I don't own any of the animals.
"Good morning sire" Zazu said, one morning, some days later.
"Good morning Zazu" Kovu replied, "you're early today."
"Indeed I am" Zazu replied, "however, I have not, as yet, gathered morning report."
"Really" Kovu asked, "why not?"
"I thought it prudent to leave my services open" Zazu replied, "as the human are likely to attack today.
"The humans" Kovu said, "darn, I'd forgotten about them."
"I hadn't" said Simba, approaching, "and I've been planning for this."
"Good" replied Kovu, "what do we do first?"
"We need someone on top of pride rock" Simba replied, "and Zazu, could you go and get Rafiki and Timon and Pumbaa."
"At once sire" Zazu said, departing.
"You said you've been planning for this" Kovu said, "how long?"
"Since just after we met the humans" Simba replied.
"That's a while back" Kovu said, "you got a plan?"
"Yes" Simba replied, then looked troubled, "I just hope we can pull it off."
Kovu nodded and went back into the cave to greet the others. Simba lay at the entrance but fidgeted, unable to calm his mind.
"Simba" Sarabi said, emerging from the cave a short time later, "what's troubling you?"
Simba looked at his mother, sighed and replied, "the humans."
"Yes, they can be troubling" Sarabi said, "but I hear you have a plan."
"I do" Simba replied, "but some of us are going to die today."
"Simba" Sarabi said kindly, "we all die at some time."
"I know" Simba replied, sighing again, "but whoever dies today, I'm going to be responsible for their deaths as much as if I struck them down myself."
"Simba, dear" Sarabi said comfortingly, "you may be responsible, but you can only do what is best for the pride."
"But I don't know what's best anymore" Simba said mournfully, "I was indecisive, and Nala died because of it."
"Simba" Sarabi replied, "Nala's death was bad luck, there was no fault on your part."
"It was my fault" Simba said, "if only I'd have forseen..."
"Simba, son" Sarabi said, "none of us foresaw the attack, there was nothing you could have done about it."
Simba looked at the sky over the promontory, and said, "I only wish..."
"Hey hey hey" Timon said, "we're here."
"Hey guys" Simba said, as Sarabi stood up.
"Something wrong" Timon asked, Glancing from Simba to Sarabi.
"No, nothing" Simba replied.
"Let me rephrase that" Timon said, theatrically holding up a finger, "what's wrong?"
"Nothing, really" Simba replied, "but thanks for asking."
"Simba" Timon said, "I've known you for a long time buddy, and you haven't been like this since the desert."
Simba looked at Timon for several moments, then began to explain his predicament.
"You know" Timon said finally, "not to go through the whole song-and-dance bit, but you could use some good ol' Hakuna Matata."
"Timon" Simba said, "this isn't the time."
"Can't think of a better one" Timon replied.
"He's right" Sarabi cut in, "you need to relax, or you'll be no use to anyone."
Simba looked a little surprised at this, then blinked, his eyes tearing a little, and stood up. "Thank guys, mum" he said.
"Always there for ya" Timon said, "now what did you want?"
"I'm going to need you when the humans come" Simba replied, "you two, and you mum, and Sarafina and Kiara and Vitani are going to protect the cubs while the hunters and I try to do as much damage as possible."
"Sounds dangerous" Sarabi said, "but it might just work."
"I hope it's enough" Simba said, darkly, "at least, for long enough."
"For long enough" Sarabi asked, "you know of someone who can help?"
"I do" Simba said, but I know you're not going to like it."
"Not going to like what" Rafiki asked.
Simba whirled, then, with a frown of concern, replied, "my plan."
"Why won't we like it" Pumbaa asked.
"I had to find help" Simba said, "and I had to get anything I could find."
"So what's the problem" Timon asked.
"Zazu" Simba asked, "could you go out and scout, then return and tell me if you see the humans approaching"
"At once sire" Zazu said, taking off.
"What's the problem" Timon repeated.
Simba looked uncomfortable for a moment then asked, "guys, could I have a word with mum and Rafiki, in private?"
"What, you don't trust us" Timon asked, affronted, "you think you know a guy..."
"Timon" Simba said, "please?"
Timon gave Simba a sad look for a moment then said, "okay your majesty."
"What is it" Sarabi asked, when Timon and Pumbaa had gone, "what's so important."
Simba drew them closer and whispered the rest of his plan.
"Simba" Sarabi said, shocked, "y-you can't really be considering..."
"I am" Simba said grimly, "I've also considered abandoning Pride Rock, and even the Pridelands, but I don't think that would work."
"What" Sarabi asked, almost too shocked to listen.
"Rafiki" Simba said, "I think you understood a little better than I did."
Rafiki explained what the shaman of the humans had been able to impart to him. Sarabi listened, a frown of concern growing deeper with each detail that emerged. Finally, she said, "I don't like it, but I understand, and while I don't want to support it, I can't see I have a choice."
"I can't say I'm happy either" Simba said, "But we have no choice."
"How long are we going to have to wait" asked a lioness irritably.
"We're just waiting for Zazu to get in" Sarabi replied, "if the humans aren't coming today..."
"Sire" Zazu called, switching his path to circle over the pride, "they're coming."
"Okay" Simba said, "thanks, I'll be wanting updates as well."
"Yes sire" Zazu said, heading back out.
"Okay" he said, "you all know what you have to do." The rest of the pride nodded and headed out to their assigned locations.
"You know this is suicide" Kovu whispered to Simba.
"Almost" Simba replied, "almost, but not quite."
"You have friends elsewhere" Kovu asked, surprised.
"I do" Simba replied, "but I'd like to keep them a secret at the moment."
"As you wish" Kovu said, "who's going for them?"
"Vitani and Kiara" Simba replied, "that's one of the reasons I put them down with the cubs."
"And so they're safer than the rest of us" Kovu said, more a statement than a question.
"Yes" Simba replied.
"So who are your friends then" Kovu asked.
Simba thought for a moment, then decided that Kovu might as well know, especially since it was going to be his problem someday, if it worked. Glancing around to make sure no-one else could hear, he nevertheless, leaned close and muttered, "hyenas."
"What" Kovu hissed, "I thought you hated..."
"I don't like it much myself" Simba said, "but there's no other way, because I doubt they'll stop, even if we abandon Pride Rock."
"That's true" Kovu replied, "but how do you know you can trust them, and how did you get them to agree anyway?"
"I had to bargain a bit" Simba replied.
Kovu was about to ask more questions, When Zazu circled and said, "they're here, they're here."
"Nothing for it now" Simba said, "Zazu, go and warn the others."
"At once sire" Zazu replied, heading for the cave.
"How long to go" Kiara wondered aloud.
"Not long I hope" Sarafina replied, grimly.
Sarabi, Vitani noticed, remained silent, and was giving her odd looks. Suddenly, Zazu appeared, and said, "they're coming."
"Thanks" Sarabi said, "now get somewhere safe." Zazu nodded and took off.
There was silence for several seconds, then Sarabi said to Vitani, "about time then?"
"About time for what" Sarafina asked, confused.
"Simba told you" Vitani asked Sarabi.
"Just this morning" Sarabi replied, then turned to the others and explained, "I think you all guessed we don't stand a chance as things are going."
"I'd wondered about that" Sarafina said, "I assumed he had some trick."
"No" Sarabi replied, "but he's got unexpected allies."
"And we're going to fetch them" Kiara asked.
"That's right" Sarabi replied, "now go, because the longer you wait, the greater the losses will be."
"Okay" Kiara said, "let's go." Vitani nodded, then the pair took off.
As the noises of battle grew louder, Sarafina said, "I know it doesn't matter much, but who are these unexpected allies?"
Sarabi thought for a second, then decided that they might as well know. "Hyenas" she replied.
"What" Sarafina exclaimed, "is he out of his..."
"Hey could we keep it down" Timon asked, "cause I don't know if I'm more terrified of those humans or hyenas, and I don't want to find out."
"He's right" Sarabi said, "let's just get ready to fight, and hope we don't have to."