I finally give in and go home after an hour of clubbing. It’s odd, I’m not drunk. I finally reach the end of our street and push the card key into the slot and door creaks open. I start to walk down the cement hall way. This place is a real dump, the lights down the hall way flicker on and off all the time. Puddles stream down the centre of it. The pitter patter of my shoes against the damp cement floor echoes down the empty hall. Drips of water can be heard from all the way from the back, giving it an eerie feeling.
     I reach our room and push the key in and the door opens. Inside all the windows are open and the guys are all passed out on the couches. I close the door quietly behind me and sneak into my small room. I drop my purse on the floor and lay down on my bed staring up at the ceiling. I’ve never really noticed how dirty it really is, dirt stains and spit balls stuck up there. I turn my head disgusted and look around at my room. My room is very tiny compared to that of a normal sized room. Bottles and ash trays are scattered through out my cluttered room. I start to feel horrible and ashamed of myself, but I can’t stop just of the snap of a finger, no I need help. Better yet I need some friends, my boss likes to think he is- but he isn’t.
   “Celestia open this door right now!” My boss starts banging on the door demanding I let him in, he seems really angry.
“Hang on!” I shout in a gritty voice. I unlock the locks on my door and he barges in and closes the door behind him. He starts to glare and show is fangs at me, I sit nervously.
“Celestia-“he trails off shaking his head when he sees my disaster I call a room. He picks up a bottle and waves it in my face.
“-you have to stop this. Right now! Do you realize how much of our money you’ve pissed away on this crap?! Let alone, have you looked at yourself lately?” I stare at his eye patch for a second and then look towards the ground shamefully.
“I’m sorry-“I whisper.
  “Sorry? You think saying sorry is going to help us? Explain this to Panther and Leon who are bitching about how we have no food. You have to stop drinking and smoking, its costing our team a fortune. We aren’t Starfox, we can’t afford such luxuries. So stop this Celestia, or your going to be kicked out.”
“I can’t live on my own... I don’t have any I.D-“I mumble looking back up at him.
“It’s your lucky day, it came today.” He says handing me a card. I stare at it looking at all the stuff that he had to lie about, my birthday, my home world, my last name…
“Phoenix?” I look up confused, where on Corneria did he make up that name?
“I thought it suited you. Considering you hold the same capabilities as a phoenix.” He smiles slyly.
“Well thank you though.” I say a bit more sarcastic this time. He sits down beside me and starts to play with my hair, twirling it around his paws and his sharp claws. He looks at me horrified like I’ve just died or something.
“Sweetie, do you not realize what this has done to your body? You used to be so beautiful, but all this partying has made you look dreadfully ill. You’ve lost a ton of weight and your feathers are so pale-“
“I know!” I snap. He growls very softly and stands up opening the door. Leon and Panther look at me with sorrow in their eyes. You would have never guessed Leon to be sympathetic, he really isn’t. But these guys I know feel sorry for me, reading their minds helps.
“Team meeting, come out Celestia.” He jesters me out the door and slams it shut behind him. I go out and sit on an old silver chair and cross my legs. Wolf follows close behind and stands up in front of us.
“Panther make sure Celestia doesn’t move. Leon come with me, we are raiding the apartment for any cigarettes and booze. If you find any, drop it out the window.”
Leon snickers and follows Wolf. Panther stands over me and guards me so I can’t get up to stop them.
“It’s for your own good Celestia. You’re going to kill yourself.” Panther says to me softly. He is the only one I actually don’t mind, because he isn’t heartless like the other two. Even though he had a thing with Krystal from Starfox, he doesn’t seem that bad. Well, in ways yes I could agree with her. She loved Fox, Panther needs to accept that. Instead he whines about it all the time.
“I know, it’s just so hard-“
“What is?” He asks curious. His yellow eyes flicker adjusting to the new lighting in the room, a result of Wolf turning on all the lights to search for more unwanted items.
“I have nothing to live for. Honestly.” Panther doesn’t have time to answer and he backs away when Wolf and Leon return to the centre. I turn to look in my room to see it completely empty just my bed, without sheets.
“Alright Celestia, here’s the deal. You will not sleep with any blankets and you’re your window wide open tonight as a punishment for spending our money on booze. Tomorrow bright and early, you will take your ID and walk down to the Cornerian Hospital. You will get medication and be on your way to a new start. If you fail to get better by next month I will kick you out, without pay. Do I make myself clear?” Wolf says crossing his arms and glaring at me angrily. I nod agreeing and close my door and go to sleep.
     I wake up angrily with a huge migraine; I’m really missing those cigarettes now. I groan and quietly jump in the shower feeling the slightest bit better when I get out. I pull on my sneakers and pull on a pink T-shirt with blue jean shorts. I leave my hair down today just because it isn’t windy and it won’t blow around in my face. I close the door softly behind me and run down the eerie hallway.
   I get outside and the air is most wonderful. It wakes me up and refreshes me. Solar is just rising over the horizon lighting up the city. I walk down the same street as I did last night looking up at the billboard again, returning my motivation to get better. I look down at the ground and kick the leaves in front of me when an old familiar voice stops me again.
“Hello again!” The old porcupine says cheerfully walking down the steps from his house.
“Hey.” I smile.
“What brings you out so early in the morning? Don’t you young folk tend to wake up around lunch time?” He laughs.
“Usually.” I joke back.
“But I’m going to the hospital.” I sigh giving away that I’m upset and don’t wish to go.
“What for?” He asks concerned looking up into my eyes.
“Well, I have a feeling I’m very sick-“I trail off seeing as he can already tell.
“I’m glad you’re going and I wish you the best of luck! Have no worry though. They have the best doctors in Lylat up there; you will be well taken care of!” He smiles patting me on the back. I smile giving a thankful look in my eyes.
“Thank-you”
“No problem! Anyway, my name is Herald. Herald Smithson, what might yours be young lady?” He says shaking my hand excitedly.
“Celestia…Phoenix.”
“What I lovely name, in fact it’s a gorgeous name! I say, why don’t you join me for a spot of tea after your appointment?” He smiles up at me fixing his glasses on his nose.
“Sure.” I shrug smiling.
“Very good! Well you best be on your way, best of luck!” He waves walking up his stairs and closing the door behind him.
  I walk down the street some more not quite sure where I’m going. A car flies above my head without warning and I panic. I start to walk faster, not really noticing where I’m going. I can tell I’m leaving the slums when I pass the park. Everything is so beautiful from this onward. Elegant buildings and trees scattered all around, cheerful people walking down the streets and fresh air. More cars fly above me only this time it doesn’t startle me, because there are millions of them! I’ve begun walking in the busiest part of Corneria. I look up at the sky to see a floating news board flashing breaking news. I stand in the middle of the street with many others stopping to watch it.
  “This morning General Pepper of the Cornerian Army has stepped down from his position. Close friends of Pepper have claimed he has been very ill and can no longer take his position any longer. He has suggested that Peppy Hare from the Starfox team be the new general. More news on this in an hour.”
People all around me start to whisper, sorrow fills the air for Pepper. People feel safe with the thought of Peppy being the new general. I start to read minds, some say they are happy for Peppy, some feel extreme sorrow for Pepper, and some are so overwhelmed they haven’t even formed a thought yet.  I continue to walk during the rush hour and I finally reach the hospital. I look up at one of the tallest buildings in Corneria, it reads: Corneria Hospital – finest of Doctors. I clutch my ID tightly in my wing and walk through the sliding doors.