The sky was an endless shroud of grey, the sun a mere ghost of its former self, hidden behind a veil of oppressive clouds. The Pridelands, once a paradise of life and vibrancy, were now a bleak, colourless wasteland. And in the heart of this ruin, an old, cracked rock stood as a grim reminder of a past long forgotten.

Kisasi crouched behind a cluster of withered bushes, his small frame trembling from more than just hunger. His fur, once a soft golden hue, had lost its luster, and his eyes—emerald like the lush fields that used to thrive—now seemed almost dulled by the darkness of his reality. He was a mere shadow of what he should have been: a prince. The heir. Scar's son.

He remembered a time when he was at the center of it all, when Scar had introduced him to the hyenas. Back then, they'd laughed and cackled at his boldness, his eagerness to follow in his father's pawsteps. They liked him, not out of fear or necessity, but because he was different. Kisasi's presence had been a small, untainted spark in an otherwise grim existence.

"Little prince!" Shenzi had called him with a mischievous grin, her voice almost playful. "You've got more bite than your old man. Maybe one day, you'll be the one giving orders around here, huh?"

"Really?" Kisasi had looked up at her with wide eyes, a hopeful smile forming on his lips. "You think so?"

"Sure," Banzai had chimed in, smirking. "Just make sure you're not as grouchy as Scar, eh?"

The hyenas had burst into laughter, and even Ed had nodded enthusiastically, his tongue lolling out in approval. Those moments of camaraderie were rare and fleeting, but they had made Kisasi feel like he truly belonged. For a fleeting moment, he had believed it—believed that he could one day be a leader who would command both lions and hyenas, uniting them under a reign far stronger than Scar's ever could be.

But those dreams, like the land itself, had withered away.

Scar's promises of glory had turned to ash, and the hyenas, though still fond of him in their way, had begun to see Kisasi as just another member of a dying pride. They pitied him, and pity was far worse than fear or contempt.

Now, he watched as the lionesses dragged themselves back to Pride Rock, their paws heavy and heads bowed low, defeated. There were no cheers, no joyous reunions. Only silence and averted gazes, as if they had long since accepted their fate.

The cub slinked around the back of Pride Rock, careful to avoid the eyes of the adults. To the lionesses, he was a symbol of Scar's cruelty. To Scar himself… Kisasi was a reminder of the failure to establish his own legacy. His father's gaze, once filled with cold calculation, now rarely found him at all. Kisasi's presence was barely acknowledged.

And then there was her—Zira.

She had appeared one day, stepping into Scar's shadow like she had always belonged there. Her eyes were fierce and sharp, her words dripping with reverence and flattery. Kisasi, young as he was, could sense the shift immediately. Where he had once been Scar's sole focus, Zira became the one to shape and manipulate the tyrant's ambitions.

"Is this your idea of an heir, my king?" Zira had asked once, her tone a mockery of sweetness as she looked down at Kisasi. "He lacks strength. He lacks conviction. No, Scar… If you want a true successor, you need one who is born to lead, one you can mold from the very beginning."

Scar had only hummed in response, his gaze lingering on Kisasi with something akin to disappointment. "Kisasi is… adequate. But perhaps you're right, Zira. Perhaps we need a new beginning."

And that was when everything changed.

Zira brought in Kovu, a cub who was younger, weaker in body but strong in spirit. She presented him like an offering, a blank slate that she could write her ideals onto, and Scar—much to Kisasi's disbelief—accepted. He watched helplessly as Kovu took his place, a place that should have been his by right.

"Father…" Kisasi murmured, lowering his head as he approached Scar, who was standing atop a jagged ledge. Scar's lean form seemed to blend into the dark sky behind him, his mane billowing like smoke.

Scar turned his head slowly, his eyes narrowing as they fell upon his son. There was no warmth in that gaze, only a cold indifference. "What is it?"

Kisasi swallowed, his throat dry. "I—I still want to be your heir." His voice was faint, almost swallowed by the wind. "I can lead, Father. I can—"

Scar's lip curled in a sneer. "Lead?" he scoffed, turning fully toward Kisasi now. "And what makes you think you're worthy of leading anything?"

"I've watched you," Kisasi pressed on, his voice trembling but determined. "I've listened to every lesson you've given me. I know what it means to rule! I know what it means to command respect—"

"Respect?" Scar's laugh was sharp and empty. "What respect do you command? Do the lionesses bow at your feet? Do the hyenas follow your every word?"

Kisasi's heart sank, a familiar sting settling in his chest. He looked down at his paws, small and frail compared to Scar's powerful frame. "But I'm your son. Your blood. I—"

"Blood means nothing if you lack the strength to wield it!" Scar's voice snapped through the air, cutting Kisasi off. The cub recoiled, his ears flattening against his head. "You've proven nothing, Kisasi. So stip whimpering like a cub, crying for a title you've done nothing to earn."

Kisasi's breath hitched, but he forced himself to meet Scar's gaze. "Then I'll prove it!" he declared, his small voice filled with a sudden fire. "I'll prove that I can be the leader you want! Just give me a chance—"

"A chance?" Scar's eyes darkened, his gaze flicking over Kisasi with disdain. "Why should I waste more time on you when I have Kovu, an infant who shows more promise in one day than you have in your entire life?"

"Because I'm not like Kovu!" Kisasi shouted, his voice breaking. "I'm your son, not Zira's puppet!"

For a moment, there was only silence. Scar stared at Kisasi, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Mind your tongue, boy," he murmured, his voice dangerously soft. "You forget yourself."

Kisasi took a step back, his legs shaking. But he couldn't stop now. "I haven't forgotten anything! You—you promised me that I'd be the heir. You said I was going to rule the Pridelands! You chose me!"

Scar's expression twisted into something unreadable. He took a slow step toward Kisasi, his presence looming over the cub like a shadow. "And now I've chosen Kovu."

The words hit Kisasi like a physical blow. He stumbled, his breath catching in his throat. "But… why? What did I do wrong?"

Scar's gaze softened, but only slightly, a cruel mockery of sympathy. "It's not what you did, Kisasi. It's what you are. Weak. Unworthy. You may be my son, but that doesn't make you fit to rule."

Kisasi stared at Scar, his eyes wide and shimmering with unshed tears. "Please, Father… I can do better. I'll be stronger, I'll—"

"Enough!" Scar's voice thundered, echoing across the barren land. Kisasi flinched, shrinking back. "If you truly want to prove yourself, then do something worthwhile. Show me you're not the disappointment I see every time I look at you."

Kisasi's breath caught in his throat, the words striking harder than any physical blow. He stared at Scar, his eyes wide and shimmering with unspoken pain. But Scar merely turned his back on him, his attention already shifting toward Kovu, who was being groomed by Zira nearby.

"Father, please…" Kisasi whispered, his voice breaking. "I'm your son."

"My son?" Scar murmured, almost to himself, his voice so soft it was nearly swallowed by the wind. He glanced at Kisasi over his shoulder, his eyes dark and unreadable. "You were… once."

Kisasi's legs wobbled, his small frame trembling. He ran down the rocky slope, his legs carrying him far from Pride Rock, far from the voices that seemed to push him further and further into the past.

He wandered aimlessly through the dead plains, his tiny paws stirring up dust as he went. This was his kingdom. This emptiness, this death—it was all his inheritance. A wave of bitterness rose in his chest, and Kisasi bared his teeth, swiping at a brittle stalk of grass.

"Useless," he growled to himself, mimicking Scar's tone. "Weakling." His voice cracked, and he squeezed his eyes shut. For a moment, the world spun around him, a blur of gray and black.

"Hey, hey!" A familiar voice called out. Kisasi blinked, looking up to see Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed approaching him cautiously. Shenzi's grin was softer now, less sharp. "What're you doin' out here all alone, kid?"

"Yeah, thought you'd be back up at Pride Rock with your pops," Banzai added, cocking his head. "You know, like always."

Kisasi shook his head, lowering his gaze. "He doesn't want me there anymore. I… I'm not the heir. He chose someone else." His voice wavered, and the words tasted bitter on his tongue.

There was a brief silence as the hyenas exchanged glances. Even Ed, usually oblivious and carefree, seemed to sense the weight of Kisasi's admission. He tilted his head, a confused whine escaping his throat.

"Not the heir?" Shenzi echoed, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. "What's Scar thinkin'? You're the only one who ever had the guts to stand up to him."

"Yeah!" Banzai chimed in, his voice rising indignantly. "And we like ya, kid. You've got more spine than half those prissy lionesses up there."

"But it's not enough," Kisasi murmured, his shoulders slumping. "Not for Scar… and not for Zira. She brought Kovu, and now—"

"Zira?" Shenzi spat, her lips curling in a sneer. "Figures. That crazy cat always had a few loose screws."

"Bet she's fillin' Scar's head with all kinds of nonsense," Banzai muttered, his fur bristling. "Like that little Kovu is gonna make a better king. Pfft!"

"But Scar believes her," Kisasi said softly, almost to himself. "He thinks Kovu will be a better leader… and I don't know how to change his mind."

Shenzi let out a low growl, her gaze softening as she looked down at the cub. "Look, kid, it ain't fair. But you can't let 'em walk all over ya like that. You're better than Kovu. You're stronger, smarter, and ya know the hyenas got your back."

Ed nodded enthusiastically, his head bobbing up and down.

Kisasi managed a weak smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Thanks… but I don't think that's enough. I need to prove myself. I need to show Scar that I can be the leader he wants… the leader this kingdom needs."

"Yeah, but how're ya gonna do that if he won't even give ya a chance?" Banzai asked, frowning.

"I don't know," Kisasi admitted, his voice barely a whisper. "But I have to try. I can't just… give up."

Shenzi's grin faded, replaced by a look of resolve. "Then we'll help ya. Whatever you gotta do, we're with ya."

Kisasi's eyes widened, surprise flickering in their green depths. "But… why? Why would you help me?"

"Because we know a good leader when we see one," Shenzi said firmly. "And it sure ain't that Kovu runt."

"Yeah, and besides," Banzai added with a toothy grin, "we've always had a soft spot for ya, kid. You're one of us, y'know?"

Kisasi's heart swelled with a mixture of gratitude and determination. Maybe Scar and Zira had turned their backs on him, but the hyenas still believed in him. And if they could see his potential, then maybe—just maybe—he could make Scar see it too.

"I won't let you down," Kisasi promised, his voice stronger now. "I'll find a way to prove myself… to all of them."

Shenzi's grin returned, fierce and proud. "That's the spirit! Now, c'mon. Let's get you somethin' to eat. Can't have our future king starvin', can we?"

Kisasi hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "But… what about Scar? What if he—"

"Forget Scar for now," Banzai interrupted, waving a paw dismissively. "We're not doin' this for him. We're doin' this for you. Got it?"

Kisasi stared at the hyenas, at their unwavering support and confidence in him. Slowly, he nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Got it."

As they led him away from the barren plains, Kisasi glanced back at Pride Rock one last time. The silhouette of the great stone monument loomed against the dark sky, a symbol of everything he had lost—and everything he was determined to reclaim.

"Watch me, Father," Kisasi whispered under his breath, his gaze hardening with resolve. "I'll show you that I'm more than you ever imagined. I'll show you… that I'm worthy."

The dry wind of the Pridelands whispered across Kisasi's fur, carrying the scent of ash and decay. He stood in the shadows of a crumbling ridge, watching Pride Rock rise against the storm-dark sky. The once-mighty landmark seemed smaller now, swallowed by the hunger of the endless drought. His emerald eyes, hardened by months of rejection and loneliness, flickered with uncertainty as a distant roar shattered the silence.

That wasn't Scar's roar…

His heart tightened with a mix of fear and curiosity. The air felt different, charged with something that made the fur along his spine stand on end. He crept forward, blending seamlessly into the darkness, his gaze locked on the far edge of the Pridelands. Dust rose like ghosts from the dry ground as a battle cry echoed across the plain. It was a sound filled with strength and hope—a sound Kisasi hadn't heard in what felt like a lifetime.

"Who…?" he whispered to himself.

Silhouettes moved in the distance. Lions—no, outsiders—crossed the barren plains, their roars fierce and unyielding. The lionesses of the Pride were rallying too, standing shoulder to shoulder with these intruders. Among them, a male with a golden mane—brighter than the dying sun—charged forward with a power that made Kisasi's breath catch.

Who is he? Why are the lionesses fighting with him?

Kisasi crouched low, his gaze darting between the familiar faces of his pride—Nala, Sarabi, the others he'd known since he was a cub—and this stranger who seemed to command them effortlessly. He'd been hidden away for so long, watching from the sidelines, waiting for a chance to prove himself. But this… this was chaos, a whirlwind of growls and snarls, of old alliances breaking and new ones forming.

He spotted Zira pacing near the base of Pride Rock, her lips drawn back in a snarl. Behind her, Kovu lay nestled against her, a tiny cub barely aware of the turmoil around him. Kisasi felt a pang of bitterness surge through him. This was the cub Scar had chosen over him. The cub he had been forced to watch day after day, coddled and praised by Zira while he was pushed further into obscurity.

A fierce roar split the air, snapping Kisasi's attention back to the ledge where Scar and Simba fought. Scar was struggling, pinned beneath Simba's powerful form, blood matting his dark mane. Kisasi's heart pounded as he took a step forward, but Zira blocked his path, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Pathetic," a voice hissed beside him. Kisasi flinched, turning to find Zira's yellow eyes boring into him. She sneered, her lips curling back in a look of disgust. "Standing there like a scared cub, as if you're just a spectator. I always knew you'd prove useless in the end."

"But I want to help!" Kisasi protested, his small body trembling with frustration. "I can be a leader! I can fight!"

"Fight? Join them and have yourself killed?" Zira scoffed, turning her head in disdain. "You've never had the courage to do anything, have you? Scar chose you as his heir, but look at you now—hiding like a coward while true lions take action!"

"I'm not a coward!" he shot back, his voice rising. "I can prove myself! I can show you I'm worthy!"

Zira stepped closer, her voice a low hiss. "Worthy? Worthy of what? You've done nothing to earn Scar's legacy. Kovu will take that place, and you'll be nothing but a distant memory!"

Kisasi's heart sank. "But Kovu is not his blood heir! He can't lead!"

Zira's eyes narrowed dangerously. "He is my son, and he will rise to take Scar's place. You are just a failure."

The ground seemed to shift beneath Kisasi's paws, and for a moment, he couldn't breathe. All his life, he'd been told he wasn't enough—that he was too soft, too indecisive. And now, standing in the middle of a battlefield that would decide the future of his home, those doubts threatened to crush him.

A roar of pain split the air, snapping him back to the present. He stared, wide-eyed, as Simba heaved Scar off the edge of Pride Rock. Scar's scream echoed through the air as he fell, swallowed by the hungry flames that had begun to consume the land below.

"Father!" Kisasi cried, his voice breaking as he surged toward the edge. He skidded to a halt, eyes wide with horror. The acrid smell of smoke and charred fur filled his nostrils, stinging his eyes. He stared down at the place where Scar had disappeared, his heart hammering in his chest.

He was gone. Scar was gone.

Kisasi trembled, his gaze lingering on the abyss below, where the fires raged, engulfing the last remnants of Scar's reign.

The hyenas had turned on Scar's body in the chaos, their yelps and shrieks filling the air as they tore into him with a savagery that made Kisasi's stomach twist. He stumbled back, mind reeling. They betrayed him. They killed him.

"They betrayed him," he whispered hoarsely, his voice barely audible over the din. "They killed him!"

"Yes," Zira hissed, stepping beside him. Her gaze was fixed on the scene with a terrifying intensity, but there was no realization in her eyes. "Scar is gone, and Simba is king."

Kisasi looked up at her, searching her face for some glimmer of understanding, some sign of shared grief. But all he saw was rage—rage and something darker, something that made his fur stand on end.

"I can fight, Zira," he said, desperation creeping into his voice. "I can avenge him. Just give me a chance."

Zira rounded on him, her fangs bared. "You? You think you're capable of anything now?" She gestured furiously toward the carnage below. "Look at what you let happen, Kisasi! Scar is dead, and our pride is broken!"

"I—I didn't know—"

"Of course, you didn't!" she spat. "Because you're weak. You've always been weak. Scar made a mistake choosing you as his heir. I knew it then, and I know it now." Her voice dropped to a cold, deadly whisper. "But I won't make the same mistake."

Kisasi's heart sank as her meaning became clear. He shook his head, taking a step back. "No, I can prove myself. I can—"

"Enough!" Zira roared, her claws digging into the dirt as she towered over him. "You've failed too many times, Kisasi. Your place is no longer with us. You must leave. You are no longer welcome here. You will be exiled from the Pridelands."

Kisasi's world shattered. "No! Zira, please! I can be what Scar wanted! I can be strong! Just let me try!"

But Zira turned her back on him, her expression hardening. "You are weak, and you will always be weak. Leave, and do not return."

With a heavy heart, Kisasi turned away, the weight of Zira's words crushing him. The shouts of victory rang in his ears, but all he could feel was the hollow ache of loss. As he walked away from Pride Rock as he glanced back one last time.

Kisasi trudged away from Pride Rock, the weight of Zira's words echoing in his mind like a haunting melody. The fires blazed behind him, their glow a stark reminder of the chaos that had just unfolded. His heart felt as barren as the landscape around him, stripped of hope and purpose.

As he moved further from the heart of the Pridelands, he found himself on the edge of the dry grasslands. The air was thick with tension, a silence punctuated only by the crackling of distant flames. He stumbled along, his mind racing with thoughts of revenge, of proving his worth, and of the family he had lost.

Suddenly, a rustling in the bushes caught his attention. Kisasi paused, his heart racing. He peered into the shadows and found a trio of hyenas emerging from the underbrush.

"Look who it is!" Shenzi exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "It's our favorite prince! Kisasi, what are you doing out here all alone?"

Kisasi's heart sank a little. "I… I'm leaving the Pridelands."

"Leaving?" Banzai chimed in, his head cocked to the side. "Why would you want to do that? You were the heir! Everyone was counting on you!"

Kisasi's frustration bubbled over. "Not anymore! Zira has made it clear I'm not worthy. She's chosen Kovu over me."

Shenzi stepped closer, her expression softening. "Kisasi, we always liked you. You were Scar's favorite, after all. You had potential."

"Potential?" Kisasi spat, bitterness creeping into his voice. "What good is that now? Scar's gone because of you!"

The hyenas exchanged glances, their playful demeanor faltering. "What do you mean by that?" Shenzi asked, narrowing her eyes.

"I know what you did," Kisasi said, his voice steady despite the tremor of anger beneath. "You killed him! You turned on him when he needed you the most!"

Banzai scratched his head, looking genuinely confused. "Hey, we did what we had to do! Scar was weak, and we knew he wasn't going to last. It's survival of the fittest!"

"Survival?" Kisasi echoed, hurt and disbelief washing over him. "You're celebrating your betrayal? He was my father! You're lucky that Zira doesn't know about it!"

Ed, who had been giggling quietly, suddenly stopped, sensing the tension. His wide eyes darted between Kisasi and the others.

"Look, kid," Shenzi said, her voice a mix of irritation and sincerity, "it's not like we wanted to hurt you. Scar was making bad choices, and we had to think about ourselves."

Kisasi shook his head in disbelief. "You think that justifies it? You turned your backs on him, on everything he stood for. And now you expect me to join you?"

"Hey, we did what we had to do to survive!" Banzai argued, trying to deflect the tension. "Scar was a tyrant! He led us to starvation and fear. The moment he lost his strength, he became a liability. We did what had to be done!"

"Liability?" Kisasi shouted, anger bubbling to the surface. "He was my father! He was supposed to protect us!"

"Protect us?" Shenzi retorted, her voice rising. "He was doing just the opposite! He used you, just like he used us! He was selfish, Kisasi. He didn't care about anyone but himself. We took him out before he could ruin everything for us!"

Kisasi's heart raced as he fought against their words, but doubt crept in. "But he was still my father! How could you betray him like that?"

"Sometimes, betrayal is necessary," Banzai said, his voice calm yet firm. "Look around you. Scar's reign was nothing but chaos. With him gone, there's a chance for a better life. For all of us. And you could be part of that new future."

"Is that what you think?" Kisasi challenged. "You think killing him was justified? You think I should just accept that?"

"Don't you see?" Shenzi pressed, her tone softer now. "You've got the chance to be stronger. To take control of your own destiny. Zira's already set her sights on Kovu. You're just a pawn in her game. But with us, you could be more. You could lead!"

Kisasi hesitated, feeling the weight of their words. "And what happens if we cross Zira? She'll want revenge. She'll never let us go!"

"Then we'll make her fear us!" Banzai declared, grinning. "You'll have the strength of the hyena clan behind you. You won't be alone. We can take the Pridelands back, together!"

"Join us, Kisasi," Shenzi urged, her voice a mix of sincerity and excitement. "You're one of us. You could be strong and clever. You could be our leader!"

Kisasi felt a surge of conflicting emotions. The lure of power and belonging was enticing, but he also felt the sting of betrayal for his father. He looked back at the fading silhouette of Pride Rock and then back at the hyenas, their eyes filled with a mix of hope and determination.

"I… I don't know," he said hesitantly, his heart torn. "You're right. I'm alone now, and I don't want to be. I don't want to fight this battle by myself."

Shenzi smiled, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Then come with us, Kisasi! We can make our own way in this world. Together, we can find strength in each other!"

Kisasi took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his choice settle over him like a warm blanket. "Alright. I'll join you," he said, his voice firm. "Let's show them that we can be strong, no matter what they think."

The hyenas erupted into cheers, their laughter echoing through the savanna. "Welcome to the clan, little prince!" Banzai exclaimed, nudging him playfully.