I'm so sorry about the extremely long delay! I've just been so busy with other things, plus I'm more motivated by positive reviews. Nonetheless, here is your final chapter!
kora22: Yeah, there may be consequences for Mheetu's comment…
Greg M 94: They are a "pride of nutjobs," aren't they? Well, they'll get what's coming. You'll see.
ThatPersonYouMightKnow: I'm glad you liked these last two chapters! And yes, Shere Khan is the basis for Khara! Sorry, Nigel fans!
i wont tell: Ah, my first flamer…You do have some nerve. You obviously can't write a coherent review, yet you decided to tell a person who's written well over 100 original film outlines that he can't write? Your logic is quite skewed…
simbaanaya: You're right, I don't know you or your mother. Why would I? Nonetheless, I wish to thank you for your reassuring words after the flamer's comments.
Chu10: I don't see the Nigel elements, given he's inspired by Shere Khan, but I suppose it makes sense. I tried to slow the pace, actually. I feel that if ThatPersonYouMightKnow is pleased, then I've done a good job. Nonetheless, I truly value your opinion, and it seems you will be one of my most loyal readers. As for Pride Rock, you'll see…
Chapter Seven: Battle in the Jungle(20 pages)
Deep inside the cave, Simba and Nala were sleeping on the cold stone floor, Simba's wound still bleeding slightly. The cub was smiling, for he was having a most pleasant dream.
Simba and Nala were frolicking in the grass, back in the Pride Lands. Nala was running ahead, with Simba chasing behind her.
"You'll never catch up, Simba!" she called back happily.
"Oh, you just wait," Simba grinned as he ran toward her.
He soon tackled her, and they rolled along the ground until Nala was on top of Simba.
"You want me to kiss you, right?" Nala smiled seductively.
"Yeah," Simba nodded, his eyes half closed.
As Nala leaned in, her beautiful face was replaced by the terrible visage of Khara, smiling wickedly as he raised a paw to the air, claws unsheathed.
"You won't live to see this moment, Pridelander! Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"
Simba shrieked in terror as Khara swiped his paw…
"AAAAHH!" the golden cub screamed as he sat up, panting and trembling in terror. Nala bolted up, awakened by Simba's outburst. She immediately ran toward him and grasped him in a tight hug.
"It's okay, ssshhh…It's just a nightmare, Simba. What happened?"
Simba explained, "I was playing with you in the field, and then you pinned me, and…" Simba briefly paused, not wanting to reveal the next part, but skipped over it and continued, "then you turned into Khara, and he killed me in the dream."
"Oh," Nala sighed. She understood completely. "I hope your dad and everyone else finds us. Then we can get away from here. King Khara is terrifying. I can see why you're so frightened of him."
Simba nodded. It took a lot for something to frighten Nala. She and Mufasa were the bravest lions he knew…
Just then, Khara sauntered towards the den. He briefly watched the two of them as they relaxed, then made his entrance.
"Hello cubs," he purred. "Did you enjoy your hour of relaxation?"
"Yes," Simba smiled. "We did. Thank you. Really."
"Glad to hear you enjoyed something in this jungle," Khara sighed. "It took her presence, but I suppose that works."
He smiled again, and nodded his head to beckon Simba out of the cave. The golden cub slowly trotted out, but he turned to look back at Nala.
"Good luck!" she called out.
Simba smiled to himself as he trotted alongside Khara, who smiled along with him.
At the edge of the jungle, the Pridelanders were just beginning to penetrate the dark depths of the jungle.
"Mufasa," Sarabi asked, "do you really think it's a good idea to leave Zazu and the other lionesses in charge of the kingdom?"
"Why wouldn't it be?" Mufasa asked in return. "And why are we talking about that at this particular time?"
"Just asking," she responded. "I trust your instincts, my king."
"Do you think we'll find them, King Mufasa sir?" Chumvi asked.
"Well," Mufasa responded, "I certainly hope so."
The group then pressed forward into the jungle.
Khara and Simba were crouched low in the jungle grass, watching as one of the dark brown antelopes was grazing.
"Now, I know it seems intimidating, but don't underestimate your strength, Simba. I've heard tales of a cub your age that's capable of murdering adult lions. I don't remember what his name was or what pride he originated from, but it's an outstanding example you should follow. You have the potential within you, Simba. Don't waste it."
Simba crouched low to the ground, figuring out how he was going to accomplish the seemingly difficult task of killing a full-grown antelope equipped with sharp horns and hooves. Without a second thought he leapt through the air at the swift creature, but before he could make contact with the antelope, a massive creamy blur flashed through the air and landed between Simba and the antelope.
Simba looked up, and his eyes widened with surprise when he saw who it was.
"S-S-Sarafina? What are you doing here?"
"We wanted to find you," she smiled sweetly.
"Oh, so you know this lioness," Khara smiled. He walked towards Sarafina in a confident manner, smiling at her.
"It's not often we get such attractive lionesses out here," Khara purred as he caressed her face with his tail. "Come with me…Sarafina. Even your name is lovely. I have no queen, and you would be the ideal candidate. Look at this beautiful greenery! It would be yours!"
Sarafina pondered this proposition.
He is rather charming, but he's obviously up to no good. He was going to have Simba leap at that antelope for whatever reason, which I'm sure would have ended in failure. Maybe if I go with him, I can infiltrate the pride, find Nala, and distract him while everyone else follows!
The beautiful lioness smiled, "If I'm to be queen, shouldn't I meet our subjects first?"
"Of course, my exquisite acquaintance," Khara purred as he led Sarafina towards the pride, Simba trotting along behind him.
Mufasa and Sarabi sat crouched in the brush, not believing what they had just witnessed.
"She's very resourceful," Sarabi commented. "Let's follow them."
"I'll get the others," Mufasa declared. "You go on ahead. I'll be right behind you."
As Sarabi began on her way, Mufasa shook his head.
Whatever that lion intends to do with Simba and Nala, he decided, he won't get the chance. Not if I have anything to say about it.
As Simba, Sarafina and Khara approached the pride, all of the jungle lionesses turned their heads and bowed before the king.
"Ladies," Khara explained, "this is to be your new queen, Sarafina. She wishes to get to know the lay of the land before she officially agrees to take her place as my bride."
Nala sat up, her ears perked up and her eyes wide with shock. "Mom's here?" she asked herself. If Khara thinks he's gonna marry my mom, he's going to be in for a shock.
Nala then stepped out of the cavern. "Mom?" she asked.
"Nala!" Sarafina cried as she ran to her daughter, licking and nuzzling her nonstop.
"So this is your daughter," Khara smiled. "I thought I saw a resemblance. Now it makes sense. Well, in that case, it looks like the four of us will make one happy little royal family!"
"Not if we have anything to say about it!" a distinctive female voice called out.
"Mom!" Simba cried. Sarabi ran through the grass and greeted her son in much the same manner as Sarafina had Nala, except that she also embraced her son in a tight hug.
"I missed you so much, Mom," Simba smiled.
"Me too," Sarabi sighed.
"How touching," Khara dryly remarked.
"Oh no you don't!" Kali shrieked. "He's my son, not yours!"
Sarabi let go of Simba and stood snout-to-snout with the snarling Kali.
"Simba is my son, and you will not take him away from me again."
Mufasa and the others soon appeared out of the thick jungle greenery, and Khara smiled.
"Why, King Mufasa," Khara purred, "it is an honor to meet you. I've heard so many tales of your bravery and strong leadership, I never figured they could possibly be true. But now that I see you, it seems those stories were right after all."
"What is it you want with Sarafina and the cubs?"
"Well," Khara explained, "your little son wandered in here yesterday, claiming he had run away out of shame. He scratched another cub on the face, you see, and he was worried about your reaction, if I recall."
Khara chuckled and looked down at Simba, who was staring at his father with pleading eyes.
Mufasa decided to brush aside anything Simba might have done and simply focus on Khara. "Well, what happened after that?"
Khara answered, "Once he came in, I decided I would adopt him as my son, with Kali here serving as his new mother. I was going to train him to be a killer, like all of us. He tricked me when I asked him to kill a monkey earlier. Then his little female friend wandered in, and I decided to simply let both of them stay. And now all of you are here. It was from her that I learned you all came from the Pride Lands. Surrender the kingdom to me, and these cubs go free. If not, they will die!"
"You will do no such thing!" Mufasa roared, and without another word the mighty king leapt at Khara, baring his fangs viciously. The two mighty monarchs began to battle, Mufasa's jaws wrapped around Khara's neck as the scarlet king sank his claws into Mufasa's shoulders. Mufasa roared in pain, and Simba shrank to the ground as he watched the brutal scene.
Sarabi ran to help her husband, but Kali blocked her path. "You're not going anywhere," she snarled. "We're going to resolve this once and for all!"
The two lionesses leapt at each other, and the cubs ran out of their hiding place towards Simba and Nala.
"We thought you guys were goners!" Chumvi shouted.
"Wait," Malka asked himself, "is that..."
Chumvi and Tojo escorted Simba towards Mheetu, Nala, Tama and Kula as Malka walked towards the battle.
"Malka, what are you doing?" Nala shouted over the chaos.
"This pride attacked my pride a while back!" Malka shouted. "That's why I came to live with you guys!"
Everyone's eyes went wide, for they knew instantly what was on Malka's mind: revenge.
Without saying any more, Malka ran at top speed towards Khara and Mufasa. The battle between the two lions was roughly even at this point, with both covered in numerous scratches and bite marks. Malka leapt through the air at Khara.
"This is for my family, you monster!" Malka yelled as he landed on Khara's neck, biting into his mane.
"AAAH!" Khara yowled as he let go of Mufasa to attack the cub. Malka jumped off of Khara's head, prompting the red-furred ruler to chase after him.
"You won't escape the fate of your pathetic pride!" Khara declared. Mufasa got up and pursued Khara in turn.
Soon Malka skidded to a halt, noticing a large pool of green water ahead of him. He looked up as Khara caught up with him.
Khara smiled, "You'll be joining your pride very soon."
At that moment, Mufasa charged at Khara again, and Malka jumped out of the way as quickly as possible.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Khara screamed as both lions tumbled into the pool. With an enormous splash that completely drenched Malka and the rocks, the battle continued to rage underwater.
The other cubs ran towards Malka, watching the surface of the water with anxiety and dread.
Within moments, Mufasa reemerged and slowly swam to shore before pulling himself out of the water. He looked down at the cubs.
"Malka," he declared, "consider your pride avenged."
Mufasa and the cubs reemerged from the brush, and came upon a fantastic sight. Sarabi stood triumphant over a severely wounded Kali, Sarafina had beaten another lioness, and the remaining five Pridelander lionesses had beaten their own opponents senseless. The few jungle lionesses still standing were in no condition to fight. Without a word, the Pridelanders—adults and cubs—began their long trek home.
It was very late at night in the den, and most of the Pridelanders had already fallen asleep. Simba and Mufasa, however, were still awake.
"So what made you run away in the first place?" Mufasa asked.
"Well…" Simba began, "the other cubs down at the waterhole have been harassing me about the things Vitani did to me ever since I left Rafiki's place. Yesterday their leader wanted me to kiss his sister."
"Was it one of them you scratched?"
"No. It was some other cub who called me a 'stupid prince.'"
"Trust me, Simba. I fully intend on going down there tomorrow and talking to every single one of those cubs. They don't have the right to treat you—or anyone else—like that."
"Thanks Dad," Simba smiled as he rubbed his head against his father's vibrant red mane.
"Goodnight, Simba."
"Goodnight, Dad."
With that, father and son snuggled down and fell asleep.
Wow! These final chapters keep getting longer and longer each time! You may notice this is also the first story to not contain the "one-by-one" thought gag. Did you miss it? Well, at least Khara's finally defeated…or is he?
Next Time: As Mufasa tries to deal with Simba's tormentors, an old enemy of the kingdom decides to make his return…