Conversations between friends and enemies
Late in the afternoon, Sarabi finally reached the Pride Rock, carrying a dead antelope in her mouth. The Pride Rock was a rock formation, practically in the center of the Pride Land. Unfortunately, this place had also changed a lot under Scar's rule; everything here used to seem peaceful and dignified. Now bones were lying around everywhere, and the fauna around the rock had died. It was more reminiscent of an elephant graveyard than a royal home. Her steps were not very motivated, and the lioness's thoughts were entirely elsewhere. She looked through the group of other lionesses to see if everyone was there. To her relief, they were all there, unfortunately, the same was true of the hyenas, who had laid down below the cave and were looking at the lioness's prey. The other lionesses were just about to go to their leader when suddenly an all too familiar voice spoke down from the rocks above.
And it was from a lion who was standing on top of the rock and looking down at her. His fur was an orange-brown shade, while his underbelly, paws and muzzle were cream-colored. He had a long, smooth, and combed-back black mane, as well as a black tail tip. What also stood out was his goatee, his dark eye rims, and his scar that ran above his left eye. His eyes were bright green, and his build made him look quite lanky.
"Sarabi, you're coming back late today. What took you so long?" Scar said from the top of the King's Rock and walked confidently down to the lioness.
"A few things, why don't you ask the hyenas? They could probably tell you a few stories, especially how they settle their disputes," said the lioness, whereupon Scar looked over at the Shenzi, Banzai and Ed.
"Pfff, I don't know anything," the leader of the Hyena pack answered disparagingly.
"Exactly, as little of it as in Ed's head," said Banzai amusedly, whereupon the hyena in question began to nod wildly.
Scar had known the hyenas long enough to know that they were sometimes just as clumsy as they were dangerous and voracious. He just rolled his eyes and turned back to Sarabi, who laid the antelope on the ground and wanted to leave.
"I was a little worried about you, you took your time," said Scar in a falsely worried and dark voice, whereupon the lioness turned to him.
"Really? I didn't think I was needed here so urgently. Or do you need my help to keep order here?" said Sarabi in a slightly doubtful tone that the lions didn't like at all.
"I DON'T NEED ANYONE BECAUSE I AM THE KING!" the lion roared threateningly, making it clear that he was the leader.
"Then it's fine, sorry for my concern," said the lioness, smiling inwardly at Scar's outburst of anger.
Just as Sarabi was about to leave, the king smelled her scent. She smelled different today, like flowers, which surprised him a little. It wasn't pungent or intrusive, actually very pleasant. When Mufasa was still alive, some of the lionesses smelled like flowers now and again. Not that Scar had ever shown any interest in that, but he still found it a little strange. Why did the lioness have that smell now?
"Say, Sarabi, you really smell different today," the lion said, looking closely at Sarabi, who looked back at him with a confident smile.
"Do you like it? When I was grooming myself today, I noticed that my fur had taken on a strange smell. It was from hyenas," the lioness explained disparagingly.
The animals in question immediately began to growl and bare their teeth. While the other lionesses began to smell their fur and, to their horror, realized that they really did smell of hyenas. Not as strong as the animals themselves, but a certain smell could still be traced.
"Now, now, Sarabi. Even if there is a certain ... "own smell," we should hold back. We don't want to offend anyone here, after all, lions and hyenas live together now," said Scar in a stern but amused tone.
"That may be true, but just because I live with hyenas doesn't mean I have to smell of them," Sarabi explained in a proud tone and at the same time assumed a lofty posture.
"If it makes you happy, then roll around in your flowers. But hold back a little with your insults, it is still the king's right to judge, and I can't stand unnecessary discord," the lion explained in a serious tone and turned away from the lioness.
"As you wish, your highness," said Sarabi and tried not to choke on the last word.
The group of lionesses rested a little away from the high rock of the king's rock, while the hyenas mostly lay together under the large stone slab or path up to the king's cave. Hardly any of the lionesses had a strong desire to lie up there, especially with so many hyenas and not to forget because of their current ruler. Above all, the hyenas could keep an eye on the lionesses and the sacred land from their elevated position.
Sarabi was just eating some of the prey that the other members of the huntress had kept back, especially for her. Otherwise, the hyenas would not have left anything over; sharing was not exactly in their nature. While the lioness was eating, someone lay down next to her. Another lioness, who was a little smaller than Sarabi and had a slim build. Her fur was cream-colored, with a light underbelly and blue-green eyes. The lioness' face looked a little rounder than hers, and she was as well less strong than her.
"Is everything OK, Sarafina?" Sarabi asked worriedly, interrupting her meal.
"I should probably ask you that, you're like a different person. This morning, you didn't speak a complete sentence to anyone, unless it was necessary. And now you're going on a collision course with Scar," said the lighter lioness worriedly, looking at her friend with unease.
"I didn't insult him or even attack him. I just didn't like his pushy manner, I really don't feel like talking to him. Or talking to anyone about him," Sarabi said dismissively and turned to her food.
"There it is again, don't get me wrong. We were all worried about you since... since the death of Simba and Mufasa, you have only lived as an empty shell. Their deaths hit each of us hard. Mufasa was a good king and an even better friend. And Simba... was... I loved him as if he were already my son-in-law. I... I don't want to imagine what you feel. Just thinking about it makes me fall apart, and I hear Nala calling Simba's name every day in my sleep," said the lioness and burst into tears.
Sarabi had stopped eating a long time ago and went to her friend to comfort her. She carefully snuggled up to Sarafina while she cried herself. There was no denying that her mate and her son were loved by everyone in the pack. It was understandable that her death had hit everyone hard. Until now, she had never thought about how the other lionesses felt. Under Scar's rule and the union with the hyenas, so much had changed so quickly, all at once. Life became more difficult, and Sarabi had focused all her attention on making sure her pack was doing well. She intervened when there were arguments with the hyenas. Talked to Scar when there were problems, which he usually ignored and simply sent her away. Above all, the former ruler made sure that everyone got a share of the prey they hunted.
"Sarafina, I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean to worry any of you.
And also that I didn't notice your sadness. It... it was just too much," the lioness explained dejectedly and broke away from her friend to look at her face.
"You don't need to apologize for anything, I'm sorry that I'm reopening old wounds. Especially now that you're finding your old self again. I'm just so glad... that... that you're feeling better," said Sarafina and wiped the tears from her face.
"Talking to you about it hurts... but it also feels good at the same time. Knowing how much they were both loved fills me with joy. And it also reminds me how close we both are. That's why I want to show you something tomorrow," said the Sarabi and whispered the last sentence quietly, which got the full attention of her counterpart.
"Oh yes, what is it?" asked the smaller lioness, confused.
"Something that gave me back my determination and my will to live," the lioness explained, smiling slightly as she looked into the distance.
Meanwhile, in another place, different from any known place. The place was a mountain range made up of black mountains and surrounded by a pale green sky. It was a gloomy and dark place to live, which suited its inhabitants well. At the top of the highest of the mountains was a sinister castle ruin that not only looked spooky. There was eerie silence. Threatening statues, and the dilapidated architecture, made the ruin a daunting place. Strange creatures, neither human nor animal, guarded the entrances in case anyone should muster the courage to approach the ruin safely. But even the bravest lost all hope when they encountered the mistress of this ominous place: Maleficent, the Dark Fairy.
Said ruler was currently in the throne room, one of the few rooms that was still intact. It was round and formed a large area in front of the throne. At the edge of the room rose several pillars supporting the ceiling, with tattered banners hanging from them. Behind the pillars was a narrow corridor that led to stairs on the left and right. Through these, you could go up to the throne, from which you could look down on the area. Maleficent was sitting on it, listening to her servant's pathetic excuse.
She was a tall, slender woman with pale green skin. Her face was thin and radiated a dark beauty and icy elegance. The dark fairy's eyes were yellow eyes, and she wore a dark headdress with black horns. She was dressed in a black and purple robe with bat-wing-like edges; under her robe she wore a dress in the same color palette, but with a little red instead of purple. On her delicate finger, she wore a gold ring with a large, mysterious round black stone in it.
Her gaze seemed indifferent and so cold that her servant Pete flinched from her. He was a stocky, anthropomorphic tomcat with black fur. He had a large chin covered in cream-colored fur. His arms and legs were also thicker, but looked strong at the same time. His outfit consisted of two shoulder armors in shades of blue and purple over a red, short-sleeved shirt with a vertical pink stripe falling from the neck. He also wore dark blue and white sneakers with light blue fronts and two periwinkle straps that secure each one. His pants are also dark blue, with a light blue lining, purple lower legs, and two huge pouches on either front.
"Did I understand you correctly? You lost the Princess of Heart after you were attacked by a little boy?" Maleficent asked in a calm yet very threatening voice, tapping the armrest of her throne with her index finger.
"Well... no. I... I just haven't found their trace yet. The Heartless simply devoured the Heart of the World without my ordering them to. And that boy... he had a Keyblade, like King Mickey. Then there was another boy who was also not bad from parents..." Pete tried to explain in a frightened tone, but was immediately interrupted by the evil fairy.
"SHUT UP, YOU FOOL! Maybe I should replace you with a little boy, you incompetent idiot! What happened to the Princess and that boy?" the mistress of the castle asked in an angry and impatient tone, at the same time rising from her throne.
"I... I don't know. A bright light came from the girl as the world disappeared into darkness, and then all three were gone," the big cat said in a frightened tone.
Maleficent sat back down and put her hand on her chin as she thought. The light surely came from the Princess of Heart, who was protecting herself and the two boys. It was likely that the three ended up in one of the other worlds. But she just wondered which of the countless worlds, the whole sky, was full of other worlds. The dark fairy regretted giving her incompetent servant control over the Heartless. She would not have thought that the creatures of darkness would just break free and head for the heart of the world.
"Go right away and search, check every world. I don't care how many you have to search," Maleficent ordered sternly and made a dismissive "go away" gesture with her hand.
"Yes, my mistress. I promise... I will find the girl," said Pete submissively and bowed to the evil fairy.
"Don't just look for the girl, but also for the boy with the Keyblade. We have only found two of the seven princesses, it will take a while before we find the other five. He must not become a threat to us, the last thing we need is another Keyblade bearer interfering with our plans. Find him and get rid of him!" said the Dark Fairy in a threatening tone.
"Of course... I'm practically on my way. You'll see, I won't disappoint you," said Pete humbly and ran out of the throne room.
"That remains to be seen," said Maleficent disparagingly, and she reached for her staff.
It was black and had a bright-green ball at the top, through which she cast her spell. She looked into the ball and remembered the day four years ago. She had Princess Aurora's heart in her hands when the Keyblade wielders snatched it from her and also broke their curse on the kingdom. The defeat she suffered fueled her hatred of these Guardians of Light, who fortunately disappeared without a trace. No new ones were allowed to arise, one was more than enough.
"I can't just rely on this fool. I need more allies who, like me, strive for power. The more of us there are, the sooner Kingdom Hearts will be in my hands," Maleficent thought darkly and smiled happily as the face of a red-haired girl appeared in the ball of her staff.