King Jesús walked into the western land. He could feel the eyes of the westerners on him as he made way to the familiar large cave. He stopped as lions and lionesses surrounded him, ready to attack.

"Stop!"

The westerners stopped before backing away to clear the view. There on a ledge stood Jicho, who looked down with cold green eyes.

Jesús looked up with a mock grateful look. "Hello, Father."

Intrigued, Jesús sizes up his son. "Ah, the bastard son. I thought Simba would had killed you. That's what I would have done. He's as weak as you are."

Jesús didn't feel a bit of hurt. Instead he chuckled. "No longer weak. I now rule the Pride Lands, until Simba awakens. Perhaps you should not have so carelessly abandoned me."

This makes Jicho pause. "Or perhaps it was the wisest choice I've ever made. I will hear you."

Jesús smirked. " I will conceal you and a handful of your warriors, lead you into the cave, and let you slay him where he lies. I'll keep the throne, and you will have finally killed Simba."

Jicho studies Jesús' face. "Why would you do this?"

"When all is done, we will have a permanent peace between our two lands. Then I, the bastard son, will have accomplished what Simba and Kopa never could."

"This is a great day for Kovu. The Pride Lands is finally his."

The red-brown lion frowned before growling. "No. The Pride Lands is mine. The rest of the Nine kingdoms will be yours, if you do as you're told."

Jicho considers the proposition. "I accept."

Jesús turns to leave. As he goes, the slightest trace of a smile crosses his face.

Jesús emerges over the border, as Mheetu steps out of his cave. The dark cream lion glares at his brother. And Jesús quickly notices.

"What troubles you, brother?"

"I turned my gaze upon you in western land, but could not hear you. You were shrouded from me, like the westerners who entered this kingdom."

Jesús nods before looking at his adopted older brother. "Perhaps your senses have weakened after your many months of service."

Mheetu growled before he turned to face the red-brown lion. "Or perhaps someone has found a way to hide that which he does not wish me to see."

Jesús sizes him up, smiles. "You have great skills, Mheetu. Tell me, did my father ever fear you?"

"No."

"And why is that?"

"Because he is my King and brother, and I am sworn to obey him."

Jesús smiles pleased. "Exactly. Just as you're sworn to obey me now. Yes?"

"Yes."

Jesús smirks. "Good. Then you will not tell no one of Kopa's where abouts to no one until I have undone what my brother has started."

Jesús heads back to Pride Rock as Mheetu stares after him.

~O~

"What are we going to do?!" demanded Chumvi as he paced.

Jessica sighed. "We have to get Kopa. It's the only thing we can do to save the Pride Lands."

"Where are we going?" Maji asked from his spot under a tree.

"The Never Lands. Our fathers just came back and told me." Jessica informed her friends.

The brothers shared a look before looking at the whitish pelted lioness.

"When do we leave?"

Jessica quickly looked around before looking back at the twins. "Now."