only a pride member is authorized to perform the action. So with the situation, I tried to save Scar by exiling him from the Pride Lands for good; just like he did to me after my father was killed. I knew that the rest of my pride would have definitely killed him if I didn’t; but he said to me; “It’s the hyenas who are the real enemy. It was their fault; it was their idea”; and I knew immediately that he was lying; and so did the hyenas who were listening closely. So from that point they realized that they had been used by Scar all along; and they killed him for his treachery.”

 

Kovu could not believe what he had been hearing. He knew that he had been brought up with lies and manipulation for most of his life, but this one that he just heard was one of the least expected to him. After everything that he went though, it turned out now that Simba didn’t kill Scar in the first place. Kovu started feeling enraged at being trained to avenge the death of Scar, who chose him to follow in his paw prints when it turns out now that Simba wasn’t responsible. He also remembered that Scar wasn’t even his father. Why on earth did I agree to this in the first place? He thought. Even if Simba did kill Scar, what does that have to do with me if I am not related to Scar? Ooooh! If mother was still alive, I would be in a position to make her wish that she was never born!

 

“I was so young when this happened.” Kovu said in deep thought. “What did Zira do that made you exile us to the Outlands?”

 

“She tried to take over the Pride Lands with the rest of the pride, and in the attempt she ended up hurting my mother, who could have been killed as a result. Therefore I banished her and the rest of the pride from the Pride Lands for good and; under the Royal Protocol; promised them the death penalty if they ever returned.”

 

Kovu just frowned and shook his head in disgust at hearing everything that his mother had done. He began to wonder if she was even his mother and if she also just took him in as a son in the first place.

In the meantime, Simba thought that he had said enough and that it was time to continue the lesson.

 

“Now let’s continue on with the lesson. Let’s go and take a walk in the Pride Lands.”

 

“Yes, Simba.” Kovu replied, snapping out of his thoughts and focusing on the lesson at hand.

 

They began to take the path that lead back down from the top of Pride Rock. It took them a little time to get down as the climb was very steep; and the slightest misstep could prove fatal. However, the flat paths that ran along the back of Pride Rock provided eligibility to walk down safely.

 

After a few minutes they reached the entrance to the den again, which was where the path leading up to the pinnacle had started. But they would also receive a welcoming surprise when Timon and Pumbaa were waiting there for them. After consulting with Nala, they had started to ascend to the pinnacle; but they then spotted Kovu and Simba walking down from the top, and so they decided that it would be best for them to meet them near the den instead of on the edge of the paths at a higher elevation, which would not be the best place to talk considering the dangers.

 

Simba appeared pleasantly surprised when he saw them as he went to hear what they had to tell him. Kovu also approached them; and at the same time he could not forget the fun that he had with them and Kiara on his first full day out in the Pride Lands when he had been reluctantly accepted into the Pride. To him, they seemed very unusual but also fun to be around at the same time; even though, as a meerkat and a warthog, they seemed to be like prey to lions.

 

“Hey, guys.” Simba remarked to them.

 

“Hey, buddy.” Timon responded in a slightly sad tone, but still managed to force a smile along with his protégé.

 

“What can I do for you guys?”

 

“Well…uh…” Pumbaa began, feeling it hard to break out the news to the lion that he, along with Timon, had raised as his own son for some years. Timon was feeling the same thing as he stood there speechless; just waiting for Pumbaa to break the reluctant news.

 

Simba just stood there patiently; ready to hear whatever it was that his long-time friends were trying to say. He was always very patient and would never be in a hurry with most things.

 

“Well,” Pumbaa began again, slightly getting a hold of himself, “It is not easy to say this; but, well…We came along to bid you farewell.”

 

“Farewell?” Simba began, slightly confused. “Where are you going?”

 

“We have been giving this a bit of thought,” Timon spoke in turn, “and we want you to know that first of all, this new life that you introduced us to in the Pride Lands has been one of the best times of our lives. Of all the swimming in the waterholes and rivers; the hide and seek played in the grass; the load of grubs to be found and eaten; the thrill of sunset gazing in the middle of the savannah; the great views of the landscape from the top of Pride Rock; the awe and beauty of stargazing at night; well…I really don’t know how else to describe it. We want you to know that your home is one of the most beautiful places in the world.”

 

As Timon went on, Pumbaa listened in and nodded in agreement at every word that was said; and he began to feel a bit emotional as it was all a bit hard to take.

 

“And after all this time,” Timon continued, getting more emotional by the minute, “we love this place so much; and we are more than happy to call it home. But we have also been thinking about the good times back at our old home in the Tropical Paradise, and we have decided that we want to go back there again for a while.”

 

“You do?” Simba asked, feeling somewhat understandable at his friends’ plans.

 

“Yes.” Pumbaa said, getting closer to tears, “Again; after all the good times in the Pride Lands; we will hate leaving it behind, but we are just missing our old home. So with that said, we are asking an old friends’ royal permission to depart.”

 

Simba smiled at them. He was feeling a bit emotional himself; even after hearing these sweet touching words from his friends. He knew them very well as they were like his parents to him when he was young; and ever since losing his father and being an outcast, they both took him in and raised him in the best way that they knew how; and for all that they did for him, it meant the world to Simba. So because of all that, he began to feel sad to see them leave.

 

Kovu was also feeling a bit sad and surprised, because he quite enjoyed their company on his first day having fun out in the savannah; and although to him they were slightly unorthodox characters, they were friendly, amusing and so much fun to hang around. He also never knew that they originally lived in a different home to this one, so he was even more surprised at this.

 

“You guys know me very well,” Simba replied to them understandably. “And for all that you have done for me and the help that you have provided for the pride; we can only thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your efforts and support. So of course you two may go back home. Besides, you have earned it.”

 

Timon and Pumbaa finally lost it as the tears came streaming down their eyes in joy and sadness. They immediately came up and embraced Simba, who greatly returned it. Simba also began to shed a tear while they embraced as he couldn’t fight the feeling of seeing his friends depart.

 

After a small time of embrace, they broke apart as Simba spoke again.

 

“I am going to miss you guys.” Simba said to them.

 

“We too, buddy.” Timon replied, still sobbing lightly. “We too.”

 

“But if you ever need us again, just call and we will come.” Pumbaa added.

 

“Thank you, guys. And remember; goodbyes aren’t forever, and the bonds of love and friendship will always remain in the heart.”

 

Timon and Pumbaa nodded in appreciation at Simba’s words.

 

“Just before you go…” Simba added, suddenly turning around, “Zazu!”

 

Zazu, the royal hornbill and majordomo, came flying in from a nearby tree from bellow the Rock’s ridge and perched on a small rock near the den’s entrance; close enough to the two lions, the meerkat and the warthog.

 

“Yes, sire?” Zazu responded immediately.

 

“Timon and Pumbaa have decided to go back to their old home for a while. Could you please follow them back home and make sure that they have a safe journey?”

 

“With pleasure, sire.”

 

“And please be sure to report any messages from them or faults that may occur along the way when you return here.”

 

“Absolutely, sire.”

 

“Excellent.” Simba replied, who then turned back to his departing friends. “Well, guys, I bid you farewell and have a safe journey.”

 

“Thank you, Simba.” Timon replied sadly.

 

“And take care while we are gone.” Pumbaa added.

 

And with that, they; along with Zazu flying above them; started to slowly part down the Rock; where they would

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