Disclaimers: I do not own The Penguins of Madagascar
Author's Notes: Last Chapter! I would like to thank everyone for your positive feed back and reviews. I've wanted to do a POM story for so long and am overjoyed that it was received so well.
Fun Fact: So, if you remember the Penguin Of Madagascar (POM) series theme song it shows the penguins opening up a crate to see the lemurs. This chapter's purpose is to explain why that is as well as give you a nice Clift hanger leading into the sequel!
Thanks for Reading and Please review!
(Back with Skipper one week later…)
[Location: Central Park Zoo…]
He still couldn't believe that after all his efforts they were back here again at the New York's Central Park Zoo. After all the hair rising events and near-death experiences, to be back here…it was crazy.
"I don't even remember why we left to be honest." Private admitted. It was just past closing time and most of the Zoo's staff had already gone home minus Alice who was working the graveyard shift.
"We left because we wanted to go back to Antarctica." Kowalski reminded. "We were so young when we left we had forgotten just how awful the place was."
"Oh yeah." Private laughed then remembering the day they had pulled up on their stolen boat to the frozen shore of their homeland.
The four penguins were setting down for the evening have finished most of their unpacking earlier in the week. Their old base of operations was fully operational once again, complete with their bunks, dinning area, TV room and Kowalski's lab.
"It's like we never left." Private said with awe.
"yeah, yeah." Rico agreed.
"I wonder if Phil and Mason are setting in okay in their old habitat." Private suddenly wondered out loud. "What do you think Skipper?"
Skipper who apparently hadn't heard him was staring at a flyer, lost in thought.
It was the flyer Classified had given Kowalski before they parted way, the one with Flippy and the Ring of Fire. And even though they were all sure it was junk mail; it was at the moment the only clue they had about an enemy who now knew so much more about them.
Kowalski fletched at the sight of his older brother. He had never seen Skipper so withdrew from the world around him. He desperately wanted to reach out, but besides the fact that they had apparently gained a new possible enemy Kowalski and the other brothers had no idea what happened on his secret mission for Northwind.
And Skipper planed to keep it that way, but not for the reasons one might think. Sure, said mission was over, so whether or not it was top secret no longer mattered, but Skipper was not ready. He was not ready to admit that he had failed, not ready to face the fact that an Agent died because he trusted the wrong person. Not ready to admit that he was the reason why his brothers were now in potential danger. And more importantly not ready to admit that an entire country now wanted him dead.
And he was beginning to think he never would be.
"Skipper did you hear me?" Private asked.
"Hmmm, What?" Skipper asked looking up from the flyer. "Sorry Private I was just thinking." He said with a sigh.
"Perhaps we're over reading this." Kowalski wagered. "Maybe the enemy just wanted to know who he was dealing with. Now that he's gotten what he wanted maybe he'll leave us alone."
Skipper knew it was a possibility, but somehow that only made him feel worse. That would mean that this guy, whoever he was had gotten away! And that said guy would always remained as 'The one that got away.' Something Skipper would no doubt obsess over for days to come, always wondering if the enemy will ever show himself again.
Suddenly an alarm goes off in the base.
"What's that?" Private asked as a panel of the wall flipped to reveal an alarm screen.
"Kowalski, report." Skipper ordered leaving the flyer on the table to gather with the others around the screen.
"Perimeter breach, Skipper." He answered. "Main entrance."
"Let's move!" Skipper ordered and the Penguins burst into action launching themselves out of their lar and exiting their habitat with ease. Using the cover of the shadows they headed towards the main entrance expecting to see the enemy they had all feared would come.
However, once they arrived and peaked out from behind a pilar they saw it was just a delivery man talking to Alice.
"Got that late delivery of live cargo we discussed about over the phone." The man said.
"Just take it around back." Alice told him, opening the gate to let him in. "I'll get to it when I get to it."
"Late arrival?" Private asked.
"Highly suspicious." Kowalski stated. "We better check it out."
"Agreed." Skipper said. "I'm on point." He added leading the way to zoo's warehouse where cargo and supplies was temporarily stored.
Once they arrived they see the man is already leaving. Wordlessly Skipper leads them inside through an open window.
A single crate lays in wait.
Skipper gives the signal, and they approach cautiously. Upon closer examination they see it has a pad lock and it's also nailed shut.
What kind of monster would need such restraint?
Skipper point to Kowalski who pulls out his stethoscope to figure out the combination to the Pad lock. It's off in a mater of seconds, then Rico upchucks a crowbar that Private Manages to catch before passing it on to Skipper.
Skipper eyes the crate as the boys ready themselves for a possible fight, then he prys the lid off the crate to see…
"Hello neighbor!" King Julian exclaimed as he Morris and Mort pop out.
"Julian!" Kowalski cries.
"Did you miss me?" Julian asked. "Admit it, you missed me."
"Not really." Skipper growled, still trying to get his heart back under control. "What are you doing here Ringtail?"
"Yeah shouldn't you be with the Circus?" Private asked.
"And let you rule New York all instead of me?" Julian asked. "I don't think so."
"We're not- Oh why bother." Skipper threw the crowbar aside as he started walking. "I'm heading back to HQ." He decided, taking his leave. Unfortunately, everyone decided to follow.
"So, this is New York." Morris asked. "it's kind of Classy." He noted. "I could get used to it."
"OOO I likey." Mort agreed.
"Yes, much better then that dump we thought was New York." Julian agreed.
"You mean Africa?" Kowalski corrected him.
"Yeah that place, what a dump." Julian repeated.
Skipper was half tempted to jump off the nearest skyscraper but decided against it. As much as he hated Julian there were worst things out there.
And there were worst things, things that hid in the shadows just out of sight. Things that had nothing but dark intentions in mind for this unsuspecting world. Skipper, however, would not be deterred. He would remain forever vigilante and prepare for the inevitable, because he knew the enemy was out there.
Whoever they were, and one day they would show themselves, and when that day came Skipper would be ready to face it head on!
-To Be Continued
Author's Note: Thanks for reading everyone the first chapter of the next book, POM- Operation: Blowhole will be posted May 1st, 2022!