Revitalization and Exile

While Simba roared a mighty roar to the Great Kings of the Past, Scar scampered off into the dark mists of the savannah. Scar was scraped, scratched and injured in every area of his body. The pads on his paws were torn making it hard to walk. Scar wandered as far as he could into the distance before his paws were too sore to continue. With Pride Rock still in sight, Scar turned back and bid farewell. "Nobody will miss me. I am strong enough to live my own life without that pride and those hyenas slowing me down. I will start a new life on my own." Scar sat down in the tall grass and tried to sleep. Meanwhile, Pride Rock was a bustle with hope and renewed spirits. The only ones who weren't celebrating were Zira and her cubs. Simba and Nala walked into the den and found Zira on the floor with Nuka by her side, Malakai looking outside and her newest cubs. Simba and Nala had never met Zira and wondered who she was. Obviously, she looked like a desperate lioness trying to escape the rain. "Who are you?"asked Simba. Zira looked up at Simba and Nala and wondered who they were. "I'm the one who should be asking who are you," said Zira. Simba slowly walked closer to Zira and sat down in the den.

"I don't mean to be rude but this is my home."

"No, it is not. These lands belong to Scar; King of the Pridelands."

"I hate to tell you this but Scar is gone."

"What happened to him? What did you do? Who are you?"

"I'm Simba and this is Nala. I'm Scar's nephew. Scar killed my Father when I was just a cub and sent me away from the Pridelands. He also tried to kill me with hyenas."

"And in return you tried to kill him?"

"No, I returned to the Pridelands to take back the throne that was rightfully mine. My Father was Mufasa, the King of the Pridelands before he was killed. Scar was his brother and intentionally killed him so he could take the throne."

"What are you trying to say?"

"That these lands are mine now. Scar was killed by the hyenas."

"So you killed him with the hyenas."

"You don't understand. I-."

"No, you don't understand. Scar was my mate and was supposed to rule the Pridelands with me by his side."

"I am very sorry he died but there is nothing I can do about it. Now, who are you?"

"I am Zira. I was Scar's wife before you killed him."

"Well Zira, now that I have reclaimed the throne you will no longer be Scar's queen. However, I will allow you to stay in the Pridelands and let you raise your cubs. Besides, it's raining outside and I won't send any members of my family out in the rain."

"I appreciate the offer to stay but that doesn't make me a member of your family." Zira watched as the rest of the pride came in to sleep. The large family huddled together to keep warm in the midst of the storm. Zira stepped outside in the rain and sat at the tip of Pride Rock with her head to the stars. "Why did you have to leave me Scar? I know you never wanted a female child but I have her and have named her Vitani. I have your other son; the perfect son that you have always wanted. I will name him Kovu and he will resume the throne and take back the kingdom which is rightfully ours when the time comes. Your legacy will live on in my heart." Zira walked back into the den with dripping water all the way down her body. Grabbing her cubs and sitting in a corner of the den, Zira held Kovu and Vitani close with Nuka and Malakai nearby.

The night was rough for Scar. The rain had stopped by the time the sun rose. Scar was in tremendous pain and could barely stand. With newly discovered burns on his back, there was no way he could move without hurting himself. As Scar slowly moved his head around to glimpse at Pride Rock, he could see that it was no longer in sight. It was blocked by a wall of foggy clouds. "I can't stay here,"he said. Scar tried to get up but collapsed and crushed his torn pads. Scar picked his face up from out of the grass and leaned himself up against a tree. Scar shed a single tear and watched it fall down his nose and onto the grass. Suddenly, steam arose from the ground and surrounded Scar. The blue haze caused all of the land to disappear. Scar looked around frantically for help but found nobody. The mist wrapped its soft grip around Scar's body and transported him to a new place. Scar closed his eyes and tried to wish he was somewhere else. When he opened his eyes, he was in a bright place. There was nothing around him except the blue haze. "Where am I?" Scar looked around but found no sign of anything. "I have to find a way out of here." Scar tried to get up but his efforts were futile. As he collapsed back onto the misty ground, a shadow appeared in the distance. As the figure got closer and closer to Scar, the vision became clear of whom it was. Scar was scared and closed his eyes again hoping the mysterious figure would go away. "Taka,"said a gentle voice. Scar opened his eyes and saw his Mother. "Mother? No it can't be!"exclaimed Scar. Unbelievably, it was Uru who had come hither. She stepped closer and closer to Scar until she stood in front of him. "I have missed you so much Mother but I don't understand why you have come to me now,"Scar said. Uru nuzzled Scar on the neck and watched as he flinched when he was touched. Uru backed off and looked at the rest of Scar's body. As she looked back down on her son, she smiled a gentle smirk. "There is a lot that you don't know,"said Uru. She stepped behind Scar's body and observed the burns on his back. "I will heal you." Uru blew gently onto Scar's wounds as Scar tingled with a slight feeling of numbness. Momentarily, Scar's back wounds disappeared and his back was healed. Uru looked at all of Scar's other injuries and gently blew onto them. Scar watched in amazement as his injuries disappeared. Once he was healed, Uru stepped back and sat down on the foggy floor. Scar slowly began to get up. This time, he didn't collapse but stood on all fours and began to walk around. Scar approached Uru and nuzzled her neck. "Thank you for healing me. You were always able to make me happy." Uru smiled and stood next to her son. "Do you know why I have come forth?"she asked.

"No, but I want to know why you have."

"You have filled your heart with hate. It destroyed the land and almost destroyed you. You were not meant to be king."

"I thought I was a great king."

"You only wanted the position of king so you could prove to your family you were eligible."

"I always wanted to be a king."

"No, you were jealous of your brother. Your brother was going to be the king and you were never able to hang out with your father. All of your anger is due to jealousy and guilt. After Mufasa's death, you felt so much guilt and hatred in you once lovable heart. You need to reach inside Taka and find the real you."

"This is the real me. I have always been like this."

"No Taka. Your heart was once pure. Let me show you what you were really like." Uru lifted her paw and moved it in a circular motion revealing a small portal. "Do you remember this moment Taka?" Taka watched as the portal became a swirl of colors and then a flashback from his past. Taka stared at the portal remembering the moment.

"Taka let me help you up son,"said Ahadi. "Why don't you want to help Mufasa,"said Taka in a harsh tone. Ahadi looked at Taka strangely. "Why do you think that son,"asked Ahadi. "Admit it,"barked Taka. "You hate me! You never even wanted me to live because I was so scrawny and helpless and you almost killed me today! You ran over to help Mufasa as that cheetah was carrying me away by the scruff. Then you whacked the cheetah in the mouth and sent me flying and nearly killing me." Taka didn't speak and neither did Ahadi. Ahadi just walked back to Pride Rock assuming that Mufasa would follow but he didn't. Mufasa was attempting to carry his brother all the way back to Pride Rock. Taka stood up and Mufasa lifted his brother onto his back and carried him.

"I remember this moment,"said Taka. This was my first confrontation with Baya. I almost got killed that day."

"Why is this memory so important to you?"

"It isn't important to me. What is so important about almost being killed?"

"You really can't see it."

"See what?"

"Look again and tell me something important your brother did for you." Taka looked back at the portal and watched the moment happen.

"Dad, aren't we going to help Taka,"cried Mufasa. Ahadi turned back around and looked at his sons and then continued to walk. Mufasa ran up to his father, abandoning Taka in the bushes momentarily. "Dad we forgot about Taka,"said Mufasa.

Taka stared at the portal and felt a pain in his heart. "Mufasa always cared about me as a cub. I always wished to play with him and to play Father but that day I changed my mind about them. I gained more respect for Mufasa but lost any respect I had for Father because he didn't even care if I was hurt. Why did Father never care for me?

"I can't give you these answers Taka. Only your Father can."

"How can he if he isn't here?"

"I will leave you here with your thoughts." Uru slowly stepped away into the misty cloud behind her leaving Taka alone with the portal. "Mother, please come back! I have many more questions. I need you." Taka looked around but Uru was gone. Looking back at the portal, Taka saw the moment when his Mother died. Caught by the rockslide's grip, Uru became trapped and killed. Taka was assumed to be dead as well. "Is this moment familiar?"asked a bold voice. Taka watched as the portal and the clouds disappeared around him and turned back into the grasslands. The sky was dark and the land was broken. "Where am I?"asked Taka. Rustling came from the tall grass behind him. Taka turned around and watched as his Father emerged from the grass and approached him slowly. "Hello Taka,"said Ahadi. "It's you,"said Scar in astonishment."

"Do you remember this place?"

"I grew up here. Why wouldn't I remember it?"

"Do you remember what happened here? This was the exact place we stood the night you disappeared."

"So, you probably didn't even care if I ran away."

"That is not true Taka."

"Yes it is. You loved Mufasa more than you loved me and gave him more attention and affection."

"You don't understand."

"Yes I understand. What you don't understand is that you made my life miserable and it could have all been avoided if you would have loved me more!"

"I will admit that most of this is my fault but I feared you."

"That doesn't make any sense."

"Taka you have to listen. When I was a cub, my sister, Jua was often very ill. She was very small when we were cubs and looked premature. When you were born, I saw many of Jua's features on you. You were a very small cub and got sick as well. I didn't want you to be an underdeveloped cub like Jua and only wanted the best for you. I was always scared something would happen to you. You were so small that I was scared to come near you. I didn't want you to get hurt. I now see that my efforts to protect you only made you mad at me."

"I didn't want anything but attention from you. I didn't like that you were always with Mufasa and I was often left all by myself."

"I apologize Taka. I realize what I did was wrong and I should have taught both you and Mufasa how to be king at the same time. I never meant to exclude you or treat you badly and I really shouldn't have feared you like I did. That was wrong. Can you ever forgive me for my foolish behavior?"

"Yes. Thank you for apologizing."

"Now that our dispute is over, I want you to tell me something."

"Okay, what is it?"

"Do you recognize this place Taka?"asked Ahadi. Taka looked around and didn't find anything familiar. "I don't recognize this place. Why did you bring me here?" Ahadi walked into the distance and nodded his head. As Ahadi slowly sat down, an image of Pride Rock appeared in the distance. Hyenas, carcasses, and depressed lionesses appeared after Pride Rock. Taka walked closer and sat down next to Ahadi. "This was my land,"said Taka.

"It was your land when you were king. Now turn around." Taka did as he was told and turned around to see the Pridelands during Mufasa's reign. They were beautiful with lush trees and grass. "What do you notice between the two lands?"asked Ahadi.

"They're really different but what does that have anything to do with?" Ahadi nodded his head and the images changed. Now, they showed a flashback of Scar's reign and then a flashback of Mufasa's.

The Pridelands were dark and gloomy. The land died. All of the trees and plants shriveled up and water receded from the water hole and streams. All of the animals left the Pridelands except for the Pride who were under strict commands by Scar's army of hyenas. "The position of king is a very important position Sarafina and I don't have time to take care of everybody's needs."

"Scar...the land is dying."

"There is nothing I can do about the land."

"Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all of the creatures from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope because when we die our bodies become the grass and the antelope eat the grass. So, we are all connected in the great circle of life." "Sounds great Dad,"said Simba.

"I was a terrible king,"said Scar. "Mufasa cared for everyone but I was only king for the position. His land was beautiful but mine was dead. I wish Mufasa were here so I could apologize to him for everything I have done." "I accept your apology my brother,"said a voice from the brush. Scar turned around and saw Mufasa emerge from the reeds. He approached his brother and sat down facing him. "I can see my work here is done. Good luck Taka,"said Ahadi as he faced both of his boys, bowed and vanished. The images of the land disappeared and Scar was left with Mufasa in the still of the night. "Mufasa, I apologize for everything I have done to you. I should not have killed you. I don't know what came over me,"said Scar. "I believe you do,"said Mufasa.

"What do you mean?"

"All of your anger has built up inside you. Anger will destroy anything in its path. Your anger destroyed me and almost destroyed you. Your anger is all kept in your scar and expressed by your heart."

"I didn't know my scar could cause so many problems."

"It has all of the anger you have against your family and your life."

"If I never got this scar, I would have never been like this."

"You still have a chance to turn things around Taka."

"How? I can't change my past."

"You are going to be given a second chance at life only if you defeat the wabaya roho; the evil spirit. I will return." Mufasa went back into the reeds and disappeared. Scar waited impatiently for the arrival of the evil spirit. During his wait, Scar kept feeling a sore pain in his scar. The pain got greater and greater causing Scar to wail. When the pain stopped, Scar sighed a sigh of relief. "Scar,"called a raspy voice from behind him. Scar turned around and saw a puff of floating black smoke. The smoke soon formed into a mirror image of Scar. Scar was scared and wasn't sure what was going on. "Who are you?"asked Scar. "I am your scar. I am everything that has made you the most hateful lion you have become. Now, I have come here to face you,"said the creature. Scar stared at him carefully. "You are the wabaya roho I was warned about,"said Scar.

"Yes I am."

"Why are you here?"

"Why else would I be here? I am only here to taunt you. Your memories from your past are what created me."

"Mufasa said all of the horrid memories were in my scar."

"He's right. If it weren't for your scar, I would not exist."

"How do I get rid of you? I don't want to feel hated anymore. This hatred has been burning my soul for seasons."

"You have already started to destroy me."

"What have I done?"

"Cleaning your heart. Your once evil soul has been cleansed by your family. Getting your feelings off of your chest has helped destroy me."

"I...I have to be rid of you."

"You know Scar, you may destroy me but the memories will always haunt you in your head."

"No! I am going to stop all of this nonsense right now!"

"You can try."

"I am sorry to my family. I shouldn't have been a jerk to my brother. I shouldn't have killed him. I should have been more loyal to my family. I almost destroyed myself and my family. I am sorry Father for being so mean and abusive. I am sorry to everyone. I am here to change myself. I am going to change. I may not be able to change my past but I can change my future." As Scar continued to reveal his past, the wabaya roho began to disintegrate into the sky. "I am no longer Scar! I am Taka! I am Taka!" The wabaya roho was completely gone. Taka roared as loud as he could and then collapsed onto the grass. When he awoke, Mufasa stood over his head. "You have done it Taka,"he said. "What have I done?"asked Taka.

"You have defeated the wabaya roho. You have revived your soul to a pure state again and your scar is gone."

"My scar?" Taka walked over to a small stream and looked at his reflection. "It is gone. How did it heal?"

"When you defeated the wabaya roho, your scar disappeared. You no longer had anything to be angry at."

"I couldn't have done any of this without you Mufasa."

"Taka...You may not be able to change your past, but you can change your future." Mufasa slowly disappeared into the brush once again. Taka closed his eyes and slowly let out tears of joy. When he opened his eyes, he found himself behind the tree he started at. The sun was still rising and it was almost like time had stopped the entire time Taka was gone. "I am going to start a new beginning for myself and a new life in the east." With renewed hope and a sense of rejuvenation, Taka ran off into the rising sun and vanished in its shining glory.

Meanwhile, it was still the same day for the pride. Simba and Nala were celebrating the birth of their first born. They had 2 female cubs Kiara and Razi. "Which one will be the heir?"asked Nala. "I am going to attempt what has never been done before,"said Simba.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I am going to have both of the girls be heirs to the throne!"

"What?"

"Yes! Kiara and Razi will rule together. They will be the queens of the savannah."

"Simba...are you sure this is going to work."

"I am sure of it. Nothing can possibly go wrong with two rulers." "If there are going to be two rulers, there should be a male and a female,"said Zira with Nuka trailing behind her. "Good morning Zira. Have you met our newest members to the pride?"asked Simba.

"Which is the heir?"

"They both are."

"What?"

"I am going to have Razi and Kiara rule side by side together."

"It is impossible. There can not rule the same throne."

"They are going to have two separate thrones. I am sure my cubs will be able to handle the responsibility."

"Fine, but if you had to chose one to rule, which would it be?"

"I couldn't chose."

"Fine! I will chose for you." Zira walked closer to Nala as she pulled her cubs closer. Zira pointed her claw towards Razi. "This one. She shall be betrothed to my Nuka."

"What!"

"Since Scar was the last king and I was his queen, I am still the ultimate ruler."

"Scar was never a real king. My father was the real king and I was his heir. Only if I died would Scar actually be king."

"I don't care about technicalities. I am still the queen and your daughter is going to mate with my son."

"No! I will not allow it." Zira became furious and swiped Razi from Nala and ran into the plains. Simba raced after her determined to save his daughter. Razi dangled from Zira's mouth as she dashed further out into the savannah. Zira stopped by the water hole and dropped Razi in front of her. Razi's head dangled in front of the water with Zira's claw high above. "Stop!"cried Zira as she ordered Simba to stop on the other side of the water hole. Simba stopped and starred at his daughter. "Lay one claw on my daughter and I will banish you from the Pridelands faster than snake strike,"ordered Simba.

"Take one more step and your daughter will be with the Great Kings."

"Why are you doing this Zira?"

"Your daughter is going to mate with my son!"

"No! I will not have Razi betrothed to your son. My daughter should be free to mate with whomever she pleases."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Scar had always dreamed of having a big family and to have his first born have a queen to continue the family legacy."

"I don't care if you want to continue the legacy. You are not taking my daughter!" Simba was getting irritated and took a step forward. "One more step Simba and your daughter will die!"roared Zira.

"I don't want you to kill my daughter but I don't want her to marry your son." Zira lowered her paw and pulled the cub away from the water. "Well, then maybe a wager can be made,"said Zira. "If you let Nuka mate with your daughter, I will not kill her." "No, if I let Razi mate Nuka, you and your cubs will be banished from the Pridelands. Razi will go with you. She must never know of this moment,"said Simba. Zira snarled and held Razi in her mouth.

By midday, Zira had moved all of her cubs into the outlands. Simba sat at the water hole for a long time. He could not ease the pain he felt. He thought he had betrayed his daughter and his family. That night Simba and Nala sat in the den with Rafiki by their side and the support of their fellow pride members. "I can't believe I gave our daughter to Zira,"said Simba. "Don't feel ashamed. It was her only hope for survival,"said Nala.

"I feel like a bad Father. I never imagined myself giving away one of my own cubs."

"I feel you did the right thing."

"What?"

"You did the right thing. I would have done the exact same thing."

"I don't understand."

"I would rather given her away than watching her die. Even though she isn't living with us anymore, I can sleep better knowing our daughter is alive." "She will return to you,"said Rafiki. Simba and Nala turned to the baboon and gave him full attention. "Are you sure Rafiki?"asked Nala. "You need not worry. Razi will return to you one day happy and healthy. Right now, all we can do is wait and see what happens with time. There is nothing else we can do." Simba lowered his head and cowled in a corner. Rafiki took the young cub in his arms and carried her over to Simba with Nala following. "I was going to present the newest heirs to the Pridelands tomorrow but I would like to make sure that is okay." "It would have been okay if Zira didn't ruin everything,"said Simba. "Simba, we can't let these things torment us. We are going to have to move on,"said Nala."

"I don't know if I can."

"We have gotten through worse than this. We will get through this."

"What about Zira?"

"What about her?"

"I'm worried for Kiara. Zira still has a lot of hatred towards us and I feel she will take it out on her rather than us."

"What can we do?"

"We are just going to have to set boundaries for Kiara."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean she won't be able to all of the things we were able to do when we were cubs like go out without supervision or enter parts of the Pridelands that we were able to go in with supervision. I am going to protect Kiara with my life. Rafiki, I would like you to present Kiara to the Pridelands when the sun rises again. Zazu will fly throughout the Pridelands while there is still light left and tell the other animals about the ceremony." "As you wish sire,"said Rafiki.