Disclaimer:I don't own Star Fox. But someday... Someday!*evil laughter* Non Nintendo characters are mine, email me if you wish to use them.
*~
Falco knocked on Fox's door, but got no answer. Hew knocked louder. Still nothing.
"Maybe he fell asleep?" Sierra suggested.
Peppy shook his head. "He's a light sleeper. Always has been."
"Fox!" Falco yelled.
There was a scuffling inside, but no other noise.
"He's not gonna come out," Peppy said.
"I could try to force it open," Falco said.
"That doesn't work on a dilating door," Sierra said.
Falco sighed, then sat down in front of the door. "I'm not moving until you come out, Fox!"
*~
Irae sighed. "He's a stubborn one."
- Should we do something, then? - Lucah asked.
"Perhaps I should call the triplets," Irae muttered; keeping his voice down, for he was speaking.
- Y-you do not heed to take such drastic measures, Father, - Lucah stammered. - I shall deal with the falcon and the female frog. -
"How do you plan to do that, clever Lucah?" Irae asked; Lucah was quick-witted and creative in her planning.
- Simple is best, Father, - Lucah said, a glint in her eye. - I will shoe them death. -
"Do not kill them, Lucah," Irae said. "Bring them here when you are finished. They will draw the others."
- Of course, Father, - Lucah slipped out through the air vents.
*~
Lucah watched silently as the avian sat in front of the fox's door, Lucah contemplating how strong her death visions should be. She had given the fox such visions to aid Metramorpha, but now her older sister was not here, and Lucah would have to do this herself. No matter. She preferred to work alone, and whatever she could do to prevent Irae from calling the triplets was worth doing. Second only to Metramorpha in age, they were most like their father. Even Lucah and Argos had some emotions, but the triplets had even less than Irae; they were ruthless.
The falcon was alone, now; the hare and frog had left. Lucah now knew all she would have to do was show herself to the falcon; Lucah was well-known in avian lore, having the form of an untamed avian. Thus, with a ruffling of feathers, she landed on the falcon's knee.
His eyes widened. Lucah watched him silently as he stared, expressing was Lucah could only assume was shock. Either that or he had more courage than Lucah had previously given him credit for. She looked him in the eye.
- Are you afraid? - she hissed.
The falcon swiped at Lucah, and, smiling inwardly, she nipped him lightly. The falcon was hers now, not under her control yet but certainly well under her influence. Falco backed toward the door. Lucah pressed a series of buttons on the keypad beside the door with her beak, and Falco fell backwards as the door opened. It closed behind him. Lucah took flight, looking for the female frog.
*~
Mireya lifted a paw, wincing slightly, and tapped the air in front of her, producing a mirror.
"You shouldn't strain yourself," Judex said, glancing over from where he was standing.
"And you shouldn't worry so about Metramorpha," Mireya said, smiling. "She can take care of herself. She has for quite some time."
"She shouldn't have to," Judex said, turning to Fox. "She's not much older than you, really. And her father makes her do so much..."
Mireya smiled softly, then took the mirror in her paws. "As soon as Metramorpha returns, she will take you to the Memoria Fields."
"I shall go with her," Judex said. "The Fields are deep within Irae's realm."
"You act as if she had never been there before," Mireya said. "Still, I know I cannot change your mind."
*~
"If he ever comes out, Father will have completed his task!" Argos growled. "There has to be a faster way!"
Metramorpha smiled to herself. Argos' patience was nearly spent. She sank into the door. He would touch the door. she knew he would. She knew her brother well.
"Maybe I should speed the frog along," Argos said, reaching for the door.
Metramorpha engulfed him. She could feel him struggling, and quickly absorbed some of his life essence. He fell limp, to be unconscious for an hour. She left him in front of the door, and then sealed the lab door.
Metramorpha retreated to a deep part of Fox's mind, where Fox still had control. Judex saw her immediately, smiling and drawing her close. Metramorpha knew she was blushing, and buried her face in Judex's fur.
"If you would pull yourselves apart...?" Mireya said gently, a smile touching her lips.
Judex blushed and Metramorpha looked to Mireya. "You have something you wish for me to do?"
"You are to take Fox to the Memoria Fields," Mireya said. :Judex shall accompany you."
"What about me?" Krystal asked.
"You must remain here," Mireya said. "Fox cannot return to his mind without a link, and that is you."
Krystal nodded softly, squeezing Fox's paw. "Come back, Fox."
Fox kissed her gently. "Of course."
*~
They walked for a long time, through silent, empty gray fields, the harsh sun beating down on them. Metramorpha was silent, and Fox wasn't sure what to say, so there was no conversation. A flash of color caught Fox's eye. A small gold flower seemed out of place amidst the gray ground. Metramorpha glanced at it.
"Gold Memoria," she said, a smile touching her lips. "There are many in the Memoria fields. Silver Memoria as well. I watch over the field while its true owner sleeps."
"Why don't you wake him up?" Fox asked.
Metramorpha laughed. "He reincarnated himself. This is his thirteenth reincarnation. I am watching them until his mortal form dies."
"What's he like?" Fox asked.
"I do not know," Metramorpha said. "He put himself forth for his thirteenth reincarnation when I was very young."
"He is very nice," Judex said. "A noble spirit, and my brother. I have sponsored his reincarnations. This is his last."
"Who is it?" Fox asked.
"I cannot say," Judex said. "It would change the current balance of the universe."
"We have arrived," Metramorpha said, standing in front of a cliff and placing her paw on a boulder.
The boulder rolled aside, revealing a cave. They walked in. Thousands of Gold Memoria flowers grew from the ground, and silver flowers that Fox assumed were Silver Memoria hung from the ceiling. Wide-eyed, Fox stepped forward.
"Krystal would love this place," he whispered.
Judex smiled softly, leaning down at the shore of a clear pool. Silver water from the Silver Memoria dripped into the pool.
"The Silver Memoria nectar holds the memories of the past," Judex said, touching the pool. "If you look into the pool, it will show you your past."
Fox stepped toward the pool, but Metramorpha shook her head. "We are here for you to look into your Self, and that required Gold Memoria nectar."
She led Fox to the center of the Field. A golden pool, no larger than Fox, glittered in the dim light. Fox leaned forward.
"You will fall in that way," Metramorpha warned. "Sit down."
Fox did so, leaning over far enough to see his reflection. He watched it for awhile, and then it and everything else slowly faded away.
Fox was cold. Alone. He knew that much. He was very alone. Lights began shining in the distance, blinking only a moment before they blinked out.
"Do not be afraid," a voice whispered, and Fox identified it as Krystal's.
Fox felt warmth as a soft blue light settled around him.
"Your greatest strength is your strong spirit," Krystal whispered. "It can never be destroyed. Remember that."
Fox came back to reality. Metramorpha looked down at him solemnly.
"Tell no one what you saw," Metramorpha said. "Not unless you trust them with your very soul. Now we must leave."