A/N: I'm baaack! Sorry I haven't updated lately! I hope you guys liked the costume designs. They kind of had a Greek feel to them huh? Oh well, they were really cute. :P Next up is Brainy's big moment! How will it go? What will Helga say? What will Arnold and Chal do? What about the villagers? Find out in this chapter. Its will be in one persons' POV. WARNING: CHARACTER DEATH IN CHAPTER! Who will it be?

CHAL'S POV

I could feel my brother's pulse quickening as I held onto his wrist as we watched Brainy approach Helga G. Pataki on a moonlit cliff. I sent him a nod and grabbed his hand, giving it a firm squeeze. He sent me a smile but I could tell that it was strained.

"Helga…" The blonde jumped and turned around. My brother squeezed my hand and he trembled slightly. I bit my lip and squeezed back. We could see tears falling down Helga's porcelain cheeks, glistening like the great rivers of San Lorenzo.

"What do you want, Brainy? I'm not in the mood to knock your block off."

"I'd …uh…prefer if you didn't." His wheezing was slow and lighter, but his face held an unusual look for the young Brit. He was also carrying a scowl, glaring at the stubborn blonde out of frustration.

"Why can't you just leave me alone?"

"Because I'm always there when you need to talk about your feelings about Arnold."

Arnold's mouth fell open slightly. He glanced at me and his look held concern. I must've looked really bad, but I ignored him.

"So are you gonna give me a monologue and punch me in the face, or can we be serious?" He took a deep breath and walked closer until he was by her side.

"You really want me to hurt you? Don't you…" Helga stood, glaring hard through her glazed crystal eyes.

"Dammit, Helga, I want you to stop running!" Brainy yelled. The three of us jumped at the usually silent child who was known to never raise his voice. My heart quickened. I bit my lip harder, my eyes widening at his sudden change in character. My heart thumped in my chest and my eyebrows furrowed. I began to feel angry at myself. I was jealous of Helga G. Pataki, and the relationship she had with my beloved Brainy. I shook my head. 'But Helga, she's my friend…' I was brought out of my thoughts as Arnold growled quietly from my side. I covered his mouth and gave him a frown.

Helga just stared at the ground. "I give up…"

"What?"

Arnold and I shared a look of confusion before turning back to the two blondes.

"I give up." She closed her eyes in defeat, her head tilted towards the ground. Brainy stared at her for a long time and for once, his wheezing ceased. He grabbed her by the shoulders, causing the girl's eyes to snap wide open.

"I love you, Helga! More than you'll ever know or be able to understand! I'd do anything for you! That's why I'm telling you this!" He took a deep breathe, "You are being a complete idiot! The boy you've wanted to love you for three years has just said in front of everyone we know that he loves you! Why can't you just accept it? Why do you have to be so bloody stubborn?"

She forced Brainy away with a push, "BECAUSE I DON'T DESERVE IT!" The two blondes stared at each other wide eyed, both breathing hard from their fits of frustration and anger.

Brainy took a minute to swallow and let his breathing slow. "Why?"

She frowned and glared at the eyes protected by glasses, "Why? Brainy look at me! I'm a Pataki! I'm mean and heartless and …and… he could do so much better! He's either going to get the mean football head hater who shoots spitballs and pretended to be blind or the psychotic, lovesick, and OBSESSIVE drama queen who could rape him at any second! I'm not going to throw that at him! Dammit! Why did he have to say anything! He could've just …just…Criminy! I don't know!"

"Nobody choose—did you just say 'rape' him?" Brainy looked at the now red blonde who was staring at him smirking deviously. "The thought crossed my mind."

"Helga, we're ten."

"Don't judge me, bucko!"

I chuckled to myself as I watched my big bro change to a shade of deep cherry red. His mouth was now wide open, along with his mossy green eyes. He looked slightly petrified that she had considered raping him once, and I elbowed him grinning. He just gave me a dumbfounded look.

"Right…As I was, uh…going to say…," he cleared his throat, "I don't think Arnold would tell you he loved you if he wasn't willing to take on both sides of you, Helga. And as for saying it out loud in front of everyone, maybe he was just trying to prove a point." Helga looked to Brainy, her pink lips quivered slightly as they parted.

'Oh, he's gooood.' I grinned as Brainy began picking apart Helga's wall of denial and disbeliefs.

"What the hell are you trying to say, Brainy?"

"Maybe he pulled that stunt to prove something to you is all." He casually pulled an inhaler from his pocket and took a puff before settling it back in his pocket.

Cerulean eyes widened as hugged herself, fiddling with her pink ribbon that was wrapped around her delicate arm.

"Nobody laughed Helga. They were shocked. And even if they did…you know, laugh…I think Arnold was just trying to show you, um, that even if they did, he'd take it to be with you. Right Arnold?"

Our eyes got wide as he called out my brother. 'Too good, maybe.' Helga's eyes got wide as I stood up with anger, "Brian! What the hell? How do you keep finding us?"

"I've stalked stalkers."

I rolled my eyes then looked to the ground to see my brother still sitting there completely bewildered. 'Oh, for cryin' out loud, bro, be a MAN.' I quickly grabbed the back of his shirt and yanked him up as he let out a yelp.

We glanced up to see Helga looking like she was about to explode from anger and Brainy just shook his head. "FOOTBALL HEAD." She glared at Arnold. "CHAL." She glared at me.

"Ah heh heh…Hey Helga." We both grinned sheepishly at being caught and rubbed the back of our necks, something we had apparently picked up from Miles. Once genetically, once from observation.

Before I could explain, Arnold cut in. "Look Helga, Brainy's right. It doesn't matter w-what they think. I…I really love you." He turned a dark red hue and continued, "I'm sorry it took me awhile to realize it, but I'm saying it now. You don't have to say you do too, I just wanted to let you know…" He took her hand and smiled at her. She blushed and looked away at the ground.

"Idiot…"

"What?" ¿Perdóneme?'

"I said you're an idiot." She turned to look Arnold directly in the eyes. Pale blue met darkened greens. I don't know exactly what passed between the two but I smiled as she tightened her grip on my brother's hand.

"Glad that's settled." My smile fell when my eyes caught Brainy's. He walked over to me.

"How long?"

"Since we were three."

"I meant you, not Helga and Arnold."

"I know." I glanced up at him and he just shrugged. I shook my head and smiled at the two tortalitos and elbowed Brainy. "You'll find a 'Helga' someday." I whispered, not wanting to show that he had broken my hope in pieces without even trying. He just wheezed and shrugged, "I'm sure."

I glanced over to see my bro getting a bit touchy feely with my friend. I smirked as I witnessed their romantic actions. Arnold, still not breaking eye contact with Helga, had moved closer to her, tucking a golden lock behind her unusual ears. Helga shuddered a bit and glanced at his lips, as if there was a silent scream for them she expected him to hear. He began to move closer to her lips.

'Hm, maybe he could hear it. We should probably give them some—" My thoughts were cut off loud popping noise as well as blood curdling screams. The two quickly broke apart as Brainy and I turned to the direction of the screams.

"What was that?" My eyebrows furrowed in confusion and worry.

"That sounded like…" Brainy's eyes darted to Helga and Arnold.

"Oh no…" Arnold began heading over to us.

"OLGA!" Helga shouted, pushing past Arnold.

"The village!" I yelled, darting forward. I ran faster than I ever had before. The thought of my father, my family, the kids, my village in danger, pushed me to a speed I wasn't aware my little feet could carry me. My eyes followed the green smoke I could see coming from the center of the village. As soon as I entered, I wish that I hadn't.

I was quickly snatched up, as were the other three. I screamed and flipped over the man as Helga stepped on another's foot. We both ran into Arnold's captor, freeing him. I pulled my whip off my hip and readied myself for a fight. 'Why? Where is my father? Who are they! Why are they here?' I slowly began to recognize them as the men who had saved Helga, Gerald, Phoebe, and Brainy from the falls. I whipped my whip at one who came at me, but he grabbed and snatched it away from me.

"Mr. Martinez!" Arnold yelled.

"What the heck are you doing? Where's my sister?" Helga growled, her face red with anger.

He grinned and took off his hat, "You're dumber than you look, aren't you?" The men around us chuckled. That's when I noticed the villagers were all on the ground, their hands over their heads.

"Why are you doing this?" Arnold growled as he saw his parents in a large cage along with Wartz, Simmons and Olga. The class of children were at the center being held at gun point. "Let them go!"

"He betrayed us, Arnoldo. What do you think?"

"Smart girl, isn't she La Sombra?" Our eyes widened as Mr. Martinez stepped aside to allow a tall tanned man come out from where we had just came from. He wore a light slate hood that was attached to his cloak. His eyes shimmered a jade green with a strange hint of lime. Next to his left eye was a large gash that had been sewn closed. His nose and mouth were concealed behind a red bandana. His walk was creepy and crooked as he came towards us in his dark worn blue pants and black boots. His bare chest carried multiple scars that made us cringe. 'La-La S-Sombra? But he's nothing but a tall tale! A myth! A legend!' My eyes widened as I stepped back.

"Aye. You have done good, mi hermano." My body froze as he looked directly into my eyes. 'Those eyes! Those horrible eyes! I-I remember them! But from what!'

"Ah, it's all coming back to you, isn't it princesa?" I gulped, 'How did he know about me?' I stepped back, "Where is my father?" I yelled, my eyes glazing over with fresh tears wanting to fall. "Awww, don't cry bonita. He's right here." He stepped over to the fire where a man laid on the ground. Could see Lila and Nadine trying to help the poor man. I glanced at the ground as I realized I was stepping in blood. That's when it hit me. I ignored La Sombra's cackling as the men parted, allowing Arnold, Helga and I to run over to my father. "PAPÍ!" I yelled, my tears falling from my face.

"Chalchi..?" I sobbed as my father mistook me for my mother.

"No, it's me, Chaltiquel." I took his hand as I knelt before him. My eyes widened as I felt a piece of paper handed to me meant to go unnoticed. I knew what this meant. He had talked about this before. I closed my eyes and said a quick prayer before opening them to look directly into my fathers dark brown eyes. I pushed his chocolate bangs back and gave him my best smile.

"Te amo, Papí…" I whispered as he closed his eyes. He smiled at me, "Te amo, mi hija." He stroked my freckled cheek weakly, "My little Chaltiquel…" He smiled as his eyes drifted close. Helga took his hat and put it on his head before tilting it down. I sobbed as rubbed my back. He and Helga shared a look as the villagers began to cry out, along with the royal family. Stella sobbed into Miles's shoulder as the teachers began to have mental breakdowns. The children they had been watching had witnessed the death of a human being! How the hell were they suppose to explain all this.

"OH come ON! That son of a bitch always did have a way of getting under my skin. Such a sap. Love. Pfft. Only brings weakness in my eyes. He reached forward and yanked me by my green hair, my tiara falling off in the process. The warriors went to move, but were halted by the gunmen. "Why are you crying," he spat as he pulled me to face him, "you've seen me kill your mother, you should be use to death by now, Chaltiquel." He glared hard into my widened eyes. I spat in his face, considering he had my hands held in his long claws.

"LET HER GO, LA SOMBRA!" Arnold yelled, standing up. Helga looked at him in shock and fear that he might be next in line for a bullet. "Arnold…" she whimpered. He looked to her then back to La Sombra. "I SAID 'LET HER GO!' NOW!" La Sombra tossed me over to Señor Martinez who held onto me in the same grip.

"Ah, Arnold Phillip Shortman. We finally meet. I've been wanting to thank you for making my dreams come true." He approached Arnold, causing Helga to stand in alarm.

"What are you talking about? How do you know my name?"

Without a word, he tossed a green book at Arnold's feet. "My dad's journal!" Helga picked it up and scanned through it. "Arnold! The map! It's gone!"

Arnold shook his head, "I-I-I don't understand…" La Sombra laughed again, "Allow me to feel your tiny little brains with my tale. First of all, I think I should introduce to you my brother, Coatl Martinez. After losing La Corazón because of your foolish parents, I devised a plan. I knew that when the Green-Eyes began dying off due to the sleeping sickness, they would return to San Lorenzo by plane. The men Eduardo went with to fly to America was secretly working for me. Being the idiot he was, he didn't notice that some were missing. I had a group of men plant explosives one your parents plane. Once it got close to us I detonated it, causing the plane to crash and burn. They were out of commission for a good year or three," he chuckled, "but who cared. That's when I had the second plane land on the other side of San Lorenzo, near the Great Temples. No one goes there cause its "sacred"," he finger quoted, "You were born there. Close to the sorry excuse for 'civilization' but hidden. Your parents, lacking the proper supplies to get home or send info, stayed with the Green-Eyes, who don't allow outsiders in or villagers out. I knew I needed you all in one place for my revenge, so when I felt the time was right, after everything was worked out, I had my brother fly there and give you're dimwitted Principal Wartz the essay crap. Yours was just awful, but I knew it was you by the childish fantasy you probably developed due to your parents. When you arrived, I found out you had a map in your clumsy fathers diary," "JOURNAL!" Miles interrupted. "No body gives a damn!" La Sombra yelled, then cleared his throat to continue, "Little did I know la princesa was on your tail too. I was keeping an eye on her before, but what better way than to kill two birds with one stone, eh? When your parents joined the party, I knew it was a perfect time to retrieve the map. Once I had it, we followed the trail and found your little nest. Now, its all thanks to you that I will have La Corazón!" He began cackling wildly.

Arnold, fueled by his frustration and anger charged at the man, only to be smacked in the jaw by La Sombra's old gun. He fell back as everyone looked on in surprise and we all shouted his name. He stumbled too close to the fire, burning his hand. He let out a yelp and sat up quickly.

La Sombra chuckled maliciously and grabbed Chal. "Brother, take the adventurers to the temple. You five watch the villagers. They say only one of royal blood can open the gates to the heart of San Lorenzo. Let's go and see! Anyone makes a move and I kill the girl! Once I'm out, she leaves with me to the temple. After that, you men know what to do!" With that he headed up the stairs with Chal, some of his men close behind him, scanning the crowd. La Sombra laughed as he glanced at Arnold, who glared at La Sombra as if he were the devil himself, "Don't be a hero, niño."

A/N: Well… this was a dramatic chapter. Yay, Arnold and Helga together! Though she won't say 'I love you, Arnold'…-_-' Poor Chal! And Eduardo! NOOOOOOOO! What will Arnold do? Will he take La Sombra's advise? Keep reading to see!

P.S. – ANY HA! REQUEST?

Love, Kirei