: Chapter 13:

Retribution

Shenzi, Banzai and Ed entered the elephant grave yard they were shaking, they knew what they had to do, Simba had commanded them to kill Zira for her part in the flood and if they refused he would kill them, the choice was obvious. There was no going back now if they returned without her body they were dead.

"Let's do this." Shenzi said still not looking forward to killing someone who at a time was her closest friend.

"Are you going to be alright?" Banzai asked her.

"I'll be fine." Shenzi answered

"ah come on she's just one lion, a vicious, fruity, obsessed, ugly, dangerously psychotic lion but one lion, I'm sure me and the pack can take her alone." Banzai said.

It hit Shenzi at that moment "where is the pack anyway?" she asked.

"hey your right they would've at least stopped anyone approaching by this time." Banzai replied.

They entered their cave slowly looking in all directions for any sign of their clan, nothing. Banzai had to admit he was getting a little spooked it was as if the entire clan vanished.

"This is ridiculous Shenzi where are they?" he asked his voice filled with a hint of fear.

Shenzi was about to answer when she heard Ed call to them his laughing taking on a strange tone that almost sounded like fear. Shenzi and Banzai approached the direction Ed was showing as they entered they understood his fear they felt a chill go up their spines as well. The ground was littered with the bodies of hyenas scattered across the cave, it made perfect sense why they hadn't heard from the pack, there wasn't a clan at all anymore.

"I get the feeling she knew we were coming." Shenzi said.

"As always your observation continues to impress Shenzi." a cold and cruel voice called out to them, it was Zira.

"Hello my old friends how great of you to finally join your clan." she said, a cruel smile spreading across her face.

Shenzi was outraged, "how dare attack our clan, why have you done this Zira!" she demanded.

Zira's grin grew wider, "retribution." she said sinisterly.

Banzai was confused "for what?" he asked.

Zira's smile faded a look of rage taking its place. "Do you believe me a fool, I know what you've been hiding you did not just abandon Scar you murdered him! She shouted in fury.

Banzai was in a panic, she knew! "We weren't the ones who killed him, we didn't even touch him!" he said frantically.

It only fueled Zira's rage "you are a liar! You were his friends he trusted you and you would betray him in such a way!" she screamed.

Shenzi jumped in front of Banzai, "No he's telling the truth our pack ate him but we never touched him, I couldn't even bring myself to watch it!" She stated.

Banzai stood beside Shenzi, "I never had someone I considered more a friend than Scar, but he betrayed us, tried blame us for his actions and face his punishment, he was my friend once but not anymore." he said his voice showing a hint of sorrow.

Zira was unmoved, "He gave you everything he only asked you remain by his side and you betrayed him." She said in an ice cold voice.

Shenzi decided she had enough of this back and forth, "fine it was our fault but your slaughter won't bring him back." She said, she knew Zira wouldn't listen and this was likely her end but she would meet it with dignity.

Zira faced the traitors her blood boiling the thought of revenge consuming and it was finally now. She allowed herself to calm, her cold calculated demeanor returning.

"So the traitors confess to their sins." she said coldly.

Banzai was done playing games "yeah so give it your best shot we won't die cowards!" he declared unsheathing his claws.

Zira grinned, "there will be no honor, no dignity, no funeral, your bodies will not be burned or buried you will be left to rot like he was, disgraced." she promised.

"After all those who commit betrayal should face a death befitting of the treacherous." Nuka said as he entered a cave close to dozen lionesses with him.

Nuka stared daggers into Banzai, "that one!" he said while pointing to Banzai, "he's mine!" Nuka said.

"So be it but leave Shenzi alive for now I want her to suffer." Zira replied.

Nuka grinned, "whatever you say I really don't care either way." he stated.

Zira grin widened, "excellent now our time is finally here. Kill them all!" she commanded.

Shenzi, Banzai and Ed readied themselves as Zira's pack rushed them, they didn't run they charged and met them for their clan. Their claws slashed at the lionesses face while their paws smacked their jaws, Ed sunk his teeth into one of their paws the lioness roared in pain and attempt to shake him off however Ed did not notice one behind him her paw smashing into his skull sending him crashing to the floor.

"No Ed!" Banzai cried out while jumping on the lioness's back slashing it with his claws until it dropped to its' knee's he prepared to bite down on her throat before he was tackled by Nuka.

"hey uncle how's it going up for a little playing?" he asked mockingly as he dug his claws into his chest, Banzai shrieked in pain trying to squirm free.

"Oh no you're not running coward!" he told him.

"no intention of it." Banzai replied, slashing his ribs, Nuka jumped back Banzai slammed into him digging his claws into his side and dragging him to the floor.

Shenzi meanwhile held her ground with Ed against half a dozen lionesses she slashed gouged and bit at them but soon found herself being surrounded.

"guess this is how it ends." she told herself.

Ed came charging from the other side grabbing one of their heads and smashing it into a rock he grabbed her limp form and tossed it into the path of another. Ed charged at Shenzi knocking her away from the group.

"What are you doing Ed!" she cried. Ed knocked her back again and motioned to the exit of the cave.

"No way I'm leaving you!" she said tears almost in her eyes. Ed knocked a group of lionesses back while Banzai struggled with Nuka.

"you have to you're the only hope for our clan continuing go find others get out of here Shenzi!" he screamed to her.

Shenzi was practically frozen, "I can't"

Ed desperately held back a group of lionesses, "g o sis ter l ive." he spoke to her.

Shenzi felt tears streaming down her cheeks she did as they asked and ran out the cave.

Zira was furious, "no she can't escape I'm going after her, end this." She hissed.

Nuka and the lionesses surrounded Banzai and Ed, "finish them." Nuka commanded, the lionesses charged at them.

Banzai and Ed watched as the whole of Zira's pride came down on them, but they did not run instead they marched towards it.

"I guess this is it Ed." Banzai said his voice without a trace of fear Ed stood firmly as well for first time ever his drooling ceased.

"Ready?" Banzai asked him, Ed nodded as much as he could.

"for Shenzi." Banzai declared.

Banzai knew this was it thoughts of Shenzi ran through his mind their first meeting, sneaking into the pride lands when they were pups, watching her take her place as queen, comforting her pain and turning away from pride rock in tears feeling her paw in his. He wanted so much more but would be content with the moments he had he turned to Ed and knew they shared the feeling, they both loved her although each in a different way and they probably couldn't save her but they'd take as many down with them as they could. With that final vow they ran at the pride both of them cackling manically as the pride descended upon them, it was the only way for a hyena to die, laughing.

Shenzi heard the laughter of Banzai and Ed echoing across the cave until it ceased and she knew they were gone. She moved further to the cave entrance only to find Zira blocking her path.

"You will not leave." she said.

Shenzi stood her ground, "maybe not but why don't you and I settle this, face me!" Shenzi commanded her.

Zira ignored her challenge, "I said you would die without honor." she said darkly.

Shenzi noticed Nuka and the rest of Zira's pride surrounding her, it was over. Zira swatted Shenzi to ground with her paw before slicing her across chest, Shenzi doubled over in pain.

"restrain her." Zira commanded.

The lionesses grabbed Shenzi and slammed her to the ground, holding her down. Zira was satisfied.

It's done you're finished soon my beloved Scar will be avenged." she said.

Shenzi spit at her, "you really think he cared about you when he died he didn't care about anybody but himself" Zira face contorted with rage.

"but by all means continue your little vendetta and see where it leads you and when you reach the end of your road and see the truth that he didn't love you and I'll be laughing from other side!" Shenzi spoke, they were her last words.

She began laughing it started as a chuckle than escalated to a laugh before growing into full blown cackle echoing across the cave. Zira stared at her in rage, "finish her, slowly." she hissed.

The pride tore into Shenzi granting her the same fate she had granted Scar, they swarmed over her biting, slashing, tearing, gouging, ripping, they tore her to shreds and devoured her, she never stopped laughing, it was a death befitting a hyena queen and though she would never want to hear it, her mother would be proud.

Zira turned away from the carnage it was not what she had expected nor was it nearly as satisfying. Zira heard Shenzi's laughter cease and knew it was over. Nuka approached her.

"we did it we avenged dad, those slime balls didn't know what hit them." he said.

"We are not done yet, head into the jungle and track down your sister and the prince but do not engage them take a lioness with you and when you find them have her report back to me, understand?" she asked.

"of course mother" Nuka answered, and he and the lioness headed out the cave.

"I don't suppose while we're looking you'd interested in a date?" Nuka asked the lioness, she simply roared angrily at him, her answer clear.

Zira watched them leave, "you continue to impress my dear." Scar said to her.

"we are very close my love only one thing remains then you will truly be avenged." she said to him her voice almost deranged.

Scar placed his paw under her chin "you have done well I thank you for your loyalty, you have proven your value more than I could imagine, you are my queen." he said lovingly as he faded.

Zira didn't actually know whether he was real or not and quite frankly didn't care, all that mattered was that she saw him again.

"We're almost there just a little longer." she said while staring out to the jungle envisioning the pain to come.

Well I'm guessing I have some explaining to do if many fans haven't just decided they want my head. First thing yes, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed are dead. I know they have quite the fan base but it really didn't make sense for Zira to keep them alive plus I like the idea of the story between them being one of tragedy these former friends fall apart before killing each other it's quite tragic and was unfortunately always the end I had in mind for their story. It's sad to see them go but they went out in a blaze of glory, here's to Shenzi, Banzai and Ed.