The Lion King: The Secret Prince
Chapter 4
Ayari could already see the bright light creeping through is eyes as he woke. The moment his eyes began to focus he could see a dark figure standing over him. He yawned and the figure moved slightly. He couldn't make out who or what it was until his eyes finally focused. There, dangling in front of him was Rafiki. Ayari yelled out, leaning back and hitting his head on the tree trunk behind him.
"Hmm very peculiar." Rafiki said, in deep thought, not really caring that he'd scared the young lion. Ayari rubbed the top of his head with his paw and frowned at the mandrill. Rafiki soon proceeded to study the lion.
"Hey what are you doing?" Ayari questioned trying to dodge Rafiki's hands.
"Very peculiar indeed." Rafiki said, finally leaving him alone.
"What's peculiar?" Ayari wondered, but Rafiki didn't answer him. All he did was stare at him, trying to figure why this lion bore such a resemblance to Simba.
"What is your name?" Rafiki asked, still wracking is brain for an answer. He'd received no answers from the great kings last night so for now, he was going to have to figure out this one by himself.
"It's Ayari and I take it your the crazy old monkey Timon was talking about." he said.
"Where have you come from?" Rafiki asked again, not really paying attention to what he'd just said. Ayari looked at the mandrill strangely, wondering why he was getting these questions all of a sudden.
"A jungle, two days journey from the western border of the Pride Lands." he told him.
Rafiki jumped down onto the ground and finally stood upright. He went right up to Ayari's face, looking him straight in the eyes.
"Why are you here?" he demanded to know and Ayari could see why he was called crazy.
"I'm here to find out what happened to me before I was found in the Zuberi river." he explained. "I have no memory of my life before I then." he revealed and Rafiki's frown deepened. Now he was very suspicious. He hoped he would receive some sort of message tonight because this is the first lion he's met that has truly puzzled him.
"Oh well Rafiki thinks you must've been hit on the head." he said, his deep expression changing to a more relaxed, humorous one.
"Yeah that's what-"
"Rafiki will try hitting you again, maybe that will work." Rafiki said, cutting him off. He picked up his customary stick and before Ayari could stop him he hit the young lion on the head with it.
"Ow!" he cried out again. He'd already had enough damage done to his head in his life, he didn't want to make it worse.
"Remember anything yet?" Rafiki asked.
"No!" Ayari yelled, rubbing the top of his head again. Timon wasn't kidding when he called this mandrill crazy.
"Oh well Rafiki tried." he concluded, climbing back up his Baobab tree and disappearing from view. Ayari stared at the place where Rafiki had recently been, unable to understand what had just happened.
When Kiara woke that morning she was less than surprised to see Vitani asleep outside. She'd resigned herself to keeping watch all night but it had been obvious she would fall asleep sooner or later. Confident that no one had followed them the two lionesses had found a small cave to take shelter in for the night. Before eventually falling asleep Kiara had been stricken with worry, unable to think about anything else. She was still worried, thinking about all the things that could've happened back at Pride Rock. She stood up and walked over to Vitani. She nudged her with her paw but Vitani didn't stir.
She nudged her again and this time shouted "Vitani!" Vitani woke, looking as alert as ever.
"No need to shout Kiara." Vitani complained getting to her feet.
Vitani herself hadn't had the best of sleeps. She'd been up half the night , trying to figure out how her mother had survived her fall. She'd seen the water crash through the gorge and anyone who'd been in the midst of it would've surely died, so how is Zira still alive? But she knew one thing for sure. If Zira was involved in the attack at Pride Rock, it could only mean one thing.
"Come on we can't stay here." she said.
"Where exactly can we go, we can't just keep running. They'll find us and then what are we going to do?" Kiara questioned, still a little agitated over having to leave her pride last night.
"I don't know ok just give me time to figure things out." Vitani snapped, walking off.
"Where are you going?" Kiara asked, following after her.
"The Zuberi River, I'm thirsty." she said, without looking at her.
"Why don't we just go to the waterhole?" Kiara wondered.
"Because that's where they'll be expecting us to go." she answered and Kiara didn't say anything more. She knew learning that Zira had survived had deeply affected her so her mood was understandable. Kiara herself was still wondering how Zira had survived. Seeing her fall into the crushing water below, after refusing her help hadn't exactly done wonders for her mind either. Now, for them to learn that she had survived brought up a load of new questions that neither of them could answer.
They were both left to their thoughts, not uttering a word until they begun to near the Zuberi river. Kiara had been thinking about her parents and what they'd revealed to her yesterday morning. After reacting the way she did she wanted a chance to talk things over with them again and ask them more about her brother. But now she was beginning to wonder if that would even be possible. She sighed heavily, attracting Vitani's attention and prompting her to speak.
"What's the matter with you?" she asked, knowing that was probably a stupid question, considering what they'd both been through.
"I never got the chance to talk to my parents about-" she trailed off, trying to hold back the tears. "They told me something yesterday and I didn't get the chance to talk to them about it." she said.
"What did they tell you?" and Kiara didn't hesitate to tell her. Vitani was the only one she could talk to right now.
"They told me that I'd had a brother." she said. Vitani stopped and her eyes widened.
"They what?" she asked.
"They told me about my brother, Kopa and what Zira did to him." she revealed and Vitani's heart sank. They'd told her about Kopa? why, why after so long did they finally decide to tell her.
Kiara looked towards Vitani, wondering why she looked so shocked to hear that. She'd never expected to see this kind of behaviour from her.
"Vitani are you ok?" she asked, gaining her attention.
"I'm fine Kiara." she said, moving off once again. Kiara frowned, she knew she wasn't fine. That look didn't say fine, it said something was wrong so Kiara asked again.
"Kiara it's nothing now come on, the Zuberi river-"
"Don't try and change the subject." Kiara snapped and her persistence reminded Vitani of Kopa, yet again. She stopped and sighed. Should she tell her the truth? Simba and Nala had so why shouldn't she? The only ones that knew about her friendship with the prince were Zira and Kovu. At Pride Rock only Kovu had known so it was like her little secret. She glanced back at Kiara and Kopa's face instantly came to mind. She knew how alike they were so she knew she wouldn't stop until she got an answer.
"I knew your brother. He was my best friend." she revealed.
Kiara hadn't expected that. She slowly walked over to Vitani and asked "Did my parents-?"
"No, no one knew back then, not even my mother." she said. "But it had been my fault. I'd led her straight to him without even realising it."
Kiara could tell Vitani blamed herself, ironic considering her father did too. The way she saw it, it wasn't anyone's fault. Zira couldn't have been stopped even if they knew what was going to happen. They stood there in silence and seeing as she didn't get the chance to ask her parents this, she decided to ask Vitani instead.
"What was he like?" she asked and Vitani looked up at her. "I only found out about him yesterday so I want to know what he was like. You were his best friend so who better to tell me." she said.
Vitani, a bit surprised by this complied. "This might surprise but you have no idea how much you remind me of him Kiara. He was as stubborn as ever but he always tried keep everyone happy." she said, a smile forming the moment she spoke.
"Well he obviously kept you happy. I don't think I've seen you smile like that in a while." Kiara laughed. Vitani wiped the smile away immediately the moment she heard rustling in the grass behind them. Kiara heard it too and her smile soon disappeared.
Vitani placed herself protectively in front of Kiara and tried to spot what it was. No doubt the lion that had attacked Pride Rock had sent others to track them down, regardless of what had happened there. He seemed intent on getting Kiara so he would give up that easily. Suddenly she recognised spotted a figure, it was a male lion. Vitani moved towards him, keeping hidden.
"Vitani, wait." Kiara whispered.
"Stay there." she ordered, then without a second thought she leapt out of the grass, pouncing onto the lion. She pinned him to the floor and growled.
Back at Pride Rock, Jitu sat atop the throne gazing into the distance. I could get used to this, he thought. As soon as those lions return with the princess he can concentrate on taking care of Simba's son. He knew gaining control of Pride Rock wasn't going to be easy, but the moment Simba knew Kiara was gone he surrendered. What's his plan? he wondered until he was interrupted by Zira approaching.
"Jitu," she said, sitting beside him. "It could take those lions of yours days to find them. I trained Vitani well, she'll know where to hide."
"They can't hide forever Zira." Jitu replied.
"Maybe but until they're found we should start thinking about his son." she said.
"There's no need until princess Kiara is within our bounds." he said. Zira groaned.
"But there's no point in killing her when he's still alive. As long as he lives Simba still has an heir." she noted.
"An heir he doesn't know of." he reminded her and Zira was getting irritated by him already.
"Yes but need I remind you-"
"Zira I know exactly what I'm doing. Once they return with his daughter we will deal with his son. Until then we stick to the plan." he said, knowing how annoyed she was about all this. After finding out he was still alive all she's thought about is getting a second chance to kill him. This is why her original plan didn't work, she doesn't think things through properly. "Don't even think about going off to find him by yourself Zira. I pulled you out of that river, I can easily put you back in." he threatened.
Zira growled and walked away, wishing he'd never even pulled her out in the first place.
"Dad, dad wake up, you promised you'd take me to look at the sunrise this morning!" Kopa complained, shouting in his ear.
"You did promise him Simba." Nala reminded him. Simba rolled over and saw his son frowning, not looking very happy.
"Alright I know. I'm getting up." he told Kopa, yawning loudly. Kopa grinned and ran out of the den. Simba stood up and said "If he wakes up early tomorrow it's your turn to deal with him." and Nala grinned.
He soon followed his son who was waiting, excitedly for him. He stared down at him for a second remembering that his birth had brought back so much hope and joy into the Pride Lands. After Scars terrible reign the birth of a new prince excited many, Rafiki had even said he was destined to be a great king someday.
"Come on dad." he said, running off.
"Alright, alright I'm coming." he laughed following after him. He kept running until Simba finally caught up with him at the top of Pride Rock. He could already see the amazed look on his face. He'd never seen the Pride Lands from here before...
"Simba, Simba wake up!" and suddenly Simba found himself drawn out of that memory and back into the real world. Nala had woken him and she looked extremely worried.
"Kopa," he said.
"What?"
"He was here, we went-"
"Simba it was just a dream." she reminded him and Simba knew that but it had been the first dream he'd had about his son in a long time.
"I know but it was so real, he was so real." he said, wishing he could enter that dream again.
"Simba, it's your mother." Nala said, changing the subject. The second she said that, he pushed the dream to the back of his mind.
"What, what's wrong?" he asked, getting up. It was so crowded in here, there was hardly any space to move about. Some of the lionesses managed to move to the side, allowing Simba easy access to a weakened Sarabi. He went over to her immediately with Nala close behind.
She was sprawled out on the ground and her breathing was faint. It was obvious what had done this to her. Sarabi was old, older than many of the lionesses in this price and without food she couldn't survive as long as the others.
"She's starving, we all are." Nala said and the rest of the lionesses couldn't hide their hunger. "We can't survive without food, especially your mother." Simba frowned and went over to the entrance. One of the lions on guard noticed him immediately and called for Jitu. He soon approached, looking as arrogant as ever.
"Ready to talk Simba-"
"We need food." he said, cutting him off.
"Food, now what makes you think I'd be inclined to give you that?" Jitu scoffed.
"Just enough to feed my pride." he said, completely ignoring Jitu's comment. Jitu frowned at him.
"Oh and what about you?" he asked.
"My pride is my first priority." he replied.
"Spoken like a true king." Jitu laughed, he turned to a lioness behind him and ordered her to stop eating part of the wildebeest leg she had. She brought it over placing it onto the ground beside Jitu. He slowly moved it over to Simba.
"That's not enough." he said.
"It's this or nothing. Without it your poor mother will surely die." he taunted. Simba frowned and took the wildebeest leg from Jitu. "Don't worry Simba, I'm not inclined to let you starve. You're no use to me dead." he laughed. Simba said nothing as he brought the leg over to his mother.
He wasn't going to stand for this, whatever Jitu had planned he was going to make sure it didn't work. He just hoped Kiara and Vitani kept out of his reach as well.
Ayari stared up at the angry looking lioness on top of him. He had no idea why she'd pounced on him like that. She just came out of nowhere and before he had time to retaliate she already had him pinned to the ground. He stared into her deep, blue eyes and saw the intent to kill.
"Who are you?" she asked. "Tell me who sent you."
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Ayari replied, angrily.
"Vitani!" and he looked to his right to see another lioness walking over to them. Her fur was much dark than the lioness on top of him. It was slightly golden while the other one's was pale. "Vitani let him go." she ordered.
"Kiara he could be one of them." she said.
"I told you I have no idea what you're talking about." Ayari said, trying to get her off of him but she was strong for a lioness, stronger than any he'd ever met.
"Vitani I don't think he's going to hurt us." she said. Vitani looked at Kiara than back at Ayari. She calmed down, and got off of him, letting him get to his feet.
"Thanks." he said to Kiara. She was about to reply when she noticed the lions resemblance to her father. It stunned her for a moment and if Vitani hadn't have caught him she would have assumed he was her father. But as she studied him she realised that at a second glance there were some noticeable differences. His mane was darker and less neater than her fathers. His eyes were also blue but still, anyone who knew her father could mistake him for Simba. She wondered if Vitani could see it, but she was too busy frowning at him.
"What are you doing here?" Vitani asked. Ayari refused to answer. He hadn't even met her before and she was treating him like he was her enemy.
"Vitani!" Kiara scolded.
"What, I don't trust him." she said.
"I think if he was sent to kill me he'd have done it by now." she said and with that she stepped in front of Vitani and closer towards Ayari.
"Sorry about that. Our pride was recently attacked so we're both a little on edge. My names Kiara I'm the daughter of Simba." she introduced. "This is Vitani." she said, gesturing behind her. Ayari glanced over at her and she was still glaring at him. Whatever her problem was she didn't trust him and frankly he didn't either.
"Simba, he's the king of the Pride Lands right?" and Kiara nodded for confirmation.
"If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing around here?" Kiara asked.
"I'm here for something important." he told her. "I come from a jungle near the western border. Oh and my names Ayari by the way."
"Well Ayari, would you like some company?" she wondered.
"What?" Vitani yelled. "We're not staying with him." she said.
"Why not, we could use his help." she suggested, before turning back to Ayari.
"Help for what?" Ayari questioned.
"Kiara don't tell him-" Vitani said but as usual Kiara ignored her completely.
"We had to flee my pride after it was attacked. For some reason they were after me so my father ordered us to leave." she explained.
Vitani groaned. "Might as well tell him your life story now Kiara." she said, irritated.
"Vitani stop, he can help us."
"What makes you think he'll want to-"
"I want to." Ayari said, interrupting her. Both lionesses stared at him strangely, wondering if they'd heard him right.
"You do?" said Vitani is disbelief. "I thought you were here for something important."
"I am, but it can wait." he said, adamant to help them. Despite wanting to discover more about his own past, he couldn't just leave them after what they'd been through. Even though Vitani wasn't exactly civil towards him Kiara was and what kind of lion would that make him if he refused to help them in her time of need? But it wasn't just that, for some reason he felt compelled to help her.
"You really want to help us?" Kiara asked, amazed that this lion she'd just met had easily accepted.
"Yes." he said, even though none of them knew exactly how they were going to help the ones stuck at Pride Rock. But three's better than two and it'll help having a male on their side.
"Thank you. Don't worry we'll repay you by helping you with whatever you came here for." Kiara promised.
"We will?" questioned Vitani, stunned at her sudden promise.
"It's fine but if I'm going to help you you'll have to tell me more about what happened." Ayari said and before Vitani could protest Kiara begun to explain everything to him.
Later that night, Rafiki sat peacefully in his tree. He was crushing the fruit he used for his paintings when all of a sudden he noticed a bird flying towards his tree. He moved over to the edge and as the bird got closer he recognised it as Simba's majordomo, Zazu. Zazu landed frantically inside Rafiki's tree, startling the old mandrill.
"Oh Rafiki I'm so glad you're here." he said.
"Zazu what is the matter?" Rafiki asked.
"I'd been out on one of my long patrols and when I returned I discovered Pride Rock had been taken over by some unfamiliar lions. There were too many for me to count." he explained.
"What about the Pride?"
"They're alive but being held captive. As soon as I discovered this I came straight to you Rafiki." he said.
Rafiki was stunned to hear this. He turned away, wondering why the great kings had not warned him of such darkness. He started mumbling to himself, wondering what could be done about this. Suddenly the wind picked up and the spirit of Mufasa spoke to Rafiki about the current situation. Zazu just stood there, watching while Rafiki conversed with the wind.
"That's no excuse Mufasa. Why was Rafiki not warned of such danger?" he questioned, angrily. "What is Rafiki supposed to do to help them now?" Mufasa's spirit turned away from Rafiki and rustled some leaves on the other side of the tree. Rafiki approached them, knowing full well what was under there. Those leaves were covering a long forgotten painting he'd done a long time ago. Mufasa kept rustling the leaves until Rafiki pulled them away.
Underneath was a small, smudged painting of a lion cub. That lion cub was Kopa. After he'd died Rafiki had smudged it away, seeing as the painting held no significance.
"He was destined to be a great king one day." he lamented, staring solemnly at the picture. Mufasa soon spoke to Rafiki again and the mandrill's eyes widened.
"What?" he asked again. "Mufasa how is that possible, he is the only one who can help?" and Mufasa confirmed it. "But he's dead Mufasa he has been for a long time now." he said and when Mufasa spoke to him Rafiki's eyes widened even more. "He's not dead, he survived his fall into the Zuberi river." he repeated, glancing at the picture again. "But if he's been alive all this time why has he never returned and how is Rafiki supposed to find him?" he questioned. Mufasa gave him one last clue before leaving, that clue being, he already has found him.
The moment Mufasa disappeared, Rafiki took in this new information. How could Rafiki have found him already? he hasn't left this tree in over three days and not a single...suddenly Rafiki thought of the lion he'd met this morning.
"No, it can't be." he whispered to himself. But it made sense, why would Mufasa tell him he's already found him if that lion wasn't him. Also it answers the question as to why he's never returned. That lion had lost his memory and if that lion was Kopa it would also explain why he resembled Simba. A wide grin soon appeared of Rafiki's face and he let out joyous, maniacal laughter.
He went over and grabbed the pot of fruit he'd been crushing and brought it over to where Kopa's old picture was, still laughing.
"Rafiki, what's going on?" Zazu asked, but he was too busy laughing to hear.
He dipped his fingers in, laughing as he went over Kopa's old picture. When he was done he added a mane around his head and uttered the words "He's alive."