Hello again! Time for another installment of Of Kings and Trash. Hope you enjoy! Forgive my errors(And there will be a lot!). Review, please. Kumi, Kitimiri, Faraji, Jengo, and Rahidi are my characters and are not to be used without my permission. One part of this chapter may be a little unrealistic, but I don't think that it is too far-fetched for the Lion King.
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Dreams and Schemes
Ahadi walked to the edge of Pride Rock and paced back and forth, awaiting Zuzu's report.
"Where is that damn horn-bill?" Ahadi growled, "She should have been here ours ago! I swear, If she's not here soon, I'm going to start looking for a replacement!"
"Something wrong, sire?" said a voice from behind Ahadi.
Ahadi turned to see a small blue horn-bill. For a moment, Ahadi believed it to be Zuzu. However, upon closer inspection, Ahadi realized that this horn-bill was a male.
"Who are you?" Ahadi asked the horn-bill, "I've never seen you around the Pride Lands."
The horn-bill flapped its wings and smiled.
"I am Kumi," the horn-bill said formally, "I have been in the Pride Lands for a few hours, now."
"Without my permission," Ahadi added with a growl.
"Yes..." Kumi said sheepishly, "Well, that is why I am here. I would like to live in your Pride Lands."
"Hmm," Ahadi replied, no longer paying attention to Kumi.
"Please, sire," Kumi begged, "Their must be something I can do to earn my stay!"
"Oh, of course," Ahadi sighed, "You may stay."
"Thank you, sire!" Kumi exclaimed, bowing to Ahadi, "How can I repay you?"
"Well," Ahadi said after a pause, "I suppose there is one thing you can do. I need you to fly around and observe the Pride Lands. If you see any trouble, come back here and report it to me."
"As you wish, sire!" Kumi replied with a salute, before flying off to look for trouble in the Pridelands.
"Well, Zuzu," Ahadi smiled to himself, "Look's like I've found your replacement!"
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Guedado and Shakarri continued running with the cubs in their mouths. They turned a corner and began climbing a wall of boulders.
"Where are you taking us?" Mufasa asked, "The Pride Lands are the other way."
Once they had climbed to the top, Guedado and Shakarri gently placed the cubs down next to them.
"The hyenas will be expecting us to go back home," Guedado explained, "If we go near the Pride Lands, we might be walking into a trap. It is best to just stay up here for now, and hope we're not spotted. We've got a good view of the border from up here. We'll head for home once we're sure that it's clear."
"Wow!" Mufasa said, staring at Guedado in awe, "You've thought of everything!"
"You could say that!" Guedado laughed, glancing at Shakarri.
Sharkarri returned the laugh and nodded.
"I fail to see what is so hilarious about this!" Taka growled at the two adults, "We're trapped here because of you!"
"Whatever do you mean?" Guedado asked with a smile.
"If it wasn't for you attacking the hyenas," Taka growled louder, "We would already be safe at home by now, You bastard!"
"Now, now," Guedado laughed calmly, "Is that any way to speak to your elders? Thanks to me, you and your brother are safe from those awful hyenas."
"Thanks to you," Taka snarled, "The hyenas will kill my friends!"
"So, we'll lose a few cubs," Guedado laughed, "They were of no use to the kingdom! You and your brother are the sons of the king! You are the necessary ones!"
"YOU BASTARD!" Taka roared at Guedado, baring his teeth and claws.
Shakarri stuck the back of Taka's head with her claws, knocking the young cub unconcious.
"Hey!" Mufasa growled at Shakarri, "What do you think you're do..."
Mufasa was cut off by Guedado, who dug a claw into Mufasa's shoulder and dragged it upward. Mufasa held his shoulder and rolled around in pain. Guedado smiled down at the two cubs and lifted his paw over them. Suddenly, a large bird swooped down and struck Guedado's paw with its beak.
"Argh!" Guedado groaned in pain, looking around to see what had hit him.
Guedado and Shakarri looked up to see a vulture circling them.
"Damn!" Shakarri growled, "It's Nyoni! Akida must be close by!"
"We've gotta get out of here!" Guedado muttered, nursing his injured paw.
Shakarri and Guedado picked up a pain-ridden Mufasa and an unconcious Taka and ran down the wall of boulders to find a better hiding spot.
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Ahadi paced back and forth, awaiting any news from Kumi. Uru appeared in front of Ahadi and ran to his side.
"My, you look tense!" Uru smiled at Ahadi, "Is something the matter? Anything I can do?"
"No, I'm fine," Ahadi stated with a sigh, "It's just that Zuzu didn't give me any report this morning. I had to ask another horn-bill to do her job."
"Oh my!" Uru gasped in mock-surprise, "You actually asked someone to do something? Are you sure that you didn't just command the horn-bill to survey the land?"
"Uru," Ahadi smiled at his mate, "I'm in no mood for your humor right now."
"Fine," Uru replied, grooming herself with her paw, "Oh, and by the way...Zuzu didn't report to you this morning because I sent her on an errand."
"You did what?" Ahadi asked in shock.
"I sent Zuzu on an errand," Uru reitterated, "She's with our sons and their friends in the gorge."
"You took her away from her royal duties so she could baby-sit?" Ahadi asked with a growl.
"What was I suppose to do?" Uru smiled at Ahadi, "The cubs wanted to play in the gorge. I couldn't just send them out there alone."
"Why couldn't you take them?" Ahadi asked, trying to calm himself down.
"I was tired," Uru replied with a yawn, "And I'm still tired! So, if you'll escuse me, I'm going to find somewhere quiet to take a nap."
Uru brushed against Ahadi and walked into the royal den. Ahadi suddenly caught sight of Kumi, who was flying strait to wards him. Kumi landed in front of Ahadi and bowed.
"Sire," Kumi said formally, "I've flown all around the Pride Lands, and have come across one matter that may need your attention."
"And that would be?" Ahadi asked the small horn-bill.
"There is a strange lion wandering around the Pride Lands," Kumi replied.
Ahadi stared wide-eyed at the horn-bill, not believing what he had just heard. The king extended his claws and growled.
"Show me!" Ahadi snarled at the horn-bill.
With that, Kumi led Ahadi down Pride Rock, in search of the intruder.
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Guedado and Shakarri arrived at a dead-end and dropped the cubs.
"What about here?" Shakarri asked Guedado, pointing to a cavern that was almost completely hidden by a pile of bones.
Guedado looked around and sniffed the air.
"No sign of the flying rat," Guedado replied before staring at the cavern, "I supose it will do. Although we won't have a very good few of the border in there."
"Maybe there's another way out through the cavern," Shakarri suggested.
Guedado nodded and picked up Mufasa, who was still nursing his shoulder. Shakarri picked up Taka's unconcious body and carried it into the cavern. Guedado followed his mate. They observed their surroundings carefully, soon realizing that they were surrounded by pits of lava. Guedado and Shakarri carefully carried the cubs to a safe platform, which led to a long passageway. The two adults placed the cubs down gently and look over the edge of the platform. Below them was a gigantic pool of bubbling magma.
"Now what?" Shakarri asked her mate.
"We stay here," Guedado replied, "If trouble arises we'll head through the tunnel."
Shakarri rubbed against her mate and purred. Taka suddenly regained conciousness.
"Huh...wah?" Taka muttered, rubbing the back of his head, "What happened?"
"Oh, wonderful!" Guedado smiled at Taka, "You're awake!"
"Uh...yeah," Taka stated, surprised by his new surroundings, "What happened?"
"Shakarri knocked you out!" Mufasa growled, rubbing his shoulder.
Taka stared at his brother in shock.
"Mufy!" Taka gasped, "You're bleeding! What happened?"
Mufasa merly glanced at Guedado, who shot Taka a large smile.
"You!" Taka growled at Guedado, "How dare you attact me and my brother!"
"It was for your own good," Guedado explained, "We needed to shut you and you're brother up. You were attracting attention. Thanks to you, we need to leave our look-out point. I hope you're proud of yourselves!"
Taka and Mufasa glanced at eachother. The two brothers got up and stood next to eachother.
"Fine," Mufasa growled, "Try to justify your actions all you want. It doesn't matter one bit. Just get us back to our kingdom."
"Child," Shakarri growled at Mufasa, "The Pride Lands do not below to you! Your family has no right to to be in power! The Pride Lands should belong to my family! And I would be the queen, if it hadn't been for Faraji!"
"What?" Taka asked, having no idea what Shakarri was talking about.
"Oh," Shakarri smiled at Taka, "I see you're father has neglected to tell you the truth about the royal-line!"
"Shakarri," Guedado sighed, turning to his mate, "That happened a long time ago. You can't expect them to know anything about Faraji."
"What are you talking about?" Mufasa asked his grand-uncle, "Who's Faraji?"
Guedado sighed and turned to his grand-nephews.
"Very well," Guedado sighed, "I suppose you have the right to know the truth."
Taka and Mufasa glanced at eachother before sitting down, preparing to hear Guedado's story.
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Kumi led Ahadi to the waterhole, where a large lion was pacing back and forth. Ahadi pounced in front of the lion and roared. The lion stepped backward and roared back at Ahadi. The two lions circled eachother.
"Who are you?" Ahadi growled at the lion, "And what are you doing in my kingdom?"
The lion sat down and cocked his head.
"Ahadi?" the lion asked in disbelief.
Ahadi circled around the lion and examined him closely.
"Jengo!" Ahadi growled at the lion, "What the hell are you doing here?"
Jengo smiled at confidentely.
"I'm here for Zhenga," Jengo replied, "I assume she's had a cub by now?"
"LEAVE!" Ahadi roared at Jengo.
"You can't keep her from me!" Jengo growled, "She is mine! Either surrender Zhenga, or die!"
Ahadi roared at Jengo again. Jengo prepared to strike, but stopped in his tracks when he noticed that he was surrounded by lionesses.
"Another time, Ahadi!" Jengo growled, before turning around and running away.
"Who was that, sire?" one of the lionesses asked.
"No one," Ahadi replied, digging his claws into the ground, "Now go back to hunting."
The lioness nodded and led her group away to search for food.
That's strange, Ahadi thought to himself, What would he want with Zhenga? Even if I wanted to, I can't give him Zhenga. It's just not possible!
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"You see," Guedado explained, "The Pride Lands have only belonged to our family for a few generations."
"What?" Mufasa gasped in disbelief.
"There was once a great king," Guedado continued, "He was known as Rahidi the wise. He was powerful! He was majestic! He was beloved by all!"
Guedado paused and smiled at Shakarri. Shakarri smiled back and purred.
"Unfortunately," Guedado continued with a growl, "His reign as king was a short one."
"What happened?" Taka asked, "Did he die?"
"Yes," Guedado replied, rolling his eyes, "He was murdered by another lion, whose name was Faraji. Faraji quickly seized control of the Pride Lands. Under Faraji's rule, the Pride Lands suffered greatly. Many were striken with disease, while many more died of starvation. And Faraji just stood by and watched, laughing at his kingdom's misfortune!"
"That's horrible!" Mufasa gasped, "Why would he do such a thing?"
"Simple," Guedado replied, "Because he didn't care about his subjects. All he wanted was the power!"
Mufasa and Taka both stared open-mouthed at Guedado. Guedado smiled down at the cubs.
"Now here's the interesting part!" Guedado laughed, "Faraji craved imortality! You could say it was all he lived for! Fortunately, he failed in his search. So, he went for the next best thing to immortality. Descendents! Ones who he could mold to continue ruling the way he did! So, he found himself a mate. One who bore him three lion cubs. These three cubs grew up to lead very differant lives. Do you know what these cubs were named?"
Both cubs shook their heads.
"Well," Guedado smiled, "The oldest cub was named Mohatu!"
The two brother's eyes widened.
"I don't expect you to recognize the name of the second-born," Guedado sighed, "But none the less, he was named Kitimiri."
Guedado was right. The cubs did not recognize the name.
"And the cub who was born last," Guedado laughed, "Was named Guedado!"
Taka and Mufasa stared at Guedado in shock.
"That's right!" Guedado laughed, "Faraji was my father!"
"Wait," Mufasa said slowly, "Mohatu was the greatest king the Pride Lands has ever had. How could he be the son of such a tyrant?"
"Oh," Guedado groaned, rolling his eyes, "It's always about Mohatu! No one ever wants to know how how I turned out so good!"
Mufasa and Taka smiled at eachother. Guedado glared at them.
"Y'know what?" Guedado growled, "I don't know why Mohatu turned out the way he did! It's not like it matters! The right to rule should have gone to a descendent of Rahidi, the true king!"
Guedado turned to Shakarri and smiled.
"And what you see here," Guedado purred, brushing against Shakarri, "Is the daughter of Rahidi the wise!"
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Uru eventually fell asleep in her den. She tossed and turned, for she was having a very strange dream. She dreamed that she was in a dark cave, surrounded by thousands of moaning lions and lionesses. One lion reached out and pulled her through the ground. Uru roared in pain as the lion dragged its claws across her back. Uru struggled to break free from the lions clutches, but it was no use. The lion was too strong. As they lion raised its claws to deliver the final blow, it was knocked to the ground by a body of light. The body of light disappeared, and in its place stood a growling lioness. The lion got back up and stared at the lioness. With one roar from the lioness, the lion morthed into a body of light and disappeared.
"Thank you," Uru gasped, addresing the lioness, "What was that thing?"
"That," the lion replied slowly, facing the direction opposite Uru, "Was Rahidi. He doesn't care for you, apparentely."
"Well," Uru smiled at the lioness, "Thank you for your help."
The lioness remained facing away from Uru, but Uru could see her nod, none the less.
"Listen," the lioness said, still facing away from Uru, "Your sons are in danger. You must rescue them."
"What?" asked Uru in surprise.
"You'll find them in a cavern in the Elephant Graveyard," the lioness continued, " There's not much time!"
Uru began to run, before turning back to the lioness.
"Who are you?" Uru asked the lioness.
The lioness turned to face Uru. Uru examined the lioness carefully.
"Zhenga!" Uru gasped, "How are you..?"
"There is no time, old friend, " Zhenga replied with a smile, "Yours are not the only cubs in danger. Now go!"
Zhenga dissapeared in an orb of light. Uru immediately woke up and ran out of her den.
Could it have just been a dream? Uru thought to herself, I can't take that chance! I must find the cubs!
Uru ran off to wards the Elephant Graveyard, in search of the cubs.
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Ahadi turned to wards Pride Rock before noticing a ball of flame zooming across the sky.
"What is that?" Ahadi asked himself.
"Hmmm," Kumi replied, "Looks like a shooting star."
The flaming ball landed in front of Ahadi and Kumi. Ahadi stared at it in shock and began stomping out the flames.
"Zuzu!" Ahadi gasped in horror, "What happened to you?"
"Hyenas..." Zuzu caughed, "...Mufasa...Taka...Akida...birdie-boiler!"
Zuzu fainted. Ahadi turned to Kumi.
"Kumi," Ahadi ordered, "Get Zuzu home. I going to the Elephant Graveyard!"
Kumi nodded and pulled Zuzu onto his back. Ahadi ran to wards the the border to the Elephant Graveyard. Eventually, he ran into Uru. The king and queen ran side by side and conversed.
"Uru?" Ahadi asked his mate, "What are you doing out here?"
"Something tells me that the cubs are out here," Uru replied, "I'm going to check it out! What are you doing here?"
"A have the same feeling!" Ahadi growled.
Uru nodded. The two mates continued running, desperate to find the cubs before anything horrible happened.
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Shakarri smiled down at Mufasa and Taka, making sure to show all her teeth.
"Oh, I see!" Taka declared, "That's why you hate our family!"
"That," Shakarri nodded, "And your mother killing my daughter."
"She had nothing to do with that!" Mufasa growled.
"Prove it!" Shakarri snarled at Mufasa.
Mufasa remained silent.
"Just as I thought!" Shakarri laughed, "You have no proof! I should rip your throat out right now!"
Guedado suddenly dropped his jaw and smiled.
"Shakarri!" Guedado gasped, "Do you know what I just realized? There's no one else here!"
"I thought that was the point," Shakarri said plainly, "We are in hiding after all."
"No," Guedado smiled, winking at Shakarri, "I mean...there...is..no...one...else...here!"
Shakarri stared at her mate in confusion. Guedado extended his claws and tilted his head to wards the cubs. Shakarri suddenly realized what Guedado was trying to tell her.
"Oh," Shakarri laughed, baring her teeth at the cubs, "Finally!"
Shakarri walked leaped next to Guedado. The two bared their teeth at the cubs and slowly stepped forward.
"Wha...what's going on?" Mufasa asked nervously.
Guedado and Shakarri laughed and continued walking to wards the cubs.
"Isn't it obvious?" Shakarri laughed coldly, "We're going to kill you!"
Taka and Mufasa's eyes widened. The two brothers got to their feet and stepped backward."
"Come now," Taka laughed nervously, he and Mufasa backing into the tunnel, "Why would you want to do that? You went to all that trouble just to save us!"
"Couldn't let the hyenas have the honor of ending your lives!" Guedado laughed.
"Please," Taka begged, "What would killing us possibly accomplish?"
"Simple," Guedado sneered, "I'd be eliminating the competition!"
Taka and Mufasa glanced at eachother in fear. With every step they took backward, Guedado and Shakarri took a step forward.
"You see," Guedado laughed, "With you out of the way, I'll be next in line for the thrown! Then all I'll have to do is murder your daddy!"
"B..but," Mufasa said sheepishly, "You said that you didn't want to be king!"
Guedado thaught for a moment and smiled.
"No," Guedado replied, "I just said that I was not the rightful king. But I will be! And Shakarri shall be my queen! Finally, justice will be served when a descendent of Rahidi returns to the thrown! And it all begins with me killing you, right here and now! Nobody would suspect me! They'd just assume that you were killed by hyenas!"
"Why?" Taka asked, "Why are you doing this?"
"Taka, Taka, Taka," Guedado laughed shaking his head, "Trust me. If it weren't for me killing you, you'd eventually do the same. Although, you might have been smart enough to do it sooner!"
"What are you talking about?" Taka asked in shock.
"Imagine," Guedado smiled, "Imagine having to live in you're brother's shadow your whole life, you're only comfort being that you have a chance of becoming king. Now, imagine you're brother becomes the father of a new heir, shattering all you're dreams of becoming king! It's just not fair! So, of course, you do anything in your power to make your dream a reality. Even murdering you're loved ones!"
"No," Taka gasped, "I would never do something like that! I'm not like you!"
"Maybe you're right!" Guedado laughed, "Too bad we'll never know!"
"No!" Taka growled, tears forming in his eyes.
Guedado smiled, enjoying Taka's despair.
"You know, Taka," Guedado laughed, "You're the spitting image of my father! And that's not where the simularities end, you murderer!"
Taka's eyes widened as more tears flowed from them.
"What are you talking about!" Mufasa growled, "Taka is not a murderer!"
"Oh," Guedado laughed, "I see you haven't told you're own brother! Taka, you truly are disgraceful!"
"Now, I'm curious," Shakarri smiled at her mate, "What exactly are you talking about?"
"Simple," Guedado laughed, "Do you remember the stampede? The one that claimed almost half of the kingdom? Well, I turns out it was started by this little piece of trash!"
Mufasa stared at Taka in shock. Taka began to sob uncontrolably.
"Shut up!" Taka snarled at Guedado, "Just shut up, you bastard!"
"Oh, this is rich!" Guedado laughed, "The murderer just called me a bastard!"
"I'm not a murderer!" Taka snarled through his tears.
"Murderer!" Guedado laughed.
"SHUT UP!" Taka roared.
"Murderer!" Shakarri joined in, laughing at Taka's pain.
"NO!" Taka wailed, covering his head and trembling.
The two cubs backed into a wall. They were trapped. Guedado and Shakarri prepared to pounce.
"Goodbye forever!" Guedado laughed coldly.
"Finally, Zhenga!" Shakarri screamed to wards the roof, "Justice will be served!"
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read and review. Please. I need to know what you think.