Wasteland

[Nakisisa]

ohhh...dang! Nala, you always ruin the fun! I was about to send them back to where they belong. With a bang!
"Go on then, show me why i should let you join the pride"

Oh, and you might need your shaman, and when I say might, I mean, will.
"Yes he should be on his way, i smelled the blood back at pride rock, and ran out here, Simba should have sent someone to get him now"

[thegunner18]

"Go on then, show me why i should let you join the pride"

"Well, if you expect me to fight the hyenas, it's going to be very unlikely because, even though I probably could, there's two of us here. They'll most likely run. Also, I just saved this cubs life. It's your pride though, so it's your choice." even though there was another cub who followed him here, A.J decided not to let Nala see this.

[Zorayda]

Zira growled at the commotion outside. Newcomers approached, and now the hyenas were back with a taste for blood...

"You there!" Zira barked at a random lioness. "Watch my cubs for me." Zira was used to having power, so this order did not feel unnatural or strange to her. She ambled down the 'steps' of Pride Rock without glancing back to see if the lioness had done as she asked.

She approached the hyenas, who seemed to have started attacking some cub. One of the newcomers, Ajabu, as she recalled, was handling the situation. However, it had been a while since Zira had fought...and she could use some exercise...

She scented the air and sensed that Nuka was nearby. Hopefully the brat would be smart enough to stay away from the fight. Zira grinned evilly and tensed up to pounce. But, of course, she was interrupted....by none other than that...excuse for royalty, Nala.

Zira growled quietly but kept herself from appearing too unruly to the brat queen. Now was not the time to rebel...

---------------------

Sarabi dashed outside the moment Simba looked alarmed to see that an old friend had arrived. She couldn't keep up with her son...she was far too old, but she was trotting their way slowly.

"S...Sorondi?" she pranced up to him as nimbly as her old legs would allow, happy and excited to see Mufasa's old uncle. She didn't know him extremely well, but...it was nice to have some connection to her husband besides Simba.

Her legs ached a bit with the arthritis settling into her bones, so she stood still for a moment, eyeing up the elder lion.

"Sorondi, welcome," she said respectfully, feeling again like a young cub.

[Kama]

((Just to clear up... Simba's talking with Sorri at the moment. He has no idea about the hyenas. ))

[fenris]

the odds had taken a turn now. A trio of hyenas would never dare fight a Lion and two lionesses. They all growled at the large cats, but none of them made a move towards attacking. Finally they turned and fled. They had lost their meal, but they were alive...

Chaka didn't move. The three hyenas had been replaced by three much bigger lions. Chaka was frightened of what they would do to him. The male lion had tried comforting him, but he was in shock, and didn't really listen.

It didn't matter though, as he soon passed out...

[thegunner18]

A.J looked at the new lioness that had arrived. "Looks like this Is attracting some attention, doesn't it?" turning back to the cub, A.J sighed and looked down at the ground. "Shouldn't we at least bring the cub to pride rock?"

[Nakisisa]

"way ahead of you" she said as she picked the cub up by the scruff of his neck, she also started purring softly to calm his nerves

[thegunner18]

A.J turned to follow Nala but stopped next to the lioness who had just arrived and looked at her. "You coming, or what? I'm sure you won't want to miss whatever going to happen." A.J said sarcastically as he turned back to follow Nala

[KanuTGL]

The golden lion gave a wide smile and greeted the old lion in the most friendly of fashions, then finally confirmed it: "I'm Simba, Mufasa's son, and king of the Pridelands."

Sorondi felt so happy and proud that he could have cried tears of joy. "Of course you are...!" he said, his voice almost a whisper, and he was filled with an excitement and happiness that he hadn't felt since he had seen Mufasa claim the throne with his mighty roar. Sorondi blinked away a tear and couldn't take his eyes off the majestic young lion in front of him. A silent moment passed. "Oh, I'm such a nostalgic fool." the dark lion then said, grinning sheepishly. "My, I simply don't know what to say! Mufasa sure must be proud of you. And you're King now, you say?" Sorondi chuckled. "Why, I thought Mufasa would rule until his dying day, but with a son like you I can see why he would be eager to give the throne up early! Oh, it's such a joy to meet you, Simba... But I am being impolite here. I believe no one but your mother would remember me... So let me introduce myself: I am Sorondi, Prince of Ghurubu, brother of Queen Uru and silly old uncle of your dear father and uncle." The old lion couldn't stop smiling. Now he sure looked forward to meeting his nephews! He had so much to ask them!

However, now the lioness he had seen before had come down to join them. "Oh, my goodness! It is you, Sarabi!" Yes, he thought he had recognised her! "Sarabi, Sarabi, it's so good to see you again." Sorondi walked up to her and rubbed his head against hers in an affectionate greeting. "Oh, it has been far too long since I came here. I've missed you all so much! And what a son you have, Sarabi. Certainly someone to be proud of. And a King, no less!" Smiling from ear to ear, Sorondi took a step back to be able to admire them both at the same time. "How are my dear nephews doing these days?" he then said. "I take it they are lazing about in the cave since they failed to meet me here." He chuckled again. "Oh, I surely can't wait to meet them again..." he sighed, happy as ever. "How's Taka been behaving? I've been thinking about him a lot recently." Sorondi failed to realize what he was asking for. And maybe he also would have to wait for the answer, as a young lioness suddenly charged past them and into the savannah, ordering them to "get Rafiki". Rafiki? Was he still alive and well too? "What is happening?" the old lion said, suddenly worried, and looked first at the figure of the lioness running at full speed towards something in the distance, then back to Sarabi and Simba.

[Nakisisa]

((Sorry if this makes a mess of the time-line, you could put a bit of speech in before nala arrives again))

Nala moved quickly, the heavily bleeding cub in her mouth, it only took her a few minutes to get back, by that time she had missed sorondi's welcome.

Still purring she saw Rafiki wasn't there but decided to take a second to tell simba about the Hyenas that had been in the land.
"Simba," she said placing the cub at her feet, "We found him out in the lands, being chased by Hyenas, Thank AJ for saving him though, he got there even before me! Could you send some of the lionesses out into the lands to keep watch for any more hyenas, as I take him..." she beccond to the Cub at her feet "...To Rafiki for treatment. Ohh by the way, hello whoever you are" she said picking the cub up "i wolv stayy heeere foooorr longgeeer zutt dutyyy calsss" she said, her voice sounding strange as she held a cub, starting to purr again she sped off towards the shamans tree.

[fenris]

Chaka was only half-concious when he was carried away by the Lioness, as if dreaming. The soft, calm purr she made calmed his mind. This soothing sound was similar to that his mother. Whilst still in this dream state, he felt being placed on the ground, and his ears picked up some incomprehensible voices.

But he was quickly picked up again, and the purring continued...



((I sorta feel bad for stealing some of your attention, Kanu. I hope it's all right ))

[Kama]

Simba looked a bit sad; apparently his great-uncle hadn't heard what had happened... it would be up to him to explain. But just as he was about to open his mouth, Nala appeared with a bloodied leopard cub in her jowls. Simba's heart leapt to his throat, but heard mention of Rafiki and realized he could do much more than the young lion could. Hyenas encroaching on his territory also worried and angered him, his lionesses could easily run them off. The most important thing for him to do right now would probably be to gently set the old lion straight.

"Mother," he said softly over his shoulder. "Would you please tell some of the lionesses of our hyena problem, and tell them that I request they run them off? I think I need to Sorondi." He gave the old lion a sad smile, then walked up beside him.

"Please, come with me," he invited his great-uncle. He had so much to tell him, and sadly, none of it was good. Simba hoped he would do a tactful, respectful job of explaining the situation.

[Zorayda]

((Sorry Kama, I should pay more attention next time--ooh, and you posted just before I did! Time to modify D:))

Zira licked her chops, the promise of the taste of blood making her mouth water, and followed stiffly behind Ajabu and Nala without speaking. She knew that if she opened her mouth, sharp poisonous words would come out, and that wouldn't do any good. She needed to have Nala and her mate trust her as a pride lioness.

She saw Nuka out of the corner of her eye but, as usual, ignored him. She meandered towards Pride Rock, to where her Kovu was waiting for her.

-----------------------------

Sarabi listened to Sorondi's words, growing steadily happier, and yet, her heart sank lower and lower with each of his words. He was so eager to see Mufasa and...Taka, as the lion had been called years before. It was a strange, bittersweet feeling, to listen to this old lion speak of her mate and her ex-friend Taka this way.

Sarabi also felt guiltier by the minute, realizing that either she or Simba would have to tell this kind old lion the news of Mufasa's and...Scar's/Taka's passing, and--and of Scar's changed attitude and dark deeds. The old ex-queen felt as if the latter would be much, much harder to say than the former...or...Sarabi quickly thought of a story in her head, one that would make it seem as if Taka had always stayed as Taka, the kind, intelligent lion he was meant to be. But...

The thought was quickly banished from Sarabi's head. It did no good to lie, and Sorondi would find out one way or the other. But perhaps, at least, she could leave out the fact that Mufasa's death was the result of Scar's greed and hatred for his elder brother. That...that was something terrible that could be told later, after Sorondi had chewed over the rest of the story and had accepted that piece of it.

Sarabi realized that her mouth was open slightly with the words she was struggling to say. Even now, an older and wiser lioness, she found it hard to speak the terrible truth to this old lion. She glanced at her son after closing her mouth and took in a deep, calming breath, preparing herself for Sorondi's reaction.

"Sorondi...there's...there's something you need to know--"

But then, she was interrupted by a commotion elsewhere that Sorondi picked up on, and she grimaced. It would be hard to work up the courage to tell him again. She stood and listened to Simba's words, telling her to handle the cub situation. She nodded but looked into her son's eyes, hoping that he would break the news to Sorondi gently.

She loped off gracefully over to Nala and the others.

"What is the problem?" she asked, eyeing the leopard cub. She glanced around quickly. "Rafiki. Where is he?"

She looked at Nala, her tone suddenly sharp and commanding. "Nala, put him down and cover his wounds with leaves for now. Put dirt in them if you have to. It will slow the bleeding--we can worry about infection later, when the situation isn't so dire." The brief sessions she'd had with her various life's scrapes and cuts gave her the knowledge of how to deal with immediate threats.

[xscar10]

Nuka saw the short confrontation between the lions and hyenas, and after they ran away Nala picked up the cub and left toward pride rock.

He started to walk slowly, and saw his mother glance slightly at him. Luckly she didn't get angry at him.

He fallowed Nala to the shamans tree, walking quickly behind her. He wanted to see the new cub, but was avoiding Nala.

[KanuTGL]

Suddenly their expressions changed. Sarabi and Simba had something sad in their eyes and Sorondi got a bad feeling in his stomach. He did not dare guess what this "he should know" would be, for he feared he would not like the answer. Were the brothers ill? That seemed quite possible, seeing how they were aging... Had one of them left? That seemed less likely perhaps, but Taka had had a tendency towards being on his own rather than with the pride in his late adolescence... Whatever it was that Simba was going to tell him, it was not going to be good, he could tell.

"Please, come with me," Simba said and Sorondi nodded slowly, then walked next to the golden lion, brows furrowed.

((Bah, short post D: ))

[Kama]

Simba returned his mother's worried gaze with a reassuring smile, nudging her lovingly as she turned to leave. He turned to Sorondi, flicking his tail as a further invitation to follow.

With the old lion by his side, Simba led him to a rocky overhang that overlooked the Pridelands. In fact, it was the same overhang from which Simba had seen the destruction his uncle caused when the young lion returned from the jungle.

"Sorondi," Simba sighed, lowering himself into a sit as the two looked out over the land. "I understand you were close with both my father and my uncle. What I am about to tell you will probably be as hard for you to hear as it is for me to say." The young king tilted his face to the sky, both to combat threatening tears and to silently ask his father once more for guidance.

"My father told me that when he first took the throne, a seed of jealousy was planted deeply in my uncle's heart. Though the offer was made, he was insulted by and rejected any suggestion to be Dad's second in command. He distanced himself further and further from my father, the jealousy growing within him while he basked in self-pity. It didn't take long for the combination to become rage."

Simba paused, glancing at the lion beside him before continuing.

"In an unfortunate run-in with a buffalo, Taka received a scar over his eye. It was after that that the Pride begain to refer to him as Scar. But my father told me that Scar's new name did not refer to the scar on his face, but the deeper, darker scar in his heart.

"I was born a short time after that. When I was a cub, Scar used me to try to defeat my father. He began to collaborate with hyenas, using them as his own personal army of sorts.

"He sent me to the gorge to practice roaring while his hyenas set off a wildebeeste stampede. Then he ran to tell my father of the danger I was in, and Dad came to help me. My father saved me, then fell back under the hooves of the herd. Miraculously he jumped back up and tried to climb out, but Scar was waiting for him as he ascended. I didn't know it then, but Scar flung him all the way back down to be trampled by the wildebeest. My father was instantly killed."

By now tears were flowing freely down Simba's face, his head hung low. They dripped onto his massive paws while he remembered his father and best friend, sacrificing himself to save his son.

"Scar convinced me that my father's death was my fault; that I had caused the stampede that killed him. He told me to run away, and set his hyenas after me, but I escaped. I survived and matured in a jungle, having put my past completely behind me, until Nala showed up.

"She told me what Scar had done after he assumed the throne. He told everyone that my father and I were dead, let the hyenas overrun the Pridelands as reward for their assistance, and before long, there was nothing left." Rage boiled in Simba's heart, but he spoke quietly. "Scar is the reason that the Pridelands look like this now.

"I still blamed myself for Dad's death, and I didn't want to return to my past, but Rafiki also appeared and showed me why I should. Just last night I returned and defeated Scar, but I did not kill him. He betrayed his hyenas in the battle, blaming everything on them, for fear that I would kill him, though. After I won the fight, I let him go, but he turned and surprised me with another attack. I flung him off a cliff, and his hyenas set on him in anger for blaming them for the situation. Now, he is dead too."

Simba moved closer to Sorondi, their bodies touching as a form of comfort.

"I'm sorry, Sorondi," Simba said quietly, his voice wavering with sincerity and tears. "I'm sorry you had to hear all of this."

(I made up the reason that Taka got his scar. It seemed fitting. If anyone has a problem with it, let me know ^^)

[KanuTGL]

((*pokes RP* Very short post, but I wanted to get it done before I vanish for a week. Sorry, TGB-people, I just didn't have the time ;_; ))

Sorondi had no words to speak. He didn't know, at all, how to respond to this unbelievable story; his mind was just... a blank. But the old lion nuzzled the weeping king gently; at the moment Simba seemed to need the most comfort. Sorondi's voice was subdued but seemed almost void of emotion as he asked "Is that all?" That was all he could bring himself to say for now. He felt oddly... numb. "I can't... I can't believe it..." he mumbled, more to himself than to Simba. Sorondi's red eyes stared into the distance, but they didn't see. It felt like someone had replaced his heart with a heavy stone, but no tears came. No tears, no sobs, no cries.

Nothing.

Just emptiness.

Like the moment before you feel the burn.

[Kama]

Simba took a deep, shaky breath, calming his tears before they ran out of control. Now was not the time.

"That's all I know," the young king replied, tossing his great paw over the old lion's shoulder to comfort him. Sorondi's distant eyes reminded Simba of his own eyes on the fateful day that both he and Mufasa had left the Pridelands. He knew the feeling Sorondi was experiencing, and he knew it well.

"I'm so sorry, Sorondi," Simba said quietly, his tears having ceased for the time being. "I'm sorry you had to come back to find us like this." Simba sighed, setting his jaw as he gazed out over the barren wasteland that was the home of the Pride Rock lions.

"I don't know what to do."

((SO sorry for the delay, guys... I had a bit of a crisis, lol, but all is well now. I hope we can revive the thread!))