Simba was trembling all over. This mysterious thing looked straight at him, eyes glowing in the darkness and its breathing echoed in his ears.
"Who…who are you…?!"
"Good question. I expected you might ask that", the figure lifted her paw away, letting Simba's tail free. After making sure that it had not taken any damage, Simba backed against the wall.
"Oh, you don't have to be so scared! I'm not eating you", she laughed. But Simba wasn't convinced.
"But who are you then?! Why I'm here?!"
"You were caught in the middle of that nasty stampede back at the river. Decided to give you a hand."
"But…but…", Simba babbled. "Why did you drag me all the way here? My friend is still there! He needs my help!", Simba said. "So please, let me go!"
Looking at Simba, this mysterious captor began to laugh, much to Simba's surprise.
"What's so funny?!", the cub got angry. "I demand you to let me go! Or at least show yourself and don't hide in the shadows!"
Stopping, the creature stopped, nailing her eyes to Simba's ones.
"Very well. Hopefully, your sight is good", she stepped into the light which made the cave a bit brighter. And when Simba saw a huge black panther in front of him, his body went numb. It was so huge…
"I…I…"
"Scared much? Thought so", the panther grinned. "Despite the fact that one day you might be bigger than me, but there's still a long way to reach."
Closing his eyes and covering his ears, Simba pinned himself to the ground. This was just like in the elephant graveyard.
"C' mon, don't cover yourself! Not polite", the panther forced Simba up.
"P-please…don't hurt me! I swear I'll behave."
"You brainless kid…I'm not going to hurt you! There are other things planned for you."
"Other things…?", Simba asked. "What things?!"
"All in good time brat. Now tell me, what's your name?"
Simba didn't answer, just looked away.
"I see…so that's the matter. Well, now that you come to think of it…I'm actually pretty hungry…", she revealed her claws. "And ladies like me don't like to wait…"
"No, I'm sorry! Please, spare me! I'm Simba…", Simba trembled all over.
"Simba huh? What a dumb name", the black lady rolled her eyes. "But guess that'll have to do."
"W-what do you mean…? Can't you just tell what do you want from me?!"
"All in good time. You are about to go through a journey of your life", she got up. "And you wait here."
"No, I won't! I need to get back to my friends and father! You have no right to keep me in here!", Simba yelled.
"Oh, I saw your team…you really think that a tiny little meerkat and a fat warthog can stand a chance against me?"
"Maybe not, but my Dad can!"
"Right, your father. He sure is big…but so is our leader. I'm really curious to see what comes out of this."
"Your leader?! Who is that?", Simba asked in confusion.
"That's not really your concern…not yet. But now", the panther grabbed Simba by his scruff, throwing him down.
"Ouch!", Simba slammed himself against the cold ground. Sitting up, he noticed that was at the bottom of a pit.
"What…what is this place?!"
"Your little room", she laughed. "But don't worry, I'll be back soon", she rolled a rock over the pit, blocking Simba's view. "See you!"
"No, let me go! HELP!", Simba screamed but was already alone. Curling himself into a ball, he sniffed and sobbed.
Dad…please find me soon!
*Elsewhere*
Timon and Pumbaa had a hard time to keep up with Mufasa. The former king was extremely fast, especially when the adrenaline went through his body. Only Simba kept rolling in his mind and the danger he was in.
"Hey Mufasa, slow down!", Timon called. But the cat didn't hear him. Or just pretended didn't hear.
"Poor Simba…this is all my fault", Pumbaa sighed.
"No, it's not. Mosi and others did this. You are not to blame", Timon comforted.
"But what if he is hurt? Mosi and his brothers have lots of friends around."
"Say what?!", Mufasa suddenly stopped, causing Pumbaa to bump straight into him and land down. "They have other connections here?!"
"Well, at least we think so. They always seem to have plenty of food and big animals won't go near. Someone must be protecting them", Timon thought.
"Great…now what?! We don't really need any more troubles. Simba must be found!"
"We know! But it was only a suggestion he was taken back towards the caves."
Maybe, but that's the only possible solution we have", Mufasa said. "And besides, you two know this jungle way better than me. Think! Where would they have taken him if not there?"
"Hmm…", the duo thought.
"Yes?", Mufasa waited impatiently.
"Well maybe…", Pumbaa started. "Maybe they have taken him..."
"Where?! Tell me if you know!", Mufasa demanded.
"Well, we can't be sure of course…but Timon and I know a place which is, even more, deeper in the jungle than those caves. Right?"
"Unfortunately…and I have wondered about one thing. Why would they be interested in Simba?", Timon jumped down.
"Good point…", Mufasa thought too. "Simba and I just came here. We couldn't have possibly gotten that much attention."
"Or it's the opposite. Since you are lions, animals get curious. You don't usually live in the jungle."
"No…are you saying these brothers have some allies?"
"Possibly…they are way too small to cause all of these troubles", Pumbaa nodded.
"Oh please Pumbaa! Are you saying here is some other troublemakers? Let me laugh", Timon crossed his hands.
"But Timon, Simba disappeared during the stampede! We didn't find him from the river, so where could he be? Mosi and his little copycats are way too small to drag him out of there."
"Perhaps…but I'm really worried! I lost my son before and now this…", Mufasa closed his eyes.
"There there now", Timon patted Mufasa's paw. "We will find him. Don't worry."
"I hope so…or else I don't know what to do. Simba is the only thing I have left…"
"Speaking of…we don't mean to be rude in any way but Pumbaa and I have been thinking…where do you guys come from?"
Turning his head away, Mufasa refused to reveal his gaze. Timon had asked this before…but he couldn't tell the truth.
"Look, whatever happened in your past lives, doesn't count now. But if we knew more about your roots, we might understand this whole thing better", Timon explained.
"I'm…I'm sorry but I can't tell you. It's too risky."
"Risky?", Pumbaa looked confused. "In what way?"
"Every way. Maybe I tell you when the time is right but now…I can't. At least not until Simba is safe."
"If you say so…but you do realize that this hiding isn't helping your mind either?"
"I do, trust me. Look, I know you might think I sound crazy, but Simba and I…we are in great danger if someone learns about us. That's why I need to keep a low profile", Mufasa explained.
"In danger?!", Timon stepped back. "Where have you dragged us into?!"
"I release you from your duties. I don't want innocent animals to get hurt because of us. It was nice to get to know you…we leave as soon as I find my cub. Thank you", Mufasa nodded, disappearing into the woods. Looking after him, Timon grunted.
"Cats…I knew they won't bring anything good! Come on Pumbaa, let's go."
"But Timon, we can't abandon Mufasa and Simba! They are our friends!"
"Have you lost your mind?! Ever since we bumped into those two, troubles have followed us! Our paradise is gone for good!", Timon answered angrily.
"But think about the bright side! Mufasa is a huge lion who can protect us! And more importantly, how kind they are. We can't turn our backs on them", Pumbaa said.
"Hakuna Matata Pumbaa! We don't need a protector! We are completely fine!"
"Are we? The river is almost gone. In a couple of weeks, we have no water. Then, what do we do?"
"We think of something! And I'm not risking my life for someone who won't reveal anything about themselves!"
"But what if that threat is true? What if they really are in danger? Timon, they need us. Or can you turn your back on little Simba? He likes us and especially you. We need to be there for them. They helped us…we need to help them. Don't judge the shell…like you didn't with me."
Looking over his shoulder, Timon sighed as saw Pumbaa's demanding expression. He hated putting his life on the plate…but what else could he do?
"Okay, you won! Let's go after them or else they will kill themselves", Timon jumped onto Pumbaa's back and they ran after Mufasa who was running a couple of miles ahead.
Simba…son. Who could have thought we would be surrounded by so many troubles in this so-called paradise…?
"Dad!", Simba ran after him when they were examining the kingdom.
"Yes, son?"
"Look, what is that?", Simba pointed a chameleon tottering slowly towards a tree nearby.
"Well that's a chameleon my son", Mufasa smiled.
"A what?", Simba asked.
"A little lizard who lives away from unwanted gazes."
"Really?"
"Indeed", Zazu landed down. "A chameleon can actually change its colors to match with the environment."
"Wow, that's cool", Simba smiled. "You mean it can change into any other colors?"
"As I said. That's a very good skill since it protects them from the predators."
"Wow…hey, it's gone! Did you see where it go?!", Simba looked around.
"Heh, you won't' see it anymore", Mufasa smiled. "It's way too clever for our eyes. But Simba?"
"Yeah?"
"Remember one thing. Not everything is what it seems. So keep your eyes open, no matter what the situation is and more importantly...keep your mind sharp."
"Sure thing! Can I go to play now?"
"Yes. Have fun", Mufasa nodded and Simba began to run towards Pride Rock, Zazu following behind.
True, very true. Mufasa hated admitting the fact that he had failed. Bad.
Looks like my great tales won't stand in real life. I should have prepared Simba for the real world…but none of us saw this coming. Like some kings, stars or stories could help us here. Face it Mufasa…Scar is a way better king than you.
Ground echoed under Mufasa's paws as he ran. As he finally arrived on the border, he stopped.
This is it.
"Mufasa, wait!"
Turning around, Mufasa saw Timon and Pumbaa appearing from the bushes.
"Not again…didn't I say you two can go? What are you still doing here?"
"Well", Timon began. "Just…just listen to what we have to say, okay?"
"Fine…but make it quick!"
"You…you are right. We understand you don't wanna open up, and can't really blame you. Maybe Pumbaa and I don't look very trustworthy…but we truly like you both. You gave us a whole new world and buried our fears. And I believe that no matter what happened in the past…it's not your fault. And since we helped you, we already put ourselves into this mess. So whatever the threat is, it must take us down too."
"I…well…", Mufasa was stunned by these words.
"And more importantly, we are friends. And friends always help each other", Pumbaa smiled. "Just let us prove we can be useful."
"Well…", Mufasa finally sighed. "I just don't want that someone gets hurt in this. Simba would never forgive me."
"We have taken care of ourselves before we even met you. Don't worry about us. We need to focus on Simba instead", Timon said. "Now, what do you say we go and find him?"
"Sounds good", Mufasa smiled and the trio headed along the trunk, when suddenly…
"Hah hah hah! Look who's there!"
"Oh no…", Timon muttered as saw Mosi and his brothers on the other side.
"You! What do you want?!", Mufasa spat. "Where's my son?!"
"No idea cat! And even if we did know, you really think we would tell you?"
"You better! Pumbaa told you started the stampede and my son got missing! Tell me where he is, right now!"
"Uuuhhh…we're so scared! But I would more worried about…"
"About what…?", Mufasa looked confused…when felt how the wood under him cracked.
"Oh, no…this tree is collapsing! RUN!"
Turning back, Timon, Pumbaa, and Mufasa ran for their lives. But they didn't manage far as the trunk collapsed…and they fell down.
"Bye bye!", Jengo mocked. "Should we go?"
"Yeah, they are waiting for us. Let's go", Mosi nodded and the brothers disappeared into the woods, hearing panicked yelling echoing around the rocky walls…
"AAAHHHHHHH!"
*Meanwhile*
Simba cried. It was so dark…he was really scared.
How can I get out? I can't climb or…
*Cracking*
Lifting his head up, Simba saw how the rock was moved aside.
"Sorry, took some time. Here!", the panther threw Simba some meat.
"That's my food?", the cub raised his eyebrows.
"Yep, pretty much. Now, eat up since you aren't gonna get anything else today."
"But…", Simba tried. "Why can't you just tell me what is going on?!"
"Less you know, the better. And btw, my name is Shanira. Just for your information."
Not answering, Simba gazed as the hole was closed again. Collapsing to the ground, he buried his face in his paws. This jungle sure wasn't that much of a paradise any longer.
Help me…please!
TBC...
