A Great Calling (Chapter 11)

I looked around and saw raised eyebrows before I continued with my story.

 

‘’I am a human from another world chosen by the great kings of the past to bring the end of the war you guys have against the outsiders, but let emotions and attachment get in the way of my goals.’’ As I said that, the pride gasped with the exception of Simba, Kiara and Nala, the latter two nodding and the former frowning, ‘’I originally did not follow what the great kings intended because that would end up changing everything quicker than I had hoped, but alas, this wasn’t the case and...I have a deadline for it.’’

 

‘’’Deadline’’’? Simba asked and I nodded, ‘’For what?’’

 

‘’For putting an end to this war.’’ I said, ‘’When the war ends, i’ll have to return to my world.’’

 

Gasps and whispers were everywhere as I cleared my throat.

 

‘’But to return to where I belong, the outsiders first need to be defeated within three weeks.’’ I informed them, ‘’And I am wanting to make sure we are safe by that time.’’

 

More commotion before I looked to Simba and Nala.

 

‘’I have one thing to ask from you guys…’’ I said to the monarchs, who raised an eyebrow, ‘’I ask to spy on the outsiders.’’

 

Lots...and lots...of gasps before Armani bolted way too close to me.

 

‘’Are you INSANE!?’’ Aramani asked quickly before looking around at speeds that would make a bird jealous, ‘’I mean, who knows what would happen? You could be hurt or even worse KILLED!’’

 

As Armani rambled on about how dangerous such a thing could be, I saw Simba and Nala talking as Kiara’s head went down sadly.

 

‘’There is so much more for you to do here, Jaa!’’ Armani shouted, ‘’And yet you wanna go spy on the outsiders?’’

 

‘’While I have my doubts about this.’’ Simba said as Armani wisely backed off from the approaching monarch, ‘’I talked with Nala and think this could be a great opportunity.’’

 

I worried gasp from Kiara, but nothing more.

 

‘’Shujaa, you do understand the task bestowed upon you is something that might get you harmed, right?’’ Nala asked and I nodded.

 

‘’Yes, and I am willing to do it, Nala.’’ I said to the queen, who looked back at Simba, causing the king to sigh.

 

‘’Very well...just make sure you don’t get hurt.’’ Simba told me and I smiled, ‘’We don’t need any more lions from our pride hurt.’’

 

‘’I know, Simba…’’ I sighed, ‘’But nothing will happen. And if something DOES happen to me, I will blame myself rather than any of you.’’

 

I walked off before Kiara ran up and nuzzled me.

 

‘’Good luck…’’ Kiara said and I smiled.

 

‘’Kiara, I will need all of the luck I can get.’’ I said, causing the princess to sigh.

 

‘’Let’s just hope your desire for luck will not end in a case of BAD luck.’’ Kiara reminded me and I shrugged.

 

‘’Kiara.’’ We both heard Nala say to Kiara as the king and queen were approaching us.

 

‘’Yes, mom?’’ Kiara asked, causing Nala to smile and look to her stomach, ‘’...Are you getting in the weight?’’

 

‘’No, Kiara...you’re gonna be a big sister.’’ Nala said and Kiara froze, allowing me to slip away from the stunned lioness, causing Nala to look at me, ‘’There you go.’’

 

‘’Thank you, Nala...so much.’’ I said before running off as Kiara blinked.

 

 

As I approached the outlands, I sighed in nervousness...four years ago, my own stupidity almost cost the lives of me and Kiara and now i’m walking into the very place it happened...the outlands. I began walking down a hill that lead to the outlands and noticed a skinny and ragged brown lion with a brownish-black mane...it was Nuka.

 

I tried walking past the lion, who was scratching his back against a termite infested tree to try to get those little critters off of him like he thought that would help any. I looked around as I reached the termite mound and it was as horrible as Zira described it in the movie. Countless outsider lionesses fighting with each other over the smallest bit of food, only a few puddles of water, dead trees and the large mound coming closer into view.

 

‘’Hey, you!’’ I heard a female voice said as a lioness with bangs walked out of the mound. Ah, Vitani is here, ‘’Who are you and what are you doing here?’’

 

‘’Greetings, Vitani.’’ I said to the lioness, who raised an eyebrow at me, ‘’I figure you are doing well after four years?’’

 

At Vitani narrowing her eyes at me, I rolled my own eyes in annoyance.

 

‘’Wait...you’re that cub from four years ago...the one that narrowly avoided being eaten by mother and the others.’’ Vitani said before growling, ‘’What are you doing here?’’

 

‘’I’ve come to join you.’’ I lied, causing Vitani’s eyes to widen in obvious and understandable surprise.

 

‘’You...what?’’ Vitani asked and I nodded, leading to Vitani to look at the mound, ‘’Follow me.’’

 

I followed the lioness inside of the mound, ready to confront Zira and if i’m lucky, Kovu. And just as I thought of that, we saw Zira barking orders at some lionesses.

 

‘’Hey, mother!’’ Vitani shouted to Zira, who looked at her, ‘’Someone wants to join us!’’

 

That’s when Zira saw me.

 

‘’Well if it isn’t Kiara’s little guardian?’’ Zira mocked and I instantly wanted to scratch her eyes out, but I merely scoffed.

 

‘’Hardly little, Zira.’’ I said, approaching her, ‘’But Vitani is right, I want to join you guys in taking down Simba.’’

 

However, Zira simply narrowed her eyes at me and I felt a lump in my throat.

 

‘’How do I know this isn’t some trick by Simba to try to kill me like he killed Scar?’’ Zira asked and I raised ane eyebrow.

 

‘’I would never lie, Zira.’’ I told her, ‘’This is sincere.’’

 

Many moments of silence before Zira growled.

 

‘’Very well…..’’ Zira said, red eyes glowing in the dark, but not having the menacing look of earlier, ‘’You can stay...but one slip up and you’re dead.’’

 

At that threat, I quickly nodded.

 

‘’Good….’’ Zira said with an evil smirk before looking at Vitani, ‘’Take him to the resting grounds!’’

 

Vitani nodded and we began walking, me simply looking around and balking at the conditions in this place...i’m gonna regret this, aren’t I?

 

 

We managed to reach the resting grounds, which looked like a broken down, smaller pride rock before Vitani stopped, causing me to stop as well.

 

‘’Alright, Shujaa, in ya go.’’ Vitani said, elbowing me as I went into the cave that they had.

 

‘’How do you know my name?’’ I ask, but a voice I recognized all too well answered that for me.

 

‘’I told them…’’ I heard a voice say, causing me to whip around and growl.

 

‘’....Ni…’’