The Lion King Origins: Book One

17| New Plan

•Tambo•

I sat on top of a large and tall gray rock, staring into the distance. The Pride Lands was so close, but yet so far away. The lions still despise us as evil creatures, but we've done nothing wrong. Our clans numbers are slowly decreasing day after day. My father has become extremely ill, and mother has been standing by his side trying to stay strong.

Breaking me out of my thoughts was two lions who caught my eye.

"Hey Mari, come check this out!" I called to my sister, who was on the right of me, practicing her hunting skills.

"Kind of busy here!"

I rolled my eyes. "Come on, it's important!"

She groaned and stomped to my side, glaring at me. "What's up?"

"Look." I pointed.

She lifted a brow. "More lions? Do you think they're apart of King Kovu's Pride?"

I shook my head. "No, they don't look familiar at all. Maybe they're just passing through."

"What if they came to join his pride? That could mean even more trouble for us!"

"What do you mean?"

She growled and sprinted inside the giant elephant skull. I ran behind her.

"Mari, wait!"

She walked into the small corner where mother and father were laying side by side. Father looked completely drained and broken. It's those damn lions fault that he's so sick! He's not getting enough nutrition to help him survive!

"Mother, father. I have some bad news. Tambo and I noticed two more lions have entered the Pride Lands. They could be joining the King's Pride. Don't you see the problem here? They're getting stronger in numbers, and if we plan on taking over their lands, it will be even harder."

Mother stood up, a worried expression on her face. "We can't let that happen. We have to do something now before we all die." She shifted her eyes back to father, tears forming in her eyes.

"Your father may be too weak to fight, but I know who can. Got get Rakki and Jabari. We need to devise a plan." She ordered. We nodded and rushed to find them. They were training and play fighting as usual, competing to see who was the strongest. They stopped when they saw us coming.

"Boys, give it a rest for a minute please?" Mari pleaded.

"Why Princess? I thought you liked strong and tough hyenas like me..." Jabari said in a deep voice. Mari rolled her eyes.

"That's not what I meant. My mother wants to speak with the both of you."

They both looked shocked. "The Queen wants to speak with us?"

I spoke. "Yes. I suggest you get to her now before she gets angry. You know how much she hates waiting."

Rakki and Jabari looked at eachother before walking towards our parents. I noticed Mari looking down.

"What's the matter Mari?"

She sniffled. "It's father. I don't want him to die so early."

"That's not going to happen.."

"How do you know that?!" She snapped. I jumped back due to her anger. "We are sitting here, slowly dying day by day and you think everything is okay? No. If we don't get rid of that King then we're all doomed. HE is the one who has to pay. He is letting us suffer. He is the reason father is in this condition. With him alive we have nothing."

I nod.

"I'm going to get some fresh air." She breathed.

I turned around as she walked away.

I won't let King Kovu hurt my family. If he hurts mine, I guess we have no choice than to hurt his..