Walking into the resort Café, Lucky found everyone else was already there waiting inside. Her father, Kate, Honeymaren and Ryder were sitting at one of the tables. As well as Darius and the other teens at another. Both tables overlooking a large map over the wall, which looked to depicted the region they were in. No doubt it was where they were going in their safari tomorrow.
Jim glanced back at his daughter. Just as he was about to call to her, he was then cut off by Darius.
"Lucky, over here. Saved a seat for you." Darius called, waving his hand to her.
Lucky smiled as she walked over to their table. Much to the dismay of her father. Only for Kate to place her hand over his shoulder, offering him a look of reassurance. As if to remind him that this was common for someone of her age. Of course, Honeymaren did not share the same outlook as her foster mother. Looking over at Lucky, she frowned, knowing the real reason as to why Lucky was pulling away.
It was right at that moment that North, Mattias and Tooth came in from an entrance off to the side.
"Ah, Good, your all here!" He said, smiling.
North and Tooth walked over and took center stage before the map.
"Now, Let's begin, no? We have big day tomorrow." North proclaimed to them.
Tooth nodded her head in agreement.c
"That's right. You all shall be embarking on great Safari of the Dikaya Zhizn Reserve." Tooth said.
"Home to some of Africa's most well known and exotic animals."
Lucky and Darius glanced to each other in anticipation. Both of them having been looking forward to the safari since coming to the resort. All the while, wondering as to what animals they may see. Kenji, Sammy and Yaz looking just as excited as they were. Of course Ben was still a bit hesitant about the whole ordeal. Brooklynn on the other hand, was filming the entire thing on her phone as she usually did.
"Our main goal here at the Resort is the conservation of Africa's wildlife." Tooth continued.
"In this safari, we hope to show you some of the species we hope to preserve for future generations. And just how vital our mission is and why it's so import to care for the other species that share this world with us."
"I'm sorry, could you say that again please. And try to add to the majesty of this place." Brooklynn said, glancing up from her phone.
North nodded his head, clapping his large hands together.
"Yes, Yes, now, why don't we discuss plans for Safari, shall we?" North asked, turning back to the map behind him.
He pointed his finger along one of the pathways leading from the resort. The path of which lead to a place on the map called Shaka hills.
"Our Safari shall take this route through Shaka Hills." North announced to them.
"It's where most of the animals in our part of the region tend to reside." Mattias insisted to them.
Jim gasped with anticipation.
"The Shaka Hills! That's where I did most of my research back in the day." He said, glancing to Kate.
"Really?" Lucky asked, curiously.
"Do you know which animals are out there?" Darius asked, curiously.
"If I recall, I was researching the local lowland Gorillas." Jim said, stroking his chin.
"Would they still be there in the hills by any chance?"
Tooth nodded her head to them.
"As a matter of fact, they are. In fact, they are nesting up in the hills." Tooth insisted to her.
"Western Lowland Gorillas. No way!" Darius said, excitedly.
"Oh, please. what's so good about a bunch of monkeys?" Kenji said, rolling his eyes.
"Uh, their apes. Kenji." Darius corrected.
As the others continued bantering, Lucky's eyes suddenly shifted to the top corner of the map. It was there she noticed an area that was completely marked in red with the words, "UN Reserve. Restricted area." over it. She squinted her eyes, curiously.
She then raised her hand to North.
"Excuse me, what's that place?" She asked, pointing up at the spot of the map.
Looking back at the spot of the map she was, North, Tooth and Mattias then paused for a moment. Jim glanced up at the map, where he then squinted his eyes.
"Hey, isn't that the western plains?" Jim asked, curiously.
"That's where the local lion pride is. Odd, I don't remember it being under UN derestriction."
North turned to face them.
"Uh, yes, well, I'm afraid that Western Plains have been made a sanctuary by the UN." North proclaimed to them.
"We are not allowed to enter that part of the region."
Brooklynn glanced up at North, raising an eye brow.
"Really, why is that?"
Lucky then gasped in anticipation, thinking back to to the magazine she read.
"That must be where the White Lioness is!" Lucky said, standing up in her seat.
Everyone then turned to Lucky.
"White Lioness?" Yazmina asked, curiously.
"No way." Sammy said, excitedly.
"In my nature magazine, there's a rumor that there's a rare white lioness in a pride in this region." Lucky insisted to them.
North's eyes shifted to Tooth and Mattias, who glanced back at him, nervously. A feeling they were careful as to now show in their expressions as to now draw suspicions from their guests. Especially at the mention of a white Lioness. How it was this rumor had come to transpire was troubling in of itself. But to have it be featured in a magazine no less.
They had promised that Elsa and her pride would be left in peace. With a rumor regarding her was already bad enough. But for another regarding a certain member of her pride.
"Lucky, that's just a rumor." Jim insisted to his daughter.
"Yes, your father is right. That is just rumor." North insisted to her.
"Now, why don't we all get some rest. We have big day tomorrow!"
As everyone made their way back to their cabins for the night, Lucky looked back into the Café. Inside, she saw North, Mattias and Tooth were talking, seemingly nervous about something. It was the same look they had when she had brought up the white lioness that was said to be in this region. It almost as if they knew something about it.
But why be so secretive over such an amazing discovery?
She then paused. Glancing back at her family, they saw her making their way back to their cabin. Unaware that she had stopped. She then turned back to the café, where she saw them walking off toward the side entrance. She quickly rushed over to the side of the café, where she peered around the corner and saw them walking into the lobby toward North's office.
She squinted her eyes curiously as she rushed after them. As they walked into the office and closed the door behind them, Lucky came up to the side. Glancing up, she saw Tooth peer into the lobby before closing the blinds. Lucky sighed in relief. Only to suddenly feel a hand over her shoulder. Only to then glance back and saw Brooklynn and Kenji, who shushed her.
They then glanced up at the office, they heard Tooth talking on the other side.
"This isn't Good, North. If there really is a rumor about a white Lioness..." Tooth said, worryingly.
North came around his desk before glancing up at Tooth. He then shook his head, raising his hand to her.
"Yes, Yes, I am aware of problem, Tooth. But this is only rumor." North insisted to her.
"Yeah, but how did it get started? If people are crossing over into the western plains, we might have a problem." Mattias insisted to them.
Sitting down in his large desk chair, North gestured a nod of his head, stroking his long white beard. There had been a few attempts in the past of people who attempted to venture into the red zone as they commonly referred to it. But none of them had gotten far enough to see Elsa or the Pride. Although it appeared others were just as curious about the restricted area.
They had promised Elsa that they would leave her and her animal family in peace. But there was only so much they could do.
"Mattias is right. If anyone ever found out about Elsa..." Tooth insisted to them.
Lucky, Kenji and Brooklynn glanced to each other, curiously.
"Who's Elsa?" Kenji though to
"Maybe, she's the white lioness." Lucky whispered.
It was right at that moment, they heard another coming from inside the office.
"If who found out about Elsa?"
"Ingrid, so nice of you to join us." North proclaimed to her.
"We were just discussing..."
Ingrid came up to his desk.
"About Elsa. I already know about the white Lioness rumor." Ingrid proclaimed to her, folding her arms over her chest.
"We all agreed that we'd keep her and the Pride a secret from people."
North shook his head to her.
"Da, but we can't control all who come to our region, Ingrid. But we can't stop everyone who comes to the region." North insisted.
"There are bound to be some who will slip through."
Brooklynn squinted her eyes in confusion.
"Which is why we need to ensure no one at the resort does as well." Ingrid insisted.
"Otherwise, Elsa and the Pride will never be left in peace."
Lucky, Kenji and Brooklynn slowly backed away from the office door. They then turned to each other, curiously.
"A white lioness would be a tourist attraction. Why would they hide it?" Lucky asked, curiously.
Brooklynn squinted her eyes, cocking her head to the side. Something seemed off about this whole thing. Keeping something like that a secret did seem rather off to say the least. Especially for North.
"I don't know. But something up." Brooklynn insisted to her.
"It sounds like they don't want anyone to see what's going on there."
"So, what do we do?" Kenji asked, curiously.
Brooklynn glanced to the side for a moment. Whatever was going on, there was only way they would know. And that was to get into is if they get into the western plains.
"We got to see what's in the western plains." She announced to them.
Elsa laid awake in the cave for most of the Night. All as her other fellow pride members slept peacefully in their den. The fear of Zira lurking somewhere out there continued to linger in her mind. Staring forward at the entrance of the cave, she kept watch for her former foe. Determined to keep the rest of the Pride safe from harm.
Though as she laid over her mother's soft white fur, the wild woman found herself drifting off. Her eyelids becoming too heavy to keep open. Despite her efforts to remain awake, her tiredness had already gotten the better of her as she then drifted off to sleep.
It was upon Elsa drifting off to sleep, the entrance to the den suddenly fell dark. Something shrouded in shadows slowly approached the wild woman as she slept. As they came up over Elsa, they then grinned to her.
"I told you that you would be mine." she said.
Raising their paw, she the delivered a killing blow to the wild woman.
Elsa suddenly came awake with a sudden gasp of awe. She then stood up from her mother, gazing over at the entrance of the den. Only to see that there was no one there. Elsa sighed in relief. She then turned back to her mother and the other pride members, who were still fast asleep behind her. All of them still safe.
Though she knew that it won't stay that way. Not as long as Zira was still out there. No matter what it took, she would would keep the pride safe from harm and rid the jungle of Zira for good.
Emerging from the den that Morning, Elsa came to stand atop the ledge overlooking the jungle. Stretching her arms into air, ridding her body of the tiredness of the night before. Readying herself for what would be another day of her duties as the Jungle Guardian. Searching for Zira or any such danger that may come to the jungle. The wild woman gave a sigh of relief, feeling the touch of the warm touch of the early morning sun over her skin.
Simba and Nala had emerged from the den as came up behind her.
"Your up early today, Elsa." Simba said from behind.
Elsa turned back to them.
"What are you talking about? I always get up this early." Elsa proclaimed to them.
"Really? You normally sleep as long as the rest of the pride." Nala insisted to her.
Elsa sighed. She knew better then to argue with Nala. She could always tell with her that there was something wrong with her. She the cocked her head as she peered out over the jungle.
"I thought I would start early today patrolling the jungle. Maybe we should look the northern border today." Elsa proclaimed to them.
"Zira could be lurking near the outlands."
Simba and Nala turned glanced to each other, worryingly. They then turned back to Elsa.
"Elsa..." Nala said, stepping forward.
Elsa sighed, turning back to them.
"I know what your going to say Nala." Elsa said.
"But I..."
"We know. But you mustn't push yourself so much." Nala insisted to her.
"We know how important our duty to the jungle is and we all want Zira gone. But rushing into things won't help anything."
"Nala's right. You need to stop obsessing about Zira, Elsa." Simba said.
"It won't help anything. "
Elsa gazed out over the jungle once more before sighing, narrowing her eyes. She knew they were right. There was nothing to gain from obsessing about Zira. Just as she worried for her mother was pushing herself in the night hunts, she was doing the same. While it was important for them to find Zira, she mustn't let it consume her.
As Uncle Timon and Pumbaa always say. Hakuna Matata.
"I guess it can wait a bit." Elsa said, looking back at them.
Simba and Nala nodded their head to her.
"In the mean time, I could use a swim at Hakuna Matata falls." Elsa proclaimed.
Simba nodded his head in agreement.
"Sounds like a plan." Simba said in agreement.
Diata, Sarabi and Sarafina watched from the entrance of the den as Elsa, Nala and Simba made their way down the path. She stared worrying to her daughter. Sarabi came up next to her, nudging her side in an act to comfort her. She then turned back to her daughter, hoping for her safe return.
The improved Business' at the resort had certainly improved helped many aspects. Most notably, the Safari's into the region by both North and Mattias. With all the business' they had been getting, North was able to buy a new Safari truck. To replace the one that had broken down two years ago and had been meaning to replace.
Cruising along the narrow path, North drove through the dense jungle region. Sitting behind him and Mattias were Jim, Kate, Honeymaren and Ryder with Lucky and the other kids sitting in the very back. Leaning over the edge, Lucky was looking out over the jungle off to the right side of the vehicle Watching out for whatever animals they might see.
Brooklynn was sitting right next to her, looking at her phone. Seemingly not paying attention to what was going on. All while Kenji was leaning back in his seat with his hands over the back of his head
Reaching down to the radio, Mattias turned back to Jim and the others.
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard on our Tour through the Dikaya Zhizn Reserve." Mattias said over the truck's intercom.
"We would like to thank you for joining us on this beautiful day and for you contribution to wildlife contribution. We hope that you enjoy the tour."
Darius looked to Yaz and Sammy, excitedly. Sammy in turned smiled, jittering in her seat. Both Jim and Kate glanced to each other, smiling. All the while, Honeymaren was napping some shots of the jungle. Glanced up from her camera, Honeymaren looked eagerly at the prospect of animals they would see on the tour.
"We ask that you all remain in you seats during the deration of our safari. Our first stop, The Shaka Hills."
Brooklynn glanced over at Kenji with a sly smirk. Kenji in turned nodded his head back to them. She then nudged Lucky, who looked back at her, curiously.
"Get ready." She whispered to her.
A gesture which did not go unnoticed, by Yaz, who was looking back at the three, curiously. She squinted her eyes to Brooklynn, knowing that look on he face. It usually meant that she was up to something and whatever it was, it couldn't be good.
Emerging from the foliage as naked as they say she was born, Elsa came to stand atop a ledge overlooking the lagoon. She then dove into the water, resurfacing with a sigh of relief by it's cool embrace. Running her hands through her long icy blond hair. She had been meaning to bathe at one of the many lagoons or rivers.
"This feels so nice." she said to herself.
Laying over the rocks along the banks, Simba and Nala relaxed in the shade. Simba nodded his head in agreement.
"You said it, Elsa." Simba proclaimed.
"I told you once, I told you a thousand times. Nothing like the old Hakuna Matata lifestyle." Timon said, coming up over the ledge.
The meerkat then leaped over the edge before preforming a dive into the water. Emerging to the surface a moment later as he came up over his back.
"You predators could learn a thing or too from it." Timon proclaimed to them.
Elsa smiled, shifting an eye brow up at her uncle. Though she couldn't say that she didn't enjoy her uncle's Hakuna matata lifestyle. While she had taken her role as Jungle Guardian quite seriously, she would often take the time to enjoy the many joys of the jungle itself. Even now, after the long day of searching for danger the day before, it was good to have some time to enjoy the peacefulness of her jungle home.
Regardless of how it would last.
She then turned as she gazed out toward the jungle.
"I hope everything is okay." She said.
"Relax, Elsa, Zazu is already be out patrolling the Jungle. If anything happens, he'll let us know." Simba insisted to her
Elsa narrowed her head for a moment. She then gave a brief sigh as she let go of whatever worry she had felt at that moment. While she was still anxious to get on with her duties as jungle Guardian, she needn't not be so hasten. Wishing to enjoy the moment of peace, she turned back to the jungle smiling,
"I'm counting on you, Zazu." she said.
The safari had entered into Shaka hills as they continued to drive along the path. Mattias came up over the intercom.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Shaka hills. Formally named after a might warrior of a tribe who once lived in this region." Mattias insisted to them.
"In fact, many of the tribes decedents live in the village near the resort."
Upon hearing the mention of entering Shaka hills, Brooklynn grinned. She leaned over to Lucky, who was looking out over the jungle. Nudging her shoulder, Lucky glanced back to her.
"Come on." she whispered to her.
Brooklynn looked over at Kenji, gesturing her head to the back of the truck. Glancing over to the front of the truck, she saw that North and the other adults were distracted. The three quickly moved to the back of the truck. They them climbed up over the edge, taking one last glance to the others. Upon seeing they were in the clear, they leaped over the edge, out of the truck.
Looking back, Yaz had noticed Brooklynn, Kenji and Yaz jumping out of the truck.
"You got to be kidding." she whispered to herself.
She then stood up from her seat and made her way to the back. Sammy and Darius glanced back at her, curiously. Only to then see Brooklynn, Kenji and Lucky had leaped out of the truck and were making their way into the jungle. Darius squinted his eyes. curiously.
"Brooklynn, Kenji!' He said as he and Sammy followed after Yaz.
From the front of the truck, Balto shifted his eyes to the back of the truck. It was there he noticed the three teens jumping out of the back of the truck. He then stood up, barking to them. Mattias glanced down at the wolf hybrid.
"Balto, what is it, boy?" He asked.
Honeymaren glanced to the back of the truck, where she noticed that Lucky and the other kids were gone.
"Lucky?!" She said, standing up.
"Darius?" Brandon also said.
"North, stop the truck!" Mattias said.
North quickly slammed on the breaks as the Truck slid to a stop. He turned back to the others.
"What is going on back there?!" North asked.
"The Kids are gone. They must have jumped out!" Mattias insisted, glancing back at them.
Jim stood up in his seat as he called out to his daughter.
"Lucky?!" he called out.
"Everyone wait here!" North said.
"Balto, Mattias, come!"
North got out of the truck along with Mattias and Balto. The three circled around as they followed Balto, who came up over the spot where they had jumped out. He then sniffed the trail. curiously. North and Mattias came up behind him.
"Where'd they go, boy?" Mattias asked, curiously.
[Balto stood up, turning to face the jungle off to his left. He then rushing over, pausing to bark over at North and Mattias. The two men shifted their eyes forward toward the jungle from which Balto had gestured.
"Looks they they headed off into the jungle." Mattias said, glancing to North.
North stepped forward, squinting his eyes in the direction they had gone.
"Mattias, where does that way lead?" North asked, glancing back at him.
Mattias turned forward toward the jungle.
"If I had to guess, it looks like their heading..."
Mattias suddenly paused as the two men glanced to one another. Both of them shocked at the realization of what direction they had gone.
"Oh, no!" North said.