Unique for a Finale part in both its shortness and its smallness of cast, part 2 ("On Capers and Kippers") also features a speaking role for the Toot! No, he doesn't speak in traditional haiku here. The piece features only Dash and Vixen messing with the Penguin's minds, plus the Toot's 'on camera' debut. It's a fun read, followed by a much more lengthy Finale conclusion, so 'savor the shortness..' *heh*

Oh yeah, almost forgot, but Vixen helped with her part, and write at least a few of her lines.

Sebastian Dash surveyed the clearing ahead from the cover of some brush. Next to him Vixen gazed on the scene as well- perhaps with better eyes. They had been watching for some time, noting the movements of the Penguins from one igloo to another.

Yes, even in this more temperate wooded area the Penguins had fashioned their housing in the shape of igloos. Wooden to be sure, but the shape was unmistakable.

Vixen looked at the camp, puzzled. “Okay, I’ll bite- Why igloos?”

Dash smirked. “Well, the igloo is one of the most efficient structures to build. It requires a minimum of time and effort- the materials to build one are always easily obtainable, and it is an efficient use of space.” He then grinned more broadly. “That, and the fact that the Penguins have little creativity when it comes to things other than crime.”

Vixen held back on a laugh, mindful of where they were. She then turned to the matter at hand. "Okay, it looks to me as if they're keeping your bird in that big middle one. Any ideas on how to get in without them spotting us?”

Dash smiled. “Well, I was thinking that maybe one of us could go down there and distract the Penguins away from the igloo with this.” He held out a pail full of fish.

Vixen took the pail, a smirk on her face. “One of us, eh? Gee, I wonder who?”

Dash’s smile broadened. “Good girl! I’d do it, but chances are these guys would recognize me from the battle on Mt. Noob.”

“Uh huh, look don’t strain yourself on excuses. I’m already doin’ it!” With that she disappeared into the surrounding brush. For a moment Dash was able to track her movement as she skirted the clearing, but he soon lost the sound of her foot pads and turned his attention back to the clearing. Soon her heard her across the way giving a clear call of “FRESH FISH! COME GET YOUR FRESH FISH!”

The Penguins eagerly went for the bait, and Dash soon found the way to the igloo clear, He still was cautious in his approach- glancing both ways and then ducking into the hut. Inside he saw its sole occupant and decoration- the cage containing the Toot Oriole!

He hastily raised his hand to stop the Oriole from giving a greeting- not that he assumed the Oriole stupid enough to raise an alarm by accident, but you never know. He crossed to where Toot's cage sat on a pedestal- but as he did he looked back at the door, and then at the cage. Something wasn't right here...

The Oriole grinned- if a bird could be said to grin. "Very observant, Adventurer! Yes, the Penguins built my prison around me- and made the door smaller than the cage.. a sort of 'monkey's paw' trap, if you get my meaning.

Dash glanced at the door again- then took a closer look at the cage/ It was well built, with sturdy bars and a door with a lock on it. If he had the time, he could easily have used tools to pick the lock. Of course- he didn't know how much time he had. He dug into his equipment, an idea coming to light. "They may have built a monkey's paw trap...ahh- there we are!" He grinned, pulling out two Goblin firecrackers and a length of thread. "But I bet they've never met a monkey with explosives! Get back from the door!"

Toot's eyes widened as he saw the crackers, then he nodded and moved to the far side of the cage, getting down and making as small a target for any debris as possible. Dash tied the crackers around the lock, lit the fuses and then backed away, drawing Bad Beats as he reached the wall next to the door. This was going to be noisy....

***

“FRESH FISH! COME GET YOUR FRESH FISH!”

Vixen grumbled a bit to herself as she watched the Penguins coming toward her. Was this the only reason this Dash guy brought her along? To serve as a freaking decoy while he freed the bird?

Well...he was right about one thing. If he had fought these guys before it would be a disaster to show up here. Vixen couldn't remember if any Penguins had visited the Weeping Tree, but she sure as heck didn't serve any!

They crowded around her, and she started giving out the fish that Dash had brought in the pail. She had to be careful, little bastards kept trying to steal a second piece! She saw the mob..and worried what would happen to her if they caught on. She then grinned. To what? For all they knew she was separate from Dash. She'd be okay, just as long as she didn't...

...run out...

of fish!

Oh...CRAP....

It took a couple of seconds for the Penguins to notice that the vixen wasn't being quick with the hand outs. One of them smiled at her. "That's okay, sweet cheeks- I'm sure you got something else we'd be interested in!" A chuckle seemed to go up from the crowd- one that made Vixen's hackles raise.

Then...well then someone pinched her butt...

Well- can you blame a girl for going off? She snarled, baring her fangs at the penguins as she swung the pail hard, feeling it connect with a skull or two. The penguins fell back.

She then ran for it, heading for deep brush where she hoped her innate forest cunning would help her lose them.