The Lion King 4: Vengeance (a 'Lion King' fic)
Disc.: If I could ever afford the rights to this highly successful movie/book series, I wouldn't be writing this at the moment.
A/N: So, we've reached a very familiar part of the story by now…if anyone's seen the movie, you know what happens at this point; for those who haven't, I suggest you go out and watch the movie before reading this fic as it's my sequel twist on the story before it. Anyway, I'll just jump into the story now so you won't complain about me taking too long.
Ch.10- Not So Happy Homecoming
The journey from the jungle to the Pridelands was quite a trek for the group of 4 lions and vulture, night coming quickly as they reached a large outcropping of tall rocks. Each of them took shifts during the night to make sure they weren't ambushed by any creatures lying in wait, Ushujaa staying especially close to his mate and soon to be born child; Vivian took the first watch, followed by Hofu, then Jasusi and finally Ushujaa took the last one before they could rest easy during the night.
This was the routine for the next 3 days, but they eventually made it to the edge of the Pride Lands border…grey sand and dead plants beneath their paws; it made the auburn lion feel sick to see so much death around him. When he spotted a cliff and climbed up to the top, Ushujaa was shocked and angry to see what had happened to his homeland: everything was either dead or decayed, the land itself in advanced stages of dehydration with animal bones littered in heaps around the small cliffs. Deep ravines surrounded the rest of the cracked and dried out land, the auburn lion narrowing his eyes lividly at how his homeland had been turned from a fertile and beautiful paradise to a dead land where nothing could survive.
"It's awful, isn't it?" Vivian asked as she trotted up next to her cousin, both lions locking eyes briefly before they were joined by Hofu and Aibu. Jasusi had landed on a dead tree nearby, the vulture shaking his head sadly at how the land had become so ruined.
"I can't believe that anyone let this happen…is anyone in charge of the land right now?"
"Yes…Kisasi took over after he announced yours and your father's deaths to us, Ushujaa. Because of him, the animals all moved away and the land suffered; without prey to keep them fed, all the Pridesisters also suffered terribly." Vivian said as she sighed, her eyes holding a glimmer of sadness in them.
"But…there had to be something for them to eat, right?"
The vulture looked at the auburn lion standing there on the cliff with a frown on his face, Jasusi's own expression becoming sullen before he answered Ushujaa's question.
"Yes…with no food, the lionesses began killing and eating the hyenas that make up your great uncle's army."
At hearing that some of his great uncle's lackeys had become food for his Pridesisters, Ushujaa actually smiled a bit. Aibu then trotted up to his mate and stood on his left side as he also surveyed the land, his eyes watering with tears at how desolate it was.
"I can't believe that someone could be so cruel as to let this happen…how will we get this land back from your great uncle, Ushujaa?"
"We'll find a way, my love…but not by standing here and staring at the ground. Let's get going, we have a land to save."
The group of 4 lions and Jasusi all nodded before heading off towards Pride Rock, the red maned/golden furred lion following after them.
(At Pride Rock)
Kisasi was watching over his land, the dark grey-brown lion feeling as if something was about to happen today…though he had no idea what exactly it was, but he decided to not worry too much on it. The hyenas were all crowded around the base of Pride Rock and even the path leading up to it, the lionesses all having gone out to look for water; they also wanted to get away from the Rock for a while, and this was the perfect way for them to get a little bit of freedom from their evil King's rule.
Kopa was currently out hunting with his fellow Pridesisters in the hopes of filling his own stomach, while Nala was watching over Pride Rock with Sarabi…the coffee brown lioness looking wearier than ever due to her being the oldest lioness at Pride Rock. She could still hunt, but wasn't in her prime anymore so she often spent her days keeping order and peace among the Pridesisters and animals that had once made up the whole of the Pridelands.
As the two lionesses just looked out at the bleak and dreary grey sky, the pale lioness sighed as she thought of her deceased son Simba…hearing of his death had hit her especially hard, and it was one of the reasons that she had closed off her emotions from others. She wouldn't even bring herself to smile anymore, so she just looked sad or depressed all the time. This was one of the reasons why she and Kopa were drifting apart; the golden furred lion hated seeing his wife so depressed, but nothing he did could make her smile so the two of them opted on just passing by each other every day and doing things to keep them busy while trying not to think about their marriage falling apart.
Kiara, on her part, had taken to staying out late and patrolling the Pride Lands borders with her daughter Neytiri…the two of them hoping that they would see signs of animals coming back so they could eat something other than hyena meat for once. It was always sunrise when the two lionesses would come back to Pride Rock, and Vivian was still out beyond the Pride Lands searching for food…the pale grey lioness had yet to return home, but Kiara knew that her daughter would come back no matter what.
As the sun started moving downward to denote sunset, Kopa and the Pridesisters returned to their home. Kiara and Neytiri stayed out to begin their late patrol…both lionesses inwardly happy that they wouldn't have to be anywhere near Kisasi and his heartless rule.
(Elsewhere with Ushujaa, Hofu, Aibu, Vivian, and Jasusi)
The group of four lions and a vulture had managed to stay hidden from the hyenas nearby, their numbers making Ushujaa pale slightly at how many there were. Vivian just narrowed her eyes at them; she never did like them, because they were lazy beasts that never did anything for themselves…they were just filthy scavengers, and mooched off of the spoils of other predators.
The auburn lion could see that his cousin held a deep hatred of the hyenas, Aibu feeling pity for the lionesses that probably lived here and were forced to put up with the hyenas every day. Hofu himself was ready to attack, but he held back until he was given the okay to do so. Jasusi was sitting on the ground and awaiting the order of the auburn lion, Ushujaa standing stock still as he thought of a good way to get everyone's attention.
After waiting for a few tense minutes, the auburn lion had come up with a strategy…though it was very risky.
"Alright, here's the plan…Jasusi, you fly ahead and find Zaira; tell her that you were scouting beyond the Pride Lands for intruders, but didn't find anything. Vivian, you go ahead and rally the lionesses…Hofu, Aibu, you both come with me and we'll find Kisasi. We'll make him wish he'd never set paw in the Pride Lands."
All of them nodded at the auburn lion before leaving to do what they'd been told. Jasusi could only pray that this plan would work as he felt the wind gently lift him up into the air, his wings taking him towards where he knew the female Hornbill was most likely residing.
(With Zaira and Kovu)
The female Hornbill was one of the few that still stuck around the dark furred lion, his health declining more and more every day that passed; he was nearly bone thin and looked as if he was just moments away from death's door. He never did anything other than drink what little water could be found, or looked out at the grey horizon…she knew he was waiting for death to claim him so he could be with his family in the heavens above, but Zaira was determined not to let him go yet.
As she sat near Kovu, she caught movement in the corner of her eyes…Zaira looking up to see Jasusi flying towards her with a saddened expression on his face, the vulture landing on the ground and hobbling towards her.
"Jasusi…what brings you here today?"
"Hello, Zaira. I have come to tell you that my patrol of the lands beyond the Pride Lands turned up nothing at all; I spent my time looking for danger, and in the end it yielded nothing fruitful."
"At least you bothered to look, rather than just say it would be pointless and do not a thing to prove your words."
"Yes, I suppose you're right."
The two birds just sat there and stared out at the sky, both of them hoping things would be better soon.
(With Vivian)
The pale grey lioness had made her way towards her fellow Pridesisters, all of them glad Vivian had returned unharmed. Vitani was also relieved, as were Hawa and Sumai. The pale grey lioness then told them how her journey had yielded no food, but it had given her time to think of a way that they could take back their land.
Hawa, being one of the older and more experienced hunters, was prepared to do anything to take back the home that she had made for herself years ago…the grey-brown lioness eager to know what Vivian had in mind.
"So? What exactly do you plan to do about Kisasi?"
The other Pridesisters were also patiently waiting to hear what Vivian was going to say, and after another minute of waiting the pale grey lioness spoke up.
"We're gonna overthrow Kisasi…I think I speak for all of us when I say that we've had enough of his tyranny. He needs to know that even though he controls the land, he does not control us! This is our only chance, and to not act on it would be foolish…are you with me, my sisters?"
All of the lionesses seemed hesitant to go against the King and his army, but they knew that they probably wouldn't get another chance to take back their land…so, one by one, they agreed as they slipped away to quietly put their plan into action.
(With Kiara and Nala)
The two lionesses knew that this search would most likely yield the same results as last time, so Nala and her daughter returned to Pride Rock to relay the bad news to the other Pridesisters. The golden furred lioness was also worried about her daughters, Vivian in particular…her oldest cub had yet to return home and she was starting to fear that she'd met with a terrible fate. The pale sandy blonde lioness could see that her daughter was worried about her own child, so she smiled at her reassuringly.
Upon returning to Pride Rock, Nala heard Kisasi call her name…the pale sandy blonde lioness knowing that he was probably angry that she had once again returned without food, so she sighed and started ascending the steep rock hill to get the chewing out over with.
(With Hofu, Aibu, and Ushujaa)
The three male lions were quietly moving towards Kisasi, all of them out of sight of the hyenas as they watched the 'King' standing at the top of Pride Rock. Ushujaa quietly growled lowly in his throat, the other two male lions with him observing the same thing. The dark grey-brown lion scowled at someone down below, his lips curling back to reveal fangs beneath an angered scowl as he called out to someone…the sound echoing loudly for all of them to hear.
"Nala!"
Ushujaa looked up at hearing the mention of his grandmother's name, Hofu and Aibu also looking up at hearing the name. They all watched as a pale sandy blonde lioness began ascending the steep rock hill while ignoring the hyenas nipping at her heels, Hofu inwardly admitting to himself that she was beautiful…but he wouldn't let his appreciation of her beauty distract him from going through with the plan.
As they all watched Nala climb the steep rock hill slowly, Aibu hissed with pain as he felt a contraction hit him hard…a cry of discomfort muffled by his closed mouth as he tried his best not to be too loud, the auburn lion looking back at his mate worriedly.
"Aibu, what's wrong?"
"I…I think it's about time to give birth."
"Right now?! But you can't…we need more time!"
Hofu knew that they were running out of time, so he spoke up before the other two males with him got into a fight and gave away their location.
"Ushujaa…I'll keep an eye on my brother and his contractions. You go on ahead and confront your great uncle; I promise to keep him safe."
The auburn lion was hesitant to leave his mate in his time of need, but at seeing Hofu's determined gaze he nodded at them both…Ushujaa nuzzling his mate affectionately before slinking away to put his part of the plan into action.
He kept an eye on his grandmother as he managed to stay out of sight of the hyenas until he was crouching on a cliff nearest the very top of Pride Rock, Kisasi too preoccupied with royally chewing out Nala to even notice or smell that Ushujaa was nearby.
(With Nala and Kisasi)
The pale sandy blonde lioness had her eyes slightly narrowed at the other male in front of her, but she stood proud and unwavering against him with a look of indifference on her face as she spoke to him.
"Yes, Kisasi?"
The dark grey-brown lion was angry at Nala for not finding them anything to eat, and also for rejecting his offer to be his Queen. She had told him that Kopa was her only true mate, and that even though he was no longer in power as the ruler of Pride Rock she would rather face death then stand against him…which pissed him off to no end, and he was determined to make her accept his deal today as he spoke to her with a slightly harsh tone of voice.
"Where the hell is your hunting party? They're not doing their job!"
"Kisasi, there is no food…all the herds have moved on to greener lands."
"Oh no, you can't just stand there and tell me that they just up and left…you're obviously not looking hard enough."
"It's all over, Kisasi! There's nothing left! We only have one choice left to us now…if we're to survive, then we must leave Pride Rock."
The dark grey-brown lion wasn't expecting this from the lioness he wanted as his Queen, but it angered him nonetheless as he glared at her before becoming angry with her.
"We're not going anywhere."
"Then you have sentenced us to death!"
"So be it!"
Nala watched with an angered scowl on her face as Kisasi walked past her to stare out at the horizon again.
"You can't do that."
"I am the King…I can do whatever I damn well want."
The pale sandy blonde lioness continued to glare at the King, her blue eyes becoming clouded over with hatred at his words and actions as he turned back to look at her with a smirk on his face.
"Oh, dearest Nala…I don't mean to take such a tone with you. I will consider leaving Pride Rock, if…"
"If…?" Nala asked hesitantly, her ears going back in slight fear as she prepared herself for the other male's answer…though she already had a feeling as to what it was.
"If you'll be my Queen."
Her fear went away in an instant as she snarled at him before replying.
"Never…and I'll tell you why. My dearest Kopa always put the rest of the Pride before himself, and he's the one I'll always be mated to. Sure, he and I have hit a snag in our marriage, and maybe we've grown a little distant…but I will always love him, no matter what happens between us. You're nowhere near half the King he is, and you will never-"
Kisasi had heard enough from Nala, so he hit her hard enough to send her sprawling across the ground with a deep growl from his throat.
"Foolish bitch! I am ten times the King that Kopa was!"
At seeing his grandmother get hit for speaking against Kisasi, Ushujaa about lost it so he let out a loud roar before starting to run down the cliff. The dark grey-brown lion looked up when he heard the loud roar, his view being obscured by the lightning flashing across the sky; he saw an outline of what he thought was Ushujaa, but that was impossible since he'd seen him run away years ago. Either way, Kisasi backed down fearfully with dread in his expression before speaking up.
The auburn lion trotted up to his grandmother and nuzzled her, Nala groaning at the sensation of another male lion's face against her own…the pale sandy blonde lioness opening her blue eyes and seeing nothing but a blur of white before she spoke up, her response being that she thought it was her mate checking to make sure she was alright.
"Kopa…?"
Ushujaa looked down at his grandmother and smiled, relief spreading through him at knowing that she was alright.
"No…it's me."
As the light of the lightning flash faded away, Nala's eyes widened when she saw just who it was that had spoken to her…the one she'd thought was dead for the last couple years, the one she thought she'd never see again…her beloved grandson, all grown up and smiling down at her.
"Ushujaa…you're alive!? But…how can this be?!"
"It doesn't matter now, grandma…I'm home."
Kisasi looked at the auburn lion nuzzling Nala, his own eyes widening when he saw that it was his great nephew…alive and well, and now an adult.
And judging by how loud that roar he'd let out earlier was, the dark grey-brown lion knew that he was royally fucked.
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T.B.C.- Wow…just…wow. So much writing, my fingers are gonna demand a vacation. Anyway, Ushujaa is back and he's out for blood. As always, read and review.