A/N: You don't know how much time has passed since that last chapter and this one, I wrote that like a month ago and I'm back at the last minute. That's what I get for being lazy. Whatever…there'll be a synopsis at the end of the story for those who didn't get it, but you should.

Northern Stars

Chapter 3

As the mist cleared, it was decided among the friends that they didn't want to see what was there, but one of them couldn't help but look anyway. MB, Pudge, and Leo all turned around and did their best to walk in the other direction and avoid looking back, but Key stayed where he was and waited for his vision to clear out. The others were gone by the time he could see, and all that was left was just an enormous amount of shattered ice, fragments everywhere, but not penguins were seen, and no blood was stained on the ice either, even though all of the survivors knew that it was under the wreckage. Unable to shake a feeling of guilt from within him, all Key did was turn his back on the area and go home, it was the only thing any student that lived could do. There was no sense looking for their friends, for they either lived or they didn't, it was simple as that.

Hours later, after the whole nation took the event in and the natives were informed of who made it out okay and who didn't, MB sat at home, replaying the whole fight with Iris in her head. It was her fault, she knew it, her screams caused the ice to crack and make the wall unstable. The entire class was almost obliterated because of her and her big beak. MB's parents were relived beyond words to hear she was okay and made it home safe, but when disaster strikes, family is never enough. MB wasn't doing anything except thinking, so when she was lying there in her home and heard footsteps approaching, she ignored it and let them come, whoever they were.

"MB…?" It was Key. MB opened her eyes, as she was thinking with them closed, ad turned to Key. "I hear the Elders are looking into the incident…you know…to find out the cause. Are you worried that they'll come for you?" He asked her.

"No…with all that's happened…I'd be surprised if anyone is even able to talk about it besides us. Looks like our wits saved us, but I also think it was just luck." As she spoke, Key walked in and sat down next to her.

"I agree…I heard Iris didn't make it. But I guess I'm better off without her if she's going to treat me like that. Also, I never really got to thank you for standing up for me like that. It was really brave…and you really think I'd be a good mate to someone?" MB tilted her head towards Key in confusion.

"Are you joking Key? Of course I meant that, you'd be a perfect mate to anyone girl that would have you. And the ones that won't…well, that's their loss. I'm lucky just to know you…and the other thing I said is true. If I had a crowd of boys to pick a mate out of, it'd be you, no question." Key smiled and blushed under his feathers, his shy nature came through, but he still managed to take the comment to his heart.

A few minutes of just resting after their brief talk, two more penguins walked into the home. One of the penguins looked at MB, it was her mother. MB and Key both got to their feet and gave the two penguins their attention. "Maria…" Her mother started, but her tone didn't sound friendly, "You're needed in the center area…" It was a horrid tone, a judgmental tone. MB began to worry, and followed her mother out the door, not having time to look back at Key.

Key, worried for his friend threw a barrage of questions at the other penguins, none of which he answered. The other penguin only stared at the graduate with lazy eyes and said, "Where she's being taken isn't important, all you need to know is that she's going to get what she deserves." And he left, Key was frozen. MB was about to get blamed in front of the whole nation for the majority of deaths for that generation, something he couldn't let happen. Key had a plan, but he need to get to her judgment, with or without Pudge and Leo. Pulling his nerves together, he took off to where he had seen MB go with her mother.

The nation had gathered to that one spot, everyone was there, all the Elders faced the young Emperor on the ground, and all eyes were on her. The whispers weren't good, and before another word was spoken, one of the Elders came forth. "Citizens of the Empire of the Emperor, before you is a single, lovely young lady who has survived the terrible accident earlier today. Many of our children were lost, and yet some survived, but those who did managed to tell us the only thing we wanted to know. We wanted to know who was responsible, and the only penguin named…was Maria Bella of the Light Foot family. Maria Bella…do you deny these accusations?"

MB faced the entire nation, she thought this over, and she knew what she had to do to make it right. "No I don't…it was my yelling that cracked the wall. I made the wall come down…"

"Do you wish to plead?" The same Elder said.

"In your dreams…" MB said very seriously to him, making everyone boo her and chant against her name. Now on the Elders' bad side, the decision was unanimous.

"Well…with this confession, and your disrespectful attitude, we hereby charge you with the deaths of dozens of young graduates, destruction of the Empire's main stage, one of the highest possible crimes here…we agree there's only one punishment for such acts. Banishment…" The crowd murmured, they seemed to approve; MB didn't care what her parents thought, like they had a say in it anyway. "This order will be executed…immediately…" And the Elder pointed her away, and the entire crowd parted, giving her almost a pathway leading out into the world, away from her home. Sighing, knowing there was nothing she could do, MB was about take her first step, but a new voice caught the nation's attention.

"WAIT…!" It was Key; everyone turned and saw him run into the opening to MB's side. "I caused it! It was truly me! I was the one who sang the song that made Iris and MB get into a fight, it was really my fault…banish me…" But MB was fear struck.

"Key…no…what are you doing…" He looked at her,

"I'm looking after my friend…" And she felt her heart drop, he said friend, but both of them knew he meant something else. The Elder raised an eyelid and turned to MB.

"Maria Bella…is what he says true?" There was no lying to an Elder.

"Well…technically yes…but he…" The 'yes' was all they heard.

"Then it's settled, Keary of the Narrow Beak family, you are to go into banishment in Maria's place for the death of most of your class and destruction of the main stage, also effective immediately, now…be gone…" And he was ordered out. Key started walking, knowing this plan ended this way, but MB wasn't so reluctant to let him go.

"Key you can't do this…" She started whining, not wanting him to go. "I need you here with me…"

"I wish I could've stayed with you too, and I wish I had spent more time with you. I've been blind…but now it's too late." Key grasped her flipper and held it tight, and she grasped it too. "Take care of the others for me, I'll miss them. But…I'll always think of you…" And he pulled away, letting go of her flipper and waddling off into the arctic wastelands of his home.

MB stood there, petrified and heart swelling. There was no way she'd be able to live with this, her best friend, and her lifelong love was walking away, and she never got the chance to tell him how she felt. The crowd left, feeling satisfied the one penguin that caused it got their just deserts, but Pudge and Leo walked up behind MB. Their expressions were made of sadness, and no tears flowed from their eyes.

"I…I never even got to say goodbye…" Pudge said; the three watched Key walk off, their hearts growing smaller with each step he took.

Key couldn't bring himself to look back, it'd hurt too much. All he could do was face front and sing. The song he felt was born from his depression, and it felt like one of his truer, most pure songs. It almost felt like it was his heartsong, not the one he'd been singing for years. (Reflection of Your Footprints)

Key: As you walk away, as I feel the pain

The only thing that I can think

Is how much I've messed up

I tried to stay on track, and I did my very best

But what do you do when everything you have

Is just not enough?

They didn't hear him, he was too far away. MB and the other only watched until he was out of sight, and even then they couldn't move. Once the night had come and the group was beginning to get cold, Maria felt herself begin to sing too. It was her true heartsong, also born from sorrow and the tragic feeling of loss. (Down With My Heart)

MB: The very first time never even happened

Only in my head, outside I was afraid of everything

And weak bursts of light guided my way, yet still not enough

I was blind, I was dumb, I was foolish to try to run

You slipped through my eyes like the wind

And now my heart is sinking like the sun at night

Key didn't hear her either, he was too far away. The two friends next to MB weren't moving, they were listening with all their being, giving more moral support than ever. Key kept singing his song to the cold air, knowing full well no one heard him.

Key: I need to find a light, something with water

Because then my tears, they won't be noticed by me

And I need to face my ice, or maybe just a crystal

Anything within a reflection of yourself

Because at least then you'd be coming back to me

MB's song began to overlap his.

MB: My heart is falling down like how the ice melts

My mind is slipping away with grief with that blow which has been dealt

No questions that I want to hear could bring me back to life

For my heart has already been dragged down, down, down

And without realizing it, they began to sing together.

Key: I need a mirror of myself

MB: I need some saving grace

Key: Be the sight I seek

MB: Oh, I'll love you while a watch I'll keep

Key: But I'll need a reflection of your footprints

MB: At least then you'll be coming back to me

Key kept walking, MB and the other went home, but in MB's mind, this was far from over. She's get Key back, she had to, she couldn't live without him. Her mind was set, and her heart spoke for her, she would find a way to get him to come home, with or without her friend's assistance.

I copied MyWayWriter's technique for doing songs, don't worried I asked, he said it was okay. So now you've seen that he's not the only one who can do original songs here, I give myself an award. But that's only chapter three, and if you've been wondering why this is rated M, you'll find out soon, just use your imagination.

Songs used:

Reflection of Your Footprints

Down With My Heart

Peace out, stay in touch everyone!