The Neutral Prince

Chapter 1: Prologue

Author's note: Good day everybody. This is honestly an remake of Path To Recovery but yet much different as well. In the 'original' version, Zira took Kion and 'trained' him, but now I had wanted to do an evil Mheetu who is Scar's son and wants to claim Simba's child and wreck his soul. Also, this chapter is bound to tell a lot of information and may seem rush for some, but I don't want to wait chapters after chapters for Kion's captivated.

The son of Scar, Mheetu, were very angry and pissed at this point. Ever since the death of his father at the paws of the former king of the pride lands, Mheetu had been sulking in the shadows. Mheetu hated what Simba have done to his father; after all, his sister was always the center of their mother's attention while he was the one whom was as much as in the shadows as his father was. How can his mother and half-sister betray their true king?! He is the one whom brought the lions and hyenas together.

Mheetu, the son of Scar and Sarafina, the half-brother of Nala, and now the brother-in-law with Simba had wanted to make Simba suffered to the greatest. Many months have passed since Scar's fall yet Mheetu wanted to avenge his father. He have always been in the background with his mate, Tanu, who were going through contractions as the battle happened at Pride Rock.

Mheetu had a lot of his father but yet were much stronger than him. He have inherited the same brown fur, emerald green eyes, a jet black mane, the same whiskers that Scar had wielded, and way bigger muscles that matched the late Mufasa and former king. That is why many of the lionesses and their cubs always stare at him in disgust in the pride lands. A growl in his muzzle, Mheetu scrolled over and look up to pride rock to see that annoying mandrill, Rafiki, that brought Simba back. Currently he is holding an small cub; the newborn son of Simba. Nala was holding her three month old daughter, Princess Kiara on the right, who had an pouting look on her face.

Kiara resembles her mother, Nala. She is a young lioness and has pale golden-orange fur, a perfect blend of the colors of both her mother's and father's pelts,with a cream underbelly, muzzle, and paws. Her eyes are amber-brown and her nose and inner ears are purplish pink. She has narrow dark brown eyebrows, similar to Nala's. The tuft at the end of Kiara's tail is a soft brown hue. Her sclerae are a vivid shade of yellow, the same as those of her father's, and distinctively brighter than most.

He is quite similar in appearance to his father, Simba. Even at a young age, Kion bears a striking resemblance to his grandfathers,Mufasa and Nala's father respectively, while Simba is more rounded in appearance, Kion is robust and block-like, with a square jaw and a pronounced chest. As far as coloring goes, Kion possesses a pale golden pelt broken only by patches of lighter fur on his muzzle, paws and underbelly. His fur is several shades lighter than his father's and carries more yellow undertones as opposed to his sister's orange. This trait most likely comes from Nala whose tawny color mixed with Simba's gold to result in a rich yellow.

Kion inherited dark ear rims from his father, Simba. However, Kion's ear rims are black on the top and brown on the sides as opposed to young Simba's ear rims, which are black only on the sides. Mheetu barely remembered Nala's father before he had strangely gone missing. "All hail Prince Kion! All hail Prince Kion!" Mheetu let out a silent growl at the pride lands acting like Kion is going to be something big in the future.

Then an idea form in his head. His father use to have great plans that almost had rule the Pride Lands with his heritage forever. He turned and walked off, a smile forming onto his face even more now. The daughter of Simba held little to no interest to him but the boy can be used as an powerful yet strong asset. Kion can conquered and eventually rule some day. Mheetu went inside of a small den not so far away from pride rock. The brown-coated lion came to a stop upon a lioness inside of pride rock.

Suddenly, an cub; not much older than Kiara, approached. He have brown-coated fur, green eyes, his muscles were considerably big for a cub. Well, Mheetu have taught him much fighting moves that will aid him in the future. Easily, he can win against other cubs his age and perhaps older. This was his only son, Kopa, and he have proven to already be a fighter. He always know how to please him, and one day he would be an mighty lion who would never dared to be challenged by anybody.

Mheetu was focus onto his son and his son only. He really wanted to show Kopa to Scar for him to made an change of heart by having Kovu as heir, but yet he didn't got the chance for the day Kopa was born, Scar have fallen to Simba's paws. "Hello, my young son," he smiled went onto his face upon seeing his five month old son who is gaining even stronger as he begin ruffling his son's mane. "How is your lessons going, buddy?" Unlike Scar were with being layback to focus onto his children, if Mheetu ever gain the throne he would still care about his children greatly.

"Good, I will be like you soon, daddy," Kopa answered, a smile coming onto his face as he jumped around his father in a playful pouncing position. He have loved his father so much and hope to be exactly like him someday. He also love killing small animals just for the pleasure of it. Ever since he said his first word, his parents taught him how to kill and how to opposed anybody who dare threaten him. He only grows stronger and stronger that he would be able to match Simba's strength. He was also taught to be devious and smart, because his parents had always taught him to be nice to the king and queen in public which would aid them further into their plan.

One month and two weeks past since Prince Kion's birth. The royal family couldn't be any happier with their new member. The Pride Lands have been truly in peace, and joy is all that seems to be around now. Life is much more easier for everybody. He has been tiresome for a bit, especially with getting on bigger sister, Kiara, and her friends for the first two weeks. At least, life is giving everybody a break, and Simba can come home from his rounds more and spend time with his family. Sometimes, they will watched the moons together which Kion really enjoyed.

Kion already got friends from the Pride Lands. The fact that he is already with friends at the first month of his life surprised many. It was even more surprising when they realized it was animals the lion would usually eat, but than again Kion's father was friends with a meerkat and warthog for two years when he was forced to run away so everybody had gave the okay especially with one of Kion's friends living with the same animals who raised the king and queen of the pride lands.

There was Beshte the hippo, who really was more gentle with others than he was tough, but he was still a force to be reckoned with if needed. He had smooth gray skin with his belly a lighter shade, blue eyes, and a tuft of dark hair on his head.

There was Bunga the honey badger who would always make reckless choices. Some call him outright stupid for some of the decisions he have made in the past, exactly like the time with those crocodiles. He has blue-gray fur, white spiky fur on his back and arms, bucked teeth.

Ono the egret, who had a sharp mind that rivalled his eyesight. He had white and orange feathers, black eyes and long legs suitable for a young egret. He really didn't had much to be said about him because they had met them around a week ago when hyenas cubs' try to eat him. He is growing quite fast though, and plays with his friends already, though he must be played with softly. More, because he has a fragile body at an young age..

And then finally, there was Fuli the cheetah, who doesn't like anything slowing her down even at this age, but she still manages to have some time with her friends. She had golden yellow fur with large black spots all over her body, a long tail for balance when she runs, was long and lanky for a cheetah cub, and bright green eyes. No doubt when she gets older, she would be even faster. She had literally ran over Zazu when he tried to stop her a few times, yet it's not like any of the cubs listen to him. A lot of the times, all five of them would hang out near the water hole, just talking about the day's events, playing tag, hide-and-seek, or even playing baobab ball. Fuli had made it her whole mission to stayed out of the water always, for she hated it with a very big passion, or even getting wet. Whenever she gets wet, she would always complained or get angry and try to get the water completely off of her. The others would sometimes wet her just to fool her, and her reactions was just very funny that the four males get a laugh out of every time.

None had really care after all about the strange community with the prince and group of animals: the pride lands would one day have new generations after all and much more pride landers will be needed. Many of the lions had joked that Simba have created a tradition about lions being friends with other animals who are not lions.

One day, it was a different day altogether. For one thing, his father was late on his rounds. Another, his mother were late on her hunting and tracking skill. His sister and her friends were all out, he bet having an good time with each other. He didn't care of what the girls do basically because boys don't care about girly things. His friends oddly have to off today. Fuli were with her auntie and uncle. Bunga was with Timon and Pumbaa. Ono were with his family outside of the pride lands. Beshte got the flu.

Cub Kion was walking through the Pride Lands by himself. His mom and dad had to go to a certain part of the Pride Lands and his sister said she was going to hang out with her friends. Kion was currently searching for his own to play with.

Suddenly, he heard a rustling of some bushes nearby him. Being a young cub, Kion immediately got scared and is defensive many times, not yet knowing the dangers, and this time was no different; expecting some sort of predator to come out and attack him. But instead of some visions hyena or snake to pop out, he saw the head of his uncle Mheetu. "Uncle Mheetu!" Kion exclaimed happily as he ran up to him and have him a nuzzle.

Mheetu looked down at the cub rubbing his head against his leg, and an evil grin spread across his face. For too long, he had pretended to enjoy having Simba and Nala as his queen and king. But it was all an act. Why would he want the lion who killed his father as his ruler? He had only acted happy in order to not get banished form the pridelands like Zira had when she had tried to kill Simba. Secretly, he had supported her but he was angry at her being so rash in her revenge. But now, with Kion all by himself he could finally take his revenge.

"Well if it isn't my favorite nephew!" Mheetu said lightheartedly but with a slightly evil grin.

Kion chuckled back at him. "I'm your only nephew!"

"Which makes you all that much better." Mheetu response. In truth, he didn't hate Kion like he did Simba. He didn't hate Nala either, but he was upset that she was on Simbas side. Kiara was too snobby and would be future queen after Simba, so he didn't like her either. But Kion he really did like, and he wouldn't want him to be hurt if he were to overthrow Simba.

Kion just chuckled at that comment, before sitting down next to his uncle. "So what are you doing here?" Kion asked curiously.

Mheetu suddenly had a brilliant idea, one he heard his own father Scar had used to manipulate Simba. "Oh, it's nothing that would interest you." Mheetu said as he turned his head away from Kion.

Kion pouted at this and ran in front of Mheetus face. "I am interested! Tell me!" Kion said with a angry pout.

Mheetu grinned even wider inwardly at this, knowing he had Kion right where he wanted him. "Well, I don't know if your parents would let. If they ever found out..." Mheetu said with a fake concerned voice.

Kion shifted his eyes down for a moment, before his cub curiosity got the better of him. "They aren't here right, and they don't have to know." Kion said hopefully.

Mheetu smiles widely at this. Simba and Nala weren't around to protect Kion if something were to happen to him, and nobody would question seeing Kion walking with his uncle through the pridelands. "Well... alright. You can come with me."

Mheetu said as he pretended to give in to Kion's pleads. Kion's face lit up at this. "Yes!" He said happily, practically jumping around him.

Mheetu led Kion away from the Pride Lands while grinning about what this meant. He could use Kion's life as leverage force Simba off the thrown or convince Kion to join him. He had wanted the latter to happen because clearly Kion can be a very strong assets. He walked with Kion for a while until they reached the Grass Lands border.

"Uncle, I'm not allowed to go into there." Kion said with some hesitation. Mheetu rolled his eyes at this. Kion always was a bit of a goody two shoes. Yet, he couldn't denied that he was cute of the cub.

"It's fine Kion. I'm here." He said as he pushed Kion to the grasslands. He then walked side by side with Kion, in order to make sure the curious cub didn't wander too far off and head back to the Pride Lands. After a little bit more walking, they arrived at a small cave hidden in some massive boulders. If was pretty much hidden from view, and you wouldn't notice it unless you were looking for it. It was the perfect secret hiding spot. "I'm here Kion." Mheetu told his nephew.

He led Kion into the cave entrance which opened up into a fairly open interior. It was smaller then the den in pride rock, but it still had room. It looked fairly normal, except for a corner of the cave that had two massive stone slabs as walls with a giant log right next to the opening. Kions eyes shone in wonder at this spectacle, and he walked over to it not noticing Mheetu's evil smile return to him. It was all too easy.

Not knowing what is to come next, the lion cub were completely oblivious with what is about to happen, even though an older cub might been able to sense it. "Uncle Mheetu, what is.. woah!" Kion exclaimed as he was shoved into the makeshift cell. He landed on his stomach not the cold stone floor, and he got up to see the log be moved in front of the entrance, trap on him inside. Kion ran up to the blockage and peered through a small hole in between the wood, just large enough to look out of. "Uncle Mheetu! Help!" Kion shouted in fright.

He only received an chuckle in response followed by a brown-coated lion who peered his eyes down. "Oh Kion," Mheetu said devilishly. "If only you weren't like Simba or related to him, than maybe you wouldn't have been native enough to fall for my trap." Kion's eyes widened as he stared over his uncle whom he always looked up to. Even if he is young, he can see the evilness in Mheetu's face now. "Now, I shall train you and turn you against your mommy and daddy, my boy. For now, I shall get my mate and cub and would be back."

Kion watched as he went. He tried to find a way to escape but yet there was no way. He is just far too young. Lionesses with dark coats were standing outside. Kion knew there is no way to escape and he'll suffer until he breaks. Even though he was extremely young, Kion was always smart like his father. Perhaps he can trick Mheetu and act like he was going to join him. At first, he will have to interjected and act like he don't care for his family anymore, but when around two months passed, he can finally consume his plan and trick them. When he finally can escape, Kion would run to the pride lands and find directions. Young Prince Kion would have to try.

Arthur's Note: Shout out to Jzak98 for helping me during the captured part of the chapter. It was really helpful for him because I was doing something else while that were happening.