A/N: How long has it been since my last update? Two… three months? Sounds like it. Well, that last chapter left lots of people hanging around and wanting more. Katt has left Shane and Wolf and Jade are starting to become friends again. Now where do you suppose the fic will go from here? I'll tell you… awe damn I forgot… guess you'll just have to read to find out!
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Starfox, Nintendo and/or Rare do. Any relation to my original characters in anyway is entirely coincidental. If you'd like to use my characters please ask, I usually say yes.
Chapter 18: Unbreak My Heart
Shane walked to the lake but Katt wasn't there. The glow of the lake looked beautiful though. He began to walk the perimeter of the lake searching for anyone when he saw two bodies holding each other close. When Shane saw the two bodies, it was just two humans.
He sighed at sat down at the lake and looked into the ripples as he dipped his feet in. He finally looked into the lake and when he saw his reflection, it wasn't his. It was that of the Great Fox. A tear welled up in his eye and he released it and it hit the lake.
"Why do you cry?" A voice asked.
Shane looked around and saw no one but then saw that the reflection was talking to him.
"Because I'm sad. I've lost it all. I've got no home to turn back to and I've lost the love of my life." Shane said.
The Great Fox looked at Shane and then the reflection began to stand and before Shane's eyes stood a glowing white fox. The fox had two tails it seemed and he smiled at Shane. "I left this world in your capable hands because I knew that with time you'd become compassionate. You've changed since you were first born."
Shane smiled. "But I don't want the destiny."
"Yes, life is tough." Great Fox sat next to him. "But I didn't want to die. But we all will. As it is the balance of life."
"Mia won't die." Shane said.
"She will someday. I just haven't decided when. She needs to stay strong and so do you."
"So you're going to make me immortal?" Shane asked.
"I can't do that. My powers are meaningless now. They can't do anything. For I am only a spirit of the Great Fox already passed."
"Then help me with Katt." Shane demanded. "I know you can. You're the Great Fox, you can do anything!"
"Shane, let me tell you the cold hard truth."
"That doesn't sound good."
The spirit put an arm around Shane. "When at first I found love it was in all the wrong places. Love is a journey. How can you find love if you don't make the journey?"
"Are you talking about my destiny?" Shane asked.
"Right. Shane, you're going to live for another one thousand years before you die, and I know this because I created you to be that way. How old are you now? Twenty-five? You've got plenty of time to fall in love. You've got one-thousands years left!"
"But I can't spend it with Katt. She's the love of my life."
"Listen to me Shane, and listen well. I'm tired of people praying to me about the nineteenth 'love of their life!' You've barely lived! You don't know what the future holds. You can keep bitching about it and bitching about it but is that going to bring her back? Of course not. Just move on and if she decides to go with you, let it be her choice. If she doesn't, that's ALSO her choice. You have the power to bring about the calm but you don't have the power to control love. You sound like a teenager sometimes. You can live without Katt. Hey, wasn't it you that said Krystal was the love of your life?" Shane nodded. "Well, look how THAT turned out. You've got power Shane… but even power has its limits."
"I have no power." Shane said.
"Yes you do! You've helped Jade haven't you? And all you did was listen to her. To me it sure seems like you've got some sort of power."
"No I don't. I can't do anything."
"Not all power has to mystical. Some power lies in the heart of every fur and human. I know that, Andross knew that and now you that." The Great Fox said. "Trust me Shane. Katt will make the right choice and whatever that choice is you're going to respect it."
To Shane it sounded like bad news. "I'll wait and see. But I'm still just a normal everyday fox."
"But a fox with a gift. Do you know what that gift is?"
Shane smiled. "I think I do."
"And what is it?"
"It's you. Your blessing." Shane answered.
"Correct. Believe in what I say but more importantly believe in what YOU say. YOU make the rules now. My shadow only exists in you. The Will of Great Fox is yours now."
The Great Fox stood up and made his way back to the lake.
"Hey!" Shane called out and the Great Fox stopped. "Do you think we could call it, the Will of Great Shane?"
The Great Fox smiled and looked at Shane for a moment. "Of course you can't. I'm the one who wrote it."
Shane smiled and waved. To the two humans sitting across the lake it looked as if Shane was waving and talking to nothing.
Shane looked into the lake and saw his reflection again… the same normal reflection as always. "Destiny just doesn't quit." Shane stood up. "I'll let Katt make her own decision. I have my own job to do now."
Wolf and Jade were almost to his mansion. For the first time in years they were speaking and they weren't killing each other. "So you've stayed a true believer after all?" Jade asked.
"I can't turn my back on my beliefs. Just as you can't turn your back on yours." Wolf answered. "Are you still human?"
"Wolf, I haven't shape shifted since that day. I never will." She sighed. "I don't want anyone else to know about it. If they do who knows what could happen."
"You'll be fine. Jon is surviving right? He's human and he's got all he needs." Wolf looked back and Jade had stopped. "What worries you about being human?"
"When I look at some of the furs of Zoness… I see you and your hate. The hate you used to have. I tell some furs Wolf and they never look at me the same again. They look at me like I'm from another planet. They say it isn't 'normal' to be human inside."
Wolf walked back to Jade. "That's bullshit and I was bullshitting too. Don't let them bring you down Jade. Don't let them become me in your eyes. Let them become Jon or Shane. Let them become someone who understands."
Jade, for the first time in years, put her arms around Wolf and hugged him. "But I want to see you now. I know now that you can understand. I want you to understand. I want you to be someone to me."
Wolf closed his eye and wrapped his arms around her. "I want to be someone to understand… But I can't. I won't understand something I don't know. I'm sorry Jade. I can only accept you the way you are. But to understand takes more time than us not speaking for a couple of years."
Jade understood but she held on to Wolf anyway. "Do you ever miss the times we shared together?"
"All the time."
"But it's too late to go back. To late to take back the words we said."
"Then we'll just have to start over."
At that moment Jade backed away. "Wolf, I'm in love with someone else though."
"I know… you're in love with Shane."
"Not with Shane…"
"Then who? Certainly not Jon!" Wolf said but didn't allow himself to grow angry.
"No… I think I'm in love with the past."
"The past?"
"Yes, the past. Let's walk."
"Wait, explain to me what you mean… please."
"You know what I mean." Jade said as they reached the mansion… and the door had been opened.
When Wolf and Jade walked into the open mansion and closed the door, they spotted Katt on the couch. "Katt?" Jade asked.
The feline looked up and raised her ears. "I had to get away to think. I came here because I know this is a place where Shane isn't going to follow me."
"What happened between you and Shane?"
Katt sighed. "I'm going to tell you a story. First you'll laugh… and then you'll cry. It's the story that Shane tells the kits but I've got a prologue. The story that Shane WON'T tell and the story I said I'd never speak of until now. You want to know who and what Shane REALLY was? I'll tell you and then I'll tell you why I can't go back to him."
It was late in the night now and Fox and Krystal were still reading through Shane's diary. "Look at this!" Fox said.
"What about it?"
"This is clearly a separate journal entry but look at the date."
Krystal looked to the date and noticed it said "Unknown". "Why would he do that?"
"There's only one way to find out." Fox said. "We've got to read it." He flipped the pages a little ahead and soon the pages became blank. "It's the last entry. This could very well be the answer we're looking for."
Date Unknown
I'm not placing a date on this journal for fear that someone may be reading this. Someone that shouldn't be reading this and for that I suppose I should later go back and scribble out all the other dates as well. I might not get to it.
My relationship with Katt ended. At least I think it was a relationship. I haven't seen her since I snuck into Corneria and found the deviant blue vixen. Her name is Krystal. Apparently Katt knew her once… when she first arrived in Corneria. Her hometown of Cerina was destroyed by the humans and for some reason it begins to make me feel bad.
I've seen Krystal around. She could be the one! The one to break the curse! But I don't yet. But more importantly do I even WANT to go back to the way I was? Krystal is a sweet vixen but I'm actually starting to get used to this furry thing. I found I could run much faster than I could before without stopping for breaths. I also like being able to sheath and un-sheathed my claws at anytime. It works out for me. I suppose the only problem is the fur… but you get used it. Sometimes the clothes become itchy against the fur but I suppose that comes with the transformation.
I SAW Krystal up close once. I saw her at a picnic with Fox. Well, they were the only two but they looked like they were very much in love with one-another. But thanks to my sneaking around in Corneria I was able to learn that the two weren't dating… they were merely friends. Though many had urged Fox to ask Krystal to be his, he never did any such thing.
So if I were to get Krystal I'm not exactly stealing from him right? But still I feel guilty thinking about it… Since when the hell did I have feelings? Well, there's more to this story than meets the eye. I'm writing this story as I sit in my bed right now. I'm here in this mansion writing what I've experienced so far.
I snuck into Corneria one night… the same night I saw her on the picnic with Fox. When I snuck into her home I must've picked the wrong moment because she walked in. I was a little frightened and she could certainly put up quite a fight! Well, let's be serious I'd never actually BEEN in a fight before.
She was gorgeous and I was able to let her know I was no threat. She somehow… I don't know how… believed me. Maybe she could see something I couldn't. I remember she made me tea and we were both sitting in one of her chairs. Of all the words we had exchanged the only thing I can remember her asking was "Do I make you nervous?" Maybe that's all I can remember because she WAS making me nervous. Then she fell asleep.
I can't forget that memory. It was so… umm… memorable! Whatever. But I don't think Fox would like it much if he actually knew. I'm not even sure Fox would like ME!
But of all things I remember about the time I spent with Krystal, it would be when I played my flute and she came to me. It was hypnotizing, I know. Mia taught me how to play that tune. She told me that so many would be caught in the tranquility of it. Well, Krystal came and I took her to my place.
For the first time I'd let someone into my mansion. The first true "visitor" I'd ever had in years. I was able to show her my home. She was very captivated by my art and the statues of humans I had. But the one place she wanted to see but couldn't was the East Wing. I can't let her know what lies beyond that door.
I took her to the falls on the balcony and she told me what "trust" was. I felt I could really "trust" Krystal. But will I be able to trust Fox?
Ever since I found Krystal, Katt hasn't come by anymore. She says she'll always be watching though. She told me before I saw her last that we'd never speak of what happened between us. Do I keep silent as well?
Well, I'd love to fill you in on EVERYTHING that happened but I'm trying to go about this rather quickly, so I'm trying to get to the point.
I've seen Krystal a few times but when I finally caught a more close-up glimpse of Fox it was in a way I didn't want to. He had broken into MY home and I didn't like that. Luckily this mansion has passages so I could keep an eye on him. He looked around but then I found out he was going into the East-wing. Dammit! He can't go THERE. I tried to get to him but by the time I did… it was too late. He'd picked the lock and was going through. The first couple of doors wouldn't mean anything but the last door meant everything!
When I finally got to Fox it was too late. I was in tears... Crying because he saw the sight I never wanted him to see. The East-wing the way he never should've seen it. He saw the furs I'd hunted when I was human. I took a shotgun but he knew it wasn't loaded. This Fox was the smartest being I'd ever met. He knew I wasn't going to do anything.
He called me sick. Sick! ME of all furs! I guess I deserved that though. I shouldn't have kept them… but then I realized something. I don't want to be human again! I want to stay a fur forever! But it wasn't going to work. If I love Krystal and she loves me… she'd see me for who I really am.
I saw Krystal after that… and it turned out Fox told her but she didn't believe him. I saw Krystal that night… and I got to see the true essence of her beauty and passion… but that's a story for another time.
Fox was what interested me most. After I spent a wonderful night with Krystal I went to the church where Fox told me about how the Great Fox died. I remember hearing the story from Falco… but he isn't important in this little story I'm telling right now. Fox told me how the Great Fox was killed by his own kind. I felt bad seeing as how just like that fur I was stabbing Fox.
I really like Fox, actually. He seems like a great fur. He's strong and willing to fight for those he loves. I wish I could be like that someday. Someone who knows that he may have to give up his own happiness for others. But I don't think he likes me… and I can't blame him. After all, I'm stealing his 'girlfriend' and that probably upsets him. I don't know what love really is but I thought I did when it came to Katt.
Speaking of which, I actually saw her again. She's changed… she acts like nothing has happened. Apparently Mia and Katt are watching me through a crystal ball. But I don't think Katt wants what we had not too long ago… why couldn't she have been a shape-shifting vixen? That way if I really fell for Katt then when I went back to being human she could've been one! Sorry, I'm getting off subject.
Well, I Fox made me promise to end it. I respect Fox… He said I could see her one more night. I figured that since I'd now told Fox of my curse… its time for Krystal to know as well.
That night I saw her I kissed her for the first time and admitted my love for her. I told her of my curse but before she could say anymore I left. I came back here and now I realize… I've lost everything. I came back and I destroyed most of what lies in this mansion. Some came from after Fox had been in the East wing but knowing I'll never see Krystal again sent me over the edge. I destroyed nearly everything. My life's work, even the mural of Mia on the foyer ceiling… and Mia is my idol.
I loved her but now I have to go. I don't know what lies ahead anymore… but something does.
Fox looked at the diary and sighed. "The next one doesn't look like it'll pick up."
"Why not?" Krystal asked.
"Remember when we got into a fight and I stabbed him? That's the next entry… and the date is still unknown."
"But one question is answered." Krystal said. Fox looked to her with the expression of 'what question?' Krystal looked around the mansion. "We know who ransacked Shane's home. It was Shane himself!"
Fox looked at her and then back at the diary. "He actually LIKED me then… I didn't know. I thought we were enemies then. I didn't know he felt that way."
Krystal rested her head on his shoulder. "It's like he said in his entry. You do a lot to protect those you love. It's in the past and we've made amends for it now."
"It's almost done with. I'm sure THIS is the last entry since it's only a couple of pages." For then read the first line. "This IS the last entry… look it states 'To whoever finds this'."
"Let's read it."
Date Unknown
To whoever finds this. I'm writing this after I've talked with Mia and made myself a fox again. I've already broken my curse, but didn't find what I was looking for.
I won't say anything else that happened between Fox and myself. It's to be left in the past because I know deep in my heart that he forgives me. I've decided to do what I know Fox would do. Krystal loves Fox and so because of that I hooked their paws together before I came back to this place… for the last time.
If I'm right, then Fox or Krystal is reading this journal right now and you found it under my chair.
If I am right then please, I urge you to read the rest of what I have to say. If you've gotten this far then that means that you know why my home looks such a mess. It's because I destroyed it. I feel bad knowing I did do it. But I decided that I'd leave the mansion to Fox.
Fox you're truly the best thing to happen to Krystal. Live it up in luxury in my mansion. I leave EVERYTHING to you. Don't try to give it back to me for a second. Take care of Krystal.
If you both ever want to find me… I'll be in Zoness living a new life with hopefully a new love. I hope that I can revive what I had with Katt.
I'm assuming that Fox is reading this now. Take care of Krystal and I know that you must be feeling a bit downhearted still because I ruined what the two of you had at one point… but Fox, love works in mysterious ways… ways you couldn't possibly imagine. Don't worry because your relationship will rekindle itself and your love will shine once more. I know you're nervous Fox… because I was too. But I also know that you need to look Krystal in the eye and kiss her right now! Do it!
When you get the chance… come and see me in Zoness because I'll be waiting to see you again. I give you my best wishes… you and Krystal both.
Fox smiled after reading the last few pages. Then he looked Krystal directly in the eye and his smile brightened. "I love you… never forget that."
Krystal smiled and their lips slowly pressed towards one another and this time, the kiss was for real. A deep, passionate kiss that took them to another world where worries seemed no more.
When the kiss was broken, Fox closed the diary. "Well, let's go!"
"Don't you want to enjoy our new home?"
"You said we had to return it to him right?" Fox said holding the diary. "Well, let's give it back to him."
Krystal knew what Fox's real intention was. He wanted to see him again. "Alright, let's return it to him."
Shane returned home and Jon and Mia were waiting for him. The two were drinking tea when Shane happen to walk in on them. The two looked to the fox with great anticipation and Shane sighed. "I guess I know what I have to do." Shane said and looked over to Jon. The human never looked more anxious than now. "But we're not leaving yet." Shane announced. "I'm going to wait a little while longer. I want to know what Katt wants too."
"So you're going then?" Mia asked.
Shane nodded. "Yes, I'm going. But I want Katt to make a decision too. And I need to give her time to make that decision."
Jon stood up, pleased to know that Shane would journey along with him. "You're the boss." He placed a hand on Shane's shoulder and gave it a quick pat. "But we can't stay too long because--"
"Listen to me Jon," Shane interrupted. "as far as I'm concerned… this is my journey more than yours. I know you started it but I'm going to be the one to finish it."
"What does that mean?" Jon asked.
Shane sighed. "Just trust me when I say this."
As Shane began to walk off he heard Jon utter one last statement to him. "Does this have to do with 'The Messiah'?"
Shane stopped in his tracks. "That's right… but how do you know?"
"That Wolf O' Donnell. He talked about it from the Will of Great Fox." Jon said. "He said that a black fox with your description was going to be the Messiah."
Mia looked to Shane and then to Jon. "Well," she began… "there are some things that are best left untold."
"In that case Shane I HAVE to go more than ever!" Jon spoke up. "The Will, according to Wolf, says that you'll have a human partner and a platinum vixen to go along. Well, I'm the only human you got and we're on the same mission. This isn't just your journey Shane, it's ours too."
He was right and Shane knew he was right. "But I'm going to wait. We're waiting for Katt. If she wants to go… then she'll go. If she doesn't want to go… then she won't go."
"You're not going to try to convince her?" Mia asked.
Shane held his head low. "I'm going to live one-thousand more years. It isn't like I could spend the rest of my life with her anyway." Shane admitted. "I was told I would age much more slowly than the other furs. Only you are going to outlast me." Shane said to Mia.
"But the question is, how long are we going to be stuck here?" Jon asked.
"Patience is a virtue." Mia quoted. "And good things come to those who wait."
"So Shane and you had something once?" Jade asked.
"Only once." Katt managed to tell the same story outlined in Shane's diary but he didn't mention anything about Shane once being human for she knew that would really burn Wolf's biscuits.
"Well, what's to stop you from going back to those days?" Wolf asked.
"I don't think I can trust Shane like that again. He fell for me and I fell for him… and then out of nowhere he falls for this vixen because…"
"Because what?" Wolf asked.
"Never mind… it's really not important."
Wolf didn't press the matter any further but he knew she was holding something back. "I take it you're going to rest here tonight?"
Katt smiled. "I'd be forever grateful if you let me."
"Fine by me." Wolf said and then looked to Jade. "You know, a human once told me his motto was 'Forgive and forget'. Maybe you should forget the past and move on. I know I have." Wolf said as he looked to Jade. "Perhaps you need to move on too. What's in the past is in the past and you can't change it."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Good night Katt." Jade said and smiled as the feline began to fall fast asleep. "Give her a blanket Wolf."
Wolf walked over to a closet and pulled out a blanket and spread it over Katt. "Something seems fishy about her story." Wolf said. "Something that isn't right."
"Like what?" Jade asked.
"Something she isn't telling us… about Shane."
"Maybe we should ask Shane about it?"
"No, we can't pry into his personal life." Wolf said.
Then Jade realized what she knew that he didn't. Shane had once been human… but in Katt's story she left that out… why? "Are you even curious?"
"Of course I am." Wolf admitted. "But for whatever reason she left it out… I'm sure it's a good one."
Good for you… Jade thought. "Let's get some rest."
The Next Morning
There was profuse knocking at Shane's door and he was a little miffed since he was still sleepy. When Shane took a look at the clock it was still too early. The sun was just barely rising and Shane began to wonder who'd be knocking at the door this early. He took a step out of the bed and noticed Mia and Jon were out cold. "How can they sleep with that pounding?" Shane asked himself aloud.
The pounding began to rise in decibels and Shane's head began to pound while his ears began to ring. "I'm coming!" Shane called out like an annoyed neighbor who didn't want any visitors ever.
When Shane finally got to the door and answered it he was surprised. Standing before him was Krystal and in her paws was a book. Shane eyeballed the book more and noticed that it read "Shane's" on the cover. It was his diary.
"So you found it?" Shane asked.
"And read it." Fox came up behind her.
"And now you're here?"
"Yes."
"Why?" Shane asked.
"So that we can truly make amends." Fox answered. "How about a drink?"
A/N: OK, I stopped here because the next chapter I HAD to save for later. I decided it was best to divide this chapter (and you already read the first part: Chapter 17). Now that Fox and Krystal are in Zoness Shane has some explaining to do. But for what it's worth I'm just glad this fic is back! Please read and review and if you have any insight for my new fic coming soon (and a suggested title) drop me a line! If you want to know what my new work is about read it in my bio (it says "Working Title" next to it). Anyway, enjoy your read and I'll update soon.