Argument, One-Shot
It was graduation day at Emperor Land. This was also the day when the young adult Emperor Penguins would be going out to sea alone for the first time. In spite of what the Elders thought, Memphis and Norma Jean let Mumble join his fellow graduates. Mumble, after a stumble and a fall, encouraged the other graduates to swim in the sea. As they swam and caught fish, Mumble managed to find a fish. He fought over the skua for the fish until he fell and was clonked in the head by an ice formation. Gloria arrived and took the fish from Mumble's mouth.
True, Mumble still had his down feathers, but they were slowly molting. Only his bottom half looked like an adult penguin's feathers. When Mumble managed to stand up, he was greeted by an adult all-black feathered Emperor Penguin. The penguin looked familiar to Mumble, but he had to be sure.
"Did I miss graduation? I was always a latecomer," said the all black feathered Emperor Penguin.
Mumble recognized him. "Nix, you made it." He hugged Nix, surprising the penguin. "I can't believe you're here. Where have you been?"
Nix sighed in relief, "I'm just glad to be here."
"No. Come on. Tell me everything," said Mumble.
Nix began his explanation. "Well, you see, I met this witch named Maleficent. She and the Elusive Four penguins brought me to her castle, only that castle isn't from this world. It's not even in Emperor Land."
"Then where did you go? And who are the Elusive Four?" asked Mumble.
"Don't you see? I don't have to be treated different from them. They know how special I am, what I'm capable of. My heart may be weak, but it's grown stronger, as I have grown stronger." Nix said, "Mumble, I think it's time you come with me and see them for yourself…"
"I'm fine here," said Mumble.
"Mumble, this is a once-in-a-lifetime offer. You're as different as me, so it's only fair that you…"
"Nix, I'm not going to join some Elusive Four gang. Why are they so important?"
"You don't trust me."
"No. Nix, that's not it," said Mumble. "You've been gone for a couple of months now. Can't you at least stay here and…"
One of the Elders, Noah, spoke, "Who is this?"
Nix introduced himself, "I'm Nix, sir. Don't you remember me? I used to live here, in Emperor Land."
Noah huffed. "Emperor Penguins are not all dark feathered. You don't belong with us."
"He does, too," said Mumble, standing up for Nix. "Nix is my friend and always will be. He's been away for some time, but if you accept him…"
Noah said, appalled, "How dare you? You expect us to bring back an exile. Watch yourself, Mumble Happyfeet. The Great Gwen will have something to say about our famine. You bring anymore outsiders to our land, then we'll show you the same as we're showing this fellow."
"It's Nix," said Nix, frustrated.
"You see. Even now he stands against our ways," said Noah.
Nix turned to Mumble. "Come with me. Leave Emperor Land and see other worlds. It'll be a dream we both share, as we always have."
"Nix, I don't share that dream. Yes, I may have dreamt about seeing our places… but what you're doing is wrong," said Mumble. "I am not coming with you."
Nix said, not understanding, "But we're friends."
"Nix, just leave," said Mumble. He told Noah, "I'll talk with him."
Noah huffed again, "You always were a suspicious penguin." He and the Elders turned away.
Mumble told Nix, "Nix, you are my friend. I don't want you to take this the wrong way."
"So, you're not coming," said Nix. "How can you betray me like this?"
"Nix, what you're talking about… it is suicide. Whoever that witch you talk of is, she's bad news. You've been hanging around the wrong crowd. Stay here. Embrace who you are. Better yet, dance with me sometime. It'll ease your mind," said Mumble, attempting to coax him.
Nix's thoughts persisted. How could Mumble do this to him? If they were truly friends, then how come Mumble wanted him to stay, where he was ridiculed and treated differently because of how he looked?
Nix sighed, "Mumble, the Elders are right. I can't stay."
"Why not?" asked Mumble, shocked. "Nix, I'm not forcing you to leave."
Nix fired back. "No, but you're asking me to abandon the only gang that ever found me likeable."
"I'm your friend, too, Nix. But this gang you're with, these penguins, they're bad news. Don't become like them," said Mumble.
"So, you think I'm bad news?" asked Nix, saddened and frustrated.
"Don't twist my words," said Mumble. "That's not what I'm saying."
Nix gave him a glare. "You may think you're on their good side, but they'll exile you sooner or later. Come with me. If you don't…"
"You'll do what? Nix, I'm not coming. Whatever dream you have, stop. You'll become something you're not," said Mumble.
Nix said, "How would you know who I am, or what I am? You don't and that isn't going to change. Why won't you come with me?"
"Why do you persist, asking me the same question? Nix, I'm not coming and that's final," said Mumble. "Now, please stay and don't go on this reckless journey."
"Reckless? Is that what you think I am?" asked Nix. He looked at him, hardened, "Fine, Mumble Happyfeet. Have it your way. This may not be the last we see each other."
"Nix," said Mumble, but he just watched as Nix fled through a portal. Shaking his head, Mumble waddled off in search of Gloria and any of the other graduates.
Nix returned to the Forbidden Fortress before the Elusive Four. Inside the throne room, Nix found Maleficent petting her raven. Nix bowed before her, apologizing right then and there. The Elusive Four arrived in the throne room, also using portals. Rico, Tank, and Dredger surrounded Nix, showing joyous smiles. Only Jeremy looked perplexed.
"You came back. Why?" asked Jeremy.
"I came to join you, allowing this group to become the Elusive Five," said Nix.
"What of your friend?" asked Dredger.
Nix was still steamed. "My friend will pay for abandoning me. I won't forgive him for what he's done."
"If you seek revenge, we'll be here to guide you," said Jeremy.
"Yes, but this penguin is a slippery sort," said Nix. "Name me your leader and I'll tell you what my plan is. I may have only started it, but so what?"
"You're not taking my place," said Jeremy.
"Why? Shall we battle for who's the appropriate leader?" asked Nix. "Jeremy, you may have skills, but you are not wise."
"You dare insult me," said Jeremy. He charged at Nix, but ended up clobbered by him.
"Name me your leader," said Nix, placing his foot on top of Jeremy's head.
"No," said Jeremy.
The other three penguins watched in horror. Maleficent watched in utter amusement. Eventually Jeremy gave in, causing Nix to move his foot away. Jeremy stood up, joining the others.
Tank spoke to Nix, "You do realize, if we nab this friend of yours, he may take us all down."
Nix said, serious, "Let him try. But no one's going to stop me until I have his head. Agreed?"
"Agreed," said the four all dark feathered penguins in unison.
Nix looked out the balcony moments later. Yes, Mumble Happyfeet would be a tricky foe to face, but Nix could no longer call him a friend. Something had snapped inside him after his meeting with Mumble. It was a feeling he could not shake and unless Mumble was taken care, Nix would not be satisfied. He had to work quickly, but how to catch Mumble would prove a problem even he did not see. It was a risk he would have to take either way.
