Author's Notes: Hey guys sorry for the long Silence…again! I swear IDK where the time goes, but we are back again with another chapter! As always thanks for reading and please leave a review if you would like.

FYI-Remember when introduced to Manfredi and Johnson Axel is Rico and Brian is Kowalski. I know it might be confusing to use their aliases off and on, but it makes sense when the story is in the POV of Johnson or Manfredi for them to think of Rico and Kowalski as Axel and Brian.

Anyway, on with the chapter!

(At A secret location)

[One day later]

"Uh Boss" Fred approached his boss with caution as always. After all fear had served him well on the way to survival, thus far.

"Yes, Red One." Blowhole looks up from his work expectingly. He was currently in the control room standing by for news. Agent 12, (his spy that was assigned to find him news about his new penguin foes) had been checking in every few weeks to let him know of her progress. "Let me guess another one bites the dust?" Mistaking his arrival to be about her report.

"No Sir, you have visitors." Fred said stepping aside to reveal 3 important guests.

"Daimen." Blowhole looks taken aback by the badger's arrival and rightfully so. "I don't have a shipment for you right now." He reminded the pirate as he and his usual companions got comfortable at one of the many desk setups for his lobsters.

Daimen doesn't look put out by the news, ever since Blowhole started his villain career the two of them had an agreement. Blowhole supplied his largest shipment of Tuna and in exchange he got first pickings of anything Daimen looted during his raids. However, since his Northwind scheme Blowhole had fallen off the radar. His full focus now going towards finding this secret Commando team that took him down.

Of course, He had informed his many connections about the four penguins who had defeated him ruining years' worth of planning. Afterall it wasn't uncommon for villains to warn their networks of an opposing threat. And this one was apparently one to reckon with, no history, no database to steal their secrets from. These penguins were like ghosts that just popped into existence the day they took out Blowhole.

"I'm not hear for a shipment." Daimen said. "You told me to keep my ear holes close to the ground in case someone comes looking for you."

"Someone is looking for me?" Blowhole asked.

"An upcoming investor, or so he says." Daimen said gravely. "Didn't ask for you by name…. Was just looking for the guy who took out Northwind. Said results like that might be worth his while."

"And this warranted a visit?" Blowhole looks confused. "I gave you an emergency contact number, and my location for emergencies. What if you were followed? My whole cover could be blown-"

"He's a penguin an Adélie penguin." Daimen cut him off.

Blowhole stiffened, an Adélie penguin?! His newest foes were Adélie penguins. "Name?!"

"Lincoln Douglas." Ladi answered.

"Or Doug." Marci said with a dreamy sigh.

"Describe him." Blowhole demanded trying his best not to get distracted. Truth was the Chinstrap Sisters always freaked him out. He could never tell who was who, and he had heard the horror stories of what they did to those who crossed Daimen Black. No thank you!

"Charming, charismatic." Daimen answered.

"Sharp too." Marci added. "He knew we were sizing him up the moment we walked over."

"Bled confidence, not that fake stuff either, the kind only professionals have." Ladi added.

Blowhole looks thoughtful. "Could you recognize his voice in a recording?"

"I could." Marci answered. "No doubt."

Blowhole presses a button on his scooter and a recording starts with Blowhole speaking. "I will unleash Chrome Claw on an unsuspecting world. With my mutant monster at my side, I will rule land and sea!"

"Um, back up to that "without you" part, please." A timid British accent asked.

"I get the gist." Another voice says, its familiar "Rico!"

Blowhole stops the recording and plays another one, again it stars with him speaking.

"You have seen the last of Dr. Blowhole!" He decrees.

"Good. Run." The familiar voice says sarcastically.

"Oh. You think... Right." Blowhole corrects himself "Uh, I mean, this is the last you will see of anything!" He cackles.

"Oh." The familiar voice says before the recording cuts off.

"Is that all you have?" Daimen looks stunned. "Not much to go on."

"I didn't have the set up to record our first encounter so yes this is it." Blowhole looked to Marci expectingly. "Is it enough?"

Marci smiled a sly smile. "It's him." He says without a doubt. "That's our Doug."

Ladi smirked, not doubting her sister for a second. "Going undercover in the underworld just to find you? You must have made an impression."

"No doubt his team has taken similar steps in order to find me." Blowhole reasons.

"What's the plan? You want us to take them out?" Daimen asked.

"No, you're Pirates, not assassins all you'll do is tip him off and they will go into hiding again." Blowhole looks thoughtful. "I need them all together so I can spring a trap that takes them out all at once."

"He only gave me a week to find you before he said he was moving on." Diamen warned. "And that was three days ago."

"That doesn't give me a lot of time." Blowhole admitted. "Which is why he did it."

"Clever and good looking." Ladi sighed. "Too bad he has to die."

"Yes, well I will get my spies one through eleven to search the dark web for the locations of his team. Once I have something we will lay the trap." Blowhole revealed.

"Just say the word." Damien answered. "We'll be ready, won't we girls?"

The sisters shared a knowing smile. Since they often only looted civilian vessels, they rarely went toe to toe with professionals. However, the idea didn't deter them, it excited them.

"Been a while since we had a challenge." Marci admitted.

"Looking forward to it." Ladi added.

Blowhole couldn't help but feel the same. He had finally found another trace of his foes, and this time he would eliminate them all.

(Back with Private)

The rest of his time in Australia had been uneventful, though Private tried not to allow his previous actions to sway that in any way. Luckily, no one brought up the ice cream cone incident or Mini golf for which he was grateful. Instead, the time was filled with Tea and Sightseeing some of his mother's and Father's favorite places to see.

"I think I'd like to take you to England next." Nigel was saying as they watched the sunset. They were currently sitting on top of the Opera house in Sidney. The opera was one of Private's mother's Favorite places growing up in Australia. Which had been one of the only pastimes Nigel and her had in common.

"My Father didn't like to go?" Private had asked as they snuck into the evening show.

"Heavens no, not much for the theater Samuel, he was more of a Cinematic Theater kind of guy. But we took her to a few." Nigel had answered. "I was mostly there as moral support for both your parents' sanity."

Private had laughed at that. It was nice to know that family could be so different. It made him feel more secure in his own differences from his brothers. He now understood that he didn't have to be just like them, and it was okay that they didn't look or act the same. At the end of the day, they were still family.

"England?" Private asked.

"Yes, I think you'd like it there I can show you the Londan Eye and Big Ben! Oh, and proper teatime!" Nigel laughed.

"It does sound lovely." Private agreed. "Maybe next year? Same time?"

"Like an annual trip?" Nigel asked. "Do something different every time?" He looked wistful. "Samuel and I use to do that." He cleared his throat, as if to hide a sniffle. "I'd like that.

"I really enjoyed our time together Uncle Nigel." Private told him. "And you are more than welcome to pop in New York whenever you like. Just… call first for Skipper's sake."

"Bit of a planner that one, Isn't he?" Nigel said surprising Private with how spot on he was. "Every second planned out?"

"More or less." Private giggled.

"Well perhaps the four of us can plan something, you know so I can get to know my whole family a bit more." Nigel insisted.

"Really?" Private asked.

"Well of course, I only had 3 days with them, didn't I?" Nigel asked. "And they were busy getting ready for their outreach program."

"No, I mean, you consider them family too?" Private asked.

"Any family of yours is a family of mine." Nigel assured him. "They don't have to be blood relatives, besides they are what your Mum would call 'Good People.'"

"Good People?" Private asked.

"Yes, your parents would be very proud of you and your brothers. Going out of your way to help others the way you do. To make a sacrifice like that…it isn't easy, but you boys just dropped everything and did it with zero complaints. Takes a special kind of person to do that, I'm glad, you ended up with good people like that." Nigel reasoned.

Private felt tears bristle his eyes. "Me too." He admitted, and it was true. He could have ended up anywhere with anyone, or worse. He could have freeze to death in the snowbanks of Antarctica…alone. Now wasn't that a dose of reality?! Sure, he was always grateful to his brothers, always loved them, always would. However, he spent so much time over obsessing on what could have been and how he was nothing like them, that he forgot.

"I think they would like that, but we might want them to pick the event." Private suggested. "Otherwise, I can't say for certain Skipper won't conveniently have something else plan."

"Oh, Samuel use to do that all the time!" Nigel exclaimed. "Sometimes your Mum had to lie just to get him to come."

Private laughed. "That could work, but you'd have to tell the lie, I'm not all that great at them."

Nigel gives him a serious look. "Really? Not good at lies you say?"

"Afraid not." Private sighed.

"Don't be put out about it. We all have our strengths." Nigel said.

The two sat in silence, but it didn't last long with them, or at least that was the norm so far.

"So, I guess I'm leaving tomorrow." Private said.

"Yes, and I will miss you terribly." Nigel replied.

"You can send letters, or postcards." Private assured him. "I can't write, but pictures would be nice."

"Ah yes! I'd like some of you and the boys visiting the other Zoos. And I can send you some of my trips abroad."

"Got any of my parents?" Private asked hopefully.

"Yes…I'd have to go through the old boxes, but I know I have plenty, they just became hard to look at after…goodness I can't believe I didn't think to bring them." Nigel looks crossed with himself.

"No, it's alright, I get it…the constant reminder must have been hard." Private assured him.

"It was…they made me feel lonely…" Nigel admitted. "But I'm not alone anymore, I got you four now, don't I?"

Private nodded, too choked up for words.

"Come here." Nigel grabs him in an embrace which Private gladly reciprocated. "I'm glad I never stopped looking…I Love you Private, all of you."

"I love you too Uncle Nigel." Private croaks.

The rest of the Night had been filled with Goodbyes as they returned to the Zoo.

Private had an early wakeup call the next morning so everyone had come by the penguin habitat to see them off.

"You'll come back to visit, won't you?" DJ asked.

"Of Course." Private promised.

"I got you something." Sally said as she handed him a putter and his bow tie.

"Sally, we talked about this." Private told her.

"I know, take them as a reminder." Sally said. "To always be humble, and that you're a good person."

Private nodded and gave her a hug.

"And maybe when you finally forgive yourself, you'll play another game?" Sally asked.

"I don't think I'd ever forgive myself." Private admitted. "But I'll take the reminder." He said before putting both in his luggage to be sent off ahead of him through the mail.

"Where to next?" Nigel asked.

"Well, I'll be joining my brothers at the SeaQuest Aquarium." Private answered. "I'm thinking we have a few more weeks there before we head on home."

"Well send me a postcard when your Back in New York." Nigel said. "I should have found those old boxes by then."

Private nodded, before giving into a yawn.

"Sounds like you need some sleep." Nigel suggested.

Private shook his head. Truth was he wanted to get some sleep, so it could be tomorrow already. Don't get him wrong, he loved Nigel, and had enjoyed his time here with him and his new friends. Still, he was missing his brothers something awful and he couldn't wait to see them again.

So, he gave everyone one last hug before turning in for the night, and once he did, he was instantly asleep. Already dreaming of his brothers and all the new things he had to tell them about his…no their family.

Yes, Nigel was right about that, blood or not they were all family. And now that said family was complete, Private was never letting them go…no matter what.

(Back with Kowalski…)

It was nice having everything back to normal,

Kowalski shook his head at the thought. He shouldn't find his time With Manfredi and Johnson so comfortable. His mission here at Sea Quest was supposed to be temporary and yet, he couldn't help but feel at ease. Part of him thought it had to do with the scenery, this current Zoo wasn't that much different from the one in Central Park. Couple that with the fact that Manfredi and Johnson had the same mannerisms as the rest of his brothers, and it made sense. However, the other part of him knew it had to do with something far deeper.

He missed home, worse Kowalski missed the slow pace that came with it. Sure, he liked the big missions too. They were thrilling and took them to exciting places, all while allowing them to help others in need. Still as great as that all was, he missed home, and the slow days that came with playing zoo. Sure, the lemurs were a pain and civil disputes between their zoo mates would eventually try their patience…well Skipper's patience. Regardless, the slow pace also allowed for some much-needed bonding time with the brothers.

Private would make tea for everyone and gush over the TV while Skipper faked non amusement. While Kowalski would geek out over his latest experiment and Rico would wait in anticipation for it to blow up!

"Looks like we're a quarter short." Manfredi said, breaking Kowalski out of his thoughts.

The four friends were back at the vending machine getting the usual snacks before going to bing some late-night TV.

"Axel." Kowalski ordered.

Rico upchucked a quarter on command, displaying it to Manfredi on his tongue.

"Thanks for that." Manfredi took the coin and passed it up to his brother, Johnson who was Currently on his shoulders.

Johnson placed the coin in, and Kowalski who was on Johnson's shoulders punched in the codes to order the snacks.

"So, when are your other brothers getting here?" Johnson asked as he and Kowalski jumped back down to the floor.

"Our youngest brother Max should be here in the morning." Kowalski answered with ease. "And our oldest brother Doug will be here later tomorrow evening."

"That's a lot of moving around." Manfredi stated the obvious.

"Well, we see lots of rehabilitating colonies just like yours." Kowalski lied. "Converging at the same location every now and then allows us to see each other."

Rico babbles something that sounds like excitement.

"What did he say?" Manfredi asked.

"He's looking forward to seeing them, and honestly so am I." Kowalski admitted. "It's been a while since we were all together."

Rico grunted his dismay at the reminder. The brothers had been inseparable since they were hatchlings, but lately that hadn't been the case. In fact, ever since they met Northwind Rico found himself without one or even two of his brothers at a time. The feeling just didn't sit right with him, of course he knew they could all take care of themselves, if need be, but…

"Cheer up friend." Johnson gave Rico a comforting pat on the shoulder. "You'll be with them soon enough.

Rico smiled, now that the initial "misunderstanding" was cleared the brothers had warmed up to him with ease. Sure, the language barrier was presenting some difficulties but that's how it was with everyone…besides his brothers.

"How much longer will you stay." Manfredi asked.

He had been asking a lot of questions lately, and read flags kept waving around in Kowalski's mind. Those who asked too many questions were a threat to their cover, and Rico had made more than one joke about offing the two. Had Skipper been here he'd take the bomb specialist up on the offer, and a part of Kowalski knew he'd be right too. Still, all paranoia aside Kawalski still thought the two would be a great addition to the team. Convincing Skipper of that wouldn't be easy though, especially with a new and dangerous enemy on the horizon.

Anyone could be a spy for the enemy, in fact the only ones they knew were safe was each other.

And yet Kawalski couldn't shake the feeling that they were meant to be, they just clicked so perfectly with himself and Rico, that he just knew it would be the same for the others. Plus, they idolized Buck and followed his lifestyle. Besides, maybe this is what they needed, maybe having more of them would finally lead to Blowhole's permanent defeat.

Rico shrugged, letting Manfredi know that they didn't really know when they were leaving, which was true.

"So, what are we watching tonight?" Kawalski cuts in before more questions could be asked.

"Private-I." Johnson answered. "It's about this private detective who solves cold cases."

"Explosions?" Rico asked.

"I think he deals with a bomb or two." Johnson said. Surprising Kowalski.

He's not the only one surprised.

"You understood that?" Manfredi asked.

"I Think I'm getting the hang of it." Johnson admitted. "But sometimes…" He shrugs.

Rico finds a smile slipping on his face. He appreciated the effort and honesty from both of them.

The four penguins made their way to the office where they started up the computer and popped the DVD for Private-I in.

The movie had been way cheesier than Johnson had thought it would be, but it was good all the same.

Brian said he enjoyed it which made Johnson a bit guilty, since they chose it with ulterior motives. The show allowed them to talk about spies and the possibility of them without looking like they were prying.

Still, even while speaking freely, no new information was gained.

Manfredi had forced a joke and asked about the likelihood that a spy was in the very room with them. Axel laughed while Brian shoved way too much popcorn in his mouth almost as if he needed an excuse not to answer.

Axel, however, said something about how it's always the one you least expect and then he looked at Johnson with a conspiratory glance.

It was moments like this that Manfredi thought they might be wrong about the brothers. The two were so convincing that it forced them to question everything they thought they knew about the two. Hints the million questions they've been asking.

Johnson had even resorted to forgetting names just to try to mess them up, but they corrected him flawlessly.

And yet there were moments when they knew they had to be right. The silent gestures, the experiments, the maneuvers, even Axel's obsession with bombs screamed spy, or at least hit man. Yeah, Manfredi wasn't lying when he said he was hoping it was the former and not the latter.

"Next time I get to pick the movie." Brian muttered.

"A Team, A Team." Axel grunted.

"Really?" Brian gives his brother an 'Are you mad look.'

Axel shrugs as if to say, 'why not?'

"Not much of a spy fan?" Johnson asked.

"I like them." Brian answered with a yawn, "But I'm more for the educational films myself."

"Booooo!" Axel gives his brother a sour face.

"Yes, Yes I know I'm a stick in the mud-" He stiffens. "Move!" He grabs Johnson by the middle and together they bleed into the shadows.

The movement is so swift and fluid it makes Johnson dizzy to the point of near nausea.

Axel is just as quick, grabbing Manfredi and seeming to vanish into thin air.

For a moment, it's so silent that Johnson's sure Brian must have been hearing things, but moments later Earl walked by the door that they had nearly stepped out of.

Meaning they had been seconds from getting caught.

How did Brian hear him coming, and how were they so good at hiding? The room wasn't very big, and they weren't hiding behind any furniture and yet the shadows seemed to swallow them up in a way that kept them perfectly hidden, even from each other.

They stood still for several more seconds after Earl left, until Manfredi couldn't hear his footsteps anymore. Finally, Axel let him go and grunted.

"That was close." Brian laughed softly as he and Johnson emerged from the shadows on the other side of the room.

"Guess parties over." Axel joked.

Johnson gives his brother an almost terrified look, but there was also a mixture of excitement there. This was more evidence that they were right about the brothers; there was something off about them for sure.

What kind of person could hide in the shadows like a ninja at a moment's notice?

Spies could, and assassins, and hit men, and well ninjas of course.

"Probably for the best." Brian schooled. "We have to make room for Max before he gets here."

"You mean your older brother." Johnson asked.

"No, that's Doug." Axel corrected with ease.

"Oh right." Johnson huffed out a forced laugh. "All that excitement got me thinking backwards."

"Thanks for the movie." Brian said. "I'm going to miss our nightly escapades." He said.

Manfredi felt a tang of guilt because he actually looked sincere.

The walk back to the penguin habitat had been mostly uneventful from there, the four only stopping to give Hank his requested snacks.

Hank of course was grateful even if the new guy tended to store said snacks in his gut only to spit them out when requested.

"Night." Brian yawned as they stopped out in front of their home.

"Where we gonna put all this?" Axel whined looking inside at the mad scientist set up.

And yes, Manfredi was still calling it that, regardless of whatever the facts may be.

"They might have to share the tunnel beside us." Brian reasoned.

"Not gonna like the mess." Axel teased in a sing song voice.

"Well, if Doug doesn't like it he can clean it." Brian argued.

"Bet you won't say it to his face." Axel challenged.

"Of course not." Brian agreed. "Do I look mental?"

"This Doug sounds a bit up tight." Johnson said with a laugh.

"He means well." Brian answered. "We'll see you guys in the morning."

"Yeah maybe we can see Doug with you in the morning."

"Max." Axel corrected.

"Right." Johnson laughed. "Well night guys."

"Night." Axel grunted.

"Night." Manfredi said as he all but dragged his brother out of the danger zone. "Laying it on a bit thick don't you think?"

"You think they're on to us?" Johnson asked.

"I would be!" Manfredi huffed. "Did you see them back there?"

"Like ninjas." Johnson agreed. "And that Brian maybe built like a pencil, but he is strong."

"And there are more of them." Manfredi voiced the obvious. "And they are all coming here for some reason or another."

"See that's the part I don't get." Johnson said, "If they are spies why come here, nothing ever happens here."

Maybe, it's not the Zoo, but some place close?" Manfredi asked.

It was possible, but either way the truth was all they had was questions, zero answers and more variables on the way.

"Is there any way we're just being paranoid?" Johnson asked.

"What does Buck say about paranoia?" Manfredi answered with a question of his own.

"Always keep the paranoia cap on cranked up as high as it will go." Johnson answered. "Keeps you alive."

Yes, it was better to be suspicious then sorry for that Manfredi was sure.

-To Be Continued

Author's Notes: Sorry for the long silence everyone, I am currently in the works of planning the next half of this story. The next post will be In January 2025! Sorry for the long pause, but I want to get in the habit of having several chapters completed ahead of time, so you all don't have to endure these long silences as often. With that said, see you at the start of the new Year, and Happy Halloween!

Yours Truly, RoxieDivine ;)