(In Progress) The Lion King: The Three Rulers

Allies and Traitors

         In the light of dusk, a trio of lions in the sky above looked down upon their grandchildren. These lions wore the same determined yet worrisome expressions as those below them. Yet they intently listened to their family whom they were so proud of, despite the dire situation they found themselves in.

KIARA: "... and so, we seek some wisdom...", she spoke as she looked up to her grandparents.

        The wise lions in the clouds above Kiara looked down with their grave expressions.

MUFASA: "Kiara, this dark roar... it is beyond our experience...", he spoke sadly

KION: "Do you think Askari would know about how we can defeat it?", he asked.

       Suddenly Askari, as if he was listening somehow already, joined the trio of apparitions in the sky.

ASKARI: "It is beyond even my experience, but... it does bear similarities...", he spoke with a worrying tone.

KIARA: "Similarities of what?", she asked.

       Askari sighed.

ASKARI: "Long ago, a great evil spread across the lands. Its vessel was a lion named Tarik...", he explained.

KION: "I learned of this from the paintings at the Tree of Life as well... Tarik spread his teachings to a group of lions, each hand-picked to become part of an unstoppable force. The Dark Eight ", he interrupted.

       Askari nodded and continued.

ASKARI: "Eight powerful lions, only stopped by the holder of the Roar of the Elders and his companions.", he further explained.

KOPA: "So... you? You stopped that evil. This same evil that we now face?",  he asked.

ASKARI: "Not exactly, This Mshindi you speak of, he wields similar power held by that of the Dark Eight, but it is unlike anything even I have ever seen... I should know...", he spoke oddly.

KIARA: "Wait... there were seven lions in that painting at Pride Rock...", she gasped, "You were a member of the Dark Eight?!!"

       Askari nodded as the three below them stared in shock and the other lions in the sky did the same. Mufasa, Sarabi, and Sarafina never knew this either, it was beyond their experience... way beyond it.

ASKARI: "Tarik killed everyone I knew and loved, and took me, for a reason. The reason was my fierce nature and wisdom. What he didn't know was how resilient I was to his brainwashing. I was able to break free from the darkness and was gifted the roars of those past lions whom I had loved. I didn't do it alone, I needed companionship, I needed a team...", he explained.

KION: "So... you founded The Lion Guard...", he spoke in awe.

ASKARI: "Indeed. And we defeated Tarik and the remaining seven. But now... Mshindi... it is almost as if he wields all of their power...", he said gravely.

KIARA: "So there is no way to defeat Mshindi?", she said anxiously.

ASKARI: "I never said that, but it is beyond even my experience as I said", he clarified, "However, while you search for your answers, you must prepare for the worst."

MUFASA: "Yes, at the minute you should follow your sister's plan. She is a good queen and she is right to worry...", he added.

SARABI: "Mshindi will likely return", she said as well.