While Kion and Rani were putting up a good fight against the chimps and Kutojali, the two lions were outnumbered and Joel probably couldn't reload fast enough to shoot down many chimpanzees at the same time. Rani was still being held in a headlock by Kutojali, and his arms were really strong. "This is your last warning, ape!" said Joel, "let her go or I will release a bullet in your brain!" He cocked his trusted rifle again, just to help his new friends."
"Ooh, tough talk for a hairless ape like yourself." said Kutojali in a sarcastic voice. "I don't know what comes out of that stick of yours anyway."
"OK, you've asked for it." said Joel, losing his patience. Yes, he was just about to pull the trigger with his finger at the megalomaniacal ape. "Last warning: let her go or i will go all-out on you. Unless you want to have your brains blown off by my bullet, then let Rani go. And I promise it will sting like a thousand bees trying to sting you. I mean, if you live long enough to witness the pain."
"You seem to forget that: you are all outmatched. Thirty of us to four of you. so you all don't have good odds." Kutojali sneered. "Go ahead and try to-"
but before he could finish his sentence, he heard a loud "boom!" that pierced his eardrums and startled the rest of the chimp family.
"I hate that sound." said Kion.
"You want some earplugs, Kion?" asked Chris thoughtfully.
"Thanks Chris, but I don't think the earplugs will fit my own."
"OK."
"What in the world was that?" Kutojali exclaimed in surprise. He noticed that a bullet had hit the ground next to him on the right and it hit the dirt pretty deep. "That was a close one."
It was thanks to that: Rani went over back to the other kids safe and sound. "Rani!" said Kion, rushing to her aid. "Are you ok?"
"Just fine." Rani smiled at him.
"that was a warning shot, Kutojali." said Joel. "Leave now! And I got plenty more bullets where that came from." he cocked his gun again. "Get away from here!"
"alright, alright." said the chimp leader. "We'll leave." he looked at the rest of his family. "Come on guys. Let's get out of here." and the chimps began walking away from the group. "We just wanted to have some fun and hang around this area, that's all."
"Well after the trouble you caused me and my friends," said Kion, "I doubt that you guys would be even welcomed here. I even told my dad about you guys."
"Do you really think I am intimidated and frightened by the mighty king Simba? He could never measure up to the greatness of Mufasa."
Kion growled, but he took a breath and closed his eyes. "He might not be like my grandfather, I admit." he sounded rather calm. "But, he can't be Mufasa, he can only be himself."
"Pah, whatever. He is still not as intelligent as us chimpanzees." Kutojali scoffed. "Mufasa was completely weak and his kind of rule could never measure up to my amazing iq. No, lions are nothing but similar to cows when being compared to us."
"I'm reloading my gun again!" Joel sang. Just like that, the apes ran away in a frantic hurry and they were screeching and grunting as they were trying to get away from that rifle. "Works every time." Joel smiled. "Are you kids ok?"
"We're ok, dad." said Joel. "Thanks to you."
"Ah, when a son calls for help, a good father always answers it for him."
He felt his son run up to hug him. "Where do these guys even keep coming from anyway?"
"They can come when you least expect it." Rani said. "That's the scary part."
"I do like it here," said Joel, "but the sooner we go back home Chris, the better."
"But why would you say that if you said you like it out here?" Chris looked rather confused at this statement.
"I didn't say I didn't like it out here, kiddo." his father reassured. "I'm just saying it can be really dangerous out here. Things can happen when you least expect it to happen like Rani said."
"Well, we're only gonna be here for a few more days." said Chris
"I know." Joel sighed. "And don't worry, I'll let you and Kion have one last time together before we head back."
Chris smiled gratefully. "Thanks dad."
"Don't mention it."
"Joel! Chris!" said Persephone, coming up on the hill with Tara following behind her. "What happened? we heard a gunshot."
"Everything's fine, mom." said Chris. "Kutojali and his chimps were attacking me and my friends, but dad saved us."
"Kutojali came here?" asked a surprised Tara. "What did they want?"
"They said they wanted to have some... fun with us." Rani pointed. "But they were scared off by Joel's rifle."
"Good." said Persephone. "Can't those guys just leave everyone alone?"
"I don't think he will." said Kion. "He's like a dictator kind of leader like my great uncle Scar was. But Kutojali sounds like he wants to spread his influence everywhere he can go."
"I'm sure everyone won't allow that." Rani said. "They won't put up with his behavior or his family's behavior."
"True. They won't go down without a fight." said Kion. He then thought of an idea of what he can do with his girlfriend. "Hey Rani, How would you like to spend time with me in the secret spot?"
"Ooh! count me in." said Rani. "I would love to." she then looked at the human boy. "We'll see you in a little while Chris. Me and Kion are going to have some quality time together."
"That's ok. You guys have fun."
"We will." Kion smiled. Both the young lions walked away into the bamboo forest.
"So you don't think Kutojali will come back, do you, dad?"
"Come on, Chris." said Joel. "they were all scared by the sound of the rifle. I'm sure they took my warning well."
"Yeah, you're right."
