After the recent confrontation of Kovu with Makosa, Kovu has challenged the tyrant near the ravine. The chosen location for the challenge was near the Outlands, of course full of dust and dirt and with little to know life growing out of the ground and of course, the ravine itself. It was where the war between the Outlanders and the Pridelanders had happened, and so was their unity. The ravine was immensely deep, anyone taking a plunge into it would be considered a foolish idea. Even though it had the flowing river down below, the current of the river was strong one and not to be taken for granted. The river lead to a nearby rapids and as far as they know, no one has ever survived trying to get passed the rapids.

The time was close to dusk and it would seem that there will be rainfall. Kovu chose the place nearby the ravine, so that he could use the dust to his advantage. Trying to get the most of dirty fighting. Most of all, it is where he excelled during his training. Kovu was focused and kept a cool head.

Makosa and his group lead in front with Kiara. Tamaa, Ulafi, Uvi, Wivu, Hasira, and Uchoyo being loyal bodyguards, seperating Makosa and Kiara from the rest of the Pride. Kovu on the other hand was leading the entire Pridelands behind him. Along with Kovu was his sister Vitani.

Kiara tried to meet up with Kovu but was blocked by a member of Makosa's group, Uvi. He had that look of authority that made Kiara step back.

"What's the matter, Kiara? Don't you like our own entourage?" Makosa mockingly asked.

Kiara stayed silent and refrained to look at Makosa. Kiara looked back at her shoulder to see Kovu. Kovu was contemplating as he walked. Face down on the ground and a serious look. He was prepared.

"What do you think you're doing? You wanna get yourself killed?" Vitani joined in with Kovu.

"What do you think I'm doing?" Kovu replied.

"Let's not get too hasty here, Kovu. You're dealing with an absolute skilled fighter here."

"I'm well aware of that, Vitani."

"What choice do I have anyway? Sooner or later he's gonna be ruling every pride ij Africa and he's just gonna use all of you as spare blood."

"What?"

"Kiara told me. Didn't you know?"

"You better win this one, Kovu. We're counting on you." Vitani said in desperation.

"We all are." Nala added as she walked in with Kovu.

And so, they have arrived near the edge of the ravine. Nothing much other than an old, fallen tree to fill the scene. Everyone has gathered around in a circle and gave space for the two contenders. Makosa's group stood in front and faces their backs to the Pridelanders so that no one could intervene in the fight. Makosa took his place on the opposite end and so did Kovu. He came face to face with a tyrant almost double the size of his. The odds seem to be against him, but Kovu had his confidence, thinking he can challenge him head on.

Makosa didn't show any signs of nervousness, his confidence is so high that fear had been blocked. But then again, what does he have to fear if size alone could outmatch Kovu. He smiled smugly at him.

"Well better to say your final words before we start." Makosa said.

Kovu didn't reply, he only stood with determination on his mind and sheer focus.

"Not much of a talker are ya? Oh well, you wanted this anyway."

And so the battle has started. Makosa took the first step, rather passively. Moving to his right and Kovu went the opposite way. Tension was rising between them as they stare into eachother's menacing glare. Makosa took to the first step and charged aggressively. Kovu quickly responded and started doing evasive movements. Makosa was aiming for his legs while trying to concuss Kovu with swipes.

Kovu was quick to evade his attacks and stayed on the defensive side. He waited for the perfect moment to strike his own attacks. And for a short moment, Kovu dipped in with one of his attacks, managing to scratch Makosa's left leg. Makosa was taken aback from that sudden strike, but he continued on. He managed to land a devastating swipe at Kovu's face placing his chin down close to the dirt and was followed by Makosa pinning him down. Kovu acted quickly and threw a dust at his opponent, blinding him for a short moment. Kovu then manage to get back up on his feet.

While Makosa was brushing off the dust from his face, Kovu took the opportunity to land a few hits of his own. He aimed for the back of his neck to break his spine, he jumped and sank his teeth to Makosa but his mane proved to be too thick for his fangs to reach his skin. Makosa then psuhed Kovu away giving them a short distance between each other.

Kovu landed roughly on the ground. Makosa was still trying to wipe the dust from his eyes, but his vision was again restored. Makosa was thrilled and also aggravated by his unconventional way of fighting.

"You wanna play rough huh? Then I'll give you rough." He said.

He resumed the fight between them, but instead of fighting traditionally, he thought to fight with unconventional tactics and with gruesomeness. Makosa was a skilled fighter, with reflexes as fast as a cheetah and with strength that matched three lions. Kovu was on edge, he was as skilled as him, but he was struggling to keep up. Kovu was trying his best to avoid his attacks but one managed to land a direct hit at Kovu's face once again. His mouth started to drop blood, but he responded back with a scratch near Makosa's right eye.

Makosa was taken aback once again, rubbing at his injured eye. Luckily for him, he wasn't blinded. A set of three claw marks over his right eye. It aggravated him more.

"Oh now you've done it!" Makosa exclaimed.

Makosa was now fighting with pure rage. He kept his continuous attacks but Kovu was lagging behind. For a brief moment, Makosa managed to land another devastating hit to Kovu. It sent him down on the ground on his back. Makosa pinned him down once again, Kovu tried to escape but Makosa placed foot down keeping him from escaping. Makosa then bit him on the rear of his neck and threw him a feet with just his bare teeth.

Kovu landed roughly, luckily his spine didn't break. He coughed out blood and struggled to stand up, it would seem that the odds are against him and defeat slowly creeping up his shoulders.

Makosa broke into laughter and mocked him.

"Look at him. He's weak. You put up a good fight, Kovu but playtime's over." He said.

Among the crowd was Kiara watching the event unfold. By her side was Vitani cheering on quietly for his brother. Kiara was filling up with anxiety as she anticipates what happens next. Her mother, Nala, on the other hand couldn't bear to look at them, she was filled with hope for Kovu returning to challenge Makosa but soon after that hope was destroyed by him once again. She couldn't handle another loss of a loved and so she refrained herself from watching.

As Makosa steps over Kovu, he kneels down behind his head and rips a part of Kovu's ear. Kovu screamed in agony and blood dripped from his face. It made everyone gasp apart from Makosa's group.

Kiara has had enough of this suffering, she hatched an idea to intervene in the fight while they still have time.

"I had enough of this." Kiara said to Vitani.

"You fend off one of Makosa's members, while I try to fight Makosa." Kiara said.

"Are you crazy? They'll rip us the shreds." Vitani exclaimed but quietly.

"Do you still want to live a life like this? C'mon we gotta do something." Kiara replied.

"Okay." Vitani said.

"Are you sure you wanna do this?" Shika asked.

"I am. Tell everyone to get ready."

Returning to Makosa and Kovu. Makosa was still mocking Kovu's weakness as the odds of winning are in his favour. Kovu stood up to him even if it's almost impossible for him to win at his state. His face was bleeding from his mouth to his torn ear. He was exhausted, he was hearing a ringing sound, as if he could pass out any moment. If only he could wish for a miracle, but he held his ground anyway and is willing to fight to the end.

Makosa smiled at his persistence.

"You got spirit, just like Simba. That's one thing to be admired."

Meanwhile back at the audience. Nala, who refused to see the event unfold, sat at the very end of the entire pride. Kiara then walked up to her and talked to her.

"Mom?"

"I'm sorry dear... All hope is lost."

"Not exactly, we need your help."

Nala turned to her daughter with a look of concern.

"We have the number to take them on. All it takes is a little hope." She continued.

"You don't have to fight if you don't want to."

"I will certainly not allow this!" She exclaimed.

"I thought you'd say that."

"I won't allow my daughter fight without the protection of her mother. You lead the way Kiara."

"Thanks mom."

Meanwhile back at Kovu. They kept on fighting. Like the usual Makosa was still on the offensive and Kovu on the defensive. Makosa makes a direct hit at Kovu leaving him fazed for a moment. Makosa then tackled Kovu with the intent of pushing him off the ravine. Kovu desperately used his rear legs to push back, but Makosa was too strong and put him near the edge.

"I guess this is goodbye, Kovu." Makosa mockingly said.

Out of nowhere, Kiara came running past one Makosa's members, Ulafi. He tried to stop her.

"Hey! You're not allowed to-" Ulafi was about to charge on to Kiara but was stopped by the Pridelanders working together taking down a tyrant.

"Lions, attack!" Vitani commanded as they start a war against Makosa's members.

Kiara rushed towards Makosa and bit him by his neck, letting go of Kovu and focused on Kiara.

"Oh you're gonna regret that!" Makosa exclaimed at Kiara.

"Try me!" Kiara replied.

In a split second, Kovu had bitten Makosa's rear leg, and Kiara charged at him. Both of them were trying to disable him, but Makosa proved to have no issue at all dealing with more than one enemy. Kovu took the role of grabbing the tyrant's attention while Kiara doing direct scratches at Makosa. They took turns for offense and defense. It proved to be effective.

Meanwhile, the Pridelanders are at war against Makosa's group of lions. Although six lions against all of them is considered an easy win, it wasn't the case for these kind of lions. They were larger than usual, more skilled and experienced than all of them. Hit after hit, bite after bite. It was chaos. Vitani showed her prowess in her fighting along with her fellow pride members who were previously Outsiders. Shika and Kiburi fought along side their queen, Nala. Even at her age, Nala could still show her dominance over them. Makosa's members, Tamaa, Ulafi, Uvi, Uchoyo, Wivu, and Hasira pinning and striking at the numerous Pridelanders. Although they were in great numbers, they still handled them without missing a beat.

Their battle was truly bloody, Pridelanders and Makosa's members spilling blood from every landing strike they exchange. It angered the kings above them. The skies have turned from clear to cloudy, it was expected to have heavy rainfall. As the heavens above them spoke with thunder, Simba from Rafiki's tree was starring off into the distance. Having recently been awaken from his slumber, he noticed that Kovu had been missing since. He looked to Timon and asked if he knew about Kovu's whereabouts.

"Hey, Timon. Have you guys seen Kovu?" Simba asked.

"He said he went out hunting." Timon answered.

"Well it's taking him long, rain's about to fall and I haven't seen him yet." He replied.

Simba was growing anxious about Kovu. He doesn't take him too long to hunt as he's one experienced hunter. He wondered what Kovu might have stumbled upon. Simba thought of the worst possible scenario, which was Kovu being caught by one of Makosa's group. But he tried not to think about it.

As their battle continues on, Kiara and Kovu are slowly getting worn out, the same can be said to Makosa but he's had more stamina in him. Kiara had sustained a few scratches here and there but she was overall alright. Kovu had seen better days, but a torn ear and bleeding lip didn't stop him. Nala had a few scratches from fighting. Shika unfortunately, was knocked unconscious and Kiburi tried to wake her. She's still breathing but she sustained a heavy beating.

Vitani on the other hand hasn't been harmed yet. Although not having a single scratch, she made up for is constant strikes against the tyrants. Her primary target was Tamaa. Tamaa is currently fed up with other Pridelander lions, unfortunately, Vitani had her paws full at the moment too, leading the charge at another tyrant named Ulafi. Ulafi was slower than the rest, but still brought out devastating tackles and swipes. Two of the Pridelander lions managed to grab at his two front legs and made him kneel. Vitani took the opportunity to jump and bite onto his rear neck. Vitani gave a sudden twist and managed to break Ulafi's neck. He let out a loud roar before finally hitting the ground.

The other members of Makosa looked to see who it was, they were shocked by the sudden news that they have lost a comrade. Vitani stood over the deceased body and menacingly stared at the five remaining members. Thunder has roared once again and it started to rain. The other five members were filled with pure hate and rage.

Meanwhile, back at Rafiki's tree, Simba grew mote anxious as rain slowly started to fall. He decided to take a stroll and look for Kovu. Timon and Pumbaa were both under so they weren't notified of Simba's departure. As Simba strolled through the savanna, the rain started to pick up the pace and thunder flashed more frequently. The rain must be really heavy. He passed by Pride Rock at a reasonable distance. He found it odd that no one was around, not a single lion in sight. Simba continued on his stroll, he thought that Makosa had already taken the entire pride with him. He wished to be wrong and kept his spirit up. A few more minutes into his trek, sounds of conflict have reached his ears. He was curious to who it was. The more he followed the noises the more sounds became audible. Simba climbed a small hill that overlooked the war between the Pridelanders and Makosa's group. He was shocked to see what has become. He frantically looked for Nala, Kiara and Kovu.

Returning to the pride's conflict, some of the Pridelander lions have already started to retreat from sustaining heavy injuries from the tyrants. Makosa's members were now fighting seriously and devastatingly with outrage over their fallen comrade. Although missing a single member they still fought with their might.

All of the remaining members have also sustained heavy injuries, one was even limping, which was Uvi. Nala lead the attack on Uvi. One of Makosa's group, Uchoyo, tried to defend his limping comrade. They were on the defensive role. The two of them were surrounded by four of the Pridelander lions, among them was Nala. Nala had Uvi in her sights, as the others charged at Uchoyo, Nala took her chance at Uvi and had a face off. Although injured, Uvi still could put up a fight. But with his limited speed, he couldn't stand long enough against her. Uvi couldn't act fast and that was his downfall. Nala managed to get a grib from his neck and ripped it off from him. Uvi bled from his neck and fell to the ground.

Uchoyo finding out about Uvi's fall angered him and carelessly charged at Nala. Unfortunately Nala didn't see it coming. Uchoyo had pinned her down with her back on the pressed against the dirt. He had tried to land a hit a her but she managed to evade it. She wasn't so lucky on the second one though. Nala took a direct hit on her face, concussing and sending her down to the ground. She was dazed for a few seconds. She couldn't stand. Luckily she was backed up by a few of her pride sisters, but she was left on the ground concussed.

Kiara noticed her mother and tried to internvene.

"Where do you think you're going?" Makosa blocked her path and pinned her down. Kovu then jumped on Makosa's back but he managed to supress him for a moment. Kiara was desperate to escape his grip but unfortunately, Makosa's swipe at her face left her unconscious.

Simba had noticed on what just happened. "Kiara!" He exclaimed.

"Kiara! You monster!" Kovu yelled at Makosa.

"You'll pay for what you have done!" Kovu said while gritting hid teeth at Makosa.

"Gimme your best shot." Makosa replied.

They've put their gazes to a halt and resumed their duel.

Nala on the ground concussed, hearing echoes of the conflict happening around her. Kiara having blurry vision as she watched Makosa and Kovu fight. Kovu receiving deadly hits from Makosa. The entire pride having to fight against the tyrants with a few already trying to escape the madness. It was truly chaos. It was all too much for Simba to bear. He couldn't help but feel terrible, blaming himself for being the reason for all of this. It was depressing for him and it put him nearly into tears.

But Simba knew he could make up for it, there was only one option he could do. It seemed impossible, but it was necessary...

TO BE CONTINUED...