Zira stormed into the Outlands, furious about the turn of events. She wanted her father's other daughters to aid her in her revenge for their father's death.
Mheetu and Nala were rotten traitors. And she couldn't get close to Zawati.
Her followers weren't aware of her father's wish for her nephew besides Hatari, so Zira decided today was the day to inform the rest. The pale tan lioness jumped on a ledge before roaring, calling her pride to her.
The small number of lionesses that followed Zira and Hatari into the Outlands gathered to hear their 'Queen's words.
"My father had come to me before he was ruthlessly murdered! He has told me what we must do to rid his throne of that murderer that killed him! First, I want to announce the chosen one that will lead us to pride and glory. Who was chosen as my father's heir..."
Nuka, a young teenage brown coated small built lion with a tangled black mane, looked up and hoped that he finally got the chance to prove his worth to his mother. Only to frown when the name of the chosen one flew from his mother's mouth in a roar.
"...will be Kovu!"
"What!" Nuka cried out, his dark red eyes wide with disbelief. "But I am the oldest!"
Zira sneered before charging over and roughly grabbing her son's face. "You useless boy! Your grandfather even thought so! Kovu will be king and you will help him ascend the throne like your grandfather wanted! Now get out of my sight!"
The brown teenager whimpered before quickly scurrying off while growling under his breath. "Stupid Termite."
"My queen," a dull brown lioness with light brown markings her sides just after her ribs, named Dharau, that was one of Zira's closest friends approached with curious dark blue eyes. "How do you suggest we move forward with your father's plan?"
Zira smiled at the gathered lionesses. "We must weaken Simba first then when he's at his lowest point then we shall strike!"
"That's pure genius, Zira!" Hatari smiled proudly at her friend and former sister-in-law, her grey eyes gleaming.
Zira smiled at her greyish coated friend before growling with authority at the rest. "Now back to training! All of you! And Dharau, go the Moutain Kingdom and tell King Cerberus that I'm in need of his assistance once again!"
"Of course, my queen!" Dharau bowed before dashing off as fast as her paws could move.
With a roar of excitement, the rest of the newly Outland lionesses went off to do more training as ordered.
"Zira, may I ask you a question?" Hatari questioned after the lionesses left and went to training. Hatari sat next to the pale tan coated lioness.
"Of course, my dear friend," Zira replied "What's on your mind?"
"Well... I was just wondering how we are going to bring Simba to his lowest point?" the greyish lioness asked. "It won't be easy."
"Of course, it won't be easy," Zira sneered before taking a deep breath. "But to answer your question, we bring Simba to his lowest point by taking away everything he holds precious."
"You mean..." Hatari began with wonder in her grey eyes.
"Exactly!" Zira purred, her dark red eyes gleaming. "We kill Simba's perfect family. Starting with his cubs."
xXx
The sun was shining as a light breeze blew by. King Simba was on his daily patrol through Mbali Fields with Malka joining him.
After leaving the zebra herds, the gold lion took a deep breath before looking at the goldish-tan, black and light brown mane lion next to him.
"I know that you are only here to speak about Jesús."
Malka looked ahead before moving his brown eyes towards his brother. "You're being unreasonable, Simba. Yes, he's Scar's son but your mate is also Scar's daughter. Do you think Nala is going to betray you in the name of her father?"
Simba stopped walking and thought about what his half-brother had said.
"Well, no, I…" Simba paused. Malka was making a lot of sense.
"Brother, I know Scar hurt you deeply, he hurt a lot of us as well. He had manipulated all of us, and made you feel betrayed and made you feel like you were the reason father is dead. But, our cousin, though Scar is his father, he is not him. Jesús's actions in life will be of his own. Not because of the blood he carries."
Simba now realized he had been unreasonable to assume that Jesús would be a threat to him, just because Scar is his father.
The gold lion went to say something when his attention went to a familiar voice calling for him. Both him and Malka turned to see Aleela running towards him as though the Pridelands were on fire.
"Miss Aleela, is something wrong?" Simba questioned as he stepped closer to the approaching pale creamy gold lioness.
Aleela had concern in her light gold eyes. "King Simba, thank the Great Kings and Queens, I found you!"
Simba frowned before looking at his equally confused brother before turning his orange eyes back to Aleela. "I'm here, you found me now. Tell me what's going on?"
Aleela took a deep breath before going on. "Zira is planning a dangerous plan."
Malka shook his head before looking at one of his mother's friends with confused brown eyes. "What exactly are you saying, Miss Aleela?"
The concern in Aleela's eyes turned to complete fear. "King Simba, Lord Malka, please have some of the guard watch over the cubs. I fear for their safety... mainly for Zira's niece and nephews."
Simba looked at Aleela with wide orange eyes. He couldn't believe what he and his brother just heard.