The Pride Exam
Chapter 1
Brina laid her back on the grass, smiling at the stars in the night sky. It's been a month she earned her place in the Pride Lands, after her hard fight against her rival Micah. She couldn't have been more happier with her father Enzo and mate Manzi living in the Pride Lands. She gave a bit of a frown though, wondering how they can get Ed, Banzai and Shenzi to redeem themselves.
"Brina!" Enzo called out. "Brina!"
Brina smiled at hearing her father's voice and got up to her feet, running toward her family's cave. But then she stopped and crawled in the tall grass, as she saw Enzo.
"Brina!" Enzo called out. "Where is that hybrid? Brina!" Brina reached her paw out and pulled his tail. "Ow!" He turned to see Brina giggling. "There you are, you sneaky animal. Come out of there."
Brina emerged from the grass. "Are those stars shining or what?"
"Yeah, but the night is young," Enzo said. "It's getting late, we should get some sleep."
"Yeah. Father, I've been thinking. How do we get those three hyenas to redeem themselves as part of the Pride Lands?"
Enzo scratched his neck. "I don't know. Simba and I had been talking about that."
Brina giggled. "I guess the bugs for eating wasn't enough, huh?"
"Nah, just a funny punishment I had to think of, coming from that warthog and meerkat." He then yawned. "I better get some sleep. Come on, dear."
Brina walked in the cave with Enzo for some rest.
The next morning, the sunlight shone on Brina as she slept, until she woke up yawning. She exited the cave and saw Manzi, her mate.
"Manzi, my mate! How are you?" Brina smiled.
"Just dropping by to see my mate," Manzi said. "I came to tell you that Simba got an idea for those hyenas to redeem themselves."
"He does?"
"Come on."
Brina followed Manzi to the Pride Rock. Inside, they met Simba with Shenzi, Ed, and Banzai.
"King Simba," said Brina, bowing. "What's the idea my mate has mentioned to me?"
"Glad you're here, Brina," said Simba. "I have an idea on how to earn these three hyenas' redemption to welcome them in the Pride Lands."
"I would be honored to hear it."
"I have given them an assignment to show that they can be friends to everyone. They'll have to take an exam."
"Um...exam?"
"King Simba calls it the Pride Exam," Zazu said.
"The Pride Exam?"
"The test is simple. An animal has to show loyalty, honor, respect, and protection to all other animals here in the Pride Lands. I'm not sure how to teach those hyenas, since my father doesn't trust them."
"Hey, we were loyal to Scar back then," Banzai said.
"Cut us some slack here," Shenzi said. "I mean, what's the idea here with this Pride Exam? You expect us to take this test so we can live here?"
Simba didn't respond to them, and he turned to Brina. "Brina, I'm putting you in charge of teaching those three under the Pride Exam."
This stunned Brina, as her rear dropped to the stone floor. "M-Me? But, but, I was never known about this Pride Exam since I was outside the Pride Lands! And these three were loyal to Micah! How can I even teach them?!"
"Brina, we all know what happened a month ago," said Enzo, "but we have to give them our trust. The exam is simple, but it comes with a consequence. Might these three fail the exam, they'll have no place in the Pride Lands."
Brina's ears droop, and she lowered her head. "King Simba, with all due respect, I don't think I'll ever teach them."
"I'm sure you will, Brina," said Kiara. "You've been given a home here in the Pride Lands for your good deeds. Do you think you're up to it?"
Brina looked at the lions and then at the hyenas. And then she made a grin. "Okay. I will teach those three under the Pride Exam." She then made a bow.
Simba grinned. "Very well then. The Pride Exam will start by tomorrow."
"Oh, great, now the hybrid's gonna teach us," Shenzi frowned. "I thought the king is gonna teach us. Why ask her?"
"Because she earned her place in the Pride Lands. And if you're gonna live here too, the Pride Exam will decide your redemption. But know this. Failure will result in having no place in the Pride Lands."
"Man, I still hate lions," Banzai said.
"That's too bad," Brina said, "because you'll have to get used to them anyway." She then made a smirk. "If you prefer, I can have Timon and Pumbaa bring in some bugs to fill your stomachs."
Shenzi and Banzai gagged at hearing Brina mention bugs, and Ed just rubbed his stomach.
"Okay, you win, hybrid. We'll take the Pride Exam," Shenzi said.
Brina snickered. "Works every time."
"I got sick from eating those bugs," Banzai groaned, rubbing his stomach as well.
That night, Brina and Manzi sat by the edge of Pride Rock.
"I know you can do it, Brina," said Manzi. "Those three have to learn proper respect."
"Yeah, but how come I have to teach them after all that trouble from last month? I mean, they were honor to Micah and Scar, but I don't think they'll honor me," Brina said.
"Brina dear, you'll do fine. Trust me."
Brina looked at the necklace Manzi had given her, and then she grinned. "I think you're right. I'll show them I'm their teacher."
"That a girl. I wish you good luck."
"Thank you, Manzi."
The three were watching them.
"Hey! Did you hear what that hybrid said?" Banzai asked.
"Yeah, I sure did," Shenzi said. "She's gonna be teaching us under the Pride Exam. I don't see how that's gonna have us redeem ourselves, though."
"If that hybrid knows about that stuff, maybe we should take the test. I wouldn't wanna spend the rest of my life eating those disgusting bugs!"
Brina walked ahead. "If you guys get some rest, we'll start the exam by tomorrow morning," she said.
"You're the boss, hybrid," said Shenzi.
The three headed toward the cave to sleep with Brina. Ed just giggled until Banzai slapped him on the head and said, "It's not funny, Ed."
Manzai sat there grinning, knowing that Brina's teaching will be the day for the three hyenas' redemption in the Pride Lands for when they pass the Pride Exam.
