"Simba?" Scar mumbled, surprised, and relieved that it was only his nephew and not his older brother that he murdered years ago. "Simba! I'm so relieved to see that you're… still alive." Saying those last words with venom in his mouth and looked up to his three lieutenants.

The three hyenas gulped in fear and carefully left the scene.

"It's over Scar, your reign is at an end," Simba said firmly as he helped his mother get back up. He then angrily walked up to his uncle. "And give me one good reason why I shouldn't tear you to pieces for what you did to my mother!"

Intimidated by Simba's anger, Scar carefully backed away. "Oh-oh that. I'm very sorry about that, Simba. You have to understand the pressure of ruling an entire kingdom-"

"Is no longer your concern." Simba coldly interrupted him. "Stand down, Scar. I'm the true King."

"Of course, of course, but there's just one tiny problem. You see them?" Scar then pointed upwards to hundreds of hungry hyenas looking down at them, growling. "They want me as their King."

"Well, we don't!" Said a voice from behind them. It was Nala with the lionesses behind her. She quickly gave Simba a wink before anyone noticed. "Simba is our true King and not you, Scar."

"You have two choices here, Scar. Either step down as King and let me ascend the throne or we'll fight for it." Simba suggested.

"Oh, Simba," Scar began nonchalantly "Must this always end in violence? I'd hate to be responsible for the death of a member of our family. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Absolutely, there's no need to shed blood between us," Simba replied.

Unfazed, Scar walked over to the lionesses. "But what about your faithful subjects? Have you told them what you did? Are they still stay faithful to you?"

"Simba, what is Scar talking about?" Sarabi asked, confused.

Delighted at her answer, Scar turned back to Simba. "Aaaah so they don't know it yet." He began circling his nephew." Well, Simba maybe now would be a perfect time to test their loyalty. Go on, and tell them who's responsible for Mufasa's death."

The thundering clouds were now gathering above Pride Rock. It was like the Kings of the Past were all watching from above to see what was going to happen next.

Now it was Simba's turn to play. He already thought things through during his journey through the desert. Time to put the next part of his plan in motion. Steeling himself from any nerves he had left in him and took a step forward, "You… you murdered my father." He said in a cold tone.

The huge grin on Scar's face disappeared in an instant as he stood dead in his tracks. Shock and fear were seen in his eyes for only a millisecond by Nala. Which confirmed Simba's tale. Scar quickly turned back to Simba, glaring at him. "What did you say?"

The young King glared back at his uncle and now started circling him instead "It took me a while to figure it out but it all makes sense to me now. You were jealous of my father because he was the King and when I was born you knew that you would never become one. Your jealousy and lust for power took over your conscience. So, you made an alliance with the Hyenas in order to get rid of me. You lured me to the Elephant Graveyard and let them deal with me because you thought I was little and helpless. Luckily, thanks to Zazu my father arrived just in time to save Nala and me. Your plan failed!"

Sarabi, Nala, and all the other Lionesses present widened their eyes from what Simba was telling them. Even Scar opened his mouth but no words came out. He was too perplexed on how Simba knew about his big coup.

"But it doesn't end there. You made a new plan to murder me and my father in the gorge. Your big surprise for me and my father were the wildebeests running rampant. My dad managed to save me as he was climbing himself out. I tried to get to him and help him out but I was too late. You were there though. I heard him call you for help and all you did was threw him off the gorge, murdering him. When you came to check if my father and I were truly dead you accused me of being responsible for his death. Me, your nephew who you traumatized with an intense guilt that he would carry for years. To finish it off you sent those three hyenas after me when you exiled me." Simba stopped circling his uncle and stood proud before Nala and his mother.

"So if there is anyone responsible for my father's death, then it's you, Scar. You are a murderer and not worthy to be a King. Need more proof? Look around you! The Pridelands have become a Wasteland thanks to your way of ruling. There is no water, no green and there is no food left. Yet you stubbornly insist on staying here no matter what. You're not a King, Scar; you're a Tyrant!" Simba spatted those last words with venom in his mouth.

Every lioness had their jaws dropped at how Simba just revealed the truth while roasting their current King. Simba turned around, looking at his uncle who hadn't said a word during the entire time. He had a neutral look on his face that quickly turned into a sneer.

"How dare you insult your King like that, you LIAR!" Another lightning flash was seen behind Scar. "How dare you accuse me of murder without any proof!"

Simba flinched a little at that. He knew that Scar wouldn't back down so easily but neither would he. "It's the truth, Scar. You know it as well as I."

"No, Simba! You're the liar, here." Scar encircled him again. "It's your fault my brother is dead. You're the guilty one. I gave you a chance to escape your fate only to return and claim that I am responsible?! You'll be a terrible King if I ever let you take my place!"

Some of the hyenas had climbed down to help to separate Simba from the Lionesses. Nala stood battle-ready in case Simba's plan would fail. Sarabi also prepared herself for the battle that is about to come and soon the rest of the Lionesses stood ready to attack.

"Then let's fight for it!" Simba declared. "I, Simba, challenge you, Scar. We duel each other until the last Lion standing.

Growling at his nephew, Scar stopped pushing Simba to the edge of Pride Rock. Whether he likes it or not, if someone in the pack challenges the King, the King has to accept it. Once challenged there is no turning back. If he refuses he'll surely lose support from The lionesses. Without them, there'll surely be no more food and the hyenas would turn on him for not keeping his promise.

"I… accept your challenge." Scar said begrudgingly as another lightning struck at the foot of Pride Rock. A fire started and was fast spreading throughout the dry land. "Where and when shall we fight?"

"At the top of Pride Rock. Only us. No one else can support you or me. We'll give each other a few moments to prepare. Go!" Simba said before making his way to Nala and Sarabi. The Hyenas reluctantly let him pass as Scar gathered them around him to discuss tactics.

Nala smiled as Simba approached them and gently rubbed his face, purring. "That was close. I was afraid that Scar would push you off Pride Rock."

"What were you thinking?" Sarabi said slightly angered. "I just got you back only to lose you again to a duel with your uncle!"

"I'm sorry, mother. But I can't let you and the rest of our Pride live like this. I have to make a stand. I have to do what's right for the Kingdom." Simba explained with a determined look.

"I understand your reasoning and I believe every word you said but you don't have to do this. We can run away together and start a new life somewhere else." Sarabi suggested. "There are other Prides out there that I'm good friends with. I'm sure they would let us in if we tell them our story."

Simba thought about his mother's alternative plan. It could be a possibility but Nala disapproved of it and decided to speak up.

"I suggest we keep that as a backup plan in case we lose to Scar. This is our home, I live here, my parents lived here, my grandparents. It would be wrong to just run away without even trying to fight for it." Nala said with full confidence and joined Simba. "I'm standing with Simba, the true King of the Pride Lands."

Seeing the fire in Nala's eyes, Sarabi felt something in her heart that she hadn't felt for a long time: Hope. For years she had to encourage Nala to keep moving forward in life and that things will turn out better in the end. "I guess the roles are now reversed." She thought as she smiled at the new rulers.

All the Lionesses gathered around Simba and Nala, accepting them as the future King and Queen of the Pride Lands.

Pride Rock was now surrounded by a sea of flames. The flames rose so high that it nearly reached the highest peak of Pride Rock where now two majestic lions were circling each other, ready to fight.

"I gotta admit, Simba, you're smarter than you look but not smart enough to take me down." Scar grinned menacingly.

"I know enough!" Simba retorted. "I know what kind of monster you've become. You may act almighty but you aren't immortal. You can be defeated."

Scar's glare at Simba intensified, thinking that his nephew saw him as a weak lion. "We'll see about that…, your MAJESTY!" And viciously threw some fire embers at Simba's face.

Simba roared in pain as he quickly tried to rub them out of his eyes. Scar launched himself at his nephew and pinned him to the ground. Simba quickly recovered from his uncle's dirty attack and pushed him away with all his strength.

The two lions were now standing on their hind legs with their front legs attacking one another. Simba did his best to defeat his uncle sadly, Scar is older and has more experience.

With one mighty side- punch, Scar pushed Simba on his back. Looking, Simba saw Scar jumping at him with his claws fully out, ready to rip his nephew to shreds. Quick thinking, Simba used his hind legs, caught his uncle on his belly, and pushed him off the cliff.

"Simba! Simba, help me! Please!"

Standing back up, Simba walked to the edge and saw his uncle hanging on for dear life. At the bottom, everyone was looking up at them. Unknown to everyone, three hyenas were sneaking away, making their way to the top of Pride Rock as well.

"Why should I?" Simba replied coldly at his pleading uncle.

"Because… you're better than I! You're not a murder." Scar was starting to lose his grip. "P-please, I beg your forgiveness. You've won, you are the King of Pride Rock. Please! Help me. I'm slipping away!"

Looking into Scar's eyes, Simba's anger at his uncle was changing into remorse. Before he helped his uncle, Simba grabbed his uncle's paws firmly so that he won't slip away. Scar roared in pain.

"What are you doing?" Scar yelled through his pain.

Simba leaned closer to his face with a neutral look. "I want you, to confess to everyone. Do that and you'll have my word as your king, that I'll save you."

"A-alright, I… I did it." Scar said in a bare whisper.

Simba tightened his grip. "They need to hear it."

Scar glared back at Simba as he realized he was defeated. "I… KILLED... MUFASA!" He yelled at the top of his lungs over all of the Pride Lands.


The Lionesses roared in anger at Scar's confession and started attacking the hyenas with Nala and Sarabi taking the lead.

Shortly after Timon and Pumbaa joined the fray as well with their own battlecry.

"Heeeyaaaaaahhh!"

Like a bowling ball, the two friends pushed an entire group of hyenas off Pride Rock that were about to overwhelm a group of lionesses. Angered and ready to fight, the two went separate ways to take down some more hyenas on their own.

Not long after, Rafiki also joined the battle with his long stick and quickly saved Nala and Sarabi from being surrounded by bloodthirsty hyenas. He made short work of every other hyena as some started to run away in pain and fear for their lives.

"Thank you for assisting us in this battle, old friend." Sarabi smiled at the old mandrill.

"Anything for my Queen and her friends," Rafiki bowed gently.

Nala also wanted her gratitude but was interrupted by a scream from Timon.

"This is all a real nice reunion but can someone please save me!" The meerkat yelled in panic as he was being chased by three hyenas with Pumbaa running behind them, trying to save one of his few friends.

"You dare eat him and you'll deal with me, Mr. Piiiiiiiig!" Pumbaa yelled angrily.

"Who are those two?" Sarabi asked confused.

"Friends of Simba. They raised him while he was gone from us." Nala explained as she quickly ran after them.

Sarabi had to remember to thank those two for keeping her son safe as she continued fighting against the hyenas. Rafiki did swift strikes with his stick against them as he fought his way to the cave in order to save a friend from his prison.


Satisfied, Simba helped his uncle getting back on top of Pride Rock. Scar took a few moments to catch his breath as he was so close to death.

"You know that you don't deserve to live, Scar." Simba reminded him of his terrible crime.

"I know, but you saved me anyway and for that, I am eternally grateful. What shall be my punishment? I'll do anything to make it up to you. I swear!" Scar said in a relieved tone.

"Run, Scar…. and never come back." Simba replied in deep anger before he turned his back to his uncle and walked away.

Scar frowned at that idea of punishment and ran back in front of him. "But Simba, this wasn't my doing. It was the hyena's idea. They are the real enemy it was all their idea."

Unknown to Scar, his three lieutenants: Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed overheard everything. Growling at Scar's betrayal they slowly backed away. Simba noticed it and looked back at his uncle.

"This is your one and final warning, Scar. Runaway and never return." He left Scar and was ready to run down the slope.

Scar looked at his nephew who just exiled him. His anger started to rise again. He didn't want to run away. He wants to stay King and no one will take it away from him again. He ran at Simba, jumped, ready to attack him in the back. But Simba was ready for him. He stepped aside, making Scar missing his target and he fell down the slope on a platform, a couple of feet below Simba.

Simba looked down to see if his uncle was hurt.

Scar soon regained consciousness and slowly sat up looking at the remaining hyenas surrounding him. "Ah, my friends are here to aid me."

Shenzi laughed at him. "Friends? Aid you? As I recall he called us enemies."

"Yeah, I remember him saying that too," Banzai smirked.

Fear started to fill Scar's eyes again as he realized that he just dug his own grave.

"Ed?" They both asked their third friend

Ed laughed evilly at his prey as all the hyenas came closer and closer to Scar.

"No, you don't understand… let me explain." Scar pleaded but it was no use.

The horde of hyenas jumped on him and devoured their backstabber.

Simba could only look away in sadness before continuing his way down to Nala and his mother.

The rain was finally falling over the lands, making short work of the fire that was spreading. Making his way down to his family, Simba was relieved to see his entire family all well from the battle. Even Zazu was there.

"Your Majesty," and bowed before his new King.

Simba smiled gratefully at him before he rubbed his head against Nala and Sarabi, purring in happiness and relief. He then gave Timon and Pumbaa a quick hug.

"Thanks for helping me out, you two. I don't think I could've done it without your help."

"Don't mention it, your Majesty," Pumbaa answered with a hug of his own. "You'll always be our friend and we will always be at your service." He bowed

"Just as long as you remember telling the other lionesses not to eat us. Right?" Timon asked with a hopeful grin.

"I promise, you'll be safe here with us," Simba assured them both before releasing them.

A shaking sound was heard behind them all. Looking behind him, Simba saw Rafiki, pointing his stick at Pride Rock. It was for the time for the new King to ascend his throne.

Walking up to him, Rafiki bowed before Simba. Surprised when Simba pulled him into a hug. He gladly returned the favor.

"Are you ready my King?"

"I am."

"Then your time has come, rise King of Pride Rock," he released Simba, allowing him to take his place on the throne.

Slowly, through the rain, Simba ascends the throne. Walking towards the edge of Pride Rock. He looked down and saw his friends and family smiling proudly at him. The last remains of eaten animals were being washed away by the rain. Looking up he saw a hole in the clouds where a patch of stars was shining brightly.

"Don't forget…" the last words of his father echoed in his mind.

Simba knew he was up to the task thanks to his father's council and proved it by roaring loud and proud over the entire land. The lionesses roared in reply, accepting the new King of the Pride Lands.

And so, the true King had returned. The Circle of life has been restored. The Pride Lands will not forget King Simba's courage or the courage of those who bravely fought beside him. The lands will heal, the herds will return to the Kingdom.

A new bright future was waiting for Simba and Nala. Their Pride has begun!