CHAPTER 3. THE CIRCLE OF LIFE
12 YEARS LATER
Years passed, and Simba grew into a lively young boy. He spent a lot of time with his Father, Uncle Scar and best friend Nala (who he now secretly had a crush on). That day was a special day for him. His father had promised to take him up onto the roof of the palace, which overlooked the entire capital city. It was almost five AM, when the sun was expected to rise. Simba tiptoed down the corridor, making as little sound as possible. He checked every floorboard before he stepped on it so that there would be no unexpected noises. He eventually reached his parents room. He put his hand on the doorknob and turned it so slowly and carefully so that it made no noise what so ever. He pushed the door open and crept towards his parent's bed, and towards his father's side. "Dad, wake up!" He whispered. The king moaned and looked at his watch. "Jesus, Simba do you know how early it is?" Mufasa groaned. "Yeah you promised remember?" Simba reminded him. "I know, but it's a school day, you shouldn't be up this early son." He then put his head back onto his pillow and closed his eyes. Fine then you leave me no choice. Simba thought as he clenched his fist slammed into Mufasa's arm as hard as he could. "Ow, okay, okay, I'm up." Yes! "Get changed Dad." Simba whispered to him from across the room. "No I thought I'd go up there in my boxers." Mufasa said sarcastically. "Ssshhhh" Simba gestured for him to be quiet, he didn't want his mother to wake up and find that he was awake at this time and stop him from going. He pointed at Sarabi sleeping. "Don't bother Simba" As it turned out Sarabi was awake and listening the whole time. Simba's face turned bright red.
"I knew you two were going out this morning so I won't stop you" She said as she sat upright in her bed. "But I do ask that you wear this." She revealed a light sweater under her blanket. "Yes Mom." Simba walked over and slipped into the sweater and gave her a thumb up. Sarabi gestured for them to leave.
They made their way up to the top floor and finally the roof of the palace just as the sun started to rise. "Look Simba, everything the light touches is our country, the one you will rule in future." They looked out on the horizon, past the hills, buildings, roads and trees. "So this will all be my responsibility?" Mufasa nodded. "A king's time as ruler rises and falls like the sun, one day, the sun will set on my time here, and rise with you as the new king." Mufasa said deeply "Everything the light touches...wait what about that shadowy place near the border." He pointed out to a undeveloped looking area that was in the shadow of mountain the palace was built on. "That's a rough neighborhood, one we've been trying to clean up for a while. You must never go there." Mufasa had a stern look on his face. "But I thought a King could do whatever he wants." Simba gestured towards the holstered handgun on Mufasa's belt with a wicked grin on his face. "You know Kings have to be a bit more mature than that." Mufasa said sternly. "Yeah I figured that Dad, it was a joke." Simba shook his head. Mufasa started talking again. "You see everything exists here in a delicate balance and as king you need to understand that balance. From the booming economy, to a random piece of trash on the road." Mufasa said pointing to an empty Red bull can left on the roof by some lazy guard. "Yeah but we throw the trash away don't we?" Simba pointed out. "Yes, but when it is thrown out it is recycled, so it does not pollute the air when it is burnt, if it pollutes the air we cannot breathe, so you see? We are all connected in a great circle of life." Even though Mufasa spoke wisely, Simba was tired of hearing that phrase. The hatch to the roof was suddenly forced open and Zazu poked his head out. "Good morning your majesty, Simba." He said through clenched teeth as struggled to get onto the roof. "Morning." Simba replied, a bit annoyed Zazu had to interrupt.
"Enjoying the view I see, well don't let me disturb you guys, just checking on you." He made his way to the hatch but was interrupted by a phone call. Simba couldn't help but listen in. "Yes this Zazu speaking...wait...they're where?...oh shit...okay get ready to roll out in five. Zazu out." Zazu hung up and turned towards Mufasa. "There's been an armed attack by the East Side Gang." Mufasa's eyes opened wide. He drew his Colt .45 handgun and slipped a magazine into it. "Get Scar to take Simba to school. I'll be with the SWAT team going in." His face had turned from a tired smile into a frown. "Dad, can't I come. I'll watch from the chopper quietly." Simba put on his most convincing face, he had been dying to see a real Special Ops raid. "No, this is not something you need to see. Go to school and I want to hear from Zazu that you behaved yourself there."
Zazu was Simba's mathematics teacher at Prideland High School. He was the only one along with his friend Nala that knew of his actual Job: Head of Royal Intelligence and Security. Zazu tapped Simba's shoulder. "Come on, go see to it that your uncle takes you to school, and don't look so sad. It's not a pretty job sorting out those thugs anyway." He led Simba down the hatch and through the corridors. " Oh, and you'd better have done that Algebra homework I gave you." Simba flinched. Shit, I'll have to borrow Nala's.