Scar: The Story You Never Knew

Chapter 6: The Elephant Graveyard

One day, Taka was out exploring on the grasslands with Zira. They romped and played together under the shade of the acacia trees. It felt nice to have at least one friend. Zira tackled Taka and pinned him. "Pinned ya!" Giggled Zira. It was then that Taka noticed shadowy lowlands a few miles from them.

"Do you know what that shadowy place is?" Asked Taka. "Oh, that's the Elephant Graveyard." Replied Zira. Taka got up and walked to take a closer look. "Cool! What's out there?" He asked. "Nobody knows. Your dad won't let anyone past that border." Zira said. "But they say some brave lions adventured over there, and never returned."

Taka looked down into the foggy pit. Zira smiled a sinister kind of smile. The same smile she smiled when she had an idea of some sort. "You did say you wanted to prove yourself to everyone. Especially your dad." She said. "This could be your chance. Prove how brave you are."

Taka smiled. Zira was right. If he ventured into the Elephant Graveyard, he would prove how brave he was, and his father and Mufasa would notice him again. He nodded. "Let's go."

He had taken one step into the pit when Mufasa ran out of the tall grass, Sarabi and Sarafina right behind him. He saw his brother and Zira walking down the pit wall. Mufasa jumped in front of Taka. "Taka, no!" He shouted. Taka jumped back in surprise, his hair on his back sticking up. "How did you find us?" Mufasa narrowed his eyes. "Do you know what dad will do to you if you go in there?! You know he hates this place and has a short temper! He'll skin you alive!" Taka stared at his brother. Maybe Mufasa really did still care about him. He started to climb out when Zira jumped between them.

"You can't tell him what to do yet." She said cooly. Taka mouthed "no" to her, but she didn't see. "He's had enough of you walking around like you own the place. He's tired of watching your dad praise you like a god. He's tired of being in your shadow. He's tired of you, you royal pain!" Taka gasped. Mufasa lowered his ears. He walked slowly toward his brother. "Is that true, Taka?" He asked, choking up. Taka remained silent. He didn't want their friendship to end, but he couldn't hide the truth. But his anger at Zira and all his bottled up feelings he held since that night just came out. He narrowed his eyes and snarled.

"Yes."

And he ran into the dark pit of bones.