Chapter Sixty Six: The Confrontation, Bitter

Ember strolled down the streets of the Kingdom, though she wasn't searching for anything. She walked down the darkened streets, with only a few passerby, finding peace within herself for a small moment. She was no longer around Penny, and it felt as though she could breathe for a change.

Everything between them had become so mixed up, and so complicated. The mission that they had set out to complete, seemed to be in the background of their own issues and differences. And the truth, that she had learned was now in the forefront of her mind. The things she had seen within the abyss had changed her for forever, and she never wanted to look back. She knew many things now, some of which had been given and some of which had simply come to her. But she now felt more armed and protected that she ever had before.

She looked deep within herself and she knew that Penny at the end of the day, had her own selfish motivations for saving the world. She had goals and aspirations that would cloud her judgement when the time came, and that would surely cost them in the end. But confronting Penny on these issues, would prove useless. Because at the end of the day, Penny had her mother back, and whilst she felt she would be acting in accordance with the correct way to fix the mess of the Underworld, she would make mistakes and not realize them until it was too late. Ember knew this, she had seen this. She had witnessed this with her own eyes and felt the destruction of a world that was foreign to her and yet a world that was still worth saving.

Out of the darkness, called a familiar voice to Ember. A voice that would have once welcomed happiness, now only brought dread.

" Ember.." The voice called from Ember's side.

" What is it Penny.." Ember hissed, frustrated that she had been discovered so quickly and that her moment of peace had been disturbed.

It was indeed, Penny, who stepped from the shadows of the corners of the street and walked alongside of Ember towards a direction unknown to them both.

" I have complicated all of this. But I believe we need to get back to our plan" Penny confessed, with a sense of sincerity that was unlike the Penny that Ember had come to despise recently.

" I agree, once this is over, then everything else can be dealt with" Ember confirmed as she continued walking.

" I will no longer apologize, because I know that I messed things up. And I know that apologies won't fix anything. But I wanted you to know that whatever it takes, I still stand with you" Penny admitted which only made Ember scoff in disbelief. " We both know that is not true, you will stick with Raven. Because of who she is. We both know it" Ember had realized Long ago that if it had come down to her or Penny's mother, Penny would choose her mother. Maybe not initially, but it was the real reason Penny wanted to save the world and a risk she would not be willing to take.

" That's not true.. " Penny argued.

" Oh it is true" Ember turned to Penny, halting the venture and scowling at Penny with a fury that matched the infestation of the Abyss. " Its more true than you'd ever care to admit. It's more true than anything else here in this world. And we both know it but the issue is that only one of us is willing to face it" Ember continued.

" And do not, for a second, believe that I don't know who you are. Who you truly are.." Ember took a few steps forward, as Penny backed away matching the steps taken by Ember. " I see the sick, slimy, serpent that hides behind your eyes. And I know the truth. And I want you to know one very..very important thing.." Ember's began glowing with even more fury. " Dont..fuck with me Aurora" Penny growled as she reared her fist back, and crashed her fist through Penny's face, making her disappear in an instant.

" Interesting" Aurora smiled from her room, as the green fire that was consuming her eyes slowly extinguished.