And now this chapter will focus on Marcy, Timon, and Pumbaa as they ventured to the Pride Lands. Please review and enjoy reading!
Animorphia
Chapter 21: Little Girl in Africa
Two Months Later
We looked into a beautiful area of savannah in the Pride Lands when it's still dry season, but soon it will change into fall. Suddenly, the jeep parked by the tree at Hakuna Matata Falls. Timon and Pumbaa, both as meerkat and warthog got out from the jeep while Marcy jumps down wearing her meerkat costume holding on to her stuffed caterpillar.
It's been two months since she was adopted and they decided that they should take her to the Pride Lands for a week until summer ends. She looked around at the sights where birds flew by while a butterfly landed on the tall grass. Marcy has never been outside of this country before.
"Is this where you live?" Marcy asked.
"Yes, pumpkin. This is where we live. Hakuna Matata Falls. Named after our motto." replied Timon.
"Why are we doing this again?" Pumbaa asked curious.
"Because Marcy is the only human around this land. We need to law low and put on her disguises until most animals of the Pride Lands will have to ease off for time being. Let me do the talking." Timon explained.
"What about your friends?" Marcy asked.
"Don't worry, pumpkin. I trusted Simba for my life."
"Don't you mean, our life?" Pumbaa corrected him.
"Our life. Sorry."
Suddenly, the heard a stick snap startling them. Marcy gasp and climbed back onto the vehicle. Timon and Pumbaa took a glance and nodded prepared to defend themselves. They knew that most predator tries to come out and attack them, but most predators respect the circle of life. Once the grass stops shaking, it was all too quiet. Marcy peeked her head slowly from the jeep. It was the moment of silence until Timon break the silence.
"You can come out-"
The lion jumps out from the grass and launch at Timon and Pumbaa as they tumbling and rolling. Marcy hides herself quickly defend herself thinking that her adopted father and uncle got eaten, but it turns out that the duos recover themselves and recognize to the lion when laughed.
"Gotcha!"
"Simba!"
Timon and Pumbaa got up and give Simba a big hug. The meerkat gives Simba a noogie while the lion gives Pumbaa a big noogie all laugh together. Marcy slowly peeked out and raised her eyes.
"Did you miss me?" Simba asked smiling.
"Oh! Of course, we did! We missed you, you little rascal!" replied Timon hugging the lion's face.
"So good to see you!" Pumbaa added.
"It is good to see you too." said Simba.
"Tally ho!"
They looked up at the sky where Zazu flew down towards them as he lands on the rock.
"By Jove! Timon! Pumbaa! You're back!" said Zazu smiling.
"Hey! How's my favorite little bird doing? Did they give you any trouble?" Timon asked.
"Not that much, but Lion Guard manage to take cares of everything for over two months and they went to visit to the Tree of Life along with Kiara, Kovu, and their cubs." Zazu reported.
"Wait, they left already?" Pumbaa asked.
"Sorry, I forgot to mentioned sooner or later." Zazu apologized. "But I'm sure you'll see them again soon."
"Oh, gotcha." Timon snaps his finger.
"So, how's your life going?" Simba asked kindly.
"Oh, it was great! Made some friends, living in the house, get a job..."
"Job?"
"Timon worked at Disneyland!" Pumbaa answered.
"Wow! That's great. What else you've been doing?"
"Well, about that. There's someone we would like you to meet." replied Pumbaa.
"Who?"
"Okay, so don't freak out." Timon reminded Simba when the lion raised his eyebrows.
He turns around at the jeep where he parked. He knew that his daughter is too shy to come out.
"It's okay. You can come out now."
Marcy slowly peeked her head out and climbs down from the jeep with her meerkat hoodie is on. Simba tilted his head curiously. The girl walked closer to her adopted dad until she stood by clutching her stuffed caterpillar. Marcy looked up to see the lion smiling shyly.
"Hi." Marcy greeted softly.
Both Simba and Zazu were stunned.
"A human?" Simba surprised.
He sniffed at the girl when she shut her eyes thinking what's going to happen next. He sniff carefully until he took a glance at Timon and Pumbaa that just shrugged nervously as he chuckled.
"Timon? How did you..."
"Simba, if you let me explain, I'll tell you everything." said Timon as he dropped his nervous.
Simba took a glance at Zazu and then glanced back Timon when nodded.
"You see, two months ago after we moved to L.A., the police reported that there was this sweet little girl ran away from the orphanage because she was being picked by a bully. Me and Pumbaa step up until we found her and take her back to orphanage. She told me everything why she was an orphan because she lost her parents when she was a baby and I don't know what happen to her older brother. She has no place to go until I decided that I should adopted her. Giving her everything what she needs a most." Timon explained everything.
He hugged the human girl gently when Marcy grew sad. Pumbaa walked over and rubbed his chin against the girl gently.
"Family."
Simba felt empathy about the girl. He knew that she doesn't belong in the wild, but still grew soft at the child. It reminded him when he once lost his father from the stampede that was murdered by his uncle. Simba knows what it felts like.
"I am so sorry, but she doesn't belong here." said Simba softly.
"I understand, but if I leave her all alone, she would be heartbroken." replied Timon.
"Please, try to understand this. She grows very fond of us. Especially Timon. She looked up to him what she needs the most." Pumbaa added
"Please, don't send me away." said Marcy quietly.
Simba really felt empathy at the girl. He couldn't stand the look of guilty face. He looked at Zazu standing on the rock.
"Well, guess there's no arguing about it. What do you think, Zazu?" Simba ask his advisor.
"We'll according to the nature, most humans respect the circle of life by protecting the animals from the poachers. I believe this girl doesn't seem to be harmless." Zazu answered.
"(sigh) Alright, she can stay, but you have to keep an eye out on her. We can't risk for her discovery by any animals." said Simba as he agrees.
Marcy launched into Simba as she gave the lion a hug. He looked down when she smiles at him.
"I'm Marcy."
Simba smiled softly at the girl.
"Welcome to the Pride Lands." said Simba kindly.
"Thank you so much, Simba." Timon thanked him.
"You won't be regretting this!" said Pumbaa.
"Anytime." replied Simba.
He lifts the girl up as she hops on Simba's head giggling. She crawls until she sat on the lions back holding on to her stuffed caterpillar. Simba started to walk away while Timon jumps on Pumbaa's back as they follow him.
"Humph. Riff raff." Zazu remarks as he flew off.
They were heading towards to the Pride Rock where it still standing while Zazu flew up ahead. It won't be long until they made it back to the Pride Rock where Nala was laying. She woke up from her nap and looked at Simba walking towards her while Timon and Pumbaa run towards them smiling.
"Timon! Pumbaa! You're back!" Nala got up and launch into them giving them a group hug. Simba chuckled softly. Once they stop hugging, she looks at them at first.
"What are you two doing here?" Nala asked.
"We thought we could stop by for a week before the end of summer." Pumbaa answered.
"Summer?" Nala asked.
"It's a nickname for the dry season. Anyway, there's someone I would like you to meet." said Timon.
Nala looked at Simba, but what she didn't realized that Marcy is riding on his back waving at the lioness. She got off from Simba when still holding on to her stuffed caterpillar.
"Hi, I'm Marcy."
Nala walked closer as she sniffs the girls' scent until the lioness nuzzled at the girl gently when Marcy giggles. It looks like mother's instinct took over when she sees any younglings.
"Aren't you the cutest little thing." said Nala.
"Sure am. I'm adopted." replied Marcy.
Nala stunned and looked at Timon when he laughs nervously. while Pumbaa smiles nervously.
(On My Way - Phi Collins)
Tell everybody I'm on my way
New friends and new places to see
Pumbaa lift the log where most bugs are. Timon grabbed a few on the leaf while Marcy curiously looked at it. The meerkat lifts the leave full of bugs to Marcy, but she starts to cringe saying 'Yuck!'. Both meerkat and warthog shrugged off as they proceed to eat bugs.
With blue skies ahead
Yes, I'm on my way
And there's nowhere else that I'd rather be
Marcy is riding on Pumbaa's back with Timon as the warthog walked along the savannah. Marcy took a glance on left when she saw an elephant herd, led by the elder one, Ma Tembo. Marcy gasp softly at the elephant.
Tell everybody I'm on my way
And I'm loving every step I take
Timon took a glance back at Marcy to check on her, but noticed that she was missing when shocked. Pumbaa looked back until he looked at where Marcy rans off to see the elephants. Once Marcy approached, she's smiling at the elephant.
Ma Tembo noticed the girl, but didn't notice when the girl dressed up as a meerkat. The elephant curiously uses her trunk to lift the hood, but Timon intervene as he quickly approached. Timon gently grabbed his daughter's hand as they walk away from Ma Tembo confused.
With the sun beating down
Yes, I'm on my way
And I can't keep this smile off my face
Later on, they were staring at the sights of the zebra heard led by Thurston, running throughout the savannah. Timon sighed as the wind blew some breeze. He turned his head at Marcy, but shocked that the girl is missing until Pumbaa tapped his friends' shoulder to turn around where Marcy ran off chasing the butterfly.
"AAHHH!" Timon yelps
Cause there's nothing like seeing each other again
No matter what the distance between
Marcy wasn't paying attention when she's chasing a butterfly giggling when hopping over the crocodile floats one by one until she hopped over Makuu, who woke up as he jolted, but shocked thinking that the girl is a huge meerkat until Timon hopped over his head overprotectively.
"HANG ON, SWEETIE! DADDY'S COMING!" Timon yells.
Makuu drop his expression as he turns his head at Pumbaa as he runs towards him, but halted when the crocodile leader growls at Pumbaa for disturbing him.
And the stories that we tell will make you smile
Oh it really lifts my heart
Later on, the herd of giraffe, led by Twiga eating the tree as Marcy approached trying to reach. Twiga bend her neck down and sniff at the girl in disguise making Marcy giggles. Timon approached as he gently pushed Marcy away from Twiga leaving the giraffe confused.
So tell 'em all I'm on my way
New friends and new places to see
Later that evening, Marcy is laying on the grass with Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa watching the stars as the shooting star pass. Marcy pointed her finger at the shooting and close her eyes to make a wish. Simba took a glance at Marcy warmly. Timon looked left at his daughter as he smiles softly.
And to sleep under the stars
Who could ask for more
With the moon keeping watch over me
Later on, Marcy sleeps with Timon and Pumbaa on the nest with their blanket inside the tree at Hakuna Matata Falls as she yawns softly. Simba looked through the hole and smiles warmly at them. It kinda reminds him how he uses to sleep with back when he was a cub.
Not the snow and not the rain
Can change my mind
The sun will come out, wait and see
The next day when the rain approaches, they were inside in the Pride Rock where they hang out. Marcy shows her 3DS to the lions as when playing her video games. The lions were amazed at her games while Timon and Pumbaa smiled warmly at her.
And the feeling of the wind in your face
Can lift your heart
Oh there's no where I would rather be
After the rain, Marcy walked over to the lake where pod of hippos led by Basi as he rises from the water curiously looked at the girl. Timon quickly approached when intervine the girl's curiously as he laughs nervously while gently dragged Marcy away from Basi leaving him confused.
'Cause I'm on my way now
Well and truly
I'm on my way now
Later on, while Timon and Marcy is riding with Pumbaa on his back until they heard a tree rustling as the old mandrill lands on the ground laughing startling at the them.
"Oh hohohohohoho! Welcome back, my friends!" said Rafiki cheerfully.
"Oh! Rafiki! I didn't expect to see you here." Timon surprised.
"How'd you know that we're here?" Pumbaa asked
"I've heard everything." replied Rafiki as he noticed the girl curiously. "And who is this?"
"Oh! This is Marcy, we adopted her." Pumbaa answered.
"Hi." Marcy greeted.
"Why, hello there. Are you a meerkat?" Rafiki curiously asked.
"My daddy dressed me up."
"Oooohhh! It's your little secret. Yes, yes. Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me." Rafiki winked his right eye at Marcy as she giggles.
"So, you raise the human girl?" Rafiki asked.
"Yep, we raised all together, but Pumbaa and I were just friends." replied Timon.
"I'm her niece!" Pumbaa added.
Tell everybody I'm on my way
I just can't wait to be there
With blue skies ahead yes
I'm on my way
And nothing but good times to share
The next day at Hakuna Matata Falls, Marcy is wearing her green swimsuit decided to go swimming with Timon and Pumbaa. The five-year-old girl slowly reach her feet to the water to check if it's cold, but the water is fine. Pumbaa lift Marcy up with his snout and jumped on his back as the warthog jumped on the water.
So tell everybody I'm on my way
And I just can't wait to be home
With the sun beating down yes
I'm on my way
And nothing but good times to show
I'm on my way
Timon and Marcy is riding on Pumbaa as he flows on the river when laugh together passing by some birds staring at them. Once they reached over to the waterfall, they all slide down cheerfully to the bottom of the water with a splash. They burst out from the water releasing their breathe. They took a glance and then they start laughing.
Yes, I'm on my way!
(Music ends)
They keep splashing at each other on the water laughing. Simba and Nala were watching over them as they smiled warmly. They took a glance at each other.
"They sure love her, don't they, Simba?" Nala asked kindly.
"It sure is. She reminds of you when you were a cub." replied Simba.
"Or when Kaira was a cub." Nala teased.
"Nala."
"What? You remember where we used to play long ago."
"Yeah, it was a long time ago."
While they were staring at them, they got out from the water when Pumbaa shake himself off the water as Marcy laugh when Timon shake himself off at the girl. They walked over to the tree where they placed their bag as the meerkat took out the towel to wrapped up.
"Having fun, huh, kid?" Timon asked kindly.
"Yeah! It was fun!" replied Marcy.
"I'm glad you love it. Still no sign of any animals and nothing's gonna stop us from having our adventure."
"We are one big happy family!" Pumbaa added.
"One herd! One family!" Marcy cheerfully.
"(chuckled) I like the sound of that, but we're not actually a herd yet. Now, let's get you changed up."
Timon escorted Marcy inside the tree and close the bark door behind them leaving Pumbaa outside. Simba and Nala approached to the Pumbaa.
"Don't mind him. He's just changing her clothes." said Pumbaa.
"Oookay." replied Simba.
Suddenly, the door opens when Timon and Marcy comes out when she put on her meerkat costume.
"So, pumpkin, are you ready having our safari adventure?" Timon asked.
"Yeah!" replied Marcy.
"Then let's hop in!"
Marcy climbs on the jeep while Timon and Pumbaa follows behind as the warthog starts the engine. Simba was looking at his friends.
"Where are you going?" Simba asked curious.
"We're going to the Oasis." Pumbaa answered.
"The one where you raised me?"
"Yep! We're going to stop by at his mother."
"Are you sure this a good idea?" Simba asked concerned.
"Of course, it was. As long as we stay away from the Outlands." replied Timon.
"Well, it's been years since the war is over. Most hyenas and vultures made their negotiation."
"True, but most crocodiles and jackals are pretty tricky. Not to mention those three stooges."
"You mean, Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed?" Nala asked.
"Yeah, those three."
"Alright, but you gotta be more careful out there. I don't want your human to get hurt.." said Simba.
"Hakuna Matata. What could go wrong." said Pumbaa.
Then he starts to drove away from the tree leaving Simba and Nala behind as Timon waved at them.
"We'll be back after sunset!" Timon hollers.
Later on, they were droving throughout the savannah as lizards spit its tongue out eating a fly. Timon took some pictures from his camera at the antelopes running through the grass. Marcy looked out at the antelope running as she astonished.
"Are we going to see your mom?" Marcy asked kindly.
"Yes, pumpkin, we're going to meet your grandma." replied Timon kindly.
Once they drove by the edge of the Pride Lands and drove over the bridge, but suddenly, they felt something bumpy on path once something bounced off from the jeep. Timon looked over and see that the bone just fell.
"Whoa! That was too close one. Good thing I picked up in case they come near us." said Timon.
"You brought that lucky marble with you, have you?" Pumbaa asked.
"(gasp) How did you know?!" Timon shocked.
"Lucky guess. I got mine too." replied Pumbaa pulled out another lucky marble.
Cut to the ravine where most bones were, it lands on top of one of the hyena with boing sound. Ed, the hyena shook his head off and looked at the bone curious and then he started to drool when the hyena mumbled and cackles. He took a bite on the bone getting two more hyenas, Shenzi and Banzai attention.
"Hey, where'd you get that?" Banzai asked.
"Looks like someone drops the bone for us. Praise the lion!" replied Shenzi.
They took a glance at Ed first for a second until they both jumped on the hyena as they fought over the bone growling with some dust clouds.
"GIMME THAT BONE!" Shenzi snarls.
"NO! YOU GIMME THAT BONE!" Banzai growls.
"NO! YOU GIMME!"
"NO! YOU GIMME!"
"QUIET!" shout The vulture. Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed stop fighting as the vulture picks up the bone from his feet and flew off with a mumble leaving them freeze. "Stooges."
Few hours later, as they passed through the dessert of dunes. Marcy is feeling sweaty a bit, but the wind blew some air to give her cooling. Timon climbed to the back as he gave water to Marcy and she gently take the water to drink it. At last, they have made it to the Oasis where their life story begins. Marcy was amazed at the view as they drove closer to the jungle.
"Welcome to our humble home! Where all meerkats roamed freely from every predator except for Simba which they get along." Timon announced.
"It's beautiful." said Marcy softly.
"You ready, kiddo?" Timon asked kindly.
"Uh huh." replied Marcy softly.
"Okay, here we go."
They drove their jeep to the jungle as they parked their vehicle by the tree. They got off from their vehicle as they climbed out. Timon put a sign says "Do Not Touch" on the hood and walked off.
Once they walk closer where his mother is humming gathering some grubs. Timon smiles softly at his mother since he missed her. He took a glance at Marcy as the girl nodded. He step closer and then saying "ahem".
"Hi mom."
Timon's mother turns around at her son and gasp softly when she dropped her grubs amd her smiles spread.
"TIMMY!" said His mother surprised.
"Timon?!" Uncle Max pops up from the tree hole.
"Hi, Uncle Max." Timon greeted.
His mother launched as she gives him a huge hug squeezing too tight with bones crack.
"Oh! My baby boy is back! How much I missed you!"
"(struggling) Choking! Not breathing!" Timon choked.
Uncle Max chuckled as he shook his head gently. Once his mother let's go, Timon breathe in when inhaled.
"Look at you! You're still young."
"Yep, still me." replied Timon.
"Hi, Timon's mom! Hi, Max!" Pumbaa greeted.
"Hello, Pumbaa. Looking out for trouble?" Uncle Max asked.
"Well, not recently." replied Pumbaa.
"What are you two doing here?" Timon's mom asked.
"Thought I could stop by for a visit for a week, but uh... there's someone I like you to meet." Timon took a glance at Marcy as she walks closer to the meerkats holding her stuffed caterpillar. "Ma, Uncle Max, meet Marcy, your adopted granddaughter... and your grandniece."
"Hi." Marcy waved at the meerkats.
Both of his mother and uncle were completely shocked. Uncle Max has just fainted leaving his mother goes cooed at the girl with eyes sparkles.
"AAAWWWW!" Aren't you the cutest thing!" Timon's mother walk closer to Marcy as the meerkat mother cupped her paws on the girl's cheek when rubbing gently. "Look at you! So cute and adorable! How did you find her?"
"Well, it's a long story." replied Pumbaa.
"(groan) What happened?" Uncle Max groaned.
"You were fainted after we introduced Marcy to you."
"Oh, uh... hello. I'm your great uncle and it's so... uh... nice to meet you." Uncle Max stammering.
"(giggle) You're funny." Marcy giggled."
"Yep, she's adopted alright." said Timon smirking.
"Uh, can I have a word with you? Alone?" Uncle Max asked his nephew.
Few minutes later when things don't go so well with his uncle when panicked.
"YOU RAISED A HUMAN CHILD?! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS ADOPTING THE HUMAN KID?! JUST SHOOT ME! SHOOT ME NOW!" Uncle Max shouted.
"Oh boy, deja vu." Timon muttered when facing the view.
"With all due respect, Max. Timon was trying to support her after we gave everything what she needed the most." Pumbaa remarks.
"What about Simba?! What if he knows?!" Uncle Max frantically asked.
"We already introduced Marcy to our friend." Timon answered.
"What did he say?"
"He agrees that she should stay with us until school starts."
"What do you mean, 'school'?"
"Well, we kinda moved out two months ago."
We cut to a view when Uncle Max shouted out loud when startling some birds.
"ARE YOU NUTS?!"
Back to Marcy being taking cared by Timon's mother as she gently cleans something out from her costume while her hoodie was down.
"So, sweetie, what's it like to be adopted?" Timon's mother asked.
"It's kinda great. They looked after me ever since they found me when I run away from the orphanage." replied Marcy.
"Aw, poor baby. At least you're safe now."
"Thanks, grandma."
"You called me, grandma?" Timon's mom gasp softly.
"Uh huh. Daddy told me everything and I'm so sorry about his dad." Marcy apologized.
The meerkat mother recalls when her husband mentioned. She smiles softly at the human.
"It's alright, luv. I'm sure his dad would be proud of him."
Timon, Pumbaa, and his uncle approach to to Marcy and his mother. Unlce Max hips his arms, but look empathy.
"So, how is he?" Timon's mother asked.
"Well, he didn't take it to well." replied Timon.
"Young lady, your father told me that you looked up to him what you needed the most. Is that what happens?" said Uncle Max.
"Yes, sir." replied Marcy softly.
"No need to get shy. I was totally surprised that you were adopted. You're okay, kid." "Thanks, mister."
"Please, call me uncle Max."
"Okay, Uncle Max."
Marcy stands up as he gives the elder meerkat a big hug, but he was struggling while Timon laughs.
"(laughing) You were choking! You knw how that feels!" Timon laughed out loud rolling on the grass.
"(struggles) Choking! Not breathing!" Uncle Max choking.
All of sudden, most meerkat pups come out from the bush and walked closer to Marcy when the girl let go of the elder meerkat. She looked down at the pups and goes cooed at the pups showing her sparkling eyes.
"Aw! Aren't you cute!" said Marcy cooing at the pups.
"Whos' the new girl?" asked The boy pup.
"Are you a meerkat?" asked The girl pup kindly.
"Actually, she's-" Timon's words were cut off.
"Of course, she's not, genius! She's only a human!" snaps Another boy pup.
"Now, kids, give her some time. She's going to spend the night here until school starts." Uncle Max reminded the pups.
They blinked their eyes confusing.
"What's a school?" asked The boy pup.
Timon shook his head gently, but smiles. He took a glance at Marcy when she looked at the pups.
"Wanna play with me?" Marcy asked.
"Sure!" replied The meerkat pups.
"Daddy, can I play with them?"
"Daddy?!" shocked The pups
"Of course you can, but don't go too far. We don't want any accidents." Timon reminded her.
"Okay." She turns around at the meerkat pups. "Come on!"
Marcy ran off while the pups following her behind as they all laughed together leaving Timon, Pumbaa, his mom, and his uncle. They all took a glance at each other.
"Hey, uh, sorry that I ever doubted you." Uncle Max aplogized.
"It's all in the past now." replied Timon.
"You know, you becoming more like your father."
Timon felt touched for a moment. He smiled softly at his uncle. His mother hugged him gently.
"I'm so proud of you, son."
"Thanks mom. Just doing what I have to do. I mean, after all..." He paused when took a glance at Marcy showing her new friends playing videogames as the pups amazed. "She really is my angel. The nicest angel I ever had."
There are some animals that you're familiar are from The Lion Guard. I added some minor characters as cameos. They will return in the future. This song from "Brother Bear" performed by Phil Collins. Stay tuned for the next chapter.
Amphibia and The Lion King (c) Disney
