Standard disclaimer, I don't own the characters/places Mufasa, Zira, Sarabi, Sarafina, Ahadi, Zazu, Uru, Rafiki, Scar, the Pridelands, Outlands, gorge, Elephant Graveyard, or jungle or the descriptions of the afore mentioned characters/places. The character designs for Tendaji, Abeni, Teru, and Negasi belong to Anyahs on DeviantART. Here's the picture and yes I got permission to use them. art/Crack-Pairing-Cubs-410723396

The names listed are actual names. I looked them up, so if they're wrong its because I was misinformed.

Name Meanings

Tendaji = makes things happen - Abeni = we asked for her, and behold we got her - Adannaya = her father's daughter - Teru = good gold - Nagasi = royalty - Musa = mercy, saved from the water - Gamba = warrior – Vita = war – Acacia = thorny

Back at Pride Rock there was a dark mood hovering over the lions there. It took seconds after Gamba had rushed off for the lionesses to realize that Musa was not the only cub missing. They saw hope still until one by one Uru, Sarabi, Ahadi and Sarafina, who had all gone after Gamba, returned empty pawed. But still they thought that Mufasa at least would return with the cubs. He came back aware only that he had seen his son holding tight to the rogue's back but finding out that Teru was as well missing he became enraged. The anger of the usually calm lion was only intensified by Rafiki's report on Zira's condition. Scar was just as angry. His mate had been badly injured, Tendaji had hurt his leg when Gamba had knocked him aside, and his smallest cub, Adannaya had gone missing in the confusion. Ahadi was worried for the safety of his grandcubs but there was another matter that needed tending. In Gamba's rampage two other lionesses besides Zira, had been injured and another was killed. The once twenty-four strong pride was now down to fifteen, possibly twelve if the three injured did not recover. And to make matters worse there was a storm on the horizon; the rain would hide the dark rogue's scent.

But even Gamba should fear the coming of the newest threat to Mufasa's reign. For in the shadow of the coming storm was a much more dangerous future. One called War, and though his shadow was dark he looked like a walking angel, a king of the past returned to the land of the living. A white lion with a light gray mane, he took not lightly his namesake. He had heard of the Pridelands and its glory from his old home in the rocky lands far past the Outlands. He heard of this and decided such a glorious land should be ruled by him alone. Taking shelter in the den of the Outlands Pride his small pride rested comfortably. With such a peaceful scene one would never guess that outside the cave the entire Outlands Pride had been mercilessly slaughtered, from the pride elder to the newborn cubs, all dead at the paws and fangs of the roving lions. The trouble for the Pridelands was just beginning.

In the elephant skull Gamba kept his cold stare on the terrified princess. He stepped forward and she and Musa scurried back. He calmly assessed the small female and got an idea. A grim smile spread across his muzzle. "Lucky you little princess; I just thought of a reason to let you live." Frightened more than ever she tried to hide behind Musa knowing the menacing lion in front of them would not harm the cub he went to so much trouble to get. Musa was still worried about his friend. Glancing quickly at Nagasi, still where he had fallen, Musa called out, "N-Nagasi? Are you ok? Nagasi?" The golden prince whimpered and twitched slightly but did not get up. Gamba turned to the cub and thought a moment, then walked over to him and took the injured boy in his large jaws. Teru's head shot up; staring on in horror she feared the worst for her brother. Gamba walked back to the cowering cubs and set Nagasi in front of him, then turned and walked out of the skull. Musa and Teru went to their fallen friend and tried to get him up. Teru's eyes filled with tears, "Big brother? Get up. We gotta get out of here. Get up. Please!" He opened his eyes and looked from his sister to his best friend. "I can't. You two have to leave without me." Before either could respond a loud scrapping noise came from outside and they looked to see a large boulder moving to block the exit. Smirking to himself Gamba waited for the rain to begin before he went back to the pride trespassing in his territory.

The rain was pouring on the lands known far and wide as the Pridelands, the weather seeming to reflect the mood of the lion residents. From the flashes of anger and lightning to the constant heavy feeling of sorrow, guilt and water. Through the thick of the mist and rain still one scent stood out; Gamba. The dark lion had returned. He walked confidently forward, a glint evident in his cold blue eyes. Mufasa glared at his adversary and was about to pounce when he noticed the golden fur he carried in his large jaws.

A little ways away from the pride Adannaya was wandering lost and confused further and further from home, and closer and closer to a patrol from the invading white lion's small pride. Not aware of the very real threat of death she was facing. One of the patrol crept closer to a rustling in the grass. She was about to pounce when a voice came from behind her. "Acacia. I said no hunting." She turned to her king, "I heard something and was only trying to-" Interrupting her with a growl, "Don't argue with me Acacia. Your alive today because my brother begged me to spare you. Don't push your luck." Head dropping her ears went back and she quietly replied "I'm very sorry your majesty. It won't happen again." Without another word to her he turned and motioned for the two lionesses to follow him back to their newly acquired den. Small Adannya, from her place in the grass stood frightened and ran the other direction.

Mufasa stared horrified at his son, limp in Gamba's powerful jaws. The dark male dropped the cub and looked at Mufasa failing to hold back a dark smile. "It would seem the young prince met with an accident. I thought you'd want him back to try and save him." Mufasa growled dangerously, "YOU did this to my son! You are responsible for the deaths of two of my pride and now my son as well?! Where is Teru?!What have you done with her?!" Gamba smirked, "Nothing and it will stay that way as long as you leave this land. The females will stay, I can't be king with no pride now can I? Though I am generous so I will let you take your queen with you. The cubs as well, but I will be keeping the little princess here to make sure you keep your end of the bargain." Mufasa roared in fury, "You think you can get away with this?! Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you where you stand!" Gamba looked triumphantly at the golden king, "I'll give you two. First because you couldn't if you tried. Second because then you would never know where the cubs are." A third voice chimed in, "In a skull in the Elephant Graveyard. Sorry to interrupt but this seemed to be getting a bit ruff for my taste." Both males looked at the newcomer, a white male.