Well, here we are, folks! Chapter 1 of The Lion King Adventures: The Wild Child REMASTERED! Thank you for the lovely reviews on that latest update! I hope you guys enjoy what I have planned for this remaster! Don't worry; the original story will stay uploaded, so don't worry about that. Please don't be afraid to add a review if you have any feedback! It has been two years since I updated the original story, and I would love to know what you all like or dislike. Alright, enough, stalling. Enjoy Chapter 1!
Chapter 1: The New Dawn
Our story begins in Africa on a calm and peaceful April night, but that all changed when the shining radiance of the moon in that pitch-black sky was disturbed by heavy, thick clouds. The ground began to tremble as all those twinkling stars faded from view, and more clouds overtook the sky. The ground was not trembling from an approaching stampede as pitter patters of rain and chilling winds became overpowering downpours and destructive wind gusts. Thunder crashed, and lightning flashed, suddenly illuminating the ground below with the echoing roars of nature. Animals took cover from the tiny meerkats hiding in their tunnels to the tall giraffes, hoping to take cover under some dense trees—anything to escape the raw power of the land's might. A small village in the far outskirts of Pride Rock, found far in the east, was too trying to brave the storm.
Their huts built from mud and wood were valiantly standing up to the forces of nature, and their inhabitants risked their wellbeing to keep their homes in good condition. Within one of these huts, two humans emerged to assist the villages' endeavours in keeping their village standing. But they were not from around here. No, these two folks from the Western world stayed part of the 'African Poverty Program' to help poor African communities survive this difficult time. April was always a troubling time indeed for the African people. The heavy rains and storms, in tandem with the more intense sunshine, made it difficult for these villagers to get the necessities needed to survive.
Thomas and Kara Starford were executives behind the program, believing it was their duty to do their part alongside those who worked for them. Thomas was a kind yet stern man with neat and trimmed short brown hair, and behind those calculated blue eyes was a warm, passionate man whose passion for nature and helping those in need could only be beaten by his love for his family. He mumbled at the intensity of the weather, trying not to feel the biting chill in his heavy raincoat and boots. Kara Starford was right behind, a polite young lady whose laugh could soothe the woes of family, friends, or strangers alike. She rushed out all suited up as best she could in this weather. Her stunning hazel eyes looked on in horror as the villagers panicked to save their homes, her ruby-red hair flowing and fanning wildly.
Before they left to assist the villagers, the two told their five-year-old son Matthew to hide under the bed until the storm was over. They knew how bad the weather could get in Africa around this time, but no planning could have prepared them for this. With no one available to look after their child, they had no choice but to bring him along for the ride. The only comfort in this nerve-wracking decision was he could learn something out here. Thomas and Kara regretted their choice tenfold, but it was too late. They kissed his forehead and stroked his hair, trying to soothe his paranoia and fear, giving him plenty of blankets to keep himself warm and safe before shutting the door. It was too dangerous for someone so young and vulnerable to be caught in this natural crossfire. No one could hear the soft cries coming from inside the hut as the messy brown-haired boy had no one to comfort him during this scary event, his striped blue and white shirt moist with tears.
"M-Mama... P-Papa..." The child wailed louder as a massive bang resonated from outside, shuddering under a giant blanket. "Mama! Papa!" He missed his father's deep yet gentle voice. Matthew missed his mother's bright smile and soft humming. They were always there for him in situations like this, but not this time.
During the cover of the bombarding rain, several shadows sneaked and weaved between the rattling trees, taking advantage of this perfect opportunity. They were speeding by with such agility that not even the soggy, muddy ground held back their velocity. At first, it would have seemed to outside eyes that their movements were random and jagged, but that was far from the truth. It was all with absolute precision, as each shape waited in perfect positions surrounding the village. Deep flashes of the storm only lit their eyes of pure burning red, which lowered in deep and ferocious daggers. The young child continued to whimper softly, unaware of the sudden danger outside as the screams of those beyond that door were drowned out by the heavy downpour.
Panic ran through the village as some tried to grab weapons to defend themselves while others instinctively fled. They weren't prepared for this disaster, let alone another one. Kara's motherly instincts were too strong, as with wobbly legs, she ran through the muck to the house containing her child, freezing as one of the attacking shadows jumped in front to block her advances, huffing out a warning growl. Her husband was behind her with heavy eyes as the two became surrounded. They had nothing to defend themselves with. Kara shuddered as she began to sob, clinging to Thomas' frame as he wrapped his arms around his wife to comfort her.
"I... B-But our son..."
She clenched her eyes tight as holding back tears was no longer an option.
"I-I know that... But we cannot risk his life, too. We must be brave and pray that a shining beacon will guide him to safe hands."
The two said nothing and held each other tight as the shadows descended, engulfing them in darkness. When the dust settled, and the shadows had vanished, only the various red stains splattered over the wooden walls and destroyed huts marked this tragic tragedy; the loss of life was so heavy that not even the aggressive rain and howling winds could wipe away the slate clean. Tiny whimpers and cries still emerged from the cracks in that one hut, lucky to be still standing yet could come down at any moment. Those shrill and scared sobs were stifled by the weather, protecting the child inside from any further danger, unaware of the fate that fell upon his parents. A few days had passed, and the awful storm had taken a break. If one looked up to see that fiery sun shining across the never-ending pastel blue sky and the deep green ground of the Pride Lands, not a single soul would know what had transpired that night.
It had been a short few weeks since Simba and his pride defeated Zira, and the last of her resistance, the Outsiders, had a change of heart and joined the Pridelanders. Life in the Pride Lands seemed all well. Kovu and Kiara had become mates, and the rest of the pride couldn't be happier for them. Simba and his mate Nala had chosen them to be the next king and queen, and Rafiki couldn't be happier to perform the ceremony. It was late morning, just before the sun got too hot, and the land was calm. The brown-furred ex-Outsider trod carefully out for a mission set by Simba. During the morning report, animals heard screams from beyond the trees outside the Pride Lands' borders. Kovu immediately volunteered to venture out, for his heart was still too heavy from the guilt of trying to assassinate Simba to kickstart Zira's foul schemes. The feline's muscles relaxed as the cool breeze flew over his scarred face, his mane dancing in the breeze as he ran. "Ahhh. What a breeze", the lion thought as he leapt from rocks up high to the cool grass below, moving past the waterhole, only stopping briefly for a quick drink to regain his energy and keep cool from the heat soon to follow.
Kovu felt his body enjoying the reprieve from the sun's fiery intensity, its rays blocked by the canopy of shady trees around and above him. "This must be where the animals had heard those screams," the lion thought aloud, taking things from a slower and more moderate approach. He didn't want to be too hasty and get into danger. The feline's ears perked up now that Kovu saw nothing but trees surrounding him, knowing that danger could be around any corner. But as the lion got deeper and deeper, he soon realised something was off. Something must have knocked the trunks down; whatever it was, it must have been powerful enough to throw branches, leaves, and other forest matter astray. Kovu remembered the awful weather a few days ago, but this didn't look natural. It didn't look right.
He paused when those focused green eyes caught something red marked on the grass and wood up ahead. It looked like blood. The young prince leaned down to sniff, inspecting the strange substance further. It was dry blood. All that rain made it hard for the lion to pinpoint the scent and its origin. And that scared him. Little remained of the red stuff flaked off as one of his paws came into contact as he walked past to investigate further. Kovu's suspicions were accurate; there was more to this than just the storm. Someone or something was hunting, and it wasn't for food. He had seen enough. He had to warn Simba. The lion was about to turn around when the faint sobbing stopped him. The cries came from further into the trees.
"What is that? It sounds like crying."
Kovu stood still, thinking of what to do next as the crying filled his ears, bringing an eerie undertone to this disturbing revelation. Should he inform Simba of his discovery and convince the king to allow a more extensive search party? Or should he go and investigate himself? Someone could be in danger! Before thinking any longer, the feline found himself running deeper without hesitation. His kind heart controlled his actions, and he hoped it wouldn't lead him into trouble. The sobbing increased in volume as he went further in, and after pushing through some bushes, he came to a large clearing surrounded by trees. Destroyed remains of huts lined up in front of the dark-toned lion as if on display; the atmosphere disturbed the feline as he looked on with wide eyes and a dropped muzzle. Kovu stayed still with unease as he realised who the huts belonged to before taking some steps back into the safety of the trees in case. It was a settlement of man. Man was ruthless, remembering the stories of how they had hunted many animals for sport with a stick that shot lightning. At the same time, Kovu was aware of man existing but a pride this close to the Pride Lands. The thought sent shivers up his spine.
He would have turned his tail immediately to inform Simba if it hadn't been for how abandoned the place was. Parts of the wood from the destroyed settlements were tinged with more of those darkened red splotches Kovu had found before in areas where the rain couldn't reach it. A quick sniff confirmed it—more blood stains. The blood had to have originated from here. Kovu was both interesting and unsettled at the same time. But what happened here? Kovu questioned. The sobbing suddenly increased in volume, the lion freezing as he looked towards where the sound came from.
"H-Hello? Who's there...? Are you alright...?"
The feline called out with no reply; the source of the crying stopped utterly, almost immediately. It only sparked Kovu's interest further. Whatever was crying was here, but why did it stop? Did they not want help? The lion tried to calm himself back down, trying to think about the situation while keeping his ears focused in case of danger. The crying could be a trap for all he knew. He wanted to be ready to counterattack if the sound was a threat. However, what if it wasn't a threat? What if whoever was crying was innocent? What if it thought he was the threat? His ears led Kovu to the hut, still partly stable, his mind fighting between going further or fleeing but kept moving forward. The lion poked his head into the now-destroyed opening that used to be its entrance, knowing it could come down at any time, gasping at what he saw. Broken shards of clay littered around the place, and the ground was a complete mess; it was hard to tell whether the storm did this or something worse.
A hushed whimper caught the lion's attention, sounding familiar. It was the crying Kovu heard before. It sounded like it came from under the remains of the partly standing bed in the corner—the perfect hiding spot. Kovu leaned down to see a large blanket riddled with holes and dirt that held a slight shuddering bulge with the whimpers coming from underneath it. That was it! That was the source of the crying! Kovu leaned in to gently nudge the crying form with his wet nose, making the sobbing louder. The bulge tightened defensively like an animal trying to protect itself. The crying sounded young—too young. Could it be a cub of some kind?
"D-Don't worry... I'm not here to hurt you. I only want to help you. Are you hurt? I'm going to take this... thing off you slowly, okay? I want to make sure you're alright."
Kovu tenderly reassured the shivering mass, noticing the bulge becoming silent. He wasn't surprised with how young the crying seemed. He gently grazed the edge of the blanket with his teeth, confused by the strange texture of whatever was in his mouth. He slowly pulled it backwards to reveal what was underneath without harming it. But what was lying underneath shocked Kovu to the core! It was a young human child in the fetal position, hugging what looked like a small animal. A young man-cub... He looked up at Kovu with hazel eyes glistening with tears, sniffling as dirty hands clutched the stuffed toy close. His shirtless body quickly revealed the many cuts and scars covering his thin, undernourished frame. His pants had been torn and tatted with holes up the sides. Matthew had been here all along since that unfortunate night! The small, frail boy looked up at the lion with hazel eyes filled with fear. How long had he been here? How was he even still alive? Where did the others go? As far as he was aware, man never abandoned their cubs.
"Ahhh! N-No, don't eat me... I'm not yummy..."
The young human cried in terror and pulled the long blanket to hide once more, shivering heavily as his dirty bare feet disappeared under the covers. Kovu didn't know what to think of the small thing; he was utterly shocked. The boy looked so weak and hungry with how thin he was. He knew what it was like to be hungry. Kovu's time in the Outlands rushed his mind with an emotional bombardment. Not having enough food... or clean water... Kovu felt sorry for the crying infant. He felt a sudden urge to care for and protect him, even if he was a cub of man.
"Hey... hey... shssh... shssh... It's alright, little one... I won't hurt you... Where are your Mummy and Daddy?"
Kovu leaned down to the boy's level to appear more friendly, recognising the child had already gone through a lot. From those stories, Simba told the pride that they couldn't communicate with man for some reason. It made sense as the boy didn't respond to him, but whether it was he was alone or from the fact there was a lion right next to him, Kovu did not know, but he did know one thing. The lion reached out with a paw to gently caress and stroked the shivering lump under the blanket, hoping to comfort the scared cub as he heard light sobbing again. Kovu wanted to show the infant he wasn't alone anymore. That there was someone here for him. The shivering stopped as the crying softened when the boy felt something stroke his back, reminding him of how his mother used to stroke him the same way after a bad dream. Tiny shaking hands pulled back the blanket to reveal that same sniffling face.
The dark-furred lion was still there, smiling down upon him with a gentle smile and those warm, glowing green eyes. The child said nothing and stayed as still as a statue; he had heard the stories of lions from his parents, remembering how scary and ferocious they were. They scared him but also fascinated him from those picture books, and on those safaris, he went on with his parents. He tried to tell them what they were saying but laughed it off. But this one was smiling at him with those eyes. Eyes he had never seen on a lion before were full of care. Matthew didn't know what to do, watching as Kovu lowered his head onto his paws and just watched him. Despite his better judgement, he crept up and slowly approached, coming more and more out from beneath the blanket as a shaky hand rested on Kovu's muzzle. Matthew always wanted to do this but never could before. He just had to see whether this lion was friend or foe. To Matthew's surprise, Kovu leaned in and slowly licked the hand gently, being careful of his rough tongue. The child couldn't resist a soft giggle, pulling back from the weird yet fantastic sensation. Kovu couldn't help but laugh at the young boy's innocence and cuteness.
Kovu instinctively stayed close, for deep down, his paternal instincts were going through the roof. He knew this young one would not survive in the wild for much longer, gently licking the boy's fresher wounds, being just as careful. He wanted to clean them, not make them worse. How he survived for this long alone was a miracle, to say the least. Eventually, he was bound to be picked off by a predator or, at the very least, starved to death. None of the possible outcomes for the child that ran through the lion's head were positive. Kovu decided to take the child back with him to Pride Rock. He was worried about what the others would think, especially Simba and Nala. They would surely try to make him abandon the child out of fear men would try looking for him. But it was worth the risk. Kovu knew the child wouldn't have another day out here.
Feeling something pressed against his soft fur interrupted his train of thought. It was the human. The young child had crawled over to Kovu and gently clung onto his side, hiding his face in the cat's warm, soft fur as he curled up. As Kovu smiled down and curled around him, an unnerving thought ran through his mind, trying to communicate once again.
"I must ask little one...? Where are your parents?"
The child became quiet and defensive, freezing up. He hid more in Kovu's fur, and tears formed once again. Even after all the time, he still missed them.
"I-I don't know... They are gone... I'm all alone... I-I want them back... I-I want my M-Mama and P-Papa..."
Kovu was left stunned, if not gobsmacked. Did the child understand him perfectly? Word for word? Simba's stories never prepared him for this. Kovu's instincts raged through him like wildfire; the knowledge they could now communicate made the once-rogue's heart race. Kovu leaned down to gently nuzzle the mancub, cooing lovingly into the child's ear. He shushed and crooned, all the while gentle purrs rumbled from his throat, hoping to soothe the child. Kovu slowly wiped them away with a tender paw. "Shhhhhh... No more tears, little one... I am here now... You are safe... I will look after you until we can find them, okay?" Matthew's frail body settled down fully as the lion's words entered his mind and calmed his nerves. He couldn't remember the last time he felt safe with a lion. The feline looked on lovingly as he curled around the child tighter, his legs keeping the boy close to him. He couldn't get his head around how this mancub could understand him.
The lion continued to coo sweetness into Matthew's ear, tucking the child against his warm fur. The little human looked up, half of his body snuggled into the lion, those little beady hazel eyes staring up. "Re-Really?" A tiny voice scratched out from his dry throat: "Of course, little one." Kovu smiled, using a paw to ruffle the child's messy hair, which made the child break out in little giggles. It was the most precious smile Kovu had ever seen. "If I may ask... What is your name? Everyone must have a name, no?" The lion chuckled softly. Matthew looked up nervously at the lion who was curled around him, clinging to the feline's fur with quivering hands. He did not want to let go. "I-I'm Matthew..."
Kovu licked his hair softly with a deep, loving smile on his muzzle. "It's very nice to meet you, Matthew. My name is Kovu. You have been so brave, haven't you? What a brave little cub, but it will be alright. I will help you find your parents. Are you thirsty, little one? Are you hungry? You must surely be after being here for such a long time." Kovu enquired, becoming concerned for the boy's wellbeing. The boy became silent, gently nodding as if too afraid to add to the conversation. Kovu offered to take the child to a nearby waterhole so he could quench his thirst before getting him something to eat. Kovu knew nothing about what man cubs ate, but surely Rafiki would know.
The boy declined, his hands shuddering as quivering fingers dug deeper into that velvet-like fur. "N-No, I-I wanna stay here... Outside is bad... M- Mama and P-Papa told me to stay here." The lion knew the child was scared. It didn't surprise him how long he was out here for. Kovu didn't know how long his parents were gone, hoping that those blood stains weren't from them. No, he had to keep faith for Matthew's sake. But the child needed water and food soon; his condition could get worse. "Do not worry, little one... I will be there... I will keep you safe, little cub, but you cannot stay here. I will take you somewhere safe until we can return you to your parents."
The child couldn't find it to look Kovu in the eyes, hiding further into the ex-rogue's stomach as those cheeks blushed brightly from what Kovu had told him. It reminded him of when his father used to call him such sweet nicknames. It reminded him of simpler times. As those hazel orbs flickered back and forth, unsure of what to do next, he looked up to meet the lion's green gaze. "I-I'm not a c-cub... Why did you c-call me that?" The feline chuckled at how attached the boy was to him, letting that warm smile grow on his muzzle as Kovu leaned down to nuzzle Matthew's cheek. He had to reassure him that everything would be alright. "Because that is what you are," Kovu explained. "Our babies are called cubs, and while you are in my care... until we can reunite you with my parents. You will be my cub, and I will do my best to keep you safe. I promise you that. This place is not safe, little one. It may look like it, but it isn't. I can take you somewhere safer. But you must trust me. You do trust me, right?"
Matthew looked around the hut he was staying in with his parents before that night, horrible memories flashing in his mind before it got too much, hiding his face in Kovu's warmth with a tight grip before nodding. "Y-Yes, Kovu, I-I trust you."
Kovu sighed with relief, knowing that taking things slow and steady was the best way forward, considering how scared the child was. He just had to get him outside. But how? It took some time for him to slowly stand, with Matthew clinging onto his side. They took it nice and slow, the lion never raising his voice or rushing the little boy who imprinted on him. "Go on... That's it... It'll be alright... I'll be right here alongside you, little one. Every step of the way..."
He watched with a smile, getting closer and closer to the doorway as Matthew stared at the bright sky and heard the birds chirping. A little foot stepped forward, and he was about to take a second but pulled back immediately. His legs were still frozen. With shaky legs and a quiver in his voice, he wrapped those small arms around Kovu's neck and hid in his mane. "I-I can't do it... I'm too scared. I'm not b-brave like you..."
Kovu sat on his back legs, wrapping his front paws around the boy to bring him into the warm and soft sanctuary that was his body. "I know you are, Matthew. I know... But you must be strong for me, okay? Be strong for me, little cub. You are doing so well. I cannot be prouder. Just a few more steps." Kovu brought his muzzle to the boy's cheek and softly nuzzled away, releasing calming purrs and rumbles from his throat until he knew the child had settled back down. It took too many attempts before a single tiny human foot reached outside. Kovu couldn't be prouder, looking on with a warm green gaze.
However, getting the human to the waterhole was more difficult than expected for the gentle lion. Any little noise sent Matthew into the lion's side, shivering and whimpering as he requested to return to the safety of the half-broken-down hut. "I-I don't want to do this... K-Kovu..." Kovu pressed his cheek against the human's own, closing his eyes gently as he embraced the infant by scooping a paw on his back. He did this every time the child panicked, consistently showing him he was safe with Kovu nearby. To confirm nothing would happen to him. The two soon reached the waterhole just after midday, where the sun was still high in the sky and beating down with intense heat. Kovu knew Matthew was in great danger and vulnerable to the animals and the elements. He had to drink.
A kaleidoscope of creatures, from gazelles to rhinos to giraffes, was by the water's edge, hoping to cool down from the sun's heated rage. They froze as Kovu entered the scene with this strange ape thing by his side in weird colours. That mess of hair on top of his head that all those peculiar fur-less apes had. It quickly hid behind Kovu in fear. Seeing the boy to be no threat, they went back to drinking; it looked too frail and sick to be of any real danger. Kovu ignored them as the child was his only priority. With gentle nudging from Kovu's nose, the child could reach the water's edge, and from the safety of the lion's front paws, he showed the boy how to drink. "T-Thank you, Kovu..." Kovu chuckled and nuzzled the child's cheek, congratulating him on a well-done job. Matthew's heart was filled with joy as the boy happily leaned into the affectionate gesture. The animals nearby began to whisper.
"What is Kovu doing with man?" said a gazelle.
"Doesn't he know man is our enemy?" Replied the zebra.
"He will kill us all one day; someone needs to tell the king." A scared meerkat squeaked.
Hearing them, Matthew looked up at Kovu with worry; his head lowered as he sniffed. Enemy? Threat? He never heard of being called those sorts of words before. What did he do wrong? He was just a child lost in a world unfamiliar to him, with his parents nowhere in sight. He knew he shouldn't have left that hut. Kovu gave the onlookers a disapproving look, keeping the child close to his chest with a paw.
"He is not our enemy. He is lost and alone. He has no one. He had gotten separated from his parents. How can you look at a defenceless and lost cub and call him a threat?" Kovu had a reason to be so defensive. Those same animals falsely accused and shunned him for betraying Simba's trust. The animals scoffed and walked away, having their fill of water. They thought Kovu was speaking utter nonsense. How could they trust a man, even if it was just a cub?
Deep down, the lion knew this child would not cause destruction. While the infant was in his care, Kovu would raise the child with love and kindness. He held Matthew in his paws, cradled like a real cub, as Kovu watched Matthew snuggle closely with half the human's face nestled deeply in his mane. The child felt the soothing wave of sleep wash over him, relaxing the boy. He yawned as he got all comfortable. He hadn't had a good, safe night's sleep in forever; he had always slept in fear of being mauled, tucked under that rickety old bed. He was still hungry, but that would have to wait. He needed to rest.
The child felt his protector gently lift him by the back of his shirt like a lion would pick up its cub by its scuff. The movement made Matthew open his eyes in confusion, wondering what Kovu was doing. He chuckled, getting down and motioning for the boy to get on his back. Matthew did so, clinging on as best the child could with those tired limbs as the boy hid his face in Kovu's back fur. The lion let off soft hushes and coos as he heard soft whines from the human, his gentle send-off to sleep being disturbed. Kovu looked around, finding somewhere soft and quiet for the boy to rest. Those soft paws gently trotted on the grass, looking for the right place. He found himself at the base of Pride Rock, where talking could be heard up above. He could hear Simba talking. The lion was nervous to introduce the child to the king; what would he say? Would he shun him? Exile him? Or worse, kill the child? "W-Where are we going, Kovu?" The lion heard the child mutter, still too sleepy to move. "A-Are we going where you live?"
Kovu nodded, shushing the boy until he had settled once more before sneaking around and finding a small cave at the base of the large mountain. It felt warm and seemed safe enough; it would have to do. The lion walked inside and settled down at the very back of the den. Kovu looked behind himself to ensure no one followed, the still-sunny day shining through. The cave wasn't ideal, for another animal could have owned it, and the bright day outside could make it challenging for Matthew to sleep, let alone wonder what the child could eat. Taking care of Matthew would be more confusing than he first thought.
Kovu laid down and gently slid the child into his arms, chuckling at the little bundle immediately snuggling close. Despite the comfort of Kovu's embrace, the little boy still has this sense of unease. Kovu took notice of his uneasy expression and comforted the child. Using his muzzle, Kovu had nudged the boy gently into hiding from any potential outside onlookers between him and the wall. He tucked the little one close to his front paws to ensure Matthew was comfortable. To soothe the child, Kovu pressed his head against the boy's cheek softly, gently nuzzling away while purring a soothing lullaby, humming with a hushed voice.
"Shhh... Sleep now, little one... It is time for sleep..."
Kovu's voice was so soothing, so gentle, and so warm. The child hid his head in the lion's fur to block out the light, finding it more challenging to keep his eyes open. Those little hazel orbs flickered on and off before slowly closing. The boy began to snooze, curled up in the fetal position, reminding Kovu of all the birds he would see in their little nests in the trees, incubating their eggs. As Kovu watched down upon the little sleeping form of the child, he knew then and there that he would take the child in regardless of what anyone said. Not even Simba... Until the boy's parents were found, Kovu wouldn't give up. Then, thoughts of going to Simba for help flooded his mind; it would help with the search. But what would he say? He knew how Simba felt about man. It would cause panic as the lion continued to watch; new plans left as soon as they entered his mind, not knowing what to do until it hit him. Kiara. He could ask his mate. She would know what to do. He knew she could be willing to listen.
Kovu felt relaxed, had a strong plan, and knew what to do. He smiled as he rested his head and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as his muzzle was close to Matthew's head out of instinct. Those green eyes couldn't look away; his whole world turned upside down. Everything was so uncertain now, and fear crept into Kovu's mind. He hadn't fully gotten over how the Pridelanders reacted to being Zira's son and how they thought he was behind that ambush. He wouldn't dare to think of what they would say if they could see him now... Kovu took a deep breath to calm down, holding the boy tight. He had priorities. What does a lion feed a mancub anyway?
Okay! Chapter 1 of the remaster is completed! I hope you all don't mind the small changes I have made. Don't worry; the core story will stay the same. It's updated chiefly to minor inconsistencies like finding out the wet season is in April and lions having spines on their tongues used to remove feathers and fur from bones. It's not so good when a lion is caring for a five-year-old. There are also some updates to the grammar. It may not be perfect, but that is a learning process. Let me know what you guys all think. Have a good one!
ProphecyPhrase out!