Introducing a Rewrite of A New Pride

Coming to you from OptimusPrime2017's Imagination

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Prologue

An old baboon held a dark furred lion cub over thousands of animals; lions, zebras, elephants, everything. A dark furred lion sat behind him, green eyes filled with pride and head held high. A lioness sat beside him, happiness in her eyes. The animals below them trumpeted and cried out cheerfully, welcoming the cub to his new home.

As the ceremony ended, the baboon lowered the cub carefully and cradled him as he carried him back to his parents, resting him on the ground. He smiled at them, moving back a few paces.

"Welcome to the Pride Lands, Kimba." The king murmured, licking the cub's head.

The baby lion opened his eyes and yawned, letting out a squeak rather than a roar. The lioness licked him and his eyes went wide. She nuzzled her mate, murmuring to him quietly.

"He really does look like you, Kovu."

"He has your eyes, Kiara." The king reminded her, gazing at the young prince.

The baboon cleared his throat. "King Kovu, Queen Kiara."

"Yes, Rafiki?" Kovu looked up at the older animal. Shock covered his face at what he saw. He gasped. "Oh, Rafiki…"

A female lioness held her paw in the air, claws extended and covered in blood. Claw marks went across the baboon's throat. He thumped to the ground. The lioness sneered, her eyes gleaming.

"Zira!" Kiara snarled.

"Kiara, take care of Kimba! I've got Zira!" Kovu told her, baring his teeth and lunging at the lioness.

Zira moved to the side and batted him away. "Still foolish."

"Why did you come back?" The king snarled as he blocked an attack on him and slid his claws across her leg. "You were banished from the Pride Lands by Simba!"

"Simba is dead!" She retorted.

"No, he's safe with the other elders of the Pride!" He reminded her.

"I stopped by there earlier." Zira replied smugly, her eyes gleaming.

"What?" Kovu gaped, dropping his guard.

"No, he can't be dead!" Kiara gasped, getting to her paws and dashing away to check.

"Wait, Kiara!" The king roared after her. He tried to call her back. "Kimba-"

He was knocked to the ground. Stunned and dizzy, he didn't react fast enough. Zira had grabbed the cub by the scruff. She slipped past the dark furred lion and raced out of the cave. A few moments later the king sat up, aching. He looked around, wondering where Zira was. He gazed over to where his son had been. Where was he? Panic filled him and he got up, racing out of the cave.

"Kimba!" Kovu roared at the top of his lungs. He spotted a dark shape running across the Pride Lands, a smaller animal dangling from it's jaws. It was too late. He cried out in grief and shock. "No!"

He raced down from Pride Rock and through the yellow grasses of the Pride Lands. He reached the elders' den, spotting only one moving lioness inside. It was looming over the body of another, grieving. He slowly dragged his paws as he entered, stepping over the motionless lions. Dead. All of them. He stopped at Kiara's side, looking down at the bloodied body of Simba.

"So it's true…" The king murmured sadly.

"Kovu…" She whispered, looking up. "Where's Kimba? Did you stop Zira?"

He looked away, ashamed. "Kiara...I'm so sorry."

"What is it?" Her voice sounded worried. Then she demanded,"Kovu, where's Kimba?"

"She...she took him. I couldn't stop her." Kovu responded in a broken voice.

"Who took him?" Kiara asked.

"Zira." He murmured. "Kiara, I'm so sorry."

The queen buried her face in his fur sadly. He knew by her shaking body that she was crying.