Welcome to the fourth chapter! As usual, my symbol rules apply. Let's go back to the story now.

CHAPTER 4 – Reading And Fighting

(P to Marlene, as usual, in one month) "Mom, this is hard," Annabelle said to me. "Yeah Mom, why are we learning to read?" Samuel asked me. I sighed. "Well, it's important. By learning to read, a world of possibilities is opened to you. You'll be able to understand what those signs mean outside our homes, not to mention other things," I said.

"What other things?" Annabelle asked me. "Well, you'll be able to learn how to use the computer once you learn to read. You'll also be able to learn more from books about being an Otter and a Penguin," I answered.

"But, Mom, you've said we're Pengotters. I'm still confused as to how we're possible, since you're a mammal and Dad is a bird," Samuel said. * "As much as I'd like to tell you, that information is still classified," I said. Annabelle sighed. "Must you do that all the time? Why keep secrets from us?" she asked.

I took a moment to think. "Well, kids, some things are still private between me and your father. Parents always have secrets. I learned that at a young age, too. Besides, how do I know if you have any secrets too?" I asked them. "We're three months old, Mom. There's still not much we can do yet," Samuel said. "I guess that's true. So let's resume today's lesson, shall we?" I asked. Both of them nodded.

After a few hours, they finally seemed to be getting the hang of reading after so many days. "Now will you sing your ABC's for me please?" I asked at the end of the lesson. Both of them sang it proudly, knowing they finally mastered reading.

"Very good children. Now let's go show your father," I said. The three of us climbed up the ladder where we found Skipper and the guys training. "Hi Dad," Annabelle and Samuel said to Skipper. "Good afternoon kids," Skipper said, hugging them. "We have a surprise for you Dad," Samuel said. "Oh? What is that?" Skipper asked. "This," Annabelle said, before the two of them sang their ABC's to him.

"Wow. How long did it take you to learn all of them?" Skipper asked after they finished. "Thanks to Mom, it only took a few days," Samuel said. The other guys jumped out of the water. "A few days? It took me weeks," Kowalski said. "Another win for a strange crossbreed," Annabelle said, high pawing Samuel. We all laughed.

"Now it's time to train you two," Skipper said. The other guys disappeared down the hatch. "What are we training for Dad? Is it academic, like reading?" Samuel asked. "It's more fun and useful in a pinch. We're going to train you to defend yourselves if you are attacked," Skipper answered. "Who would attack two little, innocent Pengotters?" Annabelle asked us. "We have many enemies, many of whom would try to use any of us to defeat us," I answered.

"Like who?" both of the kids asked, wide-eyed. I looked at Skipper for approval and he nodded. "Well, there's Officer X, Hans, Savio, the Rat King, The Red Squirrel, Clemson, Rhonda, Parker, the Space Squids, and one that I'll let your father explain to you," I said, passing it on to Skipper.

"The worst villain of them all is Dr. Blowhole. He was and still is my arch-nemesis. Since I've met him, we've all helped to defeat his plots. It all started when I foiled his plan to blow up the sun. Every time since then, he's tried to get revenge on us all. His last one still steams me," Skipper said.

"For his last revenge, he tried to kidnap me on our wedding day six months ago. That was actually my first true mission to defeat him after he failed to keep me captured for a few moments. Thanks to some ingenuity and our friend Matthew, both of us defeated him. In fact, we did that on our own, as your father was separated from me when I was taken," I said.

"Wait, you introduced us to everyone in the zoo. There's no one named Matthew here," Samuel said. "Do you think we should tell them?" I whispered to Skipper. "I think we should. They deserve to know about the other universe," Skipper whispered back to me. "Alright. We'll still keep some things classified, like what feral means and the lab," I said. "Agreed," Skipper said.

With that, both Skipper and I began to talk about the other universe. Both Samuel and Annabelle paid attention intently and were wide-eyed as we told them of how we went to an alternate universe, where people used to think we were simply on TV there, but had broken free of that limit thanks to Kowalski. The twins grew especially wide-eyed when we talked about Matthew, since humans here can't understand us.

"Wow. We all simply used to be TV characters?" Annabelle asked. "Sort of. Our lives existed before then, but were skewed in line with the movies and TV show. That's why it took me so long from arriving here at the zoo for the first time for us to admit our feelings to each other," I said, speaking of Skipper and myself.

"Does the TV show have to do with Pengotters being possible?" Samuel asked. "Well, actually, no," Skipper answered. "So when will we be able to visit the other world?" Annabelle asked me. "Let's get you trained and show you our world first," I said. Both of them looked annoyed with the answer, but thankfully accepted it.

"So the first thing to remember is to only use these moves only if absolutely necessary, such as to defend yourselves. Don't go around attacking anybody for no particular reason," Skipper said. "If you use these moves just to anger people, we'll all get in a lot of trouble with everyone," I added.

"I promise to not use these moves except in situations where I should," Samuel said. "I also promise to not use these moves except when I should," Annabelle added. "Very well. Let's get started," Skipper said.

For the next several hours, we taught them the basics of punching, kicking, using various weapons, and high fiving. "Are you sure we'll be able to remember all that?" Samuel asked. "I wondered that the very first time your father trained me. As you can see, I haven't forgotten how," I said.

"We actually have one final move to teach you, which you can use when we're all performing for the crowds," Skipper said. "What is that?" Annabelle asked, curious. "The corkscrew," Skipper and I replied. We ran up a lamppost and spun in the air until we corkscrewed into the pool. We jumped out of the pool back onto the platform. "That was so cool! I want to try!" Samuel exclaimed. "Me too!" Annabelle added. With that, we tried with them.

After we gave them instructions on what to do, they pulled it off on their first try! At the best glance I could get, they looked extremely excited and happy that they could do it. They then swam out of the pool back onto the platform.

"So was that it?" Samuel asked us. "Yes, that was. Congratulations, you're officially trained," Skipper said, proud of our children. "You're now ready to defend yourselves from anyone if necessary. You two did a great job!" I told the kids.

They looked extremely proud. "Thanks for training us. I have the feeling it'll come in handy in the future," Annabelle said. "Me too," Samuel said. "Well, hopefully not too soon in the future," I said. "Absolutely. Now let's go back down for the day," Skipper said. With that, we all went down into the HQ for the day.

That's a wrap on this chapter. Now you know how the kids can read, how they already knew about our world, and when they were trained. Please rate and review the chapter. There's only one note today.

* Sorry you two, you won't be getting your answer for 6 months, in Book 3. Also, yup, that's the start of that running gag.