Chapter Three

As the seasons changed, both Indigo and Nala grew into wonderful young adults. Zira and her clan, including Nuka, Samaki and Uhuru, officially made a pact with Scar. One of the first things they did was claim neutral land, and dubbed it the OutLands. It wasn't any better from the PrideLands, and the rest of the pride didn't see any point in taking it.

“It's just more land to worry about.” Sarafina said. The other lionesses nodded. 

Indigo was pretty much ignored by the pride, except for her mother and Nala. They were very protective of her, and always made sure that she was happy and healthy. But the one person that really seemed to change was Scar. He used to dote on Indigo, and now he too, was ignoring her. Instead he gave attention to Zira, and would even call her “my child”. Naturally, Indigo grew jealous, and one night as she was laying by herself under a baobab tree, Nuka came up to her. She immediately turned away, thinking that he was just going to tease her even more.

“Hey...don't worry, I've grown up too, you know.” he said, plopping himself beside her. Indigo laughed and rolled her eyes. “Really! Listen, I'm sorry for how I treated you...do you think we can start over?”

Indigo looked at him, then nodded. She could tell when someone was being genuine, and Nuka seemed like he was. She looked up at the stars, remembering what her father told her once, about the great kings of the past looking down on them. Nuka looked up as well.

“What is it?” he asked softly. Indigo shrugged.

“I dunno, I just wonder what Mufasa thinks of me.” she said, her voice low and raspy. Nuka nudged her, and gave her a little wink.

“I bet he thinks you're great.” he said. Indigo looked at him.

“You think so?” she wondered aloud. Nuka gave a small nod.

“Yeah. Besides, with you no longer being the heir to the throne, he has no reason to hate you.” For a minute, Indigo didn't process what Nuka said, but once she did, she bolted right up, and faced towards him.

“What?!” she asked, shocked by what she heard. Nuka looked shocked himself, but it was because he was surprised that Indigo didn't know.

“Don't you know? Scar told mom that the next male she has will be his heir.” Nuka scoffed. “He can't pick me because I have nothing to do with him.” Indigo bolted away, heading towards Pride Rock.

“Hey! What's up?!” Nuka shouted after her. But Indigo didn't turn back, she ran right up to Pride Rock, and right to Scar, her father.


Scar and Zira were sitting side by side, laughing. Indigo slowly made her way into Pride Rock, and had to contain herself from snapping at Scar. She went up to him, and he looked down, giving a nod.

“Ah, Indigo. What brings you here?” he asked. Like he didn't know! Indigo took a breath in, and quickly rehearsed what she was going to say. She opened her eyes and looked straight at her father.

“Father, Nuka told me that the next male Zira has will be heir to the throne.” Indigo shot daggers at him, there was no way he could deny this. Scar side-glanced at Zira, and cleared his throat.

“Well, Indigo, Nuka speaks the truth.” Indigo couldn't help herself anymore.

“Why didn't you tell me?!” she shouted. Scar tried to hush her.

“These are adult matters, it is none of your concern.” Scar said, with an irritating calm tone.

“Like hell it isn't!” Indigo growled. “You're my father! You have nothing to do with Zira!” Indigo shot a glance at Zira, who was looking down, and smiling. Indigo felt like smacking her across the face. Scar growled back, standing up.

“Listen to me! You are no longer the heir to the throne! I have tried to teach you the ways of being a ruler, but you refused to learn! You are not worthy! As of now, you are no longer my daughter!” Indigo was shocked – speechless, even. That's when the tears came, she ran back outside to where her mother and Nala were laying down. Her mom looked up, and was surprised to see her daughter so upset.

“Indigo! What's the matter, dear?” she asked softly. Indigo nestled right up to her mother, burying her face in her soft fur. Nala woke up from her nap, and looked over to see what was going on.

“Dad...he...” Indigo said between sobs. 

“What's that hon?” Sarafina asked.

“I'm not the heir to the throne!” Indigo shouted. Nala and Sarafina looked at each other, their eyes wide.

“What? When did he say this?” Sarafina wondered. Indigo gulped.
“Just now. He says...he says that Zira's next born son will be the heir!” Sarafina sighed, and licked the top of Indigo's head.

“Oh, my sweetheart. I'm sorry.” Nala turned away, looking up at the sky. She knew what she had to do. She had to go find help, and she would do it tomorrow, first thing.