For the song that is used here, imagine Tombie's singing to the instrumental version of Jemaine Clement's Goodbye Moonmen. Thank you, just wanted to clear that up.

Goodbye Moonmen- Instrumental version

Kiara stood atop the throne rock inside of the great fortress as Vitani and her Guard had just given the news that had chilled her to the bone. The stars filled the sky outside as the five Lionesses stood before her and her mate. The Pridelands had always had trouble with Hyenas for years, and for a while, Kiara had hoped to change that once and for all. Now, it seemed as if that was all down the drain. Her father was laid up and her mother retired, what would they think of her now? How would they feel to know that she let this happen?

Kovu also seemed disturbed by this news. He felt as if he had been blasted with a winter cold front. Ever since Kion left and Vitani became the new fiercest, he had been doing everything in his power to fix things with her. He knew now that it was too late to do so for Nuka. He had treated the both of them like dirt as a cub. He always pushed them around, saying that he was better than them, based on what his mother always told him. At first, Vitani always sided with him over Nuka. But then he started giving her that new name. Useless. Yes, you read me right. Kovu literally called Vitani useless. And Nuka was named Stupid. A cursed name for someone to call their siblings.

Of course, Vitani and Nuka didn't go about things the right way, either. Whenever Zira was not looking, Vitani would conspire with her older brother to try and off Kovu, nice and quick. One tongue thrashing from their brown-furred sibling was enough to drive them over the edge. Naturally, one would be against them for trying to murder their own family. But then, when faced with someone so infuriating, there was little more that you could tolerate. And boy oh boy, did Kovu ever get them into trouble. Faking being injured, he tricked his mother into think they just attacked him. Unsurprisingly, Zira was a little peeved at this, and ordered the adult Lionesses to beat the disloyalty out of them all night long. Who would you root for, I ask you? The brat or the victims?

The other Lionesses of the pride murmured among themselves as the news of a Hyena assault chilled them to the bone. Kovu spoke aloud, Zazu standing beside him on a perch. "Everyone, settle down!"

"You claim that a clan of Hyenas tried to attack some of the herds at Mpongo cliffs?" Kiara asked her sister-in-law.

"Not just any clan," Vitani replied as she stood straight. "This was Jasiri's clan. I recognized them all, even Madoa was there."

"Madoa? Jasiri's clan?" Kiara was clearly surprised at this. It did not seem like she believed that these particular Hyenas were responsible for this attack. "No, you must've all been mistaken. It could've been someone else. Another clan maybe."

"I wish that were so, Kiara." Vitani dipped her head. "But it's true. Madoa, Cheezi, Chungu, all of them. And they were being led by some scrawny spotted sap who calls himself Notar. He says that Barbatus killed himself and Jasiri abandoned them."

"Jasiri would never do that." Kiara shook her head. "Are you sure that was what he said?"

"Indeed, I am, your majesty." Vitani nodded again. "Every word."

Kovu stood up. "You know, it could be that this Notar guy's pulling our legs. The last I heard, she was on her way to the Backlands to meet with their king, to discuss some Dry Season terms. But what about that mate of Madoa's? What was his name?"

"You mean that red Hyena with the stripes?" Imara asked. "I think his name was Tombie. We didn't see him with her, or the cubs."

"Why would Madoa bring her cubs to a raid?" Shabaha asked.

"It could be that she didn't even know it was gonna even be a raid." Kasi suggested.

"Maybe she couldn't find a sitter." Tazama joked, only to be silenced by Kiara clearing her throat.

"And it sounds like with just Cheezi and Chungu being there without Janja, he must not have been on board with it either." Imara concluded. "He is Tombie's brother after all."

"And Madoa's mate." Tazama added. "That's what makes Janja's 'secret' crush on Jasiri all the more disturbing."

The gathered pride all gave a few scoffs and rolls of the eyes at this. Ever since the rise of Vitani's guard a year ago, the Lions of the Pridelands had become well acquainted with their spotted neighbors. And as such, they were all aware of Janja's admiration of the Prime Minister, despite him trying his best to hide it.

"Well, I hear tell that Hyena law permits things like that." Vitani shrugged, getting off the subject. "Not like us lions, that's one of the main things we don't have in common."

"Anyways," Kiara said out loud. "Back to the Elephant in the cave. We have to get to the bottom of what's going on here with the Hyenas."

"Oh come now, Kiara. It's obvious as to what's happening here."

This suave, wavy male voice caught everyone's attention. Many of the Pride knew it very well, mainly the original members of Simba's Pride. They all turned their heads to see the shape of Kanuk entering the rock. His large, golden mane waving from his head as he strided into their meeting. He was met with many scowls and glares. But there were also a few who looked at him sympathetically, as Vitani noticed. But she also noticed that no one glared at him colder than Kiara.

"We must've all knew this day was coming." Kanuk examined his claws when he was but a few feet away from the throne rock. "The day Hyenas went back to their sour, ravenous ways. They can only take so much of our generosity before wanting more and more each waking second. It is in their nature."

"Kanuk…" Kiara growled. "What're you doing here? You know this is a gathering of the Pride council."

"Oh, I know very well, Kiara-"

"That's Queen Kiara to you." She practically hissed. "Now state your business here."

"Queen Kiara, then." Kanuk mocked. "As you may know, I've been saying that Hyenas were untrustworthy ever since… that day." Kanuk looked to the ground in what looked like an attempted to hold back a choke. He then cleared his throat. "You all see me as a criminal, I know you all do. And quite frankly, I do not care. For I now know I was right. I was right from the start. A war is coming to us all, a storm of the most destructive kind. Do any of you not see that? Well, I can. You all believe that just because Scar is dead and gone, and his spirit banished forever, and the Outsiders have joined us, all is well? Well, I have news for you lot. It's not."

"Are you implying something?" Kovu had not been with the Pride long enough to know what was that got Kanuk in so bad with the royal family.

"I am only saying that this storm is right on our doorstep." Kanuk replied simply, while at the same time dripping with venom. "You all have your cubs tucked away in their dens, telling them that Hyenas are not our enemies, but you tell them outright lies. They want to know the truth, and you do not give it to them. If my cubs were still… alive… I would tell them what they needed to hear. That there are monsters out there. Creatures that want nothing but our own demises to satiate their fierce desires. You do not see it coming, but I do. I see the eye of the storm. I ask you, do any of you remember what has happened to these lands when Scar took the throne? All the cubs that were lost? I thought they would be the last of our pride that would die at Hyenas hands after that. But I saw that I was wrong. Me and Avia both were wrong.

A lion of pure evil is one thing, but it was those who worked under him that have truly rent the destruction. A great and glorious future, bah! We should've known better. Mufasa was the greatest king these lands have ever seen. He never allowed Hyenas to enter the borders. He slaughtered the mother of Banzai and felt no remorse for it. The wench had the utter nerve to enter here and take our food for her cub. If he were there when my cubs… and Via… well… much would have been different. I hope that I am getting through to you, my King and Queen. Or do you still believe the great lies that you have been told by Mufasa's pacifist son?"

"That pacifist son is the reason Scar no longer rules!" Kiara shouted. "He is my father and YOUR former king. Now if you are finished, Kanuk, I would like to ask you to leave."

"As you command, my Queen." He dipped his head before leaving.

But as he did, he and Vitani heard Kiara mutter "Via deserved it anyways. She and those little mistakes."

Hearing something like this coming from her sister-in-law's lips was not something Vitani had ever expected. What in the wide world was she talking about? Who was this Via character? What happened to her and those cubs Kanuk brought up? Apparently, they meant a lot to him. She had not known Kanuk that well, but she at least probably wanted to try and do so.

Perhaps, she could even convince him to help them.

"Reirei, I really can't thank ya enough."

It had been two hours since the Jackal Matriarch had agreed to let Janja and the others stay in her turf. They nowhere else to turn to except her. The Crocs may have been under the watch of Jasiri, but not even they were above fresh cub meat.

"Eh, no problem." Reirei shrugged. "Besides, I owe Jasiri anyways. Ever since she took over, me and my family have been eating better than ever before. And what do you think would happen if I were to tur her own family away. Even her little stalker?"

Janja slightly blushed at this little nickname of his. "U-uh, what? What're ya talkin about?"

"Ay yi yi, I thought everyone was in on this." Reirei rolled her eyes. "We all know you like her. Jansiri's been the talk of the town around here ever since you guys came back from the Tree of Life."

"Jansiri?"

"It's a shipping name." Reirei chuckled. "You don't think people come up with those?" She then glanced over to the side and looked at something with a raised eyebrow and a silly smirk before turning back to Janja. "So yeah, we ALL know how you feel."

As Janja as conversing with his old friend (and also trying to find out what it was she was looking at), Tombie was setting his cubs down for bed. They had been playing with Reirei's cubs for almost all afternoon, and they certainly got along with them just fine. But as he did so, he noticed one of them looking rather down.

"Kojita, sweetie, what's wrong?" Tomie asked his yellow daughter. "You didn't have a fight with one of Reirei's kids, did you? Did they hurt you?"

"N-no daddy…" Kojita replied as she stared at her paws. "I-it's just that… why did that mean lion in the Pridelands do that to mommy? I thought Lions were our friends. D-did we do s-something wrong?"

Tombie bit his lip as he glanced at the sky, as if to ask them for backup before speaking again. "Well honey, uh… oh boy, how do I do this? Do you remember the story of how a met mommy?"

She nodded.

"Well, just like that badger, not all Lions are nice like the royal family. I'm so sorry you all had to learn that way today. I'm sorry daddy wasn't here for you when you needed me. If I were there, I would've protected mommy from anything. I would've protected all four of you."

He heard a small sniffle come from his youngest son Banzai. "Daddy… what if… what if…"

"What if what son?"

Banzai hesitated before answering, tears forming in his eyes. "What if you're not there for us anymore? What if you go away and we never see you again? What would happen to us?" He then started to cry softly as the rest of his siblings all started to form tears.

Tombie had frozen in place at this question. He had never seen his children this afraid before. Man, did he regret leaving his family alone. First his wife gets struck in the face, now his cubs were afraid that he'd be gone forever. He had almost let them down! He felt absolutely horrible. He remembered his mother was there to comfort him the day he was beat up by Bunga. She told him that she would never leave him. Now, he had to do the same for his own children.

"Hey, there there now kids. Please don't cry. It's all gonna be ok, you'll see. Hey, I want to tell all of you something right now. Daddy is always going to be here for you. Even though I wasn't around today, it still doesn't change anything. I love you, and I love your mother with all my heart. And I love your Aunt Jasiri, and your Uncle Janja. You are all my family. Nothing will ever change that. No matter where I am, no matter what happens, I will be there. Niko hapa." And at the mention of this Swahili word, he began to sing as the light of the koon shined above him.

Our family is one together, each one is so precious

in our hearts, they all remain

though we disagree (Echoes)

we all love each other all the same

other people want things their way

but they can't control what it is I say

Niko Hapa

I say Niko Hapa

Niko Hapa

Niko Hapa

I am here

Brothers Sisters, parents

Each one all the same

Different people altogether

Thought we feel the same

We are one together

Thought we drift apart

Always remember that I'll be here

Trust in your heart

Niko hapa

That's right Niko Hapa

Niko hapa

Niko hapa, oh I'm here

He looked down to see all four of his cubs all sound asleep after his song, each of them having a smile on their faces. He smiled and kissed each of them on the heads. And soon, he felt another kiss on his cheek. He turned to see his beloved mate standing by him, staring at him warmly with those wonderful gray eyes. The dimple of her smile took him back to that day as cubs. He was on cloud nine.

Her smile clearly said that she was proud of the father he was. The bruise on her face comletely gone, she could smile painlessly now. She motioned for him to come with her back to their little den that Goigoi had contributed to them. Tombie nodded as he followed her. He then gave one last look to his cubs before continuing on.

"I am here."

Well, look at that. It sounds to me like Kanuk has a vendetta against the royals, and it sounds like he's making some very true points. Perhaps the royals aren't telling the pride everything. And now, ever the curious cat, Vitani may just enlist his help in solving this little hyena mystery. Meanwhile, Reirei has owed Jasiri since the beginning of her reign. Not to mention her little forth wall break. Also, isn't Tombie the best family man in the world? He sings to his cubs not only to help them sleep, but to assure them that he will never leave them. He will always be there for them. During his little parody of Goodbye Moonmen, I wanted to make him sing a little Swahili song like Jasiri's been known to do. Niko Hapa is Swahili for 'I am here' if you haven't guessed already. Trust that you will see more of him in action soon enough. Anyways, gotta get back to more writing and studies, everybody stay safe, and keep on writing.

P.S., be sure to follow FirePhoenix11's story "The Restless Warrior" if you haven't already done so. Ciao, and have a good day!