Woohoo! Here's the epilogue to The Last Note, making it my first finished multichapter! (Even if it is really short...) Anyways, I'd like to thank the following people for reading, reviewing, and possibly favoriting my story. I couldn't have done it without them, because after all, what is a writer without readers? Thank you, SkipperPrivate, the Columbian Crusade, sweety kneul, XxPenguinSoldierxX, Little Christian, Dinosaur-Fun, K TheEpicPenguin, Layra, the anonymous guest, Shadow Effect Lock, puppy-anime-luvr, lilyjay75, KowalSkip9, BloodyAlexy, and everyone else who read this. Enjoy!
Kowalski entered his lab to find a young boy with black hair going through his things. He cleared his throat, trying hard to keep on a serious face when the boy turned, his green eyes wide from being discovered.
"Skipper," he called. "Looks like we've got a culprit. Caught in the act."
The leader came over and peeked inside, grinning. "James, how many times do we have to tell you not to go through Kowalski's stuff."
James put his hands up in defeat. "I know, I know. But..." He reached for something on Kowalski's desk, holding it up in the air. "...Since when does Kowalski like unicorns? And who's this kid?"
It was an old picture frame, the border decorated with smiling Lunacorns and rainbows. There was a picture of a young boy in his early teens, his head tilted to the side, smiling up at the man beside him. The boy's pale blue eyes twinkled and his messy blonde hair was being ruffled affectionately by a younger Kowalski, who was laughing.
Skipper's grin faltered a bit, and some emotion flashed in his icy blue gaze for a millisecond. Rico stumbled over from the bunks to see what the commotion was about. He poked his scarred head in, and the maniac grin on his face faded away, replaced by sorrow as he saw the picture. Kowalski smiled sadly, walking over to James and gently taking the photo from him.
The scientist looked at the picture of his comrade, remembering the boy's gentle ways. He reached into his pocket and drew out a silver chain, on which hung a small metal plate. He ran his fingers over the raised letters that spelled out his old comrade's name on the dog tag.
"He was an old team mate of ours," Kowalski said. Skipper and Rico entered the lab, gathering nearby. "His name was James, just like you. Everyone called him Private, though."
Kowalski looked at James, whose green eyes betrayed the shock he was feeling. Skipper cleared his throat, his usually energetic eyes downcast.
"Private was a good kid. Really sweet. I don't think he deserved this kind of harsh army life, but he had nowhere else to go. Either way, he was a first class soldier."
Rico nodded, closing his eyes in solemn agreement.
James spoke in a whisper. "So... what happened to him?"
Kowalski bit his lip, his eyes glistening. "He... during a battle, I got cornered by Hans. I thought I was going to die. And I would've. But... right as Hans pulled the trigger, Private... Private..." The scientist looked helplessly at Skipper, who nodded and continued for him.
"Private took the bullet for Kowalski. We tried to save him, but it was too late. We ended up losing the battle." Skipper looked at the gray ceiling. "But that was a couple years ago. And then, after about a year, we got you."
Kowalski looked at James. "You know, you remind me of him." He chuckled. It wasn't James' personality, since Private was about as far away from that as he could be. After all, Private was sweet and innocent, while James was curious and ambitious. But something about his eyes... Kowalski glanced at their new private's green eyes. They held the same sincerity and loyalty that Private's blue eyes once did.
The scientist suddenly jumped up and smiled. "Enough with that. You should see the looks on your faces! You all look like such downers. The last one to the snow cone stand is a rotten egg!" And with that, Kowalski dashed out of the lab, making his way out of the HQ. The three others sat still for a moment, stupefied, before grinning and rushing out of the HQ, pushing each other out of the way.
Private watched them from the blue sky overhead, smiling as he watched his former team mates roughhouse. They had found themselves another private, at last. He watched young James, his black hair flying and green eyes sparkling as he pushed his way to the front of the line. He would make a good addition to the team, for sure.
Private looked behind him as a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Friends of yours?" The boy smiled at his Uncle Nigel, whose friendly green eyes reminded him of a certain scientist that he had once known.
"Yeah. But they'll be fine." He stood up and joined his uncle as they started walking back, a spring in his step. "Do you know if we have any leftover cake? I do believe it's about tea time."