A/N: Okay now its time to start my semi crossover with the Simpson's. As many of you know I do not own the Simpson's, they are Matt Groenings property and I respect that because he is an awesome guy. So on with the story.
Kijani did not return from his short time in the Misty Lands until later the next morning, quite exhausted and very much ready for a nap. He had traveled all night and had thought he would reach home later that night as well, but he had forgotten how far the lands were from the Pride Lands.
Of course the cubs were very happy to see him, but before they could even pounce and ask for a story, Azmera and Naima quickly scooted them out to let the storyteller sleep after such a long journey. Even Hondo, who had actually been hunting with his old pack, returned and fell asleep right next to his old friend.
He awoke several hours later feeling quite refreshed and slowly made his way out of the den with Hondo to get a drink of water. A storm was on its way too and Kijani knew the cubs would run into the den for safety and want to hear a story. It was something to always expect in the late afternoon of the den.
Quietly they made their way to the waterhole and took a quick sip before hearing a branch snap from behind a rock. Kijani looked at Hondo who gave a quick snort pretending he did not hear anything. Kijani only gave him a quick grin before taking a few more sips of water. They knew who it was but they both decided to let the cubs feel as if they had really not been known yet. Once Kijani finished quenching his thirst, he slowly made his way over to the rock while Hondo stayed were he was to watch.
"I know you four are there, your sneaking skills have yet to be acquired," Kijani said with a chuckle.
The four cubs peeked out from behind the rock, but they weren't the only ones, Layla the hyena cub was also with them looking at him curiously.
"Ah perhaps five of you then," he said.
"Dad said he has had enough of me talking about you all the time so he sent me to see you but Jelani said you were sleeping, so I decided to wait, best not upset my dad," said Layla with a sheepish grin.
"Looks like you have a fan club there 'Jani," said Hondo.
Kijani laughed, the elders of the pride often told them to give Kijani space from time to time but of course that was easier said than done. The cubs were always ready to hear something new.
"Well I don't see what harm it would be if you came back to Pride Rock with us there Layla, your father said you could come any time you wanted," said Kijani.
"Yeah but usually I have to help baby-sit," said Layla making an annoyed face at the idea of watching over the cubs who were only a few months younger than her.
"Well don't worry about doing that tonight because you are welcome to come and join us for a story," said Kijani.
Layla only smiled as she followed her new friends behind Kijani and Hondo as they led the way back to Pride Rock for the evening. Just ahead of them, dark storm clouds began to form and Kijani knew that this was definitely the best time to start a story, there was no telling how long this storm would last quite yet.
Once they reached the cave, Kijani made his way to a round platform that he had just started using for telling the stories and sat down on it while the five cubs and Hondo circled around him.
"Now is there anything in particular you would like to hear?" asked Kijani.
The cubs looked at each other wondering who would be the first to respond to that. After a quick moment's hesitation, Jelani moved forward.
"When I was only two and a half months old, the girls were a bit older, my mother and Naima gave us a lecture about the humans that live in the valley after one of the lioness's came home and informed us that her sister had been killed by a human's spear. They told us that they were very dangerous and that we should never go near them, they don't even come to ceremonies or any special gatherings that goes on with the land, yet they are animals like us," said Jelani.
"That is very true yes, they are definitely creatures that keep to themselves it is very rare to see them form an alliance with us," said Kijani.
"Have there been stories that tell of humans forming alliances with us and never hurting us?" asked Kali.
"There are a few stories yes, there is one in particular that stands out among the rest about a family of humans living with a pride for a few weeks because of a strange prophecy one of the humans had to fulfill," said Kijani.
"What kind of prophecy was it?" asked Layla.
"One that decided the fate of the lands around them, either the land will become good or the land will become evil," said Kijani while at the same moment, thunder began to rumble outside.
"Why did the humans have to fulfill this?" asked Asha.
"It's actually explained in the story so I think its best that I start it from the beginning, this will be quite a long story, one of the longest I have so we might have to do an intermission until tomorrow morning, but we will find out. As for the beginning, its best you listen carefully," said Kijani as he began his tale.
Humans are definitely a strange race, to many they look and act like naked chimpanzees, the adults can be as wild an as ferocious as a silverback gorilla, yet the children can be as harmless or as playful as the macaques. Though even though they say many are the distant cousins of these monkeys they still keep to themselves though at a higher risk than most creatures.
They travel the world and they learn very fast, unlike other creatures who learn slowly and take their time doing it. But like all creatures, some will look on an individual as silly, kind, or even called the biggest idiot on the planet.
Homer Simpson, the father of the hero of this story, had two of those characteristics, which ones I will not say exactly but you can figure out for yourself in time. Being the Patriarch of the family he was the one who usually came up with different ideas on what to do with the family and choosing a trip to Africa was one of his ideas, one that his daughter Lisa was most excited about.
Lisa was the quiet one, usually off by herself, she was the one in the family who loved animals and was usually the one who wanted to go to a zoo or museum while her father and her brother Bart would much rather have a good time at a monster truck rally. (Whatever that is)
Her mother Marge usually just followed along with the crowd, usually she stayed home too, cleaning the place and making a big dinner for everyone when they got home. She did join them on the trip to Africa but only with great reluctance and decided it was best to leave their youngest named Maggie behind with her sisters.
So far the family had only been on their trip for a day and already a lot of things had happened. Homer got into a fight with the rental car company for making him drive a small car at an outlandish price, Marge had to actually intervene and tell them that the price was fine. Bart thought it would be fun to get monkey brains for dinner only to faint at the near sight of it when it came his way. The hotel they stayed at that night was not as glamorous as they thought, the windows had been left open and mosquitoes were flying in every direction and biting them throughout the night. And of course the continental breakfast the next morning consisted of a very strange looking omelet with bugs inside of it. Bart of course liked it but the rest of the family decided to pass up on the meal.
But once the exploring began everything began to look up, Marge and Lisa both decided to go down the market street to find some fascinating African style clothing and the like. Bart and Homer of course followed but they were not as interested as they were and only followed along like ducklings with a mother duck.
It was at one particular vendor though that caught Lisa's eyes as she shopped around. This vendor sold many necklaces that had beautiful gemstones set on them each ranging from the clearest of quartz to the darkest amber. Lisa was fascinated by all of them until she came to a particular necklace hidden in a small corner.
It was a red Jasper in the form of an oval but at the top, bottom, left, and right it was carved to look like small triangles. The grooves formed different colors swirled around to make it look like the side of a snail shell until they ended at the middle to reveal a beautiful blue moonstone that shone brightly even under the shade. Lisa stood there mesmerized. She had never seen anything so beautiful. She held it up while the vendor watched her for a moment and then spoke.
"That my dear is a very rare piece of Jasper, it was found on the Nile River by a nomad who had wanted to put something together with his moonstone," said the merchant.
"It's so beautiful, why wouldn't the nomad keep something so beautifully made?" asked Lisa.
"I asked him the very same question when he gave it to me, he told me it was meant for someone else and that whoever acquired it would have very good luck," said the merchant.
Lisa continued to stare a the beautiful stone, for some strange reason she felt that it was calling to her, telling her to take it and become the person who needed it most. Her thoughts were soon interrupted by her father who jumped out of nowhere with a ceremonial mask.
"Hey Lisa, look, I'm Tarzan!" he said enthusiastically. Lisa jumped with surprise.
"Geeze Dad, way to spoil my thinking," said Lisa who glared at her father.
Sorry honey, what did you find?" asked Homer as he took off the mask to look at what Lisa was holding.
"Isn't it beautiful Dad?" asked Lisa as she held it in front of him.
Homer of course was not the kind of person to be asked the question on whether or not something was beautiful but he was very good at humoring his own daughter and quickly agreed with her.
"Its very nice sweetie," he said.
"Can I get it? I haven't asked for anything else and I really like this" said Lisa.
Homer thought for a moment as he stared into Lisa's hopeful eyes, the same eyes that won him over in numerous other occasions. It was always so hard to say no.
"Sure I'll get it for you, just don't ask for anything else today," said Homer.
"Promise," said Lisa holding up her hand as if she was at a witness stand.
Homer only smiled as he paid the nice merchant for Lisa's new necklace while Lisa quickly put the necklace on, admiring it for its beautiful color and shape. Even Marge was amazed by its beauty when Lisa finally found her. It was the most talked about item on the way back to the hotel too, even more than Bart's giant scorpion under glass.
The day was still young though by the time the family went back to the hotel for a nap. Lisa was in no mood for one and only stared at the window admiring the beautiful African Savanna. Even though the room was air conditioned and it was nice and cool in there, Lisa suddenly felt a longing to go out and explore, her parents had already planned an evening at a nice place to eat so exploring was not going to be planned for the day, she wondered though if she could go out there by herself and be back before dinner. She turned to her parents, who both looked to be asleep but knowing her mother, she was probably only nodding off.
Quietly she made her way over to Marge and gently nudged her. Marge let out a small grunt before looking up at Lisa.
"Lisa, can't you see I'm napping?" said Marge.
"I know mom, I just can't sleep, I want to explore, can I go do that, I promise I'll be home for dinner," said Lisa.
Marge gave a short murmur before finally responding. "Just be back for dinner, and don't get too dirty," she said.
Lisa jumped up happily and quickly ran out the door not even looking back to see if Bart had heard the conversation and wanted to join her. But Bart had not followed and Lisa was ready to have a nice afternoon to herself for a few hours. She had always wanted to watch herds move about on the savanna and she hoped that maybe she could see a baby animal or two.
It didn't take her long to be on the outskirts of town, as soon as she left the hotel she was instantly in the savanna staring out into the wide open range where all the animals lived in harmony and peace from humans. Carefully she walked in the grasses stirring up a few birds that quickly took to the air which of course stopped a small herd of gazelle in their tracks as they watched and wondered what the strange two legged creature was doing out in the savanna. For a moment both human and animal watched each other, the gazelles would wiggle their noses trying to find Lisa's scent while at the same time they would move their big ears back and forth listening for sound. It was quite comical to Lisa who let out a small chuckle which was enough for the gazelle to run away as fast as they could.
Lisa only shrugged it off before moving on again and soon finding herself at a waterhole. There were a few animals there enjoying a cool refreshing drink, including a family of zebra and one lone giraffe. There was also a crocodile in the middle of the pool but he did not seem too concerned with anything around him.
Lisa sighed and decided that this would be a great place for her to sit under a tree and relax for a little while as she watched the animals come and go to get a drink. She found a nice spot that was not too close to the water in fear that she might scare the creatures off and she was just about to sit down when she heard what sounded like a dog growling.
She looked around until she found the source; only twenty feet behind her stood a black back jackal, its teeth bared and looking quite angry.
"Oh is this your spot to watch the animals?" asked Lisa nervously.
The jackal continued to growl as it moved closer, she knew it must have never seen a human before and was probably trying to scare her away. It seemed to be working too because Lisa slowly backed off but the jackal continued to inch closer.
Lisa did not like the looks of this and quickly started to run hoping that it would be enough to satisfy the jackal, but that was not it. Lisa quickly turned around and saw that the jackal was right behind her. Lisa screamed and ran as fast as her small legs could carry her.
But Lisa was not the best runner and she was quickly loosing momentum before she realized that she could never outrun the jackal. She soon found a tree that she could easily climb on and reached as high as she could go while the jackal stayed down on the ground growling and trying its hardest to get at Lisa but with very little success. Lisa clung to the tree tightly, hoping the branch would stay up and that she would not fall and be killed by the evil creature. Worse yet, she hoped that it would give up soon and she would head home safely.
But she didn't have to stay up there long for a few minutes later; a strange baboon suddenly appeared and kicked the jackal heavily in the side. The jackal was unfazed and only growled.
"She is no meal for you; now go find a dead mouse!" Lisa stared at the baboon with surprise, did she really just say that or did she imagine it.
She watched as the jackal continued to growl at the baboon before the baboon took the stick she was holding in her paw and whacked the jackal hard on the head with it. The jackal yelped in pain before finally putting its tail between its legs and running off through the grasses as fast as its legs could carry them.
"Yeah get out of here you scavenger!" said the baboon again.
Lisa slowly went down the tree staring at the baboon the whole time and wondering if she was only hallucinating. The baboon heard her climb down and turned toward her, watching her go down the rest of the way. Once Lisa was at the bottom, both human and baboon stared at each other for a moment. The baboon was not young but certainly not old, probably nearing the end of her prime, but still in a very tough shape.
"If only we understood each other, I would say thank you," said Lisa after a long pause.
"And if you understood me, I would say your welcome," said the baboon.
Lisa gasped in shock at first unable to say anything. "But I CAN understand you!" she finally said.
The baboon stared at her for a moment, she studied her long and hard until she finally saw the necklace Lisa was wearing. Was it the very same necklace she, while disguised as a nomad, had given to a human vendor years ago?
"How can I understand you?" asked Lisa nervously.
"I am a special shaman, I have been able to speak the voices of humans and other animals since I was younger than you were. Now tell me where did you get that necklace?" asked the baboon.
"I got it from a street vendor this morning, why?" asked Lisa.
The baboon gave an excited smile and waved her stick in the air in a manner than Lisa had seen many times before in zoos, only this time she understood why she was doing so.
"The prophecy is finally being fulfilled, of course it's both good and bad, but finally we will know what will become of the land in a short time," she said.
"Uh excuse me?" asked Lisa obviously very confused.
"Oh I'm sorry please forgive me, I knew you would have no idea what I was talking about so let me explain. First I must introduce myself as Ramla and who might you be?" asked the baboon.
"Uh……Lisa," said Lisa still a little nervous about what was going on.
"Good to meet you Lisa, now follow me to that baobab tree over there, and I will tell you what's going on," said Ramla.
For a moment Lisa only stood there, unsure if she could trust this strange creature she had never met before. Would she harm her in any way? That's what Lisa was most concerned over.
"Well aren't you coming?" asked Ramla with a very friendly smile.
Lisa gave a short smile back; baboons were usually more dangerous than this and especially could not talk. Trusting her was probably the best option.
Lisa soon reached the tree and Ramla helped her up the trunk to where she could sit and listen. It was Ramla's home and Lisa could tell by the many gourds and other things shamen used.
"Now then, I'm guessing you want to know before you get too impatient," said Ramla as she set her stick down and sat in front of Lisa.
"Very much so," said Lisa a little nervous but still very interested.
"Now when you saw that necklace, did you feel that you had a connection with it?" asked Ramla.
"I did, I was just looking at all the pretty necklaces the vendor was selling but then my eyes caught this one. It was so beautiful and the vendor even told me that if I did take it I would have good luck," said Lisa.
"Ah he quoted what I told him, very good," said Ramla.
"You told him, but how, wouldn't he have found it strange that he was talking to a baboon just the same way I feel right now?" asked Lisa.
"He would have, but I was in disguise that time, I was a human nomad, I have the power to turn myself into one," said Ramla.
Lisa stared at Ramla in a very confused look, all of this did not make sense and she was starting to worry about going home, Marge was probably wondering where she was.
"But why am I meant to take this?" asked Lisa before being hit on the head by Ramla's stick.
"Patience young one, you humans are all the same, no patience, you all act as if you are all going to die right then and there if nothing happens to you right away," said Ramla with a small growl.
"Sorry," said Lisa as she rubbed her head.
"What I am about to tell you is all true, it happened to the lion pride that lives here, I help them from time to time and they come to me for guidance. I believe it was five years ago when King Latif first stepped up to become king after his father died. He was much younger than, full of spirit and ready to tackle anything that was thrown at him. But he wasn't prepared for his brother's return. Dajan was his name and he had left the pride at only a year old saying he had no interest in becoming king of just one pride, but of every lion that he could become the leader of. He believed that he could create a better society, one ruled by him and small band of second in commands who dealt with those who did not follow his orders."
"It had been a week since Latif became king when Dajan arrived and ordered him to surrender his kingship. Latif would have none of this and ordered him to leave, Dajan did but only for a short while, he returned four days later with a band of young males and some jackals telling him once again to surrender or die. Latif, still being young and spirited decided to fight, there were many casualties. Dajan ended up loosing the fight with his tail between his legs but not before declaring that he would return again one day to create what he had dreamed of. He said that in five years time, he would return when the next full moon occurs and he would have what was his by the blood of the one with the blue stone. And once that happens no one can stop him."
Ramla finished her tale and Lisa was now sweating with worry. The blood of the one with the blue stone was her and she did not like the sound of it at all.
"So you want him to kill me?" asked Lisa with a scared voice.
"No I don't want him to kill you. Don't worry there is more to this tale than that. After hearing what Dajan had said, I meditated for three days straight to find out if there was a side plan for all this. What the prophecy says is that a young human girl with hair as bright as the sun and a spirit like a bull elephant's will bring the moonstone, but I was the one who had to find it first and set it in the other stone, give it to another human, and have you find it or Dajan would end up finding it and everyone would be doomed. Now that you have it, you must keep it on you at all times, if anyone tries to take it from you you must resist. And when the moon is full, which will happen in a fortnight, you must take it to that canyon over there, point it up at the moon where it is shining brightest, and watch as the spirits decide how to dispose of Dajan. No blood will be spilled that way, as long as Dajan is not there to stop it from happening."
"But I'm supposed to go back home in a week, I don't think my parents will appreciate me wanting to stay longer for a prophecy, they won't even believe me," said Lisa.
"Don't worry you will have to leave that one to me as well, for you will not be coming home tonight or the next until the prophecy is fulfilled," said Ramla
"So I have to stay with you the whole time, in this uncomfortable tree?" asked Lisa.
"Oh don't worry about that, you will be in much better hands or paws I should say, I will be taking you to King Latif and his family and you will be disguised as a lost lion cub. Well Latif and his mate Halima already know about the prophecy since I have told them everything but not the rest of the pride so they will take good care of you," said Ramla.
"But how will you explain this to my parents, especially to my father who is like a wet match in a dark cave?" asked Lisa.
"Now now, don't say such things about your elders like that. It may seem that your time with them is long but that is until you end up loosing them. Always tell your parents you love them even if they are like whatever you just said," said Ramla.
Lisa put her head down, just this morning she was planning her trip to see all the fascinating sights of Africa now her life was at stake to save a pride she didn't even know. She was now scared and started to cry. Ramla saw this and patted Lisa on the head.
"Don't worry if the prophecy says you have spirit like a bull elephant then you will not fail, just as long as you keep your hopes up. And I know you have no idea who these lions are, but if you think about it, this could affect the human race later on down the road, and we would not want that now would we," said Ramla.
Lisa only shook her head. Her mind seemed to tell her that this was not a good idea and to run, but her spirit seemed to tell her to do what the monkey said. She was now torn between two things.
"Lisa, I know this is a hard decision, and I know it will upset your parents when you don't come home for them. But I have seen you in my meditations and I have watched you help many animals in your time, and I know you can help these lions too. The prophecy will never change not as long as you are out here and wearing that necklace," said Ramla.
Lisa looked down at her necklace, such a simple little stone was now something of power, a power that she did not realize she had and a power she seemed to not want.
"Can I think about it?" she finally asked.
Ramla sighed, thinking was always the best option and if Lisa didn't want to do it then Dajan would be vying for power until he died. It was a hard thought to think about but one that she would probably have to accept.
"You may, if you don't return, I understand," she said.
Lisa nodded and slowly made her way down the tree back toward the hotel, holding the necklace as she made her way through the grasses. It was when she reached a hill where it overlooked the city that she stopped. She suddenly noticed the hustle and bustle, the dangers and over crowding of the city and a place where humans never seemed to care about the environment. She turned around and faced the savanna; it was quiet and wide open, a place of solitude and serenity. But her parents were not there that was the only problem, but Ramla said she would handle them in due time, perhaps they would join her and help settle this strange prophecy.
Ramla stood alone by her tree, looking down at some termites that would make for a good dinner later that afternoon when she heard a voice calling her name. She looked up and said Lisa running at her as fast as she could.
"What is it child?" asked Ramla.
"I've decided to join the pride," said Lisa.
Ramla only gave her a big smile before lifting up her stick high in the air and chanting the spells that would turn Lisa Simpson into a lion.
A/N: Long chapter is long. I apologize for the length, I fear MinisterSweetGoodKids chapters are rubbing off on me, that kid has long chapters let me tell you, but they are good chapters. Any way I hope that all made sense to you and I hope you all enjoyed that. I really wanted to try this and see how Lisa would fare as a lion and her parents too in a few chapters from now. I ended it without Kijani just because I felt he wasn't needed in the end saying random things with the cubs, you will hear from him again soon. Also I have extended the chapters to five, not four like I originally intended. There's just a little bit more that I will be getting to shortly.
Now I may or may not update again next week, it all depends on my work schedule, it's been busy lately and I've been exhausted from it, but at least I'm getting paid for it. That being said I will be going on vacation from July 10th thru the 21st so no updates or reviews until then. I do have internet access but I think I'll be too busy to sit down and read peoples work. Sorry about that. But hopefully once I get back I will have time for all of you and have some fun with you guys again. Oh yes and name meanings
Ramla: Prophet
Dajan: Dark Sky during heavy rain
Latif: Gentle
Halima: Gentle and Kind (oops I just realized they had the same name meanings oh well, I like it.)
Well don't forget to review and to my American friends, have a safe and fun July 4th.