Summary:

Set directly after Simba's victory over Scar.

The tyrant Scar is vanquished, and the Pride Lands flourish again. However, the Outlands are in trouble. Lioness Zira struggles to protect her cubs and her pride from her cruel mate. The situation seems hopeless, but the arrival of a mysterious rogue changes everything. Enjoy the rule of manipulative lions, forbidden love, sneaky plots to overtake the Pride Lands and a looming danger from the South. If the Lion King was Hamlet with lions, this is Game of Thrones with lions.

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Chapter 1: Mercy

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The skies roared like a victorious lion and rain once more descended upon the Pride Lands. It was bringing new tidings, marked a beginning of a new era, the time of King Simba. Shenzi glanced briefly at the Pride Rock, where Scar's nephew stood, his mane soaked. He looked just like Mufasa.

"Traitor!" Banzai's furious growl diverted Shenzi's attention to the matter at paw. She and her friends had to settle the score with Scar. Snarling, she lashed forward at the hyenas flocking around their prey, anxious to get their share of a lion's meat. It was difficult to discern a thing past the gray, spotted hyena pelt. Nevertheless, Shenzi bit ferociously what she believed to be Scar's hind leg.

Ed shrieked so high-pitched that her ears felt like falling off. Shenzi realized that it wasn't Scar's limb in her mouth.

"Sorry," she said and spit Ed's leg out. Ed pulled himself together quickly and soon enough his maniacal laughter joined the chorus of angry grows and pained howls. Shenzi gazed around, confused, while Banzai struggled to push their fellows hyenas aside to scoop some of their former boss. Like the most of the hungry crowd, he didn't notice the lion crawl from under his attackers and sneak away. However, Shenzi spotted him.

She snarled, seeing Scar escaping. The rain washed his deep wounds, and a red puddle gathered wherever he set his paws. Swaying from side to side and dragging a massacred hind leg, he barely moved. Shenzi narrowed her eyes and smacked Banzai.

"Hey, guys!" She kicked Ed as well, getting his attention. Her friend laughed in response.

"What?" Banzai complained. I was just going to-"

"There!" Shenzi pointed her paw at the escaping Scar. Ed's laughter turned into the dark chuckle, while Banzai tensed, as if ready to pounce. Like always, he let his emotions get better of him. Letting out a vengeful growl, he prepared himself to chase after the wounded lion, but Shenzi intervened. "Leave him."

Ed stopped laughing and gave her a questioning, dumb stare. His tongue lolled out of his mouth, hanging limply.

"We can't just let him go!" Banzai protested, but Shenzi gave him a firm glare, conveying that her decision was final. He rolled his eyes, but he always did what she told him to. His eyes were hateful, as he gazed at the trail of blood.

Suddenly, a profound sound shook the Pride Rock. It was the new king claiming his realm. Simba's mighty roar reminded the hyenas that they outstayed their welcome already.

"We better get going." Shenzi stated the obvious, fearfully looking at Mufasa's spawn. Even now the name of the old king send shudders down her spine. She shook, avoiding to think what would happen to her and her pack when Simba turns his attention to them. "Banzai, rally all the guys. We're leaving."

Hastily, Shenzi ran in the direction opposite to the trail of Scar's blood. Ed followed her and the rest of the hyenas fled with them. Shenzi send the last look at the miserable silhouette of the escaping lion. It wouldn't be long until he died of wounds, but he deserved at least a decent death. That is, King Scar could be torn apart for what she cared, but she still remembered their friend from long ago. He was dead for years though.

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Scar's vision was blurry. The image of the wasteland before him danced and swirled. The ground beneath his paws seemed to rock violently and he struggled to keep his balance, as he dragged himself forward. His mind was able to focus on solely one task – to run, to get away. All his pride, all his dreams and desires perished, leaving the most basic instinct to survive. Without his kingdom he had no reason to live anymore, but he found it surprisingly difficult to part with his existence.

The pain was so intense that it transformed into dull throbbing. Scar could barely feel his limbs, he wasn't even sure if he still had all of them. All what mattered was to strive forward, away from Simba, away from his kingdom. Streams of blood leaked from his dark fur. The rain washed his deep wounds, the mark from hyenas' claws and fangs. In his suffering, Scar had enough clarity to choose the shortest way out of the Pride Lands. Why wouldn't he just lie down and die in peace? Scar had been always too stubborn to acknowledge whatever he considered undesirable, whether it was the lack of throne or death itself.

The rain intensified, and the mud trapped Scar's paws, slowing down his march. It was time. As soon as he spotted a hole in a hill, he crawled inside. The cavern was narrow, but cozy like a mother's womb. It was a fine place for Scar's resting place, given the circumstances. His shattered bones rattled, as he collapsed on his side. Like a little cub, he brought his battered legs under himself. Drawing shaky breaths, he closed his eyes. It was gentle, like falling asleep. Scar's consciousness drifted away, as if carried by an evening breeze.

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Author Note:

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