ESCAPE TO CERINIA

Chapter 1 of 3: Wishful Thinking

In the waning days of the year referred to as 13 ALW, a stifling cold front rolled over Corneria City and its surrounding suburban areas, bringing with it a solid strain of snow, sleet, and freezing rain that blanketed the central hub of the Cornerian Federation with a thick cover of wintery precipitation. It was rare for weather such as this to occur at any point during a year in Corneria City, as the metropolis was positioned in a temperate area of the planet known for having mild to warm winters and warm to hot summers. Many business owners and workers found themselves unable to travel through the ice-covered urban jungle, and as a result, many of the city's normally busy establishments were as silent as the grave.

Amidst the falling snow, two figures could be found walking hand in hand down a slippery city sidewalk. In the early hours of the night, the moon was obscured by the heavy cumulus clouds that had been hanging over the city for the last two days, leaving the darkened city's streetlights as the only viable light sources. As the two figures passed underneath one of the modern, white lamps, the bright artificial rays illuminated the two, revealing them as Fox McCloud and Krystal, his wife of six months. In the past, their relationship had been heavily damaged by Fox's decision to force her to leave Star Fox shortly before the inception of the Anglar Blitz; and it had taken the complete loss of his pride to admit that he had made a terrible mistake and in turn, plead for her to return to him.

The wounds caused by Fox's well-intended actions were no longer fresh, but they were still present in both Fox and Krystal's hearts. It had taken over a year for them to regroup and to treat each other the same way that they had before Fox had made the mistake that he wished he had never made. When both vulpines felt that their internal scars had been repaired—at least, for the most part—Fox nervously asked his favorite vixen if she would be willing to take his hand in marriage. Krystal willingly consented, and the two were pronounced husband and wife eight months later. Fox had read before that the excitement one feels after being married tends to fade after two years, but he had the feeling that this would not be the case with Krystal. There was almost nothing about her that he disliked, and there was almost nothing that he wouldn't do for her if she asked for it.

Their honeymoon had ended long ago, but both Fox and Krystal still felt that any day that they could see each other was every bit as wonderful as their romantic trip to Sauria, where they spent two weeks traversing the beautiful, unspoiled land and associating with the native dinosaurs, many of whom had formerly known the vulpines from the their first visits to the planet. Not too long after their honeymoon, Fox placed the Star Fox team on an indefinite hiatus, which more accurately meant that he had permanently disbanded it. With Lylat finally at peace after years and years of constant warfare, the services of the famous mercenary-for-hire unit were no longer necessary.

Neither Falco nor Slippy seemed to be bothered by Fox's decision to disband the team. Slippy himself had recently found himself a wife and sought to raise a family with her on Aquas. Meanwhile, Falco continued in his ways as a rogue pilot and soon found work elsewhere in Lylat and its surrounding systems. With Peppy comfortably positioned as Corneria's head general, Fox and Krystal took up jobs as a professor at the Cornerian Flight Academy and as a nurse for Corneria City's largest hospital, respectively. As a form of thanks for their services, both of them had been given the next three days off for the coming winter holiday; although the number of activities that they would be able to partake in outside their home was very limited due to the winter weather that showed no signs of stopping. Nevertheless, both Fox and Krystal were determined to relish the temporary break from their duties.

Both vulpines were covered from head to toe with several layers of thick winter clothing, and both wore heavy black overcoats that reached to their knees and helped to seal in the naturally-produced warmth from their own bodies. Soon, though, they would be in a place where there would be no shortage of heat. The house that Fox had bought for himself and his wife was much smaller than what he could have afforded; and because both he and Krystal continued to pursue separate careers after disbanding Star Fox, the McClouds had no shortage of money. Without the need for new military toys, the two vulpines mutually agreed to save their hard-earned finances for the future—for their children.

Fox was keen on the idea of raising at least one kit, although it was Krystal's long-held wish to be able to bring a Cerinian child into the world and to continue the legacy of her deceased people. Being the understanding husband that he was, Fox completely sympathized with her on this point and had no qualms with initiating the necessary activities for the conception of a vulpine child. For the moment, though, the two of them had their house to themselves.

In spite of her warm, wooly clothes, Krystal found herself shivering in the cold winter night. Cerinia had been so much warmer than this, with an average temperature of roughly 30 degrees centigrade. Even after living in the Lylat System for five years, she still found herself prone to feeling cold at temperatures that Fox found perfectly acceptable. Because Fox had mated with Krystal, a mental bond had been formed between the two of them; and as a result of this, Fox was able to feel Krystal's discomfort in his own mind. To comfort his spouse, he stopped walking and put his arm around her neck, drawing her in for a snug, warm embrace that caused her to sigh in delight.

"Thanks, Fox," the vixen murmured with a voice that was muffled by the thick fabric of Fox's coat.

"Any time," Fox answered with a smile. "We don't have much farther to go. Just a bit more and we'll be home."

Shortly, Fox released Krystal from his grasp, but he still held onto her delicate blue paw as they entered the small, near-luxury development where their house was located. They could have purchased a rustic farmland property or a plot of land along the beach, but they had decided that a 'normal' house in the suburbs of Corneria was in the best interest for their lives and the lives of their future children. The house was positioned on the right perimeter of the development and was relatively secluded—as much as was possible for a house in a suburban area.

The vulpines' feet crunched over the fallen snow and the ice that had built up as they carefully walked into their development. Many of the neighborhood cars were covered with a layer of snow, reminding them of the fact that the Cornerian emergency crews were grossly unprepared for the unexpected winter storm. In a matter of days, most of the city's roads would be salted, allowing the citizens to once again venture out with their cars and bicycles; but for the moment, much of the city's population was snowbound.

Krystal smiled as they passed the house next to theirs, where the neighbors' children had built a snowman in the front yard. Children were always a source of happiness for the Cerinian, who hoped that she would someday be able to have kits of her own. Even when she was a teenager on Cerinia, she would often visit the less fortunate children and spend time with them. This sort of behavior continued into her days with the Star Fox team. It also gave her the unofficial honor of being the member of Star Fox who was most responsible for the team's public relations.

Feeling somewhat weary after the protracted walk from the restaurant where they had eaten dinner together, Fox and Krystal walked up their driveway and stepped onto the threshold in front of their house. A fence hemmed in the sides and the back of their property, which included a wooden deck, a separate parking garage which was mainly used as a 'project area' by Fox, and an elegantly-designed outdoor swimming pool that both vulpines made sure to use as much as possible.

After unlocking the front door, Fox and Krystal stepped inside, immediately shedding their coats and boots and carrying them into their large bedroom closet. It was much larger than most other closets of its kind, if only because Krystal had amassed an alarming number of clothes ranging from demure jeans and dresses to a selection of provocative numbers that she only wore in front of Fox in the privacy of their own home.

After the two vulpines had placed their coats and boots in their respective areas of the closet, Krystal grabbed Fox's paw and pulled him into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him and turning on the shower. While she waited for the water to warm up, she slipped out her heavy winter attire and sat down on the rim of the nearby bathtub, waiting for Fox to follow her lead and undress. In times gone by, Fox would have turned beet red and stammered horribly at a suggestion such as the one his fiancée had just given to him, but after living with his beloved vixen for half a year, he thought nothing of it.

Seconds later, Krystal stood up, confirmed the water temperature, and took Fox's hand in hers as they stepped into the frosted glass enclosure together. After several minutes of working foamy fur soap into each other's pelts, they both seated themselves against the worn stone backing of the shower stall. Allowing herself to fully relax, Krystal stretched out her limbs and rested her head on Fox's shoulder, prompting him to scratch her blue headfur in return.

"Not a bad way to spend a snow day," the vixen blissfully remarked while Fox continued to fondle her. "Do you think it'll let up anytime soon?"

Fox mulled over his answer for a matter of seconds and then replied, "I don't know. I can't say I've ever seen it snow so much in a place that isn't called Fichina." Somewhat discontentedly, he muttered, "Great time to be snowed in, too—the one time I get a vacation all year."

"Is there somewhere else you'd rather be?" Krystal asked, rubbing Fox's chest and looking at him with the pair of lustrous sea-green eyes that he had come to know so well.

Unable to give his mate a clear, convincing answer, Fox replied, "Well…I can't really think of one. I guess a vacation to Zoness would have been nice. All the resorts are booked at this time of year, though."

"Corneria really is a nice place," said Krystal. "I think you take that for granted sometimes. This snow isn't normal. Usually it's much nicer."

"True," Fox mumbled. While Krystal leaned up against him and sighed, Fox thought about a place that was rumored to be beautiful beyond comparison—at least, it had been beautiful at one point. Wistfully and with a degree of caution in his voice, the vulpine told Krystal, "I really wish I could see what your planet was like."

"Cerinia?"

"Yeah," he murmured in reply, "You always told me it was a nice place. It's too bad that it's gone."

Krystal gave no response. Instead, she pressed into Fox's shoulder and resisted the urge to cry over the demise of her home and her people. Even after five years, the pain and anguish of having to feel more than one billion lives end in sheer agony was still very present in her mind. She would have done nearly anything to have them back, but they were all lost, never to return again.

Sensing her internal pain, Fox gently ran his paw down her back and apologized for even mentioning the once-magnificent world of Cerinia. "I'm sorry, Krys…I should've know better than to bring Cerinia up."

"It's fine, Fox," the vixen unapologetically replied. "It hurts me so much because it was every bit as amazing as I said it was. You would have loved it—in fact, you would have never wanted to leave."

"I'll bet," Fox agreed.

"Even after all these years, I still have dreams about it," Krystal explained, feeling a tear welling up in her eye. "It's all so real to me. I see my mother, my father, my sister, and my friends from when I was younger. If only…"

She trailed off and never attempted to complete her thought.

Slightly concerned for his mate, Fox asked her, "What is it, Krystal?"

"I…I had an idea. Come to bed with me, Fox."

"Why? It's only 9:30!" he exclaimed. "Are you sure you don't want to open a bottle of wine and sit by the fireplace first?"

With conviction in her voice, Krystal responded, "I can promise you that what I have in mind is a thousand times better than that."

"If you say so…" Fox scratched at the back of his head out of curiosity and stood up in the shower area before taking Krystal's hand and helping her to her feet. The vixen reached over and turned off the shower while Fox snatched up two dull yellow towels for them to dry their fur with.

Still wondering what the Cerinian was thinking, Fox asked, "What are you trying to do?"

"Be patient, Fox. This won't work unless you can calm your mind," she replied, placing her towel back on its holder and brushing Fox's midsection with her unadorned tail as she walked past him into the bedroom.

After picking his and Krystal's discarded clothes off the bathroom floor and returning them to the closet, Fox turned his attention to the large, blue-covered bed where Krystal was already waiting for him, comfortably enshrined amongst the numerous pillows that took up space near the mattress's headboard. A large, contented smile dominated her face as she patted the space on the bed where Fox slept every night.

"How can I resist that?" the vulpine playfully remarked, pulling the bedsheets forward and sliding over until he came into contact with his favorite blue vixen, who nuzzled into him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Gently scratching Fox's upper chest, the Cerinian asked, "Are you feeling tired, Fox?"

"Maybe a little bit," he replied, not feeling entirely sure about his response. "I still think it's too early to go to bed."

"Just try to relax," said Krystal, "I promise that you won't regret one second of this. Close your eyes, Fox. I'm not going anywhere."

Following his mate's instructions, Fox shut his eyes and breathed deeply. With his world blackened, the only thing that he was aware of was the warm sensation of Krystal's body pressed against his. The softness of her fur coupled with her quiet, consistent heartbeat and her slow, relaxed breathing provided him with a calming sensation that brought a comfortable smile to his face. For a moment, he reached out his hand and stroked the vixen's stomach before he became aware that she was attempting to grasp his paw. He had the suspicion that her actions had something to do with whatever she had in mind for the night; and knowing this, he cooperated with her and tenderly wrapped his fingers around her delicate blue paw.

The vixen's thoughts worked their way into his mind, overwhelming it with a deluge of powerful emotions that all seemed to have voices of their own. The feeling was very familiar to him, as the chorus of voices and thought patterns reached his mind whenever he and Krystal mated or participated in any other kind of mutual activity. The more calm and relaxed she was, the more powerful the effect became.

Over the din inside Fox's mind, Krystal's dulcet voice cut through with a resounding echo as she assured him, "I'm still here, Fox." With every second that passed, he felt his consciousness slowly fading out. Fear momentarily filled his mind as he started to become aware of a growing numbness; but the instant that panic began to set in, he felt Krystal whispering words of comfort to him. Her voice alone was enough to pacify his raging mind, at least for the moment. Still apprehensive about his situation even though he fully trusted the vixen, he attempted to move his paw and found that he had no control over it. The same was true for his eyes—when he tried to force them open, they failed to respond to his neural commands and remained shut. "What's happening?" he demanded, using his physical connection with Krystal to transmit the message to her.

"Relax, Fox. Everything is fine. I've done this before," she reassured him. Blackness was all that he could see, but he had the feeling that Krystal was smiling next to him.

After ten more seconds had passed, Fox became aware of a distant light approaching his vision. For the moment, he felt completely weightless, almost as if he was floating in a void. He felt Krystal's hand in his own; but apart from that, he was unable to discern any other sensations. The light in the distance began to grow brighter and larger, illuminating his vision and removing all traces of the darkness until everything he saw was painted with a shade of bright, pure white.

"What happens now?" he asked.

Krystal tightened her grip on his paw and replied, "You'll see."

AUTHOR'S NOTE(S):

I've got to say, 2013 has been quite a year; and now that it's winding down, I'd like to personally thank each and every one of you for making this year so special for me and indeed, the entire Star Fox Fanfiction archive. Your support resulted in figures that I never expected to see: 18,000+ story views, 275,000+ words archived, 240+ reviews, and 65+ story favorites. On top of that, The Oasis ended up being the second-most favorited Star Fox story published this year. I cannot thank you enough. I am truly humbled by the response you guys have given me since I published the first chapter of The Iridium Chronicle near the end of May.

However, this story is my way of saying 'thank you' to everyone who had a part in making 6 Days and 23 Hours as popular as it was; although my gratitude is certainly not exclusive to the readers of that story.

Oh, and also - I actually did the 'art' (if you really dare to call it that) for the cover of this story.