Chapter 7 – Tragedies of the Pride Lands

For the next couple weeks, Mufasa began taking both Simba and I around the Pride Lands to teach us the proper way to rule a kingdom. I knew that it was more than ordering people around, but I was still slightly overwhelmed by all the information. One entire day was dedicated to Mufasa filling us in on the history of the kings that preceded him. King Mohatu was the father of Queen Uru, who was the mate of King Ahadi, who fathered Mufasa and Scar. Mufasa, being the older of the two, became the next king when Ahadi ascended to the stars. That was the short version of it. The entire day was filled with intricate stories of these king's times of rule. I found it all interesting, but after a while I began to find my mind wandering.

When he was not teaching us proper leadership qualities, Mufasa was always in a playful mood. He and Simba would roughhouse, while restraining themselves so as not to injure one another. After a few days of uncertainty, I joined in, positive that I would remain unscathed. Roughhousing with Mufasa and Simba brought back so many memories of the same occurring between my father, brother, and me. And it was moments like those that brought us closer together as a family.

Every evening, just before sunset, I would accompany one of the three hunting parties. Each hunt I participated in was always successful whether or not I played a hand in the kill. I paid close attention to each lioness's hunting style, taking note of who was the best at what. Sarabi had her strength, which was helpful in taking down prey, but it also weighted her down slightly. Zira seemed to have trouble staying sneaky, but, to my surprise, her speed proved to be completely unmatched. Yetunde and Ayana were both the stealthiest of the entire pride. More than once, I witnessed them pouncing on the prey from places I had neither seen nor heard them creep to.

I slowly noticed my hunting prowess was getting better and better. My legs became more and more used to the constant running that the hunt called for. Soon, I had no trouble keeping up with the party as they approached their prey. I no longer needed to ride on the back of one of the lionesses. Upon closer examination, I noticed my legs had started to bulk up. My speed against a lioness's full run had yet to be tested, and I was almost positive that I would pale in comparison to it.

My eyes had also become keener, and soon I was paying attention to things I had never noticed before. When observing my surroundings, I was more mindful of which areas of grass moved more or less in the breeze, where many bugs would be buzzing about, areas that had more or less rocks or twigs to shift about while stepping silently, and other such things that, if disturbed, would surely alert the prey to my presence. With the keenness of my eyes came the improvement of my knife throwing. My targets became more and more precise, each resulting in a quicker death of the animal. Every lioness was still impressed at how great I was at hunting. Even Zira seemed, if anything, surprised, more than impressed. Her attitude towards me, however, remained unchanged, as I had expected.

Each morning, my routine continued as usual. I was always up before the rest of the pride and would walk down to my stream to bathe and wash my clothes. I noticed that even though my clothes remained clean, they began to fade and become slightly tattered, some sporting small rips and holes. I knew they would last a good couple years, maybe more, if I kept up the constant care for them, but how much longer they would last was a mystery.

I kept up my hygiene as well, remaining very self conscious of my appearance. It was more so for my own desires rather than to stay decent in around the pride, who probably would not have cared one way or another. I grew up with sixteen years of constant bathing and showering, always worried if I smelled or looked good or bad. Old habits die hard I guess, and this one I would certainly not let die without some form of effort.

Ever since the first morning he had followed me, Simba started waking up with me and accompanying me to the stream. I enjoyed having him around. Being alone started appealing less and less to me. When I was alone, I found myself thinking of the negative in my life, and the more I did that, the worse I felt. If I was with anybody, I would always have my mind wandering everywhere. Having Simba around was like having a light in my life, always stopping the darkness.

Several days after becoming royalty, I woke up and performed my routine, ready for another day of "Kingship 101". By the time the sun was just about to rise, Simba and I had gone to the very top of Pride Rock, the daily meeting place for me, Simba, and Mufasa. We stopped there, waiting for Mufasa to arrive.

At daybreak, he came padding up to where we sat. He smiled at us, and we returned it enthusiastically.

"Boys, I have several issues to take care of today." He told us as the rising sun shone brightly on his face. "You both have the day to yourselves. Simba, if you are to wander the Pride Lands, I want you to be accompanied by Ayden."
Simba had no problem with this. "Sure dad!" he exclaimed.

"Have fun, you two!" Mufasa called as he turned to descend the slope. A small twinge of sadness ran through me as he turned. I looked down as Simba rushed forward and nuzzled onto Mufasa's leg. I walked up and hugged him briefly.

"Stay safe guys." He whispered.

"You too, Mufasa." I replied.

As we let go, he looked at us one last time, then rounded the corner and left. Again, a sudden feeling of uneasiness overcame me. For some reason, seeing Mufasa go seemed to be such a sad thing. I shook the feeling off.

You'll see him later today! Maybe you're just thinking about your parents again. I told myself.

I turned to Simba and grinned. "So what do you wanna do today?"

He thought for a second. Then he smiled, crouched low, and pounced at me. Being so small, he barely fazed me, but as soon as he landed, he turned on the spot and ran, calling back "Tag! You're it!"

It took a second for me to register what had just happened. As understanding settled in, I took off down the slope after the cub. The chase lasted until we reached ground level. Simba started sprinting out into the grasslands, laughing. With every ounce of speed I could muster, I sprang forward, fingers outstretched, and closed my hand around a small thin something. I landed with oomph on my stomach, stirring up a substantial amount of dust around me. I looked up, a feeling of triumph rising in me. In my clamped hand, I held tightly onto Simba's tail.

"Tag!" I cried as I released Simba, who had fallen down when I grabbed him. Shaking his head out of the dust, he looked up, grinning mischievously. Before he could gain the upper hand, I was already on my feet and running back to Pride Rock.

The game went continued for some time until we both exhausted ourselves. Laughing to ourselves, Simba and I went to the west end of Pride Rock and lay down in the warming sun. It was such a relaxing feeling to be laying there, the sun shining down on me, heating my skin. I found myself lazily closing my eyes, ready for a nice nap.

"Now don't tell me that you are too tired for your uncle." Came a quiet, smooth voice.

My eyes popped open, and all feeling of relaxation drained from me as I saw Scar standing in front of me and Simba, that same unsettling grin on his face.

Simba looked up and smiled at his uncle. "Hi, Uncle Scar!" he said happily. "What'cha doin' here?"

Scar stared at Simba, not even glancing in my direction. My gaze, on the other hand, never left Scar's face. I remembered seeing his eye, blinking through the darkness in the dream I had those few weeks ago. This did not help my perception of him.

"Your father sent me to get you, Simba. He says he has a surprise for you at the gorge." He said, smiling with pleasure at his nephew.

"Does he now?" came another voice from behind Scar. Sarabi stood there, with a look of uncertainty. Standing nearby was Sarafina, the same look etched into her kind face.

Scar turned to her, still smiling in his way. "As a matter of fact, he does. He has only just discovered something there, and wished to share it with Simba." His smooth voice remained unwaivered, but I was uneasy Simba going off alone with Scar.

Sarabi stared at Scar for a moment, clearly searching his face for any sign of deceit. When she could not find any, she smiled and said, "Alright, Taka. When you see Mufasa, tell him I would like to have the two of them home before sunset."

Scar inclined his head to her, and turned to Simba. I stared at Sarabi for a moment. Why had she called Scar "Taka"? And did she really trust him enough to let him take Simba with him?

Simba looked at me and said, "Do you wanna go with us, Ayden?"

I quickly stood up and opened my mouth to say 'yes', but Scar cut me off before I could utter one syllable.

"I'm sorry, but Mufasa insisted that he only show you, Simba. He wanted Ayden to stay behind with Sarabi."

I narrowed my eyes at him. Something was afoot. Scar clearly did not want me to go with them. But unfortunately, he had won over Sarabi, and there was no point in arguing. I looked at Simba.

"Sorry bud, but you heard your uncle." I told him reluctantly, not daring to glance in Scar's direction. "But we can hang out when you guys get back."

Simba ran up to me and nuzzled against my leg. As he did, I was overwhelmed with the same feeling I had when Mufasa had left us earlier that day. I suddenly did not want him to leave my sight. It took every fiber in my body and mind to stop myself from following them when they disappeared over the slope. I watched their silhouettes slowly shrink off into the distance as they headed to the gorge that lay several miles to the east.

I turned to Sarabi, and asked her, "Why did you let Simba go with him?"

Sarabi looked surprised. "Why wouldn't I? He's family!"

I looked back at where their silhouettes once were. "I don't trust him."

Sarabi looked over at Sarafina, then back to me. There was a smile on her face, and it horrified me that she did not feel the way I did.

"You did not know him as we did." Sarafina said.

I glanced back at Sarabi. Still incredulous to the smile across her lips, I asked, "You called him 'Taka'. Why?"

Sarabi sighed. "It is a long story."

"I have nowhere to go." I replied seriously, and I sat down. Maybe I could obtain some understanding of Scar if I heard the story of his past.

Sarabi settled down herself, and Sarafina followed suit. Then Sarabi began the story.

"You know well, that Scar and Mufasa are twin brothers. You also know that Mufasa, being firstborn, instantly became the heir to the kingdom upon his birth. Scar was always resentful of this decision. Their father, Ahadi, always played favorites with them, always focusing on Mufasa, and leaving no time for Scar. But Scar's true name is not Scar. When he was born, he was christened Taka. Taka was one of the nicest lions I had ever met. He was such a true friend, a great hunter, and was always the happiest of our group."

Sarafina chimed in, "When we grew up, we were all the best of friends; me, Sarabi, Mufasa, Taka, and…"she paused for a moment. "…Kito."

I looked up from my knees at her. "Who?" I asked.

Sarabi answered me, for Sarafina had turned her head away. "Kito was Sarafina's mate, and the father of Nala. He was also Taka's best friend."

I furrowed my brow. "Where is Kito?" I asked, looking around, almost expecting another lion to appear.

Sarabi lowered her head. "He has moved on. Many, many months before you came to us, when both Sarafina and I were pregnant with Simba and Nala, there was an incident. Mufasa had only recently ascended to the throne. Three rogue lions came into the Pride Lands, trying to take the throne for themselves. Mufasa, Taka, and Kito all went out to confront them. The following battle that ensued resulted in the mutilation of Taka. He was severely injured in many places, including his left eye. That is how he got his scar. When one of the rogues attempted to finish Taka while he was down, Kito took the blow for him, saving Taka's life. After Taka and Mufasa finished off the rogues, they went to Kito, but…" her voice shuddered a little bit. "…it was too late for him. The damage had been done."

Sarafina shuddered for a moment, her face still turned from me.

Sarabi continued, her voice shaking slightly.

"In Kito's dying words, he did two things. One, he told Taka of his cub that was to be born, and asked him to give Sarafina two names for the cub, one male, and one female. The second thing he did was give Taka a new nickname. That is when Taka became Scar."

I had never before heard this story, not from anybody, not even from Mufasa during all of Simba's and my lessons. I looked up at both of the lionesses. Sarabi's eyes shone with sadness, but Sarafina was an even more heartbreaking sight. Tears streamed silently down her face, and she made no effort to stem the flow. Sarabi went and sat next to her, nuzzling her.

Feeling even worse than I had before, I stood up and took a step towards the downward slope.

"I'm so sorry. I really am. I know what it feels like to lose somebody close to you."

Sarafina looked at me. She nodded, still letting the tears flow endlessly. Sarabi smiled at me, silently letting me know that she would be alright.

"To make a long story short, Taka has never been the same again. He took the tragedy very hard, and ever since, he's let his anger consume him. Scar may be uneasy to be around are times, but I know that deep down, Taka is still lying inside, guiding him through his journey. Many times I have seen Taka shine through the darkness that shrouds Scar."

A short time later, I found myself wandering the grasslands, thinking about what I had just heard. So Scar was really Taka, a kind and caring lion whose past was shrouded by tragedy and anger. It still didn't explain his resentful manner towards me. Or why I felt so uneasy near him. I went through tragedy and hardship, but I didn't shun everybody I knew because of it.

He has his own way to deal with it. My common sense was kicking in. Not everybody will handle these situations as well as you did.

But Scar was dealing with more than just the tragedy of the death of a close friend. He was also shunned his whole childhood by his own father, simply because he was not to be king. And during one of Mufasa's lessons, he had mentioned that Scar greatly desired to be the king. Mufasa had promised him that he would be the next one, but that was before Simba was born.

The pieces began to fit together in my head, and I soon realized that Scar was slowly, but surely, heading down a path that it would soon be impossible to turn back on. His combination of pain, suffering, tragedy, and strong desire would surely end tragically.

And again, I found myself overwhelmed with worry over Simba and Mufasa. Without even thinking, I started heading east to the gorge where Scar had mentioned. I didn't care if Mufasa did not want me present at Simba's surprise. All I knew was that I could not stand another minute knowing that they both were with Scar.

A fear of the unknown began to build inside of me as I sped up more and more. Before long, I was sprinting to the east, passing the waterhole, trees rushing past me. Off in the distance, I saw the gorge. Something strange was happening to the air above it. As some large object moved along the bottom of it, dust was rising, creating a semitransparent cloud that hovered over the opening of the gorge.

I picked up my speed to the fastest my legs could carry me. By now, the dust began rising a mile down the gorge. The area I was headed to was surely deserted by now. The sky was a red-orange color as the sun began its decent to the horizon. It was the color that was often associated with a death, and my fear only increased.

I reached the edge of the gorge, and glanced back and forth to see if there was a way to get down. I spotted a large pile of rocks that were like a stairway down. As carefully and as fast as possible, I climbed down them. When I reached the bottom, I glanced left and right over and over to see if I could spot a lion anywhere. Instinct told e to go left, so I obliged. I sprinted down about a quarter of a mile, keeping my eyes peeled for anybody. My breathing became heavy as my fear reached a boiling point. As I ran, an object loomed in the distance. As I got closer, it looked like a dead tree that had cracked halfway up and fallen, creating an upside-down "V" shape. Underneath this was a large mound. I slowed down, wanting to get a good look at the object.

A gasp escaped my mouth.I skidded to a stop right in front of the immobile mound. My knees buckled and I fell to them as I witnessed the sight before me.

The great and wise King Mufasa lay sprawled on his side, his eyes shut. He was dead.

An image of a flaming Jeep sprang to my mind, and tears filled my eyes. I lay myself across his unmoving side and wept into his mane. For the second time in my life, my father had died. I was experiencing the same tragedy again.

After what seemed to be an eternity, I looked up. A thought suddenly came to me, and my fear returned. Where was Simba?

I jumped up and, with no desire to leave the dead king's side, sprinted off again. I looked back longingly at Mufasa's body, telling myself that there would be time to mourn, but right now there was a more pressing issue; the safety of my brother. As fast as my legs would carry me, I followed the gorge.

Only a minute later, it ended abruptly. Another set of rocks that resembled large stairs lay before me. I glanced downward, and something set in the dirt caught my eye. There were several sets of footprints. One set was small, with padded paws, and I instantly recognized them as Simba's. Three others with even smaller paws went in the same direction. Instantly, I remembered how thin the paws of the hyenas were, and I gritted my teeth as tears sprang to my eyes again and anger boiled in my heart.

The hyenas had done this. They killed Mufasa, and had chased after Simba with the same intentions. The thought of my brother in trouble snapped me back to reality, and I rushed up the rocks with ease. All I focused on was getting to Simba, finding him and holding him, never letting go.

I followed the footprints around the top of the gorge. The landscape had changed now. I was far out of the Pride Lands. There was nothing but rocky barren wasteland around here. Off in the west, where the sun slowly set against a blood red sky, was a long and dune filled desert.

I almost didn't see the cliff as I ran so fast following the paw prints. I caught myself in time before I fell, but I had to regain my balance quickly.

I may have stopped myself from falling, but the sight I saw made my heart plummet into the lowest depths of my body.

The cliff sloped down at a dangerous angle, and then dropped off in to a large patch of thorns. The paw prints ended here. Four went to this area, and only three hyena paw prints showed signs of heading back.

I stared down the cliff, hoping, praying that it was not as steep as it looked. But there could not be any way that I could see that anybody could survive a fall like that.

My eyes stung with wetness as my legs began to shake. All the anger I felt at these horrid monsters built and built. I felt like I was going to explode with the anger. My heart literally hurt from the pain that hung so heavily inside it. Finally, unable to take it anymore, I hit my knees and screamed in complete anguish, tears spilling onto the ground before me.

For the second time in my life, I had lost my father and my little brother.

THIS one took me a while to come up with...I needed a way to get Ayden to know that Scar would not tell the truth of their deaths (that will happen in the NEXT couple chapters! keep reading! i'm getting really good feedback here!) but at the same time he can't know exactly what happened until the right time! lol, it will be a couple days before the next chapter, so keep hanging on! Ayden's story is FAR from over!

lol, and i know that this story is not done yet, but i've already got a sequel to this fanfic in mind! so keep your eyes open!