Chapter 6 - Annihilo:

Author's Note:

I was surprised that the overwhelming majority of you thought that the negotiations would end in disaster. Have you no faith in Shenzi? Eh, doesn't matter, you might turn out right after all. Let's not dally, shall we? Please, enjoy!

XXX

Shenzi arrived at the border to see Mufasa already there waiting for her. She grinned slyly, Mufasa had positioned himself so that he was directly on the edge of the border. She wouldn't actually be crossing to meet him.

She stopped a few feet shy of the border, where the gray, lifeless dirt of the graveyard met the great greens of the Pridelands. The two stood, staring at each other, waiting for one to make a move. She eventually decided to touch her nose to the ground as a sign of respect, wondering if he would copy her.

She grimaced when she looked up to see the king staring down at her. So she raised her head and said, "I guess curtesy is off the table."

"This isn't about curtesy, this is about me getting my son back," Mufasa growled. Shenzi smirked before allowing Simba to move up beside her, but not allowing him past her. "Simba! Are you alright?" Mufasa said, concern evident in his voice.

"I'm fine, dad," Simba said. Shenzi smirked slightly, this is what she wanted. She let Mufasa and Simba keep talking, Simba vouching for her and her clan, slowly softening Mufasa.

"Are you hurt? What did they do to you?" Mufasa growled, not believing Simba's account.

"Really, I'm fine. It… wasn't much different than living with you," Simba admitted. He looked up at Shenzi, who refused to break eye contact with Mufasa. "It was actually… interesting, dad."

"Really?" Mufasa asked, disbelief evident in his voice. He looked at Shenzi, confusion welling in his eyes. Simba nodded slowly.

"As you can see, your son is unharmed. Now, shall we begin?" she said.

"Who's that?" Mufasa said, pointing at Timon, who stood next to Shenzi, opposite of Simba. He had his arms crossed and was nervously tapping his fingers against his arm. The tapping increased tempo when Mufasa pointed him out.

"He's… he's a friend observing our delegation," Shenzi answered, not looking at Timon. Timon looked up at her, however, thinking, So now I'm a friend? But he didn't dare voice his thoughts, lest it discredit Shenzi.

"I thought you said you would be alone," Mufasa growled, mind whirling, trying to think of ways to use this against Shenzi. He knew that, in the end, they would have to come to an agreement. But it was up to him to limit the hyena's access.

"It's not like he's going to be harming anyone, and it's not like you didn't bring anyone else along too," Shenzi gestured to a bush and snickered slightly. Mufasa followed her pointing and raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Nala stepped out of the brush, looking down at her feet, ashamed not for following, rather for being caught. "Nala?" Mufasa said, as if not believing she had followed him.

"I'm sorry, I just had to see Simba again. I wasn't sure if he was coming back or not," she admitted. Mufasa's eyes widened in fear as he realized that Shenzi now had grounds to end the negotiations prematurely.

But she only shook her head, "That seems fair. I brought a plus one, you have a right to one as well."

Mufasa narrowed his eyes, she was being suspiciously agreeable. Was she always like this? He thought hard for a moment, unsure of how to continue. She had clearly not harmed his son, and she had brought a meerkat of all beings with her, claiming he was a friend. Was she lying or telling the truth? The meerkat seemed reluctant to say anything… perhaps…

"You, meerkat," Mufasa said, drawing Timon's attention from Nala to him. "What do you have to say?"

Shenzi grinned internally, she had expected this to happen too. It was why she allowed Timon to tag along. The small meerkat did not look up at Shenzi, nor did he hesitate in answering Mufasa, "I have nothing to say. I'm just here to observe."

Mufasa gave him a suspicious look before continuing, "Consider this an order to speak freely. How did you get caught up in all of this?"

Shenzi grinned, it was perfect. Everything was going exactly as planned. "I met Shenzi a few weeks ago, before all of this," he gestured to the two of them before continuing, "happened. I was living with my family out in the Badlands at the time when Shenzi and two others appeared. I made the mistake of trifling with her…" Timon launched deep into his tale, captivating Mufasa.

He embellished slightly, overplaying his and Shenzi's mental clashes while downplaying his defeats. He mentioned only briefly his time with Simba, but did note the chess game quite vigorously, considering his greatest accomplishment to last that long against Shenzi the Unstoppable.

"And so I tagged along because I wanted to, figuring at least I may be able to avert disaster," Timon shrugged as if it was all no big deal to him. Shenzi breathed out slowly, Ya did good, Stooge, she thought to herself.

"I see," Mufasa said, thinking hard. It certainly was a glowing character reference… he was running out of options. There had to be something he could do. "Tell me, my son, how are the conditions of the graveyard?"

"Awful, dad. Just awful. There's a single poisoned water supply that they drink from, slowly killing even the strongest of them. There's no food, some starve to death, others go without food for weeks…" Simba trailed off.

Mufasa's teeth ground together, the graveyard was clearly abysmal. He was honestly surprised the hyenas had even survived this long under those conditions. "Very well, let's begin," Mufasa said after a long while. He had nothing, no reason to deny Shenzi access. "How many are under your rule?"

Shenzi grin widened, finally down to business. "We have a little over eighty, including myself," she answered. Mufasa said nothing, prompting Shenzi to growl out, "To put that in perspective, we were nearly two hundred strong when we were banished."

"Shenzi Marie Predatora Veldetta Jacquelina Hyena, what is it you think you will be getting from me today?" Mufasa said, his tone absent of the growl he had been addressing her with. At this moment, she was his equal, and he was clearly using his "regal" voice.

"I never thought you'd ask," Shenzi snickered, "I want full access for myself and for my clan." A cold wind blew through, originating from the graveyard, blowing back the king's mane. Simba, Nala, and Timon all shivered from the cold, but Shenzi and Mufasa remained strong, not flinching nor giving the other any ground. No weakness was present.

When the wind died down, Shenzi could hear Mufasa let out a sigh, "I hope you realize that I cannot justify introducing eighty vicious predators to this ecosystem."

Shenzi's anger was immediate, "Don't bullshit me, Mufasa! Don't 'I cannot justify" me! I-"

Mufasa cut her off, however, "Do you deny their numbers or do you deny their disposition? This isn't about justification, on my part, it's about preserving the Pridelands. The fact is that eighty is too large of a number."

Shenzi growled, her eyes blazed as she glared at Mufasa. Thousands of possibilities and contingencies flew through her mind in under a second. "How sure are you that they are willing to be ruled under me? How sure are you of your own ability to enforce my rule?" Mufasa asked, neither smirking nor grinning.

Shenzi froze, she had no idea. She knew that the hyenas wanted freedom more than anything else… was this why we were kicked out in the first place? she pondered. She knew that Scar had promised the hyenas independence, which was what Shenzi feared. She wasn't sure what the hyenas were capable of alone. If it suited them… they may very well disobey Mufasa, and even herself. She had to keep them as far away from Scar as possible.

Shenzi thought carefully, she couldn't let this damper her victory. She couldn't let Mufasa win. Was it really important that she got access for everyone? Maybe… "I guess I can see the logic in that," she sighed. She looked back up at him, yellow eyes narrowed, "But that doesn't mean that we aren't reaching some sort of agreement. I still have your son."

Mufasa nodded in understanding. He had managed to knock down the one agreement that he would not stand for. Despite all of this, Shenzi didn't seem so bad. "How about this, I will allow you into the Pridelands, you and you alone. You will stay at Pride Rock and you will hunt with the lionesses, you may take your kills back to your clan."

Shenzi stiffened, twitching slightly. Is this what I want? she thought weakly. There was no way she could convince Mufasa to let anyone else come with her. She looked at Timon, who only shrugged, then she turned to Simba. He looked hopeful, wanting her to accept the deal. Was it for his sake or for hers? She would never know. "Only on two conditions," she said softly.

Mufasa nodded slowly, "Name them," he commanded.

"He," Shenzi gestured to Timon, "Stays with me." Mufasa raised an eyebrow, but nodded in agreement. "And… once a week, you will allow all of them, and I mean all of them, to enter the Pridelands to drink fresh water." It was the least she could do for them.

"On the account that they are not allowed to hunt anything," Mufasa conceded after a moment's thought. In a sense, they had both succeeded. Mufasa had limited the number of hyenas in the Pridelands to one, and Shenzi had managed to get them momentary access once a week, and she would be able to provide them food. And yet… in felt like she was betraying them.

Shenzi had led Mufasa deep into the graveyard so the two of them could tell the clan of the historic agreement. Mufasa had stood strong next to her, trusting that she wouldn't turn around and attack him. It was tempting, but she knew it would only play into Scar's plans… and she hated him more than she did Mufasa.

The hyenas were surprised that they were able to actually reach an agreement, they had such little faith in Shenzi. Well, it was more of a lack of faith in Mufasa's ability to compromise. But they had taken the news rather well. All they heard was they would be getting food, but Shenzi knew that it was only a matter of time before they would want more. Greedy, gluttonous fools, she hissed to herself.

Mufasa led them personally to the watering hole for the first of their weekly trips into the Pridelands. All animals scattered in the wake of the massive exodus of hyenas. They lapped graciously at the water, the freshness shocking many of them. Some had never had fresh water, others had taken occasional trips into the Badlands during the wet season to drink, but it had been quite a while since then.

But, inevitably, it was time for them to go. The clan reluctantly left the Pridelands, Shenzi and Mufasa following them back to the border. Banzai brought up the rear, pausing before crossing to stare at Shenzi. "Go, Banzai. I'll be back to visit with food," she said softly. Banzai gulped, but complied with her request.

Then it was just her, Mufasa, Timon, and the cubs. Mufasa turned and walked towards Pride Rock, not looking back to see if Shenzi was following. She tore her gaze from her previous home and followed her king back into the Pridelands. She couldn't feel happy.

It felt as if she damned herself. She didn't doubt that her rule would be challenged in her absence, and she wondered if it was even worth fighting for it each time she returned with food. She was no longer matriarch. So what does this make me? she pondered as they walked towards Pride Rock.

It didn't matter what it made her. She could do something matriarch Shenzi couldn't. She could provide for her clan, despite being in the Pridelands. She lifted her head to gaze into the sky. It was blue, not a cloud in the sky. And the light burned.

XXX

It was so damn hot. That's the first complaint Shenzi had come up with while in the Pridelands. Her second complain would definitely be the nasty looks she was getting from the lionesses. They would glare at her both behind her back and to her face. It annoyed her when they did it behind her back, but often she would prefer that to the latter.

The glares were full of contempt for the first day. They hated her simply because she was a hyena and they were lions. And yet, she managed to gain the king's favor. It felt… strange being beneath another being, but Shenzi found it almost a relief. She didn't have to worry about many things anymore.

The glares changed after their first hunting trip. Shenzi went all out, easily outpacing all of the other lionesses and quickly taking down a water buffalo by herself. This one would be for the clan. The lionesses had stared at her in surprise when she had taken off by herself, easily picked out a weakness, and took down the prey alone.

The glares became full of jealousy, she was better than any one of them in every way. She was faster, stronger, smarter, and they hated her for it. She didn't blame them for it. They must've complained something fierce because Mufasa had called her into his den on the fourth day.

"I hear complaints from the lionesses. They say you refuse to work as a team, that you went out of your way to hunt on your own," he said. He didn't necessarily look displeased, just amused that a hyena would be able to get under the skins of so many lions.

Shenzi snorted, she hadn't even had time to clean the blood from her fur from the day's hunt when Mufasa called for her, "It's not my fault if they can't keep up." She didn't bother to say any more, she couldn't care less about the lionesses.

A grin spread across Mufasa's face as he broke out into a deep laugh, startling Shenzi. She hadn't expected him to find her situation funny. But she remained silent, waiting for Mufasa to say something. The booming laugh eventually died down so that Mufasa could speak, "My son had said you were like that."

"What else did he tell ya?" Shenzi smirked, realizing that she wasn't in trouble. The last thing she wanted was to be kicked out because of a couple stupid lionesses.

"Not much else, but your companion did not hesitate to sing of your glory. He had told me you shone with a brilliance matched by no other," Mufasa said. Shenzi rolled her eyes, leave it to Stooge to stoke her ego. "Which was why after today's incident, I have to see it for myself. Come with me," he ordered, walking out of the cave.

Shenzi followed behind him, unsure of where he was taking her. They walked far away from Pride Rock, deep into the Pridelands. Shenzi stayed a few steps behind him, but didn't lag too far behind. Finally, he came to a stop on a small outcrop, sun glinting in his mane giving him a regal look.

Shenzi padded up next to him, the sun doing nothing but burning her. The outcrop overlooked a herd of antelope, going about their day, completely ignoring their king. Mufasa and Shenzi watched the herd for a few moments, they were about twenty meters away, before Mufasa began to speak, "Tell me, what do you see?"

Shenzi narrowed her eyes at the stupid question. It would be so simple to just say a herd of antelope and be done with it, but Shenzi figured that this was a test. So her sharp eyes scanned the herd, searching for something out of place, something that only she and Mufasa could see. Eventually, she found that something.

A cat with spots was slinking through the thick ferns, getting as close to the herd as possible. A cheetah, Shenzi recognized the spotted pattern. "I see danger," she said simply.

Mufasa nodded, impressed. "And which one do you think he will attack?" he asked. Yet another test. Shenzi scanned the herd once again, this time looking for weaknesses. And she found them.

"That one over there is limping," she said, pointing at the lame antelope, but she wasn't done yet. She continued with, "There are three younglings over there, but I doubt they'd provide much in terms of sustenance. The easiest kill, however, is likely the oblivious one closest to the predator."

Mufasa chuckled, "Excellent. Now, what do you think we should do?" he asked. Shenzi's eyes widened when she realized what they were doing. What she was doing. She was out hunting with the king. This ought to shut those damn lionesses up, she smirked and turned to look up at the much taller Mufasa.

"I say we capitalize on the oncoming panic," she said, slinking away. Judging from where the cheetah was positioned, the herd would scatter in random directions. But the majority would head… here, she thought as she and Mufasa hunkered down in a large bush, concealing themselves and waited.

Eventually, the cheetah leapt from his hiding spot and attacked the herd, sending them into a chaotic frenzy. She didn't see if he had caught his prey or not, because dozens and dozens of antelope came rushing at her and Mufasa.

They leapt as one, each of them tackling a different antelope, and both of them bit down hard enough to break their prey's neck. Though Shenzi's was accompanied by an audible crack as she broke bone. The feral fire in her eyes was matched only by the fire in Mufasa's, he clearly didn't get to do this often.

Eventually he dropped the antelope and she followed suit. He was breathing heavy, which inspired her to make a snide comment, "Out of shape old man?" she taunted. She had done something that no other hyena could claim, she had hunted with a lion. And not just any lion, a king to boot.

He chuckled loudly, "Perhaps, perhaps," he said. The two were silent, enjoying the afterglow of a good hunt. Shenzi had passed her test with flying colors. "My son speaks very highly of you, Shenzi," he started, using her real name to address her.

"You are, without a doubt, brilliant, and I can think of no better place for you than by my side. Will you accept a position as royal advisor?" he finished. Shenzi could feel herself soar, so much so that she lost herself.

It was too perfect. Was this a dream? This couldn't be real. But it was… it was very real. "Of course I accept, your majesty," she said, touching her nose to the ground. And she was happy. So very happy.

XXX

This was a rather short chapter when compared to the last two, but still enjoyable to write none-the-less. Although Shenzi hadn't been able to free her clan, she managed to vastly improve their living conditions. I wonder, however, if contempt has grown within her subjects. She left them. And though she feeds them from afar, she gets to stay in the proverbial promise land, while they continue to rot in the graveyard. How long do they take this injustice? Will they rise up against her? Can they rise up against her? If they challenge her rule, do you think she'll even care? Stay tuned until next time to find out!