Well, it seems this story has thus far been well-received.
Before you read this, go ahead and listen to George Sanders's voice a little bit, because it's his voice that gives life to tonight's villain!
ThatPersonYouMightKnow: Simba is not good with bullies. He handled Vitani pretty well, but she only had one supporter. And yeah, you'd think he'd want company, but he has a good reason…
Emerald dreamer96: She seemed slightly out of character? I don't know. She could have been more forceful, certainly, but I think she was too much in a state of shock at the time to think clearly.
Kora22: They are indeed brats. First Mheetu, then Vitani and Nuka, and now these guys. And yes, those other cubs are definitely fools.
WordFighter: It does seem rash, doesn't it? You'll see why…
Greg M 94: I'm glad I made you feel bad for her. That's the sign of effective writing. As for the antagonist, we'll meet him right now!
Chapter Three: King Khara
The afternoon sun had peaked in the desert, scorching the rocks and sand until they were sizzling red-hot. Simba plodded along, his eyes half-closed, and his tongue lolling out like a hyena as he panted heavily. He decided to stop and rest for a few minutes, even though he was completely exposed to the hot sunlight. His mind was truly scrambled at this point…
Why didn't I take her with me? he asked himself. You know why, Simba. She didn't do anything wrong, and you're leaving because you scratched another cub on the face. Plus, she still has the responsibility to watch Mheetu. If I took her with me, who knows what that cub would do.
Simba then straightened his legs and continued on. He could see a mass of palm trees in the distance.
Wow! Maybe that's the jungle, Simba reasoned. I've always wanted to explore there. Now might be my chance!
With a spring in his step and a lighter mood in his heart, Simba started towards the distant jungle…
Nala woke up from her sleep, rubbing her eyes with her paws as she did so. The first thing she saw when she opened her eyes fully was the vast empty desert, a desert she now knew contained Simba somewhere in its unimaginable vastness.
Why didn't I go with him? she asked herself. I guess I just didn't know what to do. That's not like him to run away like that. Those cubs must have really traumatized him. Boy, I'd really like to thrash every last one of them.
She then stood up. She knew what she had to do.
I'll follow him, she decided. I should have followed him when he tried to run away. Forget Mheetu! He's probably chasing mice right now, anyway.
She began running into the desert, intent on finding her friend.
"I'm coming Simba!"
Deep in the jungle, a dark-brown antelope with grey horns was lapping up the fresh cold water from the stream that coursed through the whole jungle. Suddenly, the antelope heard a sound and raised its head in alarm. Its ears twitched in every direction, and its eyes were wide with worry. All around the antelope were snapping branches, crackling grasses, and low, threatening growls. The hoofed animal stood frozen, unsure of which direction its attackers were coming from. Finally the antelope could stand it no more. It turned and ran towards the thick tangle of brush, only to come face-to-face with a snarling lioness as she leapt out of the bush, straight at the hapless herbivore.
The frightened ungulate turned the other way, only to come upon another two lionesses who mimicked the action of the first, and soon the antelope was trapped in a circle, the entire clearing guarded by a circle of tough-looking lionesses. Every last one of them smiled sadistically and leapt for the kill.
As they tore into the antelope's flesh, a suave voice intoned, "Well done, ladies. You were quite successful at bringing this inferior creature down. Now step aside so that your king may eat."
Out from the shadowy jungle vines stepped a muscular lion with vibrant scarlet fur, an enormous chin, a white belly, and a dark maroon mane. He confidently sat down and began tearing into the antelope carcass.
"I tell you," he mumbled as he ate, "there is no group of animals on this earth better than us. Look at me, for example. I'm strong, handsome, cunning, and ruthless. That is, of course, everything a king of my like needs to be. And look at all of you! Beautiful, intelligent huntresses! If we wanted, we could take the whole of Africa by force!"
"Yes, King Khara," the lionesses chanted. "We will take all of Africa for you."
"That's what I like to hear. Hehehehehehahahahaha!"