Chapter 8

Sabini spat out a mouth full of dirt and dust. She kept her eyes on the ground, and refused to look behind her, at the silhouettes of Imara and Tazama, the two members of Lion Guard. She couldn't quite believe that things had gone so badly. In her anger and frustration, she had clearly underestimated Kovu's own grief and fury, and had badly miscalculated. They had not yet crossed the Great River that formed the Pridelands northern border with the Outlands, and already she could feel the dirt clinging to her fur, the rust-coloured dust sticking to her brow. It was hateful. But not half as bitter as the knowledge that she had grossly underestimated the backbone of her fellow Pridelanders. They would accept Kovu's rule, even if it meant bowing to Simba's murderer. Maybe he was right. Maybe he really did have nothing to do with it. But it was too late now.

"Sabini!"

"What?" She spat. The lionesses next to her was looking desperately back and forth.

"Sabini, they're actually serious about this!" She said. She was sweating, and not from the intense heat and dry air of the rapidly approaching Outlands.

"I had gathered that, Fasina." Sabini snapped, through gritted teeth. Already her golden fur was turning an unpleasant shade of brown with the acrid dust that filled the air. She ignored the other lioness, who seemed to be growing more and more fearful with each step she took, and kept casting furtive glances back behind her towards the two members of the Lion Guard who were keeping a watchful gaze on them.

"Sabini, if we go back now and apologise, maybe Kovu will back down?"

"Don't you dare say his name!" Sabini said, furious. Fasina looked at her anxiously.

"I'm just saying, maybe we were a little a hasty, that all. I know, I know. One of the Outlanders must have… relapsed… and we shouldn't crown Kovu King until we know for sure, but that's no reason to –"

"Would you shut it!" Sabini snarled. "Don't you get it? It's over. It's done. Scar's spawn is the King of the Pridelands now, and there is nothing you or I can do about it." Fasini shook her head anxiously.

"But –"

"Be quiet up there and keep moving!" Behind them, the great form of Imara snarled at them. The strongest in the lion Guard was keeping her distance, but there was no question that the two members of the Lion Guard were perfectly capable of escorting the short-lived rebellion to the borders of the Pridelands by themselves. Fasina quickly ducked her head back, and kept walking forwards at a brisk pace. She felt her mouth go dry. This was really happening.

She was a Pridelander. Her mother had been a Pridelander. She'd never lived in the Outlands, never lived outside of the Pridelands, she didn't have the first idea how to live in the wilds. Sabini was resolute, but unshaking, like a stone. Were they supposed to stay as a group or go off their different ways? Was Sabini their leader now, or was it her fault they were in this mess to begin with. When they reached the edge of the Great River, she was no closer answering those questions. She looked at the waters nervously. Did that piece of driftwood have legs? This was crocodile territory. Worse, some of the River Lords were known to make their homes here. Fortunately, a sizable tree had fallen over nearby, and straddled the great river, forming a crude bridge into the Outlands. Sabini, Fasina, and the other lionesses gingerly crossed one at a time, before being followed by Tazama and Imara. Sabini gave one last look over her shoulder to the verdant green lands of the Pridelands. Fasina was far more emotional.

"Keep going." Imara said, flexing her muscles. Tazama looked at her Pridesister with concern.

"Well." She said. "This is it."

"Not yet." Imara said, contradicting her. "A little further. I want to be sure they aren't doubling back into the Pridelands the moment our backs are turned." She said. Sabini snorted, and rolled her eyes. As if she would want to return now. There was nothing for her in the Pridelands. And unlike Zira, she was smart enough to know when she was beaten. Let the Pridelands have Kovu as King. They wouldn't last long. They were no closer to finding out which of their number had no respect for the circle of life; in fact, they had just lost half a dozen loyal Pridesisters. The former Outlanders now outnumbered the former Pridelanders; though not by much. Their total number of hunters had been badly hit. The new exiles obediently stepped forwards, into the rocky, craggy land. Their pace slowed now, as they were in unfamiliar territory. The Lion Guard on the other paw, were more than at home. They moved into a short crag between stone mesas, and Fasini shuddered. There was hardly any vegetation around at all. How were they supposed to find food when there was nothing for even the herds to feed themselves on? This was completely barbaric. Tazama held up a claw.

"Wait." She said, hesitating. Imara glanced at her, looking faintly irritated.

"What is it?" She asked her. Tazama looked about quizzically, as if looking for something.

"I… I am unsure. There's something… something wrong." He said. She inhaled deeply, closing her eyes as she did so. She sniffed again, inhaling the subtle scents on the winds. There was a strange element that she couldn't place. Something exotic and alien that she had never experienced before.

"That's far enough I think." A sharp voice cracked across the arid dry air, jerking her to her senses again. The lionesses froze, and looked around, expecting to see jackals and hyenas at every turn. Tazama dropped into a crouch immediately, though Imara looked relaxed. Within a few moments, the owner of the voice stepped forwards.

Marsade grinned at the arriving lionesses. The Orangutan's gangly form was perched on one of the rocky outcrops that littered the spires and mesas of the Outlands burnt orange wasteland. He seemed very at home here, amongst the dirt. The air was deathly still.

"Welcome, my dears. I do hope your journey wasn't too traumatic." He smiled, lips parting to reveal a row of yellowed teeth. He looked about, and counted the lionesses. "Dear me… Is this all there is? The Emperor was so hopeful. We were informed that the Pride was ready to crack like an egg at a moment's notice. I suppose our oracle underestimated just quite how unified your Pride has become in the last few years… I had hoped to see practically all of the Outlanders here, with Kovu at their head. Or practically all of the Pridelanders. Still, I don't suppose it matters too much in the long run; this damage ought to suffice." He said. The orangutan leaned with a relaxed attitude upon his thornwood staff. His long arms swept back and nearly touched the floor.

Sabini looked at him in shock, and took a stumbled step backwards, pulling closer to the other lionesses. Tazama, perturbed at having been taken by surprise, gave a growl.

"Who are you? How did you sneak up on us? In the name of King Sim-" She paused, correcting herself. "In the name of King Kovu of the Pridelands, I respectfully, ask you identify yourself. Have you claimed these territories? We have our own accords with those who live in the Outlands." Tazama said. Marsade grimaced again.

"Sneak? Oh do forgive my little tricks; Rafiki was always the better at many elements of Shamanism, but I do like to think that even now I outshine him when it comes to the subtle art of illusion and glamour." When Tazama's expression was blank, he sighed, and shrugged, unwilling or unable to explain himself further. "We know all about your little pact with Jasiri… But as I am sure you know by now, that old order is long gone. Jasiri's little ramble holds no sway in the Outlands. You could say they have come under… new management." He said. He clicked his rod of thornwood on the ground, and as if awaiting that signal, and growl alerted them to the presence of other figures. Emerging from concealed crags in the stonework, two, no, three monstrous felines made their presence known. Tazama looked about in shock, at the source of the fell scent she had detected earlier.

"By the Kings…" She managed to gasp out, looking at the great tigers. There were three of them, each larger than even Simba in his prime, though they looked different. One was clearly female, and another sported brutal scars along his form, including a misshapen lump that must have once been an ear.

"What the –"

"Enough of this, Marsade. We have our orders." One of them said.

"Oh, be my guest. I've already played my part." He said, backing up, and three tigers advanced upon the exiled Pridelanders with a menacing gleam to their eye.

"Everyone get back!" Tazama called out, and Sabini and the exiles did not need to be told twice. In the face of this new terrifying foe, and Tazama didn't need to be keenest of sight, to sense hostile intent.

"Imara! What are you doing? This isn't the time for heroics!" Sabini snapped, when, Imara strode further, ignoring her Pridesister's sharp order. Instead began to approach the Shaman and the three oncoming Tigers. She didn't seem panicked in the least, in fact she advanced with an excited gait to her step that left Tazama staring.

"Imara!"

"Imara! Have you lost your mind?"

Imara turned slowly, and gave a small smile.

"I'm sorry, Tazama. But Imara was lost a long time ago." And as the lioness turned about to face Tazama, and her fellow lionesses, a peculiar change occurred in her face and in her form. As she twisted, there was a flicker of light, like flames dancing beneath the surface of Marsade's thornwood staff. The orangutan gave another cruel chuckle of self-satisfaction, as Imara's entire body jerked and rippled like disturbed water. Tazama watched in horrified fascination as the Pridelands Strongest changed before her eyes, into another shape she did not recognise. She did not appear changed in size. Imara was one of the largest lionesses, but compared to her fellow tigers, she was now on the smaller side. Strips of her fur burnt apart to reveal stripes of blazing orange, and pitch black. Her eyes distorted, flooding with red and she gave a triumphant and guttural roar. Beside her, one of the approaching tigers laughed and exalted a roar in kind.

"It's good to have you back with us, Sekhmet. You must be itching to get your claws wet again. For the Imperium!" Hesaid to her clapping her on the back with a long-clawed paw. Sekhmet stretched, and exhaled. Where Imara had once stood, instead now stood another tiger, the remains of unearthly shamanism scattered about her, like ash after a wildfire. Sabini stared, transfixed at the impossible sight.

"Its been too long, Rish'ut. I saw your work with the Outlanders. Though you missed one." She gloated. "It's good to be myself again… Unlike Leviath, I always preferred to be a little more… up close. Instead of creeping in the shadows. I'm so glad I get to do this in person, Tazama. I've wanted to claw your exceptional eyes out for weeks."She said, the tiger's eyes settled on her former allies with sickening glint. She smiled. "You seem surprised, Tazama. I ought to thank you. It's been dreadful." She sneered. Imara had always been a solitary figure within the Pride, but now any veneer of comradery or fellowship was gone. This wasn't her friend, her ally within the Lion Guard. This was someone else entirely.

"Who are you?!" Tazama stuttered. "What have you done to Imara?"

"You really don't want to know, Tazama. Use your imagination. I assure you, I did." She said, grinning.

"Tazama?! What do we do? We have to get out of here!" Sabini asked in panic.

"Oh I am afraid it is far too late for that." One of the other tigers said, firmly, his mouth parting to reveal vicious fangs, and his claws unsheathing to monstrous claws.

"Enough talk, Sekhmet. Kill." Rish'ut ordered. Sekhmet grinned, excited enough to ignore the impertinence of Rish'ut daring to give his equal orders. She felt a familiar rage bubbling inside her, and wonderful searing anger that burnt away any distractions, doubts or fears. She leant into her fury and it was like diving into cool water in the middle of drought.

"By your command!" She said. Then she lunged forward, teeth and claws a blur of violence and rage.

"Jasiri! Jasiri, it's okay! Calm down!" Kovu insisted. Jasiri was frantic, looking around and trying to haul herself to her feet, even injured though she was. Kovu had never seen the hyena so agitated.

"No no no! We've got to go, we have to run!" She burst out.

"Jasiri! It's okay! You're safe!" Kiara tried to assure her, as Vitani tried to hold her down before her frantic thrashing injured someone.

"No! No it isn't! We have to go, we have to run! Nowhere is safe!" Jasiri struggled, then her eyes bulged. She leaned forward, and with lurch, Jasiri emptied her belly onto the stone floor of the den. Vitani cursed and leapt backwards, but Kiara moved forwards, supporting Jasiri's back as the hyena heaved. She panted.

"Princess Kiara…" She began, but couldn't finish.

"Actually…" Vitani muttered softly. "It's Queen, now." She said.

Kiara shot her a glance of annoyance. Now was hardly the time. However, Jasiri looked up at her for confirmation, and she nodded once.

"Yes, she's right. Kovu is King now. Daddy passed on a few days ago. You've been unconscious for just a little longer than that." Kiara told her. Jasiri looked at Kovu, and repressed a shudder.

"Let me guess? Peacefully in his sleep?" Jasiri asked. Kiara's expression dropped, and Kovu glared at Jasiri in disapproval.

"Jasiri! You are a guest here. Remember that." He said. Jasiri however shook her head.
"That's a no then. As I feared. Unless you want to join him, you need to listen to me. We have to run, we have to leave right now. Every lion, lioness and cub in the Pridelands needs to run, not a single one of them is safe! If Simba is dead, then that means that the same thing that annihilated the Outlander Pact has come for the Pridelands. I thought I'd be safe, but I should have known better. We'll never be safe. They'll destroy the Pridelands." She said. Kiara's ears perked up.

"Jasiri, trust me. You're safe now. We've tried to send messages to your allies in the Outlands but –"

"But you couldn't find anyone? That's because there's no one left your Majesty! The Outlander Pact is gone." Jasiri snapped. Kovu and Kiara looked at one another in concern, as Vitani scowled.

"What do you mean gone?" She asked. The leader of the Lion Guard was looking at Jasiri with undisguised scepticism and surprise.

"I mean they're gone. Eradicated. Extinct. There's nothing living in the Outlanders now that hasn't bent the knee to their new ruler." The hyena said, after a brief pause. There was little emotion in her voice. She sounded almost dead. "Janja, Dogo, even Maku! I got to see Janja cut down before my very eyes!" She said.

A chill swept through the lair of the Lion Guard. Kovu stared at her aghast.

"Oh Jasiri… I'm so sorry." Kiara said softly. Jasiri's expression was stony. She looked away.

"You want to know what's been attacking the Pridelands, King Kovu? I can't answer that. I don't know what they are. They are something new. With a Shaman of their own. Demons." She said. Jasiri looked up at Kovu. Her eyes were like hard flint. "And if you want you and your family to survive, then you need to run." She said simply. "Run and hide. This isn't a battle you can win, Kovu. It isn't even one you can fight." She told him firmly. Kovu looked around, then he turned to Vitani.

"Get the Lion Guard ready; and get every lionesses who can fight. If Jasiri is right, then we are going to find ourselves under attack soon."

"Imara and Tazama aren't back from the Outlands yet." Vitani told her brother. Kovu flinched, as Jasiri stared at him in shock. Kovu swallowed. "Find Zazu, and I want every fighter we have. We know what's attacking us now. Now we can actually fight it. I don't want anyone leaving Pride Rock for any reason." Kovu said. "We stick together." Vitani nodded, and left, leaving without another word. The very definition of determination and cold anger. Kovu turned to Nala and Kiara, who were looking at him in shock.

"Kovu, what –"

"They killed Simba! Whoever they are, whatever they want, they came here, and murdered him. I promise you; I'm going to make sure they pay." Kovu said. Kiara leaned forward, and nuzzled her mate.

"Kovu…"

"Let them come! I'll show them! These… these monsters! How we treat killers and villains in the Pridelands! By the Kings… I'll make sure they'll pay." He promised her. There was an odd tone to his words. An almost pleading look to his expression. He felt responsible. He was king now. And he knew his duty. Before she could say anything to reassure them, or say anything that might assuage his doubts and fears, a loud cry went up from outside the den a shout of fear and shock. Kovu, already on edge, jerked, and Jasiri tried to haul herself to her feet. The injured hyena staggered leaning against the stone wall of the lair of the Lion Guard. Behind her, the pictures and images of Lion Guards long past stared down at her. She swallowed, and pulled away. A smear of blood defaced the save wall. Kovu nuzzled his mate.

"Get the rest of the lionesses who can't fight and cubs and make sure they are safe here." He told her. "Nala. Jasiri, with me." He said, and ran out of the den, without checking to see if they were following. He left the lair of the Lion Guard, and climbed the rock steps to the edge of Pride Rock, to the edge of the lower peak of Pride Rock that jutted out over the land, overlooking the Savannah, following the cries of shock and disgust to their source.

Some distance from Pride Rock, where the grassland was depressed into the first with travel and hunting, a slew of bodies had been scattered about. They were distressingly familiar. He recognised Sabini, her perpetual sneer replaced with an expression of pain and terror. He recognised each of them. The exiles he had sent into the north, into the Outlands. Into the Outlands Jasiri had now informed him were taken by enemies of the Pridelands. Lionesses who had betrayed him. Lionesses he had sent to their deaths. Despite his words to Simba, he had ended up killing them anyway.

Their blood was fresh and stained the ground beneath them.

The rest of the lionesses, those who had remained loyal to the new king, but nevertheless recognised their pride sisters and comrades before them were looking were reacting with predictable horror to the sight of the slaughter. There was something deeply unnatural, about seeing their own kind strewn about like the carcasses of prey after a particularly vicious hunt.

"Your Majesty!" Almasi greeted him as he arrived. She looked pale, pausing only to look at Jasiri with the slightest hint of confusion. "This just… appeared! My cubs were paying here just yesterday! What's happening?"

"Almasi, get yourself and your cubs to Pride Rock now, and stay in the lair of the Lion Guard. It's the safest, most well defended part of Pride Rock, and don't leave for any reason, do you hear me?" Kovu ordered. He looked at the bodies. Vitani gave a hiss in recognition.

"Tazama!" She gasped. The keenest of sight was among the dead. Jasiri gave a whimper of fright.

"Now do you see?" She asked them. Kovu swallowed. This was bad. This was really very bad.

"Brother…" Vitani almost grasped her brother's foreleg urgently.

Kovu stared.

Ahead of them, a pinprick of light burnt into existence, a brilliant flare like a bolt of lightning suspended in a droplet of water. It seared at his eyes just to look at it, like a miniature sun, already brighter than dark orange of the setting sun that even now eked its way towards the horizon. The sunset cast long shadows, plunging the Pridelands into a dismal twilight. With a vicious twitch, the tiny point of light it jerked downwards, towards the ground, and reality parted.

And then, figures made their way through the rift towards them. Seven shapes. Seven shadows emerged from the darkness. Kovu gasped at the arrival of seven tigers, but Jasiri's reaction was much more pronounced.

"It's them…" She whispered. She recognised the one at the front, as Rish'ut, the one who had lead the wilddogs that slaughtered her clan. The others she didn't recognise – though Sabini, if she had drawn breath, would have been able to point out Sekhmet among their number. Nala remained stoic, looking at these, Shai'tan Jasiri had spoken of. These were the ones who could order a Shaman about as if he was nothing. The ones whose designs had ordered and achieved the end of everything Jasiri had held dear in the Outlands.

"Hail, Kovu. Son of the Devil."The first of them,sneered. Nala gasped in shock at that. Some had called Zira the Devil-Queen, true, but to hear it from a creature as monstrous as this almost gave it another meaning. Kovu roared.

"Take another step, monster, and I'll kill you where you stand!" Kovu said. The first of the Shai'tan hesitated, causing the female by his side to burst into laughter at her rivals' discomfort.

"Hah! There is fire in you Kovu. No negotiations, no fancy words or diplomacy. Just brutal honesty. Finally, a member of your kind I can respect." She said. The rest of the Shai'tan, didn't take their eyes off of Kovu or Nala and Jasiri. The first of the Shai'tan smiled. Then he let lose a roar that shook the earth, and for a moment, Kovu thought the sky would split with the unnatural roar of the elders. Instead the only thing that shook was his resolve. Nala took an involuntary step backwards and Jasiri let out a yelp of fear.

"Fear us, Kovu. We are the Shai'tan; Lords of the Imperium. We are servants of the Emperor of the Shai'tan, the Son of Shan-Yi, and the heir to Shan-Al-Kir: He-Who-Ruled-Ten-Thousand-Lands. We claim the Pridelands, in the name of the Imperium." He proclaimed. Kovu looked about, as if expecting to see this alleged Emperor here.

"I have never heard of him, nor of you." Kovu said stiffly. "Or of the land you claim to rule. The Pridelands belong the King of the Pride Rock. Because you and your cowardly ilk, that is me. And I will defend them for every second I breathe. In the memory of the people you've killed. I am not King Simba, I will give you one warning, and if you don't leave my lands in peace and swear never to return, I will have you killed. No exiles. No mercy. You've already earned a death sentence." Kovu ordered. Nala watched the young lion with a swelling sense of Pride. The thought of this… this monster killing her beloved mate filled her with rage. She looked at the seven arrayed behind him. Each distinct and clear, yet each with the tell-tale scars of a hundred battles, marking them as victorious warriors. She thought of Simba alone, and felt her chest tighten. Alone. He wouldn't have stood a chance. None of them would have. A third Shai'tan began to chuckle at that. This one was an ugly, disfigured tiger, missing an ear and an eye, and with a face mottled with scars.

"You think highly of your own prowess, then Kovu. Did you see what we did to your exiles? Would you like to thank us for removing them for you?" He licked his lips. "Or perhaps, you'd like to thank me for clearing the way to the throne for you?" He sneered. Kovu strained against his worse impulses.

"Do you expect us to bend the knee to you? Expect us to bow in submission to some strangers from the wild, to a species we've never met? Do you know where you stand, how many brave and noble lions have died in this land against traitors and killers so that we can live in peace? How many have fallen in defence of the circle of life? Do you expect us to surrender?" Kovu asked him. Rish'ut laughed. His laugh was long, deep and caused the air to reverberate with his mirth. It sent a chill down Kovu's spine though he tried to hide it.

"No, King Kovu. I don't. I am Lord Rish'ut. And I am not accepting surrenders. I am here to wipe your kind from the face of the Serengeti. The Pridelands will bow, to us. You and your kind will suffer extermination, by order of the Emperor. I'm here to warn you that if you want to spare yourself and your family pain, you'll do the honourable thing, and simply take your own lives. I assure you it will be preferable to dying at our claws like your beloved King Simba." Kovu stared at the Warlord, his mouth slightly agape in shock. Jasiri let out a gasp. She looked from Kovu to the tiger and shook her head.

"I… am sorry… Kion…" The words were so faint they were barely a whisper. Nala's eyes widened.

"Wait, Jasiri!"

But it was already too late. Without another word, Jasiri turned and ran, not back to Pride Rock, but away from them both, staggering as she did so, limping. Each breath was had a sharp spike of pain to it. Kovu barely had time to watch her flee, before the Emperor laughed.

"I don't know or care what customs you keep in this land of savages and barbarians, King Kovu. But I advise you to make peace with whatever Gods or Spirits you hold to. Because you and your pride shan't live to see the dawn." With that, the colossal feline turned and walked away, turning his back. His tail swished as he did so, and for a moment Kovu considered hurling himself at his departing enemies back in a desperate lunge to finish this once and for all before anyone else could possibly get hurt. He restrained himself, thinking only of his family, of his mate and cub. Somehow, he knew in his heart, that there would be plenty of time for battle soon enough.