There you go, very last chapter of this story! I hope you enjoyed it all, and also like this last little chapter. Many thanks to all my readers and those who have given reviews, they're nice to read. I'll probably return soon with another fanfic, maybe TLK, since I already have ideas. I love to write Scar, but I have a feeling I should try something new though... we'll see. Please review this last chapter too, tell me how you liked it :) Atrice

Part 19 – Scars last Followers

"Teira! Kovu?" the lioness Zira ran around Pride Rock, she had seen the hyenas attack Scar. She knew they were more brutal than Simba, they wouldn't have any mercy. Now all she could do was to save those she cared about. Nuka was safe, but what about the new heir?

"Mom…" she heard someone cry beneith the Pride Rock peak, which Simba was about to climb in the rain. But she didn't care. Her king was dead, and she had to make sure the heir lived.

"Kovu? Are you here?" Zira called, she couldn't see him anywhere. There was a cave… it wasn't very big. Teira had only shown Kovu to Zira outside the cave, which was easily missed down in the shadows here. She looked inside, and saw him sitting near a wall. Where was Teira? "There there, don't cry… I'm sure she'll come." She pulled the cub close to her, and he seemed to dry his tears. Such a small cub, of course he was confused and scared with all the fire and fighting he had heard!

"Mom?" the cub tried, and looked at Zira – but didn't see his mom. He wasn't even a weak old, could probably not speak many other words than that. Zira waited… the rain stopped, the sun began to shine, but she hid in the cave with Kovu. The next morning his mother hadn't returned yet, and Zira understood that she hadn't survived the events. She had to present Kovu to Simba, now he was the king. Knowing that the new king would probably kill the cub because it wasn't his, she took him with her in her mouth, and carried him to the rest of the pride and the new king – the proper one to some, but not to everyone.

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"No… Simba!" Nala shouted, when she saw the look in Simbas eyes. He was the king now, and more than that; a lion who had to protect his pride and get his own offspring. Now definetly not pleased with Zira and the cub named Kovu. Everyone had been surprised when they saw the lioness appear with the cub, since he hadn't been presented to the pride before.

"Nala, don't interfere… this is between me and… Zira, right?" Simba said and the lioness nodded.

"You have no right to kill him, he's the rightful heir – chosen by Scar!" Zira defended Kovu, who tried to hide somewhere behind her legs.

"Exactly… and that is why he is not welcome – same as you." Simba lowered his head with an angry growl, and Nala ran forwards, she couldn't have her mate kill such a small cub; even if it was part of the circle of life. Sarabi and Sarafina kept themselves in the background; the lioness with the cub had once been their sister, but none of them would ever adress her with that title again. Zira seemed to have the right words ready for Simba, fighting for her cause.

"You're more cruel than Scar… heartless! Is this who you want to be your king!" Zira called to the pride, who were all watching the fight between the new king and the old almost-queen. They all looked down, feeling just a little guilt by this. "His mother died, because of you – and now you want this parentless cub to die too?" she took the cub in her mouth again and began to leave the scene. Simba didn't seem to want to change his mind, but knew he couldn't kill her and the cub now. Not after what she just said; he didn't want to appear heartless to the pride that was now his.

"Zira… do you really still support Scar?" he asked her, and she turned around.

"Why shouldn't I? He was more king than you will ever be." She explained, trying to keep her voice calm and noble.

"Then there is no other way; you, your cubs… and every other lion or lioness here who still support Scar, are exiled! I'll let you live, but if I ever see any of you near Pride Rock again – then I may be heartless as you call me, Zira. But that is the way things must be, now." Simba explained with royality in his voice. She nodded, understanding that he let her live, but not because he wanted to. Weak in the end, was Mufasas only son, she thought.

And so Zira, Nuka, Kovu and other rogues left Pride Rock in the rain, to find another place to survive and one day revenge who had been, at least to them, the rightful king.

THE END!

-Finished the28/6 2006, by Atrice -