Author's Notes: Happy New Years everyone! I know this chapter is coming out a lot later than all of you were hoping, but it's Still January so I'm calling this a win in my book. I hope all of you had amazing holiday's and with that said lets dive back into the world of The Penguins of Madagascar.

Reminder: The penguins are under cover so Skipper is Doug, Private is Max, Axel is Rico, and Brian is Kowalski. It makes since to use these names over their real ones when the story is being seen through Madfredi's or Johnson's point of view. Also I'm not completely done drafting this second half so i'm going to be posting byweekly so we stay ahead and minimize the wait time. As always thanks for reading and please review.

(Back with Skipper)

He wasn't sure what had happened, but he felt the change the moment he stepped foot on Daimen's private yacht. Yes, something was different, But Skipper just couldn't figure out what was setting him off. He was greeted with the same hospitality as he had been before, offered a drink and free rein of the ship.

None of the human servers or the other guest treated him any differently, and yet…something was making his instincts scream at him. 'RUN!' They said. 'DANGER' It was a strange feeling to say the least and Daimen's hasty response didn't help things.

Skipper, or Doug as he was currently pretending to be had expected the pirate to keep him waiting as he did before. However, this time Skipper had very little time to himself, which was a bad sign. If Daimen was looking to score then he would make him wait a little bit. He would want to exercise how much control he had in the situation. It was a power move that was expected of a trades dealer and yet, his quick response suggested the opposite.

He was not in control, but rather someone else was. He was following the orders of someone higher up who demanded results.

Skipper watched as Daimen made his way over to him, he looked the same as he had before. His demeanor was just as friendly, and he showed no nervousness. And yet as their eyes met Skipper just knew. Without uttering the first word Daimen had conveyed the answer to why his instincts were going haywire.

He had been had! Daimen Black knew exactly who and what he was and if Skipper had any sense he would run…NOW! Already he could feel his muscles tensing up, ready to bolt, but he fought the instinct. He may be had sure, but he was still hanging on to the hope that Daimen may have something useful for him. So, despite his nerves Skipper dawned his most charming smile and saluted the badger with his glass high. "Daimen, I trust your search was not in vain."

The badger mirrored the smile with a charming one of his own, again nothing is different from last time. Still, he has no doubt now what is going on, this meeting was meant to lure him into a trap. True to his suspicions the pirate wasted no time laying down the obvious bait.

"I managed to get you a promising lead." Daimen answered.

Skipper made a show of looking around, seeming distracted. "What? The sisters lose interest already?" he teased.

"Oh no they were devastated that they couldn't be here." Daimen said slyly.

"Oh?" Skipper raised a non-existent brow. "Really?"

"Yes, unfortunately they had business to manage so it's just us." Daimen said, his hurt tone obviously faked.

"Thank goodness for that." Skipper joked with ease. "So, you got something for me?" He asked, redirecting the conversation.

Daimen nodded. "The guy you're looking for is known as Doctor Blowhole." He answered producing a picture.

Skipper schooled his expression as the image of his new aquatic foe greeted him. "What can you tell me about him?" He asked taking the picture.

"Word is He's planning something big." Daimen said.

And there was the bait, a good doer like himself would rush to stop him, throwing every caution to the wind just to do it. Blowhole expected him to drop everything and hunt him down, but Skipper had learned from their past encounters. He wasn't rushing into anything, no matter what was said from this point on he was going to follow the plan. He was going to meet up with his brothers and they were going to make a plan.

"Where can I find him?" Skipper asked, playing right into the mammals hand.

"He has a secret underground lair, a safe house of sorts." Daimen answered.

"Safe house?" Skipper looked up. "That would imply he's laying low."

"We'll it seems like, and this is just a rumor, but from what I've gathered his last plan didn't go off so flawlessly as we were to believe." Daimen said.

"Meaning?" Skipper asked.

"He may have undermined an organization, but he caught someone's attention while doing it." Daimen gave him a stern look. "Whoever they were they filled the power gap in record time, and stopped his scheme before it even got off the ground."

Skipper was surprised how transparent the badger was with him. It wasn't like criminals to show weakness or admit when they had been out done. Still, he could just be playing the role, Doug was paying him for information. And If he planned to do business with him again then he'd be wise to give him all the facts. In short he was trying throw Skipper off his game, make him think that the badger was none the wiser.

The leading commando was not convinced. If anything, he was more alert now than he had been before. He could have sworn he felt the dolphin's laser red eye on him, but he pushed forward. "Not surprising, when a top villain is taken out we scramble to fill the gap as well." He reasoned. "It would make sense for the enemy to do the same." He looks up at the badger eyes narrowing. "Are you trying to say he's not worth the trouble?"

Daimen laughs, its as hardy as the one they shared a few days before and Skipper has to give the guy credit. He was a good actor. "No, my friend, you are paying me for information are you not?" He asked. "I do not make it a habit to mislead my clientele. I deliver the facts, and you decide if it is worth the risk."

Skipper nodded. "What else can you tell me?" He inquired.

Daimen produced a map with a big X written on it. "This is where my informant tells me Blowhole was last sighted. He's laying low waiting for this new group to come up out of the shadows. They have made it pretty clear that they will stop him at any turn. He's already dealt with them twice."

Skipper takes the map and examines it closely. He wasn't much for geography that was more Kowalski's department. "Can I take this?" He asked.

"Of course, it's yours mate, for the right price." Daimen said as the penguin took the map looking at it thoughtfully. He was obviously waiting for something.

Skipper knew what he was waiting for. He was waiting for Doug to ask about the new threat that took down Blowhole. It was the likely question; any smart criminal would want to know all they could about any potential threat from law enforcement. Still, if he looked to interested in what the enemy knew about him he might give himself away. Sure, he was positive he was had, but even still that didn't mean he should abandon his cover all together. "What can you tell me about this enemy?" He finally asked.

"There was four of them, four well skilled and trained Adelie penguins." Again, He surprised him with how honest he was being.

"He took out Northwind, the most respected group of spies, known for solving international crimes and he can't manage four penguins?" Skipper laughed.

"You're a penguin." Daimen pointed out. "An Adelie penguin if I am not mistaken."

Skipper gives him a sinister look, and he was surprised that the badger actually flinched. "Let me tell you a little something about my kind friend." Skipper hissed. "Penguins are cute and cuddly snow clowns. They are dumb absent minded and easy going with very few exceptions." He revealed. "It's one of the reasons I am the way I am." He admitted. "I wanted to escape that stereotype, prove that we could be more then what nature deemed us to be."

Daimen nodded, probably wondering where this was going.

He wasn't alone, Skipper also wondered where this was going. He meant every word that was coming out of his mouth, and once again he is forced to see just how different his life would have been if he had been alone out there in the wild. "These penguins, I'm sure they're impressive, but I must admit I'm beginning to doubt that this Blowhole is worth the investment."

Daimen looks slightly alarmed, as if he was doing the opposite of what he wanted. However, he schools his expression quickly. "That's too bad, and I went through all that trouble."

"Don't worry I appreciate the save." Skipper assured him. "That's why I still plan to pay you from your trouble."

"Really?" Daimen looks shocked and rightfully so. What kind of good doer pays a known criminal?

The kind who had a part to play. He had made it clear to his brothers that this plan would force them to ignore any criminals they crossed and their behavior. They had to see past them in order to get to Blowhole.

A method that had proved its worth.

"What did you think I was a poser?" Skipper cocked a non-existent brow once more.

Daimen laughed. "Not at all, just not use to getting paid for bad news." The badger admitted.

"Call it a sign of trust." Skipper says. "I may call on you again friend." He pointed off towards the west side of the docks and as Daimen follows his flipper he pockets the map. "I have a shipment of tuna waiting for you at Warehouse 12. 50 pounds, I trust you will find all sorts of bad things to do with it."

Daimen looks too stunned to speak.

Skipper smirked. He was going to be even more stunned when he saw the tuna was actually there. Thanks to his winnings with Bo, he had plenty to flaunt, besides, he was happy to be free of the dirty money. Sure, he won it playing cards, but there was no telling how it had gotten there in the first place.

Besides guys like Daimen were loyal to one thing, the bottom line! Like he said, he worked for a price, which meant his loyalty could be bought. Every good and successful spy organization had an informant or two and with Northwind gone Skipper and the boys would have to get their information from somewhere.

He knew his brothers wouldn't like it, but it couldn't be helped. Sometimes in order to catch a big fish who had to let the small ones keep swimming. "See you around Mr. Black." Skipper took his leave and smiled as he stepped off the yacht without being challenged. He had what he needed and now it was time to leave the enemy to fester while he informed his brothers what he learned.

(Following Damien…)

He couldn't believe his eyes, part of him had expected to find nothing, so much so that he almost didn't check.

Daimen stood in the middle of Warehouse 12 where a large crate greeted him. The warehouse belonged to him and his crew mates took turns guarding it.

"A Doug left this for you." His first mate Dan another badger had explained when he arrived. "Says it's your payment."

"Did you open it?" Daimen asked.

"No, didn't want you to accuse me of stealing." Dan picked up a crowbar nearby and used it to pry open the crate.

Daimen watched in awe as the fish came pouring out like a tidal wave.

"We're rich!" Dan exclaimed.

Daimen laughed, if the guy was a suit he sure knew how to make an offer. Oh yeah it was obvious what the guy was offering.

"My It seems my newest foe has been busy." Blowhole laughed as he rode over to him on his scooter.

"So, it was him?" Daimen asked.

Blowhole nodded, he had been on the yacht the whole time, and was sure that his foe could feel his presents. It was in his body language; Skipper was wound up tight and it showed. "Yes, His real name is Skipper; he is the leader of the team who forted me." The Dolphin smirks. "Still, I must admit he played a good game." He gives a regretful sigh. "A shame he never devoted himself to a life of crime."

Daimen shrugged. "Well at least he paid me for the trouble."

"Yes, the question is where did he get the tuna?" Blowhole looks thoughtful.

"You think he stole it?" Ladi asked as she and Marci came out of the shadows. Of course, they had been watching as well.

"No not his style." Blowhole mused. "Nevertheless, they are not like Northwind. They have no sponsors, no investors."

"How do you know?" Daimen asked as Dan started counting the tuna and placing it back in the crate to be placed on the Yacht with the rest of his loot.

"The smart one, Kawalski it's obvious he designs all their weaponry and inventions and while they are brilliant they are made of spare parts." Blowhole explained recalling the weapons he saw during his latest encounter with his flightless foes. Sure, he hadn't seen Kowalski invent any of them, but his intellect made him the obvious culprit. "If they had investors or sponsors of any kind then their weaponry would be more legit, therefore they are self-funded." The aquatic mammal reasoned.

"So how does a self-funded group of good doers get this much tuna?" Marci asked the obvious question.

Blowhole looks thoughtful before he smiles. "He's posing as a criminal, so how does a criminal get a lot of tuna without breaking any laws?"

Daimen grinned as the answer came to him in an instant. "The underground, he must have gambled these earnings, probably asked questions about you there as well." His smile grew impossibly wider. "The guy must have a really good hand."

Blowhole nods "Girls I'm going to need you to ask a few questions for me."

"Of course, we'll let you know what we learn." Ladi assured him.

"Be advised he most likely will have used a different name and disguise than the one he used here." Blowhole explained.

"I would expect nothing less from a professional." Marci reasoned. "We will be in touch."

Daimen watches them go; the sisters didn't bother to wait for his permission. Not surprisingly they didn't actually work for him. It was more like an unspoken partnership; they helped him pull off his schemes and they got a percentage of the earnings. Still, they were a threat worth considering. It was obvious this Skipper was trying to buy his loyalty, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't tempted. It wouldn't be the first time he played for the other team. Northwind had used him a time or two which is why the commando had known about him in the first place. That much was obvious, and while he wasn't one to help good doers just because they paid him; at least this guy was paying him.

Blowhole however hadn't given him a shipment in months and now he was walking around and giving orders like he was in charged. Which would be fine if Daimen was being paid for the trouble, but he wasn't. He watched the Dolphin who was taking his leave, taking to one of his lobsters using the communications devise on his scooter.

He was being dismissed without a second thought. His eyes narrowed. "You know I don't work for free." He reminded him.

"I told you my shipments are at a halt until I get rid of them, now are you going to help or what?" the aquatic mammal asked.

Daimen smiled, he had his answer, and he wasted no time moving his newest scheme into play. "Just say the word and I am there."

"I'll get in contact with you as soon as I have all the pieces in play." Blowhole assured him and took his leave.

"I know that look." Dan said in a low whisper to his boss. "That is your scheming face, what you thinking Boss?"

"That money talks." Daimen admitted. "And do you know what this payment is telling me Dan?"

"A good guy who pays is better than a bad guy who doesn't." Dan answered as a matter of fact.

"Exactly, tell the mates to be ready to move." Daimen ordered. "Our new friend just might need our help sooner than he thought."

(Back with Private)

[The Next Morning]

His departer from Australia had happed late into the night and even though he had slept the whole way, Private was still exhausted. However, he wasn't going to let the jetlag ruin this moment. Finally, he was being let out of his pen to join the rest of the penguins at Sea Quest Aqua Park.

"Here you go Max." Dilan let him out. "Axel, Brian! Max is here!"

Private does a little call and looks around expectingly as several penguins poke there heads out of their little living areas. All of them were obviously curious of the newcomer, but Private was looking for two in what felt like thousands. Finally, after he felt like his heart was going to burst from all the excitement he sees them.

"Brian!" Private runs over to Kowalski remembering to use his cover name. "Axel!"

Manfredi watches as the brothers come together the looks of pure joy on their faces at being reunited was something that just couldn't be faked. Here were three brothers who obviously meant the world to each other, and sure the experiments, and the ninja, and the up-chucking superpowers still had him on edge, but this?

Max is talking a mile per minute, something about his holiday, his accent is much different then his brothers, making him think he must be adopted. Still blood or not there was no mistaking the familiar bond. "Uncle Nigel and I had loads of fun, you guys should really come to the next holiday."

"Well, I'm sure we could plan a little trip." Brian was saying. "Doug might need some convincing."

Axel grunts something and Max gasped.

"No, we can't just hog tie him up and take him hostage."

Johnson laughs despite himself. "This Doug is sounding like a real stickler aye brother?"

Manfredi looks unsure.

"What is it?" Johnson asked.

"They just seem so wholesome." Manfredi reasoned. "Maybe you were right and there is a perfectly good explanation for this."

"Like maybe they're the good guys?" Johnson asked.

Manfredi looked at the brothers again and caught Brian's eye.

Brian lights up and rushes Max over and Manfredi can't help the smile on his face. Brian was a great friend. He always tried to be friendly, even when they told him about their accidental prone tendencies he never changed.

"Max, this is Manfredi and Johnson, they're brothers too." Brian explained.

"Oh, that's great. This kind of thing can be hard." Max assured him. "It's great to have a brother to get you through it…or three."

"He's just so cute." Johnson blurted out.

Axel burst out laughing while Max began to pout about being the youngest.

Manfredi found himself relaxing, these guys were great people he was sure now more than ever. Still, he wanted to know the truth; the brothers were obviously hiding something and even if they were the good guys.

It didn't mean the danger wasn't real, no it just meant it was unknown which when he thought about it was a lot worse.

"Hey, when is Doug getting here?" Max suddenly asked.

"Later tonight." Brian answered.

Axel grunts something about a mess. Manfredi had to admit Johnson was right, it was easy to understand the guy after paying attention long enough.

"Mess?" Max looks confused.

"Oh, wait until you see." Johnson exclaimed adding to the chaos. "Frankly I love what Brian has done with the place."

Brian groans sheepishly as Axel leads the way.

Max gives a surprised squeal upon seeing their living conditions. "Brian, not again." He shakes his head. "Doug is going to kill you."

"Well what else were we supposed to do in our spare time?" Brian complained. "Besides I am this close to solving the answer to eliminating pain forever." He looks thoughtful. "I do need another test subject to widen my research pool…" He trails off as if sizing Max up.

"And I have now decided that Manfredi and Johnson are my brothers." Max said, completely deadpan. "Yes I will live with them."

"Traitor." Axel joked.

Manfredi laughs and for once since their little discovery of the experiments it actually comes easy.

Johnson mirrors his expression full heartedly. It was good to be wanted, and to feel as if he belonged. For so long the two of them had been wondering from colony to colony never really finding their place. However, this small little rookery was like the perfect fit, for so long they wanted to be just like their hero Rockgut. Now it would seem they may have actually found what they were looking for.

"So, you going to let your brother just go off on them?" Johnson asked Max.

"They knew better." Max reasoned. "Still, I'm sure we could tidy up a little." He reasoned giving the two a stern look that Manfredi didn't think the little guy was capable of.

Axel grunts and starts putting things away while Brian mutters under his breath about all his hard work with set up, now wasted. The funny thing was cleaning took no time at all and suddenly The brothers were ready to show the new arrival around the zoo.

"So, what do you guys say?" Brian asked. "The usual?"

""The usual?" Max asked.

"Yes we go hang out in the main office and watch movies and grab snacks for friends." Brian explained.

"It has helped us adapt a lot." Johnson admitted. "At first it was just to pass the time, but we slowly started to learn about the city life."

"Of course, Brian has been a great help with teaching us Zoo life." Manfredi added.

"That's great. I'm glad you guys are getting settled in your new lives. You think you'll get released back in the wild or stay?" Max asked.

"Probably stay." Johnson admitted. "We are quiet accident prone."

Brian raises a nonexistent brow. "Strange I haven't seen a single example."

"That's just it, the moment we got here, nothing." Manfredi explained.

"Well Zoos are pretty safety proof even for the clumsiest of animals." Max shrugs it off.

"So, A Team?" Johnson joked obviously trying to pick up the conversation from the night before.

"A Team? Isn't that a spy movie?" Max asked. "Axel I thought you got over that obsession."

Axel grunts a chant for A Team!

"Oh alright, as long as you two are comfortable." Brian relents. "But if you start drooling at the explosions I'm turning it off."

(Later with Kowalski…)

The movie had been just as bad as he remembered the last time Rico wanted to watch it when it first came out. Not that Kowalski hated a good spy movie, this one just had all the clichés, and it felt too redundant. Still Rico's clear enjoyment and Johnsons commentary did make it far more enjoyable then he remembered the first time being.

Now the four penguins were heading back having just stopped by to deliver Hanks snacks.

"Hanks a nice sort of fellow." Private admitted. "Kind of reminds me of Mason."

"Yes he does." Kowalski admitted. "He's a Chimp at our home Zoo." He explained to Manfredi and Johnson.

Johnson perked up; this was the first time they had heard anything about where the brothers usually call home. He was about to ask more when a figure stopped him dead in his tracks.

His silhouette told him he was a penguin, but he was covered by shadows. He stood as straight and stiff as a board. His body hummed with that ready charged energy that came with a natural born predator. In fact, if it weren't for his short stature he would have sworn the Buck Rockgut was about to step into view.

"So, I find the three of you galivanting?!" His voice made all three of the brothers froze. The figure steps into the light revealing a penguin that was not Buck, but still, he carried himself like Buck. "Hope you boys didn't forget about me."

"Doug!" Rico grunts and races over lifting Skipper off the ground and spinning him around in circles.

Skipper worms his way free before locking Rico in a head lock before ruffling his feathers atop his head. "Been staying out of trouble?"

Rico goes into a storm of a response that is honestly to hard for Manfredi or Johnson to follow.

Skipper quirks a none existing brow. "You guys watched A Team, without me?!"

"Oh, please you know it's awful." Kawalski moves in for a hug.

"I know, I could have used the laugh." Skipper joked retuning the embrace. "Max, how was time with your uncle?"

Private practically tackles Skipper. "It was great, good to be home though."

Skipper smiles. "Yeah I missed you boys too." He admitted his eyes falls on the two tag alongs. "And who do we have here."

"Manfredi." Manfredi goes right into a hardy handshake. "Heard a lot about you Doug, also I was told to tell you there was no explosions of any kind."

Skipper laughs while eyeing Rico, then he grows very seriously. "Really, how much did he bribe you? Ha! Just kidding, Nice to meet you."

"This is my brother Johnson." Manfredi gestures to the tall penguin beside him.

"Nice to meet you." Johnson shakes his flipper as well. Doug seemed nice. Not nearly as uptight as the brothers made him seem, but also his laugh seemed forced. Like he thought Axel might have actually tried to blow something up while he was gone.

"It's nice to meet you both, but I think I'd like to catch up with my brothers now if that's okay." Skipper asked.

"Oh yeah of course." Johnson laughed. "Sorry for hogging them."

"All good friend." Skipper assured him. "I'm glad they are taking this program seriously. Usually, I do this kind of thing on my own. Wasn't sure they were ready yet, but I'm glad to have been proven wrong." He smiled proudly at his brothers.

Kowalski couldn't help but feel giddy about the validation. All that time they were looking for a trace of Blowhole he wanted to help. Skipper's burden and guilt just seemed so heavy ever since he came back from his first solo mission. Ever since he just wanted to prove that he could help lighten the load. Now he had finally done.

Rico stood taller at Skipper words. He always thought he needed to be controlled, but his urges had actually stayed under control. He wondered if Miss Perky had anything to do with it, he'd like to think so.

Private looked close to tears, for so long he had become used to being treated like a child, and now Skipper was allowing him to stand on his own two feet. It felt good to be seen as an equal, finally he had something to bring to the table too.

It was a very familiar scene. Manfredi could sense some truth in the older brother's words, but they were crafted so vaguely he could easily plug in any scenario, and it would still work.

"Well night, see you in the morning." Johnson said as they took their leave.

"Yeah night." Manfredi followed his lead, heading towards their home in the Penguin habitat.

"Night." Max said.

"Good meeting you." Skipper added.

Rico grunted a good night, and Kowalski was the last to shout out.

"We'll catch up in the morning!"

Manfredi and Johnson echoed the sentiment and then they were gone.

Once they were out of sight, Skipper and his brothers grew serious and without a word they moved over to their hole and temporary home.

They stood in silence in the cramped area listening closely for any threats finally Skipper broke the silence.

"Alright, Tell me everything…"

-To Be Continued