In the Outlands, Chumvi grinned deviously. "You are ready." The dark brown, dark red mane lion chuckled as he circled a full-grown Sherise, who was sitting atop a rock. "Nice. Very nice. You have the same blackness in your soul that father had."
Sherise growled softly as Chumvi asked, "What is your destiny?"
"I will avenge our father. Carry on his legacy in the Pride Lands."
Chumvi's face began to take on a crazed expression. "Yes! What have I taught you?"
"Eshe is the enemy," Sherise said, staring straight ahead.
"Yes! And how will you be getting close to her?"
"By using her precious prince."
"And what. Must. You. DO?!" Chumvi asked jutting his head at his sister.
"I must kill her!" Sherise proclaimed as the Outsiders began to roar in approval.
~TLK~
At Pride Rock, the pride and guards were gathered in two rows on a trail outside the cave entrance. Mheetu walked between them to join Eshe and Nala, who sat at the trail's end. Askari was close behind the Prince-Consort.
"You and Eshe must be so proud, Mheetu," one of the lionesses called, "with this being Jashua's first solo patrol!"
The tawny lion simply smiled and nodded as he continued.
Eshe sighed but smiled asMheetu and Askari sat next to her. They raised their heads at a joyful shout from one of the lionesses.
"There he is!"
Prince Jashua appeared at the top of the trail, smiling at Arella and Heimdall as they landed on a nearby branch. The majordomo and keenest of sight smiled at the prince as Rafiki, who was standing on a nearby rock, called to him. "Jashua."
Jashua smiled at the mandrill, who returned it fondly as he pointed to the trail in front of them. As the prince began to make his way between the rows of pride, various encouraging words were called out to him.
"It's your day!"
"Best of luck, Prince Jashua!"
"Your first patrol!"
"My, how you've grown!"
Jashua smiled at the pride members as Mheetu approached. father and son shared a gentle embrace. "My son, you'll do just fine."
As Nala and Askari approached, Jashua smiled at his father's encouraging words.
"Papa's right. You'll do great! Just try not to get into any trouble," Nala teased as Askari snickered.
Jashua huffed but grinned as he nodded. "I'll do my best." He looked at his mother, who was looking down in concern. "Mother?"
Startled, Eshe raised her head.
"Do you promise that I can do this on my own? Please?"
Eshe looked up at Mheetu, who gave his mate a knowing look. The light brown lioness sighed before smiling. "All right, son. I promise."
Jashua smiled, bounding toward Eshe, and the two embraced, purring. He broke his embrace with his mother, exchanging one last look with her before bounding to the trail's edge. He grinned excitedly as he surveyed the Pride Lands. He took a step forward, but then paused and returned his gaze to his parents.
As Eshe nodded her approval, Mheetu smiled proudly. Grinning, Jashua descended the steps before making his way across the savanna.
Eshe walked to the trail's edge, watching Jashua leave. She could hear Mheetu walking away with the guards and the rest of the pride.
Nala approached the light brown lioness, closely followed by Askari. "Mom?"
Eshe turned to look at them. "Nala, Askari… keep an eye on your brother. Make sure he doesn't get hurt."
Askari's green eyes widened. "Um…mom, didn't you just promise he could do this on his own?"
Nala nodded. "Yeah... won't he be upset if he finds out you sent us?"
Eshe simply looked at her younger children.
Askari and Nala exchanged solemn expressions. There would be no changing their mother's mind.
"All right. Come on, Askari. We need to get moving," Nala sighed.
As Nala and Askari started after their brother, the tawny pelted prince couldn't help but feel that this was not going to end well.
...
In the Elephant Graveyard, a number of geysers erupted as Vitani and a full-grown Simba drew nearer to the edge of an overhang.
The tan lioness grimaced. "Eurgh. This place is even creepier since the hyenas ran away."
The young dark gold, dark red mane lion rolled his orange eyes. "Oh, sheesh." His voice was muffled by the pair of sticks he held in his mouth.
Vitani scoffed as her half-brother jumped off the ledge. "I'm not scared, okay?" The sound of a geyser steaming made her whimper, and she jumped after Simba in fear.
Simba sighed as he placed the sticks on the edge of a geyser. Throughout the times growing up, he and Vitani had a strained relationship, and he had discovered that the best way to deal with the older lioness was to ignore her.
Vitani approached him before coming to a halt in front of a geyser. "I just don't know why I have to be here, that's all. Why do you need me, if you're so special?" she started to walk away, but turned around as another geyser erupted. "I never even had a chance!" she leapt into the air as the geyser behind her erupted, whimpering as she raced away, cowering next to her younger brother.
Simba appeared exasperated as he stared at his older half-sister in disbelief. He grinned as the geyser next to them erupted, igniting the tips of the sticks.
"Yes! That's it!" He picked up one of the fiery sticks in his jaws. "Well, come on! Jashua has already started his patrol. We have to get moving!" He ordered as he walked past Vitani.
When they returned to the Outlands, they went to find their brother, who was discussing something with his and Simba's mother, Avana.
When the dark brown lion saw his brother and half-sister, he dismissed his mother. The sight of the flaming sticks made Chumvi grin.
"Excellent. Now, one of our scouts has reported that the precious prince is approaching the southwest border. Go. Follow him. And when he's alone...well, you know what to do," Chumvi said, his orange eyes twinkling with excitement. He gave his brother and half-sister a menacing look. "Do not fail me."
"We won't," Simba said, nodding. He motioned to Vitani. "We need to get going, or we'll lose him!"
Without saying anything else the two raced away.