The Shadowland Princess
Chapter twenty nine
A Family Reuniting, An Unlikely Alliance, and a Blood Fued Ending
As they walked towards the canyon Kovu says, "I'm sorry Vitani."
"For what honey?" Vitani asks.
"I know my face reminds you now of... him," Kovu says.
"Oh Kovu, it is far from it," Vitani says.
"Really?" Kovu asks.
"Yes, Scar is a distant memory, and sure I still have nightmares about his reign, but who wouldn't?" Vitani asks.
"Hmm, I guess you have a point there," Kovu replies.
"Besides, I think it makes you look, tough," Vitani says, and the whole group laughs.
They soon make it into the canyon and come to the dam where Nuka was buried. The boys memories served them well as they found the logs that had buried Nuka and soon moved them away. "*cough* *cough* you guys made it, *cough* thank the Great Kings of the Past. But, ah, what are you, d-doing here?" Nuka asks, after regaining consciousness.
"We came to get you out of here, but honestly, we thought you were a goner, no offense," Kovu says.
"Aw, none taken, I thought I was too," Nuka says as the last log was removed.
"Easy does it now Nuka," John says, as they help him down.
They finally make it down the dam and Nuka see's Vitani. "Vitani, please forgive me," Nuka pleads.
"For what Nuka," Vitani says.
"I do have a confession to make. My mother had a plot and I was part of it, but I no longer want to be. I was blinded by hate for my father's death, but after spending time with the pride, I realized my judgement had been clouded. I was wrong and turn against my mother. You were all right in your suspicions if you had any, but those suspicions no longer need worry, I understand if you hate me and wish to banish me once more. I more then likely deserve it," Nuka says
Vitani smiles and asks, "How can I send away my own brother after you just told the truth, learned the errors of your ways, and saved my betrothed and future brothers as well? Also I hope you forgive me."
"For what sis?" Nuka asks.
Vitani blushes and says, "For giving you a cold shoulder, practically disowning you as a brother."
"No, that one I deserved," Nuka says.
The whole group laughs. "Well we better get you to Rafiki," Terra says.
"But my mother, she's already preparing for battle," Nuka says.
"Let our daddy deal with her," Kiara says.
"No, you don't understand, her pride is too strong, you need to get help," Nuka says with urgency.
"But, all other surrounding prides that can help are at least a day and half's travel, and that's just getting there," Rosella says.
"Well, there is one place you can get help, but, I don't think you'll like it," Nuka says.
Vitani already knew what he was talking about and sighed as she says, "I sure wish it hadn't come to that, it's the last thing I would want to do."
"What I don't understand," Kiara says.
"Me neither," the rest of them say.
"We're gonna have to gather Shenzi's clan," Vitani says.
"What," the group says in unison.
"Vitani's right, I don't like the idea either, but it's the best chance we have to beat them or at least hold them to a stand still," Nuka says.
The group soon see's the truth of it and Terra says he'll go tell Simba what is going to happen. They soon make their way out of the canyon and head for the elephant graveyard. When the get there they are greeted by Shenzi. "Ah what do we have here, a royal entree," she says.
"Enough with the jokes Shenzi, I can't believe I'm saying this, but... we need you're help," Vitani says.
"And why do you think we would help you?" Banzai asks.
"Because if you don't, you're going to be under the rule of a tyrant queen and her pride, you know what it was like last time," Nuka says.
"So says the son of a former tyrant," Banzai says.
"Enough Banzai, those days are far behind all of us, and we don't want them to return, and we know you do not either," Vitani says.
"Hold on," Shenzi says before turning around and talking to her clan. She soon turns back and says, "Okay, we will help, on a few conditions."
"Here it comes," Nuka mumbles.
"You will extend our hunting grounds and allows more time at the waterhole without getting chased off," Shenzi says.
"Shenzi, that is not in my jurisdiction, that power remains with my mom and dad. Talk to them and I'll see if I can convince them at the same time to try and come to an agreement of sorts, you have a better chance of it happening if you fight with us then if you just wait out the battle," Vitani says.
"Well, that's not the answer I was hoping for, but it will have to do, I have your word you will try Vitani," Shenzi says.
"Yes, you have my word as a princess, Shenzi," Vitani says.
"Good, then we will help you fight," Shenzi says.
"Good meet my pride at Pride Rock, Terra has already given them a rundown on what's happening and we need to get Nuka looked at," Vitani says.
"Alright, clan, move out," Shenzi says.
The hyena's take off for Pride Rock as Vitani, her siblings and the boys all head to the tree with Nuka. Soon they are at the tree and call to Rafiki, he soon comes down and says, "Your majesties, a pleasure to see you all again, and what's dis, the outlander is with you? Dis is a surprise of many sorts."
"Yes, we need you to heal his wounds he sustained in his fall and during the ambush," Vitani say.
"Oh, de outlander switched sides, eh. To make one whole you must mend what is broken," Rafiki says.
"Um, huh?" Vitani asks confused with the rest of the group as Rafiki gets to work on Nuka.
"The two halves separate must reunite and be made one," Rafiki says.
Vitani contemplates what he was saying and finally figures it out. "Um, can someone here translate here please?" John says.
Everyone shrugs before Vitani says, "What he is saying is, we need to unite the prides without the use of force."
"Exactly," Rafiki says.
"How did you deduce that sis?" Kiara asks.
"I got a few private lessons from mom," Vitani says as she giggles.
"But how do we unite the prides, they hate each other," Nuka says.
"Due to a misunderstanding, our pride wants to avoid conflict, and yours is only driven because they are being tricked by Zira, if we convince them they don't have to fight us, they will more then likely join without hesitation," Vitani says.
"Are you sure," Nuka says.
"If I know Zira, she's pretty crafty and manipulative," Vitani says.
"No argument there," Nuka said.
"Okay it's settled then, but, they are more then likely taking off to fight by now, we need to move quickly," Rosella says.
"Right you are sis," Vitani says.
"Well, let's get going," Nuka says.
"You sure you're up for it bro," Vitani says.
"Come on, you think I'd let my little sisters and their boyfriends take all the glory? No way, besides, Dotty's out there," Nuka says.
Vitani chuckles at this and says, "So my brother found himself a mate."
"Not just yet, but I was planning on asking her," Nuka says.
"Good on ya Nuka," Kovu says
"Okay lets get going," Kiara says.
"Right," the group says.
They soon take off and Rafiki watches as he says, "Oh Mufasa, I do hope they make it in time."
He feels the wind and knew Mufasa would see to it they made it. Soon the group was on their way to the battle grounds after getting directions to it's exact locations from animals running away. When they get close enough, they see the prides charging each other. They soon pick up the pace and make their way over the log dam, careful not to trip. They see Simba ans Zira about to face off and soon jump between them. "Girls, boys, what are you doing?" Simba asks.
"Nuka! Still alive I see, now move," Zira says.
"Stand aside all of you," Simba demands.
"Daddy, this has to stop," the girls say together.
"Even weaker than I thought, get out of my way," Zira says.
"No, you will not hurt Simba or his family... not while I'm here," Nuka says.
Everyone is surprised to see Nuka stand up to his mother like this. Vitani explains to her Pride and the outlanders listen in. Nuka then says, "We do have a choice, we can choose to be more then we are. We can be either follow Zira, or be free and join Simba."
"Dotty, now," Zira Commands.
"No Zira (looks at Vitani and Nuka as they smile at her)... Nuka and Vitani are right... Enough," Dotty says.
The Outlanders are in shock and look at each other. "If you will not fight, then you will die as well," Zira says.
The outlanders are disgusted b this, for they would never kill one of their own and head to join the Pridelanders. "What, where are you going, get back here," Zira says.
"Let it go Zira," Vitani says.
"Yes, it is time to put the past behind us," Selene says.
"I'll never let it go," Zira says in anger.
Everyones attention is taken to the dam starting to break up, all except Vitani, she see Zira preparing to attack Simba as she says, "This is for you Scar."
Zira lunges forward, but Vitani blocks her sending them over the ledge. "Vitani!" Nala yells.
The run over to the ledge to see them continue to fall. "Vitani!" Nuka and Kovu yell.
Vitani see's nothing but rocks below as they fall. Nuka and Nala climb down after her. "I'm not losing my sister," Nuka says.
Nala replies, "Nor I my daughter."
The two climb down as fast as their legs can carry them.
Meanwhile, further down, Vitani and Zira have found some rocks to hold on to as Vitani's parents and siblings cry down to her. She see's Zira in trouble and turns to help her. "Zira, please, give me your paw," she says.
Zira refuses and slashes at her missing. "Zira, please, just forget about what happened in the past grab hold, come on. I'll help you," Vitani says.
Zira was in confusion, and didn't know what she should do. "Zira, please, just let go of your hate and join our pride."
Zira was about to reach when her paw slipped and she fell into the raging river below. Vitani closed her eyes, unable to watch. Soon it was all over and Nala and Nuka finally make it down to her. "Vitani," Nala says as she holds out her paw.
"Mom, Nuka, (she sheds a tear) I tried," Vitani says.
"You did what you could," Nala says.
Vitani smiles and they soon climb back up. As they reach the top, they see the pride waiting for them. "Oh Vitani," Kovu says as Simba and Kovu nuzzle her.
Nuka watches and smiles knowing his sister was safe. Simba then walks up to him and says, "I make my final judgement Nuka... You belong here. Lets go home (looks to the new pride members) all of us."
They soon make their way back to Pride Rock Vitani says, "Mom, why did you risk the safety of yourself out there?"
"I couldn't stand by and watch them fight without me besides, I was still on the sidelines when you jumped in, I didn't even get to fight. Oh and the Hyena's have been given a proper agreement, lets just hope they keep their end of the deal on this," Nala says.
Vitani chuckled. The Pride soon let the land know of the union of the prides and all rejoiced. While the Pride was walking into the den, Vitani, nearly collapsed. "Wow there honey, are you okay?"Kovu asks.
Vitani regained her scenses and says, "It's strange, I, I suddenly felt so tired."
Nala noticed this right away and says, "We need to get you to Rafiki's tree dear, I have a feeling I know what this is, and I hope I am right."
"Okay mom," Vitani says.
"Bring her back safely," Kovu says.
"Don't worry we will," Selene says.
They were soon of to Rafiki's tree.
End of chapter twenty nine, hope you enjoyed it. The pride has finally reunited and the land has rejoiced. I thought I'd throw in the hyena's helping, and I know that some of the Chapter was like the second movie, and I give the creators at Disney credit for the lines and the base of the idea. So what is it that made Vitani nearly collapse? I'm sure most you have a pretty good idea of what is, and I hope you all stay tuned for the next chapter. I'm so sorry for being away so long, but work has me extremely busy, but I know many were wanting to see this chapter, and Rafiki visited and knocked some sense into me, man he does hit hard. I hope I did good. Please read and review and I thank you all for past reviews. I'll update as soon as possible, so as always, stay tuned. You all rock.
