Well, the day after we chased out Janja's crew, I had gotten word from Tiifu and Zuri regarding Kiara, noticing that she seemed less disdaining towards me. I, of course, shrugged it off as an exaggeration and continued on my merry way with the two lionesses at my side.
''Come on, Shujaa, she's like, REALLY into you.'' Tiifu said as we were heading towards big springs, where Sarabi asked I meet her, ''You saving her must have had a larger impact than you thought because she seemed more positive and in a trance when we were discussing your actions.''
''You tease, Tiifu.'' I said, brushing off the statement, ''Considering what you two have been doing to try to get us to fully get along, I expect you to occasionally tease me regarding it.''
As we approached Big Springs, I saw Sarabi and instantly walked over to her.
''Hello there.'' She said as she smiled at the sight of the hippo habitat. It was a sight to behold, I will admit. While it wasn't the best or largest of places, it was rather pretty, ''When I asked you to meet me here, you suggested something, no?''
''Y-Yes, Sarabi.'' I sighed before sitting next to her, ''I suggested you take me around the Pridelands and tell me tales about your life and involvement in events from past and present.''
''Young one, that is quite an interesting suggestion.'' She said, then got up and walked off, ''Come.''
I did so as we walked away from Big Springs.
''I was born a couple of years before Simba was born, around the time Ahadi was ruling the Pridelands. Mohatu, at that time, was elderly, but loving towards his daughter, Uru, and two grandsons, Mufasa and Taka.'' She explained, ''I had a sister and three nephews, the nephews of which Simba played with whenever he wasn't begging us to teach him the ways of a royal or being with Nala.''
I shook my head in amusement as Sarabi looked at me.
"Hard to believe, but I see some of Simba in you." You what now? I had a confused expression as Sarabi continued, "You're always up for adventure, always being with your friends doing things that may seem impossible in the eyes of a normal pridelander."
I chuckled at that.
"Sarabi, I'll never be the lion Simba is." said.I said, ''I'll never be royalty, never be of a higher status...i'm a low class...and I like that.''
Sarabi stopped and ruffled by head.
''You know..I visited Rafiki yesterday.'' She began, ''And he told me of a prophecy that he discovered by Mufasa telling him.''
''So Rafiki can suddenly talk to dead kings?'' I asked and Sarabi nodded, ''Anyway, continue.''
''Out of conflict, two hearts of distrust come together. Out of darkness, these hearts unite.'' She revealed, ''That's the prophecy...what it's implying specifically, I am unsure of.''
''It doesn't make sense…'' I started, rubbing my chin, ''Who would be the 'two hearts of distrust'?''
''I'd rather not dwell on it too much, young cub.'' The old lioness advised, ''For now, we focus on other matters. What about you?''
'''About me?''' I asked and Sarabi nodded, 'L-Like family and stuff?''
Another nod. I gulped before I sighed.
''I am from a far away land in Africa known simply as 'Indiana'.'' I lied, keeping my status as a human secret and not telling her that Indiana is a US State rather than a place in Africa, ''I am one of several lions there, but the land is predominately a race known as humans.''
''I see…'' A raised eyebrow from Sarabi, ''Why are these 'humans' dominating over your lands?''
''Poaching.'' I said..another raised eyebrow, ''It's when humans use their weapons to kill animals for their own or other lands' needs.''
Sarabi's eyes widened to unimaginable states and mouth agape.
''That's horrific.'' Sarabi growled, ''Why do they do it?''
"The world is a harsh place, queen mother." I pointed out, "And judging from Kion and Simba's constant speeches about Scar, I trust you lived through that."
Man, I'm good at hiding any hints of me being from another world…
"Sadly, yes...though conditions were so pathetic, most of the pride died out." She explained, "Food and water were nowhere to be seen because of weather, overhunting and fear."
"I can agree...humanity in itself has also ran itself into chaos from what I learned." I agreed, "But you see, that's the problem with kingdo-"
''HELP!'' We both heard a familiar voice scream and my eyes widen.
''ZURI!'' I said, bolting off with Sarabi following me towards the location of the scream.
We managed to reach the location of Zuri, stopping next to The Lion Guard.
"Any ideas on how to get her to safety, guys?" Kion asked and Beshte spoke up.
"We could head to the waterfall and clear the blockage so we could be able to take out the crocodiles and save Zuri." Beshte proposed and I shook my head.
"As much as that plan works, it would also theoretically cause a flood, taking us with it." I pointed out, then rolled my eyes, "Plus, you know how Zuri is with her fur. I'd rather be safe from Zuri's wrath than suffer it."
"ARE YOU IDIOTS GOING TO HELP OR NOT!?" We heard Zuri yell, causing Fuli to speak up.
"We can use the tree branches to make sure Zuri gets out safely." Fuli said and I nodded.
"Then it's settled." Kion agreed, "The Guard and I will work to save Zuri..but then that leaves you, Shujaa."
"Kion, I have magical powers of distracting." I joked, "I'll do that job."
"Are you sure?" He asked and I gave an assuring smile, "Okay then…"
The Guard ran off to save Zuri as I shouted at the crocs.
"Hey!" I shouted, getting their attention, "Yes, you! You sad excuse of African animals!"
The leader of the crocs, who I identified as Kiburi, who had previously been stopped by Kion, approached me.
"Who are you to call us sad?" He chuckled, "You barely made it out of a Zebra stampede alive from what I've heard."
Well, that hurt my pride a little bit.
"Your actions are causing others to be in the line of danger." I began, "What do you hope to achieve in doing this?"
"A meal." He said, inciting my deep growl, causing him to look at me in slight intimidation, "Uh…"
"Lay one of your claws or scales on her and I will be far more of a problem than The Guard or the royal family." I said darkly. Of course, I was bluffing, throwing in my darker personality to play into the distraction.
Thankfully, I looked and noticed The Guard managed to save Zuri, causing me to bolt to them as Kion used the roar, sending the crocs being carried by the water away.
I stopped at them and embraced Zuri as The Guard rolled their eyes in amusement.
"Aw, you really DO care!" She said jokingly before looking at Kion, who was talking to Bunga...and then the most unexpected thing. She nuzzled the prince and purred, "Thanks, Kion. I have a feeling you'll be a big and strong lion someday."
"I think I preferred when I wasn't being noticed." Kion gagged as his friends laughed and I just sat there with a playful frown. Ungrateful lion.
Oof...took ages, but I finally got around to blending in my own ideas with a thing I've been wanting to adapt for ages.
Next: When Shujaa travels with The Lion Guard to the Outlands to save a hyena trio, the human-turned-lion looks to find one lion...or rather the evil spirit of one.