He lives in you (Scar)

[Deleted]

Simba's fur was a mess, at least for him. The feline managed to take put the large sunglasses they had put on his snout as well. Ughh... it was fun while it lasted, but right now he had a lot to deal with.

The lion had spent all morning either taking pictures or playing with the human cubs, or kids like how they were called by their parents. It amused him they had different names for their own species, but every animal had a right to their culture and customs, he figured. "Even hairless monkeys!" The activity was a mixture of some acting, photo shooting and then also taking measurements for a plushie, whatever that was. They said he was exactly like a certain lion king when he was younger, and that the kids loved it! Of course, Simba was, he was his dad's son after all. He's supposed to look like him! But the human certainly didn't know that. For them, he was just Kimba, the golden lion. Oh, there was going to be some legal action when the public found out the actor for the new poster was named Kimba...

They fluffed his fur up, put a bit of white powder on it as well, then other colours. They... combat his fur as well. Simba was fine with that: being pampered like that was amazing, especially if it wasn't as embarrassing as a tongue bath. The problem was when the kids got to him during the break. They pated, stroke, squeezed and fizzed up his fur. Whatever makeup the lion had been wearing was now on those kids hands, and is pristine fur was a fluffy mess at this point. Simba couldn't deny, however, that this all was rather fun. Some kids might be a bit too rough, but every single one of them knew about that purrfect spot behind the ears.

The place was a bit off the beaten path. In fact, one had to half climb a building to get there: the flat roof of one of those studio-looking houses. There was no one around, it was quiet, and it was entirely made of one big warm rock heated by the floridian sun. The golden cat sprawled like he owned the place! And slowly worked on grooming the fur on his legs back to shape.

[Scar]

Life was not going well for Scar. He'd been keeping to the wilderness areas of the park, away from the humans. That worked for a while, but it had its drawbacks, not the least of which was the fact that he had to find his own food. It was beneath a king, in Scar's opinion, to hunt, except for pleasure. But he had no pride to rule here, and he'd lost track of Zira for the moment.

Lion's enjoyed perching on high ground, so Scar sought that here, climbing onto one of those odd rocks they had with all the sharp corners. That would give him a good overview of the surrounding terrain.

It took more work than the usurper-king had anticipated, so once he reached the summit, he was prepared to stay there for a good long time.

Scar hadn't expected it to be occupied.

"You!" he cried involuntarily when he spotted the familiar cub.

[Deleted]

And occupied it was. The entirely of the roof was claimed by one small golden cub. Or so it looked like. The lion was laying on his back, his chest turned up to the sun. He had just the happiest smile, his tails stretched out in an arch, his paws just idly moving here and there, bent in the air as Simba just sprawled everywhere he could reach. Perhaps he was just a spot on the large plain rock, but his kingship covered the whole surface. One could see his nobility one mile away! Or... that's what Simba wanted to be true. Harhaps what really brought Scar to focus entirely on the cub was their history together.

A very familiar voice was heard, his ears flicked. a mighty cry. Eyes lazily opened, and the brown and black image in front of him started to take known shapes. A lag, claws... Large black nose, piercing green eyes... That small, sick mane. It was... That was his uncle. How could this...! It was Scar, upside down! No, wait. Simba rolled to his right, landing in a laying down position. This was much better. he looked... confused... even worried/ Quite worried.

-U...- He could not say that, he was not Simba! He left that behind, he was... Kimba. Quick, Simba, fix that! -uuu...uu have a nice...- Eyes? That sounded weird. Claws? That would be lying. Mane? That was also a lie but he had said that one before -... mane, stranger!

Simba sounded like he had never seen this lion before. At least his words sounded like that. His face had just the yellowest smile, his inner eyebrows up, hopping his horrible lie would stick. That was the face of a king.

[Scar]

" 'Stranger'...?" Scar couldn't help repeating, rather stupidly. He was shocked to see his hated nephew here, first of all, and then confused to see him as a youngster. Simba was a grown lion now...yet that cub couldn't be anyone else.

What was happening?

And then there was Simba's reply; he talked as if he didn't recognize Scar. This must be some sort of prank. Yes, that was the only possible answer. And the fact that Simba complimented him on his mane was the proof--the little fur ball was always making hurtful comments on Scar's rather lackluster mane.

The lion's eyes narrowed as he recalled all the snide remarks uttered by his nephew. "Really?" Scar managed to infuse that one word with a world of menace.

[Deleted]

-Y-Yeah!- said the golden lion cub, put himself on his four mittens and looking at the older lion in the distance. -Must be really... Refreshing, right? Your mane- That was good way to call it short, right?

Oh, Simba was so, so, so glad he was Scar brother's kid, and not Scars. He wanted a made as big and as majestic as his dad, not that hmm... patchy mess that his uncle had. And the red looked so much better under the sun! Yes, of course, there was also the whole being king stuff, but could it really compete with the mane business? Hard call...

-I haven't seen ya around here! What's the name?- He asked, without even thinking about faking an accent. He should have! He was at the point he could mimic Zazu well enough -I'm K-Kimba!- He slipped a bit there, still had to get used to the name.

But the golden lion tried to keep that smile and fix it into a nice real smile. That last word from his uncle made Simba shiver, it was definitely his uncle. No one else could say something as simple as that with such a creepy tone!

-Mambo [whassup]!- He added.

[Scar]

The cub's nervousness would be obvious even to one of a lesser intelligence than Scar. Never in a hurry, the former king allowed his mind to mull over the salient points:

Simba was a cub again. That was extraordinary, inexplicable! But also undeniably true. There was no choice but to accept it. Which could be a good thing; a child was so much easier to coerce, manipulate, or kill, as needed.

Simba was going by an assumed name. But why? That was the part Scar couldn't fathom. Was it merely some childish whim?

With no pride, there could be no king of the pride. Thus Simba posed no threat. For now.

Scar made up his mind to play along with Simba's ruse. At some future date he would expose the truth, whenever it would best suit his own plans. But for now...

"Delighted to meet you, Kimba." He placed undue emphasis on the pronunciation of that ridiculous name. "You may call me Scar."

[Deleted]

Indeed, Scar had an important point there. A cub was easier to kill, even if the hyenas failed to do so multiple times. A cub was also easier to fool, and Scar was known to manipulate even grown-up lions.

But as Scar spoke his name, his new chosen name, his perfect identity that was no more than a new hairstyle (No, really. He combed his mane differently. You couldn't tell? Here, lemme help you), Simba was sure he had fooled his uncle. Scar was never a bright lion, ha! He had managed to get so much out of his uncle in the past! He made him spill the beans about the graveyard, about roars, about so many wonderful secrets he shouldn't! Especially about things so dangerous to the prince heir that Scar cared so much about.

-Scar...- Kimba repeated as he adjusted his posture sitting upright -Is that because of the- And his paw went to pat the top of his golden cheek twice, bringing attention to the exposed flesh over Scar's eye. -Or just because it sounds cool?

Simba always had immense respect for his uncle, so even if he was used to taking advantage of the old man's big mouth. He even felt sorry for him, Simba had put his uncle into hot water with his dad many times. At least this was not going to be a problem anymore since his d- No, not talking about that. not like it mattered anyway: Kimba could ask all the uncomfortable questions he had always wanted to know! Now that Kimba didn't have to restrain himself, Scar ought to be prepared.

-How did ya even get that?

[Scar]

Scar continued to eye the cub, almost as if he was something good to eat. But his thoughts were his own.

Is that because of the--Or just because it sounds cool?

The lion frowned then, a dark expression few animals enjoyed seeing. If he was going to go along with Simba's charade, he'd have to pretend to be civil. "Yes...it was an accident, merely an unfortunate accident. Not caused by my family or anyone." Scar had to clench his teeth when he said it just to get the words out, for he held Mufasa and his family entirely responsible for his disfigurement, and worse, his name.

"But let's not talk about such unpleasant memories. How are you getting on here? Are you enjoying yourself? Have you made any friends?" A horrible thought just occurred to scar. "Er, is any of your family here with you?" If Simba was returned to his cub-hood, could not Mufasa be restored to life? The thought turned him cold all over.

[Deleted]

-Was it something with your claws?- Simba asked -They look sharp. Like girl claws!- He honestly said it as the best of compliments.

Simba had always appreciated how nice Scar's claws were, but honestly? Sharpening his claws was not something Simba ever cared to do. He knew a roar and a mane were much more powerful tools for a king, "And luckily I have both of those covered~" Or so he, unfortunately, so very unfortunately, thought. Simba dragged his subject, but likely that respect he had for the uncle was bigger than his curiosity, even safe behind his invisible costume. Clark Kent would be proud, he didn't even need glasses.

-This place is great!- Kimba boasted, looking around with a royal bright smile on his face -Free food all the time, and those human-monkeys treat you like a king!- a subtle moment of silence -N-Not like I would know what that's like.

-F-Family?- A shiver visibly ran down Simba's spine, getting his fur riffled up -No, I don't...- He gulped down dry -I don't have a family...

That sounded almost truthful, a very different tone than he rest of his lies. Perhaps he actually believed in this last one. After all, how could he accept a family he so clearly did not deserve?

[Scar]

Was it something with your claws? They look sharp. Like girl claws!

Scar couldn't help scowling at the little hairball, a truly frightening look. How dare he! Simba always was an insulting, hateful brat!

N-Not like I would know what that's like.

Slipping, aren't we? Simba just couldn't help rubbing it in Scar's face who was next in line to be king.

I don't have a family...

Good! Mufasa was still dead. Scar need not fear that particular ghost coming back to haunt him.

He forced himself to appear sympathetic as he replied, "What a sad story! Tragic, really. Your father must've died very young." That last was a deliberate attempt to rattle Simba's psyche. The better he could crush his nephew's spirit, the less of a threat Simba would be

Besides, it was so much fun!

[Deleted]

Young? Yes, Simba's dad had died rather young. Scar would have no idea how terrible that w- oh no, wait. He was there. This saves me so much in description costs!

But back to the story. Simba's ears lowered as his eyes seemed to look behind Scar, as if he could see his dad's shadow over his uncle. His tail went flat against the ground, and his body as a whole seemed to shrink in place. Kimba's eyes went down and the to his left, ears flat against his skull as he spoke in a voice so filled with sorrow it was sure to have killed a fairy somewhere.

-He... he did.

The lion then turned his eyes back up to face Scar's, a defeated face so plain and so unjust... The mere mention of his dad already dismantled the annoying brat attittude. Scar was good!

-Yeah...-He agreed to his new name when called. He had to find a way to change his subject away from his own family. Quick, Simba, think of something! -What about your family?

Simba was not the eloquent king he would once be. Quick thinking wasn't his forte but hey. He sang better before royal duties pinned him down in the jungle. In the future.

[Scar]

It was so pleasant to see Simba squirm again! So much nicer than that confident, arrogant, adult Simba.

"My family? Oh that's a very sad story." Scar settled himself to tell it with a relish he hid behind a mask of sorrow.

"My only brother was killed in a wildebeest stampede. Oh, it was tragic! And the worst part--his own child, my nephew, was responsible! The shame of it! His mother was, of course, devastated. She vowed never to set eyes on that cub again, unless it was to tear him limb from limb. I tried to reason with her, but the poor thing was mad with grief."

"And then I found myself here, no longer able to help my pride in their time of need. Tsk, tsk," he clucked.

[Deleted]

A very sad story? Yes, yes. He knew! Simba was fully aware of that. It's not like he was ever forgetting that day.

But this conversation was bound to add something new to his fears. Simba's claws came out as he froze completely, eyes locked on the ground, standing right in front of Scar. The golden lion cub wasn't even breathing! Even so, words escaped his snout like chalk slipping through a dry blackboard.

-He... did..?

Simba had always thought Scar was keeping his secret, that he was not telling anyone about who was the real culprit there. And Scar was indeed not telling anyone that! Unfortunately, he did tell Simba was the one to cause the incident. Something inside the cub broke again, just by hearing those words. His mom, she just... Simba couldn't even look his uncle in the eye, how dare he think about her?

The claws dragged against the ground as he spoke out. Just a couple of words and the playful king was brought back to the ground. Nothing was worse than a dagger on the hands... or paws of someone who knew how to use it.

-He sounds like a... monster.

[Scar]

How Scar was enjoying this! He considered it a fitting revenge upon Simba for usurping the throne that was rightfully Scar's, as well as for throwing him to the hyenas. Or rather, he will throw...whatever.

He sounds like a... monster.

"That's how all the lions of the pride saw him. All but me. I was the only one who had a kind word to say for my nephew. I'm sure he didn't realize how deadly his reckless actions would be."

"Of course, accidentally or deliberately, the outcome was the same. My poor brother was dead. You can imagine how I felt after that." Scar was really milking it. He had the idea that a devastated and demoralized Simba would best suit his own future plans.

Of course, he could just kill the brat. But why expend the energy? After all, there was no pride here to be king of.

[Deleted]

And that was what Scar really had in front of him, a demoralized, traumatized, utterly devasted... brat. Not a prince, not a king, just a cub digging in the bottom of the wheel.

Simba was silent, how could he say anything? How dare he say anything? He spoke words of agreement, he spoke against himself there and- wait, really?

I was the only one who had a kind word to say for my nephew

-Not even Nala?

Simba spoke for his best friend. How did Kimba know about Nala? No one should! Simba should've just forgotten about her at this point, it was not like he would ever return.... And if those chances were slim, the chances of him stumbling with her in the jungle were closer to zero! He was done for-

-Not even... Zira?

He kept speaking up, despite his better judgment and my better effort. I beg your pardon, but we will have to follow the horses now.

Simba spoke about Zira, who didn't get much attention but was... well. Simba's girlfriend- Sort of. Much closer to a love interest than anything more, once a canyon and wildebeest (And a nosy hornbill) got in the way of an adequate proposal. Would have been quite the scandal if people found out about this, that's for sure!

As it would if Simba kept speaking about his personal life! Or more accurately, if Kimba kept speaking about Simba's personal life!

[Scar]

Oh, Simba, Simba, Simba...you can't even keep up your own charade, thought Scar with a smirk.

" 'Nala'?" repeated Scar with mock surprise. "How is it that you've heard of Nala? Have you...ever been to Pride Rock?"

"To answer your question, no, not even little Nala stood up for Simba. Not even poor, devastated, broken-hearted little Nala. She publicly said she hoped Simba was dead. I heard it with my own ears."

But how was Scar to keep up the pretense when the fool of a cub all but admitted his true identity?

Scar extended the claws of one forepaw and made a great show of examining them while he tried to think. It seemed Simba's ruse was all but over. And by his own hand.

[Deleted]

Simba was in such a deep hole right now, even if considerably above ground level- given they were on top of a very sunny building, that he had not realized he popped his own balloon. Would he ever realize it? Perhaps not. What was the end of such a foolish infantile play- pretending he, a noble of the highest rank, was no more than a simple peasant, dirty like the ground, civil like a hippo and destined to no more than his uncle was: another bowing nameless face on the background for the next king's coronation.

He should have been KO'd by that last phrase about Nala. She... Did she publicly denounce him?! That was... No. He was not sad, he... He was furious! Be felt betrayed. He took the blame for her multiple times, and she just rode that ostrich with the rest of them?! Hoe dared she?

-She did what?!

The king was shaken out of his sad hole with a furious growl! As scary as a kitten could really be, but furious nonetheless. She was his best friend, that's unbelievable! Perhaps almost enough for him to doubt his Uncle...? Scar might be mistaken.

But, once out of that sadness hole, Simba was invited back to reality- in specific, to the parts he glanced over.

-P-Pride rock? I-I... no! I-I mean maybe I just... E-Ehhrr...

His fur was up! He was caught like a flamingo over snow. Eyes dancing from one side to the other, then darting, then crossing... There was only one thing to do. For honour or... At least for a chance to not get Uncle Scar mad.

His ears lowered once more, not in dispair but in regret

-I-I... I'm sorry... I lied to you, uncle. I am... S-Simba.- The words struggled to leave his snout as he confessed his crime. -Please don't tell anyone!- And he gulped down like a prisoner on row call. 

[Scar]

Simba's distress was positively palpable. And Scar was loving it.

I'm sorry... I lied to you, uncle. I am... S-Simba.

"What?" Scar recoiled in mock surprise, so overdone that anyone with more experience would've spotted the pose as fake in an instant. "Simba? My own nephew Simba? Can it be?"

Scar leaned in closer, as if studying the cub to confirm what he could hardly believe.

"Why, I am astonished! This is incredible! Impossible! I never would've recognized you, my own flesh and blood!"

Please don't tell anyone!

"But...of course not, if you don't want me to. We are family, after all. But Simba, Simba, Simba...why? Why the false name and identity?"

Scar settled himself down to listen, or pretend to listen to his nephew's no doubt dreary explanation for this childish ruse.

[Deleted]

-Y-Yes.

Simba was definitely surprised by Scar's reaction. Not because it could be false, by no means, no. Scar would never lie, only dirty lion cubs ever did that. No, he was surprised his uncle cared this much about the news.

But what was clear through his reaction as that Scar was not angry, and that was already pretty good! "Super good!"

-Not even through my mane?~ Simba spoke about not being recognizable.

Of course, anyone could see the true king a mile away, with such a humble mane! But onto the beef...

-I- Simba stopped before he could say something without thinking. It was a good five seconds of ground-watching before he actually got to speak again -It's because I don't want people to talk about it. I don't want to go back, I don't want people to know. That happened only once, I am never- Something got stuck in his throat. It was guilt -I will never kill a king again.

-And... thanks for... helping me. I really didn't know what do to then.

Simba spoke with such honesty his words had an inspired air to them. He was unsure what he was doing, but he was speaking like a grown up. His mom would be proud of him! It it wasn't the regicide thing, of course.

[Scar]

-Not even through my mane?

It was all Scar could do to keep from rolling his eyes at this infantile obsession with hair. "Not at all," he lied. "Your mane is so much fuller than the last time I saw you. I'm afraid it fooled me completely."

-It's because I don't want people to talk about it. I don't want to go back, I don't want people to know. That happened only once, I am never--I will never kill a king again.

"Aww, poor, poor Simba," murmured Scar, almost as if to himself. "That's so very noble of you. But..." His expression changed from one of sympathy to a cunning look. "...that will mean giving up your kingship. Forever. As next of kin, I would have no choice but to assume the role of king."

This was the real test. Would Simba ever again challenge Scar's right to rule? He almost drooled in anticipation of the answer.

[Deleted]

Killing king, him? Simba? Pff, nah mate! I mean -the narrator clears his throat away from the microphone- Simba would never partake in vile, unhonorable, and shunned ippon acts like regicide, no. That was a hyena's job.

The royal lion cub lifted his chin with a smirk so smug that it rivaled the moon on how much light it could reflect from the sun. Definitely! He had not been away for long, but his mane was surely great. If Scar took the time to look carefully at the golden lion, inspect his fur, study his shape- which, frankly, might never happen- he would notice one or two threads of deep red hair, the beginning of something great, on top of his head.

The king tilted his head to the side, looking up at the dark uncle in front of him.

-I- I thought mom would be queen?

This might have been bigger than it was before. Simba had avoided thinking about that for so long that he would only ever think about the land and kingship when Nala was to hunt one of his friends down. Now he was faced with the question and much, much more recent memories. Could girls not be kings? That was a given, but could they not be queens either? Or was it just a matter of royal blood? Was there no regency without an heir? Simba's notion of kingship came from his gut and not from his father. He ought to teach his son how to be a king better than his father did- And we should all pray he won't.

As if purposefully, Simba evaded the question entirely. Was it a designation of his brilliant mind? Or just the luck of the talk? Maybe if the question of the matter was pressed again they would know.

[Scar]

Scar was mentally congratulating himself on the masterful way he was handling his nephew when Simba asked:

I thought mom would be queen?

The older lion was somewhat taken aback. Had he carried this thing too far? Would Simba rebel at the knowledge that he, Scar, would replace him as king?

"Well, no, actually...the head of the hunting lionesses is forbidden to rule, except alongside her mate. Unfair as it is, the law is the law." He eyed Simba narrowly.

If this revelation decided Simba on returning to Pride Rock and reclaiming the throne in spite of everything that had happened, then his days were numbered. Days? No, minutes, for Scar would end this threat to his rule here and now.

[Deleted]

Alright, time to get an escape route going. The good thing about cats? Their terminal velocity couldn't kill them, if small enough, so Simba could just jump off the building and- "Escape what?" For the ancestors...

-Ah.- Simba said, as if not surprised but a bit bothered by that -That's sad t hear...

There was that hit, that little thing behind his breath that said there was still something coming, something unexpected. And it would be a moment of silence before he spoke up.

-She really liked being head huntress... But I guess being queen goes first. Who's the new head hunter?

Simba had sat down in front of Scar by now, in a lazy, sprawled sitting position. The sun was too good to be wasted over politics talk. Simba seemed oblivious that Scar would have any claim to the throne. Scar, a king? Witht hat mane, and that posture? It certainly would be hard to get a lioness to bow down to him instead of Sarabi! But the idea that Scar could be somewhere in the throne order before Simba was refreshing. The Pridelands would remain safe without him.

[Scar]

Who's the new head hunter?

Scar began to rub his temples with one forepaw, as if he felt a headache coming on.

With a sigh he replied, "No, Simba, your mother is the head of the lioness hunters, therefore she can't rule the pride, except at the side of a king." No wonder his nephew was so easy to manipulate.

By this time, Scar was growing weary of the conversation. He'd never enjoyed Simba's company, even at the best of times. He desired to end this pointless prattle. But first he must be sure of Simba, one way or another.

"It wouldn't bother you knowing your dear uncle was king, would it?"

If it did, then the cub would have to be removed--irrevocably this time.

[Deleted]

Simba scratched his right cheek, the complexity of the pridelander political structure and royal inheritance laws was something he was not entirely versed in. In fact, his extended knowledge on the subject was limited to the heir mechanics; in specific, to he himself being the sole heir of all that the light touches. In his absence, it was only natural that his mother was to inherit the kingdom.

"I was wrong!" He must be, as his uncle went on to, once and for all, enlight Simba on the royal, traditional procedure. Scar was to be king? Well, Scar was king already.

-I...

Simba spoke up, as if with some hesitation in his voice; but it was to be proven not hesitation but regret

-No.- And he had a good cause -If it wasn't me, I am sure dad would have liked if you were the next king... He really liked you.

His words invoked the betrayal of his own flesh. He just spoke of the wrong betrayal. His tail curled around his form from the right as his eyes were deflected back to the concrete. It was a sunny and happy day, but how dared the weather interfere in the royal mourning?