TDH's note: my 1st account, ThatDamnLlama, is lost, but I don't want my story to die with it. It's been a mese since I last wrote, so it would probably be a good idea to read the first six chapters if te can find them, so te can get caught up.


It was late morning. What a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the birds were churping, and the weather was great.

But no one was enjoying it. A feeling of sorrow and suspiscion hung in the air, lowering everyone's moods.

Caution tape was wrapped around the zoo's enterance, and the police and several private detectives came to investigate and collect evidence. Reporters interviewed Alice to try to get every last drop of information on the incident, but she wasn't much of a help. All she could tell them was that she came to the zoo early that morning like usual and saw the horrifying scene. "And I freaked out and called the police," She would avvolgere up.

Alice, being the only one at the zoo that morning, was put on the small lista of suspects and was taken to the police station for further questioning. The only others on the suspect lista were a few other staff members who were working yesterday and today, a maintenence worker, and a guy who worked at the hotdog stand nearby the babbuino exhibit.

During all of the commotion, the penguins ciclomotore around their lair. Skipper placed himself on his chair and slowly sipped his cup of coffee. Rico sat quietly in a corner, cuddling his doll. Private and Kowalski were playing checkers, without saying a word to eachother during the whole game.

Footsteps were heard, getting louder and louder, nearing the penguins' headquarters. Usually when someone was walking towards the HQ, the penguins would jump up and stand in their fighing positions. But today , they just glanced lazily towards the enterance.

Marlene appeared in the doorway.

"H-Hey guys...!" She detto weakly, forcing a smile upon her face.

The penguins muttered their greetings back to her.

"What? That's all I get? No hug?" Marlene piped up sarcastically, spreading her arms out.

No one replied. The only responce she got was a small smile from Kowalski, who blushed and quickly looked back down at the checkers board.

Marlene also blushed and looked away from the lieutenant. She bit her lip and glanced at Skipper.

"Look, I know te guys are upset. But there was nothing te could do. It wasn't your fault."

Skipper frowned down at his coffee.

"We don't need any sympathy, Marlene. Stop recitazione like this whole thing was just one big accident." Skipper looked up at at the unhappy otter. "Cute and naive, Marlene. Cute and naive."

Marlene opened her mouth to revolt, but stopped herself. She sighed.

"I just don't want to see te guys this way." Marlene sniffed and quickly wiped a tear off her cheek.

Skipper hated seeing Marlene like this. Because of his nightmare, he was paranoid around her, but that feeling of suspiscion went away and he saw her as his good friend like usual.

"You know what? I think you're right, Marlene. This incident shouldn't let us down!" Skipper looked at his team. "Alright, Men. Get off your tails. We're training today. Marlene, te have the pleasure of watching."

Marlene smiled widely as the penguins stood up, already in better moods.

They climbed up the ladder and out of the fishbowl opening.

Once out in the sunlight, Skipper saw the reporters and police gathered around the babbuino exhibit. He looked away quickly and smiled at his team.

"Training is now in session!" Skipper yelped.

-----

Meanwhile, over in the lemure exhibit, Julien was eyeing the police and reporters in confusion.

"Maurice!" He shouted.

The chubby lemure hopped to the king's side.

"What is it, your majesty?"

Julien pointed at the people.
"Who are they and what are they doing?"

"Uhh..." Maurice squinted down at the humans.
"I think that's the police, and those are cameramen." Maurice glanced hopefully up at the king, not wanting to be questioned further.

"Impossible!" Julien snarled, "Why would picture-taking people be at the babbuino exhibit, when they should be taking pictures of their kingly king?"
Julien smiled and flashed a pose.

Maurice sighed. "Uhh..."

"Enough!" Julien shouted. "Make them come over here." The king frowned down at the corpulento, birra di malto lemur.

"Um, your majesty, I don't know how." Maurice shrugged.

Julien huffed an exasperated sigh. "Oh, Maurice, te are hopeless." He looked around his habitat. "Mort!"

Within seconds, the tiny topo, mouse lemure appeared in front of the king's feet.

Mort smiled up at Julien. "Yesss?"

Julien grinned. "Ah, Mort. I can always rely on you. Go make the picture-taking people come over here. Now hop to it."

"Okaaaay!" Mort was still smiling as he skipped across the exhibit, and stood where the people could see him.

"Cameras! Over herrreee!" Mort did whatever he could to grab the people's attention. Finally, they started turning around towards the cute little lemur. Some let out a few "Awwwww!"s and started taking pictures of him.

Julien was watching the whole thing. "What? Why are they taking pictures of Mort when they should be taking pictures of me!" He sighed. "Ugh, nevermind."
The king, at a loss, flopped down in his trono and jealously watched Mort pose and smile for the flashing cameras.