The weather was awful. Animals ran in different directions, parents tried to get their offspring to safety. It was obvious that they sensed the upcoming danger and wanted to get out of the way. But for Simba, that wasn't the case. He had been separated from Mufasa, Timon, and Pumbaa for days and finding them turned harder at every moment. The fennec trio, as well as Shanira, were after him, so at least he got the life he once wished for - full of action and dangerous situations.

"Hurry Bebe, hurry!"

"I try!", the hippo yelled back. But moving in the mud was harder than expected, the flowing was so fast.

Looking over his shoulder, Simba gulped. The cloud wall was extremely dark and the wind howled in his ears. It took most of his strength not to fall over.

"We should try to find some shelter and get out of the open area!"

"Easier said than done kid! This wind is ripping even trees off! Where do you think we can find one?!"

"I don't know, but we must try! Swim to the bend!"

"Fine...", Bebe changed his direction and when reached there, Simba jumped to the ground.

"Okay, get up!"

"Coming, coming...", Bebe stood from the mud and shook himself.

"Right, so what do you suggest?"

"Uhh...", Simba muttered, looking around. "You are right, there really is nothing..."

"Told ya. But I actually happen to know a potential place which is near. Come!", Bebe made a run for it. Not arguing, Simba followed him.

"What place?"

"You'll see!"

Simba hesitated when heard that respond. Last time he met those hippos led him into a serious situation. He wasn't going to repeat it.

"Bebe, wait!"

"What?", the hippo turned around.

"Look...I don't wanna be rude, but I need to be sure that there really is a hideout. Since last time, as you might remember..."

"I see...you are afraid that they might attack again?"

"Possibly..."

"Hmm. Well, maybe we should make sure that we aren't followed."

"And how do we do that?"

"Just wait. Look, I know you might have your doubts, but I really need your trust if we want to make this work", Bebe nodded.

"Of course. Sorry, I just...", Simba sighed. "I mean that...I've been through a lot lately."

"I understand. You and your father have taken quite an interest among the animals around here. It sounds exciting and that's why they are curious."

"You think so? I don't understand the point though."

"Maybe not yet, but..."

"But, what?", Simba asked.

"Never mind. We better keep going", Bebe rushed. "The storm is right behind us."

Looking up, Simba had to confirm the fact. The tornado was still quite far, but it moved pretty fast.

"Okay, I come. Is this hideout of yours far?"

"No", Bebe led the way. "It's a place where we all gather in times like this."

"All? You mean your herd?", Simba ran beside him.

"Yes and some of the other animals too. But don't worry, they are harmless."

"I really hope so...", Simba sighed. He hoped that his friends were able to find a shelter, where ever they were right now.

*Meanwhile*

"Jengo, Jelani!", Mosi called in the rain. "Where are you, idiots?!"

Only raindrops answered him. Feeling really pissed off, Mosi kept looking. Why he always had to guard his idiotic little bros? Even when they were young, this happened. Mosi had always been the babysitter, which annoyed him a lot. Their father abandoned them when they were just infants, so their mother raised her kids alone. It wasn't an easy job, but she managed. And the results were...well, decide for yourself.

"Where are they?!", Mosi muttered. His fur got wet and he hated it more than anything.

"Jengo! Jelani! Answer me you maggots!"

At first, there was no answer. But then, Mosi heard distant voices. And he could recognize them anywhere.

"Urh, oh shut up!"

"You shut up!"

"Oh yeah?!"

"Yeah!"

"Oh not again...", Mosi rolled his eyes, sprinting in the direction where heard those voices coming from. He ran through a bunch of bushes and found the twins from the path, fighting.

"There you are! What are you doing?!"

"Ask him!", Jengo spat. "He started it!"

"I never start anything! You're the one pissing me off!", Jelani answered.

"Arrh, be quiet, both of you! Why are you fighting?! You are supposed to be looking for that lion cub!", Mosi hissed. "Don't tell me you lost him, AGAIN!"

"Well, we..."

"Arrhh...can't you two get anything right?! I always must clean up your messes!"

"Like we have ever asked for it! You know what Mosi?! I think you overestimate yourself! Just because you are oldest, doesn't make some ruler or anything!", Jengo yelled. "Actually, I'm done with you both!"

"Hah, be my guest! Like you can survive one day without us", Jelani mocked.

"Try me."

"Urrhh...just shut up, both of you!", Mosi yelled angrily. "I already got a lecture from the boss and if you don't wanna follow my example, you better start behaving!"

"Ohhhh did my picky ears hear correctly?", Jengo grinned. "You were pushed down the volcano? HAH HAH HAH!"

"Very nice that you find me so amusing...", Mosi grunted as Jengo rolled on the ground, holding his stomach.

"Idiot...so, what happened then?", Jelani asked.

"Twitmon and Dumbaa ruined the arena. And..."

"What?! Those two idiots?! How did that happen?"

"Don't ask more! But the boss is really pissed. So start behaving!"

"Well in that case...", Jengo sat up. "I guess I can give it a try."

"You better. Now, I wanna get out of this rain! Once the storm is settled, we will continue searching. Come on!", Mosi ran to look for a shelter. Showing tongues at each other, his brothers sprinted after him.

*Elsewhere*

The tornado flushed over the jungle. It wiped trees, plants and everything else along. It would be dangerous to be without shelter, so it was natural that everyone searched for a place to hide. Simba had never witnessed a tornado before, at least not like this one. Sure his parents and Zazu had told him about dangerous weather changes, but in The Pridelands hardly happened something catastrophic. If did, it was more like flooding because of the massive rainstorms. And that Simba was very familiar with.

"Bebe, this wind is getting stronger and stronger! How much further?!"

"It's right behind the corner! See that massive rock wall in front of us?"

Opening his eyes a bit, Simba was surprised. Where this came from?

"Y-yeah! But there could be rockslides caused by mud! We shouldn't go near it!"

"It's fine. Trust me already!", Bebe said. "Or can you survive by yourself?"

"N-no...I'm sorry, you're right. So, what next?", Simba asked.

"Just wait", Bebe answered, making some noises that Simba nearly jumped.

"Uhh...what are you doing...?"

Not answering, Bebe continued. Soon, the ex-prince was able to hear something. Ears pricking up, he listened carefully.

"What...what is that...?!", he prepared himself, in case he was found by Mosi or those other villains. Before Bebe could answer, from the rain appeared another hippo.

"Bebe!"

"Hi, my friend! Is everything okay?"

"You could say so, at least for now. But I heard your call."

"Yes, I was hoping some of you would have gone here. And oh, I have a friend with me", Bebe turned to Simba. "But you two have already met."

"Nice to see you again kid", the other hippo smiled.

"Hello", Simba greeted. "Are one of Pumbaa's friends who we met at the river?"

"Yes, I'm Cala. Luckily Bebe was able to find you from the storm."

"Yeah, I'm really thankful for that. Look, I don't want to rush but...", Simba pointed up. He wanted to get out of this rain asap.

"Sorry, my ignorance. Come along", Cala started to walk. Simba gave a look at Bebe who nodded and they started following.

"This place of ours is not really well known", Cala told when they came in front of the cave. Staring at it, Simba started shivering.

"You okay Simba?", Bebe asked.

"K-kinda. Where this exactly goes...?"

"You'll see", Cala smiled. "I bet you will be quite surprised!"

"But, uh...", Simba hesitated, then decided to bury his fears. He trusted these two.

"The storm is really bad", Bebe said. "The whole jungle is suffering."

"No real wonder. Our herd got slipt up during the incident. There's only a bunch of us left", Cala answered.

"I'm glad you were able to escape", Simba smiled. "But Bebe, I need to ask you something."

"Ask away."

"Well, you said that some of your friends spotted my Dad and Timon and Pumbaa earlier. Do you know where?"

"I don't know the exact location, but rumors say that they were spotted in the forbidden part of the jungle."

"Forbidden part? You mean that area on the other side of the canyon?"

"That's right. How do you know?"

"Well, that's why this whole mess started in the first place. Dad and Timon went to look for those fennec brothers since they stole the water. I stayed behind with Pumbaa, when...", Simba sighed.

"Hmm. Well, I bet they are looking for you there. Although, that's just my guess."

"Damn...I can't go back there! It took ages to escape, but if they are there now..."

"I'm sure we'll think of something", Cala comforted.

"We?", Simba lifted his gaze.

"Of course. We will help you to find your friends."

"Really?! Well, thank you. I sure miss them..."

"Natural. But hey, hopefully, this cheer you up", Bebe smiled when they walked through the tiny waterfall. And what Simba saw next, made him stop. Behind the waterfall revealed a little underground valley, which was covered by rock walls. It had a pond, trees, and other plants and the ground was covered by thick grass.

"Wow! What is this place?"

"Our little hideout. Make yourself home", Cala nodded.

"Thank you", Simba smiled and looked around the area. If only Mufasa and others could see this...

*Deeper in the jungle*

"This rain keeps going and going...", Jengo sat at the entrance. "When it will stop?"

"It stops when it stops. You should know how nature works", Jelani rolled his eyes. "Fool..."

"Well sorry for asking Mr. Smartypants", his twin hissed back.

"Would you two cut it out already?!", Mosi lost his temper. "We have enough troubles without you two fooling around!"

"Is boss really that pissed?"

"What do you think?! Look at my fur", Mosi pointed. "The plan must start asap."

"Too bad that it's easier said than done. That rat and his fat friend were easy to handle, but ever since those lions showed up..."

"That brat is really useful, but his father is a way more complicated case. We can't beat him, that's for sure. But Shanira was able to kick his butt."

"Really?"

"Yep. So, we need to show we can do much better. If she can stand against an adult lion despite the fact that is smaller, why we can't take care of one silly cub?" Mosi asked.

"Hmm, good point I guess. So, what do you suggest?", Jelani sat up.

"Isn't that obvious?! We harden bullets, as we speak. And I think I already know what to do..."

"Here we go again", Jengo shook his head. "Well, what's the plan?"

"Well, this one makes sure we are really going to catch him. So shut up and listen! Here's what we do..."

*The cave*

"It's right above us", Cala looked up. "Walls are shaking."

"Oh no, I hope we aren't doomed...!", Simba panicked.

"No need to worry. This cave is well covered. It's not the first time a storm like this appears", Bebe told.

"Okay...", Simba calmed down.

But what about others? Have they found a shelter? What if not? Then...

"Simba, you okay?"

"I'm...I'm fine. I just wonder if my friends are okay..."

"Oh yeah, that's right! Cala, could you...?"

"Absolutely", she got up and called. Soon, two parrots flew from the tree, landing to the group.

"You called us?"

"Yes. This young one here needs your help. Tell us what you saw earlier."

"Oh, so you are that lion cub everyone is talking about?", the red parrot asked Simba.

"Everyone...?"

"Yeah, lions appearing here is really the news of the year. We actually saw your father with Timon and Pumbaa a couple of days back."

"Wait, you know Timon and Pumbaa?", Simba wondered.

"Of course! In the oasis, likely everyone knows each other."

"I see. Well, where did you see them?"

"Oh, so you don't know?"

"Know...what?"

"Well, the fight between your father and Shanira, the panther. It's the biggest news for days!"

Staring, Simba couldn't believe his ears. So, Mosi was lying all along. Mufasa and others were alive. And more importantly, they knew about his kidnapper and where she lived. They were tracking him.

Oh thank god, thank god!

"So, you are saying you saw them? How the fight ended?"

"We are not sure, we couldn't watch it until the end. But I'm pretty sure your father is fine", the blue parrot nodded.

"Well, this is wonderful! Thank you both", Simba bowed. "Now I know that Dad is alive and is looking for me."

"It appears so. We can go to look for them after the storm is over if you want."

"That would be great. Thanks!", Simba began to sob. Cala comforted him.

"Oh, kid. It's okay."

"Yeah. Sorry..."

"Don't worry. But hey, you look pretty tired. Get some sleep, we stay on the guard", Bebe said. Nodding, Simba yawned and curled into a ball next to Cala. And when the storm blew outside, it didn't bother the young cub. More importantly, hopefully, gets to see his friends soon. After all, he was safe. For now...

TBC...