The Mane Problem

Chapter 2

“So, he just disappeared?” Zazu asked.
“Well, I think that's how it happened.” Mkuu said. “I don't really know, if I did I would go find Grandpa right now.”
“Yeah, Simba must be pretty confused right now.” Timon said.
“Well, in the meantime, we're going to have to get you educated, Ms. Pie.” Zazu said.
Timon, Pumbaa, and Mkuu groaned.
“Zazu, not everyone wants to learn!” Mkuu told the the hornbill.
“Yes, I know, as evidenced by almost your entire family.” Zazu snapped back.
“Hey, don't fight!” Pinkie said, interrupting their conversation.
“Sorry, but Zazu here just won't listen.” Mkuu said.
“Are you listening to him?” Pinkie asked.
“Well...I...” Mkuu trailed off.
“Ha!” Zazu taunted.
“And you should listen to him, too.” Pinkie stated.
“What? Ms.Pie, I believe that he is-”
“Don't argue, that's how you lose friends.”
“This little Simba is not my friend.”
“Then he's your enemy?”
“Well...No”
“So what is he?”
“Well... Um... I...” Zazu stated, and the hornbill and lion kept muttering incoherent things.
“You see? Things aren't always easy to answer, and if you listen you'll find something that interests you.” Pinkie stated. “Like the answer you've been looking for.”
“Ms. Pie! You are quite intelligent at these kind of things.” Zazu stated.
“Yeah, where'd you learn that?” Mkuu asked.
“I like making people happy and giving them smiles. And if they're sad and angry, that means they won't smile.
“Pinkie, did you learn how to do it with everyone?” The cub asked.
“Yeah, I had to learn different ways after a little incident with a donkey.” Pinkie stated.
“Hmm...Zazu, what do you think the mood of the Pride Lands is right now?” Mkuu asked.
“Even though I don't like where you're going with this, I think Pinkie could help with making a few of the animals smile.” Zazu answered.
“So all the animals talk here? Where I come from, it's just ponies.” Pinkie stated.
“Come on, Pinkie.” Mkuu stated. “We're going to make people smile!”

“So you're saying this thing just came out of nowhere?” the purple pony asked.
“Excuse me, but I am not a 'thing' I am a lion.” Simba said.
“Well, I figured you know what had happened.” Fluttershy stated.

Twilight Sparkle sighed, wondering why she always had to be the one who knew what happened with her friends. Though it might have been that even though she might not always know exactly what was going on, there were only a number of times she was wrong.“Well, there's usually one pony we go to when we can't figure something out.” She said, “Or in this case, one zebra."

Simba was glad to finally see a creature he would usually see around the Pride Lands. Even if this Zecora looked a little different than what he was used to.

Zecora set to work, using her resources that she knew of. In a way, she kind of reminded Simba of Rafiki if he were a female zebra.
“It is not very clear, why there is a lion here.” Zecora stated. “Although this is unplanned, I know of lions, from my home land.”
“Could you send me back?” Simba asked.
“It is like missing a key from the lock, I’ve never heard of this 'Pride Rock' I can't find it on any map, so now Ponyville is your trap.” the zebra answered.”Thank you, Zecora” Twilight said.
“Oh, Zecora, have you seen Pinkie? I haven't seen her all day.” Fluttershy asked.
“I am afraid not, Fluttershy. I have not seen Pinkie Pie. “ The zebra said, “Though I've got an itch, the lion's and pony's places did switch. While she went there, you went here, and must happen again that way, I fear. It seem somethings in great strife, as if something's wrong with the circle of life.”
“Well, thanks anyways Zecora.” Twilight and Fluttershy walked out the door.
“I'll be right there, Twilight.” Simba said. Then when they were gone, he started talking to Zecora.
“The circle of life, what's wrong with it?”
“Hunters, I am afraid, and I've said all that could be said. One is good, one not nearly the same, Angel and Damien, if you can tell by the name.”
“What? What does that mean?”
“I'm afraid you'll have to find out, you man. All I could tell you is they look human.”
“What does Damien mean?”
“I am afraid I can't tell such, I've already said too much.”
And so the lion left.

Zecora looked into her cauldron.
“Rafiki, are you sure you can be relyin' on five small ponies and one big lion?” Zecora asked at the image of Rafiki in the cauldron.
“Don't worry, as long as all goes as planned, everything will be right.” Rafiki answered
“I just hope that this works, because if it doesn't than you'll have to see the jerks.”
“You know we still have six days left after today.”
“But you know if it doesn't go how you presumed, if it reaches the Pride Lands, you're doomed.”