Fantasia Crisis
By Lord Akiyama
Inspired by "Crisis on Infinite Earths" by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez
Chapter Six
---
"Simba!" Nala cried. Simba knew what was coming and braced himself for the biggest pouncing he had ever received. He smiled as he looked upon, looking into the eyes of his beautiful wife. "Welcome home, your highness," she whispered before kissing him on the cheek. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too," he said. They embraced for a moment, forgetting that he had brought others with him. She finally let him off the ground afterward. He smile then slowly faded as he remembered why he was home. "I'm afraid I can't stay long though," he said. "I'm just here with others to clear up something."
Nala saw his face than nodded. "I understand," she said. "I'm just glad you're okay."
"And she ain't the only one," a familiar voice yelled. Simba looked over and saw the figures of his friends Timon and Pumbaa approaching. "Since when do you just decide to up and leave without telling us?" Timon said, acting as though he was an innocent hurt by something tragic.
"It was kinda sudden thing, Timon," he said, rolling his eyes with a grin. "You would have to have been there to understand. I will say that I won't be staying here long as my companions and I have to clear up something."
"Companions?" Timon said. "So you just went and got yourself new friends?!"
"Please, Timon," Nala giggled. "Simba would never abandon you guys, even if he wanted to."
"So you're not leaving us?" Pumbaa asked.
"Well, I'm not abandoning you guys as friends," Simba tried to explain with a straight face. "I just have something to take care of here and then I have to head back to do something important. Don't you guys want to meet my companions?"
"We would love to," Nala quickly said before Timon could say a word.
"This is Stitch," Simba said with an arched eyebrow. "He's... well... odd." Stitch appeared, babbling words no one understood. He scuttled about to each person, sniffing them, before turning himself into a ball and rolling around them. After reverting himself back to original form, he laughed. Simba looked at the others, who were dumbfounded at what they just saw. "Need I say any more?" he added.
"Geez," Timon said after a moment. "What kinda weirdos did you end up with?"
"They're all not weird, Timon," Simba said. "Take my other companion for instance."
"Oh what, does this one know how to do the luau in ten different languages?" Timon said sarcastically. The others began to roll their eyes. "Oh, I know. He walks backwards and makes silly noises because he's friends with a monkey. Wait, I got a better one. He's a big guy with a big, black coat and is the quiet type. He'll maybe a word or two, but it is as though you couldn't believe what came outta his mouth. Or better yet, he's a... a... a... he's a she..."
Nala and Pumbaa couldn't believe what they were seeing. Timon was left speechless. They looked up to see what he was looking at. Simba glanced over his shoulder and then back at Timon with a grin. He know what exactly was happening to his meerkat pal. "She," Simba said, "is my other companion. She is The Spring Sprite."
The Sprite had her tongue sticking out to one side and arched eyebrows as she pushed a very small pile of sand together. When she was satisfied, she raised her hands up resulting in the birth of a large flower. A smile formed on her face from what she had created, butterflies fluttering towards her. She playfully spun in place as though she was laughing like a child. She turned to the others, her hair revealing some of her face and her smile.
Nala and Pumbaa began to see what Timon was looking at. "She's beautiful," Nala whispered.
The Sprite floated towards them. She floated quickly to each person, giving them each a smile. When she got to Timon, she looked at him curiously. Timon blinked and nothing more, though he tried to say something. The Sprite would arch her head one way and then another. Her beauty only resonating further. "Bah... bah... bah... beautiful..." Timon managed to whisper. The Sprite smiled brightly and looked as though she was giggling in delight.
Simba and Nala looked at another as they watched Timon, quietly laughing. "Come on, guys," he said. "Let's head on over to Pride Rock and see if we can talk to Rafiki."
Everyone began to follow Simba and Nala, except for Timon and Pumbaa. Pumbaa looked at his little friend, he still hadn't moved. "Hey, Timon," Pumbaa said. "Are you alright?"
After a few moments, Timon's eyes slowly moved toward Pumbaa. Suddenly, he grabbed Pumbaa and pulled him in. "What should I do, Pumbaa?" Timon said. "I'll give her flowers. But she could make one herself. Some sweets. Yeah, that's it. Sweets. But what if she doesn't like bugs. Maybe she's a vegetarian. Pumbaa, what am I gonna do?"
---
The Firebird watched with narrow eyes. He hated the happiness that vibrated from his adversity. He hated everything she represented. He truly hated her. He desperately wanted to burn the entire land so that he would be rid of her. What was holding him back was the wishes of his master. And the command of The Horned King.
"Fairly soon, servant of Chernabog," The Horned King said. "We shall destroy those who oppose him. Who oppose us. Instead, let us wait patiently. They know not where the influence is, so they pose no threat. When they are close to the discovery, then we shall strike. And strike we shall."
The fire burned in the servant's eyes. The Horned King saw this and grinned with a chuckle under his breath. "Yes, lord of the flame," he continued. "You shall lay waist to her. You shall show her who is the more powerful. Who nature should bow to. You shall make them all worship you, pay tribute to you. You shall become a God. But now, we wait. We wait, and we watch."
The Firebird listened to every word The Horned King spoke. They became truth to him and he understood the words very well. He shall wait. And then, he shall make her bow to him. He shall be the one true force. He shall become the true power of nature. For now, he would wait.
---
Simba felt the wind in his face as he watched the sun setting behind his kingdom. Standing upon the top of Pride Rock, he watched and thought about all the has happened in his life. He sighed thinking of the terrible things that have happened. And then he looks up into the sky, wondering if he would ever be as good of a king as his father was. He always wanted to be king. He got his wish. The path to it just wasn't what he wanted.
Simba walked down where he saw his wife standing upon the end of Pride Rock. His queen sat there, eyes closed and a light smile on her face. He smiled seeing her smile. He walked over and sat next to her. Her eyes slowly opened, looking at him. They looked in their eyes, nothing more, before she inched over to rest her head upon his shoulders and just under his cheek. They closed their eyes and sighed.
"Zazu is retrieving Rafiki," she whispered, not moving her head off him. They didn't move throughout their conversation, engulfing themselves with their shared warmth.
"I take it Zazu didn't have trouble when he met my companions," he whispered.
"Oh, you should have seen the terrified look on his face when that little odd creature started chasing him with gnashing teeth," she whispered. "Let's not forget how fast Pumbaa ran when the thing went after him. I don't think he'll be back until morning." They both laughed softly. There was a quiet silence between them that lasted for a moment. She then sighed. "We should have these quiet moments more often," she whispered.
"I'd imagine," he whispered back. "It helps to just let me forget about everything and think nothing but you."
"You are so romantic, my love," she whispered. She finally opened her eyes, her smile widening a little. "Simba, have you thought any names for her?"
"I think you're better at that than I am," he quietly chuckled. "You know me, I probably had a boy's name in mind before I realize that it's more than possible that our heir would be a princess. And a mother knows her child better than the father."
"Yes, she does," she laughed. "I think her name will be Kiara."
"Kiara," he whispered as he opened his eyes. "Her name sounds so beautiful."
They finally moved to look deep into their eyes. Nala softly laughed as she gently laid on her back, pulling her husband toward her. "Who would've thought," she whispered, "that we would have more fun as adults than as children."
Simba laughed gently. "We never saw it coming," he whispered. "Even if Zazu told us we were betrothed, it was still something that tradition wouldn't understand."
"It wouldn't," she whispered. "But nature knows too well." There was silence for a moment, their eyes locked upon one another. Nala then reached up to kiss his cheek, smiles on both their faces.
"I love you, Nala," he whispered.
"I love you, Simba," she whispered back.
Simba gently moved closer and they embraced as only lovers would.
---
"Ah, the stars," Timon said. "That's a good one. Okay, Pumbaa says that they are burning balls of gas billions of miles away. Of course, Pumbaa is Pumbaa and to him everything is gas. My pal Simba says that they're the great kings of the past and they are watching down on us. The first time I heard that, I was in awe."
The Sprite smiled, arms wrapped around her legs as she watched Timon talk to her. Her hair waved in the gentle wind that blew, further causing Timon to stumble under his breath a little and form pinkness upon his cheeks. He has never felt this nervous before. But there was another feeling that he was experience for the first time and he didn't want to let go of it just yet.
"Oh, oh, lemme tell you about how I saved Pumbaa from those hyenas single handedly," he said. "Oh, these three were terrible looking uglies. I mean, they're the kind that with one look would make you want to toss your cookies. Any way, they had trapped bird-beak and my pal Pumbaa in a corner when I came to their rescue. I was like, 'You have my pal trapped in a corner. I don't like people who trap my friends. Do you feel lucky, punks?' And then I ran in there and I started banging their heads against the ground, and I threw them against the walls, and I kicked them outta there with the clear message. Never mess with my pals."
The Sprite appeared to be giggling and clapped her hands with Timon bowing like a great conductor. She floated over to him, appearing to be begging for another story to tell. The pink on Timon's cheeks brightened as her face was practically right up against his. He made a low, nervous chuckle.
"Uh, okay, okay, another story," he said. "Uh, lemme see, what haven't I told you? Oh, lemme talk about how I first met Pumbaa."
---
"Don't mind him," Simba said, nodding his head toward Stitch who was hanging upside down inside the cave. "How close is this ill wind?"
"Very close," Rafiki whispered. "In fact, there are many. Some in the distance far from here. A smell of ash and a smell of death. Very unfamiliar to these I am. But this smell I have smelt when the voice called for you I know where."
"I always thought I came from the elephant graveyard," Nala said. "Am I right?"
"No," Rafiki said. "The smell comes from the waterhole."
"The waterhole?" Simba and Nala said in unison. A very odd place for the influence to be. Then Simba began to think about it. It seemed almost the perfect hiding spot. Now they needed to unearth it and destroy it. The fact that it was within his kingdom was bad enough.
"You know the direction," Rafiki said as he leapt to the ground. "I go search for the spirit and Timon." He ran off, disappearing within the grass save for his stick.
"I'm coming with you," Nala said.
"I was going to ask," Simba smiled. "Stitch, let's go." Stitch made some noises as the three began making their way to the waterhole. After a moment, Simba stopped in place causing the others to do the same. "Ash and death..." he whispered. He thought some more and then his eyes widened. "Ash is created by fire. 'Wherever she goes, he will sure to follow...'"
"Is something wrong, Simba?" Nala asked.
"We have to hurry," he said as he began to run. "We're being followed."
---
"They are on the move, servant of Chernabog," The Horned King said. The Firebird opened his eyes and flames shot out, igniting some of their grass surroundings. "You must do the bidding of your master and delay their strike. Destroy them, lord of the flame. Show them who nature shall bend to!"
The Firebird screeched flame as loud as he could as he grew larger than before. The Horned King began to laugh as he watched the servant take action. The Firebird looked and saw the running lions. But he, he saw his adversity. Clearly she heard his cry. He grinned as he drove into the ground, creating his form that was a river of lava. His speed accelerated as he aimed for The Spring Sprite.
The Spring Sprite watched this in horror, taking a step back and then another. Timon turned to see, his eyes widening upon seeing the river of lava heading straight for them. "Holy smokes!" he cried. "Since when did we have boiling water this time of the year?!"
He began to run, not caring if his speed could not exceed that of the accelerating lave. He then found himself not running on the ground. He looked down to see that he was floating farther off the ground. He looked up and saw himself in the clutched of a grown Spring Sprite. Not really thinking about anything, he held on to her tight, hoping she won't drop him into the fast approaching lava.
---
Simba slid to a halt, watching the lava chase The Spring Sprite. "We have to move faster!" he yelled. "I don't know how long she can last on her own!"
"Simba!" Nala cried. Simba turned to see Nala with a horrified look. "What is that?!" Simba looked up to see a large black figure in the middle of the waterhole. Lightning shot out of its body, making contact with the ground, the trees, and the water. Nala turned to Simba. "How on earth are you going to destroy that?!" she said.
Stitch began to yell something as he hoisted a gigantic boulder over his head. Simba and Nala watched him in utter disbelief as the odd creature leaped into the air and threw the boulder at the figure. Contact was made and the figure began to bob back and forth. Stitch laughed as he hopped towards the waterhole before leaping onto the figure and proceeded to bite.
"Do you think he might have the right idea?" Simba asked Nala with an arched eyebrow. Nala shrugged. "Guess there's only one way to find out. Come on!" The two lions roared into action and began to attack the figure.
---
The Horned King ducked as something flew over him. He then raised his arm to block a stick attack. He looked upon his attacker and grunted. "Do you really believe that you can defeat me, monkey?" he said.
"Maybe so, maybe not," Rafiki said. "Yet no one stands around the Pride Lands thinking they can do anything without a fight." Rafiki screamed at the top of his lungs as he lunged at The Horned King. The villain grabbed hold of the stick and the two began to struggle over control.
---
The Firebird began to fly out of his river of lava, showing his true figure before The Spring Sprite and Timon. He screeched loud and clear with flame bursting all over. He then exhaled a series of hated flames from his mouth, targeted for The Spring Sprite. She managed to dodge them, but the great power of heat rushed through Timon as began to breath for air. After a series of coughs, he passed out.
The Spring Sprite looked at Timon in horror. She raised the meerkat up to her face, fear overcoming her. She managed to hear him breathing, but he was receiving little of it. She held him close and tight, his head resting on her shoulder. Her fear turned into anger as she looked upon her adversity. She raised her free hand into the air and closed her eyes.
---
Simba noticed something and looked to Stitch. "Throw me in," he said, nodding his head toward a certain direction. He turned to see the concerned look from his wife. "I think I know how to destroy it." Nala nodded, though there was fear in her eyes. Simba turned as Stitch rolled up to him and hoisted him up into the air.
Stitch made some sort of cry as he threw Simba toward the figure. He extended his paws forward and then slashed outward as he made contact. He slashed through the figure and cut it in half. Simba landed on shallow ground and roared just as the figure exploded behind him. He stood there for a moment, catching his breath, before turning to see the figure disappear. The wind blew at his hair and he then cracked a grin on his face, which caused Nala to shake her head laughing.
---
The Spring Sprite aimed her open hand at The Firebird and a blast of energy projected, making contact with her adversity. The Firebird screeched as he fought, firing his own energy back in an attempt to overwhelm her. The two energy forces mixed and moments later exploded, causing the two to be pushed back.
The Firebird shook his head and slowly looked up. The Spring Sprite was still alive. He narrowed his eyes and prepared for another attack.
"RETURN TO ME, MY SERVANT!"
The Firebird stopped in place and narrowed his eyes further. He wanted to destroy her, but he was needed by his master. He crossed his wings together and sunk into the ground, disappearing from the world.
---
"You are quite the adversity, monkey," The Horned King said, releasing his grip on the staff. "It is such a shame that I will have to end your life. Until then..." With that, he disappeared into darkness. Rafiki watched and then turned his attention to the Pride Lands. It was being engulfed in flames and there was no rain to stop it.
"It's happening again, Simba," Nala cried. "Our home is being destroyed." The lions could do nothing but watch as the fires burned brighter, causing all in the land to watch or run in fear.
The Spring Sprite looked at the fires below. She floated down to the others and laid the unconscious Timon in the hands of Rafiki. She then floated swiftly to the waterhole and dove into the water. Moments later, she emerged and began to fly over the fire. Rain began to drop heavily from her form, instantly dissolving the fire. Moments later, the rain stopped and The Spring Sprite dove into the ground. She later emerged, turning all that was burnt into green. Swiftly, grass began to grow and new life was born.
The others watched in astonishment as Timon began to awaken. "Wha-What did I miss," he muttered before he stopped. He watched as The Spring Sprite, with her eyes closed, began to create life and transform darkness into light. He was a witness to the awesome power of the spirit.
---
"How long before you return?" Nala asked.
"I don't know," Simba said. "But I will hurry back as quickly as possible. And I'll promise this. I'll be here when Kiara is born."
"You better be," Nala said with a smile. "If anything, the first thing she's going to see is her father."
"That's right," Simba said as they embraced. "I'll be back, Nala."
Stitch started saying things that were still misunderstood as Rafiki and Pumbaa looked at one another. Rafiki listened carefully and then thought about it. "I believe he's trying to figure out where you were," he said to Pumbaa.
"Hey, he was the one who was chasing me all over the place," Pumbaa said. "I didn't even know what was going on I was trying to run as fast as I could."
"You know, I've never been really good at saying, 'Thank you' or 'Good-bye' to any one," Timon said, scratching his head. "I mean, after all. Most people I know are right here with me and I never seem to lose sight of them so I never really find the need to--"
The lips of The Spring Sprite gently touching his cheeks for a kiss caused him to immediately freeze in place. She appeared to giggle as she floated over to join the others. Moments later, Timon feel to the ground with Pumbaa looking at him oddly.
Simba looked about his family and nodded. He turned to Stitch and The Spring Sprite. "Let's go," he said. The Sprite touched something deep within the lion's mane and the three disappeared from the Pride Lands.
to be continued...