The sun setting outside and the stars above becoming visible was a sign given to the entire clan. It was the time again, the time to hold a vigil and pay respects to one of their fallen. Just like the one before, the news of Hani's passing came earlier that very day and there was nobody for them to bury. Janja and Chungu were the first out there past the training grounds. Janja was preparing himself to speak to the entire clan on Hani's death and honoring his life. Meanwhile Chungu was already making good on his word, watching over the clan leader.
It wasn't too long until more and more of the clan occupied the space just outside the mountain's range. They all came in silence, filling out around their clan leader, waiting for the rest to arrive. Before Janja spoke, Chungu placed a comforting paw on his shoulder. The clan leader nodded back and cleared his throat before addressing the clan.
"Thank you all for coming here again. Things have been rough for us lately. Once again we lost a member of our clan that we can never replace. First we lost Kufo and it was just yesterday that we discovered the body of Hani. He was appointed to be my new retainer and not soon after we found his body torn apart by Zira and her lioness. Hani's death was unexpected and that's what makes it all the more tragic. He never liked being the center of attention but Nakala believed that would do great things for his clan. And I did too. With nobody to bury we'll still pay our respects to Hani."
Just as the clan leader, the many hyena's heads began to bow one after the other. Beside him, Chungu bowed his head as well. Janja had no doubt that his retainer was especially saddened by the loss of Hani. Janja himself couldn't help but feel guilty, this vigil was about celebrating Hani's life but all the clan leader could think about was Nakala. Surrounding him were nothing but hyenas and it was actually off-putting to not see the lion sticking out among the crowd. It made Janja wonder just where Nakala was and what he was doing. But the vigil took priority and the hyena forced himself to push the lion to the back of his mind.
It had been a whole night and a half since Nakala had left the clan behind. In that time the lion was just wandering aimlessly. Even though the lion knew he had to go, there was no location that came to his mind. Truly he was on his own now, well not completely. There were the other creatures of the Outlands, such as the jackals and the crocodiles to look out for if he happened to venture out. But Nakala was sure that he was safe for the time being. But he was still struggling on where he should go.
Even more vexing, Nakala was aware that it didn't matter where he went if his powers were still out of control. What was the point of going anywhere if he was a risk to everything and everyone? On top of all that, the lion was aware that leaving the clan behind posed it's own risk to them. They were left alone with Zira, who he was sure would catch on to his absence eventually. He needed a place where he could hone his skills and do it quickly. With a heavy sigh, Nakala changed his course and trekked towards the place that he really didn't want to go. But he had no choice, the only one who could help him was there, in the Pride Lands.
In the heart of the Pride Lands, Rafiki was resting in his hollow. But that was cut short by an abrupt gust of wind that nearly knocked the mandrill over. He opened his eyes and looked around for the culprit but found no one nearby.
"The years must finally be catching up to me..." Rafiki thought aloud, but before he could close his eyes again an even stronger gust hit him again. But this time the mandrill was able to see the leaves and feathers blowing in the breeze. They danced around him, commanding attention.
"What are you trying to tell me this time? Can it be something good for once?" Rafiki groaned before he dared to interpret the meaning. But the winds swirled out of the hollow. Grabbing his staff, Rafiki followed after them up his own tree and into the branches. Upon climbing up the mandrill saw that the leaves were resting just underneath a picture of Kion that he painted upon the lion's birth.
Rafiki took a moment to think about it and nodded firmly. "Fine. I will do what I can, but I hope you know what you are doing." All on his lonesome, Rafiki took off into the night, determined to find the returning lion.
Nakala soon made it to the border and just like many times before he took a deep breath and stepped into the Pride Lands. He decided the best place to enter was the jungle. The night shrouded the environment in shadows, something the lion planned to use to his advantage. He was thankful that there seemed to be no other animal inhabiting the jungle at the time, no doubt because of his fight with Fuli. It must have scared off anything living in the area. His goal was getting through the jungle and somehow finding Rafiki without anyone else noticing him.
As soon as the lion took a step there was a loud noise above him. Nakala's gaze was upon the branches and vines high above him but there was nothing there. A few more steps and there was the sound of laughter, familiar laughter. Knowing that the one Nakala was looking for made the lion smile. He looked for any sign of the mandrill but there was nothing.
"Follow me..."
Nakala sharply turned around. Ahead of him were the creaking of branches and the rustling of falling leaves. The lion took off in the direction, now understanding where Rafiki was. He was jumping from tree to tree, trying to lead him somewhere. As fast as he could, Nakala dodged roots and tangling vines. All the while he was trying his best to keep pace with Rafiki. He was certainly faster than the lion thought but the creaking branches and falling leaves let him know that he wasn't too far behind.
He was led into a deeper part of the jungle that he had never been in before. The foliage around him became all the more dense and the moonlight above was completely blocked out, leaving the lion to charge ahead in complete darkness. But the sound of Rafiki's voice nearby gave him assurance to keep going. Further ahead there was an open clearing out of the jungle and the lion dashed through it. But he planted all four of his paws into the ground upon coming out of the other side. Ahead of him was Rafiki, holding his arms out and standing firmly in place.
Nakala managed to stop just short of the mandrill and looked beyond him to see that they were standing on a cliff. He was glad that Rafiki stopped him and the fact that he had a moment to catch his breath. All the more impressive, Nakala looked out to the land looking over the cliff. It was Hakuna Matata Falls. He could clearly see the massive waterfall pooling into the oasis and foliage below.
"Quite the view, huh?" Rafiki asked, coming close to stand beside the lion.
"Heh. It's just how it looked when I was a cub," Nakala smiled, looking down at the environment. "It was always the place I went when I wanted to relax."
"Rafiki. My powers are getting out of control. What if I hurt someone?" Nakala sighed.
"I know why you have come," Rafiki nodded. "Power like this can be a blessing as well as a curse."
The mandrill stuck his head out, just above the mark on the lion's shoulder. The symbol began to faintly glow, making Nakala wince in pain. "I can feel the remnant of Scar still living and growing inside of you."
"It's more of a curse if you ask me..." Nakala groaned as the light on his shoulder started to dim. "It's because of the Roar that Zira's after me it turned my own dad against me."
"All I want to do is protect the hyena in the Outlands but I might be the one putting them in danger... I don't want any more of them to die. There's been enough of that thanks to my dad and grandfather..." Feeling his heart starting to pound, Nakala began to pace back and forth. "Am I really supposed to protect them or am I just gonna be the one to finish them off? I feel like something inside of me is pushing me to do stuff I don't wanna do! I gotta fix this there's too much at stake!"
"Rafiki! What do I do?" The lion asked, desperately.
"Nakala. You must come to terms with the truth that this body is your own. With it you can rise above the darkness inside of you and even the prophecy set out for you," Rafiki elaborated.
"Y-you called me, Nakala..." Upon hearing his proper name being said aloud, the lion started to relax a bit. He took a deep breath and sat down beside the mjuzi.
"Nakala. When was the last time you talked to your grandfather?" Rafiki asked with a grin on his face.
"Not for a long time," Nakala admitted with a confused look on his face. "I can't talk to him. I'm on the side of those that he banished."
In response, Rafiki just chuckled and placed a hand on the lion's shoulder. "Nakala. It is time."
Upon hearing those words, the lion's heartbeat quickened in pace. Feeling a bit dizzy, Nakala dug his claws into the grass underneath his paws. But despite his panicking, he trusted Rafiki and had faith that the mjuzi knew what he was doing. Digging deep and gritting his fangs, Nakala started a growl that rumbled in his chest. Bearing down on it, he lifted his head and roared into the sky.
The scattered clouds above started to come together, swirling around one another. Nakala watched in awe as the clouds above stopped and parted to reveal the face of none other than his grandfather, Mufasa.
"It has been a long time, grandson. Hasn't it?" Mufasa asked. A chill ran through Nakala's body, it was much longer than he thought since he heard that voice.
"Grandfather Mufasa... It's good to see you again, but... You're probably disappointed in me."
Nakala didn't really know what he was expecting, but it certainly wasn't gentle chuckling. He looked up in surprise to see the spirit lion looking down at him.
"No, Kion. Or should I say Nakala? I am proud of you," Mufasa chuckled. "You fight for a noble cause."
"It was one of my regrets at the end of my life that I never reached out to the hyenas. If I had, they would have never joined Scar's side. Simba was affected by my actions from an early age, something not easy for him to make peace with," Mufasa admitted. "But I believe in you, Nakala. You can cleanse the sins of the past and usher in a new age of peace."
"B-but how can I do that?" Nakala asked desperately.
"The answer is you. You are the key to bringing peace. You're the only one who has a paw in both Pride Lands and Outlands. There are many who care about you on both sides. You can be the one to bind them together."
With those words, Mufasa was already disappearing behind the clouds, leaving Rafiki and Nakala alone to stand on the cliff.