Chapter 15

"It's time to prepare"

"Taka! You're really alive!" - Sarabi yelled as she leaped towards King Taka. Aminifu stood in her way, because he was still hurt. And if she was to pin him to the ground, something could happen.

"My queen. I am sorry to stand in your way, but the King is still hurt. You might wanna be more gentle."

She hit his huge body, and bounced to the ground. Sarabi started laughing, thinking about how stupid her idea was.

"You're right Aminifu.. Taka… you don't know how glad I am to see you."

Aminifu let the older lion climb down to the ground. Taka came to Sarabi and nuzzled into her fur. Tears were pouring out of his eyes.

"Sarabi… I am so sorry for leaving you like that. I was so stupid to think we can overpower them without you.. Forgive me please"

Sarabi started crying too. She wasn't angry at him. She was relived that she got her loved one back.

"Taka..you silly lion king.. I am not angry at you. The most important is that you are alive. Rest is meaningless. Our sons has missed you, as did I"

"I can only imagine. Where are they anyway?"

"In the cave. Nala is looking after them."

"Ah..that's good to hear. She'll have some experience with cubs before having her own."

They all went to the cave. Taka was greeted by everyone. His pride was very happy that he was alive and healing already. But a question was remaining. What will happen next? Over the course of 2 weeks, they have studied the behavior of the rouges. They stalked them, and learned what do they do during the day. Together with the elephants, they have prepared a plan. A plan only someone as cunning as Scar could come up with. But the Lion King wasn't evil anymore. He wanted to give them a chance to surrender. He also thought about this white lion called Mateso. Taka saw himself in him. A lion that has a chance to redeem himself. So one day, he, Simba and Aminifu prepared a trap for them. They asked a zebra to play as a bait. As expected, both Mateso and Saburi showed up, ready to kill it. They were not expecting any problems..

"A single Zebra? This should be easy." - the bigger lion yelled.

"True brother. Just let's end it quick so it won't suffer."

"But it's so funny when they try to fight for their lives!"

Mateso was different from his brothers. He was conceived by another lion. He didn't have the urge to kill. He respected all the creatures. For many years, in secret, he wanted to leave his brothers and live a happy life elsewhere. But out of fear, he just stayed with them. He was afraid that once he leaves, they will hunt him down for betrayal.

"Simba, you hear that? It worked."

"As all your plans worked, uncle Taka."

"Aminifu, let's go."

"Yes your majesty" - the elephant answered.

Aminifu started going in the direction of the rouges, slowly. He pretended to be just grazing around. But behind him, walking step by steps, was King Taka nad Prince Simba. Elephant's scent masked their so they never could suspect an ambush.

"Hey brother look at this! A lonely elephant! We should take him out. He would be enough for weeks!" - Saburi yelled, licking his own maw with his tonuge. He didn't even wait for an answer from his brother and started charging at the mighty beast. When he got closed enough, both Taka and Simba jumped at him and pinned him to the ground.

"Well hello there. I hope you're ready for round two!" - The king said.

"Bb-ut.. But you're dead! I've killed you!"

"Well, sorry to say that but well.. they didn't like me in heaven so they sent me back. While I have no intention of killing you, you must get out of our lands, and never return.."

"Pff.. Are you kidding me? We overpowered you with no problem last time. What makes you think we're not gonna do that again?"

"You sure you wanna fight with elephants?" - Simba chuckled.

Saburi looked at them and got scared. Even he knew they are no match for a single elephant.. not even speaking about an army of them.

"Okay… Okay.. Fine. But I am already taking my brother with me."

Mateso was hearing all of this from a distance, trying to catch up to his brother.

"Please.. don't hurt him. I know we've done wrong to you.."

"Mateso right?" - Taka asked. The younger lion nodded.

"From what we've heard and what we've seen, you respect the Circle of Life. Why would you stay with your brothers?"

"I...I can't tell you.. they will kill me"

Saburi heard that and immediately looked at his brother

"What are you talking about!?"

"Saburi.. I've wanted to leave for so long now.. The life you choose is not the one I want to have.. You enjoy hurting.. killing. I can't stand it."

"I always knew you were different… you are no brother of mine! I wish you were dead. Now leave me alone and let me go out of this wretched place"

Royal lions holding him, let him stand up. Mateso joined them and watched as his brother was disappearing in the distance. He started crying.

"Don't cry. You've made the right choice. We will protect you. Elephants will do so too. After we regain our home, you are welcomed to join our pride"

"Thank you King Taka. I would really like to finally live in peace. But knowing my brothers, this won't be easy. They will notice that something is wrong very soon."

"That's why we will strike soon too. Tomorrow morning. Do you want to stand with us."

"I don't think I can hurt my brothers.. maybe I will be able to talk some sense into them?"

"I don't think talking will work.. but yeah. We can try that first. Just like with your brother, I don't intend on killing them. I wish they all survive the day and just go away."

"Yes please..Even though they have done so many wrong things.. I myself helped, I can't be forgiven for that.."

Taka stepped in front of the white lion and put his paw on his shoulder.

"If I can be forgiven for killing my own brother, then you can be forgiven for whatever is that they have done. This will be a fresh start for you. Let's make sure everything goes according to the plan."

"Yeah.. I really hope so. So, what is the plan now?"

"We march towards Pride Rock with the Elephants. Tomorrow at dawn..."