Skipper gulped down the last of his punch and tossed the glass away, not even caring that it broke into pieces. He loomed over the helpless Marlene, with his flippers on his hips. Marlene began trembling and sat up, inching back towards the cupboard. It couldn't end this way!

"I think it's time we went back home, shall we?" said Skipper, approaching her.

"Skipper, wait! Stop, don't touch me! Wait!" she exclaimed.

King Julien hid under his throne (still believing he was part of a game of hide-n-seek) and suddenly he heard banging and screaming coming from his snack bar. He cocked a brow wondering what the noise could be about. He poked his head out and watched as plates and bowls went flying everywhere from behind the counter!

"Eh? What in the name of the royal me do you think you're doing?!" exclaimed King Julien. "Those things are royalty, and some of them are very, very expensive! And the rest are very, very, very, really expensive!"

Suddenly Skipper poked his head up from the cupboard, then he leapt on the top counter with Marlene swung over his shoulder, "None of your business, ringtail."

"Those things are my business," Julien snapped back. "Now how do you expect to take responsibility for the broken plates? Those were my good plates!"

"Oh, boo hoo."

Marlene tried to regain her focus, but all this excitement was sure going to her head. Suddenly her eyes were locked onto the flashlight Skipper carried, lying there on the counter beside him. She smiled and reached for it. Once she grabbed hold of it between her paws, she turned herself around and targeted right on his head. Skipper seemed distracted from the argument with King Julien, so with almost everything she had she swung it down. BANG!!! At that moment, Maurice and Mort appeared to watch the commotion and all three lemurs watched Skipper fall onto the counter. Marlene had a chance to escape once more! She dropped the flashlight and hopped off the counter. She scurried passed the surprised and confused lemurs.

"Thanks for the hiding spot!" she cried without stopping. "I gotta get outta here!"

She leapt off the high platform and landed on the ground, but the shock and vibrations from the landing began to affect her now. Her body had been stiff and numb for so long, she was extremely weak now. She tried shaking it off, but then she just sat there for a moment to regain control of her body.

Meanwhile, Skipper was quickly regaining consciousness again. He rubbed his head, shook it a bit, and then he growled. She wasn't going to slip by him that easily!

"S'cuse me, fellas," he said as he hopped off the counter and slid on his belly passed the lemurs.

Marlene still struggled to catch her breath as she began to stumble towards the exit across the pond before her. Suddenly she could hear Skipper making a landing behind her. She turned around as she struggled to stand up on her feet. She stared right into his horrifyingly determined face.

"You're gonna regret whacking me over the head with my own flashlight, Marlene," he sneered.

"You had it coming!" Marlene exclaimed. "Just snap out of it! You're being controlled by Kowalski's love serum!"

"I won't be reasoned out of this so easily," he replied as he approached closer.

"Oh…"

Marlene stepped back until her paws touched the water behind her. She looked at him, absolutely terrified, but she won't be taken down so easily! She back flipped into the water and dove in to get out of the habitat.

"Oh no you don't!" exclaimed Skipper, diving in after her.

Marlene swam through the pond, zigzagging too when she realized he was right on her tail! She made sharp turns over and around, trying to shake him loose, but he knew how to swim in water as well as she did. So she ditched the tactic before she could tire herself by splashing out of the water and out of the habitat. But Skipper was right behind her! She had to lose him… somehow.

The two left the lemurs puzzled by the twist of events as they scratched their heads. The trio has never been confused about anything before, and it hit them as a bit of a shock.

"Um, Maurice," King Julien began. "Is it just me, or does that penguin be taking this game a little bit too seriously?"

"I'm starting to get the feeling it's not a game anymore," Maurice shook his head.

"Aw…" groaned Mort.

* * *

Elsewhere, the other penguins scavenged for their lost friends, searching high and low. They had been looking all night, but somehow Skipper managed to slip out of their sights. They searched in all exhibits of the zoo (except the lemur's habitat for some reason). They were very much exhausted, but they knew this was something that had to be done soon. Throughout their search, Kowalski also managed to take excellent care of the antidote in a fragile yet secure test tube.

"Where could they be?" wondered Kowalski out loud.

"Let's hope to find just Skipper," added Private.

"You're right. Marlene can't afford to be with him. I'm actually surprised the serum's been active all this time. That is some seriously strong stuff."

"Do you think they're both alright?"

"Oh, I'm sure they're fine. As long as they stay distant from each other, everything should be okay."

"Uh huh," nodded Rico as he got down on his flippers, sniffing out like a hound.

"It sure was quiet this whole time, actually," said Private. "You'd think there might be a bit of a ruckus."

"True," nodded Kowalski. "Marlene must be doing an outstanding job laying low."

Suddenly they could hear screaming from behind, rather distant, but it was growing louder fast. All three penguins turned around and were scared out of their minds to see a crazed Marlene running towards them!

"AHHHH!!!!"

"Marlene!" exclaimed Kowalski.

"AHHHH!!!!"

Marlene didn't even bother stopping or even responding to them as she screamed and darted passed them! She was in total frenzy. Suddenly they turned around to see who could be sending her on a panic (as if they hadn't already guessed), and sure enough they watched Skipper sliding on his belly towards them. But he didn't stop or respond either as he crashed right into them, knocking all of them off their feet! Even the antidote went flying to the air, but luckily Kowalski caught it into his flippers safely, even when he wasn't on his feet. After a bit of a struggle they stood back up watching the terrifying ordeal.

"What do we do now?" asked Private.

"Now begins the pursuit," replied Kowalski. "Let's move out!"

All three got on their bellies and slid after them.

Meanwhile, Marlene continued to run with all her strength she had. She looked back and spotted Skipper dead on her trail. He looked extraordinarily determined- heck, he was crazily obsessed! Marlene gasped when she saw how much closer he was getting to her. She turned back around and dashed forward with all her might. She didn't want to meet what was waiting for her if she was caught! Is there anything that could help her? Anything? Anyone? S.O.S.! Help!

As she approached the zoo office, she was suddenly taken aback when the door opened. Alice! She clawed at the ground to stop herself from getting any closer from her and immediately turned around. But when she did – SMACK! Marlene and Skipper began tumbling over towards the open door! Alice didn't seem to notice them as they managed to slip by behind her, still tumbling. Once they entered, Alice immediately closed the door behind her. She was listening to her MP3 player after all to notice the two.

They continued to tumble down the hall, until they finally stopped- with Skipper sitting right on top of Marlene! Marlene felt pretty dizzy and bruised all over, but the sudden realization of her capture snapped her right back to focus. She was horrified to see this misfortunate turn of events! Skipper shook his head, and then he looked down at her and smiled.

"Now, Marlene," he nearly hissed. "Where were we?"

Marlene gulped, "Please, I really don't want to do this!"

Suddenly a growl echoed throughout the hall. Marlene blinked by this unexpected sound. She looked at Skipper who looked just as surprised as she was. Then she watched his beak turn upwards and watched as his expression changed to total shock. Marlene turned herself over a little to see what he could possibly be looking at. Then her eyes widened as she stared down in the face of a very vicious-looking, very angry, very upset… very small… poodle? With its crazed eyes and its lips covered with its own foamy saliva, it growled viciously at the two.

"I-is that an angry poodle?" asked Marlene bluntly.

"So we meet again," growled Skipper. "Mr. Chew. Of all times!"

"Mr. Chew?"

The poodle growled viciously as it shook its head a round in a twitchy manner. Skipper and Marlene stood up and began to back up. Mr. Chew wagged its tail threateningly and approached them.

"Talk about killing the mood, pooch," scolded Skipper. "Stay behind me, Marlene, I've dealt with this guy before."

Marlene had no idea how the heck Skipper knows this thing, but somehow she knew she had to trust him, despite what they had been through before. The next thing they knew, the rabid poodle leapt at them and Skipper shoved Marlene to the side with him, dodging its attack. Skipper and Marlene skid across the tile floor before they got up. Mr. Chew looked back and barked viciously.

"Retreat, Marlene, retreat!" exclaimed Skipper and together they ran down the rest of the hallway.

The dog ran full speed after them, growling and snarling as they went. Eventually Skipper and Marlene dashed through a door to a room, and just seconds before Mr. Chew entered as well. They worked together to slam the door shut on its face. Mr. Chew continued growling, barking, and scratching against the door, its jaws snapping through the opening. Saliva flying everywhere, Skipper and Marlene continued giving their all to keep the door closed, both of them with their backs against the door and using their feet and shoulders for muscle. Then Skipper turned to Marlene and was moved by how she was giving everything she had. Skipper growled, deciding that this wasn't going to last for much long.

"No dice, Marlene," he ordered through his clenched beak. "Retreat, slip through the window up there."

Marlene's face lit up and she looked up at Skipper. She saw how he was forcing everything he had to keep the door closed.

"I can't just leave you!" she replied, continuing her heaving against the door. "You're crazy!"

"Only for you."

Marlene turned back to him. She was touched! But this wasn't the time for romanticizing! Her brows furrowed.

"No way, Skipper," she replied. "We got in this together, I'll be right here by your side!"

BAM!!! The door swung open, Mr. Chew still growling and barking mad. Marlene and Skipper backed up cautiously.

"Happy now?" asked Skipper rhetorically.

Mr. Chew snapped its jaws. This time it had them cornered. Marlene darted her eyes around and spotted a broom leaning against a file cabinet, conveniently placed beside the angry mutt. Quickly, Marlene slid towards the broom. Mr. Chew snarled and pounced with its jaws wide open.

"Marlene!" cried Skipper, leaping in after her.

Before Mr. Chew could reach her, Skipper tackled against it, throwing it to the side. While it sat immobile for the moment, Marlene kicked the broom away from the cabinet and watched it fall hard against the dog's head. CRACK!!! The dog immediately fell over. Skipper chuckled and puffed his chest proudly.

"Hot dog, Marlene!" he exclaimed.

"Let's get outta here," said Marlene as she heaved the broom from its place.

As she did, Skipper waddled away towards the door, shoving the unconscious poodle out, and then closed the door. Marlene huffed, dragging the broom towards the window.

"Here, Marlene, allow me," said Skipper with a smile and with a slight bow.

Then he managed to lift the broom up and set it right towards the window.

"There," nodded Marlene. "Now we can get outta here."

She was just about ready to climb up the broom, until Skipper shot out his flipper on her shoulder, stopping her from escaping.

"Don't think that after all this, I've forgotten about some business we have to take care of."

Marlene gulped, "Why?"