Midday, After Makoto's Rescue
Of all the things that had gone wrong today, Ahadi was simply thankful that it wasn't Uru who had to deal with it. The ungulate herds, from the gazelles to the wildebeest, were perhaps more of a nuisance this dry season than the hippos and crocodiles had been. Even the elephants were starting to try the King's patience with their self-serving demands, and that was something Ahadi had thought would be beneath the Pride's keystone allies.
He meditated for a moment before making his way back, but when he opened his eyes they met the hazel eyes of Sultani. And the look in his eye said that there was something serious on this lion's mind. "Ahadi, sire." He said formally, though the Bravest was quite clearly battling how he was going to say this. Ahadi knew from the looks on the others' faces and the way Sultani seemed to be mulling over his words that they had decided it should be him who informed him of this.
"What… What is it?" Ahadi didn't want to waste any time; he'd been getting bad news all day today anyway, so what was one more lackluster report? Sultani cleared his throat, scratching his rust-colored mane in what could only be a sign of consideration from him. "The cubs of this Pride, especially the ones born within the week of your own sons, are going to be five months old in less than three weeks." He professionally said, and Ahadi knew exactly what that meant. Soon, Taka would receive that same lionhead mark that all future kings received. The same mark that his mother and her subordinate Guardians currently wore.
And that would also mean that the four Guardians in front of him would soon have to retire. "I… I know. And I also know whom the Spirits chose as Uru's successor. But…" Ahadi's hesitation was almost visible through his eyes, at which point Sultani spoke up again. "Yes, that's right. That will mean that our time here will be up. At least, mine and Joto's will be." At that, Ahadi's emerald eyes became hard with contemplation. "I know." He said simply. However, there was something that Ahadi had on his mind.
"But what about Nagumu and Kweli?" He asked, the uncertainty of what will become of them once their service in the Guard is no longer a requirement. To that, the two lions stepped forward, the Keenest of Sight acting first. "We will help train Taka and his chosen Guardians, whoever he may choose for this great task. You won't have to worry about a thing, Ahadi." However, the Lion King worried greatly about this, because there was a serious elephant in the savannah that no one, not even the Bravest in the Pridelands, wanted to address.
So much so that it took the Strongest to address that. "At least in this way we will be able to keep an eye on Uru and ensure that nothing, say, makes Taka reconsider the destiny laid out before him." Ahadi growled at that statement, and the massive boulder of muscle looked perturbed despite being taller and bulkier than him (or indeed most other lions alive, really). Ahadi knew what he said had been true, but Uru was still Ahadi's mate and the Queen who had given him a chance to escape the horrors and dangers of being a mere rogue.
The other Guardians, however, simply sided with Nagumu and gave him moral support. Ahadi couldn't help but be reminded of the years that these four would vex and defeat him and his father when they'd attack the Pridelands. Though it was under much different circumstances and pretexts, once again Uru's subordinates were firmly opposing his intentions. First the elephants, and now my own pridemembers? He thought as he knew he'd have to relent for the third time today.
"Look, I'm fully aware of the design that the Spirits have ordained for my sons. I know that it is Taka's right to rule one day, and until then he will protect his inheritance with their power. However, I don't think you four quite understand what you are asking me to do." The fact that Ahadi didn't even have to have it spelled out for him told all present that he, too, was concerned about Uru's behavior, especially as it concerned the adopted prince.
Ahadi took a breath, and surveyed each Guardian in turn to ensure they were all understanding and appreciating what he was saying. "Uru chose me as her mate because of our love. Not even me being an 'honorable' son to a dishonorable father or the fact that I was the last born to the family of her father's enemy was enough to derail it. The Spirits perhaps had no choice in whether I became King or not, and that is what worries me the most." As it sunk in just where he was going with this, the mood of the four subordinate Guardians dampened. Ahadi then continued to speak, solidifying the gravity of this situation.
"Even if she is going against her predecessors, she's the one with the birthright. And therefore, she can pass the mandate down to whomever she chooses. She chose her King, same as Mohatu chose his Queen and Shupaza would have if he…" Ahadi stopped short at the mention of the intercessor of Mohatu and then Uru. Uru wasn't the only one who blamed herself for his death. Had he been thinking before he acted that day... Ahadi shook his head, not wanting the thoughts of that day to continue.
"At the end of the day, the crown is on Uru's head. I can only do so much, and as it is I'm already taking quite a few liberties by simply not including Mufasa in my lessons to my other two sons concerning the kingdom. Hopefully, Uru comes to her senses and realizes that filling that cub's head with false pretensions will only lead to disaster." He said, and it was clear that this had weighed heavily on his mind underneath all of his duties responsibilities he had to consider as well.
The defeat in his voice was evident however, and this marked yet another first for the Guardians. Not one of them ever thought that the lion that had given them no end of trouble as an enemy could ever be seen as vulnerable as he was here, but then they figured a lion's mate is perhaps the only being that could weaken any king of beasts. However, that didn't mean Joto wouldn't express how he felt.
"So, Ahadi the Indomitable is just going to fold just because some dead throw-rugs happen to be backing his enemies?" Ahadi inwardly cringed, not just because he was being mocked and seen as weak by what were, in technical terms, his subjects. Much more than that, it was because he himself would always spout those very words in his youth. Partly as a way for him to not lose his courage, but mostly as a way to inspire his Pride to continue the attack even when Ulaghai and Viccha would not.
Ahadi turned and began to walk away. He refused to think anymore about anything else today.
The Base of Pride Rock, Late Afternoon
"Ungh!" That was the sound Mufasa let out as he found himself pinned down yet again. "You're still resorting to brute force. Weren't you listening to Dad's lesson?" Taka asked, the smallest of the three brothers standing on Mufasa's chest and using leverage to once again render the bigger cub's strength useless. "It's not fair!" Mufasa cried out as Taka let him up and allowed him to brush the dust out of his fur. At that, one of the other cubs spoke up.
"That's what you think. But I'm perfectly capable of wrestling ANYONE here to the dirt with just one paw." A mocha brown cub with bright green eyes bragged aloud. In any other situation, this probably would have been dismissed as arrogant bluster from an overconfident cub. However, he was quite a bit larger than his playmates; he was a size heavier than even Mufasa and Kumari, and roughly two inches taller. Which was odd, given that his father Kweli was the shortest, thinnest member of the Lion Guard and his cub had inherited everything else from him.
"There Mikali goes again. 'Look at me! I'm the biggest and baddest lion around'." One of the lioness cubs mocked, earning a laugh from her clique-mates with it. "Hey, it's not bragging if its true, Sarabi." Mikali retorted, sticking his tongue out in such a way that made everyone remember that he was technically the youngest of the group by about one week, despite his size. He then stood up, puffing out his chest. "Anyone want to prove me wrong?" He said, though it was quite noticeable that he approached Makoto as he said his next words. "How about you? Or are you gonna run away to the safety of a tree again like you did with the hyenas?" Mikali's taunt definitely hit home, and though Mufasa couldn't help but snicker, Taka went to his friend's defense.
"Why don't you pick on someone your own size, Mikali?" He said, and perhaps that was rich considering Taka could be considered the smallest cub present. He and Makoto were of comparable height, with Taka being thinner than even some of the female cubs. "Like you? Don't make me laugh!" Mikali retorted, to which, after an unspoken consideration with Mufasa, Kumari stepped up. "Or how about me?" Kumari challenged, and maybe Mikali was going to accept, or maybe he was going to simply throw another pithy one-liner at the snow-colored prince. Whatever was going to happen, they'd never find out.
For at that moment, a reddish-brown paw gripped Mikali's shoulder firmly. "I'd volunteer to fight you anytime, Mikali." As soon as Mikali's green eyes met his opponent's mud-colored orbs, he found his arms locked in a grapple. This cub was the same size and strength as Mufasa and Kumari, but he applied his hold with the same level of skill that Taka possessed. Making for a very difficult clinch despite Mikali possessing the strength advantage.
"Get' em, Jo-Jo!" The girls called out, the reddish cub not even caring that someone other than his mother called him by that nickname. Perhaps he didn't even hear what they said, for he was too busy laughing at Mikali's surprise and panic that his bigger muscles and greater strength wasn't guaranteeing his victory. His mirthful demeanor didn't even waver as Mikali finally managed to pin him down. Nor did he even so much as taunt his opponent as he pushed Mikali off of him in a way that made even Taka jealous of his skill.
Ojore's been practicing, obviously. Taka thought, before Mufasa voiced what the others were thinking. "Look's like you've got competition. Maybe you two could spar next?" He encouraged, though Taka looked uncertain. "I don't know, about that Mufasa. Ojore and I could be here for the next three days if we do." Taka could have said that with all seriousness, and he'd have exaggerated only a little bit given how much stamina Ojore had. Mikali was getting tired, and soon he and Ojore would be equals in strength at the rate the bigger cub was expending energy.
Finally, after about two minutes of angular dodges and diversions, Ojore managed to pin down the boastful cub, and this time Mikali did not simply toss him off again. In fact, he was practically wheezing and gasping for breath; his exhaustion was real and rendered his body to heavy to move anymore. "Okay, okay. You win." He said breathlessly, tapping out to the victor. As Ojore let Mikali up, he beamed with pride.
"See that? Ahadi and Uru aren't the only ones who know their way around a ring." Ojore said, perhaps with a taunting edge to his voice. Taka and Kumari scoffed at first, but they couldn't help but join Mufasa in laughing off what everyone present knew to be Ojore's attempt at gloating.
The cubs continued their games until sunset, when the huntresses and the Lion Guard returned for dinnertime.