DR. KOWALSKI AND MR. RICO
BY THE YOUNG AND FREE DRAGON
"It is one thing to mortify curiosity, another to conquer it. "
~Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
PROLOGUE: TRANSFORMER
"Kowalski!" Private whined, dancing around despite the restrictive nature of his mummy costume. "We're going to be late to the Halloween pa'ty!"
"Private, if I prefect this, we will be the Halloween party!" Kowalski cried, dramatically as he continued to tinker with his newest invention.
Rico danced and laughed at the idea, but was also getting rather impatient. Private took this chance to turn to Rico and truly study his costume for the first time. He had large jagged fake teeth (that were actually shards of a broken plate it seemed, but Rico of course didn't seem to mind), ears attached to his head, and fake fur plastered to his back, flippers, and stomach.
"What are you suppose to be, Rico?" Private asked, tilting his head.
"He isn't suppose to be anything, little Private," Skipper said, stepping beside the weapons expert and patting his back. "He is the infamous were-penguin."
Rico gave a loud howl to this and began slobbering profusely until Skipper tossed a piece of candy and he attacked it like a savage dog. Private was slightly disgusted but stayed quiet about that, and turned to Skipper. The leader of the team was wearing a blue over coat with golden buttons and beautiful dressings, as well as grand captain's hat.
"Who are you, Skippah?" Private asked.
"Napoleon Bonaparte," Skipper replied, after a questioning look from Private he added, "Not my choice, but Marlene suggested him. Plus, I'm probably about the same height."
Skipper glanced over at Kowalski, expecting him to correct him about that, but the scientist was too absorbed in his invention. So, Skipper decided to check the progress.
"How goes the invention, Kowalski?"
"I've almost finished," Kowalski replied, pulling a wire out and setting it aside.
A sudden beam of moonlight fell on them and they all turned. A figure stood in the light for a moment before dropping through the fishbowl entrance. An otter clad in a black dress with shiny spiderwebs patterned on it. The otter opened her mouth and let out a hiss, shining long sharp fangs.
"Marlene?" Skipper asked, seemingly mesmerized by the costume.
"Yes," She hissed, and smiled moving and standing close to him, and switching to her normal voice. "What're you guys doing? The party starts soon,"
"Kowalski's going to make us the life of the party," Skipper replied.
Marlene looked at him strangely. "You want to be the life of the party?"
Skipper was quiet for a moment before blushing and saying; "Well, a Skipper needs a break from service every once in awhile."
"Finished!" Kowalski cried, flipping a switch and the large metallic chamber began humming.
Lights traveled up the sides of it, and Kowalski threw open the door, allowing a blinding bulb to throw it's lights on them, followed by Kowalski laughing manically.
"It's alive! It's alive!" Kowalski cried, and then regained his composure and cleared his throat as the team stared at him strangely. "Figuratively speaking."
"Fantastic, Who's first then?" Skipper asked, glancing around them.
"Oh me!" Marlene cried, charging into the chamber. "Let's do it Kowalski!"
The penguins glanced at each other, surprised by her enthusiasm, but they decided that since it was Halloween and a full moon, everyone must be acting a little strange. Kowalski closed the door and threw the switch.