"Hey Uncle Scar, will I like this surprise?"

"Simba, it's to DIE for!"

As Scar left his young nephew in the canyon to wait for this so-called surprise, he couldn't help chuckling to himself. After long thinking, he finally managed to put together another plan to get rid of his annoying brother and this disgusting furball because the elephant graveyard one failed. Of course, he was frustrated but he needed to be calm if he wanted a total succession.

As he was climbing up, he turned to see Simba who was resting on the rock. Seeing this cub brought something weird warmth to Scar's heart. He couldn't explain it clearly but it sure confused him.

What are you thinking?! Stop this nonsense! You can't let some stupid feelings like…care to mess up your head. You know very well why you brought him here. And there is no turning back.

As Scar finally reached the top and the hyenas saw him, he nodded, giving his mark. When he saw the trio approaching the wildebeest army which was eating on the other side, he turned to leave. And as he started to run and turned his head towards the gorge, he grinned as dust rose from the canyon. The herd was on the move and his dear nephew was possibly running for his life by now.

Right, time for plan B. Get Mufasa.

As Scar ran across the Savannah, he was very excited. He couldn't believe that everything was running like a dream. He had planned and explained all the details carefully to the hyenas so that this plan would not fail. He wanted to be king more than anything and there was nothing that would stop him.

Or at least he thought so.

Despite the glorious plan running as he wanted, something still bothered Scar. When he left Simba behind, he couldn't help feeling something weird towards him. It was something that he had felt a long time ago but during these years, it was buried under anger and depression. When he realized what it was, he stopped in his tracks.

Oh my god. I can't believe I'm saying this…but I can't help it. I care for that annoying little hairball.

Suddenly all kinds of memories flashed in Scar's eyes. Simba's birth, his first meeting with him. How he teased him and bored him with his stories about the future kingdom. How he sometimes wanted to throw that brat against the wall and laugh when he begs for help. But still, he didn't see just a disgusting little creature but also a curious little cub who loved his uncle very much.

"Oh look, sire, the herd is on the move."

"Odd..."

Suddenly Scar came back to reality. He saw Mufasa and Zazu a couple of feet from him, above on the cliffs. They were looking at the canyon in confusion. And then, Mufasa turned his head and saw him.

"Scar? What are you doing here? You look like you have run for your life."

Scar just stared at his brother. He turned his head towards the canyon, then back at confused Mufasa and Zazu.

"Scar? Brother, is something wrong?", Mufasa asked again.

Scar turned to see the canyon one more time, then it hit him. Simba was in danger.

Oh my god, what am I doing?!

With that, he turned his back to his brother and his majordomo and began to run in the direction where he came earlier. He heard Mufasa yelling after him but he didn't stop. He couldn't since his body was leading him straight to the gorge. If he was quick, then maybe it was not too late.

When Scar landed at the bottom of the canyon, there was chaos going on. Gnus ran so fast and dust made it hard to see around. Scar searched for his nephew desperately, hoping that it was not too late.

And then he saw Simba.

The little cub was hanging on a small branch, horrified and yelling for his life. Ignoring everything madness against Mufasa and Simba and his plan, Scar jumped into the moving herd and started running. He turned his head and saw Mufasa running down, Zazu flying ahead. When the king saw his son, his face turned shocked. He was just about to go and save Simba but the hornbill stopped him.

"No sir, look! Scar is there!"

"Huh? Scar! Brother, what are you doing?!"

Ignoring his brother, Scar made his way to the branch. When Simba saw him, his eyes were full of panic.

"Uncle Scar, help me! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it! I just wanted to roar…"

"It's fine Simba, now hold on!"

Scar caught his nephew by the scruff and started to run through the herd. He didn't still quite understand what he was doing but this was not the right time to think about his deeper motives. All he needed was to get himself and Simba out of the panicked animals and fast.

While searching for a good rock to jump, Mufasa ran down, trying to keep his brother and son in sight. He didn't know how Simba had gotten into this situation in the first place but there was plenty of time to ask that later. Now he just needed to figure out how to help Scar.

"Scar! Can you jump on the rocks?", he yelled.

He saw his brother rolling his eyes. Right, he couldn't answer while Simba was in his mouth. But something had to be done and quick.

Mufasa ordered Zazu to find some good spot where Scar could jump easily. The bird flew around the canyon but everywhere seemed to be a dead end. Scar looked at him in irritation.

How hard can it be to find one silly rock? I can't believe why Mufasa keeps this guy in…

Simba was horrified. He felt so much guilt that he had to roar so loudly without thinking. Because of him, he and his uncle were fighting for their lives.

Scar, exhausted all over his body, managed to find a rock where he could jump. He gathered all his strength and managed to jump on the wall.

Mufasa ran above his climbing brother. Seeing terrified Simba made him panic too, but he didn't want to show it to his son.

"Simba! Son, are you all right?"

Simba lifted his head.

"Yeah, Dad! Look, I'm sorry…"

"It's okay, don't worry about it now! Just hold on! Scar, can you lift your head a bit? I think that I can grab Simba so that you can climb to safety without carrying extra weight."

Scar just nodded, having only a little strength left. He knew that if he didn't get to safety soon, his body would give up. He was exhausted, still wondering why the hell he had to do this all just to save his annoying little nephew…

Mufasa saw that Scar's strength was decreasing. He had to act now if he wanted to see all three together again. He reached out his paw as much as he could towards the two struggling lions.

"Brother, let go of Simba! And Simba, don't look down! Just look at me, got it?"

Simba just nodded, staying so still as he could. Scar lifted his head looked at Mufasa. Suddenly he wasn't sure that this was going to work, it was way too risky to let the cub go.

"Scar! Let Simba go, I can get him! Hurry, before you don't have any strength left!"

The brothers just stared at each other. Simba looked confused and started to panic.

"Uncle Scar…?"

"Scar, what are you doing?! Give me my son! Now!", Mufasa yelled.

That made the younger brother angry.

"Are you crazy, Mufasa?! Do you really think that you can grab Simba from there?! Do you have any idea…"

But Mufasa was frozen and didn't answer. At first, Scar just stared what the hell was wrong but then he realized.

Wait, if I can talk, then where…?! Oh no no no!

He turned his head and saw a little piece of golden fur rolling back into the moving herd. Without any thinking, Scar made his last look at his brother and jumped after Simba. Mufasa tried to reach out to them, but it was too late. Before he could react, both lions disappeared into the running animals.

"NOOOO!"

For a minute or two, Mufasa wasn't able to move from his spot. He just stared at the herd, trying to find his son and brother. But he didn't see them, only dust and running wildebeests. He just stood there when Zazu landed next to him.

"Sire! Oh my god, I saw from above what happened!"

Finally, the king was able to turn to his majordomo.

"God, Zazu…we have to go and find them! Maybe they managed to jump away from that chaos!"

"Mufasa, I don't think…"

But Mufasa silenced him.

"Please, don't say it. Let's just go!"

When the king and hornbill finally reached the bottom, the wildebeests were gone. Once so noisy and echoing canyon was now quiet and dusty.

"Simba! Scar! Where are you?!", Mufasa yelled around.

No answer.

"Son! Answer me!", he tried again.

Again, no answer.

Panic started to run through Mufasa's body. He knew that if neither Scar nor Simba answered, there could only be one explanation for it. But his mind didn't want to acknowledge that yet.

Please, let them be okay! Please…

"Sire! Over here!"

Mufasa turned his head and saw Zazu circling above something. Afraid of what that might be, he started slowly approaching it. Deep inside he knew what he will see. He just hoped that he was wrong…

When he finally saw the two figures lying on the ground, his heart dropped at his feet. Scar was lying on his side, eyes closed. His body was badly bruised and his mane was a mess. Simba lay a couple of feet away from his uncle, golden fur covered in bruises and blood.

Mufasa approached his brother and son, trying to wake them up. He lifted Scar's head but he didn't respond at all. With Simba, the result was the same.

"No…please, wake up! Scar, Simba! Everything is okay now!"

But both lions just lay there, without any reaction of waking up. No matter how Mufasa tried to push them, nothing happened.

Finally, the king had to face the horrible truth. After realizing that both lions did not respond to his calls, he stopped and collapsed to the ground. He picked Simba's body, burying it in his paws, and leaned his head against Scar's back. Tears started running down from his eyes and didn't stop no matter how much he tried.

Zazu landed on the ground as well and watched how his king mourned for his brother and son. He almost started to cry as well but turned his head away. It wasn't polite to cry in front of Mufasa who had just lost the two family members he loved.

Both princes, the future king, and his uncle were dead.

Mufasa just cried until he couldn't do it anymore. He sighed and stood slowly up, still holding Simba's body in his paws. How could he tell the news to the pride? To Sarabi that their little son was dead?

Even though the situation was horrible to him, Mufasa felt a little comfort that Scar died when he tried to save Simba. For all those years his little brother was angry at him and seemed to be annoyed around his nephew, still, at his last moments, he was acting like he truly was. Mufasa knew that Scar wasn't a bad person. He was just misunderstood and maybe he didn't always try to understand him like he should've had.

Finally, Zazu spoke.

"Sire, are you okay? I'm so sorry…"

Mufasa turned his head and smiled a little.

"Yes, Zazu…can you please fly to Rafiki and tell him what happened? And then, would you please ask Sarabi to come here? They should find out soon, without any hiding."

The hornbill nodded and flew away. When he was gone, Mufasa gazed at Scar's body. All of those cuts and bruises told him that he really did everything to save Simba. It just wasn't enough.

Mufasa put his paw on Scar's back and closed his eyes. Tears rolled down in the black mane.

Thank you, brother. I know you did your best.

There are no words to describe that sorrow the pride felt when the news reached them. Sarabi's heart was broken for the loss of her son, as well as Nala cried for losing her friend. But when everyone heard that Scar tried to save Simba, no one almost believed it. They thought that this was some joke but Mufasa wasn't a lying type.

At the two lion's funeral, Mufasa made a very emotional speech.

"This day is the most horrible in my life. My son and heir, as well as my brother, died in a horrible accident. They were fighting for their lives, believing that everything was going to be fine. But sadly, The Great Kings had decided that it was their time to leave us. I'm so sad for my little son Simba who was only a cub. And I'm also sad for Scar who died when he finally managed to find his true self. I know that many of you don't believe this, but you don't have to. Scar did many unforgiving things and hurt many of us. But still, you didn't know him as I did. I know that deep inside he was still a good and caring uncle. He died when he tried to save his nephew. How many good ones would do that? I want all of you to try to remember him as he was as a cub, not during his dark days. As much as I miss them, I know that they didn't have to leave alone. It gives me a little comfort but not much. We love you, Scar and Simba. I love you both very much. Please guide us from there wherever you are."

A couple of days after his great loss, Mufasa was sitting on top of Pride Rock. Remembering how he used to tell Simba stories about his cubhood and playing with Scar as children gave him great pain. He wasn't able to see them until his time will come. Did he do enough? Was he really a good father and brother?

Suddenly, something bright appeared to his eye corners. He lifted his head and saw two stars appearing in the sky. One was smaller, one was a little bigger. They were close to each other and much higher than the rest of the stars.

As Mufasa saw them, he smiled and nodded. Finally, he knew that the two lions he loved were together and would guide his way.

Thank you, my son, and my brother. I love you both.