First Meeting

Scar slouched away from his older brother Mufasa.

Of course he hadn't been at the ceremony, how could he, watching that stupid ball of fluff take his rightful place before it was even walking!

He growled to himself and stalked across the Pridelands, heading towards one of the only places he found solace. The Elephant Graveyard.

He was quite far away from Priderock now, Mufasa was a distant speck on the horizon, he mused to himself.

'Right now, you are so tiny I could crush you with one of my claws, one day you will feel that helpless without being so far away!'

As he was walking he suddenly heard rustling all around him, at first he thought he had unsettled some prey but then the noises got louder, these animals weren't trying to hide the fact that they were here. He sniffed the air and a strange but somehow familiar smell filled his nostrils, as if he had smelt it long ago. His father's words rung in his head.

'There are creatures out there, not unlike me and you in looks, but in mind they are savage and after one thing only, blood. Do not go into the Outlands or around the borders of the Pridelands, that is where they hide. Never go out on your own Taka! Always take Mufasa with you to protect you.'

Despite the deamining tone his father had addressed him with that day, he couldn't of helped the chill that ran down his spine when he was a cub, that same chill ran through him now, making his fur stand on end. Suddenly behind him came a large snap as something big stepped on a twig. It sounded purposeful.

'Well well well, what do we have here?' Came a voice that sounded scratchy and raw.

'Looks like a lost Pridelander, wouldn't you say Selena?' Came a deep male voice, Scar froze. He was in trouble...

'He looks very lost, I'd say you are right Wraith, let's say we show him the way back.'

'Now Selena, don't scare the poor lost kitty, he may be of use to us.'

'Who are you, show yourselves!' Scar tried to sound brave inspite of these invisible enemies.

'He's got spirit, maybe you are correct Zira.' Came the other female voice.

A dirty laugh came from the grass that had not come from the first three voices, Scar's mane puffed out as he tried to locate them and find out just how many there were.

Four figures came out from the tall grass, slinking into a circle around him as if stalking his prey. The world suddenly became smaller, enclosed into the circle Scar was trapped in as they wound around him.

The large male was a black lion, very big and with a matted dank mane that looked like it had been clawed out many times, it hung across his face like a dirty curtain.

The smaller female was very fine with a dark stripe running from her forehead to her shoulders, she held herself up and had the look of a much bigger animal.

The larger female looked like a bigger, stockier version of the first, the stripe was darker and and her shoulders were incredibly thick and strong.

A white lion was the last one surrounding, he had a large scar across his broad muzzle and his mane was curled and frizzy, he held Scar in a look of utter contempt and he circled him.

'Who- who are you?' Scar stammered.

With a flick of his tail he large black male called the others to a halt. The stood in a line and flanked him.

'I am Wraith,' the male answered first, obviously the leader of this strange pride, 'I am leader of the Rangers.'

'Rangers?'

The smaller female answered his query, she looked him up and down and smiled, her lips drawing back over large curved fangs.

'The Rangers are a band of rogue lions who grouped together as a means to survive, we have all been driven out or left our prides' for the most heinous of crimes.'

Scar's ears flattened as he watched these cats, they were very very dangerous, they were the ones his father had warned him about.

'What are you doing in my territory?' He puffed out his chest and bluffed.

'Your territory?' Came the smooth voice of the white lion. 'I'm pretty sure this is King Ahadi's territory, and you certainly aren't him.' He walked up to Scar and prodded him, laughing as Scar flinched away.

'King Ahadi is my father, he is dead.'

Wraith's & Selena's ears shot forwards, a look of surprise flickered across their face before they looked at each other.

'So you are the new king?' Wraith asked without turning to look at him.

'No, but, well, no.' Scar looked at his paws. 'But soon!'

'Soon?' The younger female came up to him and stared at him. 'What do you mean, soon...?'

'I just have to dispose of my brother first.'

'Dispose of? You can't mean.'

'I have been thinking about it yes.'

Scar resigned, there was no point in masking over his pure hatred infront of these murderous lions.

'Maybe you're not so weak after all.' The white lion growled at him.

'I'm not weak! I have been biding my time until my nephew is ready to walk so I can set a trap for him and his father!' Scar bit back angrily.

'Nephew? Brother, you sound as twisted as we are? But have you got the guts?' Wraith replied bluntly before the white lion could speak again.

'I already killed my father.' Scar growled deep at the white lion as he spoke.

'How are you still in your brother's territory then?' Came the larger females voice from behind Wraith.

'He believes it was an outsider who did it. I think he believes it was one of you.' Scar grinned to himself.

'I think we should pay your brother a visit.'

'I think you should, but, not yet.'

Wraith stared at Scar for a moment, then he whispered something to the other lions.

He turned back to Scar and smiled.

'Come young lion, we have much to discuss. As I have said already, I am Wraith, my mate here is Selena,' the larger female smiled, ' Darcy is the white lion with the sarcastic mouth,' Darcy growled at Scar, 'and the younger female is Zira, Selena's sister.' Zira's head shot up and she smiled widely at Scar, Scar smiled back and couldn't help but keep glancing at the younger female.

As they headed towards the Outlands, Zira fell behind in step with Scar.

'So you are Prince Mufasa's brother?'

'Yes.' Scar sighed.

'Why do you hate him so much?'

'He stole my throne, my future mate, my friends and he got all the attention from my father.'

'Don't worry about that, you have new friends now, and maybe a new mate.' Her eyes burned at him before she bounded away to Selena.

Scar watched her back and what she said rolled over and over again in his mind, he pushed the agonising sight of Sarabi out of his mind and watched Zira, a wide smile spreading over him as he followed the Rangers to their territory.


****



After a spending the night with the Rangers, Scar headed home, Zira kept pace with him, a determined look on her face.

'Zira will go back with you, convince them that she is to be your new mate and she was abandoned when her mother was killed by rogues whilst out hunting for her first time. Zira will scout out with you and help you plan the trap for your nephew and brother. If it all goes to plan their deaths will seem like accidents and you can take over the pride, then we shall join you and create a larger pride for all of us.'

The night before almost seemed like a dream to Scar, the only thing that kept reminding him was the gentle pad of Zira's paws as she trotted beside him, he couldn't help but smile at himself about the fact that she was the one who had asked to go with him. He kept glancing at her and noticed she was smiling too.



Zira was accepted into the Pride relatively easily, his brother and Sarabi swallowed their lies like fresh meat, though the pride seemed edgy around her. The plan was working perfectly and Mufasa had fell for it, only a matter of time now.