Two Different Animals, One Close Bond

Chapter 10: Truth, Forgiveness and Revealed Feelings

Maurice looked around at all the animals that had gathered, and Julien was at the front to listen to what Maurice had to say. "So Maurice, how are you behind all this?" Julien asked. Maurice sighed; this was going to be hard, but he knew he had to let it out.

"Well, you know how you heard what was said to you before all this started?" Maurice asked. Julien nodded; he loved when he heard that. "That was actually me." Maurice said. Julien was alarmed when he heard this; he couldn't understand why Maurice would go that low.

"Maurice, how could you do something as unforgiving as impersonating the Sky Spirits themselves?" Julien asked, shocked by what he just heard. Maurice could see that Julien was taking this hard, but he had to hear everything else out before saying anything.

"Well, this all started as a ploy to help Julien get closer to Marlene. I wanted to spend time with Marlene so I could get to know her better and use the knowledge I had to help Julien get closer to Marlene." Maurice explained. Everyone gasped, especially Marlene. She was alarmed by this getting out.

"So, Maurice... you really did this? So you don't feel this way about me?" Marlene asked. She could barely believe that she was being betrayed by someone she loved once again. Maurice could see her sadness, so he looked over at her. "Marlene, you have to hear everything before saying anything." Maurice said. Marlene nodded and let Maurice talk. He looked back at everyone so he could continue.

"I planned to do this at first, but then as I started spending time with Marlene, I started to have feelings that... I have never experienced before. I felt like I would do anything for Marlene to make her happy, because it made me happy as well. Then I came to realize that... I loved Marlene. She is unlike anyone I have ever met before. She is amazing, and would do anything to help the ones she cares for. And I don't care what anyone thinks. No matter what you can do to keep us apart, my love for Marlene will never end. Can any of you honestly say you haven't been in my place; where you found love with someone, but you had others who wouldn't allow your love if they found out?" Maurice asked.

That seemed to do the job, as everyone had tears in their eyes and they started to cry, moved by what Maurice had just said. Marlene came over to Maurice, and he looked back at her and smiled. "Maurice... that was incredible. I have never met anyone who has ever said anything as amazing as that, let alone meant it. You will always mean a lot to me, even if we can't see each other." Marlene explained. Maurice smiled, knowing that Marlene understood what he was saying.

But then, Maurice looked over at Julien to see that he had tears in his eyes, but he was smiling. "Maurice..." Julien gasped, unable to comprehend what Maurice had just said. Noticing this, Maurice came over to Julien. "I know. I'm sorry it ended up like this; I hope you understand." Maurice explained. Julien however had something he needed to say now.

"Maurice, I have never heard you say something like that before. It's just... amazing; to me, it sounded like the Sky Spirits were speaking through you. And to think I was never able to see it. They've always had plans for you, but I could never understand that, until now." Julien explained. "What are you saying?" Maurice asked, confused by where Julien was going with this.

"Who am I to interfere with what the Sky Spirits want? Maurice, you and Marlene shouldn't be separated." Julien said. Maurice was surprised. "So that means... we can be with each other?" he asked, amazed.

"Yes, it does." Julien responded. Overjoyed, Marlene immediately ran over and hugged Maurice. "Maurice, this is amazing! I can hardly believe this." Marlene smiled. Smiling, Maurice looked over at Marlene.

"You know, Marlene, I was never able to understand how simple things could change things for the better. But I guess I realized this when I decided to be with you, because I realized that it made both of us happy. Marlene, I want to tell you that... I love you." Maurice explained.

"I love you too, Maurice." Marlene responded. With this, the two smiled and kissed while everyone cheered, now happy for them. Julien was the most happy, as he was now able to see that this was meant to happen. "I have never seen Maurice so happy before." Julien said to himself. He looked straight up, knowing how this was possible.

"Thank you, Sky Spirits. Thank you for helping me see what you wanted. I was so wrong to try and change what you planned, but now I can see how this has made someone else happy. I am so grateful to you, and I promise not to ignore your will again." Julien smiled. He looked back at Maurice and Marlene; it was clear that they were happy with each other now, and it seemed they were now going to be together forever.