Dawn of a New Era

A (late) entry for 's contest. I hope I made it! This is a "what-if" scenerio for Rinja's "Trials of the Heart" comic. Go read it if you haven't already!

Story time!
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Mega slowly walked to the base of Priderock. As tradition called for, he would traverse the entire distance to the top of the throne - the very tip of Priderock itself. He looked over his shoulder at Moshi. Mega's hyena companion gave Mega a "go ahead" smile and waved him on with a paw. Mega tried not to look at the other members of his family - his pride. The burden of what he was to become had already laid its massive weight on his shoulders. He looked back to his task and started walking again.

Each step felt like it should be his last. His paws felt unnaturally heavy, and the distance to the top seemed ever more daunting. But it didn't seem as if it was growing further away. No. It seemed as thought it was rushing toward him. He faltered a step, but didn't stop. He was too proud for that. Someone below might see it as weakness or hesitation. While the former certainly would be a false assumption, the latter would be true. Mega didn't want the throne. He'd never wanted the throne. But with the untimely death of his mother, her last wish breathed into his ear, he couldn't refuse her.

Mega, lost in thought, suddenly realized he could walk no further. He had done it. Reached the top. Mega looked down over his waiting kingdom. It waited to hear his oath - his contract to them that he was their rightful ruler, and would remain so until the end of his days, just as his mother had before him. Mega looked to the sky for guidance. Though the stars weren't there, he knew his parents were watching him now. Even the blazing, sky afire colors of the dawn seemed to be an omen - a blessing - from the Red Queen Uru herself.

Then, Mega didn't need to think about it anymore. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes... and roared.
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This was going to go a whole different direction, but I think I like how it turned out. Basically, it's a what-if Mega didn't run away with Moshi. Perhaps Uru's hunting accident happened to her much sooner, leaving Mega with her last request before he had completed his plans for leaving.

If this is too late for the contest, Rinja, consider it a gift.

_{Story elements © *Rinjapine. Art © *Nala15.}