The Lion King and its characters belong to Walt Disney. I only own my OC, Athena.
The Lion Princess
Chapter 7: The Death of a King
Meanwhile at the Elephant Graveyard…
Shenzi, Banzai and Ed were scowling at their territory, annoyed of their endless hunger and not able to catch any food from the Pride Lands thanks to Mufasa and the other lions.
"Man! That lousy Mufasa!"Banzai complained, glaring at the numerous scratches on his rear. "I won't be able to sit for a week!"
Ed started laughing causing Banzai to glare at him.
"It's not funny, Ed."Banzai retorted.
Ed tried to stop laughing, but bursts out worse.
"Hey, shut up!"Banzai growled.
Banzai tackled Ed and the two of them started fighting.
From a nearby ledge, Shenzi turned and glowered at the feuding Banzai and Ed.
"Will you knock it off!"Shenzi snapped.
Banzai pointed at Ed, who began chewing on one of his own legs.
"Well, he started it!"Banzai complained.
"Look at you guys."Shenzi scoffed as she came descends from the ledge. "No wonder we're dangling at the bottom of the food chain."
"Man, I hate dangling."Banzai muttered with drool dangling from his mouth.
"Yeah? You know, if it weren't for those lions, we'd be runnin' the joint."Shenzi commented.
"Yeah."Banzai agreed. "Man, I hate lions."
"So pushy."Shenzi said.
"And hairy."Banzai added.
"And stinky."Shenzi continued.
"And man, are they..."Banzai stared.
Banzai and Shenzi jump onto their hind legs, back to back.
"UuuugLY!"Shenzi and Banzai answered in unison.
Shenzi and Banzai continued laughing until Scar spoke up while laying down on a ledge far above them and is briefly obscured by a steaming geyser.
"Oh, surely we lions are not all that bad."Scar sneered.
Shenzi, Banzai and Ed became relieved to see Scar.
"Oh, Scar, it's just you."Banzai remarked.
"We were afraid it was somebody important."Shenzi responded.
"Yeah, you know, like Mufasa."Banzai admitted.
"Yeah."Shenzi answered.
Scar frowned. "I see."
"Now that's power."Banzai commented.
"Tell me about it."Shenzi said while shuddering. "I just hear that name and I shudder."
"Mufasa."Banzai hissed.
"Ooooh."Shenzi shuddered and nudged at Banzai. "Do it again."
"Mufasa."Banzai repeated.
"Ooooh!"Shenzi cooed.
"Mufasa!"Banzai repeated. "Mufasa! Mufasa!"
Ed rolled onto his back, giggling and holding his stomach.
"Oooh!"Shenzi laughed. "It tingles me!"
Scar holds one paw to his forehead in exasperation.
"I'm surrounded by idiots."Scar said while rolling his eyes.
"Not you, Scar; I mean, you're one of us."Banzai
remarked. "I mean, you're our pal."
"Charmed."Scar retorted in a sarcastic tone.
"Ohh, I like that."Shenzi complemented. "He's not king, but he's still so proper."
"Yeah."Scar answered and looked at Scar. "Hey, hey. Did ya bring us anything to eat, Scar, old buddy, old pal? Huh? Did-ya-did-ya-did-ya?"
Scar glowered at Banzai.
"I don't think you really deserve this."Scar replied.
Scar pulled out a zebra haunch causing Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed to jump onto their hind legs, tongues lolling.
"I practically gift-wrapped those cubs and that bratty human girl for you."Scar exclaimed. "And you couldn't even dispose of them."
Scar wasn't happy that the hyenas failed to kill his nephew and adopted niece along with their friend; the daughter of the lioness he once loved in the past, but chose a rogue over him.
Scar dropped the haunch causing Shenzi, Banzai and Ed to start devouring it.
"Well, ya know."Shenzi said with her mouth full. "It wasn't exactly like they was alone, Scar."
"Yeah."Banzai agreed. "What are we supposed to do?{swallow} kill Mufasa?"
Scar grinned and balanced his chin on one paw.
"Precisely."Scar answered evilly.
The three hyenas pause from eating and look up at Scar questioningly.
Scar leaped down the ledge, landing in the middle of the hyenas, who scatter.
The evil lion walked in-between steaming green geysers.
I know that your powers of retention are as wet as a warthog's backside
Scar circled Ed, who was chewing on a bone.
But thick as you are
Scar swats the bone away and Ed salutes him.
Pay attention!
Scar began circling Ed again.
My words are a matter of pride
Scar waved a paw in front of an unresponsive Ed's face.
It's clear from your vacant expressions, the lights are not all on upstairs
Ed's tongue lolls out.
Scar crouched with Banzai and Shenzi in the background.
But we're talking kings and successions
Banzai and Shenzi started snickering as Scar lunged at them causing the two hyenas to fall backward onto geysers.
Even you can't be caught unawares!
The geyser exploded, sending Banzai and Shenzi shooting into the air.
Scar jumped onto a ledge.
So prepare for the chance of a lifetime
Scar stroked his mane as Banzai and Shenzi fall through the air behind him.
Be prepared for sensational news
Scar smirked over one shoulder and began sauntering along a ledge.
A shining new era is tiptoeing nearer
Scar tiptoes as Shenzi approached from behind a crag.
"And where do we feature?Shenzi asked.
Scar grabbed Shenzi's cheek.
"Just listen to teacher."Scar replied.
Shenzi stared after Scar in bewilderment as she rubbed her cheek.
I know it sounds sordid, but you'll be rewarded
Shenzi stared at Scar in bewilderment as she rubbed her cheek.
Scar jumped onto a ledge which was where Ed was chewing on a bone.
When at last I am given my dues
Scar gestures to his chest with one paw.
And injustice deliciously squared
Scar jumps up behind Ed and kicks him off the ledge.
Ed falls into a pile of bones below.
Be prepared!
Shenzi, Banzai and Ed emerged from the bone pile, each sporting an animal skull as a hat.
"Yeah! Be prepared! Yeah-heh! We'll be prepared! Heh!"Banzai remarked and peered up at Scar questioningly. "For what?"
"For the death of the king."Scar responded.
Banzai climbed up to Scar's ledge.
"Why?"Banzai asked. "Is he sick?"
Scar grabbed Banzai by the throat and jerked him close.
"No, fool. We're gonna kill him."Scar admitted and smirked. "And Simba, too."
Scar dropped Banzai, who landed next to Shenzi and Ed.
"Great idea!"Shenzi responded. "Who needs a king?"
Shenzi and Ed began to circle Banzai, who clapped.
"No king! No king!"Banzai and Shenzi sang. "La, la, la, la, la, la!"
"Idiots!"Scar snapped. "There will be a king!"
Banzai lifted one paw questioningly.
"Hey, but you said-"Banzai started.
"I will be king!"Scar declared as he grinned while yellow pillars of light shine on the wall behind him. "And you'll never go hungry again!"
Banzai and Shenzi cheered at Scar's reply.
"Yay! All right!"Banzai cheered. "All right!"
"Long live the king!"Shenzi declared.
Ranks upon ranks of hyenas line the ledges behind Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed.
First the left side, then the right side were illuminated in yellow light.
"Long live the king!"the hyenas chanted. "Long live the king!"
The hyena army goose-steps past Scar, who observes from a ledge above.
It's great that we'll soon be connected with a king who'll be all-time adored
Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected to take certain duties on board
The future is littered with prizes and though I'm the main addressee
Scar gestures to himself with one paw.
The point that I must emphasise is
Scar leaps down among the hyenas. The lighting changes to red as he advances on a lone hyena, who backs away from him in terror.
You won't get a sniff without me!
A fissure opened beneath the hyena, swallowing it up.
Geysers began to erupt causing pillars of rock to rise into the air.
Scar jumps onto one such rising pillar.
So prepare for the coup of the century
Scar jumps onto another rising rock pillar.
Be prepared for the murkiest scam
Three hyenas rise on a pillar, wagging their tails in unison.
La, la, la!
Scar stood on a rock pillar as it shoots into the air.
Meticulous planning
The hyenas throng around him, each standing on a rock ledge or pillar.
Tenacity spanning
Decades of denial
Is simply why I'll
Be king undisputed, respected, saluted, and seen for the wonder I am!
Scar gestured to himself with one paw as two hyenas shook animal skeletons.
Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared
Be prepared!
Hyenas dance from rock pillar to rock pillar while one hyena played an animal spine like it's a xylophone.
Shenzi, Banzai and Ed emerged through the steam.
Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared!
Scar stands at the top of a large rock formation, silhouetted against the crescent moon while hyenas were gathered on the ledges below him.
Be prepared!
The red light of the geysers dies out as Scar and the hyenas laughed evilly.
The Next Morning…
Simba and Athena laughed excitedly as they chased together in the grass area near Pride Rock.
"You can't catch me, Simba!"Athena laughed.
"Oh yes I can, Athena!"Simba chuckled.
Simba attempted to tackle Athena, but the young girl overpowered him and pinned him on the ground.
"Looks I win this time!"Athena sneered.
Athena got off of Simba.
"Because you cheated."Simba replied with a frown.
"Ha! Did not!"Athena remarked. "I'm just smarter than you."
Simba tried to tackle Athena again, but she easily moved out of the way and he ended up hitting his face on the ground.
"And know when to react."Athena added.
"I did that on purpose."Simba retorted.
Athena lightly giggled as Simba rubbed the dirt off his head away.
"So what do you want to do today, Simba?"Athena asked. "Do you want us to go play with Nala or visit the watering hole?"
"Sorry. Not today, Athena."Simba replied with a smile. "Uncle Scar wants to show me something really great in the gorge!"
"Oh, okay."Athena said with a small smile. "But do not stay away so long."
"Ha! Seems you're scared of being alone!"Simba chuckled. "Don't worry! I'll soon come back!"
Athena smiled slightly as she watched her twin brother head off to meet with their Uncle Scar.
"I guess I'll spend my time today with daddy."Athena remarked.
The Princess of the Pride Lands headed off in excitement to find her father, completely unaware of the tragedy that was to come.
At the Gorge…
Simba followed Scar through the gorge.
"Now, you wait here."Scar instructed. "Your father has a marvellous surprise for you."
"Ooh, what is it?"Simba asked.
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?"Scar sneered.
Simba clambered onto a rock beneath a tree.
"If you tell me, I'll still act surprised!"Simba remarked.
"Ho, ho, ho!"Scar chuckled. "You are such a naughty boy!"
Simba jumped up on Scar's mane.
"Come on, Uncle Scar."Simba begged.
"No, no, no, no, no, no, no. This is just for you and your daddy. You know, a sort of father-son."Scar complemented and waves vaguely with one paw. "...thing. Well, I'd better go get him."
Scar turned to leave and Simba bounds after him.
"I'll go with you."Simba suggested.
Scar juts his head at Simba, halting him in his tracks.
"No! No."Scar chuckled and guided Simba back onto the rock. "Just stay on this rock. You wouldn't want to end up in another mess like you did with the hyenas."
"You know about that?"Simba asked with a guilty look.
"Simba, everybody knows about that."Scar cooed.
Simba ducks his head in embarrassment.
"Really?"Simba asked.
"Oh, yes. Lucky Daddy was there to save you, eh?"Scar responded smugly and wrapped a paw around Simba's shoulders to bring him closer. "Oh and just between us, you might want to work on that little roar of yours. Hmm?"
"Oh. Okay."Simba responded and then smiled as his uncle began to walk away. "Hey, Uncle Scar, will I like the surprise?"
Scar looked back and grinned slyly at his nephew.
"Simba, it's to die for."Scar answered.
Simba sits back down on the rock as Scar walked off, leaving him alone.
At the top of the gorge, a herd of wildebeests grazes on grass while Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed watch from beneath a rocky outcropping.
"I can't help it. I'm so hungry."Banzai complained as he stood up and stared longingly at the wildebeest herd. "I gotta have a wildebeest."
"Stay put."Shenzi reminded.
Banzai sat and holds up a paw in appeal.
"Well, can't I just pick off one of the little sick ones?"Banzai suggested.
Shenzi jabbed Banzai in the chest.
"No! We wait for the signal from Scar."Shenzi instructed.
Banzai lowered his head sulkily.
Then Scar appeared on a ledge above Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed as his mane blew in the wind.
"There he is."Shenzi sneered. "Let's go."
Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed move off towards the wildebeests.
Simba laid on his rock, still moping.
"Little roar."Simba scoffed with a frown. "Puh!"
A chameleon hangs down from a branch and starts walking past Simba.
Roar!
Simba let out a growl and the chameleon does not react.
Roar!
The prince tried to roar again and the chameleon still didn't react.
With a devious grin, Simba pounced, landing just behind the chameleon.
ROAR!
The chameleon runs off as Simba's roar echoed off the walls of the gorge.
Suddenly, there was a deep rumbling sound and Simba looks down to where tiny stones were pattering at his paws.
Suddenly, a herd of wildebeests stampedes into the gorge and Simba's expression turned to horror.
Simba runs away while Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed chase the wildebeests, nipping at their sides.
The last of the herd streams into the gorge.
Shenzi, Banzai and Ed paused and pace along the edge of the gorge.
Simba continued to run with the herd steadily catching up.
Athena rode on Mufasa's back while Zazu perched on her father's shoulder.
The three of them were walking nearby the gorge.
"Hey, daddy?"Athena asked. "Can I join mother's hunting party? I want to help her and the others catch prey."
"You are still too young to go out hunting, Princess Athena."Zazu informed with a smile. "You should first at least learn the ways on how to hunt."
"Or how to keep impressing the male cubs."Mufasa joked.
Athena hugged her father from behind.
"Daddy!"Athena sneered. "That's not funny!"
Mufasa, Athena and Zazu suddenly heard a rubbling sound nearby from where they stood.
Athena carefully climbed off her father's back to see what was going on.
"What's that noise?"Athena asked.
In the distance, they could see dust rises from the gorge.
"Oh, look, sire."Zazu said. "The herd is on the move."
Mufasa and Athena looked over their shoulders at the gorge.
"Odd."Mufasa declared.
"Very odd."Athena agreed. "The wildebeests usually start moving later on."
"Mufasa, quick!"Scar called out with a terrified expression. "Stampede, in the gorge! Simba's down there!"
Terrified looks appeared on Mufasa and Athena's faces.
"Simba?"Mufasa said.
"We have to help him!"Athena panicked.
"Athena, go home."Mufasa ordered.
"But I want to help!"Athena protested.
"Return home."Mufasa instructed strictly. "I won't put you in danger."
Mufasa then went off with Zazu and Scar to get Simba as Athena walked away in anger.
"I hate being so helpless."Athena muttered in annoyance.
In the Gorge…
Simba continued fleeing from the stampede.
As the wildebeests close in, he looks over his shoulder in fear.
Simba climbed a dead tree in the middle of the gorge.
Mufasa and Scar rush to the gorge.
Zazu flew ahead and swooped over the herd.
The hornbill spots Simba with a panicked expression and flew towards him.
"Zazu, help me!"Simba called out.
"Your father is on the way!"Zazu informed as Simba slipped and barely managed to hold on to the tree. "Hold on!"
Simba clings to the tree for dear life.
"Hurry!"Simba called out.
Mufasa and Scar clamber down to a ledge above the stampede. Both search the gorge below with fearful expressions.
Zazu then flew up and pointed at Simba.
"There! There!"Zazu shouted. "On that tree!"
Simba struggled to hold on to the tree.
"Hold on, Simba!"Mufasa called out.
A wildebeest runs into Simba's tree, breaking it.
Simba screamed as he nearly fell off.
Mufasa jumped into the stampede while Simba continued to cling to his tree.
"Oh, Scar, this is awful! What'll we do? What'll we do?! Ha! I'll go back for help! That's what I'll do. I'll go back for he–"
Scar backhands Zazu, making the hornbill hit the wall of the gorge and falls unconscious.
In the meantime, Mufasa races alongside the wildebeests.
Simba struggled to hold on to his tree.
Mufasa pivots around a wildebeest and runs against the stampede. However, a wildebeest kicks him, knocking him over.
Mufasa looked up in desperation at Simba's struggling form.
A wildebeest breaks Simba's tree, sending him flying into the air.
Mufasa leapt into the air, catching Simba in his jaws.
The king lands with his son in his jaws.
Scar paced along the edge of the gorge, watching the action down below.
A wildebeest runs into Mufasa, causing him to let go of Simba.
Simba tumbled into the midst of the stampede.
The young prince stood and looked around in terror.
Mufasa emerged through the dust and grabbed Simba in his jaws once more.
A wildebeest falls to the ground behind him.
Mufasa leaped onto a ledge and deposits Simba to safety.
A wildebeest catches him from behind, drawing him back into the stampede.
"Dad!"Simba yelled out.
Mufasa falls among the wildebeests as Simba searched the stampede with increasing distress.
At last, Mufasa leaped out of the stampede and latches on to the edge of the gorge.
Mufasa began to scale the side of the gorge with Simba watching anxiously from his ledge.
As Mufasa continued to climb, Simba turns and clambers up the side of the gorge.
Mufasa clings to the edge of the gorge for dear life while Scar glared down at him from the top of the gorge.
"Scar!"Mufasa yelled out. "Brother, help me!"
Mufasa slipped and barely manages to hold on.
Mufasa's paws scrabble for purchase, kicking bits of rock into the stampede below.
Scar glared a moment longer, then rears forward, digging his claws into Mufasa's paws.
Mufasa roared out in pain as Scar leaned in, grinning evilly.
"Long live the king."Scar declared.
Mufasa's face darkened with horror.
Scar then heaved Mufasa into the stampede.
"AAAAHHHH!"
"NOOOOOO!"Simba yelled out in terror.
From atop the gorge, Simba witnesses Mufasa's fall.
Simba climbed down to the bottom of the gorge as the last of the wildebeests disappear into the dust.
"Dad?"Simba coughed.
Simba searched the gorge while the sound of shifting rock catches his attention.
"Dad?"Simba asked.
A wildebeest emerged through the dust and runs by a broken tree, under which Mufasa's body laid.
Simba stared in trepidation while bounding forward and skirts around Mufasa's body, looking upon him with distress and sorrow.
"Dad? Dad, come on."Simba begged as he nudged against Mufasa's muzzle, trying to get him to stand up. "You gotta get up. Dad?"
Simba jumped on Mufasa's mane, shaking him.
"We gotta go home."Simba sobbed.
Simba raced around to Mufasa's other side and tugged on his ear.
The young prince lets go and his father's head flopped back into place.
Simba backs away, looking around helplessly and races off.
"Help!"Simba yelled out, his voice echoing and looked around. "Somebody! Anybody?"
Simba sniffled and began to cry.
"Help."Simba sobbed.
Simba looked back at Mufasa's body and shuffles back to it.
He wormed under Mufasa's paw and lies down, still sobbing.
Scar then emerged through the dust and looked down on his nephew.
"Simba."Scar whispered as Simba looked up with one tear-filled eye. "What have you done?"
Simba jumped out from under Mufasa's paw.
"There were wildebeests and he tried to save me. I-It was an accident!"Simba stuttered. "I-I didn't mean for it to happen!"
"Of course, of course you didn't."Scar said with feigned pity and draws Simba against his leg. "No one ever means for these things to happen. But the king is dead. And if it weren't for you, he'd still be alive."
Simba stared at Scar in dismay while slowly lowering his head and nuzzles back into Scar's leg.
"What will Athena and your mother think?"Scar asked.
Simba froze at the mention of his mother and his sister.
His father is gone and it's all his fault.
He couldn't face them.
They would never forgive him.
Never.
"What am I gonna do?"Simba asked.
Scar leaned toward Simba, who backed away.
"Run away, Simba."Scar declared. "Run. Run away, and never return."
With a backward glance, Simba takes off.
Scar watches his nephew run with a pleased look as Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed prowl up behind him.
"Kill him."Scar ordered with a cold glare.
Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed take off after Simba.
Simba continued running and paused at a dead-end in the gorge.
The young prince looked behind him to see that Shenzi, Banzai and Ed were advancing on him.
Simba became scared and slipped through a crack in the walls.
Banzai nearly claws Simba from behind.
Simba ran along the top of the gorge and pulled up short at a steep ledge. Below him was a large thorn patch.
The young prince became terrified looking over his shoulder with fright, just in time to see the three hyenas race toward him.
Simba launched himself over the cliffside and tumbled down the ledge.
Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed pursue Simba down the ledge.
Simba tumbled over the ledge into the thorn patch and started climbing through the thorns.
Banzai tried to slow himself down to keep from falling into the thorn hedge.
But Shenzi knocked into Banzai from behind and Ed knocks into Shenzi from behind, which sends Banzai flying into the thorn hedge.
Banzai jumps out of the thorn hedge, covered in thorns, clinging to his hindquarters.
"Yow!"Banzai yelled out.
Shenzi and Ed watch from the ledge while laughing at him.
Banzai clambered onto the ledge, wincing with every step and Ed rolled onto his back.
Shenzi looked back at Simba, who ran off into the sunset.
"Hey!"Shenzi shouted. "There he goes! There he goes!"
Banzai pulled a thorn out of his paw.
"So go get him!"Banzai snapped.
"There ain't no way I'm going in there."Shenzi chuckled. "What, you want me to come out looking like you, cactus butt?"
Banzai pulled a thorn out of his rear and spits it at Ed.
"But we gotta finish the job."Banzai snarled.
"Well, he's as good as dead out there anyway."Shenzi declared with a smirk and Banzai sidles up next to her. "And if he comes back, we'll kill him."
"Yeah!"Banzai laughed as he started yelling at the runaway prince. "You hear that? If you ever come back, we'll kill ya!"
Shenzi, Banzai and Ed laughed sinisterly before they returned back to Scar while Simba races off into the sunset.
Later that Night…
Scar spoke from atop a nearby boulder to the members of the pride, who were gathered below him.
"Mufasa's death is a terrible tragedy."Scar declared and puts a paw to his forehead in feigned sorrow. "But to lose Simba, who had barely begun to live. For me, it is a deep personal loss."
The lionesses bow their heads mournfully.
Lerato frowned and closed his eyes in sorrow at the deaths of his young cousin and uncle-in-law.
Zazu rests a comforting wing on Sarabi's paw while Athena nuzzled close to her mother, covering her face with her hand.
The young princess quietly weeped in sorrow and regret for not able to save the lives of her father and brother.
She now felt completely guilty for being angry with them before.
Nala sheds a tear and nuzzled into her mother's leg.
Ni comforted Sarafina and Nala as he bowed his down and closed his eyes.
Malka, Tama, Tojo, Kula and Chumvi all bowed their heads for losing their close friend and his father.
"So it is with a heavy heart that I assume the throne."Scar declared.
Behind Scar, the shadows of hyenas stretch tall on Pride Rock.
"Yet out of the ashes of this tragedy, we shall rise to greet the dawning of a new era."Scar continued. "In which lion and hyena come together in a great and glorious future!"
Zazu and the pridelanders gasp in shock and looked upon seeing the hyenas.
Athena, Nala, Malka, Tama, Tojo, Kula and Chumvi all became scared seeing the hyenas arriving as they stood closely with their mothers.
Scar bounds toward Pride Rock as hyenas slink in among the lionesses.
From all directions, cackling hyenas stream toward Pride Rock.
Rafiki watched the coronation from afar before bowing and shaking his head.
Afterwards...
Rafiki sat sadly in his baobab tree and wiped a tear away.
He then swiped his hand across the painting of Simba, smudging it.
The only image that was left standing was Athena's.
For she was now the last hope of the rising dark age of the Pride Lands…
