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.
*~
Judex and Mireya led Fox and Krystal toward a gray door. Judex turned to Fox.
"Through this door lies the passages to your Self," he said grimly. "You will have to pass four tests of Self, and then you can confront Irae. Krystal will accompany you, but she must not stray too far from you, or she will be dead forever. Do you understand?"
Fox nodded slowly. Krystal drew her staff, its connection to her strong even in death.
"I will try to control my father," Metramorpha said. "He will be watching for you, Fox."
Judex glanced at Mireya. "We shall keep the gate open. Irae may attempt to destroy your Self. We must prevent him from doing so. Good luck."
Fox nodded again, and he and Krystal stepped through the door.
*~
Lucah was alone with the prisoners. A confused Sierra was just regaining consciousness, and Falco sat sullenly on the bed, still bound but not as tightly as before. Lucah was troubled. Falco watched her preen absently, lost in thought. Finally, she landed on Falco's shoulder. Falco, still under Lucah's control, relaxed and looked over at her, though rebellion shone in his eyes. Lucah sighed.
- Show me more, - she whispered, cooing and nuzzling him again. - Show me more emotions. Show me a different kind of love... Friendship. Show me that. -
*~
"Dude, Fox, what are you doing?" Falco asked, walking into the rec room to see Fox sitting on the diving board of the empty pool.
"Nothing," came Fox's small and distant reply.
"Fox, get down before you hurt yourself!" Falco yelled.
"It's not worth it," Fox said softly.
"What's not worth it?" Falco asked, realization slowly dawning on him.
"Everything," Fox whispered, and he plunged from the diving board.
Falco was already running. Taking a flying leap into the empty pool, he landed hard, and Fox on top of him. Falco fell flat, but Fox was safe.
*~
- Why would he wish to die? - Lucah asked softly.
"He's got problems," Falco said. "He doesn't have any family... Besides us, I guess."
- "Us?" -
"His team. Me, Peppy, Slippy, and Sierra. Krystal, too, I guess."
- In what way do you mean family? You are not related. -
"Well..." Falco tried to find words for something he'd never thought about before. "We care about him. Fox... He's like my little brother. I watch out for him."
- I see... - Lucah paused, then released Falco. - Help him, then. If he wishes to get his body back, he will need it. -
*~
Metramorpha saw Lucah release Falco. She smiled to herself, having just gained an ally. She took the form of a young vixen. Lucah looked over, and Metramorpha began tending to Sierra, who was still recovering from her mind being taken over by Lucah. She awoke fully.
"Who are you?" Sierra asked.
"Metramorpha," Metramorpha said.
"How'd you get onboard?" Sierra asked, sitting up.
- That is not important, - Lucah said, revealing herself to Sierra. - Fox is in danger. You all are. His body is possessed, and he is trying to regain control.
Sierra jumped to her feet, nearly slipping on the metal floor. Metramorpha got to her feet as well, looking around the room.
"Where is he?" she asked, looking to Lucah.
- Father? - Lucah jerked her head over at Metramorpha. - I do not know. He left with the triplets. -
"The triplets?" Metramorpha gasped. "He is mad. He himself has little control over them."
"Who are the triplets?" Sierra asked.
"Our sisters," Metramorpha explained. "They're very powerful, and they feel nothing."
- They are very analytical, - Lucah agreed. - And much more powerful than I. I do not know about Metramorpha's power, and I doubt Argos could overpower them. -
"I am not sure if I can," Metramorpha said. "But I must try."
*~
As soon as Fox and Krystal entered the room, the door slammed shut behind them. Fox saw only darkness. He squeezed Krystal's par, and Krystal returned the affection. A red light appeared behind them. Fox glanced back but couldn't see the source of the light. Krystal suddenly threw herself at Fox.
"Krystal, what are you--Mmph!" Fox was cut off mid-sentence when she kissed him.
Fox was startled, and she pushed him roughly against the wall. Fox was hit with a wave of passion, and he returned the kisses, pressing his mouth hard against her, their kiss rougher and more instinctual than ever before.
Fox's civilized mind protested loudly, and Fox pushed Krystal away, shivering and panting.
"What are you doing?" Fox asked.
"I... I don't know," Krystal said, shivering as well. "I just needed to kiss you. Why did you return it so hard?"
"I dunno," Fox said. "Did I hurt you?"
"No, I... I liked it," Krystal breathed, her eyes wild. "Do it again!"
"Krystal..." he trailed off, staring at Krystal, his instincts wanting to fulfill Krystal's request.
He realized this was his instinctual Self, and it was affecting Krystal and himself. He couldn't fight it when Krystal was asking him to give in. He kissed her hard, digging his claws into her back. She squealed and giggled. Fox, using all the willpower he had left, pulled away once more, panting.
"You have to fight your instincts," Fox said, gritting his teeth. "I can't if you can't."
Krystal's eyes softened as her conscious mind resurfaced. "I'm sorry... It's so hard to fight it."
Fox looked over at the far wall and saw a door opposite the one they had entered. He pointed.
"If we get through that door, we'll be okay," Fox said, fighting the urge to continue what he had started. "C'mon."
The farther they traveled, the more Fox's instincts howled at him. He couldn't look at Krystal for fear of losing control. He was holding her paw, and the feeling alone was enough to make him shiver.
"Hurry," Krystal's voice came out rough, and Fox knew she was using all her strength to resist. Fox looked up at the door and was shocked to see it covered with blood. He touched the old-fashioned doorknob, and his instincts went wild. Closing his eyes, he pulled open the door and walked through.
His instincts relaxed their grip, and he hugged Krystal close as they laughed, relieved. Then Fox looked around, wondering where they were now. Suddenly, Krystal started crying.
"What's wrong?" Fox asked, reaching out to hold her.
As soon as he touched her, everything went black.