Morning, Near Pride Rock

The last few stragglers had finally arrived; they had hoped no one would notice that they were late to arrive. Not that they needed to worry, because every single animal gathered at the base of Pride Rock was more concerned with the two royal lions standing on the promontory. So much so that they completely and totally ignored the fact that a single, cream-furred lion was amongst the lesser subjects as opposed to being up front and center with the rest of the Pride. If anyone had been paying attention, perhaps the alarm would have been raised. But, everyone was more concerned with the presentation that was sure to happen soon.

The lioness stepped forward; she was the unmistakable regnant queen of the Pridelands. This lion didn't need to be the keenest of sight to recognize her as Queen Uru. Her flawless brownish-orange fur softly encompassed the feminine muscles that contrasted, and yet at the same time perfectly complemented, the gentle, inviting red eyes that could entrance a male with just a soft gaze or warn away her enemies with a glare. The dorsal stripe that ran down her forehead and onto her upper back was as much a confirmation of Uru's identity as the lionhead mark on her shoulder.

The lion that stood beside her, however, had a much different story, although this rogue knew him just as well. Actually, that might not be accurate; he knew him BETTER than he knew Uru, or indeed any other member of this Pride. He'd never forget the son of the Selfish Lion; more than that, the rogue wondered how anyone could come to accept the bastard son of a tyrant as their king.

Okay, that wasn't entirely fair. Even he was not so blind as to deny what Uru had fell for. Ahadi's golden fur was filled with well-trained muscles that one can only have after spending his cubhood and early adulthood wandering between kingdoms as a rogue element. His midnight-black mane wrapped around his head and ended in a regal-looking goatee to completely 'round out' just who and what Ahadi was. Whatever his origins were, whatever had happened in his past, Ahadi was certainly a handsome, promising lion by any metric.

Perhaps this was the most infuriating thing about him: the hypocrisy of it all. The hypocrisy and fallacy of their positions in life. The bright-colored rogue thought it should be him standing beside Queen Uru, and it should be his cubs that old mandrill is currently presenting to all of the Pridelands. However, upon seeing the offending cubs, the lone lion became… optimistic, for lack of a better term.

This is what the gene pool of Ulaghai and Mohatu came together and produced?! Ha! They both take right after Ulaghai and Viccha, especially the white furred one. He's

And one would be forgiven for thinking this way, for the cub presented for all of the Pridelanders and any others who might have been present to see brought tears to the eyes of most. These were the undeniable sons of Ahadi and Uru, and most damningly were also the clear descendants of the Pridelands' greatest enemies. The first cub had inherited his mother's orange fur, while his angular features, the deep black tail tuft and dark nose were traits given to him by his father. If the first cub hadn't been thinner than most cubs born in his generation, perhaps he would have been considered the most beautiful cub to have been born in recent memory.

The second cub was only known to be the younger cub because he was presented second, but he was otherwise much quite a bit larger than his elder brother. His snow-white fur and green eyes meant that he was definitely the grandson of Viccha the Brutal, and his soft, inviting features that he had inherited from Uru ensured that he'd have lionesses lining up to become his mate. He'd never have to worry about his place in a pride, even if he left the Pridelands after becoming an adult.

But it was the firstborn's less than stellar condition that was the most promising for the outsider. Perhaps life is more fair than I thought. Yes, all I need is to be more patient. And I will have my vengeance, be it upon Ahadi or his 'kingdom'. The lion chuckled at the plan forming in his mind as he withdrew from the ceremony as stealthily as he had arrived.

Noontime, Near the Southern Border

A lioness limped across the savannah. Her golden fur was streaked with blood, and her red eyes were blood shot as she lumbered away from what was chasing her. She moved slowly, with a disjointed and unnatural gait. But, considering the precious cargo she was carrying and horrid state she was in, she was moving as quickly and carefully as she could.

However, she could only continue to move for so long before her broken, gouged legs gave way and she collapsed. "Please. We're so close now." She had pleaded with the One Above All, for that was perhaps the only thing that could possibly save her in her current state. However, her 'cargo' then began to mewl, having been dropped roughly to the ground when the lioness collapsed.

As she crawled over to the golden cub, she did her best to comfort him despite the circumstances. "Don't worry. We'll be safe soon. When your eyes open, you will see sanctuary. Please, don't worry." The mother said as she rocked her cub, calming him down into a slumber once again.

And just as soon as he went quiet did the lioness hear a twig snap. She whirled her head around. Well, 'whirl' was a strong word in this instance, given the lioness had perhaps used her last strength to comfort her newborn. However, she was able to make the last decision she had available to her. "Mercy. Please. Mercy."

However, the lion she spoke to could not have been any less merciful as he placed his clawed paw on the downed lioness's face. "So, you want to die?" He taunted as he slammed the lioness's head onto the hard ground. She moaned, her weak whimper a clear indication of just how much life was leaving her body at this moment. Between his buttercream fur and the yellowish-orange mane wreathed around his head, the lion's appearance in the sunlight was quite hard on the eyes even if she still had use of both, and the almost rictis-like grin on his face was a clear indication of just how much he was enjoying her suffering.

"Just as well, because after the day I've had, I need this. I need to see a bitch and her cub die." His voice, normally gravelly and brutal as one would expect of a degenerate such as he, became smoother as he savored the despair his words sent through his victim. And the pure terror in her good eye as he raised his clawed paw was almost a physical taste in his mouth as he began to laugh.

However, at that moment, the cub he mentioned began to mewl yet again. "Now, what's this? Oh, how precious. He hasn't even opened his eyes yet. Well, at least he want see this coming." He said as he switched targets and aimed for the golden cub who was less than three days old. He was perhaps considering if he should have crushed the cub to death, or sliced his eyes open so that he'd at least know what color they were before taking his life. In any case, he'd never make his decision.

"HEROD!"

That voice was unmistakable, and perturbing to the light lion with that name. "But… But how!?" He exclaimed, and in the time it took for him to make that pondering did he realize his mistake. For in short order, Uru made her appearance to follow her voice being projected. Herod's ice-blue eyes met Uru's fiery crimsons, and suddenly ice-water ran through the lion's veins. Perhaps it was odd to see a lion that equaled Ahadi in size cower from a lioness, even a muscular one such as Uru.

However, with that oddity came the clarity of just why he treaded lightly. "You… Shouldn't you be kissing cubs and listening to the inane complaints of lesser animals?" He tried to cover his fear and doubt with smarm and sarcasm, but his voice shook ever so slightly. "You're in the Pridelands." Uru growled, her patience with her old adversary wearing thin. Herod bared his teeth and unsheathed his claws, but for once the bright-furred lion stopped to actually assess his chances against the Fiercest Queen.

Sure, his male strength would allow him to hold his own against her, maybe even allow him to win if he had the drop on her. However, past experiences spoke for themselves; he'd have to make quite a few assumptions if he thought he'd win, especially before the rest of the Lion Guard showed up to reinforce their leader.

Herod backed away, his posture submissive but his teeth bared in a snarl. "Why do even care? Thamani is just some rogue whore who dared to defy me. She's the same as any who'd defy your precious law. Is what I'm doing any different than-" Herod would never finish his sentence.

Uru unleashed the Roar of the Elders, and as she did the entire Pridelands roared right alongside her. Her eyes glowed just before she closed them, indicating that she was putting all of her power into it. And it was on the mark, too. Herod's mouth was slammed shut, and then he was rocketed away.

As soon as the Pridelands no longer rumbled with the power that it had bestowed upon its regnant queen, she felt it safe to turn her attention back to Herod's victims. And when she did, a horrible feeling came upon her. For seeing this lioness's broken form on the ground brought back a feeling that Uru had the misfortune of being unable to forget.

That same feeling that seized her that horrid day returned with force; the day her father's grand plan had ultimately fell right apart and he now had to concede that what little control he had over his life could be wrested from him in the blink of an eye. The day her older brother, sickly as he had been, attempted to save her from a marauding rogue. In a cruel, sick way, he had made good on his promise to their father about never wasting away before he could ascend the throne. He had made good on his promise to always protect Uru and her mother as long as he had breath in his body.

And seeing this lioness, broken and battered on the ground in much the same way as he was that day; Uru's heart swelled in her chest, and she swore that was literally true. She looked away, unable to look at the scene any longer and wished that either her subordinates or the hunting party would arrive already.

"M-m-my son…" Uru's eyes snapped open, her vision still blurry from the tears in her eyes. It was the broken lioness at her feet, whom she was still trying to comfort in her last moments. "M-my son…" She said again, this time much weaker than the last time. "Please, save your strength, Thamani. Help will arrive shortly. I will not fail either of you." Uru promised, though even the newborn cub, whose eyes were still sealed yet, could see that this lioness wouldn't be the one receiving that help.

"Help my son… Help my… little Mufasa… Please… Help…" Thamani's words became weaker and weaker, until finally she herself expired.

A cold chill ran through Uru's body, and it wasn't just because the battered lioness's body had went cold. It wasn't even the fact that the newborn cub spoken of, Mufasa, had started mewling almost as though he could sense the tragedy that had just befallen them. Uru couldn't make out what was coming over her as she walked to the cub almost without input from her senses. She felt… a duty. A duty greater than anything she had felt during her missions with the Lion Guard.

A few moments later, and help finally arrived. Uru had no idea that she had started to cradle the cub who had just lost his birth mother, but there she was. "Uru?" Ahadi tested, his voice filling with dread as he could finally piece together what he believed had happened. He wouldn't need it explained to him; scene before him spoke for itself. "Are… Are you okay?" He asked, though perhaps he knew that words wouldn't be enough to console his mate.

"Ahadi, I… I was too late." She said, her voice filling with anger that all present knew was directed towards herself and herself. Her subordinates looked at one another, before the Keenest of Sight stepped. "Forgive me, Queen Uru. I know this must be Herod's doing. I had spotted him in the Pridelands this morning, just before the presentation of the princes. I had hoped Sultani and I had scared him off, but… He didn't retreat like I had believed." The Keenest's eyes filled with tears as he said this, and Uru could practically see him placing the blame for this entire situation firmly on himself.

However, what was more important was the mewling cub Uru held, his cries indicating that perhaps he knew his birth mother had just perished. As Ahadi and the rest of the Lion Guard got a better look, Uru looked up at her mate with eyes that told him exactly what her intentions were before she ever spoke a word. "Ahadi… I was able to rescue him."

Ahadi hesitated for a good 5 seconds; he knew the other four Guardians were contemplating what his next words would be. He was torn; his heart was telling him that Uru was very right to do what he knew she was going to do. He could empathize with this cub in a twisted way, since his parents may as well have died and left him all alone in the unforgiving wilderness for all the care and love they had shown him. His heart almost physically burned as he made his decision, but he knew why he had to do it.

"Uru… This is going to raise a lot of questions as it were, let alone down the line." He said, his normally powerful and regal-bearing voice giving away just how much this sentence was taking a toll on him. Uru, however, looked up at him with pleading eyes; the same eyes that she had when she discovered her older brother's body that horrible day. "I know, but… Mufasa needs me. I cannot fail him." She responded. At that, Ahadi's green eyes softened for just a moment. Oh, great. She's already named him.

However, he couldn't let that stop him so easily. "Uru, he doesn't even look like either of us. No… He'd be better off with Nagumu and his mate. His fur… at least… matches… theirs." The look in Uru's eyes said it all; he might as well have suggested that he leave the cub to die. The Strongest Guardian might have been more offended if he didn't understand why Uru refused to let the cub she had named be raised by anyone else.

Ahadi, as though seeing that for himself, began to truly relent. He took one last look at the mewling cub, and then back at the deceased lioness for whom Uru was no doubt internalizing guilt for failing to save. He sighed before speaking. "Fine. We will keep him." He said. At that, Uru's eyes brightened. "Oh, Ahadi. Thank you for seeing reason. I know he'll be a great king someday, and-" And Ahadi stops her right there.

"I said: He can stay and that we will raise him. That doesn't make him our son, and it certainly doesn't make him heir to the throne." The other four Guardians almost couldn't believe Ahadi would overrule a decision Uru made. The believed it even less when Uru didn't make a move to tell him otherwise, or to remind him that she is the one with the birthright to decide what happens in the Pridelands. However, as the Guardians watched Ahadi turn and return to handling the royal duties that he still knew had to be done, they had made the mistake of believing Uru was going to do nothing about it.

Quite the contrary, in fact.