What happened during Mumble's time in the zoo. Pretty short. Based around Memphis and Norma Jean, and Gloria a bit. Enjoy! (I hope).

First part written from Norma Jean's point of view. SPOILERS AHOY!

As Mumble disappeared over an icy bluff, I couldn't take it any more. It was too much to take in over such a short time.

Must go... Dropped him... All messed up

I found myself at the mouth of a cave, Memphis hurrying towards me with a sad look on his face.

"I'm-"

"Sorry? Well I think you should be!"

I was as taken aback as he. We'd never really argued before today, and we had never had reason to.

"Beg pardon?"

"All this time, you never told me, or anyone! Instead, you made HIM feel insecure because of YOUR mistake!!!"

Ooh, I was angry now. He looked down at me with guilty eyes.

"Norma Jean-"

"I hope you're happy now! You have no-one to worry about but yourself!"

Silence. I could feel thousands of eyes boring into me. Naturally, now that Mumble was gone, the whole colony wanted to see how Memphis and I would handle the loss. Nosey…er… Beaky penguins!

"What do you mean?" said Memphis in a small voice. He looked absolutely petrified. With good reason...

"Well, why should I want to be near you? You're a hypocrite, a liar, and wouldn't love me either if I couldn't sing!"

Cue collective gasp from everyone, especially our own generation. That hurt me to say that, because I knew it was true. I wasn't even looking at him now. I had turned my back on him.

"Please just leave me alone" I finished softly, still facing the opposite direction.

It seemed like forever that I stood there alone. The colony had gone back to gossiping, and in some cases, singing. Days passed that I went without food, company or speaking.

Winter approached on swift, cold wings and I left the nation with all of the other females. I didn't say goodbye to Memphis.

For all the good it did me, I went fishing. Over the four months of winter, I caught a single fish. One! I was relieved when streams of light came pouring through the water, and I made a long, silent journey home.

I watched as all the young one reunited with their mates, and saw their children for the first time. I remember that. A dark shadow hangs over the memory, because I know that while I had been fishing, Mumble's egg had been sliding across the freezing ice, completely unprotected.

I resumed my position as a loner on the outskirts of the colony. Over time, I heard young, high voices pipe up, strong and true. It reminded me of a time when I was a chick myself…

Since my baby left me,

I found a new place to dwell,

It's down on the edge of lonely street at,

Heartbreak Hotel

Even though I was young, my heart fluttered, undoubtedly like every single other female in the class. Who couldn't love a voice like that? When Memphis waddled back into the class, he looked embarrassed. He just wanted to be average, I could tell.

"Norma Jean? Are you listenink? Sink darrrlink!!!" Mrs. Astrakhan boomed.

"Uh.. Um.. Okay" I stuttered. I hadn't looked for my Heartsong yet, so I would simply play it by ear.

You don't have to be rich to be my pearl,

Don't have to be cool to rule my world,

Ain't no particular song I'm more compatible with,

I just want your extra time,

And your kiss

There was a gasp from everyone behind me. They were used to slow, sad, melodies. My song was upbeat, bouncy. But I didn't care about being a little different. The first face I saw was Memphis'. It wasn't filled with shock or disapproval, but awe.

Then it was my turn to be embarrassed.

I awoke from the memory, and realised I had been asleep during this flashback.

I eventually turned around, and my heart skipped several beats. One was of shock when I saw Memphis looking heartbroken inside the cave I stood outside.

Another of pity, seeing Gloria watching her peers sing to each other while she stood alone.

But finally, one of excitement. The five Adelie penguin friends of Mumble's were approaching! Plus another funny- looking one, but I assumed Mumble knew him too.

"Where is he?" I squeaked. Ouch, I need to start speaking more.

"We dunno" answered one. He then told me the whole story.

When he finished with a "so we're hoping that he's still alive." I took off on my belly, toward Memphis' cave.

When I popped up in front of him, he looked surprised, but not necessarily joyous.

"Mumblewenttotheforbiddenshoreandjumpedoffacliffandouttoseaandhasntcomeback!"
I said breathlessly, looking up him with THAT look.

He took a deep breath, and tried a few times to say something. The breath eventually escaped as a sigh.

Fine. I would just wait.

I hope you like, please please PLEASE review!!! baby penguin eyes