Author's notes: Another update. I'm sorry they're taking so long these days but I'm very busy. Not 'I'm so busy I won't be able to carry on' type busy but 'I'm so busy that I only rarely get chance to work on it' type busy. But hopefully soon that will change. I'll be getting a new pc (my current pc is riddled with viruses and spyware to an amazing level and is also 5 years old and was never very good to begin with) and then writing and posting stuff should be easier. Sadly I gotta get rid of this pc before I can get my new one, but with a bit of luck that should just be a one-week waiting period.

So, hopefully my next update shouldn't take too long. And once more thanks for the reviews, it really brightens my day when I check my e-mails in the morning and see some positive, insightful, well thought out reviews. Along with my recent lamentably uncompleted Star Wars fic this has gotta by my most successfully piece of writing so far. And the fic, I'm glad to say, is far from over. Anyway, enough of this.

Here's the character list.

Simba – Adult male lion, King of the Pride Lands

Nala – Adult lioness, Queen of the Pride Lands, wife of Simba

Kiara – Adult lioness, Princess of the Pride Lands, hunting party leader

Kovu – Adult lion, Prince Regent of the Pride Lands, husband of Kiara

Vitani – Adult lioness, half-sister of Kovu

Amaryllis – Adult lioness, foster mother of Amabi, former loner, wanderer, former loner

Nadhari – Adult lioness, mother of Alyssa and Kelt

Sharhal – Adult lioness, a member of Kiara's hunting party

Aetti – Adult lioness, a member of Kiara's hunting party

Tumai – Adult male lion, competitive, aggressive, mocking

Juvi – Adult male lion, quiet, thoughtful young male

Salama – Adult male lion, old and wise but not as wise as he thinks, condescending

Lokanneoro – Adult male lion, Tenzer's father, veteran survivor, powerful

Maradi – Adult male lion, attractive and pleased with his appearance

Haya – Adult male lion, young, curious about the world

Tenzer – Half grown male lion, loner, quiet character but gentle with cubs

Ryana – Half-grown lioness, talkative and besotted with Tenzer

Amabi – Male lion cub, adopted son of Amaryllis, cheeky, inquisitive cub

Alyssa – Lioness cub, daughter of Nadhari, more reserved and careful cub

Kelt – Male lion cub, son of Nadhari, slightly insecure cub

Zazu – Adult hornbill, Simba's majordomo

Timon – Adult meerkat, Simba's friend

Pumbaa – Adult warthog, Simba's friend

Rafiki – Adult baboon- Simba's friend, shaman and advisor

Shenzi – Adult female hyena, leader of Graveyard Clan

Banzai – Adult male hyena, leader of Graveyard Clan

Ed – Adult male hyena, leader of Graveyard Clan

Ridikill – Adult male hyena, hunting pack leader, extremely aggressive and antisocial

Burudi – Adult male hyena, scarred face, Ridikill's 'lieutenant', less vicious, member of Ridikill's pack

Groco – Adult male hyena, weakling, low-ranking scout trying to improve his social standing, member of Ridikill's pack

Agiza – Adult female hyena, hunting pack leader, one of Shenzi's favoured, high-ranking

Sarkil – Adult female hyena, sarcastic huntress, member of Ridikill's hunting pack

Kapungu – Adult male hyena, fearsome hunter with a lust for blood, member of Ridikill's pack

Babaka – Adult male hyena, always hungry, member of Ridikill's pack

Shungi – Adult female hyena, rookie leader of small hunting pack

Cauron – Adult female hyena, currently heavily pregnant

Mali – Adult male leopard

Mamacala – Adult male crocodile

Dawn was breaking. Another night's hunting was done for the nocturnal predators and another night of frightened watchfulness was done for the herds. In the boughs of an acacia tree Mali the leopard idly picked at the fresh carcass of an impala doe stashed in the branch with him. Blood dribbled down his velvety white chin and after a few more mouthfuls of flesh he licked at the stain disdainfully.

"Don't want to be like a filthy Cape dog or a hyena now, do I?" he grumbled to himself quietly.

A swallow in the same tree took to the wing in fright at the sound of his soft voice. He watched it go. After a while of staring into the rising sun he yawned and stretched.

"Well, best go check the border".

He performed a series of small hops to get out of the tree. He looked around warily once on the ground, then headed north.

As the official head of the leopards in Simba's Kingdom, Mali took it upon himself to look after their interests. One of those interests was seeing off rival predators. Hyenas were the main culprits as of late, and so for the last few weeks he had performed regular checks of the northern border, checking the tracks and the scent markings of hyena poachers so as to keep a tab on how many were entering the Pride Lands. At the next Chieftain's Convention he intended to present his findings to Simba.

The hyena incursions were becoming more common with each night and each night the number of interlopers would increase. But that had changed three days ago after Simba's glorious triumph over the invaders that had left a dozen or so dead. That had been…wonderful.

Since then no hyenas had crossed the border, save one who had left in a seeming hurry. It hadn't returned last night so presumably the hyena was still at large within the Pride Lands. Mali was considering hunting the offender down and killing it.

As the leopard neared the border he heard something strange on the wind. It sounded like…laughing. Yes, there was no disputing it now. Hyenic laughing. He growled and pressed himself to the ground. It wouldn't do to be detected by the base mongrels, but on the other hand he wasn't about to be intimidated and creep away. He crawled closer, eager to investigate.

He spotted something in the dirt and examined it. Hyena tracks, heading towards the Graveyard. The size and shape of the prints matched those that had left a few days ago. So the invader had returned home. Interesting. He edged on.

As Mali got closer the laughter grew louder. Eventually he came to a high ridge, which rose above the actual "border". He crawled up the slope, listening carefully. There was a loud racket of chattering and bickering hyenas, but Mali could hear the harsh voices of the closest hyenas quite clearly; apparently they were standing some distance away from the main group.

"Hahahah! Well, here we are, ready to go! It's about time, too!"

"Yeah! We couldn't sit around and live off scraps forever, eh?"

"No, but I think this is crazy", another voice whined, "I'm too old for this sort of thing. Why can't we just pick on the herds to the North?"

"Because there are no herds to the North anymore, old man!" the first voice snarled, "They've all gone to graze in the Pride Lands until the dry season is over! The place stays fresher than anywhere else, see? More water, more food".

"Which is exactly why we want it", the second voice agreed.

"And none can stop us now! Not even Simba! We'll crush him and his precious lionesses forever!"

"Whoo-hahahaha! Imagine us living in Pride Rock! Lording over the Pride Lands, picking at the bones of the lions every once in a while!"

"That sounds good to me", the third voice mumbled, "But still…me and the other old-timers, the pregnant bitches, the ill ones, the…the children. They don't belong here. They should be left at the Graveyard!"

"Argh, you old-timers need to get off your butts and do some real work once in a while!" the first voice barked, "But as for the cubs and the mothers-in-waiting…" the hyena lowered his voice so Mali had to strain his ears to hear him, "I see what you mean. I mean, what's the sense in bringing them along? They'll only slow us down, and they're no good in a battle situation. But Shenzi insisted, apparently".

"Guess she just wants numbers to make up the ranks", the second voice grunted, "Intimidation will play as much a part in this as anything else".

"Garn! Here she comes now! Come on, you too old man! Let's go listen to what she's got to say. We'll be moving out soon, I'll warrant".

All of this was far too interesting to let Mali simply wander away now. Despite the risks he pulled himself over the ridge and looked down over the border. He gasped and pulled back at first, but then forced himself to peek back over the edge cautiously.

It was difficult to say how many hyenas there were. Most were lying around in a sandy crater, others were chatting in small groups away from the rest. The three that Mali had heard talking were heading back towards the main group. More hyenas were arriving as well, clambering over the rocky Graveyard border and trotting forward to join the assembled throng. Mali estimated that in total there were one hundred and fifty hyenas, of all ages and sizes. He'd never seen so many carnivores in one place at a time.

Three big individuals were stepping into the centre of the group. One was a female, the other two were males. Judging by their swaggering confidence and the way all the other hyenas looked up at them as they passed Mali supposed they were the clan leaders. They were followed by about fifteen fearsome-looking henchmen.

"Alright, everyone, shut up and listen!" one of the male leaders barked in a surly voice. The other hyenas all obliged.

The female turned to her fifteen followers, "Are you sure that's all of them this time?"

"Yes boss", a savage looking male growled, "We went into the dens and dragged them out ourselves. Me and Agiza double-checked everywhere after we were done. There's no-one left behind".

"Hey, we can hear you, you know?!" one hyena snapped an objection from the crowd.

The leader bitch span about to look at the complainer, "You're supposed to. Now shut up and listen up!"

"Alright, y'all know why we're here", she turned to the crowd, "We're marching on the Pride Lands. All of us. We don't stop for anything or anyone. We don't stop 'till we run into Big Cheese Simba and have a few words with him".

Many of the hyenas threw their heads back and howled their approval; "Oooooh-whup!" Others looked pensive or outright depressed.

"I'm gonna warn you now", the leader continued once the tumult had died down, "We will not be slowed down and there will be no turning back for anyone. If you get tired or lose your nerve then our hunting chiefs", she gestured to her followers, "Are here to give a little 'encouragement' and some moral support".

"Boosting morale is what I do best", the savage male grinned, showing his repulsive saliva-dripping fangs. Mali cringed.

"Shut up Ridikill", the leader carried on, "So there's to be no complaining, no talking out of place and no stopping. We march until we get there. Seems harsh, I know. But guess what? It's a harsh world. And the reward will be worth it, ten times over".

"Damn right", one of the two male leaders at her side yelled, "We'll have food! Lots of food!"

Instantly the majority of the hyenas leapt to their feet and took up ghastly chanting, gnashing their teeth, howling, snarling and spitting. They sang in horrible voices:

"We'll have food! Lots of food! We repeat! Endless meat!"

Mali leapt back behind the ridge and covered his ears.

"Alright, now march!" the smooth voice of the leader called out over the baying.

There was another combined savage howl, and Mali heard the hyenas advance as one. They made a terrible racket, cackling and growling to themselves, and over the noise Mail could hear the hunting chiefs shouting at the infirm individuals who were already struggling to keep up.

Mali was frozen to the spot for a moment, huddled behind the ridge as the hyenas came closer and closer. It wasn't until he heard the tramping of clawed paws on the slope, kicking up stones as they clambered up towards him that he leapt to his feet and ran.

Shenzi's heart was pounding in her chest. Was this going to work? Would the clan follow her all the way on this risky mission? And would Banzai stop worrying so freakin' much?

She could tell he wasn't pleased with the way things were going. Despite his tough-guy attitude he cared more about others than he liked to show. That included all of the clan, and he wasn't happy about having to march out the infirm individuals military-style.

However, despite their arguments Banzai rarely questioned Shenzi's leadership. He knew that she was far sharper-witted and more cunning than he. He and Ed provided the muscle to carry her plans out. It worked so well that it hadn't been questioned since the days of Scar's rule.

Shenzi picked her way up the slope, looking back for a moment at the mass of grey-tan bodies trudging up the hill behind her. She was at the head of the army with Banzai and Ed. She had instructed the hunting chiefs to run up and down the ranks, making sure that everybody kept up and everything was in order. Although they were the fiercest and most skilled hunters in the clan even some of them were not happy about their brutal role in the savage march.

It couldn't be helped. This had to be done. It was necessary. Shenzi had thought through every possible scenario she could imagine and this was the only choice they had.

She pulled herself over the edge of the ridge and looked over the Pride Lands that stretched before her. Although a little drier than usual they were wonderfully unspoiled. She scanned them eagerly.

Something caught her eye. Something moving away, and moving fast. She squinted and looked at it. A leopard. Running away south, probably to alert somebody to the invasion.

"What the…hey, a spy!" Banzai exclaimed, appearing next to her, "After him!"

"No!" Shenzi raised a paw in front of him "Let him go. You couldn't catch him".

"He'll get tired!" Banzai started forward.

"He'll just run up a tree".

"Yeah, but at least up there he can't go warning nobody!"

"What, Banzai, you think we can walk all the way to Pride Rock without being noticed? We were gonna be spotted sooner or later".

"I'd rather later than sooner!"

"It doesn't make a difference".

Banzai was beginning to get frustrated, "Look, you wanna drag us out here, that's fine, but you gotta let us make some of the tactical decisions, okay?!"

The line of hyenas was beginning to pile up behind them. Shenzi grabbed Banzai's forepaw with her own and dragged him aside, allowing Ed to lead the hyena column on past them.

"Listen Banzai", Shenzi whispered, "Now, of all times, I need your support, okay?"

"You want my support? You got it. But I want…"

"No, listen, this ain't gonna sound good, but…" she sighed, "I need you to just shut up and do what I say, okay?"

Banzai glared, "Why should I?"

"Because I've got a plan. I know the idea of marching out the weak ones doesn't sit right with you. But I need you to trust me when I say it's our only choice. And I need you to trust me when I say I've got everything figured out and I need you to help me carry my plans out".

He paused, then nodded, "Sure. I can deal with that. But just tell me what those plans are first, okay?"

She shook her head, "Sorry, I can't".

"Why not?"

"Because…just…just trust me on that as well, okay?"

He scowled, openly angry with her now. At once she felt ashamed. For some reason she felt bad for making him angry. She didn't know why. She never had before. It showed in her eyes, although she didn't realize it.

Banzai looked her in the eyes, saw the pained expression and then nodded, slowly as if his head was very heavy, "Alright. Fine. I'll go along with everything you say".

There was a moment of uncertain silence between them. The tramp of marching hyenas nearby was suddenly very loud.

Shenzi placed an awkward paw on her friend's shoulder, "Thanks buddy", she said. With that she turned away and went to join Ed at the head of the column.

Banzai watched her go, "Uh…no sweat".

Zazu surveyed the Pride Lands from above, making observations to report to Simba in his morning report. He always woke early to do this. He usually scouted the southern half of the savannah first, but these days he did the north first in case there was turmoil regarding the hyenas of the Elephant Graveyard.

As he looked at the plains below, Zazu shook his head in disapproval. The Pride Lands were more crowded than he'd seen them in years. Apparently the dry season was so severe elsewhere that herds were migrating great distances this year to graze in the Pride Lands. While the Pride Lands welcomed most visitors, if the inflow of herds continued at the rate it was Zazu feared that the savannah would be left bare, perhaps permanently marred, after the herds left in the wet season. If the herds decided to leave in the wet season.

Something caught Zazu's eye. In the shade of a fig tree grove lay a great Cape buffalo. His black body rippled with muscles and his horns were gleaming and sharp. Twin red eyes glared out from his inky black face below the massive bone boss where the two horns fused together. Few animals were more imposing than an adult bull buffalo.

Zazu flew down and landed lightly in front of the behemoth. As immeasurably larger the buffalo was than him Zazu knew he had nothing to fear from the wall of muscle, bone and horn that lay there eyeing him.

"Good morning Blueback. Sleep well?"

"As well as could be expected", the buffalo grunted back in its deep, chesty boom, "Come for news eh Zazu?" As the leader of the Pride Land's resident buffalo herd Blueback was an important figure and full of useful information.

"Correct. Anything strange or startling in these parts?"

Blueback snorted, "Nothing. Save of course for the fact that we're already elbow-to-elbow with the new herds. But I'm sure you know about that already".

"Well yes, hard to avoid it…"

Something bowled Zazu over. He had no idea what was going on until he found himself right-way up, pinned to the floor by clawed feet.

"Help! Help! Be warned, it's a crime against the monarchy to eat an official!" Zazu squawked.

Blueback bellowed and got up, tossing his head angrily.

"No, no, don't misunderstand!" Mali explained quickly, "I'm sorry for the introduction Zazu, but I'm in a hurry".

On closer, less panicky inspection both Zazu and Blueback recognized Mali as the head of the leopards and the respected councillor that he was.

"Mali…" Zazu gasped breathlessly, "Whatever news you're bearing, do you think you could see your way into getting off me before you share it?"

The leopard released the hornbill, "My apologies. But listen, you must get to King Simba. The hyenas have rallied into an army on the Northern border. There's well over one hundred of them! Every last one of them is on the move. They're coming to kill Simba and the lions and take over the Pride Lands!"

"What?!" Zazu shot into the air, "Oh no! What do we do, what do we do?"

"There's no doubt about their intentions", Mali continued, "I heard them with my own ears. They'll go slow as they have weak ones with them, but before the day is over they'll be halfway to Pride Rock, by my reckoning".

Blueback's red eyes were wide, "It's the job of the King and his pride to defend the Pride Lands. We grazers can't intervene".

"Right…right! Simba…defend! Yes, yes, that's right!" Zazu flew in little circles in the air in a frenzy, "I'll go tell Simba they'll coming! That's what I'll do! I'll go now!"

"I'll spread the word to the herds to get out of the way of the hyenas", Blueback declared.

"And I'm…getting the hell out of here", Mali said, and in the next instant he shot up the nearest fig tree and leapt across to the next one. In a moment he was gone. As respected as he was, as with all lone predators self-preservation came first.

Zazu flapped clumsily to hover above Blueback, "Right, Blueback! Tell the herds just in case the hyenas decide to detour to prey on them. I'll warn Simba that he's got to rally for war".

With that the hornbill shot off in the direction of Pride Rock, spurred on by terror.

"Okay, next question. Who'd win a fight: Kovu or me?" Tumai asked.

"That's easy; Kovu", Juvi replied instantly.

"Oh come on! He's still young!"

"He's got just as much battle experience as you, if not more", Salama pointed out.

Tumai, Salama, Juvi, Haya and Maradi were lounging around in a sun-baked outcropping of Pride Rock. They were bored, and were killing time by asking each other pointless hypothetical questions as they were prone to do.

"Okay, I got a better question: me and Haya versus Simba?" said Juvi.

"Simba", Tumai, Salama and Maradi chorused.

"Yeah, I'm gonna go with Simba as well", Haya shrugged.

"Okay, these 'versus' questions are stupid", Maradi interjected, "Here's a good question: who's better-looking, Vitani or Sharhal?"

There was a moment of quiet contemplation, "Vitani", the males said one after another eventually.

"Kiara or Vitani?"

"Kiara", they all chorused.

"Vitani or Amaryllis?"

"Amaryllis".

"Amaryllis or Kiara?"

"Kiara".

"What about me?" Kiara asked, appearing suddenly around a corner..

Immediately the males fell silent and looked away. It didn't bode well to be found talking about the Princess in such a fashion.

Kiara looked at the males quizzically. She was still a little naïve in such matters. After a moment she shrugged.

"Hey, where's Lokanneoro? He usually hangs around with you guys".

"I believe he's talking to his son Tenzer", Salama answered.

"Bit of a tender moment, I should imagine", Haya grunted.

"Ah yeah", Kiara lowered her head, "Poor Tenzer. Apparently he feels responsible for what happened to Ryana".

Juvi nodded, "Uh-huh. Lokanneoro's trying to talk some sense into the young fella".

"If you ask me we don't have time for such weakness", Tumai snorted, "We need to be ready to fight the hyenas. They've made it pretty clear that they want to take this conflict to the next level, and we should be ready for them".

"If you ask me I think the hyenas have had enough punishment for a long time". Kiara said.

"It's a good thing no-one's asking you then, isn't it?" Tumai retorted, turning away.

Kiara scowled at the aggressive male, "Well, whatever. I'm going to see my Dad. If you see him or Kovu, tell them I'm looking for them".

She walked away. The lions watched her go. When she was out of earshot Haya turned to the others.

"Okay. Kiara or Aetti?"

"March! March! March!"

The monotonous shouting of the hunting chieftains alone was enough to drive a hyena crazy, let alone the painful slog across the Pride Lands with the sun beating down on them and only the promise of violent battle before them. Their stamping paws kicked up dust and dirt that swirled in the stifling air around them, irritating the hyenas.

"March! March! March!"

The chiefs ran back and forth along the lines, their physical hardiness proving its worth. Already however the pregnant bitches were at the rear of the ranks, puffing and wheezing and groaning.

"Come on!" Agiza snapped, although it pained her to be so cruel, "Move your feet! Just keep moving and think of the food you'll feast on!"

"Nonsense!" Ridikill barked, surging up from behind, "Just keep thinking about my teeth in your heels! Move it, come on, move it, move it!"

Agiza shot a look of warning at Ridikill. He just grinned and leered back at her.

"Come on!" another chief snarled, "We're not even one tenth of the way there yet! And believe me, you will get there!"

"One way or another", Ridikill bared his teeth.

From within the ranks Burudi looked back at Ridikill. The hyena was really in his element, bullying others and using not only his brute strength but his unrivalled ruthlessness too. It was getting the job done. There was a reason Shenzi kept such a potential liability around.

"March! March! March!"

From the front Ed looked back at the marching hyenas with dismay. He leaned in close to Shenzi and whined.

"I know it ain't pretty Ed, but you know it's gotta be done".

"March! March! March!"

Shenzi took a look back at the dispirited ranks and winced.

"March! March! March!"

"Uh…Dad? What are you doing?" Kiara asked.

Simba span about to look at his daughter, looking mortified. Timon and Pumbaa looked shamefacedly at each other and began to creep away.

"Dad? Uh…what are you eating?" Kiara stared. They were beneath the shade of Pride Rock, where the ground was boggy and the leaf-litter was thick. Kiara had walked in on her father, Timon and Pumbaa rooting around under a log for something and bickering. Simba's jaws bulged obviously despite him trying to hide it.

"Uh…nothing?" Simba mumbled, but even as he did a beetle crawled out between his teeth and flew off.

"Dad?! Are you eating…bugs?"

"…Maybe…"

"Eww, Dad! That's gross!"

Simba swallowed his mouthful of invertebrates, looking incredibly sheepish, "Uh…don't tell your mother".

Kiara looked at her father, her King, with worm juice and chunks of beetle shell splattered across his noble face. She burst into laughter.

She was cut short by a squawk from above. Simba, Kiara, Timon and Pumbaa looked up and saw Zazu plummet down towards them. He rocketed down and crashed at Simba's feet.

"Nice landing", Timon jibed.

"Sire!" Zazu gasped, "The hyenas are coming! All of them!"

"What? Hyenas?" Simba wiped the bug juice off his face with his forepaw, "What do you mean?"

Zazu stoop up and took a few deep breaths, "Forgive me, sire. Mali the leopard told me. He heard them himself, plotting to invade. A massive hyena army".

Simba frowned, "What? You're sure? How many?"

"Don't know for certain, but according to Mali well over one hundred. He says all the Graveyard must be emptied. They're heading this way and they mean business".

Kiara, Timon and Pumbaa exchanged looks of worry.

"When will they be here?"

"Not sure, but they've already left. Their progress is hampered because apparently they've taken unfit animals with them, but they must still be crossing the Pride Lands at some speed".

A low growl sounded in Simba's chest, "So it comes to this. I didn't think they'd be so bold so soon".

"What do we do, Daddy?" Kiara asked, remembering Tumai's words of warning with dread.

"The only thing we can. We have to fight. Every willing lion must be ready to meet them in battle".

"So the term 'lion' excludes us, right?" Pumbaa grunted, looking a little disappointed.

"So does the term 'willing'!" Timon yelled.

"Right you are, sire!" Zazu admired Simba for his decisiveness, although he wasn't about to admit it in front of the young lion, "I'll go and rally the pride!"

"No need, Zazu", Simba stood up tall and inhaled deeply, "This should do the trick, even if they're a fair way away from Pride Rock".

He roared. Timon clasped his hands over his ears and Pumbaa plunged his head into the dirt. Kiara flinched. She'd never heard anything so loud, so fearsome and so mighty. The bellow echoed off Pride Rock and seemed to rattle the earth. The sound carried on and on long after Simba had finished. It was a call, a summon to arms. No lion within fifteen miles could have failed to hear it.

"That should do it", Simba smiled, once again Kiara's kindly father as opposed to a mighty King.

Kiara looked up at him, stunned, "Daddy…are we going to be able to defeat the hyenas?"

"I don't know. We should be able to if enough lions are willing to fight to defend the Pride Lands".

"I'll fight", Kiara flexed her claws and bared her teeth.

"Kiara, I couldn't bear to see you get hurt. I'd like you to stay behind and look after the cubs. Someone needs to protect our future, and as the Princess you're the one who will carry on our line if…"

"Sorry Dad", Kiara shook her head, "I'm not staying behind while you and Mom and Kovu go off to fight for our freedom. I'm coming with you".

"But…"

"End of discussion, Dad. Find someone else to baby-sit", she smiled exactly like her mother, reminding Simba that she was a grown lion now.

"Alright, Kiara. Timon, Pumbaa, there's something very important I want you to do for me…"

"We're way ahead of you Simba", Timon reared up and puffed out his chest, "We'll hold the fort while you sally forth, general. We'll make sure no filthy hyena comes within a mile of the cubs! We'll protect the future of the pride with our lives!" he saluted.

"That's an elaborate way to say, 'sure, we'll baby-sit for you'", Simba smiled. He knew Timon was relieved to be excused from having to march out and fight an army of hyenas.

And who could blame him? Simba felt the cold grip of uncertainty touch him. There was every chance that by tomorrow the monarchy of the Pride Lands would be just a memory, cruelly mocked by the victorious hyenas.

"March! March! March!"

The hyenas had been crossing the Pride Lands for a few hours. The dreary shouting of the chieftains never ceased. It was getting hotter and tensions were running high in the crowd of jostling, cursing hyenas.

"If those scumbags shout 'march!' one more time I'm gonna lose my temper!" one snapped.

"Argh! Show some backbone! This is for everyone's benefit. So shut up and keep your thoughts to yourself".

"You watch your mouth! The clan could do with getting rid of a few dead-beats like you!"

"March! March! March!" the voices droned on.

"Garn! I'm starting to get angry!" the first hyena snapped.

"And I'm starting to get fed up of your whining!" the second retorted.

"Is that so?" without another word the first hyena leapt on her companion and bowled him over. The pair rolled around, biting and tearing at each other. The hyenas behind them walked right over them, tripped, stumbled and fell, snarling and cursing. They landed in a jostling, twisting pile of furious, snapping hyenas. Their companions nearby looked on and jeered as a brawl erupted.

"Break it up! Break it up! Break it up!" the nearest chief shouted, shoving her way through the crowd. She was ignored and the dozen or so hyenas continued to whirl around in their skirmish.

Ridikill and two other chiefs rammed their way through the onlookers and waded into the troublemakers, trying to separate the fighters with their bodies. Confusion and shouting ensued and eventually the entire hyena procession was brought to a halt.

Shenzi, Banzai and Ed ran through the ranks and threw themselves into the fight. With the help of the chiefs they managed to separate the fighters by shoving them away from each other.

"Knock it off, all of you!" Shenzi yelled.

"Can't you guys do your jobs right?" Banzai glared at the chiefs, particularly Ridikill, "I'll have your guts if you don't shut this rabble down!" Ridikill glared back at him wordlessly.

After a little more shoving and angry muttering the troublemakers returned to their places in the ranks.

"Can't we have a rest now? Everyone's tired and cranky", Banzai whispered in Shenzi's ear.

"No way", Shenzi shook her head, "We keep moving. We don't stop for nothing".

"But at this rate we'll all be too exhausted to fight! Look at the weaklings!"

He nodded in the direction of the pregnant bitches, the cubs and the elder hyenas. They had collapsed on their sides and were wheezing heavily, grateful for the chance to rest their feet. The younger cubs were suckling from their mothers.

Shenzi looked on for a moment, then turned to Ridikill, "Chief".

"Yeah?"

"Prepare to move out. And we're moving too slowly".

He nodded, "I'll pick up the pace".

Banzai stared, "Shenzi! Did you listen to a word I just said?!"

She didn't answer. She headed back to the front of the ranks, Ed just behind.

"Alright, everyone! On your feet! All of you, you lazy maggots!" Ridikill barked, "We're moving out, and this time you're all gonna move faster or you'll answer to me! Move it! Come on! March! March! March!"

Banzai shook his head, looking at Shenzi. What the hell was wrong with her? Sure, she was always insensitive but she wasn't completely heartless. This was ruthlessness on a scale Banzai hadn't seen in any creature save Scar.

"March! March! March!"

Reluctantly Banzai went to join Shenzi and Ed, keeping to his pledge to 'shut up and do as she told him'. But as he drew level with his companions there was a strange, faint noise on the wind.

"What's that?" Banzai stopped in his tracks. The entire clan followed suit.

They strained their ears. It was very faint, many miles distant but unmistakable. The roar of a male lion.

The clan waited in silence for a moment as the echoes faded. No-one moved, all lost in their own thoughts, fears and insecurities.

At last Banzai snarled, "So, Simba knows we're here. And he's on the move. That's just freakin' great, Shenz", he turned to look at his companion

Shenzi looked back at him and smiled slowly, "You're right. That's more than great. That's…excellent".