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1/4/2024:
Prancing through the wastelands full of the remains of the January Hyena massacre, EZKLI heard a small roar from a little ways away, followed a few chuckling hyenas. Upon inspection, there was a tiny cub, surrounded by 5 hyenas.
EZKLI being herself, felt the need to step in, and she heroically let her voice out, a loud rumbling roar echoing through the barren wasteland. The hyenas froze in fear, their heads snapped toward EZKLI. Before they could do anything brash, the tiny cub growled and lunged at the closest hyena. The hyena squealed loudly in pain, yanking its head from side to side in panic to get the cub off of its face. Like a hungry dog, the cub savagely slaughtered the hyena in cold blood. After a few moments, the hyena collapsed, dead with severe wounds and hollow eyes.
The cub detached from the corpse it had created and attempted to run for another hyena. The hyenas chuckled nervously, and they retreated after having seen their pack member be mauled to death by this ethereal cub. They left behind only a cloud of smoke as they sped off into the wastelands, going to warn their fellow hyenas about the two lions.
EZKLI, being absolutely amazed with this little cub's accomplishment, slowly approached the cub with soft purring and mewling calls. The little cub, after a few flinches and distrusting snarls, finally sensed that EZKLI meant no harm to him. The cub approached EZKLI, licking his chops from the blood of the hyenas and flopping on his back carelessly in front of EZKLI's front paws.
Sniffing around, EZKLI smelt no mother's or father's scent on the cub. He was a loner with a strong spirit. Just being next to this cub gave EZKLI a feeling of safeness and comfort, as if the very gods above were protecting him. EZKLI's coarse tongue groomed through the cub's glistening, supernatural, dark purple fur. His fur was dirty, but even through the dirt, appeared little sparkling stars, as if he was a section of space itself that had fallen and had gotten lost on Earth.
EZKLI would nudge the cub over with her snout, and softly snatch the cub's scruff up, carrying the little one back home.
"I'll protect you now, with my life." Purred EZKLI.
"I think I'm going to name you... Nebulae." She muttered, looking down at the small cub in her jaws.
The cub purrs softly. Part of him knew this was meant to be.
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THE DAY.
The 16th of May... 2024....
After years of having introduced 5 month old Nebulae to the pride, all his pride members coddled and cherished the cub, making sure that Nebulae grew fit and strong. He had the heart of a warrior, was tough, independent and courageous.
One day when Nebulae was old enough, EZKLI gathered him into the pride cave, with just the two of them. EZKLI nuzzled Nebulae's neck softly, a gesture of love and care. Nebulae embraced the nuzzle, but was concerned.
"Mother?" Nebulae started, his head low, looking into her eyes, with great worry.
"What is wrong...?" He stepped closer, willing to hear her anxious thoughts. But it was not what he expected.
"My foster son..." EZKLI started, a small smile on her snout, she looked into his twinkling, kind eyes.
"I am getting older... I am no longer in any shape to remain leader...." She nodded, softly, believing this herself.
"I have had no son of mine who was willing to be a leader in my Pride. They all refused, out of the kindness of their heart, taken after their father. They said they did not want to, believing that my Pride was mine to keep, but..." EZKLI sighed, with watery eyes, but those tears were not of sadness, but proudness and hope.
"You are the one that I have chosen. It's time, my beloved son. Please take over my Pride and lead them to greatness. For the greater good."
Her lips displayed a smile... one full of kindness and valiance.
"For me..." She said softly, staring into his eyes as tears pooled at her bottom lids, seeping out and leaving trails of shimmering liquid down her fluffy cheeks.
Nebulae tried his hardest to comfort EZKLI, tell her it was not her time to leave - persuade EZKLI that he was no match for a leader of this Pride but EZKLI felt it in the deepest fibers of her being that this was meant to be.
After talking with EZKLI for a long while, he was ready. EZKLI lead Nebulae to the throne stone, gathering her whole pride. EZKLI gave a heroic speech, toward the crowning of her son. He puffed out his chest, ready to lead EZKLI's Pride to greatness. Nebulae was crowned king at midnight, the whole pride roaring for him, for greatness of this Pride's future. EZKLI stepped off the throne stone, smiling proudly at her foster raised son, her head raised high for him.
'He was a gift from the gods...' She thought.
'Truly my special little boy...'
<3
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