A/N: Posting this a little later than I intended. Been busy as always in real life, so unfortunately some sacrifices had to be made.

HomewardDino: He does need to watch what he does. Scar still isn't well liked, nor trusted by many. Things that might be overlooked if they were anyone else, Scar will get heavily scrutinized for. Vazio is also making plans, though they may not line up with his endgame. He often does things to amuse himself and test the waters. See how his enemies respond.

Guest: That is good.

I'm not quite sure when the next chapter will come up, but I can try to pin the date down to between August 21st and 24th.

For anyone who wants to check out some other great stories in the meantime, go check out all of Haradion's. They are quite different from mine, but still share some themes. Well written too.


Conferring. Planning things out. Enjoying the fear dwelling within his subordinate's eyes. That was a magnificent sight. The whole show would be put into motion soon. For the moment, he was content letting the preliminary parts play out on their own.

One thing was that there was something about the female that felt odd to him. Like she was someone he should have known. Maybe she was. Or was connected to him in a way that remained to be deciphered.

That would make things even more fun if there was history neither of them knew about. To find a means to delve into the past, then exploit it to the fullest.

His body was healing well, better than expected. The only thing was that was slow going were his reserves...that particular energy was woefully low. Too much to risk using his most fun little ability...he wanted to see its effects...how they affected a being long term. Such spells weren't meant to be used by someone like him. They weren't meant to be corrupted.

Which made it all the more satisfying to do so.

In what way the process worked...he'd figure that out eventually...the more he knew, the more he could taint. For now, the cat would just have to be content in the havoc that it could wreak. That was something he understood entirely.

Only a little more time and then he'd be able to give things a trial run. Another week and he estimated that the timing would be perfect. He didn't need a massive army. Not by any stretch. But having followers to use as amusement for himself and a distraction to those who could interfere was imperative. So it was in his best interest to keep that little following alive. Alive and undying for as long as possible.


Something about him wasn't right. Sure it probably wasn't bad, and her imagination could run wild at times...but those creatures she saw leaving...one's that he'd obviously been talking about on something...that was very strange.

She wasn't going to mention it yet. He seemed friendly, though a bit cold and detached at the same time. One thing was that she was going to pay a little more attention to things from here. Her knowledge of him was limited...and he could well be in some form of distress or trouble. Perhaps those visitors of his were taking advantage of him...or looking to use him. All the female knew was that one could never be too careful.


Things had been calm for some time. Sarabi knew that they shouldn't let their guard down. But the tranquility was enjoyable. Preferable to the strife, of which she was far more acquainted with. Sometimes she'd let her mind wonder...back to how things could have been. Had Scar choose a different path..how different everything should have been...at this stage that was but a fleeting dream.

She still missed Mufasa. Always would. There were days that she wondered whether she should hate the dark lion. Or if there was something wrong with her for not being able to bring herself into doing so.

Of course that wasn't to say he didn't concern her. Sarabi wasn't a fool, and she could still see terrible glimpses of the monster he once was lurking beneath the surface. Especially when he got talking about what he would do when they caught Vazio or Licha. Of methods of punishment and torture.

Hearing those things unnerved her...just not enough to prompt her to do anything rash. Scar had more control over himself than he'd had in years...maybe his entire adult life. Temper as fierce as it had ever been...except that the lion seemed to have found the best ways to harness it.

Not every single thing that he did bothered her, or could even be construed as bad. There were certain actions of his that allowed her to hold on to the hope that he was changing. Enough to keep that belief alive.

Now and again she'd see him standing near Mufasa's burial mound. Normally he was silent during those moments...typically with a brooding expression. Other times Scar would appear to be talking...only to look disappointed when he didn't get an answer.

Sarabi had thought of talking with him before always thinking better of the idea. Bothering Scar didn't seem proper. Those times reminded her of how he used to be...as Taka. Before Scar came about.

Right now she didn't have the faintest clue as to where that lion was at the moment. Probably out along the boundaries. Or perhaps resting somewhere. Right now she was walking near the southern most fringes of the kingdom. Mtanga had insisted on going this time. Normally someone had to force him to get off his rump. He was a little too keen on eying the other lionesses...a terrible habit of his. Sometimes he would do more than that...end up getting chased off by an irate female. Yet he never did any such thing towards her, either due to respect or something else.

"Any idea of what we're expecting to find...or is this just a leisurely stroll?" His head was titled to the side slightly. Mtanga was always so unwilling to do more than lounge about. "Because I could be sleeping right now." At least he was good natured as well as being soft spoken. A welcome change of pace over most of the pride as of late.

"You're such a lazy old lion. Either lounging about or being a lecher. And don't forget this...you wanted to accompany me for once."

A deep chuckle was all that earned. "All true...you might even have a point on the flirting I do. Be that as it may, ...but don't drag my age into it...you've got a few years on me. Old lady."

All she did was turn away. This type of banter always got them going in circles.

There was a small crashing sound in the distance. One that sent her ears back against her head. Mtanga reacted similarly. "Think this might be why we never should go out alone?"

A foul scent came up, the smell ferociously assaulting their nostrils. "Unfortunately you might be right...hopefully this is nothing to worry over. But I do think we should head back...and cover our tracks as best as we can to be safe."

Mtanga could have sworn he heard a faint cackle. His hair was slowly starting to stand on end. As if exposed to some electrical current. "I think that might be a good plan. We don't know what we're up against...and it probably wouldn't be smart waiting around to find out."


Simba watched as his father fell. A series of images that had haunted him since he was a young cub. Something that had been forever seared into his mind.

Scar. Laughing like a madman. Like every other nightmare he'd had. By now he'd already suspected that this was one. He was grown...only something was different.

The dark lion swaggered over to him. With the snap of his claws a dozen hyenas appeared. Seemingly from nowhere. Their faces were hard to recognize. A second passed and they dogpiled on him, holding Simba with nothing except their own bodies.

"Don't worry, dear nephew. I won't allow you to die...at least not without experiencing the finale."

Out of the corned of his eye he saw his mother. Preparing to jump on his uncle. Mid lunge he turned, smashing the back of his paw across her face with near bone shattering force. Not enough to put her down. They tussled for several seconds. Like a dance...Scar leading her closer and closer to the edge.

Then with a mighty roar he tackled her, sending her sliding towards the side of the canyon wall. Roaring from both of them.

Legs now dangling over the side dangerously. Then his claws dug into the lionesses paws. Scar turned to face him while holding Sarabi's life in his claws, malice contorting his face. "Now...to send her off properly to be with her beloved...what to say..." his expression managed to grow a shade darker. More vile. "...ah yes...Long live the queen!"

Down she went...falling to her inevitable demise. Something came over him...and in an instant Simba managed to shake every last one of the mongrels of him.

"Scar!"

Opening his eyes, Simba saw monster from his nightmares. Starring him right in the face. He snarled, nearly pouncing...all before forcing himself to a halt. What he'd saw wasn't real...no...couldn't be. He would never allow anything like that to happen. Surely as well Scar would never dare to commit such an act again.

"Those dreadful nightmares again?" Scar's expression was nearly blank. His tone however was oddly sympathetic. When Simba nodded to the fact, the older lion sighed. "I know what that much is like...and I'm quite certain that whatever subconscious assault you endured involved me in some manner."

"Obviously." Simba snapped. Normally Scar didn't saunter into the den like this. "Why are you here right now anyway?"

Scar spared a single glance toward the dimming sky outside. "Perhaps for the same reason as you. My actions haven't stopped haunting me...I can avoid those thoughts when awake...not so much otherwise. Sleep doesn't come easy. I'm used being assailed by those memories...but really...fretting over things now won't do us much good. We can't be at each others throats you know."

His nephew snorted. Something that Scar was quick to ignore. "At any rate...we do have a few things to discuss...and I am here for a very good reason. Our resident brown beak Zazu, well he was actually rather punctual in reporting back on this...matter. I'd deem it important, since he mentioned several suspicious creatures...maybe a mile or two from our southern border."

At that the king sprang to his feet, any weariness forgotten. "We need to go...make sure that whoever is wandering so close isn't any sort of threat."

"Far be it from me to do so, but I do suggest not charging in by ourselves...shouldn't we bring a few from the pride...just in case we happen across an unpleasant surprise?" Caution was something that came naturally to him. Judging by the look on Simba's face he had the same idea.

"Yeah. I think that would be the smartest and safest thing to do. Say..." he spared a glance around the cave. "Have you seen my mother...normally she isn't out this late when she walks the border."

Yes. He did recall something like that being mentioned by Nala. "I'm not wishing to be the bearer of any more bad news. But now that I think about it...your mate...she told me that Sarabi was..." muted horror filled his expression. "Close to the southern border. She said something about that worthless father of hers being drug along...between the two they are far from helpless. Still..."

Simba started moving at a brisk pace, effectively interrupting his uncles words. "We need to move. This might be nothing to worry about...but I'm not taking any chances. I'll get a few of the lionesses...grab whoever you can and meet me south of Priderock."

Taking orders didn't come easy. But he had to admit that he was actually proud that Simba was acting with speed and purpose. "Just might make a proper king of you yet."


Sarabi didn't like any of this. Right now they could hear laughter. Cackling that seemed to be coming from all directions, making things extremely difficult to ascertain the origin of the sounds. There was nothing routine about this. Nor the tone of the laughs.

"You should have listened to me when I said to go back sooner." Mtanga tried to sound jovial. Like nothing was wrong. Needless to say that due to the sharp edge his voice carried, he failed miserably in that regard. His tone verged on panic.

Hyenas. They were a nuisance at times, though he'd rarely felt directly threatened by them. He'd made plenty of friends and acquaintances within that species to generalize them negatively as a group. The sounds coming from this batch...was more than enough to send shivers down his spine. This wasn't how normal hyenas were supposed to sound.

The scent of death was old. Too old. Sarabi looked back at him, clearly deep in thought. If his thoughts aligned with hers...then both of them were probably carefully weighing their options. On whether to try and remain undetected...made a stand if need be and hope help came...or make a quick break for Priderock as fast as possible.

"Then again." His eyes flicked around, darting about to make sure nothing was creeping to close from the shadows.

Shadows that were growing longer with every passing moment. "Then again...maybe us being here will scare them off...and we can go tell your son and that hateful uncle of his...that is the point of you forcing me to walk the borders isn't it? To watch for danger and trespassers."

Instead of responding she kept her eyes open, along with her ears. That was when she got the first glimpse of them. A group of them alright. At least half a dozen. So far she hadn't been noticed, which was good. A couple were moving with a slight jerking motion, and for a moment the lioness nearly dismissed the idea. After all, they could easily have just been wounded. Then as she looked closer something seemed off. Wrong.

Mtanga had noticed the same. He was on his belly as well, clearly wanting to keep out of sight while maintaining a good view. Slowly she inched her way into the grass, keeping from being seen but getting a better vantage point for herself.

A leg on one was hardly more than a few strands of fraying muscle and bone. A rib was showing beyond the skin on another. They were upwind from the gathering...which was good save for the stench of rotting meat. What her son had told her...then what Rafiki elaborated on...these things were abominations. Alive yet dead at the same time. Hyena or not...she felt at least some pity for them. Whatever they signed up for probably didn't mention anything involving corrupt magic or walking death.

"Kings..." Mtanga whispered hoarsely. "This is worse than I thought...when they first told me I thought there was some exaggeration...or I was hoping so...that they were wrong. Instead I think they might have understated things. This isn't right...doesn't feel right at all. We might want to get out of here...let the pride know what's going on just on the other side of our border."

"Our...guess you're starting to see this place as your home...but yes. That would be good. Let them know they are moving towards the gorge." she blocked out any other thoughts involving that place. They wouldn't do her any favors now. If those creatures were indeed heading in that direction...that could only mean a few things.

Not a single one of them good.


They hadn't made it more than half way when Scar spotted two distinct shapes. He quickly told Simba, who motioned for the lionesses to stop. Scar quickly noted that both Sarabi and that fool Mtanga were in one piece. Which was good on both accounts he supposed. Mtanga was a nuisance, just not one that he wished harm on.

"We heard from Zazu that something was going on near the border...so Scar and I came to make sure that you were okay..and that there was nothing to be alarmed about." Simba looked to Mtanga and then his mother. "Mother, both of you are okay, right?"

He sighed in relief when she nodded.

"But we do have some news...I don't think a single bit good." the former queen knew this needed to be explained quickly and plans made. "When we were out both of us noticed something strange.

Hyenas...just short ways from the boundary. Moving west, by the looks of things they were going in the direction of the gorge. Which would give them a pretty easy way of sneaking right into the middle of the kingdom. A few of them...they looked like they were rotting...the smell was awful...exactly like you both told us, about how you and Malka were attacked. Only I don't think they saw us. Which would give us an advantage."

Scar was deep in thought from the moment Sarabi started talking. They would likely be heading towards the gorge. It was actually clever if that was their plan, he conceded.

Of all lions, he had experience with that line of thought...perhaps a little too he to find himself in a similar position as them, Scar would likely plan something similar. Only they had managed to be spotted, foiling the element of surprise they so desperately needed. And the stage set for the tables to be turned. By the time Simba's mother finished explaining he had a pretty good strategy formulated. And a couple fall back plans in case the first proved erroneous. Always paid to be prepared.

"I have some ideas. Both on what those hyenas are planning and on what to do about them. I'd like to run my plans by you all, quickly. And we need someone to keep an eye on their movements...to relay back to us what they are doing...see if things match up with my personal hypothesis. Because if so...we might have a little bit of a fight on our paws...one that needs to be as heavily stacked in our favor as possible."

Simba was cautiously optimistic on what his uncle was saying. "I'd love to hear them...one thing...what if you're wrong?"

That would make things more complicated. "I've kept my options open. Just in case."