Here it is…The newest chapter to my first TLK story! I'm sorry it took a little while before I could update but it's only because I wanted to finish this other TLK fic I was reading. You should check it out, it's in one of my favorites so just go to my profile and click it. Plus school really gets in my way. And finally my sister dislikes me writing fanfictions so I can only type at night, when she's asleep. (It's not a secret, she knows I do this) I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed my last chapter and my previous chapters as well. And of course I can't forget my readers, I love you all. Anyway, back to the story, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter because this is where we dig into the Scar we know from the movie. Don't forget to review. Remember, more reviews equals faster updates.
-X-
"So it was Zira all along…She manipulated Taka just as she did to us" growled Kovu.
"Kovu, calm down, remember we promised each other to leave that behind us" said Vitani but they could tell she was angered as well.
"Yeah, you're right as usual 'Tani" sighed Kovu.
"I've got a question. You mention so much about Sarabi and Sarafina, but I've never met them. If I'm correct, according to the stories I've heard, they were still alive during Scar's reign. So what happened to them?" asked Kiara looking back and forth between her parents and Rafiki.
"Well, we can tell you about the late queen later" said Nala noticing her mate's sad expression.
"But we don't particularly know of what happened to Sarafina" said Simba quietly.
There was a long moment of silence before Zazu cleared his throat to catch their attention. The others all turned to him.
"Well, I happen to know what happened to lady Sarafina…I've just never mentioned it before because it's a very…gruesome memory" shuddered the majordomo.
"That's understandable but I'd appreciate hearing about what happened to my mother" said Nala.
"As am I" agreed Rafiki.
"Yes, well, I'll tell you what happened after Taka's story is finished. It's best we go in chronological order and Taka's story comes before Sarafina's…disappearance" said Zazu nervously as he ruffled his feathers.
"Something awful must've happened to her" whispered Nala fearfully noticing Zazu's tone.
"Don't worry, it's going to be okay" soothed Simba.
"Wait, I still can't wrap my head around something" said Timon.
"And what's that?" asked Pumbaa.
"That whole prophecy thing! I just don't get it!"
"Isn't it obvious? My great grandfather, Mohatu, started the kingdom of the Pridelands with his own two paws. His son-in-law, and my grandfather, Ahadi was the second king, he failed in protecting his little sister but he got over it and ruled the Pridelands" explained Simba.
"Right, and they say that Simba's dad, Mufasa, was the greatest of the kings. As for the fourth king, that would be Simba, faced with numerous trials and confusion but takes back what is rightfully his, that would be the Pride Lands" continued Nala.
"Okay, but wasn't Scar a king? Even for a short time, he still ruled the Pridelands, why isn't he mentioned?" asked Vitani.
"The leonine prophecy only speaks of the greatest of the kings. Scar ruled unjustly, thus leaving him a not so great king" said Rafiki.
"I guess that answers my question of whether or not Scar was up there" said Kovu quietly as he looked up at the first few stars that were coming out.
No one else said anything else knowing that since the next part of the prophecy was missing, they didn't know what kind of king Kovu would be. It worried Kovu the most; it made him think that maybe he wouldn't be like the past kings.
Rafiki sighed knowing that there was a rather depressing silence that had fallen upon them. Even Timon and Pumbaa were quiet, unable to make light of this situation. Rafiki took a deep breath before continuing the story.
-X-
"There you are!" exclaimed Uru as she rushed towards her younger son.
Zazu, the new majordomo since Zuzu passed away a few months ago, was perched upon her shoulder. He never particularly liked Taka, mostly because of his constant pranks and tom foolery from when he was a cub.
"What is it? Did father's condition improve?" asked Taka, showing genuine concern for the first time in a whole year.
He had just gotten out of adolescence along with Mufasa. He had a full mane and grew up to be very mature. However, he was also more distant and cold-hearted. This had made many of the animals and even lionesses in the pride to avoid him.
"Quite the opposite actually" said Zazu sadly.
"It's gotten worse. He wants to see you in the den" said Uru urgently.
"Is Hondari gone?" asked Taka.
As time passed, Taka's and Hondari's relationship has gotten beyond worse. They seemed to hate each other more and more with each passing day.
"He left earlier after he finished his check up on your father" said Uru losing patience. "Now come on Taka"
"Don't call me that!" said Taka angrily but still complied and followed his mother to the den.
Uru sighed knowing that her son only became more distant as time went on. It got even worse when Sarafina had introduced them to her new mate, Akida.
"Father, are you okay?" asked Taka once he came into the den.
For a while now king Ahadi has been deathly sick. He's barely eaten, gotten up, or even slept soundly. He always woke up from his long sleeps sweaty and wheezing.
"I'm fine…" said Ahadi weakly not even looking up.
Taka sat down next down next to his brother who looked like he had been crying.
"What did Hondari say?" asked Taka.
Ahadi remained silent as if wondering if he should tell his younger son or not. His silence scared Taka though. "Dad, come on tell me! Just because I don't talk to Hondari doesn't mean I don't want to know what he says!"
"He said that he'd be joining the Great Kings of the Past soon" whispered Mufasa but loud enough for everyone in the cave to hear.
"What!? No, he must be mistaken!" said Taka.
"I'm afraid he may be right…Listen closely, it seems that my time here has already begun to set. I know that it's sooner than the two of you expected but Mufasa…You have to rule the Pridelands now" wheezed Ahadi.
"What! But dad, I'm not ready; we've only just gotten out of adolescence! And I'm still pretty sure I'm missing a few furs on my mane. So that means it's not even full yet!" said Mufasa trying to think of any random excuse.
"And what if Hondari's wrong? Maybe you can make it!" added Taka.
"Sweetie, I understand why you're upset. I am too but Hondari's never been wrong before" soothed Uru.
Even though what Uru had said was in a sweet tone, it stung Taka. He immediately turned on her with an expression that was a mix of anger and sadness. "You mean like how he was right about me being like Imani?"
Uru was taken aback by this but she quickly recovered. "No, of course not. I didn't mean it like that!"
"I know what you meant! You've always believed that I was like him! I bet the two of you just wish that you only had Mufasa, that way you can have an heir to the throne and no mistake!" shouted Taka angrily.
"What are you talking about, you were no mistake" said Ahadi.
"Don't lie to me! Even as a cub I heard all the other lionesses and animals saying how I was just an accident! That it was supposed to be just Mufasa!"
"Now prince Taka, these are your parents you're talking to! You should be ashamed!" scolded Zazu.
"Shut up! I don't need a rat with feathers telling me what I can or cannot do!"
"Taka!" said Mufasa completely shocked by his brother's behavior.
"And don't call me that!"
Everything seemed to slow down; everyone in the room was talking all at once. To Taka, it sounded like they were trying to reach out to him. But all their voices just seemed to blend together to create the voices of his past. The ones telling him what a mistake he was, how un-kingly he was, and how he was just an accident, a monster, an Imani.
"SHUT UP!" roared Taka as loudly as he could, silencing everyone and staring at him in shock. He looked at all them once more before running out of the den.
An Hour Later…
Mufasa left the den and saw Taka seated at the edge of Pride Rock. Of course as usual there had to be someone watching them, which is why Zazu had himself perched near the entrance of the den. (In other words, Rafiki isn't there so Zazu is telling this part of the story)
"You okay?" asked Mufasa coming down to sit down next to his brother.
"No…I yelled at you guys for no reason. You were only trying to reach out to me and I pushed you away…I'm sorry" sighed Taka.
"It's fine…"
"What did dad say once I was gone? Did he talk about what a disappointment I am?"
"No…But I talked to him about the co-king idea…"
"And?"
"We can't do it…We're not allowed to. According to our grandfather's law, only one king can rule these lands"
"What! But that's not fair! I have to go talk to dad!"
"You can't" said Mufasa stopping Taka before he had gone back inside.
"What do you mean I can't? We made that promise so that we could keep it! Not so you can rule on your own! Or was that your plan all along?" accused Taka.
"No! You can't because he's gone!" shouted Mufasa angrily turning on his own brother. "And who are you to accuse me of anything? I've always been on your side!"
"Yeah, well lately it hasn't seemed that way…And what do you mean he's gone? I've been sitting here the whole time, I would've known if he had left the den"
"I mean he's gone, gone! As in up there with our grandpa Mohatu!"
Taka remained silent, he listened as a cool breeze moved past them. He turned away from Mufasa. "You should probably go back inside…I can hear mom crying"
"Don't you think she'd want you there?" asked Mufasa softly.
"…You're…better at cheering up people than I am"
Mufasa nodded and walked back into the den. He stopped next to Taka. "I'm sorry"
Once Mufasa was inside, Taka turned to look at the Tree of Life in the distance. "The whole reason for my life being a living hell was because of an accusation by a worthless shaman. They say he's never been wrong, well then how could he not tell that there were two cubs? Not just Mufasa! Oh that's right, so he could make me look like an accident!" growled Taka as he ran across the savanna towards the tree. It was also the place where life on the Pridelands would change drastically.
At the Tree of Life…
"I know you had said that I am no longer your pupil but I feel like there is still so much I haven't learned from you" said Rafiki.
"There is nothing else I can teach you. Just like Mufasa has completed his training to become the new king, you have completed yours as the new shaman. I'm getting much too old for this and I know my life will be ending soon" said Hondari as he looked over his paintings of the different animals of the Pride Lands, but more specifically the kings, queens, and the princes.
"Okay, but can we at least review one last thing?"
"Sure"
"It's about the Circle of Life. I understand that to be the reason why the herds respect the lions as the rulers of these lands but I still don't see why they believe in them so much. Even when the lion dies, won't it only replenish maybe a small area of grass?"
Hondari chuckled, clearly amused at his former pupil's observation. "Well, yes and no, the animals that the lions eat give them energy. That energy is stored within them so when they die, the excess energy and the lion's energy fertilize the soil. And although the Circle of Life is what lets the animals respect the lions as their rulers, that's only part of it. The lions look after them. They make sure they're kept safe from trespassers and poachers"
"You mean like that time you first met me?" asked Rafiki after taking in the information.
"Yes, exactly like that. When I had found you, you were being hunted by a rogue lion. But I protected you because you were my friend. When I had chased him away, I had asked you if you hated that lion, and do you remember what your answer to me was?"
"Yes…I had said that because you were my friend, that made me a friend to all lions. So I did not hate him"
"Exactly, and that's how I knew you were the shaman of friendship. And I want to tell you something that might help you find the shaman of love. The shaman of love understands pain, he knows how to share love to those that don't. He loves everyone despites their flaws and it is impossible for him to hate anyone, even his predators"
"I see…"
Silence was quickly broken as thunder could be heard outside. A strong wind blew and there were flashes of lightning. The wind blew out the candle that lit up the tree. Another lightning bolt flashed and a shadow of a lion appeared on the wall. They both turned to see a dark lion with a face contorted in anger.
"Taka?" whispered Rafiki surprised. His former teacher however appeared unfazed by the prince's surprise visit.
"And what brings you here young prince?" asked Hondari calmly.
"What brings me here is vengeance!" growled Taka.
"And what did I ever do to you?" asked Hondari.
"You made my life a living hell…So I'm going to repay you by sending you to hell!" roared Taka.
Rafiki somehow expected this to be coming and yet he was still surprised. He turned his attention to his former master who retained his placid expression.
"You should know better than challenging me, Taka" said Hondari low and fierce.
"Don't call me that! Don't act as if you know me. You may have been one of the strongest warriors of your time but I'm younger than you, stronger, faster, and much smarter!" shouted Taka.
"Fine, if it's a fight you want it's a fight you'll get" crouched Hondari.
"No, Hondari, you can't win. Not at this age!" pleaded Rafiki.
"No Rafiki…You have to let me do this. Trust me; you should get out of here. And remember, both you and Mufasa are ready to take on your new roles. Just don't forget anything I've ever taught you" said Hondari calmly.
Rafiki was still unsure but he made up his mind and ran out holding on to the shaman staff passed down to him from Hondari. Once he was out, he heard the roars from both lions and knew that by the time he came back with help, it would already be too late. Rafiki let a few tears slip out as he continued his run to Pride Rock.
…
Mufasa, Rafiki, and Sarafina all rushed into the tree to find blood splattered everywhere. Hondari laid on the floor completely motionless. Taka stood over him breathing heavily and a scar over his left eye. Sarafina gasped in horror as she immediately ran over to her father's still body.
"Taka…You…" Mufasa whispered unable to finish.
"Don't call me that…From now on, I want you to call me Scar! All of you!" shouted Taka but stopped when he saw Sarafina's crying face.
"H-How could you?" sobbed Sarafina. "I can't believe you did this. It's like I don't even know who you are anymore Taka"
"…Maybe because you don't…I'm not Taka anymore, he died along with your father. I'm Scar now" said Taka/Scar.
"Ta-Scar…Why did you do it?" asked Rafiki as he made his way next to Sarafina.
"Because he made me into this…"
"Scar…I…I've never been more ashamed of you!" said Mufasa.
"Well it doesn't matter! Dad's gone now, so what's it going to be brother? You're the new king, so punish me already. I can already guess that you're going to exile me aren't you?"
Mufasa turned to him. Taka/Scar expected a face contorted in anger but what he saw confused him. Mufasa's expression was a mixture of anger, sadness, and confusion.
"No, I can't do that even though you killed him…You're my brother and I was unable to keep that promise of us ruling together…So the least I can do is let you stay in the pride" said Mufasa at a low volume but still loud enough for them to hear.
"King Mufasa, it is by your father's law that he gets some form of punishment" reminded Rafiki.
"Yes I know…That's why I have to let you suffer a life of banishment without actually banishing you. You will stay under den arrest meaning you must stay inside your own private cave. You will be cut off from most pride interaction. You will be given little to eat and drink. This punishment will go on until the new heir to the Pride Lands is born" ordered Mufasa.
"If you think this is better than exile then you couldn't be more wrong" growled Taka/Scar but even in his scarred eye, you can see he regretted what he had done.
"I know…I'm sorry but that is all I can do" whispered Mufasa as he threw Hondari's body over his back. "Let's go"
Mufasa turned around and led them back to Pride Rock. Outside the Tree of Life, the rest of the pride waited for them. They followed their new king in silence with a few hateful glares towards Scar. Scar glared back but his expression softened when he noticed Sarafina's eyes did not show anger. There was only sadness, but not just for her father. For Taka too, the lion he once was.
-X-
It's so sad isn't it? I'm not sure if I did as good job as I did in the last chapter. Oh well, I hope you guys liked this chapter. And please review, I worked hard on this, and it took a long time so I'd appreciate some feedback. I'll also try to answer any questions you may have on this story.