As Scar had requested, the lionesses and hyenas gathered. Scar's arrival announced itself, with all eyes, varying in size and intensity, fixated on him. The king manoeuvred himself into the midst of the lionesses, whereas most cleared his path, leading him straight to Nala. Sarafina stood next to her daughter. "Keep a better eye on your son," Scar instantly said to her, frowning as he looked sideways and spotted Mheetu walking towards Nuka. "I caught him near the remote areas, heading towards Zira's favourite spot." Scar turned to Nala, and while standing next to her, he gave his queen a smile. Yet as he surveyed the area, his expression altered drastically. "Today could've been a festive day," he said strictly, taking a step onwards. "Because with Nala as the new queen, the Pride Lands await a glorious new future. Unfortunately, it came to my attention some of you found it necessary to attack her…" Before turning back to Nala, Scar narrowed his eyes at the group of hyenas. "Nala," he said, his voice tender yet sincere. "Point me to those who attacked you."
Slowly, Nala stepped closer towards the hyenas. With their controller, the king, right behind her tail, she wasn't frightened. Due to the usual lack of interaction between lionesses and hyenas, Nala couldn't tell her attackers by name, yet she hadn't forgotten their faces. "The second one on the left," Nala started. "And over here. Yes, she's definitely one of them!" Nala stood face to face with a hyena who had several scratches on her face. While Nala walked further, the hyena growled softly, yet the queen paid no attention to it. "There, those two!" Whereas one hyena immediately tried to hide herself behind the large group of her species, Nala quickly pointed her paw in her direction.
"Come forward!" Scar shot the four hyenas a despising look as soon as they stood within his view. "After everything I've done for your species, I will not take this betrayal lightly…" he said, his voice gradually rising. "Therefore, you four are now banned from my kingdom!" he added, turning his back on them.
"What? You can't do this!" one of the involved hyenas protested. Instantly, numerous hyenas followed her example, resulting in the gathering to switch the deadly silence for a noisy continuation.
"No! Not my mommy!" a young male hyena pup wailed.
"Silence!" Scar roared. "You assaulted the queen! Consider yourself fortunate exile is my given verdict, because…" Scar paused briefly, his voice darkening as he said, "I assure you, next time, the consequences will be more severe… Anyone—hyena or lion—who dares to harm Nala, will face the ultimate punishment - death! Let that be a warning to all of you!" Scar narrowed his eyes, his hostile gaze fixed on Zira. "I suggest you deliver my message to your wounded girlfriend as well…"
Zira wisely chose not to protest. She knew that, for Nuka's sake, it was better not to have Scar's attention for too long. The lioness felt her son's body shiver against her paws. The boy, in a terrifying state, did his best to hide himself to avoid his father from catching sight of him. Zira observed Scar turning back to Nala. Determined to make her former mate endure the utmost suffering, her eyes bore into him with a seething hatred. Scar's past haunted him at night. It weakened him, and Zira knew Nala's presence would soon soften him even more. When he's at his most vulnerable and when he least expects it, I will strike… My day of vengeance is approaching… You will pay!
Scar, his eyes locked on the shining silver stars above, roared loud. Nala, standing in the front row, watched him. Scar's strong and haughty roar resonated across the lands, reaching the ears of his subjects as well. Subsequently, Scar laid his focus on Nala. With his gaze fixed on her in a state of anticipation, Nala understood it was her moment. He didn't have to speak the words. She realised; Scar desired his queen's roar. Nala's mouth opened wide, and a fierce roar eluded her lips, echoing throughout the air. After her roar, the lioness felt embraced by confidence. Nala hadn't even caught the satisfying expression on Scar's face. Witnessing that, Scar chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling. The king, still exuding an aura of pride, cast his gaze upon the group that represented his kingdom. "That, my subjects, is the sound of our new era!"
Historically, the arrival of a new era was celebrated with great enthusiasm and ushered in with lots of cheers, whereas the Pride Lands today seemed enveloped in a sombre atmosphere. Not even the hyenas showed any signs of joy for their king. "I've seen enough." Scar turned his back on the hyenas. "Nala, the honour for the exile is yours. I have faith in your ability to handle it smoothly," he said. With delicate slowness, Scar retreated from the crowds. Then, as if something suddenly had crossed his mind, he halted. "Once you've expressed your pack members your goodbyes, Shenzi, Bullseye—"
"My name is Banzai!" Banzai called out in a state of offence, correcting the lion.
"Whatever… I demand to speak to you both in my den!" Having made that statement and without casting the involved hyenas a last look, Scar departed the scene.
"See, he ain't caring a thing about us anymore! He can't even speak ya name!" Shenzi shared her thoughts, shaking her head. "He called ya Bullseye…" the female hyena continued, trying her best not to burst into laughter. "I wonder what he needs us for," she quickly added.
"It ain't gonna be worse than this mornin's freak-show!" Banzai responded, casting a grumpy glance sideways. Next to him, Ed had been giggling ever since Scar had misspoken Banzai's name. "It's not funny, Ed!"
In a small amount of time, Nala's life had changed tremendously. Throughout several years, Nala and most other lionesses had shared the same feelings; forced to abide by Scar's imposed law. She was clearly one of his minors, since Scar tends to treat his kingdom's residents as such. Despite already having control over the hunt, today Nala felt different for the first time in a long time. Scar allowed her to stand next to him, proudly announcing her as his queen, entrusting her with a leading role. Although Nala's injury wasn't fully healed yet and while standing amidst hyenas, she sensed a surge of strength. But given the fact they all heard Scar giving her the control over the exile, Nala couldn't entirely shake off her lingering nervousness. "So, who's stepping up to assist me with the outcast?" Nala asked, her eyes scanning the other lionesses.
Among others, Sarabi promptly stepped forward. "I'd be honoured!"
Shenzi and Banzai, entering Scar's den, obeyed their king's demands. Scar's gaze was fixed on the rocky walls of the cave when they spotted him. Nervously, Shenzi swallowed, dreading the fate that loomed over them. "I swear, we had nothin' to do with—"
"Control your species!" Scar called out, cutting off Shenzi. He turned, his manes swirling in the air—as if it had a life of its own. "As easily as I've allowed lion and hyena to come together…" he said with a sigh, "I possess the capability to undo it."
"Scar, we're doin' the best we can," Shenzi responded, exchanging a gaze with Banzai. "Ya ain't makin' it easy for us. Most of us aren't thrilled about the lioness ya chose to be yo queen…"
"Exactly! She's nothin' like Zira!" Banzai added, blindly regarding his choice of words.
"Fortunate for me..." Scar rolled his eyes. "Look, I wasn't born yesterday. I'm aware of Zira's popularity among you hyenas," he commented, his lack of excitement evident. "Hopefully, you two have spent enough time with my brilliant mind to know how to use her for your own benefit, because I prefer Zira not to become more of an issue than she already is…" Scar eluded a sigh once more.
"What makes the little bra—princess so special, anyway?" Shenzi asked, her stomach almost turning from disgust as she did.
What's not to like? Suddenly, Scar glowed more than the fullest moon would. "The answer to that question, my dear, needs to be delivered through a song! The fairest of them all—"
"NO!" Banzai and Shenzi both yelled in choir, a desperate attempt to prevent Scar from repeating yesterday's nightmare. Luckily for them, this time, their objection succeeded.
Shenzi stared at the lion questionable. "I've got this thing eatin' me…" she started. Seeing Banzai pretending to be burdened with a heavy itch, she frowned, saying, "And no, it ain't rabies..." Clearing her throat, Shenzi regained her focus on Scar. "Do ya even still care 'bout us? I've asked you, and literally, ya response was ya left us out!"
"Oh, you're referring to what I said during the song? Nothing to take personally…" Slightly uneasy, Scar smiled. "As I recall correctly, you disliked my new version of Be Prepared anyway." When did this talk turn?
"I know ya always had quite an ego," Shenzi continued. "But lately, ya behaviour is unbearable, treatin' us like trash..." Her tone sounded rather distraught.
"Ya even forgot ma name..." Banzai, staring down and sounding awkward, added to the conversation, supporting his mate. Despite everything, Banzai, among all the hyenas, had likely been the one who still held onto the most faith in Scar. Therefore, Banzai was left deeply hurt and betrayed after Scar's incident involving the hyena's name.
"What's with the drama all of the sudden?" Scar asked, sighing. "I apologised…"
"Ya did not!"
Feeling slightly wrought up, Scar pressed his claws into the cave's dry soil. Seriously though, what's with all the drama? "Look pall, I'm sorry." Scar's words were laced with bewilderment as he addressed the male hyena, "I don't know what came over me." He then squared his shoulders and directed his gaze towards Shenzi. "I gave you all the possible freedom, too much according to the lionesses... Despite that, you're still questioning me?" he continued. The sly lion had always found the hyenas being quite useful for his future and, as so he figured, their role wasn't played out yet. "All right, I'm aware we've had our differences… Still, as long as you stay loyal to me, I promise there will be no regrets."
"You've made us a lot of promises in the past and now you're um… kinda sleepin' with the enemy." Shenzi frowned, as she still questioned Scar's motives.
"Nala isn't the enemy! Zira is! If you cannot gain control over her, you're forcing me to take further actions!" Scar responded.
"Do I have to remind ya—"
"No, Shenzi. You don't." Scar felt the weight of a curse, as the secret he shared with the hyenas and Zira continued to haunt and restrict him.
"Good," Shenzi responded. "Though I have to wonder… How's ya new queen gonna take it when she finds out ya letting Zira off tha hook?"
"I'll figure something out," Scar sighed as he turned his back on the hyenas. "That'll be all." He then ended their conversation and softened his voice. "Night, my friends."
"Night, uh, Boss," Banzai reacted before Shenzi beckoned him to follow her.
"I hope they're buying your nonsense," Zazu commented after the hyenas were gone, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "…because otherwise things around here could turn quite ugly…"
Scar, once again reminded by Zazu's constant presence, shot the bird a disapproving glare. "Mind your own business, chatterbox. I'm fully aware of what I'm doing!"
"Mind another piece of advice?" Zazu continued, fully aware of Scar's response. "Just dispose of the wicked lioness. Sounds like that'll solve all your problems..." he spoke rather wisely.
"Just dispose of the wicked—" In his mind, and with rolling eyes towards Zazu, Scar repeated the bird's words. "Easy for you to say, dodo…" he said, taking a deep breath. If only reality was that rosy...
Nala, yawning, had been waiting until her energetic little brother finally slept. Lying close next to him, she felt a sense of contentment wash over her. When she shut her eyes, Nala heard Scar's deep voice coming from behind her. His tone was rather soft, yet it still slightly startled her.
"You did great today, dear." Gently, Scar pressed his head beneath Nala's body, encouraging her to rise.
Scar's act had alerted Sarafina, and as a warning shot, she flashed the king a soft growl. "It's the middle of the night. You shouldn't be here…" she said to him.
"Nala, your place is with me," Scar shared, ignoring Nala's mother.
Nala, once more yawning, sighed and slowly arose. "Why isn't my family allowed to join?" she asked, giving her mother a nod.
"There's not enough room—"
"There's plenty of room!" Sarafina cut the black-maned lion off, glancing at him with a glare full of annoyance. "Back in the days, we all spent the night there!"
"Oh... I guess my brother forgot to invite me for his slumber parties then..." Scar responded, the sarcasm predominating his tone.
"Oh, stop it, you son of a—"
"Mom!" Nala widened her eyes, shaking her head. "Both of you, stop…" She glanced over at Mheetu and was relieved to see him still asleep. "I'll see you tomorrow, mom," she whispered before turning to Scar. "While I'm asleep, I would appreciate a bit of a respective distance between the two of us…" Then, upon glancing backwards at the lionesses and her former sleeping spot, she followed her king.
Inside the royal den, Nala was the first to speak after a wave of intense uneasiness had washed over them. "Can I ask you something, Scar?" she asked, pausing instantly to observe Scar's reaction. When Scar had nodded, Nala took that as a sign to continue. "Zira… Why didn't you exile her as well?"
"How's ya new queen gonna take it when she finds out ya letting Zira off tha hook?" Scar, his gaze meeting his new queen's eyes as he dropped himself atop the royal rock, eluded a small sigh. "In due time, Nala. In due time…" he answered, his tone sounding utmost mystifying. In due time...
A/N:
A bit of a random note, but I really loved to write the dialogues between Scar and the hyenas of this chapter =D