FROM THE AUTHOR

I wouldn't recommend reading this book before Books 1 and 2. This is the final book of the entire "A Diary of a Young Mufasa" trilogy. I would like to thank all who read and enjoyed this story. I had no regrets in writing this story, so it's sad that it will finally end. But, all good things must come to an end, after all. This book will be released alongside my special "4th" book, 'A Diary of a Young Mufasa: Another's Point of View.' So, be sure to interchange between them. Enjoy!

Entry 281: "Out From Shadow"

"Whatever could be out there?"

That question kept repeating in my mind. Whenever I stop to think, I always left to wonder. I was staring out in the horizon in a thoughtful daze several times. Sometimes, someone had to nudge me to wake me. I knew this distraction had potential to threaten my life, but I couldn't get over these…urges.

I was out on patrol today with my companion, Zazu, flying over me. We were passing the eastern canyons, and they seemed so calm and placid that we decided not to stay any longer. But, as I took one step, I looked back toward them. No, I was looking beyond them. I was staring out into the faraway horizon, and I felt it tugging my arms to bring me closer and closer. I felt like I was being drawn to it. "Sire! Sire, there's nothing out there!" Who was that? Oh, how could I forget? I found Zazu hovering before me with a concerned look over his face. "I've called you five times, and you didn't answer. I was beginning to worry," he said.

"Forgive me. I was on Cloud 9," I grinned.

"You've been doing this for the last three days. Are you sick?"

I tried to explain. "I don't know exactly. But…something out there…fascinates me. I've always lived here in the Pridelands. But, lately…there's something about the outside world that sparks my interest. There had been few situations when I crossed over the borderlands: the Forbidden Cavern, the Destinylands, the Shadowlands, and even an old, abandoned human church where I fought Ru-gal. But, I want to see more."

"I…can't say that I think the same way you do," Zazu looked away in shame.

"I know. I am the king, and I have a responsibility to maintain and a land and its people to protect. But…something tells me there's something I can find out there that I can't here…and more."

I sighed in defeat. "But, that's all a foolish dreamer's ramblings. Let's go, Zazu." With that, I proceeded to walk into the wet lands of small rivers. As long as I'm king, I could not risk thinking about something so distracting. But, I was unable to shake off this powerful desire. That question kept repeating in my mind. What was out there? And if I found the chance to go out there one day, what would I find that would change everything about me?

After I sent Zazu off to patrol the borders for any mischievous intrusions, I decided to rest under the black shade of a tree near a vacant watering hole. As I lied comfortably on the grassy floor, slumber quickly mounted over me. My eyelids grew heavier and heavier as well as my body. Finally, I began to drift into a lazy rest. There was nothing important going on for the moment, so why couldn't I sleep for even a short while? Let me sleep for now…peacefully…without any interruptions...

…A gentle sound of a lullaby stirred in my ears as I slept. As I nestled myself to a more comfortable position to rest, I didn't recognize the floor I had lain upon. It felt like a bed of flowers blossoming around me. I briefly pulled away from my slumber. As I stood back up in the red, pink, and white blossoms, I stretched and yawned with a silent and soundless yawn. I presented no reaction to my appearance, but familiar white wings were spread across my back and my fur were the color of the clouds above me. Once again, I was the white lion, a link to my past life.

There was no sound. There was nothing but the lullaby in the background. Gorgeous, emerald blades dressing the ground were caught in soft gusts of quiet wind. As I walked through it, I stopped to sniff one of those lovely roses dear Ashleigh cherished. Suddenly, many lionesses appeared from the invisible wind and surrounded me. They were white, just like me. Everyone was drawn to my giant wings while two lionesses were each at one side of me, kissing me over my muzzle with a tender wisp of their wet tongues. They shared my scent. They were my pride.

White feathers dispersed as I quickly took flight into the skies. As the winds carried me by my powerful wings, I soared through the soft clouds of the heavens. I never realized the ecstasy my bird friend consumed until now. Quickly pulling up through the cool air, I was free to experience the joy of flight. I could do anything here, I thought. I guess if I let Vumi 'purify' the world, this would be the world I desired. This was paradise…eternal life free from the beast…

I felt the rays of afternoon light bask over me. It was time to wake up, but I preferred to stay put and rest a bit more. But, I felt something soft feel over my muzzle and flick over my whiskers. I knew who that was, so I didn't bother to open my eyes. "What are you doing, dearest?"

"Just watching you sleep."

Listening to that cheerful voice finally opened my eyes to see my lovely Sarabi lying in front of me. "How long was I out?" I yawned.

"No idea. I just got here."

"How's our little boy?"

"He's beginning to walk better. I left him with Anasa so I could come out and find you."

I yawned once more as I stared at the sapphire skies above me. Looking at it reminded me of the whimsical flight I had. I purred, "I had such a wonderful dream. Pure bliss, it was. I just wished that you were there to see that gorgeous paradise. It was almost like how we lived…only as white lions. I even experienced flight like Zazu always does. Now, I see why he cherishes his gift so much."

"That sounds like a splendid dream. I wouldn't mind seeing you as a white lion again. You were so beautiful."

I chuckled, "What, you don't think I do now?"

"Yellow is always your best color."

"There's also one other thing. There was something in my dream that I felt even now."

"What's that?"

"The beast…I can't feel it within me anymore. As I was fighting Vumi, I still felt that awesome rage inside of me. But, after I vanquished him, it simply…disappeared."

"Hmm. Maybe Vumi's 'purification' worked after all. Maybe when you entered Cerberus' flames, it extinguished what was left of the vilest side of you for good."

"You may be right. I guess we'll never know."

"It's not a bad thing, is it?"

I shook my head. "Of course not. At least you never have to worry about the beast ever again."

I finally stood up on my feet and stretched tightly as Sarabi also rose to her feet. She purred tenderly, "Mufasa, I want to show you something. I know you haven't gone to that place in so long, but you must see it now."

"What is it?"

She winked, "It's a surprise."

I grinned suspiciously at the coy lioness. What could she be up to, I wondered? "All right, lead the way," I said. With a warmhearted smile, Sarabi turned away and ran off with me nipping at her heels, following her to the borders of the Pridelands.

I remembered this pathway Sarabi was leading me into. We were in a cave just outside the border. Glowing fireflies streaked across the ceiling to bring light reflecting off the walls made of crystal. I've been here before. It was this place where my troublesome ordeals in the past began. It was here that I met the lovely Ombwiri. This was the 'Forbidden Caverns.'

We almost reached the end of the crystal entrance. But, Sarabi briefly stopped in her tracks and turned to me. "Hey, why don't you close your eyes?"

"Huh?"

"It's a surprise, remember?"

This sounded all too familiar. But, I played along and shut my eyes. "Okay, follow my voice." I was blind at the moment, but my acute hearing followed Sarabi's voice and I continued following her. After a few more moments, I felt the light of the sun bask over me. We must be standing over the mountain ledge at the end. But, there was something different. Seeding through my paws was small blades of grass. It was nothing but a stone floor before. I felt Sarabi nuzzled against me at my right side, and she purred, "Okay. Open them." I did, and I gasped at the sight I saw before me.

That wasteland Ombwiri's spirit left behind met a new evolution. The land beamed with green shades of grass and leaves from trees. There were even gorgeous flowers all around that shared similar colors like the ones from my dream. And three clear, starry pools of water were to the west, the north, and the east of the land, next to silver-coated boulders that shimmered as much as the water. There were few birds scaling the skies while a minority of gazelles and antelope grazed over the land. Gnus in the distance traveled out beyond the land to the north, and diminutive beetles hung from the giant leaves in the trees. With the great blue sky in the background, this place looked much brighter than it once was when Ombwiri was here. But, this looked more realistic than that old illusion, so full of life. Its awesome beauty was breathtaking. "Wow," I purred. "I've forgotten how many years it was since I last came here. It had a lot of time to grow."

"Is it like your dream?"

"Even better. Thank you so much for showing me this."

"It's hardly a 'Forbidden Cavern' anymore, huh?"

"Because of the small population, not many know about this place. It's more of a…'Hidden Garden.'"

"We're never too old to play little cub games, are we?"

Then, Sarabi quickly went to the pathway leading down into the forest with that cheerful laugh of hers. I smiled and quickly went after her.

Under the dark shades from the tall trees, I chased after my nimble wife. She often turned around and stood on her hind legs along with me as we playfully pawed each other. We leapt around and over one another while I was still trying to catch her. As we ran out into the clear and bright grassland, Sarabi and I dashed up a moderately tall hill. She gradually increased her running pace to outrun me, but I kept going because I knew I'd eventually catch her. As we reached the top, I saw her run behind a boulder protruding out the other side of the hill. I turned around and ran in front of it to meet Sarabi at the side. With a great jump, I leapt over Sarabi, and we tumbled down the left side of the hill. Soon, we landed at the bottom, but Sarabi ended up pinning me down with a wide smile over her muzzle. "You can't always win all the time," she giggled.

"On the contrary, I've already won…years ago," I replied, pawing at her face.

"Whenever we have time alone, whenever we're in the mood, let's always come here."

"Yes," I nodded.

After Sarabi let me back up on my feet, we both pressed against each other in our shoulders as we slowly made our way back underneath the obscuring trees, the powerful fragrance of our passion wrapped around us…

…Suddenly, Sarabi came to a stop. I was also shocked at what we both saw lurking out from the darkness the sun was unable to shine upon. An enormous paw was first to step out. Its fur was the darkest shade of brown imaginable. As the stranger continued to slowly emerge, a lion's black mane with white streaks along both sides of it wavered in the soft breeze. Small emeralds glowed from under the small bangs atop his face, and his large, intimidating shoulders shifted up and down as he came closer. Sarabi backed away nervously as I stood with a bewildered look over my face. I knew this lion. I haven't seen him for years, and I thought he disappeared forever after Vumi's death. But, he was here again…outside my body and in physical form. I was face to face with myself, the beast!

Silently, the Black Mufasa stared after us with powerful, steely irises. The more I stared at him, the more I wished he was nothing more than an illusion. But, his quiet growls were audible, and he left behind giant pawprints in the grass. He was real, but it wasn't possible. Could this be a coincidence? It couldn't be. Despite our different color scheme, he looked exactly like me. "What…are you?" I wondered. He didn't answer. He only growled viciously at me and bared his wet fangs at me demonically. Then, he focused his sight on Sarabi, clearly frightening her. He took one step towards her with an aggressive growl. Was he after her?! Black Mufasa's approach towards Sarabi quickly brought me back from my distracting thoughts, and I leapt in between them, directing a defensive snarl towards him. "Stay away from her," I told him. Again, the beast didn't reply. He kept sneering at me, clearing resenting me for being in the way of Sarabi. He unsheathed his claws and dragged them through the ground savagely. I crouched into a pouncing position in reply. He didn't speak a single word, but he clearly wanted to fight. I saw Sarabi was still behind me, but she quickly backed away before I said anything. The Black Mufasa reacted to her movements, and he quickly leapt at me!

After the beast sprang at us, I leapt at his side and bit him in his shoulder in mid-flight. After I landed on the ground, I turned back toward him with a deep, bloody scar along my muzzle. The Black Mufasa turned back towards me with his own wound and with a hideous stare of hatred. Somehow, I deduced what he could be thinking. "Have you come for revenge?" After one deep growl, the beast finally spoke with the deepest and seductively cruelest tone of my voice. "You've buried me away for so long."

"I see. You are the 'beast' that was deep within me. And now you're here before me in physical form."

"The flames of the wretched Cerberus allowed me to be purged from your damned soul of purity. Now that I'm here before you, I could finally do as I please without you holding me back."

"I don't like that look you gave Sarabi," I snarled.

"It was because of her. It was her that made you seal me away. It was because of her that you were able to defeat me. She caused my suffering, and I must make her pay."

"Over my dead body!"

The Black Mufasa charged at me once more, and I immediately tackled him back onto the ground. My claws ran through the evil lion's face before he managed to kick me off. I landed on my back, and the beast quickly bit into my abdomen. I roared out in pain and prepared to bite him back at his arm to make him let go. But, before I made my move, Sarabi entered the brawl and tackled the beast away from me.

As the blood ran from my new wound, I stood up and discovered the dark lion and Sarabi leaping, roaring, and swiping their claws at one another. The dark lion managed to strike her over her face. He raised both his paws and went to push her down onto the ground. But, Sarabi quickly slid under him to dodge and leapt upward to tackle him once more as her fangs sunk into his back. From midair, the beast quickly twirled around to throw Sarabi under him and crushed her under his back upon impacting the ground! Sarabi gasped out and was stunned momentarily. As the beast leapt back on his feet, he twirled around towards the fallen lioness and pressed his paw hard onto her neck, threatening her with his wet and enormous fangs. I ran back into the fight and pounced over him to pull him away from her. As we rolled around in the ground, I tossed him away with a powerful thrust from my hind legs. After I stood up once again, I saw the Black Mufasa recover during his fall to the ground and land back on his feet. Sarabi came back to my side, and we both ferociously growled at our adversary. The beast snarled back, refraining from attacking the both of us. Sarabi spoke, "What is it? What is it you really want?" The lion ceased snarling at us to give us his answer in a calmer but grieving state. "Have you found…happiness? Paradise, even?"

I replied, "I have. I've found more than I believe to deserve."

"The paradise I desire is nothing like yours. Because of you, I could never grasp it. But, I've been given a chance…to live the life I was meant to follow in that golden body of yours. Living a life…outside your overrated shadow…sounds pleasant."

"You're mistaken," I weakly chuckled. "We're the same. I wanted to live a life outside your influence…which is ultimately my own."

"It is you who's mistaken!" he snarled. "We were never the same. You could never attempt what I desired. You never enjoyed the wonderful sensation to kill. You couldn't even force yourself to take either Sarabi or Sarafina against their wills. And instead of simple hatred, you hold nothing but pity for both Ru-gal and Vumi. But, I show no remorse to any of those damned idiots. I would perform any dirty ambition…and not have any regrets."

"That may be true. But, those thoughts still have a faint echo in my mind. I still remember all those horrible, despicable nightmares I imagined since my depression. Those were my thoughts…our thoughts. Do you not have those positive thoughts that I've embraced and you most likely disgust? Do you?!"

The lion stared silently at me for several moments. Then, he sealed his eyes and turned toward the sky. "All I remember…" he purred. He reopened his eyes, and they appeared to carry a deep resentment. Did I get through to him? Finally, the beast sighed, "…Is sorrow." Insulted, I growled back at him. I might have to finish him, after all. But, the dark lion suddenly turned his back on us.

As he was walking away with us, I stepped forward after the beast. "Wait! Weren't you trying to kill us? Wasn't that part of your ambition?" My darker twin stopped in place, but he never bothered to turn around and face Sarabi and me. "I'm…kinda bored talking to you. I'll come back and kill you when I'm less disillusioned."

"What will you do before then?" Sarabi replied.

"If that Mufasa and I are really the same, you figure it out. But, know this."

As Sarabi and I stared after these mysterious lion, he finally looked back at us over his shoulder. "I was given a new name a few months ago. I want you both to remember it before your beautiful demise. I am…Subaru." Finally, the dark lion continued walking until he blended into the silhouetted forest grove ahead of him. Before our eyes, the lion named Subaru disappeared.

After Subaru left us alone, I sat down and let out a tremendous sigh. "I believe it's safe to assume that I'm being challenged from above. I've kept the beast inside of me without succumb to the temptation it desired, and now I'm forced to do battle with him. This is sure to keep me on my toes." Then, a wet, pink tongue raced over the wounds under my abdomen, soothing the aggravating pain I felt from it. I looked down to see Sarabi sweetly licking over it for me. Then, she came to my face and purred, "Both of us on our toes, remember? He wants me as well."

"I might've known you'd say that," I wearily smiled.

As Sarabi licked over the wound over my muzzle, I wrapped one arm around her shoulder to pull her closer. "Thank you for helping me out back there."

"Two lovers make a formidable team. And we always watch each other's backs, right?"

"Right."

"Anyway, you saved me, too. So, you don't need to think that you owe me one."

"Well, that's a relief. Come on."

With that, Sarabi and I stood up and proceeded together to continue our day. But, the both of us knew that lion would come after us once again. Today was just our first physical encounter with the 'beast,' Subaru…