Well, this is going to be the last chapter before the epilogue, so I'd like to thank all of you for joining me for the ride. PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO REVIEW WHEN FINISHED READING. Well, without further ado, I present to you Chapter 14!
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING
There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.
-Alexander Hamilton
"Stampede! In the gorge! Simba's down there!"
Gaudium and Mufasa perked up at the words of Scar, and quickly scurried to their feet. The three brothers rushed to the gorge that marked the boundary of the Pridelands, ignoring both weather and terrain.
Zazu quickly flew in behind them as they approached the gorge. Simba was hanging on for dear life on a small and wimpy tree branch.
"Simba! Hold on, we're coming down!"
Mufasa and Gaudium ran down the steep slopes of the gorge to assist the young prince while Scar remained on the top with Zazu.
"Oh Scar, this is simply awful-"
Scar did not let Zazu finish his sentence before knocking the hornbill in to one of the cliff's faces, causing the small bird to lose consciousness. The evil lion smirked as he continued to watch the scene below him.
The branch that Simba was holding on to was beginning to lurch back, ready to catapult poor Simba to his untimely death. As expected, the tree snapped causing Simba to fly through the air, the air pressuring itself on the poor prince as he flew.
Well, it seems that this is the end. Tell Nala that I love her and that I never wanted to leave her alone.
The young prince suddenly felt a pair of jaws clamp on to his, saving him from the stampede.
"Thanks Uncle Gaudium!"
"No problem lad."
The maneless lion gave the cub to his father, who dropped him off at the top of the cliff.
Suddenly, Mufasa slipped and fell to the ground. He unsheathed his claws, and began to scrape into the rock, trying desperately to get back to the top. He got closer, but eventually failed and was caught hanging near the very top of the cliff.
"Scar. Brother! Help me!"
The evil lion grinned sadistically, and stuck his claws into Mufasa's paws, causing the king to scream in pain. Scar leaned in close, and then chuckled.
"Long live the king!"
With this, Scar threw Mufasa from the top, the large lion slowly falling into the stampede below. Gaudium saw everything, and was raving mad. He knew what he had to do.
Gaudium ran near the stampede and leapt into the air. He pounced on Mufasa before he fell into the stampede, and took the impact in place of his brother. Mufasa regained his composure in a safe place, and looked in horror at the scene.
Gaudium was being crushed under the large hooves of the wildebeests, each step taking more and more of his life. When the stampede ceased, Gaudium lay sprawling on the ground, not breathing and without a pulse. Mufasa ran without challenge to the top of the gorge and faced Scar head on.
"This is your fault. It is your fault he is dead!"
"A well-deserved death if I ever saw one."
That was the last straw for Mufasa, and he slit his brother's throat without hesitation or remorse. After doing the deed, the king sighed, and walked with Simba back to Pride Rock.
Gaudium regained consciousness in a place quite unfamiliar to him. The surrounding area was completely bright, and the sun sat right beside him.
"Damn it! Looks like I kicked the bucket!"
"Yes. Yes you did."
Gaudium turned around to see a large lion with a black mane and blue eyes walk beside him.
"Who are you?"
"Mohatu."
"Hi Grandpa."
Mohatu chuckled before becoming serious once again. "We have some serious issues to discuss."
"What issues?"
"You, by your heroic actions today, have changed the course of fate."
"What do you mean?"
"Since time began, it was written that Mufasa would die on this day in the stampede. You would kill Scar out of revenge, and become Scelus once again. Illya would be crushed, and refuse to see you again. Sarabi would rule until Simba was old enough, and he would be a nervous and paranoid king. But you, my friend, have somehow manipulated destiny."
"So what does this mean for me?"
"You were not supposed to die on this day, so you will be presented with a choice.."
"What choice?"
"You can either sit with the Great Kings of the Past and gain your own star, or you could re-enter the physical world and continue your life."
"I think both of us know what my decision will be."
Mohatu smiled. "I think we do as well."
Well, that is going to be all for now. PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO REVIEW. The epilogue will be posted whenever I can, and I will see all of y'all next time. Until the, take care!