3 – The Conclusion
The fight was on. The two animals charged at each other. Alexander jumped, but his tail was caught by the dog's mouth. He attempted to slam him on the ground, but the reptile turned in mid-air and landed hard on all four feet. He quickly turned and tried a jab at the canine's head, but Max let go of the tail and backed up in time to avoid the strike.
˝Hmm, they told me these were dog fights, but all I see is pussy,˝ taunted the monitor. Max wasn't one to let that slide. He jumped at his opponent, but his muzzle was introduced to Alexander's right fist. The dog was thrown into the wall of the cage, but quickly got back on his feet and began growling. ˝Let's hope you bark isn't worse than your bite.˝
The reptile was about to find out, the dog took a bite at the reptile's left hand and caught it. He smirked at the lizard, but the smile soon faded. He opened his jaws, showing everyone, that the lizard was holding his tongue. He used his free hand to grab the monitor's nose and then began pulling. The canine tried to break free, but that only caused him more pain. He felt his mouth fill up with a metal-tasting warm fluid.
The reptile gave it a last jerk and the tongue was out, he looked at the muscle for a second, before swallowing it in one gulp. He looked up and saw his opponent whining in the corner, blood dripping from his mouth, ˝Hey, you know the rules, only one of us can leave alive, now take what's coming to you with dignity.˝ Alexander started walking to the corner, but he let down his guard.
It was the terrier's plan all along, as soon as he was in striking distance, Max launched himself at the reptile. He wasn't about to try his luck with the hand again, so he bit the monitor's shoulder. Alexander was taken by surprise; the only thing he could do, was to be there and experience it all. The terrier was swinging his opponent around, smashing him on the ground, against the net of the cage and finishing it all off by throwing his against the steel bar, that was supporting the whole thing.
The reptile hit the steel hard, his vision became blurry and he just lied there for a moment. He heard… cheering… for his opponent… no way! He struggled, used the net to pull himself up and finally stood on two legs again. The crowd silenced, Max turned around and saw him. His blood began boiling and his mouth began foaming.
The monitor popped his arm back into its socket and then cracked his neck. Blood stopped pouring from the wound on his shoulder, ˝Let's try that again.˝ Max decided to take him on the offer and charged at the reptile. Alexander waited in the corner, nerves of steel and neurons were helpful. He grabbed the dog by the neck and pulled him, smashing his head against the steel bar.
The terrier collapsed, but was still breathing, ˝A strike to your, already weakened, cranium would finish you of, but… I want you alive for this next part.˝ Alexander walked down to Max's abdomen. He inserted a single claw into the dog's flesh and cut open his abdomen down the entire length. His guts spilled across the floor and the reptile smiled. He pulled apart the two flaps of skin and muscles and saw what he was looking for, the liver. He grabbed the organ and tore it out of its spot.
The unfortunate terrier felt every bit of it, he just couldn't do anything to stop it. He was happy when his light finally went out. The crowd was quiet, you could've heard a fly land. The Great Dane was the first to snap out of his state of shock and just when he was about to announce the winner, the door was blown off its hinges. Everyone thought law enforcement and began fleeing the scene. Windows, secret doors, shifting walls, in situations like this, anything is a viable exit.
The smoke cleared, revealing four figure on the other side, ˝Nice one Rico.˝ The maniac smiled, ˝Now where's our medic?˝ The place was more or less empty now. The only living animals inside were the albino great Dane and Alexander, munching on the dog liver. ˝What seems to be the problem officer?˝ Skipper had to look, almost straight, up, ˝*gulp*, that's big doggie,˝ commented the Private.
Kowalski let out a scream of excitement like a schoolgirl, ˝An albino canine. Would you mind if I did some tests on you,˝ the captain gave him a slap on the back of the head, ˝I mean, where's our medic?˝ The giant grinned, ˝You mean my new champion? He's not going anywhere.˝ Skipper shot a glare, ˝Men, operation: "Black and White" is a GO!˝ the birds jumped on to their bellies and began circling around the dog. Private was the first taken out. He flew screaming at a couple of cardboard boxes stacked in the corner, ˝Ouchy.˝
Meanwhile back at the Central park zoo, an otter is snoring in her habitat *Zzzzzzzzzzzzz*, and now back to the dog pound.
Kowalski went over, to help the Private, and Rico came to a stop and hacked up his boken. The Dane swung his long paw and knocked it out of his flippers. The maniac growled and regurgitated his nun chucks, a bowling pin and his flamethrower, but all the weapons followed the sword's example. Finally an idea came to his mind; he hacked up a potted cactus plant.
Expecting just another weapon, the dog just swung his paw like before. The cactus thorns made contact with the albino's paw and he jumped back whining in pain. Rico and Skipper exchanged high fives, but their celebration was short lived. The dog used his "good" front leg and sent the mohawk wielding bird flying at the wall. The force of the impact was so great that it caused him to throw up several items, amongst which, as luck would have it, was a paperclip, which flew directly at Alexander's head.
˝Ouch!˝ he picked up the item and straightened it. The birds were fighting the Dane. It was entertaining and it looked like they were handling the situation pretty good, but he wanted a piece of the action. The reptile walked over to the lock on the door and began picking it.
Skipper helped his weapons expert get up, before they both had to dodge the jaws of the giant canine. ˝You think you can beat me, I was the one who started these fights, I was the first on the top and stayed there for years and I can still take on anyone.˝ The lead penguin shot a glare. Private and Kowalski were now back. ˝Men, maneuver: Tango, Romeo, India, Papa. GO!˝
Rico and Kowalski slid forward, each on one side of the canine. They jumped off the ground, onto the wall and propelled themselves back into the direction they came from. They hit the dog in the backside, pushing him forward, while Skipper and Private jumped and held down the Dane's front paws.
˝TIMBER!˝ the albino giant fell to the ground head first. The birds exchanged high five. ˝Great job men, we really showed that sun dodging criminal what a penguin can do. Now do we have the confession?˝ The weapons expert regurgitated a tape recorded and pressed play: ˝… I was the one who started these fights, I was the first on the top and stayed there for years and …˝
Good, *YAWN* now let's get that lizard out so we can finally get some shut eye,˝ no argument there. They went over to the cage and noticed that it was open. ˝Um, Skippah, where is Alexandah?˝ The captain shrugged. ˝It appears that he escaped,˝ commented Kowalski. ˝Thanks for pointing out the obvious.˝
˝What do you think you're doing,˝ the birds turned around. ˝I'm still standing,˝ added the great Dane, back on his feet. His paw was already in the air and there wouldn't have been enough time to dodge it, but the dog stopped and collapsed. The penguin looked relieved and then saw Alexander with his hand in a fist.
˝One punch and I already flipped your stomach, pathetic.˝ The albino was panting on the ground, ˝What are your orders captain?˝ The reptile was showing his claws, ready to finish the job. ˝Stand down soldier, we've got the evidence to convict him, we don't play executioner.˝
As much as he hated doing so, Alexander lowered his arms, ˝Back to the car everyone!˝ they did as the leader ordered. It was a silent ride, with the leader angry, Kowalski, thinking about the events of the night, Rico, focused on the road, and Private sleeping.
˝So… the pink car again… cool, if you li – Shush!˝ The lizard's attempt to kill the silence was interrupted. ˝Aw man, I just notice I left my ice back at the pound,˝ …silence… ˝You don't think we can go back and get it?˝ …More silence… ˝I guess not.˝
Skipper turned around and threw a glare at the reptile, ˝You know what, I don't even care anymore.˝ Whoa, like a parent talking to their kind after getting him out of juvie. ˝Harsh man, cut a reptile some slack, it's not like I had anything better to do and I certainly wasn't going to watch the vibrating polearm.˝
The rest of the drive went on in silence, but they did eventually reach the zoo. Kowalski and Skipper escorted the monitor back to his habitat, while Private was carried to his bunk by Rico. ˝Thanks for the company, but I know where I live,˝ the penguins didn't respond, they just continued walking. They entered the reptile house and got their friend into his enclosure. ˝Well, thanks for everything, good night.˝
He collapsed onto the ground and began sleeping. The birds watched him with serious expressions as they closed the exhibit, ˝What are we supposed to do Skipper?˝ The captain slowly shook his head, ˝I don't know, he's too valuable of an asset, to leave here, and it wouldn't be fair, considering that he was innocent to begin with.˝
˝We could restrain him until we find out what caused him to go amok,˝ Skipper sighed and turned to his lieutenant, ˝Very well, proceed,˝ Kowalski went over to the electronic panel and pressed a few buttons. There was a thermometer on the other side of the glass and you could see the temperature dropping fast, it soon reached the 1 degree Celsius mark and stopped. ˝There, I am certain, that Alice won't be checking the temperature, and the water won't freeze, so there won't be any visible signs of a climate change.˝
˝Good, then let's head back to the base, I'm so tired, I've almost made a complete circle, wait,˝ the leader notice the glassless exhibit. ˝When did Savio get transferred?˝ Kowalski pulled out his clipboard and over some pages, ˝I don't know Skipper, no papers were issued.˝ The captain scratched his bottom beak, but a yawn, that was building up, reminded him of what he should be doing right now, ˝Forget about it *yawn*, well look into it in the morning.˝ The two left the building and went to their to the HQ, where they joined the already sleeping birds.
Leonardo da Vinci quote: For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.
Next morning, 0900 hours, the penguins managed to sleep through their morning alarm and were only awakened by the bell of the clock tower that announced the opening of the zoo and another busy Monday for the animal.
Realizing the time, the penguins panicked, they quickly set up the animatronic imitations and sat down at their makeshift table. ˝Phew, that was a tad too close for comfort,˝ Skipper finished his coffee, ˝I agree Private. We either need louder alarm clocks or later opening hours.˝
˝Don't worry, I'll take care of it,˝ replied Kowalski. ˝Good, now back to why we're here, I'm sure you all remember the events of earlier this morning,˝ everyone gave a nod, ˝Good, now does anybody have any clue what happened to our medic?˝ Kowalski raised a flipper and Skipper gave him the word (this, I got from "The Big Bang Theory"), ˝I have created a list of possible explanations for the symptoms, by descending chance of likelihood: Mental instability, anger issues and subliminal reptile-only affecting Shakespeare lines.˝
˝Hmm, didn't we have problems with the spear shakers in the past?˝ Kowalski nodded, ˝That's what I thought, come on men, let's have a word with them - What about loneliness?˝ interrupted the smallest penguin. ˝Explain Private.˝
˝Well, you do remember what he was like after Iris left and a "Date Day" was just putting your foot into it.˝ Skipper thought about it, ˝It would explain the song,… but I still want the spear shakers put under surveillance.˝ Rico hacked up a hat with a lens on it and gave a thumbs up… sorta.
˝Good, now how do we take care of the reptile's love problem?˝ Kowalski drew something on his clipboard, ˝We could perform a simple loboto… – NO LOBOTOMIES!˝ The lieutenant was a little shocked by the captain, ˝O- kay, then I suggest we look her up in the database, find out where she lives and birdnapp her.˝
˝Ah, good old brute force, I like it.˝ But the little bird didn't, ˝Wouldn't it be easier to just find him a different girlfriend?˝ Everyone, but Private, exchanged looks, ˝Nah!˝
˝Then it's settled, Operation: Getting back the old Alexander is a go. Kowalski, I want you to find out where the girl's stationed at and find the quickest route to the destination. Rico, refuel the car and get some batteries for the road. Private, you're on snack duty. We leave at closing time, now GO!˝ The birds slid of, each in a different direction, leaving an empty HQ behind.
Meanwhile in an exhibit in the reptile house, there is a lot of condense on the glass and an appendage wipes a bit of it away to take a look outside. He turns to the water monitor exhibit, ˝Well well, well, how the mighty have fallen. It's a shame you're one of the good guys, because you would've made such a great henchmen, *sigh* but alas what I can't control, I have to destroy.˝ *Evil laughter*
Dum, dum, dummmmm
Who was that? What will become of the zoo with the penguins gone and the monitor on ice? Did you like the random Leo quote? And what's that dramatic sound effect called?
Probably won't be a lot of killing going on in the next chapter, but I promise that the reptile house will be more or less empty by the time I finish this thing.
R&R