Kovu and Kiara were both summoned this time. Both were understandably angry with the Council for more reasons than the disappearance of Arina. Both had major bones to pick and were past the point of caring what happened to them as a result.
Kovu stormed right past Mufasa when he came to the Council's Forest. Mufasa didn't try to stop him, and instead walked with his granddaughter. He wasn't sure of how to comfort or calm her, so he remained quiet during the walk.
The Kings were waiting for Kovu as he burst into the clearing. He looked at them, shuddering with anger. They called him here and wouldn't even show up to face him!
"The Goddesses will return shortly, Kovu."
Kovu snapped a glare at the Wind King.
"I don't feel like waiting for their return to have my questions answered, Wind King. I demand that you tell me what happened to Arina."
"Our actions are for the best of the Pride, Kovu."
Kovu began to shake, only barely preventing himself from shooting forwards and ripping into the Wind King's blind face. The Kings, noticing his anger, decided to let the matter rest until the Goddesses returned from attending to Shena's soul. Kovu paced and growled during the silence, not even stopping when Mufasa arrived with Kiara. Kiara sat a little apart from him, staring down at the ground.
Sarabi soon appeared out of the shadows of the forest. Kiara, who had never been to the forest before, tried to run to her and greet her but Kovu held his paw out. She looked up at him, confused, but when he offered no explanation she sat down and stared at her grandmother. Sarabi glanced at her then closed her eyes and spoke.
"The Goddesses are returning."
She took her seat next to the Water King, staring across at Mufasa. Within seconds the forest brightened and the seven Goddesses appeared, each seated next to their Kings save Amber. She stood before Kovu and Kiara, looking down at them.
"Welcome to the Council of Kings, noble Kovu."
He didn't respond, instead narrowing his eyes. Amber growled quietly at him.
"I would advise you not disrespect the Council, Kovu."
"Where is my daughter?"
Amber stiffened as he didn't return the greeting. She understood his anger and rush to find answers, but he still had to show respect to the Council. She waited for him to say something, eyeing him disapprovingly. Kovu met her gaze stubbornly, refusing to back down.
Amber snarled at him then turned and moved to her stone, sitting besides her King. She leaned against his leg, still glaring at Kovu. Kovu continued to hold her gaze until his eyes widened and he turned to Aime suddenly.
"You spoke last when I was here. What did you do to Arina?"
She met his furious eyes calmly. After looking around at the others, she turned to him again.
"A unanimous decision was made by the Council to give Arina the body of a human so the humans coming to murder lions would be distracted and leave the Pride Lands."
Kovu stared at her, trying to control his temper. He growled out slowly, turning his attention to the entire Council.
"And why did you do this?"
"For the good of the Pride," Amber answered matter-of-factly.
Kovu lost it. He snarled at Amber and jumped boldly into the circle, roaring at her.
"You claim for the good of the Pride, Amber, but you didn't think rationally! You killed Simba for his refusal to murder Maten, and then you forced me into doing it by threatening the same fate! Not only were the Pride's best hunters killed by the threat you named Saga, but I had to kill my sister because your decision drove her back into madness! Maten has sworn revenge on me because of her death, and now you have Arina changed and kidnapped? You have done nothing beneficial for the Pride, Amber! Our paw chosen heirs were no problem for you until recently, and your actions have weakened the Pride more than the banishment of the Outlanders in Simba's time did!"
Amber struck out too quickly for Kovu to twist away. The bird's beak sank into his face twice, one strike slashing the scar from Zira's angry claws open and the other time diagonally across this mark. Kovu roared out with agony and twisted away, collapsing by Kiara. She cried out and jumped to him, trying to cleanse his face as Amber advanced on them both, growling.
"Kovu, if you ever question the actions of the Council again you will be dethroned."
He was in too much pain to respond. She stood over him, quivering with rage as she continued.
"You will learn your place eventually, Kovu. Mufasa learned quickly not to question our actions, and in his younger years Simba was obedient to our decisions. Ahadi and Mohatu flourished under our guidance. Every king of our Pride has listened, obeyed, and prospered. You must learn to do the same."
Mufasa's eyes closed as she said this and Sarabi ventured a look of shock at Amber. Kiara looked up at the Goddess before her. Amber's gold eyes were burning with rage, but Kiara still ventured the question she wanted to... had to… ask.
"What about Scar?"
Amber made as if to strike again and Kiara cried out, but a black shadow flashed in front of her. There was a rattling of bones and the clacking of wood hitting wood, and then silence. Kiara looked up into Liena's back and noticed the red eyes of the hyena skull staring at her. She whimpered and cowered closer to Kovu, who was watching the two Goddesses. Liena pushed Amber's staff aside and stood protectively in front of the two of them.
"Amber, you will stop these shameful actions in front of the Council this instant. Being a Goddess does not grant you the right to attack the Pride's king and queen." Amber growled then moved back to her stone, sitting down. She didn't focus on Liena as she continued to speak quietly.
"Kovu and Kiara are right. We acted rashly in our decision with Arina and I think we must reconsider our actions. We cannot change what has been done to Simba, Maten, Vitani, and the other lionesses, but we must find a way to bring Arina home safely."
The Kings and Goddesses, save Amber, nodded. Liena turned and smiled down at Kovu and Kiara comfortingly.
"You may go. We will inform you of our decision when it is made."
Kiara and Kovu vanished from the Council's Forest. Liena turned from where they had been and moved back to her King, glancing over at Amber before she sat down next to him and addressed the Council.
"We cannot allow the dark years to repeat themselves, but if this situation is to continue any further they will. Maten must be dealt with, Arina must be returned to the Circle of Life, and we must find a suitable replacement for the prince."