Rayman Legends Adventures in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa/Script

Africa; a world populated by an amazing amount of landmarks, from exotic mountains to breathtaking savannas.  This exotic place had been the origins of some of the most interesting stories ever warned.  Some had even involved the incredible variety of Africa’s animals.  From epic coming of age stories, to protecting territory, they came in many fashions.  But for one young lion, there came a story of reunion, acceptance, but also life and death.
DreamWorks Animation presents
In sight of Africa’s Mt. Kilimanjaro, on one of Africa’s many animal reserves, a lion with a black mane was in the golden grass with his infant son, from the wondering herds of buffalo, giraffes and elephants.  Trying to teach the cub how to fight, the adult male, Zuko, also known as the alpha lion of his pride, was having damage due to the cub’s playful nature.  The cub, Alakay, was dancing around and chuckling, ignoring Zuko’s attempts to get his attention.  “No, no, son, over here,” said Zuko as he shook a toy resembling a lion, “see the lion, look at the lion, you found the lion.”
But Alakay wasn’t interested in the slightest, due to dancing more than paying attention.  Zuko sighed before catching Alakay.  “Now, son, if you’re gonna grow up and be like your daddy some day, you must learn how to fight,” he said as he looked his son in the eye.
“Dadda,” squeaked Alakay as he put his little paws on Zuko’s face. 
Zuko chuckled at his son before showing him something.  “Alakay, let me show you something, alright,” he said before showing Alakay his paw, revealing a mark of Africa on it, “you see this mark?”
Alakay looked at his own paw and saw that he had the same mark on his paw.  “You and me are the same,” said Zuko, “and if you’re bigger, you’re gonna be alpha lion just like your daddy.  Now let me see you fight.”
Alakay posed in front of Zuko’s fake lion, ready for a showdown.  “Ready,” asked Zuko before Alakay started dancing again, “no, Alakay, no dancing.”
Alakay ignored his father again.  Zuko picked up his son and said, “you just amuse yourself, don’t you?  You’re a strange boy, you’re a strange boy.”
Alakay started doing another trick.  Using his paw, he raised it over his head and made a happy face, before bringing it below and showing a down face.  Zuko found this slightly amusing, but he yet wanted to train his son to fight.  “Now, c'mon, let’s try it again,” said Zuko as he set Alakay back onto the ground, only to see his dance wildly again, “no, Alakay, no, no, stop this, stop that, will you?  Doggone it!”
As this happened, someone hid underneath the grass, eyes locked on Zuko, as if he was going to pounce and attack.  This was another lion with a black mane, but more mean-looking.  He stood out of the grass and spoke up, getting Zuko’s attention.  “So disappointing since they don’t grow up the fashion you want them as well.”
Zuko recognized this voice and wasn’t pleased at all, for he recognized this lion as his opponent.  “Makunga,” he muttered before turning to him, “you’re not challenging me again, are you?” 
“Look on the bright side, Zuko,” replied Makunga, “after I defeat you and take over as Alpha lion, you’ll have so much more time to spend with your pathetic excuse of a son.”
Zuko looked at Alakay, who yet wasn’t paying attention.  He was instead chasing a blue butterfly around.  “Before I kick your butt, let me ask you something,” Zuko said to Makunga, “why do you even wanna become the Alpha lion?”
“I’m better looking, and I have better hair, I’m deceivingly smart......and I want everyone else to do what I say,” said Makunga.
Zuko rolled his eyes, not approving of Makunga’s claims.  “We’ll fight on three,” said Makunga, “...one...”
Zuko turned to Alakay and got his attention.  “Pay attention, Alakay,” he said, “Daddy’s gonna show you how it’s done.”
“Two, three,” said Makunga faster, willing to fight.
But before he could attack first, Zuko swiftly tackled him to the ground, catching him off guard.  As the two lions brawled over leadership of the pride, Alakay watched before getting distracted by the butterfly again.  Alakay started dancing after it, forgetting about his father’s fight.  He jumped into the air and landed on his back as the butterfly flew toward his face.  The butterfly tickled Alakay’s face before Alakay incidentally caught it with his mouth.  Suddenly, another fact caught Alakay’s attention; a rope peaking out from the grass.  Letting the butterfly go, Alakay chased after the rope as it slid into the grass, luring Alakay apart from his father and towards the reserve fence.  
Back with Zuko, he had just defeated Makunga and held him at his mercy.  “Who’s Alpha lion,” he asked.
“You are,” replied Makunga, grudgingly.
With that said, Zuko let Makunga go.  “Don’t you forget it,” he said sternly before turning back to where Alakay was, “and that Alakay is how you attack...Alakay?”
Back with Alakay, he pounced on the rope, getting himself out of the reserve.  But as he chewed on it, he saw someone standing in front of him with the other end of the rope.  “That’s it,” he said, “here, kitty, kitty.”
It was a human with sunglasses.  Another one showed up, but this one had a gun.  He pointed it towards Alakay, who started to get hesitant.  These two humans were poachers.  “Ah, this one’s a beauty,” one of them said as he picked up the cub, “he’ll be worth a few bucks.”
With Alakay in their hands, they tossed him into a wooden crate and hammered it shut.  Alakay, now frightened, tried lamenting for help while one of the poachers said, “it just gets easier and easier.”
“DADDY,” cried Alakay as his crate was restrained onto the poacher’s car.
“Alakay!  Alakay,” cried Zuko as he frantically searched the nearby grass for his son, “ALAKAY!!”
Zuko turned around and saw the poachers driving away.  He saw the crate wiggling and heard Alakay’s voice.  “DADDY!!”
Seeing that criminal poachers were taking his son astray, Zuko started concerning as he made a mad dash after them to rescue his son.  “No, NO, NO!!”
Zuko jumped over the reserve fence and chased after the truck.  “ALAKAY,” he exclaimed as he ran.
The truck swiftly took a turn to the right, but this didn’t stop Zuko.  He swiftly pursued the car into a nearby jungle.  Running as fast as he could, he ran up a nearby hill, overlooking the car.  At the right moment, he jumped into the air and landed on the car.  Claws out, he climbed his road towards Alakay’s crate.  But one of the poachers saw Zuko climb onto the car through the rear-view mirror.  “DADDY,” cried Alakay.
“ALAKAY,” exclaimed Zuko as he looked at Alakay through the crate hole, “NOW I'VE GOT YOU!  HANG ON!!”
Using his sharp claws, Zuko tore off the rope keeping Alakay’s crate from falling apart.  But before he could do anything else, he heard a gun reload and saw the poacher pointing his gun right at him.  A loud gunshot erupted, spooking Alakay, and as he looked out, he saw his father collapse onto the ground.  “DADDA,” cried the terrified Alakay.
Suddenly, the vehicle suddenly lost control and it spun out.  It hit a tree, causing Alakay’s crate to topple apart and fall down a steep hill.  After a few rolls down the hill, the crate landed in a river.  As for Zuko, he hadn’t seen what just happened to Alakay’s crate.  Luckily, the gunshot fired at him wasn’t lethal, but it damaged a part of his left ear.  After recovering from the blast, he looked at the car driving away.  Yet thinking the poachers had Alakay, he swiftly got up and pursued it again.  “ALAKAY,” he shouts as he runs after the car.
This yell was so loud that it echoed across the reserve. But what Zuko wasn’t aware of was that Alakay was now floating in the river, alone.  “DADDY,” he cried.
But there was no response.  The river slowly led Alakay’s crate further downriver towards the open ocean.  Alone and afraid, Alakay huddled in his box, concerned by what was going to happen next.  His crate flowed gently on the water as it traveled further and further apart from Africa and towards an unknown world.
At last, the crate became in the sight of a far-off world, complete with tall buildings that looked like the jungle trees back home.  The crate washed up onto shore, where Alakay was found.  Alakay became hesitant upon seeing more humans tower over him.  The discovery of Alakay became an article in the city newspaper.  Alakay was taken out of the crate and taken to a new place, one that he had never been to before.  He was gently put on a rock, where he saw a brick fence surrounding him.  Beyond that, there were crowds of humans looking at him.  But unlike the poachers, they didn’t seem eerie or menacing.  Instead, they were grinning at the cub, as if they were awaiting him to do something.  Alakay looked down at his rock and saw the picture of a lion doing a pose.  Thinking he could do this, Alakay stood on his hind legs and did the same pose, with his arms extended outward.  The humans cheered for the cub, liking his move.  Seeing that these humans were friendly after all and that they liked his poses, Alakay started doing some dancing.  The crowd cheered louder as the playful cub danced more and more.  Nearby, there were three others who watched him.  There was a zebra, a hippo and a giraffe, all of whom were children, just like Alakay.  “I don’t like the looks of this guy,” said the zebra, suspicious.
“Well I think he’s kind of cute,” said the female hippo.
“I think he’s kind of a show-off,” replied the zebra.
“Y-you think he’s cute,” the hesitant giraffe asked the hippo as he wore a neck cone.
Everyone watched Alakay perform and cheered jubilantly.  Alakay no longer felt fear or restrictions.  Here, he could dance all he wanted and felt happiness upon seeing the cheering crowds.  This continued on into adulthood.  By now, the lion, now having known himself as “Alex” was the star attraction of his new home: the Central Park Zoo in New York City.  He posed for one of his performances and roared while confetti flew into the heavens.  “RWAAAAAARRRRR!!”
The crowd cheered for their star animal as he bowed.  “THE KING OF NEW YORK CITY,” an announcer announced, “ALEX...THE LION!!”
His fellow zoo animals had also grown to love Alex too.  “WAHOO,” cheered Marty the zebra before turning to his friends, “I yet think he’s kind of a showoff.”
“You must give it to ‘em,” said Melman the giraffe, “the guy’s an animal.”
“Perhaps he needs to take a break,” said Marty, “you know, we could all use a vacation.”
“C'mon, where on Earth would we go on vacation,” asked Gloria the hippo.
“I don’t know about you…but I wanna go to Connecticut,” said Marty.
Marty’s idea of going somewhere beyond the zoo became reality one evening, but this lead to dangerous consequences for not just him, but for Alex, Gloria and Melman as well.  This event became a big topic on the New York news.
“‘On the loose, several animals, including the world famous Alex the lion, the king of New York, escaped from Central Park Zoo tonight.  The escapees and a group of animal looking creatures were eventually cornered at Grand Central Station.’”
“‘He was a very bad kitty.’”
“‘Animal Rights activists who convinced zoo officials to have the escaped animals sent to Africa, were stunned to learn that the shipping freighter carrying these animals was reported missing today.’”
“‘Tonight, hundreds of New Yorkers have gathered at the Central Park zoo to mourn the loss of their beloved zoo animals.  The question on everyone’s mind; where are they now?’”
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
At the top of the tall tree in Madagascar, a lemur pulled a lever and a system of gears started turning.  Far below the tree, four people tapped their feet to the beat of a catchy tune while riding an elevator going up.  Moving to the music and spinning flower necklaces, they waited for the elevator to reach the top.  The gears and mechanisms pulling up their elevator pulled it up while a heavy boulder went down to the ground.  At the treetop, hundreds of lemurs were cheering as the old plane was set and put on a slingshot mechanism, ready for takeoff.  Eventually, two bamboo doors cleared off, revealing the ones who were about to leave the island.
Alex: I like to move it, move it!
Gloria: He likes to move it, move it!
Marty: She likes to move it, move it!
Melman: We like to...
Lemurs: MOVE IT!!
Everyone started dancing again as Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman proceeded towards the plane. 
Alex: I like to move it, move it!
Gloria: I like to move it, move it!
Alex: I like to move it, move it!
Melman: We like to...
Lemurs: MOVE IT!!
“We’re gonna miss ya little fuzz buckets,” said Alex as he high-fived some of the lemurs, “you guys have been a grand crowd!”
“Glad we could introduce you to the toilet,” added Melman.
“If you ever come to look us up in Manhattan, feel free to call first,” said Alex.
Below him, two lemurs picked their noses before putting their respective boogers in the other ones’ mouths.  This grossed Alex out a little.  “Seriously though.....call.  Alright?”
But before anyone could get inside the plane, a trolley rolled over to them.  Maurice was riding it and he was standing near a big cake.  “Settle down, settle down, everybody!  Be silent,” he said to the other lemurs before turning to the New Yorkers, “you can’t leave without this.”
Suddenly, the top of the cake burst open and out came King Julien, wearing a coconut bra and a hula skirt.  “HEY!  Surprise, freaks,” he said before getting embarrassed by his skirt and dancing, “look, shake it!  Shake it!  HAHA!!  Yes, I am a lady!  I’m a lady, everyone!  I am a lady!”
The group looked at Julien with confused looks.  Alex rolled his eyes over Julien’s antic.  “Not really.  It’s me: King Julien,” Julien said to the group before turning to the lemurs, “which of you is presented to me?”
The lemurs cheered as Julien posed like a perspective lemur.  “Hands up!  HAHAHAHA, YES,” he cheered before turning back to the group, “hey, freaks!  You will be very glad to hear that I am coming with you.”
“Ohoho, no, thank you,” said a modest Alex.
“Why, yes, thank you.  It’s my plane,” said Julien before turning back to the lemurs, “until I return with the spoils from the new country...Stevie...will be in charge.”
Julien showed the lemurs his gecko on his crown.  The lemurs fell silent, unsure by what to think of that idea.  “I don’t think they like that idea so much, Julien,” said Maurice.
“What is that you are saying, Stevie,” Julien asked his lizard before getting some licks to the ear, “oh...oh...dear!  What...really?  No, you didn’t say that.  How is that even possible?  Hohoho!  You naughty little fact!  Stevie says...” Julien continued before translating in lizard language, “let them eat cake.”
The lemurs burst into applause again.  Julien and Maurice weren’t the only ones intending on going with the New Yorkers on the plane.  Attempting to get to the plane with his suitcase, Mort appeared and tried approaching the plane.  “King Julien, wait for me,” he called, “I’m all packed.  I have such an entire itinerary plan.”
Julien became shocked upon seeing the mouse lemur come towards them.  “Oh, dear, Mort!  He’s so annoying,” he said to the security lemurs, “don’t let him on.  Stop that fact!  He’s, uh...carrying scissors and hand cream.”
This made the security lemurs surround Mort and pile on him, preventing him from going any further.  “Everyone in, faster!  Get in, get in,” said Julien as he and Maurice shoved the group into the plane frantically, “get in fast!  Get in fast,” he said before eventually pushing Gloria in.
As the festival went on, inside the plane cockpit, the penguins were busy ready for launching the plane into the heavens with the slingshot mechanism.  “Struts,” ordered Skipper.
“Check,” replied Kowalski.
“Flaps!”
“Check!”
“Engine!”
“Check!”
“Coffee maker!”
“Check!”
Outside, Mort managed to get out of the pile of security lemurs.  He laughed before rushing towards the plane with his scissors.  “You guys!”
Two lemurs pushed off the ladder leading to the plane door, but Mort jumped into the air and tried landing in the plane.  However, Julien and Maurice shut the door on Mort’s face.  “Oopsie-daisy,” said Julien, pretending it as an incident.
In the cockpit, Skipper observed the distance the plane was about to travel across while looking at a bobble head Hawaiian girl.  “That has to be the second biggest slingshot I’ve ever seen, but it’s gonna have to do so,” said Skipper before taking a megaphone and making an announcement to the passengers, “attention!  This is your captain speaking.”
In the plane hallway, Private was giving a lecture on what to do in case of an emergency.  “In the event of an emergency, place the vest over your head, then kiss your...” Private said as he burst his life vest with the pull of a rope, “farewell.”
The New Yorkers settled into their seats.  Mason and Phil were also accompanying them on the flight back to New York.  “New York City, here we come, baby,” said Gloria while Alex and Marty fist-bumped each other.
“Sit back, relax, and pray to your personal heavens this hunk of junk flies,” continued Skipper.
“Personal heavenly hunk...wait, what,” asked a confused Alex.
In the cockpit, Kowalski pushed some levers, getting the plane engines online and ready for takeoff.  “We are go, sir,” said Kowalski.
As the engines fired up, Mort hung onto the door, trying to get someone’s attention.  “Open the door, I’m outside,” he said, only to be ignored.
“In the case of losing cabin pressure,” Private continued as he put an oxygen mask over his head, “please place the mask over your face to hide your terrified expressions from the other passengers.”
“Excuse me, miss,” said Marty as he showed Private his detached seat belt, “but aren’t these supposed to be attached to my seat?”
“No, sir.”
“Alright, boys.  LAUNCH,” announced Skipper.
“Hai,” Rico gestured to one of the lemurs outside.
“Launch,” a flag lemur gestured to another flag lemur.
“LAUNCH!!”
“Launch,” said a lemur to others who were holding up four vines.
With that said, the lemurs let go of their vines, causing a giant boulder that was being held up to plummet down and land on the vines holding the plane in place for takeoff.  The rock broke the vines off, sending the plane forward in a rush.  This caused everyone on board to jolt backward in their seats and shriek, while Private was sent flying towards the back of the plane.  The plane drove down the pathway, causing Mort to spiral in the air after it.  The plane flew off the slingshot and spiraled to the ground.  The lemurs gathered and watched it fall into the jungle below.  A silence spread as they waited to see if the plane made it.  Suddenly, the plane flew above the trees and towards the beach.  The lemurs cheered, happy to see their heroes on their road home.  The plane flew above the Madagascar jungle and began flying over the ocean, leaving the island and the now abandoned boat behind.  It was now on a old-fashioned ticket to New York City.
A few hours later, the plane had already flown a long distance from the island.  By now, it was flying over some heavy storm clouds, hundreds of feet above the ocean.  Despite a burning left engine, the plane was successfully pulling through its journey.  The plane flew into a cloud as lightning struck in the heavens.  Alex, who was sleeping, was alarmed awake.  After awakening, he looked out his window and saw something eerie messing with the wires of the wing.  “AH,” he shrieked in shock, “GREMLIN!!”
But as the storm clouds cleared, Alex saw that it was only Mort.  Relieved, and happy to see his friend, Alex waved to him.  “Hey, Mort,” he said.
“Hi,” replied Mort, who waved back, only to swiftly lose his footing and fly off the plane, and into the storm.
This confused Alex and he looked at where Mort had flown away.  He didn’t find any trace of the lemur, where he closed the window blinds, thinking it was just a vision.  “That was weird,” he muttered.
“Hey, somebody’s dreaming,” said Marty as he read a magazine.
“I think I just saw Mort on the wing of the plane,” said Alex.
“You’ve found Madagascar on the brains,” said Melman.
“I know I'm gonna miss it,” said Gloria.
“That was incredible,” said Alex, “I think it’ll seem more fun the further we are from it.”
“Like until you bit me on the butt,” asked Marty, to everyone’s amusement.
“I’m gonna take that fact you’re holding onto, and I’m gonna use it onstage,” said Alex, “it’s all part of my little actor’s salad bar of emotional tidbits.”
“Now are the butts next to the croutons at the salad bar,” asked Marty, once again to everyone’s amusement.
“Don’t need to be sarcastic, Marty,” said Alex.
“Hey, guys, guys, I’ve been thinking,” said Gloria, “if we get back, I might just sign up for the breeding program.”
This idea caught Melman’s attention.  “Breeding program,” he asked.
“I think the four of us have all reached a point in our lives where we wanna meet somebody...”
“Yes,” said Marty, liking Gloria’s idea.
“You know, settle down and have a relationship,” said Gloria.
“I can see that,” said Marty.
But Melman was unsure about this.  “What...you mean like...dating,” he asked.
“Yes,” replied Gloria, “dating.”
“O-other, other...guys,” asked Melman.
“What do you mean, ‘other guys,’” asked Gloria as everyone looked at the giraffe with confused looks.
Melman looked at everyone hesitantly, too afraid to confess his thoughts about the idea of dating someone.  Suddenly changing subject, Melman got out of his seat.  “Darn it,” he said, “what is holding up that beverage service?  I’m gonna go check.”
Melman headed towards the front of the plane, getting afraid and hesitant after passing Gloria.  “You all keep on speaking,” said Gloria before going to sleep, “I’m gonna catch a few winks.”
Meanwhile, in another part of the plane, Julien and Maurice were watching old movies of vehicles smashing and crazy stuff happening.  The two lemurs were having an amusing time watching these.  “Did you see that,” laughed Julien as they watched.
“It’s so funny,” said Maurice.  
“I like laughing.  It’s such a nice experience to laugh.”
Melman poked his head in, hoping to find the plane waiter.  Melman’s presence alarmed Julien.  “Woah, woah, woah!  Do you mind?  This is first class.  It’s nothing personal.  It’s just that we’re better than you,” he said before turning to Maurice and getting emotional again, “hey, Maurice, I’m open.  Hit me!”
Julien jumped onto an overhead chandelier while Maurice, with a piece of shrimp on his fork, flung it towards him.  “He shoots, he scores...” said Maurice, having fun.
As the lemurs did their fun antic, Melman turned to Private, who was straining with the food and beverage service.  “Is that Vivaldi,” asked Melman.
“In-flight slave,” said Julien, getting Private’s attention.
“Can I help you, Mr. Mankiewicz,” asked Private.
“Bring me my nuts on a silver platter,” said Julien, thinking Private was speaking to him.
“We were just checking on the drinks,” said Melman.
“Oh, I'm sorry,” replied Private as he tried keeping up with his business, “been a little backed up.”
“I guess, I’ll go back...”
“Hey, where’s your body,” asked Julien as he jumped on Melman’s head, “you’re freaking me out.  Can you please go over there, please?  Thank you very much.”
While Melman backed up and headed back to his seat, Julien sat back on his chair with Maurice.  “What just happened to the separation of the classes,” he asked.
“I wish this entire democracy fact is just a fad,” suggested Maurice as he fed Julien some shrimp.
In the plane cockpit, the penguins were busy with flying the plane.  Skipper, on the other hand, was embracing with his bobble head doll.  “We’ll go out for pineapple, my bobbly-headed boobily-boo…”
But as this happened, a gumball started flashing near the fuel-meter.  Kowalski noticed this and turned to Skipper.  “Skipper, look,” he said.
Skipper, regaining his firm demeanor looked and saw the flashing gumball.  “Analysis,” he ordered.
“It looks like a small incandescent bulb designed to indicate something out of the ordinary, like a malfunction,” said Kowalski.
“I find it pretty, and somewhat hypnotic,” said Skipper.
“That as well, sir.”
“Right,” said Skipper before turning to Rico, “Rico, manual!”
Rico tossed the plane manual to Skipper.  After looking at the book for a second, he hit it on the gumball, breaking it and causing it to stop flashing.  “Problemo solved,” he said. 
But Kowalski wasn’t sure.  “Sir, we may be out of fuel,” he said.
“What makes you think that,” asked Skipper.
“We’ve lost engine one,” said Kowalski as he looked at the plane’s right engine going offline, before turning to the left engine, losing it’s fire, “and engine two is no longer on fire.”
Seeing what was about to come next, Skipper decided to take action.  “Buckle up, boys,” he said.
Rico and Kowalski buckled into their seats.  “Don’t look, doll.  This might get hairy,” said Skipper to the bobble head before getting his megaphone and announcing to the passengers, “attention!  This is your captain speaking.  I have best news and worst news.  The best news is, we’ll be landing immediately.”
The passengers heard this and grinned, thinking they made it.  “The worst news is....we’re smash landing,” Skipper concluded as the plane stopped midair and started plummeting to the Earth.
This sudden jolt downward took everyone by surprise, and with no seat-belts to secure them, they were flung to the ceiling of the plane, except for Gloria, who was stuck to her seat and asleep.  Everyone shrieked louder as the plane wildly flew out of control.  “Since it comes to air travel, we know you have no choice whatsoever, but thanks again for choosing Air Penguin,” concluded Skipper, who remained calm.
Everyone started getting thrown around the plane as it spiraled through the clouds.  Alex was thrown into his seat and he saw Melman’s head outside the plane.  “AAHHHH!!!!”
Melman shrieked as well.  He was flung back into the plane, where he landed in the hallway, where his head got pummeled with the luggage.  In Julien’s room, he was actually enjoying the sudden emotion, while Maurice was afraid and held onto the seat for dear life.  “AHAHAHAHAHAHA!  HAHAHAHAHA!!  Raise your arms, Maurice,” said Julien as he tried getting the frantic Maurice in on the fun, “it’s more fun if you raise your arms like these.”
Suddenly, a nearby door broke apart, sending everything in the room flying out, including Julien and Maurice.  Luckily for them, they had parachutes and they started descending safely to the ground.  “I can fly!”
As for the others, they were yet in the plane and they were holding on for dear lives as the plane flew to the ground.  “THIS COULD BE IT, MARTY,” Alex said to Marty, “I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW YOU WERE TRULY A ONE IN A MILLION FRIEND!!”
“THANKS, BUDDY,” said a frantic Marty, “YOU’RE THE BEST EVER!!”
“I KNOW YOU WON’T MIND UNTIL I WARN YOU...”
“GO AHEAD, W-WARN ME ANYTHING!  WARN ME WHAT!!”
“I BROKE YOUR IPOD!!”
“WAIT, WHAT,” exclaimed Marty.
“THE BUTTONS WERE SO SMALL!!  IT MADE ME MAD,” exclaimed Alex, recalling an outrageous time.
“THE HORROR,” cried Marty.
“I’M SORRY,” cried Alex.
“I’M GONNA MURDER YOU,” exclaimed Marty as he whacked Alex.
“IT WAS AN INCIDENT,” replied Alex as the two started a little brawl.
As the two argued, Melman spoke up, thinking this was the end as well.  “I LOVE YOU, GLORIA!  I ALWAYS HAVE!!” 
However, Gloria remained asleep, fully unaware of Melman’s words and the plane smash.  Melman’s words caused everyone awake to stop panicking and turn to him suspiciously.  Alex and Marty looked at each other before frowning at Melman dryly.  “L-like you love the beach, or...or a nice book,” said Melman hesitantly, “...or the beach.”
The plane started getting closer to the ground below.  Everyone resumed shrieking as they held on, all while Private handed out drinks.  The front of the plane started catching fire like an asteroid as it plummeted.  As the chaos in the hallway went on, Skipper watched the plane approach the ground, not panicking one bit.  “My heavens, doll, you’re shaking like a leaf,” said Skipper to the bobble head before turning to Rico, “Rico, you’ve had your fun.  Haul up!”
Rico, who was enjoying going down really fast, pulled the controls up and the plane started going horizontal, just a couple inches above the ground.  The fire on engine two subsided as the plane slowly started approaching the ground.  “Gear down,” Skipper ordered Kowalski.
Kowalski pulled a switch and the bottom wheels to the plane came down, ready for touchdown.  “Gently now,” said Skipper to Rico, “you just wanna kiss the ground.  Just a little peck.  A smooch like you’re kissing your sister.”
But the instant the wheels touched the ground, they broke apart in half and the plane dug into the ground.  “I said KISS it,” said Skipper sternly. 
The plane dug a trench into the ground as it smashed into trees.  Pieces of the plane started breaking apart before the back half of the plane broke astray after smashing into two trees.  Now everyone was in danger of flying out and getting hurt.  “Now just a little brake,” said Skipper, yet not panicking, “just a touch.  A little whistle.” 
“I believe that’s checkmate,” said Mason as he played chess with Phil.
As for everyone else, they continued panicking over what was going on.  At last, the plane flew off a cliff face and started plummeting to the ground again.  Seeing no other options, Skipper said, “commence emergency landing procedure.  Flap up!”
Rico and Kowalski caught two switches above them.  “DEPLOY!!”
The two pulled their switches and two parachutes came flying up, stopping the plane from falling at a dangerous speed and causing it to slowly descend to the ground.  Eventually, the plane gently landed on the ground, ending the chaotic fall.  The plane had landed in a silent golden grassy area with tall acacia trees and dark green bushes.  However, all of the passengers were frozen with fear.  They could not believe they managed to survive the fall unscathed.  Oxygen masks eventually came down as Gloria started awakening.  Here, she saw that the plane was no longer flying.  “Oh, we’re here,” she said before realizing what just happened, “what in the world?”
She turned and saw Melman wearing an oxygen mask, breathing heavily.  “What just happened to the plane,” asked Gloria, “what have y’all done to the plane?”
Marty hesitantly got himself up and slowly got out of the plane, shaking in fear over what he had experienced.  “Alright...plane just smashed...alright...I’m alive,” he said silently.
“I can’t even sleep for a moment,” said Gloria, who wasn’t pleased with what just happened.
“Wow,” said Alex, shocked to see the plane smash in a different environment.
“And you know, this is not JFK,” said Gloria.
“Kowalski, casualty report,” Skipper ordered, getting Alex’s attention.
“Only two passengers unaccounted for Skipper,” replied Kowalski.
“That’s a number I can live with,” said Skipper, “nice landing, boys.  Who says a penguin can’t fly?”
The penguins started high fiving one another while Alex approached them.  Alex was shocked that they were celebrating over the crash.  “Hey, happy slappers,” he said as he got a seat off his claws, “is there a reason to celebrate?  Look at the plane.”
“We’ll fix it,” said Skipper.
“Fix it? How are you going to fix this,” asked Alex.
“Grit, spit, and an entire lot of duck tape,” replied Skipper, “we should be up and running in place...six to nine months.”
“SIXTY NINE MONTHS,” asked a shocked Alex.
“No, six TO nine months,” replied Skipper, “Kowalski, I say we use this setback to our advantage.”
“Where do you get, where do you pull that number out of, right,” asked an irritated Alex.
“I want you to reconfigure the design, then start re-configuring.”
“Sure, that’s a grand...how do you estimate that?”
“You, Pretty boy,” Skipper said to Alex, “why don’t you and your friends and dig a tree, perhaps find water.”
“Hang on, hang on a second,” said Alex, unwilling to cooperate with the penguins, “who made you king of the......plane wreck?”
“Excuse me,” replied Skipper as Rico pulled out an exacto knife, “well, fine, you can be in charge.  You fix the plane.”
“Who gives you the authority to put me in charge,” asked Alex.
“Alright then, I’ll remain in charge,” replied Skipper.
“Yes, that’s right,” said an annoyed Alex, unwilling to fix the plane himself, “you will remain in charge.”
“You and your little hippie friends can stay out of our hair,” said Skipper.
“Correcto-mundo,” said Alex, paying no attention, “because I decided to.”
“Nice for you,” replied Skipper.
“Yes, well guess what; this discussion isn’t over,” said Alex as he started walking away with his friends.
The only ones remaining at the plane other than the penguins were Mason and Phil.  “Higher mammals,” Skipper said to them, “you stay with us.  We could use your front vortexes and opposable thumbs.”
Phil did a gesture with his hands.  “Phil,” said Mason, “I should wash your hands out with soap.”
Back with the others, they had walked a small distance from the plane.  Gloria was in full disbelief about how the plane was going to get fixed.  “How in the–––hello, are they gonna fix this plane,” she asked Alex and Kyle.
“You know, gritting, spitting, and spit, a lot of spit and gritting,” said Alex, trying to lift spirits, “stick to it, a mist.”
“That doesn’t sound too promising,” said Marty.
With that said, Alex started despairing.  “You’re right.  You’re right,” he said, “we’re stuck here.”
“Hey guys, as long as we’re together, we’ll be alright,” said Marty, remaining optimistic.
“Yes, but love ain’t gonna get us home guys,” said Alex, who was yet down.
Suddenly, a jeep pulled up behind Alex, revealing a group of people with their cameras.  “Behold,” said the tour guide, “the lion.”
The people started taking photos of Alex.  This caught Alex by surprise, but upon seeing people, he grew happy.  “Hey, it’s people,” he exclaimed as he and the others waved.
“Alright, there is much to see, moving on,” said the tour guide, who drove the car away.
“WAIT, PLEASE, WAIT, PEOPLE,” exclaimed Marty, “HEY!!”
“HEY, WAIT UP,” said Alex as he got on all fours and ran after the jeep, outrunning his friends.
“PEOPLE, STOP,” exclaimed Marty.
“HELP US,” cried Gloria.
“HEY, WAIT,” added Marty.
“IF YOU STOP, I’LL AUTOGRAPH THESE,” said Alex as he started running on his hind legs upon getting close to the car.
However, as he chased the car, one of the passengers lowered her camera, revealing herself as the old woman who assaulted Alex at Grand Central Station.  “I know you,” she said.
Alex recognized the woman as well.  “You,” he said silently.
“It’s the bad kitty,” replied Nana, the old woman.
With no hesitation, she started smacking Alex with her purse.  Alex, not going down without a fight this time, caught the purse and pulled the woman out of the jeep.  The two opponents smashed to the ground.  The jeep stopped as Alex ran towards Nana, ready for more.  But before Alex could strike, Nana swiftly kicked Alex aside and got to her feet.  She approached the lion, only to get met with several punches to the face.  “How do you like some of that,” asked an overconfident Alex.
But Nana retaliated by punching Alex in the face as well.  This fight turned into a punch fest and the two adversaries kept attacking with their fists.  After a couple punches, Alex spat out one of his teeth and punched again.  But Nana spat out her entire set of teeth.  Changing battle tactics, Nana started kicking Alex to the ground like a martial arts fighter.  The other New Yorkers appeared and watched the fight.  Nana lifted a log and was ready to bring it down on Alex, but Alex caught it and stood on top of Nana with a boulder.  But before Alex could bring it down, Nana twisted a part of Alex’s chest.  “Come in, Tokyo,” she said as she delivered the painful move.
Alex yelped in pain as the boulder landed on his head.  Nana stood on her feet, leaving Alex defeated and in pain.  But before getting back in the jeep, she swiftly turned back to Alex and kicked him in between the legs.  The humans on the jeep cheered for Nana while the New Yorkers winced in pain.  “Right in the batteries,” said Marty.
“You think an old lady can’t take care of herself,” asked Nana as she put her teeth back in her mouth, “next time I won’t go where easy on you.”
The tour guide opened the door for Nana to go in.  “Thank you, darling,” said Nana kindly to the guide while the other humans cheered.
With Nana back inside, the guide drove the jeep away once again.  “Moving on,” he said.
Marty, Gloria and Melman helped Alex to his feet.  “Are you out of your mind,” scolded Gloria, “we need their help, and you’re harassing little old ladies?” 
But what Alex had that Nana didn’t was Nana’s purse.  “Out of my mind,” asked Alex as he searched the purse before finding her phone, “AHA!!  Who’s out of my mind now?”
“See if you can get an operator,” said Marty as Melman and Gloria noticed something over a hill.
“No problem,” said Alex as Marty noticed the same fact, “out of my mind?  We’re going home.”
Alex noticed the same fact and became in awe.  The four reached the top of the hill and was in full awe over what they were seeing.  It was a view of a savanna.  Filled with acacia trees and an immense variety of animals, everyone was captivated by the beauty of this landscape.  It was just like the view of the lake back on Madagascar, except it was much more beautiful.  “Message E-4.  The service user has roamed outside the coverage area.  Please try again,” said the cell phone before getting turned off by Alex.
Gloria removed the oxygen mask from Melman.  “Woah,” said the giraffe.
“Am I dreaming,” asked Gloria.
“These are zebras, like me,” said Marty as he watched a herd of zebras run, “wait, where are we?”
“San Diego,” suggested Melman, “this time, I’m forty percent sure.”
Alex, on the other hand, thought this place looked oddly familiar to him.  “I know this place,” he said.
“I think it's Africa,” said Marty.
“Africa,” asked Melman.
“It must be,” replied Marty, having a grand feeling about it, “our ancestral crib.  It’s in our blood.  I can feel it.”
“No, it’s more than that,” said Alex, having a feeling, “it’s like...déjà vu, like I’ve been here before.”
“It’s like roots,” said a happy Marty.
“No, it’s like...déjà vu, like I’ve been here before,” said Alex.
Down in the savanna, the many animals did their business peacefully and silently, until a voice caught their attention.  “How!”
The voice came from Alex.  He and the others had traveled down the hill to meet these locals.  “How,” said Alex again.
By now, the many African animals surrounded the group.  “Me...Alex,” said Alex, “me and...me friends...fly...fly...in grand metal bird.”
Two lionesses looked at each other, unsure but also confused.  “Then...plummet,” continued Alex as he imitated a plane smash before flinging himself to the ground, “smash ground!”
The herd members looked at the huge crowds of confused animals, slightly embarrassed by Alex’s speech.  “Go boom,” continued Alex as he got up, “then...here...we...emerge.  We offer only.....happiness and best greetings.”
“Is he dancing about a plane smash,” a female hippo asked another.
Now seeing that these locals were intelligent enough to understand him, Alex felt a little embarrassed.  “Yes, we just...yeah...I thought...I'm sorry,” he said.
“You mean you came apart from the reserve,” asked a surprised giraffe.
“Yes, way off,” replied Alex, intriguing the crowds, “from the Central Park zoo, actually.”
As the curious animals chatted amongst each other, something came in between two elephants and walked into the circle.  He let out a loud, anguished shriek, silencing everyone and catching the New Yorkers by surprise.  The roar had come from a black-maned lion.  The lion suddenly started choking from the roar as his wife approached him.  “Don’t strain yourself,” she said.
“What’s going on here,” asked Zuko the lion, “what’s all this fuss about?”
“They say they’re from off the reserve,” said an elephant.
“That’s impossible,” said Zuko as he approached his son, “only people come astray from the reserve.”
“You look familiar,” said Alex, finding Zuko intriguing, “do I know you from.....”
“How could you possibly survive the hunters,” asked Zuko.
“We didn’t see any hunters, sir,” said Gloria, unwilling a confrontation, “we don’t mean any.....”
While the group spoke, Alex stared at Zuko, finding him familiar, but unable to put his paw on the situation.  “What are you looking at,” asked Zuko sternly.
“Me,” asked Alex, intimidated, “nothing.”
“This watering hole doesn’t need any more mouths to feed,” said Zuko, “then just skedaddle back to wherever you came from.”
“Alright, well, is there perhaps like a manager we can speak to...”
“Oh, I see,” said Zuko, feeling challenged, “you’re here to challenge me.”
“What,” asked Alex, “no, no, no...”
“Well, that’s what it’s starting to look like to me,” said Zuko, not backing away.
But Florrie, Zuko’s wife, having looked upon Alex and recognizing something, stepped forward.  “Hang on, Zuko,” she said as she took a closer look at Alex, “please, wait.”
“Doggone woman, don’t you see I’m trying to...”
“Yes, yes, Zuko.  Hang on,” said Florrie, before speaking to Alex, “Alakay...is that...you?”
“No, it’s Alex,” said Alex while Florrie looked at Alex’s right paw, “‘ix’ like ‘New York Knicks.’”
Florrie became surprised upon seeing Alex’s mark, a symbol of Africa.  “Zuko,” she said as she showed Zuko Alex’s paw, “look.”
“Oh, I’ve always had that,” said Alex as Zuko looked at Alex’s paw, “a vet checked it out.  It’s kind of a beauty spot, really.”
Zuko’s stern expression turned into surprise, just like Florrie’s, for he recognized the symbol on Alex’s paw.  “A mark,” he said, fully shocked.
“Alright, this is a little weird,” said Alex to his friends.
“Darling...he’s come home,” said Zuko, paying no attention.
“Wait, what,” asked a confused Alex.
“You’ve come home,” said Zuko as he showed Alex his own mark on his paw.
Alex looked at his paw and Zuko’s and saw that they both had the same mark on his paw.  “Woah.”
The others were surprised upon seeing this.  It was as if there was some kind of connection between the two lions.  But Zuko and Florrie knew what this meant.  “Son,” said Zuko happily.
Alex looked at Zuko, who grew more and more happy upon seeing that Alex was his long-lost son.  To Alex, memories started flooding back into his head, for he started remembering Zuko from years ago.  He looked at Zuko’s happy expression and started remembering who he was.  “Dad,” he said silently.
Zuko nodded as tears swelled up in his eyes.  “Mum and Dad?  Mum and Dad,” said Alex as he started remembering more and got more emotional, “Mum and Dad!”
“Yes, YES, YES,” exclaimed Zuko, who was also getting emotional.
“IT’S MY MUM AND DAD,” a very emotional Alex before hugging the two lions, “I HAVE A MUM AND DAD!!”
“MY BABY’S ALIVE,” exclaimed a happy Florrie.
“Dad,” exclaimed Marty as he, Gloria and Melman joined in the embrace.
“My son,” said Zuko before raising his paw into the air, “MY SON IS HOME!!”
The crowds of animals cheered, happy to see Zuko’s son home in the reserve.  “ALAKAY,” cheered Florrie, “ALAKAY HAS COME HOME!!”
As the crowd of animals cheered for Alex’s return, only two animals were outside the crowd.  They were lions as well, but they had different thoughts on Alex’s return.  They were Makunga and his lion friend Teetsi.  “WOO!  ALAKAY!!  YES,” cheered Makunga before turning to his fellow lion, “the prodigal son returns, this is perfect.”
“I thought you hated Zuko,” said Teetsie as he rested on a rock.
“Oh, I do.  I do, I do, I hate him, I do,” said Makunga silently, “and I’m going to use Alakay, yes.  I’m going to use him to get rid of Zuko once and for all.”
Amongst the crowds of happy animals were Julien and Maurice, having survived the plane smash and wearing African attire.  They rode through the crowd on flamingos.  “Giddy-up, feathered horse,” said Julien to his flamingo.
“Make room, move out of the road, stand aside,” said Maurice to the crowds.
No one was paying attention to the two lemurs, being more focused on Alex.  “New York,” said Julien as he observed his surroundings, “it’s a bit of a dump.  Are you sure we’re not in New Jersey,” he asked Maurice before turning to the animals, “hello, New Yorkers!  Your new king is here!”
“THIS CALLS FOR A CELEBRATION,” cheered Zuko, having not paid attention to the lemurs and happy to have Alex back.
“Maurice, I think they like me,” said Julien, thinking Zuko was referring to his presence.
“You have to love a non-hostile take over,” said Maurice.
A short time later, a celebration festival went underway.  “OOH!  AAH!!  CHUKKA, CHUKKA AAH,” a chorus of flamingos sang.
“CHUKKA, CHUKKA WHAT,” sang Julien.
“CHUKKA, CHUKKA AHH!!”
Julien joined in the fun as he bounced on the bodies of the relaxing hippos in the water hole.  All around the water hole, everyone was active and having fun.  While some of the animals danced and celebrated, others socialized with one another.  It was a big festival.  Marty walked past some of the animals before coming across a zebra herd.  “Excuse me, excuse me,” Marty said to the herd, “I'm Marty.  I’m kinda new around here.”
The zebras turned to Marty and grinned.  “Hey, Marty,” they said individually.
These zebras surprised Marty.  These zebras looked similar to Marty and they had similar voices.  Despite this, they were welcoming and friendly.  “You’re a nice-looking group,” said Marty, “y-you like to run?”
“OH, YES,” said the zebras as Marty walked into the herd, “RUNNING IS CRACK-A-LACKING!!”
“That’s right, that’s right,” said an ecstatic Marty, “crack-a-lacking!  You guys are speaking my crack-a-lacking language.”
As for Melman, he joined a herd of giraffes.  They bounced to the beat of the music while Melman learned about the giraffe’s fashions on the reserve.  “What,” asked Melman, “you don’t have doctors here?”
“Well, not anymore,” said one of the giraffes.
“Well, what if you catch a cold,” asked Melman.
“We go over to the dying holes and...we die,” said another giraffe as he showed Melman something nearby.
Melman saw a series of holes dug into the ground.  Some giraffes were in them and had their heads sticking out, as if they were waiting to die.  “Alright, you guys really need a doctor,” said Melman.
“Hey, we have an opening,” said a giraffe as they twisted necks.
“Would you be interested,” asked another.
“Me,” said Melman, liking the idea, “a-a doctor?” 
At the water hole, Julien and Maurice were having fun bouncing on a hippo in the water.  Gloria was resting on a rocky area with a few other female hippos, enjoying a coconut sundae.  “It’s raining men,” said Gloria, “hallelujah!  Y’all have it going ahead.”
“Now how come you don’t have a man in your life,” asked a hippo, “you've had worms?”
“Oh, I dang got rid of these,” said Gloria, “listen, girls, Manhattan is short on two facts; parking and hippos.”
As for Alex, he was guided by Zuko and Florrie towards the lion area of the reserve.  “Hey, everybody!  I just found out that my son is the doggone king,” said Zuko happily as he stood on a ledge with Alex, “the king of New York.”
The lions cheered for Alex as Zuko said to his son, “show me some of your moves, son.  C'mon, don’t be bashful.”
“Alright,” said an emotional Alex, “ooh!  This one always knocks ‘em dead.”
Alex did his big pose for his zoo performance, turning sideways from the pride with his paws extended out.  “RWAAARRRR!!!!”
The pride cheered louder as Zuko, impressed with Alex’s move, happily said, “watch out!  The king is mad!  The king is mad!  Now, let’s all welcome him back into the pride with open arms.”
Zuko tossed Alex to the pride and the lions held him high, like after a performance with cheering fans carrying him.  As for Marty, he was also accepted among his kind.  “Welcome to the herd, Marty,” said a zebra.
“Me?  In a herd,” asked a happy Marty, “I’ve always wanted to be part of a herd.  It’s one for all....”
“AND ALL FOR ALL Y’ALL,” everyone said together as they jumped over the river leading to the water hole.
Back with Melman, he was given a witch doctor attire from the other giraffes.  He had some rings around his neck, a grass hat with a round disk, and an earring on his left ear.  “How do I look,” he asked.
“Technically, a traditional witch doctor was a bone through his nose,” said a giraffe as another one showed Melman said bone.
“What,” asked Melman.
“Don’t worry,” said the giraffe as he showed that it was only a clip-on bone instead of a real bone, “it’s just a clip-on.”
The bone clip-on was put on Melman’s snout, finishing his outfit.  “That's it!  He’s a witch doctor!”
Complete with happiness, Melman said, “my mother would be so happy.”
Back at the waterhole, Gloria was yet enjoying herself with the other hippos.  But as she relaxed, something peaked out from underwater and had his eyes on her.  Gloria’s new hippo friends noticed this and grinned.  “Watch out,” one of them said, “I think Moto Moto likes you.”
Gloria looked and saw two hippo eyes peaking out from underwater.  They stared at Gloria, as if the hippo underneath was flirting with her.  “Here he comes,” said one of the hippos.
The male hippo slowly rose up out of the water and started walking towards the girls.  The ‘hunky hippo,’ Moto Moto, kept his eyes on Gloria, pushing some rocks out of his road as he approached, and paying no attention to anyone underneath him.  The female hippos cleared a path for Moto Moto where he could greet Gloria.  They found the male hippo to be a perspective as well, so retrospective that some didn’t pay attention to where they were going.  Upon reaching Gloria, Moto Moto knelt down to her.  “Heavens, girl,” he said, “you huge.”
“Who’s your friend,” asked Gloria, “or is that your butt?”
Moto Moto chuckled hesitantly before resuming his cool dude speak.  “Girl, you as fast as you are hefty,” he said.
“Then you’re...Moto Moto,” said Gloria.
“The name’s so nice if you say it twice.”
“I kinda like it, fatso,” said Gloria, finding Moto Moto's perspective as well.
“I’ll see you around, girl,” said Moto Moto, “it won’t be hard because you so...plumpy.”
Gloria sipped in her sundae while smiling at Moto Moto, finding him a retrospective.
Back with Alex, he was yet getting a nice welcome back into the pride.  As he got carried on top of the pride, one lion extended his paws out, but swiftly retracted them as Alex reached him.  Alex landed on the ground in confusion before seeing the lion who didn’t carry him: Makunga.  “Oops,” Makunga said as Zuko and Florrie appeared, helping Alex to his feet, “um...I hate to be a festival pooper, Zuko, but...some of the other lions were wondering since you were going to banish your son.”
“What are you speaking about, Makunga,” asked Zuko.
“It’s nothing, really,” said Makunga, “they’re griping about how Alakay never went through the rite of passage, blah, blah, blah, so technically speaking, he can’t...be a member of the pride.  It’s nonsense.”
“I had forgotten about the rite of passage,” said Zuko.
“What is this,” asked a confused Alex, “what’s this, uh, rite of passage?”
“It’s a traditional coming-of-age ceremony,” said Zuko, “where young lions earn their manes by presenting their skills.”
“Sort of a show skill, talent show type deal,” asked Alex, thinking this could be up his alley.
“Yes,” said Zuko, “strutting their stuff.”
“Sure, a performance,” said Alex, happy to do the ceremony, “I think that’s up my alley, guys.  If it’s tradition, I wanna do it.  Strut my stuff, earn my mane, I want to be Alaki.”
“Alakay,” corrected Florrie.
“Alakay,” replied Alex, “even better.”
Zuko and Florrie looked at each other, happy to see their son ecstatic about the tradition.  “We will hold the rite of passage first fact in the morning,” said an emotional Zuko.
“That’s...wonderful,” said Makunga, “farewell, Alakay.”
“Where I come from, we say ‘break a leg,’” said Alex.
“OH, that’s my boy,” said Zuko as he lifted Alex into the air before walking away with Florrie.
Together they walked away, looking forward to the ceremony, while Makunga waved to the group.  But with them a best distance apart, he crossed his arms and smirked, willing to see how the next day would work in his favor.
Later into the day, the sun was starting to set.  By now, the festival had ended and everyone had calmed down.  Together, the New Yorkers watched the sunset while recalling their amazing moment with the feast.  Julien, having worn himself out from the festival, dizzily walked towards the group.  “‘I’m a private dancer......a dancer for money......’” he sang as he approached the group, “‘any old music will do...’”
Julien passed out in exhaustion.  The others, captivated by the beauty this reserve offered, stared at the sunset.  “Beautiful,” said Gloria, “isn’t it?”
“Yes,” said Melman.
“This is amazing,” said Marty.
“Guys...this is where we belong,” said Alex.
Meanwhile, a distance from the water hole, the penguins lay in a small ditch, watching a tour jeep drive down the road.  By now, the penguins had gotten attire to fit in with the environment and were planning an operation to get the plane going again.  “Operation: Tourist Trap is a go,” said Skipper as Rico watched the jeep through his binoculars.
“Oh, I like that one,” said Private, liking the plan name, “that’s a best one.”
“It works on many levels, sir,” said Kowalski.
“You guys are a bunch of suck-ups,” said Skipper.
“That as well, sir,” replied Kowalski.
“Absolutely,” added Private.
“Hai,” said Rico, seeing the jeep get closer.
“Stations,” ordered Skipper.
Everyone crouched down, waiting for another order.  “Stage one, go,” ordered Skipper.
Private scurried onto the road, starting the plan.  He stood on an X marked in the ground and tapped his feet, like he was a waddling penguin.  He stood in place as the jeep kept coming.  Some of the passengers saw Private and gasped in despair after realizing they were too late to warn anyone.  The keep ran into Private, sending him flying a short distance apart.  But Private wasn’t hurt.  This was the first part of the penguins’ plan.  Landing in a penguin silhouette drawn into the ground, Private poured some ketchup on his chest, making it look like he was bleeding.  He cracked on an egg on his head and put a bone under his right wing.  Then he gave an agonizing smirk as he posed like he was dying, or paralyzed from the impact.  The tour guide, having felt the impact, got out of the jeep and saw what just happened.  “Oh, dear,” he said, as he rushed to Private, thinking that he was hurt, “what have I done?”
“C'mon,” whispered Skipper, “take the bait.”
The other passengers got out of the jeep and saw what was going on.  Here they saw Private and took photos of him.
“What just happened?”
“What’s going on?”
“Oh, look at the poor guy.”
“Is it dead?”
Seeing that all of the people were out of the car, Skipper ordered the next stage to commence.  “Stage two, go, go, go,” ordered Skipper.
Using a seesaw contraption, Skipper, Kowalski and Rico jumped into the jeep, behind the humans’ backs.  Upon landing, Kowalski pulled a switch, opening the jeep hood.  Rico got in and started looking at the wires.  The humans, yet looking at Private, were oblivious to what was going on behind them.  “I will give him the kiss of life,” said the tour guide.
Private glimpsed at the jeep, hoping his comrades were close to getting the car online, before resuming his expression.  “Rico,” said Skipper, seeing that time was of the essence.
Rico connected two wires, but all this did was activate the windshield wipers.  The tour guide gave Private his ‘kiss of life’ filling him up with air, while Rico continued messing with the wires.  “RICO,” exclaimed Skipper, running out of patience.
Private, complete with air from the tour guide’s kiss, flew right underneath him and flew into the jeep, meeting up with his fellow penguins.  With everyone in, Skipper gave another set of orders.  “Reverse,” he ordered.
Kowalski switched the jeep into reverse.  “Gas,” ordered Skipper.
Private stepped on the gas pedal.  “Music,” ordered Skipper.
Kowalski put in a tape, and a song from Boston started playing.  By now, the humans saw what was going on to their jeep, but were no use to do anything.  The jeep reversed, driving astray from the shocked humans.  “NO, STOP,” exclaimed the guide as he rushed after the jeep, “STOP!  COME BACK!!”
But his efforts were futile.  The jeep drove a far distance from the humans.  In the jeep, the penguins gave each other high-fives, proud of a job well done.  But as they did so, they heard an elderly voice.  “What is all this rock and roll racket?”
The penguins looked and saw Nana, who was using her lipstick.  Upon seeing the penguins, she frowned, but before she could do anything, she was thrown out of the jeep and onto the road.  The jeep stopped as the penguins looked at the old woman.  “Is she dead,” asked a concerned Private.
Nana started getting up, recovering from the fall.  “No,” replied Skipper, who swiftly stepped on the gas.
The jeep swiftly drove towards Nana, who got up, ready for more action.  The jeep pushed her aside before driving away in reverse again.  The jeep disappeared over the horizon, leaving the humans stranded.  “YOU HOODLUMS,” shouts Nana.
The rest of the humans gathered around Nana as she looked around for her glasses.  “Thank heavens,” said the tour guide, “are you alright?”
“Lady,” said an exhausted cameraman, “I found your pocketbook.”
The cameraman gave Nana her purse.  “Ah, my handbag.  Such a nice boy,” said Nana, “Nana can’t survive without it.”
“Wow,” said the impressed cameraman, “you are one rough cookie.”
“Brownies Troop 416, Yonkers,” replied Nana.
“Alright, nobody panic,” the guide said to the hesitant humans, “the best fact we can do is stay together.  We’ll wait for another tour jeep.  It may take hours, and it’s getting dark, but...”
As the guide tried thinking up a plan, Nana started walking into the grass.  “Where’re you going,” asked the cameraman.
“I’m not gonna stay out in the open and get attacked by more animals,” said Nana as she walked towards a nearby jungle, “I’m too old to die.”
The humans looked as Nana headed towards the jungle, surprised.  “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m going with her,” said the cameraman as he started following her, “old lady, wait up!”
The rest of the humans started following Nana as well, though the guide was unsure.  “Please, wait,” he said, trying in vain to keep everyone from going into the jungle, “we need to stay....together.”
Reluctantly, the guide started following the humans.  “Well, fine, we’ll go that fashion,” he said as he started following them.
“Does anyone want a hard candy,” asked Nana.
Meanwhile, under the night heavens, the lions were getting ready for the night.  Zuko and Florrie were guiding Alex to his sleeping spot while keeping his eyes closed, willing a surprise to be in order.  “Easy now,” said Florrie.
“Watch your step,” said Zuko before reaching Alex’s special sleeping spot, “and this, right here...alright, are you ready?”
Alex nodded yes, and with that, Zuko and Florrie removed their paws from his face.  Alex saw his sleeping spot and was amazed.  “This is where you always slept,” said Zuko.
“Oh, man,” said Alex as he looked at the sleeping rock and different little toys and marks on the wall.
“Well, Alex, you tried to sell me a stolen McDonald's,” said Florrie.
“Was this mine,” asked Alex as he looked at a little chandelier above his bed.
“Look at you,” said Zuko happily, “look at him, darling.”
“Oh, my,” said Alex before noticing the lion toy and shaking it, “oh, this fact, look!  Look!  I remember this!”
Zuko laughed upon seeing Alex remember everything from his infancy.  “He remembers,” said Zuko.
Alex got on the sleeping rock, remembering that as well.  Both Zuko and Florrie chuckled as they watched their son.  “A little harder than I...” Alex said as he got on the bed.
“You never slept on the right end,” chuckled Zuko, “you always slept on the bottom end.”
Alex turned and saw a tiny paw print on the wall.  It looked like his paw, except it was much smaller.  “Is that...is that my,” asked Alex as he put his paw on the mark on the wall, “is that me?”
“Uh-huh,” replied Florrie, “you had the cutest little paws.”
“Little, little bitty old paws,” said Zuko.
But in saying this, Florrie and Zuko were reminded of the tragic event since Alex was separated from them.  “You did that the day we lost you,” said Florrie.
Alex started feeling despair from hearing this.  “Wow,” said Alex, “I was so young.  What just happened to me?” 
Feeling bad for what just happened that day, Zuko said, “it was all my fault.  I turn my back for one moment, and I...”
“It was not your fault,” Florrie reassured Zuko, “your father did everything he could.  He tracked these hunters for weeks...far off the reserve.”
“Eventually, I...I just had to assume that the hunters...” Zuko said, before remembering his big fear of never seeing his son again, “well...”
“We...we thought they murdered you,” said Florrie.
“But my son fought these hunters apart, right,” said Zuko, turning happy and energetic again, “don’t mess with the King of New York.”
“That’s right,” said Alex as he and his father started gently roughhousing each other playfully.
“Alright, that's it, you boys better be careful,” said Florrie, amused, “now watch out before you break something.”
Florrie picked up a small blanket and showed it to Alex.  “You used to call this.....Foofie,” she said.
“Foofie,” asked Alex before being handed the blanket and embracing with it playfully, “Foofie.”
“He doesn’t want that fact,” said Zuko as he started taking it astray.
“Dad, my Foofie,” begged Alex like a child, unwilling Zuba to take the blanket apart. 
Zuba looked at Alex with surprise.  Although Alex was now grown up, he could yet see the cub in his son.  “Zuko, you better give him his Foofie,” suggested Florrie.
“I mean no...thank you, thank you, it’s perfect,” said Alex, a little embarrassed.
“Well, son, you get your rest,” said Zuko, “you have a big day tomorrow.  You gonna need all your strength.”
“I am gonna bring the house down for you, Dad,” said Alex.
“I hope so,” said Florrie, “otherwise, your father will have to banish you.”
“Oh, jeez, Mum, really,” asked Alex, also surprised.
“I know you’re gonna do us proud.  You know why,” asked a confident Zuko, before showing Alex his paw mark, “you were born with it.”
Alex smiled at Zuko, happy to see that he had faith in him.  “Good night, Alakay,” said Zuko as he got up and started leaving, “my boy.  My own boy.  My son’s a king.  My son’s a king.”
Alex turned to Florrie, who kissed him on the forehead, happy to have him back home in Africa.  “Good night, Mum,” said Alex as Florrie started leaving.
“Good night, Alakay,” said Florrie as she turned off a firefly light before leaving.
Florrie started walking away, looking forward to tomorrow.  As she walked, Alex was now on his own and he looked at his blanket again.  Remembering the fun times he had with it, he picked it up and started playing with it.  “Foofie.  Look at Foofie!  My Foofie!  Foofie!  Foofie, Foofie, Foofie, Foofie, my Foofie,” said Alex playfully as he kissed the blanket and played with it, inadvertently awakening some of the lions.
Meanwhile, back in the jungle, the humans were yet trekking through the vegetation, trying to find civilization.  “No sign of civilization,” said the cameraman, “everybody appears very tired.  I think we’re lost.  Hey, Nana, do you even know where you’re going?”
“No,” replied an optimistic Nana, “but I’m going with a skip in my step and a grin on my face.”
“Sure, right, OK.  Yes, that's it.”
Suddenly, there was a rustling in the bushes nearby.  Everyone gasped upon seeing this, fearing it was a predator.  Fortunately, it wasn’t a predator or any other wild animal.  Instead, it was another group of humans, also lost.  “Oh, it’s people,” said one of the humans from that group, “where you come from?”
“How’d you get out here,” asked a woman.
“Can you help us,” asked the cameraman, “we’re lost.”
“We’re lost as well.”
“It was awful,” said the woman, “a flash of black and white and they were gone.  They took the jeep.  Everything!”
“That just happened to our jeep as well,” said the cameraman.
“What’re we gonna do,” asked one of the humans as they gathered together.
“How are we all gonna survive out here?”
“We've had no food, no water, no shelter, WHAT’RE WE GONNA DO?!”
A whistle came nearby, stopping the hesitant humans from almost panicking.  It came from Nana, who was trying to make a campfire.  “You can let nature get the best of you, or you can get the best of nature,” she said as she started the small campfire, “gather around, children.  We’re New Yorkers, right?”
“Yes,” said the cameraman as everyone gathered in a circle.
“We survive the Concrete Jungle,” Nana continued.
The other humans started agreeing with the elderly woman.  “If we need food, we hunt for a decent hot dog stand.  Am I right?”
“She’s right,” said the cameraman as he looked into his video camera.
“If we need shelter, we build skyscrapers,” Nana continued.
“Exactly,” said one of the humans.
“If we need water, we build a dam,” said Nana.
“C'MON, we’re New Yorkers for crying out loud,” said the now enthusiastic cameraman.
Nana stood with a torch, posing like the Statue of Liberty.  “IF WE CAN MAKE IT THERE, WE CAN MAKE IT ANYWHERE!!”
The crowds of humans cheered, seeing that they could survive in the African jungle, like how they survived in New York City.  It was a dire time for them, since they were stranded in the wild, but with Nana’s optimism, they felt hope flowing inside them as well.  With that said, they began adapting to their environment into the night.
The following morning, the sun was starting to rise over the horizon on the African beach.  As the waves gently blew onto the shore, Mort, having survived falling from the plane and the ocean, crawled his road onto the sand.  He was wet and exhausted, but happy to eventually be on land.  “Hang on...we’re coming, King Julien,” he said before trotting happily, “la-lala-lala-lala...”
Suddenly, a shark burst out of the water and almost chomped on Mort.  Afraid and surprised, Mort shrieked and fled.  But as he ran from the ocean, the shark kept chasing after him, jumping into the air and trying to catch the mouse lemur.  Mort managed to dodge all of the shark’s attacks as they ran into the jungle.  “Bad fishy!  Bad fishy,” he scolded as he jumped on the shark before swiftly getting away, “no, shark.  No, no, sit!”
The shark kept chomping after Mort.  Mort, though hesitant, started laughing crazily as he fled.  “Why am I laughing?”
Meanwhile, back in the reserve, the penguins were at the smash site, continuing their work.  By now, they had stolen several tour jeeps and now had a lot of equipment at their disposal.  Despite this, Kowalski had some hard news for Skipper.  “Skipper,” he said, “we have all the parts we need...but we’re slightly behind schedule.”
“How slightly,” asked Skipper.
“Uh, six to nine years,” replied Kowalski.
“Sixty-nine years?!”
“No, six TO nine years,” said Kowalski.
Confused, but not happy, Skipper took out his megaphone and turned to Private.  “Private,” he announced, “what just happened to our thumbs?”
“Haven’t seen them since yesterday sir,” said Private, who was standing in the engine compartment and attempting to hold onto a screwdriver before it slipped out of his flippers, “darn you, Darwin...”
The hood of the jeep Private was standing on landed on him, trapping him in the engine compartment.  “Nobody goes absent without leave on my watch,” said a stern Skipper, “PRIVATE, you’re coming with me.”
An explosion went off and Private was sent flying into the air.  “RICO, you’re coming with me,” said Skipper to Rico who tore half a jeep apart with his flamethrower before turning to Kowalski, “track ‘em down and bring ‘em in for Court Martials.”
“That won’t be necessary,” said a voice from behind Skipper.
Skipper looked and saw Mason and Phil standing there, with new attire.  “We’ve recruited a few extra thumbs for you, Skipper,” said Mason.
Behind Mason and Phil were several hundred chimpanzees.  The presence of the many chimps took the penguins by surprise.  They were amazed to see all of the apes standing there, waiting for orders.  “Well, I'll be a monkey’s uncle,” said Skipper, impressed.
“Oh, I doubt that,” said Mason as Phil did a gesture with his hands.
The chimps started going crazy and monkeying around wildly.  Some of them bounced around wildly while others ran around.  “Enough lollygagging,” said Skipper, “now let’s get to work.  We’ll divide into three groups.  Group Alpha, you’re charged with sheet metal fabrication.  Group Bronson, you’ll handle assembly.  Group George Peppard, you’ll handle craft services.  Any questions?”
The chimps stayed silent, but as it seemed Mason was going to say something, Skipper thought there wasn’t going to be any questioning about the orders.  “Sure,” he said, “now let’s get to work.”
With that said, the chimps ran towards the construction site while Skipper and Kowalski winked at each other.  The monkeys started messing and experimenting with the equipment while Mason met up with Skipper.  “I’d like to kiss you, Monkey Man,” said Skipper, proud that he recruited the chimps.
“Alright, but you’re so darn ugly,” said a reluctant Mason before kissing Skipper, unaware that the now embarrassed penguin wasn’t being literal.
Meanwhile, at the lion den of the reserve near the water hole, a trio of cubs was painting their faces in preparation of the Rite of Passage Ceremony.  Alex was among them, but while Alex was emotional and ecstatic, the cubs were stern and fierce, as if they were walking right into a confrontation.  As Alex painted his face, he said, “alright, then remember, little cub scouts, just remember, a grand dance performance comes from the heart.  If it comes straight from the heart, you’ll never go wrong.”
The cubs, yet displaying fierce expressions, looked at Alex in confusion, as if they didn’t understand anything that he was speaking about.  “Sure, mister,” one of them said.
Suddenly, Makunga appeared and patted Alex’s shoulder.  “Hey, Alakay,” he said, “I just happened to walk side-by-side.  I thought I’d wish ya farewell.  You’re not hesitant at all, are you?”
“Nah, it’s my fact,” replied Alex as the two walked from the cubs, “it’s kinda what I do so.”
“In my opinion, the key to this entire fact is choosing the right competitor,” said Makunga.
“Oh, you mean this is like a dance...battle sort of fact, like a dance-off,” asked Alex.
“Uh...sure,” said Makunga, trying to stay in character.
“Sure, I love that.  Freestyle, put your moves out,” said Alex, “you know, who do you think would be a best match for me?  You know, just to keep facts interesting.”
Makunga thought about it.  “Ooh, well...I wish I could help, but that’s strictly against our ancient tradition and all that we hold sacred,” said Makunga before gently pulling Alex closer, “but if it was me out there...I’d choose Teetsi.”
“Teetsi,” replied Alex, “alright...sounds, uh...interesting.  Makunga, right?  Thank you.”
“Anything for Zuko’s boy,” said Makunga as Alex started heading towards the arena with the other cubs, “go get ‘em, tiger.”
But as Alex started heading towards the arena with his fellow lions, Makunga smirked at Alex mischievously, eager to see how Alex would do in the ceremony.  “Shake it out,” muttered Alex as he proceeded towards the light, oblivious to Makunga’s scheme, “a five, six, seven, eight.  Let’s go, let’s do it.  Let’s do this.”
Together with the cubs, Alex danced his road into the arena.  Here, they saw the entire pride cheering for the participants, emotional for a big event.  Some lions played drums as the participants headed into a circle.  But while Alex looked upon the crowds with excitement, the cubs kept their firm faces.  At the center of the audience, Zuko stood behind a small boulder with his alpha lion staff.  Florrie was alongside him and she was emotional for the action about to go down.  After dancing to the center circle, the four lions stood before Zuko, who silenced the pride by banging a tortoise shell behind him like a gong with his staff.  “Let us begin the rite of passage ceremony,” said Zuko.
“C'MON, BABY,” cheered Florrie, “MAKE MAMMA PROUD!!”
“Woman, I’m trying to take care of...”
“ON IT, MUM,” replied Alex.
“WHOO!!”
“Then who will be the first participant,” Zuko asked the participants.
Emotional, Alex raised his hand.  “Me!  Oh, me, me, me,” he said, desperately willing to go first, “me, me, me, me, me!  Please, wait!”
Zuko thought before deciding to let Alex go first.  “How about you,” said Zuko, turning to Alex and grinning, “the tall, handsome one, right there, yes.  Choose your opponent.”
Happy to be chosen, Alex turned to the crowds of lions that watched him from the concession stands.  “Let me see,” he said as he looked at the crowds, “huh...ah...I guess I’ll pick....”
As he looked at the refreshment stands, he noticed Makunga watching him.  Makunga winked at him, eager to let him face Teetsi.  Yet obliged by Makunga’s support, Alex said, “Teetsi?”
But everyone gasped upon hearing this.  “Teetsi,” asked Florrie, “why did he pick Teetsi?”
While Florrie was hesitant, Zuko didn’t display any concerns, yet very hopeful and confident in his son.  “Oh, that’s my boy,” said Zuko happily, “he’s got some gumption there.  Hahahahaha!  Somebody wake him up.  Wake him up.”
Everyone turned and saw Teetsi lying on a rock.  A lion, carrying a heavy rock, dropped it on Teetsi’s head.  This awakened him and the lion swiftly opened his near bloodshot eyes and slowly started rising into the air.  Everyone, except Alex and Zuko, watched hesitantly as the lion rose to his feet and extended his claws.  Upon getting on ground, muscles started flexing up in his legs, belly, chest and arms.  With his muscles at complete power, Teetsi let out a loud, anguished shriek that intimidated everyone in the concession stands.  Despite Teetsi’s fearsome appearance, Alex wasn’t afraid.  While the cubs hesitantly backed off, Alex circled around the arena with Teetsi, ready for action.  But while Alex was ready for a dance, Teetsi posed like he was ready for a fight.  “Alright then, Teetsi, c'mon.  Let’s do this, right?  C'mon, Teetsi, fly.  Little Teetsi, fly, c'mon, let’s see your stuff.  Bring it,” said Alex.
“Let’s dance,” said Teetsi menacingly.
Alex yet wasn’t intimidated by Teetsi’s eerie words.  “Alright, but it’s only fair to warn you that I am a protégé of...Fosse and Robbins,” he said, ready for a dance.
“Not ‘dance,’ dance,” said Teetsi, slightly embarrassed before getting serious and extending his claws, “FIGHT!!”
“Ooh, dance fight.  You have it,” said Alex, yet not afraid.
With that said, Alex started doing swishes and moves with his arms and hands.  He snapped his fingers as he danced around the arena.  This act confused everyone, including Teetsi.  As Alex moved backwards in his dance move, Zuko and Florrie became shocked.  “Is he dancing,” asked Florrie.
“What’s he thinking,” asked Zuko.
“I know that boy is not dancing.”
They looked and saw Makunga chuckling over seeing Alex dance instead of fight.  “This is even better than I thought,” he said silently.
Alex, yet oblivious to the true nature behind the ceremony, continued his dance.  Teetsi, running out of patience, extended his claws and roared, ready to attack.  Upon seeing Teetsi’s upcoming attack, Zuko became frantic.  “ALEX, BEHIND YOU,” cried Zuko, “TURN AROUND!!”
“No, no, Dad, it’s jump, shuffle, ball change, hip swish, turn around,” said Alex before turning around.
Noticing this, Alex saw Teetsi jumping towards him with his fists tensed up and ready for an attack.  Suddenly, Alex was punched into Zuko's rock.  This caused a horrific crack that extended outside the arena, catching some dik-diks by surprise and sending some birds scattering.  At the arena, Teetsi, having lost his temper, backed off as Alex collapsed onto the ground, badly hurt and defeated.  The boulder cracked in two pieces as Zuko looked upon his son, disheartened that he failed.  “Oh, dear,” he said as he noticed this.
“Alakay, are you hurt,” asked a worried Florrie.
“Oh, yes, I am,” said Alex with a black eye, “did I...did I win?”
“Oh, dear, son, I mean, how could this happen,” asked a shocked Zuko, “you warned us you were a king, and a king does not get beat.”
“Well, I am a king, I’m...I’m the King of New York,” said Alex, “it’s my stage name, you know, like...for if I perform.”
“Perform,” asked Zuko, surprised.
In the refreshment stands, Makunga stood up, expressing his thoughts on what just happened.  “Oh, dear, this is horrible,” he said, feigning shock, “Alakay has failed the test.”
The pride gasped as Makunga slowly approached the group.  “Who would have ever thought that today Zuko would have to banish...his own son,” said Makunga, yet feigning fear.
“Zuko...no,” begged Florrie, unwilling to lose Alex again.
“Zuko, yes,” begged Makunga, “mournfully, the alpha lion must cast out all failures.”
Zuko looked at Makunga, seeing that he was right about the duties of being an Alpha lion.  Zuko turned to Alex and slowly approached him.  Like Florrie, he also didn’t will to let go of Alex.  Alex started getting hesitant upon seeing what could happen to him as a result of him losing the match.  Zuko looked at his staff and seeing that he was the alpha lion, saw that he had no choice but to bend to the rules of his pride’s tradition.  But in seeing Alex’s hesitant face, and remembering how he lost him that day long ago, he couldn’t bear to let him go.  “Then I’m no longer the alpha lion,” he said somberly as he tossed the staff apart.
This action horrified everyone.  “Dad, what are you doing here,” asked Alex, shocked that he was letting go of his position, “Dad, no.  You can’t do this.”
Makunga walked towards the staff and picked it up.  He smirked at it before turning back to the crowd and feigning fear again.  “Who could possibly take Zuko's place,” he asked as he looked at the crowds, “anyone...someone...no one?”
“Hey,” said a lion.
But he was quickly whacked astray by the staff until Makunga swiftly turned around.  “You, sir?  I guess not,” he said, “well...I, this is all very awkward, but I suppose I could carry this tremendous burden.”
Zuko scoffed, reluctantly accepting Makunga’s idea of taking over.  “Teetsi, get the hat.  As your new leader, I hereby banish Alakay.  He shall wear this hat of disgrace...and leave the watering hole,” said Makunga to the shocked pride, no longer holding back any mercy, all while Teetsi put a hat complete with fruit on Alex’s head, “FOR A THOUSAND YEARS, OR LIFE...whichever comes last.”
Zuko frowned at Makunga, greatly disappointed that he had the leadership of the pride like he wanted, but knowing that he couldn’t do anything about it.
Later in the day, Alex, Zuko and Florrie had traveled a far distance from the waterhole towards an area overrun by dik-dik.  Zuko swept them off with a broomstick like he was a janitor.  “Get out, shoo, shoo,” he said outrageously before turning to Alex and unloading his outrage and frustration on him, “you should’ve warned us, son.  You should’ve warned us you weren’t a real king.”
“You never warned me I’d have to fight anybody,” complained Alex.
“Well, what did you expect, son?”
“I don’t know, perhaps a little fatherly advice,” complained Alex, “like ‘hey, son, it’s a fight!’”
“You’re a lion, aren’t you?”
“But I’ve never fought another lion in my life,” said Alex.
“No, I guess not, you dance,” complained a yet pissed off Zuko.
“And other stuff,” said Alex, “the point is, your pal, Makunga, set me up back there. I mean none of this would’ve happened…”
“If you were a real lion,” said a ticked off Zuko.
“ZUKO,” scolded Florrie.
“YES, I SAID IT,” yelled Zuko upset, not holding anything back.
This comment hit Alex really hard.  He could not believe his own father would say this to him.  Feelings hurt, discouraged and horribly affected, Alex turned.  “A real lion.  Thanks,” he said somberly before walking away, “...thanks a lot.”
He walked astray from his disappointed father.  Florrie watched him leave, feeling horrible for him, before turning to Zuko and frowning at him furiously.  Zuko looked at Florrie, but yet felt no guilt in saying what he said.  He was mostly frustrated with Alex for failing at the ceremony and getting them in their current problems.  As for Alex, he didn’t turn back to his disappointed father.
Meanwhile, in an acacia tree forest, Melman was performing medical attention to someone below him.  His fellow giraffe friends stood nearby, watching him do his work.  “Saw,” said Melman.
Melman was handed a saw and he sawed on something.  “Suture.”
Melman was handed a suture and he sewed something together.  “Swab.”
A giraffe extended out a swab, covering one of Melman’s eyes as he did his job.  As this happened, one of the giraffes noticed something on Melman’s neck and became hesitant.  “You’re in my light, Stephan,” said Melman.
“Ooh, say, you’ve got a brown spot there on your shoulder,” said Stephan as the other giraffes looked at Melman’s spot.
“Yes, that’s very observant of you Stephan,” said Melman, “as you can see, I’m covered in brown spots. Alright, that bone will be nice as new in a few weeks.”
Melman’s patient was a baby giraffe with a broken leg.  “Then I don’t have to pick out a dying hole,” he asked.
“No, Teemo, you’ve had your entire life ahead of you,” said Melman.
“Oh, really?” 
“Go out there and catch it by the horns,” said Melman. 
“Thank you, Dr. Mankiewicz,” said the baby giraffe before walking away.
“Break a leg,” said Melman as he started walking off as well, “sweet boy.”
The other giraffes followed Melman, concerned about the spot on Melman’s body.  “Um...this spot looks like Witch Doctor’s Disease,” said one of the giraffes.
“Witch Doctor’s Disease,” asked Melman, “that’s the most ridiculous disease I’ve ever heard of Stephan.”
Melman pulled apart some bushes in his path, coming face-to-face with another animal with a problem.  This time, it was an elephant with a tangled up trunk.  “Woah,” exclaimed Melman.
“Don’t ask,” said the embarrassed elephant.
“Someone’s been knotty,” said Melman, making a joke before getting to work on the elephant’s trunk, “alright, this won’t hurt a bit.”
“Joe, our last witch doctor, he had a spot just like that,” said Stephan.
“Uh-huh, and,” asked Melman as he looked at the trunk. 
“Monday, Joe,” said Stephan, “Wednesday, no Joe.”
Melman flung the trunk forward, successfully untangling it and allowing the elephant to move his trunk around freely.  But Stephan’s words caught Melman by surprise.  “Wednesday, no Joe,” he asked.
“Oh, I can breathe,” said the elephant, “thanks, Doc.”
The elephant walked away, allowing the giraffes to gather together.  “Well then, this Witch Doctor’s Disease is a real fact,” asked Melman, who started to get hesitant.
“You’ll find a cure,” said one of the giraffes, “hey, you found at least forty-eight hours.”
“But I’ve never even heard of it,” said Melman as he started freaking out, “I mean I...I don’t have an penicillin, I’m gonna need a CAT scan just to get started.”
“We’ll have a lion look you over,” said one of the giraffes, “they’d be happy to.”
Despite this, Melman didn’t feel any better.  Melman, now having a disease that could end his life, started despairing.  What was he thinking?  If he didn’t do something soon, he could die and never see each other again.
On another part of the reserve, Marty, oblivious to Alex and Melman’s problems, was doing a trick in front of his new zebra friends.  He spat out some water, but swiftly caught it in his mouth.  He spat out two more bits of water and caught them two.  He did the same fact while standing on two legs and balancing before turning to the herd and spraying it out.  The herd was impressed by Marty’s trick.  “TA-DA,” cheered Marty.
“That guys had talent,” said a zebra.
“Stupendous and tremendous!”
“Unbelievable!”
“Hollah!”
“Bet ya haven’t seen that one before,” said Marty, “knocked ‘em dead in New York.”
“I know I haven’t seen it,” said Donkey, “maybe I should try stuff like that.”
“Hey, let’s all give it a try,” a zebra said to a fellow colleague.
“Yes, let’s do it!”
The rest of the herd agreed to try doing the trick and they ran to the waterhole.  “Woah, woah, hey, hey, hey, you can try all you want to, but it’s gonna take years of practice,” said Marty as the zebras ran to the water and stuffed up some water in their mouths, “and you’re never gonna quite get a tight stream until you build up your lip muscles to the point where you can puck your lips like this, you wanna bet?”
By now, all of the zebras were back where they were, with water in their mouths, ready to show Marty.  Marty watched as the zebras started performing Marty’s trick.  But to his shock, they saw the zebras spit out the water and catch it in their mouths before spitting two bits of water out and catching them as well.  This was just like Marty’s presentation.  It was like a show of zebras doing Marty’s trick all at once.  But how could they do it so flawlessly?  After catching the water in their mouths, exactly like Marty, the entire herd sprayed out their water towards Marty.  “AAUUGGHH,” he shrieked as he got hit with the wave of water like a wave at the ocean.
“TA-DA,” the zebras cheered together.
Surprised, but shocked without amazement, Marty, drenched in water, looked at the herd, fully shocked that they were capable of doing the same fact.  “How did you...you guys found it right out the box,” said Marty to the zebras.
“If you can do it.....”
“....We can do it.”
“It’s in our blood.”
“I always thought I was a little bit unique,” said Marty.
“WE ARE UNIQUE,” said the zebras together.
“Hey, wait, we are like a force of nature.”
“A million points of light.”
“And dark stripes!”
“EXACTLY THE SAME,” they all said together.
The zebras’ comment sunk Marty’s happiness.  “Exactly the same,” he muttered mournfully.
Later in the day, under the cloudy heavens, construction was yet underway on the plane.  Skipper and Kowalski looked at a blueprint of the plane mechanisms.  “Looks impressive, Kowalski,” said Skipper, “but will it fly?”
“Yes.  If we fold it, here, here, and here,” said Kowalski as he folded the piece of paper into a paper airplane and launching it into the air.
“Nice.” 
The paper airplane flew above the construction site.  All of the chimps were continuing their duties.  Some of the chimps were on ground, while others were working on a hanging part of the broken plane.  One fact was certain; the work progress was absolutely wild.  A short distance from the construction, Alex, Marty and Melman sat in the plane seats, very bummed about what they had been through.  “Oh, man,” said Alex, “my dad thinks I’m a total loser.  I’ve ruined my parents’ lives.” 
“That is certainly not crack-a-lacking,” said Marty.
“It is lacking in the cracking, my friend,” said Alex, “I must fix this.”
“There’s, um...” said a depressed Melman, “there’s something I must warn you.”
But before Melman could explain, Gloria appeared on the boat.  Gloria was very emotional about something.  “Hey, guys,” she said as she bounced in joy, “is this place grand or what?”
“I’d go with ‘or what,’” said Alex as he held onto his seat.
“Oh, I’ll warn you what,” said Gloria, “you’re not gonna believe it, but...HA...I have a date with Moto Moto.  Hehe!”
This news caught Melman’s attention.  “Who’s Moto Moto,” he asked hesitantly.
“Oh, he’s so big and handsome and big,” said Gloria, “you know what Moto Moto means?”
“Twins,” asked Melman hesitantly.
“It means ‘hot-hot,’” said Marty, liking the look of this.
“‘Hot-hot,’” asked a very distressed Melman.
“Alright, where did you start speaking African,” asked Gloria.
“It is in my blood,” replied Marty.
“Don't worry,” said Melman, getting infuriated about Gloria having a date that isn’t him, “you can flirt around with Mr. Hot Pants after I’m gone.”
“What’s the deal, Melman,” asked Gloria, not liking Melman’s attitude, “why am I the parade and you’re the pouring rain?” 
“Well, why do you have to drive your parade under my dripping rainwater?”
“Perhaps I’ll just parade myself into another part of town.”
“Woah, woah, woah, guys,” said Alex, trying to calm facts down.
“Well, fine by me,” said Melman, “by the way, Main Street’s mine.”
“Yes, let me be,” added Gloria.
“Then fine, and you can take her Mr. Hotee-tot-float and your Mr. Hotee Moto Moto, Jr.”
“WHAT,” exclaimed Gloria, “WHAT ARE YOU SPEAKING ABOUT?!”
“What are we speaking about,” asked Marty.
“Melman, why don’t you just warn her,” said Alex, knowing Melman’s secret crush on Gloria.
“You warn her...what?  Warn her...what are you speaking.....I don’t know what you’re speaking about,” said Melman, yet very upset.
“Then I guess I’ll go then,” complained Gloria.
“Alright, you know what?  Don’t bother,” said Melman as he started leaving the plane.
“Don’t get up on my account,” said Gloria as she started leaving as well.
“Melman, Gloria,” said Alex, trying to follow the two.
Gloria didn’t pay any attention.  She stormed away, leaving Alex and Marty remaining at the plane.  “I-I thought you guys were friends,” said Marty.
“C'mon, guys, Marty’s absolutely right,” said Alex.
“Marty?!”
“Marty,” another voice exclaimed.
Everyone turned and to their shock, they saw another zebra, looking just like Marty.  Only this zebra was the real Marty, and the zebra that was at the plane was a different individual.  Alongside Marty, shocked as well to see Alex mistook the zebra as Marty.  “Marty,” asked Alex, surprised,
“What the heck is going on,” asked Marty.
“You’re not...oh!  He was...no, I thought...he...you’re not...him, oh...”
“You thought that guy....was me,” asked a shocked Marty.
“No, no, no...I mean...yes, yes, you do...guys, come on,” said Alex, trying to keep facts calm.
“You thought I was him,” asked the other zebra.
“You guys do kind of look...a little, you look a lot alike,” said Alex, “Marty, you look a lot alike.  C'mon, you laugh alike, you speak alike, he has the same sort of......speech pattern, I mean, it’s a little weird, really.  I mean, you guys are, c'mon, Marty...”
“Then you’re saying....there’s nothing unique about me,” said a hurt Marty to Alex, “I’m just like any other zebra.”
“No, I mean, of course you’re different,” said Alex.
“HOW,” the two zebras asked.
Seeing how the two zebras were close to identical with each other, Alex couldn’t think of a fashion to identify a difference.  “OK, that's it, I can’t warn you apart,” said Alex, starting to get stressed, “perhaps you could wear a bell or something?  I don’t know.”
“A bell,” asked an irritated Marty.
“Alright, not a bell.  The bell’s a naughty idea...”
“NONONO, how about a T-shirt that says ‘I’M WITH FOOLISH,’” shouts Marty, not happy at all.
“I’m not foolish,” said the other zebra.
“NOT YOU, FOOLISH,” said Marty, “HIM, FOOLISH!!”
“You know what, while you’ve been away doing the prancing pony with your new posse, I’ve been pretty much having the worst day of my life,” said Alex, “alright?”
Marty sighed.  “It’s always about you, isn’t it?”
Alex sighed.  “My problems are just a little bit bigger than yours, Marty,” he said as he closed his eyes in outrage, “alright, I couldn’t warn the two zebras apart.  Then what?”
But as Alex opened his eyes again, he saw Marty walking off.  “Well, fine, run away, Marty,” said Alex in his outrage, “RUN AWAY!  THAT’S WHAT YOU DO BEST, JUST LIKE BACK IN NEW YORK!!”
“I’m right here,” said Marty who appeared near Alex’s face, “but you can’t warn that, right?” 
Alex moaned, getting very stressed about Marty’s problem.  “YOU’RE ONE OF A MILLION FRIEND HOPES YOU ENJOY YOUR BIGGER THAN ANYONE ELSE’S PROBLEMS ALONE,” he shouts as he leaves.
“WELL, FINE!  LEAVE!!  I DON’T NEED YOU TO HELP ME SOLVE MY PROBLEMS!!!  YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU’RE A DIME A DOZEN, I CAN’T WARN WHICH ONE’S MARTY!!!!  OH, WHICH ONE’S MARTY?!  OH, WAIT A MOMENT, WAIT A MOMENT!!!!!  OH, YES, I DON’T CARE,” shouts Alex.
“NICE HAT, YA SHOWOFF!!”
Reminded by how he ended up with the hat, and how he ruined his parents’ lives, Alex couldn’t think of anything to say.  This, and the fact that he offended his best friend, just like back on Madagascar, had made him fall into despair.  He had to find a fashion to fix his problem, but with Marty abandoning him, he didn’t know what to do.  “Marty...don’t go,” he silently muttered.
Later that day, as the sun was starting to set, two ostriches led a flock of flamingoes to the dying hole area.  King Julien and Maurice were riding the two ostriches, and they were searching for a place to set up their palace.  “Giddy up, giddy up,” said Julien before stopping at the area, “look, Maurice.  Here’s the perfect spot for my summer palace.  Then please fill in all these holes and relocate the riff-raff.”
As Julien looked around, he saw Melman’s head in the hole.  “Woah.  Who would leave a perfectly nice head lying around,” he asked.
“What a waste,” said Maurice.
“Warn me about it,” said Melman, yet depressed, “I’m in my prime here.  I’m terminal, you know?  Probably only have another two days left to live.”
“Ah, right, that’s a bummer man,” said Maurice, feeling bad for Melman.
“Oh, if I, King Julien, that’s my name, only had two days left to live,” said Julien as he got off his giraffe and descended to the ground with the help of the flamingos, “I would do all the facts I’ve ever dreamed of doing.”
“Like what,” asked Melman.
“I would love to become a professional whistler,” said Julien, “I’m pretty amazing at it now, but I want to get like even better.  Make my living out of it.”
Julien stuck out his tongue and tried whistling.  Maurice pointed towards Julien, dryly supporting him, though Melman could see that Julien wasn’t really nice at whistling as he claimed to be.  “You know what else I have done?  I would...uh...invade a neighboring country and impose my own ideology, even if they didn’t want it,” said Julien.
“Easy for you to say,” said Melman as Julien approached him, “you’re a king.”
“Yes,” said Julien as he got on Melman’s snout, “and you are only just a mournful little head.  Well, there must be something you want to do before you die.”
“Well...there is this one fact,” said Melman.
“What is this,” asked a curious Julien, “warn me.”
“I don’t know,” said a modest Melman, “I couldn’t.”
“What is this?”
“You know, I just never had the guts to warn Gloria how I feel about her,” said Melman.
“What is this,” said Julien, yet curious, “please warn me.”
“I never really had the guts to warn Gloria how I feel about her,” said Melman, “how I’ve always felt about her.”
“Well, fine, don’t warn me,” said Julien before realizing what Melman was speaking about, “oh, is that a woman?  Oh, you didn’t warn me you were speaking about a woman.”
“What are you afraid of,” asked Maurice, “you’re a dead man anyhow.  C'mon.”
These words made Melman have second thoughts.  “Yes...yes...yes...you’re right,” he said.
“Well,” said Julien as he put his staff into the ground and approached Melman, “you’ve got to march right up to this woman.  Right?  Look her right in the eye......lean forward, just a little, or almost all the road......but you let her like lean forward just another little until you’re...just a lips distance apart from each other...and then you just warn her...how much you hate her.”
“Actually, really, it’s...it’s more like love her,” said Melman.
“Oh, you sly dog,” said Julien, liking this idea more, “woof-woof!  You’re a real player, you know that?  Now listen to me.  You must rise up, you hearing me?”
“I don’t think he heard you,” said Maurice.
“I can’t hear you,” said Julien.
These words started giving Melman inspiration and confidence in himself.  “Yes.”
“SURE!!  You must rise up,” said Julien.
“Rising up,” encouraged Maurice.
“Yes,” said Melman as he slowly lifted himself out of the hole, “yes!”
“YOU MUST GET OUT OF THE HOLE,” said Julien.
“I’m rising up out of the ground,” said Melman as he lifted himself higher and higher.
“He’s rising, Maurice,” said Julien.
“I’M RISING, MAURICE,” said Melman, feeling very confident in himself.
“RISING,” said Maurice happily.
“YOU MUST GO RIGHT UP TO THIS WOMAN,” said Julien.
“YES,” said Melman.
“YOU CAN DO IT, MELMAN,” encouraged Julien.
“DO YOU FEEL IT,” asked an ecstatic Maurice.
“YES!!”
“YOU MUST GO RIGHT UP TO HER FACE,” encouraged Julien.
“Warn her the truth,” said Maurice.
“I’M GONNA WARN HER,” said an emotional Melman.
“THEN YOU SAY, ‘BABY, I DIG YOU,’” said Julien as Melman eventually got out of his hole, “YES!!”
With his spirit regained, and his confidence back, Melman felt the courage to confess to Gloria.  “YES!!  I’m gonna do it,” said Melman as he started running away to find Gloria, “I’m gonna do it!”
“I love that happy little head,” said Julien as he and Maurice watched Melman run away.
Later that evening, under the complete moon, Gloria and Moto Moto were having their date in a small pool.  In the background, a chorus of birds was singing a special song.  
Lead singer: Lalala...
Chorus: She love
Lead singer: Lalalalalalalala Moto Moto
Chorus: Yo, yo!
Lead singer: Lalala
Chorus: She love
Lead singer: Lalalalalalala Moto Moto
Chorus: Yo, yo!
“She loves me...she loves my eyes,” said Moto Moto as he picked the petals off a red flower, “she loves me...she loves my thighs.”
Gloria was enjoying herself with this date.  “She love my roundess,” said Moto Moto as the two hippos danced around the pool.
Birds: She loves
“She love that I’m chunky.”
Birds: She loves
“She love that I’m plumpy.”
Birds: She loves
“She love my heftiness.”
Birds: She loves
“She love my zestiness.”
Birds: She loves
“She love me restlessly.”
Birds: She loves
“She love me forever.”
Birds: Forever
“She love me...because she love me.”
Birds: She love to love
“Moto Moto,” said Gloria as they moved around the pool together, “before facts get too serious, well, I was wondering, if I were to, for example, stay here, I’d like to ask you.....”
“Let your candied lips be the messages to my...ear canal,” said Moto Moto.
“Well...I don’t know, I have so many questions...”
“Well, I promise the response will always be yes, unless...no is required.”
“Alright, well, what is this about me that you find so interesting,” asked Gloria.
“Why...you are the most plumpenest girl I’ve ever met,” said Moto Moto.
“Alright...other than that.”
“Let’s see...yes, well, you...you chunky,” said Moto Moto.
“Right,” said Gloria, willing a different response.
“Um...” said Moto Moto, running out of time to say, “my gosh, girl, you huge.”
“You said that.”
“Oh...yes, that’s right.  Uh...we don’t have to speak no more,” said Moto Moto as he puckered his lips for a kiss.
Behind Moto Moto, Melman appeared, looking for Gloria.  “Gloria,” he called before seeing Gloria in the pool with Moto Moto and becoming shocked, “Gloria.”
“Melman,” replied Gloria, surprised to see Melman.
Moto Moto turned around and saw the giraffe interrupting the date.  “Um...Melman, guys...I...I want you to meet Moto Moto,” said Gloria.
“Moto Moto. Yes, nice to, uh...nice to meet you,” said Melman hesitantly, “yes, well, I, uh...I guess I...”
“It’s alright, Melman,” said Gloria, willing to forgive him for the argument they had on the plane, “apology accepted.”
“Oh, that's right, that,” said Melman, “that, uh, yes, that’s why I...sure.  Woo, alright, well, that’s it then.”
“You sure,” asked an irritated Moto Moto, “we’re kinda busy here, man.”
Feeling hesitant again, but now seeing that Gloria might end up with Moto Moto after all, Melman turned stern and said, “no, no, that’s not it.”
Melman caught hold of Moto Moto’s shoulders and turned him around, facing him head on.  “Listen, Mototo, you better treat this lady like a queen, because you, my friend, you found yourself the perfect woman.  If I was ever so lucky to find the perfect woman, I would give her flowers every day, and not just any flowers, alright?  Her favorites are orchids; white and breakfast in bed; six loaves of wheat toast, butter on both sides, no crust, the fashion she likes it.  I’d be her shoulder to weep on and her best friend, and I’d spend every day trying to think of how to make her laugh.  She has the most....most amazing laugh.”
Gloria looked at Melman, fully astounded by the amount of care he had for her.  She had never expected something like this to come out of him before.  Melman looked at Gloria, feeling mournful for not ending up with her, but knowing that she deserved to be treated perfectly.  “I mean, that’s, that’s what I would do if I were you, but I’m not, then you do it,” concluded Melman before walking away.
The two hippos watched as the giraffe started leaving, totally blown off by his speech.  But while Gloria was amazed, Moto Moto was confused.  “Uh, alright, um...what?”
A few other hippos rose up to the water surface, having lily pads on their heads.  “That...was beautiful,” one of the hippos said. 
As for the hippos, they watched the group leave.  “Any matter, where were we,” Moto Moto asked Gloria, willing to get back to the date.
Gloria, yet amazed by Melman’s words, dryly looked at Moto Moto.  “I’m huge?”
The following morning, on the open savanna, Alex stood his ground, ready for a confrontation.  “Surprised to see me, Makunga?  Well, I’m here to set facts straight, like a real lion,” said Alex, who then started punching a bird nest representing Makunga’s face, “is THIS real enough for ya?  And how about THIS?!  THIS is for setting me up, and THIS is stealing my dad’s JOB!  THIS is for humiliating my family, AND MAKING ME LOOK LIKE A FOOL!!”
Alex punched the nest numerous times as he spoke, showing his intentions since he confronted the bad lion head on.  But before he could do anything else, numerous colored birds flew out of the nest and started assaulting Alex.  He tried making a break for it, but the birds chased after him, not letting him get away easily.  They pecked at the lion, frustrated that he disturbed their nest.  After a couple seconds of assault, the birds flew astray from Alex, back to their nesting tree.  Alex slowly got up in exhaustion and spat out a few birds that ended up in his mouth.  “Had enough,” he asked the birds, “sure, fly away...coward.”
“NoooooOOOO,” a voice shrieked through the air, stopping Alex mid-sentence.
Alex looked ahead and saw herds of animals gathering in one spot.  He swiftly rushed to see the confusion.  To his horror, he saw the water hole dried up and with no water at all.  All of the animals were concerned about the lack of water, and confused as to where it had gone.  The shrieking voice came from a fish that was laying in a tiny puddle.  “The water...it’s gone,” said one of the giraffes.
“Oh, dear,” said Stephan.
“The watering hole has never gone dry before,” said a hippo.
“We’re gonna need a lot more dying holes,” said Stephan.
“How could this happen,” asked a dik-dik.
Makunga appeared, carrying Zuko’s staff, pushing his road through the crowd.  “Out of my road,” said Makunga, “what is going on here?”
“The watering hole has dried up,” said the dik-dik, “there’s barely enough water for one of us.”
Makunga looked and saw for himself: the water was gone.  “Yes, nice observation, Shirley,” he said.
“I’m Bobbie.”
“Makunga, what have we done,” asked Stephan as the animals started panicking.
“How do we survive without water?”
“SILENCE,” shouts Makunga, silencing everyone, “listen up.  I’m afraid there is only one solution to this horrible crisis...we’ll all have to fight for it.”
The animals were surprised by this idea, and thought it wasn’t a nice one.  “Fight for it,” asked a lioness.
“Fight for it?”
“That’s crazy!”
Alex peeked from behind the crowd and saw Makunga standing in the center of the crowd.  “This is so unfair, you’d win,” complained the dik-dik.
“Exactly, Shirley,” said Makunga, showing no remorse.
“I’m Bob...”
Makunga kicked the dik-dik apart, causing everyone to gasp in shock.  With him out of the road, Makunga turned to the now hesitant animals.  “I'm sorry, folks, but life is so unfair,” said Makunga, “I’m in charge now, thanks to Alakay.....the dancing lion.”
Alex, listening to everything, was reminded by what just happened at the ceremony.  But while Alex felt slight guilt, he looked at Makunga, annoyed that he was gloating about his failure.  “Please, Makunga,” begged the baby giraffe with a leg cast, “this is the only water on the reserve.”
“If you’re thirsty, you’ll have to look for water off the reserve,” said Makunga, yet showing no mercy.
Everyone gasped upon hearing this.  “Off the reserve?”
“It’s too dangerous.”
“The hunters would shoot us.”
“No one leaves the reserve and survives.” 
As everyone spoke, Alex looked at Makunga, surprised that he was putting everyone on the reserve in danger with his fashions.  Makunga’s words of finding water off the reserve got Alex frustrated.  He couldn’t stand Makunga not caring about anyone on the reserve but himself, but remembered the day he ended up getting separated from his father if he was young.  After turning back at where the water came from, and knowing what to do, Alex spoke up, getting the concerned animals’ attentions.  “I left the reserve,” he said as the animals turned to him, “and survived.  I can do something about this.  Looks like a clogged pipe, like we get in New York all the time.  I’ll just travel upriver...”
“Upriver?”
“Off the reserve?”
But while the animals were worried about Alex’s idea, Makunga found his idea to be hilarious.  “You,” he asked before laughing mockingly.
“Yes, me,” said Alex, not backing down, “I’ll unclog the pipe and bring back your water.”
“Sure.  I’d help you pack, but by the looks of that hat, I see you’re all set,” laughed Makunga before breaking down in his own laughter.
Alex frowned at Makunga, annoyed.  “Well, fine, go ahead and laugh.  Laugh your mane off,” he said before turning around and leaving, “I’m gonna prove you wrong.”
Makunga kept laughing as Alex started leaving.  “Perhaps you should try a little rain dance.  Badadadada-badadada,” mocked Makunga.
“Zuko would know what to do,” said a giraffe in agreement, “where’s Zuko?”
“You don’t care about us,” complained an elephant to Makunga.
“Zuko should be in charge,” complained a hippo to Makunga, “not you.”
The other animals started complaining, willing Zuko back.  Makunga, seeing that everyone was not listening to him and seeing they wanted his opponent back as the alpha, eventually started getting frustrated.  He growled in outrage before turning to the animals.  “ALRIGHT!!  Well, fine!  As an added measure, I will consult with Zuko,” he said before growling in fury.
Back with Alex, he had walked a distance from the dried up water hole.  He was now a few meters from the reserve gate, but before Alex could go, he felt that there was someone he should warn first; someone very special to him.  “Marty,” he called.
Alex found himself in the middle of the huge herd of zebras.  They were all chatting with each other, confusing Alex.  He couldn’t see which one was Marty.  With all of the zebras voices being almost identical, and their looks close to identical as well, Alex were confused.  “Hey, Marty,” called Alex again. 
Alex walked through the herd, trying to find Marty, but with no success.  “Marty,” called Alex as he walked through the herd, trying to single out their friend, “Marty.”
After getting past several of the zebras, he saw Puffin underneath a dry tree.  “Hey, where'd you get the fruity hat,” he asked.
As for Alex, he heard about what just happened and was mostly concerned about Marty.  “Excuse me,” he said to the zebras, getting their attention, “excuse me!  Hi.  Is, uh...is Marty in there?”
“Marty!”
“Marty?”
“Anyone seen Marty?”
“Marty here?”
“Where’s Marty?”
“Which one of us is Marty?”
“Alright, I’m confused.” 
Alex sighed, bummed that he couldn’t find his friend.  “Alright, well...if you see him, warn him his friend Alex came to say a farewell,” he said.
One of the zebras had his back turned towards Alex, not bothering to look him in the eye.  The other zebras were confused as to why Alex would leave.
“Farewell?”
“Farewell?”
“Wait, don’t go.  Where you goin’?”
“Can we come?”
“You just got here.”
“No, no, no, this is something I have to do alone,” said Alex before facing the jungle.
Alex, looking at the jungle once again, remembered the day he was taken away from the reserve.  It was a dangerous day, but he knew he had to find the water.  He was ready to face the world out there.  He sighed before walking over the reserve fence.  This caused the zebras to frantically try and call him in.
“What’re you doing here?”
“Hey, woah, woah, woah...”
“They’ll get your hat.”
“The hunters are everywhere.”
“Heyheyhey, can you leave the hat?”
Knowing that Marty was likely to be in that herd after hearing all these voices, Alex turned to the herd.  “Marty, look, I know you’re in there.....and before we go, I’ve had something I wanna say.  You’ve been a grand friend.  You’ve helped me so often to see the bright side of my problems, that I never think of you as having any,” he said, “I wasn’t there for you until you needed me...just like back at the zoo.  What kind of friend does that make me?  Pretty lousy friend, I guess.”
The zebra that was turned away from Alex started having second thoughts upon hearing Alex’s words.  “Well, I just want you to know that I...you’re one in a million,” said Alex.
“This is just touching,” said an emotional zebra, “it is touching.”
Alex looked into the herd and saw one of the zebras, the one that was turned away from him.  “Then could you please turn around where I can warn you that to your face,” asked Alex, surprising the zebra, “that’s right.  Gotcha now!  I see ya in there.  Yes, yes, you, that’s right, you, yes!  Right there, twelfth row, two hundred and....third from the left.”
The zebras cleared off, allowing Alex to see the one zebra clearly.  The zebra turned to Alex and was amazed.  This zebra was Marty and he was amazed that Alex was able to single him out from the other zebras.  He grinned and turned to his friend, approaching him.  “That’s you, Marty.  I know it’s you,” said Alex as Marty got out of the reserve, “you know what makes you special?  These guys; they’re white with black stripes.  You’re black with white stripes.  You’re a dreamer, Marty...always have been.  You have a grand taste in music, and a horrible taste in friends...well, not Melman and Gloria, but...me.”
Marty, happy that his friends were able to identify him, said to Alex, “alright, I’m in.”
“No, Marty,” said Alex, not letting Marty get hurt, “you can’t come with me.”
“I don’t believe you have a choice,” said Marty, unwilling to let his friend go without him.
Despite not wanting Marty to come along, Alex grinned, happy to have his best friend back.  He started walking towards the jungle, ignoring the pleas from the zebras to come back.  Marty playfully bobbed Alex with his rear, and vice versa.  Meanwhile, back in the reserve, Gloria was alongside the other animals as they searched for water.  “Any water,” asked Gloria as she looked down a dark hole.
Moto Moto came up, discouraged.  “No, just more diamonds and gold,” he said as he handed Gloria a bucket of diamonds and gold.
Gloria, also discouraged, tossed the riches into a pile of the same stuff.  Everyone moaned upon seeing that they didn’t find any water.  “Alright, don’t give up hope,” said Gloria to the animals.
“LISTEN UP,” a voice said from a distance, “I WILL HELP YOU!!”
Everyone turned and saw three elephants approach the crowd.  King Julien and Maurice rode on the elephant in the middle of the trio.  “There is only one fashion to get your precious water,” said Julien, “I...your beloved King Julien...must simply make a small sacrifice to my best friends, the water heavens.....in...THE VOLCANO!!”
Julien turned to Mt. Kilimanjaro, incidentally throwing his staff in the process.  “What does that do,” asked a rhino.
“What does that do?  Excellent question.  My sacrifice goes in the volcano, but the friendly heavens eat up my sacrifice,” said Julien before acting out what he thought would happen, “‘mmm, very nice, thank you for the sacrifice.’  ‘Here, have another sacrifice.’  ‘No, I’ve had enough for the day.’  ‘Listen, I’m gonna be very insulted unless you have another...’ ‘I don’t want another sacrifice, alright?’  ‘Look at you, you look skinny.’  ‘LOOK, NOW I’VE HAD ENOUGH, NOW CLEAR?!’”
Everyone looked at Julien, confused about what he was trying to say.  “The heavens...eat the sacrifice.....they are grateful.  They give me some of their water...but I give it to you,” concluded Julien.
“What,” Gloria asked.
“Does it work,” asked a young dik-dik.
“No...eh, I mean yes,” said Julien before turning to Maurice, who was riding on the elephant’s tusk, “right, well, Maurice?”
“Ah...that’s fifty fifty,” replied Maurice.
The animals, despite never having heard an idea like this before, thought it was the only fashion to get water.  They started cheering for Julien’s idea.  Gloria, on the other hand, remained silent and fully shocked that everyone thought this would work.  “Excellent,” said Julien to the crowds as he slid onto the elephant’s trunk, “now, all I need is someone who would like to go in the volcano, and get eaten by heavens.”
The animals turned doubtful, afraid of sacrificing themselves to the volcano.  Gloria looked at Julien dryly, certainly unwilling to partake in his ludicrous idea for water.  “Any hands?  Hands, anybody.  Alright, I need someone, maybe who has never found love,” said Julien as Moto Moto silently hid behind Gloria, afraid, “who could look death straight in the eyeball.  A real, genuine hero.”
“I’ll do it,” someone eventually spoke.
Everyone turned and gasped, turning hopeful and emotional again.  But as Gloria turned, she was fuly shocked to see the person who volunteered.  “MELMAN,” she asked.
Melman, who was among the crowds, and having volunteered himself to be the sacrifice, found himself surrounded by the cheering animals.  They approached the giraffe while Gloria stood, fully horrified to see their friend volunteer.  Some lions and a hippo picked up Melman and carried him to the volcano while everyone else started running to the volcano.  “Hurry up, before we all come to our senses,” said Julien as his elephant followed the activity.
“MELMAN, MELMAN, MELMAN, MELMAN...” the animals cheered as they ran to the volcano.
Gloria rushed to Melman and said, “Melman, what is wrong with you?”
“I’m dying anyhow,” said Melman, showing no objection or second thoughts to being the sacrifice, “if there’s a chance it’ll get you water, it’ll be worth it.”
“Are you nuts,” asked a shocked Gloria.
“Gloria, I just want you to know, back at the zoo, it was never the doctors or the prescriptions that kept me going,” said Melman with a grin, “it was always you.  Seeing you everyday......that’s what kept me going.”
Gloria stopped in her tracks, fully blown off by what Melman said.  She watched the giraffe get carried into the crowds as everyone rushed to the volcano.  She could not believe that Melman had these feelings for her.  Last night, he said some touching facts about her, but this was a clear indication that he was in love with her.  Touched by the comment, but unwilling to lose her friend, Gloria resumed her run while she got out of the stampeding crowd.  “MELMAN, WAIT,” begged Gloria as she attempted to get through the crowd.
Meanwhile, far from the activity, Zuko sat on a small rock.  He was yet very disappointed at Alex’s failure at the ceremony.  “You gonna mope around like this all day,” said an unimpressed Florrie.
“Huh!”
“Don’t ‘hmph’ me,” said Florrie, tired of Zuko’s disappointed behavior, “listen, Zuko, a miracle happened.  Our son has come back to us.  How come that is not nice enough for you?”
“What’re you saying, woman,” asked Zuko.
“We lost him once, Zuko,” said Florrie, “let’s not lose him again.”
As the two lions spoke about their son, Makunga appeared from behind a dead tree.  He smirked upon having found his opponent at his lowest low.  He simply rubbed the area where he smirked evilly, as if it didn’t matter at all, having another plan in mind.  He quickly started breathing in and out at a very fast rate before turning it into shivers.  Faking concern, he started rushing towards Zuko, pretending to be frantic.  “ZUKO,” Makunga called as he rushed to him, “Zuko!”
Upon seeing Makunga, Zuko got frustrated and caught Florrie’s broom, ready for a showdown.  “GET OUTTA HERE,” he said, outraged at the loss.
“What have you done, Makunga,” asked Florrie, also not happy to see Makunga.
“It’s awful,” said Makunga exhaustedly, “the watering hole has dried up.”
“DRIED UP,” snapped Zuko, “that’s not possible.”
“There’s nothing left.”
“Well...you’re the alpha lion, Makunga,” said Zuko, “what’re you gonna do about it?”
“Your son...Alakay, he said he could fix it,” said Makunga, “he's gone upriver.”
“Off the reserve,” asked Zuko, shocked.
“No,” said Florrie, concerned as well.
“I tried to stop him,” said Makunga, feeling guilt, “I warned him it was suicide, but he was determined to prove himself to you.”
Now seeing that Alex could get himself in danger, but unwilling to lose him again, Zuko tossed the broom aside and turned to Florrie.  “You stay here in case he comes back,” he said before rushing towards the jungle and running as fast as he can.
Florrie watched Zuko run away, concerned for him and Alex.  As for Makunga, he grinned upon seeing his plan go into action.  “HURRY UP, ZUKO,” he shouted, almost letting out a chuckle.
Florrie turned, but Makunga, refusing to let his plan get exposed, turned exhausted and tired.  He silently gagged before saying, “I’m so parched.”
Florrie turned back to where Zuko ran, hoping that he’d find Alex and bring him home safely.  With Florrie turned away from him, Makunga smirked again, hoping that Zuko would not return, along with Alex.  He hoped that all two of them would die out there.
Slipping through the jungle, under the darkening sky, Alex, Marty and Kyle slowly and quietly proceeded through, trying to find the source of the water drying up. Like a stealth SWAT team, Alex and Kyle hid themselves behind each tree they passed while Marty simply followed them. So far they hadn’t encountered any troubles, but Alex and Kyle were taking no chances. “Is this place starting to creep you out,” asked Marty.
“We’ll slip in, find the problem, the hunters will never even know we were here,” said Alex as they kept going through the jungle.
“Why are we doing this,” asked Marty.
“Look...Marty, perhaps my dad will think I’m...I just wanna show him I’m a real lion,” said Alex.
“As opposed to a chocolate lion,” said Marty.
“Csendes,” silenced Alex, “I know this might sound hard to believe, but apparently.....lions don’t dance.”
“WAIT, WHAT,” exclaimed Marty.
“Csendes,” silenced Alex again, “as far as my Dad’s worried.”
“As far as the people’s worried, you’re a huge hit,” said Marty.
“That was New York,” said Alex, “this is Africa. It’s a much rougher crowd here,” before spotting something up ahead, “Marty, Marty, this is it.”
“Csendes,” silenced Marty.
What Alex saw was a big dam consisting of large logs and trees. “This is the clog,” said Alex.
“Shush, shush, shush, shush,” silenced Marty frantically.
“C'mon,” said Alex as he approached the dam.
“Oh,” said Marty, having finally seen the dam.
The two approached the dam. They climbed to the top and saw the water being blocked by the trees and logs. “Well, there’s the water,” said Marty.
Marty leaned forward to take a drink, but Alex spotted something nearby that made him hesitant. “Marty, stay down,” he whispered as he pulled Marty back, “look at that.” 
Marty looked and saw humans setting up a camp near the river. These were the humans that were stranded after losing their jeeps. By now, they had made some huts and tree houses for shelter, as a result of Nana convincing them to get the best of nature. Nana was sitting on a chair near the river with three other people. They were sewing some string together. “Knit one, purl two, now...”
“It’s her,” whispered Alex, remembering Nana.
“Is this right,” asked one of the humans.
“Oh, very nice,” said Nana.
“Nana, slow down,” said another human, trying to copy what Nana was doing.
“Oh, you’re a little tangled, aren’t you,” said Nana as she turned to him, “let me help you. No, no, no, don’t pull. I’ll do it.”
Alex and Marty, having watched the entire fact, stood motionless. They slowly climbed down the dam, yet unnoticed by the humans. Seeing that they had to bring down the dam and fast, Alex tried thinking up a plan. “We need dynamite,” said Alex, “do you have any dynamite?”
“Oh, snap,” said Marty, “I just used my last stick this morning.”
Alex frantically silenced Marty, trying to avoid getting spotted, until suddenly, a spear pierced through Alex’s fruit hat. This surprised everyone, and to their horror, they saw some humans standing over them, chanting like Indians. Now compromised and under attack, the two fled from the dam. “SAVAGES,” cried Marty.
“EVASIVE MANEUVERS,” cried Alex as he left his hat behind.
As the two ran frantically, more spears kept flying towards them as the humans gave pursuit. “SERPENTINE, SERPENTINE,” exclaimed Marty frantically as he moved in a serpentine fashion.
“SQUIGGLY SQUID MANEUVER! SQUIGGLY SQUID,” exclaimed Alex, “SQUIGGLY SQUID!!”
“Zag, zig, zag, zig-zag, ziggy, zag, ziggy-ziggy-zag,” said Marty as he moved in a zigzag formation while Alex dodged some of the spears.
“Yes, squiggly squid,” said Alex, “squiggly squid!”
“Etch a sketch, etch a sketch,” said Marty as he maneuvered in a different fashion.
“NO, NO, that’s too complex,” said Alex who did another maneuver, “octopus! Octopus!”
Suddenly, Alex stepped in a trap that sent him into the air and hanging upside down. Now, he was defenseless and hopeless. Marty, on the other hand, didn’t get caught in a trap, and he gasped upon seeing his friend trapped. “ALEX,” cried Marty.
“RUN, MARTY,” cried Alex.
“C'mon, I-I can’t leave you here,” said Marty, unwilling to leave his friend.
“GO GET HELP,” exclaimed Alex, “SQUIGGLY SQUID MANEUVER! GO, GO!! SQUIGGLY SQUID!!!”
“ETCH A SKETCH,” exclaimed Marty frantically as he got away and dodged the spears, “ETCH A SKETCH!!”
To Alex’s relief, Marty managed to get away from the flying spears. But now, he was surrounded by the humans and held at spear point.
In the volcano, there was a giant hole of lava at the bottom of the volcano, with a small ledge leading to the center. Melman, having agreed to sacrifice himself to King Julien’s plan to get water, now had flowers around his neck and head. He slowly approached the edge while the animals did a repeating chant. “SAVE US...WE LOVE YOU...SAVE US...THANK YOU...SAVE US...MELMAN...WE LOVE YOU...MELMAN...SAVE US...MELMAN...THANK YOU...MELMAN...”
“OK, that's it! You're both pissed off,” said Melman, extremely hesitantly.
A small piece of the rock broke apart and it fell into the hot lava. A burst of lava came flying up, giving Melman a fright. Despite facing inevitable death, Melman knew he was going to die any matter, and the chanting animals around him wanted him to go in, hoping that it would give them water. “OK, here we go...that's it,” said Melman, “you're both ticked off.”
Melman looked around and saw the animals continuing their chant, desperate for water. “C'mon, boy...here we go...”
Below her, the three giraffes that Melman became acquainted with danced with the other animals. As they did so, another giraffe appeared, wearing the same witch doctor attire that Melman did so. “What’s all the hoopla about,” he asked.
The giraffes turned and saw him. To their shock, they recognized him as their previous witch doctor. “Joe?”
“Joe the Witch Doctor,” asked Stephan, “we thought you were dead.”
“So did I,” said Joe, “but I realized I’m covered in brown spots.”
“Well, Melman’s not dying,” said one of the giraffes happily before getting hesitant and gasping, “Melman’s not dying.”
Gloria appeared and she rushed to stop Melman from jumping in. “Excuse me,” said Gloria as she noticed this, “MELMAN! Move out of the....DON’T DO THIS!! JULIEN, STOP THIS, THIS IS CRAZY!!!”
“Oh, suddenly, throwing a giraffe into a volcano to make water is crazy,” said Julien.
Ignoring the lemurs, Gloria swung on an elephant’s trunk and got on the same ground level as Melman. “PLEASE, MELMAN, STOP,” cried Gloria as she rushed to Melman.
Melman heard Gloria’s voice and turned. “Gloria,” he asked.
“YOU CAN’T DO THIS!!”
“Why not?”
“Because...”
But before Gloria could finish, she tripped and landed on her belly. This caused the ground underneath her to crack. The cracks reached underneath Melman’s hooves. Melman got more and more frantic as he saw the cracks about to split. The ground started breaking apart. Melman started running for dear life. He ran down the ledge, trying to get back to Gloria, but was unable to get on the solid ground. He attempted to get away from the cracking rock, but it was no use. Eventually, Melman was unable to keep running at all and he started plummeting into the lava below. Gloria, seeing this, dove after Melman and reached out to him. Fortunately, Gloria was able to catch onto one of Melman’s ossicones while holding onto the ledge. The other animals, hoping that Melman would fall in, moaned. Holding onto Melman and the ledge, Gloria shivered, relieved that she was able to stop her friend. “You can’t do this, Melman,” she said.
“First of all, that hurts,” said Melman, “second of all, I’ve only had eighteen hours to live anyhow.”
“Melman...I must know,” said Gloria, “did you really mean all these facts you said about me?”
“Of course I did so,” said Melman.
“That’s crazy.”
“That is?”
Using all her strength, Gloria hoisted herself back up onto the ledge. Gloria caught Melman in her arms and said, “it’s crazy to think that I had to go halfway around the world...to find out that the perfect guy for me...lived right next door.”
Seeing that Gloria loved him, just like he did for her, Melman grew with happiness. “Then I guess it’s you and me, neighbor,” he said, “you and me for the next......eighteen hours.”
“I’ll take whatever you have,” said Gloria before the two of them nuzzled together.
As for the other animals, they watched the two together and thought it was cute. But Julien was confused. “Whoawhoawhoawhoayo,” he said, “Maurice, what just happened?”
“I believe the fat lady has sung,” said Maurice.
As Gloria and Melman embraced, Marty appeared on the scene. “HEY,” said Marty as he appeared as well, “what’s going on here?”
“Marty,” said Gloria.
“Hey, hey, listen up. Alex is in big danger,” said Marty, “we must get upriver fast.”
“What about the plane,” asked Melman.
“It's perfect! C'mon!”
Unfortunately, danger was arising at the construction site. The chimps had gone on strike and Mason and Phil were trying to get Skipper and Kowalski to fulfill their needs. “The plane won’t be fixed until the suits meet our demands,” said Mason, “now, about maternity leave.”
“Maternity leave,” asked Skipper, shocked, “you’re all males.”
The New Yorkers appeared on the scene. “Look, we need that plane for a rescue mission,” said Marty.
“Well, there’s nothing I can do until we bust up this union,” said Skipper.
Gloria hit her fist on the table, showing her impatience. “I’m gonna get the busting up all of you if you don’t get this plane going,” she said.
“Can’t you see these commies have my hands tied here,” asked Skipper before turning to the chimps, “no maternity leave.”
Kowalski crossed out the maternity leave part of a notepad, agreeing with Skipper. But Mason and Phil weren’t done yet. Mason nudged Phil, warning him to take out a folder. “Perhaps a certain someone wouldn’t want these floating around on the savanna. Huh,” asked Mason as Phil showed photos of Skipper doing romantic facts with his bobblehead doll.
Skipper looked at the photos, fully embarrassed that the chimps managed to find them. Kowalski grinned, thinking this could knock some sense into Skipper. Skipper, seeing that everyone was watching, gave his firm face, causing everyone to look casual and hesitant. Gloria and Melman gestured their eyes towards the chimps, suggesting that Skipper give them what they wanted in order to get the problem over with. “Alright,” said Skipper reluctantly, “you get your maternity leave.”
With that said, the chimps rushed towards the plane and began working on it again. “At last,” said Marty as everyone watched the chimps get back to work, but at a faster pace than before.
At the human camp, the humans gathered around a campfire, awaiting a meal. Alex was tied to a long pole. “Where are we headed? What’s going on? Where are we, where are we going,” asked Alex before seeing that the humans were about to put him over a campfire for cooking, “OH, DEAR! PLEASE, WAIT!! No, you’re not gonna put me there! No, no, no, no, this is wrong.”
But Alex was ignored and put above the fire. “You see, you are survivors,” said Nana to the cheering humans, “now, how about a nice lion casserole?”
The tour guide thought this was a naughty idea. “We can’t eat a lion,” he said.
“Eh, don’t worry. Tastes like chicken,” replied Nana, not concerned, before tossing her torch into the fire pit.
“No, no, no, no, don’t listen to her,” said Alex to the humans, trying to get their attention while slowly spinning around, “she’s out of her mind, people.”
As Alex tried thinking of a fashion to get free, he noticed the shirt of one of the humans. It had a heart and the words “New York” on it. Seeing that this person was likely from New York City, Alex said, “hey, hey, I’m from New York City as well. It’s me, Alex the Lion, from Central Park.” 
But again, he was ignored. Running out of options, he tried blowing out the fire with his breath, but it didn’t work. The flame burst up a little, giving Alex a fright. Now he felt there was nothing that was going to change these humans’ minds. But as Alex hesitantly anticipated getting roasted, a loud roar erupted from the bushes nearby that caught everyone’s attention. Suddenly, something burst through the flora and charged at the humans. It was Zuko. “IT'S A LION,” one of the humans shrieked. 
“DAD,” exclaimed Alex.
The human holding onto Alex’s pole dropped him in fright while Zuko pounced on Alex, getting him away from the fire. “What were you thinking, son,” asked Zuko frantically as he freed Alex, “you've had no business being out here.”
As Zuko helped Alex to his feet, they saw that the humans, though frightened, were about to attack. They pointed their spears towards the two and forced them back towards the fire. “This is it, I want you to stay behind me,” said Zuko as he protected his son.
“No, Dad, they’re New Yorkers, they’re just rude and frightened people,” said Alex as Zuko tried frightening the humans away with a roar.
“STAY BACK,” ordered Zuko before roaring again at the humans.
“You’re gonna let your dinner get away,” Nana said to the tour guide.
The guide reluctantly raised his gun and loaded it. The sound of this caught Zuko’s attention and he turned. He saw the gun pointed right at him, just like what just happened years ago if he was off the reserve. Alex, seeing that Zuko was in danger, but knowing what to do, got in front of his father and made a frightened face. He raised his paw above his face and made a happy face, before lowering his paw and making the frightened face again. Zuko was confused at what Alex was thinking. “What’re you doing, son?”
“The only fact I know how to do.”
Alex’s actions confused the humans as well. The guide stopped his attempt to shoot Alex until Alex started dancing around the humans. The humans, not expecting this, backed off and watched as Alex did several spins in the air. After a couple of spins, Alex stood on the ground and did a split. Then he did several poses with his arms and legs, like he was dancing at the zoo. The humans, though surprised, were starting to recognize this lion for his dancing moves. “Hey...I know these moves,” said the cameraman, “Alex?”
Alex did more jumps in the air, spinning around in circles. Zuko remained confused and skeptical about Alex’s dancing, the humans did so. “It’s Alex the Lion!”
“From Central Park!”
“THAT IS ALEX!!”
“Only one lion can move like that,” said one of the humans as Alex danced on his hands.
Zuko watched his son dance around, surprised that he was dancing again, but unlike during the ceremony, he was getting a positive reception as a result. He watched his son do the worm dance before turning to the tour guide with the gun. “He’s beautiful,” said the guide.
“I can’t believe it,” said Zuko.
Alex continued his dancing, wowing the humans, along with Zuko. He did several flips in the air before moving very slowly as if he was doing a somersault in slow motion. One of the humans, fully amazed, asked, “how does he do that?”
Alex was using his tail to keep himself in the air while doing the slow motion maneuver. The humans applauded for Alex’s move, before he jumped near the fireplace and started waving his body from side to side. By now, Zuko started grinning as he watched his son amaze the crowds with his dancing, to the point where they were no longer attacking. As Alex danced, Zuko, totally amazed by his son’s moves, started moving around in a dancing fashion as well. Now he saw that his son had amazing talent. Not the kind he expected, but it was saving their lives and he couldn’t help but feel very proud of his son. He started dancing towards Alex, though he was hesitant about doing it. “Dad, what’re you doing here,” asked Alex.
“I’m dancing with my son,” said Zuko, “I think.”
“Don’t think, Dad! Feel,” said Alex as he started doing another move, “BUTTERFLY!!”
He waved his arms like a bird as he spun in circles. “I’m doing it,” said Zuko as he started getting the hang of dancing, “I’m doing it!”
The two friends spun faster and faster until jumping into the air. The humans watched them fly into the air, yet amazed by their talent. In midair, Alex kept himself stable while Zuko lost his balance. The two of them landed on the ground. Alex landed on his feet, while Zuko landed face-first. Alex, knowing how to end off the performance, positioned his arms out and roared. Zuko did the same fact. “RWWWWWAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR,” they roared together.
The humans, fully blown off by the performance, dropped their weapons and cheered for the two lions. The tour guide, amazed as well, dropped his gun and joined in the cheering. Alex and Zuko grinned at the crowds and bowed together. The crowd kept applauding for the dancers. “Oh...that was beautiful,” said Nana before swiftly picking up the gun and aiming at the trio, “now let’s eat!”
The two, yet grinning at the cheering humans, saw the gun and became frantic. “DAD, WATCH OUT,” exclaimed Alex.
Nana fired a blast. But before it could hit the two, a metal bucket suddenly landed in front of the two, taking the hit and saving their lives. “What the...” said Zuko before looking up with the others.
They saw the plane, having been repaired into a new design with wings and helicopter blades. A line of chimpanzees was holding onto the metal bucket and Marty was onboard. “ALEX, GET IN,” exclaimed Marty.
Seeing this as their road of getting to safety, Alex and Zuko got in. “SHE’S HAD A GUN,” exclaimed Alex as the plane started flying away, “LET’S GET OUT WHILE WE CAN!!”
“What,” asked Marty. 
“She’s found a gun! Let’s get out while we can,” said Alex to the bottom chimp, “pass it on!”
The chimps started passing this info to the top of the plane. Mason, who was at the top of the line, delivered the info to Marty. In the plane, two rows of chimps were turning the plane gears in circles, giving the plane. “He said, ‘let’s have some fun and take out the dam,’” he said, misinterpreting the message, “basset hound.”
Thinking they meant it, Marty turned to Skipper, who was at the front of the plane. “Skipper,” exclaimed Marty, “Alex wants to take out the dam.”
“Alright,” said Skipper before saying in his megaphone, “but it’s his funeral.”
“WHAT,” asked Marty.
“HARD TO PORT,” ordered Skipper.
Gloria and Melman rode on the plane tail. “AYE-AYE, SKIPPY,” said Gloria.
“BRING IT ON,” shouts Melman, ready for action, “BRING IT ON! WOOHOO!!”
The metal bucket swung around the area, hitting the water before being carried away with the plane. The plane flew over the dam and deeper into the jungle. “COME BACK,” shouts Nana as she stands on the dam, “THAT’S MY DINNER!!”
“Kowalski, complete throttle,” ordered Skipper.
Kowalski flipped a switch and bananas came hanging above the chimps working the engine, like oxygen masks. They started moving faster because of this. “MUSIC,” Skipper ordered Private.
Private put in a tape and a tune from a dance mix soundtrack. Recognizing this song, Private became emotional. “Ooh, I like this song,” he said.
“It never gets old,” added Kowalski, also loving the song.
“It does have a catchy hook,” said Skipper before turning to Rico, who was steering the plane, “come about. Bring her in low!”
Rico turned the steering wheel with one big swing and the plane turned back to the dam. “Hang onto your skirts,” said Skipper, “it’s dam-busting time.”
Melman did the Tarzan bellow, enjoying the action, while Gloria watched where the plane was going. “WHOO!! HANG ON TIGHT, BABY, HERE WE GO,” she exclaimed joyfully.
In the metal bucket, Alex and Zuko became shocked upon seeing that the plane was going back to the dam. “WARN THEM ‘NO! PULL UP!! THEY’LL MURDER US!!! THERE MUST BE ANOTHER FASHION,’” said Alex to the chimps, “PASS IT ON!!!!”
The chimps passed the info up to the plane, but like last time, they misinterpreted the message. “They say ‘no pull up! Murder us! There’s no other fashion!’ Basset Hound,” said Mason to Marty.
“Are you sure,” asked a confused Marty.
“Men, there is no sacrifice bigger than someone else’s,” said Skipper, proud.
Suddenly, Nana fired and the shot broke through the glass. Luckily, it didn’t hit anyone, but to Skipper’s horror, it blew apart the head of his bobble head doll. “NO,” he said turning frantic, “MEDIC!!”
Rico pulled out his duck tape while Nana tried firing again, but the gun was out of bullets. Outraged at the loss of Teetsi, she tossed the gun aside and swung her purse around, ready to attack when the plane gets close enough. “RAMMING SPEED,” ordered a yet concerned Skipper.
The chimps moved the engine at a much faster pace, causing the plane to accelerate towards the dam. The metal bucket hit the ground, alarming Alex and Zuko. They managed to stay in and hold on, but they started getting afraid as they saw the dam coming up really faster. They shrieked as they saw Nana ready to attack. “Bring it on,” Nana said.
Marty, Gloria and Melman started shrieking as well, afraid of what was going to happen. Alex and Zuko faced the pissed off Nana and braced themselves. “....naughty kitties,” Nana concluded. 
Evidently, the metal bucket collided into the dam, breaking a hole in one of the trees. This causing the rest of the trees and logs blocking the water to break apart and let the water break through and travel downriver.
Meanwhile, in the now abandoned volcano, King Julien and Maurice were discussing about how their plan failed earlier. “I don’t know why the sacrifice didn’t work,” said Julien, “the science seemed so solid. I’d jump right in that volcano if I wasn’t so nice at whistling.”
Julien started whistling again, though like before, it only spitting like he was blowing a raspberry at someone. As this happened, they heard a tired voice behind them getting louder and louder. They turned and to their shock, they saw Mort, having survived Africa, but was passed out in exhaustion. “La-lalala-lalala-la...la,” he sung tiredly before spotting Julien, “OH-OHO!! It’s you! I found you!”
“Mort,” asked Julien, fully shocked that Mort managed to get to Africa.
Mort, happy to have eventually found Julien, started bouncing his road towards the lemur, until suddenly, the shark that tried eating him on the beach, appeared and tried chomping on him again. Mort shrieked as he fled from the persistent shark. “Naughty fishy,” said Mort as he ran.
Unfortunately, he was running towards Julien and Maurice. The two lemurs shrieked as the shark got closer and closer. Together with Mort, they dove off the ledge to get away. The shark dove after them, but the shark missed. The shark plummeted into the volcano and landed in the lava, getting burned to death. The lemurs didn’t go down with the shark. Maurice held onto the ledge with Julien and Mort hanging onto him. Maurice sighed with relief before saying, “I do wonder if the heavens like seafood.” 
“Let’s go find out,” said Julien as they got up and headed astray from the lava.
The lemurs came out of the volcano and looked around. Suddenly, Julien spotted something that made him happy. “Look, Maurice,” he said, pointing towards a direction.
Maurice and Mort saw the water flowing down the dried up river in the reserve. “That was fast,” said Maurice, surprised.
“I did it,” celebrated Julien, thinking he did it, “I did it! I did it!”
A burst of lava erupted behind the lemurs, giving them an alert. “Alright, you did it,” said Julien hesitantly.
“OH, YES,” cheered Mort.
At the dried up water hole, the animals lay in the dried up hole. They were all in desperate need of water. But as a cape buffalo licked the ground, willing water, he felt the ground begin to shake. He looked up and got to his feet, seeing something coming up ahead. Other animals got up and saw it coming as well. To everyone’s amazement, they saw the water flowing down the river towards the water hole. The lone fish, who was drying out, saw the water coming too and jumped with glee. A loud applause of happiness broke out among the animals. Their water had eventually returned and they were saved from dehydration. As everyone cheered, a hippo noticed something slowly coming downriver. “LOOK!!”
It was the metal bucket from the plane. Alex and Zuko stood on the edge, waving to the crowd. “HEY, IT’S ALAKAY!!”
“IT’S ZUKO!!”
The two happily waved to the cheering crowds, happy to have succeeded in bringing back the water. “YOU DID IT, ZUKO!!”
“ALAKAY, ZUKO, YOU DID IT!!”
The bucket slowly approached the shore as Florrie rushed through the crowd. Here, she saw her family returning home safely. “ZUKO, ALAKAY,” she exclaimed as she rushed to the two, “YOU’RE BACK!!”
The two got off the bucket and embraced with a relieved Florrie. Everyone was happy to be together again. “I’m so glad you’re safe,” said Florrie.
Everyone else cheered for their heroes, relieved that they made it back as well. But someone was ticked off about their return. Shoving his road through the crowd, Makunga appeared with the Alpha lion staff in his paw. “Out of my road,” he said to the crowds before meeting up with the lions, “well, well, well, well, well.”
Makunga’s presence caused everyone to stop cheering and turn hesitant. Florrie frowned furiously at Makunga, not happy to see him, but Alex and Zuko remained calm. “You know, Zuko, if I remember correctly, you quit the pride,” said Makunga before turning to Alex, “and YOU were kicked out, then don’t think for an instant that this...changes anything.”
But this time, Alex stopped Josh by catching his arm. “You’re right,” said Alex to Makunga as Zuko presented Nana’s handbag, “in fact, we humbly present you with this token of appreciation. It’s a manbag; very popular where I come from.”
Alex handed Makunga the handbag. Makunga thought this was a nice gift. “I don’t know what to say,” he said.
“You can yet be rough and carry your stuff,” said Alex.
“Oh, my, does the strap adjust? Yes, I think this will go very nicely for me if I go out hiking,” said Makunga before saying in a mocking fashion, “but I’m afraid you’re yet banished.”
Peter gritted his teeth again, but Alex and Zuko had another plan in mind. “We figured you’d say that,” said Alex as Zuko tipped the metal bucket over.
Out came Nana, having been taken with the lions since the dam broke. Upon recovering, she saw her handbag in the paws of Makunga. Upon seeing Nana, JC realized Alex and Zuko’s plan and smirked at Makunga, knowing what was about to happen next. “My handbag,” Nana said before turning to the confused Makunga, “....YOU NAUGHTY KITTY!!”
But before Makunga could react, Nana kicked him in between the legs, causing him to drop both the handbag and staff and started assaulting him. She stomped on the lion’s foot and whacked his paw with a ruler. She licked her hand and shoved it into Makunga’s ear. Makunga, unable to fight back, could only feel the agony of Nana’s attack. “NONONONONONONO...”
Nana swiftly rubbed her hands on one of Makunga’s arms, like she was rubbing her feet across a carpet. After a brief moment of doing that, she slapped her hot hand on Makunga’s rear, giving him a naughty hand mark. Alex winced in shock as he watched the lady do this. Eventually, Nana caught Makunga by the ear and started dragging him off, who growled in frustration before shouting out an enraged "STEELE!!"
This yell was so loud that it echoed across the kingdom. The crowds of animals cheered as they watched Nana take Makunga away. With Makunga gone and the position of Alpha lion back, Zuko took the staff and handed it to Alex. “You deserve this, son,” he said, accepting his son, “welcome to the pride.”
Alex looked at the staff, amazed that Zuko was eventually accepting him into the pride. He looked at Zuko, who grinned at his son, proud of him for who he was; a lion with incredible dancing skills. Florrie looked at Zuko, proud that he was evidently accepting Alex. But despite the position of Alpha Lion, Alex was modest. “Thanks, Dad...but this belongs to you,” he said as he offered Zuko the staff.
“No, no, son,” said Zuko as he took the staff, with Alex yet holding onto it, “to us.”
Alex grinned at his father, happy to accept working as Alpha Lion alongside him. Together, they raised the staff into the air and the animals cheered. “MY SON,” announced Zuko, “THE KING OF NEW YORK!!”
“WOOHOO,” cheered Florrie, “THAT’S MY BABY!!”
The animals celebrated with the lions before walking towards the water, hearing the frustrated black-maned lion shout his name.
Not long later, the reserve was complete with life again. Once again, it was a beautiful paradise. On a hill overlooking the water hole, The New Yorkers, Zuko and Florrie gathered together for what seemed like a wedding. “Love transcends all differences. We are gathered here today...to celebrate such a love,” announced Zuko.
Gloria and Melman stood next to each other, grinning. Alex and Marty stood with them, as if they were acting like their best men like an audience. “Do you take each other......for better or for worse,” Zuko asked as he looked down, below everyone’s feet.
The New Yorkers looked down too and awaited a response from Skipper. Apparently, this was a wedding for him and the bobblehead. Mason, Phil, the lemurs and the other penguins were also there, standing alongside the two. Mason bobbed the bobblehead’s reattached head. Skipper, thinking the doll was agreeing to take him for better, Skipper said, “for better, please.”
Everyone cheered as Alex threw flower petals like they were confetti. “YES,” cheered Marty.
“What a beautiful.....weird couple,” said Alex.
“WHOO,” cheered Gloria.
“YES,” said Melman, before silently saying, “that’s not gonna last.”
Skipper high-fived his fellow penguins as the petals came down. “Can I kiss the bride, Skipper,” asked Private.
Skipper smacked Private in the face. “No,” he said sternly before joyfully ordering, “MUSIC!!”
In the plane, Private put in a cassette tape, putting on the Boston song again. While the music played, Skipper did another inventory check before taking off. “Struts,” he ordered.
“Check,” replied Kowalski.
“Flaps!”
“Check!”
“Diamonds and gold!”
“Check!”
“Honorary penguin and his troops!”
“Check!”
Mason and Phil were coming with them and the penguins as well. On ground, the New Yorkers, Zuko and Florrie waved a farewell to their friends. “FAREWELL,” said Florrie.
“WE’RE GONNA MISS YOU,” added Zuko.
“SEE YOU LATER,” added Florrie.
“We’ll be back after dropping them off and after the honeymoon in Monte Carlo, or wherever the gold runs out,” said Skipper as the plane flew off.
“TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES,” said Zuko.
“COME BACK SOON,” shouts Florrie.
“Hey, you know, Mum, let ‘em take their time,” said Alex, “New York isn’t going anywhere. Right, guys?”
“Yes, you right about that. Hey,” said Marty. 
“Well, as long as I’m with her,” said Melman as he looked at Gloria, “an-and you two, I don’t care where we are.”
Gloria chuckled upon realizing that she’d be spending more time with Melman. Her chuckles were squeaky and girly, but Melman didn’t mind. “She has the most amazing laugh,” said Melman.
Alex and Marty looked at the two awkwardly, finding Gloria’s laugh a little odd, but not minding either. “Love has no boundaries,” said Marty happily.
“Well,” said Alex who turned to his father, “it looks like you’re stuck with us for a while.”
But Zuko had a very grim, stern face. He stared at Alex, as if he was once again disappointed about something. Alex, along with Marty, was confused as to why Zuko would show that face after their adventure together. “Dad...what’s wrong,” asked a worried Alex, “I just thought we could hang out a bit and...”
But before Alex could finish, Zuko raised his paw over his face and showed a happy face. He lowered the paw and showed his stern face again, before raising his paw again and showing his happy face. Seeing that his son fell for his trick, Zuko laughed. Alex and Marty, recognizing the trick, laughed. “HEY,” exclaimed Marty.
“Oho, you have me,” said Alex happily.
“Now I've got you, son,” said Zuko before dancing a bit.
“You found me with my idea,” said Alex, “you did my thing. You brought it back around on me. I love it!”
“Duh, duh, duh, duh,” Zuko scat sang, “duh, duh, duh, duh...duh, duh, now I have you, son!”
Zuko and Alex gave each other a high-five before walking down the hill with the others. “Old man’s not too bad, right, Marty,” said Alex.
“Marty,” asked Marty playfully, “who’s Marty?”
“C'mon.”
“I don’t know no Marty,” said Marty, trying to act like another zebra, “don’t call me Marty.”
“You can’t fool me.”
“I don’t see no Marty. Ain’t no Marty here.”
“Marty, I can look into your eyes, and I know it’s you,” said Alex as he looked his best friend in the eyes.
As the group walked, Alex peeked behind Marty and saw the bite mark he left on his rear while on Madagascar. Alex and Marty looked at each other, before Alex gave Marty a playful noogie, happy to be with him again. Marty gently bobbed Alex apart with his rear before the two of them joined the others in dancing down the hill. Once again, they were happy together, their African problems were no more, and they were happy to remain in Africa for the time being. They were also happy to see their squad friends head out and go home, but knowing that they’ll see them again someday. Someday, they’d come back, along with the penguins, and Alex and the others will at last head back to New York, but for now, they, along with the lemurs, were happy to have the time of their lives together, in the once again beautiful reserve. 
“Hey! Shake the hot facts!”
“WOO!”
“Shake the hot facts!”
“WOO!!”
“Shake ‘em...shake ‘em...shake ‘em...shake ‘em...”