Well, the time has come for the next chapter. For sensitive readers, this story will only get darker before it gets lighter, so in the words of Scar, "Be prepared." I've done enough blabbing, so on to the story!

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NONE OF THIS

Intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit.

-Mahatma Gandhi

"Mr. President, General Reglan is here to see you." The most powerful man on the planet looked up from the Rubix Cube he had been fiddling with. "Thanks for letting me know. Send him in, as there are urgent political matters that we need to discuss. The aide nodded, and ran out of the Oval Office.

General Betwernus (Betty) Reglan walked into the Oval Office, ready for a long and tedious conversation. He sat, facing the president in anticipation.

"Good Morning General."

"Same to you, sir."

"I think we both know what we have to talk about."

The general paused in thought. "The Pridelands?"

The president nodded. "Correct. More specifically, the reign of King Mufasa."

"He's a tyrant. We have to topple him, and restore some form of human rights."

"I agree Betty, but we have to be smart about this. We can't just send thousands of American boys in there to be massacred. It has to be at the right time, when the enemy least expects it."

The general sat, thinking of a strategy. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he spoke. "Start with guerilla attacks, and a lot of them. We need government buildings attacked, official vehicles bombed, and plant land mines around the military bases. We wait for a leader for the people of The Pridelands to rally behind, and then we launch an all-out attack. We'll invade from Croatia, D-Day style, and then press north toward Pride Rock. We'll also have troops move southward from the NATO base we have outside of Copenhagen, and they'll meet for a large siege of the capital. We move in, and place the leader I mentioned earlier on the throne, but under a constitution and the authority of a Senate."

The president smiled. "That's why I called you in. You're a genius! Operation Venom is a go. You're dismissed." The general saluted, and quickly scurried out of the room.

12 Years Later…

In the wealthy area of Pride Rock, a 14 story building rose from the street. All this building contained was a school for the children of the government elite. The 7th floor of the building contained a 7th Grade History class. Inside this class, a boy sat with his head lying on his hand, obviously bored. This was no ordinary boy, however. This boy was the Crown Prince of the Pridelands, Simba.

"So who can tell me what year our glorious leader took the throne?"

The room was completely silent. Nobody dare raise their hand, in fear of answering wrong. "How about you Simba? Do you know the answer?"

Simba perked up. He knew the answer, but was not used to being called on, as that was not what his father had told him he would have to do. The prince swiftly reached into his pocket, pulled out a buzzer, and pressed the button in the middle.

Almost immediately, two masked soldiers entered the room, carrying a small bag. The teacher, startled, asked. "Can I help you gentlemen?"

The soldiers said nothing, but put the bag over the head of the teacher. He tried to struggle, but they had a very strong grip on his neck. The soldiers swiftly dragged him out the door, and closed it. Soon after, a gunshot echoed throughout the room. One of the soldiers opened the door, and walked in.

"Class dismissed."

The class sprinted out of the room chatting up a storm, leaving Simba and one other student as the last ones out.

"Simba, what was that all about?"

"Nala, it's illegal for teachers to call on me. I can ask to be called on, but if they do it without my consent, they are to be executed."

"Isn't that…barbaric?"

Simba shrugged. "It's what my dad says should happen to anyone who disrespects his son. He said he's going to show me the entire kingdom later."

Nala nodded. "Well, I'll catch you later!"

Simba smiled. "Bye Nala!" He then sighed. Nala was his best friend in the world, and he secretly had a crush on her. The prince decided to return home to get some sleep so he could be ready for the big day he had next.

Morning came quickly, and Simba woke up eager to see the kingdom he would one day rule. He rushed to the room of his parents, but the both of them were still asleep. He tugged on Mufasa's foot to wake him up.

"Dad! Wake up! C'mon! You said you'd show me the whole kingdom!"

Mufasa grunted, disgustingly scratched his behind, and said. "I'm up! I'll show you the friggen kingdom, but stop being so perky, jeez."

It took the king about forty-five minutes to be ready to show his son the dictatorship he ruled. Mufasa put his arm around Simba, and proceeded to lead the prince out to the balcony on the 33rd floor of the Palace Tower.

"You see Simba? Everything the light touches, is our kingdom."

The young prince's eyes gleamed with amazement. "Wow! Everything? Even the shadowy place across the seas?"

The king grew serious. "Not there. You must never go there Simba, as they are the epitome of evil." His face then lightened. "You see, we all play a part in a Circle of Life. You, me, the animals, and even the accursed peasants."

Simba looked confused. "But don't we rule the peasants?"

The king smiled. "You see Simba, when we die, we become the dirt. The peasants eat the dirt. Circle of Life, bitch."

Simba grinned. "Wow! I can't wait to be king!" The current monarch laughed. "There is more to being king then getting your way all the time, and…wait, never mind, there isn't more." They both laughed, and returned to their apartment.

Simba arrogantly strutted into the elevator, preparing to visit his uncle. His father had told him to flaunt his position in his uncle's face as a test of loyalty. The elevator stopped, and Simba saw his uncle sitting in his favorite chair, smiling.

"Hi Uncle Taka."

The kindly man smiled. "How is my favorite nephew today?"

Simba groaned. "I'm your only nephew."

"All the more reason to make you my favorite! So what can I do for you?"

Simba arrogantly smirked. "My dad showed me the whole kingdom today. And I'm going to rule it all!"

Taka smiled, and thought to himself. Perfect. This is my best chance to have some influence on the boy. He then spoke. "Indeed you will, but you have to rule it the right way."

Simba looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Do you know how your father really rules the kingdom?"

Simba shook his head. "No. I'm usually holed up inside all day."

Taka's face grew glum. "I hate to tell you this, but your father is a tyrant."

Simba stared at his uncle, shocked that he would say such a thing. "What? No he isn't! How could he be a tyrant?"

Taka stood up, and walked to his nephew. "On the day you were presented, your father killed a man for not bowing before him. He purposely denies medical and food aid to the citizens so he can be richer. He holds political prisoners in death camps that are located in what was once Germany, and he's abused your mother."

Simba looked at his uncle with tears forming in his eyes. "No…no…no, no, no. This can't be true!"

Taka sighed. "I'm afraid it is, and you're already like him."

Simba burst into all-out tears. "What? No! I can't be!"

Taka glared angrily at Simba. "You ordered the death of your teacher simply because he called on you! Tell me, is that fair or just?"

Simba cried for a long time, letting his guilt and sorrow flow out of him like a river. Eventually, the stream of tears ended, and the prince looked at his uncle with steel resolution in his eyes. "What shall be my redemption?"

Taka grinned to himself, and looked down at his nephew. "Nothing for now, but promise that you'll restore democracy once your king, restore power to the citizens!"

Simba sighed. "I shall." With that, he stood up and returned to the elevator.

Wow. Can Simba just not avoid being used by others around him whether for good or bad? Tell me how I'm doing, where you think the story should go, and any other comment you have in the reviews. Thanks for reading, and I will see you for the next chapter!