"Let me go!" Kimba squeaked pitifully. Zira had carried him a good amount of miles away from the Pride Lands.

The lioness dropped him and placed a paw on his back, so that he couldn't run. "Why should I?"

"My dad will come for you!" He threatened.

"I'm not scared of Kovu." Zira yawned carelessly.

The dark furred lion cub cocked his head, suddenly curious. "He said my mom killed you. How are you still alive?"

"Kiara didn't kill me, I jumped into the water to escape her." Zira explained convincingly. "You've been told that we're the bad guys, out here. Correct?"

"Yeah." Kimba replied, narrowing his eyes.

The lioness let out a snort. "Well, we're actually the good lions. The Pride Landers stole that land from us long ago. I tried to get the land back, but my army betrayed me. Your mother was trying to kill me so I saved myself. Now, I have a new army."

The cub had looked away, trying to take it all in. "So...you're actually good?" He looked back up at her.

"Yes, I am." Zira responded. "And I ask you now; Do you want to join my army to fight for what is right?"

"I do!" Kimba declared, puffing out his dark chest.

The lioness smiled, moving her paw from his back. "Good."

The dark cub sprang up instantly. "So, where are we going now?"

"First, I'm giving you a new name." Zira told him. "Themba. That is your new name. It means hope."

"I like it." Themba grinned, puffing out his chest again. "So, where are we going?"

"We're going to the rest of the army. We're going to our land." The lioness grumbled. "You're walking this time."

"Okay." He nodded.

"Follow me." Zira ordered.

The lioness ran back close to the Pride Lands, with Themba right behind her. They stayed far enough away to not be seen, but close enough to see the nearby herds. They veered off a few miles later and dashed another mile and a half into the Outlands, reaching a gorge filled with lions.

"Whoa." Themba murmured. "What is this place?"

"This?" Zira asked. Then she smiled, looking down at the cub. "This is home."

"Home." The dark furred cub mumbled.

"Hey, Kira!" A lion called up to them. "Who's the cub?"

"Come, Themba." The lioness ordered.

"Okay." He obeyed, dashing after the lioness as she raced down to the other lion.

"Dabuka, this is Themba." Zira introduced him.

"Where'd you pick this kid up?" The light furred lion muttered under his breath.

"At the edge of the Pride Lands." The lioness explained.

"He's a Pride Lander?!" Dabuka growled.

"Easy." Zira snapped back. "He's with us now. He'll help us get revenge. Just have to train him up a bit. Live with it."

"Fine." Dabuka hissed in return. "But I'm not training this thing."

The lion let out one last snarl before he turned and stalked away.

"Zibu!" Zira roared.

A medium brown lioness dashed over. "Yes, Zira?"

"I want you to train this cub."

"B-"

"No questions asked, Zibu."

"Yes, Zira." The lioness grumbled. "I'll train him."

"Good." Zira nodded. "In six months we'll see just how good you've done."

The lioness bounded away, probably to deal with other affairs. Themba attempted to follow her, but Zibu blocked his path.

"Come with me, little one." She growled, walking towards a stone ramp that lead out of the gorge.

Themba dashed after her. As they reached the top of the gorge, he turned to her.

"So, what are we doing?" He asked.

"I am training you, cub." Zibu told him. "What's your name anyway?"

"Themba." The dark furred cub replied steadily.

"Well, Themba, it's time to go test your abilities and find your strengths as well as your weaknesses."