Chapter Ten: Daddy Dearest

Anza and the other hyenas led the King through the storm until they reached the pond. Scar stepped forward, his eyes never leaving his father. The old lion's eyes widened in surprise.

"You?" he asked. "You sent them to attack the pride?"

"That surprises you?" Scar laughed. "I'm amazed you even knew I was back. This is where Mother died. Do you remember that? Right here or at least near the pond. I think I died that day, too. You refused to accept me as your son, especially when I needed you the most."

"It's your fault she's dead!"

"No, it's not! Open your eyes! I was a cub then. I had no control over what happened and you know it."

"I loved her and now she's gone."

Scar shook his head. "So did I."

"Then why did you let her die?"

"I didn't!"

Scar's voice echoed through the silence. The hyenas moved back slowly, some trying to tend to their wounds. Anza was whimpering quietly as she licked at her cuts. Scar was breathing heavily, his emotions finally get the best of him.

"Where were you when she died?" he demanded, glaring at his father. "You were off with your better son and you left me behind. If you would have just taken me with you . . . if I was with you, Mother never would've been here, trying to console me. She would still alive. Your precious son wouldn't be in that cave hurt. These hyenas wouldn't have forced you here. All of this would've been stopped if you had just accepted me as your son. Do you know that?"

"I didn't mean to leave you there . . ." the old lion said quietly.

"Liar! You're lying and you know it!"

"Of course I'm lying! You were nothing, Miru! You never wanted to be in the limelight! So why were you so worried about what I thought of you?"

"Because you're my father! I spent my whole life thinking what I could do to make you be proud of me or least welcome me into your oh so perfect family!"

"And this is how you do it! Joining forces with the creatures that killed your mother and nearly killing your brother in the process! You are a poor excuse for a lion! No matter how angry you are, you don't do this sort of thing!"

"Nearly killing my brother?" Scar repeated. He glared in the hyenas' directions. All of them whimpered and backed away.

"You said get him first," Anza argued. "And we did. We did what we were told."

Scar growled and looked at his father. "I'll deal with him later, but first . . . you."

The old lion growled challengingly. Scar lunged at him. The two fought mercilessly, biting and clawing anywhere they could.

"You never deserved to be a part of my family!" the father shouted as he rolled around in the dirt with his forgotten son.

"I never wanted to be!" Scar shouted back, striking his father across the face.

"Then why are you doing this!"

"To make you pay!"

They rolled out into the water. The rain fell heavier now. The splashes caused by the raindrops were intensified as the two lions sloshed about the water, one trying to gain the upper hand. Scar finally got a hold of the sensitive skin of his father's neck. He bit down as hard as he could.

A gurgling gasp came from his father and he slumped on top of him. Scar released his hold and let his father drop into the water with a splash. He pulled him up to keep his head out of the water. Scar chuckled darkly and leaned down to speak into his father's ear.

"Are you proud of your boy now, Daddy dearest?" he whispered. "Are you proud that he's killed you? I'll give one better, Father. I'm going to kill Mufasa."

He straightened up and nodded to the hyenas. The mass army ran off toward the Elephant Graveyard. He followed them slowly. He stopped to look at the slowly dying lion on the bank.

"Now you'll never forget about the other son, Father!" he called. "Tell Mother hello for me."

He walked on, his reddened lips and teeth forming a chilling smile.

"Father!" Mufasa shouted louder.

He walked through the blowing tall grass, shaking his mane from his eyes. He walked until he saw the lake giving off a dull light. He stopped short, seeing a small mound on the bank of the pond.

"Oh, no."

He walked over and gasped as he saw his father. He leaned his head down and rubbed it against his father's lovingly. His tears mixed with the rain running down his cheeks.

"Say hello to Mother for me," he whispered, still rubbing his head against his father's.

He straightened up and sniffed loudly. He looked out over the lands ahead of him, knowing the murderers were out there, relishing in the fact that they killed the king.

"Whoever did this to you will pay, Father. I promise you."

He picked his father's body up and balanced him on his back. He ducked his head down from the harsh wind and rain as he began his trek back to Pride Rock.