Passion

Chapter One: Ring of Destiny

Tails, Trixy, and Violet had went straight home after the long day of fighting and being held hostage. Lex and Pyra however, had their own plans. They had held their feelings from each other for too long and now they wanted to express it alone. Lex had told them about the package that he had found at their dad's job with the money in it and they went crazy. Everyone immediately went shopping. They figured they would buy their own Christmas presents and they were all out of the house. Except Lex and Pyra.

Pyra was on the couch just looking at Lex pace around. They had the whole house to themselves and by the expression on everyone else's faces, they weren't coming back for a whole couple of hours. "So Lex, what are we going to do?" she asked innocently. Lex smirked at her and then wrapped his arms around her slender body. "I'll tell you what we're going to do, we're going to have a good time expressing our love." he whispered softly and kissed her lightly. Suddenly the phone rang and Pyra picked it up quickly and threw it out the window. She smiled, "Don't bother." she said softly and began to kiss Lex more passionately. Once again, they were quickly into each other and there was nothing to get in their way. Just as Pyra began to unbutton her shirt, there was a knock at the door. "Hey, is anyone in there?" someone asked. Lex rolled his eyes and kissed Pyra's forehead, "I'll be right back." he whispered. He walked towards the door and then looked through the peephole. It was Lisa and Janet, and Lex raised an eyebrow, 'Where have they been this whole time.' Lex pondered. He opened the door and looked at the two females. He also saw Myra behind them with her arms crossed and it seemed like she was mad over something.

Seeing this, Pyra seemed very uneasy and began to get scared, "Hello Lex, may I speak to my sister?" Myra asked. Lex moved aside and gestured for them to come in. Myra shook her head, "No, I mean alone, in our house." she implied. Even though he didn't mean to show it, he was very disappointed. His ears dropped for a brief second and then he perked them back up, "Oh, sure." he answered lowly and Pyra began walking outside. She kissed him and then leaned towards him "Goodbye Lex, I'll see you later on tonight." she said and began walking with her sister to their house. Janet and Lisa followed them, but Lex could tell that they didn't know what was going on.

This was going to give Lex a lot of time to think about stuff clearly. Even though he loved Pyra with all of his heart, he knew he shouldn't just rush her into having sex with him. And it was that key factor love that separated it from being just that. Then something hit him. He knew deep down in him that he would do anything to stay with her, and so he would. He got into his Grey Mist, started it up, and hit the boosters. The Arwing flew into the air and he decided to go and get something so special that no gift could ever surpass it. He flew into the market town and landed near the mall. He jumped out of the Arwing and locked it. He walked onto the sidewalk and then looked at all of the stores around him. But the one that caught his eye was a jewelry store. He went inside and then looked around. He saw a brown vixen with golden hazel eyes. She was wearing a yellow shirt with brown jeans. On the shirt read, 'Love will hold forever.'

"How may I help you?" she asked kindly. Lex continued to look around and then saw a certain ring style that he liked. He pointed at it and asked how much it was. "Everyone wants that one, but no one can afford it. It's five hundred thousand credits, sir. That's by itself, there's a bracelet that comes with that. But it costs an extra twenty five thousand dollars." she answered. Lex pulled out his wallet and pulled out the credits. "How much was it again?" he asked. Twenty minutes later, he had everything he wanted out of the store. He bought a lot of rings, chains, and even the bracelet that went with the collection ring. But the special ring was all he cared about right then. He popped open the ring box and saw the diamond gleaming back at him. 'I hope Pyra will like this.' Lex thought while running back to his Grey Mist.

Since he had to wait a while before he could see Pyra again, he decided to get his Arwing customized. He went into a shop and then flashed the credits around. He told them to customize it the best way they could and try to change it into a car module as well. That way he could change the mode of the Grey Mist. It sounded strange, changing a flying jet into a car. But he had seen this done before. With a button or either a name call, a jet could change into a driving vehicle and he always wanted something like that. It took the workers two hours, but they did it.

"Ok Lex, We've uploaded the GPS system, which is fully top-notch. No one has a better one, not even one of the Star Fox Arwings. We've upgraded the laser cannons, added a missile and bomb launcher, mounted two machine guns, sequenced the navigation system again, and maxed out the thruster boosters and the speed. It can withstand extreme temperatures, can float on water, swim underwater, and put out double night vision screens to see in the dark. Now, time to tell you about the car mode." he continued and pointed at a button on a remote. "You can change it manually or…" he began and then smiled, "Corvette Supreme" he said loudly. The Arwing suddenly began to change form and then ten seconds later, a smooth silver and blue vehicle with two checkered flags of pure silver emblem in the front of the car sat in front of the grey fox. "I really like the Corvette, only pros know how to handle it right, has great performance, and has some perfect curves… all good traits of a female." he remarked and smiled. Lex just laughed nervously at the remark and then became serious and told the guy to continue.

"Ok, we have the seat warmer, seat adjuster, plasma TV in the passenger seat, also in the front and will only work if the car isn't moving. You have automatic fresh scent deodorizer, custom rims, nitro, a deep bass radio and CD system, and even a gun holder. Also the car is bulletproof, fireproof, and as well as the tires; they're indestructible. The same effect goes for your Arwing. But check this; we got you your own decal." he commented and pulled a small white sheet off of the back of the car. The symbol looked like an X mark, but it was of a sniper and a blue rose. Lex smirked and then nodded, "I like it." he responded. "It is now… the Grey Mist three thousand. That's how many customized things we added to the original. Pretty catchy huh; well, that's it." the worker stated. Lex paid the money he owed him and thanked him. Lex jumped into the seat and the belt automatically lapped over his shoulder. "Welcome Lex Prower. Destination?" a female voice asked. Lex smiled, "Home." he replied. "Very well then. Going to Sapphire Drive." she answered and then the nitro was activated. Lex zoomed across town in his new vehicle and looked at the map. 'This sure is easy to control. I wonder how fast it can really go.' Lex thought.

At Pyra's house…

"Now Pyra, I thought we talked about this. Why can't you get it through your head? You can't just sleep with him like that." Myra informed. "But he's not just any guy. You don't know what we've been through together. I love him, and he loves me." Pyra replied. Myra shook her head, "Even so, at least wait until he proposes to you. Haven't you two talked about that yet?" she asked. Pyra then noticed what she was saying, "No… we haven't." she said lowly. "Exactly my point. Now you can go over there and talk with him, but I better not find out that you did anything else. Remember, I can sense what your feeling when I want, that's how I knew that you were about to do something you weren't supposed to." Myra stated quickly.

Pyra began to ball up her fist, who was she to tell her what she could do? She left the family before to do a lot of immoral things, and here she was, telling her what she should do. That was her twin and if anything, she was the one who should tell her these things. "Yeah, but I'm not a kid, so you can stop treating me like one." Pyra said heatedly. Myra now realized her sloppy mistake and began to laugh nervously. "Listen, I'm really sorry Pyra. But I really want to see that you don't get hurt. Because I know I did…" she did lowly and looked at the floor. Then Pyra remembered, she never did tell her the full story of what exactly went on when she left both her and her mother. "Ok, right. I won't do anything, sister's promise." Pyra said and began to walk out the door. 'Lex is a good kid, he wouldn't want to hurt her. It's just they want to get things done so quickly. It reminds me of my first so much it scares me…' Myra thought as she watched her sister slowly walk up the porch of Lex's house.

Pyra knocked on Lex's door and then waited a few seconds. Lex opened the door and began to smile. "Come in, it's kinda chilly out here." Lex said cheerfully and brought her inside. Lex closed the door and then looked at the feline he adored. "Hey Lex… um… I want to talk to you about something." Pyra began, she really didn't want to have to tell him to wait, but it was going to do them both good if they did it the natural way. "Wait, I have to tell you something first, why don't you sit down?" he offered and then got something from a bag. Lex walked back over to Pyra and then showed her what was in his hand. "Wait a second, isn't that reservations to…" Pyra began. "To Platinum's Finest Restaurant. Only the best go there." Lex finished. Pyra was in shock, "Wow, and it's for tonight?" she asked. Lex nodded, "Yep, so here, wear my coat." Lex offered and helped her put the coat on.

Pyra went out onto the porch and noticed that it started snowing. "Wow, snowing on the day before Christmas. What luck." she pointed out. She then looked in Lex's driveway and saw the new Grey Mist three thousand. "Wow, you even got a new car. You've been a busy boy, haven't you?" Pyra asked slyly. 'Oh, you don't know how busy.' Lex thought happily. Everything was going according to plan and Lex thought that Pyra deserved a perfect night out. "Hold on, I can't go like this, let me get something suitable to wear." she said quickly and ran off to her house. Fifteen minutes later, Pyra came back out with a vibrant blue dress and some silver earrings. Lex looked stunned and almost couldn't stop glancing at her from time to time. Pyra began to giggle, "I see someone thinks I'm beautiful." she stated. Lex grinned, "Well, you were always that beautiful." he replied softly. Pyra blushed as Lex opened the car door for her and then waited until she got in. "Thanks Lex." she said and flopped into the passenger side. Lex walked over to the other side and got in. He picked the restaurant on the navigation system and he began to drive, making sure that he was going the right track. They reached the restaurant in ten minutes and Lex parked in the VIP parking.

They got out and Pyra began to walk towards the first entrance. "No Py, where are you going?" he asked. She turned around and then looked at Lex with a look of curiousness, "So how are we supposed to get in?" she asked playfully. Lex smirked and then pulled out a card key. "By going up." he replied and swiped the card through the key reader. The light next to the key reader went blue and then an elevator opened up. Lex gestured a gentlemen pose and then smiled, "After you." he said boldly. "Why, thank you." Pyra stated. They both went inside the elevator and then waited until it closed. "You haven't seen anything yet." Lex imposed and pointed at something behind them. The wall behind them split open and the only thing that was separating them from the city and the elevator was a window. Pyra gaped in awe as she saw the fresh snow slowly fall from the sky as the moonlight illuminated through the night onto the rooftops of the city. "It's… It's so beautiful." Pyra gasped. Lex smiled and squeezed Pyra closer to him while they both watched the city rooftops.

The ride ended two minutes later when the wall closed and then the door opened behind them. They went inside and noticed lots of young couples eating and talking. "Wow, there are a lot of married people here." Pyra commented while sitting at a table. "Yeah, I didn't even notice that." Lex replied, trying to act like he didn't know anything. A few minutes later, the waiter came and asked for their order. A few more minutes later, they began to eat. "So, is this a special occasion?" Pyra asked. "Actually, I'll let you decide that one." Lex said. He fumbled around his coat pocket holding the ring box tight. 'Pick it at the right moment. No screw ups.' Lex thought. After they were done eating, there was a section for young couples to walk on the balcony that Lex was very interested in. Particularly for its well known purpose. Lex was suggesting to Pyra that they should go to the balcony, knowing that Pyra didn't know what was the thing that the balcony was used most for. "C'mon, I'm sure you would love it." Lex offered. "But wait, I don't know…" she began, but then she saw Lex's warm smile. The smile melted her doubts and she knew she couldn't refuse his offer. "Aww c'mon, it should be fun." Lex pried again. Pyra warmly smiled back and rested her head in his chest. "Ok, sure. I hope it will be a beautiful view." Pyra remarked. They both got up and started walking towards the balcony. They opened the door and stepped outside. The air was very cold and the night sky was pleasing to anyone's eye. It was a clear night and the moon was illuminating very brightly through the sky. It was the right kind of chill for Lex, it felt like a positive rush, it made him feel alive and good inside.

"Wow, this is more beautiful than I thought." Pyra remarked astonished. Since they were at the highest level of the building, they could just about see everything. "I would never in my life even think that I would be able to see something like this. Even when I used to fight in tournaments, I always thought that I would have to fight nasty and degrading men off of me all the time. Not have anything for myself but a title and a reputation. That was what I was brought up to believe, that my destiny was to hold a title, and nothing else. But you Lex… Lex Prower… you've opened my heart." she said softly. 'Perfect!' Lex thought. He got onto one knee and then brought out the ring box. "Which is why I will ask you now. Pyra, will you marry me?" Lex asked sincerely. Things were running through his mind wildly as he thought about the answer she might give.

Pyra gasped and then tears began to form. But they weren't tears of sorrow and sadness. They were tears of happiness and joy. "Yes, I will! I will marry you!" she cried. She ran up to Lex and hugged him. Her tears of joy began to make Lex cry as well. He began to feel a sense of happiness he had never felt before, something that he could never buy from any store. He began to twirl her around and he felt like he was the king of the universe. He didn't care about anything else but her, and that was what mattered to him the most. Pyra took the ring from the box and tried it on. "It looks nice on you." Lex commented lowly. He began to blush, and Pyra noticed this. She blushed as well, but kissed him passionately for his comment, "Thanks." she replied tenderly.

After several minutes of them just looking at the bright stars and the moon, they looked at each other. "How about tomorrow? We don't need to wait five to six weeks." Lex implied. Pyra nodded and rested her head on Lex's shoulder. "Yes, that seems a lot better to me." she said and then smiled to herself. Both of their destinies changed in an instant; both of what they heard that their future was supposed to be wisped away out of their minds in a flash and they thought about their new future together. The snow began to fall more quickly, but it didn't bother them at all. But the night air began to get colder, and Pyra began to shiver. "Here, wear my jacket." Lex offered. Pyra took the jacket and then noticed Lex was wrapping his arms around her. "We'll do anything for each other, won't we?" she asked. Lex nodded and kissed her. 'We would.' he thought. They began to go inside a few minutes later and decided to get home; it was getting late. "One more day huh? That's too much of a long wait." Pyra commented. "No it's not. It gives us the proper time to do everything just right." Lex replied.

The next day, at Emerald Park…

Fresh snow fell onto Lex's tuxedo as he arrived at the scene. "Am I late, did I do something wrong?" Lex asked. Fox put a hand on his shoulder, "Calm down, I know your nervous, cause hell, I'm nervous. So try to stay calm, remember the training procedure." Fox stated. Lex inhaled, and then exhaled slowly. But his nerves were still shot. He couldn't believe it; he was really going to marry the girl of his dreams. The one he had been best friends with from the beginning of high school to the end. Someone he had fully felt he would sacrifice his life for. Then a voice broke him out of his thoughts. "Take care of it later. I think the bride is about to show." Antwon said and pointed to the entrance of the park. There was a limousine that pulled up by the curb in front of the carpet. Pyra got out of the limo and then began to slowly walk down the aisle. Lex was at the altar and was almost going to have a nervous breakdown. 'I hope I do this right.' Lex thought frantically. Pyra just smiled at him warmly and it seemed like his worries had washed away. She finally reached the altar and then took a quick glance at the bouquet she was carrying. "Do you Lex Prower, take this beautiful feline, to be your lawful wedded wife, to hold and to cherish, to love and to honor, in sickness and in health, in wealth and poor, through the bad and the good, till death do you part?" the minister asked. Lex looked into Pyra's eyes once and smiled, "Yes, I do." he answered softly.

The minister looked at Pyra, "And do you, Pyra Mind, take this handsome fox, to be your lawful wedded husband, to hold and to cherish, to love and to honor, in sickness and in health, in wealth and poor, through the bad and the good, till death do you part?" he asked. Pyra smiled and looked into Lex's eyes, "Yes, I do." she answered softly. "Myra, Tails, the rings." the minister summoned. The two walked towards them and each took a ring and Lex put it onto Pyra's finger and she put one onto Lex's finger. "Lex, you may now kiss the bride." the minister stated. Lex moved the veil from Pyra's face and kissed Pyra passionately. They held the kiss for at least half of a minute before separating. Pyra threw the bouquet of flowers and all of the girls fought for it. But Janet got it and she squealed with joy. "Ha, I'm getting married next!" she exclaimed. Lex and Pyra looked into each other's eyes and smiled. "I love you Pyra." Lex whispered. Pyra leaned closer to Lex, "I love you too." she whispered softly and then looked at him. They were finally together. Through all of the pain, through all of the suffering, through all of the hardships and troubles, it seemed that they both finally got their bonding kiss. "Merry Christmas, Pyra." Lex said softly. "Merry Christmas, Lex." Pyra replied and watched the snow fall onto the ground.

Fox suddenly began to poke at Lex's ribs with his elbow and snickered, "Eh Lex, I believe the reception is next bud, unless you forgot already." he said professionally. Lex rubbed his head, "No, I didn't forget. I couldn't forget something like that. Come on Pyra, let's go." he said and then down the aisle with Pyra beside him. But as the feline noticed the boyish smirk, it was too late to react. She yelped out in surprise as Lex picked her up off of her feet easily and then began to walk her towards the limousine. The cameras around them went crazy; the newest and youngest member of Star Fox was getting married off. And it didn't stop there; the fact that he was marrying the daughter of a Mind was going to reach across the city very quickly. Lex reached the limousine and then set Pyra down. She kissed him on the cheek and then smiled, "Thanks Lex." she said and then went inside of the limo. Lex went after her and they both drove off towards a banquet hall in the city. Pyra laid her head onto Lex's shoulder and she sighed to herself. "We're finally together… just me and you… perfectly happy…" she whispered and a tear fell down her eye.

The truth was, she couldn't believe it either. She thought that it was too good to be true. That she would wake up any second and then be tormented of the memory of her dream. What she could have had. But as Lex wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer to him to kiss her, her doubts washed away as she felt the fox's lips press against hers. She savored the kiss and then giggled, "Thanks, I really needed that." she said softly and then laid her head back onto his shoulder. "Alright, we're here." the driver said and then stopped at a large building. Lex and Pyra both got out of the limousine slowly and then walked towards the building. They reached the door and then Lex opened it for Pyra. "After you." he offered kindly. Pyra giggled at Lex's gesture and then nodded, "Thank you." she replied and then walked inside the door. Lex followed and then closed the door behind him.

Lex looked at his beautiful new wife walking slowly in front of him and he quickly fell into a trance; quickly remembering all of the times they spent together as friends and the close times they had as something more. "Pyra…" the fox began. The grey feline turned around slowly in one swift turn, which made Lex fall into another small trance of the past when she had done that at the prom in her gown. "I um… I love you…" he said softly. She only giggled, turned back around, and continued to move forward. "Thinking about the past too huh? You're not the only one…" she drifted dreamily as they both reached a door. Pyra opened it and then they both walked into a large deep blue room. The room was filled with round tables and chairs. The tables had silverware wrapped in silver napkins and the stage in the front of the room was large. On the sides of it was a large sound system for music and speakers were hooked all around the corners of the room near the ceiling. "Hmm… a recent party must have occurred." Lex said while walking up to the stage. Pyra walked up to the CD player and looked around it for a few minutes.

As Lex turned around to inspect more of the room, Pyra grabbed Lex's hand and waved a CD in front of him. "Look Lex, it's the CD from our prom!" she squealed excitedly. She quickly put the CD into the player and then changed it to a certain track. As Lex's ears were filled with music, his ears immediately drooped; it was the song that they had slow-danced to, the one where Lex had made the comment to Pyra and noticed he couldn't take it back. Of course he knew Pyra was going to remember this as well; that was what he was afraid of. "Lex, remember when you said that you were afraid you would fall in love with me again?" she asked slyly while quickly grabbing onto him and pulling him to the small dance floor below. She wrapped her arm around Lex's back while he wrapped his around her waist. "Remember?" she asked softly. Lex nodded and looked away from her, "Yeah… I remember…" he answered lowly. He was still halfway agreeing with what he said so long ago, he was still a little afraid that he had fallen in love with her for the third time. He didn't want her to get hurt, especially by anything that had to deal with him. "Listen Pyra I…" he began, but she lifted her head up to kiss him passionately, cutting him off at a loss of words. The rest escaped only through a satisfied moan as Lex returned the kiss.

The two were lost in harmony and could only think about each other. That night didn't even pop into Lex's head as he thought of what he had in front of him at the time. But as Pyra broke the kiss, Lex noticed there were tears in her eyes. "Pyra… what's wrong?" he asked sincerely. She quickly broke away from the fox and then turned around and wiped her eyes. "Lex… when you said that you were afraid… I kept prying you to tell me why… it pained me so much… that sentence. I thought that you really didn't want to love me, that you were afraid because I was a mistake to you, that you accidentally fell in love with me and you hated yourself for it. But I wanted to know the answer, and after I pried you so much that night, I saw a tear fall down from your eye. I thought it was because you hated me, I thought it was because you didn't want to see me again. But I just had to keep pushing it, I had to ask you that question." she remarked. Lex then had a flashback of that hurtful night; the night Lex and Pyra really became confused of their relationship. He remembered that one tear, the tear that had formed because he was so torn between his duty and his feelings. "Is there someone else?" Pyra asked, breaking his train of thought. "It was that question that blinded me, and you answered it. You answered it with the most predictable answer in any dramatized movie. You answered yes; yes there was someone else. That's what you answered that night." she said shakily while she was still facing away from him.

But as Lex began to remember that night again, he sighed heavily. Pyra quickly turned around and then slowly walked up to him and put her head into his chest. "It's been eating me up since then, after you stormed out of the dance and then left me alone that night. Ever since we went back to school afterwards, we've tried to cover it up, act like it never happened. But it hurt me everyday. Every time I saw you pass through the hallway, I thought of that painful night…" she said and then looked up at him. "Until now, I realized that it was hurting you more; it was tearing you up inside more than me. Because you really did love me, and that tear wasn't because you hated me, but because you were basically forced to make your choice. And you loved me enough not to make me get hurt. You thought of everyway to make me happy, even if you might have not been in the picture." she said and smiled. "It takes real love for someone to sacrifice their chances with the person they love just so they can be safe." she said softly and then rubbed her hand on Lex's head. "Thank you, I was young back then, I didn't know. I should have figured out that you were trying to protect me. I know all about your destiny message." she said softly. Lex almost choked, "You do?" he asked quickly. Pyra nodded and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Yeah, let's just say that an old friend told me." she said and then they started to dance to the song again.

Suddenly an orange fox walked into the room in a black suit and then started snickering. "Hey, I thought we were supposed to eat first?" he asked slyly. Lex stopped dancing with his newly wed and then smirked, "Fox, you usually don't have bad jokes, but I guess you can't be perfect all of the time." he remarked. Fox only put on a big grin and then gave him a thumbs up. Suddenly more people began to fill the room as a lot of them walked inside the banquet room. Lex and Pyra walked up towards the stage behind a microphone and looked out onto the huge crowd of furries in the room. Lex picked up the microphone and then smiled, "Excuse me, please let me thank all of you for coming to my reception." he announced. Pyra swiftly grabbed the microphone and then giggled, "And mine." she said and gave the microphone back to Lex. "I'm pretty sure that all of you guys are hungry, so let's not waste anymore time in digging in." he said and then put the microphone back into place. All of the furries began to take a seat, family and close friends being closer to the stage while guests and classmates sat in the back.

Most people were getting up from their tables and walking towards the food lined up on a separate long table, while others were still sitting down chatting and having a great time. After everyone got their food, they began to laugh, joke, and eat; showing that they were having a great time. After twenty minutes, everyone stopped eating and then looked over towards the stage as Lex lightly tapped his drinking glass with a fork. "Once again, thank you all for coming to watch us both become eternally happy." he said and looked at Pyra. Everyone clapped, even Falco cheered. He thought it was a long time since he first saw Lex happy. The Star Fox team was the second closest table to the stage, the first was Tails and the rest of the family and friends were in the third. "Pyra and I have been through a lot, and I would honestly go through it all over again if I could have the same result in the end…" he began and looked back over at the blushing feline. "To get married with the lady of my dreams!" he exclaimed and watched her blush even deeper.

Everyone awed and clapped at Lex's statement. Pyra stood and kissed Lex lightly. She stood at the microphone as Lex sat down. "Lex has always been there for me. Through the bad times… and the good. We've gone through everything together. And he never left by my side. I thank you Lex, because time and time again you've shown me what true love is." she said softly. Everyone cheered as she got off of the stand and then hugged Lex. Everyone got up and then began to walk to the dance floor. Fox walked over to them first and began to snicker, "Aw great, now you're tied down. Now how are we supposed to make jokes in the Great Fox about all the cute looking girls that we've seen on missions if you're only going to keep saying 'no thanks, I'm married.' and then you will be no fun." he said. Lex punched him playfully and he smirked, "Good to hear some humor again." he said and looked out onto the crowd. Fox took out a camera and then pointed it at the couple. "Almost forgot, say cheese you two." he said and then waited until the couple made a pose together. He took the picture and then took a few more. "Thanks." Fox said and walked off into the crowd. Lex sighed and looked at all of the other people that had gathered up around him. For once, he didn't mind the oversized crowd. It was the greatest day of his life to him, and he wanted to enjoy it. And countless flashes from pictures didn't bother him any. 'I'm glad we're together at last. For a long while I thought destiny just didn't want us together.' he thought.

To Be Continued