The Penguin Credo

11. Red

Kowalski grinned, pressing the buttons on the video game controller as rapidly as he possibly could without thumbs. Next to him, he could see Rico becoming quickly frustrated with the game. He hadn't taken the time to learn button combinations like the taller penguin had, and his fighter was quickly losing as he button-mushed.

"Sorry Rico, looks like I'm going to win again," Kowalski chuckled as his character drop-kicked Rico's, sending his life bar down into the red zone.

Rico growled softly, glancing at his teammate. He had undeniable concentration. He wondered what would happen if it was broken for a moment. Smirking psychotically, he leaned toward the other penguin, nudging his shoulder with his beak.

"Rico," Kowalski furrowed his brows in annoyance, never tearing his eyes away from the screen. At least, not until he felt a teasing nip at the side of his neck. His eyes widened and he turned his head.

Rico's beak lightly rubbed against his. Kowalski was stunned. The manic penguin grinned and turned his eyes back to the screen. With a few attacks, he managed to take out the taller penguin's character. Chuckling, he stood up and walked away.

Kowalski could only stare, his face a dark red beneath his feathers.

12. Orange

It was beautiful. Nothing in the world was quite like it, could ever be like it. And it was with adrenaline-charged fascination that he watched it. Watched the way the fire rolled with the force, an elegant dance so unmistakably dangerous and elegant at the same time. Watched the way the smoke twisted, forever reaching toward the sky.

It cast an orange glow over everything, and with it, an intense heat that reminded him. There is always danger in beauty. He couldn't deny the thrill he got from the idea.

"Rico!"

Blinking in surprise, the manic penguin turned his gaze as he heard his name called. Several feet behind him, he could see the others waiting impatiently for him. Grinning, he turned to follow them.

He'd see it again. Soon.

13. Yellow

"Skippa', I'm not sure I understand this," Private admitted, peering down at himself. There were several splashes of yellow paint over both himself and the others. He knew their leader had to have a reason for it, but what it was, he couldn't figure.

"It's training, young Private," Skipper reminded him, rolling his eyes a little.

"Well… I know that, but…"

Sighing in exasperation, Skipper put his flippers on his hips. "You men have been lacking lately. I've noticed mistakes, so I thought you needed a little wake up call." The others remained silent, waiting for him to explain further. "Each spot of yellow you see on your body is a strike that could have been fatal."

There was a long silence between the group. Each tried to count how many paint spots they had, and none liked the results. They each swallowed nervously.

Sometimes they forgot just how dangerous what they did was.

14. Green

"Go boys, go!"

They slid over the dock on their stomach, each performing a flip off the edge and landing in a speedboat. Behind them the human's yelled, franticly trying to get the small ice chest they'd taken.

"Kowalski!"

The intellectual penguin went to work hotwiring the boat. It wasn't long before the motor roared. Skipper took the wheel, and they started zooming away.

"Rico!"

Rico spit up a smoke bomb, tossing it toward the dock. It exploded, leaving the humans coughing and sightless for the moment.

"Private!" There was a pause. Skipper blinked, glancing over his shoulder in time to see the youngest member of the team hoist himself onto the boats edge, releasing the contents of his stomach. "… Private?"

"S-Seasickness Skippa'," Private coughed, slowly dropping back down, a flipper holding his stomach.

"For the love of Mama Nature, man, you're a penguin!" Sighing, Skipper motioned for Kowalski to take the wheel. He grabbed a piece of ice from the stolen ice chest, carefully tending to the smallest penguin.

Private smiled woozily. "Thank you, Skippa'."

15. Blue

"This is the life, boys," Skipper commented, smiling.

"Sure is, Skippa'," Private agreed, adjusting the large sunglasses that nearly swallowed his small face. He pushed them up onto the top of his head, staring up at the clear sky. "It's so blue… How's it get like that?"

Kowalski smiled, sipping his drink. "Sunlight reaches the Earth's atmosphere and is scattered by the gases and particles in the air. Blue light waves are scattered more because they travel as shorter, faster light waves." Glancing to the side, he caught several confused looks. Smiling sheepishly, "Sorry."

All four turned their eyes back to the sky. Rico gave a small grunt and Skipper grinned. "You said it, Rico."

They savored their time just soaking up the sun, letting their day off pass by. All at once, the four penguins released a contented sigh.