As I wrote Mufasa's thoughts during the first movie, I decided to continue his feelings in the sequel. He had no big role in there, and I think that he needs more attention.
Animals picked their heads up from the grass. Elephants, gnus, all kinds of birds...and they listened. Then they started to follow a little blow of wind, which ran across the Savannah.
"Go, everyone. It's a great day, blessed with love and luck. I want you all to see it."
Little did they know, who was guiding them. As I watched every single creature moving towards Pride Rock, I smiled. This was a special day for everyone, and of course for me as well. And I wanted to make sure that every animal from the kingdom would be there to celebrate this.
"What a wonderful weather. The sky is so bright and the air is warm...listen! Use your instincts!"
Everyone gathered to Pride Rock. I saw Rafiki on the top, and I greeted him with a friendly blow. I saw animals bowing, and then the new king and queen appeared. My son Simba and his mate Nala, with a cub.
That's right, I'm a grandfather. Or should have been. Still can't be sure what to think about that.
Rafiki took the cub from Nala and lifted it up. I smiled and greeted Simba and Nala, then my grandchild. When she started to play with my wind, I suddenly remembered Simba's presentation. He was calmer or more afraid back then. It was so long time ago…
After the presentation was over, animals left in many directions. I watched as Rafiki blessed the girl, who was named Kiara. When Nala found out that she was pregnant, somehow I knew that the future heir would be a girl. I remembered when Sarabi told me that she was expecting. Her behavior gave me doubt that our child would be a boy. Nala had acted differently, but I guess it was just my instinct.
When the happy couple walked back to the den, I chuckled. My little granddaughter Kiara. I will always watch you as I do with your father.
Months passed quickly. Kiara had grown into a curious and snappy cub. Just as her father was. Every time when I watched her, I saw Simba as a cub. To be honest, he was a little more impulsive as a child, than his daughter. I really hoped that I could be there to see my grandchild grow. But since I can't, I decided to do my part the best way I can. Even if I wasn't able to be there physically, I still can be part of Kiara and Simba's lives. I will be, no matter what.
Then came that day, when my son let Kiara play alone. I followed her...and how she took a wrong path...straight there what I was afraid of.
Near The Pridelands, was a dirty and rotten area, called The Outlands. My father took me there a couple of times as a teenager. I remembered how he said that it was a place with no mercy and happiness. I never visited there again or allowed Simba to go there. It was full of darkness I didn't like.
But little did I know that my own flesh and blood would be part of something, which will seal the destiny between these two lands.
"My name is Kovu."
"I am Kiara!"
When I first saw him, I saw immediately a resemblance between someone who I knew very well. That young boy with a brown fur, hair tuft, and green eyes sure looked like my brother, Scar. But something was still different. This boy was kinder and warmer.
Kovu and Kiara got along very well until my son came with his lionesses, and they were greeted by a lioness with a bite mark in her ear. I knew who she was. A loner, who left my kingdom when I inherited the throne. After her leaving...never saw her again.
"Zira."
Simba's behavior during Zira's threats surprised me, he kept his anger in control very well. If I remember how he was as a cub...I don't want to even think about what could have happened.
As the group separated, I saw Zira carrying Kovu back to Outlands. I saw from her eyes, that she won't leave things like this. I have to follow her so that I can figure out what she was up to.
Simba and Kiara had a talk after the accident. Simba was really worried about her like I was back then. Same teachings, same words.
"That's like saying you don't wanna be a lion. It's in your blood. We are a part of each other."
Yeah, we are a family. No matter what…
"And even those who are gone, are with us as we go on..."
Those words and Simba's look gave tears to my eyes. Yes, I am with them. I've always have been, and I always will. I love you too, my son.
"As long as you live here...it's who you are. You'll understand someday."
We are one. Yes...those three words will be Kiara's guidance deeper than she understood now.
I waited patiently, as Kiara grew into a young, beautiful adult. When my granddaughter was surrounded by love, Zira filled Kovu's heart with hatred, selfishness, and power. I was scared, really. Not just for my son, who against Zira had a huge grudge because of Scar's fate, but also for that poor boy. Kovu was really hesitating, and that was which caught my eye. He wasn't like my brother, cruel and selfish. He was different.
I wasn't the only one who was worried. I spoke with Rafiki many times, and he feared the same. We were both concerned about the future and thought about what we should do.
Then, I had an idea. It wasn't maybe the clearest plan, but I couldn't think of anything else. As I showed my thoughts to Rafiki, he wasn't pleased.
"What? Kovu and Kiara, together? Are you crazy?! This will never work! Oh, Mufasa you've been up there too long, your head's in the clouds!"
That made me angry. I was totally in my senses, and this was my granddaughter who we are talking about!
"Okay, okay alright okay! I don't think this is going to work, but I trust you. I just hope you know what you're doing."
I hoped that as well...but sometimes...things just can't happen like you want to.
Then came that day, when Kiara was supposed to hunt for the first time by herself. When she walked down from Pride Rock, I was surprised. How beautiful she was, like her grandmother once. Simba hesitated to let Kiara go alone. But finally...gave his approval.
"Okay, I promise."
And with the watchful eyes, she ran off. But then happened something, what disappointed me a little. Simba sent his friends after her, but somehow I can understand him. He has been through so many hard things, and I can't blame him. But I didn't want him to make the same mistakes, what I probably had done.
As Kiara was hunting, something caught my attention. I saw two lions, one female, and one male. I recognized them as Zira's children. And I knew that they were up to something bad.
"Roasty toasty princess! Roasty toasty princess!"
No, it can't be…
"FIRE!"
I was horrified, as Kiara noticed something was wrong. Heart beating, I followed as she tried to escape. Hopefully, Simba will notice in time...
Everything happened quickly. The fire burned everything, trees, and grass. Kiara wasn't able to breathe and then to my horror, she collapsed. But then someone came and at first, I thought he was going to kill her. But that wasn't his act. When his face came from the shadows, I recognized him. It was Kovu.
He picked my granddaughter up and carried her to safety. When they were on the dry land, I sighed. But now, my plan was going somewhere. Great, I thought. And when Simba and Nala came and my son showed his short temper immediately, by roaring. Another trait from me. Should I be proud? Well…
It still surprised me how Simba was so suspicious against Kovu. Okay, he wanted to stick to my rules...but was I too tight? Well, that didn't really matter...Simba let Kovu join, although, little hesitating.
Kiara was happy and she and Kovu got along very well. Simba was still suspicious, and he didn't trust him. Zira was planning to kill my son, and I was more worried. I hoped that my plan will work unless I don't know what to do.
I followed as Kiara and Kovu hunted together. I can see that they liked each other very much, even if Kovu was denying. But when time passed, he opened his mind and revealed his soft side. And at one night, I saw as they were watching stars together. I felt a warm blow inside my heart, as Kiara told how The Great Kings Of The Past are watching them. I remembered how I once told Simba about them, and how confused he was. I miss those times very much. But I was still glad that he continued our family-legacy.
Kovu was afraid that he would be ending up like Scar...and he wasn't the only one with worries.
"Father...I am lost. Kovu is one of them...Scar's heir. How can I accept him?"
I really wished I could tell Simba the answers...but the truth is that...he needed to figure out these things by himself. I know, it wasn't really fair...but up here, I really can't do anything. No matter much how he needed me.
"I can see them down there just as easily as you can. Get to know him and you'll see."
Indeed Nala, indeed...just too bad that it didn't happen. Instead, even if I got Kiara and Kovu to spend some time together and even falling in love...everything ended up being chaos.
"No, Kovu can't betray us!"
The next day came, and the sun rose quickly. When the clouds moved aside, I saw Kovu mumbling to himself. He wanted to tell Kiara about Zira's plan. How will she react? I was afraid, but at the same time relieved.
"Kiara, I don't want you to talk to him!"
Wait, what? Simba, why…?
"I wanna talk to him."
"Simba and Kovu walked to a place where the fire had destroyed all the trees and grass. When I heard their conversation, my heart was suddenly full of pride towards Simba.
"I've...never heard the story of Scar that way. He truly was a killer."
And what Simba answered...
"Fire is a killer. Sometimes what left behind can grow better than the generation before...if given the chance."
I was proud, really, really proud. I wished I could say these to Simba...but then something came up. Laughing...and that villainess appeared from the shadows. Zira grinned and her face gave me the creeps. That same evil look reminded me of Scar's grin, which was the last thing I saw when I was alive.
"Well done Kovu, just as we planned."
I looked horrified, so did Simba. Then he turned to Kovu, feeling betrayed. Then, to my horror, they attacked. I have never been that horrified, full of panic and scared. Well, of course twice. The first time was the elephant graveyard and the second one was the stampede. I will never forget those feelings I still feel. And now this was going to happen again. And there was nothing I can do.
Simba tried everything to get away. He ran to the corner of the dry canyon and tried to escape by climbing, but one lioness jumped onto his back. They rolled and Simba fell. I held my breath. My son landed at the bottom of the canyon. Then, he ran. I heard how Zira commanded her group to kill him. That evil witch!
When I thought that this was his end...
"Simba!"
I lifted my head up and saw Kovu staring at him. Zira yelled at him to kill my son, but Kovu ran off. He was not one of them, that's for sure.
Simba climbed through the trees. When I thought that he was able to make it, suddenly a young male lion jumped after him.
"I do it for you Mom! This shall be my glorious moment!"
And what happened next...was horrible. Simba was able to escape but Nuka...was buried under the woods. Zira was furious...and gave Kovu a scar in the eye. Exactly the same as my brother's.
After the accident between Zira's pride and after Kovu's ran off, I felt huge guilt. My plan wasn't supposed to go this far, and my son nearly got killed.
I looked from the clouds, as Simba limped across The Pridelands. He had escaped, but he was hurt and exhausted. I couldn't help thinking about the stampede and how he laid near death in the desert. And once again, I wasn't able to be there.
Perhaps someone wondered, why I didn't give Simba straight answers. Why didn't I appear to him earlier after my death, like when he was a teenager? Why didn't I tell him, that Scar had killed me? Well, the truth is that... I was afraid. I was afraid of facing him. I once told him that I would be there for him, and I failed him. He had to grow up without a father and far from home. Alone. Another reason was, that I didn't want him to go back with anger in his heart. I didn't want him to turn like Scar, so I kept the truth from him. I did so because I wanted to protect him. But there he was now, hurt and lost. Betrayed by the second time. I can't even imagine how he must feel.
"Simba, talk to me! What happened?!"
"Kovu…betrayal...aarrh!"
While seeing my son getting carried...reminded me of something that I have kept inside for a long time. I actually have been close to Simba, a couple of times. Last time flashed clearly in my eyes…
/
The herd moved so fast. The stampede was nothing but chaos, and Simba heard someone calling him.
"Simba! Simba, help me!"
"Father!
As he tried to get a grip on his slipping father, suddenly Simba heard an evil laugh. He turned around and saw Scar coming down from a rock. Panicking, Simba turned back to Mufasa and reached his paw towards him.
"Father, hurry!"
Mufasa tried to catch his son's paw, but he only managed to touch it for a second. Before Simba could react, he felt Scar stabbing him.
"Heh, believe me!"
"Simbaaa…"
Simba turned his head and saw his father fall. Tears in his eyes, he screamed as Mufasa fell to the stampede.
"NOOOOOO!"
/
I snapped from my thoughts. I couldn't think of that horrible dream any further. No one actually knew that I was really there, in Simba's dream. For the first time after all those years, I felt his breath and saw him just a few inches from me. As I quickly touched his paw, I felt it really against mine. But of course, Simba didn't know. He thought that it was just a dream, so he wasn't able to hear me.
Like he never will. And that is my sin. Forever.
After the accident, I spoke with Rafiki, who told that he feared for my son's actions. For Simba, it has been really hard to accept Kovu, and now he felt betrayed. My plan wasn't supposed to end like this. My plan was to make peace with two the prides, but now there was a war ahead. I felt sorry for Kiara too. She was in love, and there is nothing more beautiful than pure love. I felt the same when I married Sarabi and when Simba was born. Those two memories kept me in my senses and didn't fill my heart with anger and darkness.
I made many mistakes as a king, and now I feared that my son was going to do the same. He really is a good king, warm and wise. But he is also really impulsive and afraid. Afraid of failing. I can't really blame him...since when I died, everything was left open. I learned everything from my father, but Simba had to figure out everything alone. And I wasn't sure that he is able to teach Kiara the same way since he is so afraid and depressed on the inside. Something that I really wanted to avoid.
"Why have you come back?!
"Simba, I had nothing to do with..."
"EXILE!"
When Kovu was far from Pride Rock, I saw how he turned his head to see the angry animals. He walked away, heartbroken. On top of the rock, was another one. Actually, there was more, than just those two. They were heartbroken by being separated, Simba was heartbroken as felt the whole world was against him, I was heartbroken for him and for myself.
I wondered, should I have listened to Rafiki in the first place. He was afraid that our plan would not succeed, but I didn't listen back then. I just wanted to make peace and stop wars.
Kiara tried to comfort Simba, but no avail. He made his decision, and there was no arguing. But still, she tried. I felt uneasy.
"You don't know him!"
"I know he is following in Scar's pawprints...and I must follow my Father's."
And suddenly...came something very unexpected.
"YOU'LL NEVER BE MUFASA!"
I gasped, so did everyone else. Simba froze to his spot, unable to breathe. Kiara let all her rage out, then she ran off crying. I looked after her, then I turned to my son. He just stood there, eyes locked. He didn't say anything for a long time or moved. I knew that Kiara didn't mean to say that, but as brokenhearted, you don't really think about consequences. I know that her words hurt Simba since Rafiki told me how much he wanted to make me proud.
When Simba exiled Kovu, I felt sadness and little disappointment. I understood his feelings, but I still hoped that he would understand, that even kings make mistakes. No one is perfect, not even me. But still, more importantly, one thing was above anything. No matter what decisions he made, how awful things he said, or even wasn't always a rightful king, I do love him. I love Simba more than I can describe. Every single thing in his body. When he was born, it was the happiest day of my life. I will never forget that. And that is why I can't be angry at him. Even if he exiled Kovu, I just can't. And that's why Kiara's words hurt me.
I wondered, how Simba's life would have been different I hadn't died. Would he still be so full of energy, like he was a cub? And what about Kiara, how she would react? There will never be answers to them, but I can always think.
Suddenly, I heard cracking. I saw how Kiara pushed rocks away and escaped. She looked back only once, then ran off. She was going after Kovu. And after a long feeling moments...she found him.
"Love...love will find a way..."
There is nothing more beautiful, than love. And those two were really a perfect example of that. I looked as they settled down to the river bend. And then came something that I had waited for a long time.
"Look…we are one."
"What?!"
Elsewhere, Simba noticed that Kiara was gone, and ordered Zazu to find her. I saw from above, that Zira was going to The Pridelands, a pride with her. She was going to fight against my pride. Oh my god, I thought. If I could do something to stop it…
I knew that Zira was seeking revenge against my family, but I hoped, that it wouldn't be this way. I can't understand, how a misunderstanding between me and Scar would lead to something like this. What if we never had an argument? Any of these would have never happened.
They say children have to carry the sins of their parents. This is fortunately true in my kin. My mistakes were something Simba will pay for, and his judgment against Kovu effected on Kiara. Three different generations, but the same mistakes. Unspoken feelings, misunderstandings. Love, and hate.
As Kiara and Kovu started to run, I watched them with a heavy heart.
Outlanders and Pridelanders were gathering to the battlefield. I watched nervously as they approached each other. Zira stood on the top of the rock, anger burning from her eyes. The weather was awful, it rained hard. Rocks were slippery, and it made the situation even more dangerous. My feelings were nothing but sadness since this was something what I really wanted to avoid.
I heard Zira yelling at Simba.
"It's over Simba! I have dreamed of nothing else for years!"
Simba tried to comfort him. Please, say yes...
"Last chance Zira. Go home."
But no.
"I am home! ATTACK!"
Then her pride started to run. My son roared, and my pride started as well...and then they fought. Lionesses fought against each other with anger, and I couldn't look. It was the same thing when Scar was taken down. So much blood, screaming, and pain…I can still remember that.
This again was a situation, where Simba had to protect himself. I wasn't able to be by his side as I should. What kind of father am I? I should be there to protect my family, be there to guide them and watch them. But no. Here I am, stuck and I can only watch what happens. Curse of being dead!
I finally saw Kiara and Kovu on the other side of the canyon. Finally, my prayers have been answered! Thank god!
Suddenly, everyone stopped. I looked at what was happening, and I gasped. Simba and Zira were circling each other, ready to attack. They prepared, raised their paws...but then, Kiara and Kovu jumped between them. Their faces were full of anger. But I was relieved.
"This has to stop!"
As Kiara said that, my son looked back confusedly. Kovu comforted Zira.
"You are even weaker than I thought...out of my way!"
"You'll never hurt Kiara or Simba! Not while I'm here!"
"Stay out of this!"
Kiara remained silent. Then she spoke.
"A wise king once told me...we are one. I didn't understand him then. Now, I do."
"But...they..."
"Them? Us? Look at them! What difference do you see?"
I saw how Simba stopped and looked around him. I guess that he finally understood, we are not so different. This was a perfect situation for me to show my guidance. I moved clouds aside, and let the sunlight through them. My son looked up and finally, smiled. And I knew that he knew me being there.
But...
"I will never let go! This is for you, Scar!"
Then Zira jumped. I wanted to scream, but no words came out of my mouth. I just froze completely.
But suddenly, Kiara jumped against Zira. Oh no, I thought. I saw how they both fell down to the canyon. I held my breath. Simba jumped after her, and I feared for both of them. As I saw them falling, I remembered my last moments, even if I didn't want to. How I climbed, exhausted and with all my strength. And then, Scar stood above me.
Kiara was able to hold on, but Zira continued still falling. When she finally managed to get hold of the rock wall, I heard Nala yelling.
"Hold on Kiara! Simba…the river!"
Kiara tried to help Zira, but she didn't want help. The situation gave me a Deja-vu...how I begged for Scar's help, but he did not give that. How Kiara begged that she could help, but someone who needed that, refused.
Next thing happened quickly. Zira tried to climb but failed. And she fell, into the river. I was finally able to breathe. Both my son and granddaughter were safe. My home was safe.
As Simba and Kiara climbed to others, joy was overwhelming. And it gave me joy as well since my son did something very wise.
"Kovu, I was wrong. You belong here."
"Let's go home. All of us."
There are no words to describe that pride and happiness I felt. Rafiki nodded smiling and blessed Kiara and Kovu. My plan succeeded, and my son finally understood the true meaning of life. He was able to let his anger go, and accept Kovu. I couldn't be more proud.
After their blessing, Simba, Nala, Kiara, and Kovu walked up. All the animals were once again there, waiting. First Simba roared, and then Kovu. And then they all roared, for their victory.
Finally, I knew that time had come. I was so proud and happy, that The Pridelands were finally in peace. And most of all, my son had shown once again, how great king he turned out to be. Not perfect, but he doesn't have to be one.
Simba looked up as heard my call.
"Well done my son...we are one."
And then, I greeted him with my wind. He smiled, eyes closing and enjoyed. And I knew that he finally realized, he will never be alone.
"Into the water...into the truth...in your reflection...he lives in you!"
Since I live in him.