Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Ashanti and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
Ashanti: Peace Of Milele Chapter 17
It turns out that the main source of the disturbance heard in the trees is a large tribe of baboons living in a magnificent baobab tree, also known as the tree of life.
From their vantage point on the ground, Ashanti, Taka, Mufasa, and Sarabi can't hear what's going on up there. It's too far away, and too many voices speak all at once, making it all jumbled together.
But they do get the general idea when they see a lone monkey leave the safety of the branches and head to the forest floor.
It's taboo for any monkey to willingly leave the safety of the treetops. It's an open invitation for all kinds of predators and is a guaranteed death sentence.
It's not hard to figure out what happened after watching this display of no comradery for someone from their tribe who is more than likely to meet a gruesome end.
Realistically, a baboon isn't exactly an ideal catch for a lion. They're not quite as tasty as the majority of other prey animals in Africa.
Unfortunately, with every possible resource at their disposal probably going to become even more scarce as they follow the light over the snowy mountains the four of them can't really afford to be too selective on their chosen meals.
So, right now, this monkey will have to do.
As the monkey meanders past the group's hiding place in the long grass, Ashanti gets a pretty good look at the monkey and is surprised at what she finds as they all lock surreptitious eyes on the walking meat.
All four attack stances are mirror images of each other, biding their time until the target has reached the perfect position to strike.
Their target isn't a male baboon, it's a male mandrill.
A mandrill by the name of Rafiki.
Through astute observation, Ashanti can tell that there are specific details about this monkey that set him apart from regular baboons which gives him away.
How strange. A mandrill with baboons. Not something one would usually see.
That aside, it is time for dinner.
Mufasa takes the lead. Breaking cover first to cut the mandrill off, roaring and baring his teeth as he darts out in front of the mandrill.
Peculiarly, the mandrill is unfazed by Mufasa's ferocious display.
Instead of shrieking in fear and running away, Rafiki simply moves closer, peering intently into Mufasa's face.
Uncomfortable by the scrutiny, Mufasa backs away a little never removing his own gaze from the mandrills.
Done with his examination, sniffing, Rafiki said "Jamal."
Rafiki then walks past, leaving a stupefied Mufasa behind.
Shaking himself out of the momentary stupor he'd found himself in, attempting to rectify his approach, Mufasa "You can try to run, but I'm afraid you won't get very far."
"And why would I run from you," asked Rafiki, pleasantly.
Taka, Ashanti, and Sarabi quickly surround the mandrill leaving no way to escape.
"Because we're lions. As in…Lions," roared Taka, cockily, acting all macho with intimidation.
"Taka," chuffed Ashanti, smiling.
Taka shrugs, eyes twinkling at her.
"A flea can trouble a lion, more than a lion can trouble a flea," quipped Rafiki.
"Excuse me," said Ashanti, confused.
"I don't think you understand what's about to happen," said Taka, brusquely. "There's no place for you to go."
"I am going forward," said Rafiki, matter-of-factly.
"I seriously doubt that," said Taka, hungrily.
"It is easy to doubt everything when you know nothing," bantered Rafiki.
"You speak in jest," said Ashanti.
Waving a finger at her, Rafiki said "I assure you, I mean everything I say."
"Can we get on with this, please," said Sarabi, impatiently, rolling her eyes.
"If you take my life, you will never find Milele," said Rafiki.
"Wait, did you say Milele," said Mufasa, checking to see if he heard right.
"That is where I am going. Toward the light. I have been there many times in my dreams. I have seen the tree and can picture it. The two of us together again," said Rafiki, serenely and with a tremendous amount of strong conviction.
"And why would anyone trust a baboons dreams," said Sarabi, skeptically.
"Sometimes a dream is all you have. The only truth that lives in you. Like the memory of a great king," said Rafiki, warmly.
"How did you know," said Sarabi, dumbfounded that he would know she is of royal lineage without having to even say anything.
His desire to turn this mandrill into their dinner now turning indecisive. Gathering that this mandrill could be of use to them, Mufasa offered "Okay, help us get to Milele and we will let you leave. Do we have a deal?"
Shaking his head, sanguinely, Rafiki said "No."
"What," said Mufasa, incredulously. "Why?"
Playfully, Rafiki said, "Rafiki will let you live."
Ashanti tilts her head in bemusement.
On his last tether with Rafiki, lunging at the mandrill frustratedly, looking like he's having a conniption over this, Taka growled "I've had enough of this."
Blocking his way, Mufasa rebuked "Taka, don't eat him."
Churlishly, pacing back and forth angrily, extremely dissatisfied with how this has turned out, Taka spat "Wonderful. Another misfit stray we're not supposed to eat."
Not bothering to conceal her own antagonism on the subject as she goes to confront Mufasa about it, sharply, Sarabi said "So, you expect us to follow a baboon to a place no one else has ever seen? Huh, I'd be better off alone."
Tsking his tongue, Rafiki said, "A single stick may smoke, but it will never burn."
A hiss seeps through Taka's teeth.
Pointedly nudging his shoulder, Ashanti said "Taka."
"No, I'm not budging on this," said Taka, eyeing her depilated body, forehead creased with worry about her physical state. "We still have a long way to go. You and our cubs need food not empty air. Ever since we learned you were carrying, your appetite has become insatiable. The only reason why you haven't acted on it is because of your self-control. Ashanti, you try to play it off as nothing even though it is a big deal. If it keeps going on like this then the baby won't make it there, let alone you. I can't-." Taka is abruptly cut off in his tirade when Rafiki pushes in close to them. "What do you want?"
Without answering, Rafiki presses a hand to Ashanti's side and shuts his eyes with a concentrated expression on his face.
"What is he doing," said Sarabi.
Mufasa keeps a close on eye on Rafiki's movements.
Seconds later, opening his eyes, assuredly, Rafiki said "Your son will make it to Milele. As will you. He has his mother's inner strength to drive him."
Trading astonished glances, concurrently, Ashanti and Taka said "Son?"
Nodding, Rafiki said "Yes. A son."
"A prince," breathed Taka.
"But…How do you know," persisted Ashanti.
Removing his hand, Rafiki explained "The cub…I can feel his spirit. He is strong and determined to come into this world at your new home. He will meet you when it's time and no sooner. Masego will protect him."
Ashanti gasps and Mufasa steps forward.
"How do you know that name," demands Mufasa.
"Masego is here with you right now," said Rafiki, smiling.
As if by magic a light breeze moves over them, one that Ashanti swears is bearing Masego's scent.
Ashanti instantly knows what it means.
"Masego approves," said Ashanti, realizing this was Masego's way of giving his blessing.
"What is this now," said Sarabi.
"I'll tell you later," said Mufasa. "Rafiki, which way do we go?"
And just like that Rafiki becomes the newest addition to their motley crew as they embark. Not only that, but, right alongside Masego's spirit, would be guiding them on their journey to the light.
Coming in for a landing, Zazu said "Okay, now that there's six of us, why don't we all go around and say a fun fact about ourselves? I'll go first. I once had a crush on a flamingo. I've never said that out loud."
The four lions ignore Zazu's annoying prattling, walking over him to follow after Rafiki.
"And they're walking away," said Zazu, a bit taken aback. "Yeah, places to go, kingdoms to see. We're busy, let's hustle."
Ashanti gently laughs at those around her.
Their lives have become so strange.
Authors Note:
Knowing what we do about our girl, what do you think Ashanti's lyrics should be for the song We Go Together? I'm really stumped on this. For the one who provides the winning verse will get a shoutout in the chapter and one question asked on the story plot from this point and what leads into the Lion King movie.
I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
For those of you just starting out with my stuff there are other works on my profile that may catch your interest. I highly recommend you take a look as soon as the opportunity presents itself to you. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.
Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure. I swear it's like they're getting worse and worse all the time and it's like officials are simply just ignoring it or pretending it doesn't exist entirely just to go on with their daily lives. Especially those in multi-million dollar companies that rely on certain elements of our planet that we rely on to naturally keep us safe instead of adapting and finding new safer ways to keep in business. There are so many options out there where they can adapt, but they just refuse to see it because all they care about is money. Climate change is altering so much faster than anyone can really keep track of.
So, in light of all this, it is important to live life to the fullest as much as anyone can.
I know I am. ;) See you guys next time.