A/N: Hello, readers, and welcome back to another chapter of my story. I will respond to your reviews and then we will see how Mufasa, Simba and Alex's journey will play out.
TheGhostWriter710: Thank you for your review! I'm glad to hear you're enjoying my story. I found your story very intriguing and I can't wait to see how it pans out and I'm looking forward to more feedback from you as this story progresses.
Fl1y1ngD0gg0: All will be revealed in due time, my friend. I had a nice Christmas, thank you. I hope the same for you and Happy New Year to you too!
Mid: Thank you for your honest review. I would argue that good stories should challenge one's worldview rather than reinforce it. There are characters that have all sorts of perspectives that are driven by experience. Thank you for at least giving it a chance but I think your patience and loyalty will be rewarded.
"But I thought I had to stay with you at all times," Morgan argued, his voice tinged with a mix of hope and desperation as he looked up at Alex as he stood over him. He wanted nothing more than to accompany the King, Prince and Guardian in their adventure, but Alex had to explain that it was a sacred tradition between a father and son and that he was only going because the culmination of the journey was the Council of Kings summit where the business of delicate diplomacy would be done.
"That only applies to when we are both in the Pride Lands," Alex countered.
"Oh, so I'm stuck here while you get to go on an adventure?" Morgan crossed his arms. Alex sighed as he sat down beside Morgan on the slab of rock on which the Royal Family would sleep.
"To be honest, this journey sounds like it's going to be dangerous and boring, whereas while you're here, the whole Pride Lands is your stage, your canvass, your playground," Alex replied. "So long as you don't intrude on anyone's daily routines or fall into any sinkholes, you can go wherever your feet take you,"
"But what am I supposed to do without you?" Morgan asked, his eyes reaching up to Alex's in sorrow.
"Well," Alex sighed. "Here's what I want you to do: I want you to go out there and make memories, make new friends, and go on adventures. Be guided by curiosity and instinct, but temper it with consideration and respect," he said.
"I'll do my best," Morgan replied with a weak smile, but it was betrayed by nervousness in his eyes. For all the time he had been in the Pride Lands, he had been beside Alex, save for brief moments. Nothing like what is about to happen. Who was the child without the adult? Will he be the kind, wise, excitable, curious, adventurous, judicious and honourable boy that Alex knew him to be, or did the Guardian's presence extract those qualities? Without Alex, was he anxious, foolish, inconsiderate and reckless as he would probably as a result of his conditioning by his unworthy father? If only Alex had watched over him as he disposed of the knife, would that have dissuaded him from fatally hunting Hatia?
"I'll miss you," Alex admitted before leaning in to kiss Morgan's fringe of soft, brown hair that now began to grow over his forehead.
"I'll miss you terribly, but knowing you'll come back makes me want to go out there and make stories that I'll spend all day telling you," Morgan replied. Alex could only open his mouth slightly at the heartfelt response and took a moment to come up with a fitting reply and then realised that he couldn't find the words.
"You'll have to let me tell you mine first," Alex chuckled.
"When are you leaving?" Morgan asked.
"Tomorrow morning, after Mufasa completes his duties, there will be a formal handover of duties to his brother," Alex explained, conveying what he was told by the King just before he informed Morgan.
"Ugh, I don't like that guy, he gives me bad vibes," Morgan's face contorted in displeasure.
"I don't like him either, but you have to listen to him as you listen to Mufasa and Sarabi, and I have a feeling that he's less patient and forgiving than Mufasa,"
"Yeah, I don't think he'll appreciate my 'well akshually' attitude," Morgan said with an exaggerated lisp. This made Alex giggle.
"Mufasa is leaving the Pride Lands, surely this is the ideal time to strike?" Chukua asked anxiously as a red skink crawled through an almost imperceptible crevice in the wall of a cave that was only enlightened by the diluted sunlight of the Elephant Graveyard.
"If you were blessed with a brain like mine, you would know that patience and pragmatism are key to achieving your goals," Scar responded. "For now, I will build trust with the lionesses and the other citizens of the Pride Lands while I gain the experience my father deprived of me," he said.
"Hey, when I stepped up to lead my pack, I knew that this would be a long-term thing, but this opportunity is too good to pass up," the jackal said in response.
"This opportunity will serve the security of our project. We need the citizens' acceptance when I defeat Mufasa," Scar argued.
"Fine, but if this doesn't work, we go with the skink's plan," Chukua replied. "Trust me, with this guy on board, not even the human could stop us," he claimed.
"You intrigue me. And you say that he's a mandrill, Shupavu?" Scar addressed the skink.
"Yes, he is the brother of the Royal Mjuzi. He is not afraid of his power, unlike the other pupils of the Academy of Machafuko," Shupavu explained.
"A fascinating prospect. For the sake of the Royal Family, I hope it doesn't come to that," Scar replied.
"My troops can't wait much longer. We long for revenge and justice," Chukua growled impatiently.
"Your revenge will be bloodless and your justice will be swift. If you do as I say, the transition of power will be as seamless as the sunrise," Scar said.
"In just a few days, you will prove yourself more competent than your brother, Your Majesty," Shupavu declared.
"Come, Simba. You have to be up early tomorrow so it's an early night for you," Sarabi called from inside the Royal Cave. Simba spent the last joules of his energy during the last hour of daylight playing tag with his friends, but this was put to an end by Sarabi's motherly siren.
"Aw, man!" Simba complained. "Can't I play for a few more minutes? The sun hasn't even set!" the Prince argued.
"And you'll have to wake up before the sun rises in the morning," Sarabi replied.
"Ugh, fine," Simba huffed. "Sorry, guys. I have to go now," he said as he turned to his friends who had ceased their cacophony. If I don't see you tomorrow morning, I just want you to know that I'll miss you all," Simba said with a wistful and sentimental smile.
"Wait, what? Where are you going?" Tojo asked.
"Why are you getting soppy on us?" Tama asked.
"I'm going on an adventure tomorrow and it will be a while before I return," Simba said before pausing to allow his friends to absorb the news. "There will not be a moment where I don't think about you, and I can't wait to return with so many stories about my great deeds and the people I meet," Simba professed.
"Me and the birds will miss you, Simba. Stay safe on your travels," Tojo said in response.
"I'll miss you too. Don't have too much fun," Tama replied with a rare authentic smile.
"Don't neglect your caloric intake," Kula advised.
"Thanks, guys," Simba chuckled.
"Good night, Morgan," Alex spoke softly to the boy who now lay beside him in their bed, which had now consisted of grass and hairs in a fur casing. This was crafted by Rafiki, who had harvested shed coats and discarded hairs, presumably for their supposed medicinal value, though Alex wasn't convinced. 'Whatever floats his boat' was what Alex said internally when conveying his gratitude for Rafiki's efforts. It was almost as comfortable as the linen covering his bed in London. The only mark against it was knowing what it was manufactured from.
"Night, Alex," Morgan yawned in response. "Night, Simba," he added as he smacked his lips, closed his eyes, and shifted into his sleeping position - his head resting on his hands and his legs hunched against his stomach. Alex took it as a sign of sheer contentment rather than an expression of body language.
"Usiku mwema, good night, Morgan," Simba replied sleepily. A few moments passed before Simba bid Alex a pleasant sleep. But Alex had already fallen asleep. The events of the day just gone had taken their toll, and he was in for an early morning still.
Simba was dissatisfied with his call being unmet. Initially, he decided to let it slide. From what he had heard, it had been a hectic day for the Guardian, and both would require some much-needed sleep. However, he then saw it as an excuse to vent to Alex about thoughts that had burdened his mind since he was informed of his adventure. He was anxious about what he would come across in this 'Path of the Prince', but what troubled him the most was the thought of being so far away from his friends for so long. Would the dynamic of their group change? Would they discover hidden caves or secret oases? Would he miss Tojo's birds growing up and making their way in the Circle of Life? Would Chumvi take his place as the energy to which everyone is attracted? Would Nala fall in love with someone else?
Simba frightened himself to the point where he practically leapt to his paws. He then gently padded between his mother, his aunts and Sarafina, and then rounded the humans' bed to the right and he sat on his haunches by Alex's head. He opened his mouth to let his thoughts turn into words but found that the conversion had failed. He realised that he would be the only being in the echoey cave producing a noise and everyone would hear his most vulnerable thoughts. But then he thought about the courage that Alex instilled in him before he confessed his love to Nala, and tested the volume of his voice.
"Alex," he whispered. There was no response. "Alex!" he tried again, this time more harshly. He flinched when he saw Sarafina's ear twitch. He decided to resort to more physical means. His first method was to nuzzle Alex's nose. The whiskers brushing against Alex's nose never failed to elicit a reaction from the human's expressive face, but this time, he only moved his face away from the cub. Simba sighed in exasperation as he was forced to navigate Alex's bodily perimeter once again. This time, the cub used his paw pad to press against Alex's cheek, causing the human to stir.
"Mmm..." Alex groaned. "What is it, Simba?" he asked with a hushed voice that still carried frustration fuelled by weariness.
"I..." Simba hesitated. He wanted to approach the topic of his troubles naturally but sensed that he had a limited timeframe to convey them before Alex would fall asleep again. "I thought it was impolite of you to not return my 'good night'," he said calmly.
"Oh," Alex sighed before bringing an arm over his eyes. "I'm sorry, it's just... I've had a long day and we have to get up early," the human explained. "What was it? 'Usimu mweka'?" he asked as he shifted his body so he was leaning on his elbows and looking at Simba with barely opened eyes.
Simba chuckled. "Usiku mwema," he corrected.
"Right, right... sorry," Alex shook his head. "Usiku mwema," he repeated. Simba nodded gratefully.
"Okay, will you let me go to sleep now?" Alex asked.
Simba did not answer immediately.
"What's the matter?" Alex asked. This question also went unanswered. "You didn't wake me up just to tell me off for ignoring you, did you?" he surmised.
"I am afraid, Alex," Simba admitted.
"Of what?" the human responded cautiously.
"Of tomorrow. Of the next few weeks. What if we come across a peril that we can't overcome? What if my role in my circle of friends is taken over? What... what if Nala falls for someone else?" Simba asked the final question as if he was being strangled - the words siphoned through his throat like water through a narrow cave - and his eyes began to well up. Alex could see the light of the moon and stars in his frightened, kind-hearted eyes. The sight brought Alex to full consciousness.
"Hey, hey," Alex hushed the cub as he stroked the tuft of fur on his scalp and moved to embrace the cub. "Come here," he whispered as Simba shuffled between Alex's arms and torso.
"I'll tell you something now: we bring out the best in each other - wisdom, courage, honesty, kindness... and there is nothing that we cannot overcome together. And your friends will never forget you, for you are the one who brings them together. That's who you are. You are a leader, someone who attracts people, who inspires loyalty, you need not demand it,"
"And let me tell you something, Simba," a third participant entered the conversation. Alex and Simba looked to their left and saw Nala standing between Sarafina and Sarabi's dormant forms. "There is no one who can take my heart from you. It beats in time with yours only," she declared.
Despite the late hour, Simba practically leapt out of my arms and sprang towards Nala, whom he nuzzled lovingly. The girl had to concentrate on not being felled by Simba before she could return the gesture.
"You always say what I need to hear," Simba admitted after he spoke only with the strength of his affectionate action.
"Come on, you two," I chuckled. "We can save all this soppiness for tomorrow morning," I said quietly, but this proved to be a critical mistake, and I only realised this after the cubs exchanged mischievous glances and their only warning of what they would do was a pair of impish grins.
It took every ounce of will I had the energy to muster not to release a yelp from my mouth as two pairs of paws pushed against my torso. I also had to contort my body so I would not collide with Morgan and in that, I was somehow successful. However, this resulted in my lips producing a flabbing noise, which elicited from Simba a silent eruption of laughter, his chest rapidly convulsing and tears streaming from his eyes.
It was at this moment that I saw Morgan sitting up and he was giggling silently with his teeth bared and his head wobbling in time with the movements of his diaphragm. The unimpressed expression I shot at him caused him to crease and lie on the floor as he calmed down.
I exhaled noisily in defeat, and also satisfaction, concluding that my life couldn't be in better circumstances than this moment - I was surrounded by people who loved me and gave me purpose. This easily counted as one of my happiest moments since my mother died, and an obvious contender for the moment where I feel most at peace. I returned to my sleeping position and wrapped my left arm around Morgan, placing it so his head would rest on my bicep. The cubs also appeared to be overcome with newfound weariness and nestled beside me. I brought them closer to me with my right arm. Nala rested her head on my chest, and Simba on my shoulder. Morgan shifted his body to face me and he placed a hand on my chest.
"Just remember this: as long as we're together, we'll be alright. Don't lose hope of that, because it's worth holding on to,"
"Moments like these make me glad you saved me," Morgan whispered into my ear.
"And it was you coming into our life that made moments like this possible," I replied before planting a gentle kiss on Morgan's forehead. "When we return, we'll sleep like this every night," I declared.
"That sounds like a marvellous plan," Nala replied.
"But for now, let's just sleep," Simba suggested.
"Good idea. Usiku mwema," Alex said.
"Usiku mwema," Nala responded.
"Usiku mwema," Morgan echoed.
"Usiku mwema," Simba finished.
Scar's POV
This is it. This is my day. The day I yearned for. The day I was denied for so long. This is the day where I finally prove myself the more competent, more intelligent, more charismatic, and more Kingly son of Ahadi.
This is also the day that sets everything in motion. This will be the first day of my reign. I may not be coronated or be anointed with some paint, but this is the day that will set a course of events that culminates in my birthright being fulfilled. The reason that I came into being in this land is to decide its fate, and this was the last day where my fate was decided for me.
"Nervous?" a female hyena asked. She had the signature grey pelt with a paler underbelly with darker spots on her flanks, but her most distinguishing feature was her long mane that culminated with bangs that hung over her calculating eyes. She saw that I was sitting on my haunches, facing the wall of the cave in which I spent most of my time.
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't anxious, Shenzi. There are ways that this can go wrong, but they will mostly come from external factors. It is more likely that by the time Mufasa returns, the lionesses will be clamouring for me to be installed,"
"Sure... but this is what you've been waiting for your whole life. The chance to serve," the hyena known as Shenzi remarked.
"Service? That's what Mufasa thinks of it. It is power. Things will run according to my will, and my will shall be unquestioned. I will be accountable to no one, and all will answer to me," I said.
"Uh, right," the hyena replied. "But with this coalition you've built, you must hold up your end of the deal. You'll have to deliver on your promises to the jackals as well as us," Shenzi needlessly reminded me, referring to her fellow hyenas.
"By the time I assume the throne, jackals and hyenas will live together in harmony and prosperity. Your presence in the Pride Lands is essential to my... to our project," I said.
"All that matters is that our place and our fate is decided by us, not others," Shenzi said.
"Those are my exact thoughts. No longer will we be bound by precedent or tradition. We today will decide our paths," I declared with a vigorous voice fuelled by determination
"Cool, cool, so why are we not taking over as soon as Mufasa crosses beyond the horizon?" Shenzi asked.
"My friend, this is a long-term project, and so we need to bring our future subjects with us, and that means going along with their routines, their customs, and when an outside force threatens those mainstays, and when Mufasa is shown to be too weak to protect them, they will look to me, and then they will ask me to take his place,"
"And if that doesn't work out?" Shenzi asked.
"I have several contingencies, each more drastic than the last, including declaring myself King of the Anterior Pride Lands, but this would reignite a civil war that had been dormant for centuries, and taking on the services of Chukua's contact," Scar answered.
"Whatever lies ahead, we will support you, as you have supported us," Shenzi bowed. "As long as our destiny is unfulfilled, we will be loyal to you."
"Your loyalty is appreciated, and we will see if it holds any value in the coming weeks," I said. They have always understood me, understood what it was to be unappreciated, even held in contempt. Our allyship in that regard crosses species. If the oppressed and downtrodden band together against a common enemy, they will prove more powerful and worthy of respect than our oppressors could even fear.
"Anyway, can I go now? When you summoned me, Ed and Banzai looked like they were about to bite each other's tails off," Shenzi rolled her eyes.
"Yes, yes, you are dismissed. I need some time alone, anyway," I said before we both left the cave.
I emerged from the territory of the Elephant Graveyard and back into the realm that I would soon inherit. This place has looked down on me for too long. It has treated me as an outsider, as a mistake. My own family grudgingly accepted my existence, as if it was a compromise. Only my mother showed me affection. Mufasa could have done the same, but Ahadi used me as a scratchpost for the Golden Prince, a standard for his precious heir to surpass.
If I were to have an heir, I would show him the compassion that my mother showed me. I would show that he was respected for who he was, not for what he was meant to be. And I wouldn't mistreat or neglect additional cubs. I wouldn't have them compete against each other. Strength is not the only foundation for a worthy ruler. Hell, if it came to it, I would even consider decreeing that should two cubs be born in one litter, both would be heirs and both would rule after me. The wisdom of one and the strength of the other would form a potent combination.
Mufasa and I used to care for each other. We used to have fun as cubs. He, myself and Sarabi and Sarafina would get up to all sorts of mischief. But the day we began to grow apart, the day our relationship based on brotherhood declined to one based on rivalry, even adversaries, was the day that Ahadi declared that Mufasa was the Crown Prince. It was the day he picked his favourite. He kept insisting that Mufasa was chosen because he was older, not because of how much he loved him.
Ahadi was right about one thing. Mufasa was only chosen because he was born first. Not because of his intelligence, not because of his calmness, not because of his diplomacy, because he had none of these attributes. He was inattentive, he was clumsy, he was hot-headed, and always started arguments. I feel sorry for my nephew having a father like that. I pray that he takes after his mother in that regard.
After that day, even when I was on my own, I was always in Mufasa's shadow. The kingdom was Mufasa. It was his to inherit, and what had he done to earn it? Nothing! Only I have protected this realm and its people, and when my former Lion Guard colleagues were shown evidence that Mufasa was too weak to be King? Well... there are none so blind as those who refuse to see. They were more loyal to him than their Leader.
That was the second worst day of my life, or so I thought. Not because of my so-called 'friends' dying, but because I was punished for my conviction. But then I realised that it was fate telling me that I had to do this as myself, not as some glorified soldier enforcing the will of others. I couldn't do it as Taka. I had to do it as Scar. And so Scar I became. Taka plays by the rules, but Scar doesn't. Taka was a prince, but Scar is a King.
Speaking of which, as I rounded a kopje, I realised that I had happened upon Mufasa's patrol route, try as I might to erase it from my memory from when I took the same route as an adolescent with Mufasa and Ahadi. And lo and behold, I came face to face with the very obstacle to my destiny, the object of my ire.
Mufasa's POV
The first melody of the morning birdsong was what woke me up. My sleep was light if I'm honest. It was as if my body was tense. It was as if I was barely submerged in the ocean of slumber. I had so many thoughts about what I had to do this morning, what could go wrong on the journey ahead, and what events I might miss. Will Scar even attend the ceremony? Will he govern with fairness and respect? Will Simba hate me for making him go through what was a traumatic and harrowing experience for me? What if something happens to Sarabi or the cub?
At that moment, Sarabi exhaled noisily before shifting her position to face away from me, as if to say: "Stop worrying, we'll be alright."
She always knew what to say, even without the words coming from her mouth, but it's my duty to worry. As a father, as a mate, as a King. At that, I rose as silently as possible to avoid unceremoniously waking anyone up. I scanned the cave with my adjusting eyes and saw that I was successful in that, but I gasped softly and a broad smile formed across my face when I saw the scene immediately in front of me - betwixt the sleeping forms of Sarafina and Sarabi lay the utterly peaceful grouping of Alex, flanked by Morgan on his left, who was sleeping on his side and encased with Alex's caring arm, and on his right shoulder and breast lay Nala and Simba respectfully. They all looked so cute and innocent. It would be a crime to disrupt this arrangement and their slumber, but by the time I get back, that would be necessary - I just hope they are already up, and if not, someone else has woken them up.
Remembering that I had to encircle the entirety of the perimeter of the kingdom, I set off at that thought. The night sky was sullied by the morning light burning it away. This was perhaps my favourite time of the day. Even though I didn't take too kindly to mornings as a cub, I found the near solitude of patrols was a soothing respite to the possible chaos of the day ahead. My only company was my thoughts and those who were either commencing or concluding their routine just before their habitats were touched by sunlight. One of the first herd leaders I would come across was Mshika, the leader of the antelope herd which resided between Pride Rock and Mbali Fields, which formed a part of the western border of the Pride Lands. I had known her since I was a cub and she had formed a strong bond with the zebras. She was an honourable and principled leader, though her daughter was a bit argumentative and sarcastic when she played with Simba once. My route from the antelopes' main abode takes me to Chakula Plains where the zebra herd is led by Kujua. Well, technically, it's led by her son Thurston, who has always tried very hard to impress but, bless him, he always falls short of expectations, of no fault of his own. He will be a characterful fixture of the kingdom for many years, I am sure of that.
I then round Lake Kaziwa and head toward the home of Mbuni's flock of ostriches and after that, I arrive at Kilio Valley, where Aminfiu is starting his daily routine.
"Good morning, Aminifu," I greeted my old friend.
"Good morning, Your Majesty," Aminifu replied. "I understand that you are temporarily putting your brother in charge while you're at the Council of Kings," he remarked with a cocked brow that conveyed his surprise. Scar had a reputation for being uninterested with Royal affairs and aloof. It was quite common for him to go unseen for days.
"Indeed. Simba is too young and Sarabi is expecting and I wouldn't want to put the pressure of ruling on her in her condition, so it is constitutionally proper that Scar be acting King," I explained.
"Welp, we'll make sure he behaves," Aminifu chuckled. "Do you need a representative of the citizenry at the ceremony? I don't mind volunteering and I'll probably be around your place later anyway," he offered.
"It's not required, but if you'll be there anyway, your presence would be appreciated," I answered with a grateful nod.
"Very well. I will see you then," Aminifu responded. "Baadaye, Mufasa," the elephant bull said.
"Baadaye, Aminifu," I replied.
Following my conversation with Aminifu, it was time to advance towards Chakula Plains, the home of the buffalo herd, which Hasira led.
Wait... no!
Of course, Hasira died only yesterday! How could that have slipped my mind? I suppose I have had so much on my mind recently, from the jackals to this journey I am about to embark on with my son and my Guardian.
My Guardian.
The one who killed Hasira. The buffalo who I was proud to call a friend for all of my life. He was honourable and respectful. He was dutiful, supportive and loyal. He didn't deserve to die that way. I only hope he could retain some dignity in his final moments. I wonder what he was thinking of in those seconds. Was he so consumed with vengeance that he wanted to kill Morgan? That's not how we do justice in the Pride Lands, but sometimes one's heart can override all logic. I regret that Hasira's life had come to an end like that, but if he had succeeded in exacting revenge on Morgan, he would have committed an unlawful killing. I would be faced with banishing one of my oldest friends and most trusted advisors. I don't think I could bring myself to do that. In some ways, I am glad that it was Alex who solved this issue the way he did - engaging in ritual combat and, unfortunately, killing Hasira. I would consider abdicating before I would be forced to banish Hasira. Does that make me a hypocrite? Would he accept the risk of banishment to exact revenge on Morgan?
Could it have ended any other way? Was Hasira so hellbent on revenge that he wouldn't have been convinced? If I had gotten there sooner, could I have talked sense into him? Was the punishment on Morgan befitting the fact that his actions caused the deaths of two innocents? Why was I not more angry at him? Is it because this chain of events is predetermined by higher powers? Ever since the encounter with the strange and malicious human in Rafiki's tree, I have come to accept this more than what I thought previously. It's not an unseen force. It's happening in front of my eyes. What part am I to play in this? Apart from survival instinct, I am content if I were to only be a small link in this chain if I were to be a mentor to someone who will go on to play a part in a great confrontation between the forces of light and dark, or if my death will set someone on a path to vengeance and justice. I am not one to want to be a hero. I am a King, a leader. I am only a hero in the eyes of my son. To everyone else, I am a dutiful, honourable and courageous leader. If only they knew how much I second-guessed myself, how often I wonder if I have set this kingdom on the right path, how many times I question my ability to make Simba a better lion, a better King, than I.
In that regard, I suppose Ahadi was a successful father. I do not doubt that he loved me and Scar, but he made mistakes. Some of them could have been avoided. Some of them drove our family apart. He inherited a kingdom that had just returned to normality after the Great Drought, and he left me a kingdom that was teetering on the brink of a diplomatic crisis. The threat of war between lions, hyenas and jackals loomed over our kingdom like a dark grey cloud of the last rain of the wet season.
In the end, I ultimately failed to hold on to the peace. And it was Alex who restored the equilibrium. Am I overseeing a decline in the Line of Kiburi? Are we coming to the end of the Second Age of the Pride Lands? What crises will Simba face as King? Will he endure a civil war? Will the kingdom split into two as it did in the First Age of the Pride Lands?
Will he be the one to fight Ibilisi alongside Alex?
No. It can't be. Legend says that he was banished beyond the reaches of this universe. And even then, Ibilisi is not one figure, but the manifestation of the darkness in our hearts, in our societies, and once in a while, it comes to a head and there is a reset. And besides, it's much too soon. Simba isn't ready to be King and Alex isn't ready to be his Guardian. I will do what I can to make my son a better King than I ever was. I have let down too many people. My brother. My sons... I won't let down anyone anymore. I will do what I can to leave behind a better kingdom than what I inherited. As soon as I return from the Council of Kings, I will at least try to make amends with Scar.
Upon conjuring such thoughts, as I rounded a kopje, I almost bumped into my brother. My heir before I became a father.
"Oh, Scar, I didn't... expect to see you here," I voiced my surprise.
"Yes, well... against my will, I still remember the patrol route from our youth," he replied hesitantly.
"Oh, so you were listening," I chuckled. My brother's unmoving expression caused me to change the subject.
"So... are you ready for the ceremony later? You remember the oath?"
"Of course. It's... one I shall never forget," Scar replied. I smiled at his loyalty.
"If Father could see us now," I sighed and shook my head. He would want nothing more than to see his sons getting along and trusting each other.
"He'd probably drop dead again at the thought of me as King in your stead," Scar said coldly.
"You know that's not true. He never doubted your abilities, your wisdom... only your conviction and dedication to apply yourself,"
"Oh, believe me, my conviction has been hardened over the years," Scar declared. "And my dedication to my new purpose is as sure as the moon waxes and wanes," he added.
"That's good to hear. The Pride Lands will be in good paws. With you and the lionesses, I'll only have to worry about what lies ahead of me and not behind me," I said.
"I am... honoured by your trust. I won't let you down," Scar replied.
"I know you won't. And when I return, I will see to it that our relationship shall be restored to what it was. I will give you responsibilities, I will let you advise me, I will let you choose your own path, let you found a family... you will have agency and purpose" I promised.
"Oh, how generous!" Scar retorted sarcastically.
"Come on, I'm trying! Our father set a course for our relationship, but we can set a new one. It doesn't have to be me having the power and you hiding away in the shadows. We can be better versions of ourselves. We can be happier," I pitched. "Don't you want to be happy?"
Scar looked down and bore an expression that suggested he was having a debate with his very soul. "I'll see you later," was his response.
"Yeah..." I sighed in defeat. "See you later."
"Simba, hold still!" Sarabi chastised her son as he writhed in countless directions within the reach of Sarabi's paws as he tried to avoid his mother's tongue from coming into contact with his face.
"I had a bath last night!" Simba groaned. "This isn't fair!" he lamented before grimacing as his mother's tongue licked his cheek.
"You have to look your best for the ceremony, and despite the fact I gave you a bath last night, you are filthy this morning," Sarabi remarked. "What on earth did you get up to last night?"
"That's probably my fault. I let him sleep with me and Morgan and where we sleep is quite dusty," Alex admitted.
"Well, as wholesome as that might be, the next time you sleep together, make sure it's not on the night before an important ceremony," the Queen commanded.
"Yes, that's fair enough," Alex chuckled. "How long will Mufasa be?" I asked.
"He will probably be halfway through his patrol. He left two hours ago, and it usually takes about four hours," Sarabi answered. By this time, Sarabi had decided that her cub was spotless. Her work would probably be undone by that afternoon at the very latest.
"I'm so proud of you, my son. You're embarking on the Path of the Prince, you're attending your first Council of Kings, and your mane is coming through," Sarabi said before she licked Simba's tuft of fur, causing it to stick up. "You're not a little cub anymore," she smiled nostalgicly.
"Hey, watch the mane! It's my most important feature," the cub claimed, which elicited a snort from Morgan.
"Hey, Morgan, wanna play tag or hide and seek while we wait for my Dad?" Simba asked. However, as Morgan was about to answer, he was interrupted by the Queen.
"No games or activities that will ruin your fur," Sarabi declared.
"Aw, man," Morgan quietly sighed.
"That's not fair!" Simba cried.
"Do you want me to have to give you another bath?" Sarabi threatened.
"No," Simba replied.
"I have an idea," Alex spoke up. "When I used to go on a holiday... er, journey with my family, we would challenge each other to do something we wouldn't usually do, or something we had never done before, or some sort of humiliation. For example, my father challenged me to wake up early enough so I could climb a hill before the sun rose, and my brother challenged me to prank my mother," I said. I finished with a conflicted expression. I remembered with fondness our family traditions and fulfilling those challenges but felt my heart sting at the knowledge that those days were long gone and were unlikely to ever return. This was my family now.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea, Alex," Sarabi concurred.
"Ugh, fine," Simba huffed. "What do you challenge me to do?"
"Oh, I challenge you to speak in the Council of Kings debate or session or whatever," Morgan said.
"That will be quite some challenge, seeing that only Kings or Queen Regnants are permitted to speak in a Council of Kings session," Sarabi replied.
"In my family, a challenge couldn't be revoked or amended," Alex said. "I challenge you, Morgan, to make friends with a zebra," Alex conferred upon the boy.
"I challenge you, Alex," Sarabi said. "To save Mufasa, as he will undoubtedly get into trouble with his sense of direction,"
"Really?" Alex chuckled in disbelief. He found it hard to fathom that someone who knew the names of all the leaders of the herds, knew their traditions and held such wisdom had such a simple flaw as mistaking left for right and right for left.
"There was a time when, as Prince and Princess Consort, Mufasa and I were invited to an old friend's wedding, and Mufasa led us into the wrong kingdom. We ended up in the White Kingdom, instead of the Dunelands. We had a run-in with a few friendly and honourable rogues though," Sarabi recalled.
"Wow, they sound cool!" Simba exclaimed. "Have you met them since?" he asked.
"We invited them to Mufasa's coronation as representatives of the Free Lands, but they said they never accept invitations from a kingdom as they are strictly neutral,"
"I'm hearing all these place names and I haven't a clue of what you're talking about," Alex shook his head.
"I'm sure Mufasa will tell you about them on the way to the Council of Kings,"
"It sounds like there'll be plenty of time to kill," Alex puffed his mouth, causing a softer flabbing sound, but it still resembled the noise from the night before.
"Ah! It's that noise again!" Simba giggled.
"Eh, it's not as funny as it was in the moment," Morgan shrugged as he gave his verdict,
"What moment?" Sarabi asked with a cocked brow.
"Oh, I was about an inch and a pair of tight lips away from waking everyone up last night,"
"Oh, so that was how you came to be in that adorable position," Sarabi said in an overly maternal voice.
"Yes," Alex chuckled in embarrassment at the fawning directed at him. It reminded him of when his mother would coddle him for his achievements and milestones. "I hope there will be more moments like that when we return, but I also need to learn how to defend myself and how to control my powers," Alex said.
"Something tells me that you have a part to play in the Path of the Prince, just as much as accompanying and supporting Mufasa in the Council of Kings,"
"Me?" Alex asked with a frown. "But I am no Prince,"
"Maybe not. But you are like a brother to Simba. Everyone has seen it. And a brother to Simba is a son to us," Sarabi said.
Alex's heart skipped. "Wh- what are you getting at, Sarabi?" he chuckled. Could she be about to propose adopting him? If he remembered the stories as told by his mother correctly, this was a frequent fixture. Would it be done out of a token of love or a reward out of gratitude for his service?
"I will say no more," Sarabi smiled softly. "Simba's friends approach," she alerted.
"Oh, Simba's still here!" Tama remarked as she emerged from the main cave.
"Let's throw him a farewell feast!" Kula said excitedly.
"You down for a quick round of baobab ball?" Tojo asked.
"I wish I could, but my Mom says I have to stay clean for the ceremony later,"
"Oh, that sucks. How about-"
Alex smiled as he watched the cubs engage in their mundane conversations. He zoned out a little and the voices were a pleasant drone. They could be irritating, arrogant, naive and foolish, but he would miss them. How much would they have grown by the time he returned? Would the dynamic between the males and females change? Would Chumvi still be a little shit?
Alex was taken out of this line of thought by Sarabi's padding as she sat on her haunches beside him.
"Do you sometimes wish you were still like that?" Alex asked, looking only forward.
"All the time," Sarabi sighed. They both looked at each other, sharing a knowing grin. The constant demands of service and responsibility were a far cry from the promised freedom as a child or cub.
"I don't," Alex said. "There has never been a moment in my life where I could be myself, play with friends, be a normal kid. I was never normal, and I was never not reminded of it. I was always exceptional, targeted, and an outlier. Because of who I loved, because of what I could do, because of what I came from. I wouldn't wish that on anyone," he spoke. "Lies, concealment, deception have defined my entire life," he said. "And I won't be a part of that here," he added, now looking at Sarabi, who gave him a nonplussed look.
"What do you mean by that?" the Queen asked. Alex turned around and ambled gently and decisively into the cave behind them, as if to think about how to convey his thoughts.
"If I am to be his Guardian, I will never lie to Simba or keep anything from him. He deserves to know the truth," Alex replied.
"The truth about what?"
"About..." Alex began but realised his voice echoed in the cave like a siren of guilt. "About Xolo and Thando," he whispered. Sarabi froze and gave him a frown flavoured with betrayal.
"How..." was all she could say to end the seemingly endless silence. Alex got the sense that if she said anything more than that, she would lose her composure as the grief that lingered in her heart like a smouldering fire threatened to engulf it once more.
"Mufasa told me after I told him about how my mother and my sister died," Alex answered, struggling to maintain dignity in his voice.
"Oh... I... I didn't know," Sarabi said after another lengthy silence. She was absorbing the fact that Mufasa had shared their most solemn and painful secret with another, and also learning that Alex had endured a most heartbreaking loss. "I'm so sorry," she said. Her eyes glistened in the daylight outside the cave. The conflict of emotions in her heart had led to her eyes tearing up.
"Thank you. I know how grief bonds people, and I meant not to extract the secret you shared. Mufasa just broke down in front of me and he let it all out. I did what I could... as a friend. as well as a Guardian,"
"You are more than a friend, Alex," Sarabi smiled, but it quickly faded. "But as Simba's mother, it will be my decision if and when he will be told," she declared. "And it is in everyone's interests that he be told upon returning from the Council of Kings," she said. "Neither of them could go on such a journey while something like that is on their mind."
"So be it," Alex accepted. He believed in being up-front with people. The longer one keeps a secret, the greater the sting will be when the layers of deceit are uncovered. The truth will always be there, no matter how many layers are placed upon it. He just hoped Simba wouldn't find out that he knew about Simba's brothers before even Simba knew. He couldn't decide what was worse: that happening, or Alex telling Simba the truth, and in doing so, betraying Mufasa and Sarabi's trust. Such a circumstance had the potential to rip apart the family just as it was expanding once again.
"It is clear that Mufasa is going through a tough time, and I'm ashamed that I had not seen it myself, but I need you to be there for him. I need you to save him from himself,"
"I will. I promise," Alex responded. "And don't beat yourself up about it. You're expecting, and we men aren't the most open about our emotions," the human chuckled.
"That is true, but when you find your soulmate, you will come to understand that you will be able to read each other's eyes," Sarabi said.
"Fat chance out here," Alex scoffed.
The moment was finally upon them. Mufasa would invoke a statute that placed the King's prerogative in his brother's paws while Mufasa was absent for the Path of the Prince.
When Mufasa returned, Zazu explained to him, Scar and Aminifu that the purpose of the ceremony was to ensure that the transfer of power was constitutionally sound and would be reversed as soon as Mufasa stepped back into Pride Lands territory.
"Beware, Simba. When your father took the Path of the Prince, it... changed him. You will have noticed that we're not as close as most brothers should be. All of that stems from your grandfather choosing your father as his heir, and the next moon, he went on his Path," Scar said.
"Oh, thanks, I guess. But... I thought Dad was the heir because he was older," Simba countered.
"That was Ahadi's excuse. If you were there to see it, you would know what I say to be true," Scar replied. The conversation was interrupted when Morgan walked between them.
"This guy bothering you, Simba?" Morgan asked in a mock tough-guy accent. He looked up at Scar with a cocked brow and protruding bottom lip.
"It's okay, Morgan, just an uncle imparting some advice on his nephew," Simba chuckled.
"I'm just kidding," Morgan chuckled nervously when Scar's unimpressed expression bore down on him like a cascade of burning contempt. "I'll... uh, I'll just be over here with Alex if you need me, Simba,"
"Make that my favourite nephew," Scar said when Morgan departed.
"I'm your only nephew!" Simba retorted.
"Well, this advice is even more important then. You're going to have to watch yourself because at some point when you need him most, your father will abandon you,"
Simba's face dropped. "No... that- that can't be true!" he said quietly but firmly. "My Dad would never let me down," he said with unswayable sureness.
"Well, that's what happened to your father. It was a part of the tradition. When Mufasa came across a being that wished harm upon him, Ahadi said afterwards that it was up to Mufasa to overcome it, as he would not be by his side when facing even greater challenges as King," Scar revealed. Simba's eyes widened in disbelief. This Path of the Prince thing was not only more dangerous than he conceived, but it had the potential to change the dynamic of his relationship with his father, and maybe with Alex.
"And let me tell you this," Scar leaned down to Simba's level. Simba cocked his head so his ear could meet with his uncle's lips. "That being was a human," Scar whispered.
Simba wasn't sure if it was the air from his uncle's lips, or the chillingly delivered words that came from them that caused a shiver to run up his spine. He could only gulp as he stared between Alex and Mufasa. Simba's immature brain concluded that a circumstance would come to pass where Alex would want to harm him at a moment when his father abandoned him. There was now a part of him that was not merely anxious about the journey ahead - that part of him said that he did not want to go at all.
Was his heart rate quickening? Was his organ thumping against his chest? No, it was Aminifu's footsteps. His father probably invited him as a representative of the subjects. Despite what he had just been told, he wanted to be with Alex right now. Whenever he was in his presence, he felt surrounded by a love that no force of cruelty, spite or malice could penetrate. When it was just him and Alex, nothing bad could happen that Alex could not protect him from and eventually fix.
But was Alex capable of harming him even unintentionally? Safiri told him how Alex dealt with the bully who wanted to hurt her, and it sounded as if he didn't have much control over his actions when in that state of unchecked power. Simba had not seen Alex in that state beyond his glowing blue eyes. He imagined it caused a hot pain in his eyes, leading to a limited ability to concentrate.
When his uncle took his leave and headed toward his after, Simba quickly made haste for the sanctuary that was between Alex's legs.
"Hey, what's the hurry?" Alex asked with a gentle chuckle.
"Oh, I... just can't wait to go on our adventure," Simba improvised.
"Well, slow down or else you'll get your fur all dirty," Alex advised. "You don't want your mother to clean you in front of everyone, do you?" he warned the cub teasingly.
"No! That would be so embarrassing, and just for the sake of a few seconds," Simba said.
And with that, Simba remained betwixt Alex and Morgan, speaking only to those who wished him a safe and exciting adventure. Simba's responses of gratitude were muted by the seed of apprehension sown by his uncle.
This was how it was until Zazu summoned Mufasa and Scar at the foot of Pride Rock. Before them were the rest of the Royal Family, the lionesses and their cubs, and Aminifu.
"Will His Majesty, King Mufasa and His Royal Highness, Prince Scar, please come before me at the heart of your domain?" Zazu formally requested. On the surface, there was a literal truth to Zazu's description of Pride Rock, but there was also a metaphor behind it. While to their right was the domineering kopje that loomed over the savannah like a pylon, their family was to their left. Family is the heart of Mufasa's domain. The Pride Lands was one big family, with the King as the father.
Accordingly, Mufasa and Scar walked over to Zazu and sat on their haunches on either side of him.
"The King has been summoned to the Council of Kings annual summit, his heir apparent is to take part in the Path of the Prince, and the Queen Consort is in no condition to discharge the duties of the Monarch, and so under the Law of Succession, as passed Kwanza, as the majordomo of the Monarchy, I invoke the Absence Clause," Zazu explained. "This clause sets out who is in charge while the Monarch is beyond these borders for a predetermined amount of time," he said. He went on to explain the importance
"Scar, do you promise to faithfully discharge the duties you are entrusted to uphold while remaining loyal to Mufasa for the duration of his absence?"
"I do," Scar replied without hesitation.
"Mufasa, do you trust your brother to faithfully discharge the duties for the duration of your absence?"
"I do," Mufasa answered with a genuine smile that conveyed warmth and pride. Scar allowed a small smile to form on his muzzle.
"Under the Absence Clause of the Law of Succession, I hereby declare that Scar is duly bestowed the powers, responsibilities and titles of the King of the Pride Lands for the duration of Mufasa's absence," Zazu declared.
This announcement was met with an awkward silence, broken only by Mufasa's laugh of joyous pride. This was followed by a brief burst of audible congratulations.
"Congratulations, brother-by-law," Sarabi said with a sincere smile. "This must be something you've wanted for many moons. How do you feel now you have it?" Sarabi asked. At this point, the crowd had dispersed and the lionesses either returned to the cave or went off to the sunbathing spot.
Scar gave a pondering expression before he conveyed his answer. "Anxious. I am keen to prove myself worthy, but I am daunted by the honour and sense of responsibility," he said.
"And that's why I trust you to do this," Mufasa said.
"Well, if you come back to a land ravaged by wildfire, you technically only have yourself to blame," Scar teased. Mufasa could only shake his head and roll his eyes in amusement.
"Right..." Alex piped up. "Is that it? Is it done? Are we off now?" he asked hesitantly.
"Yes," Mufasa answered. "Yes, it's time to go. Are you ready, Simba?" Mufasa asked.
"Hmm?" Simba responded off-guardedly as if he was extracted from a different universe.
"Are you ready to go? Have you said your goodbyes?" Mufasa asked again.
"Oh, yes. Um... no, I need to say goodbye to my friends," Simba replied.
"Oh, well, be quick about it. We don't want to be late," Mufasa answered before Simba made haste back up to the promontory that stuck out like a grey tongue above the savannah.
Simba stopped when he reached the base of it. He could neither think nor breathe straight. If going on this journey meant that his father and Alex were going to betray him, then he wouldn't go. He didn't want to start the course of events that led to that eventuality. He didn't want their relationship to break down. So he simply wouldn't go. But his father could carry him in his mouth if he had to, so he had to run. He had to hide. He simply couldn't go on this expedition. He looked at either side of the cave. He couldn't go through the secret exit that he had once got in trouble for escaping through. It was the first time he had gotten into so much trouble that the way his father scolded him for his recklessness made him miserable. At first, it was out of a sense of regret of being caught and the unfairness of not being allowed beyond the cave, but as he grew, he realised it was out of guilt for making his parents worry that he might have come to harm.
And if he did this now, they would be more worried for his safety than getting to the Council of Kings on time. But before he could turn back on this decision, he flinched when a voice called out his name accusingly.
"Simba?" It was Morgan.
The said lion cub looked behind him and couldn't hide a shake of his head, as if to say 'No, I can't be found. I've already failed. This awful thing will happen and it will probably be my fault.'
"I thought you were going on your journey," Morgan said.
"Uh... I... I'm just saying goodbye to my friends," Simba desperately recycled an excuse.
"But you said bye to them earlier and last night," Morgan held him to account.
The cub widened his eyes in the realisation that he would not be able to deceive the human boy. He sighed in frustration.
"I... I can't go," Simba claimed.
"What?" Morgan scoffed. "Why on earth not?" the human boy asked.
"Because... I'm afraid of what might happen. I think something bad is going to happen on my journey," he said timidly.
Morgan looked at Simba with an understanding expression. He once thought as Simba did. He once thought bad things could be avoided by remaining still and doing nothing in life. But then he realised that such a way of living is no life at all. Bad things are unavoidable, regardless of whether you run from them or try to stay on the sidelines. Bad things happen for good things to be good.
"Why do you think that way?"
"Because my uncle told me that something bad happened to my Dad when he went on what I'm about to embark on," Simba revealed.
"Okay, let me get something off my chest: who are you going to trust - your shifty uncle who is called Scar, or your own father, whose name literally means 'King'?" Morgan asked rhetorically while gesticulating to add emphasis to his point. "In all seriousness, if you lived your life in fear of bad things happening, like, if you just did nothing, or if you kept on running and being distant, then you'll know no good things either," Morgan added.
"I suppose you're right," Simba admitted. "If I had let the fear of rejection control me, I would have never known that Nala loved me just as much as I love her," he said.
"And if you stayed in the Pride Lands, you wouldn't know what sort of things Mufasa and Alex would see and do," Morgan said as he sat down beside the cub.
"But I'm still afraid of this journey changing my relationship with my Dad and my bond with Alex," Simba said.
"Your Dad and Alex have shown me the true meaning of love: no matter what you do, you will always be loved, and that means sacrifice, that means honour, that means protecting... I don't think you could ever do anything to make your Dad think you less worthy of being his heir or being his son,"
Simba took a moment to absorb Morgan's words without excreting tears. "Thank you, Morgan. I'll miss you," he said.
"I'll miss you, too," Morgan replied before leaning over and kissing Simba on his forehead. Simba responded with an affectionate nuzzle against the boy's cheek.
"Okay," Simba said. "I'm ready to go. I'm still afraid, but that's what courage is about, isn't it? Being afraid but doing it anyway," he said.
"That's the spirit!" Morgan encouraged before he opened his body for Simba to spring up into the human's arms before they both descended the slope from the promontory.
"Ah, there you are. Have you said your goodbyes?" Mufasa asked.
"Yes, I said what I had to say, and now I'm ready to confront this adventure," Simba declared. Morgan flashed him a knowing and proud smile. The boy then walked up to Alex and handed Simba to the older human, but before the cub could nestle in the sanctuary of the human's muscular yet tender arms, Mufasa interjected.
"Oh, by the way, as part of the Path of the Prince, Simba must walk to the Great Mountain. He must not be carried or aided on his journey," the King said.
"What?!" Simba and Alex both exclaimed.
A/N: Oof, that was a hefty chapter, but at least we're getting moving now. How will Alex, Mufasa and Simba fare on their journey? How will Scar handle the pressures of power? Find out in the next chapter... whenever I get around to writing it.
Anyway, thank you for reading and make sure to leave a constructive review and don't forget to add the story to your favourite and following lists if you haven't already. Have a nice day!