How it Started

It was a cool October day. I remember 'cause mother was telling me that I had to stay extra close to her in order to stay warm since I hadn't grown an extra coat of fur. I remember being in a dark crate. Mother told me we had to run, but it was unclear why. Suddenly, the crate opened up to revile four penguins. Mother stood in front of me to protect me since I was only a baby, but two penguins took her away to be torture to death. That's what Skipper told me. He said he was on that team, but I don't remember. He also told me that they took pity on me since I was just a child, but I was to be enrolled in the military as soon as possible... I guess that's where it all began.

***

"State yourself!"

"Nicatia; lemur; age five!" I reported to my new captain. Yes. At the age of five, they threw me into a military life. I didn't think it was so bad, but then again, I was just starting out.

"Alright, Nicatia, these are your team mates; Manfreedy, Johnson and Skipper," the captain said.

I noticed Skipper staring at me like he seen a ghost. I couldn't imagine why at the time. "H-Hello," I said shyly.

"Hello, Private Nicatia! Nice to have you on the team!" Johnson said in a friendly tone.

"Are you ready for this?" Manfreedy questioned.

I held back the urge to say "I guess so" 'cause I knew they wouldn't be happy with that answer. Instead, I stood straight up and said; "I was born ready!"

Skipper shook his head and smiled. "The new girl's got spunk! Let's see if her bark matches her bite."

***

I was a fast learner, or so they told me. I wasn't sure how long I trained. Probably a week. When I turned 13, they allowed me to go on missions.

"So what's the operation?" I asked excitedly.

Johnson and Manfreedy put their flippers around my shoulders.

"Operation; Secret Mission," said Manfreedy.

"Operation; Secret Mission?" I repeated.

"Yes," Johnson said with a chuckle, "We're going to what we believe is one of Dr. Blowhole's head quarters. It's a top secret mission!"

"So don't screw it up," Manfreedy added seriously.

The terror of messing up an important mission is still fresh in my mind.

Skipper pushed the other two penguins away. "Leave the girl alone, boys! It's her first major mission! You should be encouraging her instead of making her scared to death!"

"Skipper's right," Captain Reef said, giving the two eldest penguins a stern glare. To me he added; "Nicatia, you've been training for more than 8 years! You can handle this!"

I smiled and nodded. He was so nice to me. Couldn't understand why. Back then I was sort of a trouble maker. "Thank you, Captain! And thank you, Skipper!"

"Don't mention it, soldier!" He chuckled, patting my back.

When we finally arrived to the location, we swiftly moved. I loved hopping and jumping from place to place. It made me feel so natural. Still, I was young and clumzy and I fell over onto the team, giving away our position. We all looked up and saw Dr. Blowhole's soldiers all around us.

"IT'S AN AMBUSH!" Skipper shouted.

We scrambled up and fought off most of the enemies, but a few got in some good hits.

"Ouf!" I cried, slamming into the wall.

"Well, well. You're still alive," growled the voice I knew all too well.

"Shanks!" I hissed, staggering up, "It's been awhile..."

Shanks grinned his croaked smile. "You can say that again, rat! But as much as I want to start round two, I have orders to fill."

"Orders?" I asked as I glared at him.

"Yeah, orders. Dr. Blowhole wanted me to give you a message. He saids-"

The mongoose was cut off by Skipper tackling him down. "What are you just standing there for, Niccy?! Run!" Skipper spat.

I shook myself and followed the orders. "C'mon, Skip! Let's go!" I shouted over my shoulder.

Skipper flipped off of Shanks and followed.

***

"I'm sorry," I told my team mates over and over again once we went back to H.Q.

"We heard you the first thousand times, Nicatia," Manfreedy said a bit coldly.

"It wasn't completely your fault," Johnson said to me.

Skipper rolled his eyes. "Pay no attention to them, Niccy-a. They're just being cruel."

I slumped in my beanbag chair. "I...suppose..."

"Something up?" Johnson asked.

"No..." I lied. The truth was, I couldn't get what Shanks told me...

Yeah, orders. Dr. Blowhole wanted me to give you a message. He saids-

I kept thinking about what Blowhole wanted to tell me. I didn't even knew he knew my name or even who I was. I was just a private. After awhile, I couldn't take it any longer.

"Where are you going?" Reef asked as I walked past him.

"Just getting some air, Reef. I'll be back in a few," I told him.

"Alright. Hurry back."

***

I wasn't stupid. I knew if Dr. Blowhole really wanted to get a message to me, he wouldn't give up so easily and I sure as hell knew Shanks wouldn't give up either.

"Yo...Shanks... I'm waiting for my message," I shouted quietly.

The crazy moongoose hopped down from the tree and landed in front of me. "Ah...I was hopping you'd come out late tonight."

"Cut the small talk, ya freak. Tell me the message; Now!"

Shanks crossed his arms. "Dr. Blowhole's exact word; 'Little Nicatia, do you think you're life is all fun and games? Don't you know anything? Have you ever even thought of your mother?'"

"My mother?! Of course I've thought about her! There's not a moment that I don't!" I spat.

"And I suppose they told you that Blowhole ordered his spies to kill her?"

I glared at him. That was exactly what they told me.

"Well, Blowhole wants you to know, that's a lie."

My eyes widened. "What?! No, that's not true!"

"Really? Ask Skipper. When he refuses to tell you, Blowhole is happy to tell you the truth." And with that, he disappeared into the darkness.

I clenched my fist. Could I trust them? Never-the-less, I decided to ask Skipper.

***

"Skip...Skip...," I called when the others were asleep.

Skipper opened his eyes. "H-Huh...? Nicatia....? What is it?"

"Follow me..." I whispered, pulling him out to the halls.

"What?"

"Skip...You wouldn't lie to me...would you?"

"Of course not, Niccy!"

"Then tell me... What happened to my mother?"

He was silent.

I slowly shook my head. "Please, Skipper... I remember when I first saw you...You looked as if you seen a ghost. You knew my mother didn't you? Tell me what really happened!"

Skipper sighed. "Some things are worth not knowing. Feel lucky to have the wool over your eyes 'cause once it's off, it's off for good!"

I couldn't believe it! Shanks told me the truth! I knew Skipper was lying! I turned around in a huff. "Fine! Don't tell me!"

***

"Sir," Shanks said later on that night as her walked into Dr. Blowhole's lair.

"Ah, Shanks... What is it?"

Shanks smiled evilly and stepped aside, letting Blowhole see me. "We got a visitor."

And at that point... my life went down the drains...

---

A/N: OH NO! Nicatia went to Dr. Blowhole?! Was Shanks lying? Does Blowhole really knows about Nicatia's mother? Guess! I'd like to see what people think's gonna happen next in the reviews. Who knows? Maybe you're right, maybe you're wrong. You'll have to wait to find out!

P.S. If there's anybody out there who's confused, Nicatia is Rune's real name and Rune's my OC who stars in I Don't Know How To Say I Love You. Also, what Nicatia and Shanks were referring to was what happened in one of my one shots, Skipper's Choice.

Review! =3