"Well done Kovu, just like we always planned." Zira chuckled as did Vitani and Nuka.
"Now we get to leave the outlands and finally return to the pride lands." Tyler said as he came out of the darkness behind them holding a spear with a few other lionesses beside him.
"You!" Simba shouted accusingly at Kovu.
'No I didn't have anything to do with this, I promise." Kovu shouted back.
"Attack!" Zira yelled. Nuka lunged forward but was knocked back by Simba. A few others were also knocked back but a few were able to sink their teeth into Simba. He shook a few off but was forced onto all fours as Vitani got onto his back biting his shoulder. Kovu moved to help Simba but was kicked away by Vitani. Tyler circled the fight looking for an opening to stab at Simba. Saphira moved in and went for the neck but caught Simba's paw instead.
"Yes! Rip him limb from limb." Zira laughed as Simba roared in pain. Nuka then tackled the pile sending Simba down a cliff. The lionesses and Nuka slid down after him shortly after. Simba seeing that he was outnumbered and outmatched started running away. Tyler seeing this ran along the top of the cliff. He saw Simba heading for a dam and was going to try and stop him at the top. Meanwhile Zira was still coordinating her pride.
"Yes, we got him!" She cheered as Vitani lunged for Simba who dodged and kept running. Saphira was able to jump on and bight his shoulder again but was thrown off because of the running.
"Yes, remember your training. Fight as a unit, attack as one!" Zira shouted a she followed behind them. Simba made it to the base of the dam that Tyler was just approaching. Kovu appeared on the other side of the dam looking down at Simba in worry. Simba began to climb but was slow due to his injuries. Zira saw Kovu looking down and Tyler getting into a position to intercept Simba.
"Simba!" Kovu shouted.
"Go, get him Kovu! This is what you were trained for!" Zira shouted up at him as she and the others dodged falling debris. "Do it, now!"
"I'll do it, for you mother!" Nuka shouted as he started climbing after Simba. "Ty make sure he doesn't get past you!" Tyler smirked as he started descending towards Simba.
"Mother are you watching!" Nuka looked back down seeing Zira smiling up at him.
"Pay attention Nuka, you're almost at him!" Tyler called down as he raced to help Nuka.
"I'm doing it for you and I'm doing it for me." Nuka chuckled as he zeroed in on Simba. He grabbed onto Simba's back leg and dug his claws deep causing Simba to roar in pain. "This is my moment of glory!" Nuka yelled before the log he was standing on broke causing him to fall and land with a small log on top of him.
"No!" Zira and Vitani shouted in worry.
Simba using his other leg to try and get up caused a few more to fall down on top of Nuka effectively crushing him. "Nuka!" Tyler yelled out as he saw someone he considered an older brother die. "Simba I'm going to kill you for that!" He yelled as he sped towards Simba who crouched waiting for him to get close enough.
"Ty watch out!" Vitani called out as she saw Simba bring out his claws with a look of hatred in eyes. Zira who was looking at where Nuka fell heard Vitani's cry and saw as Tyler lunged for Simba spear extended. She grinned before a look of terror appeared on her face. Simba swatted the spear out of the way and had bitten Tyler's shoulder causing him to let out a blood curdling scream. Every lioness present looked on in horror as Simba swung his head side to side. Tyler tried to fight back but his weak punches did nothing and with Simba's head shaking, he couldn't get to his eyes. Eventually all the shaking caused Tyler to lose his footing and rip himself out of Simba's grasp. He grabbed a stick that was lying nearby with the arm that wasn't connected to the injured shoulder. He brought it up to stab under Simba. But before it hit, Simba used his front paw to swat his head. Blood flew and Simba's face morphed from rage to surprise. He looked at his paw and saw that his claws were still extended. He looked down at Tyler's falling body as blood flowed out of his shoulder and side of his face. Kovu also saw this as he had reached the bottom of the dam to free Nuka. He was shocked at the violent act by Simba and someone who had treated him like family was likely dead from the force of that hit.
"NO! Tyler!" Saphira cried out as Tyler fell down the dam with another log following after him.
Vitani screamed before rushing towards his fallen form. He fell on his side with blood forming an ever growing puddle beneath him. Saphira made it to him first and immediately started trying to clean him up and get him to wake up. "Please my son wake up please wake up, don't leave me!" Saphira called. Zira moved to where Nuka fell and moved the logs until she uncovered his head. Vitani came up and saw Nuka cough up some blood.
"Nuka." Zira whispered pain etched on her face.
"I'm sorry Mother. I tried." Nuka wheezed out. "Is Ty ok?" He coughed some more causing Zira to let a few tears fall from her face.
"Shhh it's ok Nuka, it'sgoing to be ok. Ty is fine ok?" Zira started crying as Nuka let out his final breath.
Vitani looked down in sadness as she saw he brothers lifeless form. "Nuka." She sighed as tears fell down her face too. She looked over at Saphira who was desperately nudging Tyler who''s breathing was barely noticeable.
"Scar, watch over my poor Nuka." Zira sobbed out before attempting to gain control of herself. Eventually she turned towards Kovu with absolute hatred in her eyes. "You!" She rushed towards him and slashed at his face, leaving a scar running down his left eye. "What have you done!?"
"I didn't….I didn't mean to… it wasn't my fault I…I..I did nothing." Kovu glared at Zira.
"Exactly, and in doing so you betrayed your pride, betrayed Scar, betrayed me and Vitani." Zira glared at Kovu.
"I want nothing more to do with Scar." Kovu replied.
"you cannot escape it. Nuka is dead because of YOU! And Tyler is critically injured as well! All because you chose to betray us!" Zira roared at him. Vitani growled as she prowled towards him. Saphira had heard the commotion and settled her steel pain filled gave on Kovu. Once she saw the defiance that was in his eyes she growled and moved towards him menacingly.
"My baby boy may never see another day because of you!" She roared out.
"No." Was his only reply.
"You killed your own brother!" Zira shouted.
"And someone who treated you like their little brother!" Saphira joined in.
'He was one of your best friends Kovu!" Vitani shouted.
"No!" Kovu shouted before running off. Vitani and Saphira were about to give chase along with a few others but were stopped by Zira.
"Let him go. We can deal with that traitor later. Simba has hurt us for the last time!" The lionesses gathered around her. Saphira and Vitani moved to Tyler's side as they tried to get him up on one of them. "Now he has turned one of our own against us and taken my son from me as well as a boy that I have come to care for as my own family."
"Now listen to me, Simba is injured and weak. Now is the time to attack Pride rock, rip it from Simba's clutches and send those miserable pests to hell! We will take the entire kingdom by force! For tonight, we go to war!" Zira shouted. The lionesses roared their approval and soon they were headed back to their den to gather the rest of their pride and drop off Tyler.
By the time they returned to the den it had started raining and Tyler was shivering uncontrollably. Vitani was extremely worried and insisted that she stay near him in case he fell from Saphira's back. Zira moved to his side as he was put down in the bed of soft grass he made when he finally got too big to lay with Saphira. Vitani cuddled up to his side and was startled when he reached out and hugged her tight against him. Saphira licked his face clean of any remaining blood and everyone sighed in relief when they saw that the wounds on his face were shallow. The shoulder however was very deep and if his pained expression was anything to go by, extremely painful. Vitani started to tenderly lick the wounded area causing Tyler to wince. Vitani whined every time his face scrunched up in pain as did Saphira.
"Is he going to pull through?" Zira asked quietly.
"We believe so. He has finally stopped bleeding and is warming up quickly. Though he will have to stay here to fully recover." Saphira answered as they watched Vitani care for Tyler.
"Vitani, dear, please stay with him and make sure he gets better. Saphira and I will make Simba pay for what he did to him and Nuka. And after we finish Simba, we will hunt down Kovu to pay for his crimes. So please make sure he gets through this." Zira licked the top of Vitani's head before moving to the entrance of their Den. Saphira nuzzled Vitani's head before licking Tyler's cheek.
"Don't worry my son, I will make sure Simba pays for what he did to you." Saphira moved to stand beside Zira as they walked out to battle Simba and his pride. But before they left Saphira and Zira looked back at Vitani who was gazing at Tyler worriedly. "Vitani, he needs you more than you know. You have my blessing and if I don't come back, take care of him like you would a mate."
"Vitani, dear, Tyler and you have been inseparable since we took him in and I want you to know that I approve of you two as I am sure everyone here does too. Take care of each other my dear." Zira then left with everyone as they said their goodbyes to the surprised Vitani.
"What did they mean when she said I had her blessing?" Vitani asked nobody in particular. She sighed before she once again nuzzled Tyler's face. "Please be ok Ty, I need you. You promised I would never be alone again so please don't leave me now." Tyler seemed to be settling down as his shivering started to lighten up. "You promised me you would be careful and not get hurt. When you get better I am so going to kick your but for making me worry so much. Nuka please guide him back to me. I can't handle losing you both in the same day." Vitani gazed up through a hole in the ceiling as the storm clouds moved towards the pride lands revealing stars overhead.
"Don't worry Tani, I won't be going anywhere." Tyler chuckled lightly as he regained consciousness.
"Ty! You're okay!" Vitani cheered as she nuzzled his face and brought him into a tight hug. He yelped in pain as she got too close to his shoulder causing her to shy away from him. "Oh my god I'm sorry Ty!"
"It's fine Tani. I'm just glad I'm alive and woke up to see your adorable face." Tyler sighed as he rubbed Vitani's head. "Where is mother? Did Nuka make it too?" He looked up at her as she looked away before answering.
"Nuka didn't make it and Saphira went with the others to kill Simba and take over the pride lands. After they do that we are moving you to pride rock and then I will help them hunt down Kovu and bring him down. He will pay for what he did to you and Nuka." Vitani said as she laid back down beside him.
"Vitani, leave him be. He has nobody anymore and he didn't do anything. It is Simba that I want to get revenge from. For now though we should follow after them and make sure everyone is alright. Besides when we win it will give me a head start to our new home." Tyler tried to get up but had trouble Vitani helped him as he leaned heavily on her for support.
"I was told to keep you here until they returned for us." Vitani stated as they moved towards the entrance.
"Come on Vitani when has that ever stopped us from doing what we want? Remember when we were kids we used to get into all kinds of trouble cause we wouldn't listen. Besides I have you with me so nothing can stop us." Tyler hugged her tight.
"hahah flatterer. Fine then let's catch up to everyone. I'm sure the fighting has started by now and if not it will soon." Vitani moved slowly in the direction of the pride lands so Tyler could use her for support. As they were leaving the cave he picked up one of the spare spears he kept in the cave in case the ones he brought out broke.
*Battlefield*
"It's over Simba! I have dreamed of this moment for years and now you will finally pay for your crimes." Zira glared at Simba.
"Last chance Zira, Go home." Simba warned.
"I am home and once we purge you from this land, Tyler can finally get well and ake a break from having to find extra food to help feed us. So prepare to die Simba because you will pay for Nuka's death!" Zira shouted.
"And for injuring Tyler!" Saphira shouted. The other outsiders roared in agreement.
"Attack!" Zira roared causing the outsiders to chare forward. Only Zira and Saphira held back waiting for an opportunity to strike down Simba. The pride landers charged shortly after and the two groups met in the middle. "Go for the eyes! Break their jaws, hit them low! Get them! Do what you must to avenge our fallen family." Zira cheered on her troops as she kept an eye on Simba. The battle was going very poorly for the pride landers which gave her a sense of pride. She noted offhandedly that the pig and merekat of Simba's pride ran off, but quickly took note of her pride overwhelming Simba. At this sight she and Sa[hira moved forward to finish him off. As they moved forward Saphira was tackled by Nala.
"Where's your pretty daughter Nala? I would so enjoy to tear her pretty little face off!" Saphira snarled at her.
"Saphira!" Nala growled back before they attacked each other.
"Simba, your mine." Zira growled a she approaches him. He battered away the lionesses attacking only to turn into Zira's strike. He went flying backwards and groaned as he slid to a stop. All the surrounding fighting stopped as the two leaders circled each other.
"Kill him Zira, rip out his throat!" Saphira shouted glaring daggers at Simba.
They were about to strike each other but were stopped when Kovu and Kiara stepped in between them.
"Kiara!?" Simba looked surprised.
"Kovu. Move aside." Zira glared as he stood defiantly in front of her.
"Stand aside Kiara." Simba pleaded with his daughter.
"Daddy this has to stop." Kiara looked at Simba defiantly.
"You're even weaker than I thought. Get out of the way!" Zira yelled at him.
"You will never hurt Kiara, or Simba." Kovu stated as he glared at Zira. "Not while I'm here."
"Stay out of this." Simba begged Kiara.
"A wise king once told me that we are one." Kiara stated catching the attention of the outsiders. Saphira glared at her but was curious about what she would say. "I didn't understand him then but, now I do." Kiara looked into Simba's surprised eyes.
"But they." Kiara cut him off before he could continue.
"Them, us, look at them. They are us. What differences do you see?" Simba looked out over the lions and saw that aside from some mud, they looked exactly the same. Simba then turned back to Kiara and embraced her.
"Very well said Kiara, but that doesn't change the fact that he killed my son and injured a treasured member of my pride. He might not even make it through the night because of him. Why would we want to live under him!?" Zira shouted receiving a few roars in agreement but not as many as before.
"Zira please stop this, the only thing that can come from this is more pain!" Kiara begged.
"Fine we shall stop." Saphira and Zira gasped as they all turned to see the new voice. On the hill they saw Tyler and Vitani glaring down at Simba and Kovu. "But only after Kovu and Simba pay for the death of Nuka."
"And Ty's injuries." Vitani growled out as she glared at Simba.
"Tyler your alive!" Saphira ran up to him and nuzzled his face as he rubbed behind her ears.
"I'm glad your safe my boy. Now let's end this." Zira turned back to Simba but stopped when a majority of the outsiders went over to the pride landers side. "What are you all doing?"
"Enough Zira, we don't want to fight anymore. Kiara is right, we are one." A lioness spoke as the ones who stayed loyal to Zira glared back at them.
*sigh* "Simba let's hear it from your point of view. How did scar die? This all started because he died now why don't you tell us your side of the story?" Tyler spoke up as he limped towards Zira's side.
"Fine. When me and Scar fought he gained the upper hand but when he tried to finish me off I flipped him over the edge of pride rock. From there he fell to the bottom and met with the hyenas. They heard him try and throw them under the bus and weren't happy about it. They mauled him to death." Simba answered.
"Lies! I saw it with my own eyes. You through him off the cliff and he died in the fall. The hyenas would never have betrayed him!" Zira denied.
"Zira you said you were a good distance from the fight. How do you know the hyenas didn't turn on scar when the going got tough? How can you trust them when they left you to fight Simba on your own? Face it, they killed Scar." Tyler put his hand on Zira's back as she just slouched to the ground looking defeated. "It's ok Zira, come on we have a new home to go to where we won't have any shortages of food or water." Tyler rubbed behind Zira's ears causing her to start purring.
"Fine, but Kovu, if you ever talk to me again, I will rip you to shreds." Zira glared at Kovu as she passed by him followed by Saphira who glared at both Simba and Kovu, Vitani who was helping Tyler walk and the rest of the outsiders.
*The next day*
Simba, Nala, Kovu and Kiara ascended pride rock and roared throughout the pride lands. Rafiki had even stopped by and patched up Tyler's shoulder.
Since then, Vitani and Tyler never strayed far from each other. Vitani found scars old cave and immediately declared it their own. When the original pride landers learned of their housing arrangement they didn't know how to take it. The old outsiders though were happy for the two of them. Saphira was able to eventually forgive Kovu and soon became good friends with Nala. Zira would occasionally butt head with Simba but generally kept to herself. Other times she would spend her days with Vitani and Tyler making sure the two were happy or visiting the site where they buried Nuka. Kovu and Kiara were officially considered mates and even though the ceremony was awkward, so were Vitani and Tyler. Tyler just blushed through the announcement while Vitani had the happiest expression she had ever had on her face. Tyler would look back on that day and smile when he remembered how happy Vitani was. Looking back, he missed his original mother but he was glad he had found a new family. One that he hoped his mother was proud of.
And that is a wrap. I hoped you like it. I might post an official epilogue if you guys want it. Hell maybe even a prequel for Tyler should you ask for it. But anyways thank you for following me on my journey and congrats on being the first to see me ever finish a multichapter story! Hopefully the first of many. Anyway review or message me if you want the prologue or epilogue. Or both.