Des tilted his head slightly, staring at the NightWing from across the stone cavern under the rainforest.

"So, you're one of us," he said simply.

"What?"

"You break the fourth wall."

"Of course, can't everyone?" The NightWing asked.

Des shook his head. "Just Irre, Venge, and I. And now you."

"Cool." The NightWing glanced at his watch. "I suppose we should sit here and wait for Ace then."

Des nodded and they waited.

- - -

Ace looked at his red enchanted stone. "Find them," he said, and he stone shot off into the forest.

- - -

"Here he comes," Des said, "At least, that's what the author said."

"Who is 'author?" Dashie asked.

"Well, um-"

"Who cares! By the moons! I'm tired of hearing about them!" Thor grumped.

Well then I can see I'm not wanted.

- - -

The red stone led Ace to a cave where the antagonist stood. "Mwahahaa you will never defeat me!" The NightWing said.

"But I will!" Ace said, and with a snap of his fingers he enchanted the dragon to be their friend.

"YOU'RE AN ANIMUS!?" Thor shouted, "WHY DID YOU NEVER TELL US!?"

"Um, my parents wanted me to keep it a secret..." Ace said.

"Hey, wasn't there a GlitterPerfectWing Princess who was also animus? Is it Splendid or Excellent?" Dashie asked.

"It's, um, one of my older siblings who aren't attending Jade Mountain," Ace replied.

"Anyway, It doesn't matter," Des interrupted, "NightWing, what's your name?"

"Real-Antagonist, though you can call me Antag," The NightWing said, "and just because I'm enchanted to be your friend doesn't mean you've stopped me! You were never my real goal!" Antag let out a wicked laugh and in a puff of smoke he disappeared.

"Where did he go?!" Señor Tonto asked, because he hasn't had a line in a while.

"Let's find out," Ace said, "RED STONE, I enchant you to take us to Antag!"

"That's a very commanding voice you got there Ace," Thor said, smiling, "It's better than your normal shy tone."

"Thanks. I'm trying something new," Ace replied.

The group ended up on an outcropping above Jade Mountain, and everyone was being attacked by shadow creatures.

"Shiiiii- wait, no. This is PG," Thor said.

"Charge!" Señor Tonto shouted, flinging himself onto the back of one of the creatures and stabbing it with his tail barb.

"Well thats... Something," Thor said before joining Señor Tonto.

Venge would have joined them, but knew Ace had to have a plan, as he was the protagonist.

"I have an idea," Ace said, "I enchant Antag to no longer be animus and to not want to hurt anyone ever again."

Suddenly the shadow creatures disappeared. Antag cried out furiously before flying off.

Thor and Señor Tonto rejoined the group and they all had a very important talk.

"We still don't have a NightWing," Venge said.

"Or an IceWing," Dashie noted.

Ace smiled. "Maybe... Maybe we don't need them. After all, books don't always follow the rules."

"No, no they don't." Des laughed.

And they all lived happily ever after.

...Until the sequel.

*insert closing music*