AN: This one is a long, important chapter, so hold on to your knickers.
Willian - a very valid point, thank you for reminding me. With regard to Kion's Roar, technically, he should still possess it. He's the king of the Night Pride, and has the mark of the Tree of Life, after all. Unless... Well, we're just going to have to find out. As with your other questions. They're all very good, and you might just find some answers in the later chapters.
Chapter 4 – Askari
Zira had once told him that, when he finally assumes the throne of the Pridelands, all of his troubles would be over. That all he needed was to possess the power that once belonged to king Simba, and then he would be able to do anything. To shape the Pridelands according to his will.
But Zira was wrong. Very wrong.
The animals around the kingdom may have accepted him as their ruler… but they did so begrudgingly. After all, they were forced to substitute their beloved king and queen for a glorified foreigner. As he distributed orders to the ones who once exiled him, they nodded their heads passively, but he knew how they referred to him behind his back. They would never call him their king.
Scar's heir, they said instead, though never to his face.
In the Outlands, as a cub, he was cherished. His mother treated him like a princeling, and ordered her whole pride to do the same. Here, in his new kingdom, he was being looked upon almost with disdain, as an impostor and usurper. The animals made of him the target of their dissatisfaction with the fact that Simba has not been found yet, and although he told them that he did all that was in his power, they refused to listen.
Day after day, he returned to Pride Rock exhausted and mad, having dealt with one problem in place of which, as it seemed, two more had already arisen. The kingdom, left in anarchy for so long, was in a state of complete disarray, and he was starting to think that there was little he could do about it.
As he moved his aching paws, walking on the surface of the hot sand, returning home, he half-heartedly listened to the seemingly endless report delivered to him by his majordomo. He was tempted to order Zazu to stop… but he knew he couldn't do that. His kingly power was an illusion. He felt more like a slave to his office.
-… your dealing with the aardwolves in Chakula Plains is commendable… – the hornbill chirped, flapping his wings right above Kovu's ear - … yet their relocation to the vicinity of the Outlands border is somewhat problematic. That area traditionally constitutes the territory of fennec foxes, and since now is the time of their… ehrm… special season, the aardwolves' presence creates a bit of a disturbance. I would therefore advise you to visit that place tomorrow. And while on the way, it would be wise to stop by the nesting grounds of the hyraxes. Apparently, as I am told, during their annual migration, the musk deer have trampled some of their nests mercilessly, for which the hyraxes now demand an apology…
Kovu tried to block out his hearing, but was unable to. Instead, flexing his jaw muscles, he kept his eyes fixed on the ground as he repeated in his mind-
Shut up, shut up, shut up…
They were nearing Pride Rock, and the lion hoped that, perhaps, now he would finally be allowed to rest by his mate's side.
What happened next, caught him completely off guard, and Zazu seemed to have been taken by surprise, as well, as the first thing Kovu heard was a terrified shriek which abruptly terminated the bird's discourse. Before the young king could notice what was going on, the hornbill majordomo had flown off in panic… while he found himself knocked over to the ground.
As Kovu groaned and struggled, pinned down by the weight of someone's body, among the settling dust he saw the devious blue eyes of his sister. And though it was a relief to discover that the one who attacked him was not an enemy, still his face was twisted in a scowl of anger.
-'Tani! Did you get hit on the head with a rock?! Get off me!
He pushed the lioness away forcefully, making her skip aside with a chuckle.
-Ha-ha! Man, you're getting slow!
To be honest, her intention was not to show him her superior strength, as she used to do when they were cubs. What Vitani really wanted to do was to cheer her brother up by recalling those moments. But when she saw Kovu's offended frown, which informed her immediately that her play attack had an exactly opposite effect, she dropped her smile immediately. Clearing her throat, she straightened, assuming a more official pose and looked away in awkward abashment, her eyes hidden behind the tuft of hair on her forehead.
-Sorry 'bout that, Kovu… I mean, your majesty.
Her apologetic tone caused the lion to feel bad. It would be wrong to let his frustrations harm his relationship with his sister. Turning her way, he breathed deeply, letting go of his anger.
-You're the only one who calls me that, you know… You, and your Guard – he announced to her with a note of sadness.
-Really? – Vitani raised a curious brow. – Hm, ingrates. They treat me and the girls like trash, too.
I highly doubt that – Kovu thought to himself, though he refrained from expressing that thought openly.
-Where are your girls, anyway? – the lion inquired instead, seeing that his sister was alone, and that the other members of the Lion Guard were nowhere to be found.
-They're with Kion – Vitani responded as they began to walk toward Pride Rock.
-Looking for Simba?
-No. Training, I think.
That was a bit unusual.
-Training? – Kovu inquired, expressing slight displeasure. – Why're they wasting time for that while their king might be… anywhere?
Once again, Vitani heard anger in her brother's voice. And though she felt it was justified, she still tried to stand in defense of her companions.
-Oh don't you worry, I have them all on the search from dawn till dusk. They're only permitted to train with Kion in the evenings. You know, he's the old leader of the Guard, so they flock to him for his experience and knowledge of the…
All of a sudden, Vitani fell dumb as Kovu cut her off, lifting his voice nearly to a scram.
-You tell those raunchy vixens to stay away from him, understand?! I know exactly what kind of experience they're looking to learn from that ginger-headed stallion!
The lioness took a step back to give her raging brother some room, but then immediately smirked, seeing how competitive the young monarch had become since Kion's arrival. Which was only appropriate for the leader of a pride.
-You know – Vitani began in a rather mischievous tone. – It was actually that ginger-headed stallion's idea to train the girls… but I wouldn't lose sleep over that! He's expressed his total devotion to his beloved queen Rani more than once…
Yet again, Kovu crashed Vitani under the weight of his death-stare.
-Keep your sarcasm to yourself, ok? You're not being very funny.
-As you wish - the lioness submitted with a flick of a tail, yet the smirk she bore did not vanish from her face completely.
They continued in silence, and Kovu began to feel an approaching migraine. Though he hated to admit it, he was jealous of Kion. It seemed that, as his position in the pride diminished, Kion continued to occupy the spotlight…
And so it was then.
Kovu found Kion sitting on top of Pride Rock, surrounded by a circle of lionesses. He wouldn't have minded if it were only his fellow former Outsiders from the Lion Guard. But when he saw Kiara there, lounging and giggling with the others, he felt his blood boil.
Kion was in the middle of telling everyone the story of when him and Kiara underwent the rite of Udugu years ago. He explained to them how the whole thing was a big ruse, devised by their parents, and that the traditional competition between the royal brother and sister was actually supposed to teach them how to work together. When he revealed to his listeners how long it took them to finally figure it out, they all laughed…
... until they saw their ruler, approaching them with a stone face.
-Kovu! – Kion welcomed him joyously. – Welcome back. I hope your day's been…
He didn't finish his sentence, however.
-What are you doing here? – the dark lion asked dryly, making everyone fall silent.
There was a pause, during which Kion looked at his brother-in-law in confusion. Finally, his sister spoke for him.
-Kovu, Kion was just telling us about the time that we…
But the king did not allow her to finish, either. Not even looking at Kiara, Kovu continued to gaze straight into the brown eyes of Simba's son.
-I heard what you were talking about. I'm surprised you're able to forget about your grief only a couple of days after we buried Nala. Is this how you honor your mother, Kion?
He spat the word in the other lion's face, making everyone around nearly gasp in astonishment. Vitani's lionesses pinned their eyes to the floor.
-I… I was just trying to cheer everyone up… - Kion stammered, completely abashed.
-What you're actually doing, is wasting everyone's time! – Kovu retorted as if rebuking him. Then, he turned to the lionesses. – Go back to your den, now! You need to rest before tomorrow. Did you forget that you still have to find your real king?
He uttered those words with much more rancor than intended, and immediately regretted it.
-You're right, Kovu… - Kion mumbled back in embarrassment. – Sorry about that.
The lionesses, obediently accepting their ruler's correction, rose from the floor slowly and without a word made their way back to their lair. Kovu noticed that Kion followed them.
-And where do you think you're going? – he growled.
Once again, the young male looked totally stupefied.
-Uhm… to the lair of the Lion Guard. To lie down for the night. But if you prefer me to stay here…
-No. Whatever. Just go – Kovu dismissed him irritably. But as he observed Kion's rump disappearing behind the rocks, he kept his true thought to himself.
I swear, if he as much as touches any one of those females…
He forced himself to get rid of that thought as soon as it appeared. Surely, he was tired, paranoid, and overprotective of his new pride. Besides, Vitani would never allow that to happen.
Exhaling deeply, he returned to his pregnant mate's side. With sadness he observed the way in which Kiara looked at him after he put up such a miserable show. He recognized her emotions in the expression of her eyes. It was mainly sadness, though it hid beneath it a strong dose of disappointment.
-I'm sorry… - he panted as he lay down nearby. – This is all very confusing…
-Kovu, don't be mad at Kion! All he wants to do, is to help us all. Now that you're busy with running the kingdom, he stays by my side more than before, but he's just doing what you did earlier! And the other lionesses, don't they also have a right to rest from all this? We haven't forgotten about Nala, nor Simba… They're our parents, and we love them. We're just trying not to keep our minds focused on the bad things all the time, that's all.
He knew she was right. And he rebuked himself for his stupid jealousy. He may have not been the smartest lion in the world, but he understood that, if he didn't control that feeling, it would destroy him, and along with that, the entire kingdom. To accuse Kion of not grieving over the loss of his mother was not only idiotic, but also completely hypocritical. After all, he himself had never shed a single tear after Zira's death.
-I know… - he whispered, looking at nothing in particular. – But if we don't find your father, the Pridelands won't blame Kion for it. Do you know who's going to become their scapegoat, instead? Me.
Kiara waited a while before answering. Then, laying her head on his paws, she said-
-That's part of the burden of being a king. It's what my dad once taught me. But I know you, Kovu, and I know that you can handle it.
They remained side by side as the rest of the pride settled for the night. But long after Kovu felt Kiara's breath slowing as she drifted away into the land of dreams, he still remained vigilant, imploring the Great Kings for their help just like his predecessors before him. He fell asleep long after the midnight darkness obscured even the light of the stars.
Then, once again, he found himself on Pride Rock alone. It was another dream, and just like last time, he heard a voice calling his name.
The voice of Askari.
He feared confronting that voice, as if he knew that he would be chastised for not heeding its advice at once. Moreover, he was afraid of what else he would hear.
He stood before the shadow and the two dancing green lights as before, with his throat parched, and his paws heavy.
-Kovu… - said the spirit. – Hail, Kovu, king of the Pridelands…
But the lion didn't consider himself worthy of any form of praise right now.
-I have failed… The kingdom is slipping out of my grasp…
The emerald flames glowed like fires in the night.
-Nala… Yes, I have warned you… But not everything is lost, yet.
-I'll never believe that Kion was involved in the death of his own mother! – Kovu spoke, raising his voice furiously. – There's nothing you can do to convince me that that's true!
Silence. And then, a slow whisper.
-Do you… wish… to see more evidence? To see… more… suffering?
The conflicting thought fought a war within his heart. But he already knew which one would win.
-No – Kovu responded firmly, turning his head. Then, he finally expressed to the ghost exactly why he wished he could speak to him again. – I want you to show me what to do, Askari. I want you to show me the truth.
The fireflies halted, creating two bright lights which hovered side by side among the shadows.
-Are you… ready… for that? – muttered the voice.
-Yes – said the lion, preparing himself for the worst.
-No, you are not – came the response. – But you will do… what you must. You are… the king.
The dream ended in a green flash, and Kovu woke up with a repressed gasp that almost aroused everyone at Pride Rock.
Seeing that it was still late at night, he allowed his racing heart to rest. But he also knew that, though Askari's advice seemed ludicrous to him, he had to listen. Almost against his better judgement, he sneaked out of the den, and headed in the direction of the baobab grove.
It was as if he was led by some strange spirit, as what he was about to do forced him to suspend his common sense. Utilizing the skills which he'd been taught by Zira, with the use of stealth and agility, he climbed Rafiki's tree without as much as brushing against a single leaf. He found the old shaman there, engulfed in a state that characterized only those as ancient as him- a sleep so strong that it was barely distinguishable from an eternal one.
Taking a deep breath, Kovu crept up to the mandrill, exposing his teeth... Snatching Rafiki's staff from his side, grasping it firmly, he made his escape in the matter of seconds. As he jumped softly from the top of the baobab, he felt a slight pinch of conscience… which he shook off promptly, convincing himself that he was working for a greater good.
Sometimes, a king's duty required him to even commit acts unbecoming to a king.
Having calmed his heart, he turned his eyes toward the red horizon. But it weren't the rays of the rising sun that illumined the sky there. It was something much more sinister.
The enormous, foreboding volcano was a forbidden place for him even in the times when he lived in the Outlands. He ventured there only once, but never reached his destination, having been discovered by his mother… That time, that one time, it was him whom she punished, not Nuka or Vitani. And her punishment was severe.
With each step, Kovu tightened the grip of his fangs around the wood of Rafiki's staff. He was having trouble breathing, but he couldn't figure out if what caused that was his running, or the fumes which permeated the air more and more as he got closer.
The smoke from the volcano had been a bad omen to the Pridelanders for weeks. And now he was headed straight into its very heart. He prayed that he was doing the right thing. But all that… Simba, Kion, Askari… He needed to know.
The slopes of the ash-coated mountain were hot and slippery, but he finally found his way into the crater. The flames were almost unbearable, and he feared that the sparks dancing in the air would set his fur aflame and burn him alive. Finally, he was able to locate a long rocky ledge which hung over the pool of lava like a suicide's perch.
Moving slowly, step by step, he stood at the very edge of the ridge. The hot rock burned the bottom of his paws. He wished he could leave, that there was another way… but, as before, he failed to find any. Overcoming his own self, he looked down into the flame.
His eyes were teary from the unimaginable blaze of the volcano, but at the very bottom, he was able to see something on the surface of the molten fire. A symbol of sorts, like the shape of an eye… It reminded him of the green-glowing firefly-shaped lights which glared at him from the darkness as he spoke with Askari.
Kovu understood that this was the right spot.
Obeying the spirit's words, he cast the shaman's staff into the fire with a strong jerk of his neck. He observed as the item tumbled down, turning, until it was finally swallowed up by the lava in the place of the eye symbol.
For a moment, nothing happened, and Kovu had to turn away so that the fire wouldn't burn his eyes out. When he looked again, he noticed the symbol glow up… The earth shook, and he was forced to take a step back. His heart was nearly ready to jump out of his chest.
Among the booming earthquake, the crater first emitted a deep, black cloud of smoke, as thick as mud. Kovu had to hold his breath, yet he remained where he was. The fumes danced before his eyes, forming unrecognizable shapes, sizzling and throwing sparks which glowed among the fumes like stars on the night sky.
The smoke and the fire, swirling and churning together like a couple in a dance, eventually began to form a shape. Two blazes of light like eyes now gazed into Kovu's soul. The fumes created the outline of a mane, a muzzle… A lion's head.
Kovu did not know how Askari looked exactly, as the ancient lion had died generations before he was born. He had only seen his image once, painted upon the wall inside the Lion Guard's lair. The specter which he saw before him now, however… Yes, that he did indeed recognize.
This realization terrified him more than everything he had ever seen in reality, dream, or nightmare. Because the one he faced right now was not the ancient lion Askari.
It was Scar.
Kovu had never seen Scar in his life, or at least he didn't remember. Yet the ghost of the fallen lion looked and sounded just like he'd imagined him. How he saw him during so many terrible nights, haunting his mind, throwing a shadow over everything he did. The pitch-black hair… the flawed left eye… He hated the one who was the owner of such a face. And now, he had set him free.
Scar remained silent, gazing down at Kovu with glaring slits of inferno. He seemed calm, yet the same could not be said of the other lion.
Kovu felt betrayed. Manipulated even more than by his mother. Indeed, he realized now that if there was ever someone who taught Zira all her deviousness, it was the one before whom he now stood.
-You lied to me! – he roared, and the walls of the crater amplified his reproof. Kovu was fuming with rage just as much as the volcano fumed with its poisonous vapor.
The expression of Scar's eyes changed slightly. Though the fumes and his fury clouded his sight, Kovu thought he saw in them... a spark of sadness?
The killer lion's voice was low, cold, powerful, but it carried within it neither malice nor anger. It was rather some odd misery, like one of old regret or grief.
-I have never, ever lied to you, my son.
-I am not your son! – once again, the sound of Kovu's roar echoed throughout the crater.
The spirit knew that he was thinking of leaving. Of turning his back, and never returning there again. But Scar also noticed the lion's hesitation, which was the reason why he bided his time.
When Scar spoke again, his voice was soft, as if he were indeed speaking to a child. Kovu remembered that voice from the time of his infancy… a memory pushed back somewhere to the darkest corners of his memory.
-As I said, I have never lied to you. My real name, the one I was given by my parents, is indeed Askari. But if I told you who I truly was, you'd not have come here. And then, everything would be lost.
Kovu turned his head in disbelief. The conflict that raged in his heart was nearly unbearable. He wanted to run away… but his paws wouldn't carry him.
Scar continued his placid monologue.
-You've heeded my advice. Thank you for that. I can only imagine how greatly you struggle. I can see it in your eyes… It would have been better if you listened to me immediately. Then, Nala would still be alive. But, perhaps, we can still save the rest.
-Why do you do this?! – Kovu tuned his tear-filled, furious eyes at the fiery specter. – Do you think you can deceive me? You're evil! Everyone knows that! Simba defeated you once, then Kion did it again! Why do you still haunt us?!
Scar lowered his head slightly. His mouth was arched by a faintest grimace of a smile, which the other lion barely noticed.
-I cannot be vanquished. I am already dead. Kion had a chance to destroy me once and for all… but he didn't, and pardoned me instead. Have you never heard about that?
He was right. Kovu knew this. Still, he was sure that it was all part of some great deception.
-What do you want? - he asked.
-I already told you, Kovu. I want to help you… just as I want to help Kion.
His delicate smile vanished in an instant, replaced again by a deep sadness. It was almost impossible to believe that Scar, the legendary murderer mentioned throughout the kingdom as an incarnation of evil, could even speak in this way.
-I am… sorry… for what had happened. And I've learned this lesson far too late. Now, I suffer my just punishment… but I at least wish to save others from the same fate.
Kovu looked at him, confused.
-I don't understand.
-We are flawed, Kovu. Both I, and Kion. The two of us have borne the power of the Roar of the Elders, and it has corrupted us. I've warned your brother-in-law that the Roar is a curse... But he did not listen. Now, the venom which was mixed into his blood when he received his scar, has ripened within him, bearing fruits of depravity which none but I can see. He is just like me now… Just like I have once been. For me, there's only one way to redeem my past errors. And that is, to save him from total corruption.
What he said about Kion's scar, as well as being infected by a destructive venom, was actually true. Kovu had heard of it. But still, something was not right.
-You're wrong, Scar. Kion was healed! - he accused Scar of manipulating the facts. – That was why he traveled to the Tree of Life. To be freed from the venom in his heart! Isn't the fact that he later passed the Roar on to Vitani enough proof to you?!
The lion's accusation resounded within the volcano, and the sound of his voice had died out before Scar delivered his answer. But when he did, he did so with unbent certainty.
-That's precisely what he wants you to believe.
Kovu groaned, hearing these words. He could not stand this anymore.
-Do you wish to test your luck? – the ghost went on, and each word was like a live ember on the lion's skin. – Do you wish to see more death? Mark my words, boy. Hesitate but a while longer, and you will.
But Kovu just continued to turn his head in denial, his eyes shut tight…
Scar waited, looking down on him sorrowfully as the flames around them burned. It took a while before he spoke again.
-I know you do not trust me. I understand. But don't you believe in redemption? And what about you? Don't you yourself wish to prove to the inhabitants of the Pridelands that you're better than you once were? I know how they look at you…
Suddenly, Kovu lifted his eyes at him, finally looking the fiery entity in the face. Scar continued.
-I also used to be just like Kion once, I confess. The venom corrupted my soul to its core. I was blind. But it's you who are my heir, and I will not let you die at Kion's paws, Kovu. For if you wish to hear the truth, this is it. Kion's only desire is your death, and the death of all who stand in his way to the throne of Pride Rock. He did not come here on his own volition. He was exiled from the Tree of Life, and the mark of the Night Pride on his shoulder is fake. Thus, as horrible as it may seem, my nephew's disappearance… and his mate's untimely death… were not accidents. If you search long enough, you will find the evidence yourself.
Kovu's face became twisted with a mixture of confusion and disgust.
-Why are you telling me this? – he asked, his voice barely audible.
The lights in Scar's eyes dimmed significantly.
-Somebody had once forgiven me. I have been given a chance… to redeem myself.
Hearing those words, Kovu rose abruptly, turning toward the exit.
-No! – he roared. – I don't believe you! I'll talk to the Old King, they'll tell me the truth!
But Scar's voice was far mightier, and the lion realized there was no way he could run from it anymore.
-Don't you see? – Scar spoke amidst smoke and fire. - I am one of the Old Kings. None other is going to respond to you, my son. The Ancients are warning you, through me!
AN: I want to ask you one question. Do you believe that Kion is really corrupt? Remember your answer, and tell me if your opinion will change throughout the story. I'll make sure you'll have as hard a job figuring out the truth as Kovu.
The creators of the Lion Guard have confirmed that Scar's real name had once been Askari, which means 'soldier'. That had been the name of the original founder and leader of the Lion Guard generations before Scar's birth, and the devious lion inherited it, himself being predestined to lead the Lion Guard of his time. The name was later shortened to 'Scar', becoming his sobriquet for obvious reasons. This stands in contradiction to the books... but officially, it's the show, and not the books, that are considered canon. And besides, I kinda like the name Askari more than Taka, anyway.
In the Polish dub, the language in which I saw The Lion King for the first time, Scar is called 'Skaza', which means 'flaw'.