Simba and Zazu were brought to a large clearing in the middle of the jungle. They could feel the intense, burning heat from the sun above them. Having been walking around in the shade of the jungle for a few hours, the sun made the two feel like they were on fire.

Simba looked around, finding himself surprised by what was all the way out here.

Some kind of small kingdom had been erected in the middle of the clearing. Caves were scattered around, with several lions and lionesses wandering around the place. None of them looked very friendly. Simba thought that if he bumped into one of them by accident, then he would be reduced to a pile of bones within seconds.

"This is where we reside," Kiongozi informed them. "We live, eat and work here. It's not like your conventional pride. Everyone works equally, doing their part. You might lose a few points in the assessment for being a Prince. We don't take very kindly to people ordering others around."

"It's not like that," Simba protested. "And besides, you're the leader. Isn't it the same thing?"

"I simply provide guidance and a helping paw," Kiongozi told them. "Other than that, everyone works by themselves to secure a decent life. We believe that's for the best."

"I think it's horrendous," Zazu muttered. "How uncoordinated and… frankly, untidy."

"If you talk about this pride in such a way again then I shall boil you alive," Kiongozi threatened, before chuckling. "It doesn't really matter. You're going to end up dead anyway."

"You hear that?" said Simba, smiling at Zazu, satisfied. "Looks like you're in trouble, Zazu. I wonder how you're going to get out of it."

Zazu chuckled nervously. "Well… Simba, I've been thinking, and have come to a decision: we should put aside our difference, and work together to get out of this horrid mess."

"Nope," replied Simba, with a shake of his head. "I told you. You're on your own this time, Zazu. You simply don't deserve my help."

"And in what sense don't I deserve it?" Zazu asked. "I'm a hornbill in distress. I believe that warrants a daring rescue!"

"You're just… never pleased," Simba responded. "In fact, none of you are ever pleased. Not Mom. Not Dad. Definitely not you. I do so much to help people, but no one ever appreciates it. So that's why you don't deserve my help, Zazu. That's why."

Zazu noticed that Simba looked very upset upon saying that. It was as if the cub actually meant it. "Simba… You… I—"

"Just shut up," Simba interrupted. "I've had enough of you, Zazu. I've had enough of you all…"

Kiongozi stamped his forepaws on the ground, gaining the attention of the pride. "Brothers! Sisters! Gather round!" he called. "We have an assessment to make!"

The lions and lionesses started muttering amongst each other, interested by this new development. At the Mungu Pride, one of the best things that could happen was an assessment of people trying to get through. It always ended in an execution.

Always.

"An assessment?" one lion said eagerly, stepping forward. "Who are we going to be assessing? Are they weak? Will they be torn open easily?"

"Calm down, Kiume," replied Kiongozi. "You'll get your daily killing soon enough. These new arrivals have practically sealed their doom!"

"They look a little weak," Kiume pointed out, staring unimpressively at Simba and Zazu. "Come to think of it, that little cub over there looks like—"

Kiume gasped loudly, recognising Simba's appearance. "Kiongozi!" he cried, pointing at Simba. "Look! Look! It's… it's—"

Kiongozi narrowed his eyes in confusion. "Kiume, what are you rattling on about? I know you're excited, but this isn't really the time to—"

"It's God!" Kiume exclaimed, shaking a little bit. "The God! Our God!" He turned around to face the rest of the pride, a grin on his face. "Can't you see? He looks exactly like him!"

Kiongozi eyed Simba up and down. "Hmm…" he said, a thoughtful look on his face as he observed Simba carefully. "I'll admit that the resemblance is familiar, but I see no proof to suggest that he is the God."

"Wait, wait, wait," said Simba, waving his paws in the air. "Who is 'the God'?"

"He doesn't remember!" Kiume said, his grin widening, almost dancing around with excitement. "That proves it! The God – when reborn again – will have no recollection of the great person who he is!"

"The God is who we worship," Kiongozi informed Simba. "And my companion Kiume here seems to believe that you are him. He is said to possess great power, and we lead us all on the path to righteousness. He is the only person fit to become…" He hesitated, as if disliking the next word he was about to say. "Our king."

"'The path to righteousness'?" Zazu repeated. "That just sounds ridiculous!"

"Don't you mock the God!" Kiume cried, grabbing Simba by the shoulders and clutching him tightly to his chest. "Don't worry," he said to the cub. "We'll look after you now."

"We still don't know if he actually is the God, yet," Kiongozi said.

"So let's trial him," Kiume retorted, not letting go of Simba, afraid that the cub might vanish out of thin air if he released him. "For one day. That way we'll know if he was the god or not."

"But what about that bird?" one lion asked, pointing at Zazu. "What do we do with him?"

"I can take care of that," Kiongozi replied. "There are many rivers nearby. I will take great pleasure in drowning him."

"What?" Zazu's eyes were wide with horror. "Oh, you can't do that to me! I'm too young!"

Kiongozi roughly grabbed Zazu by the throat, and started strangling him. He would wait until the hornbill passed out. That way he wouldn't have to suffer any more complaints.

"Be silent," Kiongozi ordered. "And this might just be a little less painful."

Zazu choked. "Please…" he gaged. "I don't… want… to die…" He looked pleadingly at Simba for help.

Simba sighed, seeing the honest fear in Zazu's eyes. No matter how much he disliked Zazu, he just couldn't let that happen to him.

"Let him go!" he ordered, taking a step towards Kiongozi. "Let him go right now!"

Kiongozi stared at Simba. "You're the God," he said, and then let go of Zazu, letting him drop to the ground. "Maybe you are him, after all. I've never seen someone so passionate before."

"I told you!" Kiume exclaimed. "He's going to be our leader for ever and ever!"

Simba stared at Kiume, and then, he smiled. "For ever and ever, eh?" he said, a smile spreading across his face. "I like the sound of that."

"Excuse me?" said Zazu, fluttering down onto Simba's shoulders. "Simba, we have to leave right now. Your parents will be awfully worried about you."

"There's no need to thank me," Simba retorted. "Zazu, there's nothing left for me at the Pride Lands. We can stay here for ever, Zazu! These people think I'm their god, so they'll do anything I say."

"But what about your family?" Zazu asked. "What about Nala?"

"Nala will find me here," Simba said confidently. "And then she can live with us. And as for Mom and Dad… they don't care about me anymore. They'll probably be glad to be rid of me. Besides, I've got this pride now!"

Zazu frowned. I don't like the sound of this… Not one bit.