Ch.16: Song of the Serval

A deadly silence had descended upon the Denmark Zoo, as tears of sorrow flooded all around by greiving faces. Michael and Bite had snapped back to normal after Majack had left their bodies, only to wake up to the horrible scene now standing before them.

Kolwaski, Rico, Private, and even King Julien had their heads hung down low as Skipper held a trembling flipper over Marlene's quivering form. The moment the otter had spotted the gore, she grabbed hold of Skipper and and cried into his feathery down. Mourning the loss of her savoir.

Skipper had seen a lot in his time, including death, but Zar's demise had to be the most earth-shattering of all. Killed by a foe that was a long ago dead, and sacrificing all in face of a fragile bond.

"He didn't deserve to go like that," thought Skipper, as he led him and his fellow comrades out of the Denmark Zoo.

The boat ride back to New York was just as silent as before. Not even Julien's or Private's misguided attempts to lighten things did anything to remove the dreary atmosphere.

Once arriving back at the zoo, Julein went off, and Marlene stalked back to her home. And just before the penguins could retire to their home as well, a mysterious song filled the air, stopping all for penguins in their tracks.

"Don't cry for the stars that will never shine.

Don't cry for the life that once was mine.

Let Heaven bleed its light and then,

Know that we will meet again,"

"Zar?" said Skipper, pointing his confused gaze towards the stars. His teammates turning as well.

All at once, the penguins let out a collective gasp as the saw the golden, ghostly form of smiling serval staring back at them, waving one of his paws in goodbye, before turning around and forming into a star. Not even Kolwaski with all his well gained logic could disprove this phenonmeun.

Skipper just smiled proudly as he watched his good friend take his place in the stars, glad that Zar was living the good life up above and knowing that he was alright.

And even later that night, when Skipper and his team finally settled down to bed, Skipper could still hear Zar's song ringing through his head.

"Thank you Zar," breathed Skipper through his sleep.

Up in Heaven, Zar grinned.

"No Skipper" said Zar " thank you for everything,"

The End