A CHANGE OF FATE.
Scar isn't evil, Simba is.
After the stampede, Simba was injured and lost. When he returns almost a full year later, everything has changed. Mufasa and Sarabi's new cub Kefir is now the heir to Pride Rock... Angry at his father's betrayal, Simba vows to have his revenge.
CHAPTER ONE - The Return.
Simba ran, smiling as he raced through the gorge - there were no stampeding wildebeest this time, nothing to stop him from getting home.
Home.
It had taken him a long time to heal, the blow to his head had been only one of his injuries, he had suffered broken ribs at some point in the stampede and one of his legs had been broken too...
Almost a year to the day, and he had finally found his way home.
Pride Rock. He could see it now, looming closer with every stride...
It looked just like he remembered, slowing to a walk, Simba grinned, unable to stop himself from wondering how everyone would react to his return.
He had missed them all, his mother and father, Uncle Scar, Nala. Chuckling, Simba shook his head, after a year, he doubted if they still thought he was alive; they were all in for a huge surprise.
xx
At first, she thought he was Mufasa - he had the same tawny-gold coat and red mane... But this lion was younger then the king, his mane barely beginning to grow out properly.
Nala frowned, staring at him as he approached, something about him was... familiar. But what exactly, she couldn't say.
Walking forward, she stopped a few meters from the lion. "Who are you?"
His head cocked to one side as he looked at her, then he grinned, his eyes gleaming with joy. "Nala?"
Backing away fearfully, Nala shook her head. "How do you know who I am?"
Shaking his head, Simba rolled his eyes. "It's me... Simba."
"Simba..." Staring at him, Nala moved closer, her eyes wide. As he smiled at her, Nala realised that he really was Simba. Letting out a joyous squeal, she ran forward, nuzzling him even as Simba laughed.
"I can't believe it's you!" Pulling, back, Nala frowned, "What happened to you?"
"I got lost," Simba told her, "I was wounded from the stampede..." As Nala sat down Simba sighed, and continued his tale. "I managed to stumble into another Pride of lions, far from here. Their leader, Rento, took me in."
"Why didn't you come back sooner?" Nala asked, her voice shaking, "We all thought you were dead."
"I told you Nala, I was hurt during the stampede," staring at Nala, he shook his head. "I am sorry, if I could have come home sooner, I would have. But it took me until now to properly heal and regain my strength."
Smiling, Nala stood, "Everyone's going to be so happy to see you_!"
"Nala..." Sarafina walked towards her daughter, her gaze, however, was on Simba. "... Who is this?"
"Mom," smiling, Nala glanced at Simba. "It's Simba, he survived the stampede, he's come home!"
"Simba...?" Sarafina looked at him, her eyes widening in shock.
Nala grinned at her mother, "you stay here with him..." She told her, looking at Simba, Nala smiled, "... I'm going to get your Mother and Father!"
xxx
Mufasa laid beside Sarabi, Kefir nestled between them as the cub slept.
"Sarabi! Mufasa!" Nala ran up to them, her face glowing with joy. "You have to come with me, right now!"
Mufasa frowned in confusion, "Nala, what is going on?"
Smiling broadly, Nala tried to nudge them both to their feet. "He's back, he's alive and he's come home!"
"Who's back?" Sarabi asked as Kefir stirred.
"Simba!"
Looking at Nala sharply, Mufasa shook his head. "That isn't funny, Nala." He'd finally let go of his grief, was finally moving on_
"It's not a joke!" Nala grinned, her eyes gleaming, "Simba's really back. He's talking to my Mother right now."
Sarabi stood, staring at Nala hopefully, "is it true? Is he really alive?"
"I'm alive, Mom." Simba smiled, walking forward to nuzzle his Mother.
Mufasa leaped to his feet, his mouth open in shock as he stared at his son. "... Simba..."
"I thought Simba was dead?" Kefir looked up at his father, "you told me that, Dad."
Simba blinked, staring at Kefir in shock; the little cub had a pale, almost cream coloured coat, a small tuft of light brown fur on his head, showed as the beginnings of his mane. He had started forward to greet his father, but stopped in mid-step at the cub's words. "Dad?"
Mufasa looked at Simba and smiled, "This is your brother, Kefir..." Mufasa paused, glancing at Kefir, then back to Simba. "... The Future king."