Author's note: In the disclaimer, I forgot to mention that I'm not making money of this. Though, I am meeting some interesting authors. Anyway, without further, ado, Chapter 6.

Chapter 6: The Waiting Game

Marty awoke to the normal sounds of the beach. His legs felt much better. He yawned and stretched before finally opening his eyes. Melman and Gloria were outside already playing a game of catch with a coconut. He also noticed Alex sleeping in his usual spot: the ground at the base of Marty's bed. Alex could never stay mad at Marty very long, and Marty could hardly get mad at Alex. Trying not to wake the sleeping lion. He suppressed a laugh as he stepped over the passed out penguins. Though, private seemed to be sleeping their, simply to keep his friends company. Julien must have cone home in the night.

He walked outside his hut to join his friends. "Good morning," he greeted them.

"Good morning, Marty," Melman answered.

"You feeling better, Marty?" Gloria asked thoughtfully.

Marty yawned, "Never better," he answered, "Well, I've been better, but you know what I mean." He trotted between the two. "So, what happened with Alex, last night? I fell asleep."

"I did too," Melman added.

"I guess he came when we were all sleeping," she pointed out.

Marty looked slightly concerned, "I just hope he's not still mad at me."

"Oh, I'm not," the lion answered from behind them, grinning.

Marty welcomed his friend, "Well, look at what the cat dragged out: himself."

"Ha-ha," Alex gave a fake laugh.

"Sorry, about what I said," Marty apologized, "I was out of line, when I said that."

"What's with all the apologizing, here?" he asked rhetorically.

"Do you really think people are going to come get us?" Melman wondered.

Alex assured him, "Of course! It's not everyday you see non-native animals corrugating around an abandoned ship."

"Good point," Marty agreed.

"So what do we do, now?" Melman made a valid point.

Alex thought for a moment, "Not much to do, is there?"

Gloria explained, "We should stay on the beach, so they know where to find us."

And so they waited. And waited. And waited. The day seemed to progress in slow motion. Still, they waited. And waited. The shadows soon disappeared in the mid-day lighting. Melman, had started a fire, in which everyone gathered around, and began throwing things in, simply to watch them burn.

"How long is this going to take!" Alex shouted.

Marty whined, "I'm sooooooo bored!"

"Oh no!" Melman explained, "There's a disease from boredom!"

Gloria disagreed, "Melman, I seriously doubt that."

"It's true," he supported himself, "Its called Doldrum Syndrome! It was discovered in 2002 by some Swedish doctor."

"And where did you find this out, Melman?" Alex asked, "Did you read it in a tabloid magazine?"

"Come to think of it," Melman thought back, "I think you're right... It was issue with the proof that Dick Cheney was a robot..."

Alex sighed. With a crash, the door to Marty's hut burst open. It was Skipper.

Alex greeted the penguin, "Hey there, Skip," The penguin leered at him, "...per"

"Ah, my head," Skipper complained. Kowalski followed, holding a flipper to his temple. Rico dragged himself outside also severely hungover. He squinted at the introduction of the bright sunlight. Private, on the other hand, looked quited content. Skipper didn't share in his happiness "Is their any Aspirin on this island?"

Melman scoffed, "I wish."

"Private!" he ordered, "Go on the ship and find us some Aspirin or Ibuprofen or something."

Private answered simply, "No," Skipper was shocked. Private had never refused an order. "This is nature's way of telling you that drinking is wrong."

Skipper became annoyed, "Spare me the speech, Private." The fire crackled as Alex threw a random leaf over the dancing flames. Soon they all took turns tossing bits of debris to burn.

Behind them, a bush stirred. Julien strode out followed by Maurice. Julien looked at all of them, "Good day to you all, Giants..." he looked from Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman over to the penguins, "And swimming...bird...things..." He straightened his posture, "I have a grand announcement to make."

Gloria whispered to Maurice, "Do you have any Idea what this is about?"

Maurice whispered back, "No clue. Ever since yesterday, he's been acting very strange."

"You two, stop talking!" Julien commanded, "You are ruining my atmosphere." He put his finger to his head, "Now, what was I saying? Oh yes! My big announcement."

Alex grew impatient, "And that is-?"

"As a multi-faceted young lemur, I have decided that Madagascar no longer appeases my extreme sense of adventure." He proclaimed.

Maurice was still confused, "And, this means..."

Julien explained, "It means, that I'm leaving the island."

"What?" Maurice leapt into the air.

"Yes. I am resolved," he told them, "When the people come to rescue the giants and the flappy-swimmy things, I will go with them to face any perils they encounter." Kowalski didn't take kindly to being called a flappy-swimmy thing, but no one noticed. Everyone was too shocked at Julien's remarkable proclamation. "Therefore, Maurice, having no children (thank god) I am giving you rule over all the lemurs in my absence."

Maurice was honored, but too surprised to show it. "Julien, are you sure about this?"

The lemur looked at him incredulously, "But, of course! As I said, I am resolved."

"But, why?" The aye-aye asked.

"I told you. I want to see new places, experience new things. We only have a little time to live, and I'm going to use it well." He emoted. Then, he took his crown off and placed it on Maurice's head. "I dub you king of the lemurs." Maurice was speechless. "Though, you will give it back to me should I return, right?"

"Umm...sure." Maurice crossed his fingers behind his back.

Still bored, Gloria threw a coconut at the roaring flames. The fire rose around the new object and engulfed it. Julien was confused, "What are you doing?"

Melman answered plainly, "Burning stuff."

"Really," Julien thought for a moment. "You have to see this!" He darted into the jungle. A few minutes later he returned holding a huge red flower. It had a bell shape with a liquid sloshing about at the base. It was bigger than the entire lemur himself in height and width, yet still managed to carry it "Behold, the power!" he shouted as he chucked the blossom at the contained inferno. The flame rose ten feet in the air and emitted a large roar.

"Hoover Dam!" Skipper shouted at the towering explosion. Melman put his hooves over his eyes. Gloria took a step back in caution. Marty's jaw dropped.

Alex yelped in surprise, "Holy Sh-" The fire made a second explosion louder than the last overpowering his voice. The fire finally diffused back to normal. "What was that?" he asked, still shaken.

"That, my friend, was the Winoki flower," he explained, "It produces the most popular party drink amongst us lemurs."

"What's it do?" Marty asked.

The lemur's eyes grew comically wide "Why it makes the world grow more beautiful... that is, until the vomiting comes." Skipper looked intrigued.

An awkward silence followed when everyone's focus shifted to Alex. He walked towards she shore with keen precision. Every step was articulated. He stopped when he reach the lapping waves. Marty studied his friends actions. "Hey, Al, what is it?" Alex held a hand up for silence. His ears swerved towards the ocean.

Alex turned around with a broad smile on his face, "They're coming!" Melman and Gloria exchanged glances of joy. Marty ran to Alex happily, attempting to get a look at the boat for himself. He couldn't see it, but he sensed it was there. Maurice shook Julien's hand. Skipper laughed and patted his companions on the back. "Ok, everyone, let's get ready for the trip before they get here."

"The lion's right," Skipper supported, "Grab anything you want to take with, and put it in our suitcase." He pointed to Rico.

"Hey, Rico! Could I get a fish to go?" Alex requested. Rico bowed in acknowledgement and reached down his throat. "-I mean, a fresh one," Alex stopped him.

Skipper added, "While your in the water, get some for us, too." He saluted and skidded to the waters. Within seconds, he resurfaced holding an armful of fish.

He proceeded to hand one to the hungry lion. "Thanks." He said, dropping it into his mouth.

"Ok, Maurice, let's go," Julien said, "I have something to get from the tree." The too headed towards the jungle. "I'll be back!" he shouted to the others as he disappeared into the lush foliage.

Alex waved to him, "We'll be waiting for you!" He then turned around. "Are you ready for this, Marty?"

The zebra smiled, "Yeah. I'm ready for anything, as long as I'm with you guys."

"Oh, Marty," Gloria held at hand to her heart, "You're so sweet."

"I can't believe it!" Melman cheered, "We're finally going home. I can only guess how many diseases I've developed here."

Gloria rolled here eyes. "Ooh, I can't wait! Three meals a day. Daily pedicures."

Alex continued the list, "Fresh steaks. Adoring crowds. Merchandising."

Even Marty got in on the fun, "All the hay you can eat. No sand. A real bed." They all sighed, thinking of home. The boat came closer. Actually, it was two boats. In front, was a small cargo ship. Most likely to carry the animals. Followed by a tugboat, probably there to salvage the ship wrecked ship from the shore. They watched the boats come closer by the minute, as they listed the various luxuries of the Central Park Zoo. The penguins engaged in a discussion of future battle tactics. Finally, Julien and Maurice returned.

"Maurice," Julien instructed, "You must go back and explain the current situation to the other lemurs."

Maurice nodded, "Yes, sir" He started to head back into the jungle.

"Wait-" Julien stopped him.

"Yes, Julien?" he asked.

"I'm gonna miss you," he gave his friend a brotherly embrace.

"Me, too, sir."

Julien released him and smiled. "Farewell, King Maurice."