Mercutio limped into the Kuatan Jungle, which appeared darker than usual due to the dry season and the fact that it was late afternoon. How can a mere cub, of any kind, roar like that?! He wondered, as he found climbing a tree to be rather difficult at the moment. His right leg hurt like all hell every time he moved it, and his back creaked and ached every time he ascended from branch to branch. And the pain only made him angrier and angrier as it jolted through his system with each step and each motion. He was thankful that he had reached his destination and that his prey was still where he left and not stolen again like last time. Damn lions, was all he could think about as he tucked away into the antelope he had been saving.
As he was eating, he noticed that the King of the Kuatan Jungle had made his way to the lake to quench his thirst. As Mercutio watched Icarus, he noticed that the well-spoken lion, despite his preference for talking and using oratory to get his way, was an intimidating sight nonetheless. He wasn't as muscular as his partner had been, but he was exactly as tall as Saul had been and his well-trained muscles were those of a fighter. Only other male lions stood a chance against him, and Mercutio was no lion no matter how fierce, brave, strong and fast he thought he was. Patience and wisdom would be of essence here, and if there was one thing Mercutio thought those two things were good for, it was getting what he wanted.
Then why the hell am I siding with someone like Iago? The leopard found himself thinking as he saw Lana approaching her father. She was her usual happy, bubbly and downright annoying self, as though she didn't just have a run-in with him this morning and had to be saved from him and Iago by another cub with way too much power. But, the leopard dare not make a move, for to do so would be to have to contend with Icarus. Normally, the lion preferred to use his words as opposed to his claws and teeth, but attacking his pride and especially his daughter would probably be the way to bring out his violent streak. And as he was now, Mercutio couldn't risk getting even more injuries.
For now, he would listen in on what Lana had to say to her father, especially since it concerned him and his boss. "Daddy?" She said in that sickly sweet way that just got under Mercutio's skin (so he knew it pissed Iago and Cobarte off to no end), getting Icarus's attention. The dark lion and cub shared much besides their annoying attitudes and arrogant belief in their own intellects and skills. "Lana? How's your day been?" The father asked the daughter as she took a drink from the lake. "Oh my day was fun. Chumvi showed me something awesome. He called it the 'Roar of the Elders." She said, and though Icarus wouldn't know it, he held the same expression on his face that the spying leopard did at the mention of Chumvi's roar. One of shock.
"There's… there's only one way he would have that Roar. He must be the Leader of the Lion Guard." Icarus said, hollowly and as though that team brought back some memories. Lana had missed that cue, and continued. "Yeah, he said he was the Fiercest Lion in the Pridelands, and as a result that meant he has a magical roar that allows him to summon the Spirits to do his bidding." Lana explained, clearly proud of herself for remembering all of that. Her enthusiasm and that scratchy voice of hers just made Mercutio want to vomit, but he knew he couldn't lose his focus as Icarus responded.
"That sounds about right. Your uncle and I have some experience with those five lions. I'm guessing Chumvi's team is also made up of the Bravest, Strongest, Fastest and Keenest of Sight, am I correct?" Icarus asked, to Lana's surprise. "You and Uncle Saul knew the last Lion Guard?" She asked, and Icarus chuckled. "But of course. Well, when my father was still alive we attempted to kill the ruling King of the Pridelands of that time to avenge my uncle's death. Taka and his Guard stopped us, but if there's a new Lion Guard then that must mean he's either dead or otherwise unable to perform his duties. Maybe that's for the best, though, because at least I know you won't have to contend with the consequences of my actions." He explained.
Lana then looked down, something clearly bothering her. "Is that why Malka, Othello and Jezebel's brother hates me so much?" She asked, and Icarus didn't follow. "What?" He asked, and Lana explained. "Iago hates me so much more than he hates everyone else. He keeps trying to hurt me, and Chumvi had to save me from him today." She relayed, though Mercutio swore she didn't want to, and if he thought any better of her he would have believed that she didn't. But, there it was. A change came over Icarus at that moment. "What exactly has he done?" Icarus asked, and Lana was prepared to explain in full detail, Mercutio made his move.
He had to warn Iago and Cobarte, especially if the darkness and bad intentions in his eyes meant anything.