"Alright boys. Now we're warmed up…"

"Warmed up?" Kowalski panted.

"What say we go for a really good workout?"

"But… Skipper. It's Christmas Eve," Private pleaded.

"Eggnog," Rico added plaintively.

"That's no excuse. We must be prepared for our enemies at any time, day or night."

"But…" Private hesitated. "Christmas Eve?" Skipper chose to ignore this remark. He wasn't going to let something as trivial as a seasonal holiday interrupt their training especially as they had extra time to train while the zoo was closed. He'd drilled the men in evasive manoeuvres and had plans to teach them some new moves while they had time to practice.

"I want you to watch me closely and follow my moves… exactly!" he instructed. "Ready? Set…"

"Hi guys!"

"Marlene!" Skipper spun to face the otter. The other three heaved a sigh of relief. Saved by the bell.

"How many times have I told you not to interrupt our training?"

"Oh, come on. You've been out here an hour already and it is Christmas Eve."

"Christmas, Christmas, Christmas! Why is everyone obsessed with Christmas?"

"Because," Marlene smiled, "it's a time for fun, and joy, and…"

"A time for putting aside our differences and celebrating the good in all animal kind," Kowalski offered.

"A time for sharing with loved ones," Private agreed.

"Eggnog!" Skipper scowled at his troops.

"It's a hollow festival designed so people can throw mid-winter parties."

"Don't be such a cynic, Skipper."

"Hello, neighbours!" King Julien landed in between Skipper and Marlene. "Who is to be coming to my mid-winter party?" Skipper gave Marlene a look that plainly said, 'See?'

"It is Christmas!" Julien continued. "A time to be thankful for all the wonder you are being blessed with every day. Namely, me, your king." Skipper rolled his eyes.

"We'll pass."

"Erm…" Marlene looked nervous. "I was kinda hoping you'd be going," she mumbled. Kowalski raised an intrigued eyebrow.

"No can do," Skipper replied obliviously. "We've got to get a good night's sleep for early training."

"Uh, whatever," Julien sounded bored but suddenly he brightened. "Time for the tossing of the festive fruit!" As quickly as he'd appeared he bounded back to his habitat. Skipper shook his head in disbelief. Marlene watched the penguin commando sadly.

"Well… Merry Christmas anyway, Skipper." She turned away and headed back to her own enclosure.

"Right," Skipper turned back to the others. "Where were we?" He surveyed his downcast troops.

"Early training?" Kowalski asked unhappily.

"On Christmas Day?" Private's voice trembled. Skipper frowned and put his flippers on his hips. He was about to rebuke his men when a cry distracted them.

"Fruit!" a voice yelled in the distance.

"What now…" Skipper turned and was hit squarely in the head by a large round fruit.

"Skippah!" Private cried out as their leader fell. All three birds rushed over to him.

"Speak to me man!" Kowalski held up a flipper. "How many fingers?" Skipper peered up at him.

"Four?" he hazarded.

"Cuckoo," Rico assessed.

"It's just a knock," Kowalski countered worriedly.

"He doesn't need a doctor does he?" Private quavered. Skipper's last trip to the doctor had not gone well.

"No. No, I'm sure with a little rest he'll be fine. Skipper's a tough bird. Rico, help me get him inside." Kowalski carefully lifted Skipper's shoulders while Rico hefted the rest of him by his feet. A few minutes later they'd transferred him safely to his bunk. He groaned slightly but otherwise seemed fine.

"We'll let him rest a while," Kowalski whispered. "And check on him later. Come on." He led the way outside. Private hung back a moment to watch Skipper gently breathing before following the others.

Skipper himself felt somewhat dazed and dizzy so he was content to lay still while his fuddled brain stopped swimming. However his peace was disturbed by a sarcastic voice.

"What do you think you're doing? Lying about on the job?" He dragged his eyes open and looked at the penguin standing by his bunk. For a long moment he looked at the familiar bird, trying to work out what he was doing there.

"You're… me," he finally said.

"I'm the you that you aspire to. The one that knows what has to be done and does it regardless."

"How can you be there…? Oh I get it," Skipper let his eyes drift shut again. "You're a symptom of my knock on the head. There's more of grapefruit than grave about you," he muttered. His doppelganger chuckled.

"Not exactly. I'm your future. The perfect soldier. Feared, respected. Unafraid. Alone." Skipper's eyes snapped open.

"What about the team? Private? Rico? Kowalski?" Once again his doppelganger chuckled.

"A good soldier doesn't have friends," he sneered.

"No," Skipper frowned. "They are my friends…"

"You can't have it both ways. You want to be the perfect soldier? Want to make your father proud? You need to be able to make the tough decisions." Skipper looked away from the apparition.

"You'll see," the voice echoed. "It'll all become clear." As Skipper turned back to ask exactly what would be made clear, he faced an empty room. His future-twin had vanished. Uneasily, he drifted into an agitated sleep.