Krystal's Magic Show

Note: This is my first story for the site. Enjoy!

One day, Star Fox's telepathic member, Krystal Bodimead was just walking down the sidewalk in Corneria City. The team did not have any missions on that day, which meant that they could do whatever they wanted. In Krystal's case, she decided to visit the city. She wasn't planning on buying anything, nor was she running an errand. The cobalt vixen was merely trying to blow off some steam, as a recent mission was rather intense. To make a long story short, it involved disarming a bomb while dealing with some terrorists on MacBeth.

As there was nothing much for her to do, Krystal decided to head back to the Great Fox & meet up with her teammates. Maybe she would help someone out with something, as there were things to be done inside of it. The cobalt vixen even wanted to make something for dinner later, with it being a dish she had made before. Of course, it would require help to make, considering how many ingredients it required. She knew Fox would help her, though Peppy would also lend a hand. Falco & Slippy probably wouldn't do much, but Krystal would be fine with help from the other two.

Just as she was about to enter the Great Fox, Krystal sensed someone approaching her. This person was not a threat, so she turned around to face them. Standing near her was a black tomcat with yellow eyes. He was wearing a silver velvet suit & tie & dress shoes. On top of the feline's head was a typical magician's hat. This wasn't a random stranger on the street, he was someone the people of Corneria knew well.

“Hello there, ma'am." The tomcat spoke. “My name is Risotto DiCaprio."

“I've heard of you." Krystal said. “You're by far the most famous magician on Corneria."

“Well, it's nice that you know me." Risotto said. “However, I haven't simply come to speak with you. I'm here to ask a favor from you."

“As long as it's nothing huge, I'm willing to hear you out." The cobalt vixen said.

“It's something that I have been asking people all day, but no one has been interested." The Zonessian said.

“You can ask me, Mr. DiCaprio." The Cerinian stated.

“How would you like to be my assistant in a magic show I have planned?" The feline asked.

“I'll have to speak with the others about it." The vulpine said. “Don't worry, I'll call you when I make my decision."

“Well, the show starts at eight tonight. You'll have to answer me beforehand, or it will be too late."

“I'll be sure to contact you once I get the approval of my teammates. Bye!"

“See you later, I hope!"

After that brief conversation, Krystal entered the Great Fox. She figured that she would talk to her teammates about starring in the magic show, though she had some reservations about it. The cobalt vixen just felt weird about partaking in a stage show with a magician, knowing that the magic wasn't real. Unlike Risotto, she had real magic, courtesy of her staff. As for the Cerinian's teammates, they likely thought that it was a waste of time to be in a magic show. With that in mind, they would likely tell her to forget all about it.

Entering the main room, Krystal could see that no one was in there. However, she soon heard chatter coming from the kitchen, meaning that everyone was in there. The cobalt vixen took a step inside, with her teammates failing to notice her. She took out a glass & tapped it with a spoon, finding it an effective way to gain everyone's attention. Needless to say, it worked, with Slippy being the first one to look in her direction. The others followed suit, with only Falco needing to turn his head.

“I'm home, guys." Krystal spoke.

“Hitting a glass to get our attention?" Falco spoke. “What's the special occasion?"

“It isn't really a special occasion." The cobalt vixen said. “Rather, it's something I'd like to hear your input about."

“What is it, Krystal?" Fox asked.

“Yeah, fill us in on it." Slippy said.

“Risotto DiCaprio talked to me & asked if I wanted to be an assistant in his magic show." Krystal said.

“He did?" Peppy asked.

“Yeah, but I told him that I would talk to you before I made my decision." She said. “I mean, I wouldn't want to accept something without telling any of you what I was doing."

“Well, what's stopping you from doing it?" Slippy asked.

“Yeah, you should really help the guy out." Falco said. “You might make a great team."

“DiCaprio hasn't had a successful show in a while, so an assistant might be what he needs." Peppy said. “If you want to help him, Krystal, you have my permission."

“And we'll be backing you up for it." Fox said.

Krystal was surprised when they said all of that. She felt as though they would've told her not to do it, but they did the exact opposite. With that in mind, the cobalt vixen decided to call Risotto & tell him that she was interested in assisting in his magic show. Luckily, he was easy to find on the software the communicators used, so she called him as soon as he came up. The black cat was happy to hear that the Cerinian was willing to help him out. He even gave her the time he wanted her to show up, as well as where to enter the theater from. She thanked him for the info, promising to be there on time.

Ten minutes before the time she was supposed to be there, Krystal had already arrived on Corneria, having exited the Great Fox. She made sure to enter the back of the theater, as that was where the dressing rooms were. When she stepped inside, the cobalt vixen saw a Rough Collie near the door. She was wearing a violet suit, a white shirt, a metallic blue tie & blue dress shoes. In the canine's hands was a clipboard, meaning that she worked at the theater. With that in mind, Krystal went to her.

“Excuse me, I'm Krystal Bodimead." She spoke. “I'm here to assist Mr. DiCaprio in his magic show."

“Right this way, miss." The Rough Collie said.

Krystal followed the Rough Collie down the hallway, intent on reaching her destination. Eventually, they reached the dressing room, which was almost completely empty, aside from a janitor cleaning a mirror. Now that she was inside, Krystal sat down, deciding to wait until she was called to the stage. However, the Rough Collie then handed the cobalt vixen a clothes box. It wasn't sealed with tape, meaning that whatever was inside was immediately meant to go to her. Whatever it was, the Cerinian was intent on opening it.

“Mr. DiCaprio told me that it's an outfit for you to wear on stage tonight." The Collie said. “He said that it would make you look majestic."

With that in mind, Krystal gestured for those in the dressing room to leave, so that she could change. The Rough Collie who escorted the cobalt vixen led the janitor out of the room, honoring her wishes. Once everyone was gone, she opened the box, allowing her to see the outfit that was inside. The outfit was a black leotard, a transparent pink skirt, ballet slippers & black opera gloves. It looked like something a ballerina would wear instead of a magician's assistant, but Krystal thought that she would feel weird if she did magic tricks in her team outfit. Having no time to lose, she changed into the clothes she was supposed to wear, putting her uniform into the clothes box so that she didn't lose it.

“Miss Bodimead, DiCaprio is ready for you!" A voice said through the door.

Putting the clothes box in front of the mirror, Krystal promised herself that she wouldn't forget it. She walked out of the dressing room & looked for the backstage entrance. It wasn't far from where the cobalt vixen was standing, so she went through it. When she was backstage, the Cerinian could see Risotto standing by his lonesome, presumably waiting for her. He was adjusting his tie, making sure that it didn't fall of him. In fact, the black cat did not notice Krystal, even though she had just arrived backstage.

“Mr. DiCaprio, I'm here." Krystal spoke.

Turning around, Risotto smiled, knowing that his assistant for the night had arrived.

“Ah, Miss Bodimead, I'm glad that you came!" The black cat said. “You can just call me Risotto, however."

“Very well, Risotto." The cobalt vixen said.

“Ready to do this?" Risotto asked.

Nodding her head, Krystal gave her answer. After that, Risotto signaled for a stagehand to go open the curtains. Once that happened, the lights slowly came on, allowing the audience to see the black cat & the cobalt vixen. Those in attendance knew the magician, having been to multiple shows of his in the past. However, they barely knew his assistant for the night, as she was always too busy to talk to someone. Despite that, they knew that she was a member of a team that General Pepper called on when he needed them.

“Ladies & gentlemen," Risotto spoke into the microphone, “boys & girls, welcome to tonight's magic show!"

The audience applauded, despite the show having only begun.

“Joining me tonight is a very special guest." Risotto continued. “She primarily flies starships, but for tonight, she's going to be my assistant. Everyone, say hello to Star Fox's very own Krystal Bodimead!"

The audience applauded again, this time giving a hand to Risotto's assistant for the night. Some applauded because they knew Krystal well, while others applauded because they had figured out what her name was. However, it puzzled them that she, out of anyone in the Lylat System, would participate in a magic show, let alone be an assistant. Everyone assumed that the cobalt vixen was too busy to be in a show like this, considering what her day job involved. They let it slide, as they felt that she needed a break from being a mercenary every so often. With that in mind, the audience continued to watch the show.

“For my first trick, I require my assistant to let me look behind her ear." Risotto spoke.

“Alright, but I HAVE been cleaning behind that ear, just so you know." Krystal said.

Risotto reached behind Krystal's head, then pretended to grab at something. Krystal knew what he was doing, but let it slide, not wanting to ruin the show. The cobalt vixen felt the black cat pull his hand back, meaning that he would reveal what he had in hand. It was a single credit: a small gold coin.

“Looks like you've been hiding some money behind your head." Risotto said. “Always comes in handy in case you forget your wallet, folks!"

The audience laughed at the rather corny joke, even clapping their hands. Krystal rolled her eyes, but decided to continue on with the show. After all, it wouldn't be right to be a buzzkill during a magic show. Once the audience stopped laughing & applauding, the show continued. Risotto took out a package, then pulled out a deck of cards. Having been to several magic shows before, Krystal knew where this was going.

“For my next trick," Risotto spoke, “pick a card, Miss Bodimead. Any card!"

Reaching towards the deck, Krystal pulled a card from the top. She then looked at it, then held it against her, so that no one else saw. The cobalt vixen waited for Risotto to start guessing which card she had taken out of the deck. If he guessed right, then she would hand him the card. However, if the black cat guessed wrong, then the card would be revealed. Either way, the trick would end.

“Did you draw the Queen of Diamonds?" Risotto asked.

“No." Krystal spoke.

“How about Three of Hearts?" The black cat asked.

“Wrong card." The cobalt vixen said.

“The Ace of Spades?" The Zonessian asked.

“Wrong again." The Cerinian said.

“Then what is your card, my dear?" The feline asked.

“It's the King of Clubs!" The vulpine said, showing the card she was holding to everyone.

Upon seeing the card, the audience gasped, surprised by the outcome. However, Risotto smiled, knowing that Krystal had outsmarted him. She handed the card to him, allowing him to put it back in the deck. As the audience applauded, the black cat had someone bring him a table covered in a cloth. He took his hat off & placed it on the table. Then, the Zonessian took out a wand, waving it towards the hat.

“Abracadabra!" Risotto said. “Krystal, can you come over?"

Walking over to Risotto, Krystal decided not to look in the hat. She only stood by him, waiting for the next part of the trick. Even though the cobalt vixen wanted to get on with it, she knew that being patient wouldn't be bad. It was her job to be an assistant for the night, so she found it rude to rush through a show.

“Reach in the hat, my dear." Risotto said.

Sticking her hand in Risotto's hat, Krystal could feel something soft. Knowing what to do next, the cobalt vixen slowly pulled her hand out, her hand holding whatever was inside. Risotto only smirked at her, waiting for her to finish. The moment she had gotten her hand out, the Cerinian saw that she was holding a familiar face: a Bafomdad. It had been a year since she had around these small, furry creatures, so it made her feel nostalgic. The audience gushed over this, with some even wanting to hold the Bafomdad.

“Cute little guy, isn't he?" Risotto asked.

“He's more than cute." Krystal said. “Bafomdads can heal people who are badly injured."

“Interesting." The black cat said. “Now put him back in the hat."

Krystal reluctantly did so, but not before kissing the Bafomdad. After that, Risotto had the table moved away, but a stage hand brought his hat back. Presumably, the stage hand had taken the Bafomdad out of the hat & put it somewhere for the time being. With that out of the way, Risotto took out a golden watch on a chain. He held it close to Krystal's face, then began to slowly swing it. The watch moved from side to side, the cobalt vixen's eyes following it.

“You are getting very sleepy." Risotto spoke. “From this point on, you will follow every command I give you."

Suddenly, Krystal's eyes begin to droop. They closed, then opened again, revealing the pupils pointing in opposite directions. Now that she was hypnotized, the cobalt vixen had no control over her actions. Risotto noticed this, which meant that he could carry on with the trick.

“I command you to stand on your head." Risotto spoke.

The audience watched as the hypnotized Krystal stood on her head, using her hands for extra support. Risotto stood by, being close enough to catch his assistant if she were to fall. He helped the cobalt vixen back to her feet, making sure she didn't get hurt. The black cat had her stand next to him, so that they can carry on with the show. Everyone was in anticipation, wondering what was going to happen next. With Krystal under hypnosis, who knows what all would happen next?

“Now, I command you to dance." Risotto said.

Unable to disobey, Krystal began to twirl like a ballerina, even taking Risotto's hand on occasion. The audience watched & cheered as this happened, some wishing they could be on stage with the magician & his assistant for the night. Eventually, Krystal started to dance more erratically, as if she were break dancing. She even jumped, almost like how a kangaroo would move around. In a matter of minutes, the cobalt vixen went from graceful dancing to club dancing. Perhaps she dreamed to be a dancer, but that dream was abandoned in favor of her newer profession.

“I command for you to stop dancing & come over to me!" Risotto said.

Stopping in her tracks, the hypnotized Krystal marched over to Risotto. The black cat put the golden watch in his shirt pocket, then looked the cobalt vixen in the eyes.

“I now release you from my control!" Risotto said, snapping his fingers.

Upon hearing the snapping, Krystal's eyes closed & opened again. This time, her eyes were normal, no longer having a hypnotized look to them. Now that she had control over her body again, the cobalt vixen felt sore in her legs. Risotto had her do something she wasn't used to, with her body suffering as a result.

“I should really work on resisting hypnosis sometime." Krystal said.

“Don't worry, I won't try that again." Risotto said. “In the meantime, has anyone told you that you look like an angel?"

“No." The cobalt vixen said.

“Well, you can fly like one!" The black cat said.

All of a sudden, Krystal found herself being lifted off the floor. She had sensed stage workers walking above, meaning that they had managed to wrap some wire around her, in order to help out on a levitation trick. The cobalt vixen felt wires around her chest and her abdomen, as one wouldn't have been enough to hold her up in the air. Risotto held his arm up in the air, pretending that he was lifting his assistant for the night without touch. Krystal did not say anything, not wanting to ruin the fun for anyone. She only waited for the stage hands to do something, having a feeling that she wasn't just going to be levitated by the wire.

From within the crowd, Krystal could hear some people snarking at the show, discussing that certain things were fake & that everyone else believed anything they were told. Seeing as they were killjoys who couldn't let anyone have fun, the cobalt vixen used her telepathy to convince them to shut up. Needless to say, the hecklers were scared by the telepathic message they received, to the point where they were dead silent. After that, Krystal waited for something else to happen, sensing that the stage hands were going to make their next move.

“Ladies & gentlemen, my assistant for the night is an angel!" Risotto spoke. “She might not have wings, but she can float in the air!"

Krystal could feel herself being moved through the air by the stage hands. Her body was rotated, with the near-invisible ropes making it look like she was swimming. If she were on the floor, the cobalt vixen would be laying on her belly. The stage hands moved her through the air, making it look like she was flying. For the next minute, the Cerinian was rotated, brought up & down, & swung above the audience, all while Risotto moved his arms around. It made her feel a little nauseous, but she had been through worse.

As Krystal “flew", Risotto had two stage hands wheel a box over to him. He opened it up, revealing that there was nothing inside. However, there were also holes on each end of the box. One had two holes, while the other had only one hole. It didn't take a genius to know what this box was for, as it was used in one of the most well-known magic tricks of all time. Now, all Risotto needed was for Krystal to stop “flying" & get in the box.

“Alright, everyone," Risotto spoke, “I do believe that my assistant has been in the air long enough! Considering her day job, she would probably want to take a break from it, am I right? Now, I'm asking for her to come down!"

Being flipped over on her back via the wires, Krystal knew that she would be lowered to the ground. Looking beneath her, she could see an open box next to Risotto, & it was part of the next trick. The cobalt vixen knew several tricks that involved boxes, having seen magic shows in the past, but the exact trick would be revealed shortly. As she was lowered, she found herself inside the box, with the wires being unwrapped. With that out of the way, the box was closed, Risotto locking it shortly after. Krystal's head stuck out of the box, while a pair of feet stuck out of the other side, though they weren't hers.

“For my next trick," Risotto spoke, “I will perform one of the most iconic magic tricks in history: sawing a lady in-half!"

Upon hearing that, Krystal was dead silent. She had seen this trick in action before, but she was never a participant in it, let alone the person who would be sawn in-half. Taking out a saw, Risotto began to slice into the box. Once he had reached the bottom, the black cat took the saw out & pushed both halves of the box apart. To the audience, it looked like Krystal had actually been sawn into two. However, it was only an illusion, as the cobalt vixen was still in one piece, her body being in the first half of the box.

“Well, Krystal, looks like you're half the woman you used to be!" Risotto joked.

“Very funny." Krystal said. “Please, put me back together!"

“But how can I do that when I barely remember what you looked like until now?" The black cat asked.

Looking at both halves of the box, Risotto turned Krystal inwards, making her face the part that connected the first half to the second one.

“Shall we put you back together like this?" Risotto asked.

“That's not how I go back together!" Krystal cried. “Turn the half I'm in around!"

“Are you sure?" The black cat asked.

“Yes!" The cobalt vixen said. “If you put me back together like this, I'll be unable to speak & my torso will be upside down!"

“Very well." The Zonessian said.

Flipping the first half of the box around, Risotto made sure that Krystal's head was facing away from the connection point. After that, he pushed the two halves back together, returning his assistant for the night to a single piece (at least, that's what the audience thought). The black cat unlocked the box, then opened it up. Krystal took his hand, allowing him to let her out of the box. The cobalt vixen felt relieved to be out of it, as she had the freedom to move her arms & legs again. She even dusted herself off, even though her body was not dirty.

“Now that you're back in one piece, why don't we do our showstopper?" Risotto asked.

Nodding her head, Krystal gave her answer. With that in mind, Risotto gestured for a stage hand to put in a CD that is meant to close out one of his shows. Once it was put in, music starting playing, blasting out of the speakers. It was triumphant sounding, almost like something that would play at the end of a romantic comedy movie. Krystal felt as though she was about to be asked to dance. Sure enough, Risotto held out his hand.

“Shall we?" He asked.

Krystal reluctantly took Risotto's hand. However, instead of being led through a dance routine, the cobalt vixen found herself being lifted into the air. Instead of dancing, the magician & his assistant “flew" through the air, to the amazement of the audience (who didn't know that it was fake). Krystal couldn't help but chuckle, as it reminded her of bungee jumping. Risotto smiled, feeling like laughing himself. The two continued “flying", being swung & rotated in the air.

After some more “flying", Risotto & Krystal dived down onto the stage. The stagehands took off the ropes once they were on their feet. Once that was out of the way, the audience waited for something else to happen. The fake flying would not be the last part of the magic show.

“Everyone," Risotto spoke, “thank you very much for coming to the show! I am Risotto DiCaprio & my assistant for tonight was Krystal Bodimead of team Star Fox! If you want to see more, then keep an eye out for an announcement for my next magic show! Thanks for coming out!"

Taking out a smoke bomb, Risotto threw it on the floor of the stage. It exploded, causing smoke to engulf both Risotto & Krystal. The audience applauded, right as the curtains were pulled on the stage. From there, the magic show had ended, allowing everyone to leave the auditorium. As that happened, the stage hands worked to clear up the smoke, having opened a door backstage. The stars of the show had already left the area, going deeper into the theatre.

Inside the dressing room, Krystal was getting changed back into her uniform. She placed the clothes she had worn on stage in the clothes box they came in, deciding to wash them when she got back to the Great Fox. As the cobalt vixen finished changing clothes, she heard a knock on the door. Luckily, it was someone she could trust.

“Come in!" Krystal said.

The door came open, revealing Risotto behind it.

“Hey, I came to thank you for helping me out with the show tonight." Risotto spoke. “Everyone who were my assistants in previous shows weren't very good."

“Sorry to hear about that." Krystal said.

“Ah, that's okay." The black cat said. “You know, the night's still young. Want to go get a drink? I won't get anything alcoholic."

“Thanks for the offer, but I should get back to my teammates." The cobalt vixen said. “Besides, I'm already in a relationship."

“Well, would you like to help me out on my next show?" The Zonessian asked.

“I might have to work out some things with my friends, but I'll consider it." The Cerinian said. “Tonight was actually pretty fun, so I'm interested in doing this again."

“Me too." The feline said, smiling.

Risotto was about to leave the dressing room. That was until he remembered something he had received from one of the stage hands. Having hid it under his jacket, the black cat carefully pulled it out so that Krystal didn't notice it. Granted, she was likely using her telepathy to read his mind, he didn't think much of it, liking the idea of taking risks.

“By the way," Risotto spoke, “this came in for you."

Upon turning her head, Krystal saw Risotto holding a bouquet of flowers with a card attached to it. He handed her the flowers, then left the room. The cobalt vixen set the flowers in front of the mirror, then removed the card. She looked at it, finding a simple note written on it:

Hey Krystal,

Sorry if we weren't able to come to the magic show. We were all busy, but I had enough time to get these flowers for you. I hope you had fun, & I wonder if you'll be able to get tickets for the team next time. Slippy's been wanting to see a magic show for quite some time.

While I'm at it, would you like to have dinner after the next show? I'd like to ask you what it's like on stage. Also, I wonder if you'll show Risotto some real magic. He might be a magician, but, between the two of you, you are the only one who knows magic. No offense to the guy, though.

Love,

Fox McCloud

“Oh, Fox." Krystal giggled.

Putting the note in her pocket, Krystal decided to leave the dressing room. Initially, she thought being in a magic show would be a meandering experience, but it was much better than that. Fox and the others might not have shown up, but there was always the next show. The cobalt vixen was actually looking forward to the next show, partially because she wanted to teach Risotto real magic tricks. It might be hard for the black cat, but he could always practice. Hopefully, he didn't wind up burning down Corneria City. That was something Krystal didn't want to happen.