Animorphia

Chapter 4: See Ya Later Alligator

It was almost dusk when the sun goes down over the Pride Lands. Timon and Pumbaa made it all the way back from the jungle through to the Outlands and made it back to the savannah. Timon looked out in the field watching the birds flying. Pumbaa looked at him while driving.

"So uh, need to stop by for something?" asked Pumbaa.

"Huh? Oh yeah. I was thinking if we could stop by at Hakuna Matata Falls." replied Timon.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive."

They quickly parked at the tree by Hakuna Matata Falls. They got out from the jeep and went inside to start packing. Timon is packing up his stuff inside of his luggage including his and Pumbaa's book. When he picked up the last one, he looked at the album and smiled at it. He put it away in his backpack and closed zip it up. Pumbaa packed up most of his stuff in his suit case and close it up.

"Okay, that's everything. So now what?" asked Pumbaa.

"Good question. If we turned ourselves into humans, where would you like to go?" asked Timon.

"Hmm, why don't we go to New York City." replied Pumbaa.

"That's sounds cool, but unfortunately there aren't enough room for us to sleep in somewhere in the city. Besides it may be pretty, but it's too dangerous when there's criminals around." said Timon concerned.

"Oh, sorry." apologized Pumbaa.

"No, no, it's fine. I doubt that the Avengers could handle this."

"Okay, how about Las Vegas?" Pumbaa suggested.

"Too expensive."

"Phoenix?"

"Too hot."

"Alaska?"

"Too cold."

"Kansas?"

"Been there. Done that."

"Los Angeles?"

Timon was about to replied, but he was starting to think that wasn't a very bad idea. He knew that he and Pumbaa once visited to California where they went to theme park and resorts, participate the night club, and taking a tour to the animation studios. And then he made a decision.

"Alright then, Los Angeles it is." said Timon.

"Really?" asked Pumbaa.

"Course I'm sure. I heard that there might be a movie premiered that takes place in Hollywood every year. How does that sound?" replied Timon.

"Oh, I like the sound of that!" said Pumbaa interesting.

"Wonderful, but first... there's one thing that we need to do first."


Meanwhile at the Pride Rock, Simba and Nala are sitting by the edge of the Pride Rock waiting for Timon and Pumbaa to return. Simba was a little bit worried about them when they went to the temple, but deep down his best friends can handle anything. Nala looked at Simba when she look calm.

"Don't worry, they'll be fine." said Nala.

"I know Nala, but what if they didn't find the temple?" asked Simba concerned.

"I'm sure they can find it. Just have faith with them." replied Nala.

"(sigh) I hope they'll okay." said Simba.

Suddenly, he heard Zazu's calling him.

"Sire!" called Zazu. Simba and Nala looked up and see Zazu flying towards them as he lands in front of them. They noticed that Zazu is smiling. "Sire, good news! Your friends has returned."

"Really? Where?" asked Simba.

"They're on their way now driving with their jeep." replied Zazu.

Simba was about to say something, but he heard a honk from the distance. They looked at the jeep with Pumbaa driving while Timon is waving his hands standing up. Simba smiled and jumped down from the Pride Rock. Nala followed him and Zazu flew down. By the time they reached the Pride Rock, Pumbaa slowed down the jeep and turn off the engine. Timon and Pumbaa jumped off the jeep. Simba and Nala approached them along Kiara, Kovu, and their cubs. Zazu landed on the rock next to Nala.

"Timon! Pumbaa! You made it!" said Simba smiling.

"Hey fellas! Sorry to keep you waiting, but it's a long story." said Timon.

"We got here as fast as we could." Pumbaa added.

"Did you found the temple?" asked Simba.

"As the matter of fact, yes... we did." replied Timon holding out his necklace.

Simba and Nala looked Timon and Pumbaa's necklace.

"What's that?" asked Nala.

"It's our necklace. We have found the gemstones from the temple after we pass three tests." replied Pumbaa

"Brace yourself, your highnesses. That is no ordinary gemstones, these are magical gemstones!" Timon added.

"Magic?" asked Simba.

"Yeah! These stones can turn us into humans and turn ourselves back into animals at the same time." replied Pumbaa as he explained to them.

Suddenly, they heard Rafiki cheerfully laugh as he approaches them.

"Yes, yes! You have found it! I knew you two could make it!" said Rafiki cheerfully.

"Hi Rafiki! Look what we found?" said Pumbaa showing his necklace to Rafiki.

"Ah, I see. Now, show us what you got." said Rafiki.

"Alright folks, but whatever you do, don't freak out." said Timon as he reminded them. The lion pride looked at them confused.

"Well, show us then." said Simba.

"Okay, here it goes." said Timon as he clutched his neckless gently while Pumbaa did the same when they close their eyes.

They began to by red and yellow as it turns bright around them slowly transform into humans. Once the lights turned down, Timon and Pumbaa open their eyes. Simba and Nala was shocked that they turn themselves into humans. Kiara and Kovu did the same thing while their cubs hiding behind their mother's legs. Even Zazu was shocked with his eyes wide open. As for Rafiki, he smiled widely and amazed.

"So uh... surprise?" said Timon nervously. He was expected to be yelled or even worse. Simba walked slowly to them.

"Timon? Pumbaa? Is it really you?" asked Simba as he approached.

Timon shoved his hands into his pockets.

"Yep, that's us." said Timon as he smiled at them. Nala chuckled.

"I don't believe it? How'd you do that?" asked Nala as she smiled.

"Well, whatever we touched it, it's like magic." replied Pumbaa.

Kiara felt her cubs are hiding behind her legs.

"It's okay, they're not gonna hurt you." said Kiara comforting her cubs as they come out from hiding.

Both Kiara and Kovu are smiling as the cubs walk slowly to Timon and Pumbaa. They looked up at the humans curiously. Timon kneeled and he petted one of the cub. The male cub nuzzled Timon's leg. Pumbaa picked up another a female cub and licked at his face chuckled.

"That tickles." laughed Pumbaa.

Kiara laughed at her friends as her cubs are playing. Timon stop petting the cubs and looked at Simba smiling. He's standing up while Pumbaa set one of Kiara's cub down. They stood silently. Simba broke the silence.

"So...what now?" asked Simba

"Well...uh...Pumbaa and I are thinking if we could go to Los Angeles where most of our friends used to live. You remember that we went to the House of Mouse? Or visiting the Happiest Place On Earth?" Timon replied and asked.

"Heh, yeah. I remember that day where we used to visit, but why do you ask?" Simba replied back.

Timon dropped his smiling into frown. He breathed through his nose and close his eyes.

"We are moving." said Timon softly.

"What?" Simba raised his eyes.

"I know it hurts, but hear me out. If we turned ourselves into humans, then we have to go somewhere to live in." said Timon when he looked at Simba. "If the animals of the Pride Land find out about this, they might think that we're trespassing here."

"But...you were my friends." said Simba sympathy.

"Of course we're your friends, Simba." Pumbaa added. "We cared about you."

"Do you really have to go?" asked Kiara worrying.

"Where are you gonna live?" Kovu added.

"It's okay guys. We're gonna go look for and find a house to live in. It's not just we wanted to move out, but that doesn't mean that we are leaving everything behind. I hope you're not mad at us or... get hurt." replied Timon

Simba looked at Timon's eyes worrying. He knew he would never be mad at Timon. Simba trusted them with his life ever since he was a cub. He was once adopted, raised, and fed by Timon and Pumbaa where he once exiled. When he grows up, they help him to take back the Pride Land from Scar and reclaim the throne.

When he and Nala raised their two cubs, Kion and Kiara meaning that Timon and Pumbaa have to look after Kiara for safety while Kion is leading the Lion Guard. He looked at Rafiki waiting for his approval. Rafiki nodded. Simba look back at Timon and Pumbaa waiting for his response. He couldn't say no to that when they go on for their adventure and this time smiled warmly.

"I hope two find what you are looking for." said Simba softly.

Timon and Pumbaa open their eyes softly. The word hits Timon's mind as he remembers when his mother use to say to him long ago. His tears started to swell. Timon and Pumbaa quickly hugged Simba as the lion lift his right paw to hug them.

Nala, Kiara, Kovu, and their cubs are smiling at them. Rafiki felt happy that the three hugged warmly. Zazu shed his tears, but with happiness. They couldn't let go of their embrace. Timon and Pumbaa are rubbing Simba's shoulder.

"I would never be mad at you. Ever since you found and raised me, you teach me to put the past behind me. You helped me defeating Scar and restore the circle of life. You showed me everything that you introduced in the Pride Lands. You guys are like a family to me." said Simba.

They let go of their embrace and looked at each other with tears, but smiling. Timon is petting on Simba's head gently.

"I guess this is goodbye then." said Timon.

"This is never goodbye." replied Simba.

"Don't worry, we'll come back and visit every year. Your always welcome to visit us in Hollywood" said Pumbaa

"Yeah, and we'll always be there for you..." added Timon. He nuzzled on Simba's head and looked at his friends smiling. "All of us."

He let go of Simba's head and looked at Pumbaa. They wiped their tears.

"So...ready to step into the unknown?" asked Timon.

"Ready as I'll ever be." replied Pumbaa.

They walked over to the jeep and got in by opening the doors and closed it when they took a seat. They put on their seatbelts and they heard Simba calling them.

"Hey guys." said Simba when they looked at him one last time. "See you later, alligator."

"After a while, crocodile." replied Timon.

Pumbaa start the engine and drove off. Their friends are watching them driving away as far as they can reach. Kiara and Kovu bend their heads as they nuzzled. Nala heard Zazu's crying.

"Zazu, are you crying?" Asked Nala.

"No! I got sweat in my eyes." replied Zazu when denied. Rafiki stood next to Simba proudly.

"Your family would be proud of you." said Rafiki.

"Thanks Rafiki. Just so you know, it may not be the end, but it was only the beginning." said Simba warmly.

They drove past by Rafiki's Tree when the sunset goes down. Timon looked at the mirror and see the reflection of the Pride Rock shrinking when they're driving. Timon clutched his necklace gently as he smiled.

"Where to Timon?" asked Pumbaa.

"We'll get to the airport. To get there is where we fly." replied Timon.

"Then how do we find it?" Pumbaa asked again.

"We have GPS, buddy." Timon replied back.

"Oh, sorry. I forgot about that." Pumbaa apologized. They pulled their GPS and set direction that could lead them to the airport. It's gonna be a long evening to get their as they embark on their journey to California.


Don't worry folks, it was never a goodbye, but they will return to the Pride Lands and see Simba again real soon. I do like Simba and Nala since The Lion King is my favorite movie and I really don't want to offend for those who likes lions very often. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

The Lion King (c) Disney