Author's Note: Hello there. I finally got around to writing this story. I've had these ideas for awhile; I just never had enough time to actually get into the computer but here it is. I'm sorry if it takes a while, but hopefully you'll stick with me for each chapter update. Well, anyways, here's the first chapter. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I'm sure you all know the drill. I don't own the Lion King characters, only the ones you haven't heard of.
-The Lion King III: A Journey of Love and Hate-
By Vitani008
-Prologue-
Morning was creeping over the savanna as the giant golden sphere of the African sun gradually rose over the horizon and the grasses of the savanna swayed in the warm breeze. The silence of the sunrise hovering over the savanna and the stillness of the water in the morning was always such a peaceful sight but the tranquility was unexpectedly penetrated by a lion's prevailing roar in the distance. Each and every creature of the Pride Lands turned toward the direction of it.
The animals of the Pride Lands recognized the unmistakable roar that belonged to King Simba, ruler of the Pride Lands. The animals followed the roar, awaiting the ceremony of their future ruler. Coming from every direction, the animals gathered in front of the spectacular rock, prominently known as the Pride Rock.
Atop the rock, a handsome, majestic lion emerged from the cave, mounting the cliff. The lion had a bright golden-yellow coat, honey brown eyes and a shiny, scarlet mane which flew in every direction with the wind. This lion was known everywhere; he was the king of the Pride Lands, the famous King Simba. The breeze swirled around him in mini tornadoes as Zazu landed beside him with a wide grin, bowing. Simba simply nodded and looked to the bright blue sky. Hidden in the clouds, the legendary Mufasa had shown up to celebrate the joyous day, as well.
Following right behind him, was an attractive slender lioness with crème coloured fur and calm blue eyes. She was also easily recognized as she was King Simba's wife, the dignified and elegant Queen Nala.
As they reached the peak of the rock, the crowd parted for a weak, old baboon that made his way through the large group of animals, wobbling on his staff. He had short gray hair and a long white beard. He was Rafiki, the wise, old baboon who lived in the ancient tree a ways away from Pride Rock.
He made his way through the crowd and climbed the steps of Pride Rock until he reached the top where he embraced Nala and then Simba.
Then he entered the dim lighting of the cave where a young attractive lioness lay with her mate standing beside her. The lion had taupe coloured fur, a long black mane and emerald green eyes. Beside him, the lioness had golden-peach fur and the same honey brown eyes as her father. She lay with a bundle of fur in her arms.
As Rafiki got closer to them he bowed. They were Princess Kiara and Prince Kovu of the Pride Lands, daughter of King Simba and son of Zira. He embraced Kovu, as Kovu raised a paw to pat his back. Rafiki backed up and took a look at Kiara. He smiled, remembering the day she of her ceremony. He wrapped his arms around her neck and then the little bundle of fur awoke.
As the young cub yawned, another one rolled over on its back, both of them looking around. The first cub had a golden coat and a lighter coloured stomach and paws while the other cub had a darker brown coloured fur and a crème coloured stomach and paws. The darker coloured one had Kovu's significant emerald green eyes and the other had Kiara's honey brown ones. You could tell these cubs belonged to Kiara and Kovu as they resembled them so much. The baboon picked up one of his sacred fruits and bashed it against the wall, cracking it in half, spreading the moist insides over the cubs' foreheads. He then bent down and grabbed a handful of dirt and sprinkled it over the cubs' noses.
Picking up the infants, he exited the cave, Kiara and Kovu accompanying him. He ascended the precipice of the rock, and lifted the young lion cubs into the air as the crowd below broke in to an uproar of cheering.
Elephants smacked the ground with such effort, the water rippled and the birds went into flight, flying over Pride Rock, while monkeys hopped around, screeching in delight and giraffes and gazelles jumped in the water streams.
The warm breeze ruffled through Kovu's mane. He closed his eyes, though he could feel Simba's eyes on him. He opened his eyes suddenly to see a pleased grin across the face of his father-in-law. Kiara nuzzled up against him and smiled while the animal kingdom below continued to cheer for their future rulers. Nala rubbed up against Simba, as he sighed heavily. He was a grandfather.
The cubs struggled playfully in Rafiki's grip and swatted at the windblown leaves as they swirled around in the air. After much cheering from the assembled crowd, Zazu straightened and broadened his smile as Rafiki dropped his arms and held the children in his frail arms to be nuzzled by Kiara and then Kovu.
Meanwhile, a ways away, a meerkat was tightly holding the hair of a warthogs head as they raced through the forest. The meerkat had musky orange hair, a crème-coloured stomach, a light brown body, and the tip of his tail was a darker brown as well as his fingers and the stripes across his back. He was Timon, an outcast with the "no worries" kind of attitude. His best buddy, the simple-minded Pumbaa, was also an outcast. He had a brownish-red body, black hair on his head and on the tip of his tail and big tusks.
As they darted through the forest, dashing tree after tree, they were missing the ceremony of the future ruler they promised they would be on time for. As they neared the crowd of animals surrounding Pride Rock, Pumbaa skidded to a halt. As they were at the back and the giraffes and hippos were in front of them, they couldn't see Pride Rock or the new ruler. Though, as soon as they arrived, they animals began to leave.
"Oh, Pumbaa," whispered Timon, who was impatiently fidgeting with his tail. "We missed it! Simba's going to kill us."
"We'll just tell him we were here the whole time. He'll never know."
"Yeah, you're right. Besides, we have better things to worry about."
"Right!" said Pumbaa. "Uh, like what, Timon?"
"Like Kiara's cub. Oh, Pumbaa, I'm so nervous. It has to be guy this time. It just has to be." He chattered his teeth and looked from side to side.
"Why does it have to be a guy, Timon?" asked Pumbaa.
"Well, if it's a guy then we won't have to deal with all the female drama like we experienced with Kiara."
"Oh yeah, good point."
"And if it's a guy we can teach him all about Hakuna Matata."
"But, Timon, I thought our motto was, 'When the going gets tough, the tough get going?'" He asked.
"Pumbaa, Pumbaa, Pumbaa," Timon put his hand on his forehead and shook his head. "It's all about living in the moment. This moment is all about Hakuna Matata, got it? Besides, that was before I was positive it was going to guy."
"How can you be so sure, Timon?" asked Pumbaa.
"Well, think about it, Buddy. What are the chances that it'll happen twice in a row?"
"Uh, not that slim," answered Pumbaa.
"Pbbb," Timon just pushed his hands through the air towards him and ignored him.
As they neared Pride Rock, they could see Simba at the crest of the slanted rock. Pumbaa trotted up to him.
"Hey guys, I didn't see you down there. What happened?" asked Simba.
"Ah, gee, Simba. We tried to make it on time but we were held up. You know, helping Uncle Max and the rest of the meerkat colony move into the outlands. Sorry we missed the ceremony," said Timon.
"Ah, forget it, you guys." He hugged Pumbaa and Timon, "You're here now."
Suddenly Rafiki came out of the cave with the darker cub in his arms. "Hey, Timon, Pumbaa, doesn't she look just like Kovu? Same eyes, same everything…" Rafiki was cut off.
"Ah, so it is a girl this time, isn't?" asked Timon covering his eyes with his miniature hands, seeing Rafiki nod slightly. Throwing his hands in the air in frustration, he turned to Simba and said, "Uh, Simba, you're father definitely isn't on our side, is he?"
"Oh, he's on your side, alright," said Simba, proudly as Kiara came out of the cave with the lighter cub in her mouth. Timon jumped off Pumbaa, punching the air.
"Yes! I knew it. Call it mother's intuition or whatever. I don't care! I knew it!" He danced around, obviously quite pleased.
"Timon," Pumbaa said stunned, tapping Timon on the shoulder but Timon only ignored him and continued to dance, "Timon," he said louder, tapping his shoulder harder this time.
"What?" said Timon, hunched over with his hands hanging low.
"Look." Pumbaa pushed Timon's head towards Rafiki.
Rafiki chuckled and took the second cub from Kiara's mouth and cradled them both in his arms.
"Twins," Pumbaa said still stunned.
"Twins?" yelled Timon.
"Oy!" and the two of them collapsed in a dead faint.
Authors Note: Okay, so this is the first chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it. I sure enjoyed writing it. Please review because it would make me happy and I would love you forever! And I'll mention you in the next chapter! I'll be updating soon, hopefully by next week.