Well, what can I say...I took way to long gettin' this thing out there and I am deeply sorry...my first copy of this installment was deleted, which makes it really hard to write I've learned. So I had to start over and just in case you didn't know, that is one of the least fun things you can possibly think of...and discouraging...oh well, I can sit here and make excuses all day, but you probably don't want to hear me talk so I'll shut up now...
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Chapter 18: Preparations
A soft light gradually began to fill the previously darkened room, but no longer was this light mixed with the green reflection of the planet Kaltar. It was a pure, clear light that slowly filled the room as the sun gradually peeked over the sill of the room's large window. The light began at the ceiling of the room and steadily made it's way down the wall and onto the floor. It eventually came to rest on the face of a sleeping vulpine, who cringed and slowly turned his back to the light. He passively noticed the mattress he was sleeping on was slightly firmer than what he was used too, but quickly forgot about the foolish thought and re-concentrated on falling asleep.
Suddenly out of the silence and darkness of the room came the sound of a sliding metallic door. Fox subconsciously heard the feint noise and soon, he found his eyes covered in a shadow. Fox forgot about the noise he had heard when he realized that this shadow was blocking the sun from shining in his eyes. He gave off a content sigh as this darkness shaded his face and he, once again, found himself on the brink of falling asleep.
All of a sudden, Fox felt something else against his face. It was not the warmth the sun provided, nor was it the comforting shadow that had covered him previously. This was an actual object, it was solid, and it slowly rocked his head back and forth. Fox could feel the object pushing into his face, slowly and almost painfully moving it from side to side. A voice soon came from above him, "Hey, how's that floor treatin' ya McCloud?" Fox could not identify the voice in his current state of being almost fully asleep, but he knew whoever was doing this was about to regret it. The playfully harsh voice rang into his ears again, "Ya know what today is right? You're gonna have to get up sooner or later if you want to go into the city with your little vixen friend."
It took a moment for the half-asleep Fox to register what he had just heard, but the weary fox quickly forgot about it as he placed his hands on the object that was still pressing on his face and threw it to the side with a frustrated groan. Fox then slowly opened his eyes and looked up into the face of the figure that stood above him. Fox let his head fall softly back to the floor and closed his eyes when he saw who it was. Falco...
"Come on McCloud, it's already way past 10 o' clock and the whole crew is sittin' on the bridge waiting for your majesty to wake up. You know we can't get off the ship without your permission, right?" Fox quickly conjugated a response as he slowly leaned up against the bed he found beside him, "That didn't stop you from leaving the team a few days ago." Falco smirked and replied in an amused tone of voice, "Heh, That's right, I'm not letting regulations get in the way of what I wanna do." Fox let out a tired yawn as Falco walked back towards the doorway, "Anyway, You better get up to the bridge, Peppy and Katt are gettin' cranky." Falco began to walk out of sight, but quickly peeked back into the room with a smirk and added, "Oh, and by the way, finding you in your girlfriend's room isn't suspicious at all." He quickly walked away after finishing his sentence and the door slowly came to a close behind him.
Fox hesitated for a moment before he placed his hands on his eyes and attempted to rub the sleep out of them. After he lowered his hands from his face he took a few quick blinks to regain his focus. When his vision finally did clear, he glanced nervously around the room. To his surprise, he found himself not in his own room, but in Krystal's. Not only that, but he also noticed the he was sitting on the floor and not on the bed as he had once thought. Fox quickly stood up from off the floor, finding himself slightly embarrassed, and tried to remember what had happened the night before.
Well, I've gotta say, that's the first time I remember waking up on the floor of someone else's room...but how did I get here in the first place? I can't really remember. Let's see...I came off the bridge early because I was tired...and then I went into my room and went to bed like always...right? Wait, I didn't go into my room because there was something I wanted to do in...this room? Ya, didn't it have something to do with that...that plant thing?
Fox looked around the room until his eyes landed on the easily recognizable plant. He cracked an embarrassed smirk as he slowly walked over to the plant. He leaned over slightly and quickly swiped it up off the ground and into his hand. Fox then placed it on top of one of Krystal's dressers. He stared at the plant as he now fully remembered what had happened.
Heh, I guess I must've fallen asleep when I was trying to get this weird flower to bloom...But you'd think I could've dozed off somewhere a little more comfortable...ya know, like a couch or a bed...but I have to go and fall asleep on the floor...man, now that I think about it, my neck feels really tight...I'm gonna have to remember to practice with that plant only when I'm sitting on something with a cushion...heh...or maybe when I'm not half-asleep. Hey wait! What am I doing talking to myself? I've gotta get up to the bridge, everyone's waiting for me...
(On the Great Fox bridge)
The atmosphere that filled the bridge was chilling to say the least. Katt and Peppy both seemed extremely impatient and hadn't said anything since Falco had left to get Fox. After their argument last night, Katt and Peppy had gained a strong dislike for each other. The distance they had put between themselves on the bridge made this feeling easily distinguishable.
The only other animal on the bridge was Krystal. She did notice the feeling of tension in the air, but knew that trying to fix things like this so soon could only serve to make things worse. Instead, she stood on the front of the bridge, staring out into the metal walls of the docking bay they had just landed in. She thought of all the wonderful things she would see at this place, which she remembered from General Pepper's transmission, as being more of a resort than just another docking colony. She had seen the beautiful hotel back on Corneria, but in her mind, she imagined this city to be far beyond that. Subconsciously, she could see the streets of this grand city lined with lovely, vibrant flowers and majestic buildings that rose into the sky until they scrapped against the clouds. Lakes and rivers that were pure, sparkling blue and fresh, crisp air that enclosed around it all. She was eagerly looking forward to experiencing all these marvelous things, but there was something even greater that she awaited. And that was merely the chance to spend more time with Fox. The one she had become so fixated on in seemingly no time at all. It seemed so strange to her that someone like Fox could make her feel the way she did in only a matter of days. She let out a quiet sigh as she entered into thought.
I suppose fate has strange ways of handling such things...but if what the scroll said is true, there will be much more in store for us than just these feelings...both good and bad...There will be many hardships...hardships that will push our companionship to the edge...yet if we can pass through those difficult times...when we finally complete this journey...when Cerinia is taken back from the clutches of this unknown evil, along with the rest of the planets we constantly seek to free from that same evil...when it is all over...the scroll will still not yet be completely fulfilled...there is only one thing it describes after its talk of saving Cerinia...It describes the Conqueror of destiny and the one that accompanied him...the only survivor of that doomed planet...to be together for all of time...and...for me...that time could never come soon enough...
Krystal's thoughts were disrupted when she heard the bridge doors opening from behind her. Everyone turned their attention to the metal door as the blue avian entered and began to speak, "Hey guys, good news. The captain has finally decided to wake up. I guess 14 hours of sleep just wasn't enough for em'." Katt replied flippantly, "Well, finally...It's not like we're gonna be gettin' off days like this very often during this mission...and of course, today is when our little Foxboy decides to sleep in. If I woulda known I'd have to stand up here for 2 hours waitin' for him, I'd still be in bed." Falco replied with a smirk as he began to make his way to his assigned chair on the bridge, "Heh, You need all the beauty rest you can get huh?" Katt shot Falco a scowl, "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" Falco smirk turned into a blatant smile as he answered, "I know how cranky you can get when you don't get enough sleep, just listen to yourself right now." Katt responded while trying to contain the strange anger she constantly felt towards Falco, "Sorry, I don't get "cranky", it's just that sometimes there's these really annoying animals that make me raise my voice when I talk to them so they'll shut up. Make sense?" Falco nodded mockingly, "I see, well if I ever come across someone like that I'll make sure to tell them to lay off on ya, ok?" Katt focused her eyes squarely on Falco, "I was talking about you...idiot." Falco's smirk reappeared as he responded sarcastically, "Oh man Katt, that was cold...I don't think I'm gonna recover from that one for a while." Katt now flashed Falco her own smirk, "Heh, best news I've heard since I boarded this ship."
Falco was ready with his own comeback to add to the never-ending torrent of mocks and insults that would have ensued, but he was cut off when the door to the bridge opened once again.
Fox entered with one hand behind his neck and a slightly embarrassed expression on his face, "Hey everyone, uh...sorry I'm late...I guess I just kinda..." Falco quickly took his focus off of Katt and cut Fox off, "Heh, It's no big deal McCloud, what I really don't get is why the heck we're sittin' around here talkin' when there's a big time resort waiting right outside the ship." Fox nodded as he placed his hand back at his side, "Ya, right, you can all leave whenever you want...we'll be docked here until tomorrow so you just have to be back here...I dunno, at about 11 in the morning tomorrow." Fox paused and quickly added, "By the way, the money you use down there is coming straight from the money we got from our last mission, so don't blow it all, cause we need that money for this ship." He paused for a moment and continued, "Well, I guess that pretty much covers everything. Let's make this day count guys, this is probably the last time we'll get the chance to do something like this..."
Falco rose from his seat and walked up to Fox's side. He placed one of his feathery hands on Fox's shoulder and told him quietly with a indicative smirk, "Heh, You mean you'll try and make this day count with you-know-who..." Fox quickly caught the bird's meaning and weakly responded as Falco walked off the bridge, "What are you talking..." Fox was cut off as Katt walked past and added to Falco's reasoning, "Heh, can't really hide it now can you loverboy? Just don't get too carried away, all right?" Fox sighed as he watched Katt walk slowly off the bridge and disappear down the escalator.
I was hoping she was going to lay off saying stuff like that...but now that I stop and think about it...how far do I really want to take...
Fox cut himself from his thoughts as Peppy silently scrolled past him and down the escalator. As the old hare passed, Fox could sense a feeling of bitterness coming from his oldest crewmember. It was strange, usually Peppy's presence was more comforting, but lately it seemed like that comforting feeling Fox got from seeing his old friend was evaporating. Fox stared off down the hallway and re-entered into thought.
Weird, Peppy's been acting differently lately. I really haven't talked with him for a while, so I really don't have any idea what kinda problems he might have...Well, he knows I can talk with him whenever he wants, maybe this off time will help him with...
Fox quickly stopped his train of thought as he felt something being placed on his shoulder. He hesitated for a moment, but then quickly turned to see that it was a hand that had been placed on his shoulder. A slight giggle rose from in front of him, "I'm sorry if that frightened you..." Fox looked up into Krystal's smiling face and broke a smile of his own, "You don't need to be sorry...I guess I just zoned out for a second there." Krystal replied, "You seem to do that quite often don't you?" Fox responded, "Ya, well I've had a lot to think about lately..." Krystal added with a slight tone of concern, "Still wondering what exactly we are up against, are you?" Fox nodded in affirmation and Krystal continued, "I as well have been thinking of such things..." Krystal paused for a second and regained her smile before continuing, "But I've also been thinking about today...If you recall, General Pepper informed us that we should enjoy the time we spent here at this docking colony...For us, I believe it would be best if we tried to forget about these pressing matters for today, you said it yourself, this will probably be the last time we will get an opportunity like this."
Fox hesitated for a moment as he realized how many times Krystal kept saying words like " we" and "us." It didn't really strike his until just now; she already knew that they were going to spend this entire day together. It shocked him, he never really expected her to want to spend the entire day with him...
That's weird, I didn't actually think that she would plan the entire day around me...not that I'm complaining at all, but it just seems odd that she would do that...maybe she really does feel that same thing I am towards her...And now that I know we'll have the whole day together...I'm sure I'll be able to ask her sometime during the day...That is...if I can actually bring myself to ask her...man, I'm starting to get nervous like the first time I met her...I hope I don't blow this whole thing...especially after it coming together so perfectly like this...
He responded to Krystal's statement only moments after she finished speaking, "You're probably right, I wouldn't want to waste the whole day worrying about that stuff..." Krystal responded in a cheerful voice, "That's good to hear, if would be a shame if let this day go to waste..." She paused for a second, but quickly continued, "Which reminds me, when exactly are we leaving?" Fox hesitated for a second, but quickly responded, "Well, I guess we can leave whenever we want...oh, hang on a sec..."
Fox turned from Krystal and walked behind ROB's computer. Krystal curiously followed behind him and saw one of the many monitors on the large computer come to life. The picture of a familiar robot appeared on the screen and it spoke in the usual monotone voice, "Fox McCloud, do you require assistance?" Fox nodded and replied, "Ya, I'm gonna need you to grab some stuff outta my room before we leave. Can you run over there and get my stuff? And bring it back up to the bridge when you're done, got that?" ROB replied, "Affirmative, I will retrieve necessary items for your off-ship excursion. I will be finished momentarily." Fox responded, "Thanks ROB, I think that's all...oh actually, hold on..." Fox looked quickly over his shoulder and said, "Do you need ROB to get anything out of your room before we leave the ship?" Krystal thought for a second and replied, "Well, I suppose, but nothing much, I really didn't bring that much with me you know. I think all I could bring is my other pair of cloths, I believe that is all though." Fox nodded and returned his attention to the monitor in front of him, "You got that ROB?" The robot replied, "Affirmative, will obtain requested items from rooms of both Fox McCloud and Krystal McCloud. I will arrive on the bridge shortly." Fox hesitated as the screen went blank in front of him.
What the heck did I just hear him say? Krystal McCloud? Since when did ROB learn to say that? That Slippy must think he's a pretty funny guy...
"Fox, is there something wrong." Fox looked over his shoulder and saw Krystal with a concerned look on her face. He blinked a few times to refocus and said with a weak voice, "Uhh...nothing, I was just thinking about...what we were gonna do when we got off the ship..." Krystal's expression suddenly lit up and she spoke in a cheerful voice, "I was wondering that myself just a little while ago. I am very much looking forward to exploring this place. But I wonder, what exactly is there to do?" Fox shook his head as he replied, "Well, I've never been here before so I don't really know what this place has to offer...but I'm sure we can find something to do...Maybe it'd be better if we found a hotel or something first and then we can figure out what we want to do after that." Krystal nodded in agreement and replied, "Yes, that would probably be the best way to go about it. Then we can take or time in deciding what exactly it is we wish to do." Fox nodded as he turned around and sat on the computer he was standing by, "Ya, then we'll also know for sure that we have a place to stay after we're done in town."
Krystal walked back down towards the bridge window and said back to Fox, "Just talking about this place makes me even more eager to see it...and this view of the docking bay isn't really helping at all." Fox stood up and walked down the small stairway from ROB's computer and stopped at Krystal's side. He smiled and replied, "I know what you mean...I've heard so many stories about this place from my Father back when I was a kit. I can't wait to get out there either..." Krystal eagerly looked over at Fox, "So you do know something about this place after all?" Fox looked over to see the expression on her face and responded, "I guess I know a little, but I can't really remember the details...The only thing I can remember him telling me was that there is something like a small scale ocean in middle of the colony, and along the outside of the water is one huge beach." Krystal commented with increasing enthusiasm, "Really? Do you think we will be able to visit that beach Fox?" Fox smiled and replied, "Of course, whatever you want to do is fine with me. I'm just..."
Fox stopped himself as he heard the bridge door slide open behind him. Both vulpines turned at the same time to see ROB enter through the open bridge doors carrying a single bag in one of his metallic hands. Fox and Krystal walked over towards the robot as it set the bag onto the ground. Fox stopped just before he reached the bag and said, "Thanks ROB, you should probably go help Slippy with the repairs now." The robot replied, "Affirmative, will resume assistance with Great Fox repairs." ROB walked slowly past them and stood at his usual spot by his computer in the back of the bridge. Fox reached down and picked the bag up off the ground before looking over at Krystal. "Ready to go?" Krystal smiled and said in a voice that was barely above a whisper, "I've been awaiting this day for quite some time...of course I'm ready Fox." Fox replied as they made their way off the bridge together, "Great, then let's get this day started..."
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AUTHOR'S NOTES: Ya, I said this one would be done sooner, but then I realize that with school and other stuff, it makes it really hard to do this at any where near the speed it was being accomplished during the summer, and for that, I am sorry. So in light of the fact that I will not be able to type as much, I am adding this little thing at the end of each chapter that says what's in the next chapter, in hopes that maybe that will suffice for the fact that you can now expect a new chapter every month from me...and I really hate to say that cause I love writing this thing...but it's not gonna get me to college, that's for sure...
P.S. Sorry this chapter wasn't that exciting, I just wanted to use this chapter to set up the next one...which if you didn't already figure out, is gonna be pretty close to one huge date...so ya...I guess you have some mushy lines waiting ahead so that's your reward for reading this chapter I guess...maybe.
Chapter 19: Fox and Krystal enter into the Xavix-Yuan docking colony and begin their day together. Krystal becomes the pair's day planner and Fox is put into many awkward positions because of it. How will the people of this extravagant docking colony react to Krystal? Fox is about to find out that he's not the only one who wants her...It seems that CBN broadcast of Krystal sparked the interest of many others who saw it. Will Fox be able to defend her? Tune in...er, open the web page to Echoes of the Future next month(ish) to find out!