Chapter VII
Hope Lives
Simba cut through the thick leaves, and dashed towards the light that gleamed in the distance. He heard Urukai's deafening roar ring behind him, and he only sped faster. He looked behind him, and saw everyone running quickly behind him. Some had taken to the trees, and traveled by leaping from branch to branch. Zazu was flapping madly next to him and Timon and Pumbaa were galloping next to Rafiki, running at a decent pace. That's when he noticed Nala's absence. He whirled around and urged the lionesses to keep going. Swerving through them, he spotted Nala lying on the ground, with her back paw trapped in a collapsed log.
"Nala! Are you alright?" he asked nervously.
"I tried to hop the log," she said wincing from the pain. "I tripped. A log balancing next to it fell on me. I can't move it."
Simba took a deep breath from worry, and looked up to see Urukai's figure move closer. He lifted his mate onto his back, and bounded forward like a frightened antelope. Like a gust of wind, he breezed through the leaves and debris, until catching up to his lionesses who had stopped to wait for him.
"Hurry! Keep going! He urged."
"Nala!" a young lioness cried. "Nala! Are you alright?"
"I'm fine Alani," Nala replied to the frightened young lioness.
Alani was Scar's cub, born after he mated a lioness against her will. She carried the appearance of a pride lioness, but bright green eyes like those of her father were borne into her as well. She was still young, not yet a lioness, but a young adolescent. After her mother was killed in a dispute with the selfish king, Nala protected her and took care of her. She was not even two seasons old when her mother fell.
Urukai came to a halt in front of Simba a second time, poised for attack. Simba placed Nala gently upon another lioness, stepped in front of his pride, and glared at Taka's successor. Urukai then began to walk in circles around him.
"This is a moment long awaited. This is the moment I've dreamed of since I first saw your smug little face on my territory. This is the moment that's been on my mind since I first learned you alone were King Taka's killer!"
"Peace Urukai," Simba declared. "Let's let it go. It's time to put the past behind us."
"Never! You killed a great lion!" Urukai growled.
"So did you," Simba replied calmly. "You killed the beautiful, kindly Queen Sarabi, daughter of Kilana and Amase. She too, loved Taka. But the fire scorching in his heart turned it to stone. But she always had faith in him. She always believed he would overcome his anger and hate. Then he killed Mufasa, and her hopes finally died. You will never understand Urukai, I only try to free your troubled mind."
"I will never give in to you," he hissed. "I promised I'd always be Taka's servant.... I keep my promises."
"So be it," Simba said glaring. He turned his back on Urukai, and acknowledged his lionesses to do the same. As they turned to leave, Urukai's eyes went wide.
"Wh-wha-where are you going!?" Urukai growled as Simba headed through the mist. "Get back here! It's time to settle this!"
"I am settling this," Simba said not turning back. "Leaving you, and taking my father's advice. 'Show me a lion who resorts to violence, and I'll show you a lion who's plum outta good ideas.'"
"Then you'll die without a fight."
"The Great Kings are with me," Simba replied still walking.
Urukai lunged at Simba, his intentions marked on his neck, but he was suddenly thrown back by a horrendous light. He toppled backward, and he stood up and growled. Through the light, a lion with golden fur and a regal posture stood. He had no pupils, his eyes were completely white. Standing up straight, he walked down the large stone he had appeared on, and with a golden aurora surrounding him, stood like a tower above Urukai.
"Father..." Simba whispered as a single tear ran down his muzzle. He turned to look at Rafiki who was whispering a chant, and had his arms outstretched. His staff was held up in the gentle breeze, and he realized that he had yet again revived Mufasa for a limited amount of time.
"Simba...my son. I love you more than you'll ever know. My spirit is with you now. I join with you, and give you the strength and wisdom of a Lion King."
With that, Mufasa's sparkling image became translucent, and within a golden light, flew into his young son's body. Simba felt a burst of energy and strength, of understanding and wisdom.
The golden aurora enshrouded the young lion, and left him after a few moments. He looked at Urukai who stood not far back, with his teeth bared.
That's when Urukai understood. "We'll meet again my friend," he hissed, with a tricky smile on his face. "We'll meet again."
He and his pride of angry, bloodthirsty lionesses then departed into the jungle mist.
Simba sighed and looked at his Pride smiling at their young and spirited leader. Nala, being supported by another lioness looked at Simba, her eyes welling up with tears. He was so noble, and his father's presence surrounded him. How she missed Mufasa.
"King Simba!" came Alani's voice.
Simba turned around and saw Alani bound up.
She smiled at him, her bright green eyes fixed on his own.
"Thank you," she said rubbing her head into his long, thick mane.
He put a paw around her and looked into her eyes. "You're most welcome Alani. But why do you thank me?"
"You saved me," she replied, her ears going flat. "I am Taka's daughter, against my mother's will, and he told me I would one day mate Urukai. I don't want that! I don't want to end up like my mother."
Simba smiled at her. "I assure you that you will not."
Alani bowed to her King, and walked up next to Nala, burying her face in her soft fur.
With the little strength she had, Nala put a consoling paw around Alani. She licked her face and spoke softly to her.
Within the next few moments, they departed from the jungle, and followed the light Simba had seen earlier. It led to the end of the tropical lands, and onto a grassy plain. They walked through it, and came to two large, bulky boulders, stretching for miles. A long, gravel path led in, and they became curious of where it lead.
Just as Simba was to step in, a voice echoed over the plains.
"Thought you'd get there without me did ya?"
Simba whirled around to see Kazumi limping up a small hill. He was soiled in dust, and a cut ran across his paw, but he seemed just fine.
"Kazumi..." Simba whispered amazed. "It cannot be... you fell. I saw you fall."
Kazumi nodded, and spoke softly. "Indeed I did. I got very lucky. As I fell, I caught sight of an adjacent ledge below me. I clung to it with my claws, and managed to pull myself up. The ledge was sharp, so I cut my paw. It took me many hours, but I managed to climb back to the top of the gorge, and I followed your scent."
Simba smiled, and the two bumped heads. Nala limped up to Kazumi and nuzzled him. As a tear ran down her cheek, she thanked Kazumi for saving her, and wept over the damage he took doing it. He consoled her, and Alani then walked up.
Over the journey, Kazumi and Alani shared a strong bond, and it could be seen that they were falling in love.
"C'mon," Simba encouraged. "Let's keep moving."
The Pride passed through the large boulders, and walked upon the narrow walkway of gravel. It grew narrower and narrower still, until Pumbaa had to suck in to get through. They finally reached a cave at the end, and followed it through.
Alani yelped when she saw a field mouse skitter passed her, and tumbled backward, right into Kazumi. He caught her, and they shared a brief moment of silence, staring into the other's eyes. After they regained their senses, they continued the walk.
When they reached the end, a large boulder blocked their path.
"What're we supposed to do now?" Pumbaa asked.
"We gotta push it," Simba replied. "Pumbaa, Kazumi! Gimme a hand!"
The trio walked up the left of the boulder, and began to push with all their might. Slowly, it nudged left, and they pushed harder, and with all their strength, got it out of the way. A sparkling wall then appeared. A boundary. But as soon as Simba got close, a steady breeze ruffled his mane, and the wall slowly disappeared. What came next overtook them all.
The sun spilled over the valleys, and sparkled like drops of rain water. The grass was green and full, and the flowers smelled sweet and delicate. The sky was blue as hornbill feathers, and an ancient rock loomed in the middle of it all.
The Land of Kings had been reached at last.
Simba cut through the thick leaves, and dashed towards the light that gleamed in the distance. He heard Urukai's deafening roar ring behind him, and he only sped faster. He looked behind him, and saw everyone running quickly behind him. Some had taken to the trees, and traveled by leaping from branch to branch. Zazu was flapping madly next to him and Timon and Pumbaa were galloping next to Rafiki, running at a decent pace. That's when he noticed Nala's absence. He whirled around and urged the lionesses to keep going. Swerving through them, he spotted Nala lying on the ground, with her back paw trapped in a collapsed log.
"Nala! Are you alright?" he asked nervously.
"I tried to hop the log," she said wincing from the pain. "I tripped. A log balancing next to it fell on me. I can't move it."
Simba took a deep breath from worry, and looked up to see Urukai's figure move closer. He lifted his mate onto his back, and bounded forward like a frightened antelope. Like a gust of wind, he breezed through the leaves and debris, until catching up to his lionesses who had stopped to wait for him.
"Hurry! Keep going! He urged."
"Nala!" a young lioness cried. "Nala! Are you alright?"
"I'm fine Alani," Nala replied to the frightened young lioness.
Alani was Scar's cub, born after he mated a lioness against her will. She carried the appearance of a pride lioness, but bright green eyes like those of her father were borne into her as well. She was still young, not yet a lioness, but a young adolescent. After her mother was killed in a dispute with the selfish king, Nala protected her and took care of her. She was not even two seasons old when her mother fell.
Urukai came to a halt in front of Simba a second time, poised for attack. Simba placed Nala gently upon another lioness, stepped in front of his pride, and glared at Taka's successor. Urukai then began to walk in circles around him.
"This is a moment long awaited. This is the moment I've dreamed of since I first saw your smug little face on my territory. This is the moment that's been on my mind since I first learned you alone were King Taka's killer!"
"Peace Urukai," Simba declared. "Let's let it go. It's time to put the past behind us."
"Never! You killed a great lion!" Urukai growled.
"So did you," Simba replied calmly. "You killed the beautiful, kindly Queen Sarabi, daughter of Kilana and Amase. She too, loved Taka. But the fire scorching in his heart turned it to stone. But she always had faith in him. She always believed he would overcome his anger and hate. Then he killed Mufasa, and her hopes finally died. You will never understand Urukai, I only try to free your troubled mind."
"I will never give in to you," he hissed. "I promised I'd always be Taka's servant.... I keep my promises."
"So be it," Simba said glaring. He turned his back on Urukai, and acknowledged his lionesses to do the same. As they turned to leave, Urukai's eyes went wide.
"Wh-wha-where are you going!?" Urukai growled as Simba headed through the mist. "Get back here! It's time to settle this!"
"I am settling this," Simba said not turning back. "Leaving you, and taking my father's advice. 'Show me a lion who resorts to violence, and I'll show you a lion who's plum outta good ideas.'"
"Then you'll die without a fight."
"The Great Kings are with me," Simba replied still walking.
Urukai lunged at Simba, his intentions marked on his neck, but he was suddenly thrown back by a horrendous light. He toppled backward, and he stood up and growled. Through the light, a lion with golden fur and a regal posture stood. He had no pupils, his eyes were completely white. Standing up straight, he walked down the large stone he had appeared on, and with a golden aurora surrounding him, stood like a tower above Urukai.
"Father..." Simba whispered as a single tear ran down his muzzle. He turned to look at Rafiki who was whispering a chant, and had his arms outstretched. His staff was held up in the gentle breeze, and he realized that he had yet again revived Mufasa for a limited amount of time.
"Simba...my son. I love you more than you'll ever know. My spirit is with you now. I join with you, and give you the strength and wisdom of a Lion King."
With that, Mufasa's sparkling image became translucent, and within a golden light, flew into his young son's body. Simba felt a burst of energy and strength, of understanding and wisdom.
The golden aurora enshrouded the young lion, and left him after a few moments. He looked at Urukai who stood not far back, with his teeth bared.
That's when Urukai understood. "We'll meet again my friend," he hissed, with a tricky smile on his face. "We'll meet again."
He and his pride of angry, bloodthirsty lionesses then departed into the jungle mist.
Simba sighed and looked at his Pride smiling at their young and spirited leader. Nala, being supported by another lioness looked at Simba, her eyes welling up with tears. He was so noble, and his father's presence surrounded him. How she missed Mufasa.
"King Simba!" came Alani's voice.
Simba turned around and saw Alani bound up.
She smiled at him, her bright green eyes fixed on his own.
"Thank you," she said rubbing her head into his long, thick mane.
He put a paw around her and looked into her eyes. "You're most welcome Alani. But why do you thank me?"
"You saved me," she replied, her ears going flat. "I am Taka's daughter, against my mother's will, and he told me I would one day mate Urukai. I don't want that! I don't want to end up like my mother."
Simba smiled at her. "I assure you that you will not."
Alani bowed to her King, and walked up next to Nala, burying her face in her soft fur.
With the little strength she had, Nala put a consoling paw around Alani. She licked her face and spoke softly to her.
Within the next few moments, they departed from the jungle, and followed the light Simba had seen earlier. It led to the end of the tropical lands, and onto a grassy plain. They walked through it, and came to two large, bulky boulders, stretching for miles. A long, gravel path led in, and they became curious of where it lead.
Just as Simba was to step in, a voice echoed over the plains.
"Thought you'd get there without me did ya?"
Simba whirled around to see Kazumi limping up a small hill. He was soiled in dust, and a cut ran across his paw, but he seemed just fine.
"Kazumi..." Simba whispered amazed. "It cannot be... you fell. I saw you fall."
Kazumi nodded, and spoke softly. "Indeed I did. I got very lucky. As I fell, I caught sight of an adjacent ledge below me. I clung to it with my claws, and managed to pull myself up. The ledge was sharp, so I cut my paw. It took me many hours, but I managed to climb back to the top of the gorge, and I followed your scent."
Simba smiled, and the two bumped heads. Nala limped up to Kazumi and nuzzled him. As a tear ran down her cheek, she thanked Kazumi for saving her, and wept over the damage he took doing it. He consoled her, and Alani then walked up.
Over the journey, Kazumi and Alani shared a strong bond, and it could be seen that they were falling in love.
"C'mon," Simba encouraged. "Let's keep moving."
The Pride passed through the large boulders, and walked upon the narrow walkway of gravel. It grew narrower and narrower still, until Pumbaa had to suck in to get through. They finally reached a cave at the end, and followed it through.
Alani yelped when she saw a field mouse skitter passed her, and tumbled backward, right into Kazumi. He caught her, and they shared a brief moment of silence, staring into the other's eyes. After they regained their senses, they continued the walk.
When they reached the end, a large boulder blocked their path.
"What're we supposed to do now?" Pumbaa asked.
"We gotta push it," Simba replied. "Pumbaa, Kazumi! Gimme a hand!"
The trio walked up the left of the boulder, and began to push with all their might. Slowly, it nudged left, and they pushed harder, and with all their strength, got it out of the way. A sparkling wall then appeared. A boundary. But as soon as Simba got close, a steady breeze ruffled his mane, and the wall slowly disappeared. What came next overtook them all.
The sun spilled over the valleys, and sparkled like drops of rain water. The grass was green and full, and the flowers smelled sweet and delicate. The sky was blue as hornbill feathers, and an ancient rock loomed in the middle of it all.
The Land of Kings had been reached at last.