Lyle sunk to the floor feeling depressed. His owner Hector P. Valenti had already left, but his last words were still ringing in his head as he curled up in the darkness and the rain pounded the skylight.

"I'll be back in two shakes of a lamb's tail."

Lyle felt like crying. It was bad enough that he had once been living in the back of a pet store that hardly anybody visited, had finally given a home and a family even though it was hard to get by, but when it came time to show the world his talent, he froze up and the whole act went down the drain. Now his family was gone and he was alone again. His mind began to think back to the pet store where he wasn't given much thought due to him being a crocodile, but he often sang to himself to help keep his loneliness at bay. But without the light and only a music player with headphones in his hands, he felt tears come to his eyes.

"Hello?"

Lyle snapped out of his self-induced sorrow and looked in the direction of the stairs that led down to the rest of the house.

"Anybody home?"

Lyle made his way to the stairs to hear better as he wiped his eyes. Then he heard music playing and the voice came again.

"I admit that I've been sneaky and ambitious. They weren't kidding when they called me kind of strange. But you'll find that nowadays I've mended all my ways. Repented, seen the starlight, made a change. True? Yes."

Lyle couldn't help but grow even more curious as he slowly made his way down the stairs as the song continued.

"And I fortunately know a lot of secrets. It's a talent that I always had possessed. And in New York please don't laugh, but I use it on behalf of reality and all that it suggests. Briefly."

Lyle's heart pounded as he went passed the door and looked over the rail and saw some lights coming from the ground floor. As he made his way down, the voice became louder and continued.

"Poor unfortunate souls. In pain, in need. This one longing to have fame and that one wants to make the team and do I help them? Yes indeed. Those poor unfortunate souls. So sad, so true. They came groveling to my doorstep wailing, "Miracles Theo please!" And do I help them? Yes I do."

Lyle had just gotten to the doorway when he cautiously peeked out to see a middle-aged man with his back turned to him clearly in the zone of his song with dark hair, a light t-shirt, black shorts, and brown hiking boots. The stranger was in front of a mirror that was projecting images as he continued singing.

"But it's happened more than twice. Some just wouldn't pay the price and I'm afraid I had to drag them down the hole. I admit without complaint that in defense I've been a saint to those poor unfortunate souls."

/

Lyle felt a bit scared and was about to go back upstairs, but the stranger turned and saw him. His icy gaze met Lyle's eyes, they softened into a friendly expression.

"Oh, hello. I didn't know there was an audience."

Lyle remembered the show earlier and felt horrible. He turned away hoping to go back up, but the stranger's voice made him pause.

"Hey, no need to be shy. I love meeting new friends."

Lyle felt a bit of optimism as he turned to see the stranger who had come over to him and knelt down since Lyle had come up to his waist.

"Hello, my name is Theo.", the stranger said warmly extending a hand.

Lyle felt shy, but slowly brought his own hand out and shook Theo's. Theo looked a bit confused.

"You're not much of a talker are you?"

Lyle felt the optimism slip a bit, but Theo's smile made him forget it.

"Well, we can't let that stand between us now can we?"

Theo got up and went over to the mirror which had gone back to normal and pulled out an old poster of Lyle and Hector before looking Lyle's way.

"So, your name is Lyle?"

Lyle slowly nodded. Theo's smile got bigger.

"No way. The world-famous singing crocodile? Who would guess?"

Lyle was now feeling confused. How did this guy know about him? Then he felt his stomach growl and Theo noticed.

"Looks like we need to get some dinner huh?"

Lyle looked unsure, but Theo proudly strode towards the back door as if he already lived in the house. Lyle cautiously followed, but Theo paused as he turned to face him after he opened the door.

"Aren't you coming?"

Lyle felt a bit happier that this Theo character was already being a good friend and he happily caught up to him as Theo made his way into the New York alleys. The rain had stopped and the ground was still wet, but Theo didn't seem to mind so Lyle didn't either.

After walking around for a while, Theo led Lyle to a back entrance of a very fancy restaurant where the dumpster was. Lyle noticed the twinkle in Theo's eye as Theo made his way to the dumpster and jumped right in.

"It's amazing what people throw away.", he said as he soon came up with some lobster and fried fish, "And there's even some pizza. Who knew New York could be so plentiful?"

Lyle followed Theo around as he made several stops to get more fancy food like eclairs, shrimp scampi, and other foods. Unfortunately, there was one time that Theo and Lyle got caught and needless to say, the person dumping the trash wasn't too thrilled.

"Hey! No dumpster diving!", he called out as Theo and Lyle made their getaway.

Not long after that, they had come to the St. James hotel where they prepared a feast on the roof of the food they had gathered.

"And this is how you get high class food without spending a dime.", Theo said smiling.

Lyle felt a bit better since he wasn't alone anymore and this guy was making his night more fun. Theo paused after eating a lobster and took a breath.

"In the shadow of the city when the day has disappeared. Some might say it's sort of gritty. Full of faces to be feared. But there are wonders that are waiting underneath the midnight sky. We got stars illuminating. It's a place for you and I. A little space for you and I."

Lyle felt his heart grow brighter as Theo got up and started dancing a round a little. Before Theo could sing further, he joined in.

"At the top of the world tonight where no one ever has to hide. At the top of the world tonight you're sitting safe and starry-eyed. There is treasure you can find in somethin' someone left behind. At the top of the world tonight it can stay this way at least until the morning light."

Theo was in awe as he noticed Lyle sing and dance along with him as they set up some lights to illuminate the rooftop. By the time they had finished, they both felt like they were really on top of the whole world.

/

Before long, midnight was drawing near and Theo helped Lyle get back home and into the attic without being seen.

"Don't worry about your neighbor.", Theo assured, "He hardly would notice anything anyway."

Lyle smiled as he looked around wondering where he could sleep. Theo must have read his mind cause he got out an old bass fiddle case and lined it with soft bedding and a couple pillows before setting it by the window.

"There, a bed fit for a king."

Lyle cautiously slipped into it. Sure enough it was comfortable enough to almost make him sleep. Theo then looked a bit apologetic.

"Lyle, I need to be somewhere.", he said.

Lyle looked a bit shocked. He was just having a new friend and now he's leaving? Theo must have read his thoughts again cause he smiled.

"Hey, I'll always be with you.", he said holding Lyle's hand in his, "Not to mention that a family will arrive a little over a year from now with someone who's going to need a friend. Can you do that for me?"

Lyle tried to keep himself from tearing up as he nodded eagerly.

"That's my big guy.", Theo said stroking Lyle's snout soothingly, "Just remember to do your dumpster diving when nobody is around okay?"

Lyle looked a bit wondering as if to ask if he'd see Theo again.

"Don't worry Lyle, I'll be back.", Theo said calmly, "Give me some time to work on my vocals. By the way, the family that will soon move here is called the Primms."

Lyle felt a bit better knowing that something was heading his way and a friend would be watching over him. Soon, he was overcome with drowsiness and sleeping soundly. Theo took it as a mark to leave and was soon gone without leaving a trace.

(A/N: I used the songs "Poor Unfortunate Souls" from Disney's "The Little Mermaid" and "Top of the World" from "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile". I claim nothing.)