A/N: It's a three-shot, hence the title.
Part one is Skipper contemplating at the Zoo about Private, and then later in the movie letting Private be a leader. (Father-Son Skipper and Private).
Second is Marlene angrily storming into North Wind HQ; also mentions of Private being turned back to normal. Same as above with a bit of Skilene implications.
Third is they all live back at the Zoo, keeping in touch with NW and working with them; Skipper confides in Marlene about Private. See second part for relationships.
In reference to movie/show; The all found each other in Antarctica. Eventually some headquarters recruited them all (Private was shuffled between Kowalski and Rico; he was "too young" to train) and they eventually gave in and let Skipper lead his old 'team'. (This helps with Skipper's mentioning of training and "Manfredi and Johnson". Kowalski learned science and Rico explosives). Also, any Skilene ship will only have hugging/peck on the cheek to establish relationship (if it is established) unless HumanAU. M'kay?
So fly my pretties! Fly! HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA…
DISCLAIMER: POM isn't mine, nor its characters. Nor is POM (Prince of Mousethieves), though that has nothing to do with this.
That Final Chance: What You Were Trained For
Skipper could easily tell you what each member of his team was to him.
Kowalski was the quick-second and genius. He was a good friend, comrade, and (although he'd never admit it) polka dancer. Needed a weapon? check. Options? His specialty. Device to get them out of an insanely life threatening situation? Huh, like you need ask. He was the year-younger brother to Skipper, and a valuable member of his team.
Rico next. If Kowalski was the super genius, then Rico was the dangerous, maniacal, evil twin. He was just as smart when it came to explosives and such; and that iron stomach that can hold-and-eject anything was absolutely useful. A little strange, but useful. If they needed a quick escape route or a manly living handbag, then Rico was their penguin. He had shown his value as much as Kowalski.
Private? He was the most valuable member of their team.
He was their optimism, sense, kindness; the one to protect and fight for, who lead the leader at times. Hell, even a bit of a mascot. But of all his teammates, Skipper was especially close to young Private.
Private wasn't that much younger than them. A few days, actually. But in human terms that was years; making the others in their 'twenties' and he in his later 'teens'. He was innocent as the moon existed, and Skipper saw him more as a son than as a brother. (Though Kowalski and Rico saw all one another as brothers).
So that was why he was a little more harsh, gave a little more training. The kid had potential, and Skipper knew that despite his innocence, was quite wise for his years. If it came down to it, Private would become a leader.
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He just hadn't thought it would come so soon.
His younger 'brother' was a child, really. But there was that determination in his eyes, that steel of a leader. He had the guts, and the love, and the bravery to do whatever it took for his family to be restored properly.
They had no idea what the machine would do to him; kill him, maim him, or possibly worse (if it could be so). Kowalski wasn't even sure, and that was even worse. But not as bad as seeing Private hook himself up to it, refusing to listen to orders. Skipper - though scared to death - was proud of him. He only hoped with all his own being that Private would live, Kowalski could fix him if there were any side effects.
Skipper watched with mixed fondness and pain as Private did what he believed was right. He was confident the boy would survive; he had to be. And when it was all over he knew Private wouldn't be the naïve child he had always seemed (though his innocence would always be there).
(And he was still going to put parental controls on the TV).
END