Young lion cub Simba stands in a large rocky gorge. He looks around a bit and sees tiny stone rattling on the ground. He feels the vibrations getting stronger and looks up. Over its steep edge, hundreds of wildebeest storm the gorge. Simba looks at it frightfully. He runs as they're upon him, until he comes to a single tree in the center and climbs on. He hangs onto the branch. A wildebeest knocks into it and sends the cub flying.
Mufasa runs against the flood of wildebeest and catch Simba in his mouth. He climbs up the side of the gorge and lets the Simba down, but is pulled back in by the other animals. Simba looks down in horror watching for a sign of his father. Mufasa springs up out of the fray and grabs onto the rock face. Simba watches expectantly as his father creeps up the side of the gorge. He slips slightly and Simba runs around to find a higher viewing point. Mufasa looks up to see a darker-colored lion approaching the edge of the gorge. Simba turns around just as his father gets thrown back into the horde of wildebeest with a loud roar.
"Nooooo!"
Simba wakes up from his nightmare.
"Nooooo!" He gasps and looks over to see Timon and Pumbaa snoring. Realizing it where he was. He gets up and walks to the edge of the cliff. He looks up into the stars.
Xxxxxxx
Sora, Andi, Donald, and Goofy appear in the Gorge.
"Hey! Check us out" said Sora as they look around.
Andi sees Sora looks like a dark brown lion cub with his spiky hair on top and crown necklace around his neck. Donald looked like some type of bird and Goofy was a tortoise . Andi looks down as she was also a dark brown lion cub with her wayfinder around her neck.
"This place is kinda creepy, though" continued Sora looking around.
"Uh-huh" replied Donald as they're surrounded by hyenas. Ed laughs then snarls. Andi gets defensive.
"Heartless?" Asked Sora
"I dunno, Sora. I get the feelin' they might live here" replied Goofy.
"Don't mind us! Just passing through. We won't be any trouble." Said Donald
"Yeah, that's right!" Said Sora
"Don't be silly. We'd love you to stick around for lunch" said Shenzi
"Um...we didn't bring anything to eat" explained Sora
"That's not gonna be a problem!" Replied Banzai
"Gawrsh, Sora-I think WE'RE the lunch!" Exclaimed Goofy.
"What gave you that impression?" Asked Andi sarcastically, Ed laughs and licks his lips. Donald yells and they split in three directions. Andi stands her ground with Shenzi, Sora trips onto his back and is stopped by Banzai.
"Going somewhere?" asked Banzai
Hyenas cornered Donald and Goofy. They hear a lion roar.
"Man, that Scar's got the worst timing." Growled Banzai
"Just let him roar." Said Shenzi
"Nah, we better go see what he wants. Sounds like he's grumpy enough already"
"Fine" sighed Shenzi and the hyenas leave.
"I dunno what that was about, but I'm glad it's over!" said Sora with Donald and Goofy sighing in relief as Andi runs over to them and slides into a stop.
"Everything's harder on four legs..." said Sora looking at his paws.
"Better start practicing!" Said Donald.
"I found a trick to it. Here, lemme show ya" said Goofy as he started walking.
"We better get out of here unless you want those hyenas to come back?" Said Andi looking at the three.
"Your probably right" said Donald
They leave the Gorge and find a lioness in the Elephant Graveyard running from some Living Bone Heartless.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Asked Sora
"Heartless!?" said Donald
"What do we do?" Asked Goofy
Andi runs up to the lioness revealing her keyblade in her mouth. "Andi!" Yells Sora running up to the lioness and Andi.
"Stay back!" Stated Sora in front of the lioness and the heartless, Defeating the Heartless.
"Definitely Heartless" said Sora
"Thank you. You really saved me."
"We're just glad you're okay" replied Goofy.
"Did you see any other Heartless around here?" Asked Sora looking at the lioness.
"Heartless...Is that what they're called? I'm not sure if there are any others...I don't usually hunt outside the Pride Lands" she replied
"Pride Lands?" Questioned Donald
"Hey, do you know if a guy named Riku is there? Or some bad guys in black hoods? Or maybe this really big bully named Pete?" Asked Sora
She shakes her head and Sora sighs, "Oh well, we might as well go take a look, anyway"
"Wait-the Pride Lands are dangerous. Scar and the hyenas have made things unbearable for everyone. There's no food left. They've driven off the prey. We're about to starve."
"We can handle a little danger. You just saw us beat those Heartless, didn't you?"
"I guess you're right...You could be just what the kingdom needs. Maybe you can help us."
"Ya mean take on this Scar guy and all those hyenas?" Said Goofy
"Scar?" asked Donald
"He took over when our last king, Mufasa, died" she explained
"So you're saying this guy is your king. You want us to take down your king?" Asked Sora
The lioness nods, "wait just a minute" said Sora as he hops back over to Andi, Donald and Goofy; "We can't just go around knocking kings off their thrones. Then again, if they see that I'm stronger than their king, maybe they'll ask me to be their next king!" Whispered Sora
"Sora..." replied Goofy worried
Sora chuckles, "I'd have to refuse, of course. Still, I'd like to see the Pride Lands, so you guys don't mind lending 'em a paw, do you?" asked Sora as he hops over to the lioness.
"Uh-oh, there he goes again..." said Donald shaking his head. Andi frowns and walks over to Sora and Nala.
"I'm Nala" said the lioness.
"I'm Sora, this is Andi, Donald and Goofy"
"Well I'm going to talk to the other lioness in our pride and bring Rafiki. Meet me at Pride Rock" explained Nala
"Ok we'll be not far behind you" replied Sora with a smile.
Nala nods and she leaves as Sora walks up to the group again, "She's gonna go on ahead and tell the other lionesses. We're supposed to meet her at a place called Pride Rock." Explained Sora as Andi comes up from behind him while Donald and Goofy nod.
They run across the Savannah and reach Pride Rock. Nala walks out to them with a mandrill named Rafiki.
"That's him" said Nala as Rafiki inspects Sora closely.
"Uh...what?" Rafiki looks to Andi, Goofy and Donald. A few lionesses awake. Rafiki whispers something in Nala's ear, Nala looks at Rafiki surprised then lowers her head in defeat. As the other lionesses seen this the laid back down in defeat as Rafiki then walks away.
"What is it?" asked Sora
"I told Rafiki you might be able to help us force Scar and the hyenas out of the Pride Lands. But he says it won't work. You see, whoever saves the Pride Lands will be our next king...and he has to have the right qualities" explained Nala
"Meaning..."
"I think she means you're not cut out for the job, Sora" explained Goofy. Sora sighs.
"I'm sorry you came all this way"
"Hey, no-it's okay" said Sora a little disappointed.
"You'd better go before Scar finds out you're here. I'm really sorry" whispered Nala leaning down towards them.
"Come on Sora, you couldn't been able to save the worlds and be king. Anyways you wouldn't have been a good king anyways" said Andi
"Why not?!"
"You have a too good of a heart. A king has to make even the hardest decisions for his people. You would go far beyond your power to make those hard decisions work for everyone even for the other person even if you couldn't. Your better as a keybearer" replied Andi smiling at him.
Sora tilts his head and smiles back at her. "I guess I can take that as a compliment" chuckled Sora
"You better this is the only compliment you're ever getting out of me" said Andi sitting down looking over her shoulder.
"We better get going" said Donald as he flies away. Sora, Andi and Goofy start to follow when they get cut off by Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed.
"Great not these guys again" growled Andi getting defensive.
"Hey-a snack" commented Benzai
"Snack? Nah, we got us a four course meal" corrected Shenzi. Ed laughs. They hear a growl.
"Look at that, here comes Scar-the king" said Benzai. Sora, Andi, Donald and Goofy look up and see a fat, ugly lion is standing next to Scar on Pride Rock.
"And Pete!" Scar runs down the rock. Pete tries to follow, but his large stomach makes him lose his balance, and he falls down. Sora looks at him pitifully as he stands up; Andi chuckles.
"My back..." complained Pete
"What are you doing here!?" Asked Sora
"Aww, the cute li'l kitty's worried about me. If I were you, I'd be more worried about my friends!" replied Pete as Sora looks behind him.
"Sora!" Exclaimed Donald
"We're surrounded!" Exclaimed Goofy. The hyenas are almost upon Donald, Goody and Andi.
"Go on, ladies-you've got some hunting to do" said Scar
"The herds have moved on, Scar. We can't hunt in a land with no prey" explained Nala
"No prey? Then what do you call this?" Asked Scar
Andi hisses at one of the hyenas that came a little too close and trying to swat it with her claws but missed as it backed away from the shot laughing.
"We're not prey!" Exclaimed Sora
"Oh. Nice and fresh, too"
"Well, they're all yours, Scar" said Pete with a evil smirk. Scar moves closer, but Nala jumps on him. Sora gasps.
"Run!" Warned Nala as they run down the hill evading the hyenas. Nala leaves Scar and runs ahead.
"Follow me!" She says as they lose the hyenas in the Savannah. They stop and gasp for air.
"I'm sorry I got you involved in this" apologies Nala
"It's no big deal" replied Sora
"Aw, it's not your fault. Sora wouldn't be a good king" said Donald
"Hey! I had to give it a try, right?" said Sora getting a little defensive.
"So you DID want to be king!" Said Goofy, Andi shakes her head.
"Well...you know... Uh, Nala, isn't there anybody else who could be king?" Asked Sora trying to change the subject.
"There was...but he died...when he was just a cub. He was the son of our last king, Mufasa. If only Simba were here..." explained Nala sadly
"Simba!? But Simba's just fine! He was fighting right beside us not that long ago" replied Sora
"You mean Simba's alive!? But where is he?"
"That...I don't know."
"Still...Simba's alive! I can't believe it...Please-tell me more about him."
"Of course!"
"But first, we should get away from Scar. We'll go through Wildebeest Valley. He won't follow us there."
Xxxxxxxxxxx
In the Oasis, Timon wakes Simba up.
"Hey, why the long face, Simba? You gotta lighten up and live a little!" Said Timon.
"Y-yeah..." replied Simba.
"What were you thinkin' about?" Asked Pimbaa
"Lemme guess. The past, right?" Asked Timon. Simba nods slightly.
"Hakuna matata!" screams Timon and Pumbaa. Simba smiles and walks off.
"Would you look how he's grown, Pumbaa. Why, when I rescued the little guy, he was only this big" Explained Timon as he was puts his arms to Simba's young height. Simba walks to the edge of the cliff, looks upward, and collapses, sending leaves into the sky.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sora, Andi, Donald, Goofy, and Nala approach a wide crevasse.
"Whoa" Exclaimed Sora as he, Nala, Goofy and Donald look down which is a long way down. Nala takes a few steps backwards and jumps over the crevasse.
"Wow!" exclaimed Sora, Andi, Donald and Goofy.
"What's wrong?" Asked Nala
"We're never gonna make it" explained Sora
"I guess Rafiki was right" said Nala smiling shaking her head.
"What?!" Asked Sora
"Never mind. It's not important. Here, I'll show you how. You can do it!" Said Nala as she demonstrates how to jump long distance.
Andi goes to the edge and looks down and looks across to the other edge. Taking a deep breathe and turning her back looking at Sora, Donald and Goofy. She turns back towards the crevasse. Sora runs and jumps over to the other side. Donald helps Goofy by flying him over to the side and now they were waiting on Andi. She runs over and takes the jump and hits the edge with her body, clawing on the ground. Sora, Donald and Goofy gasp as they help her up to the other side.
"You ok?" Asked Nala looking at Andi coughing.
Andi glanced up at her and looked down sighed "yeah"
"You second guessed yourself last minute. That minute could have been-"
"I didn't second guess myself, I just didn't give myself time to speed up for the jump" snapped Andi.
Nala shook her head and walks away. Sora, Donald and Goofy watch Nala walk then look towards Andi as she stood up angrily and follows Nala in a distance, They boys follow.
Xxxxxxxx
The leaves sent by Simba fly to Pride Rock and are caught by Rafiki. He smells them and hops down into the Stone Hollow; places them into a large turtle shell made as a bowl and sifts them around. He is told that they come from Simba. The mandrill takes some red paint and adds it to the lion drawing on the wall as he laughs.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Sora, Andi, Donald, Nala, and Goofy come to the end of Wildebeest Valley.
"When Simba's father, King Mufasa, died, we were told that Simba died alongside him" explained Nala
"Who told you that?" Asked Sora
Nala looking down "Scar" she replied. Rafiki catches up to them.
"It is time" he announced
"It must be Simba! Sora! Hurry!" She says as she runs ahead.
"Wait up!" Exclaimed Sora
They run after her through the Wastelands and enter the Jungle. In the Oasis, they see Aerial Knocker Heartless surrounding Simba on a fallen log. He roars and they disappear.
"Simba!" Exclaimed Sora as he, Andi, Donald and Goofy run up to him. Simba gets defensive.
"I-it's me-Sora! Donald and Goofy are here, too" explained Sora nervously. Simba walks closer to them, and sees the resemblance.
"Sora! Donald! Goofy!" Said Simba happily pouncing on Sora and rubs his stomach, while Donald and Goofy laugh.
"What happened to you? And who is that?" Asked Sora looking at Andi. They hear Timon and Pumbaa scream.
"Help! Simba! Heeelp!" Screams Timon
"She's gonna eat us!" yells Pumbaa.
"Timon? Pumbaa!? Something must have happened in the jungle! I have to go help my friends!" said Simba as he speeds off.
"Okay, we'll back you up!" Said Sora. They leave to help him. Timon and Pumbaa are huddling in fright as Nala approaches. She leaps, but is pounced on by Simba. Sora, Andi, Donald, and Goofy run up.
"Simba! Wait!" Said Sora as Simba and Nala battle it out.
"Stop!" Said Donald.
"It's Nala! Don't you recognize her?" Asked Sora as Simba charges at her, making them both spin, and she pins him to the ground.
"Nala?" Said Simba astonished. Nala gets off him and looks him over.
"It's me, Simba!" He said
"Simba!" Said Nala happily as they bump heads together, walking in circles around each other.
"You are alive!" Exclaimed Nala
"Hey! What's goin' on here!?" Asked Timon when he and Pumbaa turn around and see Sora, Andi, Donald, and Goofy. They scream and run away. Timon hides behind Simba's leg.
"Don't worry. They're all friends of mine" explained Simba.
"So that means...nobody's planning to eat anybody else for lunch, right?" Asked Timon. Sora and Donald nod.
"Are you sure they don't wanna eat me like I'm some kinda pig!?" asked Pumbaa shivering.
"We won't...but you are a pig, right?" Asked Sora looking a Pumbaa. Pumbaa gets up and whirls around.
"Call me Mr. Pig!" Corrected Pumbaa as they laugh.
"Could you guys excuse us for a few minutes?" Asked Simba croutching down to Timon.
"Why am I not surprised?" replied Timon as they all walk off and leave.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Simba and Nala walk off together to the Oasis.
"Simba, you've got to come back to Pride Rock. I thought Sora might be able to help, but you're the only one who can save us from Scar" explained Nala
"I can't go back" replied Simba sadly stopping.
"Why?"
"Hakuna matata. It's something I learned out here. Sometimes bad things happen and there's nothing you can do about it" replied Simba
"Simba..."
Timon and Pumbaa are showing Sora, Andi, Donald, and Goofy the way of the Jungle, swinging their heads as they walk.
"Hakuna!" screams Timon
"Matata!" replies Sora, Andi, Donald, Goofy and Pumbaa.
"Hakuna!"
"Matata!"
Nala walks past them, "He's not the Simba I remember. Something about Hakuna Matata..." she mutters to the group.
They watch her leave then look at Simba, Sora walks up t Simba from behind "Simba?..."
Simba walks away without saying a word into the Jungle as they all watch him leave.
"Whatcha think happened?" asked Goofy
"I think he's fighting something" replied Andi
Sora, Donald and Goofy look at Andi. "I know that look, I've seen it too many times. Sometimes friends can't always help. Sometimes it has to come from someone else" continued Andi laying down.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
At night, he gazes up into the sky.
"My father's dead. And it's because of me... It's my fault. I can't go back... It won't change anything" said Simba to himself. Simba remembers a similar night spent with his father. Young Simba is nestled on Mufasa's back.
"Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars. So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kinds will always be there to guide you... And so will I" explained Mufasa.
Simba looks up at the stars, "Father...are you there?" He asked. Several clouds appear and take the form of Mufasa. He shines with a holy light.
"Simba... you have forgotten who you are. You must take your place in the Circle of Life." Said Mufasa.
"How can I go back? I'm not who I used to be" yells Simba.
"Remember who you are." Mufasa disappears and the clouds roll away. Simba runs to the edge and takes a moment to gaze at the sky.
"You can all come out now" announced Simba looking over his shoulder as Sora, Andi, Donald, Goofy, Timon, and Pumbaa enter.
"I'm going back to face my past. I could use your help."
"He really is a king..." said Timon. The morning sun shines behind him. They run through the jungle and see Nala walking back to Pride Rock.
"Nala!"
Nala continues on her way through the jungle. "Nala, you were right" said Simba catching up to her. Nala stops and looks at Simba. "I'm going home" he said with a smile. She smiles at him "That sounds like a King" she replied with a smile. They leave for the Savannah. Simba looks over the barren ground and gasps.
"Wait a minute. We're gonna fight your uncle for THIS?" Asked Timon looking at the barren Pride Rock.
"Yes, Timon. This is my home." Replied Simba glancing his shoulder and the group. They nod and run to Pride Rock. Scar looks out over Pride Rock. Most of the lionesses are sleeping. He look up and sees Simba, who leaps down to him.
"Simba! You're...alive!" Exclaimed Scar.
"This kingdom doesn't belong to you"
"Simba's the rightful king." Continues Nala. Simba presses forward, pushing Scar backwards; "The choice is yours, Scar. Either step down or fight"
"Must this all end in violence? I'd hate to be responsible for the death of a family member, Simba..." said Scar.
"I've put the past behind me" replied Simba.
"But what about your faithful subjects? Have they?" Asked Scar.
"Simba, what's he talking about?" Asked Nala confused by Scar's question.
Scar paces around Simba, "Go on. Tell them who's responsible for Mufasa's death!" Exclaimed Scar.
"I am." Replied Simba sadly. Nala gasps; Scar presses forward onto Simba, who backs away slowly.
"He admits it! Murderer! If it weren't for you, Mufasa would still be alive. Do you deny it?" Asked Scar
"No! But it was an accident!"
"You're in trouble again. But this time, Daddy isn't here to save you. And now everyone knows why!" Simba trips on the edge of Pride Rock and hangs by his arms off the ledge.
"Now this looks familiar. I think I've seen this before. Oh, yes! I remember. This is just the way your father looked...before he died." Scar plunges his claws into Simba's paws.
"And here's my little secret... I killed Mufasa." Whispered Scar into Simba's ear.
Simba remembers how his father fell from the ledge and his scream for him afterward. He shoots up off the ledge and pounces on Scar. Simba with a paw on Scar's neck, "Murderer! Tell them the truth!" Yells Simba
"All right. All right! I did it." admitted Scar quietly.
"Louder!" Yells Simba.
"I...killed...Mufasa!" Yelled Scar. Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed run out of the Den and attack Simba. Scar runs away into the King's Den.
"Simba! You get Scar! We'll handle these guys!" Said Sora. Simba nods and runs after Scar, as hyenas surround Sora. Timon and Pumbaa rush up, spilling hyenas into the air.
"'Scuse me! Pardon me! Comin' through!" Said Timon as he hops off Pumbaa and they stand firm. Then, the hyenas all glare at them and they run into the King's Den, Sora, Andi, Donald, and Goofy following. They get in front of the hyenas defending Timon and Pumbaa.
"I don't think so" hissed Andi at Shenzi, Benzai and Ed.
"You are such a pain. This time nothing is going to stop me from eating you now" snapped Shenzi
Andi smirked, "Like to see you try"
Sora and Andi summon their keyblades in their mouths and Donald and Goofy summon their wand and shield. As they go after the hyenas, Timon and Pumbaa run around trying to stay out of the way from the fighting and hyenas from eating them. Defeating the hyenas one by one; the hyenas run out of the Den.
"Where's Simba?" Asked Sora
"He went up there" replied Nala. They run up to the Peak, and find Simba and Scar circling each other.
"Simba!" Exclaimed Donald as he moves forward Sora stops him.
"This is his fight, Donald" explained Sora. Simba claws at Scar, and Scar claws back, knocking Simba away. Scar makes to pounce on Simba, but he lifts his legs, and tosses Scar over the edge of Pride Rock.
"You're okay!" Said Simba
"Aw, that was just a sneak preview! 'Cause this ain't over-not by a long shot!" Warned Pete as he points to the edge, where a claw rises up.
"Anger and jealousy turned the king of Pride Rock into a Heartless! Oh, your kingdom's gonna rise again... " laughs Pete as Scar climbs back onto the Peak.
"But this time, as the Pride Lands of Darkness!"
"That's what you think!" Snapped Simba
"I am the king!" Exclaimed Scar. They fight a gruesome battle with Scar, but ultimately, he is defeated.
"Simba..." said Scar as he falls down in defeat and darkness takes him. Later, everyone watches as Simba ascends the promontory. As he reaches the edge, he lets out a loud roar. The lionesses roar in unison. Mufasa's image appears in the clouds once more, and a sunbeam shines down upon the new king of Pride Rock. Sora's Keyblade opens another gateway.
"Hey, what's with the light show?" Asked Timon
"We have to say goodbye for a little while."
"I'll go tell Simba" said Pumbaa.
"Aw, he's prob'ly busy. Just tell him we'll be back soon" replied Goofy.
"Oh, that's right-he's king now. He's gonna be so busy he'll prob'ly forget all about his two best buddies" said Timon.
"Well, you always got Hakuna Matata, right?" Asked Sora
"Guess so..." replied Pumbaa.
"Whaddaya mean, "Guess so"!? What if he forgets to tell the carnivores who we are? One look at you, and you're a pig roast." Said Timon looking at Pumbaa.
"That's MISTER Pig Roast" corrected Donald.
"Same thing! And I'm not sticking around to be anybody's pork dinner!" said Pumbaa as he runs off wildly.
"Pumbaa!" Yells Timon
"You can never forget your true buddies." said Sora with a smile.
Sora, Andi, Donald, and Goofy leave the Pride Rock. Teleport to the Gummi ship everyone looks and sees they are back to normal again. A previous world has appeared on the map.
"Looky there! Twilight Town!" Announced Chip.
"Yep, I can see it! It's back again!" Agrees Dale.
Andi gets up in front of Sora looking at the map and sees Twilight Town there like nothing happened to it, "My home..." whispered Andi. Goofy and Donald looked at each other then looked back at Andi.
"Maybe a little break couldn't hurt. Don't you think Sora?" asked Goofy.
Andi glanced over her shoulder. Sora rubbed his nose with a smile. "Nah...It would be great to see Hayner and the others anyways" agreed Sora.
Andi looks back at Twilight Town on the map with a smile. "Although...I could be heading that way if someone would move so I can drive" teased Sora
Andi walked back to her seat a little embarrassed and curls her legs up to her chest.
"Sora! That was rude!" exclaimed Donald
"What?! I couldn't see..." replied Sora as he looked behind at Andi and see her curled up in her chair. Then looks at Donald.
"I'll talk to her when we get there" muttered Sora as he piloted the Gummi Ship to Twilight Town.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Author's Notes: I am so sorry guys! I've been on a huge writer's block with this chapter. So it took me way longer than what I wanted to get this done. I know you guys will understand. I hope you guys have enjoyed the previous chapters so far. Please Fave and Review and go to my profile and take a vote on my poll on what Story you want me to do next after this story.