We finally reached Pride Rock as Kiara noticed us and ran over, hugging me.
''You're okay…'' Kiara whispered, ''After you didn't come back for almost two days, I became worried for both of you.''
''Relax, Kiara.'' I said to her, rubbing her back with my right paw, ''We're okay and retrieved the hyena, so everything is fine...however..''
At my last word, she raised an eyebrow.
''What do you mean?'' She asked and Zira came up, causing her to jump back, ''Zira…?''
The rest of the pride came down and surrounded Zira, who looked unfazed.
''Wait, wait, hold on!'' I said, causing the pride to look at me skeptically, ''She's with me..''
Murmurs and whispers from the pride caused me to continue.
''Zira helped us through the journey, albeit reluctantly, and i'm basically stuck with her now that Niagh is wanting us BOTH dead.'' I explained, ''I told her she could stay in the pridelands as long as she doesn't hurt anyone.''
The pride slowly backed down as Zira smirked.
''Yes...that's right.'' Zira mocked, but saw my stern expression, instantly taking it back, ''Guh..''
The next couple of hours was spent setting up a meeting with every pridelander in the kingdom, lion or otherwise. As Zira was laying down in the den, frowning, I began to make a speech to the pridelands.
''We live in a time of great turmoil.'' I began, ''The pridelands are on the brink of war. Zira, a former hated enemy of the kingdom, has joined our side for this fight. All of this, all of the trials this great kingdom faced, all of the threats, big and small, lion, hyena, crocodile, jackal...it all comes down to this.''
The pridelanders spoke quietly as I continued.
''This is not a time for panic. This is a time for unity amongst not only ourselves, but threats from across the lands. We will NOT run. We will NOT falter. We will NOT give up. We are pridelanders and no matter what, we WILL win! For the good of the Pridelands, for the good of Africa and for the good of your world AND mine!''
I then roared, causing the pride to roar and the animals of the kingdom to cheer.
''Dismissed, everyone.'' I said, causing the animals to leave and me to walk back to the pride as they gathered.
''So what's the plan?'' Sarafina, who was still living, surprisingly, asked me.
''Simple, Sarafina…'' I replied, ''We pick three leaders to take teams to fight Niagh's pride. Me, Kiara and Kion.''
The pride nodded at each other before Kiara spoke up.
''But...I can't.'' Kiara said, causing me to raise an eyebrow, ''Because...i'm pregnant.''
Gasps and murmurs among the pride as Sara, Sarafina, Simba, Nala and Kion went to Kiara to congratulate her. I, however, was rubbing my chin. Yes, I am truly happy that I will be fathering a second child, but at the same time, that leaves us without another Commander...unless..
What are you planning?
As I looked at Zira, who raised an eyebrow at me, Mohatu seemed like his eyes were widening.
Wait, you're not thinking of having her as a field commander, are you?
Unfortunately, I have no choice.
As I nuzzled Kiara, I sighed.
''Guess that means that we'll need a replacement for this fight..'' I said before turning to Zira, ''Zira.''
More gasps from the pride as Simba stepped up.
''Wait, you aren't thinking of-'' Simba started, but I stopped him.
''Yes I am, Simba.'' I finished, ''As much as I hate to say it, Zira is a tactical genius. She would be of use in this situation.''
As if on queue, Zira walked over and had a staredown with Simba, both lions frowning as I had a look of worry. Oh god, not now!
I expect this to happen.
However, Zira didn't attack Simba, merely smirking.
''For now, Simba, we are allies.'' Zira said to the former king, who did a simple 'hmph', ''However, when this is all over...we will be at each other's throats once again.''
Simba hardly looked fazed by her threat.
''I expect nothing less from you, Zira.'' He sighed before walking into the den.
When Kiara went over to me, I looked to her.
''Kiara…'' I started, ''I'm...going to leave you here.''
At that, Kiara gasped.
''You what?'' Kiara asked, ''But Connor, what are you-''
''Because I don't want you to get killed because of me!'' I said, ''I lost your grandmother because I wasn't there, I am NOT losing you too! I don't want to lose you…''
At my words, Kiara's eyes widened.
''I can still g-'' Kiara tried to say, but I stopped her with a look of fear in my eyes.
''No, I can't let you take that risk!'' I said, ''You're pregnant...we have a daughter...and I already lost Sarabi...I don't want to lose the two of you.''
After a little bit, she nodded.
''I understand.'' Kiara said before taking Sara, who was hugging my leg, by the scruff, ''Let's go, sweetie.''
As Kiara walked off, holding Sara, I looked at Kion, who looked back.
''I'm sure she'll be fine, Shujaa.'' Kion assured me, ''Nothing will happen.''
"Niagh might try to plan a diversion so she can sneak into pride rock." I pointed out, "That's what I'm afraid of most."
As I looked into the distance, I cursed to myself. Niagh was planning to attack the pridelands, leaving over 17 months of peace to wash away.
You must be strong about this...or everyone will die…
Suffice to say, planning went better than I thought. Zira had her plans be surprisingly tamer than when she was fighting against us, but still had the more brutal offensive plan between the two of us, while Kion focused on defensive planning.
What I proposed is that each of us will take a group in order to stop Niagh at possible attack points and strategic positions in order to halt or at least stall her advance.
But what I was doing right now was sitting with Nala, watching the sunset as I smiled.
''It's like nothing changed…'' I started, ''The sunset has always been the same. Sunrise, sunset, stayed the same and no look of stray.''
''Indeed.'' She agreed, but sighed, ''Though, I wish that the sunset would provide assurance of a better life. Instead, ever since Scar's reign started, the sunset was the symbol of the falling of a dynasty healthy since the founding of the pridelands in the days of Mohatu.''
At the mention of his name, the old ghost chuckled.
It appears I am thought highly of by the Pridelanders. But Sara is a..interesting case.
At that, I raised an eyebrow. What do you mean?
For whatever reason, I tested my ghostly abilities on your daughter, but she not only didn't feel whatever I was trying to do, but actually..communicated with me.
...Come again?
From what I gathered, your ability to speak with me enabled the little one to be able to as well due to the passing of genes present in offspring, meaning one of your biggest assets is also present with Sara.
But..that doesn't make any se-
''Shujaa?'' I heard Nala ask, causing me to snap back into reality, ''Is there something wrong?''
The question caused me to smirk at my mother-in-law.
''As if there's never been anything wrong with me.'' I said and Nala smiled.
''That's true.'' Nala chuckled as I looked back at the sunset.
''You know...Simba told me that a king's time as ruler rises and falls like the sun...said his father taught him the same thing.'' I started before frowning, ''I will make sure that the Pridelands do not fall like the rise and fall of the sun.''
''And if it does?'' Nala asked, causing me to smirk.
''Then we can just take it back.'' I replied before walking back towards Kiara as Zira and Kion's groups were heading out, Kion's consisting of The Lion Guard while Zira's consisted of Vitani and a few other former outsiders.
I locked eyes with my mate before I smiled.
''If this is goodbye...i'm happy I met you.'' I said and Kiara nodded as Sara ran towards me, hugging my leg, ''And keep our great ball of fire safe.''
This caused Sara to pout.
''I can take care of myself, dad…''
At that, I smiled and gave the kid a lick on the forehead before hugging her, then walking off with the able members of the pride, preparing for the worst…
Next: The Battle Begins! As the pride fights Niagh's group, Shujaa notices Niagh is not with them, realizing that maybe she isn't with her main fighting force...she may be heading towards Pride Rock.