chapter 5

A/N So, sorry for the long time to update, but I finally switched internet providers so I can hopefully update more c: and yeah, its kind of a long chapter too, just a warning. And the Kowalski violence part was murder to write, so yeah, enjoy :D, well you probably wont enjoy the violence part...but you get my point, I'm going to stop rambling now

Private slowly waddled back to HQ, feeling as lost as he ever had, he felt alone...He cautiously slid back the fishbowl and climbed down the ladder. He heard a commotion from inside Kowalski's lab and opened the door.

"What are we going to do without Skippah?" the younger penguin cried. Kowalski sat on the floor, working on his newest invention. Private waddled towards Kowalski, arms out, wanting to be comforted.

"What are you doing? Don't touch me!" Kowalski exclaimed as Private flinched and backed away. Private ran out of the lab and climbed into his bunk, squeezing his toy Lunacorn as tight as he could. I just wanted a hug, I hate this, why did this have to happen; I just want everything back to normal. I just want Skipper back. Eventually, the little penguins fell asleep.

Private was woken a few hours later. "Gah, I can't stand that stupid toy!" Kowalski shouted, grabbing the Lunacorn angrily. "Why don't you grow up?" Kowalski shouted at the little penguin, ripping the head off the Lunacorn and threw the pieces into the night. Private watched in fear as Kowalski advanced towards him. "You pathetic excuse for a soldier." Private jumped up from his bunk but found himself backed up against the wall. The taller penguin lifted his flipper and slapped the younger. Private stumbled but felt Kowalski's flipper hit him again. Private cowered as the taller penguin walked away. "We start training tomorrow." he said coolly then locked himself in his lab. Private looked up in shock as he heard the door slam. He could still feel the sting in his cheek. Private kept replaying the words in his mind...they hurt. What was wrong with Kowalski? Why was he angry? He had never hit me before... Private felt his heart beating fast, he was afraid Kowalski could tell what he was thinking and that he would become angry again.

Rico waddled over to the smaller penguin and hugged him protectively. He hacked up a chainsaw and looked at Private questionably. "What! No Rico! It's still Kowalski, you can't hurt him!" Rico sighed and swallowed the chainsaw again, glaring at the door Kowalski had disappeared behind. Rico walked over and began brushing his doll's hair, keeping and eye on the lab door.

Private lifted the fishbowl hatch and leapt out onto the concrete. He spotted his Lunacorn a few feet away. "Rico? Have you got a needle and thread?" Private asked, peering down into HQ. Rico handed Private a needle and purple thread. "Thanks Rico" Private waddled away, hugging the damaged toy.

He ended up in the park, trying not to stab himself with the needle. Private stopped when he saw where his feet had taken him. Why did I come here, Skippah left for God's sake, he doesn't care!" Private mentally slapped himself for automatically seeking Skipper. Yet something made him keep walking, no matter how much his brain shouted 'no, Skipper had left them' he kept waddling forward until he was standing in front of his ex-commanding officer. Private watched the sleeping penguin. Skipper looked peaceful for once. Private smiled and dismissed any thoughts of waking Skipper. He sat down at the base of the tree and carefully lifted the needle. "Ouch!" He exclaimed, accidentally jabbing himself with the needle. He wiped away the blood on the grass and tried again. He whimpered as the needle found his flipper again. "Ow! Stupid needle" Private screeched, angrily throwing the needle to the ground. Maybe glue would work instead; it sure would be less painful. He jumped as he heard Skipper stir. Oh no, I woke him, he probably hates me, thinks I am a clingy freak...

Skipper noticed someone beside him and quickly jumped into a defensive position. "Private?" he asked, his voice confused.

"I'm sorry Skippah, I didn't mean to wake you"

"What are you doing here? Did Kowalski send you to spy on me?" Skipper demanded.

"What? No Skippah!" Private faltered as he racked his brain for an excuse. Why had I come here? "I just thought...I wanted to know why you left" Private half lied. The little penguin did want to know why his leader had left, but that was not the reason he had come to the park. In fact, even the little penguin was not sure why he had come here.

Skipper sat down again. "Well Private" he started but his mind went blank. Why did I leave? He did not know, he honestly and truly did not know. He felt he had left for an important reason, but what? What would be so strong that would make him desert his soldiers? His mind went into overdrive as he tried to remember why and what to tell Private...

He glanced at the younger penguin, he was sitting, fidgeting, waiting... Skipper tore himself from his thoughts and blurted, "I don't know." He saw Privates face go from surprise to confusion to hurt and immediately wanted to take the words back. He should have made an excuse up.

"So you left for no reason?" Private asked quietly and surprisingly calm.

"No Private, I...can't remember," He admitted. He hung his head. "I can't remember, I don't know why, but I don't remember that day at all, I don't understand, I wouldn't leave my team." His voice cracked as he looked at the younger penguin sadly. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"You really don't remember?" Private asked concerned.

"It's like that day never existed, I just don't get it. This is when I would ask Kowalski for options," He said sadly.

"Are you really telling the truth?" Private questioned, remembering what Kowalski had said.

"You got to believe me Private" Skipper pleaded. "I'd never leave the team, why would I desert my men? If I did, I would not deserve to live. I would rather be dead then coward"

"Then comeback" Private challenged.

Skipper thought about it. He could go back to his team and explain. Kowalski would have options and Rico; well Rico would want to blow something up, like normal. But what if they didn't believe him? Not everybody had a good heart like Private.

"Please" Private added. Skippers mind was made then as he looked at the sad younger penguin.

"Okay" Skipper grinned and began walking towards the zoo. Private skipped to catch up the older and smiled widely.

They reached the borderline between the zoo and park and suddenly Skipper felt himself run into something solid.

"Skippah, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine Private, that was weird." he chuckled. He walked forward but was stopped again.

"What the deuce?" he shouted, walking down a couple feet and trying once more. Again, he was stopped. It was as if an invisible brick wall blocked their path to the zoo. Private walked over confused. He hesitantly walked forward and reached the zoo side safely. He noticed Skipper on the other side and came running back.

"How come I can enter the zoo but you can't?" He questioned.

"I don't know Private" Skipper said feeling deflated.

"Well we can't give up" Private said, grabbing Skippers flippers in his own and began pulling him towards the zoo. More of the same, as Skipper was once again stopped, but this time Private kept pulling.

Skipper felt his head pushed up against a barrier and said, "Private it's not working, and it's a little painful." He felt a small crunch in his beak and Private quickly dropped his flippers. Skipper dropped to the ground and rubbed his beak

"Sorry Skippah" Private said embarrassed.

Skipper let out a long sigh. "We might as well give up Private, go back to HQ, you need some sleep."

Private saw the sun peeking over the horizon. "Too late for that Skippah" he laughed.

"Private, you better go back, the team needs you"

"But the team needs you too!" Private cried.

"I know Private, I'll figure it out eventually"

"I'll help you Skippah, I'll be back later and we can solve this, I promise." Private said before waddling away towards the zoo.