I wouldn't recommend reading this first before Book 1. Also, this book will be released alongside my promised behind the scene book, A Diary of a Young Mufasa: One's Point of View. So, interchange between the two of them. Enjoy!
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Entry 201: "King"
The next day, I woke up to a busy day. I was told to stay in the den until my father comes for me. As the lionesses were running all around Pride Rock, I blinked to see them move so fast and urgently. Luckily, I had Sarabi to keep me company since she couldn't leave the den either all that much since she's pregnant. Even Taka was busy doing all sorts of things. I knew what was happening. My ceremony was about to begin. After this day is over, I'll become the new Lion King.
I paced around, not real happy to be cooped up in this den for who knows how long. I snarled quietly to myself. "Mufasa, please sit down," Sarabi said. "Don't tire yourself out."
"No, I'm okay," I replied. "I'm just nervous."
I continued pacing around. Then, I heard Sarabi groaning to herself. I stopped pacing and watched her cringing in internal pain. I went to her and head-nuzzled Sarabi to ease her through her pain. Then, a familiar voice suddenly said, "Oh, how touching." I lifted my head after I recognized that feminine voice. Then, I looked to the entrance of the den and spotted, "Sarafina!"
Sarafina grinned at me and I stared back with a great smile, happy to see her again. I hurried over to her and head-nuzzled with her. "I missed you so much," I purred.
"Me too. But, I could never miss your ceremony," she replied.
"Are you okay? I mean, you abandoned your pride by staying at Destiny Rock for quite a while."
Sarafina giggled whimsically and padded to Sarabi to head-nuzzle her. Then, Sarafina turned her head towards me and said, "Well, I had quite a distraction while I was there." I blinked in wonder for a moment. Then, I heard footsteps behind me and turned around to spot a familiar lion from Destiny Rock. "Busara!" I exclaimed.
The same lion, Busara, walked toward him with that same silent expression. He stopped in front of me and sat down. "We meet again, future Lion King," he suddenly said. Then, by my surprise, Busara bowed in front of me. After he stopped, I smiled, "Wow, thanks." I frowned for a bit and sniffed a peculiar scent on Busara. I sniffed him for a moment and recognized it as Sarafina's scent! It hit me and I laughed heartily. "Sarafina, you didn't!" I laughed.
"Yep, we're mates," Sarafina answered.
I saw Busara meekly blush and walked next to him, nudging him with my left arm. "Hey, don't be embarrassed. I'm just surprised," I said.
"I…I'm not embarrassed!" Busara replied brashly. "Well, maybe…a little."
We heard Sarabi giggling to herself weakly. "Sarafina, I bet he was a tough nut to crack, wasn't he?" she said.
"Oh, yes! I never met a lion like him before. So hard-willed and resilient, he is. I started to question whether I like him or not. But, he's a real decent lion, much so than that Taka."
"Someone call my name?" someone interrupted.
We all looked to see Taka at the opening of the den.
While we all looked toward Taka, Busara stood up and turned around completely to face him. "So, you're Taka," Busara said.
"That's right," Taka grinned. "And just who are you?"
"I go by the name 'Busara.' If all's the same, it's nice to meet you."
I frowned for a moment after I heard Busara say that. I looked back towards Sarafina and pouted, "Hey, Busara just greeted my brother tactfully, and he came onto me like a cautious hyena before."
Sarafina purred, "Well, maybe he's hung around me a bit too much."
"Mufasa," someone called me.
Everyone and I looked toward the den opening and saw the old lion of mine, Ahadi. Smiling proudly towards me, he said, "It is time."
Knowing what that meant, I nodded in answer. With that, Taka, Busara, and Sarafina left the den past him. Then, Dad said, "Everyone's ready for you." Then, he turned around and walked out the den and up the promontory. I looked behind to see Sarabi weakly getting on her feet. I immediately ran to her and helped her stand up properly. I had my right arm around her neck and I purred, "Are you okay?"
She answered, "I'll be fine."
Then, we walked together slowly out the den.
Once we made it outside, I looked around to see lionesses on my left and right below Pride Rock. Surprised that I wasn't blushing, I looked back and forth with a blank expression. Then, Sarabi nudged me in my face with her head, making me go with encouragement from her smile. Warmly, I smiled back and nodded silently. Then, I took the leap of faith in my life once more. I slowly walked up the promontory. I didn't see everyone's eyes watching me, but I could feel them somehow. I looked up to see my father roaring. He could roar so loud as I can remember. Sure, it wasn't as strong and loud when he was younger, but it can still echo across the lands like before. I then realized that he was old and getting older. I never really spent much time with my father in my childhood, and the quality time we could've had is shortened dramatically. He'll pass away soon, and I still have many things to talk to him about. I looked back toward Sarabi and briefly eyed her belly that concealed our cub. Learning that one fact, I swore I wouldn't alienate my son or daughter like that. I turned back to my father; he was walking at me, descending the throne right then. As soon as we met, my father gave me a warm and soothing hug. It was good and tight. I took it with a cub-like smile and hugged him back. After he pulled away, he growled quietly with a grin, "Make me proud." Then, I past him and stood upon the very pinnacle of the promontory. Feeling the incredible majestic warmth of royalty around me, I looked around, seeing all the lionesses, my brother, and my friends watching me. Then, I looked toward the sky, thinking of the one I really wished could see this. But, she was. I can feel her in Heaven, watching me in pride right now. I could even hear her say once more, "Just live and keep in mind that you are the son of Ahadi and Uru and the greatest Lion King of all." I wore a grave and tragic expression as I felt my energy come to me. Finally, with all my might behind it, I roared to the sky! The 'beast' Sarabi once feared came out once again and roared along with me. My roar far surpassed my father's. As my roar died down so I could catch my breath, I heard every single other pride member roar after me. They accepted me as their king, I knew it. I roared again with the pride. From there on, the new age of royalty has begun. I have become…the new Lion King.