Misadventures of Kovu and Gurgi

By: Aria Breuer

Disclaimers: All material from "The Lion King" trilogy and "The Black Cauldron" belongs to the Walt Disney Corporation. All original material, including the plot, belongs to the author of this fanfiction one-shot like story.

Summary: While in the Pridelands, Kovu comes across a strange package. Opening the package comes a furry creature called Gurgi. Gurgi and Kovu, after this first meeting, encounter a series of misadventures. Can Kovu and Gurgi survive one mayhem after the next, in time to return to their separate lives? How did Timon and Pumbaa enter the gaming craze? The story is set after "The Lion King II" and after "The Black Cauldron". Alternate Universe.

Readers can call this story a spin-off of the Epic Struggles series if they wish. This story came to me after a strange dream I had on the morning of December 26, 2013. The only difference between this story and the dream was that Gurgi wasn't in the dream, but came when this story was unfolding. As for Timon and Pumbaa's game craze, that idea came from my childhood.

Chapter One:

Incoming Package

It was the beginning of a beautiful day. Timon and Pumbaa went out early to fetch bugs. As they did, a mysterious package arrived in a crate from the skies above. On the package were strange symbols, which neither Timon nor Pumbaa could identify. Before they could figure out how to open the crate, they were cut off by Simba's entrance.

"Timon, Pumbaa… what is that?" asked Simba.

"That's what we're trying to figure out," admitted Pumbaa.

"The question is: what are you doing here, Simba?" asked Timon.

"I was just preparing Kovu for when he becomes king," said Simba, as Kovu approached.

"Simba, what is that?" asked Kovu, staring at the crate.

"Simba just asked that question!" complained Timon. "How many times does one need to answer such questions?"

"Timon, calm down," said Pumbaa. "It's not as though we're expecting that someone is inside this mysterious wooden object."

Timon said, peeved, "Crude."

Pumbaa started explaining, "If we did, then we wouldn't-"

Kovu spotted a stick hanging out from the crate. "I wonder." He pressed on the stick, causing the crate's lid to open up; out from the crate pounced a furry grey-and-white creature. Kovu fell backwards as the creature landed on him, chuckling happily.

The furry grey-and-white creature said, excited, "Gurgi new to this land! You look like a good friend. Nice fur. Nice kitty."

Simba interfered with a roar, scaring Gurgi off of Kovu. Gurgi cried, "Oh, maybe not good friends. Good friends want to… eat Gurgi? Oh no. Gurgi's come to the wrong place."

Timon asked, "What are you talking about? Simba wouldn't eat you."

Gurgi asked, pointing at Kovu, "What about him?"

Kovu said, surprised, "You don't look like something I could eat."

Pumbaa asked, "What did you find, Timon?"

Timon said, exploring the crate, "There are strange objects in here, and a painting of my Great Aunt Trissy… egh, not the best painting of her."

"Do you mean the game systems? Someone told me about them, before Gurgi was shipped to this land. Say, where am I?" asked Gurgi.

"You're in the Pridelands," said Simba.

"What do these game systems do, Gurgi?" asked Timon.

"I'll show you," said Gurgi, jumping back in the crate. As Timon jumped in after Gurgi, Pumbaa overheard the furry grey-and-white creature explaining the different platforms and games that were inside the crate.

Pumbaa asked, peering into the crate, "Say Timon, shouldn't we be heading back to Pride Rock? Or going bug hunting, like we always do?"

"Pumbaa, I'm investigating this new equipment," said Timon. "Feel free to join me, if you will."

Pumbaa grunted. "Timon, there's something not right about… what did Gurgi call them?"

"Pumbaa, they're called game systems, platforms, and games galore! If you don't like it, then go look for bugs. Meantime, I'll investigate these games a little closer," said Timon.

Pumbaa said, fuming, "Fine. I'll go look for bugs by myself." He walked off with his head raised. A moment or two passed before he looked with regret at the wooden crate. He shook his head as he walked away.

Kovu turned to the crate, saying promptly, "Hey, Pumbaa looks down. Shouldn't you at least help him, Timon?"

"Are you kidding? Pumbaa doesn't need my help to catch bugs," said Timon.

"But aren't you two friends?" asked Kovu.

Gurgi jumped up out of the crate. "Ooh, Gurgi is looking for friends. Of course, Gurgi hasn't considered lions to not eat Gurgi."

"We won't eat you. Besides, we don't even know what you are," said Kovu.

"Kovu," said Simba, hushing him.

Gurgi thought for a moment. "I guess I'm related to a dog, but I can't be sure. Gurgi's never thought on the question before."

"Well, if it's all the same to you, you're welcome to join our Pride," said Kovu, kindly.

Simba growled. "Kovu, you don't make orders. I do, as that is my duty."

"Very well. Then what would you do with the creature?" asked Kovu, taken aback.

Simba paced back and forth. Timon jumped in excitement upon finding a racing game. Simba eventually gave his answer, "All right, Kovu, since you like this creature, he's your responsibility."

"But Simba…"

"That's my final word. Show this creature Gurgi around the Pridelands, and make sure he stays out of trouble," said Simba.

"Gurgi won't be a nuisance. No," said Gurgi, jumping up and down. "Gurgi is excited to make new friend. Gurgi can't wait to…"

"Now, hold on. Let's not jump ahead of ourselves. You're new to the Pridelands, which means you will need to understand how it's done here. Are you ready?" asked Kovu.

Gurgi panted. "It sure is hot around here."

Kovu gestured with his head. "There's a watering hole nearby. Let me show you."

Timon continued to look excited towards the games. "There's so many in here, I don't know where to start! What's this game: Sonic the Hedgehog? Or this game: Mario Brothers? Oh, I can't decide where to start first."