References to The Chronicles of Narnia belong to C.S. Lewis. References to the Harry Potter books belong to J.K. Rowling. Also, all material from "Happy Feet" belongs to Warner Brothers Company and "The Lion King" trilogy belongs to the Walt Disney Company.
Chapter Four:
News
Elijah Molvaro observed the activity in the future Earth. He found Harry Potter without any trouble, but he also found the wizard interacting with a witch. They had children and were taking them inside King's Cross Station. Figuring there wasn't any reason to interfere, Elijah left via portal from the future Earth. He arrived in the limbo world Peradus, where he was found by a group of bears. They escorted him straight to the Animal Headquarters. Inside, he was led into a small meeting room. Melissa Snowberry was present, along with Nash Wimble, Ronnie Buckley, the brown bear Mother Sinclair, and two other bears. Two scarred lionesses were present, at which Elijah readied himself for an attack.
Ronnie stopped him with a hand. "They won't harm us. Scar-ra and Katrina are working as spies for us now."
"Ah. So the heroes needed some lackeys," said Elijah.
"Not in the most vulgar manner, but yes," said Katrina.
"Hello Coral," said Elijah.
"Elijah," said Katrina, not looking up at him.
"How's the activity over at the Wizardry World? Is Harry still with us?" asked Nash, curious.
"I watched them, even talked to Harry… they won't come anymore. If Voldemort does decide to drop in on Harry, he said he'll put a stop to it on his own," said Elijah. He changed the subject. "What's the activity over in Narnia?"
"Narnia's a dead world, or so we've been told. We haven't heard word from Aslan as of late. I suspect he's cleaning up the mess," said Scar-ra.
"And the Pevensies? What of their fate?" asked Elijah.
"Wouldn't you like to know what happened," said Melissa. It wasn't a question.
"Melissa, manners," said Nash.
Ronnie inquired, "All we know is Susan Pevensie is still alive, but for how long until she joins her brothers and sister is hard to say. Aslan told us, before he left, he would help Susan in any way."
"So Peter, Edmund, and Lucy, they're all… dead?" asked Elijah, horrified.
"It's not as if we were expecting it either," said Melissa.
"So we lost two of our strongest defenses," said Mother Sinclair.
"We're talking about wizards. I don't think their defense is the same as ours," said Katrina. She was shushed by Scar-ra. "I'm serious. At first, I thought there was something good about Harry Potter, but it turns out I might have been mistaken. I thought witches and wizards weren't good, but bad."
"Hmm. You may be right, Katrina. There was something odd about Harry Potter, the moment I saw him," said Scar-ra.
"Frodo Baggins was friends with Harry Potter and Edmund Pevensie. It'll be a sore blow to him when he finds out the news," said Elijah.
"You should add our suspicions of Harry Potter. It might convince him," said Scar-ra.
Elijah shook his head. "No, he's friends with the wizard Gandalf."
Scar-ra blurted, "Gandalf's an Istari, one of the Maia. He's in line with angels. I don't think he's a wizard."
"But most people have called Gandalf a wizard," said Katrina.
"That doesn't make him one," said Scar-ra, defending Gandalf.
Elijah said, as he left the room, "I'll inform Frodo of our findings."
"If that's wise," said Ronnie. "It's been too long since you last visited him."
"Then I'll find a way to get back to the Shire," said Elijah. "Besides, it's only been two years since I last been there, when Scar-ra and Katrina were locked inside those cages."
"You know, it's true. We do look and sound like Frodo Baggins, Elijah," said Ronnie, admitting freely.
Elijah waved before taking his leave. He was escorted outside the headquarters by the same two bears. Elijah walked first to the Shoal Docks to hear any further news from Frodo's other companions. He hoped the news was bliss, but he couldn't be sure.
The Emperor Penguins finally settled down in a valley in Antarctica. Ever since the evacuation, Mumble was optimistic about helping his fellow penguins find a new, suitable place to live. He was relieved they were near the ocean, where they could catch fish as was necessary. The puffin Sven had learned his ways and was now helping the Emperor Penguins during fishing season. Erik, Mumble and Gloria's son, was growing up. His adolescent years meant learning how to fish in the ocean on his own. Just as Erik hit the water, Mumble noticed a group of all-black Emperor Penguins waddling towards the coast. Mumble approached the all-black Emperor Penguins. He wondered if their leader was among them.
"You've come a long way just to catch fish. Where's Nix?" asked Mumble.
"We've come alone. Nix wanted to swim on his own," said one of the all-black Emperor Penguins.
"Where is he?" asked Mumble.
"Mumble!" cried Gloria. When Mumble waddled towards her, Gloria said, pointing out, "Look!"
"Nix," murmured Mumble, recognizing the all-black Emperor Penguin in the water. He said to Gloria, "I'm going after him."
"Mumble, wait!" cried Gloria, only too late.
The moment after he dived, Mumble searched the waters for Nix. He found the penguin following his son. Mumble swam after the all-black Emperor Penguin, eventually finding a way to boost his speed. Mumble bumped into Nix, just before the Emperor Penguin reached Erik. Erik looked back, confused.
"Whoa, Dad!" cried Erik.
"Why are you after my son?" asked Mumble, barking at Nix.
"He's your son?" said Nix, sarcastically.
"What are you doing here? I thought you left us!" said Mumble, serious.
"I did leave you! I came here looking for you, but it seems your son is in the way," said Nix.
"Don't play games with me, Nix," said Mumble, following the Emperor Penguin back to the icy shore. Once he was back on shore, Mumble waddled after Nix. "Hey, come back here!"
Nix looked back, still walking. "It'll be your funeral. The second Maleficent finds out about your son and how you saved Frodo Baggins, you'll be sorry. You just wait. It will happen."
Mumble stopped in mid-step. He paused to catch his breath, while watching Nix leave with his gang of all-black Emperor Penguins. Mumble returned to Gloria, unwilling to tell her what he heard.
Three weeks passed over the limbo world Peradus. Scar-ra bided her time for the trip to the Pridelands. She knew Katrina would come along. She hoped their search to find their youngest sister would go well. Melena had her own opinion.
"If you see Zenith, tell her Melena sends her blessing," said Melena.
"But no one knows or has seen her," said Katrina.
"We'll find her," said Scar-ra.
Melena nodded. "Good luck to you both. Hopefully, you don't run into any villains." She added, thoughtfully, "If you do meet any villains, remind yourselves whose side you're really on."
Scar-ra led the way, with Katrina on her heels. The two passed through the portal, leaving the Animal Headquarters behind. They came out onto the borders of the Pridelands. So far, there hadn't been any sign of Simba or Kovu. Scar-ra guessed they were off doing kingly and princely duties, as they rightly should, thought Scar-ra. It didn't take them long to discover a lone lioness hunting her prey. Scar-ra, wary of the lioness, approached her. Katrina stayed out of the way as she witnessed a fight between the scarred lioness and the lioness. Eventually, Katrina stepped in.
"Stop!" cried Katrina. She spoke to the lioness direct. "We're searching for a lioness named Zenith. Do you know her?"
The lioness turned, defiantly. "I haven't heard that name in years."
"Oh, so you know her," said Katrina, curious.
The lioness answered, "That would be me, but I now go by Rogue." She sniffed the air. She then told the two scarred lionesses, "Come. We should get inside. Too many ears can hear out in these lands." She led Scar-ra and Katrina inside a cave. When they were inside, Rogue said, "How come you're looking for me?"
Scar-ra started, "Sis, don't you remember us? We would have dragged Melena here, but she…"
Rogue said, stunned, "Melena? It's been too long since Melena crossed these lands. Then again, she came by here two months ago. I just haven't spoken to her since we departed ways the first time. Too much has happened here, I'm afraid."
"What news have you learned?" asked Katrina. She was shushed by Scar-ra.
"Kovu is preparing to take Simba's place as King of the Pridelands," said Rogue. "It's a big responsibility, but no bigger than my task, I'm afraid. After Aslan left, he put me with the task of keeping villains from invading the Pridelands. So far, all has gone well."
"Why is Kovu taking over Simba's job?" asked Katrina, curious.
Rogue chuckled. "Well, you know how life is. Usually, there has to be someone to take over a position when an elder dies. No, it's not going to be soon, but then again how long do kings and lions last? I'm afraid that won't be an easy question to answer."
"So, Aslan gave you the task of keeping villains out of the Pridelands. That's a big responsibility," said Scar-ra.
"I've managed. Being the last born, I would think you of all lionesses would give me some gratitude of respect," said Rogue.
"If only gratitude were necessary," said Scar-ra.
"You still fight for the villains, Scar-ra. Yes, I've learned your new name and Coral's new name. You two may think you're heroes, but underneath that skin still resides a villainess… or two. You haven't learned what it takes to be heroes. It's a job you two haven't quite learned yet," said Rogue, scoffing.
"We were trapped in cages for two years. Give us a break," said Katrina.
"Cages do that to even the most terrible of creatures, I'm afraid," said Scar-ra. "It keeps us sane while trying not to go insane."
"Then I give you credit for your time and experience. You may become heroes yet," said Rogue, impressed.
Scar-ra told Katrina, "It's time to go, Katrina."
Katrina told Rogue last, "It was nice meeting you again."
"Same to you," said Rogue, watching the two scarred lionesses leave her cave in peace.
"That wasn't so bad," said Katrina, as she and Scar-ra headed for the portal.
"Yeah. If only we had convinced her to join our cause," said Scar-ra.
"She has enough on her plate, Scar-ra," said Katrina.
"Yeah, you're probably right," said Scar-ra. She waited until Katrina jumped through the portal before doing the same.
After Scar-ra and Katrina were gone, Rogue approached a water puddle inside the cave. From the water puddle came a face of the Evil Queen. Rogue spoke to the image reflected:
"They just left. Are you sure about this?" asked Rogue.
"You swore allegiance to us. We would take over the Prideland after Simba's death," said the Evil Queen. "Don't back down on us now." The image faded away.
Rogue shook her head. "This is wrong and she knows it."
