Chapter One

"Dad, hey dad!" Simba tugged gently on his father's ear, trying to wake the slumbering lion. "Come on dad, wake up!" Simba released the ear and jumped up, placing his front feet on his fathers think mane. He hopped up and down.

When this didn't work, he trotted back. Then he ran foreword and rammed his head into his father's mane, effectively startling the older lion awake. "What..?"

"You promised!" Simba pouted. James yawned loudly, waking Lily, before he nodded to his son. Simba let out a delighted whoop and raced out of the cave. The two adult lions stretched and ambled outside.

"Hi mom." Simba said, arching against his mothers leg.

"Good morning." Lily replied. She chuckled as her son ran off to lope along beside James, who led him up a path to the top of Pride Rock.

Once at the top, James sat down near one of the edges. Simba came to stand behind him and James began to speak. "Everything the light touches is our kingdom."

"Wow...everything?" James nodded. "What about that dark shadowy place?"

"That is beyond our borders son, you must never set foot there." Simba pouted.

"But why not?" James chuckled and stood up.

"It is very dangerous."

"But I thought a king could do whatever he wants!" James smiled.

"Oh, but there's more to being a king than getting your way all the time." At this Simba looked confused.

"Really?" James scooped his son into his jaws and set about jumping down the large rock. He set him carefully in the grass when they got down and began walking.

"As king, you have many responsibilities. You must take care of your pride, and you must take care of the animals living on your turf. That includes everything from the elephants to the antelope."

"But don't we eat the antelope?" Simba asked confused.

"Yes, but let me explain. When we die, our bodies nourish the grass. The antelope eat the grass and supply us with food. So therefore we are all part of the great Circle of Life." Simba nodded in understanding as a sleek brown cat leapt in front of them. "Ah, Severus!"

"Hello sire, just checking in with the morning report." The cat announced, staring disdainfully at the cub that had amused himself by pouncing at a butterfly. Severus's fur began to shimmer and soon he was black, which suited his personality more thought James.

"Fire away then." James said, settling on his haunches to listen. Severus began his report and Simba leapt up, swatting at the butterfly. After a few swipes he managed to trip over his fathers tail, causing James to chuckle. "What are you doing son?" He asked in a whisper as Severus rattled on about some leopards.

"Pouncing." James smirked.

"Let an old pro show you how it's done." James straightened and caught Severus's attention. "Could you turn around for a moment Sev?" Severus snorted the shortening of his name but turned around anyway.

As he began speaking again, James gave Simba directions on how to pounce. By the time Severus noticed the quietness of his Sire and cub, it was too late. Both had vanished. Just as he was planning to retreat a golden figure hurtled towards him and knocked him to the ground.

"GAH!" James laughed as Simba crawled off of the mad cat, a proud smirk on his face.

"That was very good." James praised. "Now we must be heading back for breakfast. You are welcome to join us if you wish." James said to Severus, who huffed and stalked off, his fur changing back to brown to blend in with the grass better.

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As the king and his cub made their way back to Pride Rock, a pair of red eyes watched them angrily. "How dare he go and have a son!" The angry lion hissed.

"It is his right." Tom whirled around and batted his friend with a large paw. "OW!" The sleek lion whined, rubbing his head. "That hurt boss."

"Good, it was supposed to." Lucius, the most vain lion in the kingdom, growled under his breath. "You know, that cub isn't the brightest is he?"

"Haven't a clue boss." Lucius replied. "Why, you have an idea?"

"Do I? Oh Luc my boy, I have a brilliant plan! Come!" And Tom whirled into the brush, heading towards his lair. Lucius followed at a more sedate pace, picking his way around thorn bushes and such.

Back at Tom's lair, they met up with the rest of his small, hidden pride and a score of hyenas. He bypassed the lions and addressed the hyenas. "Listen up! I have a plan that will rid us all of the fool James and his son for good!"

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"Simba!" Tom called out one evening, several days after Simba and James's excursion. Simba trotted over to his adoptive uncle with a smile.

"Hello Uncle Tom." The cub said brightly.

"Hello Simba. How about you take a walk with me hmm? There's something I want to talk about."

"Okay." Simba followed Tom down off of Pride Rock and trotted along beside him, talking excitedly. "...And dad said I get to be king of Pride Rock!" Tom rolled his eyes as he tuned in and out of the youngsters ramble. "Are you listening?"

"Yes Simba." Tom said as he noted that they had reached the canyon.

"Why are we here?" Simba yelped as Tom scooped his up none too gently into his jaws and began to jump down into the canyon. Once on the bottom, he let Simba go. "Why are we here Uncle?"

"I have a surprise for you and your father." Simba's eyes lit up.

"What is it?" He asked in excitement. Tom said, leading him over to a rock. Simba climbed up onto it and cocked his head at Tom.

"Now if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise." Simba pouted as Tom smirked. "You just wait here while I go get your daddy hmm?"

"Oh..okay." Simba sat as Tom retreated up the slopes. Once on the top he signaled to his hyenas and they nodded back. Tom disappeared and the hyenas bolted out from their cover into the herd of wildebeest, who immediately started to run towards the canyon.

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"That's odd, the herd is moving." Severus muttered as he and James continued on their stroll. James shrugged his massive shoulders and they prepared to move one when suddenly Tom came running.

"St-st-stampede.... in the canyon.... SIMBAS DOWN THERE!" James's heart leapt to his throat as he raced after Tom towards the canyon. Severus took off in the other direction, no doubt running to get the lionesses.

The two ran along the edge until James spotted Simba, clinging to a dead tree for dear life. Tom watched impassively as James leapt down into the herd, making his way to the swaying tree.

Minutes passed and Tom lost track of the pair once Simba was flung off of the tree. When he finally did see them, Simba was safe on a ledge and James was scrambling up the slope. Tom raced over and looked down at the king.

"Tom, help me!" James cried out as he nearly lost his footing. Tom smirked and reached down...to dig his claws into James's paws. James let out a roar and Tom leaned down to whisper in his ear.

"Long live the king..." James's eyes widened as Scar clenched his claws and then let go, flinging James outwards.

"NOOOOO!!!" Twin voices echoed off of the canyon walls.

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"Dad, we gotta go!" Simba cried, tugging on his limp fathers ear. "You gotta wake up." He tried again. But James lay still. Simba shook his small head frantically. "NOO! HELP! SOMEONE!"

And Tom stepped out of the shadows. Simba ran to his and wrapped his arms around Tom's front leg. Tom shook him off, much to Simba's surprise. Upon seeing the deadly look on his Uncle's face, Simba backed up.

"Run little cub." Tom taunted. Simba's eyes widened and looked from Tom to his father, putting two and two together. "Run. Run away and never return!" Simba ran as two hyenas came out of the shadows behind Tom. "Kill him." He heard Tom say.

Simba ran faster as the hyenas took off after him. He climbed up and slid down slopes until he reached the end of the canyon. Looking down at the thorn bushes, he took his chances and jumped...hoping that the hyenas didn't follow.

They didn't, but Simba could swear he heard them say they would kill him if he ever returned.... and Simba had no thoughts of doing so.

TBC