I hope this chapter as exciting for you as the name suggests :P well...maybe a little more exciting...I mean you can't get that much excitement from a title...can you...?
Anyway, Please read this before you continue!!! Ok from now on I'll be picking songs for certain scenes in my story. This means I'll be prompting you to listen to the song when you are reading. The name of the song will be surrounded by dashes e.g. ----(song name)---- The song in this is from The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. That should aid your search on youtube for whenever you see the song name :P
Disclaimer: I do not own The Lion King or anything of it, just this story and my O/Cs.
~13~
The Battle of the Pride Lands
Simba, Chumvi, Salaam, Afua, Rafiki, Nala and Sabini all gathered around the one soul that had saved their Kingdom, now lying on death's doorstep for the second time in his life. All of them looked incredibly sad and pained; as if the fiercest friend they had ever encountered would not return to them this day. He was breathing ever so slightly.
"He's done too much..." Simba said firmly, "he's exhausted himself, now. Just for us...."
"I've never met such a brave, caring and...And...Someone with such a...a powerful heart in all my life..." Salaam said softly.
"He's just a boy...a teenager...but one of a kind..." Chumvi added in the sad praise.
"Oh, I'm so worried," Nala said, "He's...he's such a nice boy...a sensible, mature young lion...what will happen now?"
"He needs... a lot of rest. Physical, emotional, psychological...he's just risked all of his well-being for that of others'. He needed this rest before he confronted Leo; but now, I'm afraid it's much worse...if he is to live, we must act quickly." Rafiki explained solemnly.
Everyone's faces had changed into expressions of shock as they heard that their friend may not make it.
"What can we do?" Simba asked at once.
"Nothing, for now. Salaam and I must treat him here." Rafiki told him.
"But sir...what about the outlanders...and Leo...?" Afua asked Simba.
Simba shut his eyes in a mixture of anger and worry at the sound of their former ally.
"Chumvi," Simba said.
"Yes sir?"
"...I now promote you to General of the Knights of the Pride lands."
Chumvi looked taken aback with surprise for a moment, but quickly changed back to a dutiful expression.
"Yes sir. Thank you."
"What's going to happen? What are we going to do...?" Sabini asked anxiously.
Zazu had flown into the cave after Sabini spoke and landed on the ground in front of the critically injured teenage lion. He looked painfully saddened at the sight.
"Oh my...he...he hasn't gotten any better, has he?" Zazu said softly.
"What's the news, Zazu...?" Simba asked painfully, shutting his eyes and trying to ignore the horrific possibilities of his friend's and his daughter's fate.
"Sire...I...I'm afraid...they have her..."
Simba didn't respond. He sat there in anguish. Slowly, he turned his head to Kura. His poor friend, always helping. Always trying to make things better for him. Always intervening; always meddling in affairs that weren't his own, making situations worse. Simba couldn't take it anymore; it was all his fault. Growling in anger; he advanced on the unconscious being before him.
"You...YOU!!! WHY DID YOU DO THIS!!!?"
Salaam immediately forced himself in front of Simba before he could hurt Kura any worse than he already had been.
"Simba, STOP!!!"
"IT'S HIS FAULT!!!"
"YOU'LL KILL HIM!!!" Salaam roared.
Everyone watched the King lose control of himself in his rage and agony. Salaam was bigger than Simba; but his anger and grief were not. Everyone had seen a terrible spark in Simba's eye that day; one that they feared would take him over. Salaam tried to push him back as hard as he could. The two wrestled frantically; Salaam grabbing Simba and holding him as hard as he could, but Simba's anger had fuelled his strength.
"WHY IS HE ALWAYS GETTING IN THE WAY!!!?" Simba bellowed fiercely.
"IF HE DIDN'T, THINGS WOULD BE MUCH WORSE, NOW!!!"
"Simba, please stop!!!" Nala yelled at him fearfully.
Suddenly, Simba stopped grappling with Salaam. He was panting in shock. What was he going to do now? His daughter had been kidnapped and he may never see her again. Who was responsible for it all? Who was to blame?
"It was Leo who betrayed us, Simba..." Salaam told him firmly, "Not Kura!"
"Kura did nothing but help! What's wrong with you!?" Chumvi said in disbelief.
Simba didn't reply. He hung his head in shame and grief. Of course it wasn't Kura's fault, what came over him? But how would he get Kiara back? He recomposed himself again quickly and faced all who were on his side.
"...It's war."
Nobody knew what to think of the King's statement. They all exchanged looks of worry and shock.
"But...but sire!" Zazu yelped.
"NO! We cannot strike a deal with these people!! They'll want the whole Kingdom for themselves!! It's war!!"
He was right; no one could possibly come to a reasonable agreement with the outlanders. It was undeniably imminent; the war with the outlands had begun.
"Chumvi, Afua, round up the Knights and prepare for battle." Simba instructed them firmly, "Rafiki, Salaam, watch over Kura. Everyone, move out!"
And everyone proceeded to leave the cave reluctantly, taken aback at what was to come. They had never anticipated anything like this before. Simba hesitated to leave; and turned around to face Kura again. He approached him solemnly. The King placed a paw on his head; only to see him not react and remain motionless.
"...I'm sorry...."
***************************************************************
Zira and Leo stood alone in the outlands cave, deliberating their next plan of action. They were not making much progress, however, as Leo constantly laughed in quite a sinister and evil way. The scar that Kura had given him matched his ugly, vile and shocking character and personality inside him. The scar was exactly the same as its giver; but the heart was exactly the opposite.
"That weak little fool...he actually thought he could defeat ME!! Hahaha!!!!"
"It is you, who is the fool, Leo."
"What?"
"Another plan gone! Washed away! And by none other than that pathetic little insect..." Zira said with the utmost loathing, "If he was so weak against you, why didn't you take care of him in the first place!!?"
"And give myself away?!"
"It was going to happen anyway!! But it doesn't matter now...now that he'sdown and out; this is our time to strike..." Zira said deviously.
"And what do we do with the princess..."
"Bah! Who cares!?" Zira spat disgustedly, "She can rot in here for all I care!!"
"You are forgetting the possibility of quite a ransom..." Leo growled, "For Simba; it's either his daughter, or his Kingdom..."
Zira's eyes lit up immediately, giving a little shimmer of maliciousness to the darkness of the cave. She began laughing softly in satisfaction. Then harder, and harder again.
"Oh perfect!!! This is just too good!! I will have my home back!!!!"
"And what about me..." Leo growled.
"I told you, I would reward you when I have accomplished my goal!"
Suddenly, Leo slammed his paw around Zira's throat and held it firmly.
"Let this be a warning to you, Zira...do not deal what you cannot afford to pay, or you will pay it in blood..." Leo growled lowly, the bloodlust evident in his eyes.
"Who do you think-"
"You need me to take over the Pride lands...you better have something good..."
And Leo released her, actually squeezing out some fear in her eyes.
"We move at sunset. He can watch the princess."
Leo acknowledged Zira's young son in the background, who had battled Kura in the past. He had a brown coat, with a dark brown, short mane and vivid green eyes. Leo walked over to him; making him shy away, especially at what he said next to taunt him.
"After all...you want to be her friend...don't you?"
***************************************************************
Dusk had arrived. The wind blew a small breeze in the eerie, silent atmosphere. Pride Rock looked forbidding in front of the setting sun; casting a deadly shadow over the Pride lands to the east. A long line of lions of different colours and sizes stretched out across the base of Pride Rock, a little distance in front of it. Behind that line was another; but consisted of lionesses, instead. The noble warriors of the Pride lands faced out amongst their battlefield, and towards their enemy; the outlanders, who were spread in a similar formation to their own. It was quite a long distance between the two rival Prides. Closing that distance, attempting to reach final negotiations before war; from the Pride lands were Simba and Chumvi, and Zira and Leo from the Outlands. Each of the two glared loathingly at their enemies; especially between Simba and Zira. Chumvi had also grown quite angry and detesting towards his old general, seeing that Kura had left quite a similar mark of his own on his enemy. They met halfway on the battlefield.
"You traitor..." Chumvi growled.
"Well, well!! Look who's a big general now!!" Leo taunted him back.
Chumvi just growled viciously in rage at him. Leo smirked smugly in turn.
"Where is my daughter?" Simba said to Zira angrily.
"Oh, she's quite safe...for now..." Zira replied smugly.
"Give her back to me..." Simba growled fiercely.
"Now, now, my King! I'm sure you know that is not how deals are done!" Zira teased him evilly, "You will have your precious princess...if..."
"Say it..."
"...If you run away and never return..."
Simba immediately growled at the lioness; instantly offended by the very same words his uncle used to haunt him long ago.
"How dare you..." Simba growled viciously, bearing his teeth fiercely.
"Why don't you take me instead!" Chumvi suggested boldly.
Simba immediately lost his expression of hatred and gaped at his General.
"Ha! You? And what value or use would you provide?" Leo taunted his former captain.
"Like you said...who's a big General, now?" Chumvi answered back smartly.
Leo chuckled slyly at Chumvi and looked at him in the eye for a moment.
"...Done." Leo made the deal.
"Not done!!" Simba and Zira both shouted.
"I need you with me, Chumvi!" Simba told him encouragingly, "I can't afford to lose you!"
"You've taken your eye off the ball! He's not what we want!!" Zira scolded Leo quietly, "We will hand over the princess, if you give us that little cat you're keeping with you!!"
Simba knew very well that she was talking about Kura. He was already critically injured; why would he just throw him over to certain death? Kura was the most invaluable friend he had; he was just a teenager and yet he had done so much for the King and he would not let the young lion out of his sight until his debt had been repaid. Simba screwed his face up in rage at the preposterous deal she had offered.
"Not on your pathetic, worthless excuse for a life..." Simba growled adamantly at Zira.
Now Zira made the same expression as the King; angered at his denial.
"Then we have no deal..." she growled back.
"We will fight you...and you will die..." Leo told the two, sounding as if he was laughing under the threats.
The scary thing about Leo was that he looked as if all of this suffering and destruction truly excited him inside. As if he was going to enjoy it all.
"We will fight...and you will be brought to justice..." Chumvi replied in a dignified way.
And so; the four rivals exchanged threatening and angry looks before they left to return to their Prides. Chumvi and Leo especially glared at each other quite viciously. After the sun had set; no one had settled down to sleep that night. Everyone on both sides knew what to anticipate in the forthcoming days. It was now official. The Pride lands had gone to war.
***************************************************************
"Come on, Kura...stay with us..." Salaam said gently as he held the young lion across his hind legs as he sat.
They were in Roho Ndani, safe from the potential danger outside. Rafiki was working away, rubbing different powders and ointments on different places on Kura's body; using different wooden tools he had shaped himself, occasionally asking Salaam to hold Kura a certain way for a moment or to open his mouth.
"Will he be alright?" Salaam asked Rafiki nervously.
"...I cannot say. I'm afraid I've done all I can."
Salaam's eyes opened wide in shock. Rafiki had sounded like the very thing they were working against was going to happen. It couldn't. It just couldn't.
"Surely...you don't mean...?" Salaam asked him again, more in shock this time.
Rafiki shut his eyes in uncertainty.
"...I don't know. There's nothing more I can do."
Salaam gently placed his paw on top of Kura's head.
"What are you doing? You cannot invade his mind! He needs to rest! He is extremelycritical!" Rafiki exclaimed.
"I'm not invading his mind..." Salaam said softly, "...I'm relaxing it."
Rafiki watched carefully as Salaam closed his eyes. Salaam's powers had evidently taken effect as he closed his eyes, as Kura shifted slightly and murmured in his unconsciousness.
"He's been through a lot, Rafiki...he needs all kinds of rest, like you said."
***************************************************************
It was the dead of night. Nala and a few other lionesses were out on sentry duty; which was not a very good thing. Sentry duty only occurred in the event of war. And that had never happened in the Pride lands. Not until now. They were all spread out over the land evenly, keeping an eye towards the south; the outlands. Simba and the rest of the Pride were back at the den. Nala knew that her mate would be keeping watch for a signal that they both assigned the sentry eagles to give when the outlanders were going in for a full-scale attack. She also knew that she was supposed to have her full concentration on the landscape in front of her for any signs of the enemy; but her concern for the dear young lion that had helped them so much had sometimes gotten the best of her, but Kiara was in the front of her mind. Oh...I do hope my baby's alright...and Kura too, Nala thought anxiously, Oh...just think how lovely they could have been together...Kiara deserves everything in that young lion's heart, and the heart of that lion is made of gold. Nala had noticed that the two had become quite close, now, and had a tiny feeling that they were probably even in love with each other. She remembered that Kura was in quite a critical condition; but she tried to calm herself down, also remembering that he was in care of the Pride's two most expert hospitality workers. Rafiki was an expert in medicine and healing herbs; and Salaam was a master of psychology and possessed other mental and emotional gifts, as well. A little reassured, Nala snapped out of her worry and went back to her watch. She noticed a sentry eagle quietly land down beside her on the ground.
"Any signs, your majesty?" he whispered.
"No...Nothing. What about Simba and the rest?" she replied quietly.
"The King has the lionesses in position. General Chumvi and the Knights are all set, too."
"Any word from Zazu yet?"
Simba had sent Zazu to the north, to Malka and his Pride, to request for reinforcements for the war ahead.
"No, my Queen. He has not yet returned from...your majesty...?"
Nala had stopped listening to the eagle at once, for the very thing she had been keeping watch for had appeared. All of them came over the hills from ahead. Her heart pounded in her chest. Now was the time.
"Give the first signal, now!!"
And the eagle obeyed without question, flying high into the sky and diving right down again repeatedly as a signal. Nala could then see the lionesses quickly but quietly coming out from the base of Pride Rock and towards the field ahead. I hope this works...
***************************************************************
The blue light shimmered peacefully around the walls of Roho Ndani. Salaam still held Kura in his paws, praying to the Kings above that he would wake up. Rafiki stood in front of them looking quite bewildered. The young lion lay motionlessly; only the small, shallow breaths were visible in his weak, rising chest.
"I have done all I can, Salaam." Rafiki said sadly, "His wounds have been treated, but...it just doesn't feel like it's enough..."
"Judging by his mental patterns, his quite calm in his subconscious...but I know what you mean, I just think that...that there's more we could do, but...what...?" Salaam said miserably.
"...Maybe Mufasa has the answers we seek." Rafiki suggested quietly.
Salaam looked at him confusedly for a moment, and then understood. He gently laid Kura down onto the ground and made his way over to the other side of the cave opposite the tunnel, towards the glowing pool. Salaam then sat down and didn't move for a moment. Rafiki watched him eagerly, awaiting the outcome. Salaam then raised his head.
"What...?" he breathed, sounding a little in shock.
"What did he say...?" Rafiki asked patiently.
Salaam didn't answer for a moment, still trying to contemplate what he had just heard from the other side. He then turned to face Rafiki, the surprise evident on his face.
"He...he said to leave him here..." Salaam said quietly, "But I...I don't understand, we...we can't!"
Now Rafiki shared his concern and surprise.
"No! Mufasa, what are you talking about?" Rafiki asked urgently, bounding towards the pool himself.
"He...he said...just to go...and leave him here..." Salaam repeated softly, "That...he will take care of him..."
Now they both exchanged looks of worry and surprise.
"...Then, we must trust our old friend." Rafiki submitted.
Salaam sighed sadly, "Mufasa...I hope you know what you're doing..."
Then the two turned to leave the mystical cave, trusting their passed friend's decision. Salaam stopped shortly to stroke Kura very softly, and proceeded to leave with Rafiki.
"He's just a boy...he's been through so much..." Salaam said sadly as they walked.
"Yes...a remarkable young lion. But sometimes, we must hope and believe. Those who have passed are not truly gone...sometimes, faith may be the only thing that can save us."
***************************************************************
----Battle at Aslan's How----
Zira carefully treaded through the Pride lands, her pride of lionesses following behind her cautiously. They ignored the still, deadly night air and all of its suspicion, focusing on the one rock formation in front of them that they had once called "home". Suddenly, her paw stepped on something...furry. She looked down quickly to see what she had stumbled upon, to find a dead Pride Lander lioness.
"What is this...?" Zira said to herself suspiciously, "Has Leo taken care of them, as well?" she asked her followers.
They all just looked at each other in confusion. Then Zira lifted her sight to the rest of the battlefield, and much to her surprise; all of Simba's pride lay motionless on the grass beyond. What is going on here? What happened? She thought bemusedly, does this mean...all of them are dead? I can finally reclaim my home...?Small seeds of sinister joy began sprouting inside Zira; her chance had at last finally come. She commanded them to keep walking through the graveyard of the Pride lands, finding more and more deaths along the way. When they had seemed to be in the middle of it all, Zira found one lion, also seemingly dead. It was none other than Afua, the captain of the Knights. Could this really be true? Were they all dead?
"Oh, this is just toogood..." Zira said happily in her dark, seductive voice.
"Zira," a lioness said, "how did they all die...? We have seen no wounds on them!"
And it was then that utter dread came over Zira. She had a feeling of exactly what this was. And then, looking down at Afua, her eyes had fully opened in shock as her fears had been confirmed as his mouth had moved to shout the word:
"NOW!!!!"
***************************************************************
And the battle of the Pride lands had begun. All of the Pride lands lionesses immediately sprung up from their "dead" state and leaped on the enemy nearest them, tearing them down with claws and teeth. Afua instantly pounced at Zira; half-succeeding as she kicked him over herself. Afua landed near an outlander, now setting his focus on her. She caught his sight; and ran at him with vigour. She lifted a claw to strike him; but Afua half ducked and slid to the opposite side from where the claw was coming from. Catching her off-guard, Afua then brought up his left claw with great force under the lioness; and then brought down his right upon his enemy. She fell in pain from the blow. Now his attention turned back to Zira, who had just thrown a defeated Pride lands lioness away from her. Zira caught his sight, and returned it with an angry glare and growl. Around them, the battle raged on in a flurry of lionesses biting, clawing, pouncing and striking deadly blows upon one another.
"You've been banished for your evil deeds! Banishment means forever!!" Afua growled at the evil lioness.
"You cannot take away my home!!" Zira retaliated, and the two then pounced at each other.
They clawed and bit at each other in a frenzy; Afua howling in pain from her wrath. But he ignored it and summoned his strength to knock Zira on the ground, facing up towards him. Afua took his chance to strike at his enemy without hesitation, but felt something dig into his neck agonisingly. He couldn't finish his swing; he howled again and felt himself being thrown down onto the ground. He opened his eyes from the howl; only to see his old general standing above him, the bloodlust evident in his eyes and vicious teeth.
"There was never room for cowards like you in the knighthood..." Leo snarled, twisting his expression into a sinister, frightening grin.
Afua's eyes widened in fear as he saw Leo raise his sharp claws high in the air, and his heart was swallowed by dread as he saw him bring it down again. But, much to both of their surprise, nothing happened at all. Leo didn't land his hit. Because there was a brown paw stopping him from doing it.
"Just what are you fighting for?!" Chumvi said to Leo angrily, before swinging his body around and punching Leo in his stomach.
Now Chumvi and the Knights had entered the battle. As he caught Leo off-guard, Chumvi then quickly gave him a smack across the face to send him down to the ground. Leo howled in pain, but quickly glowered back at his old captain.
"Afua, go!! I have some businessto take care of..." Chumvi yelled at his friend, who complied.
Leo slowly got back up, holding a fierce, feral glare with Chumvi; who growled in return.
"A traitor like you does not belong here..." Chumvi growled lowly.
Leo gave a quiet, rough laugh.
"It is only weaklings who don't belong in these lands!!" he retaliated fiercely, and the two former allies pounced at each other with all their might.
***************************************************************
Meanwhile, Nala had been caught up with Zira. She had received a few scratches here and there from the evil lioness, but nothing too serious. The battle around them was tense; lions and lionesses were jumping and pouncing everywhere. Unforgiving claws landed upon enemies on both sides. The outlanders were gaining an edge, now that Leo had joined the fray. The fact that it was dark did not help much, either. We need Simba, Nala thought. She and Zira paused to glower at each other.
"Your efforts are in vain, Nala..." Zira taunted her, "This is my Kingdom now!!!"
"The only efforts of mine that are in vain, Zira, is negotiatingfor you to turn back!!!" Nala retaliated.
Two Knights had joined Nala on either side of her, also facing Zira. Nala then ordered one of them to run to Pride Rock and bring Simba onto the battlefield. He obeyed without hesitation. Zira chuckled evilly at Nala afterwards.
"What's the matter, Nala...do you need some help?" she taunted, and pounced at Nala.
She came down hard and bit the back of Nala's neck; who quickly landed a heavy blow across Zira's face to force her off.
***************************************************************
Leo had his paws on Chumvi's chest, pinning him to the ground. Slowly but surely, he unsheathed his claws and pierced his fur. Chumvi howled in agony at Leo digging his claws into his chest. He then bent down to his ear.
"I told you..."
His claws went even further.
"We would fight you..."
Chumvi tried to push Leo off but he was too strong.
"...And you will die..."
Now Leo lifted Chumvi up into the air, with his claws still in him. It was pure agony. His claws were sharp and long. The tore Chumvi's flesh clean apart. And now the last thing he would see before he died was Leo's evil, twisted grin. It was evident in his burning eyes that he was enjoying this all too well. His bloodlust was too great. But Chumvi quickly came back to his senses and gave Leo a strong, swift kick in the face with both his hind paws. Surely enough, Leo fell to the ground on his back, as did Chumvi, heavily. The blood soaked his chest, but he had to ignore it and continue fighting. Suddenly, a deep, thundering voice sounded not so far away. He looked up, and saw none other than Salaam hold Leo high in the air by his throat.
"The pit of the damned is reserved for traitors like you..." he said darkly, and with what seemed like no effort at all, Salaam threw Leo aside heavily onto the ground.
Salaam was the only thing that was quite easily visible in the darkness of the night. He quickly padded over to Chumvi and helped him up. Chumvi thanked the white lion, but then heard Leo rally his forces.
"ALL OF YOU FOLLOW ME!!!" he shouted.
And then, Leo sprinted towards Pride Rock itself. And the outlanders all followed, seeming to ignore their enemy all together. Horror struck Salaam and Chumvi's hearts. They really were trying to take over the Kingdom.
***************************************************************
Simba paced the den very uneasily. His nerves felt as if they were going to explode with adrenaline. Timon and Pumbaa stood there watching him nervously.
"Buddy, how come you're not out there kickin' butt already?" Timon asked him light-heartedly.
As well as Timon meant; Simba did not have the patience to joke around with him.
"Because that's not the plan!!" he snapped back.
"Simba, you should just rest a little...you didn't sit down once..." Pumbaa suggested.
"I'm fine!"
"Sire!!" shouted a voice.
Simba turned to see one of his Knights at the mouth of the den.
"The outlanders are launching a full-scale assault on Pride Rock, sir!!" he said urgently.
Now Simba's nerves had unsettled more. But he knew what he had to do.
"Go back to the others! I'll take care of this..." he said solidly.
"But, sir! They're all moving to attack the rock as we speak, look outside!!"
Simba ran outside to the promontory of Pride Rock, and dread and fear consumed his heart completely. Even through the dark, he saw the entire Pride of outlanders, lead by Zira and Leo, charging towards Pride Rock itself from a distance away. For a moment, all Simba did was stand there and watch them. Timon and Pumbaa watched him in confusion. Simba then slowly turned around and made his way back to the den. Nobody knew what was going on. Nobody knew what the King was doing. The outlanders were getting closer to Pride Rock now, with Simba's Pride chasing them from behind. All seemed lost, as if there was no hope anymore. Suddenly, Simba emerged from the mouth of the den. He charged up the promontory of Pride Rock, the walkway where he claimed his throne. What the King did next was totally unexpected. It all seemed to happen in slow motion. When Simba had reached the edge, he leapt off into the air. The outlanders themselves seemed to run on in total shock at what the King had just done. It was as if Simba was flying without wings. Simba slowly came down in the night air. His body was in a pouncing shape; as if he was diving down to the ground. The outlanders still weren't close enough yet, even for Simba to tackle them when he landed, if that's what he was doing. But no, suddenly, a very large, bulking rhino charged under the King and caught him. Simba landed with a thud on the rhino's tough hide. Now the both of them charged towards the Pride of outlanders, who looked intimidated indeed.
"KEEP GOING!!" Leo shouted to them.
They reluctantly obeyed, continuing to charge at the King and his titan of a weapon. As soon as they were within leaping range, Simba ran forward on the rhino's back and leapt off again, with his claws unsheathed, towards the outlanders. But this time, Zira had leapt off a small, protruding rock from the ground, preparing to brace the King in mid-air. They both collided, Simba carrying the greater force and taking Zira to the ground with him. However, Leo had managed to leap onto the rhino's horn and, quite horrifically, blinded the poor beast. Now the outlanders' morale had increased. They all stormed onto the rhino, which had fallen to the ground victim to Leo's merciless wrath. Simba and Zira clawed and bit at each other, wrestling in frenzy on the ground. Simba's Pride tried to fight off the outlanders, but their attacks and morale were so fierce, their efforts were in vain. Simba then suddenly felt a piercing feeling on the back of his neck that forcefully pushed him to the ground and turned him to face upwards. Zira had backed off; seeming to know what was coming next. Simba's eyes met Leo's as he held the King at his mercy on the ground. His eyes were burning with sinister delight and bloodlust.
"These lands are mine..." he whispered to Simba, before throwing him down a grassy hill behind him with the rest of his Pride.
Simba was flung onto the dusty earth heavily, scowling at the force he had endured. He weakly looked back up at their enemy, now standing victorious. Leo's dark, twisted smile had stretched across his face in triumph, with Zira joining him. The sky was turning a lilac colour, signifying the approach of sunrise. But Simba and his Pride knew that this time, the sun would rise with a new ruler. All was lost, now. Kura was left behind. Kiara was failed to be rescued. They had been defeated. Their lands now desecrated with the reign of traitors and usurpers, there was nothing they could do now, but leave.
***************************************************************
The shimmering blue light of the mystical pool made distorted images on the walls of Roho Ndani. All was silent, except for a small breeze that had somehow made it into the cave. A young lion lay there motionlessly in the middle of the cave. He didn't seem to be hurt; there were no marks or wounds on him. A deep, booming voice called his name.
Kura...
Kura did not respond. He was still seemingly unconscious.
Kura...
But this time, something happened. Slowly but surely, Kura's light brown eyes opened softly. He took in his surroundings, trying to comprehend what had just happened to him.
Rise.
Kura complied with the voice. He rolled over and carefully pushed himself onto his paws. Seeing the dancing light from the pull, he padded over to it slowly and gazed into it. At first, there were the familiar waves of light streaming through the water; but suddenly an image had formed. It was a bright lilac sky; Kura guessed that it would almost be sunrise in the image. Crossing some grassy plains with all of their heads hung in despair, was a Pride of lions and lionesses. He didn't recognise any of them. He didn't even know where, or who he was. He remembered nothing at all. But why did they all look so familiar? He didn't know any of them. At least, he didn't think he did. What was going on?
Bring them hope...lead them to victory...
And as those familiar words boomed inside the cave, Kura's eyes fully opened as returning memories flew back into his mind. He remembered everything. Kiara had been kidnapped. Simba, for some reason, was leaving Pride Rock with everyone else. Now he knew what he had to do. It felt like it was....
It is your destiny...
I take it back for when I said "things have taken a turn for the worse" last chapter, and I say it again for this chapter. So, things have taken a turn for the worst. :P This is also the one chapter in the story where Kura is most inactive.
Simba's Pride have lost the battle, and Leo and Zira have now taken control of the Kingdom!! What will Simba do now? And what about Kiara? There only is one hope for the Pride now. One hope that will lead them to certain victory.
So what did you all think? I tried to make Leo as fierce and sinister as I could, it fitted his strength. He's a powerful one, alright :P It was difficult to do the fighting, I hope you liked the song too, if you listened to it :P Thanks to everyone who reviews and supports me in any way, you don't know how much appreciated it is. Please review this chapter, as I found the fighting quite difficult to do, and tell me what you think of the characters and events, please!!! Please review, thanks for reading!!!
P.S. I probably won't be updating as often now because exams are around the corner!!