Simba and Kopa ran alongside each other, the rest of their group close behind. Kovu and Kion had joined them late that night and were ready for vengeance.

The small pride finally came to a large jungle.

Simba lifted his nose.

"Do you recognize this place, Simba?" Kovu asked.

Simba shook his head. "No, this place has no known scent to me. We're in uncharted territory."

"Simba?"

Simba looked to Vitani. His daughter-in-law was desperately searching the area. Her eyes turned to both Simba and Malka as if searching for reassurance. "I-I can't find a trace! Neither cub left a trail! Dad!" She stared at Malka, tears beginning to fall. "What- what if-"

Malka bounded to his adopted daughter and embraced her. "Easy, sweetheart. We'll find them." he assured.

The stress and the fear Vitani had been hiding behind a look of determination and strength was completely destroyed as she wept into Malka's dark mane.

Kopa stared into the jungle. Not even the full moon was able to illuminate the dark forest. Kings and Queens of the past, please, guide us to our cubs!

Simba began to pace. "We'll rest tonight. Tomorrow, we'll split up and we'll begin our treck through the jungle."

"Bad idea, Simba." Kovu said.

"We could cover more ground though." Kion pointed out.

"We don't know what exactly we're up against. It's better we stick together. If one of us is captured or even killed, we will lose a chance of rescuing Muffy and Kuona." Kovu sat down. "And I don't like the sound of this King Damu. From what you've told me, he sounds like a ruthless lion."

"We've had run ins with ruthless lions before." Tama said, her eyes glinting with anger as she remembered Scar's reign.

"I understand. We all have. Which is why we stand a better chance sticking together."

"Fine. Tomorrow, we'll venture on together." Simba announced before glancing to Vitani who had fallen alseep against Malka. Tama walked over and took her spot beside her adopted daughter as she lay her head on the tan lioness's back and allowed sleep to take over.

Simba's gaze then drifted to his eldest son, who had not joined in the conversation. He was staring into the distance, his eyes bright with tears. Wordlessly, the golden king approached the younger ruler and nuzzled his mane. Kopa turned to his father and Simba felt his heart break. At once, he no longer saw the young king his boy grew up to be, instead he saw the kind-hearted, curious little cub. Kopa began to sob as he fell against his father. Nala approached and leaned into her son.

The King and Queen of the North Lands slept separately that night, each embraced in their parents' holds. Their love strong, but their grief for the moment was stronger.

~~~

Kuona awoke with a start and blinked tiredly. She felt warmth all around and for a moment, began to think that it was a bad dream, that she was safely home in her mother's paws.

But her spirits were dampened as she realized she was surrounded by the strange captive pride that had taken her and her brother in.

The older lion, Mheetu slept closer to the entrance. Over head the moon illuminated the baren land the evil pride made their home in. Kuona carefully crept out of her spot in Ranji's paws.

She silently made her way to the opening and looked out. The clearing was empty and the exit was unguarded. If she could escape, she could trace their paw prints back to desert. With luck, she'll find her parents and they could come back for Mufasa and maybe even save the others.

Content with this plan, she snuck by Mheetu and with a quick peek, she broke in a run across the clearing. The exit was growing closer, her heart pounded against her chest, her paws scraped the earth, suddenly-

WHAP!

Kuona felt her paws leave the ground asbshe flipped into the air and landed in the dirt with a grunt. She rolled onto her back and tried to catch her breath when a large shape stood over her. The moon reflected her attacker's dark hazel pelt. Eyes of different colors, one red and one green, peirced into her own.

The beginnings of a black mane clung to the lion and Kuona guessed he couldn't be but a few seasons older then herself.

The lion growled deep in his throat as he leaned closer to Kuona's ear and the young cub closed her eyes and braced herself for pain.

"When I turn you onto your paws, run back to Mheetu and the others."

Kuona snapped her eyes. This lion was a female!

"I'm going to pretend to rough you up a little. Act scared, okay?"

Who needs to act, Kuona thought.

The maned lioness then batted Kuona as gently as she could before rolling Kuona onto her paws.

"Now run!" The lioness hissed.

Kuona stood frozen in place before the lioness snapped her jaws and Kuona jumped before racing back to her prison.

She kept running until she felt a strong set of jaws close in on her and plop her on the ground. Kuona panted and relief filled her eyes when she saw Mheetu staring back at her.

"You okay?" He asked, gently.

"Y-yes. T-that lioness, s-she-"

"You're shaking, my dear." Mheetu said as he lifted her and set her in his paws. "That's Nadra." He said, nodding to the maned lioness. "She's one of us."

"Then why-"

"We'll explain everything when the sun comes up. Now rest."

Kuona nodded as she settled into the lion's paws and closed her eyes.

Outside, the maned lioness, Nadra watched the cave, just in case the little cub decided to get brave again.

"Not even cubs stand a chance against you."

Nadra held her breath as the speaker revealed himself from the shadows.

"King Damu." Nadra bowed her head.

"I was wise in my decision to allow you in this pride. You have proven your loyalty time and time again."

Nadra frowned as Damu began to circle her.

"I think it's time I took on a mate. How about it, Nadra? Hmm? Be my queen?"

"I am sure there are more worthy lionesses, my King."

"Always the modest one."

Nadra stiffened as he sat next her and together the two peered into the darkness. "The dry season will be upon us within a few moons. And it will be time to put our plan in action."

"What is the plan?" Nadra asked.

Damu glanced at her. "There is a land, a large and plentiful territory called the Pride Lands. For generations, it has been ruled by my family's enemy. The Great Mohatu and my great-great grandfather were brothers. When Mohatu was chosen to be King, my grandfather was outraged. In a fit of anger, he killed Mohatu's mate, just after their cub, Uru was born. As punishment, my grandfather was exiled. For generations, my family would often speak of revenge. But they never acted. No one in my family had the guts to take back what was rightfully ours. Well, I am not like them. That weakness died with my father when I killed him and took over as King." King Damu stood and paced. "Now, my pride has grown, in numbers and in strength. When the dry season arrives, we will travel to the Pride Lands, when they are at their weakest and take the land."

"But these prisoners," Nadra pointed out, nodding to the cave. "Surely they won't follow this?"

"They will if they wish to survive." King Damu said. "We'll promise them freedom and perhaps even part of the territory if they help."

"And once the land is ours?"

"We'll kill them."

Nadra stiffened. "But-"

"But what?" Damu suddenly turned and glared at her. "You know, Nadra, I'm starting to wonder if you really are the cold blooded killer I allowed to join our pride."

Thinking quick, Nadra jumped to her paws. "I am, my king. I was just wondering if we shouldn't keep them as prisoners afterwards. Just in case we need them again."

Damu seemed to think about her words for a moment before nodding. "Perhaps. We will lap from that water hole when we come to it. For now, we concentrate on training." The older lion then turned away, heading to his own den. "Good night, Nadra."

The sun was blocked the next morning by a swarm of dark clouds. Mufasa blinked as the weak light tickled his nose. He rubbed the remaining sleep from his eyes and stretched his muscles.

Ni and the others were already awake, waiting by the den entrance.

"What's going on?" He asked as he padded to stand beside Kuona.

"Morning training." Ranji answered bitterly.

"For what?" Kuona pressed.

"We're not sure." Mheetu replied. "Every morning, one of those flea bitten rogues escorts us to the training area. There, we practice dangerous moves until sun high. Once they think we've had enough, we're moved back her and if they think we've done well, they'll allow us to hunt."

"Not alone, though. One of those rogues is always keeping a close eye on us."

"But I thought Nadra was on our side?" Kuona piped up.

Mufasa stared at her, confusion etching along his face.

Ni, too, was confused. "Who told you about that?"

"Kuona had a late night adventure." Was all Mheetu said. He winked at Kuona, and Mufasa's bewilderment only intensified.

"Alright, prisoners!"

Muffy felt tension from the group of lions surrounding him suddenly vanish as the speaker came into view. She was a dark hazel lioness with, shockingly a mane that went over her shoulder blades and over her chest, much like a teen lion would look like.

They actually seem relaxed around this lioness. Maybe she's Nadra, Muffy thought.

The lioness growled as she entered the den. "Training begins now." She eyed the two new cubs. "Bring them with us. It's time they learned how we do things around here."

*

The training spot was a sandy patch area with large jungle trees hanging over it, shielding it from the sun or what little light the clouds allowed. The whole place looked down right eerie, Muffy thought.

Nadra sniffed the air and did a quick glance around. "It's clear. Hunt and eat what you can. We'll practice some battle moves afterwards. Mheetu, I must speak to you."

"Hold on, Nadra. I'd like to introduce you to our newest memebers." Mheetu smiled as he nodded to Muffy and Kuona.

"Yes, we met, didn't we?" Nadra smiled.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean-" Kuona stuttered before Nadra nuzzled her.

"Just be careful in the future. You're lucky I was on guard duty last night. Now go on, We only have until sun high. And Mheetu, I really need to talk to you."

"All right, dear." Mheetu replied and together the two went off somewhere private.

Muffy felt someone shive him and he turned to see Ranji and Kasi smiling at him. "Come on, we'll teach you young 'ins how to hunt!"

"We can hunt frogs!" Kuona smiled.

"There are far more tastier things then frogs, young one." Ni smiled.

It didn't take long for them to bring down an Antelope that was wandering the jungle floor. Ni and Ranji dragged it to the training area where Mheetu and Nadra had returned and the group tore into their meal.

Muffy noticed the troubled expressions on their faces as they rejoined their friends.

"You said you were gonna tell us about how you go here!" Muffy said.

Mheetu swallowed a chunk of meat before chuckling. "Yes, we did, young prince. Well, I was young lion, barely into my mane when I ran away from my home lands."

"Why did you run away?" Kuona asked.

"Well, the king was an evil lion and it was only a matter of time before he killed me. It was safer I ran away. It hurt though. I was leaving behind my mother and my pride. I did have a sister, but she had left long before I did. Anyway, I spent a great deal on my own, traveling the lands. Then one day, I came across these two," Mheetu nodded to Ranji and Kasi. "Their pride had been killed by a fire that destroyed their land. So, being the good-hearted lion I am, I decided to let them join-"

Ranji laughed. "Good-hearted my tail! We practically had to beg him to let us join him!"

Mheetu raised an eyebrow before continuing. "Anyway, we traveled some more before we were caught in a stampede of rhinos. Luckily, Ni saw us and led us to a safe space."

"I saw how scared they were and let them join me." Ni smirked. "

Now it was Mheetu's turn to be offended. "What the- you were probably the one that started the stampede just so you could save us!"

"Mheetu, Mheetu, please. I am not that shallow." Ni assured.

"Anyway, time passed and we met Tifu here, who Ranji quickly took a liking to-"

"You can skip that part." Ranji mumbled though a mouth full of meat.

"And then Nadra joined our little pride."

"Hardly, I was barely alive when you found me." Nadra said.

"What happened?" Muffy asked.

"My pride attacked me, called me a freak of nature. Bad enough I had different color eyes, but when I started growing a mane..." Nadra paused "They left me for dead." She parted some of the mane on her chest to reveal deep scars.

"It was a miracle she survived." Ni said, nuzzling the maned lioness.

"Ni, Mheetu and them were the first to accept me for what I was, and who I am."

Tifu smiled at the lioness before turning to the cubs. "I had a sister named Zuri and we lived as rogues with our parents. Going where we pleased. But one day, a terrible sickness took both our parents away and soon it was just me and Zuri. We did okay by ourselves. We taught each other how to hunt and we were content with remaining rogues. But then..." Tifu frowned and Ranji nuzzled her close before she continued. "We were hunting and a strange lion attacked me. Zuri came to my rescue, and was able to fight him off. But at the cost of her own life. You see, she developed infections from her wounds and she died days later. It was then I realized I couldn't be a rogue any longer. So I traveled, looking for a pride. Luckily, they found me." She gazed lovingly at Ranji. "And I found more then just a pride."

Muffy scrunched up his nose as she licked him. "Gross!" He said.

Ni laughed. "Yes, gross."

Nadra stood and stretched. "Come on, let's get to practicing. If you all don't come back with some bruising, they'll get suspicious."

"You haven't explained how you got here. And why Nadra is your spy." Kuona said.

"Well, we had made a home on a small piece of territory because Tifu became pregnant. We figured traveling would be harder on her and her cubs. It was peaceful the first few weeks..." Mheetu took a deep breath. "It happened in the night and we were out numbered with Damu and his pride attacked. At first, we were afraid we had made territory on their land, but that was not the case. We lost the battle and were escorted here. Nadra was away during this, scouting the lands."

"When I returned and they were gone, I spent days searching. When I finally found them, I came up with a plan to join Damu and his mange pelts until I could figure out a way to help us all escape." Nadra explained.

"We're alone now! Why can't we run?" Muffy asked.

"Then they'd know I betrayed them. If they caught wind of us escaping, they'd be on us in a heartbeat."

"And the punishment for traitors is death." Kasi said, staring at Nadra.

Ni nodded. "And that is something we can not risk."