"Where are these guys going? We have followed them for hours", Simba muttered.

"I don't know. I'm starting to think something is wrong", Mufasa answered his son.

"I told you those gorillas know something. See how they look around them all the time? Like they are nervous or something", Pumbaa whispered.

"I do see that", Simba watched them through the bushes. "I but I still don't understand why..."

"Get down!", Mufasa grabbed Simba, pulling him away from the hole.

"What is it?! Did they see us?! Ohhhh...", Pumbaa fainted again. His nerves were so weak.

"Not again...", Mufasa shook his head and then said "Son, you have to be careful. Don't try anything stupid."

"I won't. For a moment I thought they saw me, though."

"Luckily they didn't. But make sure that these bushes and trees cover you properly."

"Okay, sorry", Simba apologized. His father looked so serious and that expression clearly told him it was better to obey.

"What if these guys don't have anything to do with Timon? How do we even know if they do?"

"I'm not sure, Pumbaa seemed to believe so. We can only hope for the best. Come on, let's go", Mufasa lifted Pumbaa onto his back and continued moving. But Simba sat quietly in place.

This is weird. At first, Dad said we are gonna leave Timon and Pumbaa behind. And now he is ready to save them...I wonder what has happened? He never told me what he experienced when we were apart. But maybe Pumbaa will tell if I ask nicely...

"Son! Come on!", Mufasa called out to him.

"Okay, okay!", the cub ran to his father. "Where are they?"

"Over there. They are heading deeper into the woods..."

A cold shiver ran down Simba's spine. Somehow he didn't like the idea of going further. It took a long time to get out of there.

"Dad, I...I'm scared. I'm not sure if I can go..."

"Why? Don't worry, I'm here. I swear nothing happens to you."

"It's not that...I...well, I..."

"Simba, it's fine. Remember what I told you after the elephant graveyard accident?"

"Yeah, you said being brave doesn't mean you look for trouble. Well, isn't this that?"

"Yes, but I also said that I'm brave when I have to be. And now, we must be."

"Only when you have to be", Simba corrected.

"Well, true. But this is a situation where you have no choice. We must find Timon and then, we can leave. I need your support, son", Mufasa nodded. Simba raised his eyebrows.

"Support for what? For Timon?"

"Yes...?"

"Okay, okay", the cub sat down. "Tell me something, Dad. What are you being so noble all of a sudden?"

"How come?", Mufasa asked, confused.

"I mean why should I be brave for a friend you told we are gonna abandon. You know my traumas and now you wanna go into the unknown? No way."

Mufasa stared at Simba. He couldn't believe his ears.

Why is he so rude?

"What is wrong, Simba? I thought you wanted to help Timon and Pumbaa."

"I did, but now I don't understand why you wanna do that."

"Of course! They are part of our family."

"That's strange. You put him before me?"

"Excuse me?", Mufasa asked in confusion. "How so?"

"What if I don't want to go there?", Simba pointed over his head.

"Well..."

"Yes? You can hardly get a word out of your mouth. How funny..."

"Simba!", Mufasa was surprised by his sudden rudeness. He had never seen his son like this.

Could it be...?

"But since obviously, I don't have a choice, we better get going. I don't want to keep Timon and you waiting", Simba passed Mufasa arrogantly, head towards the trees. The former king stared silently back.

What was that all about?! Why is he behaving so strangely?!

After making sure that Pumbaa was on his back, Mufasa walked again. It's like he and Simba had switched places. He was more optimistic and his son was taking things too seriously. Funny to a lion who survived death.

Maybe our time apart changed us more than I thought. I have to discuss this with Simba later.

"Dad!"

"Yes?"

"Look! The gorillas heard something and now they're running! What do we do?"

"Well, what do you want to do?"

"To rescue Timon, of course!", Simba sprinted into the bushes before Mufasa managed to answer. He knew the cub avoided his responses.

"Wait for me! Simba!", Mufasa rushed after his son.

What is waiting for us?! What is waiting for our relationship?

*Meanwhile*

"I did what I had to do", Shanira walked in circles.

"Grrll..."

"Look, things have changed since then. I can't do it."

"..."

"Yes, I know very well what we agreed on. But that cub is just a kid!"

"..."

"Why do you need them anyway? There are several lions out there. Just go and pick your favorites and leave these two alone."

*Growling*

"Look, this whole plan is insane! Mosi and his brothers are useless! You can't seriously think they are worthy allies! Besides, I have served you obediently for years! I have done my job!"

*Steps*

"Well, do what you want! But I'm not gonna be a part of this nonsense anymore. Good riddance", Shanira turned to leave...

*Running*

"What now...?", she began to ask...

"AAAHAHHHHHHHHH!"

*Screaming*

A moment later, the panther lady limped through the woods. She had several bruises and bite marks all over her fur.

"Ow, ow ow...goddammnit..."

Spotting a tree, Shanira ignored the pain and ran to it, climbing up. When she sat on the top branch, she had time to take a better look at her wounds.

"My tail..great..."

Starting to lick herself, Shanira watched the sky. The night was coming and the moon pushed itself through the clouds.

They better get out of this place before the portal closes for good. I can't believe I defended them...

But what's done is done. Shanira knew there was no going back. She had made a big mistake by refusing to take orders from her boss any longer. After meeting Simba and Mufasa, something changed inside her. She started seeing things from different pov.

I have lived in this darkness for so long time...maybe it's time I take my life into my paws. Not easy, though...

Her life was going to be unsure from now on. She had been full of hatred for so many years...her siblings were adults by now. She was sure that Kellan would not take her back even if she would have wanted to return home.

And maybe I don't...

Closing her eyes, Shanira decided to take a nap. She had plenty of time to figure out what she was going to do. But she had to be careful, traitors are valuable profit.

Good luck, my kitties...you're gonna need it.

*Elsewhere*

Simba, Mufasa, and unconscious Pumbaa were now deeper in the forest than ever before. And what's worse, they had no idea what was waiting for them.

"How long are they gonna keep running?!", Simba panted. "My paws give up sooner or later..."

"Would you want me to carry you?", Mufasa asked. The cub shook his head.

"No, I'm fine. You should be focusing on Pumbaa instead."

"He must train his nerves. He can't live like this, we can't live like this."

"Right..."

Suddenly, the gorilla group stopped, looking around again.

"What are they doing?", Simba whispered.

"I'm not sure. Oh, look! There's some sort of entrance hidden behind those huge palm leaves. Well covered, I'd say", Mufasa whispered back.

"So, what do you suggest? Should we follow them?"

"As I said earlier, I let you decide. If you don't wanna go, we leave. After all, we don't know if Timon is there."

"But we can't leave him...okay, let's go. But you better lead the way", Simba stepped aside. Deciding to avoid arguing, Mufasa passed him and waited until the gorillas had gone inside.

"This is our chance. Follow right behind me", Mufasa pointed with his paw. Father and son ran to the entrance and after making sure that they were alone, the duo sneaked into the darkness.

"Wow, how dark", Simba said, surprised. "I can't see a thing!"

"Hold on. Let's see if...", Mufasa muttered, then began to smile. "Ahah, there! Look."

"What?", his son asked, until he saw shimmering lights on the walls. "Hey, what...?!"

"Just as I thought. This tunnel is full of mirror ladybugs. They glow in the darkness."

"So you have seen them before?"

"Indeed I have. Pumbaa taught me this. Quite clever creatures, aren't they?"

"Yeah..."

*Voices*

"Huh?!", Simba nearly jumped out of his skin. "Dad! Do you hear that?!"

"I do. We better keep moving", Mufasa said, getting ready for attack. Luckily, no one came and they managed to sneak out of the tunnel and back into the bushes.

"Look at that rock wall!", Simba looked behind him. "It's so well covered that we didn't even see it."

"Yes...what is this place...?", Mufasa narrowed his eyes. He was sure that they weren't in the normal word.

Great...she bluffed us. Or did she?

Suddenly, Pumbaa began to wake up. Before Mufasa could do anything, the warthog fell to the ground.

"Ouch..."

"Hey", Mufasa smiled apologetically. "You're all right?"

"I guess...what happened?", the warthog rubbed his head.

"You fainted. We've been following those gorillas and now..."

"Dad! You gotta see this!"

"Hmm?", Mufasa and Pumbaa looked at Simba who leaned against a little rock fence and looked it over it.

"What is it, son?", the bigger lion approached the cub.

"Look, there they are! Down there! And there's..."

"Yes...?", Mufasa repeated, until he saw it with his own eyes. Massive rock formations that formed ancient ruins. The structure was full of various caves and floors and at the bottom was some sort of circled altar. The gorillas had gathered around it and bowed up and down while hymning. All in all, the view was breathtaking and stunning.

"What is this place...?! And what are those things doing down there...?", Simba wondered.

"I...I have never seen anything like this. It's..it's massive", Mufasa looked around. "Amazing..."

"Can I see it too?", Pumbaa came next to the lions. "Oh, dear..."

"Do you know this place?", Simba asked his friend who shook his head.

"No. I have never seen this."

"Hmm...", Mufasa muttered, until he remembered something. A story Rafiki told him a long time ago.

"So Mufasa, have you ever heard A place called The City of the Lost Souls?"

"No, I haven't, my friend. What kind of place is that?"

"It's said to be located somewhere beyond our world and understanding. It's a place where animals behave differently than normal. I just thought you would like to know about it since it's a place you have to avoid."

"But if the location is something we don't know, then why should we worry about it?"

"My king...that's the point. It might be just a legend but animals believe in it quite seriously. But I do believe it does exist."

"And...?"

"Or maybe it's just a legend. But I warn you - if you ever come across something like that, you have to be careful or you will lose yourself."

"I see...thank you, Rafiki. I keep that in mind."

No, of course not, Mufasa thought. When Rafiki told him this story, he was young and maybe he made the whole thing up just to see how naive he is. It would be a way too big coincidence that all of the places in Africa, he would bump into it. The Land of Mists was already enough...

Or Rafiki knew about it all along. Too bad I can't ask him.

"Dad, are you okay?", Simba interrupted his brainstorm.

"Umm yes yes", Mufasa smiled back. He didn't wanna freak Simba and Pumbaa out, so he didn't say anything about this.

"What are those dudes doing? They have been repeating this same ritual a long time", Pumbaa asked.

"I'm not...", Simba started but then he gasped. "Oh my god! There he is! Timon I mean!"

"What?!", Pumbaa and Mufasa turned to see the direction where Simba was pointing with his paw. And yes, Timon, Jengo, and Mosi were sitting in a little wooden cage that was brought out from one of the caves by two gorillas.

"I can't believe he was here. Looks like luck is on our side for once at least", Mufasa muttered.

"Yep, but he's kidnapped! And it's my fault! Ohhh...", Pumbaa sobbed. Simba patted his back.

"Now now Pumbaa, we are gonna save him and you two can make up. I promise."

"But the only problem is how...", Mufasa said. "I mean I could fight, but..."

"Wait! They are bringing the cage to the altar", Simba interrupted his father. "Let's see what they are up to."

*Down*

"Why didn't you fools warn me about this?!", Timon spat.

"Hah, as if it's our job! Everyone takes care of themselves", Jengo spat back.

"Shut up you two! If we don't find a way out of this mess quickly, then it's over. So keep looking", Mosi commanded the arguing duo.

"Right, right...oh Pumbaaa..."

"Shut up!"

"This doesn't look good...", Mosi muttered. The gorillas didn't answer them, it was already a very bad sign. After all, they were his former allies.

Great, just great...

As the cage was carried towards the altar, everyone waited what was going to happen. And they didn't have to wait for it for long. One of the gorillas retreated from the circle and picked some wooden sticks and trunks from the ground while others rubbed stones together. An ugly realization started revealing itself.

"Oh man...just what we need!", Mosi gritted his teeth.

"What?", Jengo asked.

"Don't you see?! They are going to sacrifice us!"

"What?!", Timon pushed Mosi away, grabbing the bars. When he saw what was happening, he started screaming.

"Oh Mama...HEEEEELLLLLPPPPPPPPPP!"

*Back on the cliff*

"Oh dear, they are making a fire! You know what that means!", Simba gasped at Mufasa who stared back.

"A-fire?! What do you mean...?!", Pumbaa babbled.

"What Simba means is that those gorillas are going to burn Timon and our dear foxes alive. So if we don't come up with something and fast...they are gonna die", Mufasa's expression became horrified.

"Sacrifice?! Ohhh nooo Timon...", Pumbaa fainted again.

"Not now, Pumbaa!", Simba shook him. "Dad, what do we do?!"

"I don't know, son...I honestly don't know!"

TBC...