Hey guys! It's Sunday and as promised, here is the next chapter!

I know it's a bit short but I also wanted to ask what you guys would think about me putting on an art contest? I have some ideas for prizes and such already but I want to if there is enough interest. I'm not much of an artist but I know a bunch of you guys are so I thought it might be a fun sort of thing to do.

Enjoy!

Chapter 36

"So where're we going, Felix?"

I scan the area around us and wait for Nuka to catch up.

"I told you, we're patrolling the boarders. Father wants to be able to rest easy today."

Nuka is quiet for a moment as we start walking again once I'm satisfied with the safety of this spot.

"Oh, then…why did I have to come?"

I glance back at the cub surprised. Normally he'd jump at a chance to go somewhere with me.

"What? Am I not cool enough to hang out with anymore?" I say Jokingly.

Nuka freezes looking shocked.

"No that's not it! It's just I promised Ajia that I'd show her how to pounce Zazu."

My jaw drops slightly before I smirk.

"So you want to ditch me for a girl…Ouch."

Nuka looks so panicked for a minute as he quickens his pace to jump in front of me looking at me pleadingly.

"Never, Felix! I didn't mean it like that! I just-"

I start laughing and nudge the cub to keep walking.

"I'm joking, Nuka. I understand what you're saying and I'm happy you like hanging out with her."

I think back to the meeting I attended with the two kings. Betrothing the two cubs AND having them raised by Zira would be terrible. If that is what happens in the movie then she clearly doesn't make it, so I can't let that happen. I scan the area then glance down at the bored looking cub.

"And to answer your question, I just thought we could talk. I know with all the excitement we haven't exactly had a chance to talk."

I pause thinking about how to word my questions.

"So what do you think of Father?"

Nuka grins.

"He is the best king! All the animals obey him and he never looks scared! One day, I'll be just like him and you!"

I tilt my head curious.

"Like both of us? How would you do that?"

The cub shrugs eyeing a small butterfly flying around him.

"Well you and dad are similar so I figured I can be that way too."

I frown. He thinks I'm like Scar? I look down at the cub determined to figure out more.

"Nuka, how are-"

A roar fills the air around us and I whip around to find the cause.

"Nuka, stay under me."

I feel him scrabble quickly underneath me in-between my front legs as I scan the area. I see nothing. Where did that come from? I glance off in the distance at Priderock but nothing stood out to me from here.

A low growl and shuffling of dirt to our right. My head jerks over to a large cluster of rocks downwind of us. I listen harder and hear faint whimpers. I crouch down to whisper to Nuka without taking my eyes off the rocks.

"Stay low and don't leave this spot."

"But-"

I shush him quickly before stepping over the shaking cub and swiftly make my way down towards the rocks as quiet as possible. As I approach, the whimpering grows louder and I can make out a voice now.

"P-please s-sp-spare me!"

I reach the edge of the rocks and peek around the corner to see a meerkat and a dark furred lion. The poor meerkat is up against the rocks at the large male lion towers over him. The lion is bulging with muscles and a mane of grey and black growls impatiently. He stomps one of his massive paws.

"Then tell me where he went!"

The meerkat flinches back shaking.

"I-I don't know I-"

The lion lifts his paw with his claws out.

"If you can't tell me where he is then you are no use to me!"

His paw starts swinging down at the small creature. Suddenly, a small blur of brown and black brushes past me and heads straight for the lion and meerkat. The blur scoops up the meerkat and narrowly dodges the massive paw. Nuka? The blur slams into a rock to reveal a lion cub and a bewildered meerkat. The Large lion looks confused for a moment but recovers enough to frown.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

Before he can move, I leap at the lion knocking him away. He pushes me off with ease and I position myself between him and Nuka. I growl at the lion.

"Your too close to our borders. What business do you have here?"

"I am Prometheus. I'm looking for my younger brother, Berhanu! He has meddled with my plans long enough and I tracked him here."

He pauses to look behind me at the meerkat and Nuka. I halt my stare down in confusion. That name sounds familiar… The lion crouches down still staring at them.

"But animals keep getting in my way... Including you!"

He took this as an opportunity to lunge at me and we wrestle for a moment before he tries switching targets over to Nuka. Nuka jumps back with the meerkat clinging onto him tightly.

"Nuka!"

I use all my strength to knock over the giant lion. I can practically feel the anger rolling off me as I glare at the lion.

"Stay away from my brother!"

He swipes at me.

"Then tell me where he is!"

I dodge his claws gritting my teeth in annoyance.

"I don't know! He's not here!"

The lion stops his attack breathing hard. I notice this and with his greying mane I realize how old he must be. Far too old be a rouge looking for territory… I step closer still on guard.

"Why are you looking for him anyways?"

The lion glances at me still breathing hard.

"None of your business young one! All you must know is that I will have my revenge on him yet."

The way he spats his words out reminds me of Zira and I frown.

"Well your brother isn't here. So I ask you to leave now…Unless you want the whole Pridelands here to force you."

The lion stops and stares me down for a moment before turning with a growl.

"I don't have time for this."

With that, he turns and runs off away from our borders without looking back. I watch him for a moment before I sit back breathing heavy out of relief. He was a huge lion and I don't think I would have been able to beat him on my own. I think back to what he said about looking for his brother. Berhanu…where have I heard that name before? I shake my head as I stand up to face the meerkat and lion cub and I crouch down.

"Are you two okay?"

The meerkat grabs onto my front leg thanking the two of us profusely and Nuka nods.

I let out a sigh of relief before turning to the cub and frown at him.

"Nuka, I thought I told you to stay put at the border? You could've got hurt."

Nuka's ears flatten for a moment.

"I was worried about being alone and then I saw this guy about to be attacked. I'm so sorry, I couldn't let him get hurt…"

I can't help but smile and I gently nudge him.

"Nuka, don't ever apologize for doing the right thing, okay? You did amazing and I'm so proud of you."

His ears return to normal and I grin even more.

"Just next time give me another minute or two before jumping in like that."

Nuka nods grinning ear to ear as the meerkat thanks us again before diving into a nearby hole. After a moment I nudge Nuka before leading the way back to the border.

"Come on, let's go home."

As we start walking back, I think about my plan. If I do this, then the Lion King 2 could be altered as well. What if Kovu or Vitani get hurt or worse without Nuka being around? Neglect and death, Nuka doesn't deserve that fate. I glance down at the cub. He prances proudly next to me practically oozing happiness and I know I can't let Zira change him. Forget it. Saving him is worth whatever happens. Here goes nothing…

"Hey Nuka?"

The cub breaks off his leaping concentration and turns to me happily.

"Yeah?"

I stop walking and turn to the cub trying not to show how serious this is.

"Nuka, I know things have be going great here but what if you and I could-"

"About time you guys got back"

Nuka's attention is lost at the sight of his friend bounding up alongside her brother and Nala.

"Ajia! You'll never guess what I did!"

He meets her halfway and they run off into the grass together, most likely to find a place to ambush Zazu. I watch them leave with Musa following and sigh feeling a bit frustrated.

"What's wrong?"

I shake my head at the lioness knowing this plan wouldn't make sense to her.

"Nothing, I just needed to talk with Nuka about something."

Before she can ask for more details I remember what Nuka had said right before everything happened.

"Hey Nala, do you…do you think I'm just like Scar?"

Nala's brow furrows as she shakes her head, her eyes filled with worry.

"Of course not. Why would-"

She growls.

"Who said you are?"

I shake my head.

"Nuka mentioned earlier that Scar and I are alike. I'm just worried that-"

Nala nudges me.

"You're nothing like Scar, Felix. Nuka just looks up to both of you, you're his brother and scar is his father. In his eyes you are both strong leaders."

I give a small smile feeling only slightly relived.

"Thanks, Nala. I needed to hear that."

As we reach Priderock, I can't help but wonder.

What if I am?

Hmm... it seems our rouge has a hidden past... I wonder where he went?

Also, a special shoutout to my new bud Kellan26!Be sure to check out "LK3 Kellan's Journey" and give some helpful pointers to this new writer!

Now to guest with the awesome theory: I think that would a huge twist, indeed!

Finally, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and be sure to tell me what you think about an art contest!

Thanks!