Out in the open, everything was just fine for Kion, for he was spending a little time with the three hyena leaders: Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed. Of course, Zira was still with the Lion cub, but the three leaders just kept their cool, yet were still cautious about her. "So Zira, Jasiri is a one of a kind hyena pup. She knows how to run a leader of a whole clan."
"I'm certain she is." Said the scrawny lioness. "I wish there would be more food for you out here. And more water."
"Heh, you have no idea how much we dream of that, Lady." Said Banzai. "But, we're hyenas, being low at the food chain, and you lions on top of us like you are kings of Africa."
"Technically," said Kion, "we are kings of Africa."
"I know, I was just makin' a point, little buddy."
Ed began making another laugh and his tongue slobbering out of his mouth like the deranged lunatic he was. He wasn't a bad kind of lunatic anymore, but he can be unpredictable and crazy at heart. Honest, yet unhinged.
From a distance, there was Jasiri, who was not with her clan at the moment for a reason. Kion smiled and he called out her name. The female hyena's ears perked up and looked behind her. She smiled when she saw her lion friend again.
"Kion!" She ran up to him and she tackled him, making him a little uncomfortable. "Nice to see you again."
"Heh. Would it kill you to stop pinning me down like that."
"Sorry Kion, but I can't promise you that. Guilty pleasure."
The cub got back on his feet and he said: "okay, I guess I can let that slide. Where are your clan members?"
"They're fine. Just supporting their families and taking a day off from clanning." She looked at Zira. "You?!" She recognized her. Jasiri was about to pounce on her, but his parents stopped her.
"Whoa there, young lady." Said Shenzi. "Keep ya mane on, girl. She is no enemy of ours, at least... not anymore."
"Yeah, no need to jump to Ed's level of crazy." Banzai added. "Kion trusts her and we can trust to do the same."
Silly Ed nodded his head a Yes to Jasiri with his tongue still out foolishly.
"Kion, can I have a word with you, please?" Asked Jasiri. Then she pushed him with her head, dragging him over to a far side where the others were. "Do you have any idea who-"?
"I know Jasiri, Zira's changed, thanks to me. She's no longer evil or unhinged anymore. Can't you trust me?"
"I do trust you, Kion." Jasiri replied. "It's just HER I don't trust." She peeked over at the skinny lioness suspiciously and back to Kion. "She did help the Lion who killed your own grandfather."
"I know, but let me explain," the cub cleared his throat before explaining to his hyena friend "she lost her memory when she hit a rock after falling down the Rapids she fell in when Kiara tried to save her. I asked Rafiki and he says she did lose her memory. And... I helped her understand and... she's changed."
Jasiri was silent, but she said at last: "I want to believe you, Kion, but... Zira and the hyenas go a long way back. Long before I was born."
"Well, I'm sure your parents told you evil things about Zira, but... she doesn't remember Scar, and this is a chance for her to turn over new leaf for her."
"I'm telling you, it's a bad idea!" She suddenly snapped at him with her teeth showing, making him nervous. Kion looked absolutely surprised by that outburst that his hyena friend emitted from herself. Jasiri herself noticed it and she said: "I... I'm sorry if I yelled at you." And she had a face to show how sorry she was. "Granted... I wasn't even born when she committed all those atrocities."
"True, I wasn't there either, but I think most animals deserve a second chance in their lives. I mean, that's what my grandfather and his dad would have said."
"Maybe. But what about your family? Do they allow her?"
"Yep. But, my dad still worries about it a little. I guess when you're the king over the Pride Lands, it can be overwhelming for you."
"It wouldn't surprise me, Kion. But I guess if your family trusts Zira, then... I guess I ...uh... I could try my very best to trust her and help her turn over a new leaf."
"No need," said Kion. "I already reformed her and she is a whole new Zira."
"You can't be too careful, she might remember Scar." Then she felt Kion clam her mouth with his right paw.
"Shhhhh, don't mention Scar." the cub whispered to her. "Mentioning Scar in front of her would mean she would go back to her old ways and might become evil again. I want to make sure that Zira never learns about him, or finds out what she did in the past."
"I see."
"Look, I admit, this caught me by surprise, but what matters is that I changed Zira and she is the new Zira."
"Well, I guess I can give her a chance. And... maybe it won't be so bad."
"Yeah, there you go."
"By the way," Jasiri suddenly jumped on Kion and began blowing his belly with her mouth making farting noises and Lion laughing from the ticklish feeling of being breathed on his belly like a lamprey
Shenzi noticed this and she was laughing. "Ha! Look at Jasiri!" She said. "That's our girl, right Banzai"
"Rignt you are, Shenzi." The male hyena replied. "She's got your spunk."
Back in the Pride Lands
Young Kion was looking at the sky and it's beauty, for it was almost noon during the day. As for Zira, she was with her two children back at Pride Rock. While gazing at the scattered clouds, young Kion couldn't help but say: "Grandfather Mufasa? I... I want to talk to you."
In a small flash, the spirit of Mufasa appeared to him once more. "Of course, Kion. I am always available to speak with you if needed." He said. "What is on your mind?"
"I've dond it." Kion said. "I've turned Zira good instead of evil."
"I know, I have watched toyr accomplishment from the sky. Once again, I am very proud of your strengths and how you proved your gut to be in the right place."
"Yeah, but i'm... worried that the memory loss will be temporary and she might become evil again."
"Well, it is normal to have feelings of doubt and uncertainty like this," Mufasa admitted. "But, just remember that it is only one of her and a lot of your family at home. Everything will be just fine. Just follow your heart and do what it tells you to do."
Kion smiled and he realised that his wise grandfather speaks the truth. Whether an idea will end in disaster or success, one can learn from a failure from time and time again. "Yeah. You're right. And I can just use my Roar of the Elders to make her go away."
"Good. And, no matter what others will say, I think you have accomplished a magnificent feet."
"Don't tell dad I told you this, but... I wish he was more like you. You're so wise and you always know what to do in a problem or a situation."
Mufasa couldn't help but make a small laugh out of himself. "Oh Kion," he said. "I know what you're thinking. You are thinking of me as if I have never made a mistake in my life. Well, i hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I have made mistakes in my life too. Everyone has to make a mistake, regardless of what wise and noble deeds they have committed. For instance, I've made the mistake of letting my guard down when Scar killed me and plotted against me before. I should have seen all of that coming when i had the chance."
"You... can't really blame yourself for that, grandfather." the cub reassured the spirit if the deceased king. "Scar was very cunning and sneaky but what my dad told me before. He knew how to keep secrets from everyone around anyone he ever met in his life. He waited for the right moment, no matter how long It took, and we all never knew he betrayed us."
"Quite right."
"I know you Scar after all he done, but-"
"Oh no no. I do not hate Scar. He is my one and only brother. Besides, hate is too strong a word. No, I was just sad that he had fallen to a dark road of evil, a road that your grandmother and I can never follow behind him."
"Yeah, I might not have been born when it happened, but it must have been awful."
"Oh yes. And let me tell you. I was very sad of what my brother was doing all this time. He let his anger and hatred get the best of him, and they are like parasites that might never let go of their host. That's what my father always told me before when he was alive."
"That's... a good way to put it." Kion remarked. "It sounded like he was possessed by an evil demon or something."
Mufasa mare yet another chuckle. "If only that were true. But, no matter. I sense great potential in Zira and her bee reformation. Good things will certainly he heading your direction in the future. Of course, it's best not to mention Scar to her, just in case."
"And, can you tell Rafiki that I changed her?"
"It would he my pleasure Kion. I am very proud of you. You really are a great son to your father and the opposite of what Scar is. A good-hearted young cub who always puts others before himself, as if you were a king yourself."
