Well hello my loves ... !

It's been forever since I've done anything with this story ... but thanks to some things I've been working on lately, I'm re-inspired!
I really do love thinking about Dinosaur Planet/Krystal's past/Cerinia/Sabre/etc., (drew a picture to do with some of these things on my deviantart!) ...
... I'm just often so busy that my fanfiction takes a backseat to "more important" "real world" things. *sigh*

I also realized that this story has turned into a bit of an alternate universe from "Tales of a Cobalt Vixen," which ironically I wrote as a prequel for this story ...

So from here on out, I'm treating them as somewhat alternate universes (as far as the development of Fox and Krystal's relationship goes).

That being said, the details of Krystal's past that get revealed in this story should still be 100% accurate for both! c:

Without further ado, a little update ...
And a HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to those who were patient enough to wait for it!

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StarFox Adventures

The Secrets of Dinosaur Planet
A Tale of Destiny

Chapter Eleven: "Tough Love"

"Well, you see, this isn't a well-documented phenomenon."

Slippy's voice was tinny on the communicator of Fox's Arwing, crackling. As they watched the little display of his face, he frowned, looking thoughtful. "I can try to look into some of the archival material at Headquarters, but I can't guarantee anything." Then he sighed. "We don't have much on foreign cryotechnology," he explained, "Because there isn't much foreign cryotechnology to begin with. It's too advanced for most civilizations."

"I figured as much," Krystal murmured. She crossed her arms tight around her chest, and Fox could see the gears turning behind her bright emerald eyes. "Perhaps there's something similar you could reference?" As the idea formed, a sudden spark of hope flitted across her face. "Maybe comatose medical patients, waking up with amnesia?"

Slippy nodded. "Sure, I'll check it out. There must be some kind of therapy for that!"

Krystal looked relieved. "Thank you so much, Slippy," she said, her voice soft.

"No problem," he said brightly. "I'll get right on it. Slippy out."

Then the communicator crackled, and the display flickered off.

Fox sighed. "Hope he finds something good," he muttered.

"I believe in him," said Krystal. But there was still a hint of despair on her face.

Fox hated to see her like this.

"Hey," he murmured, reaching out to touch her shoulder. "We're gonna make things right. Don't worry."

She leaned against his hand, and turned to look at him with tight eyes. "It's hard to keep hoping, Fox," she said, very quiet. Her voice sounded grim. It wasn't like her. This was the girl who kept positive under every circumstance; the girl with the eyes that always sparkled.

He frowned. "Don't say that," he muttered. "We're nothing without hope."

"I know," she sighed. She hugged her arms tighter around herself, shaking her head. "It's just…"

She trailed off and pulled away from him, closing her eyes.

Fox's eyebrows bunched together. "What?" he asked, following her. He touched her shoulder again, tried to get her to turn around. She jerked away.

"Stop," she mumbled, sniffling. "Please."

She was crying.

Fox's heart broke.

Without thinking, he strode up close behind her. Before she could move away again, he wrapped his arms around her body, holding her right. He could feel her shivering against him as he held her close, trying to impart what little comfort he could. He didn't know what to say, or if he should say anything at all. He still wasn't very good at this sort of thing.

In his arms, she took a deep breath. He tried not to think about the way he could feel her chest expand and contract. That was a dangerous line of thought.

"I've been looking for so long," she whispered. Her head drooped to the right. He could feel her nose brush against his bicep. "Now I've found him, and…" Her voice caught. She stiffened against him. "I'm sorry," she said quickly, ashamed. "I'm being ridiculous." He could feel her pushing against his grip, trying to free herself, so he loosened his arms. She twisted around to face him, smiling sadly. "Now you get to see my moody side," she teased weakly, her eyes watery.

He scoffed. "Krystal, I've seen moody, and you aren't it," he said, absolutely certain. His eyes flickered between hers. He tried to look as serious as possible. "You're upset about your brother's amnesia," he added. "That's gotta be normal. I mean, I'd be totally pissed if my long-lost relative couldn't remember me."

That made her laugh a little. "I suppose you're right," she conceded, looking up at him through her lashes. "But I hate being so emotional," she said softly, almost bashful. "Especially in front of you."

His mouth was suddenly dry and he hated himself for it. He swallowed, staring into her eyes. "You could cry a river in front of me and I …" His voice cracked, and he looked down at his feet. "I told you before," he mumbled. "I'm here for you." He paused. "No matter what."

They were both silent for a moment. Something crackled between them, and he tried to ignore it.

He was way too aware of how close she was, how one small movement could close the distance. Part of him really wanted to make that movement.

"You guys!" yelled Tricky.

Fox jumped, jerking away.

Krystal was more graceful. "What is it, Tricky?" she asked, turning to greet him.

He was breathless. "Your friend," he gasped. "Wants to talk to you."

"Gemma?" Krystal's eyes lit up. "Is she awake?"

Tricky shook his head. "Not that one," he said.

There was a beat of silence. Krystal froze.

"Sabre?" she asked, her voice shaky.

"I guess," said Tricky, shrugging. "Is that his name?"

Krystal didn't answer him. She walked right past, distracted. It was uncharacteristic of her. But she was dazed, utterly focused on the idea of talking to the brother who didn't remember.

Tricky blinked, watching her walk away. "Hey, Fox," he muttered, frowning. "Is she okay?"

"Not right now," he murmured. He watched her head for the cave. "But hopefully soon."

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He sat in the corner, leaning tight against the stone wall, like he was trying to blend into it.

It was a strange sight, made even stranger by the fact that he was such an impressive figure. Tall, strong, with a warrior's athletic physique; there was no reason for him to be cowering, let alone from a girl half his size. But he couldn't remember anything except the crash, and that thought alone was enough to send him reeling.

"Hello, Sabre," said the girl with the gentle eyes, walking up to him slowly. "Tricky said you summoned me."

He took a breath, steeling himself. "Yes," he said, hoarse. "I-I want to … ask you something." He kept a wary eye on her as she stepped closer, his upper lip curling back.

At the sight of his bared fangs, she stopped walking. "Please," she said, looking relieved. "Ask me anything."

The first question pressed at his lips. "Where am I?" he asked, the terror bright in his eyes.

"Dinosaur Planet," said the girl, her voice soft and soothing.

His brows bunched together. "Dinosaur Planet," he repeated. Nothing about it seemed familiar. "I don't know…"

"That's okay," the girl said quickly, searching for his gaze. "Ask me another question."

He stared at her for a moment, silent. Then he took another breath. "Who are you?"

"My name's Krystal," she said, and he could hear her voice quaver. "I'm … I-I'm your sister."

Again, this accusation of being her kin. How? How could she be his sister? Shouldn't he remember that? He shook his head. "That's impossible," he muttered, distraught.

"You have amnesia," she murmured. "It's common for severe head injuries, or those who have been comatose for long periods of time." She paused for a moment. "It will come back to you," she said. "I'm sure of it." But she sounded entirely unsure.

"But why don't I remember you?" he asked, frowning. "If you're my own flesh and blood…"

Her eyes sparked with life, gleaming, and when she spoke, her voice was fierce. "I'm not your blood, Sabre," she whispered. "Your father adopted me."

His scowl deepened. "My father," he muttered. He thought, hard. Who was his father? "What was my father's name?" he asked, pressing the pad of his forefinger into his temple.

"Randorn," she said quickly. "The great wizard, bookkeeper of magic."

Sabre closed his eyes. "Randorn," he repeated. It felt familiar on his tongue, well-used, like a worn-in shoe. "Randorn." There was even a slightly bitter taste to it, like it might have rung with despair. "Did I love my father?" he asked, confused.

That stumped her for a moment. "I think you must have," she finally said, her voice soft. "But when you found us in the forest, you certainly didn't."

Something sparked in his eyes, and he stared at her, hard. "In the forest," he muttered. "What were you doing there?"

"He was traveling alone," said Krystal. "That's where he found me."

"Why was he in the forest?" Sabre pressed. "What drove him there?"

She thought back. "Your brother," she murmured. "He was injured, and died." Krystal closed her eyes. "It broke your father's heart."

Sabre's ears perked forward, and he gasped. "Scythe!" he cried. Then he looked shocked, like he couldn't believe he'd spoken.

Krystal stared at him. "That was his name," she whispered. "Scythe."

He raised his eyes to meet hers, and they stared at each other, utterly silent.

He wet his lips.

"I want to remember, Krystal," he said softly, his eyes pained.

She inched closer. "I know you do," she murmured. "I want you to remember, too." Now she was close enough to kneel down in front of him. Reflexively, he jerked away; but she reached out and took his hand in hers, lacing her fingers through his.

He was tense. "Help me," he whispered. "Please."

She nodded. "Of course."

Sabre closed his eyes. "I wish I could remember you," he said, sounding odd. "I really do."

"Why?" she asked. She couldn't help it. "What makes you wish that?"

"Because if you're really my sister," he said, looking into her eyes, "I must've been pretty lucky."

She smiled. "We both were."

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Once again, a HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to those who are (still) reading!
I know I keep going MIA ... but I want to assure all of you that I am ALWAYS planning on updating these stories ... so don't give up on me!

(Obviously I do return ... just ... with quite a few months in between ... DX)

I really love all of you, so very much. You might not realize this, but you've changed my life with your words.
You all inspire me every single day, and for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. c:

Comments, suggestions, questions?
Review please! I'll listen to your words!