Blaze the Cat: Monster Outbreak

Chapter16: A Heated Moment And A Resolution

Rain had poured down very hard on the island still. Thunder boomed through the sky while lightning flashed in the sky. The two girls were staring at each other. One with furious yellow eyes while the other with anxious, light-blue eyes. The latter of the two girls decided to speak up after a minute of silence.

"B-Blaze...why are you-" Kathy spoke nervously with a shocked expression. Blaze then immediately boosted towards Kathy to punch her in the gut. Out of instinct, Kathy blocked the attack with her arms. Blaze tried to punch Kathy, but Kathy blocked them with her fists and arms. Kathy was now walking backwards and dodging Blaze's angry attacks. Blaze and Kathy were grunting as they were battling each other. Suddenly, Blaze then went down to the floor with one hand and kicked Kathy's legs in a slide swipe attack.

"Ack!" Kathy yelped as tripped over backwards and fell down on her back. Kathy winced in pain as she fell on the hard ground with her back and head. She looked up to see Blaze looking angry at her. Meanwhile, in the distance, Battra was watching this in the sky behind a mountain. He smirked as he watched his plan unfold perfectly. There. Now, that's better. Soon, Blaze will just give up on Kathy and come on fight me by herself. Then I'll make sure that Blaze won't get a second chance to live. Thus, securing my throne even more. Kathy won't have a chance if she had faced me alone without Blaze there to help her. I know that I'll win. I don't need to watch this anymore. I'm certain that I know the outcome of this fight. Now...it's time for me to return to my kingdom and wait for the final confrontation to start. Battra pondered as smirked evilly. He then flew away from where he's at and left Magma Island without being seen by either Kathy or Blaze. Meanwhile, Kathy started to yell at Blaze.

"What the heck are you doing, Blaze?! Why are you attacking me?! What did I ever do to you?!" Kathy yelled in shock and in annoyance.

"I'll tell you what you did to me! Or should I say 'what you did not do for me'!" Blaze yelled back in anger as she had her fists clenched tightly on her sides.

"What are you talking about, Blaze?! All I had done for you these past few days was helping you!" Kathy yelled back defending her point.

"Oh, are you really helping me? Are you just slowing me down by trying to 'help' me?" Blaze replied in a sassy tone.

"How am I possibly slowing you down?! We had gotten each Sol Heart every day and had saved each island from Battra's and Dr. Eggman Nega's control! How was that process slow?!" Kathy yelled in confusion. She furrowed her eyebrows as she is starting to feel irritated. She sat up to glare at Blaze.

"Yeah? Well, we could have gotten all of those Sol Hearts in like two days! You were just slowing me down by suggesting that we should rest every time we had finished an island! We could have gotten out and explore other islands at night or...you could have gone out to find the Sol Hearts yourself! It is your job to protect this world from evil you know!" Blaze yelled while being sassy.

Kathy frowned deeper as she is starting to feel angry now. I've been trying my hardest these past few days! What more could Blaze ever want from me?! Kathy brooded as she gritted her teeth as she quickly stood back up.

"Don't you get it, Blaze?! I was trying to take care of you! I know that getting the Sol Hearts is important, but your safety and health do come first to me! It's the same with your friends! I can't just abandon you guys while you're sleeping! You don't know how long I would be gone if I did all the searching by myself! If I had left in the middle of the night, you would be worried for me! You wouldn't be thinking about getting the Sol Hearts fast enough! No! You would instead be worrying where I was going, especially if I was helping you succeed in your goal!" Kathy defended herself with her counterargument. She had a serious expression on her face as she confronts Blaze.

"All I ever asked you was helping me in reclaiming my throne back! I did beg for you to help me stop Battra and Dr. Eggman Nega, but I never asked you to look out for me or protect me! I don't care if it is your job to take care of me! I can take care of myself! I'm independent! I've looked over my kingdom and over the Sol Emeralds for over four years now, and I did it all by myself with no one helping me or guiding me! I have more experience in my leadership way more than you do! With that said, all I ever need you to do was to help me get the Sol Hearts to stop Battra! However, you weren't even efficient in doing that!" Blaze argued back while pointing at Kathy.

Kathy gasped when Blaze said that. She growled a bit before arguing back. "How was I not being efficient?! We literally got them all today! We were successful into getting each of them!" Kathy yelled back.

"Well, we almost lost one when you failed to defeat Battra that one time! And I had to be the one to stop him from taking that Sol Heart!" Blaze yelled back making her point.

"Grrrr! Look! I tried, okay?! Can't you just appreciate my efforts for once?! I did my best to help you, and this is the thanks I get?!" Kathy yelled back as she growled a little in anger.

"My kingdom had gotten taken over by Battra, and you didn't stop him in time! I can say without a doubt that this whole thing was your fault, Kathy! You had the power to prevent this! You could have stopped Battra and Dr. Eggman Nega this whole time before this situation had even happened! You could have found the Sol Hearts by yourself and stopped both of them before having either of them attacking my kingdom! It doesn't matter how much effort you had put into helping me right now, Kathy, because none of it matters since this is all your fault!" Blaze yelled back with such vehemence in her voice as she glared at Kathy coldly.

Kathy flinched back in shock as her eyes and mouth went wide after that bold accusation. She then felt very furious that Blaze would dare say such a thing. She thought that Blaze would be the last person to blame her for Battra's problems. She figured that she was wrong. I knew it. No one ever did appreciate me for all the work I do in protecting them. They really don't care about me. They only want to use me. They don't appreciate me or care about my feelings. …...And Blaze is no different from them. Kathy brooded as she glared at Blaze very coldly too with tears in her hurt eyes. Kathy clenched her fists too.

She then began shouting at Blaze in anger, "HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT BATTRA HAD WOKEN UP FROM HIS COMA AND HAD JOINED DR. EGGMAN NEGA FOR WORLD DOMINATION?! HOW COULD I PROTECT YOUR KINGDOM IF I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD?!".

Meanwhile, in the distance, Marine had arrived at the barren area with Blaze and Kathy while hiding behind a rock. She was looking out from the rock to watch Blaze and Kathy argue with each other. Marine had a sad look on her face as the argument that Blaze and Kathy are having is really upsetting to her. Kathy is right. How would she ever know? Blaze is being unreasonable here. Can't Blaze ever understand that Kathy is innocent here? Marine thought as she frowned while looking at the two girls arguing.

"SHOULDN'T YOU BE PROTECTING THIS WORLD REGARDLESS IF YOU KNOW IT OR NOT?! SHOULDN'T YOU BE MORE VIGILENT AT YOUR JOB AS THE GUARDIAN OF THE SOL PENDANT?! THAT RESPONSIBILITY IS ON YOU, KATHY!" Blaze shouted back in anger.

"BUT I STILL DID MY JOB BY HELPING YOU, BLAZE! YOU WOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN THIS FAR WITHOUT MY HELP! EVEN WHEN THE KINGDOM IS IN PERIL, AT LEAST I HAD HELPED YOU IN SAVING THE ISLANDS THAT WERE UNDER BATTRA'S AND DR. EGGMAN NEGA'S CONTROL! I DID MY JOB, BLAZE! I DESERVE SOME RECOGNITION FOR THAT!" Kathy shouted back while looking furious.

"'Deserve some recognition'? 'DESERVE SOME RECOGNITION'?! YOU HAD ENOUGH RECOGNITION FROM MARINE AND THE OTHERS FOR YOUR GOOD DEEDS! WHAT ABOUT GIVING ME RECOGNITION?! I HAD WORKED VERY HARD INTO SAVING THESE ISLANDS, MY FRIENDS, AND MY PEOPLE FROM BATTRA'S TYRANNY! AND DID I GET ANY REWARD OR GRATITUDE FROM THEM FOR HELPING THEM?! NO! BECAUSE YOU WERE THE ONE HOGGING ALL THE GLORY AND GRATITUDE FROM THEM! I WAS THE ONE DOING THE HEROIC DEEDS BECAUSE MY KINGDOM IS AT STAKE! YOU HARDLY DID ANY EFFORT INTO SAVING THESE ISLANDS AND YET THEY ARE PRAISING YOU FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THAT I DID! I WAS THE ONE WHO WAS GUIDING YOU TO THESE ISLANDS! I WAS THE ONE GIVING YOU THE ORDERS! I WAS THE ONE WHO MADE THE DECISIONS FOR YOU! YOU THINK THAT THEY WOULD RECOGNIZE ALL THE HARD WORK I'VE BEEN PUTTING INTO SAVING THIS DIMENSION FROM BATTRA'S WRATH, BUT NO, THEY ARE STILL IMPRESSED WITH YOU, KATHY! YOU EVEN MADE MARINE WANT TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOU JUST BECAUSE ON HOW 'COOL' YOU ARE AND HOW MUCH YOU CARE FOR HER! I CARE ABOUT HER JUST AS GREATLY AS YOU DO, AND YET, SHE WOULD RATHER WANT TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOU! I JUST DON'T GET IT! I JUST DON'T GET YOU, KATHY! YOU'RE JUST A NORMAL GIRL! YOU'RE NOTHING SPECIAL, AND YOU'RE NOT EVEN A HERO! YOU JUST WANTED TO HELP ME BECAUSE YOU WANT ME TO LIKE YOU, ISN'T IT?!" Blaze shouted her rant very loudly.

Kathy flinched back again as she felt shocked. The sad thing is that the last part of her rant was true. All she ever wanted was acceptance. If that meant sacrificing her own happiness for that, then yes, she did everything in her power to help Blaze in getting her kingdom back. It was the only way in Kathy's mind to be liked, to feel useful, and to feel cared for. Kathy can't argue Blaze about that. However, she can argue about the fact about not being a hero because she technically is one.

With tears in her eyes, Kathy shouted back in defense, "I AM A HERO! I SAVED MARINE'S LIFE TODAY! I EVEN SAVED YOUR LIFE TWICE YESTERDAY! HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT I'M NOT A HERO?! BECAUSE ALL I HAD DONE THIS WEEK WAS PROTECTING YOU AND HELPING YOU!".

"You still claim that you're a hero?" Blaze replied in a deathly calm tone. Blaze started to walk backwards for a bit to get some distance from Kathy. She then said again a bit louder, "You still claim that you're a hero?!".

Uh oh! I don't like where this is going! I've got to stop Blaze now! Marine thought as she panicked with wide eyes and with a wide, open mouth.

"YOU ARE NO HERO! YOU HAD GAVE UP TRYING TO SAVE MY DIMENSION YESTERDAY AND EVEN TODAY! NO HERO WOULD EVER GIVE UP SAVING THEIR WORLD! NEVER! I'M THE REAL HERO AROUND HERE! I NEVER GAVE UP! AND NOT EVEN NOW WHEN I'M SO CLOSE INTO GETTING MY KINGDOM BACK! NOT TO MENTION..." Blaze shouted as she clenched her fists tighter and lit up her body in flames. She then finished by shouting, "YOU WERE GOING TO LEAVE THIS DIMENSION BEHIND ANYWAY! IF THAT IS NOT THE DEFINITION OF 'GIVING UP', THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS! WITH THAT KIND OF ATTITUDE, YOU...YOU...YOU ARE NOT EVEN WORTHY OF BEING A GUARDIAN! I AM!".

After that, Blaze ran towards Kathy and attempted to kick Kathy very hard in the face. Kathy flinched in surprise when Blaze suddenly ran towards her. She closed her eyes as she waited for the impact of the strong kick, however, she heard a yelp instead.

"OOF!" yelped a young girl's voice.

CRAAAAAAAAAAAASH!

Kathy's eyes snapped right open immediately once she heard that yelp and that loud crash. Kathy's face was one of shock and so was Blaze's. The two girls froze in place while rain kept on pouring on them. They had stared at each other in shock and of fear. They begged in their hearts that it wasn't what they were thinking right nw. Lightning flashed in the sky and thunder boomed some more as the storm went on. But the girls weren't focusing on that right now. They slowly looked towards the western direction of the barren area towards a pile of rocks. They felt like their hearts just dropped at what they saw.

They saw Marine on the ground next to the rocks. She looked limp as she had her arms on the ground near her face like in a sleeping position. They could also see a burn mark on her right cheek that looked like shoeprint.

NO! Blaze thought in realization. The one thing she didn't want to do is to hurt Marine with her fire powers. She had unintentionally hurt the kids in her younger childhood, and it was because of that reason she was mocked and was separated from the other children by her parents' will. She had promised herself that she wouldn't hurt others unintentionally ever again, but it looked like she had broken her own promise.

"(Sniff)…...Uuuuuuggggh. Uuuuuuugn...(Sob Sob Sob)…..." Marine started to cry as she weakly got up and tentatively touched her wounded cheek.

"Marine!" Blaze and Kathy both yelled in unison before they ran towards Marine and knelt down next to her. They briefly forgotten about their argument for a moment to take care of Marine.

"Marine! Are you alright?! Does that wound hurt?!" Blaze exclaimed in worry as she gently touched Marine's shoulder. However, Marine yanked her shoulder away and leant over to Kathy's side. Blaze felt even more hurt by this action.

Is it because I had hurt her that badly that she refuses to come closer to me? Blaze pondered as she looked sad as she stared at Marine.

"Hey, Marine? Is there anywhere you are hurt besides your cheek?" Kathy asked gently as she held Marine's chest and back while looking at her with concerned eyes.

"(Hic)…..My...(Sniff)…..My cheek hurts the most. (Sob Sob)" Marine answered while crying as she held her right cheek and rubbed it. Kathy then hugged her as a way to comfort her.

"It's going to be alright, Marine. Shhhhhh. Don't worry. Your crew will patch that nasty burn up. Hey, easy there, Marine. Maybe this will help a little," Kathy replied softly as she consoled Marine while rubbing her back gently. Kathy then took out her Sol Gems and gently placed one of them over Marine's cheek. Kathy then closed her eyes as commanded her Sol Gems to use the Healing Technique onto Marine's cheek. The gems glowed a warm, bright yellow, and it soothed the burn wound on Marine's cheek. Marine was still crying, but she calmed down a bit once she felt the warmth that the gems had provided her with. After several seconds, the gems stopped glowing. Kathy then put her Sol Gems back to her pendant. Marine still had her burn mark, but the pain had resided for now. Marine sniffed a bit before she looked up at Kathy with big, sad eyes.

"(Hic)…...Thank you, Kathy. (Sob Sob)…...(Sniff)…." Marine said while crying softly now.

Kathy smiled gently while still having a concerned expression on her face. "Anytime, Marine," Kathy replied softly.

Blaze still watched the two of them with sad eyes. Never in her life had she felt practically useless. She wished that she could be a help to Marine, but she doesn't know how. Instead, she decided to talk to her.

"Marine...why did you get in the way of my attack? Why did you do that?" Blaze asked with a sad expression on her face.

"Because! You! You...(Sob)…...You were going to hurt Kathy again! I just wanted to stop you two from fighting! She didn't do anything wrong, Blaze! (Sob Sob Sob)…." Marine yelled as she looked at Blaze in anger while crying.

"Wh-What?!" Blaze yelled in surprise. Kathy gasped in shock too. She hadn't expected Marine to defend her like this. She didn't know what to say or feel about this. Instead, she just listened to Marine explain herself.

"Yeah! You heard me! I wanted to defend Kathy from you! Why?! Why are you so angry with Kathy?! Isn't she just trying to help us?! She just wants us to be happy and safe! What is so wrong with that?! Isn't that what you've been this entire time, Blaze?! Huh?! Isn't that it?! …...(Sob Sob).." Marine continued to yell while crying.

"...! Ack! Well! I...I...I was just...um..." Blaze replied awkwardly as she then felt guilty. She looked away from Marine in shame. She's...She's not entirely wrong there. Blaze thought with a frown.

"Kathy hadn't done anything wrong, Blaze! It's you who's at fault here!" Marine yelled angrily while pointing at Blaze.

"What?! Me?! But why?!" Blaze yelled in shock as she placed her hands over her chest in surprise.

"It's because you're just being jealous of Kathy here! (Sniff)…...Blaze...do you really think that I don't think you're cool or that I don't recognize your hard work? Because I do! (Sniff)…...(Sob Sob)…...I do appreciate you, Blaze! Please don't be mad at Kathy anymore! It wasn't her fault! She doesn't deserve this! (Sob Sob Sob)…." Marine yelled again while crying. She then held onto Kathy as she cried some more into her pink dress. Blaze felt flabbergasted that Marine had known of her jealousy for Kathy.

Did...Did Marine saw us argue earlier? Blaze thought in shock. She then felt embarrassed that she let out her emotions so easily.

Kathy held onto Marine with a stunned expression of her own. She never thought that Marine is helping her out like this. She never thought that Marine would care that much for her. Kathy looked sad as she held Marine.

"Marine...I..." Kathy muttered quietly.

"And! And another thing!" Marine yelled as she looked back at Blaze with angry eyes.

What the-! She still has more to say?! Kathy and Blaze thought at the same time.

This time, Marine dropped a bombshell that neither Kathy nor Blaze had ever expected to say.

"You should give Kathy more credit here! She is still recovering from her mother's death! It's no wonder why she feels so depressed lately! I think that she is doing her best since she still has to save the world while carrying that burden in her heart every day! That painful memory of her mother dying still hurts her! She is going through enough! She's still trying to do her best despite the pain! She is a true hero, Blaze! Not many people would want to keep on doing what they are doing if she someone they loved had died! It's painful for everybody for losing a loved one! And since Kathy is trying to make us happy by protecting us and loving us...shouldn't that make up for her own weaknesses? Shouldn't it, Blaze?" Marine finished softly with tears in her eyes. She then snuggled back to Kathy's dress and cried softly.

"M-M-Marine...I...I...I can't believe that you would...would..." Kathy muttered while feeling shocked that Marine had exposed her secret like this.

"I'm so sorry, Kathy! But Blaze has to know the truth! She's has to! How else would she know how much you're struggling, Kathy?! (Sob Sob)" Marine yelled as she looked up at Kathy with tears in her eyes. Kathy just stared at Marine with a depressed look on her face.

"Marine..." Kathy muttered softly. She then held the back of Marine's head closer to her body as she let Marine cry even more. Kathy rubbed Marine's back as she cried in her dress. Blaze looked stunned. She then looked down to the ground in stunned silence.

Of all things to tell me...I definitely didn't expect that. So...Marine also knows about Klara's death too then. It all makes sense now. Blaze brooded while she frowned in sadness. While Marine was crying, Kathy and Blaze were silent. They don't know what to say to each other after that. The rain kept on going with thunder booming through the sky.

Kathy and Blaze soon slowly looked at each other. They both grimace and soon looked away from each other in shame. They now felt guilty in hurting each other with their argument.

Just what are we supposed to do now? Blaze and Kathy thought at the same time.

Eventually, Kathy and Blaze decided that they should head back to Infant Island. Blaze awkwardly told Kathy that they should head to the shore of Magma Island since the Coconut Crew's ship was there. Kathy understood that and decided to carry Marine in her arms to get her to the ship. Kathy and Blaze both stood up and went back towards the ship. Blaze led the way back by running while Kathy followed Blaze by flying. They soon got to the shore where the ship is docked at and got onboard. After Blaze told the crew members to patch up Marine's wound, she then decided to stay out on the deck by herself during the rest of the trip. Kathy just stayed with Marine in the infirmary during the trip back to her island. They may be separate for now, but they both knew that should go talk to each other again once they get back to Infant Island.

-Back At Infant Island-

It was around 6 PM that they got back to the island. At that time, the rain had stopped pouring. Marine got a bandage over her head to wrap her burn up. She was with her crew at the Sacred Springs. Kathy and Blaze were under a tree in the middle of the spring. Kathy was standing at Blaze's left side while Blaze is on Kathy's right. They were standing a little bit away from each other to get some space. They both leant on the tree trunk while crossing their arms. Kathy was looking down on the ground while Blaze was looking at her right. They both had guilty looks on their faces. Marine and her crew saw the uncomfortable atmosphere and decided to excuse themselves from the Sacred Springs. The Coconut Crew left the springs through the cave's entrance. Marine took a look back at the girls and called out to them.

"Listen! We're going to let you two be on your own so you can work things out! You two need some time alone! Just tell us to come back when you're done patching things up!" Marine yelled out before she left.

The girls briefly looked at Marine as she said this and then at each other for a moment. They both grimaced again and looked away.

…...

It was silent between the two girls. They didn't know how to start the conversation. It was rather awkward between them.

...

Blaze sighed deeply as she was tired of the awkward silence. Come on, Blaze. You are more mature than this. Just start talking to Kathy. What am I? A school-child? Blaze brooded as she criticized herself for being immature.

"Look, Kathy...I was...I was just being...(Sigh)…...Fine. I'll confess. I was being jealous of you," Blaze said awkwardly as she tried to start the conversation.

Kathy looked at Blaze with raised eyebrows. She then lowered them in sadness. "...Why? What reason do you have to feel jealous of me? …...Haven't you realized that you got what you wanted?" Kathy replied quietly in confusion.

"Huh? What do you mean by that, Kathy?" Blaze asked in confusion. She then looked back at Kathy in surprise.

"It's just what Marine had said. You already are recognized by your people, Blaze. Didn't your servants and guards respect you while you've been taking care of the kingdom?" Kathy replied with a frown.

Blaze's eyes widened in surprise by that question. She hadn't even considered that line of thinking. However, she still held her ground.

"Even if my guards and servants respected me, it's still not enough, Kathy. They only respect me because of my title as a Princess and as a Guardian. They don't respect me for me. It's only by my title," Blaze replied with a sad look.

"Are you sure of that? I'm certain that at least one of them cared for you just for you, Blaze. You had protected your kingdom for years and probably stayed there for most of your life. I'm sure that at least one of them could've formed some sort of bond with you," Kathy replied as she looked sad.

Blaze's eyes widened again. There was at least one person she knows that had taken care of her at the start. Even it was his job, he still looked after her in the sidelines. Gordon...Blaze thought in sadness. Blaze looked away from Kathy.

She then responded, "Well...there was one person who did took care of me, even when I was a baby. His name was Gordon. He's my ambassador to my kingdom. He is one of my most trusted guardsmen I had ever met. But what's the point in bringing that up?".

"Well, my point is...you have Gordon and Marine in your life who do care for you despite your title. You were loved by others, Blaze. Even with your title, you still got more respect from people than me. My own people despised me even I am technically their Queen now. Even my own people showed you more respect than me. I got no respect from my own people no matter how much I try or how many good deeds I did. It's the same with outsiders. They hated me even though I'm trying to protect them. I'm...I'm not loved here, Blaze. It is you who is loved around here," Kathy replied as she looked down at the ground.

Blaze gasped when he heard that. It hadn't even occurred to her that Kathy is going through a worse predicament than her. She was so focused on her jealousy that she hadn't realized that she had faired off better than Kathy in some ways. Well...I suppose that I did have what I wanted. I do have Marine and Gordon to respect me for myself. Maybe I really don't any more people besides my friends for that. However, Kathy still had something that I didn't. Blaze brooded as she frowned further.

Blaze sighed as she calmly argued, "I may be loved now, but it wasn't like that when I was a child".

"Hmm?" Kathy muttered as she looked back at Blaze.

"When I was a young child...the other children made fun of me because of my fire powers. I wasn't cared for then," Blaze continued while looking depressed as she remembered her past.

"Oh? But what about your parents?" Kathy replied in curiosity.

"I'm not sure if I had already told you, but my mother had died when I was very young. So, I don't remember her very well. But for my father...before he died, he...he...he hated me. I really thought he was protecting me or looking out for me, but...he...even thought that I was a despicable monster," Blaze replied as tears came to her eyes when she remembered her father.

Kathy's face was one of shock when Blaze revealed her secret. She thought that maybe Blaze had a better life than her, but perhaps there were some things that she had that were better. Ah. No wonder she felt jealous of me. I had a loving mother while her father hated her. Kathy brooded with a frown.

"You had something that I didn't, Kathy. You at least had a caring mother who loved you for you. I didn't. I had to work hard in my studies as a princess and as a guardian to even get my father's attention. You didn't have to work hard to earn your mother's love, Kathy. Your mother loved you until the very end. If only I could have a taste on what that would be like to be loved unconditionally, then I...I...I wouldn't be so jealous of you," Blaze replied quietly as a few tears fall.

Kathy grimaced. She looked down to the ground again. She had nothing to argue there. No person had to suffer like that. Kathy felt empathy for Blaze. To feel rejected no matter how hard you had worked for...that was what Kathy had to go through every day as she tries to take care of the people of the Sol Dimension. Kathy uncrossed her arms clenched her fists hard on her sides. She slowly walked a few feet from the tree and stood still. Blaze looked up to where Kathy was standing and grimaced.

"Kathy..." Blaze muttered softly.

"Is that why you had judged me so harshly back on Magma Island? Was it really because of what I had done? Or was it what your father had told you when you hadn't succeeded his expectations?" Kathy asked while clenching her fists tightly.

Blazed gasped when Kathy had asked that. When she thought about it, most of her criticisms we're mostly what her father would say if he was the one correcting Kathy. Like the words "you are not even worthy of being a guardian" were more from her father than from herself. Now...as she thought about it even more...her feelings of jealousy really stem from not being able to be herself as a child. Kathy could do anything she wants and still be a hero in the eyes of others. Blaze only has to work hard to earn praise from others. Kathy could act silly and playful yet still be liked by people such as Marine. Blaze only have to act refined to get people to like her. She couldn't act as a kid to be liked by others or by her father. She always had to act as an adult and work very hard to earn her reputation as a princess and as a guardian. Kathy could just be herself and get Marine and her crew to like her despite her reputation.

Blaze grimaced as more tears fell from her face. No wonder I had felt so jealous of Kathy in the first place. It all makes sense now. Blaze brooded as she frowned deeper.

"Blaze, I can tell you right now that no matter what you will still be loved. You may have a bad parent, but what's one bad parent to a sea of hateful, bitter people? It's like a drop of water to a pond. You have friends...but I don't. Before you came...I was completely alone. In my childhood and even up till now, I had no friends. All the people on Monster Island and everywhere else had hated me. You may have gotten hated as a child, but I've been hated my whole life by others. My mother was the only person who had loved me for who I am. You still got respect and love from others. What more could you really ask for? Really?" Kathy continued her speech. Blaze was silent as she stared at Kathy's back.

Kathy's eyebrows furrowed in anger as she continued, "Ever since my mother had died, I was completely isolated. When I told my people on Monster Island that my mother was dead, they didn't care. Some of them were even happy that my mom was gone. It was despicable. How can those people be so heartless? So uncaring? So unsympathetic? It's sickening to me. I even told you that when I told the people that my mother had stopped Battra by putting him in a coma, they were still ungrateful for what my mom had done for them! …...Be honest with yourself, Blaze. Did anything like that happen when you come back home from saving your kingdom and told others that you had saved it again? Well? Did it?".

Blaze opened her mouth to retort, but she realized that nothing as terrible like that had happened to her. She looked down to the ground as she answered honestly, "No...Nothing like that had ever happened to me. My servants and guards were at least grateful when I came back home from saving the kingdom and/or dimension again. I hadn't had something like that happen to me".

Kathy was silent for a bit. She then took a deep sigh as she said, "See? …...I told you so".

"Kathy, I..." Blaze replied quickly as she looked up at Kathy. She then saw Kathy get down on her knees and hands. She then heard Kathy starting to cry as Kathy sniffed a little.

("Sacred Springs" From Mothra vs Godzilla starts playing here)

"(Sniff)…...You see, Blaze? You are still treated as a hero, even though I've been a hero my whole life! I've been doing my best helping my mother and others from Battra and his minions. Yet! (Sniff)…...Yet I've been treated like dirt by others! …...(Sob Sob) Even with my own powers, the Sol Hearts, and even the Sol Pendant, I still can't save everyone! I can't help everyone! (Sob Sob)…...I have all these incredible powers, yet I'm still useless! I can't fulfill everyone's expectations! I try so hard! I try to use every single attack I could think of, but I still make mistakes! (Sniff)…...I thought that if I was strong enough...then I'll be able to protect others, to save others, and to make others happy...(Sob Sob)…...But all I done was just letting them down!(Sob Sob Sob) What good can a powerful monster could do if it can't protect others?!" Kathy replied as she cried softly. Kathy could feel her throat being clogged up. She had tears falling down on her face as she cried.

"Blaze! I...I...I'm sorry that I couldn't live up to your expectations! I'm so sorry! Waahaahahaaaaahaaaa!" Kathy apologized before she bawled in sorrow.

"Ah! Kathy!" Blaze yelled as she quickly went forward and knelt down next to Kathy's right side. She placed a hand over Kathy's back to comfort her.

"Maybe...Maybe you're right, Blaze. I'm not worthy to be a guardian after all. You've had worked so hard to get to where you're at. All I did was ask my mother for it, and she just gave it to me! (Sob Sob Sob)…...I'm...I'm sorry that I got upset at you, Blaze! I was just so sick and tired of people underestimating me and my capabilities as a guardian and as a hero! I...I didn't mean to yell at you! (Sob Sob Sob)" Kathy apologized again as she cried.

"Kathy...please. I...I just..." Blaze said softly as she had tears in her eyes too.

"Blaze...I'm sorry that I was being selfish. At first, I really did want to help you because I want to show you that me and my mother were good people. I...I wanted to show you that good monsters do exist. But...But as time went on...maybe a good part of my reasoning to help you was because I want you to like me. I thought that this was my chance to have a friend. But all I had done was taking advantage of you! I'm so sorry, Blaze! (Sob Sob)…...I just want to have friends! I'm just so lonely that I...I...I...(Sob Sob Sob Sob)" Kathy confessed as she cried loudly. She then covered her eyes as she bent down to the ground to cry.

Blaze just gently rubbed Kathy's back. Blaze's also felt like crying as this confession and apology hurts her. Kathy...you really are no different than me. You too are trying to work so hard to get others to notice you and to love you. I...I'm so sorry that I had ever became jealous of you to begin with. Blaze brooded as she grimaced. She figured that it's her turn to apologize now.

"Kathy...I'm sorry too," Blaze said quietly as she gently held Kathy up for a hug. Kathy was surprised by this as Blaze hugged Kathy's right side.

"Wh-Wha?" Kathy said in confusion.

"I'm very sorry that I had judged you and had been jealous of you. You were right all along, Kathy. You are a hero. You had worked hard in your own way. And...(Sniff)…...And I'm very grateful for your help. Big or small, your help was enough for me. Also, Kathy...you were right about me. I did say those terrible things because those were from my father when he corrected me. I really hadn't meant them myself. I was just upset that my kingdom was taken over very easily by Battra, and I wanted to vent out my anger towards someone by blaming them for my problems. I'm sorry that I vent it out on you, Kathy. You really had nothing to do with this. Please...(Sniff)…...Please forgive me. Please forgive my unreasonable behavior," Blaze apologized as she cried softly with Kathy. Blaze had her head on Kathy's shoulder as she cried while hugging Kathy.

"B-B-Blaze...I...(Sniff)…...I forgive you! (Sob Sob Sob)" Kathy replied as she cried some more. She too hugged Blaze tightly as they cried together.

"And I forgive you, Kathy! (Sob Sob)…...Let's...Let's never go through that again," Blaze replied as she cried slightly louder.

"Th-Th-Thank you...Thank you so much, Blaze. It means a lot to me," Kathy replied weakly through her tears. She then looked at Blaze with a smile and with tears in her eyes. Blaze also looked at Kathy with tears in her eyes. Blaze sniffed as she too smiled at Kathy.

("Sacred Springs" song ends here)

...

"Blaze?...Are we still friends?" Kathy asked tentatively as she calmed down her crying a little.

"...Yes. You're still my friend, Kathy. And I think we'll always will be friends," Blaze replied calmly as tears went down on her face.

Kathy smiled big at that. "Oh, Blaze! You're the best!" Kathy replied cheerfully as she hugged Blaze again but more tightly this time. Blaze smiled back as she hugged her again.

"Hey, Kathy?" Blaze replied gently.

"Yes?" Kathy asked while hugging Blaze.

"I'm...I'm sorry that you had lost your mother. I can imagine how big of a loss it is for you if you are still grieving from it," Blaze replied with a frown.

"Oh...Yes. I...I still miss my mom. And it is true what Marine had said of me. I am still struggling to cope with her death even right now. I...I frequently visit my mom's grave just to talk to her. I loved her so much. I can't help but keep thinking of her. It'll take more time for me to be completely recovered from my mother's death. But I should be the sorry here. I'm sorry that you didn't have loving parent by your side. It's bad enough to know that your father had died to a monster, but the fact that he was a terrible parent to begin with is even more heartbreaking than his death. I'm sorry when I say this but...it is honestly fitting that he would die to a monster since he is a monster himself," Kathy replied with a frown as well.

"...You are probably right about that. I'm not mad about that. It's...It's the truth, and I'm going to have bear that truth for as long as I live," Blaze replied calmly.

"Same with me...but with my mother's death," Kathy replied soberly.

"Indeed," Blaze replied with a nod. She and Kathy held onto each other for a while longer.

...

"Hey, Blaze?" Kathy replied softly.

"What is it?" Blaze asked curiously.

"You want to know what's so special about this place? The Sacred Springs?" Kathy asked with a gentle smile as she pulled away to look at Blaze.

"Huh? The Sacred Springs? What about it?" Blaze asked with an inquisitive look on her face.

"It is the only place on this island where you're free to cry at any time. It's a perfect place for sorrow. It's a safe place, and it's always good to find a safe place to cry, Blaze. When you go back to your kingdom, find your safe place. You'll be grateful if you did. Understand?" Kathy replied with a tender look on her face.

Blaze stared at Kathy with wide eyes. After a few seconds, Blaze then slowly smiled at Kathy in understanding.

"I understand, Kathy. Thank you," Blaze thanked Kathy quietly as she closed her eyes and bowed her head a little in gratitude.

"You're welcome, Blaze. Guardians such as us should look out for each other. That's what I believe," Kathy replied with a calm smile.

"You know what, Kathy? …...I agree with that too," Blaze replied with calm smile of her own. They stared at each other in understanding and in relief. Their guilt is finally off their chests, and their friendship is finally restored back to its place. It was a peaceful silence between the two girls before they were interrupted by Marine.

"Hey, guys? Are you two all right over there? Is it all over? Are you done fighting?" Marine asked as she walked over to them with a concerned look on her face. The two girls looked at Marine in front of them and smiled brightly at her.

"Yes, we're done fighting, Marine. Don't worry. We've made up. Right, Kathy?" Blaze answered with a calm expression on her face.

"Yeah, we're alright, Marine. I'm sorry that Blaze and I had made you worried. I think we'll be fine. After all, friends stick together, right?" Kathy added with a gentle smile.

Marine beamed at them and exclaimed, "You're so right, Kathy! Blaze! You can learn from Kathy! We stick together, got it?! No 'buts' about it! If you try to get away from us, then we'll do whatever we can to make you stay! That's how much we love you, Blaze!".

Blaze laughed a little at that. "Hahahahahaha! Alright! I get it! I get it! Hahahahahahaha! Thanks, Marine. Thanks for that reassuring thought. I'm glad that I have you and Kathy on my side as my friends. I couldn't be any happier than that," Blaze replied while laughing a little.

"Well, I'm glad, Blaze! I'm glad that you two are my best crewmates! You two make a great team when working together!" Marine exclaimed happily.

"Huh? Together?" Blaze and Kathy said in unison as they looked at each other. Then they soon had the exact same idea. They smiled in determination. Aha! So, that was how I lost to Battra! I was fighting him alone! But if we fight him together...Blaze and Kathy pondered as they had an epiphany.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Kathy?" Blaze asked with a smile.

"Yep! Let's go to the ship now. I think we're ready to get your kingdom back, Blaze. That is...if you're ready to leave that is," Kathy replied with a nod and a wink.

"Oh, you have no idea how long I've been waiting to leave this island just kick Battra's butt on this long journey. I need to show him who the true heir to throne goes to because it is certainly isn't him," Blaze replied with a devious smirk.

"And he is no King of the Monsters because the original king is dead. So, in other words, he's just an ordinary monster, unlike Yours Truly," Kathy replied with a determined look of her own and smirk.

"Hmph. Agreed. Let's leave. Marine, you know what to do," Blaze replied with a smirk as she turned to look at Marine and nodded to her.

"Oh, yes, ma'am! Alright, guys! Let's set sail! Woohoo!" Marine exclaimed happily before she ran off to go tell the Coconut Crew to get to the ship.

"Hahahahahaha, she has so much enthusiasm, doesn't she? Hahahahahahaha!" Kathy replied while giggling.

"Yeah, she sure does. I guess it makes sense that you and Marine got along pretty easily. You both are generally happy, optimistic people. I think it is a good thing that people like you are in the world. You guys are not boring to be around I'll admit," Blaze replied calmly with a smile.

"I agree. We just like to have fun. That isn't hard to understand, right?" Kathy replied with a cheerful smile.

"Heh. No, it isn't," Blaze agreed with tender expression.

"Hey, guys?! Are you two coming or what?! You guys want to kick some monster butt, right?! So, let's go already!" Marine yelled as she poked her head into the Sacred Springs.

The girls looked at each other and giggled a little before they both said together, "We're coming!".

"Then let's ship out already!" Marine exclaimed again before she left.

"Alright, Kathy. Let's go," Blaze said as she stood up. Kathy stood up too as well.

"This is it. We're about to head off together one last time. Are you sure you want to do this, Blaze?" Kathy asked with a serious expression.

"I'm ready," Blaze answered with a solemn expression. Kathy smiled gently as she replied, "Good. Now, let's go".

("Infant Island/ Mothra's Departure" From Mothra vs. Godzilla starts playing here)

The two girls start walking out of the Sacred Springs and went to the exit of the cave. They left through the cave junction and went outside. They could see Marine waiting a few feet away from them and walked towards her.

"Come on! Let's go!" Marine yelled as she ran through the forest. The girls nodded to each other and ran. They followed Marine through the thick, green forest. With determination in their hearts, they ran as fast as they could. It was nighttime now since there were stars peeking out of the dark clouds in the sky. Blaze can't believe that something as beautiful as an island like this even exists. It is such a shame that she had to leave like this, but she wants to get her kingdom back. Kathy can't believe that she is leaving this island too, but for a completely different reason. While running, Kathy brooded.

I can't believe this day had finally come. I really am going to leave this place forever. It's time for me to leave my home and set out for a new life in a new dimension. I can't have cold feet now. I should embrace my new life! This...is my only ticket to freedom from my isolated life. I should not squander this chance!

Kathy smiled brightly as she realized that she is leaving this terrible place for good. A new life with a clean slate. No one will know that she's a monster, and she could be herself without any expectations from others. It is certainly a good life. Why should she hesitate? It is about time to show everyone what happens if you throw a good person away like trash and then realize your horrible mistake of throwing that person away when you need him or her at your most lowest point of your life! This is...the perfect punishment for the people of the Sol Dimension!

Eventually, the girls had finally made it to the beach and saw the ship being docked near the island. Marine, Blaze, and Kathy got onboard the ship and waited for the captain to move the ship.

"Are you girls ready to leave?" said a koala in a captain's hat.

"Yeah!" Marine yelled happily.

"Of coarse," Blaze answered calmly with a nod.

Kathy was silent at first. She then looked back at the island once more. Farwell, Infant Island. Forever. Kathy brooded with a solemn expression. She then smiled as she instead answered with a cry in her native language.

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

The girls and the crew were slightly startled by that loud screech, but they all nodded in understanding.

("Infant Island/ Mothra's Departure" song ends here)

"Alright, let's move out!" the captain said as he moved the wheel steer the ship away from the island.

As the ship went away from the island, Kathy had one last thought as she looked at the island one last time.

And goodbye, Mother...Forever.

Thus, another chapter done! I had included some songs here just to fit the setting in some scenes in the story. You don't need to listen to them while reading it. I just thought that it be fitting for each section of story to make it seem dramatic or powerful. It's just cosmetic flair. Don't worry about it. However, the song for "Infant Island/ Mothra's Departure" is more harder to find. I think you should look up "Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)- Complete OST" on Youtube in order to find the song. It's on the Toho Society Channel if you don't know what I'm talking about. Just go to the 18: 35 mark in the video to listen to it. You can also listen to the song "Sacred Springs" in the video if you want. It's around the 15: 30 mark of the video.

Anyways, I had fun writing this one! It's great to see a climax to an internal conflict come to a close. Now, all that's left is the finale. The finale will be in two parts, and I'm going to post them in the same day when I'm finished with them. It might take a while to finish them, but hopefully, it won't take like two weeks to finish them like last time. If you guys enjoyed this, then always R&R! Thank you so much for your support! See you guys at the finale!