Chapter Four: Graveyards, Talks, and Plans
Csinumberstlk Lover: Oh no problem about your story! I think that you do awesome work, in fact, the first TLK fic I read was one of yours! It was "Twist of Fate," if I remember right! And I'll try keeping up the good work! Enjoy the chapter!
Tojo, Tama, Simba and Nala ran away from the scene. Tama laughed.
"We lost him!" Simba said.
"I am a genius!" Tama said.
"Hey genius, it was my idea." Tojo said.
"Yeah, but Tama pulled it off." Nala said.
"What is it with this girl power?" Simba asked.
"Cause girls rule!" Tama said.
Simba and Tojo looked at each other and smiled.
"Oh yeah?" Simba asked. Simba pounced on Nala, and Tojo on Tama. It was Nala and Tama who ended up on top.
"Haha! Got you!" Tama said.
"You guys!" Tojo said.
"Let us up!" Simba said. Tama and Nala pranced away, only to be pounced on again. Nala and Tama, once again, ended up on top, ending up in a darker place.
"We got you again!" Nala said. Steam rose from a geyser, scaring the four cubs. The cubs all straightened, seeing bones. They perched themselves atop one, seeing an elephant skull.
"Whoa!" The cubs said in unison. They walked towards the skull, Tama in the lead.
"I wonder if it's brains are still in there?" Tojo asked.
"I don't know, but let's go check it out." Tama started walking into the skull. Zazu suddenly appeared in front of the Princess.
"Wrong! The only checking out we're doing is checking out of here!" Zazu said.
"Aw man!" Simba said.
"We're way beyond the boundary of the Pridelands!" Zazu said.
"Look guys, Banana Beak is scared!" Tama chuckled. Zazu pressed a feather to Tama's nose.
"It's Mr. Banana Beak to you, fuzzy! And we are leaving!" Zazu said. The laughing of hyenas stopped the cubs in their tracks, and Zazu tried to keep the cubs behind him.
Three hyenas appeared, drooling at the mouth.
"Hey! Looks like we've got company! What do you think, Banzai?" The female asked.
"I don't know Shenzi, what about you Ed?" Banzai asked. The third hyena laughed.
The hyenas circled the cubs and Zazu. Tama was scared out of her mind, she didn't hear any of the conversation until Shenzi leaned near Zazu.
"Wait! You're Mufasa's little stooge." Shenzi said.
"I, madam, am the King's majordomo." Zazu said. Banzai looked at Tama, who cringed.
"That would make you…" Banzai began.
"Future Queen!" Tama snarled.
"Do you know what we do to Queens around here?" Shenzi asked.
Tama scoffed, "You can't do anything to me."
"Actually, they can. We are on their land." Zazu said.
"Zazu! You said they're whiny, mangy stupid pooches." Tama said.
"Iksnay on the upid-stay." Zazu murmured.
"Who're you calling 'upid-stay?'" Banzai demanded, Zazu tried getting the cubs away from the hyenas.
"My, look at the time! It's time to go!" Zazu said.
"We'd love for you to stick around for dinner!" Shenzi said. While the hyenas conversed, Zazu shushed the cubs towards the elephant skull, telling the cubs to keep running.
That was when they lost Zazu. Tama became worried for the majordomo, leading the cubs towards three big shadows and one small.
"Let's see the majordomo hop all the way to the birdie boiler!" Banzai said, setting Zazu inside it.
"No! Not the birdie boiler!" Zazu was sent flying.
"Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" Tama and Simba asked in unison.
"Like… you?" Shenzi asked.
"Oops." Tama said. The cubs started running, the hyenas on their tails. Tama, Nala, and Simba were at the top of a pile of bones.
"Tama!" Tojo called. Tama stopped, urging Simba and Nala to continue on. She saw Tojo slipping, the hyenas near him. She made her way down the bones and slapped Shenzi on the cheek, three claw marks emerging on Shenzi's flesh as Tojo and Tama escaped. They made it inside an elephant skull, where Simba and Nala were. The cubs tried climbing up a wall, to no avail. The four cubs ended up on the ground, cornered by the hyenas. Tama stood in the front, tried roaring at the three.
Shenzi laughed, "That was it? Try it again, c'mon." Tama roared again, a mighty roar emerging. Tama knew it hadn't come from her, and found out where the roar had come from when her father emerged, beating on the hyenas. He had them pinned. They were murmuring apologies.
"SILENCE!" Mufasa roared.
"We're really sorry!" Shenzi said.
"If you ever come near my son and daughter again…" Mufasa warned.
"Oh, those are your kids?" Shenzi said.
"I didn't realize that!" Banzai lied. Banzai and Shenzi looked at Ed, who nodded. Mufasa roared again. The hyenas shrank.
"Toodles!" Shenzi said as they all ran. Zazu landed next to Mufasa, smile on his face. Mufasa glowered at Zazu, who cowered. Tama stepped forward.
"Dad, I…" Tama began.
"You've disobeyed me!" Mufasa said. Tama stepped back.
"Daddy, I'm sorry." Tama said.
"Let's go home." Mufasa said. Tama put her head down and started walking. Nala and Simba followed. Tojo looked back once, seeing Scar and fleeing towards Tama. Tojo put his head down as well.
"Tama, I thought you were very brave." Tojo whispered. Tama gave her friend a sad smile.
Once the five lions were back in the Pridelands, Mufasa beckoned Zazu to his side.
"Yes, Sire?" Zazu asked.
"Take Tojo, Nala, and Simba home. I have to teach my daughter a lesson." Tama shrank in the grass. Tojo looked over to Tama, his electric blue eyes concerned. Zazu flew over to the cubs. He looked in Simba, Nala, and Tojo's direction.
"Come you three," Zazu said, turning to face Tama he put his wings on her shoulders, "Tama, good luck." Zazu flew off. As Nala passed Tama she bumped heads with her, but it didn't help the Princess's nerves any.
As Tojo, Nala, and Simba left, they looked back at Tama with concern. Tama stood up, ready to follow them, hoping her father wouldn't notice.
"Tama!" Mufasa ordered. Tama flinched, tears welling in her eyes. She forgot, her father noticed about everything when it came to her antics. She turned around, walking towards her father. Tama tripped, and noticed she stepped into one of her father's paw-prints. She lowered her head and continued to her father's side, sitting down next to him. Mufasa grimaced.
"Tama, I'm very disappointed in you." Mufasa said.
"Daddy, I—" Tama said.
"You could've been killed, and what's worse, you put your brother, Nala, and Tojo in danger as well!" Mufasa scolded.
Tama sniffled. She dare not say anything else. She felt a tear run down her cheek. Mufasa looked at his crying daughter. He relented.
"You were just trying to be brave, weren't you?" He asked softly.
"Like you." Tama sobbed.
"Tama, being brave, doesn't mean you go looking for trouble." Mufasa said.
"You're never scared." Tama hiccupped.
Mufasa sighed, "I was today."
"Really?" Tama asked quietly.
"Yes," Mufasa paused to look his daughter in the eye, "I was afraid I might lose you, and Simba."
Tama smiled and said, "I bet those hyenas were even scared-er."
Mufasa laughed, put a paw out to catch Tama, and said, "Because nobody messes with your Daddy, c'mere you!" Mufasa noogied Tama, who struggled to get away.
"Daddy! Quit! Ah, let me go!" Tama said, trying to get out of her father's arms. She succeeded and pounced on her father. The two played a little bit until Tama was in Mufasa's mane, and biting his ear.
"Daddy, I love you." Tama said.
"I love you, too, Tama." Mufasa said.
"We'll always be together, won't we?" Tama asked.
"Tama, let me tell you something that my father told me," Mufasa said, "look at the stars. The Great Kings of the Past look down on us from those stars. Now remember, whenever you feel alone, just look to the stars, they'll always be there to guide you, and so will I."
Tama snuggled into her father's mane and said, "So Grandpa's watching over us?"
"Yes, as I will watch over you one day." Mufasa said. Comforted, Tama fell asleep in her father's mane. He heard Tama's light breathing and smiled.
At Pride Rock, Simba was being scolded by Sarabi, and Nala by Sarafina. Tojo's scolding was fairly quick and painless, but Libya also ordered the cub to not play outside the whole next day, much to Tojo's disappointment. He was lying at the mouth of the cave, waiting for Tama and Mufasa to return. He had to tell Tama he saw Scar in the graveyard!
That was when Scar appeared. Tojo's electric blue eyes widened, then he started growling. Scar stopped, hearing Tojo. The lion turned, facing the cub. He smirked and continued on. Tojo put his head on his paws.
He wants us dead, I just know it! Tojo thought. His eyes were starting droop closed. His stamina and adrenaline had worn off. His eyes shut. Mufasa returned, Tama in between his shoulder blades. He saw little Tojo at the entrance of the cave and smiled. He turned his head, lifting his daughter by her scruff and setting her next to her friend.
He will be good for Tama. He even waited for her. Mufasa thought. He remembered back to when he and Sarabi were cubs, and how Sarabi would wait for Mufasa to come back from lessons with his father. Mufasa curled up next to the cubs, giving them warmth. He heard Tama mewl, felt her move against his side, then calm back down. Mufasa looked to the stars.
"Please, Father, shall something happen to me, please make sure my cubs and their friends are all right." Mufasa prayed as he fell asleep.
Scar walked into the Elephant Graveyard, where Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed were licking their wounds, so to speak, since there were no wounds. Mufasa was always careful about hurting his enemy, always the gentle one. Scar rolled his eyes.
"And man are they UUUUGLYY!" Shenzi and Banzai said together, laughing.
"Oh, surely not all lions are that bad?" Scar asked.
"Oh, Scar, it's just you." Shenzi said.
"Thank heavens." Banzai said.
Scar listened to Shenzi and Banzai converse for a little bit. He rolled his eyes when Banzai and Shenzi were talking about Mufasa's power.
"I'm surrounded by idiots." Scar said.
"Ooh! That's what it is with Scar, he's not king, but he's still so proper!" Shenzi said. Banzai asked Scar if he had brought them anything to eat. Scar wasn't sure if the hyenas deserved the meal, but still gave them a zebra leg.
"You know, it's wasn't like they were alone, Scar." Shenzi said, her mouth full.
"Yeah what were we supposed to do?" Banzai swallowed, "Kill Mufasa?"
"Precisely…" Scar smiled. He jumped down from his perch.
I know that your powers of retention
Are as wet as a warthog's backside
But thick as you are, Scar paused, knocking a bone out of Ed's mouth,
PAY ATTENTION!
My words are a matter of pride…He circled Ed, who stood at a salute.
It's clear from your vacant expressions
The lights are not all on upstairs.
But we're talking kings and Successions.
Even you can't be caught unawares. Scar sang. He moved away from the hyenas.
So prepare for a chance of a lifetime,
Be prepared for sensational news, Scar swung out from behind a rock,
A shiny new era, is tiptoeing nearer. Scar was on his toes, walking past the hyenas.
And where to we feature? Shenzi sang.
Just listen to teacher, Scar grabbed Shenzi's cheek and pinched it hard.
I know it sounds sordid, but you'll be rewarded
When at last, I am given my dues.
And injustice! Deliciously squared,
BE PREPARED!
"Yeah, be prepared, we'll be prepared, for what?" Banzai asked.
"For the death of the King!" Scar shouted. Banzai put his paws on Scar's perch.
"Why? Is he sick?" Banzai asked.
"No, fool, we're going to kill him, and Simba and Tama too." Scar said.
"Great idea! Who needs a King?" Shenzi asked. She started clapping her paws together.
No King, no King, la la la la laa laa! Shenzi and Banzai sang.
"Idiots! There will be a King!" Scar said.
"But you said…" Banzai said.
"I will be King, stick with me, and you'll never go hungry again!" Scar said.
Long live the king!
It's great that we'll soon be connected,
With a king who'll be all time adored. The Hyenas sang.
Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected, to take certain duties on board
The future is littered with prizes, and though I'm the main addressee
The point that I must emphasize is, YOU WON'T GET A SNIFF WITHOUT ME! Scar roared at Banzai.
So prepare, for the coup of the century!
Be prepared! For the murkiest scam!
Meticulous planning, tenacity spanning,
Decades of denial! Is simply why I'll
Be KING! Undisputed, respected, saluted,
And SEEN FOR THE WONDER I AM!
Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared,
BE PREPARED!
Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared!
BE PREPARED! Scar started laughing maniacally.
The next day, Scar took Simba and Tama out for a "walk."
Little did the cubs know, Scar was planning on their death. He lead the cubs to the gorge, but Tama paused.
"Uncle Scar? Why are we going to the gorge?" Tama asked.
"Well, I thought you'd like to pay your respects you your dearly departed Uncle Simba." Scar said.
"We had an Uncle Simba?" Simba asked
"In fact, you are named for him, young one." Scar said. Simba's eyes widened, but his face lit up.
"Really?" Tama asked.
"Really, no lie. Come now, let us get to his memorial and pray he is at rest." Scar said, ushering Tama along. Tama was skeptic, but being young, she followed along.
Once the three were by a tree, Scar stopped. Tears met his eyes, but he pushed his feelings away. After all, it had been him who had killed the middle brother of their family, hadn't it?
And you will pay for it one day, Taka. Scar heard his older brother's voice.
"All right, now you two wait here. I should go get your father, so he can also pay his respects." Scar said.
"Can we go with you?" Simba asked.
"No, you two just stay on this rock. I don't want you two getting into trouble again. And Tama, you might want to work on that little roar of yours, okay?" Scar asked.
"Ok. Can Simba work on his roar too?" Tama asked.
"Of course." Scar said, walking away.
As Scar walked away, Simba and Tama played with a lizard, roaring at it, one of Tama's roars loud enough it was heard through the gorge. Tama and Simba paused as they heard hoof beats. They looked at the top of the gorge, seeing wildebeest coming for them. Simba was awestruck.
"Simba, c'mon!" Tama said, pulling on her brother's ear. Simba followed his sister's lead as they ran. They ran to a tree, both holding on for dear life. Tama saw Zazu.
"Zazu! Help us!" Tama said.
"Please!" Simba said.
"Your father is on the way, children! Hold on!" Zazu said.
"Hurry!" Tama and Simba said in unison.
Before the cubs knew it, their father had arrived. Mufasa caught Simba in midair, and Tama landed in between Mufasa's shoulder blades. Mufasa got his cubs to safety, being pulled back into the stampede.
"Daddy!" Tama called. Mufasa was able to climb up a cliff. Tama and Simba went to the top of the cliff, hoping to meet their father.
Meanwhile, Mufasa was slipping. He saw Scar, and felt relief.
"Scar! Brother," Mufasa slid down a little, "HELP ME!" Scar leaned down, digging his claws into Mufasa's paws. Mufasa roared in pain. Scar leaned his mouth by his brother's ear.
"You get to die where our brother did. At the very same paws that killed him, as well." Scar said. Mufasa's eyes widened.
"Taka, no! You wouldn't have killed him!" Mufasa said.
"Long live the King." Scar said. He let Mufasa go, and Mufasa fell to his death, screaming the whole time.
"NOOOOO!" Tama and Simba screamed as they saw their father fall.
I am really sorry about that. I considered having Mufasa live, but… I don't know… it wouldn't fit right, I guess.
Next time: Tama and Simba run away, and Tojo and Nala deal with growing up in the Pridelands. As always, review!
