Disclaimer: I don't own Lion King.
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Author's Note:
One hundred reviews! Thank You all for the wonderful comments and support. They really motivate me to keep writing this story. Have a virtual cupcake!
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Chapter 15: Simba
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Zazu struggled with his mangy captor, whacking the cub with his wings. The light feathery limbs did little damage to the young lion, but at least they distracted him. Suddenly, Nuka sneezed, and loosened his hold on the hornbill a little. That was what Zazu was waiting for. He would not end in a birdie boiler ever again, or in a lion's mouth. With a ferociousness, he hadn't expected of himself, he hit Nuka with his beak squarely on the forehead.
"Ouch!" The cub whined, taking one of his paws from Zazu to press it against the developing bruise. Afterward, the royal majordomo whacked him again, and then three more times. The cub began waving his paws, trying to catch the hornbill's beak. It was a mistake, a young lion would regret later. After one final hit, Zazu sneaked away from his hold and spread his wings.
"Catch him, Nuka!" called a little cub with fair pelt and a tuft atop her head.
Nuka pounced desperately, but Zazu managed to slip away. He batted his still stiff wings, as if his life depended on it. Actually, it did, so he put all his strength to fly higher. He was able only to make leaps though – those Outlander lionesses had ruffled his feathers. Zazu fixed his gaze on the gaping hole and the sunrays shining through, heading there. Nuka and the other cub broke into the crazy chase, climbing the steep walls of the termite mound. The male cub wasn't that fast, but his much smaller sibling dared past him, agile like a leopard. Zazu glanced over his shoulder and yelped, noticing the tiny predator heading straight for him with teeth bared.
"Mine!" The cub exclaimed joyfully, pouncing expertly.
In the exact same moment, Zazu's wings started working properly and he dashed out, speeding through the hole in the mound's ceiling. The small claws grazed his tail, plucking several feathers out. That made his flight unstable.
"Whoa!" Zazu shrieked in an unprofessional manner, as he unwillingly performed a barrel. His brain felt, like it bounced off the inside of his skull violently. Finally, he managed to straighten his flight and sighed with relief, as the air rushed past him, carrying him home. Zazu batted his aching wings, setting course for Pride Rock.
The pointy silhouette of the royal seat loomed before Zazu, as he sailed home. The Pride Lands looked astounding from above. The once grim shadow land was flourishing once more. With the lush grasslands and rivers filled with water, the herds returned. Zazu could see the enormous migration of wildebeests cross the river, chased by crocodiles and some of the lionesses. The zebras galloped across the plains and the gazelles feasted on the grass. Even tall giraffes were here, as well as massive elephants.
Zazu lowered his flight and circled the Pride Rock, preparing to land. Outside, lay Sarabi and Serafina. Both lionesses were talking quietly, serious and concerned. When she noticed him, the former queen stood up and strolled to greet him, refined and elegant as always.
"Zazu, where have you been?" Sarabi asked.
Zazu plopped onto the rock, panting heavily. He folded his stiff wings.
"I need to see his majesty." The majordomo breathed out.
Sarabi stared at him for a while. She nodded, not even asking what made Zazu's legs buckle – she knew him well enough.
"Simba is inside." The former queen stepped aside, pointing her paw at the royal den.
Zazu nodded. He was reluctant to march inside right away though; it would be rude and insensitive in such a dire time. Spreading his wings, he leapt closer to Sarabi.
"How are the majesties holding up?" he whispered with worry.
Sarabi sighed quietly and averted her gaze.
"They will get in terms with it eventually. I did," Sarabi said.
Zazu nodded, acknowledging her words. He took a deep breath and strolled into the den, walking like duck. The sunrays didn't reach to the far ends of the cavern, where the royal pair sat. Zazu felt like an intruder, disturbing in the most intimate moment.
Simba and Nala were pressed tightly against each other. Nala's head was hidden in her mate's mane, and her body was shivering. Simba's eyes were squeezed shut, but a pained grimace distorted his muzzle. Zazu coughed out, letting them know that he arrived. When Simba opened his eyes, the majordomo saw that they were bloodshot.
"Not now, Zazu," Simba muttered. It was striking, how tired his voice sounded.
"Sire, it's important for the safety of the Pride Lands!" Zazu exclaimed, emphasizing the bad tidings by spreading his wings.
Even in such difficult time, Simba knew his responsibility, like his father Mufasa. He stepped away from Nala, turning his full attention to his majordomo. The queen's eyes were bloodshot like her mate's, and her muzzle wet from tears. Hastily, she wiped them with her paw.
"Is it the hyenas, Zazu?" Simba asked.
The hornbill gulped.
"Worse, sire." He took a deep breath, before conveying the bad news. "It's Scar, he's alive."
Simba and Nala stiffened. They exchanged baffled glances, clearly not believing Zazu's testimony.
"Scar's dead." Nala shook her head.
"I saw him with my own eyes, very much alive," Zazu said firmly, setting his eyes on Simba.
"How can this be? You must be mistaken." Nala voiced her opinion.
The young king furrowed his brows, considering what he had heard.
"I have no reason not to trust Zazu's words," Simba said. He stood up and started pacing across the den, until he approached the majordomo. "Where is he?"
Zazu bowed quickly.
"In the Outlands, sire." He reported immediately.
"The Outlands?" Simba was surprised to hear the name. "What are Outlands?"
Zazu sighed, realizing that the late King Mufasa failed to tell his son everything, a ruler should now. Well, he would have to debrief the young king personally.
"The Outlands are a barren wastelands in the north-east. They're known for the magnificent termite mounds and a very ferocious pride of lions that live there." Zazu politely recited the definition. "The eldest elephants still remember the war that raged between them and our pride. We won, and they don't like us very much since then. In fact, they hate us immensely, I'm afraid."
"Oh." Simba processed the new information. "I knew only about the hyenas."
Zazu shrugged.
"Africa is big and full of threats. The hyenas were only one wildebeest in the herd, so to speak." Zazu quite liked his own metaphor.
When Simba was pondering the newest danger to the Pride Lands, he looked just like his father. For the moment, Zazu felt, as if his King and friend returned to the land of living. Perhaps a part of him lingered in his son. That was the more reason for Zazu to worry about Simba's well-being.
"Sire, we shouldn't let Scar live. He will try to take revenge on you." The majordomo advised.
Simba sighed heavily, at battle with himself. He was still a young lion, harboring certain innocence and naivety in his heart, even though he went through a lot.
"Are you saying that I should travel to the Outlands to kill Scar?" There was doubt and hesitation in Simba's voice.
"Yes." Zazu replied firmly, helping his king make the right decision. "Don't you remember what he did when you tried sparing his life?"
Simba stared at his majordomo grimly. Naturally, he couldn't forget that even if he wanted.
"Still…"
Zazu rolled his eyes. His king was far too valiant for his own good.
"Sire, if you let Scar sway the Outlanders to his cause, like he did with the hyenas, we'll have another coup and you'll be the victim this time." Zazu patronized Simba, as if the adult lion was merely an unruly cub.
Simba tensed at the mention of the coup. His claws extended, as a dark look flickered across his muzzle. Scar's violent seizure of the throne was associated with Mufasa's death, and that was what never failed to make Simba livid. His orange eyes flared, as if lit by the fire. He straightened his back, and his muscles rippled. Before Zazu's eyes, he transformed from saddened, indecisive youth into the strong ruler, he was in his heart.
"Lead the way, Zazu." Simba commanded, and Zazu saluted, leaping into the air. "I'll tell my mother to rally the lionesses."
"I'll do it." Nala stated, startling both her mate and Zazu, as she had barely taken part in the discussion until now. Her tears dried and her teal eyes, even though bloodshot, were as fierce as ever.
"Nala…" Simba gazed at her with worry.
"I'm fine, Simba. Besides, we need to live on, right?" Nala gave her mate a faint smile.
In response, Simba nuzzled her neck, cuddling into her. His eyes were filled with love for his queen. They stayed in the embrace for the moment, before they pulled back.
"Go." Nala whispered and Simba dashed out after Zazu, while she went to gather the members of their pride, like a true queen would.
Zazu shook the weird sensation of a déjà vu off and flew toward the Outlands. His king followed him, running to protect his lands and subjects from the upcoming threat. The things were right again and the majordomo hoped that they would stay this way. However, the persistent bad hunch was nagging him. He shook his head, banishing the pessimistic thought from his mind. It was probably nothing.
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Author's Note:
Oh, this will get intense… Leave a comment, please, and share your impressions on the chapter! I love receiving feedback from You and it never fails to make my day.