Two Brothers Under the Sun
Chapter – XV
Simba Meets the Undertakers
Forests near Hakuna Matata Falls, northern Bukuvu
Simba jumped at Tarzan but the latter managed to get out of the way. The lion cub whipped his head in the direction of the fleeing man-cub and ran in an attempt to catch up to him. As the cubs continued down to the jungle below, Bagheera emerged from the foliage, his eyes set on the pair, then followed them at a steady pace.
Since yesterday had been dedicated to formally introducing Simba to the Ways of the Jungle, today would be his first actual practice. Having taken the mantle as the cub's new teacher, Bagheera prepared another lesson for the little lion: How to move through the rugged jungle floor and climb trees to cover more ground. Tarzan was standing in for a potential prey, who Simba was trying to catch up to. There would be no pouncing, not until the panther was sure the cub could control his claws so as to not harm the boy by accident.
"Focus your eyes on the path ahead, trust your nose to not lose the scent." Bagheera gave the instructions as he approached his newest student. "And rely on your reflexes." He said as they traversed through the various obstacles scattered around the jungle floor; from plants and low branches to rocks and uneven terrain. "When you spot an opening, steady yourself and go!" The leopard demonstrated by racing up a rocky edge and jumping off it to launch himself to cover more ground, Simba circled around the rock formation while maintaining his eyes glued to the trail, as instructed.
Tarzan rushed as fast as his legs could carry him and turned in time to see the lion sprinting in his direction. Thinking quickly, the boy jumped over a large fallen log, made his way up from there, and now flung himself through the branches almost as boldly as the Bandar-log monkeys. After leaping past the obstacle, Simba's eyes drifted to the canopy, never losing sight of the pinkish ape.
"Just a few more turns," Bagheera warned the lion cub.
"I'm going high!" Declared the energetic golden kitten.
"Stay low." The panther said to him in vain. Simba raced up a bent outcrop and took to the tree-tops, hot on Tarzan's trail. Bagheera sighed in a bit of exasperation. "They never listen."
The two cubs continued to have their little race until they came by a tree intertwined by many vines and branches, interconnecting the suspended tree-tops above the forest in a series of crazy twists and turns. The man-cub hardened his resolve before he jumped onto a large thick branch and began sliding through the upper layer of the jungle's tree crowns. The lion hesitated for a second, contemplating the serpentine trial partially covered by the dried leaves, before he shook his head and pressed on, leaping to one thick branch and jumping to another, repeating the action and chasing after his friend. Tarzan stopped when he saw the next branch was too far for him to grab, bringing him a twinge of fear. Despite that, the fur-less ape backed up for his running start and sprinted at top speed to make the jump. When his legs propelled him off the wood, Tarzan's arm reached up for the next, just missing it by a few inches. Bagheera perked in worry as he watched from the floor. Tarzan fell down but, luckily, was able to grab a vine, swinging upward to the canopy. Bagheera's worried expression subsided.
Then... the vine turned, Simba's eyes widened and...
"Ahhh!-"'THUMP'"-OW!"
The man-cub collided with the kitten, flying the two of them all the way up to a different tree. Bagheera spotted the now dazed younglings on top of each other on one of the branches.
"Gotcha." Tarzan grinned despite their predicament.
"Come on, Tarzan. You went in the tree, that wasn't fair." Complained Simba as his friend got off him.
"You went high instead of sticking to the trail." Tarzan lectured him.
"But that's what you do," Simba argued in response.
"Maybe, but I'm not a lion." Tarzan pointed out as he slid down the tree's perfectly vertical trunk to get to the ground faster. He looked up to Simba. "Next time, try sticking with Bagheera."
Simba stared down from his position, from where he got a clear view of the tall drop between him and the ground, making him somewhat apprehensive about going that way.
Bagheera noticed the concern in the cub's face so called out to him. "Simba, remember when we sharpened our claws earlier this morning?"
Simba glanced at the panther before nodding; he and his new teacher had scrapped the bark of logs to sharpen their fingers, the panther said it would help him in today's lesson.
"Use your hind legs to hang on to the tree as you climb down." The teacher told the youngling. The lion gradually approached the trunk, only to cling to the branch when he noticed just how far he was to the dirt floor.
"Come on, down you go," Bagheera spoke again.
"I don't know if I can do it," Simba responded, clearly anxious.
"Come on, you can do it." Tarzan encouraged him from the leopard's side.
The lion cub took a deep breath then grasped a lower part of the tree trunk with the claws of his front legs first; he gradually moved down until his hind limbs were in position and used his back claws to grip the spot he had been moments ago. Simba tried to keep himself focused on the task at hand so he wouldn't look to the ground instead of focusing on his descent. Pounce-by-pounce, the youngling made his way head-first down the tree. He only slipped when he was already close to the ground and was able to run the rest of the way normally.
"Way to go, Simba!" Tarzan congratulated his fellow student.
Bagheera nodded at the kitten. "Shape up. You must learn your way through the canopy if you wanna survive in the jungle." Said the bigger cat as he started to walk northward.
Simba reciprocated the gesture with his head. "Yes, sir." Then he and Tarzan followed their mentor.
It hadn't taken long for the kitten to learn how to get up to the trees, his sharp claws were very good for climbing, but it would take practice for him to learn his way through the jungle's branches. Fortunately, Bagheera was one of the best climbers in the Bukuvu: being able to hang under the branches and climb down a trunk head-first; he could even chase prey on the tree-tops. The panther was sure he could teach the cub in due time.
###
Hippo Springs, Pod territory
Simba's knowledge of the Ways of Jungle grew as he spent time learning from Bagheera. The lion cub now saw the Bukuvu as his new home, which he loved to explore alongside his new teacher and best friend. Each day was like a new adventure. Each day was something new. He was learning the ropes... or would it be vines?
"Now, let's focus on stalking and catching. Remember what I told you," Bagheera spoke by Simba's side, both of them crouched down in a patch of tall grass near a grove of trees, eyes on the stone ledge around one of the last water puddles in the jungle. "Stay downwind of your prey, stay low, and be careful not to make a sound."
"Cat-like stealth. Downwind. Low. Quiet. Got it." Giving one last nod to his teacher, Simba slowly crept his way from the grass. Stealth as a cat worth earning his own food, he made sure to stay hidden amongst the yellow blades. The wind was hitting him from the front, blowing his scent away from the target ahead.
A water rat was scurrying across the floor only a few feet away from the lake's gentle stream. The little critter sniffed the air and washed its face in a tiny puddle. For a moment, it sits peacefully. Then it rears onto its hind legs, smelling the air...
That was when Simba attacked.
The mouse wriggled out of the lion's range with haste, resulting in Simba landing face-first into the muddy puddle as the rodent escaped into a nearby stone crevasse before fleeing into the bushes, jumping past Simba, who takes chase into the foliage.
Bagheera approached the rustling bushes while reminding his disciple. "Remember, the key is to use all of your senses." The leopard muttered the next part as he tried to listen to whatever was happening in the frenzy thicket. "Your sense of sound." Spotting movement at the corner of his eyes, he proceeded to track down what he identified as his student's form pouncing and bending the plants in his way. "Your sense of sight." He saw something in the underbrush trudging in his direction. "And last but not least, your sense of-"
"I got it!" From the bushes emerged a proud lion cub but his words came off slightly muffled because of...
"SMELL!" Bagheera cried out alarmingly before running off in a panic.
"Ugh, Bagheera?" Simba questioned in confusion, only then he noticed what he had in his jaws.
"Yuk, kid. You need a bath." Declared the pangolin before raising his tail...
Soon, the entire vicinity of the springs heard an angsty scream.
"BAGHEERA!"
He still had a lot to learn.
"Dang, it!" The now disgruntled and unclean-faced youngling shook off the mud from his face, unfortunately, that wouldn't be enough to get the smell off him. "I didn't make it."
"Hey, Simba!"
The kitten perked up and glanced around to find his friend riding on the head of a large, bulky gray hippopotamus, who was leading a small group of his kind from the deepest parts of the spring to the shore.
"Come over here!" Tarzan called out from the pachyderm. By the time they were just a few paces from the ringed rocky shore, the panther had already joined the lion cub.
"Your Eminence, good morning." Bagheera greeted the hippo Leader cordially.
"Morning, Bagheera. It's a pleasure to see you again." The giant responded with an outsized smile.
"The pleasure is ours." Declared the panther, also smiling. Only to then send a stern look at his other apprentice on the hippo's head. "Tarzan, what have I told you about behaving in the presence of the Leaders of the Jungle?"
The man-cub turned sheepish at his teacher's gaze. Fortunately, Basi didn't seem to care.
"It's okay, Bagheera. I don't mind." The hippo assured the black leopard before his eyes fell on Simba. "And I take this strapping young lad is Baloo's lion cub." He mused, recognizing the kitten from when Baloo had presented him at Council Rock.
"Indeed; I have been teaching young Simba here in the Ways of the Jungle," Bagheera told him before regarding his new pupil. "Simba, this is Basi. Leader of the Hippo Pods and Viceroy of the Springs."
Simba's eyes widened in recognition of whom he was talking to, prompting him to bow down, as his teacher told him to do on such occasions; Basi sent him a smile and nodded down in return. "And what a fine boy he is." A glint of amusement appeared in the Leader's eyes. "Looks like he could use a bath, though."
Remembering he was still covered in mud and stinking almost as bad as Pumbaa, a sheepish Simba looked down to the ground before he started shaking again to clean himself, making the others giggle at his antics.
"Go ahead and take a dip," Basi offered. "I'm sure the fish here will get you clean."
At that, Simba raised his brows in confusion. "The fish?"
Basi nodded. "The fish in the springs love eatin' the muck and dirt off us hippos." He turned to the side, the others did the same, and sure enough, they could see the fish in the clear water nibbling the pachyderm's body, cleaning it in the process. "They even go for the food stuck in our teeth."
"It's true, Simba," Tarzan assured from his spot on the giant's head. "They always clean me up when I come here."
Basi shifted back to look at the little cat. "Wanna give it a try?"
The lion gave the matter some thought before ultimately shrugging, he was kind of curious about it, and if that would get him rid of the mud and stench, even better. Also, it was a hot day and he could use a bath. "Eh, sure. Why not?"
Simba approached the water and dipped his paw, shivering but not stopping until he was fully immersed in the lake. He emerged up to his neck and started paddling across, getting a proper feel of the swimming, rather liking it. The cub could climb almost as well as the boy could swim, and swim almost as well as he could run. The kitten swam his way to a large smooth rock in the middle of the lake. He had just gotten to the top and instantly felt the surface sinking beneath him. He just had time to spring onto the next mound but that one moved too. This time, a huge hippopotamus head surprised him from the side, a spray of water steam blew from its nostrils, a mighty mouth gaped with water plants between the teeth, and a smiling man-cub was sitting in its snout.
"Watch your claws!" Tarzan happily ran off, jumping onto a real rock, bounding to another hippo, and vanishing behind its great bulk.
Simba started sniffing around, reaching to where he had last seen the hairless ape, trying to sniff him out, and looking around in confusion when he found that he couldn't. He turned around and sniffed for him some more, oblivious to the grinning man-cub sneaking up behind him. Simba had a full-body shudder at the sudden feeling of a water squirt hitting him from behind, making him lose balance and fall onto the lake. Emerging, the lion looked to the side to see Tarzan laughing from across a equally amused pachyderm. The kitten's expression became mischievous and he 'roared' at the man-cub as he leaped from over the hippo to get to him. The boy gasped in surprise and submerged one second before the lion dived down. They came out again, climbed to the hippo's back, and started chasing each other over the lagoon, laughing all the way. One hippo bellowed to the others and they moved into a line. The great beasts seemed to enjoy the cubs' efforts to catch one another by jumping from one to another of them.
"Live long enough, and you'll see everything," Basi uttered in amusement as he watched the two younglings. "A lion and a man-cub, playing together."
"Not much of a common sight, I agree," Bagheera said with a chuckle and a shake of his head.
"Not as common as a panther taking the two of them as his students?" The hippo's reply earned another chuckle from the panther. He turned to the pair frolicking in the waterhole. "Still, I have to say, a man raised by gorillas and a lion raised in the jungle? I am pretty sure nothing like it has ever happened before." The hippo observed.
"Wouldn't surprise me if that was the case." Stated the leopard, also staring after the two cubs. "There's never been a pair of cubs like those two or a friendship like the one between them."
The Viceroy nodded his head before glancing at the pair once again. "Whether they were brought together by chance or not, I have no doubt the Great Circle has huge plans for those two."
"I think so too." Concurred the panther. Then, he went back to addressing the pachyderm. "Also, thank you for allowing us to meet in your springs and for sending my message to the crocodile float."
"Oh, it was no trouble at all." Basi insisted courteously. "Those who can't make the trip to Zulu Falls are always welcome to seek the mediation of the pods." A serious look then adorned his face. "Also, I heard that a pack of red dogs has settled around Pinnacle Rock."
"Yes, I can attest to that," Bagheera said, a small glint appearing in his eyes.
There was a soft grating sound, as though a floating log had just touched in shoal water. The Oathsworn and the Viceroy spun round quickly and faced (it is always best to face) the creatures they had been talking about. Three crocodiles had their bodies lifted above the ground as they walked in the upheaval of mountainous grass so as to not cause a commotion from the bystanders, three plover birds in attendance, their eyes set on the springs ahead. They are all three fully grown reptiles, fearsome, powerful, and proud, with a shared dignity running between them. The one in the center had the yellow points of his upper teeth just overhanging his beautifully fluted lower jaw. His snout was long and his scales, swamp green. He had several bright green scales running along his back, and several green spots as well as a couple of spots on his cheek in a dark, dull green color and several darker green stripes on his tail. His claws are black. His back and tail had small, rounded dark green plates. His eyes were shrewd came from a long life of experience, as one should expect from one of the jungle's greatest undertakers.
They see Bagheera and Basi, meeting their gaze while keeping their unflinching stride even as some of the hippo's pod-mates gathered a short distance away from them. They face the pair across the lake in tense silence, it was at that moment that the younglings noticed the reptiles' presence, bringing back memories that choked the duo with dread and made them retreat behind one of the females in the waterhole.
A moment later, Basi's pleasant smile returned. "Morning, Pua."
"Good morning, Basi." The crocodile greeted back, sporting a deep, imposing voice.
"What are they doing?" Simba asked as he watched the grownups with Tarzan by his side, shivering a secret shiver at the sight of the crocodilians.
"Bagheera said he needed to speak with the crocodiles, they don't know about those red dogs," Tarzan told him, not like that did much to ease his own nerves. Especiall when they opened their maws, revealing their powerful teeth.
"Good hunting, Bagheera. It's been a while." The old hunter pushed and panted and grunted up the bank as he shoved his bloated barrel-body along between his crutched legs. Then he settled down, the younglings could not help but stare for the hundredth time when they saw how exactly the crocs imitated a small bunch of logs adrift on the bar. The Leader had even taken pains to lie at the exact angle a naturally stranded log would make with the water, having regard to the current of the season at the time and place. All this was only a matter of habit, of course, because they had come ashore for business, not hunting. Basi had stepped aside to let the croc and the panther start their little meeting.
"Fear not, little ones," Assured the hippo whose back the younglings were crouching on. "Crocodiles keep their mouths open to cool themselves on a hot day, they mean no harm." She shifted back to the meeting. "Look."
"Good hunting." Bagheera offered greetings of his own once crocs closed their jaws. "I beg your pardon for interrupting your slumber, Pua. But I felt you should know about our new neighbors."
Offering an understanding nod to the big cat, Pua responded. "The tick birds mentioned a new pack of hunters in the Bukuvu. That is much our concern as it is yours. Have you and the Colonel spoken with those 'dholes'?"
"Yes, and while I made sure to consider your float's interests when we made the agreement, I will be sure to report to the Colonel if there is anything you would like to change."
Pua nodded again, appreciating the feline's thoughtfulness. "Very well, first thing first. What can you tell me about those red dogs?"
"Their old hunting grounds were on highlands of the north but they were forced away, the Colonel agreed to let them stay here as long as they follow the Jungle Law." Bagheera briefed the Leader of the float.
"As expected from the Colonel," Pua listened keenly interested before asking more questions. "What kind of beast are they?"
"They fight like the Bandar-log monkeys, using their strength in numbers. They are barely the size of a fox yet I heard that their kind does not begin to call themselves a pack until they are one hundred strong." Informed the panther.
Pua's expression became both intrigued and a bit concerned. "And how does their group compare to a pack?"
"From what I have seen, they have enough hunters to cover the whole side of a hill," Bagheera said.
"That's too many predators, they could overrun the hunting grounds." Pua pointed out, not eager to face such a potential crisis.
"Why would we back down to a bunch of foxes?" One of the younger crocodiles scoffed as he came forward to interject. "If those 'dholes' think they can just come over and take our game, I will show them the pecking order." He clenched his claw on a rock, cracking it to pieces.
"Calm yourself, Makuu." Pua chided him before looking over at the leopard. "I am hoping there won't be a reason for us to fight, and that their Leader feels the same?"
Bagheera took a moment to answer the Leader's question. He was no more interested in spilling more senseless blood in the jungle but nonetheless, he was not going to lie to the undertaker, despite knowing that little bit of info would not do any favors for the peace between the crocodiles and the dogs. "In all honesty, they did not make a good first impression when they arrived."
Pua's eyes quirked. "Did something happen?"
"Fortunately, nothing too serious." He admitted, though he then murmured under his breath: "Though not thanks to them." After that, he raised his voice and continued. "My students were ambushed by the waterfall, the dogs had no permission to hunt and ignored the Colonel's Safe Call."
"What...?" Pua said in shock and revulsion. "They dared to do such a thing after being granted hospitality by the elephants?"
"Yes, they came pretty close to starting a fight right then and there." Continued the leopard. "Thankfully the Colonel was near to defuse the situation."
"Such a lack of respect." His slit eyes narrowed. "What punishment they received from the Colonel?"
"The elephants still allowed them to stay but let me set the conditions for it," Bagheera told him. "And as I said, if there is anything else you would like to include in the terms, I will take them to the Colonel himself."
Pua nodded, still irked but satisfied for now. "Then let us hear them."
Bagheera laid out the terms he had presented just a few days ago to the dholes following the incident by Hakuna Matata Falls. The crocodiles interjected once or twice to question some of the conditions in the agreement, specifically the ones concerning the division of the hunting grounds, which groups were off-limits and which weren't, and exchanging Safe Words. The Khan was brought out in the conversation before Bagheera told them about the tiger's ongoing campaign in the Theluji. In return, Pua informed the panther that Sabor was seen hunting in the Floodplains, confirming she had been pardoned for her transgression from many Seasons ago; something that did not sit well between the two beasts. Afterward, they addressed the Floats' main concerns and double-checked the rest. Basi would speak whenever he had his own propositions to offer or to advise the two predators in regard to theirs. From time to time, the cubs would perk up to listen to the grownups talking, particularly when they mentioned the huntress.
After all was said and done, Pua turned around and offered his tail to Bagheera, who shook it with his paw, putting the talks to an end. Tarzan and Simba watched from the lake as the two beasts settled their agreement with an understanding glance, the best signature there can be.
"Very well," Bagheera said. "After I inform the Colonel, do you wish for me to tell you right away or wait until the rains return?"
"No offense, Bagheera, but that's something I wish to talk about with the Colonel myself," Pua responded. "You have done enough by telling me about this in the Dry Season. Once the waters rise up, I will call the other float leaders so we can run this past a Council, and then we will send somebody to speak with Colonel Hathi at Zulu."
"Understood." Having offered the reptile a nod, Bagheera's gaze shifted to the spot where he knew the two younglings were eavesdropping on the conversation. "I would like to properly introduce you to my disciples." He said to the Croc Leader. "In the days to come, the two of them may have the need to counsel with your Float."
After processing the panther's words, Simba exchanged a cautious glance with Tarzan, realizing this was their cue to reveal themselves to the crocodiles; the prospect of it, of facing those fearsome beasts for a second time, sent chills down the spine. Despite his reservations, the naked ape moved up to the hippo's back and sat down in front of the group. Pua's vision fell on Tarzan, having marked the boy well from all the times he spotted the man-cub walking around the Eastern Bank from afar, always at the panther's side. Back then, he looked more like a small frog than anything, now he could be mistaken for a furless Bandar-log. The boy leaned towards Simba and encouraged the kitten to join him, a moment of hesitation passed before the lion accepted the boy's hand and got on top of the pachyderm as well, in full view of the crocodilians.
"This lion cub is your disciple?" Inquired Pua, in slight astonishment. His Float had only heard about the Pride Lands monarchs from the mouth of Outlanders; like when they were stalking the herds from abroad and listening in to their conversations on the riverside or when a new flock of plovers entertained them with stories from faraway lands. The lack of stripes or rosettes on the kitten was enough to clue him in this was not a cat from the jungle.
"Yes. You see, they stumbled on each other in the jungle and Baloo took Simba in." Bagheera informed as the pair gradually made their way across the water in the panther's direction.
"Is that so?" Pua watched in interest when Tarzan and Simba arrived at the leopard's side. Crouched down near his mentor's leg, the lion just stared back to the croc also with curiosity though with a noticeable twinge of fear. Young Tarzan was no different yet that didn't stop him from standing protectively in front of Simba and his eyes never cowered under Pua's gaze. The Leader couldn't suppress an amused chuckle at the sight of a scrawny, hairless half-pint defending one of the most dangerous beasts in all of Africa. "Uh, and to think I decided to estivate sooner than usual."
"Pbbbt." Apparently, he wasn't the only one who got amused by that. "That's not a king. That's a fuzzy maraca." Makuu, all the way back with the other crocs, commented in a low voice but Pua still heard him.
After turning to give his underling a stern glare, Pua went back to address the cubs, just missing the words of reassurance Bagheera whispered to them. Not moving from his spot, the great reptile simply lowered himself to the ground, meeting them at eye level. "Your teacher and I have known each other for many Seasons, he's always been a good and fair predator. When you grow up, I would not want to anger him by eating you by mistake." He lifted himself and addressed those in the vicinity of the lagoon, stopping at Basi and Bagheera. "From this day forth, I hereby decree that, so long as they dwell in the Bukuvian jungles, no harm shall come to them from my Float."
Pua started inhaling a huge quantity of air, noticeably causing his body to inflate before he raised his head and tail out of the water and slowly waved his appendage back and forth. Then he puffed out the throat and, with a closed mouth, began to vibrate the air inside his lungs. The ground vibrated all of a sudden and ripples appeared on the water as if it was "dancing". And if one paid close attention, one could hear a croon that sounded as if something was humming underwater.
The hippo and the panther had the same look on their faces: gleaming eyes and an O-shaped mouth. Snapping out of his stupor, Bagheera turned to his confused students.
"The Safe Call of the Float." He told them, making the pair turn their attention to him before he continued. "It will do you good not to forget them. Just say those words and every hunter in this Float will know not to attack you." He looked back to the crocodile Leader. "That is the Law."
Recalling another of his teacher's lessons from the day after his adventure down the Dirisha, Tarzan let go of his mentor's legs and slowly walked in between him and the croc. Sucking as much air as his lungs would allow, the man-cub puffed up his cheeks before he lay on the shallow water, and started vibrating. The answer was a perfectly indescribable croon, not powerful enough to be heard on dry land but distinguishable to those nearby, while also giving the words a high-pitched sound.
Pua looked surprised until he let out a bemused chuckle at that. "Heh, I see you have been teaching this one crocodilian." He said, turning to the boy's teacher.
Bagheera responded in kind before following it with a nod. "Figured this would be a good skill for him to learn."
"Indeed," Pua now regarded Simba, who hadn't moved from his original spot. "But what about this one, can he speak as well as you?"
"I was planning on teaching him later." Responded Bagheera. Simba was looking down in doubt when Tarzan came over to him.
"Come on, Simba, it's just one phrase." The man-cub nudged the kitten to try.
"Easy for you say, you know all the tongues of the jungle," Simba remarked blankly to the boy. Just learning to roar was difficult enough.
"Perhaps another time then," Pua said as he smiled nonchalantly. "Now that we're awake, we'll need water for the rest of the Dry Season." He shifted his head to speak with Basi. "Any idea where we'll find it?"
"Since you are here, I will gladly let you stay." Declared the hippopotamus. "There is an underwater cave not too far from here."
"Thank you, Basi, but I and my companions are also hungry," Pua turned to the waterhole. "How are the fish today?"
"More than last Season, Pua," Basi told him but then shook his head. "But not enough for your float, swim by when the waters rise?"
Pua looked slightly disappointed but nodded nonetheless. "If that's how it must be." Shifting himself, he now addressed his float-mates. "Move on, my friends. We will eat somewhere else today."
"Wait." Makuu stepped forward, jaded. "Pua, you said we were gonna eat fish."
"Makuu, there is not enough fish yet." The Leader responded. "You heard Basi, we will find food somewhere else."
"Then, let's go hunt in the delta." The younger crocodile said.
"Weren't you listening?" Pua reprimanded his underling. "We still have to work an arrangement with the dholes before we can go back to hunting there." The Elder wasn't going to risk an incident with the new neighbors.
"Oh, I heard you." Makuu narrowed his eyes. "But why should we crocodiles step down to a pack of dogs?
"I told you before, Makuu. It's the Great Circle of Life." Pua argued back.
"So you say." Makuu snorted, circled around his fellow crocs, and spoke out loud in full view of everyone present. "But I think you are just afraid of them. Well, I'm not." He stopped after his declaration and faced Pua with a feral grin. "That's why I call for a Mashindano."
Suddenly, there was no sign of movement by the lagoon. Everyone present now had their eyes on the two crocodiles. The float-mates just stared at their Leader, awaiting his reaction; the cubs looked at their teacher, was it worry, surprise, or both that the pair could see in his eyes? Towering behind them, Basi narrowed his eyes at this turn of events, showing a serious glint that wasn't there before.
"A Mashindano?" A surprised Pua reproached.
"You heard me." Makuu declared, still sporting a sinister grin. "Now either accept it or surrender your leadership, immediately."
Pua's jaw clenched in response. "I accept your challenge, Makuu." He proclaimed evenly before addressing the rest of the float. "In accordance with tradition, the Mashindano will take place in the Dirisha Delta at sunset." He turned to the baffled plovers on the tree branches. "Spread the word."
With that last command, delivered in a calm but unwavering voice, the undertaker led his warriors away. They now had to wake the others in slumber and tell them of the great duel that was to take place, whether they were going back to sleep afterward or not will be decided in the evening. Makuu's wicked smile of arrogance remained as he followed the float from the back, eager for his moment of triumph.
With the plovers flying away with haste and the crocodiles marching out, no sound was heard in the lake. The silence was finally broken when Bagheera turned to the hippo. "Basi, Can't you do something about it?" Asked the concerned panther. "You are the Viceroy of the Springs."
Basi only sighed in disappointment as he regarded the feline. "Maybe so, but as a King, I must respect the customs of all animals in the jungle. Makuu has the right to challenge Pua for leadership of the float."
Feeling uneasy at the sight of his mentor lowering his head with visible worry in his eyes, Tarzan came to ask. "Bagheera, If that Makuu guy wins, what does it mean for us?"
"I'm afraid I can't tell," Bagheera admitted. "The most we have exchanged with each other is a few passing glances. But the crocodiles are proud warriors who respect strength and cunning over anything else." He looked in the direction of the Float. "So, he can either be a reliable ally or a terrifying enemy."
"You don't think he will join Shere Khan, right?" The man-cub spoke with concern.
"No, he wouldn't do that." The leopard quickly quenched the boy's worries. "His float makes their nests close to our side of the river. If he were to side with the Khan, the Colonel would drive them out."
"I don't like this 'Mashindano' thing." Said an anxious Simba before he looked over to the grown-ups. "Why should a fight determine who the crocodile leader is?"
"The jungle can be a very dangerous place, little Simba." Basi started. "While wisdom and respect are important qualities for a Leader, only the strong can protect their own. I myself became a Leader at a young age and led hippos with far more experience than me." He continued. "It took me a while before I could command the pod without their guidance and wisdom."
"Do you suppose Makuu will be humble enough to do the same?" The panther spoke again. "If he wins tonight?"
There was nothing the hippo could offer his friend except a solemn shake of his head. "If he does win, we will know soon enough."
###
Dirisha Delta, West Bukuvu
Bundo loped across the numerous scattered islands with his hunters, sniffing at the marshy ground, before peering across the land. Together, the group trudged across the green grass and patches of reeds, the purple sky shining above them. But as the dog went back to running he paused to sniff the air, pinpointing the scent he was looking for, then continuing with the search. Finally, he stops, prompting the others to do the same, hackles on his back rising, and ears pricked up, he growled at the sight ahead of him. Dozens of vultures had descended into a shallow stream, squabbling, and pecking as they clustered around something on the ground. The red dog growled louder and led his hunting party on a charge at the scavengers. The carrion birds flap away to safety, shrieking in protest. A dead lechwe lies facedown in the murky water, having succumbed to the damage of his wounds. Part of its hide had been stripped away by the birds, leaving his bare body to the elements. The dhole Leader walked to the dead antelope ahead of the other members of the clan, sniffing at the corpse's face, he licked his lips in anticipation of a good meal.
But suddenly, something in the air disturbs the dogs, who look up. And now Bundo and the others hear it, faintly, in the distance. Hoofbeat, marching herds. The dogs run, abandoning their dead prey as they retreated back to the dry land. Soon after, several groups of antelopes stormed from the shoreline to the north into the area of low, triangle-shaped flat land where the river divided into several smaller streams that flowed towards the Great Waters. Riding with and alongside the great stags are the Leaders of smaller creatures as well as the Oathsworn. They all have come to watch the fight.
"Oh." One of the animals grunted in the crowd.
Timon's voice was heard right after. "Excuse me!"
Another animal, this one closer to the front, yelped. "Ow."
Signs of movement could be heard in the crowd, coming closer and closer to the center.
"Hello!" Another jaded animal squeaked.
"Pardon me." This time, it was Bagheera who spoke.
"Goodness." Grumbled a female zebra.
"Make room, make room." Called out the meerkat as he led the group through the masses. "Watch it, Twiggy. I'm walkin' here!" Some of the animals snorted and others glowered at them as they pushed their way through.
"How are you doing there, Pumbaa?" Baloo asked the warthog he was currently lifting above his head, which would hopefully keep his secret weapon under control.
"I am okay." Suddenly there was a gurgle. Pumbaa shrunk down nervously. "Then again, maybe not."
"Are you sure you know where we are going?" Simba asked as he followed behind Baloo.
"Sure I do." Timon declared from the front of the line. "Trust me, these are the best seats on the riverbank."
The boys eventually came out of the crowd and walked up a small hill with rocks piled up to provide a good view of the surrounding area. Baloo put Pumbaa to the ground and leaned on his back against a slanted outcrop to make himself comfortable. The warthog came closer to the edge and sat down before Timon came over to his head to see the fighting pit. Bagheera towered over the others as he stood on top of the stone where Baloo was lounging, equally determined to watch the fight from a vantage point. Simba was looking around the place when Timon turned to him.
"See, what did I tell you?" The meerkat smiled in self-pride.
"Must be an old leopard scouting point," Bagheera commented. That hill was a good place for a predator to keep an eye on the herds crossing the delta.
"Was, Baggy. Was." Baloo corrected him as he folded his arms behind his head. "Now it's our seats for the Mashindano." He sighed in comfort before asking. "Say, do you know where Tarzan is?"
"He went to talk to his mother about letting him watch the match." Said the panther, having come with the man-cub to speak with his mother about it. While this would be a somewhat educative experience, he could understand Kala's concerns about letting the boy watch the Mashindano. Fights like this could be vicious, after all. In the end, he hadn't gotten a straight answer from her before leaving.
"There they are," Simba exclaimed as he saw the pair making their way through the crown, the man-cub riding on the she-ape's back. "Tarzan, Aunt Kala, here!"
Mother and son whirled their heads when they heard their names being called and found the lion cub waving at them from a solitary hill, Baloo turned to do the same. Tarzan jumped off his mother and ran ahead to the group while Kala followed at a steady pace.
"Kala? I didn't expect to see you here." A surprised Bagheera admitted, the cubs sat beside each other in front of the bear.
"Well, Tarzan wanted to see the match and I didn't feel comfortable letting him come on his own." She told him. The gorilla then turned her head to the delta. "Besides, I own Pua that much for letting us cross his dwellings that night."
The panther nodded in understanding at the female's words though he was still curious. "So, that means others from the Troop came as well?"
Kala shook her head in response. "No. The others are already settling down for the night but Sokwe offered his best wishes." She told him. "Also, Terk will probably ask about it when we come back."
Bagheera had expected as much. As the group talked amongst themselves, another posse was making its way through the crowd. It seemed that no matter where it was, a Mashindano always attracted large crowds of denizens. Despite how long it's been, Bundo could remember the day he challenged his predecessor for leadership of the Clan. But the matches in the highlands were nowhere as crowded as this, though. And when he spotted the man-cub with the orangutan nowhere in sight, the red dog remembered his time hunting in their former territories.
And how easy it was to make an ambush while his prey's companions were distracted.
Bundo licked his lips wickedly as he stood in front of his halted pack. "Maybe I can still get to the man-cub."
But before he could even stalk toward the youngling.
"Excuse me, little fellow."
The dhole stopped dead in his tracks, feeling a chill run through his entire body all the way to his puffy paws. And his packmates weren't far behind. It was at that moment that he noticed the shadow casting over his entire group. Slowly very slowly, Bundo turned to address the one who had spoken and came face-to-face with a giant. His round body, short stubby legs, and button eyes could have fooled an unwary hill dog into thinking him nothing more than a fat, plodding glutton. But, as new to the jungles as he might be, Bundo already knew, this is not an animal whose patience should be tested, otherwise, the last thing you will see is a pair of massive jaws closing around you before they rip your body to pieces or crush it inside their mouths. They are surprisingly fast when threatened, extremely powerful, and incredibly defensive of their home and family, the only ones who can stand against them one-on-one are rhinos and elephants.
To quote one of the first things he learned since he got here, right after that debacle with the elephants: if it's three times bigger than you and weighs three tons more, it's gonna crush you.
"Could you please move over?" Basi asked cordially in his usual upbeat disposition. "We can't see well from here."
Bundo snapped out of his trance and glanced behind the hippo to see a female and calf, most likely his mate and offspring respectively. He then coughed to regain his tone and answered the Viceroy with an exaggerated smile. "Of course, your eminence."
After giving space for the Family to pass and watching as they had a friendly chat with the panther and the man-cub, it took all of Bundo's willpower to keep him from doing something imprudent like committing suicide.
"Would you like some food, Mr. Basi?" Pumbaa offered amicably.
"Sure, what have you got?" Basi's smile disappeared when the warthog showed him a huge log full of bugs.
"Here, I got the extra-large so we could share." Pumba beamed, oblivious to the nauseous look that passed by the Viceroy's face.
"Um, a-actually I just ate." He politely refused. "Thanks anyway."
The hog nodded with a shrug and started eating from the log.
"Can you see all right, Little Britches?" Baloo asked the cubs as they stared over the delta from Kala's shoulders.
"Yeah, it's fine," Tarzan said before he joined Simba and the two of them gazed across the area; from the point where the broad river turned into a web of small creeks, from north to south shore, the Dirisha was crowded full of spectators.
"I didn't think it was going to be this big," Simba commented. That match between those warthogs back in the wallows simply couldn't compare to this. He turned to the grownups. "They are all here to see the match?"
"That's right." Basi nodded his head. "Pua's Float controls the fords of the Dirisha Delta and many animals make the crossing here to reach the other side, so this is a perfect chance to make new agreements with the crocodile Leader for safe passage." The hippo explained, "Especially now in the Dry Season."
"Hey, look!" Kala called to get the group's attention to the front. "The Colonel is going to announce the fight."
"Attention, everyone. Attention. Everybody, gather round." As befitting of such an occasion, Colonel Hathi himself was present. "We'll be starting in just a few moments, yes. Now, there's plenty of room." He organized the masses as he made his way to the island where the match would take place, stopping when he saw an otter on a suspended root. "Ma'am, could you just scoot over one?" The female turned and only then realized she was accidentally pressing a line of plovers against the tree's trunk; the otter chuckled nervously as she moved to give the birds some space. The Colonel sent her a nod in response. "Very nice."
Lifting his chin, the elephant marched to get in position on the front row of the crowd assembled around the Northern riverbank, Tantor struggled a bit after his father but managed to stand beside him. A single stomp from the pachyderm made all the animals cease their chattering and focus their attention solely on one of the bigger islands of the delta, the fight was about to start. Crocodile floats from each ford in the jungle had come to the event and now they formed a circle in the center of the island and started chanting.
"Mah-shin-dah-no!" "Mah-shin-dah-no!" The great reptiles picked their sides based on whom they rooted for.
"Mah-shin-dah-no!" "Mah-shin-dah-no!" Some of the herds also had their own expectations for a winner while others were there for a chance to speak with the croc Leader, not caring much about how the challenge would turn out.
"Mah-shin-dah-no!" "Mah-shin-dah-no!" Several of the pachyderms in attendance marched in place, matching the thumping of their feet to the beat of the chant.
The two undertakers approached each other until a dozen of yards or so was left between them. They stared at one another for several seconds, seizing their opponent.
"Your confidence is admirable, Makuu." Pua's eyes narrowed at his adversary. "Your oversized ego is not."
Makuu scoffed at the elder's words. "You're old and weak, Pua!" He smiled sinisterly and looked up into the sky. The vultures wheeled overhead, cawing. "Today is the end of your reign!"
"Mah-shin-dah-no!" "Mah-shin-dah-no!"
With that, he charged. Pua squirted his eyes and dodged the attack by running under Makuu when the latter surged from above.
"Mah-shin-dah-no!" "Mah-shin-dah-no!"
The younger crocodile latched onto the ground with his claws to stop and turned in time to receive a powerful blow from Pua's tail, strong enough to send him across the field. Getting back up, Makuu glared fiercely at Pua.
Baloo cheered. "Ooh, yeah! First point goes to Pua!"
"But that won't do much for him if he loses." Bagheera looked on worried.
Noticing the panther's mood, along with the fact this fight was reminding him a lot more of Kerchak and Tublat's battle than the one between the warthogs, Tarzan asked. "How long will they keep fighting?"
"They will keep going till one of 'em surrenders." Bagheera breathed out, his eyes not leaving the two crocs. "That's the crocodile way."
"Baggy's right," Baloo added. "To crocs, wrestling is serious business."
"Mah-shin-dah-no!"
Pua and Makuu clashed against one another. The Challenger backed away to whip his tail against the current Leader, making him disoriented and giving him the chance to strike with his paws, sending Pua to the ground.
The spectators flinched at that; Tantor hid behind his father's leg.
The Leader knocked off the challenger when the latter went in for a finishing move, then Pua galloped with his legs in perfect synchronization and slammed full-force into Makuu, making him roll and bounce all the way to the edge of the island.
"Mah-shin-dah-no!" "Mah-shin-dah-no!" "Mah-shin-dah-no!" "Mah-shin-dah-no!"
Timon cringed along with the others in the crowd. "Ouch. He's gonna feel that in the morning."
Kala watched the event with a pang of sadness. Ever since the troops united, the biggest scruffles among the gorillas had boiled down to the usual play wrestling here and there (excluding Tublat's betrayal) and she much preferred that over this. "Why do so many disputes have to be resolved with violence?"
From beside her, Pumbaa had a similar expression. "They really take this a bit too seriously, don't they?"
"Mah-shin-dah-no!" "Mah-shin-dah-no!"
Pua walked to his downed adversary, Makuu's eyes shot open before he proceeded to tackle the Elder to the ground, getting on his back and forcing his head to the floor as he gripped one of his front legs between his jaws.
"Makuu's got Pua with the jaw vice!" Baloo shouted. Timon disappeared inside the hair of a now bent-down Pumbaa who was hiding his head with his hooves, neither of them eager to see how this would turn out.
"Come on, Pua," Bagheera uttered in a low voice. "Get him."
Pua grunted in pain and struggled due to the opponent's hold but managed to swing his tail against the back of Maku's neck, making him let go and giving Pua an opening to catch him in a jaw bite of his own. Pua pressed on Makuu's back with his Upper-body while grappling his front leg with a powerful bite.
"Ooh! Pua with the escape and mount! Claw bar!" Baloo cheered with greater vigor from the promontory. "Makuu's in trouble!" Bagheera was relieved but didn't show it as jolly as the bear. He just smiled down to the fighting pit.
"Mah-shin-dah-no!" "Mah-shin-dah-no!"
Makuu struggled momentarily against the older croc's weight but after taking a moment to regain his second wind, with a roar of sudden all-out effort, he threw him away to attack once more. The two great crocodilians got themselves on a death roll that concluded when Makuu catapulted Pua along the fighting pit.
"Whoa! What an escape!" Baloo couldn't help but stare impressed at the Challenger.
"Mah-shin-dah-no!" "Mah-shin-dah-no!"
Pua got up yet his body trembled as he tried to catch his breath, straining and panting heavily.
Noticing that, Makuu smiled sinisterly. "Ran out of tricks, Pua?"
"Mah-shin-dah-no!" "Mah-shin-dah-no!"
He collided against the Elder, launching the two of them to one of the many small creeks scattered across the delta, the Dry Season having exposed their dried mouths hanging clear above the waterline. Makuu was on top of him, and Pua fought as hard as he could to keep the Challenger from keeping him down to no avail.
"Uh-oh." Basi looked on worried. "That might be it."
"But that's a simple hold," Tarzan recognized, for he had watched grappling matches like this around the Wakalu. He and Simba turned to the hippo. "Why can't Pua escape?"
"Easy now. He's tired." Basi told them and the others listened as well. "Pua might have better technique, but Makuu is too strong and fit for him."
Makuu slammed his head against the dry river bed and put a claw beneath his chin, thoroughly immobilizing the one who had been his Leader just a few moments ago.
"Where are you going, Pua?" He scoffed down to his adversary. "Nowhere!"
Bagheera's eyes widened in horror and the others weren't far behind; Tarzan and Simba sank under Kala's fur coat and she was looking like she completely regretted bringing her son to watch the fight. The audience surrounding them gasped. "Oh, no."
Pua grunted, too tired to fight, he taps Makuu's front leg above his chin. It was over.
Baloo saw that before the others did. "Pua's tapping out." He turned to the others behind him. "Pua's tapping out, he gives up!"
The tension was gone, they could breathe at ease now.
"Wait, what?" Tarzan was shocked. "You mean Makuu wins?"
His mother nodded solemnly. "I'm afraid so, son."
They shifted their attention back to the delta, where the fighters had separated and Pua had gotten back to his feet. Colonel Hathi came to greet the two crocodiles, starting with the victor. "Congratulations, Makuu. You have won the Mashindano and from now on you are the Leader of this Float. Very thick skin to fill." After that was done, the elephant regarded the now-former Leader. "Pua, you were a strong and wise Leader for many years. And for that, you have my gratitude."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Pua inclined his head in respect to the pachyderm. After that, he turned around and went off, away from the delta.
Makuu chuckled as he watched him go. "Don't let the reeds hit you on the way out, Pua!"
The cubs looked on in confusion before turning to their teacher, expecting an explanation from him but the panther was still staring off after the defeated crocodile. Noticing that Bagheera wouldn't be of much help to the confused younglings at that moment, Basi took it upon himself to clarify to them. "It's the crocodile way." He continued when he got their attention. "As the defeated party, Pua's banished from the crocodile float."
The crocodiles gave way as Makuu haughtily walked to the largest stream in the Dirisha Delta, chanting his name in celebration of his victory. "Makuu!" "Makuu!" "Makuu!" "Makuu!"
"That's right!" He proudly declared, basking under the Glory. "Makuu! Leader of the Delta Float!"
His float-mates kept chanting even when they followed his lead into the river. "Makuu!" "Makuu!" "Makuu!"
Simba turned to his teacher once more, starting to get concerned at his lack of response. "B-Bagheera? Are you okay?"
The panther lowered his head and stared to the ground, seemingly pondering to himself in silence. He gave one last drawn-out breath before finally acknowledging the lion cub. "I am okay, Simba."
Even after seeing that, the leopard spared one last concerned glance in the Float's direction. He just hoped Makuu's big win wouldn't be a big loss for the jungle.
A/N: Here is some trivia for you, rhinoceros and hippopotamus are also technically pachyderms.
If anyone is interested, feel free to make fanart about the story.