- Chapter 9 by Haradion. Edited by Asante.


"Evening all. I am guessing you recognize this format, and if you do, you know that it is finally, My Turn (Haradion) to write a chapter. Although I played an active role in the planning, plotting and behind the scenes administration of organizing this momentous, multi-authored piece, this is my first full chapter.

So enjoy.

(As readers of my series will be aware, I always endeavor to check my Chapters for spelling and grammar. With five other Authors, proofreading this, there should be far fewer than normal, but as always, I apologize for any I/We miss.)


The Lion King VI:

Fall of Man

Chapter 9

"Hasira, no!" Asante protested as Hasira ran for Daniel.

Instantly, Simba roused. "Hasira?" he gasped, rising to his feet.

Hasira swiped at Daniel, who threw himself to the side. Hasira's claws passed through thin air. The lion roared in frustration. The sound was louder and more primal than any roar Daniel had heard in the Pride Lands.

"Hasira, stop it!" Asante pleaded.

As Hasira turned, Daniel crawled to his feet. Hasira growled and prepared to charge again, but Asante leapt in his path, standing between Hasira and Daniel.

"Hasira, listen to me!" Asante shouted.

The great lion slowed, but continued to glare at Asante. "A Lion Hunter, right here? Would someone tell me why he's still breathing!"

"Hasira!" Simba roared, running towards the larger lion. Hasira's breathing slowed, but he continued to pant heavily. Upon recognizing Simba, Hasira bowed. "Your Majesty."

Simba glared at Hasira as he stepped in his path. He considered informing the great lion that he was no longer king, but decided there were more important things to address than pedantic quibbles over titles. "Hasira, stand down."

"You know this guy?" Daniel asked, earning a glare from Hasira, who could barely contain his disgust.

Simba nodded. "Hasira passed through our kingdom a long time ago. He was only an adolescent then. An old friend of Nala's had taken him in after… after…"

Hasira grimaced. "After the Lion Hunters slaughtered my pride." he finished.

Simba nodded slowly. "I'm sorry we didn't believe you."

Hasira laughed. "You all thought they were stories – myths – told to frighten young cubs into behaving. I warned you, but none of you believed! Now you have one of them right here!"

Simba looked from Hasira to Daniel. "Hasira, you don't understand…"

Hasira roared. "Then explain it to me!" he snarled, taking a few steps closer.

Daniel was suddenly struck by the vast size difference between Hasira and Simba. Asante watched fearfully as the immense lion, greater in size than even Mheetu, moved closer to the former king, muscles tensed and eyes filled with hate.

"Explain to me why you had a monster lying inches from you while you slept like a baby," Hasira hissed. "I always heard that monsters were severely dealt with in the Pride Lands. One need only ask of Scar or Zira – know their fates – to know the Pride Lands are a haven for justice and peace. A king protects his kingdom, and yet here you are, far from your borders. Explain to me how you are miles from your throne, in the company of this abomination?" Hasira's face was only inches from Simba's.

Simba didn't back down. "Daniel has dedicated his life to helping lions," he replied calmly. "He saved dozens of us from a plague. His vessel crashed in the Pride Lands and we are merely returning him…"

"He is one of them!" Hasira bellowed. "He's a Lion Hunter! Have you gone mad!"

Simba scowled. "Calm yourself, Hasira. There is no need for this."

Hasira unsheathed his claws again. "Stand aside, Simba."

"Hasira, what are you doing?" Asante shouted.

"What you should have done," Hasira replied, moving threateningly towards Daniel.

Simba growled and again stepped in Hasira's path. "Hasira, he is not a Lion Hunter! Stand down!"

"You are notmy king, Simba. I owe you no allegiance. Stand aside! His kind slaughtered my family for their skins! Murdered my mother and father before my eyes!"

Simba's eyes filled with sympathy. "Hasira, he's just a boy."

"I was just a cub! Stand aside, damn you!" Hasira again tried to move around Simba.

"Do not take another step," Simba snarled, his expression hardening again. "I am sorry for how you and your family have suffered but I will not allow you to threaten members of my pride!"

Hasira's eyes filled with horror. "Your pride? This thing is a member of your pride?" He growled in disgust. "You're traitors to your species!" He struck at Simba, slashing his flank. Simba tried to dodge but the blow sunk deep and drew blood. He cried out in pain and fell to his side.

"No!" Asante shouted. He launched himself at Hasira, but the great lion slapped him aside. Asante struck a tree and was momentarily dazed.

Hasira moved towards Daniel. The human lowered his staff, keeping the point between him and Hasira as he backed away. He maintained eye contact. "Look, I had nothing to do with what happened to your pride."

"You see!" Hasira snarled. "Already he betrays his true nature! He is using dark magic to speak our tongue!"

Simba pushed himself up, ignoring his wounds. Growling, he struck at Hasira from behind, clawing the large lion's back. Hasira grunted in pain and looked over his shoulder, glaring at Simba.

"His ability to speak to us is a gift from the Great Kings!" Simba roared. "It was a gift from my father! The Great Kings sent him to us for a reason!"

Asante shook his head and pushed himself off the ground.

"Then they sent him to his death!" Hasira shouted. He pushed Simba away and leapt at Daniel, who struck with the staff. The wooden rod bounced off the lion's skull. Hasira grunted and charged again.

Asante pounced at Hasira, managing to catch the large lion off guard. He knocked Hasira to the side. "Daniel, go! Get out of here!"

Simba hurried to his son's side, and the two Pride Landers faced Hasira, who was stumbling to his feet. "Run, Daniel!" Simba ordered.

Daniel hesitated for a second, afraid to leave his friends, but then did as the old lion ordered, grabbing his bag and running.

When Hasira saw Daniel getting away, he howled in anger. He started to charge forward.

"Use their strength against them," Asante mumbled, remembering Kopa's lessons. He crouched as Hasira bore down on him and Simba. As soon as the large lion was close, Asante moved to the side and swiped low, tripping Hasira's feet with his claws and sending the enormous lion crashing onto his face.

"Let's go!" Simba called, turning around and fleeing.

Asante did as instructed and followed his father.

Hasira hissed in pain, his front paws lacerated from Asante's claws. He pushed himself up, ignoring the injuries. With a violent roar, he dashed forward in pursuit of the Pride Landers.

Several yards ahead of the lions, Daniel came to a river flowing through a narrow gorge. The sides were steep and the river was far below. "God, why do you hate me?" Daniel moaned. He glanced to the side and noticed a fallen tree, which had formed a bridge over the chasm. Daniel hurried to the downed tree and took a step up. "Please don't break, please don't bre…"

"No time for caution!" Simba declared, surprising Daniel. He nudged the human with his paw, coaxing him onto his back.

Daniel climbed onto Simba and grabbed hold of his mane. "Please don't break," he whispered one last time.

The old lion leapt across the bridge in three bounds. They turned and saw Asante standing on the other side of the bridge. "Asante, hurry!" Simba called.

Asante took a deep breath and made to jump on the bridge when Hasira burst from the darkness and swiped at the young lion, knocking his back legs out from other him.

"No!" Simba wailed.

Asante managed to seize hold of the log and quickly pulled himself back up. He crouched along the bridge, facing Hasira as he advanced. The tree creaked ominously under both their weights. Hasira glanced down, eying the bridge uncertainly.

"Hasira, you don't have to do this," Asante pleaded.

Hasira eyed him, a look of disgust in his eyes. "I do – and I want to."

Asante swiped at Hasira, who quickly backed away. "Missed," he chuckled.

"No, I didn't," Asante muttered.

The prince had punctured the bridge with his claws. It creaked again and Hasira's eyes widened in shock. He backed up, trying to return to the edge of the gorge, but the log gave way before he could. Hasira cried out as he fell.

Asante spun around and leapt for the edge of the gorge. He fell just short of the cliff as Simba gave a cry of terror. The old lion leaned over the edge to see where Asante had fallen, only to discover his son hanging below him, his claws embedded in the rock face in a frighteningly familiar scene. "Asante, hold on!" Simba shouted, reaching down and holding out a forelimb. "Take my paw!"

Asante reached but there was a good eight or ten inches between them.

"Reach for it!" Simba cried.

"I can't!" Asante shouted back.

Simba used his other paw to hold onto the cliff, his claws digging into the stone. He leaned down further, sending pebbles and rocks tumbling to the river below. "Take it!"

"You'll fall!" Asante shouted, recognizing Simba's precarious position.

"Asante, do what I say and take my paw!"

Asante reached, his paw millimeters from Simba's. Their claws closed around each other. Simba gave a smile. "I have you, my son!"

Then Simba's hold on the cliff began to slip. For a few seconds, both lions were certain they were going to fall. Then Simba felt something steady him. He looked up and saw Daniel. The human had plunged Rafiki's staff into the cliff face, embedding it in the stone by Simba's forelimb to give him support. Simba coiled his elbow around it. By some miracle, the stick held Simba in place. Daniel groaned with the exertion of supporting them. Realizing the human couldn't steady them for long, Simba hauled himself up, and then Asante, their claws digging into each other's wrists. When both lions were up, they all collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion.

"My son," Simba whispered, nuzzling Asante. "I thought I'd lost you."

"What happened to Hasira?" Asante asked between breaths. He was answered by a violent roar from down below. Slowly, Asante leaned over the edge of the gorge.

Hasira floated in the river below, staring up at them with sheer hatred. When he fell, he had clawed the wall of the gorge to slow his decent, just enough so that he had landed without injury. He roared again.

Daniel shuddered. "He sounds pissed," he muttered.

"He said he killed two of the Lion Hunters," Asante said.

Simba sighed heavily. "That leaves the other two. I'm sure he'll focus on the ones that could do him real harm – the ones with the weapons. Then he'll come after Daniel."

"Why?" Daniel exclaimed. "I didn't do anything to him!"

Asante shrugged. "He said he's already wiped out whole settlements of humans. I don't think he knows what else to do now besides kill humans."

"Then we don't have much time to waste." Simba took a deep breath and stood. "We need to get Daniel home as soon as possible."


Mchezo sat in the front seat of the jeep, impatiently tapping the steering wheel. He had said he would meet Seth and Peter before nightfall, but the moon was already high in the night sky.

Nguvu watched her brother from the back of the jeep, which was empty of the ivory, skins, and other prizes from earlier, now filled with weapons, ammunition, and even a few explosives. Nguvu was cleaning her rifle when she suddenly threw down her weapon. "Would you stop that?" she snapped impatiently.

"Stop what?" Mchezo asked, looking over his shoulder.

"That blasted tapping!"

Mchezo's hand relaxed on the steering wheel.

"What are you so worried about?" Nguvu sighed. "Seth can take care of himself, and Peter… Well, who really cares what happens to Peter?"

Mchezo sighed. "Have you ever known Seth to be late? No, so there is something definitely wrong. It's not just those lions, it's this whole place; that strange boy. How has he survived out here? How did he tame those lions and hyenas? I am telling you, something's not right."

Nguvu nodded. "He's probably dead by now anyway."

"I certainly hope not," Mchezo replied. "I'm sure he knows where we can find the pride, and I am confident, with some persuasion, he will share that knowledge."

Nguvu was about to reply, when she saw a swarm of vultures circling in the moonlit sky, right near where they had left the others. "One of ours?" She asked.

Mchezo narrowed his eyes at the vultures. "No, that's not where we dumped the two hyenas." He started the ignition. "Let's head over there. Maybe there's something to scavenge."

The vultures flew into the air at the arrival of the four-by-four, leaving behind two carcasses. Mchezo and Nguvu climbed out of the jeep to inspect the remains, Mchezo carrying a lantern and Nguvu holding her rifle.

"Good God!" Mchezo shouted in disgust. The remains were torn apart, and mutilated further by scavengers. The two poachers inched closer, and Mchezo lifted his lantern.

Nguvu gasped in horror. "Seth… Peter…"

Mchezo stared in shock, but already his tracker's mind was working, analyzing the wounds, the bites, and the tracks nearby. "Lions," he whispered.

Nguvu stood over Seth's body, her eyes wide with fury. "I'll kill them – and that Daniel boy. I bet these were the same lions he tamed. He trained them to do this! I'll gut him!"

Mchezo placed a hand on her arm. Then he looked back over his shoulder, and something caught his eye. "Nguvu," he whispered.

Nguvu looked up at him. "What?"

"Turn around very slowly."

Nguvu did, and inhaled sharply.

Behind them, silhouetted against the moon on a far hill, was the largest lion she had ever seen, likely over a thousand pounds. Its teal eyes gleamed in the darkness. It stared at them for a few moments, blood dripping from its lip. Then, it slowly turned around and ran off into the darkness.

Mchezo bolted for the jeep and jumped back into the driver's seat, grabbing his rifle. "You're not getting away," he snarled, checking his ammo and the petrol. Then he turned on the engine. "Let's go," he called to his sister. "We'll track him. If he has a pride, he'll lead us right to them!"

Nguvu looked at the bodies. "We can't just leave them like this!"

"Neither of them was particularly religious. Let them decay back into nature. It's what Seth would have wanted – and what Peter would have complained about."

Nguvu knelt down and reached out to caress what remained of Seth's face.

"We can't pass this up!" Mchezo insisted. "You want to do something for Seth? Let's get revenge on the animals that did this to him!"

Nguvu stood up and cocked her rifle. "Fine, let's go!"

Far ahead of them, running as fast as he could, Hasira released a cruel chuckle. He would have loved to kill the two remaining Lion Hunters, spill their blood, eat their flesh, and tear them apart! Their metal staffs would be useless. He would use the darkness – the shadows. It would've been so easy.

But he had other plans. Simba and Asante had showed him one thing; the Pride Landers needed convincing. They didn't understand the danger the Lion Hunters represented. They didn't understand that for the good of all of Africa – the good of the entire world – the Lion Hunters had to be destroyed, every last man, woman, and child stamped out of existence! The Pride Landers would have to be shown. Only then could Hasira count on them to aid him in his mission.

He kept running, checking every so often to make sure the jeep was following him, but always staying out of range of their blasting sticks. Occasionally, he would melt into the darkness, then reveal himself some distance away. He only rested when the Lion Hunters rested. He led them on, eyes on the horizon – in the direction of Pride Rock.


Nala sat at the edge of Pride Rock, staring at the moonlit sky. Come home safely, Simba, She thought to herself. She knew Simba gained comfort from the stars in times of difficulty. However, Nala found no such comfort. To her, the stars were cold, dim and distant. Her Simba was gone, and each day – each step – took him closer to Lion Hunter territory – further from her. She knew Daniel was a true friend, and they owed him everything. They knew his kind was capable of great good, and that there was more to the humans than simply the Lion Hunters, but that didn't make them any less dangerous.

"Stargazing?" someone behind her asked.

Nala recognized the voice as Kovu. "I thought you would be with Kiara at this late hour."

Kovu winced. "Actually, I don't think I'll be sleeping in the den tonight. She and I had a bit of an argument."

Nala frowned. "You and Kiara? Arguing? That's unusual. Now Kopa and Vitani arguing, I could believe that."

Kovu lowered his head.

"Tell me what happened?" Nala instructed. "Maybe I can help?"

Kovu sighed. "She was worried about Simba and Asante. I know Simba isn't getting any younger, so I told her that Asante would take care of him, make sure Simba didn't hurt himself. Kiara nearly bit my head off. She accused me of saying Simba was weak and feeble. I'm sorry to say that I snapped back. I said that she was the one who suggested he couldn't handle himself. Then she lost it, accused me of not caring. I don't…" Kovu groaned in frustration. "I don't know what I was supposed to say. I just turned around and left."

Nala rolled her eyes. "You walked away? Great Kings above, Kovu, she's worried for Simba and Asante. Maybe she's not making a lot of sense, but that's because she's frightened."

Kovu nodded. "I'll apologize to her in the morning."

Nala cleared her throat. "Forgive me, my hearing seems to be a little off. When do you plan to apologize?"

Kovu gulped. "I'll apologize to her now."

Nala smiled at him. "You're a fine young lion, Kovu. You and Kiara will have your squabbles like any other couple, but you'll love each other all the more for it."

Kovu grimaced. "I don't know. This fight was pretty bad."

Nala chuckled. "Remind me to tell you about the spat Simba and I had over his bug-eating habits. What he eats is his own business, but what he brings into the den is my business."

Kovu nodded. "Thank you, Nala." He turned and made his way down Pride Rock. He walked past Kopa, who sat unobtrusively within the den's entrance.

The newly crowned king looked over to the promontory, observing his mother. He considered going out to join Nala.

"Can't sleep?" Vitani asked, coming up beside him.

Kopa nodded. "I'm gonna to take a walk, clear my head a little." He gave Vitani a quick nuzzle.

"I'll wait up for you," Vitani purred.

Kopa slowly made his way from the den and walked along the path leading up to the summit of Pride Rock. I don't care if you're retired, Dad, he thought, you're still needed here. Why did you leave us in the lurch? You just had to go gallivanting off! He stepped up onto the plateau of Pride Rock and looked out over the kingdom. I'm not ready for this, and neither is Kiara! He breathed heavily. "Please come back."

Kopa sat in silence for a while, fighting the panic that threatened to overtake him. What if Simba never returned? Could he and his sister rule without their father's guidance? Simba lost his father as a cub, yet he still became a great king. "But I'm not you, Dad," Kopa muttered. "I'll screw everything up." Kopa looked up to the stars above.

"Kopa."

Kopa's ears swiveled around. He looked over his shoulder and discovered a lion standing behind him. His heart leapt. "Dad?"

The lion shook his head. "Not quite." He had a rich golden pelt and his mane was the same fiery color as Simba's. His eyes were also the same color as Simba's, a deep reddish brown. Though they shared many features, Kopa realized this lion was much larger and more muscular than Simba with broad shoulders, a more pronounced jaw, and narrower eyes.

"Who are you?" Kopa snarled, taking a defensive stance.

The large lion took a seat. "Kopa, you must listen to me. My time here is very short."

Kopa roared. "I'm not listening to anything you say until you tell me who you are and what you're doing on Pride Rock!"

The lion sighed resignedly. "I am Mufasa."

Kopa's expression went blank. "Huh?"

The strange lion closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, his eyes lit up with white light and a golden aureole formed around him. A soothing wind began to blow, sweeping the spectral lion's red mane back.

Kopa sat heavily on his haunches. "You're real?" he gasped.

Mufasa nodded.

Kopa shook his head. "Why are you appearing to me? Did I do something wrong?"

Mufasa shook his head. "Kopa, you are the king now, and very soon, you will have to protect the Pride Lands."

As the weight of this ethereal visit came crashing down on Kopa, he started to panic. "Nuh uh, nope, no thanks, I can't handle this!"

"Yes, you can," Mufasa said sternly. "You are more than ready to rule. You have the will, the mind, and most importantly, the heart."

Kopa closed his eyes and lowered his head. "What do you mean I'll soon have to protect the Pride Lands?" he whispered.

"A great threat is coming – the Lion Hunters will invade the Pride Lands once again."

Kopa looked up in shock. "Why now?"

Mufasa's expression turned solemn. "One who has lived among you long ago is luring the Hunters here, and he will see all of Africa burn before his quest for vengeance is satisfied. He will be content with nothing less than the extinction of humanity, and he will bring death upon our pride in the hopes that the Pride Lands will wage war on humanity as well."

"Can't you stop them?" Kopa insisted. "The Great Kings did it once when the First King ruled."

Mufasa shook his head. "When the Great Kings destroyed the first wave of Lion Hunters, they expended all their power. We can only guide you now, and hope you have the strength to protect yourselves." Mufasa inhaled sharply. "I'm sorry, my grandson, but the time a spirit may spend with the living is short indeed."

"Wait, don't go yet!" Kopa pleaded. "What about Dad and Asante? Are they okay? When will the Lion Hunters get here? What am I supposed to do?"

Mufasa gazed tenderly at his grandson. "That, your Majesty, is up to you. I wish you luck." The spectral lion's form began to dissolve into vapor. "Goodbye, King Kopa." With that, Mufasa disappeared.


What do you think of that, and of my debut to this story? If you are unfamiliar with me, then I am proud to say "Hello!" My name is Haradion, author of the "Lion King – Judgment" and "Lion King – Legacies" series, which is presently coming up to the end of the third book. So if you liked this chapter, or my writing style, go check those out.

On the flip side, it has been a privilege to assist Asante with the completion of his final story. I am pleased to say that every chapter has been planned out and organized, and that it should be completed soon. We are approaching its epic conclusion!

Until next time readers, have a nice day. And as always: "Please, leave a review."

- Haradion


Continue to Chapter 10