The Lion King: Scar's Reign

A Foggy Hyena Echoed, Scarred Cave

Sarafina had asked Nala to babysit her little brother, Mheetu. Though, according to Nala, he wasn't that little anymore, and most definitely had outgrown his cuteness. Nala heard his playful roars behind her. The sounds of her younger brother brought back memories of Simba's playful nature, albeit Mheetu, his blonde manes full in development, was now older than the Simba she once knew. At present, Mheetu had fun with Nuka, his friend. Nala observed them. With actions appearing so innocent, their play would make one forget about the crucial world outside. Despite being too young to comprehend the drama around him and being neglected by his father, Nuka lived a sad existence. With his underdeveloped black manes and his perpetually famished appearance, it was hard not to feel empathy towards the young male. Nala observed Nuka and wondered who he took after more. Zira, the bitch... or Scar, a lion whose present is haunted by his past.

At least a month had passed since Scar had appointed Nala as the new lead huntress. Nala, obviously, had her doubts at first. Why me? Her mind was filled with countless questions, and this was just one of them. Is Sarabi truly too old for the job? She wondered why he had chosen her over all the other young talents, as Scar had called her. By learning from her mother and Sarabi, who were both skilled hunters, Nala became proficient in hunting. She wondered if that automatically meant that she was ready for the leading role. Clearly, Scar thinks I am. Still, where has he based this decision on? He's ignorant of the situation, and I highly doubt the hyenas ever praise my courage to him. Was this another one of his rash decisions? Nala considered her new role as something precarious, requiring her utmost attention, as one misstep or someone's interference could cause it to slip away.

Soon after Nala had started her leading role, the hunting developed to be rather successful, which it hadn't been in a long time. Nala gained popularity. Gradually, the other lionesses viewed her as one of their own, rather than a vulnerable girl in need of their protection. Nala wasn't keen to admit it aloud, but it caused her sense of confidence to grow. Still, one lioness remained displeased. Zira... Nala believed Zira deliberately tried to thwart her, hoping she'd fail the job. Yet Nala had no intention of letting Zira get to her. I have the backing of the lionesses, and if Zira chooses not to be included, so be it...The hyenas, however, were also a story apart... The largest disadvantage that accompanied this new leadership role was the necessity of interacting more frequently with these disgusting scavengers, as Nala commonly referred to them. Working with them is a mess! Nala figured that somehow, they were cooperating with Zira to sabotage her.

At present, Nala experienced the same problem Sarabi faced two small months ago. The hunting grounds had become scarce, and once again, the hyenas were the primary cause. To no avail, Sarabi had tried to reason with Scar many times before. Nala remembered Sarabi informing them he remained deaf to her words, stating complaining to a rock would've made more sense. The memory of the action he took last time still lingered inside Nala's mind; taking the leading role from Sarabi to her. Now it's my job to revive this subject to him. I need to tell him the hyenas, once more, create the disaster! His alleys, who he receives the largest prey part from... What am I thinking? He'll never listen to me! Nala feared their king would come to realise he'd mistaken her capability. Nala couldn't keep track of Scar's and Zira's standings nowadays. What if he makes Zira the lead huntress? That's exactly what she wants, and I refuse to let that happen!

"I'm back, Nala!" Sarafina interrupted her daughter's thoughts. Her face lit up upon seeing the boys being wrapped up in their innocent game. "Cute, aren't they?"

Nala nodded. "Would you mind if I go out for a while? There's something I need to do."

"You plan to confront Taka again, aren't you?" Sarafina asked, frowning.

"What? Who's Taka?" Nala took a deep breath, realising she could've easily guessed the answer to her question.

"Taka is Scar's real name, but please forget I said that. He no longer wants to be addressed in that manner." Sarafina shrugs, taking a breather herself as well. Despite Scar's preference to rule in favour of the hyenas, Sarafina remained one of the few lionesses who still had faith in him. "I don't know why I mentioned it..."

"I actually haven't spoken to him yet. The hyenas, you know..." Nala rolled her eyes.

"I can dig that... There's no beginning to describe how bad their behaviour has become," Sarafina replied, her annoyance towards the hyenas evident. "Should I speak to him instead?" she proposed, hoping to keep her daughter away from Scar and the hyenas.

"Mom! I'm the lead huntress. It's my task! I'll be okay!" Nala said, feeling slightly embarrassed. Although Sarafina's intentions were good, Nala hoped her mother would recognise her daughter's maturity in dealing with her own issues.

"All right, Nala," Sarafina gave in, flashing her daughter a faint smile. "Good luck, because he's not an easy one to handle. Please be careful."

"I will, mom."

Moments after Nala had left, Sarafina inhaled deep. "I hope you'll remain mommy's little baby for a long time, Mheetu..." Sarafina sat herself down and prayed Nala would act wisely.

"Mama please, not in front of Nuka!" Mheetu commented, his cheeks adorned with a small blush.

At times, Nala granted her king the benefit of the doubt. On the day he assigned her the leading role, a distinct transformation in his persona became evident. Yet the lion remained a mystery, mostly having himself isolated inside his cave. Why? Nala, shrouded in her own thoughts, continued her quest to observe the cave. This time, she told herself, she would pursue her goal, confronting the chaotic-minded Scar. She knew Scar came with a manual, as several lionesses had claimed. It has become evident he lives on the verge of losing it altogether, and Nala has heard plenty. One day she hears him, or the bird, singing whereas on other days she hears the sounds of him participating in deep discussions. Hearing him call the names of two dead kings of the past, Mufasa and Ahadi, Nala had frowned upon. Does he expect to receive any responses other than a Zazu comment or a stupid hyena laugh? Had the hyenas not been present, Nala could've possibly approached and overheard Scar's words with greater precision. Nala noticed even hyenas sometimes threw strange faces towards the cave, which she assumed were those who had consumed the brains of their prey. Scar emitted sounds that suggested he was being devoured from within. It frightened Nala. She bore the weight of an imagination that was overly rich, causing various demonic rituals to surface in her thoughts. They say his heart is cold. I shouldn't muster any sympathy for him...

As Nala watched Scar's cave, she was brought back to a place she once knew. Obviously, Nala still remembered the cave from her childhood as she had slept in it occasionally, yet it appeared darker since Scar was its resident. He had, almost literally, scarred it. The cave, surrounded by an almost other-worldly, eerie atmosphere, was shrouded by a thick, suffocating haze. Hyenas wandered in and around it with their giggling sounds attached to the area as fading, eerie echoes. Nala, her eyes narrowing, waited for the hyenas to leave or to not pay attention. Nala knew finding a hyena-free gap wasn't easy, but she told herself not to give up... What's in there, awaiting me to face?