Chapter 8 – Unfriendly visitors

A/N: Hey everyone I'm back and since I finally finished my exams I'll be posting chapters more often.

And now for the story.

~PoM~

Skipper woke up tired in his bunk. All night he had been thinking about the cyborg penguin in the alley, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he knew the bird somehow. He jumped out of his bunk and stretched his muscles wide. Rubbing his eyes, he went to the bathroom and filled the sink with cold water. He washed his face couple of times and used a towel to dry it. It felt quite good. He thought and walked out of the door only to be greeted by Private's excited face.

"Skippah! You won't believe it!" Private exclaimed.

"What is it soldier?" Skipper asked.

"Look! Rico's awake!" he gestured to the table where Rico was sitting with Kowalski.

Skipper's eyes widen in disbelieve. "Rico, you okay buddy?" he asked and Rico nodded in response.

"Uh-ha." He still had the bandages around his head which gave him a silly look. They asked him many questions which he answered with a yes or no, and then they filled him in with everything he missed during his coma.

"So when he'll be able to go on missions, Kowalski?" Skipper asked.

"I can't say, I believe the pain has ceased but too much movement won't be good for his health. I recommend that he stays at home until we make sure that he's fully healed." Kowalski explained.

Skipper nodded. "Rico, until further note you will not join us on any missions, okay?" the leader instructed.

Rico lowered his head, disappointed but understanding. "Okay"

After that the four penguins sat down and ate breakfast together. It's been a while ever since they had a moment of peace like this. Skipper thought as he ate his fish.

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Later that day, Skipper went to check on the zoo animals in their habitats. As soon as he passed by the lemur habitat Maurice who was cleaning Julian's thrown waved for him.

"Hey Skipper. Any news about King Julian yet?" Maurice asked.

Skipper frowned and answered. "Sorry Maurice, but we're still negative on Ringtail. We'll inform you if we found anything." He said, giving him his best smile.

"All right, thanks." The chubby lemur replied and returned to his work. While leaving, Skipper thought about the missing lemur king. It's been about a week ever since he vanished and it's causing some panic in the zoo. Alice and other zoo keepers had spent a whole day looking for him, but found nothing. The zoo however has been quiet without his lemur all-night parties which he enjoyed, but still felt guilty for failing at the city that day.

Suddenly, he saw Marlene coming with a look of concern in her eyes. "Skipper, there you are. I've been looking everywhere for you" she stated.

"What is it?"

"There are some penguins at the zoo gate looking for you!"

"Penguins? How many?" he raised a brow.

"They're three penguins. Two of them looked normal enough, but the third one's body was half metal. He kindda scares me" Marlene explained.

The penguin's eyes widen, knowing who she was referring to and scowled. "Stay here"

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When Skipper arrived at the zoo gate he saw the three penguins waiting for him. The one named Jack was tapping his foot impatiently.

"Finally, I was getting tired of all this waiting!" Jack complained with his flippers crossed. The one named Dave rolled his eyes at the comment.

Skipper focused his gaze on the cyborg penguin and narrowed his eyes in realization. So his guess was right. It is him!

"Weston" he said.

"Hello Skipper. It's been a while" Weston greeted with a grin on his face.

Skipper took a fighting pose and shouted. "What are you doing in my zoo?"

"You know why I'm here. You stole the Key from me and I want it back" the cyborg said.

"I don't have anything to give you. Therefore you need to leave!" Skipper growled. Weston grinned at his statement.

"Somehow I knew you'd say that" he said and motioned his henchmen to attack. Wasting no time, the two penguins charged at Skipper. Skipper stood still and blocked Jack's punches and kicks as much as possible. Once he got the chance he countered. He jumped over the penguin and kicked him in the back which made him lose balance and fall on his face.

Then he turned to Dave, he dodged a bunch from the hefty penguin and tried to counter but the large penguin evaded it and punched him in the stomach. Gasping in pain, Skipper stepped back holding his belly. This is not good. He thought as the two penguins approached him.

"Skippah!" Private came running along with Rico, Kowalski, the lemurs and Marlene. Skipper was glad that Marlene had warned the others about the threat. Now his teammates were standing next to him ready to fight while she and the two lemurs stayed behind to watch.

"Give it up Weston. I won't tell you anything" The penguin leader taunted.

At this the cyborg smirked. "You will if you want to see the old spy and royal pain again." He said, the smile not leaving his face.

All of the animals gasped. So they're the penguins Buck mentioned the other day, the ones that ambushed him and Nigel. He turned to Private and saw a look of concern on his face. The same goes for the lemurs.

"King Julian….YOU GUYS HAVE HIM!?" Maurice gasped. "Tell me where is he. What did you do to him?"

"And Uncle Nigel too!" Private added.

"I'll tell you where they are if Skipper gave me the Key" the cyborg stated.

Maurice turned to Skipper. "What are you waiting for Skipper? Give them what they want so they'll free King Julian and Private's uncle!" he said eagerly.

Skipper on the other hand was confused. As much as he wanted to save those two he couldn't risk everyone's safety by giving them the key. "I-I can't…" he frowned.

"Very Well. We'll come back tomorrow and you better have the Key with you" Weston said and soon left with his henchmen.

Everyone was now looking at Skipper confusedly.

"Skipper, what just happen?" Kowalski asked. "Who were those guys and how come they know you?"

Skipper sighed. "I guess I owe you boys with an explanation"

A/N: Skipper will finally share his secrets with his teammates in the chapter! XD

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