Chapter 138

Simba

It was nightfall when we arrived in the territory of the Mountain Pride. I guess Sefu really did know her stuff, it really had me question how long have the Mountain Pride and Valley Pride been at war with each other.

"So, what are your orders?" asked the other valley pride lioness Amara. I turned to see all the lionesses looking to me to give them their next move. Right. I'm a leader now…still the thought at times it is hard for me to believe. I have to move carefully like Nkosi….what would I do, or better yet…what would my father do at this moment?

I know he was ruling in a time of peace, but…my father didn't get the wisdom he had by just sheer luck. " We attack before dawn. Right before the sun rises over the Mountain peaks, that will give us an element of surprise." Besides, I know we are still vastly outnumbered. We will need to take every advantage we can get. Besides we will need the rest from the full day travel. "Sefu I amuse your history with the Mountain pride has given you some knowledge about the land. Are there any safe backways to get close to the pride without being noticed?"

The elder lioness nodded with an all-knowing look to her other pride sister. "Yes, there is a backway...I but it's not the safest, but it can get us right next to the main den if not right over the main den."

"Okay. We rest now and strive in a few hours."

"I'll hunt for something, we'll need our strength. And I think I saw a few mountain hares dens less than a mile back."

"That's a good idea Mom, but you shouldn't go alone." Voiced Nala

"She won't be, my pride sisters and I will go with her. I know exactly which area she speaks of."

"Good, that will give Nala and I time to scout around to make sure there are no lurking hyenas nearby." Everyone nodded and agreed and we soon went our separate ways.

As Nala and I scoped the area to my surprise or our luck we hadn't run into any of Nuka's scouts. A part of me wants to stay mindful and realistic to not get my hopes up too much. I have no doubt Nuka is expecting us, expecting me. Yet I do believe with us having an early counterattack, we can have the upper advantage. As we walked all I could think about was how peaceful everything seemed. And how odd that should be for the lion preparing to meet his doom.

"It's quiet out here." Nala voiced, as we were making our way back to the group.

"I was just thinking the same thing."

"It feels weird."

"Yeah, it does." When we arrived at our previous meeting location, Nala and I were still the frist to arrive. Sefu said it might take them an hour to two to find anything edgilde but she did promise they would bring back something. "Nal can I ask you something."

"I had a feeling you would, what is it?" for the whole journey here I could think of no other thing, Nuka and how I wanted to destroy him and everything he's attached to him for all the suffering he has caused to the ones I love. But I also know in the way that Nala describes him… and the monster my cousins become. If something were to happen to her again…if we were to get to her… I shake my head at the thought, I don't even want to go down that route. "You want me to avoid him don't you?" I knew she would be able to read that from the look in my eyes. "…I will try…but I can't promise that."

"He's too dangerous and I don't you anywhere near him alone."

"Simba…the battle will be chaotic." Which in Nala's terms is…I won't make that promise to you.

"Nal I'm serious, don't seek him out."

"He will seek me out…we both know that. And we should be prepared for things to not go as we planned….he won't make the fight easy."

" He's my cousin I will handle him."

"And he's my abuser…you don't think I want any part in ending him…in making him suffer, for all he did to us, your mother… to me!" she wasn't yelling…. And I knew me asking her this would strike a nerve, but she had to hear me out. She and everyone else's safety is my top priority. I won't put anyone in unnecessary danger. " Simba it's not fair."

"It's not about being fair Nal it's about being safe. And you are safer being away from me." She was silent for a moment, shifting her weight back and forth between her front two paws. " Nala you know I don't want anything to happen to you. I won't risk it and I know how you're like me and you rush into things...especially in the heat of the battle."

" So now it goes from Nuka controlling me to you." I opened my mouth to protest but closed it….why was she taking it like this? I'm not controlling her…I'd never do that. I'm just trying to protect her- how can she not see that?

"Nal-"

"I'm going to bed, night." I couldn't stop her while I watched her walk away. Great Simba…nice going. Just as Nala disappeared into the night, her mother and the other Valley pride lionesses were finally making their way back. To her word Sefu and the others had managed to catch four mountain hares. It wasn't a meal that could fill any of us but it's what we had, and I'm not complaining.

"Looks like you kept your promise after all. ' I chimed, trying to hide the annoyance in my voice.

"It's not like the poor things had many places to hide. Where is your friend?"

"She was tired and went in for the night."

"Shame she should really be up and eat, she'll need her strength. Battle no matter how hard you train or how well prepared you are will not be an easy feat."

"Yeah." I voiced. Then it hit me that I was the only lion here who had never been in a real battle. Because when it was time for me to act…I fled."

"Here, I'll take it to her." Said Sarafina. I nodded in the direction she went.

"Here." Amara dropped the full hare before me. " Eat."

"But that only leaves one for you three. I can't."

"We will make due and you must. You're to lead this pride to victory it starts with having a strong king to follow." Hmp, I wish right now that the words strong king were more convincing to me.

" Whatever is on your heart now will have to wait til after our victory tomorrow," Zuri spoke, she has been a lioness of few words. As she is one to be on the observant side of things. I must have given off some look for her to know. " You young lions are easy to read."

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize to me, just make sure it doesn't hinder you tomorrow."

"Right," I said, picking up the hare. I hadn't had to stomach to eat it, but I felt it would be foolish of me not to take these lionesses' advice. I had to think about that task on paw first." See you in the morning."

The hours before dawn broke faster than they had ever done before. Now we were following the Valley pride lionesses around the backway to get in a better position. The instructions Sefu gave us were easy, don't look down, or risk falling to our deaths. Simple enough. But the curiosity of our feline instinct has its definite drawbacks.

I dared to take a peek over the ledge. The drop below into the black abyss seemed limitless. It was enough to distract me as I found myself bumping into Nala who still hadn't said a word to me since last night. I caught her glancing behind at me to shoot me a look to 'focus'. All I could do in that moment was swallow the words in my stomach and press on.

When we reached the peak of the summit everything within a bird's eye view was below us. I saw sets of hyenas traveling in pairs, there had to be at least 7 roaming the outside. And there's no way to know for sure how many Nuka has waiting for us on the inside. We stalked in the line down the slope, we were halfway down the cliff until a rock side caught our attention as stones came crumbling down the cliff side.

"Shit!" cussed Sefu " Move now!"

With no time to think, we all ran down the cliff side, trying to dodge every passing stone that came tumbling our way. By the time we made it to the cliff base, the alarm cry of hyenas howling in the air became a deafening cry.

But the rock slide kicked up thick clouds of dust that blurred our vision and choked our lungs. Yet the scent of hyenas was on us, they were here and it was time to battle.

With no warning, hyenas came to all sides. To make up more ground we all split in either direction taking on two of three hyeansa at a time. Fur flew, teeth chomped and the smell of blood clung to the air. "Simba!" I looked over to see Nala, who was in the midst of fighting two hyenas with her mother. " They're getting away!"

I looked beyond the fighting for my eyes to catch three hyenas making an escape back to the others and I quickly rushed after them. I managed to catch up with one, tripping him with my claws. The hyenas went stumbling to the ground. I sunk my claws into his hide quarters making it impossible for him to move. The dog whelped and struggled, but it was no use. He was mine.

"Where is he?" I growled. "Where is Nuka!"

"I-I don't know!"

"Take me to him!"

"O-okay okay…" his words were frustrating. " ..I…I can take you to the main den" I was inches from his face, and I could smell his fear as it seeped into me.

"Do it- now."

I followed after the wounded hyena, pondering the words he said, if this were true then at means we…we just missed him. And if not, then I was walking right into a trap- but that was a risk I was willing to take. When I got to the main den, as on cue three hyenas stood to attention, teeth bared and ready for the kill, I knew it.

"Stand down!…I said stand down…"

"Why he's the enemy?" snapped grey Hynea

"We're outnumbered…" he begrudbly answered. After hearing that information to my surprise they did stand down, but it was reluctant. I was joined by the other lionesses after Nala and the others were done handling the hyenas that had attacked us. In all, there were 8 remaining hyenas trapped all together. I had recused my cousin Vitani, and Kenya's sister from a side den. I was so happy to see all of them, I didn't know what to do. I was just relieved they were all safe.

Yet I could see the way my cousin carried herself, an awkward almost painful glance in her eyes as she limped over to me. I knew only one lion had to be responsible for this. Sarafina and Nala were able to find three of their pride sisters they had left behind, but there was no word on Limpo.

Now it was time to get answers.

"Where did he go?" asked Vitani, Sefu and her sisters circled the trapped hyenas. When they refused to answer the lionesses took it upon themselves to inflict justice. Neither Vitani nor any other lion interjected. " I'll say it again, where is my brother?"

One hyeans with a deep slash going across his back, cleared his throat by spitting out blood. " He left…genius."

"What…why?" again no answer. With a nod of Vitani's head, Zuri lunged at a hyena, smacking him across his face. three sharp teeth went flying into the air " Why did he leave?" again these hyenas would rather choose unwavering loyalty than compliance.

I couldn't stop the growl that was escaping my throat at the fact that he was right here…and I had missed him. To clear my head and regain some of my sanity from pure madness I stepped away. I knew Vitani could handle the interrogation.

As I looked beyond the trial that had to be the entrance into the mountain pride territory. I could see faintly left tracks…That fucking coward. I don't know how long Nala was standing behind me.

"He left before we got here. Sometime in the middle of the night." I remained silent. " He went back to Pride Rock and from the looks of if he took Kenya with him."

"Why when he had the numbers here."

"Before we left, Nuka made a number of hyenas stay back to keep Priderock under his occupancy." of course, because why wouldn't he have a backup plan? " Maybe we can use this to our advantage."

"How?" before she could answer my questions my eye caught Vitani making her way towards us. Her staggering steps were all the reminder. "Vitani what's happened?" she held each of us with an uncomfortable gaze. What was she about to tell us?

" It looks like no one had any knowledge of this plan even the hyenas that he basically left behind as collateral damage."

"He wants the battle at priderock?" I asked. " I'll give him what he wants then." My paws began to pace below me without my control. I watched as Vitani nodded, but as I looked at my cousin her face began to turn grey and her eyes looked like they carried a deep disturbing distraught. "What is it? Tell me Vit."

"Can I speak with Simba for a minute Nala?" she asked.

"Sure thing." Once Nala was out of earshot Viatni cleared her throat. Whatever she had to say I know it cannot be good.

" Nuka he did this so he can battle you Simba by sunrise tomorrow morning…and if you aren't back in priderock by then… he will kill Kenya." My eyes saw nothing but red. "…simba."

I turned and lashed out at the nearest thing to me. My claws scrapped on top of cold stone. "I'm leaving now-"

"Simba… simba wait- just listern to me. You know this is playing right into his trap."

" I don't care."

"think clearly-."

"He's given me until sunrise tomorrow that was pretty clear enough!" my cousin didn't budge despite my screaming at her, because I knew deep down she also knew what I was saying was true.

"If you travel through the night you sound make it."

"Is this you giving me your blessing then?"

" Nuka is gone…I'm back the queen of this land." So in short yes.

" I understand, do her sisters know?" Vitani shook her head saying. no. I took in deep breath. " I need to go alone."

"I know. If you follow their tracks you'll be on the quickest route to the pridelands." I went over and nuzzled my cousin for her help.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here to protect you."

"I know, now go. Before everyone starts asking and Simba... kill that bastard."

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Arika- yes most if not all my fanfic are rated T to be on the safe side because I usually have a lot of different adult situations or triggering topics in my fanfic.

Also Thank you for the new followers and favs! See you all in the next chapter.