I replied slowly. I began to understand what she was getting at.

“And you were adopted by Mufasa during his kingship. So that makes you…”

“...the next in line?” finished Scar. He looked over at me, a smile spread across his face. His eyes narrowed. “Well boy, unfortunately for you, I have ascended the throne. Whether or not you were next in line, I got there first.”

All of the lionesses looked up. Their eyes were fixated on me and Scar. I felt uneasy. Was this true? Did my adoption make ME next in line for the kingship?

“If you wish to take the throne,” he whispered, a growl present in his voice, “the law states that you have to force me from it, by way of battle.”

My stomach bottomed out. There was no way that I could take on a full grown lion. I may have despised Scar immensely, and the thought of killing him and taking over was overwhelming appealing, but I knew the odds were too much against me. I glanced around at the lionesses, who all had a hopeful look on their faces. They expected me to do battle with Scar, and they expected me to win.

Scar lowered himself to the ground and began to circle me. “It is your move, young prince.”

 I looked down at Sarabi, dread filling me. Her eyes shone with fear and concern. My mother was, again, watching over me through the kind lioness. I closed my eyes, wishing I could see her face one more time, and to my complete surprise, there it was.

Through the blackness in my mind, I saw her face as clearly as if she was standing right in front of me. Her beautiful black hair was flowing gracefully around her face without a single breath of wind to move it. Her kind smile warmed my aching heart, but the fear of my present situation kept me from losing myself in the bliss that tugged at me from the sight of my mother. I was unsure if my mind was playing tricks on me, but all the same, simply seeing her face again was beyond wonderful.

“Mom…” I whispered, praying I was not imagining this.

“Ayden,” she said softly. Her voice felt soothing to my pained soul. “There is much that you have yet to learn. You are not yet ready to take on such a great responsibility. There are other ways to deal with these situations. Search your mind, and the answers will present themselves to you when the time is right.”

Her face faded, and my eyes sprang open. There she was again, but now, staring back at me through Sarabi. I looked back up at Scar, a new feeling of hope growing in my grieMsoNormal">Both of us closed our mouths, and stared at Scar. Hate for this lion was building inside of me, a hate that I had never felt for any creature. It consumed and burned every fiber of my being, and suddenly I felt the urge to attack Scar. In my pocket, I felt the lump of the knife resting against my leg.

I sighed and looked down. I could not attempt such a dangerous attack. The odds were against me.

Yetunde, who was sitting next to Kala, looked up.

“Ayden, did you say that Mufasa trained you in the ways of the king?”

Scar, who was absentmindedly examining his paws for traces of blood, suddenly looked up, clearly wanting to know where she was going with this.

“Yes,” I replied slowly. I began to understand what she was getting at.

“And you were adopted by Mufasa during his kingship. So that makes you…”

“...the next in line?” finished Scar. He looked over at me, a smile spread across his face. His eyes narrowed. “Well boy, unfortunately for you, I have ascended the throne. Whether or not you were next in line, I got there first.”

All of the lionesses looked up. Their eyes were fixated on me and Scar. I felt uneasy. Was this true? Did my adoption make ME next in line for the kingship?

“If you wish to take the throne,” he whispered, a growl present in his voice, “the law states that you have to force me from it, by way of battle.”

My stomach bottomed out. There was no way that I could take on a full grown lion. I may have despised Scar immensely, and the thought of killing him and taking over was overwhelming appealing, but I knew the odds were too much against me. I glanced around at the lionesses, who all had a hopeful look on their faces. They expected me to do battle with Scar, and they expected me to win.

Scar lowered himself to the ground and began to circle me. “It is your move, young prince.”

 I looked down at Sarabi, dread filling me. Her eyes shone with fear and concern. My mother was, again, watching over me through the kind lioness. I closed my eyes, wishing I could see her face one more time, and to my complete surprise, there it was.

Through the blackness in my mind, I saw her face as clearly as if she was standing right in front of me. Her beautiful black hair was flowing gracefully around her face without a single breath of wind to move it. Her kind smile warmed my aching heart, but the fear of my present situation kept me from losing myself in the bliss that tugged at me from the sight of my mother. I was unsure if my mind was playing tricks on me, but all the same, simply seeing her face again was beyond wonderful.

“Mom…” I whispered, praying I was not imagining this.

f-laden heart.

I sighed, and calmly said, “I am not ready to try to assume the throne, Scar. You are the king.”

Scar stopped circling, and straightened up in front of me. His smile remained unmoved.

A spark of bravery flashed through me, and I spoke one last time. “But I assure you Scar; the time will come when you shall step down. Your reign over the Pride Lands will not last, so long as I remain here.”

His smile faltered for a moment, but it was instantly back. He replied calmly, “We shall see, young Ayden.”

He turned his head to glance around at the pride, and his eyes fell on Sarafina and Nala.

“Oh yes! Dear Nala!” he exclaimed happily as he turned and walked towards them. Both of their faces filled with fear, and Sarafina shielded Nala with her paws. The hate I felt for Scar overcame me, and I felt my hand shoot into my pocket and grab the knife. I unswitched it, and held it up. I would not let the fates of the cubs in the cave be the same fate for Nala.

I was ready to run at Scar and slash away at his skin. I wanted to spill his blood, to protect Nala from this monster, but something in my mind told me to stay put. It was my mother’s voice again. She was telling me to wait, to remain here, that what was to happen was meant to be.

With all of my effort, I stayed still. I did not lower my knife, but I did not make a move to attack Scar. I simply watched helplessly as Scar approached Sarafina, who was sobbing uncontrollably. She was shielding Nala in her paws, who was also crying fearfully.

“Please Scar, have mercy! She’s done no harm!” Sarafina cried out in anguish.

Scar’s smirk stayed unmoving on his face. “I cannot break my own law my dear,” He replied. “It is an ancient law set down by our ancestors. And it must be carried out.”

Sarafina was screaming through her tears. “Please, Scar, PLEASE!!!”

Viciously, Scar struck her across the face, and she was knocked aside, exposing Nala. Sarafina shook violently as she sobbed into the ground where she landed.

My knife remained in my hand, which was shaking incredibly. Why was I simply standing here, allowing this to happen? One toss to the neck: that’s all it would take to bring Scar down. I could end his reign right now.

My determination broke through the force that held me back. I could not allow it anymore. With the skills I received from my many hunting trips, my eyes searched for a spot on Scar’s neck to throw my knife at. I found one, and as Scar raised his paw, claws unsheathed, to deliver the killing blow to Nala, I in turn, raised my hand, poised to let my knife fly. Every lioness, except for Sarafina and Nala, turned their eyes towards me, and some of their mouths fell open. Their faces filled with a sudden mixture of fear and encouragement, silently telling me to do the deed.

But Scar stopped suddenly. His eyes were fixed on Nala, who was shaking with absolute fear. His smile faded completely, and his eyes went unfocused. My hand still poised, I stared at the tyrant. What was he doing?

Unexpectedly, he lowered his paw to his face, and I quickly lowered my hand before he could see me. He ran his paw over his left eye, over his scar, and was deep in thought.

And I suddenly understood. He had remembered the incident when he received his scar…the day his best friend Kito, the father of Nala, had sacrificed himself to save his best friend’s life.

This was not Scar. This was Taka. In that instant, I knew he held no intention to harm Nala. I knew that Taka would do the noble thing.

 He stared down at her, a fierce sadness reflected in those green orbs. He sighed and placed his paw on the ground. Nala had stopped shaking, and was staring at Scar. Her eyes were fearful still, but her face showed curiosity.

“Do you know about your father?” he asked her calmly. The voice was his own, but there was something different about it. Something in his voice seemed almost kind. It held a feeling that resembled…compassion. Taka was, indeed, shining through the dark shroud of Scar now. I pocketed my knife, knowing that, for now, there was nothing to fear. My feelings were not shared with some of the other lionesses though. Some of their faces fell, looking dejected and even betrayed.

I looked back at Taka whose gaze was fixated on Nala. Quietly, she replied back to him, “Just his name…Kito.” She glanced back at her mother, who nodded silently.

Taka nodded too, and spoke again. “He loved you very much. He wanted me to tell you that.”

Nala stared up at him, a weak smile flashing across her face.

“He saved my life Nala. It was indeed noble of him, for he gave his to save mine. I am still indebted to him.” Taka paused momentarily. Then he spoke again.

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