Disclaimer: I don't own (and never will ) any of the original Lion King characters
A/N: Ok, srry this took me so long to get out. I had to redo the whole thing, uhhg. Oh well, here it goes.
Aza: Scar's Daughter; Aza Takes Control
"Now, Simba, what will it be? Will you leave here? Or will you stay under my rule?" Aza looked down at her former king, grinning triumphantly. Simba stared at his paws, not knowing what to do.
"What if we leave?" challenged the lioness Syori.
"I'll kill you," came Aza's simple answer. Simba's thoughts were racing. He turned to Nala for help. Her expression was as puzzled and sorrowful as his.
"What do I do?" he whispered, so only his mate could hear.
"I…don't know…what if we stay?" Nala finished lamely. Hearing her mother's question, Kiara asked through gritted teeth:
"What if we stay?"
"You will live under my rule," was her blunt answer. Simba looked at his Pride, who stared back at him: some fearful, some angry, but most mournful.
"Shall we go?" he asked quietly. They shook their heads: none of them wanted to die. (Hey, if you think they should have run, fine by me, but that's not how it happens here OK?? Just think, if you had to choose between life and death, what would be your pick? If you would want to "die free" that's not my problem. Personally…srry, back to the story) "Aza!" roared Simba. The young lioness looked down. "We have made our choice…"
"Well?" she asked impatiently.
"We will…stay," he choked, and hung his head. Simba turned to look at his former subjects. Syori, the rebel, looked at Aza full of hate. Lisha stared at her paws while Vitani's face remained expressionless. Nala sighed. Kiara leaned sorofully against Kovu, who stared at his paws, and whispered comforting words to Kiara. Lorado cried silently. Chisulo looked at Aza with a new hate. Tears flowed down Marali's muzzle, as she hid Kanoni and Bikila behind her paws. The hyenas laughed hysterically.
"Now," Aza's voice boomed, "my first order of business. I announce the new king of the Pride Lands: Tupac!" A chorus of roars erupted from behind Aza. Simba saw Phenyo, looking very nervous.
"My head lioness shall be Homa," continued Aza. Homa stepped out and bowed to her queen. The hyenas cackled their approval. Seeing her chance, Chalondra's sister Lorado roared to Aza:
"Where are Chalondra and Yejide?" The hyenas laughed loudly, and stepped back to reveal Chalondra staring fearfully over Yejide's lifeless body, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Yejide!" cried Lisha. She, followed closely by Lorado, ran over to her mother's body, silent tears rolling down her face. After some urging, Lisha solmenly followed Lorado, who was comforting Chalondra, back to their Pride; hyenas nipping menacingly at their ankles and snapping at their tails. Simba growled at them to back off.
Aza had slowly begun to descend from Pride Rock with Tupac, closely followed by Homa. The rest of her followers and Phenyo came a few steps behind her.
"Now," she said looking over her new subjects, "I must lay down the law. You will be divided into groups. Each will have their own head, who supervises the hunting etc. for that group. My chosen heads will meet with me after this. Your group will then be assigned to one of the three dens. I, of course, will sleep in the main den in Pride Rock with Tupac. One of the groups will be chosen to hunt for him and me as well." She paused.
"No lioness will bear cubs unless she consults me first. The hyenas will be given the Elephant Graveyard and the Outlands and any land beyond that; no one is to go there under pain of death." With that, the hyenas followed Shenzi away.
Simba frowned. Aza was different than Scar. She knew that the hyenas could not survive with the lions and seemed not to want power over them. Now his pride could rebel…or could they? He decided not to take his chances. Aza was cunning, and likely wouldn't leave any loopholes in her devious plan.
"Now," Aza's voice broke into her thoughts, "to divide you. Homa!" The lioness came at her queens bidding. Homa had dusty gold fur and piercing red eyes that sparked with evil. You will be head of the first group. In that group will be…" she looked among the group, not noticing Chisulo.
"Syori, Chalondra, Nala, Qwara, and when the other Pride comes we will add more." Simba looked at Aza with deep curiosity. What other Pride?
"Efia," Aza beckoned to the lioness with the tan pelt, "you will have Vitani, Marali, Phenyo and more from the other Pride." Simba looked at Marali. She did her best to hide the two cubs, but her efforts were in vain.
"Ahh," purred Aza, "who are these young ones?" Marali trembled.
"Th-they are…well…" Marali's pale brown fur prickled.
"Yes?"
"Well, you see...we f-found them a-and they had no home and I th-thought that maybe…" her voice trailed off. Kanoni and Bikila looked nervously at Marali, frightened to see her trembling like a young cub.
"Maybe you could keep them?" Aza finished for her. "Of course you can." Marali looked at Aza in surprise. She opened her mouth to say something, but thought better of it and just nudged her new children along towards Efia. Simba's brow furrowed.
"To continue: Ulu, come forward." The lioness with the dark brown pelt trotted forward, her head held high. "You will have Lorado, Kiara, and Lisha, and of course more lions when the time comes. Now, Jahari, you will be in the group of your choice." The lion with a brown pelt and dark brown mane trotted to where Homa sat. She nuzzled him warmly.
"Simba," she sneered, "where to put you?" she scanned the groups. "How about with Efia?" she asked sweetly. Grudgingly, he trotted to where Efia sat. So, she had deliberately placed him in a "group" without his mate or his daughter; very clever of her. "Kovu, I think you'd do nicely with Homa." Kovu growled, but obeyed.
"Now who's this?" she asked in surprise, looking at Chisulo.
"Chisulo?" Tupac looked at the lion sitting in front of him.
"Who's Chisulo?" asked Aza.
"He's my brother." A look of surprise flashed across Vitani's face, but she quickly concealed it.
"Ahh. I think I will put you with…Efia." Vitani hid her happiness as Chisulo trotted over to her.
"Any questions?" Simba stepped forward.
"Who is the 'new Pride'?" he asked bodly. Aza smiled.
"They come from lands away, but I have connections there – their leader is my brother. He is old, and wants his Pride in safe hands – I generously offered my hospitality." Simba stared at her in disbelief. So, this was her plan. An echoing roar broke the silence.
"Here they are now." Simba followed Aza's gaze to see at least 20 lions approaching. There were many males that sported proud manes. They were large and intimidating. Simba's face fell. What was happening?
R&R! Hope u liked it. Did the group thing make sense? I wasn't sure what to call it. Next chapter coming soon!