Mind Flex: Chapter 10

KILL him! I… I can't do that that's horrible! Kowalski thought. Yet his feet drove him forward.

"Walski no!" Rico struggled under Skipper's grasp.

Private backed up a bit, his fear rising by the minute. "Kowalski… Kowalski please snap out of it!"

The taller penguin swung his foot around to knock Private off balance. WHAT AM I DOING! Kowalski's mind screamed at him.

As Private hit the floor he let out a small squeal, and Skipper slightly found his mind coming into focus again. "Wh- What?" He muttered.

Rico widened his eyes. "Sorry Skipper…" He said quickly, and pushed the now slightly dazed penguin of him.

Felix hissed angrily. "Kill him NOW Kowalski, or do you want to be in pain again?"

Rico flinched as Kowalski began to tremble slightly. "St- STOP!" Rico growled, and tackled Felix abruptly.

"GET OFF OF ME CRETIN!" Felix hissed, struggling, he unsheathed his claws.

Rico screamed as Felix slashed his face. Kowalski looked to the side, and saw one of the other penguins bleeding, the penguin looked at him with a pleading face. "R- Ric-"

"KILL HIM!" Felix hissed.

Kowalski felt himself tackle the smaller penguin to the ground. "KOWALSKI STOP!" Private screamed. Kowalski slapped him.

Skipper finally came to his senses and heard Private scream. "Private?" Skipper turned an looked in horror t the scene before him. Rico was off to the side with a half bleeding face, and Kowalski was on top of Private. Who had a small cut on his cheek that was beginning to bleed, while Felix crouched in a menacing crouch.

Private's mind raced, he could barely understand what was happening anymore. He blindly punched Kowalski in the face. It was only as Kowalski landed on the floor that he realized what he had done. "Kowalski! Oh I'm so sorry…" I don't care if he hurt me… he isn't himself right now, but he still can get hurt!

Kowalski's mind was in a stand still. His thoughts scarce. The numbness returned. It was getting repetitive… constantly switching. Maybe he should just… just leave… just retur to that state where there wasn't any pain. He… he would hurt people but… it wouldn't be himself doing it so… it wouldn't be bad would it? Kowalski flinched. What was he about to say before…? He looked up slightly.

Rico gazed at Kowalski soulfully. "Walski...?" Rico asked sadly.

"Ric-o… Rico…" Kowalski whispered to himself, "that's what his name is…." Kowalski's head ached. And that younger penguin… he is… Private? … Private, Rico, Skipper…Why were they all so familiar?

Skipper eyed Felix angrily. "FELIX!"

The cat growled slightly at him. "Shut up and sit down!"

Skipper felt a pain but forced himself to push it away. "No! Fight me!" The cat looked taken by surprise.

"Excuse me?" He hissed. Private's breathing was shallow as he gazed at Felix.

Skipper narrowed his eyes. "Fight me. Without using your powers." Skipper took a deep breath. "To the death."

Private gasped in horror. "Skippa? What are you thinking?" WHAT IF HE LOSES? He'll be DEAD!

Kowalski slowly got up in a sitting position. What was going on now?

Skipper looked deeply into Kowalski's eyes. A sickly clear blue. He was barely holding on. He probably didn't have long.

Why is he looking at me like he's torn? Wait… did he say to the death before? He wouldn't… he wouldn't fight to the death for me and Private and Rico would he? Kowalski thought, would he?

"If you are dead. Kowalski will recover… am I correct?" Skipper asked.

Felix paused to think. "I never thought of that… but yes. The effects will probably go away."

"Then if I win." Skipper replied. "Kowalski will get better, and we will be rid of you."

But if he dies… then what will happen? What is he thinking? Kowalski thought.

Felix paced for a minute. "You're challenging ME? Don't you think that's a bit abrupt in the middle of all this?" He smiled, "And that if you die, I won't have to keep my promise anymore. I can hurt them as much as I please"

Rico growled softly, and Private trembled.

"You wouldn't want to lose your team would you? Leave them unprotected? Alone?" Felix said.

Skipper narrowed his eyes, "If I have to be brainwashed for the rest of my life then they would be alone anyway. Now I have a chance to save them."

Felix smiled again, and scraped his claws against the soft grass.

Kowalski's mind began to race. I know that Skipper told me to forget… Kowalski thought, but… I think… I should try and remember… these three penguins… Skipper, Private, and Rico… they must be very important to me… I have to remember… one of them is about to risk his life for me and the other two's safety… I… I can't let him die without me… knowing him… or at least… thanking him…

"I know it's a big reward, but if you lose… then you die… and I… you can't… Me and the team… even Kowalski… if he was well right now… we couldn't take it if you… were killed…" Private tried to reason with Skipper. He was obviously heart-broken.

Skipper got a determined look on his face. "Well then" He said flatly, "Losing isn't an option."