It was sundown over the Outlands as Zira lithely padded through the tunnels deep within the termite mound she and her pride made camp in, Kovu dangling from her jaws. The evil queen couldn't help letting out a purr - as much as she hated living here, the darkness soothed her troubled heart and mind.
Eventually coming upon a cage-like enclosure made of rock, a bit like a playpen, she parted her jaws and dropped Kovu unceremoniously into it.
"Oof!" Kovu got up and shook himself, looking curiously up at his mother.
Zira smirked, barely sparing her son a glance as she was lost in her own twisted thoughts. "I now see the path," she growled, raising a paw and grinning, "to our glorious return to power!"
Kovu tilted his head, confused. "What are you-"
"HUSH!"
Kovu flinched as Zira leaned down to him, her teeth bared, then to his surprise her face softened into a look of affection.
"Hush, my little one," she cooed in a soft, raspy voice, nuzzling him. "You must be exhausted."
(Author's note: Ok, I skipped over "We Are One" because nothing needed to be changed, but "My Lullaby" is going to be slightly different.)
"Sleep, my little Kovu," Zira sang, circling the cub's bed of rock. "Let your dreams take wing...one day when you're big and strong, you will be a king!"
"Good night," Kovu murmured, yawning as he watched Zira stride away.
"Good night, my little prince," Zira purred, glancing over her shoulder at her son's rocky crib before heading deeper into the tunnels. "Tomorrow, your training intensifies."
*Zira climbs and jumps through the tunnels, silhouetted with only her eyes visible.*
Zira: I've been exiled, persecuted, left alone with no defense!
*Zira approaches the camera*
Zira: When I think of what that brute did,
*she flexes her claws*
Zira: I get a little...TENSE.
*she saunters past a few members of her pride members, who watch her reverently*
Zira: But I dream a dream so pretty that I don't feel so depressed, 'cause it soothes my inner kitty~ and it helps me get some rest!
*she jumps down onto a tall mound, looking down at Nuka and Vitani*
Zira: The sound of Simba's dying gasp!
Nuka: AAUUUGHHHH! Gak-*plays dead*
Zira: His daughter squealing in my grasp!
Vitani: Grr! *scratches Nuka as he holds her in his paws*
*Zira stalks onto a high perch, illuminated by the sun*
Zira: His lioness's mournful cry! That's my lullaby!
*she puts her paw to her head dramatically*
Zira: Now the past I've tried forgetting, and my foes I could forgive...
*she walks past a line of termites, sneaking a claw over and swatting them*
Zira: Trouble is I know it's petty, but I hate to let them live!
Vitani: *leaps around her mother excitedly as Zira licks her claws* So you found yourself somebody who'll chase Simba up a tree!
*Vitani leaps up onto a mound to be level with Zira*
Zira: Oh, the battle may be bloody...*she leans closer, as though whispering a secret to her daughter*...but that kind of works for me!
*Zira skids down a termite mound, pushing Nuka aside*
Nuka: AAAGGHHH!
Zira: The melody of angry growls!
*The Outsiders rear up and roar*
*Zira saunters past Nuka, who's lying on the ground*
Zira: A counterpoint of painful howls!
*She steps on Nuka's tail*
Nuka: GAH!
Zira: *strides to a precipice, the sun glowing behind her* A symphony of death, oh my! That's my lullaby!
*she walks past Kovu and - here's where it gets different - Kovu is still awake, loving the song his mother is singing about his dark future. He is staring up at her in awe, looking excited.*
Zira: Now Scar is gone, but Zira's still around, *she pulls her son closer and gives him an affectionate lick as he grins* to love this little lad...
*Zira heads over to a rockface and slams her front paws up onto it as Kovu watches*
Zira: *drags her claws down the rock* 'Till he learns to be a killer...
*Kovu watches in the shadows, an evil grin on his face*
Zira: With a lust for being BAD!
*Zira leaps off, and Kovu's expression turns to one of confusion as Nuka, Vitani and the other Outsiders surround his rock crib reverently*
Nuka: Sleep, ya little termite!
*Kovu glares and bares his teeth at Nuka*
Nuka: Uh, I mean - precious little thing!
*Kovu smiles and settles as Vitani pushes Nuka out of the way, perching on the edge of the crib*
Vitani: One day when you're big and strong~
Zira: *standing on a tall mound* You will be a - *she tears a hole in the roof, letting sunlight stream through* KING!
*Kovu lies down as the Outsiders leap over his head, Zira towering over them on her hind legs*
Zira: THE POUNDING OF THE DRUMS OF WAR!
*The other lionesses roar*
Zira: THE THRILL OF KOVU'S MIGHTY ROAR!
Nuka: The thrill of vengeance!
Vitani: Testify!
Zira: I can hear the cheering...
Nuka (bored) and Vitani (excited): Kovu, what a guy!
*Zira rips a hole in the roof and climbs out*
Zira: Payback time is nearing, and then our flag will fly!
*Kovu finally yawns, curling up and falling asleep below her with a smug smile on his face*
Zira: Against a blood-red sky!
*She and the other lionesses stand on top of the termite mound, silhouetted by the sunset* That's my lullaby! *Zira laughs evilly as the scene fades out*