Summoning
Hours had passed since the Royals arrived at the chaotic scene. The sun was setting soon, and crickets began their songs. Luckily the disorder had died down as most of the herbivores causing the issues were diurnal, but this was not going to be the most peaceful of nights anyhow.
The Guard was told by Simba to meet in the Lair for an important talk. This was not going to be fun...
Vitani was the quickest to approach the King, eager to explain what happened with honesty as she was conditioned to do by other authority figures in her life once before, yet she was still very nervous at the potential unpredictable reaction -- another trait ingrained into her.
She glanced up at Simba politely to appease him, preparing her explanation, but was given an unreadably cold look. He was not having it.
"I-"
"I get it." Simba quickly cut her off, "Leaving the Pridelands to you and your Guard for a while was a lot of pressure for you. Perhaps I expected too much of you..."
Vitani's body ran cold, she stood with her tail tucked between her legs. She was just given this duty. No onesaw her nor her Guard's potential lately, now not even the King.
"King Simba, it wasn't her fault." Imara spoke up, "The herds wouldn't listen. We couldn't just fight them or anything. We couldn't do anything."
"Yeah, just so you know how aware of our reputation we are." Shabaha bitterly added before receiving a nudge by the Strongest.
"I have to start all over. I would need to gather what I can of a Savannah Summit, if there are any herd leaders willing to even look a predator in the face after what happened today..." Simba stopped pacing and straightened his posture, "I have no more to say, but just... keep out of things until I can sort it all out."
Vitani's breathing became stiff. Feeling unwanted.
"Vitani, are you okay?" Kasi leaned to get a better look at Vitani's face. She knew how nervous talks with authority figures made her young friend.
"I'm fine." Vitani swiftly spun to exit the Lair, not looking anyone in the eye, not allowing anyone to see the frustrated tears forming.
Rafiki, watching the ordeal with observant silence, sighed and shook his head as he gripped his Bakora Staff tightly. He glanced at the staff with sentimentality and a heavy heart, knowing this new Lion Guard leader was in need of great help.
___
Vitani ran. Simba's cutting words continued to echo through Vitani's mind. Other recently frustrating memories flooded her brain as she made for a place she knew no animal would ever go.
She was at the Elephant Graveyard. The scent and sounds of the steam that shot from the geysers were an immediate trigger for her memories of her mother's plan to destroy the Pridelands she now watched over, and worst of all, reminded her of her deceased brother, which hurt her the most.
The anger, sorrow, and frustration at the thoughts that couldn't escape Vitani's mind compelled her to give out a loud, heartfelt, Dark Roar.
The Lions of the Past heard her desperate cry. The ground cracked and shook, the pressure of the soundwaves of the divine roars in the sky forced steam and fire to skyrocket from the geysers that surrounded the Leader of the Guard.
Unbeknownst to Vitani, one of the geysers behind her sent off a large, blinding blast, extinguishing the others. It made a peculiar leonine sound. Vitani was knocked from her paws.
"Huh... who woke me up...?" said a groggy voice, the owner of said voice looked down.
"Vitani? What are you doing here, and why are you so small?!"
No, that couldn't be...
Vitani swiftly got up and turned the other way. It was...
"Nuka..." Vitani finally addressed and identified the ghastly form. She said it the same way she did last time she saw him.
The ghost smiled softly, "Hi'ya, Vitani..."
Vitani wiped her tears with her paws, astonished that Nuka was here before her very eyes. It was either a gift from the Great Kings or she was losing it from her brief panic attack. But, this spirit looked... scary... this was no lion of the clouds like she thought he would be, this was...
After an eerie silence, she finally spoke up, "Nuka... you're... you're..."
"ON FIRE! AHH!" Nuka spun around to no avail, "Oh... Oh... it doesn't hurt... I mean, why would it? I-"
"Why are you made of fire? You're not evil! Only evil lions come back as fire spirits!"
"Guess the Lions of the Past don't really like that I tried to kill Simba, huh?"
Vitani's eyes nearly bulged out, "Wait, you know about the Lions of the Past? Can you talk to them? What do they say?"
Nuka glanced upwards, his ears perking up attentively. Incoherent whispers echoed across the graveyard.
"Uhh... I think they're saying that they don't know where to put me. I did an evil thing, but they don't think I'm totally evil..."
"So you're in purgatory?" Vitani asked, feeling a slight chill.
"Ehh, pretty much." Nuka perked up again as the whispers came back.
"Well?" Vitani leaned in.
"They say I have a chance to determine my fate. Seeing as you summoned me, I can redeem myself by helping you and giving you advice as you lead the Lion Guard."
"How long can I talk to you? Can't be forever, can it?"
"Ah, not too long. Got maybe a couple of minutes per session. But! If you ever need me, just start a fire, and say the words; Roho ya Moto!"
"Roho ya Moto...?"
"Yep! All part of the ritual summoning stuff!"
"Man... I can't believe any of this is real, Vitani shook her head, still amazed, "who would ever believe it? You'd have to be the craziest animal in the Pridelands..."
Just then, a devious idea popped into her head. Vitani smiled at Nuka with determination.
"Have I got the perfect first task for you..."
___
((We finally get to meet Fire Spirit Nuka after a long three-year wait! Can't believe it's been that long since I've drawn him. Wonder what plan Vitani has for Nuka?))