Promise me, Sonic..

Blaze the Cat returns in Sonic Boom Fire and Ice, as Sonic's mysterious younger sister who suffered a tragic death.  Credit goes to for the base used.

The astute among you will recognize an underlying link between this and Mother of Chao.  The first one to figure it out gets a virtual cookie.  I'll even give a couple of hints:

1) Pay attention to the people credited for the concept.  Notice anyone in particular?
2) Look at what Blaze is holding.  Where else might you have seen it.  Don't be afraid to Google it if you need to.

Good luck!

Concept (c) Sega, GRRM