A/N: Italics represent Mufasa's unspoken thoughts

Mufasa scanned the scene frantically, heart thumping like an anxious bird wanting to be set free. He wished more than ever that he was living, just so he could be beside Simba right now.

"Oh, must this all end in violence?," his corrupted brother asked melodramatically. "I'd hate to be responsible for the death of a family member, wouldn't you agree, Simba?"

He inhaled a sharp intake of breath, knowing what Scar was getting at.

Don't listen to him, Simba- don't listen to him!

The young lion faltered slightly but stated steadily, "That's not going to work, Scar. I've put it behind me."

There's nothing to put behind because you're not to bla-

Mufasa's frustrated thoughts were interrupted by Scar again. Scar...he had loved his brother and still could not fully believe all the evil he had commited. But the facts were crystal clear: Scar had murdered him, manipulated Simba, destroyed his old Kingdom and God knows what else...

"But what about your faithful subjects; have they put it behind them?"

Scar stopped at Nala, mere confusion in her eyes. "Simba- what is he talking about?"

He swelled with anger as Scar replied swiftly, "Ah! So you haven't told them your "little secret." Well, Simba, now's the chance to tell them. Tell them, who is responsible for Mufasa's death?!"

Simba paused and Mufasa saw him indiscreetly bite his lip.

"No, Simba," he whispered, hoping against hope that somehow he could hear him. "No."

His son stepped forward and said softly, "I am."

Sarabi was the one who looked the most shocked. How beautiful she looked. Oh, he missed his family, so much it hurt.

"It's not true?!" she said, horrified, "Tell me it's not true!"

"It's true."

Scar shouted so loudly that it was almost like a roar: "You see?! He admits it! Murderer!"

Mufasa flinched at the word.

"No! It was an accident!" Simba protested.

Scar circled him menacingly and Mufasa was seized with an urge to shove him away, until he remembered he was dead.

"If it weren't for you, Mufasa would still be alive; it's your fault he'd dead! Do you deny it?!"

"No."

Mufasa's evil brother bared his teeth, "Then, you're guilty!"

Simba pleading, sounding frantically desperate,"No, I'm not a murderer!"

Finally!

Scar persued Simba and Mufasa noticed fearfully that his son was getting dangerously close to the edge of Pride Rock.

"Oh, Simba- you're in trouble again. But, this time Daddy isn't here to save you."

Mufasa was seething with rage. "Why, you-" he began with gritted teeth but then-

"And now- everyone- knows- WHY!"

Simba yelled at the same time his father did. Mufasa gaped as he saw the lion dangling at the edge of the Rock, fire burning beneath him.

"Simba!" Nala shouted but the word barely registered in Mufasa's ears because at that moment he felt very ill. Wildebeest hooves were pounding into his brain again and he suddenly understood what Scar was planning. The next few sentences confirmed his suspicions:

"Now, this looks familiar! Now, wherehave I seen this before? Hmm- let me think..."

Simba was unaware of the terrible plot that was unravelling; his claws were scraping the rock as he fought to stay upright.

Oh, please hold on, Simba, please, please...

"Ooh, yes, I remember!" Scar's voice became sinister, "This is just the way your father looked before he died."

"How low can you get, brother?" Mufasa whispered.

Scar dug his claws into Simba's paws and Mufasa closed his eyes to prevent another flashback.

The black maned lion leant in close to Simba.

"And here's my little secret...

Mufasa did not here the words that Scar had uttered to his beloved son. He did see Simba's eyes widen in emotional pain and that and that alone made him want to jump out of the sky and hug him.

"NO!!!"

The next thing that happened was completely unexpected. Simba jumped up and pinned Scar down.

Safe for now, I hope.

"Murderer!" Simba spat.

"No, Simba, please," Scar replied pathetically.

"Tell them the truth!"

He knows. Now stop blaming yourself, Simba!

"Truth? But truth is in the eye of the behol-ack!"

Simba had placed a threatening paw around Scar's throat.

"Alright!"

The grip visibly tightened.

"Ack! Alright! I did it."

The words were barely more than a whisper.

"So they can hearyou," Simba hissed dangerously.

And finally: "Ikilled Mufasa!"

The hyenas attacked and the lionesses attacked but throughout it, Scar escaped. Simba tore after him, Mufasa's eyes were peeled.

Scar turned to face Simba at the edge of yet another cliff , smoke obscuring his face.

Both lions did not move.

"So...what are you going to do?" Scar asked eventually, "Kill me?"

There was a pause. "No, Scar. I'm not like you," Simba sighed.

Mufasa swelled with pride at his own flesh and blood.

Scar obviously did not feel the same emotion. "Like father, like son. Both are too weak to kill."

"Don't say a bad word about my father!" The shout echoed around Pride Rock, Simba's face was contorted with fury.

Mufasa's brother walked right up to Simba, so they were nose to nose. "Or, what?" he hissed.

Simba took a deep breath, as did Mufasa. "Get..." Simba started slowly. "Out."

Scar's eyebrows rose.

"Now."

"Yes, of course..." Scar stared to slink away.

What? It can't be that easy, surely...

A pile of glowing embers were scattered at Scar's feet. "As you wish..."

A light clicked on in Mufasa's brain: "Simba!" he shouted, but he knew he could not hear him.

"Your, majesty!" The ashes were flung into Simba's face. The lion cried in pain as Scar leapt on him.

A battle began. Mufasa wished he had a thousand pairs of eyes- just to witness that his son would be alright.

Please let him be fine. Please, please, please-

A sickening crack was heard just as Scar swiped at one of Simba's front legs. There was a terrible scream.

Oh, God!

With what seemed to be the last of his energy, Simba shoved his uncle away. Scar stumbled and fall but Mufasa knew it was only a small drop- Scar would escape unharmed.

He wished the same could be said for his son. Simba's breathing had quickened and his eyes were closed but he was still standing.

Come on, now. Open your eyes...Simba?

The young lion took a single step, then collapsed, the inured front leg sticking out at an odd angle.

Mufasa swore.

Ooh, dramatic! In chapter 2, Simba's Point of View! (That rhymes!) Until then, please click that little button. Review, you know you want to! (Another rhyme!)