appreciated," the gray lion growled.

            "A thanks? A THANKS?" Claws unsheathed, Abel lunged for the gray lion, but despite the beast's size, he was swift. He avoided Abel's punishment while dishing out his own. His claws dug into Abel's shoulders, not enough to leave scars, but enough to draw a bit of blood. Abel yowled as the gray lion pinned him.

            "Enough!" Simba's voice thundered. "Abel, stand down!"

            But the smaller lion squirmed underneath the strange lion's paws. "I'm the King! YOU obey ME!"

            Abel, stand down, purred Zuri.

            The fight went out of Abel fairly quickly.

            Sensing that the small lion finally lost his fire, the gray lion removed his paw. "Now that we've settled, I'll explain. My pride and I, we're wanderers, kicked out of our home. We had heard word of the Pridelands, and decided to come here to thrive. When we arrived, it was too late for Queen..." He looked to Simba for prompt.

            "Kiara," the older lion finished.

            The gray lion nodded his head. "Queen Kiara, yes. But we made sure that her killer paid dearly for what she had done."

            "Mawusi!" cried Defir. "You were supposed to keep her safe!"

            Among the crowd, a tan lion quickly moved out of sight.

            The gray lion snorted. "There is no further business, but to bury the dead. That's a must. We shall pay our respects as well."

            "We were warned of a gray lion," said Simba, his voice beginning to shake. "Who had driven out the Outland-"

            "Not I," the gray lion quickly said, "but we are unaware of the accusations. Isn't that right, Chipo?"

            The tawny lioness who stood closest to him nodded her head.

            "We come from the northern lands, but we've heard of all the rumors about this rogue and his own party. That's why we've been rejected wherever we've gone. I had thought the Pridelands would be different, but since I seem to be mistaken, perhaps I should take my leave then..."

            Don't let him go, urged Zuri.

            Abel snapped his gaze up at the lion who towered over him. He didn't understand Zuri.

            You mustn't. He'll be important to us.

            "I..."

            Abel.

            "It's not that we don't appreciate your help," said Simba. "But-"

            "No I understand," the lion said coolly. "I had heard tales of the great Simba, who had never turned away a lion or lioness when they needed their help. Guess I was just mistaken."

            You are the King now, Abel, said Zuri. There was a certain plea in her voice that touched Abel. You can command whoever you wish.

            That was right. Now that Kiara was gone...

            Did you not want to spread your power? I thought that was the reason behind wanting to know about the lion prides. And this gray lion is powerful, I can sense it. He'll be a valuable asset. And he avenged your mother...

            The thought of his mother made Abel's insides churn. What had she been up to prior to her death? he wondered.

            But if I cannot convince you, that's fine then, sighed Zuri, and it was such a pathetic sigh that Abel wanted to cry. It is your call, my prince.

            The weight of the gray lion's paw rose off of his chest, and Abel found himself able to breathe again. He rolled onto his side, watching the retreating back of the new party turning away from them, and heading off the lands.

            "I-I'm the King!" he cried out, damning himself afterwards for how shaken he had professed that.

            The gray lion paused momentarily, his ears twitching, but then he continued moving.

            "I command you to listen to me!"

            Now this had won the gray lion's attention. "Apologizes, your Highness, but I thought we were unwelcomed on your turf."

            Abel sat up, glaring back at the gray lion. "What is your name?"

            "Ashiki." And the lion bared his teeth as he said it.

            "Ashiki, I command you to serve as my second-in command."

            A quiet gasp erupted from Abel's pride behind him, but he didn't care. His attention was fully focused on the small group ahead of him.

            Now Ashiki had completely faced him, his interest peaked. "Your second-in command?" He sneered. "Now what would my family get in return?"

            "Abel..." Simba warned behind him.

            "You can live on these lands, and have my promise that you will have power," Abel said.

            "Power? You are willing to surrender that to a strange lion?"

            Was he? Abel started to begin to reconsider...

            No! protested Zuri. Do not reconsider! Say yes!

            But...

            You will not actually give him the power he deserves. Promises are just words, after all.

            This was true, he reasoned. Zuri, you're wonderful. "You avenged my mother's death. It's only fair I give you something in return."

            Ashiki licked his lips. "Interesting ideas, young one. What is your name?"

            "It's Abel. King Abel."

            "Abel, don't," Simba said more loudly, but no one listened to him.

            Ashiki approached Abel, towering over the small lion. Their eyes connected. "Then, King Abel, I am yours to command."

            The funeral had been a tireless effort. All the lions and lionesses, both from Abel's pride and from Ashiki's group, worked together to create the proper send-off for Kiara. Ashiki offered no opinion as he worked alongside Abel. He had studied the younger lion with interest - he was so small, but now garnered so much power. It had reminded him of when he was younger.

            They had Queen Kiara buried at the base of the Rock, and quietly passed on their prayers for her to find The King's Court safely. Ashiki also watched the Pridelanders with interest, but when the funeral had ceased, he was the first to depart.

            Given free reign of the land now, Ashiki and his party decided to house themselves on the grass below the great rock, rather than join their new allies in the large dens above.

            Ashiki peered into his own den, where he found Chipo and Lindiwe curled up next to each other. Lindiwe had been exhausted from their trip, and Chipo never cared for burials much. They always disturbed her, made her upset, and Ashiki never wanted to see Chipo upset ever again. He