Early the next day Sinta woke up and got himself ready for his expedition. Kiara bathed him (much to the cub's displeasure, for he didn't like baths) and Genka, after being lectured by his own mother about having to take good care of the prince, came to collect him. Kenna and Jenna were already waiting for them at the foot of Pride Rock.
"Now, Sinta, you and the girls be good and obey Genka, all right?" warned Kiara. "Don't make me send Timon and Pumbaa to watch over you."
"Okay Mom, you don't need to threaten me like that, I'll be good."
"Very funny, now run along."
With that the young cubs left for the gorge, bathed by the warm morning sunlight. Kiara, Kovu, and Vitani watched them for a while, then the three went away on businesses of their own and didn't worry about them until dinner time.
The cubs had promised to come back by noon, but the sun had come and gone and there was no sign of them. One of the lionesses suggested that they send a party to look for them, when suddenly, far in the distance, they saw a figure slowly approaching. It was Genka.
He was hurt, and his walk was unsteady. While Kovu gathered the pride and they all went down to meet him, Genka managed to drag himself near Pride Rock, and there he collapsed. Kovu noticed a trail of blood along the path he had followed.
"Genka!" exclaimed his mother, caressing his wounds with her tongue. "What happened to you? Where are the others?"
"I... was... attacked," stammered Genka, trying to get up with the help of two lionesses.
"By whom?"
"King Kovu."
"WHAT!" Kovu was totally baffled by this answer, and he was also aware that all eyes were on him now.
"At least, he looked like him. Same height and build, and same color of fur," continued Genka. "But then I noticed he hadn't the scar. And his eyes... they were so... mean.
"What happened then, Genka, where is my son?" said Kiara.
"We were trying to climb the tree to see the birds, when he attacked me from behind. He threw me to the ground and headed for Sinta. I tried to fight him, but he was too big for me. He knocked me down and I passed out. When I woke up, I was alone. I... I think he took them."
"Oh no!" cried several voices. Kiara and Vitani lowered their heads, their eyes full of tears. Some of the lionesses growled. Kovu was too dumbfounded to do anything.
"He said something," Genka said suddenly amid all the commotion. "Just before I passed out. He whispered it in my ear. He said: 'it's only the beginning.'"