#Universe: messed up | storyline: King of the Night Pride | timeline: post-SP

[thepaststillhurts]

@roarofancients:

Allowing Kion to speak, in his own voice. "You saw that he hit his head, Rafiki has said that Scar never was the same after that moment. And look at the current situation here, Scar able to possess me. No reason something couldn't have possessed him back during... with grandfather Mufasa... What he said about then, as he's a part of me now is truth. Back when I was a cub, when I got the Roar... My fear was becoming much like Scar, however after receiving this scar of my own from him with Ushari in the volcano... I understand much better, what has been affecting him. My journey... was longer than expected, even with my friends... my Lion Guard... We had some close calls. Not sure if I told you before, father. I pushed a peacock over once then, aggressively at that. Definitely not who I am. And if not for Bunga, Fuli and I would have physically fought at one point. Scar had it worse, having brain damage on top of the altered cobra venom."

Shari hanging near, confirms: "neurological damage after a brain injury may cause emotional volatility like intense mood swings or extreme reactions to everyday situations. Such overreactions can be sudden tears, angry outbursts, or laughter. It is important to understand that the person has lost some control over emotional responses. Take for instance his reaction in the dreamscape regarding Timon... No control over that outburst due to part of the brain not functioning properly." A head shake, "As a cub myself growing up, out of all of us cubs of his; only me and a halfbreed sister heard much of his his self mutters, frustrations on many things. But mainly, why he was the way he was. And about the lack of control over himself and his outbursts. Yes, he did kill Zuhour in the end. Best she'd be gone, if you ask me for that hyena dont care bout anything but keeping herself in power and having all the food. Uncle Mufasa on the other paw, well. It was his - Scar's body that did the deed, not his spirit. And..." Looking to Kion now. "Am sure you both remember that day the scorpion Sumu stung your tail, Simba? Scar could have ended everything right then in the volcano, the Lion Guard also. Not just prevent the ash getting to you. He purposely chose not to take the win right then, despite having the moment to."

A bit of magic from a paw wave gesture, the unsceen scenes of then shown to Simba.

"...Reason I laugh like that when a fiery spirit, a coping mechanism... Hell makes even a tiny prick wound feel like ten or so times worse of pain. That scar, even in live still caused me much pain." Scar's voice.

"You don't have to believe me, I wish none to go down the path I fell to. Darkness, Corruption. Power... Power corrupts. Breaking the... for lack of better word, spirit bond between myself and Kion may destroy both of us. Could potentially result in a Zuhour-version or worse of myself using Kion. While I can't change the past; and even if one could it is not recommended to as more often than not that causes more problems... I can, at the very least keep your son Kion from leaning into the path I fell..."

Kion looking to his dad, "If even Grandfather can still forgive Scar, and I've spoke to other family - Grandmother Sarabi, even, can forgive him just as I have... Mother has too.. Knowing now that he wasn't in control of a lot regarding what he did, due to the brain damage and scar. It's only you left, father. And as you may need to see what affects the venom hand on me, to understand some of what he went through..." A small roar, the surroundings showing times of Kion's journey to the Tree of Life - the one far away.

- Events from facing Scar, getting his own scar and up to reaching the destination, and the first verdict regarding the Night Pride on Kion. -

"I understand their reasoning now, if I had lost control of the roar again... especially by their sacred tree... Seems some luck was on our family's side, as it was Rani's grandmother Queen Janna that told her a bit about the Roar, and to welcome us. But if not for her, I realized while my friends were clearing the accidental blockage and getting Bunga out, that they would have found another way to help me. If the Tree of Life was off limits." Continues the scene from the pausehold, his song at the denial of entering the Kingdom at first, then on hearing and seeing his friends. "Scar had friends like that once, lost them early. All he had left after was Mufasa, and as his nightmare shown us - his biggest fear was being abandoned. By his only remaining family, big brother Mufasa. Perhaps, like I ended up ruling the Tree of Life alongside Rani, Scar was meant a similar fate in another Kingdom."

Scar voice adding, "I had gone to that same Kingdom - twice even, that tree. First had a rogue healer, let's just say things didn't go quite as intended. Second time, had others with me. Family. Which convinced them to give me another chance, and a closer looking at. Well, short of it is simply - there is no cure anywhere for the altered venoms, but one can train one's self against it. That, is what I helped the Night Pride of then focus on. Focusing on getting those affected like myself focused, calm, patient, relaxed while still attentively alert. And, as all can see that worked even for Kion here."

@thepaststillhurts:

"Not his spirit?" Simba burst out in anger. "If only his body wanted it, his spirit wouldn't have become fire. His spirit is evil, just like his body was." Of course, Shari was trying to protect her father, it was understandable, Simba knew it. But he had a different point of view.

The king paused here. He let out a long sigh, shaking his head in puzzlement. In silence he looked at the barren land that lay beyond, illuminated by the moonlight. What was the point of this? Why did they have to fight for so long?

Simba then looked at Kion when he started talking about forgiveness. He was angry and hurt by the past, but as he looked into Kion's eyes somewhere deep inside his heart he knew his son was right. Forgiveness was a noble trait, indeed, and anger would not make things better.

His inner temper soon calming down, the lion glanced at the starry sky above for a moment, and as he did so, a wise saying came to his mind. He could almost hear it in the wind, whispering,

You can't fight fire with fire.

Finally understanding the meaning behind, Simba gave his son a warm smile before he nuzzled him. It seems, it was always his kids who reminded him of virtues: Kiara of the truth of 'we are one' and Kion of the truth of forgiveness.

[thepaststillhurts]

@roarofancients:

As Scar and his associates, Kabeer and Krass, watched from the shadows, Queen Zuhour gathered her clan for a reading of the bones, which was to determine who would give up their life to feed the rest of the clan. Upon casting the bones, Zuhour declared that Shenzi had been chosen, and the clan immediately advanced on her in hunger. Shenzi, however, lashed out in the defense of her life and overpowered several of her clanmates.

Zuhour chided Shenzi for being unwilling to sacrifice her own life when she had happily partook in the cannibalism ritual before. Shenzi retorted that the situation was unfair, but Zuhour asserted that her will was the law. Shenzi argued that Zuhour had made up the law, then accused her of using the bones as a means of removing any challengers to her power, like Shenzi herself.

Meanwhile, Kabeer and Krass informed Scar that Shenzi was their hyena friend. To their horror, Scar roared and began to stride through the gathered hyenas toward Zuhour. Though Scar warned the vultures that they would miss his rise to power should they leave, they fled the scene in terror.

With Kabeer and Krass gone, Scar confronted Zuhour alongside Shenzi. Zuhour questioned if having lost the throne to a cub had driven Scar mad, but Scar countered that the throne was not lost and that an alliance between himself and the hyenas was possible. Shocked and amused by the prospect of hyenas working with a lion, Zuhour asked why her clan should help him, and he offered to bring them food in exchange for his "borrowing" of Shenzi. Though Zuhour expressed doubt in his ability to hunt and sneak Shenzi into the Pride Lands, he assured her that he and Shenzi would take care of it.

Zuhour admitted intrigue in Scar's plot but warned that the bones were predicting a war between hyenas and lions. Shenzi pointed out sarcastically that the bones had told Zuhour to eat her clanmates, then asserted that she would stay with Scar. Scar requested more hyenas to assist him, and Zuhour gave up her most expendable clanmates: Banzai and Ed.

Once Scar's hyena minions had assembled, Banzai asked him if he could really provide them with food, and he vowed to make hunger a distant memory. Shenzi reminded Banzai and Ed that Scar had saved her from Zuhour, and the three compliantly followed him to the border of the Pride Lands. From the edge of the savanna, Shenzi cautioned Scar that they would be spotted immediately, and Banzai added that Scar was no hunter. Scar contended that he was a "lion with a plan" and urged the hyenas to resist Mufasa's tyranny and seize the power that was rightfully theirs. Shenzi asked him if they were to hunt antelope, wildebeests, or zebras, and he declared that they would hunt all three. Banzai asked how they would accomplish such a feat, and Scar replied that he had "friends in high places." At that moment, Zazu flew by overhead.

In Scar's dream, the meerkats of the north sought an audience with him at Pride Rock, as he was the king. They complained that the hyenas were attacking them without consequences, and Zazu added that overhunting had caused the herds to move on and, in doing so, made the meerkats prey. Scar questioned what he could do about it, and Zazu asked what Mufasa would have done.

As Scar turned his ire on Zazu, Rafiki angrily pointed out that the Pride Landers were suffering. Scar retorted that he could not solve every "pathetic creature's" problem, but the meerkats argued that he had created the problem by letting the hyenas into the Pride Lands. They started to unfavorably compare Scar to Mufasa, and he lashed out in rage.

Before Scar could harm the meerkats, Rafiki blew dust into his eyes, changing his vision so that he was staring out over a desolate Pride Lands. Scar demanded to know why Rafiki had uttered his incantation, and Rafiki warned him that he must change his path, else the desolation of the Pride Lands would be his future.

At that moment, Shenzi awoke Scar and probed him about his plan. He explained that he was going to use Zazu and that they simply needed Banzai and Ed to play their parts.

Meanwhile, while patrolling the Pride Lands, Zazu received word from a bird associate that the okapi were restless. Though another bird offered to investigate, Zazu opted to check out the situation himself.

Upon finding the okapi, Zazu determined that they had settled and wondered if the lionesses were hunting nearby. Just then, Banzai and Ed burst out of hiding and attacked Zazu. Mad with hunger, Ed nearly ate Zazu, but Banzai stopped him at the last minute and reminded him that Scar wanted Zazu alive.

Having escaped from the hyenas, Zazu warned Mufasa of their presence in the Pride Lands. With Mufasa distracted, Scar and Shenzi herded wildebeests into the gorge. Though Zuhour complimented Scar on his success, he betrayed her by knocking her into the gorge.

Once Zuhour had fallen, Scar asked Shenzi if her hyenas would follow him, and she confirmed that most would, as Zuhour was out of the picture. Banzai and Ed approached, curious about what had transpired, and Scar expressed shock that Mufasa had not killed them.

From down below, Zuhour revealed that she had survived the fall and declared that she and her followers would go to war with Scar. At this, Scar revealed that the vultures were on his side. With Kabeer in the lead, the vultures attacked Zuhour and her followers, and Scar ordered Shenzi's hyenas to do the same.

As the fight between the hyenas and vultures raged, Kabeer asked Scar if the vultures had done well, and he remarked that they had been competent. To their delight, he continued that they could eat with impunity under his reign. Shenzi asked Scar what they would do next, and he replied that Simba's days were numbered and that he would one day seize the throne of Pride Rock.

"Yes, merely distracted Mufasa when he was teaching cub you. As we both know what happens afterwards, but... My mind wasn't my own, ever since the cobra, and the fall where I hit my head hard. Still, Zuhour is why your father was so protective of you cubs." A paw gesture, and the scene slides back to when Broken Rock came to be. A voice, not from any present but seeming to come from the rock itself. A shift onto the Keenest's face, their expression showing they know more than they're letting on; from the smirk smile. A shift onto the gorge scene, "Never wanted to. In fact, I couldn't actually do it." Seen slows enough to show Scar's expression, "Found my "arm" moving on it's own, tried to fight it. Whatever possessed me at the time, took control. Of my body" Looks away as the scene plays through, after back to Simba.

"At the time, when you were a cub and admittedly spoiled... brat, with how you were behaving, Zazu found you were not going to be a good king if you kept on that way. The bird isn't as innocent as one thought, saw that I was the better of the choices at the time. But did not expect for what happened at the gorge, with Mufasa. And the reason why he never told anyone in the Pride that you still lived, because I still had the dirt on him. As for Timon and Pumbaa, they were always around. Regardless what I may say, even if meerkat was one of my favorite meats... Needed them to stay near, mostly to protect you from myself..."

An unshown scene, at Pride Rock taken over by hyena. "The problem, mainly; I was but one lion. And rogue hyenas, rogue clans were what was overhunting. I am well aware of the need for delicate balance, and as Kion's friend Jasiri said - most hyena respect the Circle of Life. The lionesses may have been worried at first about male cubs, and what I might do - don't blame them. But rather than do what they thought, when old enough made them into a sort-of Lion Guard. Your cub friends, even the female ones had such roles if they wished it. As for a little incident with Nala, all I can do is apologize for I wasn't in control of my mind at the time. I shall spare you both that scene; she has quite the paw strike strength though... Well, unless you wish to see it Simba."

A silence, "Sora's keypower is what shows what happened, which I cannot falsify. And the roars included with said keypowder, those themselves being from the elders prevents me from influencing anything. "Other than what was seen here, I might be able to show you what I heard or felt throughout from before The Gorge to our Battle and after... Kion already knows, you however..."

@thepaststillhurts:

Simba opened his eyes when the vision started not to miss any details that could be helpful. All these - from the scene with Thema to Scar and Shenzi's victory over Zuhour - were interesting to see on the one hand, but also creepy on the other hand. As he decided, he didn't comment on the events, he waited patiently until it was over.

He turned his head away letting silence fall between them. Simba didn't know first how to react on what he had just seen, but then all his pain inside broke out:

"You're nothing more than a murderer, Scar." His voice was quiet but audible. It was painful to see what a ruthless killer his once beloved and trusted uncle was, that how easily he was able to remove anyone who was in his way to the throne, be it a meerkat, hyena, or a family member like him or his father - and Simba had never felt so far away from him as he did now.

"No, I don't wish to see them. I know exactly what you did, Nala told me everything." The lion replied, thinking about if Scar were be able to change the scenes. As if he were a mind-reader, he assured Simba that everything they had seen was true. What's more, he even offered more to see...

"Kion? What does Kion know that we don't?"

[thepaststillhurts]

@roarofancients:

A glance over at Kion, "Fraid not, at least that part. But, seems Scar is willing to help show what happened with him, and what he had been hearing..." On cue Kion walked up to them, "Not all stars are always visible. We always see the ones of light, but the reverse exist as well. Stars of Shadow, Dark Stars... Scar was a star out there, dark one though not of his choice. Anyways, he wishes to narrate or speak when the scenes shown of his time as roughly a teen leading up to the confrontation with yourself Dad, fight for the throne." Closing his eyes to focus, thus allowing Scar to speak through him - while Sora uses his key power again, the scene changes to the Outlands. Young Taka-Askari, patrolling alone with a Mark of the Guard. Meeting the strange lion, scarred eye. They spoke to him about wisdom, power, and that the most powerful should be king.

"Despite my facial expression then, I had intended to alert my king brother. What changed that though, well... See for yourself" Scar's voice came.

Indeed, a strange black cobra lunged. The young leader at the time trying to dodge the snake, almost succeeded but the snake still hit target. "Not all what affected me, but that venom is the main thing. Had the scar before, it healed as if I never had it. Until this time." Scar again. "Couldn't think, and I rather... hate being used, tricked like that. So, I roared using the roar in a rage. Lost control of the power, and as you can see that volcano erupted back then too."

Back at Pride Rock now, young Scar reported to Mufasa. Yet Mufasa just tease little brother with the nickname Scar now, and using his paw to push down Scar's head - which he obviously hadn't appreciated, young Mufasa strutting off after that Scar had caught sight of sealed the fates. "And, how and when I really became Scar, was right then. I don't mind the teasing so much, as I had the paw push and the way he strutted then..."

Trying to take to his Lion Guard at the time, who refused to understand Scar's side of things and out of frustration lost control again of the roar, using it on his own Guard and losing the mark and roar thereafter. "Am surprised really, how they let Kion keep his despite some of the things he's done, even as a cub; which should have resulted in the loss of the mark and roar. Thing is, my roar then didn't kill the Guard so rather unfair of the lions of the past to take it away."

The scene now a bit further in time, Scar with a young lion looking much like Simba now except for the dark mane, and still much younger. Both hunting, gazelle or zebra. Out of nowhere, a wildebeest stampede. "While I avoided the majority of that, my son Takashi wasn't... so lucky. He still alive after the herd passed, but barely. As you can see, he died in my paws. This was still some time before you were born, Simba" Scar voice. Genuine upset at the scene. "And thus why I generally dislike wildebeest species" Sometime later when little newborn cub Simba born, and their presentation. And the confrontation between Scar and Mufasa after, "Never would've ate that bird. Just scare him at best. And besides, Zazu can be a bit of an annoyance. Regardless, reason I wasn't at the presentation... Brother forgot I had set my own anniversary settings, that day... was an anniversary of my own son's death, so you see..."

Later scene changes off to somewhere in the grassland plains, wildebeest grazing and a young calf curiously asks mother about the birds being allowed on their backs gaining the response that they're a community, and the birds help get the bugs off of them. The calf chasing after a bird that flies off, unaware of a certain male prowling.

watching from the grass and brooding about his earlier confrontation with his brother, Mufasa. Suddenly, Scar pounced, and Thema's son yelled for his mother. Just in time, Thema arrived and intercepted Scar's attack, knocking him away from her calf. She begged Scar to fight her instead of her son, and he confessed that he was not attacking them out of hunger, but because he had had a bad day and had chosen random "peasants" to have an even worse day.

Before Scar could attack again, Thema gave a call of alarm, and her herd charged toward Scar, jostling and kicking him until he lay, half-trampled, at the edge of a gorge. From his prone position, Scar lamented how he had been beaten by an inferior species and grudgingly acknowledged that even overwhelming numbers could beat power and royalty. As he found his feet, Scar realized that Thema had lingered behind and told her that even the "dumbest of beasts" knew to run from a predator. In answer, Thema proclaimed that she had stayed to see him fall and explained that it was not her herd's numbers that had beaten him, but her love for her community. She then charged at Scar and knocked him into a gorge.

"Might have noticed, that one was far higher up than the one I used on family... But, I hit my head quite hard then... never was the same after that, aware now that likely brain damage resulting in my aggression and such after then. But, now you get to see the nightmare I had..."

Crystalized dreamscape, yet glowing eyes watching unblinkingly from the sky. Scar awaking in the dream,

wandering the landscape, Scar spotted Mufasa on Pride Rock and called out to him. Approaching his brother, Mufasa demanded that Scar address him as the king, but Scar protested that he was supposed to be the king. Outraged, Mufasa attacked Scar and commanded him to bow before him and his son, Simba. Scar questioned where they were, and Mufasa started to walk away, explaining that they were in a "kingdom of woe," a place fit for a "faux king" such as Scar. Though Scar begged Mufasa to stay and asserted that he was destined to rule, Mufasa reminded his brother that it was Simba's destiny to rule and that Scar's destiny was his own.

Meanwhile, two vultures named Kabeer and Krass circled Scar's fallen form and debated whether he was dead or not. Together, they approached his body and found that he was still breathing but in critical condition. The two proceeded to mock him for having been killed by "livestock" and for having lost the throne of Pride Rock to a cub. Just then, Kabeer got an idea and told Krass that, were Scar to become the king, he would desolate the Pride Lands and leave behind enough carcasses for the vultures to feast on.

As a storm moved in overhead, Kabeer pointed out that they could feast on Scar's carcass if he died or take credit for saving him and help him become the king of Pride Rock if he lived. Kabeer worried, however, that they would need something to offer Scar, like muscle and numbers, in order to convince him. As one, Kabeer and Krass suggested recruiting the "bone eaters."

Just then, Rafiki approached and ordered the vultures to get away from Scar. Using his staff, he beat the two until they flew off in a panic. Once Kabeer and Krass had gone, Rafiki knelt beside Scar and commented that the prince's actions had once again brought "dark clouds" upon him.

Later, at Rafiki's tree, Scar awoke in dismay from his vision. As he reared up, roaring, Rafiki cracked a baobab fruit open on his head, and Scar scoffed that he would be justified in mauling Rafiki for having struck a prince. Rafiki simply retorted that, if Scar tried to attack him, he would use the prince's head to open another baobab fruit. Recognizing the baobab fruit as what had been used to anoint Simba, Scar demanded that Rafiki tell him that he was the rightful successor to the throne of Pride Rock and the wisest lion in all the land. Rafiki complimented Scar's cunning but cautioned that his jealousy and hatred "murked the waters" of his soul and that his dark choices overshadowed his potential.

Incited, Scar reminded Rafiki that he had been training his entire life to replace Mufasa, only to get tossed aside, and demanded to know if his legacy should be sacrificed for the sake of tradition. Instead of answering Scar's questions, Rafiki urged him to sit and drink a healing mixture. After settling down, Scar commented that it was not fair, and Rafiki agreed, adding that a cub should enjoy his youth rather than worry about ruling a kingdom. Scar implored Rafiki to help him take over Pride Rock, but Rafiki warned Scar that his jealousy and ego led him to do terrible things. Taking this as Rafiki siding with Mufasa, Scar departed the tree. As he walked away across the Pride Lands, Kabeer and Krass flew overhead and resolved to introduce him to the bone eaters.

"Yes. Rafiki and I were once friends, not unlike how you and him are these days." A side-smirk, voice still Scar's.

While grazing with his herd, Elder confessed to an associate that he sensed a foreboding change in the air. His associate asked if his feelings related to the birth of Simba, the prince heir of Pride Rock, but Elder clarified that he was more worried about the previous heir, Scar, having lost power. He added that Mufasa was the only one who could protect the Pride Lands from Scar's reckless behavior.

Just then, Elder's associate picked up the scent of some nearby lionesses and sounded the alarm. Though the herd fled, the lioness Sofi managed to score a catch, and the huntresses paid tribute to their fallen prey. As they began to eat, the lioness Tish asked the hunting party's leader, Adea, if Mufasa and Sarabi would be joining them, but Adea explained that they were with the main hunting party. Sofi commented that two hunts seemed wasteful and that such a move was not in character for Adea, and she sadly agreed.

At that moment, Scar approached and mocked the lionesses for having performed a ritual for their prey. Adea reminded Scar that they performed the ritual out of respect for their prey as well as tradition and the throne, but he countered that, according to tradition, they should eat last, with the cubs. Though he asserted that the lionesses would eat like queens under his rule, Adea silenced him and chided herself for not having joined the royal hunting party. Scar argued that he was royalty, to which Adea called him a "bitter, selfish scavenger." Enraged, Scar attacked her, and the other lionesses ordered him to stay away from her. After the fight, the three lionesses left Scar to their catch, and Sofi remarked on how fortunate it was that Simba had been born and that Scar would never rule the Pride Lands.

"Well, she did insult me. Why would I not respond to such insults in such a way," head shake a bit.

With the lionesses gone, Kabeer and Krass approached Scar, and Kabeer dismissed the lionesses as "ungrateful females." Scar retorted that the lionesses filled his belly and asked what purpose the vultures served. At this, Kabeer formally introduced himself and Krass, and told Scar that they could help him become king. Suspicious, Scar asked for elaboration, and the vultures implored him to use the "bone eaters" as his secret weapon. Recognizing that the vultures were referring to hyenas, Scar dismissed the idea, but the vultures insisted that they were friends with a hyena and that Scar could fill a vacuum in their clan's leadership.

Intrigued but distrustful, Scar asked the vultures how they would be advantaged by his alliance with the hyenas, and Kabeer claimed that they wanted to see the Pride Lands' rightful heir on the throne. This incited Scar, who demanded the vultures stop patronizing him, and Kabeer quickly backtracked, confessing that they were hoping for extra meat and a seat in the royal court. With this admission, Scar agreed to take their advice and meet the hyenas.

With Kabeer and Krass in the lead, the group traveled to the Elephant Graveyard. Upon realizing where they were, Scar reflected on how he had often come to the Elephant Graveyard as a cub so that he could be alone and commented that the Elephant Graveyard felt more like home than Pride Rock. Suddenly, Kabeer warned Krass and Scar that a large group of hyenas was close by and urged them to take shelter. Scar initially refused but relented when he realized that they could have the element of surprise. From their hiding place, Krass asked Kabeer what he could see, and he replied fearfully that he had spotted the queen of the hyenas.

"Now, sometime after this moment it will appear as if I had first just met the trio you know of Shenzi, Banzai and Ed, yet I knew them before then. While I remember, they may not have due to their age at the time. Pausing here for the moment this time, wish to ask some questions? Next parts will show what happens with the hyenas, me, Zazu, Mufasa, and cub Simba. Will even backtrack a little after to that rock you now all call Broken Rock, it's a clue in of itself."

@thepaststillhurts:

"What? Scar? Scar himself?" Simba asked in surprise. His eyes then fixed on the ground, pondering. Was it a good idea at all? He just asked for help from the Great Kings and a dark king was there to reply instead?

Simba was sure that Scar had his own, subjective point of view and everything he was going to say should be treated with reservation (maybe Scar could even have some influence on the keypower?). On the other hand, the king knew there was no options here and he needed to take every opportunity to find any kind of solution.

"Alright. Go ahead." He spoke with closed eyes first, but opened them when the scene started. He decided not to comment on things, just observe them and let Scar speak on his own.

[thepaststillhurts]

Past of a Family

Thanks to Sora, Simba managed to know some scenes about his family's past, although he didn't have all the pieces of the puzzle. He needed some more, deep information to make it complete. The king also wanted to handle it discreetly, careful not to reveal any family secrets to strangers. He visited Rafiki to have a talk with him alone, but the mandrill couldn't tell so much more either.

Sitting on the edge of the peak of Pride Rock, he started praying to the Great Kings, seeking for some kind of sign, some kind of guidance. But no answer came, the stars were silent. Sora appeared next to him instead - maybe he was the sign sent by Mufasa? He had showed all these scenes about his father and Scar, but was he allowed to know about any family secrets as Simba's friend?

"Hi, Sora," he took a long pause here before he continued, "Sora, can you show more events in the past? Like about the blickering? That might be a closely guarded secret but I trust you enough to know that you won't use it against us."

@roarofancients

[thepaststillhurts]

@roarofancients:

Paw points towards Pride Rock, to get Simba to pay attention: Two tiny cubs ran out of the King's Den, the orange-furred one with the bright green eyes stopped momentarily when hearing his big brother's "Brother, please wait!" On which the younger sat looking towards them. Once they were close beside him, the green-eyed cub's expression was that of tired. But not tired of sleep, but also unhappy. "I'm just... tired of all the family bickering, on everything. Sure Mother can calm everyone down most of the time, but it's frustrating Father. And both of you can tell how much those fights have been affecting me, Muffy" The older brother had a more sad concerned expression, "I do wish there was more I could do about it... But, I understand why you need to go off to be alone. Parents are too busy right now, my job is to keep watch on you in these situations. Go for it, take as long as you need brother." The two share a cub hug before the younger runs off. The direction was that Shadowy Place of the Elephant Graveyard, yet shortly after that such bickering sounded from within Pride Rock. Food, Territory, lionesses still choosing other males other than the challengers' winners... even some arguing could be heard of which of the two cub brothers should be King.

The group head to the Elephant Graveyard, the cub that would be Scar is very similar in looks to both Kovu and Simba as a cub, but younger given his size. They could wager he was about the age Kiara was when she first met cub Kovu. Curious cub explored the area. A hyena, a young adult appeared. Yet she had two young cubs with her, her own cubs curious about the lion cub visitor. "No place for a lion, really. Yet, not the first time you've come here. My young wish to play with you, is that allowed?" "Sure, as long as they mind their jaws' strengths. I... mostly am wondering whether the other social groups have similar issues to... at home, so much bickering... arguing, fighting... on and over literally everything..." The hyena mother showed a similar expression to a lion's concerned one. "Take as long as you need, to play. These two are sisters, the older one is Anasa the younger one is called Shenzi. I'll keep watch; the rest of my clan isn't as friendly as myself. Even to our own kind..." Shakes her head a second but keeps to her word. The cub play did actually have the lion cub feeling better, laughing also with them. But one day with such a visit and game, the young mother hyena told them to run. Run they did, the hyena cubs hiding in some holes big enough to hide them. Lion cub had to run far, having been chased by strange lions ended up away from home. Lost, yet discovered a wolf pack much like Alpha's species but different. The pack, knowing the cub was little threat to them allowed him to follow them around and eat scraps. One young mother wolf even made sure he got enough to eat. Eventually, he allowed her to get close enough to him that she started treating him as if he was one of her own pups. Carefully carrying him to her own pups, "He is to stay with us until he is ready to go back to his family, as such he should be treated as an equal to our own kin." The female wolf gave their pack a firm slight snarl-glare shutting down the possible protestors. "If the need arises, the two ally kingdoms of Jackals and the Cape Dogs respectively can keep our young safe while we deal with those trying to claim our territory"

@thepaststillhurts:

It was a weird feeling for Simba to be part of the past and see their own father as cub. And as he looked at them he had to realize he didn't know much about the family bickering. Neither Mufasa nor Scar told him much about their sibling relationship, maybe because it was too painful for both of them, and on the other hand, probably Simba as cub would have been too young to understand.

"I lost my father too soon to have a talk with him about what happened - and I was too young." He commented. "But this may be a key to Scar." He added, pondering.

[thepaststillhurts]

@roarofancients:

"Part of why we're here, and... if you've seen some stories about a Maleficent, then I already know her... Shari. One time in our adventure myself and then Donald and Goofy got surrounded overwhelmed, as we were in a rush it would still have taken us too long to get through. She helped us then..." Sora shared the pounce-hug nuzzle also with a kind laugh, "Guess you're like a father to me, so that'd make me your adopted son."

"Tree of Life situation and tales is a bit trickier, and I don't mean Narbe or Scar having had control of it first before Narbe claimed it. As that tree really is the Tree of Life there, to not confuse those lands with Rafiki's tree who some here still call also the Tree of Life, Life Lands. As here is the Pride Lands, just makes sense. Now, that out of the way..." Stepping into the shallow water, with the crew sans Simba and Alpha, each facing Pride Rock. After a moment, the light of Sora's keypower gleamed, beam pinpoint touching on the part jutting out that they often walked upon for ceremonies and such. Kion and Vitani using their respective roars, the rock accepting the boost as bright like shown from it, before the land shifted. Looked much the same, lush but definitely they were seeing another time. "We can't do anything here, but it will show us what the history was. While it does want to go further back, it decided to start here. The grass, the air, the soil; all of it remembers everything that happened... Not just those of the stars, bright ones we can see and the stars we can never see; called dark stars..."

Alpha nudge Simba with his nose, "Seems it wants us two to get closer to Pride Rock to see something."

@thepaststillhurts:

As Simba looked at the beam of light from Sora's keyblade and heard the roars, he was amazed and got reminded again what a great power it both had. He was glad these supernatural powers were on their side in good hands paws.

The others were already heading towards Pride Rock when Alpha nudged him - probably he noticed Simba was lost in his thoughts for a moment, not really realizing the others already started off.

"Is there something at Pride Rock that can tell us a story helpful against Scar and Zira?" This was a question for Sora.