Chapter Twenty-Three: Disaster Amidst Triumph
Hunter305414: We've all been waiting for this day to come! The day that judgment rains her anger upon Kibuluu and Kiara! Um… I got carried away XD anyway, read on, your feeling… just read on and enjoy the chapter
TRON0602: *Wakes up and promptly knocks out Kali, Simba, Maji, and Scar with Rafiki's stick* Anyway… All of Kali's questions will be answered this chapter *gives Kali's sleeping form a V8 and pats his head* sleep now, dear Kali. Sleep soundly.
A Random Person: There's not going to be a new story after this one. I've run my course with the TLQ stories, anyway, Kamaria wanted to fight because she felt she had to, and not only that, Tama appeared and made her resolve true. Not only that, Kamaria has Jawanga and Garuda in the capable paws of Chaka, their uncle and her brother, so she feels they're safe. And Kiara's judgment day has come! Read on and enjoy the chapter!
Guest: The battle's here! Enjoy the chapter
Whoa it's Fandoms: CALM DOWN! You'll have to wait and see for Zuri finding love, be patient otherwise I might have to go badass voodoo monkey on you! I don't want to do that haha. Enjoy the chapter.
CSIMentalistTLK Lover: Yes, I can smell it and it smells like pure and utter PAYBACK! :) Kiara and Kibuluu, BE PREPARED! A shining new era is tiptoeing ever-nearer! And yes, Tama and Ashaki reunited before the final battle. Enjoy the chapter, my friend :)
Keep Calm and Join Team Loki: The big final fight is here, no worries at all! Thank you and enjoy the chapter.
*The following commercial was brought to you by SweetChinMusic115, incorporated. If you spoil what I read, I shall go Rafiki on your ass!*
Scar walks on scene, his mane flowing gently by a provided fan.
Zira purrs: Hello Scar.
Scar: What do you think of my mane, dear?
Zira smiles and nuzzles against his mane: Oh, it's so soft. And so dark. Scar, how do you get it like that?
Scar: I use L'Oreal Midnight.
Zira: What's that?
Scar: A slick black cream that gives my mane a roguish look and makes my fur softer than a newborn cub's.
Mufasa appears, anger on his face: SCAR! I HEARD YOU PLAN TO…*he drops dead with a look of awe on his face*
Scar: Long live the King… of Sexy *smiles and swings out from behind the rock like from "Be Prepared"* All you males out there, if you want to have all the females to yourself and make your rivals drop dead, use L'Oreal Midnight. *Walks down a catwalk, humming "I'm Too Sexy"*
*All the females squeal!*
Zira: He's a GOD!
Sarafina: He has my heart and soul!
Nala: He should be my mate!
Kiara: MOM! What if he's your father as Disney has yet to confirm or deny?
Nala: So what? He's gorgeous! I can't help it!
Kiara: *Watches Scar walk* Oh… Damn… *Creeps towards Scar*
Nala roars: PAWS OFF *pounces on Kiara, followed by Sarafina, and Zira. A fight breaks out*
Scar: L'Oreal Midnight, because darkness makes sexy… inviting.
Sarabi: *swoons and passes out*
Scar: Need I say more? L'Oreal, because you're worth it. *Winks at Vitani, who blushes*
Primal rage filled Kamaria's heart as she tore into lionesses that blocked her way to Kibuluu. She threw several aside and kept running when they were injured. The moon shone off her pelt, her heart set aflame by the spell of the full moon. The beast within her broke free, and her usually sky blue eyes turned a shade of ice blue.
Kivuli was on the other side of the fighting lions. He, too, was using the same technique that Kamaria was. His heart was also warm, his blood running so fast it was like a spell was set upon him. He roared when he caught sight of Kibuluu, then he saw Kamaria.
The two lovers both were in front of the dusky gold lion, and Kibuluu smiled at Kivuli.
"Son, you've returned to help your father." He said. Kivuli slapped out, catching his father's nose.
"Never. This is my mate's Kingdom, not yours." Kivuli growled. Kamaria smiled. Kibuluu eyed the proud daughter of Ashaki and Kovu with a growl. Kamaria's smile fell and she roared.
"I'm taking what belongs to my family." Kamaria said, the full-moon fever causing her muscles to quiver. Kivuli and Kamaria both jumped onto Kibuluu, both unable to bring the massive lion down, but at least direct him away from his pride to get him to Pride Rock.
*+-/_\-+*
Ashaki tore into lionesses, killing all she could as Kiara roared and challenged her. Ashaki's electric blue eyes stared into Kiara's ruby orbs. The two lionesses glared and circled each other.
"Kivuli killed Kovu. I bet under your order." Kiara sneered.
"I never ordered Kivuli to do anything. I didn't know he was alive until last night. Oh, by the way, did you have a cub of Kovu's?" Ashaki asked. Kiara growled.
"How would you know?" She demanded.
"Nuka brought Mito to me. I accepted her. Usafi has been raising her. Oh, and where's Mwenzi, where's your pretty daughter, Kiara?" Ashaki taunted. Kiara roared and attempted to jump Ashaki, but the Queen sidestepped and jumped onto Kiara's back, her teeth biting into Kiara's flesh and tasting her blood. Kiara roared and bucked, attempting to throw Ashaki off. The Queen held true until a creamy white lioness appeared, grabbing Ashaki's scruff and pulling her off of her mother.
"Stay away from my mother!" Mwenzi screamed. Jua ran to the fray, attacking her twin.
"Stay away from my mother." Jua growled. Kiara looked to Jua with amazed eyes.
"Jua, I am your mother." Kiara said. Jua roared at Kiara.
"No, Ashaki's my mother. And I won't let you hurt her." Jua proclaimed. Ashaki smiled, standing up and nuzzling Jua.
"You've alienated one child, and Mito won't ever know you. All you have is Mwenzi, and she's a failure." The Queen said. Mwenzi went to attack Ashaki, but Jua jumped in front of her twin and the two went tumbling down a hill. Kiara and Ashaki ran towards them, both fearing for the two young lionesses.
"Jua!" Ashaki called.
"Jua, Mwenzi!" Kiara screamed. Ashaki slapped Kiara, ripping a notch in the dusky gold lioness's ear.
"You have no right to call out to Jua!" Ashaki screamed. Kiara and Ashaki then began to return blows.
*+-/_\-+*
Kali and Usafi both stood proud in a ring of lionesses. The mates looked at each other, breathing heavily as the lionesses loyal to Kibuluu lost their lives.
"Seems we still have that touch." Usafi said.
"Seems so." Kali smiled.
"The tides are surely turning." Myota said as he appeared.
"Where's Kibuluu?" Usafi asked. The three lions directed their gaze at Pride Rock, seeing three figures running towards it.
"Kamaria, Kivuli and Kibuluu…" Kali said.
"We have to help!" Usafi said. Myota held out a leg, looking to his aunt.
"No, Usafi."
"They have to do this themselves." Kali said.
*+-/_\-+*
Kamaria and Kivuli chased Kibuluu to the top of Pride Rock, both young lions easily giving chase. Kibuluu stopped to pant, seeing both his son and his daughter-in-law intent to kill.
"Please, don't kill me." Kibuluu begged.
"We have no choice. The Queens of the Past want you gone." Kamaria said.
"The Queens? What do they care, anyway?" Kibuluu demanded.
"They care about Kamaria and her family. They want order, therefore, it shall be given." Kivuli said.
"You're my son, Kivuli. You, me and Kiara, we all could be a family." Kibuluu said.
"What about my children?" Kivuli asked. Kibuluu looked from his son to Kamaria, then back again.
"Children?" Kibuluu asked.
"I have two children. A son and a daughter. You'd kill them on sight. So why shouldn't I kill you?" Kivuli asked.
"Not only that, you'd kill Zirali, Mito… any children you see as corrupt." Kamaria said.
"Because your mother is corrupt!" Kibuluu roared. Kamaria reached out to slap Kibuluu, but a silver lioness burst onto the scene, attacking Kamaria. Kamaria looked into the silver lioness's green eyes and gasped.
"Ketaki! What are you doing?!" Kivuli demanded.
"I'm protecting my king." Ketaki said simply. Kibuluu smiled.
"That's my girl." He purred. Ketaki smiled.
"Traitor!" Kamaria said.
"No, I just stick with the winning side. I'm sorry, little Princess. I wanted to be glorious, but I found an easier way in." Ketaki said.
"By becoming my mate." Kibuluu said.
"You. You're the one that has been leaking information about the Underground!" Kivuli said.
"I have been. I've had no choice, unfortunately. I'm sorry, Kivuli, I really am. You are my stepson, and I'll hate killing you." Ketaki said. While Ketaki was distracted, Kamaria tackled the silver lioness, bringing her down. Both lionesses roared and slapped, both trying to gain the upper hand.
Ketaki would try to attack Kamaria, and Kamaria would dodge. Kamaria would attack, and Ketaki would dodge. No one was getting hurt, but finally Kamaria reared up with a roar, slapping the silver lioness. Kibuluu roared and tried going after Kamaria, but Kivuli stepped in and attacked his father.
Kamaria and Ketaki fought similarly to how Scar and Tama once had. Both lionesses were on their hind legs, front paws slashing out at each other. Cuts and scratches were made on both lionesses, and blood poured from their pelts. Ketaki finally slapped Kamaria aside, and the Crown Princess landed on her back. Ketaki roared, jumping to give the Crown Princess a final blow.
Using the trick flip that Nala had taught her, Kamaria flipped Ketaki down the side of Pride Rock. The silver lioness tumbled down farther and farther until she hit her head on a rock near the bottom. Kamaria went to the edge, seeing Ketaki not moving or breathing. Kamaria sighed and shut her eyes tight.
"Please, guide her spirit. Let her repent." Kamaria begged the Queens of the Past. She then turned and saw Kivuli and Kibuluu fighting, neither giving the other quarter. Kamaria roared, jumping from her spot onto Kibuluu's back. The massive lion roared, bucking to get the Crown Princess off his back. While he was distracted, Kivuli roared and bit into his father's mane.
Both young lions managed to pull Kibuluu to the edge of Pride Rock. The dusky gold lion roared and struggled against Kamaria and Kivuli's combined strengths. The young lions then pulled harder, and Kibuluu was sent sailing over the edge. Problem was, so were Kamaria and Kivuli.
*+-/_\-+*
Ashaki and Kiara both had blood pouring off of them. The two lionesses growled continuously at each other, electric blue and ruby red meeting in hellish tones. Kiara roared and attacked Ashaki, but the Queen leaned up with one paw, slitting Kiara's throat.
The Queen turned away from Kiara, and then faced her pride. They all stood tall, all of them alive by a pure stroke of luck. The rain began to fall, and cleaned the blood from their coats. Ashaki saw Nurisha and Jua, happy two of her daughters were okay. Mwenzi approached Ashaki, her own ruby eyes sad. She looked right into Ashaki's eyes.
"I'm sorry my mother caused so much trouble, Queen Ashaki." Mwenzi said. Ashaki smiled a bit.
"I'm not the one to apologize to, Mwenzi. That would be your sister." She said softly. Mwenzi turned to Jua, bright green and ruby red meeting.
"Jua… I…" Mwenzi began. Jua smiled.
"Don't mention anything, Mwenzi. Don't mention anything at all. You're still my sister, in the end." Jua said, tears in her eyes. Mwenzi smiled and ran to nuzzle her sister. Jua nuzzled her back. Nurisha followed in the nuzzling chain.
"Glad to have you back, Mwenzi." Nurisha said.
Myota stepped up, nuzzling his mate. Ashaki smiled
"We did it." Myota panted.
"We did. Have you seen Kamaria?" Ashaki asked. Myota nodded.
"Pride Rock. She and Kivuli were fighting Kibuluu. Shall we go take a look?"
Ashaki nodded and said, "let's pray that they're okay."
"Well, all except Kibuluu." Kali noted. Ashaki nodded.
"I know."
*+-/_\-+*
Kamaria woke, red flooding her vision. Pain splayed through her back, causing the light beige lioness to be sick to her stomach, and she saw blood drip from her forehead. Despite all this, she stood slowly, agony ripping through her very soul.
"Kivuli?" Kamaria called. The Crown Princess heard a moan, and saw Kivuli, dying. Kibuluu stood above his son, blood pouring from several wounds from his head, neck, ears, and front legs. The dusky gold lion roared in challenge to Kamaria. Kamaria roared back, in spite of her pain. Kibuluu ran for his rival, and Kamaria did the same. The pair entered a stalemate of flying paws and blood, both of them injured to the point they could gain no quarter on the other.
Kibuluu reached for Kamaria's neck when the exhausted lioness exposed it unwittingly. The Crown Princess dodged the blow, grabbing the underneath of Kibuluu's black mane, ripping out the portion, leaving the dusky gold lion roaring in pain, and bleeding profusely. Kibuluu, right as he fell, lifted one single paw, and caught Kamaria's throat, slitting it. The Crown Princess tumbled down, but crawled over to Kivuli, nuzzling him.
"Don't die on me. Don't die, Kivuli…" She begged. Kivuli looked up.
"Don't die on me, either." He whispered. Kamaria leaned her head down.
"I think you're too late for that." She answered honestly. Kivuli put his bleeding head over her neck.
"I know. I love you, Kamaria." Kivuli whispered as he took his final breath.
"I love you too, Kivuli." Kamaria whispered as she shut her eyes, falling into death's embrace.
*+-/_\-+*
Kali and Usafi walked alongside Ashaki and Myota, looking at the death toll just around Pride Rock.
"The Underground did a good job." Kazai said, approaching the four lions.
"Seems they lost a few as well, though." Kali said.
"It always happens. It was war. Fight to the death, if necessary." Kazai said. Kali nodded, turning his head and catching Ketaki's lifeless gaze. Usafi followed Kali's glance and saw Ketaki as well.
"Oh, no." Usafi whispered.
"Ketaki…" Kali whispered, his eyes filling with tears.
"You know her?" Ashaki asked Kali. The silver lion nodded.
"She's my sister." Kali said, his voice thick with tears.
"Go to her. Let her know you're there." Ashaki said. Kali nodded slowly, walking over to his sister's body. Usafi followed him, and Maji and Hafsa followed her.
Ashaki continued on, her electric blue eyes scanning every part of the base of Pride Rock. She saw Kibuluu's form, still barely breathing. Her heart stopped. If he was breathing…
"Kamaria?!" Ashaki called out, her voice a scream. A mother's panic filled her heart. Her maternal instincts all screamed. Something was wrong. If Kibuluu was alive… was Kamaria…?
"Kamaria!" Myota called. Ashaki broke into a run, only to see a blood trail. She smelled it, and knew the scent.
"No… no…" Ashaki whispered. The Queen followed the blood trail, seeing Kivuli and Kamaria, together, all curled to each other, the blood around them congealed. Ashaki's heart dropped. If the blood was no longer flowing from either of them… it couldn't be.
The Queen's eyes filled with tears as she screamed, "NO!"
The Queen's scream alerted her family to get to her side. Myota and Tojo were right on either side of her, Muujiza, Damu, Kweli, and Giza were behind her, and behind them were Kopa, Simba, and Nala. Nala saw Kamaria, and pushed Jua, Nurisha, and Mwenzi back.
"You don't want to see this." Nala said, leading them away. Ashaki broke into tears and sobbed brokenly. Myota sobbed too, holding his mate close. Muujiza padded forward, his heart breaking in two. Damu, Kweli, and Giza flocked to Tojo, and Tojo held his younger children. Kopa stood slack-jawed, and Simba had tears flowing, but wasn't sobbing. Rikala and Nuka appeared, and Rikala gasped, breaking into tears. Nuka held Rikala as tears fell out of his eyes.
"AMRI! My baby!" Moyo screamed. She tried running to shake Kivuli awake, but Thelugi stopped her promptly, holding her in a hug.
"No. This can't be. No…" Ashaki sobbed, before her sadness and grief turned to anger. She broke from Myota and ran to Kibuluu's near-lifeless body. She slapped him, and he woke.
"What the…?" Kibuluu asked.
"Get up." Ashaki ordered.
"Why?" Kibuluu asked.
"You killed my daughter! Now get up and face your punishment!" Ashaki screamed. Kibuluu barely got up before Ashaki started tearing into the dusky gold lion, her claws flailing so wildly that Kibuluu was long dead before Ashaki stopped and breathed heavily. The Queen shut her eyes, grief passing over her again. She turned back to Kamaria and Kivuli's mangled bodies. She looked at Thelugi holding Moyo back.
"Let her go." Ashaki said softly. Thelugi did as she was told, and Moyo and Ashaki looked at each other. Ashaki nodded, and the two mothers of the deceased lovers walked over to their children. Moyo calmly nuzzled Kivuli, and Ashaki nuzzled Kamaria.
"Rest peacefully. I promise… we will take care of Garuda and Jawanga. I promise." Ashaki promised as tears spilled over. Moyo looked up at Ashaki, tears in her eyes too.
"At least they're together." Moyo said. Ashaki looked up to the clouds.
"Wherever they are. It's all that matters." Mom, please, watch out for them. Ashaki thought.
You know I will. Tama said.
As the rain continued to fall, the pride gathered around the deceased Kivuli and Kamaria. Kali stepped up to Ashaki.
"I offer my most sincere condolences." He said softly.
"Kali… I want you to know, I'm not punishing you for your crimes. I just did what you did those few months. I acted on impulse, following something. I understand what happened. As Queen of Pride Rock, I hereby exonerate you of all your crimes related to the Tyrant King, Kibuluu." Ashaki said. Kali smiled and nuzzled Ashaki.
"Thank you." He whispered. Usafi walked up, nuzzling Ashaki as well.
"I can't imagine what it's like to lose a child. I'm so sorry, but thank you for excusing our misdeeds." Usafi said. Ashaki smiled sadly, but looked to the sky. She sighed and roared a roar of grief for her lost daughter, and her lost son-in-law. Moyo followed in the roar, and slowly, one by one, all of the pride roared, mourning over the Crown Princess and her Lover.
The rain fell over all of the pride's coats, cleansing them clean of the bloody battles they had engaged in. Even Kamaria and Kivuli's congealed blood thinned and washed away, leaving the pair perfect, as they should have been in life. In death, the lovers were together, and that was all that mattered.
A/N:
"For never was a story of more woe… than this of Juliet and her Romeo." –William Shakespeare
Please, stay tuned for the epilogue. I don't care if you review or not, but… please stay tuned for the epilogue.