"But, honey... you just got here," Ma frowned, gazing sadly down at his paws she held.

"I gotta go back, Ma," Timon argued lightly. "I gotta find Simba and Pumbaa and make things right."

"Well, come back soon," she said, shaking her finger at him. "Or I will hunt your hide down."

Timon grinned and leaned into her embrace, whispering goodbye one last time before turning for the dunes. With the colony waving farewell, he started off on his journey, walking the path Shenzi had walked hours before.

The sun had set long before he reached the edge of Pride Lands, and his legs were sore, but he hardly slowed his gait. He pushed through the tall blades of grass toward the towering rock ahead, hoping that Simba and Pumbaa were waiting for him there.

But he didn't get the chance to reach it before something came flying out of the weeds, barreling into him and sending him tumbling across the dirt. He landed with an 'oof' on his back, staring up at the clear, night sky. He shook his head to clear it and looked down, watching as two shadows slid toward him.

"Just the rat we were looking for," a voice said.

Timon sat up, his vision clearing to see Banzai and Ed begin lazy circles around him. Timon's eyes followed their movement for a moment, before asking, "What do you want?"

"Where's Shenzi?" Banzai demanded, stopping his circling to glare at him. "You last saw her! Where is she?"

"She didn't come back?" Timon asked, furrowing his brow. He turned his head and shot the open horizon a worried look, hoping she hadn't fallen during her trek back.

"Don't play stupid," Banzai growled. "Where is she?"

"What could I have possibly done with her?" Timon asked, pressing a paw to his chest.

Banzai looked him up and down, before he said in a low voice, "You gave her alteethifallobia, didn't you?"

"Wha--?" Timon began, then paused. "Oooh, you think I..." Timon's face split into a grin, before he shook his head. "No, see... that was a trick."

"What?!" Banzai blinked. His eyes narrowed and he advanced toward him, growling, "A trick?"

Timon's eyes widened and he quickly climbed to his feet. "Oh, did I say trick? I meant... that was sick... of—of me..." Timon backed up, matching Banzai's steps as he continued to come toward him. Timon smiled as innocently as he could, putting a paw to his chest and adding, "I'm very sick. You mustn't come any closer!"

"I think he's just pulling our leg. What do you think, Ed?" Banzai asked, turning his head to look at his companion. The other hyena just nodded vigorously up and down, and Banzai grinned evilly. "Yeah... me too."

"I... I assure you I didn't... do anything to Shenzi!" Timon replied, his eyes darting back and forth at the two hyenas. "I wouldn't—" he began, but was cut short when he tripped on a rock and fell backward. Lifting himself up on his elbows, he continued to scoot away, watching wide-eyed as they stood over him. "I swear!"

Banzai bared his teeth. "Well, if we can't find her... You're hyena chow. Got it?"

Timon gazed up at him and gulped.