Mbali (swahilli: “far, away”) is an original character in the Lion King universe created by Fireplanetz.

Appearance

Mbali is a very light brown or cream colored lion with a lighter muzzle, underbelly, and paws. His mane is black and oily textured, often resting in thick clumps. He is thin-framed and smaller than most other male lions with a sharp angled, black nose. His eyes are a bright orange and he has tufts of black fur on his ear tips, chin, and elbows. His teeth are yellowed despite his young age and the tuft of fur on the end of his tail is the same color and texture as his mane. He has light colored whiskers that are twisted and crooked.

Personality

Mbali is a reserved, timid lion who lacks self-confidence and ambition. Due to his rough past, he has a hard time opening up to others and letting his personality shine. When he does open up, he is very kind and wise in spite of his age and often offers advice to younger lions and animals.

Biography

Background

Mbali is the son of King Scar and Queen Sarabi. He was born to secure the lineage of the royal family and was named Scar’s heir at birth.

Early Life

Born during the height of Scar’s reign, Mbali was named the heir to the Pridelands at birth. During his presentation, he was rejected by the subjects of the kingdom in retaliation for Scar’s tyrannical rule. Despite their rejection, Mbali was still named the prince and was raised by his parents in the barren Pridelands. After a cruel “training lesson” from Scar, Mbali was left injured and his mother, Sarabi, chose to send him away from the Pridelands. She then chose to lie and tell Scar that their son had died of his wounds.

Current

Mbali was raised into adulthood by the lioness, Malka, who took him from the Pridelands (Kenya/Tanzania) to the Northlands in Senegal.

First exile from the Pridelands

Fleeing the Pridelands to escape his father, Mbali and Malka travel far away until they reach a lush rainforest that is unclaimed by any pride. Still a cub, Mbali learns how to hunt and fight from his foster mother and eventually has a rough encounter with a rogue jackal, who is the first to tell him the truth about his father.

Malka's death and meeting Okoro

As a young adult, Mbali meets the lion, Okoro, a rogue whose personality is as different from his own as possible. Distracted by the handsome lion, Mbali returns late that night to find Malka’s body in their den, murdered. Together, Mbali and Okoro work together to avenge her.

Return to the Pridelands and Sarabi's death

Mbali, Okoro, and the warrior lioness Vashti return to the Pridelands upon hearing of Sarabi’s declining health. They arrive just in time for Mbali to say goodbye and attend her funeral. Simba is wary of his half-brother and the lions he brought with him, fearing they may challenge his rule.

Second exile from the Pridelands

After attempting to reconcile with his other half-brother, Nuka, Mbali finds himself in the midst of a battle between the Outlanders and Pridelanders. Simba accuses Mbali of conspiring with the Outlanders and banishes him and his friends from the Pridelands.

Battle for the Pridelands

Mbali and the others work together to stop the battle with Kiara and Kovu, ending with the Outlanders and Pridelanders joining together. Simba accepts both Mbali and Kovu into the Pride, finally putting aside his grudge against Scar.

Future

After the battle between the Pridelands and the Outlands, Mbali settles in as one of Simba’s most trusted advisors. He and Okoro marry and live a long, fulfilled life in the Pridelands.

Relationships

With Scar

Scar is Mbali's father and the former King of the Pridelands. He has a close relationship with Mbali, spending most of his time with his son. However, his teachings are often cruel and violent, much to Sarabi's dismay. One of his lessons leaves Mbali severely injured and Scar insists that ihis son must learn to be strong if he is to become king. When Mbali disappears, Scar is led to believe that his son had died and is genuinely heartbroken, for he loved Mbali more than anything else. Mbali loved his father just as much, though in his adulthood he understands the evil behind the lion he knew. He often looks to the stars, wondering if his father is looking down on him.

With Sarabi

Sarabi is Mbali's mother and the former Queen of tthe Pridelands. She loves Mbali fiercely and tries to combat Scar's influence over their son. When Scar almost has Mbali killed, she orders one of ther lionesses, Malka, to take her son far from the Pridelands. After many years apart, Mbali returns to the Pridelands just before her death and the two have a joyful reunion.

With Simba

Simba is Mbali’s half-brother through Sarabi and first-cousin through Scar. Him and Mbali have a strained relationship at first, with Simba holding a grudge against Scar and Mbali feeling guilt for his parentage. Simba is quick to distrust Mbali but, after the Battle for the Pridelands, puts aside his grudge and finally accepts Mbali as his brother.

With Nuka

Nuka is Mbali's half-brother through Scar. They were very close in their youth and often dreamed of ruling the Pridelands together. After Mbali's disappearance, Nuka fell prey to Zira's influence and came to have great animosity towards his lost brother. When Mbali returns to the Pridelands, Nuka is not pleased to see him, taunting Mbali for being their father's favorite. Nuka dies before they can reconcile and Mbali visits his grave often.

With Okoro

Okoro and Mbali are polar opposites, but quickly fall in love after meeting for the first time. Okoro is endlessly loyal to Mbali and vows to walk by his side for the rest of his life, even crossing the entire continent to return to Mbali’s homeland. They have their own pride with Vashti before joining Simba’s pride.

With Vashti

Vashti is Mbali and Okoro’s best friend and is fiercely loyal to them. They meet sometime during Mbali's first exile, with her having a secure position in their pride. She doesn’t hesitate to tell Mbali how she feels about their decisions but always is willing to charge into battle for him.

Quotes

Trivia

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