AN: So guess what- I'm back. As I have said before, I kind of got addicted to writing these little TLK stories...
At the very beginning, I have to say one thing- the first chapter of this story is a sample, and I do not know when I am going to continue publishing. First I have to find out how you like this concept, and then maybe when I'll find some time I'll setup a proper plot and keep writing. This is because there are truly dozens of stories like these- fan-made TLK sequels, some of them very good ones. One might say that I have already written 'Not exactly', but that wasn't the same kind of story. 'Dark Legacy' is going to be something that will extend the plot that is taking place in 'Simbas Pride' and will concern Kovu, Kiara and king Simba... and, surprisingly, also the dead villain characters, especially Scar and Zira. How am I going to achieve that? Well, here's the first chapter for your consideration. If you like the concept- please, do tell. If you have any pointers- go right ahead and write me a review. Anything for my respective readers. Who knows, this might just be the beginning of another exciting adventure.

Enjoy! XD

Chapter 1 – The Old Kings

The Council has called for an assembly.

It is hard for a carnal being to fully comprehend the nature of the spiritual world, so such a scene might be quite hard to imagine since there was indeed no meeting chamber with a round table and stools, no distinctive place among the stars between one constellation and the other. The members themselves were also not exactly what they used to be for the ones that knew them during their life- their bodies had disappeared, fuelling the turn of the Circle of Life, yet there was still something left of them. Something immaterial, containing the very essence of each noble lion that has ever ruled on earth- the spirits of the past, rarely sensible for the less subtle flesh and blood. But nonetheless, somewhere above and nowhere at the same time, as it was not a visible, tangible or material place, they existed. And during this particular time in history the Council of the Great Leonine Kings decided to call for a meeting.

At once they all stood in each other's presence. How many of them were there- no one could tell, yet they stood together according to their succession, son beside father, father beside grandfather. Kings along with their queens, some brighter and some dimmer, still all luminous, misty, ethereal.

An atmosphere of joy was clearly sensible. The Kings might have been residing in a celestial afterlife, but what concerned them most were the matters of their current successors and relatives back on earth. And the vast, ancient lion kingdom of the Pridelands was seemingly about to enter a golden era of peace after a long time of unrest. Simba, it's current ruler, had managed to reunite two parts of a once shattered pride by permitting a most unexpected connection- the betrothal of Kiara, his own daughter, and Kovu, a once sworn enemy and leader of a whole army of outcasts. But even though the process required deep sacrifices on both sides, the two foes were now beloved mates and the ones who were once exiled were welcomed back into their home. Old scars were slowly healing and everything was going in the right direction. The Old Kings decided to do everything they could to keep it like that.

A noble lion stood in front, intending to take the voice. He was ancient even in the standards of animals who lived much longer than the big felines. As cubs, everyone of them had been told legends about him. In afterlife, he was still the leader- first among the leonine rulers. And so he was called- Kwanza, the first Lion King.

His words echoed as if spoken from the bottom of all time and were strangely peaceful and powerful together. One would rather feel them inside his heart that actually hear him speak.

My Brothers… What we are witnessing is like dawn breaking through the night. The lions of the Pridelands are one again- the wicked danger has been crushed by it's own foolishness, peace has triumphed. That fine kingdom, tried in so many ways along time, has found it's safe harbor through the love of it's youth and the prudence of it's leader, who found the right time to fix his past errors. Mufasa!

Kwanza proudly called out towards one particularly bright lion spirit.

Your actions occurred to be of much help for your land and are highly commendable. I believe that you will continue to serve the wellbeing of both your son and your granddaughter, and in some time be as content as I will myself in seeing the Pridelands flourish as beautifully as they had during your own reign.

Mufasa humbly bowed his head in affirmation, later sharing a joyful look with his Queen, Sarabi. The ones who surrounded them also observed with happiness. The First King continued.

I suppose that after dealing with the remnants of the hyena army and reinforced by the rest of the former Outlanders, the lions of the Pridelands may feel safe as such a large pride has probably nothing to fear. The old enemies seem to have all been defeated…

At the moment when he said those words a new voice loudly sounded all around, suddenly breaking into his discourse. This was probably the first time in centuries when Kwanza was so brutally interrupted.

You are haste in your judgment, Old One!

The Council shook. Gasps of terror could be heard, along with strong growls of contradiction among the kings and words of disbelief and compassionate sorrow among the queens. A new royal pair joined the assembly. The two lions who were not invited.

Order! Order!

Kwanza's voice adopted a note of youthful force that really made everyone silence. Everyone but Mufasa.

Speak of the devil! Aren't you too busy with suffering your righteous penance to defile this meeting with your presence, Scar?

The impostor spirit, or rather a dark, blurry, shadowy specter, sat beside the one of a female who had the same features as him. He chuckled mockingly, but his voice was also baring the sound of a hidden pain- as if someone was laughing back at being struck in the face, overcoming his humiliation.

Heh-heh… Oh how distant are the times when you would address me as 'brother'! Quite gone, aren't they, Mufasa? Hahaha! How dare you deny me the access to this Council? Am I not a king? Is Zira, my mate, not the queen of the Pridelands and the mother of the present heir to the throne?

Mufasa experienced that even in the immaterial realm of eternity one could still feel and express the emotion of rage.

You were exiled from the Council of the Kings along with your mate for the crimes you have both committed! Now leave and get back to the punishment you have brought onto yourselves!

Along with his came the roars of others, loud and demanding, and very angry. But just for infrequent events like these had the Council chosen a leader. Thus Kwanza spoke again.

Silence! Quiet down, my brothers! Tame your rage, for there is no need for it. Scar and Zira have already been judged, but if they wish to speak- let us hear them out. Are we not noble creatures? A tainted crown is a crown nonetheless. Thus, for the respect of regal blood, we permit them to speak.

After a few whispers of reluctance everything went silent again and the pair of dark souls stood in the midst of the assembly. The female soundless, disdainful, not even willing to face or look upon anyone. The male, her mate and a fallen tyrant, lifting his head proudly even though the brightness of the Old Kings' faces nearly blinded him and made him flinch. He spoke with a tone of insolent mockery, laughing at the Council's rules and laws, laughing at the centuries of their struggle for righteousness which he, presently being sentenced and punished, considered as only self-righteousness. Now, backed up by his recently deceased partner and lover, he found the impulse to face this celestial assembly. Especially the part of it that was his family.

Ha! 'Exile'… Isn't that your son's favorite word, brother? I didn't know you like it so much as well. I do not need your permission to speak here, Old One. I know that my regal blood provides me with that right, even if I do not have a single drop of it left. Mufasa- believe me, I enjoy the fires of hell much more than having to cope with facing the likes of you… and our cursed father, as well!

Scar threw these words towards his brother and another spirit that stood right above him, looking as if it was somewhat halved in it's brightness. That made them both frown with offence, only to their relative's delight.

But still I decided to come to your little party and give you dead lions a piece of my mind. Because it seems to me that not only are your bodies dead, but that your reason has expired along with it! And do shut your snouts for hell's sake, or do you want to make old Kwanza here strain his pretty voice again? Listen to me- you say that all the enemies of your petty peace in the Pridelands have been disposed of. Well are you sure of that? Do you really think that my mate will simply forget about how she'd been betrayed by her own family? Do you think that death can restrain her wrath and stop her from taking revenge? Oh no, great and noble Kings- you still have much to learn about Zira. But I reckon you know me better than her. So knowing me, do you suppose that I will simply abandon my own hand-chosen heir and let him waste his life and potential? Look at my brother- did the great Mufasa abandon his son when he was in need? No, he did not. And thus came my downfall. But the game is not over yet- Zira and I are still a part of it. You may take that poor little girl Kiara as your pawn. Do what you like- I couldn't care less. But hear me say this- Kovu and Vitani belong to us. Thus, we will use them to take over the Pridelands once again. Our memory will live on- you will not be able to sentence us to total oblivion. And when we triumph, the very mentioning of your names will be punishable by death.

The Council was thrown into utter chaos. After such words, not a single member was able to restrain his emotions. The spirits shouted, demanding Scar and Zira to be thrown out, to what the pair of shadowy figures responded with nothing but derisive laughter. They were dead already what made it impossible to harm them physically, otherwise they would have been torn to pieces.

An outrage! Back to the abyss with them!

One of the Old Kings, a very bright spirit whose name was Mohatu, shouted with significant energy. Kwanza was probably the only one who held his tongue, observing the whole scene with a sense of overall distaste. Then he pierced Scar and Zira with a haughty stare.

You have been heard. Now leave!

The dark pair's chortles turned into angry growls of pain as they were removed back into their place of infernal punishment. Slowly the Council calmed down, their spontaneous rage replaced by anxiety and concern. Mufasa spoke, fearful that their happiness for the fate of the Pridelnds might have came too early.

Kwanza, Noble One! Is it true about what my brother said? Is he and that deranged wench of his still able to have influence on what happens in the world of the living? If so, they might be a serious threat to what we've been able to achieve…

The First King thought for a while as every member of the assembly anticipated his answer. When he spoke, it did not sound as if he was afraid. But the note of full confidence was also absent in his words.

Scar is a part of the spiritual realm just as we all are. He has as much power to influence the mortals on earth as every one of us… He may whisper and tempt them, but what happens shall depend on nothing more than each's free will. Scar called this a game, a match for souls… Yes, it does look like that. So we will do our best to lead Simba's pride on the right path, even though those two will try to interfere. Let us have hope in the good that dwells in the Prideladers' hearts that they shall choose wisely who to listen to…

No one had nothing more to add after that. Slowly the Old Kings went away to continue their slumber, as dawning was already starting to break, the great and magnificent orb of the sun making the distant stars fade and disappear among the firmament.

AN: Ooh, guess what- it's a ghost story. Well, not exactly, but since Mufasa's specter was able to contact Simba and influence his actions, then why can't the other dead lions? Scar, for example... Muhahaha, now doesn't that give a hellish opportunity? Enough with the changes of heart, let's make ol' Scar-face the one who puts the 'hell' in 'Hello Kitty' again!

So whaddya guys think? XD