Chapter 6: The Injected

Never in Falco's life had he felt so hopeful. Knowing Katt was still alive gave him newfound hope to earn back forgiveness for all the emotional suffering he had caused her. In the back of his mind, Falco knew that accepting responsibility for his actions was not easy, but as knew very well, time heals all wounds – both physical and emotional.

Screeching into the hospital parking lot, Falco leapt off his bike and pushed his way through the crowd to the front desk. Panting feverishly, he leaned over the desk at the mouse receptionist. "Where is she?"

The mouse spoke with a nasal accent. "Ah, you must be Falco Lomb…"

Falco grabbed a handful of the mouse's blouse, catching the attention of everyone within hearing distance. "I SAID WHERE IS SHE, DAMMIT?"

The receptionist's mouth quivered slightly and pointed a nervous finger down the hall. "R-Room 1207B, but I w-wouldn't…"

Falco immediately dropped the mouse back into her chair and rushed toward the stairs. The halls were a blur of blue and white; Falco sped up the stairs as quickly as his legs would allow, dodging occasional patients and doctors along the way. Quickly following the signs on the walls, Falco frantically searched for room 1207B. Ultimately stumbling upon it, Falco shoved the door open. The avian's face blanched at what he saw.

Katt Monroe rested peacefully on the only hospital bed in the room, but not with the lovely face Falco knew so well; instead, she was a mangled, mutilated, crippled mess. One black eye, a broken nose, a broken jaw, a bandaged gash above her left eye, a broken right arm with bruises on the left; I.V. tubes protruded from her arms, with other tubes extending from her nose and mouth. Falco averted his gaze, unable to withstand the sight of Katt's condition any longer. He slumped down and leaned on his knees in a chair next to the battered victim and hung his head in shame.

"Katt," Falco's voice croaked, "I wish you were awake to hear this." The avian grasped Katt's limp, frail paw. "But I'm sorry. I've never meant that more than I do now, Katt. I made a stupid mistake…no, the stupidest mistake of my LIFE…and I…" Falco had to swallow hard to keep tears from overflowing. "…I understand if I don't deserve your pity." The distraught bird squeezed the feline's paw and quickly wiped away tears that had escaped onto his face. "I know who did this to you, Katt, and I will prove to you and to myself that I can and will change; I will find him and make sure that he never lays a finger on you again, you have my word." A fiery rage began to build inside Falco that he began trembling with anger. "Mark my words, Katt. He will most certainly pay." Falco sank to his knees on the floor and stared at the face stained with blood and bruises; he waited in vain to see if Katt would answer, but all he heard was the steady beeping of the heart monitor echoing in the room's emptiness.

"You didn't deserve this, Katt. You didn't do anything wrong." Falco closed his eyes and sighed. "I'm the one who needs to get beaten up." Falco focused his dreary gaze on the reflective floor. "At least I deserve it."

"Excuse me, sir." Falco acknowledged the speaker with a slight turn of his head; a male canine doctor walked in with a medical chart. "You have some friends here to see you." The doctor moved aside, allowing Fox, Krystal, Slippy, Peppy and Rose into the room. Falco continued kneeling at Katt's bedside; Fox knelt beside his friend and looped an arm over his shoulder.

"Falco, I'm so sorry." Fox spoke calmly.

"Don't be." Falco answered. "I brought this on myself; this is all my fault."

Peppy adjusted his spectacles. "Is she going to be okay?"

The doctor turned and examined Katt's wounded form and then at the medical chart. "She's lucky to be alive. Whoever did this did a real number on her. Scans show three broken bones in the nose, jaw and arm aside from the gash on her head and the multiple bruises, but that's not all. We also found her to have a dislocated shoulder, two cracked ribs and a bruised lung."

Rose's ears drooped. "Oh, the poor thing. Will she recover okay?"

"Right now, she's in a coma, but she should recover just fine in about three to four months with adequate treatment."

A gentle knock rapped on the door; General Pepper walked in with a bouquet of white roses. "Good evening, son. I got here as soon as I could after Peppy told me what happened."

Except for Falco and Peppy, everyone looked at the doctor; he bore a striking resemblance to the general: similar in size, but the doctor was taller. "Hello, father. I'm glad you're doing well in this time of crisis. It's amazing what happened at the base today, is everyone okay?"

The general placed the roses on a desk next to the bed. "Unfortunately, no. We suffered some casualties in the research wing. Apparently, some sort of monsters attacked them."

Krystal bit her lower lip. "They were after me, sir."

"I'm sorry?"

"Those creatures were out to kill me, general. I'd explain but it's a long story."

Pepper escorted Krystal out of the room and down the hall. "Go on, tell me. I've got time."

As Krystal left with the general, Fox turned to the others left in the room. "I'd like to be alone for a minute, please." Without a word, Slippy, Rose, Peppy and the doctor quietly left Fox alone with Falco.

"Dr. Pepper, hmm…where have I heard that name before? Sounds familiar…" Fox shook his head in befuddlement and returned his attention to Falco. "Look Falco, the doctor said…"

"I heard what the doctor said, Fox." Falco spoke at last, his voice somber and dull.

"You have nothing to worry about. Katt is going to be okay." Fox assured his friend.

Falco silently rose from his kneeling position and slowly shuffled to the room's large window overlooking the city. The evening sky burned bright rays of oranges and pink through the tall skyscrapers. "Then why don't I feel any better?"

Fox joined Falco at the window admiring the patterns of the rays of light. "Falco, mistakes of this magnitude aren't forgiven in a day…"

"Tell me about it." The avian retorted.

A long pause lingered before Fox continued. "I know you have little patience, but I'm asking you to please have some this time. Give Katt some time and she'll ultimately forgive you. Time heals all wounds, no matter how severe."

The avian looked at his vulpine friend. "Fox, the last time I spoke to her, she said she never wants to see me again! Then, she goes and falls head over heels for that Angora guy and look what it's gotten her!"

Fox sighed. "Those are only words, Falco. If Katt were conscious right now, do you think she'd still say that?" He took a glance at the decrepit feline on the bed. "You both made mistakes, everyone does. I know Katt better than you do and I know she'll forgive you." Fox prodded a finger in Falco's arm. "But it's up to you to forgive her. She needs you now, Falco, now more than she's ever needed you before." Fox paused to let the words sink in. "Are you up to it?"

Falco stood rigid as he listened to Fox's footsteps fade away into nothingness. He stood at the window, contemplating the words of his vulpine comrade and arrived at one conclusion:

Fox was absolutely right.

Hours later…(approximately 9:38 p.m.)

Falco slumped in the chair, eyes growing heavy with drowsiness with the passing time. Fox had brought him a candy bar from the snack lounge, but Falco had yet to open it; he was still thinking about the feline sitting in the hospital bed in front of him.

Falco rarely felt this type of emotion over anything, not since his parents were alive. His only show of emotion now was when he was blasting enemy ships from his arwing, rushing with adrenaline and taunting the amateur pilots with his superior skills. But all that sat in the back of his mind now; all he could think about now was remorse for what he had done to Katt. Fox was right when he said Falco had to forgive Katt, but Falco wasn't the forgiving type, which only madeforgiveness that much more difficult.

"Shit, I need a smoke." Falco pulled out a cigarette and a lighter just as an attractive avian nurse walked in the room.

"Sir, smoking isn't allowed in the building, you have to take that outside."

Falco stared at her for a moment. "Can't I just open a window?"

"Outside, sir."

Without a word, Falco stood and slouched out of the room, not bothering to look at the nurse; he certainly wasn't going to be falling for another pretty face anytime soon. Too bad the nurse hadn't a clue what was going on; she was smart in keeping the window shut because what was lurking beneath the window outside was waiting for the perfect opportunity…

Rose and Team Starfox sat silently in the waiting room, having nothing else better to do now that a close friend's life was in danger. The doctor told them Katt would be fine, but they all knew anything could happen at a moment's notice. General Pepper had left some time earlier to warn the military; by now, the incident at the base had spread like wildfire around the planet.

"Hey, Fox."

The vulpine looked up, as did the others, recognizing the familiar voice. "Hey, Bill. From those balloons you've got there, I'd say you heard about Katt as well?"

The husky shrugged inside of his thick brown jacket. "It was the least I could do. What room is she in?"

"Down the hall, she's in the last room on the right. Take a barf bag, though. She looks horrible."

Bill pulled a face as he turned and headed toward Katt's hospital room. Bill disliked hospitals as much as the next guy, but he had an obligation to fill to one of his closest friends.

Right outside Katt's window, clinging to the concrete wall, Angora watched with wicked intent the woman he hoped would be his unholy queen.

"Very soon, my dear, you will be mine forever. At last, I shall rule the universe." The disguised demon was about to climb off the wall into the room when he spotted Bill walking into the room. Angora had to duck back outside to avoid being seen.

"Blasted fool! What does he think he's doing?" Angora whispered to himself. He watched carefully as the husky set the 'Get Well Soon' balloons aside and simply stood at Katt's bedside.

Bill picked up the medical chart on the nearby table and slowly skimmed its contents. "Geez, Katt. You're lucky to be alive." He then set the chart down and removed his jacket. "Damn, it's warm in here. I think I'll open this window."

Angora ducked out of view as Bill pulled up on the window, allowing a cool breeze to enter the room. However, Bill's next move was a mistake – he turned around.

Angora spotted a small potted plant on the windowsill and discovered an idea. Seizing the plant, the albino cat took careful aim and launched it in a beeline for Bill's head. The clay pot hit its desired target; it shattered on Bill's skull and the canine collapsed unconscious. Grinning, Angora climbed into the room and, before anyone saw him, locked the door. He turned to his helpless victim. He looked at himself in the mirror and snorted with contempt.

"This disguise is worthless to me now." Angora threw his gray trench coat on the prone, paralyzed husky, revealing a massive pair of demonic wings. Then, with a mighty roar, he clutched a handful of fur on the back of his skull and pulled. Fur and flesh ripped and tore as the demon's gummy skin ruptured through the slimy inner pelt until the demon Zolao himself stood; the pelage he once wore now flopped limp on the floor. Zolao towered over Katt and carefully mounted her, staring long at her belly, touching it almost in a reverent nature.

"With my seed inside you, my queen, you will be mine forever!" With that, Zolao thrust inside her, injected her loins with his evil seed.

Katt couldn't wake up. She wanted to, but couldn't; something was keeping her from opening her eyes and seeing what was happening to her. But she didn't have to see anything, she could feel it; she could feel it deep down, down in the depths where no one had ever ventured. The feeling gushed through her loins, a warm, sexual feeling; it was like an erotic kind of sexual feeling that was rather…pleasing. But something wasn't right; this sensation had a rather odd sense to it; it felt…evil. But the feeling didn't stop, and every moment of it was pleasurable, like indulging in erogenous sex. The feeling spread through her body – through to her legs, arms, and chest, and every moment of it was pure ecstasy. With each thrust, the demon's seed shot into her like a bullet, exciting a part of her that screamed for more in utter rapture. She could almost feel the seed taking effect; the monster, amidst the erotic bliss, was slowly developing inside the feline's belly, and in a short time this monster's time will come.

Krystal's head rested peacefully on Fox's shoulder, too tired to stay up any later, but Fox was having trouble staying awake as well. In light of all that was happening, the vixen had snuggled close to the war hero for added protection. Her face was slightly damp from crying, and Fox had an arm around her shoulder for reassurance; she had been crying for Falco and for Katt and for everything that had happened between them. Being of a kind and generous nature, Krystal hated to see a couple that seemingly got along have something tragic happen to them. Suddenly, Krystal was jarred awake by a familiar sensation…and she immediately frowned. She reached behind her and found that her staff was glowing yellow again.

"Fox! Wake up!" Krystal shook Fox vigorously until his eyelids fluttered open. "It's Zolao, he's here!" The other members in the room awoke groggily to the vixen's warning, making her impatient. With an angry huff, she bolted down the hall toward Katt's room. To her disappointment, Krystal found the door to be locked.

"Dammit!" She shouted audibly, drawing the attention of several nurses. She took several paces back and aimed her staff at the wooden door. Everyone in the hall stopped and stared before a green burst of energy shot from the staff and exploded in a cloud of smoke. The door handle had been knocked clean off and a splintery hole was left in the door, but the hole wasn't big enough for Krystal to fit; however, she had another idea. Running at full speed and screaming as loud as possible, she lowered a shoulder and slammed into the door so hard as to knock it off its hinges. The vixen staggered in, only to see Zolao standing triumphantly in front of her with a sadist grin.

"You're too late, vixen. Your friend is now mine and you can't do a thing to change it. Say goodbye to your pathetic Lylat System…OW!" A sharp blast struck Zolao in the chest. He turned to the door to see Fox standing with his blaster still aimed at the demon. "You impertinent fool! Your mortal weapons can't hurt me!"

Krystal saw her chance. With Zolao distracted, Krystal lunged at him, but the demon was quick enough to avoid her, letting her fall to the floor harmlessly. Zolao nimbly leapt onto the windowsill and soared away from the building; Krystal scrambled to her feet and gave chase. Bad idea.

"Krystal! Don't!" Fox shouted, but the vixen didn't listen; she jumped onto the windowsill just as easily and made a leap of faith at the demon, but caught nothing but air. What was worse was that she was soaring out of a twelfth story window, and without anything to fall on except asphalt. Miraculously, Krystal felt a sharp tug on her ankle. She smiled gratefully when she looked up and saw Fox holding on grimly with both paws. Nurses and doctors helped Peppy and the others pull the foxes to safety.

Falco was completely oblivious to what had happened; he leaned against a round column and puffed solemnly on his cigarette. He took a peek at a nearby newspaper stand; one of the stories read, "Suicide rates up 5 from last year". Falco just shook his head, considering the thought. Fox had told Falco to do something he knew he couldn't do, and the thought of it just ate Falco up inside to the point where he started thinking crazy. But something was telling Falco not to go through with his suicidal thoughts; was it sympathy or was it a guilt trip? A police siren pulling in front of him interrupted his thoughts; a rodent and a canine officer stepped out of the vehicle, talking on their radios. They were talking too fast for Falco but he heard one of the officers repeat "1207B", exactly what he didn't want to hear. Falco grew concerned. Who would attack an injured woman in the hospital? He stormed past the officers and back into the building.

Fox and the others were concerned as well; they watched nurses inspect Katt thoroughly for any further signs of damage, but Krystal already knew what kind of damage had been done. She huddled close to Fox, who was standing in front of the bed with a look of disbelief etched on his face. Rose had taken a curious interest in the furry shell of whoever had been Zolao's victim. Peppy had helped revive Bill and held a compress to the bruise on his head. Slippy took a peek inside one of the trench coat pockets and discovered a wallet with money, credit cards and a driver's license. He conspicuously slipped a bit of the money into his jacket before he approached Peppy with the driver's license.

"Look, Peppy. This guy used to work at the base. You know him?"

"No, but those who do are going to be really sad when they hear about what happened."

Krystal looked dejected at her staff; although Zolao had escaped, the yellow glow lingered. "Look at this, Fox. We're too late; Zolao has already injected Katt and now she's slowly becoming one of them." She sighed, a ton of sadness weighed on her. "We shouldn't have left the room."

Fox hugged Krystal closely, holding her head in his chest while she buried her pretty face in it. "Don't worry, Krys. We're going to find a way out of this. We'll get Katt back. Somehow."

The sound of hurried footsteps pushed its way past the officers and doctors cluttering the room. Falco stumbled in, wheezing like a fish out of water from running up the stairs. "Katt! Is she…?" Falco turned and saw his girlfriend the way he left her, unloading a load of worry off his back. "Oh, thank God…aw, shit, I was so fuckin' worried." Falco panted. He fell back into a chair to enjoy its comfort, but didn't get toforvery long. Fox and Krystal looked at each other, each wanting the other to break the bad news to Falco. Finally, Fox broke the short silence.

"Falco, um, we have some…rather unfortunate news about Katt."

The bird's eyes grew wide with anxiety. "What the hell are you talking about, Fox? What's wrong?"

Fox sighed. This definitely wasn't going to be easy. "Follow me."

"Lord Cephil!"

The wrinkled face of Lord Cephil appeared in the violet mist. "Yes, master?"

Zolao grinned. "I have done it. Fertilization is complete."

Cephil's face returned the evil smile. "Yes! Excellent, master! Well done!"

"On the night of the third full moon, Cephil, the time will come. Our queen will be ready."

More to come in Chapter 7! (Please review)