Note: Although this story focuses around the threat of Marlene being transferred, the idea for this fanfic was not inspired by the "Zoo Tube" episode, in which the zoo animals fought to keep the Central Park Zoo from closing in order to not be transferred to various other zoos. In fact, I began writing this long before the episode ever aired. I did, however, later decide to add a brief mention of this incident to tie it in with the series.
Four months earlier, Skipper, then alone on top of the penguin habitat's platform, was taking a break from smiling and waving at zoo visitors when there was a lull in the crowd. It was at that time when Marlene came by unexpectedly and approached him with a request.
"Skipper, I need you to promise me something," she said as she walked up to him.
"What do you need?" Skipper asked.
"Most of my life I spent in California, and I had some great times there, but I believe I've finally found my place here," she said. "I really like it here. The best friends I've ever had are here. I've had a lot of fun adventures here. And you, Skipper, are here."
"So, what do you need me to promise you?" Skipper wondered.
"Assure me that I'll never be transferred away from here," Marlene stated.
"Done," Skipper replied.
"Thanks," Marlene said. "It really means a lot to me. Now I'll leave you to carry on with whatever it was that you were doing."
And with that, Marlene waved goodbye and left.
Now Skipper was a good friend with Marlene, and he truly meant it when he said that he would prevent her from being transferred. But he never thought that Marlene would ever be in danger of being taken away.
He thought wrong.
