Time passed in the wild jungle, as Zira lived in secret. Much to her satisfaction, she soon noticed her belly growing. This cub would be her last, and it would be the key to her revenge. Simba's line would fall now because of her and the lands would finally be free of the golden Pridelanders. The brown lioness snarled to herself as she recalled the final battle. Now Kovu was a part of Simba's Pride. Zira paused for a moment, feeling sorrow for her lost son. Then her heart turned cold once more.

"He is a traitor," she muttered. "As long as I live, I will plan for Kovu's death. He is no son of mine."

Storming off into the jungle, Zira went to her favorite tree. Thick soft grass surrounded the base of it, and it provided cool shade during the day. It was beautiful and yet, all the animals of the jungle stayed far away from it. They believed it to be an evil place.

Murder was preformed there once.

Lying down, Zira began to think to herself. In the final battle, her pride had deserted her in search of peace. Now she was the only one who could purify the Pride Lands once more. It was no longer just about revenge. Simba had caused enough pain. Soon his line would pay. The angry Zira was so deep in thought, that she didn't notice a band of lionesses creeping through the trees.

The group made their way quietly out of the jungle. They had gone into it to hunt together, and now they took their prey with them back to the Outlands. Vitani looked back to where her friend Nailah walked along side the other lionesses. Vitani and Nailah were both carrying cubs and hunting was hard for them. But as she walked, Vitani had a smile on her face. This was her small pride she led. Although life in the Outlands was hard, they lionesses welcomed it. Living in Simba's pride had proved difficult for them, as they had not felt truly welcome. Here, they could be themselves.

Gathering together, the lionesses ate and relaxed among the rocky formations they now called home. It wasn't as easy as the two days they had spent in the Pride Lands, but here they were happy.

Far off, a dark lion stood on Pride Rock, looking out over the lands. Behind him, Simba watched from a shadowy ledge. The king's heart felt heavy as he spied on Kovu. Simba was unsure of Kovu – the young lion had proved his loyalty in battle, but he had let the Outlanders leave the Pride Lands. And now, Kovu often spent time alone, thinking to himself and gazing off towards the Outlands.

Father, what should I do? whispered Simba, glancing up at the darkening sky. I try so hard, but I never feel I can trust him. What am I doing wrong?

Simba waited, but the slowly appearing stars remained silent. Turning, he padded softly down the rocks and into the Pride's cave. As he left, Kovu's tense body relaxed. He was faced with such difficulty here in the Pride Lands. Although he was trying hard to continue to prove his loyalty, it was clear that not only did the king not trust him. Kovu was often jeered at as he walked through the lands, or else the animals scattered, leaving him with small clouds of dust. Kovu sighed and laid his head down on his paws. As he lay still, a soft sound from behind him caught his attention, and he rolled over just before Kiara pounced. The creamy lioness fell with a thud in the place he had been, and without a moment's notice, Kovu had pinned her to the ground.

"You're still not quiet enough.."

Kovu chuckled, his troubled eyes sparkling with laughter. He found that whenever he was feeling worried about his new life, Kiara managed to do something to cheer him up. As the dark lion looked down at her, he felt calmed by her beauty and kindness.

"So are you ever going to let me back up?" asked Kiara, licking Kovu's cheek. Kovu gave her a playful frown and shook his head. His dark mane brushed against her as he did so. It had begun to grow thick and soft. Kiara laughed. She loved it when he did that.

Standing up, Kovu helped Kiara to her paws. Then the two made their way down the stony surface and quietly entered the cave. In the darkness, they went to lie down together in a corner – neither of them noticing the two gleaming eyes watching them from a raised platform in the center of the cave.

Time passed and Vitani's pride was blessed with three young cubs. Vitani gave birth to a brownish grey cub she named Marjani and Nailah had a dark brown cub she named Sauda. Both were females. Another lioness had a male cub, but it was later killed in a hunt gone foul.

In the deep jungle, Zira finally gave birth to a small scrawny cub. But when she first saw him, she felt a little bit wary. The cub had a reddish-grey coat and deep blue eyes.

He doesn't resemble me or his father, Zira thought to herself, remembering Runako's golden fur. But perhaps it was better that way. An enemy Simba wouldn't recognize. Zira licked her young cub, an evil smile crossing her face.

"You are my last son," Zira whispered as she cuddled the young lion. "You shall be my Vengeance."