AN: Greetings, Lion King Fans! I'm glad to announce that I finally found enough time to write another story. And, of course, I wouldn't be myself if it didn't have Scar in it. Well, this time I wanted to focus on another part of the plot we never see in the movies- on what happened in the Pridelands after Mufasa's death.

We begin our story over a year later, with Scar having established himself on the throne long ago, the lionesses used to the former king's absence, as well as the presence of many nasty hyenas- the new monarch's personal bodyguards.

This we already know. But in order to prevent the story from being boring and predictable, I will experiment with the canon in this one, using new characters and events. In this first chapter, we will meet Chumvi, the semi-canon cub from the comics, who at this point is the only male lion in the pride, except for Scar.

So please join me in discovering what on earth happened while Simba was away in the jungle. I await your reviews.

Oh, and the title of the story is inspired by the brand of fancy cat-food.

Authority

Chapter 1 - The Encounter

- FOR THE HUNDREDTH TIME- THE ANSWER IS NO!

A hurricane-like scream came echoing from inside the cave. The effect was so frightening that Bozo, one of the hyena liutenants who was on guard duty that day, almost woke up. Maybe it was because he was used to hearing such things, or maybe he was just extremely lazy (or maybe both), but the guard just rolled to his back and yawned.

The day was hot, and laziness couldn't be considered anything unusual right now. Instructed by his mother to make shure he wouldn't be late, Chumvi showed up at high noon and the sun was shining like it was about to pop. On top of that, the scream made him feel even hotter... Chumvi couldn't remember the last time the king wanted to speak to him. Usually he ignored him, busy with his royal affairs which he discussed only with the higher-ranking lionesses. Unlike his deceased older brother, Scar didn't have the habit of talking to the members of his pride without reason. That made him more isolated, and many animals didn't really know what to think of the new king, evan after over a year of his reign...

Well, I guess I'll have to see for myself- Chumvi thought. He was trying not to think about all the nasty things some of the famales were saying about Scar being arrogant and a tyrant. When he told all his friends that the king had summoned him, many of them gazed at him smiling as if to see if he was afraid to go. Of course, he said that he wasn't afraid of anything... But after what he heard sitting in front of the king's lair, he wasn't so sure of that anymore.

Hearing incoming footprints, Chumvi quickly sat up straight. He didn't want anyone to spread rumors that he was shivering while waiting in line to speak with Scar. How would that make him look! However, the lioness that had just finished her audience with the king, one of his aunts, had her head hung down so low that she could probably hardly see him. When he took a closer look as she passed by, she deffinitely had a 'I don't want to talk about it' demeanor about her... But she was more angry than sad, mumbling curses noislessly, making sure the hyena by the entrance doesn't hear. Bozo wasn't the worst of them, but he was also known for being good at pretending to be sleeping.

Well, I guess it's my turn- thought the young lion. Feeling a lot of weight in his paws, he went pass the guard and entered the soothing shade of the cave. Chumvi hadn't been at the top of Pride Rock for a long time now. Even though Scar permitted the pride to spend the nights in the proximity of the cave, away from the hyenas, he usually slept alone and rarely let anyone else into what was now his private throneroom. Another difference from Mufasa, who would permit cubs to hop around the cave day and night...

The cave was now royally furnished indeed- pieces of bone and even whole skeletons were lying all over the floor along with bits of fur and other junk. The smell was very strong, too... A smell of blood mixed with all types of unrecognizable nastiness.

Pacing down the cave hall, Chumvi shivered against his will. Of course, the first thing he saw were the king's eyes. Nobody had eyes like Scar in the whole pride. Green, piercing, it almost seemed like they could see through you. And then there was also the famous scar, disfiguring the king's right eye...

The right eye? Or was it the left? Wait a minute...

It took several seconds for Chumvi's own eyes to get used to the darkness. Then he saw that... Scar was lying on his rocky throne in a very comfortable, yet very unroyal way- on his back, upside down, with his front paws crossed on his chest.

- Who is it? - the king's voice was suddenly heard echoing from the walls of the cave. Chumvi shuddered again and halted.

-Uhhh... It's me. I mean... - he stammered, embarrased with himself - It's, uh, Chumvi. Your majesty. You wanted to see me...

-AHHH! - Scar made a sudden strange sound. Is was as if he remembered something very pleasant. He clumsily rolled to the other side, knocking some bones to the floor in the process, and sat down, smiling. The young lion noticed he'd gained weight. - CHUMVI! It's good to see you, boy. Sit down, please! Let me take a look at you.

Quite in shock, Chumvi obeyed and sat down, even though he remembered hearing the lionesses say that the king usually requires his petitioners to stand.

-Good, good - Scar kept on speaking. - I see Kuma is taking good care of you. Just splendid. Your mane has grown... and your overall musculature, as well... Thanks to the fine Pridelands' meats, undoubtedly. Say, by the way, how's that leg of yours? All back to normal now?

-Er, yes, sir. I mean, your majesty... - Chumvi answered, surprised that Scar still remembered that he broke his leg during an accident several months ago. - The bone's healed and it hardly hurts. It's still stiff, but I can move it...

-Good! - Scar didn't wait for him to finish. - In that case, I'm sure that you are finally preparing for your first lone hunt, aren't you?

-Actually, yes I am! It's two weeks from now. I have been practicing...

-Good. - the king cut him off again. Then he cleared his throat and looked at him a bit more seriously. - Chumvi, by now you are practically an adult. A grown lion should know his place in the pride- be a responsible member who is conscious of having certain duties and obligations. Do you understand what I'm saying?

Due to the sudden change of mood, the young lion could hardly understand, but he waved his head eagerly. Scar continued his discourse.

-I expect every adult member of this pride to express to me all of the concerns and questions he might have concerning my governance as king. Do I make myself clear?

-Yes, your majesty.

-Furthermore, I expect each member of the pride to inform me of his personal suggestions and observations, be it about the situation within the pride, issues of domestic policy within the Pridelands, or foreign affairs. Do you understand?

-Yes, I do.

-Therefore - and here Scar put his paw of Chumvi's shoulder so fast that it almost made the surprised adolescent gasp - Therefore, I want to hear your oppinion, son. Please, tell me how you feel. Are you happy here? How are things in the land? Is there anything I don't know and what you think I should know?

Scar looked him straight in the eyes and Chumvi wondered. Was the king really as bad as people said? Right now, he looked really concerned about what he was asking. What was hidden behind the shine of those green eyes? Was Scar misunderstood? Or was this some kind of a trap of his?

-Erm, well, I guess I can't complain, your majesty. - Chumvi decided to take the risk and be honest with him. Maybe he was a good leader after all? - Even though I broke my leg, I've been fine. I spend most of my time with Nala and the girls whevever we're not out hunting, getting ready for our first lone hunts, training... Pride's got enough water and food. After all, hey, we're the bosses around here, aren't we? The other animals treat us with respect. Well, uh, maybe except for the hyenas...

-I'm listening.

-Eh, well, don't get me wrong, your majesty, I like the hyenas... Well, no, like is not the word I wanted to use... It's more like- they're okay... I guess. We argue over who should hunt where, sometimes, you know. And they stink, too... They turned the bottom of Pride Rock into, like, a total mess...

Chumvi looked around the cave and bit his tongue. Was he saying too much?

-I see - Scar said with a serious voice. - Chumvi, you do understand why exactly I invited the hyenas to live here, right?

The young lion desperately tried to remember one of Scar's speaches from the beginning of his reign.

-Uh... yeah! To end an ages-long conflict, to prevent war, so that the two species could build a bright future together... All for the benefit of the pride.

-Precisely. And do you think that was the right thing to do?

Scar looked him in the eyes again. Chumvi turned his head away.

-Yes. It was necessary - he said. - I rather have the hyenas here than, you know... fight a war with them.

After a moment of silence, Scar took his sight off of him. That made him feel more comfortable.

-Good - said the king. - One more question. What about the others, Chumvi? What do the lionesses say about my decrees? Are they all as reasonable as you are?

Another moment os silence followed, in which Chumvi could hear the sound made by the centipede that just ran under his feet. Despite the coolness of the cave, he was hot again.

-Yes, your majesty - he answered, with his eyes fixed on the floor. - They're all very reasonable.

Scar smiled widely. His sharp teeth sparkled in the dark. He looked very, very satisfied.

-Chumvi my boy! What an excelent lion you are. You've matured much, I'm glad to hear that. Thank you for visiting me today. Please, come again sometime. Good luck on your first hunt, too- I'll make sure to personally congratulate your success. And give my best to your mother.

He left the cave strongly relieved. It wasn't as bad as everybody said, he thought. Now I've got to go to tell mom and Nala. Man, will they be surprised...

He went pass Bozo who, surprisingly, was awake and standing guard. The hyena liutenant gazed at him as he passed by, laughing mischieviously.

Looking at Chumvi exiting his lair, Scar laid back down on his throne.

-A classical rebel - he mumbled, watching as the midday sun illuminated the young lion's short, brown mane. Then he stretched, yawned, and screamed:

- BOZO! FETCH NZURI FOR ME, NOW!