I don't own any of the animals, apart from Mshauri (Swahili for 'counsellor') and Potewa (Swahili for 'suffer a loss'). I own all of the humans mentioned.
I wanted to put humans in the pridelands, but wanted to try it with an older style (pre-european).
A new creature walked in the pridelands. It was tall and hairless. Its origins and intentions were unknown, its purpose and actions a mystery, and deadly to some of those who saw it.
"Ah sire" Zazu said and he alighted on a rock, "I bring the morning report."
"Yes" Simba said patiently, Zazu seemed different today, a little scared perhaps?
"The wildebeest are complaining about the zebras, again" Zazu said, "and there have been unconfirmed reports of hyenas in the south."
"Nothing else" Simba asked levelly.
"And the animals of the east are reporting a new type of animal moving into the pridelands" Zazu said, "though none seem to know anything much about it."
"What do they look like" Simba asked, interested.
"They walk on their hind legs and use their front ones for many purposes" Zazu replied, "they're only about the size of a leopard and yet their head is nearly as high as a giraffe's shoulder." "They seem to be nearly devoid of hair, except for the tops of their heads" the majordomo went on, "and they carry things which they throw to injure other animals."
"Are they doing anything particularly bad" Simba asked, wondering if Rafiki could help him here.
"Not as yet" Zazu replied, noticing Simba was looking distracted, "a little hunting for food, drinking, and strangely hitting some sort of skin that was stretched over a hollow trunk." "Er, sire" he said "shall I fetch Rafiki?"
"I was just wondering that myself" Simba said distractedly, before returning to normal, "yes, do it."
Simba wandered back to Pride Rock as Zazu went to fetch the Rafiki from his home. "Something wrong" Nala asked, when she noticed his slightly unusual state-of-mind.
"Yes" Simba replied, as Kiara and Kovu made their way over, "Zazu brings reports of a new animal to the east. He quickly related Zazu's description of the strange animals before Rafiki arrived.
Rafiki soon arrived, but was a little confusing. "These new creatures may be the ones I have heard are called humans" he said, "they appear to be no real threat, but they need watching, and they stay for a long time.
"Then I will go and watch them" Simba said, surprising the others, "if they need watching, I will do it."
"But the rest of the pridelands need you" Nala protested, "you should not neglect your duties for the sake of these humans."
"But they need watching" Simba said, but understanding Nala's protest.
"Then I will watch them" Kovu said, "after all, if they stay a long time, they will certainly be here in my reign."
Simba nodded, a little reluctantly. "Very well, but be careful" he said, "and take Timon and Pumbaa."
Kovu looked about to argue, but decided against it, Kiara on the other hand...
"Aw dad, we don't need to take them, they'll only get bored."
"They're going with y..." Simba said before stopping, "what do you mean we?"
"Shouldn't a queen be as well informed as a king" Kiara asked cheekily.
Simba was about to protest, but surreptitious glances at Nala and Sarabi, stopped him. "Very well" he said, "but be careful, the hyena's are in the south again."
"Don't worry" Kiara said, rolling her eyes a little, "we'll be careful." With that, Kiara and Kovu left, quickly followed by Timon and Pumbaa.
The rest of the pride watched them go, before Simba shifted and said, "now to deal with those hyenas." "And I'll chase the slobbering, mangy, stupid poachers from dawn until dusk" he said with a smile, remembering Zazu's words from his cubhood, before taking off.
Kovu, Kiara, Timon and Pumbaa had been travelling for half a day when they finally came upon one of the more prominent watering holes and were spied by at least one animal they knew, Mshauri the giraffe. "Ah the royal couple to be" Mshauri said brightly when she spotted them, before grimacing when she saw Pumbaa, "and associates." Kiara smiled at Mshauri momentarily. "And what brings such important personages out this far this fine day" Mshauri asked, trying to ignore Pumbaa's stench.
"The new creatures" Kovu replied, "Simba wants someone to take a look at them."
"I'm surprised he sent his daughter and successor on a mission of this danger" said Mshauri, "he's even more overprotective than Mufasa."
"He didn't send us" Kiara said with a cheeky smile on her muzzle, "we insisted."
"Some things never change" Mshauri said, tossing her head, "but take my advice and be careful, for I'd never hear then end of it if I let you get yourselves injured."
"Do you know where these new animals can be found" Kovu asked.
"Not myself" Mshauri admitted, "but Potewa here does" she said, indicating a lone zebra. The zebra made no move to greet the new arrivals. "Come on Potewa" Mshouri said, beckoning him over, "they won't hurt you, though they might stink you to death" the last bit under her breath. "You'll have to forgive him" Mshauri explained, as Potewa slowly made his way over, "these new animals recently took her mate."
"How terrible" Kiara murmured.
"Mmm" Mshauri said, "come on Potewa, you're not on the menu."
"Not for lions maybe" Potewa muttered lowly.
"Do you want to talk about it" Kiara, "it might help."
Potewa gave Kiara a hollow look, causing her to flinch. "Very well" Potewa said, and went on to tell how she had been grazing with the herd on the steppe further to the east when the new animals had attacked them with long, straight branches. Most of the herd had scattered, but Potewa's mate had taken a spear in the flank and died of blood loss. Potewa herself had fled a little way, but had turned back and driven the hunters from her mate's body moments before he died.
All five of the other creatures lowered their heads in mourning. After several minutes Kovu asked, "where, di..."
"About an hour to the east" Potewa replied.
"I hope you find solace" Kovu replied, before looking east, "and now I must judge these troublesome animals." he set off and the others quickly followed him.
Simba headed for the elephant graveyard, the matriach's old hangout. Nala and Vitani had forced him to accept their escort for this meeting. "I should've removed this place years ago" Simba growled, remembering his own bad experiences here.
"At least it's neutral territory now" Nala said, "it makes diplomacy that much easier." Vitani had never visited the graveyard or really come across hyenas, but the stories she'd heard had given her a strong dislike of the creatures.
The three lions walked down the slope into the small clearing and Simba yelled, "I'm here to talk to the matriarch."
Shenzi, Banzai and Ed emerged, looking even scruffier than Simba remembered. "I'm here king" Shenzi said, putting vemon into the 'king'.
"These attacks in the south will stop immediately" Simba said, "or I'll wipe you out."
"I'd oblige you here" Shenzi said, "if I were still matriarch."
"You're no longer matriarch" Simba asked, very slightly pleased.
"I lost respect over Scar's betrayal" Shenzi explained, "just recently I lost position as well."
"Not such a bad thing" Vitani murmured, watching the hyena carefully.
"Or maybe it is" Shenzi replied, "the new matriarch wants the territory Scar allowed us, even though she hates the memory of Scar."
"Why are you telling us this" Nala hissed, remembering her own ordeal with these hyenas.
"Isn't it obvious" Shenzi said bitterly, "I want my position back."
"Why should we grant you anything" Vitani asked nastily, getting a sharp glare from Simba.
"Because I never broke the treaty" Shenzi answered, smiling momentarily at the memory of their chasing Simba and Nala across the graveyard.
"Almost never" Simba said, a hard edge in her voice.
"Never without coercion" Shenzi replied as she and Banzai cowered at the memory of their part in Mufasa's death and Simba's exile.
Ed suddenly laughed maniacally, not that that was unusual. Shenzi smiled bitterly and said "I hope you are successful, I want to see the look on that young fool's face when she realises just what it means to challenge a king."
Simba turned to leave, Nala and Vitani turned as well, but Vitani kept looking back, not sure of Shenzi's intentions. Once away from the graveyard, Simba hung his head a little and said, "I only wish she were lying."
"She might be yet" Nala growled.
Without a further word, the trio moved off in the direction of the southern border.