[1st POV]
The combined pride ate their meal in three separate places. The carcass of the buffalo was massive so we spread it into three places. One for my pride and it was the largest pile of meat as their numbers were much larger. Then there were two smaller piles, one for Zael's pride and a separate pile for all the top lionesses. The last pile had the most premium meat, and it was shared between the higher ranks of mine and Zael's pride.
The cubs, on the other hand had to eat the leftovers. I don't usually do this but food was scarce, and even a full-grown buffalo was too little for our massive numbers.
The males on the other hand had already had our fill right after we took down the beast. So we lay in the distance while watching the rest of the pride eat their meal.
But it wasn't just us males who were not eating. In the distance not far away from us were two strange animals that were not human. They were a warthog and a meerkat. They looked completely out of place in this area filled with lions.
They carved out their place in a small patch of grass, unfinished by the herd we chased away. I didn't know if they had eaten any food, but they were not joining the rest of the pride because they didn't eat meat.
Simba frequently sent concerned glances towards them now and then.
I knew who they were from watching The Lion King in my past life. My memories of those times feel like dreams now, but it's hard to forget such important characters.
"Simba, why don't you call your friends over?" I asked, turning to the lion that lay beside me.
"Will it be alright?" Simba asked, unsure. Maybe he was not that well-versed in lion social etiquette. For all he knew, it could be considered rude to invite non-dominant kings to sit where we stayed.
But Zafar and his sons were not kings either so it didn't really matter.
"They are your friends, are they not?"
"Yes."
"Then there is no reason not to. I want to meet them as well," I said.
Simba showed the smallest smile before he got up and headed towards Timon and Pumba. He shared a few words with them before he returned with the two animals on his tail.
"Your Majesty," Timon said, bowing exaggeratedly when he reached in front of me. Pumba followed the action of his friend and kneeled with one leg.
I laughed.
"There is no need for such things."
They shared a look between them before they stood back straight. Zafar and the other lions also looked towards us with mild interest in their eyes. Obviously, it was odd to see two completely different animals, especially predator and prey, interact with each other. Most lions never even shared a word with the zebra they preyed on all their lives.
"Welcome to my kingdom, the Serengeti. Although you've only seen the bad regions in the worst season, I hope the land doesn't disappoint too much," I said.
"Not at all. I'll admit it's different from our jungle, but it's different in a good way. There are many animals and trees that are new to us," Timon said.
Pumba nodded furiously.
I chuckled once more at their attempt to be formal. I knew they weren't used to these kinds of things because they hadn't introduced themselves properly. I didn't introduce myself either but I normally shouldn't do it first since I was the superior here.
But huh, who cares about those things anyway.
"As you probably know, my name is Leo. And I am Simba's brother."
Timon's eyes widened in quiet realization. "And I am Timon and this is my friend Pumba," he said and nudged the warthog with his elbow.
"Uhh, I am Pumba?" it came out more like a question.
"I've heard that you saved my brother when he ran away from the pride. For that, you have my gratitude. I hope you tell me if there is any problem while you stay with us and I will do my best to fix it," I said.
"Oh you don't have to worry about that. We have no problems in life. It's our motto after all," he said.
"Hakuna Matata," Pumba said with a smile.
"It means..." Timon was going to explain but I cut him off.
"It means no worries, for the rest of your days," I said, but the way I said it sounded almost like singing.
I could see their shock but they continued anyway, this time fully singing.
"It's our problem free~" the three of us sang slowly, almost saying the lyrics.
"Philosophy."
"Hakuna Matata," we said and I burst out in laughter. I couldn't believe I remembered that of all things.
"How did you know that?" Timon asked immediately.
"A king knows many things," I said. "It's a good motto to live by, especially for weaker animals such as yourself."
If I had been born as prey, I would follow the same ideals too. It was the best way of comfort in the cruelty of mother nature. To live fully carefree.
"Hah, you are nothing like how I imagined. First Simba and now you. Clearly my parents were lying when they told stories about lions," Timon said with folded arms, his body language seeming more relaxed now.
I was amused as well. The two of them were such an odd duo that they brought a cartoonish vibe to everything. It was a nice change of pace in our current situation.
"Does that mean we are going to help after all?" Pumba asked.
Timon froze. "...actually, you are not supposed to say that."
Perhaps they had been torn between helping and staying out of this conflict. Hakuna Matata, after all.
"But I guess it doesn't matter. Your Majesty, we would like to help in any way that we can with your troubles," Timon said.
And instead of acting offended, I briefly inclined my head. "Then I'll take all the help that you can give."
I was not sure how they would help but if I could put vultures to use, they would have parts to play.
"Oh and umm... I know the vultures are under your command but I'd appreciate it if you tell them explicitly not to grab me for some snack," Timon said.
Were meerkats prey to birds of prey?
"I will do that," I said.
Timon and Pumba stayed with our group afterwards. Eventually, a conversation began about Simba and that evolved into a conversation about their side of the story.
Although I didn't ask, I was more than happy to know what happened to Simba after he left the pride. I was torn between jealousy and pride when I heard that Simba apparently fought many interesting enemies like tigers, bears and gorillas.
Did such animals exist in Africa? Probably since they were talking about it.
"Maybe I should visit your home at one point," I said.
I wonder if I could impregnate a tigress. Perhaps add her to my pride. I'd love to see a liger born in the wild. I heard ligers were much bigger than either parent.
Maybe my cubs from a tiger could grow as big as me. Overall, it was a much more interesting and fun conversation compared to the one that followed.
A talk about the upcoming battle.
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[3rd POV]
It was five days after Leo reunited with his brother.
It was a normal day in the dry season of the Serengeti. But this seemingly normal day held within it a monumental event.
In the southern region of the Serengeti, the ruler of the Serengeti lay alone in the middle of an endless expanse of plain. He was king by might. He took the land under him by blood and kept it by blood.
With a mane the colour of night, he was one of the most majestic creatures created by nature.
A lion king.
The king lay atop yellow grass, his posture completely at ease even as he lay there alone. It looked like the rest of the world was beneath him and there was no reason to worry.
It was an odd vibe, especially considering the sight that unfolded before him. The sight that had everything to worry about.
16 male lions spread out and walked towards the king. They were animals designed to kill who were here to kill. Machines of flesh designed to fight coming for a fight.
After many unsuccessful hunting attempts, the Mara Coalition made do with carcasses stolen from leopards and smaller animals like stray antelopes. They were hungry but not starving. And perhaps that was the perfect condition for a fight. Hunger pushed the body beyond imagination after all.
Soon enough, these lions reached the vicinity of the king.
The coalition was led by the one and only Scarface.
Leo had stopped retreating at the end of the Serengeti, so it was only a matter of time before they came face to face.
And that time was now.
It was high noon. The searing sun beat down on every living creature in the Serengeti.
"I see that you are finally done running," Scarface said. "Is this because of the new lions that joined under you? Finally brave with numbers behind you eh?"
Lions were sensitive to smell. They could easily pick up the four distinct smells of lions in the area. So they knew that Leo was not really alone, even though he projected only himself.
"You're one to talk," Leo said, glancing at the other lions behind Scarface.
Scarface smiled, no shame on his face. Perhaps he had spoken such hypocritical words because he expected the comeback.
"There is no shame in mine. After all, this is what it takes to kill you," Scarface said. But ever so slowly, he bowed down as he said those words.
That small action told everything.
Leo should be ashamed but he should not be. After all, Scarface had already accepted that Leo was superior, not only to him but to lions as a whole. There was no shame in the weak teaming up to stand a chance against the strong.
Weakness itself was already shame enough. The things done to make up for that weakness were only to be complimented.
"I will ask this for the last time," Leo said. "Return to where you came. The battle you seek will only lead to your deaths. Now that my preparation is done, you no longer have what it takes."
"I should've killed you then," Leo said, staring straight at Scarface. "But I promise I will kill you now."
There was no fear. Scarface was only smiles.
"The impossible I witnessed that day was what drove me for so long. This is beyond petty revenge or hatred," Scarface said. "Seeing you now has only strengthened that resolve."
There was a sense of awe in his tone even though they were enemies.
"I speak for every male of the lion species," he said. "We are meant to be kings, but you robbed that from many of us. If we can't be kings then we shall be nothing at all."
The sole purpose of lions was to become kings. Lions who never became kings didn't exist because they were all dead, trying to achieve their goal until their last breath.
"Then you shall be nothing." Leo gave a nod.
And so, there was no coming back from it.
The battle began.
The Mara Coalition did not plan any strategy. They were in enemy territory and Leo had more tricks up his sleeve than they could even imagine. He employed animals of completely different species.
Their best chance was an all-out battle with the sole purpose of aiming to kill the king.
Other things didn't really matter. Leo's death meant everything.
...
...