Chapter 7: Confessions

It was dark by the time the lions arrived at the edge of the Pride Lands. Simba looked up at the watching stars, trembling as his father's words came back to him. What he wouldn't give for guidance right now. Slowly they crept through the tall grass, Rin and the other birds keeping a lookout above them. In the distance, they could hear the hyenas laughing. They crossed around the back of Pride Rock, and soon crouched low taking in the scene before them. The pride was gathered roughly in front of the cave; his mother and the six lionesses Simba remembered as the members of her hunting party looked livid, Sarafina most of all. But where was…

"NALA!" shouted his uncle, his face turned toward the cave.

It was only then that Simba noticed Zira and her party of five, and Nuka standing behind the dark lion. The golden cub felt his eyes widen as he became aware of the fact his cousin's left eye was swollen shut, an angry red gash marring it. Just what had happened? Then, her head held high, his best friend strolled out of the cave to stand before the King. Simba felt his heart ache as he saw Nala show no fear.

Her body still stinging from the wounds the hyenas had given her, Nala looked up at dark lion with contempt. "Yes, Scar?" she said, the words painted with scorn.

The King began to pace in front of her. "You stand accused of disobeying Royal Decree Number Three," said the dark lion. "How do you plead?"

Nala refused to blink. So he was going to be formal, eh? Two could play that game. "I can say without shame that I did disregard your 'decree' that we cubs no longer be permitted to learn how to defend ourselves." Nala then glared at the lion that sired her; proud that her voice never shook once despite the knowledge there was no escape for her. Scar simply continued with his feigned trial.

"You also stand accused of attacking the Crown Prince," said the King, glancing over at Nuka. "Do you deny it?"

"No."

"Then you're guilty." The dark lion's face became sad. "But there is still a chance for you to redeem yourself. If you will promise never to do anything like this again, and lead us to your accomplices, all will be forgiven. You could even become the future queen again."

Nala drew herself up to her full height and narrowed her eyes. "Never!" she shouted. "Dead or not I stand for the rightful king! Simba's Army!"

"Then I sentence you to death," replied the dark lion.

The pride gasped, all but Zira and Nuka.

"You can't do that!" shouted her mother.

"I am the King!" Scar roared back. "I can do whatever I want."

Those words, so similar to her lost friend, made Nala see red.

"If you were half the King Simba would've been –" she began, but her protest was cut short, because Scar spun around and backslapped her across the ground. The pale cub heard the hyenas start to close in. Simba, Mheetu! I'm coming!

"NO!"

Kimba watched, stunned as the Pride Rock Prince rushed out of their hiding place to stand in front of the pale female cub. He had never dreamed Simba would be capable of such a reaction. He felt a great deal of pride as his cousin moved into a crouch.

"Don't you touch her!" shouted Simba.

There were audible gasps at the sight of the gold cub. The Jungle Prince saw the female cub open her eyes and look up. She seemed confused.

"Tojo?" she asked.

His heart lurched in his chest as Simba looked down at his best friend. Slowly he shook his head, his eyes very sad. "No," he replied. "It's me."

"Simba?" she said, and the smile she gave him was brighter than the stars. "You're alive? But, how –"

"It doesn't matter, Nala," he said, nuzzling her face. "I'm home."

"Simba?" a lioness asked. The golden cub looked up into her eyes. From his expression, Kimba knew who this must be. "No, you're dead."

"No, Mom," he whispered. "Not really."

Scar stood stunned at the sight of Mufasa's son. How could this be? Didn't the hyenas tell him they had killed the brat? Fury washed over him, but he forced himself to remain calm. He knew the cub's weakness. He could still salvage the situation.

"Ah, Simba," he said, striding forward. "I had hoped it would not come to this. Why, dear nephew, didn't you take me advice?"

The cub gulped, but answered him. "Because… because there are some things you can't run away from."

The dark lion forced himself not to growl. The brat was still his father's clone. He had thought, once, that had he raised the cub he might have changed that. But clearly, Mufasa's hold had survived even death.

"Yes," drawled the King. "All of us have crimes that weigh upon our conscience. The pressure of lying for you like that – oh! It has been such a strain. But surely nothing in comparison to what you have endured." He saw with delight the gold cub's face fall.

"Lying for him?" repeated Sarabi. "Simba, what is he talking about?"

"Yes, Simba," Scar said. "Now is your chance to confess. Tell her… who is responsible for Mufasa's death."

Kimba watched as almost the entire pride – save an angular lioness and the brown cub beside her – gasped. Simba's face changed; it looked just the same as it had the day they had met. The white cub felt his body start to shake. He longed to run out and stop this, but he didn't know how.

"Why don't you tell them, Scar?"

The Jungle Prince whipped his head around as Leona leaped out from their hiding place and strode toward her brother.

The other cubs followed, moving to stand behind Simba.

The dark lion's face turned to surprise before he answered. "Whatever do you mean, sister?" he asked. "Why would I deny our nephew this chance to clear his conscience?"

The pale cub – Nala – stood up and looked at the gathered lions. "Would someone please tell us what's going on?"

"Allow me," said Leona. "You have been lied to."

Kimba barely listened as his aunt recounted the story of the gorge and Mufasa's death. His attention was on his cousin. Silently, he moved to stand beside Simba. Nala did the same, taking the left.

"You okay?" they asked in unison.

The gold cub looked from one to the other and nodded.

Rya came up beside him. She nudged the white cub, nodding at the Priestess. Leona had begun to pace back and forth in front of the "King" as she spoke; her eyes taking in the two clearly separate groups of lionesses and the hyenas. Kimba followed her gaze and realized if it came to fighting, they would be out-numbered. He nodded to show he understood.

"You see?" asked Leona as she finished her tale. "Something is horribly wrong with this situation – it makes almost no sense."

Scar felt the fury take a hold of him. It wouldn't take long before Sarabi and the others put two and two together. They wouldn't recognize that he done what he'd done to save the Pride Lands.

At that moment Shenzi came up alongside him. "What you want us to do, Boss?"

"If you had done your job then we wouldn't be in this situation!" he yelled without thinking. "I should have taken care of the brat myself just as like his father!" The dark lion understood his mistake as soon as he saw his sister's eyes go cold.

Leona growled, as did Sarabi and her hunting party. "What exactly do you mean by that, Scar?" demanded the white lioness as she crouched to spring.

Defiant to the end, the dark lion raised his head. "That, to save us all, I killed Mufasa!"