!" Chase said.
Kursed pulls out more gauze and pours the solution on it. Then she slowly applied it onto Chase's wound on his forehead to only see him bite his lip and dig his claws into the surrounding soil in agony. I know it hurts, hang in there Chase, I'm almost done, Kursed said pulling out the stitching kit only getting a agonized groan out of Chase. Look! Either I finish or I will just let you bleed out! Kursed said. Chase quickly takes a submissive sigh and lays still. What color do you want; Black, Green, Blue, Red, or Yellow? Kursed said. "Black, I want it to blend in with my fur." Chase said. Ok! Black it is! Kursed said threading the string through the eye of the needle. You only need four stitches, so it will be a quick job, Kursed said finishing the first stitch. "Thank God!" Chase said in relief. Kursed finishes the remanding stitches, wipes any additional blood from his wound with gauze and pulls Chase to his feet.
"Thanks for saving me Krystal! I owe you one!" chase said hugging Krystal. Kursed rubs Chase's hug off and slaps him across the face. "Ow girl, what the hell was that for?" Chase said rubbing his cheek. That's for not keeping your word, Kursed said. "What? Oh, I see, about me being safe. Awkward!" Chase said regaining his composure wiping off the dust from his black metal combat jacket. I am glad I came as soon as I could. You would have been dead if it wasn't for me! Kursed said. "I got to head back into orbit to let them know I am ok. I will be back." Chase said walking away. Wait Chase! Kursed said making Chase stop in mid-step and fold back his lupine ears."What now Krystal?" Chase said in an annoyed tone. You can't go into orbit, the Cornarian Army sent a search and rescue squad and they pronounced you dead. You have been stripped from head of the Starfox team and the son of the original founder, James Mc Cloud, Fox Mc Cloud, has taken your place as leader. As far as they know, you're dead! Kursed said. Chase takes a deep breath, and swears, "Damn it! That was a high paying job! I made space ship loads of cash a day! How the hell will I find a job that pays as much as my old one?" Chase said in frustration.
You could look for one, Kursed said. Chase turns to face Krystal. (Sigh) "Look! That was the best job I have ever gotten in my whole life! I became family with that group. I have a high class ship I bought and I was one paycheck away from paying the fees. It's a multi-million Lylat purchase and I was 200,000 Lylat away! Ugh! Going into orbit was the biggest freaking mistake I could ever make!" Chase said angrily. You should be grateful Chase! If it weren't for me you'd be dead right now! Kursed said. Meanwhile back in the Conscious world; Kursed's body is loaded onto a stretcher and rigged to numerous life support machines. Bryce is in shock to see Kursed in her in her bad shape. "That lone round tore her left lung up pretty badly. We have to keep her in a medically induced coma until we can get her to a hospital and treat her wounds." The medic said. "It's really that bad? Do you have an image of the damage?" Bryce said.
"That information will be only distributed once Kursed has pulled through. There shall not be any acceptations otherwise!" The medic said. "Sorry sir!" Bryce said backing away and walking to the Evac ship. The leading assassin pulls out a cell phone that would only be used for private calls and punches in two phone numbers. One on individual lines, and listens for a voice answer. "Thank you for calling Pantherstrike industries, my name is Susan, how may I serve you?" Susan said. "Patch me through to Panther, Code Red!" The leader said. "Yes, right away sir!" Susan said. "This is Panther, what's the Emergency?" Panther said. "Kursed nearly was killed; she's barely hanging on as of now!" The leader replied. "Oh my god, what happened to her?" Panther said anxiously. "She has taken an armor piercing round to the chest and it tore apart her left lung. Her vitals are going crazy, and we have put her into a medically induced coma until we get back to the hospital. She'll be going into surgery as soon as we arrive there. I will call you when we are there." The medic said. "I will be there waiting for you! No need for the call!" Panther said and the call terminates.
He switches phone lines and calls the other number. "The paper said that this number is a last resort number. Hell, I might as well call it." the leader said. After five minutes of ringing someone with a tired voice picks up. "Hello?" Fox said. "Are you Fox McCloud?" The leader barked. "Yes sir, what does it mean to you?" Fox said. "I am gunnery sergeant Breece, your Ex-Fiancée is in a coma, she has been critically wounded when slaying Wolf O' Donnell." Breece said. A long pause is given on the other end, followed by crying. "Is she dead?" Fox said. "What's Wrong Baby?" Miyu said in the background. "Miyu, can you shut up! I am on an important call!" Fox said. "No, but she's almost there, I'm sorry sir." Breece said. "Where can I go to see her? I want to see her." Fox begged. "She will be in the Pantherstrike Operating room at the Pantherstrike Headquarters." Breece said. "Yes and where's that?" Fox said anxiously. "On Planet Kew in the Toyus System, the note said that I have to promise to keep you as far away from her as possible; or she'll gouge out your eyeballs and make you eat them." Breece said.
"Ouch, I will keep my distance." Fox said."You'd better for your sake." Breece said. Fox hangs up the phone and turns to face Miyu. "Miyu, I got to leave, a loved one is in the Hospital!" Fox said. "Ok, but hurry back, or I won't be in that mood you've tried to get me in six hours!" Miyu said. "I may be late; the hospital is in the Toyus System." Fox said putting his favorite stylish leather jacket. "You're going to the Toyus System! What the hell Fox! I was getting into the mood for our "Play Date" you cannot walk out on me like this!" Miyu said unsheathing a Machete. Fox immediately gets up and bolts for the door to be greeted by the machete that was flung at him and jammed halfway into the door frame missing his head by an inch. "Nobody walks out on me when I am about to get my freak on! You have picked the wrong time to leave me!" Miyu hissed gritting her teeth and revealing her claws. "Miyu the last thing I need is to put you in a body bag!" Fox barked drawing his stinger handgun from the holster inside his leather jacket.
He aims the gun at Miyu's forehead, cocks the gun, and takes off the safety. "You don't have the balls to pull the trigger! You're shaking like Jell-O! I see why you dumped Krystal now; you didn't want her to know you were a big fat softie! Miyu heckled lunging at Fox. Fox doesn't hesitate and fires a round into Miyu's right shoulder to see her collapse in pain and curse. Fox pulls the Machete out of the wall and walks over to Miyu. He lays it at her feet and grabs her chin and forces her to make eye contact with him. "We are through! I never want to see scum like you in my life ever again! You are trash, and that's what you will be forever!" Fox hissed.
Fox walks to the door and leaves, Miyu on the other hand is left mostly sobbing in pain and partially in hurt feelings."I'm coming Krystal!" fox said jumping in his tuner Arwing. Meanwhile back on Breece's ship Breece is monitoring Kursed's vital signs. "C'mon Kursed, you can pull through this, stay with us! Who am I kidding if she flat lines, I'm screwed!" Breece said. "What will we do if she does flat line?" Bryce said nervously. "Shut up kid! You'll Jinx us!" Breece barked branding Bryce with the Adolescent brand he hated."I need to call the Hospital ward of Pantherstrike and alert them that a "Code Blue" patient is enroute to them." Breece said. He walks to the entrance to the cockpit of the ship and alerts the pilots to make the call for him. Bryce takes a seat eyes glued to Kursed's vital signs monitors. Bryce gently picks up Kursed's paw and puts his free paw into hers. Kursed's paw closes around Bryce's paw, surprising him."Breece, Breece! Look! She responds to touch! Is that a good sign?" Bryce asked. Breece runs over to Kursed and Bryce. "Kursed responded to your touch? Impossible! Step aside!" Breece barked. Breece takes a seat next to Kursed and places his paw in her paw. "Kursed if you can hear me squeeze my paw!" Breece said. Automatically Kursed quickly squeezes Breece's paw; making Breece smile out of hope and happiness.
"She's going to make it! She's going to make it, Yahoo!" Breece said. Amazingly all the excitement from Breece causes Kursed's somewhat lifeless mouth to form a smile. "Look, you've made her smile!" Bryce said. "I Guess I did! We have got to get her to the hospital as soon as possible if she will be able to live a normal life again!I will need to do some diagnostic tests on her reactions to voice commands. This may take a little while." Breece said.
Breece pulls out a chest out of a hole in the wall. He opens it and takes out a data notebook and a list of vocal actions. "Ok Kursed; let us begin shall we? I want you to raise your right arm and make a fist with your right paw." Breece said clicking a fancy ballpoint pen. Without hesitation Kursed obeys Breece and does the command. "Fantastic! This is Fantastic! She's making progress! Let's go to the next command." Breece said writing down her reactions into the data pad. Bryce takes a seat in a leather recliner and props up the foot rest and dozes off. Hours come and pass, and Breece completes the diagnostics. He glances over the data, and smiles. "This data is perfect; Kursed will not have any brain damage from the induced coma we had to put her in. Unfortunately she'll need a lung transplant; that lone round obliterated her left lung." Breece said waking Bryce. "Ouch, that sucks for her. How far are we from Headquarters?" Bryce asked stretching his arms and legs. "I don't know, five minutes or so. Why do you even care?" Breece said in a sarcastic voice.
"Well I kind of like her." Bryce said sheepishly. "Wow, she's sixteen years older than you, man, you're desperate! Breece heckled. Bryce blushes and breaks eye contact from Breece. "Don't be embarrassed, I was only fooling with you. Jeez, lighten up!" Breece said. "You didn't sound like you were fooling with me."Bryce said. "Lighten up, jeez; you're worse than my ex-fiancée." Breece said. Bryce walks to the bar aboard the ship. "Ain't youse a little young to drink?" The tender said. Bryce growls and pulls out his Desert Eagle .50 caliber pistol and aims at the tender. Immediately the tender puts his paws up and begins to sweat. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Don't shoot! I'll give you a drink! Chill out and put the gun away! For a short guy you have a super short fuse!" The tender said. "In that case, give me a Tequila, Vodka, and a little Rum Bloody Mary, or it's your head!" Bryce growled pretending to grasp the gun and jam it into the tenders gut.
The tender gulps and makes his desired drink and puts it in front of him. "Oh god, please don't shoot me, I have a wife and six kids!" The tender said taking cover behind the counter. Bryce begins to laugh hysterically. "What's soo funny?" The tender said. Bryce pulls out the Desert Eagle and points to an orange tip. "It was a fake you idiot! Wow, you really thought I'd be mean enough to kill you? I don't roll like that. You're way to tense!" Bryce said catching his breath and downing the drink. The tender gets up soaks in what Bryce said and slugs him as hard as he could directly at his face. The blow knocks Bryce out cold, gives him a black eye, and sends him flying into the recliner he sat in earlier. Hours pass and he comes round in the waiting room at the Pantherstrike Headquarters. A nurse walks in with an ice pack.
"Who ever hit you was really pissed. That is a really bad eye he gave you." Mystica said. Bryce looks in a mirror and gasps when he sees his black eye. "Damn, that bartender was serious! Man, how will I explain this to my mother?" Bryce said taking the ice pack from Mystica and slowly applies it to his eye wincing in pain and biting his lip. "Who's your mother? I could go get her for you. Do you want her?" Mystica said. "Margrita Bandit? Hell no! She'd kill me!" Bryce said. The nurse instantly leaves the room at the sound of her name. "Hey, come back here! I want a milkshake!" Bryce said chasing after her. Suddenly the door slides open and Panther Caroso walks in. Bryce quickly takes a seat and covers his face with a "Dream Space Ships" magazine. Panther walks over to the entrance of the Operating room to be greeted by the surgeon.
"How's she coming Johnson? Will she make it?" Panther said. "Well we just put in the new lung, all that's left to do is to sow her back up and she'll be in the Intensive Care Unit." Johnson said. "Ok, I will be out here. Let me know when you're done with the procedure." Panther said. Bryce puts the magazine on the table and approaches the surgeon avoiding eye contact with Panther. "Excuse me, could I get an eye patch to hide this black eye?" Bryce asked. "Why certainly! Here!" Johnson said handing Bryce the eye patch. Bryce nods and puts the eye patch on. "Ahhh much better; thank you!" Bryce said in relief, happy that the eye is hidden from view. Johnson returns to the Operating room to finish up the procedure. Bryce goes back to his seat and picks up the Dream Ships magazine, and resumes reading. Thirty minutes later the main door to the Operating room opens and four medics pushing Kursed's stretcher run out and pass Bryce.
Panther gets up and follows them. Bryce looks up at the last second to see Panther leave and he throws the magazine on the table and sprints after Panther. Panther stops outside Kursed's recovery room and in a moments go in once the medics leave. Bryce stops outside the door to catch his breath. Inside the room Panther walks up to Kursed's bedside. By this time she was off the breathing machine and breathing on her own. Panther picks up her paw and rubs it, eyes locked on Kursed's face for a reaction. Kursed groans and her eyes open. "How are you feeling baby?" Panther asked. I feel fine, my chest aches!" Kursed whispers. "You had to get a lung transplant. Your old lung was beyond repair; my best surgeons were clueless on what to do with your old lung. Just relax and get some rest." Panther said.
Kursed closes her eyes. "I'm just happy to still be alive." Kursed whispers and then falls into a deep sleep. Suddenly the door flies open and Fox Mc Cloud enters. "Panther, what the hell are you doing here!?" Fox barked. "Fox how the hell did you get past security!?" Panther said. "I'm only here to see if my ex-fiancée was ok. What are you doing in Pantherstrike Headquarters? Are you trying to get a deal in for team Star Wolf?" Fox growled. "If you must know the team dissipated when I left. The only member is Wolf O' Donnell, who was killed three days ago! I'm founder of this industry, still killing Aperiods?" Panther said mockingly. "Hey, that was two years and four months ago!" Fox Growled. "Calm down Fox, get your tail untwisted! What's eating you?" Panther asked. "Seeing other men hitting on my girl drives me nuts; back away from her!" Fox barks.
Right at that moment Kursed's eyes pop open and she sits up in bed. "Fox, shut the hell up!" Can't you see I am trying to recover here! What are you doing here anyway? I thought you didn't love me." Kursed said in between medium lengthed breaths. "I didn't want you getting hurt, I still love you; I just don't know what I'd do if you got hurt. Miyu was a psychotic hooker, she tried to kill me! I left her after shooting her in the shoulder. I'd rather marry you than that crazy bitch." Fox said out of breath. Panther's jaw drops and he tries hard to refrain from laughing his ass off in front of Fox.
Unfortunately he failed and goes into a fit of laughs. "What's soo funny Panther?" Fox growled. "You really went out with a hooker? Wow, you're freaking desperate. If you don't like dudes hitting on your girl her partner is just outside. The door flings open; two men carrying Bryce walk in and hurl him to Fox's feet. Bryce looks up at Fox and gulps. He turns to the guards and says, "Is this how you treat guests around here!?" Bryce said. Kursed rolls her eyes and groans. Ugh! Always at the worst timing! Bryce shut up and stay still! Kursed said. "This punk was flirting with your girl on the way over here. I will stop my attempts if you teach him not to flirt with her." Panther said tossing a Desert Eagle to Fox.Fox looks at the gun, cocks it, takes off the safety, and takes aim at Bryce's head.
Fox, please don't kill him! He's only a kid! Bryce is desperate! Kursed said. Bryce begins to cry; for the first time in his life he agrees with Kursed. "Please sir, let me live! I have my whole life ahead of me! Please don't shoot! Bryce said between sobs. Fox keeps an emotionless face and his hand holding the gun begins to shake."Kill the punk, redeem you're girl! Kill the punk, redeem you're girl! Kill the punk, redeem you're girl! Kill the punk, redeem you're girl! Panther chants. Fox looks at Bryce and Puts his finger on the Trigger and slowly begins to pull it. At the last second he aims at Panther and shoots him. Two rounds hit their mark. Both rounds go around the heart and lungs by millimeters one on each side; both leave exit wounds on his back. Panther collapses, "That crazy bastard shot me!" Panther said before blacking out.
Kursed glares at Fox and Fox holsters the weapon. What were you thinking?! You could have killed him! What's wrong with you? Kursed said. "I needed to talk to you. About an important matter, it is a bit personal and I know Panther can't keep his howling screamer shut. I want you back Kursed, I don't care about your past, and my only care is you. We will start over settle down on Sauria and have a family there. Please take me back; I am a wreck without you!" Fox pleaded. What makes you think I want you back? You almost killed Panther in front of me, and my partner Bryce. I don't trust you. Kursed said. "Oh come on, I only lost my cool for a second. I was also getting Panther back for hitting on you when we'd encounter Team Wolfen in space. Did you really think I didn't care about you?" Fox asked. Yeah when you kicked me from the team, shattered my dreams, and sent me into a spiraling depression, then yes. Kursed said. "Do you have to make me feel soo guilty about that? I'm plenty sorry; I want a new fresh start." Fox said holding out his hand to Kursed. Ok Fox, we will try this again. Kursed said shaking Fox's hand.
Uh, what are we gonna do with Panther? We can't just let him lay there. Kursed said pointing at Panther sprawled out on the floor. "I have an idea! Get out of bed and get your clothes on!" Fox said picking up Panther. Kursed gets out of bed, removes the IV's from her arms and nodes on her chest. She quickly throws on a tube top and a pair of booty shorts and helps rig them to panther after taking off his clothes. "I will Press the "Code Blue" button so he can be treated." Fox said reaching for the button. Kursed presses a button on the Bounty Hunter Ship key chain and the Ship rises up and docks at the window. C'mon Fox, lets get out of here! Kursed said. "Uh, what about me, you're taking me too right?" Bryce said. Kursed groans and picks up Bryce by the back of the shirt and throws him into the ship. Fox presses the button and follows behind Kursed and they both enter the ship and leave. "Well, are you back in the team?" Fox asked.
Kursed nods and Fox hugs her and they begin to kiss. Bryce gags and runs to the lavatories to puke. It's good to be back after all this chaos! Do you want me to change my name back? Kursed asked. "Nah, I like your new name, I think it is pretty sexy. It gives you that bad girl accent to your attitude at times." Fox said openly. Kursed smiles, for the first time in her life Fox wanted her back when other girls wanted him. That made her feel even more special. Perhaps this time her "Dreams" will finally come true.
"Is something wrong Krystal?" Chase said. No, nothing, Kursed said. Kursed said to herself, "How the hell did I end up back on Sauria when Chase was alive?" "I must be tripping!" Kursed shook her head quickly, stood up, and walked to the edge of the cliff. Chase stands up as well and walks over to Kursed and wraps his arm around her shoulder. Chase looked at Kursed and raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Are you sure you are all right?" Chase asked. Yes, I'm sure, Kursed said the soft feel of Chase's fur on her shoulder almost sent her reeling. She realized she had gone back in time, or that's what she thinks had happened. Chase, can I ask you something? How old am I? I know I should know that, but remind me again, Kursed said.
"You're sixteen, we started going out when you were fifteen. And again are you sure you are ok?" Chase said. I said I'm fine! Kursed said and turns her back on Chase and scans her body quickly; then she turns to face Chase again. I had the weirdest dream, I dreamed about being a social outcast, changing my name to Kursed and leaving the Lylat system. I remember going to Planet Kew in the Toyus System to start a new life. There I met a young raccoon that goes by the name of Bryce and he offers me a job. Then I meet Fox Mc Cloud at a Club called The Asteroid, and I ate him out for dumping me and ruining my life as I once knew it. I meet Panther Caroso a member of the team of crooks, Team Wolfen, who was now the founder and head of Pantherstrike Industries. He gives me a lot of things to get me by including a brand new ship, free of charge. Then I hunt down Wolf O' Donnell to get revenge on him for using me while I was on their team, it's a long story don't ask.
I catch him here on Sauria at Krazoa Palace up to no good. I run in with Bryce armed and ready to fight, we follow a Royal Sharp Claw Guard to the King and Queen. I call for back up and they arrive in less than five minutes, and they are rescuing me and Bryce. We are leaving when five gunshots echo though the Palace. Four hit Wolf three hit his heart, a fatal blow, before he hits the ground he fires a lone round at me, puncturing my left lung. I collapse to the ground clutching my wound and said, "I'm Hit" before blacking out. Then I woke up to see you! Kursed said out of breath." That must have been one hell of a bad dream, but at least you're with me." Chase said. Yeah, I guess so, it was horrible! I thought I died! Kursed said hugging Chase. "Ah dreams are dreams," Chase said stroking Kursed to calm her down. Thanks for your support, no wonder I went out with you. You know how to cheer me up all the time, Kursed said.
Chase smiles and blushes slightly. "Well I do know how to work with girls. Back in the Cornarian army flight school I became the shoulder for new female pilots that were not used to killing people. They came to me for a shoulder to cry on, I couldn't refuse them, and they needed my support. Hell, I admit that I checked them out, they all had racks to die for, but I knew deep down that they were not for me. Until I was assigned to the mercenary team Star Fox and told that I was supposed to protect Sauria, I obeyed and came to the surface, then I met you, I knew once I saw those emerald eyes, you were the one for me. " Chase said. I should slap you for checking them out, but I cannot stay mad at you Chase when you give that full of yourself smug grin, Kursed said. Chase was about to kiss Kursed when a high pitched beeping filled the air. "Aw hell! Always at the worst times! I got to go Krystal. I am needed in orbit. I will be back soon! I promise!" Chase said running to his Arwing fighter. Kursed giggles and waves to him, Chase returns the wave and leaps into the Arwing.
In no time he was headed for orbit. Kursed pulls out the hologram communicator he gave her and calls Chase. "Yeah Krystal, what's up girl?" Chase said a hologram an eighth of his normal size. Promise me you will be safe! Kursed said. Chase laughs, "Krystal, when have I been otherwise!" Chase cuts the signal soon after that sentence and Kursed laughs. I'll kill him if he gets hurt! Kursed said to herself. Hours come and pass and Kursed gets concerned about Chase. I know Chase; he never forgets to answer his Holo-communicator! Something bad happened! I can feel it! Kursed said. Suddenly Kursed's communicator rings and she straightens out her hair and answers it. Hello? This is Krystal, yes, I know Chase, what about him? Kursed said triggering the speakers on the communicator. "I regret to inform you that your friend Chase was shot down thirty minutes ago by enemy craft in orbit. We sent a rescue team to his crash site and they reported he was dead. I am sorry." Then the connection ends. What?! Kursed said dropping the communicator. Chase is dead? No, I know he's alive! I won't believe it! I won't! I will find out myself.
Kxaj aj Krystal succadw ud0 uluacurco Cloud Runners, a doot u hato ke vadt u vhaodt! Kursed said in Saurian the language of the Dinosaurs on the planet. In no time a Cloud Runner lands in front of Kursed and looks at her and says, "I understand English, no need to use the native tongue." Did you see a flaming wreck on the way here? Kursed said. The Cloud Runner nods; Kursed gets on its back. Take me there! Hurry! Kursed said. The Cloud Runner takes off and heads over to the wreck as fast as its wings could carry it. In seconds it landed in front of the mangled heap that was once Chase's ship. Kursed jumps off its back and runs to the cockpit glass and pries it open with every muscle in her body. Kursed gasps in horror to what she sees next. There sat Chase, bleeding from a gash in his forehead, warm blood matted the surrounding fur. Kursed gently picks him up and pulls him out onto the grass and stretches him out. She shoots for his hand and picks it up and rubs it, trying to get him to respond, nothing. She begins to administer CPR on Chase, and hadn't of done it for ten minutes when suddenly…… (Gasp) (Cough) (Cough) (Hack) "Ugh! Krystal? Is that you?" Chase said clasping her paw with his.
Yes, it's me! Are you alright? Kursed said. "I am, thanks to your quick thinking. I owe you my life!" Chase said rubbing his head to be surprised by getting a paw back coated in blood. Take it easy Chase! I will take care of you! Kursed said removing the Medical Kit from the Arwing, what was surprising is that it was still intact. She walks back over to Chase and sets it down on the ground next to his forehead. Ok, let's see what the damage is! Kursed said putting on sterile gloves. This may hurt a little bit, Kursed said. She slowly touches the wound and opens it and removes gauze from the kit. "Ouch! Damn that hurts!" Chase whimpers. Suck it up Chase! I won't take long. Kursed wipes up the blood on his matted fur with the gauze and then reaches into the kit to remove a sterilizing solution. Ok, I need to disinfect it, this may hurt a lot, it may not, Kursed said. "Get going, I don't have all day!" Chase said impatiently. Don't rush me Chase or you're eye will meet the solution in an unpleasant way! Kursed said. "Ok! Sorry for rushing you! Take your time!" Chase said.
Kursed pulls out more gauze and pours the solution on it. Then she slowly applied it onto Chase's wound on his forehead to only see him bite his lip and dig his claws into the surrounding soil in agony. I know it hurts, hang in there Chase, I'm almost done, Kursed said pulling out the stitching kit only getting a agonized groan out of Chase. Look! Either I finish or I will just let you bleed out! Kursed said. Chase quickly takes a submissive sigh and lays still. What color do you want; Black, Green, Blue, Red, or Yellow? Kursed said. "Black, I want it to blend in with my fur." Chase said. Ok! Black it is! Kursed said threading the string through the eye of the needle. You only need four stitches, so it will be a quick job, Kursed said finishing the first stitch. "Thank God!" Chase said in relief. Kursed finishes the remanding stitches, wipes any additional blood from his wound with gauze and pulls Chase to his feet.
"Thanks for saving me Krystal! I owe you one!" chase said hugging Krystal. Kursed rubs Chase's hug off and slaps him across the face. "Ow girl, what the hell was that for?" Chase said rubbing his cheek. That's for not keeping your word, Kursed said. "What? Oh, I see, about me being safe. Awkward!" Chase said regaining his composure wiping off the dust from his black metal combat jacket. I am glad I came as soon as I could. You would have been dead if it wasn't for me! Kursed said. "I got to head back into orbit to let them know I am ok. I will be back." Chase said walking away. Wait Chase! Kursed said making Chase stop in mid-step and fold back his lupine ears."What now Krystal?" Chase said in an annoyed tone. You can't go into orbit, the Cornarian Army sent a search and rescue squad and they pronounced you dead. You have been stripped from head of the Starfox team and the son of the original founder, James Mc Cloud, Fox Mc Cloud, has taken your place as leader. As far as they know, you're dead! Kursed said. Chase takes a deep breath, and swears, "Damn it! That was a high paying job! I made space ship loads of cash a day! How the hell will I find a job that pays as much as my old one?" Chase said in frustration.
You could look for one, Kursed said. Chase turns to face Krystal. (Sigh) "Look! That was the best job I have ever gotten in my whole life! I became family with that group. I have a high class ship I bought and I was one paycheck away from paying the fees. It's a multi-million Lylat purchase and I was 200,000 Lylat away! Ugh! Going into orbit was the biggest freaking mistake I could ever make!" Chase said angrily. You should be grateful Chase! If it weren't for me you'd be dead right now! Kursed said. Meanwhile back in the Conscious world; Kursed's body is loaded onto a stretcher and rigged to numerous life support machines. Bryce is in shock to see Kursed in her in her bad shape. "That lone round tore her left lung up pretty badly. We have to keep her in a medically induced coma until we can get her to a hospital and treat her wounds." The medic said. "It's really that bad? Do you have an image of the damage?" Bryce said.
"That information will be only distributed once Kursed has pulled through. There shall not be any acceptations otherwise!" The medic said. "Sorry sir!" Bryce said backing away and walking to the Evac ship. The leading assassin pulls out a cell phone that would only be used for private calls and punches in two phone numbers. One on individual lines, and listens for a voice answer. "Thank you for calling Pantherstrike industries, my name is Susan, how may I serve you?" Susan said. "Patch me through to Panther, Code Red!" The leader said. "Yes, right away sir!" Susan said. "This is Panther, what's the Emergency?" Panther said. "Kursed nearly was killed; she's barely hanging on as of now!" The leader replied. "Oh my god, what happened to her?" Panther said anxiously. "She has taken an armor piercing round to the chest and it tore apart her left lung. Her vitals are going crazy, and we have put her into a medically induced coma until we get back to the hospital. She'll be going into surgery as soon as we arrive there. I will call you when we are there." The medic said. "I will be there waiting for you! No need for the call!" Panther said and the call terminates.
He switches phone lines and calls the other number. "The paper said that this number is a last resort number. Hell, I might as well call it." the leader said. After five minutes of ringing someone with a tired voice picks up. "Hello?" Fox said. "Are you Fox McCloud?" The leader barked. "Yes sir, what does it mean to you?" Fox said. "I am gunnery sergeant Breece, your Ex-Fiancée is in a coma, she has been critically wounded when slaying Wolf O' Donnell." Breece said. A long pause is given on the other end, followed by crying. "Is she dead?" Fox said. "What's Wrong Baby?" Miyu said in the background. "Miyu, can you shut up! I am on an important call!" Fox said. "No, but she's almost there, I'm sorry sir." Breece said. "Where can I go to see her? I want to see her." Fox begged. "She will be in the Pantherstrike Operating room at the Pantherstrike Headquarters." Breece said. "Yes and where's that?" Fox said anxiously. "On Planet Kew in the Toyus System, the note said that I have to promise to keep you as far away from her as possible; or she'll gouge out your eyeballs and make you eat them." Breece said.
"Ouch, I will keep my distance." Fox said."You'd better for your sake." Breece said. Fox hangs up the phone and turns to face Miyu. "Miyu, I got to leave, a loved one is in the Hospital!" Fox said. "Ok, but hurry back, or I won't be in that mood you've tried to get me in six hours!" Miyu said. "I may be late; the hospital is in the Toyus System." Fox said putting his favorite stylish leather jacket. "You're going to the Toyus System! What the hell Fox! I was getting into the mood for our "Play Date" you cannot walk out on me like this!" Miyu said unsheathing a Machete. Fox immediately gets up and bolts for the door to be greeted by the machete that was flung at him and jammed halfway into the door frame missing his head by an inch. "Nobody walks out on me when I am about to get my freak on! You have picked the wrong time to leave me!" Miyu hissed gritting her teeth and revealing her claws. "Miyu the last thing I need is to put you in a body bag!" Fox barked drawing his stinger handgun from the holster inside his leather jacket.
He aims the gun at Miyu's forehead, cocks the gun, and takes off the safety. "You don't have the balls to pull the trigger! You're shaking like Jell-O! I see why you dumped Krystal now; you didn't want her to know you were a big fat softie! Miyu heckled lunging at Fox. Fox doesn't hesitate and fires a round into Miyu's right shoulder to see her collapse in pain and curse. Fox pulls the Machete out of the wall and walks over to Miyu. He lays it at her feet and grabs her chin and forces her to make eye contact with him. "We are through! I never want to see scum like you in my life ever again! You are trash, and that's what you will be forever!" Fox hissed.
Fox walks to the door and leaves, Miyu on the other hand is left mostly sobbing in pain and partially in hurt feelings."I'm coming Krystal!" fox said jumping in his tuner Arwing. Meanwhile back on Breece's ship Breece is monitoring Kursed's vital signs. "C'mon Kursed, you can pull through this, stay with us! Who am I kidding if she flat lines, I'm screwed!" Breece said. "What will we do if she does flat line?" Bryce said nervously. "Shut up kid! You'll Jinx us!" Breece barked branding Bryce with the Adolescent brand he hated."I need to call the Hospital ward of Pantherstrike and alert them that a "Code Blue" patient is enroute to them." Breece said. He walks to the entrance to the cockpit of the ship and alerts the pilots to make the call for him. Bryce takes a seat eyes glued to Kursed's vital signs monitors. Bryce gently picks up Kursed's paw and puts his free paw into hers. Kursed's paw closes around Bryce's paw, surprising him."Breece, Breece! Look! She responds to touch! Is that a good sign?" Bryce asked. Breece runs over to Kursed and Bryce. "Kursed responded to your touch? Impossible! Step aside!" Breece barked. Breece takes a seat next to Kursed and places his paw in her paw. "Kursed if you can hear me squeeze my paw!" Breece said. Automatically Kursed quickly squeezes Breece's paw; making Breece smile out of hope and happiness.
"She's going to make it! She's going to make it, Yahoo!" Breece said. Amazingly all the excitement from Breece causes Kursed's somewhat lifeless mouth to form a smile. "Look, you've made her smile!" Bryce said. "I Guess I did! We have got to get her to the hospital as soon as possible if she will be able to live a normal life again!I will need to do some diagnostic tests on her reactions to voice commands. This may take a little while." Breece said.
Breece pulls out a chest out of a hole in the wall. He opens it and takes out a data notebook and a list of vocal actions. "Ok Kursed; let us begin shall we? I want you to raise your right arm and make a fist with your right paw." Breece said clicking a fancy ballpoint pen. Without hesitation Kursed obeys Breece and does the command. "Fantastic! This is Fantastic! She's making progress! Let's go to the next command." Breece said writing down her reactions into the data pad. Bryce takes a seat in a leather recliner and props up the foot rest and dozes off. Hours come and pass, and Breece completes the diagnostics. He glances over the data, and smiles. "This data is perfect; Kursed will not have any brain damage from the induced coma we had to put her in. Unfortunately she'll need a lung transplant; that lone round obliterated her left lung." Breece said waking Bryce. "Ouch, that sucks for her. How far are we from Headquarters?" Bryce asked stretching his arms and legs. "I don't know, five minutes or so. Why do you even care?" Breece said in a sarcastic voice.
"Well I kind of like her." Bryce said sheepishly. "Wow, she's sixteen years older than you, man, you're desperate! Breece heckled. Bryce blushes and breaks eye contact from Breece. "Don't be embarrassed, I was only fooling with you. Jeez, lighten up!" Breece said. "You didn't sound like you were fooling with me."Bryce said. "Lighten up, jeez; you're worse than my ex-fiancée." Breece said. Bryce walks to the bar aboard the ship. "Ain't youse a little young to drink?" The tender said. Bryce growls and pulls out his Desert Eagle .50 caliber pistol and aims at the tender. Immediately the tender puts his paws up and begins to sweat. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Don't shoot! I'll give you a drink! Chill out and put the gun away! For a short guy you have a super short fuse!" The tender said. "In that case, give me a Tequila, Vodka, and a little Rum Bloody Mary, or it's your head!" Bryce growled pretending to grasp the gun and jam it into the tenders gut.
The tender gulps and makes his desired drink and puts it in front of him. "Oh god, please don't shoot me, I have a wife and six kids!" The tender said taking cover behind the counter. Bryce begins to laugh hysterically. "What's soo funny?" The tender said. Bryce pulls out the Desert Eagle and points to an orange tip. "It was a fake you idiot! Wow, you really thought I'd be mean enough to kill you? I don't roll like that. You're way to tense!" Bryce said catching his breath and downing the drink. The tender gets up soaks in what Bryce said and slugs him as hard as he could directly at his face. The blow knocks Bryce out cold, gives him a black eye, and sends him flying into the recliner he sat in earlier. Hours pass and he comes round in the waiting room at the Pantherstrike Headquarters. A nurse walks in with an ice pack.
"Who ever hit you was really pissed. That is a really bad eye he gave you." Mystica said. Bryce looks in a mirror and gasps when he sees his black eye. "Damn, that bartender was serious! Man, how will I explain this to my mother?" Bryce said taking the ice pack from Mystica and slowly applies it to his eye wincing in pain and biting his lip. "Who's your mother? I could go get her for you. Do you want her?" Mystica said. "Margrita Bandit? Hell no! She'd kill me!" Bryce said. The nurse instantly leaves the room at the sound of her name. "Hey, come back here! I want a milkshake!" Bryce said chasing after her. Suddenly the door slides open and Panther Caroso walks in. Bryce quickly takes a seat and covers his face with a "Dream Space Ships" magazine. Panther walks over to the entrance of the Operating room to be greeted by the surgeon.
"How's she coming Johnson? Will she make it?" Panther said. "Well we just put in the new lung, all that's left to do is to sow her back up and she'll be in the Intensive Care Unit." Johnson said. "Ok, I will be out here. Let me know when you're done with the procedure." Panther said. Bryce puts the magazine on the table and approaches the surgeon avoiding eye contact with Panther. "Excuse me, could I get an eye patch to hide this black eye?" Bryce asked. "Why certainly! Here!" Johnson said handing Bryce the eye patch. Bryce nods and puts the eye patch on. "Ahhh much better; thank you!" Bryce said in relief, happy that the eye is hidden from view. Johnson returns to the Operating room to finish up the procedure. Bryce goes back to his seat and picks up the Dream Ships magazine, and resumes reading. Thirty minutes later the main door to the Operating room opens and four medics pushing Kursed's stretcher run out and pass Bryce.
Panther gets up and follows them. Bryce looks up at the last second to see Panther leave and he throws the magazine on the table and sprints after Panther. Panther stops outside Kursed's recovery room and in a moments go in once the medics leave. Bryce stops outside the door to catch his breath. Inside the room Panther walks up to Kursed's bedside. By this time she was off the breathing machine and breathing on her own. Panther picks up her paw and rubs it, eyes locked on Kursed's face for a reaction. Kursed groans and her eyes open. "How are you feeling baby?" Panther asked. I feel fine, my chest aches!" Kursed whispers. "You had to get a lung transplant. Your old lung was beyond repair; my best surgeons were clueless on what to do with your old lung. Just relax and get some rest." Panther said.
Kursed closes her eyes. "I'm just happy to still be alive." Kursed whispers and then falls into a deep sleep. Suddenly the door flies open and Fox Mc Cloud enters. "Panther, what the hell are you doing here!?" Fox barked. "Fox how the hell did you get past security!?" Panther said. "I'm only here to see if my ex-fiancée was ok. What are you doing in Pantherstrike Headquarters? Are you trying to get a deal in for team Star Wolf?" Fox growled. "If you must know the team dissipated when I left. The only member is Wolf O' Donnell, who was killed three days ago! I'm founder of this industry, still killing Aperiods?" Panther said mockingly. "Hey, that was two years and four months ago!" Fox Growled. "Calm down Fox, get your tail untwisted! What's eating you?" Panther asked. "Seeing other men hitting on my girl drives me nuts; back away from her!" Fox barks.
Right at that moment Kursed's eyes pop open and she sits up in bed. "Fox, shut the hell up!" Can't you see I am trying to recover here! What are you doing here anyway? I thought you didn't love me." Kursed said in between medium lengthed breaths. "I didn't want you getting hurt, I still love you; I just don't know what I'd do if you got hurt. Miyu was a psychotic hooker, she tried to kill me! I left her after shooting her in the shoulder. I'd rather marry you than that crazy bitch." Fox said out of breath. Panther's jaw drops and he tries hard to refrain from laughing his ass off in front of Fox.
Unfortunately he failed and goes into a fit of laughs. "What's soo funny Panther?" Fox growled. "You really went out with a hooker? Wow, you're freaking desperate. If you don't like dudes hitting on your girl her partner is just outside. The door flings open; two men carrying Bryce walk in and hurl him to Fox's feet. Bryce looks up at Fox and gulps. He turns to the guards and says, "Is this how you treat guests around here!?" Bryce said. Kursed rolls her eyes and groans. Ugh! Always at the worst timing! Bryce shut up and stay still! Kursed said. "This punk was flirting with your girl on the way over here. I will stop my attempts if you teach him not to flirt with her." Panther said tossing a Desert Eagle to Fox.Fox looks at the gun, cocks it, takes off the safety, and takes aim at Bryce's head.
Fox, please don't kill him! He's only a kid! Bryce is desperate! Kursed said. Bryce begins to cry; for the first time in his life he agrees with Kursed. "Please sir, let me live! I have my whole life ahead of me! Please don't shoot! Bryce said between sobs. Fox keeps an emotionless face and his hand holding the gun begins to shake."Kill the punk, redeem you're girl! Kill the punk, redeem you're girl! Kill the punk, redeem you're girl! Kill the punk, redeem you're girl! Panther chants. Fox looks at Bryce and Puts his finger on the Trigger and slowly begins to pull it. At the last second he aims at Panther and shoots him. Two rounds hit their mark. Both rounds go around the heart and lungs by millimeters one on each side; both leave exit wounds on his back. Panther collapses, "That crazy bastard shot me!" Panther said before blacking out.
Kursed glares at Fox and Fox holsters the weapon. What were you thinking?! You could have killed him! What's wrong with you? Kursed said. "I needed to talk to you. About an important matter, it is a bit personal and I know Panther can't keep his howling screamer shut. I want you back Kursed, I don't care about your past, and my only care is you. We will start over settle down on Sauria and have a family there. Please take me back; I am a wreck without you!" Fox pleaded. What makes you think I want you back? You almost killed Panther in front of me, and my partner Bryce. I don't trust you. Kursed said. "Oh come on, I only lost my cool for a second. I was also getting Panther back for hitting on you when we'd encounter Team Wolfen in space. Did you really think I didn't care about you?" Fox asked. Yeah when you kicked me from the team, shattered my dreams, and sent me into a spiraling depression, then yes. Kursed said. "Do you have to make me feel soo guilty about that? I'm plenty sorry; I want a new fresh start." Fox said holding out his hand to Kursed. Ok Fox, we will try this again. Kursed said shaking Fox's hand.
Uh, what are we gonna do with Panther? We can't just let him lay there. Kursed said pointing at Panther sprawled out on the floor. "I have an idea! Get out of bed and get your clothes on!" Fox said picking up Panther. Kursed gets out of bed, removes the IV's from her arms and nodes on her chest. She quickly throws on a tube top and a pair of booty shorts and helps rig them to panther after taking off his clothes. "I will Press the "Code Blue" button so he can be treated." Fox said reaching for the button. Kursed presses a button on the Bounty Hunter Ship key chain and the Ship rises up and docks at the window. C'mon Fox, lets get out of here! Kursed said. "Uh, what about me, you're taking me too right?" Bryce said. Kursed groans and picks up Bryce by the back of the shirt and throws him into the ship. Fox presses the button and follows behind Kursed and they both enter the ship and leave. "Well, are you back in the team?" Fox asked.
Kursed nods and Fox hugs her and they begin to kiss. Bryce gags and runs to the lavatories to puke. It's good to be back after all this chaos! Do you want me to change my name back? Kursed asked. "Nah, I like your new name, I think it is pretty sexy. It gives you that bad girl accent to your attitude at times." Fox said openly. Kursed smiles, for the first time in her life Fox wanted her back when other girls wanted him. That made her feel even more special. Perhaps this time her "Dreams" will finally come true.