As the group returned to the den, Kopa went on his evening patrol with his father by his side.

"I'm very proud of you, son. You've really flourished these past few months."

Kopa nuzzled his father. "I had a great teacher." He said. "How are things in the Pride Lands?"

"Going well. We've made Jasiri and her clan official. So long as they follow the laws of the land, they're permanent residents. Janja has even gathered up a night patrol with Kion."

"That's great, Dad!"

"Well, what about you and Vitani? Is everything alright?"

"Everything is perfect. She's really stepped into her role as Queen. All the animals respect her and her decisions as well as mine. We've made a good team."

Simba smiled at his son as they continued along the path.

Meanwhile, the stranger was keeping an eye on the larger group.

Her tail lashed impatiently as she watched the older lioness wrangle them into the den for sleep. Suddenly, she heard the steady beat of wings over head. She cursed as she dodged farther from the den to avoid being seen from Kopa's Majordomo, Kidogo.

The bird landed in the spot where she had been crouching and hopped around for a moment or two.

He suddenly raised a caw of alarm and the stranger debated on pouncing and silencing the bird forever before the bird took to the sky.

Vitani raced of the den at the sound of his cries. "Kidogo!" She cried to the distressed bird. "What's wrong?"

"Vitani! I fear we have an invader!" Kidogo cried as he landed in front of his queen.

"What?"

"Up the hill, there's grass that's been disturbed and the smell of an unknown animal."

Vitani nodded. "Show me." She ordered.

The stranger hissed in annoyance as she watched the Queen and Majordomo fly to her old hiding spot and narrowed her eyes as Vitani sniffed for herself.

"It's a lion." She announced. "But not one of our members. Kidogo!"

"Yes, your majesty?"

"Find Kopa and Simba and bring them here. Dad!"

Malka bolted out of the den at his adopted daughter's worried tone. "What is it?"

"We have an intruder. Please, gather the others. I want an entire sweep of the land. He couldn't have gone far."

Malka nodded and returned to the den whilst Vitani headed away from the spot, her nose in the air.

The stranger growled as she slunk a little ways back. Her ears then picked up the soumd of multiple paws scraping the earth and she risked a glance to see five lions exit the den. That meant one had remained to guard the cubs.

Surely I can handle one lioness, the stranger thought. Content with this knowledg, she slunk to the den.

Nala was trying to quiet the worrying cubs before she heard a twig snap and she turned to see the stranger glaring at her with hatred burning in her eyes. "Step away from the cubs, old lioness and I will let you live."

"Let me live?" Nala snarled. I am a survivor of Scar's reign. No one lets me live. Nala roared as she launched at the lioness.

The stranger yelped in surprise as Nala pinned her easily to the ground. "Who are you, tell me and I just might let you live!"

The stranger struggled but to her surprise found herself unable to budge thier lioness off her.

Suddenly a flash of tan bolted past both of them. Nala whipped her head around and roared at the second lioness that had entered the den. This lioness was stockier then the one under her claws and blind in one eye. She sneered at Nala as she snatched the shivering cubs by their tails and shot passed Nala.

Forgetting the lioness under her, Nala went to follow this new lioness, roaring to alert her family.

Vitani and Malka looked up from where they were sniffing and noticed Nala racing into the night.

Tojo glanced and saw the stranger emerging from the den. He growled as he leapt and pinned her, much the same way Nala did.

"Who are who!"

"Tojo! The cubs!" Nala cried.

"Where are they!?" Vitani cried.

Nala halted in her tracks, her eyes darting everywhere. Dread and guilt swarmed im his chest as her breath quickened.

"Nala!"

She didn't turn to face her mate as Simba appeared from the darkness and joined her side.

"I lost them." She finally said.

"Mufasa!" Kopa cried.

"Kuona!" Vitani screamed.

Of course no answer came.

"What happened?" Chumvi asked.

Nala swallowed as she faced them. "There were two lionesses. One I ppinned. But another, she came and, and snatched the cubs! I couldn't- I didn't-"

Simba embraced his mate. "Shhh, it's okay. You did what you could."

Vitani stared at Kopa. "Our cubs-"

"We WILL get them back." Kopa assured her.

"HERE!"

The group turned and realized Tojo was not with them. They followed his cries and found him with the stranger in his grasp.

Kopa growled as he shoved Tojo off and applied his paw to the lioness's throat, choking her. "Where are my cubs!?"

"Gone! They are now the property of King Damu!"

"Who's King Damu!?" Kopa urged.

His claws unsheathed and began to pierce her skin, allowing driblets of blood to trickle onto his golden fur.

"Kopa!" Kula warned.

"If she values her life, she WILL tell me!" Kopa snarled.

The stranger stiffened a cough and a gurgling sound came from her throat before Simba gently moved his son's claws off her. "She's not good to us dead." He warned.

Kopa considered this before nodding and sheathing his claws, but keeping his weight fully on her. "Where?" He asked again.

"King Damu! He rules the Dead Lands! He collects cubs for his army! It's no use! You're cubs are gone!"

Vitani stepped forward and struck the lioness with such force, blood flew from the now open wound just above the lioness's eye.

"I suggest you start talking, rogue, or next time it'll be your eye." Kula warned.

"You make threats, yet are too cowardly to follow through!" The rogue snarled.

Malka stepped forward to use his front claw and strike her ear. "We don't make threats, flea bag. We make promises."

The rogue stared up at this tan lion with the dark mane and piercing green eyes. He bared his teeth and for once since her captur, she felt fear. "Y-you will never stand a chance!"

The rest of the pride leaned in, baring their own teeth.

"Try us." Chumvi said.

TLK

The stranger ran through the darkness, relying on scent alone. There was no moon to light her path.

The two cubs hung limply in her jaws, too frightened to speak.

The rogue's companion would no doubt be spilling all their secrets by now. The rogue growled deep in her throat.

King Damu was a fool to send that useless flea pelt, it was lucky I followed her. She'd never had succeeded in such important a task. I should have killed both her and that old lioness, but these cubs must be my priority.

Mufasa suddenly came to his senses and used his back leg to kick the rogue hard in the jaw, forcing her to release both him and his sister.

Mufasa dropped to the ground and immediately began to run back for his land before he heard Kuona's cry of pain and he whirled around to see the rogue had a claw around her throat.

"Follow me or she dies." She ordered.

Mufasa felt torn. He could run back to the safety of his parents, but he couldn't trust himself to make it there and back to save his sister.

Reluctantly, he forced himself back to the rogue's side.

"Wise decision, for such a foolish cub."

"Where are you taking us!?" Mufasa demanded.

The rogue narrowed her eyes. "To your future." She said before clamping her jaws around Kuona. She narrowed her eyes again and Mufasa hesitantly fell in step behind her.