2 – A Female Centered Story

The scene opens the next day at the otter habitat. Marlene had just woken up and finished her morning swim. She looked over to the penguin habitat and noticed something very strange.

˝Hmmm, that's odd, usually the guys are up training by now,˝ she said to herself, ˝either that new girl's thrown them of track or Skipper's given them a day off.˝ She shrugged and started making her way over to the penguin habitat. After jumping onto the platform, she was tackled and pinned down. She knew who it was right away. The otter took a better look and verified her assumptions. It was Skipper, the skipper. She blushed under her fur and looked away after noticing his beak and her lips were only an inch away.

She expected him to let her go with the usual »how many times…«, but he didn't, instead he spoke in a monotone voice: ˝Intruder secured, awaiting further orders.˝ She was suprised, 'Skipper, taking orders from someone?' she thought. A female voice was then heard from the HQ: ˝Who is it Flathead?˝ Skipper responded, with the same voice as before: ˝A female asian otter, probably from the habitat north of here.˝

˝Bring her down so I can meet her,˝ said the female voice. Skipper stood up and lifted Marlene up bridal style. She blushed again, before simply being dropped into the HQ, followed by the skipper who landed next to her. She looked up, her eyes meeting with the female. ˝Please excuse Flathead over there, he just keeps on defying me, but I'm sure he'll give in eventually. Well anyway, I'm Lorelei, and you are…˝ Marlene stood up and extended a paw: ˝Nice to meet you, I'm Marlene. I just came over here to meet you, that's all,˝ she then waited for the penguin to accept her paw, but after 10 seconds of silence and no reaction, she lowered it.

˝Listen, Marlene, is it, I don't know how things used to be around here, but I don't like intruders in my habitat. Unless invited, you will not come over, you will not speak to my boys or distract them from fulfilling orders. Understand?˝ Marlene just stood there speachless and slowly nodded. ˝Now, will you leave on your own or do I have to have Scarface and Chubby here give you an escort?˝ Lorelei then clapped twice and the other penguins lined up next to Marlene, with blank expresions on their faces. ˝Don't worry. I know the way out,˝ she said with an angry tone. She climbed the ladder and started walking home.

Back at her habitat, Marlene was pacing back and forth, thinking about what had just happened. 'Skipper tackled me, he didn't know my name, he simply dropped me into the habitat, then that girl yelled at me and they all had blank expressions' Marlene shivered at that last thought. ˝And the worst part is that she doesn't even seem to know their names!˝ just then she realised, that she screamed that last part out loud and hoped nobody actually heard her. She stepped outside of her cave and looked over to the penguin habitat again. She saw Lorelei lying on a lawnchair wearing a pair of sunglasses. Rico and Kowalski were fanning her, Private was holding her drink and Skipper was holding up an umbrella. Marlene stomped her foot and said: ˝THAT'S IT! THAT B*TCH HAS GOT TO GO!˝

After giving it much thought, Marlene had realized that she couldn't attempt something like this alone, she needed a team. She started making a list of possible candidates, all big animals were out of question, because they wouldn't even be able to get into the HQ. She also crossed off the reptiles, the lemurs, because they aren't serious enough, and the chimps, because they don't really seem like the fighting types. The candidates left for her team were: Leonard the koala, Darla and the baboons, the skunks, the porcupines and Becky and Stacy the badgers.

After taking another look at the list, she quickly crossed off »the skunks«. ˝I really hope people will help me, because something's definitely wrong here,˝ she said while walking over to the koala habitat. She jumped into Leonards habitat, climbed the eucalyptus tree and located the marsupial. Marlene tapped his shoulder. But there was no reaction, so she started lightly shaking his shoulder. It was noon, and since Koalas are nocturnal, nothing, other than Leonard falling out of the tree, happened. ˝Ouch,˝ she said when she saw him hit the ground, ˝that's gonna hurt in the morning… errr… night.˝ Marlene took out the list and crossed off his name.

On her way over to the baboons, she thought about Leonard and remembered, that porcupines were also nocturnal. She sighed and crossed them off the list as well. Nearing the baboon habitat she heard loud country music. By the time she got to the actuall habitat, the music was so loud, she couldn't even hear her own thoughts anymore. She tried calling Darla, but to no use, she just couldn't outscream the boombox. So she turned around crossed off darla's name and started walking towards the badger habitat.

She walked in unease, due to her past experiences with Becky and Stacy. But before she knew it, she was already at her destination. Marlene jumped on the wall of the habitat and took a look inside. The sisters (they might not be sisters, but I'm still going to call them that) were nowhere to be seen. ˝Hello? Anybody home?˝ she asked while walking around inside the habitat. She heard the rustling of leaves behind her and was then tackled to the ground by two figures. ˝HEY COUSIN!˝ the figures both screamed at the same time.

˝Hey guys, long time no see,˝ Marlene barelly managed to say bacause the sisters were both on top of her. ˝It's so nice to see you again - yeah super nice – we haven't been hanging out ever since – ever since the little incident – sorry about that – I'm also sorry – but please tell us you can stay for lunch – please say yes, please say yes , please say yes.˝ She could barelly understand them at the pace they were speaking, and finishing each others thoughts only added to the confusion.

˝What? No sorry, that's not what I came here for,˝ said Marlene. The badgers realised after seeing the look in her eyes that it was something serious. They stood up and helped Marlene up as well. Marlene dusted herself off and explained the situation to her »cousins«. She told them about the changes and about the atitude of the new penguin. ˝Wow, not being able to talk to Skipper might put a little strain on your relationship with him,˝ said Becky. ˝I know, that's why I need to HEY! WHAT DO YOU MEAN MY RELATIONSHIP WITH SKIPPER!˝ yelled Marlene. ˝You don't have to be so protective about it – wait are you just doing this because – the new girl is stealing your man?˝ Marlene slapped her forehead as she listened to the badgers: ˝Look guys, I've known the penguins for a very long time and believe me when I say, that their current behavior is not normal.˝ Stacy then slowly raised her arm. ˝Yes? What is it?˝ asked Marlene. ˝Does that mean you and Skipper aren't together?˝

˝I think we're getting a little of topic here. Now what do you say, will you help me?˝ asked Marlene. ˝Of course we will,˝ said Becky, ˝yeah, we're chicks and chicks allways stick together,˝ continued Stacy. Marlene smiled: ˝Thanks, it's nice to know I have girlfriends I can rely on around here.˝

˝Now tell us Marlene – yeah tell us – who else have you got this »girl team«?˝ the badgers asked. She did think it sounded kind of feminist, but she did like the idea of a »girl team«. ˝Sorry to dissapoint, but we are the team, and I'm kinda out of recruitment options.˝ Stacy thought about it for a second 'Doris is out of the question, since she can't leave her pool, so are the flamingos, the ostrich and the baboons, they only care about themselves' and then it hit her: ˝What about Sienna?˝ Becky quickly caught up to her sister: ˝Of course, how come I didn't think of her. Please tell me you haven't asked her yet. Please say no, please say no, please say no

Marlene thought really hard but she just didn't know who the badgers were referring to: ˝No I haven't, but…˝ She didn't get to finish her sentence, because she was already being pulled away by the two sisters. She didn't know where they were taking her, but it was a part of the zoo she didn't usually hang out in. As she looked into the direction the girls were pulling her, she saw the habitat, they were probably headed for. Marlene was trying to make out the sign indicating the habitat owner, but couldn't from afar.˝This is it,˝ said Stacy, ˝welcome to,˝ continued Becky, ˝THE RED RHODESIAN SLASHER EXHIBIT!˝ they then both said at the same time.

Marlene gulped and said, with a scarred voice: ˝We aren't going in there, are we? I mean, from what I heard from Skipper about her, she might kill us all.˝ Becky and Stacy exchanged looks and then laughed. ˝You've got to be joking Marlene,˝ said Becky, ˝we hang out with Sienna all the time,˝ said Stacy while jumping the wall surronding the slasher habitat. ˝Now stop fooling around and come,˝ said Becky following her sister. Marlene gulped again and the followed them over the wall.

Once inside the exhibit, Marlene couldn't spot the badger sisters. She was even more scared now than before in the badger habitat. As she was looking around she heard someone: ˝Excuse me, but can I help you?˝ Marlene's blood froze. She slowly turned around and in front of her stood the red rhodesian slasher. ˝Uhhh yes, actually you can, I came over here with Becky and Stacy and now I can't…˝ The slasher's eyes widened as Marlene mentioned the badgers and she the interupted her: ˝You mean to tell me the badgers are here.˝ as soon as the wildcat finished her sentence, leaf rustling was heard again and a second later they were tackled by a badger each.

Everyone but Marlene then started laughing. ˝Just seven more and I get a free frozen yoghurt,˝ said Marlene to herself in an annoyed sarcastic voice. After standing up, the badgers and the slasher exchanged hugs. Marlene just stood there and watched the reunion. ˝Now tell me why you came here already,˝ said the slasher in anticipation. ˝OK, OK, but first, this is our dear friend and cousin Marlene,˝ said Stacy. ˝Nice to meet you Marlene, my name is Sienna. Ok, but now that the introductions are out of the way, tell me what's the problem.˝ the badger sisters then both took a deep breath and began explaining the situation: ˝There's this new girl – and she's in the penguin habitat – but the problem is – that's also where Skipper is – because he's a penguin – and so is she – but he's Marlene's boyfriend – even though she's an otter – and she says he isn't – but she'l tell the truth – when she's ready – but the problem is – that the girl penguin – is stealing Marlene's man – and Marlene needs our help – to get rid of her.˝ finished Becky.

Marlene just blinked, doubting that Sienna got any of that, not understanding most of it herself. She heard them say that Skipper was her boyfriend again, but she didn't bother correcting the girls. ˝If there's anything I can't stand, it's girls that steal boyfriends. I'm in!˝ said Sienna. The badgers then both cheered at the same time: ˝Great!˝ Marlene wasn' t really sure what had just happened, but it sounded like the wildcat was willing to help them.

The girls then went back together to Marlene's cave, where they sat down and started forging a plan. It took them a couple of hours, but after finnishing they all certain it will work. ˝It's 5 pm, that means we have an hour until showtime, do we need anything else?˝ asked Marlene. ˝Of course Marlene, we still need a team name,˝ said becky.

Marlene slapped her forehead: ˝Do you realy think this is necessary?˝ she asked. ˝Of course it is! – I mean picture this – we save the penguins – and the newspapers get wind of this – and because we have no name – they start calling us – 4 random chicks – and then the universe implodes – I think you're overreacting Stacy – you're probably right – duh, everyone knows only the world would explode.˝ Marlene was rubbing her temples: ˝Okay, then tell me what you had in mind.˝

˝Okay, listen to this – we're all mammals – and we're all female – and the thing that seperates - us from the males – comes down to genetics – it's the 23rd chromosome.˝ Marlene understood what they were trying to say, but genetics wasn't really her field: ˝Thanks for the explanation, but you still haven't named us.˝

˝Didn't we – no, she's right, we didn't – od sorry then – well, the name – of the team should be – team DOUBLE X.˝ Marlene thought about it and liked the sound of it: ˝Okay, so now we have a team name, will that be all?˝ The girls looked at each other, then back and at Marlene, and nodded with smiles on their faces. ˝Good, now let's get into our positions,˝ said Marlene while opening the sewer entrance, before they all dissapeared beneath ground.

In the penguin HQ sometime later. ˝I do believe that those new white curtains will go well with the new pink walls, am I right?˝ asked Lorelei while supervising the work done by the remaining penguins. The boys just nodded, saying nothing. ˝I am parched, lanky bring me something to drink,˝ refering to Kowalski, she looked around, and noticed, he wasn't in the HQ. ˝Where is he? I don't recall sending him anywhere,˝ the males just shrugged simultaneously. ˝No matter, he'll be punished when he returns. Looks like your up Chubby.˝ Private saluted and as he was walking towards the refrigerator, the fish trophy opened and something pulled him in. Lorelei saw and this got angry.

˝Looks like someone didn't get the message on their last visit,˝ hissed Lorelei while still looking at the stuffed fish. The metal door next to it then opened and out came Marlene. ˝Sorry about that, but looks like I'm hard of hearing,˝ she said with a confident smirk on her face, ˝I want you out of here. Now, will YOU leave on your own or do I have to give you an escort?˝

Lorelei snarled and then gave her orders: ˝ATTACK HER NOW!˝ Skipper didn't move, he just stood there in his fighting position while Rico spat out a bokken and started running towards Marlene. marlene didn't move out of the way, she just stood there looking directly into Rico's eyes. And just a second before Rico got to her, the fish plaque flew open and out jumped Sienna tackling Rico and pinning him on the ground. ˝I like your scar,˝ said the wildcat, while holding Rico down.

Marlene then turned her atention to Skipper who was still just standing there, drops of sweat running down his temples. Then she looked over to Lorelei, who was looking at Skipper in frustration. ˝Nobody's will is that strong, now go and attack her!˝ she ordered again. Skipper started moving, but it was with a snail-like pace. Marlene knew Skipper was struggling, 'She must be controlling him somehow'. She glared at the female penguin and noticed her holding her jade sea shell (the neklace mentioned in the first chapter): ˝Thats got to be it.˝

Meanwhile beneath ground in the endless sewer tunnels Becky and Stacy were just finnishing restraining Private and Kowalski with duck tape. ˝Poor Private, this is just going to fuel his phobia,˝ said becky in a concerned tone. ˝Don't worry, he'll be fine,˝ responded Stacy whill taping shut Kowalski's beak, ˝now come on, we have to go back, we've already wasted enough time here. We need to help Marlene and Sienna, you know very well they're outnumbered.˝ Becky nodded: ˝Let's go.˝ Then they both ran down the sewer tunnel dissapearing in to the darkness, leaving Private and Kowalski behind.

In the penguin habitat Sienna was just thrown back by Rico who stood up and spat a black »cartoon« bomb at the slasher. The wildcat jumped out of it's way and charged towards Rico exposing her claws while running. Rico saw her claws, quickly located his bokken, jumped and grabed it. Sienna saw this and came to a halt. She then had a stare down with Rico, who made the first move. He was just swinging his sword around. It seemed almost as if he was holding back. Sienna was able to dodge the random swings with ease, but she knew that she had to knock him out. She swung her paw at his flippers just as he was preparing for another swing. The pain of the scratch made him drop sword. While he was distracted, Sienna made another strike at his exposed abdomen, leaving four blood-red lines on it.

On the other side of the habitat, Marlene was chasing Lorelei around, while not paying to much attention to Skipper who was still following them in an »unmatchable« speed. ˝What does it matter to you if I controll the penguins. Or is there some other reason you don't like me?˝ taunted Lorelei while still avoiding Marlene's grasp. ˝They're my friend and you treat them like garbage. I bet you don't even know their names,˝ responded Marlene angrily. ˝Who cares what their names are. It's not like I'm dating them or anything, although Flathead over there is kinda cute.˝ That last remark caused Marlene's blood to boil. She tackled Lorelei to the ground and they were now both holding onto the neklace while rolling aroun on the floor.

Rico and Sienna were now both exhausted. Rico could fell himself seizing controll over his body again, but he still couldn't help himself. He started regurgitating a lit stick of dynamite. Sienna knew something was coming up so she quickly jumped onto Rico's head and closed his beak. Rico knew what was comming next, and it was going to hurt. A damped eplosion was heard which distracted Lorelei from the cat fight she was having with the otter, allowing Marlene to rip the necklace off the penguins neck and to throw her off herself with her hind legs.

As soon as the sea shell was out of Lorelei's possession, Skipper shook his head and gave orders: ˝Rico, crossbow!˝ When Sienna heard Skippers voice she quickly let go of Rico and jumped off his head. Rico was felling dizzy, but he pulled himself together, wiped his mouth and regurgitated his red crossbow and which he then threw over to Skipper. Skipper quickly aimed and fired. Lorelei froze as the bolt was flying towards her, but it missed completly, instead hitting a lever on a controll panel behind her. As the female saw this, she placed her flippers on her hips and said with a smug voice: ˝I knew a gentleman like you could never hurt someone as beautifull as me.˝ He returned the smile, but then, a wooden crate fell on Lorelei, trapping her inside. ˝WHAT'S THE MEANING OF THIS! LET ME OUT THIS INSTANT!˝ she yelled inside the crate. Skipper slowly made his way over to the controll panel, the others were just watching him: ˝No can do Dollface. Oh and FYI I hate what you've done with the place.˝ He then pulled another lever and the crate fell through the ground.

Just when the crate dissapeared, the badgers dropped in through the fishbowl entrance. ˝What did we miss?˝they both asked at the same. As soon as Skipper heard them, he went into his fighting stance, but Marlene quickly jumped in: ˝Don't worry Skipper, becky and Stacy helped me in this mision.˝ Skipper looked at Marlene and went back to normal. ˝By the way, where is that crate going to?˝ asked Marlene. ˝Don't worry Marlene, that crate is just a little one way ticket to hell. Or as we like to call it… HOBOKEN!˝ reasured Skipper, even holding a flashlight beneath his beak saying that last part.

˝But enough about that, tell me, where did you take Private and Kowalski?˝ asked Skipper. ˝Don't worry, they're somewhere in the sewers,˝ answered Becky. ˝The sewers you say,˝ responded Skipper while rubbing his bottom bill, ˝okay, Rico! Hit me with a crowbar.˝ At that momment, Skipper regretted his poor choice of words and quickly cowered the back of his head with his flippers and closed his eyes. Nothing happened, so he turned around to face his weapons expert: ˝Rico?˝ They all then turned towards Rico. And were shocked by the puddle of blood beneath his feet. ˝Rico, are you Ok?˝ asked Skipper again. But Rico didn't answer, he just smiled and gave what looked like a thumbs up with his flipper, before closing his eyes and falling on his back.

The scenario has been created. Watch out world, here comes Alexander.

R&R