"Rafiki! Wait up!"

Simba followed his old shaman friend. They were spying on teenage Mufasa and Scar, who were on their first hunt. Rafiki had told earlier about how Taka, as Scar was called as a cub, got that brutal wound to his eye and how it changed him and his personality. And realizing that he was maybe going to witness this accident again, made Simba shiver.

Rafiki followed brothers and hid in the tall grass. When Simba passed him, Rafiki pulled him back by his tail.

"Ouch!", Simba spat. "You didn't need to do that."

"Silence", Rafiki whispered. "There they are."

Simba lifted his gaze and watched as Mufasa and Scar were racing. It was so weird to see his uncle acting so childishly.

"I can't believe that this young lion is actually Uncle Scar…he is so different."

If only he could be like that in reality…

Rafiki looked at the young prince and nodded silently.

"But what are we going to do?", Simba asked. "You said that they can't see us. How can we stop them?"

"I'm afraid that we can't…we need to think something about how to get Mufasa or Scar to change things. We don't exist in this timeline, so it's not our job to change it either. But marks we can give."

"I hope so…I really need to stop this."

Rafiki and Simba watched as Scar raced first, leaving Mufasa behind. And then, the crown prince stopped.

"Taka! Stop!"

"Huh?", younger brother turned his head. Mufasa pointed out the antelopes and the duo hid.

"That group…oh no. We don't have much time…let me see…", Rafiki rubbed his head.

Simba looked at the mandrill helplessly, then back at his relatives. And then, he saw something that Taka pointed with his claw.

No…no way!

"Rafiki", Simba pushed him. "There it is! The buffalo!"

Rafiki turned his head and his eyes widened. He saw how Mufasa and Scar gazed at the big animal eating on the other side of the field.

"That is huge…no wonder why Uncle Scar got hurt…not even Dad could take that down alone as an adult!"

Taka spat at Mufasa and lifted himself up. Rafiki gazed at him and then Simba.

"Listen to me Simba. You need to promise that whatever happens, you will stay put. You can't be seen by anyone. And if I don't succeed…I need you to run and get to that same cave before the sunset. There will open a portal which leads you back to our timeline."

Simba looked confused.

"What do you mean Rafiki? What are you gonna do then?"

"Even if I said that we can't change the past…but plans changed. Since a younger me is in this universe, my appearance won't be so suspicious. But you on the other hand…"

Simba didn't know what to say. And before he could answer back, Rafiki started running.

"Just make sure that you will stay hidden! I'll be back!"

"But Rafiki...", Simba yelled after him. Grunting, he hid and watched the scene.

"I'm gonna leave Mufasa under my shadow at this time…", Taka muttered. "Just two quick steps…"

"Taka! My prince, stop!"

Taka turned his head around, surprised. Mufasa lifted himself up and looked confused as well.

"Rafiki? Is that you?", the older brother ran to them.

"Yes", Rafiki nodded. "Good day to you as well Mufasa."

"What the hell happened to you?", Taka examined Rafiki. "Did you go to plastic surgery or something? You're looking like a total fossil!"

"Taka", Mufasa pushed him. "I'm so sorry about his behavior…this is our first time when we are hunting by ourselves."

"Yes, I know. But I must warn you…that buffalo is way too aggressive. You shouldn't push him", Rafiki said.

"Hear that Taka? That's what I've been trying to tell him. But he won't listen", Mufasa shook his head.

"Do you really think that I will take advice from you?! You just want to get all the glory. No way!", Taka spat and started running.

"Prince Taka! You don't know what you're doing!", Rafiki tried to warn him. When he didn't get respond, he turned to Mufasa.

"Mufasa, go get your father. Hurry!"

"But…", Mufasa tried.

"There is no time! I will try to stop Taka. Go now!"

Mufasa didn't argue further. He turned towards Pride Rock and started running. Simba watched after him from his hiding place and turned to see Rafiki and Taka.

Come on! Come on…

Taka approached the buffalo, evil grin on his face. When he was just about to attack, he was stopped by Rafiki.

"Stop this at once Taka! You don't know what you're up against!"

"Has Muffy messed up your head too? All of you are blinded by his perfection! But now, I'll be the winner. And you or no one can stop me!", the prince turned his head.

Rafiki tried all that he could think of to stop Taka. But no avail. Simba was getting restless.

Man, this won't work…what can I do?

And before either Rafiki or Simba could react, Taka jumped onto the buffalo's back. The surprised animal started running and Rafiki jumped out of the way.

"Oh my god! Rafiki, help me! Where is Mufasa?! Get me down!", Taka yelled.

Rafiki jumped on his feet and tried to distract the buffalo. But nothing worked. After a while, Taka fell off just like before and was chased. And then he lost his foot and landed down. Rafiki gasped.

"I'm so sorry…I didn't mean it..", Taka trembled as the buffalo approached him furiously.

Simba held his breath as he was going to witness this horrible accident again. This would be Mufasa's and his doom. And there was no way he could let that happen.

Without further thinking, Simba ran out of the grass and towards the buffalo. He passed surprised Rafiki, who yelled after him. But Simba was too nervous that didn't hear his words.

The young cub ran between Taka and the buffalo. Turning his body towards the animal, he met his uncle's surprised face before he turned his back to him. Gazing at the angry animal, Simba revealed his teeth and claws, hissing loudly.

"STAY AWAY FROM MY UNCLE!"

TBC...