Note : Alright, I'm beginning to confuse myself throughout the fic, so let me clear things up, now. xD I feel that the entire time setting in " Simba's Pride " was all off. It is said that Kovu was the last born before exiled into the Outlands … which would mean he'd be much older than Kiara. And Vitani and Kovu are not twins, so I don't know why they'd make it seem that way, either in the movie by making them both cubs. So, what I'm going to do is make a more believable concept about the situation, and make it as Zira was CARRYING Kovu before being exiled. You can only have so many cubs, one after another, in such a time gap like so. So fast forward this chapter to six, seven months after Vitani was born. Mating season has no place in TLK, as we can see from the movies. xD

Another thing, Nala is still on the prowl. I don't think in TLK she found Simba within a time span of ONE day. I believe she was busy finding anyone she could to battle Scar, and it was taking her miiighty long to do so. But don't worry, everything will be cleared up. God damn Disney people … the way they portray time is horrendous.

Chapter IV : A Final Solution, A Final Demand

Vitani was a bouncy little baby throughout the depressed times of the Pridelands, and seemed to win the hearts of both Pridelanders and Outsiders. Zira and Scar were most proud of the little girl, often saying if things go right, she could replace Sarabi as the hunting party leader when she was older. But that would be a long time from now. But, something else was also noticed. Nuka began to be less and less noticed around the Pridelands, and it was harder and harder now to try and woo Scar and his mother. Sarabi was forbidden to speak to Nuka, and was not able to baby-sit anymore because she was suspected of turning him against his father. Not at the least, he thought … but what had he done to deserve treatment such as this? Why was he neglected? What was so different about him, than Vitani?

The neglect would only skyrocket many months after, when the Pride would find out that Zira, again, was carrying from the same Rogue as before. Seemed she took Scar's advice and went to find him, but this time … Scar wasn't taking any chances. He was hell-bent on getting his son, and he was not going to stop until he did. But how … how could he find out that it would be a boy, before the cub was actually born? … And that's where he thought of it; get the Mandrill.

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One day, whilst Scar was at the perch of Pride Rock, he called over Nuka. It was one of those bittersweet, rare moments that he'd actually acknowledge his son and ask something of him in return.

" Nuka, I need you to do me a favor. "

Nuka sheepishly sat beside his father and looked out towards the solemn horizon of the far past dead Pridelands. He didn't know whether to cower from him, or admire the fact he had called him over. " Yes, father? "

Scar delivered a shiver at the mentioning of ' father. ' God, he just hated it. It drove him insane.

" I want you to go find Rafiki, and bring him over here. "

" R-rafiki? But, he's all the way out there. I've never been that far out past Pride Rock before. "

Scar smirked and shifted his attention directly at the lion before him. " Do not be scared. He's just over yonder at that tree. You must bring him back … it's for a … special cause. "

" If you say so, then I'll go get him for you, father. "

Would he stop calling me that?!!

Waving a paw dismissively, he sent Nuka on his way towards the giant tree the Mandrill often stayed in. It would take him some time to get there, but he never stopped running once. He never slacked off whatever task was given to him, and he wasn't about to start now. When he finally reached the tree, he called out for the Mandrill shaman.

" Rafiki?! Hey, Rafiki! You there?! "

No answer. Nuka feared that the Mandrill had left along with the herds. That would only mean one thing … he'd feel the wrath of his father later on when he returned back to Pride Rock. He turned to depart, contemplating if he really should return.

" What do you want, Nuka? " Leaping from branch to branch and with that trusty staff in hand, Rafiki had launched himself in front of Nuka before he completely departed from the tree.

" Rafiki, why didn't you answer before? My father needs of your service. "

" Me? For what does the King need me for? "

" I don't know. He said it was for a special cause. "

The Mandrill tapped his chin and sighed. " You have caught me at a bad time, Nuka. I must be leaving for a while … duty calls elsewhere. I've got message of it in the winds. "

Nuka was furious and snapped at the monkey. " Whatever that is can wait! I need you to come with me now, please! "

" Hey, you don't scream at me, young lion! I'll go with you, but I blame you if I become late with this task I've gotten. "

The lion sighed in relief and ordered for him to follow him back to Pride Rock, in which he did and reached in due time. No words were spoken between the two, except for a few minor questions asked by the Wise Mandrill.

" How's it feel to have a sister, Nuka? "

" Feels just fine, why? "

" How about your feelings towards the new baby? "

" I don't know. It's not even born yet, how should I know? " Nuka was getting quite irritated with these questions.

" Okay, okay. You don't need to bite off ol' Rafiki's head, now. " He cackled as he climbed up the edge of Pride Rock the difficult way. The path was totally was non-existent to him, but it was a habit he had developed when Mufasa was in reign. Ah, how he missed his friend.

The rattles of the ceremonial fruits on his staff would signal the King that Rafiki had returned to Pride Rock, and he raced out of the cave to meet the shaman. Scars' face was nothing but serious. " About time you've come, Rafiki, " he eyed Nuka and shook his head in dismay. What a useless errand boy he was, he thought, as he continued. " I need you to tell me what Zira is expecting. "

Rafiki quirked a brow and slammed his staff onto the floor. " You want me to do what now? "

" Tell me if I am to have a son. Are you deaf? "

" No, Rafiki not deaf. But how do you expect me to do this? "

Scar placed a paw onto his brow and sighed. " Oh, I don't know. Use those magic tricks you always use to predict something. I've seen you do it when I was a cub, so don't you lie to me now. "

Rafiki chuckled softly and began walking in towards the cave where Zira was awaiting his presence, without the accompanying lions. He wasn't waiting for a smart answer like they would have given him, so he took things into his own hands. Inside, he decided to at least try to be on good terms with the once again pregnant Queen. " Ah, Zira. How are we today? "

" Stop trying to butter me up, Rafiki. Just carry out Scar's wishes and tell me if I am to have a respectable heir this time. "

" Okay, okay. Jeez, you lions like to rush ol' Rafiki, I give you that. There's too much spunk in you young ones these days. " He chuckled as he was oblivious to the fact both Scar and Nuka had entered the cave to listen to the verdict. Scar could only hope it was a son, so he could finally have his heir, and Nuka could only hope it was another sister, so maybe Scar may finally choose him to be a King since there have been so many failed attempts in the past.

Rafiki placed his tender hands upon the belly of Zira, and moved them in a circular motion in order to get a " better prediction " of the child. Statements of ' Ah, I see, ' and ' Oh, that's good, ' would be heard as he continued to search for the cub's true identity. Scar just felt the mandrill was running his patience, and snapped at him to release Zira's stomach at once.

" Are you done yet, Rafiki?! How long does it take? "

Lifting his hands off of Zira's belly, he waved them in front of Scar's face and mocked him. " Yes, your servant is done, your majesty. I must congratulate you, however. You are going to have a bouncy, baby boy. "

Scars ears finally perked up with interest. " A boy, you say? "

" Rafiki no repeat himself, but yes. A male. "

" GLORIOUS! " Scars' shout could be heard bouncing off the cave walls as they made its way out and towards the Pridelands. Finally, after years of waiting, he had an heir. Outsiders praised the news, Pridelanders feared it. It was inevitable now … there was to be another tyrant to rule the Pridelands once again, which left them with absolutely no hope. It seems the efforts of Nala were useless, since she had never returned with a solution … she just never returned at all.

However, Nuka wasn't taking the news very well at all. He had grown very bitter once Vitani was born, and now his chances of ever REALLY getting the throne were gone. His half-brother was to be born, and there was nothing he could do about it. He already despised this new bundle of joy that was to be born … hated him with every inch of his body, because now he had lost his father completely. He lost his father to something that wasn't even in the world yet.

Scar placed a paw onto Zira's stomach and smiled happily at his Queen. " Let it be known that this cub is to be known as the chosen one! He shall follow in my paw prints, and become King. He will be strong, like his King. He shall be named Kovu! "

Outsiders murmured to themselves, chattering about how great of a name Kovu was, how now there was no chance of them ever going back to the Outlands. This was an exciting turnout, but the Pridelanders weren't having it, and neither was Nuka. He had practically gagged at the mentioning of his half-brother's soon-to-be-name, and avoided being seen by Scar. The Great Kings knew he would have been pummeled relentlessly for that one.

" Kovu. My King, that is an excellent name for my son. He shall not let you down! "

" He better not. He is my successor, after all. " Scar could not stop grinning from ear to ear, before one of the Hyenas interrupted his tranquil state of mind.

" Yo, boss. You've got some lion coming up to Pride Rock. He demands to see ya'. "

Scar peered around at the cave and growled. " Anyone know the meaning of this? "

There were no replies. And with no replies, came more frustration from Scar, in which he quickly left the cave to meet this stranger. Rafiki, Nuka, Zira, and the rest of the combined Pride followed him out shortly, ready to witness the confrontation between Scar and the Rogue.

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Scar stood atop the promontory and glanced down towards the lion. " Identify yourself, Rogue. "

Uneasily, he responded to the King. " My name is Jaharu. "

" And what business do you have here, ' Jaharu? ' "

He hesitated for a bit, darting his attention to the surrounding Hyenas around Pride Rock. He had never seen so many of this kind at one place before, especially with a Pride of lions. A bit strange indeed, and with that said in his thoughts, he continued. " I've heard around the lands that a cub had been born here a while back, and so .. I've come here to see my daughter. "

Scar arched his brow and snarled. " Your daughter? "

" Yes. I've heard you've named my daughter, so to clear things up; I'll rephrase my previous demand. I've come here to see my daughter, Vitani, if that is the name I've heard you've given her. "

Scars' eyes gleamed brightly, and he deviously smirked to the one before him. He had been waiting for this moment, and it finally came, by chance or by fate, one doesn't know. But it did, and he was just thrilled. " Ah, so you're the Rogue my Zira has been seeing. Please, come up here. I have matters to discuss with you. "

Hesitant once more with his actions, he slowly began to scale up Pride Rock and up towards the King, where he awaited dignified and surrounded by his Pride and Pack of Lions and Hyenas. Scar would not pause to think about what he would say to Jaharu at this moment … he's had months and months to think this over. " Jaharu, I'm sure you're aware that Zira is once again expecting your cub, correct? "

" I've heard. Your point, your majesty? "

" Hmph. Well, he is to be my heir to the throne. I just wanted to tell you that. "

Jaharu paused and shook his head in disbelief. " What?! No, no, my son will not be your heir. "

Scar gave him a second look of disbelief himself. " And why not? "

" I have never been able to see my daughter, and I will not allow you to corrupt my son! Look at what you've done to these lands! My son will have no part in making them worse than they already are! " He paused and snarled quietly at Zira. " You … Zira, I loved you. I often wondered where you went when we would see each other, but here?! And for you to give Vitani no sort of information about me … she doesn't even know I'm her father, does she?! DOES SHE?! "

" No. "

She said that so flatly, so bluntly. Jaharu just couldn't believe his ears. " Then let me see her, Zira, dear. Please. " His soft, floppy midnight colored mane dripped over his face as he bowed his head, begging to see the first child he had ever bred. He could have passed for Scar's brother, but he didn't have that devious look on his sweet and kind visage, and his color was different; dark-sienna. No, he was not another Scar … he looked too regal to be considered his twin.

Scar interrupted his request. " You shall not see her. You see, she considers ME her father, so I advise you … leave quickly. The decision is final, and there's nothing you can do to change it. Your son will be born to follow my rule, not yours. You are nothing to them! " He paused and inched his way beside Zira. " And do watch who's Queen you call ' dear ' around here, okay? "

" No … no! You cannot do this! These are MY children! " He eyed Nuka beside Scar and pointed a claw towards him. " I have heard this young lion here is of YOUR blood with Zira. For what reason is HE not the king, but my children must bare the weight of doing your dirty work?! "

Scar snarled and motioned for the Hyenas to start moving in towards the rogue. " Don't you ask stupid questions, rogue! … Just run … run away, and never return. " He paused and cackled wickedly. " … Get him. "

And the pursuit began.

All of the Hyenas, regardless if they were atop Pride Rock, or at the base, began to launch themselves at Jaharu as he hopelessly tried to escape Pride Rock. He had been able to get a bit of a head start before Scar actually sent the Hyenas at him, so he was already at the base when they all began to give chase. And this continued, until the Hyenas finally locked onto their target and a piercing roar could be heard a short distance away from Pride Rock.

No Outsiders, Pridelanders, or even the King, ever turned to see the outcome of Jaharu's escape attempt. They all knew he hadn't made it, being he had about thirty to forty Hyenas on his tail. No, he didn't escape at all, and now Vitani and Kovu will grow up to never know their true father. Zira shook her head slightly and resided back into the cave afterwards, clearly not heartbroken over the fact the one who had produced two of her strongest children, was ambushed and killed. She knew he couldn't do anything for her … he was but a rogue, and she was a Queen. A queen to her dear Scar, whom she believed she would reign with until the end of time. Ah, how the sands of time shift.

Nuka, however was left bewildered, stunned, and astonished at the same time. He had something Vitani and Kovu could never have, and that was the memory of their father's true identity, and he vowed he would never reveal to them this information. They weren't worthy enough of knowing, he thought. But he was more confused on the fact that Scar hadn't even answered him when asked about why he hadn't been chosen as Scar's heir. The rogue was right … he was his true son, but had no rights to the throne. And it would be a question that would forever linger in his mind, because Scar will never be able to give him the reason as to why Nuka was not the chosen one … and why Kovu was destined to be.

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As for Rafiki, he had been long gone before the incident had ever happened, making his way towards where the winds had told him to go. Simba was alive, and he was heading there to tell him he must return. He knew Nala had found him also, because she had stopped by his tree to tell him she was leaving to look for help. He knew she had found it, and now it was time to bring him home. It was time to end this nightmare.