A/N: Ready for a new trend in this series? A dark one? Well, it already started in the last story, so don't try and stop me now!

Chapter One: Tormented

Whack!

Angani was struck hard in the head. She was sent crashing into the wall of the den. This was nothing new, it was the same abuse she suffered everyday. Nobody ever came to her aid... Because nobody cared, not even her own parents. She hadn't done anything to deserve this, her attacker just did it for the joy of bringing pain.

"Aw... What's the matter Angani?" Her abuser, which was another cub, asked in a sarcastic tone, "Can't take the pain? I thought you would be tougher than this..."

"Mako..." Angani said weakly, "Please stop..."

"Why would I do that?" Mako laughed. "We're just getting started," He picked Angani up by the throat and pinned her against the wall. Then he used his free paw and struck her across the face as hard as he could, causing blood to trickle out of three cuts on her cheek.

"Come on, you little freak," Mako taunted, "Aren't you going to fight back?" He unsheathed his claws and dug them into her chest. "Well?"

Angani didn't respond, it wouldn't matter if she fought back or not. Mako was much stronger than she was. The one time she did try to fight back, he just beat her even worse.

"No?" Mako said, "Oh well," He used his claws to make four long scratches down to her stomach. She cried out in pain, which only made Mako smile.

"Oh, come on..." Mako said, "It wasn't that bad... At least not as bad as this," He pulled Angani's head back and smashed the back of it into the wall. He dropped her to the ground and she fell into a heap.

"I guess I should just end this now... It's Mkali's turn anyway," Mako put his claws to Angani's throat. "Goodbye."

Gasp!

Angani's eyes snapped open. She was covered in a cold sweat and her heart was pounding. She had been having that nightmare for weeks now, but hadn't told anybody about it. Not even Mkali. She didn't want Mkali to remember that time of their lives, it was something she hated reliving. It had appeared she had moved on, but then the nightmares just started one night and haven't stopped since.

She looked over at Mkali, who was still asleep. She ran her claws through the fur on Mkali's head before standing up. She needed to go for a walk. Those nightmares always left her unable to sleep. As she was stretching her legs, she heard a voice... A spooky one at that.

"Angani..." A female voice whispered.

Angani looked around the den, but it was clear that everyone was asleep. The voice was coming from outside the den.

"Angani..."

Angani ran to the entrance of the den. She was going to find where that voice was coming from, and what it wanted.

As Angani walked toward the water hole, she noticed that that it was a moonless night. Millions of stars were clearly present, scattered across the black sky. She didn't have much time to take it in before the voice made itself known again.

"Angani..."

She was close now. It had to be coming from the water hole. It was time to find out who this creepy voice belonged to, and why it kept saying here name. When the water hole came into view, there didn't appear to be anybody there. She scanned the other side of the water hole and that's when she spotted somebody. It was another lioness. She walked around towards the mysterious lioness to get a better look at her. When she was only a few feet away, the lioness spoke.

"Good to see you came, Angani," the lioness spoke softly.

Angani had to admit, this lioness was beautiful. She had light gray fur and bright blue eyes. Even in the dark, her beauty was evident. The lionesss didn't appear to be full grown, but she wasn't a cub. She was definitely an adolescent.

"Who are you?" Angani asked.

"Me?" The lioness asked, "My name isn't important right now. What is important is the little problem you've been having."

"What problem?" Angani asked. "I don't have any problem!"

"Those nightmares aren't a problem?" the lioness asked, "They sure seem like they are."

"How did you kn-"

"I know a lot of things, Angani," the lioness interrupted, "I also happen to know a way to stop them."

That caught Angani's attention. "You do?"

"Yes," the lioness answered, "It's quite simple, really."

"Well?" Angani said, wanting her to continue, "Out with it already!"

"All you need to do is go to the root of the problem," the lioness said, "Take care of the source, and you'll be at peace."

"So... I have to face Mako?" Angani asked. That thought terrified her. While she's stronger than she was then, the thought of going back and facing her and Mkali's old tormenter rattled her. She was hoping she would never have to see him again.

The lioness nodded in response.

"And you're sure that will stop the nightmares?" Angani asked, still skeptical.

"Do you think I would be here in the middle of the night if it wasn't true?" the lioness said, "Trust me... I only want to help. Now, I'll be leaving the rest to you. Bye." There was a bright flash of light and the lioness was gone. Angani was alone.

She thought about what the lioness had told her, and decided that she might be right. Angani was going to go face Mako. She silently snuck away from the water hole. None of her friends could know where she was going, especially Mkali. This was going to be dangerous, and she didn't want to put Mkali in danger... She wasn't even sure she would come back unharmed... Or come back at all.

A/N: So, the truth about Angani and Mkali's past is revealed. You can't really blame them for leaving, can you? Angani was a much different cub then, but is she up to the task of facing her old tormentor?