A/N: The second to last chapter. Oooh-ah! What's going to happen? Well, I won't keep yah. Thanks to Ponytail30527 for lending me her minis, and both her and kowalskiluva11 for reviewing. I know, not much time to review this time, but... well, I'm done with this and I want you to see the ending too, because I think it's special. Okay, let's get this ball rolling!

Chapter Twelve: Ending on WHAT Note!?

Maurisa took a deep breath. "Alright, are we all ready?" The boys smiled and nodded, looking more determined than she'd ever seen them. Especially Buck and Jack. Though, it wasn't like she looked at them very often. In fact, she tried to avoid them. But, what are you going to do when they're the only ones who can help you out in the middle of a talent show crisis.

"Alright, this is where I leave you." Athena said, hugging everyone, though quite obviously skipping over Buck and Jack, much to their displeasure. Roz smiled and hugged her tightly.

Letting this go wasn't one of her strong suits, but she was being very responsible about this. She handed Athena the microphone, "Just for a second," she said, "I need to tie my shoes." Maurisa looked around at J.J., staring incredulously. Athena couldn't have fallen for that, could she?

Athena stood, on stage, in front of everyone, microphone in hand. How had it come to THIS!? The curtain had opened and there she was, standing there, like a goober! Roz TRICKED her! Moreover, Roz tricked her, and she fell for it. This wasn't good; she couldn't sing in front of all these animals. She could hear some scurrying up above her, but it didn't really register. All she could really get was that everyone was waiting for her to sing. And not hurl on them. And—

Of course, certain precautions were made before hand. You didn't think her friends would let her go on stage just to throw up on everyone, do you? Roz turned around and crouched down, talking into her headset. "Cube, do it now." On the other side, her brother was making a few small adjustments to the lights. With a smile and a push of a button, they swiveled, not onto the crowd, but directly into the faces of our stage occupying minis! Athena raised a flipper and tried to see… but the light was so bright… "There's no one there, now. It's just… us. Like practice, right?" Athena turned to see Roz grinning at her like a Cheshire cat.

So Roz had been planning this all along, hadn't she? Athena looked out and saw only the bright lights. There was no one there. Well, that she could see. She heard the music start behind her, and took a deep breath.

Looking out a dirty old window
Down below the cars in the city go rushing by
I sit here alone and I wonder why

Kowalski smiled. Hearing his daughter sing always made him happy, and this was no exception. She looked so serene up there, just doing what she did naturally, as if it was nothing. Then again, those lights were probably blinding her, and she probably couldn't see a thing. Next to him, Buttons was grinning slightly. His Athena had an amazing voice, and the song was bouncy and fun.

Bright lights, the music gets faster
Look boy, don't check on your watch
Not another glance
I'm not leaving now, honey
Not a chance
Hot-shot, give me no problems
Much later baby you'll be saying never mind
You know life is cruel
Life is never kind

He just wished she were singing to him.

Up above the girls dancing and singing, and the boys' instrument playing, Cube watched Athena the whole time, making sure she was okay. And she was. He felt his face get warm and tried to focus all of his attention on not falling off of the rafters.

The music flowed and filled the air of the zoo, so much so that the animals were surprised the humans didn't come out to see what was going on. Though they were much more entranced with Athena's singing, and Maurisa's and Roz's dancing. And Buck and Jack were naturals with their instruments. Almost makes one feel bad for being so mean to them.

Almost.

Kind hearts don't make a new story
Kind hearts don't grab any glory

We're the kids in America
We're the kids in America
Everybody live for the music-go-round

Come closer honey, that's better
Got to get a brand new experience
Feeling right
Oh don't try to stop baby
Hold me tight

Outside a new day is dawning
Outside Suburbia's sprawling everywhere
I don't want to go baby
New York to East California
There's a new wave coming, I warn you

Even though the song was winding down, everyone felt like getting up and dancing or clapping along with the final few lines of the song. Near the end, everyone was up and moving, the energy level in the zoo higher than it had been that morning! Roz looked over to Maurisa as Athena headed off the grand finale.

We're the kids
We're the kids
We're the kids in America!

Anyone who had been there would have thought they had gone deaf from the amount of noise that came after the song was over. Animals were yelling, clapping, stomping, and generally making some sort of sound. The lights dimmed and Athena could finally see the amount of animals she had just sung in front of. Even though she didn't. Her eyes were focused upward at the otter above her head, who was smiling down at her, eyes glistening. "Proud of you." He mouthed, making her blush.

The rest of the minis joined up on the stage, for one final bow, everyone clapping their hardest for the performing children. When they couldn't clap anymore, the kids rushed down and found their parents, rushing into their assorted arms, paws, or flippers.

"That concludes our presentation, and we hoped you all enjoyed it. And now, if you'd like, help yourselves to the refreshments—" Mason had pointed to the table, which held some fruits and veggies and various drinks were laid out. Unfortunately, there was also a very loud ringtail on the table, who felt the need to be the center of attention once again.

"Refreshments, shmefreshments, let's boogey, everybody! YEAH!" A loud blast of music came from somewhere behind him… There! Maurice was barely walking, struggling to carry a heavy boom box in his arms. "Come now, my chunky monkey friend, we must teach the others how we are shaking it!"

Everyone rushed toward the table, the kids hitting first and getting loaded up on sugary treats. Well, everyone except for J.J., who wasn't allowed to have any sugar at all. The music pounded loudly, and after a bit, most of the animals were dancing to it. Phil and Mason were grooving out together, even Bada and Bing had joined in the celebration. Roz smiled as she noticed her mom and Skipper dancing together, no nervousness or awkwardness between them at all. Cube and Athena were together as well, staring at each other and blushing and giggling like idiots. But they looked so cute together. Finally, someone her brother could relate to.

In fact, most of the animals had paired off to dance and talk and be happy together. Though one head, looking around by itself, next to the stereo wasn't dancing with anybody. Or really dancing at all, just bobbing a bit. Roz walked over to see who it was, and was slightly surprised when she noticed it was J.J. "J.J.? Are… what are you doing not dancing?"

He looked back up at him, smiling a bit. Honestly, he was just a bit tired, and didn't really feel like it. Also, he didn't think that… he'd be asked to dance, like everyone else was. Roz sighed and shook her head, knowing she'd regret what she was about to say. She held out her hand and said, "I guess we could... if you wanted to... dan--!" That was all it took for the boy to grab her hand and take her to the dance floor. And actually, they didn't have a very bad time.

The party was well underway, and everyone appeared to be having a great time together! Roz, Peanut, and Eggy were going over their skit, Cube and Athena were talking over the mechanics of lights in eyes (Among other things)… Marlene thought this whole thing couldn't have went better if they planned it that way. It was at that moment that Skipper announced that they were out of paper cups, and that someone would need to go get some more. "Marshal, glad to see you're volunteering!" He said.

The young penguin looked offended. "ME!? Why should I do it, I was just on the receiving end of a lot of pranks, cut me some slack! Make Roz do it." It was the otter's turn now, huh? Roz glared at him and, before anyone knew what happened, they were arguing again. Thankfully it wasn't anything big, but it was still annoying.

Marlene laughed. "I'll go get the cups, you two quit fighting!" Skipper's own trouble making smile erupted, as Roz and Marshal stuck their tongues out at each other, he spoke.

"Come on, Marlene, you know they only do it 'cuz they like each other." This caused an explosion of noises, to include whistles, protests, cat-calls, and some hurt exclamation, which sucked everyone into the issue. Marlene decided to ignore it and get the cups.

Finally, cups she could hold, Marlene thought, almost skipping back to the party. She had hidden some in her cave, and was getting ready to leave, when she heard the sewer grate under her rug move. Roger. That alligator she hadn't seen in weeks. "Hey, Marley, how's the party?" Oh yeah, she knew because she was there. He chuckled. "Sorry, just curious."

Even though he was a big, cold-blooded monster… he acted more like a mini, warm golden retriever puppy. "What's up, Roger?" If she didn't get going, she'd miss the end of the party. And she loved a good party.

But when Roger held up a letter with a picture of an older male otter on it… well, the party could wait.

She dropped the cups and rushed the reptile, pulling and ripping and opening all at once. Just as she thought, the letter was from her brother… her older brother, Charlie. "It's from my big brother!" she yelled, not sure why she was so excited. Maybe because she was already happy or,… she began to read aloud. "'Dear Marls', he always calls me that." Marlene felt the need to explain. Roger just nodded, and studied his claws, allowing her to continue. "'Having a super smashing time down here in Florida, but why haven't you come visit? I thought I saw you once, but it turns out it wasn't you! Here's the thing. I caught a glimpse of a little bugger after seeing the vet for that thing on my back. You know that… erm, anyway, I saw her again… and I could have sworn it… was…'" Marlene stopped to read ahead some, her paw flying to her mouth.

"Marley, tell me, who was it?" Marlene cleared her throat, not sure what to think.

"It said… 'I could have sworn it was little Renni!'" Marlene sighed, tossing the letter to the side before putting her face back in her hands.

This letter meant several things. For one, Renni, her eldest daughter, Xiao Ren, was in Florida, possibly hurt, but with family. That was good. It also meant that Cube and Roz's search was over. And that was… bad… right?

She presented the problem to Roger, who listened attentively. "What was that now?" Marlene growled at the gator, which put his front claws up in defense. "Sorry, but… this doesn't even seem like your problem, Marley." Marlene was about to argue when her two oldest… well, two of her oldest, came in.

Roger might be right, Marlene wasn't about to leave, and Peanut couldn't go, he didn't even know Renni. "Hey mom, what's taking so long?" Cube asked, as Roz visited with Roger. Marlene stared at her oldest son. He was so much more mature than the others, despite his young age. And she knew she could trust him to respond with level headed calm and reason. Rozalin, on the other hand… She was a hot head, just like her father. She would charge into something, who cares about the consequences.

She was the one she had to worry about.

"Kids… I have something to tell you." As their youthful faces turned toward hers, she knew exactly what she would tell them. "Let's go back to that party together, okay?" As she left, she chanced a glance back at Roger, who was staring as if he couldn't believe his ears. Did he even HAVE ears? It didn't matter; she couldn't let them find out about the letter.

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"Mom, Skipper really WAS flirting with you." Cube tried to insist. One of the weirdest things to come out of her sons mouth, she thought. Roz just giggled, knowing that if she spoke up, she'd probably just end up in trouble. Instead, she went about cleaning the cave.

She loved it here, she decided. Her brother, her friends… heck, even Marshal was becoming bearable. Maybe while Peanut was still hanging out with his friends, she'd go and join them. Roz snickered as she picked up a piece of paper. Wouldn't that be… a… surprise? "Mom? What is this?" Marlene looked over, still smiling from her tickle fight with Cube. That is, until she saw that Roz was holding up the letter. The smile on her face vanished, Cube slid from her grasp to read it with his sister.

When Marlene had first come to New York, she was always annoyed with how loud it was. Right now, it had never been quieter. "Mom… This… this is about Renni." Cube whispered, allowing Roz to read and re-read the letter on her own. "When did you get this?!" Marlene didn't know what to say. She was pretty much stuck between a rock and a hard place.

The only thing left to do was to tell them. Everything. "And I meant to tell you earlier, but I was afraid you were gonna le—" Roz stood up suddenly, startling her brother and mother.

"Renni might be in trouble… not to mention… we know where she is now." This was exactly what Marlene was afraid of. Even though she tried reasoning, arguing and bribing, Roz would either come up with a better point, or argue back. After a few minutes, both were physically and mentally exhausted. "Mom." Everyone could hear the tears in her voice. She didn't want to leave. Marlene let her speak. "Renni is family. We have to make sure she's okay. But," But was good. That usually made things better.

"I don't want to leave."

Marlene and Cube both sighed, and most of the tension left the room. "I don't want to either, Roz." He looked around the room and frowned. "But she might be in trouble." It sounded as if Cube was still on the fence. And, no matter what Roz did, he would follow, his protectiveness for his sister the one thing he always had. "You brought us here, and you miss Renni more than… any of us, I think." Marlene covered her face, not sure where this would go. Roz paced around the cave, before suddenly hearing voices outside. Peanut was home, and they had to choose fast. Another sigh allowed her to finally say what she wanted to say.

Quickly and quietly she spoke to the two animals who knew her best. "Mom, Cube, I know what we're gonna do." She was smiling, true, but her mood and decision were indeterminable.

"I'm positive now. Guys… we're gonna

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A/N: This was a freakin' long chapter. Till I cut it up! Muahahaha! And I don't even know what's going to happen next! … I'm just kidding, I totally know what's going to happen. I want lots of reviews, though, okay? The song in here is Kids In America by LEN, if you were wondering. Anyways… Cliffhanger! So? Review already!