Chapter 4: Deadly Encounter

-1 Week Later-

"...Wake up!"

"Jason..."

"Jason, Wake up!", Simba said shaking me out of my sleep. Geez this kid is up super early. I stood up inside my hammock cracking my neck and back. Letting out a yawn I stretched my arms out and looked Simba in the eyes.

"You're up Early.", I muttered rubbing my eyes. I wonder what time it is? Judging by the fact that I was sleeping outside under a tree on a hammock it was still dark out. It had to at least be six in the morning.

The time that I've spent here I easily got accustomed to being woken up by my little fuzzy friend.

"What's up Kiddo?"

"Come on! I wanna show you something.", He answered. Deciding I'll follow through in seeing what Simba wanted me to see. I got off the hammock and followed the lion cub. "You'll love it! It's so cool!"

I'm gonna take his word for it. We entered an area full of tall grass. Simba took the lead since he seemed to know his way around here. Seconds went by as I followed Simba or so I thought I was still following him. I noticed he was no longer in front of me. He wasn't behind me or my left or my right.

"Simba? Simba! Dude where are you? Simba Buddy!", I called heading in random directions. Hopefully he wasn't snagged by a predator. I kept wandering until I was out in the open. In front of me was a large pond of crystal blue water.

Everything around me became silent until,

RAWR!!!

"AHHHH!!!", I tripped over a stone and fell face first into the pond. The sound was like a kitten yowling. Once my head was above the water I found Simba on his back while laughing his ass off. "Simba, you little jerk! You planned this didn't you?"

"Yeah.", He said with a cocky smile. "And you fell for it!"

Now my only pair of clothes were soaked. I'm gonna get him for this. Taking advantage of his back being turned to me for a split second I grabbed the tuft of his tail and pulled him into the water. "Gotcha!", I chanted in victory.

He paddled his way up to ther surface of the water. "Hey no fair! You got me when I wasn't looking!", He argued with an attidtude.

"You're one to talk.", I chuckled before snagging him with my left arm while using my right knuckle to give him noogies.

"Hey stop it!", He playfully laughed struggling to get out of my grasp. I smiled now starting to feel more like an older brother to Simba and maybe all the rest of the lion cubs.

-Later that Day-

"So how do you humans manage to keep light inside that tiny ball?", Sarafina questioned in curiousity.

I've spent the last hour or so explaining to Sarabi, Sarafina, and many other Lionesses about how human technology and life for us humans in general. "To be honest I'm not quite sure myself. I know has something to do with electricity.", I replied.

Suddenly I was struck with a sense of guilt and sorrow beginning to miss home. I could only begin to imagine how Stacy and David and all my other loved ones will feel when they are informed about what happened to me.

"Is something the matter?", Sarabi asked noticing my saddened expression.

I shook off all of the emotions and put on a beatific smile. "I'm ok Sarabi, Just was thinking about something...", I anxiously replied. The two young lion cubs Simba and Nala pounced on my neck their heads placed on my shoulders. "Simba, Nala, There's something you two want?"

"We're booooored.", Nala pouted.

"Mom, Can Jason play with us?", Simba asked his mother. "Of course, as long as Jason is ok with it.", She responded.

"Can you-", Simba started.

"-Play with us Jason?", Nala finished.

"Please...?", The two pleaded giving me puppy eyes.

Their little faces were too adorable to say no to. These two were a lot smarter than I gave them credit for, they always knew just what to do and say to get their way. So I gave in almost immediately and said yes. "Alright, Alright, I'll play with you two.", I agreed in defeat.

-An Hour Later-

From what our surroundings look like we're no longer in Pride rock. This place was super ominous. The ground below us was dried up and deprived of any plant life. Bones and animal skeletons were scattered around everywhere. Who would live in a scary and unsettling area such as this.

We've been doing a lot more walking than playing. I'm now starting to think these two didn't bring me out here to play. "Uh...Where are we exactly?", I questioned in fear.

"The Elephant Graveyard.", Simba answered. "My Uncle Scar says all brave lions come here."

Elephant Graveyard? Why did that sound so familiar? I felt a pit of nervousness and fear building in my stomach. "Something tells me we shouldn't be here. We should probably go back to Pride Rock.", I breathed anxiously.

"Yeah, I'm starting to get a little scared.", Nala agreed staying closer to me, while Simba only persisted in venturing out further.

Simba jumped up on top of the boney tusk of an elephant skeleton. "We'll be fine.", Simba said with confidence. "Besides what's the worse that can happen?"

I really wish he hadn't said that. Right after that, the sound of maniacal cackling came from behind Nala and I. I turned around and immediately backed away upon seeing three hyenas laughing. "A lot can happen.", A female hyena added. This one was unlike the ones that captured me last time, She was a full grown adult. Two males were by her sides as I guess they were her friends or mates. Hyenas are very promiscuous creatures so it's hard to tell.

"Who are you?", I shivered.

"Oh, How rude of us. Name's Shenzi.", She greeted.

"This is Banzai.", She looked at the male hyena on her left who wasn't even facing us and was sitting on the ground. "And this dingbat here is Ed."

Banzai conked Ed right on the noggin. "Turn around you idiot.", Banzai groaned. The ditzy Hyena spun around facing us, his tongue freely hanging out his mouth and his eyes were crossed.

My heart skipped upon seeing more Hyenas watching from cliffs, top of rocks, behind bushes, and many other places. The three hyenas started circling us practically cornering us having spears aimed at us. "You three are far from home ya know dat?", Banzai asked.

"Especially you.", Shenzi added locking eyes with me. "It's quite rare to see a human like yourself around here. Gotta admit you're quite the eye candy."

Ok am I just physically attractive to every hyena I come across? Well, I should look at the bright side. At least I'm better here with the ladies than back at home.

"Psst! We're not afraid of you.", Simba said with determination.

"Yes the hell we are!", I thought in disagreement.

"Really? You're quite confident.", Banzai stated. "Ain't he Ed?" The hyena known as Ed simply nodded while making very bizzare noises and chuckling.

Something in my gut told me to look up for some reason. Looking at the blue sky above I was at ease seeing Zazu casually flying above us. I wanted to call out to him, but I felt as if I did these scavengers would catch on to what I was trying to do. Thankfully he looked down and immediately stopped his eyes widening upon seeing our current situation. This was my chance.

"Get help.", I silently mouthed.

He quickly nodded and turned around to go get help at Pride Rock. "Um, Well it was nice getting to know you, but we should really get going.", I mouthed pulling Simba and Nala close to me. "C'mon you two. Don't wanna keep your parents waiting."

Banzai got in our way folding his arms with an unnerving smile. "Leaving so soon? We were just planning on having you for dinner.", He said.

"What's on the menu?", I questioned curiously.

Banzai chuckled and said, "You."

Ok that's the last straw. I'm not going out like this. "NOT TODAY!", I shouted before thrusting my foot into Banzai's left knee causing him to fall to the ground. I turned my head towards Simba and Nala who were shocked by my actions. "RUN!!!"

They took off like bullets and I wasn't too far behind them. I turned around to see the three Hyenas hightailing it after us. Shenzi was taking the lead her eyes concentrated on me. The thing that scared me the most about this was how easily these she managed to stay on our trail.

From what I've learned on tv that hyenas, well female hyenas in particular are more dominate, well built, and higher ranked than the males. Shenzi unsurprisingly fit that description. "How about you surrender yourself and we'll let the little furballs go?", She asked.

"Sorry, but no deal!", I responded.

The three of us stood before a wall of rocks. Simba and Nala had begun climbing up the wall. I quickly turned around to see how close away those mutts were. My breath quicked to see they were about a few feet away from me.

"Jason!", I heard Simba call. Both of them had already made it to the top.

"You two keep running! I'll find a way out don't worry!", I told them. I could tell this was hard for them to go along with due to their saddened expressions. "I've been through worst! Just get out of here!"

They sadly nodded in agreement and took off. I decided to go down a random path. Wasn't quite sure where it would take me, but I hoped it was somewhere far from here.

"Over here!"

I came to a quick stop wondering where the voice originated from. I sudden felt joy upon seeing Dimika peeking out of a medium sized hole. I'm so relieved to see her. I know her intentions with me are a lot better than her older sister and those friends of hers.

I wasn't gonna spend anymore time in the open like this. I squeezed myself in the hole, but I ended up getting stuck around my waist area. "Uh a little help?", I joked with a smile. She grabbed my hands and dragged me inside.

I panted in exhaustion glad that I was finally safe. Hopefully Simba and Nala were as well. Dimika had brought me into some kind of mini cave. One that was big enough to fit us both, but at the same time small enough to conceal us.

"Are you ok?", Dimika questioned.

"I'm fine now because of you.", I grinned getting a blush out of her. We watched from inside the cave as Hyenas ran right past us. I then remembered what I was planning on telling her if we were to ever cross paths again.

"Thank you, for saving my life once again. Yet again you've proved to me that not all Hyenas are bad as I had first originally thought."

She seemed shocked by my sincerity. Her shock then turned into complete appreciation. She sat right next to me and planted a gentle kiss on my right cheek and nuzzled into my neck. "You're really sweet."

"Oh T-Thanks.", I stuttered.

First kiss I've ever gotten by a female and she isn't even the same species as me. Not saying that I didn't enjoy it. "I'm glad you saved me and all, but I need to get back to Pride Rock. I know everyone must be worried about me.", I mentioned preparing to leave.

"Oh...", Her ears dropped and her tail slowly swayed in the dirt. "Can you come back again? It gets really lonely here and...I like you a lot."

"Of course.", I nodded. "But we could see each other on the outskirts of the pridelands just so everyone else doesn't see you. We could see each other tonight, Does that sound good?"

"Yeah I'd love that.", Dimika agreed. "Before you go, Could you tell me your name?"

I paused at the exit of the cave and faced her. "I'm Jason Cain, but you can call me Jason.", I said. "I already know your name. Dimika right? It suits you well. See ya tonight."

I winked at her with a hint of coy. Her grey fur turned into a light pink tint. "I look forward to it.", She spoke in a lustful manner.

-Pride Rock-

God its so hot out here. Sweat pooled down my forehead and my head throbbed due to the overwhelming heat. The small group of tribal huts were seen up ahead. I was relieved knowing I had to walk no more.

"JASON!!!"

I grunted in pain as I was brought to the ground two concerned cubs. "Hey you two.", I gleefully smiled over the painful headache.

"We thought you didn't make it!", Nala cried.

"It's all my fault you were almost killed.", Simba wailed in remorse.

"Simba it's not your fault. I'm glad that we all made it out in one piece.", I responded holding him close. Then something that made my blood boil came to mind. "Hold on, Who told you to go to the Elephant Graveyard again?"

Simba wiped away his tears and responded with, "Uncle Scar. He told me only lions that are brave and aren't scared of anything go there. I thought I could show you and Nala how brave I was, but I did nothing but get you both almost killed."

"I already think you're brave.", Nala added trying to comfort her friend.

"There's a difference between bravery and stupidity. Don't be upset though, you have a lot to learn ok?", I asked and he nodded apologetically. "Now if you'll excuse me I have to talk to that Uncle of yours."

"You're not upset with me are you?", Simba asked nervously.

"Of course not.", I replied just to put ease on the young cub. "I'll be back ok? You two should go on and play with the other cubs."

I walked into the dark half lit cave. They always told me Scar liked to keep to himself. Guess they weren't kidding. I wouldn't ever sleep in a dark cave like this, but I'm not here to critique his way of living. I'm here to ask, Why the hell would he send his nephew to go get possibly killed in an area that is strictly forbidden.

Me and Scar haven't really seen eye to eye ever since I first arrived. Scar has made it clear on every one of our encounters that he doesn't trust me or didn't want me around.

The sounds of crunching echoed through the cave getting louder and louder with every step I took. I eventually found Scar on the ground chewing on an abnormally large bone. Noticing me staring at him a smile grew on his face. It almost seemed that he already known what I was here for.

"Seems I have company.", He said.

"Cut the crap Scar.", I retorted with exasperation. "Why the hell did you lie to Simba and have him along with me and Nala almost killed?"

"Whatever do you mean?", He sarcastically asked. That smug pompous attitude of his really rubbed me the wrong way and pretending he had no involvement in this only infuriated me more, I wasn't falling for it.

"You told Simba that the Elephant Graveyard is where "brave lions" go. Whatever that means.", I stated. "You set him up. We all know that the Elephant Graveyard is forbidden and that those Hyenas live there."

He then gave me a deathly glare. "Are you accusing me of trying to kill my own nephew?", He growled. "I already can't tolerate your presence here, but to say that I'd have the gull to kill my own kin is ludicrous!"

"Well I-"

"Get out of my sight you nuisance!", He yelled in anger.

I bit my tongue and let him have this one. I turned around and didn't look back. I don't care how he tries to explain it, he delibrately took advantage of Simba's curiosity and how desperate he can be to impress others. Scar won't get away with this. Next time he puts one of us in danger, I won't keep quiet.