AN:
Willian - those are not the only options, actually. But shh, no spoilers!
TMNTTLK lover - I wonder if your 'feeling bad for Kion' will persist, though.
Jzak98 - I don't know. You be the judge XD
Chapter 6 – The second Flame
Her brother had been acting very strangely. A focused, deliberate leader back in the Outlands, having assumed the throne at Pride Rock, he became distracted, absent-minded, irritable… She understood that the pressure of what she considered a futile search for Simba took its toil on Kovu, and she felt sorry for him. Nevertheless, her brother's behavior had raised her concern, especially with regard to the way he treated Kion. The lion's presence seemed to be a source of much-needed respite for the lionesses from her Lion Guard, still, Kovu avoided him, and instead seemed to be stalking the Night Pride's king in an attitude of constant, nearly obsessive distrust.
To Vitani herself that seemed extremely confusing, and she felt split between her allegiance to her brother and the one who trusted her enough to pass the Roar of the Elders to her. And though she tried dismissing all of this as unnecessary distractions, undoubtedly spawned by the kingdom's desperate situation, time made her believe more and more that something truly suspicious was happening.
Animals were informing her of a lone lion strolling through the Pridelands under the light of the stars, and even Kiara had complained that her mate has become distant and preoccupied with his work. Vitani quickly put two and two together, and one night, decided to look into the matter herself. And although she knew that what she did might be interpreted as undermining her royal brother's authority, still her care for the well-being of the kingdom urged her on.
Finding the tracks wasn't hard for her, and her brother's scent was clearly recognizable. The only thing that disturbed her, was the direction where the lion's paw prints led her. The volcano… Why would he go there? To search for Simba? Possibly. It was a dangerous place that even the Lion Guard avoided, especially now that the crater was spitting out smoke again. Perhaps her brother found something there, which was the cause for his odd behavior? She decided it wouldn't hurt to find out.
The volcano's blaze glowed in the dark, and Vitani recalled when Kion warned her about that place. She dismissed his stories as superstition then, puzzled why the leader of the Lion Guard would mention the same stories that Zira once spoke of… Again, remembering her mother made an old prick of pain let itself be felt somewhere deep inside.
The lioness focused on her tracking, setting her irrational concerns aside. The volcano towered before her, enormous, much bigger than how it seemed from her one-time home, far away on the other side of the Outlands. A mountain of fire, both frightening and amazing. Why did Kovu come here? It was all a puzzle.
The vapor burned her lungs and she could no longer rely on her sense of smell, yet her brother's tracks, imprinted in the hot ash, were clearly visible, leading to the very heart of the and careful, the experienced huntress leaned from behind the stone. What she saw there, was like a horror story come to life before her frantic eyes.
Vitani had always taken pride in her calm rationality. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she considered herself to excel in that regard even above Kovu… and especially above her mother. Zira took recourse to old spirits to a bizarre, almost insane degree. Vitani trusted only herself, her own strength and intellect. Now, however, all of that seemed to fail her.
Kion had warned her about the volcano, about Scar's malevolent, dark spirit. She did not believe him. The realization that she was wrong shocked her to the very core, yet it was the sight of her brother standing before the cloud of smoke and flames which bore the visage of the ancient ghost which caused her to doubt her own sanity.
Vitani had always tried to hide her doubts under a guise of viciousness and unbent determination. That was a skill which she'd developed to perfection, which allowed her to even hide the pain she felt after her mother's demise. This, however… this was too much. She stood there, speechless, observing as Kovu held open discourse with a dark shadow from the past which she'd thought died long ago. He once promised he'd never be like their stepfather… Had he broken that promise? Was Kovu not a king indeed, but merely a traitor, just like Scar? She dreaded what implications that might have for the leader of the Lion Guard…
A subconscious, choked yelp issued from her throat as she felt her eyes water. Her brother heard the sound in the dark, and it caused him to shudder. He turned around, and the siblings stood face to face, each expressing utter terror.
Her duty urged her to attack, but her heart would not allow it. Surprised by her own powerlessness, she bolted off, her last bit of rationality advising her to flee from this terrible place and call upon the aid of her Guard.
She galloped down the volcanic slope and through the ashen landscape almost blindly, her racing pulse being her only focus. The thought that appeared in her head were too terrible to acknowledge. She never knew her father. Her older brother had died as a result of rabid hate. Her mother had effectively committed suicide. All of that Vitani had always endured, building a wall of fierceness around her which eventually made her the fiercest creature in the Pridelands. But the very suspicion that her brother may have been a traitor… that created a crack in this wall, making it collapse like a house of cards.
The wind whistled in her ears, and she wished that she could finally be on Pride Rock. She failed to notice that someone called her name from behind. Did her despair make her deaf, careless about everything that surrounded her? That must have been the case. If it were otherwise, she would not allow herself to be outrun. Kovu may have won their play wrestling matches at times… but he was never faster.
She felt the attack from the side, which knocked the air out of her lungs. The pain and the hardness of the earth aroused her basic instincts, and her wrath exploded.
Vitani had fought Kovu countless times, but never for real. Even when Zira wanted to force her to it. Now, however, her intention was deadly.
The sibling lions clashed, their bared teeth glistening under the night sky, stirring the savanna with their roars. But although Kovu was the one to attack, he did not persist in his assaults. He merely attempted to dodge Vitani's blows, yet the lioness' anger was unabated, and her claws drew his blood.
When Kovu attempted to get nearer, the female backed off, indicating to him something terrible- that she was preparing to use the Roar. It was then that the lion utilized his full strength. With a lighting pounce, he pinned his sister to the ground, his face merely an inch before her clasping jaws, her eyes shining crazed and bloody among the settling dust.
-Listen! – he screamed, but his call fell on deaf ears. Freeing her leg, Vitani attempted to kick him in the stomach. They grappled some more as Kovu readjusted his grip, writhing in an angry effort to keep her at bay.
-Listen! – the lion roared once again, and delivered a sobering blow straight to her face. – I'm not going to hurt you!
Feeling a thin trail of blood running down her cheek, Vitani had a hard time believing that was true. Still, the lion remained still, simply holding her down and waiting patiently until she would be able to deliver a coherent response.
The lioness took a few deep breaths, allowing her fury to subside.
-Why… were you talking… to him?! – she spat in his face. Kovu, however, remained calm.
-I know you think I'm a traitor. But I'm not. You'll understand when I explain everything to you. Are you going to listen, or not?
The lioness relaxed her muscled, and nodded. She saw the stars reflecting in her brother's green eyes.
-I understand how shocked you must be. And believe me, confronting Scar was just as probable for me as it is for you. I hate what he did just as much as you do… But Scar showed me something, Vitani. He showed me the true reason of Simba's disappearance… and of Nala's death.
She could feel that saying these things caused him trouble, as if he hardly believed his own words. But Vitani became amazed with this new revelation herself as it unrolled before her.
-Kion did not come back to help us. He came back to seize his father's throne. I didn't think it was possible, but… I found out the truth tonight. Scar showed it to me, through Kion's eyes. Kion has been exiled from the Night Pride. He's a murderer, and the venom that he was infected with when he got his scar has killed almost all that was once good in him.
As she heard his brother speak, Vitani's appearance changed. It went from that of sheer amazement, through bewilderment, to complete and utter frenzy.
-Are you… out of your mind?! – she growled, and Kovu had an impression that at this moment she spoke and looked almost exactly like Zira.
With a powerful push, Vitani threw him off. But she did not attack. Instead, fuming, she stood before her brother in total bafflement at the fact that he would ever be stupid enough to believe someone like Scar.
-You gullible idiot! Don't you remember how many others that murderous bastard has tricked before?! Do you also wanna suffer the same fate? It's obvious that he would dream to be able to set you up against Simba's son! He hates every single member of that pride, and wouldn't hesitate to tell any kind of lie to destroy them all! This is obvious, Kovu! And obvious trap, and you fell right into it!
Having vented her anger, she now stood expressing the deepest kind of disappointment. In her mind, she saw Zira's actions reflected in her, and Kovu standing with the same, stone-faced silence, as if rebuked by their mother…
Although this time, her brother raised his eyes, bitterly contradicting what she said in spite of her anger.
-I also thought that was the truth once. Believe me. But now… I have proof.
-Proof?! – Vitani could hardly bear this foolishness anymore. – What proof?
Her brother sat, whipping the sand with his tail. His narrowed eyes pierced her through, making her feel uneasy. Their mother had always said that he had the same eyes as Scar…
-He told me what your deepest wish is, Vitani – Kovu's words were as cold as the night breeze. – And he told me he can make it happen.
The lioness blinked, hiding her fangs. What did all of this mean? Scar may have manipulated her brother's mind, but was he now trying to do the same to her, as well?
-What… - she stammered, hesitating. – What're you talking about?
Kovu sighed, as if about to open a long-forgotten wound. Then, he revealed to her the truth.
-Scar told me you wouldn't believe me, unless I told you he would let you speak with mother.
Suddenly, the last stones in the wall which Vitani had built up in her heart had tumbled. She felt naked, exposed, and completely vulnerable. There was but one weakness in her… and Scar had hit that spot with deadly precision.
Zira's death was not mourned. It was hardly even mentioned. Her once-faithful lionesses had abandoned her completely, knowing that she used them, and wished to send them to death without as much as an eye-blink. When Simba opened the gates of his kingdom to them freely… the reign of the vicious lioness was over.
But it wasn't so for Vitani. She could not forget. After all, she was the first one to betray her, the others merely followed her example. If it weren't for that, her mother would still be alive. Perhaps she would have even accepted Kiara's helping hand as she hung above the raging river... yet when she realized that she was abandoned even by her own daughter, she let go of all hope.
Vitani was the only one who tried to find Zira's body. But all her efforts were for naught, and she spent many nights, shedding tears on the bank of the river, before wiping them away at dawn and returning to her Lion Guard to once again play the role of its frigid, responsible leader.
Zira was cruel. Zira was evil. But she was her mother. Thus, Vitani's dream had never abandoned her heart- that she could speak to Zira one more time. And tell her that she was sorry.
-That's… impossible… - the lioness began to say, but then her voice broke. Kovu had never seen such a clear expression of sorrow in his sister. Vitani cried, turning her face away from him in embarrassment. But her brother's eyes also glistened with tears.
-You saw me speak to Scar's ghost – he whispered as she felt him surround her with his paw. – If that's possible, why wouldn't it be possible to speak to that of mother?
She trembled, sobbing in his embrace.
-I… I don't know… if I'm ready for this…
Her brother hugged her tightly.
-I'll come with you, 'Tani.
The lioness turned her teary eyes at him, and saw his reassuring look. That was the only thing that could ever convince her to consider doing this… to embrace this madness.
She had wanted it for so long. She could not say no now.
Standing up, Vitani let Kovu lead her at first, but as she walked, she regained her strength. It wasn't long before she began moving her paws with more vigor, running finally, overtaking her brother, led by an undeniable desire.
The siblings entered the crater once again, and Vitani felt her heart race. A voice still whispered to her to turn back, but by now it was almost inaudible. Her paws were heavy as solid stone… but she stepped forward, straight into the heart of the dreaded volcano.
All she saw now, was smoke. The gruesome specter burned with a dimmed blaze, covered by thick fumes. His eyes were turned away from the lions, as if in contemplation. When he spoke, the low vibrations of his voice filled the crater with sound, and sent a shiver down Vitani's spine. It sounded like he spoke to himself, in a tone saturated with pain.
-I've saved my brother once… In days long past, long forgotten. A nomad invaded our kingdom, promising to steal Mufasa's throne. But I was leader of the Lion Guard, I could not allow that to happen! Not out of pride or anger… Merely because he was my brother, and his life was in danger. I defeated the enemy, but paid a horrible price for it. My life was scarred from then on, flawed by the venom in my veins. My brother failed to recognize my success, as well as my illness. Oh, if only it could have been otherwise… The venom that had once poisoned me, still threatens this kingdom with corruption. But it had never contaminated you. No, your heart was never overcome by the darkness…
The spirit then turned his eyes at her, and the lioness felt as they burned a hole straight through her soul.
-… Vitani.
She had not heard that voice since she was an infant. But it was him who gave her that name. His terrifying visage caused her to shudder, yet she did not cower before him. She knew what she was here for.
-Scar – Vitani spoke, her words trembling, yet confident. – I'm here to see you fulfill your promise.
The lioness forced herself not to turn her eyes away from him. Now, in the red, blazing slits one of which was disfigured by the old injury, she saw a new flame arise.
-Very well. May your heart's desire finally be fulfilled.
A rapid wind now entered the crater, flittering the specter's dark fumy mane and forcing Vitani to take a step away from the edge of the rock. Looking back at her brother, she saw him just as anxious as herself. The hot blast of air kicked up another wave of lava from the crater, which hissed and bubbled, issuing a new burst of smoke. The cloud rose and grew, with sparks dancing within and around it until it twisted into a fiery tornado, igniting suddenly with a blinding explosion of light.
The second flame joined the first, that of Scar, and now, it was not one pair of eyes which burned among the smoke, but two. Vitani recognized the shape… and it nearly caused her thundering heart to stop.
The sharp muzzle, the piercing glare, the notched ear… This was no dream, no mirage. The lioness once again stood before her mother, and once again she was terrified like a cub. Only now, if showed much more than even when she actually was a cub. Vitani swayed, and her brother, noticing that, ran over to support her. Yet the sight of Zira's face made even Kovu weak.
Vitani feared her mother's expression would be one of anger, of a deep resentment and desire for vengeance. Yet she saw nothing of the sort. Only motherly concern.
-My darling children! – Zira spoke with a tenderness she used to reserve solely for Kovu, and almost exclusively when he was still little. – So long ago have I seen you last… And yet, here you are!
Kovu remained silent. Vitani felt that he did not have the same doubts in him as she did. But she would not allow her thoughts to remain locked in her aching heart anymore.
-Mother! – she heard her own voice like the mewing of a whelp, and felt fresh tears wet the fur on her cheeks. – I… I'm sorry! I'm so sorry… I didn't want it… to end this way! I… betrayed you… But I never wanted to see you die!
The words issued heavily from her trembling lips, yet they were filled with sincerity. Her mother looked like she understood her pain, and was touched to the heart. Seeing that, even Scar's eyes expressed nothing but pure pity.
-If I could shed a tear… I would – Zira delivered her confession. – Yet you've nothing to be sorry for, my sweet daughter. I suffer the fate I've chosen for myself. But if you need to hear this from me in order to find peace… I forgive you. Completely, and without any reservation.
A sound of a sudden sob echoed throughout the crater, and to his astonishment, Kovu found his sister falling to the floor, overwhelmed by emotion. As he held her, looking around in shock, he felt Vitani's body shake as if it was unable to hold the sheer amount of relief she experienced at this moment. Indeed, she had been freed from a heavy load that night.
They gave her time to cry. When Vitani was finally able to raise her eyes at Zira again, she beamed with gratitude.
-Thank you, mother – she whispered, the happiness she was unable to display in her expression clearly showing in the tone of her voice. Now both Zira's and Scar's spirits glowed brightly together, smiling.
-You always were my greatest treasure, I cannot stay mad at you – the mother addressed both of her children. Then, her eyes rested on Vitani again. – You are the leader of the Lion Guard now, and your brother is king, as he was always destined to be. This fills my heart with endless joy. Yet, the Pridelands are covered with a shadow which can still destroy this order. Vitani, you must listen to what Kovu revealed to you!
The lioness gazed toward her brother, then back at Zira. Her face expressed concern.
-But, how can this be true? Is Kion really evil?
-The darkness has blackened his heart – spoke the female spirit sadly – just as it had once blackened ours. It's up to you to prevent that darkness from spreading. This is the only way that Scar and I can ever atone for our old crimes.
Vitani saw the two flames dance and burn together, as if they were one column of smoke with two faces. And though she had once dreaded them, and believed that nothing could ever cure the evil they symbolized, the lioness bowed her head before Scar and Zira.
-I believe you, mother – Vitani announced. – Tell us what needs to be done.
Zira nodded, accepting her daughter's allegiance yet again, and then she said in a tone of warning and alert-
-You must beware Simba's son. But not only him. My heart is pained, Vitani, and the reason for this is betrayal. Not your betrayal, as you've never truly betrayed me. I'm talking about another one of our former pridemembers. Once our sister… and now, a consort and ally of Kion.
Vitani's eyes went wide, and she immediately thought of her Lion Guard. Of the concerns Kovu had about them and Kion… The muscles on her jaws flexed.
-Tell me who the traitor is… - she hissed with blazing rage - … and I will tear her limb from limb.
AN: The relationship between Scar and Zira is vague throughout the Lion King franchise. Zira suggests they were 'very close', though fans seem to be of the opinion that he didn't really care for her and merely manipulated both her and her children, for the most part. What do you think?
Another mystery is the identity of the strange lion who gave Scar his namesake. The lion looks like a relative of Zira, but was he really? That would mean that whom Scar had killed was not just Zira's father, but also Kovu and Vitani's grandsire… Could such a radical change of heart be possible?
And what will Kovu and Vitani do now, especially that it looks like Kion is not their only problem? Stay tuned!