Past Demons [PRIVATE: AC and TheIvanMuse]

[AustralianChaos]

Plot: Instead of a pack of hyenas, Scar is instead leading a group of animals that includes lions, tigers, hyenas, and some others. On the night Mufasa tells Simba of the Kings of the Past, a lion cub from Scar's group appears in the Pridelands, although no-one knows of his past except Scar...

At the same time, an unknown lion approaches the Pridelands, unaware of the brewing conflict he is about to throw himself into...

Characters:
Mufasa: TheIvanMuse
Simba: AustralianChaos
Nala: TheIvanMuse
Sarabi: AustralianChaos
Sarafina: AustralianChaos
Scar: TheIvanMuse

Tanga: AustralianChaos
Ardahi: TheIvanMuse

==========

"Just remember, that those kings will always be there to guide you...and so will I..."

Simba just kept his gaze on the stars above as his father spoke of the Great Kings of the Past. It amazed the young cub to think that those pin-pricks of light dotting the night-time sky were in fact his ancestors, looking down on him as he had his adventures, most likely watching his every move. Even during the day, when they were no longer visible, Simba figured they were still looking down, watching him, watching all of the Pridelands.

"Wow..." he eventually breathed, thinking of the fact that his grandfather, who he'd never known, and his great-grandfather, and so on, were all possibly watching him. "You mean all of them?" he finally asked, the first of quite a few questions buzzing through his mind.

But before he could say anything more, the young prince released a long, drawn-out yawn he could not contain, despite the fact that he did not want his dad to take him back just yet. but it had been a long day for him...and as much as he hated to admit it, he was tired.

[TheIvanMuse]

Mufasa was very pleased that Simba liked what he was telling him about. He knew that Simba can be quite waggish,so he was glad he sat down and gazed upon the stars with him,just as a father and a son should. His father used to talk to him like this as well. Upon remembering his deceased father,Mufasa gazed up to the brightest star in the sky,thinking to himself ''Father... One day my son will take my place,just as I did yours...''

He turned his sight back to Simba,when hearing his question. Yes,Simba,all of them.'',he said. He then pointed to the bright star that he gazed up to a moment ago and said: ''Do you see that bright star,Simba? That is my father,your grandpa,Ahadi.''

As Simba released a yawn during Mufasa's story,Mufasa realized that it's probably better to take Simba back to the cave. He smiled at Simba and told him: ''Come on,you have to go to sleep now.'' Mufasa stood up and started walking towards the cave. The whole time he had a feeling like they were being watched.

[AustralianChaos]

"Aw, daaaaad..." Simba complained as Mufasa told him he needed sleep, and began carrying him back towards Pride Rock. He did not try and run off like he usually would, though, instead contenting himself with the ride his father was giving him in his thick mane.

But his curiosity was still running wild, and as such, another question quickly sprang to mind as he stared up at the star Mufasa had pointed out, the one of his grandfather. "Dad...what about everyone else? You said the Great Kings of the Past look down on us from the stars, but what about everyone else from the past...are they up there, too?"

But even as Simba posed his question, his mind remained focus on Ahadi's star, along with his gaze. That was the grandfather he had never met, having died before he was born...what had he been like? What would he think of him? Too many questions fought for dominance in the cub's mind, further confusing him as he got lost in his thoughts, making him less aware of the land around him. He was still aware of his father's voice just fine, but pretty much everything beyond may as well have not existed at that moment.

Which was why Simba missed a pair of wide, startlingly blue eyes staring at him from a patch of vegetation that did not quite completely conceal him...and the faint whimper of a cub in pain that came from the owner of the eyes as something brushed against one of several fresh wounds he had sustained.

[TheIvanMuse]

Mufasa smiled when hearing his sons complaining,he was rather amused with it,because it reminded him of how he was when he was younger. But he didn't say anything and just kept walking,while trying not to make Simba lose his balance. He always felt very protective of Simba,and while carrying him on his back,he felt it the more,as Simba was only a cub and by that very light compared to Mufasa.

He was rather overwhelmed by Simba's curiosity,but was always very patient and willing to answer everything Simba ever asked him. Everyone has got his own ancestors,and everyone sees them as their own stars and with that the stars are what you make of them.''
Mufasa thought about how he could explain this to him better as he felt Simba might not quite understand it. ''The stars you look up on are a link between you and someone you are close to,may it be by blood or by friendship.'' Mufasa dropped his head lower upon saying this and told Simba in a silent matter: ''Just like that,Ahadi is linked to both of us,always protecting us.''

As Mufasa got nearer to the cave,he noticed something in the bushes. He heard some movement and a silent yelp,but pretended to have heard nothing. He kept his eyes on the where the sounds were coming from,ready to react if something came out,but at the same time he decided to get Simba to the cave first before investigating any further,not wanting him to put him into danger. As he entered the cave he layed down and whispered to Simba:''Good night.''
He didn't go to sleep though,as he was only waiting for Simba to doze off,while keeping his eyes on the entrance the whole time,always ready to protecting his son and his pride.

[AustralianChaos]

Simba was dragged out of his thoughts as his father answered his question, the young cub listening intently,completely riveted by his father's words as he spoke. He could see what his father meant, and looked up once more, his father's explanation only fuelling his curiosity further. So everyone saw the stars in a different way...it made him wonder how certain lions, such as Nala, saw the stars.

But all too soon, Mufasa had reached Pride Rock, and Simba was once more back in the den. As his father lay down, Simba leapt nimbly from his mane, settling down in his favourite spot, a smooth part of the rocky floor of the den right next to his parents. His mother, Sarabi, was already fast asleep, which relieved Simba slightly, knowing that it meant the tongue-lashing he was likely to recieve from her for his adventure into the Elephant Graveyard could be put off for tonight.

"Night, dad," Simba said, stifling another yawn as his curled up, far enough away from his parents so he wouldn't get all the awkward cuddling that generally resulted in a teasing session from Nala, but close enough to show his parents that he wasn't trying to avoid them. Resting his head on his paws, Simba closed his eyes, and in one minute flat, was sound asleep, the barest hint of a cubbish snore escaping his muzzle in his regular, shallow breaths, completely unaware that his dad had no plans of sleeping just yet, or why he was staying awake.

----------

From the bushes, the pair of blue eyes watched as the two, obviously a father and his cub, wandered off, neither of them seeming to have noticed him. Part of the cub's mind was relieved that he had not been spotted...while another part wished he could have gone out and approached them...he needed help, and he needed it now.

If anyone could have seen the young cub, they probably would have been horrified at the sight. His already-undersized frame was even thinner from lack of food, his ribs starting to show through his golden yellow fur. That same fur was currently stained crimson from a mess of dried blood from several wounds across his silver-furred belly, and his back...some of which were still bleeding, adding to the stains on his fur, and the metallic scent in the air.

The young cub knew he was in trouble. He was immensely hungry, in a lot of pain, and he knew his wounds would eventually draw predoators to his bloody scent...but he was too shy and scared to ask the lion or his cub for help. Mewling faintly with fear and pain, he sat down in the bushes, still trying to conceal himself as much as possible in the open plains...whilst still hoping someone would notice him...he was so hungry, and could not fend for himself, as he was still too young. He knew he was asking for a miracle, but it was all he had left. "Please," he whispered faintly to the stars above. "Please, help me..."

[TheIvanMuse]

As Simba leaped from Mufasa's mane,Mufasa stretched out his neck that was already stiff from keeping it in a still matter,as he was carrying Simba. The stretch caused a loud crack in his neck,which echoed through the cave. After that stretching session,Mufasa rested his head on his crossed over paws,while slightly turned to keep an eye on Simba. Upon hearing his son's obeisance,he noticed how Simba has been sleeping further and further away from his parents,but he knew what was the cause of that. His little Simba was getting in that age where he didn't want to be seen with his parents cuddling him. He wasn't going to complain to Simba about it,because he had no reason to do so. As his father he understood it,cause he was going through that same phase himself as a youngster.

Mufasa was suprised with how fast he heard a silent snore from Simba,but he was suspicious,and kept laying there for just a little longer,without making a single movement. Once he was completely sure Simba was asleep,he stood up and silently sneaked away to the entrance of the cave. He looked back once again,checking if Simba had seen him.

As Mufasa left the cave,he walked to the place where he heard the sounds. He stood firmly a few meters away from the bush,while being ready to react for an upcoming attack. By taking a closer look,he noticed two eyes. While most of the body could only vaguely be detected,those eyes clearly didn't belong to an adult lion or any other grown animal. Mufasa knew that someone that small would most probably not pose any threat to him. ''Show yourself!'', Mufasa said in a very stern and strict voice,while looking straight into the two blue eyes.

[AustralianChaos]

By the time Mufasa returned, the young cub was now shaking from fear and nighttime cold. He did not notice the approaching lion until he was close, and when he did see him, he took a single step back, scared and hesitant. He was afraid...but his desire for help was growing stronger by the minute, and that need refused to allow him to run.

When the lion stopped right in front of his hiding place, and demanded he show himself, he knew that the lion had seen him before, and was just taking his cub home before acting. Jumping at the firm tone of the lion, his yelp of fear turned into a loud, cubbish mewl of pain as his scraped some of his wounds against the bushes he was using to conceal himself. Realising that such sounds would definitely have caught the attention of the lion before him, he whimpered lightly as he slowly revealed himself, his ears flat, his stance low, and his tail firmly curled between his legs, keeping his black tail tuft from view.

As the cub exposed himself, he took a brief moment to look at the lion in front of him...although it did little to help. What was immediately apparant to the cub was his size, he was a big, obviously powerful lion, and that deep booming voice that had commanded he show himself radiated with authority. He quickly realised he was most likely staring at the local pride leader, and that scared him even more. Just barely resisting the urge the run, the half-starved, bloodied cub simply sat down, breathing heavily with fear...waiting for the sharp claws he felt certain were coming.

[TheIvanMuse]

Mufasa heard a loud yelp coming from the bushes and immediately lowered his head to get a better sight of the cub hiding in the bush. However,he didn't approach,as he wasn't going to let his guard down,nor his authority. He knew that the cub wouldn't harm him,but still kept himself ready,as to always expect the worst.

Mufasa noticed the cub coming slowly out of his hide. What Mufasa saw,shocked him right away. It was a little lion cub,covered in wounds,slighty malnorished as you could see his ribs despite the fur covering his skin. His fur was bloody and his breath was weak. The cub was shaking and was clearly in need of help. Mufasa was very disturbed upon seeing this weak image of a lion cub.

Mufasa also felt fear in this young lion,clearly he was intimidating him a lot. He slowly started walking towards the young lion,with every step feeling the cub being more and more frightened. As he came to only a few inches away from the cub,he lowered his head down and looked into the lion's eyes.It seemed to him as if he was looking at his prey.
'' Who are you? What happened to you?'',Mufasa said in a little softer voice,but still keeping a strict demand for an answer.

[AustralianChaos]

As the adult lion approached him, the cub back off a couple of steps fearfully, speaking up for the first time to this lion. "Please...don't come too close," he pleaded in a weak voice, still barely resisting the urge to run. This lion was intimidating, and with ever step he took closer, the cub grew more and more frightened...he did not want any more wounds on top of those he already had.

But when the lion asked him who he was and what had happened, the cub refused to meet the lion's gaze. He would not...could not...talk about his past. "I...um..." he started hesitantly. "I...I can't..." he finally said lamely. "They'll kill me...I only just got away..." by this point, he was shaking terribly, his fear more pronounced than ever, his eyes darting all around them, causing him to whimper and shy away from the slightest movement in any shadow, obviously traumatised and paranoid.

As his fear grew further, he turned his gaze back on the older lion in front of him, his eyes wide and pleading. "Please...please help me..." he literally begged of this lion. But even as he pleaded for help, he shied away, fully expecting a set of claws to strike him any second as punishment for his lack of independance and cowardice...that was how it had always worked for him. Any sign of weakness was viciously punished...only strength and obedience were accepted as appropriate. But he was desperate, and even though he was scared for his life...he prayed that this lion would help him...he doubted he would survive if this lion left him to fend for himself.

[TheIvanMuse]

As Mufasa was getting closer to the young lion he could feel the cub's fear growing stronger. It looked as if he would most rather just run away from him,but his condition obviously didn't leave him much choice. He heard the young cub telling him to not come any closer,but he felt that he should have no reason to do so,as the cub was in need of help. Wether the young one liked it or not,Mufasa had to come closer.

The question Mufasa asked seemed to not have helped much in making the cub feel less frightened. He was still very nervous and his eyes were looking everywhere but into Mufasa's eyes. Mufasa smelled the scent of dried blood in the air,he felt sorry for this youngster and with that,he felt like he should at least help him make it through the night. The cub seemed like he had been through terrible events,both physically and psychically and Mufasa wasn't going to leave him like that.

As the cub finally managed to look Mufasa in the eyes,he said the words that made Mufasa feel very sorry for the cub's misfortune. Upon saying that,the cub closed his eyes as if he was expecting to be struck by Mufasa. But he had no intention in doing so. He was always taught to help the weak and less fortunate lions. Mufasa lowered his head,coming direactly above the cub's head. He grabbed the back of the cub's neck and lifted him up. He started walking towards a small pit,where has been storing food,for the case of him or someone else getting hungry if a lionesses hunt didn't succeed. He let the shivering cub back on the ground and reached into the pit with his muzzle. He grabbed a big piece of antelope meat and threw it in front of the cub. All this time Mufasa wasn't saying anything. As he placed the piece of meat in front of the cub,he put his right paw on it,not allowing the young lion to grab it straight away.
''Who are you?'',Mufasa asked,demanding the cub to answer if he was to get to some food that night.