HOME | DD

Description

The rains were late. Very late. It was the worst dry season the Pride had seen in generations. The herds were slowly migrating out of the Pridelands to find water elsewhere. There were whispers amongst the lionesses as to the reasons why this was happening. Some said it was the hyenas’ presence that threw the world off balance. Others said it was a curse that the new lions brought with them, the same one that cursed their own lands. Still others said it was because the king refused to sire cubs, and because he ‘preferred the company of males’. Tai refused to believe any of it. It was simply bad luck.

She stretched, having woken up from her nap. It was dusk, prime hunting time. She noticed Jioni and Nala leaving to hunt just moments ago, and she debated whether she should join them. She still preferred hunting alone. She usually caught small game for herself, and let the others worry about their own food. She began to make her way down the rocks, when she heard a tiny voice call after her.

“Auntie Tai!” Little Nuka bounded after her. “Where are you going?”

“To hunt.” She said simply. “Why?”

“Oh,” he said dejected. “I thought maybe you would play with me…”

I’m not sure where you got that idea. “Where’s your mother? Shouldn’t she be looking after you?”

Nuka pawed at the grass. “Momma doesn’t want me around. She’s mad that King Scar spends more time with daddy than with her. She yelled at me and told me to ‘go pester someone else’.”

Yikes. Everyone knew that Zira had been in love with the king, nearly since cubhood. But he had rebuffed her time and time again. And when Jioni had shown up, and Zira decided to let him sire her cubs, everyone thought she would finally let Scar go.

But while Jioni was willing to “do his duty” for the lionesses, both males seemed to prefer each other’s company to anyone else’s. It was yet another thing for the pride to vilify the king for. And Zira, ever the romantic, couldn’t seem to process being rejected by two males. And so she became more and more bitter with each day, even shirking her duties as a mother. And Tai found it quite concerning and irresponsible that she was already pregnant again.

Tai sighed. “And your half-siblings? Will they not play with you?” Spotty and Dotty had each had triplets. Though they were a bit older than Nuka.

He shook his head, sinking to the ground. “They’re mean to me. They said I’m stupid and stinky, like a hyena, and that’s why I can’t be king.” He mumbled. “And that’s why mommy’s gonna replace me with her new babies.” He sniffed.

This was just depressing. Tai didn’t like kids, but she was always quick to take pity on the mistreated.

“You know what, Nuka? I’ll spend time with you.” She decided. “And I want you to meet some of my friends.”

Nuka sprang up, beaming. “Really? Yaaay!”

She led the cub to the far side of Pride Rock, where the hyenas usually slept. Nuka seemed a bit nervous to be out here, but Tai reassured him it was safe.

Ed was the first to greet them. “Ed!” Tai exclaimed. “I want you to meet Nuka.” She nudged the cub out from under her. “Nuka, this is my best friend, Ed.”

“But,” Nuka whispered. “That’s a hyena…”

“Yes, he is.” She explained. “But he won’t hurt you. He works for the king.”

Ed nodded and sniffed at the cub, curious.

“Ed,” Tai started. “Some misguided soul told little Nuka here that hyenas were ‘stupid’ and ‘stinky’. Isn’t that silly?” She asked.

Ed’s made an offended expression, and he shook his head.

“And they told him that he was stupid and stinky. What do you think of that?” Tai added.

Ed chuckled at first, but then shook his head again. He waved his paw in a circle motion by his ear.

“He says whoever told you those things are crazy.” She translated. Ed nodded and giggled.

“Why can’t he talk?” Nuka asked.

“That’s just how he is. He communicates differently.” Tai explained. “But he’s the most loyal friend a person could have.” Ed sat up straight and saluted, grinning ear to ear.

“Huh,” Nuka mused. “I guess hyenas aren’t so bad…”

“Nuka!” Came a roar from behind them. Tai spun around, and Ed shrunk away.

Zira had found them. “What is my son doing with these hyenas, Tai?!”

“Well you weren’t watching him!” Tai growled back. “I was giving him a much needed lesson on tolerance, since no one else was going to show it to him.”

“Are you questioning my parenting?” Zira got in Tai’s face. “How dare you question your queen?!”

“Excuse me?” Tai scoffed. “You’re not our queen. You’re a surrogate mother for the king and his boyfriend!” Was she delusional?

“No!” Zira exclaimed. “No, Scar isn’t like that! He’s just too busy to focus on courting right now!” She shook her head, in denial of what Tai had said. “Now give me back my son!”

I guess she is delusional. Tai was reluctant to let the cub go, but Nuka hurried over to his mother on his own, head down. “Sorry momma…”

Zira gave Tai a warning glare, then turned and left.

“Yikes.” Shenzi suddenly appeared beside Tai and Ed, Banzai just behind her. “What crawled up her ass?”

Tai let out an exasperated sigh. “Hell if I know. But I guess I’m free to go hunting now.”
“Oh, mind if we join you?” Banzai offered. “I am famished!”

“Please do.” Tai replied, padding off into the grasses.

They had barely made it into the Savannah when they heard a shout. “Help! Someone help!”

Tai turned towards the sound to see Nala bounding towards them. “I need help! It’s Jioni!”

“What happened?” Tai questioned.

“The zebra!” Nala gasped. “We were hunting zebra, a-and he got kicked! Right in the head! He’s not moving!”

Tai’s blood ran cold. If something happens to Jioni, who knows how Scar will react…

“What’s going on?” Sarabi must have overheard the commotion and ran over with Sarafina.

Tai answered first. “Jioni got kicked. He may be seriously injured.” She turned to Nala. “Take us to him.”

Banzai cleared his throat. “You want us to tell the boss?”

Tai hesitated, but eventually nodded. The king should know what’s going on.

The lionesses rushed to where Jioni lay, motionless. Blood was seeping from his jaw.

Sarabi leaned down to his chest to check his breathing. She stayed there a few moments, then sat up, shaking her head morosely. “He’s gone.”

“No!” Nala cried. “No, no, I’m so sorry! This is all my fault! I shouldn’t have suggested the zebra!”

Sarabi put a paw on her shoulder. “Now, now, this is no one’s fault. There’s always a risk involved in the hunt. We all know this…”

They all sat in silence for a long moment, Sarafina comforting her daughter, who was shaking from the trauma. Tai just felt awkward. She was no good at consoling, especially with lions she didn’t particularly like. But she still felt bad. This was all a horrible tragedy, one that could happen to anyone.

“Where is he?!” A furious and panicked roar broke the silence. Scar had arrived, hyenas in tow.

Everyone ducked their heads and backed away, all except for Sarabi, who stepped forward. “He’s gone, Scar. There was nothing we could do.”

Scar stood there, starring at Jioni’s body, seeming to take his time processing the situation. Tai held her breath.

Eventually Scar turned to Nala, enraged. “YOU!” He swiped his paw at her face, just barely missing as she ducked out of the way. “This is YOUR doing!” He roared. “You LET this happen!” He whipped around to face the others. “You ALL wanted this to happen!”

Sarabi stepped in. “Scar, it was an accident!”

“Accident?!” Scar yelled. “A likely story!” He turned back to Nala. “You wanted to ruin my legacy! His cubs are my heirs, and you wanted to put an end to it!”

This was madness. His grief must have been driving him to create these insane conspiracies. He thinks this is an accident the same way Mufasa’s death was an ‘accident’.

“I want you out!” He roared at Nala. “Out of my kingdom! You are no longer welcome here!”

“You can’t do that!” Sarafina cried.

“Scar, be reasonable!” Sarabi exclaimed.

“Do not question your king!” He then turned to his attention to the hyenas he’d brought with him. “Make sure she leaves!” He then looked at Tai. "You too."

Nala turned to Sarafina. “It’s ok. I’ll be ok. I’ll go find help.” She bumped heads with her mother, before turning and bounding away, the hyenas on her heels.

Tai hesitated. "Scar, I know you’re hurting, but you have no evidence for your claims, and the pride won't be happy about this."

"I don't care what the pride thinks!" He growled. "If I have to suffer than so do they!"

She knew it was a juvenile sentiment, but she understood it well. Ever since scar took the thrown she'd reveled in how the tables had turned. The elitist pride that stuck their noses up at everything that didn't fit tradition, were now ruled by the very people they had shunned. Tai wanted nothing more than to watch the old regime suffer and die, to be replaced by the more tolerant youths. But that was far easier said than done. Bigoted individuals begat bigoted offspring, and it was a difficult cycle to break. Tai had no idea if she'd been able to help Nuka earlier that day.

And Scar wasn't exactly the shining beacon of tolerance either. He played the part of friend and advocate for the hyenas, but Tai could tell he only saw them as lackeys.

So Tai had to settle. Despite its shortcomings, this life was still far better than the one she had before.

"I understand, Your Majesty." She said, before bounding off after Nala.

____
Things are going downhill fast.

First Chapter
Chapter Four

Description

The rains were late. Very late. It was the worst dry season the Pride had seen in generations. The herds were slowly migrating out of the Pridelands to find water elsewhere. There were whispers amongst the lionesses as to the reasons why this was happening. Some said it was the hyenas’ presence that threw the world off balance. Others said it was a curse that the new lions brought with them, the same one that cursed their own lands. Still others said it was because the king refused to sire cubs, and because he ‘preferred the company of males’. Tai refused to believe any of it. It was simply bad luck.

She stretched, having woken up from her nap. It was dusk, prime hunting time. She noticed Jioni and Nala leaving to hunt just moments ago, and she debated whether she should join them. She still preferred hunting alone. She usually caught small game for herself, and let the others worry about their own food. She began to make her way down the rocks, when she heard a tiny voice call after her.

“Auntie Tai!” Little Nuka bounded after her. “Where are you going?”

“To hunt.” She said simply. “Why?”

“Oh,” he said dejected. “I thought maybe you would play with me…”

I’m not sure where you got that idea. “Where’s your mother? Shouldn’t she be looking after you?”

Nuka pawed at the grass. “Momma doesn’t want me around. She’s mad that King Scar spends more time with daddy than with her. She yelled at me and told me to ‘go pester someone else’.”

Yikes. Everyone knew that Zira had been in love with the king, nearly since cubhood. But he had rebuffed her time and time again. And when Jioni had shown up, and Zira decided to let him sire her cubs, everyone thought she would finally let Scar go.

But while Jioni was willing to “do his duty” for the lionesses, both males seemed to prefer each other’s company to anyone else’s. It was yet another thing for the pride to vilify the king for. And Zira, ever the romantic, couldn’t seem to process being rejected by two males. And so she became more and more bitter with each day, even shirking her duties as a mother. And Tai found it quite concerning and irresponsible that she was already pregnant again.

Tai sighed. “And your half-siblings? Will they not play with you?” Spotty and Dotty had each had triplets. Though they were a bit older than Nuka.

He shook his head, sinking to the ground. “They’re mean to me. They said I’m stupid and stinky, like a hyena, and that’s why I can’t be king.” He mumbled. “And that’s why mommy’s gonna replace me with her new babies.” He sniffed.

This was just depressing. Tai didn’t like kids, but she was always quick to take pity on the mistreated.

“You know what, Nuka? I’ll spend time with you.” She decided. “And I want you to meet some of my friends.”

Nuka sprang up, beaming. “Really? Yaaay!”

She led the cub to the far side of Pride Rock, where the hyenas usually slept. Nuka seemed a bit nervous to be out here, but Tai reassured him it was safe.

Ed was the first to greet them. “Ed!” Tai exclaimed. “I want you to meet Nuka.” She nudged the cub out from under her. “Nuka, this is my best friend, Ed.”

“But,” Nuka whispered. “That’s a hyena…”

“Yes, he is.” She explained. “But he won’t hurt you. He works for the king.”

Ed nodded and sniffed at the cub, curious.

“Ed,” Tai started. “Some misguided soul told little Nuka here that hyenas were ‘stupid’ and ‘stinky’. Isn’t that silly?” She asked.

Ed’s made an offended expression, and he shook his head.

“And they told him that he was stupid and stinky. What do you think of that?” Tai added.

Ed chuckled at first, but then shook his head again. He waved his paw in a circle motion by his ear.

“He says whoever told you those things are crazy.” She translated. Ed nodded and giggled.

“Why can’t he talk?” Nuka asked.

“That’s just how he is. He communicates differently.” Tai explained. “But he’s the most loyal friend a person could have.” Ed sat up straight and saluted, grinning ear to ear.

“Huh,” Nuka mused. “I guess hyenas aren’t so bad…”

“Nuka!” Came a roar from behind them. Tai spun around, and Ed shrunk away.

Zira had found them. “What is my son doing with these hyenas, Tai?!”

“Well you weren’t watching him!” Tai growled back. “I was giving him a much needed lesson on tolerance, since no one else was going to show it to him.”

“Are you questioning my parenting?” Zira got in Tai’s face. “How dare you question your queen?!”

“Excuse me?” Tai scoffed. “You’re not our queen. You’re a surrogate mother for the king and his boyfriend!” Was she delusional?

“No!” Zira exclaimed. “No, Scar isn’t like that! He’s just too busy to focus on courting right now!” She shook her head, in denial of what Tai had said. “Now give me back my son!”

I guess she is delusional. Tai was reluctant to let the cub go, but Nuka hurried over to his mother on his own, head down. “Sorry momma…”

Zira gave Tai a warning glare, then turned and left.

“Yikes.” Shenzi suddenly appeared beside Tai and Ed, Banzai just behind her. “What crawled up her ass?”

Tai let out an exasperated sigh. “Hell if I know. But I guess I’m free to go hunting now.”
“Oh, mind if we join you?” Banzai offered. “I am famished!”

“Please do.” Tai replied, padding off into the grasses.

They had barely made it into the Savannah when they heard a shout. “Help! Someone help!”

Tai turned towards the sound to see Nala bounding towards them. “I need help! It’s Jioni!”

“What happened?” Tai questioned.

“The zebra!” Nala gasped. “We were hunting zebra, a-and he got kicked! Right in the head! He’s not moving!”

Tai’s blood ran cold. If something happens to Jioni, who knows how Scar will react…

“What’s going on?” Sarabi must have overheard the commotion and ran over with Sarafina.

Tai answered first. “Jioni got kicked. He may be seriously injured.” She turned to Nala. “Take us to him.”

Banzai cleared his throat. “You want us to tell the boss?”

Tai hesitated, but eventually nodded. The king should know what’s going on.

The lionesses rushed to where Jioni lay, motionless. Blood was seeping from his jaw.

Sarabi leaned down to his chest to check his breathing. She stayed there a few moments, then sat up, shaking her head morosely. “He’s gone.”

“No!” Nala cried. “No, no, I’m so sorry! This is all my fault! I shouldn’t have suggested the zebra!”

Sarabi put a paw on her shoulder. “Now, now, this is no one’s fault. There’s always a risk involved in the hunt. We all know this…”

They all sat in silence for a long moment, Sarafina comforting her daughter, who was shaking from the trauma. Tai just felt awkward. She was no good at consoling, especially with lions she didn’t particularly like. But she still felt bad. This was all a horrible tragedy, one that could happen to anyone.

“Where is he?!” A furious and panicked roar broke the silence. Scar had arrived, hyenas in tow.

Everyone ducked their heads and backed away, all except for Sarabi, who stepped forward. “He’s gone, Scar. There was nothing we could do.”

Scar stood there, starring at Jioni’s body, seeming to take his time processing the situation. Tai held her breath.

Eventually Scar turned to Nala, enraged. “YOU!” He swiped his paw at her face, just barely missing as she ducked out of the way. “This is YOUR doing!” He roared. “You LET this happen!” He whipped around to face the others. “You ALL wanted this to happen!”

Sarabi stepped in. “Scar, it was an accident!”

“Accident?!” Scar yelled. “A likely story!” He turned back to Nala. “You wanted to ruin my legacy! His cubs are my heirs, and you wanted to put an end to it!”

This was madness. His grief must have been driving him to create these insane conspiracies. He thinks this is an accident the same way Mufasa’s death was an ‘accident’.

“I want you out!” He roared at Nala. “Out of my kingdom! You are no longer welcome here!”

“You can’t do that!” Sarafina cried.

“Scar, be reasonable!” Sarabi exclaimed.

“Do not question your king!” He then turned to his attention to the hyenas he’d brought with him. “Make sure she leaves!” He then looked at Tai. "You too."

Nala turned to Sarafina. “It’s ok. I’ll be ok. I’ll go find help.” She bumped heads with her mother, before turning and bounding away, the hyenas on her heels.

Tai hesitated. "Scar, I know you’re hurting, but you have no evidence for your claims, and the pride won't be happy about this."

"I don't care what the pride thinks!" He growled. "If I have to suffer than so do they!"

She knew it was a juvenile sentiment, but she understood it well. Ever since scar took the thrown she'd reveled in how the tables had turned. The elitist pride that stuck their noses up at everything that didn't fit tradition, were now ruled by the very people they had shunned. Tai wanted nothing more than to watch the old regime suffer and die, to be replaced by the more tolerant youths. But that was far easier said than done. Bigoted individuals begat bigoted offspring, and it was a difficult cycle to break. Tai had no idea if she'd been able to help Nuka earlier that day.

And Scar wasn't exactly the shining beacon of tolerance either. He played the part of friend and advocate for the hyenas, but Tai could tell he only saw them as lackeys.

So Tai had to settle. Despite its shortcomings, this life was still far better than the one she had before.

"I understand, Your Majesty." She said, before bounding off after Nala.

____
Things are going downhill fast.

First Chapter
Chapter Four