Simba and Mufasa were in big trouble with the illusion they had to experience. After the emotional reunion, their courage was put to test quite fast. Especially poor Simba was terrified he would end up in danger again.
"Dad, I'm going to fall! I will never make it!", the cub trembled.
"No, you won't!", Mufasa yelled back. "Look, you're almost on the top! Just a few steps and you are safe!"
"I...", Simba closed his eyes, remembering the stampede. The shaking branch, gnus...
"No...I can't! NOO!"
"Son!", Mufasa said calmly. "It's okay to be scared. Remember, kings are too, but they are also brave when they have to be. And now it's time."
"But you aren't the king anymore! And I'm not the prince!"
"Those roles are always part of us, but I'm saying this as a father. Simba, I need your help."
The young lion was confused and surprised. His instincts told him to stay put but his father was here to cover him if something happens.
And besides, I once wanted to be like him. Now it's my time to prove I'm not a coward.
"Okay, I go", Simba finally nodded and continued crawling. It felt like forever but finally, he managed to cross the top and jumped to the ground.
"Hah, I did it! See, Dad?! I did it!"
"I see it", Mufasa smiled. Now it was his turn.
"Alright...", the former king began to climb up as well, keeping eye on the boiling lava. He didn't want to have a hot bath and burn his fur.
"You can do it, Dad! Come on!", Simba encouraged.
"Let's hope so", Mufasa muttered. He was afraid that this mud hill won't carry his weight.
Don't collapse, don't...
"Go, Dad! Go, Dad!", Simba jumped up and down. Despite he meant well, but it made Mufasa lose half of his attention.
*Rumble*
"What...what is that?!", Simba stopped jumping, turning around.
"What...?!", Mufasa yelled back. He was almost at the top.
"I think I heard something", his son answered. "The ground, it's...
"No, another explosion! Simba, climb back...!"
*Explosion*
Before the panicking family managed to do something, another earthquake started. Simba screamed, avoiding holes that opened and threw lava and rocks on him.
"DAD, HELP!"
"Aaahhhh, I try...!", Mufasa yelled, searching for a way out. But this chaos was too much, even for him.
"SIMBA!", he yelled, panicked.
"I will die! Help!", his cub screamed back desperately. It was something Mufasa feared and hated the most. His son was so different than he and Sarabi. They weren't as wild and curious as cubs, although they had their adventures. Scar again loved to explore different places and was almost always in trouble because of it. So maybe Simba got some of the traits from his uncle after all.
Now I'm not thankful...
Several rocks hit Mufasa as he continued climbing. But then, he heard cracking.
What...?
Everything happened in seconds. Unable to support his weight, the mudwall collapsed, causing Mufasa to fall off. Simba saw what was happening and he began to scream.
"DAAAD!"
"Aaaaahhhh!", Mufasa tried to roar, but only a little squeak came out of his mouth. Simba couldn't believe this was going to happen again.
But it's just a vision...it's not real. But why do I feel the opposite?!
Sliding straight towards the lava pond, Mufasa tried to stop himself. But he was going down too fast.
"No, no no no...!", he panicked, turning to look at Simba who stared helplessly back on the other side of the field. This damn illusion was going to destroy him. Such bad luck.
"Simba...!"
Circling the edge in panic and desperation, Simba knew very well what Mufasa was trying to say. Maybe this was his last goodbye?
"NO! HELPPP!", the poor little cub screamed, trying to find someone who could help them. But there was no one...
"PLEASE, SOMEBODY!", Simba tried again. Suddenly, he heard something.
"Hey...is anybody there?! Please, help us!", the little lion started running.
"SIMBA!", Mufasa yelled in surprise. "Where are you going?!"
"Hold on! I'm going to get help!"
"Wait...!", Mufasa protested, but his son was already gone. He had no choice but to wait and hope for the best. He trusted Simba, though. Maybe he needed the opportunity to prove himself.
I just hope he does that fast...
Meanwhile, Simba ran as fast as his little paws let him. This was his ultimate chance to save Mufasa and show what he had learned.
"Come on, come on where are you?!", he looked around. It was so hot...
No time to complain! I need to find help for Dad.
*Running*
"Hmm?", Simba heard something again. Steps...big ones. And they moved fast.
"Okay, maybe this was a bad idea. I better go back before..."
*Snarling*
"YIKES!", Simba jumped, turning around and starting to run back. He heard fast breathing right behind him and it made him run faster.
"Ohmynonono..."
*Snap*
"Ouch!", Simba fell to the ground. Someone had tackled him and held him still by the tail.
"No, helpppp! DAD!"
"Hello, runt."
"Huh?", Simba stopped screaming, looking over his shoulder. He was surprised to see Shanira grinning at him.
"You again!"
"Yep", the panther let Simba go who retreated far from her.
"What do you want?! Are you going to kidnap me again?! How did you even get here?!"
"Kids. I remember my sister who was an endless bigmouth just like you. Only her stories were meaningful and not boring."
"You have a sister?", Simba asked, surprised.
"You heard what I said", Shanira rubbed her ears. "I'm not repeating it."
"Whatever. But how did you get here?!"
"I have my secrets."
"Ahah...but hey, since you're here, I really need your help! Dad is in trouble!"
"I thought so. Your annoying screaming can be heard far. And when it comes to you, I'm not surprised, though."
Starting to get restless, Simba decided to act. He didn't want to do this, but he had to give up his pride if wanted to save Mufasa.
"Please", he bowed. "I need your help!"
"What?", Shanira asked, irritated.
"My Dad is in danger and I can't help him! But you are strong enough to save him! Please!"
"Not again...", Shanira muttered. She thought about refusing, but Simba's begging expression made her give up. And her plan was nothing without these two...
"If I have to", she got up. "Where is he?"
"I show you. Come on!", Simba rushed. "We don't have much time!"
*Elsewhere*
"AAAHHHHH!", Timon and Pumbaa landed through the fog that didn't seem to end.
"Why are we still falling?!", the warthog wiped his eyes.
"I don't know!", Timon yelled back. "We can't find our furry friends this way!"
"Shouldn't something appear soon?!", Pumbaa screamed. "We're doomed!"
"Stop it, Pumbaa! Of course, we aren't!"
"Then what do we do?! Now would be a perfect time to think of something!"
"What?! You are expecting me to do something?!"
"Well, you are the brains of this duo after all..."
"Tsk", Timon grunted. Okay, they were falling straight down. So if they tried to hover instead, their speed should slow down. Maybe.
"Okay Pumbaa, follow my example!", Timon turned onto his back. His plan seemed to work.
"What are you doing?!"
"Just do as I say!"
"Okay, here we go...", Pumbaa did as was told. Reaching out with his hand, Timon grabbed Pumbaa's tail and now they both fell slowly down.
"It worked! Now we can see around!"
"Told ya", the meerkat smiled proudly. "Now, how do we find our friends?"
That was a good question. Pumbaa knew some of The Land of Mists since he had always paid attention to stories and rumors wandering in the jungle. He tried to warn Timon several times, but the smaller one was too stubborn and careless to believe him. If he only had listened, they wouldn't be here now...
"There has to be a way out. Let's hope Mufasa and Simba are in the same place."
"I hope so too. But all I can see is this damn mist! Like..."
"FLASH!"
"Hey!", Pumbaa pointed out. "Did you see that?"
"See what?"
"I saw a light! Must be one of the visions!"
"Huh? I don't see anything."
"FLASH!"
"There, there! Look!"
"Oh, now I get it! Wow, look at that view. So dry and miserable...", Timon said sadly until the "window" disappeared. Soon, this same thing started happening again, faster each time. Timon and Pumbaa saw several different landscapes or worlds appearing and disappearing like someone switched the lights off and on.
"Okay, what's going on here?!", Timon pulled himself behind Pumbaa's back.
"I think that we are in some sort of intermediate state. Here, we can see what different worlds this place keeps inside."
"Okay...well, which one has Mufasa and Simba? Tell me, Mr. Brainiac!"
"I don't know! I guess we have to check these all one by one."
"Seriously?! Options are endless!", Timon protested.
"Well, do you have a better idea?", Pumbaa asked sarcastically. Sometimes, he hated Timon's obnoxiousness.
"Sure! Like...umm..."
"Oh, come on", Pumbaa grabbed his BFF, "swimming" towards the nearest view. Closing his eyes, Timon prayed.
"Please be a good one, please be a good one..."
"Okay, here we go", Pumbaa warned. "One, two, three...!"
"FLASH!"
*Meanwhile*
"Thank you for saving me...", Mufasa panted on the ground, Simba sitting worriedly beside him. Rubbing and licking her tail, Shanira murmured angrily.
"Why do you always have to get your fat body into trouble?! I'm tired of saving you."
"I didn't ask for help...", Mufasa gulped, trying to catch a breath.
"No, but you would be roasted meat without me. So I expect big praise."
"Just wait a bit, will you?", Mufasa said angrily, sitting slowly up. He had few burn scars but luckily, they weren't that bad.
"I was really scared. I thought you wouldn't make it", Simba shivered.
Smiling, Mufasa rubbed Simba's forehead.
"But I did and it's all thanks to you. I can see how you've grown. I'm proud of you."
This turned Simba's expression happy. He straightened his position, looking proudly at his father. Mufasa's heart melted.
He's so cute...
"Are you done yet? If so, then I'm off. Bye...", Shanira turned to walk away...
"No, you are not going anywhere!", Mufasa ran in front of her, blocking the way.
"Excuse me?"
"Yes, all this is way too odd and I want some answers! How did you find us, again?"
"What are you, some commander in chief? I don't have to answer you. Out of my way!"
"This is exactly what I'm talking about. You happen to find us whenever we're in trouble, you help and then you walk off. What is your true purpose?"
Shanira stared at Mufasa, not answering. Once again, she started feeling uneasy.
"As I said, I don't have to answer. Good day", she tried to move again.
"Don't make me take you down. Your behavior is really suspicious. You sound evil but suddenly, you're not. I know there's something you aren't telling us."
"Oh really? Like what?"
"First of all, you can tell the truth about this place. I can see you know it better than you show. Are these so-called visions really true? Or have you done them?"
"Me? Hah hah hah! As much as I admire your determination, but I'm just one silly panther. I don't have magical powers to create something insane like this. And believe me, my world would be quite different."
"Well...", Mufasa blushed a little. Now that he thought about it, the idea sounded stupid. How could she have done this?
"But Dad is right. I was surprised to see you here so suddenly. Those fennec brothers told me and Timon that you can't choose what this place throws at you", Simba said.
"Clever, furball", Shanira turned to the lion cub. "I sure underestimated you."
"I told you Simba is smart. But, you didn't answer most of my questions. So, I'm asking this again. How did you find us?", Mufasa looked demanding.
"Very well", Shanira finally gave up. "Maybe I should reveal you some of my secrets since you are obviously too stupid to use your brains."
"Go on", Mufasa nodded. "I'm all ears."
"Well, your brat is on the right track. I know something about this place that others don't. Yeah, I knew how to find you all along. But how? I let you think about the truth first."
Simba and Mufasa looked at each other for a second, then they both shook their heads.
"Blah, don't be such dummies! The answer isn't as hard as you think. I know how to navigate here and I know exactly where to go each time."
"But how?", Simba wondered. "This place is so insane!"
"Experience, perhaps? Up to you, since further than this, I won't reveal my secrets."
Shanira's behavior arose Mufasa's suspicions. Why did she play with them? Why was she willing to open up so easily?
This gotta be a trap. I can see she's enjoying this.
"Look, this is useless. So why don't we just part ways right now?" Mufasa forced Simba behind his front paw. "I found my son so I don't need your services anymore."
"Is that so? And how are you going to get out of here?"
"We think of something. So, thank you..."
"Not so fast. I have saved you several times and you promised me a reward. And I'm that kind of lady who doesn't want to get fooled", Shanira said demandingly.
"Dad, she's right. We must repay her", Simba began.
"Yes, but she would only want you! And I'm not letting it happen!"
"I don't want your kid. I don't need him."
"Huh?", Mufasa stared. "But earlier..."
"Enough of that! First I thought that luring you to our boss would be a good idea. But when started thinking about it, I realized something even better. And that's...", Shanira's green eyes flashed.
"What...what are you talking about?!", Mufasa covered Simba better. "Who are you?!"
"Not me, but you two", Shanira grinned from ear to ear. "After all, it's not every day you meet the king and prince of The Pridelands."
TBC...