Things weren't any better for Fuego, Valerie, Rex, Lily, or Tadpole.

The more time past, the more anxious Fuego became, and the more concerned the others were as well.

It ended up where Fuego wouldn't even come out of his room anymore, so they had to visit him instead of all of them meeting up together someplace else.

Valerie was the first to peek in.

"Fuego?  You okay in here?"

"Vete." Fuego muttered under his breath.  "Go away."

"Aw c'mon, we're worried about you!"  She hesitantly came in, followed by the others.  Tadpole frolicked over to Fuego's bed where he was sitting, staring at the wall.

"C'mon, cheer up!  Sure, we all miss Orchid...and our siblings...but I'm sure they'll be back eventually!"

"Meh." Fuego muttered, showing no emotion.

"Fueegoooo!" Lily pouted, going over to join her brother.  "You know we don't like seeing you like this!"

"Yeah!" Rex agreed.  "So cheer up.  Or do I have to force you?"

"Just leave me alone!" Fuego complained.  "That's all I want!"

"Oh come on, Fuego.  You've been completely miserable for...well, forever now." Valerie said, leaping up next to him and grabbing his hand gently.  "You know I don't like it when you're sad."

He glared and yanked his hand away from her.  "I said leave me alone!  I don't see how I can get any clearer than that."

"Isn't there anything we can do to cheer you up?" Lily said with a pout.

"Unless you can get Orchid back, no.  SO GO AWAY." Fuego said harshly, making the small cervitar flinch away with a whimper.  Tadpole gently grabbed her hand to calm her down.

"Come on, Fuego, this isn't like you at all!" Rex snapped.

"I don't care!  I just wanna be left alone!" Fuego shouted, now on the verge of tears.

"But we wanna plaaayyy!" Valerie complained, pouting.  Fuego just shoved her off the bed and turned back to the wall, crossing his arms.  She hit the ground with a small "oof."

Rex helped her back up, glaring at Fuego.  "I have half a mind to-"

"To what?  Kill me?  Yeah, right.  You can't kill a phoenix." Fuego snapped.

Rex flinched away.  "...that's not what I was gonna say, but whatever..." he muttered under his breath.

"Er, what I think he meant was-" Tadpole started, but got interrupted.

"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT.  SO JUST GO AWAY!" Fuego shouted, small flames starting to flicker off his body.

The small group flinched away.  "...f...fine!  You wanna be that way, be that way!  I'm going home!" Valerie snapped, lifting her head high and storming out of the room.  Rex chased after her, concerned.  Lily and Tadpole just slowly left.

Fuego glared at the door for a while before sniffling and starting to cry.  He truthfully didn't want to be alone.  He wanted to be with his friends, but he was too upset.  After a few minutes, Zestó slowly went in to check on him.

"Fuego?  You okay in here, buddy?" he said gently, going over and sitting next to his weeping son.

"No..." Fuego whimpered, shaking.  "No estoy bien...I'm not okay..."

Zestó sighed.  "I know you're worried about your friend.  I know how much she means to you."

"She's more than a friend, papá..."

"I know."

"Where do you think she is?"

"I'm not sure, but I'm sure she's fine."

"... ¿promesa?"

"I promise."

Fuego whimpered, but cuddled closer to his father.  "...okay,papá." he said quietly.

Zestó gave a small smile and slowly rubbed his son's back to calm him down.  Fuego cuddled more and stopped crying, wiping his tears away.

"There we go.  Now, c'mon.  Dinner's almost ready.  We're having your favorite."Zestó said, elbowing Fuego slightly.

Fuego giggled and looked up at him.  "Enchiladas?"

"Enchiladas."

"YES!" he cheered, leaping up and immediately zooming down to the kitchen. Zestó chuckled and shook his head, getting up to follow.