CH.17: Bringing forth peace pt 2
Janja laughed a bit as they began their march to their set destination to meet with the former King of the Pride Lands. He sidled up to Jasari as he winked her way. "You know, if there any lingering feelings between us I suppose now is the time-."
"If you think that my feelings linger you certainly are dense," Jasari's words hurt some but Janja knew long ago that they would never work.
"Honestly I feel nothing towards you, but, I figured I would give you a way out before the end. I mean do you really think Mnyanyasaji will spare your lives after he kills the King? I mean what was the point of bringing him along if you knew, huh?"
Jasari snaps at him and he jumps back with another laugh. "I love him and I didn't force anything on him, in fact, it was right between us. You and I…whatever happens you chose this fate and I wish you the worse whatever happens. You truly are what our ancestors were…slaves to our ambitions."
Janja shook his head and left her trotting along with animals nipping at her heels. He joined Mnyanyasaji who appeared deep in thought, he often did that. "I see you were you talking to the female…anything come of it?"
"Huh, well, truthfully just seeing if there was that old spark there…but…honestly I felt nothing. I am ready to move on…to be truly free and to strengthen my resolve with this cause. Oh don't get me wrong, there hasn't been a doubt since day one…but now and then one just has to see about that old self but I can never understand what she saw in me."
Mnyanyasaji says nothing for his part and Janja feels a tad bit nervous. Hopefully he wasn't being judged because he had done everything he needed to in order to get to this point. He was rotten in life and that is just the way things were. He looked forward to the day that had finally come…to see Mnyanyasaji's dream for the betrayed a reality.
Mnyanyasaji stood there with Zuri who was looking none too good at this point…even under the careful healing paws of Nirmala, the Tree of Life healer. Jasari and Jabari was two hyenas and while he wasn't too familiar with Jabari it was from Janja he learned about Jasari and she would be quite the trouble maker if he left her be. A gathering of sorts was being put forth and King Simba had made his return.
"Ah, there you are…I was beginning to wonder if you would show to save this young lioness's life. Here today you will answer for the crimes of your father for having left my father behind…and it is only fitting. Let it be known that those of you that have also been betrayed may also find some inner light, a chance to put those before you and to be free-."
"How are you setting any of them free? Do you even care what you are doing to their lives, how you have upended everything they hold dear so they can witness only you getting your vengeance?" Nirmala was being held down by some of his followers and they pushed her face to the ground.
"Let her up…she has a right to speak. Listen Nirmala…what I am doing, it is not just for me, it is for everyone who has lived their lives under the weight of betrayal…of being wronged in some way or another. Certainly you yourself-."
"I have never been betrayed, I have never been the betrayer…I live my life as my own. Queen Janna was always kind to me…in fact the very one who took a leap of trust with my healing abilities. Surak, he is like an older brother to me and in some ways through him I gained a family with Rani and Baliyo. And there are so many others that I have lived through and they have lived through me…and it is at the Tree of Life I learned all of this and to let go of hate…vengeance…none of it will serve anyone-."
"Should we take her back there and give her a beating?" Janja smacks her across the face but she does not bite him or raise a paw. Honestly in her time with the Night Pride she was not prone to violence but she would defend her home and fight with the Night Pride should it come down to it.
Nirmala surveys those around her so eager to beat her up, so eager to shut her mouth and yet they were following MD blindly and to what end? Would they all get their vengeance or once Simba was dealt with would he just disappear?
Mnyanyasaji appeared to weigh her words and also weigh the words of Janja. She feels like that this was all culminating to the end and much like with Mheetu, whom she had not seen pass…that this might not have a good ending.
Nirmala studies Zuri who is in desperate need of healing but any move on her part, not already made before, would surely escalate the situation beyond the scope it was now. For now she would have to see how things played out…and she can only hope this reaches a fitting conclusion.
Mnyanyasaji watches as King Simba had remained quiet during this entire exchange, no doubt thinking up some wise words or the like. He did not put it past someone who had led the Pride Lands out of the dark ages and not only brought down Scar but also had a paw in Zira's undoing.
"MD…you asked, no, you made it quite clear that I was to show at this exact time in order for the young life you have before you to be spared. Let us be done with this so that she may live…and as for myself…do with me what you will. Perhaps once you are done then you can be on your way never to trouble the Pride Lands again-."
"Now who said anything about leaving the Pride Lands? You seem to forget yourself King Simba that even though my betrayal was at the paws of your father…doesn't mean I am going to put aside my claim to the Pride Lands itself. I have so many following me now, all of whom need a home…and who knows when it will be when they have found answers for themselves-."
"Is this really the path you seek to go down? Do you not see that by committing such promises and stretching yourself thin that none of this will end well for you? Scar was the same way as he failed to keep the hyenas sated during his reign as the food ran dry and the land became barren. The only reason there is plenty here is because we look to the land and make sure that we leave plenty for others. Have you forgotten that even should I fall there will be others who will look after the Pride Lands?"
Mnyanyasaji balked a bit as he used that word, that shortened version of his name. Oh he managed to keep his anger down to a minimum but even now it sent displeasing signals down his spine.
"Bow your head before me King Simba and accept your fate!" He would smash his head in, leave little for those who followed him to even remember him by. His patience grew thin and the sooner he was done with this symbol…the sooner he can be free of this torturous lingering feeling that followed him all these years.
"Very well, Mnyanyasji…let it be known that I did try and talk you out of this. I do wish to say one last thing, is this what your father would want of you?" Mnyanyasaji glowered down at him as he lifted up his foot and let out a trumpet with his trunk.
"It is on this day that as leader of the betrayed, one who has been betrayed in the past…I, Mnyanyasaji Dhaunsiya hereby eliminate the cause of my suffering. Here King Simba will fall and all shall be right-."
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Mnyanyasaji is bewildered and outraged as a lioness swoops in tackling Simba's body before he can even smash it.
"What is the meaning of this?" He howls and notices that the female lioness was that brat Vitani, daughter of the late Zira.
"My name is Vitani…and what is being done, what is being allowed…is completely wrong. How have we come to this point when a King would lie down his life and such a tyrant be allowed to stay in the lands and do away with the peace that there is? The Lion Guard are here to protect the lands and even when the former King has made up his mind…doesn't mean the decision will stay with the current King."
Mnyanyasaji figured that Kiara would know of the decision made by Simba, but, he had not counted for the King of the Pride Lands. Sure enough…Kovu was advancing along with many others who had assembled under him.
"Sorry King Simba but I cannot allow you to make such a sacrifice. Perhaps there is still a bit of Outlander in me but I could never stand for your death…even blind you still have so much to offer in wisdom and guidance. MD…while you celebrate your cause and parade your worth to those who follow you, let me remind you that you stand in the Pride Lands…and last I checked…that didn't belong to you."
"You forget your place…King…for I still have…wait what?" He looks down and sure enough Zuri is no longer there and he spots a female racing off with her on her back.
"I may have had some help in procuring Zuri while you were busy focused on me. I mean for a villain speech you certainly carried a lot of weight, but, you took your time."
He stomped the ground furious that he could have fallen for something so simple. He looks to Nirmala knowing that he still has her. She was not going anywhere and he was even going to mention that but that is when he hears something coming from behind.
"MD…hope you left room in that speech to talk about us." Blast it. Sure enough King Kion himself had made his appearance along with the Queen and several others from the Tree of Life.
"So…it has come down to this, the ultimate fight…well far be it for me to make things easy on you. I will have my vision recognized…the betrayed will not take this, so, let us do this and once you are all beaten…perhaps even the Tree of Life will serve a purpose."
Rani tensed as a wave of enemies descended upon them. She let out a challenging roar to allow those with her to ready themselves. She is attacked by some cougar or something and she is sent backwards. Managing to find her feet she attacks swatting the animal aside and catching sight of many of the battles around her.
Sure enough Fuli found Azaad who was clearly taken aback by her having survived. She could only imagine the heartache of such a battle and the conflict that in itself she must be facing. Kion was facing off against Janja and a pack of hyena and with him were Janja and Jasari.
Rani wished that she could be with him but the cougar went to attack her again. She let out a cry of pain as he bit into her shoulder and she knew that he would be clamping down on her. Rani swats at him but he appears to not take the signal that he should let up. This was bad. Rani did all she could to pry him off and she was already feeling dizzy just from the amount of blood.
"That is no way to treat a Queen!" Rani recognized that voice as Nirmala races forth attacking the cougar. She gives him quite the beating even with her condition she is a marvel in fight. Rani steadies herself as she notices Nirmala pounce on the cougar and defeat him into submission as he limps off with a badly hut ankle.
"How would you treat a Queen? Seriously asking from a healer perspective cause I think I've lost a lot of blood." Rani hated that this was happening to her but she felt it was far better than waiting around at the Tree of Life.
"Hmm, take this and get back to fighting." Nirmala looks around and finds something that she presses into her shoulder and she winces a bit.
"I think you have lost your healing touch. What is it anyway?" Rani looks at her shoulder as Nirmala manages to fix something to hold the item in place.
"The Pride Lands are known for having healing herbs about, turns out, this one can help with the pain and possibly the loss of blood, though, you will need to rest up and try and keep any fancy fighting for after you make a full recovery. However maybe it is best we stick together."
Rani cracks a strained smile as she moves along with Nirmala. "By the way, there is something I've been meaning to discuss with you-"
"Can it wait till after we are done with this? Honestly from Mheetu to MD here, I feel like both lands have dealt enough with villains looking to push their way of thinking on us all."
"You are right," Rani says. She looks to the fighting happening around them and she pushes on knowing that the blood loss will go away and it may even dry up, but, she knew now she was a bigger target for it.
Rani barely made it far for that is when she spotted Janja terrorizing some animals and was in a blood frenzy of sorts. Rani knew that she shouldn't interfere, no, that wasn't right…she knew that she should watch herself and yet she lets out a roar causing Janja's attention to fly to her.
"Well now…the mate of Kion come to challenge me, if only I should be honored…but I am not. I've had my fill though for now…" Janja appeared to have killed an animal who had bled out.
"Janja…there is no redemption for you…" Rani fought past the pain she was feeling and Janja took notice.
"A wounded Queen…this will be over quickly I feel like…" Rani charged and Janja met her halfway. The two of them clashing as paws sought purchase on the other and claws raked the fur down to the soft mesh of flesh.
Rani managed to hold her own but rapid fatigue was setting in and at one point Janja managed to send her about and at one point she was hurt below…a pain that caused her to keel over and even getting back up something didn't feel right…on the inside, but, somehow her fight was taken from her as Jasari and Jabari attacked Janja and sent the hyena fleeing with them close on his tail. Rani for her part sought to lay low until the fighting was over…in her mind though this was clearly an injury that would carry with her.
Vitani manages to get King Simba to safety over to where Kiara was waiting for them. She manages to ease him down and takes a breath. "So, did you want me to leave you two alone-?"
"No Vitani…I wish for you to be present for this. You not only risked your life to save my father but you have proven your leadership taken on the responsibility of the Lion Guard. And there is the matter of you dating my best friend, but, we'll discuss that later…now in regards to you dear father-."
"Kiara you knew what I was going to do, I mean, I couldn't just let Zuri die knowing that if I could somehow prevent it-."
"Yes, but, even so…I am not ready to lose you yet. I feel Kovu said it best that you still have so much to offer. Look, I know I am being selfish here but at the same time…I completely understand there will come a time when you are no longer around…and when that time comes I hope that it will be when you die of old age or something. So…for now…please stay."
Vitani thought back to her own speech with her mother but it had fallen on death ears. Her mother so set on her path and refusing to back down; then again, she was still set on Scar's vision of the future. Kiara had even tried saving her mother…and for that she would be grateful. True her mother was lost but at the same time even those who lost their way can eventually find their way back.
"Very well Kiara…I will do my best to stay around long as I can. I may not be able to see now but that doesn't change the fact that I spent a long time seeing you when I could, so, in that sense you are still as wonderful as that day long ago."
Vitani watches Kiara go to her father and even if all the chaos was erupting around them it was rare to see such a father and daughter moment as this. Vitani left them as she found Tifu handling a pack of lioness. She finds her mate to be quite incredible handling her own, using her skill as part of the Lion Guard to maintain confidence but also be ahead of each attack. She was far from perfect though and Vitani would never place her above others, in fact, when training her she made sure that she got the same berating comments as she often gave the others.
However Tifu was in over her head…and so Vitani barreled in saving her before things got too nasty. She may have hesitated some just to allow her a few lickings but otherwise she was always nearby, more or less. A battle broke out and Tifu and Vitani were back to back, both of them fending off the attacks and lashing out with claws and wit before the lioness were defeated.
"Thanks for that…but…a few more moments and I would have had them," Tifu was breathing hard and Vitani rolled her eyes.
"Oh sure, and, while you had those moments…I imagine you wouldn't have called me in right?" Tifu laughs a bit at that and Vitani heads over licking at her wound.
"Um…can't that wait till later? We kind of have things to do…" Vitani loved how embarrassed the other female got but knew that she was right.
"Very well…to battle we go," she cheered. They split up then to lend aide where it was needed. Before this battle was over with…there would be much damage control needed to be dealt with.
Kion manages to defeat his enemy…along with help from his friends. This was truly a grand scale battle with so many animals participating in order to protect the Pride Lands. Kion felt slight guilt on not having been back in a while, but, from this day forth he would do his best to do some visitations as a guest given he was the King of the Tree of Life and sometimes may consult with matters with his family.
"Well now…you have certainly been a thorn in my side for a while now," Kion stiffened as he saw the elephant looming over him.
Kion manages to side step the stomp of his massive foot and he skids a few feet away. "MD, this ends now. Call off your forces and be out of the Pride Lands…this has gone on long enough. You made your point, and, it is only fair that you find a new purpose that doesn't bend other's wills to your own design-."
"Everyone who follows me does so because they choose to, not the other way around. I do not force them to stay, in fact, those who manage to finish their act of betraying or avenging that time of being betrayed stick around because they see me as a genuine leader, someone who looks to their interests as well as my own equally."
Kion glowered at him not believing one to be so twisted as he was. He attempted to let out a roar but he was tackled from the side as Azaad was there. Kion rolled along the ground and found the cheetah inches from him.
"Kion, I would think you would be smarter than this. Azaad…does not wish to harm you, but, you have brought this on yourself. Now…as for Fuli…"
Kion grinned as he saw a blur racing forth and landing onto Azaad's back sending him careening away from him. "Kion…you got this, I will handle this low life."
Kion turned his attention to MD who clearly was disappointed that the show didn't go on much longer. "Do you believe that a simple roar will get rid of me? I am not a villain Kion, no, I am a role that is being played out till the very end…after that…think of me what you will but either way you look at it, I will either be dead or ruling over all the Pride Lands-."
"I am not giving up…and…I will never let you rule the Pride Lands. So, only one way of handling this…we fight till the other gives up." Kion burst forth and as MD swung his trunk at him he jumped over it and began to use his claws to climb up his leg. MD did not like this and he lets out a trumpet of sorts and Kion realized his mistake as yet another elephant comes towards him and grabs him with his trunk prying him from him.
Kion lets out a growl and can feel the trunk squeezing around him. This really was dragging, and, if he couldn't make it through this…it might very well make the shortest time a lion had ever been King. Kion felt his breathing strained and everywhere he looked there was some scuffle going on…all of this bloodshed, all of this fight…and for what? He felt like the act of betrayal and to betray just got carried away and after a bit of time it just became bitterness looking to spoil the soul.
"Kion!" Kion was looking through bloodshot eyes but he recognized the voice all the same. Anga swoops in along with Akili as they peck and claw at the elephant's eyes causing him to thrash about and Kion is flung into the air and manages to land on his feet.
"Thanks for the save you two…oh man…that was close." Kion saw how Fuli was handling Azaad and he can only imagine the heartbreak to be in that situation. For now he looked and noticed that MD was calling back his troops. They were all gathered leaving many of the Pride Landers exhausted from their ordeal.
The Lion Guard for all their strength and courage were panting on the ground and even what Night Pride had arrived to help…were in the same situation. Rani was being treated by Nirmala and Zuri was near unconscious. Kovu and Kiara were walking over to him but he noticed Kovu had a black eye.
"Mnyanyasaji…I am sorry for the actions of my father, and, if he were here I am certain he would tell you that it is time to move on. Holding onto the past is fine and all but if you use it to rule your life and prey on others who are in the same situation…it does nothing but draw on that hate and that moment in time. It is fine if you council one another and look to the future…but…by doing as you have that is not a future worth fighting for…it is one that is built on misery itself."
Kion listens to his father as he speaks out and he had forgotten how motivational his father could be when he got that right pace. MD for his part refused to believe this…refused to believe it was even possible to move on from betrayal.
"If you were not blind before…even blind now you are leading those you care for into oblivion. We will never stop…if you think that you will change our ways you can think again. What makes you think that stopping this movement will ensure peace continues? There is always going to be those seeking to bring disorder, and, for me I never meant for this to be about killing-."
"And what about me huh?" Fuli was dragging Azaad by the fur on his neck who clearly had seen better days as it looked like Fuli had bested him. Kion looked away though once having thought of him as an ally.
"What Azaad did…it was to free himself from the past, and, you were an obstacle but rest assured I never-."
"There is no redeeming to be done here…no amount of flowery speeches of persuasion will set your mind at peace. I could call up to my Grandfather and have him tell you about his transgressions as a young King but even then…you wouldn't believe him. This thing I am about to do…it is going to drive you far away…but…I do admit it is not something one roar can accomplish-."
"How about two roars?" Kion looks over finding Vitani joining him. The two hadn't exchanged many words and albeit their meeting from that time ago had been a misunderstanding…he grew to appreciate Vitani's worth and for her to take over the Lion Guard when he had been absent.
"This has never been heard of, but, then again there were never two roars existing at the same time. It is unprecedented but son…and Vitani…I believe in you both. You were chosen for a reason so for those not doing so now…stand behind these two. Mnyanyasaji…and to all those who follow you, there is still a chance to redeem yourselves but only if you are open to it."
Kion listened to his father and noticed how everyone on their side was already behind them. Kion waits and perhaps it was hopeful of him to think that anyone would change their mind after this ordeal.
"I-I wish to concede…and hope for forgiveness, Azaad, did wrong…and while it is a long road to redemption…whatever it takes, I wish to do." Azaad for worse apparently had misgivings about his misdeeds and Kion figured for someone who had sided with the wrong individual deserved a shot. Janja had also been in a similar situation…till eating his friends and not only siding with Mheetu…but also MD.
"Heh, no way am I doing this whole good act thing again. What would be the point anyway? I would be worked to the bone and for what? Jasari, don't get hung up on me…I am not worth it-."
"Sorry, but, the only hyena in my life is the one who is standing over here." Jasari sidled up to Jabari who appeared quite smug but also humbled by her words.
"I will find my way back here…and…those who were betrayed, they will have their time." MD glowered at them all and let out a trumpet. Kion noted how much of his army was battered up, even one of the elephants was about ready to fall over from the wounds.
"Perhaps…but…where we are sending you it will take more time than necessary to get through that." Kion looked to Vitani and together they let out a roar. It was a powerful roar and as such…it sent forth a powerful wave…one that hefted up the heaviest of animals along with the smaller ones and in that moment they were sent flying to the sky over a large distance…farther than he figured but enough distance away that the betrayed would not be coming back…and perhaps that time away would be enough for them to change their minds…more or less.
"And with that…the betrayed…have sailed away into the sunset. An amazing feat and once again showing the worth of the roar…though this time the benefit of two roars." Rafiki walked over and Kion collapsed to the ground.
"Hey Rafiki…where you been all this time?" Kion couldn't remember the last time he had seen him, heh, come to think of it was when he and Rani joined together as King and Queen.
"I have been doing many things…but…even with the betrayed taken care of there are still matters to attend to. You and Vitani here must start your work on strengthening the roar…and it may take some time for Vitani's guard to mend after such a grueling attack. In other words…until Vitani has her Guard back…the Pride Lands will need you, Kion, to lend your roar."
To Be Continued
Authors note: Only three more chapters left to conclude season 5 and with chapter 16 and 17 both being like movies in themselves the next three halves will be touching base on character development or catching up some of the many pairings. I do apologize for the length of this but as I mentioned it took a bit to get this up and I wanted to do it like they did the lord of the rings back to back. So further apologies on that, so, those who read this in one sitting I applaud you but I hoped to put some breathing room between. So, given the situation at hand…can Kion really stay away from the Tree of Life to look after the Pride Lands?