Prologue

Adana licked her newborn's tiny head. Adana's mate, Amare, sat proudly behind her.

"Such A beautiful boy," A beamed proudly. Adana sat on her side as the small cub made its way to feed.

The cub his father's muscular build, and darker tan fur. A spitting image of his father.

"How about . . . Gabe?" Amare suggested with a warm smile.

"It's lovely," Adana affectionately licked Gabe's head.

Simba entered their section of the cave.

"King," Amare bowed politely "thank you for coming."

Simba nodded respectfully "It's my pleasure to visit any cub that may be Kiara's future mate."

Adana greeted Simba with a respectful dip of her head, but shielded her son away protectively.

"He is very healthy" Simba noted "-very well-built. These are admirable qualities, for a newborn, but there are an abundance of cubs. I assure you he will be taken into consideration."

"That is all we can ask."

TT

Zira sat and watched her young cubs play, intentionally not reprimanding them when they nipped one another. They needed to be taught to be ruthless at a young age. Although, there was one thing that plagued her mind.

Even though she had some, there was still a low rate of cubs in the outlands. They needed a strong pride if they were to survive out here. Unlike Simba, who had a full pride.

That gave her a wicked idea. One so crazy it just might work.

They needed cubs, and Zira could guess the pride landers had an abundance of them.

She decided she would steal them, and raise them in her pride.

They will never even need to know of their true heritage.

TT

The outlanders tracked through the pride lands silently. The sun was down, and the dark, starless night provided nice cover.

Zira led them, and they soon approached Pride Rock.

"Make no sounds," Zira commanded in a hush whisper.

All the lionesses slunk up Pride Rock. They quietly entered, and scanned the area.

Zira was indeed right. There was an abundance of cubs. Which would lead to the future of the pride landers, being even stronger. That was something she could not have.

The lionesses stood for a moment, and took in all the sights and smells. The smell of newborn cubs and milk filled the room.

Zira stepped around the sleeping lions, inspecting each cub. Then one caught her eye. One with darker tannish fur. He was muscular, like the lion sleeping beside his mother, which she obviously assumed was his father.

An evil smile splayed across her face. This one would do nicely. She gently picked it up in her jaws, by the scruff.

Once a few other lionesses had gathered a cub, they headed for the exit.

An outraged roar was heard, and a pair of piercing amber eyes glared at them.

Amare glared angrily at them. The other lions were now awake.

"Zira!" Simba growled.

"Ah, Simba," she said calmly "-we were just taking these cubs on a late night stroll."

"You trespassed, and it's about time you were taught a lesson!"

"Oh, is it? I know you wouldn't want to attack us, and risk hurting these innocent cubs," she said with an innocent smile.

Simba glared at her.

"That's what I thought. So if you don't mind, we'll just be going," she turned around.

"This isn't over Zira!"

Zira and her lionesses, with the cubs, ran off into the night.

TT

I hope you enjoyed this even though it was long.

Review, like, and Favorite!