Many moons ago I wrote a story called One True King. It dealt with the possibly that perhaps Mufasa had never appeared to Simba for that iconic scene, or that Simba was simply just too cowardly to return home to the Pridelands to challenge his uncle for the throne. But what if Nala had gone back, and she had not been as alone as she had first thought? Looking back, I find the original version rushed and poorly planned out. So, for my first TLK fiction in years, I decided to rewrite it. The original is still up and you can read it, but I have major changes involved for both plot and characters. One True King II also includes more from the expanded TLK universe, like semi-cannon characters from the comics, and those cut from the original production of both movies. I have to admit, I like this far more complicated plot much better than the original :D.

Disclaimer: The Lion King franchise belongs to its proper owners. Some characters you don't recognize from the films (as in Kula, Tama, Chumvi, and Sabini) may be from the comics and stories, or could have been cut from production early (like Mheetu and, supposedly, Shanni.) However, there is still a fair share of OCs, and, like the rest of the original material in here, it belongs to me.

Exhausted from her long run across the desert, a young pale golden brown lioness paused in her journey, just managing to make it underneath the shade of a withered tree before collapsing to the ground. Beneath the sand that dusted her pelt, her fur was a pale light brown, and her eyes were a clear blue-green. Panting for breath, Nala of the Pridelands rested one paw on her belly, still able to smile despite the sorrow she felt.

Scar's tyranny had destroyed the Pridelands. Nala had been there since the very beginning, and had slowly watched the lush grasslands and abundant herds of prey give way to desolate plains and long periods of starvation without any glimpse of food. The hyenas that Scar had an "alliance" with had over-gorged on food during the first few moons of their presence in the territory. What animals that hadn't been consumed had never returned following the next migration, too deterred by the smell of so many predators living together in unnatural conditions to step foot upon the territory.

Being one of the youngest lionesses left in the pride, Nala was one of the huntresses most often sent beyond the territory to search for prey and nearby areas where large herds could still be found. With many of the lionesses at an older age, and with so few cubs being born and surviving in such brutal times, the groups that were sent out were spread far and thin. Fortunately, this perfectly worked to Nala's advantage.

Many of the pride's lionesses had long since tired of Scar's reign, and had formed a secret movement to find a better king to lead them. Over the seasons, there had been many young males that had ventured over to the Pridelands, until that number had gradually trickled down to nothing. The hyenas that constantly patrolled the borders would allow no strange male through, ruthlessly savaging all interlopers they encountered. Those that had been too injured to flee had become meals themselves to the ravenous scavengers. Even for those males that managed to make it past the hyenas, certain death awaited them at the claws of Scar. Despite his age and being scrawny to begin with, the King of Pride Rock was cunning and devious. He wasn't above using tricks to win, and made sure to finish off every last challenger, leaving his hyenas to take care of the body disposal. Eventually, horror stories from the few survivors had been passed on, and young males had stopped arriving altogether.

While searching for prey, Nala had sought out more experienced champions, such as a former king that had been banished from his pride by a younger challenger. There had been several males interested in sneaking past the hyenas and catching Scar unawares, but only with the correct motivation. Drought and famine had chased away the herds and had left the Pridelands barren and near uninhabitable. Most of the lionesses were older and afflicted by seasons of hardship, a huge turn-off for those lions searching for a group of young and fresh faces. Many had just wanted to run off with Nala herself, and forget about the rest of the lionesses that would still have suffered underneath a mad ruler.

Possible salvation had come in the form of Simba. Nala had given up her hopes of finding a lion able and willing to take on Scar, and had stumbled across her former betrothed by sheer accident, or perhaps it had been the will of the Great Kings that they would encounter each other again. Simba had grown strong and handsome during his time in the jungle, even if he had been feasting on bugs with the ever-annoying Timon and Pumbaa as his guardians and later companions. Somehow, Mufasa's only son and heir had escaped the wildebeest stampede that had killed the former king, and Nala had not wanted to question the miracle.

Simba was the legitimate heir to the throne, the one that should have been declared ruler the moment Mufasa had died. He was the rightful King of Pride Rock. Scar would have had no choice but to willingly step down, or face the wrath of the lionesses that were overjoyed by the survival of their beloved prince. Even those lionesses that had stubbornly supported Scar the entire time would be swayed by the true heir's return.

But, despite their joyous reunion and one night of tender passion out in the beautiful jungle, Simba had refused to return with her. The brave and adventurous cub Nala had known had been replaced with a selfish and carefree coward who would sooner continue eating bugs and belching than liberate his own pride from an oppressive tyrant. She doubted Simba would ever work up the courage to return on his own. Even if he did somehow work up the willpower, the golden lion would go running back to the Junglelands the moment those hyenas came lunging at him.

"At least I've got you," Nala murmured tenderly.

Simba had unknowingly provided the Pridelands an alternative solution. Instinct told Nala that she was pregnant, expecting the cubs of Pride Rock's true heir, those that would have normally assumed the throne before Scar. Even if she only gave birth to a single daughter, that lioness still had the right to be Queen of the Pridelands, a claim that would have solidified if she found a strong mate to back her up.

But there was only one way to ensure that her cubs would even last that long. Even if Scar didn't realize who the father of her litter was, he'd still find a way to kill the offspring of an outside male. Nala knew exactly what her sacrifice would entail, and how it would cost her the trust of all of the lionesses she had grown close to ever since Mufasa's untimely death, including that of her mother.

For her cubs, and for the well-being of everyone in the Pridelands, she was determined to do so.

"What?" Shenzi demanded irritably. "Nothing!"

Nala shrugged casually, blue-green eyes cool as Scar's favorite three hyenas examined her. "It is the dry season, after all. Prey everywhere is few and far between."

Ed chattered something unintelligible, clearly indignant.

"Yeah!" Banzai said emphatically. "Don't you patronize us like that, little Ms. Majestic Lioness! Not all of us can eat fresh meat all of the time!"

"You mean, used to eat fresh meat all of the time," Shenzi corrected, waving the lioness pass. "Just let her pass, you bozos. You know Scar considers her to be a special case."

Nala couldn't help but shudder at her last encounter with her king. Only every single ounce of her self-control kept her from lashing out at his face, for do so would surely mean the death of her or something far worse, and she would not deny the other lionesses of their youngest and strongest huntress. Besides, she would be soon counting on that perverse lust to save the lives of her unborn cubs.

Leaving the hyenas to their bickering, the pale lioness quietly slipped pass, immediately heading out to the pile of flat rocks the pride had used to sun themselves on back during the good times. There was little time for such luxuries now, and the spot mainly served as the meeting place for the members of the "resistance" against Scar. Nala only glimpsed two lionesses, but sighed in relief as she recognized them as familiar allies.

"There you are!" Kula shouted gleefully, bouncing off of the rocks to nuzzle her friend. "Tama and I thought you'd gotten trampled by an antelope or something."

Nala headbutted the dark lioness affectionately in the shoulder. "You just wanted to be the best huntress out of the three of us." She turned to Sarafina, rumbling as mother and daughter nuzzled. "Hey, Mom," she said sheepishly. "Sorry I'm a little late."

"A little late?" Sarafina repeated skeptically. "Tama and Shanni were already sent out on the next hunting rotation, Nala. Our king was just about ready to send a search party of hyenas after you when you were sighted returning home." Her blue-green eyes, so similar to her daughter's, narrowed suspiciously. "Just what exactly kept you so long?"

For a moment, Nala longed to spill everything to her friend and mother, but she clamped down on her tongue. No matter how much I really want to, I have to keep everything about my encounter with Simba secret until the time is ripe. For the good of my cubs, for their own good, no one must know and potentially risk spilling the secret to Scar! If it means dealing with their disappointment and revulsion in the upcoming seasons, then so be it. I do it for us all.

"I thought I stumbled upon a really succulent warthog," she partially admitted. "I tracked it for a long time, and almost caught it once, but it somehow always managed to evade me. Eventually I lost track of the time until I discovered just how far I wandered away from home. Trust me, Mom, I'll never do that again." Her blue-green eyes scanned the area, searching for a familiar lump of pale cream fur. She found him happily frolicking through the shriveled grass, intent on chasing down a small beetle. "I see Mheetu lost the last of his spots."

Sarafina rumbled proudly. "Our little prince grows stronger every day." She sighed. "If only Nuka had not been born. Then, perhaps things could be different in the future."

Nala watched her much younger half-brother play, blissfully oblivious to the tension surrounding his birth. Mheetu's pale pelt and sturdier frame made him resemble his mother, but he had the misfortune of inheriting his father's eyes. Scar's sharp green gaze looked so out of place on the carefree cub. It was no secret that Scar had padded after Sarafina as a cub, and had been absolutely heartbroken when she had chosen a wandering loner as her mate, the same lion who had eventually became Nala's father before he had moved on for other lands.

Upon becoming king, Scar had immediately taken Zira on as his queen, for she had repeatedly assured him she would bear his many strong sons. Moons had passed, and not a single royal cub, male or female, had been born. Impatient with Zira's failure to produce an heir, the king had turned his attention to the other lionesses of the pride. Many of the females around Nala's age had been too young at the time, but Sarafina had still at an age for bearing more cubs. She had become willingly taken him on as her mate, for already some lionesses had wanted a sane heir, but Zira also become pregnant soon after. Mheetu might have been the eldest of Scar's sons, but Nuka, sickly as he was, was still the cub of the queen.

"Is Zira still queen?" Nala asked, unsure of what she wanted the answer to be. "Scar wasn't pleased when she bore him such a sickly son."

"Zira has fallen out of his favor," Kula answered, tufted tail swishing from side to side. "She hunts like the normal lionesses now, and rumor has it she's pregnant by a rogue she met while out hunting beyond the borders. But Nuka lives still, and is treated every bit like the young prince he is. Scar is determined to make a king out of him."

So the position is open. Nala swallowed, trying to force the next words out. "Has... he selected a new queen yet?"

"He's looking," Sarafina growled grimly. "Scar is interested in a younger lioness, one capable of producing many litters of healthy sons, like how Zira was unable to do so for him. He would not take me back."

Kula shuddered. "Thank the Great Kings that old creep isn't infatuated with me. I only care for one lion out there." Her wistful amber gaze turned toward the horizon, and it was obvious that Chumvi was still on her mind.

The Pridelands had always loosely followed the traditional rules, allowing fully grown sons and foreign males to live with the pride, so long as everyone acknowledged the authority of the King of Pride Rock. The oldest cub of the king and queen would inherit the throne when the time came for the old royal couple to step down. Cubs born to a lioness other than the queen would not be considered for the throne unless no royal heirs had survived. King Mufasa had been highly unusual, for he had maintained a monogamous relationship with Sarabi, officially siring only one cub, Simba. And when a new king came to power, he simply did not kill off all of the cubs that had been born before.

There had been no way the lionesses would have allowed their cubs, even if it was only the sons, be slaughtered like that. Scar had allowed all the cubs to live, but his pride made sure there were no unfortunate 'accidents' with any of them. When the time came, the male adolescents had been exiled from the Pridelands, with the threat of death hanging over their heads if they dared step paw inside the borders again. Chumvi and Tojo, friends Nala had known her entire life, had thus been banished long after all of the older males had been driven out.

"Enough talk of Scar," Sarafina said suddenly, turning to her son by the lion most had come to fear and hate. "Mheetu, your sister is back."

The little cub's head instantly sprang up, looking at the lionesses in confusion. Spotting Nala, his green eyes brightened with excitement as he scampered over. The pale female tensed herself as Mheetu bowled into her legs.

"Yay!" he cheered. "I thought you were Shanni."

Nala have him a mock scowl. "What? You favor me over Shanni? What ever happened to loving your siblings equally, my little prince?"

"Shanni always gives me noogies," Mheetu complained, a paw going up to his head. "And her Mama is always so mopy. And Nuka..." He crinkled his black nose in dislike. "Nuka's a whiny little crybaby. Queen, er, Auntie Zira always looks likes she wants to eat me. Um, did you bring anything back to eat."

Nala shivered, glancing around as if she expected a pair of cruel amber eyes to be glaring at from the tall grass. Even if Scar believed her unborn children to be his, their security would still never be guaranteed.

Shaking the shadows from her mind, she forced to smile again, for this perhaps would be the last time she would be able to interact with her mother and friends. "Sorry, Mheetu. I looked high and low, but there wasn't even a whiff of food." As her half-brother's face fell in disappointment, her blue-green eyes glittered mischievously as she caught Kula's eye. "Auntie Kula and I can show you how the real lions hunt, though. That way you'll be able to go out and catch all the antelope you want."

"Yeah!"

For the last time as an ordinary lioness in the eyes of her pride and loved ones, Nala played with her little brother and friend. It wasn't until long after that she would realize how much she missed her simple life.

The walk up to Pride Rock was the slowest, hardest trek of Nala's young life. Hyenas lounged around, gnawing on bones and eying her scornfully. Apparently the rumors of her extended absence and return without food had already spread around the territory. At least Zira was nowhere in sight. She had probably been cast out of Pride Rock, sent down to live among the common lionesses. Nuka was crouched in a corner, scratching frantically at his pelt. Nala surreptitiously inched away from the flea-infested cub as she passed.

"Hey, kitty cat!" a familiar voice snapped. "You ain't supposed to be up here."

"Dang right," Banzai chimed in, him and Ed coming to stand menacingly beside Shenzi. "Unless you've come to offer yourself up as food to your natural superiors, that is."

Ed chattered something.

"Sheesh, Ed, I know. Lions are disgusting, and this one probably tastes like jungle fever or somethin' nasty like that. But our kind regularly feasts on rotting corpses and other stuff no other animal in their rights minds would ever think about eating, especially you-"

Shenzi cut off her friend's rambling with a scowl. The expression made the faded scar on her cheek even more noticeable. Nala's mind flashed back to that fateful ambush at the elephant graveyard, when only a quick slash from Simba's claws had saved her from being devoured by the same ravenous hyenas that stood before her. The sight of a reminder of the real Simba filled her with courage. Not even Shenzi was untouchable, no matter how much power the hyenas currently wielded over much of the lionesses.

Nala raised her head proudly. She noted with satisfaction that she was now taller than even the domineering female hyena. "I request an audience with King Scar. Upon our last meeting, he extended an open invitation to his den. I intend to follow up on our Lord's generous offer."

Ed growled, and the other hyenas lounging around eagerly joined in. Rebellious lionesses usually meant an execution, the dinner call for such scavengers. Nala's heart pounded in her chest as she realized that Scar was perhaps no longer interested in her. Her fears scattered as an ominous shadow loomed out of the dark depths of the cave. Most of the hyenas retreated like the whimpering puppies they were. Only the dark lion's favorite three henchmen remained behind, stammering out excuses.

"Forgive us, Scar, we thought that Paula... Chala, Nala here was an intruder-"

"We realize that even great kings like you get lonely and all. You've got a really great taste in females." Banzai frantically nudged his brother. "Right, Ed?" The dumber of the two frantically nodded, pink tongue flapping.

"Leave." The simple hiss was more than enough to send the hyenas fleeing. Nala thought she scented urine. Scar then slunk out of his cave, dark pelt immaculately groomed and sharp green eyes appraising her critically. His sleek pelt was a rarity amongst the lions, the bitter reminder of how he used his position to ensure his belly always remained filled while his lionesses slowly starved. "My, my, Nala, I see that you are as beautiful as ever. Your troubling period of absence had us worried that you ran off with a rogue male."

Nala swallowed nervously at the implication. Relying on a lifetime of lies that had saved her mother and the rest of their small rebellion, she hid her true emotions behind a convincing facade. "I needed time to think, your Majesty. I admit that I was... overwhelmed by the generous offer you made to me the last time we met and I needed to think about it." Her blue-green eyes were resolute. "I've made my decision. My final path has been chosen."

Scar considered her words thoughtfully. He'd not detected any falsity, for all of Nala's words were technically the truth. The King of Pride Rock padded closer, and the cautious gleam in his eyes turned into something else. Nala tried to think of how often this lion, old enough to be her father, had given the former Queen Sarabi, spiteful Zira, and her own mother such lecherous looks. He circled around her speculatively, and the pale lioness fought the urge to lunge for his jugular.

"You look skinnier than when I've seen you last."

Nala's hard travel through the desert had robbed her of the healthy weight she had put own during her easy days in the jungle with Simba and his strange companions. However, she had taken the time and effort to ensure she'd look as appealing as possible to Scar. Her pelt had been carefully cleaned of all the dust, and Nala had even managed a quick nap to restore her energy and the brightness to her eyes.

"The drought now extends beyond our lands," Nala admitted honestly. "There was little food and water in the Desertlands to begin with. But I also had to make it home."

Scar nodded languidly. "Understandable." He was circling ever toward her, growing too close for comfort. He paused only once to glare reproachfully at Nuka, who was watching the entire exchange with a clueless expression on his face. "Nuka, run along and play with the hyenas or something."

In all of his royal dignity, the Prince of the Pridelands whined, "I don't wanna, Daddy! Mheetu's down there and you know how special he thinks he is just because he's old-"

"I said run along!" Nuka squeaked and took off, presumably to cower behind his mother, who would either coddle him or slap him for his cowardice. As if the outburst had never happened Scar turned back to Nala calmly, his lust back in full-swing. "As you know, the cub's mother is my mate no longer. The son she bore me took too long to produce, and I was not satisfied with the results. Still, Nuka is male, and he is the son of the former queen."

"Mheetu is also male," Nala pointed out, defending her young half-brother. Great Kings forbid if Scar viewed him as dispensable."And he is older than Nuka. He's shaping out to be a fine hunter."

"Mm," Scar purred, twining his tail around her's as he swooped in for a lick. Her sickened tremble was thankfully mistaken for a shiver of pleasure. "Just like his mother, and his half-sister. Sarafina's track record with rogue males is a most displeasing one, my dear, and one thing Mheetu has going against him. You must behave better if you want your cub to stand a chance for the throne."

"Cubs," Nala said confidently, reveling in the slight victory when the lion drew back in momentary surprise. "I shall bear my mate and the One True King of Pride Rock multiple heirs, at least one male. They shall be the strongest, bravest, and most cunning cubs you have ever seen, my King, mark my words."

Green flames of greed now flickered alongside the lustful fires of his eyes. As far as Scar knew, he had three cubs, by just as many females. Nuka was a weak cub obviously unsuitable of inheriting the throne. Mheetu was the son of a common lioness who had previously mated with a lion not of the pride. Shanni was female and, despite being both his oldest child and the cub of the former Queen Sarabi, had little chance of ever being crowned. Multiple cubs, from a beautiful young lioness that had both previously been betrothed to Prince Simba and didn't have a negative reputation? Nala had found his weakness.

"We shall see, my darling Nala," Scar murmured into her ear, guiding her back toward his cave. "We shall see."

"Mama! Mama, look what I've caught."

Sarafina stifled a groan as she raised her head off of her paws. She disguised her exhaustion behind a smile as she saw Mheetu standing proudly before her, a dead stick at his paws.

"That's wonderful, my little hunter. This is a very nice...," she surreptitiously sneaked a glance at Kula, who mouthed the answer to her, "zebra."

Her son proudly nosed it toward her. "Auntie Kula showed me how to stalk and pounce on it and everything!" His green eyes, so like and unlike his father's, glittered with innocent concern. "You looked hungry, Mama, so I thought I'd catch you something to eat. Does this make me a good hunter like Nala?"

"A very good one, Mheetu," Sarafina praised, looking him tenderly behind the ears.

When her son had been born, Sarafina had tearfully thanked the Great Kings for sparing him of his father's unmistakable appearance. Nuka bore strong resemblance to Scar, a miniature shadow of him. Mheetu had had the good fortune to take after her. His creamy pelt was only a shade or darker than her own, and the sturdiness of his frame suggested he would have ample muscle as an adult. However, Mheetu's face was beginning to become angular like Scar's, and his very dark tail-tuft promised a black mane would be growing in.

A deep roar suddenly sounded from Pride Rock, the laughing calls of the hyenas bubbling up after it. Fur bristling anxiously, Kula and the elder lioness turned toward the clamor. Dread surged into her heart. What declaration could Scar possibly have planned? He had already formally stripped Zira of her title once Nuka had been old enough to be weaned. Unless Scar was reinstating her as Queen of the Pridelands (which was highly unlikely), then Sarafina had no idea about what was going on.

"Come on, Mheetu," Kula said, beckoning to the young cub with her tail. "Your father's summoned everyone up to Pride Rock."

"Coming, Auntie! Just let me grab my catch for Daddy to see." Mheetu stooped down to pick up his "zebra" before bouncing ahead of the lionesses.

Seeing the hyenas crowding around the rock, Sarafina hurried over her son. She swooped down and picked him up by the scruff, carrying him the rest of the way. Despite Mheetu's grumbled protests, the pale lioness didn't dare let go of him. She would never trust those scavengers around her cub, son of Scar or not. As always, the crowd parted to allow the child of the king and his mother through, Kula managing to slip in behind them. Surrounded by hyenas, Sarafina protectively set Mheetu down and wrapped her tail around him, looking around for friendly faces.

Sarabi, tired and worn, looked on from the back. Sabini, a young lioness just a season old than Nala, sat beside her. Zira, the former queen herself, looked yearningly up at the lion she still considered her loyal mate. Her belly was very swollen with an unknown rogue's litter, cubs Zira obviously had something sinister intended for. Worryingly, Nala was not among them. Had she gone off to rest and hadn't heard the summons?

"Hyenas and lionesses of Pride Rock," Scar called to the congregation below him, "I have two announcements of the utmost importance. As you know, the tragic and untimely deaths of King Mufasa, and my poor nephew who had barely begun to live, left a gaping hole in the security of our pride. For your own safety, I had to secure the stability of our monarchy and of our territory.

Silent snarls arose from several of the lionesses, most of them the mothers of the young lions that had been unceremoniously driven out of the Pridelands, or from those who had been unable to follow their mates when they had been banished. Scar had not killed any of those he had originally driven out, but the hyenas that now patrolled the borders had not been allowed to let any of them back in. Lionesses who had been smart had gotten around the band, meeting up with their mates while away on hunting duty. Ravenous hyenas had made short work of many of their newborn litters. Only a female cub or two being spared from the slaughter. No others had dared bring cubs into such a dangerous world.

"It has been the long time since the birth of a litter not of the royal line," a lioness from the back of the crowd dared to call out.

Scar's green gaze swept over the lionesses, falling upon two scrawny lionesses with spotted cheeks. Their mother had been one of several lionesses of a wandering pride whose leader had gotten himself killed by a water buffalo. With their queen pregnant with the cubs that would later become Doa and Tundu, they had begged for shelter and a safe place to raise the litter. Scar had granted them sanctuary within his lands. Out of gratitude for his 'generosity,' those lionesses had become his most devoted followers and vocal supporters.

"Indeed," Scar remarked simply, black tail swishing casually. "This drought cannot last forever. Soon, the rains will return, and the herds along with it." Hyenas and lions alike perked up hopefully. "There will be more than enough resources to around for everyone. The ban upon having litters has now been lifted. Our pride will need every huntress available within the next following seasons. However, I would like to remind you all that your mates are not permitted inside our borders. We are still too weak to take such a risk."

"Yes," Mheetu squeaked in excitement. "New playmates!"

Sarafina exchanged a glance with Kula. Despite her usual skepticism always involved with Scar, the dark lioness's amber eyes bright with excitement. How many friends had she, Nala, and Tama been forced to abandon because they had grown too large for the pride? Chumvi, Tojo and his little flock of bluebirds, several other cubs that had been just newborns at the time of Mufasa's death...

"You are most kind, my King!" Sarafina called, tail still wrapped around her son. Something wasn't adding up, and she intended to discover the truth.

"Do not thank me, Sarafina," the dark lion said, beckoning for another to step out of the shadows. "You may thank your new queen."

Silence reigned over the crowd as a slender form gracefully padded to sit beside Scar. Kula looked as if Mufasa himself had just risen from the grave. Mheetu looked up in bewilderment. Most lionesses and hyenas just gaped. Zira's roar of rage shattered the quiet, but lioness didn't move from her spot. Ed looked more connected with reality than usual, while Shenzi looked the polar opposite. Banzai had fallen over in a dead faint. Sarafina's own limbs trembled, and it seemed a wail was about to tear itself from her throat at any moment.

A familiar slender lioness gracefully padded to sit beside her mate. Her blue-green eyes were unreadable, expression carefully blank. Scar possessively put his tail on her flank, a paw coming up to present her to the audience with the usual elegant flourish.

"Lionesses and hyenas, I introduce to you my one and only consort. I introduce you to the lovely Queen Nala."

Kula- A dark brown lioness that was around Nala's age, and that happened to be one of her best friends in the Nala's Dare comic. To this day, she misses her old companion, Chumvi, and has become part of the movement against Scar in this story. She is also one of the greatest trackers (and eater) in the pride. She is more cautious and thoughtful than her other friend, Tama.

Mheetu- Originally, Mheetu was supposed to be Nala's little brother in the original movie, but was cut from production. (Unlike others that were scrapped, there is concept art of him floating around the internet.) In this story he was born much after his elder half-sister, and is the son, and possible heir, of Scar. He is rambunctious, always wants to be included in grown-up activities, and looks up to Nala as his hero. Here he's a light shade of tan, with a black tail-tuft and green eyes.

Tama- A dark tan lioness that was around Nala's age. She only appeared in the comic Trouble in Paradise as another one of Nala's friends, and a rival of Simba's. In this AU she frequently gets into arguments with the hyenas, and has some nasty scars to show for it. Tama is stubborn, hotheaded, and is basically the polar opposite of Kula.

Shanni- Shanni was rumored to be a cut character from the original movie. She was intended to be Sarabi's second cub, having been born posthumously when Mufasa died in the stampede, making her Simba's little sister. Here, it is believed she is the eldest of Scar's children, but she is very headstrong and involved like Mufasa was. Shanni is golden-furred a dark red tail-tip and amber eyes. Unsurprisingly, she bears an uncanny resemblance to the dead king...

Chumvi- A dark lion that also appeared in Nala's Dare. He was far more adventurous than Kula, often the one responsible for dragging her into adventures. Chumvi was exiled when he grew old enough to make it on his own. Not wanting to be separated from his lover, Chumvi received several scars from the hyenas before they managed to kick him out. Some speculate him and Kula to actually be siblings or half-siblings, but since this is based only on their dark pelt colors, and as their relationship was never confirmed, they're mates in this here story ;).

Tojo- A dark golden lion with blue eyes that appeared in The Orphan Birds comic as a cub around Simba's age. Having been injured, he was forced to stay home while the other cubs went out to play, leaving him alone with recently hatched orphan birds that had believed Simba to be their father. Tojo wound up adopting them as his own. In this fiction, Tojo has been exiled alongside Chumvi, but his feathered friends went along with him.

Sabini- A light tan lioness that briefly appeared in Vulture Shock. She was shown to be older than Simba and Nala, but still quite young. Here Sabini is a minor character, one of the few lionesses that stays neutral in the Scar debate. It is rumored that her mother was sired by the former King Ahadi, thus also making her of royal blood.

Doa and Tundu- Two lionesses that appeared in the second movie. They were nameless outsiders, but the fanon commonly refers to them as Spotty and Dotty :). Their mother and her small pride sought shelter to give birth to them after the ban on cubs had been placed. Scar allowed the lionesses to stay, absorbing them into his own pride. They were the last cubs of common descent born in the Pridelands.