A/N A special thank you to Keep Calm and Join Team Loki, thingsareweird, LionFlower, ThatTexasKid, and my guest reviewer for reviewing my last chapter. I love those great reviews. Keep 'em coming. Here's ch 17 for ya and see ch 1 for disclaimer.
Ch 17 Dawning of a New Era
As Kali returned to the Outlands he was greeted by Jasiri who gave her future mate a nuzzle. "Is it done?" the rusty brown lioness asked.
"Yes," Kali said sadly. Jasiri gave her boyfriend a confused look and he said, "Scar double crossed me. Simba was down there. And what's worse is that I had a chance to talk to Mufasa and I realized how murder never solves anything. I tried to save him 'Siri but Scar pushed me and Mufasa fell. I feel so horrible. Especially about Simba. My little brother didn't deserve to die. He never did anything wrong. I wish none of this had happened. I wish I could go back and not kill Sarabi then maybe Mufasa wouldn't have been so distracted and he and Simba would still be alive." By now Kali had tears running down his face and Jasiri comforted the silver lion. Then Kali heard a voice behind him say, "Glad to see you're not completely lost." Kali turned and saw Usafi and Tia walking towards him. "Hey there 'Saf," Kali said giving the pink coated lioness a small smile.
"Hey Kal'," Usafi said with a smile of her own. Then the pink lioness turned towards Jasiri and said, "Hey there Jasiri long time no see."
"Hey Usafi," Jasiri said evenly. The rusty brown lioness wasn't happy to see Usafi in the slightest. Jasiri had always been jealous of Usafi especially with her friendship with Kali. These last few months that she had spent with just her and Kali had been the best she could remember despite living in the Outlands and now that Usafi was back Jasiri was worried that Kali would become closer with her again. That was something Jasiri wasn't willing to risk. Usafi had become even more beautiful over time and Jasiri didn't want to lose Kali. She loved him far too much to let that happen. But Jasiri knew she had to keep these feelings to herself for now. There were more important things to worry about. "Kali we should probably go to Priderock," Jasiri piped up. "I'm sure Scar had informed the Pride of the bad news. We should be there."
"You're right 'Siri," Kali said with a sigh. "Shenzi! Banazi! We're movin' on out! Let's go!"
"Finally," Banazi mumbled as he and his sister gathered the rest of the clan and followed Kali, Jasiri, Usafi and Tia back to Priderock.
TLKTLKTLK
When Kali and the hyenas reached Priderock they saw that Scar had the Pride gathered up and from the looks of it they were in the midst of mourning. "Perfect," Kali thought. "Now I can go and be declared the new King." Kali moved closer so Scar could make the announcement. But when he approached the silver lion heard his uncle say, "And it is with a heavy heart that I assume the throne."
"No!" Kali growled furious at what he just heard. The pride turned and looked at Kali with looks of both surprise and shock. "You don't deserve to be King!" Kali roared running towards Scar and getting in his face. "I'm the oldest son of Mufasa and Sarabi and I should be King!" With this declaration the Pride began to murmur amongst themselves. "It can't be true," one lioness muttered.
"He's obviously lying," another put in glaring at Kali.
"Yes," a third chimed in. "Mufasa and Sarabi only had one child. And poor little Simba was lost along with his father."
"Ladies I can clear all this up," Selena said coming out of the crowd. "Kali is telling the truth. He is Mufasa and Sarabi's son."
"The how come we never knew about him before," a lioness shouted.
"Yeah," a second chimed in. "Where has he been all this time?"
"Ladies please calm down," Selena pleaded. "Mufasa and Sarabi were both very young when Kali was born. Far to young to be suitable parents. That and the face they weren't married yet added to their decision to give Kali up."
"Then why is he here now?" the first lioness chimed in glaring at Kali. "It's a little too convenient if you ask me."
"I've been living in the Outlands," Kali explained. "My adoptive mother was killed so I was brought here. I knew Mufasa and Sarabi would never except me back so I hid. I just learned of Mufasa and Simba's deaths so I came. It's a terrible tragedy and I know all of you are in shock but I still am the son of Mufasa and therefore I am the rightful heir."
"But you are far to young to be King," Scar said suddenly. "After all you are only a year old. You should allow me to be King until you are ready. It's really the best thing for everyone. Wouldn't you agree Kali?"
"He has a point Kal'," Jasiri whispered standing beside Kali. Kali looked at Jasiri then at Usafi, who nodded. Kali sighed and said, "Alright Scar you win. You can be King. For now anyways. But in a year's time I fully expect you to step down and let me assume the throne."
"Agreed," Scar said with a grin although he had no intention of doing so. As far as he was concerned the throne was to go to Mheetu when he was old enough. Kali was merely an obstacle that he had to dispose of. "That shouldn't be to hard," the brown lion thought. "Especially with the hyenas here. It should be easy to arrange an accident." With these thoughts Scar went inside the cave with his family right behind him. Once he was inside Sarafina gave her mate a nuzzle, "Oh Scar I'm so sorry," the new Queen said sadly. "I know how hard this must be for you."
"Yes it is very difficult," Scar said with fake sorrow. "But as much as I will miss my brother and nephew I know that they wouldn't want us to be sad. Although I will miss them both dearly." Scar forced himself to produce some tears for added affect.
"I'm going to miss Uncle Mufasa and Simba too Daddy," Nala said nuzzling into her father's leg, the tears going down her face. "Especially Simba. He was my best friend."
"Hey don't be so sad Nala," Mheetu said giving his sister a nuzzle. "You still have me."
"Thanks 'Tu," Nala said smiling at her two month old brother as she wiped her eyes. "Daddy is Kali really our cousin?"
"Yes my dear he is your cousin," Scar replied.
"Huh," Nala said with confusion. "He never said anything about that before."
"Wait you've met Kali before?" Scar asked the surprise clear in his voice.
"Yeah me and Simba both did," Nala replied. "Kali used to play with us. Only..now..he won't get to anymore." By now Nala was on the verge of tears thinking about her friend.
"You still have all of us Nal'," Sasha said coming onto the scene along with Leon, Tojo and Zira.
"Yeah," Leon piped up. "We're still your friends." Nala gave her friends a grateful smile as they nuzzled her. Zira however was focused on Scar. The tan nine month old was watching the new King intently, although he wasn't aware of it. Zira knew that Scar was the one who brought her and Kali there all those months ago and she knew he had something to do with Mufasa and Simba's deaths. She thought she saw a smile on the King's muzzle. That sealed it for her. "Tojo," Zira whispered to her twin. The sandy brown cub looked over at his sister and she motioned for him to follow her. Once they were outside the cave Zira whispered, "I know Scar had something to do with Mufasa and Simba's deaths."
"No duh Zi'," Tojo said rolling his light brown eyes. "Kali did too remember they told us that months ago."
"Oh yeah," Zira said. "I forgot. But it still sucks. I mean Mufasa may have deserved to die but Simba didn't. He never did anything wrong."
"I agree," Kali said coming onto the scene along with Jasiri. "I never wanted Simba to die. Scar doubled crossed me. I had even changed my mind about killing Mufasa but it was too late."
"That sucks," Zira said shaking her head.
"Yeah and it even more sucks that you can't even rat him out," Tojo said. "You know cause you'll be implicated too."
"Tell me about it," Kali said rolling his white eyes. "And to top it all off I'm not even King. Sheesh what a bunch of shit."
"Honey you only have to wait a year," Jasiri said nuzzling Kali. "It won't be forever."
"I suppose you're right," Kali said with a sigh. "But there's not much more we can do tonight. Come one let's go to bed." With that Kali, Jasiri, Tojo and Zira all headed off to get some sleep. Kali started to lay down on the grass but Selena saw him and said, "Kali dear you don't have to sleep out here."
"I don't?" Kali asked looking up at his grandmother.
"No of course not," Selena said with a smile. "You're a part of the Royal Family. You and Jasiri can sleep inside with us."
"Thanks," Kali said with a smile. With that Kali and Jasiri followed Selena inside the cave to get some much needed sleep.
A/n well there you go ch 17 done. Hope you all liked it and as always review please.
