Ch.8: An Otter's Touch

In his mind, Skipper couldn't hear the outside cries of his team as they worked desperately to save his heart. All he could feel was the pain surging through his body, and the Evil Skipper's mocking laughter bouncing through his ears.

Evil Skipper was having to much fun at his counterpart's expense, and demanded to hear the penguin scream. Skipper blantly refused the evil one's request, which only made the level of the machine rise, and his pain increase.

Skipper fought with all his might to keep his mouth shut. He would not give his evil self the pleasure of hearing him scream.

Annoyed at the penguin's resistance to heed his command, Evil Skipper pulled out a small scapel and sliced it across the penguin's chest. Skipper could no longer hold back his screams, and let out an earth-shattering yell.

Evil Skipper grinned at his at his counterpart's torment, and let the machince stay on just a few minutes longer, just so he could watch his good self squirm.

"Ah" breathed Evil Skipper, as soon as Hans turned the machine off " that was entertianing. Prepare the surviving prisoners, they will soon meet his fate,"

"What do you want us to do with him?" asked Hans, pointing to the unmoving Skipper.

"Throw him away, what else?" said Evil Skipper.

And with a good throw from the Blowhole-Bot, the now lifeless Skipper was tossed down the garbage shute, destined to rot away, forever.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, saddness had graced the depths of the penguin habitat as Skipper's heart monitior dropped down to zero. Tears exploded from the whole team as they hugged each other and cried, mourning the lost of their beloved leader.

Marlene couldn't resist crying as well, as she looked over Skipper's still form. The terror on his face still present even as he rested in peace.

Taking one of Skipper's flippers in her paws, Marlene gentley stroked the nice, warm feathers and started whispering to Skipper, telling him how great a friend he was.

Marlene knew Skipper could not hear her as she talked, but still it settled the pain. She recalled memories of her craziest adventures with Skipper, and even the most bizaare.

Kolwaski, Rico, and Private listened as Marlene continued to talk to Skipper, still feeling sad, but pleased to have Marlene recall all the good adventures they had together.

As Marlene ran out of stories to tell, she reluctantly left Skipper's side, and approached the three remaining penguins. Kolwaski was about to sugguest the options for a proper funeral when a sudden 'beep' caught his ears.

In surprise, he turned his attention to the heart monitior, and gasped in disbelief as he saw it's level steadily start to rise. Marlene, Private, and Rico also gasped in shock, but soon they all were all jumping with joy.

Although their leader was still trapped in a coma, according to Kolwaski, that didn't seem to matter right now.

Skipper was alive again! They still had their team!

Back in the dream world, a lifeless Skipper lay resting ontop of a huge pile of garbage, oblivious to the world or anything around him. His soul had been trapped within a black viod, unsure of which way to go. Frozen in a time, where nothing seemed to exsist.

Suddenly, a light came through warm and inviting, calling him to cross over into a better world. Away from all the pain and torment he had suffered. But then, a voice out of nowhere, stopped him as he bagan walking towards the light.

"I know that voice" said Skipper stopping, trying to remember a name " Marlene..?"

For an unknown amount of time, Skipper just stood there listening to the otter's voice as she recalled her dearest memories. Stating how strong he was, and just how important their friendship was.

The light behind Skipper was begining to fade, and he was tempted to case after it, until he felt the touch. That oh so gentle touch that could only come from one pair of hands.

When the light finally faded away, Skipper no longer cared. Someone was calling for him to get back and fight, and he would not dissapiont them!

Life suddenly sprang back up in Skipper as he woke to the smell of alluring garbage. It was then that he noticed that he was floating on garbage barge, miles away away from the ruins of New York City, and his evil counterpart.

Fire was set in his eyes as he dived into the cold waters of the bay to get revenge of the Evil Skipper. His mind reflecting the faces of the loved ones that were waiting for him to become fully conious back in reality.

"I'm sorry men" thought Skipper in his mind " but I can't come back ust yet. Not until I teach this evil me, that love really isn't a weakness after all!"