Chapter Thirty-Two.five: The Kings of Comedy

The Pride Lands glowed under the descending sun, its amber light kissing the tall grass. Near the base of Pride Rock, two small figures strutted with an air of self-satisfaction large enough to fill the savanna. "Did you see that, Pumbaa?" Timon crowed, practically vibrating with pride. "We did it! We cracked the mountain!" Pumbaa’s grin stretched from tusk to tusk. "Big, frosty, stoic lion… laughing like a cub!"

"And it wasn’t just a chuckle," Timon said, waving his arms like he was conducting an orchestra. "It was a full-body, world-shaking laugh. A monument toppling! All thanks to us!" "Ours," Pumbaa corrected gently, bumping him with a grin. "Right, right—ours," Timon agreed. "We are the funniest duo in the entire savanna!" They strutted past a group of lionesses who exchanged glances, amused and bewildered. "I should be writing a book," Timon continued. "'How to Make Stoic Giants Laugh.' Bestseller, guaranteed." Pumbaa bounced. "We could go on tour! Timon and Pumbaa: Laughter for the Legends!" 

"Yes!" Timon clapped his tiny paws. "Step right up, folks! Watch the comedy kings bring joy to even the frostiest of hearts! No refunds—unless your warthog disagrees!" Pumbaa giggled, and Timon sprawled dramatically across his back. "And did you see the others hiding in the bushes?" Timon laughed. "Like they were witnessing a sacred miracle!"

"Maybe they were," Pumbaa said gently. "It kinda felt like one." Timon’s grin softened into something proud and genuine. "Yeah… maybe it was." They ambled off toward the waterhole, singing snatches of their favorite song, the echoes of laughter still warm in the air. From the shade of a nearby rock, Simba and Nala watched, the breeze rustling their manes. "I haven’t seen them that happy in ages," Nala said with a smile. Simba nodded, eyes distant but warm. 

"And I haven’t seen him that alive… ever." Nala leaned against him. "Those two have a magic touch." Simba’s gaze drifted to the horizon, where the last light flickered like embers against the edge of sky. "Sometimes, all it takes… is a good laugh to wake a mountain."