"Would you like to be?"

The snow leopardess knew exactly how risky these words were. She knew that diverging timelines could be very disastrous for the fabric of the mortal realm. However, she could agree with Damu's intentions, as well as Kion's current feelings. This timeline was absolutely not the best possible outcome. Maybe not the worst, but certainly not the best.

"Can… You truly do that? Can you really allow me to set things right?" Kion asked with hope in his voice. Mudai almost reconsidered, for she knew that her answer was going to have direct and immediate consequences. However, her own motives made her stick to her convictions. "Yes. I have the ability to allow changes to the temporal flow, as well as the ability to undue any changes I see fit. Of course, the costs of doing so could be… severe. Hence why I don't do it so often." Mudai warned, but she knew neither male was listening to anything that would deter them from their intent.

"Any timeline where Dad's depravity can be reigned in without unnecessary losses is a good one." Damu took a risk in saying these words, and he knew it. The Spirits had a habit of making mortals eat their words, and one only need to hang around Korofi for any extended period of time to glean that information. But, as Mudai suspected, the smaller male really didn't care about this. His suspicions were confirmed as he continued, seeing Kion nod in agreement.

"I'm fully aware that the universe could very well conspire against my efforts. Trust me, my Pride and especially Iyapo has told me that, even if there was a way to change the past, it could make our situation worse. But, frankly, would it really? At least in oblivion our cubs would never have to waste away to starvation."

Kion didn't want to feel sympathy for what he was hearing, but he had no choice but to really think about the words Damu was saying. And it started by taking a true, appraising look at Iago's favored son for the first time. As far as Kion was concerned, he was bigger and therefore more of a concern than the cowardly, sorcery-dependent runt Iago could ever be. However, Kion noticed that there was not a shred of fat or extra size to Damu whatsoever. He was toned and fit; a warrior who could survive the Wastelands and perhaps even thrive, just as Iyapo was. However, also just like Iyapo, not all of his form was from fitness and training. Kion and his team had protected the Pridelands well, and his two most heated leonine rivals were unable to feast in the Pridelands as their mother and sisters were able to. Their manes meant they lacked true stealth in the savannah, and this was why they simply didn't get to poach much of anything.

The hungry, vicious outlook that Damu had learned in his time trying to help his family was just that: a learned and earned behavior. To Kion, the worst part about Damu's situation was the fact that he didn't care, and he knew he didn't care one bit about the suffering of Damu's Pride. Chagua might have decided who her mate was, but Damu and the others didn't get to choose who their father and Alpha Male was. Just like Nuka, Vitani and Kovu, Damu didn't get a choice as to whom his bloodborne loyalty was owed.

What else could we have been but enemies? Kion thought, and then realized his mistake when Mudai glowered at him. However, she allowed him to speak his mind. "I… I just can't sympathize with you Damu. The sins of the forerunners should never be put upon those in posterity, but why does that not apply to my family? Why should Dad, and Mom, and Kiara all have to be affected because of what Grandma Sarabi may or may not have done?" Damu growled at Kion, even if he had to admire Kion's loyalty and steadfast demeanor. That being said, Mudai was happy that Kion was at least genuinely asking that question. And Mudai was going to answer that genuinely.

"Because they only have what they do because of her actions. Simba didn't get to choose his parents, in the same way Damu and Iyapo didn't get to choose theirs. Yet, they suffer the consequences of being born to the wrong sires. Is it not justice that your family becomes subject to the same trials that they currently face?" She didn't even pose that question with malice, for she wanted Kion's true answer.

He seemed to consider it for a moment, and even hesitated to form the thought. But in the end, even Kion couldn't deny what he's witnessed. "Just… Allow me a chance to set a few things right. That's all I ask." He sounded resigned, almost as though he knew Mudai and Damu could see right through his soul. And he'd be right; Mudai knew that Kion would steel himself up for his trap through the past.

And that was why she was going to happily oblige. She opened a portal, and as she did the two living lions could practically hear the fabric of time being rent asunder. Almost as though the universe was screaming in pain as she did this, but could otherwise do nothing about it. A chill was sent up their spines, but Mudai simply reassured them.

"You two will be sent to different points, but will otherwise walk the same path in the same timeline up until the point where you are destined to be born. Your souls, like all others, are fixed points in time: you will not retain any memory of what you do before your births. Nor will you be aware that any time travel or anomalies took place once your souls are delivered to your newborn bodies. Whatever you change, you had better hope it is for the advancement of your individual goals." Mudai warned, and both lions considered her words for a moment.

However, their choice was unamimous. They both walked through the portal, sparing no further thoughts for the timeline they were leaving.