Gallus followed Mheetu down until they came across a small cave of Pride Rock. He gave the King a confused look as Mheetu sighed heavily as he nudged inside the cave, and the lion followed closely behind.

He saw a wall littered with paintings from different eras, and Mheetu winced when he came across the reign before his own, and Gallus stopped as he stared at the painting of his father. He could clearly see his grandmother with Leta's grandfather beside his own grandfather. By Kion's side was Mheetu and Alika, by Kiara's side was Kopa and Hatari.

Gallus winced when he thought of his father and gazed softly at Mheetu who sighed heavily as he sat down.

"Sir? Why are you showing me all of this?"

Mheetu couldn't help but stare at the painting of his grandparents. It was because of his father's love for his grandmother that he was saved from the darkness. It was because of his birth that Kion was saved from darkness that could've destroyed him. He stepped up to own the guilt of Simba's death but revealed he didn't know a thing about Nala's death until she died at the claws of Kiara.

"There's a story - a tale - I wish to tell you." Mheetu explained softly with a pained tone. Gallus sat down next to him. "It's not pretty. It's not happy. But it's how my parents and uncle came to power of these lands."

Gallus arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean by uncle? I thought you didn't have an uncle."

Mheetu shook his head, which moved his fluffy mane. "I have an uncle. I have a half - brother who could also be called my cousin at the same time."

Gallus suddenly paled. "Half brother? C - Cousin?"

Mheetu nodded his head. "It's time I tell you about my half - brother, also cousin... Hatari."

All of a sudden, Gallus couldn't breath. He thought back to his father. That explained why he was next to a much younger Mheetu. That explained why they looked so much alike but shared a different father. Why his father said something about the Pridelands being 'his Kingdom' instead of Mheetu's.

"Gallus? Are you okay?" Mheetu asked, breaking Gallus' train of thought.

The younger adult nodded slowly as he breathed deeply. "Yes, I'm okay. I'm just... surprised is all."

Mheetu nodded as he took in Gallus' words. It was understandable. Anyone would be surprised to know about his family history. He couldn't blame the lion who stole his daughter's heart, and he took a good luck at his younger brother before shaking his head with shame.

"I'm ashamed to even call him family."

Gallus gulped down his fear as he looked with his silvery eyes. "Why would you say that?"

"His heart is filled with darkness and he cannot escape it."

Gallus nodded slowly as he took in Mheetu's words, thinking back to his father's anger and agreed without a doubt. "What was your uncle like?"

Mheetu thought back to his life when Kopa was alive and sighed. He thought about all those rebellions raised and the one he joined. Like his father, his old buddies were in their old ages, almost coming up towards death but thankfully, his father and his old friends had began spending time with each other more and more, catching up.

"Hateful. Ruled with an iron paw. Rebellions rose against my family when he was King with my father and mother." explained Mheetu.

Gallus' eyes widened as he heard that. He didn't think his grandfather was like that. "Really?"

"Really."

Then, before they could speak up again, Zazu came into the den and landed on Mheetu's shoulder.

"Sire, the King of the Nightfall Pride has arrived for the meeting!"

Mheetu groaned. "I forgot about that." he grumbled. "Care to join me?" he asked Gallus.

"I'd be honored." Gallus bowed his head.

DOTNO: TBC

At the border, Gallus nearly stopped at the sight of the large, muscular lion, who was slightly bigger than Mheetu. The lion had snow - white fur, a huge black mane, dark brown eyes, a light pink nose, dark grey paws as well as an underbelly. A red scar laid across his left eye, and his expression was set in a scowl.

"Ah, King Kratos!" Mheetu said as they came to a stop. "My apologies for being late."

"That's quite alright, King Mheetu." Gallus nearly jumped at Krato's deep rumbling voice and nearly shaking as his dark brown eyes slide over to him. "What's this? Another son?"

Mheetu chuckled as he shook his head. "No, my friend. This is Gallus. The lion who has stolen my daughter's heart."

Kratos nodded as he checked the lion over before arching an eyebrow. "He seems familiar..."

Mheetu blinked in confusion. "Hmm? How so?"

"The fur reminds me of someone." Kratos grumbled as he eyed the lion, who began feeling very nervous.

Gallus gulped as he shrank under the stern gaze. "Erm, if you don't mind me asking... but um, why are you staring at me like I'm death?"

Kratos shook his head as he gazed at Mheetu. "Maybe it'll come to me in due time."

Gallus couldn't believe how he was ignored but choose not to say anything as he watched Mheetu speak with the Nightfall King before bowing their heads in respect. But before the meeting was done, Mheetu suddenly leaned in to whisper to the Nightfall King before whispered back.

He couldn't hear them.

"I remember who he looks like." Kratos whispered.

"Whom?"

"A lion from my pride left with his mate... I believe his name was... Shujaa. Dark red fur, colorless paws, silvery eyes, light black mane. Ear tufts, fluffy chin and chest. But his mate, tan paws, dark tan fur, very light brown tail - tip, leafy green eyes. Her name? Hmm... I think Jiwe."

"I see." Mheetu bowed his head. "I don't think those are his parents. He comes from the Outlands. Claims he only has a father."

Kratos stole another look before padding away. "Meeting dismissed."

"Goodbye, my friend."

Gallus just watched the king walk away before heading back with Mheetu, wondering what they had been talking about.

Author Note: Kratos belongs to Jason Chandler