Yo! Here comes the last chapter. Hope you liked the story!

CHAPTER NINE: Peace and Calm

„Good will always win over evil" continued Mrs Jenkins. "I received a letter from Shaman de Nue… he told me that he'd finally fight off the evil which had been spreading all over the island .. the evil forces lost their power… because they've been defeated by good ones.. you know what am I talking about, don't you Skipper?"

"Eeeh?" Skipper craned his neck to face the Old Squirrel Lady. He would sit motionless on his chair, sift and pale like a piece of chalk. His cheeks were swollen from crying. It took a great deal of time for him to calm down. Mrs Jenkins offered him two cups of Melissa tea and two oak pills to help him sooth his nerves .

"You've taken care of that little girl" she continued. "Despite your own critical situation, you've taken that poor little creature under your wing and stayed by her side till the very end. Hadn't it been for you, she would have never seen her mother again. That only proves how really strong and brave you are. "

She took Skipper's flipper in her paw and squeezed it delicately.

"The same goes for your Mother, Skipper. Shaman de Nue learned about her death as well. It's a cert, she's been watching over you throughout your whole life… and she would still take care of you and pray for you, even from beyond the grave. It was also her sacrifice. Even for these last seconds she would think of you and pray for your protection".

"So that's why she kept appearing in my dreams" thought Skipper, making the most of himself not to burst crying again.

"What shall I do now?" he asked, his beak trembling slightly.

"I think you should go back to your friends. They're waiting for you there" replied Mrs Jenkins calmly.

Skipper felt a violent jolt in his stomach, reliving his all cuts and bruises he'd received from his zoo cohabitants. His left arm would still hurt a little. He rubbed it subconsciously and fixed his eyes on the floor.

"There is nothing to by afraid now, dear" assured Mrs Jenkins. "No one is going to hurt you there. So.. will you go and see your friends?"

Skipper nodded his head slowly, in silence.

Scarcely had he crossed the zoo entrance gate, he saw someone short and fluffy leaping in his direction. He heard Mort's high pitched squeak. Before he had a chance to say anything, he felt Sad Eyes' delicate body snuggling against his back, his short arms embracing him tightly.

"He's back!" he announced, his childish voice beaming with joy and relieve.

Skipper spotted someone's oblong shape in the lantern light. It was Marlene. She came out from behind the nearest corner, King Julien and Maurice keeping her company. On hearing Sad Eyes' voice, she left the group behind and made her way immediately towards were Skipper and Mort were standing. Two seconds later, she was also squeezing Skipper's body in a tender embrace, tears rolling down her cheeks. Skipper held her tight and wished he wouldn't let her go for the next few hours. He could hear the rest of the animals gathering near the zoo gate, including his own team. He quickly glanced up to check on the sky. Those demonic clouds were gone. The firmament was clean and bright, and covered with beautiful, shiny stars. That big one, the shiniest and the most beautiful one..

It was his own Mother. He knew it.

THE END