Rafiki was taking a look at Kion, Kovu, and Kiara's scratches and minor wounds that the Lion's Bane inflicted on them.
"Hmm, it is nothing deathly serious." the old baboon looked at them closer. "And you are all lucky to survive such an attack."
The three lions were happy to hear the good news. Indeed; they were all lucky to survive an attack by the possible strongest enemies they have faced in their lives. This further proved that these guys were far more formidable, and dangerous than Janja and Reirei. All of them looked at Adewale, who was sitting on the grass, letting the lions have their space. Kion smiled, knowing that he. Along with Kiara and Kovu, owe him some kind of appreciation for Thanks.
"He saved them." Nala said. "He's a hero for keeping them safe."
"That he is, Nala." Simba agreed with his wife. "We truly thank you for saving my daughter, son, and son-in-law. I officially proclaim you as a hero of the Pride Lands."
Smiling, the rhino-like creature said: "thank you, your majesty." and he nodded his head.
Rafiki got a closer look at this creature and then looked deep into his eyes. "You know," he began to speak. "I have heard stories about you, and your kind, Adewale. And, I am quite surprised and fascinated. An Emela-Ntouka in the flesh. This is quite a remarkable day for me."
"Well, good that I amused you." Adewale flatly said.
"I am very amused. It is quite a pleasure to meet an Emela-Ntouka for the first time. Bery rare sight on here in the African plains."
"And we prefer to he isolated since most animals judged us before they knew us."
"I can understand why, but all you need is a different approach over the other animals."
"Funny. Kion mentioned that before."
"Not to worry, my new, robust friend." Rafiki boldly said. "I will be there to accompany you with Simba and Nala in these attempts to make new friends in the Pride Lands."
"Where do we start?"
"Well, wait outside while we have a talk to see who you should meet first." Simba said. "Don't worry, it won't take long." The family went inside the cave to talk about who this animal should try and connect with first.
Adewale, the mysterious Emela-Ntouka, was waiting just outside of Pride Rock and he hoped that Kion and his family would show him that being like this is nothing to be ashamed of. He laid on the grass and waited under the sun for the royal lions to come out of their cave, and they can help him adjust to more animals in the Pride Lands."
"Is this... a trick so you can run away from me?"
"No. Of course not. They only want to have a little, private talk with one another."
"Well, I hope this isn't s trick."
"No, of course not, sir." Zazu arded. "If they were going to run away from, the would try and pounce onto and try to kill you for their own amuse.""
"Oy, good point." ⁴
"Hmm, maybe those lions are just finding a secret passage to get away from me and move somewhere else."
At last, Kion and his family came out and they stood in front of this majestic, yet unusual beast. The royal family smiled at the Emela-Ntouka, and Simba spoke to him first by saying: "Adewale, we will help you connect with the other animals in the Pride Lands." Adewale looked surprised to hear that and he felt touched inside himself.
"Really? But what about your son and daughter's scratches that their enemies inflicted?"
"Don't worry about us." said Kion. "Just some minor scratches. And besides, a martial eagle almost killed me before and she tried to pierce me with her claws. That was worse."
Adewale had his eyes open in surprise. "That is worse, although it would make sense for it to prey on a cub like yourself."
"Yeah, we'll he fine." Kiara said.
"No matter, who should I meet first?"
"Well, i was thinking Chikelu and his crash of white rhinos." said Simba
"Yesh, you guys look similar a little." Nala agreed.
"Granted, we rhinos and Emela-Ntouka look similar, but the last time I met with a rhino, it didn't go so well. I tried making peace with him, but he just tried to gore me with his horns, like I was a monster."
"Don't worry, we'll help you with that." said Kovu.
"But what about the Lion's Bane?" Kion asked. "What if they catch us by surprise again like they did earlier?"
"Not to worry son, Zazu and a number of storks and other birds will be looking for them in an aerial patrol. I promise you, they will regret trying to murder you, your sister, and Kovu."
"Right then, I will give them a perfect surprise attack with my winged cronies, and they will pay for their little... ambush."
The blue hornbill flew off to the sapphire skies and the lions were alone with the Emela-Ntouka. "Chikelu and his crash are a very understanding group of rhinos." said Kiara. "They might like you once they get to know you."
"I hope you're right, princess." Adewale admitted. "I don't want any more blood to be spilled from me again."
"We'll make sure of that." Kion said. "Now come on, let us help you."
"Very well, but please don't make me shed any more blood."
"We won't. They'll have to listen to us." Simba remarked. "I am the king, and they have to listen to me and Nala. Deep down, the Emela-Ntouka was feeling doubtful inside of him that this will work, but with the king and queen, he decided to give this a try. Following the royal family, the rest of the lionesses stayed at Pride Rock and Chikelu was within his crash, grazing in a green, grassy part of the Pride Lands.
Kifaru was right beside his father, and it was was to do that, for he needed protection from any voracious predator that would try and eat him.
Small footsteps were heard in the distance and Chikelu saw the dark green figure that looked like a rhino, and it looked quite intimidating. Unfortunately, rhinos were creatures with poor eyesight, so they couldn't tell what it was and thought it was just an elephant with a weird color scheme to it's hide.
"What's that, dad?" asked Kifaru.
"An elephant? I do not know. I cannot tell, son."
When he got closer, the rhinos were starting to see things more clearly. As soon as they were looking at a very close range, they could see clearly. They were more than happy to see the king and queen of the Pride Lands and their family, but they didn't know exactly what to make of the Emela-Ntouka.
"Ah, Simba." Chikelu said. "I give you welcome as usual, your highness." Then he looked at the Emela-Ntouka. "And... who might this be?"
"Chikelu, this is Adewale. He is an Emela-Ntouka."
The leader, and the whole think herd had confused looks on their faces, and it wouldn't be surprising that they never heard of the name before. "Interesting. Are you a rhinoceros?"
"Well. No, sir." Adewale sounded a little nervous. "Granted, I look similar to you, but I am a very different animal."
"Wait!" Chikelu remembered. "I heard stories about you. You're an Elephant Killer, are you?"
"Now now, everyone," Simba reassured everyone. "Chikelu is that animal, but he is not a monster. He may look different, but he is an animal like us and everybody else."
"It is true." said the Emela-Ntouka. "I do have a fearsome meaning for the bame of my species, but, you need not fear me. If I do kill, I would only do it for self-defense. I assure you, there is no need to fear me. I am as friendly as a bushbaby when I want to be."
"Yeah, he saved me, Kovu, and Kiara against the Lion's Bane when they attacked us." Kion added.
A small clamoring and mumbling from the white rhinos were herd amongst the crash. Most of them were good comments being exchanged by one another. "You saved them?" Kifaru asked.
"Yes, little one. I noticed they were in Trouble and I needed to do something to save them. I wanted to keep myself hidden at first. The reason for that was because: they would freak out if they have seen me. I was worried they would run away and scream for help as they looked at me, like most animals that have encountered me."
"He has been... having trouble fitting in with the rest of us." said Nala. "Animals judge him before they even know him. We're all trying to help him connect with everyone in the Pride Lands so he would feel more welcome."
Most of the rhinos were slowly starting to understand this beast, while a few still remained skeptical and cautious around Adewale. "Adewale," Said Chikelu flatly, "it is quite an honor to meet you. I am very intrigued that I have met a very legendary animal. To be fair with you: I did not think you would even exist."
"Quite a remarkable surprise indeed," Rafiki said. "I myself have never thought a very magnificent creature would appear before my very eyes."
"What we mean is, maybe you can help him adjust to the Pride Lands, and all who live in it." Kiats explained.
Chikelu smiled, and he replied: "well, if you are a friend of the king and queen, you are a friend to me and my crash as well." he humbly stated.
Adewale had a little smile of hope, and he was touched. "Look, take king Simba's name for it." Adewale noted. "If you all do not believe my words, at least listen to your beloved rulers." he looked at the Royal lion family again. "They have shown my kindness and understanding."
"What my father says goes." Kiara boldly stated. "At least give him a chance to warm up to you guys."
"Of course. Adewale, we should have a little talk. I think we will get along just fine."
The Emela-Ntouka made another smile of hope on his face. He hoped that everything will go well for him.
Meanwhile
Everyone in the Lion's Bane was running for their dear lives and they have never felt so scared before. Even Harif was afraid of what he had just encountered
"What the heck was that?!" Makucha said.
"I have no idea!" Harif replied while catching his breath."
"We were so close in killing him," Mpishi added. "That Kion was ripe for the taking, and this... this... thing came and saved him?"
"Perhaps I've eaten some bad cattails." said Draak. "I probably need a break from them."
"Well, i wish you would have stood your ground and fight, Draak!" Harif said. "You're obviously the strongest of this gang, so you should really inject his skin with your teeth."
Back to Kion and his family
While sitting under the sun, Chikelu and Adewale were... rather hitting it off quite nicely with one another, but Kifaru stood close to his father just in case something happened. Both of them started to laugh. "Well, that is quite intriguing." said Chikelu. "A savage hyena tried to bit your beck, but you flipped him over with your horn?"
Adewale smiled. "You should have seen how he flew in midair. He even shrieked as well." both of them began laughing some more. Every one of the rhinos seemed to not mind Adewale, and they were slowly starting to like the Emela-Ntouka.
Kion, and his family looked on. "Wow. They're really hitting it off."
"I know. They're becoming friends rather quickly."Simba said.
"Look a them." Nala added. "They are starting to become the best of friends. They aren't fighting or locking their horns against each other. They're... having fun and not arguing."
