(Hayden, few years later)
Years living with the pridelanders, Hayden had become accustomed with the traditions and every cultural habits it has. He is growing more mature as years goes by. He started grow a few facial hair and getting a bit taller. But He is still himself though.
Hayden woke up very early the next day. He yawned and got up from the ground he was laying on. He looked and smiled at his lion family sleeping peacefully.
He walk out of the cave and looked at the view of the sun that is yet to rise. It would be amazing to see it rising but he has an early morning training to do. He roam around the Savannah to find a good spot to start his training. It didn't take him long to find a good open space in the grassy land.
Hayden set up his training equipment such as the training drones. The drones were made to capture the scenarios of what the person wants to train on. The drones started to create a scenario of the sentient war on Lua (moon). The drone spawned holographic sentient fighters to his position.
What Hayden didn't noticed is the hidden hyenas lurking in the bushes.
(Lana)
This morning, Lana and the rest of the pridelanders were still asleep. She was enjoying her beauty sleep until she heard her Nephew's voice. "Dad! Dad! Come on, Dad! Wake up! We got to go!" Simba exclaimed. He carelessly jumped over to a few lionesses and most of them were groaning from it. "Sorry!" Simba apologized.
When Simba finally reached them. He did nothing but repeating words: "Dad! Dad! Dad!" Lana just turn to another direction trying to get back to sleep. She heard Sarabi mumbling to Mufasa, "Your son is awake" "Before sunrise, he is your son." Her brother replied then went back to sleep.
Lana finally stop hearing Simba talking. Maybe he gave up, that's what she thought. "Aunt Lana, wake up!" Simba tried to wake her up by shaking my arms. Lana groaned and said "Simba, it's too early. Let me sleep". Lana went back to sleep but Simba was not taking that as an answer.
He decided to annoy her brother one more time. "Dad! Dad! Come on, Dad!" then she heard a crashed through the pile of bones. 'Ouch, that kinda hurt.' she thought. "You promised!" Simba shouted. His Father finally said, "Ok, ok, I'm up". Simba started jumping excitedly and Mufasa yawned as he gets up.
Mufasa pat his human sister arm to wake me up. "Lana, it's time to wake up." He said. Lana groaned in response and slowly get up. She stretched her arms and yawned. The family were walking our way out of the den. Simba was cuddling with his mother before heading to the top of the pride rock. Lana sat next to Sarabi while we both watched them.
(Simba and Mufasa)
Both father and son sat on the cliff of Pride Rock while the sun displaying itself over the valley of the Pride Lands. It is so beautiful to behold. "Look Simba. Everything the light touches is our kingdom." Mufasa explained to Simba.
Simba looked across the valley, his eyes shining in curiosity. He has never exactly seen the Pridelands before, so this was something that his Father has been looking forward to ever since the day he told him that he was going to explore the lands with him.
"A king's time as ruler rises and falls like the sun," Mufasa continued, and he looked down at his son. Simba looked up at him with wide eyes, "One day, Simba, the sun will set on my time here, and will rise with you as the new king."
"And this will all be mine?" Simba asked his father.
"Everything," his Father replied with a smile. Simba surveyed the land.
"Everything the light touches…" he saw a mysterious shadowy place that was located near the northwest at the border of the Pridelands. He couldn't help but ask his father: "What about that shadowy place?"
"That's beyond our borders. You must never go there, Simba." Mufasa replied with a serious tone.
"But I thought a king could do whatever he wants," Simba said, looking thoughtful.
"There's more to being king than getting your way all the time," Mufasa replied to Simba as he headed back down the rocks, which made a replacement for steps on Pride Rock.
"There's more?" Simba asked, his voice sounding awed. Although Simba had a little bit of trouble getting down at first, He followed his father quickly.
Mufasa laughed at Simba, "Simba…" He chuckled lightly as he and Simba walked through the Pridelands, observing the different anthro-animals that had made their homes here. "Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance, and respect all the creatures from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope." Mufasa explained.
Simba looked up at his father in surprise. "But, Dad, don't we eat the antelope?"
"Yes, Simba, but let me explain. When we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. And so, we are all connected…to the great circle of life." When Mufasa finished talking, he looked up and noticed that Zazu arrived in front of them.
"Good Morning, sire," Zazu greeted us.
"Good Morning, Zazu." Mufasa greeted back.
"Just checking in some reports, sire." Zazu said.
"Fire away." Father responded back. Zazu started to sing his report.
Chimps are going ape, giraffes remain above it all
Elephants remember, though just what I can't recall
Crocodiles are snapping up fresh offers from the banks
Showed interest in my nest egg but I quickly said "No thanks!"
We haven't paid the hornbills and the vultures have a hunch
Not everyone invited will be coming back from lunch
This is the morning report
Gives you the long and the short
Every grunt, roar, and snort
Not a tale I distort
On the morning report
Listening to the report was kind of boring for Simba so he decided to play around to a butterfly then tried to pounce it. "Simba, what are you doing?" Mufasa asked his son.
"Pouncing," Simba replied to him.
Mufasa grinned at Simba. "Let the pros show how it's done," Mufasa said. While Zazu was distracted from his singing. Simba and Mufasa were hiding behind the grasses.
The buffalo have got a beef
About this season's grass
Warthogs have been thwarted
In attempts to save their gas
Flamingoes in the pink and
Chasing secretary birds
"Stay low to the ground," Mufasa whispered.
"Ok, stay low to the ground," Simba whispered back.
"Ssshhh. Not a sound," Mufasa hushed Simba.
Zazu just continue to sing,
Saffron is this season's color
Seen in all the herds
Moving down the rank and file
To near the bottom rung
Far too many beetles are
Quite frankly in the dung
"Take it slow, One more step, then..." Mufasa advised Simba as he pounced at Zazu when he finished his singing line.
"Aaaak!" Zazu Yelped.
Mufasa was laughing at his own son succeeding in pouncing Zazu. Then Simba started to sing.
This is the morning report
Gives you the long and the short
Zazu tried to run in another direction but Simba blocked the way. He continued to sing while Zazu was trying to run away.
Every grunt, roar, and snort
Not a tale I distort
Then Zazu made an attempt to pecking Simba's head but he was dragged in the dirt and thrown towards the rocks. Simba then sing his final line.
On the morning report!
Mufasa continue to laugh then compliment me. "That was very good. Ok now, this time-"
"SIRES! HYENAS! THEY HAVE PRINCE HAYDEN SURROUNDED!" Zazu interrupted. The news made Mufasa's eyes widen with shock and fear. Reacting immediately, Mufasa leapt over Zazu and began making his way towards the Central Pridelands.
"Zazu, Take Simba home," Mufasa said with his serious tone.
"Dad, can I come? I want to help Hayden too." I asked.
"No, son. It's too dangerous and your brother will be fine for sure." Mufasa said and with that, the king took his leave, quickly making his way towards the conflict.
Mufasa understood how Simba is very caring to his own brother. He was happy about it. But the prince is not ready to see what Hayden is really capable of in trouble times.
(Hayden) (Warning: Graphic Violence ahead)
He already warned them and they refused to listen. They chose this and they will get it. He grabbed a hyena and slam his whole fist through the chest, with the heart in his hand. He shoved the pumping heart in the hyena's head.
4 lifeless hyena bodies, covered with blood and wound slashes. Blood and guts covering in his warframe. The rotten stench of flesh surround the area. Severed heads and torsos lying in green grass. But Hayden thirsted for more blood and fuels him with more wrath.
Another Hyena jumped from behind and attempted to stab him from the neck. Hayden snatch the hyena by the hand and thrown him to the ground.
He brought all his weight to the hyena so it can escaped from his grasped. He brought up his right hand and unsheathed his parazon blade tool attached in his warframe's wrist.
"ACKK!" The hyena made a gurgle noise as the parazon pierce his throat. He let the mutt suffocate through bleeding and watch it suffer. It was something he enjoys watching in his skirmish.
That is until he heard a feminine scream behind him. That scream sounds like-
"COME HERE!" A gruff voice roared. Hayden turned around to see that Kisa, the white lioness he had known for a while has been held hostage from the murderous hyena. "Stay where you are or pretty here gets it!"
Hayden withdraw his blood-stained parazon and sheathed it back to his wrist. He stands up but did not approach toward Kisa's assailant. "That's right…Drop your weapons. NOW!" Hayden did what the hyena demanded. He dropped his paracesis heavy blade, Kuva brakk pistol, and his Kuva Bramma.
"You know, you are a tough one to deal with other than the king himself." The hyena guffawed. "How about this? I will take my leave, along with pretty here. No one dies."
"HAYDEN! PLEASE DON'T-"
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH, WENCH!" The hyena roared and gripped the blade in neck firmer.
"Kisa, it's okay. I won't let him hurt you. I promise." Hayden reassured her. Then he show his left secretly to Kisa, signing her to make a move to escape.
Without hesitation, Kisa bit the hyena's arm very deep that it starts to draw blood. The hyena screamed and pained let go both Kisa and his sword. Kisa ran to hide behind a nearby rock while Hayden rushed his way to the hyena.
He jumped on to the Hyena, dropping him to ground and grabbed the sword to place in his neck. "Who is your leader of the pack? Who sent you to kill me? Tell me and I will think of letting you live." Hayden demanded.
"I remain loyal to my brothers and sisters. I will not betray them." The hyena sneered.
"Then you are no use to me." Hayden said darkly and slit the throat of the hyena, killing him. Hayden stood up from the corpse and looked to the rock behind him. "You can come out now, Kisa."
Kisa came out of the rock, trembling with fear and horrified with the scenario beholden in front of her, which also make her gag out of disgust and- "Kisa? Are you alright?" Hayden asked out of concern.
"Did you…do all of…this?" Kisa questioned quietly.
Hayden sighs and transfers out of his frame. "Yes, this is the consequences of crossing with the likes of me." Hayden replied neutrally.
"Is this what every day is like? Back in your world?" Hayden sense fear in her voice. He doesn't know how to feel about this. Angry? Ashamed? Guilt? How can he express his feeling about this? This is rather difficult for Hayden.
"I…Look…Its very complicated…I never…" Hayden tried to form the words he wants to say but he failed miserably. "I'm sorry you have to see this. You think I am a monster."
Then table turns, Kisa is the one feeling guilty now for what she asked earlier. She believes that Hayden may have grown-up doing this for a living. Maybe she believes that Hayden to be like a machine that only does what he told what to do. She may not know what Hayden has been through but she pity for someone who only has knowledge of killing.
"No, I should be sorry. I didn't know. You're not a monster. You're you." Kisa said, cringing inside her thoughts at her lack of words but she hopes it will get through him. The only response from him is a big tight hug from him which surprises her.
"Thank you." Hayden whispered in her ears. Kisa smiled and hugs him back. Little they know is that Mufasa is watching them from behind.
(Scar)
Scar walked back and forth on the rocky ledge, still mourning about his dream to be the king. On the other side is his son, Kivuli the black lion who sits by the edge of the cliff. Wanting to release his anger. She threw the old bone aside with his paw and sent it flying over the cliff. Kivuli smiled evilly when the bone landed on the grounds below while Scar shook his head and continued walking, but paused in his tracks when he heard a familiar voice call his and Kivuli name.
"Hey Uncle Scar, Kivuli, guess what?" The voice said happily. Scar and Kivuli rolled their eyes and turned around to look at Simba, who was standing next to them.
"We despise guessing games," Scar grumbled, narrowing his eyes.
"I get to be king of pride rock," Simba said with proudful joy.
"Oh, goody," was all that came out of Scar and Kivuli's mouth. Then Simba ran to the other side of the cliff and looked back behind him to look at his Uncle and cousin, wearing a large grin on his face that went from ear to ear.
Scar and Kivuli were slightly paying attention, but they weren't really. "My dad just showed me the whole Kingdom, and I'm gonna rule it all! Heh!" Simba chuckled.
"Yes, well…forgive us for not leaping for joy, bad back you know…" Scar said as he slumped to the ground and landed on his shoulder.
"Yeah, It's been a long day," Kivuli spoked as he laid next to his father.
Simba jumped on Scar's back and looked down at him. "Hey Uncle Scar," asked Simba, still sitting on his uncle. "When I'm king, what'll that make you and Kivuli?"
"A monkey's uncle…" Scar replied lazily.
"...and cousin," Kivuli added.
"Both of you are so weird," Simba said.
Kivuli and Scar got up and said with a mischievous smile, "You have no idea."
Scar stood up and walked towards the other end of the cliffside and sat down. "So, your father showed you the whole kingdom, did he?" Scar asked him.
"Everything," Simba replied as he caught up with his uncle's steps and sat down beside him.
"He didn't show you what lies north beyond the northern border?" Kivuli asked, who was next to him on the other side, looking down at the young prince that he hated the most.
Simba sighed and looked at the ground, frowning. "No..he said I couldn't go there." He said.
"And he's absolutely right, far too dangerous. Only the bravest lions go there." Scar said, and whatever he was plotting It was intriguing Kivuli. Simba was both curious and offended by his Uncle.
"Well I'm brave, what's ou—" Simba asked but his words were stopped by Scar.
"No I'm sorry Simba, but I can't tell you." Scar said with a teasing tone. Scar pretended to look away when Simba was trying to force his uncle to tell him about the northern border.
"Why not?" Simba asked with a complaining demeanour.
"Simba, Simba, I'm only looking out for the wellbeing of my favourite nephew," Scar said in a low voice as he put his paw on Simba's head, ruffling his small golden mane.
"Yeah right, I'm your only nephew!" Simba said.
Kivuli came closer to Simba and spoked. "All the more reason for father to be protective... An elephant graveyard is no place for a young prince. Oops!" Kivuli and Scar made a fake gasp and covered their mouths.
"An elephant what? Woah.." Simba asked them with slight curiosity and interest.
"Oh my dear son, I believe you said too much, Well, I suppose you'd have found sooner or later, you being SO clever and all…" Scar spoke with a look of dismay but not an actual one. Scar pulled his nephew close to him. There was a hint of disgust. Kivuli could see it by his gesture but the facial expression masked it all. "Oh, just do me one favor - promise me you'll never visit that dreadful place."
Simba thought for a moment and an idea struck him. Then he turned to his uncle and the human girl beside her. "No problem..."
"That is good lad, Run along now and have fun." Scar said as he watches his nephew leaving, "But remember, it's our little secret..." Kivuli said to Simba when he finally exited. Scar and Kivuli turned around, forming a menacing grin when their plan went to account.
(End of Chapter)
A/N: How long has it been since I last touched this story? Weeks? Months? Too long, I suppose. Now That I am back with this story, I never felt much alive than before. Tennocon was one push off from my comfort zone. Thank you, DE. For making such good game and content in it.