I woke up the next morning in my bed. Not even remembering how I ended up hear after the picnic last night. With a slight frown, I began to think that what happened last night was a dream. That theory was immediately halted when I turned over. Right beside me, still sound asleep, was Linda. Her black hair a jumbled mess, and there was a small line of drool coming from the corner of her mouth. Despite that, she still looked like an ideal image of an angel. A pounding sensation came from my head that caused me to fall against my pillow again. Sadly, this isn't the first time I have suffered from hangovers, especially right after Jenny and my mom died.

The sudden movement caused Linda to turn around before slowly opening her eyes.

She smiled, "Good morning."

"Hi.", was all I managed to get out.

Linda giggled happily before pushing the hair out of her eyes and resting her head on my chest. I smiled down at her as I wrapped my left arm around her body.

"Last night was... amazing," she said.

"It was my first," I admitted.

"Mine too."

Her lips connected with mine before resting her head back down and snuggling closer to me. All we did was lay together in silence for a solid fifteen minutes. I could honestly say I could do this all day and be happy. She got around to asking me more about my life; particularly my time in the Pridelands. Wanting to know how I was able to be comfortable not just without technology; but the only human. I told her that all the creatures were so welcoming, I almost didn't notice.

"They must have been really good to you."

"They were," I agreed.

A frown formed on my face when I thought about them again. With everything going on I never had a chance to really reflect on them since I got here. But once I did, almost immediate regret and sorrow followed. The thought of Kion, Kiara, Tiifu, and Zuri not having me there to comfort them through Sarabi's passing. Nala and Sarafina can't be much better right now. Simba has completely changed for the worse since coming back to Pride Rock.

Linda cupped my cheek with her hand and turned my eyes towards hers. She slid her thumb across a tear that fell from my eye.

"What's the matter?"

"I just wish I didn't have to leave them so soon. I am happy here; it's just I would give anything to see them again."

She smiled slightly, "Focus on getting through your training. I'm sure they know you wouldn't leave them on purpose. You can still do great things, do it for them."

Kissing me one last time; Linda threw the sheets off her body and walked to the bathroom. I mentally gave myself a pat on the back as her nude body disappeared behind the door. As the shower started up, I stood and searched for some clothes. Finally, I decided to dress in a black tank top and jeans.

Five minutes later I heard the shower turn off. Deciding to make good use of my time, I laid on my bench and began doing reps. While I was doing a round of pull-ups; I heard the bathroom door open. Linda came in and spoke to me.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did," I said with a chuckle.

"Very funny. Did you used to have long hair?"

"Yeah, I had been growing it out since middle school."

"Why did you cut it?"

"I... just never felt the same after I mercy killed Sarabi. So I didn't want to have something that reminded me of the old me. But it was something I kind of regret doing now."

My mind drifted to what I used to look like. Back when my hair was one of my most cherished traits about myself. I know it's almost silly to care so much about your hair, but I had put years into it.

A sudden gasp from behind me made me stop my pull-ups and look over my shoulder. Linda stood frozen with wide eyes as her face got white. Almost as if she had seen a spirit rise up from the grave. Without saying a word, she shakingly put her hands on me and guided me into the bathroom. After I saw my image in the mirror, I fell against Linda who had to hold me up. Staring directly back at me was the long-haired version of myself. As if I had never cut it at all.

"You-you're one of them," Linda said.

"One of what?" I asked

Without saying a word, she grabbed me by the arm and pulled me out of the room and out the front door. She didn't let go until we came to a house at the end of the road. As we stepped through the front door, we were greeted by a room full of people. Mufasa and Sarabi stood by the side of Randell. Mom and Jenny were sitting on a couch in the corner of the room. Standing right across from Randell was a man I had never seen before. He looked to be a little younger than Randell. With short brown hair, matching eyes, and a muscular upper body littered with scars. An unshaken and savage look in his eyes. If I had to guess, he had seen a dozen battles and come out alive.

Sarabi was the first to speak to me, "Lee... your hair. How did it get long again?"

I shrugged, "I have no idea."

Linda smiled at me, "Lee's one of them."

"One of what?" I repeated.

"Really? That's incredible!" Sarabi exclaimed.

"One of what?"

"Awesome, you're one of them, Lee!" Jenny said.

I looked at her, "One of what?

"Oh Lee, I can't believe you're one of them."

"Hey! One of what?!" I exploded.

Mufasa stepped up, "Lee, you're a shapeshifter."

I looked down at him, "A what?"

"A shapeshifter you have the ability to change your form. With practice, you can do it at will."

Randell walked up with the stranger at his side. Now that they stood side by side, I saw that the stranger was a few inches taller. The scars looked more gruesome up close.

Randell spoke to me, "Lee, it is my honor to introduce to you..."

The stranger put his hand on Randell's shoulder. All he did was shake his head and look back at me. He stuck his hand out to me, that's when I saw it. There was a brand on the inside of his right forearm. A black capital "B" that looked as if it had been there for years.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lee. I am Spartacus. "

"Spartacus? As in the Spartacus? The Spartacus who led an army against the Roman empire for a fight against slavery? That Spartacus?

He nodded, "The same."

It's as if I couldn't find my voice. I was shaking hands with one of the most famous warriors in history. A man who led an army of Gladiators against one of the most powerful forces of his time.

"It is honestly such an honor to meet you, sir," I said as I shook his hand faster.

He chuckled, "The honor is all mine. The tales of your courage in battle have never been far from my ears."

"Well, if a legend such as yourself has heard about me, I must be doing something right."

"We should get going, Lee. There's a full day of training ahead." Randell stated.

He turned to Spartacus, "Will you be joining us?"

Spartacus shook his head, "I would like to, but I haven't picked up a sword in years."

"Oh, please come with us." I pleaded, " You are one of the most famous warriors in recorded history."

"Well..." he considered.

"Spartacus," Mufasa said, "It would be a great service if you come to the arena. Lee might learn a thing or two from you."

Spartacus looked at me, "Is that what you want?"

I nodded, "Very much."

He sighed, "Very well."

When we arrived at the arena, everyone was already training. Logan and Sean were training with four other guys around their age. The two of them looked like they were having a walk in the park, while the four others were giving it their all. Logan had disarmed two of them in seconds and knocked them to the ground. Sean was facing a guy about to swing at him. He used the moment to grab his arm and flip him onto his back. Just as the last man standing was about to strike Sean in the head, Logan smacked him good in the face.

"They are really good," I said.

"They aren't bad," Spartacus said.

Logan was the first to notice us. He had just finished helping up the last man before sticking his sword in the dirt and making his way over to all of us. Sean didn't follow him, just stood there with the scowl he always wore when he looked at me.

"It's good to see you again," as he shook hands with Spartacus, then me.

Spartacus chuckled, "I decided to come by and see how you all are fairing."

"Well, you're always welcome here. Lee, pick up that sword, you're sparing with Sean today."

I groaned inwardly as I pulled the sword out of the dirt and faced Sean. Facing him with a spear was one thing, but with a sword was another matter entirely. It was something I had little experience with, and Sean knew it. The man smiled wickedly as he stood ready to fight. Even if I went down, I was going to make it hard for him.

"You're in my world now, friend," he said the last word with disgust.

In a moment of slight rage, I lunged for him. He easily blocked my attack and smacked me hard on the cheek. A fierce burning sensation erupted on my face as I shook my head. Suddenly his sword came crashing down on my face a second time. When he tried for a third strike, I blocked and with everything I had, shoved him backward.

He stumbled back and nearly fell on his butt. Using the moment, I ran towards him with my sword raised. Once again, he blocked me easily and hit me, this time in the stomach. With a loud groan, I bent slightly as a knee came into contact with my face. The force caused me to fall flat on my back. Sean stuck his sword near my face, the same wicked, smug look on his features.

"How does it feel to be on the other end of a beatdown, huh?" he asked.

I kicked him in the right leg and quickly stumbled to my feet. After regaining his footing, he came at me again. Two times he swung at me, both times I match his strikes. Just as I was getting the hang of it, he blocked my attack and hit me with an uppercut. My sword flew out of my hand as I found myself once again on my back.

Despite my blurry vision, I tried to feel around for my sword. Only for Sean to put his foot on my arm and me to cry quietly in pain. Just as he was about to beat my face bloody with the sword, another one blocked it and made him stop immediately. I looked up at Spartacus, who protected me from Sean's wrath.

"Alright, you've made your point," Spartacus said.

He knocked the weapon out of Sean's hand before grabbing my arm and pulling me to my feet. A sudden cry caused us to look back to see Sean come at us again. At a lightning fast pace, Spartacus kicked up the sword I dropped and caught it in his hands to block his attack. Sean got angry and swung with great fury. Spartacus effortlessly dodged all the attacks that came his way. Three of the men that sparred with Sean and Logan minutes ago stepped forward. Spartacus did notice, but he didn't look alarmed in the slightest. He, in fact, smiled slightly and motioned them to come at him.

Two of them came at him from the left; while Sean and the other one came at him straightforward. Spartacus managed to block two of the men with one sword while he deflected the sword of the guy standing next to Sean. The sword hit Sean in the face. I bit back a chuckle as I watched this beast of a warrior demolish all four of them. He pocked Sean in the stomach while he smacked both the soldiers on the left side so hard, they fell down. Sean and the guy next to him tried swinging in unison, but now Spartacus could use both swords. He blocked both swords and smacked the other soldier in the stomach with the side of one of his. The guy groaned in pain while Spartacus smacked him in the face, sending him sprawling to the ground.

The only one left standing was Sean, and he knew it. Despite seeing him take down three men with almost no effort, something I don't think even Logan can pull off, Sean still lunged forward. Spartacus blocked his attack with one sword and smacked him in the face with another. It ended when Logan threw his little brother in a full nelson and demanded he drop his sword.

While practically dragging Sean away from everyone, Logan called over his shoulder.

"Looks like you still got it, Spartacus."

Spartacus chuckled while turning to me. He threw one of the sparing swords up in the air and caught it as he walked up to me, who had watched the whole fight with an open mouth. He noticed my shocked expression and his smile dipped into a frown.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"You're... amazing!" I said in awe.

He smiled sheepishly, "Thank you."

I walked side by side with him. Still trying to replay the whole scene in my head. Every motion Spartacus took with the sword was like he was painting a picture. If that was how he fought after not picking up a sword for years; I would hate to go up against him in his prime. An invisible lightbulb lit up in my head that caused a smile to stretch across my face. Dashing in front of him, I put my hands up to get his attention.

"Could you teach me?" I asked.

He chuckled, "What?"

"Teach me," I repeated, "You took down all four of them without breaking a sweat. I would money on Logan not being able to do that. So can you please teach me to fight like you?"

He chuckling face vanished as he now wore a frown once again. I copied his face as I saw him change in an instant. Spartacus sighed before placing his right hand on my shoulder and speaking to me.

"You seem like a good lad. I'm sure you make a good student, but I don't teach anyone."

"Oh, come on, please?" I tried again, "With your skills, I can become the best knight here."

His face went through several phases. Until he returned the frown on his face and shook his head slowly.

"I'm sorry my boy, teaching isn't for me. Just continue your training with Randell, and you'll be a knight in no time."

With that, Spartacus turned and headed for the exit. Part of me wanted to go after him. Maybe convince him I would be easy to teach; even if he wasn't used to teaching. Mufasa stepped in front of me just as Spartacus walked out the door.

"Get back to your training Lee, Randell will guide you on the right path."

I sighed sadly, "Yeah."