A/N: Yay! Chapter Twenty-Seven!! Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Seven:

''Zira!'' Simba said, a frown forming across his face.

''Did you really think I was going to give up so easily, and let you live?'' Zira derided, looking directly at Kiara, who sprang to her feet.

''How dare you show your face here!'' Simba said heatedly, his voice tense with rage.

''Yes, here we are, finally. Unfortunately, my younger son isn't here to join us in killing you and your family. We had to…dispose of him for his corrupted mind, thanks to your daughter,'' said Zira, her eyes locked on the young lioness.

''I'm giving you one chance to leave the Pridelands now, or suffer in war,'' Simba threatened.

''Then I guess I choose war, Simba, though I believe you'll be the one to suffer…''

Kiara looked from her father to Zira's group. She couldn't believe that Simba was actually declaring war after what she had just told him. She tried to catch her father's eye to remind him of the gruesome battle and the lost soul, but he kept his gaze on Zira, his teeth bared.

Suddenly, he let out a great roar, an alert call to summon the lionesses of his own pride to his side. Almost immediately they conformed, running toward the river with fierce expressions on their faces. They were ready to fight.

But not Kiara, not this time. She couldn't bear to lose another loved one; she wouldn't let it happen. Someone had to stand up and prevent this, and that someone was her.

''Attack!'' Zira cried.

Just before any of the prides could make their move, Kiara jumped between the two, crying, ''STOP!''

To her surprise, they all froze. All eyes were on her now, waiting for her to say or do something. Simba spoke up first.

''Get out of the way, Kiara. You're not to be involved in this one,'' he ordered.

''No, Dad, I won't,'' Kiara said stiffly, wearing a determined look.

''I said stand aside,'' Simba repeated, but more sternly.

''No…don't you see what you're all about to do?'' Kiara said, looking around at all the impatient faces. ''War…fighting, it's all wrong. Because of your selfishness, your son is dead. Don't you care at all?'' she asked Zira.

''He betrayed me and for that he got himself killed. Now get out of my way, little girl, before I-''

''Do not talk to her that way!'' Simba growled. ''My daughter's right,'' he said, his tone softening. ''What happened was in the past and can be forgotten. Kiara helped me to see that you're an Outsider only if you choose to be. But if you go out of your way of committing an evil act, just to do a good deed, then how can you be turned away?''

He then turned to Kiara and said, ''I just didn't want to see it before. I was wrong about Kovu.''

''So was I, Kiara. We both were,'' Nala concurred. Kiara smiled lovingly at her parents, happy they finally understood.

''I will not stand here listening to this nonsense, pretending that what you did to my Scar was a mere mistake! Attack now!'' Zira ordered.

Once again before her posse could make any sudden moves, Vitani stepped forward, stunning them all.

''No, I won't fight,'' she said. ''They're right. I lost my brother because of all this violence, and I'd do anything to get him back. So if this is what I have to do, then I will. I won't fight them.'' She walked over to Simba's pride and stood beside Kiara, leaving her mother and the other's looking bewildered.

''You too, Vitani? Then I suppose you'll be dying along with them,'' Zira said coldly.

''Stop this now, Zira, that's enough,'' Simba commanded. But as gritty as she was, Zira did not listen.

''Then I'll deal with you myself!'' she cried irately, preparing to pounce.

What came next happened so fast. In a flash, Zira was in the air, arms extended toward Simba with her claw exposed. Kiara screamed, then in an instant, another blur of brown fur shot at Zira, knocking her down. It was Nuka who had stopped her, shocking everyone.

''AAARRGH!'' Zira cried as she and her son plummeted downward into the once-placid river.

Everyone watched in alarm as they scurried to the backs in search of the two. Zira came up first, gasping and weezing, followed by a coughing Nuka. An angry growl escaped her throat and with all her might she batted Nuka across his head with her paw, knocking him unconscious. His body helplessly sank beneath the surface, never to be seen again.

''Help me out of here so we can finish them all off!'' Zira called to her partners as she struggled to stay afloat.

Everyone on the shore stared in tremor, while her pride exchanged doubtful glances. They weren't sure if they were willing to save her-they realized that she was truly mad after killing her own children.

Zira kicked her legs harder and paddled her forearms faster, but it didn't help much. The current of the river was too strong for her to overcome, therefore pushing her farther away from the shore and the group of gaping lions.

''Vitani, go help your mother!'' Kiara exclaimed to the horror-struck lioness.

Without needing to be told twice, Vitani took action. She darted down the banks, running alongside her powerless mother.

''Get-away from me-you traitor!'' Zira yelled stubbornly, coughing up mouthfuls of water.

''Mother, please, let me help you!'' Vitani called.

''No!'' Zira refused.

Just as the river was continuing to carry her away, she spotted a large stone in the middle of the water from the corner of her eye. Struggling to stay above the surface, she hurriedly paddled over to the rock and took hold of it with her claws.

''See? I don't need you at all, Vitani! I don't need any of you! As soon as I get out of here I'll kill you all! You just wait!'' As she spoke, she didn't notice the cluster of murky green humps rising above the water.

About four of five large crocodiles leered hungrily at her, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Vitani saw them first. She gasped, and at once held her paw out to her mother. Kiara made a move to do the same, but Simba stepped in front of her.

''No,'' he said, ''I'll go.''

Kiara nodded understandingly, glad to know someone stronger than she volunteered to help. There was a better chance of getting Zira out now, if her could persuade her.

Simba ran to Vitani's side and extended his paw as well. ''Take our paw, Zira, so we can help you out,'' he said.

Zira only snarled and in return thrashed at his outstretched paw.

''Please,'' Vitani begged shakily, ''Mother let us help you. We can work this out.''

''I don't need to work out anything!'' Zira yelled.

''Mother they're after you! Please take Simba's paw!'' Vitani pleaded.

Unsure of what she meant, Zira turned her head to look behind herself. She gasped when she saw the group of sadistic crocodiles nearing her, eyeing her keenly.

''AAARRGH!'' she screamed as she tried to get a better hold on the rock. The stone being slippery, Zira lost her grip and sank into the water.

''Mother!'' Vitani cried, but it was too late. Zira had disappeared beneath the dark water and the crocs dove in after her.

She was finally gone.

A/N: DONE! Yes! Okay, I'm in a hurry so just leave me a review please!! BYE!