Chapter 3
Outlands
Their new home was even worse that the Pridelands. No water, no food, just cracked desert under their paws and some termitaries as their shelter.
Next days the Wanderers spent on curing their wounds, having a rest or just sleeping. They were whacked. What an irony: their herd consisted of ten adult lionesses, Pridelanders only of seven – most of them didn't survive the hard conditions of dryed land. Wanderers were rather used to it, moreover they knew how to fight. They had to learn to survive every conditions...But now they didn't manage to kill those seven lionesses. In other circumstances, it would be the easiest thing ever...But then it even didn't matter. They lost their king, the pain made them unable to fight well. And they had to rescue cubs. They were the easiest target.
They had no way: on the south from the Priderock there was only endless savanna and mountains in afar, on the north – Elephant Graveyard. So they had to find a shelter in Outlands. There was a big river – now it was all dryed, but there still was hope that the water will return after the end of the drought. There were also rock caves in which they found a little wellspring. Of course it wasn't enough for ten lionesses and six cubs (Nuka, Vitani, Kovu, Dotty, Spotty and Scruffy).
Vitani didn't like her new home. Everything around was unfamiliar, strange, maybe even scary. Because of the silence – this land was dead, forgotten. In fact, it was the beggining of the desert – on the north from Outlands there was definitely NOTHING. Besides, nobody likes to sleep in a cave full of flying insects. But she could stand anything, if only her dad was still there. Since this night she never cried anymore. Just like her mother – but Zira was just strong, much stronger than her. Vitani wanted to cry, she really wanted, but she couldn't. She just felt the big black void inside.
She didn't talk to Nuka since that night, her brother seemed to be even more shocked than her. He didn't want any cheering. Unlike him, Vitani tried to act as normal as she could. She talked with Kovu, Dotty or the rest of their pack. About neutral things, they even tried to play their old games, just to stay normal. And they helped her a lot – they didn't feel that big pain cause Scar wasn't their father. Also the rest of the herd tried to return to their duties and common activities. Only Zira couldn't 'recover'. She wasn't even sad, she was angry. Vitani didn't try to stand in her way, mother was rather unpredictable. She just had to recover on her own...although Vitani felt it will never happen.
One day, Zira decided to speak to the herd. She convenced the lionesses, then stood on a rock ledge above him, so everyone could see her. Vitani stood as close as she could: she felt her mother is going so tell something important.
- Scar is dead – she begun silently. – Simba, this goddamn tyrant killed him. Our king and friend is gone, our pride is destroyed, we were banished from our own home... – Lionesses started to roar with anger. Zira continued: - Now, we have only two options...to surrender and let it all go...or stand up and fight! – she yelled. – Listen to me. We must get back our land, get back the throne, which belongs to Scar. We must do it for Scar, to avenge him! We must kill Simba and make Kovu, the Scar's chosen one, rightful king! Who's with me? – Lionesses started to roar again, Vitani tried to do it with them, but it didn't work out very well, so she just screamed as loud as she could. Zira laughted evilly.
That was the day when they became Outlanders.