"How much farther?"

"Hmm..." Cosmo looked up from the piece of paper Frost had given them with information. "...twenty-three miles."

"Oh come on!"

"Ha! Just kidding. It's only about two more blocks."

"Oh my Chaos, Cosmo!" Tikal took the paper from her friend, rolled it up into a tube, then began to whack her on the head with it. "You don't do that to people!"

Blaze rolled her eyes. Cosmo and Tikal seemed to be way more relaxed than she was in this unknown territory. Or perhaps joking around was their way of coping, she didn't know. "How will we know which one it is?"

Cosmo took the paper back. "It says to look for a driveway that looks like it's on fire, but is really as cold as Eggman's heart."

"So about 98.6 degrees."

Cosmo playfully glared at her friend. "Icy, Tikal. Icy."

Blaze stopped. "How are you two able to do that? Be so... Cool?"

"I dunno." Tikal flipped her dreadlocks. "I guess I was just born this cool..."

"No! I mean... You know what I mean!" Blaze looked away, not letting the tears that were forming in her eyes be seen.

"...I'm sorry, Blaze. I guess it's just easier for us to joke around than it is to be all serious right now. I mean, things have been so crazy since Eggman's attacks that it's been either laugh or cry."

Cosmo placed a hand on the cat's shoulder. "But it would do you some good to loosen up a little, Blaze. Let yourself enjoy life. When I first met Sonic and the others, all I cared about was finding the Chaos Emeralds and defeating the Metarex. But when I let myself have fun along the way, it lessened the burden I felt. Sometimes it's okay to just... Be goofy."

Blaze sighed. "You girls may have to teach me... All I've ever done is be serious and diligent. I don't think I know how to be relaxed and have fun."

Cosmo and Tikal looked at each other, then grinned. "Challenge accepted." they responded in unison.

"But let's focus on finding this house first." Tikal reminded.

"Right."

The three girls walked the last few blocks, then came across a house with what looked to be a flaming driveway, just like the note said. Blaze bent down, touching the surface. "You're right, Cosmo. It's frozen."

"And sloped!" Tikal complained. "We might as well just go up through the yard."

"Except it says 'stay off the grass.' " Cosmo explained, pointing to a sign.

"Okay, I understand that the icy driveway might keep intruders and door-to-door salesmen from getting there, but what intruder going to actually listen to that sign!?"

"Maybe it's a carnivorous grass."

"Oh yes, I forgot. You're the botany expert."

"Guys...?"

The two looked up to see Blaze was at the top of the slope, and there was a melted path up the driveway. "Oh. Right." Tikal muttered, then they followed after their friend. "Sorry."

Blaze hesitated, then finally rang the doorbell. "What am I supposed to say...!? I mean, it's not like I really know them..."

"You'll be fine, Blaze..." Cosmo encouraged, putting her hand on Blaze's shoulders. "...Just be yourself."

Blaze nodded, then looked up as the door opened and a little phoenix peeked out. Her golden feathers glistened with an unnatural sheen, but her eyes lit up as soon as she saw them. "It's you!" she cheered, rushing out and hugging Blaze's legs. "Blazie!"

Blaze blushed, but smiled as the phoenix looked up at her. "Well hi..." she whispered.

"Emberly? Who is it?"

Another phoenix came up, a young adult with feathers the color of a plum. "Oh... Hello, Guardian Blaze." she greeted. "This is an unexpected surprise."

She gave a curtsy. "My name is Pele..."

"Well you know who I am." Blaze answered. "And this is Cosmo and Tikal."

"We've come to ask for your help, Miss Pele." Tikal explained. "You see, the Master Emerald and Chaos Emeralds' sources of power have been kidnapped, and-"

"They were kidnapped...!?" Pele looked around. "Come inside, quickly."

The three girls slipped into the house, and Emberly took off into the house with a giggle. "Tell me what you know...!"

"From what we know, they were attacked shortly after the last council meeting by the Anarcians." Cosmo explained. "Frost managed to escape and came to our dimension for help, but we're seriously outmanned and outpowered. She asked Blaze to seek your assistance, and Tikal and I came as support for her."

Pele nodded. "Yes... The Anarcians have been very quiet since their disappearance... But if it was indeed them that took the Emerald family, then I do not believe Queen Twerol and Ambassador Yon know about it." She stood up straight. "I will contact my brothers and sisters and see if I can gain their help. I would help you myself, but I mustn't leave Emberly alone. She's too young to fight, even if she is powerful."

"We could babysit for you!" Tikal volunteered. "That is... If Cosmo and Blaze are up for it."

"Doesn't sound too hard." Cosmo expressed. "I mean, she already loves Blaze, it appears."

Blaze nodded. "Would it be better for us to stay here, or take her with us back to our dimension?"

"Let's see what she thinks... Emberly!" Pele called. "Would you like to go with Miss Blaze to see where she lives?"

Emberly came dashing down the steps. "YEAH!" she announced. "Can I, Pele!?"

"Of course."

"Yeah! I'm going on an adventure!" she cheered as she dashed back up the steps. "Just let me get my blankie!"

Pele grinned. "Well then, I guess that's settled. Are you sure you three can handle it? She can be a handful."

"We'll do our very best, Pele." Tikal replied.

"I am so glad Frost is alright." Pele smiled. "She always sits with her family at the council meetings, but I rarely get to speak with her alone..."

She picked up Emberly as she dashed by and kissed her cheek. "You behave yourself, Emberly. Okay?"

"Okay!" Emberly replied, then Pele set her down and she went to Blaze's side, holding her hand. "Bye, Pele!"

"Bye Emmy... Good luck, girls."

Blaze smiled a little, then the trio made their way back down the driveway.