Welcome to Book 5! It's officially time to get Emily back into the stories. First of all, if you haven't read any of my previous stories (except for Ultra Feral or Skilene Holidays) this will make absolutely no sense. So let's start Book 5 immediately where Book 4 left off, shall we?

CHAPTER 1 – Realizations And Birthdays

(P staying with me) "So shall we fly to the lab?" Skipper asked us. When he said fly, it made Sam, Anna, and I all shake nervously. Skipper and Marlene comforted us and calmed us back down. "Sorry about that. Should we drive instead?" Skipper asked us.

"Honestly, I'd like just a nice walk please," I said. "Same here," the kids said. "Very good. Hopefully you'll want to use the suits again eventually," Marlene said. "It's not like we have a choice in the other world though," Sam said jokingly. We all laughed.

"No, we don't. Let's get going," Skipper said. We all left the HQ and started heading to the lab. For some reason, Skipper and Marlene were bringing up the rear, talking about something. I couldn't pick it up though. (P to Marlene)

"I'm so glad those three are alright," I said. "Me too Marlene. I'm glad we don't remember all that, but those three seem pretty shell-shocked. We'll have to take it easy on them for the next few days," Skipper said. "I agree. I mean, even just casually saying fly set them off on a nervous shake. We'll have to help coax them back to being relaxed," I said.

"Yes. I never knew Blowhole could be so evil. He tried to kill you all," Skipper said. "Thank goodness for those parachutes that the altered Rico had. We might have gone down," I said. Skipper's feathers and my fur bristled at the thought. "Yes. Those three did a great job though," Skipper said.

"I agree. But now I can't help but think back to our vacation in the early part of the year," I said. "What do you mean?" Skipper asked me. "I'm thinking of the night before we left my old aquarium and my sister," I said. *

"We have been in contact with her since then. But what do you mean?" Skipper asked me. "Based off what happened today, I think that old Otter was right," I said. "You mean the prophecy for your sister?" Skipper asked me.

"Yes. I think we know who will fulfill Emily's prophecy," I said. ** "Yes, we do. How did we not know sooner?" Skipper asked me. "I have no idea. We had been suspecting it. Now it's confirmed," I said happily. "Yes, it is confirmed, finally. Do you think they'll have the same luck we did?" Skipper said, talking about Annabelle and Samuel.

"He's a mammal, so they've got a higher chance than we ever did. Not to mention we've got a few vials of that substance and others in level 14," I said. *** "Yes, it took forever to get some, but thanks to the Stopwatch, we did grab a bunch of substances. They probably will have the same luck, if fate has its way," Skipper said.

"Hopefully it'll be faster for them to get there than it was for us. Then again, we were delayed by forces that directly controlled us," I said. "Yes. I agree with you that it'll probably be faster," Skipper said.

"So when should we start to set this in motion?" I asked. "Probably tonight, after everyone is asleep. After all, there is a 3-hour time difference between here and Monterey," Skipper said. "Sounds like a plan then," I said. (P back to me)

We had arrived at the lab in Midtown and Kowalski started making the time-proofing vaccines for everyone. "So what were you talking about on the way here?" I asked Skipper and Marlene.

"Classified," they both said. "You actually have no idea how happy we are to hear you say that," Sam said. They both smiled. "Glad to see you're enjoying that for once," Marlene said.

After a little bit, Kowalski had made enough of the vaccine for everybody and some extras as well, per Skipper and Marlene's request. Finally we were all done and headed back. This time Skipper and Marlene took point as we headed for the HQ, while Anna, Sam, and I took up the rear. "I am so glad that's over," I said.

"Yes. Now it can't happen again. I'm still trying to relax after all that," Anna said. "Same here. All I want to do for a while is just act cute and cuddly for the guests. That always cheers me up," Sam said.

"It always cheers me up, too. I don't want to go for any interviews for a few days either. Thank goodness we have nothing coming up. Though if we did, I could always delay them," I said.

"You've still got control over this world, which is interesting. I'd like to test that," Anna said. **** "How so?" I asked her. "Well, you can technically initiate any change right?" Sam asked.

"Yeah, but I don't want to if it's a major change. That's too much power," I said. "True, true. But how about something temporary that wouldn't affect anything?" Anna asked.

"Hmm… What do you have in mind? More food for us all?" I asked. " Well, probably that. But I don't know of anything else. But I'll think of something," Anna said. "Remember to try to control your curiosity. But when you think of something, let me know," I said.

"I'll try to think of something as well," Sam said. "Sounds good. Shall we keep this classified?" I asked the two. "Yes sir," they said to me saluting. We burst out laughing at that. (P to Marlene)

Suddenly we heard the kids and Matthew laughing at something. That brought a smile to Skipper and I's faces. "Sounds like they're regaining their positive attitude," I said to Skipper. "They must be glad there's no risk of this happening again," Skipper said.

"Yes. It's good we got Kowalski to make extra vaccines. We'll need to give one to Emily as well," I said. "Of course. But until the others see the transfer in the system, they won't know she's coming," Skipper said.

"It'll be great to be have the family together again," I said. "It sure will. And Emily should be happy we finally found out who will fulfill her prophecy," Skipper said. "She does keep asking us about that when she calls, so she probably will be. And now, our family will grow again," I said happily. "Yes, our family is about to get a lot stranger again," Skipper said. I kissed him. "It sure will," I said.

(P back to me) When we arrived back at the HQ, we all relaxed. Or at least, Sam, Anna, and I tried to. Some noises were setting us off, making us shake in fear. Thankfully, everyone was helping us calm down when that happened. The zoo eventually opened for the day and we all performed at our habitats. It was really nice to just perform and not think about anything. The fish tasted good, as usual.

Eventually, the zoo closed and we all came back down into the HQ. It actually was game night, so we played some calm board games. We probably played board games because Skipper and Marlene knew how shell-shocked we were from the day before. After that, Sam, Anna, and I just tried to relax in the pool. It was working and it felt nice to just swim around.

"Come here kids, we've got something for you. You're invited too Matthew," Marlene said as we got out of the pool. Marlene then dropped down the hatch. "What could it be?" Anna asked. "No idea. Let's go find out," I said. We dropped down the hatch as well and walked over to the group.

"What's up Mom?" Sam asked. "You didn't think we'd forget about your birthday today, did you?" Marlene asked them. Smiles grew on the kids' faces. A fish cake was brought out for the kids' birthday!

It said Happy 1st Birthday to Annabelle and Samuel. The kids were so excited. After a round of Happy Birthday to them, we dug into the cake. "This is really good," Anna said between bites.

"We're glad you like it. And once again, Happy Birthday," Marlene said happily. "Thanks Mom and Dad," both Sam and Anna said to them. "You're welcome," Skipper and Marlene said, hugging their children. After that, we all went to our bunks. Sam, Anna, and I fell asleep first and quickly.

That's the end of this first chapter. I'm sorry it was so short, but this chapter would be over 4000 words if it were combined with the next one. But was it good? Please rate and review this chapter. I've got some notes today.

* Referencing Pengotters: The Early Months.

** Still being vague on purpose.

*** Hmm, they built a new level themselves. Smart couple.

**** The kids want to test something. I wonder what they want to test.