TLK 3: part one The light and the Dark side Legal note; Kovu, Kiara and all other characters found in the TLK movies are (c) Disney. All other, like Giza, Hafifu etc. are (c) Me Sigurd Engerström. DISCLAIMER: this story might contain scenes with blood and violence, PG- rated. This story is split up in parts, this is the first, and the rest will be finished soon. (That will be when I have the time) Comments and such are welcome to: S_the_spikeshark@hotmail.com Drop dead notes and flames to: Thrashcan@unwantedmail.com When this story starts Simba and Nala have died, how they died will be explained in another story Characters: Kovu: Present King of the pride rock. Kiara: Present Queen of the pride rock. Giza: Son of Kovu and Kiara. (name means Dark) Hafifu: Son of Kovu and Kiara. (name means Light) Vitani: Kovu's sister. Marhiza: Queen of the death lands. Azouka: Marhizas sister. Zinagi: Marhizas sister and shaman. Zadha: A shaman old as the mountains, who lives alone. Sinita: A cub in the pride lands. Aihatu: A lioness of the death lands. Lainga: Sinitas mother. Zira: Only a vision. Zazu: The Kings advisor. Rafiki: The shaman of the pride lands. Chapters: Prologue C1: the cub from beyond C2: gone C3: where can he be? C4: a shadow of nothing C5: a light in the darkness C6: home coming Epilogue Prologue A brilliant morning in the pride lands, all creatures are in the move towards the pride rock, the new prince, or princes will be shown today. Everybody waits with excitement as Rafiki makes his way to the rock. The old shaman walks up on the rock to the den where Kovu and Kiara await him. Rafiki: Kovu, my king... Rafiki gives the young king a hug, before he goes over to Kiara, who lies on the ground with two cubs before her, one of the cub is slightly darker than the other. The shamans takes both of them and hold them up so that every animal in the land can see them, A sunbeam breaks trough, and hits one of the cubs, the other one, the darker one becomes even darker. For some reason the shaman does not take any notice of this, first when he hands the cubs back he sees it. Kiara: Rafiki? Did you see that? What can it be? Kovu: The sun never shined on him, what's wrong? Rafiki: I... I don't know... but he seems healthy... Kiara: And that is the only thing that matters, I will always love him. Kovu: Me too... Chapter I The cub from beyond. A week later. Kovu and Vitani sit at the waterhole. Vitani: how is your little son? Kovu: you mean Giza? Vitani: yeah, the cloud... Kovu: don't call him a cloud; he is a lion, just like you. Vitani: Don't upset yourself, it was only a joke. Kovu: if that was a joke, why do I not laugh? Vitani: ok, it was not funny... Kovu: you're damned right, now I don't want you or anyone else to make fun out of him, is that understood? Vitani: Yes sir. Kovu: good... Kiara comes. Kiara: Hi Kovu. Kovu: How are you my dear? Kiara: just fine, but I need to talk with you, alone. Vitani: ok, I go, see you later. Vitani goes to some other lionesses lying in the shadow of a tree. Kovu: what did you want to talk about? Kiara: It's about Giza, the shroud that surrounds him are growing larger. Kovu: what? Kiara: Rafiki says that it's not dangerous, but that he and his brother should play with the other cubs. Kovu: Yes, it sounds like a good idea. Three weeks later. Two cubs appear in the entrance to the den. Kovu, who stands at the food of the rock, calls them down. Hafifu: Hi dad! Giza: Morning dad! Kovu: good morning my sons. Hafifu: what have you planned for today? Kovu: nothing, you two, go out and play with the other cubs. Hafifu: no problem. The cub runs away. Giza: hey, wait for me... He runs after his brother. Kovu: [mumbles to himself] I hope this was a good idea. At a big boulder near the rock, a lot of cubs play. They see the two approaching brothers. Cub1: Look, there comes Haffi and Giza. Hafifu: mind if we join you? Cub2: no not at all... A much bigger cub comes. Cub3: Hey, what is that cloud doing here? Cub4: he's just playing... Cub3: no he is not; chase that abonimation out of my sight. The other cubs don't dare to do anything else than obey. All cubs: get out of here, you cloud, you're not welcome here. Cub3: are you deaf? Run, or I'll beat you up good. Giza turns around and runs away. Cub3: and stay away, you shadow. Hafifu: What the hell was that for? Idiot! He runs after his brother. Haffi: Giza, wait! But Giza runs out in the high grass and disappears; Haffi decides to tell his parents. He finds them, and tells them what just happened. Kovu: they did WHAT??? Haffi: they chased him away. Kiara: we have to find him, Zazu! Zazu: yes my queen? Kiara: go find Giza. Zazu: at once. The bird flies away. Kovu: [to Haffi] who did you say did this? Haffi: I'll show you... Kovu: come Kiara, I think we should have a talk with someone. Kiara: certainly. Somewhere on the endless plains, Giza lay crying on the ground, the black cloud that surrounds him grows larger for each tear that he sheds, another cub comes, the cub sit and watches Giza for a moment, before it goes forward to him. Cub: Yoah, stranger, you wanna play? Giza looks up and sees a smiling cub in front of him. Giza: you... you don't want to chase me away? Cub: why should I? Giza: but the others did... Cub: the others? I don't see anyone... Giza: but... I am covered in a cloud... Cub: what cloud? Giza: yeah, what cloud, I'm Giza. Cub: and I am Sinita, let's play. The two cubs play and have a lot of fun. After an hour Zazu finds them. He lands right in front of them. Zazu: oh there you are Giza, we have been looking all over after you, and I see that you found a friend. Giza Yeah. Zazu: well, your parents are waiting for you, come on. Giza: ok, bye Sinita, see you. Sinita: bye Giza. A Sinita pad of to the east, and Giza follows Zazu to the Pride rock. Zazu notices that he can see Gizas tail, but it is like it is seen in darkness, its colour is just a tint from black. After a while they reach Kovu and Kiara. Kiara: there you are my son, were have you been? Giza: I was just playing with a friend, nothing to worry about. Zazu whispers something into Kovu's ear. Kovu shouts out. Kovu: Giza, I can see your tail. Kiara: you're right, I can see it too. Giza: [a bit annoyed] what's with my tail? Kovu: we can see it. Rafiki comes for some reason, and overhears the conversation. Rafiki: his shroud will shrink when he is happy, and grow when he is sad. Kovu: how do you know? Rafiki: the gods told me, they have cursed him with it. Kiara: wh... why? Rafiki: Why they did not tell, but the sun will never shine on him, never. The shroud that surrounds Giza grew immediately and covered his tail. Rafiki: see what I mean? Kiara: is there no way to break the curse? Rafiki: I cannot undo the work of the gods. Giza starts to sob; Kiara tries the best to comfort him. Kiara: [to Kovu] you'd better talk about something else. Kovu: eh... [Changing subject] I heard that you found some friends today. Giza: [sniffs] yes I... did... Kovu: care to tell his name? Giza Her name is... Sinita... He starts to sob again. Rafiki: just let him cry out, he'll be better tomorrow. Giza felt better next day, but he stayed in the den, Haffi tried to get him out. Haffi: aw, come on, you'll rot if you stay any longer in there. Giza: no, I don't want to, go away. Haffi: don't be such a baby, come on, show me your friend. Giza: ok, I'll try to find her. Sinita came into the entrance. Sinita: you found her. Giza: Sinita this is my brother Haffi, Haffi Sinita. Haffi: hi Sinita. Sinita: hello Haffi, nice to meet you. Giza: are we done with the formal junk? Haffi: what do you think? Of course. Sinita: come on then. The three cubs walk down to the waterhole. There they play tag all the day. Late afternoon Sinita: aw... I have to go now, Giza: not already we have just begun... Sinita: I come over tomorrow, see you guys later. Haffi: bye. Sinita goes of in the direction of her home. And the brothers also go home, chatting along the way. Haffi: not a bad friend you found, huh? Giza: no, she is in fact my best friend. Haffi: HOW ABOUT ME??? Giza: you're my brother, brothers are supposed to bond. Haffi: yeah... aw, I just remembered mother say something about a bath today. Giza: she'll have to catch us first. Kiara: easy thing. She pounces down on her sons and pins them to the ground. Kiara: thanks for reminding me, boys. She carries them back to the pride rock, just to make sure they don't slip away, Back in the cave she begins to clean them, ignoring the complains. Giza: aw, quit it mom. Haffi: you're ruining my mane mom. Giza: you don't even have one. Haffi: I have, look for your self. Giza looks on Haffi's head Giza: do you think that three straws make a mane? Haffi: ah shut up. Kiara: why don't both of you stop complaining and lie still. At that command they both started to struggle even harder to get away. Next morning Sinita came, a little early though, no one was awake yet, so she sat down beside the two brothers, waiting for them to wake up, Giza was the first, he got a bug fright when he saw Sinita. Sinita: oops, did I scare you? Giza: [yawns] yes you did, I didn't expect you so early. Sinita: I want to show you something really cool. Giza: just a minute, got to wake that beanbag first. He pokes Haffi in the side a couple of times. Haffi: go away, I'm sleeping. Giza: come on, you lazy hyena, Sinita is here. Haffi: I'll get you back later He yawns and stretches. Haffi: All right I'm up, what is it? Giza: ask her, moron. Sinita: come, I'll show you something cool. Haffi: what is the cool thing? Sinita: you'll see, come. Sinita led them to the outlands, since the two prides had become one pride, no one lived here. Giza: cool! Haffi: what is this for a place? Sinita: it's called the outlands. Giza: the outlands, wasn't it here where dad grew up. Haffi: yes it was, [giggles] and I should give you for waking me up, DEFEND YOURSELF! He jumped on Giza, and started to wrestle, they rolled around a couple of times before hitting Sinita, they all ended up laughing in the grass, Sinita suddenly sees something strange. Sinita: Giza, I can see your paws... She looks up and sees his eyes Sinita: and your eyes, what a strange colour. Giza backs up as Sinita come closer. Giza: um, Sinita? What are you doing? Sinita: stand still; I want to have a closer look on your eyes. Giza backs up even more, he trips on a branch and falls on his back, Sinita quickly places her paws on his chest and pins him to the ground. Sinita: hmm, got ya, cool colour, look Haffi. Haffi: really cool, they're green, not blue like mine. Giza: if you to two finished admiring my eyes, would you mind stepping of me Sinita? Sinita: um, let's see... no. Giza: no? Sinita: unless you give me a kiss. She places her muzzle on his and gives him a kiss, Haffi almost dies from laughter. Giza: what was that for? Haffi laughs so much that he has problems with breathing. Sinita: [to Haffi] shut up you maniac, [to Giza] it's because I love you. Haffi laughs so much that he can't stand up any more. Haffi Bwahahaha... stop it I... hee hee... can't breath. Giza: then stop laughing. It takes a while for Haffi to stop. Sinita looks and Giza and sees that more of his legs are visible. Kovu, led by Haffi's maniacal laughter, find them. Kovu: [a little angry] where have you been? Giza: aw dad, we kinda forgot the lesson. Kovu: now, you two go to Kiara. Haffi: ok, dad, see you Sinita. Giza: bye. They pads back towards the pride rock. Kovu: and you, Sinita, can tell your mother to come to the pride rock as soon as possible. Sinita: all right, your highness. She skips towards her home. Later at the pride rock. Sinita and her mother, Lainga, come. Lainga: you wanted to see me, King Kovu? Kovu: yes I did, it is about your daughter. Lainga: Sinita? What have she done this time? She sends an angry gaze on her daughter. Kovu: she has become a friend of my sons. Lainga looks like a question mark. Kovu: and for that reason, I ask you to join my pride. Lainga drops her jaw, just staring on Kovu. Lainga: I...I don't know what to say. Kovu: well, saying thank you would be a good beginning. Days went to be weeks and weeks to months. Haffi, Giza and Sinita had a lot of fun together. Even when the other cubs called Giza for a cloud, or something else, his shroud did not grow a centimetre ((inch for those who don't use the metric system)) Sinita and Giza sit alone at the waterhole an early morning, they sit and watch the sun rise. Sinita breaks the silence. Sinita: I love you Giza. Giza: I love you too... Sinita: when we grow up, we will be married. Giza: MARRIED? You can't be my wife, you're my friend. Sinita: what's stopping me? She slowly walks towards him; he backs up but falls over as he trips on a stone. She pins him to the ground and licks his face. Some of the other cubs sees this and start calling for the others. Cub1: oh look, how cute, two turtle Dows. Giza: so what? Cub2: Sinita, what do you see in that shadow, I cant se anything. Cub3: he's not a lion, only the shadow of one. Sinita: he is a lion, he's more lion that all of you put together. The cub slaps Sinita in her face, Giza sees this, and burning with anger he jumps on the cub and forces it to the ground. The shroud that surrounds him temporary disappears, revealing all of his body. Cub3: [quivering of fear] get...of me... Giza: not before you apology to her. The cub apologizes. Giza: much better. He let the cub go, and the shroud appears again. Cub2: how did he do that? Cub4: I never saw him so angry before. Cub3: I never saw him at all before. Cub1: his colour was as Haffi's but darker. Cub2: yeah, like seeing Haffi at night. Cub4: I heard that the sun never shine on him. Vitani comes, muttering something for her self. All cubs: hi aunt Vitani. Vitani: [hisses] go throw yourselves off a cliff. Cub2: a good day to you too. Cub3: what is it, you seem angry. Vitani: It's nothing, go bother someone else. The cubs disappear faster than rats leaving a sinking ship. Vitani stops Giza. Vitani: oh no, not you. Giza: aw Vitani what is it this time? Vitani: shut up, and follow me. Giza: ok, can Sinita come? Vitani: NO!!!! Giza: sorry... Vitani: no apologies, your father wanted me to keep you company, follow me. Giza follows his aunt to the gigantic termite mound that used to be her home. Giza: Vitani, what is this for a place? Vitani: did I not tell you to shut up? Giza nods. Vitani: that's better, now, this is where your father and I grew up, the reason why I show you this, is because that Kovu right now tells Haffi that he will be the next king, instead of you. Giza: nothing else? Vitani: what do you mean, nothing else, you are not going to be king. Giza: so what? He can have his kingdom, but I have something he doesn't, someone who loves him, I have Sinita. Vitani: just wait and see, Giza, now, down into that cave, you should see a mushroom shaped rock, go down there sit on that rock, no matter what happens, you must stay there, got it? Giza nods. Vitani: good, now go! Giza slowly walks down into the dark interiors of the cave, he finds a mushroom shaped rock, he sit down on it, nothing happens, a minute or so passes, nothing happens, he is just about to leave when he hears an unfamiliar voice. Voice: why such a hurry, my friend? Giza looks around, but can't find the owner of the voice. Giza: who are you? Where are you? Voice: I am your grandmother Zira, and I am dead. Giza: dead? But how... Zira: I'll show you... A vision of a lioness appears in front of him, the lioness is no less than Zira. Giza: what do you want? Zira: so many questions, my friend, your aunt, Vitani told me that your brother are going to be the next king, why him you ask, is it because you're different? Giza: let him be king, let him have his kingdom, I don't care. Zira: such an attitude, you say no to the benefits of being the king? Giza: yes I do, I still have Sinita. Zira: don't be so sure, if you could see the future like I can, you should quickly realize. Giza: realize what? Zira: that the history is repeating itself, your grand father, Scar and his brother Mufasa had the same problem, Mufasa had the kingdom, and Scar the love, but Mufasa became jealous on his brother, and literary stole Scar's love, here you are, in the same situation. Giza: I don't believe you, Haffi would never do such a thing. Zira: Scar was just like you, young and naïve, like you he was different, you have the shroud and he had a Scar over his eye that made others take distance from him. Giza: STOP IT! I DON'T BELIEVE A WORD! Zira: don't come and say later that I didn't warn you. And with those words the vision disappears. Giza walks out of the cave, and meets Vitani. Vitani: so, did mom scare you? Giza: shut up. Vitani knocks Giza of his feet and pins him to the ground. She whispers into his ear. Vitani: now you listen, whatever she told you, it's true, and don't tell anyone what just happened, if you as much as breathes a word about this, then I will personally see to that your life will be a living hell, and if anyone asks where we been, tell them, out on a hunt, got it? Giza nods. Vitani: good... She let go of him. Vitani: now, let's go home. One year later: Giza and Haffi are now about three years old. Haffi and Sinita is out somewhere on the endless plains. Sinita: I'm not so sure about this, Haffi, what if Giza found out? Haffi: he won't, come I found the perfect place; you are not backing out now, are you? Sinita: no... still, if he found out it would destroy him. Haffi: then just make sure he don't. Sinita thinks for a moment, but the fires of her season wins and she follows Haffi. Back at pride rock Giza waits for them to come back, he thinks that they are out on a hunt, when he is struck by the meaning of Zira's words. Giza: [thinking] no, it can't be... no they would never do such a thing, would they? A grim thought crosses his mind before he set of looking for them. He runs out in the plains and finds what he hoped for not to be true, he backs off from the scene, shaking his head in denial, then he turns around and runs away screaming no. Sinita: what was that? It sounded like... GIZA!!! Haffi: we have to find him, and that's quick! But they can't find him, Haffi curses. Haffi: blast it, we should never have done this, he's probably left for good. Sinita: and it is our fault. Because of this awful betrayal, Gizas shroud grew so much that it consumed his surroundings too. [[These thoughts go through his mind]] Giza: How could they? How could they betray me like this? The shroud will consume me. Will I ever be visible again? How could they? The gods only gave me darkness. I am only a shadow. A shadow of nothing. I am only a shadow. Without a life. All that I am, Is a shroud with a soul? A hollow soul. How could they? How could they kill me? He keeps running the entire night. Chapter II Gone Next morning everyone wondered where Giza was. Kovu: Kiara? Have you seen Giza? Kiara: I thought you knew where he was? Kovu: strange, all I asked did not know. Kiara: have you asked Haffi? Kovu: both he and Sinita refuses to speak. Zazu comes flying, and lands in front of the King. Zazu: good morning your highnesses. Kovu: good morning Zazu, let me hear the report. Zazu: certainly [blah, blah, blah] and some elephants complain about a big pitch-black cloud that set of to the northeast. Kovu: [a bit bored of the report] nothing else... A CLOUD??? Zazu: that was what they said... Kovu: it has to be Giza, Zazu fly over there and see if you can find him, I'll be right behind you. Zazu departs for the Northeastern border, and Kovu is right behind him. When they reach the border, Kovu can feel his scent. Kovu: he was here, I can scent him, I'm afraid that he have left us. With a lowered head he slowly walks back to the pride rock. Kiara almost run him over when he comes back. Kiara: did you find him? No answer. Kiara: is he hurt? Still, no answer. Kiara: is he... Kovu: no, he has left us. Kiara: oh, gods, why? Haffi and Sinita come towards them with lowered heads. Kiara: do you know what happened to Giza? Sinita burst out in tears. Sinita: it's our fault. Kiara: WHAT ARE YOU SAYING? Haffi: it's our fault that Giza is gone. Sinita: we betrayed him... Kiara: WHAT? Haffi: we broke his heart... Kiara looks into their eyes and realizes the truth. Kiara: HOW COULD YOU??? Kovu don't understand a thing. Kovu: eh? What? Kiara: their lust was bigger than their love for Giza. Kovu: you mean that they...? Kiara: yes, I do. Sinita: and Giza saw us. Haffi: and ran away, we didn't mean to... Kiara: enough leave us, both of you. They go away, and when they are gone, Kiara starts to cry. Kiara: we will never see him again Kovu: trust me, we will find him, Zazu! Order all airborne scouts to look after Giza! Zazu: at once sire. The hornbill flies away. Far away from the pride lands, Giza has found a place to rest out in the middle of nowhere, he cries himself to sleep, a sleep without dreams, only darkness. Next morning he wakes up by the feeling that someone stares on him, he opens his eyes and sees a pair of golden orbs peering on him. Giza: go away, and let me die alone. Lioness: why do you want to die? Giza: I don't want to tell you. Lioness: aw, why not? Giza: because it hurts, that's why. The lioness starts to examine his body. Giza: quit it, I'm not hurt. Lioness: you said that it hurts, [realizing] oh, a broken heart, huh? Giza: yes, now, dissap. Lioness: hmm, that was worse, who broke your heart? Giza: how many questions do you have? Lioness: a lot, now answer this one Giza: the one I thought loved me and my brother. Lioness: tell me, have you always been covered in shroud? Giza: all since I was born, the gods cursed me with it. Lioness: that was much worse, the gods I cannot provoke, but you, I can deal with you. Giza: what? Are you some kind of shaman? Lioness: in fact, I am, where do you come from? Giza: I don't want to answer more of your stupid questions, shaman, go away and leave me alone. Lioness: Nope, now who are you, and where do you come from? Giza: I told you, I don't want to answer more questions, go bother someone else. Lioness: no, I know that I can help you, just rise and shine, feel the sun. Giza: I can rise, but I can't shine, I only emit darkness, nor can I see the sun, it will never shine on me. Lioness: aw, come on, give it a try. Giza rises to his paws. Giza: I will only rise to get away from you. Lioness: all right, then I follow you. Giza: then I run from you. He turns his back to the lioness and starts to walk away, the lioness quickly jumps on him and pins him to the ground, and she gives him massage with her paws. Giza: are you trying to seduce me? Lioness: this is only to make sure that I have your full attention. Giza: get lost. The lioness now uses her claws and scratches him lightly. Giza: ouch, stop it, I'm listening. Lioness: good, I know how it is with a broken heart, but you have to go on with your life, you will find someone else, or rather, some one found you. Giza: what do you mean? Lioness: oh, I almost forgot to introduce my self; I am Zadha, you then? Giza: my name stayed there I came from. Zadha: then I'll make up a new name for you, Umeme. Giza: Lightning? Doesn't fit me at all. Zadha: ok, then your name is Umeme, get up. Giza: no... Zadha: ok, you begged for it. Zadha scratches his skin with her claws. Giza: ow stop it, I'm up, just quit it. Zadha: as you wish Umeme. Giza rises to his paws, he looks on the lioness in front of him, she is sleek, almost skinny, the ribs are visible under her golden fur, her golden eyes matches the rest of her, Giza just stands dumbstruck. Zadha: what's the matter big boy? Swallowed your tongue? Giza: you're...you're beautiful. Zadha: thanks, you know, I wish that I could see your eyes, nah, enough chitchat, are you hungry? Giza: you bet. A thousand words passes through his mind in one second, (there is no way to translate them to English) the only thing he could think of was the golden lioness in front of him. She takes him to a pool under a waterfall. Zadha: here, you can quince your thirst here. Giza drinks of the cool water. Giza: tell me, do you live all alone out here? Zadha: as lonely as a cloud on a blue sky, Umeme. Giza: my name is not Umeme, it's... it's... strange I don't remember. Zadha: then you are Umeme. Giza: maybe I am... no, my name is Giza. Zadha: Giza? Giza: yes Giza, nothing else. Zadha: ok, Giza, I think that you are hungry too. Giza: I didn't see any prey around here. Zadha: just help me move this log. After a lot of pushing, the log mover aside and reveals a lot of bugs, worms and miscellaneous creepy-crawlies. Giza looks disgusted as Zadha takes a fat worm and eats it. Zadha: mmm, delicious. Giza: ew, disgusting. Zadha: no, try it, or else you will starve. Giza: well, as a meercat once said, Hakuna Matata. He takes a mouthful of worms and bugs and swallows it. Giza: not as bad as I thought, I know that you are a shaman, but what else do you do out here? Zadha: I live here, sometimes creatures come for help, and I help them, quite simple. Giza: then you can help me, by removing this shroud. Zadha: I cannot undo the work of the gods, but I can make it shrink. Giza: you can? I mean, how? Zadha: are you sure you want to do this? Giza: yeah! Zadha: well, sniff in the air, what do you scent? Giza sniffs, and a intoxicating scent enters his nose, his heart begin to beat faster and faster, he begins to shiver, but not of cold or fear. Giza: what is happening to me? Zadha looks into his eyes, even if she can't see them, she can feel how they gaze upon her. Zadha: tell me your thoughts Giza, do it. Giza: all I can think of is you. Zadha: what do you want to do with me? Giza: oh my god... They start to carcass each other, they became one under the heating sun, Giza did not even think of the past, his mind was busy with Zadha. Chapter III Where can he be? All creatures (or most of them) was waiting for the scouts to return, Kovu and Kiara did not sleep for three days, Zazu and Rafiki was beginning to concern about them. Zazu: sire, I think it would be good if you rest a bit. Kovu: no, I will wait for the scouts. Kiara: that won't be long, there they come. Kovu: where? A hawk lands in front of them Kovu: did you find him? Scout: I am sorry your highness, there is no sign of him; we did neither find any corpse, so he have to be alive. Kovu: yes, somewhere, you may go now. Scout: thank you sire. The hawk flies away. Kovu slowly goes up on the top of the pride rock and roars his sorrow out over the land. Next day Vitani and some lionesses laid at the waterhole, amazingly no one said a word, Haffi and Sinita joined them, they did neither say a thing, they just looked down into the ground. Far away in the northeast. Giza had just experienced something that he not even in his wildest dreams could imagine. A little while later (approx. 1 hour) Giza is fast asleep, and Zadha sits at his side, only his ribcage is covered in shroud, she watches at his head as it moves a bit on the ground, she sighs and let her paw run through the partial mane, he starts to purr silently in his sleep, she looks on his body again and curses the shroud before going to sleep. They both wake up almost at the same time next day. Giza sighs when he sees Zadha lying next to him. Giza: Zadha, I thought you only where a dream. Zadha: an extremely joyful dream then, look at your self the shroud is almost gone, didn't I do a great job? Giza: you call mating a job? Zadha: it's my job to help others, and you desperately needed help, so I helped you. Giza looks down at his paws. Giza: the same colour as my brother, only darker, as if seen at night. He looks up on the sun, but can only see a black orb where others see the sun. Giza: it's because that the sun refuses to shine on me, but you, Zadha is spreading more light than the sun, even I, a shadow being can see it. Zadha: oh, you're so cute, but you're not a shadow being, because they don't have any bodies, you have, and I know all about it. She licks him on his cheek. Zadha: just tell me, was this your first time? Giza: [blushes] well, yeah it was, you seem so experienced. Zadha: if you lived as long as I have, you got to be experienced. Giza: I know it's rude to ask a lady about her age, but how old are you? Zadha: see those mountains in the horizon? [Giza nods] I am almost as old as they are. Giza backs of a bit. Zadha: don't let my age frighten you, I've met many males in the past, but no one like you, well let's talk about something else, hungry? Giza: sure, let's go find some food. Zadha: you go, I have a meeting with a greater power, when I'm finished I come for you. Giza: you know where to find me. Zadha: sure. Giza pads over to a fallen log and starts to rid it from its inhabitants, Zadha fall into trance. She feels the presence of some greater force. Zadha: you wanted to see me, my lord. Greater B: you have mated to a shadow creature. Zadha: yes I did, I could not let him live with a broken heart, and it's my duty as a shaman to help others. Greater B: you also let him drink of the life water. Zadha: the poor guy was thirsty, there is no other water around here, what should I have done? Nursed him? Greater B: I know that you know the consequences of this, Zadha. Zadha: certainly, I know what I have to do. She falls out of trance, her eyes search the horizon for Giza, and she sees him and heads for that direction. Zadha: are your hunger stilled? Giza: you bet. Zadha: come get me... if you can... She pokes him playfully in his side before running of laughing. Giza let out a sigh before running after her. He follows her to a ravine; she stands near the edge of it and looks down. Zadha: shh, look. She points for Giza to look over the edge. Giza: what? Zadha: you have to go closer to the edge, or else you wont see it. He leans over the edge and looks down. Giza: hah, it's empt... Before he can finish, Zadha pulls him over the edge, he is just able to turn around and grab the ledge, and he looks up and sees Zadha with an evil grin. Giza: Zadha, help me! Zadha answers with injecting her claws deep into his paws, she looks into his eyes and sees them be covered with the shroud. Zadha: no, I can't do it... She pulls him back up on the edge. Zadha: I can't kill you, I love you too much. Giza: what are you talking about? Zadha: my greater being ordered me to kill you Giza: what? Zadha: it did, and I failed, my punishment will be death. Giza: why would a greater being want to kill me? Zadha: because they consider you as a shadow being, not belonging to this world, even they can't see who you really are, they only see the shroud. Giza: but...how can I live without you? Zadha: you could before you met me, you'll find some one else. Giza: I will always remember you. Zadha gives him a last long lasting kiss, before tanking some steps away; she looks up into the sky and yells. Zadha: I'M READY!!! A lightning bolt strikes her, leaving her dead body behind, Giza runs to her lifeless body, some tears forms in his eyes and rolls down his cheek. Giza: I love you Zadha, I will always bear you in my heart. [(These thoughts crosses his mind)] The gods want me dead. They see me as a threat. They only see my shroud. Not who I really am. Now I know that I not belong here. If not here, then where? The gods have broken my heart. It will maybe heal, but the scars will remain. It seems that everything wishes me death. Why gods? Why did you have to do this? Why can't I have a normal life? Why does everything I love have to be taken away? Why? Now I have died twice. The gods killed me. he takes a last drink before he continues his unknown path to escape from the pain. [(You thought this was the end?)] Chapter IV A shadow of nothing. Rafiki sits in his tree and listens to what news the wind carries. Rafiki: [to himself] nothing else that junk... wait a minute, a greater being takes the life of one of its shamans? Because she loved a... shadow being... is Giza the shadow being? No? The wind stops to blow. Rafiki: oh, out of my business, I see, please continue... The wind begins to blow again Later, at night, the old baboon sits on a branch and watches the sky... Rafiki: [towards the sky] Mufasa, Simba can you hear me? Two visions appear. Vision of Simba: yes we can hear you. Rafiki: do you know how Kiara's son Giza is? V. Of Mufasa: all we know about him is that the gods just recently tried to kill him. Rafiki: do you know where he is right now? V. Of Simba: I'm sorry we cannot see him. Rafiki: why do the gods want to kill him? Both visions: because he is a shadow from beyond. Rafiki: I don't understand, beyond what? Both visions: [fading] a shadow from beyond... The two visions disappear. Back to Giza and his whereabouts. He had found a little cave to sleep in, he cried himself to sleep, so much for a sleep, no dreams, next morning he continued the path to get away from the past. He comes to a waterhole with deep blue water, suddenly a voice speaks to him, he turns around in the direction the voice came from, and he sees a young and beautiful lioness. Lioness: hi ya, got problems friend? Giza: leave me alone. Lioness: incorrect answer, why do you venture into the death lands? Giza: I'm trying to escape from the past. Lioness: aha? Why? Giza: why do you even care? And who are you? Lioness: it should be me who asks the questions, first I want to know because I'm curious, and second I am Aihatu. Giza: well, I'm Giza. Aihatu: named after your shroud? Giza: guess so. The lioness takes a few steps toward him. Giza: no, stay away I only emit death. Aihatu: oh really? She takes more steps, and stands now face to face with Giza. Aihatu: I can't see any death... Giza: you will, soon enough. Aihatu: are you always in a bad mood, or did I catch you in the wrong time? Giza: yes, please leave me. Aihatu: why? Giza: I really don't want to tell you, got it? Aihatu: aw, come on, it would make you feel better. Giza: since you don't want to change your mind... Giza tells his life story, all the hatred, his heart, Sinita Haffi and Zadha. Aihatu: oh poor you. She bumps her head into his. Giza: please stop it just leave me. Aihatu: nope, when I see someone in sorrow, I always try to help them, you see? And right now, I see a lion in acute need of some serious help. Giza: no I'm not, all I want to do is to DIE, but the gods keep me alive, so that they can torture me with each new day. Aihatu: forget the gods, don't think of the past you can't change it, live in the presence, like me. Giza: like you? Aihatu: and the rest of my pride. About seven lionesses gathers behind her. Aihatu: and this is my pride. Giza: great, let them kill me. Lioness: Aihi, I think your friend there are a bit depressed. Lioness2: A BIT? He seem like he reached the bottom, and gone through it. Aihatu: listen sisters, this poor guy have lived all his life like this. Lioness: how does he look like? Aihatu: I don't know, but I intend to find out. Giza: hey? What make you think... She places her muzzle on his and the words drown in a long kiss, Gizas shroud decreases a bit, revealing his tail. Lioness: what a colour. Lioness2: look at his eyes, handsome. Lioness3: you will have a hard time keeping us from him Aihi. Lioness4: remember sisters, one member's find... Lioness2: is the whole prides find. All the lionesses lick their fangs as they look at him. Giza: eh, why are you looking at me like that? Now all the lionesses (except Aihatu) surround him. Giza began to feel insecure about all those lionesses around him, he tried to back away but bumped into a lioness, then without any warning, they throw them selves over him and pins him to the ground, a lot of licking and caressing follows, he tries to slip away, but seven lionesses are pretty strong, so they kept him pined, Giza mutters to him self. Giza: blast, they got me... After a while, (that seems like an eternity) three more lionesses appear, one red, one black and one yellow, to Gizas relief they just stand and watches, until the red one speaks. Red L: all right, what have you found? Random lioness: Aihatu found a male. Black L: [exited] where is he? The seven lionesses scatter a bit, letting the three see Giza. Black L: oh my...he's covered in shroud. Yellow L: strange, his pelts colour is unlike any I ever seen before... Red L: well, don't forget our manors, I am Marhiza, queen of the death lands. Black L: I'm Azouka [she winks at him] Yellow L: and I am Zinagi. Giza: well I am Giza, tell your pride to leave me alone. Marhiza: just because you said so... [She winks to her pride] I let them continue. The seven lionesses start to caress him again, with a big sigh from Giza. Giza: please, you're nuzzling me to shreds. Marhiza: ok, give him a brake, girls, I want to talk a bit with him, ALONE!!! All lionesses mutter and walk away. Giza: please, don't do this. Marhiza: now what's the matter with you? Giza: the matter is my heart. Marhiza: does it belong to someone else? Don't worry, I wont tell. Giza: no it's not that, I can't take this a third time. Marhiza grabs his muzzle and shuts it, then she gives him a kiss, he tries to pull away. Marhiza: what is the matter with you? Giza: no it's just... Marhiza: NOW DROP THE BULLSHIT!!! Marhiza gives him another kiss, and Giza feels the same strange scent that surrounded Zadha, he feels it's intoxicating effects, so to prevent any further intoxication he puts his paw over his nose drills. Giza: I told you that I don't want to do this, do you understand? Marhiza: no...explain yourself. Am I not attractive? Why do you reject me? Giza: because the sun never shines on me, that's why. He turns around and departs quickly, Marhiza only sits in the grass and looks pretty mad. Marhiza: damn it, I was so close. She rips a lot of grass out of the ground and throws it after Giza. Marhiza: hope your legs would break, idiot. The other in the pride sees Giza run and begin to follow him, most of them gives up after a while, but for some reason, Aihatu and Zinagi keeps up the hunt, they finally finds sobbing on a cliff near a muddy waterhole, without lifting his head he yells out. Giza: WHY CAN'T THEY JUST LEAVE ME ALONE, WHY DO I EVEN HAVE TO LIVE? Zinagi and Aihatu approaches. Zinagi: we won't let you alone as long as we can help you. Aihatu: and you have to live on. He stands up and replies staring out over the edge. Giza: go away, or I'll jump over the ledge. Aihatu: no, that would kill me. Giza: it's not that bad, I tried it twice. He takes a step towards the edge. Aihatu: No, I love you Giza. Giza: you... and the rest of your crazy pride. Aihatu: no, they only want you to give them cubs. I want your love. Giza turns his head and looks right into her deep blue eyes. Giza: you do? Aihatu: yes I do. Gizas shroud shrinks so much that his face are revealed, while Aihatu admires Gizas face, Zinagi just sit and thinks deeply. Aihatu: oh gods you're handsome... Giza: please, don't involve the gods in this; all they try to do is to kill me. Zinagi snaps from her thought and shoots in. Zinagi: do you know why? Giza: because I'm a shadow being, tell me Aihatu, what's the sun like? Aihatu: It's like a golden orb shining on the sky, it gives warmth and life, and I can feel it warm my body. Giza: I wish that I could feel the same. Zinagi: hmm, I think I leave you two alone for a while... She pads off to a hill in the distance. Aihatu: if the sun can't bring you any warmth, then let me warm you; let me feel your heart, come let me fill it with warmth and joy. Yet again Giza feel the strange scent... Chapter V A light in the darkness Azouka and Zinagi sits on a hill and looks down on the to love birds, Azouka is shaking with anticipation Zinagi is totally calm. Zinagi: he is indeed a shadow being, but unlike others he have a heart and a mind. Azouka who apparently didn't hear what Zinagi said, struggles to keep her self form killing something. Azouka: oh, what does he see in that Aihatu? Can you believe that? Zinagi: Azouka, please try to be somewhat reasonable... Azouka: huh, did you say something? No? Anyway, how can he prefer a commoner instead of me, the sister to the queen? Why am I even keeping myself from killing her? Zinagi: SHUT UP AZOUKA! Or I'll have to turn you into some sort of nasty, ugly bug. Azouka: ok, Zinnie. Zinagi: good, as I said, before your babbling, he said that the gods them selves had cursed him with the shroud, why? Because they think he's a shadow from beyond, and therefore they have to make his life as miserable as possible. Azouka: with that face he could always find warmth in the arms of a lioness. Zinagi: ok, don't say I didn't warn you [she holds her paw in front of Azouka's face, and somehow a little glowing orb is created] ok, you want to be a pink worm, or a green worm? Azouka: neither. Zinagi: then spare me of your babblings. Azouka: I got it. Please continue. Zinagi: thank you, well, when they are finished down there you can tell him that I want to meet him. Azouka: and you accuse me for such thoughts? Shame on you, Zinnie. Zinagi: no you moron, I can, unlike you, control my heat. The shaman rises and walks away. Azouka stays and wishes that it were her instead of Aihatu down there. Hours later. Azouka goes down from the hill, towards a sleeping Aihatu. She pokes her in her side. Azouka: well, are you two finished? Aihatu: shut up, would you? Azouka looks on Giza: Azouka: gees, you wore him out. Aihatu: I said, shut up! Azouka: well, anyway, Zinagi wants to see him right away, you can tell him when he wakes up. Aihatu: Zinagi? What do she want him? Azouka: I don't know, but she had a strange glimmer in her eyes, heehee, see you, right now I have a lot to gossip about. She gives Aihatu a wink, before walking away. Aihatu watches her go away; to be sure that se was out of hearing range, before she woke Giza. Giza: huh? ... What is it? Aihatu: Zinagi wants to see you. Giza: who? Aihatu: Zinagi, our shaman. Giza: what can she possibly want me? Aihatu: there is only one way to find out, come I know where she use to hang around. Giza followed his new mate to Zinagi's temple-like cave. They stood outside it; Giza thought that it looked more like an overgrown rabbit hole than a temple. Aihatu: Zinagi! Here he is! Zinagi's voice came from somewhere inside the cave. Zinagi: good, lead him in. Giza entered the cave; he saw a lot of paintings on the wall, skulls and various roots and herbs hanging down from the ceiling, and a lot of things that he considered as junk. Finally he entered the heart of the temple, and there Zinagi was, sitting on a huge rock-crystal, with some sort of amulet with a black stone on her head. Zinagi: well, where shall we start? Giza: just what do you want? Zinagi: I want to convince the gods that you are not from beyond. Giza: beyond? Beyond what? Zinagi: it would take a lifetime to explain it, but I will only perform it if you want to. Giza: explain what you intend to do first. Zinagi: in short, I'm taking you to the spirit level. Giza: is it dangerous? Zinagi: there is 40% chance that you will never return. Giza: sounds fair enough, I'll do it. Zinagi: Aihatu, I must ask you to leave this cave. Aihatu does as Zinagi says, Giza looks on her as she leaves, then he looks on Zinagi and sees something strange, he gets the feeling that her eyes sees right through him. Zinagi: are you ready? Giza: sure. Zinagi's black amulet starts to glow, as does her eyes, they send out a weird kind of light, he feels his soul separate from his body, and be dragged upwards. Suddenly he finds himself standing beside Zinagi in a place impossible to describe with words, then he hears a voice that makes him shiver in the soul. Greater B: Zinagi? Why have you brought this...this shadow here? Zinagi: because he is a shadow with a heart and a soul. Greater B: a shadow does not possess those. Zinagi: he does, check for yourself. Giza feels something enter his mind, and search through it. After a while it goes out of him, and he can once again hear the fearsome voice. Greater B: he does have them. Zinagi: then your judgement is wrong, you have punished him for something he not is. Greater B: enough, you have convinced me that we have made an error, however, his curse I cannot provoke, but I can remove the shroud from him. Giza seems to light up a bit when he hears that. Greater B: do you, Giza, want me to remove the shroud from you? Giza: yes... yes I do. As he finishes the sentence, he feel his soul go downwards, entering his body again. They both lay breathing heavily on the floor. Zinagi: your...shroud is gone... Giza... Giza: it...is? Zinagi: go...check for... yourself... He takes a few more breaths before rising to his paws, and exits the cave, still the sun don't shine on him, but when he looks on his own body, he can't see any sign of the shroud. Aihatu almost runs him over. Aihatu: Giza, you did it! Giza: yes I did, but with Zinagi's help. Zinagi also comes out from the cave and stands beside them. Zinagi: Giza, I think you should pay your folks a visit, unless they died by worrying for you. Giza: how do you know, I haven't told you? Zinagi: I can read your thoughts, Giza. Giza: oh, hope you don't read that... He blushes. Aihatu: I think it is a good idea, don't you? Giza? Giza: yeah. Aihatu: then just go, I'll be waiting for you. Giza: no you're not. You are coming with me. Aihatu's face shines up, and she gives him a lick across his face. Giza: come on, we have a long journey ahead, and thanks for everything Zinagi. Zinagi: you're welcome. The shaman watches as they depart for the pride lands. And she speaks to herself: Zinagi: I pray that you two will be happy together, I cannot stay here any longer. She goes down into her cave. Chapter VI Homecoming Zazu comes flying very rapidly an early morning. He lands before Kovu. Kovu: Zazu? Why such a hurry? Zazu: I saw two unknown lions crossing the northeastern border. They might be rouges. Kovu: I'll go and meet them, Zazu go get some of the lionesses. A while later they find the two invading lions. Kiara: oh, thank gods, it' Giza, he's back! Giza notices that his parents have grown older, even that he only has been gone for three months (or so he thinks), he also sees that his brother have grown into a full sized lion. Haffi: Giza, can you ever forgive me? Giza: I forgave you a long time ago, when I met her. Haffi: who is she? Aihatu: I am Aihatu. Kiara hugs her son. Kiara: oh, my son, I have missed you so much. Kovu: am I mistaking myself, or has your shroud disappeared? Giza: the shroud is back where it came from. Haffi: boy, I think you have quite a story to tell; after all, you have been gone for two years. Giza: TWO YEARS? The time passes fast; it only feels like three months. Kovu: anyway, we are glad that you are back. Kiara: you have to be hungry. Giza: yeah, I am pretty hungry. Kiara: ok, that will be dealt with in no time. The queen sends out some hunters to take down a zebra, they feast on it and then find a comfortable place in the shadow of an three, Giza tells the long story, and is filled in on what happened in the pride lands while he was gone. Later Giza received his parent's blessings, before being sent out in the world, he and Aihatu travelled to the south west, and was never heard from again. Rumours say that he formed a pride; other said that he met the demon Dix. Rumours are not always true, and cannot always be trusted. Epilogue: Marhiza goes into Zinagi's cave and shouts her name out. Marhiza: Zinnie? Where are you? No answer. Marhiza: Zinagi, are you here? A root falls down on the empty floor. Far, far away, somewhere on an old road, Zinagi sees a sign in the horizon, she walks towards it, even though she don't understand the strange symbols on it, he sees an arrow pointing to the east, and she decides to follow it. The sign says: 100 km to Mombassa. The end of part one. Soon part two will be ready, the end of this one explains what the heck Zinagi did in Mombassa in "the tale of Djakkar" This story took 2 weeks, 2 days, 4 hours 10 minutes and 24 seconds to complete From: 14/04 2000 19:20:00 To: 30/04 2000 23:30:24 Hope you enjoyed it, -==-