Chapter 1: A Monumental Day

    Azwel watched his mate as she sat with the other lionesses discussing plans for the day’s hunt, admiring her beauty though his thoughts should be focused elsewhere. It was a typical day in the Pridelands; the weather was fine and clear with only a light breeze and little cloud cover. However, it was a rather special day, for, after months and months of consideration, Queen Sarabi had agreed to allow Nala to begin her huntress training by accompany her mother, Sarafina, on the pride’s hunt. She wouldn't be taking part just yet, as her first day would merely be observing and taking note of how the hunt functioned, but she was still sitting right in the midst of the party, listening avidly and sitting up as straight as she could. Sarafina was looking rather proud, though a hint of worry shown through her green eyes, as she glanced down at her daughter every couple of seconds. But Azwel, despite the pride he felt for his daughter, could only keep his eyes on his new mate and love, Hasna.
     
    “DAAAD!” a high-pitched voice rang out, and Azwel startled back into focus. A small cub came running up to him, looking like a miniature clone of the older lion.
     
    “Yes, Mheetu?” he questioned.
     
    “Chumvi won't stop hitting me!” Azwel’s son tattled, pointing over at the older cub that was trying to look as innocent as possible.
     
    At his son’s outburst, Azwel cocked an eyebrow, a hint of an amused smirk playing across his features. “Oh? But I thought you boys were play-fighting. Isn’t hitting the point?” Mheetu looked a bit mortified that his father wasn't taking his side in the argument.
     
    “Yeah, but he purposely hit me harder than normal! He and all the other boys always pick on me because I'm younger than them.”
     
    “Alright, I'll have a talk with him.” Azwel promised. “In the meantime, why don't you go play with Tojo; he plays more fairly. I hear he's attempting to teach his birds to search for insects.”
     
    Mheetu brightened at that. “Okay, thanks Dad.” And with that, he scampered off to play with the blue-eyed cub. Azwel smiled as he watched his son run off, though inside he felt a pang of worry. Mheetu was the youngest of the cubs his age, ironic since his sister was the oldest, next to Prince Simba. As Mheetu was the youngest, the other cubs tended to pick on him, taking advantage of his smaller size. That meant that Azwel and Hasna had to work hard to make sure Mheetu was included.
     
    But that was quickly changing, for Azwel had taken up the position of cub watcher when the pride was too busy with other matters so he could keep an eye on things concerning his son. Plus, Nala was close friends with Simba, so Mheetu could tag along with them and get a break from the other cubs. Furthermore, a few lionesses had recently produced new cubs; more than half a dozen, which would make it easier for Mheetu to make more friends when they were older. But for now, those cubs were tussling in the dirt at Azwel's feet, still too small to play with the older cubs, but old enough to be left without mother's milk for a couple of hours.
     
    Azwel's attention turned back to the hunting party, noticing the group head off for the hunt. His eyes fell on Nala, jumping around her mother in pure excitement while Sarafina attempted to gently calm her down. Though amused by his daughter’s passion and energy, Azwel often worried over her stubborn streak. Nala had a voice all her own and never took any dirt from anyone, willing to stand up for herself and her friends at any cost. Her father encouraged this nature but also warned her that there was a time and place for it; that sometimes it was better to hold one’s tongue than to speak out. He only hoped that those teachings sunk in.
    
    But he only thought of this briefly, as once again, his eyes fell upon Hasna's beautiful form. As if sensing his eyes on her, the light brown lioness turned to glance her mate’s way, smiling softly. Azwel wanted to run to her then, embrace her and wish her luck on the hunt. Maybe give his best wishes to Nala too. But then he heard the cubs at play and remembered his job. So instead, he smiled and waved before his eyes returned to his task. Lying down as he watched the younger cubs tussle, he thought he would get the chance to see Hasna later.
     
    “Excuse me.” Azwel startled, glancing about as he beheld the lanky, black-maned form of the only other full grown male in the pride aside from himself and Mufasa; the King’s brother, Scar.
     
    “Greetings, Prince Scar.” The normally apathetic lion flinched at the word “prince”, slight annoyance showing in his piercing green eyes.
     
    “Just “Scar” is fine, thank you.” He stated rather dryly, glancing about as if looking for something.
     
    “My apologies, Scar.” Azwel replied, trying to be polite though he had always secretly felt uneasy around the other lion; there was something unnerving about him despite his less than threatening frame and actions. “Is there something I can assist you with?”
     
    Scar’s head whipped around, startling green eyes holding the other male firm in his gaze, to which Azwel couldn’t help but flinch despite himself; it was rather unnerving to be under Scar’s attentive gaze.
     
    “Hopefully. Tell me, you are the cub-sitter of the pride. Having given up a rather prestigious position of Border Warrior in favor of watching these...” He motioned towards the cubs, seeming rather displeased with them, struggling to find a proper word. “..These cubs while my brother takes over your duties fully.”
     
    At Scar’s rather condescending tone with the word “cubs”, Azwel frowned slightly, but nodded. “Yes, Scar. I wanted to spend more time with my children while still assisting the pride. Besides, your brother rarely even needs to check the borders considering the Pridelands’ reputation, not to mention the imposing build he possesses. And with so many new children this generation, a cub-sitter is of greater requirement.”
     
    “Yes, yes, of course.” Scar interrupted, waving off his words like useless prattle. “Am I to assume that you have my dear nephew in your care?”
     
    Azwel nodded. “Yes, sir. Ever since the… um, incident, I have been responsible for his care, making sure he doesn’t run off or do anything dangerous.”
     
    The “incident” he spoke of was of course when Simba and Nala had snuck off to the Elephant Graveyard almost two weeks prior. Hyenas had nearly devoured the pair, but thanks to Mufasa coming to their aid, they were saved. Nala had been given a stern talking to, but Simba had been the one severely punished, for this little plan had been his initial idea. The adults had questioned how he had even gotten the idea in the first place, but Simba had said it was a secret. Thus, the young prince was no longer allowed to wander off on his own and had to stay within sight of an adult lion at all times. Azwel at first had been rather hard on the boy, as Nala had been put in danger as well, but also for the lion’s own deep-rooted fear of hyenas.
     
    “Marvelous. And where is he?” Scar asked, glancing about the horde of cubs playing. Azwel pointed to a small boulder far away from the group, a golden-orange clump lying atop it. Simba was in a sad mood, for with Nala joining the hunting party, he had lost his best friend and playmate. He’d tried playing with the other cubs but most of them teased him over his recent mess up, and they didn’t want him to “be in charge”. Because of this, Azwel felt some pity for the boy.
     
    “Just out of curiosity, Scar… What do you want with Simba?”
     
    Scar gave Azwel a look; it was brief, but the multicolored lion felt that it was one of great annoyance over a “subordinate” questioning one of royalty. Azwel suddenly felt a cold shudder, a sense of foreboding as a hint of anger sparked in Scar’s piercing green eyes. But it was hastily gone as soon as it had appeared, replaced with the typical sarcastic but harmless smirk.
     
    “Why, I’m his uncle. Shouldn’t an uncle spend time with his dear nephew?” Scar mocked.
     
    At this, Azwel brushed the earlier chills aside; his time as a rogue had obviously made him paranoid. He needed to stop seeing danger where there clearly wasn’t any. Instead he focused on a new question. “You’re taking him somewhere?”
     
    Scar’s eyes narrowed. “Yes. Is that a problem?” Azwel paused, unsure. Something didn’t feel right about this. Why did Scar want to spend time with Simba when he openly despised most cubs? Why now? Then again, it was as the black-maned lion said; he was his family and a mature adult. Plus, Azwel was only a lowly member while Scar was a prince; what right did he have to question him? Furthermore, as the king’s brother, Azwel knew he couldn’t risk looking insubordinate, even if he and Mufasa were close friends.
     
    “No, sir. Of course not.” Scar seemed pleased by this, walking over to his nephew. At his uncle’s approach, Simba perked up, a mixture of curiosity and eagerness playing on his face as he smiled. Scar smiled back, leaning down to whisper in Simba’s ear. The boy’s face lit up when Scar pulled away, the young prince nodding eagerly. And with that, Scar took off at a brisk walk, Simba leaping down and jogging after him, the pair heading out away from Azwel and the other cubs.
     
    “Wait!” Azwel called, surprised at his own actions. The pair stopped, Simba looking worried while Scar gazed back over his shoulder, clearly annoyed. Azwel had no reason to stop them, but even so, the ruddy brown lion couldn’t help the growing feeling of dread in his stomach. There was something not right about this. But he shook those thoughts off; he was letting personal feelings get in the way, just like he always did. Surely he was being ridiculous.
     
    “Make sure to have him back before sunset. He has a strict curfew.” Azwel said. At this, Scar seemed even more annoyed than before, but nodded before proceeding, Simba not far behind. Azwel watched the pair until they faded from his sight, noting how they seemed to be heading toward the great canyon.
     
    But he soon put any apprehensive thoughts from his mind in order to focus on the other cubs under his charge. The youngest of the cubs had tired themselves out, ready for a nap. Azwel arranged them along his side, clumped up into furry piles. By that time, many of the older cubs had grown tired too; settling down around the sunning rock while Azwel told them a story.
     
    Everyone was asleep by the time he finished, the mid-afternoon sun blazing overhead. With the cubs slumbering, Azwel settled down for a nap himself. But even so, the feeling of dread never left him until sleep finally claimed him.
    
     
    Azwel awoke from his light nap as the last rays of sun warmed his back. He glanced at the cubs playing nearby. The youngest ones, still clad in their baby spots, were playing in the dust, though they seemed to be rather tired. Azwel noted the scent of lionesses and realized that some of the mothers must have returned to feed the small cubs earlier. Good, that meant it would be a while yet until they had to be fed again. Meanwhile, the older cubs were playing and re-enacting the story Azwel told them earlier though they weren’t very organized; Tama and Chumvi were vying for control, Kula was trying (and failing) to settle them down, while Tojo and Mheetu were staying well clear of the whole mess, talking amongst themselves. The other boys and girls watched the spectacle with a mixture of amusement or dread. Noting the sun hovering over the horizon, Azwel knew it was getting late.
     
    "The lionesses should be getting back soon." He thought. "I'd better get these cubs to Pride Rock before their mothers return. Get them something to eat from the day’s hunt."
     
    With that, he went around and began to organize the older cubs, preparing them to leave and instructing them to help him transport the younger ones. Chumvi protested but Azwel gave the red-brown cub a look that made him shut up, Mheetu snickering at this.
     
    Azwel picked up the two silver spotted cubs, Chumvi, Tama, Kula, and Mheetu assisting him by each taking one themselves as the other two little lionesses trailed behind. A few of the small cubs were just old enough to walk, though they were not very sure-footed yet. So Tojo walked near the back, encouraging and steadying them; he was always good with small, young creatures. It was very slow going but still they made it back in good enough time, the sun skimming the horizon. Azwel settled them all down a fair distance from the south end of Pride Rock, far enough away to observe and remain hidden but also close enough to be spotted when the pride returned.
     
    And yet they didn’t; the sun slowly set, giving way to night and yet neither sight nor smell gave away their return. Furthermore, Scar had yet to return Simba at the scheduled time, and even the normally punctual King Mufasa was late. Azwel was starting to get very concerned, the earlier feeling of dread filtering out to the cubs. The older cubs were starting to complain and the younger ones were growing hungry but Azwel did his best by telling them another story to ease them. But this time, it only seemed to partially work.
     
    The sunset gave way to night and at this point, Azwel was seriously concerned, a thousand thoughts and dreadful predictions playing through his mind. He fought with himself over going to search for them, leaving the cubs unprotected, and holding his position at the expense of being unavailable should the pride need him. He was about to go out searching for them when he finally caught their scent and their silhouettes appeared on the horizon. His heart lifted in relief, preparing himself to run and greet them, the cubs ready to as well. But Azwel stopped them when he beheld the looks on the pride’s faces and the slouched, slow way they walked. The air reeked of sorrow and grief; it was clearly not the time for happy greetings.
     
    Sarafina, Nala and Hasna were in the precession, along with the Queen and the rest of the pridesisters, but of the males, Azwel only noticed Scar, who was leading the precession.
     
    "Where are Mufasa and Simba?" Azwel felt an inkling as to knowing the answer but he hoped desperately that he was wrong. As the pride assembled near Pride Rock’s base, Azwel arose from his position, intent on taking a listen.
     
    “Stay here, keep quiet, and remain hidden. I'll be back soon.” He kept his voice leveled yet firm for the cubs, making it clear that they were not to disobey. With that set, he moved off like a shadow, quick and quiet until he was close enough to the group to hear them. Although he longed to go comfort his mate and daughter, something told him to hold back. Most likely because of Scar; Azwel never really liked the King’s brother from the start, and now with him seeming to take the position of leader during this meeting, he felt even more unnerved.
     
    And for good reason, he came to find out. He was saddened but not terribly surprised to find that King Mufasa and the young prince Simba were dead, killed in some type of accident at the gorge. He felt his heart go out to Queen Sarabi for the double blow of grief in one day; no one should have to deal with the loss of a mate and child, especially a noble and great queen like her. But as Scar continued his speech and his grief took a sinister turn, Azwel stared horrified as sharp toothed, hunched back shadows began to appear along Pride Rock’s face. His fear became dread when the laughter pierced the night as the small, dark forms assembled from the shadows of the great rock, eyes glowing eerily in the night. And during it all, Scar walked calmly up the face of the monument, voice rising as he spoke of the marvelous future lion and hyena would share, even as the lionesses packed against each other in fear. In that moment, Azwel knew that Scar was far more insane and dangerous than he had previously thought. And there was only one course of action that Azwel could take: run!
     
    He sprinted back to the hiding place, finding all the cubs huddled together in fear, clearly having heard the hyenas. “DAD!” Mheetu cried, running up to his father and clinging to his leg. “What's going on? Where's Mama and Nala?” Azwel’s mind raced as he tried to come up with the best course of actions for him and the cubs.
     
    “No time, my son.” His voice was surprisingly level as he spoke, though his mind was a mess of jumbled thoughts all vying for attention. “We have to go.”
     
    “Go?! Go where? Is Mama coming? Where is she, Daddy?” Mheetu was practically crying at this point, the fear and distress plainly written in his green-blue eyes.
     
    “Hush, my son, you have to be brave for Daddy.” He glanced up at the other cubs; Tojo and Tama were halfway out of the tall grass they had been hiding in, Kula and Chumvi crouched inside the tall grass, the dozen or so other cubs huddled about the two larger brown cubs in fear. Mind working quickly, Azwel realized there was only one course of action, though it sickened him to do so; he could only save the older cubs.
     
    “Listen, all those who can run, follow me. Stick close, and try to be quiet.” He ordered, picking up Mheetu and beginning to carry him off.
     
    “What about the younger cubs?” Tojo questioned, but Azwel was already heading off at a fast trot and gaining speed. Tama ran after him, the gold-cream cub terrified at being left alone with the sound of hyenas approaching; the stories from her friend Nala were enough to make her listen to orders. Kula and Chumvi were petrified by fear, staring wide-eyed after Azwel’s retreating form, while the smaller cubs remained huddled next to them, shaking like leaves in a gale. Tojo glanced between Chumvi, Kula, and the youngest cubs, and then to the quickly-disappearing forms of Azwel, Mheetu and Tama. He knew that there was no way Chumvi and Kula would follow, nor would the other cubs their age. And the smaller cubs weren’t sturdy enough to keep up, but he couldn’t just leave them. Meanwhile, his birds flew over, chirping and screeching in alarm, warning him of the hyenas’ approach. Setting his jaw and clinging to his resolve despite his own fear, Tojo knew what needed to be done.
     
    “Nili, fly ahead and stay with Azwel. Tell him to wait for me when he stops. Mbingu and Dhorubu, stay with me, Mbingu will keep an eye on Azwel and lead me in the direction he’s headed and Dhorubu will keep watch for predators. And Anga, stay here and out of sight. See what happens in the coming day and find us in the morning.” He ordered his birds. Upon receiving their orders, they then flew off to follow them.
     
    Scanning over the small group of cubs, Tojo’s eyes fell on one of the youngest girls, a little silver cub still heavy with baby spots; she’d have to do. Grabbing her by the scruff, Tojo sprinted off, following in the wake of his blue bird. Despite her fear, the little cub remained silent, even as she stared behind at the rapidly-disappearing group of the other cubs. Tojo was slowed both by the cub’s weight and his own lack of physical fitness but he didn’t let up, sky-blue eyes held firm on his bird as it lead the way.
     
    Thus did Azwel, Mheetu, Tama, Tojo and the little silver cub escape the Pridelands the night Scar took control. Leaving the lionesses and remaining cubs to a crazed king and his band of carrion dogs, to a reign that would in later years be referred to as the darkest and direst in the Pridelands’ history: the Reign of the Infamous King Scar.
     

~*~

    Azwel watched the first lights of sunrise alone, all the cubs fast asleep. They had run far, not stopping until they had made it to the border, where grasslands gave way to sand dunes. It was then that Azwel noticed he was missing a few cubs, for only Tama had followed him. But one of Tojo’s birds told him that he would be coming soon, but that Chumvi, Kula and the other cubs had been too scared to follow.
     
    Indeed, Tojo showed up with two of his other birds, along with an unexpected companion. Azwel had been a bit annoyed at Tojo for bringing along the little silver girl, as the young cub could not live without her mother’s milk at this point in her life. However, he realized the golden cub’s heart had been in the right place, though it now made their situation more complicated. After learning that Tojo still had one more bird remaining in the lands acting as a spy, Azwel agreed to remain on the border until the next sunrise; they could not afford to wait any longer for the sake of the little silver girl.
     
    So they slept on a small rock overhang, safe in the knowledge that the hyenas wouldn’t dare come to the desolate lands. But it also meant that the lionesses wouldn’t come out that far either. Yet Azwel couldn't stop himself from hoping. He had stayed up all night, waiting, watching, and listening for any sign of Sarafina, Nala or his beloved Hasna. But despite all his hopes, they never appeared, and with the sun beginning to rise, he had to admit defeat.
 
    He awoke the birds at the crack of dawn, sending them off to retrieve their sibling. Half an hour later had the four flying back, the spy Agna reporting what she had seen. To his great relief, the lionesses and cubs had been left unharmed, so long as they did as Scar said and didn’t rebel. But even so, Scar had made it clear that the hyenas would remain in the lands and live beside them, allowed a share of the kill and helping the king with matters he deemed fit. In other words, his loyal dogs were to be used to intimidate and keep the lionesses in line, a vicious fighting force against anyone who opposed him. Azwel then realized there would be no way he could reach the pride, and gathering a group of rogues to help him fight would be impossible. He’d have to revert back to plan B: head to Grass Walls and beg for assistance until he could come up with a proper strategy. Azwel had originally planned on heading up North towards the vast and plentiful kingdoms. But not now with the young cub that Tojo had picked up; if anyone knew how to take care of a cub that needed milk when they lacked a mother, the wise baboons would.
     
    "Who knows?" He thought, "Maybe they can offer up some help as to where we should go from here."
     
    After rousing the cubs, and catching a few mice and lizards to eat, they set off for the East. With several miles of desert and scrub between them and Grass Walls, the sooner they left, the better. Azwel had decided to carry the little silver girl, so Tojo could focus on keeping up as they’d be going at a very fast pace. So the precision had Azwel and the little girl in the front, Tojo, Tama, and Mheetu trailing behind, with Tojo’s birds flying overhead.
     
    “Dad?” Azwel turned his tired head as his son scampered up to him. Despite the wear from the last several hours, Azwel still offered him a sad smile. “Yes, my son?” He answered through the scruff of the cub he was carrying.
 
    “When are we going back for Mama? And Nala? And Aunty Sara? When are we going back home?” Upon seeing his son’s sad yet hopeful face, the answer died in his throat; Azwel knew that he had no more answer himself.
 
    “I don't know, Mheetu." He answered truthfully. "I don't think we ever can.”
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Some of you may or may not recognize this little story. For those who don't, I'll go further. This is based off a little small story I posted some years back called "Sorrowful Departure". Its the same story just with some edits and additions thrown in. Look it up in my gallery if your curious, it should be hanging around some where.
Any who, after writing that story, and getting such positive feedback, it inspired me to continue the story further. Thus after some plotting I decided to expand it into a series similar to "Zira's Demise". But this time focusing on the events during Scar's reign, mostly on Nala, Sarabi, Azwel along wth a few other characters. Alot of people have done this story before but I feel I can add a new spin to it.
You may also notice that the image for this story has been updated greatly sense the last, sketch image. I'm so proud of how it turned out, the colors, background, effects and even the characters are all on point. Dang do I surprise myself with my skill. XD

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Artwork, concept and story © Me
Editing © corruptangel315
Please do not use in any way, shape or form without proper consent from me and without using proper referencing. Thank you.