Well guys another chapter for your enjoyment, I plan to make this one with a little bit of action and a little bit of seriousness. So I hope you all like it. Yeah that's my authors note, short huh?
Oh wait one more thing; I think that last chapter was the last time Zazu looses consciousness, but we will have to find out, I keep adding new chapters and stuff and this story keeps getting longer, its crazy. Well let me start this before you all go crazy.
"Zazu, wake up!"
I could hear Timon call to me after what seemed like a second later and slowly I opened my eyes to find the meerkat standing above me while heavy rain fell around us, he looked quite worried. I gave a groan and tried to stand up but my wings instantly sank into the wet mud.
I solved that problem a second later though by leaning against a rock and pulling myself up, Timon waited until I was sitting up before checking on me.
"You okay?" he asked.
I felt around my body to make sure nothing was broken, luckily I was fine, just a slight bump to the head. "Yeah I think I'm okay, how about you?" I asked.
"I think I broke my arm," said Timon who then showed me his arm which he could barely move and when he tried, the pain was so great that he cried out and held onto his arm tightly.
"Oh dear, hopefully Rafiki can fix that, how about Pumbaa, is he okay?" I asked.
"He's over there in the mud, he received a nasty cut to his side and he thinks he broke a leg," said Timon.
"Oh my and we are in a river bed, and with the rate this rain is falling, we need to get out of here quickly, I've seen this place flood fast," I said.
"How are we going to get him out, if my arm is broken and both of us are too small to push him?" asked Timon.
"Teamwork and perseverance," I said as I walked slowly over to Pumbaa who was lying on his side and looked like he was in a lot of pain.
"Pumbaa we need to get out of here, it might flood soon and we don't want to be stuck in it," said Timon who patted his friend on the snout.
"I can't Timon, my leg hurts, I can never make it up that hill," said Pumbaa
"Can you at least try and see?" I asked.
Pumbaa gave a quick grunt and stood up. He sat there for a moment; looking up at the steep slope that was our only way out and then gave the most pathetic pout I have ever seen any one give me. I could not take any of it and gave him a stern stare, that was enough for him to change his mind.
Slowly he limped toward the slope, wincing from the pain as he went along, for the first time I saw the injury on his side, it was bleeding freely and it looked like it might have been deep, it made me wonder what he had run into to get such an injury.
But that did not matter at the moment, we had to get out. Slowly Pumbaa climbed up the steep slope, grunting with all his might and slipping from time to time from the mud. Timon and I stood beside him, cheering him on. But the encouragement was still not enough and once we reached halfway, Pumbaa slipped and slowly let himself fall back down to the bottom into a pool of mud, where he lay and began to whimper. Timon and I ran back down to check on him.
"Pumbaa come on, it's only a little slope, you'll reach the top in no time," said Timon.
"I can't Timon, the pain is too great, just leave me here," said Pumbaa.
I could not believe that such a carefree warthog would say such a thing, I had to encourage him, the thought of seeing him float away and drown was not a pretty thought and I knew Simba would be devastated.
"Are you telling me that when something bad goes wrong you give up just like that? Well if that's the case then you are lucky to have not have lived when Scar was king. I have been through worse than this and every time something bad happens I kept hoping for something good to come along and change it, that's what you need to do. Climb that slope like it is only a little hill and then one day you will learn to conquer mountains," I told him.
Pumbaa looked at me and then at Timon who remained speechless after my little talk with him. Without a word Timon encouraged him to climb back up the slope, Pumbaa smiled at him and tried again this time with all the strength he could muster.
But his strength could not stop what was coming next. We finally reached the top after struggling for nearly an hour. No matter how many times he slipped or fell from the pain of his leg, he would not give up. I thought he would though when we saw something truly frightening.
Timon was the first to see it; he was behind Pumbaa helping him get to the top of the slope by pushing his back legs toward the top while I pulled him forward with all my might with my claws.
"Uh Zazu, is that normal?" he asked.
"Is what normal?" I asked.
"That," said Timon who pointed with his working arm toward the west.
I looked to see where he was pointing and saw a wave of white come toward us, I knew what it was and that was not good. The deluge had arrived and it was filling the river back to its normal form. Any minute now Pumbaa or Timon would be swept away if they did not hurry.
Pumbaa was the next to see it, he gave a loud squeal that rattled my eardrums and before I even tried to pull him up any more, I felt him pushing me back while he crawled as fast as he could to the top of the slope. When he finally made it, he collapsed to the ground, clearly exhausted from the excursion.
We both turned to Timon who was trying to hurry and join us. But he was in such a hurry that he tripped on a root and landed on his hurt arm. He cried out in pain and looked up at us with pain filled eyes and then at the huge wave coming toward him. Timon screamed and tried to get to us as fast as he could.
I decided I needed to save him and started to fly toward Timon, but the wave of water beat me to him and Timon was quickly grabbed by the dangerous wave and was gone with the blink of an eye.
"TIMON!" Pumbaa screamed while tears formed in his eyes after seeing his best friend get swept away.
I knew I had to save Timon, I was his only hope. Ignoring the caked on mud in my wings, I took flight and followed the raging river in search of Timon.
I did not have to go far though, I found him a few minutes later, leaning against a rock and trying to hold on while the water beat down on him hard. I knew he could not hold on much longer, I had to get him out of there.
"Timon grab my claws," I called out as I reached for him.
Timon opened his eyes and looked up at me; he looked terribly worn out and weakened by the rush of the water.
"I can't the current is too strong," he cried.
"You can do this Timon, I know you can," I said.
"It's too powerful, my strength is gone, I can barely breathe," said Timon.
"Timon remember what I said earlier, you can do any thing no matter how bad the outcome," I said.
Timon said nothing but let go of the rock, he quickly began to sink under and I knew I had to get him and fast. His arm stuck out of the water so I grabbed it as tightly as I could and pulled him out of the water and back to where Pumbaa was waiting for him.
Timon was heavy but I did not care, it was only a few feet any way. And when I returned with Timon, Pumbaa, who was still lying down from his ordeal, jumped up with happiness and pain since he forgot he had a hurt leg.
I set Timon down while Pumbaa limped over to him with worried eyes. Timon did not move but lay where I had set him, his fur soaked to the bone. At first we both thought he was dead until I saw his chest slowly rise.
"Is he okay?" asked Pumbaa who looked like he was about to cry.
"I don't know, he's breathing though, that's a good sign. Stay here and keep him warm and safe while I get Rafiki," I said
Without a word I flew off towards Rafiki's tree, hoping he was home and that he would help Timon and Pumbaa. The rain still continued to fall heavily as I flew, but I did not care, Timon's life was in danger.
I soon reached the tree and was happy to notice that Rafiki was home, painting a drawing of a young zebra next to its mother, hopefully his painting told of a prosperous kingdom soon, but I did not care about that now.
"Rafiki, I need your help," I said.
"What happened Zazu?" he asked.
"Timon and Pumbaa fell into the river bank and both are hurt, Timon is in worse shape though because he was swept away but I saved him but he is not responding," I said.
Rafiki said nothing but quickly grabbed his stick and ran with me as fast as he could toward Timon and Pumbaa.
We reached the two friends in no time; Pumbaa was lying beside Timon and crying I could tell that he was worried. When he saw Rafiki come over he jumped up and started to cry.
"Oh Rafiki, I'm so worried about Timon, he hasn't responded and I don't want to loose him," said Pumbaa who then started to cry so hard that I thought he was going to create a flood with his own tears.
"Shhh Pumbaa it will be okay, Timon is still alive but I will not check on him out in this rain, he is drenched enough, let's head back to Pride Rock. You think you can make it the whole way?" asked Rafiki.
"I'll try," said Pumbaa with a whimper.
Rafiki just nodded and cradled Timon in one of his arms while he balanced himself with the other and without a sound, he headed toward Pride Rock. Pumbaa followed behind him, walking on three legs while hold his other one up. I flew behind to make sure everything was okay.
We soon reached Pride Rock where Simba and the rest of the pride happily greeted us, glad that we finally came home and were out of the rain. I saw Simba give a big warm smile but it quickly faded away when he saw Timon's lifeless form in Rafiki's arm.
"Oh no what happened?" asked Simba.
"He fell into the river when it was still dry and then was almost killed when the deluge arrived, I saved him though," I said.
"Will he be okay Rafiki?" asked Simba worriedly.
"I don't know, I have to check on him, but let me clean up Pumbaa first since he has the least injuries," said Rafiki who then set Timon down carefully nearby while he began to mix some herbs to help clean the wound on Pumbaa's side. Pumbaa grunted in pain as Rafiki applied the herb on him, but he remained still until Rafiki finished.
"There you go, the wound will heal in a few days, its not too deep so you won't have a scar, now let me see your leg," said Rafiki.
Pumbaa lifted his injured leg while Rafiki touched it. Pumbaa winced when Rafiki touched a tender spot. Rafiki continued to touch it for quite a while until he made his diagnosis.
"It's not broken, it looks like you only sprained it, but I would recommend that you stay off the leg for a few days, let it heal, then you will be as right as rain," said Rafiki who then set Pumbaa's leg down carefully.
"Thanks Rafiki," said Pumbaa.
Rafiki smiled and then turned to Timon who still remained motionless. Rafiki touched his injured arm and quickly shook his head sadly.
"It's definitely broken, its going to be a while before it heals too," said Rafiki slung the injured arm with a leaf.
Once he was finished with Timon's arm he felt around for any more broken bones while I told the whole story to Simba who was very grateful that I rescued him out of the raging river. Rafiki frowned after he was finished with Timon, it did not look good.
"He has two broken ribs, my healing herbs are back at the tree and because broken ribs are so serious I'm going to have to let him spend a few days with me in the tree just in case he has trouble breathing and I will know what to do," said Rafiki.
"So is he going to be alright?" asked Pumbaa who still had tears in his eyes, I could tell that they had been friends for a very long time.
"I won't know until tomorrow, but there is a seventy percent chance that he will be okay. Its going to be a while before he can go about his normal routine so don't be too rough on him," said Rafiki.
I saw Simba frown at the thought of not being able to see Timon for a few days or really talk to him since I knew it would be a while before he returned to his normal annoying self.
"Thank you for your help Rafiki, once again you are a lifesaver," said Simba.
"It's a shaman's duty to help those in need, I will return in the morning with the prognoses on Timon's health," said Rafiki.
Simba just nodded and watched as Rafiki left the cave with Timon cradled in his arm once again. He then gave a big sigh when Rafiki was out of sight.
"If any one needs me I will be at the top of Pride Rock," he said in a sad voice.
None of the lionesses said anything but watched as Simba sadly exited the cave and went outside where the rain had finally let up and was only falling lightly. I knew what happened to Timon scared him and I knew he needed time alone, to cry his fears away.
"Thanks for doing all you could Zazu," said Pumbaa who limped over to me with the saddest face he had ever given.
I just looked at Pumbaa who then began to cry as he bent over and put his enormously large head on my shoulder. I nearly fell back from the weight but I remained firm and patted his back while tears fell on me.
"Hakuna Matata Pumbaa," I said. I was surprised I even said that.
Pumbaa just whimpered while tears fell down his face and then down my back. It felt weird but after a few minutes, I got used to it. In fact I was glad I was the shoulder someone had to lean on when they were sad.
After a few minutes, Pumbaa sat up and looked at me with sad eyes.
"It'll be okay Pumbaa, Timon is not going to die he will just be very tired for a few days and I will bet he will need all the help he will need from you," I said.
Pumbaa just nodded and then turned around and limped over to the corner he and Timon had made home, now tonight he would be alone for the first time in years.
It was quiet in the cave for a few minutes, until the lionesses decided to mingle and talk, no one looked really worried since they did not know Timon very well, and I accepted that though I felt I needed to comfort Simba.
I flew out of the cave and to the top of Pride Rock where I found Simba lying down on the edge watching the sun slowly set now that the clouds had dispersed and were creating a lovely red and purple color.
I flew down beside Simba who did not turn to me but just sighed and continued to stare at the horizon.
"You okay Simba?" I asked.
"Yes Zazu I am fine, I just needed to come up here and think, seeing Timon that way scared me," said Simba.
"Why did it scare you sir?" I asked. I had to talk to him, it was the first time I really did since he returned from his exile and I wanted to get to know the adult Simba.
"Because I almost lost another father," said Simba.
I stared at Simba in shock, could it be? Timon? A father figure to Simba? I was not expecting this.
"Timon's your father figure?" I asked.
"Yeah, he took care of me when I lived with him and Pumbaa. He was the one who made sure I did not get into too much trouble and he was the one who comforted me when I was feeling down. If you did not save him today I would have lost another father, one who almost equaled my real one, then my life would have been even more shattered" said Simba.
"But at least your mother is still around for you, and Nala, and the rest of the pride," I said.
"Yeah true, but then there's Zira," said Simba.
"Oh I know how Zira is," I said remembering how often she would pick on the females just because she was queen.
"But I don't think you have been around when all the other lionesses are out hunting, she taunts me and says that the next heir will be my doom while her sick cub just lies there helplessly," said Simba.
"Oh don't let her get you down, if she does try anything just banish her. And I must warn you, she has followers too, they act like they are with you but they are really against you," I said.
Simba just nodded, I could tell that this sudden responsibility as king was making him nervous.
"I suddenly feel so hopeless," said Simba.
"Why do you feel that way?" I asked.
"Well you told me that Zira has followers, I don't know who they are and I don't want to be suspicious of all of them. And if you show me who they are then I will watch them every second. Then tensions will be high and the pride will be upset, that's not how my father made the pride," said Simba.
"But you are still new at this; I am sure your father made mistakes as well. Don't loose hope. Remember we were through some of the worst times when Scar was here and if we lost hope we would have all been dead by now, I know I would have been," I said.
"I'm glad I saved you all then, I just hope I can do as well as a job as my father did. Not the best but close enough," said Simba.
As the sun slowly sunk down to the west, the colors began to fade and the day turned into night. It was time for the great kings to come out and watch over everyone, to protect the pride from any danger that could happen in the darkness. From the top of Pride Rock it was just Simba and I watching and waiting to see the first star. I then said my last word of encouragement to Simba before we descended back down to the cave.
"Everything is going to be okay."
A/N: Yay I finished this chapter, hope you all liked it. I actually wrote half of it in one night and finally told myself to go to bed at one so I could wake up to go to work in the morning; yeah I had fun with this chapter. And don't worry to all you Timon fans, he is still in the story, I am not changing anything, except for the fact that Zazu will get a girlfriend soon, she was actually going to be in Simba's Pride but they for some reason took her out. Well any way please review and have a nice day.