My apologies for submittting this late. Last week I travelled to Vancouver and didn't bring my lap along, so it was harder to pass the chapter here from Ao3, but here we have the final chapter! Well, penultimate, since there's going to be an epilogue.

Okay, on we go!

"Makuu?"

Akina had been looking for her mate for about half-an-hour, but he was not anywhere Lake Matope. He had last spoken with Kitwana, but then he had left. Kitwana had to explain to her what they had been talking about, which brought the revelation that he'd leave the Pride Lands once he learned how to fly.

No wonder Makuu had ran off like that!

However, this also gave her a clue as to where he had gone.

She went towards Big Springs, where Basi confirmed her suspicions. She walked into the group of trees, and found her mate resting in the clearing where everything began.

"Makuu?" she asked gently, stepping forward. "Are you okay?"

"I want to be alone..." he said, not looking at her.

"Kitwana told me he wants to..."

"I just can't believe it..." Makuu whispered, sounding almost mad. "After everything we've been through, despite all of that he's leaving. It's almost as if nothing really mattered..."

"Don't say that!" Akina scolded gently. "He just wants to see the world, but it doesn't mean it's easy for him."

"Then again, perhaps it was childish on my part to think things would go back to the way they were before this whole thing happened," Makuu said with a sigh. "And the kid is not a kid anymore, not to mention he has gained lots of wisdom. Don't take me wrong, I am proud of who he is, but..."

"You don't want him to go anymore." Akina finished, stepping closer to him and lay down next to him, glancing at her mate with compassion.

"What if he never comes back? What if he likes those other lands so much he'll decide to settle there?"

"I don't think it will come to that. His friends and family are here, and I don't think he'll be willing to cut off ties with all of this."

"I will certainly miss him if he goes."

"And he will miss you too," Akina said, gently rubbing her head against his comfortingly. "But it's part of the Circle of Life. New lives come into the world, and it's a parent's job to teach, care for and protect them... and then let them go."

Makuu released a snort, but it wasn't an annoyed one. He pondered on her words for some time, before sighing sadly upon realizing she was right. He had known from the beginning it would eventually come to this, but to him it still felt like yesterday when the little egg had just hatched and the chick followed him around, calling him 'mama'.

A few seconds later, he sighed again and then got to his feet. "Well, if we're going to part ways again, at the very least whatever time we have left should be memorable, right?"

Akina smiled.

Though Kitwana had mastered the glide in such a short time, he still was unable to fly. No matter how hard he tried, he was unable to fly at all. Instead he'd land roughly on the ground. Despite the float going to cheer him up, he still couldn't manage to take off even from the highest branch of the tree. It didn't help that many animals approached him throughout the day to inquire about the humans and whatever he knew of them.

In fact, this was the reason Makuu had started taking his crocodiles to Kitwana's flight lessons, other than to give his foster son some backup.

This went on for many days, until he got tired of it and got close to giving up. Thankfully Mshale wasn't around to mock him, since Bakshi had driven him away from the flock for a few days for picking a fight with a younger chick, which gave some of the other egrets (especially Dalila) a break.

"Darn!" Kitwana cried out as he got back on his feet, shaking off the dust and dirt from his plumage, then he yelled at no one in particular. "What in the Pride Lands is wrong with me?"

"It wasn't that bad," Hodari commented as he approached. "At least this time you got farther."

"It doesn't matter if I can't... fly," Kitwana countered, rather down. "At this rate, the hyenas will fly before I do."

"Don't say that, all you need is more practice," Dalila commented with an encouraging smile. Despite being close to adulthood, she still looked pretty much like an older fledgling due to being younger than Kitwana. "Don't forget it took me fifteen attempts."

"I wish I was as positive as you, guys, but I think I'm taking a break for now. If I fall unto my face one more time I will turn brown."

While Kitwana went to rest for a while with Hodari and Dalila, Bakshi was discussing the issue with Makuu and Akina, who had been joined in by the other curious crocodiles.

"So he hasn't improved? At all?" Makuu asked, his voice serious but with an undercurrent of concern.

"He glides very well, but he cannot take flight," Bakshi explained with a worried expression. "I cannot understand why. He is in perfect health, his wings are broad enough and he has all the required feathers."

"What's with the feathers?" Ghubari asked, confused. "Why are they so important? That's what I don't get! I mean, all I see birds do to fly is to flap their wings!"

Bakshi armed herself with patience and explained, spreading out her left wing. "A wing has three kinds of flight feathers: primary, secondary and tertiary," she pointed to the respective groups accordingly with her beak. "Each group has a specific function, but they all contribute to a bird's capacity of taking off-"

"In crocodile, please." Makuu said abruptly, looking a bit confused himself.

Bakshi sighed. "The three types must be well-developed and grown for a bird to fly. Kitwana's wing feathers are perfect, but he cannot fly properly despite that."

"I wonder if being around us so much made him lose his ability to fly." Balozi muttered under his breath.

"That's ridiculous!" Akina snapped at him.

"Actually..." suddenly Kiburi approached, looking a bit thoughtful. "That might not be completely inaccurate."

"Great, who invited him?" Ghubari muttered under his breath just as the other crocs started swimming away.

"What do you mean?" Akina asked.

"Think about it this way: the bird says that his wing feathers, size and age are ideal for him to fly. What do those three things have in common?" He waited a few seconds to see if they'd figure it out, but continued at the silence while containing the urge to roll his eyes at the ignorance. "First of all," he glanced at Bakshi. "Since when do egrets start teaching their young that flight is a bird's way of life?"

"As soon as they hatch." Bakshi explained.

"Where are you going with this, Kiburi?" Makuu inquired with a small frown.

"The chick was raised by you, Makuu. Raised by crocodiles, non-flying animals. He never learned that his life would depend on him learning to fly. You're looking at the problem physiologically, when you should look at it in a more... psychological way. He doesn't see flight as a way of life, he just sees it as a way to move around."

The rest of the group had a look of realization in their faces, while Makuu looked a bit... surprised.

"You just thought of all that by yourself, Kiburi?" he inquired curiously.

This time, Kiburi did roll his eyes.

"It makes sense," Akina stated. "If a crocodile was raised by a different animal, he would lack his birth species' beliefs or fail to properly understand their customs."

"Well, how could we fix it?" Makuu asked. "Just repeating the words to him won't do the trick, as you've noticed."

"Maybe..." Bakshi was thoughtful, but she wasn't sure if it was a good idea. "There's another... method."

"Another method?" Akina asked hopefully.

"Yes, but it's a bit risky."

Makuu got worried when he heard the word 'risky'. "What is this method?"

"It's mostly used by reaper birds that live in the mountains," Bakshi explained. "Fledglings are thrown off the cliff the nest is in, and they must fly in order to save themselves, those who can't will have an abrupt end to their Circle of Life."

The crocodiles looked reluctant to try such a thing, particularly since they weren't sure Kitwana himself would want to. With this in mind, Makuu spoke up. "Let's ask Kitwana about it and see if he's wiling to take such a risk."

"Allow me to do so." Bakshi responded gently. She walked towards Kitwana when she received a positive nod.

Makuu and the others looked apprehensively as they spoke, mostly Bakshi, probably explaining the risks and all of that. Kitwana's expression was unreadable, though he did look a bit intrigued and uncertain.

"Think it's worth a shot?" Kiburi inquired. "If the kiddo cannot fly-"

"He will." Makuu assured.

"But what if-?"

"He will fly."

A few seconds later, Kitwana walked off into the reeds, looking thoughtful. Makuu guessed he had told Bakshi he needed to think it over, considering what she proposed was a double-edged sword of a method. Perhaps he'd need a bit of encouragement.

He made his way towards the reeds he had disappeared in, and like he expected, found him sat down on the edge of the water, looking at his reflection in an almost forlorn way.

"Are you okay?" Makuu inquired, walking closer.

"I've been better." Kitwana said sadly.

"I guess Bakshi told you of that... method?"

"I'm not sure I want to try it," Kitwana confessed, looking away. "I mean, what if I don't make it and... well, you can imagine what happens next."

"Don't think about it. I'm sure you'll succeed at it, just like you've succeeded at many other things neither of us ever imagined,"

"It might sound ridiculous, but... I'm afraid of flying..."

"You shouldn't fear your own nature, my boy. When the time comes, I promise you I will be by your side," Makuu noted there was something else bothering him. "This isn't only about that, is it?"

"No, that's not all. You once said the Circle of Life include predation on other species for survival, right?"

"I did."

"Where would that put us?" Kitwana asked, looking uncertain. "You're a croc, I'm a bird, and you once said that if the circumstances were different I would have been your prey."

Makuu was speechless. He remembered those words he said when he told Kitwana the truth and became frustrated at the chick's stubbornness in refusing to accept it. He had spoken without thinking that time, but now he regretted the way he had put it deeply.

"What I said..." he finally said with a heavy sigh, looking down. "It was partly true and partly false. It is true that crocodiles sometimes eat birds, its part of our nature as predators..." he looked at Kitwana. "But I would never eat you. None of us would; you might not be a crocodile, but you're still one of us, and we love you because of that."

"When I was a chick, I wanted to be like you," Kitwana said sadly. "I wanted to be a crocodile because I wanted you to be proud of me."

"I feel honored that you felt that way about me, but you don't need to be a crocodile for me to be proud of you," Makuu gave his surrogate son a smile. "I am proud of what you are today: a majestic sacred ibis who is close to flying freely through the sky, just like your mother used to."

Unbeknown to them, they were being spied on by some of the other crocodiles, including Hodari. "Well, who would have thought Makuu could be so good at words?" Ghubari muttered.

"He's a great crocodile!" Hodari exclaimed in a low voice.

"Remember how you'd call me mama?" Makuu suddenly asked with a chuckle.

Kitwana laughed. "I still don't understand how come I never noticed we were too different to be related at all. Heck, we weren't even of the same species!"

"It wasn't really your fault-" Makuu stopped when he heard something from behind the reeds; he muttered under his breath and motioned Kitwana to be quiet as he snuck towards the reeds and pulled them aside to find Ghubari, Balozi and Hodari spying on them; the trio froze in place when their leader glared at them annoyed, while Kitwana couldn't help but go into a fit of giggles.

A few days later, Bakshi's plan was put into action. The highest place in the Pride Lands was the summit of Pride Rock. They weren't sure if Simba would allow them to go there, but he surprisingly allowed them as a gesture of good will to both Kitwana and Makuu. He did insist on accompanying them there, and they didn't dare to say no to that request after he was doing them such a favor.

At night, Simba led Kitwana and Makuu up the slope that led to the summit. The higher it got, the more nervous Kitwana became when he imagined himself falling from such height, and what would happen if he failed.

"I'm scared, mama." He whispered, accidentally calling Makuu like that again.

Far from being annoyed, Makuu sighed sadly. "I'm not your mother, Kitwana."

Kitwana glanced at him thoughtful, and a few seconds later said. "I'm scared, papa."

Being called like that for the first time in his life made the crocodile feel strange. It was a sensation of warmth in his chest that made him feel happy. Was this how parenthood felt? He turned to Kitwana. "I know. But you want to fly, don't you?"

Kitwana nodded solemnly.

Down at the savannah just near the peak, Akina and the rest of the crocodile float were looking up at the summit, waiting. The Lion Guard was there too, as well as the rest of the Royal Family. Dalila and Bakshi were there too, and apparently Mshale had tagged alone just to laugh when 'crocobird' failed.

When they finally got to the summit, Kitwana felt his stomach drop when he realized it was even higher than it looked. All of the Pride Lands-including its borders- could be seen from there. He took a few steps towards the edge, and felt a rush of cold wind caressing his plumage.

Even Makuu was freaking out at the height, crocodiles didn't fall on their feet like cheetahs, and the idea of falling from this height wasn't appealing to him either. Still, he gathered courage and walked up next to Kitwana to look at the Pride Lands. The moon's glow was giving a beautiful bluish shade to the land.

Makuu motioned Kitwana's attention towards the Mara river. "Look, it's the river where you were born," then he pointed at the lake with his snout. "And Lake Matope."

"I'm scared." Kitwana admitted with trembling legs.

"I know it's scary," Simba said kindly as he walked up to them and sat down next to Kitwana. "I have been here a few times, and yet I wouldn't even dare to look down from here," he smiled reassuringly. "But do not forget that you have wings, and whoever has wings should not fear heights nor whatever obstacle they find. Nothing will stop you."

"Do it for us crocs, we who have never flown in our entire history," Makuu said gently while glancing at his 'son'. "Be the first flying crocodile."

Those words gave Kitwana courage, and he glanced at his adoptive father one more time. "I love you, Makuu."

Makuu returned the smile and finally admitted. "I love you too, Kitwana."

Akina stared at the peak apprehensively. "Come on, Kitwana, you can do this..."

"Big deal, what could possibly go wrong?" Bunga pointed out. "It's not like a big gust of wind will make him crash against Pride Rock, right?"

"Shut up, honey badger." Ghubari snapped, though he too looked nervous.

"Mom, think Kitwana will make it?" Kion asked his mother, giving her a concerned glance.

Nala smiled. "I don't think so. I know so. That little ibis is special."

Makuu gently gave Kitwana a small push forward. Kitwana took a deep breath, closed his eyes shut... and walked off the edge.

For a few seconds he only felt he was falling and how his body was spiraling. The wind buffeted against his face and his body. For a few brief seconds, he froze and was afraid it would be over in a few seconds.

But soon after he felt... different.

He didn't know why, but it almost felt like he was right at home, being one with the wind and sky. It called to him, beckoning him to touch it, caress it with his feathers. Slowly he started spreading out his wings as the rush of air slowed his fall, though his body momentarily lost balance.

Seconds later, he noticed he wasn't falling anymore.

When Kitwana opened his eyes again, he found himself soaring through the air.

He was...

He was...!

"He did it!" Kion cried out happily when the young Ibis opened his wings and took a short glide before going up again.

He was flying.

All present groups-except for Mshale, who merely looked away in envy and anger- exploded in cheers and yells of happiness as they watched Kitwana soaring through the nocturne sky. Soon he was joined up in the sky by Ono and Dalila, all the while laughing.

Makuu watched down from the summit as Kitwana succeeded once more. The pride he felt this time was enough not only to make him smile, but to also bring some tears to his eyes, knowing it wouldn't be long now before they finally parted ways.

Kitwana had never felt so happy before, not even when he met Dalila to watch the sunrise. He flapped his wings to gain some lift and then glided back down in circles, enjoying the gentle caress of the wind. When he descended some more, he went towards Hodari, who was struggling to keep up with him. Smiling, Kitwana dove down and gently took Hodari by the waist in one of his talons to lift him high.

He was the only land-bound animal he could share this experience with.

"I'm flying!" Hodari yelled in both surprise and awe. Being a little gecko, he had never even thought of flying, but he understood why birds loved it so much. "Look, Makuu! Look, Beshte! I'm flying!"

A few more minutes of flying later, Kitwana soared up to the summit of Pride Rock again with some wing flaps. Up there, he came face to face with his adoptive father once again, though this time Kitwana was floating on the air with gentle flap of his wings as he placed Hodari on the rock safely.

Both father and son stared at each other with sad but loving eyes. Much like what had happened with Pua and Makuu before, they didn't need any speeches to know what the other wanted to say. Finally, Kitwana smiled sadly. "Goodbye, Makuu."

Makuu gave him a nod and a nostalgic smile of his own. "Goodbye, Kitwana."

With that, Kitwana turned around and started flying higher and further away.

"Goodbye, Kitwana!" Hodari yelled, his own eyes glossy as he waved his little arm.

Kitwana glanced back momentarily and responded with a loud cry-the first ibis sound he ever made-and soared away from Pride Rock.

Makuu watched him go even when he was but a tiny white spot in the night sky, almost mixing in with the stars. Simba figured out he'd want to be alone for some time, so he silently started making his way down the summit followed by Hodari.

By the time Kitwana had disappeared completely, a single tear ran down the crocodile's cheek.

Goodbye... son.

Sweet circle of life, Makuu is getting emotional. Again. Even I am getting emotional. Sniff.

Only the epilogue left, and we're done. See you next time!