AUTHOR'S NOTE – Guess what, BeeKay84 is back with an all new chapter of TLK3D! I'm sorry you had to wait so long again. I was so stressed again. Thank you so much for always being patient and sticking with me! I'm so glad you liked chapter 10, though I didn't really like it myself. All your kind reviews really make me so happy and proud! I hope you like this chapter as well, it's supposed to be really suspenseful in the end. Enjoy!

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CHAPTER 11: Fight for your right

Dark clouds gathered above the Pride Lands as the sun began to rise in a yellowish-grey sky. There would be only about one hour of light, until the rising sun would disappear behind the clouds, leaving the lands in an oppressive shadow. It has been like that every day for the last few weeks. Hardly any herds were seen in the fields which were almost barren. Many were gone, others were just too weak and sick to get up and graze.

Two lionesses stepped out of the Royal Cave and down Pride Rock at this early hour. Their heads were hanging, their eyes conveyed pain and sadness, and they both were visibly underfed. Another sleepless night with endless thinking about all their sorrows lay behind them. Neither of them talked as they went to the water hole and satisfied their thirst. Then they stared at their reflections in the water for a while. The younger one of the lionesses sighed.

Then she turned her head to the other one and asked: "I want to visit my daughter's grave. Will you join me?"

Nala nodded and replied: "Sure, Vitani."

They made their way into the fields, where the grass used to be very tall, a short walk away from the water hole. It was the place where Vitani and her mate Mitauro met again for the first time, after years of separation. There, near a very small tree, was a little grave with two pawprints on the ground in front of it, one of Vitani and one of Mitauro. Vitani and Nala sat down in front of the grave and looked at it in silence.

After a few minutes, Vitani spoke up, without looking up from the grave: "Tonight I found a name for her. I call her Hasara now."

"That's a nice name." Nala said.

Vitani sighed. "But it means loss. Of course, I wouldn't have called her Hasara if she had lived. I just don't want her to be without a name, wherever she is now." She paused, then continued: "It must be about four weeks ago now. And I still can't believe it."

Nala closed her eyes and let a tear run down her muzzle. "I can't believe all the terrible things that happened – that are still happening. And it's also been about four weeks since Ari has been gone." She opened her eyes again and looked up at the clouds, crying more and more tears. "If he only knew how we need him. How his parents need him, and his grandfather…"

Nala hung her head and sobbed at the thought of Simba. As Kiara still wasn't able to move her legs, and Kovu couldn't see properly and had massive pain in his left eye most of the time, Simba and Nala had taken over again as King and Queen. But a few days ago, Simba had fallen ill after eating from a kill the hunting party had made. Rafiki did the best he could, but Simba was only recovering slowly. So, Nala was left in charge alone as Queen. Every day, she feared her husband's state could become worse again.

"How can the Great Kings do this to us?" Nala sniffed. "Would Mufasa really want to let us suffer like that?"

She shook her head and cried some more. Then, Nala and Vitani looked down at the grave again in silence.

-

One day and one night had passed since Ari and Takita had set out on their way back to the Pride Lands. They ran the whole time, taking only a few breaks every now and then. They didn't get any sleep, their legs ached and they were totally exhausted. By dawn that day, they had finally reached the river at the Northern border of the Outlands. The very same river where Lina had almost drowned as a cub long ago, when she and Takita had decided to run away. Takita remembered that day like it was only yesterday. She gulped as she and Ari crossed the river. Just at that moment, she began to wonder if Lina really stayed in the jungle with Loner. Little did she know that Lina was just a few miles behind her and Ari…

After they had crossed the river, they stopped for several minutes to catch their breath again. Then they walked on through the barren Outlands, slowly, but as fast as they could. Takita looked at the rising sun, then at the dark clouds above them.

"I really wonder what the Pride Lands look like now…" She uttered.

Ari sighed and answered: "You'll see. I really hope it hasn't become worse."

"It must be terrible. I hope my parents are okay."

He looked at her and said: "Don't worry. The last time I saw them, they were alright. Unlike my parents…"

"I hope they will be fine. Maybe I can try and help them. I learned many things about herbs out there."

Ari frowned: "Not even Rafiki could help them. But you can try." He tried to smile a little. "I'm really glad I found you."

Now, Takita gave a smile back at him: "Me too."

When they reached the Southern border of the Outlands, Takita gasped at the sight that met her eyes: There was hardly any life in the Pride Lands. No herds, the fields almost barren, under a dark sky. It was not as bad as it had been under Scar's reign. But Takita and Ari didn't know how it was back then, and so this sight was extremely shocking to them.

After a long silence, Ari gulped and said: "Come on, let's find your parents."

They moved on, heading for Pride Rock, passing by a very small herd of zebras and some wildebeests who looked very weak. Takita got a slight feeling of hunger, but she was too tired to even think about hunting. And she wanted to see her parents again, before she would do anything else. After a while, they arrived at the gorge where the Great King Mufasa was murdered by his own brother years ago. Suddenly, Ari stopped. It seemed like he wanted to turn around again.

Takita stopped beside him and frowned: "What's wrong?"

Ari was trembling a little while he spoke: "Well, I think you can go the rest of the way on your own. I better go back and look for Lina."

"But don't you want to see your parents again first? And you need to rest, like I do. You're almost fainting."

"But I promised to bring Lina back. I can't return without her."

Now, Takita raised her voice: "Haven't you just said you're glad that you found me?"

"Of course, Takita, I am. But I just have to find my sister and bring her back. I promised my parents to do that."

"And what am I supposed to tell them? 'Hey there, it's me, Takita. I'm back. I'm sorry, Lina couldn't come, but Ari still has to find her.' They don't wait for me, they wait for their heir."

"And I'm NOT their heir, Lina is!" Ari nearly shouted.

"Listen," Takita got a little closer to him. "Of course, Lina is their heir because she's their daughter. But you're their son! And that makes you their heir as well."

"But I'm not…"

Takita interrupted him: "What if it's meant to be that way? Maybe you are meant to be King of the Pride Lands. Have you ever thought of that?"

Ari just gasped in shock. Why did she tell him that? Didn't she understand? The Great Kings chose Lina to rule. And only if she was given the chance to become Queen, all their suffering would have an end.

But just when he wanted to explain this to her, it happened: All of a sudden, someone jumped between them, pinning Takita to the ground. Ari fell down because of the weight of the attacker and winced in pain. He shook his head and opened his eyes, struggling to get up on his paws again. He looked around to see Takita threatened by another lioness. Takita bit her into her left foreleg. The other one roared in pain, lifting her forelegs up from Takita's chest. This gave Takita the chance to get up, but as soon as she stood, the other lioness struck her hard in the face. Takita fell to the ground and lost consciousness.

Ari had managed to stand and growled at the rust-golden lioness. She turned around and growled back at him. And as she pierced him with an evil look out of her ruby eyes, Ari gasped. Just now he recognized her…!

"Lina…" He started. "Sister? How can you…"

Lina let out a loud roar to silence him. Then she stepped forward and growled: "Don't you dare call me 'sister'. Now I will fight for my right to rule. You won't take the throne away from me!"

With that, she extended her claws and charged…

-

Nala and Vitani were still sitting in front of Hasara's grave. Nala finally looked up and said: "The sun is almost up. I'm gonna send Zazu on his flight now. Is it okay when I leave you alone for a while?"

"Sure, Nala. I'll wait here."

On her way to Zazu's tree, Nala had to walk up a small hill. From there, she looked around. Her eyes fell onto the gorge far away. Something caught her attention, so she stopped and watched the movements in the distance. "Strange," she thought. "There's something going on over there."

Soon she reached Zazu's tree, which was no acacia tree like Rafiki's, but almost as tall. "Zazu?" Nala shouted.

Seconds later the blue hornbill soared down from a branch and landed on the ground in front of Nala. He bowed to her and said: "Good morning, Nala. Do you want me to set out on my daily flight?"

"Yes, Zazu. And please check out the gorge first. There seems to be some trouble over there."

"Of course, your Majesty."

Nala nodded. "Come straight back to Pride Rock after you've checked and tell me what's happening there."

"Yes, your Majesty." With that, he was on his way flying towards the gorge. Nala watched him for a while, then she returned to Vitani.

Vitani looked up as she noticed Nala approaching her. She noticed her frown and asked: "Nala, is something wrong?"

"I don't know yet," Nala replied. "Let's go back to the den, I have to wait for Zazu's report."

"Okay," Vitani said, slightly worried.

As they slowly walked up the rock, suddenly Zazu's voice sounded behind them. "Nala! Nala!"

Nala turned around startled and watched Zazu approaching her. The bird sounded terribly disturbed. When he reached her, he still fluttered around in panic. "Nala, there's a fight at the gorge!" he said. "There are three lions. I couldn't believe my own eyes, and I'm not entirely sure – but it looked like Prince Ari and Princess Lina are fighting there!"

Nala gasped and said to Vitani in a trembling voice: "Vitani, wake up the others and get everyone who can to the gorge. Quick!" "Zazu!" she then said. "You come with me." And with that, Nala sped off, heading for the gorge as fast as she could.

-

Ari desperately tried to defend himself, yet somehow he couldn't bear the thought of hurting his sister. But Lina was merciless. Ari evaded her claws as she tried to strike him in the face. Then Lina jumped on his back, trying to bite in his neck. Ari stumbled and roared, trying to get her off. He rolled back and forth on the ground, but Lina's claws wouldn't let go off his shoulders. She sank her teeth into his mane. Ari drew his head away from her, so she couldn't get a grip on his throat. He had no other choice. He closed his eyes, extended his claws and hit behind him with his left front paw. Lina roared in pain and jumped off him. She had a bloody scratch on her stomach.

Ari got on his paws, but as soon as he stood, Lina attacked him again. He either tried to evade her strikes or to shield himself from them with his paws. At that moment, Nala arrived. "Lina! Stop it!"

Lina froze and slowly turned around. She did recognize her grandmother. She just stared at her for a while and watched Vitani, Mitauro, Kinja, Roho and others from the Pride approaching. Kinja and Roho immediately ran towards their unconscious daughter. They nudged Takita, until her eyes fluttered open and helped her up, nuzzling her.

But then Lina glared at Nala and shouted: "No! Nothing can stop me now. He'll get what he deserves!" With that, she whirled around and struck Ari in the face, who was unprepared. He stumbled backwards and tripped, losing his hold – he hung over the abyss, clawing to the ground!

"Ari!" Nala screamed. "Hold on!" Everyone gasped as Lina approached her brother with an evil grin on her face. "No!" Nala ran to hold her back, but Lina struck her in the face, sending her to the ground. Vitani helped her up. No one dared approach Lina again.

Ari tried to climb up, but he was too weak. He held as tight to the ground as he could, looking up at his sister standing over him. "Lina," he said in a trembling voice. "Listen, I don't wanna be King! Please. Help me."

Lina glared at him. There was an awkward silence. Then, all of a sudden, Lina lifted her paws and hit her claws into Ari's paws. Ari roared in pain. Lina looked him straight into the eyes and growled: "Don't lie to me. You'll never get in my way again."

"LINA!! Don't do it!"

Everyone was startled, even Lina. Nobody knew this voice - except for Lina and Takita. Everyone stared at the young lion who had joined them. It was Loner. He had a firm, but warm look in his eyes that made Lina freeze and stare at him. Murmurs were heard from the lionesses about who this lion was. Kinja and Roho exchanged a confused look. They glanced at Loner, from head to paw. His eyes, his tan fur,… his one sand-colored pawtip.

"Oh my god," Kinja gasped. "Can it be?" She hesitated, then stepped forward and said in a trembling, yet joyful voice: "Nivio!"

End of Chapter Eleven

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AUTHOR'S NOTE – I know, it was just so obvious! Many of you suspected it, and yes it's true: Loner is Takita's long-lost brother Nivio! Kinja and Roho must be so glad to see their son again! Somehow, I like the name Loner better than Nivio, don't you agree? Hehe. :) Soooo… there's one more chapter to come. What will happen? Will Lina come to her senses? Or will she completely lose her mind? Just wait and see. And check out my profile in the next time, as I'm going to create an account at the Lion King FanArt Archive soon. ;) I've done an all-new drawing of the Royal Family from TLK3D. I guess the next (and last) chapter is going to come in mid December, or maybe around X-Mas. You'll see. Just be patient as always. Thanks a lot for reading and sticking with me – see you around. :)