Author's note: Glad to hear you're all caught up in the story. Hopefully I can still pull one or two more surprises yet eh? Hehe. Hope this keeps you entertained. The real action begins soon. Please read and review if you get the chance!

Simba – Adult male lion, King of the Pride Lands

Nala – Adult lioness, Queen of the Pride Lands, wife of Simba

Kiara – Adult lioness, Princess of the Pride Lands, hunting party leader

Kovu – Adult lion, Prince Regent of the Pride Lands, husband of Kiara

Vitani – Adult lioness, half-sister of Kovu

Amaryllis – Adult lioness, foster mother of Amabi, former loner, wanderer

Nadhari – Adult lioness, mother of Alyssa and Kelt

Sharhal – Adult lioness, a member of Kiara's hunting party

Aetti – Adult lioness, a member of Kiara's hunting party

Tumai – Adult male lion, competitive, aggressive, mocking

Juvi – Adult male lion, quiet, thoughtful young male

Salama – Adult male lion, old and wise but not as wise as he thinks, condescending

Lokanneoro – Adult male lion, Tenzer's father, veteran survivor, powerful

Maradi – Adult male lion, attractive and pleased with his appearance

Haya – Adult male lion, young, curious about the world

Tenzer – Half grown male lion, loner, quiet character but gentle with cubs

Ryana – Half-grown lioness, talkative and besotted with Tenzer

Amabi – Male lion cub, adopted son of Amaryllis, cheeky, inquisitive cub

Alyssa – Lioness cub, daughter of Nadhari, more reserved and careful cub

Kelt – Male lion cub, son of Nadhari, slightly insecure cub

Zazu – Adult hornbill, Simba's majordomo

Timon – Adult meerkat, Simba's friend

Pumbaa – Adult warthog, Simba's friend

Rafiki – Adult baboon- Simba's friend, shaman and advisor

Shenzi – Adult female hyena, leader of Graveyard Clan

Banzai – Adult male hyena, leader of Graveyard Clan

Ed – Adult male hyena, leader of Graveyard Clan

Ridikill – Adult male hyena, hunting pack leader, extremely aggressive and antisocial

Burudi – Adult male hyena, scarred face, Ridikill's 'lieutenant', less vicious, member of Ridikill's pack

Groco – Adult male hyena, weakling, low-ranking scout trying to improve his social standing, member of Ridikill's pack

Agiza – Adult female hyena, hunting pack leader, one of Shenzi's favoured, high-ranking

Sarkil – Adult female hyena, sarcastic huntress, member of Ridikill's hunting pack

Kapungu – Adult male hyena, fearsome hunter with a lust for blood, member of Ridikill's pack

Babaka – Adult male hyena, always hungry, member of Ridikill's pack

Shungi – Adult female hyena, rookie leader of small hunting pack

Cauron – Adult female hyena, currently heavily pregnant

Mali – Adult male leopard

Mamacala – Adult male crocodile

Kachero – Adult male rock python

Oocheva – Adult male plover bird

Born in grief.

It was a glorious day in the Pride Lands. It was mid-morning and the sun's rays beat down, unmasked by clouds, but at the same time there was a cool wind blowing westward, providing some relief for the Pride Landers. All in all the weather was perfect.

Which Ridikill found most unsettling. He would have preferred a day overcast with clouds, or perhaps driving rain with flashes of lightning and cracks of thunder. It would certainly have been more appropriate for what he was about do.

He stepped quietly over the broken ground, idly wondering when the rains were going to come. He was trying to distract himself, and he knew that. He didn't want to think about what he was undertaking. He was about to lie to his only real friend. It was a lie that would ultimately destroy both his own hyena clan and her lion pride. Her included, most likely.

He didn't want to do this. He wanted no part in Mamacala's insane scheme to create some reptilian empire. Listening to the crocodile last night had confirmed Ridikill's deepest, darkest suspicions about his mentor – that he was a mad, twisted old creature – and much, much more. Ridikill wanted nothing more to do with him.

But it wasn't like he had a choice. Mamacala's hold over him was strong. The crocodile merely had to look him in the eyes to instil the fear of God in him. A glare from those merciless eyes reminded him of how young, inexperienced and foolish he really was. Of how much he owed to Mamacala's wisdom. And how unwise it would be to disobey him.

Raised in hate.

It had to be done though. What an irony. Just as Ridikill was learning to value the existence of others, he had been recruited to instigate genocide in the Pride Lands and wipe out everyone he knew. Everyone except Mamacala.

The pond where he met Amaryllis came into view. He stopped dead and stared at it. Amaryllis…everything she had done for him was merely a cruel joke now. He was going to indirectly kill her.

But…and the thought flashed into Ridikill's mind like a lightning bolt – there was another option. He could disobey Mamacala. He could make no mention of the fictional hyena attempt to take over the Pride Lands. No war would be instigated then. Of course Mamacala would come for him, whether personally or not Ridikill didn't know.

Ridikill would run and hide, fleeing the Pride Lands and leaving his life there behind. It wouldn't be safe any longer. And he would have to travel alone for the rest of his days – it would be dangerous to associate with anyone. Maybe one day in some foreign corner of the world Mamacala or an agent of his would come upon him in his solitary existence and end him. Or maybe he would escape and live out his lonely years until starvation, disease or maybe old age claimed him. He would rather the former. One thing was certain – his time with Amaryllis had changed him. He no longer wanted to be all by himself.

But wait…there was another choice. Tell Amaryllis everything. Everything of Mamacala and his crazy plot. She would report it to King Simba, while he returned to his clan and told Shenzi, Banzai and Ed everything. Of course it would make him look bad, to be mixed up in such a plot. But perhaps one or both sides would offer him shelter from Mamacala while they hunted the crocodile down and ended him.

For that would be their reaction, Ridikill was sure. Neither faction would tolerate the idea of an ancient enemy secretly plotting their demise. Mamacala was strong but Ridikill was certain he couldn't survive every lion and hyena of the Pride Lands after his blood.

Yes…Ridikill could do that. Tell Amaryllis everything. She would understand. Perhaps be disturbed and disappointed in him, but she would help him. And if things went wrong and Mamacala came for him, so be it. It was the right thing to do, to be honest with everyone. And Ridikill realized he wanted to do the right thing.

He inhaled deeply, lifted his head high and marched towards the pond, more determined than ever to right his wrongs and do some good for the Pride Lands by ending Mamacala's plans before they were set in motion.

With each step his confidence grew and his conviction became stronger. Soon he was pushing his way through the sturdy elephant grass. He emerged on the bank of the pond and found Amaryllis lying on her stomach, staring into the water.

She looked up and smiled, "You're late", she teased. She saw the look on his face and stopped.

He was looking at her with what she could only describe as grim determination. He looked incredibly focused, more so than any lioness Amaryllis had seen on a hunt. His stance was different – he was standing tall, unlike his usual slouched self.

"Ridikill? What's wrong?" she said, standing up.

Ridikill felt good. He was going to do this. He was going to turn his back on Mamacala and he was going to help fix the problems the crocodile had caused. This was his chance to make good on all his years of being a menace.

Amaryllis watched. Before her eyes Ridikill opened his mouth to speak, still tall and strong. Then for a second he seemed to struggle with something, and then he flinched. He hunkered down, cowering low like he was defending himself from a blow. From his cringing huddle he looked up at her, and there was tremendous pain in his eyes.

"I've got bad news. The hyena leaders…they've been planning it all along. The negotiations, everything…all just a charade. A ploy to get Simba to trust them, so they could act out the final stage in their plan".

"What?" Amaryllis blinked, uncomprehending, "What plan?"

"A plan to destroy your pride. Shenzi…she's insane. She's got the entire clan riled up, ranting on about our destiny to claim the Pride Lands. They're ready to fight at a second's notice. She plans to destroy Simba at their meeting today, then marching on to attack Pride Rock and catch the lions off-guard. They're going to kill them all, Amy".

She stared in unabashed shock and horror, "What? That's…impossible. That can't be right".

"It is", he crouched down even lower, "I'm sorry. I had to tell you. I couldn't let you…"

He broke off. He didn't need to say anymore and judging by the anguish on his face he couldn't without bursting into tears. Amaryllis did nothing for a moment, then reached for him, trying to hug him to comfort him.

Immediately he recoiled like a beaten jackal. Amaryllis had never seen him act like that before. But that was understandable. The atrocities the hyenas were planning to commit – how could he not be upset?

She struggled to comprehend what the treachery of the hyena clan would mean. Simba had to know of it as soon as possible. He wouldn't take it lying down, Amaryllis suspected. He would lead the pride on a counter-offensive. And then the war that all the cynical male lions had predicted, the war she had been certain had been averted, would begin. And end, all in one day.

She realized she was crying. This was the end of it all. The Pride Lands as she knew it were about to be changed, to be drenched in blood. And after everything she thought she had done to improve hyena-lion relations. All a joke.

And her friendship with Ridikill. What of that? He had become every bit as dear to her as any of the lionesses. So what happened to them now? This would be their last meeting, unless they were to cross paths on the battle field. The thought of that was unbearable.

She made Ridikill repeat it all again, to go over all the details one last time so she was certain she understood. She needed to tell the pride immediately. There was no time to lose, but she couldn't force herself to leave yet. She didn't want to say goodbye to Ridikill.

She couldn't stand the pained look in his eyes. To think it had all come to this…what a waste. She reached out for him to hug him again, but again he jerked away.

"Don't…don't", he whispered, "Just go. I can't…just go, Amaryllis. Forget about me and go save your people".

"I won't forget", she replied, sobbing, "Take care of yourself. For what it's worth, thank you for everything". That sounded so pathetic. But what could she say? Words couldn't describe how much she was hurting.

Ridikill made no reply. Amaryllis took one last look at him and then turned and ran home.

Ridikill couldn't bring himself to watch her go. He slunk away, heading for the hyena dens. Why? Why had he done it? What on earth had possessed him to betray Amaryllis, sentence her and every other lion and hyena in the Pride Lands to death? He hadn't wanted to. It was Mamacala's influence that had coerced him into it. Or had he wanted to? Maybe it was just in his nature to destroy. Or else it was his destiny.

Helpless to defy his fate.

Well, there was no turning back now. One down, one to go.

"What?!" Shenzi barked.

"It's true", Ridikill replied, standing tall and looking Shenzi in the face. There was no trace of emotion on his face. Not a glimmer of remorse or rage.

"That ain't right. This don't sit right with me, Shenz", Banzai said, "You said yourself Simba's an okay guy. Why would he…?"

"I don't know", Shenzi said. She was shaking ever so slightly, and her lips were quivering, "There's just no way…you're certain?"

"Yes. Positive. Amaryllis wouldn't lie to me", Ridikill answered. The bitter irony in that remark made him sick, but he held a straight face. He needed to remain impassive in front of his kin: they would be suspicious at the sight of him as an emotional wreck. It had taken a long time to compose himself before confronting the leader trio with the news.

"Maybe you think so, but you can't be sure, can ya?" it was disturbing to see the usually self-assured Shenzi grasping at straws, "I mean, she might be lying. I got no idea why. She could be crazy".

"That must be it", Banzai forced a grin, "She'd have to be to hang with him Ridikill in the first place, right?"

Nobody could muster up the enthusiasm for a laugh. Not even Ed.

Ridikill needed to play his part and get out of there. While he cared for Amaryllis far more than anyone in his clan, he was having a hard time lying to them about something so momentous. Although he was struggling it was still easy compared to tricking Amaryllis. Perhaps treachery got easier and easier over time. Maybe that's how Mamacala had mastered it over his long life.

Or perhaps it just came naturally to him. Ridikill didn't know. All he knew was that he was horrified that he was actually following Mamacala's orders. But why?

Mamacala had promised him reward, but that didn't motivate him particularly – he had always craved power simply because he didn't like being dominated, not because of the rewards that came with it. Still, the whispers of reward did stir him.

Despite the recent changes in his life he was still a violent character. He knew that. Even when in Amaryllis' company he sometimes wondered what he was doing and why he wasn't busy punishing some unfortunate wildebeest calf. But was he really vile enough to wish death on such a large scale?

He was frightened of Mamacala. Not only did he feel indebted to him for years of guidance, but those ancient green eyes terrified him. The thought of angering the crocodile to wrath sent shivers up and down his spine. But was he so cowardly and so used to following Mamacala's orders that he'd sentence all of his friends and their families to death?

Or perhaps it was a little of all that drove him to it. He didn't know why he did it. But he did. He played his part as best as he could, furthering a cause that sickened him.

Eventually Shenzi lowered her eyes, accepting defeat. She had thought of every possible explanation for Ridikill's unexpected revelation, and nothing really satisfied her. Of course Ridikill could be lying, but she couldn't figure out why. And in the end, it simply wasn't worth the risk. She'd have to mobilize the clan to defend their new territory. She wouldn't allow the lions to just push them around like this.

"Okay", she said quietly, "We can't risk the lions getting the drop on us. We're gonna mobilize the clan: but able fighters only this time. The old, weak and young stay here".

"That's risky, Shenz", Banzai piped up, "The lions might send some guys around our flank to get to 'em. Pick off the weak, ya know?"

"Yeah. You're right. Good thought", there was no sarcasm in her voice for once, "We'll keep back ten or so fit fighters, and they'll escort the weak ones back to the Graveyard. No sense in taking risks. They'll be safe there. We could hide one hundred in the Graveyard and the lions would never find 'em".

Ed and Banzai nodded in agreement.

"Alright, everyone go spread the word", Shenzi straightened herself up a little, "Let everyone know the details. We meet here in two hours. Clear?"

Banzai and Ed saluted and headed off, but before Ridikill could leave Shenzi gripped him by his broad shoulder with her paw and yanked him around so she was face-to-face with him.

"Listen you", she snarled when they were alone, "I'm going along with this 'sudden lion attack' because I can't risk ignoring it and, goddamn it, it just might be true. I dunno. But…"

"It is true", Ridikill protested.

"Maybe. We'll see, won't we? But if I find out that you're lying, and this is all just you tryin' to set me and Banzai and Ed up for a fall or somethin' so that you can take charge, or any other of your twisted little games…well then, there's no more chances. I'll kill you myself. Got it?"

Ridikill looked into her cold yellow eyes and saw the promise of death in them, every bit as real as Mamacala's own threats. It was something he had only seen once before, on that fateful night when they turned on Scar and devoured him. And now it was directed at him. He realized at that moment that any private ambitions he may have had of overthrowing Shenzi were foolish – he was no match for her ruthlessness when she was pushed to the edge.

"Got it", he managed to mumble.

"Good. Now get out of my sight", she pushed him away, "Start rounding everyone up like I said. Back here in two hours. And if you're not here personally, I'm comin' looking for ya. Right?"

"Right".

She turned away. Ridikill stared at her. The ferocity she had just shown him would perhaps had frightened him under normal circumstances, but now he simply found it interesting. It was difficult to frighten someone who was unwillingly but inevitably bringing about what he thought of as the apocalypse – as far as he was concerned, death would have been a mercy.

The only reason he didn't seek it out actively was because he was, he realized now, at heart a coward.

He was disturbed suddenly by someone approaching. It was Burudi. His lieutenant had his head held high and an almost pleasant look on his face.

"Hey", he said, "Where've you been? I been looking for you. Listen, I been thinking. I…"

"No time for that", Ridikill snapped, playing the part of the 'brutal commander with no time to waste' perfectly again, "We gotta move. Simba and his pride are moving against us. They're trying to destroy us".

Burudi gaped, "…What? Impossible".

"'Fraid not. Now get moving. I got orders from Shenzi to mobilize the clan to meet here in two hours, but the fighting fit only. Got it?"

"But…but…that ain't right. The lions…" Burudi was amazed, "Surely…Amaryllis…she seemed so…"

"Where you think we got this information from?" Ridikill sneered, "Now move it!"

He stormed off to spread the news to the rest of the clan, catching a look of utter despair on Burudi's face as he walked past him. Now the last stage of this awful charade was nearly over. All he had to do was begin rallying his kinsmen, and then when he got the chance he would slip away – Mamacala was expecting his report.

Pride Rock reverberated with the thunderous roaring of agitated adult lions. On every precipice and in every cave big males barged their way past nervous lionesses and the confused cubs toddling after their mothers. They were all making their way to the very base of Pride Rock, to where King Simba had summoned them.

This was the second time they had answered his summoning roar in the last few weeks, and rumour of why he was calling them spread even as they rushed to him. It had to be something to do with the hyenas, they reasoned. There could think of nothing else.

Simba stood at the centre of the gathering lions. His face was grim and gaunt, and everyone who looked at him was surprised by how old he looked. It wasn't the youthful king they were used to looking at but a fey old warrior lord.

When the last of the pride had assembled, he opened his mouth and spoke slowly, "I have bad news. We've received intelligence that suggests that the hyenas have assembled for a mass assault on Pride Rock. They'll be here by late afternoon".

The reaction of the pride was something Simba was used to by now: roars of outrage, worried whispers, muttered curses, talk of treason. He wasn't in the mood to allow dissent.

"Please remain calm", he boomed, "We have a choice: we either flee before them and abandon the Pride Lands or we make a stand and take the battle to them. What say you?"

There was really no choice at all. Instantly the lions took up the cry of war.

Nala spoke, "All who are fit to fight and willing to do so will leave with us at once. However, as before only those of over two years of age are allowed to join us. The cubs will remain at Pride Rock under the guard of Tenzer".

Tenzer was about to protest at being left behind with the cubs again when he was silenced by a look from Kovu. He decided to accept that it was an honour for Simba to have so much faith in him as to place him in charge of those who remained behind as it was.

"Where did we get this intelligence from?" Haya said suddenly.

"Amaryllis", Simba replied, "As some of you may know, she has a friend in the hyena ranks".

There was some surprised murmuring at this. Everyone glanced about to look at Amaryllis, who was looking straight ahead, all emotion and colour drained from her face.

"How does she…" Maradi began.

"That's not important right now", Simba went on, "The source can be trusted. And what's more, we can't risk not taking action".

"You failed us, Simba!" a voice bellowed.

Everyone looked to see Tumai, snarling furiously, "You let the hyenas into our lands! You said it was worth giving them a chance! And now look what's happened! You've failed us all!"

The drama in his words stirred the pride up, and a few others took up the cry of "You've failed us all". Tumai stepped towards Simba aggressively. He was followed by Salama and Haya. Instantly Nala, Kirara and Kovu bared their teeth and crouched into a defensive posture.

"It's time for a change!" Tumai growled from the bottom of his throat, "You're gone, Simba, and we'll rule! And our first act will be to…"

Simba leapt at him. Tumai, Salama and Haya immediately flinched and scattered. Simba landed in the midst of his startled pride, lips curled back to display his stabbing canines, his eyes ablaze and his claws unsheathed.

"We don't have time for this!" he cried, "Every second we waste, the hyenas advance another step!"

"But", and his expression and voice softened, "I admit, yes, I have failed you all. I have always believed that it's a creature's choices that make him who he is, and not his birth. That is why I believed it was worth giving the hyenas an opportunity to prove themselves to be as varied and as independent as us: not just marauding bandits.

"It seems I was wrong. And we may have to pay a heavy price for my mistake. That's the cost of being King. I hope you're ready for that responsibility, Tumai. Apparently I wasn't.

"We need to go at once, but I won't forget how I have failed you all with my error of judgement. It was a risk I should never have taken. If we find the hyenas have really betrayed us, and we are able to drive them off and survive the battle, then I will renounce my Kingship and exile myself from the Pride Lands".

"Daddy, no!" Kiara yelped. There was astonished gasps and several cries of "No, Simba, no!" from the Pride. Nala looked at Simba, she had suspected he would abdicate from the moment she saw him receive Amaryllis' news. Tumai said nothing: he merely looked shamed.

"We need to go at once", Simba said again, "We don't have any more time for squabbles over leadership. I'll lead you one last time, one way or the other. Tenzer, take the cubs and youngsters back to Pride Rock".

Tenzer nodded and began rounding up the sobbing cubs. Amaryllis nuzzled Amabi one last time before Tenzer led him away.

"Follow me, lions of the Pride Lands!" Simba bellowed, and he marched ahead, his Queen at his side, his heir and her mate behind him, and his willing but fatalistic pride in tow. Each could think of nothing but doom.

"Master", Ridikill bowed low, nose touching the dirt.

Mamacala regarded him. The eight pythons were slithering over and under each other, draping their long bodies on top of other's and even over Mamacala's back as they writhed around in an obscene fashion. Ridikill supposed it was how snakes looked when excited.

They were several miles south east of the hyena camp, not far from the river, hidden beneath the trunk of a dead acacia tree.

Ridikill said, "Master Mamacala, I have…"

Mamacala interrupted, "You don't need to say what you have done, Ridikill. I know what you've done. It was never in doubt".

For we knew he would do what's he done.

The pythons seemed to screech it at him as they squirmed around the crocodile, foul heads thrust in his direction.

"Yes Mamacala" Ridikill said, utterly emotionless.

"Then everything is ready", Mamacala gave an almost melancholy sigh, "At last, it's all come to this. Almost seems anti-climatic, to merely work from behind the scenes and have my enemies destroy each other while I lurk in the shadows. They won't ever know who engineered their downfall. Still, the day is young. We may yet see some action".

At this the pythons went into a frenzy and began to thrash around, their tails whipping in the air. Mamacala ignored them. A plover bird suddenly descended from the sky and landed lightly on his nose.

"Ah, Oocheva", Mamacala droned, "Timely as ever. What is your report?"

"It is as the hyena says", the bird squeaked in a horribly high-pitched voice, "His clan are mobilizing. The deed is done and the leaders believed him".

"Excellent. In that case you'd better get back, Ridikill. Don't want to arouse suspicion, eh?"

Ridikill nodded dumbly and picked himself up.

"Remember, you must survive the battle my friend. Flee if you must and return when the fighting is done. I realize that may go against your pugnacious nature but…"

Sudden anger welled up in Ridikill, and he could not repress it completely, "I've just sentenced all my friends to death, Mamacala. I think at this point I'm capable of doing anything".

The pythons fell silent and snapped their heads in his direction. Even the little bird stared at him.

Mamacala laughed, and Ridikill was surprised he didn't seem bothered by his insolence, "Oh, are you indeed? Well, perhaps. But I notice you refrain from admitting the truth. What you have done is not merely 'sentencing your friends to death'. No, you've murdered them.

"As surely as if you tore out their throats yourself, you've murdered them all. You won't ever forget that. But I assure you: you'll get used to it".

Ridikill was once again helpless in Mamacala's spell: he wasn't even sure he wanted to resist it anymore, "Yes Master. Murder. I understand".

"It's difficult, I know", Mamacala said, and his voice wasn't without sympathy, "It's one thing to hunt, to give into instinct and to do what's necessary to survive. And it's another to strike out in anger at a fellow.

"But to kill in cold-blood, with premeditated conviction, to murder, is another matter entirely. The first is always difficult. And I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for you, being a mammal who feels emotions far deeper than us reptiles could comprehend".

"How can I live with myself", Ridikill said, nearly breaking down, "How can I live with what I've done after this is all over?"

"I'll make your life better than you can imagine or even dreamed of", Mamacala said quickly, "So relax yourself, let me take control. Close your eyes, my son. Think of what power you'll have when it's all over. You'll sit at my right claw and be renowned as a lord of the Pride Lands. Power will quickly heal your wounds. The sacrifice of everyone you fear to lose will be worth it. I have raised you and guided you to become the perfect blend of mammalian passion and reptilian cruelty that you are now. You are ready for this. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mamacala, I understand", and in that moment Ridikill believed it.

"Then go, quickly", the crocodile said, "Your leaders must not suspect anything. Good luck, my son".

The hyena loped off. Mamacala sighed again.

"Poor wretched creature. His mind must be all but torn apart. But he has the ruthlessness needed for this task, I'm certain. And now to business. Oocheva, to the air. You must go and confirm that Simba is rallying his pride. We will set off immediately for Pride Rock. Find us and report as soon as you have news. Understood?"

"Yes my Lord", Oocheva twittered, then bolted into the air.

"To me, my loyal serpents!" Mamacala bellowed, "To Pride Rock!"

Ridikill arrived back the hyena rally just in time. The last of the able-bodied fighters were assembling and Shenzi appeared to be looking for him when she spotted him amongst the crowd. She grunted, apparently satisfied that he had been present for the entire gathering.

She took her place on top of a small bank of dirt. Banzai and Ed went to her side. The hyenas, who by now were all aware of the reason for the summon but were still in disbelief, looked at their leaders expectantly.

"Okay, everyone listen up!" Shenzi called, "You all know why we're here. Seems the lions have turned on us and want to wipe us out. They'll be marching here even as we speak".

"But why?" one hyena wondered, "Why did they let us gain entry into the Pride Lands in the first place just to turn on us?"

"Must have been their plan all along", Banzai growled, "Get us to lower our guard, then take out their biggest rivals when we least expect it".

"Maybe", Shenzi said, "But I'm still not convinced Simba wasn't the genuine article. Maybe his stinkin' followers kicked him out and decided to take us out. Who knows. All we do know is the lions are comin' for us and we should be ready to take them on".

"How do we know this anyway?" another hyena barked.

Shenzi nodded in Ridikill's direction, "Y'all know, or at least know of, his lioness pal Amaryllis by now. Well apparently she had a problem with us being wiped out and told him the whole story".

"She could be lying!" the same creature declared.

"Uh-huh. But we can't take the risk, eh? We gotta be ready for them. Now everyone get a move on. We're heading out".

With a great deal of noise and arguing the hyenas began to mobilize. It was a sight rather different from the false-war march the hyenas had embarked on: now it was only willing combatants going and watching them say farewell to their cubs, younger brothers or sisters, or old and weak fathers and mothers was distressing for Ridikill, but he was unable to look away. As he was the one sentencing them to…murdering them, he felt compelled to witness the pain of them all in the midst of their last goodbyes.

Suddenly Shenzi was at his shoulder, "Enjoying the view, buddy?"

He didn't look at her, "Yeah".

"You always were a sick, twisted little bastard", she said with venom, "I noticed the difference in you lately and I kinda hoped your friendship with that lioness would maybe lessen your psycho tendencies a little. Guess that ain't worked, huh? You must be really looking forward to this battle".

"More than you know", it was true, sort of. He just wanted to get it over with.

"Hmm. Remember what I said. If I find out you had a hand in this, you're dead. Got it?"

"Sure. But I'll be honest, you're the least of my worries right now" Ridikill suddenly remembered he had orders from Mamacala to ensure that Shenzi, Banzai and Ed did not survive the battle – how ironic.

Shenzi snarled, "Is that right? Here's the deal then. You and some of your hunting pack will go up front. You guys are gonna scout ahead of the main army and report back as soon as you got confirmation of the lion pride's movement. And I'll make sure I give your pack orders to watch you, make sure you don't run off, and that you get reliable info on the lions. If ya come back with proper intelligence, then I'll believe this story of yours. But until then you're walking a thin line. Understood?"

"Yeah, I get you", he mumbled.

"Good. I'll handpick the guys who're going with you. Wait here".

She walked off through the hustle and bustle of hyenas preparing to leave for battle. Ridikill didn't really give much thought to his scouting mission. It was pretty irrelevant in the scheme of things. It didn't interfere with Mamacala's plan, and all he had to do was confirm the presence of the lion army without getting caught, which wouldn't be too difficult.

But then he saw an opportunity. A chance to perhaps redeem himself a little after his horrible crimes, or at least ensure that he had a happy ending. He realised that it involved disobeying Mamacala, but so be it. This was his one chance to right some of his wrongs.