She was almost on the top, when she heard a crack from below. She screamed and tried to grab the pile but they started to roll on the ground and she fell. The boys heard the crush and rushed to her. All they saw was a tremendous pile of elephant bones on top of her.
"Shani!" Kim gasped. He ran to the pile and started to dig her out. "Come on, we gotta help her!" he yelled at his brother but Maliki was in too much panic to do what was told. This was all Kim's fault, if he wouldn't have gone with Shani, no-one would've expected Maliki to go to the elephant graveyard. Everything would be fine without Kim now. Maliki felt himself choking up but refused to cry in front of his brother.
Kim was still desperately seeking for a sign that Shani was still alive. So far nothing, but he wouldn't give up, COULDN'T give up. Shani was his best friend and he wouldn't let her down. He was amazed Mali didn't seem to have any intention to help him, but if he had to do it alone, he would. Then he heard a cough.
"Shani?!" She was alive! Kim started digging even harder and finally he reached Shani's paw. It was moving, so they still had hope. Now Maliki woke up from his trance, ran to Kim, pushed him aside and started to dig, too. Finally they found Shani's head and pulled her out of the bone pile. She was coughing and had a hard time breathing but she was alive. "K-Kim? Ma-Maliki?" she coughed. "We're here, you're safe now, don't worry," Kim smiled relieved.
"Yeah, I saved you," Maliki said proud. "What?!" Kim's jaw dropped. "Y-YOU?!" Maliki helped Shani up. "Yup, that's how I am, can't leave the weak ones without help," he continued, trying to sound like a good Samaritan. Shani smiled shyly at him. "Thanks a lot, Maliki. You're a real friend."
"B-but-but it wasn't him who saved you! I saved you, he didn't do anything!" Kim yelled angrily. Shani looked at him and then at Maliki. "Was it him?" Maliki laughed. "Oh, come on, do you REALLY think KIM was strong OR brave enough to save you? He doesn't have the strength to do it!" "But I DID!!!" Kim yelled, now he was totally mad at Maliki. "Shani, I saved you! You gotta believe me! Mali just sat there on his rump doing nothing! I know I'm not as strong as he is but I DID save you!" "So which one do you believe, Shani, the future king or the weak little baby?!" Maliki asked smiling. This was a chance to get back at Kim for causing him to fall from that cliff.
Shani looked at both of them at a time for a long time, finally she turned her head to Kim: "It's not nice to lie, Kim."
Kim's jaw hung wide open. "B-b-but, Shani, I wasn't lying!" "Kim, it's okay, it's okay that you're weaker than Mali, I can accept that." "BUT I'M NOT!!!" "Maybe we should go home," Maliki grinned. "My baby bro needs his milk."
Shani wasn't pleased at Maliki's joke but she agreed they should go home. "Come on, Kim. Don't be mad, I'm not angry that you lied," she said. "I wasn't the one who lied..." Kim muttered to himself.

The whole time they were heading home, Kim was observing his brother. He hasn't changed, he thought. He was just pretending to be Kim's friend again to get Shani on his side, to steal the only friend Kim had. Gods, how much he hated him! The whole time Mali and Shani were thinking about their adventures, laughing and promising not to tell their parents, Kim's anger grew stronger. He had never felt this way. His mind was as black as night and he couldn't think anything else but how to get back to Maliki.
Meanwhile, Maliki had started to regret his behaviour. He had promised Kovu not to tease Kim anymore. And even more important, he had promised KIM he wouldn't tease him anymore. Shani believed every word he said, she truly believed it was Maliki who had saved her, not Kim. And now she seemed to think Mali as her hero. Maliki couldn't stand the way she talked about his braveness and selfishness. Maliki didn't have the guts to turn and face Kim. He knew he was angry. And he had a good reason. Maliki couldn't try and explain his deeds to himself anymore, it was a lie and he knew it. He just couldn't fool himself. But he COULD change, that was his promise to himself. He would start tomorrow by apologizing Kim and telling Shani he lied to her. Then everone could be happy again and he would have peace. His mind calmed down and he started to joke and laugh with Shani. Before they knew it they were all home.
"Where have you BEEN?!" Nala stood outside the cave, looking very worried. "Didn't you see how late it was?!" Maliki grinned uncomfortably. "Were sorry, grandma. We were, umm..." Kim stepped forward, speaking calmly. "We were playing at the easter fields, didn't you hear us?" Nala looked puzzled. "Hear you? No, I guess I didn't..." "We were there, playing hide and seek, " Kim continued, with such calmness on his face Shani and Maliki just had to adore it.
Nala looked relieved. "Well, next time remember to tell where you're going and for how long, do you hear me?" The cubs smiled. "Don't worry, we will." They all ran into the cave and soon they were all asleep.
All except Kim.

The Visitor

Kim lay awake in the cave. He just couldn't sleep. He rolled around, trying to find a comfortable position but he knew what was keeping him awake. Pure rage. He had never been this angry to Mali, no matter how many times he had pinned Kim and teased him in front of the others. This was too much. He could never forgive Mali, never!
"Kimwondo."
Kim startled. He thought he heard someone calling him. But he didn't know who it was, no-one else but Mum sometimes called him with his whole name. Maybe he was getting too tired, he should get some sleep....
"Kimwondo."
The same voice again. This time it sounded determined and strick. Kim looked around him but didn't see anyone. Actually, he didn't see ANYTHING. It was all black around him. "W-who are y-you?" he asked shaking. "Don't be frightened. I'm your friend," the voice said. "Your only friend, as it seems at the moment."
Now Kim saw a little light somewhere. He couldn't tell where it was coming, it was very dim. "Finally we meet," the voice said again. It was deep and somehow scaring, but since Kim couldn't see who it was, he was more relaxed for the moment. He had never heard the voice before, it wasn't anyone he knew, that was for sure. He swallowed and asked again. "Who are you?"
"Don't worry," the voice said from right behind him. Kim turned around, but...still no-one behind him. He heard a chuckle. "You won't see me, you don't have to spin around like that. Now, the reason I'm here is..." "Why can't I see you?" "Don't interrupt me!" Kim pulled his ears back. It was even scarier to be on the mercy of someone you didn't see.
The voice continued, calmed: "Now the reason I'm here, is because I want to help you." "H-help me?" "Yes, as I have noticed you seem to have a little...trouble with your big brother, don't you?" Kim narrowed his eyes and felt the anger returning. "Trouble...I wish! It would be better if it was just "trouble"! He hates me and I hate him!" The voice sounded to feel sorry for Kim. "Ohh, it can't be that bad, can it?" Kim sniffled. "It is." Now the voice came from a different direction again. It seemed to circle around Kim. "Oh, don't cry, little one. I told you I was here to help you."
Kim lifted his head and paid attention to hear where the voice was now. "Y-you...How could you help?" The voice laughed. "Aah, questions, questions! You're a curious little one, aren't you?" Kim wasn't sure whether or not to take this as a compliment. "Well," the voice said. "Let's just say you and I will make a great team together. You have the will and I have the brain." "I have brains, too!" Kim groaned unsatisfied. He heard a chuckle again. "That's what I like about you, Kimwondo, you have the strength to say how you feel. You have POWER."
Power. Kim felt proud. Someone who didn't even know him said he had power. Maliki had always talked about power, it was all he could think of and Kim had grown to believe power was everything. Power was everything he didn't have.
"And, my boy, since you have power, will AND brains, I will help you along your way." "My...way, umm, sir?" "Yes, Kimwondo." Now the voice was right next to him. It turned to Kim and whispered:
"I can make you the future king of Pride Rock."
Kim's jaw fell wide open and his eyes widened. "How?" "Don't you worry about that, all you have to do is to remember to do exactly as I say, do you understand me?" "Yes, sir. But...what about Mali? He's the future king."
The voice lowered and asked quietly: "Kimwondo..." "Kim, just Kim." "Alright, alright, whatever. Now, Kim...Which is more important to you, your brother's future or yours?" "Well, I..." "Or let me put it in another way. You told me your brother hated you?" Kim pulled his ears back. "He does. "What about you?" "I hate him!" Kim said angrily. "He stole your best friend." The voice sounded pitiful. "He lied to Shani!" Kim continued even more frustrated. "He embarrassed you many times in front of others." "He always wants to show off." "Whatever you like to call it..." the voice said half to himself. "Finally...What must you do?" "I have to pay back at him," Kim said calmly,