The hyenas were tumbling around in the grass, practicing wrestling and hunting attacks
with each other. Shenzi and Banzai watched the group. Banzai spoke.
	“I don’t get it, Shenzi. I mean, why are we helping LIONS again? You know what
I think about them!” Shenzi only smiled. 
	“Banzai, you dork, haven’t you figured it out yet?” Banzai’s scratching signified
that he didn’t. “Listen, who is our biggest competition for food around here?” Banzai
knew that one.
	“Lions!” 
	“Right, genius,” Shenzi said condescendingly, “ now, who are the biggest prides
around here?” Banzai thought for a while before speaking
	“Uhhh. Simba’s pride and Schala’s gals?” Shenzi smiled.
	“Correctamundo. So, if the lions are beatin’ the livin’ daylights outta one another,
who’s free to do as we please?” Banzai thought for a while before Shenzi became
impatient. Shenzi smacked Banzai on the head. “Stupid, that’d be us!” Banzai’s eyes
widened in realization.
	“Oh yeah!” Banzai laughed quietly. “That’s genius Shenzi! How’d you come up
with that?” Shenzi only smiled. 
	“A little bird told me.” Shenzi looked over in one of the trees and saw a small
hornbill nodding in agreement.
	
	
			*	*	*	*	*	*	*

	Simba and Nala sat at the peak of Pride Rock together. Surveying the land, Simba
could see that they had made the right decision in staying. The land was producing plants
and grass again and a herd of zebra was approaching. The lionesses had gone out recently
to hunt them, but Nala had stayed behind to talk with Rafiki when he arrived. Nala turned
to Simba.
	“So, now you’re the king. Is it what you’d expected it to be?” Simba sighed.
	“Not really. I had expected to just start bossing creatures around and acting ..you
know ..regal.” Nala smiled and spoke softy.
	“You were pretty regal last night.” Simba’s eyes opened in surprise.
	“Shhh! You wanna tell the whole world?” Nala laughed.
	“I love you so much. I’d tell every creature I could find.” Simba only nuzzled
Nala’s neck. 
	“Rafiki and Zazu should be here soon. I wonder what Rafiki knows?” Simba
asked. 
	“I don’t know. But wasn’t it weird when that cobra just....turned to smoke when it
died?” 
	Simba shrugged.  “I wouldn’t know. I haven’t seen a lot of things die, and
Nala....I’ve never actually killed anything! Can you believe it?” 
	“But what about all those bugs you ate?” Nala asked. 
	“Well...that’s different. They just crawl around and wait to be eaten, not like
wildebeest or impala.” Nala nodded.
	“I see, and that makes you nervous?” 
	“Yeah, I feel so dumb. I never learned how to do a lot of the stuff you know how
to do, and now it’s too late,” Simba moaned. From behind the pair of lions, Simba heard
Rafiki approach.
	“It is never too late to seek knowledge. I’m livin’ proof, huh?” Rafiki laughed and
hugged Simba and Nala. “It is good to see you again, but I fear we have unpleasant
business to discuss.” Zazu nodded.
	“Yes, sire. It would seem that Rafiki has discovered who sent the ..um ..serpent.” 
	Rafiki grasped Simba. “Sit down while I tell you a story.” Simba and Nala sat
down while Zazu perched on a rock. Rafiki sat in a lotus position.
	“Years ago there was this little female baboon. She was ambitious and craved to
do everything that the males did, despite the fact that her mother would constantly
reprimand her for her un lady-like behavior. When the coming of  age came, she had
decided that it was her destiny to become a shaman. You could tell by the fire in her eyes
that she possessed powerful ambition. Unfortunately, when she announced her plans to the
clan, they laughed at her. The shaman of the clan refused to bless her, and she left the clan
to wander the outer territories.” 
	“That’s terrible,” Nala said. Rafiki nodded in agreement.
	“Yes, Nala, truly tragic, but no so terrible as what was to come,” Rafiki continued.
“While alone in her exile, the female had not given up the hope of becoming a shaman. She
would mimic the actions of the clerics she had shadowed all her youth, but to no avail. She
was still powerless. But, one day, everything changed for her.”
	“She was exploring a cave for food when she heard a mournful noise. It had
sounded like millions of voices crying out in torment. Following the sound, she soon
discovered the source. An oracle of the underworld.”
	“The oracle was a black ball with green flames flowing from it. The oracle asked
the baboon what was her inner crisis, for the orb could sense depression and despair. The
baboon told her story to the oracle, an the oracle cut a deal with the baboon. The deal was
that the oracle would grant her the mystic abilities she desired if she promised to serve
chaos and darkness for the rest of her days.” Rafiki sighed. “Unfortunately, she accepted
the offer.” Nala, who was listening intently, socked her head to the right.
	“So you’re saying that this baboon sent that snake? But why?” Nala asked. 
	Rafiki stroked the fur on his chin. “I think I know why. Like myself, shamans feel
most validated in their work if they serve under kings and queens. Perhaps this female
baboon feels the same?” Rafiki queried.
	Simba nodded, “So, this shaman could be working for an usurper of sorts.” Rafiki
pointed and smiled.
	“Exactly, my boy! You see! Knowledge is not as far from you as you think!”
Rafiki stood up, “Now, I must go. I know where I can find this shaman.” 
	Simba stood up, “I’ll follow you! She and I have a score to settle!” 
	“No!” Rafiki shouted, “This is not business for lions! Only I can settle this!” Simba
grew angry.
	“The minute she sent that snake to kill my mother it became my business!” Rafiki
still shook his head.
	“My apologies, sire, but you must remain here and search out this potential
usurper. It is your kingdom now, and you must defend it.” That said, Rafiki left.

		*	*	*	*	*	*	*	

	Moraka stealthily stalked in the bush. With Zira on her left and the aging Sarafina
on her right, the trio of lionesses approached the herd of Zebra. Moraka’s mouth watered
at the sight of the herd. A herd of that size had not been seen in the Pridelands for years.
Moraka whispered quietly to Sarafina. 
	“Sarafina, flank the herd as I approach. Inform Zira that she should follow up from
behind as backup.” Zira heard Moraka’s comment and retaliated in a loud stage whisper.
	“What! Backup! I haven’t served as backup since I was an adolescent! This is such
an outrage, Moraka. I will not stand for it!” Sarafina whispered harshly at Zira.
	“Zira, be silent! We all have a job to do here. Large or small, we must do our best
to preserve the pride.”
	Zira mumbled something under her breath and quieted. The three lionesses each
eyed up their prize. An aging Zebra barely keeping pace with the rest of the herd. With
Moraka’s signal, the trio were off in a flash. 
	Moraka bore down upon the Zebra and landed her paws in a crushing blow to the
Zebra’s side. The rest of the herd, alerted to the lionesses prescience, stampeded away in a
flash of black and white. Unfortunately for the old Zebra, he was long dead when Zira and
Sarafina arrived. Sarafina was delighted.
	“Oh, Moraka, what a wonderful kill it was! Why you were truly magnificent.” Zira
looked at Moraka with a small amount of contempt.
	“Oh, yes, Moraka. Truly splendid. I’m surprised you needed our help at all.”
Moraka was about to chide Zira for her rudeness when she heard a faint cry in the
distance.
	The cry was that of a lioness in pain. Moraka hushed the other two and went over
to investigate. The cries emanated from behind a small tree. Upon closer inspection,
Moraka saw that the lioness wasn’t alone. Zira and Sarafina gasped at the sight. For sitting
up against the lioness was a small cub. Moraka stepped closer to investigate the mother.
	She was a pale yellow color. Her fur was matted with dirt and her cub looked
pathetic and starved. Upon the lionesses’ arrival the mother spoke, “Please...help me and
my baby....” Her eyes fluttered and shut again. Moraka stepped back and whispered to the
other two.
	“My friends,” Moraka asked, “what do we do?” Zira harumphed. 
	“The only thing we can do. She is an outsider and her son is a male. We must
destroy them both.” Moraka was about to agree with her when Sarafina burst in.
	“What! Zira, my comrade, have you no conscience? This is a starving mother, and
to kill her would be...be-” 
	“Prudent,” Zira said cutting her off, “ If she lives she will only act as more
competition for us and her son would only live to grow up and be of a greater burden
towards our children.” Sarafina was shocked. 
	“Zira! How can you be so utterly heartless? What we should do is take the mother
and her cub back to the pride and let the king decide.” 
	Zira grew impatient.  “But what about disease? This waif could be dripping with
who-knows how many diseases. Besides, your going to let a decision of this importance
be left up to Simba to decide? Pah! He is but a boy in a woman’s world, and a pathetic
king to boot!” Now it was Moraka’s turn to be aghast.
	“Now Zira, I understand your feelings about the pride, but I will not stand here
and listen to mutiny! We will return the mother and cub back with us to pride rock. There
the king will decide.” Zira was about to argue some more but thought better of it, instead
she remained respectfully silent. 
	Moraka soon found that with a little meat and coaxing, the mother could be
persuaded to walk. When asked what her name was, she responded.
	“My name is Schala, and I am in your deepest gratitude. 

		*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

	Rafiki stepped towards the cave. A starless night had fallen and Rafiki could only
be lead by his own thoughts and emotions. Inside the cave, he could sense a fearful dark
power. Despite the coldness that seemed to emanate from the cave, Rafiki stepped inside. 
	Immediately his senses were bombarded with a cacophony of evil energy. Sniffing
the air, Rafiki could smell the stagnant aroma of death lingering here. Determined not to
have his mission thwarted, he called out.
	“Hecate! Show yourself now!” A soft chuckling echoed throughout the cave.
Rafiki steeled himself and called again. “Come forth, witch! We have matters to discuss.”
From a small alcove in the wall, Hecate emerged. 
	She was as horrific as Rafiki had ever remembered her. Her face was a staunchy
purple, and her flesh hung from her bones. Her teeth were green and rotted and her eyes
burned with an otherworldly fervor that, in a word, disturbed Rafiki. In her hand, Hecate
held a small wand fashioned from the mummified forelimb of a lion. Small baubles dangled
from the end of the staff and would make tinkling noises whenever Hecate would wave
her wand. 
	“Oh, great Rafiki! I see you have chosen to humble my squalid dwelling with
your...awesome presence. What business have you come to discuss?” Rafiki raised his
own staff in challenge.
	“You know why, Hecate. I know it was you who sent out that snake to kill the
queen. You cannot lie to me.” Hecate only giggled.
	“Well, gee, guess I can’t keep a secret from you. Well, what tipped you off,
Rafiki? The joie de vivre that usually accompanies my work?” 
	Rafiki scowled. “Joie de morte’ is closer to the truth. Why did you do it, Hecate?
What have you to prove?” Hecate grew less giggly and more stern. 
	“I have nothing to prove to either you or anybody!” Waving her wand around,
Hecate shouted, “I proved myself long ago, Rafiki, to you and the rest of the clan!” 
	Rafiki advanced, “Then why kill the queen? What wrong have the lions of pride
rock done you?” Hecate started to chuckle again. 
	“Well, Rafiki, you ask an excellent question. Such a profound query deserves a
complete answer, so I’ll do what I can.” Hecate began to sweep about the room making
melodramatic gestures with her hands. “The truth is that cute little crowd you hang around
with has done me no harm, but they have harmed another for whom I can empathize. You
see, like me, she too is tired of the way males rule the world. Your entire machismo image
is quite exhausting and, frankly, she wants to rectify the situation.” Rafiki grew cold.
	“Hecate, that is a lie! You were never shunned from the elder because you were a
woman, but it was because of your ruthless ambition that the elders feared blessing you.”
Hecate only scowled.
	“Too little too late, Rafiki. I have already told my comrade how to destroy the
lions of pride rock, and she’s probably already started.” 
	Rafiki only stood taller. “Then, I must leave to warn my king. While I live, I shall
not allow anyone to harm him or his pride.”
	Hecate gave Rafiki a severe look. “Then I’ll just have to rectify that situation!” In
a flash, Hecate leapt onto Rafiki. Crashing to the floor, the wind rushed out of Rafiki’s
lungs. Gasping, Rafiki couldn’t prevent Hecate from putting a hand to his throat. Before
he could protest, Hecate put a finger over his mouth. 
	“Calm down, Rafiki! I have no intention of killing you yet!” 
	Rafiki, though choked, asked, “What do you intend to do?”
	Hecate shrieked with a wicked cackle that echoed throughout the cave like a
banshee. “Why, the worst punishment I can offer! I intend to let you live, and watch as
your precious king dies!”

		*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

	It was a cold night on the Pridelands. Zazu, Pumbaa, and Timon all walked and
flew across the nighttime savanna. It was a chilly evening as the wind swept across the
plains creating a wavy sea of grass. Zazu landed atop a tree and surveyed the area. 
	“All appears to be clear, but I think we should check the eastern border one more
time.” Timon and Pumbaa were exhausted.
	“Awwww.....C’mon, Zazu, can’t we call it a night?” Timon whined. 
	“Yeah,” Pumbaa chimed in, “My feet are killing me and I’m hungry!” 
	Zazu clucked his tongue. “Pumbaa, you just ate a rather generous portion of
grubs! How can you possibly be thinking about food?” 
	“Well, I just think, and it happens! That’s all.” Pumbaa said innocently. Timon fell
on his back.
	“The hog’s right, Zazu, I’m hungry and I think that if I walk another step I’m
gonna pass out dead!”
	“I couldn’t imagine a more fortunate situation...” Zazu mumbled crankily. Timon
just stayed in his restful position. 
	“Fine! Be that way! Really, Zazu, you gotta learn to be a tad more laid back! You
know, get your feathers ruffled.” Zazu seemed shocked at the very idea.
	“I’d never dream of it! My feathers get ruffled enough what with being the king’s
majordomo.” Now it was Pumbaa’s turn to rib Zazu a little. 
	“You know, Zazu, Timon’s right. You gotta learn to live a little!” Pumbaa laid
back lazily in the grass.
	Zazu became even more annoyed. “Oh, Pumbaa, don’t you slack off on me too!
Honestly, I can’t see what use Simba has for the two of you. Perhaps you might make for
emergency rations one day I suppose.” Timon just laughed it off.
	“Pah! There you go again. Your more sour than a dung-beetle that just ate!” Zazu
made a rather repulsed face at the idea. “You gotta stop sometimes and learn to just
daydream and stargaze!” Zazu became indignant.
	“Well, that may be fine for a set of tramps like yourselves, but we hornbills have a
saying. “He who stares into the sky for too long loses perspective!” Zazu didn’t notice
that Timon had snuck up from behind him and mouthed every word Zazu had said. 
	“Yeah, yeah,” Timon complained, “I’ve heard it all before. My parents, for
example, always harped on me about what I was gonna do for the rest of my life. ‘Be a
sentinel like your older brother Ramon’ they’d say. Pha! I march to the beat of my own
marimba. So, I left home and went off to the jungle and haven’t regretted it since then.” 
	Pumbaa continued to stare into the vast beyond. “Yeah, Zazu, life ain’t all about
duty and stuff. Sometimes you just gotta go where the wind takes you.” Two birds caught
Pumbaa’s eye. They were difficult to spot silhouetted against the clouds and sky, but
Pumbaa could make out the forms of two hornbills flying north. 
	“See, like those two hornbills!” Zazu was still watching the grass.
	“Hornbills? Ha! There aren’t any other hornbills around this region for miles...well,
except for me.” Timon had now noticed the birds too.
	“Well then, It seems you got yourself some company!” Zazu looked up at the sky
and a was petrified of the sight! Eyes bulging, Zazu only could stare in fear.” Timon and
Pumbaa had both gotten up and went over to see what was the matter. Timon waved a
paw in front of Zazu’s face but the bird remained petrified. Timon tried to shake Zazu
back to sense.
	“Hey, Zazu! Wake up! Yo! C’mon, bird brain, what’s got your tail feathers in a
tangle?” Zazu finally blinked and looked up at the birds again which were already
proceeding towards the horizon.
	“Oh no......It can’t be them! It simply can not be-” 
	“Who?” Pumbaa interrupted. Zazu only hurried into flight.
	“I’ll tell you on the way, but, trust me, it’s terrible!” 
	Timon whined some more, “If it means more walking, it can’t be good.” 

			*	*	*	*	*	*	

	Simba paced fretfully in front of pride rock. The lionesses had gone hunting long
ago, and they had yet to return. With Nala pulling patrol duty with the younger lionesses,
Zazu, Timon, and Pumbaa on reconnaissance, and Rafiki off to confront an evil witch, the
king of pride rock felt a little lonely, and more than a tad nervous.
	“Where could they be?” he fretted. Sarafina had taken Moraka and Zira off to
search for food. All three lionesses were beyond competency and could be trusted to
return with a carcass before eating. So where were they? Simba hustled to the tip of the
long rock that he was held over as a cub to look for his family. 
	In the misty evening, it was hard to see much even from his vantage point. Minutes
passed like hours and Simba began to fear for the lives of his party when he heard a
familiar roar of a lioness. 
	The roar was that of an aged lioness, so it would probably be Sarafina’s group
returning. Though he had been hoping to see Nala first, he was almost as happy to see the
four lionesses striding up to the base of the rocks with their kill. 
	“FOUR?” Simba thought. “How can there be four of them? Granted he had spent a
lot of time in the jungle, but he still remembered how to add...he hoped.” The lionesses
came into view through the mist and Simba found that he wasn’t mistaken at all. Not only
was there another lioness, but a cub to boot!” Simba hurried over to meet the lionesses.
Remembering how solid his father was in situations such as these, he tried to act
nonchalant and unsurprised about the newcomers.
	“It seems we have visitors,” Simba said in his most regal tone. The pale, dirty,
yellow lioness could only whisper back hoarsely.
	“More than visitors I hope.” Puzzled, Simba turned to Sarafina. The aged lioness
spoke to Simba.	
	“Her name is Schala, and her cub is named Kube. They both claim to have been
abandoned by a pride of nomads, and left to starve and die.” Simba eyed up the weary
lioness. She was quite dirty and exhausted. Sarafina continued. “They ask permission to
join the pride.” Simba took a deep breath. This was no easy choice. Outsiders, as a rule,
were generally shunned due to the danger they posed. However, the pathetic look of the
cub with his mother was simply pitiful. 
	“Maybe we should wait till Rafiki returns.” Simba whispered to Sarafina. Sarafina
whispered back.
	“That could be days, sire. You should know as well as I that Rafiki comes and
goes as the wind, and we cannot depend on him forever.” Sarafina became more forceful
in tone. “You have to make a decision now! Any sign of weakness on your part could be,”
Sarafina glanced over at Zira, “disastrous.” 
	Simba knew what Sarafina meant. Zira had always held an element of contempt for
Simba’s abilities. There were even rumors that Zira had been an... acquaintance of Scar’s,
but nobody could prove anything. Still, the aged lioness gave Simba reason to be cautious. 
Taking action, Simba stepped up to Schala. Looking her over, he spoke in a lofty tone.
	“This is Schala. Out of the goodness of my heart and our need for more
lion-power, I have decided to welcome this newcomer to the pride. Treat her as one of
our own, and teach her our ways and traditions. So, the king has decreed.” Simba let off
an internal groan. He was afraid he was starting to sound like Zazu. The lionesses
murmured in respect.
	“Long live the king.”
	Simba spoke directly to Schala. “You seem worn and tired. Please, feast of the
beast that we brought down.” Schala beamed in delight. 
	“Thank you, milord. How can I ever repay your kindness and generosity?” Simba
knew full well what she meant. Rumors of other lion kings that asked for certain... favors
in return for generosity. Even Scar had been rumored to have partaken in this sordid
means of thanks. Simba resolved himself to be a better king than that.
	“I only ask that you serve the pride as you would your own sisters.” Schala
nodded and vowed.
	“I will.” Simba nodded in assent and turned. 
	“You all may begin to eat with out me.” Sarafina was a tad surprised. The king not
having first share was most irregular. 
	“Sire, you are not hungry? Simba only looked dejectedly off into the nighttime
mist. 
	“No, I’ll wait for Nala and the others to arrive.” Simba then hurried back up to his
perch on pride rock. When he was out of earshot, Schala could hear Zira mumble
maliciously. 
	“Pathetic cub! He is nothing without his queen.” Schala’s ears perked. So Zira was
a tad bitter about Simba? This would be easier than she had thought. Schala was about to
reprimand Kube for not whining as he was told, but he had already hurried over to the
carcass to eat.

			*	*	*	*	*	*

	In a cold, damp cave in the outlands, Rafiki was held captive. Tied to a stalagmite
with vines, Rafiki could only watch as Hecate performed her disgusting rituals.
	Schala had procured the heart of a wildebeest, the ear of a hippo, and the hoof of a
giraffe. Using a rock, Hecate smashed the three grisly parts into a gory paste, which she
poured into a bowl not unlike Rafiki’s. Rafiki could only shiver in horror.
	“What is that, Hecate? One of your evil soothsaying rituals?” Hecate only
shrugged nonchalantly.
	“This? Oh no, dear Rafiki. This is just a midnight snack. My clairvoyances are
much more... civil than you’d imagine.” With that, Hecate downed the pulpy paste and
swallowed. “mmm-mmm! Not bad at all! I’d offer you some, Rafiki, but I’m afraid it
would offend your sensitive pallet.”
	 Rafiki only cursed. “No more offensive than it must have been to the three animals
you killed just for one meal!” Hecate laughed.
	“Dear Rafiki, I only killed the wildebeest. However, right now there is a very slow
giraffe and a hippo with a hearing problem out there.” Hecate squealed in delight at her
dark humor. Rafiki turned his head in disgust.
	“The elders were right! You are a demon without a conscience.” Rafiki seemed
saddened by his remark. “It pains me to tell you that, you know. You are not the Hecate I
remember. The old Hecate was ambitious and ruthless, but never cruel. Hecate sneered in
anger.
	“She is dead and is no more! I have become faster, stronger, wiser, and better than
you or any or those sanctimonious elders!” Rafiki knew he couldn’t argue. He only
remained tied to his stalagmite, and waited. He feared not starvation, thirst, or
sleeplessness. All were things of the body, which he had learned to transcend years ago.
What he feared was his failure to protect his king from Hecate and the lioness that she was
assisting... whoever that was. 
	Rafiki gazed towards the mouth of the cave. The darkness of nighttime had
reached it’s acme long ago and was beginning to approach daybreak.  Rafiki gazed into
the heavens beyond. Had the spirits forsaken him? No! He knew better! Rafiki could only
pray to the great circle that everything could resolve without unnecessary bloodshed.
Rafiki’s quiet pontificating was interrupted by the noisy entrance of two hornbills. 
	The two hornbills were dark blue in color. The feathers on the male were wild and
unkempt, but in stark contrast, the female’s plumage was pristine and glimmered with
symmetry. Both birds landed on the cave floor behind Hecate. “Where have I seen them
before?” Rafiki wondered. Hecate didn’t even look at the birds. She only called out
quietly.
	“Zan and Zu, I presume?” 
	The female bowed. “Correct as usual, your majesty.” The male, in a rather uncouth
style, began to rummage for food.
	“Yeah , yeah, whatever,” he mumbled. “Hey, Hecate, what’s eats around here?”
The female hornbill was most irritated.
	“Zan, be quiet! Can’t you show a little class once in a while?” Zan only laughed.
	“Ha! Class is for losers and sycophants, Zu. I just want food.” Zu rolled her eyes.
Hecate remained undaunted by the display. 
	“Have you done that which I require?” the mandrill inquired. Zu smiled and
bowed.
	“Yes, mistress, we have gone to the hyenas and planted the seeds of rebellion in
their heads.” Zan chuckled.
	“Yeah, we told the hyenas what to do about the lions.” Rafiki became intrigued.
	“Hyenas? What have you to do with the hyenas?” Zan flew over to Rafiki and
hovered an inch from the mandrill’s nose.
	“Who’s the geezer?” Zan asked irreverently. Hecate only grinned a rotten toothed
grin.
	“A... professional rival whom I need to keep on ice for a while. As for his question,
I’ve always been interested in hyena affairs.” Zu looked harshly at Rafiki. 
	“Mistress, we don’t have to answer prisoner’s questions. It’s best we keep him
quiet!” Hecate only held Zu back. 
	“True, Zu, but Rafiki is special. I like answering his pitiful questions. It’s really my
only hope to illuminating that dead brain of his.” Hecate threw Zan and Zu a scrap of meat
which they proceeded to have a tug of war over. “Rafiki, remember what I said about how
I wanted to revolutionize the veldt? To crush the male dominance over all species?” Rafiki
nodded.
	“Though I believe there is none, I recall a statement like that.” 
	“Good, Rafiki, you haven’t lost your memory yet. Anyway, I was always intrigued
by the way the females ruled their culture. Despite their simplistic attitude and certain...
depravities, I figured that they at least deserved a chance to compete with the other
species so they could show the world how to really run a society. For a while, I sent Zan
and Zu as my messengers. I tought them how to fight lions and how to kill effectively!
Unfortunately, you old friend Scar changed most of that. I was appalled at how the hyenas
had allowed a lion to coerce his way into position of leadership. So, I withdrew my
services. But when Scar was killed, I saw a new chance for their redemption! I’ve actually
managed them to trick a certain lioness into letting them help her. So when the time is
right, they’ll let the lions destroy each other!” Rafiki was shocked.
	“Hecate! You have no right to manipulate an entire species! Your meddling taints
the flow of life!” Hecate only laughed wildly.
	“No! Don’t you see? I’m only going to start with the hyenas! Then the other
species will come in time! They will either conform to my ideals or perish under my
power!” Rafiki screeched in anger.
	“Heacte! Your wish to reorder the Pridelands is lunacy! You have no right to play
God!” Hecate rushed up to Rafiki and stared at him in the face.
	“Why not? If no one else has the courage to do it, why shouldn’t I?” Rafiki
returned her gaze.
	“Because, you are only a mandrill, and it is not your place to structure the world!”
Hecate smacked Rafiki across the face with her wand. CRACK! 
	“I’ve had enough of your insolence! In three days the hyenas and my lioness’s
motley crew will attack the lions of pride rock. They will all split into three factions and
the lions will be destroyed!” Hecate became even more menacing. “And you will be there
to watch it all!”