A/N:
I don't really have anything better to do at the moment (it being 3 am and all), and I wanted a slight break from Trampled, so I decided to write out the second chapter to this because of all the positive reviews I got. XD Updates come when they come, so I don't know when the next one will be, but I did plan out most of this fic and am interested in it. :)
FAQ: (I'll be doing two to three of these every chapter... way easier than answering every review x.x)
Have you read Nietzsche or played Baldur's Gate? No, I don't know what either of those are. XD I saw the quote elsewhere on the site but didn't remember who said it or what exactly it was, so I did a rough paraphrase. Hopefully I didn't butcher it too bad (it was in the notes of readsmanyfavsfew's fic, if you must know).
Is there going to be ScarxSarabi in this? Geez, people, you've gotta know everything, don't you? XD
(I just answered a question with a question... XD don't answer it, though. I know you all do, but I don't do spoilers. ;]).
Enjoy, people! :D
What was he asking for? He didn't know. Was he seeking help? It was possible; there was no doubt that, if it were, it was help for his sordid crime.
Don't think like that. Or you'll never be able to go through with this…
He shook his head briefly, as if to clear it of moisture or a physical sensation instead of a disturbing thought. His paws moved swiftly in spite of his indecision, and his rapid movements only served to remind him that his task was something important… at least, it seemed important. Every once in a while he would stumble in the dark, though he felt quite secure in his way—he had traveled around these parts a few times before and felt quite confident by now, despite the fact that the night often concealed that which deserved to be hidden from the purity of daylight…
The lion's pelt blended with the shadows, and his scent trail had been masked by the river he had crossed. Even if his brother noticed his absence, he was unlikely to be able to track him: indeed, his main concern was with the return trip. If Mufasa found out that he was going here, doing what he was, with the intent that he was, at this time…
What am I getting into?
He gulped audibly, not wanting to think about it, and instead focused his attention on the ditch ahead. Speeding up into a full sprint, he fearlessly leapt over it, landing softly on the other side. The dark lion noted, with a winded huff, that it was now official—he was outside the Pridelands, and was technically trespassing on lands outside the borders. Considering that he was a prince, this was especially dangerous… however, he was fortunate enough to have friends on the other side who would receive him gratefully. He only hoped that he would be lucky enough to procure assistance—that they would be willing to help him in light of his continued kindness.
The lion slowed his pace and trotted downhill, trying to prevent his paws from skidding and making unnecessary noise. All that gave way was a fraction of the dry, dusty terrain, and he would have thought that he was being quite stealthy. Yet that didn't prevent the ground from suddenly lighting up with a myriad of flickering, green flames, which appeared as though his very presence had inexplicably kindled them out of the darkness. Eyes. Scar felt his hackles bristle slightly as he approached the coming welcoming crowd, which was gathered in the midst of their territory: more specifically, the elephant graveyard. His sinuous body easily found passage through the more awkward areas, such as protruding tusks of ivory and the insides of skulls… yet this time, it was not tripping or making noise he was worried about.
This place had, as a cub, always made him uneasy—and it still did, albeit to a lesser extent. He always felt like he was being watched, even when those piercing, eerie eyes were nowhere to be seen. Shadows and fog chronically covered the entire area with an aura of murky, inky darkness. Bats inhabited the caves and odd crevices, and every once in a while the howl of a dog or the hoot of an owl was distinguishable through the otherwise complete silence. The only sound was the padding of his paws, and the rare crunch of ash or dirt underfoot… his insides churned a bit despite himself, and he was suddenly confronted with the overwhelming feeling of walking into chaos.
It was bad enough during the day and twilight hours, but darkness brought a whole new dimension to his predisposed cautiousness. In spite of it all, however, he was a prince, and he was intent on carrying himself in the manner prescribed by his position. This was no time to act like a coward, and a small prick of disdain flickered in his chest as he thought of himself as such: despite mingling with these dirty beings in their dirty home, he was still a noble individual. And he would demand that he be treated like one.
"Little far from home, aren'tcha, lion? Why, that's no good, eh…?"
The flashing of sharp, wet fangs appeared below two sets of glistening orbs—a twisted, perverse grin illuminated by the scant moonlight.
"You could get lost," another sleazy voice chimed in from his rear, a chill running down the lion's spine as he realized they had, without his knowledge, surrounded him. "… And we all know what sorts 'a… accidents… happen ta those who stumble and lose their way."
"Keep your distance."
He did his best to ignore their quiet circling—it didn't cease, despite the fact that they now clearly recognized him. The first hyena laughed bemusedly, and motioned to his slower compatriot.
"Wow, it's Scar. Ya see that?"
"I don't believe you," he retorted with a flat, almost confused rebuttal, "Scar's always got food in 'is muzzle. And he doesn't come at this late 'n hour."
"He ain't got food with 'im? Well, that's a real shame… but that doesn't mean he can't still give us a meal. Besides, I've been yearning for somethin' fresher than carrion, scrawny though it might be…"
"Yeah, I want somethin' nice and warm… and breathing!"
"Hold your tongues. You have better and easier meals coming than me." The lion flicked his tail and ignored them. He didn't know whether or not they were merely teasing with him, but he did know that this was the best way to deter potential trouble and incite their curiosity. They could tell, even at a glance, that he was here for an important reason. And surely enough, their hopes were not extinguished when he approached the heart of the matter. "I have a proposition to make with you."
A pause followed, the soft scuttling of a wayward animal being the only noise to perforate the silent milieu around them. The hyenas looked amongst themselves, their pelts raised threateningly.
"… So?" he prompted, prying for an answer.
"Grr… you pushy lions," the hyena taunted basely, relenting, "I'm assuming you wish to speak with Shenzi…?"
"That would be best."
The hyena growled, pacing away and motioning for his friend to follow. He looked back, making sure that the prince was right behind him—he was, and he looked quite unfazed at that. Scar continued his quiet, collected walk, his gentle breathing causing small puffs of condensation to rise in the slowly-cooling air. Everything seemed to move slowly, the lion's luminescent eyes flitting to and fro as he studied his scraggly, spacious surroundings. It was silent out here; so silent and so far removed…
Nothing like the Pridelands.
… Or was it? The way things were going, it could not be said for sure. It was a gloomy prediction, in any case, but how far was it from being veracious?
He sighed, a subtle yet rich suspiration, and blinked slowly, his eyes having to adjust to the lack of moonlight as he complacently followed his companions into a dank, musty cave. His nose was quickly assailed by the foul odor of rotting meat, grime, and mildew; and his face crinkled slightly in dissatisfaction.
The leader of the pack was Shenzi, a relatively intelligent female with an attitude to match. He was always careful around her, both in words in actions, though she clearly respected him more than the average lion at this point and invited him in with a quick gesture. Having dismissed the two other hyenas, they commenced with their usual small talk for a few moments, the troubled lion absently scratching at the rock floor as she chatted with him.
"… Is somethin' wrong?" she interrupted after a few moments of prolonged silence, "ya don't normally act like this, Scar…" Her eyes narrowed suspiciously, though he didn't notice or meet her gaze. His mind was focused outside, on the bright crescent moon and the horrifying skeletons it illuminated. Agitated, he made another jagged scratch at the ground…
"Hey, if ya aren't gonna say nothin', then why'd ya come out here to talk ta me? Could you give me some attention, please?"
"… I'm all ears."
"In all seriousness…" she fixed him with a more serious glare, "why are ya out here? Why'd ya come from Mufasa's side this late at night?"
He looked at her, his ears pricking and something in his eyes changing. They glowed and burned with an uncharacteristic sense of… uncertainty. That was not like him, and certainly something worth noting. Ceasing his absent fiddling, he decided to simply and austerely tell her exactly what he meant.
"I'm…" he paused for a moment, trying to extract the words from his muted throat, "… I'm not on Mufasa's side anymore."
"What?" she yapped at him quickly, puzzled. "No, that ain't right. What nonsense are you talkin' 'bout now, Scar? You wouldn't… betray… your brother?" The inflection of those last words was oddly twisted—it was clearly a question, yet there was still an odd smile coming to her face. Those fangs did indeed look sharp when they were mere inches from his face…
"You mustn't tell a soul, Shenzi."
That suppliant, pleading stare of his was too much. She laughed good-naturedly, reassuringly slapping him on the back and eventually continuing into a fit of mirth, as the hyenas were so well-known for.
"Do you swear?"
"Yeah, sure, whatever," she dismissed him brusquely, her mood obviously heightened by this rather… interesting… discovery. Scar growled a little, indignant, but he remained silent. His secret was now in her paws—it would be beneficial if he didn't give her a reason to be angry with him. Gossip on the savanna spread like wildfire across the dry prairie grasses, and if Mufasa caught wind of it… well, much more than just his plan would be endangered.
"I'm serious, Shenzi… I need your hel—"
"Nuh-uh, no, I ain't gettin' into no political infightin' against the king. What if you don't win? Where's that leave us?"
"When have I ever failed you, Shenzi?" Scar smiled for the first time, the corners of his mouth curving with his teeth just visible under his curled lips. It was so false, so underhanded… yet so convincing. "You know, I've risked so much as it is in smuggling you food and giving you aid… you know my brother would by no means condone interaction between us."
"Heh, of course not…" she muttered under her breath. "'Sfar as I'm concerned he can go suck the hind end of a wildebeest's—"
"Shenzi," he snapped, a nervous chuckle briefly expressing his inwardly cautious, careful disposition, "let's be civil. He's my brother, after all. So could you please…? I'm asking you for but one favor. Haven't my efforts been enough to unite us harmoniously in at least this?"
Shenzi honed her annoyed gaze on him, a brief eye roll accenting her general frustration with all of this lion's pleading. Apparently not. Nonetheless, it was such a tempting turn of events…
"How do I know I can trust ya? If you can betray your own brother, what's ta say ya won't do the same ta us?"
Scar took a sharp breath, stung by the profoundness of her sudden question. More importantly, he found he didn't have a sufficient answer—how could he tell her otherwise? How could he say that she could trust him when he was here planning fratricide with her? His teeth were set on edge, again reminded of the high stakes, of how much he was putting at risk: his life, his reputation, his position… what could he do?
It wasn't too late to turn back. He could forget this episode and return home.
Home… yes, to his putrid and dismal cave, to the lackluster view and the slowly withering plains. He remembered the pride, his nephew, and his sister-in-law. Whether any of them liked it or not, they needed him, and he would do whatever necessary to protect the pride.
Whatever necessary.
"You, Shenzi… you and the pack will be handsomely rewarded."
"With what?"
He sighed desperately, feeling her press him into that mental corner. His mind worked overtime to try to escape from it, but it was mostly fruitless. The lion didn't know what to offer her—what would she value? And what would he easily be able to procure for her once he had the throne?
"A place in the Pridelands."
"No," she rebutted, and Scar could have sworn she was purposefully being stubborn to annoy him, "this's been our home fa generations. I wouldn't want ta leave."
Scar's ears drooped. That wasn't feasible anyways—lions and hyenas had stayed separate for as long as anyone could remember, and uniting them was a foolish and silly idea. It would only cause more discord.
"… Food." He looked at her briefly, noting the negative expression on her face and growing desperate. "I promise, you won't go hungry. And if you choose, I'll give you royal support for whatever—"
"Hush a moment, now, before ya make us all these promises." She studied him thoughtfully, more than aware of the fact that he could have gone to others for this operation… yet he hadn't. He had come to her with something so deadly and potent that it could effortlessly be used to his absolute, catastrophic detriment.
He trusted her. A lot. And she could use that to her pack's advantage.
"Now ya've told us, Scar, what you're gonna give us if ya become the king 'n' all…" she looked him solidly in the eye, "… but what if you fail?"
"If I fail?" he paused a moment, tensing up as she nodded assent. Scar felt as though she had no faith in him, which was doubtlessly not reassuring. Had he made a mistake coming here? Should he have sought assistance elsewhere, or done something else? Possibly. Yet by now it was surely too late. He had to give it everything—if he failed, his actions were sure to entail consequences.
"If I fail, and Mufasa finds out of my plot, you are disbanded and owe me no further fealty. And…" he felt his throat constrict tightly before he could mouth the words, as though a serpent had securely coiled itself around his windpipe. In the end, all he could do was emit a soft whisper: "… then you can do as you like with me."
The lion looked downwards, refusing to meet her gaze as she displayed an enthralled smile.
"I think I like that. Yes. Yes, I do. You'll still deliver us food, though, won'tcha? I'd hate for us to help ya and then have ya forget who you owe, now…"
He nodded, silent.
"I think we have a deal then, wouldn'tcha agree? Now come on, don't be so dejected." Shenzi extended her paw out to him with a seemingly friendly smile, bidding him to take it. He held out his own and then stopped, diffident… before clenching his teeth together and closing the rest of the distance between them, his clawed paw meeting with her grubby, somewhat muddy one. They shook briefly, but Shenzi glared daggers at him by the time he released it.
"Jus' remember one thing, now: I am not Mufasa." She bared her fangs slightly—and though she said no more, her message was tacit: if ya dare to go back on your end, then ya'll be no more than lunch meat.
"Now," she returned to her normal demeanor, almost as though nothing had happened, "what exactly didja have in mind?"
He nearly hung his head in shame, though he quickly perked up and refocused his attention on her, blatantly choosing to forget what had just transpired. All that mattered was here and now—they were on his side, and now it was time to plan for the damning deed. He grimaced, feeling somewhat guilty that he already had the faintest inkling of an idea.
"The gorge." He stated bluntly, trying to ignore his pointed lack of confidence. "I was thinking a stampede… in the gorge."
I made the hyenas a bit more independent in this... in any case, I'd say Scar is a bit wary of what will happen, probably because he's put himself in a pretty vulnerable position. What'd you guys think? Some dastardly plotting going on or what?
Leave a thought! *ahem*
Hey, you just read this, and this is crazy, but see that button? Review it maybe. All my other fans, try to folllllloowwww me, but see that button? Review it maybe.
[ For the record, if you understand the reference, I hate that song. x.x Just don't keep silent! ]
Vayan con Dios!
Twin (:
