Chapter 11 – Way to Dawn
A/N: this is it guys. The final chapter, the final battle.
Chapter 11 – Way to Dawn
Utter silence. Nothing can be heard, nothing but the wind as it blew through the trees. There was a small figure moving through those trees. A penguin figure.
The hefty penguin waddled out of the woods. Right in front of him was the Diren castle. It was big, with black and white walls and a golden roof top. Sounds of growls coming out of it. The sounds of Black Hearts. They stepped out of the dark with their red, hungry eyes and there were armies of them, but the weapon expert didn't fear them. He had one thing on his mind. His brother who was standing on the top of the castle wearing his mask. He removed the mask, dropping it to the ground. As it touch the ground, the horde of monsters rushed to the scarred penguin viciously. He pulled his Way to Destiny chopper sword and swung it with all his might. Cutting and slashing them one by one. Two of them tried to attack him from behind. He turned around and slash cut through them. Then the horde jumped all in once. He raised his weapon to the sky and hit it to the ground causing a blast that obliterated the rest of the army.
Rico kept fighting the enemy for so long, he barely able to move a muscle. He needed rest, but the creatures kept coming. He wished his three friends were here.
"Rico!"
A voice called. Three figures jumped alongside the weapon expert. They were Skipper, Kowalski, and little Private "Kipper!" Rico cheered happily. "And not just us" the captain remarked. Suddenly the ground shook like if there was a stampede incoming. Rico made an awe expression when he saw an army of people, Dragons, lycans, giants, and others. "Wow" Rico exclaimed and Private explained "we went to get help and Skipper convinced to help us" and the leader gave smugly smile. Then Silver came and his eyes widen. The sight of the citizens of Naria fighting alongside them was something he didn't predict to ever happen "I should learn to never underestimate you, but now it's for us to fight for our home. You go and take Lord Twilight down" he gave to Rico a faithful look. The manic understood and gave a nod. Soon the three belly-slid across the battle field, and maneuvering bombs and arrows that's falling like rain from above. Swords clashed. Fire erupted. It was havoc. Total havoc. One of Skipper's most painful memories of war and death of his comrades.
The team reached the castle and wall-jumped to reach the roof top where the dark king was.
Once they arrived ominous feelings came to them. Like the ones that Skipper, Private and Kowalski felt in the dark realm. Scanning the area, they saw the Diren king sitting on the edge of the wall with his eyes closed. The team jumped to him "Your twisted game ends here Twilight. Surrender or get ready for a painful beating" the flat-headed exclaimed, but the king simply chuckled in creepy way "The end!? Heh, this is just the beginning" he stood up and threw his flippers wide "Just look around you! The game has just began!"
The team was confused. Just began, what was that supposed to mean? Suddenly, a bright light pierced through the grey clouds above. It shined down over the kingdom. The two armies paused by phenomena. Beyond that circle of light was the squad's home city "New York!"
"What in the name of- "the captain glared at the red eyed penguin/Diren and growled "What have you done?!"
Twilight made a smirk and answered "This is what I've been planning for a long time. As you already know. There are many worlds out there, besides ours. For example, there's the world you lived in for a long time Riconidus. I'm going to open a door to that world brother. Then me and my armies of Black Hearts!"
"What!?" the team gasped.
"My weapon Way to Dark chopper is the key to open that door, but it's only half of the key. And to make it whole, I need the other Way chopper. In other words I need your weapon brother" gesturing at Rico's Way to Destiny chopper.
"Wha, na-uh" Rico shook his head
"Not on my watch Twilight!" the captain summoned his Falcon's eyes cross bow and leapt to where the king was sitting. He swung his weapon but failed to land a hit. The king countered and swift kicked him. Sending him flying away. Skipper landed several meters away from his teammates.
"Skipper!" Kowalski, concern about his superior. The captain penguin left his head in pain "To sand there, fight back!" said with pain. The team hesitated but did as they told and got into battle stance. "Charge!" The strategist commanded. The manic went into a blade clash with his brother as they kept swinging brutally. Sparks erupted by the strength of steal clashing. Twilight jumped high and tried to land a hit on the living storage unit, but Kowalski got in the middle and blocked it with his Oblivion Shard shield "Oh no, you won't" Kowalski exclaimed.
Twilight kept pressing on the shield with his chopper sword. He began hit it making Kowalski lose his grip and then he hit him with the flat side of his sword. Sending him away with pain on his side. Rico was blinded by rage "Arrrrr" he muttered and soon took off to clash with him again. Private took the chance of the lord distracted and went to help his two injured friends. He stood in front of them and raised his Sun's Embrace staff that began to glow "Hold on guys, I heal you" but before he got the chance, someone was behind him. He turned around and before he could scream Twilight grabbed him from the chest and hanged him in the air.
"Private!" Skipper and Kowalski cried.
Twilight jumped back, still hanging Private who was struggling to break free "Since you're the one who can heal their wounds, I should finish you first. Then they all will fall" he tightened his grip.
Skipper tried to rise to save his friend, but he felt pain all over his body and made him unable to move. He glared at the lord in rage and hate "Let him go, you monster!" he shouted.
That did it. The damage has been done. Twilight's eyes shot wide open by the word 'monster' he let go of Private who ran off once he fell to his comrades. "A monster, I'm a monster!" he clutched his flippers and his eyes glowed with rage.
Skipper didn't know how to reply "Ah, well, I-"
"Ignorant!"
"What?!"
"You think you me, do you? You think I'm a monster because they told you I was. Well know this, their monsters" The team accept for Rico was confused "What are you talking about?" Private asked "The people of Naria are nice and kind, not monsters"
Twilight shrugged "Nice! Kind, heh, to you maybe, but not to me. They are the reason why I am what I am right now" he told them about his birth story and the raid of the Black Hearts and how he was mistreated by the people while it was their fault he became a half Diren, half Black Heart. They were thrilled. "They called me a monster, they treated me like one. They casted me to the darkest place of this kingdom just because they didn't understand or even cared about me. Do you know how it feels to be alone? Do you know how it feels to be hated? Do you know how it feels to lose a bond? Of course you don't" he then glared at Rico "That happened because of you Riconidus. Since you were there, they agreed on getting rid of me since I was half Black Heart so, you'll be the only inheritor of the throne. This is why I hated you. This why I scarred you and made you a Broken. A half of someone. And this why sent you to a different world. All I wanted was to make understand how it feels to be different. How it feels to be far from home. Just like I did, but my plan failed since you managed to find a life. To make friends" he gestured at the three other penguins.
Rico felt his being torn and the team felt sorry for the guy. Even Skipper took back his words about Twilight being a monster.
"But now I see how is. It's not you; it's me who is the problem. No matter what I do I'll never change the fact that I'll always be hated. I'll always be different. I'll always be…A monster!" Twilight exclaimed as ominous red force glowed around him. He began to roar. A black wing grew on his left side.
"Rico don't stand there. Run!" his team warned him, but he didn't run, didn't flinch. Rico knew it was his fault his brother lost love and care when they send him away. And knew it was him who must set things right. He began to glow in golden light. He grew a white wing on his right side. The two raised their swords and dashed at each other.
The two Soul Aura swords clashed making a mighty shock wave. The very ground shook and dust clouds ascended. The two Direns were pressing against each other harder and harder. Blue gaze met red. "You can't stop me Riconidus, nothing you have can be compared to my rage, my despair, my hatred!" he exclaimed.
Rico smirked making the other confused "I do" and suddenly Rico gained more power. He pressed with all his might until he overpowered his opponent and send him flying to the ground.
The Private finally heal his two friends and they soon catch up with their crazy teammate. "Nicely done Rico!" his leader places his flipper on his shoulder. Rico rubbed his neck sheepishly, but then remembered his brother "Wiligh!" he hurried to him. He was lying on the ground. Rico stood in front of him.
"Argh, wow. You've grown more powerful than I thought you would be" he smiled "Well, this is the end, but before that I think I owe you something" he made a sign with his flippers "Release!"
Deep down in the hall ways of the Diren castle. A big gate was shaking violently. It burst open. The sleeping, chained penguin ascended through the walls and reached above where the team were and they were astonished "Another Rico" the maniac's eyes widen. It was his doppelganger from his dream, but this time he knew it wasn't a dream.
The chains broke and the penguin glowed in white once he woke up and the light went into the real Rico. Once that was done Rico's mind was racing fast. Memories and feelings flashed before him. His home, his family, the night of Twilight's raid and when he scarred him and send him to the other world through the same door the team used to come here in the first place.
Then Private gasped "Rico, your scar!" then the rest gasped too. The weapon expert placed a flipper on his cheek and felt nothing. It was gone. The scar was finally healed.
They were all puzzled and looked to Twilight. "That was the missing part that made you a Broken. And now you're whole" he closed his eyes "Now, take your avenge from me for those who you loved. Put an end for me now" the penguin with the mane said.
Rico had a cold look on his face. He raised his weapon high. The team panicked "Rico, don't you do it!" Skipper commanded him; Kowalski covered Private's eyes from the sight.
However, instead of getting Twilight it hit the floor next to him. Twilight eyes shot open, surprised to see himself alive and, a friendly flipper stretched for him. After helping him get he sat and looked at his brother in puzzlement "What are, you doing? I told you finish me now! Don't you want to avenge for all the pain I made you go through?" he asked with anger while Rico smiled and pulled the reminder pearl charm out of no-where and showed it to him "Yoo' Pomi's o pa'y wa me"
Twilight felt his heart pounding and tears in his eyes. Why, why couldn't he just put an end to him? He glared at the manic with anger "What is wrong with you? Finish me I'm a monst-"before he could finish that word Rico jumped into him, giving him a hug "Noo, mon'ter, yoo ma bro'er" he said and tightened the hug "I luv yoo…" his words made Twilight's eyes shot open. No one said that to him from a long time he actually forgot what did that word means. He wrapped his flippers around him and made the embrace even warmer to both of them "I…love…you too" he said with tears streaming down and so was the manic.
The penguin squad who was watching shed tears too by the sight of brothers' reunion.
Suddenly a loud sound like thunder was heard coming from the portal in the night sky. The two brothers moved away from each other and joined the others to see what was happening.
"Kowalski analysis" Skipper demanded.
"It appears to be the results of the incomplete dimensional rift. If we didn't do anything right now, both worlds might collide!" the scientist explained.
Twilight handed Rico his Way to Dark "With the power of both Way Soul Auras, you will be able to close the rift for good!"
Rico nodded and struggled the blistering wind to reach the center of the roof. He held both weapon in each flipper and suddenly both of them glowed and merged into one. It was the flag of peace that Rico saw in his dream too. It was all making sense now.
"Letting go of the light will let the shadows in"
"You can't rid of the shadows of the past; they'll never leave you until you make it right"
"Until you put the pieces together"
Rico raised Way to Dawn flag and stick it to the floor. Light shined around Rico, shined the whole kingdom in brilliant light. Burning away all the Black Hearts from everywhere. A beam shoots to the rift in the sky and closed it.
Once it was over, the armies of good cheered from down. The Black Hearts were finally gone for good.
The act took drained Rico's energy and he was about to faint until his brother grabbed him and placed his exhausted brother's flipper around his shoulder and helped him walk.
They both and the rest of the team stood on the edge of the roof and watched as the people cheered loudly for them. Their lycan friend watched penguins and smiled "I wish you could see them Tailen. They finally put an end to our pain"
Later
The five penguins and their lycan friend were sitting next to a tree with colorful fruit. They were eating its fruit with a stick.
"So Silvah" Private said, getting the wolf man's attention
"What?"
"You said you would tell us what is your real name once all this over, right?"
And now everyone gave attention. The silver wolf grinned "It's Hunter"
On the next morning before the sun rises. It was time for the four penguins to go home. Rico used the Way to Dawn to open the door of light. The four penguins gave their Soul Aura weapons to Hunter. Twilight will take care of rebuilding his kingdom and this time it will flourish and he will rule and protect it.
"Well, I guess it's time to hit the road. My friends from another world, I salute you" he and his men saluted. And one by one walked into the door.
"So long" Skipper said
"Farewell" Kowalski said.
"Bye!" Private Said
Now it was Rico's turn. He hugged his brother one more time "I wa mi' yoo" he said. Twilight grinned "Don't worry, well meet again. Use the charm to call me when something is wrong and I'll be there for you," he exclaimed.
After saying good bye for both Twilight and Hunter he walked into the door of light. There was a flash of white. When he opened his eyes to be greeted by his teammates. Rico grinned and stood up. And they did their usual high five salute.
They were glad to be back home after their biggest adventure yet. Especially Kowalski "Home sweet home, the sweet logical world where there aren't any giants and dragons, and magical floating islands and-"
"We get it Kowalski!" Skipper growled.
Marlene was woke early and went for a walk around the zoo. She walked to check if the penguin squad was back. It was month ever since they were gone even though they were like ten days in Naria.
The female otter's went wide and gasped when she saw the four penguins on their way to their habitat that they left for so long.
"Guys..?" she muttered. The penguin team turned around and saw her "Hey there Marlene, how's it going there, did anything happened while we were gone?" The captain said, but panicked when he saw her eyes shed tears. "Hey Marlene, please don't cry, seeing you cry makes me want to cry too" The rookie said to the otter.
"Oh I'm sorry, I just…" she whipped away her tears and rushed to hug them "I missed you guys so much" she exclaimed.
This is really weird. They didn't mind but, it was awkward. Just awkward.
"Sheesh, you're so sappy Marlene" Skipper claimed "I thought you were stronger than that" just like when his voice said that to her. She pulled back and got a hold of herself "Yeah you're right, sorry" and soon Skipper, Private, Kowalski and Marlene took off and the otter started telling them about the things that happened when they were gone. She said that things were boring without them.
Skipper looked back at his crazy comrade "Hey Rico, you're coming?"
"Yeah ' a be ra ther!" he told him. He glared to the horizon and on the other side Twilight was standing and watching the dawn too. They never said it, but their hearts said it.
"Today each one of us we'll go on his own path, but we'll meet again. We'll look different, but our hearts the same. We will stare at the sky and watch the eras change; we'll watch the worlds change, but you have your world, and I have mine. So don't forget that we are together and don't be afraid because I'll always be there to watch over you, brother…"
'The End'
A/N: I would like to thank all the ones who supported me on this story and I hope to write more someday. Until next time, this is Extreme Light 9 signing out.
