Chapter 1.

'Life's not fair is it my little friend. While some are born to feast, others spend their lives in the dark begging for scraps'.

Deep in the jungle across the desert sat a lion feasting on a gazelle he'd caught that morning. It had been four months since he'd made the trek across the desert leaving the

Pride Lands behind. Simba had returned and had defeated him leaving him to the hyenas who had left him with scars on his neck, chest and hind quarters. Smiling through a

mouthful of gazelle meat he was thankful he'd had the strength to fight them off and escape. So here he was the former King of the Pride Lands hunting for himself. The very

thought irritated him. Even though he didn't want to admit it he missed having the lionesses to hunt for him and he missed Sarafina caring about him. A rustle in the bushes in

front of him snapped him out of his thoughts. Glaring at the bushes he waited for the intruder to show itself and he didn't have to wait long until a tiny cub bolted towards him

with a terrified look on it's face.

The cub slowed it's pace as he neared the strange lion and began to whimper while his little body began to shake.

"What do you want little one?" asked the lion irritably.

The cub whimpered some more before saying in a choked tone "Mama fell off the rock. I called to her but she wouldn't wake up, she needs help".

The lion shook his black mane and standing up he asked "where did she fall?".

"I'll show you" said the cub as he began to lead the lion back the way he had come. The lion followed the cub to a deep gorge. Looking into it he saw an unconscious lioness on

a ledge.

"Stay here little one" said the lion as he climbed down to the ledge which was relatively easy. Coming to stand by the lioness he nudged her with his head and receiving no

movement he pressed his ear to her chest. Hearing no heart beat he shook his head and climbed back up to where he left the cub. Coming to sit beside him he said "your

Mother is gone to the stars little one. You'd best return to your pride".

The cub sobbed and whimpered as he stared at the cliff edge before looking at the lion walking away from him. Whimpering softly he followed the lion keeping a few feet back

until they were back at where he'd left his dinner. Sitting a few feet away from him he said "I don't have a pride it was just me, my sister and my Mom".

The lion looked at him and rolling his eyes he cursed the great kings pushing an orphan onto him. He did feel sorry for him and knowing he and his sister wouldn't survive on

their own he asked "where is your sister?".

The cub looked back at the trail they had come and said "she's in the cave near the gorge".

The lion grumbled and getting to his feet he said "stay here". Seeing the cub nod his head he ran back the way they had come and soon he was at the gorge. Looking around

near the gorge he found the cave and found a white lioness inside. He had heard of lions being born white but this was the first time he had seen one. Her brother was a light

golden colour so in a way they were equally matched as siblings. Looking down on the cub he saw her tremble in fear before he said "you need to come with me young cub".

The little cub looked up at the lion and asked "are you a friend of my Moms?".

The lion nodded his head and replied "I know your brother. Your Mother on the other hand had to go away and she asked me to take care of you and your brother".

The cub nodded her head slowly and approached the lion letting him pick her up by the scruff. He carried her away from her home and before long they were at a spot where

her brother sat waiting by a dead gazelle. Dropping the cub gently on the ground he said "you and your brother must be hungry".

The two cubs nuzzled each other in greeting before tucking into the gazelle while their guardian looked at them with a kindness in his eyes. When the cubs had finished their

meal they approached the lion and the white cub said "thank you mister. My name's Nyota and my brother is Mkali".

The lion smiled and said "the bright and star. Interesting names your Mother gave you. My name is Scar and don't worry little cubs you are both safe with me".

The cubs smiled at each other before nestling between Scar's paws exhausted from the long day. Scar gazed down at them wondering when he had become so soft. Shaking

his head he laid his head beside the two cubs and soon was fast asleep. Tomorrow was going to be a long day as he needed to take them to a new area of the jungle and

hopefully find a dry cave for them.

Unknown to Scar his Father Adhadi and the great kings before and after him watched the dark lion.

Across the desert in the Pride Lands Rafikki sat on top of the tree he called home watching the stars. Seeing the clouds move and began to form the shape of Mufassa. A light

glowed within the clouds and when he had fully formed Rafikki said "your son will make a fine King Mufassa".

Mufassa smiled down at his old friend and said "yes he will but it's not him I've come to see you about".

Rafikki nodded his head and asked "what is it old friend?".

Mufassa frowned and said "I made many mistakes as a brother when I was alive. I believed my brother was truly evil but I have seen he is not. He needs to return to the

Circle of Life as I believe my son will need him in an upcoming threat".

"Scar is dead Mufassa. He died in the fire that engulfed Pride Rock" said Rafikki carefully.

"Across the desert in the jungle where my son once lived is where he now lives. When my Grandchild is born go to him and speak to him and I will be there to guide you" said

Mufassa as he disappeared.

Rafikki watched him leave shocked at what he had just learned. He would need to cross the desert once again but at least this time he had time to prepare for that journey. All

he had to do was wait until Simba and Nala had a cub.

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