The FT Squad's Adventures in Madagascar: E2A P6

Later in the day, under the cloudy sky, construction was still underway on the plane.  Skipper and Kowalski looked at a blueprint of the plane mechanisms.  “Looks impressive Kowalski,” said Skipper, “but will it fly?”

“Yes.  If we fold it, here, here, and here,” said Kowalski as he folded the piece of paper into a paper airplane and launching it into the air.

“Nice.”

The paper airplane flew above the construction site.  All of the chimps were continuing their duties.  Some of the chimps were on ground, while others were working on a hanging part of the broken plane.  One thing was certain: the work progress was absolutely wild.  A short distance from the construction, Alex, Marty, Melman and most of the FT Squad sat in the plane seats, very bummed about what they had been through.  “Oh man,” said Alex, “my Dad thinks I’m a total loser.  I’ve ruined my parents’ lives.”

“That is definitely not crack-a-lackin’,” said Marty.

“It is lackin’ in the crackin’ my friend,” said Alex, “I gotta fix this.”

“I see you’re havin’ trouble too,” said Widget.

“We are,” said Kyle, “we need your guys’ help on this.”

“Um, Kyle,” said Wubbzy, “we need your help with something else.”

“We have a very serious problem that needs our urgent attention at once,” said Walden, “we think it’s worse than Alex’s problem.”

“What,” asked Alex, a little shocked, “what’s going on?”

“There’s um…” said a depressed Melman, “there’s something I gotta tell you.”

But before Melman could explain, Gloria appeared on the boat with Cassidy, Kimmy and Kaytlin.  Gloria was very excited about something.  “Hey guys,” she said as she bounced in joy, “is this place great or what?”

“I’d go with ‘or what,’” said Alex as he held onto his seat.

“Oh, I’ll tell you what,” said Gloria, “you’re not gonna believe it, but…HA…I’ve got a date with Moto Moto.  Hehe!”

This news caught Melman’s attention.  “Who’s Moto Moto,” he asked nervously.

“He’s one of the hippos that Gloria met while at the water hole,” said Kimmy, “he’s a very hunky one too.”

“And when we found out that he wanted to date Gloria, we were so excited for her,” said Kaytlin, “she’s having the time of her life.”

“Oh, he’s so big and handsome and big,” said Gloria, “you know what Moto Moto means?”

“Twins,” asked Melman nervously,

“It means ‘hot-hot,’” said Marty, liking the look of this.

“‘Hot-hot,’” asked a very distressed Melman.

“Ok, when did you start parlez-ing African,” asked Gloria.

“It is in my blood,” replied Marty.

“Well that’s great to know,” said Kaytlin, “not only does Gloria have a date, but one with an awesome name.”

“Kaytlin, this isn’t awesome at all,” said Daizy who, along with her fellow Wuzzleburg friends, was mostly worried about Melman, “what about Melman?”

“What about him,” asked Cassidy.

“I’ll tell you what,” said Melman, getting frustrated about Gloria having a date that isn’t him, “Gloria can flirt around with Mr. Hot Pants after I’m gone.”

“What’s the deal Melman,” asked Gloria, not liking Melman’s attitude, “why am I the parade and you’re the rain?”

“Well why do you have to drive your parade under my rain?”

“Maybe I’ll just parade myself into another part of town.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa guys,” said Alex, trying to calm things down.

“Gloria, you don’t understand,” said Wubbzy, “Melman’s only…”

“Melman just isn’t liking Gloria’s interest in dating from the looks of it,” said Cassidy, also not liking Melman’s behavior, “and it seems you guys aren’t either.”

“Whoa, guys, hold on,” said Kyle trying to stop the fighting.

“Fine by me,” said Melman, “by the way, Main Street’s mine.”

“Well you can have your Main Street and leave Gloria alone so she can be happy,” argued Kimmy.

“Girls, you’re missing the point,” said Widget, trying to reveal Melman’s problem.

“The point is, Gloria is happy and you guys aren’t approving of it,” said Kaytlin, “just let Gloria be.”

“Yeah, let me be,” added Gloria.

“Fine then, and you can take her Mr. Hotee-tot-float and your Mr. Hotee Moto Moto Jr.”

“WHAT,” exclaimed Gloria, “WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?”

“What are we talking about,” asked Marty.

“GUYS, KNOCK IT OFF,” said Kyle.

“Melman, why don’t you just tell her,” said Alex, knowing Melman’s secret crush on Gloria.

“You tell her…what?  Tell her…what are you talking…I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Melman, still very upset.

“So I guess I’ll go then,” complained Gloria.

“Alright, you know what?  Don’t bother,” said Melman as he started leaving the plane.

“Don’t get up on my account,” said Gloria as she started leaving too.

“You know what, if you guys are bothered by the fact that Gloria’s having a date, that’s your problem, not ours,” said Kaytlin, “so back off and let her go.”

Along with Kimmy and Cassidy, Kaytlin started leaving with Gloria.  The girls’ hard words made the Wubbzy Gang very uneasy.  “Melman, Gloria,” said Alex, trying to follow the two.

“But Kaytlin…please…we need you…” Wubbzy muttered quietly, before turning back to Melman and rushing after him, “Melman, wait!  Just tell her about your secret.”

Gloria didn’t pay any attention to Wubbzy or Melman.  She stormed off with the girls, leaving Alex, Marty, Kyle and Speedy remaining at the plane.  “Guys,” called Kyle, “come back!”

“I-I thought you guys were friends,” said Marty.

“Come on guys, Marty’s absolutely right,” said Alex.

“Yeah, Marty knows what he’s saying,” said Kyle.

“Marty?!”

“Marty,” another voice exclaimed.

Everyone turned and to their shock, they saw another zebra, looking just like Marty.  Only this zebra was the real Marty, and the zebra that was at the plane was a different individual.  Alongside Marty were Rudy, Dennis and Donkey, shocked as well to see Alex and Kyle mistook the zebra as Marty.  “Marty,” asked Alex, surprised,

“What the heck is going on,” asked Marty.

“You’re not…oh!  He was…no, I thought…he…you’re not…him, oh…”

“You thought that guy…was me,” asked a shocked Marty.

“No, no, no…I mean…yes, yes, you do…guys, come on,” said Alex, trying to keep things calm.

“You thought I was him,” asked the other zebra.

“How could you think that was Marty,” asked Rudy, “He was with us, remember?  You told us to watch over him while he was having fun in Africa.”

“I know, but then I thought you guys wanted to relax, so I assumed you were just…” said Kyle, “guys…I thought…”

“You would not believe how frustrated we were over the past few hours trying to find a difference between Marty and the other zebras,” said Dennis.

“It’s givin’ me a headache for cryin’ out loud,” said Donkey.

This surprised Kyle, who couldn’t believe that his teammates were getting stressed about recent events.  “You guys were…”

“You guys do kind of look…a little, you look a lot alike,” said Alex, “Marty, you look a lot alike.  Come on, you laugh alike, you talk alike, he has the same sort of…speech pattern, I mean it’s a little weird, really.  I mean, you guys are, come on, Marty…”

“Way to make things better by comparing the two,” said Rudy sarcastically, “this has been our big problem throughout the day, and you’re saying it doesn’t matter.”

“So you’re saying…there’s nothing unique about me,” said a hurt Marty to Alex, “I’m just like any other zebra.”

“No, I mean, of course you’re different,” said Alex.

“HOW,” the two zebras asked.

Seeing how the two zebras were close to identical with each other, Alex couldn’t think of a way to identify a difference, nor could Kyle or Speedy.  “Ok, ok, I can’t tell you apart,” said Alex, starting to get stressed, “maybe you could wear a bell or something?  I don’t know.”

“A bell,” asked an irritated Marty.

“Ok, not a bell.  The bell’s a bad idea…”

“NONONO, how about a T-shirt that says ‘I’M WITH STUPID,’” shouted Marty, not happy at all.

“I’m not stupid,” said the other zebra.

“NOT YOU STUPID,” said Marty, “HIM STUPID!”

“You know what, while you’ve been off doing the prancing pony with your new posse, I’ve been pretty much having the worst day of my life,” said Alex, “ok?”

Marty sighed.  “It’s always about you, isn’t it.”

“Marty, take it easy,” said Kyle, “we didn’t know it wasn’t you, ok?  I’m sorry!  You guys too!  This arguing just isn’t right.  We have to help Alex with his problem.”

“I’ll tell you what’s not right: US, CHASING AROUND THIS RESERVE AFTER OUR FRIENDS AND FINDING THAT THEY’RE OVERWELMED WITH PROBLEMS,” shouted Rudy, unleashing his stress, “SOME OF WHICH WE CAN’T EVEN SOLVE!”

This shout startled Kyle and Alex.  “Hold on,” said Kyle, trying to defend himself, “I didn’t know this was going to happen.”

“Which is why I say none of this would’ve happened if we didn’t take that mission to New York City in the first place, and eventually end up here,” said Rudy, angry.

“We should’ve done this vacation back home when we had the chance,” added Donkey, “but instead, you chose to take us on another adventure, one that pushed us to the edge like a log.”

This comment offended Kyle, but he didn’t say anything in response.  “We can’t take anymore problems, so you guys are on your own,” said Rudy, “we’re gonna get outta here.  Right Dennis?”

Dennis, startled by Rudy’s shout as well, quickly snapped out of his fear and said, “oh…right!”

“Guys…we can’t just…”

“Sorry Kyle, but we don’t wanna get lost in the sea of black and white again,” said Donkey as he, Rudy and Dennis walked off, “but maybe you should if you and Al wanna.”

Alex sighed.  “My problems are just a little bit bigger than yours’ guys,” he said as he closed his eyes in frustration, “alright, I couldn’t tell the two zebras apart.  So what?”

But when Alex opened his eyes again, he saw Marty walking away.  “Yeah, fine, run away Marty,” said Alex in his frustration, “RUN AWAY!  THAT’S WHAT YOU DO BEST, JUST LIKE BACK IN NEW YORK!”

“I’m right here,” said Marty who appeared near Alex’s face, “but you can’t tell that, right?”

Alex groaned, getting very stressed about Marty’s problem.  “YOU’RE ONE OF A MILLION FRIEND HOPES YOU ENJOY YOUR BIGGER THAN ANYONE ELSE’S PROBLEMS ALONE,” he shouted as he left.

“GOOD!  LEAVE!  I DON’T NEED YOU TO HELP ME SOLVE MY PROBLEMS!  YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU’RE A DIME A DOZEN, I CAN’T TELL WHICH ONE’S MARTY!  OH WHICH ONE’S MARTY?  OH WAIT A MINUTE, WAIT A MINUTE!  OH YEAH, I DON’T CARE,” shouted Alex.

“NICE HAT, YA SHOWOFF!”

Reminded of how he ended up with the hat, and how he ruined his parents’ lives, Alex couldn’t think of anything to say.  This, and the fact that he offended his best friend, just like back on Madagascar, have both made him fall into despair.  He had to find a way to fix his problem, but with Marty abandoning him, and with Kyle’s teammates against him, he didn’t know what to do.  “Marty…don’t go,” he quietly muttered.

“Now things might look bleak, but surely something good can come from this,” said Speedy.

This didn’t make Kyle feel better.  “There’s nothing good that can come from this Speedy,” said Kyle, “they bring a very good point.”

“Don’t think like that compadre,” said Speedy, “we just have to…”

“I’M SERIOUS SPEEDY,” shouted Kyle suddenly, “I SHOULDN’T HAVE BROUGHT THE TEAM ON THIS ADVENTURE!  YOUR OPPTIMISM ISN’T GONNA SOLVE THE PROBLEM NOW, NOT WHEN MY FRIENDS ARE ABANDONING US!”

Shocked, but also offended badly, Speedy backed away.  Downhearted by Kyle’s problem, Speedy started turning away.  “Very well then,” said Speedy, “I’m sorry fellas for my ways.”

Speedy left Alex and Kyle to themselves.  This made Kyle feel terrible for lashing out at Speedy.  “Speedy…I’m sorry…I…”

But Speedy didn’t answer.  He started going where Rudy, Dennis and Donkey had left.  Kyle felt awful, and unsure what to do for his teammates.  He was left in deep despair, like with how Alex was despairing about his problems with his family and with Marty.

Later that day, as the sun began setting, Melman lay in a dying hole.  The Wubbzy Gang stood by his side, completely helpless and saddened.  “Oh jeepers Melman, we’re so sorry,” said Widget, “I wish there was something we could do to make ya feel better.”

“I can’t believe he has that Witch Doctor’s Disease,” said Daizy.

“Why did this have to happen,” asked Wubbzy.

“Wubbzy, guys,” a voice called from behind the group.

The Wubbzy Gang looked and saw Cassidy, Kimmy and Kaytlin approaching.  Think they were still angry with them for not liking Gloria’s date, Wubbzy and Daizy got nervous.  “There you are,” said Kaytlin, “we’ve been looking all over for you?”

“What’s happening here,” asked Kimmy, “and why is Melman in a hole?”

“Oh…uh…” said Wubbzy, “there’s nothing we can do to.”

“Wubbzy, about what happened at the plane, I’m really sorry.  I shouldn’t have acted that way towards you or the others.  None of us should’ve,” said Kaytlin as she gently put her hand around her friend, “now please tell us.  What’s going on?”

“Wubbzy’s right Kaytlin,” said Daizy, “there’s nothing we can do.”

“What are you talking about,” asked Cassidy.

Before anyone could explain to the girls anything about Melman’s problem, two ostriches led a flock of flamingoes to the dying hole area.  King Julien and Maurice were riding the two ostriches, and they were searching for a place to set up their palace.  “Giddy up, giddy up,” said Julien before stopping at the area, “look Maurice.  Here’s the perfect spot for my summer palace.  So please fill in all these holes and relocate the riff-raff.”

As Julien looked around, he saw Melman’s head in the hole.  “Whoa.  Who would leave a perfectly good head lying around,” he asked.

“What a waste,” said Maurice.

“Tell me about it,” said Melman, still depressed, “I’m in my prime here.  I’m terminal, you know?  Probably only have another two days left to live.”

“Ah, eh that’s a bummer man,” said Maurice, feeling bad for Melman.

“Huh,” asked Kimmy, “two days left to live?  What’s this all about?”

“There were these giraffes who said Melman has what they call Witch Doctor’s Disease,” said Widget.

“Witch Doctor’s Disease,” asked Kaytlin, “what’s that?”

“We don’t know,” said Walden, “none of us have ever heard of it.  Not even me, after all the recent studies of medics that I’ve done under Kyle’s request before this adventure.”

“But the giraffes said it’s something that their last witch doctor had and…well…” said Daizy.

“He died,” asked Cassidy.

“I’m afraid so, and now Melman has the same disease,” said Widget.

“Oh no,” said Kimmy, feeling terrible for the giraffe, “that’s…that’s awful.”

“Oh, if I, King Julien, that’s my name, only had two days left to live,” said Julien as he got off his giraffe and descended to the ground with the help of the flamingos, “I would do all the things I’ve ever dreamed of doing.”

“Like what,” asked Melman.

“I would love to become a professional whistler,” said Julien, “I’m pretty amazing at it now, but I want to get like even better.  Make my living out of it.”

Julien stuck out his tongue and tried whistling.  Maurice pointed towards Julien, dryly supporting him, though Melman and the squad could see that Julien wasn’t really good at whistling as he claimed to be.  “Yeah, you can still get better at it,” said Kaytlin.

“You know what else I would do?  I would…uh…invade a neighboring country and impose my own ideology, even if they didn’t want it,” said Julien.

“Easy for you to say,” said Melman as Julien approached him, “you’re a king.”

“Yes,” said Julien as he got on Melman’s snout, “and you are only just a sad little head.  Well, there must be something you want to do before you die.”

“Well…there is this one thing,” said Melman.

“What is it,” asked a curios Julien, “tell me.”

“I don’t know,” said a modest Melman, “I couldn’t.”

“What is it?”

“You know, I just never had the guts to tell Gloria how I feel about her,” said Melman.

“What is it,” said Julien, still curious, “please tell me.”

“I never really had the guts to tell Gloria how I feel about her,” said Melman, “how I’ve always felt about her.”

“Fine, don’t tell me,” said Julien before realizing what Melman was talking about, “oh, is it a woman?  Oh you didn’t tell me you were talking about a woman.”

“Melman, is that why you were so upset at Gloria,” asked Kimmy as she stroked Melman’s head, “you didn’t want her dating someone else?”

“That’s it Kim,” said Melman, “that’s my problem.  Why did you side with her instead of me, like when I blurted out I loved her?”

“Oh…we didn’t side with her,” said Cassidy, “we just wanted her to see who Moto Moto was as a person, not try and separate her from you.”

“Yeah, I mean, one date can’t be the indication that a woman belongs to someone,” said Kaytlin, “this stuff takes time, and a lot of dates in fact.”

“So if we got Melman to admit his feelings to Gloria, things will work out,” asked Wubbzy.

“But guys, I’m dying, remember,” asked Melman, “besides, I don’t think I can do it.”

“What are you afraid of,” asked Maurice, “you’re a dead man anyway.  Come on.”

These words made Melman have second thoughts.  “Yeah…yeah…yeah you’re right,” he said.

“Well,” said Julien as he put his staff into the ground and approached Melman, “you’ve got to march right up to this woman.  Right?  Look her right in the eye…lean forward, just a little, or almost all the way…then you let her like lean forward just another little until you’re…just a lips distance away from each other…and then you just tell her…how much you hate her.”

“Actually, really it’s…it’s more like love her,” said Melman.

“Oh, you sly dog,” said Julien, liking this idea more, “woof-woof!  You’re a real player, you know that?  Now listen to me.  You gotta rise up, you hearin’ me?”

“I don’t think he heard you,” said Maurice.

“I can’t hear you,” said Julien.

These words started giving Melman inspiration and confidence in himself.  “Yeah.”

“GOOD!  You gotta rise up,” said Julien.

“Rising up,” encouraged Maurice.

“Yeah,” said Melman as he slowly lifted himself out of the hole, “yeah!”

“YOU GOTTA GET OUT OF THE HOLE,” said Julien.

“I’m rising up out of the ground,” said Melman as he lifted himself higher and higher.

“He’s rising Maurice,” said Julien.

“I’M RISING MAURICE,” said Melman, feeling very confident in himself.

“RISING,” said Maurice happily.

“YOU GOTTA GO RIGHT UP TO THIS WOMAN,” said Julien.

“YEAH,” said Melman.

“YOU CAN DO IT MELMAN,” encouraged Wubbzy.

“DO YOU FEEL IT,” asked an ecstatic Cassidy.

“YEAH!”

“YOU GOTTA GO RIGHT UP TO HER FACE,” encouraged Julien.

“Tell her the truth,” said Maurice.

“I’M GONNA TELL HER,” said an excited Melman.

“THEN YOU SAY, ‘BABY, I DIG YOU,’” said Julien as Melman finally got out of his hole, “YEAH!”

With his spirit regained, and his confidence back, Melman felt the courage to confess to Gloria.  “YEAH!  I’m gonna do it,” said Melman as he started running off to find Gloria, “I’m gonna do it!”

“I love that happy little head,” said Julien as he and Maurice watched Melman run off.

“That was awesome,” said Kaytlin, “come on guys.  We gotta make sure he finds Gloria.”

“You’re right Kaytlin,” said Kimmy as she and the others followed the giraffe, “this is his moment to shine.  Let’s go!”

Later that night, under the full moon, Gloria and Moto Moto were having their date in a small pool.  In the background, a chorus of birds was singing a special song.  

Lead singer: Lalala…

Chorus: She love

Lead singer: lalalalalalalala Moto Moto

Chorus: Yo, yo!

Lead singer: Lalala

Chorus: She love

Lead singer: lalalalalalala Moto Moto

Chorus: Yo, yo!

“She loves me…she loves my eyes,” said Moto Moto as he picked the petals off a red flower, “she loves me…she loves my thighs.”

Gloria was enjoying herself with this date.  “She love my roundess,” said Moto Moto as the two hippos danced around the pool.

Birds: She loves

“She love that I’m chunky.”

Birds: She loves

“She love that I’m plumpy.”

Birds: She loves

“She love my heftiness.”

Birds: She loves

“She love my zestiness.”

Birds: She loves

“She love me restlessly.”

Birds: She loves

“She love me forever.”

Birds: Forever

“She love me…‘cause she love me.”

Birds: She love to love

“Moto Moto,” said Gloria as they moved around the pool together, “before things get too serious, well, I was wondering, if I were to, for example, stay here, I’d like to ask you…”

“Let your candied lips be the messages to my…ear canal,” said Moto Moto.

“Well…I don’t know, I have so many questions…”

“Well I promise the answer will always be yes, unless…no is required.”

“Ok, so, what is it about me that you find so interesting,” asked Gloria.

“Why…you are the most plumpenest girl I’ve ever met,” said Moto Moto.

“Ok…other than that.”

“Let’s see…yeah well, you…you chunky,” said Moto Moto.

“Right,” said Gloria, wanting a different answer.

“Um…” said Moto Moto, running out of things to say, “my gosh, girl you huge.”

“You said that.”

“Oh…yeah that’s right.  Uh…we don’t have to talk no more,” said Moto Moto as he puckered his lips for a kiss.

Behind Moto Moto, Melman appeared with the Wubbzy Gang and squad girls, looking for Gloria.  “Gloria,” he called before seeing Gloria in the pool with Moto Moto and becoming shocked, “Gloria.”

“Melman,” replied Gloria, surprised to see Melman.

Moto Moto turned around and saw the giraffe interrupting the date.  “Um…Melman, guys…I…I want you to meet Moto Moto,” said Gloria.

“So you’re Moto Moto,” asked Wubbzy.

“Yeah, nice to, uh, nice to meet you,” said Melman nervously.

“Look, I’m sorry if we interrupted anything Gloria,” said Kimmy, “Melman here has something to say.”

“Yeah, well I uh…I guess I…”

“It’s ok Melman,” said Gloria, willing to forgive him for the argument they had on the plane, “apology accepted.”

“Oh, yeah right, that,” said Melman, “that, uh, yes, that’s why I…good.  Woo, ok, well that’s it then.”

“Melman, just confess to her,” whispered Daizy.

“You good,” asked an irritated Moto Moto, “we’re kinda busy here man.”

Feeling nervous again, but now seeing that Gloria might end up with Moto Moto after all, Melman turned stern and said, “no, no, that’s not it.”

Melman grabbed onto Moto Moto’s shoulders and turned him around, facing him head on.  “Listen Mototo, you better treat this lady like a queen, because you, my friend, you found yourself the perfect woman.  If I was ever so lucky to find the perfect woman, I would give her flowers every day, and not just any flowers, ok?  Her favorites are orchids: white and breakfast in bed: six loaves of wheat toast, butter on both sides, no crust, the way she likes it.  I’d be her shoulder to cry on and her best friend, and I’d spend every day trying to think of how to make her laugh.  She has the most…most amazing laugh.”

Gloria looked at Melman, completely astounded by the amount of care he had for her.  She had never expected something like this to come out of him before.  Melman looked at Gloria, feeling sad for not ending up with her, but knowing that she deserved to be treated perfectly.  “I mean that’s, that’s what I would do if I were you, but I’m not, so you do it,” concluded Melman before walking off.

The two hippos watched as the giraffe started leaving, completely blown away by his speech.  But while Gloria was amazed, Moto Moto was confused.  “Uh, ok, um…what?”

A few other hippos rose up to the water surface, having lily pads on their heads.  “That…was beautiful,” one of the hippos said.

As for the squad girls, they were also taken aback by Melman’s speech, but bummed that he didn’t confess.  “Well…that was unexpected,” said Widget as they started following the giraffe.

“But he didn’t confess to Gloria,” said Walden.

“But did you see how entranced Gloria was,” asked Cassidy, “Melman’s speech had to have had some impact on her.”

“I hope so, because Melman has only a few hours left,” said Wubbzy.

“Poor guy,” said Daizy, “why couldn’t we have told Gloria for him?”

“Because it’s not our place to get involved in a confession between two of our friends.  Kyle wouldn’t want that,” said Kaytlin.

“What do we do with Melman now,” asked Wubbzy, “we can’t let him go back to the dying holes.”

“We won’t,” said Kaytlin, reassuring her friend, “everything will be ok…I hope.”

As for the hippos, they watched the group leave.  “Anyway, where were we,” Moto Moto asked Gloria, wanting to get back to the date.

Gloria, still amazed by Melman’s words, dryly looked at Moto Moto.  “I’m huge?”