Author's note: And so we enter the third decachapter to the story. (I think decachapter's a cool word). Not as action-packed, but hopefully emotional.

Chapter 30: In Parting

Back in the valley, Marty anxiously awaited Alex's return. 'I hope everything went alright. I hope Alex got rid of It...' he worried and worried.

But a voice interrupted his train of thought. "Hey..Marty?" Tana asked softly.

Marty looked up to see two lionesses in front of him, "Hey Tana. Hey Kindra. What's up?"

"Well..." Tana began, "I just wanted to say... thank you, Marty."

"Thank me? Alex and Tenji saved the pride. Not me," Marty told them.

Kindra replied, "We know. We're not thanking you for that."

Marty rose an eyebrow, "Then what are you thanking me for?"

Tana smiled softly, "For coming here, and being our friend."

Marty felt the words enriching his concious, "Aw...thanks."

"We're lucky to have you, Alex, Gloria, and Melman as a friend," Kindra said.

Marty felt the bond between him and the lionesses strengthened. But, was it wise to make such strong ties before leaving? Marty's thoughts were interrupted yet again.

"HEY YOU GUYS!" Tenji yelled from afar. The zoosters and the lionesses all shifted their attention to the young lion, "ALEX AND DAD ARE BACK!"

In an overwhelming rush, the entire ensemble of the valley rushed to the rock. They all formed a circle around the grey boulder. As assumed, Alex and the king came over the rock. Marty pushed past the several lionesses in front of him to make it to his best friend.

Marty wasn't sure why, but it had seemed Alex had been away for a long time. Marty put his hands on the lion's shoulders.

Alex smiled brightly, "Marty. It's gone!"

"I know," Marty answered, "I could tell. You already look happier."

Julien then appeared at Alex's feet.

"Hey there, fuzz-bucket!" Alex called out.

Julien feigned annoyance, "You know well that I don't like that word."

Alex laughed, "Lighten up, Julien. It's gone!"

"It is? That's great!" Julien leapt in the air, "Now I won't feel so freaked out when I'm on your shoulder...I mean...er...Now, you'll be happy again...yay?"

"It's good to be back!" Alex laughed hysterically at the comment. Even Pala joined in.

Soon Gloria and Melman prodded through the crowd next. Though Melman was caught a few rows back. He simply held out his neck to greet his friend. "Hey Alex. How'd it go?" Melman inquired.

"Yeah, tell us!" Gloria yelled excitedly.

"Wait just a moment!" Skipper called out from behind the lionesses, "We want to know too."

In a collective flip, the four penguins leapt from the back of the crowd to mere feet away from Alex.

"For the third time, It's gone! It's done! I'm free!" Alex cheered.

The crowd let out a thunderous applaud. Yells and shouts of celebration filled the air around Alex. For a second, Alex was reminded of being at the zoo again. But two lions did not applaud. Tenji and Elsa both were silent and still.

Alex noticed them. He approached the two, "What is it?"

Tenji looked up at him, "Now that your all better and all... your going to be leaving us, aren't you?"

Kowalski nodded slowly, "We really should be getting back."

Alex's smile slowly faded into a somber tone. His eyes shifted between the two. The crowd became silent. "... Well, yeah... I've done what I came here to do, and more!... but now it's time to go home... to go back..."

"Oh Alex!" Elsa buried her head in Alex's shoulder with tears in her eyes, "I'm going to miss you so much..."

Alex smiled though his eyes held a new sadness, "I'm going to miss you, too."

Alex released the lioness and looked fondly through the crowd, "I'm going to miss all of you."

"And so will I," Marty emoted.

"And me," Gloria added.

"And me too," Melman contributed.

Elsa next went to Melman, "I'm going to miss the way you jumped when we sneaked up on you" She kissed Melman's forehead softly. Melman blushed.

Elsa then moved to Gloria, "And I'm going to miss out girl talks. You had strength that I never knew a girl could have."

"Ah, come here honey," Gloria hugged the lioness dearly.

Elsa then lowered onto her knees to say goodbye to Julien, "I'm going to miss our trips to the tree to get fruit."

"Ms. Elsa, I will always remember you," Julien answered.

The weeping lioness bent forward and gave the lemur a dear kiss on the cheek.

Julien hugged her neck and couldn't help but wipe a tear away.

Still crying, Elsa moved to the zebra. "And I'm going to miss you Marty," she said sweetly, "You taught me that prey animals are just like us. And for that I want to say thank you." She wrapped her arms around Marty's next and leaned into his cheek.

"I'm gonna miss you too, Elsa," Marty answered.

Tenji was next to approach Alex. His eyes twinkled in the noon light. Desperately, he thought of what to say. But all words failed, and he simply hugged Alex.

"Tenji..." Alex was at a lack for words as well.

Tenji sniffed as tears streamed down his cheek, wetting his fur, "You did so much for me. You were like an older brother."

Alex couldn't hold back a tear any longer, "And you were like a younger brother."

"It's going to be so hard to let you go," Tenji sobbed.

"It's okay," Alex comforted him, "You have your dad now."

"I know... you just were such a good friend," Tenji wiped the tears from his eyes, but in vain. More soon replaced them.

Alex then turned to Pala.

The white lion stood tall and proud. He smiled warmly at Alex, "I will not lie. Though I've known you but two days, I will miss you dreadfully." Confidently, Pala held out his paw.

Instead of engaging the intended handshake, Alex brought the king into his arms. Pala was shocked at first, but then returned the embrace.

Alex let go and beamed at the lion, "King Pala. I can't thank you enough for what you did for me today. It will help me for the rest of my life. Truly, you saved me."

"Your welcome, Alex. And for the record, you saved us if you can recall," Pala answered.

Tana and Kindra bode the zoosters farewell. Kindra cried the entire time. Tana managed to keep her tears back, but soon lost control when saying goodbye to Marty.

Alex stood in the middle of all the sobbing lionesses. He peered across the sad crowd. Alex spoke, "I would say don't cry, but not all tears are bad."

Tenji put his arm over Elsa's shoulder, both tearing at the thought of the zoosters' leave. Elsa buried her head into his chest sobbing. Tenji patted her back gently.

Marty, Melman, Gloria, Julien, and the Penguins all joined Alex in the middle of the group, standing before the great rock that separated them from the wilderness.

Even Skipper's eyes began to glisten. He quickly shook it off. The leader penguin turned to Alex, "It's time."

Alex jumped to the top of the rock. He looked down on all the lions. "Me and my friends have to go to our own home," he said, "But I am glad to have helped you, and I am thankful you helped me. I wish you all happy lives after I go. I will miss all of you, and I will never forget any of you."

And with these last words he went over the rock. The others soon followed, and Julien jumped onto Alex's shoulder. Farewells were shouted from the crowd as they left.

With great pain, the zoosters walked away from the green valley. Alex looked back slowly. The crowd of lions stood in front of the rock waving fondly at them. Alex felt the truth sink into him. He would never see any of them again. The tears once again began to flow from his eyes. He looked at his companions and they all did the same. Alex smiled despite the tears and waved back at them.

They all waved back and forth until finally they disappeared into the distance.

Author's note: Chapter 31 to be up soon. Look for updates.