(Next Morning, Scar’s P.O.V)
After rising up for the day ahead, I had a terrible nightmare of what happened to my family after Simba took over the Pride Lands. I was even more hurt to know that my cubs will never see me again. “I’m so sorry Zira.” I said to myself with a hint of sadness tugging at my heart. Rising out of the bed, I trudged through the hallways looking as gloomy as ever on any occasion as I went to go and get some fish from Fluttershy for breakfast. I didn’t see Twilight, Spike, or anyone else out and about yet so I simply opened the door with one of my paws and walked into town towards Fluttershy’s home.
Upon arrival, I knocked on the door and waited for her to respond. “Just a minute.” Fluttershy sang out with a beautiful bird-like voice. I just groaned a bit and waited for the timid pony to open the door. After a few moments Fluttershy opened her door. “Oh Good morning Mister Scar. Usual I presume?” She asked with a small smile. “Yes actually.” I said trying to hold in my surprise at her somewhat snarky attitude. “Great, please come in and I’ll bring your fish in a moment.” Fluttershy said as I followed her in and relaxed just in front of her couch I presumed it was called. Angel Bunny was wise enough to not bother me, or he’d have to answer to his mistress, who could be quite assertive when the need calls for it. “It seems somepony likes my couch.” Fluttershy said with a giggle.
I thought she was talking about me, but I brushed it off and grabbed my breakfast. I chowed down on my fish and I was in thought once more with my family and how they are going to survive with me gone from their lives. “Is something wrong?” Fluttershy asked. “Not really, personally I don’t want to talk about it.” I said as I lazily ate the rest of my breakfast in an awkward silence. “I understand, but you won’t feel better if you just bottle it up inside you.” Fluttershy said as she sat next to me as I ate. “I know, but the story of my past isn’t for the faint of heart because it’s a tale of betrayal, sadness, love, and regret.” I said as I nudged my plate over to Fluttershy. “I promise I won’t judge you.” Fluttershy said with soothingly. “I guess she can know what I used to be.” I thought as I ate my last fish and took a deep breath.
“I wasn’t always the lion you see me now, I used to be a completely different lion. I was the second born from My father, King Ahadi, My mother, Queen Uru, and my brother Mufasa. My real name isn’t even Scar, My actual name was Taka.” I said as I began further explaining what happened. “If your real name is Taka, then why did you change it to Scar?” Fluttershy asked curiously. “Well, I’ll get to that in a moment. During my cubhood, Mufasa and I did everything together. It was like nothing could ever break us apart and we were the best lifelong friends, but I really wanted to be king with all the dreams and goals I had. At least until Mufasa was chosen by my father to become the next king. After that, I was devastated. I tried to make him reconsider by any means necessary, but I felt invisible as Ahadi taught my brother everything there was to know about being king. The only other who cared for me was my mother, who comforted me and tried to help me anyway she could. But after making a daring journey to the Elephant Graveyard, I met my three hyena friends named Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed.” I said as I felt some anger coming up.
I took a deep breath and exhaled. “Anyway, I befriended those hyenas I mentioned earlier, it was great to finally be with outcasts just like me, but my father never approved of it and demanded that I stop going to the Elephant Graveyard. I didn’t stop because I went behind his back for the next couple of years until I was a juvenile when my father found out as I returned to Pride Rock. We argued, fought and from the fight I got this scar on my face. From that moment on, I stopped calling myself Taka, instead I called myself Scar.” I explained fearing what was coming next and from the expression of fear and sadness from Fluttershy, it made it all the more tragic.
“My mother was angry at Ahadi from the fight especially hitting his own son. My father only said ‘It was to teach him respect’ and they got into a fight. My father emerged victorious as he had killed my mother and his queen. I was heart-broken, My father had killed the only other lion who cared for me, so I wanted vengeance. After growing into full adults, I killed my father in his sleep. Mufasa however, wasn’t pleased. After my nephew, Simba was born, I lost my chance to being king since I was no longer next in line, but with the help of my hyena friends, we devised a plan to kill Mufasa and Simba too with a wildebeest stampede. I threw my brother into the stampede and when Simba survived, I told him it was his fault and to run away and never return. To ensure his death, I ordered the hyenas to kill him.” I paused for a moment to let this new information sink in. Fluttershy looked mortified by my actions.
“Why would you do that to your family?!” She asked in sadness and anger. “I was neglected by my father, my mother was killed in front of me, and my brother never saw anything wrong with that, then I lose my opportunity to rule thanks to a little hairball, and my brother never cared about me after all of that! I know you don’t do that kind of stuff here, but that’s how it was where I came from. If you wanted something to get done right, you had to do it yourself, and how you did it didn’t matter, so long as it gets you what you want.” I said with a slightly stoic expression. “So when you killed your brother, what happened afterward?” Fluttershy asked still mortified by the story. “Well with the assumption that Simba was dead, I went back to Pride Rock and told the rest of the pride that they both died in a tragic accident, and that I should assume the throne and as a Lion of my word, I let the hyenas come into the Pride Lands.” I replied remembering my triumphant moment. “So what happened to your nephew?” Fluttershy asked.
“Well it turns out years later after I married and had a cub and a new heir to the throne, Simba returned thanks to a cubhood friend that convinced him to return and challenge me for the throne. I thought I had him in a corner when the lionesses never knew he was behind Mufasa’s death, however it didn’t work as I slipped the secret that I was the murderer of Mufasa. Once they knew, the battle began as my hyena companions fought against the lionesses as I tried to escape, but Simba caught with me to the top of Pride Rock. I tried to beg for mercy and made a fatal error by saying the whole plan was plotted by the hyenas. Afterwards Simba tried to repay the favor by asking me to run and never return. I however decided to defend my throne and flick cinders into his face and attack him. After thinking I had won, he propelled me off Pride Rock and onto the ground. I met my friends, but I never knew they overheard me and moved in to kill me and next second I knew I ended up in Zebafrica.” I finished my story and turned to see what expression Fluttershy had at the story’s end. Fluttershy had a mix of anger and pity for me. She understood that I was pretty much abandoned by my family, but she knew that life was cruel in the world I came from.
“I’m really sorry the way your family treated you, but surely there should have been some other way to avoid all the conflict.” Fluttershy said timidly. After chowing down on my last fish, I gave her the plate and sighed for a moment. “In the world I came from, that was the only thing I could do.” I said and then walked to the door. As I was about to walk out, I heard Fluttershy mutter something under her breath. I shook my head and walked back into town. I saw an extremely odd building that looked to be made out desserts, I believe they’re called. I quirked an eyebrow at the building as I wondered if the building was actually edible. I took a bite, but it tasted like wood and growled in frustration. “Looks like the big bad lion can’t tell wood from sugar.” The little pony from yesterday with a smug grin on her face. “What do you want?” I sighed in annoyance. “Oh nothin’ just to see you miserable, you freak.” She retorted. “You know I could do what I did yesterday again, but perhaps this time you won’t leave without a scratch. However, Twilight forbids it so I’m sorry for scaring you yesterday.” I said as I felt a bit of my fish coming back up, but I managed to swallow it back down. “Fine, and what was that earlier?” She asked. “I just threw up a little in my mouth.” I retorted. “Agh! Gross!” She screamed in disgust. “Well you asked.” I said as I went back to Twilight’s Castle.
(Twilight’s P.O.V)
After finishing a friendship lesson with Starlight, I went back into the map room to find Scar just entering the castle. “Hello Scar, You doing alright?” I asked approaching the lion. “I’m fine. I apologized to that pony that I scared yesterday.” He said with a slight groan in his voice. “It’s nice to see that you finally decided to turn over your personality.” I said as Scar and I walked through the halls. “If you’re curious of where I go in the morning, I go to Fluttershy to get some fish to eat.” Scar said as he opened the door to his room and went in. “Well I’ve decided to write to the Princess of your presence and I bet she would very much like to see you.” I informed Scar as he stopped after entering his room. Scar walked back out of his room with a shocked expression on his face. “Princess who now?” He asked. “Oh we have two princesses, Celestia and Luna. They rule over our land and bring the day and night.” I replied as Scar took in this new information. “Cadence and you are princesses too right?” He asked still clearly confused.
“Yes, I am the Princess of Friendship and Cadence is the Princess of Love.” I answered. “So Celestia and Luna are in charge of the entire land while you and Cadence rule your respective portions of the land?” He asked. “That’s one way to put it, but yes.” I replied. “I see, so she’s coming here?” He asked with a slight smile. “I think it would be best if we went to Canterlot, I mean there is much more in this world than just Ponyville and you need to just stop sleeping in bed most of the day.” I said with a little disappointment. “I was spending time with Fluttershy for most of the day, and sleeping around is quite common for male lions.” Scar said with a grin on his face. “But still at least be a bit more proactive and meet some new ponies and if you want you could hang out with Starlight to help her friendship lessons.” I said trying to convince Scar in interacting with other ponies in Ponyville. “I will do that once I get to meet ponies that won’t run and hide as soon as I approach.” He said with a snarky tone.
“Well you are certainly intimidating, but once they realize how friendly you are, I can guarantee you’ll make a great addition to Equestria.” I said as Starlight approached from behind. “Twilight, Trixie’s in town, and I wrote to her about meeting a lion and she wants to meet him, but since you’re going to Canterlot, then she’ll have to wait for a while, so can Trixie come with us to Canterlot please?” Starlight asked with a pleading expression. “She may not be Sweetie Belle, but she can make a heart melt with that pout.” I thought as I looked at Starlight. “Fine, just make sure she doesn’t pester Scar too much.” I said with a defeated sigh. “Sweet, I’ll let her know.” Starlight beamed as she left and I saw the expression on Scar’s face saying ‘This is going to be my whole day isn’t it?’ “Don’t worry Scar, you’ll be fine.” I tried to reassure him as we walked towards the train station to catch the next train to Canterlot.