Chapter 49
Maye rushed to Krin's side, holding the stone. "It's okay, Krin. I'm here." Takkah stood by, still holding Little One in his arms. Maye's body glowed with blue energy, and she guided it through her hands and into Krin's chest. Krin stirred.
Her eyes opened slightly. "Maye?"
The ferret grinned. "Hi, Krin."
The feline's eyes sparkled. "We did it."
Maye nodded vigorously. "We have the stone."
Krin held out her hand, and Maye placed it in her palm. Krin grimaced as her energy was returned, and then got to her feet. "Come. Ramiro was ill. We have to save him before it's too late."
"Dakite will know what to do." Maye took the toddler to the resting chamber, where they had lain their comrades to rest in stasis to keep them alive.
Dakite's green eyes fluttered open upon contact with the glowing stone. "Did we do it?"
Maye smiled. "We've got our stone back. Things are finally looking up. We need you to heal Ramiro."
Dakite sat up and jumped to her feet. "Take me to him!"
She worked her healing magic on Ramiro, and once he was conscious, the stone returned the golden glow to his fur. "Krystal is in the temple." He said in his deep, raspy voice. "We cannot enter to help her until the final room is open."
"We must raise the others." Maye stood, holding the stone. "When she reaches the end, we must be ready."
(Meanwhile...)
Krystal sat on the floor for several moments to recover from the sudden horrific knowledge of what had happened to her. She took a deep breath, wiped her tears, and finally stood up. I must keep going. I must finish this. In the center of the pedestal, the orb had disappeared. In its place was a black indentation, the perfect size and shape to fit a staff. She drew the black staff from her bag and placed it inside.
The floor seemed to vanish below her, but her feet still met with solid ground. The walls and ceiling had gone as well, leaving a haunting view of a deep, dark sky with a slight green tint and green stars in all directions. It looked as though she was floating in outer space, but she was still standing on something.
Alright, room. Where are you taking me now?
The floor suddenly came into focus, and there were lines in the space pattern to indicate walls again. She felt a sudden overwhelming tug in her chest, a familiar one. Her eyes had already welled up before she turned to face him.
"Krystal?" His voice alone sent her heart soaring, the sound she never thought she could hear again. Without even waiting, she ran to him and held him tight. He smelled just as she remembered him; a comforting, musky scent, a mix of his natural pheromones and their reaction to his laundry detergent. His strong arms held her snug against him. "Where are we?"
"You're here..."
"Of course I am. But... where are we?"
"You were dead..."
He was silent a moment. "I was, wasn't I."
"I watched you die... I've never hurt so much in my life."
"I'm sorry. I tried to stop it."
"How did you get here?"
"I don't remember. I was lying down, and you were there... and suddenly I was here."
She trembled a bit, holding him tighter. "Don't leave me... ever again!"
"I won't. I promise." He kissed the top of her head.
"I love you."
"I love you, too." He squeezed her. "Come on, let's get out of here."
"Okay." She didn't move, still holding him.
He stroked her back. "Krystal, let's go."
She slowly released him. "What do you mean?"
"We can't stay here."
She stared up into his wonderful emerald eyes as a horrible realization crept up in her mind. "I... have to continue. The tests. I have to save them."
"It'll be alright. We can find another way."
She shook her head. "There isn't another way. I have to finish this. I have to figure out what the next test is."
"There are no more. This is the end."
She stepped back and looked away. "You're not real. You're the test."
"Krystal, I am real! How could you say that?"
"Don't. Don't you dare. You're not allowed to guilt me into believing you! My Fox is dead. My Fox would never ever stop me from this. My Fox died to make sure that I could get here alive." Her voice shook and she balled her hands into fists. "Damn you! I've had enough hurt for one day!"
He stepped forward and wiped the tears from her face. "I'm sorry. I don't want you to hurt." He gently kissed her forehead.
She took his face in her hands and kissed him passionately. His mouth was warm and tasted how she remembered. She pulled away, eyes closed, and rested her head in his chest. "I wish that you were real... but you're not. I can't stay here with you... I can't keep reliving the past. You're gone. I have to continue." His comforting presence began to fade, and she reached her hands up to her chest as if to hold closed the wounds that were fresh on her heart. "I must continue," she said through her tears.
When she opened her eyes, he was gone. In his place sat a green pedestal. She drew the green staff and placed it in the slot, awaiting her next trial.
(Meanwhile...)
Dakite stood over Shinae's body, channeling healing energy to revive him. He groaned and his red furred body shuddered.
"Angel..." He muttered.
Dakite grinned. "I'm not, really, but that's sweet of you to say."
The wolf's eyes opened. "Where am I?"
"You're home."
He started. "Angel! I have to get to her!"
"Relax. It's been a long time since you were out."
He groaned in pain and doubled over.
"I would have given you the stone, but there's a surprise you have to wait for... You were so depressed, you wouldn't let any of us even talk to you. You were spending all of your time in your own world."
He nodded slowly. "We have the stone? What's the surprise?"
"Maye?" Dakite turned towards the doorway.
The blue ferret stepped in slowly, holding the delicate red and white colored toddler in her arms.
Shinae looked up and his eyes widened. "She's... she's alive?!"
Maye carried her to her father's side. "Meet your daughter."
He held out his arms and embraced the toddler against his chest, kissing the side of her head. "How is this possible?"
"Krin saved her. That monster was counting on the forest to devour her ruthlessly, but Krin sensed his intent and stepped in at the last second. We wanted to tell you, but you shut us all out in your grief," said Maye.
"I'm... I'm so sorry..." He sat his daughter on his lap with a wide grin. "What's her name?"
"We thought you'd like to name her. We have just been calling her Little One." Maye replied.
Shinae's expression changed to worry. "Where is Angel?"
"We're... not exactly sure. After her and Tony destroyed the village, they left. Krystal has finally returned as Ramiro predicted, and she's facing the temple tests as we speak. As for Angel... she's on the planet at least, somewhere in the forest. She helped us get the stone."
"I have to go to her!"
"Easy there, tiger." Maye placed her hand on his shoulder. "You aren't in any shape to be going down on the surface just yet. We have yet to heal Talia, and then we can see about getting your strength back. First things first."
He sighed impatiently. "You're right... I know you're right. What can I do to help, then? I can't stand just sitting around waiting."
"Well, for starters, I think you should start getting to know your own child." Dakite teased.
He looked into the lovely blue eyes of his daughter. "You're right." He kissed her forehead. "We've got to come up with a real name for you, Little One." He looked at her for a moment, thinking. "Hey, what about Lilly?" She squealed.
Dakite clapped her hands together in delight. "That's perfect!"
Shinae stroked the side of the toddler's face tenderly. "Lilly... we're going to go save your mama, Lilly."
(Meanwhile...)
Vivian ran through the woods, backtracking towards the temple. I've got to get to Connor before something awful happens to him! Above in the sky, a SkySong lulled a lovely tune to draw out its prey. The white feline focused harder on her pace, not wanting to deal with becoming lunch for the hungry flier.
It took several moments, but she finally reached the temple exterior. She looked around cautiously for Tony while catching her breath.
A soft groan came from nearby. She sniffed the air and smelled blood. "Connor!" He lay in the grass, bloodied and barely conscious. She reached his side and gingerly touched his shoulder.
"I got... too cocky..."
She gave a half grin. "You're lucky he can't actually kill you."
"Yeah... I know. Where's the stone?"
"The Guardians have it. I saw Krin's hand appear."
"Which one is Krin? A woman appeared earlier when I called her name, but... I've... never actually seen them, except for the one red guy."
"That's Shinae... He's... he's dead. Krin is white. She can make portals. Shinae told me all about them, a long time ago..."
"He meant a lot to you." Connor said softly.
She looked down to hide her emotions. "It's all in the past. He's gone. No use being sad over things that happened years ago."
"Where did Tony go?"
"I'm not sure... He ran off after I told him that Krin got the stone."
Connor nodded. "He could be waiting. I suggest you hide, lie in wait for him to show up. At some point, Krystal is going to get that barrier down. You have to get to her before he does, if at all possible."
"You're right." She stood up. "I wish there was more that I could do for you."
"I'll survive... But hey, if I don't, you won't have to worry about Tony."
"Don't say things like that. He may be a bastard, but you're worth all the shit he's done."
"Am I, though?"
Vivian narrowed her eyes. "If you weren't so injured, I'd kick your ass. Get that thought out of your head. We'll stop him, don't worry." She looked around. The sun was beginning to set. "I'll try to stay nearby. If you need help, holler." With that, she walked back into the forest foliage to find cover.
(Meanwhile...)
The floor and walls changed again after she placed the green staff. This time, they turned white. Two pedestals rose near the center of the room. In each was a pool of clear water. It was then that Krystal realized how thirsty she was. She stepped towards the one on the left, but hesitated. There was a small description on the side in the same Cerinian text she had seen repeatedly. She knelt to read it.
This is your final test, ye who have proven your worth. It is time for you to make a choice. One of these which you love may be granted to ye who drinks of the waters of life. The other shall be lost forever.
She stood up, looking over at the watery mirage in the large pedestal bowl. In it, there were children running and playing. They were in her village, as she remembered it before the meteor. They ran down the main path, laughing with joy. Over to the side, her parents stood. Her father's arm rested around her mother's waist. She gasped lightly. How could I want anything more than this!? My mother! She can be brought back? And the village! Everyone is alive, and happy. This is the choice I want! She hesitated, water already in her cupped hands, suddenly curious. It said there would be a choice? What could possibly compare to this? But even as the thought crossed her mind, she realized exactly what it would be. She stepped slowly over to the second pedestal.
On the bridge of the Great Fox, the entire team was together. Outside, stars and asteroids floated by. Fox stood in the center, looking at her with a soft smile and loving gaze. He reached his hand out towards her, begging her to take it. Her time spent with him, traveling the universe and saving people, was something she desperately wanted. The background changed. Fox stood in the center of a room in what looked like a house. There was a couch behind him, and he leaned back and sat on the arm. A blue furred child ran up to him, and was caught in his arms.
Krystal's hands balled into fists. "This isn't fair!" She screamed. "You can't make me choose something like this! I can either save my entire village and have my family back, or I can bring back to life the hero of the known world and save countless lives in the process... and start a new family with him... I... how can I make a choice like this!? How can this be left up to me?" She stepped back from the pedestals and faced away, staring at the blank wall with her arms crossed.
She chuckled dryly. "And somehow after all I've been through today, my eyes can still make tears. I thought they would have run out by now." She wiped her face. "What if I drink both? What if I choose both? What then!" She yelled. She walked back to the pedestal on the left, showing her family, and cupped some water in her left hand. Holding it carefully, she walked over to the one on the right and dipped her right hand.
As her fingers dipped, the water in her left hand vaporized. She yelled in frustration, and then sighed. "Fine, fair enough. I can't cheat this. I have to choose one."
She ran her fingers through her hair and paced. I came here to save my family, my people. Choosing them means resurrecting an entire village of innocent people. Choosing them means I get my parents back. Everyone would be happy. But Star Fox... They'll fall apart without him. He's their leader, the face of hope. He's saved multiple planets. Millions of lives. Lylat would never be the same without him. Venom would have much less opposition if they wanted to take over Corneria. They could start wars, and kill millions, and thousands of innocent soldiers and civilians would die trying to stop them. Corneria's armies have gone soft knowing that Star Fox will always be around to save them, not that they were ever formidable to begin with. I'd be sentencing them all to a terrible fate... But at the cost of my own planet dying forever.
She looked back at the pedestal on the left. Maybe... even without Fox... maybe they can still do it. I could join them, and we could still stop threats to Lylat. It'll never be the same without him... but I'll have my family... She closed her eyes. "I'm sorry, Fox. I love you." She dipped her hands into the water and slowly lifted her cupped palms to her face. With this sip, I'll ensure that I will never see him again. She took a deep breath. But my people will get a second chance, my parents, my brother... and that, I think, is worth the sacrifice.
"I love you, Fox," she said aloud, "but I love my family and my people more." She brought the water to her lips and drank it down.
The ground trembled, and the two pedestals moved together. The water disappeared, and beneath it, an engraved area for the final staff.
She placed the white staff into the designated area and took a deep breath. This is it.
Author's Notes: Alright, I'm done making estimates on when the next chapter will be out. Chapter 50 is in progress. I will finish this. It's been nearly 10 years in the making, I think it's about time I deliver the end. This is it, folks. The final stretch. Hang tight, it'll be here before ya know it.
