Ch.10: Evil's True Face

Screams echoed clearly through the hallways of Skipper's Tower, as the good Skipper slid closer and closer to the top floor. Praying with all the might in his heart that everyone would be alright.

Finally reaching the top, Skipper kicked open the door just in time to see his evil self absorbing the life energy from his helpless friends. Growing bigger and stronger with every second.

Marlene, Rico, and Private all tried fighting the life-draining force of the machine, but were to far deep in it's grasp.

Seeking to interrupt the process, Skipper charged at his evil self, disturbing the flow of energy from the machine, relaxing it's hold on its victims, and allowing them all to take a big sigh of relief.

Evil Skipper when he saw his evil counterpart, his malicious smile growing wider.

"Well" said Evil Skipper, brushing off his feathers " I see you finally managed to make it back from the dead. A pleasure I assure you will never have again,"

"Enough chatter" said Skipper, getting into a defense position " let's finish this!"

"So forward" said Evil Skipper " and after all we have been through in Denmark,"

"Denmark?" said Skipper, not lowering his stance " what do you mean by that?"

"It's what this dream is all about" said Evil Skipper " I've already told you that this world in in your mind. Yet, do you even know why it exsists?"

"Um..no," said Skipper, slightly confused.

"Then I'll tell you" said Evil Skipper, his voice changing to a sudden demonic growl " because you killed me!"

Fear passed through Skipper's body as he suddenly watched in shock, seeing his evil self transform before his eyes. The black and white feathers had replaced by dark brown fur, fangs and claws also grew, and the red eyes glowed with unimaginable fury.

There was no longer a carbon copy standing across Skipper now, this was...a demonic wolverine.

"Recgonize me now punk?" growled the wolverine at Skipper.

Skipper's eyes suddenly widened in fear as he realized who this wolverine was.

"Majack!" said Skipper, backing up in fear " no..this can't be...I destroyed you,"

"In life maybe" said Majack " but now that I'm dead, I can pretty much go anywhere I want,"

"But how...how'd you?" stumbled Skipper.

"Get in your dreams?" laughed Majack " why Skipper, I've been possession of you for years, gathering my strentgh, waiting for just the right time to control you. Now, that time has come, no longer will I be just an echo in your mind,"

"Doesn't matter" said Skipper, once again building up his stance " I beat you before and I can do it again!"

"Oh" said Majack, looking up at his still helpless captives " but can they? Once I beat you and take control of your body, they won't stand a chance,"

"That's not going to happen," said Skipper, finally charging in to attack.

Majack growled at Skipper and charged as well, ready to serve the final sacrifice.

Meanwhile, in the real world, Kolwaski was giving up hope. Minutes earlier his leader had been fine and peaceful in his coma, and now he was trashing about again. Whatever was going on in his mind certianly wasn't pleasant.

Rico and Private were trying their best to keep their minds off of Skipper's condition by playing a few rounds of 'Go Fish', so far it wasn't working.

Marlene, however, sat near Skipper, watching as he twisted and turned. Helpless and sorrow flowing through her heart, as she debated his chances to live. She couldn't lose him, to many people depended on him to survive.

His team needed him. The zoo needed him. Even she, needed him. Skipper was always their strentgh in their times of doubt, despite his paronia, and she would not let him die.

"Come on Skipper"said Marlene, grasping the trashing penguin's flipper " live! Live!"

Back in the dream world, almost as hearing her live counterpart's thoughts, Marlene slowly shook off the effects of the life-draining ray, and looked down at her surroundings. Rico and Private were still knocked unconious, but Skipper was down there fighting for his life.

"Huh?" thought Marlene " what happened to the Evil Skipper?"

Her curiousity was suddenly replaced by fear when Majack took a vicious swipe at Skipper, sending the penguin reeling straight into a wall. His sharp claws leaving a slight gash on the penguin's side.

"Not so easy beating me now, is it friend?" mocked the wolverine.

Seeing enough, Marlene squeezed her way out her binds, and dropped on top of the wolverine's head as he steadily approached to kill Skipper.

An injured Skipper looked up in shock when he heard Majack's starling cry, his eyes growing even wider when he saw Marlene clutched onto Majack's face. The wolverine was backing up and shaking furiously, anything he could do to get Marlene off his head.

Altough in the heat of battle, Skipper had to smile at Marlene's persistance. The girl just wouldn't let go.

Finally though, Majack hit his mark, slicing off Marlene with one of his claws and making the otter fall down on the floor. Teeth bared, he lunged to finish off Marlene, only to be pushed aside by a fierce kick from Skipper.

"You won't stop me Skipper" said Majack as the penguin ran to Marlene " or have you forgotten that in this dream I hold all the cards.

With that said the whole room began to shake with the power of an earthquake, while the weather outside grew nice and stormy. It's razor-sharp winds and fiery bursts, cutting off the roof of the tower as it where a chip.

Pelted by rain, Skipper's eyes widened in shock as he saw all the people he had saw trapped in this nightmare world circle in the air around Majack, being slowly siphoned into his body.

Marlene too couldn't fight the gusts as she was pulled towards Majack, getting bigger and stronger with each creature he absorbed.

Quickly grapping Marlene's paws with his flippers, Skipper tried his best to pull Marlene away from Majack, but the otter's hold was slipping away.

"Skipper," said Marlene softly, instantly grapping the penguin's attention.

And as Skipper glanced into her eyes, he knew it was the final goodbye.

"I love you," whispered Marlene, and let go of Skipper's hands.

"Noooo!" yelled Skipper, as she too was absorbed by Majack.

The wind died down as demonic beast swallowed Marlene, but the storm didn't stop.

"Hmm" said Majack " delicious. Now for the final course,"

As Majack steadily approached him, Skipper stood stood staring at the ground, mumbling.

"Marlene...I...I..," said Skipper, before turning his furious eyes fiercely on Majack. A bright red aura bursting from his body.

"You.." Skipper growled " you are going to pay for what you did to her!"

And with that said, Skipper charged.