Chapter 4

Frozen Lotus

Krystal sat alone in her room. Though the amenities provided were enough to put a 5-star resort to shame, nothing here could elevate her mood. It had been one week since she'd been brought to…god knows where. Seven long days away from her team. Seven days away from Fox. The creaking of a door caught her attention. Turning her head she saw a feline maid she'd come to recognize, Clara, holding a bundle of cloth.

"Good afternoon, miss Krystal" the cat said without a hint of emotion. "You are expected for dinner."

Now that got her attention. 'Dinner?' Her meals had always been brought to her room and then cleared away after.

"Who's expecting me?" Krystal inquired, unsure if she'd get an answer.

"The matron has summoned you" was the monotone reply "and you will attend." The cat laid the bundle on Krystal's bed, unwrapping it. Krystal's eyes grew wide, recognizing the clothing before her.

"Where did you get that?" Krystal asked, her eyes not leaving the Cerinian clothing placed before her. It was an identical set to the one she'd worn on dinosaur planet. She hadn't worn this type of outfit in years.

"Please change promptly." Clara said, narrowing her eyes "The matron will accept NO refusal."

Her hand forced, Krystal slowly began to change clothes. The dress she wore on the day of her kidnapping was long since thrown away by Clara. When these goons threw her into this room, she found the dresser and closet fully stocked with all manner of female clothes in her size. That they'd known her exact measurements was strange enough, but forcing her to wear THIS was on another level.

"Faster please!" Clara firmly spoke out "You will not make us late!"

Not wanting to draw the ire of her minder, Krystal quickly finished putting on her outfit, including the sandals provided. As she followed Clara into the hallway Krystal reflected on how she felt in her Cerinian garments. Before coming to Corneria with Star Fox she felt fully comfortable in them, now though, they made her feel exposed.

As Krystal walked through the station she and Clara passed several other animals going about their business. While the females they passed eyed Krystal with curiosity, the vixen soon noticed the males averting their eyes in fear. Picking up on Krystal's confusion, Clara sought to enlighten her.

"The matron has given strict orders for your safety." She offered "Any male who touches you will lose a hand, any male who leers at you will lose an eye."

"…I thank the matron for her concern." Krystal stammered out.

Nodding at her reply the cat soon took her down a side corridor, away from the main hustle and bustle of the outpost. Soon, they arrived at a grand wooden door, significant, as nearly every other door on the station was made of metal.

"We are here" Clara said, giving Krystal a short bow "The young masters await." Without another word the cat had opened the door and ushering Krystal inside. The heavy frame soon closing behind her.

Krystal turned to look about the room, soon gaining more questions than answers. The room was a small dining room with a table set for four, an open chair ready for her to sit in. On her left sat the white fox Flurry, absentmindedly playing with a handheld console, his boots carelessly resting on the once-clean table cloth.

Opposite her chair, was another empty chair with yet another wooden door behind that. Krystal noted the the black symbol painted on the doorway, a symbol she was intimately familiar with, yet thought she would never see again.

On her right though is what really broke her brain. There stood Blizzard, decked out in a Cerinian outfit of his own. Standing tall, a black loincloth covered his frame, leaving his upper torso bare. A heavy silver necklace adorned his neck. On his shoulders were the painted symbols of a tribe, identifying his lineage. It was bold… it was powerful…it was…a farce.

Despite her best-efforts Krystal could not hold in a snicker at the ludicrous sight before her, the chortling soon growing as she saw Blizzards ears and tail droop.

"…What?" he said, his posture starting to slacken "What is it?!" his questioning only making the Vixen laugh louder.

'Oh the absurdity of it all'

"I'm with her bro" Flurry said weighing in, his eyes not leaving his gamepad "…you look like a dork."

"I do NOT look like a dork!" Blizzard snarled at his brother, his gaze turning away from the vixen. "This is the sacred regalia of our forefathers; it imbues us with their power and wisdom!"

"The only thing THAT outfit imbues anyone with is inconvenience…you don't even have pockets." Flurry retorted, his eyes still focused on beating the level 9 boss.

Seeing Blizzard grind his teeth together, Krystal decided it was time to enlighten the vupine with some culture.

"For starters Mr. Sharana." She began as soon as she had calmed down "Your loincloth is on backwards."

"Huh?" Blizzard looked down, confused.

"Also, the tribal makings on your shoulders are painted upside down"

"…but I…?" the white fox said, now taking a closer look at his paint job.

"And finally, the chain around your neck is supposed to bear the symbol of your chosen patron deity. Cerinians choose their patron deity at 6 years old as a rite of passage. Wearing it like that tells everyone you're still a kit."

After mentioning that Flurry immediately burst out laughing, with Krystal joining in again soon after. 'The pure absurdity of it' she thought, it's as if he was given those clothes and jewelry but not the knowledge to wear them in context. 'Like being told to wear something nice to a job interview and showing up in an expensive clown costume.'

"Maybe I'm the older brother now Bliz" Flurry said after choking down his laughs "At least I have sense enough to wear a shirt."

Blizzard sat down, defeated. He'd wanted to make a good second impression on the vixen. His first impression on her was always destined to be negative. But THIS was supposed to be his prime opportunity to put her at ease in his company and adjust her to a new life on the frozen outpost. Well…she was certainly at ease now…comfortable enough to laugh at the king of the station.

"Come on Flurry" Blizzard said, putting his elbows on the table and his hands over his face "Cut me some slack…please?"

"No can do bro" Flurry said, returning to his game "What kind of brother would I be if I couldn't call a spade a spade."

Blizzard cracked a smile at that, the little brat was always trying to get under his skin. He could hardly fault the younger fox for making jests when he'd practically tee'd himself up for it.

Krystal watched the two banter back and forth for a while longer, acting as if she wasn't even in the room. It was a feeling she hadn't experienced in a long while. On Corneria, people's thoughts leaked out like water through a sieve. She'd long since learned how to tune out the white noise lest she become overwhelmed. Yet on Cerinia, children were taught to carefully guard their mind against the telepathy of others. The only way to get a read on someone else was through their expressions, not their mind. For the first time in a group she could 'mentally' relax, unburded by the stray thoughts of others.

Suddenly the white foxes both went silent, their eyes growing wide. As one, they both stood up. Hands balling into fists, they snapped their right over their heart and their left behind their back, before closing their eyes and leaning into a short bow.

"The matron" Blizzard softly announced as the wooden door to his right slid away.

Krystal could not believe her eyes when she saw who was in the doorway.

"….a priestess?" she whispered "….of Chel'da?"

"Quite right my dear" the older blue vixen said with a warm smile as she entered the room. Her body covered in elaborate purple robes. "Rise, my sons" she commanded, allowing the white foxes to return to a more comfortable stance.

"Let us all take our seats, we've much to discuss."

The three foxes quickly sat down, leaving Krystal standing, her confusion overwhelming her.

"Please sit my child" the vixen beckoned to Krystal "all will be explained."

Slowly, Krystal took a seat, he eyes never leaving the priestess.

Blizzard broke the silence first, the all-consuming question raging in his mind. "Here's something I'd like explained mom. Why'd you let me crash and burn with these Cerinian clothes?"

Softly chuckling, she was quick to reply "Because, all your life I've tried to get you to honor your great ancestors, yet you always preferred the clothes of your father." the vixen chided "Yet NOW that my little Blizzy wants to impress a pretty girl, he eagerly throws them on without abandon. Tisk Tisk. Do not expect me to stand in the way of a lesson my son."

Leaving Blizzard to sulk in his seat the vixen turn to Krystal

"I am known as Lotus, my child. Matron of this station and defender of our Cerinian traditions."

"I thought I was the last of us" Krystal softly replied, her voice tinged with sorrow.

"Nay, you are not. Chel'da saw fit to spare my life by mating me with an outsider from this planet…may his spirit find peace. It was only after our home was destroyed, that I understood the reason for our pairing. I was spared the terrible fate of our people so that I may guide you my child, guide all of us here to our rightful place."

Krystal stared at Lotus, her eyes hanging on every word. She didn't notice Flurry roll his eyes at his mother's prophecy or Blizzard's continued pouting. Neither of them putting much thought into the current conversation. Lotus, though focused on Krystal, saw all.

"I must apologize for my sons' behavior Krystal. You see how I spoil them by allowing them to take after their father. They have not seen what we have seen…their ways are not our ways."

"Why did they force me here?" Krystal asked "I would have gladly answered a summons from a priestess."

"Alas, I feared you would not, once you learned the reason for my summons. I have chosen you as mate for my eldest son You shall be bonded to him, as is our tradition."

Krystal paused, quickly glancing between Lotus and Blizzard, both foxes eagerly awaiting her reply. After a few seconds, Krystal gave her most diplomatic response

"While I…appreciate your high opinion of me…I must refuse…I alrea.."

"Hush child" Lotus raised her hand, silencing Krystal "I know of your feelings for the red fox."
Krystal's ears drooped at the mention of the vulpine. While they had never been formally pledged to each other, there was an undeniable connection, one she hoped would grow in time.

"You forget yourself Krystal" Lotus continued "You've been away from your people for far too long. Our customs place the needs of the tribe above the needs of the individual. The very reason we practice arranged marriages."

"I've forgotten nothing" Krystal snapped back "Only my Chief can seal a marriage and I will not be forced."

Lotus narrowed her eyes, the younger fox daring to defy divine inspiration.

"The Chiefs are dead Krystal and their burden now falls to me." Lotus said, shooting Krystal a stern look. "I will ensure the survival of our race, and your compliance is all that I require"

Lotus then shut her eyes, appearing deep in thought. Before Krystal could reply, the young vixen felt a burning sensation erupt behind her ears.

"Gah!" Krystal shouted, falling out of her chair. Her hands moving quickly around her face, trying to extinguish the non-existent flame. The two white foxes remained seated, feeling a mixture of boredom and pity.

"Come on mom" Flurry jumped in a few seconds later, the screams of Krystal ruining an otherwise normal gathering of the family. "Don't tell us we dragged her across the system just for you to fry her?"

Ignoring her son, Lotus kept up the assault, seeking to enforce her will over the young vixen. Something was wrong though; Krystal should have succumbed to the mental pressure by now. The level of resistance she was offering was astonishing considering her young age.

'I had no idea her feelings for the red fox would be so resolute' thought Lotus, fearing the various complications that would cause, frowning, she soon ended her mental attack. Lotus stood up and slowly walked around the table to stand over Krystal. The young vixen lay sprawled on the floor, breathing heavily. When Krystal cracked open her eyes, Lotus spoke.

"The red fox has inebriated you with emotions and clouded your judgement" the priestess grimly declared. "You will be sobered!"

"My sons" Lotus said, turning to look at the white foxes "Chel'da demands an end to this obstruction, and so requires the end of Fox McCloud."

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Fox woke up with a start, quickly looking around, he saw that he had fell asleep at his computer…again. For the past week he had ordered the Great Fox out on patrol to search for his missing wing mate, to no avail. After the fiasco at the rotunda, every inhabited rock and station between Corneria and Venom was scrutinized by the Cornerian government, so great were the fears of another separatist rebellion. Even the current governor of Venom was briefly detained and questioned about his possible involvement.

Something bothered the vulpine though. Why go after Krystal? If they were venomian terrorists there were dozens of other targets they could and probably should have hit; the mayors office, the diplomatic bureau, even the now pro-cornerian Venomian embassy.

'Something just doesn't add up' thought the vulpine.

"Fox, Fox get to the bridge now!" the toads squeaky voice rang out from Fox's wrist com "It's something about Krystal"

Fox didn't need to be told twice. He blew out of his room, sprinting towards the bridge like a man possessed.

"What's up Slip, did you get a lead?" he asked in between pants, gasping for breath. Fox blamed himself for Krystals kidnapping, he hadn't slept since the incident, and the stress had taken its toll.

"We got a message, it's from the that white fox at the rotunda."

"Play it" the vulpine said cooly.

Slippy quickly punched the keyboard, after a few seconds the blurry screen morphed into the image of a familiar arctic fox, easily recognized by his mangled left ear. He was dressed differently than they remembered. His designer suit now replaced by a black pilot's jumpsuit covered with body armor.

Fox was glaring at the recording, growing angrier by the second, the white vulpine's smile silently taunting them before speaking.

"We know you're still looking for Krystal and you're wasting your time." the message began.

"Bring the Great Fox to Meteo Asteroid field 48 hours from receiving this communication. My ship the Arctic Howl will meet you at the enclosed rendezvous point. If you want to save Krystal…then this is your chance."

"I know you're listening to this McCloud…this is between is between Star Fox and us. If we detect ANY hint of a Cornerian warship, or any chatter planetside, we'll vanish into the void and you'll never see her again."

"I'll be waiting!" the message abruptly ended, followed by a set of coordinates and identification schematics for the outlaw ship.

"Slippy!" Fox spoke up without hesitation "Set a course for Meteo and prep the Arwing's"

'I'm coming Krystal, just hang on'

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Author's Notes: Before anyone accuses me of fanservice, I'd like to remind everyone that Krystal's Cerinian outfit is cannon from Rare Studios and easily her most recognizable outfit. Also, if it's used in the plot to take the cocky antagonist down a few pegs is it really fanservice?

Two chapters to go, stay tuned.