Hei, sorry for the wait guys but i guess writing 2 stories takes more time.
Sorry anyways. So, here is chapter 7. Frankly speaking, chapter 8 is already finished and am now working on chapter 9, but I will post it in a few days time. Unless you guys are desperate, haha..
So, for now, please Read and Review.. And of course, ENJOY!!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except Slayn Wilder.
The rest belongs to Walt Disney.
CHAPTER 7: THE STAMPEDE
I woke up with bright light shining in my eyes. I blinked several times to fight off the light but it just would not go away and then only did I realise that the sun was shining brightly. I sat up and looked around the cave, rubbing my eyes. The cave was empty with the exception of Simba. Even Nala was not to be seen. I looked down at the sleeping prince and he looked so cute, curled up in a ball.
I looked out at the cave outside. It was indeed bright.
"Damn," I cursed softly. I was suppose to have my bath early, before dawn normally but today was not my lucky day. Raising myself up to stand on my feet, I stretched and Simba also woke up with a yawn. I picked up my backpack and walked out of the cave for my bath, Simba following me. It was a short journey to the stream and I took my bath for a few minutes, scratching my head so hard.
Once I was done, I changed into my yellow uniform. I then sat with Simba and the two of us watched the animals grazing around us. Simba, of course, got bored just sitting there and it was just three minutes. He practised his pouncing on nothing, just jumping on a target at random such a stone or a log that was nearby. He seems to be pretty good, not making any noise and he crouched low. I wonder who taught him that.
After pouncing on absolutely nothing for another few more minutes, I decided that we should head back to Pride Rock. We talked on the way, mostly on what he would do when he was king. However, he still does not have the idea that being a king is actually an important job. He keeps saying that he can do whatever he wants because he's the king. I just laughed when he said all the things he wanted to do. I will need to discuss this with Mufasa soon.
When we reached Pride Rock, imagine my surprise when I see Scar approaching us. He looked at me with so much hate in his eyes that I took out my blade. He saw my blade but did not seem to be hostile.
"Hei, uncle Scar!" Simba said happily, running to his uncle.
"How is my favourite nephew?" He asked, petting Simba on the head.
"I'm okay, I guess."
"Well, I'm going to give you the best day of your life today Simba. Your father has a marvellous surprise for you and has asked me to take you to the surprise!"
"Whoa, really?" Simba asked, jumping in excitement.
"Yes, really. Come along now." He replied, pushing him slightly so that Simba can stop his excitement and move.
"Alright! Come on Slayn." Simba yelled excitedly.
Scar turned back to his nephew, "No, Slayn cannot come!" He hissed.
"And why is that?" I said, stepping front and crossing my arms on my chest.
Scar seemed to hesitate, thinking of an answer. I knew that Scar is definitely up to something. It took him a few seconds.
"This is between a father and son."
"I am his guardian!" I replied to the brown lion, raising my voice. "I have the duty to protect him and what would the pride say if something bad were to happen to him?"
Scar in his anger roared at me, not as terrifying as Mufasa's but still, a lion's roar is a roar. He almost strike me but thought better of it.
"Fine, you can come human. Let's go."
Scar walked down of Pride Rock and Simba followed. I watched them from the top first and then at last I followed them, never letting go of my weapon. Scar is definitely up to something but I just don't know what. We were going quiet far from Pride Rock until we came to a gorge.
"Come on, the surprise is down there." Scar told us, climbing down carefully.
"Simba, I don't like this."
"Come on Slayn, you aren't scared are you?" Simba teased me, making his way down.
I sighed. Well, if Simba trusts his uncle why can't I? I looked down at the gorge. Nothing suspicious about it. I slowly followed the two lions until we reached a tree with a rock beneath it. Scar and Simba made their way to the tree and he looked at me with anger. He is really angry about me coming here but why? The question here is why!
Once we reached the tree, I sat on the hot scorching ground of the gorge while Simba sat on the rock. I rested my back on the rock and looked up from where we came from. It looks like a canyon from here.
"If you tell me, I will still act surprised." Simba said to his uncle. I laughed softly at Simba's attempts to find out what his father's surprise is.
"You are such a naughty boy!" Scar replied playfully.
"Come on, uncle Scar." Simba pouts, putting his front paws on Scar's chest. That little cub is persistent on finding out his surprise. I never had this feeling with parents. I was too young to even remember what we do as a family.
"No no, no, this is only for you and your daddy!" Scar replied, "You know… A father and son…. Thing. Well, I had better go get him." Scar then proceeded to go get Mufasa and I watched him leave.
"I'll come with you." Simba said happily, following his uncle. Scar immediately turned back to his nephew.
"NO!" He answered harshly, much to Simba's surprise. I took out my knife and Scar saw this. He seemed to know fear and that was good. He let out a small growl then put his attention back to Simba.
Scar chuckled softly, "No… You just, wait here on this rock. You wouldn't want to end up in another mess with the hyenas."
"You know about that?" I could see now that Simba was filled with shame.
"Simba, everybody knows about that." Scar answered, pretending to act remorseful. The act disgusted me.
"Really?"
"Oh yes. Lucky daddy and your 'guardian' was there to save you, eh?"
I could feel my blood boiling. He is insulting his own nephew and even though I was not related to Simba by blood, I know my love for him is greater than Scar.
"Oh, and just between us. You just might want to work on that little roar of yours." With that, Scar walked away to get Mufasa. I cursed softly. Scar does not deserve to have the title of an uncle. He was supposed to comfort the little cub, not belittle it.
"Hei uncle Scar," Simba said, standing up, "Will I like the surprise?"
Scar stopped in his tracks and looked at us mischievously, "Simba, it's to DIE for."
Scar soon disappeared from sight. Simba then rested his head on his paws. I just sat there, trying to block the heat from the sun. The shadow of the tree was just not enough. It was strange that Scar knew about Simba's weak attempt on his roar in the elephant graveyard. No one was there to witness it, so how did he know? Well, the lionesses must have told him but I don't remember informing anyone about it.
Then again, Simba must have told his uncle. We sat there for a few more minutes, waiting for Scar's return. I wondered what Mufasa has planned for his son. He did not mention anything about a surprise and why would he inform Scar about it. Well, Scar is his brother but Mufasa did say he was more distant from the pride and the only lioness he would talk to is Zira so why did Mufasa tell Scar about the surprise? Then again, perhaps Mufasa wants to gain back his little brother into the pride or maybe because Simba is his nephew.
The thoughts raced in my head and I pushed it all out. The thoughts almost gave me a headache but it soon faded away. I turned to Simba who looked depressed on what his uncle told him. Well, he is the heir to the throne and it was embarrassing that his roar was, not what even I would expect. But I have to consider that he is just a cub, he has a long way to go to improve it.
"Hei Slayn," Simba called me, catching my attenion, "Do you know what dad has for me as a surprise?"
I scratched my head, "You know Simba? I was thinking the same thing. I wonder what your dad would get you. He didn't tell me anything about this."
"Oh, I thought he would tell you."
I shook my head and we stopped our conversation. I then felt Simba standing up and I turned and saw him stalking a green chameleon. He then roared at it but the chameleon simply ignored him. This however, just encouraged Simba to try once more but produced the same results. His frustrations growing, he leapt and roared for the third time. The roar was impressive and it caused the chameleon to be swept away by it. Simba smiled happily.
I clapped my hands and he turned to me. He didn't know I was watching.
"Not bad Simba. Keep that up and you will beat your father one day."
"Yeah, one day." He replied softly and he looked at the ground. I followed his gaze and the sight confused me. Small little pebbles were shaking on the ground just below Simba's paws. I raised myself up and bent down next to Simba, observing the pebbles.
"Strange." I muttered. Simba did not hear me though. As the time grew, the pebbles were shaking more uncontrollably now and this was starting to scare me. This is not normal. Simba backed up a little, getting scared.
"Slayn, what's going on?" He asked in a shaky tone.
I was about to answer him when I looked behind him. My jaw nearly dropped and I was paralysed with fear. I have never felt so much fear before. Even when I encountered the hyenas were nothing like this. Coming down the gorge from a hill were a herd of wildebeests, heading towards us. I slapped my right cheek hard to get my senses back and Simba looked at what I was looking at.
His ears dropped and his eyes almost bulged out of his eye sockets. His tail dropped and his fur raised in fear. I swallowed hard and scrambled to my feet. I am starting to get to control my body.
"Simba, RUN!" I shouted.
Simba heard me and shook his head. The herds were getting nearer and we took off, running away from them. I broke a sweat not from running but from fear. Simba was right next to me and we did not care about anything in the world. We just kept running. I turned back and the wildebeests were gaining on us. My muscles were straining from all the running. We have ran for some distance but I was reaching my limits.
"Slayn! What do we do?" He shouted while we were running.
"Just keep running Simba!" I nearly tripped but I was able to stay on my feet.
That was when I spotted something that could save us. Or perhaps Simba at least. A dead tree in the middle of nowhere. When we reached it, Simba ran up to it and he did, clawing on the dead branch to stay put. The herds reached us and I did the best thing I could do. I faced the herds and watched carefully on where the next herd would come.
I was surprised that my adrenaline was letting me avoid the numbers that were trying to crash to me. Simba paid no attention and just yelled for help. I had no time to calm him down when a herd crashed onto my left shoulder. The pain was unbearable but I ignored the bruise, scrambling to my feet. I was losing my vision but I kept it up, rolling to my left when another wildebeest almost crashed onto me. That was when I spotted a blue hornbill.
"Zazu, help me!" I heard Simba yelling to the king's major-domo.
"Your father is on the way, hold on!" With that, the bird flew off. I heard Simba yelling to him to hurry and I ran towards the tree branch. My shoulder was already bleeding from the impact earlier on. The herds seemed to come forever. Don't they know they are harming their king's son. Of course they did not. They paid no attention.
I turned back towards the cliff when I heard a familiar voice calling Simba's name. It was Mufasa on a small cliff with his brother next to him. Mufasa, without a second thought jumped into the stampede to try and save his son. Knowing that Mufasa will not make it out alive, I grabbed Simba and held on. I ran to where I last saw Mufasa. With the herds all running towards us, it was hard to spot him. We finally saw him running towards us and he was surprised to see me. Without a second thought, I threw Simba to him and he grabbed Simba by the mouth.
With my back facing the herd of wildebeest, another crashed to me but luckily they did not stomp me. I was surprised I did not die yet. I raised up to my feet tried to find Mufasa. I spotted him putting Simba on a ledge but that was all he could do as the herd of wildebeest's dragged him along. Not good. I ran to Mufasa and avoided the wildebeests as best I can and I spotted him trying to get up. He shook his head, trying to clear his mind.
"Mufasa! We have to get out of here!"
He nodded automatically. He and I ran towards Simba's cliff but he suddenly turned and jumped on another cliff. I paid no attention as I also want to keep my life. I jumped to Simba, climbing up. It took me a few seconds with difficulty due to the wounds. I pulled myself up and was grateful that I was not dragged in again like Mufasa was earlier. Simba paid no attention, watching his father climb up the steep cliff. I was lying on my stomach and watched as Mufasa struggles to climb. Simba watched his father intently.
Soon, Mufasa disappeared from sight and Simba ran towards the direction of his father. I could not follow Simba. I was tired and injured. I sat down and watch on as the stampede continues on. I was fortunate that I was not killed. I actually can't believe I survived it by just simply avoiding them. The sun, I realized was now blocked by the clouds and that was indeed a rare occasion. I wonder where Simba went and if Mufasa was already safe.
That was when I heard a scream. I immediately stood upright and to the horror of my eyes, I did not want to believe what I was watching. The great king was falling to his death, screaming. He disappeared in the stampede and although I did not want to think of the outcome, I knew that not even a powerful king like Mufasa will make it out alive. I stood there, trembling. What happened? The stampede continued on, stomping the king to his death. This is not happening.
"Noooo!!!" I heard someone yell.
From where I was standing, I could see Simba, a little bit higher on a cliff now and he too, witnessed his father's fall. I wanted to comfort him, to tell him his father was going to be alright but I knew, he is most likely dead. A son should never witness the death of his father in such a cruel manner. I could not do anything but just watch the stampede continue on. After what seems like forever but just a half of a minute, the stampede stopped with just a few wildebeests trying to catch up.
Simba ran down from where I last saw and did not even acknowledged my presence when he passed me. I followed him, trying to find his father. The whole place was filled with dust from the stampede and it was a mess. There were some dead wildebeests that fell and most likely stomped to death. Simba called his father's name but there was no response. I just stood there, helpless, watching as Simba repeated called his dad.
His calls were always responded by echoes in the gorge. When he called his father for the fifth time, there were some sound coming from behind us. Me and Simba turned to the source of the sound but it was too dusty to see anything.
"Dad?" Simba called, his hopes beginning to come back.
However, it was not Mufasa that appeared. It was a wildebeest. It stomped past us as it tries to catch up with it's herd. I looked at the wildebeest running and when it passed a dead tree, I saw a shape. A shape that I did not want to see. I looked down at Simba and he too saw. His eyes were shocked and his ears dropped in sadness as he made his way to the shape that is his father.
I stood there, watching Simba approach his father. Simba approached his father and called him but he got no answer. I placed my face into my right hand, tears swimming down my cheeks. I cried for the loss of a friend, a friend that befriended me just a few days ago. Simba tried to smile, thinking that it was going to be okay. I wiped my tears and slowly made my way to Simba.
"Dad, come on." Simba tried once more to wake his father, pushing his head against Mufasa's face but Mufasa's head merely dropped back to the ground.
"Dad…" Simba's voice was starting to crack, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Dad, we have to go home." Simba said, placing his two paws on his father's face and shaking him but once again, no answer. I dropped to my knees in despair. This was like a repeat of watching my parents dying in the hospital. Only this time, it will be Simba that sees his father dead. I know exactly how he feels. Sadness, fear and lost. I just know that comforting Simba now will be futile. Even when the doctors tried to comfort me when my parents passed away, I screamed at them. Simba is not to be disturbed now.
Simba bit on his father's ear and pulled it. This was a scene that I recognised on one of the day I woke up and saw him pulling his father's ear in an attempt to wake him from his slumber. When Simba let go of his father's ear, Mufasa's head fell back to the way it was. Simba stared back and took a step back. His father is gone.
He looked around with fear. He looked at me and his tears were just waiting to pour down now. I turned away. I did not want to look at the hurt of an innocent cub, one that is so close that I considered him like a brother. I felt another tear trickle down my cheek. Just when I thought I was old enough to stop shedding tears. I guess we can never control our emotions, no matter how old we are. I watch on as Simba ran to absolutely nowhere and screamed for help.
His pleas of help were answered by his echo. There was nobody here that can help him, even me.
"Somebody!" He shouted once more and again was answered by his echo. "Anybody…" Simba said in a soft voice and finally, he let the tears pour down his cheeks. He sniffed and stared back at his father. The sky was dark and it was like as if the sky was also going to cry. Simba approached his father and slowly, laid down next to him, allowing his father's paw to be on his back, to comfort his son although he is dead. Simba stared once more at his father and he tried to sleep, resting his head on his front paws.
He was crying softly next to his father. This is a time to let his emotions take care of it. Let it all out. Simba is now without a father and he actually watched his father fall to his death. This is not going to be a pleasant memory, perhaps a memory that will even haunt him in his dreams.
I walked to Mufasa's dead body and touched his body. It was already starting to get cold and stiff. I am pretty sure that Simba is aware of it but chose to simply ignore the fact that his father is dead.
"I am so sorry Mufasa…" I said softly.
I dropped to all fours and slammed my fists into the ground, ignoring the pain which it caused. My hands were red from the impact and if I did it once more, I will start to bleed but I just needed to release my frustrations. Simba watched me as I released my anger. I was trembling. I did not know why I was but I just did. Perhaps it was the feeling of loss of a friend but why? Even when I lost my parents, I have never felt this broken before and Mufasa was not even my father. Simba then walked to me and snuggled next to me, tears still streaming down his cheeks. I looked down at the cub and he looked at me. His eyes were already bloodshot from all his crying. Words could not express my sorrow and especially Simba's.
That was when we heard a voice coming from behind.
"Simba… What have you done?" That voice sounded familiar and the two of us turned to see Scar, looking at his nephew.
Simba could not answer properly, he was stuttering, "The wildebeests and-and… dad tried to-to save me. It w-was an accident, I didn't mean for it to happen."
"Of course, of course you didn't." Scar assured Simba but I could tell that he was faking it or was I just being paranoid. Scar is Mufasa's brother and he must be upset on the loss of his brother but somehow, his voice sounded… relieved?
"No one," Scar continued, pulling Simba so that he could cry on his paw, "Means for this kind of things to happen."
Simba continued sobbing on his uncle's paw while I watched. I turned back to the fallen king and for once, looked to be in peace. Although he suffered a terrible death which was not fit for a great king such as him.
"But, the king is dead." Scar said suddenly with no emotions in his voice. I turned back to the brown lion and Simba looked up at his uncle. Scar looked down at his nephew.
"If it weren't for you, he'd still be alive." Scar gave the killing blow. I could see in Simba's face that he was literally crushed. His eyes turned from sadness to shock. How can an uncle say that the death of his nephew's father, be his fault? Simba's spirit and heart will be crushed by this statement and that was when I lost my cool.
"How can you say that it is his fault!?" I shouted at Scar, standing up on my two feet.
The two lions looked at me. Scar did not seem to even show any sign of remorse while Simba has guilt written all over his face.
"You brought us down here!" I continued my rant, "And here you are, accusing your own nephew for your brother's death!"
Scar roared at me and was about to strike me but I was fast. I cocked my gun and pointed right in front of his face and he stopped dead in his tracks, my gun aimed directly between his eyes.
"I am sure you have heard stories on how I was able to kill a number of hyenas with this."
Scar stepped back and Simba slowly walked to me, staring at his uncle. I guess my revelation at least made sense. It was true that Scar brought him down here because his father had a surprise.
"Tell me Scar," I said with hate in my voice, "What was Mufasa's surprise for his son here?"
Scar did not answer and Simba looked at his uncle. Simba now sobbed in my boots and I allowed him to. I slowly bent down to comfort him, rubbing his back but I never looked away from Scar with my gun pointed at him. Scar still has not answered my question.
"Tell me. Was the surprise a stampede?"
Scar did not answer. He looked at the dead body of his brother and then turned to his nephew. Simba was still crying.
After a brief moment of silence, Simba finally spoke, "Uncle. Please do not tell me that you actually attempted on my life. Please don't, I love you as an uncle." Simba was actually pleading.
Scar did not show any feelings on his nephew's statement. Scar just looked at his with those eyes filled with hate.
"You know what Scar?" I said, catching his attention, "I think you actually want the king and prince to be dead. Then, you will be the king of Pride Rock, am I correct?"
Simba shook his head, tears flying away from his cheek. It must be hard on Simba. First losing his father and finding out that his beloved uncle had actually attempted to claim his life. Scar sighed and looked at me dead in the eyes.
"You figured it out Slayn. I always knew you were going to ruin my plans and I guess it is true. And yes, I do plan to be king. Once the son of my brother is gone, I will be the king and not even you will stop me."
I laughed at Scar, "You are a fool! Simba is the true heir and I will be damned that I will allow you to kill Simba."
Scar smirked at me, "The two of you will not get out of here alive to tell the pride what really happened."
The moment he said that, hyenas appeared behind him, growling at us. My eyes were now open and Simba, trembling backed up to my feet. Scar chuckled, "You are the fool Slayn. You shall die here today as the guardian of Simba and Simba shall die with no one to protect him."
There were too many hyenas for me to take them all. I only had 9 bullets and I can't reload fast enough to take care them. "Simba, RUN!" I instructed him and he did as he was told.
I ran after him and we are running for dear life. The hyenas barked at us but I did not turn back. I studied my surroundings. We were trapped in the gorge and Simba could climb. Climbing would take too much time anyway. My heart beat was beating faster and I felt fear rushing inside me. Simba was already panting. He already had to run from wildebeests earlier today and now from hyenas. We will not last long. After a full minute of running, we finally reached a dead end. Well, not really a dead end. There was a rubble of rock, making it a hill that can get us out of the gorge.
The two of us looked up and it was a long way out of here. I turned back and the hyenas were not seen. We lost them for the time being but they will reach us.
"Slayn, what do we do?" Simba asked in a panic voice.
"Simba, you are too important to die. I need you to get out of the gorge by running up this pile of rubble here. Now go!"
"What about you? I already lost my father, I don't want to lose you either!" Simba protested, tears almost appearing in his eyes.
"Simba, I will not die. I am just going to distract the hyenas to give you some time. I will follow you once you have escaped and that is a promise."
At that moment, one of the hyenas found us. He barked at us and I could hear more hyenas coming.
"GO!" I ordered Simba and he scrambled up the pile of rocks. He was running as fast as he could. The moment the hyena saw Simba getting away, he leapt at me. As it was still in mid-air and prepared to bite my neck, I slashed the hyena at the throat and he landed on my feet, dead. Blood was gushing out of it's wound. Simba stopped temporarily to watch me.
I looked at him and used my hands to tell him to move. He nodded and continued running up. I will live. I will not break my promise from Simba and will get out of here alive. Soon, 3 more hyenas appeared and they did not even hesitate. They all ran towards me but I was able to shoot one of the hyenas on it's right shoulder and it dropped to the hard ground. It was not dead but wounded.
The other two continued running. They both leapt at the same time and one of them pounced on me, causing to fall on my back and it attempted to bite my neck. When it opened it's jaws, I took my chance. I plunged my knife deep into it's mouth and it yelled in pain. I took out my knife and plunged it once more in it's chest, killing it. It landed on my chest and I shoved it away. The other hyena was biting on my left boot but I simply shot it in the head.
"Slayn, come on!" Simba yelled at me. I looked up and he was safe, watching me from above. I nodded and ran up the pile of rubble. It was difficult and I slipped a few times. The hyena I shot earlier in the shoulder bit my right ankle and I yelled in pain. It shook my ankle left and right, trying to drag me down. I took my knife and scratched it's muzzle, causing it to let go and drop back into the gorge. With pain in my ankle, it took me two minutes to finally reach the top of the gorge. As I reached the top, my feet slipped and I dropped on the hard pieces of small rocks and was falling down the rubble but something grabbed me. I looked up and saw that Simba was biting on my uniform. He was desperately trying to pull me up and I pulled myself up with Simba's help.
Once he pulled me back to safety, we both dropped to the soft savannah ground. The sun was getting lower but has not yet set. We were far from Pride Rock and we will need to get a move on to Pride Rock to make it on time. As I started to get up, Simba hugged my shoulder.
"Slayn! You're okay!" He said though it was hard to understand since his mouth was muffled by my uniform. I patted Simba on the back reassuringly.
"It's okay Simba. I'm alright. We are both alive and that is all that counts."
Simba moved away from my shoulder and nodded. I then grabbed him and gave him a hug. The two of us were lost in each other's embrace, crying. It took us a few minutes to finally calm down. I was not really wounded except for my left ankle.
It just showed bite marks but the blood is already all dried up and no more spilled out. I will have trouble walking though. The two of us looked at each other and Simba spoke first, "What do we do now Slayn."
"We get to Pride Rock, that's we'll do."
"I mean," Simba stopped for a while, trying to gather the strength left in him, "I cannot believe my own uncle tried to kill me. What do we do? Surely he will think we're dead and will definitely try to kill us once more."
That was true. He will mostly break the news that we are already dead and he will ascend to the throne. Thinking of Scar taking his brother's rightful place made my blood boil in anger.
"Simba," I said, trying to calm my anger, "You are the king now. We cannot allow a person that has no respect from the pride to be king."
"But…" Simba protested, "I am too young! My dad didn't even teach me much. I only had two lessons on how to be a king."
I rubbed his head and smiled, "I'm pretty sure that your mom must have some idea. She is your father's mate."
Simba winced at the sound of mate. I chuckled. I know how he feels. Mentioning your mother as a mate sounded different to a child and can bring some things you just do not want to know.
"Come on," I said, walking towards Pride Rock, "We have a long way to go."
Simba nodded and walked with me. The two of us, side by side. I will not fail Mufasa with the task he left me. As the guardian of Simba, I will see to it that Simba will claim the throne of Pride Rock and not his so called brother.
As we continued walking, I looked back at the gorge where we came from. Mufasa died there. That place is going to bring some sour memories to the pride. How will I inform Sarabi that Mufasa has fallen. How will she take it? I shook my head to brush these thoughts out of my head. Me and Simba have far more important matters to resolve and that is to make sure Scar does not become king of the Pride Lands.
Hei, hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review!