This is interesting. I mean, it not only ruins Scar's plans, it also puts him in danger.
Sarabi would ask Simba what he was doing in the gorge, and Simba's answer might not match with Zazu's version... They could end up figuring out Scar was hiding something.

Also, amazing pic!

That poor cub needs all the hugs!

This is an amazing idea / thought. I wonder if Scar would of just attacked Pride Rock anyway with his army of yeens.

Btw, this artwork is freaking amazing. It's almost like it's concept artwork for Disney for when they were throwing ideas around!

Do you realize how good this art is? My great goodness, it looks so close to being official. GREAT work, no doubt! I could see this being a good idea for an alternative timeline. The only thing is, that it would probably shorten the story, because Simba running away allows a longer plot line, as it gives writers the chance to write in where Simba ends up at, the characters he meets there, and so on. If Simba were discovered to be just hiding, and NOT in that jungle-like area, it would eliminate the need for the two popular characters he meets, and cut out that growing up segment, and we wouldn't have that phrase for "No Worries for the rest of your days."

As for this particular idea, it does make sense. Like I said, alternative timeline, and it would foil Scar's plans for sure. The lionesses would probably turn on Scar pretty quick. I do know there is Scar's Hyena army, and that army is huge, so the battle between Scar and the lionesses would be a bit of an outnumbered situation. If the lionesses are successful, that's great, but have you seen Scar's army? It's a bit harder to imagine the lionesses being more successful than them.

I think you have a good idea, here, as I'm a fan or all that multi-verse and alternative timeline stuff. I constantly question what could have happened, if I were to make some different choices in my own life, and how things would turn out. It makes me want that "What If Machine" that was featured a couple of times in Futurama to be an actual thing. The concept is one heck of a doozy.

Bottom line? Good work here, and I think your idea is something worth going into.

Good art! Fun idea. Now how do we get Timon and Pumbaa into the mix?