153 Steps [voice ; english]

[the_blueblur]

[Private to Mona]

Mona, I know you're feeling down about Bulma, but... This isn't something you should be suffering through alone. You have people here that care about you, and they want to help. Myself included, I hate seeing you suffer like this.

So please... Let me help.

Comments

[onceahuman]

I don't need your help, Sonic.

[the_blueblur]

Why are you saying that? I'm your friend, I want to help you.

[onceahuman]

I don't need anybody's help.

I'm done, Sonic. With this city, and everybody in it.

[the_blueblur]

Now hold it right there! That is NOT true. The time you need help most is when you're suffering! What about your family? What about Lilo and Nani? What about the people who care about you? What about Raph?

You can't honestly just say that. You can't, Mona. Do you think Bulma would have wanted you to give up on everyone and just withdraw from them?

[onceahuman]

Nani and Lilo will be fine without me, and Raph can take of himself. He has one of his brothers back, so I'm sure he'll be busy with him for a while.

I've been through this for a whole year now. Losing my friends, friends I'd never thought I'd ever make. Friends I'll probably never be able to see again.

You think I can just walk it off and keep on smiling? Forget it.

[the_blueblur]

Mona, listen to yourself! I can understand it's terrible being here and losing those that mean so much to you, but what about your friends? How will they feel about losing you?

Don't you understand what this will do to them!? If Raph's got his bro, that's cool, but if you just separated yourself from him... Don't you think that would destroy him inside?

When things like this happen, the solution is not to run away. It's to turn to people for support! That's why we've survived in this city for so long! That's why people haven't given up! Because everyone is here for each other.

[onceahuman]

One less person for them worry about.

It's better this way, don't you get it!? If I stay attached to you and the others, then it'll only hurt once they're taken. How do you think I'm going to react if they take Raph away?

What if they take Merle? Or leave Lilo all alone?! That's why... If I cut my ties with them, it won't be as bad.

[the_blueblur]

"Won't be as bad"?!

Mona?

That's selfish.

[onceahuman]

We're all selfish, aren't we?

[the_blueblur]

I never expected you, of all people, to say that. Ever.

It's hard when someone leaves. It's really hard. But would they be proud of you for this? I seriously doubt it. Bulma did a lot for the mechanics of this city, and they have the confidence to keep going because of her. They aren't quitting. You shouldn't quit everything you believe in because of this.

I'm pretty sure if you left and your friends were taken, you'd feel a lot worse not knowing about it until it was too late. People need friends here because they need the time to spend it with others... If... If any of my friends disappeared right now... I think it would hurt so bad.

But I wouldn't just give up. I'd want to believe they're somewhere better, and that one day I'd be able to get somewhere better, too.

[onceahuman]

People change, Sonic. Even more in a place like this.

You know, I used to think that too. To hang in there, and believe that things would get better. But that's all a lie. Things won't ever get better here. Everything's just gonna stay the same, or get worse!

Kinda sucks that it took me this long to realize that.

[the_blueblur]

So you think it's all for nothing, then, huh?

Do you REALLY think things will get better if you're not around?

Can you honestly say that without any doubt in your mind?

[onceahuman]

I guess we'll find out soon enough.

[the_blueblur]

You know what?

If you're going to leave, then I'm going with you. I don't care if you say you should be left alone, I don't care if you think it's for the best.

I won't let you go it alone.

If there's one thing I learned here, or at least strengthened my knowledge in it... It's if you fall, you get back up again. Because you can't survive on your belly on day, you gotta stand up and face the world.

[onceahuman]

You're... doing what?

Tell me I didn't just read that.

[the_blueblur]

I said I'll go with you.