Chapter 28: Helping Zonic

Once they were there, the teenage Zeti walked back into his cave and sat down. Zlaze saw he was angry; she could tell.

"Zonic, is something wrong?" she asked, trying to approach him, cautiously.

"I'm fine, Zlaze," he said angrily.

She looked at him in concern, "There has to be if you're angry. Is it to do with Cream?" She began to worry after she said that.

"I SAID I'M FINE! AND YES, IT HAS TO DO WITH CREAM!"

Zlaze flinched at Zonic's sudden shout and looked at him in concern, "Do you want to talk about it? Why are you angry about Cream? I only want to know. I'm worried about you."

"I'm angry about her because I feel guilty! She doesn't need to suffer the way I did! It's all my fault!" Zonic yelled.

Zlaze, slowly, walked over to Zonic and hugged him, "I'm sure that we can help as much as I can help you. " Zonic glared at her and shook his head. "Zonic, don't think like that," she told him, worriedly.

The Zeti glared at her angrily, then sat down and cried. "It's all my fault...all my fault..."

Zlaze sat down beside the upset male Zeti and hugged him. "It isn't you fault. If anyone is to blame ... it's Eggman. He started this whole mess."

Zonic said nothing; he just continued to cry. Zlaze sighed and broke the hug. She looked at him and smiled, softly, looking into his Emerald green eyes. "Zonic, I'll help you get through this. You have me now. Not just ... but Zavok and the other Zeti."

"Yeah, whatever," Zonic said. "I doubt I'll ever get through this, though."

Zlaze put her hand to his cheek and he looked at him, "I'll help you, okay. I've felt this kind of guilt before. You don't know how much it pains me ... to see you like this."

Zonic shrugged and looked away. Zlaze frowned and stood up, then walked out of the cave to talk to Zavok. Maybe he could comfort his son. As Zlaze began to leave, Zonic felt guilty about making her leave. He thought he hurt her feelings. He quickly, stood up and ran after her. He grabbed her wrist; which surprised the purple Zeti and turned her around and kissed her. Zlaze was in shock at what he had done. He had been upset and angry a few moments ago and now they kissing. She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. Soon, they broke apart and Zonic frowned, then returned to the cave. Zlaze sighed and walked over to Zavok, who looked at her.

"What is it, Zlaze?" He asked.

"Zonic, is really upset. He gets angry whenever I ask about it. I think he knows I'm trying to help him, but ... he doesn't know I've that pain he's in," she explained to Zavok.

Zavok nodded. "I have noticed that. He is in a depression, Zlaze. Even I and the other Zeti have tried to help him but there is nothing we can do."

Zlaze felt her boil at that, but she tried to calm herself down. "There must be something we can do," she said, gritting her teeth, trying not to growl.

The Zeti leader shook his head. "If he does not want help, we cannot give him any."

Zlaze growled and clenched her fists. "It's not fair to him."

"We know it isn't...but there is nothing we can do, Zlaze. I am sorry. He will most likely be like this for the rest of his immortal life. Zeti are immortal, you know."

Zlaze growled at this, "Fine. But that won't stop from trying."

Zavok nodded. "I do not like seeing my son like this either, Zlaze. Even I am still angry about what happened to him years ago when I...lost him. But that doesn't matter anymore."

She nodded at this. "I still won't stop trying to help him though. He helped him ... so it's my turn to help him."

"That would be a good idea."

She turned around and headed back to the cave; to make sure Zonic was alright. When she got there, Zonic was sleeping. Zlaze smiled and knelt down, stroking his cheek. He groaned and opened his eyes.

"Where were you?" He asked in a sad voice. "I thought I had hurt your feelings."

She shook her head at him, "No, you didn't. I just went to talk to Zavok." He looked down; he knew she had most likely done that.

Zonic stood and nodded hesitantly. "What did my dad say?"

"He said that they can't help you as your in a depression, but I'm still gonna try," she told him. She looked at him. "You remember when you helped me gather the Sol Emeralds from the Eggman when we first met?" He nodded. "And you taught me the values of friendship...I want to help you through this as you helped me through my hard time then."

The teenage Zeti hesitated and shrugged. "I'll be fine, Zlaze. I can deal with this myself."

She shook her head. "No. You helped me, so it only right I repay you by helping you."

"Fine," Zonic said. "But it's not going to be easy."

She put a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him, "Really? I'm fine with a challenge. Especially if it includes you. Zonic nodded hesitantly. She looked at him, "Hey, it'll be okay. I know it will. You taught me that."

"I guess."

Zlaze smiled and hugged him, "I hate seeing you so angry and upset...I miss seeing you happy."

Zonic broke away from the hug and turned away, then nodded.

"Zonic...it pains me to see you like this." She touched his cheek.

"I get it," Zonic said in a bitter tone.

She took her hand away from his face and looked down, "Okay..."

Zonic nodded and smiled. He was happy to have Blaze back, even if he was depressed. They were together once again.