*Chapter 4: Welcome to Pride Rock*
A beautiful gigantic mountain-like rock that rested in the middle of the Savannah with a few lionesses resting on top of it. Mufasa turned back to Ajani who stared at the Pride Rock in amazement.
"Ajani, this is our home, the Pride Rock. Welcome to the pride." He spoke.
"Whoa. It's...big!" Ajani said. As the two started climbing up the gigantic rock, Ajani noticed a few of the lionesses looking over the rock and staring at him with amazement and curiosity. While he continued to climb up the rock, the boy overheard some of the lionesses' murmur.
"It's a human! What's he doing here?"
"Isn't that the boy that saved Sarabi?"
"Is it true he can understand us?"
"What a brave young human to fight off those hyenas." Ajani smiled at the lionesses. Once he and Mufasa made it to the foundation of the rock, they were approached by a red-billed hornbill that came flying towards Pride Rock.
"Sire, I had been looking all over for you. There is commotion going on in the Savannah, there are..." The bird stopped when he caught a glance of the boy standing next to the ruling lion, the hornbill gasped, hiding behind Mufasa. "A human! Sire, what is a human boy doing in the Savannah? And in Pride Rock of all places?!"
"Zazu, I found him being wrapped by Iris and was almost swallowed whole. But luckily, I came just in time and fought her off before she got a chance to eat him." Mufasa explained. Zazu gulped.
"Iris swallowing a human whole? That didn't sound like her at all. Why would she want to do that?" He wondered.
"She told me for experience after I put her in her place. But I said that humans are off limits, and she mustn't do that to Ajani or to any other human ever again." Mufasa said with a stern look on his face. Ajani kneeled down towards the bird.
"I'm Ajani. It's nice to meet you." He spoke. He held his arm out for Zazu to land on. Seeing his kindness, Zazu came out of hiding and lands on Ajani's arm to rest on. The boy grinned.
"A pleasure, young lad. I'm Zazu, the majordomo to King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi." The bird said, bowing to Ajani. "So, it is true what Sarabi says. You saved her from those awful hyenas. I never thought a human would have a heart to do something like that."
"Well, I care about animals. And I wanted to be the chief like my father one day." Ajani said.
"The leader of humans? But how come you're all the way out here in the Pride Lands?" Zazu asked.
"Zazu, I will explain it to you later. Right now, Ajani will be joining my pride for as long as he wants." Mufasa told the bird. Zazu was bewildered by the idea of a human staying in Pride Rock. No human even stepped foot in the Pride Lands and Ajani was the first. Mufasa then led Ajani inside the lion's den and see Sarabi resting with something small in her paws. Ajani kept his distance as he got a look at the queen. He remembered her well. The tan colored lioness looked up with a loving smile as her mate walked up to her and nuzzled her face. "How are you feeling, Sarabi?"
"I'm feeling just fine, my love. Both me, and our cub." Sarabi answered. The lion looked down into Sarabi's paws to see a small newborn cub resting in them. With a loving smile, Mufasa gave the little cub a lick on the head, and it opened its eyes briefly to look up at its parents, and then closed its eyes once more. Mufasa turned his attention to Sarabi.
"Sarabi, I had found the boy who saved you. He was wandering around in the Savannah and was about to be swallowed by Iris, but I managed to come in time to save him. However, he has nowhere to go now, and I had offered her to stay here." He explained. Ajani gave the lioness a small wave, smiling at her.
"Hi there." He spoke. "I'm Ajani." Sarabi smiled warmly at him.
"Come closer, child. No need to be afraid." Following her order, Ajani walked closer to Sarabi and knelt down to the queen's level, seeing each other eye to eye. Sarabi smiled more as she got a better look at him. "Yes. I remember you quite well. You were so brave fighting off those awful hyenas." She commented. Ajani scratched the back of his head, smiling. He is starting to feel bashful. He better get used to compliments like that. "For you not only have saved my life, but you have saved our son's life as well. And for that, I will forever be thankful to you." Sarabi continued. Ajani looked down to see a small golden newborn cub resting in his mother's paws. He smiled in amazement.
"Is this your son?" He asked.
"Yes, he was born just last night. His name is Simba."
"Awww. Simba. That's a nice name for a lion prince." Ajani commented. He reached out to touch him but held his hand back to look at Sarabi. "Um, may I hold him?"
"Of course, Ajani." Sarabi said. She picked up little Simba and placed him into Ajani's arms. As the boy continued to hold him and gently stroke him, the tiny newborn cub began to stir, and he opened his eyes and looked up to see who was holding him. Ajani looked down to see that he had golden fur, greatly resembling his father, had lightly colored paws, and shared both of his parents red eyes. Ajani looked down at Simba with a grin.
"Hey Simba. How you doing? I'm Ajani." He said, not expecting the little cub to answer. Ajani brought his finger close to the young cub's face and playfully waved it in front of his face. Seeing it, little Simba started trying to swat his finger away with his paws giving out tiny squeaks. Giggling at his attempts, Ajani gently stroked the small cub's head. Mufasa and Sarabi watched the adorable moment with warm smiles. Ajani could be a big brother to Simba since he is now part of the pride and family. Mufasa could teach Ajani how to protect him and train him to become a great guardian. After playing with Simba for a bit, Ajani placed the cub back into Sarabi's paws.
"He likes you already." Sarabi spoke. Zazu flew towards Mufasa and land next to him.
"Sire, are you sure this is a wise idea?" He asked. "I see that Ajani isn't a threat, but what if things don't work out? We haven't had humans around since...you know, the Lion Guard days. Don't you remember-"
"It was a long time ago, Zazu. Things can change. Tomorrow is a big day for Simba...and Ajani too. The Pride Lands will be aware of him, and he will show that he means no harm to the animals. We don't kill humans for reason. Ajani saved my queen, and I will return the favor by helping him." Mufasa said.
As the two talked Ajani excused himself out of the lion's den and feel the warm morning sun. Some of the lionesses watched him walk towards the edge of the rock. Ajani touched the necklace and looked up at the sky. He was sad that his old village is no longer out there. Maybe his purpose of being chief will have to wait. Besides, he was offered to stay in the Pride Rock as long as he needs.
"Father, give me a little time, okay? I will grow strong and do anything I can to help Mufasa and his pride." He said, gripping on the charm.
"Ajani." Mufasa spoke, walking out of the den. Ajani turned to see him. "There is something I like to show you. Come." Ajani followed the lion down the rock and found another cave with vines. They walked inside to see a den that is as big as the lion's den. The sunlight brightens up the den and there is a waterhole in the middle. And there are old paintings on the walls. "This is the den of the Lion Guard. Have you heard of them?" Mufasa asked.
"I think so... Wait, are they the ones who worked with the tribe years ago?" Ajani asked as he touched the paintings of the lions and humans fighting alongside together.
"Yes. The tribe helped the Lion Guard protect the Pride Lands and outside. But one lion used the roar to destroy the Lion Guard and the tribe. Soon after, his roar was gone. Ever since that day, humans and lions decide to protect their own kind. No longer be one. No longer connected in the great Circle of Life." Mufasa said as he remembered the story when he was a cub.
"So, you don't have the Lion Guard now?" Ajani asked. Mufasa sadly shook his head. "I'm sorry, Mufasa. But why would a lion do such a cruel thing? Does he hate humans?"
"He wanted more power. He wanted to be both a Lion Guard and a king. He can't be both. He uses his power for evil." Mufasa turned to Ajani. "Oh, and another thing. I should tell you about my brother."
"Oh?"
"Scar isn't...fond of humans. But I guarantee he won't lay a claw on you." Mufasa told him. Ajani felt nervous, but he can count on Mufasa for protecting him. "Ajani, tomorrow is going to be a big day for you and Simba. After that, I am going to teach you everything you need to know about the Pride Lands, and you can become both a brother and a guardian to my son."
"I would be honored, Mufasa." Ajani said bowing to the lion. "Or shall I call you dad?" Mufasa laughed along with him as they walked out of the Lion Guard den. This may not be like his village, but this is something better. Ajani is going to fit in just fine. The Pride Lands will welcome the human and the lion prince.