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Chapter - 13 -

"Healing"

"It's incredible," Fox murmured. "What gives Sauria its purple hue from space?"

Her head tilted. Two strands of white beads clinked together as her bangs slid across her forehead. "It's the furthest from Lylat and Solar's heat. This planet's atmosphere acts as a magnifying glass to warm the surface. Actually, you're the first Cornerian to chart it. The team took the credit and Peppy Hare was the first to do surface mapping. You explored a rather sizable portion of this world during your first visit here. We met on this world." She offered him a sly little grin then relaxed in the cockpit seat of the Cloud Runner.

Fox was propped up near the crawlspace access to the aft with a Bafomdad in his arms. The little four-eared creature had a tail similar to a rabbit. It was docile and it even allowed Fox to pet it. "What's this lil' guy supposed to do for us, anyhow?"

"You'll see. I had an argument with Falco earlier. He said you needed a_real_ doctor. Ironically, these little guys, the Bafomdads, are being sent to Eladard where some large medical university is studying their genetic makeup due to their regenerative health abilities. These creatures are able to heal mammalian beings of their worst physical injuries. It's unexplainable and an enormous medical breakthrough in Lylat. Also, colonists have reported seeing Krazoa spirits circle the summit of the Krazoa Palace. Usually at night. A gryphon told me that it would be a healing experience. That's why we're taking a Bafomdad up to the summit."

The Cloud Runner re-entered the atmosphere, descending on the point where the Equator and the Prime Meridian intersected. The Krazoa Palace sparkled in the afternoon sunlight. She glanced back at Fox then cut her gaze to her instrument panels. "I see it. We won't be able to land on the rooftop. Now that Cornerian colonists are here, rooftop landings have been banned to help preserve this palace. Years ago, you personally brought the Krazoa Spirits to this location after visiting multiple temples all over the land. They've been here ever since. We met at the summit of this palace, Fox."

He smiled, scritching the small creature behind its two left ears. "What was that about a gryphon?"

"You know, Fox... the mix between a cat and a bird. If Falco and Katt Monroe ever get their acts together, their offspring would technically be a gryphon." She scanned the temple from above and smiled. "It's safe - we'll be the only ones here. Fantastic. And it's such an unusually beautiful day this afternoon. Lucky us."

"Why is it unusual?"

She placed her right paw on the dash, activating the laser-guided landing assistance computer. "Fox, it is unusual because when I first came here the dinosaurs spoke amongst themselves of a mystical mountain hidden in a storm. That's how I was able to find it with Kite's help. Typically, it storms in this area, masking the mountain and the palace. This calm weather is a rare occasion. Consider it a blessing. Anyhow, it's three-and-a-half miles above sea level. This is the second highest point on Sauria. It's the highest and largest artificial-made structure in all of Lylat. And it is beautiful inside believe me. We'll be walking through it momentarily."

"It looks to be at least fifteen stories in height, atop of a large mountain."

"It is, indeed, quite big. Don't worry; we'll make it to the top without problems. There's a shelf with an entrance on the far western end. We'll land there then make our way inside. It's enormous."

Fox glanced back down at the plump, fuzzy creature on his lap. "You said it's the second highest point on the planet. What's the highest?"

"Corneria's colonies are working with the locals to come up with a name for the highest point. It's the largest mountain in all of Lylat. Its foothills are over a thousand feet below sea level, but its peak is thirty-two thousand feet high from the ground. So... it's about six miles above sea level, and it's frightfully impressive. To date, no one has climbed to the summit. Most likely, they'll name it after someone important the way they named this planet."

"I don't remember Sauria not having a name." Fox watched the palace precipice move before the Cloud Runner, followed by a display of fantastic architecture. The ship settled on a stone shelf near the front entrance. He didn't recognize the area but Kursed did. (Star Fox Adventures - where Krystal starts at the beginning of the Krazoa Palace)

She nodded towards the brown satchel. "Put our little friend back into his bag." She unbuckled herself and told him, "Cornerian colonists spoke with the indigenous species of this world. At the time, the Queen Earthwalker asked to use technology on my shuttle to call for help. I helped her to make a distress call to Corneria. General Pepper made contact with the Queen Earthwalker, who was smart enough to know that there were other planets in this system with life capable of helping aid them against General Scales. The Queen's name was 'Sauria'. Later, with Tricky as the new King, he asked that it remain that way."

Fox quirked a brow. "Tricky?" He chuckled with a scoff of amusement. "Nice name."

"You were at his royal coronation just a few years ago. You even made him an honorary Star Fox team member for helping you to complete your mission on Sauria. So far as his mother... she was impressed that you figured out how to use the Krazoa technology to return the planet back to a wholesome state. She's the one who helped to make up my mind about chasing after you like some silly teenage girl."

"What happened to the planet to make it less than 'wholesome', Kursed? And what's the big deal about Krazoa Technology?"

She eased up in her seat, glancing back through the canopy then forward again, visually scouting the area. "It's still considered 'magic' by many because no one can understand how it works. Yet you were able to utilize it and repair the planet. Before you showed up, I sensed distress on this world. I came to help in a plight against General Scales who received technological help from an ally whose identity was unknown at the time. Fierce earthquakes plagued the planet. The tectonic plates are deeper than on most planets. They're practically in the mantle. Pieces of continents began to lift from the planet, breaking apart, but, as I said on GreatFox, earlier... the craters didn't reach down to the tectonic base, thank goodness.

"Were it not for the gravity well, those chunks of the planet would have escaped the planet's gravity pull. While I was helping the indigenous people, everything began to shake. Next thing I know, a section of the planet lifts up into the air and floats into orbit. My shuttle was on that chunk. I couldn't go to it for clean clothes, nor could I help the queen to send any further messages to Corneria at that point. Once the planet came back together, I helped the Queen to message Corneria as a gesture of thanks ...then I came after you."

Fox frowned. "What did you do about not having clean clothes or supplies because your shuttle was beyond reach?"

"Thankfully, the Light Foot tribe was able to help me make clothes using decorated fabric they had. I made a large one-piece skirt-like outfit at first but the humidity was so intense that I made another outfit. I went far simpler the second time. Decorated seashells for a supportive brazier... a simple loincloth for the rest. That was it. I accessorized the look by removing the bracers from my flight suit and wearing them on my bare arms and legs. The sandals came from the Light Foot people.

"Interesting. I saw a photograph of you wearing that outfit. I won't lie... it didn't leave much to the imagination and I really liked seeing you that way."

Kursed offered him a grin then rolled her eyes somewhat. "Cute. But I understand; I like seeing you scantly clad, too. What would you think if I got my hair trimmed up and the purple locks died back to blue ones?"

"Really? All natural for me?" McCloud finished helping the Bafomdad back into a satchel then he tied off the top to keep it from escaping. "I'd really like that."

"I brought dye remover. It's with my stuff."

His smile widened despite the pain from the bruising across his muzzle. "That would be fantastic. I don't care whether you cut your hair shorter or leave it long. I just like the natural coloration from those pictures. I wish I knew more about them and about myself, though."

Once the Cloud Runner was properly secured on the upper shelf and she went through the final post-flight checklist, Kursed nodded towards the crawlspace. "You're in no condition to jump down from the cockpit. We'll take the aft hatch. And, on the subject of your memories, I'm surprised you haven't started reading old news reels and talking to people and asking questions."

"Falco gave me an old video game. He said I'd bought it the morning I met him. (Reflections of Fox McCloud, Chapter1) He asked me to play it but it didn't jog my memories."

She eyed him with a slight grin. "How'd that go?"

"Oh, I was awful. I couldn't get passed the third mission because of the Flexeril for my abdomen. I was drowsy and all over the screen. You'd have probably laughed, considering we had determined my skills and abilities were unaffected by my amnesia. Anyhow, I spoke with General Peppy Hare on Corneria and Commissioner Beltino Toad. I asked about my family life and stuff, but they didn't want to talk about those things. When I asked why, they'd give me some lame spiel about, 'I'd rather not get into some of the stuff you're asking. For the first time since I've known you, you seem truly happy. Hang onto that for a while; enjoy yourself, blah, blah, blah.' Hell, if I really had that much drama in my life then they're right. It's time for a mental vacation. I mean, I must have been really broken up to push you away."

"What about the girls in those photographs?"

"The first one had very little information about her; the details behind her death were sealed by her family because they didn't want the story to go public. I found out the name and I found out that she apparently died in combat. Then again, with a war going on, that sort of thing is beyond anyone's control. There was no mention of me, except a small article in a newsreel that dated prior to my eighteenth birthday. She was a Chief Test Pilot in the Arwing program. I found her name cross-referenced with Arwings leading up to that point. After that, Arwing and 'Fox McCloud' became synonymous in the news. I looked up her picture then I looked at the scrapbook. Same girl."

"And the other?" They climbed through to the aft section together then Fox went out through the hatch first, taking point and scouting the area. Once he felt it was safe he lifted his paw to her, escorting her down in a gentlemanly fashion.

"Well, the second girl is a Navy starship captain with an apparent dislike for authority. Her father is well respected as a retired Captain of a science vessel, whose ship infamously survived some sort of undocumented attack from a classified enemy. Her name was... is Miyu Lynx. She's married to another military careerist. No big deal. I was tempted to look up in-depth things about myself but I wasn't really in a rush, either."

"Did you learn my name?"

"I'd rather learn it from you."

"I'm afraid if you hear my name and somehow it jogs your memories... I'll lose the man I've become so fond of in these last few days. It will come in time, I promise."

He placed a paw on the small of her back and they descended a ramp of solid granite then turned left and walked amongst grand pillars that led into the Krazoa Palace. She led him to the left then to the right; there was a doorway that looked as though it was under repair. Scaffolding was neatly tucked to the side and the hallway within appeared to have scorch marks on the walls and floor. He glanced from left to right. "What's this all about?"

She nodded to the holes in the wall on the left and right sides; one of them was covered with a fresh spider web. "It was a steam-powered trap. Lava, directly beneath the palace, was funneled up and fire blasted out of a nozzle that moved along tracks behind the wall, that caused the nozzles to spray fire on occasion. It was to keep invaders from just walking in and causing harm to this place. It's sacred to the people of this world."

The next room was of polished marble. The walls, floor and ceiling were so reflective that sunlight filtering in from the far end created a dazzling display of illumination. The thick pains of colored glass was create in a circle high above a Krazoa statue, which towered three stories tall. On the walls, there were large logos, a symbol of the Krazoan people. Fox and Kursed continued into the next area, which had a door at one end and a platform at the other, beneath a corridor set in the wall high above. It appeared to be about two stories up. Kursed led him to the platform, which also hosted the Krazoan symbol. It began to ascend.

The lift stopped in front of the hallway built into the wall high above the floor. Fox followed her into that hall then they stopped at an intersection; she sensed his thoughts - she had to agree, the corridor appeared like some sort of fantasy alien spacecraft. "To the right is where I met Andross for the second time. The Krazoa bust set into the wall is where I released the first Krazoa spirit." She turned to the left and the room opened up into a grand cathedral that rose well over a dozen stories into the air. Each level was complete with a wraparound promenade. The large floor at the center of the structure also went down a level with a large grated section at the center.

"What in the world is...?"

"It's a fan in the floor. I can't really explain it, but you managed to use them as an elevator. Dangerous way to ascend, that's for sure. Come on, this way." She led him to a shaft against the far wall, where a modern maintenance elevator had been installed. He pulled the gate shut and she tugged on the operation handle. It ascended slowly. The shaft ended several stories up. The couple made their way around the walkway to another elevator on the other side. Fox peered over the ledge, looking down at the center of the temple then followed her to the second elevator. Same as before, he pulled the metal gate shut on its tracks. She operated the lever and it lifted with a grunt.

On the top floor, they left the elevator and moved around to yet another one. "This one takes us to the roof," she murmured.

Fox couldn't help but notice the fantastically polished flooring, the intensely beautiful markings on the walls and everything else about this enormous chamber. They took the last elevator to the rooftop. At the center was a stone pedestal with a recently constructed gazebo in place. It was cordoned off with a danger sign. "What's so dangerous about...?" He grew near to it and saw that at the center of the elevated structure there was a hole, much like a skylight. Fox peered down, able to see all the way to the bottom, easily over fifteen stories - possibly more. Without windows to judge the distance, it was difficult to discern an exact height. "Hopefully no one has fallen through that."

"If it wasn't for you, I would have fallen through that." She placed a paw on his lower back. "Fox, this is where we met. I was in a prism-shaped chamber, in a machine - I hovered above this. When you brought the spirits up here, they rushed through me on the way to a machine that attracted them to Andross. The small prison shattered and I fell. If you didn't have my staff in your paw, I would have died."

Fox lifted his left arm slightly and blocked out the gazebo, trying to imagine what it would have looked like as an empty pedestal. He envisioned a prism floating above, with Kursed inside... "How's your arm and your paw?" he asked.

"Pardon?" She eyed him for a moment. A warm breeze rustled their fur. After a moment she said, "Far better than everyone else's injuries."

McCloud lowered his nose and deadpanned at her. "Kursed, feel free to let it out. If you're hurting, then you're hurting. Complaining and swearing actually help to dull pain. It also helps our body endure pain for longer periods of time."

She cocked her brows and looked at him with partial disbelief. "Excuse me?"

"Slippy's father asked me about my injuries when we talked on the communicator, last night. He told me there's a study on swearing - look it up if you don't believe me. I don't mind, heh. I thought it was weird, too. Anyhow, griping about pain can sometimes help."

"So explain to me why you bottle your pain and keep such a tight lid on your injuries. After all, you're the worst off of everyone onboard."

Fox shrugged slightly, careful not to move his shoulders too much. "Because the leader of a group is supposed to set a standard. So I just bite my lip, nod when asked if it hurts and I think about how lucky I am to have this pain. After all, the alternative to being in pain..."

"...Is feeling nothing - death," whispered the vixen. "Yes, that's true. But nobody here is complaining. Falco had choice words for ROB when getting sewn up, though. Hmm, very interesting - I'll have to look into this 'study on swearing' ...just the same, you're giving me permission to grouse yet you refuse to do it for yourself?"

"Was I a complainer in the past?"

"Yes and no. You never complained about yourself. No matter what happened, you bottled your emotions. However, if something happened that caused a negative effect on your team or your loved ones, then yes. You were quick to complain."

"I was?"

She nodded firmly. "If someone was being unfair to your purpose, your mission or your teammates, you were known to get quite defensive."

Fox looked surprised. "Peppy said when life handed me chaos and hardship, I became stoic and displayed a great deal of emotional fortitude."

Another grin illuminated her face. "You never complained in front of your godfather, Fox McCloud. But Tricky once told me that you never stopped complaining while on Sauria." Her words caused Fox to tilt his head in confusion so she decided to humor him. "Well, famous fairytale hero," she began, transferring her weight to her other foot with a shift of her hips. "Apparently you weren't allowed to bring a weapon to Sauria during your first visit. You adapted by using my staff instead. But you later told me that you griped about it. Then you would grumble and complain to Tricky when your list of tasks would get longer because it meant more work for the same amount of pay. But he also said you went out of your way until everyone was safe, satisfied and alive."

"Well, that's good to know."

Kursed's grin broadened. "One of the first words you said to me was, 'Hey, wait! Well thanks for nothing - if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be standing here at all.' It was amusing." She lifted her uninjured paw and fluffed the purple locks of her hair with it. "I ignored your short attitude. You just folded your arms and glared at me. It was cute, really." (StarFox: Adventures, ending sequence prior to the final boss battle.)

Fox tilted his head and looked at her for a moment. "I... remember that." His announcement of the memory caused her eyes to widen. Fox rubbed his knee, trying to focus the blurry, jumbled recollection in his head. "You were shouting in my language, 'We will never kneel to you', then you snatched the staff from my back and said..."

Kursed blushed at the reminiscence and blurted out the words, "Give me that!" She ran her fingers back through her hair again and chuckled lightly to mask her shame. "That was rather rude for a first meeting, wasn't it? I must have come off as a spoiled, bratty Princess with no manners." She abruptly coughed into a paw, not wanting to bring up royalty around Fox. For some reason that wasn't something she cared to talk about because it wasn't her anymore.

Fox didn't catch the reference, passing off the title as a sarcastic metaphor of sorts. "I liked your first words to me after I lost my memories. 'Good goddess, are you all right? I thought you were a goner!' It was sweet - I could tell you were worried."

Her eyes shifted to the right and she rubbed at the backside of her neck then froze. Trying to pass off the sudden pause as normal, she lowered her paw back to her side and avoided making eye contact with him... she didn't intend to do it, but she had just rubbed the back of her neck the way he always did when he felt awkward about something. Was she adopting his mannerisms now? She swallowed a bit then changed the subject. "I wonder how we're going to lure the Krazoa spirits out. From what I've heard, we'll need them to be present."

"I'm not sure. Didn't you just say that people have reported to see them flying around the summit at night, sometimes?"

"I figured it was too bright to see them by day," she replied with a slight shrug. "Perhaps we should camp up here? I worry that it may be too cold, though. I suppose we could go inside and set ourselves up on the top floor. But I think this pedestal has something to do with it. Maybe this is where something special was to happen?"

Fox rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. "What time was it when I met you up here? When the prism shattered?"

"Night."

He nodded and moved towards the gazebo-like structure. "Help me push this thing off."

"What?? Why?"

"Gut feeling." He put his left hip up against the side and pushed. A moue of pain became visible on his face.

She quickly came to help, not sure about his motives. "Help me understand your logic, Fox. Your thoughts are jumbled right now." She placed her paws and hip against the small wooden structure, and together they pushed. It slowly slid from the base, tipped over and fell several feet onto its side, landing down on the rooftop. The two pilots settled down on the steps leading up to the side of the pedestal. "What was that about?"

"I don't know," he murmured. "I had the strangest feeling like it would make a difference. Just... my gut told me to do it. Then again, maybe I shouldn't listen to my gut - it's been stabbed." He gave her a lame grin.

She shook her head. Kursed eased an arm around his shoulders, hugging him gently. She remained careful so as not to hurt any of his injuries. "I trust your instincts, Fox. I trust them better than I trust anyone else."

"Fair enough. I don't think we should take the top floor. Let's go down to the bottom and camp out there." He stood up, went down the stone steps and headed back to the elevator. Fox picked up the satchel with the small animal inside. It was fast asleep within the sack. "For now, I guess we wait until nightfall. We can bring the Murphy bed mattress, or maybe some sleeping bags and stretch out beneath the stars, now that this skylight thing isn't blocked."

"True and it won't be too terribly cold since we won't be on the roof."

He grinned with a nod. "Exactly." The elevator began to sink back into the palace.

---

*The two sleeping bags were head to head * in a line. Fox was completely out yet the vixen was restless. She felt his ear brush against hers and she shuddered. Kursed rolled onto her stomach and peered over her pillow at Fox's head. He breathed deeply and his eyelids were twitching ever so slightly. She placed a paw above his forehead then blushed brightly at the sight of his dream.

She swallowed hard and bit her lower lip. Her heart raced. She saw a garter belt drawn carefully down the leg of a blue vixen - her. In the dream, Fox was using his teeth to pull it from her silky thigh. In the hazy mental image, he stood up, made eye contact with the blue-furred woman then he tossed the garter belt over his shoulder to a small group of males. She couldn't quite understand the scene. However, she saw herself dressed in an opulent gown of white. Fox had himself dressed in a dashing tuxedo.

There were tables in a large hall with blue napkins. To the left, there was a large cake, chocolate, nearly a meter high. Two plastic vulpine figures stood as a centerpiece atop of the cake. She continued to watch the events unfold in Fox's dream. He offered the demure, doe-eyed vixen his paw and she stood from a chair. In the background, someone said a name over the public announcement. People cheered. Shortly thereafter, the speaker announced, "It is time for the bride and groom to take the dance floor."

Kursed drew her paw back and eased up onto both of her elbows. Her eyes were wide and her muzzle was slightly parted. "Oh my," she whispered to herself in stark realization. While the part about the garter belt didn't make any sense to her, she knew the terms 'bride and groom' and her heart raced. "I don't know what to say," she murmured aloud. It was enough to cause Fox to stir - she suddenly felt guilty for having awoken him from such a dream.

"You okay?" he whispered with a yawn.

"Hmm? Me? I'm well. I'm sorry I disturbed you."

"No, it's fine," he replied in a tender tone. "Have you seen any Krazoa spirits yet?"

"I'm afraid not." She sighed. "Go back to sleep, Fox. I'm sorry."

Fox wiggled out of his sleeping bag and brought it besides hers. He unzipped the side of her bag then wiggled close so that they were near each other the way they were on the Murphy bed back on Kew the other day. "No, you're fine. You want to talk, Kursed?"

She shrugged. "What should I talk about?"

"Anything to do with us. I wanna' hear stories about when we were happy."

She smiled softly and began toying with his headfur. Her fingertips moved behind his ears, scratching and rubbing gently. "Well, there was this time back on Katina. You were teaching me to shoot and told me that I should take it very seriously because it could be a matter of life and death one day. After all this time together, you were finally opening up enough to call me sweet names, like, 'Angel,' and 'Sweetheart'. We were alone in the desert, watching both Solar and Lylat come up in unison at different angles. It gave us two shadows and it was so beautiful." She glanced back down at Fox and saw that his eyes were closed. She'd not really noticed until now but surmised it must have happened as soon as his head returned to his pillow.

She thought about taking a walk to stretch, but because he was in so much pain, she didn't want to leave him alone right now. Instead, she reached over and fixed the blankets so that they overlapped then pulled the covers up and wiggled closer, adjacent to him. There she lay, listening to his deep breathing. There was something peaceful about seeing this warrior leader asleep and vulnerable. She leaned close and whispered against the side of his face. "It's 'Krystal'... and I love you. Promise you'll never leave my side."

Again, like their night together on Kew, he murmured a response in his sleep. "I know it's you, angel. I love you, too, and I'll never go anywhere without you ever again." His voice was so subtle that she could hardly hear the words. However, she was able to sense his every spoken syllable and it made her relax. Just being close to him, she was able to soak in the almost tactile reflections of his mind. She took comfort in the strong, masculine heart beating in his chest. Kursed was undone by his calm, pure-of-heart way; he had returned to being the man she fell in love with years ago... but it was even better than before. With all those things out of his mind, he was able to focus all of his attention on her and their newly rekindled love. His whispered assurances put her at ease.

In a deep sleep, Fox draped a leg over hers just to be a little closer. She placed her paw on his thigh and his paw came overtop of hers. Again, their fingers interlaced. A smile found her face and her eyes fluttered shut. She wasn't sure about religion since Lylat and Cerinia had their own views but she made a promise to herself; Kursed asked whoever could hear her prayer to allow Fox to stay this way and find his memories. She told herself if Fox could stay this way after those memories returned, she would surely marry him.

---

Krystal's mind raced. She lay there in the light doze, remembering what happened before leaving the GreatFox, earlier that day.

Sauria was a royal hue of lush violet in the lighting of distant Solar, with marble white swirls of cloud cover. Despite being in physical pain, Fox was impressed with the way it appeared - enough so that he was distracted from his discomfort. Great Fox moved into a standard orbit pattern while the two foxes stood in silence at the window.

Slippy looked up at them. His right wrist was in a cast that extended to the first knuckle of his fingers. His arm was in a sling. "Okay, guys. I parallel parked between two satellites. At least, now that the planet is back together, you don't have to go jumping through golden hoops to come and go as you please."

Fox glanced back at the frog and the two locked their gaze for a moment. "Jumping through hoops? Of gold?"

"Yeah, I know, you don't remember the golden rings. Long story short, there were pockets of gravity that you needed to pass through in order to get into the atmosphere during our first visit. I created holographic golden rings to mark their location so that you could fly through the pockets of energy and gravity, store it in your G-diffuser then disperse it during a landing sequence, so you could actually get to the planet. The inside joke onboard the Great Fox was about flying through golden rings to get anywhere, but really you just needed to collect energy from gravity wells in your G-diffuser system. Some areas required more energy to make it. Some areas consisted of the path of least resistance, like Thorntail Hollow. You could make it there on only a single ring."

Fox opened his muzzle but couldn't think of anything to say about the frog's explanation. Instead, he simply shrugged and said, "That's a little confusing. Why?"

Kursed placed a paw on his shoulder. "Because the planet was drifting apart, Fox. Considering the crisis, it could have been much worse than it was. Tectonic plates on this planet are deep beneath the mantle. However, continental shelves were cracking at the surface with entire sections floating right into orbit; thankfully this planet has such deep mantles or it would have been covered in lava. Anyhow, the Krazoa technology used to keep the planet together had been stolen and you were contracted to come here and get everything into order. By accident, you came across me. I hate to admit it, but my role in that situation was less than constructive. I was placed into stasis but my body was kept in use... like being placed into a medically induced coma but being vaguely aware and awake for the entire episode. Andross was using energy produced by my body to sustain himself. When he realized I wasn't enough, he decided to use you, trick you into rescuing me, and have you bring him the rest of the spirit life forms, because the ONE I rescued... it wasn't enough."

Again, Fox was concise. "Why? Why couldn't he get them himself?"

The amphibian cleared his throat. Kursed answered in place of Slippy who intended to be the next to explain. She kept her paw on Fox's shoulder. "Because the Krazoa deem a vessel by its level of worthiness; they somehow judge the heart and soul of a person seeking to take their tests. At the time, I was pure of heart and unknowingly brought the first spirit to Andross. He used it to revive himself but it wasn't enough. He used me as fodder to bring him the others by imprisoning me and slowly but surely draining my life energy to sustain him. You came along and the Krazoa deemed you as pure of heart. So, Andross tricked you into rescuing me by bringing the other spirits. See, Fox? You're pure of heart, too." She glanced up, seeing Falco in the doorway to the bridge.

Lombardi cracked a grin. "Fox, you're pure of heart. Isn't that just CUTE? The manly leader of the galactic-famed Star Fox team is 'pure of heart.' A cold, ruthless warrior who dices Imperial lizards and leaves bodies in his wake... is pure... of freaking... heart. Isn't that a trip?"

Kursed glanced back at Fox and shook her head. "Falco isn't the spiritual type." She gave Fox's shoulder a gentle rub then said, "Well... we're here. Let's go and get ready. I'll shuttle us to the surface." She turned to Slippy and said, "Could you use the ship's sensors to locate a Bafomdad? We'll pick one up before heading to the Palace."

"He needs a doctor," said Falco. "A REAL one. Not some four-eared THING with a rabbit tail." He received a glare from the vixen but shrugged it off. "I've heard all about how scientists and medical people are taking those things to Eladard to study'em. Big whip. Don't you have to be near death for those things to help, anyhow?"

_She quirked a brow. "You're in rare form today." She placed a paw on Fox's lower back and whispered, "Let's go find us a Krazoa Spirit."_The dream began to dissipate. The imagery dissolved and Krystal sat up. She rubbed at her eyes then lifted her head to stretch. That's when she saw it.

Glowing through the skylight was the luminous body of a Krazoa Spirit. It came back around, passed through one of the walls and moved along the ceiling then back through the opposite side. After a moment, it went over the skylight again, on the outside. She brought her palms back to her eyes then pushed the blankets away. Her fur glowed - Krystal looked around and realized that she and Fox were bathed in ethereal Luna. It was like the spotlight of a stage.

She pushed the blankets from Fox and gave him a rousing shake. He stirred with a groan. Fox was weary at first but quick to get at himself. He looked around, first assessing the area for danger then he turned to face her. "What's going on?"

"Look, Fox." She pointed up then told him, "We need to get up there. Get the Bafomdad. Let's hurry." She kicked the rest of the fabric away from her legs then got to her feet, careful not to trip on the adjacent sleeping bags. She grabbed her staff and hurried towards the elevator. Fox followed with the satchel, careful not to wake the creature inside. The platform lifted several floors then stopped. They raced around the promenade then swiftly stepped onto the next elevator. It took them to the top floor. Further along the wall was the one that lifted them to the rooftop.

Regardless of the incredible height above Sauria's surface, the air was shockingly warm and humid. The Bafomdad wiggled about, apparently waking up inside the bag. Fox pulled it out and tucked it beneath an arm, using his other paw to calm it with a rhythmic petting motion.

The two foxes approached the far wing of the rooftop where several Krazoa Spirits were swirling about one another. When Fox and Krystal came into proximity, the spirits broke their orbital patterns and approached. They were incredibly luminous beings, radiating with an oddly tangible purity. The bright light seemed to startle the small creature in Fox's arm. It crawled into his shirt, creating a lump in the fabric. It's plump bottom and rabbit-like tail stuck out beneath the hem. One of its four ear-stalks protruded from Fox's shirt collar.

The vixen reached for his paw. The couple interlaced their fingertips and approached the collection of spirits until they were face to face. A thunderous echo of whisper filled their minds as one of the spirits spoke. "Ah, my valiant children, you've both returned. But I see your hearts, while intact, are filled with pain. This is a travesty beyond concern."

She licked her lips then said, "We've helped you all in the past to return to this palace. You've restored my life in return and I am eternally grateful. But we've come before you to ask of a deeply personal favor."

"Speak of your wishes." The echoed whisper came from nowhere, heard only in the minds of the pilots.

She looked at Fox and smiled. "We've come for healing."

"Healing?"

This time Fox spoke up. "I've lost my memories; she's forgotten how to be happy. We're battered and broken inside and out. Our hearts, our minds and our bodies are in pain - it's a pretty strong reminder of our mortality. But, more than anything, we want our ability to love to be restored. We want to be one with each other, with nothing to get in the way of our feelings. Can you help us?"

Without warning, the collection of spirits rushed into them. Krystal and Fox were thrown into the air, defying gravity. The physical world melted away and the only tactile feeling that remained was a slight discomfort in their fingers.

A blurry light illuminated the void. Slowly, the world came back into focus. The top of the palace was far below. Her head turned to the west and saw the curvature of the horizon. She turned to the east and saw Fox at arm's length. Their paws were still together, fingers interlaced. He never let go of her, despite the power of the spirits upon entry into their bodies. His eyes had a frosted glow; the swirling amethyst marble was beyond description.

Their bodies descended as if floating in a fantasy setting. Fox's feet touched the rooftop and hers were next. She turned to him and clasped his other paw with her free one. They gazed into one another's eyes. His expression softened and, in a tender voice, he said, "Krystal; I remember... every_thing." He moved to her, relinquished her paws and wrapped his arms around her. She buried her face into his shoulder and sobbed. Fox spoke into her ear. "I'd thought you were dead. I was so alone without you. When I saw the Cloud Runner just before crashing... I felt hope. I really think that is what helped me to survive my crash." As he spoke, he became more emotional. His eyes moistened. "Until I saw you, the only thing that kept me alive was the thought of avenging you by finding Octoman. I hated myself for letting you go off on your own. I loved you so much and losing you made me a shell of a man. I adore you. I've realized I had it all wrong. If I could take it all back and do everything over, I would have married you in a heartbeat. I love you, Krystal. You've shown me how to be a man and I can't imagine not sharing my life with you. I already know what I have to do - all I want is a chance to _show you my love."

The only thing more powerful than his emotional words was the sensations she telepathically perceived from him. It was incredible. With his trained, masculine mind, he was able to hold back the tears better than she. Simply sensing his heartfelt feelings was enough to send her into a tailspin. She wept against him, clinging to him. "Fox, I'm so sorry I went back to Panther. I was an emotional basket case. I was so scared to get close to you out of fear that you would hurt me again. I just shut down and went crazy. I was insane to go back to Panther; I already knew it wouldn't work with him - the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. After only a few days I knew I regretted my decision to leave you but I was too ashamed to talk to you about it. I'll never leave you again, Fox. I love you. Like Amanda said, we belong together. Like Slippy said, we're happiest when we're together. Enough of this foolishness - let's promise one another, right here and right now, that we'll be together forever."

Fox felt the small creature wiggle around in his shirt. He gently drew his arms back then placed his paws on her face and gazed into her eyes again. "Krystal, I want you to be my wife. Please." He dropped his right paw from her cheek and searched his pocket. After a moment he retrieved a ring - the one he'd given her so long ago (Epilogue - Reflections of The Future) and the one he'd seen in the photograph taken by members of the press that wound up in the scrapbook he received for his birthday. Her eyes sparkled, magnified by both the moonlight and the glowing brilliance of the Krazoa spirit within her body. She lifted her left paw to him.

He swallowed to calm his nerves. "I can think of no better place to propose to you then where we first met." He eased the jeweled symbolic object onto her left ring finger then leaned down and kissed her knuckles. "Krystal," he lowered to his knee, surprised to feel absolutely no pain in his ribs or abdomen. "I'm no good at these little speeches but let me formally ask your permission... After all I've put you through, I want the opportunity to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Would you give me the honor of being your husband? Krystal, will you marry me?"

Her eyes glowed with happiness, moved by the way he spoke from his heart. She opened her mouth to speak but took a slow breath to try and calm herself... her heart was beating its way out of her chest. Another breath then she found her inner strength and proudly said, "YES, Fox. I would accept no other man to make me his bride." She lowered herself to his level and threw her arms around him. The two lovers tumbled to the ground, clinging to one another.

The Bafomdad crawled out of Fox's shirt, looking exhausted. It'd healed both of their physical injuries. The adorable little animal crawled a few feet away, curled into a ball and immediately went to sleep. Its lengthy quartet of ears wrapped around, covering itself.

Fox and Krystal turned their attention back to one another. "Being a husband and a father would be far more fulfilling than living the life of a mercenary anyhow. We have enough money that we'll never have to work, ever again. Let's just get a place together and settle down."

She blushed brightly, looking demure and flushed in the face. "A father, Fox? Well... my word," she bit her lower lip then lowered her nose a bit more but lifted her eyes to him. "I would be honored to give you a family. I would do anything to spend my life with you. I don't care if it's in a cardboard box; I just know I want to wake up besides you every day for the rest of my life. If nothing else, that would make me the happiest woman in the world."

With their physical wounds healed, Fox's memories restored and Krystal's emotional pain dissolved, the Krazoa Spirits' work was done. They whispered into the hearts of their vessels, "You have our blessing, my children. Release us back into the temple."

Fox sat up and rubbed at his face then he took Krystal's paw. She smiled and got to her feet alongside of him. Together, they walked hand-in-hand to one of the Krazoa statues fixed into the side of the pedestal where Fox once rescued his future bride-to-be, so many years ago. Together, they knelt before the statue, closed their eyes and waited.

Again, the world melted away. The couple found themselves surrounded by a soft white world. They looked around in confusion then back at one another. Krystal touched herself, feeling that she was whole. She reached to Fox, finding that he, too, was in a corporeal state. But there was nothing around them. "Where are we?" she asked. Her voice was muddled, as though she spoke under water. Yet he could understand her.

"I don't know. We were just on Sauria - we knelt down to wait for the spirits to go back into the palace." Something caught his eye and he glanced to the right. She looked in the opposite direction then back at him. Fox panned his head from right to left then said, "Can you sense anything?"

"Warmth. I sense love and warm feelings. I sense pride and happiness." She glanced about herself then placed an arm beneath his shoulder. "There, Fox. Look..."

Fox squinted. In the distance, a figure began to take shape. It faded into existence, and upon approach, the masculine person offered a heart-stopping smile. James McCloud swiftly stepped before the couple, opened his arms and hugged them both. In his ever deep and unforgettable voice, he said, "Fox, Krystal... welcome."

"Dad," Fox whispered in reply. "How is this possible? How did we get here?"

James relinquished the group hug and smiled at them. "Where is here? Who says anything is impossible?"

"They never found your body - I held out hope that you may have wound up in the wormhole or..."

"Who says I didn't?" James grinned then lifted a paw. "Wait... I have a surprise for you." To the right, another figure appeared. She walked with graceful steps and a sure-footed stride. The vixen came to James' side and put an arm around his back, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Fox, look at you..." She opened her other arm to him.

McCloud glanced to his fiancée then back at his parents. He stood there, agape, unable to fathom what was happening. He launched himself into his mother's arms and held her, weeping like a child. "Momma... I... how?"

"Shh..." She lifted her free arm, petting her son's head. "Fox, we've come to give you our blessing. The Krazoa spirits are as equally apart of the spirit world as they are apart of the physical world. They are your link... your connection to this place. Where we are, now, is a timeless plane. It's accessible in many ways... through the wormhole; through a connection with the Krazoa Spirits in your realm... it's not the afterlife - merely the next point in eternal existence. Your father and I wanted to give you our blessing while we had a chance to connect with you. Thankfully, you've not released the Krazoa Spirit yet... and, now, here you are."

"I've not seen you in so long..."

Vixy smiled. "I know, sweetie." She kissed Fox's forehead then glanced at Krystal. "Come here, young lady." Krystal approached. James drew her into the family embrace. In a melodic tone, Vixy said, "Welcome to the McCloud family, Krystal. You're not alone. You're not to be the last one of your race, my dear. You both have our blessing and we hope you'll be very happy together."

Krystal smiled and snuggled into the group hug. James spoke into her ear. "My boy has been dreaming of you since shortly after I disappeared from his life. I want you to know he'll do whatever it takes to be the man you need him to be. So long as you give him the chance, he'll give you all of himself. I've looked over him for many years, now... it's time I move on with my wife. Please watch over my son and my grandson." He nuzzled her ear with his nose as he spoke. She nodded quietly in reply.

James and Vixy stepped back, taking a moment to look over the next generation of McClouds. Jim lifted his paw and said, "Wait here, you two. This won't take long. Just know that you're both loved very much. You'll both make great parents and have a wonderful lifetime ahead of you both." He and Vixy backed away and, after only a few steps, they began to fade... their ghostly silhouettes were replaced by the images of Marcus and his wife, Kurisutaru.

Krystal and her mother quickly embraced one another. Marcus approached Fox and they shook hands in a gentlemanly fashion. Both Marcus and Kuri wore what appeared to be opulent crowns of platinum and jewels. The blue-furred man drew Fox into a firm embrace, shoulder to shoulder. They patted one another firmly on the back. "You take good care of my daughter, Mister McCloud. I want you to do your best to be a fine father to my grandson."

"Grand_son_, sir?"

"Yes. I know she hasn't told you much about the oracle's prophecy but it doesn't matter. You'll find out soon enough. Raise him to make good choices, follow his heart and to be honest and open-minded with himself and others. Teach him how to treat a lady. Teach him that love is the manliest thing he can provide. Tuck him in every chance you get, smile at him and tell him how proud you are to be his father." Marcus stepped back from Fox and smiled softly. "I'm proud to call you my son-in-law. You're a man of honor and courage, Fox McCloud. Treat my daughter well and you'll both make one another very happy."

Marcus nodded to Fox then retreated to his daughter's side. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the side of her face. "Krystal, Cerinia is not gone. It's in you. Your son will carry the hopes and dreams of our people."

"I only wish you could have the ability to meet him one day," she replied with a melancholy tone.

The king of Cerinia placed a firm paw on her head, running his fingers through his daughter's hair. "One day, when he is of age and his mind is strong enough... I will speak to him. I have a gift for him."

"You do?"

He smiled then turned to his wife. "Kuri, my dear," he whispered. She drew her hair back, which had partially obscured a locket around her neck. He opened the locket and showed Krystal a glowing gem inside. "This is what I gave your mother as a symbol of love - with this emblematic stone, she became my betrothed. I will give it to my grandson to pass on to the woman he chooses to become his wife."

"I'm sure he would be delighted to meet you." She turned back to her mother and firmly embraced the queen of Cerinia. "Mother, this is Fox. He's the man with whom I shared my dreams when I was a girl."

Kurisutaru approached Fox and brought her paws to his face. She paused, closed her eyes then smiled. "You've found a fine man, Krystal. His heart is strong; his soul is true." Her eyes opened and she looked up at the red-furred fox. "My daughter is absolutely crazy about you, young man. I understand why you pushed her away and I appreciate the gesture to protect her but... even more than that... I appreciate that you came to your senses and realized that the only true way to protect her... is by keeping her at your side. You're a good person, young man." She turned back to Krystal and said, "I see you're wearing my 'Kurisutaru,' and it looks good on you. I hid it in your luggage because I knew."

Krystal approached Fox and her mother. "But how did you know?" She cut her gaze to Fox and explained, "My mother's tiara was named after my mother. It was crafted as a unique piece just for her; the queen's circlet is always named after the queen. I found it the day after I met you... It was hidden among my things."

Kuri smiled at her daughter and said, "You may have been the very last Cerinian to have her fortune told... but the Oracle told me the fate of Cerinia first. I knew, when you were put into the lottery to receive provisions to leave... I knew my fate. And I knew of yours. I put my tiara in with your things and hid it. I knew you would understand."

Again, the two women embraced one another in an emotional display of tears. Fox turned back to Marcus and smiled. "Thank you for your blessing, sir. I won't let her down this time."

He offered a knowing grin and said, "I know. You've learned your lesson." His grin widened. "I can sense it," he said with a wink. "It's time... take care of her, Fox. She has a strong, if not slightly stubborn heart and she's from a long line of proud and noble Cerinians. She'll make you a very happy husband so long as you're man enough to make her a very happy wife. Hold her hand, look into her eyes... tell her you love her. Do it at least once every day for the rest of your lives and trust in your feelings for one another. The gift of companionship is one of the most sacred and wonderful things this universe has to offer. Cherish it."

Marcus and Krystal embraced one last time then the king put his arm around queen Kurisutaru and, together, they faded into the perfect white glow that surrounded Fox and his fiancée. Everything began to dim. Fox reached for her paw. Krystal moved to his side and they embraced one another. A heavy sensation, like gravity, captured their bodies and the two foxes dropped to their knees. The white world faded until it was gone.

Fox and Krystal awoke, hand-in-hand, side-by-side, kneeling on the granite rooftop of the Krazoa Palace. They faced a Krazoa statue built into the side of a large granite base atop the shrine. Long spiritual tendrils emanated from their chests; the Krazoa Spirits flowed into the statue and disappeared. The couple felt exhausted and slumped against one another.

Panting, nearly breathless, Krystal said, "That was intense."

"Very," he agreed. "Did that really just happen?"

"Thank goodness; you saw it too. I thought it was a hallucination." She turned to her fiancé and wrapped her arms around him. "I love you."

It didn't take long for Fox's body to recover from the exhausting mental experience. He slid his right arm around her upper back and his left paw moved beneath her legs. Fox got to his knees then to his feet. She put an arm around his shoulders and rested her face against his cheek. "Fox, put me down - I'm too heavy to carr-"

"Nonsense," he interjected. "Should we bring our little friend down from the roof?" he asked, nodding towards the sleeping Bafomdad about four meters away.

"Why not. After all, they love to burrow beneath the ground. Let's drop him off somewhere quiet."

McCloud grinned. "I know just the place. There's nowhere I'd rather be right now than the beaches of Cape Claw."

"That's quite a ways from here, love. It would take a while."

"Not by shuttle." He carried her out to the wing of the rooftop then lowered to one knee. Krystal reached down and pulled the small creature onto her tummy. Fox stood back up and carried them both to the elevator.

Before long, they were back in the shuttle with their sleeping bags and her staff. Fox put her on the Murphy bed. "Our romance has been like some sort of movie. It's a romantic comedy at times, and then sometimes it's a romantic drama. In the end it was all a misunderstanding and we got back together."

Krystal brought her paw to her muzzle. She recalled the movie she saw on Corneria with the adorably sweet ending. "It's funny how sometimes art imitates life, and other times life imitates art." She saw the confusion in Fox's eyes. "I have a movie you need to sit down and watch with me. By now it's surely out on video - we'll have to rent it."

Fox eyed her suspiciously then grinned. He nodded. "A romantic movie, huh? You know what?" He looked around in a furtive manner then leaned in and said, "Don't tell anyone but... I like sappy movies because they have happy endings." He saw her face brighten. His own grin broadened then he went up to the cockpit.

Within ten minutes they were over the waters of Cape Claw. He set down in a clearing on a remote beach in an alcove. The aft hatch lowered. The Bafomdad scampered out first, took off across the sandy beach and ran for about forty meters. Nearly beyond their range of sight, he began to burrow into the sand. Fox carried Krystal from the ship, carefully, and walked out onto the beach. He eased her to her feet, kissed her softly and went back for the blankets.

Upon return, he spread them out on the sand, placed the pillows at one end then walked down to the water. "This is high tide, so we should be okay to sleep right on the beach." He turned back to face her in the moonlight then grinned. "Now this is perfect. Don't you agree, my future wife?"

Krystal grinned at him with a nod. "Yes... it's perfect." And without another word, she removed her blouse and tossed it aside. "Now come here, my future husband."

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