Rayman Legends Adventures in The Lion King 1 1/2/Script

Walt Disney Pictures presents

Slowly appearing over the African horizon, filling up the night heavens with beautiful light, and amidst the echoes of a loud roaring sound, the sun rose into the dark heavens of an African savanna, beginning a new day for its inhabitants. However, this day was only the beginning of a special occurrence, and everyone from miles around caught wind of something big about to happen. From all across this kingdom, known as the Pride Lands, animals looked out over the distance, sensing what was about to happen, and without hesitation, began their respective treks towards a special destination. From all across the savanna, from the mighty waterfalls, to the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro, to the marshes and flood plains, animals of all kinds were migrating in vast numbers. On one hill, a giraffe and her calf reached the top, piercing through the sunlight, before they saw a large herd of animals traveling together, before rushing away to join them. Not far away, another community of animals, a herd of zebras, trotted their road towards their intended destination, while a colony of ants made their road on an overhead branch, having been summoned as well. In an open part of the savanna, a flock of guinea fowl, chattering and scurrying their road across the plains, was followed by a herd of elephants; their gigantic size making them tower over the scurrying birds underneath them. At last, the many communities and herds began congregating together; all members of each herd traveling to the same place. An awe-inspiring migration, this would seem to anyone, but for these individuals, both large and small, they were on their road to take part in a long-held tradition in this kingdom. They traveled on and on, until eventually, they reached their destination; the centerpiece of this kingdom, and a monument of grand reverence and reluctance...Pride Rock.

Standing tall in the middle of the savanna, and in sight of the gathering herds of communities, this legendary rock formation had been the sight of countless events throughout the Pride Lands' history, and standing on the peak of this castle was the ruler of this kingdom himself, King Mufasa. A large, powerful lion, he stood before his gathering subjects, before one individual; his majordomo, Zazu the hornbill, landed before his feet and bowed before his king. Grinning at his majordomo and dear friend, he gave the bird a nod, before seeing another community arrive at the base of Pride Rock. Making his road through the herds, and grinning at the clearing animals, Rafiki, the local shaman mandrill, approached Pride Rock before climbing up the monument to meet up with the king. Looking at his dear friend with happiness and pride, Rafiki opened up his arms as Mufasa, happy to see Rafiki as well, welcomed him with a warm embrace. The two turned towards the base of the peak and towards a cavern, where Queen Sarabi, Mufasa's mate, lay near the entrance, while the rest of the pride watched from inside. The two lions nuzzled each other before turning to a little cub that was sleeping in Sarabi's arms. Sarabi gave her newborn cub an affection lick, awakening him and making him turn to face Rafiki, who was very happy to see him. Taking his stick, he playfully shook it around the cub, getting his attention. With the cub's undivided attention, Rafiki took a gourd and cracked it in half. Dipping his finger into the fruit, Rafiki made a special mark on the cub's forehead, blessing him, before taking a pile of sand and lightly putting it on the cub's head. Having anointed the young cub, Rafiki gently took him into his hands, and after exchanging another grin to Mufasa and Sarabi, started making his road to the peak of the monument.

Down below, the herds noticed Rafiki approaching the peak. Eventually, the wise shaman, standing at the tip of the peak, lifted the cub high into the heavens, revealing him to the kingdom. A loud burst of cheer and celebration erupted all around the monument. Antelope and gazelles reared up on their hind legs, elephants raised their trunks and trumpeted with glee, monkeys chattered wildly in celebrations, and zebras stamped their hooves with happiness. As the celebrating went on, and as Rafiki kept holding the cub high for all to see, a glimmer of sunlight peered through the clouds, shining onto the cub. Upon seeing this, the many herds of animals followed suit. For all involved in this spectacular occasion, this day of christening was going to be long remembered, for it was a day of celebrating their communities, each other, their kingdom, but most reluctantly of all, the arrival of Simba, the new prince, destined to rule the kingdom and take his place...in the great circle of life.

The Lion King

However, while joy and merriment were going on at the ceremony, there was one individual in particular who was not so keen about the event. In fact, this fellow was fueled by anything but happiness and pleasure, and with the ceremony having come to an eventual end, he made no secret his displeasure towards another. Silently catching a mouse that was scurrying amongst one of Pride Rock's caves, Scar, a scrawny lion with a black mane, tawny fur coat, and pink vertical scar going down his left eye, lifted the fighting mouse towards his face. "Life's not beautiful, is this," he grumbled to the squeaking mouse, "you see, I...well, I will never be king."

As Scar moaned about his lost chance, the mouse tried getting away from Scar's paw, but Scar wouldn't let him get off. "And you...will never see the light of another day," he said before silently chuckling to himself, "farewell!"

Opening his mouth, he was ready to swallow the little mouse, but suddenly, someone appeared before him and voiced his displeasure. "Did your mother ever warn you not to play with your food?"

It was Zazu, standing before Scar and not pleased with him. Annoyed to see Zazu confront him, Scar sighed and asked, "what have you done?"

"I'm here to announce that King Mufasa's on his road," said Zazu with pride, before shooting Scar a disappointed look, "then you should have a good excuse to miss the ceremony that morning."

As Zazu criticized Scar, the mouse came out of Scar's grasp and scurried to the nearest hole. "Oh, now look, Zazu," he complained, "you made me lose my lunch."

"Ha! You lose more than that if the king succeeds with you," replied Zazu sarcastically, "he's as crazy as a hippo with a hernia."

"Oohhhh....I quiver with FEAR," Scar suddenly sneered as he eyed the hornbill with malicious eyes.

Now suddenly hesitant, Zazu slowly backed off of the advancing Scar. "Now, Scar, don't look at me that fashion," he pleaded, before swiftly taking to the air and trying to get away, "HEEELLLPPP!!!"

It's too late since Scar lunged forward and trapped the bird in his mouth. Fortunately for Zazu, before Scar could swallow, a deep, booming voice echoed across the cave. "Scar!"

Recognizing this voice, and with his mouth yet closed, Scar turned to see his brother, Mufasa, standing at the cave entrance and not happy with Scar one bit. "Leave him alone," he ordered.

Zazu poked his bill out of Scar's mouth and said, "impeccable timing, Your Majesty."

Begrudgingly, Scar spat Zazu out, causing the hornbill to slide across the floor, drenched in saliva. As Zazu recovered from his experience, Scar approached the stern king. "Why, if it's not my big brother who goes down from above to mingle with the commoners," he said charismatically.

"Sarabi and I didn't see you at the presentation of Simba," scolded Mufasa, who was in no mood for Scar's behavior, "is anything wrong?"

"That was today? Oh, I just feel horrible," replied Scar, feigning shock, all while scratching a rock wall with his claws, giving off a loud screech that rustled Zazu, "I had to forget myself."

"Yes, well, as slippery as your spirit is, as the king's brother, YOU should've been the first to line up," scolded Zazu as he got in Scar's face, only to swiftly retire underneath Mufasa as Scar snapped his teeth.

"I was in the front line......until the birth by the little ball of hair," retorted Scar threateningly as he swiftly knelt down towards a hesitant Zazu.

"That 'ball of hair' is my son," said Mufasa as he defended his majordomo, "and your future king."

"Oh, I shall practice my bowstring," replied Scar sarcastically before turning to leave.

"Don't turn your back on me, Scar," demanded Mufasa, who was getting noticeably angrier by the moment.

"Oh, dear, Mufasa," replied Scar as he looked his brother in the eye, "maybe you shouldn't turn your back on me."

Roaring louder, the frustrated king charged his brother before blocking his pathway out of the cave. "IS THAT A CHALLENGE," he demanded.

Despite Mufasa's frustrated outburst, Scar remained calm, but instead of willing to pick a fight, Scar said, "temper, temper! I wouldn't dream of challenging you."

"Too bad," snorted Zazu, "why not?"

"Well, as it comes to brains, I have the last part," said Scar as he looked at Zazu, before turning to his stern brother one last time, "and if it comes to brute force...I'm afraid I'm at the swallow end of the swimming pool."

With that said, Scar walked out of the cave, towards the open fields. Mufasa and Zazu watched him leave; the former calming down from his outburst, but yet clearly disappointed in Scar's behavior. "There's one in each family, Sire, (two in mine, actually) and they always manage to ruin special occasions," said Zazu as he perched himself onto Mufasa's shoulder.

"What am I going to do with him," asked Mufasa.

"He'd make a beautiful carpet," suggested Zazu playfully.

"Zazu," said an amused Mufasa, as the two headed back to Pride Rock.

"And just think, wherever he's dirty, you can take him out and beat him," added Zazu as Mufasa chuckled over his majordomo's joke.

Evening fell upon the kingdom, and across the vast beauty of the Pride Lands, large storm clouds started to gather in the heavens; the first sign of a rainstorm about to go underway. Rain started pouring from the heavens, drenching the landscape from miles around. In one special location, as thunder and lightning roared all around, a large baobab tree stood out in the open. Inside the tree, was Rafiki. Having finished his duty of presenting the new prince to the Pride Lands, he was back in his home, painting a new picture on the trunk of his tree. Muttering to himself, he used the juice from his gourds to put the picture together, before eventually, he took one gourd and examined his artistic work. His drawing was of the newborn cub. Chuckling to himself, he dipped his thumb into the gourd and made one final mark on the drawing; this one being on the cub's forehead. "Simba," he said before chuckling once again, pleased with his work, and looking forward to what the future had in store next.

Meanwhile, back in the Pride Lands, the sun was about to appear over the horizon, and at the peak of Pride Rock, one individual looked out over the distance, eager to see what the day would bring. This was Simba, having grown into a playful, young and energetic cub, the prince grinned as he looked forward to the day. Turning around to one of the caves, he ran to the entrance with ecstasy. "Dad! Dad!  C'mon, Daddy!  We have to go!  Wake up," he said as he looked upon his sleeping parents, before making his road towards them through the maze of sleeping lions, "I'm sorry."

Eventually reaching his father, Simba saw that he was yet half asleep. "Dad," he said, getting irritated, "Dad!"

"Your son is awake," said Sarabi, her eyes yet closed.

"Before sunrise, he's your son," replied Mufasa, his eyes closed as well.

"Dad! C'mon, Dad," complained Simba before trying to get him to nudge by pulling his ear.

This only resulted in Simba losing his grip and spinning backwards. Simba, however, swiftly recovered and after bumping into Mufasa, he said, "you promised."

Eventually opening his eyes, and seeing his annoyed son's expression, Mufasa gave in. "OK, that's it! I'm up, I'm up," he said.

"Yes," exclaimed an emotional Simba.

Letting out a big yawn, Mufasa eventually got to his feet, as did Sarabi. Together, the two parents followed their energetic son out of the cave. Happy to see his parents up, Simba ran to Sarabi and briefly nuzzled with her, before Sarabi playfully nudged him towards Mufasa. Together, the father and son started walking their road towards a high section of Pride Rock, while Sarabi stayed behind, grinning at her family. At last, the two reached the highest point of Pride Rock, the summit, and as the sun was starting to the rise over the horizon, the first light started catching onto the monument. "Look, Simba," said Mufasa as they sat side-by-side, overlooking their kingdom, "everything the light touches is our kingdom."

"Wow," said Simba.

"A king's time as ruler rises and falls like the sun," Mufasa continued, "one day, Simba, the sun will set on my time here, and will rise with you as the new king."

"And this will all be mine," asked an amazed Simba.

"Everything."

"Everything the light touches," commented Simba as he looked around the kingdom, before spotting a location that contrary to most of the places he was seeing, was shrouded in shadows, "what's wrong with that gloomy place?"

"That's beyond our borders," said Mufasa firmly as he looked out towards the shadowed location, "you should never go there, Simba."

"But I thought a king can do whatever he wants," said Simba.

"Oh, there's more to being king than getting your road all the time," smirked Mufasa as he started walking down the summit.

"There's more," asked a curious Simba.

"Simba," chuckled Mufasa.

Together, the two began taking a stroll around the kingdom. Here, Simba could see the multitude of locals carrying on with their business, ranging from a herd of antelope galloping across the grassy fields, elephants feeding and drinking, and giraffes feasting on the tree tops to name a few. It was a beautiful sight to behold. "Everything you see exists an entire in a delicate balance," Mufasa explained, "as king, you must understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant, to the jumping antelope."

"But Dad, don't we eat the antelope," asked Simba, confused.

"Yes, Simba, but let me explain. If we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass," said Mufasa, before the two looked out on a hilltop, getting a grand view of the many animals nearby, "and then...we are all connected in a great circle of life."

Suddenly, Zazu flew overhead and landed on a small rock. "Good morning, sir!"

"Good morning, Zazu," replied Mufasa.

"Registration with the morning report," said Zazu as he bowed before his king.

"Fire off," said Mufasa with a grin.

"Good, the buzz from the bees is that the leopards are in a bit of a place," reported Zazu.

"Oh, seriously?"

As Zazu carried on with his morning report, Simba's attention suddenly shifted to a nearby grasshopper that was jumping from around the grass. Intrigued, Simba followed it and tried jumping onto it, but the insect swiftly got out of the road. Simba's attempted pouncing was swiftly noticed by Mufasa. "What are you doing here, son," he asked.

Jumping towards the grasshopper, but missing once again, Simba replied, "jumping."

"Let an old professional show you how it's done," whispered Mufasa as he looked at an oblivious Zazu with a smirk.

"I warned the elephants to forget it, but they can't," Zazu continued on with his report.

"Zazu, would you turn around," said Mufasa to his majordomo.

"Yes, sir," obeyed Zazu as he turned around, yet oblivious to what was going on with his king, "the cheetahs are hard up......"

"Stay low on the floor," instructed Mufasa silently as Simba crouched down, ready to pounce.

"Cheetahs never thrive....." continued Zazu.

"Alright, stay low to the ground, that's right," whispered Simba as he crouched as far down as he could.

As Simba was ready to pounce, though, Zazu turned his head towards him and Mufasa. "What's going on," he asked.

"A lesson in jumping," said Mufasa.

"Oh, very good," replied Zazu with a grin, "hitting."

But Zazu swiftly turned frantic upon realizing what Simba was about to pounce on. "JUMPING," he exclaimed, before turning around and begging for mercy, "oh, dear, sir, you can't be serious."

All Zazu had in response, though, was Mufasa waving his finger around in a circular fashion while giving his majordomo a smirk, gesturing for Zazu to turn around again. "This is so humiliating," said Zazu as he reluctantly turned around.

"Try not to make a sound," whispered Mufasa as Simba was ready to pounce.

"What are you warning him, Mufasa," asked Zazu as he turned back to his friends.

To Zazu's confusion, Mufasa and Simba weren't there anymore. Looking around, he didn't see any trace of them anywhere. "Mufasa," he asked hesitantly, "Simba?"

Suddenly, Simba appeared through the grass and pounced onto Zazu, tackling him onto the grass. Mufasa appeared as well, with the former laughing over this funny act. With Zazu pinned to the ground, Simba got off the bird and strutted back to his father. "That's very good," congratulated Mufasa.

A gopher burst out of the durt behind Zazu. "Zazu," he said.

"Yes?"

"Sir, news from the subterranean tunnel," reported the gopher as Zazu listened.

"Now, this time..." said Mufasa to Simba, yet in a very good mood.

"LORD," exclaimed Zazu frantically, getting everyone's attention, "HYENAS IN THE PRIDE LANDS!!"

Upon hearing this, Mufasa's joyful attitude swiftly turned serious, before he started rushing away down the hillside. Simba became shocked on this sudden mood swing, but before they could ask what was going on, Mufasa turned to Zazu one last time and said, "Zazu, take Simba home."

"Aw, Dad, can't I come," asked Simba, bummed out.

"No, sir," replied Mufasa firmly before rushing away to deal with the unauthorized intruders, leaving Simba with Zazu.

Simba, however, wasn't as thrilled about being escorted back to Pride Rock. "I never can go anywhere," he complained.

"Oh, young teacher. One day you will be king, and you can these furious and foolish poachers from dawn until dusk," said Zazu as he took to the air and guided Simba towards Pride Rock.

Lurking past an overpass of Pride Rock, and yet very disappointed about how life was going, Scar grumpily walked down his pathway, kicking several bones and rocks out of his road. His walk, however, was interrupted until a familiar voice spoke up from behind him. "Hey, Uncle Scar, guess what," exclaimed Simba happily.

Recognizing this voice, and silently displeased to see his nephew, Scar turned to Simba and said, "I expose guessing games."

"I'm gonna be king of Pride Rock," said Simba, oblivious to Scar's grumpy attitude.

"Oh, boy," muttered Scar as Simba took a look out over the horizon.

"My father just showed me around the kingdom, and I'll govern everything," added Simba as he stood out in the sunlight, gazing upon the kingdom.

"Yes," said Scar as he sat in the shadow of the cliff, "well, forgive me for not jumping for joy. Wrong back, you know."

Scar plopped right down, before feeling Simba climb onto him. "Hey, Uncle Scar. If I'm king, what'll that do to you," asked Simba.

"The uncle of a monkey," replied Scar sarcastically.

Simba chuckled over Scar's response as he rolled off his uncle's mane, meeting him eye-to-eye. "You're very strange."

"You have no idea," said Scar with a grin, before getting to his feet, "well, your father showed you the entire kingdom, right?"

"Everything."

"He didn't show you what's beyond that increase of the northern border," asked Scar.

Upon hearing this, Simba's enthusiasm dwindled. "Well, no," he said with disappointment as he sat down, "he said I can't go there."

"And he's absolutely right," said Scar, "it's far too dangerous. Only the bravest lions go there."

Hearing this, and feeling he was being unfairly compared, Simba got to his feet. "Well, I'm brave. What's out there?"

"I'm very sorry, I just can't warn you," said Scar.

"Why not," asked Simba desperately.

"Simba, Simba, I'm just looking out for the well-being of my favorite nephew," said Scar as he playfully put his paw over Simba's head.

With a scoff, Simba replied, "that's right! I'm your only nephew."

"All the more reason for me to be protective. An elephant graveyard is no place for a young prince," he said, before swiftly putting his paw over his mouth, "whoops!"

"An elephant WHAT," asked a curious Simba, "wow!"

"Oh, dear, I've said too much," said Scar dramatically, before turning to Simba again with a grin, "well, I suppose you would've found it sooner or later, being so intelligent and everything," he said before pulling him in for an embrace, "just do me a favor. Promise me you'll never visit that horrible place."

Looking up at his uncle, Simba thought about what he was warned, before turning back to him and saying, "no problem."

"There's a good boy," said a pleased Scar, before letting Simba run away, "you run along now and have fun, and remember....it's our little secret."

Simba nodded back to Scar before running away, leaving Scar to himself. Unbeknownst to Simba, though, Scar gave a wicked smirk, for he had just toyed with Simba's confidence, and with the mention of a forbidden land, he might have just set his nephew up for something bad; something he had no disgrace in doing.

Meanwhile, at another section of Pride Rock, the lionesses were basking in the sun, enjoying the beautiful day, while nearby, Simba appeared at the top of a nearby hill, making his road towards another cliff, where Sarabi was resting with another lioness, Sarafina; the latter of whom was giving a bath to her cub, Nala. "Hey, Nala," said Simba as he greeted his friend.

"Hi, Simba," replied Nala, happy to see Simba as well.

"That's right, if I only heard about this place," said Simba silently with a smirk.

"Simba, I'm a middle-class type of bath," said Nala.

"And the time is yours," said Sarabi, making Simba hesitant.

But before Simba could get off, Sarabi picked up Simba and pulled him in for his bath. "Mum," complained Simba as Sarabi licked his head, keeping him from getting out of her grasp, "Mum, you're destroying my mane."

Sarabi looked at her annoyed son. "OK, that's it, I'm clean," said Simba as he came out of Sarabi's grasp, "can we go now?"

"Yes, where are we going," asked Nala, "it's best not to be anywhere."

"No," said Simba, "it's really cool."

"Well, where is the 'real' place," asked Sarabi as she smirked to Simba, curious to know what he was speaking about.

"Oh..." said Simba, trying to think up an excuse, before having an idea, "about the water park."

"The water park," asked an annoyed Nala, "what's so big about the water park?"

"I'll show you if we get there," said an irritated Simba.

"Oh...uh, Mum, am I going with Simba," asked Nala as she looked at Sarafina.

"Huh...what do you think, Sarabi," asked Sarafina.

"Well..." said Sarabi, thinking about this.

"Please," begged Simba and Nala as they looked at the queen with grins.

Eventually, Sarabi made a decision. "It's just like me."

"YES," cheered Simba and Nala as they started heading out, "ALRIGHT!!"

But Sarabi, with a smirk, had one more fact to say, "as long as Zazu goes with you."

This immediately dashed Simba and Nala's enthusiasm. "No, not Zazu," complained Simba, knowing what this would mean.

At last, Simba and Nala found themselves being escorted to the water hole, with Zazu flying overhead. "Step lightly," instructed Zazu as they got closer to the location, where a number of animals were already drinking from, "as soon as we get to the water park, we can leave faster."

Zazu continued to fly towards the water hole, and while Simba and Nala walked close to each other; the latter about to get the real reason for their stroll through the kingdom. "Well, where are we really going," asked Nala.

"An elephant cemetery," whispered Simba.

"WOW!!"

"Csendes," silenced Simba, "Zazu."

"Right," whispered Nala, "well, can we throw the dodo?"

Simba whispered to Nala for his plan on getting away from Zazu, before Zazu, noticing the two cubs' chattering, approached them; the former not withholding his happiness for them. "Oh, just look at you two," said Zazu, "small seeds of romance, breeding in the savanna, your parents will be happy, and besides, you've been betrayed and all."

"Now what," asked Simba as he and Nala looked at the hornbill, confused.

"Betrothed," replied Zazu, "expected...partners."

The two cubs looked at each other, yet not getting Zazu's words. "Why," asked Nala.

"One day, both of you will be a wife," said Zazu happily.

This swiftly made Simba and Nala gag in disgust. "I can't get married," said Simba, "she's my friend."

"Yes," added Nala, "it'll be too weird."

"Well, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but you don't have two doves," said Zazu, yet adamant about his belief, "it's a tradition to go back generations."

"Well, if I'm king, that's going to be the first fact to do so," smirked Simba.

"It's not as long as I'm around," added Zazu with pride.

"Well, in that case, you're burning," smirked Simba.

"Huh, nice work, but only the king can do that," said Zazu as he playfully tapped Simba on the nose.

"Well, he's a future king," replied Nala.

"Yes, then you should do what I'm warning you," added Simba as he gently nudged Zazu.

"It's not yet me," said an annoyed Zazu, "and with such a view, I'm afraid you're building a very good king."

"Heh! It's not the fashion I saw," said Simba, as he looked at Zazu again, having a new plan in mind.

Simba jumped towards Zazu, but not to pounce on him like before. Instead, he landed a few inches away from the annoyed bird, and suddenly, as if the entire world had transformed into a fantasy created by Simba's imagination, everything burst into color.

Simba: I'm gonna be a mighty king

Then enemies beware

Zazu: Well, I've never seen a king of beasts

With quite so little hair

Simba: I'm gonna be the mane event

Like no king was before

I'm brushing up on looking down

I'm working on my ROAR!!

Zazu: Thus far, a rather uninspiring fact

Simba: OH, I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO BE KING!!

"You have a good chance to go, sir, if you think."

While singing these lyrics, Simba showed off a mane of red leaves, imagining himself in the future, before he let out a loud roar to Zazu, who found himself falling into a mud puddle. Getting out of the puddle, Zazu tried brushing himself with what he thought was a leaf, only to discover that it was an elephant's ear and get swatted off, skipping across the water like a stone. Simba and Nala ran across the water before meeting up with Zazu again.

Simba: No one saying do this

"As I was saying, I was..."

Nala: No one saying be there

"What do you mean, we?"

Simba: No one saying STOP THAT!!

"Look, what you don't realize......"

Simba and Nala: NO ONE SAYING SEE HERE!!

"NOW SEE HERE---AAHHHH!!!!"

Zazu was caught off guard by two ostriches running nearby, both of whom were giving Simba and Nala rides across the land.

Simba: Free to run around all day

"Well, that figures it out."

Simba: Free to do it all my road

Zazu attempted to keep up with the two fast ostriches; the former visibly annoyed with Simba's ideas on being king. Despite Simba and Nala's enthusiasm on what they felt the future was going to be like, Zazu was in no mood for this ordeal. Flying past a line of swirling trees, Zazu caught up to the cubs and flew in front of them.

Zazu: I think it's time that you and I

Arranged a heart-to-heart

Suddenly, Zazu, not looking where he was going, smashed into a rhino's rear.

Simba: Kings don't need advice

From little hornbills for a start

Zazu got away from the rhino and perched himself on a log going near a waterfall.

Zazu: If this is where the monarchy is headed

COUNT ME OUT!!

Out of service, out of Africa

I wouldn't hang about

This child is getting wildly out of wing

Simba: OH, I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO BE KING!!

Walking past a line of zebras standing before him, before they turned their rears to Zazu, Simba and Nala carried on, ultimately running across the stomping feet of a herd of elephants, clearly having a fun time together, while Zazu, yet trying to keep the cubs in his sights, flew underneath the herds of animals, trying to find Simba, who was now on the head of a giraffe.

Simba: Everybody look left......

Suddenly, before an alarmed Zazu could get out of the road, he was run over by a herd of animals rushing to their left.

Simba: Everybody look right......

The herd came back the other road around and trampled the poor hornbill once again.

Simba: Everywhere you look, I'm...

STANDING IN THE SPOTLIGHT!

Zazu: NOT NOW!!

Chorus: Let every creature go for broke and sing

Let's hear it in the herd and on the wing

It's gonna be King Simba's finest fling

By now, Simba had whispered into the ear of a nearby hippo, who passed along Simba's plan to a giraffe, who in turn passed it onto a monkey. Down below, Zazu was cleaning himself up, before he was caught by two monkeys and carried high into their tree. While this happened, Simba and Nala were tossed into the air by some giraffes in celebration of the former's future king status, while Zazu found himself immobilized by the monkeys as they groomed his feathers. Eventually, the animals started to gather together and form an animal tower, all while they started concluding Simba's song.

All: OH, I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO BE KING!

OH, I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO BE KING!!

OH, I JUST CAN'T WAIIIIIT....

This large animal tower, surrounded by elephants, and having a rhino at the base, who was holding up hippos, giraffes, anteaters, antelope, and eventually an ostrich who was carrying Simba and Nala, suddenly started to become unstable. The elephants noticed this and took cover, but Simba and Nala remained lost in their happiness, before the song's conclusion eventually came to pass.

All: TO BE KIIIIING!!

Animals fell on top of each other, some getting entangled in each other's necks, while at the bottom of the tower, Zazu, who had somehow found himself underneath the rhino, could only watch in shock and disbelief before the rhino landed on top of him. The world went back to normal as animals went back to their business, leaving Zazu trapped underneath the rhino's bottom. "I beg your pardon, madam, but...be silent," muffled Zazu from underneath the large behemoth, "Simba? Nala!"

Having succeeded in losing Zazu, and having run a good distance away from him, Simba and Nala made their road to an empty clearing in the Pride Lands. Both cubs were proud of their progress in ditching their babysitter. "Alright, it worked," said Simba, proud.

"We lost him," added Nala.

"I am a genius," said a cocky Simba.

Hearing this, Nala turned to him with an annoyed look. "Hey, 'genius', it was my idea."

"Yes, but I did so," replied Simba.

"With me," dared Nala as she smirked at her friend.

"Oh, yes," asked Simba as he was ready to tackle Nala.

Simba jumped towards Nala, but Nala, spun herself around on the ground, before tackling Simba underneath her, pinning him. "Fixed ya," teased Nala.

"Hey, never mind," complained Simba as he got Nala away from him.

Nala started walking away with pride, before Simba, refusing to be defeated, smirked at his friend, and jumped towards her again. The two cubs rolled across the ground before suddenly going down a cliff. Alarmed, the two rolled down the cliffside, before Simba suddenly found himself underneath Nala, who swiftly pinned him to the ground again. "Fixed ya again," she teased as Simba frowned at her.

Suddenly, before the two could spur more, a geyser went off nearby, alarming the two. As the smoke and steam started to ease and dissipate, the two cubs looked around their surroundings. No longer were they in the lush, beautiful Pride Lands, but instead a gray, barren almost ghost town-like fashion. Looking up at a nearby cliff edge, they saw two sharp, spear-like fashions pointing out from above. Intrigued, Simba climbed up the cliff, with a yet alarmed Nala following him. Reaching the top of the cliff, they saw that the two sharp bones were actually elephant tusks, belonging to a massive skull. "This is it," said Simba, knowing that they were in the Elephant Graveyard, "we get it."

Looking out from above one of the tusks, the two cubs saw that there were many more bones of dead elephants scattered across the landscape. "Wow," they both said.

"It's really eerie," said Nala.

"Yes," added Simba, before smirking, "isn't this great?"

"We could get ourselves into big danger," dared Nala, also liking this.

"I know," chuckled Simba, before the two cubs looked at the giant skull that stood before them.

"I wonder if your brains are yet in there," dared Nala.

"There's only one fashion to know," said Simba, before he approached the entrance to the skull, "c'mon, let's go take a look."

"WRONG," a sudden voice exclaimed before someone appeared right in front of Simba.

To Simba and Nala's surprise, it was Zazu, having eventually caught up to the two cubs. But it wasn't just Zazu, who appeared on the scene. "The only checking out you will make would be to take a look here," scolded Zazu as he ushered Simba off of the skull.

"Aw, man!"

"We're way beyond the limit of the Pride Lands," said Zazu, turning concerned.

"Oh, look, Banana Beak is afraid," teased Simba.

"This is MISTER Banana Beak to you, confusion," complained Zazu, "and right now, we are all in very real danger."

"Danger? Ha," scoffed Simba as he approached the base of the skull, "I walk on the wild side.  I laugh in the face of danger.  HAHAHAHA!!"

But as Simba's cocky streak suddenly shattered until another source of laughter erupted from inside of the skull; this one sounding much more maniacal and deranged. Alarmed, Simba swiftly rushed back to Nala and Zazu as they all looked at the skull, concerned about who was inside, before three individuals slowly appeared from the skull. These were three hyenas, all sporting gray coats, baring powerful sharp teeth, and looking upon their visitors with menacing yellow eyes. Shenzi, the leader of this trio, led her two fellow hyenas, Banzai and Ed, towards the hesitant trio. "Well, well, well, Banzai," said Shenzi, the leader of the hyena trio, "what have we got here?"

"Huh, I don't know, Shenzi," mocked Banzai, before turning to Ed, "what do you think, Ed?"

Ed laughed crazily in response, knowing who these visitors were. "Yes, just what I was thinking," said Banzai as the hyenas stood before the three, "a trio of invaders."

"And quite by chance, let me assure you," said Zazu, trying to keep facts calm, before guiding Simba and Nala away, "a simple navigational error..."

"Hey, hey, hey, wait! Wait, wait," said Shenzi as she put her foot on Zazu's tail feathers, stopping him from going any further, "I know you.  You're Mufasa's little stooge."

"I, madam, am the king's steward," replied Zazu as he pulled his tail feathers out of Shenzi's grasp.

"And that would do YOU," asked Banzai to Simba.

"The future king," asserted Simba.

"Do you know what we do to kings who leave their kingdom," asked Shenzi.

"Ha! You can't do anything to me," defended Simba, not liking Shenzi's attitude.

"Uh, technically they can," said Zazu hesitantly, "we are on their land."

"But Zazu, you warned me they're nothing but 'foolish assholes'," complained Simba, ignoring Zazu's frantic attempts to keep him silent.

"Ix-nay on the stadium," muttered Zazu.

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING UPID-STAY," Banzai shouts suddenly as he faces Zazu.

"My, my, my! Oh, look at the sun.  It's time to go," said Zazu as he started rushing away with Simba and Nala, only for Shenzi to get in their road and block their escape route.

"What's the rush," asked Shenzi as she forced the trio to step back, "we'd love you to stay around for dinner."

"Yes," added Banzai as everyone frantically looked at him, "we could have whatever's......LION around!"

The hyenas burst into laughter over Banzai's joke, before Shenzi said, "hey, wait, I have one, I've had one! Make mine a CUB sandwich.  Whatcha think?"

Shenzi and Banzai laughed again over their jokes, before Ed, suddenly realizing something, got in between them and gestured to a direction towards the graveyard while trying to speak to them. "What, Ed," asked Shenzi, yet amused over her joke, "what is this?"

It didn't take long until Banzai realized what Ed was trying to say. "Wait, did we ask this dinner to go," he asked.

"No," said Shenzi, confused, "why?"

"BECAUSE THERE IT GOES," exclaimed Banzai.

And sure enough, Shenzi saw what was going on; their intended prey was running as fast as they could, going deeper into the graveyard. Running for dear lives, they rushed past the several skeletons of dead elephants, trying to lose their pursuers. Zazu kept flying above them, but as he flew, he was suddenly caught by the tail feathers and pulled back by Shenzi. Simba and Nala reached a clearing in the graveyard and stopped to catch their breath. "Did we lose him," shivered Nala.

"I hope so," said Simba, before noticing Zazu's absence, "where's Zazu?"

Trapped by the three hyenas, and unable to fly off, Zazu was held by Shenzi and forced closer and closer to a nearby geyser. "Then the little majordomo bird hippity-jumped all the road to the birdie cauldron," mocked Banzai, before dumping Zazu into the geyser.

"OH, DEAR!! NOT THE BIRDIE CAULDRON," cried Zazu before he was suddenly launched into the air, like a firecracker, "AAHHHH!!!!"

Zazu was sent flying off of the Elephant Graveyard, at last going out of view. Down below, the hyenas burst into hysterical laughter over Zazu's misfortune, before hearing Simba's voice. "WAIT!!"

The trio looked and saw Simba and Nala looking down on them from atop an elephant's ribcage. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size," said Simba frustratedly, furious over their treatment of Zazu.

"How about YOU," asked Shenzi as she frowned at the daring cub.

"Oops," muttered Simba, realizing his error.

Without hesitation, Simba and Nala swiftly turned tail and ran for dear lives, narrowly dodging Shenzi's snapping jaws. With the hyenas now fiercely determined to catch them, they ran as fast as they could, only to stop upon seeing another geyser go off in front of them. And to make matters worse, the hyenas appeared through the steam. "BOO," they exclaimed, giving their prey another fright.

Laughing manically, the hyenas resumed their chase, almost catching the cubs with their teeth. Simba and Nala ran as fast as they could, before climbing up another elephant skull. But the hyenas were hot on their trail. Banzai charged forward and jumped towards them, almost chomping on Nala in the process. Alarmed, the two friends were sent sliding down an elephant spine at a dangerous speed. Reaching the bottom, they were sent flying through the air, before landing on another pile of bones. As they got to their feet and were ready to run off again, he heard a familiar voice cry out in great agony. "SIMBA!!"

Seeing his friend in danger, and seeing Shenzi decide to close in on her, Simba immediately rushed down the bones to save her. Shenzi was getting closer and closer to the terrified Nala, but just before she could reach her, Simba got in her road and slashed into her face with his claws, giving her some big scratches. Injured from the attack, and with three big claw marks on her cheek, but not pleased, Shenzi slowly turned to Simba and snarled with rage. Down below, Banzai and Ed saw Simba and Nala escaping and chased after them, who had run into a dead end. Trapped in a cavern, with a large elephant carcass stuck to the wall, Simba and Nala got into the corpse and tried climbing their road up, desperate to escape, before cracking through whatever skin was left on the carcass and falling back to the ground. Getting to their feet, they gasped upon seeing the hyenas approach them. "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty," mocked Banzai.

Cornered and with no road out, Nala hesitantly hid behind Simba, but Simba, refusing to back down, bravely faced his attackers and frustratedly tried to frighten them away with a roar. "RRAAR, RRAAR, RRAAR," he growled.

But all Simba had from the hyenas was laughter, for they weren't intimidated at all, but instead amused. "What was that," asked Shenzi mockingly, as they got closer, ready to deliver the murder, "do it again! C'mon!"

Simba, challenged by Shenzi, breathed in and let out another growl, but this time, a loud, booming, thunderous roar came out; one that took Nala and the hyenas by surprise. "What," asked the shocked hyenas, who growled in frustration before shouting out an enraged "STEELE!!"

These yells were so loud that it echoed across the graveyard. Suddenly, a powerful paw appeared and swatted the hyenas off with such powerful force. To everyone's shock, it was Mufasa, having just arrived in the nick of time to save his son. Fueled with raging levels of adrenaline, the frustrated father wrestled the hyenas to the ground and slashed at them with his sharp claws. Caught off guard, but determined to fight back, the hyenas bit into Mufasa, but that only made the undeterred king angrier. Slashing into the hyenas with intense ferocity, Mufasa fought on, while Zazu appeared as well, protecting the cubs from the fight. At last, the three terrified hyenas were pinned to the ground by Mufasa, and he looked at them with intense rage and fury. "Please, wait..." begged Shenzi.

"SILENCE," roared Mufasa.

"C'mon, we're gonna shut up right now," begged Banzai.

"Calm down, we're very sorry," added Shenzi while Ed hid his face for shelter.

But Mufasa wasn't the only one furious with the hyenas for their actions. "If you ever get close to my son again," threatened Mufasa as he stared at the hyenas.

"Oh, this is...this is your son," asked Shenzi, trying to lie her road out of Mufasa's rage.

"Yours," asked Banzai, also playing Shenzi's game.

"Did you see that," asked Shenzi to Banzai.

"No, me? I, I-I didn't know," said Banzai, "did you?"

"No, of course not."

"Oh."

"Ed," Shenzi and Banzai asked Ed.

Ed, however, did not play along. Instead, he childishly nodded his head yes, confirming to Mufasa that they knew they were attacking his son. With this said, Mufasa let out another frustrated roar in rage that shook the hyenas. Unable to take it anymore, Banzai muttered, "toodles."

Swift as a flash, the hyenas zipped out from underneath Mufasa and ran for dear lives while Mufasa watched. Zazu flew towards Mufasa and nodded with pride, happy that he was able to fight off the hyenas, but despite his victory over his enemies, Mufasa was not happy at all. He frowned down at Zazu with a very frustrated look, causing Zazu to flinch in concern. Simba, hesitant himself, approached his father. "Dad, I..."

"You deliberately disobeyed me," scolded Mufasa as he swiftly faced his son with fury.

Feeling horrible and guilty, Simba's heart sank like a rock. "Dad...I'm-I'm sorry..."

"Let's go home," said Mufasa before he started walking away, with Zazu close behind.

As Mufasa walked off though, he took another look behind him and frowned, not at Simba. "I thought you were very brave," commented Nala to Simba.

Together, the quartet left the cavern and began the walk back home; all feeling very disappointed and upset over the outcome of today's horrendous incident. Unbeknownst to everyone, though, there was another fellow in the cavern, very disappointed about what just went down, but for him, he was mad because of something else. Fueled with seething frustration, Scar silently watched the quartet leave the graveyard; furious that his attempt at murdering his nephew had failed.

Later that evening, under the purple twilight heavens, Mufasa led everyone through the Pride Lands, yet overcome with fury and disappointment. Behind him, Zazu, Simba and Nala followed, all having stayed silent throughout the walk home. None were more disgraceful at what just happened today than Simba, the former barely able to look up at his frustrated father, and the latter overcome with concern; watching Mufasa walk down their route, before turning to a guilty Simba. Zazu watched as Simba followed him, before he heard Mufasa speak up. "Zazu!"

Hearing his king's voice, Zazu flew in front of him and hesitantly landed underneath him. "Yes, sir," asked Zazu concernedly.

"Take Nala home," ordered Mufasa, before glimpsing back at Simba, "I have to teach my son a lesson."

Simba hid himself in the grass, afraid at what Mufasa was going to do to him, hearing the frustrated hyenas shout his name. Zazu flew towards Simba and Nala, knowing he needed to give Mufasa a wide berth. "C'mon, Nala," he said to Nala, before putting his wings over Simba, "Simba...farewell."

Zazu took to the air and began flying away, leaving Simba to himself. Silently watching the two leave, before seeing Nala give him one last glance as she walked away. Now Simba was on his own, about to face Mufasa's scolding alone. "Simba," called Mufasa as he sat nearby.

This yell was so loud that it echoed across the valley. Wincing over Mufasa's tone of voice, but knowing it was time to face the consequences of his actions, Simba slowly approached his disappointed father. As he did so, he ended up stepping into a pawprint made in the ground. Looking down, he saw his own paw filling up the entire print, and compared to his own foot, Mufasa's was much larger. Seeing what this meant, Simba's guilt grew even bigger. How could he be a great king like his father if he acted very reckless, just like what just happened today? He reached Mufasa and sat past his side. Hesitantly looking up, he saw Mufasa stare into the distance. Wincing himself, but knowing what had to be done, Mufasa turned to Simba and began admonishing him. "Simba, I'm very disappointed in you."

"I know," replied Simba.

"You could've been hurt. You deliberately disobeyed me, and what's worse, you put Nala in danger," Mufasa continued before his frustration and disappointment turning into worry.

Attempting to keep it together, Simba replied, "I was just trying to be brave like you."

"I'm just brave if I have to be," said Mufasa, now calm, "Simba...being brave doesn't mean you're looking for danger."

"But you're not afraid of anything," said Simba, yet hesitant.

"I went today," said Mufasa somberly.

"You were?"

"Yes," replied Mufasa before meeting Simba eye-to-eye, "I thought I might lose you."

No longer feeling hesitant, Simba said, "I guess even kings get afraid, right?"

"Uh-huh."

"But you know what?"

"What?"

"I think these hyenas were even frightened," joked Simba.

Chuckling, Mufasa gave Simba a big smirk. "Because no one messes with your father," said Mufasa as he gave his son a playful grin, before suddenly pulling him in close, "come here, you!"

Surprised, and caught in Mufasa's playful noogie, Simba attempted to get himself out of his father's grasp, before jumping onto his father, like he was pouncing on him. The two laughing lions chased each other around the grass, having a fun time together, before Simba tackled Mufasa and wrestled him to the ground. The two calmed down as Simba got on Mufasa's head, no longer overwhelmed with despair over what just happened, and now seeing that he was forgiven. "Dad," he asked.

"Huh?"

"We're friends, right?"

"Right," chuckled Mufasa.

"And we'll always be together, right," asked Simba.

Hearing this question, Mufasa leaned upwards, looking his curious son in the eyes, before knowing what to say. "Simba...let me warn you of something that my father warned you about," he said before looking up at the night heavens, "look at the stars. The great kings of the past give us away from these stars."

"Really," asked Simba.

"Yes...then, wherever you feel alone, just remember that these kings will always be there to guide you," said Mufasa as the two gazed upon the stars; an incident taken care of and in the past, mistakes forgiven, and a bond reinforced and having grown stronger, "....and me as well."

Meanwhile, as the bonding between Simba and Mufasa carried on, and with the former's mistake was forgiven, quite the opposite was going down back at the Elephant Graveyard. Resting in a section filled with geysers, the hyena trio grumbled over their failure at catching Simba, while trying to endure the massive beating they received from Mufasa. "Man, that lousy Mufasa," complained Banzai, "I won't be able to sit there for a week."

Ed, despite being injured himself, couldn't help but laugh over Banzai's misfortune. As he chuckled, Banzai turned to him, annoyed that he was laughing at him. "This is not funny, Ed," he said.

But Ed burst into loud laughter, barely able to control himself. His laughter filled the area, before Banzai got frustrated. "Hey, shut up!"

Ed ignored Banzai's irritation, before the latter, eventually having seen enough, pounced on Ed, resulting in the two starting a brawl with each other. Shenzi, who was standing on a small cliff nearby, saw the two fighting and was having none of it. "ARE YOU GOING TO TURN IT OFF," she complained.

"Well, he started it," complained Banzai as he pointed to Ed, who was now chewing on his leg.

"Look at you guys," lamented Shenzi as she approached her two friends, "no wonder we dangle at the bottom of the food chain."

"I hate to dangle," said Banzai as some saliva dripped from his jaws.

"Yes," added Shenzi, "you know, if it weren't for these lions, we'd let the joint go."

"Man, I HATE lions," complained Banzai.

"They're so pushy," added Shenzi.

"And hairy," replied Banzai.

"And stinky," said Shenzi as she and Banzai grinned.

"And man, are they..."

"UUUUUGLY," the two concluded before slipping into laughter again.

"Oh," a sudden voice interrupted, surprising the hyenas and making them hesitant, "surely we lions are not all so bad."

Looking up, amongst the blowing steam, the two hyenas spotted a lion resting on an overhead rock, but to their relief, it wasn't Mufasa, but Scar instead. Sighing with relief, Banzai said, "oh, Scar, it's just you."

"We were afraid that someone would be reluctant," said Shenzi.

"Yes, you know, like Mufasa," added Banzai.

"Yes."

"I understand," commented Scar, not liking how he was being compared.

"Now that's power," said Banzai.

"Warn me about this," said Shenzi, "I just hear that name and I shudder."

"Mufasa," said Banzai suggestively.

This caused Shenzi to get chills throughout her body; a feeling that she swiftly found amusing. "Do this again," she said.

"Mufasa," said Banzai, causing Shenzi to shiver again, and Ed to burst into laughter himself, "MUFASA, MUFASA, MUFASA!!"

"Boy, that tingles me," commented Shenzi.

Up above, Scar watched the hyenas go about their antics, before voicing his sarcastic disdain. "I'm surrounded by idiots."

"Not you, Scar, I mean, you're one of us," said Banzai, "I mean, you're our friend."

"Charmed," snarked Scar.

"Oh, I like that," said Shenzi, "he's not king, but he's yet just right."

"But wait," said Banzai to Scar, "did you bring us something to eat, Scar? Old buddy, old friend, right?  Did you, did you, did you?"

Annoyed with Banzai's begging, Scar reluctantly pulled out a piece of meat that immediately caught the trio's hunger and attention; a zebra leg. "I don't think you really deserve this," said Scar, "I practically gifted these cubs for you, and you couldn't even get rid of them."

Scar dropped the meat down to the hyenas, and they began digging in. As they voraciously munched on the meat, Shenzi turned up to Scar again and said, "well, you know, it wasn't exactly like they were alone, Scar."

"Yes," said Banzai, who had a chunk of food in his mouth, "what have I done? Murder Mufasa?"

Staring down at his hungry minions, Scar gave them a sinister smirk. "Exactly," he said, catching the trio's curiosity.

Scar jumped down to their level, before some of the geysers nearby started to gently erupt, filling the area with steam and smoke. Scar slowly approached the trio with an evil grin, before explaining his new scheme.

Scar: I know that your powers of retention

Are as wet as a warthog's backside.

But thick as you are, pay attention

My words are a matter of fact

It's clear from your vacant expressions

The lights are not at all upstairs

But we're speaking kings and refreshment stands

Even YOU can't be caught unawares

As Scar sang, he looked upon Ed, who sat and saluted to his boss, before Scar turned to a laughing Shenzi and Banzai and jumped towards them, sending them on the tops of two geysers. The two geysers erupted, sending the two flying around the area.

Scar: Then prepare for the chance of a lifetime

Be prepared for sensational news

A shining new era is tiptoeing nearer

Shenzi: And where do we feature?

Scar: Just listen to teacher

I know it sounds sordid, but you'll be rewarded

While at last, I am given my dues

And injustice deliciously squared

BE PREPAAAAAAARRRED!!!

Now very fascinated with Scar's plan, the hyenas grinned with glee. "Yes, be prepared. We'll be prepared," said Banzai, before turning confused, "for what?"

"For the death of the king," responded Scar.

"Why, is he ill," asked Banzai.

"No, fool, we're gonna murder him, and Simba as well," said Scar, relishing in his planning.

"Great idea," said Shenzi, "who needs a king?"

"NO KING, NO KING, LALALALALALA," the hyenas mocked.

"IDIOTS," yelled Scar upset, "THERE WILL BE A KING!!"

"See all these rocks?"

"I want to be king! Stay with me, and YOU'LL NEVER GO HUNGRY AGAIN," exclaimed Scar as the lights around the cavern turned from green to bright yellow.

"YE-EE-EE-ES," cheered Shenzi as she and the others celebrated.

"ALRIGHT," added Banzai.

"OH, I LOVE THIS PART!!"

But Shenzi, Banzai and Ed weren't the only hyenas onboard for this plan. On the cliff walls, several other hyenas, coming past the hundreds, yelled in agreement for Scar's plan. "LONG LIVE THE KING! LONG LIVE THE KING!!"

The steam from the geysers started to get more intense as the hyenas began marching in single file lines, enrolling themselves into Scar's new army. Scar watched from an overhead rock as the hyenas marched in tune with the musical number.

Hyenas: IT'S GREAT THAT WE'LL SOON BE CONNECTED!

WITH A KING WHO'LL BE ALL TIME ADORED!!

Scar: Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected

To take certain beauties onboard

The future is littered with prizes

And though I'm the main addressee

The point that I must emphasize is...

YOU WON'T GET A SNIFF WITHOUT ME!!

The ground started to shake, sending more steam and gas into the air and cracking the ground around the hyenas, one of whom found himself falling into a newly cracked crevice. Jumping from the raising rock formations, Scar continued his motivation of the hyenas, while they sang in perfect synchronization.

Scar: THEN PREPARE FOR THE COUP OF THE CENTURY!

BE PREPARED FOR THE MURKIEST SCAM!!

Hyenas: LA, LA, LA!!

Scar: RIDICULOUS PLANNING......

Hyenas: WE'LL HAVE FOOD...

Scar: VORACITY SPANNING......

Hyenas: LOTS OF FOOD...

Scar: DECADES OF DENIAL......

Hyenas: WE REPEAT...

Scar: IS SIMPLY WHY I'LL.....

Hyenas: ENDLESS MEAT...

Scar: BE KING UNDISPUTED, RESPECTED, SALUTED!

AND SEEN FOR THE WONDER I AM!!

YES, MY TEETH AND AMBITIONS ARE BARED,

BE PREPAAAAAAARRRED!!!

The earthquake settled down, but the hyenas, caught up in their anticipation for Scar's scheme, did not. They jumped from rock to rock, while some banged on the ribcages of some skeletons with bones, like they were playing drums; all united under the cause at what was sure to be a devastating storm of chaos for Mufasa and Simba.

Hyenas: YES, OUR TEETH AND AMBITIONS ARE BARED!!

All: BE PREPAAAAAAARRRED!!!

"MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA..." everyone laughed into the night, ready to commence Scar's plan and wreak havoc on the royal family and anyone who would get in their road.

Later that afternoon, under the hot sun, Scar, having fetched Simba, led him into another section of the Pride Lands; a gorge. Cut through the ground, going on for miles, and amongst the slowly moving shadows of clouds flowing across the heavens, this dry canyon stood under the warm sun, as Scar guided the lion cub towards a specific section, underneath a tree. "Now, you stay here," said Scar to Simba, "your father has a wonderful surprise for you."

"Ooh, what is this," asked Simba, who was curious.

"If I warned you, it would be no surprise, right," said Scar playfully as he looked at his nephew.

"If you warn me, I'll yet be surprised," said Simba.

"Ohoho! You are such a naughty boy," teased Scar.

"C'mon, Uncle Scar," begged Simba.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, this is just for you and your Daddy," said Scar, "you know...a kind of Porky's bear......facts," before he started to make his leave, "well, I better go to him."

"I'm going with you," said Simba as he started following Scar.

"NO," exclaimed Scar as he swiftly stopped Simba from going any further, before chuckling and calming down, "no. Just stay on this rock.  You wouldn't want to end up in a different mess as you did with the hyenas."

Simba swiftly became shocked. "You know about that," he asked, feeling bad.

"Simba, everyone knows about that," said Scar.

"Really?"

"Oh, yes," responded Scar, sympathetically, "happy Dad was there to save you, right," before having another idea and getting close to Simba, "oh, and maybe between us, you might want to work on that little roar of yours. Huh?"

"Oh...alright."

Satisfied, Scar began walking away, leaving Simba underneath the tree. But before he could leave, though, Simba, having another thought, said, "hey, Uncle Scar. Do I like this surprise?"

Annoyed that he was stopped once again, Scar, without turning to face the cub, sported a smirk before responding, "Simba...it's to die for!"

With that said, Scar began walking away, leaving a curious Simba behind; the latter of whom was more confused than emotional. What was this surprise that was in store for him anyhow? He kept waiting near the tree as Scar, at last, went out of view. However, unbeknownst to the cub, he was exactly where Scar had wanted him, but there was something huge standing above the gorge that would surely be of major damage. At the top of the gorge, a huge herd of wildebeest was grazing in the grass. This massive herd, numbering in the thousands, spread out across the plain, silently eating the grass. In a rock formation nearby, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed were watching the herd, silently waiting for the right moment to strike. While Shenzi and Ed were patient, though, Banzai was attempting to contain his eagneress to feast. "Shut up," complained Shenzi until she heard Banzai moan in hunger.

"I can't help it, I'm so hungry," said Banzai, before almost losing his composure, "I must have a wildebeest."

"Stay put," ordered Shenzi, having none of Banzai's excuses.

"C-Can't I check off one of the little sick people," asked Banzai innocently.

"NO," exclaimed Shenzi, almost blowing their cover, "we're waiting for the signal from Scar."

Banzai slouched in defeat, not happy at all with his orders, but as the trio sat silent, they noticed Scar appearing over a nearby rock face. Looking down at the trio, he nodded towards them. "There he is," said Shenzi, ready to commence their part in Scar's plan, though not before shooting a proud Banzai an annoyed look, "let's go."

Meanwhile, back down at the gorge, Simba continued waiting for what was going to happen, all while the former lay on the rock, annoyed with how he was looked down upon. "'Little roar'! Bah," he muttered.

As he continued to wait, though, something appeared from the grass near Simba and slowly walked towards the ground. It was a small lizard, and as Simba watched it walk away, he opened his mouth and tried to roar, deciding to practice his skill. All that came out of Simba, though, was a non-threatening growl. Getting to his feet, he got off his rock and stood before the lizard. He tried roaring again, but it was just another playful growl. Seeing what this meant, Simba smirked as he looked at the lizard one more time. Jumping closer to the reptile, Simba breathed in and this time, instead of a growl, he let out a loud snarl that scared the lizard away, and echoed across the canyon walls.

However, before Simba could commend each other, his grin faded away until he started hearing a low rumbling sound; one that was getting louder and louder by the second. Confused, Simba noticed some small stones and pebbles underneath his feet shaking on the ground, almost like an earthquake was beginning. Simba, now very uneasy, heard some birds above him and looked up. Here, he could see several birds flying above a growing cloud of dust. Amidst the dust cloud, a wildebeest appeared from above the cliff and ran into the gorge, followed by another, and then another, and another, before they were joined by a herd of hundreds to thousands; all running down the wall and into the gorge. Simba's heart suddenly became overwhelmed with terror, for this herd was running down the gorge at a very fast speed, straight towards him.

The ground suddenly started to shake more intensely as the stampede of gnus got closer and closer. With no hesitation, Simba turned tail and fled down the gorge as fast as he could, just as the wildebeest herd started filling up the gorge, charging their road towards the cub. From above, the remainder of the herd, over a majority of the herd already in the gorge, ran down the wall and into the canyon, filling up the area with more and more wildebeest. Simba, frantically trying to outrun the stampeding herd, kept running for dear life as the ground kept shaking dangerously. At the top of the cliff, the hyenas, having begun their assault on their prey, raced after the herd and gleefully attempted to bring some of them down. The panicked herd kept pouring into the gorge, before eventually, all of the herd was now inside. The hyenas, despite having missed their prey, watched with sadistic joy, for their part in Scar's plan had been successfully put into motion. Simba was trapped in the gorge with the stampeding wildebeest, with no road out. The terrified cub kept running for dear life as the herd got closer and closer, trapping him in a life and death fight.

Meanwhile, not far away, Mufasa and Zazu were patrolling the Pride Lands, until Zazu noticed something odd. "Oh, look, sir," he said, before pointing towards where the herd was running, "the herd is moving in."

"Odd," commented Mufasa.

Suddenly, Scar, feigning terror and panic, appeared before the two. "MUFASA," he exclaimed in between shivers, "FASTER! STAMPEDE IN THE THROAT!!  SIMBA'S OVER THERE!!!"

"Simba," asked a shocked Mufasa.

Down in the gorge, Simba was yet fleeing as fast as he could, managing to keep himself in front of the herd, but upon turning back, he could see the herd catching up to him; getting dangerously close to outrunning him. Now he was trapped admist the hooves of the fleeing herd. Rushing towards the tree, and narrowly avoiding the raging hooves, Simba dove towards the tree and got into it. Unfortunately, this tree was very unstable, and while he managed to get himself onto it, he could only hold on tight as he watched the stampede rush past him like a raging river. Above the gorge, Mufasa, having just heard of Simba's current predicament, raced to the gorge with Scar as fast as he could. Zazu flew overhead and reached the gorge first. Diving into the canyon and seeing the stampede underneath him, he scanned the area, hoping to find Simba, before eventually seeing him on the tree. "ZAZU, HELP ME," cried Simba as he attempted to hold.

"YOUR FATHER IS COMING," replied a horrified Zazu, "HOLD ON!!"

"HURRY NOW," cried Simba as he watched Zazu fly towards the canyon wall.

Mufasa and Scar eventually appeared on one of the rocky cliffs. Here, they could see the stampede rampage down the canyon, but where was Simba? Zazu swiftly appeared before the two lions and frantically gestured to the tree. "DOWN THERE ON THAT TREE," he cried frantically.

Mufasa eventually spotted Simba, who was attempting to keep his grip on the shaking tree. "HOLD ON, SIMBA," cried Mufasa.

Suddenly, a wildebeest smashed into the tree, rendering it even more unstable. Simba managed to keep holding on, but only just barely. "AAHHHH," he shrieked in terror.

With no regard for his safety, Mufasa jumped from rock to rock down the canyon wall, as Simba kept attempting to hold on. Eventually, Mufasa jumped into the stampede and ran alongside the wildebeest, hoping to reach Simba in time. From the rock face, Zazu watched in terror over his friend's dangerous situation. "OH, SCAR, THIS IS HORRIBLE!! WHAT HAVE WE DONE?!  WHAT HAVE WE DONE," he asked frantically.

Suddenly, Zazu came up with an idea. "I'LL COME BACK FOR HELP!! THIS IS WHAT I'LL DO," he said, before he started doing just that, "I'LL COME RIGHT BACK...."

But before Zazu could do so, Scar, refusing to let Zazu do that, and knowing his interference would mess up his plan, swatted him into a nearby wall. Smashing into the wall, Zazu plopped onto the ground, unconscious.

Back in the gorge, Mufasa rushed to his son as fast as he could, who was now just inches from falling off. Simba watched as Mufasa ran past him before he turned around and started running back to save him. In doing so, Mufasa made a mad dash for Simba, only to get knocked aside by a wildebeest. Shaking off the attack, Mufasa watched in horror as Simba kept attempting to hold on, but suddenly, another wildebeest smashed into the tree. This time, the tree was fully destroyed, and Simba was sent flying into the herd. "AAHHHH!!!!"

But before Simba could fall into the sea of raging hooves, Mufasa jumped into the air and caught Simba in his mouth. With his loved one with him, Mufasa started fighitng his road to safety. From above, Scar, not taking his eyes off the attempting two, slowly prowled across the canyon wall, waiting to see where they would end up. Down below, Mufasa once again smashed into another wildebeest, causing him to incidentally release Simba again. Spinning across the ground, Simba got up and frantically watched in horror as the wildebeest kept coming. Dodging the fleeing animals, he attempted to avoid getting trampled, before Mufasa appeared, stuffing him into his mouth and jumping off of a tripping wildebeest. Jumping towards a rock face out of harm's road, Mufasa delivered Simba, before he was suddenly pulled back into the herd by another wildebeest. "DAD," cried Simba.

Mufasa was sent smashing to the ground, out of view from Simba. From his platform, he scanned the stampede for Mufasa, praying that he was alright. His fear growing bigger and bigger, he kept looking from left to right, trying to find his savior, but he couldn't find any sign of him. Suddenly, before his very eyes, something jumped out of the stampede with a mighty roar and clung onto the canyon wall with all his might, digging his claws into the wall and gaining traction. To Simba's shock, but also relieved, it was Mufasa. He watched as the mighty king attempted to climb his road up the wall with his claws. Simba, however, swiftly became shocked again as he saw Mufasa almost slip back down. Looking up at where Mufasa was going, Simba ran up a rocky pathway, determined to get to higher ground and help Mufasa there. As for Mufasa, he already managed to get very high above the thundering herd, but as he attempted to hold on, he noticed Scar standing above him. "SCAR," he cried with his claws dug into the wall and the wind blowing across his mane.

But Scar didn't move. He stared down at his frantic brother with a firm look, before Mufasa slipped a few inches off of him. "BROTHER," Mufasa cried, desperate for help, "HELP ME!!"

Mufasa's hind legs attempted to hold onto the wall, with each of their claws only slipping off the wall and sending several pebbles into the herd below. Scar stared down at the fighting Mufasa, not moving a muscle, until suddenly, he lunged forward with his claws spread out and hitting them into his brother's paws. Mufasa roared in pain from Scar's claws, before swiftly turning back to him. Smirking at his brother's predicament, seeing no fashion he could get out now, and knowing what he was about to do, Scar stared his brother in the eyes, before speaking with a sinister tone of voice. "Goodnight, sweet prince," he snarled into his horrified brother's face.

With that said, Scar threw his paws outwards, throwing Mufasa down to the stampede below. The mighty lion king plummeted down to the gorge and into the raging herd; only capable of letting out a bloodcurdling shriek before vanishing into the stampede. "AAHHHH!!!!"

"NoooooOOOO," Simba yelled, as he saw Mufasa falling to his death.

Simba swiftly rushed back down into the gorge, just as the last few wildebeest ran past, eventually ending the stampede. The chaos eventually over, the cub got to ground level and saw a huge amount of dust covering the area; all gathered up by the stampede and leaving the premises covered in dust, almost like the aftermath of a wildfire. He looked around the canyon, but couldn't get a good view. "DAD," Simba called out, only to get no response.

This yell was so loud that it echoed across the gorge. Shaken by his traumatic experience, but determined to find Mufasa, he kept walking through the area, horrified by the carnage. The dust started to slowly dissipate, allowing Simba to get a better look around, but he couldn't find Mufasa anywhere. It was also deathly silent where he couldn't hear anything, not even something as silent as a tomb. Walking even deeper into the gorge, he kept looking, until he heard a rustling sound nearby. "Dad," asked Simba.

But all that appeared was a stray wildebeest, having been separated from the herd and running down the canyon. He watched as the wildebeest ran away deeper into the gorge, before spotting the now broken tree that he used to escape the chaos. Underneath the tree, though, was a familiar-looking silhouette, lying on the ground. It looked like a large lion, and upon seeing that this could be his father, Simba rushed to the body with shock. The lion cub approached the body and saw that it was indeed Mufasa, but he wasn't moving. Approaching the head, he could see Mufasa's eyes and mouth closed, and he wasn't breathing. Simba approached Mufasa and tried to awaken him. "Dad," he asked, only to get no response, "Dad, c'mon. You have to get up."

Simba nudged the body, but there was yet no response. "Dad," cried Simba, who was turning afraid, before he tried to push him awake, "you have to come home."

But Mufasa didn't budge. Now desperate, Simba rushed to Mufasa's ear and pulled onto it, but there was yet no response. Nothing he was doing was making Mufasa respond, and with that, Simba started tearing up. Seeing that Mufasa wasn't moving, even with Simba's attempts to awaken him, it became clear that Mufasa, the wise ruler of the Pride Lands and a good friend who treasured his loyalty...was gone. Simba, unwilling it to be true, ran a few feet off of the corpse. "HEEEELP," he cried, only to get no response, "SOMEONE!! Anyone!"

This yell was so loud that it echoed across the canyon. Unable to take it anymore, and with tears swelling in his eyes, Simba broke down. "Help," he whined, before breaking down in tears.

The horrific tragedy was too much for poor Simba to take in. His father who had rescued him from the stampede was now dead, and he felt fully fearless. Simba slowly approached the body, feeling just as hopeless. Putting himself under one of his dead father's paws, Simba curled up against the body, desperate for any kind of consolation. He stayed past the corpse, only able to grieve the loss of such a beloved authority.

But as he mourned the tragic loss, a sinister figure appeared from the dust and approached the body. It was Scar. "Simba," he said, getting Simba's attention, "what have you done?"

Overcome with emotion, Simba replied in between tears, "there were wildebeest, and...he tried to save me. It was an incident.  I didn't want that to happen."

"Of course, of course you obviously didn't," replied Scar, feigning sympathy, as he pulled his weeping nephew close, "nobody...ever means because these facts happen...but the king is dead."

Simba looked up at his uncle, tears yet flowing down his face. "And if it weren't for you, he'd yet be alive," added Scar.

Simba's heart became even heavier upon seeing Scar say this. He could not believe these words coming from his uncle, and he felt even more hopeless than before. The latter clung onto Scar, unsure at what to do, or how to feel about this. Scar gasped in despair upon realizing something else. "What will your mother think," he asked to the cub.

"What are we gonna do now, Steele," asked Simba.

"Run away, Simba," said Scar as Simba backed off.

Taking one last look at Mufasa's body, not liking where this was going, the cub turned back to Scar, as he concluded, "run...run away and never come back."

Overwhelmed with fear, Simba turned around and fled as fast as he could. Scar watched him run away, before forming a slight grin. Behind him, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed slowly appeared from the dust, smirking at the fleeing cub with sadistic glee, before Scar, sensing their presence, turned sinister and gave one last order. "Murder him!"

The hyenas immediately ran past Scar and began chasing after Simba. By now, he had reached a dead end in the gorge. Looking up at the tall wall blocking his path, he suddenly heard a noise behind him. He turned around, and to his horror, he saw the trio of hyenas slowly approaching him, ready to attack. Terrified, he rushed up a small cliff, desperate to get away, squeezing through a small crevice, and narrowly dodging Banzai's sharp claws. Running for dear life, he reached the edge of the gorge, but found himself trapped by another large cliff, this one standing high above a massive thorn thicket. Shivering frantically, Simba turned around and saw the hyenas chasing after him. Simba frantically jumped and started rolling down the cliff. The hyenas, refusing to let Simba get away, dove after him and continued the chase. Simba kept rolling down the cliff until eventually landing in the thorn bush below. While Simba swiftly recovered, the hyenas kept closing in, while Simba crawled his road through the bush. The hyenas kept getting closer and closer to ground level, but Banzai swiftly noticed the bush and became shocked himself. "WOW!!"

Skidding his run to a grinding halt, Banzai attempted to stop himself, only managing to do so right at the edge of the platform. Sighing with relief, he felt that he was safe, only to suddenly get knocked into the thicket, courtesy of Shenzi and Ed. Landing in the bush with a thud, Banzai shrieked in pain from his injuries while Shenzi and Ed burst into laughter over his misfortune. Banzai climbed himself back onto their platform as they laughed hysterically. Shenzi, however, turned back to where Simba was fleeing, and saw the former running out of the thicket and into the desert before him. "Hey, there he is! There he goes!"

"Then go get him," complained Banzai as he pulled the thorns out of his body.

"There's no fashion I'm going in there," said Shenzi, "what does he want to come out looking like you, Cactus Ass?"

Pulling out the thorns stuck to his rear, and spitting some out in Ed's face, Banzai said, "but we have to finish the job."

"Well, he's as good as dead out there any matter," said Shenzi as Banzai walked up to her, "and if he comes back, we'll murder him."

"YES," cheered Banzai in agreement, before shouting out to a fleeing Simba, "YOU HEAR THIS?! IF YOU EVER COME BACK, WE'LL MURDER YOU!!"

This yell was so loud that it echoed across the desert. Laughing manically, the trio turned around and started making their road back to Scar, leaving Simba to keep running deeper into the desert as the sun was starting to set. But while Simba was already far out of range, with Mufasa having just died, Simba running away on his own into the desert, and now under the belief that he had a part in ending Mufasa's life.

Later that evening, back at Pride Rock, Scar was giving a eulogy for Simba and Mufasa to the brokenhearted pride. "Mufasa's death....is a horrible tragedy...but to lose Simba, who had just begun to live," he said, feigning despair.

The whole pride silently mourned their loved ones, beyond saddened to hear this news befall on them. None were more disheartened by this than Sarabi, who attempting to hold it together, despite Zazu's attempt to console her, and Nala, who couldn't believe her friend was gone, and was nuzzling against Sarafina as she wept. "For me...it is a profund.....personal loss," said Scar, "then it is with a heavy heart, that I presume the throne."

As Scar delivered his speech, some shadows appeared lurking across Pride Rock, catching everyone's attention. It was here, however, as Scar's speech turned from one of despair and grief, into firm determination. "But from the ashes of this tragedy, we will rise..." Scar continued as everyone realized, to their horror, that they were being approached by hyenas, "to greet the dawning of a new era, in which lion and hyena unite together...in a big and glorious future."

Coming out from every corner, the hyenas began surrounding the horrified lionesses, who were shocked that Scar was letting their opponents into the kingdom. There was, however, nothing they could do, for Scar climbed up the peak of Pride Rock and assumed the throne. More and more hyenas surrounded the site, as Rafiki, watching the scene from afar, could only mourn on his own. Like the pride, he was also brokenhearted by what just happened to Mufasa and Simba, but knew there was nothing that could be done about Scar taking over and allowing the hyenas access to the Pride Lands. Retiring back to his tree, he sat on one of his branches, overcome with grief and shedding a tear. Turning to his right, he saw the drawing of Simba he drew shortly after his birth, but with Simba now gone, it no longer had any meaning. Rafiki put his hand over the drawing and smudged it, almost wiping it off.

Meanwhile, in a hot desert, far, far away from Pride Rock, the sun shone down on the ecosystem, under a blanket of heat. The hot sun penetrated the ground and was heating up everything around it, and for one exhausted individual, this was bad news. Having escaped the hyenas, and now unconscious out in the hot desert, Simba lay on the parched floor. His unresponsive body, having been subject to so much stress, was beginning to lure circling vultures from high above. They slowly circled around the cub's body before they began making their descent. Landing on the ground, and approaching Simba's body with caution, the buzzards piled onto the cub's body and were ready to feast on his flesh. However, just as it seemed it was all over for poor Simba, and that the vultures were going to have themselves a good meal, a pair of loud yells split through the air that caught the vultures' attention. "HEE-YAAHHHH!!!!"

Appearing out of nowhere, charging straight towards the surprised vultures, and bursting with energy, was a red warthog, with a tan meerkat riding on his back. The vultures began to scurry off, before another fellow appeared and not far behind the warthog. This person, however, was taller, stood on two legs, and upon reaching the vultures, skidded his run to a halt, before jumping into the air, spinning several times, and landing with a thud in the center of the scurrying vultures. The warthog headbutted one vulture before donkey kicking another with his hind legs. The meerkat jumped off the warthog and horse kicked one vulture off. "GET OUT! GET OUT!!  GET OUTTA HERE," exclaimed the meerkat as the last of the vultures disappeared.

Having succeeded in driving them away, the meerkat and warthog burst into celebration. "WAHOO!!"

"I love it, bowling for buzzards," cheered the warthog before noticing something nearby.

"He takes them every time," said the meerkat as he cleaned himself up, "ahahaha..."

"Oops," said the warthog, getting everyone's attention, "hey, Timon! It's better if you come.  I think it's yet alive."

Timon the meerkat, having completed cleaning himself up, saw his warthog friend, Pumbaa, standing above the body of Simba. Wincing over what they had discovered, Timon approached the body to get a better look. "Alright. What have we got here," he asked.

Timon sniffed the unconscious body, before lifting up one of Simba's paws. Lifting it above his shoulders, Timon had a good view of Simba's head, and immediately became shocked. "SHEESH, IT'S A LION," he exclaimed.

"Let's get out of here," said Pumbaa.

"Run, Pumbaa! Move it," said Timon as he got on Pumbaa's back and frantically urged him to move.

"Wait, Timon, it's just a little lion," said Pumbaa, who wasn't as afraid, "look at him. He's so cute and all alone.  Can we keep him?"

"Pumbaa, ARE YOU CRAZY," asked Timon, yet frantic, "you're speaking about a lion! Lions eat guys like us!"

"But he's so small," replied Pumbaa as Timon landed on the ground, underneath his snout.

"He'll become bigger."

"Perhaps he'll be on our side," said Pumbaa.

"Ha! That's the foolish fact I've ever heard," laughed Timon, "perhaps he'll..."

Suddenly, an idea rang into Timon's mind; one that immediately made him change his mind. "Wait, I've had it," he said before turning to Pumbaa, "what if he's on our side? You know, having a lion around may not be a bad idea."

"Then we're holding him," asked Pumbaa as he approached Simba.

"Sure," replied Timon as Pumbaa picked up Simba with his tusks, "who's the brains in this dress?"

"Uh..."

"My point, exactly," interrupted Timon, before wiping some sweat off his forehead, "crap, I'm fried. Let's get away from here and find some shade."

As for Simba, he was tended to past Timon and Pumbaa, and while the latter looked upon the cub with worry, the former splashed some water onto his face. The water landed on Simba's face and it awakened him. Moaning from drowsiness, he slowly opened his eyes and saw Timon and Pumbaa standing nearby. "You alright, boy," asked Timon.

"I think so."

"You almost died," said a worried Pumbaa.

"I saved you," added Timon, only to get a snort from an annoyed Pumbaa, "well, Pumbaa helped...a bit."

Pumbaa stood with pride, but Simba, too depressed to care, got to his feet. "Thank you for your help," he said, before walking back towards the desert.

Timon and Pumbaa, surprised by Simba's saddened state, looked at him with concern. "Hey, where you going," asked Timon.

"Nowhere," said Simba, not bothering to look the meerkat in the eye.

"Yeesh, he looks blue," commented Timon.

"I'd say brownish-gold," replied Pumbaa.

"No, no, no, I mean he's depressed," corrected Timon.

"Oh."

Timon and Pumbaa approached Simba to see what was wrong. "Boy, what's eating you," asked Pumbaa as they caught up with Simba.

"Nothing, he's at the top of the food chain," joked Timon, before bursting into laughter, "BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! The food chain!"

But no one else laughed alongside Timon. Simba kept wallowing in his depression while Pumbaa looked at the cub with a sympathetic look. At last, Timon, realizing that no one was laughing with him, calmed down awkwardly. "Well, where you from," asked Timon.

"Who cares," asked Simba as he tried walking away again, "I can't go back."

"Ah, you're an outcast," said Timon as he and Pumbaa stopped Simba from going further, "that's great! We are as well!"

"What are you doing here, boy," asked Pumbaa.

"Something horrible, but I don't wanna speak about it," said Simba.

"Good, because we don't wanna hear about this," said Timon.

"C'mon, Timon," complained Pumbaa, before turning to Simba, trying to console him, "something we can do?"

"Not unless you can change the past," said Simba, yet down.

"But you know, boy," said Pumbaa, "in times like this, my friend Timon here says 'you have to put your back in your past'!"

"No, no, no," complained Timon, "amateur, lie down before you get hurt."

Pumbaa slouched down in embarrassment while Timon approached Simba. "It's 'you must put your past behind you'," he corrected, "look, boy, bad facts happen, and you can't do anything about it, right?"

"Right," said Simba, yet down.

"WRONG," corrected Timon, "if the world turns your back on you, you turn your back on the world."

"Well, that's not what I was taught," said Simba.

"Then perhaps you need a new lesson. Repeat after me," said Timon before clearing his throat, "Hakuna Matata."

"What," asked Simba, confused.

"Hakuna Matata," said Pumbaa with a grin, "it means 'no problems'."

Timon: Hakuna Matata......

What a wonderful phrase

Pumbaa: Hakuna Matata......

Ain't no passing craaaaaaazeee!!!

Timon: It means no worries

For the rest of your days

Both: It's our problem free.....

Philosophy....

Timon: Hakuna Matata.

Together, Timon and Pumbaa guided a curious Simba out of the desert, and into a beautiful, green jungle. Putting Simba onto a comfortable patch of green leaves, Pumbaa shaded Simba from the sun with a large leaf, while Timon trimmed one of Simba's claws with a stick. "Hakuna Matata," asked Simba.

"Yes, this is our motto," replied Pumbaa.

"What's a potato?"

"Nothing, what's a 'tomato' with you," joked Timon.

Timon burst into laughter over his joke, along with Pumbaa. "Do you know what, boy, these two worlds will solve all your problems," said Pumbaa.

"Exactly! Take Pumbaa, for example," said Timon as he gestured to his companion, "why..."

Timon: If he was a young warthog...

Pumbaa: If I was a young warthoooooOOOOG!!!!

"Very nice," commented Timon as he rubbed his ear.

"Thanks," replied Pumbaa.

Timon: He found his aroma lacked a certain appeal.

He could clear the savanna after every meal.

Pumbaa: I'm a sensitive soul, though I seem thick-skinned.

In explaining this, Pumbaa relived a moment from his past if he was younger and didn't have many, if any, friends past his side. Approaching a water hole, unaware of some monkeys falling onto the ground and covering their mouths behind him, the shy warthog hesitantly cleared through the grass, and after making sure he was out of everyone's road, lowered down and took a drink. As he did so, a low, almost trumpet-like fashion, went off behind him, causing the grass to dangle downwards, and some flies to collapse onto the ground, resulting in the other animals nearby to smell something bizarre and swiftly flee.

Pumbaa: And it hurt...that my friends never stood downwind

AND OH, THE DISGRACE!!

Timon: He was disgraceful

Pumbaa: Thought of changing my name

Timon: Oh, what's in a name?

Pumbaa: And I got downhearted

Timon: How did you feel?

Pumbaa: Every time that I.....

"Look, Pumbaa," interrupted Timon sheepishly, "not in front of the children."

"Oh, I'm sorry," said Pumbaa, causing Simba to look at each other with a confused, but slightly amused look.

Timon and Pumbaa: 'Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase'

'Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze'

Eventually, Simba became filled with enthusiasm once again.

Simba: It means no worries

For the rest of your days

"Well, sing it, boy," said a happy Timon.

Simba and Timon: It's our problem free.....

Pumbaa: Philosophy....

All three: Hakuna Matata!

With Simba now feeling better, Timon and Pumbaa guided him to a deeper part of the jungle. "Welcome in our humble home," said Timon as they showed Simba a large view of the jungle.

Looking out at this landscape, Simba was amazed. This jungle stretched for several miles, was covered in greenery, had a crystal-clear river flowing through it, and several mountain formations reaching the heavens away in the distance. "Do you live here," asked Simba.

"We live wherever we want," said Timon.

"Yes," said Pumbaa, "the house is where your seat rests."

"It's beautiful," said Simba, who couldn't believe his eyes.

Together, the trio marched down towards the jungle, looking for a place to eat. Pumbaa gave out a big belch before saying, "I'm starving."

"I'm so hungry, I could eat an entire Kid Cuisine," said Simba.

"Uh...we're fresh out of ideas," said Timon awkwardly.

"Any McDonald's," asked Simba.

"Nuh-uh."

"Corn Flakes?"

"No," replied Timon, "listen, boy, if you live with us, you must eat like us," before seeing a large log nearby, "say, this looks like a good place to rummage some food."

Using his snout and tusks, Pumbaa lifted the log, revealing a vast quantity of bugs, large and small, and sporting a wide variety of colors. "Eww, what's this," asked Simba.

"A larva," said Timon as he held a large pink caterpillar in his hands, "such as..."

"Eww, lousy," winced Simba as he watched Timon gobble up the caterpillar.

Licking his fingers, and having enjoyed his meal, Timon replied, "tastes like chicken."

Slurping up a worm in his mouth, Pumbaa added onto the joy of the meal. "Subtle, but satisfying."

"These are rare galaxies," said Timon as he stood near a small mound, before taking a red beetle and chomping on it, "pecans with a very pleasant crunch."

"You'll learn to love them," said Pumbaa, who now had a mouth complete with bugs.

"I'm warning you, boy," said Timon as he gathered some grubs and put them on his plate-like fashion, "this is the great life. Without rules, no responsibilities...ooh, the small type of cream," he said as he pulled out a blue bug and ate it, "and above all, no worries.  Well, boy?"

Seeing a new life offered to him as well, Simba looked at Timon's leaf plate before taking one red bug with his paw. "Very well, Hakuna Matata," he said.

On these words, he slurped up the bug like a noodle and swallowed it. It certainly was a different taste compared to what he used to, but as he let it go into his stomach, he made his decision. "Subtle..." he said, before forming a grin, "but satisfying."

"That's it," said a happy Timon, pleased to see Simba agree to living with them.

Time went on, and with every day came a new chance to grow. With a new carefree life with Timon and Pumbaa, Simba continued to grow; developing a mane of his own that slowly grew more and more, until eventually, it had developed into a beautiful covering of red fur. Time might have changed Simba's physical appearance, but deep down was the same young cub, now enjoying life and the company of his two new close friends.

Timon and Pumbaa: Hakuna Matata, Hakuna Matata.

Hakuna Matata, Hakuna...

Simba: It means no worries

For the rest of your days

All three: It's our problem free

Philosophy

Hakuna Matata

Hakuna Matata

Hakuna Matata

Hakuuuuuna Matata

Together, the three companions jumped off a branch like a diving board, landing in a pond down below with big splashes. Simba's splash sent Timon and Pumbaa wading towards the land, like they were catching a wave on a surfboard. Coming out of the water, Simba shook his wet mane around, sending water all over the place, before he continued to dance away into the jungle; destined to continue their growing bond with each other.

All three: Ah, oohhhh!!!!

Hakuna Matata!

Ta-ta

Hahaha...

Simba was introduced to new life that helped him feel better after his trauma of witnessing Mufasa's death. With Simba now living with Timon and Pumbaa in their jungle oasis, but how long would that last? Not only that, but while they were on these new journeys, facts were not looking well for other places. In fact, at the Pride Lands, the circumstances of Scar taking over had led to some unpleasant consequences. What was once a lush, beautiful paradise, had transformed into a wasteland with little water and many dead trees. At Pride Rock, many of the hyenas scattered underneath the monument, while inside one of the caves, Scar lounged on one of the rocks like a couch, chewing up the last remnants of flesh off a bone. Zazu, now a prisoner and trapped in a ribcage, could only perform songs for him. "'Nobody knows the damage I've seen,'" he sang mournfully, "'nobody knows....my disgrace.'"

"Oh, Zazu, do straighten up," said Scar as he tossed his bone to the cage, "sing something with a bit of a bounce in it."

Having an idea, Zazu burst into song while singing another little number. "'It's a small world after all...'"

"NO!! No," complained Scar frantically, "ANYTHING or else!"

Annoyed, Zazu slouched down, before having another idea in mind. "'I have a lovely bunch of coconuts! Diddle-dee-dee, there they are, standing in a row,'" he sang.

This time, Scar was liking this song, and he silently sang alongside the hornbill. "'Big ones, small ones, some as big as your head......'" they both sang.

Although Scar was enjoying himself, Zazu was less than pleased with his circumstances. "Oh, I would never had this for Mufasa," he commented to himself.

Unfortunately, Scar heard this and came face-to-face with Zazu, frowning down at him with a frustrated look. "WHAT?! What did you say," he growled.

"Well, nothing," responded Zazu hesitantly.

"You know the law," scolded Scar as Zazu shielded his face, "never EVER mention THAT name in my presence. I AM THE KING!!"

"Yes, sir," said Zazu as he lay near the back of his cage, "you are the king! Heidi, I just mentioned it to illustrate the differences in your...royal...leadership styles."

"Hey, boss," a voice spoke out from the cave entrance.

"Oh, what is this time," Scar asked, who was annoyed again.

Entering the cave with Shenzi, Banzai and Ed, none of whom seemed to be too happy. "We have a leg to choose with you," complained Banzai.

"I'll handle this," said Shenzi to Banzai, before turning to Scar, "Scar, there's no food, and no water."

"Yes," complained Banzai, "it's hammer time, but we have no stinky starters!"

"That was the lionesses' job to do the hunting," complained Scar, not letting anything do with this.

"Yes, but they won't go hunt," said Banzai.

"Oh...eat Zazu," said Scar, casually.

"Oh, you wouldn't let me," said Zazu, frantically trying to urge the hyenas not to go through with Scar's idea, "I'd be so rough and deadly, and...ew..."

"Oh, Zazu, don't be ridiculous," chuckled Scar, "all you need is a little garlic..."

Luckily for Zazu, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed did go through with Scar's request, and instead, with Scar's back turned, muttered to each other on how facts were going for them. "And I thought facts were bad under Mufasa," Banzai whispered to his friends.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY," Scar suddenly demanded louder.

"I said Muf..." Banzai said, only to be elbowed by a hesitant Shenzi, "uh, I said, uh...'que pasa'?"

"Good," said a yet edgy and frustrated Scar, "get out now."

The hyenas got up and started walking out of the cave, only stopping at the entrance. "Yes, but...we're yet hungry," said Banzai.

"OUT," ordered Scar.

With that said, the hyenas ran out of the cave to avoid Scar's wrath raining down from the ceiling above.

And sure enough, as the day progressed, the bonds of friendship were reinforced and strengthened, Simba, Timon and Pumbaa, hearing about their own adventures in the jungle, and how Timon and Pumbaa helped Simba wherever he felt down and mournful. Together, the three friends enjoyed each other's company, at last night fell and they relaxed on a grassy field, looking up at the starry heavens. In addition, Simba, Timon and Pumbaa had gorged themselves on some grubs, where hunger was no longer for any damage for the trio; a fact that was made manifest by a loud belch that echoed across the jungle. "Hey, nice one, Simba," said Timon, amused by Simba's belch.

"Thanks," replied Simba, "man, I'm filled."

"Me as well," added Pumbaa, "I ate like a pig."

"Pumbaa...you are a pig," joked Simba.

"Oh...right."

Together, the trio of friends took a deep breath before looking up at the night heavens, happy to be together like a group of brothers. The stars glimmering in the heavens shone brightly, filling up the heavens with a beautiful display of small lights. "Timon," asked Pumbaa, who was curious.

"Yes?"

"Have you ever wondered what these glittery points are up there," asked Pumbaa.

"Pumbaa, I don't wonder. I know," replied Timon.

"Oh...what are they?"

"They're fireflies," said Timon, "fireflies that got stuck up in that...big bluish-black fact."

"Oh...crikey..." muttered Pumbaa, "I always thought they were balls of gas that burned billions of miles far away."

"Pumbaa, with you...everything's gas," said Timon.

"Simba...what do you think," asked Pumbaa, who was curious to hear Simba's thoughts on the stars.

"Well...I don't reckon," said Simba, who was unsure about sharing his opinion.

But Timon and Pumbaa wanted to hear what Simba had to say and started begging for him to share his thoughts.

"Ah, c'mon..."

"Yes, give, give, give..."

"We gave you ours," begged Pumbaa, "please?"

Simba sighed before eventually speaking. "Well...someone once warned me.....that the great kings of the past are up there," he said, recalling his father's wisdom, "looking over us."

This comment sparked everyone's intrigue, for they had never heard of such an idea before. "Really," asked Pumbaa.

"You mean that a bunch of royal dead guys look over us," asked Timon as he relaxed.

His awe and wonder however, suddenly shattered until Timon and Pumbaa, burst into loud laughter. "Who warned you like that," asked Timon hysterically.

"Y-Yes, yes," muttered Simba, trying to laugh along with his friends.

"What did that do," said Timon.

The only one who didn't laugh with everyone else was Simba. Now knowing that it was indeed Mufasa who brought that idea into Simba's mind, and seeing it get laughed at by everyone around him, made him feel very hesitant, especially upon remembering that he was long gone at this point. "Yes...pretty foolish, right," commented Simba, who didn't feel like laughing anymore.

"Aw, you're hurting me," said Timon, who was oblivious to Simba's growing uncertainty.

Simba, not paying attention to everyone else, turned really silent before looking up at the heavens again. Thinking about his father and remembering his lesson on the Great Kings of the Past, but feeling hurt upon sharing it with his friends, resulting in the loud laughter, Simba no longer felt at ease. Instead, he started feeling very mournful, before getting to his feet and walking off. "Was there anything I said," asked a worried Timon.

Pumbaa gave a brief frown at Timon, serious by his laughter towards Simba, and their mockery of his star idea. His frustration with them, however, didn't last long, because his attention shifted back to Simba. He watched as Simba mournfully walked away towards a small cliff, took one last look up at the heavens, and plopped right down onto the ground. This sent a large pile of pollen and dust into the air.

However, unbeknownst to everyone, the dust and pollen that was sent up into the air traveled further and further off of the jungle. The following morning, under the beautiful blue heavens, and blowing across the open desert and plains, the pollen flew with the wind, traveling towards a special destiny. The pollen reached a large baobab tree, standing out in the open, and flew towards the top of the tallest branch. This caught the attention of the tree's local resident; Rafiki. Catching a handful of the dust, Rafiki pulled it towards his face and sniffed it. "Huh."

Filled with questions on why this was flying around, Rafiki jumped down to a lower branch, before running down to it to a large section of his tree. Here, numerous gourds lay hanging around his tree like ornaments, along with several paintings scattered around the nearby branches. In the center of this loft of sorts was half of a turtle shell, and Rafiki approached it before sitting down and pouring the pollen into it. Taking the shell, Rafiki gently shook it around while humming an ancient, shaman-like fashion, before taking a gourd nearby and cracking it in half. Rafiki took a bite out of the tasty fruit while he observed his discovery, trying to study it and find out what it meant. What was this pollen and dust doing, floating over the plains and showing up at his tree?

But as Rafiki pondered these questions, he suddenly noticed something strangely familiar about this pollen. As if suddenly remembering something he did long ago, and finding the scent of this pollen familiar, he leaned down towards it and sniffed, before realizing something that shocked him to the bone. "Simba," he asked, before turning back to the yet smeared drawing of Simba on his tree.

Suddenly realizing that this pollen had Simba's scent, Rafiki's shock grew bigger and bigger, before suddenly turning into amazement. "He...he's back," he said, before bursting with joy, "HE'S BACK!!"

Unable to control his emotion, Rafiki got to his feet and rushed to his large stick that was hanging on a nearby wall. Taking the stick, the joyous Rafiki swiftly got to the wall where the Simba drawing was put. Dipping his fingers in a cracked gourd, smearing them with the juice inside, Rafiki, almost overwhelmed with tears, kept laughing harder, before he happily restored the Simba drawing with his fingers, but not without giving this drawing a special upgrade. Painting his fingers around the head of the drawing, he painted a red mane around it; a symbol of returned hope for the mandrill, and the realization of something special about to happen as well. Looking at his finished drawing, the happy Rafiki knew straight away what to do next...and do it he would. "The time has come," he declared.

Another day in the beautiful jungle, and amongst the silent atmosphere, Timon and Pumbaa, out for an afternoon stroll, were trotting along together, singing a jolly tune. "'A wimba-way, a wimba-way, a wimba-way, a wimba-way....'" Pumbaa sang in the background.

"'In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps toniiiiight,'" sang Timon as they danced their road through the jungle, "'in the jungle, the migthy jungle, the lion sleeps to.....'"

As Pumbaa sang with Timon, though, his attention swiftly shifted to a blue beetle that appeared underneath Pumbaa's feet. Intrigued, and feeling hungry, Pumbaa stopped singing and began stalking the beetle into the undergrowth. "I can't hear you, mate! Back me up," said Timon, oblivious to Pumbaa sneaking away, "a-WEEEEE-EEE-EEE-EEE-a-boo-bum-bum-boo-yaahhhh...."

Eventually, Timon noticed that Pumbaa was no longer with him. "Uh, Pumbaa," he asked as he looked around, "Pumbaa?"

Elsewhere, another local was silently walking around the jungle, but for this fellow, he was stalking the blue beetle on the edge of the jungle near a golden grass savanna, waiting for the right moment to pounce. Silently humming the song that he was singing with Timon, he was ready to strike, but suddenly, the blue beetle opened its wings and flew a few feet off. The beetle landed on a nearby log, before Pumbaa, yet seeing a chance for a meal, crouched onto the ground and sneakily approached the bug, before swiftly hiding behind a tree to avoid being seen. The beetle, having just missed Pumbaa, turned back around and crawled over the log. Pumbaa smirked at the bug as he licked his lips, eager to catch it, before getting onto the log. However, just before he could continue following the beetle, he heard a rustling noise coming from behind him. "Timon," he asked as he turned around.

All Pumbaa saw, though, was an open savana with golden grass and a few scattered trees, but not Timon for that matter. Confused from what he heard, but thinking it was just nothing, Pumbaa shrugged his shoulders and resumed his hunt. He was yet silently stalking the blue beetle. By now, it was yet slowly walking near the edge of the jungle, on the same log that lay next to the savanna. The beetle stopped on the log, while Pumbaa slowly got closer and was ready to strike. To Pumbaa, this beetle was as good as his, but just as it seemed he was about to eat it, he noticed something unusual several meters away from him. The beetle flew away as Pumbaa saw that something was hiding in the grass, and slowly approaching him, and crouching down towards the ground. Squinting his eyes, Pumbaa suddenly realized what it was and let out a loud, anguished shriek. "AAUUGGHH!!"

Suddenly, the creature hiding in the grass burst out and charged after Pumbaa with a fierce snarl. It was a lioness. Frightened out of his wits, Pumbaa swiftly turned around and ran away into the jungle, with the lioness hot on his heels. Blood rushing and adrenaline now very high, the panicked warthog ran for dear life; scurrying amongst the trees and bushes, hoping to get away from his pursuer. The lioness, however, was undeterred and kept up the chase. Pumbaa's panicked shriek, however, was heard from miles around, and Timon was the first to hear it. "Pumbaa," asked Timon, sensing something wrong.

Pumbaa was chased deeper into the jungle, towards a large tree. The lioness was now much closer to the terrified warthog than before, but just before she could catch him, Pumbaa swiftly turned to his left, narrowly dodging the lionesses' claws, but the lioness turned as well. Almost catching her prey, she dove after him, but kept missing, thanks to Pumbaa's agility. Pumbaa ran back into the jungle, with the lioness close behind. Elsewhere, Timon, sending his friend in danger, ran through the jungle frantically himself. "PUMBAA," he cried, "PUMBAA!!"

Pumbaa burst through a bush and kept running, overwhelmed with fear, only to incidentally get stuck under a large tree root. "Pumbaa, Pumbaa! Wait, what's going on," asked a concerned Timon as Pumbaa frantically tried to free himself.

"SHE'S GONNA HURT ME," shrieked a hysterical Pumbaa.

"What," asked Timon as he got on the tree root.

Upon doing so, Timon saw the lioness charging complete speed towards him. "WOW," he shrieked before getting to ground level and attempt to push Pumbaa free, but to no avail, "sheesh! How do I always have to save your..." he cried before seeing the lioness close in for the murder and shriek hysterically himself, "AAHHHH!!!!"

However, just as it seemed the lioness was going to pounce, Simba appeared out of nowhere and jumped straight towards the alarmed hunter. Caught off guard, the lioness was tackled to the ground, but she swiftly got back up and began fighting Simba. The two frustrated lions roared and snarled at each other as they fought, with Simba refusing to let this intruder harm his friend. The two lions fought, while Timon, high on adrenaline himself, but seeing that Simba was there to protect him, turned to the fighting Pumbaa and said, "don't worry, mate, I'm here for you. Everything will be fine."

Stuck under his tree root, Pumbaa couldn't see how the fight was going. Timon, on the other hand, stood on the root and cheered for Simba. "Get her! Bite her head," he cheered.

Both Simba and the lioness were putting up a strong fight, with neither having the upper hand, or backing down in the slightest. The lioness clawed into Simba's mane, but Simba struck back with a missed swipe to her face. "Go for the jugular! The jugular," Timon cheered again, before swiftly turning to Pumbaa with a smug smirk, "you see?  I warned you he'd come in handy."

However, as Simba jumped towards Nala, almost pinning her to the ground, the lioness rolled herself over and pinned Simba instead, forcing him to the ground with a big thud. Gasping in horror, Simba stared into the frustrated eyes of the lioness, noticed something about this person. He was pinned by the ferocious huntress, but the fashion he was pinned reminded him of someone from long ago. "Nala," he asked the lioness.

The lioness' ferocity turned into confusion, before she swiftly got away from Simba and backed up, hearing the frustrated dholes shout his name. Simba got to his feet and asked, "is this really you?"

"Who are you," asked the lioness.

"It's me...Simba."

"Simba," asked the lioness.

Simba nodded yes as this happiness started to grow. The lioness, taking a good look at Simba, looked into his eyes, before realizing something that made her filled with ecstasy; this was indeed her former playmate from times long ago, and with that, she and Simba burst with emotion. "WOAAHHHH," they cheered before nuzzling each other, overcome with happiness.

"How did you..."

"How did you..."

On the tree root, Timon stood in total shock over what was going on. Why was Simba suddenly laughing and socializing with this lioness? Unbeknownst to him, Simba was reunited with his old friend, Nala. "WOW," exclaimed Simba.

"Where did you come from," asked Nala.

"It's so great to see you," cheered Simba.

"It's good to see you," replied Nala.

"Wait," said a confused Timon as he approached the reunions, "what's going on here?"

"What are you doing here," asked Simba to Nala, paying no attention to the meerkat.

"What do you mean 'what am I doing here', what are you doing here," said Nala.

"WAIT," shouts a frustrated Timon, "WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!"

Eventually looking down at Timon, Simba happily introduced him to Nala. "Timon, this is Nala. She's my best friend."

"Friend," asked a flabbergasted Timon.

"Yes," said Simba happily, before turning to Pumbaa, "SAY, PUMBAA, COME OVER HERE!!"

Pumbaa eventually got himself free from the tree root, and turned back to the reunions with confusion, hearing the frustrated jackals shout his name. "Nala, this is Pumbaa," said Simba as Pumbaa slowly approached the trio, "Pumbaa! Nala!"

Shocked to hear that Nala was Simba's friend, but no longer seeing her as a threat, Pumbaa grinned and said, "glad to meet your acquaintance."

"Pleasure's all mine," replied Nala, replied to meet Pumbaa as well.

"Yes, how do you doHEY! WAIT!!  Time out!  Let me get this straight," said a confused Timon, before turning to Simba and Nala, "you know her, she knows you, but she wants to eat him," he said as he pointed towards Pumbaa, "and...everybody's alright with this?  DID I MISS THIS?!"

"Relax, Timon," Simba said to a shivering Timon.

"Wait until everyone discovers you've been here all the time," said Nala to Simba, "and your mum. How come?"

Suddenly remembering everyone back at Pride Rock, Simba's enthusiasm turned into worry, before he said, "she doesn't have to know. No one has to know."

"Well, of course they do. Everyone thinks you're dead," said Nala.

"They do?"

"Yes," replied Nala, "Scar warned us about the stampede."

"He did," asked Simba, remembering the stampede, before turning hesitant, "what more did he warn you?"

"What does that mean? You're alive," said Nala happily, before realizing something else, "and that means...you're the king!"

"King," asked Timon, "lady, have you had your lions crossed?"

"King," asked an amazed Pumbaa, before approaching Simba and kneeling before his feet, "your majesty, I'm grieving for your feet!"

Pumbaa started kissing Simba's feet, only for Simba to swiftly pull them off. "Cut this out."

"It's not 'gravel', it's 'grovel', and not. He's not the king," said Timon to Pumbaa, before turning to Simba, "are you?"

"No," replied Simba.

"Simba," said a shocked Simba.

"No, I'm not the king," said Simba, "perhaps I should be, but...that was a long time ago."

"Let me get this straight," said Timon, trying to piece everything together, "you're the king and you never warned us?!"

"You see, I'm yet the same guy," replied Simba.

"But with power," said Timon proudly.

"Could you guys excuse us for a few moments," Nala said to Timon and Pumbaa.

Pumbaa grinned at Nala, but Timon was hesitant. "Look, whatever she has to say, she could say before us," he said, "right, Simba?"

But Simba knew that this was a personal affair that didn't require his friends. "Perhaps you should go."

Not pleased with Simba's decision, but nonetheless complying, Timon and Pumbaa started to head out. "It begins," commented Timon, "you think you know a guy."

The two walked into the undergrowth, leaving the two lions to themselves. With his friends out of the road, Simba sighed, but not before cracking a grin over Timon and Pumbaa's antics. "Timon and Pumbaa," he commented, "you're gonna love this."

But as Simba turned back to Nala, his grin faded away. He could see Nala walking a few feet off of her childhood friend, feeling very down and mournful. "What," asked a worried Simba as he approached Nala, "what is this?"

"It's like you're back from the dead. You don't know how far this will mean to everybody," said Nala, on the brink of weeping, "what it means to me."

"Hey, it's alright," consoled Simba.

"I really missed you," said Nala as she nuzzled with Simba.

"I missed you as well," replied Simba as he nuzzled Nala back.

The two lions consoled each other as the sun was starting to set off in the distance. While the two lions enjoyed this silent moment together, Timon and Pumbaa, now watching the scene from the undergrowth, observed their activity; the former scoffing in disgust. "I warn you, Pumbaa. This is a stinker," he complained.

"Oh...I'm sorry," replied Pumbaa, thinking he was referring to him.

"Not you! Them," said Timon, as he gestured to Simba and Nala, who were now walking away together, "him, her...alone."

"What's wrong with that," asked Pumbaa, confused.

Timon: I can see what's happening

Pumbaa: What?

Timon: And they don't have a clue

Pumbaa: Who?

Timon: They'll fall in love, and here's the bottom line......

Our trio's down to two

Pumbaa: Oh.

Timon: The sweet caress of twilight

There's magic everywhere

And with all this romantic atmosphere...

Disaster's in the air

While Timon lamented on where this new relationship between Simba and Nala was going to, Simba and Nala took an early evening stroll around the jungle, with Simba showing Nala around. Both lions were yet overloaded with happiness upon seeing each other, and they were certainly enjoying their walk, but as they did so, both couldn't help but feel something grow inside of them, something that revolved around their chemistry.

Simba and Nala: Can you feel the love tonight?

The peace the evening brings

The world for once in perfect harmony

With all its living facts

The two stopped for a drink at a local lake, with both taking a moment to glimpse at one another. Feelings of doubt started rising in both of them, for they had conflicting feelings on whether they should embrace this new side to their relationship.

Simba: So many facts to warn her

But how to make her see

The truth about my past......it's perfect

She'd turn away from me

Nala: He's holding back, he's hiding

But what I can't decide

Why won't he be the king I know he is

The king I see inside?

Despite their uncertainty about their new feelings for one another, Simba, having an idea, gave a smug smirk to a confused Nala, before rushing away into the jungle. Nala watched as he ran away, before suddenly seeing him appear again, this time holding onto a vine and diving into the lake, making a big splash. Nala looked into the lake, trying to find Simba, only for Simba to suddenly appear and pull her into the water. Resurfacing, and alarmed, Nala swiftly got back onto land and shivered, with the mischievous Simba coming out as well. Calming down, but seeing Simba yet having his trickster behavior, Nala smirked at him, before playfully nudging him back into the water, having just as much fun as he was.

Simba and Nala: Can you feel the love tonight?

The peace the evening brings

The world for once in perfect harmony

With all its living facts

Together, the two friends ran across an open grass field, before rearing up on their hind legs and trying to pin each other to the ground. As they did so, they ended up rolling down a large hill. Spinning in circles, before eventually landing on ground level, the two friends laughed, before Nala realized that she was the one pinned to the ground this time, instead of Simba. Simba, unaware at what just happened, kept laughing his head off, before Nala gave him an affectionate lick on the cheek. Surprised, Simba looked down at Nala, who gave him an affectionate and proud grin. It was at this moment where their feelings for each other became clear; they were officially in love.

Simba and Nala: Can you feel the love tonight?

You needn't look too hard

Stealing through the night's uncertainties

Love is where they are.....

The two lovers nuzzled with each other, beyond happy to be together again after a long time apart, and embracing their newfound love for each other with all their hearts. A very sweet moment this was for the two, but for another pair of friends, they were feeling the exact opposite. Whereas Simba and Nala were happy, this pair was very mournful and on the brink of weeping.

Timon: And if...he falls...in love...tonight

It can be assumed

Pumbaa: His carefree days....with us are history

Both: In short, our pal

Is doooooOOOOMED!!!!

Unable to hold it in, Timon and Pumbaa burst into tears, weeping over the loss of their friend. Their sobbing carried on throughout this night of everlasting romance.

Meanwhile, in another section of the jungle, Simba and Nala were strolling down a log together, having enjoyed many of the jungle's beautiful sights, as well as spending a lot of time together. "Isn't this a great place," asked Simba as he looked around.

"It is beautiful," replied Nala, "but I don't understand something. If you've been here all this time, why didn't you come back to Pride Rock?"

"Well, I just had to get out on my own," said Simba as he got on a vine hammock, relaxing away, "and live my own life. I did it, and it's great."

Nala looked at the laid-back and carefree Simba with great worry. "But we really need you at home."

"No one needs me," replied Simba, not noticing Nala's concern.

"Yes, we do so," replied Nala, now annoyed, "you're the king."

"Nala, we've been through this. I'm not the king," asserted Simba, "Scar is."

But Nala was not backing down. Looking Simba in the eyes, she said, "Simba, he had the hyenas take over the Pride Lands."

"What," asked Simba, who was shocked.

"Everything's been destroyed," continued Nala, as Simba listened with bewilderment, "there's no food, no water. Simba, if you don't do something fast, everyone will starve."

But Simba, yet upset over what just happened to his father, turned away. "I can't go back," he said.

"Why?"

"You won't understand," said Simba as he got off the hammock.

"How wouldn't I understand," asked Nala, willing a response.

"No, no, no, it doesn't matter where you go," replied Simba, "Hakuna Matata."

"What," asked Nala, confused.

"Hakuna Matata. It's something I learned from out here," said Simba, "look, sometimes bad facts happen......"

"Simba!"

"And there's nothing you can do about it," interrupted Simba, "then why should I worry?"

"Because it's your responsibility," argued Nala as she followed Simba down the log.

Simba stopped and looked at Nala, not buying her words. "How about you," he asked, "you left."

"I left to seek help," said Nala, "and I found you. Don't you understand?  You're our only hope."

Simba grew with frustration over Nala's words. "I'm sorry," he snorted.

Nala was also getting frustrated herself, especially with how Simba was behaving. "What's happened to you," she asked, "you're not the Simba that I remember."

"You're right," argued Simba, "I'm not. Now are you satisfied?"

"No...just disappointed," replied Nala.

"You know, now you're starting to sound like my father," commented Simba as he started walking away again.

"Good," retorted Nala, "I'm glad one of us does."

Simba stopped upon hearing Nala's comment, but this only got him angrier. Infuriated by Nala's insult, Simba swiftly turns around and shouts, "LISTEN, YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST SHOW UP AND WARN ME HOW TO LEAD MY LIFE?! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH!!"

"I'd do this if you warned me," begged Nala.

"FORGET IT," yelled Simba upset as he stormed away on his own.

"WELL, FINE," snapped Nala, eventually having seen enough and turning away from the stubborn Simba.

Now on his own, grumpily stomping through a grassy field, Simba paced back and forth, beyond frustrated over Nala's assertion that he should return home. "She's wrong! I can't go back!  What would it prove in any case?  It won't change anything," he complained before he slowed his pace down, and his frustration started fading, "you can't change the past."

Turning back to the heavens, he once again saw that it was a starry night, but this time, Simba could hardly contain his agitation and distress. "YOU SAID YOU'D ALWAYS BE THERE FOR ME," he shouts to the stars, before calming down, "but you don't."

Eventually, Simba's agitation broke and was replaced with extreme despair; the lowest and most depression he had felt in so long. "And it's because of me," he wept as he lowered his head in disgrace, "it's my fault. It's my...fault."

As Simba silently sobbed to himself, he slowly but surely started hearing someone singing a jolly tune nearby. "Asante sana squash banana, we we nugu mi mi apana! Asante sana squash banana, we we nugu mi mi apana!  Asante sana squash banana, we we nugu mi mi apana!  Asante sana squash banana, we we nugu mi mi apana..."

Hearing this voice, Simba turned around and saw a primate singing and dancing on the branches of a tree behind him. He started walking away as the primate happily swung to another tree branch, revealing himself as Rafiki. Having found Simba, Rafiki silently cackled as he watched the mournful golden lion walk away. Simba trudged towards a slow-moving river, before he sat on a log connected to both sides, before slowly looking down at the river. Here, he could see his reflection; a difficult reminder at what he had become. But before he could reflect on how he ended up in this rough time, a small pebble landed in the river, right into Simba's reflection, until he heard Rafiki singing again. "Asante sana squash banana, we we nugu mi mi apana..."

Turning to where Rafiki was, Simba saw him playfully holding onto the vine of a small tree. Annoyed that Rafiki had followed him here, and was purposely bothering him, Simba rolled his eyes. "C'mon, do you want to cut this out," he asked before getting up and walking away.

"Can't cut it out," said Rafiki happily as he got onto ground level and picked up his stick, "it'll grow back again!"

Rafiki cackled as he started following the irritated Simba. "Creepy old monkey," snorted Simba, "don't you want to follow me anymore? Who are you?"

"The question is, whoooooOOOO....are you," asked Rafiki back as he looked Simba in the eyes.

Simba, unable to respond fast enough, and once again reminded of his past, sighed with despair. "I thought I knew," he said, "now I'm not so sure."

"Well, I know who you are," said Rafiki, before gesturing Simba to come close, "csendes, come here. It's a secret."

Reluctantly, Simba slowly leaned towards the eccentric mandrill, waiting to hear what he had to say, only for Rafiki to suddenly burst into song again. "Asante sana SQUASH BANANA, WE WE NUGU MI MI APANA," he blurted out wildly, annoying Simba again.

"Ugh, enough already," complained Simba, "what should this mean?"

"It means 'you're a baboon....and I'm not'," teased Rafiki.

Rolling his eyes, Simba started walking away again. "I think you're a bit confused," he complained.

"WRONG," said Rafiki, who suddenly appeared in front of Simba and stopped him by pointing his finger towards Simba's nose, "I'm not the one who's confused. You don't even know who you are!"

"Oh, and I suppose you know," snarked Simba as he tried walking away again in disgust.

"Of course," replied Rafiki, "you're Mufasa's boy."

Upon hearing this, Simba became shocked. How did this mandrill know about him, and where he came from? He turned back to Rafiki, only for Rafiki to simply say, "farewell!"

Rafiki zoomed away, leaving him alone, but Simba, shocked by Rafiki's words, chased after him. "Hey, wait," urged Simba as he ran.

He rushed away deeper into the grassy field, hoping to catch up with Rafiki before he could disappear. He spotted Rafiki on a tall rock, meditating silently. Swiftly shivering, Simba sat down to the mandrill and asked, "do you know my father?"

"Correction," replied Rafiki as he kept meditating, "I know your father."

Simba looked at the meditating mandrill, before feeling another twinge of despair, for he had a feeling that Rafiki didn't know that Mufasa was gone. Wincing, but knowing it had to be warned, he confessed. "I hate to warn you this," said Simba as Rafiki glanced at him, "but he died...a long time ago."

"Nope! WARNED YOU SO," Rafiki exclaimed happily as he zoomed past the surprised lion, before standing before a large dense jungle, "hahaha!  He's back, and I'll show you.  You follow old Rafiki, he knows the road.  C'mon!"

Rafiki dashed into the dense jungle, as Simba, surprised by his words, followed him towards the entrance of the dense jungle. Having lost sight of the mandrill, but feeling a sense of hope, Simba hesitantly turned back the road he came, before crouching into the jungle after Rafiki. In the dense jungle, there was a series of large tree roots, vines and other sorts of peeled up vegetation that made navigating this maze difficult. Nonetheless, Simba kept going, trying to catch up with Rafiki. "Don't dawdle! Hurry up," exclaimed Rafiki as he stood above him, before rushing away.

"Hey, wait, wait! Wait," urged Simba as he tried to follow him.

"C'mon! C'MON," urged Rafiki before proceeding deeper into the maze, all while Simba attempted to keep up, "asante sana squash banana..."

"Would you slow down," asked Simba, before suddenly losing his footing and tripping down onto the ground.

Simba landed on the ground hard, until he heard Rafiki's eccentric laughter echo across the jungle. Swiftly getting to his feet, Simba resumed rushing after the mandrill, but not without having to deal with the many vines and leaves brushing against his face. He caught a glimpse of Rafiki swinging from tree to tree, clearly enjoying himself. The more Simba kept running, the harder it was becoming to find his road through this twisted maze. This carried on as he kept running as fast as he could. He couldn't find Rafiki anywhere, nor did he know where he was going, but as he rushed towards what looked like a clearing, Rafiki appeared with his hand pointing towards him. "STOP!!"

Grinding his run to a halt, Simba stopped right in front of Rafiki's palm. Confused, he looked up at the mandrill. "Csendes," he said silently, before rushing towards a patch of tall grass and pulling some of it off with his stick, before turning to Simba, "look down there."

Hesitant, but feeling this meant he was eventually going to see his father, Simba carefully approached the waiting mandrill. Simba looked through the clearing in the grass, and he saw a pond below him. Rafiki silently urged Simba to go forward. Silently swallowing, thinking he was about to see his father after all this time, Simba slowly approached the silent pond and looked down into it. All he saw, though, was just a reflection of himself, and not his father. He sighed with disappointment. "That's not my father," he said mournfully, "this is just my reflection."

"No," said Rafiki boldly, before looking Simba in the eyes and pointing towards the pond again, "look harder."

Simba turned back into the pond again, and he once again saw his reflection, but this time, he looked more carefully. As he did so, though, he felt the wind slowly begin to pick, with the waves from the water flowing across the reflection. Simba stared into the pond, trying to understand what was going on, before Rafiki spoke once again, this time very spiritually. "You see...he lives in you."

On these words, the reflection in the pond rippled, before slowly turning into a different image. Here, Simba saw his reflection change from a reflection of him, into an image of Mufasa. Simba looked at this change in the water with confusion, hearing the frustrated frog shout his name, the world around him suddenly grew dark, until he heard a deep voice echo across the heavens. "Simba."

Hearing this voice, Simba looked into the heavens with awe, immediately recognizing it. "Father?"

High above Simba, many large clouds began to form like a thundercloud, but something else appeared in this ever-growing formation. It was a dark, but familiar-looking silhouette that slowly approached the captivated lion. He watched this silhoutte grow larger and larger, until it slowly started lighting up, revealing itself to be a ghost. But this wasn't just any ghost. To Simba's shock, it was Mufasa, appearing as a spirit, and he stared down at the awestruck lion, before eventually speaking to his son. "Simba...have you forgotten me?"

"No," said Simba, who couldn't believe his eyes, "how could I?"

"You have forgotten who you are, and so have forgotten me," said Mufasa, "look inside yourself, Simba. You are more than what you have become.  You have to take your place in the circle of life."

"How can I go back," asked Simba, on the verge of tears, "I'm not who I used to live in Tanganyika."

The clouds lit an illuminating color, revealing Mufasa's ghost in its complete form. "Remember who you are," he said as the clouds circled around him, "you are my son....and the only true king."

Simba's eyes swelled up with tears as he felt Mufasa's deep voice and strong words of wisdom echo through his body. He could not believe he was hearing all of this from his long-deceased father. He started to shiver from this intense experience; Mufasa's words also leaving a huge impact on him. He stared at the ghost, before seeing it starting to fade away. "Remember...who you are..."

"NO!! WAIT, PLEASE DON'T GO," begged Simba as he chased after the ghost.

"Remember..."

"FATHER," cried Simba as he ran after the disappearing clouds.

"Remember..."

"Don't leave me," begged Simba one last time as he slowed down.

"Remember..."

The ghost evenutally disappeared totally; the last of Mufasa's words fading away into the silent wind. Simba slowly sat on a small hill, astonished by what he just witnessed, but mournful that Mufasa had vanished into the blanket of stars. The stars filled up the heavens again, before a gentle breeze of wind blew across Simba's mane. "What was that," exclaimed Rafiki as he approached the young lion, "the weather. Very peculiar.  Don't you think?"

"Yes," replied Simba as he gazed upon the beautiful starry heavens, "it seems that the winds are changing."

"Ah...change is good," said Rafiki.

"Yes, but it's not easy," said Simba, "I know what I must do, but...going back means that I have to face my past. I've been running away for so long."

Suddenly, Rafiki lifted his stick into the air and hit Simba individually. This gave the surprised golden lion a lot of pain. "OW!! Yeesh, what was that for," exclaimed Simba as he rubbed his head.

"It doesn't matter," laughed Rafiki, "it's in the past."

"Yes, but it yet hurts," said Simba, trying to endure the soreness from the smack.

"Oh, yes, the past can hurt," replied Rafiki sympathetically before looking at Simba again, "but as I see it, you can either run from it...or...learn from it."

Rafiki swiftly lifted his stick again and swung it towards the alarmed lion again, but this time, he ducked and dodged it. "HA!! You understand," cheered Rafiki, "then what are you going to do?"

"First...I'll take your stick," smirked Simba as he suddenly took the stick out of the surprised Rafiki's hands.

"No, no, no, not the stick," exclaimed Rafiki as Simba playfully tossed the stick into the grass.

Rafiki swiftly rushed towards the stick and picked it up, but upon turning back to the lion, he saw that Simba was running away into the field. "Wait! Where are you going," he asked.

"I'M GOING BACK," replied Simba before running away.

Watching the lion run away, Rafiki burst with emotion again. "GOOD! GO AHEAD!!  GOOD RIDDANCE," he cheered, before cackling wildly, "MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  WOOOOO!!  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!  WOOOOO!!!!  WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"

Raising his stick high in victory, and proud of the golden lion returning at long last, Rafiki cheered him on as he disappeared from sight, all while a few shooting stars flew across the heavens; a spark of destiny rediscovered in his restless warrior, a determination to set facts right, and to Rafiki, a job well done in helping convince the one true king to begin his trip back home.

Meanwhile, as the morning of a new day began in the jungle, Timon and Pumbaa slept silently in their sleeping nest. Pumbaa slept on his back, while Timon rested on the warthog's belly. Both were in a deep sleep, and dreaming about their favorite facts, but as they slept, Nala appeared nearby. Slowly approaching the sleeping pair, she silently nudged Timon with her paw. "Hey. Wait, wake up," she whispered.

Slowly opening his eyes, Timon turned towards Nala, but all he saw was her face very close to his. "AAHH," he suddenly shrieked, thinking he and Pumbaa were under attack.

"AAHHHH," Pumbaa joined in yelling, thinking they were in danger again.

"IT'S ALRIGHT!! HEY, WAIT, IT'S ALRIGHT," said Nala hastily, calming the pair down, "it's me!"

Settling down, and seeing that it was just Nala, the pair looked at the lioness with shock, before Timon said, "don't ever sneak up like that again! Carnivores...oy!"

"Have you seen Simba," asked Nala.

"I thought he was with you," replied Timon.

"That was him, but now I can't find him," said Nala, "where is he?"

Suddenly, Rafiki appeared on a nearby branch, catching everyone's attention. "Ohohoho! You won't find him here," he laughed, "the king...is back."

Upon hearing this, Nala grew with awe and delight. "I can't believe it," she muttered before turning to the two with glee, "he's back!"

"Gone back," asked Timon as he got away from Pumbaa and turned to the branch that Rafiki was on, "what do you mean?"

But Rafiki was no longer there, and this made Timon even more confused. "Wait, what's going on here? WHO'S THE MONKEY," he asked.

"Simba's away to challenge Scar," said Nala happily.

"Who," asked Timon.

"Scar."

"Who is this clown," asked Pumbaa.

"No, no, no, it's his uncle," explained Nala.

"The monkey's his uncle," asked Timon.

"NO," exclaimed Nala upset, "Simba's gone back to challenge his uncle to take his place as king."

Listening to Nala, Timon and Pumbaa eventually understood what she was explaining. "Oh," they both said.

Meanwhile, out on the hot African desert, the sun shone bright onto the hot ecosystem, but across the large sand dunes, a brave fighter ran across the desert, with one goal in mind and a long journey to conquer. Simba, now having run a very long distance from the jungle, undeterred by how long the journey to Pride Rock was, raced across the desert. Simba ran ahead as he pressed on, ready to take back the Pride Lands.

At last, he kept journeying on and on, before he slowed his run into a walk. Upon doing so, though, he realized that he had stopped in a wasteland with broken trees and scattered animal bones. Simba was shocked to have come across this landscape, but it didn't take long for the lion to realize something about this environment that made his heart heavy; this was the Pride Lands under Scar's rule. No longer was the kingdom a lush, beautiful paradise. Now, it was a dried up, almost inhospitable ecosystem, with rotting skeletons of animals everywhere, both young and old, and many of whom having failed in trying to leave the kingdom for safer pastures. The very sight of this horrid condition made Simba feel very mournful. It was a clear reminder at what Scar had wrought to the kingdom in his absence. Despite this, the lion carried on. Reaching a small rocky cliff, the lion had an even bigger view of the devastation. It was reaching for miles in every direction, but as Simba looked around, he spotted Pride Rock off in the distance; yet standing tall. Upon catching sight of his home, Simba's despair turned into fury, for he knew that this was where he'd find Scar. But before Simba could carry on, he heard a familiar voice call to him. "Simba! Wait up!"

Turning around, the lion saw Nala catch up to him and join him in looking out over the landscape. "It's horrible, isn't it," she said.

"I didn't wanna believe you," replied Simba.

"Why did you come back," asked Nala.

"I eventually have a bad feeling inside," said Simba, before gesturing to where Rafiki struck him with his stick, "and I've had the bump to prove it."

"It's your spirit, Simba," said Nala, "and we'll do it together."

"Besides, this is my kingdom," said Simba as he looked out at the kingdom, "if I don't fight for it, who will?"

"I'll do this," said Nala as she approached her friend.

"It's gonna be dangerous," said Simba.

"Danger? Ha!  I laugh in the face of danger," joked Nala, reminding Simba from times long ago, "hahahaha!"

"I don't see anything funny about this," commented Timon, who appeared with Pumbaa behind.

"Timon," asked Simba as he and Nala looked at their friends, "Pumbaa! What are you doing here?"

"At your service, my liege lord," said Pumbaa as he bowed before Simba.

"Everyone, calm down," said Timon, "we're here."

"The backup has arrived," added Pumbaa.

"Aw, we're gonna fight your uncle for this," Timon asked Simba, having looked around the kingdom and having his own thoughts on its current condition.

"Yes, Timon," said Simba, "this is my house."

"Ah, speak about your fixer-upper," joked Timon, before grinning at Simba, "well, Simba, if it's reluctant to you, we're with you to the end."

Simba grinned at his friend, happy that he was pledging his loyalty to Timon. The four friends knew that the conflict ahead of them was likely going to be very challenging. This however, did not deter any of them. They stared at Pride Rock, ready to fight for what was right, all while large thunderclouds started to slowly form high above them; a clear sign that facts were about to get dangerous.

At last, it was late one afternoon as the quartet proceeded towards Pride Rock, resorting to stealth upon getting closer to the monument. Crawling their road under some logs and dried up bushes, the quartet stopped at a log and peeked out from underneath. Here, they could see Pride Rock, just a few hundred yards away, but they could also see several hyenas laying around the premises; some of whom dangerous close behind. "Hyenas," muttered Timon, "I hate hyenas," before whispering to Simba, "then what's your plan to get past these guys?"

"Live bait," responded Simba as he glanced over to Timon.

"Good idea," whispered Timon, before realizing what Simba was implying, "wait!"

"C'mon, Timon," complained Simba silently, "you guys need to create a diversion."

"WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO," Timon suddenly asked louder, "DRESS IN DRAG AND DO THE HULA DANCE?!"

Suddenly, a loud drumbeat went off as several of the hyenas swiftly turned around to see what was going on. Here, they saw Timon facing a nearby rock, before he suddenly turned around to face them; revealing a large pink lei on his head, a lei neckalce over his neck, and a hula skirt around his waist. Nearby, Pumbaa lay near a pile of leaves with an apple in his mouth, before Timon burst into a loud musical number.

Timon: LUAU!!

If you're hungry for a hunk of fat and juicy meat

Eat my buddy Pumbaa here because he is a treat

C'mon down and dine on this tasty swine

All you have to do is get in line!

Surprised to see a free meal, but fascinated, the hyenas stuck out their tongues and slowly approached the performing meerkat and warthog pair, eager to eat. As they did so, Simba and Nala silently sneaked past them while glimpsing over at their friends, surprised by their hilarious performance, but seeing that it was working as a distraction.

Timon: Are you aching....

Pumbaa: Yes, siree

Timon: For some bacon?

Pumbaa: Yes, siree

Timon: He's a big pig

Pumbaa: Yes, yes

Timon: You can be a big pig as well!

Both: OI!!

The music number came to an end as Timon and Pumbaa saw that their diversion worked, but with a catch; they were now surrounded by hungry hyenas. Shrieking frighteningly, the two made a dash for it with the hyenas hot on their heels. Timon and Pumbaa disappeared from view with the hyenas close behind them, while Simba and Nala, now having gotten past the hyena guards, proceeded closer to Pride Rock, ready to surprise Scar and begin the final showdown for the fate of the Pride Lands.

Having successfully gotten past the hyena guards surrounding Pride Rock's perimeter, Simba and Nala proceeded closer to the monument. "Nala," said Simba to Nala, "you find my mother and assemble the lionesses. I'll divert Scar."

Nala nodded in agreement, before she said, "be careful."

Simba nodded back before the two split up. Nala headed in one direction, while Simba went away alone towards a separate. Sneaking around the large rocks behind him, trying not to make a sound, and getting even closer to Pride Rock, Simba stuffed himself for the showdown against his uncle, until suddenly, a loud, frustrated voice split through the air. "SARABI!!" yelled Scar upset.

This yell was so loud that it echoed across the kingdom. Surprised, Simba gasped and hid himself behind a wall as he looked out at Scar, who was now standing on a small cliff edge and overlooking the ravaged kingdom. He watched hundreds of hyenas, gathered around Pride Rock, and all looking at one sole individual slowly making her road towards Scar; Sarabi. The hyenas frowned furiously at the former queen, teeth bared, silently snarling, and some even snapping their jaws at her.

"Where's our food?"

"Yes, we're hungry!"

Sarabi, however, refused to be intimidated, and with her head held high, she strode past the frustrated hyenas. Thunder and lightning roared in the blood red hues as Sarabi carried on. From his hiding place, Simba watched in despair as his mother, the once proud queen of the Pride Lands, was forced up the hill and meet Scar face-to-face. "What is this, Scar," Sarabi asked Scar.

"Ah, salaam," Scar crooned, his eyes and tone complete with malice, "seeing you starve is breaking my heart. You can't live off scraps for much longer.  All you have to do, to let you and the others eat, is to be my queen."

Simba had mentioned that Scar had tried to seduce Sarabi, and now that he saw this, Scar was forcing his mother to be his queen.

The lioness shook her head wearily. "It's over, Scar. Don't you see?"

The simpering grin Scar had on his muzzle was replaced with a frown. He stalked forward until he was nose-to-nose with Sarabi. "You're suffering for what? Don't warn me; you yet long for a life that you'll never see each other again.  You yet pine after a lion you used to love..."

"Yet love," Sarabi snapped back.

"Don't you get it," Scar growled, "here I am, trying to make you see what a true king is like, and you're throwing it off!"

Sarabi looked away, not meeting his gaze. This act just seemed to irritate Scar even more.

"Forget it then. Now let's get down to business.  Where's your hunting festival," demanded Scar, "they're not doing their job."

"Scar, there's no food," replied Sarabi, not yet budging, "the herds have moved on."

"NO," complained Scar, "you're just not looking hard enough."

"It's over, Scar. There's nothing left," said Sarabi calmly, "we have only one choice.  We must leave Pride Rock."

"We're not going anywhere," said Scar stubbornly.

"THEN YOU ARE SENTENCING US TO DIE," snapped Sarabi, infuriated.

"Then SO BE IT," retorted Scar.

"You can't do that," argued Sarabi.

"I am the king! And I make the rules!"

"If you were half the king Mufasa was..."

"I AM TEN TIMES THE KING MUFASA WAS," yelled Scar upset as he suddenly smacked Sarabi with his paw, enraged at being compared once again.

This horrific action sent Sarabi to the ground, but before Scar could attack her again, a thunderous roar split through the air as lightning flashed in the heavens. Simba stood from his hilltop, enraged with Scar's actions. Upon seeing this, Scar's fury turned into shock as Simba began rushing his road down to the two and came out from his hiding spot. "Mufasa," asked a horrified Scar as he backed up, "no, it can't be."

But Simba paid no attention to Scar and rushed towards Sarabi. Looking at his injured mother, he gently nudged her. Opening her eyes, Sarabi looked and saw her defender. "M...Mufasa," she asked.

"No, Mother...it's me," replied Simba.

Looking into Simba's eyes, and realizing that it was indeed him, Sarabi became perplexed. "Simba...you came back," she asked, astonished, but at the same time, in disblief, "how bad could it be?"

"That's not a problem," said Simba, before embracing with his mother, "honest."

The mother and son nuzzled with each other, happy to see each other again, but Scar, upon realizing that it wasn't Mufasa, became perplexed as well. "Simba," he asked before grinning, "Simba...I'm a little surprised to see you...returned," he snarled as he shot a furious frown at Shenzi, Banzai and Ed.

The hyena trio gulped in concern and cowered away, seeing that their assumption about Simba perishing in the desert was wrong and as such, ended up failing Scar. Scar's frustration at the trio, however, faded as he saw Simba approaching him with a furious frown. "There is one good reason why I shouldn't tear you apart."

"Now, Simba, you must understand," said Scar hesitantly as he backed up towards a corner, "the pressures that dominate a kingdom..."

"It's not yours any longer," interrupted Simba, "sit down, Scar."

"Oh, well, hehe, I would, I guarantee you," chuckled Scar, "however, there is one small problem. You see them?"

Scar pointed upwards and saw a huge gathering of hyenas standing above him and Simba. They frowned down at the latter with sinister grins. "They think I'm the king," said Scar.

"But we don't," asserted Nala as Scar and Simba turned around and saw her and the rest of the pride standing together, "your reign is over, Scar."

"Well, well, well! The cat came back," mocked Scar as two lionesses helped Sarabi to her feet and forming a smug smirk.

"The choice is yours, Scar," said Simba, "either sit down, or battle."

"Oh, must this all end in violence," asked Scar as he sneaked past Simba, "I don't like being responsible for the death of a cast member. Wouldn't you agree, Simba?"

"That doesn't work, Scar," asserted Simba, "I put it behind me."

"Yes, but how are your loyal subjects," asked Scar as he smirked at the lionesses, "have they put it behind them?"

Everyone frowned at the smug Scar, but Nala, not understanding what Scar was implying, became confused. "Simba, what is his story about," she asked.

"Ah, where I haven't warned you about your little secret," said Scar as he slinked around Simba, "well, Simba, now's your chance to warn them. Please warn the responsible person of Mufasa's death!"

The lionesses grew with confusion as well, for they had no idea what Scar was speaking about. Nala and Sarabi especially looked at Simba, not sure at what to make of this. Simba, however, stood firm against his uncle, but knowing that there was no point in hiding it anymore, spoke again. "I am."

The pride gasped in horror, for now they knew why Simba was gone for such a long time. Sarabi approached Simba and looked him in the eyes. "It's not true," she said, not letting it be true, "I warn myself that it's not true."

Simba looked at his horrified mother, feeling horrible, but knowing he couldn't lie to her, he replied, "it's locked."

"You see? HE ACKNOWLEDGES IT," exclaimed Scar suddenly, "MURDERER!!"

"No," replied Simba, "it was an incident."

"If it's not for you, Mufasa would yet be alive," accused Scar, "because of you, he's dead! Do you deny this?"

"No."

"Then you're guilty," snarled Scar.

"No, I'm not a murderer," asserted Simba frantically, realizing that he was being targeted.

Unfortunately, Simba swiftly found himself surrounded by hyenas, he was forced up Pride Rock's peak, with Scar leading the army. "Now, Simba, you're in danger again, but this time, my father isn't here to save you," threatened Scar, "and now EVERYBODY KNOWS WHY!!"

Suddenly, Simba lost his footing and almost slipped off the very edge of Pride Rock's peak. Barely managing to stop himself by digging into the rock with his claws, Simba was now in serious danger. "SIMBA," Nala cried.

A bolt of lightning illuminated through the heavens and struck a dead tree just below Simba, starting a fire that swiftly started growing bigger and bigger. The deadly blaze started spreading all around the monument as smoke started filling up the heavens. Barely attempting to hold on, Simba tried pulling himself back up, only to see Scar standing above him. "Now, this looks familiar. Huh...where have I seen this before?  Let me think," said Scar, as Simba attempted to hold on, "oohhhh, yes, I remember.  This is just the fashion your father looked before he died."

Simba was now just inches from falling off the rock. Scar lunged forward and dug his claws into Simba's paws, completely ready to do Simba away. "And here's my little secret," he said, before leaning towards Simba's ear and whispering silently, "I murdered Mufasa."

Simba's terror turned into full shock, before he suddenly had a vision from long ago, where Mufasa was sent falling into the stampede. He could see Mufasa falling to his death, as well as himself shrieking for his father. But Simba, shocked to hear Scar's confession, swiftly realized that he was lied to, and he felt his heart fill with adrenaline and rage. "NoooooOOOO," he yelled frustratedly before jumping up at Scar with all his strength and pinning him to the ground, who growled in frustration before shouting out an enraged "MURDERER!!"

This yell was so loud that it echoed across the church. Everyone gasped in shock over this sudden change, hearing the frustrated golden lion shout a killer. "No, Simba, please," begged Scar, shocked that Simba had turned the tide, "please excuse me, forgive me for disturbing."

"Warn the truth to them," demanded Simba.

"Truth? But the truth is in front of the viewer..."

But Simba was having none of Scar's excuses. He put his paw under Scar's head and choked him. "OK! That's it," said Scar, before frowning at Simba and whispering, "I knew it."

"They can hear about you," demanded Simba.

Seeing no fashion out of this problem, but fueled with rage himself, Scar gritted his teeth before yelling, "I...MURDERED...MUFASA!!"

Scar's confession reached everyone on Pride Rock, and upon hearing this, Nala and Sarabi, horrified but enraged that Scar was the true murderer and that he framed Simba, immediately charged towards the killer. However, the hyenas also charged in, eyes locked onto Simba. They dogpiled onto Simba, forcing him away from Scar, but the tigers, fueled with rage themselves, charged in as well and attacked the hyenas. The two sides viciously attacked each other, with the jaguars and hyenas baring their razor sharp claws and slashing into one another. But just as it seemed Simba was about to get attacked, a familiar pair of voices sounded. "HI-YAAHHHH!!!!"

Suddenly, Timon and Pumbaa appeared out of nowhere and charged into the fight. "EXCUSE ME, PARDON ME, COMING THROUGH, HOT STUFF," yelled Timon upset as they rammed every hyena out of their road, stopping them from murdering Simba, "GET OUT! SHOO!!  SHOO!!!"

Pumbaa hit his head into the rear of one hyena, before mule kicking another with his rear legs. Timon and Pumbaa stood in defense, bracing for conflict and growling frustratedly at the hyenas around them. They charged into battle as Simba, having gotten back up, charged at one group of hyenas, before another got onto him and bit into his body. Roaring savagely, Simba threw the hyena away from him, before clawing into several more of his opponents. However, one hyena pounced on him from above, knocking him to the ground. Simba roared in pain as the hyena tried reaching his neck, before something else came down and smacked the hyena off. Simba looked up and saw Rafiki, having used his stick to save him, before Rafiki raised his stick high and let out a fierce war cry. The brave mandrill jumped down onto the ground and stood in a defensive posture, like a kung fu warrior. Surprised, but refusing to back away, the hyenas charged towards the mandrill, but Rafiki, in a spectacular display of martial arts, jumped into the air, and hit his stick and feet into his opponents. Spinning himself around, delivering a series of fast attacks, Rafiki came out on top, even smashing one hyena in the nose with a backhand attack.

As for the other leopards, they fought on as well, with some sending their hyenas into the flames, while others chased away several hyenas off of Pride Rock. Simba fought alongside his fellow cougars, before rushing away to find Scar. Not every hyena retired from the battle, though. Eyes locked on a frantic Timon, and chasing him towards a nearby cave, Banzai almost chomped on the meerkat's tail. He and Shenzi chased Timon into the cave, where Zazu was yet being held prisoner. "PLEASE LET ME GO," he cried to Timon, "LET ME GO!!"

"CODE RED, CODE RED," cried Timon as he swiftly got into the cage.

Shenzi and Banzai approached the cage as Timon and Zazu held onto each other. "Please don't hurt me," begged Timon as the hyenas licked their lips.

"LEAVE THEM ALONE," a loud voice shouts from the cave.

The hyenas looked and saw Pumbaa at the entrance of the cave, staring them down and ready to attack. "Wait, who's the pig," asked Banzai.

"Are you speaking to me," asked Pumbaa.

"Oh, dear, they called him a pig," commented Timon as Shenzi looked at him in confusion, and while Zazu watched in concern.

"Are you speaking to me," asked Pumbaa again, his fury growing more.

"Don't do it," said Timon.

"ARE YOU SPEAKING TO ME," shouts Pumbaa.

"Now they're falling it," commented Timon.

"THEY CALL ME MR. PIG," yelled Pumbaa upset, before charging at the hyenas at complete speed, who growled in frustration before shouting out an enraged "CHAAAAAAARRRGE!!!"

This yell was so loud that it echoed across the hospital. Frozen in fear, the hyenas watched as the warthog charged at them like a battering ram, until eventually, he smashed into the hyenas. This in turn broke the cage, freeing Zazu and Timon, and together, they teamed up against Shenzi and Banzai. "TAKE THAT, YOU FOOLISH..." shouts Zazu.

"TAKE THIS!! AND TAKE THAT," added Timon, "TAKE SOME OF THESE!!"

From the cave entrance, Ed watched as the fighting went on, before Shenzi and Banzai ran out of the cave, unable to defeat the trio. The hyenas ran away as Timon, Pumbaa and Zazu appeared out of the cave, triumphant. "KEEP RUNNING, YOU YELLOW BELLY!!"

"WOO! WOO!!  WOO!!!  WOO," the trio cheered.

But while Timon, Pumbaa and Zazu managed to fight off their opponents, Simba broke from the battlefield. He could see his friends gaining the upper hand, but he couldn't see Scar amongst them. Looking amongst the shadows, he spotted Scar attempting to sneak off. Once again fueled with rage, Simba charged after him, determined to defeat him. Scar was chased higher and higher up Pride Rock, before he reached the very top of the summit. Scar skidded to a halt near the edge, where he could see fire everywhere, and his minions either getting burned by the flames, or retiring in defeat. Simba jumped through the flames and landed a few yards away from the terrified Scar. Knowing that it was just the two of them on the summit, and with nowhere for Scar to run, Simba approached his terrified uncle, ready to complete this confrontation. "Murderer," he snarled.

"Simba, Simba, please," begged Scar, "please have mercy, I'm begging your pardon......"

"You're not worth living," snarled Simba, not backing down.

"But Simba...I...am...uh...family," pleaded Scar, desperate to save himself, "it's the hyenas who are the real enemy. It was their fault, it was their idea....."

Unbeknownst to Scar, however, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed were on the other side of the flames, and upon hearing Scar's words, they growled in rage before backing off. "Why should I believe you," asked Simba, not buying Scar's words, before looking him in the eyes, "all that you have warned me was a lie."

"What are you going to do," asked Scar, "you wouldn't hurt your own infant?"

Simba frowned down at Scar, before realizing that Scar made a good point; if Simba murdered him, he'd be just like him until he murdered Mufasa. With that in mind, but yet furious, Simba said, "no, Scar...I don't like you."

"Oh, Simba, thank you. You are really noble.  I'll make it up to you, I promise," said Scar, relieved that Simba was sparing him, "and how can I prove myself to you?  Warn me, I mean something."

Staring into his uncle's eyes, furious over Scar's actions, but firm on sparing him, Simba knew straight away what to say. "Execute! Run away, Scar...either get out of here or never come back," he ordered, throwing the same words that Scar said to him long ago right back at him.

Looking at his nephew, seeing him really assert his authority, Scar started to slowly slink off. "Y-Yes...of course," he said as Simba watched him, "as you wish...your EXCELLENCY!!"

But Scar swiftly flung his paw into the ground and sent a pile of burning firewood into Simba's face. Caught off guard, Simba shouts in pain, before Scar tackles Simba to the ground, refusing to surrender and fiercely determined to come out on top by any means. He clawed and bit into Simba's mane before trying to roll him over the edge, but Simba swiftly recovered and swatted Scar off. The two sworn enemies jumped towards each other; hatred running high and roars blaring through the air like thunder. With their sharp claws, they slashed into each other as the fire around them raged on. The brutal fight between the two lions went on and neither was at an advantage, but they kept slashing at each other with their paws. After narrowly dodging an attack to the head, Simba raised his paw and brought it down onto Scar's face, but Scar brought his paw down onto Simba's as well. Eventually, Scar smacked Simba aside, almost sending him into the flames, before Simba looked up again. Scar jumped through the hellish fire, teeth bared, sanity completely gone, and claws ready for the murdering blow. But Simba was not pleased. Gritting his teeth, he flung himself backwards just as Scar was about to land on him, before using his hind legs to kick Scar away from him. This powerful attack sent Scar flying away from the summit and plummeting down a rocky cliff. Scar landed on the ground in a heap of chickens. Simba looked down at where Scar landed, before seeing him slowly try and get to his feet. Injured from the fight, Scar slowly opened his eyes. He could see the fire continue to blaze around him, before he saw Shenzi, Banzai and Ed approach him; all of whom were not happy. "Ah, my friends," greeted Scar.

"Friends," asked a chuckling Shenzi, "I thought you said it was 'open sesame'."

"Yes," added Banzai as Scar's relief turned into utter horror, realizing that they heard this attempt to betray them, "that's what he did alright."

"Ed," the two asked Ed.

Ed burst into disturbing laughter, confirming to Scar that he was too frustrated over the betrayal, before licking his lips. With that said, the three hyenas, along with the remaining survivors from the fight, slowly approached the terrified Scar as he backed up towards the corner, with no road out. "No, no, l-l-l-l-let me explain. No, I can't understand this.  NO, I DIDN'T MEAN THAT!  NO!!  NoooooOOOO...." he begged, only for the hyenas to pile onto him and tear him to shreds, all while the fire around them grew much bigger, concealing them from view and ending the reign of Scar once and for all.

A huge rumble of thunder split across the heavens as rain started to come down on the burning Pride Rock, eventually putting an end to the firestorm, hearing the frustrated red warthog shout a bugle call. The fire slowly started fading away as the rain poured out of the heavens. The battle was eventually over, and appearing out of the mist, seeing the damage caused by the intense fire. With the rain putting out the fire, and with the last of the hyenas gone, along with Scar, two other fighters appeared from the fog; Timon and Pumbaa. Simba slowly walked his road down from Pride Rock to ground level, where he met up with his friends. Zazu was the first to notice the young lion, and gave him a bow, before the rest of the lionesses appeared, all just as proud of Simba for his victory. Sarabi approached her son and nuzzled with him, before Nala appeared and nuzzled with him as well. As Simba embraced with the two, before hearing a rustling noise from nearby. Simba and the others looked up at Pride Rock and saw Rafiki standing there, gesturing towards the peak with his stick. Knowing that this meant, Simba slowly approached Rafiki. Rafiki grinned at Simba, proud of his victory, before bowing before him. Simba, thankful for all they had done for him, extended his paw and pulled them in for a hug. Rafiki happily returned the grateful lion's hug, before the former looked at Simba with pride. "The time has come," he said as he beckoned Simba to the peak.

With that said, Simba turned towards Pride Rock and began ascending it. Everyone watched as the proud lion climbed up the peak. From Rafiki, to Sarabi, Nala, Zazu, Timon and Pumbaa, they watched in awe as Simba walked up the rock with the rain coming down. No longer did they see a mischievous cub who would get into danger, a damaged wanderer looking for a place in life, or a misguided individual trying to atone for a sin he never committed, but instead, a brave warrior who avenged his father, helped right a wrong, and was now ready to embrace his new destiny. This series of accomplishments flowed through Simba's mind as he got closer to the peak's edge, but he also felt doubt rising inside him; doubt on whether or not he could make his father proud in the years to follow, even with his immense victory over adversity. But as Simba reached the edge of the peak, the sound of thunder rumbled high above him, and he looked up into the heavens. A clearing in the clouds pulled off, revealing the starry heavens, with one star in particular shining brighter than the rest. Simba sensed that this star was Mufasa, before he heard his voice echo across the night heavens. "Remember."

Hearing this voice, Simba's doubt faded away, for upon hearing this single word from his father, he knew in his heart that Mufasa was always going to be with him in spirit, and he had just done his father proud. Courage, confidence and strength filled up inside of Simba, before he stood tall on Pride Rock and let out a loud, magnficent roar across the kingdom. Down below, the lionesses roared back, acknowledging Simba as their new king, before Simba roared out once more, at last taking his rightful place as king, and marking the dawn of a new beginning.

Time went on, and the Pride Lands began to recover. This feeling of recovery carried on in the following months and adventures to follow, before eventually, the Pride Lands flourished with life again. Nowhere was the celebration of this new age more prominent than at Pride Rock itself. Surrounding the monument, the gathered herds of returned animals celebrated and cheered as Simba stood on Pride Rock's peak. The elephants trumpeted with pride, the zebras and antelopes stamped their hooves in ecstasy, and the monkeys chattered and jumped around in joy. A truly fantastic celebration this was, but it wasn't just for Simba. Standing past Simba's side was his mate Nala, his two best friends, Timon and Pumbaa; all having united under the cause of saving the kingdom, and were now celebrated as heroes. Standing triumphant on Pride Rock, they all looked out upon the happy communities. Timon and Pumbaa joined in the cheering of a new age, Zazu flew alongside his fellow birds, and Simba nuzzled with Nala; everyone proud of each other, and ready to face the future as a family. However, there was something else about this celebration that made it even more special. Similar to if Simba was born, this was a grand tradition that would carry on in the kingdom as well. Simba and Nala turned around and saw Rafiki approaching them with their own newborn cub. Rafiki looked at the two proud lions with a big grin, and vice versa, before he lifted the cub up high for all to see; presenting the next ruler...and continuing the great circle of life.

The Lion King

Executive Producer DENNIS DESHAZER

Supervising Producer JIM ROWLEY

Senior Producer JEFF GITTLE

Director STEVEN FELDMAN

Writer TROY CHARLES

Consulting Proucers BEN VAUGHN LINDA HOUSTON

Educational Specialists MARY ANN DUDKO, Ph.D. MARGIE LARSEN, M.Ed.

Performance Director PENNY WILSON

Production Designer BOB LAVALLEE

Music Director JOSEPH PHILLIPS

Cast: Barney's Voice • BOB WEST Barney's Costume • DAVID JOYNER Baby Bop's Voice • JULIE JOHNSON Baby Bop's Costume • JEFF AYERS

Cast: Curtis • MONTE BLACK Keesha • MERA BAKER Kristen • SARA HICKMAN Stephen • CHASE GALLATIN Miss Etta Kette • BRICE ARMSTRONG Scooter McNutty • TODD DUFFY

Production Manager CHARLOTTE SPIVEY

Associate Director TERRIE DAVIS

Writing Coordinator PERRI VERDINO-GATES

Art Director ELIZABETH SAGAN VELTEN

Wardrobe Supervisor/Designer LISA ODETTE ALBERTSON

Lighting Designer KEN CRAIG

Lighting Director MURRAY CAMPBELL

Stage Manager JENA ATCHISON

Post Production Supervisor BOB DAUBER

Technical Operations Supervisor RANDY BREEDLOVE

Editors LAURA CARGILE MCKEE SMITH

Audio Director DAVID BOOTHE

Production Audio RON BALENTINE

Make-Up Design JEANIE L. D'IORIO

Manager of Music Services LISA ARBUCKLE GREIF

Manager of Talent Services JULIE HUTCHINGS

Script Supervisor CATHERINE REYNOLDS

Original Barney, Baby Bop and B.J. Costumes by IRENE COREY DESIGN ASSOCIATES

"I Love You" lyrics by LEE BERNSTEIN (BMI) Melody Traditional © Shimbarah Music (BMI)

Produced by The Lyons Group and Connecticut Public Television

For Connecticut Public Television Executive in Charge LARRY RIFKIN

The names and characters Barney, Baby Bop, B.J., Stella the Storyteller, Scooter McNutty, Miss Etta Kette and Booker T. Bookworm are trademarks of Lyons Partnership, L.P.

Barney and B.J., "Barney & Friends" and the Barney and children logo are Reg. U.S. Pat & Tm. Off.

Executive in Charge RICHARD C. LEACH

Barney and the Backyard Gang® and Barney & Friends® were originally developed by SHERYL LEACH, KATHY PARKER and DENNIS DESHAZER

Copyright © 2004 Lyons Partnership, L.P. All rights reserved.