Epilogue: Return

Ok, here it is. Turns out, Skipper survived. Funky. Anyway, on with the story.

Everyone was gathered around the billboard. A sign, legible only by the chimps, had been tacked on the billboard.

"Excuse me, coming through, excuse me." Marlene pushed her way to the front of the crowd. she tried to make sense of the markings, but could not.

"What's it say?" she asked Mason.

"There is a guest speaker this Sunday for the morning service. Although who, it doesn't say." The crowd murmured. Who could be speaking? They wondered. their best speaker so far had been a macaw from the Washington Zoo, and even he stumbled a bit.

Sunday came, and the whole zoo crowded around the bell. The figure remained hidden behind the bell.

"Gentlemen and Ladies of Central Park" the figure said "Please, do not be afraid."

"Why would we be afraid?" asked Burt

"Yeah, just come on out!" cheered Private.

"Okay…" The figure stepped out from the shadows. The short commanding penguin stepped forward, Bible in hand.

"It is the Ghost of da Bossy one! He is come to take our precious jewels and women!" he looked at Marlene.

"On second thought, you can have her." "Hey!"

"Relax, guys. It's me. Skipper. I'm not a ghost."

"But the Bell – it fell right on top of you!" Kowalski exclaimed. "I know, Kowalski. Let me explain. It fell AROUND me, barely missing me. The dirt underneath the concrete was unstable, and when the bell fell, the surrounding dirt fell as well. Underneath our feet right now is a massive tunnel. I met the makers of said tunnel. I'll tell you more about it some other time. For now, lets turn to Ephesians."

Everybody was smiling. Skipper was back, the past had been defeated.

"Oh, and before I forget… Private."

Private looked up.

"Your girlfriend is down there. She misses you, and still loves you."

He gasped. How could he know about Barbara? He had told them a little about her when he had a run-in with the Armadillo Kid, but not enough to tell them who she really was. His girlfriend in a covert operation.

Maybe It's time I told them, he thought. Skipper obviously already knows. In fact, I think I will. Tonight. Before I get scared and Emotional.

But that's a story for a different time.

NOW the story is over! Be sure to read my next one, the sequel! Privates past is revealed in another songfic. The Unforgiven Tragedy – promises to be sad! I better go before I advertise any more.