So this is just a little Lion Guard story that I've been thinking about. It's probably going to be about 3 or 4 chapters long so nothing to extravagant, but I believe that this would be a good way of going into the next generation in the Lion King saga.
Also I would like to tribute this story to the late voice actor of Rafiki: Robert Guillaume. He will be sorely missed and I truly hope this story does him justice.
So with that being said, enjoy, review, and let's see what fate awaits our happy monkey friend.
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Part 1. The Night Before the Dawn
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Everything has its time in life. Every day starts with a new sunrise, and every day must end with a sunset. That was how it was in the Circle of Life. When one chapter ends, another begins. The concept was quite poetic. It was the life that everyone in the Pride Lands lived. For every lifetime, for every chapter in the kingdom's history, those who live must pave the way for the next generation. From the mightiest of kings, to the lowest in the food chain, all of them had an unspoken duty to make sure their offspring learned everything they needed to thrive and succeed in this life. And a certain resident of the Pride Lands was hoping that his apprentice was capable of succeeding in the task that he was about to set before her.
He had seen it happen many times in his long and prosperous life on this world, yet today, Rafiki would see it in a new light… where the apprentice would take up the position as master.
It was the middle of the night in the Pride Lands, and all of the residents were soundly asleep… save for two. In a baobab tree, not too far away from Pride Rock, the old mandrill Rafiki sat on his haunches on one of the branches, looking out across the plains at his home. For once it was a bright green land, now it was a light gray color thanks to the illustrious light from the moon and stars.
How long had he lived here? Five? Ten? One-hundred years? Honestly, he lost count after 38. He had seen kingdoms and monarchs rise and fall countless times during his time as the Pride Land's Mjuzi, but tonight… tonight would be a start to a whole new Circle.
Rafiki suddenly felt a small gust of wind blow against his face causing him to look up at the stars with a mischievous look on his face.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Rafiki laughed as he shook his figure at the sky, acting as if he was scolding the stars, "I know you are eager, my friends, but dis cannot be rushed!" the mandrill then picked up his staff in his hand and turned to go back into the tree. Yet before he did, he turned and looked back at the sky and said: "You allow events to unfold as dey go yet you cannot wait for an old man and his apprentice?" Suddenly, Rafiki heard a loud noise coming from inside of the tree. Quickly hoping back inside, he came across his apprentice, Makini on the floor, clutching her head.
"Makini!" Rafiki exclaimed in worry, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah…" the adult mandrill groaned, "I just tripped on my staff and…" she suddenly gasped as she looked back to where she fell. She screamed: "Oh no!" as she ran over to a long slender staff that was split in two, "My bakora staff!" Upon seeing this, Rafiki merely laughed out loud, not even trying to hide the fact that he thought this situation was funny. Ever since Makini was young, she had trouble hanging on to her bakora staffs. Even now, as an adult, the mandrill still broke or lost her bakora staff from time to time and had to replace it. Hopefully, after tonight, that would not be an issue.
"Some things never change." Rafiki smiled as he walked over to his apprentice, who was now resting her chin on her palms, glumly. As Rafiki laid his hand on her shoulder, the old mandrill could not help but be amazed by how far Makini had come. For once there was a young child, now there was an adult. She had been with Rafiki for many, many years, yet for the old Mjuzi, it seemed like just yesterday he had picked her up from her home and brought her to his tree to train her to be his successor. Sometimes… time just flew by too fast.
"Why does this always happen to me?" Makini sighed as she looked down at her broken staff, "Ever since I was a kid all of my staffs get broken or lost or burned. Sometimes… it feels like I'm cursed."
"Nonsense." stated Rafiki, waving his hand dismissively at the thought, "We all have to make room for ourselves to learn and grow. Why when I was your age, I struggled through de same ding."
"I know…" Makini sighed, still depressed on the fact that she once again broke her staff. She really liked this one. It had a beautiful spiraled vine wrapped half way up, as well as a bouquet of bright African violets on top. It was a shame to see another one of her masterpieces lost to the cruel hand of fate.
"Come now. Dry those eyes." Rafiki smiled before hefting the adult mandrill on to her feet, "Tomorrow is a big day you know."
"I know…" Makini sighed in a fretting manner, "But… are you sure I'm ready to take over?"
"Hmm?" Rafiki stepped back and looked at his disheartened pupil for a brief moment, "Whatever do you mean, Makini? I thought you were excited to take over as Royal Mjuzi?"
"Maybe I was…" Makini slowly said, her eyes remaining fixed on the ground as she rubbed the side of her arm with her hand, "But… I just don't feel like I'm ready. I can't even keep a staff for a month without breaking it. Maybe we should postpone the ceremony. I'm sure a month… maybe a year or two more of training couldn't-"
Suddenly, Makini felt Rafiki's gentle hand stroke her chin as he directed her head to look back at him. Makini looked up at her master, her mentor… her friend. His bright toothy grin and calm demeanor was still there, even after all that she had said. There was not a hint of doubt or disappointment or sadness in his features… only compassion.
"Makini…" Rafiki began, "Remember what I've taught you." Knowing what Rafiki meant, Makini closed her eyes, took in a deep breath and replied: "Swari."
"Dat's it." Rafiki affirmed. It was an old word… taught to Makini during her youth. At first, it was meant as a key phrase to let her know that she was talking way too much. Now… she would use it as a means to calm her mind and remind herself that everything would be alright. She just had to remain calm and listen to her master as well as her sat silently, waiting for Rafiki to give her some wise proverb or to tell her how everything would be alright… but it never happened.
Feeling Rafiki's touch leave her chin, Makni opened her eyes and looked around the tree. Yet… Rafiki was nowhere to be seen.
"Rafiki?" Makini called out as she looked around the room, "Rafiki?"
"Down here!" upon hearing her master's voice, Makini rushed over to the side of the tree and looked out to see the old mandrill was already making his way through the savannah towards Pride Rock.
"Come, come!" Rafiki gestured with his staff, "You follow Rafiki, he knows de way!"
"H-Hey!" Makini called back as she slid down the tree and ran after him, "Wait up!" Rafiki chuckled as he watched his young apprentice gradually run after him. As the two made their way towards Pride Rock, Rafiki looked up at the stars and smiled. Tomorrow was a big day for the Pride Lands… and for Makini.
He just hoped that she would be ready for what was to come.
To be Continued...
So Makini will be taking over for Rafiki by tomorrow, but where are they going now?
Now I know this is not the long, completed content I'm used to putting out, but I'm trying this out and I want to know what you think.
Do you want the entire story just laid out, or do you like it being introduced in tid bit scenes in order to capture the moment?
Let me know in the comments.