Chapter 1 - Setting Out for Answers

"This is quite confusing, Nala," Simba addressed, pacing back and forth in the cave he shared with his mate. "Why would my uncle side with the hyenas?"

Nala was just as confused as Simba was.

"I don't know, Simba," Nala replied. "Last time we encountered a pack of hyenas was when we were in the Elephant Graveyard, when we were cubs."

"Luckily, Dad was there to save me," Simba recounted. "It's such a shame he isn't this time."

"But with Scar's coronation," Nala began, "we'd have to obey the rules, or be hyena fodder."

Simba thought long and hard about this.

"Well," he responded, "I'm not going to end up as food for the hyenas. That's why," he looked outside the cave, "I'm leaving Pride Rock to find some answers, hoping to return."

"Alone?" Nala added.

"No," Simba happily disagreed. "I need you to come with me. After all, I should know why the hyenas would come and side with Uncle Scar."

Nala sighed for a moment, and followed Simba, leaving Pride Rock.

"I hope you know what you're doing, Simba," she whispered.

"Yeah," Simba replied. "Me, too."

Rafiki, in the Tree of Life, was busy meditating when he sensed something. He then ran to the drawing he made of Simba and Nala, and smiled.

"Good luck, my friends," he whispered. "May you soon find the answers you seek."