Author's Note: This is my first Fan Fiction. I've had this idea in my head since 2003, and it's been driving me crazy ever since. I just wanted to see if you guys like it or not.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of The Lion King characters. the only ones who are mine are the human characters and Kovu and Kiara's daughter, Rosa. Enjoy!

The year was 1877. London, England. The sun was shining as the birds flew over the water. Big Ben, the clock tower, chimed a beautiful melody as it struck ten o'clock a.m. A tall man wearing a muddy brown hat and coat, riding a horse was on his way to an appointment at The Royal British Exploration Society. His name was Josh Cody. He was thirty-two years old and was from American state of Texas. A few days ago, he received a letter from a man named Charles Burton asking him to come to London for a special assignment.

He soon approached the building and dismounted his horse. He looked in awe at the huge structure. Then, he tied up his horse and walked inside. As soon as he entered, a man dressed in a suit, who appeared to be the butler, approached him.

"May I help you?" The butler asked, giving Josh a strange and curious look.

"Um, I'm here to see Charles Burton, the chairman," said Josh as he took off his hat. "He sent me a letter saying he wanted to see me. Is he in?"

"Oh yes, follow me," the butler said as he started to walk towards the end of the hall. At the end was a huge decorated doorway. He opened the doors to find a tall man dressed like a highly decorated officer smoking his pipe. The room was decorated in animal trophies from top to bottom. "Joshua Cody from America here to see you, Master Burton."

"Thank you, Leonardo," Burton said. "Now leave us to our business, please." The butler nodded and left the room. Burton got up out of his chair and slowly walked towards Joshua with a smile on his face. "Welcome, Mr. Cody. Want a drink?"

"No thank you, I'm trying to cut down on wine," Josh said. he walked around the room, staring at the trophies. He was a little uncomfortable with all the blank faces of the animals staring back at him. Josh slowly sat down into a chair. "What was it that I had to leave the United States for?"

Burton smirked at him. "Have you ever had any experience with wild animals, Mr. Cody?" He then sat down at his desk.

Josh was puzzled for a bit. "Uh, I did have an experience with a puma once. The beast tried to eat my cattle. Plus, there are coyotes to deal with."

Burton raised an eyebrow. "How would you like to go to Africa?"

"Africa, sir?" Josh asked as he gave Burton a curious look. "Why?"

"Because we would like to colonize it," said Burton at last. "You see, our nation is becoming quite over populated. We need a new country that hasn't been explored by the outside world in years, and that's challenging with all the different wildlife out there. We do have a few colonies in the equatorial region, but nothing as big as London. Do we understand each other?"

"Hmm, colonizing the Dark Continent. Sounds exciting," said Josh as he smiled at Burton with enthusiasm.

"I like your enthusiasm," said Burton. "We're sending you and two others to study the wildlife and surroundings. Your orders are to report everything in a notebook and send it back to me in six months time, so we know if it's safe to colonize."

"Yes sir," said Josh. "Who are the two other people going with me, sir?"

Burton reached into a drawer in his desk, and pulled out two photographs. "I'm glad you asked," he said with a smile. He then gave Josh a photograph of a Chinese man. "This is Chen Ling, he's an expert in biology, nature, and the martial arts; in case you run into some trouble."

"He sounds brave enough to me," said Josh as he put down the photo of Chen. He was then given another photograph. This one was of an African American.

"And this is Denzel Baker. He works at the Central Park Menagerie in New York, so he knows a few things on what you're going to encounter." Burton took back the photos and gave Josh a ticket. "Your train leaves at twelve o'clock, tomorrow. It will take you to the boat docks. Then you are to take a ship to France, then another train which will take you to the French docks. From there, another boat will take you to the curving point in Africa." He smoked his pipe again. "When you land there, you will travel to the Kenya border by horseback, and conduct your research."

"Alright." Josh quietly said as he wiped his eyes.

Burton got up out from his chair. "You are to be given books, food, water, camping supplies, guns, and horses for your expedition. Are there any questions?"

"No, sir. Thank you, sir." Josh gladly shook hands with Burton and left the room with the doors closing behind him.