Chapter 4: Zant's Advice

Back at the city, the Half-Kins were all gathering at a huge Winter Fest tree carrying boxes.

“What’s going on?” Proto asked. Alcor, who was nearby, answered.

“It’s almost time to decorate the tree.”

“What for?” Alcor and a few other kids nearby looked at him a little funny.

“You mean you don’t know what the Winter Fest tree is for?”

“No.” Alcor smiled.

“Don’t worry. I guess you haven’t celebrated Winter Fest the way we do here. Maybe you don’t have Winter Fest trees where you come from.”

“We have Christmas trees, which I guess are kinda close, but I’ve never celebrated anything much.” Twitch, one of Alcor’s close friends, gave Proto a sympathetic smile and patted his hand.

“We’ll teach you if you want.” Proto jerked his hand back.

“Well I don’t want.” All of kids flinched. They weren’t used to someone being so hostile towards them. Twitch sniffled a bit. Zantar passed by and, seeing and quickly assessing the situation, came over.

“C’mon, kids. Everyone’s putting their ornament boxes by the tree and I’m sure no one would want to leave yours out.” They went with the gray-furred cat. As they left, Proto heard him say to them, “Don't worry about Proto Man. He’s not exactly the nicest person around, but maybe Winter Fest will work its magic on him.”

“I hope so,” Twitch replied, stealing a look back at the red raider. Proto snorted and turned to look elsewhere, away from the festivities. What he saw was the quiet woods blanketed in snow, peaceful and still. He decided to go for a walk. He felt a need to get away

from everyone and everything.

The woods proved to be very relaxing, just the escape he’d needed, and he had plenty of room to think. He had a rather large decision before him; whether to let Dr. Light reprogram him, as he was sure Mega would suggest, or to stick with what he’d known the longest. A part of him was curious as to why Mega would chose to live such a life with all its seeming flaws. He was vulnerable in having close friends, for if one of them was taken by the enemy they could be used against him. Yet he seemed content, even happy.

“What should I do?” he softly asked the woods, and was startled when,

“Well, I don’t know for sure. Depends on what your problem is.” Proto looked around, not believing that the trees could’ve talked to him, when he spotted a lion Half Kin sitting on a fallen tree trunk that he had wiped clear of snow.

“Oh. It was you.”

“Sorry if I startled you, Proto Man.”

“How do you know my name?”

“My brother Zanatos told me. I’m Zant Leon.” They shook hands at the lion’s offer.

“I take it your feeling better.”

“Enough to come outside. And I take it you’ve got quite a problem on your hands.” Proto nodded.

“Not that you’d understand. It’s personal.”

“Then I won’t ask. I’ll just sit here and practice for the pageant.” He set a guitar in his lap and began to play one song after another. Sometimes he hummed along, and other times he was totally silent. Although he tried not to listen, Proto was unable to resist. The songs had such expression in them, such emotion, that he couldn’t help being drawn to hear. He stood off to one side near a tree, trying to be unnoticeable. Then Zant began to sing. The words spoke of love and hope and peace.

“What was that song?” Proto asked when it was over. It had sounded a little familiar, but Wily didn’t celebrate any holidays so he’d heard few Winter Fest songs.

“It’s called Shalokk Thel'sar Avae. My niece and I are performing it in a duet during the pageant, her on piano.”

“We heard her working on it.” He came a little closer. “It’s a - nice song.” Where did that cone from, his mind wondered as soon as the words were out of his mouth. Zant shifted the guitar, seeming to have sensed that such a comment wasn’t usual for the red raider.

“From what I’d gleamed, I thought you didn’t have emotions.”

“I have them. It’s just that I don’t show them too much, not at all if I can help it.”

“I guess it would be hard to show emotions and still be on your side of the battle.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Zant quickly held up a hand against Proto’s quickly clenched right fist.

“No offense meant, Proto. I was just thinking about what it would be like being in your shoes. And to be honest, I wouldn’t like it.”

“And why is that?” Up until recently, Proto thought his life was nearly ideal (except for Wily’s occasional stupid plans).

“Well, I wouldn’t have the freedom I do now. I have my family and friends, and I know I’d be lost without them, because for a while I was without them. They’re one of the most important things in my life.” He set the guitar down and looked directly at Proto, more or less eye to eye. “Without friends and family, you don’t have anything. They’re the pegs that hold a life together and make it whole, for they lessen the bad times, and make the good times truly shine.” Proto let these words of wisdom sink in, then nodded as if he’d decided something.

“Thanks, Zant.” He walked off back through the woods, the answer he needed having been staring him right in the face the whole time.