In the human encampment, Joel was looking at his photo book of him and his family over the years since they were together. There were even some photos of the family before Chris was even born, but the kid knew he couldn't have done something about that.
From photos of Tara was when she was a child to when Chris was born when he was in his mother's arms, Joel almost felt like crying tears of nostalgia from seeing the good times he had with his family over the years
"Well, I suppose I can go hunting with my trusted gun here." Joel said to himself before cooking his rifle. "Honey! I'm gonna look for food!"
"OK, honey!" said Persephone while putting some aloe vera lotion on her face to prevent any sunburn from coming to hit her later on in the day when it gets too hot. "Ooh yeah." she sighed to herself as she was putting in more of that lotion. "No way skin cancer will even try to get me today."
Tara was just on her phone walking by and she noticed her own mother putting some of that lotion on herself. "Ugh, mom." she groaned. "Don't you think you've had enough of that stuff? You're embarrassing me."
"Ugh! in front of who?" asked Persephone. "There's no one else but us here. So cut me some slack. Besides, Chris is with Kion anyway."
"True, it just... makes me feel weird that you put oh thay cream."
"Oh, why? because I'm middle aged."
"No...yes." said Tara in defeat. "I know you like that stuff but this isn't the Sahara desert."
"I know that as much as anyone." Persephone pointed. "Besides... I want to look as young as possible. Someone that looks more like you."
"Didn't you say that inner beauty comes from the inside and not the outside, mom?"
"Well... yes."
"You're being hypocritical here." Tara pointed.
Meanwhile, Chris was still with Kion, but he didn't want to intrude on the little time with his cub friend and Rani like a third wheel. no one likes a third wheel. Besides, these two lions were perfect together by the looks of it.
He just looked over his surroundings and never got tired or the beauty of the African savanna. Chris felt safe with Kion and Rani (and of course the camp he and his family were settling in for a few more days ).
Kion was spending a wonderful time with his girlfriend on this fine morning. "How does it feel to be pounced for once?" Kion teased her
"Honestly... not that effective." Rani smirked. "I knew something like this would come eventually."
"Fair enough. But let's see if - haaaa!" he took it on himself to pounce her again as they both rolled down the hill together. To her surprise: Kion managed to get on top of her again."
"Wow, how did you get so strong?" Rani looked rather impressed.
"I don't know." said the male cub admittedly. "I'm still a cub and... I just got lucky maybe?"
"Well you still have a cub body and you still manage to get on top of me like that? I guess you're growing a little too fast."
"Looks like I am, Rani." Kion smiled. "Me being the leader of the Lion Guard and all, I've got stronger every time I go out patrolling."
"Excuse me," said Chris. "I know I am interrupting this between you guys, but... Kion why not have a statue of yourself carved, or your dad, or granddad?"
"A statue?" asked Kion.
"What is a statue?" asked Rani, looking just as baffled at her boyfriend.
"It's like a large stone or a monument of someone made out of rock or copper, or even silver or gold." Chris explained. "Statues are supposed to show the person or animal glory and greatness for all the great things they did, all the hero things they did."
"A rock that shows a humans' heroic thing?"
"Well you won't become a statue, that's just stupid, but they are carved and shaped to look like a famous human, and it's mostly carved after the person dies to honor him... or her for all the good things they did."
"Ooh." Rani looked intrigued. "I have never seen one of these statues, but I think you, Kion, should have something like that carved on your honor to preserve your legacy."
"Like... wait, isn't this like the Zazu thing we did for his funeral?"
"Almost." Chris admitted. "But that tribute to Zazu was not made out of rock. Most statues are supposed to be made of rocks or marbles or any other mineral or pavement."
"Oh." said Kion. "Well I wouldn't just want to have a statue of me, I would have my friends be a part of it. I can't just take all the credit to myself. That would just make me look like Scar."
"I never said that." said Rani
"No, no, of course not. Although I think it would be a good idea to have it in honor of my dad or grandfather Mufasa."
"Mufasa deserves all the honor and praise during his time as king." Rani smiled
"I know I've never met him," said the human boy, "but he sounds like an amazing lion."
"He is the greatest lion of all time, Chris." Kion smiled proudly. "Everyone... or almost everyone loved him. So Wise, so trusting, so understanding."
"Too bad he can never compare to our own brains, youngin." called a voice in a song. Out of nowhere, a bunch of chimpanzees came out from the bushes and started screeching and doing some dances of dominance on the the three friends.
It was Kutojali, who landed in front of Chris with a loud thud, and he was smaller than a gorilla.
"Kion, Rani, and Chris." said the lead chimp. "how wonderful to run into you at a place like this."
"Kutojali?" said the kids. The two lions growled and were ready to take care of this crazy ape. "What are you doing here?"
"Just thought we would all pay you a visit." Kutojali said. "And we couldn't help but notice that boom boom stick your father had, Chris." he looked at the human boy.
"What about it?"
"I realize with thag weapon, me and my people can take over the Pride Lands and be the lords of all animals."
"My dad would never give his rifle to you." Chris scoffed
"Oh really?" asked the lead chimp. "We have ways of trying to talk to him in giving me that weapon. Now tell me where your father is, and we'll be on our merry way."
Kion couldn't help but slice his claws at Kutojali's right leg, making him screech in pain. The other chimpanzees looked shocked and began shouting in anger.
"Bring it on!" said Rani. An all-out fight broke out and while Kikn and Rani were putting up a good fight, they were outnumbered, and they were being grabbed by all their arms.
"Nice try." said Kutojali, looking smug. "You cannot hope to best me, Kion. I am too smart for your little games and riddles.'
"Let us go, you creep!" Rani shouted.
"Nah, I don't think so. How about I draw and quarter you instead, hmm?" then he looked at Chris, wrapping his arm around the kid's shoulders, trying to look friendly. "So Cody, I guess if you won't tell me, then I guess that makes you elephant fodder."
"Over my dead body." said Joel, cooking his rifle ar the chimp.
