SITE EVENT: Mfale Mkuu Ceremony

[Deleted]

The ceremony had seemed to go by quick this year.

Nala was there as the biggest morale support for her mate, offering a gentle, encouraging smile before he had stepped forward and watching with loving approval as he made his speech and welcomed the young human to their Pride. The queen gave an approving nod of her own, looking to the sky wondering if Mufasa was there now, watching down with the other Great Kings as they were remembered on this day. "He would be proud." Nala gently whispered towards Simba as he rejoined the royal family, nuzzling his cheek to comfort him before smiling as Sam was officially marked as one of them.

But as to be expected, the lioness could already see many disapproving gazes and sidelong glances, she even noticed one of the Lion Guard gritting her teeth and showing the same protest. But, Imara did not voice her protest, not at an event like this. The Queen could only shake her head a bit, expecting there to be some backlash over a stranger joining them, Kovu had faced similar reactions before he officially proved himself capable and the remaining Outlanders had joined their pride. Like these events it would take time and convincing, but you couldn't make everyone happy.

The thunderous sound however snapped Nala from her joyful thoughts, ears perking forward at the sound. That was definitely not a storm...Just as those thoughts passed did the ground begin to shake, signaling the start of an earthquake! "To the center! Everyone stick close together!" Nala's voice bellowed over the murmuring and panicked voices, leaping into action to get the cubs and stranglers, moving in and out of the groups to ensure everyone stayed close. But as her eyes scanned for others they soon spotted a pale gold shape among the stone ledges. It was one of the newer ones to join their pride recently, a leopon hybrid that was a stranger to the midst and still seemed quite young. Like any of the cubs though she was no less vulnerable, Nala's motherly instincts kicking in. Separating from the tight formation, Nala rushed towards the stony ledge, her run uneven with the violent shaking but not deterring her determination before she leapt the final distance to make her way to Ajabu.

"Come on Ajabu, its not safe." The lioness spoke urgently, pulling herself up enough to reach the cub and pick her up by the scruff of the neck. She had done this countless times with Kiara and Kion when they were younger, or with the other cubs when they got too rambunctious. Firmly holding the cub, Nala turned her head and body before pushing off the side with her paws to avoid other falling loose debris only to let out a muffled snarl as one piece still grazed her side with enough force to cause her to stumble along. This was getting risky, but she pushed through the pain and bolted back to the formation of animals carrying the leopon to safety, "There you go little one." Nala spoke as she set her among the other cubs, hiding the pain through gritted teeth and a gentle tone, a few small streams of blood coming form the scrapes left on her side of which some patches of fur were now missing.

[Deleted]

Like the rest of the Lion Guard, Imara stood by as protection for the animals gathered and the Royal Family. Silently she listened to Simba's speech, slowly walking among the groups that had gathered and keeping her eyes out for potential trouble. She had little to say on the matter of the memorial, having never known Mufasa except by word of mouth from the older Outlanders. He had apparently been a great king, but she couldn't exactly say for sure since she had been born long after his death.

What really caught her attention however was the announcement that Sam, the strange human who had been among the Pride for a few months now, was joining them. The Royal Family to be specific! Her gaze immediately turned towards the king, deep anger and disapproval evident in her eyes along with many others it seemed. A silent snarl shown on her face, wanting to protest to this decision as Sam stepped forward to give his own speech, but she knew better. There would be no point. When Simba decided on something, it usually stuck. Such thoughts were put aside however as a roaring, thunderous sound split the air followed by a violent shaking beneath her paws.

Earthquake!

Eyes widening, the slate-gray lioness focused back on the task at hang, rushing to help prevent total panic among the gathered animals, growling as she went about pushing aside falling rocks and directing others closer to the forming group at the center of the gorge. Here her strength would shine, the young lioness weaving her way in and out of the group, kicking or shoving aside boulders and fallen stone, helping to ensure everyone was safe and out of harms way.

[Deleted]

Ajabu
The Shy - Tags - Mushroom

She leaped into the air as the earth shook, Eyes widening as she began to panic. She heard vague voices over the now panicking animals but couldn't decipher them. Ajabu fought against her instincts to freeze in place trying to scramble anywhere though no place seemed safe from the rumbling earth. Having never experienced or even heard of something like this, she was even more confused and distraught than most animals. Making her even more vulnerable to the quake.

However, As she tried to find a place to escape, Nala leaped into action. She scrambled back as the lioness appeared from seemingly nowhere. Though she soon went limp in her grasp as she realized she was carrying her to safety. Quivering slightly as she was carried over to the other cubs. She winced when the debris scrapped against Nala. While her opinion of the queen had before been neutral seeds of trusting adoration were now planted in her heart. After all, In her eyes the lioness had saved her from a strange impending doom.

When she was put down she doubled back to look at Nala a grave look in her eyes. She began to lick at the blood trying to clean up her scrapes. Though she hid the pain she couldn't exactly hide the bleeding wounds and lost fur on her side.

[Fuli]

Fuli hadn't bothered to show up at the ceremony. Parties just weren't her thing. Instead, she elected to go on a hunt.



The cheetah crept silently through the grass, stalking her prey. What a feeling it was to out on the beautiful green plains, atop this shallow sloped hill, just her and a gazelle.

Closer... closer...

Her body was low to the ground, legs tensed up ready to pounce. Her prey was unaware, just a few tails away. In just a second...



Suddenly, she felt something. A tremor in her paws, like an approaching stampede. Fuli poked her head out of concealment, looking around for the source of the vibrations, but saw nothing except the sparsely populated watering hole just south on the horizon. She pressed her head to the ground and felt the vibrations getting more intense, but in an odd pattern. This didn't sound like the steady drumming of a stampede, this was... fluctuating.



No stampede could make that kind of vibration.



She was just about to score a good meal, and by some miracle, the earth started rumbling. Frustration bubbled up inside her. Fuli stood up, spreading her paws to steady herself against the increasingly powerful quaking. "Oh, come on!" she exclaimed. "Why can't I ever hunt uninterrupted around here?!"



The gazelle, having noticed the shaking ground and cheetah by now, locked her terrified eyes on Fuli. But she stood still, seemingly worried more about the tremors than the predator.



Fuli had never experienced a normal earthquake before, but Kion's roar sometimes emulated one. And if she remembered Ono's information dump about natural disasters correctly, this was a very bad thing. 


With a scowl on her face, Fuli begrudgingly prepared to go save the animals of the Pridelands. Again. She turned to the gazelle. "Find your herd and get them somewhere flat, away from tall objects," she ordered. "Make sure the young and injured are accounted for."



The gazelle locked eyes with Fuli for a few moments. Fuli thought she looked familiar. Evidently, the gazelle thought the same thing. She nodded and ran off.

Dammit, just a week in the Pridelands and the place is already going crazy again, thought the cheetah. Do I really need to get involved? The Lion Guard... ah dammit, they're all at the ceremony, protecting all the important animals. Well then, I guess someone's gotta look after the rest of the kingdom.

Fuli staggered as a huge tremor shook the dirt beneath her paws. That might've killed someone. Actually, it probably did, she noted grimly. Well, someone's gotta save those grass eating idiots. 

In a flash of yellow, Fuli was gone, sprinting off towards the watering hole. 

[Kovu]

It would be folly to not think that Kovu held some amount of resentment for the warmer welcome that Sam was receiving than he had, as well as the other Outsiders. Things had almost turned out almost miraculously well, else things may not have gone as well as they have. Still, even the suspicion didn't mean anyone could tell how it may manifest.

The brownest of the brown lions lowered his head respectfully when Sarabi mentioned his actions, though just as quickly raising it when they moved on, his gaze moving to his mate as she spoke... mulling internally over things becoming formalized. Kovu picked up on Sam being unprepared... and this worried him; Both for his own feelings and for that of their pride.

Murmurs spreading, though he wouldn't have time to act before the Earth began to move! Responsibility overtook his own feelings for now, though the idea of an ill omen hit him just the same as, unknown to him, other lions... He panicked himself some as he watched others take action... and brushed aside his own thoughts... regardless what it meant, what was needed was a response!

Kovu moved to take after the queen, but others beat him to that. He nodded at Imara... Taking a moment, he thought of where he could make himself more useful... perhaps, something others may not think of... and so he moved for the mandrill. "Rafiki!" he called, "Poor timing... Isn't it...?" he said, emphasizing subtlety, his pauses carrying some meaning. "Panic may be a larger concern than the earthquake..." he added, if nothing more than to not be too focused on the omen here.

[Simba]

Simba was enjoying the moment with closed eyes while a warm breeze was messing up his mane when he started to feel the vibration under his paws. He opened his eyes to look down and saw little pebbles jumping. He then raised his eyes at the wall and as the rumble became louder he could see rocks starting to fall down from the edge of the Gorge. A look of fright appeared on his face, the scene looked exactly like many years ago when he had been just a cub, even the location was the same.

The desperate cry of his name from his daugher and mother and others shouting 'earthquake' distracted him from watching the falling rocks. He gave a quick glance at his family to see if they were well and noted with satisfaction they didn't get hurt yet. "Everyone! Out of here!" Simba shouted, although he didn't move. And not because he got shocked - he wasn't allowed. As king it was his responsibility to make everyone safe, as he had to be first in fight and last in retreat.

The King scanned the marching animals in front of him to look for anyone in need. His eyes caught an ostrich chick that was running and running in circles, not noticing a rock already started falling down towards it. Simba immediately leaped into action, with his jump he could push the little bird away and - fortunately - his tail didn't get stuck underneath it either.

But the earthquake didn't stop...

[Samwel Igwe]

Sam on the other hand, had attempted to follow.

He was helping the younger cubs move as quickly as he could. He’d moved a few to the center just as he’d heard a loud crash, a large boulder had nearly hit him. Thankfully able to move out of the way. Sam moved quickly. What was going on? Was this a sign of some sort? His mind swirled with thoughts.

Unable to get to the center, he pushed himself back and nearly fell backwards. Yelping.

Minutes later - the shaking ended. The Earthquake gone as quickly as it started. Sam breathed deeply - and turned a moment… And couldn’t believe his eyes… Were those…?

For the moment, his mind wasn’t on the panic, but what he saw…. Holes, uncovered by the accident, and many of them. Way too many. It almost looked like… Not possible.

He moved toward the one he’d nearly fallen into and stepped inside. His blue eyes widening as he examined what he found inside… An ancient dwelling. Aged, and in disrepair, but distinctly human. As he stared around the small dwelling - he saw the bed, the old blankets… Tools.

It wasn’t possible, was it? How long had this been here? Filled in by weather, age, or maybe even magic? He didn’t know. But taking the ancient book he found on the floor. He stepped outside, unsure what to say or do… Humans. Humans had been in the Pridelands before… The legends were true.

As he moved to rejoin the group, he immediately rushed to Simba. “Your majesty… You’re not going to believe this,” he choked out as he tried to catch his breath. “Homes… Human homes… In the gorge. The Earthquake… I don’t know how but I found homes of humans. Like me.”

He shook his head. “L… Like an ancient village. Really old,” he then added. “I even found a book that looks like it belonged to someone named Jabari…”

Trying to show he wasn’t lying to try and cover what on the surface was a bad omen. He showed the small book. Shock in his eyes.

If Simba listened closely enough, he might have heard the words of Mufasa in his ear. Speaking up as well: ”Now my son… You know why he has come to you.”

[Simba]

Everyone seemed to be in safe and fortunately, no one got hurt. The earthquake soon came to an end and everything went back to normal. Danger was over. Unlike Simba, as the worried look didn't disappear from his face. He was pondering... The earthquake could have killed his family - and how interesting, it just happened today, on the day of Sam's official initiation. Maybe was it a sign of bad? Maybe Simba had made a wrong decision and offended the Great Kings? Maybe it wasn't what his father really wanted?

Sam's calling for him made Simba return from his thoughts. The ancient village the boy was talking about sounded so weird. Ever since he could remember he had never seen any signs of human beings in the Pride Lands, they had never lived here before. The confusion on the lion's face soon turned into wonder when Sam uttered the name. "Jabari?" Simba asked. The name sounded so familiar to him. He was sure he had already heard this name in stories before, but couldn't recall. Finally, Mufasa's voice from above gave him the answer: of course! The story of the three brothers!

"Show me the way!"

[Sarabi]

Sarabi

Dirt and sand billowed up from the unsettled earth, making her cough and cover her eyes a little as she backed into formation with the others. Her age did not favor her here; this was the most she could do between the jarring of old bones and the fear of rock. Instinct said the ground was unstable, voices shouted and called and brayed--she would have to brace herself and hold still, thankful that everyone answered the calls of command. Holes opened up, she noted through squinted eyes, and as the world stilled, she'd wipe her face to see better.

She had no idea what she saw. And rightly, she tried to think if she'd been hit on the head at any point, though the stone walls and dirt were very real. It had been a miracle that no one had been killed by the earthquake, especially considering all these holes opening up beneath them. Chills ran down her spine at the implication of it all, and the power of the Great Kings.

Sam spoke to Simba and the two were off to look around, but she was busy turning and assessing the scared gathering. Nala was hurt and so were others. "Watch your steps, everyone. The ground may still be unstable. The larger animals, move one at a time and spread out. We need to get everyone out of the gorge while we look into what's been revealed to us. When we're out, we'll set up an area to care for everyone wounded." And another area for those shaken badly by this all, but she didn't want to bring attention to the communal fear right now.

[Kiara]

K I A R A
RENEA | Princess | Kovu | Click Here

The memory of the sinkhole was there in her mind as she knelt her body down low to the ground. Her mother was quick to take control, just like her Grandmother had and it seemed they all had the same idea. Kiara stayed low, but continued to usher everyone to the center. Kiara was pleased to see that the Elephants and Hippos who had come selflessly took up position to surround the smaller animals, creating a wall of protection from rocks.

Imara, the Prideland’s Strongest was helping to keep large rocks away. Kiara was pleased to see that the Guard that Vitani had formed was just as good as that of Kion’s. The thought of her brother brought sadness, but she pushed it away as she turned to keep a rock from hitting a young animal. Kovu was near Rafiki, just a little further from her at the moment.

Her father shouted for everyone to run, but Kiara felt that was foolish! She did not repeat the same, the tumbling rocks along the gorge would be too much of a hazard to the animals. Then, it was over and she felt the shaking come to a spot. She raised herself into her full height and looked around. She walked over to her father and Sam as they spoke, try to listen, but the two were off before she could ask questions.

What about the herds? Or the Pride? Kiara felt concerned and then looked around. “Everyone! Do as Queen Sarabi says! Spread out, walk through the gorge and out… Away from the walls, stay to the center of the path.” Kiara shouted before she looked back towards the direction her father went. “Kovu, lead the way towards Pride Rock… I need to go with my father.” She nuzzled him gently before she took off in their direction.

“Father!”

TAG: Simba, @nala, Sarabi, Kovu, @imara, Samwel Igwe, Rafiki, Zawadi, @ajabu, Fuli,
LOCATION: The Gorge in the Pride Lands
COMMENTS: ^_^

[Simba]

Before following Sam, Simba looked back over his shoulder to check on his family and the Pridelanders, and make sure everyone was safe. He saw Vitani's Guard and her mother managed the situation well, so he thought he could go to check this human village to see if danger was lurking behind those rocks or not. This earthquake was a big surprise, Simba didn't want another one and he thought it was better to inspect them.

At Kiara's shout, Simba stopped and looked back.

"Yes?"

[Samwel Igwe]

Sam had no idea why he’d look surprised at Jabari.

But still, he was more than happy to show Simba the way. Taking a deep breath he’d already started the climb back toward his discovery and was a bit ahead of Simba when he’d shouted back to Kiara. The dwelling was ancient but he could absolutely tell that he was right on the money the more he looked.

Rudimentary tools and other items definitely could have only been plausibly made by humans.

Coming back out of the dwelling again, he stated over at the king and Kiara. “There were definitely humans here. But there’s more… Old paintings like Rafiki’s,” he explained as he stepped over. “I can’t figure all of it out. But there’s two lions, a human, and a king… I don’t know this is just my head’s spinning.”

He then explained. “I thought I was the first human here, what the heck does this mean?”

[Fuli]

Cresting the top of the cliffs came a sleek, spotted figure. Fuli looked down at the chaos below and was immediately drawn to the mass of important royal lions, herd leaders, and one human, who all seemed to be okay despite the carnage. The earthquake opened up a bunch of holes, and there was no telling if anyone had fallen in, but somehow the gorge itself was still mostly intact.

The rest of the Pridelands was shaken but intact. It had survived a lot of natural disasters before, what was one more? Fuli didn't get many injury reports from the herds, and the environmental damage was also minor. Strangely enough though, it all seemed to be concentrated around the gorge.

The cheetah's flanks heaved with each breath. She'd expended a lot of energy zipping to and fro to direct evacuations and whatnot. Now would be a good time to figure out what in the Pridelands actually just happened.
And probably get someone else to check in on the flood plains.

Fuli padded back to the gorge's entrance and passed the steady procession of exiting animals. Her ears and tail were raised with alertness, and she stepped gingerly, wary of the ground underpaw. Near a big concentration of holes she spotted that strange human fellow she'd met a while back, as well as Kiara, Simba and some others.

"Hey, what's all the fuss over here?" asked the cheetah, snappy as ever. "Y'all look like you just saw a spirit or something!"

[Kovu]

Kovu gave his lioness a confident nod, "To Pride Rock!" he called to those around, then looked back at Kiara, "Better you than me." he said with a smirk before he took off, heading ahead of the group to take the lead, and letting out a Roar to call attention. A pause, a nod, then he started the way toward their destination, spotting Fuli, and watching as she approached Kiara and her father. This certainly boded well... and with that additional comfort, he got to it!