Disclaimer: I do NOT own the Mighty Ducks, Disney does. Everybody knows that. I'm just borrowing them, ok? So don't go getting mad and trying to sue me, because you won't get much from me, I can tell you that right now. Be a big waste of time really. (Oh man, I sound like some telemarketing machine, don't I?)

Author's Note: This is my first Mighty Ducks fanfiction, so please be gentle. But I DO want some kind of feedback, so send me some reviews. They are read and appreciated you know. Anyway, I hope you like my story...

Chapter 11-"I forgive you."

The Pond became quiet once more, as the last few words of Wildwing's story sunk in.

"I take it that you guys went home after that," Mallory said, finally breaking the silence.

"Well, we did end up spending a few more days in the hospital before they allowed us to go back home," said Wildwing, "The doctors wanted to make sure that Nosedive was really alive and was well enough to survive outside the intensive care unit. To this day, I still believe that it was a miracle that allowed my baby bro' to live that night. That's all it was. Apparently, someone had heard my prayer and gave Dive back to me. And I still thank however they were with all my heart."

"Well, I must say, that was one heck of a story, Wildwing," said Duke, "Hey, you could write a book with all the stories you seem to have of you and the kid."

"Ha, I don't think so, Duke. These are just things that happened to us. They don't really mean anything, right Dive? Dive?" Nosedive wasn't responding to his brother, which was beginning to leave Wing with a feeling of worry. "Are you ok?" he asked.

Nosedive had remained relatively silent throughout his older brother's story, listening to the words, yet hardly believing any of them.

"Nosedive, bro', are you ok?" asked Wing once more.

"I still can't believe it," Dive finally said. He wasn't making eye contact with anyone, but instead was staring at the wall as he spoke. "I've had so many near-death experiences in my life. But, I never knew that I nearly died, heck I was dead, when I was only a week old. It sounds so... unreal. 'Baby dead at one week old.' Sounds more like a newspaper heading rather than something that actually happened to me." He paused. His eyes rolled over the patterns on the wall, until they reached up and met his brother's. "Wildwing, why didn't you ever tell me any of this before?"

"Well, to tell you the truth, Dive, I didn't want to. I mean, mom and dad never did. So I figured, why should I if they never did? But in reality, I just didn't want to experience those feelings again. Those feelings of guilt and sadness, pain and fear, worry and unrest. I just wanted to leave them all behind so I'd never have to go through them again. But I was wrong. I'm sorry Dive. I should have told you what happened. I made yet anther big mistake. You know, sometimes I wonder if I really did learn my lesson that night. I don't know. I've tried to be the good big brother. I really have. At least, I hope I have. I'm sorry if I haven't. I'm really sorry Nosedive. For everything."

Wildwing could feel the tears welling up in his eyes. He had to lower his head so that no one could see that he was crying.

"Bro..."

The voice that spoke was so soft and low that Wing wasn't even sure if he had really heard it. But, just like before, his heart told him the opposite of what his ears did. 'And my heart was right last time, so I'm sure it is this time too,' Wing thought.

Slowly, he lifted his head and looked at the duck sitting next to him. Nosedive sat there, arm outstretched and hand extended, just like he had before when he was in the hatchery.

"Nosedive?" asked Wing.

"I forgive you, brother. I forgive you," was all he said.

And that was all he had to say for Wildwing to know that his baby brother truly meant it, as he reached his own hand out, until the two touched, leaving both siblings with the reassurance that everything really would be all right this time around.

THE END.

Author's Note: So, whatca think? Pretty good I hope. Let me know what all of you think, so I can get to work on my next big story, ok? :)