The Lion King Legacy

Chapter Twelve

~**Unedited**~

Chapter Twelve
Mohatu's Reign

Mohatu had insisted that Kiburi remained where he was with the pride, but he'd been thankful that his advisor ended up coming along. Mohatu knew it to be stupid to go after a clan of hyenas alone. He wanted to believe that they could've lived peacefully, and he even tried to let them live in the Graveyard. The moment that they attacked Asali and Uzuri, he knew that would never be possible. They were scavengers who were out to hurt others and cause trouble.

"I can hear them up ahead, my king." Kiburi whispered, crouching low to the ground.

Mohatu nodded and they started. Once they entered the Graveyard all became dead silent. They both stopped and listened to the silence, but that's all it was.

Silence.

"Well it is quite the surprise to see you here, King Mohatu." They turned to see Mashaka.

Mohatu was already in position to pounce the hyena.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Mashaka muttered as the other hyenas from the clan encircled them.

Kiburi and Mohatu neared closer to each. They were greatly outnumbered, but even so, it managed to seem that some hyenas were missing.

"Mashaka, why are you doing this? We've done nothing to you! We even let you live in the Pridelands. That's never been an option for you!" Mohatu exclaimed angrily.

Mashaka's ears bent back as she bared her teeth and glared. "Surely you remember, Mohatu?" Mashaka barked, jumping down off of the skull where she was perched. Mashaka waited for an answer, but Mohatu said nothing, for he did not remember any encounter that could've brought on her anger. Mashaka scoffed. "We were a peaceful clan once, Mohatu. We lived on the South Border, and we did our best to stay out of your way." She began. "But no, your pride hunted us down and early in the morning, before dawn, your lions came and slaughtered a great many of us. You killed my clan members, my daughter, and my mate!" Mashaka was shouting and the king by now.

"Mashaka, you—"

"—so, after my remaining clan members recovered from the attack fully, we came back to the Pridelands to seek revenge. Now, where were we?" Mashaka paused and circled the two lions, taunting them. "Ah, yes. You took away my family, and left poor Freya without her father, now it seems only fair you be dealt the same thing."

"What did you do?" Mohatu was suddenly baring his teeth, a growl seeping from her throat.

Mashaka laughed to herself. "You didn't think we would actually let your mate live, did you? Freya attacking her was just the first part."

Freya stood proudly on the same skull that Mashaka had been on. Mohatu had known she'd be trouble. Then it occurred to him. It had made no sense that Mashaka go on like this, and tell them everything, she'd been stalling. Mashaka noticed the realization in his eyes.

"Just think, Mohatu, my hyenas are in the Pridelands this second, tearing your beautiful mate and precious daughter apart..." Mashaka leaned close to him. "...and there's nothing you can do." She whispered.

Outnumbered or not, this was enough for him. Mohatu pounced onto Mashaka, and the rest of the hyenas poured down and defended their clan leader.

Jasiri and Erevu prowled the East border, looking for where the king and his advisor might've gone. When they saw the path leading up to the elephant graveyard, they knew this had to be it.