Despite whatever happened between Skipper and Marlene in the sewer, life continues as normal. Though I watch them more closely and I'm sure I've noticed more signs of interest between the pair. But he certainly didn't ease up on our training.

As well as our usual games of 'Capture the Flag', he invented a new game called 'Ninja Warriors'. The aim was to take down nine warriors as fast as possible. The first time we got to play we all managed to take down two each but Skipper noticed that left one over. I wonder if he'd made a mistake in his math (he never asked me to calculate the numbers for him) or whether it was deliberate to catch us off guard. Luckily Rico didn't hesitate to take on the final ninja and took him out with ease. Skipper was evidently pleased and was just congratulating Rico when Marlene came over.

She clearly startled him 'cause he leapt as though another ninja had attacked. I think he was embarrassed though since he almost apologised. I don't think Marlene realised though because she sounded sarcastic when she replied. I'm sure their problem is a general lack of understanding.

This line of thought was interrupted by Skipper suddenly assigning tasks and I heard,

"Kowalski, options…" before he hesitated. "Hold on, wait. Woah, woah, woah. What is this Funday?" I handed him the leaflet the people had produced.

"Few humans visit on Monday, thus our zoo over-lords renamed Monday, Funday." He and Rico turned it round trying to make sense of it before Skipper gave up and screwed it up. I was a little annoyed since I'd been using it to work on my code skills.

"I'm not a mind reader," he complained. I was very tempted to point out the huge neon sign behind our habitat but I decided it was best not to provoke him.

Besides, Marlene was doing a good enough job of that, accusing Skipper of not being Funday material. He claimed he could handle anything, especially fun and turned to us for support. We all looked away and mumbled our agreements. It wasn't terribly convincing but then I'm not sure any of us are terribly convinced. He can be fun… but usually not.

It might all have still blown over if Marlene hadn't chosen to compare Skipper with Julien. What was she thinking? Naturally, Skipper couldn't let that slide. Without so much as a 'stand by', he joined Julien on his bouncy. Instinctively I took out my notebook to calculate the forces required in Skipper's new competition. However I failed to realise the precise nature of the competition. He wasn't intending out doing Julien, so much as showing off for Marlene. Which meant style rather than force.

It also meant he wasn't thinking sensibly because he decided to execute the 'corkscrew'. There was no way we could warn him in time and he landed beak first in the bouncy. It was embarrassing to see him stuck and unable to free himself. Though actually no-one laughed, not even Julien, so he'd probably have got away with it if when he freed himself the escaping air hadn't blown Julien's crown off.

It flew far too high over our heads, making us wish (not for the first time) that we weren't flightless, and landed outside the zoo. Skipper, Marlene, and Julien clambered up the wall to see where it had gone. For a moment we hoped it was within reach but then Julien began to scream. Evidently not.

The rest of Funday passed quietly enough. I say quietly only because we all had earmuffs on. Julien did not stop screaming. I distracted myself with spelling on our 'speak&spell', quite possibly the best thing Rico's ever scrounged for me. Rico was sitting with his doll, and Skipper and Marlene were playing chess. Poor Private seemed most distraught since he couldn't watch TV. In fact I was so engrossed I didn't notice Maurice until he was leaving. But it didn't take a genius to figure out why he'd come, especially as he slammed our door shut.

We huddled and it seemed natural for Marlene to join us. She obviously felt comfortable as she had no hesitation in suggesting a plan. Basically she'd calm Julien while we retrieved the crown. Sensible. We were about to depart, a rapid response time being of the highest importance, but Skipper stopped Rico and commanded walkie talkies. I was surprised to see him offer one to Marlene. He was really treating her like one of the team. Unfortunately, there wasn't time to dwell on this as we headed towards the sewer.

We could reach it from the abandoned tunnel we dug on our last escape from the zoo, but since the crown disappeared down the manhole in the street, it was only sensible to follow it that way. I was surprised to hear the walkie talkie crackle to life on our descent. Seems calming Julien wasn't as easy as Marlene hoped. But I'm sure her call gave Skipper an added determination.

It was dark in the sewer but thankfully Rico had come prepared. Though when he coughed up the flash light it was unusually sticky. Skipper gave it to Private to hold. I wonder if Rico's feeling unwell? I'll have to check later. My attention was caught by a large printed sign. After a few seconds I was proud to be able to decipher it –

'DANGER AHEAD'

Naturally this didn't scare Skipper, but unnaturally he asked us to stay behind. I wondered briefly if he too was feeling unwell. Private was scared at being left, even with Rico and me, but Skipper explained and it suddenly made sense. He feels this was his fault and he doesn't want to endanger us. When will he learn that we're a team? He may be our commanding officer but that doesn't mean he isn't our friend as well. Did he really think we'd let him go on alone?

Of course, we followed him and reminded him of the penguin credo, 'Never Swim Alone.' I also told him straight,

"We're in this together." Unfortunately that turned out to be a steel cage trap.

For a moment I confess I was afraid, but then some sewer rats appeared. Unpleasant, but not particularly threatening. Private even thought they were cute and Rico was simply amused by them. We recovered our dignity and asked for the crown. They clearly have it. I expected them to want a payment for it but they're obviously a barbaric species since they declared we had to 'beat the king, get the crown'.

In fact this should have made it easier. Skipper's taken down an angry walrus before now. How difficult would a rat be? However their king wasn't quite what we expected. I'm sure he was as big as any walrus. Poor Private was clearly stunned.

"You're toast," he exclaimed. It was what we were all thinking… well maybe not Skipper… and OK, perhaps not Rico… actually maybe just me and Private were thinking that, but I'd never have said it out loud. Still, Private impressed me with his explanation.

"I mean crusty on the outside, soft and warm on the inside and good in a jam." Actually a pretty good description of Skipper. However, I was already busy trying to plan a strategy for taking down this rat. He's clearly brawn rather than brain so Skipper should easily be able to out think him. I was just about to plot a tactic when the walkie talkie buzzed. Skipper had handed it to me while he limbered up. I was going to ignore it since we were busy but Skipper barked for me to answer it since 'Marlene might need our help'. Only Skipper would consider some else needing help when facing a giant sewer rat.

In fact she was simply anxious. I reassured her the crown was found but that obviously alerted her to the fact that Skipper wasn't the one who answered. I had to explain he was facing a mutated sewer rat but I quickly hung up. She was fine. Skipper needed my analysis. But I only had time to hypothesis it was a former lab rat, which I had to admit wasn't terribly helpful, though I did remember the older code for 'rat'.

It didn't look good for Skipper. The Rat King had incredible size, strength and aim but we weren't really worried 'til he demanded no help from the flock. Rico had already begun to prepare his assault, after all we are a team, but Skipper clearly feels he has to do this alone. I supposed it was simply his own sense of responsibility again until it struck me perhaps he was still hoping to impress Marlene.

If she saw him, I'm sure she'd have been awed. The succession of flying kicks and punches was inspiring. But then the Rat King caught him and the tables turned. It was painful to watch, even for Rico. In fact he rushed in to alert Skipper to a sneak attack but it was too late. Skipper was being pummelled. Though I don't think any of us ever actually doubted he'd triumph. We wouldn't stand by and watch him hurt if we really thought he needed our help. Still I was prompted to say,

"This is the worst Funday ever." Unwittingly that gave Skipper the idea he needed. The corkscrew! It truly is a devastating move. No-one gets up once hit with that and the Rat King was no exception.

While the sewer rats dragged off their fallen monarch, Rico bound Skipper's bruised head. In fact he was going to bind his chest too but Skipper insisted we head back. He tried to walk but he was clearly in pain. There was a long moment while he swayed unsteadily but then he called us over,

"Rico? Kowalski? Could you give me a hand?" It looks like he might have finally understood what being a team really means.

It took us longer to get back but we returned in time to hear Marlene muttering,

"If I could just say the magic words and make the crown appear, I would." Skipper perked up noticeably on hearing her voice and looked almost happy,

"The magic word's Funday!" He slumped again as Julien snatched the crown away. I watched Marlene's reaction. She seemed stunned to see Skipper so beaten. Then we were all shocked to hear Julien ask for a spare crown. Marlene spoke for us all.

"A spare crown? All along a spare crown? All along?" Maurice seemed surprised,

"Yeah. For emergencies. What kind of fool king would only have one crown?" Surely if ever there's a fool king, it's Julien.

Marlene held her hand out to Rico, much as Skipper often does, and Rico obligingly coughed up a crowbar. Which reminded me I must check if he's feeling well. Then we watched as Marlene chased Julien out of the habitat. It really is like she's one of the team.