Here we go, Chapter 16! We're in the home stretch now! Enjoy!
SEQ. 17.1 (PRE-BATTLE BONDING)
CLOSE-UP - SIMBA'S FEET
running across the desert.
"That must've been quite a trek." Ullu piped up. "The jungle wasn't too far from the pridelands, but the heat was exhausting." Simba replied.
LONG SHOT - SAND DUNE
As Simba crosses, a breezeerases his tracks.
FULL SHOT - SUN DOWN ANGLE - SIMBA
running acrosscracked earth. His shadow is huge.
SIMBA crests a rise, racesdownhill and exits. Largestormclouds roll in behind him.
"He might want to hurry so that he doesn't get caught in that storm and get all wet," Azaad spoke.
CLOSE-UP - GROUND
Simba's paw enters the frame. TRUCKOUT to see Simba walk through the desolate land.
EXT. CLIFF
Simba enters to see:
EXT. SAVANNAH - DUSK
Parched earth. The horizonfilled with a sea of dried bones. No plant life. In the distance - Pride Rock.
"Oh no… " Binga gasped. Bunga comforted her.
REVERSE ANGLE - SIMBA
horrified at the devastation.
"It's like a shadowland." Madoa breathed. Spirit began to sing:
Fatshe leso, lea halalela. Fatshe leso, lea halalela.
Shadowland
The leaves have fallen
Nala joined her.
This shadowed land
This was our home
The river's dry
The ground has broken
So I must go
Now I must go
And where the journey may lead me, let your prayers be my guide.
I cannot stay here, my family. But I'll remember my pride.
Sarabi and Sarafina started singing backup with Spirit joining them.
I have no choice(pride land)
I will find my way(my land)
Lea halalela(tear-stained dry land)
Take this prayer(take this with you)
What lies out there(fatshe leso)
Lea halalela
And where the journey may lead me(and where the journey may lead you)
Let your prayers be my guide(let this prayer be your guide)
Though it may take me so far away(though it may take you so far away)
I'll remember my pride(always remember your pride)
Ngiza buyabo, ngiza buyabo(and where the journey may lead you)
I will return, I will return, beso bo(let this prayer be your guide)
I will return(though it may take you so far away)
Ngiza buyabo(always remember your pride)
Nala finished alone.
Ngiza buyabo. Beso bo, my people, beso bo.
Everyone except the unreformed bad guys applauded. "Your mom has a nice voice." Vitani said to Kopa.
NALA:
Simba, wait up!
She trots up next to him on the ledge.
It's awful, isn't it?
"You can say that again." Ono concurred.
SIMBA:
I didn't want to believe you.
NALA:
What made you come back?
SIMBA:
I finally got some sense knocked into me, and I've got the bump to prove it. Besides, this is my kingdom. If I don't fight for it, who will?
"You're welcome." Rafiki quipped.
NALA:
I will.
SIMBA:
It's gonna be dangerous.
NALA:
Quoting young Simba
Danger? Ha! I laugh in the face of danger! Ha ha ha ha!
Simba rolled his eyes.
TIMON:
I see nothing funny about this.
SIMBA:
Timon? Pumbaa? What are you doing here?
"Helping you. What else?" Anga pointed out.
Pumbaa:
Bowing on one foreleg
At your service, my liege.
TIMON:
Uh. We're going to fight your uncle… for this?
SIMBA:
Yes, Timon; this is my home.
TIMON:
Ffh. talk about your fixer-upper. Well, Simba, if it's important to you, we're with you to the end.
"Now those are some good friends." Surak smiled.
Simba smiles appreciatively.
(HULA DANCE SCENE)
Simba, Nala, Timon, and Pumbaa sneak up to the edge of Pride Rock. From behind a log, they observe close up the hordes of hyenas.
TIMON:
Hyenas. I hate hyenas.
"Not you two, though." Timon said to Jasiri and her sister.
To Simba, whispering
So what's your plan for getting past those guys?
SIMBA:
Live bait.
TIMON:
Good idea.
"You know that means you and Pumbaa, right?" Nuka queried.
Realizing
Heeey.
SIMBA:
Come on, Timon- you guys have to create a diversion.
TIMON:
What do you want me to do, dress in drag and do the hula?
"Oh no.." Both Timon and Pumbaa said at the same time.
Camera switch to Timon in a hula outfit. The music sung is The Hawaiian War Chant much like the Spike Jones arrangement. Pumbaa is set up like a roast pig, even with an apple in his mouth. Jungle drum riff.
TIMON:
LUAU!
IF YOU'RE HUNGRY FOR A HUNK OF FAT AND JUICY MEAT
EAT MY BUDDY PUMBAA BECAUSE HE IS A TREAT
Everyone except the aforementioned duo immediately burst out laughing, and those who were drinking beverages promptly splurted them everywhere. A few even fell out of their seats.
"This is hilarious! Oh my sides!" Sahasi chortled. "Nice dress, Uncle Timon!" Bunga snickered.
The meerkat and warthog just blushed bright red.
COME ON DOWN AND DINE ON THIS TASTY SWINE
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GET IN LINE
AAAARE YOU ACHIN'
PUMBAA:
YUP YUP YUP
TIMON:
FOOOOR SOME BACON?
PUMBAA:
YUP YUP YUP
TIMON:
HEEEE'S A BIG PIG
PUMBAA:
YUP YUP
TIMON:
YOU COULD BE A BIG PIG TOO
OY!
They run off screaming to lead some of the hyenas away. Simba and Nala get by.
Spirit and Dusty paused to let everyone compose themselves and retake their spots before continuing.
SIMBA:
Nala, you find my mother and rally the lionesses. I'll look for Scar.
(CONFRONTATION SCENE)
WITH SIMBA as he hears:
SCAR (O.S.)
calling
SA—RAAA-BIIII!
"Uh-oh. That doesn't sound good." Makini clutched her staff.
SCAR'S ECHO
Sarabi-Sarabi-Sarabi!
SIMBA'S POV
Of Sarabiwalking the gauntlet from the back of the crowd to the front, head held high. Nobody moves. The hyenasstare at her ominously. An eerie wind WHOOOSHES across the plain.
WITH SCARAND SARABI
The wind whips Scar's mane. Lightningstrikes in the distance.
SARABI:
Yes, Scar?
SCAR:
Where is your hunting party? They're not doingtheir job.
"It's hard to do our job when there's nothing left to hunt." Sarafina remarked.
SARABI:
Scar, there is no food. The herds have moved on.
SCAR:
No! They're just not looking hard enough.
SARABI:
It's over, Scar. There is nothing left. We have only one choice. We must leavePride Rock.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures." Nirmala mused.
SCAR:
We're not going anywhere.
SARABI:
Then you are sentencing us to death.
SCAR:
Then so be it.
"What a jerk." Ma bristled.
SARABI:
You can't do that.
SCAR:
I am the king, and I can do whatever I want!
"That's not how it works." Rani disputed.
SARABI:
If you were half the king Mufasa was, you wouldnev -
SCAR:
I'M TEN TIMESTHEKINGMUFASA WAS!
Scar strikes Sarabi, and she falls.
Mufasa couldn't help growling at seeing his wife attacked. "I… I am sorry, Sarabi." Scar apologized. "I know. And I forgive you. Mostly." She replied.
SCAR'S ECHO
Mufasa-Mufasa-Mufasa -
Heat lightning flashes. The thunderbecomes a ROAR.
SEQ. 19 (THE FIGHT)
EXT. PRIDEROCK - DUSK
The ROAR continues. Heat lightningilluminates the shadowyFIGURE of a LION. It is Simba, who has witnessed Scar's treachery. Simbacharges down the rock.
"Oh boy, Scar's gonna get it now…" Goigoi whimpered.
SCAR skitters away in fear:
SCAR:
Mufasa? No. You're dead.
Simba stands near his mother. Sarabilifts her head, unsure of who the stranger is.
SARABI:
groggy
Mufasa?
"To be fair, Simba does look pretty similar to his dad." Fuli acknowledged.
SIMBA:
No. It's me.
SARABI:
weakly
Simba - You're alive? How can that be?
"The hyenas didn't do what they were supposed to." Mama Binturong scowled.
SIMBA:
It doesn't matter. I'm home.
Scar regains his confidence.
SCAR:
Simba!
nervous laugh
Simba. I'm a littlesurprised to see you – alive.
On the word "alive," Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed gulp audibly and slink into the shadows.
"Looks like they're gonna be in big trouble." Dogo giggled.
SIMBA:
Give me one good reason I shouldn't rip you apart.
SCAR:
Backing into a wall, apologetic
Oh, Simba, you must understand. The pressures of ruling a kingdom…
SIMBA:
Are no longer yours. Step down, Scar.
SCAR:
Oh, oh, ye- Well, I would, heh, naturally, heh- however, there is one little problem. You see them?
Pointing to hordes of hyenas on the rocks above
They think I'M king.
"King of making bad excuses." Chuluun taunted.
Nala appears with the rest of the lionesses
NALA:
Well, we don't. Simba is the rightful king.
SIMBA:
The choice is yours, Scar. Either step down or fight.
"I have a feeling he's going to pick fight." Kion stated.
SCAR:
Oh, must it all end in violence? I'd hate to be responsible for the death of a family member. Wouldn't you agree, Simba?
SIMBA:
That's not gonna work, Scar. I've put it behind me.
SCAR:
Eh, but what about your faithful subjects? Have they put it behind them?
NALA:
Simba, what is he talking about?
SCAR:
Delighted
Ah, so you haven't told them your little secret. Well, Simba, now's your chance to tell them. Tell them who is responsible for Mufasa's death.
"Obviously Scar." Zuri rebuked.
The lionesses start. All are concentrating on Simba.
SIMBA:
Steeling himself, then taking a step forward
I am.
"No, you are not. You were just a little cub when it happened, not even beginning to grow your mane. You were not at fault." Janna reasoned. Simba smiled gratefully at her.
Sarabi approaches her son.
SARABI:
With much grief
It's not true. Tell me it's not true.
SIMBA:
Regretfully
It's true.
SCAR:
You see? He admits it! Murderer!
Lightning crashes behind Scar's head to punctuate the line.
SIMBA:
No, it was an accident!
Scar walks around and around Simba as he accuses him
SCAR:
If it weren't for you, Mufasa would still be alive. It's your fault he's dead; do you deny it?
SIMBA:
No.
SCAR:
Then… you're… guilty!
SIMBA:
No, I'm not a murderer!
"You are! You killed Scar!" Zira hissed. Ed raised his paw like he was going to say something. "Sorry, Ed. No spoilers." Dusty said. He put his paw down.
SCAR:
Oh, Simba, you're in trouble again. But this time, Daddy isn't here to save you. And now EVERYONE.. KNOWS.. WHY!
Scar has been backing Simba up the length of Pride Rock. After his last sentence, Simba slips over the edge and is clinging to the ledge by his forepaws. Lightning strikes below, igniting a fire.
NALA: Simba!
Scar sits back and pretends to think
SCAR:
Now this looks familiar. Hmm. Where have I seen this before? Let me think. Hmmm… hmmm. Oh yes, I remember. This is just the way your father looked before he died.
"Talk about deja vu." Shupavu quipped.
Scar grabs Simba with his claws as he did Mufasa. He whispers into Simba's ear.
SCAR:
And here's MY little secret: I killed Mufasa.
Simba has a quick memory flash back to that fateful instant. His voice blends with his younger voice in the scream of when his father died. In one giant leap he lunges up and pins Scar on his back. Scar is caught completely by surprise and is understandably very nervous and shaken.
"In my experience, sometimes flashbacks can be good and sometimes they can be just the worst." Kopa explained.
SIMBA:
NoooooOOOO! Murderer!
SCAR:
No, Simba, please.
SIMBA:
Tell them the truth.
SCAR:
Truth? But truth is in the eye of the behold- llgkkk!
Simba starts to choke him.
"I think that's the quietest I've ever heard him be. No offense." Banzai interjected.
SCAR:
All right. All right.
Quietly, venomously
I did it.
SIMBA:
So they can hear you.
SCAR:
Grudgingly, but clear
I killed Mufasa!
Dun dun dun! Sorry about the cliffhanger! Stay tuned for the big battle scene coming soon!