WRHITLK Chapter 3: A Meerkat and a Warthog

 

I nod as he runs to catch up and I start running again. " where are we going, Felix?" I nod to the huge bird in the sky ahead of us. " follow the Buzzard." I get a strange look from the cub but he just nods. So our journey continues...

 

As we run we take turns taking the lead and we never stop running. We lost the Buzzard a while ago but, thankfully we found another seemingly going the same way so we followed him instead. Simaba looks tired and I slow down so he can take the lead, he needs to be tired out not me. I Need to make him go faster somehow.. I scan the horizon for ideas when I spot something behind us. A creature with back fur was standing in the distance, the more I looked at it I realized its a buzzard. It must have found the wildebeest carcass we pasted by earlier. I can guess why that didn't make it in the final movie cut... I look back at Simba as a idea hit me. I start running faster.

 

" Simba run! Hyena!"

 

Simba starts running fast the turns to get a look at the creature. I move to block his view of the bird and try to look panicked.

 

 "Don't look, just focus on running!"

 

He faces forward and runs even faster. After a hour of this, I'm starting to think I've messed up the movie so much that we completely missed the spot. I'm thinking of a back up plan when Simba collapses mid run and I promptly trip over him. Simba groans but doesn't move, I step closer.

 

 "Simba?"

 

He doesn't respond. Did.. Did I kill him?! I look and am relived to see him breathing. I scan the area till I spot something far ahead of us on the left, that look faintly like trees. I can't help but smile as I sit down feeling relived. Now we just wait for Timon and Pumba to show up! I've been sitting here for a hour and still no Timon and Pumba in sight. I sigh and look up, the buzzards have started to circle us but none have yet to land near us. I try to preoccupy myself by chasing a fast, tiny lizard crawling about but soon it disappears into a crack in the ground. Frustrated, I drop to the ground sending angry stares at the crack.When are they coming?! I don't know how much Simba can wait and getting really bored... Maybe the buzzards won't come down because I'm here, I am clearly not close to death... I think. I hop up and think maybe I should go see what's taking those two so long to get here. I walk over to Simba and whisper.

 

 "Hey, Simba? I'm going to see if I can find help, okay? Stay here."

 

With that, I run off to the jungle.

 

Once I reach the jungle I can feel the majority of the blazing heat disappear and I can't help but collapse with relief. I could lay here all day.. Simba! I jump up remembering my cause. Where would Timon and pumba be at this time? I try to the think of the 1 1/2 movie but nothing comes to mind. I jog farther into the jungle till I hear the sound of roaring water. The waterfall! I follow the sound till I reach a beautiful waterfall. I admire it's beauty briefly before my thirst takes over and I dive into the water. Wait, do I know how to swim as a lion? I try a broadstroke to find it doesn't do much, so I try a dog paddle and it seems to work okay.

 

I make it to the surface and drag myself to land. I have a urge to shake and so I do. All the excess water seemed to disappear In a matter of seconds. Wow, drying off is easy here! I I sit back on my back haunches yawning when I look down at the water's surface and my bottom jaw drops. Instead of seeing me, I see a lion cub. The cub has golden fur like Simba but a black Turf of fur on top of his head and vibrant green irises. The tip of his tail is black and around his neck is a string with a small wooden turtle hanging from it. I tilt my head and the lion cub reflection does the same. I look a little like Kovu.. Strange... I know I'm a lion cub but guess it didn't really sink in until this moment. I've been so busy trying to help Simba I never really gave myself look over... Excitement fills me and I smile. This is awesome, I can hang with Timon, Pumba, and Simba! We can go swimming, and we can-... My thoughts stops as I look back at my necklace I never leave home without, it may be my only link to home. Home... I think about my room, friends, family, and most importantly.. My bed. Can I even get back home? If so, then how long till I can't?

 

I shake these thoughts away deciding I'll worry about it later. All of a sudden I hear a song being sung loudly.

 

 "... Hakuna Mattata!"

 

It seems I just missed a musical number... I jump into the nearest bush to hide just as a warthog and a meerkat come into the small clearing to jump in the water.

 

 "Oh Timon, that song always makes me feel great! We should sing it more often!"

 

 The meerkat shrugs.

 

 "Pumba my friend, we sing it enough as is. Let's just relax and-"

 

I zone out of their carefree conversation and think of my options. Okay so I could go introduce myself or I can just go back to Simba. But... At the same time shouldn't they be finding Simba by now? He's been out there for a while now and the buzzards may not wait for ever... I take a step out of the bush then stop as another thought hits me. Wait, I might scare them, plus I don't think they would be too keen on taking in two lions... I withdraw my front paw knowing Simba needs them. This is taking too long, so I will just have to lead them their somehow without actually doing it... I snap out of my thoughts when I see the two of them getting out of the water, Timon leading the way.

 

 "But Timon, are you sure Bowling for porcupines is a good idea?"

 

Timon waves him off and climbs on his back.

 

 "Sure it is! Have I ever steered you wrong before?"

 

Pumba stops and looks deep in thought.

 

 "Well, there was that time-"

 

Timon cuts him off.

 

 "Details Pumba, details."

 

they start heading out the clearing when I get a idea.

 

I rush ahead to find a porcupine and nearly step on it.

 

 "Hey watch where you're going!"

 

I jump back

 

 "Sorry, I was just looking for a porcupine."

 

The porcupine's quills rise up.

 

 "Oh really? Well I must inform you that just because you're bigger than me doesn't mean you can just-"

 

I jump further back and hold up a paw.

 

 "Wait don't shoot! I just came to warn you! I promise!"

 

 The quills lower slightly.

 

 "Warn me about what exactly?"

 

I lower my paw even though I think he won't hesitate to shoot me.

 

 "I .. Overheard that a warthog and a meerkat are looking for a porcupine to play some they call ' Porcupine Bowling'."

 

His quills lower completely and I can finally relax.

 

 "What?! Who would do that? When are they coming?"

 

I glance back behind me.

 

 "Umm, they're looking right now and I suspect they will be here soon."

 

The porcupine nods and turns to walk towards the way I indicated.

 

" Well then I will teach them a lesson they won't soon forget! Thanks for the tip." I follow the porcupine

 

" wait I have a request."

 

He turns to me.

 

 "Yes?"

 

I nodded over to the way I entered the jungle.

 

 "Could you get them to that spot? It would really help me out. "

 

The porcupine actually smiled.

 

 "Sure thing. See you around!"

 

I called out a thanks as my spiky friend disappears into the green forage. I give the area a wide birth just in case of a stray quill and make my way back to the entrance of the jungle and wait.

 

To be continued...