Here's a fic for any of you who are interested in such things. And it's going to be about Simba! Yeah, my first fic starring Simba. Kinda strange for me, I know. But you can't not love Simba.
Also, if anybody thinks they have a good idea for a tlk fanfic, be sure to PM the idea, and if I like it, I'll put it on my 'to do' list, and eventually, I'll write it! And if you're just a guest, leave a review on any one of my stories with the idea.
Anyways, be sure to leave a review! And enjoy the fic.
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Mufasa's POV
"Good job!"
Mufasa grinned as he stood over his prize, a fully grown adult antelope. The beast had been extremely tricky to sneak up to, it had been the sentry of the entire herd. Its job had been to keep an eye out for any incoming predators but sadly, it had not done its job.
Not that chasing it down would have been a problem. The antelope was crippled in one of the back legs, it was a wonder it had managed to keep up with the rest for as long as it did. But that was part of the reason Mufasa had chosen it to hunt, they only went after the weaker animals when they could help it. For one, it was easier. For two, nearly every herd had a general understanding with the lions that their young and strong were usually not targeted for food. In a sense, it was a necessary culling that would keep the herd healthy.
And besides that, lions needed to eat.
"Thanks!" He replied. Ahadi padded up to him, smiling proudly as he looked over Mufasa's catch.
"It's a big one too." He said, nodding in approval. "But it can't have been too tough for you!"
"No indeed." Grinned Mufasa. "Plus, it's a cripple, it couldn't have ran away in any case."
"But it didn't notice you until it was too late. You're improving."
"I guess I am." He replied. Mufasa couldn't help but feel a warm feeling well up in his chest. Ahadi could sometimes be stern, and oftentimes was demanding of results. So when he acknowledged any achievement of his, it usually meant something.
"Well, grab hold of it then, we're taking it back home."
Mufasa nodded and dug his teeth into a shoulder. The juicy fragrance of the fresh meat made him sigh in expectation. This would be wonderful to eat. He managed to sling the antelope over his shoulders, balancing the load on his back. As Ahadi trotted away, Mufasa carefully padded after him, the savanna grass tickling his underbelly.
"So, father…." He began, once he caught up to him. "How are things going lately?"
"Excellent actually!" Replied Ahadi, grinning. "We're in the full swing of summer, there's no hint of any drought, and herds are all present and best of all, that blasted Hatari hasn't dared show her face once these past few months!"
Mufasa smiled, all that sounded like good news, except for the last bit. Who was Hatari? He'd never heard that name before… Ahadi spoke as if it was some sort of enemy.
"Father? Who's Hatari?"
Ahadi sniffed. "Hatari. She's the most disgusting, vile creature I've ever met. You'll be lucky if you never meet her. You know the Shadowlands, by the western border?"
"Yeah." He nodded. The 'shadowlands' Ahadi referred to was an area outside the Pridelands, a place that was perpetually covered in shadow. Every time Mufasa had seen it, it was dark, gloomy, and spooky. Apparently elephants went there to die as well, putting a sort of grim taboo on the whole place. It was an area marred only with death and darkness.
"That's where the hyenas live. How they haven't managed to starve themselves to extinction in their gluttony yet is beyond me, but Hatari is their 'leader'."
"The hyenas have a leader?" Asked Mufasa. Funny, he'd never actually thought of the hyenas as anything other than a shapeless rabble.
"They do indeed. Hatari is vicious, and she has no respect for our borders. My father threw the hyenas out of the Pridelands because they were taking more than their share during a drought, and even now they keep doing it. They trespass into our lands, and kill animals from herds that we promised protection to. It's a disgusting practice" he growled. Mufasa nodded in agreement.
"So that's why we have all those border patrols."
"Exactly. When you become king, you'll have to continue doing the same. Remember, you can't trust hyenas any farther than you can spit."
"Got it." Replied Mufasa, as he padded alongside Ahadi. He'd never liked hyenas, but he'd never exactly known the reason they were kept out. Now that he did know, it only strengthened his resolve.
"Very good. You're a good listener, son. It shows prudence and thoughtfulness. All good qualities."
"Thank you father!" Grinned Mufasa, as they approached Pride Rock. The great orange monolith loomed mightily above them, casting its shadow of magnificence across the plains. It truly was a symbol of the lion's dominance of the area. Ahadi suddenly stopped, and stood up to his full height, the wind ruffling his mane.
"What a stench." He muttered, as he took in the scents of the air around him.
"What stench?" Asked Mufasa, taking a sniff as well.
"Take another sniff. Tell me you don't smell…. weakness." Snarled Ahadi, his expression soured. Mufasa's heart sank ever so slightly.
"Uh… I smell some lionesses… Sarabi….. Mom… Fina…. a antelope that came by here… that rouge, Simba and…. Taka….." He muttered the last name.
"Exactly. Taka." Grumbled Ahadi. "Even his scent is miserable, much less his personality. He's always whining, and he's much too lanky. Unlike you, you're well built." He said, turning to his favored son. Mufasa returned his father's grin, but inside he didn't feel so good.
"Uh…. dad?" He asked.
"Yes?"
"Well…. is that why you don't like Taka? Because he's weak?"
"Exactly. He's a mockery of what a lion should be, and certainly a mockery of what a good heir should be! Why I haven't kicked him out yet is beyond me…" Replied Ahadi, scowling.
"Oh. Well…. maybe he's that way because you haven't given him a chance to be anything more?" Suggested Mufasa, nearly biting his tongue hopefully that wasn't going to far. Ahadi's scowl deepened.
"Listen son. You're poised to be the next king, and a very good one! You would do well not to associate yourself with a bad influence… not to get too friendly with the trash of your kingdom. Now if you'll excuse me-" Ahadi leaned back and turned around. "I'm going to go find Uru, and speak to her about that blasted… son of mine. Bring your antelope to the fresh kill pile, it'll be eaten later." With that, he walked off.
Mufasa sighed. Uru had told him the exact opposite of that… that Taka only wanted friends, someone who wouldn't spurn him like Ahadi was doing. Ahadi was a wise king, but Uru's advice struck him as the better option.
Shouldering his antelope, Mufasa turned towards Pride Rock, and advanced up the hill.
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Simba's POV
"They're just over here mom!" Said Taka, as he trotted down a hill with Uru at his side. Simba and Sarafina were behind them, and they were headed to a small grove of trees near the western border. The hyenas had agreed to meet them there, and Uru had relented at Taka's insistence. She had agreed to come with the, and meet the friends he had said so much about.
When Sarafina saw them leaving, she immediately asked to join them. And Simba noted that lately Taka never said no to Fina. Which was an interesting piece of information… he would ask him about it later.
"Where exactly, little one?" Asked Uru.
"Just in the trees. There's no patrols so this is the best spot in the Pridelands for them to be…" He replied, trotting into the grove. "Hey guys! We're here!" He called, grinning. A voice came back at them, resounding around the trees.
"Idiot says what?"
"What?" Asked Simba, his ears straining to hear what had been said. Loud, raucous laughter immediately erupted from the grove, a sound only hyenas could ever make.
"He fell for it!" Exclaimed Shenzi, as she rolled over onto her back, giggling uncontrollably. The four lions entered the clearing in the center of the trees to meet their guests, all of which were heaving at their sides in humorous convulsions.
"Fell for what?" Asked Simba, confused. He hadn't heard what was so funny...
"He said it again!"
"Said what again?" Demanded Simba. But this time he elicited no response except for the heightening of the laughter. Uru and Sarafina glanced at each other, as they watched the hyenas laughing uncontrollably.
"Well…. they certainly live up to the stereotype." Remarked Uru.
"I never realized they laughed so much…" Added Sarafina. They waited a few more seconds, as eventually the hyenas got quieter. Taka cleared his throat.
"Once the three of you are all done, I'd like you all to meet my mother!" He announced. Shenzi at the moment was trying to stop wheezing, as Banzai rolled onto his back, and Ed joined him.
"Yeah…. just a… moment Taka…" Grinned Shenzi, calming herself down. "Okay, I'm sorry. We're here. What's up?" She asked, looking at the four lions.
"What's up? Say hello to my mom!" Retorted Taka, as Sarafina and Simba exchanged bemused glances.
"Sorry about that. So…" Shenzi turned to the orange lioness. "You're Queen Uru?" She asked. Uru nodded, smiling.
"That I am. It's a pleasure to meet Taka's best friends… formally, anyways."
"I'll say. Last time didn't turn out so hot. In any case, my name's Shenzi, that's Banzai, and that's Ed. They're dumber than a sack of bricks, but you can ignore that for the moment." She said, grinning.
"Hey!" Interjected Banzai, as Ed giggled.
"Well, it's nice to meet you Shenzi." Nodded Uru. "Taka tells me you're the daughter of the Matriarch?"
"Yup."
"Taka has also told me of your….. dire situation." Said Uru, seriously. Shenzi's expression fell considerably.
"Well….. yeah. The Graveyard sucks." She said shortly. "We don't have any elderly clan members at all and…. we're starting to get less and less good pups."
"Good pups?" Asked Uru, confused. "What does that mean?"
"Pups who aren't killed at the outset. Here, I'll show you." Shenzi turned around and trotted out of the clearing, leaving Uru staring after her, her jaws agape. Sarafina shook her head.
"Did… did she say they kill pups?" Sputtered Sarafina.
"Yeah. But they don't want to do that…. they have to." Replied Simba, grimacing.
"Why would they have to kill pups?" Asked Uru, turning to Taka who was also frowning. "That's… that's barbaric!"
"They don't have enough food mom." Replied Taka. "Their biggest problem is their lack of food. Which means that mothers who need to eat for two, can't even hardly eat for one. And if the mother is starving, the little pup inside doesn't get the food it needs to grow right. And if it doesn't grow right, it gets defects…"
"Defects? Like… like what?" Whispered Uru.
"A lot of pups are malformed. They don't look right, their head is too small, their legs are stumps, or they can't think right. And they need hunters…. They need every single hyena hunting in the Graveyard or risking the Pridelands, they can't have hyenas who will never do anything other than consume food, it means less for everyone else. So…. they kill them." Muttered Taka, looking down at his paws.
"Oh man….I never realized they were that badly off…" Whispered Uru, looking pale. "And all this time I've been part of the patrols that keep them out! What have I done?"
Simba couldn't help but agree with her. His own deeds were much worse, in his own time he'd never considered negotiating with the hyenas, he'd only thrown them right back out of the Pridelands when he regained his throne. It was not exactly something he regretted, viewing them as little more than scum. He'd helped slaughter them.
Scar was an evil lion, but Simba couldn't overlook the fact that he'd been the first lion in generations to let the hyenas back into the Pridelands. The whole affair had simply been mismanaged, if done right it wouldn't be a problem… for anyone. And it had to be this wholehearted friendship he held as Taka that made him consider such a thing.
At that moment the trio of hyenas returned, this time with a fourth partner.
"Hey Taka!" Said Mzazi cheerfully, as Shenzi and Banzai dragged him into the clearing, on his side.
"Oh… hey Mzazi!" Exclaimed Taka, brightening as he turned and walked up to the disabled hyena. "How-how'd you get here?"
"They carried me here. What, do you think I walked?" Chuckled Mzazi, as Simba approached him.
"Well, it's nice to see you!" Grinned Simba, as Shenzi rolled Mzazi over onto his stomach, so he was right side up.
"Nice to see you guys too!" Then, Mzazi's gaze traveled behind his friends, and he noticed Sarafina and Uru, who stood looking concerned. "W-what are they doing here?" He asked, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Don't worry, they won't eat you!" Chuckled Shenzi.
"That's Sarafina." Said Taka, pointing at his friend. "And there's my mom!"
"Your mom? So…. I won't be eaten?" He asked, his eyes still wide. He felt uncomfortable in the presence of lions-or anybody for that matter- he didn't know.
"Course not dummy." Answered Banzai. "If they were dangerous, we wouldn't have brought you!"
"Well… that's all right I suppose." He replied.
Uru walked up to Mzazi and looked him over, and Mzazi froze as she examined him. Mzazi sat with his legs tucked underneath his body, as he always did. Since he couldn't stand or walk, he preffered to keep his legs hidden, so he wouldn't really be disappointing anyone.
"Hello little one." Said Uru, smiling warmly at the adolescent hyena.
"H-h-hi." He stuttered, staring back up at the lioness.
"What's your name?"
"I-It's Mzazi." He replied.
"Well…. Nice to meet you." Said Uru, nodding.
"N-nice to m-meet you too."
"Okay Mzazi, tell her about yourself." Nodded Shenzi. She looked over at Uru, with a serious expression on her face. Simba realized that this would be how Shenzi would drive home her point, how she would really show Uru how bad things were. That had to have been why Shenzi brought Mzazi in the first place, she wouldn't have brought him into the Pridelands for any other reason. Shenzi was certainly smarter him than, he would never have thought to do anything like that.
"About myself?" Asked Mzazi.
"Yeah. Come on, it's all right."
"Well… uh, I'm eight months old, my mother and my father love me, Taka is one of my best friends, and he brings me food every day. My only other best friends and Banzai, Ed, Shenzi and Simba. And…. I can't walk or stand."
"You… you can't stand up?" Asked Uru, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
"Well!... it's not for lack of trying!" Replied Mzazi cheerfully. "Yesterday I almost made it up by myself! I think I'm getting stronger, little by little!"
"You can't stand up?"
"Mom says it's the personality of a hyena that matters more than if it can run or hunt or even… you know, play." He replied, but his ears drooped nonetheless.
"But… you can't stand up."
"Mom also says what really matters is in my heart, not my legs." Muttered Mzazi.
"Oh… you poor thing." Uru walked up to him and began to lick the top of his head, her motherly instincts taking over. Mzazi froze as Uru licked him comfortingly, his eyes wide and afraid from .
"Uh… guys!" He whispered. Simba and Shenzi chuckled
"It's all right Mzazi… she's just grooming you." Grinned Taka.
"Yeah, relax!" Added Banzai, waving his paw in the air.
"Er… okay." Nodded Mzazi, but he kept breathing heavily.
Simba smiled. Mzazi had it a lot worse off than most every animal, but at least he had friends who cared for him. And he would get used to Uru grooming him in a moment, he simply didn't like close proximity with strangers.
"Now that we have that taken, what's going to be our chosen game for today?" Asked Taka. It was in this moment that Sarafina's ears perked up and she waltzed into the conversation. She had sort of in the background up until then, unsure of what to do as they spoke to Mzazi.
"I've got an idea!" She exclaimed, literally sliding in between Taka and Shenzi, and forcing Simba and Banzia to back up.
"What sort of idea?" Asked Banzai, a bit disgruntled.
"Capture the flag!" She announced, to be met with blank stares.
"What's…. capture the flag?" Asked Shenzi.
"Well you see-" Sarafina turned around and grabbed a stick in her teeth, and stuck it into a leaf. She spun back towards them, and set down the leaf and the stick. "This is a flag!"
Shenzi inspected it.
"Uh… how is that a flag?"
"Well, this here is the flagpole, and the leaf is the flag. In this game we have two flags in different locations, and there are two teams, each guarding one! When one team manages to steal the other team's flag, and return it to their own flag, they win!" She explained.
"So it's sorta like… steal the bacon?" Asked Banzai gruffly.
"I guess… but there are two flags, and they stay in one spot until they're stolen."
"It sounds okay to me." Shrugged Simba. Taka nodded.
"Right! Two teams, one brain, one brawn, and an all rounder. That leaves me, Banzai and Ed, against Shenzi, Simba and Sarafina!" Decided Taka.
"Fair enough. And I claim this clearing for my team!" Said Shenzi, picking up the flag Sarafina had made and sticking it into the dirt next to Mzazi. "You're our honorary flag-guard, Mzazi." She said, and Mzazi brightened as Uru stepped away from him, his fur quite groomed and clean.
"You mean… I'm part of the game?" He asked.
"Of course you are! Yell if anyone tries to take the flag." Smirked Shenzi, as Taka, Banzai and Ed made their own flag and trotted off into the trees.
Simba smiled as Mzazi grinned widely next to him, excited to be a part of his friend's game.
Ahadi's POV
Ahadi stood at the top of Pride Rock, scowling.
He had meant to speak with Uru earlier that day, but the sun was already going down and he hadn't seen his mate anywhere. None of the lionesses he had spoken to knew anything about where she might have gone, and his MajorDomo knew nothing about any possible patrols she could be on. He had checked all her usual caves and napping areas, and hadn't seen her.
He had wasted most of the day trying to find her, and she only showed up now! He looked down at the stepping stones that lead up the side of Pride Rock and saw his mate, his worthless second son, and that rogue called Simba exchange words. The rogue then departed and trotted back the way he came as Taka and Uru did the same, except up the side of Pride Rock.
Ahadi padded over to the cave, waiting for his mate and…. yech, he hated calling him a son. But unfortunately for him, he somehow managed to sire that piece of trash. Bad luck on his part, he supposed. When Taka and Uru reached the top, he stepped out of the cave and cleared his throat.
"A-hem." He growled. His mate and son both turned to him, their eyes popping in surprise. To his pleasure, he heard Taka swallow audibly. At least that piece of trash knew who he needed to respect.
Uru recovered her composure first.
"Ahadi!" She stuttered.
"Where were you two? And why are the two of you covered in dirt and mud flecks! It's unbecoming." He said, towering above them. Uru coughed into her paw.
"We… rolled in mud before we came here. It feels good on the fur, perhaps you yourself should try it, what with that magnificent mane of yours-"
"Forget it Uru, It doesn't matter. Now, are the two of you coming to bed?" He asked, looking grumpy.
"Of course! The sun's going down so we were heading back here…" replied Uru. "We'll just lie down ourselves." Uru and Taka then walked past Ahadi, and into the cave to their sleeping corner. Ahadi's gaze followed them as he tried to think.
Why were they covered in mud and dirt? It looked like they had rolled in mud, like Uru said, but Ahadi knew for a fact that it was actually a bother to get mud in your fur. The only reason he had ever done it was to conceal his own scent…
It was the only thing mud was good for. It masked scents one could be carrying, and he knew that Uru knew that. But that explanation made no sense, why would his mate ever need to disguise her scent? What animal or place would she have been that would require her to mask the scent of?
And Taka had done it too…
He growled. Tomorrow he would ask Mufasa to find out where Taka went every day. It wouldn't be a problem, Mufasa would have it easy accomplishing such a task. Mufasa was simply gifted and wise. He would find out, all right.
One way or another, he would find out where his blasted son was going every day.
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And….. that, my friends, is how trouble brews.
And excuse grammatical or other dumb errors, I didn't edit this, didn't have the time.
Sorry about getting this up a few days late, I have a little something one or two of you just might, maybe recognize as EXAMS coming up next week. It's been consuming almost all my time, so wish me luck, if you have a heart.
And tell me how you liked this chapter, and if you would like to see anything else in coming chapters! I'd love to hear from ya!
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