DISCLAIMER: Penguins of Madagascar and all original storyline characters are the property of Nickelodeon and the respective creative talents of the show. The creation of this fan fiction is for enjoyment purposes only and no money is being made. All characters of my own creation remain my property and may not be copied or used without permission.
Once More unto the Breech
Chapter 4
By
Wildgoose
(Inside of the tent behind the eating area in the park the animals continue to make preparations before going on with the annual Halloween show. Steve has begun coordinating with Jr. as far as getting each animal into the proper starting position and going over last minute details and questions. In the background as Jr. comes walking towards Yoshi Steve can be heard reminding those who are designated as child actors in costume to make sure that they have their translators mounted on head and hidden in fur or feathers just in case they are approached after the show before making their retreat backstage due to the fact that attempts to speak to the "child actors" has become more frequent over the years even though there are always statements that there is no "parental permission" for them to do so.)
Yoshi: (As Jr. comes past Yoshi steps out of line to talk to him) Hey Jr., have you had any luck with that lamp yet?
Jr.: With everything that's going on right now that's what you're worried about? (Yoshi shrugs. A moment later Jr. pulls her even further aside away from the others.) Whatever that thing is, it's not made of crystal or glass. It's not even on the periodic table; I don't know WHAT it's made of.
Yoshi: Okay, …wow that's interesting.
Jr.: I think my words would have been "that's weird".
Yoshi: Not so much considering it came from a dead alien. Did you find out anything else?
Jr.: (looks down at the ring on Yoshi's finger) Well, the crystal in that ring is glowing a little bit, …we should probably be a little concerned about that.
Yoshi: Yea, it's been doing that for the past day but nothing bad has happened. I guess we just need to keep an eye on it. Anything else?
Jr.: Alrighty then as long you don't explode or anything then let's just wait and see. (Smirks briefly but Yoshi doesn't smile) Okay… um, it's some type of reserved energy source, kind of like a battery.
Yoshi: So we should expect the energizer bunny® to still keep on going and going?
Jr.: I think if you tried to hook that bunny up to that lamp it would either leave fire trails as it tore off into the sunset or it would just explode with tremendous force. Whatever kind of energy source that is, it's holding onto a massive amount of it the likes of which I've never seen. It's definitely not electricity, it's not plasma, it's not radioactive, …I just don't know but it's powerful. I'd be really careful with that thing if I were you. I certainly wouldn't keep wearing that ring all things considered.
Yoshi: I know what you mean, but I can't shake the feeling that the thing WANTS me to wear it.
Jr.: (skeptical, scoff) …The ring wants you to wear it? (Pause) That doesn't seem strange to you at all.
Yoshi: Extremely, but like I said nothing bad has happened so far. (Sighs) Anyway thanks Jr., it's not the reassuring news that I was looking for but at least its information. Keep working if you can. (Pause) Thanks again Jr. (Jr. nods and walks on as Yoshi gets back into position. It's not long before Jr. while working with a tablet mid stride bumps into a young otter knocking him to the ground.)
Jr.: (Reels back a step and then looks around to see who or what he just bumped into. The young otter gets up off the ground.) Oh hey I'm sorry, I should look where I'm going I guess. (The otter doesn't say anything.) You're Hannibal's kid aren't you? Wow, you grew fast! (The otter just smiles) Um… Caesar isn't it? (The little otter nods) Let me guess, …you're emulating Mrs. Kitsune aren't you? (The little otter smiles) Well, …carry on then. (the little otter walks past) (Sigh) I wonder how long THAT phase is going to last. I guess that's better than swinging swords around though. (Jr. continues on about his way)
(The scene changes to a small regional airport hangar outside of the city somewhere where Skipper and crew along with the members of blue squadron are busy performing checks on a one third scale mh-53 and loading any equipment that might be needed for the nights show in central park. Skipper puts his flipper to his ear as he listens to Rico check in through the Bluetooth communicator while on perimeter lookout)
Rico: (comm) (grunts) Perimeter all clear.
Skipper: (comm) Excellent, let's hope it stays quiet. Keep a sharp eye Rico, Skipper out. (Takes his flipper away from his ear)
Digger: (Comes waddling past with some rope) What trouble could you possibly be waiting for in upstate New York? Except for the occasional bear, ..and they just want the bloody trashcans.
Skipper: You never know what dark and sinister forces are going to be hiding in the shadows. Blowhole could come back from the dead; Hans could have another change of heart.
Private: (comes out of the back of the helicopter) I thought he was happy in Maine with his family. He's got three kids, …that are alive. He's not going to have a change of heart on us.
Skipper: It could be the Red Squirrel then!
Kowalski: Um, sorry to be the bearer of good news Skipper but If memory serves he's roasting marshmallows in hell with Dr. Blowhole, Your son sent him there remember?
Skipper: Then the Rat King!
Kowalski: (Shakes his head) No good, he's on Kitsune's payroll since that whole movie theater fiasco before you and Marlene got married. She's threatened to break his knees off and feed them to him if he ever crossed her. On the flipside however I hear she pays quite well in cheese.
Skipper: (frustrated) Space squid?
Private: (shakes his head) That robot lemur took care of it, Lemy I think it was called.
Skipper: (disappointed) Officer X?
Rico: (comm) Laughed out of the security business altogether. I heard he was working at a Friday's® restaurant somewhere.
Skipper: (taps his earpiece) I thought I closed that channel. Anyway, what about Frankie the pigeon? He may decide to attempt to drop a load on the commissioner's suite again. Blueberries aren't the worst thing he could ingest beforehand you know! He could ingest napalm and poop fire on the commissioner's attire for God's sake.
Private: No good I'm afraid, he was caught and eaten by moon cat just this past summer. Don't you remember?
Skipper: (Surprised) Really, that cat actually caught something? (Pause) Isn't there ANYBODY else?
Kowalski: I'm afraid we've quite simply taken care of business, …now we're obsolete.
Skipper: NEVER! There will always be evil to rise up against; when Mother Nature rears her head and tosses a baby bird out of a nest we'll be there to catch the little guy. You see, we still have our uses.
Private: Yes Skipper, but I don't think that counts as combating evil. That's just life happening, …poop happens.
Mel: (Comes waddling out of the back of the helicopter) At least WE'RE still useful, there's always a need for search and rescue. Humans suffer from such a complete lack of common sense that they're always getting themselves into a perilous jam of one sort or another…And don't even think about trying to get in on our action mate, search and rescue is OUR bag.
Skipper: We are NOT obsolete, …case closed. We will remain ever vigilant as we always have ready to face the bad guys in whatever form they may come. (A mottled black and blue penguin comes waddling over from elsewhere in the hangar)
Penguin: Dad, …can I get some water?
Private: Of course Arby, you don't need to ask. (Waddles off with Arby to find a drink)
Skipper: What's become of us!? (Hesitant pause as his eye starts twitching) We… we're not soldiers anymore, …we're PARENTS! My God it's true, …we ARE obsolete! We've drifted into the obsolescence of parenthood. (Pause) Should I have a rocking chair or something, maybe start calling everybody sonny? (looks around nervously) Kowalski, report on the old fart scenario!
Babs: (waddles out the back of the helicopter) You're being overdramatic, nobody is obsolete. Soldier, parent, both are full time jobs filled with adventure and peril and feather ripping aggravation over being told something as simple as no. At least you're kids are grown; the worst part is over for you. You get to sit back and watch them get theirs as they pair off thinking that they already know everything.
Kowalski: Looking forward to that yourself are you?
Babs: You bet your bum! I'm going to keep track of every time I get to tell my kid I told you so too. (Mel and Toby look back and forth at each other.)
Mel: You know not all of us are over the hill parents you know.
Digger: Speak for yourself, I watched my kid get picked off back in Tasmania by some large sea bird as a chick on his way to the ocean for the first time. I was never so glad to leave that place in my life; you don't have to worry about that sort of thing around here. (Everybody remains silent for a moment) What, I don't like to talk about it alright!?
Mel: (clears his throat) Okay, so Toby and I are the only ones who haven't gone over the hill yet.
Babs: I think the point we're all so eloquently trying to make here is that just because you've taken natures crash course in one way or another doesn't mean that you're old…OR useless. So stop worrying, you guys have always been the mission impossible types and there's always going to be room for you somewhere.
Private: Um, ..I hate to interrupt this moment of revelation but I'm afraid the hour is getting late. We should be in the air soon I think. (Pause) Or at least that's the jist of what I'm getting from Nicketti over there. (Gestures over to Nicketti who is tapping her watch)
Digger: Right then, final checks people. Is everything we need loaded up and ready to go?
Kowalski: My tech is all set up, I can monitor every system that Jr. has set up on the ground and transmit observations from the air as well initiate any actions if necessary.
Rico: (approaches from his perimeter patrol and grunts) MLRS is up and ready to take care of business if Julian acts up. Heidi has already set the tranquilizer doses so we're good to go.
Mel: Fast ropes are hooked up and ready to deploy, aircraft systems are all primed and ready to go.
Babs: Flight controls check out, walk around is complete.
Toby: We set up a station in the rear of the aircraft for Nicketii so she can monitor operations firsthand but it's going to be a tight squeeze, she'll have to sit on her bum with her legs crossed the whole time. (Pause) Or we can have the back hatch open inflight and she can let her legs hang out.
Digger: I'm sure that would look interesting to the people on the ground with half a human hanging out of our bird.
Babs: Why is she coming with us again? She's never come before.
Digger: She's never had a chance to go on a mission with us. (Looks at Skipper) After your zookeeper's trek into the unknown with you guys that last time I think she's feeling a little jealous.
Skipper: Hey it's not my fault he got to be head of state for a week; there was nobody else to do the job. I certainly didn't want it; I'm a penguin of action not politics.
Mel: What I don't get is why did the zookeeper blow the bad guy's head off instead of just arresting him and throwing away the key.
Skipper: Something about history repeating itself. The ideas that guy had about controlling who would get to procreate, genetic superiority, and the guy's name.
Babs: I'm still lost.
Skipper: Apparently the name Schicklgreuber has an obscure reference to something called the holocaust. I don't know,… I haven't had a chance to look it up.
Toby: Sounds fairly horrible. (Pause) Alright then, let's get ourselves into the air. (The group turns quietly to board the helicopter.)
(The scene changes to within the tents backstage at Central Park. The animals have all taken their positions as they prepare to go on with the show. Ming stands in front looking the part of a nervous wreck. Before long Marlene comes walking forward to check on her placing a paw on her shoulder.)
Marlene: Stop worrying so much, you'll be just fine. I've seen you practicing before, you've got everything down okay.
Ming: I can't help being nervous mom; I've never gone out in public like this. I barely go out of the zoo.
Marlene: Expanding your horizons is all a part of growing up, you can't be afraid of everything forever. This will be a good way for you to face your fears.
Ming: What if I screw up?
Marlene: Its part of learning, you pick yourself up and move on. None of us are perfect, we'll survive whatever happens.
Ming: Do you have any suggestions that might make me feel less nervous?
Marlene: Like we discussed earlier honey, pretend the audience isn't there and if you make a mistake then do your best to improvise. We'll make do.
Ming: (sighs nervously) I think I can do that. (Marlene pats Ming's cheek with her paw and then walks back to her place. Jr. who has been running checks on his virtual equipment speaks into the com transmitting to everybody via the virtual translator created by Kowalski.)
Jr.:comOkay people it looks like we're good to go. (He brings both monocles over his eyes and puts on the control gloves as he stands before his console. He turns to Mike who has done the same thing as he prepares to control the musical portion of the show.) Mike, give me a go or no go.
Mike:comVirtual DJ is a go, let's do this. (Pause) You know this is the most sophisticated that we've ever made this show; I hope that we won't have to try and top it next year.
Jr.: No worries, we'll probably tone it down a bit. (Pause) Okay, sit-rep from blue squadron has them inbound crossing the perimeter of the city. They're on course and schedule. (Begins to work his controls) Cue lighting drop to fifteen percent, fog machines engaged. Special effects are at hot standby. (Looks to Mike) Cue opening music…
Mike: (Chuckles as he works his controls) I feel so professional. (The music begins to emanate from the hidden speakers outside but it is not the song that has been cued. What begins to play is "Erik the Awful" by Ray Stevens.
Jr.: What the heck is THAT!? Mike what are you doing?
Mike: it's not me man, I cued up "Thriller" just like we planned. (Works at his controls) My controls are frozen over here, what's going on?
Jr.: (grumbles) Stand by… (He works his console feverishly as calls come over the com from the other animals asking if they should still go out.) Everybody hold your positions while I figure this out.
Mike: What's the scoop over there?
Jr.: The unbelievable that's what, I can NOT believe somebody actually did this to ME!
Mike: What?
Jr.: The system has been hacked from an outside source. (Grumbles) You've got to be kidding me. (Jr. contacts blue squadron and puts them on hold for a few minutes)
(Cut to the MH-53 now turning into an orbit around the city.)
Kowalski: You've got to be KIDDING, how is that even possible!? Jr. is the biggest egghead there is, how could somebody have possibly broken through his encryption?
Skipper: Kowalski are you actually ADMITTING that your son is smarter than you?
Kowalski: YES, yes, I admit it! Rub it in if you want but the fact of the matter is that I'm proud of him for it. I was jealous for the longest time and it's been quite the experience coming to terms with it but ultimately it's the goal of every parent to improve upon himself. So to me he's Kowalski 2.0, an upgrade from the original.
Skipper: Way to grapple with your inner demons Kowalski, you can fill me in on your inner torment later. In the meantime how about some options?
Kowalski: (taps the com on the side of his head) Jr., do you have any idea who the intruder is?
Jr.: I don't think they want to remain anonymous so I have a feeling that the song is a clue to the intruder's identity. In fact I think I know who it is; I just need to confirm it. I'm using the cameras to scan the audience now.
Kowalski: Switch to the theta band on your transceiver so you can counter the attack undetected. Then attempt to triangulate the origin of the signal using low RF feedback from the speakers to confirm the numbers.
Jr.: (smirks) A counter sneak attack!? (Chuckles) I've never seen you take the offensive like this dad. I like it!
Kowalski: You ain't seen nothin' yet boy. (Looks to Mel) Put me through to Heidi back at HQ. (A moment later Mel gestures to Kowalski that he's on) Heidi, select alternate targeting sequence and stand by for coordinates.
Heidi:comWe're not after Julian anymore?
Kowalski: Nope, the games afoot I'm afraid.
Private: Kowalski?
Kowalski: (Smirks) Nobody messes with my kid, ...except me that is. (Over the com) How's it coming Jr.?
Jr.: I've got a fix on the signal and my suspicions are confirmed. It's Erica from my online class at MIT. I've got her on camera now.
Kowalski: How could she have gotten past your encryption?
Jr.: She about the only one I know who could have, in terms of brain pans she's about the closest thing to being my equal there is. She's also got a really bad itch for me; she's been trying to meet up with me for the past year. She must be trying to force my hand so I'll finally go out with her.
Kowalski: She's never seen you though.
Jr.: No, I use a virtual human avatar during classes and chats. It's coordinated to my body when I sit in front of the computer so it makes every motion that I do but it looks completely human.
Skipper: (monitoring the com) Boy is THAT girl in for a surprise.
Jr.: So what's your plan dad?
Kowalski: Send me the coordinates and I'll take care of things from here. You fry her equipment and terminate the hack. Let me know when you're ready.
Jr.: One Kowalski Jr. special coming up. (Chuckles as he sends data to Kowalski) I've been looking forward to father son time like this for YEARS.
Kowalski:comHeidi stand by to receive coordinates. (Gestures to Mel who sends the transmission.) Advise when ready. (A moment later Heidi responds) Skipper, if you would do the honors.
Skipper: The pleasure is mine Kowalski. (Taps the com) Heidi, …engage the target. (The scene snaps to the zoo as a set of bushes along the inside of the zoo wall parts along a track revealing a set of vertical launch tubes. A moment later a sound similar to a huge bottle rocket is heard as a projectile rushes from the tube and into the sky arcing over the city. Mel switches one of his screens to show the camera telemetry from the projectile as it closes on the target. At an altitude of about five hundred feet the projectile case peels away and five syringe type projectiles separate and guide independently. A camera view from each projectile can be seen on Mel's screen as they close on the target.
Kowalski:comDo your thing Jr. (The scene snaps to a woman sitting in the audience with a laptop. A penguin version of Jolly Roger appears on her screen and begins to laugh slowly and deeply a moment before her equipment begins to spark and smoke before shutting down completely. A moment later the whistle of several objects is heard as the woman is hit in the back with five separate syringes knocking her unconscious instantly before she could fall out of her chair.)
Jr.:comThe hack has been terminated, we have control again. I'll wait for this song to finish and then advise. (Sighs) We need to let people know what just happened. (Looks behind him and calls over) Ming! (She steps out of line and approaches) Let the zookeeper know that I'm going to make an audio announcement apologizing for the delay.
Ming: Did I hear you say that you used an avatar to talk to humans?
Jr.: Eavesdropping?
Ming: (looks ashamed) Sorry…
Jr.: I did say that but I don't have that equipment with me.
Ming: I…I can do it.
Jr.: You!?
Ming: I need the practice, in more ways than one. (Fidgets for a moment) I think I can do it.
Jr.: Are we talking one of your illusions? (Ming nods) The show hasn't started yet; I won't be able to explain it away.
Ming: (gulps) I can do this.
Jr.: (Sighs) Okay, give me a moment to prepare the statement. (Ten minutes later Ming walks to the edge of the tent and mentally prepares herself to stand in front of a crowd. A moment later she walks out into the performance area. From the perspective of the audience a twenty something woman about five and a half feet tall with short jet black hair parted neatly, black button down shirt with white collar and black pants complimented with a pink choker around her neck is seen walking before them.)
Ming: (gulps as she looks about) Ladies and gentleman, we apologize for the delay. We were experiencing some technical difficulties and will be ready to begin shortly. (Ming walks back to the tent and breathes nervously once inside) I did it. (The scene snaps to the other side of the tent where Steve stands next to Kitsune and family.)
Steve: Do we have a new cast member from the theater or something? I've never seen that girl before. (Kitsune shrugs and a moment later the scene snaps to inside the tent where Ming is panting nervously with a weak smile on her face.)
Ming: I…I think I did it. (She walks closer to Jr. who is standing with his monocles up and an awestruck look on his face.)
Jr.: That…was…COOL! (Pause) Will that show up on camera or can just people see it? (He puts his monocles down and begins to sort through the footage from the outside cameras.) INCREDIBLE!
Ming: What?
Jr.: You're not creating hallucinations; they're actual photo-kinetic manifestations. (Ming stares blankly) You manipulated the surrounding light to create a holographic image. That's just…EPIC! The only thing that gives you away is that on camera you have a blue halo outlining the image. (Pause) How do you feel?
Ming: (Still panting slightly, smiles) Like I've accomplished something.
Jr.: Do you feel a little better about going out there tonight?
Ming: I think so, but I'm still going to pretend the audience isn't there.
Jr.: Whatever works for you, now let's get this show on the road. (Taps his earpiece) Blue squadron you have a green light, resume your approach. (Smirks at Ming) Alright then, …let's dance. (Scene snaps to the helicopter)
Private: There's one thing I'm wondering Kowalski, after the projectiles separated what happened to the outer casing?
Kowalski: No need to fear Private, I'm sure it landed safely in a field somewhere harmless to anyone. (The scene snaps to a Lamborghini elsewhere in the city that has had its roof caved in.)
Man: (staring at the crushed vehicle while blubbering uncontrollably) ….My car!
(The scene snaps back to the park where the lights have again dimmed and the fog machines have become active creating a spooky environment around the patrons who are finishing their meals. Moments later numerous small bodies appear in distant shadows as "Thriller" by Michael Jackson cues up. They walk awkwardly outward towards the audience as if they were undead until the song actually gets past the opening sound effects at which point they form up with Ming out in front and begin their choreography following the original dance moves by the artist as closely as possible. About twenty seconds into the song a whistling bottle rocket like sound is heard just before Julian is hit like a dartboard with multiple projectiles prompting him to make an awkward face with tongue hanging out just before he falls flat on his face unconscious. The scene snaps to inside the helicopter as everyone looks to Kowalski with surprise.)
Kowalski: What, we would have had to do it sooner or later anyway so I saved ourselves the trouble. (The others exchange glances)
Private: I guess that makes sense.
Rico: (grunts) Works for me.
Skipper: Nice foresight, Kowalski!
Kowalski: (Smug) No thanks necessary, I'm just doing my part.
Skipper: Thanks, who's thanking? (Chuckles) We're just glad that you did something right the first time around for a change.
Kowalski: (Insulted) Excuse me!? When have I ever NOT been right the first time?
Private: (Muffled) The time space device.
Rico: (grunts) That genetic amplifier that created that green monster.
Kowalski: You guys just can't resist bringing THAT guy up every time now can you? (sigh) Anything ELSE?
Skipper/Rico/Private: Giggles.
Kowalski: (groans) Alright, ALRIGHT…so I'm not perfect. Sue me why don't you.
Skipper: Interesting idea Kowalski, got any options?
Kowalski: Seriously? You want options from me on how to sue me?
Skipper: You're my options guy aren't you? Who would know better on how to take advantage of you than YOU? (Kowalski rolls his eyes)
Kowalski: (groans) Moving on….
Skipper: Speaking of motion, where are we at Toby?
Toby: (Calls back from the co-pilot seat) Settling into an orbit over the park now. We're good to go when our cue come up. We'll descend over the audience long enough to stir things up with the prop wash and get everybody's attention and then you guys fast rope down so that we can fall back to a safe distance.
Skipper: Outstanding!
(The scene snaps to the ground where the music has ended and the animals have ceased their choreography and begin to invade the participating audience by attempting to terrorize them. Examples would be jumping onto the tables and causing a variety of mischief, growling at people as if rabid, stealing wigs from people and pretending as if it were a past relative. At one point the female penguins as a group carried a ten year old from his seat placed him on the ground and began to act as if they were going to sacrifice him by making paper logs from napkins and stacking them around him. While the boy found it amusing the parents were shocked but went along with the act. Others while jumping from table to table would pick at peoples leftovers and at one point when resistance was encountered Maurice through the use of the translator coveted a piece of cantaloupe and hissed "my precious" before dodging away. A group of the other animals pursued a group of children around acting as if they wanted to eat the kids calling after them again through the translators that they "just wanted a taste" or that "one just wasn't enough". While this is all going on Jr. has been keeping up on things with lighting and sound effect changes such as the occasional flash of lighting and clap of thunder visible through the artificial fog. After the performance has gone on for about ten minutes music is again cued up playing "Savin' the Day" by Alessi shortly after which everything becomes a light gale as a helicopter swoops in over them pausing briefly to allow a group of penguins and an otter to fast rope down into the thick of things forming up into a defensive posture on a table top before a smiling group of people. A variety of other music is played during the performance to establish mood. The animals that had been terrorizing everyone pause at seeing this and then turn to Ming waiting for her part. Ming freezes in fright for a moment as she becomes the center of attention with a black light on her as a sort of spooky spotlight causing the white portions of her fur to appear to glow. As she trembles a bit Jr.'s voice comes over her com piece.)
Jr.: Ming, …you're up. (Pause with no response) Ming, we talked about this. You can do it, we talked about improvising. Go with that if you need to; show me what you can do.
Ming:ComOkay, you asked for it. (Gulps) Here goes nothing. (Deep breath as she closes her eyes for a moment and then opens them again. When she does a field of flames erupts all around the eating area with gasps and a few yelps come from the participating audience. Further yelps come from them when all of the tables and chairs with people in them suddenly lift off of the ground and slowly rise to about six feet in the air and begin to move in a slow figure 8 motion around the entire dining area. The scene snaps to Skipper and crew.)
Skipper: (surprise) Kowalski?
Kowalski: Um yea, you can't look at me on this one Skipper; these modifications were not my doing.
Skipper: Really? (Pause) I think we're going to have to have a little chat with your son about keeping us in the loop about changes to the program. (Pause) You've got to hand it to the kid though. (The scene snaps to Steve and family near the tent.)
Steve: Holy crap, this wasn't part of the plan! We've got to get everybody out of here before this turns into a catastrophe! (Kitsune grabs his wrist to get his attention and squeezes) WHAT!? (Kitsune sniffs the air and then looks at Steve. Steve looks at her for a moment and then sniffs the air himself, then sniffs again.) There's no smoke. (Pause as he steps closer to the flames and passes his hand through them.) There's no heat. (Pause) It's an illusion? (Muffles in relief) My hat's off to the Kowalski's on the effects but I'm going to plant by boot in their feathery butts for not keeping me informed. (The scene snaps to the performance area where Ming and all of the animals stand amidst the flames. Ming cues her translator so that the audience will be able to hear her and begins to pick her lines up where she was supposed to albeit with improvisation.)
Ming: (points at Skipper and crew) It is all hallows eve, the day of our rising. You have no power here, (points at the people) these souls are ours to feed upon! (Points at Skipper and crew) Now so are yours!
Skipper: Sorry, but our souls will give you gas and our butts belong to our mates so I guess there's nothing else for you here but to go back to hell where you belong. Allow us to hasten your departure. (The group draws weapons from somewhere on their person and brandishes them. Ming responds by drawing a pair of tessen still compact and gestures to Hannibal)
Ming: Feast upon the souls of all but this one for he shall be my prize. (Hannibal looks slightly confused and looks to Skipper)
Hannibal: (Covers his mic) Was she supposed to single me out? I don't remember that part in rehearsal.
Skipper: No but go with it anyway, it sounds like it could be interesting to see sibling rivalry in action. (Hannibal shrugs and then looks at Ming and takes an aggressive posture. Ming responds by deploying her tessen slowly with tongues of flame trailing from the edges. Hannibal is even more surprised to notice that Ming's eyes have taken on a dim flickering glow.)
Hannibal: Whoa, this DEFINITELY wasn't in rehearsal. (From his position backstage Jr. watches on his monitors)
Jr.: (Into the com) You may want tone it down Ming, you look like you're getting into the part a little too deeply.
Ming: (to the others) GET THEM! (The other animals look at each other in surprise of so much improve, then rush Skipper's group in force with Skipper and crew responding in kind. The result is a complete melee of clashing bodies with the good guys being badly outnumbered but appearing to hold their own as they leap over the undead characters via shoulder and head dispatching some as they go. From Hannibal's POV Ming appears out of the chaos and swipes at him with her weapons prompting him to dodge. As they engage in faux combat exchanging blow for counter blow while running and leaping over animals, humans, and eventually leaping up to one of the tables as they continue to engage each other in a fairly even match thus far.)
Hannibal: (taps his mic to turn it off) So do you want to clue me in on the script change or what?
Ming: Sorry, Jr. told me that if I thought I was going to choke that I should improvise.
Hannibal: You're doing a heck of a job, one question though. What's with the eyes?
Ming: (surprise) What about them? (As her concentration breaks for a moment a yelp comes from the human participants as everything suddenly drops until Ming catches them again and they rise to their previous height.)
Hannibal: Did…did you just do that? (Ming shy's away for a moment prompting Hannibal to sigh) We'll talk about this later, …a LOT is my feeling on the subject. (Pause) So what now?
Ming: (Relieved that her brother didn't freak out on the spot) (smirks) You're supposed to be the hero, come and get me. (At this she runs to the edge of the table and leaps off in a spiraling dive towards the next table with tessen outstretched trailing flame as she spun. She rights herself just before touch down and lands facing Hannibal with a short backward skid across the table cloth. Hannibal marvels at this and dives after her with a simple somersault and lands near Ming where they then resume faux combat while leaping from table to table above everyone else. The blue's helicopter while keeping to the original script returns to make a swift pass while firing fifty caliber blanks into the fight to give the effect of an all-out battle. They return twice more before the production has concluded. As Ming and Hannibal do their thing, the ground below them is strewn with those undead characters that have since been dispatched while the battle rages on between Skippers crew and those who remain with the undead character losing ground as the fight continues.)
Skipper: (coming to the aid of Private who has an undead character about to bite into him.) Look alive soldier, the bad guys aren't going to dispatch themselves. (Faux Drop kicks the character off of Private and then spins Private about to act as a bat against the character to knock it down again.)
Private: I'm trying to look as live as possible sir, staying that way seems to be more of a challenge than in rehearsal.
Skipper: Complain, complain, tell me something new why don't you. (They are suddenly confronted my Marlene who is doing a fairly good job of playing her part.)
Private: Um, …I think I'll stay out of this one and go help Kowalski if you don't mind.
Skipper: Try not to get eaten again on your way over. (Private departs leaving Marlene standing before Skipper letting loose a low series of growls) Aren't you going to come at me with something scary? "Brains" perhaps?
Marlene: (husk voice) Need to have some first, you're diet food.
Skipper: So it's to be an undead lover's quarrel is it? Don't forget to drop a limb on the floor or something.
Marlene: (Husk voice) No brains, no limbs, …(smirks) gonna eat your heart out instead.
Skipper: …And here I'd though that you'd already stolen it. (Pause) Come get some! (Marlene tackles him and they begin to wrestle about on the ground. (The scene snaps to Kowalski and Rico as Kowalski dumps tennis balls down Rico's throat and then grabs him up like a weapon shooting from the hip while Rico regurgitates the balls at the attacking undead characters.)
Kowalski: Keep firing Rico, we're going to win this day yet. (In the background Private succumbs to the undead)
Private: (as he is tackled) Kowalski!
Rico: (Looks over at Private)(Grunts) There goes Private!
Kowalski: Acceptable losses, if you want to make an omelet you have to break a few eggs.
Rico: (Grunts) I'm going to miss the worrywart though.
Kowalski: Very touching Rico, you can tell him that when he comes after your soul. (Some time later as the battle is drawing to a close, most of the undead characters have fallen with only a handful left who are now beating a slow retreat to the shadows from where they originated. Marlene and Skipper continue to tussle on the ground while Ming and Hannibal are still at it moving from airborne table to table. In the background "The Touch" by Stan Busch begins to play from the hidden speakers. Shortly after Ming allows Hannibal to strike what looks like a crippling blow after which she somersaults to the ground and acts gravely wounded while retreating towards the others in the shadows. Hannibal pursues keeping a slow pace.)
Ming: All Hallows Eve falls to you mortal, when the planets align again we shall return anew. The cycle can never be broken; the earth shall fall to us. (As Ming retreats into the shadows the imaginary flames retreat with her and the tables and chairs with people still in them descend to the ground.
Hannibal: (looks about as an uproar of clapping comes from the crowds.) I SO look forward to hearing about THIS. (As the characters rise from the ground, they face the crowds and bow. Hannibal walks over to where Marlene and Skipper are still lying on the ground) Hey mom, dad, the shows over. You can get up now.
Marlene: (Sighs) Son, can't you see we're a little busy here?
Hannibal: Yea I noticed that but with all due respect can you guys get your freak on somewhere else?
Skipper: (gets up with Marlene) Some people just have no respect for nature at its finest. (They begin to head backstage with the others. Once back in the tent there is much conversation amongst the animals about their performances with the exception of Julian who is still out cold. Yoshi approaches Jr. who is still working his equipment and keeping an eye on things with the cameras as he shuts down the outside equipment.)
Yoshi: So how did everything go?
Jr.: Aside from those glitches at the start everything went well. Although the zookeeper is catching some heat from the fire department about the pyrotechnics display. I think he's having a hard time convincing them that the whole thing was a hologram. I'm sure representatives from the various unions will want a chat with him because they were not involved with any of the technological aspects of the show.
Yoshi: Does it look like he has it handled?
Jr.: Yea, but he's likely going to be a bit steamed later because of it. I'd steer clear of him for a while until he vents.
Yoshi: Sounds good, listen unless you need anything I'm going to head back to the habitat to unwind. Acting like some undead thing has got me wound up a bit.
Jr.: You're going to walk back by yourself, It's a bit of a walk from here don't you think?
Yoshi: We've ventured out this far before, it's no big deal. I should be home in about twenty minutes.
Jr.: (Sighs) Okay, I guess I'll let the zookeeper know for you. (They bump fists and part ways) Now where is Ming? We need to have a little chat about overdoing things a bit.
(The scene snaps to the park where the moon is shining brightly down on the fallen leaves and browning grass as Yoshi finds her way back to the zoo. She pauses by the lake to take a drink when while raising water to her mouth she notices that the ring is glowing brighter than on previous occasions.)
Yoshi: Alright, now what's THIS about? (She studied the ring for a moment when suddenly there is a surge of green energy that envelopes her and pulses while gaining intensity. Yoshi in a panic tried to remove the ring with no success.) Come on you stupid piece of junk budge! (Still enveloped in the field of energy, Yoshi is lifted off the ground and whisked away rising into the sky.) Oh crap, …OH CRAP! (A moment later she has disappeared from view)
Chapter five coming soon….