The Throne of Flame: Chapter Thirty

Lemurs were preparing a party to celebrate the safety of King Julien XIII. As they strung lights across the trees and acquired a set of music, the North Wind was saying their goodbyes to the penguins of Madagascar. The previous night, they had managed to put out the fire with some expensive resources (which Skipper was, for once, thankful for). Classified assured Skipper that it was the least he could offer, after his team had put Julien and he through so much.

Eva and Shortfuse were already on the jet, no doubt not allowed to activate any controls as they were essentially under lockdown from their privileges. Though they weren't to be discharged altogether, he was sure they'd be punished severely for their actions.

"You're taking Blowhole with you?" Skipper asked, incredulous as Corporal lugged a cart that held a very large tank, containing the one and only Dr. Blowhole.

Classified responded with a nod. "We believe that he can be rehabilitated."

Skipper turned to Blowhole with a raised brow. The concept of reforming Dr. Blowhole was startling, something that he'd never even thought of in the past, not through all their years of fighting. Still, it was clear that if there was any moment to do so, this would be it. The dolphin wasn't even floating, he was simply sitting at the bottom of his tank, eyes trained on the ground in open depression. When he noted that Skipper was staring at him, he only glanced up with grisly emotional pain.

"Don't look at me like that, Skipper," he murmured, voice drawn into a whisper that was only heard because it echoed against the glass. "I know it doesn't matter to you, but I lost someone I cared about deeply last night."

A wince pulsed through Skipper's features as he recalled how Clemson had openly admitted to manipulating Blowhole's emotions just before his death. The dolphin most likely didn't even know what Clemson's true intentions had been, but he was sure that it wouldn't alleviate his pain in the slightest. Losing someone you loved was a harsh idea, and Skipper knew that, from having thought he'd lost Julien so many times over the last handful of days. Though he hated Blowhole, even he could empathize with that, and nodded curtly.

"I hope you find happiness, Blowhole." Came his simple yet sincere response.

Blowhole sent him one last expression, mildly surprised yet still permeating an air of sadness. Corporal pulled him away, saluting towards Skipper and the other three penguins that stood by, who waved back. Skipper wondered if he would ever see his arch-enemy again, and if Blowhole would even still be his enemy at all if he did. His thoughts then trained themselves onto the leader of the North Wind, who was just about to leave. Classified wore a content, albeit tired smile.

"Are you positive that you don't want a ride back to New York?" Classified asked.

Skipper nodded. "I'm going to stay right here with the king." He paused, before glancing backwards. "Of course, my men are welcome to take you up on that if they want."

Rico, Kowalski, and Private only exchanged a slightly humored glance, before their youngest member spoke up. "No thank you! We're going to stay right by Skipper's side, if it's all the same."

The five of them shared a smile and a salute, before Classified departed to his jet. When they had launched from the island, no doubt to retreat to their base in the arctic, Skipper turned to his team and sighed happily. Clover walked up to them, now entirely recovered. Perched upon her shoulder was a small, yet strongly decorated chameleon, wise in aura as they approached. Julien was directly behind, and he wore an expression of serenity when they all gathered. He now relied on a new crutch, though it was clear his ankle was much better.

"This is Masikura," Clover nodded to the chameleon on her shoulder, who nodded towards them in greeting. "She's the royal fortune teller."

Skipper exchanged a slightly entertained glance with Julien. "You're not the one who told the prophecy of the thirteenth king being killed when he was seven, right?"

"I was," she blinked slowly. "And it was true."

Now Skipper was only surprised. "What? No it wasn't, Julien's still fine."

Julien smiled, and his hand wrapped around Skipper's wingtip. Masikura grinned as though she'd known what they hadn't all along.

"Julien is not the thirteenth king of the lemurs - he is the twelfth. His father, Julien XI, was never actually a king, as his brother, King Julien XII, took the crown instead. Clemson happened to be seven years of age when he put on Julien's crown, which is apparently when he died." She elaborated further.

Skipper couldn't help but laugh. He faced Julien with a wide smile across his beak, resting his forehead against the lemur's. "You're just going to keep surprising me forever, aren't you?"

"That is probably being true," Julien mused as he tapped his chin.

Without further ado, he spun Skipper around and kissed him. Luckily, Rico had enough tact to cover Private's eyes just in time, and Kowalski only nodded with a soft smile of appreciation. When they pulled back, Skipper thought his beak might break from how hard he was beaming.

How, again, how he lived his life without loving Julien before? He honestly couldn't remember how he'd survived when missing out on Julien's exhilarating touch.

"If you two lovebirds are done, Masikura has a prophecy." Clover interrupted, though her tone only showed amusement as she rose a brow.

"Actually, only one of us is a bird," Skipper corrected, gaining a wry wink from his lover.

Masikura spoke up then, her tone genuine in its prediction. "Henceforth, King Julien XIII no longer has to fear assassination. His will to survive has been shown to be so strong that no one will dare try to kill him again."

Julien exclaimed in delight, and hugged Skipper against him. Skipper hugged back, just as elated, whether or not he believed in the superstitions of lemur culture. Kowalski merely scoffed at the idea of prophecies, but Private sniffled and wiped away a tear of happiness. Rico seemed to have his thoughts on something else entirely, but still pat Private's shoulder when the young penguin got emotional.

Whether or not Masikura had any merit, Skipper would make sure that her words would end up being the truth. Clemson had certainly set an example for any disgruntled conservative lemurs and that would be enough to keep them away from Julien at least for a little while, but he would also make his intimidating presence known. He wouldn't leave Julien's side, not for all the money in the world, and he wouldn't hesitate to deflect any assassins.

It didn't matter who he faced, Skipper would always ensure the safety of his king. And Julien was confident in this as well, judging by the way he nuzzled Skipper's cheek and wrapped his tail around his side. He was safe, and that was the most important thing. He was safe, and he no longer had to constantly be looking over his shoulder.

This also meant that Julien could be more open about his policies. Now that he was affirmed in his position of power, he didn't have to be so subtle in his laws - he could bring forth his socialist ideologies and achieve his goal of eradicating the class systems. Skipper saw it in his eyes, how excited he was by this prospect, and he couldn't help but fall a little more in love with Julien and his unending passion. Yeah, he could get used to loving a communist, no matter how he'd originally abhorred the concept. Now that he knew what it would do for lemur society, he supported it - and everything else Julien wanted.

I knew my rent was gonna be late about a week ago…

I worked my tail off, but I still can't pay it though…

Julien briefly yanked himself from Skipper's grip, his face the picture of glee. "Oh, oh! I am loving this tune! Come, we must be joining the festivities, they are being to start!"

His grip tight on his lover's flipper, Julien pulled Skipper forth and through the trees where lemurs were beginning to dance. They seemed elated. The atmosphere was contagious; before Skipper knew it, Kowalski Rico and Private had immersed themselves into the crowd, dancing with the lemurs of Madagascar. Skipper and Julien watched them from atop the platform where the throne was located, but Julien seemed to have no interest in seating himself upon it.

Instead, he leaned against Skipper, his hips swaying to the beat. His sprain left him in no condition to truly dance, but he didn't seem to mind. This was the real Julien, the Julien that didn't care about being in the spotlight, the Julien that was content to just exist so long as his people were happy. He no longer had to hide from society by being at the center of it.

He only spoke up when the eyes swung to him, expectant of his words, his kingly duties. Julien smiled, but it wasn't of professionalism. There was something that he truly wanted to say this time around.

"My wandering spirits of Madagascar!" He shouted so that all could hear. "You may be at peace. I may be your king, but you are my rulers! We survived the greatest of floods, the largest of fires! And we did it by remaining as one, united! From this day forward, that is how we shall stay! Together, as a country, as a group, as lemurs!"

Shouts of agreement and applause roared through the dancing citizens, all approving. Julien was appeased by this and he turned up the volume so that all could dance with joy.

Maurice approached from the side, hesitant. He fidgeted with his fingers, looking unsure of himself. Julien and Skipper turned to him, and Julien's tranquility calmed his penguin lover immediately. Julien was not at all intimidated by Maurice, and instead almost beckoned him closer. He knew what would occur, and it didn't scare him, not by any means.

Maurice refused to make eye contact. "I… I just want to apologize to both of you. Skipper, I know that you'll be good for Julien. I trust that you'll take care of him."

Skipper's eyes widened. He realized the significance of what Maurice was saying the moment the words ended; Maurice was letting go of his feelings, he was allowing Julien to be his own person, not an object but a being with choices and ideas. The longing to control his path was eradicated by the consequences of his actions. Julien was no longer a fantasy or a god; he was a real being and Maurice would treat him as such. Skipper was speechless, but he nodded, and Maurice dared to glance up at him before he looked back down and cleared his throat.

"And… Julien… What I did was wrong. I- I know I have… An issue, but Clover is going to help me… I just… I'm so sorry, for what I did…" He trailed off, and his eyes filled with tears.

Julien's expression did not change, but he instead stepped forth. "Cheer up, you fuzzy pumpkin." He murmured, tone accepting and loving. It was his way of indirectly forgiving Maurice. "Come on, won't you dance a little bit?"

Ooh, I want the time of my life, yeah…

Oh, baby…

Ooh, give me the time of my life…

Maurice looked up at him, and a sense of resigned relief came over his visage. A weary smile pulled at his lips and he nodded. "Well, I do like dancin'."

"That's more like it!" Julien nodded in approval when Maurice began to shimmy to the beat.

Julien and Skipper gazed across the stretch of partying lemurs and penguins, having a good time. Even Clover seemed in tune with the fun, and she pulled Maurice forth to dance with him. The two of them sent each other legitimate smiles as they swirled into the celebration. The lower-class lemurs mingled amongst the upper-class, forgetting the social barriers. Despite the pain that they'd experienced throughout their lives, this was a moment they could all collectively share in happiness.

"This is for everybody going through tough times!" Julien shouted out in sync with the song itself, his voice echoing amongst the crowd. "Believe me, been there, done that - but every day above ground is a good day, remember that!"

There was more truth to his words than anyone else would ever know, save for his lover. Skipper was never more glad in his life than he was then that he'd taken up a mission. However much suffering they'd experienced, it was worth it, even if just for that moment. Julien pulled Skipper to the side and kissed him, and between their connection they shared a grin of peace. The sun began to drop beneath the trees, but it didn't stop, the party going on for as long as they needed it to.

For the first time in awhile, there was nothing wrong.