Creech and Friends-A New Member

Chapter 18: Epilogue

    At a graveyard on the outskirts of town, Kopa and Kiara visited the burial spots of Simba and Nala; it'd been a few weeks since their deaths, and they were now here to pay their respects to their parents. Creech, Matt, Sheree, Bob, Larry and Junior had all decided to tag along so they could keep them company. Kiara sighed, touching her mother's gravestone. "I'd give anything to talk to Mom and Dad one last time," she whispered, eyes watering.

    Kopa rubbed her shoulder. "Me to, sis. Me to," he said.

    Then, they all heard a voice. It was a voice they knew. "It's gonna be okay. We'll still be here."

    Kiara stood and looked around. "Daddy?" she asked. "Daddy, is that you?"

    A heavenly light shone down and there appeared Simba and Nala, still in their lion forms, but looking and feeling so much better. Sheree was surprised. "Nala," she whispered, reaching out to touch her face.

    Nala chuckled and nodded. Matt was just as shocked as the others were. Simba himself was surprised at this as he glanced up, then back at the group before coming over to his children. Kopa smiled and ruffled his mane while Kiara gave him a big hug, to which he happily aceppted while Kopa joined in a few seconds later. They stayed like that until they eventually parted. "Simba. Nala," said a voice.

    The two turned to see Larry standing there. "They're waiting for you guys," he said.

    Simba smiled as he patted Larry's shoulder. "We're both gonna miss you guys," he said. "Not only have you all become like a second family to us, but your parents would be proud of you."

    "We'll miss you to," Bob said, hugging a crying Junior into his side. "Goodbye, you guys."

    "Goodbye, pals," Simba replied, reaching out and ruffling his hair.

    Coming over to the others, Simba and Nala looked proudly at them, saying nothing for a bit as Nala joined him at his side. "We love you guys," Simba finaly said. "We always have."

    Nala nodded. "Also," she added, "you think you can keep an eye on Butch and Lightning from now on?"

    The group turned to see Butch, Lightning, and Jerry across the street in a phone booth, Butch chuckling as he dialed the number. "Nothing like a little pre-dinner entertainment," he said.

    Soon, the phone on the other line rang. "Charlie's Tavern."

    "Is Oliver there?"

    "Who?"

    "Oliver Clothesoff." Meanwhile, Lightning and Jerry were trying to stifle their laughs.

    "Hold on. I'll check." A few seconds later... "Oliver Clothesoff. Call for Oliver Clothesoff."

    At that, the three burst into laughter, not hearing the threat on the other line. Matt chuckled. "Heh, heh. Yeah. We can handle them," he said.

    Simba and Nala both chuckled. Creech came over, gently brushing a lock of hair from Simba's face. "You've changed the lives of my disfunctional siblings and I for the better," she said. "And I thank you for that."

    Simba smiled as he and Nala backed up, knowing that it was time to move on. "It's wonderful, guys," he said. "The love inside. Take it with you."

    Nala stopped and turned to face them one last time. "See ya," she whispered.

    "See ya," Kiara whispered back, sniffling.

    Smiling warmly, the happy lion couple turned and walked away. The group watched, tears present in their eyes while comforting each other, as the lions walked upwards towards the colorful blindness into Heaven.