Pridelands - Southern Savannah ------------------------------ The wide expanse of the southern savannah stretches out around you, broken to the south by the deep tear of a long gorge, and to the north by the unmistakable landmark of Pride Rock. Finally, to the east, further along, lies the Kopje valley. Scar Scar is a thin, and smaller than average lion. His fur is a darker, burnt color, and his mane and claws are jet black. His long muzzle nearly always wears a frown, and over all he seems to almost emit a barely-hidden anger from deep inside. Though thin, a glare from his green eyes is enough to convince most that it's not a good idea to mess with this cat, and that perhaps he is not one to turn your back to for long.. Zira Zira's golden-orbed eyes, set back beneath her high domed brow stare through you with an intensity that makes you want to cower in dread. The expression on her narrow face reflects an ever-active mind; always conjuring and plotting her next move. Beginning with a point between her eyes, a dark stripe runs the length of her head, ending between her accentuated shoulder blades. She sways as she walks, sort of a pride filled swagger, raising her head to look down disdainfully upon anyone who crosses her path in the wrong way.... Capping each toe, a sharp, black claw arches, ready to serve it's master at a moments notice. Her black tipped tail twitches restlessly from side to side as her scarred ear flicks in agitation. You look upon a creature who even at rest is in motion. Scar stretches and claws the earth as he wakes, peering around. "Ah, Zira... I feel totally refreshed sleeping out here, away from the others." Zira gets to her own paws stretching like the evil kitty she is. "Myself as well. I haven't felt this good sense I killed my first gazelle." Scar looks towards the setting sun, and the Kopje valley. "Shall we begin tonight's search?" Zira hops to her paws, "Absolutely, lead onwards, oh great king." Pridelands - Kopje Border ------------------------- Here is neutral territory between the Pridelands and the Kopje valley, a narrow stretch of savannah. The Pridelands edge is lined with scattered hyenas, guarding the border against unwelcome visitors, and all visitors are now unwelcome. The land dips to the east into the valley itself, or stretches out to the Pridelands to the west. Kopje - Kopje Valley -------------------- You come down from the edge of the valley into a large, open plain. Small baobab trees dot the landscape. The cliff edge rises up behind you, and ahead you see a large cliff with a waterfall flowing from it. Beyond that are some beautiful grasslands. To the south of here is a small path through the grass, and to the north, a path winds it's way to the steeper walls of the cliff, running alongside it. Scar scents the air, carefully moving. "He's been here... the scent is stronger... Zira pauses reclining her nose to the wind.... "Take caution..." she says softly.... "he could be anywhere..." Scar lowers himself to the ground, moving much more slowly, his eyes narrowing Zira sniffs the wind.... "He's up... the scent is coming from above..." she sniffs again, "that way..." Kopje - Central Waterfall ------------------------- You come to the bottom of a large cliff. Just above you is a massive promontory, jutting out from the side, sending a shadow across the waterfall. A large torrent of water comes down, creating a small lake at the bottom of the cliff, and a light mist in the air. Many sweet grasses grow around the water, perfect for grazing animals. Looking up the cliff face, you see a small path leading to the promontory, and then a bit further up. Banzai - no description. Scar creeps along carefully, staying to the edges and shadows, scenting the air and stalking forward. Banzai is only marginally awake, which is the best he can muster at the moment. He lies conspicuous in the open valley, lying in the grass that does not match his fur. His ears open and close restlessly; he seems to have gone through much in recent days, and is injured. Zira instantly halts. She nudges her nose soundlessly towards the injured one... Scar looks at Zira's nudge. He spies the hyena and glances back to Zira. "Cretin..." he mutters... "Perhaps Simba has more fight in him than we thought. Or perhaps that idiot saved us the trouble." Zira shrugs as she stalks behind Scar. "Perhaps..." her voice is low, concealing. "Are they a threat to us?" Banzai, for his part, is slow to identify a changed presence. This one has never been very observant, and a lack of action over the last few days, with one or two exceptions, has left him sluggish. Even so, there is a sound and a scent that he fears greatly.... and he cannot help but stiffen and rise when he hears and smells it. Scar.... is somewhere. You say, "We will deal with them later. We can still use their greed." He looks ahead. "We move onward."" Zira nods curtly and follows, head low, a snarl crawling to her wicked face. Banzai barks suddenly, frustrations at being unable to affect his surroundings manifesting suddenly, recklessly. "Who's there? Scar, is that you, flap it! Where are you?" Scar growls softly and creeps forward. "Let him panic.." Kopje - Northern Savannah ------------------------- The grasses here are tall and green, and the savannah stretches out in nearly all directions for quite some distance, except to the south where it seems to dry out a bit. To the east can also be seen the waterfall marking the pride's home. Kopje - Southern Savannah ------------------------- The grasses here are tall, and many are dried in the sun, but many others, not quite so tall, are still healthy and green, and are especially good for the grazing animals. The tall grass enables the hunters to remain hidden as well, should they choose to. Paths lead from here to a waterhole in the south, and northeast through the savannah. Kopje - Savannah Grasslands --------------------------- The grasslands begin at the cliff and spread out from there. The tall grass rustling lightly in the wind, tall enough in most places for a lion to hide comfortably, while low enough in others for smaller animals to get through. A path leads up the cliff from there, and another heads up a gentle grassy slope, away from the cliff. Another path heads through the grasses in the other direction, leading further into the grasslands. Scar looks up the cliff path. "Up there, I think.." Zira sniffs the grasses.... "Look, dried blood...." Scar smirks. "Stupid cub.... he doesn't even know what's coming..." Kopje - Cliffs -------------- The cliffs here run along the side of the mountain, and another path leads down to the savannah grasslands below. Except for the path, the cliff face is nearly straight down, with only a few outcroppings to scar the rock face. It is quiet here, with only a slight wind blowing most times. There is also a cave entering the mountain here. Kopje - West Cliffs ------------------- The cliff path comes around the rock wall here, providing a spectacular view of the Kopje falls, a twin waterfall, split halfway down the cliff by protruding rocks. The path bends downwards here, heading to the top of the waterfall. Kopje - Cliffs -------------- The cliffs here run along the side of the mountain, and another path leads down to the savannah grasslands below. Except for the path, the cliff face is nearly straight down, with only a few outcroppings to scar the rock face. It is quiet here, with only a slight wind blowing most times. There is also a cave entering the mountain here. Zira looks around. "Hmmm...." Scar snarls... "Another false trail... Scar growls and turns around... "We shall have to creep past that fool hyena again... he's no doubt awakened someone." Zira sniffs the grasses.... "Are you sure it's wrong..." Zira looks narrow eyed towards the cave.... Scar looks back to you. "I believe it to be so.... but perhaps it would be foolish to not check everywhere, first. We missed him on our last visit." Zira pads cautiously towards the cave. Scar's eyes narrow, and he smirks. "Lead on, my Queen." Kopje - Back Cave ----------------- You find yourself in a medium sized cave with a hole in the top, angled to let in light, but very little moisture, and only that during the heaviest rain. Any moisture that does enter runs down the back wall, keeping it cool and dry in here. Looking around, your eyes catch on the small flecks of mica in the otherwise smooth rock of the cavern, and a small pool is against the rear corner, draining quietly into the rock somewhere just out of sight. Two exits from here head to the outdoors. Zira turns back.... "Well.... we'll have to try again... Scar narrows his eyes. "There was only one path left... Kopje - Cliffs -------------- Kopje - Savannah Grasslands --------------------------- Scar moves more quickly now, but still cautiously. "Oh yes.... we certainly shall..." Kopje - Southern Savannah ------------------------- Kopje - Northern Savannah ------------------------- Kopje - Central Waterfall ------------------------- Ed Looking off into the vacant space, drool, slowly dropping from his half open mouth, Ed seems to be preoccupied for what ever is going in his tiny mind. His shagged fur, with rumples and mats, hide the true fit form that Ed is in, but boldly states his lack of grooming. Suddenly with a quick shake of his head and a small giggle, he turns to you and narrows his eyes. He studies you, as he tries to decide whether you are friend or food, praying you are not a lion. Banzai doesn't think of that right now.... he's too used to being hungry and living with it. Although at the moment he's fairly well fed. "Ed," he repeats, "c'mon. Do you think I'm joking, here? I need your help, Ed. Are you still hurting from that day? Give me a break, here!" Scar creeps into the area, now much more slowly and far more cautiously. As he'd expected, Banzai awoke the other. His eyes narrow as he stays as far from the duo as he can, in the shadows. Shenzi is still watching. Just watching. She wonders what side her brothers are on.... Scar stops in the shadows as he sees the two hyenas. He nods ahead to Zira, towards the other path they caught scent from - past this clearing. Ed whimpers once, tries once again to get up and fails. It's not a fun thing, having a lioness lay on you. No, it just about killed Ed. He would not budge, the look was imprinted on his face. Zira nods back, her eyes gazing over the two.... and catching wind of the third. A silent snarl forms on her face. But she knows what's important... she stalks silently after Scar. Banzai whimpers himself, feeling a gut-housed kind of pain. "Ed.... you won't do this? I can't believe it..." Banzai gulps, trying to work out this position he's gotten himself into. "What am I gonna do, huh? I'm supposed to warn Simba or he won't feed me anymore.... and it's not safe. I don't even want to leave you sprawling here either, Ed." Scar creeps forward, making an extra effort to remain unseen and unheard. He doesn't want to deal with these two now, not even injured. He doesn't care, really, whether Simba is responsible for it, he only knows that time is running out. Zira's ear perks a bit to catch the words. Carefully she picks up a bit of distance to Scar's side and nods to the hyenas.... she makes a silent sign of needing to hurry. Ed shrugs at Banzai. What could he do? It wasn't his fault he was like this. Sighing, he tries again, and fails. Then again, fails. Finally, he stands upright and winces with each step to the cave, moving slowly. Shenzi watches Scar curiously, spotting him because of the wide-angle view she has of the area. Where is he going, she wonders, and what is she doing in the Kopje? She steps out from her hiding spot, not calling out to him because it doesn't seem like he wants to be seen. Instead, she walks forward slowly, toward her brothers. Zira urges Scar onwards. Banzai shakes his head up and down in unbridled fulfillment. "Thanks, Ed. You're gonna be all right. You just gotta stretch out. Oh, Roh'kash, I wish Shenzi was here. Follow behind me." And he runs haltingly toward the cliff path. Scar bares his teeth as Shenzi comes into view, then feels Zira's urgent motions. He sets his jaw and creeps forward, onward. Kopje - Kopje Valley -------------------- Kopje - Path of Remembrance ---------------------------- As you draw near the steeper wall of the cliff, the air cools, and you come into the shadow of the rock. The air seems denser, and sounds are muffled. Ahead the path leads up the side of the cliff, narrow and perhaps somewhat dangerous. Scar scents the path.... "The scent is strong, Zira..." His voice shakes a little as he looks over the lands. "Soon we shall see what our lost Prince has made of himself." Zira smiles evilly. "Grand.... let's be done with this..." Kopje - Cliff Path ------------------ The path here is narrow, high, and somewhat treacherous. However, other things tend to come to mind first... the silence hangs heavy in the air, as does the shadow of the rock, ever-present. Ahead, up a little further, an opening into the rock is suddenly apparent. Down, the path returns all the way to the ground. Kopje - Dark Cave ----------------- The cave is dark, and has the same heavy feel as outside. Ahead, though, this narrow cave appears to open up, and light is visible. Also, you may exit the cave and return to the path. Scar looks around. "I don't like this cave.... let there is only the one strong scent. Are you ready, my Queen?" Zira sniffs and stalks further.... her claws stretched and ready. "Let's go get him." Scar exhales hard, and steps forward. He's nowhere near as eager as you are, but he's moving nonetheless. He says something, but it's too low to be understood. Kopje - Memorial Grounds ------------------------ The light filters into the large cavern from above, where a tight network of grasses and vines seem to completely hide this place from the world above. The sides are very steep and covered with soft grasses, as is the floor. The light is a refreshing change from the dark of the path, but it is still a very quiet place, and there is a feeling that it is meant to be, that any outburst or loud sound would be very unwelcome. There is also a feeling of peace, and, walking around the room, different sensations as those who have passed on offer their gentle caress from the land of the Great King. Whether here to remember, or to meditate, all are welcome so long as none disturb the peace. Simba What a sad state this lion has come into! In adolescence, Simba is far from defined, either physically or in character. His world was shattered, his hopes are faint, and he has a deep-seated feeling that he himself had something massive to do with it. A highly focused male, Simba wants desperately, more than anything else, to find a place for himself and his family to live well, without fear. He often watches the horizon with longing and aimless determination.... and grows more fiery inside. He is just on the strong side for his size, and his ability to stir up powerful emotion gives him a healthy chance in any fight. His mane is well developed for his age, a sign of his worthiness to be king.... if only his soul could be allayed. Simba holds himself well, despite his troubles, and walks with a bit of grace even under the greatest anguish. His fur is a smooth orange that reminds an observer of the setting sun. His paws and muzzle, once brighter, now blend more evenly into his coat. His nose remains a strawberry pink that reminds one of his onetime innocence. The question surrounding Simba the adolescent is whether that innocence will ever be regained. Zira stalks in cautiously. Her motions are those of the hunt... she observes the situation carefully. Scar steps into the cave, glowering at the strange sensations around him. "Simba," he says, seeing the lion, no longer creeping or stalking. Simba. He is standing as a piece of still life, a plant, would, in the middle of this quiet, solemn place.... gazing. His mind is near blank; he fears little and hopes for little. Only the feeling of the ancestors speaks to him.... until that voice comes back to haunt him. He turns, and sees---"Scar!" Zira circles as wide as the cavern walls will allow her.... Scar watches Zira circle from the corner of his eye, but his gaze is locked on the cub - now a lion. How long since he's last seen this one? Thought him dead, cast him aside, and yet, he lives, and clearly strong. Defying him all these years, and, for a moment, Scar is terrified, thinking Simba has come for *him*. The feeling passes as he remembers the present, and his eyes narrow. "So it's true..." Simba's eyes widen as he looks at Scar, and the circling Zira.... he frowns, then scowls, and then speaks quietly. "So what's true?" He has trouble realizing that Scar is not one of the dead.... remembering that he lives still, and is before him now. Zira positions herself as strategically as possible, pacing back and forth off to the side and almost behind Simba.... her deadly claws slapping the earth as her eyes lust for blood. Scar takes a few paces forward, his body crouching, but still a little hesitant. "I had hoped, Simba, that I would not see you again until I joined the Great Kings." He snarls a little, "Why are you here?" Zira's tail lashes the side of the cave in agitation. Under her breath her impatience is understated. "Cut to the chase, Love." Simba is brought back to the urgency of the situation by the harsh snarl. He looks around and feels a chemical flowing in him, spurring action. "I'm here because you chased me out, Uncle. I left out of fear you would.... would kill me. So I came here. Is it not enough that I've sworn never to go back to Pride Rock as long as you rule?" His last words are passionate. Scar's eyes narrow further. "You were right, Simba. I promised not to kill you if you ran away, and yet you come back, alive!" He shakes his head, advancing now. "No," he growls, "it is not enough. You may not live here, taunting me and waiting for a weak moment to make your move. I made an error all those moons ago, and now it shall be corrected." Zira's teeth show white as her lips curl back. Her body is poised for the kill. >>Shir'kar<< ~_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/~ Fire. Fire describes the lioness before you. In great shape and finely toned, she has been taken in by the Mauko, the Warriors of Darkness. Horribly large and musculear, is she, among those merciless furs that killed enemies, nuetrals, and friends without a second thought. Trained in hunting and fighting, she has been, and trained to extract joy from the kill. She moved with the rogue pride for a long period in her life, but that is another story.. Most of her muscles are spread evenly, though her neck and shoulders seem to be nothing but huge slabs of rock-hard muscle piled one on top of the other. In fact, her build resembles that of one of the ancient sabre-toothed cats.. Minus the sabres, though her teeth are quite long, and incredibly sharp. Her long, sweeping tail curls behind her as she moves, always betraying her mood no matter how hard she tries to remain indifferent. She has an odd speech impedament that causes her to roll her Rs and hiss anytime she pronounces an S.. ~_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/~ Her entire body is covered in a deep fiery russet coat that washes over her body with out a flaw, save four long slash marks on her shoulder, and the traditional mark of the Mauko.. two long, slanting gashes over each eye that form into an odd question mark like symbol on her forehead.. if you look closely, you can see the point where the two lines ajoin and was cut deeper than the rest, giving her a perpetually ticked off expression. The russet continues down her sides, where it becomes a startlingly pale rose color. A sprinkling of short midnight streaks show on her ruff, and two sliver streaks adorn her black nose, arching up from the center of the bottom and curving off onto seperate sides before fading just before they reach the fur. Her tail tuft is the color of moon on water, inky black with silvery undertones.. ~_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/~ Optics. Cold, hard eyes of deep amber-crimson stare back at you, reflecting many things. Hate, mostly. And anger. She has not had an easy life at all, and that is reflected in her eyes. There is a touch of mercy in there, though you will never see any of this. She wears a mask of indifference, sizing you up and wondering if you are friend or foe.. Though she doesn't have many friends. Occassinally, you can see a strange flicker of sadness in there, in those strange optics, when she thinks you aren't looking.. ~_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/~ Though none of this matters, what she has been through or what she is yet to experience, for she has become one of the legendary Skhvi'aha, one of the Guardians of Black Fire. Yet, seperated from the Mauko, she wanders, having to real direction in life. You can see pain and hesitance in her posture occassinally, though mostly she really is the reckless, blunt rogue she makes herself out to be.. A very strange creature, she is. Not quite living.. and not quite dead. She hangs precautiously there in the balance between them, not having a purpose and yet still existing. Nothing matters anymore, for the rogue lioness with a speech impediment. So she wanders aimlessly, listlessly, always moving, never stopping.. ~_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/~ "..Blood bearrrsss on the sspent grrround, livesss eventually fade with the rrisssing ssun.. and Ssshetani'sss daughterrrss dance acrrrosss thossse ssskiess, thossse wasssted ssskiess of black." ~_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/~ Shir'kar pads silently into the area, barely visible as she slips through the vines. Only a slinking dark shape can be seen, and a glint of yellow as she hears voices. She pauses and turns towards the sound thoughtfully, just watching for now, and wondering what in the Dark Sun is going on. Simba nods very slowly, eying the ferocity in Zira's impatience and thinking like a streak of light to himself: "You were right. Zira is fully his. She was never to be trusted." But out loud, he says to Scar, "Your error was in letting me leave, Scar. I was a cub who feared you because of rumors and evidence.... what I wanted more than anything was for you to stop me.... and prove me wrong. I wanted you to show me you were my real Uncle after all. Yet you did not." Zira's vigilant eyes, having been on the watch for ambushing hyena's.... spy a hint of difference. She looks over into the shadows, watching for another betrayal... Scar snarls now, seeing nothing. "Your words are WEAK, Simba!" His voice is rising, "All you have EVER wanted was to betray me.... now.... I will put an end to whatever plot you have against me." Simba stands firmly now, his wild, bedraggled fur falling somehow back into place, his mane forming neatly on his head. He faces Scar and Zira, yet has nothing to say.... since it is true. He does have a plot against Scar.... and Scar is wise to worry. But now there is nothing Simba can do. Scar crouches, snarling angrily. "Zira!" he calls. Yet he waits, watching for his Queen to take Simba from her position. Zira's eyes are careful not to leave the shadows.... but as her name is called she wips into action taking a snarling leap at Simba's unprotected flank! Ohhh, this is shaping out to be interesting. Shir'kar tilts her head, grinning thoughtfully, and then as action breaks out, decides she's got to get closer and slinks towards the edge of the shadows. Ohh, interesting indeed. Simba mouths a few gentle words, taking no care to keep them from being barely audible--"Kings above, see me, judge me." His attention is given to the vines and stones marking the passage of those gone before.... and he tenses, awaiting the stroke. As Zira hits, he crumbles. In a moment, he pulls forward, trying to get around her. Scar takes advantage of Simba's preoccupation with Zira, circling, moving closer, and finally striking as he sees a weak point, roaring as he attempts to sink his fangs into the back of his nephew's neck. Zira goes under, but is able to land at least a shallow swipe to him.... hopefully this distraction was enough for Scar to get in line.... twisted sideways, her forepaws swipe blindly as her hindlegs remain as loaded springs, ready to pounce back. Simba's neck is shifting too easily and casually to be found.... it is strange, but then the cave is rather dark. He is unable to get past the pair of adults.... Zira swipes him on the rump, while Scar scratches his collar--yet he does not fight back.... he only tries to escape. And Shir'kar's scent grows strong in his mind... Shir'kar pauses and blinks. Hey. That's the lion she strangled the other day. Hmmm... She watches for a minute before decidedly moving forward with a low growl. Hey, she doesn't know who's on which side, but she always liked frays.... Scar snarls are growing louder, anger and desperation growing. "Zira!" he shouts. "Finish him already!" Zira's grunts to try and get closer to the unprotected belly grow loud in the cave. At last she works her way up towards his exposed neck. Raising her head back to get all the force she can she attempts to clamp her strong jaws around his throat... Simba struggles quietly, as if in a trance, and as if the forces and bites and claws around him were only pricks of a cold wind on an empty night. The exit to the cave is far, and Simba falls back onto his haunches, unable to make progress, as in a dream. His eyes begin to fill with tears.... and Zira tugs at the precious fold of skin that houses his very breath. Zira's jaws find contact and she closes them quickly, tugging back with all her strength in an attempt to rip out the windpipe... Shir'kar's eyes light up. Ohh, this is getting good... She tenses her muscles and springs, straight for Zira. Ahh, might as well make things more fun. She swipes out a paw, aiming to slash at the lioness' unguarded back. Scar drops back to watch Zira, hissing, "Yessss..... trouble me no more, young Prince..." His face expresses a maniacal glee, abruptly breaking off as Shir'kar enters the fray. "What!?" He backs off now, no longer directly involved in the battle, the odds have changed. Banzai rushes in quietly, limping slightly. His eyes and face are wild. "What--?" he mouths, startled, seeing the bizarre juxtaposition of the still, cool place and the hot, violent fight. He moves forward like a missile, aiming for Shir'kar, for Zira, for the pile.... aiming to break up what has begun. No cry leaves his lips. Zira's eyes shut tight as the blow lands on her back taking a decent gash out of her! But her jaws hold tight.... she KNOWS what's important now!! Shenzi pants as she pads toward the scene.... "Simba!" she calls, rushing right after Banzai. Simba closes his eyes. He feels the skin about his throat tighten, draw tight.... a piece becomes pinched, a piece leave him. He feels the redness of the heat in the blood trickling.... not gushing, yet, but trickling direly, and it will not be long. Simba falls against a network of soft vines, and inwardly cringes in pain. He is limp. Zira holds on for her very life! It will take her last blood if it must to take Simba out! She tugs even harder. The pain from her back wound launching her into a full bloodlust! Scar's head whirls towards Shenzi at the familiar voice, and he snarls, coming forward again. "*SHENZI!*" he growls. "This doesn't concern you!" Shir'kar is in full battle mode now, and aims a bite at Zira's own throat... she has a target now, and likely won't stop unless her target is dead... or herself is. Shenzi also jumps on to Zira, ignoring Scar. She scrabbles for a grip.... She cannot have Simba! He told her the truth!! Banzai leaps through the midst of tangling bodies.... landing squarely on Zira's back. Shir'kar's motion blocks him, and he falls backward toward the ground, pulling at Zira's fur with his long claws all the while.... trying to break her free from Simba, if nothing else.... he doesn't really know his true purpose. Zira's body flips sideways as the lioness comes towards her. Her instincts are to guard her neck. She twists Simba's neck flesh sideways, but her clawed paws slash the air in front of Shir'kar wildly! As Shenzi falls on her, Zira flips back... tearing a great amount of flesh from Simba's throat. Scar grits his teeth, drawing nearer. "*FIGHT* them, Zira! Protect the Prince!" He growls, he doesn't want to get involved, but he doesn't want to lose his last chance. Finally he rejoins the fray, snarling and clamping his jaws at Shenzi's back, to draw her off. Simba hears sounds that are more muffled than a storm, more soft than leaves. Blood trickles, and he knows it, but knows not through what sense. The flap of skin has broken loose from his throat.... he has fallen back fully and is lying prone.... having fainted in the height of battle. For Simba is not, at heart, a fighting thing. Zira falls temporarily in the fray, dislodging the flesh stuck in her throat. In the time that this takes she receives three good slashes on her back.... but full of bloodlust she raises up, thrusting the forms off balance and off of her. Her eyes are wild and wide! Shenzi yipes as she's grabbed! She flails her legs in an attempt to get away. "You.... lied.... to.... me!" She says, twisting her neck around and trying to nip at scar's mouth. Banzai tumbles onto the dirt, rolling over twice before coming to his feet. "Geez.... Zira! I never knew.... you were such a.... as much a lion as the rest of 'em," he finishes the thought. He tries to forget about Simba, whose welfare confuses him--rather he springs for Scar, whom he knows he hates, and tries to pull him away, despite his smaller size. Scar throws the hyena as best he can, which isn't very far. More of a tumble. "Zira!" he shouts again, seeing Simba lying prone. "The deed is done! Retreat!" He attempts to make his way to the exit, snarling and nearly sprinting. Scar roars further, in pain and surprise, as Banzai attacks him directly, twisting and trying to throw the hyena from him. His eyes lock on the cave exit now, and it is his sole goal. Zira chases after Scar.... knowing in the back of her mind that there is still breath in Simba's lungs.... her only hope is that the wound was enough. She roars as load and fiercely as she can to try and clear the way... Zira charges towards Banzai, intent on flinging him against the wall if he is unable to dodge her blow! Banzai is thrown.... wide of his target and all others. He hits his head on the soft dirt, tumbles, and gets up again. "Leave!!" he shouts. "Get the heck out of paradise, you spindly lion-kin! Get!!" Shenzi lands about two feet away from scar and rolls the rest of the way. She can feel the deep wounds in her back.... and the injuries that'll hurt tomorrow from the impact with the ground. Nothing too serious. Seeing Zira charge at her brother, though, she's on her feet in an instant, trying to intercept her. Zira follows after Scar, intent upon leaving. Her eyes still burn with the glint of unsatiated bloodlust. Banzai, having narrowly missed Zira' attack out of the luck of Scar's toss, is crouched staunchly in the center of the cave, shouting insults at Zira and Scar. "Get out!!" he repeats, until even his rough voice shows signs of being hoarse. "Don't you never come back! Get yourselves out!" Shir'kar growls as she sees the two retreating, and chases after them, trying to catch them and wipe the ground with their blood. "Out!" she roars, echoing Banzai's words. Zira makes a beeline for the exit of the cave directly on Scar's heels! Scar reaches the exit and turns around, and laughs. "You stupid, mangy idiots. Your precious savior lies dying in a pool of his own blood, and you only chase us away? Enjoy your paradise!" His eyes are wide and wild, as is his voice and expression. As Shir'kar roars, he turns anew, sprinting down the path. Shenzi turns as Zira goes, and limps back to her brother. "Banzai..." she says softly. Banzai breathes in heaves of excitement and inspired fear. He watches the lions run away as if by his very will power alone.... he ignores Shenzi. His focus is on Shir'kar, and he is astonished. "Who the hell are you?" he demands. "And how'd you...?" Shenzi's eyes look beyond her brother and focus on Simba. He /can't/ be dead! She walks over to him and looks for his injuries.... and to check if he's breathing. Simba lies still, now curved to match the softness of the cave. A few squares of light play on his body, his calm head, his injured flanks, his devastated throat. He is bleeding, slowly but surely, and the wound is quite bad. His breaths become labored, and a burbled cough is heard. Shir'kar slides to a halt at the exit and keeps herself in a full battle-stance, watching them go. Her eyes narrow maliciously, and after a moment, she glances over to Banzai. "I am Ssshirr'karrr," she says calmly. "And I do not know how I did what, forrr I do not know what you arre querying of," she finishes simply, going over to Simba and crouching by him, assessing the damage. Shenzi presses her foot to the wound in Simba's throat.... it's not enough though. The blood keeps coming. Looking around, she decides to lower herself to the ground and press her whole shoulder to it. Banzai warily, slowly turns a cheek to Shir'kar and stares at his sister, scaring him with her strange behavior in this strange place. "Sis? What do you think you're doing? You're playing cradle baby to.... a lion." His voice trails off into something very quiet. Simba's blood flow comes more slowly, absorbed by hyena fur and quelled. His state of being seems unearthly serene. Where a wound of that size could be expected to prevent breathing within a minute.... yet he lasts, and his tiny breaths keep him going. Shenzi growls at her brother's voice a bit. She's doing what she feels has to be done. And Simba.... can't die. "He showed me the truth. That's worth holding on to," she replies. Her ears flick at Simba's tiny breaths. He's strong, this Simba is. Looking at the cave mouth, she can almost hear the laughter of Scar as her retreats.... now, there is no going back to him. Banzai shrugs and growls quietly, perhaps at himself. "You do what you have to, Shenzi. I never trusted you like I do now.... just I'm glad we're together again, is all. I was so scared me and Ed had set ourselves up.... against you, you know?" Shenzi looks back at her brother, craning her neck. She's unable to move herself much for fear that if she does, all the blood she's been holding back will.... leak out. Eh, she's a hyena. She doesn't understand clotting and all that. :) "I've been talking to Simba for some time," she says. "I don't know why he appeals to me, really. It's just that.... well..." she trails off, not sure what to say. Shir'kar stands after a few moments, ears swiveling towards the cave entrance. "They will likely be back," she muses, more to herself than anyone else. Then, to everyone else, "Be alerrrt, I sshould think they will rrreturrrn to finissh the job afterrr they find out he rrremainsss alive, if they don't know alrrready." She hrrs and pads slowly back towards the exit, glancing out and looking thoughtfully around. Simba's blood isn't behaving as blood usually does. It is flowing slowly, in tune with his ponderous heartbeats, but it is not clotting.... Shenzi's thought may in fact be correct. It seems to be only her contact that keeps him from losing the last channel of air he has left.... and the last of his life. For now, he sleeps on a surface of stars and kings.... dreaming. Banzai follows the strange, large lioness.... and then halts. He is afraid of her.... and doesn't want to leave Simba and Shenzi. "Are you Simba's friend, or what?" he questions hoarsely. "You saved all our rumps just now." Shenzi looks at her brother. "We're gonna have to help him.... if he makes it..." she says. "He doesn't know how to be mean. I'll guess he couldn't even defend himself today.... He pretends he's tough and all.... but he's still a baby..." She looks at the sleeping lion. Shir'kar pauses. "I... am not a frrriend... orr enemy... think of me asss a guarrdian of sssorrtss." She hrrs, then glances over at the hyena with a faint smile. That's all she says, though there's definitely more. Banzai looks disturbed, and faces first Shir'kar and then Shenzi. "A guardian? A baby? Oh, hills.... what is this? What is all this? Why does everyone care about Simba so much? Especially if he can't even put in a bite to protect his sorry self." Shir'kar shrugs. "I do not know. Therrre arrre many thingsss in life that nofurr knowss... sssome unssseen plot of the Fatesss, perrrhapss?" Shenzi sighs. "No one ever taught him how to defend himself," she says to Banzai, her words starting as the lioness' end. Banzai sighs, collapsing inside even as he remains standing. "Well, I don't want to hang around here. Look, you two see if you can do something about the fuzzball. I'm going to go see if Ed's all right.... and I'll keep a lookout in case Scar and Zira come back. All right, Shenzi?" Simba's throat is no longer moving or convulsing.... it is as still as he is. Yet, he does not seem to be fading. Rather, his health seems to come through stillness. At last, the wound seems to be stopping itself up, and Shenzi's fur is no longer getting redder. Shenzi nods to Banzai. "I'll be here." Shir'kar nods. "Good idea," she says, trotting back over to Simba and watching him intently for a long moment. "He will be fine," she announces. "...Only with time, of courrssse, but everrrything takess time." She tilts her head. Simba does seem to be one with time, for now. Healing is coming for him. Banzai nods brusquely and heads out, taking care to walk slowly.... not wanting to break a twig or scuttle a pebble in this place of silence. .Meanwhile. Scar is exuberant as he slows his pace, back inside the Pridelands. "It's done! I can hardly believe it.... but it is done!" Zira pants a bit, trying to get the edge off of herself.... she looks over her shoulder.... not nearly as confident.... she looks edgy instead of exuberant. Scar barely notices her edginess. He laps at her muzzle, and savors the taste of the blood there. "Oh, Zira... I feel a great weight has lifted! All will turn for us now.... truly this was a critical point in our history!" Zira eyes still watch the horizon, she is motionless, and her expression tinged with worry. "But Scar..." her voice fads away.... she longs to bask in the glory, but is fearful of what was left behind. Scar delivers just what she both longs for and fears, praising her now. "You, Zira, YOU are the Queen who has brought about this glorious event! Our new Prince will grow up in a land of prosperity, and the wounds you have earned shall forever be marks of Honor!" Zira's ears fold out, she looks away from him. "Scar.... don't you think this is a bit premature? We... I.... Err...." She is afraid to continue and it is obvious. Scar's eyes narrow, and his ears begin to fold. "I SAW him laying there, Zira. Those fools don't know how to save him." Zira's eyes look pensive. "I should've stayed, should have finished him off. Scar, he wasn't dead yet." She shrinks before you. "I have failed you." Scar shakes his head. "No," he replies. "Simba is dead. Mufasa's line is finished... he could not survive that wound." It's very likely he will recant those words should Simba live, but for now he means them. "You have done well." He looks up. "We shall need to concern ourselves with the hyenas and with that rogue, but once the lionesses see that we've opened these hunting lands, and our wounds from the hyenas, neither will be a problem." Zira nods slowly, not quite as surely as she'd like. Truly the wounds are from the hyenas and the rogue. "Truly, it shall be easy to turn them now. We must wash Simba's scent from us." Scar smiles and nods. "Again, Zira, you are wise. I was so caught up I hadn't thought of it. Come, we will use the stream so the blood washes away." Zira walks into the stream, wincing as the water comes in contact. She grits her teeth holding back the agony. Scar stands next to you, entering the water. It's true that his wounds are far less than yours - in fact - they likely won't show at all in a few days. Still, he supports you. Zira stumbles on a underwater rock and flounders for a moment at the shock of the cold water on her stinging back. "ARRRRGGGHHHHH...." Scar starts! And then moves quickly, grabbing the back of her neck and pulling till she regains her balance. He shakes his head. "You must careful. Your primary duty is to protect the new prince." Zira pants a bit, wincing, but ending it with a smile as her paws remain under her. "It's left... leftover from the bloodlust.... leaves me... unstable" Scar nods and continues to assist in supporting her, till they were done cleaning.