Third Person
Cody had been in a couple wars now, some small and some much bigger, but none of them were like this one.

For starters, he was low on soldiers and resources. Why? That brought him to the other oddity: He didn't have Atlantis on his side anymore. Some of them, sure, but just the legionnaires, not the military guard or royal guard. Atlantis now belonged to two people.

One was KrakenKid while the other was the final thing that devastated him about this war: Joe. He would be fighting his own brother.

Joe, the same brother he grew up with most of his life, even if many of his memories were hazy. The same brother that supported him as they worked to be kings, and acted as his rock. The same brother who joked and smiled, making everything brighter in the world. The same brother he mourned over when he was reported dead.

The same brother that he lost, and now that he had him back, he realized that maybe this wasn't the same brother anymore.

It devastated him in ways he couldn't understand.

"Cody?" The voice was soft and carefully, instantly giving him the impression it was Selena speaking. Lifting his head up from the desk, he focused in and found he was right.

Cody was currently in what he thought was some sort of treasury/meeting room in the Conch Command. The desk he was currently at used to be filled with paperwork and a laptop, but he moved both so he could finally have a place to rest and think at the same time. Selena stood right in front of his desk.

Selena's eyes were filled with worry and sympathy, and as much as Cody appreciated it, it told him just how weak and down he looked.

Ever since he became king, those were two things he couldn't be. A weak king meant a weak kingdom, and being sad made him vulnerable. With everyone's eyes on him, he couldn't be either of those things.

But now, did he even have a kingdom? Was he even a king anymore? Did it even matter?

Each thought just made matters worse for Cody. Selena could see his eyes darken, and she knew she just had to say something... Anything!

Clearing her surprisingly dry feeling throat, she managed to find words to express everything she was feeling. "I'm... Sorry."

Cody's eyes flicked up to her, clouding with confusion. It took him a minute to say anything, but eventually he did. "For what? You've done nothing wrong."

Of course, that wasn't entirely true. Selena had robbed a store once, then was part of an elaborate plan to make Cody forget about Blooper kidnapping him, but he clearly wasn't talking about that.

Selena took in a brief breath to make sure she knew what she wanted to say. "No, I mean... I'm sorry about your brother." Cody's confusion turned to his previous darkness in a matter of seconds. His gaze avoided hers, making her start to stutter out more. "I... I can't imagine what that's like. If I had to fight Sam, I'd probably end up dying because... Well, I couldn't! I can't! She's my sister, no matter what happens. So, I'm sorry about your brother."

Cody's eyes closed for a moment, causing Selena to wonder if she should leave him alone or stay with him, but he soon straightened up in his seat and the eyes were open and on her. Those once warm, brown eyes were now dark, cold and had the slightest hint of blue in them. It chilled her to the bone.

"Why apologize? It's not your fault Selena..." Cody let out a long sigh, one that could only be by someone who was fighting a long and agonizing internal battle. "At this point, I don't think it's anyone's fault. KrakenKid just misunderstood me for taking over his home and backstabbing him. Joe trusts the man that brought him back to Atlantis. Professor Pikalus thought I was letting my emotions rule my logic, and me? I'm just trying to run a city and get my brother back... We're just trying to survive, nothing more."

Selena found herself shell shocked. Cody wasn't himself. The Cody she knew so well was full of fire: Witty, ambitious, emotional and courageous. Now, it seemed like his flame was dying, if it was there at all.

Going against his brother was taking a toll on him, more than anyone realized. It would only worsen too, considering that the big battle was coming and they couldn't postpone it another second. She had to tell him.

"Cody, Sam and PebbleTeen are gathering the troops for our showdown at the palace. We need to know if you're ready to lead us into battle, take back the crown and..." Selena would have given anything to have been spared from having the say the next sentence. Even saying it delicately would feel like a stab in the heart. "Taking on their king if it comes up."

Cody let out a long breath. "You mean killing Joe if he tries to kill me." He said blatantly. Selena flinched at his words. "...Yes. Tell them I'll be fine."

Selena looked right into her eyes and knew they said otherwise. "I'll tell them that, but off the record, will you be?"

In the blink of an eye, Cody could remember a million things and feel every emotion possible. "I don't know..." He answered honestly.

Selena finally took that as a good time to leave and she was gone in a second.

Cody's mind drifted away as soon as his reason for staying in the present left. Now, he could finally think.

It was strange. Cody found that if you actually give yourself time to slowdown and think, your brain could do all sorts of things.

Right now, it was letting him unlock a memory that was stored away. In mere seconds, Cody wasn't there anymore, but reliving the past instead, and remembering something dear to him.

*****************

Cody found himself shooting up in his bed when he heard a cry.

Not one of pain or sadness, but more distress and fear. Small, not loud enough to alert guards, but still so that anyone in the room could hear it.

With his eyes already used to the darkness, he sought out the source before he found it: His slightly younger brother still in his bed, but clearly wasn't having a good nights rest.

The prince thrashed about, muttering and shaking in his sleep about something Cody couldn't understand.

Seeing him like this made Cody feel like he got shot in the heart, and he quickly slipped out of bed. His feet lightly scampered from his blue bed to the red one as his brother continued to thrash around. When he finally reached his side, it was only then that he could hear his murmurings.

"Cody... Cody, no! I'm sorry! I-I screwed up, I know! But I can't go on without you! Please! I'm s-sorry!" His words turned to sobs. "I'm so, so sorry!"

Now Cody knew you weren't supposed to wake someone up while they're like this quickly, but he couldn't stand another minute of it. "Joe!" He hissed, shaking him slightly. "Joe, wake up! It's a dream!"

After a moment, the chicken gasped awake and shot up. His eyes moved around wildly before settling on Cody and panicking. His body scrambled back until his back was pressed against the wall and he gathered as much sheets and blankets as he could in his arms and hugged it to his chest. Cody quickly gave a 'I'm not here to hurt you' gesture before speaking softly.

"Joe, it's just me! Your brother!" He told him carefully, hoping that whatever he was dreaming about didn't cause him to freak out upon seeing him.

Joe's grip on his blankets loosened as he stared at him, processing what he was seeing. "...C-...Cody?" His voice was filled with hesitance, as if he wasn't sure what he was seeing.

Cody gave a comforting smile to his younger brother and sat down on the edge of his bed, unsure if he was allowed to get closer. "Yeah man, just me."

The tears that already were in Joe's eyes were soon wiped away by him as he took in long breaths. "...I was dreaming again, wasn't I?" Cody nodded slowly and Joe let out an exasperated sigh. His arms now fully let go of the blankets as he brought his knees up and hugged those instead. "Sorry for waking you...Again."

Cody's eyebrows furrowed. Sorry? What's going on with him? "Joe, you don't have to say sorry! It's not your fault you're having nightmares."

Joe's eyes dropped and stared at the bed instead. "Yeah but you shouldn't have to deal with my problems."

Cody's gaze softened and he found himself moving to sit next to the prince. "And you shouldn't have to deal with your problems alone. You've helped me out a thousand times, let me do this for you. Now, what were you dreaming about?"

The blue eyes moved from the bed to Cody and back again, unsure of what to say. Several minutes passed before Cody decided he should probably give him a little nudge in the right direction. "You were mumbling something about me. Did I die?" Joe shook his head. "Did I get hurt?" Another shake. Cody frowned. "I got nothing then. What was it?"

Joe took his time to say it and the more he thought about it, the more his vision blurred and his breathing became ragged. Cody caught on to his behavior but wasn't sure what to do. "Joe?"

"I failed you..." His voice was small and trembled like it would break any second. "I failed you, over and over and over again and you-..." He broke off into a sob but recovered so he could say what he needed to. "You kept getting more and more disappointed in me, and eventually I became a liability. In the end, we went up to the Overworld for a mission. I screwed up and got myself stuck in a cave, miles away from Atlantis. And you... You decided that was your time to cut off some dead weight so you left me there."

Cody froze in horror as Joe's face filled up with tears. "I-I couldn't get out and I was so scared and alone a-and no matter how many times I screamed your name, you never came. And it hurts!" Joe broke this time, shaking. "It hurts that that could be re-"

Cody cut him off by suddenly hugging him and holding on so tightly that it seemed like he was afraid to let go. And if Cody was being honest, he was. He was terrified of letting go and losing his brother.

Joe could feel hot tears drip on his back as Cody spoke through gritted teeth. "No." He said firmly. "That's never going to happen. Joe, I'm never going to abandon you. Ever. You're my little brother and I can't rule without you."

Joe was stunned for a solid minute before hugging back with the same intensity that Cody was hugging him. "...Thank you." He whispered, letting out a shaky breath. "Thank you so much."

Cody and Joe didn't let go for a long time.

*********

Cody finally came back to reality, but he admittedly wasn't all there. He left a part of him behind in the memory, finding it too good to say goodbye too.

The penguin sighed, settling back in his seat and staring up at the ceiling. That memory hadn't helped at all, and if anything, just made what he needed to do worse.

If he killed Joe, he could save his city for everyone, but how could he do that to his brother? His little brother? The one he was supposed to be looking after?

"What am I going to do?" Cody asked himself, hoping an answer would come.

But it never did.

************************

KrakenKid silently watched with his eyebrows raised as Joe endlessly slashed at nothing using his Atlantean Great Sword. After a while, he stopped and sighed, shoulders drooping down. "It's not working! I thought you said this sword could do magic!"

KrakenKid paused, unfolding his arms and strolled to his side. His eyes were fixated on the sword, and he found himself subconsciously keeping his distance from it. "It is and it should be working but..." His voice trailed off.

When it came to these weapons, KrakenKid easily got lost. He knew first hand just how powerful they could be, but how they worked? That was a topic that seemed to elude him. However, he did pick one thing up from the penguin. "Have you tried putting more emotion into your swings? Cody seems to rely on that." He advised, standing behind him and peeking over his shoulder.

Joe hesitated but soon gripped his sword tighter and concentrated. He stayed like that for a couple moments before swinging even harder this time. Nothing changed. "That's a no..."

KrakenKid knitted his eyebrows together in confusion. His eyes glazed over the sword one last time before letting out a breath. "I got nothing then. Maybe yours works differently from Cody's."

KrakenKid turned around and moved for the stairs, wondering if Joe's walrus friend could help them. Joe turned as well and couldn't help but say something. "You sure talk about Cody a lot."

KrakenKid rolled his eyes slightly, getting an idea of where this conversation was going. "That's because we've been fighting for years. Longer than he remembers. Plus, I owe him a-" As he whipped back around to talk more face to face with the chicken king, he jumped when he noticed the sword pointing at him. He soon relaxed when Joe's body language showed no malice behind it. He probably didn't even notice he was doing it.

Joe tilted his head slightly before he saw the way he was holding the sword. He pulled it back and rested it on his shoulder. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that the kraken always hated being in the sword's presence, leaving the room quickly when it was there and barely spared a glance at it if he didn't have to. Joe nearly had to drag him to get his help in his training for the sword.

"Another thing: Why don't you like the sword? Does it bother you or something?" Joe asked, getting KrakenKid to stiffen up.

"I-... Cody stabbed me with that sword once." He said at last, crossing his arms slightly while also hugging near his stomach. "Not exactly pleasant memories."

Joe whistled lowly. "Wow... Did you get him back for it?" He nodded. Joe's mind wandered for a bit before recalling that Cody wronged him again by taking his home. "What about right now? Are you going to get him back for taking your home and people?"

KrakenKid stared right into Joe's eyes. Hatred for Cody's actions burned right into his soul until he felt like he could burst with anger. "Yes, I am."

Joe blinked. "How?" He asked, generally interested. "What's going to match all of that? He took everything, didn't he?"

KrakenKid had to bite his own tongue to keep the truth from spilling out of him. You. You're his everything, and now that we have Atlantis, I've truly repaid him. That would be too much for Joe, so instead he said something else. "We're going to apprehend him for his crimes. Serve justice."

Joe nodded firmly. "Right. Isn't there a battle or something coming up? One of your spies mentioned it or something?"

KrakenKid smiled fondly. He was quite proud of how he was able to infiltrate Cody's army with a spy or two. They weren't very high up, but it sure came in handy. After all, they always told the soldiers when they were going to war, and that gave them the upper hand of knowing they were going to be attacked.

"Yeah," KrakenKid chuckled. "Good old Willow got us the information. They're planning on attacking us, and she thinks they're going for the palace. He'll be heading straight for us. You ready for that?"

Joe nodded firmly, then his eyes darted to his sword to look at it again. His grip flexed as if he were trying to get more comfortable or trying again to activate its powers, possibly both. "I'm going to go see Clide about this thing. Maybe he knows a couple tricks!" Joe began to make his way over to the stairwell.

KrakenKid's mind wandered to the war, and when his mind stopped on a particular topic, he had to say something. "Joe, wait." Joe, who was in the middle of the stairs, swam up and poked his head out.

"Yes?" He asked, interest layering his voice.

KrakenKid opened and closed his mouth, debating how to say it. He knew that as soon as the war started and Cody got to the palace, Joe would have to face him. Normally, he wouldn't care but his mind was stuck on, 'What if I was in his place and had to fight Blooper?' and he just softened up. Cleared his throat, he searched for what could describe what he needed to say. "You... You're going to have to fight Cody and... I'd understand if you didn't want to kill him. We can just put him in jail for life if you're uncomfortable."

Joe stared at him for a long time, his blue eyes round with confusion but finally nodded. "...Okay." He said, unsure of a better response. "I'll... Keep that in mind." His head disappeared and he left to find his friend.

KrakenKid sighed. As much as he wanted to see Cody dead, he had to admit, he liked Joe. Joe made him laugh, he listened somewhat and he was good company. KrakenKid might have been using him to get back at Cody, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't grow fond of him. Joe was a lot more important than his revenge fantasies, and to be honest, he had already done enough to bring Cody down. He could be satisfied with what he already had done, plus imprisoning him meant his suffering would last longer.

"What am I doing?" He mumbled to himself, letting his body lean against the palace walls and his eyes fluttering closed. He was getting soft but at the same time, he didn't care as much as he thought.

*********************************************************

The many legions of soldiers marched in the night, Atlantis getting close and closer by the second. Many of them were unnerved, this fight either meant victory, or total defeat and their rein would be over. Their generals kept them in place, with PebbleTeen, Selena and Sam all proudly leading and giving off rays of confidence that kept them from deserting the battle. Cody however, provided just more uneasy soldiers.

Cody barely had said a word and didn't exactly scream confidence. His face was somehow both blank and saddened at the same time, and it didn't help moral. He was in the front, showing them the best route they could take to avoid the bad Atlantean soldiers, but even then, they could tell he was off.

Cody kept his eyes ahead, ignoring everything the ones behind him were whispering. He didn't care about them or anything they said, his focus was on the road ahead of them, and what he would have to do.

Soon, Sam swam up beside him and put a hand on his shoulder. He met her gaze and was met with overwhelming sympathy. She didn't say a word, but she didn't have to. Cody huffed and turned away. "I'm fine." He mumbled softly, but even he could tell he wasn't being truthful. Sam nodded anyways and left him alone. It wasn't her place to ask him about it, and especially not now.

Cody wordlessly lead them right into the heart of the city, and there, the opposite army was waiting for them. It was only then that Cody spoke. 

"CHARGE!" He ordered, pulling out his spear and raising it in the air. Sparks few from it as he bolted forward, and soon, everyone he was leading followed. 

Cody took on the first people he came in contact with, slashing his spear through the water, a pulse of electricity shot out and hit three of them. Those soldiers took the hit straight on and dropped seconds later. The line behind them took steps back, but they weren't safe. Cody tackled the first, lodging his spear through their armor and killing them before wacking the one on his left with the same spear and elbowing the advancing one behind him. 

One soldier made a charge at him, but soon his army came to his aid, and the soldier was lost in the fight. Cody fought his way through the line, slowly but surely making his way to the palace. When a line blocked his path up to it, the sneaky sisters came to help and called out to him.

"We got these guys!" Sam grunted, zipping around and throwing punches when she could.

"You get the crown back!" Selena agreed, ducking from a punch and drawing her dagger from it's sheath. "SAM!" She cried out before throwing it towards her. Sam ducked, making the dagger hit her attacker. Sam pulled out the dagger from his falling body and began to take on the next.

Cody might have argued before, but he knew his duty and moved on. At first, he climbed the steps quickly, but his footsteps became heavier and heavier by the moment, until he could only shuffle forward. When he finally stepped foot into the palace and on the carpet, the light of the Nexus showed two figures across the room.

One was sitting on the throne, lounging on it and clearly comfortable. One hand was draped down, clutching the Broad Sword in his grip, while the other was behind his head. Besides him was another figure, leaning against the throne causally. The one on the throne slowly stood up when they met eyes, while the other didn't move a muscle. It wasn't his fight.

Cody wasn't sure what to do when he met eyes with his brother, but suddenly he couldn't look away. As soon as he met those blue eyes, he knew Joe wasn't the same. There was no joy or friendliness when he looked at him, and there was only hostility. Cody never felt his heart so broken before.

KrakenKid's eyes kept darting from Joe to Cody, unsure of who to focus on. Looking at Cody's grim expression now almost made him feel sorry for the past king, but with bitterness still in his heart, almost stayed almost.

Both brothers had their respective Atlantean weapons out, holding onto them tightly and slowly raising them in a pose. Joe took offensive while Cody went for defensive. Silence passed before Joe struck, lunging forward and clashing their weapons together.

Cody inched back, having a little more trouble holding their weapons against each other than Joe was. He gritted his teeth and spoke in a strained voice. "Joe... It doesn't have to be like this!" He choked out, barely holding out.

Joe's blue eyes narrowed in response and he pulled away before striking twice, faster this time. Cody deflected both attacks and held his ground. "I don't think so, penguin!" He spat the word like it was poison to his mouth and looked at him with pure disgust. 

Cody nearly let up, earning a nip in his arm. That small victory made him bleed a little, but Cody couldn't give up. Not here, not now and certainly not on him. He pushed back, making Joe let up the attack, but soon Joe began to swing his sword, jabbing at him. The first two were dodged while the last was deflected as well, and Cody was forced to take a couple steps back. Joe's eyes narrowed hatefully on Cody. "Stop holding back!" He barked, swinging again but Cody ducked.

Cody retreated backwards. "Joe! We're family! I'm your brother! Please, don't do this!" Cody pleaded endlessly, but his words didn't faze Joe in the slightest. If anything, it seemed to make matters worse.

Joe growled and for just a moment, there was a spark. Cody found himself distracted at the worse moment: Right when Joe made his next attack.

Joe decided to go for a kick this time, given it would be less obvious to the eye, and it landed directly in Cody's stomach. The wind was knocked out of him and he flew back, stumbling to the ground. Cody groaned as he forced himself back to his feet, but his brother's words would be more damaging than any of his attacks.

"You're no brother of mine."

Joe swung right when Cody froze up, and he barely moved to save himself in time. He put his arm up in defense and the sword sliced right into it, earning him a long cut on his dominate arm. He howled in pain, both from his words and his sword and dashed out of the way before Joe could attack again.

It was only then that Cody had the most horrifying realization: This Joe isn't at all the same one he loves. It felt like someone tore out his heart and burned it at the stake. It felt like the world crashed around him. It felt like Joe died all over again.

Tears brimmed at the corners of his eyes, but he knew he couldn't just let himself die.

When Joe launched at him again, Cody was ready.

Cody brought his spear up and the two weapons clashed. Cody quickly took this opportunity to let the Nexus fill him up with power, and his spear sparked and electrified Joe. Now frazzled by the attack, he stumbled back, but found Cody wasn't done.

Cody rushed to him and swung his arm at him, punching him right in the face, then in the gut as fast as he could go. Joe groaned but had no time to recover and Cody slashed his spear right into him. He could have ended it there, but hesitation caused him to let up and the cut across his chest, though painful, wasn't enough to kill him. Not without a lot of time.

The penguin then beat him around a little bit more before the chicken finally dropped, still clutching his sword tightly but was in no condition to fight. Out of the corner of his eye, Cody noticed KrakenKid's panic, but payed no attention to it. Cody raised his spear up, pointing it down at Joe's chest.

But his hand trembled. No matter what his brain was screaming, his hand would not obey. Joe struggled to regain himself but was having trouble getting up, leaving Cody with his thoughts. He looked right at his brother, but he only saw that same kid that he grew up with, that he cared for and that he loved so dearly.

Even worse, his promise came to his head and rang in his ears, making what he needed to do impossible.

"That's never going to happen. Joe, I'm never going to abandon you. Ever. You're my little brother and I can't rule without you."  

Cody's eyes filled with tears, and his knees sunk to the ground. His hand couldn't seem to hold on any longer and the spear clattered to the palace floor as he sobbed. "I-I.... I can't do it. Joe, you're my family! You and Rasmus are all I have left, and I can't bare to lose either of you! I can't lose you again, Joe! Not again! Please!" He cried out, filling the empty palace room with his cries. KrakenKid, who was going to try to do something before and now stood a couple feet away, was now frozen in place. What was he supposed to do? Joe wasn't in danger and he couldn't do anything to Cody when he was like this.

Cody locked eyes with his brother before his wails only became louder. "You're my brother! I can't kill you! I don't care what happens, Joe! As long as we're together!" He sniffed but his attempts to make his tears go away was futile, for only more and more came by the second. "I can't... I can't do it. I can't go on with out you Joe! We can work this out! I just need you by my side!"

Cody kept crying, now unable to stop now that the floodgate was open. Joe was slowly regaining strength and actually sat up now. His body began to gain more in control of himself as Cody sat in front of him.

"Joe, I promise we can do this! It's just you and me against the world! We're brothers! We can be a true family agai-"

Cody choked and let out a cough, blood spitting out of his mouth and now a small amount trailed from his beak. KrakenKid's eyes widened and he moved closer, then stopped in shock when he saw it. "Holy smokes..." His voice was barely a whisper, but everyone still heard it in the silence.

Joe pulled out his sword from Cody's stomach, causing the penguin to fall back as his feathers turned from white to red. Joe stood up, emotionless and brushed himself off.

"I said," He glared at the dying king. "We're. Not. Brothers." His voice was colder than anything KrakenKid had ever heard, and he began to leave the palace. "KrakenKid, we need to go. We've got a war to fight."

Joe was gone, but KrakenKid didn't move. He was utterly shocked, and his mind was going haywire. However, Cody's coughing made him bend down and examine his rival. Finally, he knew what it was like to feel sympathy for the penguin.

Cody's eyes began to gaze over, but he still managed to meet KrakenKid's eyes. He reached out and grabbed onto his shoulder, shaking now. "K-... Kraken... Kraken, please. I need a favor."

KrakenKid normally hated him with every fiber of his being, but right now, he couldn't deny a dead man's last wish. He nodded slowly, gulping slightly as he did. He could barely stand seeing all this blood.

"P-please... Please take care of Joe when I'm gone." Cody gasped, shutting his eyes tightly in pain for a moment but finally forced them open to meet his yellow ones. "He gets really terrible nightmares."

KrakenKid nodded quickly, and Cody's grip on his shoulder loosened until his arm fell back. Cody's eyes never closed, not blinking once. KrakenKid looked right in them, and noticed there was no more life in them. Carefully, he closed his eyelids and shakily stood up. His head slowly turned to the palace's main entrance where Joe had disappeared off to.

His eyes remained wide and he couldn't believe it.

"I've created a monster..." He whispered to himself.

**********************************************************************

Welp... I did a thing.

Why do most of these ideas come from me at like midnight to 1 AM? Do I just get really deep at those times?

Anyways, this is a thing. It links to the little "Eye For An Eye" short I did in my Tagged and other stuff book and I think I might have been a little evil in this one? I don't know man, you tell me.

This is pretty much a "Bad End" to what could happen in the Atlantis series. Yeah, I defiantly should not be someone who writes that series because things would get dark and QUICK.

I... I don't know what to say except this is one of the longest one's I've written in a while. I feel like the longer they are, the sadder they are because it builds a story. How does this compare to "Last Words"?

Anyways, I hope you... Liked this? Is that the right word? I hope it was at least good! Be sure to comment what you thought of this chapter, and goodbye!

--JustAnAtlantisWriter