Chapter 11: Homecoming
Chester lay back looking up at Kovu and Kiara.
Kiara (Smiling with slight tears in her eyes): We saw it all. (She pause slightly) Thank you, thank you so much!
Kovu (Smiling): I thought I'd lost them. I had no idea you were there!
Chester smiles back and sits up.
Chester: No problem. I hate poachers! Especially that guy, can you believe him? I find it hard to believe he even had the guts to mock you and Simba!
Kovu (Frowning slightly): He was mocking us?
Chester: Yeah! That was the most sarcasm I've ever heard and that's saying a lot!
Kovu: That's funny. I couldn't make out anything.
Chester got up and dusted himself off, frowning at Kovu's words. How is it possible they understand him but not the poachers?
Chester: Ah well, we'll worry about that later, we've gotta let them stretch their legs first! (Indicating Komali and Malika)
Chester jogs up to them followed by Kiara and Kovu and tries to unlock the cage door. He fails but doesn't give up. Soon he finds a large rock no bigger than the size of clenched fist. He hammers away at the lock with the cubs urging him on and succeeds in denting it making the door open slightly but not fully. After a few tries Chester becomes exhausted.
???: Why don't you bring it back to Pride Rock? There are bigger rocks there!
Chester looks round and sees Simba standing before him smiling.
Chester (Smiling in relief): Good idea!
Soon Chester, Kovu, Kiara, Simba and of course Komali and Malika head back to Pride Rock. Chester guides them as they had never known how to move a wheeled-contraption, let alone a four wheeled one. Simba, Kovu and Chester push the cage to its destination while Kiara smugly leads the way. When they reached Pride Rock, there was an uproar. The lions and lionesses praised the return of the future king and queen of the Pride lands. Many also praised Chester for his so-called reckless courage. The first task was to set the still-caged cubs free which Chester volunteered to help with.
Chester is kneeling down in such a way that looks as though he is an Olympic runner. All of a sudden Kovu, who is standing nearby shouts "GO!" Chester launches himself forward into a sprint. He kneels slightly in movement and propels himself high into the air. Then, he fly-kicks at something which makes a clanging sound when struck. He falls back onto the ground and looks up to inspect his work. He was getting there, he reckon in a few more he'd have that cage opened. Komali was cheering him on although Malika wasn't so sure. Chester gets up and grabs the handle of the door and strains to pull it open. Kovu comes over and helps him and within moments the half-busted door gave way, opening wide letting the cubs out.
Komali/Malika (Bounding out at top speed): Mom! Dad!
They run up to Kiara followed casually by Kovu leaving Chester smiling slightly by the wrecked door.
Kiara (Extremely relieved): I'm so glad to know you're safe! Are you guys O.K?
Malika: Yeah! I thought we were done for!
Kovu: So did I!
Komali (Looking serious): That thing the human put us in, (indicating the cage) it felt so strange. I felt so (he pauses slightly) restrained. All you could see were places you knew and enjoyed, but you were confined to a small space and you couldn't escape! (He smiles) I'm so glad to be out of there!
Kiara (Smiling): Well, you're out now. I couldn't bear seeing you carted off like that. I couldn't even see Chester hiding there.
Komali: Come to think of it, neither did I!
Malika: Heh, that's twice he's saved us!
Kovu and Kiara looked at each other. Malika was right. They never knew of the danger the cubs were in before at the Outlands. Only when he was confronted did they learn of it. Now they had just witnessed the type of behaviour that convinced the cubs that he was good person, this time a fate that could be considered worse than death.
Just then an earth-shaking clatter emitted from the direction from the cage. Everyone in the vicinity jumped and looked around for the source of the sound.
Chester stood next to the cage with a surprised look on his face.
Chester (Wide-eyed): Wow, I think we overdid it, Kovu. The door's came off its hinges!
The door lay flat on the ground inches from Chester's feet.
Komali and Malika sniggered where as Kiara and Kovu look pleasantly surprised.
???: What was that noise?
Simba had appeared from behind Kiara.
Kiara: That thing fell off the cage.
Simba looks at the cage and sees Chester, he smiles slightly.
Komali/Malika: Hi, Simba!
Simba: Oh hi, guys! How does feel to be free again?
Malika: Awesome!
Chester looks over at Simba and smiles.
Chester: Hey Simba!
Simba: Hi, Chester! Come on over here!
Chester does so.
Kovu: Simba.
Simba looks at Kovu.
Kovu: You see that guy that locked them in the cage before.
Simba: Yes.
Kovu: Could you understand anything he was saying?
Simba shakes his head.
Kovu: Me neither.
Simba: What's your point?
Kovu: Well, Chester's a human and we understand him and vice-versa, how come we can't talk to other humans.
Simba (Frowning slightly): Hmm. I never thought about that. Maybe, he's one of a kind who knows?
Kovu: Yeah, I guess so.
Chester had just reached them at that moment. Simba notices him.
Simba: Ah. Chester. Can you come with me a second? Timon and Pumbaa want to talk with you.
Chester: Oh. Sure. Lead the way! See you guys later!
Kovu, Kiara, Komali and Malika say good-bye while Simba leads Chester up Pride Rock.
Simba (On the way up*): Chester, I never thanked you properly before for saving them from the humans.
Chester (*): Nah, its O.K. It was just a spur of the moment type things! Besides, I couldn't just sit and do nothing!
Simba: Well, whatever it was, I am in your debt.
Chester (*): I told you I don't want anything from it! Anyway, what do Timon and Pumbaa want me for? I didn't say anything, did I?
Simba (*): What? No! You didn't, they told me they said something to you.
Chester (thinking): Huh?
Timon (Over): Hey Pumbaa, they're back!
Chester saw Timon and Pumbaa by the den entrance.
Simba: Well, here you go. See you around then.
Chester: Yeah. See ya.
Simba walks away while Timon and Pumbaa walk up to Chester.
Timon (Apologetically**): Kid, (he pauses slightly) we just wanna say we're sorry.
Chester (Raising an eyebrow): For what?
Pumbaa (**): For holding you up at the crash-site! We should've let you go!
Chester (Remembering): That's nothing to be sorry ab-
Timon (**): Yes it is! If we held you up any longer Komali and Malika might've been lost forever!
Chester: Don't talk that way, its-
Pumbaa (Waterworks starting): And we wanted to be Uncles again!
Chester: But, you are! They're safe! It's O-
Timon (Waterworks starting too): No thanks to us!
The duo can't hold it any longer and burst out crying. Leaving Chester standing there, looking around franticly for some way to calm them down.
Chester (Stammering slightly): Hey, hey, calm down! It's, it's not that bad.
They begin to howl out loud drowning out his voice.
Chester: Stop crying! I forgive you! There's no need to-
His words are futile as they cry even harder.
Chester (Shouting, waving his arms): GUUUYS!!!
Timon and Pumbaa finally stop. They are holding each other tightly and look up at Chester with puppy dog eyes.
Chester (Desperately): You're over-reacting! Sure, you held me up but that didn't stop me! You're still Uncles! You don't need to apologize.
The duo let go of each other and see sense.
Pumbaa: (He pauses) You're right. Sorry 'bout that!
Timon (Nodding): Yeah. Me too.
Chester (Smiling): Cool. *ahem* So, (hastily changing the subject) how good are these grubs I hear so much about?
The duo's eyes light up.
Timon/Pumbaa: Oh, they are the best! Do you want some? No? I could sure go for some! Etc.
Chester just smiles rather sheepishly as the conversation deepened on how to find the best grubs.
Meanwhile in the distance, a figure stands spying on the trio while they talk. The figure is almost out of sight on top of the hill he is surveying Pride Rock from. His eyes are fixed solely on Chester. It carries a stick with strange orbs attached to end of it. It has a blue face with a speculative expression on his face. The creature has white hair round its head. It stands straight staring at him. Light catches on its face revealing the creature to be a baboon. It nods to itself.
Baboon: You were right, Mufasa. It is indeed him.
The baboon turns around marches off as the sun sets around the Pride Lands as he slowly disappears into the night.
Chester lay back looking up at Kovu and Kiara.
Kiara (Smiling with slight tears in her eyes): We saw it all. (She pause slightly) Thank you, thank you so much!
Kovu (Smiling): I thought I'd lost them. I had no idea you were there!
Chester smiles back and sits up.
Chester: No problem. I hate poachers! Especially that guy, can you believe him? I find it hard to believe he even had the guts to mock you and Simba!
Kovu (Frowning slightly): He was mocking us?
Chester: Yeah! That was the most sarcasm I've ever heard and that's saying a lot!
Kovu: That's funny. I couldn't make out anything.
Chester got up and dusted himself off, frowning at Kovu's words. How is it possible they understand him but not the poachers?
Chester: Ah well, we'll worry about that later, we've gotta let them stretch their legs first! (Indicating Komali and Malika)
Chester jogs up to them followed by Kiara and Kovu and tries to unlock the cage door. He fails but doesn't give up. Soon he finds a large rock no bigger than the size of clenched fist. He hammers away at the lock with the cubs urging him on and succeeds in denting it making the door open slightly but not fully. After a few tries Chester becomes exhausted.
???: Why don't you bring it back to Pride Rock? There are bigger rocks there!
Chester looks round and sees Simba standing before him smiling.
Chester (Smiling in relief): Good idea!
Soon Chester, Kovu, Kiara, Simba and of course Komali and Malika head back to Pride Rock. Chester guides them as they had never known how to move a wheeled-contraption, let alone a four wheeled one. Simba, Kovu and Chester push the cage to its destination while Kiara smugly leads the way. When they reached Pride Rock, there was an uproar. The lions and lionesses praised the return of the future king and queen of the Pride lands. Many also praised Chester for his so-called reckless courage. The first task was to set the still-caged cubs free which Chester volunteered to help with.
Chester is kneeling down in such a way that looks as though he is an Olympic runner. All of a sudden Kovu, who is standing nearby shouts "GO!" Chester launches himself forward into a sprint. He kneels slightly in movement and propels himself high into the air. Then, he fly-kicks at something which makes a clanging sound when struck. He falls back onto the ground and looks up to inspect his work. He was getting there, he reckon in a few more he'd have that cage opened. Komali was cheering him on although Malika wasn't so sure. Chester gets up and grabs the handle of the door and strains to pull it open. Kovu comes over and helps him and within moments the half-busted door gave way, opening wide letting the cubs out.
Komali/Malika (Bounding out at top speed): Mom! Dad!
They run up to Kiara followed casually by Kovu leaving Chester smiling slightly by the wrecked door.
Kiara (Extremely relieved): I'm so glad to know you're safe! Are you guys O.K?
Malika: Yeah! I thought we were done for!
Kovu: So did I!
Komali (Looking serious): That thing the human put us in, (indicating the cage) it felt so strange. I felt so (he pauses slightly) restrained. All you could see were places you knew and enjoyed, but you were confined to a small space and you couldn't escape! (He smiles) I'm so glad to be out of there!
Kiara (Smiling): Well, you're out now. I couldn't bear seeing you carted off like that. I couldn't even see Chester hiding there.
Komali: Come to think of it, neither did I!
Malika: Heh, that's twice he's saved us!
Kovu and Kiara looked at each other. Malika was right. They never knew of the danger the cubs were in before at the Outlands. Only when he was confronted did they learn of it. Now they had just witnessed the type of behaviour that convinced the cubs that he was good person, this time a fate that could be considered worse than death.
Just then an earth-shaking clatter emitted from the direction from the cage. Everyone in the vicinity jumped and looked around for the source of the sound.
Chester stood next to the cage with a surprised look on his face.
Chester (Wide-eyed): Wow, I think we overdid it, Kovu. The door's came off its hinges!
The door lay flat on the ground inches from Chester's feet.
Komali and Malika sniggered where as Kiara and Kovu look pleasantly surprised.
???: What was that noise?
Simba had appeared from behind Kiara.
Kiara: That thing fell off the cage.
Simba looks at the cage and sees Chester, he smiles slightly.
Komali/Malika: Hi, Simba!
Simba: Oh hi, guys! How does feel to be free again?
Malika: Awesome!
Chester looks over at Simba and smiles.
Chester: Hey Simba!
Simba: Hi, Chester! Come on over here!
Chester does so.
Kovu: Simba.
Simba looks at Kovu.
Kovu: You see that guy that locked them in the cage before.
Simba: Yes.
Kovu: Could you understand anything he was saying?
Simba shakes his head.
Kovu: Me neither.
Simba: What's your point?
Kovu: Well, Chester's a human and we understand him and vice-versa, how come we can't talk to other humans.
Simba (Frowning slightly): Hmm. I never thought about that. Maybe, he's one of a kind who knows?
Kovu: Yeah, I guess so.
Chester had just reached them at that moment. Simba notices him.
Simba: Ah. Chester. Can you come with me a second? Timon and Pumbaa want to talk with you.
Chester: Oh. Sure. Lead the way! See you guys later!
Kovu, Kiara, Komali and Malika say good-bye while Simba leads Chester up Pride Rock.
Simba (On the way up*): Chester, I never thanked you properly before for saving them from the humans.
Chester (*): Nah, its O.K. It was just a spur of the moment type things! Besides, I couldn't just sit and do nothing!
Simba: Well, whatever it was, I am in your debt.
Chester (*): I told you I don't want anything from it! Anyway, what do Timon and Pumbaa want me for? I didn't say anything, did I?
Simba (*): What? No! You didn't, they told me they said something to you.
Chester (thinking): Huh?
Timon (Over): Hey Pumbaa, they're back!
Chester saw Timon and Pumbaa by the den entrance.
Simba: Well, here you go. See you around then.
Chester: Yeah. See ya.
Simba walks away while Timon and Pumbaa walk up to Chester.
Timon (Apologetically**): Kid, (he pauses slightly) we just wanna say we're sorry.
Chester (Raising an eyebrow): For what?
Pumbaa (**): For holding you up at the crash-site! We should've let you go!
Chester (Remembering): That's nothing to be sorry ab-
Timon (**): Yes it is! If we held you up any longer Komali and Malika might've been lost forever!
Chester: Don't talk that way, its-
Pumbaa (Waterworks starting): And we wanted to be Uncles again!
Chester: But, you are! They're safe! It's O-
Timon (Waterworks starting too): No thanks to us!
The duo can't hold it any longer and burst out crying. Leaving Chester standing there, looking around franticly for some way to calm them down.
Chester (Stammering slightly): Hey, hey, calm down! It's, it's not that bad.
They begin to howl out loud drowning out his voice.
Chester: Stop crying! I forgive you! There's no need to-
His words are futile as they cry even harder.
Chester (Shouting, waving his arms): GUUUYS!!!
Timon and Pumbaa finally stop. They are holding each other tightly and look up at Chester with puppy dog eyes.
Chester (Desperately): You're over-reacting! Sure, you held me up but that didn't stop me! You're still Uncles! You don't need to apologize.
The duo let go of each other and see sense.
Pumbaa: (He pauses) You're right. Sorry 'bout that!
Timon (Nodding): Yeah. Me too.
Chester (Smiling): Cool. *ahem* So, (hastily changing the subject) how good are these grubs I hear so much about?
The duo's eyes light up.
Timon/Pumbaa: Oh, they are the best! Do you want some? No? I could sure go for some! Etc.
Chester just smiles rather sheepishly as the conversation deepened on how to find the best grubs.
Meanwhile in the distance, a figure stands spying on the trio while they talk. The figure is almost out of sight on top of the hill he is surveying Pride Rock from. His eyes are fixed solely on Chester. It carries a stick with strange orbs attached to end of it. It has a blue face with a speculative expression on his face. The creature has white hair round its head. It stands straight staring at him. Light catches on its face revealing the creature to be a baboon. It nods to itself.
Baboon: You were right, Mufasa. It is indeed him.
The baboon turns around marches off as the sun sets around the Pride Lands as he slowly disappears into the night.