Howdy. I'm back again. School isn't quite as bad as it was for a while, so I have a little more time to write. I was reading over this story last night, and I felt I had to continue it, so here I am. Well, I hope you enjoy it, and don't forget to review.

It was a cold day on the African Savannah. The air bristled with crystals of cool air, causing many animals not used to this sort of climate to relentlessly shiver. However, the hybrid known as Justin Wawanaka was not severely afflicted by the temperature change. His mind was focused more on how he would now consolidate his power. He had ordered the attack that killed Steele before the news broke that the alpha was dead, murdered in a violent, slow death. Justin hadn't been named a suspect, of course.

After all, what kind of son kills his father, and what kind of prince murders one of their own kin?

However, his subjects demanded some sort of speech or recognition from him, probably something about vengeance.

It was not important to Justin. He would use this opportunity to unleash his pack on a crusade, one that would grant him absolute power over the entire Savannah. Justin did not care how, where, or as what species he obtained power. He just wanted power.

His "cousin," a black-furred wolf with deep green eyes, and a muscular build then retrieved Justin from his thoughts. Mwuaji was the only member of his new family that Justin liked. He had a similar thirst for power, and hatred for the status quo. That was the reason Justin told Mwuaji his story.

"Justin. Your empire waits. Convince them of your pedigree."

Justin grinned, and nodded in response. He padded behind his cousin out of the cave in which he'd been residing. The pack, quite large, consisting of a few dozen wolves, stood in wait of Justin's address.

The murmurs evident in the crowd ceased when Justin marched out of the cave. The silence was penetrating, giving Justin the confidence that he could easily manipulate the pack he now ruled.

"At ease, my friends, your alpha simply wishes to speak. " The tense atmosphere noticeably loosened after that, and Justin knew that he had started on a high note. He only hoped that he could keep it.

"As you all know, my father was recently murdered in a manner so savage and inconceivable that I nearly vomited when I saw his brutalized corpse. The entire situation was a travesty, a debt that must be repaid. I intend to tirelessly work until the murderer of my father is captured, and his head impaled on a pike. We wolves have been forced to deal with the savagery and intervention of others for far too long, and that is something that I will not tolerate any longer. The oppression, however, does not simply end with recent events. Our very existence in this part of the world has been fraught with oppression. The lions act as if they are inherently superior to us, like they and only they can rule the entirety of the Savannah. Well, the bastards have no idea what is coming to them. They demean us, abuse us, and coerce us. No more. NO MORE, I SAY! They live to conquer, and all we can afford to do is give them a taste of their own actions, of their own pedigree, and their own motivations. We have already taken their prince from them...permanently. He trespassed upon our lands, posed a threat to us, and we fought back. Do you know what lies beyond the trees, on the scarred Pride Rock? Immortality! Take it, it belongs to us!"

The pack howled in approval, stomping their paws against the rocky dirt of the forest. The sound echoed across the land, causing concern for many an animal.

"Remember my father, but I am your alpha now. You know as Mbwa, but that is a name not fit for a king. From now on, you will know me as...Octavian. Yes, that is what you'll call me. Begone now! I have preparations to make."

The wolves slowly began to disperse, murmuring during the entire process. Justin retreated in the cave, with Mwuaji following closely behind.

-TLK-

John Bugaren was driving his car, an old Toyota his father had won two decades before in an auction on the streets of Nairobi. His family was fairly wealthy, and they'd been able to afford Western amenities for a long time.

He drove into the lot of a bed and breakfast, just hoping for a place to stay for the night. As he was getting out of the car, John felt a piercing pain in his stomach, and he collapsed to the ground.

The world became fuzzy, eventually fading to black. As John Bugaren died, he heard just one last voice, a rugged American accent.

"Sorry about that. I needed a ride."

-TLK-

The night was dark, darker than usual in the depths of the jungle. The moon was new, and even the cicadas had fallen silent. Skye was sleeping against a large palm, having wept to the point of exhaustion.

With Steele's lack of ability to move, and the lack of Skye to have a conversation with, Steele finally had an opportunity to collect his thoughts.

He realized he truly was a changed man...well, lion. His greed had basically evaporated, and his rough nature had been somewhat tempered with kindness and a sense of duty.

He was still rough though.

His thoughts eventually turned to Athena. Steele was enamored by how much he cared for his little sister, and he worried. Was Athena able to take care of herself without him around? He muttered to himself,

"Captain Frisky and Queen Asswipe have probably conceived more spawn by now, probably in an attempt to keep Athena from the throne. I hope they don't neglect her."

Steele's thoughts then turned to his former friend, Justin. The hybrid, Steele reasoned, had completely lost his mind. Justin had always been aggressive and belligerent, but Steele had always been able to temper and control those inclinations. However, Justin was now an alpha, and Steele figured it gave him the motivation to break free from any kind of control.

A psychopath that can't be controlled is incredibly dangerous.

A concerning thought then appeared in Steele's head. How bad would the damage be if Justin ever crossed paths with Athena? Suddenly feeling very tired, Steele buried those thoughts in the back of his mind, and went to sleep.

-TLK-

"SISTER! Fetch me some meat."

Athena rolled her eyes, and ignored the command. Kiara and Kovu had spoiled Achilles endlessly, and the young prince thought himself entitled to everyone's time, and everyone's labor. The princess grumbled under her breath,

"If I could hunt, I'd slap the little bastard on the side of the head and just leave. He's fucking intolerable now."

Athena suddenly realized she had been a tad too loud, as Achilles responded, "You said bad words and were mean to me! I'm telling Mommy and Daddy on you!" He ran back towards Pride Rock, and Athena groaned in irritation. She'd probably lose dinner over this.

Athena sighed. The Pridelands just weren't the same without Steele. He'd been her world, and now she was just waiting for her parents to try and marry her off to some idiot from a foreign land. She wouldn't go along with it. Betrothal wasn't her style.

Athena looked up and saw Achilles strutting back towards her, with Kovu and Kiara in tow. At that moment, Athena felt something in her heart that she had never felt before. Devout and unconditional hatred.

That'll do it for now. It's really good to be back and writing again. Gets the brain juices going. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or just want to chat. Thanks for reading, and don't forget to review.