ALL CHARECTERS-SCAR,SARAFINA,SARABI,MUFASA,SIMBA,NALA,SHANI,KOVU, ZAZU,TIMON AND PUMBAA ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF WALT DISNEY COMPANY.NO HORNBILLS,LIONS,WARTHOGS,MEERKATS,HYENAS,FANFICTION AUTHORS(well,maybe not ALL of them) WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS STORY. SWEET SALVATION:THE FINAL CHAPTER Isis watched coldly as the scavenger birds began to circle pride rock.Her purple color had left her eyes along with their feeling.Isis sighed,well sarabi was taken care of Nala had claimed her throne."Mother,she's not coming back is she"? "No,I'm afraid not". Kiasa's face fell."Do not worry daughter.It ends tonight". Isis strolled out into the grass.The wind whipped through the blue green grass.Thunderheads gathered in the sky.She turned her head up to the sky shouting :"Taka!We need your guidance to fight against Simba!" The clouds churned and bubbled as Scar's ghostly form appeared. "Isis,you have forgotten me". "Never"! "This circle of hate must end". "And it will with the death of Simba and Nala". "No.Please stop the hatred". "Then we go on without you." The specter dissapered.There was a loud round of thunder and the ghost appered his face as large as the sky itself.His word shouted like thunderclaps. "THE CIRCLE MUST STOP.UNLESS IT DOES IT WILL CONTROL THE LIVES OF YOUR CHILDREN,YOUR GRANDCHILDREN EVERYONE"! Scar slowly began to dissapere."The choice is yours"...... THE REIGN OF MUFASA "I'm begging you,Scar.I want children." "I will never betray Sarabi"! "Get over her!She's not yours anymore"! "Leave me alone Sarafina". "I would love them.I would never object to letting you see them." Taka slwoly turned and looked her in the face.She was so desperate for those cubs.Neither Scar nor Mufasa had chosen her for a mate.It was Sarabi this and Sassy that.Scar had been forgotten in the hearts of the lionesses and in the heart of Mufasa.Sarabi would never forget him,but she had to admit she loved Mufasa.Sarafina and Sarabi were best friends they told eachother everything.Ever since Mufasa had won over Sarabi,Taka was not allowed to take a mate.Mufasa was that determined to get rid of his brother. "Please,Mufasa and Sarabi are having a child and I...." "WHAT!!What did you say"!! He was furious beyond all comprehension. "Scar I'm so sorry". Scar' s head fell.How could she?She promised him. "I am not allowed to mount a lioness." "Please,we grew up together.Please,as a friend". Scar slowly turned to her.He locked his eyes with hers. "Swear upon the name of the gods and on your mother's head that you will not care about the reaction of the pride and that you will let me see the cubs". "I swear it". *** Shani yawned loudly and looked up at the dusky sunset that surrounded them.One by one the stars began to take their place in the velvetty blackness of night.The wildebeast loped around aimlessly in the dusky haze of twilight.The flat topped acacia trees slowly turned from green to black.An elephant reaced up her trunk to grab ahold of the thick brances.She tugged with her trunk setting it beside her young calf.The calf played with it,and in that fleeting moment Shani saw what was and what might be.The union of her mate with her may very well bring a new life,or lives to earth.Her brother,Chaka,had died two weeks after they were born.When she heard of his father she cringed.It changed nothing though.She still loved him no matter what the pride said. She looked over to her dark haired mate who snored loudly on his back.She laughed and prodded him with her nose.He opened his eyes and stared at her dreamily through the dim light.Dainty gazelle pranced past them,kicking their heels.The orange ball of light had long since vanished from the sky.The moon's cold rays reached out like arms across the plain.Zebra drank lazily from a vacant waterhole. Kovu pushed himself up and yawned stretching his back legs.Shani did the same.They stroled over to the waterhole lapping up the cool water.Shani wiped her face and looked at Kovu."We have to tell the others at pride rock." Kovu nodded slowly as if he expected not to live through the ordeal."Shani,promise you'll never leave me.You'll always love me right"? "What kind of a stupid question is that"? "I'm not stupid"! "Okay,sorry.I promise no matter what happens,I'll always love you". Kovu smiled.Shani strolled into the blue-green grass as the dandelion seeds kicked up behind her.She smiled looking up the stars."Kovu,have you ever tried talking to your father"? "No.That's silly". "No it's not.My father says the great king~and queens~of the past look down on us from those stars." "Really"? "Yes, I think that if you tried hard enough he might talk to you". "But,he did so many terrible things.Why would he wanna speak to me?If he is up there". Shani licked his cheek."Aiheu works in mysterious ways". Shani walked across the plain,her head on her mates shoulder."I love you so much" .Kovu whispered like the wind in her ear."I know, you say that so often".He smiled as he looked into her eyes. Priderock loomed on the horizon.Shani hoped that Simba would take this well. Shani led Kovu through the chasms and caves that he might one day call home or even his throne.The stars shone brightly upon them, giving the two young lovers their blessing.Nala would be the most easy to compromise with. The two stroled through the acacia dotted home of the pride.The lioness talked quietly to eachother. They stopped suddenly as the princess and a new hansome,regal,magestic,suave male approached at Shani's side."Your higness,who's this". Said the aged Isha."This is Kovu." "I don't want my granddaughter runnin' around with some lion she picked up in the savanna". Sarafina said sternly."Nana,he's a good lion;you'll like him". "If you don't tell her who my parents are". Kovu said throught clenched teeth."Shhhhhh.She can hear like a bat eared fox". "I am not a bat earred fox young lady". Shani rolled her eyes."Where,is Nala". "She and Simba are spending a little quiet time". Dhoruba and her young daughter strolled up to them gingerly. The young cub placed his paws on Kovu's face."You stinky.Need mommy. She give you bath". Kovu chuckled along with the pride. Shani led him to the royal bedroom."Ooooo.what we gonna'do here". "Kovu!You wicked lion!Keep those busy little paws to yourself"! Shani stopped as she heard her parents voices from the inside."I'm so sorry. She was like a mother to me.We'll always remeber her.She was a good queen." "What"? Shani pushed her and Kovu into the shadows to listen to their conversation."I'll always love her but I have to get on with life.It just feels like my whole world's falling apart Nala.Ever since Scar killed my father".. Kovu swallowed hard.~This is gonna' be fun~ he thought glumly."Now,my mom's gone". Shani gasped at the thought of her grandmother being gone.She silently strolled out of the cave.If she had been here she might have been able to stop the incident."She really meant alot to you"? Kovu walked up to her."Yes". "Let it out Shani". "She's gone.Gone!" Shani fell on him sobbing into his mane.He couldn't help but think that this was his fault. Shani wiped the tears from her face and regained her composure. "Hey!Shaka Khan who's the stiff"? Timon and Pumbaa looked at her inquisitively."My name is NOT Shaka Khan,Shake and bake,or Shania Twane,or Shani bani be bi bo big furry fanny either!I don't know where you get that stuff you little pest"? "I have e.s.p I can see into the future.But your right,I dunno what my mind is doin' when they send me that stuff". "I like the loud mouthed rat". Kovu said poking him in the stomach."I,sir am not a rat I am a striped meerkat named Timon.Hey Shaney baby Joe wants to speak to you". Shani rolled her eyes.The four hundreth time she heard this one.Humor him Pumbaa mouthed."Alright.Joe who Timon"? "JOE MOMMA"!!! Timon clutched his side."I'm gettin' to old for this". Pumbaa snorted."Shani,is that you dear"? It was Nala.Shani nudged Kovu and slowly walked inside. "Father,I want you to meet someone I love very much".Shani beamed with pride her black tipped ears pricked.Simba and Nala smiled widely with hopes that she might have found a future mate."Kovu,come here my love". Kovu entered putting on his most dignified face and holding his chisled head high.Simba gasped and Nala's face turned white at the site of him.It was Scar.... wasn't it."Father you must know something.Kovu is ....Scar's son". Simba began to growl.Nala jumped to her feet.Sarafina cocked her head."Isis and her golden children.It's been too long". "I won't allow it Shani"! "Father you don't even know him"! "Like father like son"! Nala locked eyes with him.Simba stared at them deeply wondering what was going on.Shani was crying softly."Simba,it is Shani's dissision". Nala looked at him gravely. "No!Out of the question"! CHAPTER TWELVE:The child from the stars Mufasa nuzzled Sarabi his only love.She smiled,but another part had died where her love for him was born.She had betrayed the only lion she could ever love.Did he know?She loved Mufasa but she loved Taka.This child--oh he was so handsome.This child was the symbol of her betrayl and her love.In a vast corner of her mind she wished on a star that it was Scar's child.She looked around.He wasn't here. Sarafina had just given birth two days ago and Sarabi's curiousity grew to emense amounts.Had Scar betrayed HER?It didn't matter.All that matters was her baby.Her first born had never tasted his mother's milk before he left this world.He was named Mabatu. Mufasa approached her,his face shining like the sun.Rafiki followed. Rafiki touched her head "Blessed are you great queen". She smiled and licked Simba's head.Rafiki smiled."Another boy eh?One of these days we'll here the roar of the lion queen". "I certainly think so". Said Sarafina licking her beautiful daughter.Rafiki smiled and hopped over to her."And who is the father of this gorgeous child". Sarafina's smile faded."Umm,it's a long story". "And I'd surely like to here.Not today though.You my child will be a legend.Your name will be blessed in all togues and races.You will be Simba's mate." Sarafina shot her head up looking at Sarabi and her child.Sarabi winked. Rafiki hopped back to simba breaking a guord in the shimmering sunlight.Rafiki picked up a handful of dust sprinkling it over the cub's head.The old shaman picked up the cub looking at his king and queen.They smiled proudly.Rafiki thrust the wiggling child into the air.The animals rejoiced the birth.The circle was complete as it would always be. Deep in a black maned heads dreams... They stood around him taunting and teezing,like they always did. "Look at the bag of bones" "Look how scraggily his mane is!I knew Aiheus favor would never pull through on this rat!" "Hey Taka!Wanna fight or are you gonna run off to mommy"? The cubs off the pride circled him.Young Taka tensed his weak muscles waiting to spring. "Oooh,look,he's gonna jump on me!Ooooh..I'm so scared". Mufasa was laughing hysterically,not bothering about his brothers tribulation.Taka yowled and leapt apon him and ran his claws down Mufasa's right eye."Ow!!Daddy!Daddy!Taka hurt me"! "Just like you to get daddy to save you"! Taka growled. Taka fell his long mane rush back upon his neck and head and his long whiskers sprout.His words that he said to his father all came rushing back."So you hate me,huh"? It was Ahadi."I knew I should have never let you live you Worthless bag of bones"!Taka leapt for Ahadi's neck.He felt the warm gush of blood in his mouth and released his father.He had done it.He stood over him panting.All hate was released,it felt so good. The scene shifted.There he was watching a three-month old Simba scream and a struggling Mufasa climb.Mufasa's stiff muscles pulled him up the rock.Above him-Scar-two of them.One white and reaching a helping paw to his brother,the other,black as ebony wood.He stood leering over Mufasa.They eyed him.Taka stood between them contemplating the next move.Kill his brother he hated so much or save him.Taka's long claws dug into Mufasa's gold fur.He roared.Taka struggled to pull him up."No." An old hand touched his paw.It was old Makkede,long since dead."This is a place of atonement,Taka.Let your anger play here and let your life live with peace".Taka knew what he meant.He let go of his brother letting him fall into the thundering stampede."Now go in peace". Scar woke from his dream."Yes,That's what I'll do!the gods must mean it!I must have my vengeance!It is righteous in the eyes of Aiheu"! Taka ran off into the horizon towards the shadow lands where elephants went to meet their god.An old babboon watched him leave.His arms drooped with age.He sighed and shook his head."No Taka,that's not what he meant". He looked at a painting of a dark lion standing regally in pose on his ancient boabab home.Then,slowly,ran his hand over it. A WEEK LATER Scar had been more reclusive than ever when news came of the birth of Simba and especially Nala.Today was his turn to look at the royal brat.Scar loped along the rock as the lionesses stared at the once dignified lion who had fallen ever since he lost all he cared about. Sarabi lazed in the dappled shade admiring her cub."He has his father's eyes". Her head shot up at his smooth voice.She didn't want him to see her this way."Oh,Taka you're hear." "I know.What's his name"?"Simba,it means the lion". "A little bland don't you think my dear"? "It was Mufasa's idea". "Figures".Scar shot coldly thanking God that Mufasa was wandering around somewhere.He leaned in closer till his muzzle was almost on her ear."How could you do this to me"? "I-I didn't do anything!You lost"! "You promised"! She lowered her head.Scar placed his paw on her shoulder.She shivered at his touch. The lionesses gasped at the passionate touch.Sarabi sqeaked in surprise and pushed his paw off of her and growled at him."If Mufasa saw that he'd ear your lustful carcass into so many peices even the storks won't find you"! She suddenly quieted down."Please,I just want to be alone". Scar sighed an strutted over to Sarafina who was quite far from Sarabi."What do you want"! She growled."What do you meen?I'm her father". Sarafina's face blanked out."Don't you dare say that to anyone!I'll be banished!You are forbidden to have a mate"! "I just want to say hello to her.I have no buissness with you". She growled. "Stay away from her or I'll tell Mufasa AND Sarabi"! MONTHS LATER "Leave us alone"! "You she hyena"! "You,you-arrrghh!" Scar and Sarafina quarelled bitterly unaware of the green eyed cub listening to her every word."If you love Nala you will leave us alone." "I love Nala to much to abandon her"! Scar spat his word in unrestrainable fury.Nala gasped,she had found her father! "Mom,who is- " Nala revealed herself jumping down from a short rock."Nala". Scar walked over dreamily to her."NOO"! Sarafina leapt at him.Scar was winning easily.She roared and threw angry,flying punches and jabs at him but he pinned her with a smack."Let me go!I'll tell Sarabi"! Sarafina squirmed from his strong grasp and darted towards priderock. "NALA COME"! Nala raced after her but suddenly stopped.Scar turned sadly,he had only to wait for his fate from Mufasa.He could always hope that Sarabi loved him enough to keep it a secret."Sir wait". It was Nala.Scar looked at her and then at himself.A scraggily unkept mane,once the mane of a great lord protector and prince once a beautiful mane kept by his l ve.He was thin.Namely because he had no idea about how to hunt the big game.He was war torn from his fight with Mufasa and other animals. He couldn't let her see him this way.He darted off and she followed quickly.He shot up into a narrow chasam hiding from her sight.~It was just my imagination.I'll never have a dad~ Nala thought glumly and walked back to pride rock. A pair of sad eyes watched her from a sad standpoint.He wanted to run to her.Hug her.Kiss her.Play with her.Teach her.Love her.But he would wait.....for a chance to hold his beloved daughter he hardly knew. Water cannot quench the thirst of love Nor can the floods drown it *** Scar waltzed non-chalantly into the elephant graveyard.He thought about how stupid the circle of life was.Living,birthing,eating, sleeping,dying.Letting each day seep into the next.Is this all that there was for a pride?For that one moment he had to envy his hyena allies."Kami.Kami-are you here". "Beloved!You're here"! The lovely hyena face dashed out to greet her only reason for living.She leapt up on her hind legs and wrapped her black paws around his neck.Her long,black hair mingled in his. "Oh,I like to see you when you're happy.What is wrong Taka". "My daughter is kept away from me".He didn't need to fill in any more details.They talked constantly and held no secrets from one another. "Your heart is dear to me,even when it is broken.You can let it out. Don't be scared to cry." "Oh Kami"!! He fell on her,sobbing into her satiny fur.She licked his mane and face and hushed him gently. "God will bring us all together.God brought you to me.I don't know what I'd do without you". "And I you.Kami,would you still love me even-even if I did something horrible?" "Would I ?! Stars know that Iove you." She wiped away the remaining tears from his handsome,green eyes. "Stay with me Kami.We will teach the lions that we are all equal. When I look into your soul and into their's I would rather be hyena". "You know there's no other place in the world I'd rather be than with you". CHAPTER THIRTEEN:When love and hate collide Kovu sat sadly under the stars.Memories of what he had flooded back to him.Those few fleeting seconds in his mothers warm grasp.Kovu walked over a clear pool looking down at a lion torn between love and love.Shani and Scar."May I sit down". It was Nala.The aging lioness took a seat beside him."Your father.Really,he was a good lion". The lion's ears pricked at the sound of his father being associated with good. "How did you know him"? Kovu asked. "Well,I'm his daughter".Nala said softly.Kovu's jaw dropped."I can never forgive myself for betraying him.I miss him so much". "I'm sure he knows what you did was right." Nala smiled slowly. "Maybe you should try talking to him". Nala got up and began to leave. "As if I hadn't tried." Kovu sad sadly."Have you spoke to him"? "No.I-I'm not worthy-not anymore.Kovu,Maybe you're trying to hear more than listen.Mamela rafiki.". Nala headed back to priderock. "You up there? I wish I could've grown up with you.I'm sorry I'm not the son you wanted." Kovu looked down into the reflecting pool as the wind slowly shifted the image.His reflection changed to a darker on with bright green eyes.His mane was longer and black as coal.Kovu gasped at the image."Kovu". It said lowly."No"! Kovu smacked the surface of the water angrily and ran as fast as he could back to pride rock. CHAPTER FOURTEEN:The child "My world is falling apart". Simba said sadly.Nala licked his cheek. "What am I going to do? " "Let your heart tell you,Simba".Nala murmered in a gentle voice."It whispers so listen closely." Simba smiled at her beautiful face caressed by the cold,silver light of the moon."Never,judge someone on what their blood means.You know who I really am and you still love me.....don't you"? Simba was shocked."Of course I still love you my queen.Nothing could keep me away from you". Nala hugged him.The two recalled faint memories. Sparkling waterfalls, glittering balls of glass water.The sweet sound of love singing it's song for them.But oh how faint it had become for them and oh how it wailed for Shani and the child of Scar. Simba slowly got up and sat at the mouth of the cave."Nala,you would never lie to me or keep a secret..right"? Nala was shocked."Simba!Never in all my life". "Then answer this one question.Who is your father". Nala's ears fell to the back of her head and she slowly kneeled. "But you know already...you want to hear it don't you?My father is , is,Scar". Simba was utterly mortified by what she had said."I have shamed you my king". "No matter what you say or what you do I will always love you my queen". Nala's eyes became wet with tears as her mate echoed her sires devoted words."S-s-s-simba I miss him so much.He meant so much to me.He loved me more than that stupid throne or anything he had or could have." Nala sobbed uncrontrolably at the floor of the cave. Simba tried to comfort her. "Simba,the fight is not over". Simba gasped at the figure at the mouth of the cave.No one could his featurs but his incredibly long mane whipped in unfelt wind and his green eyes peirced the darkness. "Who are you"? Simba asked. "Someone who only wants what's his,forgiveness". Lightning flashed,shattering the dark velvet that had consumed their home.The figure had vanished. Simba left the royal cave and darted across the plain."Daddy,I forgive you". Nala whispered. CHAPTER FIFTEEN:Counting blue cars Kovu pulled idly at the grass his head recalling the uncanny incident."Kovu". It was Simba the aging lion looked down at him sternly."You really love her don't you". "If you Nala's true blood would you still love her"? "She told me-and this discussions concerns you not me"! "Put yourself in my position!I love Shani and I am wrongfully persecuted!You don't even know me"! "Don't raise your voice to me boy"! Simba's eyes closed as he thought on Kovu's question."I see where this is going.I understand". "Maybe we should try to get to know eachother a little more your highness". Simba smiled. "You go to Shani tell her that a new prince is to be coronated." Kovu beamed and bowed respectfully and was off in a flash to Pride rock. "YOU TORE MY WHOLE LIFE APART!YOU TOOK EVERYTHING!EVERYTHING!!!" Simba screamed in rage at the sky."Everything....every..thing".. Simba collapsed in a tired heap as sleep consumed his weary mind. Simba was hunting in the grass watching the other Simba stalk a young elephant calf.The other Simba rushed into the kill when out of no where a huge bull rushed from the bushes.Simba cried out to him but the bull plucked Simba up and threw him like a rag doll.The other Simba screeched as his flaling body flew through the air.Simba fell to the ground.The bull elephant walked up to him and slowly changed to Scar."Scar"!! "Nephew,I'm so sorry". "No!No your not!" "Simba you must prepare yourself.It's coming". "What is you murderer." "Time,time,time,time". "What"? The darkness consumed them.All simba could see was his uncles lighted shilouette.Scar's form sunk and cringed in the dim light.It began sobbing uncontrolably."Simba,it goes so quickly,so quickly. Don't waste it.I have only to blame me and me alone.I'm so sorry". Simba slowly began to wake.He shook his head.As the wind shook his mane he heard it whisper-"Please forgive me." It faded out into the slowly lightening sky."So sorry..so sorry..so sorry"....... CHAPTER SIXTEEN:Songs ONE AND A HALF MONTHS LATER Kovu woke in his cave as Shani's shilouette came into veiw.She smiled beaming with unknown pride.She nuzzled him "Father". Kovu's sleepy face slowly converted to a smiling face of pure joy."Mother". Shani and Kovu shot out of the cave waking the king and queen who watched the two roll in the grass and play gently.Shani rolled on her back as Kovu put his ear to her stomach."What are we going to name her". She giggled pushing him off."Her?" "Or him". "Sarabi,Sarabi will be her name,Sarabi" Simba smiled happily and nuzzled his mate."The lion queen". He said beckoning to his beautiful daughter.Shani and Kovu climbed to the tip of pride rock talking happily about names.The pride woke up shaking their sleepy heads."Grama,grama,grama"!! Shani leapt on Sarafina licking her cheek."Argh!Off with ya". "Grandma I'm pregnant"! The pride's jaws dropped."Oh man that's the last thing I wanted to know.I'm a GREAT grandmother". Shani laughed and kissed her nose."Mommy!Daddy!This is the 'bestestest' day of my life". "Bestestest"? Kovu laughed in his low voice. "Shouldn't you tell you um 'parents' as well".Kovu laughed.Then he kicked up his heels in an exagerated skip."Mommy,daddy"!! The pride laughed.Shani was inside rough housing with her parents.Kovu entered the cave and Simba pounced on him with a playful growl."It's good to have a family again". They hudled in one unified group and butted heads with eachother. Nala and Simba looked at their powerful daughter and knew it was time."Shani,it-is time". Simba smiled at Shani.She stood dignified before them,then struted to the tip of pride rock.She looked before the land which was hers now.She threw her head to the sky,roaring to the heavens. The zebras threw their heads up.The wilderbeasts halted their steady grazing.The antelope freezed in their struts.Shani was queen. And the world resounded with song once more CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:Discision Isis lead her small pride across the lush pridelands as the sun began it's descent.The tangerene sky lighted the antelope and sabell as the lapped at the cool pools that dotted the savanna.She had betrayed him.He told her what he wanted but it was because of that idea.That damned notion that rotted her mind and seeped into her heart.But she wasn't doing it for her.Not even for him.Now it was time for it all to end and for it all to begin.