Chapter Eleven: One Once Again (Part Two)
Deep, yet soft rumbling could be heard in the distance, as if it was a lion emitting a purr that soon turned into a soft warning growl, but it would take a while before the coming storm would arrive. In the mean time, the sun beat down heavily on the Pride Lands, having an affect on animal's more than usual. But the heat was nothing too serious.
Simba stood on the promontory, looking up at the sky. Many things going through his mind. All the animals soon left after Kovu was exiled, and Simba was somewhat glad for this. He could relax his regal posture, and lowered his head.
Some strands of his mane fell in front of his eyes, and he sighed deeply. Conflicted about what he did, and wondering if it was the right or wrong thing. Ultimately, kept to his original decision, and raised his head.
This was an important part of being a King. Making choices based on what you may think is best for your people. Sometimes those choices are the wrong ones, and sometimes they are the right choices. To learn about the mistakes you made, and try to better your self, not as a king, but also a lion. This was a major factor in the Circle of Life.
Nala walked into the den, and Mheetu was resting, he has been on a long journey, and really needed sleep. Nala looked for Kiara, wanting to reassure her. Kovu's betrayal, tugged at Nala's heart. She truly thought that Kovu was a good lion, but the ambush on Simba, proved her wrong, or so she thought, and the others. Kiara on the other paw, refused to believe he had anything to do with the ambush.
Nala found Kiara in a deep part of the den, and her cheek fur was matted with tears. Kiara was so distraught, she fell asleep. The sleep however would not be a very long one. Nala frowned at the sleeping form of her daughter, and nuzzled the sleeping lioness's cheek.
The Lioness Queen lowered her body and rested against her daughter. Leaning against her lightly and she emitted a small purr. These were emotional times indeed. But Nala wanted to be that small spark of light, during such times. She did well at being such a light. And in the future, Kiara would later take such a trait from her mother.
Nala deep in her thoughts, lowered her head, and began to nap. Glad to be sleeping near her daughter. Nala had pleasant dreams. Dreams about her cub hood, playing with Simba, and the other cubs. This was of course before she found out she was betrothed to Simba, and before he was falsely declared dead by his Uncle. The both of them, had no real worries, just each other. Simba and Nala.
During Nala's slumber, Kiara woke up, and saw her mother, very close to her. Kiara smiled warmly at her mother. Kiara knew she couldn't stay. She wanted to find Kovu. Kiara saw light coming from a few inches above, on the cave wall. Some rocks were loose, and she parted the rocks, trying not to wake her mother.
Kiara squeezed through the exit she created, and ran off, in search of the lion she fell for. She felt truly alone with out him. She was quite the distance away from Pride Rock, and looked back. Her ears flattened against her head, and she teared up lightly.
It would be an hour after the sun set before anyone besides Nala, would realize Kiara left Pride Rock. Once Nala woke up, she had an idea on where her daughter may be. She did nothing about it, because she felt it was the best thing. She could not explain it, but she felt very sure about this. She had to have faith in her daughter. And she did, very much so.
The sun finally set, and a heavy rain storm has hit the Pride Lands. During the past hour, Simba had to be away, dealing with a dispute between a giraffe and wildebeest. Simba returned to Pride Rock, and entered the den. He shook his mane, and water lightly splashed the stone floor. He could hear Timon and Pumbaa literally fighting about something.
"What's going on here?!" Simba asked firmly, not once has he ever seen these two get like this.
Timon exclaimed in surprise, and Pumbaa stood on all fours, causing Timon to fly of his friend. The two friend's were beating around the bush as to the reason behind their fighting, until Timon gave a very obvious hint that a certain daughter was missing.
Simba gritted his teeth, and kneaded the stone floor, it hurt, but he was very upset with Kiara.
"Kiara's gone?!" Simba said loudly.
As soon as he said that, Zazu flew in the den, panting, and drenched with water. Nala joined them, and was wondering what was wrong with Zazu.
"Zazu, what is it?" Asked Nala.
"The Outsiders are one their way, they've declared war!" Zazu said with great worry.
Nala's heart sank. Kiara was out there, was it possible that she could be caught in the path of the ones who wish to create utter chaos. Has she made the wrong choice in doing nothing of knowing that she was out there, this whole time?
Simba ordered Nala to assemble the lioness, and she did so, with no hesitation. Timon and Pumbaa were taken by horrible surprise by what Zazu said.
Meanwhile in the Pride Lands
Kiara and Kovu reunited. The both of them very content to be in each other's presence again. Kovu placed his paw upon Kiara's.
"Let's run away together, and start a pride, all on our own." Kovu said softly.
Kiara moved away lightly, looking to him, seriously, yet softly. She couldn't let this pride continue this pointless feud.
"No, Kovu. If we run now, our pride could be divided forever..."
Kovu looked down, pondering on what she said. She was right, and she was the only one to truly know he was innocent, and the ambush on Simba, wasn't his fault. This was the very final attempt on reuniting this pride. Some one had to put their paw down, and make things right again. A zebra galloped toward them, and he skid to halt, panting from the contasnt running.
Kiara looked to him, and tilted her head.
"Pride Landers...OutLanders...Going...To War...Princess" Panted the zebra, out of breath. Kiara looked to Kovu with great worry. In the distance, Kiara and Kovu could see both Prides heading toward each other. With no questions asked, Kiara and Kovu ran toward the two prides.
Meanwhile on the Border of the Pride Lands.
Simba, Nala and their pride approached Zira and her followers. Thunder boomed. Lightning flashed, lighting the entire sky. Rain falling heavily on both prides. Vultures flew above them, knowing that not everyone would get out of this alive. Numerous animals nudged their families out of the way, not wanting to get seriously hurt in the war that was about to begin.
Simba's followers stopped in their tracks, as did Zira's. Zira and her followers were partially covered in mud, due to the heavy rain. They must of walked through a lake to get here.
"Zira...Go home." Simba highly suggest, not wanting anyone to get hurt.
Zira glared at him. Her eyes burned with passionate hatred for Simba, and the other Pride Landers.
"I am home." Zira replied, grinning evilly.
Thunder cracked in the sky, and lightning soon followed.
"Attack!" Zira yelled.
The war was about to begin. Simba and his followers began to advance, as did Zira's. First it was a slow trot, then it later turned to running. Claws unsheathed, sharp fangs bared. The divided pride collided with each other. Biting, snarling, blood shed. The Outsiders attacked the Pride Landers. Biting into their backs and thrusting their head back and forth, while holding on with their sharp fangs. Painful howls echoed, as the war was taking place near a gorge.
Vitani arrived to the scene, she has certainly grown. And was a fine huntress indeed. She bit into a Pride Lander's tail, and bit it right off, snarling, and gulped it down, smacking her lips. Vitani then climbed onto a medium sized rock formation, and looked down. Vitani noticed Nala, she just struck an OutLander across the maw.
"Where's your handsome son, Nala?" Vtani snarled, in a cruel joking manner.
Nala slowly turned her gaze toward the voice, and saw who it was.
"Vitani!" Nala hissed.
Vitani jumped off the rock formation, and violently wrestled with Nala. While they wrestled, Kiara and Kovu were getting closer, to try and prevent anymore blood from being shed. Simba slashed at an OutLander, and knocked her out cold. Zira was slowly approaching Simba, she laughed evilly.
"Simba...You're mine!" She growled, and made her move. She struck at his maw as he wans't looking, and he fell to the muddy ground. Blood dripped from his maw. She laughed up at the sky, as if she was glaring at the Great Kings, seeing how their descendant was easily cast aside. Mud water slowly dripped from Zira's furry chin.
All the fighting around Simba and Zira ceased, as they saw The Lion King on the ground. Total silence from them all. All that could be heard was soft thunder. Simba slowly got up, panting. Struggling to stay up, due to the ambush on him, hours before. But he would die, fighting for his land. He would not give up.
Simba and Zira began to walk in unison, but in circles. Neither one of them, letting each other out of their sight. Zira raised her paw, claws ready to deliver the final blow. Simba did the same. Sharp teeth bared, rain dripping from their furry bodies.
Before they could deliver such a blow, a roar was heard from two lions. It was Kiara and Kovu, they ran in front of both their parents. Kiara in front of Simba, and Kovu in front of Zira.
"Kovu. Move." Zira ordered her son.
"Stand aside." Simba told Kiara.
"Daddy, this has to stop." Kiara said firmly, looking to her father seriously, ears pinned back.
Kovu glared at his mother.
"You're even weaker than I thought. Get out of the way." Zira said to Kovu.
"You'll never hurt Kiara or Simba. Not while I'm here." Kovu said in response to her hurtful words, but he didn't let it show that it did so.
Zira growled in response to his words.
"Stay out of this." Simba said to Kiara.
Kiara looked to her father and shook her head, and walked a bit closer to him. Looking in his eyes softly, with no hint of anger. Only understanding.
"A wise king once told me: "We are one." I didn't understand him then. But now I do." Kiara purred happily to her father.
Simba looked to the Outsiders, they all were listening.
"But they..." Simba began, but was cut off by Kiara.
Kiara then turned her gaze toward the Outsiders and Pride Landers, to make a serious point.
"Them? Us? Look at them...They are us...They once were, a part of our Pride...What differences do you see?" Kiara asked softly. Hoping that her father and the others will finally move on from what happened in the past. Simba struggled briefly with what his daughter said, but he had to make a choice. The one he chose that was best for all of them, wasn't easy. It never was.
The storm passed, as Simba finally came into terms with what his daughter said. She was right. Sun light shone from out of the dark clouds, and unto Simba's face. He smiled warmly at his daughter. Nala walked toward them, and pondered as to why she didn't come to this conclusion as well. In fact, this was what Asante the female hyena was trying to teach them all along.
Sadly, they were too blind to see it. But now they are not so blind.
Zira rolled her eyes, and hissed.
"Vitani, now!" Said Zira, hoping her daughter will help her fight. The Outsiders knew Kiara was right as well.
Vitani slowly walked toward the Pride Landers side, and looked to Nala, with a frown upon her maw, and whispered to The Lioness Queen.
"I'm sorry." Vitani whispered ruefully. Nala nodded once, knowing what the apology was for. Vitani then turned her attention to Zira.
"No, Mother. Kiara's right...Enough." Vitani said.
Zira kneaded the ground, getting really irritated by all the change of hearts.
"If you will not fight, then you will die as well." Zira growled softly.
Zira's followers gasped and scoffed, they couldn't believe what Zira would do, just to hold on to something that has happened in the past. They shook their heads, and finally joined Simba's pride. Where they truly belonged.
"What? Where are you going?" She asked her followers.
Simba looked at Zira. Ultimately he and Nala were ready to forgive her, for the terrible things she did in the past, and hopefully she could forgive them, for what they did as well.
"Zira, it's time to put the past, behind us." Said Simba.
Zira glared at them all. She was now all alone.
"I'll never let it go. I've dreamed of nothing else...For years..." Zira replied, with a soft growl.
"Boy, does she need a new hobby..." Timon said, as a matter of fact. Nala wasn't aware that Timon and Pumbaa were around.
"This is for you, Scar." Said Zira, and she with great surprise, tackled Kiara. None of them saw this attack coming. Sure, they thought she would attack Simba. But Kiara?
Kiara and Zira wrestled. Zira had no time to cause any harm to Kiara, as the both of them rolled off te edge of the gorge. Nala, Simba, and the others gasped, going to the edge, watching with worry for the princess and Zira.
Nala looked ahead to her right. In the gorge, all the rain water must have been held back, from this dam, and it seems that the dam wouldn't hold much longer. Soon enough, Nala was right. The dam broke, and a huge wave of water, flooded the gorge. Kiara landed on a platform of rock, sticking out of the wall of the gorge, and Zira was holding on to dear life. With only her claws, keeping her from falling.
"Simba, the river!" Nala yelled. Simba did his best to crawl down to Kiara, to protect her from Zira. He couldn't see exactly what whas going on down there, since most of the wall, blocked his view.
Kiara reached down with her paw, trying to help Zira. Zira didn't see that way, and swiped at Kiara's paw. Zira slid even more so. Grunting, trying to get up, to safety.
"Zira...Come on...I'll help you." Kiara said, trying to save Zira from falling.
Zira looked up at Kiara. Help? After all that she has done, this young princess is willing to save her? Zira's train of thought was cut short, as her claws slipped, and she fell. Into the raging water. Zira didn't survive the fall. Kiara looked away, and her ears pinned against her head.
Kiara emitted a whimper, and looked up as Simba softly called her name. With Simba's help, Kiara reached the top with the others.
"Oh, Kiara, I'm glad you're all right." Nala said, nuzzling her daughter.
"I couldn't save Zira." Kiara said ruefully, Vitani and Kovu sighed. Sure Zira wasn't the best mother, but she was still their mother.
The raging river calmed down, as it traveled far from the Pride Lands. And the sun shown brightly on the Pride Lands.
Kiara and Kovu nuzzled each other, purring softly.
"Let's go home." Said Simba.
The lioness who were on Zira's side, approached Simba, smiling lightly, since in fact, they were still the same pride. Simba looked to them, and smiled warmly.
"All of us." Simba told them.
At long last. The pride was reunited. It took years, and many attempts. But finally. The Circle of Life was in perfect balance again. The entire pride still had a lot to talk about, and get things to back to how they were. But they would. Peacefully, and with no violence and blood shed. Sadly a few members of the pride died during the war. But in their honor, and for the rest of the Pride Lands, the pride put the past behind them, and moved on to a brighter future.
Nala and Simba climbed the promontory of Pride Rock, looking down at their land, smiling warmly. Kiara and Kovu followed right behind the king and queen. In order to celebrate the pride finally being reunited, Simba emitted a triumphant roar. Nala soon followed. The animals witnessing this, bellowed, howled and chirped, and many sounds followed.
Kiara and Kovu joined in the joyous roar. The wind began to blow, through Nala's fur, and through Simba's mane. A voice could be softly heard in the wind. It was Asante's voice. Nala knew that Asante must of passed away, but Asante's voice wasn't sad. Her voice was very happy indeed. Nala nuzzled the wind, glad to hear from her friend in some shape or form.
"We are one." Said the voice of Asante. And as soon as the wind came, it vanished.
Nala looked to her daughter a few seconds later. She was very proud of Kiara. For all this she has done, for her family, and her kindgom. Nala has been through many trials, and tribulations. Being a Queen and a Mother, wasn't easy. But it sure did look like she did well. Nala taught her daughter what she could, and in turn, Kiara taught them as well. We all go through a journey in the Circle of Life, and experience many things that later shape us into who we are in the future. The curtain falls on this part of this story. In truth, the Circle of Life will continue, and many generations will tell, of their ancestors, who triumphed over a long feud, and restored the Circle of Life.
THE END...