AN: Since I can't respond to reviews of guests by PM, I thought I'd just address all of them here.
TMNTTLK lover - Kion's character has grown on me throughout the show. But whether or not he is really evil in this story, will be completely up to the reader's (and Kovu's) judgement.
Willian - the hero/villain - good/evil distinctions in this story will be purposely left vague. It's up to you to determine who's who. Just like in real life ;) I agree, for now, it doesn't seem rational for Kion to turn corrupt. Perhaps there will be chapters written from his perspective, which will help us understand his situation better? I'll definitely have to consider it. Thanks for your support!
Jzak98 - even more shock. You have my word.
Hvedrungsson -subvert expectations. Always subvert expectations ;)
Arika Koski - Not exactly. I'm writing this mostly because there are actually things about the show I like. A lot. This is why I want to explore these plot lines. In terms of rating, I'll try to stick to T as I usually do, both in terms of violence and smut ;)
Chapter 3 – Emergency Powers
For the next couple of days, the search for Simba continued, yet saying that it was undisturbed would have been a grave exaggeration. Some lionesses did not have enough strength anymore, having already spent a long time in the savanna. Furthermore, knowing that the pride was occupied, predators from outside of the Pridelands began invading the borders. Zazu had his wings full just gathering complaints from outraged herbivores.
Kovu observed all of this with sadness, yet leaving everything in the hands of Kion and the Lion Guard. It seemed that, wherever they showed up, they were able to set things right again… as long as they had time to deal with matters in the kingdom while looking for Simba at the same time. But there was just too much going on for them to fix it all.
And then, a tragedy struck the kingdom which the Pridelanders did not expect even in this terrible state they were already in. And it fell on Kovu to be the one to discover it.
Trying to wake up Nala one morning in order to convince her to have something to eat, as he did every day, he found the queen without a pulse. She passed away in her sleep, peacefully. It seemed that grief and exhaustion had finally defeated the mighty lioness.
Seized with indescribable dread, Kovu recalled Askari's words, and the spirit's warning he heard in his dream.
The Pridelands will continue to die, day after day, until you yourself prevent it from happening. Otherwise, nothing will be left. Only death.
He had heard of the lions from the Pridelands' ability to talk to their ancestors. He had witnessed the Old Kings' power when his sister used the Roar of the Elders. He just couldn't comprehend why they would ever want to speak to him…
And now, he understood what great mistake he had committed by ignoring Askari's words. The kingdom, and himself, had already sustained so much suffering that it was almost hard to imagine they could withstand even more of it. Now, as he gazed upon the queen's lifeless body, he asked himself if there was anything more he could have done. And as he redirected his eyes at Nala's son…
Could it really be true?
Though sadness and terror almost paralyzed him, he first decided to deliver the horrible announcement to Kiara. But when the cave at Pride Rock resounded with her wails, it was no longer possible to hide the fact from anyone.
In deep sorrow, Kovu stepped aside, giving his orphaned mate time to mourn her mother. It took her some time before she was able to speak to anyone. Then, animals as devastated as her journeyed to Pride Rock and stood in line to deliver their condolences and honor the deceased queen. Zazu, the faithful majordomo… Rafiki, the pride's sage… Both of them had known Nala since long before Kovu was born, and yet even they were at a loss for words right now.
Finally, Kion came forward, looking strangely calmer than anyone else. Kovu forced himself to believe that Nala's son was merely refraining from expressing too much emotion in order to strengthen his sister in this time of trial. Furthermore, in his father's absence, he was the one to deliver the appropriate eulogies before the rest of the kingdom. He couldn't have been involved in the death of his own mother! That was just too horrible to imagine.
The Pridelands were swallowed up by grim silence when Kovu finally decided to speak to Kiara again. Battling with his own thoughts, he waited for the moment Kion finally departed from her side. Walking out of the shade, he approached her slowly, giving his mate time to notice him and wipe away her tears.
Their eyes joined in an expression of pain and compassion.
-How are you feeling? – he asked her carefully, trying as much as he could to add a soothing note to his voice heavy with grief.
Kiara looked aside, not wishing for him to see the new torrent of tears which issued from her eyes.
-Just sad… - she mumbled.
-Yeah… me too.
Slowly, he came closer as to allow her embrace him, and put his paw around her, letting her rest her head on his chest. Looking him in the face, Kiara indicated that she understood his pain, as well.
-Don't blame yourself. There was nothing you could do.
He knew she had good intentions… although he would never be sure if what his mate said was true.
Kovu remained silent for a while, listening to her heartbeat. Finally, he spoke again, changing the subject.
-Kiara. It seems that… you're the queen now.
He knew how painful was the allusion he was making. He was basically calling Kiara an orphan, though no one could yet be sure if the king was alive or not. But it also appeared that, with Nala's death, the whole kingdom had been orphaned, as well. And that state of affairs had to be changed soon.
The lioness let out a deep, painful sigh.
-I never wanted to be the queen… - she said bitterly.
-I thought you did.
-I was pretending. I only said that to tease Kion. But whenever my father reminded me of it, I said I'd rather run away... Him and I used to argue about that all the time, but now, I feel just like I did when I was little. I'm afraid of it, Kovu. I wish that Kion could carry that weight instead of me…
Suddenly, Askari's words flashed in Kovu's mind again, as a sudden warning. The vision of the possibility of Kion seizing power over the Pridelands… He knew that there was no precedent for that. Still, the situation was a desperate one. But could the ruddy, scar-faced lion ever even consider such an eventuality?
He is not what you think he is…
Kovu recognized that he would rather not find out. He may have not believed Askari completely, but the ghost had definitely planted the seeds of doubt in his heart. Seeds that now sprouted quickly in the fertile soil of despair.
Weighing his words, he spoke cautiously, praying that what he was about to do would have been acceptable in Simba's eyes, as well as the eyes of the Great Kings.
-There is another way… Do you remember what your father said on the day of our betrothal?
As it turned out, Kiara responded without any hesitation. As if she too knew that there was no other choice for them right now.
-Yes. That you are his heir. And that he wants you to rule Pride Rock when he is gone.
Kovu looked his mate straight in the eyes.
-Do you… want me to?
The lioness nodded.
-I do. Even if my father is still alive.
At this point, her voice broke, and she clung to him, placing her head on his breast.
-Please… heal this kingdom. The future of our cubs depends on it. I don't have the strength myself but… I know you can do it. You were born for this, after all. You're strong enough, wise enough… with a heart that's better than anyone I know. Help Kion and Vitani… Help us all.
It was hard for Kovu to hold back his tears anymore.
-I… – he sobbed – I'll do my best.
The couple remained in a tight embrace for a few more minutes. And then, Kiara told Kovu to bring Rafiki and Zazu to her. Forcing herself to set aside her mourning at least for a while, the king's daughter announced to them that, in these unusual circumstances, she decided to give Kovu, Simba's heir, emergency powers, making him the interim ruler of the Pridelands until the true king is found.
The sage and the royal majordomo accepted Kiara's decision without reservation, bowing their heads before the perplexed young lion. In astonishment, he later saw the rest of the pride, including his sister and her Lion Guard, do the same… Only Kion remained passive, the blank, absent expression of his eyes impossible to assess unambiguously. Kovu wondered if that was because one king never bowed before another… or because of something else.
There was no time to dwell on that, however. The animals of the Pridelands needed to be assembled, and the official announcement made that the kingdom now had a new ruler. The emissaries were sent out, and not long afterward, Pride Rock was flooded with a tsunami of creatures great and small.
Kiara addressed the crowds, and Kovu was amazed by the strength his mate found in her voice in spite of her doubly difficult state. Calmly, yet with outstanding firmness, she explained to everyone what steps needed to be taken in the present situation. The young lion himself shuddered, remembering how him mother used to tell him that this day would finally come… He used to desire it more than anything else. And then, after he met Kiara, he abandoned all those dreams completely.
He didn't think it would ever come to this, that he would stand on top of Pride Rock as king, with his sister and the other lionesses from the Outlands cheering his ascent to the throne. It was meant to be only temporary, true…
But would it, really?
Gazing at the clouded sky, he wondered if his mother could see him now. Or even, if the one who first instilled in Zira the idea that her son should ever be king, could see him… The one whose name he dared not mention. Instead, he asked Askari for help, together with the rest of the noble lions who ever stood where he stood now.
The time had come. He heard Rafiki calling his name, and saw Kiara standing down to make room for him. With a beating heart, he stepped forward, raised his head toward the sky, and roared.
The sound of his mighty voice echoed over the kingdom… and was swallowed up by silence. A dead, heavy silence.
At first, Kovu didn't know what was going on. He thought he may have done something wrong. Looking around, he saw the pride as they gazed down at the crowds in disbelief. Kovu directed his frantic eyes that way, as well. Only less than half of the animals gathered at Pride Rock were bowing their heads, acknowledging their new ruler. The rest remained standing.
-They seem… resistant – Kovu heard a voice behind his back, and realized it belonged to Kion. – Those that do accept you as their king do so only because Kiara approves of it.
Kovu felt his heart as it hammered inside his chest.
-I am not one of them… - he recalled with dread. – I am not of Simba's blood.
All of a sudden, his words were confirmed. And the confirmation came in the form of a voice, shouting from the crowd, filled with anger.
-We don't want him as our king!
In shock, Kovu lowered his eyes, unable to find the source of the defiant scream. Yet, right after that, it was accompanied by others.
-We won't bow before an Outsider! We won't submit to Zira's son! Away with Scar's heir! We don't want him! We want Kion as our king!
That final cry was picked up by a whole group of animals, until they formed an uncertain, timid choir that shouted-
-Ki-on! Ki-on! Ki-on!
Kovu was petrified. Lifting his head again, he instantly pierced his brother-in-law with a stare. But Kion seemed just as shocked as him… at least on the outside. Was Askari really saying the truth? Would Kion ever try to steal his father's throne for himself?
All the members of the Lion Guard now bared their teeth in a growl of outrage. After all, an insult to Kovu was an insult to all former Outsiders. Even after so many months of devoted service to all the creatures of the Pridelands, it still seemed that the old prejudices had not been completely uprooted.
-Who said that? Who dared?! – Vitani fumed clenching her fangs, her bright blue eyes blood-shot, looking down at the rebels among the crowd with disdain.
-Do you want a list of names? – Tazama, Vitani's keenest of sight, asked her, her voice also tingling with outrage.
Zazu and Rafiki observed the situation from aside, wallowing in deep sorrow. They feared that the whole situation might end in violence… as if the kingdom had not suffered enough already.
-I have a better idea – the Lion Guard's leader addressed her companion.
And as Kion took a step back to give her room, Kovu also understood clearly what his sister was about to do.
-'Tani! – he called her name, holding his breath.
Halting, the lioness turned toward him, and lowered her head in submission.
-On your word… your majesty – she spoke without the slightest bit of jest. Kovu remembered that this was the way she once used to address Zira.
He looked around, noticing that everyone's eyes were directed at him. This was his test. Either he'd prove himself to be a good king right there and now, or he may as well go back to the Outlands.
Struggling to breathe, unsure of what would happen next, he turned back to his sister.
-Go ahead – he beckoned her.
The leader of the Lion Guard nodded, lifted her head toward the sky, and roared.
Instantly, the ground beneath their paws shook. The crowd of animals stumbled, moaning and screaming in fright. The visages of the ancient rulers of the kingdom appeared in the clouds, and then vanished instantly, making room for the sun which illumined the turquoise sky, throwing its rays on Kovu.
The earthquake subsided, and the lion now saw all those gathered below bowing before him, finally convinced to offer him their homage.
But Kovu had no desire to rule by means of fear. And this is why he spoke to them all, saying-
-You are right. I am not Simba. But I promise to you all that I am also not Zira, nor Scar. Ask anyone from this pride, and they will tell you. Ask Kiara, who's father it was who chose me as his successor freely, and in spite of my past. Ask the rest of your Great Kings. You saw for yourselves that they approve of Simba's choice, so why don't you? I promise to you to uphold their laws, and I expect you to do the same. Will you accept that, and allow me to restore stability in this kingdom?
He then roared again, and this time, the crowd joined in creating a deafening choir of cries of approval. Kovu could only hope that they were being sincere.
The animals dispersed, returning to their homes, while the new interim king issued his first orders. He wanted half of the lionesses to resume hunting, leaving the search for Simba mainly in the hands of the Lion Guard and Kion. The others agreed, and soon Kovu found himself alone on Pride Rock. Kiara, exhausted by the turbulent ceremony, went into the den to retire. Now only him and Kion remained outside.
Kovu observed his brother-in-law, once again struggling to read his expression. He failed to recognize whether Kion was looking at him with approval, or disdain. Contradictory thoughts messed with his mind. He now knew that, if he were to rule in Simba's stead well, he needed aid from above. Aid of the Ancients.
Soon, he would receive it.
AN: Rest in peace, Nala. And all hail king Kovu. Zira would be proud.
But how will the Pridelands and its inhabitants take this sudden change in government?