V. Return of the Prince
Making Pridelanders believe in some new danger wasn't so hard. However Mbio had to be extremely careful to start a panic among lions, but with the story that could last some time – namely, as Shani led her unit to the Priderock. That's why all the preparations had to take some time.
"I know, we promised to help." Said Siasa, for thousandth time scolding her mate. "But you must in the first place watch your own back. Don't get close to any lion… and if you have to, stay in the air and…"
"I know, I know." Snorted bluefeathered. "We talked about it many times. Just…" his voice was shivering due to emotions. "…can't you feel it? Lady Shani is going back home!"
"All I care is that you will be back home." she replied.
It wasn't actually true. In spite that Siasa paid limited attention to the quest lions had, she genuine was happy about her mate was about to be a royal major-domo. That of course meant some duties (for him), but was balanced with prestige the office gave and easy and certain life by side of lions monarchs (for whole family). But that expectations wouldn't make her fear lesser.
"Just… don't trust any of carnivores, right?" she concluded.
And so Mbio started his quest. A direct action, telling news to one of lions was out of option, so parrot had to find some agent, preferable – unaware of whole deal. Parrot didn't know Zazu before, but seeing him instantly felt it was the right animal to start with. Hornbill was flying over the Pridelands, looking down with stare of someone much more important than just a liaison. Mbio tried to use that pride.
"Hey, good bird!" he called, sitting down on branch of lone acacia. Zazu just slowed down and started circling, still unsure if he should land. "Do you live here?"
"I have no time for you, stray." Snorted Zazu. "I'm major-domo of king Simba and I on the mission of his order."
"So should I go straight to king Bimba?" asked Mbio.
"SIMBA!" growled hornbill, flying down and sitting next to parrot. "S like sun, I like invincible, M like mane, B like brave and A like arrogant… I mean… amazing…" Then he added quieter. "In fact it is amazing how that insolent brat grew up to be so wondrous leader!"
"Whatever." Murmured Mbio. "I don't have time for that royal stuff. I need to leave Outlands now and I hope there would be a place for my family."
"Outlands?" snorted Zazu. "You were living in that barren wasteland?"
"Hey!" shouted parrot, faking anger. "That was a great place, before these lions showed there. We had a nest there, nice views and before those desert strays came, there was…"
"WHAT!?" yelled major-domo. "You said 'lions'?"
"L like life, I like instinct, O like one, N like night, S like scar!" explained parrot. "Is there any problem?"
"Scar!" Zazu rushed to the other bird and grabbed him into his wing. It wasn't hard to break that grasp free, but Mbio played still. "You said Scar?"
"S like sovereign, C like come-back, A like attack, R like revenge…"
"You meant lions following Scar?" yelled Zazu.
"Dude, I don't know that's the fuss!" snorted parrot. "I was living on the Outlands with Siasa, but then they came… led by that golden lioness with damaged ear…"
"Oh, dear…" whispered major-domo, letting Mbio loose. "Simba is not going to like it." And he started to flight.
"Hey!" called parrot after him. "Does it mean, we could settle here? A political asylum, maybe?" But then he couldn't hide his laughter. "Well, soon it will be not your Simba to decide that!"
\/\/\/
Zazu was reasonable creature, so he didn't panicked instantly. He flew to the border river and heard rumours, spread by Mbio just few hours earlier. And just then he panicked. Scouting on the other side seemed to be a bit too hard for simple official, so he decide to return to the Priderock and tell Simba.
Because of that, he failed to notice that only two lions were on the Outlands. Daki and Laki wandered in the area, randomly marking it with signs of their existence. They pressed pawprints in most obvious places, mutilated carcasses to make them lion-devoured-looking and scared animals, who would witness about it to Pridelanders. Meanwhile the real preparations were done in the Mighty Jungle.
\/\/\/
"I'm not sure it that is necessary." Said Horen, looking as Shani stood up. "I don't want to hurt you, especially just before the action."
"I'll be fine." Said lioness and spat the blood from her mouth. "I know you can't make me a fighter in three days. I just want to become an eventual killer."
"Yeah, that is always easier." Snorted redmaned. "Are you ready?"
"I am!" replied Shani and just few seconds later she was thrown to the ground.
"Prince…" started Amini, seeing as Kisasian was looking on his mate, sparring.
"Kisasian." Corrected him Scar's son. "Or you already treat me as your ruler, because you decided to stay on Priderock?"
"Kisasian, as you wish." Replied Amini. "Is that… necessary?" he asked, pointing with paw on Shani, being choked by Horen. "I know that Horen is a great tutor but…"
"S--t!" yelled redmaned. Goldenfurred managed to kick with rear legs and slash his face, missing eyes with few centimetres. Lion recoiled in pain, cursing aloud. "F--k you! It hurt! It f--king hurt!" But then he restrained his rage to add with still painful, but polite voice. "However… that was good. Keep it going to use rear legs and…"
"Yes, it is necessary." Said Kisasian. "I can't persuade her to stay aside… so at least I want see her able to defend herself."
"I hope that won't be required." sighed Amini. "If everything goes with plan, we will be confronted just with marauders on Priderock in our first strike." Seeing that prince kept watching his mate being beaten in her teachings. "Kisasian… Are you sure that it's necessary?"
"Do you have any objections?" snorted Scar's son. "Because of them, my father killed your."
"Yes, I know…" nodded Amini. "And believe me, I really hate Nala for that… but listen. For almost five years I lived being sure that my family is dead. I learned that my father died in fact, but I still have Shimo. I want to payback Pridelanders… but not to the point of risking my brother's life."
"Remember that you are also fighting to secure future of your other siblings." Reminded Kisasian. "The same as me."
"That is only reason I am with you." Nodded Windy Rogue. "But what you are going to do? Kill Nala?"
"No, of course not…" said prince with confused voice. That sparked a hope inside Amini's heart. They aren't all so mad." Thought lion. "I leave this honour to you." Finished Kisasian and Amini went aside, unable to argue more.
\/\/\/
"It's time!" called Mbio with triumphal voice.
That was a dawn, three days after parrots distraction. Bluefeathered sat down on the doorstep of cave and looked on sleeping lions. Seeing that no one moved on his announcement, he called once again.
"Sirs… IT'S TIME!"
"Screw you!" murmured Horen.
"You would better shut up…" started Daki.
"…if you don't want to be our breakfast." Finished his brother.
"My lady… they moved!" shouted Mbio, ignoring hostile feedback.
"What?" Shani instantly lifted her head from Kisasian's shoulder and looked on the bird. "Are you sure?"
"Simba with the first group of lionesses set off to Border River half an hour ago."
In spite all they were sleepy, goldenfurred quickly set them awaken. Her enthusiasm was radiating around, giving even Horen a reason to open his eyes and even not to complain as much as usual. Twins were – as always – lousy and seemingly airy, but Amini felt that was just a cover for actual nervousness. They didn't fear of fight, for sure not, but seeing Shani's zeal and Kisasian's cold hatred they asked themselves if the cause they had supported was really the best one. Amini had the same problem.
He couldn't talk normally with Shimo, although he tried many times. Each one he was given with reply: "Not now, brother. We will talk after it all is over." Not that lion didn't enjoyed the perspective of reunion with brother, but his first quest was to payback for father's death. Amini didn't share this hierarchy of aims.
But what was primary concerning Windy Rouges was Kisasian's decisiveness. Prince didn't talk too much, in most of technical issues he just agreed to voice of Shani, Horen and Mbio, but when Amini looked in his eyes, there blazed a fire that wouldn't be extinguished in any way, except the stream of blood.
In last attempt to appease that fury, blackmaned tried to convince Shani. As they set off to the Pridelands border, he waited as lioness got separated from the array and nudged her side. When she looked at him, Amini asked.
"Shani, can we talk?"
"I see no problem with that." Replied lioness, a bit absent-minded.
"I mean… on a side." Added lion.
"You have any secrets?" she asked with confusion. "All right, we may make a stop… but beware that in any private matter I will tell it to Kisasian." She tried to jest. "And in case of any military objection I will tell it to Horen." She added.
"I wish to tell you about both."
"Ki and Horen?" asked Shani.
"Private and military matters." Explained rogue. "Why do you do it?" He looked on her with inquiring stare. "I don't want to be rude and interfering in most private matters, but if you are pregnant, you also risk with life of your cub."
"Amini…" said Shani with unexpectedly soft voice. "Please, don't try to judge things you don't understand."
"And maybe I should understand!?" yelled blackmaned. "I'm risking my life here, life on my brother and three of my friends. I demand some answers! What is so important to make you ready to kill your own brother and hurt the pride that raised you?"
She was silent for a loner while, looking ahead, to green jungle ahead. But finally she replied. "Kisasian."
"A hint, please." Snorted Amini.
"Do you know what love is?" asked Shani with sudden irritation. "I bet you don't… because if you had any idea what the true love is, you would ask no questions!"
"I guess you are close with Kisasian already." Said carefully. "What do you want to show him? What do you want to prove?"
"I… got together with Kisasian in very unfair match." Said Shani after another silent moment. "And that is why I'm very grateful to my brother. His friends killed first Kisasian's mate."
"All right, I won't ask more." Replied resigned rogue. He learned that he approached to too tangled knot for him to understand. "I will help you anyway, because of my siblings. Just… I want to warn you. You could regret this day."
"I already learnt to live with consequences of errors I did." Replied goldenfurred and speeded up to main group.
\/\/\/
They entered the savannah and set off straight west. They didn't try to hide nor sneak, only Mbio served them as an aerial-recon. As Zazu had gone with Simba north, they expected to go unnoticed just to Priderock. And there they hoped to find the weakest members of pride.
"All right, listen up." Said Kisasian, who with every step closer to his old home regained a self-assurance and become more and more wrapped up by emotions. "I want that raid go smoothly. We come there, look for Sakia and Mega. I hope they are there and are ready to join us. We also assume that Nala could be there…"
"Isn't she away, with Simba?" asked a bit confused Horen.
"From what Mbio heard and saw, she is pregnant. Most likely she stays in cave, under a care of few other pridemembers."
"What… do you want to with her?" asked Amini, feeling sick.
"That is concern of you and your brother." Replied prince. "I don't want to steal your vengeance."
Windy Rogue took a quick look back on Shimo. But his brother's face was locked with hateful expression that gave Nala limited hope. Amini for the another time asked himself why he was going – to help his brother or just to stop him from doing something terrible. "I don't let them kill pregnant lioness!" he thought.
Meanwhile Kisasian came closer to Shani and nudged her side, directing her aside. They went away from main group and waited as others come farther. Then blackmaned just kissed his mate passionately. They stopped, joined by this caress.
"I love you." Said the lion. "Just remember that." She nodded her head with smile. "I mean it… If you are coming with me, to show that you love me and somehow trying to prove yourself more caring than Adia… just drop that. I already told you have nothing to be sorry and nothing to repay her…" Then he added with voice full of fear. "Can't you… stay at the rear?"
"I don't go with you, because I must." She replied. "I'm going, because I want, period. We will be both fine, don't worry."
A rain started to fall from the sky. Just a light, summer rain, brought by light clouds. Yet it couldn't be more perfect for attackers – most likely inhabitants of Priderock would stay indoors, so Shani's coalition could come unnoticed just to their destination.
"That is not our destination!" thought goldenfurred. "We are coming HOME!" And she smiled, feeling that her mate was going to became the king soon. "Oh, Adia." She added in mind. "That is what you couldn't give him!"
They saw Priderock, majestically standing above the land. In stream of falling rain it looked not just beautiful, but scary as well. It was scary, is it witnessed many tears and blood in recent times. But it was home. Shani wagged her tail to reorder the array.
"We come, we made as many damage as it's possible and retreat before they go back." She repeated the plan aloud. "Of course, if we are absolutely victorious – Sakia and Mega join us and we prevail others - we just wait for my brother. If we get separated, we meet near to Mighty Waterfall. And one thing more… don't hurt my mother."
"Sure thing." Replied Horen.
"What?" asked Amini sarcastically. "You plan to torture her?"
"She is my mother, after all." Said Shani calmly.
"And Simba is your brother." Reminded rogue.
"No, he isn't."
But then Amini looked up and for longer while kept staring at the skies. Then he asked Horen. "Hey… where is Mbio? I think he should be back with us, to assist in main strike."
"I guess he found some shelter for the rain." Replied redmaned with smile, but then his eyes narrowed. "Or… not. Shani!" he called.
"What?" asked lioness.
"Mbio wouldn't leave us in such moment. Something went wrong."
"What could possibly go wrong?" she asked.
"I don't know… maybe they have own air-recon? Never mind, let's stop."
"Yeah!" agreed Amini. "We have to reconsider our plan."
"No, we are going." Said Kisasian decisively. "We are almost in place and ready, so…"
"Prince!" called Daki. "Look here." He pointed a blue object in the muddy ground.
"That's…" started blackmaned indifferently, but then his jaws dropped. "Mbio's feather."
"Let's go back!" called Amini.
"We are going, bro." Said Shimo with eyes fixed on Priderock.
"We are going… now!" ordered Kisasian. "Mbio could be in trouble, because of us!" And before rogue managed to protest, prince gave and order of entering the run-mode.
Seven lions speeded to Pridelanders keep. In growing rain, almost safe from detection they also couldn't see that was happening on the rock. Kisasian even didn't care. He ran just by side of Shani, smiling. He finally found his peace and nothing could spoil that.
"I will show you, father!" he called in mind. "I will avenge you! I prove you were wrong, taking the succession away from me… I don't care for the throne, but I wish you are proud of me. You will, father!" He collided with Horen, before he noticed what was wrong.
"S--t!" yelled redmaned. Indeed, it looked very inelegant.
Mbio was simply mutilated. In fact it couldn't be different, in case of fight between two insectivores, with no predators traits. Struggle was done by bills and according to feathers around, parrot fought back efficiently, but he was just outnumbered. Next to his body, laid a single body of bird from unknown species, apparently with bones broken by the fall. Perhaps Mbio, before got killed – managed to win an aerial duel. Few metres form that stood a lion with two more birds of that strange kind. He was talking something to his messengers. Perhaps Mbio was 'just' a parrot, but he was friend and ally. Kisasian gasped in anger and pointed a lone lion.
"Kill him!" he ordered with bone-chilling growl.
Tojo didn't stand a chance. Confused, trying to organise his bird friends into some combat liaisons and force then to move, in spite death of their brother, he noticed enemy in last moment. He just raised his paws, but then was pressed down by Kisasian, Shani and Shimo. Still in that grave position, he managed to shun first blows. With outstretched hind leg he kicked Shimo. When the rouge fell, Tojo rolled aside, standing up. His back was enflamed by cuts that Shani and Kisasian made him already, but lion kept fighting. He his blackamned, not trying to kill, but just to knock down. Furious Kisasian tripped and landed hard, but in next second he lifted his body.
Mean while Tojo take a look aside to look for his beirds. That was a grave mistake. Recovered Shimo bite straight into his rear paw knee, making him yell and fall on side. Then Shani came. That wasn't a fight. Lion just managed to gasp "Kisasian? Shani?" and then his throat was ripped off by his old friends. He died understanding almost nothing.
One of the birds was squashed in hit of Laki, the second set off to fly with scream. Before gurgle of dying Tojo finished, sounded curses of Kisasian. He wagged his tail in order to run further, but he was still swearing own stupidity.
"What was that!?" called Horen, who even missed death of Tojo. "We got one, so what's the deal!?"
"Tojo's birds!" yelled Kisasian. "They got Mbio… and perhaps already alerted Simba!"
"Horen, stop them!" shouted Amini, not sensing whole the disaster, but sensing failure. "We got into troubles."
They stopped just in front of Priderock, few metres of its eastern wall and path up. Rain drops were covering all the air around, reducing the visibility to point blank. Those was bad conditions to fight… for both attackers and defenders. But Horen cared in first place for own comfort and safety, so he agreed with friend.
"Right." He nodded. "Just tell it Ki…" he never finished the sentence.
Joe pounced on him from the path and having best possible position to do that, he pinned him down, rolling aside. Just after that Vumbi landed on the ground, looking for any opponent. He found Amini, coming with help to Horen. Two new combatants rolled aside in deadly wrestling.
"Rogues!" called Nala from the path and rushed ahead.
Six lionesses ran the path to savannah, roaring in anger. Kisasian didn't wait for any other impulse. Seeing that Pridelandresses and Ni's lionesses tried to attack Horen and Amini, he shouted:
"Onward!"
Shani pounced right after him. Kisasian was confused by sudden turn of fate, but when adrenaline hit his veins he didn't lose the reason. He saw defenders of Priderock – two lions and seven females, three locals – including Nala – and four Ni's lionesses. Prince noticed also that Nala's belly clearly round, showing early, but certain pregnancy. If that groups was attacking, it meant trouble. Blackmaned knew that in such conditions Nala would never, ever, under any circumstances gave an order to attack… except of case when the relief was on the way. "Tojo's bird called for Simba!" he understood.
"Kill few and draw back!" he called aloud.
"I just get Nala and I could go away." Smiled Shimo and ran ahead.
He found the new queen drawing back the path up. Shani and Amini were pushing her and some other lioness to the ledge direction. He saw as pregnant feline reached the upper level and backed even further to gain a space to defend herself.
In some way decision of Nala turned out to be rational. She just had to hold before Simba come with his party. She could run, but was pregnant lioness able to outrun healthy males in their normal condition? Sudden attack made by two rogues was their chance to relief queen. A failed try, we may add. Horen, assisted by Daki and Laki engaged Joe and Vumbi, while freed Amini joined Shani.
"Go!" called Shimo, standing next to goldenfurred. "Search for your friends, and I will deal with her."
"Good hunting!" smiled Shani, jumping up on higher ledge and then running to the cave.
Meanwhile Shimo stood next to his brother. In spite they knew each other since not more that week, they acted like one. In the same second they pounced – Amini overturned grey lioness, while he got the queen. He pressed her down, savouring in that moment.
"Do you remember me, b---h?" he called, pushing her to the edge of rock. From basis of main ledge to the ground was about three metres – distance good enough to do serious harm, especially to weak lioness. "Yes, that's me! You sent my father to die."
"Shimo, no!" she yelled. "Wait a second, that was an accident!"
"I plan an accident also for you!" smiled lion. In corner of his eyes he noticed as Amini knocked down his adversary. "So… will you tell me, what happened to my dad?"
"Shimo… understand me…" she started, but her voice was cut to yell, when lion hit her head. She wanted to say more, but she was out of her breath. She knew she had no chance against the giant rogue.
"You will pay." He said with freezing determination. He raised his paw, above lying and helpless lioness, to…
"No!" Called Amini and pinned his brother to the rock. "You won't!" They rolled few metres aside, almost to the end of ledge.
"F--ked you!?" yelled Shimo, trying to free himself from brother's grip. "Because of her dad is dead!"
"I won't kill a pregnant lioness!" gasped Amini, standing over him and pressing his paws to the ground. "She is helpless and she can't defen…" A blow from behind cut his breath.
Nala wasn't a weak lioness, but pregnancy made her much less efficient fighter. In that state she couldn't afford for playing fair, because in a fair-play the weaker one looses. So seeing a opportunity, she just pushed the lion standing on the edge. Before Shimo could react, Amini was shoved beyond the bluff. In normal conditions lion would brace for impact, but extreme awkward position he was caught made him fall in similar position and push of Nala made him turn down. He hit the ground with head and shoulder and even thought the noise of rain, Shimo heard that his brother's bones didn't stand it. Lion fell down and froze on the ground with broken neck.
"No…" whispered rogue, looking down, hypnotised by that view. Nala used her chance again.
Shimo let himself be shoved too. Before he reacted, Nala pushed him the same and he went down to the ground. But he had no bad-luck as his brother – he landed on four paws, just next to Amini's body. Lion bended down, to check the pulse, but he learned that his miraculously regained brother followed his father. Then he looked up to Nala, standing on the edge. In his eyes, queen read death. And she heard it, listening to his painful roar.
"Not good!" the queen whispered and turn back to run.
\/\/\/
Shani entered the cave to see Sakia, nestling Hawaa to her side. Also a silhouette of Pumbaa taking cover in one of side-corridors appeared to her for blink of an eye, but she ignored warthog. Mega was running to exit, but he froze in place, seeing newcomer. Lioness also let cub loose and turned her eyes to goldenfurred. For long while they were silent, while Shani was panting heavily.
"It can't be." Said Mega finally. "You are dead…"
"I have just one question for you two." Said the princess with shivering voice. "Are you with or against me?"
"Shani… you are alive…" said confused Sakia.
"And I am after murderers of Scar, Adia and Uzuri!"
"Uzuri?" gasped Mega. "Joe told us, that Golden Ones killed her… but I didn't believe…"
"No, it's all my brother's fault." Said Shani. "I ask you to help me, or get aside of my way. Decide, now."
"But Shani, your brother…" started Sakia.
"He is not my brother! I hate him!" she yelled.
"I mean… he is going back with the rest of the pride." Said lioness.
"Does it mean… you are ready to avenge your king?" asked princess. Sakia was shivering on her all body, but she nodded. "Mega?"
"I don't want anyone gets hurt." He said, but in the same moment a painful roar sounded from outside. "Just… we must stop them!"
"Do what you want." Replied goldenfurred. "You had your chance to choose, but you stayed aside. Not you could mend that error. But beware… if you decide to stop Kisasian, I will treat you as the enemy."
"Kisasian…" whispered amazed Mega.
"Shani…" asked Hawaa with sleepy voice. "Is king Scar back?"
"More or less." Smiled goldenfurred.
\/\/\/
Simba was running fast as he never ran in his life. He left his mother and Sarafina to march in their tempo, just got all younger lionesses and rushed like in hell back south. He hoped that Tojo, Joe and Vumbi would do their duty, but in the same time – if the report of his flying assistants were true, that would be not enough. King had to be on Priderock, defending it in person.
Two of Tojo's birds were flying just before him, showing the way, what in heavy rain wasn't so easy. King was cursing himself for being so stupid and careless. He left Nala on the Priderock, almost alone. He had no idea who were those rogues, attacking his keep, but he swore to kill one who brought them there.
"No one would threat my family! I let no one touch my family! I will kill that bastard!" he repeated, not knowing how logically incoherent those sentences were.
'I cried again. I failed to speak with any of my descendant nor kins and any of other Ancient Ones could help. I didn't make my duties as an Arbiter and it was so hard, especially that I could instantly watch consequences of my neglects. My companions and me were staring down in fear, seeing as two lines of our family started to fight each other. Scar cried with me, but he was the most enraged from us all. He gave the lightings to that storm.
He wasn't angry on me, nor on Shani, nor on his son and what was the strangest, even nor on Simba. He was a king for long time and he knew that every harm is caused by long chain of events. And there was no one completely innocent, including him, of course.
We were watching in awe and hoping that enough of pain was caused. But there is never enough, until even single creature to feel that pain left.'