A/N:Hey everybody, SOOOO sorry about the delay. I could use more reviews for motivation, y'know. This chapter is really twisted, and next chapter is tentatively R.
Chapter 5 – The Mind of the Unloved
Scar's POV
I have never felt love in my life. And since I was young, I have never even had the dignity of being addressed by my proper name.
Scar…
I always got into fights as a cub. I didn't usually challenge my brother, Mufasa; I knew from the start that he would always be stronger than me; therefore I never wasted my time.
Scar…
After the wildebeest stampede in which I acquired this slash from a reckless hoof, the other cubs began to ridicule me, and I was shunned by the pride as a bad influence.
Scar…
And yet… where has it gotten me? It has gotten me to the highest position of power I only ever dreamed of before. I reign over the Pridelands, my dear brother's former position. What a pity… my brother is now unfortunately deceased.
SCAR…
I stood staring after the lionesses for a long while, then stalked back into the cave. Zazu was sitting in his bone cage, probably contemplating the mystery of life for the millionth time since I put him in there.
"Zazu, when will you realize that, until I am certain you won't fly away, you will not be freed?" I burst out.
He sullenly kept his back to me.
I crept up behind him and roared, "ANSWER!"
He leapt from the floor and nearly crushed his head against the ceiling of his cage. I chuckled darkly as he turned around, rubbing it.
"Majesty," he moaned, "what is so terribly wrong that it would cause an outburst such as this?"
I sat back on my haunches. "Help me, Zazu. What is wrong? What made Mufasa so popular?"
Zazu thought for a moment. "Adoring subjects –
"But why did they adore him?" I interrupted, beginning to pace the cave feverishly.
"Well…" he thought again. "He was fair, he cared about the other animals, and he only hunted as much as was necessary…"
"Oh, posh," I said dismissively. "What made him so powerful?"
"The fact that he had a sincerely devoted queen and a loving family relationship certainly upped his status," the bird quipped, and I felt as though I'd received an electric shock.
"THAT'S IT!" I roared triumphantly.
"What is?" he asked absently. I could have eaten him for being so blind.
"I need a queen," I murmured, practically walking in circles now.
Zazu seemed to snap back to reality. "A WHAT! Whatever for?"
"Haven't you listened to yourself?" I asked, grinning at him with my fangs bared. "How else am I supposed to have a family line without cubs?"
He looked ready to throw up.
"But Sire," he began, "we both know Sarabi will not consent –
"Oh, I'm not after Sarabi," I hissed evilly. "There is another…"
I glided over and grasped his cage in my teeth.
"Excellency, what are you doing?" Zazu squawked.
"Taking you someplace you will live in fear while I construct my plans in peace," I said through clenched jaws.
The journey to temporarily dispose of Zazu seemed to take forever. I carried him west to the old elephant graveyard and set him on a ledge looking precariously into a geyser of greenish steam.
"Now you be good," I chuckled, "until I return to fetch you."
He shuddered and called after my retreating back, "And what shall happen when the hyenas come tonight?"
I turned to exit the mass of bones. "Use your imagination."
I returned to the cave only to pace for several hours, my mind concocting a plan all the while. I would have to lure her here somehow, that was certain, and it wouldn't be hard to take advantage of her with Zazu conveniently out of the way. We would have some of the strongest cubs…
I have been called mad on many an occasion, but that night I believe I truly crossed the border into insanity…
