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Chapter 28: Return to Corneria

Riding with his family aboard the CDF shuttle taking them up to the Dauntless, Fox had been unnerved by the telepathic loss of awareness of the rest of the Cerinians in New Cerinia. It was once again just himself and his family. He could also sense that his wife and children were also affected just as strongly by the separation from their people. They clung to each other, mentally communing together for reassurance. Fenral Rufus noticed that the McClouds seemed out of sorts. "Are you and your family alright?"

"Yeah...." Fox and Krystal replied after taking shaky breaths. "We will be. We just cannot sense our people below anymore. It's going to take us some getting used to, being by ourselves again." They reminisced. Earlier that afternoon, Fox had trained with Renjiro to learn how to send electrical blasts from his staff. Even Krystal found herself learning that most difficult of techniques, one mastered only by the strongest of telepaths, which was now possible for the both of them by virtue of their powers being augmented by their bond.

Renjiro then had challenged Fox to a sparring match, using both physical and mental skills. The veteran guardian was unable to break through Fox's mental barriers as they vied for supremacy with each staff blow, block, and counterblow. Then again, Fox was hard pressed to push through Renjiro's mental barriers either, only breaking through very briefly before being strongly forced out of his opponent's mind.

Both were nearly evenly matched in both telepathic and staff skills, though Renjiro still had the advantage in experience when it came to the staff. Their contest ended when the leader of the guardians knocked Fox back onto his rear. Victory was denied though when Fox grinned mischievously up at his opponent, stretched out his hand, and used his telekinesis to rip Renjiro's staff from his hand.

Gaping in shock at Fox now holding both staves, the tod burst into laughter. "I was right in saying that you'd become our most formidable guardian."

Fox got back up to his feet and handed Renjiro his staff back. "I learned long ago to never fight an opponent on their own terms, but instead take full advantage of my own strengths."

With his heightened empathic senses, Fox also became aware that each of the 49 Cerinian survivors was afflicted with an undercurrent of suppressed emotional pain. It was subtle, but persistent. Fox had first noticed it when he had returned to undergo his telepathic training. Their emotions would invariably spike whenever Cerinia was mentioned. Among the adults, the only one who did not exhibit this barely suppressed mental turmoil was Krystal. It was while they were in the town square that it dawned on him. "Kurisutaru, do you sense it?"

_"Their sadness? Yes, and I can sympathize. We all lost our families when our world was destroyed." _ Krystal thought back, thinking wistfully of her family and friends. There was a bittersweet shade to her emotions, sadness mixed with fond memories of her life in her home village of Nara.

"Yes, but their pain is greater. Unlike them, you are at peace with your loss."

"I suppose I have been, ever since the night before our first bonding."

"Exactly!" When Fox sensed his wife's dawning realization, he expressed his thought. "They have not mourned for their loss. They are like you were, before I had you let out all of your suppressed grief."

"You are right, Fokkusu. They have not had their catharsis, but what can we do. You know how unwilling I was to confront my pain. It took having to relive that horrible day for me to finally break down and cry."

They pondered together how best to help their friends come to terms with their loss. It was while they were walking by the building holding the Legacy of Cerinia that they together had an epiphany. As always, the structure was guarded by trusted CDF soldiers, but being that Fox and his wife were Cerinians, the sentry opened the door for them without challenge. Once inside, a quick search through the database yielded the information they needed.

Among the many canisters containing the genetic legacy of the Cerinian people were also several canisters containing DNA from their lost home's fauna and seeds from the flora. Krystal extracted samples of the latter and put them in stasis containers. Both knew that if their plan was to succeed, none of the denizens of New Cerinia was to know what they intended to do. They quickly left the Legacy building with their telepathic barriers up and made ready to return to Corneria.

*****

It was not until Fox had set foot upon the hanger deck of the Dauntless that he realized how much he had changed. He had immediately sensed emotions of shock, followed by whistles from both male and female CDF crew nearby. At first, he could not understand what the fuss was all about. It was only when he felt his fur ruffle in the cool conditioned air and gazed down at himself that he knew why. He was still scantily clad in only his loincloth and sandals, with his guardian collar, epaulettes, bracers, and leggings. He then heard his wife giggle in his mind. "I was wondering when you'd catch on that you are still dressed as a Cerinian."

He looked at Krystal next to him, who had Ophelia in her arms, and Marcus standing next to her. His wife was attired as he was, and his children were wearing only their own loincloths and sandals. Fox simply felt no embarrassment at being nearly naked in front of everyone. It only then struck home that he was no longer the same vulpine who had once led the Star Fox team. He thought in Cerinian and shared their values, was a full-fledged telepath, and had completely let go of all taboo notions of nudity. Taking his son's hand in his, he grinned back to his vixen. _"But I am Cerinian." _ His soulmate kissed him on the cheek in response. "You are indeed, my Love."

Both sensed amusement and turned together to see Fenral Rufus smirking. Fox shrugged nonchalantly. He then heard a familiar laugh and turned to see Bill Grey and the rest of Bulldog and Husky Squadrons as they climbed out of their Arwings. "You are unbelievable, Fox!" his canine friend said.

Fox folded his arms together, brazenly grinned back to Bill, and said to him in his thickest Cerinian accent. "Don't look so surprised. Everyone keeps saying that I'm going native. Well news flash! I have gone native."

Amid the laughter, howls, and wagging tails of the two squadrons, Fenral chuckled. "He's got you there, Commander. And since you have been such a good liaison between this ship's crew and the people of New Cerinia, why don't you show these four Cerinians guest quarters with the rest of the squadrons."

Bill gave the Dauntless' first officer a casual salute and nodded to Fox with a grin. "Come on, Fok-ku-su," he beckoned his friend, deliberately enunciating Fox's name in Cerinian, "let's get you and your family settled in and into some warm clothes before you catch a cold."

Thankfully, the return trip was over in a matter of hours because the CDF carrier emerged at the Beltino Orbital Gate after passing through the wormhole established by the station. Fully clothed in a shirt, pants, and shoes, Fox's return to Corneria was somewhat a culture shock. He tugged at his shirt's collar, feeling decidedly overdressed after so much time on New Cerinia. Stepping off the shuttle, he was grateful to be on the less-populated, military side of the spaceport complex.

The harrowing memory of all those minds on the civilian side crowding into his head weeks ago sent a shiver down Fox's spine. His wife gave his hand a reassuring squeeze to help ease his nervousness. "That will not happen again, Fokkusu. You have mastery of your powers now." she reminded him.

Fox nodded mutely and did his best not to dwell on the unpleasant memory. "We need to hurry if we want to make our appointment."

*****

Chief Minister Uncia Frost was now in his third term in office, having won the last election by a landslide the prior year. He considered himself fortunate to have presided over nearly ten years of peace since the Anglar Blitz. It was not easy keeping things in order though. There seemed to always be senators to deal with, each with competing agendas and constituents to answer to. The media storm that resulted in the revelation that Fox McCloud was a telepath was another fire he had had to put out, not that he faulted the retired leader of Star Fox.

His sources had reported to him that the husband of Krystal McCloud had undergone a profound change in behavior. He was naturally intrigued, and when he had received a missive from the vulpine, he jumped at the chance to meet this new, different Fox McCloud. His musings were interrupted by the chime of his intercom. "General Hare and Sam Dogbert have arrived." he heard his secretary announce.

"Let them in, Alex."

Once Peppy and Sam had taken their seat facing Uncia, the snow leopard began. "So Sam...what can you tell me about the changes I've heard regarding Fox McCloud."

Peppy raised a hand to forestall any false preconceived notion. "Chief Minister, Fox is still the same person as always. Any changes are more in that he has embraced Cerinian ways, though frankly he had already started to do so ever since his marriage to his wife."

"Sam reports that he dresses like they do."

"If you mean that he wears a loincloth, then yes. But that is actually quite sensible given the tropical weather of New Cerinia. Their people are also not encumbered by nudity taboos." Peppy explained. "Also, given the he was trained by a Cerinian elder, we should not be surprised that he would embrace their Telepathic Code of Conduct."

"True, General but Fox also considers himself one of them and...." Sam began, but was interrupted by a chime.

"Fox McCloud is here with his family, Chief Minister." they heard Alex announce over the intercom.

"Let them in..." Uncia replied.

When the McCloud family walked in, all noticed that though subtle, the changes in Fox McCloud were truly profound. Fox on the outside appeared to be the same, except that a gold diadem now adorned his head with a green emerald over his forehead. Peppy and Uncia also immediately noticed the tattoos about Fox's upper arms, matching those of his wife's. But most startling were his eyes. They were the same green as always but now had a penetrating quality that they realized was similar to that of Krystal's.

An extra chair was brought in for Marcus to sit upon while Ophelia sat on her mother's lap. Uncia smiled at the adorable, well-behaved children and waited for Fox and Krystal to begin. When they spoke, Peppy, Sam, and Uncia quickly understood the purpose of their visit. After they had finished, Uncia Frost steepled his fingers together. "It is an interesting proposition, though I am curious as to your motivations."

The emotions Fox and Krystal sensed from the snow leopard were positive but not outright enthusiastic. It felt like he was holding back. Looking around the office they were in, Fox saw various mementos. Some were trophies from various cities throughout Lylat. There were photographs of Uncia with senators. On the walls were framed plaques with words of thanks. Fox and Krystal immediately understood. Uncia Frost was after all a politician and answered to his constituents.

"I do admit that part of our reason is to provide the Cerinian survivors a memorial that would give them closure for the terrible loss they endured," Fox began, feeling that it was best to be honest. He then provided a reason that would address the concerns of Corneria and the rest of Lylat. "This would also be a way of showing everyone what a beautiful world Cerinia was and remind us all to never let such a monster like Andross rise again. The destruction of their world should never be forgotten."

Uncia nodded to himself. "It will be costly to build this, but if it were to be done, now would be the best time for it. Public awareness of the Cerinians is at its highest now, with the frequent news coverage regarding New Cerinia and its people."

Peppy put in his own contribution to the meeting. "I would suggest bringing Beltino Toad on this. The advances he's made in temporal sciences will be helpful when it comes to the trees and foliage."

"Agreed." said the chief minister. "Sam, as the Undersecretary for the Department of Interplanetary Relations, I'm putting you in charge of being the face the media will see when this project is announced."

"I'll get right on it, Sir." Sam said. The canid then stood up and left. When he was gone, Fox addressed Peppy.

"Have you heard any new leads regarding Gordon Striker?"

"We did find evidence that your blood samples were in fact removed by a nurse working at Corneria General Hospital." Peppy replied. "Unfortunately, before we could question her, she was found dead in her apartment from a drug overdose."

"Who was she?" Krystal asked.

"Her name was Amelia Greyfur. She worked in the maternity ward."

The named immediately clicked in the shared memory of Fox and Krystal. Their wide-eyed expression did not go unnoticed by Uncia and Peppy. "I can tell you know this vixen." the chief minister observed.

"Yes, she was present when Marcus was born." Fox acknowledged. "She did not approve of my sharing a bed with my wife while she was giving birth to our son."

"That is disturbing." General Hare grumbled.

"I would not worry, Peppy." Krystal assured. "My obstetrician ejected her from the maternity floor. So Nurse Greyfur never got close enough to us to get any blood samples."

"That may be the case, but we must remain vigilant." the lagomorph cautioned. "I've gotten reports of CDF members having gone AWOL that we've learned were loyal to Striker. We've also caught two high-ranking officers acting as double agents, one of which tried to use Sam Dogbert to get a second blood sample from Fox."

"We'll let our people on New Cerinia know to remain vigilant." Fox said. "They already understand that Gordon Striker and his minions are in the vast minority of the people of Lylat."

Uncia Frost did not miss the fact that Fox McCloud had referred to the Cerinians as his people. The snow leopard smiled faintly. He could not imagine a better liaison between Corneria and New Cerinia. "Thank you. And I think that concludes our meeting unless there is something else to bring up. I'll put your proposal forward to the senate. I do believe it will be quite easily approved given the current sentiment towards Cerinians."

*****

Their return home was thankfully devoid of any paparazzi pursuit. Even though the McCloud family still missed the background telepathic murmur of New Cerinia's denizens, there was a comfort to be found in returning to the familiar surroundings of their home. Having gotten over his initial nervousness, Fox grew more confident in dealing with the many minds surrounding him during family outings.

There was also the added dimension of Ophelia. She was less than two years old and had no control over her telepathy at such a tender age. But unlike what had been the case with Marcus, Fox was this time able to help his wife mentally shield their daughter's mind from the random thoughts of those around them.

On their first trip to the West End Market, Fox had considered taking off his diadem before stepping out of their ground car, but Krystal dissuaded him of that notion. "You are a telepath, Fokkusu. Wear your focusing gem with pride. It is a mark of your mastery of your powers."

"I know. It's just...." Fox paused in his thoughts when he sensed the many eyes upon him as they stepped out of their ground car in front of the market. "I never wanted to be the center of attention." He followed his vixen's example and relaxed his mental barriers as they walked into the market. Because the area was nowhere near as crowded as Corneria City Spaceport, the thoughts and emotions of the shoppers around them were mostly an indistinguishable background murmur. It also helped that mentally relaxed as he was, his trained mind still instinctively tuned out any random thoughts coming his way.

Without realizing it, he also ignored the stares directed at his arm tattoos and his diadem. Most who shopped at the West End Market had seen the McClouds before. The novelty from seeing the retired mercenary couple walking the aisles for goods among them had worn off. The physical changes in Fox's appearance would be a new topic for local gossip though, but Fox knew that his tattoos and diadem would quickly become the norm as well.

Fox's first real challenge was his first outing to River Rapids since their return to Corneria. Bill and Fay once again joined them and were standing at the VIP entrance to the water park. The irony was not lost on him that he was now in the same position that Marcus had been with his first large public outing. Like she had done for their son, Krystal was now facing him, guiding him in a light meditation to center himself and bolster his telepathic barrier.

Upon entering the park, Fox could feel the ocean of minds pressing against his mental wall. It was not like going to the local market where there were a few dozen other shoppers around. There were over a thousand individuals playing in the water, sunning themselves, and in general having a good time. A hand squeeze and a burst of Krystal's love went a long way to help Fox settle his anxiety. His training came to the fore and he quickly became accustomed to the background telepathic and empathic impressions around him and instead focused on helping his wife to mentally shield Ophelia.

Like Marcus had before him, Fox learned to deal with the ocean of minds around him. While Krystal watched over Ophelia at their secluded reserved pavilion, her husband decided that Marcus was old enough to experience some of the park's adult thrills. Walking towards the main water flumes with Bill and Fay, Fox mentally asked his son, "Would you like go down the big boy slides?"

Marcus' wagging tail and the gleeful excitement he sensed from his son was all the answer the elder McCloud needed. While they stood in line for one of the water slides, Fox once again sensed the eyes of other park attendees around him, which were inexorably drawn to his tattoos and his diadem. The news of his Cerinian heritage and telepathy had by then become widely known. He was heartened by the knowledge that people who saw him took his altered appearance in stride for the most part, with only an occasional individual being nervous near him because of his known mental powers.

After an hour of thrilling slides down the various water flumes that left Marcus giggling and squealing excitedly, the two telepathic foxes decided together to retreat to their quiet corner of the park. They found Krystal making sand castles with Ophelia on the beach and joined them. Bill and Fay came and went as the day progressed placidly.

Their entire party was relaxing under shade trees in the late afternoon while the pups played nearby when they were confronted with one minor unpleasantness. There were other guests in a nearby pavilion that had been keeping to themselves when Fox and Krystal both sensed one from their numbers quietly break off from his group and slowly meander towards them. Keeping their eyes closed to feign ignorance of this interloper, the McCloud couple passively monitored this canid of nondescript breed that was approaching them. When they saw the camera being withdrawn from his tote bag, both knew immediately that he was a paparazzo.

Fox mentally reached out his friend, who was dozing next to him. "Bill...we have a tabloid photographer approaching us."

Bill Grey, who was now very much used to being mind-spoken to by telepaths, including Fox, was not even startled by the mental intrusion into his nap. "Want me to get rid of him?"

"We'll deal with this person."_Krystal replied. _"Could you very discretely call park security while this photographer is focused on Fox?"

"Sure thing, Luv." Bill then very slowly reached for his comm unit while bringing a finger to his lips when Fay looked questioningly to him. Fay then gazed over to their vulpine friends and immediately saw the tabloid photographer beyond them. Before she could say or do anything though, a sand devil suddenly began to swirl about the paparazzo. While he was shielding his eyes, the camera he was holding was wrenched from his hands by an unseen force, hung suspended in the air for a moment, and appeared to crush itself inwards before falling to the ground.

When the sand had settled, the photographer opened his eyes, cursed to find his camera destroyed, and found himself surrounded by several burly otters. Within a half-hour, the adjacent picnic pavilion was cleared out and the paparazzi were expelled from the waterpark. Neither Bill nor Fay needed to ask what had happened as it was obvious to them that Krystal and Fox had used their telekinesis against their stalkers.

It was not the end of the renewed tabloid media interest in the McClouds though. The changes in Fox and interest in his daughter, coupled with renewed interest in Marcus because his son would soon be starting primary school, had become too enticing for the paparazzi.

While Fox would have liked to send Marcus to the same school he had gone to when he had been a pup, both he and Krystal knew that because of their notoriety, their children could be targets for abduction or any sort of attack. Yet neither parent wanted their son to go to one of the private schools reserved for the upper class in Cornerian society. The last thing they wanted was for Marcus to be exposed to such elitist influences.

Fortunately, the solution presented itself within their own neighborhood. The West End Elementary School, while a private institution, was not exclusive to the elite in Cornerian society. Two weeks prior, the McClouds had visited the halls of this center for primary education and were pleased by what they saw when they met the teaching staff, saw the classrooms, walked through the playgrounds, and witnessed the security measures that were enabled with the goal of keeping the children safe within the school's gates.

They were back in the principal's office, sitting facing the school's lapine administrator with Marcus taking up the chair between his parent's and Ophelia sitting on her father's lap. Principal Jo-Anne Lapin found herself facing a most unusual family. She had seen many images of Fox McCloud over the years, but never before had she seen him sporting a gold diadem with a large emerald resting prominently on the his forehead. The tattoos on his arms, matching those of his wife's, also did not fail to draw her notice. Then there was the fact that they were all telepaths, including the children if the rumors she had heard were true.

The McCloud parents, and even Marcus, could all sense Jo-Anne's nervousness. Fox decided to get right to the point. "We can see that you are nervous, Madam Lapin."

"Ah... I don't mean to be rude, but what about your son?"

"Your concern is quite understandable." Fox then went on to assure her. "Yes, it is true that our children are telepaths like we are, but my wife has trained Marcus well."

Before the rabbit could reply, Krystal added her own assurance. "Our son has good control of his mental powers. As for Ophelia here, Fox and I are keeping her mind shielded since she has not been trained yet. "

"Should we then expect him to be hearing the thoughts of his classmates and teachers?"

Both Fox and Krystal had discussed this possible question with Marcus. Fox glanced to his side and nodded to his son. Marcus met the principal's eyes and shook his head emphatically. "No Missus Lapin. Mama and Papa said that it is not nice to read your mind unless you say it's okay."

"Do you read anybody's minds then?"

"Oh yes." He answered happily. "Oswald and Katy said they were okay with me hearing what they think. They've even learned to hear me think to them too! And Ruby and Oliver have fun thoughts too. They're my best friends."

Jo-Anne blinked and looked up at the pup's parents. Krystal could see the question in her eyes and answered. "That would be Oswald and Katherine Phoenix. We often visit them at Phoenix Manor or they come visit us. The other two are the younger children of our neighbor, George and Winifred Banks."

"Ah yes. The otter twins. They will be starting here too." She school administrator then stroked her chin while regarding Marcus. "Do you have friends whose minds you do not read?"

The little tod nodded, "There's Jenny and Sean. I don't play with them often. And Jenny is shy."

The lapine matron's features softened at the pup's sincerity. Despite his good heart, she knew that children could sometimes be mischievous and unruly. "There's no doubt that you've done a good job in raising your son, Mister and Missus McCloud, but this will be his first time away from you. He will be mixing it up with many other children here, some of whom he will not like nor they like him. It is quite possible that there will be some name calling, teasing, arguments, even a scuffle or two."

Fox nodded thoughtfully. "I see where you are going with this, and I do admit that I myself did get up into my own mischief when I was his age, but Marcus knows better than to abuse his powers, and he is well aware that there would be no hiding that from his telepathic parents."

This elicited a rueful chuckle from Jo-Anne. "Goodness, I had not thought of that. Cerinian children must have been well-behaved."

"Yes, Mother and Father always knew if my sister or I were up to something." Krystal smiled to herself at some of her fond memories of her childhood. Knowing that she had greatly alleviated the principal's concerns, she did raise a few words of caution. "Now while Marcus will never deliberately violate the mental privacy of those around him, he might accidently pick up on someone's thought if they are near him while feeling very strong emotions. And sensing the emotions of others around us is permissible. It is also perfectly acceptable to project our emotions to others, though he has been warned from projecting negative emotions onto his teachers."

"Thank you, Missus McCloud. It does sound like Marcus will do well, and hopefully he will gain many friends here as well as a good education."

Two weeks later, Marcus McCloud began his formal Lylatian education. For the first three months of his first school year, all went well. Every morning, Krystal or Fox drove their son to school and he would spend his day learning his numbers and letters, playing with and making new friends while doing his best to keep out of mischief.

It quickly became apparent that because of his telepathic interactions with his parents, Marcus was very precocious and needed to be moved up one year. The pup now found himself in classes with children a year older than him. Thankfully, most of his new classmates took it in stride. One six-year-old canid pup named Samantha Dougal though became jealous of Marcus and started calling him a teacher's pet and a freak. Having been warned by his parents that some would hate him because of his telepathic powers, Marcus took his parents advice and did not respond to the girl's taunts while keeping his empathy focused on her in case she tried to pull a prank.

An attempt was made to get Marcus in trouble with his teacher later that same week when he sat at his desk near the front of the classroom. He immediately sensed the presence of the serpent inside his desk and sat there, trying to decide what to do. His mathematics teacher, oblivious to Marcus' predicament, instructed his students. "Alright everyone, take out your excise tablets and go to page 21."

He then noticed his young student's inaction. "Corneria to Marcus McCloud. Pay attention, pup."

"Oh....Sorry Sir....There's a snake in my desk."

Nonplussed by the outlandish, unexpected response from the blue-furred fox pup, Professor Felix Kat expressed his skepticism and began to chastise him. "Now Marcus, it's not like you to be fibbing like that. So don't start."

Finding himself at an impasse with his teacher, Marcus recalled his summer on New Cerinia and the open honesty of his mother's people. Among telepaths, bearing false witness was something that was simply not done. He also recalled how they would use their empathy on the wildlife there, to either drive aggressive animals away, or calm frightened creatures. Most of all, he remembered how is mother, and now his father, would often project their love into him.

With those thoughts in mind, Marcus projected calm feelings to the creature trapped inside his desk. Then, ignoring his professor's admonishments, he stood up out of his desk and slowly opened it.

"Marcus McCloud, sit down right now." Felix was about to become cross with what he perceived was a disobedient pupil and issue him a detention when he saw the young pup slowly withdraw a red, yellow, and black striped serpent from his desk. The entire classroom became very quiet.

Looking up at his professor, Marcus sensed his agitation but focused on keeping the snake in his hands calm. "What should I do, Sir?"

Seeing Fox McCloud's son remaining composed shamed Felix Kat into keeping himself calm as well. Mutely, he walked over to the window and slowly opened it to the outside and silently pointed Marcus towards it. Understanding what his teacher wanted him to do, he slowly walked over and gingerly let the snake slide from his hands and onto the grass below the window.

Marcus exhaled and sighed in relief and then felt a hand rest on his shoulder. He looked up at his mathematics teacher, who rhetorically asked, "You did not put that snake in your desk, did you?"

The pup's mute shake of his head was all the answer Felix Kat needed. Once his pupil had resumed his seat at this desk, he fumed. "If I ever find out who put a poisonous snake into Marcus McCloud's desk, he or she will be in a world of trouble beyond anything that miscreant thought possible!"

Marcus sensed anger form one other in the classroom. He was not surprised that the source would be Samantha, and suspected it was her that had attempted to play the very nasty prank on him. Later that morning during recess, Marcus was playing on the swings with his best friends, Ruby and Oliver Banks. Marcus was deep in mental conversation with the otter pups. The news of the snake had spread quickly among all the children.

"So you think it was Samantha who put the snake in your desk?" Oliver thought.

"Yes, I'm sure it was her. She was very mad when I didn't get in trouble with Mister Kat. I told our math teacher after class about it too, but he said that it was my empathy against her word, even if I were allowed to read her mind."

"But you read minds all the time." Ruby thought back.

Marcus huffed. "It's like I told you before. I can only read your mind because you said you were okay with me knowing what you're thinking."

"And you can bet that Samantha Dougal will never be okay with letting Marcus into her head." Oliver quipped

"Eww! As if I'd ever want to hear what she's thinking." Marcus shivered. "She feels mean."

"Her big brother is even meaner." Ruby whimpered. "He's in fifth grade and picks on us little ones." In the distance, they could see Samantha and her older brother Jimmy Dougal talking together. The nine-year-old canid then looked towards them when his sister pointed in their direction. "Oh no! He sees us."

Jimmy Dougal, Marcus had learned, was the school bully. While caught on occasion, the crafty canid had learned to find ways of committing his acts of torment against younger classmates while the teachers were looking the other way. He also had used intimidation against those weaker than himself and would retaliate on anybody later on who denounced him to a teacher or the principal. He demonstrated his cowardice and moral corruption further by forcefully taking a first grader's lunch just as one of the teacher's attention was diverted to a scuffle between two third year students.

Marcus was incensed by the unfairness. To his young mind, it seemed to him like all the adults were letting this cruel pup get away with doing all these mean things to his classmates. And he felt helpless to do anything about it. He dared not use his telepathic powers against this bully either. The idea of violating someone's mind left him feeling shame for even contemplating such a thing. He knew he could not face his parents and Elder Hiroshi if he committed such a terrible act.

In the weeks since Marcus had started school, his reluctance to use his telepathy on others had become known to all. Friendly classmates had quickly overcome their nervousness around Marcus and had warmed up to the young pup. Unfortunately, unfriendly classmates, bullies, and other troublemakers also took advantage of this fact, as was the case now with Jimmy Dougal who swaggered up to Marcus and his friends. "I hear you squealed to Kat about the snake my sister put in your desk, freak."

"Yeah, what of it?" Marcus defiantly shot back. It was a pivotal moment for the son of the retired Star Fox mercenary. The first kindling of the McCloud fire began to burn in his heart. Though confronted with a youth that was nearly twice his age and three times larger than him, he would not back down and stood his ground with a quiet growl reverberating in his throat.

Jimmy snarled at the pup who dared to defy him and made to grab Marcus, but the young fox pup sensed his intent and quickly ducked out of the bully's reach. "Get back here, you little twerp!"

"Make me!" Marcus shot back.

"You think you're so tough because your Fox McCloud's pup?" He shouted back, again lunging for Marcus

"Tougher than a creep who picks on first graders!" he called back after again evading his attacker. Though smaller than the large canid, Marcus had that natural vulpine nimbleness that allowed him to weave repeatedly out of reach of his attacker.

In his frustration, Jimmy began shouting profanities and threats. "You stupid little fuck! Next time, I'll have my sister put something nastier in your desk than a snake!"

"The snake was not nasty. It was scared."

"Scared like your dad who decided to quit."

"He quit because he loves my mom more than fighting." Marcus retorted. He would not stand for anybody insulting his father's honor.

"Your mom should have died with all the other Cerinians!" Jimmy shouted. "That way, little freaks like you would have never been born if all the freaks like her had died when their world blew up."

Unfortunately for him, his altercation with Marcus McCloud had drawn the attention of several teachers who came striding towards them to put an end to it. Felix Kat and several other teachers were the closest and had heard the last words uttered by the angry canid. There was a gasp and everyone went quiet from the shock at hearing such a despicable comment.

Marcus saw none of the faculty though. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. He recalled the memory of Cerinia that his mother had shared with him; his mother's happiness growing up, images of his grandmother, grandfather, uncle, and aunt, of his mother's home village of Nara. He could never forget his mother's deep sadness and emotional pain at the terrible loss she had endured and felt that loss himself, knowing that he would never see her home world. He then thought of others on New Cerinia. Even at his young age, he was not completely oblivious to the sadness he had sensed in them and realized that they too had lost their families when their world was destroyed.

Tears welled in Marcus' eyes and a rage boiled up within his heart at Jimmy Dougal's callous, cruel comment. The telepathic and empathic Cerinian/Lylatian hybrid pup focused all his anger and hatred towards the bully and Jimmy suddenly felt terror bloom in his mind and screamed, "Mama!!!!" He fell onto his posterior and frantically tried to scramble away from Marcus. For some reason, the little blue-furred fox pup looked positively terrifying, despite the fact that he was crying.

Felix was the first to reach Marcus, and though he was mystified by Jimmy's irrational fear of the first grader, all he saw was a small five-year-old pup in tears and scooped him up in his arms. In that moment, the spell Marcus had unconsciously cast upon Jimmy was broken, though the nine-year-old canid remained frightened of his smaller adversary.

Principal Lapin soon thereafter arrived on the scene and heard the accounts from her teaching staff. Seeing Jimmy cowering before Marcus broke the bully's hold of intimidation over the younger students. Several spoke up and a few even piped in that they had heard him admit that it was his sister who had put the snake in Marcus' desk. "It's true," said Felice Tawny, a five-year-old kitten who was friends with Ruby Banks. "Jimmy said he asked his sister to put that awful snake in Marcus' desk."

"No I didn't! She's lying!" Samantha shouted back, but was cowered by a furious Jo-Anne Lapin.

"Be silent! I've heard enough to know it is you who is lying. Your parents are already on their way to take you home."

When Marcus saw the state of fear he had left Jimmy in, he was horrified and whimpered to his mathematics teacher. "I'm sorry...I...I didn't meant to do it." Though unnerved by the effect he had had on the bully, the teachers present all could see that Marcus was distraught. Jo-Anne stroked her chin thoughtfully. "Mmmm. From what young Marcus' parents told me of his powers, I don't think he has done anything wrong."

Fox and Krystal arrived at that moment, having sensed from their home their son's emotional pain. Krystal knelt down and embraced her son while Fox ran his fingers through his head fur. Both telepathically communed with Marcus, who quickly calmed down when he realized his parents were not angry with him. Fox nodded to Jo-Anne and the other faculty who had gathered. "You are correct, Mam. Marcus did not violate Mister Dougal's mind. What he instead did was to project his anger towards him, which in his case is quite permissible."

"His anger?" Felix asked.

"Yes. As telepaths, we will often project our feelings onto others. Most often, it is emotions of love and affection." Fox elaborated. "Sometimes though, it will be anger. Those on the receiving end of such negative emotions feel fear."

"This was the first time Marcus found himself projecting a negative emotion onto someone else." Krystal explained. "We've assured him that he did nothing wrong because Jimmy deserved it for saying such a cruel thing. He's also been cautioned not to do such a thing for no good reason, especially against his teachers even if he's upset with them."

It was at that moment that the parents of the Dougal children arrived and were appraised of the situation. Fox and Krystal could immediately see where their children had gotten their ill manners from. "I demand you punish Marcus McCloud for scaring my boy!" Reggie Dougal shouted while his wife fawned over his son.

In response, the McCloud parents chose to say nothing and let Principal Jo-Anne Lapin handle them. "Mister Dougal. Your son has bullied the younger children of this school repeatedly and you have done nothing about it, despite my warnings." She began her tirade. "Now he is on the receiving end and you cry foul? How dare you!?! Your son's callous statement are worthy of none other than Andross himself!" When Reggie tried to protest, he was summarily cut off. "I am not finished, Mister Dougal! If your daughter were an adult, she would have been charged with attempted murder for leaving a poisonous snake in Marcus McCloud's desk. As she is only a child, the most I can do is suspend her for one month for her actions. But be warned, you will be personally held responsible for your daughter's criminal behavior if she should misbehave again once she is allowed back. It will be you and your wife who will risk being sent to prison."

The Dougal parents stood there in stunned silence at the harsh reprimand. Seeing that they had nothing further to say, Jo-Anne dismissed them. "Now, out of my sight! Take your daughter away and do not come back for a month." She then turned her back on them and grabbed Jimmy by the ear, eliciting a whimper from the cowering pup. "As for you....detention for one month every day after school with me!"

For that month, Jimmy Dougal stewed with anger at being humiliated by five-year-old Marcus and at the same time still very much afraid of the telepathic pup. He desperately wanted to find a way to get back at him. It was while at home after another afternoon detention that he overheard a rebroadcast of Walter Kent's news report on how paparazzi had cornered Marcus at River Rapids months earlier. If he couldn't frighten Marcus, maybe he could have others do it for him. That evening, he and his sister concocted a scheme to let tabloid photographers past the guards at the school gate.

During that month, Marcus enjoyed a peaceful, happy time each day at school and gained many new friends, having become popular even among the older students for his actions against Jimmy. There was a terrier boy who went by the name of Jock Doglas. There was also Felice's older brother, Eddie Tawny, who was in the second grade with Marcus. Eddie and Felice were also the nephew and niece of Senator Felicia Tawny. The children all laughed and giggled at the story the two cats told of how their aunt had given her coffee cup to Marcus' mother to throw at a nasty senator that had made her mad.

Finally there was a grey fox who went by the name of Vincent Vulpus, who happened to be the nephew of Jeremy Vulpus, owner of the Castle Vulpus Vinyards. His mother was a grey fox like him, but his father was a fennec, which explained his slightly longer than normal ears. Though in the third grade and two years older than Marcus, the young tod had taken a great liking to Marcus. Not only was he a fellow vulpine like him, but he also found the blue-furred, five-year-old pup to have an uncommon emotional maturity beyond his age that he could relate to.

It was also over this period of time that Walter Kent had presented several news stories covering Cerinian culture and the people of New Cerinia. Images provided by Elder Hiroshi were also broadcast and the people of Lylat were for the first time able to see what Cerinia had been like before its destruction. Marcus had naturally been the focus of much attention at school and many wanted to know more of his mother's home world.

For one show-and-tell class, he shared images of his Cerinian grandparents, aunt, and uncle as well as images of his mother as a young vixen growing up in her home village of Nara. Though somewhat emotional, the images nonetheless evoked feelings of pride in his Cerinian heritage. He even took his shirt off and showed the tattoo in the middle of his lower back depicting the symbol for Nara and explained the significance of the arm and thigh tattoos his parents bore.

It was around that time that Samantha was allowed to return and Jimmy was released from his final detention. Neither spoke or even got near Marcus, and he was perfectly fine with that. It was consequently this lull in the taunts and bullying that caused him to drop his guard. The bell ending afternoon recess had just rung. Vincent and Jock were already inside. Marcus went down the playground slide one last time and started back towards the school building right behind Eddie, Felice, Ruby, and Oliver when things went completely wrong.

Fox and Krystal were in the process of harvesting the latest crop of fruits and vegetables from their greenhouse. Ophelia was sound asleep, having her afternoon nap in the nursery. A small media display that they had brought with them into the greenhouse and sat upon a table was broadcasting Walter Kent's latest report on the Cerinian Memorial Arboretum that was being constructed in the center of Corneria City's Central Park. "Plans are going forward to plant the seeds of Cerinian flora, including trees from their forests and various flowering plants that will be kept in a separate environment under the transparent palladium dome that is currently being constructed. Thanks to Beltino Toad's research into temporal physics, they will be able set up time warping fields within this dome after the seeds have been planted and within one week advance time by 100 years to allow the interior environment to bloom into a Cerinian forest. Undisclosed by the senate select committee are plans for some sort of Cerinian structure at the center of this arboretum...."

"One week to go, and we'll be able to make the journey." Krystal mused to herself. Fox could sense the unease in his soulmate's mind and heart. He pause in his endeavor to pick fruits and gripped her hand. "It will be hard on us, but we'll get it done. It will ensure that Cerinia is never forgotten and it will bring closure to Elder Hiroshi and the others."

Krystal gave Fox's hand a squeeze in gratitude. "I'm still scared Fokkusu. I never thought I'd even consider returning there again. What if I completely lose it and break down?"

"We'll have each other. We'll have the moral support of Falco, Fay, Katt, Bill, and all our other friends who will make this journey with us. They understand how important this is to us." Fox reassured her and sent her a burst of his love.

Krystal sighed gratefully at the comforting emotions flowing into her mind from her bondmate. "I'm still not certain that Marcus should be allowed to see this place."

Fox moved around and embraced his wife from behind while kissing her behind the ear. "He's old enough to understand and already senses how much we hurt. Didn't you notice how protective he feels towards us already? It would be worse for him if we left him behind with Fara and Kei. And as for Ophelia, she's still so young. She's still in her own little world and would not be affected by anything she sees."

It was while deep in thoughts of their children that their minds were gripped by a sudden cry for help and emotions of profound fear from their son. "PAPA! MAMA!"

They stood stock still for a moment and knew that their son was in danger. They needed to go immediately to rescue him, but were momentarily torn with indecision. Their daughter was asleep and they could not leave her alone, but dared not bring her not knowing what dangers they would face. So Fox came to a decision. Taking out his communicator, he called his neighbor. When his otter friend answered, he spoke urgently. "George. Come over quick! We need someone to watch over Ophelia. Marcus is in danger."

"We'll be right over."

Fox and Krystal quickly changed into their Star Fox combat suits and both had just grabbed their Cerinian staves when they sensed George and Winifred arrive and let them in. The otter couple grew worried when they saw their neighbors dressed in body armor. All four of their children also attended the West End Elementary School. Michael and Jane were in their fifth year. "What's going on? Are our children safe?" Winifred asked frantically.

"We don't know." Fox admitted. "We just heard Marcus cry out telepathically to us. He's very scared. Ophelia is still sleeping, but if she wakes up, do what you can to comfort her. She's already familiar with your minds and should be okay with you."

Without another word, the McClouds left the Banks couple inside their home with their sleeping daughter and raced to the garage. Moments later, Fox was speeding down the main road in their ground car to the school with his anxious wife at his side in the front seat.

At the main gate to the school, they raced passed the security guards, who were slumped over at their station. The sight that greeted them in the school's playground set their hearts ablaze with a protective parental fury. Marcus had climbed to the top of one of the large trees in order to take refuge from what appeared to be a group of canids surrounding the base of the tree. A few other children lay prone on the ground near the school's back door to the playground, including Oliver and Ruby Banks and Eddie and Felice Tawny. Two other ruffians were guarding the door itself. From the classroom windows, children watched wide-eyed in fear, many of them crying. Several teachers and Principal Lapin were shouting impotently at the attackers.

Krystal glanced down at her com and snarled. "They are jamming all comms. There is no help on the way."

"None for sure from those tabloid vultures either." Fox thought back with mounting fury. Just inside the wall of the school yard, in plain sight of everyone, were five paparazzi recording the drama. The moment their ground car came to a stop, Fox and Krystal leapt from their vehicle, extended their staves, and charged towards the ruffians surrounding the tree Marcus had climbed up.

As they neared, one of the attackers shot a stun charge up into the tree that struck Marcus. The hearts of his mother and father were gripped with fear at the sight of their son falling limply from the upper branches and into the arms of one of the would-be abductors. The leader of the group pressed the muzzle of his blaster against the pup's head and faced his parents. "Come no closer, or your brat gets it!"

Fear turned to a murderous rage. Without hesitation, Fox reached out with his telekinesis and yanked his son from the canid's grip. Marcus flew through the air and into his parents' ground car while they continued to charge towards their son's attackers, who all drew their blasters.

Fox and Krystal split apart and ran around opposite sides of the canids who were still clustered together, shooting at the vulpine pair. Plasma bolts that did find their mark were dissipated against the shields generated by the Cerinian staves. The McClouds then leapt up onto the air and simultaneously slammed the ends of their staves into the ground below them, triggering a massive, localized ground quake. From the classroom windows, the faculty and children, including Jimmy and Samantha Dougal, watched the terrifying sight of the ground liquefying into waves that radiated out from where Fox and Krystal had each struck.

The waves converged in perfect phase with each other, doubling their power. The tree trunk split in half in a thunderous crack and the legs of Marcus' attackers shattered. Even before they landed on their feet at the epicenter, Fox and Krystal telekinetically levitated the prone children above the shockwave that rippled through the ground underneath them towards the last two ruffians guarding the door, who were knocked back off their feet with fractured ankles.

Inside the school, teacher and child alike were knocked back off their feet when the floor beneath them lurched. A large crack formed in the wall and several windows broke. Michael and Jane Banks, who were in the same year as Jimmy Dougal, regarded him and his younger sister with contempt as they all got back up onto their feet. The eldest son of George Banks snarled at Jimmy. "So you still think Fox and Krystal McCloud are has-beens?"

Outside, Fox and Krystal turned to the photographers who had been recording everything. As one mind, they were outraged. In all previous encounters, paparazzi had harassed them and repeatedly tried to intrude upon their private lives, but this was beyond anything they had ever done before. These five agents of the tabloid media had stood by and let strangers attack children and attempt to abduct their son. While both knew that they could not justifiably slay these five, they nonetheless let loose their fury upon them.

The tabloid photographers who had been gleefully recording the entire drama suddenly found themselves facing the terrifying sight of two enraged parents wielding otherworldly powers. In their camera viewers, they could see the eyes of the McCloud couple glowing brightly from within. Arcs of electricity cascaded through their fur, from their ears to the tips of their lashing tails. The photographers then understood the true meaning of agony when multiple bolts of lightning suddenly arced out from the end of Cerinian staves and enveloped each of them, who all screamed silently in pain beyond anything they imagined possible before losing consciousness.

With the danger now past, Fox went to his ground car. He gathered his son in his arms, laid a hand on his head, and gently stimulated his mind with his telepathy while Krystal did the same for the other unconscious children. Marcus groaned as consciousness returned to him and he found himself in the tight, comforting embrace of his father who was pouring all his love into his son's mind. What fear still lingering within him quickly dissipated. He was safe and knew that nothing would harm him now.

Both Fox and Marcus were soddenly hit with an overwhelming sense of grief and heard Krystal let out a sob just as the teachers and children emerged from the school. They turned to see her cradling a limp grey kitten in her arms. Marcus had barely gotten a chance to know Felice Tawny. The five-year-old was no more, having taken a stun blast to the head at close range. Next to Krystal was Ruby Banks, who had been Felice's friend and playmate at school, and Felice's older brother Eddie. The otter child sat on the ground with a vacant, stunned expression and tears coursing down each side of her muzzle. Her older brother was weeping while gripping his sister's shoulder. "Come one, Felice. Wake up!" he repeatedly pleaded.

For the first time in his young life, Marcus was confronted with the cold reality of death. It was an event that would impact him for the rest of his life. Police and Paramedics soon made their arrival known with the wail of sirens. When they arrived, Felice's body was gently pried from Krystal's arms, covered, and loaded into one of several ambulances on the scene.

An investigation of the attackers revealed that they were CDF soldiers, some of whom had been reported AWOL, who had hidden their identities under chameleon fields. They had seen the paparazzi slip past the security guard who had been rendered unconscious, and capitalized on the opportunity to attempt to abduct Marcus McCloud. They were arrested and charged with attempted abduction and third degree murder. The five paparazzi were roused and also arrested and charged with being accessories to the aforementioned crimes.

Worst of all was the revelation that Jimmy and Samantha Dougal had conspired with the tabloid photographers to give the security guards pastries with strong sedatives that rendered them unconscious. They had intended to use the paparazzi to frighten Marcus. The Dougal children stood in front of their principal in tears. Principal Lapin was apoplectic with rage. "Never in all my years have I seen such callous disregard for life from children like you!"

Jimmy whimpered weakly. "We just wanted the reporters to scare Marcus. Honest. We didn't know about those guys with the guns."

"SILENCE!" Jo-Anne roared. By then, Reggie and Veronica Dougal had arrived on the scene, having minutes before been summoned by the principal, and had learned of what their children had caused to happen. "This school was to be a safe place of learning for well-to-do children like you, away from the crueler parts of society where children less fortunate than you have to go. Those security guards you drugged were there for your protection. But because of you, Felice Tawny is dead. You are hereby expelled from West End Elementary School and will be sent to juvenile detention where you will see firsthand how cruel this world can be."

"But you can't..." Reggie began, but was cut off by Principal Lapin who rounded on them seething. "Oh yes I can, because you and your wife will no longer have custody of children you are obviously unfit to raise. I warned you what would happen if you failed to discipline them." She then glanced to the police officers on the scene and nodded to them.

Amid cries from the Dougal children and protests from their parents, Reggie and Veronica were placed in shackles while the officer informed them of the charges they would face in the stead of their children. "You are under arrest for assault on the school security guards, and being accessories in the attempted abduction of Marcus McCloud and the third degree murder of Felice Tawny."

While the photographers were also being shackled and loaded into the police van, Fox gathered their cameras into a pile on the ground. He then turned to one of the officers. "Do you need any of these for evidence?"

The bulldog shook his head. "No Sir. The school security cameras recorded everything."

Fox nodded and without saying another word, pointed his staff at the confiscated recording devices and vaporized the lot with a fireball. Fox then addressed the school principal. He and his wife could sense her unease. She and the rest of the school had witnessed the power they had displayed, including telekinesis and wielding lightning. The McCloud parents though did not care at the moment. "We will be taking Marcus home with us and away from all this for a while. Depending on the fallout that follows, we may or may not bring him back."

"I understand." Jo-Anne sighed, feeling the weight of sadness upon her. She had the unenviable task of informing the parents of Felice Tawny that their daughter was dead.