Chapter 13: Guilty Conscience
Simba: I couldn't save him. They turned it on me, too. (He breaks off)
Simba looks down at his paws.
Chester gets up and walks slowly towards him.
Chester (Looking very concerned): I'm so sorry.
Simba looks up at him, mildly upset at first and then smiles slightly.
Simba: It's O.K.
Nala sniffs through silent tears.
Chester looks over his shoulder at Nala.
Chester (Sympathetically): I'm sorry for putting you through that again.
Nala looks over her shoulder at him.
Nala (Quietly): It's O.K. You had a right to know.
Simba walks over to Nala and snuggles into her to try to comfort her. She appears to feel better.
Simba: I think we should head back.
Chester nods in agreement. With that the trio heads back to Pride Rock. They hardly spoke at all, Chester now wished he never asked about this. He felt very sorry for Simba and Nala. He also couldn't believe the fact that the poachers had actually done it. The short guy, J's Dad seemed most likely to do something like that, where as Jimmy seemed reluctant to take Komali and Malika. Maybe it was just the other guy who was the REAL poacher of the two.
Simba, Nala and Chester reached Pride Rock within minutes. It became apparent that Chester hadn't gone far when he set off at dawn. He knew now that he should have asked instead of having to bring the bullet into it. His thoughts were cut off when Timon and Pumbaa came up to greet them.
Timon (Smiling): Where have you three been?
Simba: Oh, we were just showing Chester around.
Nala (Tears dried up now): Yeah, we're back now.
Pumbaa: Good!
Simba (To Chester): See you around, then.
Chester: Yeah, see ya, Simba. Nala.
Nala nods and the couple leave Chester, Timon and Pumbaa alone.
Pumbaa: So, how do you like the Pride Lands?
Chester (Remembering the "route" he took): Oh yeah, it's awesome! Friendly neighbourhood!
Timon: Really? I'm surprised at-
Chester is looking at Timon with crossed arms, raised eyebrow and a smirk on his face.
Timon: Oh, well, THAT makes sense.
Pumbaa: Did they say much?
Chester (Smirking): Nothing offensive.
Pumbaa smirks back.
Chester (Uncrossing his arms): So, what have you been up to while we were gone?
Timon: Ah nothing much, just relaxing, eating grubs-
Pumbaa (Dreamily): Heaven!
Chester laughs.
Chester: Heh, the easy life! If only that were possible!
Timon: Sure it is! Just lay back on the ground, scoop up a handful of 'em and
Chester: No, no! You got me all wrong, man!
Pumbaa: What do you mean, Chester?
Chester (Realising what he just said): Ah! Never mind.
Timon: What's up?
Chester (Hastily): Nothing.
Pumbaa (Concerned): Come on, tell us! We won't do anything.
Chester: Anything you say will make it worse for them anyway. No offence!
Pumbaa: None taken. Hang on a second! You don't mean- (He sees Chester's guilty expression) You do.
Timon: So Simba told ya, huh?
Chester: Nala told me. I regret it now.
Pumbaa: Why?
Chester: The look on her face, (He pauses) I never knew.
Timon: Well now you do. I shoulda mentioned it earlier.
Chester: It's not your fault.
Pumbaa (Thoughtfully): Why do you look so guilty, Chester? You didn't do anything.
Chester: I don't know. I, I just feel guilty for the fact that THEY did it! I feel guilty that is was my race!
Timon: Just because your human doesn't mean it's YOUR fault!
Chester sits down on a rock and sighs.
Chester: I know that (he pauses slightly) I want to do something, but what?
Pumbaa: What do you mean "do something"?
Timon: Oh no. You're not thinking what I think you're thinking, are you?
Pumbaa (Looking at Timon): What?
Chester (Thoughtfully): Maybe.
Pumbaa (Whipping round to look at Chester): What?!
Timon (Doubtfully): You can't do it, Chester! It's impossible!
Pumbaa (Getting desperate now): What's impossible?! Tell me!!!
Chester: Nothing is impossible! We've still got the cage, (His glum expression becomes excited) it could work!
Pumbaa (Frantically): TELL ME!!
Timon: Yeah, Chester, tell me too. I'm stumped!
Chester/Pumbaa: What?
Pumbaa: I thought you knew!
Chester: So did I! Weren't you thinking what I thinking?
Timon shook his head.
Timon: I thought for a second and I realised that it's crazy talk! You aren't stupid! You can't rescue him!
Chester: So you DID know!
Timon suddenly looks stunned.
Pumbaa (Surprised): You're gonna rescue him? How? When?
Chester: If I'm lucky I can set off tonight! As for actually doing it, I can just see what happens when I get there!
Pumbaa: How can you do it tonight?
Chester (Enthusiastically): They came back last night when everyone went to bed; I heard them say they'd check back again tonight to see if they can find the cage! Daylight is never a good choice if you want to retrieve something. Let's see; I can move it to a point away from Pride Rock so they can take it, the door's broken so they'll need to take it to repair it I'm sure. So I can stowaway on it so they can take me the base where if he's still there I can break him loose and I can take him back!
Timon (Doubtfully): You thought this through, haven't you?
Pumbaa (Amazed): Sure he has, Timon! (To Chester) I'm with you on this one, Chester!
Chester: Thanks, Pumbaa!
Timon: Listen to me, kid! Why do you want to risk this? It's crazy!
Pumbaa: Aw, come on, Timon! He cares! Can't you at least give him that?
Timon: I know he does! (He looks guilty) I'm just saying.
Chester: I get what you're saying Timon. Its just I feel as if I owe to Simba and Nala. Besides, I don't them to have to suffer with the idea that they won't see him again.
Timon begins to understand his motivation. He jumps onto Chester's knee and puts a hand on his shoulder.
Timon: I'm with you too, kid.
Pumbaa: That's the spirit, Timon! Come on, we got to plan this out!
The trio engage in conversation on how they were going to do this and developed a plan for Chester to hitch a ride.
Later, at night when the Pride had entered the den, Timon and Pumbaa snuck out to keep watch for the poachers while Chester slowly pushed the cage out of its hiding place. He pushed it some distance away from Pride Rock to a quiet spot they had marked to bait the poachers with.
Timon (Whispering*): Over here, Chester!
Timon and Pumbaa were standing on the spot they planned to leave the cage.
Chester: Great job, guys! Watch yourselves, now!
Chester pushed the cage into position so all they needed to do now was to wait for them to show up. Chester climbs into cage and lies flat on his chest.
Pumbaa: Nice going, Chester! Good luck!
Timon: Yeah, kid! See ya!
With that, Timon and Pumbaa run off and hide in a bush. After a few minutes of waiting, Chester hears the 4x4 pull up behind him. He could hear the conversation behind him as they were re-hitching it to the car.
J's Dad: God! Look at the state of it!
Jimmy: Yeah, mind you, what did you expect? A flawless cage with no escapes made by certain cubs?
Chester (thinking): Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, man.
J's Dad: Anyway, give me the hitch ball over!
The son hands it over to the poacher.
J's Dad (Screwing it in place): Do you even know how to screw it on properly?!
Jimmy (Frowning): Yeah.
J's Dad: Huh, you could have fooled me!
Jimmy (Slightly annoyed*): And what is that supposed to mean exactly, O Dear Father of Mine?!
J's Dad (*): Hey! None o' your cheek! You screwed up when put the hitch ball on, that's why we're here!
Jimmy (Angry**): Well, if you and your "perfect hands" had it in ya to do it yourself maybe we would've been luckier!!
J's Dad (**): Shut up! Get in the car!
Jimmy (**): After you, "daddy!"
J's Dad (**): I SAID "SHUT UP!"
Both fuming at each other they got into the car and drove off towing the cage with Chester in it with them. Chester peered out the cage and slowly waved "good-bye" to Timon and Pumbaa. Timon and Pumbaa wave slowly back at him with tear-filled eyes. Chester's journey had begun.
Simba: I couldn't save him. They turned it on me, too. (He breaks off)
Simba looks down at his paws.
Chester gets up and walks slowly towards him.
Chester (Looking very concerned): I'm so sorry.
Simba looks up at him, mildly upset at first and then smiles slightly.
Simba: It's O.K.
Nala sniffs through silent tears.
Chester looks over his shoulder at Nala.
Chester (Sympathetically): I'm sorry for putting you through that again.
Nala looks over her shoulder at him.
Nala (Quietly): It's O.K. You had a right to know.
Simba walks over to Nala and snuggles into her to try to comfort her. She appears to feel better.
Simba: I think we should head back.
Chester nods in agreement. With that the trio heads back to Pride Rock. They hardly spoke at all, Chester now wished he never asked about this. He felt very sorry for Simba and Nala. He also couldn't believe the fact that the poachers had actually done it. The short guy, J's Dad seemed most likely to do something like that, where as Jimmy seemed reluctant to take Komali and Malika. Maybe it was just the other guy who was the REAL poacher of the two.
Simba, Nala and Chester reached Pride Rock within minutes. It became apparent that Chester hadn't gone far when he set off at dawn. He knew now that he should have asked instead of having to bring the bullet into it. His thoughts were cut off when Timon and Pumbaa came up to greet them.
Timon (Smiling): Where have you three been?
Simba: Oh, we were just showing Chester around.
Nala (Tears dried up now): Yeah, we're back now.
Pumbaa: Good!
Simba (To Chester): See you around, then.
Chester: Yeah, see ya, Simba. Nala.
Nala nods and the couple leave Chester, Timon and Pumbaa alone.
Pumbaa: So, how do you like the Pride Lands?
Chester (Remembering the "route" he took): Oh yeah, it's awesome! Friendly neighbourhood!
Timon: Really? I'm surprised at-
Chester is looking at Timon with crossed arms, raised eyebrow and a smirk on his face.
Timon: Oh, well, THAT makes sense.
Pumbaa: Did they say much?
Chester (Smirking): Nothing offensive.
Pumbaa smirks back.
Chester (Uncrossing his arms): So, what have you been up to while we were gone?
Timon: Ah nothing much, just relaxing, eating grubs-
Pumbaa (Dreamily): Heaven!
Chester laughs.
Chester: Heh, the easy life! If only that were possible!
Timon: Sure it is! Just lay back on the ground, scoop up a handful of 'em and
Chester: No, no! You got me all wrong, man!
Pumbaa: What do you mean, Chester?
Chester (Realising what he just said): Ah! Never mind.
Timon: What's up?
Chester (Hastily): Nothing.
Pumbaa (Concerned): Come on, tell us! We won't do anything.
Chester: Anything you say will make it worse for them anyway. No offence!
Pumbaa: None taken. Hang on a second! You don't mean- (He sees Chester's guilty expression) You do.
Timon: So Simba told ya, huh?
Chester: Nala told me. I regret it now.
Pumbaa: Why?
Chester: The look on her face, (He pauses) I never knew.
Timon: Well now you do. I shoulda mentioned it earlier.
Chester: It's not your fault.
Pumbaa (Thoughtfully): Why do you look so guilty, Chester? You didn't do anything.
Chester: I don't know. I, I just feel guilty for the fact that THEY did it! I feel guilty that is was my race!
Timon: Just because your human doesn't mean it's YOUR fault!
Chester sits down on a rock and sighs.
Chester: I know that (he pauses slightly) I want to do something, but what?
Pumbaa: What do you mean "do something"?
Timon: Oh no. You're not thinking what I think you're thinking, are you?
Pumbaa (Looking at Timon): What?
Chester (Thoughtfully): Maybe.
Pumbaa (Whipping round to look at Chester): What?!
Timon (Doubtfully): You can't do it, Chester! It's impossible!
Pumbaa (Getting desperate now): What's impossible?! Tell me!!!
Chester: Nothing is impossible! We've still got the cage, (His glum expression becomes excited) it could work!
Pumbaa (Frantically): TELL ME!!
Timon: Yeah, Chester, tell me too. I'm stumped!
Chester/Pumbaa: What?
Pumbaa: I thought you knew!
Chester: So did I! Weren't you thinking what I thinking?
Timon shook his head.
Timon: I thought for a second and I realised that it's crazy talk! You aren't stupid! You can't rescue him!
Chester: So you DID know!
Timon suddenly looks stunned.
Pumbaa (Surprised): You're gonna rescue him? How? When?
Chester: If I'm lucky I can set off tonight! As for actually doing it, I can just see what happens when I get there!
Pumbaa: How can you do it tonight?
Chester (Enthusiastically): They came back last night when everyone went to bed; I heard them say they'd check back again tonight to see if they can find the cage! Daylight is never a good choice if you want to retrieve something. Let's see; I can move it to a point away from Pride Rock so they can take it, the door's broken so they'll need to take it to repair it I'm sure. So I can stowaway on it so they can take me the base where if he's still there I can break him loose and I can take him back!
Timon (Doubtfully): You thought this through, haven't you?
Pumbaa (Amazed): Sure he has, Timon! (To Chester) I'm with you on this one, Chester!
Chester: Thanks, Pumbaa!
Timon: Listen to me, kid! Why do you want to risk this? It's crazy!
Pumbaa: Aw, come on, Timon! He cares! Can't you at least give him that?
Timon: I know he does! (He looks guilty) I'm just saying.
Chester: I get what you're saying Timon. Its just I feel as if I owe to Simba and Nala. Besides, I don't them to have to suffer with the idea that they won't see him again.
Timon begins to understand his motivation. He jumps onto Chester's knee and puts a hand on his shoulder.
Timon: I'm with you too, kid.
Pumbaa: That's the spirit, Timon! Come on, we got to plan this out!
The trio engage in conversation on how they were going to do this and developed a plan for Chester to hitch a ride.
Later, at night when the Pride had entered the den, Timon and Pumbaa snuck out to keep watch for the poachers while Chester slowly pushed the cage out of its hiding place. He pushed it some distance away from Pride Rock to a quiet spot they had marked to bait the poachers with.
Timon (Whispering*): Over here, Chester!
Timon and Pumbaa were standing on the spot they planned to leave the cage.
Chester: Great job, guys! Watch yourselves, now!
Chester pushed the cage into position so all they needed to do now was to wait for them to show up. Chester climbs into cage and lies flat on his chest.
Pumbaa: Nice going, Chester! Good luck!
Timon: Yeah, kid! See ya!
With that, Timon and Pumbaa run off and hide in a bush. After a few minutes of waiting, Chester hears the 4x4 pull up behind him. He could hear the conversation behind him as they were re-hitching it to the car.
J's Dad: God! Look at the state of it!
Jimmy: Yeah, mind you, what did you expect? A flawless cage with no escapes made by certain cubs?
Chester (thinking): Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, man.
J's Dad: Anyway, give me the hitch ball over!
The son hands it over to the poacher.
J's Dad (Screwing it in place): Do you even know how to screw it on properly?!
Jimmy (Frowning): Yeah.
J's Dad: Huh, you could have fooled me!
Jimmy (Slightly annoyed*): And what is that supposed to mean exactly, O Dear Father of Mine?!
J's Dad (*): Hey! None o' your cheek! You screwed up when put the hitch ball on, that's why we're here!
Jimmy (Angry**): Well, if you and your "perfect hands" had it in ya to do it yourself maybe we would've been luckier!!
J's Dad (**): Shut up! Get in the car!
Jimmy (**): After you, "daddy!"
J's Dad (**): I SAID "SHUT UP!"
Both fuming at each other they got into the car and drove off towing the cage with Chester in it with them. Chester peered out the cage and slowly waved "good-bye" to Timon and Pumbaa. Timon and Pumbaa wave slowly back at him with tear-filled eyes. Chester's journey had begun.