A lone figure trudged through the snow blanketed city of Corneria, the harsh Christmas wind rapid and unforgiving. Tall buildings surrounded Krystal, hiding her from the dim street lights. Ducking into an alleyway, she shed her lightweight jacket and stumbled over to a pile of blankets in the corner. She pulled away the top layer to reveal a vulpine child with pitch black fur. Once the layer was completely off, he looked up at the light with bright blue eyes.
"Mom?"
"I'm sorry, sweetie. Work carried on a little longer than I expected," Krystal could still feel the sore legs from walking around all day.
"Was there anyone mean to you?"
Krystal winced at her child's innocence. The few times she exposed what she did to him, they weren't positive experiences.
"No. They don't know who I am, and no one is mean to strangers they just meet."
"Ok," He blinked his eyes, snow settling around the pools of blue.
Krystal wiped off the white dust, caressing his face with the love of a mother for her child.
"Krystal," A voice rumbled out from the shadows.
"What? It's you, Rowan," Krystal sighed with relief. "I thought you were going to camp out by a bar tonight. What are you doing here?"
A tattered tom with russet fur stalked out from behind the corner, "I was making sure your little boy didn't freeze to death."
"Oh…" Krystal immediately felt a sense of guilt and responsibility. "I'm sorry I was gone for so long. There were some… difficult customers." Krystal looked down at the black bundle huddled in the blankets again. "And thank you for keeping an eye on him for so long."
"It's good. I've seen healthier youngsters freeze to death on nights like these. I just don't want to see another fire go out." The cat's face was illuminated by the cigarette he lit.
"Mommy… I'm cold," The vulpine shivered, shaking snow off his snout.
"I know," Krystal's hands started to tremble at the thought of her freezing son.
"Here." Rowan threw his lighter towards Krystal, her catching it with both hands. "Keep it. I've got another one anyway." He lifted another one from his pocket. "Use that to warm up, or hell, just find somewhere to stay."
"I can't just-" Krystal rebutted before being cut off.
"Heh. You're Krystal, last survivor of Cerenia, a former member of Star Fox and Star Wolf, the two most powerful mercenary teams in Lylat. You've got a few friends, maybe they'll be a kind flame for you tonight. Just use that lighter until then. That's my kind flame for now. I'm off." He turned and started to walk away.
"But… Thank you." Krystal sighed out as the feline's tail flicked around the corner.
"Dun' mention it."
After a moment of silence, the boy sneezed, ruffling the blankets around him.
"Mom, it's cold tonight."
"You're right," Krystal's teeth began to chatter as she clambered into the blankets, covering the top. "I should call Falco and Katt. They might be able to have us over for a night."
"Yay!" The child smiled, "Maybe Mr. Falco can tell me more about your stories when you were a pilot!"
Krystal could do nothing but bitterly smile. Those days were simpler, where they would be hired to fight against an evil, saving the world, being with the team… And Fox McCloud. It had been almost eight years since she broke off Star Fox to join Star Wolf and to be with Panther. She did it out of spite, seeing Fox's overprotection as coddling her, when deep down she knew he only loved her.
"Why? Why would you leave me?" The words echoed in her head. "I'm sorry! I only wanted to protect you… and now I'm punished for loving you. This is my fault. I can't forgive myself. But… I don't know if I can forgive you."
Krystal felt a singular tear form at her eye as she recalled the final day she spent with the Star Fox crew.
"Mom, you're crying again."
"Sorry, honey. Maybe I will call Falco and ask him."
"Ok!"
Krystal rustled in her small bag, and pulled out a cell phone. She rang Falco's number and sat with the phone to her ear, awaiting the reply.
"Uh… Hey. T-this is Falco."
"Hello Falco, this is Krystal."
"H-hey Krys! Whaddaya need?"
"I need a place to stay for tonight. The winds and snow have picked up since a while ago."
"Uhhh… actually… Katt and I are at a uh…. Bar. I hooonestly don't know where though. Katt says we're not going back until tomorrow morning though."
"I see… Do you know of any place I could stay?"
"Uhhhh… try Wolf's place. He's got a new place, not far from downtown. Should take you ten minutes…"
"Can you send me the address?"
"By car."
"Oh…" Ten minutes by car could mean a thirty minute walk. You know what, I can't let my son freeze to death out here!
"That's alright. I'll make it."
"O-ok. I'll send it to you after the call… *hic*"
"Thank you so much Falco. Merry Christmas."
"M-meeeery Chrysler."
After Krystal cut off the line, she got the text message from Falco, and sure enough it was a thirty minute walk out of downtown. But the vixen was determined enough to find a place to stay for the night.
"Come on, honey. Let's go to Wolf's house."
The child tilted his head, "Wolf? Like, the leader of Star Wolf Wolf?"
"Yes. You don't remember him because you were so little, but I bet he'll be surprised at how much you've grown."
"And I can talk to him about all the awesome fights he was in!" The blue eyes lit up again, giving his mother even more determination.
Wolf had changed from the gruff, mean lupine into an understanding mentor and friend. Krystal thought, I wonder how he's changed now?
Krystal remembered the first time Wolf showed signs of sympathy, of someone who shed their outer shell.
"I'm just doing my job, being paid the wages for my efforts. I admit that pup is talented, and he's hired on the good side of history. Me? I'm just someone who fights for money."
She hoped that some monetary incentive might drive Wolf over the edge to let her stay.
She opened the top of the little shelter, and dragged her son out of the pile of blankets. They'll have to come back later to retrieve them. Their only goal was to get to Wolf's house.
"Come on, let's hurry so we can hear more stories," Krystal urged.
"Yeah, I'm so excited!" he replied.
They set off towards the outskirts of the downtown city, passing nobody in the barren streets. Neon signs either showed that the store was closed, or the rare bar open past midnight. The buildings turned into trees, and slowly the view of downtown Corneria became farther and farther away.
"Moooom. How much farther do we have to go?"
"Don't worry. We're almost there."
The mother and son waddled through the snow into the neighborhood shown on Krystal's map. Through twists and turns in the block, they finally reached their destination. Frost was beginning to form on the ends of their fur, and their teeth were chattering like woodpeckers on a busy day. Any longer, and they would've been walking icicles.
Walking up to the warm door, Krystal knocked slowly but loudly, hoping she wasn't interrupting the lupine. A few seconds passed, and she faintly heard the faint growl of Wolf, of when he was annoyed.
"I got it," He grunted.
Krystal paused. There's someone else there? Who could it be?
Not wanting to reveal their identities immediately, Krystal pulled a hood over her eyes, doing the same for her son.
"Why are we-"
"Shhhhh. Wolf doesn't know it's me. I'll introduce us."
Wolf opened the door, blinking at the winter wind stinging his eyes. The eyes darted around until they landed on Krystal and her son.
"Who is it?" a voice called out to Wolf.
No! It… can't be…
"I-I'm sorry. I think I got the wrong house," Krystal stammered.
"Huh? What, you're going to a party or something?" Wolf asked. "Wait, who are you?"
He pointed at both of them, "And why are you wearing hoods? Are you reporters or something? Just get out of here."
"Don't talk to them like that. They look absolutely frozen." The voice came again, followed by footsteps to the door. "Wow, it is freezing tonight!"
It sent shivers down Krystal's spine, colder than even the coldest winds she experienced that night.
She peeked to make sure, and the culprit was unmistakable.
"So, who are you, exactly? Carolers? You want to come in for a sec? We've got hot chocolate ready."
"Why are you being nice to them? We don't even know them!"
"Um…" The black vulpine started.
Krystal immediately wrapped her hand around his mouth, and pulled him close, to fake a hug.
"Thank you very much," Krystal spoke in a higher pitch. "I appreciate you trying to help, but we are at the wrong house."
"Oh, is that so?" His voice, untainted with pain, was so smooth and warm.
His voice… I-I can't even look him in the eye. I-
A gust of wind pulled back the hood on Krystal, revealing herself.
The two men's eyes opened in shock, with her identity revealed, she locked eyes with the one she betrayed.
Fox McCloud's.
The next thing she knew, she was laying in a warm bed, her son's chest rising and falling next to her's. She gradually sat up in the dark room, looking around and observing her surroundings. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she noticed a stand next to the bed, with two cups of hot chocolate sitting on top. Even though it was well cooled by then, Krystal drank it gratefully. With further investigation, she realized that it was a quaint room, with a door in the corner and a window looking out to other backyards.
She heard sounds coming from outside the room, although they were faint enough she couldn't make any individual sounds out. Curious and revitalized by the chocolate drink, she crept across the room and turned the doorknob slowly. She peered out of the little crevice and saw the living room, a tall room which was connected to the main hallway. It was decorated with a medium sized Christmas tree and ornaments, and an orange couch facing away from the front door, where the tv sat. It seemed that the further right was a hallway, and the stairway to the second floor was past the kitchen, right by the room Krystal was looking out of.
It's so warm… Where are they?
The back of the couch was facing her, so she couldn't make out whether anyone was sitting on the couch. She stood there for a while, too nervous to go out and explore. She hadn't told them why she was there, after all. After what seemed like ages, she heard rustling come from the couch. The tv was paused and she saw two heads pop up, like a whack-a-mole game.
"I have to go really quickly." She recognized the voice as Fox's. It hurt her even more when she heard a twinge of sadness in his tone.
"Ok, don't take too long now, pup." Wolf replied.
"Hehe, just because you said it…" Fox leaned over and pecked the lupine's cheek. "I'm sorry I couldn't help with anything."
Krystal gasped internally. There was no way he just did that… right?
"Just go," Wolf chuckled, "I'll still be here when you come back."
"Ok, ok." Fox got up off the couch and walked down the hall, until he disappeared.
"You can come out now." Wolf called out.
What?
"I know you're there. Just be lucky I kept him distracted."
"H-how did you know I was there?" Krystal asked as she shuffled over to the couch.
"Ah, I heard you open the door. Just that he didn't hear it I suppose."
"Oh…"
"Oh, yeah. You know, me and him…" Wolf motioned to the hall and back to himself, "Are together. We're ahh… a couple. You already saw that."
Krystal couldn't believe her ears. After all the conflicts the two leaders were through, they were lovers now? She simply could not believe it.
"S-so, you and Fox…?"
"Live together? Yeah." Wolf paused, "He's confused right now. He's acting as if everything was alright but I know he really doesn't feel that way."
"I'm so sorry-"
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to, really. I'm neutral in all of this. But if you hurt him," Wolf showed a little teeth, "I'm not ok with it. I don't know what you're doing here, and I don't like that you're here, for other reasons."
Krystal's eyes opened at Wolf's innuendo. Until she noticed what he was wearing. Sweatpants, a cozy turtleneck. If he wasn't faintly snarling right now, he'd be almost cute. The eyepatch he wore was gone, what was left was an eyelid sewn shut, the scar apparent against the gray fur. It tied his face together into a handsome, scary, and intimidating wolf.
"Just go to sleep for now. We can talk about this like adults tomorrow," Wolf softened his expression, "I can tell you still love that kid, even though he's Panther's."
Panther's last words to her rang through her head, "Wait, I can take care of you and him! This is a misunderstanding on my part! Just give me a second chance!"
"He's my child too, you know. I couldn't take it anymore, and the fact that he was cheating because I had a baby was too unfair and unjust."
"Yeah, Panther's an asshole. I don't understand why you didn't stay with pup."
Krystal winced, "I don't want to talk about that right now. I'm going to go to bed."
"Yeah. Oh, yeah, what's the name of the boy? You didn't name him last I checked."
"His name is Tristan."
Wolf whistled his amusement, "A pretty cool name."
"Yeah…"
The door down the hallway clicked open.
Wolf beckoned Krystal back to the guest bedroom, "Go on. Goodnight, Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas to you too, Wolf. And thank you for letting us stay."
"Don't mention it."
Krystal darted back to the room, but left a small opening to watch Fox come back. Surely enough, the red fox came back into view and as he was sitting down beside Wolf, laid his head on Wolf's shoulder, and the show started again, breaking the silence. After she watched for a while, she slowly slid the door shut and climbed into the bed with her son. But although the bed was warm, Krystal felt cold. She could feel a deep regret and guilt build up within her, overwhelming her until tears started dropping from her eyes.
She thought of all the times she and Fox had together, remembering that now, she couldn't have that anymore. The pain and suffering that Fox had gone through… was all her fault. After drying her eyes, she fell asleep, at least consoled by the fact that her son was still alive and cozy.