"The Machine"

~A Penguins of Madagascar story

Note- Hello everyone! So, I decided that it was important NOT to let another three-month silence go on with this story, so you're getting the last and final chapter of this story. You all should firstly know that as noted last chapter, this is going to be about the marriage between Julien and Kowalski. Because they're animals, the process isn't exact to how us humans would do it. You would want it to be exact, but sadly I'm keeping this as realistic as I can. Would you really expect about twenty suits and five dresses to easily get brought into the zoo? Also, do you think that the many animals could actually set up an entire wedding set and not get caught? Of course not! Plus, only the expected smaller-animals really can come and visit since it's not necessarily the safest to invite the largest such as Joey, Burt, Bada, Bing, and such like that. Of course, I don't exactly try to include the side-characters too much any-ways so I'm attempting to keep the expected wrote about involved. Also, this is taking place about one month after the last chapter. I know, I said something around "No more time skips" but this really isn't something they can do in one day.

I would also like to apologize for my incorrect usage of Julien's speech for the previous chapter. Multiple unnecessary words with an added 'S' made it somewhat difficult to read and again, I strongly apologize for that. Over the last three months, I'd somehow altered the way I spoke as Julien from some usage in role-plays and I'd accidentally carried it on into this story. However I am fixing that as of now and you will not come across that ever again. Now I will be thinking before writing Julien's text and make sure it is exact to his tone. I cannot promise this too long of a chapter as, really, I'm getting to the main point of what it's about. This is NOT the first time I've written about a wedding and the first time it was considered a pleasantly done work, however I feel a little nervous about this one. Then again, since then I've actually been to a wedding and made sure that everything I'd seen was what could be used. Sadly, that was nearly eleven months ago so I am a bit behind. Forgive me if there is something you would do differently, however since this is the final chapter, it would not come into usage. I will explain more after the read. Enjoy!

~Lemurs..

Chapter Seventeen: KoJu

Julien POV-

"Julien, are you getting ready?" Came a call from Marlene. Of course I am! This dress is very fitting for me, actually. I wonder if when two human males marry, they have one use a dress. Kowalski never told me too much of the information regarding the clothing and such, but what he did say was himself in a tux and me in a dress. He'd said something around the man wearing the tux and the woman a dress, but, since I'm a boy now it's kind of strange too but I guess he's letting me act what I loved most? Everyone is accepting of me now so there's absolutely nothing that could go wrong. What I'm expecting to be the worst is Maurice eating the entire cake! I giggle from the thought and Marlene comes in.

I look at myself in a mirror and I'm dressed in a long, white dress that has a little flower pin by my waist to hold it up so I won't trip over it. I have the straps going by my shoulders, forming a little "U" around my lower-neck. I have a little necklace with a blue glow, also matching the blue of this flower. My wrists are wearing two flower-y bracelets, my ankles with the same match, just barely showing under the dress that stops above them. I also have something Kowalski called a bodice, which, truly, I've never heard of. Then again, I hadn't even known of this human-accustomed form of wed so who am I to complain? I can't lie though, this all does make me look nice. I believe Kowalski said some of these other things on me have names, too, but in general I'm just going to call it a dress in general. I am not smart with this at all. I kind of want to just be roaming around how I did but this is something that I think makes me look nice, too, and this is for our wedding, so I'm going to be doing so.

Kowalski told me that he'd wanted to do the process where everyone is to where a sort of dress or, what the males will wear, is a Tuxedo, but he said that it would be too much work and would attract too much attention. So, only he and I will be wearing the wedding-like clothing. I guess that makes us much more noticeable, too. With this being a bit of time after when he supposedly proposed to me, I'm assuming he's done quite a lot to make this very romantic and lovely for me. Doing so much for me, it makes my heart bounce in happiness. Poor Marlene though, standing there, looking at this dress. I'm sure she'd love to have gotten one, too, but I'm sure she understands the consequences. "You look beautiful Julien."

I blush a little and turn in front of the mirror, checking out my sides and such. We both are right. This does sort of fit me. Or, at least the girl-y part. Life never seemed to show that I would go this way, this far, and this soon, but I'm enjoying every second of it. "Your soon-to-be husband is patiently awaiting you Julien. Are you ready?"

I nod my head at her but I feel a strong amount of nervousness going through my body. I mean I'm all for doing this, but I'm just afraid I may mess something up. "Do you thinking Kowalski will like what I am to be wearing?" I ask her. She gives me a friendly laugh. "Trust me Julien, everyone is going to love you. Just like they do now. But certainly not as much as Kowalski does."

I smile and hug her. "Thanking you Marlene. You are being my best friend for helping me getting through dis'." I feel her paws go around and hug me back but not trying to touch the dress. "More-or-less, it's my job Julien, but, really, I'm very sure I want to do this. I've really needed someone I can call my friend. Someone I can actually talk to about my feelings or something like that. Of course, that's not the only reason I want to be your friend Julien. I've always been your friend. It's just I wasn't too open to sharing my thoughts and such like that. At least with one of the guys. They don't know what it's like to be a girl. You do though. So you sort of know what I can go through, too."

I nod again but I don't really respond, not really sure. She gives another laugh. "But we should be thinking about getting your butt to your man. I'm going to ask again. Are you sure you're ready?" I smile wider.

"Of course I am being ready silly Marlene. I have been ready my whole life. For Kowalski, and dis' way of marriage. My children, too." She smiles and pulls out of the hug. "You know, if you'd ever like someone other than Maurice to watch them, I'd certainly do it at times." My smile stays and I shake my head. "Dat' is being nice Marlene, but, like you were to be saying, I have a wedding to going through. Da' most important thing in my life, yes?" She nods happily.

"I would say so. I'm glad to help with probably the first marriage of our kind. You know, the smaller than the humans, is what I guess we can refer to ourselves to." She shakes her head. "Never-mind that though. We should really get going." I nod again. "Yes, you are being right. Da' small penguin is to be taking me down, yes?"

"No. Actually, the plans changed a little. Skipper will be doing it, since, he's more of a father to Kowalski. Brother, maybe, but it seemed better to be done." I still smile. If Skipper hadn't ever apologized to me or tried to become my friend, then I wouldn't be happy. But, he is my friend, and I do agree with this change, as I would like this job done by him. I completely agree with this. "Marlene, I am having a question though."

She nods. "Take as long as you need Julien. We still have the right to take as long as we need. It isn't really good to keep him waiting, but, he would wait forever for you. I'm sure." I giggle. That's something I believe too. "What I was questioning, though, Marlene, was dat' I was wondering exact what Eve, Mia and Vincent will be of doing." She gives a strong smile and calm giggle. "Well, Mia is watching over Eve as the two are what were called "Flower Girls," who sort of beautify the place with the many exotic flowers. Kowalski wanted them to do something that they wouldn't get hurt from."

I smile again. "He is being a great father, yes?" She nods happily. "As I'm sure you're a great mother, Julien." I giggle more. "Kowalski also wanted to make sure Vasil could do something. Though, he was a bit nervous about the job he was given. He's what's called the "Ring Bearer," who is the one who will give Kowalski the ring to place on your finger." Thank you Sky Spirits for letting my children be apart of my wedding.

"Just in case you're wondering about the rings, there's only one because Kowalski can't fit one onto his flipper. But just so he could prove he loves you, he told me something about experimentation and removing a tattoo he had of that girl Doris, and switching it with a lemur and your name. It's very small, almost impossible to see he said, but he still thought it important to prove he loves you, so he hopes that's okay." I giggle yet again. My Kowalski having a tattoo, I'd forgotten of that.

"Dat' is being perfect. I think dat' it is better dan' getting fingers, because den' he would looking silly." She and I laugh. "I guess you're right." She pauses for a second. "How do you feel?"

"I am feeling like I have become da' luckiest person ever. Dat' is how I am feeling Marlene." She gives a friendly hum of happiness.

"Good. I sure wish I were as lucky as you, Julien." I hope that didn't hurt her. "It is being okay Marlene. One day you will finding who you are wanting to being with and you will also being able to have a wedding like Kowalski and I are to having now. Maybe even having your own children?" She blushes and laughs.

"Thank you Julien. That's very sweet. But enough about me, really, it's your day. Your perfect day, should it be rephrased. Would you like to go now? It's okay to feel anything of nervousness, fear, love, anything-" "I am feeling like dis' is da' time to doing it and I should going to marrying my husband. I am not nervous at all any-more. I am feeling like dis' is all meant to being, and I should being happy, instead of afraid. I do not tink' I was afraid when I married him da' first time, so I am tinking' dat' I should not being afraid dis' time either."

"That's very nice to know Julien. I'm sure Kowalski would be happy to hear it." "He is to be hearing it in a minute though, yes?" She laughs and takes a step away to start leading me. I follow right behind happily, ready to have my wedding. The volcano truly is a great place to be doing these things like getting ready for a wedding. I hope Kowalski thinks I look nice in the dress.

\~\~\~\~\~\/~/~/~/~/~/

Luckily the zoo is closed today. Kowalski told me that he'd make sure he'd find somewhere the area would be secure so we could have our day perfect and not be ruined by some stupid humans. To pressure that it's closed, the gates to come in are closed by large steel bars, restricting anyone from coming in or out. I don't know why it's closed, but I'm assuming that it's just a mandatory thing? It could be, it might not. But from what I know, our wedding is set up in front of the zoo entrance. Kowalski and I will be standing in-between the arches. The set-up of this zoo sort of confuses me at times, really. But no matter, I've got a husband to marry!

Marlene leaves and sits down by a set-up chair and after that I see several peoples walk in. Some of the larger animals sitting in nearby habitats so they can see what's going on and one important one, the alligator crocodile thing, setting up his piano from a separate walkway. From that walkway comes Skipper and my two daughters, who run up and hug me and I giggle and hug them back. "Mommy, we're going to be Flower Girls! I want to make everyone look pretty!" Mia stated. Eve nodded right beside her. "Your girls seem enthusiastic Ring-Tail. Just like my men should be." I'll try and take that as a compliment.

"Dat' is being very good Mia. You too Eve. Would you liking to go and pretty it up for your Mommy?" I lovingly ask. Some beautiful flowers should do the trick. "Okay mommy! I love you!" My girls kiss my cheeks and run back to the set-up with the baskets of flowers in their grasps and I can see flowers going in the air and I hear several peoples laughter from how adorable they must look. I'm assuming Vasil is at the front doing his Ring-Bearer stuff.

I suddenly feel Skipper come to my side and tie his left flipper with my right arm and I look at him in confusion. "This is how you have to do it, y'know. Don't worry, Ring-Tail, I'll be watching the place like a hawk! It's like my parents were so, however I spawned as a soldier for the ground operations." He smiles at me. I see that he has a little black bow-tie on. I must say, that is looking VERY fancy.

"So you ready for this, Ring-Tail?" Really, that name is cool, but I have a real one too. "I am being very ready Skipper. I am being happy dat' you are allowing me to marrying Kowalski. I did not think dat' you would being okay with it." He laughs. "Julien, believe me, quite a while back this was THE last thing I would want to find out. But, hey, I've changed. So have you, and Kowalski. In fact, I think everyone's changed. For the better, I mean. I think that when a soldier goes against his duties, he should really find a way to make up for it and get it out of his record file. I had a job; To protect everyone of this zoo. I'd actually taken physical action towards what I can say is one of my kind. I should make up for that and doing this can be a good start."

I can't help but give a little blush. "Dat' is being very kind of you Skipper, thanking you. But dey' always say to forgive, but never forget. He frowns. "I understand if you choose not to forget what I'd done. It was an act of cruelty, and no matter how much I do to make up for it, or how much I apologize, I'm sure that it's hard enough to forget ever happened." He looks a little sad and I just smile. "What I was meaning is da' bits of friendliness dat' we have been having ever since I was to coming to dis' place. We may have not been da' best of da' friends, but we did acting like it at times." He smiles again and laughs. "Aye aye, Ring-Tail."

I give a confused look. "Maurice is being da' Aye-Aye, Skipper." He gives a nervous smile. "I meant I agree with what you were saying." I nod strangely, not exactly understanding the joke and he gives a nervous chuckle. "So..you're ready to go and marry Kowalski?" I smile again and nod.

"I have been ready for a very long time, Skipper. Even if I was not to knowing dis' way of marriage, I was being ready for it." He chuckles regularly. "I'm glad to be taking you down the isle Julien. A start to a good friendship, right?" I laugh. "Weren't we already being of friends, Skipper?" He nods.

"Well, I meant something like friends doing each other favours or something like that. This is something small that I could do for you. I'd really like to at least try and make myself proven for the better side of your happiness. Really, today's about you, and Kowalski, but he wants you happy the most. I don't know love too well, but I know Kowalski means it well, and I can't let my soldier have those feelings and not give it to the one he loves. Regularly, they'd tell you to suck it up and you'd return to the one you love when you reach the end of the war. But, are we penguins really fighting anything? Not very likely. I'm going to just have this being a "King of the Hill" sort of thing, except it more likely be "King of the Zoo" sort."

"Aren't I being da' King though?" He laughs. "Sure Ring-Tail. But what I mean is protecting this zoo, keeping it safe, not allowing intruders, wanting it safe. Especially for them children of yours." I giggle. "Thanking you Skipper. Dat' is being very kind dat' you would wanting to keeping my children safe."

"Hey, I sure would like them to see the first "Kidsmas" when it comes for them. At least one where all five of you can be together to celebrate. Or you could celebrate Julianuary, too. That's your beliefs and I have no choice but to respect it. How you decide to parent, I'm going to allow. I trust you a good mother Julien. I NEVER expected this type of life for you, but I'm happy it's here instead of you being dead. You've got a beautiful family." I blush again and giggle.

"Thanking you Skipper. Thanking you." I turn and hug him and he chuckles. "C'mon Ring-Tail, you've got more important people to be with than me." He points his flipper to where the wedding set-up is. I blush a third time and nod. "Y-yes..I am being very ready." He turns to me. "Are you sure?" I nod strongly. "Yes Skipper. I am being deathly ready." He chuckles again. "As am I my friend." I smile and put myself back the way it was where he flipper was holding my arm to walk me. "I must say you look happy in this dress." I'll take that as a way to not make it seem awkward. "Thanking you Skipper. Dat' is very sweet of you." He nods and starts walking me there.

\~\~\~\~\~\/~/~/~/~/~/

I look down the isle and Kowalski stands there in a suit and bow-tie. I'm not sure what anything else on him could be called but what I do know is that if it weren't for the bits of white lining designing on the suit, I would assume he's still "Nude" as it was. Everyone else is "Nude" though, as Kowalski explained would be. Not completely because it's a mixture of males with bow-ties or regular ties, and females with some jewellery or flowers in there ears. Mainly, it's consisting of almost everyone in the zoo. Plus some of the flowers must have been from the girls' basket because there's a blanket of them around here.

I see everyone turn and look at me and I blush as I see Kowalski's face brighten in amazement, or so I assume. I hear a couple "Wow"'s which make me blush ever deeper. I hear a loud whisper of anger "Roger!" followed by "Oh! Right!" Then I hear soothing music coming from a piano. Not my kind, but it's romantic at the very least. I hear a whisper from Skipper. "Told you that you looked happy." Oh stop, I'm not that gorgeous.

He whispers again. "We can start walking now." He finishes that with a friendly chuckle, and I blush feeling like I was just in a beauty pageant or something like that and nervously smile. "Y-yes. I am being ready." He nods and we start walking down the isle slowly, following the music. My heart beats strongly and lovingly as I come closer to Kowalski and his happy smile sticks while his eyes look like they get closer because I feel like he's about to cry, when I don't even realize that I have tears of joy coming down my face. It comes sooner than expected but for me it felt like I was on a never-ending walkway that would take forever to get to him and I giggle as I walk in front of him as Skipper lets go of me and Kowalski takes my paws in his flippers and gazes into my eyes.

What I hadn't noticed was that there was a podium to the side away from the "Crowd" of people and Maurice came up from behind it with the tie he had a long time ago to look like a lawyer. I hear a little whisper from him. "Glad to do this for you two. You'd need it." Kowalski nods happily while I smile, and in the corner of my eye I see a large number of the zoo piling in to see the things going on, making me blush and my tears keep coming down my eyes. I see the girls and Vasil sitting in the front row and hugging each other while watching us. They probably know just about as much as I do, but they know their mommy and daddy are doing something for their love.

"Dearly beloved.." I turn to listen to Maurice's voice as everyone had lifted their heads to listen, including Kowalski. "We're gathered here today to unite our favourite Kowalski and Julien. For quite some time they've been a family, and have been married for the regular form of our marriage, however Kowalski wanted more. He wanted to prove to Julien how in love he was. How much he wanted his lover and wanted to prove his love. One strong way of doing that is this event that we've got going on now. This event, this human form of love-connection, is what brings two lovers together for eternity. It unites them as a family, and as husband and wife. Now you may think that this is a bit different, a bit awkward, or unusual, but from all of this done, how could you not see this man's attempt to prove his love?" Maurice waves his paw around the area and quite a few friendly laughs come, making me blush.

After they shut up, he smiles wider. "Our groom, Kowalski, has come here after living his life on the protective force of his penguin force group, saving those in need of rescue or assistance and also he's proven himself a great scientist. Although his inventions may not be the safest things, but his mind can carry a lot, and he knows so much that he could make this event possible. He's also proven himself a good father for their three children." I see in the corner of my eye Eve wanting to get up but Mia holds her down, knowing that she can't do that. At least not now. Good girl.

"Our bride, Julien, has proven himself a king. Maybe not of what he'd wanted to be before, but the type of king that can do anything as long as he tries at it. He won Kowalski's heart, he's changed into a woman, he's made three children his, he's made himself the first husband doing this form of marriage in our kind, and he's made himself probably the happiest of all of us. Now we all know Julien ain't the brightest with things-" I turn at him and give him an annoyed look. I thought he was supposed to make me happy, not pissed. "-but he's pretty smart when it comes to love and finding the perfect one. I'll say Kowalski is the one." There's a pause.

"Is there anyone who may object to them getting married? Such as, is there someone who may want them to not get married?" How dare he ask that! Who would deny I, King Julien? It's my choice and I have the right to do what I want. Kowalski holds me tighter to tell me that it's supposed to be asked and I calm down after only having him see my disliking to that question. I nod at him and lift my paw to wipe a few tears still there. A few seconds go by in silence and a slight cough comes from the back.

"So be it. May I have the ring?" In an instance Vasil gets up, gives the ring to Kowalski and sits back down, barely possibly to see him. I think he's a bit shy or afraid he'd mess up, but I have my husband and children and everything. It's only one more minute. "May I see it Kowalski?" He politely asks. I watch my ring travel to Maurice and he holds it in his paw to hold up for everyone to see. "You all see this?" He gets several nods.

"Well this little trinket may appear small because of it being something to just show off style, but it's also something that Julien will use to show off his love for Kowalski. To prove he's married this way and that he loves Kowalski for eternity." Several "Oh"'s and nods come. "It sure is nice." He comments before giving it back to my soon-to-be husband. He lets go of one of my paws to take it and slip it onto my ring finger, making me blush strongly and have a few tears. Just as I'm about to shout out of happiness and cry strongly, I hear Maurice still talk. "Kowalski, I have a strong question for you to answer. You ready for it?" My lover nods happily and moves his beak a little to motion for Maurice to go ahead.

"Kowalski, my good good friend, I want to know something. Will you take Julien to be your husband? In happiness, sadness, anger, sickness, through your mind, through your body, through your soul. Do you feel your love with him? Do you want to marry Julien? Do you wish to make him happy every day and live as a husband to him and raise your children with him?" Kowalski nods. "I do Maurice. I do."

Tears stream down my face and Maurice turns his face to me. "Before I ask you a very important question Julien, I have to ask you something else. How do you feel about Kowalski's answer? Can you give it in one word?" To hell with the one word. "I am feeling completely in love with my husband for his answer." He smiles and I see my lover twitch a little because of Maurice probably not supposed to ask that, but what does it matter. I hear a chuckle come from Maurice and he smiles strongly.

"King Julien the thirteenth, do you take lieutenant Kowalski as your husband? In happiness, anger, sadness, sickness, any form of emotion through any part of your mind from creation of the Sky Spirits. Do you feel that you love him? Do you want to marry Kowalski, King Julien? Would you like to make him a happy man and live as his husband? Would you like to have your children with him and accept him as the father?" I nod strongly. "Yes Maurice. I does. I am strongly doesing a "Yes" to dis' answer. I does! I does!" Tears of happiness pour down my eyes in love. "That's great news. Okay, Kowalski, you may now kiss the bride."

I feel Kowalski strongly grab me and pull my muzzle up to his beak and I kiss him and he leans me over and holds me so I won't fall and I feel his tears falling on me and I have my tears fall to the ground in pure joy as I hear a crowd clapping behind us and I feel flowers being thrown around us from my girls. Kowalski has made me the happiest person in complete existence. There's no question to it any-more. I literally fucking love him and now I'm married.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. I also pronounce you KoJu."

~Fin.

Finally! Finally this is done! Okay, now I know this chapter was sort of rushed but it's still a good length for everyone, isn't it? I had a lot of trouble figuring out how I would do the wedding and really, I just went with the flow and that's what I have right now. I'm thinking of some time in the future re-writing this story to match with my current writing style so it won't be bunched together (Like it still is) and to make some things longer and better. Plus, to fix some rushed things like this. Where I can get re-interested in the write and love doing it, because ever since chapter fifteen I've disliked writing this. I've blamed it on the happiness being all there is, but the real reason is because I let several time-skips happen outside of the story. I've almost forgotten who some of my creations are. Heheh.

Okay so these are all of the reviewers in alphabetical order throughout and ; Bobbyfishstick, crazyandconfusedone, hardrocker21, hayame, Hmemma548, JaMarrow, LegacyMutt, Leonardo15, MeganAgent13, SkullDestroyer, and WarriorCatKowalski. I appreciate each and every person that's given me words on this story and for the ten months that it has been alive, it's gotten 4689 hits on alone, and adding DeviantART most likely pushes it up to 5000 hits. I consider that a lot, at least for a slash story. I also appreciate that I've gotten nothing flame-wise and only bits of constructive criticism. I hope KoJu is beautiful to anyone now and the amount of time on this story is something even I have to think about.

If you're curious about this storyline, for the moment, I have no further plans on sequels or prequels, or anything like that. However, for the entirety of October, I will be writing several shorts I have on my mind. Look out for them! I love each and all that have given this the popularity it has and I'm happy this is one of the few that's gotten past the 100,000 word mark, while this chapter has pushed me to the total story word count of over 200,000. So much for over 9000, am I right? Hah!

The next story in line at the moment is meant to be another KoJu about Kowalski becoming a lemur. There's more information on my profile, but if you want something else to come, you can still vote! I have a poll! Okay everyone, I'm going to go now. Goodnight and have a perfect day!

~Lemurs..