Chapter 13 Memory of a Close Friend
Zack help Sonic as they set Nova down under a tree. Dawn sat next to her sister and place her head on Nova's shoulder while Sonic and Zack talk. "so you're their bodyguard then". "yes, they was like my family". "why did you left then?". Zack took in a deep breath and spoke. "it all started when…".
Flashback
"where…a-am I?" spoke a young Zack as he open his eyes. Zack could see he was in a jail cell and chained to the steel wall. With all his strength, Zack tried to get free but couldn't and started to cry. "it's okay, don't cry". Zack turn to his right and saw a female mountain lion and she was wearing a rip slave cloak. "w-who are you?" ask Zack as he wipe away his tears. "my name is Akiza and you are?". "…I don't know…I can't remember nothing…". Akiza could see that Zack was starting to cry again and quickly stop him. "Zack". "huh? Zack?" said Zack in confusing. "you look like a Zack" smile Akiza. Seeing her smile made Zack smile as well.
"I learn from Akiza and the others prisoners that we were on a slave ship. Akiza and i became friends real quick and months later I met the one who was in charge".
"how are my little workers doing today?" laugh a fat pig. Zack and Akiza stayed quiet as the pig enter Akiza cell. "lets go little girl!" order the pig as he pulled Akiza by her hair. Zack didn't do anything as Akiza vanish into the other room.
"hours pass and Akiza finally return but she was different. I notice her back had whip scars on it. She was more quiet but she stilled smile at me. Then one day, he return and took Akiza again but this time I did something. I broke free from the cell from the key I sweep from a guard when I cleaned the deck".
"leave her alone!" shouted Zack as he tackle the pig. As Zack tackle the pig to the ground, he was able to sweep the master key and toss it over to Akiza, who use it to take off her hand and leg cuff. "Zack!" cried Akiza as she ran to his aid. "stay away! Free the others and get-". suddenly, the pig took out a dagger and slash Zack right eye. Seeing this as it happen, Akiza pick up her chains and started to chock the pig in till he pass out.
"after we place the pig into my cell, we freed the others and got everyone into the lifeboats as Akiza, a few who were fighters and I hold off the ship crew. As Akiza got into a lifeboat with the last group of people, I stayed behind. We needed someone to buy some time for the others to get away.
"you can't! come with us!" cried Akiza. Zack place his hands on her shoulder and smile. "I'll find you again, don't worry". "you promise!". "promise!". suddenly, Akiza kiss Zack on the cheek and handed him something. Zack could see it was a necklace with a symbol of a angel with two long wings. As the lifeboat swam away from the slave ship, Akiza yelled at Zack. "you better find me! That necklace is my treasure!". "I won't lose it!" shouted Zack back.
"After that, I destroy the ship engine and stop them from following the others. I was beating and whip for days in till a Kingdom navy ship encounter the ship and arrested the slave owners and a man named Gardon found me and took me in. As we return to Solar, sir Gardon taught me the way of the sword and was amazed how quick I learn his teaching. As we finally return, Sir Gardon enroll me into the royal guard and soon I became a royal knight and was pick to protect Miss Nova and Miss Dawn.
Blaze open the courtyard door and called Nova and Dawn over. "what is it, mommy?" smile Dawn. Blaze kneel down and spoke. "I want you to meet someone, who going to be your bodyguard". Blaze turn around and Zack step out. "girls, this is Zack". "…hi" whisper Zack as he bowed to them. Dawn ran over to him and hug him. "hi! I'm Dawn! Nice to me you!" smile Dawn as she let him go. "hello Miss Dawn". Nova walk over and sigh. "great, a other one. Mom, I don't need a bodyguard, since I'm going to be a guardian". Blaze stood up and became mad as she heard her daughter words. "your not becoming a guardian, Nova and that's final!". "but mom! Heat and Shaak Ti are guardians and why can't I be one?". Blaze sigh and left into the room. Nova storm off and Dawn follow her as Zack just watch. Zack took out the necklace that Akiza gave him and smile but suddenly, something hit him in the face and fell back. "…w-what happen?" thought Zack as he stood up. "you suck!" laugh Nova as she pick up the red ball. "sorry Miss Nova!" spoke Zack as he bow to her. "big sis!" cried Dawn as she notice what she did. "what? I heard he was the best from Sir Gardon". suddenly, Dawn smack her sister in the head and ran to Zack. "hey! Why did-" shouted Nova as she notice why her sister hit her. Nova could see blood oozing from a wound on Zack forehead. The spot where her ball hit him. "your bleeding! Oh no!" cried Dawn as she started to panic. Zack touch the wound and spoke. "it's no problem, Miss Dawn. There no need to worry. Continue playing" smile Zack. "…but your hurt". "it's no problem. My well-being doesn't matter". suddenly, Nova grab Zack by his hand and brought him over to the pond and clean the wound and spoke. "idiot! It's a problem alright!". As Nova finish cleaning it, Dawn return with a bandage and place it over the wound. "…s-sorry" whisper Nova as she blush. "…thank you, Miss Nova" smile Zack as he rub his head. Suddenly, Nova toss the ball at Zack gut and spoke. "never call me, Miss! Got it!". "…s-sorry Mi-…I mean Nova" cough Zack.
End of flashback
"two years later and the queen found some info where Akiza and the others might be. Somewhere in the far east but if I left…". "your be leaving them" said Sonic as he finish his sentence. Zack walk over to Bova and a sleeping Dawn and frown. "I left without telling them and I never found Akiza, so I stayed in the east for six years and trained.". Sonic watch as Zack kneel down and stroke the girls cheeks. "…I trained to become more powerful. To protect them better! I believe Dawn knew this but Nova…". before Zack could finish, Nova open her eyes and was shock to him. "Z-Zack…" spoke Nova as she poke him in the forehead. "long time no see, Miss Nova" smile Zack.
End of chapter 13