Any body want ice cream? Then come on down to Mrs. Potts in Magic Kingdom I can make you hot fudge brownie sundaes, hot fudge sundaes, Strawberry shortcake sundaes or the basic cone or cup with sprinkles. Cost is at least three dollars so I would suggest you bring five dollars, oh and about a hundred to get into the park. Well on with the story.
The chicks learned to fly quite well. It was quite frightening to watch them at first because it looked like they would fall out of the nest but they were tough young chicks and were able to hover in the air before me or Binti had to save them.
In a week though, they perfected the art of flying and often went out together to explore the wide unknown. They would always be back by sunset and sometimes I would run into them on their little flights around the pride lands.
I remember one afternoon where I was sitting in a tree watching the outlands and the chicks when Conga came to join me. She loved spending time with me and learning about the job she would take when my time would come. There was always a different question she needed answering and I was always happy to explain it to her.
I saw her fly toward me after Tiki kept acting like a flirt; I could tell she had enough from the face she gave me as she flew toward me.
"I think Tiki is self centered," she told me.
"She just thinks she pretty that's all and she wants to show it off. Don't worry though; you want to know a secret?" I asked her.
"What Dad?" asked Conga.
I smiled at her after she said Dad. It just sounded so wonderful to be called that now, rather than stooge or even dodo bird. "I think that all of you chicks are beautiful, none of you are more beautiful than the other. You are all unique in your own little way," I said.
"You're right about that. Like how Bahati likes those berries over by the gorge. Those things taste so bitter I don't know how she even swallows ten of those things," said Conga.
"Some of us like different tastes," I said.
"Yeah," she said.
Conga stood there for a moment with me, watching the other chicks as they played king of the rock with Dinari being a leader this time until Bahati pushed him off. Conga laughed.
"Hee hee, they're fighting like lions," she said.
"Yes but luckily without the claws," I said.
Conga winced at the thought; our claws were bad enough though not as sharp as any lions that was for sure.
Suddenly Conga gasped and then yelled at Bahati to look out. I jumped and looked to see what she was seeing. That was when I saw the very same creature we were just talking about run up and grab Bahati in the blink of an eye. Tiki and Dinari squealed and flew as fast as they could toward me as I saw the dark lion run off with Bahati crying in his jaws.
I recognized the lion right away too; it was Kovu sporting a growing mane that was only half formed and running back toward the outlands where I saw Nuka waiting for him. There was no way I could save Bahati now. I felt like crying after seeing another chick gone but I had to remain strong. I told the chicks to stay where they were so I could maybe listen to see why the two had crossed the border to kill my daughter.
"Nice job Kovu," said Nuka when I arrived only a minute later.
"So will you respect me now for running out into the pride lands like that?" asked Kovu.
"Pft no, your still a little termite who is no better than me, besides, I only wanted to try hornbill to see what it tastes like so when you conquer the pride lands I want to see if Zazu would be tasty enough for me," said Nuka who then grabbed Bahati out of Kovu's jaws and began to tear at her. I looked away in disgust and sadness, I lost Bahati only because Kovu wanted to impress his big brother but it was not enough for Nuka. I knew the young lion hated Kovu because he was the heir and not him.
I sadly flew back to the pride lands. The chicks needed to go home now; they needed to be in a safe place for the rest of the night and I had to tell Binti the tragic news.
Binti of course was saddened by the news and for most of the night she cried while the remaining three chicks and I tried to comfort her. But it did not work and in the end we all cried our hearts out. That night I made a solemn vow to never trust any outlander and that if any of them showed their face in the pride lands again, Simba would be the first to hear about it.
I told Simba what happened the next morning through tear filled eyes. He shared his sympathy with me since he went through the same thing with Kopa by loosing him to an outlander. Simba had met Bahati before so he was very upset to know that someone he had known was now gone. He even agreed with me to report any outlander caught even with one paw in the pride lands to be reported to him.
Everything was quiet for a while after Kovu's horrible show off at Nuka. I only saw them at a distance when I was watching the borders and both were showing no sign of interest in going near the pride lands. Of course they could be trying to find a new way in so I could not trust them and kept my eyes on them.
But the quiet did not last long. Less than two weeks later something very tragic happened. I was giving Simba a late morning report when Dinari flew right into me and knocked me down. Luckily we both ran into Simba's leg rather than a wall or thin air. Dinari was barely even fazed and jumped up panting with tears forming in his eyes.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"You need to come quick Dad, we saw this hawk right and Tiki like always decided to go and flirt. Well the hawk saw her and without warning he attacked her. Tiki cried for help and luckily Mom was there so she went over to save her but now I think she needs your help, it looks like she's loosing," said Dinari.
I gasped in alarm and looked over at Simba who was looking worried as well.
"Go help her, the morning report can wait, Binti is more important," he said.
With that I was gone in the blink of an eye and followed Dinari toward the rest of the family who were in trouble. When I arrived, I saw Conga standing on a branch and watching the terrible action unfold as Binti was fighting a large hawk who was much larger than her. I knew she could not win by herself.
The hawk was only a few feet away so I could see the hate in his eyes as he dug his talons into Binti's back, causing me to wince from the sight of blood and feathers. Binti tried to fight back by scratching him in the side but the hawk only laughed, his deep gruff voice echoed around us.
"Dad, Mom is loosing terribly, we need to help her," said Conga who did not even look toward me but kept her eyes on Binti.
"Where's Tiki?" I asked remembering why this battle was being fought in the first place.
"Down, there, she hasn't moved since Mom came to save her," said Conga.
I looked down to see the still form of Tiki, she was just a bundle of feathers, unmoving and she looked badly injured.
"Okay go check on her while I help your mother," I said as I flew straight toward the fray between the hawk and my mate.
The hawk had its talons dug deep into Binti's chest when I went to save her. The hawk only laughed at his victory until I suddenly arrived and began pecking at his head.
"Leave my wife alone!" I screamed.
The hawk grunted and looked up at me angrily. I did not stare back at him but looked at Binti who stared back at me, pain filled her eyes as I saw the hawks talons dig deeper into her chest before letting go and throwing her to the ground. I thought about going after her when the hawk stood in front of me eyes blazing.
"So you want to fight rough too huh?" he said.
I knew he was going to try to kill me as well so I had to fly like I never flew before. I had to get him away from my family. He pursued me, coming close enough to touch me but I was fast enough to keep him from doing that. For a long time the pursuit was on, going beyond the boundary of the pride lands and into Daudi's territory. (Tahir's son)
I knew I had to loose him sooner or later and an idea finally popped in my head. I flew toward a nearby bramble bush and quickly went in there for safety. The hawk tried to follow but he was too big. He tried to put his talons on the branches but the thorns were everywhere and now he was frustrated.
"You cheater, come out here and fight me," he cried.
"You expect me to fight you? I know you'll win, I don't have a chance against you," I said in the most flattering way possible.
"That's because you're a coward, you saw what I did to your wife so you don't want to end up like her, it was her fault for even trying to fight me. Your daughter was on my menu and I was hungry," said the hawk.
"But did you really have to hurt her like that?" I asked.
"I was only trying to protect myself as well," said the hawk.
"Then you could have knocked her unconscious rather than tear her apart," I said angrily.
The hawk growled under his breath, I could tell he was not happy arguing with his prey. For a moment he stood there wondering what to do, glaring at me often while I stared back at him, sticking my tongue out from time to time.
"Did I upset you?" I asked in the most sarcastic voice after a long moment of silence.
The hawk said nothing. I could tell he had enough as he took flight and headed in the opposite direction of the pride lands. I knew my family would be safe.
I made sure he was totally gone before I made my way out of the brambles. I could still see his form become smaller and smaller as he disappeared into the horizon. I hoped I would never see him again. Once I felt safe I began my long journey back home to make sure Binti and Tiki were alright. For some reason though I sensed their outcome was not good.
I reached my family a little while later to find Dinari and Conga circled around Binti who was not moving. Both of them saw me fly toward them and they quickly moved out of the way to see if Binti was alright, both had the look of worry on their faces.
There she lay, her eyes half shut. A wing was broken and blood matted her feathers from the marks of the hawk's horrible talons. Her back was literally torn to shreds and her chest had small holes in them from the hawks grip, I knew that he had done his damage on her. I watched as some of her blood flowed freely and coated the grass beside her, turning it into a shiny red color, I knew she was not going to make it but I did not want to think that. But watching her suffer was too much for me to bear before I finally burst into tears and hugged her tightly.
"I'm so sorry," I said through the heavy tears.
"Z-Za-Zazu," she said weakly.
I stopped hugging her and began to cradle her in my arms as she sadly looked up at me. My tears fell down my face and mixed with her blood.
"I love you," her voice was barely audible and I was only able to hear her by putting my face close to hers.
"Don't go Binti, I've only been with you for such a short while," I said.
"Don't worry Zazu, remember what Rafiki said, it's all part of the great circle of life, some live a long life while others are only there for a short while," said Binti.
"No, you're not ready to go yet, I can take you to Rafiki and he can help you get better, you'll be okay in about a month, you'll see," I said.
"Did I save Tiki though?" she asked trying to change the subject.
I looked over at Conga and Dinari who were both crying heavily knowing that their mother was going to the stars soon.
"She's dead," said Conga with heavy tears.
I sighed and looked back down at Binti who had heard Conga's words and then tried to cry but it was too painful to her.
"Take care of the other two; I want to make sure they carry on our legacy and make sure Conga grows up well to be like you," she said with a small smile.
"I'll try," I said as I hugged her again but carefully for I knew she was in a lot of pain.
"May I speak to the children one last time?" she asked.
I nodded and motioned for Conga and Danari to come to her. Both could barely contain themselves as they knelt down beside her.
With her good wing, Binti stroked Dinari's face and gave a weak smile. Dinari tried to smile back but seeing his mother in such a way caused him to burst into tears and hug Binti tightly ignoring the horrible wounds that had inflicted her.
"Don't leave me mom, you were the one who took care of me the most, now I will feel empty without you," he said.
"Don't worry, your father could take that position, now listen to me……. take care of yourself, find the mate of your dreams and…….. go the distance," said Binti.
"I'll try mom," said Dinari sadly as he wiped his beak with his wing as he backed up, letting Conga say her final goodbyes.
Conga walked over to her and looked sadly down at her mother who then began stroking her face like she had done to Dinari. Conga held it and nuzzled her mother. "I know you……. will be a great advisor one day, listen to your father and be…….. wise about what you hear……….. for if you hear the wrong things then they become rumors and rumors spread……….. to lies that cause everyone………. pain," said Binti.
"I'll remember that mother," cried Conga who held onto Binti's wing, too afraid to let go.
I watched her as she looked down at her mother who was slowly fading. I touched Binti's chest and I felt her heart beat slower and slower. I looked over at Conga who gave the look of shock as she felt her mother's wing go limp.
"Mother?" she cried realizing that Binti's pain was now gone.
But there was no response as all three of us watched as Conga let go of her mother's wing. It plummeted to earth and did not rise again.
A/N: Uh, I hope no one kills me for that. Watches as reviewers give me flames left and right. Don't worry though I have a reason for her death which will be explained in the next chapter and will be the basis of another story when I am done with this one. So you can flame all you want with this chapter, I know there was too much death involved. Oh yeah I work on Thanksgiving this week and I get to work for 50 hours so story time will be cut short for a few days, don't worry I will be back though. Well see you all next time; I have a sudden urge to watch Tarzan now for some reason.