"Oh my god, what a mess...", Mufasa looked around when the group arrived back in the oasis. The storm had sure done bad damage.
"Everything is gone...", Simba shared his father's statement. Their former home looked miserable and wasn't a place to live anymore.
"My hot tub! My sweet waterfalls! My bug nest! Gone! GONE! Whaahhh...", Timon collapsed to the ground and started crying.
"I never thought we would have to witness something like this. I adored our home but now, we have nowhere to go...", Pumbaa looked down.
Mufasa and Simba looked at each other. Despite living in a whole different world, they understood their silly friends. Losing a home is a terrible thing, no matter where you are from.
"Hey, guys...I'm sorry", Simba apologized.
"It's okay, at least we're together. Now we just need to figure out what to do", Pumbaa smiled.
"What do you think?! We will rebuild this place! And soon it will be good as new!", Timon stood up. "Are you with me?"
"Timon, there is nothing left. No food, no proper shelters, nothing. If we stay here, we're not safe."
"What are you talking about?! Are you saying that we should leave everything behind?!"
"I don't think we have a choice. This place doesn't feel like home anymore."
"Well, you can do whatever you want! But I'm not leaving", Timon stormed into the bushes, leaving the trio behind. This was very hard for him.
"Don't worry about him, he will come around. Although I would like to hear options for our situation. Have any?", Pumbaa asked Mufasa.
"As you said, we can't stay here. But Simba and I can still be in danger so we can't return to The Pridelands either. Not yet at least...", Mufasa eyed Simba who examined some dead plants behind him. He didn't want to make false promises to his son, so he avoided talking about their past when he's present.
"You're still keeping hope up of returning there?", Pumbaa asked quietly.
"Yes, of course. I miss it and it will always be my home. I just..."
"I get it. You wanna protect Simba."
"Probably. I want to protect myself as well. The stampede keeps haunting my mind and, and..."
"It's alright. I have noticed some changes in you and Simba has too. No wonder he's afraid."
"I know. That's why I don't wanna say anything. He has already changed and I'm worried that if I can't get control of him, he slips out of my reach. I'm afraid, Pumbaa, so afraid..."
"Have you talked to Simba yet?"
"No, I haven't gotten a chance. But I must do it, sooner or later."
"Well...now would be a good moment. I mean if we're going to build our lives from the bottom, it's better to clean the past out first. Just my opinion", Pumbaa advised.
"It's very wise advice. I do it right now", Mufasa passed Pumbaa and walked towards the bushes, calling out to his son. "Simba?"
"Yeah?", the cub yelled from the grass.
"Look, we need to talk. Where are you?"
"Over here!"
"Where?"
"Here!", Simba jumped up and down. Now Mufasa was able to see his tail.
"Oh, there you are! Would you come here for a moment?"
"Why? I'm having fun."
"Because I ask. This is important, so come on. Please."
"Fine...AAAHHHH!"
"Son?!", Mufasa sprinted into the grass. "SIMBA!"
"Daad, help!"
"Where are you?!"
"Down here!"
"Where?!", Mufasa kept looking, until saw a pit in the grass.
Oh, there...
"Son?", Mufasa ran to the edge, looking down. There Simba was, sitting at the bottom.
"I fell, can you help me up?"
"This hole is too small...I can't fit in."
"Oh no..." the cub shivered. "It's so dark...I wanna get out! Help! Help!"
"I will help, don't worry! But if I try to use force, the tunnel can collapse. So what if...", Mufasa didn't have time to finish until the hole collapsed and Simba got trapped. Screaming, the cub cried for help.
"DAAAADDD!"
"Oh no...calm down, son! I will get you out!"
"It's so dark in here! HELP!"
"Listen to me, Simba! You have to remember that fear will control you only if you let it. You are strong."
"But..."
"Son, do you trust me?"
"Yes..."
"Well I know I'm asking too much, but you need to stay calm. If I survived death, you will survive through this. Alright?", Mufasa said.
"Okay...but hurry up!", Simba's voice shattered. This poor child was frightened.
"I'll be back as quickly as lightning", Mufasa answered and sprinted to find Timon and Pumbaa. Putting his paw against his chest, Simba breathed in and out. This reminded him of Shanira's cave and that memory wasn't pretty.
"Dad, please hurry..."
*Meanwhile*
"Hey, pal!", Pumbaa walked to Timon who sat in front of their former hot tub. "How's it going?"
"My paradise...gone! Ohhh..."
"Hey, this situation isn't that bad. We will find an even better home."
"But this one was perfect! We spent the time to find it and now am I supposed to leave it all behind?! No!"
"Timon, don't be so negative. All of us are tired and arguing is the last thing we need."
"And you are living in your pink cotton candy world! Look around you, Pumbaa! Where do you think we will find a better place than this?!", Timon said.
"Mufasa said that friends make a home, not the place. The world is big and I'm sure we will come across something even better. Besides, you have always wanted to see different parts of Africa. This is a great opportunity", Pumbaa looked at the sky where birds flew past them. They sure didn't have worries to think about.
"Oh, now you mean some kind of a world tour?! What a ridiculous idea!"
"Why?"
"Because that's crazy! We're...we're...hey, I know! Have you ever considered seeing the world?"
"Didn't I just say so?"
"Pumbaa, who has the brains around here? Yeah, me. So hear me out. What if we go to see different places? Think about all of those bugs we haven't eaten yet! My tongue..."
"What a good idea", Pumbaa grunted.
"Told ya. Okay, what do you say we share these thoughts with our furry friends? I bet they love it."
"Let's hope so...", Pumbaa turned around as Timon jumped onto his back. At the same moment, Mufasa appeared from the grass.
"There you are! I need your help!"
"What's wrong?"
"Simba got trapped in a pit! If we don't hurry, he will choke!"
"Oh no", Pumbaa gasped. "Where is he?"
"I'll show you", Mufasa said. "But we must hurry."
"Lead the way."
*The pit*
Simba trembled in the darkness. He feared that Mufasa would not save him in time. What would he do then? He didn't want to die here. No way.
I feel he wants to speak with me...but what do I say?
Looking up, the cub wondered what took his father so long. He must have gone to find Timon and Pumbaa. They were small enough to get him out.
"Dad...?", Simba coughed. No answer.
Oh my god, this dust...
Curling himself into a ball, Simba tried to avoid panicking. If he would do so, he would run out of air sooner.
Mom...
Once again, Simba missed Sarabi. She would find the right words to comfort him.
But she's not here...
"Daad! Are you there?!"
The silence continued. Covering his face, Simba's nerves were giving up.
Come on, come on...
*Nearby*
"Hurry up, hurry up!", Mufasa ran ahead. Pumbaa hardly managed to keep up with him.
"Yes but slow down! I'm not that fast!"
"Try your best! My son is in danger!"
"Jeez, what a sunshine", Timon muttered.
"I understand him. What if your kid was in danger?", Pumbaa asked.
"He's like our kid, dummie! But panicking makes things worse. That's why I'm gonna put an end to it right now. Mufasa, stop!"
"What?!", Mufasa turned around. "We don't have time for this!"
"Yes, we do. First of all, stop freaking out. You're only scaring Simba."
"What?! I'm not..."
"Silence! Look at yourself! Simba told me that he has nightmares about that...you know. If you can't get yourself together in front of him, you are pushing him away. So relax."
"Fine, you're right. I understand your point but it won't change the fact that my son is in serious danger. I will listen to you as soon as Simba is saved. Alright?!"
"You better keep that promise. Now, show us where he is", Timon commanded.
"It's over here", Mufasa ran until recognized the same familiar grass field. "Simba!"
"Kiddo!", Timon called. Soon they heard a weak voice.
"Over here! Help!"
"There it is", Pumbaa noticed the pit and the trio surrounded it. Looking through a little hole, they saw the terrified lion cub.
"Finally! Get me out of here!"
"Hold on! Pumbaa, get me some liana to use it as a rope. And remember to tie it up well!"
"What can I do?", Mufasa offered his help.
"By staying out of the way. We'll handle this", Timon raised his hand.
"But..."
"BACK OFF!"
"Yes, yes...", Mufasa obeyed. He followed how Pumbaa tied the liana around a tree and after making sure that was safe to go, he ordered Timon to climb down. Luckily it wasn't hard for him.
"Hey, kid!", Timon landed at Simba. "Are you okay?"
"It's dark...", Simba sobbed.
"I know. Don't worry, we are out of here soon. Grab this liana around yourself, okay?"
"O-okay", Simba did as was told. Timon made sure that it would support their weight. Then, he yelled.
"Right Pumbaa, pull us up!"
"Roger that", the warthog yelled back. "Mufasa, you might want to help with this part."
"Certainly", the lion answered and went to work. It didn't take long until Timon and Simba were back up.
"Dad!", the scared cub sprinted to his father. "That was so scary! I can't..."
"It's all right, son. You're safe now. Hey, thank you both. You did a great job", Mufasa thanked the duo.
"Don't thank us. Be grateful that I have experience of holes", Timon said proudly.
"Yes indeed. What a day...", Mufasa sighed, rubbing Simba's back. His son shivered all over.
"You must be tired. Wanna take a break?", Pumbaa asked. "You could talk now."
"That would be nice, thank you."
"Talk? Talk about what?", Timon wondered.
"Nothing that concerns you", Pumbaa dragged him towards the woods. "I see you later."
"Yes", Mufasa watched until Timon and Pumbaa weren't in sight anymore. Then, he turned to his son.
"Simba?"
"U-huh?"
"How are you feeling?"
"F-fine..."
"I don't quite buy that. Please, admit if you're scared."
"I am! I'm more scared than ever! I only remember Shanira's cave and..."
"Hey, hey", Mufasa embraced his cub. "Everything is fine. I'm here."
"Dad...", Simba put his paws around his father. "I know what you are gonna say next."
"Is that so?"
"Yes...I know I've been distant but it's just me coping with these happenings and feelings. I used to think that my life has a clear purpose. Now I'm not sure..."
"I share that feeling. I'm lost too. I just feel you're so mad at me..."
"No, you don't understand. I was worried about your uncertainty. I rarely see you like that. That's why I got scared of your sudden change. And I still am...", Simba sobbed.
"What do you fear most in it?", Mufasa asked gently.
"Well what if...what if you change completely? What if you can't protect us anymore?"
"Why would something like that happen?"
"Because...", Simba looked down. Mufasa turned his head around with his paw.
"Yes, Simba? You can tell me. I'm not mad."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Okay well...Pumbaa told me about your adventures because I asked him. Please don't get mad! I insisted on it."
Mufasa closed his eyes. He wanted to protect Simba from this but maybe it was better that he knew. He didn't want to lie to him or act strangely without explanations. And his son would grow and then his head would be harder to turn around. It was better to earn his trust when he's still small and not when it's too late.
"Well, I won't deny anything. I suffered through hell when finding you seemed impossible. But I want to put it behind and focus on you and me again. If you give me a chance to prove how much I try."
"Sure thing! I want my Dad back."
"And you will. Just give me some time and everything starts from there. Sound good?", Mufasa ruffled Simba's head.
"Yeah", Simba nuzzled his father's leg. "And I promise to listen to you and be a good son."
"You already are. I love you", Mufasa nuzzled his cub back. "We're good?"
"Yes."
Father and son enjoyed their emotional moment from the bottom of their hearts. There were still several things to discuss but this was a good start.
"Hey, you two!", Timon suddenly pushed his head between the ferns. "You need to see this!"
"What is it?", Simba asked.
"You'll see. This way!", he pointed with his finger. Mufasa and Simba shared confused expressions as they followed the meerkat to the edge of the jungle where Pumbaa was waiting.
"There you are! Did you talk?"
"Yes. I think things start getting better from now on", Mufasa smiled.
"Glad to hear that. Hey, look down there!"
"Woah!", Simba couldn't believe his eyes. A flock of elephants passed the jungle, obviously heading somewhere.
"Told ya. Cool, isn't?", Timon grinned.
"Yes! Where are they going?"
"Probably searching for food and a safe place to live. Timon suggested we join them", Pumbaa said.
"Awesome! What do you say, Dad?"
"I don't know...would it be wise?"
"Sure! We have no food or shelter so we better move on. Besides, we see the world!", Timon persuaded his bigger friend. "Come on!"
"Well...why not. At least Scar can't find us", Mufasa gave up. Since going back to The Pridelands was an empty dream now, why would they stay here? He had always wanted to explore Africa better but the king's duties prevented it. Now he could do what always dreamed of.
And we will find a way to defeat Scar. I know we do.
"Well then, let's go and have some adventure! Hey, you!", Timon yelled at one of the elephants. "Do you mind if we travel with you? Our home is a mess."
"Not at all. If our company is suitable, welcome aboard."
"Woah! Yesss!", Simba and Timon ran ahead while Pumbaa and Mufasa walked behind.
"Here we go, stepping into the unknown. Ready?"
"Ready", Mufasa nodded. "Let's do this."
And so, the group left their home behind and started heading towards bigger fields. But one thing was certain - the past would come back to haunt them sooner than expected.
TBC...