scouting the perimeters of my- of our land."

            "You'll be a great king yet with that attitude. When I was your age, I didn't want any of that."

            He knew, he had heard the tales many times. He's such a bore, commented Zuri. Let's go. I think neither of us want to listen to his rambling.

            Abel agreed. He was not as close with his grandparents as what might've been expected, and he was not blind to the sad looks in their eyes when he quickly excused himself from them. Being around them pricked his fur, and he hated that.

            "I'm going to scout the grasslands," he announced curtly, and left Simba's side without waiting for his grandfather to reply.

            I hate lions like him, said Zuri. They think they're all powerful and think that they can talk to a king like that.

            Abel silently agreed with Zuri, lulled by her wonderful voice. Zuri was right, she was always right.

            He should've immediately asked your permission to look into the grasslands, but now you have to go do it. Useless. That's why he isn't king anymore.

            "I will never be like that," he said aloud.

            I believe you. You are handsome and powerful, purred Zuri. They'll want to do assignments for you than the other way around.

            Abel felt chills as he listened to her. Her words rang strong and true, and he did not doubt that she was right. After all, when had she ever been wrong?

            I just wish they would believe in you more. Your mother is long due to give up her place for you.

            Abel agreed. He loved his parents dearly, more than what he could say Zuri cared for them, but he did agree that it was his time to ascend, to be a ruler of the Pridelands, and to make his mark in the history of the pride.

            "One more year, Zuri," he said to calm her.

            Bah, one more year. Why not one more day? Wouldn't she love to retire and admire you as you lead the pride into greatness?

            Abel paused. Something in Zuri's voice stirred an unpleasant feeling within him. "Zuri, do you think..?"

            That's she purposely holding you back so that she can continue ruling?

            "I..."

            Ssh, not now, love. Someone is coming.

            And indeed, she was right - as always - for Abel heard the loud sounds of chatter, and the unmistakable sounds of grass crunching beneath heavy paw pads. His mane bristled, his claws unsheathed. "Who goes there?!" he snarled, biting his tongue as soon as the words fled from his mouth.

            It's okay, love. It was a mistake, said Zuri. He could almost feel her petting him, easing him from the guilt of the mistake he had made. Next time you must attack. Attack, and then ask questions.

            "I know..." he whispered underneath his breath.

            From the tall grass emerged a lion and lioness, both unfamiliar to him, and stinking of water. Abel bared his teeth. "Explain your purpose, or need I show you the strength of my pride?"

            The dark lion trotted up to him, his green eyes narrowed in challenge. However, before he could retort, the brown lioness said, "I need to speak to Simba. Where is he?"

            Abel straightened himself up at once. "Why do you need to talk to him? I'm king, here!"

            Ssh, Abel, stand down, whispered Zuri.

            The brown lioness cocked her head. "I didn't see you at the leader's meeting."

            Meeting? There was a meeting of the leader's? There were other major prides besides the Pridelands?

            The dark lion shoved his nose in Abel's line of view. "We don't have time for you. Where is Simba?" he demanded.

            Abel shouted back, "I'm king!"

            Abel! Enough! Stand aside!

            He inwardly flinched at Zuri's command. He had never heard her snap in such a vicious way. It was as though he was being scolded by his mother for some foolish act he had committed.

            Meanwhile, the brown lioness was glaring at her escort. "Reno, we don't need to start picking fights now!" To Abel she said, "We're from the Riverlands. We bring word of an attack on the Outlands, and we need to speak to Simba. Can you take us to him?"

            Abel's fur prickled. They think I'm just some escort for them! I'm a king!

            Patience, Abel, purred Zuri. They'll soon know how unparalleled your strength really is. Just let them go for now.

            "Fine," he sighed, more to Zuri than to Khari and Reno. "Follow me then."

            As he led the pair along, Abel's mind spun. Outlands? Riverlands? There were other prides much like the Pridelands? He could just not wrap his mind around it. Kiara had never told him about other lion prides.

            Oh yes, there are many others, said Zuri. I came from one, for example.

            Are they large, Zuri? he thought.

            Oh, much bigger.

            I would like to be king of them too.

            Heh, perhaps one day, my brave lion. For now, we have other matters to tend to.

            As soon as they finally reached the peak of Pride's Rock, Abel gestured for Khari and Reno to step into the lion's den. He could smell his grandfather from there. Once the pair drifted away from him, Abel decided there was no further need to stay out in the fields. He returned to his perch, overlooking the lands.

            Other lion prides, hm? Interesting...

 

            When Khari had seen the dark lion proclaim him as king, she was shocked. It hadn't been that long since she had seen Simba, had it? It could've and she just didn't have a good record of time, she ended up conceding, especially once she saw just how much older Simba looked as he and his mate, Nala, laid towards the back of the den.

            "Who's there?" growled Simba. Nala's head rose from where it had been draped over her mate's forepaws.

            Khari dipped her head respectfully. "It's Khari, of the Riverlands. We met some time ago, remember?"

            "Yes, now I remember." Simba's voice became softer and welcoming. "Does the Riverland seek help from us?"

            "Only to warn you. The Outland pride has been exiled from their home."

            Simba and Nala leapt to their paws at once, their eyes gleaming with disbelief, even despite how much darker the lighting was. "Driven out?" gasped Nala.

            Reno stepped alongside Khari. "A gray lion, supposedly."

            "Him and his group had attacked the pride and drove them out. They killed my brother's second-in command and several others. My brother, Ekene, said that they did it in

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