Ominous Clouds

Dark storm clouds littered the horizon haphazardly to the east, hanging low in the lapis lazuli sky. But the distant clouds offered no relief from the heat. If anything, it seemed even more humid and disgusting than usual in the Pridelands, if such a possibility was even conceivable. The grasslands were devoid of all leonine life at that time, as the pride was resting inside the coolness of their den back at Pride Rock, hiding away from the rest of the world. The misery in the kingdom never went away, it seemed, it only grew worse. But since Korofi was not a Pridelander, he didn’t care about their wretched fate. He had only come back to the area for a specific reason.

Korofi had been surprised to learn that the queen desired his presence, and the lion was too curious to refuse the offer. The messenger had been one of the mangy hyenas, but the canine was working for Zira instead of Scar. It didn’t matter whose orders the mutt had been following though, since he became a quick meal for Korofi the minute he was done explaining where to go. He hadn’t bothered to explain why, though. Korofi would have to go and find out for himself. It had been months since Korofi last saw old King Scar, and the rogue had grown tired of the weasel and his sniveling and cowardice. Now he didn't care to see the russet fool. His antics were no longer amusing to Korofi, only irritating. But what could Zira possibly want with the sneaky vagabond? Korofi just had to find out, and so he traveled once again to the dying territory to wait for the striped lioness.

The river had been dry for many months, so Korofi had no trouble crossing it that day. He paused on the opposite side, jade eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of the queen, but he failed to notice her right away. A yawn parted the lion's jaws, and for a moment he felt old, worn out. He was aging rapidly, his lifestyle too demanding. He thought he detected the sound of low, rolling thunder faraway in the distance, but Korofi didn’t bother to wish for the relief of rain. It was useless to hope for something good to happen when Korofi knew he just wasn’t that lucky. He sat within the dry banks, carefully concealing himself just in case Scar or one of his faithful hyenas wandered by, and he waited for Zira instead.

This was it, she refused to wait any longer. On anyone. Zira knew Scar wanted an heir, so she was going to give him one. They've gone far too long not having a proper successor. Since she was not likely to have anymore cubs, she arranged to still have some. The queen called on Korofi's services to do just that. He was the perfect choice for her task. As for Nuka, he was just a failure, despite promising outcomes. She wasn't going to linger on miraculous chances. Moving through their parched and emptying territory, Zira could see and hear the billowing thunder clouds a good hopeless distance away. It wasn't likely to rain here anytime soon and any water (if at all) was very, very, slim. It was growing dangerously difficult to get a drink. Nevermind eating.

Coming nearer to the dried up river banks, she spotted Korofi ahead. 'Most excellent.' she thought to herself, but she wasn't going to be completely satisfied until Korofi delivered to her what she wanted. What news came their way and into her ears was exciting. Not for any other reason that it suited her plan. Almost too perfectly. A litter of cubs had just been born in the Shadowlands and she was ready to do whatever it took to have them for herself. Stopping nearby the rouge, she sat down and wasted no time with pleasantries. "Obviously you're wondering why I called on you. I'm in need of your services of course and none other will suit my task. I don't care how you go about it," she began to tell him of her plan of stealing cubs from the Shadowlanders.

"Scar needs an heir and I can pass them off as his own." Whether Korofi did this by himself or with help, she didn't care. Zira just wanted this to succeed.

Korofi was glad to see the Pridelander queen wasted no time, quickly approaching him. In his wanderings, Korofi had encountered many, many lionesses. But there was no lioness out there quite like Zira. He held no attraction towards her physically, but unlike most of the girls he met, Zira was straightforward, confident, and she was infamous for her cruelty towards others. Korofi would never readily admit that he had an ounce of respect for anyone, let alone a female, but in Zira he saw something he liked. He saw himself, his own twisted mind. Undoubtedly, that was why Zira had chosen him for this secret task. At first, Korofi wasn’t exactly sure what the lioness was suggesting. Did she want him to sire a cub to pass off as Scar’s?

Zira’s next comment about passing them off as her own struck Korofi though, and a curious grin appeared as he understood her intent. Word of the royal birth in the Shadowlands had reached the neutral territories through harmless word of mouth. It had been a joyous occasion for the Shadowlanders, after all. But Korofi had learned about it quickly enough. In the wrong claws, harmless information can become dangerous. He had met Queen Abuto years ago, before she had joined the pride. Her pelt had been similar in shade to Scar’s, a point remembered because russet fur was still uncommon on the savannah. He had also, from a distance, seen the pregnant lioness in the kingdom, managing to sneak away before the king could find him lurking near the borders. Obviously Zira was aware of the royal couple's good fortune, as well; Korofi nodded. "Do you mean the Shadowlanders?" And, in the next breath: "I assume you would prefer a male," he said quietly, voice barely above a whisper.

Already, Korofi could see the benefit of such a scheme. The Pridelanders and the Shadowlanders were neighbors. It would only be a matter of time before a war broke out between the two, when Zira’s plan was discovered. But Korofi would never guess that the stolen cubs were destined to grow up elsewhere, further from their natural parents and away from their adopted kingdom. The rogue was simply along for the fun of it. He had nothing better to do.