Today had been a rarity for Malka; he was actually having fun and was entertained by his younger siblings. Othello and Jezebel, when Iago wasn't around, were some of the most fun-loving cubs, and just generally were allowed to act more like the cubs that they were. As he thought that, Malka also realized just how generally better the world was when Iago was around to bring down the mood. He felt as though everyone got along better and everyone was just generally in a more pleasant mood because he wasn't there to make the situation more tense. As Malka thought this, however, he also realized that it was perhaps his own dislike of his brother that colored his perception of how others felt about him. That said, it was certainly noticeable that Chumvi and especially Mtoto seemed to just in general be more willing to be themselves in Iago's absence; it seemed as though they were more relaxed and especially more accepting and receptive of Lana's flirtations and affectionate actions. In fact, Mtoto had seemed to become quite the social butterfly, and that was a change the sub-yearling chaperone couldn't just ignore.
"Malka, we're going to race to the top of this tree. Wanna join us?" Lana asked, and the looks on Mtoto, Chumvi and Sefu's faces said it all. Malka looked up to see Othello and Jezebel were already there, and realized that they had probably had a race all their own. "Sure. Why not?" Malka shrugged, knowing full well that he would beat these cubs in a race. However, he could not take his eyes off of the lionhead mark on Chumvi's shoulder, especially since it glowed each time Chumvi was playing and wrestling with the other male cubs. He wondered if that was the reason he kept winning at the games. However, he didn't have long to ponder that, as the cubs were getting a head start on him.
The yearling caught up with them in short order, his strides often counting for 3 of theirs each. But once they made it to the tree, it became clear that they counted Malka as another branch because they used him as traction to get ahead of one another. Malka laughed, even as felt the pricks in his back and legs as Chumvi, Mtoto and Lana wrestled for the advantage and the lead. Sefu had been a little smarter, bypassing the wrestling cubs and the yearling being used as a mat to get the lead and make it to the top without much of a hassle. It didn't matter to Malka who won. What mattered was that they had fun, for as long as it lasted.
Because, when Malka caught Iago and Mercutio's scents, he knew the fun was over. He regretted not going further into the Pridelands, as the area around the caves near the border lands would be the first place his spoiled brother and his lackey would look. After all, it was probably the only place in the Pridelands Iago actually remembered. He was about to quietly and naturally move the group to a different playground, until Chumvi said something. "Wow, a leopard and a lion cub travelling together. And they don't seem annoyed by each other, either." Mtoto, Lana, Jezebel and Khari all looked up when he pointed. While Khari and Lana simply rolled their eyes and Mtoto seemed to simply deflate at the sight, Jezebel appeared to steel herself in preparation. Malka knew exactly why, but what he couldn't understand was how she was able to do it, especially considering how much worse she was treated by the prodigal son. "Oh, that's fantastic." Malka said, his mood taking a nosedive. He considered simply cutting his losses and moving away from the approaching felines, but then he also remembered how well that worked out last time and that they would simply follow them. And then Malka would get into even more trouble with his mother.
"What do you want, Iago?" Malka snapped, without even looking at his scrawny half-brother. "First of all, I'll tell you when you can speak, so shut the hell up." Malka might have considered taking exception to that, but Mercutio's low growl sent the message loud and clear: Choose your battles, kid. Iago, satisfied at seeing Malka back down, turned his attention to the female cubs present that weren't related to him. "And second, I've got something to say to the princesses. And it doesn't involve any of you punk-bitches, so begone!" He said, turning his venomous tone onto the younger male cubs. Both Sefu and Mtoto's expressions hardened at the rude cub's words, but it was Chumvi who stepped forward. "I don't much like your attitude." He said, his voice implying all sorts of danger, which only infuriated Iago. "And who told you to speak? Why don't you sit your dumb bitch-ass down somewhere, drop the base from your voice and respect your elders." As he said this, Mercutio directed his glare at the mocha-colored cub, and maybe Chumvi would have shrunk back at the sight of this fully-grown feline like Mtoto and Sefu did. That is, if not for one detail.
"See this?" Chumvi showed the lionhead mark on his shoulder. Iago and Mercutio looked at each other, and chuckled. "You got a shit-stain on your fur. Surprised it don't blend in." Iago jested, while Mercutio simply sneered at how proud Chumvi was at the mark on his shoulder. "Yeah, and this stain means that I'm the Leader of the Lion Guard. Specifically, that makes me the Fiercest Lion in the Pridelands. Where you're currently standing." Iago scoffed. "Hah! So the hell what? That don't mean shit; I'll beat you down in your den in front of your mom, and then make her give me a back rub. I don't care who or where you think you are. So before you open your mouth to me again…" On Iago's cue, Mercutio pinned Chumvi down with his paw. "Better know who you talking shit to." But to Mercutio and Iago's surprise, Chumvi didn't back down. In fact, he did exactly what he was warned NOT to do, and that was to open his mouth.
And when he did, he unleashed the Roar of the Elders, rocketing Mercutio up and away. Upon seeing the Spirits roaring in unison, Iago became very afraid. Meanwhile, the other cubs and Malka stood in awe of seeing what the Roar of the Elders could do. Lana and Khari even went so far as to break out into cheers at the awesome power they had just witnessed, from a cub their age, no less.
As soon as the Roar was finished, and Mercutio was nowhere to be found, Chumvi got back up and closed the distance between himself and Iago. It took all his composure to not laugh at Iago's sudden change in behavior; he now realized that he was one scrawny, weedy cub against the Fiercest of the Lion Guard, the prince of the Goldlands and another male cub who the former two clearly respected as their equal, as well as his much bigger teenaged brother Malka. If the female cubs present joined in, that would amount to a 6-on-1 situation. And he knew full well how much use Othello and Jezebel would be in this situation; that is, absolutely none.
It didn't take Iago very long to make his decision.