It is finally here! Chapter 1 of "The Lion King Adventures - The Wild Child"! I am so excited to get this story underway! I hope you guys enjoy it! If you have any feedback then please don't be afraid to share it in the comments below! Thanks guys! n_n
Chapter 1: The New Dawn
It was in the middle of the night during the heavy Summer season and the shining radiance of the moon was disturbed by heavy thick clouds. The ground began to tremble, not from a stampede but by splatters of rain and strong gusts. These splatters became overpowering downpours and destructive gusts of wind. Thunder crashed and lightning flashed; suddenly lighting the ground below with the echoing roars of nature. Animals took cover from the small meerkats hiding in their tunnels to the tall giraffes hoping to take cover under some dense trees. A small village located in the far outskirts of Pride Rock, found far in the east was too trying to brave the storm.
Their little huts built from mud and wood were valiantly standing up to the forces of nature and their inhabitants risked their well-being to keep their homes stay in good condition. Within one of these huts two humans originating from the Western part of the world were staying as part of the "African Poverty Program" to help poor African communities survive in this ever-increasing tormenting weather. Heavy rains and storms combined with the more desolate sunshine during the day made it very hard for these villagers to get the basic food and water they needed.
Thomas and Kara Starford were executives behind the program and so thought it was their duty. Thomas was a kind yet stern man. His brown hair was neat and trimmed and behind those calculated blue eyes was a warm loving man that cared for his family more than anything. He mumbled out in a heavy raincoat and boots. Kara Starford was right behind, a polite young lady whose laugh could soothe the woes of family or friends alike. She rushed out all suited up best she could in this weather. Her stunning hazel eyes looked on in horror as the villagers panicked to save their homes; her ruby red hair flowing and fanning all over.
Before they left to assist the villagers the two had told their five-year-old son Matthew to hide under the bed until the storm was over. They kissed his forehead and stroked his hair; giving him plenty of blankets to keep himself warm and safe before shutting the door. It was too dangerous for someone so young and vulnerable to be caught in this natural crossfire. Soft cries could be heard from inside the hut as the messy brown-haired boy had no one for comfort during this scary event, his striped blue and white shirt moist with tears.
"M… Mama… D… Dada…" The child wailed louder as a massive bang resonated from outside, shuddering under a giant blanket.
"Mama! Dada!" He missed his father's deep yet gentle voice. He missed his mother's bright smile.
During the cover of the bombarding rain, several shadows sneaked and weaved between the rattling trees. They were speeding by with such agility that not even the soggy muddy ground held back their velocity. At first it would have seemed to outside view that their movements were random and jagged but that was far from the truth; having waited in perfect positions surrounding the village. Deep flashes of the storm only lit up their eyes of pure burning red, their eyebrows curling up into daggers. The young child continued to whimper softly, unaware of the sudden danger outside as the screams of those beyond that sealed door was trounced out by the heavy downpour.
Panic ran through the village as some tried to grab weapons to defend themselves while others instinctively fled. Kara's motherly instincts were too strong as with wobbly legs she ran through the muck to the house containing her child; freezing as one of the attacking shadows jumped in front to block her advances, huffing out a breath. Her husband was just behind her with heavy eyes as the two became surrounded. They had nothing to defend themselves with. Kara shuddered as she began to sob, clinging to Thomas' frame as he wrapped his arms around his wife to comfort her.
"I… O… Our son…"
She clenched her eyes tight as holding back tears was no longer an option.
"I know… I know… But we cannot risk his life too… We must be brave and pray that a shining beacon will guide him to safe hands…"
The two then said nothing and held each other tight as the shadows descended upon them engulfing the two in darkness. When the dust settled and the shadows had vanished only the red stains splattered over the wooden walls and destroyed huts marked this tragic tragedy; the loss of life was so heavy not even the aggressive rain and howling winds could wipe away the slate clean. Tiny whimpers and cries still leaked from the cracks from that one hut, still unaware of the fate that fell the parents of the child inside.
A month later and the storms had come to an end with the fiery sun shining down over the never-ending pastel blue sky of the Pride Lands. It had been a short few weeks since Simba and his pride defeated Zira and the last of her resistance, the Outsiders that had a change of heart joined the Pridelanders. Life in the Pride Lands seemed all well. Kovu and Kiara had become mates and the rest of the pride couldn't be happier for them. The brown furred lion was out for a mission set by his King with reports from animals stating they had heard screams coming from beyond the trees outside the borders of the Pride Lands. Kovu immediately agreed to venture out, his heart still heavy from the guilt from helping Zira to kickstart her foul schemes. The feline's muscles relaxed as the cool breeze flew over his scarred face; his mane dancing in the breeze as he ran. 'Ahhh… What a breeze…' The lion thought to himself as he leaped from rocks up high to the cool grass below moving past the water hole, stopping for a drink to regain his energy.
Kovu's fur became cool as the sun was blocked by the flurry of shady trees up ahead. 'This must be the place where those screams were heard.' The lion thought, taking things from a slower and more moderate approach. He didn't want to be too hasty and get into danger. Ears perked up as now Kovu saw nothing but trees beyond trees but as the lion got deeper and deeper, he soon realised that something was… off. Some of the trunks had been knocked down; branches, bushes and other forest residue was thrown astray. Yes, there was that storm but it… didn't look natural.
He paused when those sceptical eyes caught something red marked on the grass and wood. It looked like blood. The young prince leaned down to sniff, inspecting the strange substance further. It was blood. Dry blood with the hint of something living. All that rain made it hard for the lion to pinpoint the scent and its origin. And that scared him. The red stuff flaked off a little as one of his paws came into contact as he walked past to investigate further. Now Kovu's suspicions were accurate; there was more to this than just the storm. Someone was hunting and it wasn't for food. He had seen enough. He had to warn Simba. The lion was just about to turn around when the sound of faint sobbing paused him. The cries came from further into the trees.
"What is that…? It sounds like crying…?"
Kovu stood still thinking of what to do next. Should he go and inform Simba of what he had discovered and try to convince the king to allow a larger searching party? Or go and investigate himself? Someone could be in danger! Before thinking any longer, the feline found himself running deeper in. His kind heart was in control of his actions and he hoped it wouldn't lead him into trouble. The sobbing increased in volume, and after pushing through some bushes, came to a large clearing surrounded by trees. Destroyed remains of huts lined up in front of the dark-toned lion; the whole atmosphere disturbing to the feline. Kovu stayed still with unease as he realised who the huts belonged to. This was a settlement of man. Man was cruel and ruthless and had hunted many animals for sport.
He would have turned tail immediately to inform Simba if it wasn't for how abandoned the place was. Parts of the wood from the destroyed settlements was tinged with more of that darkened red splotches Kovu had found in the garden; a quick sniff confirmed it; more blood stains. The blood had to have originated from here. Interesting. 'But what happened here?' Kovu questioned. The sobbing suddenly got louder, the flinching lion now uneasy.
"H… Hello? Who's there…? Are you alright…?"
The feline cried out with no reply. The crying ceased completely which sparked Kovu's interest further. The lion used his higher sense of hearing to try and pinpoint the exact location of the sound; his paw steps were slow and careful. If the sound was a threat, he wanted to be ready to counterattack. However, what if it wasn't a threat? What if whoever was crying was innocent? His ears led Kovu to the hut that was still partly stable; the walls having holes from the passage of time. The lion poked his head into the now destroyed opening that used to be its entrance and gasped at what he saw. Broken shards of clay were littered around the place; it was hard to tell whether it was from power struggle or just due to the state of the village.
A hushed whimper caught the lion's attention because the voice was familiar. It was the crying he heard. It sounded like it came from under the remains of the partly standing bed in the corner; the perfect hiding spot. Kovu leaned down to see a large blanket riddled with holes and dirt that held a small shuddering bulge with the whimpers coming from underneath it. This was the source of the crying! Kovu leaned in to gently nudge the crying form with his wet nose resulting the sobbing to become louder, and the bulge to tighten up defensively as if it were an animal being threatened.
"D… Don't worry… I'm not here to hurt you. I want to help you."
Kovu tenderly reassured the shivering mass. The lion became silent, gently grazing the edge of the blanket with his teeth slowly pulling it backward to reveal what was underneath. And what was lying underneath shocked him to the core! It was a young human child. He looked up at Kovu with a hazel eye glistening with tears, sniffling as his messy long brown hair got in the way. His shirtless body easily revealed the many cuts and scars covering his thin undernourished frame. His pants had been torn and tatted with holes up the sides. Matthew had been here all along since that unfortunate night! The small frail boy looked up at the lion with hazel eyes filled with fear.
"Ahhh! N… Don't eat me… I'm not yummy…"
The young human cried in terror and pulled the long blanket to hide once more, shivering heavily as his dirty bare feet disappeared under the covers. Kovu didn't know what to think of the small thing; in complete shock. The boy looked so weak and hungry with how thin he was. How long had he been out here? He knew what it was like to be hungry. Kovu's time in the Outlands rushed his mind in an emotional bombardment. Not having enough food… Or clean water… Kovu felt sorry for the crying infant.
"Hey… It's alright, little one… I won't hurt you… Where are your Mummy and Daddy?"
Kovu leaned down to the boy's level to appear more friendly. The boy didn't respond because he knew his parents were long gone and now with a lion right next to him; there was no one to save him from his incoming fate. The lion reached out with a paw to gently caress and stroke the scared cub hoping to give him comfort. Kovu wanted to show the infant he wasn't alone anymore. The sobbing slowly ceased when the boy felt something stroke his back, reminding him of how his mother used to stroke him the same way. Tiny shaking hands pulled back the blanket to reveal a sniffling face.
The dark-furred lion was still there, smiling down upon him with a gentle smile and those green eyes glowing warmly. The child said nothing and stayed as still as a statue; he had heard the stories of lions from his parents; remembering how scary and ferocious they were. But this one was smiling at him with eyes instead of hunger but it was love…? The boy creeped up and reached out slowly with a shaky hand to rest on Kovu's muzzle, wanting to see whether this lion was friend or foe. Kovu chuckled and licked the hand gently, making the child unable to resist giggling with a big smile on his face. Kovu couldn't help but laugh at the young boy's cuteness.
Kovu instinctively stayed close; deep down paternal instincts were going through the roof. He knew that this young one would not survive out in the wild for much longer on his own, gently licking the boy's more fresher wounds. How he survived for this long was a miracle to say the least. Eventually he was bound to be picked off by a predator or at the very least die of starvation. None of the possible outcomes for the child that ran through the lion's head was a positive one. Kovu decided he would have to take the child back with him to Pride Rock. He was worried the other lions, especially Simba and Nala, would try to make him abandon the child. Despite this however he couldn't leave the child alone any longer.
His train of thought got interrupted by feeling something pressed against his soft fur. It was the human. The young child had crawled over to Kovu and gently clung onto his side; hiding his face into that warm body making his messy hair more bushy and wild. As Kovu smiled down a scary thought shot through the feline's mind.
"I must ask little one…? Where are your parents?"
The child became quiet and defensive, curling up into a ball as he began to sob. Even after all the time he still missed them. "I… I don't know… They are gone… Me alone… I… I want them back…"
If Kovu's instincts wasn't screaming at him to take the human in then now was it. Kovu leaned down to gently nuzzle the man-cub, cooing lovingly into the child's ear. Gentle purrs resumed to rumble from his throat, hoping to soothe the child. Kovu slowly licked up those salty tears. "Shhhh… No more tears, little one… I am here now… You are safe… I will look after you until we can find them, okay?" Matthew's frail body felt more relaxed as the lion's words entered his mind and calms his nerves. He couldn't remember the last time he truly felt safe. The feline looked on lovingly as he curled around the child tighter.
The lion continued to coo sweetness into Matthew's ear, tucking the child against his warm fur. The little human looked up, half of his body snuggled into the lion, those little beady hazel eyes staring up. "Re… Really?" A tiny voice scratched out from his dry throat. "Of course, little one." Kovu smiled, using a paw to ruffle the child's messy hair which made the child laugh. "What's your name?" The lion added. Matthew looked up nervously at the lion who was curled around him. "I… I'm Matthew…"
Kovu licked his head softly with a deep loving smile on his muzzle. "It's very nice to meet you, Matthew. My name is Kovu. Are you thirsty?" Kovu inquired, becoming concerned for the boy's wellbeing. The boy became silent, gently nodded with a simple "Mmhmm..." Kovu offered to take the child to a nearby waterhole so he could quench his thirst but the boy declined, his hands digging into that velvet-like fur more. "N… No, I… I wanna stay here… Outside is dangerous…" The lion knew the child was scared. It didn't surprise the lion with goodness how long he was out here but the child needed water soon; his condition could get worse. "Do not worry little one… I will be there… I will keep you safe, my little cub. You cannot stay here. I will take you somewhere safe until we can return you to your parents."
The child looked down and fondled his thumbs together, blushing brightly at what Kovu named him. It made his broken heart a flutter. It reminded him when his Daddy used to call him sweet nicknames. As that one hazel orb flickered back and forth from amongst all that brown hair, he looked to meet the lion's gaze. Those green eyes slowly filled Matthew with courage. "O… Okay… I… I'll try…" The boy suddenly clung to Kovu tighter, hiding his face deeper in his fur. The feline chuckled and with a gentle smile, licked the boy's head to give him reassurance. "You'll do great, little one… Remember I'll be right here"
With enough help Kovu was able to get the child to stand just beyond the door of the hut looking outside. "Go on… It'll be alright… I'll be right here alongside you, little one". He watched as Matthew stared at the bright sky and heard the birds chirping. A little foot took a step forward and he was about to take a second but he couldn't. His legs were still frozen. With shaky legs and a quiver in his voice he turned round and collapsed into Kovu's embrace. "I… I can't do it… I… I'm too scared…" Kovu wrapped his front paws around the boy; one around his waist the other around the back of his head, sliding the boy into a cuddle. "I know you are Matthew. I know… But you must be strong for me, okay? Be strong for me, little cub." With a silent nod Kovu brought his muzzle to the boy's cheek and softly nuzzled away. It took two many attempts before a single tiny human foot reached outside. It was a good effort Kovu noted.
However, getting the human to the waterhole was more difficult than expected for the gentle lion. Any little noise sent Matthew into the lion's front paws shivering, whimpering to be sent back to the safety of the half-broken-down hut. "I… I don't want to do this… K… Kovu…" Kovu pressed his cheek against the toddler's cheek, closing his eyes gently as he embraced the infant by scooping a paw around and brought him close. He did this every time the child panicked, being consistent, and showing him that he was safe with Kovu nearby. The two soon reached the waterhole just after midday, where the sun was still high in the sky and beating down with intense heat.
A kaleidoscope of creatures; from gazelles to rhinos to giraffes was by the water's edge hoping to cool down. They froze as Kovu entered the scene with this strange naked ape thing by his side. That long droopy brown hair with only one eye? It quickly hid behind Kovu in fear. Seeing the boy to be no threat they went back to drinking; it looked too frail and sick to be of any real danger. With gentle nudging from Kovu's nose the child was able to reach the water's edge and from the safety of the lion's fur the boy was able to drink. "T… Thank you Kovu…" Kovu chuckled and simply patted the child's head, congratulating him on a job well done. Matthew's heart was filled with joy as the boy happily nuzzled the paw back. The animals nearby began to whisper.
"What is Kovu doing with man?" said a gazelle.
"Doesn't he know man is our enemy?" Replied the zebra.
"He will kill us all one day; someone tell the king." Squeaked a scared meerkat.
Hearing them Matthew looked up at Kovu with worry in his eyes, his head lowered as he began to sniffle. Enemy? Threat? He was just a child who was lost in a world unfamiliar to him. He knew he shouldn't have left that hut. Kovu gave the crowd a stern look keeping the child close to his chest with a paw. "He is not our enemy. He is lost and alone. He has no one. He has been separated from his parents. How can you look at a defenceless and lost cub and call him a threat?" Kovu had a reason to be so defensive. These same animals shunned him too when he was falsely accused of betraying Simba's trust. The animals scoffed and simply walked away having their fill of water. They thought Kovu was speaking utter nonsense. How could they trust man, even if it was a cub?
Deep down the lion knew; this child would not cause destruction. While the infant was in his care, Kovu would raise the child with love and kindness. He held Matthew in his paws, one on his hair to gently stroke those long brown locks. Kovu watched Matthew snuggle close with half the human's face nestled deeply in his fur. The child felt the soothing wave of sleep wash over him with that stroking paw relaxing the boy. He yawned gently as he got all comfortable. He hadn't had a good safe night sleep in forever; he had always slept in fear of being mauled, tucked under that rickety old bed.
The child felt his protector gently lift him up. He instinctively clung on as best he could with his tired limbs; his face in Kovu's back fur. The lion let off soft hushes and coos as he heard soft whines coming from the human; his gentle send-off to sleep being disturbed. Kovu looked around, finding somewhere soft and quiet for the boy to rest. Those soft paws gently trotted on the grass and pebbles looking for just the right place. He found himself at the base of Pride Rock where talking could be heard. He could hear Simba talking. The lion was nervous to introduce the child to Simba; what would he say? Would he shun him? Exile him? Or worse kill the child? "W… Where are we going Kovu?" The lion heard the child mutter, still too sleepy to move. "A… Are we going to where you live?"
Kovu nodded, sneaking around and found a small indent in the base of the large mountain. It felt warm and seemed safe enough; it would have to do. He walked inside and settled down at the very back of the den. He looked behind himself to make sure he wasn't followed; the still sunny day shining through. Kovu laid down and very gently slid the child into his arms, chuckling at the little bundle immediately snuggling close. Despite the comfort of Kovu's embrace, the little boy still has this sense of unease. Kovu took notice of his uneasy expression and comforted the child. Using his snout, the feline had nudged the boy gently into hiding from any potential outside onlookers; between him and the wall. To make sure Matthew was comfortable he had tucked the little one in close into his chest fur. To soothe the child Kovu pressed his head against the boy's cheek softly, gently nuzzling away while purring a soothing lullaby; humming with a hushed voice.
"Shhh… Sleep now little one… It is time for sleep…"
Kovu's voice was so soothing, so gentle and so warm. Those little hazel orbs flickered off as the boy began to snooze curled up in a tight ball not unlike an egg safely protected in its nest. As Kovu watched down upon the little sleeping form of the child he knew then and there he would take the child in regardless of what anyone said. He wouldn't give up until his parents were found. Thoughts of asking Simba then flooded his mind; it would help with the search after all. But what would he say? Would it cause panic? As the lion continued to keep guard many plans danced around in his mind when one clicked. Kiara. He could ask his mate. She would know what to do in this situation. Kovu felt relaxed with a strong plan in his mind and love in his heart; love for this little one. He smiled with those thoughts as he rested his head and closed his eyes, his muzzle close to Matthew's head to continue to sing and hum gentle lullabies until he too joined this little cub in sleep.
And that is the first chapter completed! How did you find it? It was such a blast to get into writing stories again and I hope you all had a blast reading this first chapter. I hope the changes I have made from the original makes this story more unique regarding the immense popularity of the "Human in Lion King" archetype. Trying to think of new unique spins really does make your head hurt. Anyway, I hope you see in the future for Chapter 2. Thank you again everyone. n_n
