Penguins of Madagascar:

King Versus Emperor

Part 7

by Neoraichu

This story is rated 'M' for Mature Situations which will occur later on.

WARNING: This is a strange tale, so READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

...

Meanwhile, back with the Skipper, WAVE and the boys: The four penguins had finished up their morning exercises. The boys were rather impressed with WAVE's physical prowess, as she had not only done push-ups with Private on her back (more than 250 reps) and alternating on one flipper as well, she bench pressed Private, leg pressed Private (over 200 times in a row), fireman carried Private for about 3 miles (running in circles, to be more accurate. The penguin exhibit's outer area was not all that big), and finished up by juggling Private, Rico and Kowalski for about 3 minutes. Private had about the most passive work out of his life, all things told.

"Oh yeah," announced WAVE, "I felt the burn. You guys are so helpful."

"We are nothing if gentlepenguins," replied Skipper, "I drill that into my men if nothing else."

"And you've done an excellent job of that," said WAVE, "I couldn't ask for more respectable associates than these."

"Well," replied Skipper, "I do my best. But your presence demonstrates to me that I've been soft on my men. I need to push them harder to achieve greater prowess, like you."

"I hope I'm not causing trouble."

"Pish-posh, Sailor. Nothing of the sort. You've simply shown us how much better we can do. How much higher of a target that we should have always been aiming for."

"I'm glad, because I can honestly say I do like all of you very much. If I could stay any where I wanted to, I'd surely want to stay here with you."

"Well, I'm truly flattered by how highly you think of me and the men. I'm sure that's high praise from someone as well versed and trained as you."

WAVE said nothing, but did blush slightly at the Skipper's praise.

"It's about time for the pre-opening patrol, Skipper," said Kowalski.

"Thank you for the reminder, Captain Obvious," said the Skipper, "We need to retire to the lair. I'm sorry you can't come with us, Sailor, but you are aware of the situation here."

WAVE nodded as she replied, "I am, and I don't want to disrupt your routines. I'll just stand in the corner until you leave so I won't notice your secret exit."

Skipper opened the hatch and gestured as he said, "Hens first."

"Thank you," she replied quietly as she went in first.

...

Meanwhile, the conversation between King Julien and the Emperor Penguin continued. Maurice and Mort continued to stand at the King's side while the Empress stood at the Emperor's side.

"Well I am not to be caring if you are ruling Kings," sniffed Julien, "as you are not to be ruling this King. Therefore, I am not seeing a neediness to be giving of the Tribute unto you."

"You should reconsider, Lemur King," said the Emperor evenly, "I have broken much stronger and powerful Kings than you. In the long term, you'll suffer a lot less if you simply understand your place and pay the proper tribute."

"Is that being a threat that you are making at me?" asked Julien.

"Yes."

"Maurice, your King demands you are to be protecting his honors."

"That's like the biggest penguin in the world, your Majesty," replied Maurice, "I am not messing with the likes of him."

"Mort, your King demands you are to be protecting his royal feets."

"YES!" Mort answered, "I shall be protecting the royal feets!" He leaped at the Emperor and was met somewhere in mid air with a sweeping strike of his flipper. The smallish Mort was last seen heading in a high arc in the approximate direction of the Otter Habitat.

"Your men are small and weak," snarled the Emperor, "like you. One of them won't fight, and the other is gone. Unless you're willing to fight for yourself, I suggest you surrender now."

"Oh, Mort and Maurice may well be my minions," chuckled the King, "but they aren't the ones who normally fight for me."

"Oh?" he replied, "And what fool fights for you?"

"They call him... the Skipper."

"A Penguin fights for you?"

"Yes, the Skipper and their ilk are always foolishly noble... gullible... inclinated... persuadable enough to fight for me."

"No mere Adelie is a match for me. Once I've dealt with them, one way or the other, I'll come back to deal with the likes of you. It is most advisable that you have my Tribute ready if you don't want a most undignified beating."

"Yeah yeah yeah," said Julien smugly, "I'm sure that the psychotic and super-violent Skipper and his men will leave you as the one being is begging for my mercies."

"Do not hold your breath. I have never been beaten by anyone, even Leopard Seals. If this Skipper can not be reasoned with, he and his men are going down. Then you are next, Lemur King."

As the Emperor and Empress left, Julien looked nervous as he turned to Maurice and asked, "Skipper can handle them, can't he?"

"I have no idea, your Majesty. While I have a fairly good idea of what Skipper has, I have no idea what that Emperor guy has going for him."

"The Skipper had better not be failing me."

"Or what?"

"I shall be thinking of something! Maurice, be thinking of something! Your Majesty commands!"

"Whatever..."

"What?"

"Nothing..."

...

Meanwhile, the Skipper and the boys began their pre-opening patrol by stopping by the Otter Habitat. Marlene was already up and about as she was normally inclined to do.

"Good morning, Marlene," said the Skipper amiably, "anything unusual to report this morning?"

"Well, that Emperor Penguin guy stopped by and asked directions to see the Lemur King. Does that count?"

"Yes, Marlene. Yes, it does. Did he say anything about the reason he wanted this intel?"

"No, he didn't."

About then, Mort seemed to come out of no where and landed in a head-to-head collision with Marlene, leaving them both sprawled inside her habitat.

"I didn't see that coming," muttered Kowalski.

"I don't think any of us saw that coming," replied Skipper.

"Roo waba roo..." started Rico.

"Well it's a little late to claim that now," interrupted Skipper.

Private had rushed to Marlene's side as the Skipper made his way over to Mort.

"Marlene," said Private, "Are you alright? Speak to me!"

"Oh..." moaned Marlene, "What was the number of that seafood truck?"

"It wasn't a seafood truck," said Private in his earnest yet naive way, "It was Mort falling out of the sky."

"King Julien should really learn to watch where he's punting Mort," observed Kowalski.

"That doesn't make sense," said Skipper, "King Julien's kicking range is a lot greater than this. Sad-Eyes normally lands somewhere near the zoo perimeter fence."

"Must save the royal feets," muttered Mort.

"Save the royal feet from what?" asked Skipper as he shook Mort, "From what?"

"Skipper," advised Kowlaski, "He's out cold. It will be a while before he can respond."

"We better get over to the Lemur pen and quick, men! This might be a real crisis!"

"I'm sure it's just another problem that Julien created himself," muttered Kowalski.

"That's not important," replied Skipper, "Let's go!"

"I need to make sure that Marlene and Mort are alright, Skipper," said Private, "You go ahead. I'll catch up in a minute or two. Maybe a little longer if I have to take either of them to the Vet's office."

As Skipper, Kowalski and Rico belly slid away, the Skipper replied, "Fine, but no dilly-dallying. Get to the Lemur Habitat ASAP, Private."

"Understood," replied Private.