Chapter 6: The king's decision
(A couple of minutes later...)
While it was still night, the entire multitude of animals gathered at the bottom of the Clan Rock. To one side, Mako was next to Lea and Rahisi, being attended by the mandrill and reinforcing the bandage.
"Everyone is gathered, your majesty," Ono announced.
"Thank you very much," he said. Then, he turned to the crowd: "Friends and brothers of the Pride Lands, tonight we had a surprise attack by humans that ended with the kidnapping of our children… including mine."
He was a little cut off when he said that, as he still felt the sting of why he couldn't save Simba. Forgetting that, he headed back towards the animals.
"Although the lion guard are the protectors of the Pride Lands, I can't let them go save them, I'm sorry."
This caused indignation on the part of the crowd: was the King really not willing to do anything? Likewise, Koda couldn't believe that Dan had given up so easily, wasn't he going to do anything to rescue...?
"Silence please!" Ono told them, "The King is not finished yet!"
The public had no intention of remaining silent. Given this, Dan had no choice but to roar to impose order. As soon as he had done that, everyone fell silent.
"That's why I'm going to go after them myself," Dan finally said, to the astonishment of the others, "I'm going to go rescue all your children and mine, and I plan to do it alone."
The King's determined look was absolute and seemed sincere. That attitude did not go unnoticed by the other lions.
"Dan, you can't leave: you are the King of the Pride Lands," Akira told him.
"I know, I know," Dan replied, turning to his queen, "That's why I trust you, Shany, to handle everything in my absence."
"What are you taking about?" she asked him, "I want to go too! Simba is our son and I want him back too!"
"I'm sorry... I want you to stay and take care of Amira and the rest of the Pride. I already put you in too much trouble last time with hunters…"
There was a minute of debate with the group of friends and family. Although they knew that the King could not go alone, Shany, Jabari, Akira and Koda also knew that Dan knew those lands (Mako and Lea did not).
"But you can't go alone either," Koda interjected, still limping slightly, "I'll accompany you and use the roar! Besides, Simba is my nephew too."
"And what would that cause?" Dan questioned, "Let the humans look for more lions with powers like you! Listen: I know how ambitious humans can be and they won't stop until they hunt you down. The last thing I want is for you to be in the crosshairs of a gunshot. Besides, you are injured and the Pride Lands need the lion guard."
However, the other lions still seemed to want to oppose him. Faced with that situation, Dan had to use a resource that he did not like to use:
"Well, if you want it…" he announced, "I'm the king. And I proclaim that I will go alone on this mission and, if one of you tries to follow me, I will be forced to exile him o her"
Faced with a direct order from the king, the others were defeated. Shany, who was still worried about her husband, tried to stop him. However, Dan turned to her.
"Shany, I love you more than anything in the world," Dan told her, "And I promise you that Simba will return to the other children, even if I have to…"
"The only thing I want you to promise me is that everyone will come back, including both of you," she interrupted, "Will you?"
"I... I promise you that I will do all I can."
As the moon began to set to give way to dawn, the animals and the pride of lions were taking a last look at the lion Dan, who was leaving Pride Rock for the Lands beyond the Pride Lands. But first, he returned to where he had lost Simba, to take something he had left: a metal plate.
"As I thought, it's the license plate of the truck," he said to himself, "At least, I have a clue."
As he looked at her, feeling something strangely familiar in that number, a small flutter of wings was heard; the next second, Ono landed on his back.
"I will go with you, your majesty," he told him.
"Ono, it's very dangerous," Dan demanded, "Besides, you have a task as an advisor to the royal family."
"I have it covered. A member of my flock has offered to take my place. Besides, I have to keep the promise I made to Kion."
"Promise? What do you mean?"
"Well..."
(Flashback. Before returning to the Pride Lands, in the previous story...)
As everyone prepared to travel back to stop Scar for good, Kion spoke to Ono alone.
"Ono, you know you're one of my best friends," he told him, "So I have to ask you a favor."
"Whatever you want Kion, you know you can always count on me," he responded.
"Do you remember how well you filled in for Zazu when he left with mom and dad? "Well, I think you could be an excellent advisor."
"Thanks for the compliment, but that position belongs to Ullu"
"No... I'm not talking about here, but in the Pride Lands," Kion explained, "Ono... Koda will surely be a good leader of the guard, but it seems to me that Dan will need help as the king, so I think that you would be an excellent advisor for him, who could help him but with your great experience?"
Ono felt a little doubtful: he wanted to be with Kion and his friends, but Kion wanted him to help Dan.
"Still, it's your decision," Kion told him, "I'm only asking this as a favor… as a friend"
"If you tell me that way, of course I will help you," Ono replied, "Don't worry, I promise to accompany him and help him."
"Thank you, Ono," Kion smiled.
(End of flashback)
"I understand…" Dan told him. Then, he added to himself: "Thank you Uncle Kion."
He sighed for a second and then said to Ono:
"Well, it wouldn't matter if I brought a little help. Come on, we have a long road and very little time."
"As you said, your majes... I mean, Dan!" this one responded.