Chapter 3

The Elephant Graveyard

"What about that shadowy place?" The young prince asked his father. Mufasa knew exactly what Simba meant, Scar could tell. His brother's eyes narrowed as he looked at the home of the hyenas far off in the vastness of the Pridelands. Even from Pride Rock, you could see the grimness of that accursed place. The Elephant Graveyard was massive. Ten Pride Rocks would equal its length and six would equal its width. The hyenas had lived there for as long as Scar could remember. They were sly and cunning. As a cub, Scar had liked them and had befriended a few of them, or he thought he had. In the end, they had only used him to try to overthrow his father. Ahadi never forgave him for that.

"That is the Elephant Graveyard, home of the hyenas, my son."

"Oh…why have we never set foot there? Is it part of the Pridelands?" Simba asked.

Mufasa replied, "Though it is a part of the realm, it is forbidden for you to go there. Come, there is much for you to learn."

Scar followed his brother and nephew down the peak of Pride Rock. Now that Simba was aged at twelve moons, it was time for him to learn the ways of the king. Mufasa insisted that Scar should learn the ways as well, seeing he was robbed of that as a cub.

It was foolish of father to not groom you, dear brother! So, you shall learn alongside Simba.

Scar had no objection. If this meant he had more time to bond with his nephew and brother, then he gladly welcomed it. Besides, he had always been curious about the roles of the other animals who roamed the realm, predator and prey alike. He, obviously, knew Zazu's role. However, he was aware that the hornbill was not the only one who reported to Mufasa.

The sun had risen up to its zenith when they had returned to Priderock. Simba was a bundle of energy, as always. He immediately sprinted off to go play with his betrothed, Nala. Mufasa watched him go with a warm chuckle before he turned to his brother.

"Nala is the perfect match for my son, wouldn't you say?"

Scar nodded, "Indeed. They are inseparable, those two. She is fierce and brave as well. She will make a fine queen and mate for Simba." Mufasa grinned at Scar in a mischievous manner. Scar did not like that grin at all.

"Speaking of mates…"

"Oh no," Scar groaned as he turned away, "Not this again!"

"I see that you and Zira have been mingling more," Mufasa continued, ignoring Scar's annoyance with the subject, "Is she still as crazy as she was as a cub?"

"She has mellowed, I suppose," Scar replied begrudgingly, "But she still has her moments…and she doesn't know her place."

"How so?" Mufasa asked. Scar hesitated, as he was not sure how his younger brother was going to react to what he was about to tell him.

"She moans that I should be king instead of you." Mufasa nodded with no trace of anger. This baffled Scar. If he had been like Ahadi, he would have exploded with a terrifying rage.

"Well, she isn't wrong, Scar. As my older brother, you should have been king instead of me. Father's reasoning for stripping you of that was ridiculous and unjust!"

Scar sighed and nuzzled Mufasa, "What's done is done, dear brother. We can't change the past and, besides, I was never meant to be king." Mufasa frowned and was quiet for a moment.

"If something were to happen to me while Simba is still a cub, you will be the new king," Mufasa replied solemnly. Scar stared at him incredulously. Mufasa was a powerful lion. Yet, he was implying that he may reach his end too soon like their father had.

"Nothing will happen, Mufasa. You are strong and far more cautious than father ever was!" Scar replied as he turned away. He did not want Mufasa to see his anguish at the thought of his young brother meeting a grizzly end like Ahadi had.

"You can never to too cautious, dear brother," Mufasa said calmly. He sat beside Scar, "The other reason that I wanted you to be a part of Simba's grooming is so you will be prepared in case something does happen." Scar frowned.

"Mother ruled the realm in father's stead until you had come of age," Scar pointed out.

"Father had no siblings," Mufasa replied, "If he did have a male sibling, they would've ruled instead of our mother. Sarabi will still be of help to you, though. You would rule together until Simba comes of age."

"You're talking like this will be inevitable," Scar muttered softly. He was clearly disturbed by the conversation. Mufasa noticed and his gaze softened.

"I am sorry, dear brother. I do not mean to upset you. I've just been paranoid ever since we lost father. I want to make sure that there is a plan set in case something was to happen to me," he said reassuringly. Scar smiled but still felt uneasy.

Nothing will happen to you. It can't. You are stronger than father was and not at all cocky like he was. You will not meet an end like his!

Scar crept silently in the high grass towards his prey. The antelope was not at all aware of him. His paws, slow and soft, inched ever so slightly forward. Vibrant green eyes never once looked away from his prey. He almost felt bad for what he was about to do. Almost.

It's the circle of life and one must eat. I refuse to feast on Sarabi's kills. I am not a king and I won't be treated as such.

Just when he was about to make his move, a frantic flutter of wings rapidly made their approach towards him. This sound spooked the antelope and it bounded off. Scar watched on with a bitter look on his face.

"Scar! Scar! Oh, this is awful!"

It was Zazu! Scar turned and watched the hornbill land clumsily before him. Zazu was panting and looked disheveled. This worried Scar. Something serious must be amuck for the hornbill to seek him out.

"What is it, Zazu? What happened?" Scar asked, not once showing the hornbill distain. Zazu took a moment to answer seeing he was still clearly winded.

"S-Simba and Nala…! They got me caught in a herd of hippos and giraffes…! Distracted me! I was trapped under a hippo…wh-when I heard Simba say they were free t-t-to go to the Elephant Graveyard!" Zazu gasped, in what Scar assumed was both exhaustion and terror.

"Find my brother and tell him what you just told me. I will go after them! Hurry!" Scar then bolted off towards the Elephant Graveyard. His heart was pounding in his chest in its own terror.

Those foolish cubs! And Simba! He was forbidden to go there!

His legs were screaming at him as he trekked closer and closer to his destination. He never once slowed his pace. Scar knew that the cubs were in grave danger. The hyenas had great numbers and could easily kill the cubs if they became aware of their presence. Scar knew that he would have a hard time fighting them but at least he could serve as a distraction so the cubs could get away. With the graveyard in sight, Scar pushed himself to run even faster. The scent of the cubs was getting stronger.

Please don't let me be too late!

Once within the Elephant Graveyard, Scar frantically followed the scent of his nephew and Nala. He travelled fairly far within the graveyard when he heard a cub roaring desperately and the cackling of several hyenas.

Simba!

Scar bolted in the direction of the commotion and found himself at the edge of a large skull. Below, Simba and Nala were surrounded by ten hyenas. Simba was protectively standing in front of Nala and was hissing and lashing his claws out to defend themselves. This only amused the hyenas as they slowly closed in on the cubs. Scar saw red.

"ROOOOOOOOAAAAAAAR!" Scar leaped off of the skull and plowed into the startled hyenas. He bit them and slashed them with his claws as they attempted to fight back. He could see Simba and Nala staring at him in both awe and horror as he fought on. More hyenas showed up and they leaped on him; he was beginning to get overwhelmed.

"Run, you little fools!" He yelled at the cubs. Simba snarled and positioned himself like he was about to leap into the thick of the scuffle, "Simba, NO! RUN!"

"ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAR!"

The three hyenas that were on top of Scar were violently torn off of him. Mufasa showed absolutely no mercy. He viciously bit and clawed at the hyenas and was completely unaffected by their feeble attempts to fight back. He only let up when they began to retreat.

"If you EVER go after my kin again, I will end you all for good!" He bellowed at their retreating figures. Scar shakily got to his feet when Zazu landed before him and the cubs. Scar noticed the look of concern but assumed it was for Simba and Nala.

"I think that they are okay," Scar muttered weakly; he turned to the cubs. Nala was sobbing and Simba looked guilty.

"We're okay," Simba replied, "Uncle Scar, are you okay?"

"I will be fine," Scar replied stubbornly. He knew that he must've been a sight, but they were all flesh wounds, he will live.

"We must get you back to Pride Rock so the baboons can tend to your injuries," Zazu stated with a slight tremble in his voice. Scar was confused. Was the hornbill actually worried about him?

"Let's be quick of it," Mufasa said stiffly. Simba shrank away from his father's cold stare, "You deliberately disobeyed me."

"Dad, I'm…I'm sorry."

"Let's go home," Mufasa spat; he turned and marched off. His pace was slow enough for Scar to keep up, though his rage was evident. Simba and Nala stayed by Scar's side and Zazu stayed behind them all. He was keeping a cautious eye out for any lurkers who may try to ambush them.

They were a good distance away from the Elephant Graveyard now. Pride Rock could be seen far off ahead of them. Not a word was spoken by any of them. Mufasa was staring ahead as he marched, Scar kept up his pace behind his brother despite his growing fatigue, the cubs were now behind Scar, and Zazu was flying over them. Mufasa suddenly stopped and sat down.

"Zazu," he beckoned. The hornbill flew up to his king. Scar noticed the look of dread on the hornbill's face. He knew that Mufasa must've been cross with Zazu as well. Still, it wasn't Zazu's fault. The cubs did get him caught up in a herd and he got trapped by a hippo.

"Lead my brother and Nala back home. Tell her mother what happened and make sure that Scar's injuries get tended to immediately. I need to teach my son a lesson," Mufasa commanded. Simba shrunk into the grass. Scar, though he was mad himself, did pity his nephew in that moment.

Don't be too hard on him, little brother.

"Come along, Nala. Best we hurry back," Zazu instructed. As they walked past Mufasa, Scar noticed the look of concern on Mufasa's face. Scar smiled at him reassuringly before he stared ahead at Pride Rock far off in the distance.

"Simba!" Scar felt himself flinch when he heard his brother summon for the cub. The tone in Mufasa's voice sent a rush of memories back to Scar, memories of his father summoning him to be punished.

"The lad will hopefully never disobey his father again after today," Zazu muttered solemnly, "His actions not only put Nala in danger, he almost caused your death!"

"I am fine, Zazu," Scar insisted. The hornbill bitterly laughed.

"Perhaps we should stop at the watering hole so you can see yourself in the water's reflection!" Scar did not reply to this. He knew that he would be fine but, again, he knew he didn't look it. The gashes made by the hyena's claws were burning. At least he wasn't bleeding anymore.

"Thank you for saving us," Nala said meekly, "You were very brave and so was Simba. He didn't mean any harm!"

"I know that he didn't," Scar replied, "But his actions were still foolish. Yours as well, Nala. What were you two thinking?"

The young cub bit her bottom lip; she looked ashamed of herself, "He-he wanted to show me the graveyard. He wanted to prove that he was brave like his king father!" She replied.

"Being brave doesn't mean you go looking for trouble," Zazu remarked, though his tone was gentle. Nala looked down.

"I am sorry," she said softly.

"You both will be forgiven, child," Scar reassured her, "Heed my words and never put yourselves in that position ever again. Your Grace may not be there to save you next time."

"I-I understand, my Lord. I promise that I—no—we won't!"

"I hold you to that promise, young one," Scar replied with a soft smile. Nala smiled back and then turned her gaze ahead. He noticed that Zazu was looking at him in a way he had never looked at Scar before; he bore a look of respect.