Here is the last chapter. Enjoy!
Two days later, Rusty had to go home. This time he was by himself, which made the trip back seem even longer. But it was worth it when he got back to his old familiar habitat, with all the familiar faces waiting to greet him as he stepped out of the crate late one night a few days later. Rico cheered happily, and set of a round of fireworks, lighting up the sky. Julian saw them, too.
"Oh, look, Maurice!" he said. "The Sky Spirits are praising me for my awesomely awesome kingliness! THANK YOU, SKY SPIRITS!"
Gracie rushed up to Rusty, flinging her arms around his neck.
"Rusty!" she cried. "We missed you! Oh, and by the way, his name's Omega."
"Omega who?" Rusty asked, confused.
"The hatchling of course!" Gracie laughed. She picked up the baby, who had crawled to her feet. "And he said his first word yesterday."
"What was it?" Rusty asked, laughing to himself.
"Come on, Omega, say it. You know you can," Gracie encouraged him.
"Kabwoom!" Omega gurgled. Rusty raised an eyebrow and looked at Rico.
"Dad?"
"Kaboom!" Rico grinned.
"What was your Mom like?" Cam asked.
"She was really nice. The village was a total wreck after the leopard seal attacks, but she has helped fix it up.
"Did you see any leopard seals?" Cleo asked.
"Plenty," Rusty nodded, deciding not to go into all the details. "I even met one named… Hunter, I think."
"Oh, yes, Hunter!" Private exclaimed. "I helped her once."
"So she was telling the truth," Rusty grinned.
"Oh yes, she's very nice."
"Kabwoom!" Omega cried, pointing to the stick on TNT Rico was about to set off. Skipper put his flippers on his hips.
"Not here, Rico," he said sternly. Rico grinned sheepishly, and swallowed the explosive.
"I just hope he's not wild like Rico," Gracie said. Omega yawned, and she took him into the HQ for his nap, the rest of the chicks and penguins following.
Rico and Rusty hugged.
"Mom promised to come and visit sometime," he told him. Rico smiled.
"Like to meet," he grunted.
"She said I was just like my father," Rusty continued. "I've apparently got his talent for art, and I look like him when he was my age."
"She miss dad?" Rico asked.
"Yeah, she misses him a lot. But I like her, and I think she likes me. I can't wait for her to come and visit!" He waddled down to the HQ to join Ace at the TV. Rico's smile faded. Did Rusty care about his mother more than him? Did he want to go back to Antarctica to live with her? Rico was concerned, but decided not to let it bother him, unless Rusty brought it up. He did want to get to know Veronica, so he thought the visit would be good. He followed Rusty into the HQ after a few minutes.
So, apparently I'll have to write a fic about Veronica coming to visit, won't I? The things I do for you readers… LOL! Anyway, hope you enjoyed, and please review! :D