Kion ventured through the outlands, interested on finding what lay after it.
He didn't want to challenge an existing male, unless he was cruel, so his task was to find a stray female or two and start there.
He smelled a fresh kill not too far away and his stomach growled.
He had no idea how long he would be alone, and it was harder for a male to hunt - especially alone - so he knew he should take his opportunity to eat whenever he could.
So, he followed his nose and found a gazelle surrounded by hyenas.
Grunting, he approached with confidence that demanded respect.
He breathed in and roared fiercely. Since he was technically still leader of the lion guard, he still carried the gift of the roar, and his ancestors roared with him, terrifying the hyenas.
Wisely, they ran off, not looking back.
Grinning, Kion approached the kill and ate very well.
As soon as his stomach settled, he carried on.
Many days passed and Kion travelled many miles.
Finally, he came into a new land - he guessed maybe 20 miles away from his father's kingdom.
He smelled around and identified the scent of at least four lionesses...and one male.
He frowned, disappointed.
He sighed and went to carry on, taking little notice as he walked.
It was for this reason that he did not see the damage and fear in the land.
As he wandered past a herd of zebras, they cried out and fled.
Kion cocked his head - his body language had clearly stated he was not in hunting - his head had been high and tail stuck up to show peace...why had the herd been so scared?
Shaking his head, he continued walking and suddenly stumbled over something - or rather, someone.
It was a lioness and she looked bewildered, and then terrified.
Kion apologised.
"Forgive me, I did not mean to startle, nor hurt you."
The lioness had submitted, shaking with fear.
Kion grew more concerned by the second.
"Please - I won't hurt you. What is your name?" he asked gently, sitting down to show peace.
"Zainabu" she whispered.
Kion smiled.
"Your name means beautiful - it suites you well." he said kindly.
She looked up and smiled back, growing more curious and safe.
"Who are you - and what are you doing in this land?" she asked softly.
"My name is Kion. I am just passing through - I am at this moment a rouge, looking for a pride to call my own. I left my father's land a few days ago."
Her eyes lit up.
"There are three other lionesses beside me - you could lead us!" she said excitedly.
Kion cocked his head again.
"I smelled four lionesses here, but I also smelled a male - you already have a king."
Zainabu's face dropped.
Looking around nervously, she shook her head.
"He is no king - he is a tyrant!" she hissed.
"What do you mean?" the prince asked, now deeply concerned.
"I mean he kills just to show his power - he attacks us to make sure we won't rebel...and he - he…"
She stopped suddenly as tears flooded her eyes.
"He what?"
Blinking back the burning water, Zainabu looked up.
"He killed three cubs...two of my sister's and one of my own. Because they were boys! He said they would challenge him...so he killed them!"
It was too much and she fell to the ground, in hysterics at the memory of the disgusting injustice of the murders.
Kion was horrified and was all at once filled with a deep hatred and rage.
"I will find him - and avenge the deaths of those poor cubs!" he growled.
She nodded gratefully through the tears and, having being deprived of affection for many, many months, embraced Kion unashamedly.
And Kion returned the affection - he had been raised lovingly by Simba and Nala, and knew to show love at the right time, as well as mercy and power.
Now, Zainabu needed love...and Kion was feeling it more by the minute.
"His name is Kanu...he roams around the land sometimes to mark the territory but he always returns to the cave every night. You see that cliff over there? The cave is at the bottom and runs through the cliff for a mile or so - it is safe...or at least with a good king it is. That is where my sister and I had our cubs...we thought he'd be happy with his sons - but clearly not." she explained sadly.
Kion nodded.
"Okay Zainabu - tonight, return to the cave as usual with the other lionesses and Kanu. Tell no-one of our meeting, and when I arrive to challenge him, tell them not to stand and fight for him, but to stand behind me. I will battle him alone, and I will end his disgusting reign and will avenge you son and nephews." he swore.
She breathed out and bowed, then turned and ran back to the cave.
Kion stayed there until night fell.
Slowly, he made his way through the land, following the scent of the 'king'.
Finally, he was just meters away from the entrance and roared a challenge.
Kanu emerged, with the four lionesses to asses the intruder and accept his challenge.
"State your name, trespasser!" Kanu growled.
"I am Kion, son of King Simba of the pridelands, and I come in challenge to your throne. You are a vicious tyrant, and I will end you today!" Kion roared back, his stance ready for battle.
That was Zainabu's cue and she quickly ran from behind Kanu and stood beside Kion, showing whose side she was on.
Kanu was furious.
"How DARE you stand against me?! YOU will obey ME and no-one else!" he growled fiercely.
But Zainabu had found new strength in Kion.
"I will not - you are nothing more than a murderer, and this lion has come now...and he will avenge the deaths of those you have slaughtered!" she growled back.
That was good enough for the other three lionesses, who also took their chance and ran to stand with Kion.
Beyond furious, Kanu roared and started running towards his opponent.
"Stay back!" Kion ordered to the lionesses - then, roaring back, he ran towards Kanu and they collided into a colossal battle.
The four could only watch, praying this brave stranger could beat the king they loathed.
Not far from the cave was a river, and Kion had noticed there was crocodiles in it - perfect…
Using all of his strength and cunning, he pushed Kanu to the edge of the river, then summoning his ancestors, roared with all the power he could.
It worked - Kanu was stunned and pushed back into the river, where the crocodiles made short work of him. They also hated the 'king.'
Kion looked down - though Kanu deserved his death, he still did not like seeing any creature losing their life. That's why hunting was only permitted when necessary and not for power or fun. He would establish that too, so the herds did not fear.
The circle of life had to be repared in this land.
Shaking his mane and shrugging of the pain from the fight, Kion turned to his new pride.
He smiled as they bowed, still uncertain.
Other animals had gathered near by, but far enough to be safe, also wondering the fate of the lands.
Kion breathed in deeply and again summoning his ancestors, roared powerfully.
The animals instinctively bowed their heads, somehow knowing from the roar that no harm would come to those who were good, and all would have a fair chance in the circle of life. They understood that the lions and crocodiles and cheetahs needed to eat, but also realised that for the majority of time, they would be left in peace.
He approached his pride, now established as king.
"Be at peace - my name is Kion. What are your names?"
The three lionesses he did not know introduced themselves as Bina, Eshe and Jaha.
"You have nothing to fear of me," Kion promised, "I will rule justly and will always protect you from danger - we are a pride now, and I will restore the circle of life...oh, do you know about that?"
"Yes, your highness - Eshe and I are sisters and lived her since birth. Our father, Bakari ruled just and fairly, and taught us well. Zainabu and Bina are also sisters and wandered into this land - they were accepted by him...but Kanu arrived shortly after and killed my father…" Jaha explained.
Kion shook his head.
"I am so sorry - but my rule will be like that of your father, and not like that of Kanu, I swear that to you. You are my pride now, and these are my lands - together, we must restore the circle so that we can live in peace and prosper, as can the other animals who live here."
The lionesses smiled and nodded, now excited - they felt in their hearts that Kion would be a just and fair king for them.
So, together, they went into the cave - Zainabu walking just a bit closer than her sister and friends…
