A/N:
Hmmm, it's been nine days since my last update... again. I think nine must be my lucky number or something. x) This chapter is only about Shenzi, Zamani, Asokai, and Ed. It was going to have more, but these chapters keep getting longer and longer... even though it's just some exposition on Shenzi's plan/motivation. Not too much, and no flashbacks... those are for later. :p Plus a ¡SURPRISE! at the end. xD Ahem... And one last thing for me to say-being the indecisive person I am, I went ahead and made aforementioned decision for all of you. Trampled will have a sequel, and it's going to be called "Subterfuge". I don't know much else at this point though. Don't get too excited. :p Review time.
kate: Wasn't a super quick update like last time (or the time before...), but it was still comparatively not-slow, so... yeah. xD Enjoy.
mom: Thanks... that part was fun. x) lol
NiñaRoja: Love to hear your enthusiasm! :D Hope you enjoy the upcoming chapters. :p And there's a first for everything, I suppose. lol But still, I'm very honored. XD *takes a bow*
ForeverNocturnal: Thanks. :) And we can hope... but sometimes tragedies are hard to avoid and cope with. :/ Actually, that's good to hear... I was pondering how best to tackle his accent. x)
Reldor: *tries to think of a Reldorian witty comment* Yep, if her mind was a swimming pool, she'd be going off the deep end! xD *totally just failed there* That was my best comeback... o.- And Sarabi doesn't play a huge part in the movie other than being Simba's mom, so I understand why you'd feel that way, lol. xD
titan616: Yeah, I agree about the prison thing. :/ But I wanted to add her predicament into the plot. Plus, Scar is technically related to her via marriage. x) (Although that might change, from the looks of things). Mufasa's at something of an impasse here-with a dead son, an exiled brother, and a mate who wants to kill said brother. What bad luck! D:
IronicSnap: *holds up faux champagne* Yep, to another 100 reviews! :D And I'm glad to hear you liked it... personally, I was fearing that the last few chapters were becoming redundant. DX And more Stephen Fry, hmm? :p I'll have to look up that video again... I remember it was hilarious. lol
Shadow914: Glad to hear you like it, and I hope you keep reading. (: Here is Chapter 14.
Sunkissed Fairy: Oh, hello... I remember you. :D I'm really happy to hear you're still reading. Really. (: Nice to hear you love it.
TheTrueJuliet: Hey, TTJ! :D I haven't heard from you in a while, either in PMs or reviews. I assumed you were busy with work, but if you aren't, feel free to chat anytime. :) I'm very happy that this story has "enthralled" you. :p That's part of my goal. xD Yep, I love epic music, so I'll check it out. :D And don't worry, Zira makes an appearance soon... x)
And last but not least, I would like to say that I have not heard from Ceu Praca lately, even though they PMed me saying they were reading Chapter 10 about 10 days ago... so, if any of you are holding them hostage, then please release them immediately. I don't have enough for a ransom. Thanks. xD
Now on with the story. (:
The hyena cave was an interesting place—silent during the day, but active and bustling at night. And that's how Shenzi always knew it. Growing up here, adjusting to the regular traffic and hectic schedule of the hours. Of course, being matriarch, she also had to learn to control it… but the place had a sort of rhythm, a delicate tempo of life that faded and receded like the tides of the ocean. And while Shenzi did appreciate being alone with her thoughts from time to time, sometimes the points of solitude were too much for her to bear.
The hunt was out. Silence ensued.
Banzai and his party were gone. More silence ensued.
She bided her time as well as she could, attempting to keep boredom at bay by fiddling with a scrap of bone she had found propped up carelessly against one of the boulders…
And that was another thing that infuriated her. Whenever she tried to keep the place clean, she always failed utterly. Always. It was an impossible endeavor, and one she had long since given up on. For each piece of trash she picked up, about six more came—seemingly from nowhere—and littered the floor nearby. Living with so many male hyenas was such a distraction…
But luckily she wasn't the only female around… what a relief… at that moment Zamani came shuffling up, her posture somewhat slouched as she limped about on three legs. The old hyena approached Shenzi cheerfully enough before sitting down, a small grin on her face.
"Heya niecey… how ya doin'?"
"Good enough, I s'pose. Leg still hurting ya?" Shenzi replied good-naturedly, happy to have some company for a few moments. Zamani rolled her eyes in mock irritation.
"Yeah! Can't believe I 'llowed that danged gazelle ta kick me! Now I gotta stay here… I should be on ta hunt!" she stomped one of her good paws on the ground, clearly itching to go despite her older age and delicate state. Though she may not have had much physical strength—anymore, at least—her boundless enthusiasm was astonishing.
"Well, s'alright. At least it means we get ta talk to each other…" she trailed off absently, the older hyena leaning conversationally over the boulder as Shenzi glanced around dubiously.
"Don'tcha worry, Shenzi Marie… you're doin' wonderful. I always knew ya'd be the best ta pass my torch to… even though your mother died before she could teach'a ta ropes," she responded warmly, obviously picking up on her hesitation. "Now…" she continued, "doesn't mean I 'gree with all ya choices… but I'm here for ya."
Shenzi smirked, obviously knowing what she was referring to. She herself was somewhat unsure of how to proceed in the midst of the whole situation…
"What should a'do, auntie?"
"Ya gotta be bold, Shenz'!" she answered dogmatically, a certain enthusiastic glint in her eyes as she drew closer to her niece. "Blackmail works sometimes now, but this… you hafta get rida 'im. Ya've told me 'bout that lion, and I don't think he's gonna listen. Not ta mention his chances of killing ta king are slim ta nothin'."
"Well, we'll see what Banz' says. I know it could be dangerous, 'specially if Mufasa finds out about our dealings, but… I think Scar's our only chance back ta the Pridelands. I don't want to kill 'im yet," she reflected sadly, not quite liking the idea of keeping him alive any longer either. Unfortunately, she didn't have much choice…
"Hmmm… well, if ya think that's best… you are ta leader of this pack. I'll give ya advice, but whether or not ya take it is only up ta you," she smiled ruefully, clearly wishing that she would listen. "Just remember… bold, Shenzi… bold. We could take ta kingdom for ourselves from ta lions if we wished…"
"Yeah, but that'd cause a war, and our numbers are too weak an' small for such a battle. We're barely scraping togetha' enough food ta keep us alive... which is why I'm willing to get us something ta eat, no matter ta co—."
"Never underestimate ta spirit of ta hyenas!" her expression quickly changed into one of deadly seriousness. "Be proud of who ya are! Be proud of ya species!" Shenzi frowned at her aunt's sudden change in mood, somewhat ashamed. She felt like a young pup, being scolded for doing something wrong. The matriarch buried her face under one of her paws and looked at her aunt regretfully, a little saddened. Yes, the hyenas had spirit… but that was about it.
"Look, I'm sorry, auntie… but I don't think I could rule ta Pridelands. I'd be happy just livin' there. You can say I have no ambition, but… leadin's harder than I thought. I just want ta see my people though this rough time. Not ta mention… Banz' and ta others underestimate Scar. They ain't 'fraid of him like I am… they don't know him like a'do. They don't understand just how smart he is. Which could work either for us… or against us."
Zamani pressed her lips together sadly, which brought another pang of guilt to her niece. "Alright, s'ya decision, niecey. But just tell me one thing… this isn't 'cause ya knew him as a pup, is it? I'd hate ta think ya'd gone soft on us…"
"NO!" Shenzi blurted out a bit too quickly. "Of course not! That was in ta past, Zamani… and trust me, his brother will pay for keepin' us in exile all this time."
Zamani nodded in approval, and was about to open her mouth to say something… before rapid footsteps were heard outside the cavern. Shenzi turned her head in surprise, only to find a young hyena running full speed up to her.
"Asokai? Something wrong?"
He bolted to the back of the cavern, his paws skidding and sliding against the rock as he struggled to slow to a stop. The young hyena panted for breath, clearly tired, and his limbs shook as torrents of sweat poured off his heaving sides.
"Message for you."
Shenzi cast a dubious glance at Zamani, who only gazed at her solemnly. Nervous, the matriarch gritted her teeth and frowned edgily, before motioning for Asokai to continue.
"Scar's stuck up on the—eeep—edge of a cliff. Banzai and the others can't reach him."
The female hyena narrowed her eyes, silently cursing her second-in-command's blatant incompetence.
"Alright, what happened? What's Banzai tryin' ta do? Why's 'e stuck under a cliff?"
"Some lionesses were there a—eeek—nd they were chasing Scar or something. Banzai told us to hide in the shadows and attack him if he got close."
"What? No!" Shenzi looked deeply irritated. She'd though she'd made herself clear… "So he just attacked 'im? No warnings or nothin'? Did he pay ta ransom?"
"Well," Asokai started, confused. He titled his head questioningly, even as he continued, "Banzai told him we'd kill him if he didn't pay it… which he didn't."
Shenzi growled in frustration, rubbing the side of her head with her paw as she tried to calm down. Finally she glanced at Asokai, who appeared to be cowering slightly from her wrath. She shouldn't blame the messenger, so to speak…
"Thanks, Asokai. You can go get somethin' ta drink. You don't hafta go back there if ya don't wanna," she muttered half-heartedly, still nonplussed over the whole incident. Why didn't he have patience? Prudence? Foresight? Why was he so… clueless? Asokai only stood there, silent, for several moments… before shrugging meekly and pattering away.
"Maybe this was supposed ta happen, Shenz'," Zamani stated reassuringly, "…we can finish up ta whole thing in one fell swoop. Ya just gotta wait for him ta come down. Shouldn't be too hard, ya know…"
The matriarch sighed. She didn't exactly want this to happen. It wasn't the turn of events she had planned… but, then again, not all things go according to plan…
"Wait, so if he's in the tree… I've got time ta make a decision, right?"
Zamani nodded quietly. "It's ultimately up ta you, as I said… But ya hafta be quick about it. Banzai and the others are dependin' on your leadership. Don't keep 'em waitin'.
Shenzi shuffled from foot to foot impatiently, eager to get away from the area and evaluate her options. Of course, the matriarch was never without some sort of inkling—a vague idea of her next, immediate course of action. Clearing her throat awkwardly, she addressed the old matriarch again.
"Alright… I'm gonna go get a drink or somethin'," she lied subtly, turning away from her aunt and looking sadly over her shoulder as she exited the cave. Finally she focused on the terrain ahead of her, and was delighted as her paws met the wispy, sun-warmed soil. The azure sky of the increasingly barren desert stretched out in every direction she could see… and in the midst of the encompassing blue, a bright sun sent its beams out in a warm, magnificent embrace. She sniffed the pleasant air lazily, and had there been any grass, there would have certainly been the cool feel of dew under her feet as well.
She jogged with increasing placidity across her dusty home, and was surprised when she quickly encountered—and nearly tripped over—a hyena pup, which was enjoying the sunrise and was clearly oblivious to its surroundings.
"Ooof… sorry there!"
The hyena pup appeared alarmed and somewhat shaken, but didn't run away. She—for it was a female—only whimpered a little and looked up at Shenzi with pleading, questioning eyes. Instantly feeling somewhat guilty, Shenzi tried to reassure the young hyena.
"Now, now… s'okay, sweetie. I'm not gonna hurt ya. We're friends," she placed her paw gently on the other hyena's shoulder, which merited a smile on the part of the younger pack member.
"Mmm-mm… really?" the small female craned her neck around to look at Shenzi with large, brown eyes.
"Of course!" she returned her smile with an affectionate grin, before realizing what she was out here for in the first place… suddenly her face changed into something vaguely aloof, revealing her distant stress. "Have ya seen Ed 'round anywhere, maybe? I'm lookin' for him."
"You mean the stupid one?" the younger hyena questioned lightly with a helpful tone in her voice. Of course, she was unknowing of just how strange those words sounded to Shenzi's ears. The matriarch nodded blankly. "Mmm… I saw him a few minutes ago. He was over by the tree… that way," she motioned to the right with her paw. "Why?" she queried, cocking her eyebrow curiously.
"Oh, nothin', dear. Just want ta see him. Part of my job is makin' sure everyone's doin' good," she cracked another friendly smile towards the little pup, who was still lying quietly in the dirt with her eyes now fixed on the horizon. Her attention was already diverted elsewhere, and her only reply was a terse nod. Deciding to leave her alone, Shenzi turned around as quietly as she could and padded away towards the direction the other hyena had pointed in.
She was right. Shenzi beamed as she traversed over the vista of a hill and caught sight of a lone figure leaning against the small, twisted form of one the rare trees in the hyenas' territory. Really, it was little more than a dark, knotted stick… but it was enough to hold his weight, hence why he chose to relax and sidle up to it. Shenzi had thought that Ed had gone out with the rest of Banzai's party earlier… though he may have returned after Scar got stuck on the cliff. Besides, no one was bound to question his absence, and they weren't likely to ask specifically for his help. Only she did that.
The sun shined fully on the two of them, rendering him a mere shadow in her vision. But as she drew closer, Shenzi could vaguely make out that the other hyena's back was turned towards her, and he was staring off distantly into the horizon. He must have heard her footsteps by now, though he made no move to acknowledge her. The male only continued to stare off into the distance while a certain, chronic haziness glazed over his eyes. His tongue hung out of his mouth lazily and he was drooling as he spaced out…
Shenzi edged his way in front of him, blocking out the headlong rays of practically blinding sunlight. His focus turned towards her slowly, and after a few moments he decided—seemingly at random—to engage in a bout of rapid, incoherent gibberish… accompanied, of course, with rapid paw-waving and more drooling. The matriarch only stood still for a moment, eying her surroundings carefully, before nodding once…
The situation swiftly changed. In the midst of his quick quirks, the seemingly confused and mute hyena shook his head thrice, causing Shenzi to smile in satisfaction. After a span of several seconds, his motions slowed, and finally stopped as he proceeded to glance around coolly. They were alone. Ed looked back at Shenzi, and the change in his face was apparent. Like the onset of a misty cloud of fog, a certain lucidity had been borne into his eyes, and his tongue was no longer dangling limply out of his jaws. He waited silently, patiently… with a sort of hidden enthusiasm and eagerness.
"What flies… but has no wings?" she queried in a low whisper, stooping her head low and anxiously glancing back up the hill she had just crossed.
"Time," he replied simply, in a small voice which was nonetheless dripping with power and hinting of deadly intelligence. The single word was, in fact, both the answer to the riddle and a question in its own right—unless they were completely sure of being alone, the pair was used to exchanging as few words as remotely possible… just in case.
"Immediately," she answered with a distant sense of urgency. For the second time, she studied the hill, in case the pup or another hyena had followed her.
"Where?"
"Cavern to the west. Take that one route by the river."
"Why?" he asked his last question with a sly smirk, which caused Shenzi to bat him lightly in the shoulder with her paw.
"Advice. Matriarch stuff. Ya know…" she cocked an eyebrow at him with mock disbelief, trying her best not to giggle slightly.
"I know exactly," his smirk intensified somewhat, causing her to roll her eyes.
"Oh, you… always ta charmer, Ed… or, should I say, Askari?"
"You should," he stated flatly, his countenance having quickly morphed into something much more serious. Something much more deadly. Something… brutally strong. Primeval. Militaristic…
Shenzi smiled and nodded twice before turning and leaving without another word. What she couldn't see was the relapse into seeming stupidity he had once again taken… the metaphorical mist receded from his eyes, and he gibbered and laughed amusedly to himself, almost as if she was never there…
And a few moments after that he was gone completely, having retreated into the very depths of the thick, cast shadows: the patches of darkness that were sprawled across the ground. It was somewhat comforting to him, as he was more than used to creeping about soundlessly though the dark in pursuit… indeed, it was something he'd learned long ago.
HA! Just when you thought this story couldn't have another interesting plot point! x) And I know what you're thinking-"Ed's OOC!"
...
Is he? Really, we know next to nothing about his character, anyways. Is he crazy? Insane? Stupid? Or is there another reason? And keep in mind that there IS one scene where he speaks: he says "yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared," alongside Shenzi and Banzai during Scar's song, "Be Prepared". xD So he can indeed talk.
Anyways, you've read, so feel free to review. :D I'm assuming that you like this story-otherwise, you would have stopped reading at about Chapter 1 or 2. :p So speak up! :)
-Twin out ;)