The Lion King, King's Soul

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Plot

The great cycle of life continues. With the birth of Haki (son of Kovu and Kiara); Dan, the boy turned into lion cub, doubts after he was chosen to be next in line to the throne.

After a few years, the evil begins to resurface once more and will try to distance both brothers. Can both of them trust each other to stop this plot? Or will this story end like Mufasa and Scar's?

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Chapter 1: Life returns to Pridelands

It was night, and the moon was shining over Pridelands, everything was calm and several of the animals were still resting: elephants, hippos, giraffes, gazelles, zebras, antelopes, cheetahs, birds and others.

But, in the air, a gentle breeze made a call which quietly woke everyone up, telling them to gather in the direction of the Pride Rock. Everyone obeyed, moved by that strange sensation, while, at the same time, the moon had finished hiding and gave way to a powerful rising sun that changed darkness for light.

The animals advanced in rows. The biggest (like elephants), made the earth move with their footsteps, which also alerted the smallest and those who lived underground. In a minute, a pack of animals gathered around their destination: the Pride Rock.

As the rising sun bathed the rock with its powerful light, it was getting lighter and, when it reached the middle part, Rafiki could be seen with his cane, on top of the rock. Then, when everyone seemed to have arrived, he returned to the entrance of the cave, where there was a group of lions waiting:

A male, it was golden and with reddish mane; the second, was of a dark brown fur, with a dark mane. On the other hand, there were also two females with a radiant cream color. One of them was lying down with a small brown ball between its legs that moved: a newborn cub.

Last but not least, there was also another lion cub, older than the other, who had golden fur and a tuft of reddish hair.

"It's very cute" Nala said to Kiara, as she approached her daughter, "He looks like Kovu"

"Without a doubt" said Simba looking at his grandson.

Kovu felt pride by that comment. On the other side, Kiara noticed that the other cub was a little shy looking at the newborn. Given that, she motivated him to come to her side.

"Don't be shy, Dan" Kiara said, "Come and meet him"

Dan hesitated for a moment. Then, he slowly approached the newborn. He was small, cute and curious, since as soon as Dan had approached his snout, the little one tried to touch his nose.

"That's little Haki" Kiara told him, cleaning him at the same time, "That's your brother: Dan"

Kiara's words touched Dan very much, because he had never had a brother... and he never knew what it was to have one. But he did not have time to think about it, because at that moment, everyone gathered around Haki, while Rafiki approached with his paint.

The mandrill broke the fruit and taking some of the paint, Rafiki rubbed it on little Haki's forehead. Then, with Kiara's permission, he took him to the top, showing it to all the animals who shouted with their respective sound. At the same time, a soft and fresh was breathed in the environment.

Anyone would think only that they were only shouting, but in reality, it felt as if they were singing, for all these voices resonated in a harmonious ensemble of happiness and joy. The next second, they all bowed in reverence.

After a few seconds, Rafiki lowered the newborn and handed them back to his parents, grandparents, and brother. However, before they could say anything, Timon and Pumba made an appearance.

"It's so cute" said Pumba crying with happiness, because he still remembered Bunga "I would like to adopt him..."

"Look at the little boy" said Timon when he saw Haki, "He is identical to his father ... Well, in appearance, not in the fact of scaring defenseless animals..."

"Timon, that day was an accident," Kovu reminded him.

"I know, I know. That is why I propose that we help you take care of it so that no more of these accidents occur... Come on partner, we will teach him very well "

"Like burp and eat bugs?" Dan laughed.

"You see ... even your other son knows about that. He remembers our lessons"

"Sure..." replied the cub sarcastically. The true was, Dan didn't like Timon and Pumba's 'lessons'.

Everyone laughed and this made even the newborn smile.

(Hours later, in Pridelands...)

The wind moved calmly and several herbivores grazing peacefully in the green fields: giraffes stretched their necks long into the treetops, antelopes and zebras looking for food to the flush with the floor. On the other hand, the hippos were having a bath in the; near these, the elephants also cooled off, moving their ears to ventilate their enormous body.

In the distance, the Pride Rock looked quite imposing and was colored by the brilliance of the sun. Not far from this wonder, a small scene was shown: a pair of lion cubs were running trying to catch each other.

"Cheater" laughed Dan.

"Turtle" laughed Shany.

They both ran across a stream; then between the rocks and finally between the tall grass. It was then that Shany hid in hopes of catching his friend.

"Umm" said this, when he saw that his friend had hidden, "Where is she?"

He wandered through the tall grass, detecting every movement and trying to listen for any noise that would give her away. Twisting and turning, he scoured every inch trying to find her. Out of nowhere, the cub leaped towards him.

"I have you!" she yelled, pouncing on her friend.

They both rolled across the grass, fighting to be the winner. When they stopped, it was the male who was on top of her.

"No, I have you Shany" he said.

"Impressive, Dan" she told him, "You've improved"

"Well, after losing twenty times in a row before… I have one time, haven't I?"

"Ha, yeah… Em, can you…?"

"Oh, I'm sorry"

Dan got off Shany, somewhat embarrassed about that. There was a minute of silence from both of them, until they were interrupted by a shout in the distance:

"Young prince!" it said, "Wait!"

Then, Zazu came flying somewhat exhausted, as if it had followed them for hours.

"Uff, I'm not as young as before..." he muttered tiredly.

"Again? Zazu, it was not necessary for you to make an effort to follow us," said Dan.

"Forgive me prince, but I must make sure that I do not go to..."

"... the elephant graveyard or to areas beyond the Pridelands" recited Dan as in a song, "Don't worry Zazu, after what we went through, you know that I would never disobey again"

"Ah, what a joy! At last, a young prince who is as noble as he is prudent will surely be a wonderful king"

"Zazu, don't say that ... " Dan finished, somewhat uncomfortable, "For me, the one who is a true heir is Haki, I... I don't think I can"

Then Dan run into the tall grass, not looking back.

"Look what you have done, Zazu!" Shany said annoyed, and ran after Dan.

"What did I say?" the bird wondered, as he watched her go.

Shany went through the grass looking for Dan. After going a bit, the grass ran out: she had reached a small oasis; to one side, there was a small tree, and beneath it rested a rather large rock. At the top, Dan was lying down and looking at his own reflection.

"Dan, are you feeling okay?" Shany asked him, stepping closer to him.

"Yes, I'm sorry for leaving you behind" he replied, looking at the cub's reflection, "But... I must fix my mind"

Shany sat next to him.

"Are you still thinking about it?" she asked after a few seconds of silence.

"Something like that ... I don't know how to explain myself, but ... I don't feel like I should be the heir, I can’t be a lion guard’s leader either, what I must be?"

"Why re you so worry about that?"

Dan took some air before saying:

“After Haki’s presentation, Simba… I mean, grandpa Simba said to me that everything is clear…”

“Clear?”

“I didn’t understand him too. But then, he said that Haki will be the lion guard’s leader someday. An that means…”

"That you… will be king?"

Dan looked at Shany with an extremely doubtful face.

"Yes" he told her, "I tried to tell him that there must be some kind of mistake, and then I asked him why me ... and, he just told me that I will understand someday"

“Someday… And why do you doubt Simba's words?”

"Because frankly, Haki would be a better king than me. I mean ... it's truly family. I am adopted, why do I have to be first in line? I don't think I deserve it and… I don't think I'm capable of so much…"

"Dan, I think you can do it. Come on… you saved me, your grandfather, your uncle and many more of the hunters, who else could do that?"

"Yes, I know. But you were there because I had escaped in the first place… I caused it"

There was another minute of silence in which Shany thought it best to consult with someone. It couldn't be Simba, since he would be far away, back on the Pride Rock. But they were close to someone else...

"What if we go see Rafiki?" Shany asked him, "Maybe he understands this better..."

"Well ... I wouldn't do any harm to ask" Dan replied, "I just hope he's not too busy"

When the two cubs were about to leave, Zazu came flying.

"Please wait" the tired Zazu shouted, but they were already leaving. Then, he said to himself: "There is no doubt that these are for each other"

(Near the baobab tree…)

Dan and Shany were running in a who came first competition. The two were very evenly matched, moving with skill and agility across the field, until… Dan bumped into someone.

"Ouch" he told himself. Then, he turned against the one who crashed, "Sorry, I should have looked before ..."

"I'm sorry too" said the individual: it was a male mandrill smaller than Rafiki. He was standing on two legs and he has a red nose. Maybe he was not much older than Dan or Shany.

"I should have been more attentive... I was looking for some herbs and..." he said.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that... You're..." said Dan.

"Oh yeah, how rude I am. My name is Rahisi, I came here to learn from Rafiki... my uncles know him, he taught my cousin Makini before"

"Are you a cousin of Makini?" Shany asked, reaching where they were both, "The real Mjuzi of the Tree of life? It's great!"

"Yes, although being Mjuzi here I don't think it's going to be my thing… I only came to learn because my uncles advised me. The truth is, I don't think I'm capable of so much..."

Dan looked at Rahisi's sincere face, realizing that he felt the same way he did.

"The only one who doubts yourself is you, Rahisi" said a voice, and Rafiki appeared at the top of his tree, "Hello everyone, I am glad to receive visitors"

[Deleted]

Chapter 2: The doubting prince

"Thank you, Mr. Rafiki" he said once everyone was already at the top.

"It's nothing, Dan" replied the Mjuzi. And then he turned to his apprentice, "Rahisi, could you bring me a couple of oranges for the guests? I have them up "

"All right, Mr. Rafiki" Rahisi replied and climbed to an even higher place.

Once Rahisi was gone, Rafiki turned to the cubs.

"And now, tell me Dan..." he said, "What is your problem?"

"Well…" Dan started, but he couldn't get the words out.

"Dan is insecure" explained Shany, "He says it should not be the future king, but Haki"

"I see..." Rafiki said, listening carefully, "And why did you come to see me without first consulting your new parents or your new grandparents?"

"Grandpa Simba only said to me that I will understand it someday and I didn’t understand" said Dan, "But you are the real Mjuzi..."

"So, for an heir who does not want to be king, it is ironic that he goes to ask his future royal Mjuzi for help, don't you think?"

Rafiki had caught Dan: it was true, the royal Mjuzi was the royal family's advisor. Both cubs fell silent, knowing they couldn't contradict it.

"Heh I'm sorry ..." Dan finally said, "I should have thought better of it before..."

"Your doubts prevent you from seeing those around you, Dan" said Rafiki, "But, since that's my role, I'm going to teach you something... come with me"

"I'll stay out here, if it doesn't matter" Shany told them.

"We won't be long, Shany"

Rafiki took Dan to the deepest part of his tree, it was surprising that there was so much space there… a couple of elephants might as well live (obviously, if they could climb, first).

"Shany is a good friend, isn't she?" Rafiki asked him as they passed through some lianas that blocked an area of the tree.

"Well ... besides being my first friend, she's the best I have" answered Dan sincerely.

Rafiki laughed: "Hahaha, if you will be the king, I would say that you already have your queen"

Dan was ashamed of that: Zazu was a thing to endure, but Rafiki?

"We're just friends..." he tried to excuse himself.

"Well, if you've heard Zazú" Rafiki explained, "It's not the first time that such close friends are together even as adults"

"Excuse me ... but I think I have come to ask for some kind of advice, not to bring me more problems… Can you help me, please?"

"Well, at least you don't call me crazy monkey like others have told me"

"I see why..." Dan thought.

Rafiki stopped and pointed around. Dan looked amazed: there were various drawings on the trunks and branches. Some were old because you could distinguish the antiquity of some. However, he paid attention to one in particular: the one depicting a lion cub drawing.

"That's right" Rafiki said, "You are still here. But you are also accompanied by someone"

Dan looked again and realized that there was also another cub: Haki.

"It looks... very good" he congratulated him.

"Thank you, but the most important thing is not how it looks, but how it will change" said Rafiki.

"How will we change...?"

Then, Rafiki pointed to another drawing. This one was older and a bit fuzzy. It represented two adult lions: a golden one with a red mane and another with darker skin and a darker mane.

"Who are they?" Dan asked.

"Since you are now Kiara’s son and Simba’s grandson, you must to know that he is your great-grandfather, Mufasa" Rafiki explained, "And next to him is his brother, Scar"

Dan looked at the painting again, but he didn’t understand why Rafiki was showing those pictures.

"Simba told you what happened between them, didn't he?" Rafiki ask.

Dan nodded but said nothing.

"Dan, listen carefully" Rafiki said making him sit down, "Scar let resentment and jealousy take hold of him, he was a good lion and a good leader of the lion guard. But when got the mark of evil, his dark feelings which were suppressed showed themselves, destroying his own guard and then his own brother accordingly"

"What is the mark of evil?" Dan asked.

"The scar. Both Scar and Kion received one after being bitten by a snake. Kion managed to find the cure, but Scar... well, you know what happened "

Dan thought about it for a bit. Then, he went back to comparing the two drawings.

"Wait a minute, aren't you saying that history will repeat itself with us?" I ask.

"No one knows what can happen" Rafiki said, "And even if something like that happened ... nothing happens in the same way twice"

"So… I think I should let Haki be first in line. That way, nothing bad will happen "

"Like I said, no one can know what can happen. Haki was just born today and is arguably better as the leader of the lion's guard than as heir to the throne. We must not anticipate what will happen"

"But..." he started, but the baboon cut him off.

"Dan, your story so far is amazing," Rafiki told him, "But it's not the end yet. No one can take away your destiny or your place here on Pridelands. Do not waste what you have been given and, if you still have doubts, remember that you can trust the family and the friends you now have"

Dan listened carefully. It was true, now he had friends and family to trust ... but he still didn't have his answer.

"For now, your mission is protecting your little brother of that type of destiny. Because…" continued Rafiki, "You have now something more than your lion's heart…"

"Rafiki" Rahisi's voice shouted, "I didn't find an orange"

"Hahaha" he laughed, "Wow, it seems that age is getting to me… I must have forgotten that I ate the last one yesterday. Well Dan, it's time to go home: the afternoon is falling and they will worry that you have escaped again"

They both returned to the entrance of the tree, where Shany was eating some berries with Rahisi.

"I hope you saved some for me" joked Dan, "Anyway, let's go, it's getting late"

Rafiki helped them again to go down the baobab. Then, both cubs said goodbye to Rafiki and Rahisi and headed back to the Pride Rock.

"And… did he give you an answer?" Shany asked on the way.

"He didn't give me a clear answer, he just told me to trust my friends and family," Dan replied, “For now, I know that my mission is protecting Haki. And he said that I have something more than my lion’s heart…”

“What?”

“He didn’t say what”

“Well, you know that you can trust in me. And you can trust your new family…”

“Thank you Shany. Yeah, I must trust in everyone: you, grandpa Simba, grandma Nala…” said Dan. But then, he remembered something: "Oh ... no"

"What's going on?"

"Tomorrow Aunt Vitani and her lion's guard have one day off ..."

"There is nothing wrong, does it?"

"Well, assuming she's the one teaching me to fight, then it can be bad. The last time he tried to get me to move a rock three times the size of me. I don't know what she thinks, but I'm not Imara to do such a thing"

"He just wants to make you strong; your parents now have a lot to do with being kings. I guess that's why Vitani trains you"

"Yes, I think you are right. But sometimes she is very hard…"

A shout made them turn: Zazu was flying, just landed, he collapsed from exhaustion.

"At last, I found you..." he managed to say.

"Actually Zazu, we were already on our way back" Dan told him, "Come, get on my back so I can take you home"

"Oh no, young prince. It would be a lack of consideration if... "

"Hey Zazu, I still have doubts about my future. But I know that now, you need help "

Without leaving Zazu, Dan took he in his mouth and placed it on his back.

"Thank you..." said the bird before laying down on the cub's back.

[Deleted]

Chapter 3:Dreams and Fears

(The next day…)


Dan was sleeping and having a strange dream: he couldn't see his body and he was walking of his own free will. He only saw that he was walking up an ascending rocky path.


"Taka! Mom told me to look for you… are you late for… Taka? " a voice asked, but it wasn't his.


Then, in front of his eyes they found another lion cub who was holding an egg from a nearby nest, ready to be throw. Inside the nest, the mother bird was demanding that he return it to her.


"Taka!" he yelled before the image changed.


Then, he was in front of the same cub speaking in a serious tone:


"You shouldn't take revenge on someone anyway," he said, "Why don't you talk to Mom or Dad?"


"You don't know what he is like ..."


“Maybe, but what I do know is that breaking the cycle of life for revenge is not the way for a prince or leader of the guard to behave. Mom and Dad would go crazy "


"No, please don't tell them ... I promise not to do it again."


There was the sound of breathing.


"Okay, but try to forget things like revenge, they go against the cycle of life"


And then he turned away without seeing the cub again.


Dan woke up: it was still night and he was sleeping next to Kiara, who was hugging Haki tenderly.


"What a strange dream ..." he thought and then went back to sleep.


(Minutes later…)


A lion cub was running through the flames as he watched Pridelands catch fire around him. However, he was not trying to escape the fire.


A sound of gunshot echoed through the air and hit a stone very close to him. He, without wasting time, continued to escape. Still running, he turned back: the silhouette of a man preparing to fire a second shot.


Just as he looked forward to see what he could do, he stopped: a ravine stretched out in front of him and he had to stop at the edge of it. In the background, trees burned like burning torches and waiting for a victim to fall into that death trap. When the cub turned, the stranger was just a step toward him, holding hunting rifle in his direction.


The subject did not fire immediately, but appeared to play with his prey before killing it. The lion slowly backed away until it felt the ground was missing and heard the sound of falling stones. Suddenly, the edge snapped and he felt his entire body fall… until his front claws dug into the rocks.


"Do you still think your new life is worth anything, brat?" asked the stranger, who was watching the scene from the edge.


"W-Who? Who you are?"


"You should know..." said the stranger. Then a shadow covered it and when it cleared the hunter was gone and now there was an adult lion with a scar on his left eye.


"W-Who? Who you are?" he asked again.

The lion approached threateningly. However, another voice was heard:


"Leave my brother!"


A young lion appeared from the side and pushed the one with the scar, both falling from the ravine.


"Haki!" Dan yelled, as he watched in slow motion how he fell, "Haki… Haki…"


Then, he felt something above his head: it was warm… and very small. Dan woke up.


"Haki ...?" he asked when he saw the cub who, surprisingly, had escaped from Kiara's arms and fell asleep on his brother's head. From the day when Dan was adopted, he always slept next to Kovu and Kiara.


Careful not to wake anyone, Dan lowered Haki from his head and handed him back to Kiara, who was so asleep she didn't notice a thing. Then, without making the slightest noise, he left the cave.


The cool morning air of Pridelands restored his spirit, while the rising sun tenderly warmed the air and his furry body. The birds began to fly and their sings gave life to the place. Dan scanned all that beautiful landscape, but stopped at the great wildebeest valley.


He still remembered how they had miraculously gotten out there... he hoped that was the last time they had been in such danger. At least, from what he learned later, the hunters weren't going to bother again for a long time. But then memories of his nightmare came to him... the wildebeest valley...


Not wanting to think about any of it, he continued to scan Pridelands with his eyes:


"The big springs" he said to himself when he saw a source of water in the distance. Despite the distance, the reflection of the sun made that place shine, "I remember that Shany took me to visit him once"


Then, near there was the grove of trees. It was a fairly quiet place and no one lived there. One could stay under a tree and fall asleep while watching the leaves fall.


Turning his gaze a little more, he could see Rafiki's baobab. Just thinking about him, increased his doubts. He didn't have a clear answer on what to do… at least not yet.


"Let's see ... that is the Rocky Ridge, the Acacia Savanna, the Kilio Valley, the Falls ..." he said mentioning to himself the places that could be seen from the Pride Rock (he desperately needed to put away those bad memories and the best he could to do was to remember the places that he had learned in his stay), "Woah, the Outlands are seen… well, far away. It doesn't surprise me that not many go there..."


He reached a point where it had stopped: a large lake surrounded by acacias near there. Around it, a group of rocks lies. He remember the place, but not its name.


"Lake ... uh ... Sha ..." he tried to guess.


"Lake Shangaza" said Nala, who had come out of the cave. Hearing his voice, Dan gave a little scare, "Heh, I see that you still have a hard time learning the names of the places, Dan"


"Oh, good morning Grandma Nala" he greeted her, "Well ... I ..."


He couldn't find the words in his mouth. While he wanted to tell the truth, he didn't want to worry her, but he didn't want to lie to her either. On the other hand, Nala sat across from him.


"Come here, little one," she said tenderly. Dan leaned closer until, in a moment, he felt the lioness's warm fur in a hug. Then she started to bathe him. Dan no longer felt so uncomfortable, plus he was a way of forgetting about worries.


"You can tell me what worries you, you don't have to fear: we are family" she said while she was doing that.


"Uh... Grandma Nala, can I ask you something?" he asked, remembering the day before, "Why am I the heir and Haki will be the leader of the guard?"


"Because you are clearly the oldest..." she said passing her tongue through the cub’s body.


"Yeah well ... I thought that since he was adopted, I shouldn't be the heir ..."


"The law does not prevent that. So... would you rather be the leader of the lion guard? "


"I ... well ..."


Dan was silent; he couldn't be, since every time he thought about it, he remembered a few words:


"It is not your destiny to have it…"


He was concerned because, in his opinion, he did not feel worthy of such responsibility. Also, that nightmare haunted him and he didn't want anything bad to happen to his new family. While she was still debating in his mind, Nala's tongue passed through his head.

"Are you feeling better already?"


"A little... Although I already learned to bath me alone..."


"Heh, I'm glad. You know, the first time I saw you passed out, a wish entered me that you were a third child to me. You see, both Kiara and Kion have matured quite a bit and I don't know... let's say I wanted to have a cub like you returned to Pride Rock. It seems like Kiara beat me to it though. Well, whatever happens, I'm happy to be your grandmother"


Dan felt a little better hearing that. However, he still lacked his answer.


"Grandma Nala ... how did Simba become king?"


"Okay; First of all, he was the firstborn of Mufasa. And then, he already told you..."


"Oh yeah, about his uncle..." he recalled having a slight sense of empathy.


"Yes, but to achieve that, he had to face his past first" Nala told him, "When I found him, he was with Timon and Pumba and let's just say he didn't take seriously his obligations as king: we all needed him for a better place in Pridelands... But what he really feared was facing his uncle..."


"Yeah, I guess ..." Dan mused. Nala didn't ignore that comment.


"Dan, are you hiding something from me?"


The cub trembled a bit before answering:


"I had a nightmare: my uncle was hunting me and then… he transformed into a lion with a black mane and a scar. And later…"


He was trembling with fear that he didn't want to keep talking.


"I don't think that means something else that you are still afraid of your past" she consoled him as she ran her tongue over his head again, "Believe me: when Scar came back, we were all afraid, but the important thing for us is knowing how to face that fear. We did not give up and he left again"


Dan was silent as Nala continued to comfort him… he felt so happy with his new grandmother, as well as his new mother.


"I'm glad to be with you now" Dan said more animatedly, "I wish this would last forever..."


"No matter what happens, or where you came from" Nala said, "Whatever happens, now we are family"


"Wait, do you know ...?"


"Oh kid... do you really think that, being here all the time, I never knew? I should know that they can't hide anything from me "


She laughed and the cub followed her. Meanwhile, the sun was rising to a noticeable rise in the sky, which meant that the rest of the pride was going to wake up soon.

[Deleted]

Chapter 4: Dan's worst training

Before Vitani will take care Dan's 'training', he had left the Pride Rock to take a little walk. It's not that he didn't like his aunt, but that she was a little… tough. And it was normal, because she had lived far away, fought for her survival, and had become a strong leader of the lion's guard.


As he walked, the doubts in his head made it difficult for him to think clearly. Then, he realized that he had come to a rocky slope, where there was a small but empty watering hole. With some thirst, the cub lowered the rocks and came over to drink a little.


The water was not that bad... although the one from the great springs was much better. While he was drinking, an unusual shadow moved in the water. Dan thought it was just a large fish, so he decided to ignore it. However, something emerged from the water: a crocodile. On instinct, Dan backed up, but ended up tripping on his hindquarters and falling backwards.


"You should be careful boy" said the crocodile, "This is my watering hole and I don't like strangers around here"


"I'm ... sorry," Dan apologized.


"Umm. I could accept your apology, or you could make it up to me by giving me something to replace my food"


"Makuu!" a voice yelled and Vitani appeared on the scene standing between the crocodile and Dan, "Going back to your old ways? Shouldn't you be at Matope Lake? It is not yet the dry season"


"I had come to see if I could find any more food here" Makuu apologized, "But just when I think I have found it, this cub spoiled my fishing, Vitani"

"Well, I sure he was a little lost. Also, if you have any complaints, you can talk to Kovu and Kiara. I don't think they would be happy if you tried to eat her son and my nephew"


Makuu looked down at Dan, as he tried to find some resemblance between Kovu and Dan.


"I don't see any resemblance" he finally said, "If I see him well, he looks more like Kion or Simba than Kovu"


"He is adopted, but part of the family" explained Vitani, "Besides, I am also in charge of him. And I do not think you wants me angry, do you? "


"Err, no. Well, I have to go continue fishing. Keep an eye on that nephew of yours "


Maku stepped into the water again, and headed for the deepest part of the watering hole.


"You shouldn't come here, this watering hole belongs to Makuu even in the rainy season" Vitani told Dan, "You shouldn't be with guys like him, they get angry easily and it can be very difficult to reason with them"


"I realize ..." Dan replied, "Thank you, Aunt Vitani"


"There is no reason to give them. Nala told me you were out for a walk. For a moment, I thought you had escaped from your training..."


Dan shrugged his ears.


"It won't be moving rocks again, will it?"


"Not this time. We will do things a little differently..."


(Then...)


The first exercise Vitani had prepared for Dan was traversing a mud puddle near the cliffs of Chekundu. Fortunately, there was not much depth since some animals such as antelope passed by without problems. The real challenge of the young lion was to cross a log that functioned as a bridge.


"Balance" explained Vitani, "Your first challenge is to cross the log from side to side without falling into the mud. Don't look down, use your instincts"


Dan carefully climbed onto the log and began to walk over it, one step at a time.


"Carefully" thought Dan, as he moved one paw after the other.


Nearing the end, Dan slipped and nearly fell into the mud, but quickly raised his paw again to complete the path.


"Well done, now let's test your speed and dexterity" Vitani said later.


(Later...)


"This must be a joke" Dan thought as he looked straight ahead.


Vitani had led him to a grassy area full of abundant dark brown thorns everywhere: Maumivu’s Thorn Patch.


"Just imitate me" Vitani told him before leaping forward.


The lioness darted into the bushes, moving with speed, but also with confidence and flexibility through the field of thorns. Every time it passed through a very small area, she would shrink its ears, tail, paws, and head to enter those paths. Other times, he had to crawl to pass. It didn't take her long to get to the end.


"It is your turn" Vitani shouted, "Since you are smaller you have an advantage, but don't trust yourself too much. Remember: use your instincts"


It seemed crazy to Dan, but if he wanted to be a true lion one day, he had to show more than just his heart: he had to show the abilities of one. Then he threw himself into the bushes.


At the first thorny bush it was easy to go through. Due to its size, he barely had to bend down to pass it. However, he did feel the edge of a needle brush against his fur and, thankfully, not his skin.


"Faster and more careful" Vitani yelled at him.


Dan realized that he had to be fast, so he jumped to the next bush, wagging his tail and crouching slightly to get around a corner. Then, he had to crawl across the ground.


The fourth and fifth bushes seemed more complicated as Dan barely had time to think where and how go through. On that occasion, a few thorns dug into him. Still feeling a bit sore, he jumped towards the last bush.


But he failed to go through: he got tangled in this last obstacle and could only see ashamed how later Vitani was pulling the thorns out one by one.


"Not bad for a beginner" she said, "But you have to be faster, not only in your movements, thinking is also important..."


"Ow!" Dan yelled as she removed the last thorn.


"Don't yell, you must be stronger than that. Come on, let's move on to your last lesson"


To say that Vitani was a bit harsh on Dan was an understatement. After all, the way Zira trained her wasn't exactly to defend himself. However, she still considered that a lion should be so strong, fast and brave… it was something he had learned when he competed with Kion and his guard.


(More Later...)


Vitani led Dan to a river. A few acacias towered over the side, and the nearby area was filled with fairly tall green-stemmed grasses, with fluffy white heads.


"It is the Urembo River" explained Vitani, "Your next lesson is bravery. I know I've taught you to climb trees before. Now, your mission is to climb those rocks "


Vitani pointed to the huge rocks that loomed next to the river. Dan swallowed hard.


"Wouldn't there be some other less dangerous place?" he asked with some fear.


"The rocks are stable, all you could bring down water is your fear" Vitani said, "Besides, I do not think the Chekundu cliff is good place to climb"


Dan approached the cliffs, staring at them as if the summit seemed unreachable.


"Come on, give it a try" Vitani encouraged him.


Dan put one paw up on the rocks, followed by the other. Before he knew account, he was climbing the cliff holding on with all the strength he gave his claws. However, something ran through the cub's body: fear.


It was very easy to be afraid after what had happened: When the hunters tried to catch him and Simba, the latter had held Dan in his jaws and leaped from rock to rock in the wildebeest valley, and they had both nearly died. It is not surprising that one is not somewhat traumatized from that.


"Come on Dan, you don't want to fall, do you?" Vitani asked.


He didn't know if Vitani was encouraging him or laughing at him, but he didn't want to look back. He feared that if he did, his fears would return.


"Quick" she yelled at him, "A predator may have already reached and eaten you. You have to be determined to do it"


He was almost halfway up the cliff. When he did, a piece of rock gave way and made him slip. Dan had to hold hard not to fall, but accidentally looked down: He seemed to have remembered that night, in which he saw Simba fall off. It seemed to him that this time he was the one who fell.


"Ah!" he screams.


Dan felt his body fall backward until he collided with the river water. Then he felt his whole being plunge into the cold water. As it moved his paws wildly, trying to push itself back to the surface, someone caught him by the neck, and he filled him back to solid ground.


Coughing, the cub could tell that Vitani had come to get him out.


"Thank you..." he said with difficulty.


"You don't have to give them to me" she replied, "What happened? I understand the falling... but I thought you were a good swimmer. When I saw that you had problems, I had to intervene"


Dan didn't know what to answer … he just knew that it was his fear that had thrown him off balance.

[Deleted]

Chapter 5:  We Are One

(In the afternoon...)


"Well, you were… good today" Vitani tried to encourage him as she led Dan back to the Pride Rock.


"Sure? Well, it seemed to me that I made a fool of myself with thorns and was afraid of climbing" Dan self-discouraged, "I don't think I'm skilled…"


"Easy, you just have to..."


"Vitani!" shouted Kasi, who was rushing towards them.


"What's wrong Kasi?"


"We have a problem: an elephant got into the Giraffe Watering Hole and got stuck on some rocks. Imara is trying to get it out, but it's too heavy"


"Okay, I'll go there as soon as I leave Dan at the Pride Rock ..."


"No, don't worry about me" Dan interrupted, "I can go back alone, it's not very far. The lion's guard needs you"


"Ok... take care of yourself and come back without detour, okay?"


Dan nodded. Then, Vitani followed Kasi in the direction of the giraffe watering hole.


Despite what he had agreed to, Dan did not immediately return to Pride Rock, but was wandering from place to place as he remembered his failure and fear in training trying to hide his sorrows: despite his good performance in the first exercise, in the second, he had failed and from time to time he felt the small pains that the thorns had left him.


And then, there was his fear of the cliff… how could he climb the rocks of the Pride Rock, but was he still afraid of places like the ravine or the cliffs? He felt useless. Then, he stopped near the Pride Rock.


"Could I really be a lion king?" he asked himself as he looked the Pride Rock, "No… it's not in my veins to be. I am ... just a child"


"Now you are" said a voice behind him. Dan immediately turned and met Simba, "But soon you will grow up and learn to be a real lion"


Dan didn't respond, but lowered his head.


"What 's the matter, Dan?" Simba asked.


"Grandpa Simba..." he started to say, but didn't hold back and instead hugged the lion, "I'm a clumsy... the training..."


"You don't have to tell me anything, I've been watching you all the time"


"You watched me…?"


"That's right. I just have to tell you not to try to force yourself to be the best while you are still a cub, it is part of growing up. It took Kion and Kiara a long time to mature"


Dan listened to Simba's words as he wiped her tears with his paw.


"But… it's not just that, but… I'm scared" explained the cub, "The Urembo river… I remembered that day in wildebeest valley: we both almost died. And you... you got hurt for protecting me"


Simba sat next to Dan as he gazed at the stars.


"It was not my first time there" said Simba, "In that same place my father died"


Dan gasped at the knowledge.


"I thought I would die too" continued Simba, "But at least I would die doing the last thing he did: protect his family."


"But, I…" Dan started, but Simba stopped him:


"Dan, from the moment I learned that your arrival here was my father's business, I did my best to protect you and my family even more. We also made you part of the family because I saw something in you: as if I saw my father's eyes in yours"


"My eyes…?"


"Yes... it's strange, isn't it?" he asked while pointing to the stars, "I haven't been able to talk to my father in a long time either... maybe he's no longer among the stars..."


Dan didn't know what Simba was trying to tell him. For a moment, he found himself looking at him questioning it, until vaguely, a memory popped into his head:


"Earlier, I told you that a part of me was in your heart. But now, my whole being will always be with you..."


And then, he understood:


"He lives in me?"


"It seems so" said Simba calmly, "My father is gone, I cannot hear him or see him in the sky as he used to since you mentioned that you saw him in your dream. Maybe it's because it's closer than I thought "


"Then…"


"So, you not only have the heart of a lion, but the king's soul"


"But I ... I don't want to be king. I just want to be ..."


Dan stopped, as he wasn't sure what he was going to say. Simba guessed immediately:


"If you say you want to be normal, you would be an ordinary human child. And if you say you don't want to be a king it's like saying you don't want to be a lion. Do you understand? Dan, we all have our place in the cycle of life and this is yours "


Realizing his mistake, Dan lowered his head, regretting what he was about to say.


"I don't know, Grandpa Simba..." Dan said in a muffled voice, "I don't know if I can be the same as him..."


Dan was silent not knowing what else to say: so much trust in someone that was from such a distant land, such affection for him, such revelation… it seemed like a dream. However, that filled the ex-human's mind with more and more doubts. Simba, seeing that, grabbed him with his jaws and placed him on the small rock.


"You don't have to be like him. Believe me, I also tried to be "said Simba," You must be yourself"


"But … how? "


"You may deny it, but you are more like Kiara when she was a cub, even though you don't feel like her real son. Little one, there is something you must understand: you are no longer alone. Now you have family and friends, we are a clan and you must remember that we are always one "


And with that, he gave him a little push that made him so fall onto a pillow of dandelions.

"As you long as you live here, it's who you are" said Simba hugging Dan, "You'll understand someday"


Dan just stared at the beautiful landscape Simba also gazed at from there: the Pridelands as the dim light of the evening sun faded into the moonlight.


(At night...)


Dan was walking alongside Simba around the Pride Rock. Kovu, who had come out of the cave, was waiting for them.


"Simba, thank goodness you found him" Kovu said, with a slightly worried expression, "Dan, you worried us too much. Vitani told me that she sent you back to the rock, but when you weren't coming back..."


"I'm sorry, Dad..." Dan said sadly.


"Kovu, you don't have to worry so much" Simba interrupted, "I took Dan for a walk: I was teaching him a bit, I had a lot to show him and talk to him about. So, it would be my fault that he was late"


"Well, I'm glad he's at least with you, Simba" Kovu said. Then he turned to the cub "Excuse me Dan. Well, we'll wait for you inside. Koda wants to see his brother"


Kovu stepped forward and climbed towards the cave. Meanwhile, Simba had taken a step when he realized that Dan was looking at the stars.


"Again, Dan?" Simba asked.


The cub did not respond. However, he turned around to look directly into the adult lion's eyes.


"Grandpa Simba, I still don't know if I have what I must to have" he said, "But, I promise you that I will try to learn more and keep you and your father's legacy"


Simba smiled at those words.


"That's the spirit, Dan" he told him as he lifted a paw.


Knowing what he was doing, Dan also raised his and they high five to each other.