Chapter One
By: BusterKuri
Scar could still remember the day he let go of Mufasa. The setup with the stampede of wildebeests was impeccable. The fact that Banzai, Shenzi, and Ed didn't mess up was incredible on its own. And running Simba out was a joy. But letting go of Mufasa was something that Scar would never forget. He thought it would contain its own evil joy. But then as he held on to his hand only to let go, there wasn't joy. There was sadness.
Now Scar sat on his makeshift throne and thought back on how he became the human king. For he was a human. Not a lion.
It was years ago that Scar first came to the Pride Lands. He still wasn't known as Scar at the time, still only known as Taka, his face pristine. Rejected from his tribe, he hiked for days. The water was minimal. Food was what he could catch. He was starving and thirsty when Mufasa found him. He could still remember his long flowing hair and striking figure the first time Scar saw him. He's since considered that his own delirium probably added the angelic glow, and made Scar fonder of Mufasa than would normally be the case.
Mufasa was the one who carried Scar when he collapsed. Mufasa was still young then, a mere prince to his father, King Ahadi. Ahadi had not heard about Scar. He had not heard the terrible things Scar had done that left him wandering alone. If he had, surely his decision would have been different.
"You can stay here. But you must prove your worth to the tribe. We don't carry dead weight here."
"I will." Scar was grateful. Scar was grateful for the meager food they gave him which was like a feast to him. He was grateful to finally have someone to talk to. He and Mufasa immediately found their own companionship together. But Ahadi had one question that he was too nervous to answer.
"What is your name?"
Could he risk it? Could he truly say Taka and not wince at the memories or the fears that maybe news had spread, maybe Ahadi did know who he was.
"Mwongo. My name is Mwongo."
Ahadi did not look convinced. But he let it by. Maybe he knew that not everybody here was willing to say their histories. Maybe he knew that this land of sunlight and joy wasn't everything that it seemed. Scar never found out. He just knew that Ahadi didn't trust him, and Taka didn't trust Ahadi.
In the cave that night, Scar couldn't sleep. He had to think. He had to prepare himself both for fighting and for how he was going to ensure his place in the Pride Lands. And as he tossed and turned he looked at Mufasa.
Yes. He would help him. Whether he wanted to or not.