Chapter 29, feelin' fine! Enjoy!
Kovu and Kiara climb down the gorge to where the logs form a dam. Kiara crosses to safety. Kovu follows, but a log dislodges itself, and he nearly falls into the river.
"That was a little too close." Kovu shivered.
He regains his footing and continues following Kiara. Meanwhile, Vitani bounds up a tall rock and looks down on Nala.
VITANI:
Where's your pretty daughter, Nala?
"On her way to hopefully put a stop to all this." Anga supplied.
NALA:
[furiously] Vitani!
Vitani leaps down on Nala. The two roll, with Nala on top.
NALA AND VITANI:
*snarl*
"Talk about a cat fight." Spirit chuckled.
Timon and Pumbaa flee from the Outsiders.
OUTSIDERS:
*snarl*
TIMON AND PUMBAA:
*pant* [Timon and Pumbaa smack into a rock wall. They turn to face the Outsiders, cornered.] *shriek*
The Outsiders surround Timon and Pumbaa.
OUTSIDERS:
*growl*
"Looks like they're gonna be lunch." Makucha cackled.
Timon plasters himself against the rock wall, while Pumbaa turns his back on the Outsiders and crouches, hiding his head in his hooves.
TIMON AND PUMBAA:
*whimper*
Timon looks from left to right frantically.
TIMON:
*whimpers*
Timon notices Pumbaa's butt, which is stuck up in the air.
"Uh oh. Those Outsiders had better run away fast if they know what's good for them." Shenzi winced, remembering all too well Pumbaa's noxious stench.
PUMBAA:
*whimpers*
Timon grins.
TIMON:
*chuckles deviously* [Timon jumps onto Pumbaa's butt and cocks Pumbaa's tail like it's a gun. He levels it at the Outsiders.] Don't anybody move! This thing's loaded. [Pumbaa looks over one shoulder at Timon.] I'll let ya have it!
"Say hello to my little friend!" Dusty quoted.
OUTSIDERS:
*scream girlishly*
The Outsiders flee.
TIMON:
[from offscreen] Yeah. Yeah! *cackles* Huh! [Timon spins Pumbaa's tail idly.] Talk about your winds of war.
ZIRA:
*cackles*
The Outsiders swarm Simba.
"Dad!" Kopa and Kion cried out in worry.
OUTSIDERS AND SIMBA:
*roar*
Zira stands atop her rock, flanked by two Outsiders.
ZIRA:
Simba…
Zira and the Outsiders leap from the rock and stride menacingly toward Simba.
OUTSIDERS:
*snarl*
ZIRA:
You're mine!
"Correction: he's mine." Nala growled.
The Outsiders pile on Simba.
"Is anyone else getting deja vu? Because this looks a lot like what the hyenas did to Simba in the first battle." Fuli pondered. "Yeah, you're right. I'm getting that." Tiifu concurred.
OUTSIDERS AND SIMBA:
*snarl* [Simba breaks free and swipes at the Outsiders, clearing a space around him.] *roar*
Zira approaches and strikes Simba to the ground.
ZIRA:
*roars*
Immediately, the Outsiders and Simba's pride halt their attacks. They watch the fight with concern.
"Here we go. It's about to go down." Kiburi rubbed his claws together in anticipation.
LION:
[from offscreen] *roars*
Simba gets to his paws and faces off against Zira.
SIMBA:
*snarls*
Zira stalks in a slow circle around Simba.
ZIRA:
*pants*
Simba watches Zira's every move.
"Can they please hurry thisss up already?" Ushari groaned, only to be hit by Rafiki.
SIMBA:
*growls*
Zira switches directions, but continues to circle Simba.
ZIRA:
*pants*
Simba and Zira circle one another. Around them, the Outsiders and Simba's pride gather in a tense circle. Zira rears onto her hind legs, lifting a paw.
ZIRA:
*roars*
Simba rears onto his hind legs, lifting a paw.
SIMBA:
*roars*
There is a clap of thunder, and Simba looks up. Kovu and Kiara leap into the fray amidst a rumble of thunder and a flash of lightning.
"Nice entrance, you guys!" Rani complimented.
KOVU AND KIARA:
*roar*
Kovu and Kiara leap in-between Simba and Zira, each facing their respective parent. Simba looks taken aback, while Zira looks furious.
"Oh come on, it was about to get good!" Kiburi groaned.
SIMBA:
[shocked] Kiara?
Kiara glares at Simba.
ZIRA:
[angrily] Kovu! [Kovu glares at Zira. He narrows his eyes.] Move.
SIMBA:
Stand aside.
KIARA:
Daddy, this has to stop.
"She's right. The fighting between the prides went on for far too long, though that was mainly Zira's fault." Rafiki mused.
Simba blinks in shock.
ZIRA:
You're even weaker than I thought. Get out of the way!
"He is not weak! Kovu is stronger than you'll ever be for breaking free of your control!" Surak rebuked.
KOVU:
[forcefully] You'll never hurt Kiara...or Simba. [Kiara looks over one shoulder at Kovu. He lowers his head threateningly.] Not while I'm here.
ZIRA:
*hisses*
"You dared to defy me?! I raised you to be a king! To lead our pride to a better life!" Zira snarled. "And I will. Just not your way." Kovu glared back.
Simba juts his head at Kiara.
SIMBA:
Stay out of this!
KIARA:
A wise king once told me, "We are one." I didn't understand him then. [Kiara smiles.] Now, I do.
SIMBA:
But, [Simba looks at the Outsiders.] they–
KIARA:
Them? Us? [Kiara looks at the Outsiders.] Look at them. [Nala, who is standing at Simba's shoulder, looks at him questioningly. Simba looks at the Outsiders.] They are us. What differences do you see?
"Sisi ni sawa means we're the same," Jasiri sang. "Forget about the past when there's nothing to gain." Kion chimed in. "At the end of the day, it's like water and rain." she continued. "Sisi ni sawa, we are the same!" They finished together, giggling afterwards.
The Outsiders look at one another uncertainly. Vitani continues to glare at Simba's pride but, after a moment, lifts her head and widens her eyes. Kiara and Simba exchange meaningful glances. Kiara smiles. Overhead, the clouds clear, and the sun shines down on the two prides. Simba looks up at the light. He smiles and embraces Kiara.
ZIRA:
Vitani, [Zira looks over one shoulder at Vitani.] now!
"Way to ruin the moment, lady." Zuri snarked.
VITANI:
No, Mother! [Vitani looks at Kiara, who smiles at her over one shoulder. Vitani looks back at Zira.] Kiara's right. [Vitani crosses the battlefield to stand beside Kovu.] Enough.
The Outsiders exchange wondrous glances.
ZIRA:
If you will not fight, then you will die as well.
"She would kill her own adoptive daughter?! What a horrible excuse for a mother!" Ananda seethed. Sahasi, Rani, and Baliyo all nuzzled her to calm her down.
The Outsiders scowl at one another.
OUTSIDERS:
*mutter disgustedly*
The Outsiders walk toward Simba's pride. Zira looks right.
:"Abandoned by her own pride and she still won't let go of her hatred of Simba. She is seriously stubborn." Ono marveled. "That's Mother for ya." Nuka quipped.
ZIRA:
Wha– [Zira looks left.] What are– Where are you going? [The Outsiders join Simba's pride on the opposite side of the battlefield.] Get back here!
SIMBA:
Let it go, Zira. It's time to put the past behind us.
"She's got her head so far up her behind that there's no room for the past back there." Timon joked, causing a lot of animals to burst out laughing. A few tried and failed to stifle their giggles.
ZIRA:
I'll never let it go! [Simba looks up as logs shift in the gorge behind Zira.] This is for you, Scar! [Zira crouches.] *snarls* [Zira lunges at Simba.] Rah! *roars*
Kiara jumps in front of Simba, intercepting Zira.
"Ooh, interception!" Dusty cheered.
KIARA:
*snarls* [Kiara and Zira roll on the ground.] *cries out*
Kiara and Zira tumble into the gorge.
ZIRA:
*snarls*
"Again, why do they always fall into gorges or off cliffs?" Azaad questioned. "Must be a family thing." Madoa shrugged.
SIMBA:
Kiara!
Simba races to the edge of the gorge. Kiara and Zira roll down the side of the gorge. They hit a ledge and break apart.
ZIRA:
*grunts*
"That looked like it hurt." Binga winced.
Kovu, Nala, and the lionesses join Simba on the edge of the gorge, looking down worriedly.
KOVU:
Kiara!
Kiara and Zira free fall. Simba jumps into the gorge. He clings to the ledge with his claws, then continues his descent.
SIMBA:
Kiara!
"Hopefully he can get to her before they fall in or Zira tries anything." Beshte pleaded.
Kiara and Zira tumble down the side of the gorge.
ZIRA:
*screams*
Kiara and Zira free fall.
KIARA:
*whimpers*
Kiara and Zira tumble down the side of the gorge. Zira goes over a ledge.
ZIRA:
*screams*
Kiara goes over the ledge, but uses her claws to slow her momentum.
"Hey sis? In the future, try not to give us all heart attacks please." Kopa breathed. "Noted." Kiara giggled.
KIARA:
Guh! *whimpers* [Kiara clings to the side of the gorge.] *gasps* [Zira, who fell farther, clings to the side of the gorge. Kiara hangs above her precariously.] *whimpers*
Nala stands at the top of the gorge.
NALA:
Hold on, Kiara! [Nala looks up. The log dam breaks apart, and the river begins to flood into the gorge. Nala looks between the river and Kiara.]
"Oh no. That's not good." Kijana whimpered.
Simba... [Simba leaps between pillars in the gorge. Nala stands above him at the top of the gorge.] Simba, the river!
Simba looks down at the river, then continues to climb toward Kiara. Zira loses her grip on the wall and falls a bit farther. She catches on to the ledge with both paws.
ZIRA:
*grunts*
KIARA:
Zira, [Kiara stretches a paw down to Zira.] give me your paw!
Zira slashes at Kiara's paw.
"You tried to help her even though she's bat-guano crazy, been a thorn in your family's side for years, and obviously didn't want your help?" Shupavu asked incredulously. "I thought that I could get through to her. In hindsight, she was too far gone." Kiara admitted.
ZIRA:
Gah! [Zira slips farther down the gorge, her claws leaving indentations in the rock.] Ah... *grunts*
Kiara continues to offer her paw.
KIARA:
Zira, come on!
"She could've used that 'help' to pull Kiara off the side and make her fall into the water. Bye bye, miss royal pain." Chuluun taunted. She managed to narrowly dodge Rafiki's staff, but failed to avoid Makini's.
Zira continues to slide down the gorge, leaving more claw marks in the rock.
ZIRA:
*grunts* [Zira looks over one shoulder at the river, clearly fearful.] *gasps*
Zira once again looked away, not wanting to watch her own death.
KIARA:
I'll help you.
Zira slides farther down the gorge.
ZIRA:
Oh... [Zira scrabbles uselessly at the rock wall.] *grunts* [Kiara watches in horror as Zira falls into the river.] *screams*
Zira's paw is seen bobbing above the waves before it is sucked under again.
"Good news!" Spirit sang. "She's dead!" Dusty joined her. "The wickedest witch there ever was, the enemy of all us here in Oz is dead! Good news! No one mourns the wicked!" They finished together.
The river calms. Kovu watches sorrowfully from above.
KOVU:
*sighs*
Kiara watches the river. It flows calmly, with no sign of Zira. Kiara stands.
"Welp, good riddance." Uncle Max brushed off his hands.
KIARA:
*sighs*
SIMBA:
[from offscreen] Kiara.
Kiara turns to see Simba standing on a ledge above her. He offers her a paw.
KIARA:
Daddy... [Kiara takes Simba's paw.] I tried.
"You did very well. That was a very brave thing you did to protect your father." Askari smiled. Kiara returned the smile gratefully.
Kiara and Simba climb to the top of the gorge. Nala hugs Kiara, while Simba puts a paw on Kiara's back.
NALA:
Kiara.
Kiara nuzzles Nala.
KIara:
Oh…
Kiara, Simba, and Nala nuzzle.
SIMBA:
*chuckles*
Kovu, Timon, Pumbaa, and the lionesses approach.
PUMBAA:
Wow, that was really brave!
"You said it, Pumbaa." Anga chirped.
TIMON:
Yeehaw!
LIONESSES:
[from offscreen] *chuckles* Oh…
Kovu and Kiara approach one another.
KIARA:
Kovu…
Kovu and Kiara nuzzle.
"You know, I'm glad this one has a much happier ending than most stories about a Juliet and her Romeo." Spirit whispered to her brother. "Me too, sis. Me too." Dusty concurred.
KOVU:
Oh, Kiara.
Simba watches Kovu and Kiara thoughtfully.
SIMBA:
Kovu? [Kovu breaks his embrace with Kiara and walks toward Simba.] I was wrong. You belong here.
"So he is one of us after all?" Nala smirked. "Very funny." Simba chuckled.
[Kovu smiles. Kiara sidles up to Kovu, who nudges her affectionately.] Let's go home. [The Outsiders approach from behind Simba. He turns to face them.] All of us.
The scene transitions to Pride Rock at daybreak. Several lionesses stroll onto Pride Rock, where they gather with more lionesses who are waiting on the promontory.
Simba, Nala, and Rafiki sit at the head of the pride, with Kovu and Kiara nearby. Zazu, Timon, and Pumbaa sit on the fringes of the crowd. As the rest of the lionesses file into place, the ones who are waiting on the promontory sit up so that the pride forms a circle.
"Looks like the circle is now complete." Rafiki chuckles.
Rafiki and Simba smile at one another. Rafiki beams at the sky, then shakes his gourds over Kovu and Kiara, who nuzzle. Simba smiles at the couple. Kiara smiles at Kovu before nuzzling him again.
"Wait, are they getting married? Aw man, I missed that too!" Kion groaned. "It's ok, I wasn't there either." Kopa comforted his little brother.
Nala nuzzles Simba, who looks briefly at her before beaming at Kovu and Kiara once more. Kovu and Kiara halt their embrace to smile at Simba. They then stride forward to sit next to Simba, Nala, and Rafiki.
PUMBAA:
[tearfully] I love moments like this!
Timon clasps his hands.
TIMON:
Yeah.
"I thought they didn't like love after seeing Simba and Nala together." Chungu questioned. "We warmed up to it once we learned we wouldn't be losing Simba because he fell in love." Pumbaa replied.
TIMON AND PUMBAA:
Love! [Timon and Pumbaa point at each other.] Not like! [Timon and Pumbaa hug.] Love! *sobs*
Zazu holds up his wings to shield himself from Timon and Pumbaa's tears.
"Sorry, Zazu. We just got real emotional there." Pumbaa apologized. "It's alright." Zazu replied.
Simba, Nala, Rafiki, Kovu, and Kiara smile at the pride. Simba and Nala stand and stride past the lionesses, who bow as they pass. Kovu and Kiara follow. Simba and Nala reach the edge of the promontory, followed by Kovu and Kiara.
SIMBA:
*roars*
KOVU:
*roars*
SIMBA, NALA, KOVU, AND KIARA:
*roar*
A large crowd of Pride Landers are gathered below Pride Rock.
"How did you explain Kovu's presence and what happened to them?" Makini questioned. "With patience. They were angry at first when they saw Kovu with Kiara at the announcement, but once we explained things and told them of Zira's death they calmed down. Although many animals still gave the former Outsiders a wide berth for a while afterwards. Vitani's guard has helped immensely with earning everyone's trust." Nala replied.
PRIDE LANDERS:
*cheer*
SIMBA'S PRIDE:
*roar*
"Put your faith in what you most believe in. Two worlds, one family. Trust your heart, let fate decide to guide these lives we see." Spirit and Dusty sang together.
SIMBA, NALA, KOVU, AND KIARA:
*roar*
The couples nuzzle. The Pride Landers stamp the ground and wave their arms in approval.
PRIDE LANDERS:
*cheer*
The couples continue to nuzzle. Simba looks to the heavens. The sun shines through the clouds.
MUFASA:
[from offscreen] Well done, my son.
Simba smiled at his father's onscreen praise.
A breeze carrying milkweed floss stirs Simba's mane. He smiles and closes his eyes.
CHORUS:
FAMILY. OH! [Rafiki nods knowingly at the sky.] FAMILY. WE ARE ONE!
"You were right, my old friend. I guess I should not have judged your plan so harshly." Rafiki admitted. "It's okay, Rafiki. See, Taka? My plan didn't fail after all." Mufasa plied, then turned to Scar with a smirk. Scar just rolled his eyes. "Oh, Muffy…" Sarabi shook her head.
MUFASA:
[from offscreen] We are one.
The sun shines down on Pride Rock.
CHORUS:
FAMILY. WE ARE ONE!
The title card appears. The credits roll.
Everyone cheers and claps. "That was great!" Ullu hooted. "I am glad that the two prides were able to be one again." Janna smiled. "We sure missed a lot while we were away, didn't we?" Beshte mused. "I'll say, Big B. If we'd been there for the big battle, we could've taken them out much quicker. Especially with Kion's roar!" Bunga boasted. Everyone chuckled at that. "All right everyone, sit tight while we get the next one going." Spirit called, only to feel a tap on her shoulder. She and Dusty looked down to see Timon and Pumbaa grinning at her. "Yes, the next one is about you two." Dusty answered. "Yes!" The duo high-fived and sped back to their spot.
Well, that's a wrap for TLK2! Get ready for TLK 1½ starting soon! Happy Halloween, everyone!
