"Do you see them?!"

"No!"

"I knew it! This was a bad idea! And remember, I'm not gonna take the blame for it!"

If Simba and Mufasa thought that Timon and Pumbaa didn't have problems, they were wrong. Traveling from a vision to another, they did everything to find the father and son. But it was easier said than done.

"I thought this was going to work...", Pumbaa ran through the jungle. "But it looks like I was wrong..."

"You were! We should have continued falling! How many times I have told you to listen to me?!", Timon sat on his best friend's back. Being obnoxious, of course.

"Well if you have an idea, then tell me! We must find others before Mosi and his brother find us!"

"Oh yeah, and how are we gonna do it, maestro?! Your idea led us deeper into this place!"

This was enough for Pumbaa. Stopping, he let Timon fall to the ground.

"Hey, what was that for?!", the meerkat rubbed his head.

"Your attitude, Timon! Don't do this and don't do that, I know everything! Well, you know what?! I'm done!"

Standing up, Timon looked surprised. Usually, Pumbaa was the calmest animal he knew. But now...he was furious.

"What's gotten into you, pal?!"

"Don't be so naive, Timon! Ever since we met, I have been your doormat and well where you throw your insults. Sometimes, I feel like you're enjoying it!"

"What are you talking about?! Of course not!"

"Oh really?! Shut up, Pumbaa! I know everything, not you! I have the brains so keep your stupid ideas to yourself! Want me to continue?!", the warthog started approaching, anger flashing in his eyes. Timon retreated against a tree.

"Now now, be careful with those horns..."

"Hah, this is so typical. You act like a hero, but deep down you're a coward who hides behind bigger animals. That's what I call pathetic."

"Oh please! You're nothing without me! Everyone avoids you! I was the one who accepted you as yourself!"

"Maybe, but if you keep acting like this, then it's not worthy of it. And since you know everything so well and my ideas suck, I trust you can find a way out of here yourself Mr. Selfish. Goodbye", Pumbaa turned around, running into the woods. Timon was so surprised that didn't go after him.

Did he really mean it?!

"I can't live like this anymore...", Pumbaa muttered as he ran. "Maybe we weren't meant to be friends...well, now he gets what he wants. And I'm gonna find Mufasa and Simba...they're my family now."

Yeah, so good luck, pal...good luck.

"PUMBAA!", Timon yelled, but no one answered.

"Alright...let's think about this first...", he walked in circles.

Me, selfish?! Hah, he knows nothing! I'm the most adored guy in the whole jungle...I guess...

No, Pumbaa was right. Timon knew he was. He was never liked in his society and that's why he left at the beginning. His stinky friend was the first one who wanted to spend time with him. And what did he do in return? Mocked, told bad jokes, insulted, teased. He didn't mean to insult Pumbaa, but maybe his style was a bit offensive.

I'm such an idiot...IDIOT!

"Pumbaa, wait! Don't leave me here!", Timon began to run after him. But Pumbaa was already gone.

Oh no...don't tell me I lost him!

"Pumbaa! Okay, you won! Please, come out!"

*Silence*

"This is not good...", Timon rubbed his fingers together. Being alone in this place was very dangerous. Mosi and Jengo can be anywhere and no one was protecting him...

"HELP!", the meerkat ran through the woods as well. If he was fast enough, then he might catch Pumbaa before...

"Hey, Twitmon!"

"Huh?!", Timon looked over his shoulder and bumped into a tree. "Oww..."

"Heh, this works every time", Jengo came from the bushes. "How stupid can an animal be that falls into a trap like this over and over again?"

"How did you find me this time?! When are you losers gonna give up?!"

"Despite we look stupid, but we're not. We know how to navigate here, unlike you."

"Arrrhh...I'm so sick of this", Timon muttered.

"What was that?", Jengo approached his enemy. "You have something to say, rat?!"

"How many times I have to tell you, I'm not a rat! Your brains are obviously dead since you can't come up with better insults. If you're going to continue them, at least do it right!"

"How dare you mock my style! If I were you, I wouldn't talk much. Murderer!"

"Okay, maybe I am! But you aren't any better than me! Were you helping your brother?! It was as much your fault as mine!"

"That's it! DIE YOU LOSER!", Jengo attacked Timon and they started rolling on the ground. A moment later, Mosi walked from the bushes as well.

"I should have known...Jengo! What are you doing now?!"

"Stay out of this! I'm teaching this punk a lesson!"

"Be my guest...", Mosi made an eye-roll, then licked his fur. He hated when it got dirty.

"Simba was right about you! You're nothing, but a troublemaker!", Timon pulled Jengo's ears.

"Hah! Says the guy whose best friend is a stinky pig! Where's your lover, btw? Did you two break up?!", Jengo bit Timon's tail. Mosi followed their fighting, deeply resenting it.

Uh, everything I'm ready to do for Jelani's memory...

"CRASH!"

"Hmm?!", the fox turned around, locking his eyes towards the distance. "Hey you two, stop it!"

"Wut?", the two fighters stopped immediately, without letting go of each other.

"There's something...right over there", Mosi stared at the dark forest.

"Oh really?! Nice to see you have finally noticed what this place can do!", Jengo showed his tongue.

"Keep your mouth shut and listen!", Mosi commanded.

"Fine...", his bro kicked Timon away. "What do you hear, then?"

"Something or someone is watching us...and it's not a friend."

"This isn't happening...where have you dragged me now?!", Timon spat.

"Even though I hate to say this, Twitmon", Mosi grunted and continued "But this time, we have nothing to do with this."

"I don't believe you! Who else would do these stupid things one after another?!"

"Keep yapping if you want. But one thing I'm sure about...whatever out there is, it's watching us. And I can assure you that it's not friendly."

*Meanwhile*

Simba and Mufasa were resting in a little meadow after hours of wandering. They were yet unsure of their whereabouts, but hope hadn't died.

Napping lightly, Mufasa kept a close eye on his son who chased butterflies all over the grass. Simba was so energetic and hardly tired. A gift or a curse? It depends.

"Dad, look at this!"

"Yes, son...", Mufasa smiled. He was so happy to be with his cub again.

"Oh, it escaped", Simba murmured as the butterfly flew away. "I just wanted to play..."

"Heh heh. How come you're not tired at all?"

"I don't know. I just don't feel sleepy."

"Hmmh, well you have always been very lively. And I'm happy you're curious about everything. The world has so much to teach."

"I can't wait to learn more! But although, what does it matter now that I'm not going to be king anymore?", Simba asked in confusion. Mufasa sighed.

"Son, don't define yourself just as the prince. You are much more than that."

"Like what?"

"Whatever you want to be. What would you wanna be?"

"I wanna be like you!", the cub answered without hesitation.

"Me?", Mufasa asked, surprised.

"Yeah! You're my idol, Dad! Tell me how to be like you!"

Sitting up, Mufasa stretched his paws and back. Then, he turned to see his son.

Looks like it's time for another life lesson.

"Simba, listen to what I'm going to tell you. It's nice that you are admiring me, but it can't be the only goal in your life. You must find your own path."

"But I thought you want me to follow your examples. At least you said so when you told me about the Great Kings."

"I did and I meant it. But I wanna teach you how to be yourself. It's important when you grow up."

"Okay, if you say so. What must I know?"

"Oh, Simba", Mufasa ruffled his son's head. "Your journey has only begun. You will find answers, trust me."

"You mean by learning from our mistakes? Like Grandpa Ahadi?"

"Well...", Mufasa went silent. He had no idea how to answer this. Shanira's story haunted him all the time. What if she was wrong? Being a coward didn't match with his father at all.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. Don't worry about me", the lion smiled. Worrying Simba was the last thing he wanted to do.

"I can see Shanira's story troubles you. Maybe she's wrong?"

"I don't know, she sounded so sure. But everything is possible."

"I know. So, what are we gonna do now?"

"Good question. I don't even know where we are."

"And how do we find Timon and Pumbaa? They can be anywhere!", Simba said.

"Yes...but maybe...I don't know...", Mufasa muttered.

"What?", Simba asked.

"Listen to me, son...maybe we'd better leave. I'm sure Timon and Pumbaa can take care of themselves. But if we stay here, we're in danger."

"Are you serious?! We can't leave them behind! They are our family!"

"I know, but..."

"Dad", Simba walked in front of him. "We can't leave. If we can't return home, we need friends. We won't survive on our own."

"Who says we aren't going home?", Mufasa wondered.

"Please, I know we can't return. I have prepared myself for the truth. You can be honest with me. No more false hopes and lies, please."

Mufasa just stared back. Simba had matured a lot during this so-called adventure. He started questioning things and that was a good thing.

"Well, if you want. At first, I thought we can go home. But now that I have seen things from different pov and time has passed...I hate to say it may be impossible. I can't think of a proper way to defeat Scar."

Simba's expression turned sad and his ears went droopy. Okay, he asked for this but when Mufasa said it out loud...it sounded so final.

"So I'm never gonna see Mom again...?!"

The former king nodded sadly. He hated doing this, but it was better to end his son's hopeless dreams. He didn't want Simba living in a lie.

"Son", Mufasa pulled him close while Simba rubbed his eyes with his paws. "I'm so sorry..."

"It's okay, I asked you to be honest. And I knew this all along. But I miss everyone so much..."

"I know, I miss them too. But we have a new life now. We will keep your mother and everyone in our hearts. But for now, we must move on and accept the situation. I hope you understand this."

Nodding, Simba felt a bit better. At least his father was there for him.

"But Dad, I hope we won't abandon Timon and Pumbaa. They're my only friends now and I like them. Please..."

"Yes, we won't. I'm sorry I said so rudely. Cheer up, we will get through this."

"Yeah", Simba smiled eventually.

"And we have plenty of time to try new things", Mufasa rolled onto his back. "Come here."

Obeying, Simba went next to his father and they both looked a the starry sky continuing far away. Wherever they were, it was clearly a night.

"See those stars?"

"I do. Are they former kings?"

"I'm not sure since we don't know are we out of this place yet. But I wanna believe so."

"Wow, the number of our ancestors is huge!", Simba gasped.

"It sure is."

"But can we call them our ancestors anymore? We aren't royals anymore."

"Remember what I said before? No matter what, we're always the king and prince deep inside. Nothing can change it."

"Oh...", Simba rolled onto his back as well. Then, he reached his paw towards the sky. "They're so close but then again, not..."

"They are closer than you think. I'm sure they see us and will guide our way."

"Hmm...", Simba's face examined the sky. Mufasa watched him, feeling sadness and happiness at the same time. He had crushed his son's last hope of going back home, at least for now. What if they never see Sarabi again? The idea of raising their cub all alone sounded horrible. But did he have other options? No, he didn't. He was Simba's sheet anchor and he knew the young one depended on him. He had to stay strong and protect him. Although he took care of Scar when they were cubs, so this shouldn't be a big deal.

But Shanira's story...why did you do so, Father? Why didn't you tell me anything? I would have wanted to know...

If the story was true, then The Pridelands had committed a great sin. Judging others so blindly was the worst thing a king could do. If Mohatu believed everything so blindly, was Mufasa any better? He didn't doubt Scar at all, not until he almost killed him. His survival was a miracle.

I need some time to process this all...I'm not sure who I am anymore. As Timon said, I have to discover myself again.

"Dad?", Simba's voice brought Mufasa back to reality. He turned to him.

"Yes, son?"

"Listen...I'm really happy we are together. I really am. Thanks for sticking by my side."

A warm wave flushed over the older lion. Wrapping Simba in his mane, he chuckled.

"Always Simba, always. I love you."

"Love you too, Dad."

The family leaned against each other, enjoying this peaceful moment. For Simba, he hoped that he would never have to move...

Please let us stay like this forever...

"AAHHHHHHHH!"

"What was that?!", both lions jumped up as a bloodthirsty scream echoed all over the area. After a pause, it started again.

"What's going on?! Who is it?!", Mufasa looked around.

"I...", Simba listened carefully to the sound. Suddenly, his eyes widened.

"It's...it's Pumbaa!"

"Are you sure?!"

"Yeah, I could recognize that voice anywhere! And it sounds like he's in trouble!"

TBC...