Skipper and Private ran through the thick vegetation along the border of the swamp. The lead penguin effortlessly leaped over the plentiful roots and vines, while Private was having trouble keeping up with Skipper's fast pace. He slowed to a jog, gasping for breath.

"Skippah!" he wheezed, "I can't run that fast! Please slow down!"

Skipper nodded and slowed enough to where Private could easily catch up. Both were panting heavily, trying to catch their breath. The younger penguin collapsed to the ground, letting out a low whimper.

"Kowalski, options," Skipper said, leaning against a tree. He earned no response. "Kowalski!" Skipper yelled, looking around for his strategist. Still no answer.

"Skippah, I don't see K'walski or Rico anywhere!" Private said, pushing himself off the ground. "I think we left them behind!" His voice rose in pitch, indicating that he was beginning to panic.

"Hover dam!" Skipper exclaimed, startling Private, who stumbled backwards. "I forgot about Rico's foot! He can hardly walk! Kowalski must have stayed behind to help him."

"Skippah, what do we do?" Private asked.

"We have to go back," Skipper answered, turning on his heels. He began walking, but stopped when Private grabbed his flipper.

"Didn't we come from that direction?" he asked, pointing towards their left.

"I- No, we came from..." the leader's voice trailed off when he lanced around. Everything looked the same! "Darn it! How the heck are we supposed to find them if we don't even know where we were running from?" Skipper kicked a rock in anger, sending it flying into the bushes. A loud "THUMP!" was heard, and immediately after that a loud howl.

"Um, Skippah, what was that?" Private hid behind his leader, shaking like a leaf.

His question was answered when a tall, wolf-like creature emerged from the vegetation. It barred its teeth, growling at them.

"RETREAT!" Skipper shouted, running as fast as his short legs could carry him, Private in tow. The creature jumped and ran after them, snapping at their heels. Private screamed in fear, trying his best to run faster.

"Private, when I tell you to, I want you to jump as high as you possibly can!" Skipper yelled. "Got it?"

"Yes, sir!"

Skipper made a sharp turn, confusing the creature for a moment. After realizing what had happened, it was quickly back to chasing the two penguins.

"Jump, Private!" Skipper shouted.

The younger penguin obeyed his leader and jumped, surprised when he was dangling about six feet off the ground. He quickly realized that Skipper had grabbed a tree branch and was attempting to climb it.

"Private, I'm gonna swing you up onto this branch, so grab it," Skipper said, his voice strained. In just a few short moments, Private was up on the tree branch. Skipper followed after him and began their ascent into the tree.

"Where could they be?" Kowalski cried out in frustration. "And why the heck did they just abandon us?"

Kowalski was currently riding on Link's shoulder, and Rico was sitting in the boy's satchel. His foot was bandaged, and Link had promised he'd get some medicine to get rid of the pain.

"Maybe because you whine so much," Link grumbled, trudging through the plant life that covered the ground. "If you don't shut up I'll abandon you, too."

"LINK!" his fairy companion chided, darting in front of his face. "You know that wouldn't be the right thing to do."

"Since when have you cared what was right and wrong?" Link shot back, shooing her away with his hand. "If I remember right, you were HELPING the Skull Kid ROB me."

The two began to bicker back and forth until Kowalski let out a loud whistle, silencing them both. They stopped and stared at him, confusion and, in Link's case, annoyance written across their faces.

"What do you want?" Link asked snappishly, brow furrowed.

"First of all, I want you to explain what the heck is going on!" Kowalski stopped, sucking in a breath before continuing. "I mean, who's this Skull Kid and why did he rob you? And what were you doing in the middle of a swamp?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Link groaned. "I'll explain everything when we find your friends. And I pray to the Goddesses that they don't talk as much as you do."

Kowalski instantly shut up, looking slightly hurt. "I can take a hint," he grumbled, crossing his flippers.

Link let out a sigh, "I'm sorry that I snapped at you. I'm just really stressed out right now. I've had a lot happen to my over the past few days and with the..." he trailed off. Kowalski thought it might be because he was reminiscencing about something. A howl interrupted his thoughts.

"That didn't sound too far-," Tatl said quietly, but was hushed by Link.

"I hear something," he whispered.

Everyone was silent, listening for anything. There was nothing but dead silence. The trees were even silent. Then they heard it; someone was yelling, and there was a rustling of leaves.

"I think that was Skipper!" Kowalski exclaimed.

"Skipper!" Rico said excitedly.

"That howl was a Wolfo," Link informed, biting his lip.

"A Wolfo?" Kowalski repeated. "Are they savage, dog-like creatures?"

"Yeah, how'd you know?" Tatl inquired curiously.

"The name is very similar to animals that we have in our world," the strategist replied, "except we call them wolves. We try to avoid them if possible."

"Same here," Link said, drawing his sword. "Now let's go help your friends."

To reviewers:

thereveiwer: Thank you! That means a lot to me. :)

OakheadLord: Same here. It makes it more interesting. And thanks!

Arandomdude345: Glad you think so. ^^ You (hopefully) won't have to wait too long to see their reactions. ;)

Norkix: I used to hate the movies and the skinda and I still don't really understand why I love them now. XD And thank you.

andromeda123: XD I'm glad you found that part funny.

Please review! Any criticism would be appreciated! ^-^