I'm back at this fanfic deal! Man, I love writing these! Anyhow, this a sequel to two of my stories, 'Scars of Redemption, and 'One Last Try.' The events of both shall be explored further here. But if you didn't read any of them, it doesn't matter, because anything relevant shall be explained here.

If you see this: ()()()()()()()() it means the POV is changing. Don't worry, I'll say to whose POV it's changing to. Fun facts: Shenzi's name means pagan or uncouth, Banzai's name means brash, Ed's name means…. Well…. Ed, Macho's name (pronounced Maco, don't pronounce the ch sound) means vigilant or loyal, and Nafasi's name means chance. All these are in swahili.

Well, on with the fanfic! And please, do leave this humble author a review.

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Scar's POV

Scar wiped away his tears, tears he hadn't meant to shed.

Crying was weak, something only emotional lions did when they couldn't get a grip on themselves. It was not something that he did, for he, Scar was in control of himself! He was in control of his own emotions, he was in control of himself! And he did not cry.

And yet, he just had.

Scowling, Scar tried not to think about why he was here. Unfortunately for him, how could he not think about that? After all, it was why he was here! How fucking ironic.

"Scar, what are you doing back here again?" Demanded a voice from behind him. Scar replied without turning around.

"Hello Nafasi." He said.

"You spend too much time up here! It's not healthy for you." She replied.

"Nafasi, I can assure you, the time I spend here is not affecting my mental health." He said, still scowling. Nafasi sighed. Scar turned around to face her, not wanting to upset her.

Nafasi was a very small lioness. She was a dark orange, and about half of Scar's own size.

She was also Scar's mate.

Three years ago, Scar's reign at Pride Rock ended. In hindsight, things hadn't been going very well, what with the drought and all, but at the time he had refused to see what was plainly in front of him. In the end, that had cost him the crown. When his blasted nephew Simba had returned, they had fought, and somehow, somehow Simba had beaten him! And then, he had been thrown to the hyena's jaws.

And the hyenas were traitorous, every last one of them. Shenzi herself had ordered his demise. They cut and bit him all over his body, then, when the fires flared, they left him to be burned. But against all odds, Scar managed to survive the flames. Nearly dead, he had dragged himself away from Pride Rock, and to the river that marked the border.

Once there, he had collapsed into the waters, too weak to continue. He had floated down the river, unconscious, until Nafasi had seen him, and fished him out of the river. She had nursed him back to health, and Scar, recognizing that he could never return to the Pridelands, had decided to devote his efforts elsewhere. In this case, love.

In his eyes, Nafasi was the most beautiful lioness he had ever seen. She was also sweet, kind, and caring. Currently, she was seven years old, and still in her prime. Scar was a full three years older than her. He knew he was starting to get old, but he wasn't too old to have cubs. He still had a few years in him.

"Scar, if you dwell on the past too much, it'll consume you. It's always better to move on!" Urged Nafasi.

"Nafasi, I am fine!" Growled Scar, baring his teeth.

"Scar, stop that! You know what happens when you get angry!" Said Nafasi quickly, as she took a step back from him. Scar immediately softened up, realizing his mistake.

"I'm…. I'm sorry Nafasi, you're right, I shouldn't get angry." He sighed. "It's just that…. Why did they have to die?" Scar's expression turned to one of quiet sadness, as he gestured toward the little mounds they were standing next to.

"I don't know Scar, I really don't. But there's nothing I can do if the cub is stillborn."

"Those two were stillborn." Said Scar, as he gestured towards the dirt lumps farthest from him. "But he wasn't." Scar then set his paw back on the mound nearest to him.

"He caught a cold too early in life. I couldn't do anything about that either. And neither could you. Scar, none of these were your fault. Don't obsess over it."

"He almost made it. Almost." Scar whispered, as he fought back more tears. This cub's name was Jelani. He had almost made it. He was a week old when he died. Some sickness had gotten him. Some blasted, fucking sickness had gotten him, when he was only a week old!

Life was so fucking unfair.

"But he didn't. Scar, it's nice that you created this spot just for the cubs. In fact, I think it's sweet. But you really have to stop spending all your time up here. Focus on the present. I have another cub on the way, only weeks away. This time, it will work!" Pleaded Nafasi.

"I don't want to dig a fourth grave." Replied Scar quietly.

"Maybe you won't have to this time. You don't know if you don't try."

"It's just that….. Nafasi, what if the reason the cubs are dying is because it's some sort of punishment from the kings of the past? You know I've done some…. Horrible things…. In the past. What if this is their punishment for my sins? Because if it is, will the fourth cub survive?" Said Scar.

"I don't think it works that way Scar. Plus, I think your punishment at Pride Rock was enough to satisfy any stupid kings who float in the sky."

"Nafai, that was the hyenas who carried that one out. That was their revenge, not a punishment. And the worst part is, lions from my old pride prayed to the great kings of the past when they were in trouble. But if it is they who are punishing me, there's no way I can pray to them, the bastards they are." Worried Scar.

"Scar, don't think that way. The cubs dying were just unfortunate accidents, not divine punishment. Just be positive, there's no way our fourth cub could die." Said Nafasi, comfortingly.

"I hope so Nafasi, I hope so." Replied Scar, as he got up, and walked out of the clearing.

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Shenzi's POV

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(Flashback)

Shenzi dragged herself to the geyser, and stared down at it's steaming depths. She clenched her stomach in pain, doing her best to ignore the pain and exhaustion. She felt almost no strength in her limbs, and it was all she could to keep herself from collapsing as she looked down into the geyser.

With amazement, she saw floating in the bubbling green water, one of the lizards Banzai had caught earlier that day! Greedily, she hooked it with her claws. Banzai or Ed must have accidentally dropped it in as they were carrying them to the rest of the hyenas. She tore the skin off, seeing the soft flesh beneath. She was just about to take a bite when she realized where she had found it. The lizard had been floating in one of the green geysers! The water in those geysers was poisoned! Groaning, Shenzi started to throw it away. But, she couldn't get herself to do it! She was starving!

"Well, I suppose a small bite couldn't hurt,,," she mumbled to herself. She took a little bite of the lizard and swallowed. It was heavenly! She quickly took another bite of the lizard. And another, and another, until the lizard was nothing but skin and bones. She licked the bones and skin, trying her best to get every last bit of meat on the reptile. Once she was done, she got up, feeling partially satisfied. She still felt hungry, but it was once again bearable. Staring at the lizards remains, her eyes wandered over to the geyser she had fished it from. Oh no! She had just eaten an animal that was floating in the geysers water! There was some sort of poison in it, she knew, for any time someone had drank the water, they had died soon after.

But, she hadn't really drank it had she? No, she hadn't. She might have sipped a little in along with the lizard, but that was a small amount. Perhaps she was alright, she reasoned. Yeah, she was probably fine. No reason to worry. Shenzi smirked as she left the cave in which she was standing. She had no reason to worry.

She had barely made it five paces from the mouth of the cave before she started feeling sick.

(End of flashback)

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Shenzi was blind.

A very disruptive infirmity, to be sure. Years of starvation and dehydration had pushed her to it. A few months ago, she had been so thirsty, that she had drank water from a geyser she knew was poisonous. Unfortunately, it had cost her her sight.

However, she had refused to step down from her position as the leader of the clan. And even without sight, she had still beaten the challengers that had thought they could beat her while she was blind. With help from Banzai, she retained her position.

The loss of her sight had initially jarred Shenzi into a sort of shock. However, that shock had forced her to realize just how screwed the hyenas were while they lived in the Graveyard. So she had decided to leave the Graveyard, and make an attempt to cross the desert. If the clan survived the crossing, it would be the best decision she had ever made. If they all died from the elements, well….. At least she would be the last Matriarch. Morbidly interesting, to say the least.

However, now she was greeting old friends.

"Matriarch Shenzi!"

"Hello Hasina." Shenzi smiled. "I recognize your voice."

"How did you get here? We thought you died!" Gushed Hasina worriedly.

"It'll take more than an upstart lion to get me killed." Assured Shenzi. "They did a number on me though."

Hasina was Shenzi's friend, and a loyal one too. For a female hyena, she was actually rather weak, unlike most of the females of their species. However, she made up for it through effort, and persistence. She always referred to Shenzi as 'Matriarch Shenzi' calling her by her proper title every time they spoke, despite Shenzi's insistence.

" Matriarch Shenzi…. What happened to your leg?" Asked Hasina. Shenzi sighed, and out of habit glanced back at her crippled rear appendage. Her left back leg was no longer working, having been crushed by a lion only a few days ago. She couldn't even move it. Luckily for her, walking on three legs wasn't all that hard, as long as she had somebody to lean onto while she walked.

She was well practiced at leaning onto another hyena. It was the easiest way to travel quickly since she couldn't see. For the most part, she relied on Ed and Banzai to do that for her. They were dependable, since she had known them since they were pups.

Banzai mostly volunteered to do it, and Shenzi had a rather good idea of why. Although, to perhaps her own surprise, she didn't mind it. After all, if Banzai still found her desirable even after two crippling injuries, it was a good thing. It meant he wouldn't leave her side. Ever.

"My leg? Well, it was actually Simba that did it. The point is, it doesn't work anymore. Look, I'd rather not mention it in casual conversion. How about we discuss something a bit lighter?" Suggested Shenzi.

"Sorry Matriarch Shenzi. I didn't mean to upset you." Replied Hasina.

"It's not a problem. I'd just rather not talk about the sour things in my life. But anyways, where is your pup?" Asked Shenzi.

"My pup?" Said Hasina.

"Yeah, I can't hear him." Said Shenzi.

Oh, he's over there." Replied Hasina. Shenzi sighed, and waited patiently.

"Over where?"

"Oh! I'm sorry!, I'm sorry, I forgot just for a moment… Umm… He's off to your right, playing with the other pups. They're drawing shapes in the sand, taking advantage of how they're able to push around all the little grains." Answered Hasina.

"Are the pups having fun?" She asked.

"Well, they look like they are. Some of them are enthralled, watching what other pups draw. So far, different types of meat seem to be the theme."

"I'll bet." Replied Shenzi. Just then, she felt a little spray of sand hit her fur, and heard the sounds of someone skidding to a stop next to her. She turned her head towards the sound, and waited for the hyena to speak.

"Hey Shenzi!" Spoke Banzai, his tone of voice cheerful.

"Well, I'll leave the two of you alone then." Said Hasina, as she her voice became softer. Clearly, she was leaving.

"Cya Hasina!" Called Shenzi. Then, she turned towards Banzai's direction.

"Hey Banzai. What are you doing?" She asked.

"Alright Shenzi, I gotta ask you a question real quick." Said Banzai.

"It better be good." She replied. "Or it'll be a waste of my time."

"Alright then….. True or false, does nothing rhyme with the word orange?" Banzai sounded gleeful, the way he normally sounded whenever he said a bad pun. However, However, there were no puns in that sentence. Therefore, it had to be something else….

"False. The word nothing does not rhyme with orange." Replied Shenzi, smirking.

"What! How'd you guess?" Said Banzai, surprised.

"Well obviously you were trying to pull something. If I took that sentence in it's normal context, I'd have gotten it wrong. So I took it literally. Plus, I heard Fahama trick you with that same thing over there." Shenzi flicked her ears in the area she referenced.

"How did you hear that?" Asked Banzai. "We were way over there!"

"When you lose your sight, other senses get strengthened. Like smell, and hearing. And even my sixth sense."

"Your sixth sense?" Wondered Banzai.

"Yeah. The one that tells me when you're being a moron!" Shenzi then quickly swiped in Banzai's direction, making contact with his head. She felt her paw clock him, and she heard the resulting whining.

"Ow! Geez, what the hell was that for?" Complained Banzai.

"I told you that you were being a moron." Explained Shenzi, grinning.

"Well now I can add headache to my list of injuries." Grunted Banzai.

"Phooey, at least scratches heal. The shit I got is permanent." Shenzi replied.

Then, Banzai's stomach gave an almighty growl. He was clearly rather hungry. As was Shenzi. She hadn't eaten in the last twenty four hours, and she doubted anyone else was better off. Which was a problem, since there certainly wasn't any food in the desert.

"Well, I think we've dawdled here long enough. It's time we start moving, or we'll never reach the end of the desert." Declared Shenzi. "Banzai, is there a dune here on which I can stand on to speak to the clan?"

"Yeah, we're standing at the top now actually." Replied Banzai.

"Oh. We are. Well, I guess that works. Now then….. Which way should I face?" Shenzi dropped her voice a little for the latter part of the sentence. Even after a few weeks of getting used to the blindness, she still was uncomfortable for how much she had to rely on other hyenas. She hated it, since she was much more used to being independent.

"I'll adjust ya!" Said Banzai cheerfully, as she felt him put a paw on her shoulder. He pushed her to the left a little, and turned her counterclockwise a few degrees. "There you go. Now just yell, and they'll quiet down." Shenzi cleared her throat, reading herself.

"Everyone, listen to me!" She shouted, uttering the first part of her speech. It took a few seconds, but eventually the assembled hyenas hushed up, ready to hear what their Matriarch had to say.

"It's great that we've managed to reunite our clan! And it's even better that the pups are safe! But even now, in our jubilation, we are faced with a problem. Surrounding us is the desert, one that no one has ever dared to cross. However, in our unfortunate lot, we now have to cross it! We may have escaped the lions and their claws, but if we idle here, there won't be any escaping the elements! We have to start walking, to make our way across the dunes. Hopefully, at the journey's end, we'll find a new home! One that is prosperous, and devoid of competition! But we won't get there if we don't start walking. We have to move now, or we'll miss our chance. So then, form up into a tight pack, and await further orders."

Below her, Shenzi heard the dozens of paw drag on the sand, as they did as they were told. Sighing, she turned towards Banzai.

"Need to lean on me?" Asked the gruff hyena.

Yeah. I guess I do." She replied.

As the harsh desert wind blew through her fur, Shenzi stepped through the sand, limping forward. She knew that if they made it, they were saved. But if they didn't, they would all die, starving and dehydrated, in the middle of a nameless, barren wasteland.

She dearly hoped it they made it.

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They're off! Will they make it through this terrible trial, or will they meet their doom in one of the worst places to die. I mean, I guess the answer is obvious. But I gotta create SOME intrigue!

And as for Scar, all of his cubbies have died so far. It's sad. But Nafasi has a fourth one on the way!

And don't worry, both of these groups are going to meet each other here soon. And when they do…..well, It'll be fun to write about.

Well, it's a fanfiction crime to be following a story but not review! Constructive criticism accepted. No flaming!