Amani awoke and yawned, he smelled breakfast. "Come on lazy bones! GET UP!" Amani's friend Yama pestered him. She was a tan coloured female cub with blue eyes, her mother was a friend of Vitani's, Amani's auntie. "Get up we've got a buffalo!".

"I'm up..." Amani yawned. He shook his hair out of his brown eyes. Yama shoved him to his feet. The male cub started to eat, once he had finished Kiara padded up to him. "Time for your bath!" Kiara purred, picking up her son. "Yes mom...". "Heh, if only Simba was like Amani when he was a cub" Sarabi smirked.

"Ok! Ok ! I’m clean! Can i go now!" Amani moaned, pushing his mother away. Sarabi frowned "Or maybe not...". "Come on Yama, lets go!" Amani yelled to the younger cub. "So where are we going?" Yama said. "The water whole! No animals are there!".

The two cubs ran off and dove into the water. "I can swim further down than you!" Yama teased. "Wanna bet?" Amani challenged. he two swam down wards, it was like nothing could stop them-

Amani underwater with added background

-or that’s what they thought... Amani realized something was wrong... the grown ups were talking about the waterhole being empty but the place was infested with crocs. 'I'm just scaring myself he" he thought. Just then he thought he saw something, then he saw it again. He twirled round in the water searching for Yama. He spotted her and beckoned her to go back up. Yama rolled her eyes and followed. The two reached the surface and coughed and panted.

"Why did you want us to come back up?" Yama asked sternly. "There’s something down their..." Amani growled gravely. "Lets go investigate then" Yama said splashing Amani with water. "Stop it! We can't!" Amani growled grabbing a hold of Yama's tail. "Don’t be such a coward!" Yama commented. "Don’t be such an idiot!" Amani snarled.

Just then Yama began to cower. Amani frowned "I'm not that scary...". He turned around and was face to face the a crocodile. "Don't move a muscle!" Amani hissed quietly. The croc sniffed them and circled them. Amani's tail tuft was in Yama's face. The cub sneezed and more crocs attacked. "Ok this could be a problem!" Yama cried dodging the crocs. Amani took a swipe at a croc and hissed "You think?".

Amani jumped into the water, much like his father did, to distract them. "What are you waiting for? RUN!!!" Amani snarled at Yama.Yama obayed and ran towards the bank. She grabbed the earth and pulled herself onto it. "Come on Amani! SWIM!!!" She yelled. Amani already had the idea and was swimming to shore.

 

He climbed on and they ran. The crocodiles were following them, they travel swiftly for swimmers. The cubs ran straight into a hunting party. "Yama!Amani! What are you doing out here?" Nala asked them. Her question was answered in seconds as the crocs just appeared. The lionesses attacked them and drove them away "Lets get you home now..."Nala said Picking up Amani while another lioness picked up Yama. 

When they got back to Pride Rock Kovu was furious. "I thought I told you to stay near Pride Rock!" He snarled at Amani. "I'm sorry Dad, bu-" Amani started. "Dont but me!" Kovu roared, "You put Yama and yourself in danger, Also the hunting party, and you interuppted the hunt!". Just then Amani's eyes flashed scarlet and the cub hissed, "I dont seem to recall you telling me where im allowed to go father..." with his head held high but tail dragging on the floor, he turned and headed to bed.

Later that night Amani's dreams troubled him, there were flashing images of an unkown lioness with a stripe down her back and a teenaged lion attacking his blue eyed sister. The lioness was saying something but Amani could hardly make out words: "Thats it Ko- show no mercy, Vit- yo- weakling show some sp-!". The world went black and all Amani could hear were voices cackling in the dark. "Who's there?" Amani shouted. "You cannot run Amani! The darkness will find you!". Amani began to cower and more images came, it was a cub, who greatly resembled Amani, was stalking a bug. The cub pounced on it and giggled.

The lioness appered again and crushed the bug. "No K- don't le- it go!" She roared at the cub. "But moth- it wasnt hurting any-" the image went and another came. It was his great grandmother, Sarabi, she was walking towards a lion who resembled the cub a little. "SARABI!" the lion yelled. "Yes Sc-?". it went blank and another came. Sarabi was lieing on the floor with a golden lion hanging over her, "Muf-?". "No... its me" the lion said. "Sim-! Your alive?! How can that b-" Sarabi whispered. "It doesnt matter... I'm ho-" It all went dark and a voice droned on. "No! Si- please! I beg your forgive-" a voice said. The next voice sounded familier "You dont deserve to live".

The voices vanished a image appeared again. It was a lion, hanging over an edge of a cliff. "Sc-!" the lion slipped a little, "br- help me!". The dark lion from before grabbed hold of the hanging lions paws "Long live the Ki-!" the lion was thrown off the cliff and distant yelling of a cub could be heard. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-".

Amani awoke panting heavily. He heared patter of rain and he looked around. The whole pride was asleep. The images and voices disturbed him. Most voices sounded familier, but he couldnt put his claw on it. He rested his head on his paws and tried not to think about it.

Chapter 2

It had been months from the croc insident and Amani tried to act normal. Every time someone spoke to him it reminded him of the dream. Somwhere not far from Pride Rock, Rafiki was painting in his tree. "Ah Mufasa! The pridelands are at peace once again" the baboon said happily. The wind grew slightly stronger, it ruffled some gourds. "Mufasa... what are you saying dis time?" Rafiki said, rolling his eyes. The wind blew a gourd from the tree and it bounced towards Amani's painting. It smashed on the wall and its juice linked Amani's and Zira's paintings together.

"Mufasa? are trying to tell me that Zira and Amani's souls are entwined?". The wind blew gentler, and Rafiki took it as a yes. "Dis is not good". Then the juice fell slightly and it landed onto a stragly looking cubs drawing.

Amani padded around his mother Kiara. "He treats me like I have no brain at all!" Amani snarled. "Its like i'm in special care or something!". " Amani your father is just looking out for you". Amani's eyes flashed a scarlet colour and Kiara shrunk back a little. "Looking out for me..." Amani whispered. Kiara didnt recgnise her sons voice. Amani glared at Kiara and snarled, "Its like i'm a little new born cub with no legs!". Kiara didnt know what to say.

"All he does to me is yell at me for nothing" Amani's eyes turned red, "Its like he does it for fun...". Kiara backed away. "ITS LIKE I'M NOTHING!!!" The cub roared. Amani's voice faltered as his eyes started to turn brown again, "Its... Its.. ITS LIKE HE DOESNT LOVE ME!!!" Amani yowled. The cub turned and ran, he held back his tears.

The angry cub stopped infront of a dry barren wasteland. It was covered in termite mounds. There was a river and a log stretched across it, Amani crossed and felt a strange sensation. The cub felt dizzy and he collapsed.

The world was black and voices could be heared. "My na- Kovu!" one said, "Heh heh, I'- Kiara...". An image appeared and it was Simba and Kovu, they were walking side by side. "Dad..." Amani whispered. "I- never heared the sto- of Sc- that way before... He truly was a kill-". The lioness appeared again, it cackled. "Well done Kovu! just like we al-". The world went black, and a voice could be heared, "Come on Amani! Block it out! Dont let her get to you!". "Be quiet Nuka!" Another voice said, "You cannot escape the darkness Amani! It is calling you!". An image appeared of two cubs and a lion. "You Mufa-shall be the next king..." the lion said. The gold cub smiled while the dark one just whispered "No...".

The image changed to Sarafina handing a cub to another lion. "Look after him Shi-! Make sure Sca- cant find him...". The image changed to a lion dangling down from Pride Rock with a roaring fire below him. "This looks fami-" said another lion. "And here's my little secret.... I KILLED MUFASA!". The images went and Amani was looking around. "See Amani... Your life will always dwell in the shadows..." the voice said. "NO! KIARA!". "LONG LIVE THE KING!". "YOU KILLED YOUR OWN BROTHER!". "EXILED!". "PUT THE PAST BEHIND YA SIMBA!". "NOW YOU JUST SOUND LIKE MY FATHER!". " YOU DELIBRITLY DISOAYED ME!" "I was just trying to be brave like you...".

"NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" Amani roared. "Block it out Amani... Think light..." the other voice said urgently. "RUN! RUN FAR AWAY! NEVER RETURN!". "I WANT NOTHING MORE TO DO WITH HIM!". "NUKA IS DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU!!". "ZIRA GIVE ME YOUR PAW!" "MURDERER!" "HE ADMITS IT!" "MY FAHER DIED ALONG TIME AGO!". "THINK LIGHT AMANI! THINK LOVE!" Nuka's image broke through the darkness and was sheilding the cowering cub.

"Hakuna Matata!". "Mind your father Kiara...". "Dad? dad dad dad dad? Dad? DAD! come on dad!". "Hi Nala!". "That was so cool! Did you see the size of those teeth?". "Come on Yama!". "HA HA HA HA! They were going like this RAWR RAWR RAWR! heh heh heh!". "No mom your messing up my mane!". "I've missed you...". "We'll always be together right?". "Pinned ya!". "Look were one...".

Amani awoke. His muzzle was wet, he had been crying. He made his way back to Pride Rock. "Amani? Where have you been?" Nala scolded him. Amani looked up at her. Nala expected him to yell back like he usally does, but the cub just walked straight past her.

Later that night Amani was having another strange dream. This time it was a good one and Amani was talking with Nuka. "Who is that voice?" Amani asked. "Thats your grandmother Zira, my mother..." Nuka answered. "Then... your my Uncle?" the cub asked. Nuka nodded. "Whats your name?". Nuka took a deep breath, "I am Nuka, son of Scar and Zira, cousin of Simba". "Whos Scar?" Amani asked. "Scar is your Grandfather and your Great Great Grand Uncle". "I'm confused..." The cub said. Nuka rolled his eyes, "Scar is my father so he's your Grandfather, but he's Simba's uncle and Simba is your grandfather so that makes Scar your great great Grand uncle". "Oh..." Amani said.

"Why is Zira... erm... well... trying to make me think bad things?" Amani asked. Nuka looked at the cub and said "Do not know... but it is not good...".

Chapter 3

Amani tried to act normal, but his dreams became more and more disturbing. Now a teenager, he tried to hunt. "You need to be quiet, not a sound" Kovu told him. "Yes dad". Amani breathed heavely, he was stalking a zebra. The zebra, suspecting nothing, trotted closer towards Amani. Amani pounced and landed square ontop of its back. The zebra bolted and was trying to kick the young lion off. Amani tried to hold on with all his might, he dug his claws into its neck and bit hard into its side.The zebra fell and started to struggle. Amani bit into its throat and clawed every bit of flesh he could reach.

"Well done Amani!" Kovu praised his son, "A perfect display of hunting!". The zebra went limp and Amani let go, "Thanks dad!". A noise could be heared in the distance, the two lions looked around for the cause. It was Yama, she was struggling with a wildebeast. "Stay still!" she roared. "Go help her son..." Kovu said. Amani nodded and set off to help the lioness. He streaked silently along the ground, and pounced on the wildebeast's side.

Yama was dangling from its other side, she had apparently fell off its back. Amani twisted himself round, and clawed the wildebeast's face with his back paws . Now blind, the creature tripped over a rock and fell to the ground. Yama let go and started to bite its throat. Kovu trotted over and sat next to the kill. "Yama, wildebeasts are for hunters in twos or threes. Its nearly impossible to kill one alone" Kovu said, prodding it.Yama lifted her head and said, "It was the only thing I could find.". Amani swiped his tounge around his mouth "Well we better get these two back to Pride Rock" The other two agreed and they dragged the kills back.

Later that day, Yama went up to Amani. "You stole my kill" she growled. "Its a good thing I did with that patchy hunting technique!" Amani snorted. "Patchy?! Alright mister big shot tommorow morning, we hold a contest! The one with biggest pile of kill wins!" Yama snarled. "With you? No way!" Amani smirked. "Coward..." Yama growled. Amani snapped, he turned and growled "Fine. Impress me...".

Yama turned and stalked away. Amani snorted and unexpectantly collapsed. "Amani, Amani, Amani... My how you've grown..." Zira's voice could be heared. "Get out of my head you filthy hypocrite!" Amani snarled. "Thats not a nice way to greet a family member..." the voice cackled. "Shut it!" Amani growled. "Oh you just seem to be so close to the darkness..." Zira laughed. "Your mind games dont work now Zira... They scared me as a cub but not now!" Amani roared. Zira didnt answer back this time just an image appeared. There was Nuka, crushed under some logs. Kovu was trying to dig him out, but a lioness pushed him out of the way.

"I'm sorry mother.... I tried..." Nuka whimpered. All went dark and Zira's voice was back. "You see! Nuka was one of my pride! Destined to kill Simba!". "I don't belive you!" Amani yelled. "The proof is right before you...". An image of Nuka was climbing some logs in hot pursuit of Simba, "I'll do it for you MOTHER!" the lion yelled, "I'm doin it for you and I'm doin it for me...". Nuka grabbed Simba but slipped and fell to his doom. "Get out..." Amani whispered.

Amani awoke, it was time for bed. Dazed the young lion fell asleep imeadiatly. The next morning the contet was about to start. Nala,Kiara,Sarafina and Sarabi didnt approve but allowed the contest to be held anyway. "Before Sunset!" Simba announced " you must have a bigger kill pile than your opponent, once you have hunted a beast you bring it here to your pile!". Amani and Yama positioned themselves for the run. "Yama, you hunt on the east side of the pride lands! Amani you hunt to the west!" Simba told them. Kovu stepped forward "BEGIN!" he roared.

Lots of the lionesss cheered as the two set off, many had taken sides. Amani set off towards the west side and stopped and smelled the air now and again. He saw a Zebra nearby and stopped in his tracks. Amani streaked silently across the ground, breathing heavily. He pounced onto its side and killed it immeadiatly. The young lion dragged it back to Pride Rock and left it at Kovu's paws. Yama's space remained empty.

Amani decided to annoy Yama by catching a wildebest that she failed to catch earlier. He trotted along the grasslands, Amani decided not stray too far from Pride Rock as he would not be able to drag it very far. Amani spotted a small herd in the long grass and layed flat on his belly. He crawled directly under a wildebeasts head and jumped at its throat. He gripped on tightly with his claws and fangs, the beast soon collapsed. Amani dragged it back to Pride Rock to find Yama was there placing her first kill in her space. The young lion dropped the wildebeast on his pile, smirking. Yama growled softly and ran towards the east.

Not far from the view of the pride was a large zebra herd. Luckily it was on the west side and Amani could show the pride what he could do. With everyone watching, Amani stalked a big healthy male. "He's mad..." Simba whispered. The young lion pounced and bit hard into its leg. It shook Amani off and stood its ground. This time, Amani tried to play mind games with it. he crept into some grass and circled it, getting closer and closer. Amani ponced on its nose and clawed its eyes. Blind in one eye, the zebra attacked Amani. The lion clung for his life and stabbed his back claws into its throat. The zebra collapsed panting, Amani ripped it apart...alive. Finally dead, Amani dragged the zebra to his pile.

It was sunset and Yama had manged to bring another kill to her pile in time. "Yama has caught two kill" Kovu roared, "While Amani has caught three...". "Which means ... AMANI'S WON!" Simba annouced. The pride cheered and everyone started to feast under the stars. Rafiki had made a fire and everyone enjoyed themselves. "Excuse me Kovu?" Vitani asked the King, "I was wondering if Yama and Amani could join the hunting party from now on?". Vitani was the lead hunter, she lead the lionesses to hunt. "Of course! Absouloutly!" Kovu agreed.

Amani nibbled on the zebra he caught. "Heh heh, move up a bit Amani theres no way your going to get all the tender parts!" Nala joked, lieing next to Amani. "Hi Grandma!" Amani smiled. "I'd go see Yama if i was you. She seems abit lonly over there" Nala said, flicking her tail towards the lone lioness eating. Amani nodded and padded up to her.

"What did you say to him?" Simba asked his mate. "Those two are more like mortal enemies than friends..." Nala sighed, "I have to bring them together somehow. There betrothed...". "Your right" Simba agreed, licking his mates ears.

"Hey Yama!" Amani said, trying to sound friendly. "Hey..." the lioness said back. "Are you ok?" Amani asked, lieing down next to her. "Hmph! I would have expeced you to be bragging!" Yama snorted. "I have no idea what your talking about..." Amani lied, smiling. "Yes you do. You bragged about your hunting for a second yesterday, no a minute, maybe an hour? No all day!" Yama snorted. "Well I havent today!" Amani smiled. "Wow! i give you the non-best bragger award" Yama joked.

"Your still the best lioness hunter though!" Amani said. Just then, Yama gave him a small kiss to the lips. Amani was shocked, he didnt know what to say. "Problem solved!" Nala said smirking. Yama blushed and there was a long uncomfertable silence. "The foods great!" Amadi said. "Oh yeah... yeah" Yama said, "And the fires warm!". "Yeah! The fire is warm! The best fire! I love the fire!" Amani said, turning pink.

Amani blacked out and Zira's voice could be heared, "Nice girl! but i'd be careful about your loves though!". An image appeared of a lion putting a poisonous plant in his mates meat. the image vanished quickly. "Leave me alone!" Amani whispered. Nuka appeared, "Leave him be mother..." he snarled. "Shut up Nuka, you have no buisness here!"Zira growled. "Neither do you!" Nuka growled back, "Leave him now! Let him control his own mind!". "NO! DARKNESS CONTROL'S HIS MIND!" Zira roaared. Amani felt a sickening pain and collapsed.

"SARABI IS MINE!". "YES YOUR MAJISTY!!!" "MURDERER". "Arrrrh!" Amani tossed and turned at Nuka's feet. "SCAR WAS AN EVIL TYRANT!!". "NOW YOU AND YOUR CUB GET OUT!". "NO NEVER!". "AHHHH!!" Amani yelled in pain, it was like being teared apart. "TAKA!". "YOU KILLED YOUR OWN BROTHER!!". "THE DEATH OF THE KING!!!". "I KILLED MUFASA!!!". "AT LEAST SOMEONE DOES!". "DADDY ISNT HERE TO SAVE YOU SIMBA!!". "NOW! EVERYONE! NOWS! WHY!". "HELP!!!!". "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Amani roared, just then scratches, scars bruises and cuts appeared on his body out of nowhere. "THATS ENOUGH!!!!" Nuka roared. He flung his paw in mid air that turned out to Zira. "think light..." Nuka whispered in Amani's ear.

Amani awoke, he was in Pride Rock's cave. All the pride was staring at him. He looked at himself to find the scratches and cuts all over him. "Amani! Oh Amani!" Kiara hugged him. The pride split and headed off to bed. Only Simba and Rafiki stayed. "Why were you yelling thngs?" Simba asked. "Why were you yelling things that didnt happen when you was born?". The old lion started to breath heavily. "Why was you yelling that you killed my father?". "Calm down Simba" Rafiki said "What was your dream about?". Amani couldnt talk, he just tried to put things into words. "Nu- Nuka... Z- Zi- ZIRA!!" Amani cried.

"Tell me what happened" Rafiki said. Amani finally talked and told the baboon everything up to Nuka protecting him (apart from the beginning). Simba couldnt belive his ears, "Jus- Just a dream, nothing to w- worry about.." Simba said shakily. "It wasnt just a dream Simba because if it was... how did the injuries appear out of no where..." Rafiki said gravely.

To Be Continued... Will Amani solve the mystery between the connection with his family's dark past? or will he put an end to zira's terror?