Hey guys! I hope you all are doing well! To answer something that came up in the reviews for the last chapter regarding Simba, he will still be at first hostile towards Matthew to follow the original, but the process of how his view will change may be different. Think of it as something to look forward to. I also returned to fix many of the grammar issues I had missed with Chapter 1. I don't know if it's accurate, as I am not a professional writer, but hopefully it's an improvement. With that said, let's begin Chapter 2!
Chapter 2: Consumed by Fear
Matthew was sitting down, back inside that hut. Unlike the delirious state it was in when Kovu found him, the room was seemingly repaired. The room had no cracks or holes, and all the furniture was back in usable condition. It seemed peaceful, the sounds of wildlife outside quieting down. He looked down to see he was wearing his old clothes, that striped shirt and his black shoes. He lifted his shirt quickly, expecting to see his body covered in those new and old scars. But there was nothing. The child closed his eyes and took a deep breath to relax as he rested his head on his knees. Matthew began questioning everything that had happened to him, from the storm to meeting Kovu. Was it all a dream? Was everything with the storm all in his head? The boy gasped as he stood up with a realisation. There was a sound outside the door. Was his parents about to enter through and scoop him up into their open arms? His father's smile. His mother's loving gaze.
No sooner than that breath was taken, the shuddering sounds of thunder and lightning crashed, bringing the boy back to the ground. The crackling and booming echoed inside the almost empty room, threatening to engulf Matthew in its resending ensemble, the child shuddering in fear. He looked around as the walls began to tremble, as if the storm outside was putting pressure on the structure. The walls and the pottery gradually became cracked and chipped; the latter exploded into shards of hardened clay out of nowhere. The boy brought his arm in instinct to shield his face as pieces scattered around the boy like flower petals.
With every passing second, the room began to slowly twist and morph into the room with which Matthew was more familiar. The weather boomed in intensity, forcing the child to his knees covering his ears in hopes of blocking out the monstrous sound. He began to cry, terrified of the raging forces of nature. It was a terrible feeling of deja vu.
"N-No… S-Stop…"
Against rain and wind, the child heard cries from outside—screams of pain and agony and suffering.
"Save me…"
"Save me, please…"
"The pain… I- It hurts…"
Shaking his head in denial, the little infant curled up tighter as he collapsed to the floor. "Stop it…! Stop it, please…!" Rivers of tears flooded those hazel orbs with shuddering hands catching the drops. The voices got louder in pitch and lower in touch, forcing their ghastly cries into the little boy's fragile mind. They screamed to be saved. Begging to be rescued. But rescued from what? And what could he do? The sounds of the storm slowly became fuzzy and distorted like static on the radio, changing in frequency until it became deafening, screeching roars. The force sent Matthew trembling, screaming for his parents over the overwhelming audio bombardment.
The screams mixed and weaved with the bestial roars, becoming more corrupted as they merged. The humans' cries became more desperate and more agonising. Scraping and slashing rebounded off every single cry of terror, and it brought the child deeper and deeper into despair. He was so scared he couldn't even speak. His skin, all of a sudden, became ice old. Those hazel eyes bulged as his breath became laboured and halted. Two voices were familiar amongst the chorus of screams.
"Son-Son… Help me…"
"P-Papa?"
"My baby… Please help… I-I can't breathe…"
"M-Mama…?"
Matthew was confused and horrified, with legs like stone and unable to budge an inch. He didn't want to be tormented by his parents like this. The sound of utter despair itched and scratched inside the child's mind. He begged for it all to stop. The door suddenly opens with a loud "BANG!" sending shockwaves throughout the room, sending the child backwards. He looked up, and the pitch-black night stared back, howling winds and torrential rain greeting him. With a quick flash, a shadowy figure was standing as if unaffected by the conditions of his environment, staring back at the child with unseen eyes.
A big flash of lightning illuminated the darkness and revealed a familiar face. Those green eyes that the boy was so used to were dull and lifeless now, and a deep growl was leaving that muzzle. It was Kovu.
"K- Kovu…? W-What's happening…?"
The lion said nothing, growling as the feline got into a hunting pounce, slowly moving in for the kill as his claws emerged from his paws and clicked on the wooden floor. As Kovu snuck ever closer, those screaming voices and the storm got louder, each flash showing off the lion's ferocious face.
"Night night… Little one… You shouldn't have trusted me…"
The voice wasn't calm and loving; it didn't soothe his worried woes. It was dripping in malice and oozing with malicious intent. Before the boy's brain could fully process the situation, the last thing Matthew saw was Kovu running up and pouncing at him. The piercing green eyes bulged with the feline going for the kill as those claws aimed around the boy's face and neck… Before suddenly silence. And complete darkness…
Matthew suddenly jolted awake, drenched in sweat, his vision foggy with tears. He breathed out heavily as he felt his skin crawl, that horrible dream sending shivers up and down his spine. Looking upward, he saw the sleeping Kovu with a soft smile on the lion's muzzle, his paws gently keeping the child close. Matthew froze as Kovu manoeuvred a paw to tuck him against his warm stomach, feeling more uneasy than ever before. He knew it was too good to be true. How could he ever trust a lion? The thought of that dream Kovu about to consume him made Matthew shudder. The boy carefully stood up from within the lion's embrace, slipping from Kovu's paws. He had to get out of there.
Walking to the den entrance, he saw it was still morning; the sky continued to have that deep, rich blue hue as the golden warmth of the sun was slowly getting warmer and warmer. The trees softly blew in the gentle breeze, showering the child with cool, refreshing air despite the still-strong heat. The shivering, barefooted human briefly looked back at his lion protector, sleeping away happily. He looked more peaceful than in his dream, but Matthew felt fear instead of relief. Kovu might be tricking him, making him let his guard down. The dream repeatedly replayed in the child's head: the hut... the screams... his parents... Kovu...
"What are you doing outside?" Kovu spoke softly.
Matthew's head turned to see the lion now up, looking at the man-cub with a worried gaze. He wasn't sure whether to sigh in relief at the sight of those calming green orbs or to be scared by the dream of Kovu attacking him. He looked back towards the shimmering setting sun.
"I-I'm sorry if I had woken you..." The child spoke softly, almost whispering. "I-I needed some fresh air..."
The brown lion exhaled in a soft, melodic hum, approaching the child in worry something would come out of nowhere and attack the poor boy. "My ears were more alert. All lions that have cubs need to be to keep them safe." He chuckled softly with a loving, tender smile on his muzzle. "Now, why don't you come in?" He requested with a mix of worry and seriousness. "It'll get cold soon."
"But I'm not your cub..." Matthew sighed, his mind continuing to lament his dream. Even though his head screamed at him to try and make a run for it, his legs were disobeyed, and the child retreated into the warm darkness of the cave. The light of the vanishing sun faded from Matthew's scarred skin. Kovu caught up with the boy and pressed his cheek to the child's, softly nuzzling away as calming purrs rumbled in his throat.
"I know you're not… But I'll look after you until I can reunite you with your parents. I don't want anything bad happening to you… I wouldn't know what I would do…" Kovu sighed softly, wondering what was ailing the child's mind. "I know the love and comfort I can provide won't be the same. But I want to be here for you. I want to be there for you until you can be reunited with them..."
Kovu's tender voice only made Matthew remember his dream more and more, feeling himself tense up as those screams returned to his mind. The feline looked up at the golden sky from the safety of the cave, watching those white clouds slowly drift on by. The lion laid down to watch the sky at a better angle, breaking the child from his inner demons, if only temporarily. "What a view... So blue... So bright... So pretty..." Kovu chuckled briefly, not before noting how much the child's expression had changed since he saw him awake at the cave's entrance. "Matthew... If there is something wrong... You can tell me."
Matthew had trouble finding the words, his thoughts getting caught in his throat. The child retreated into his pulled-up legs, hugging himself tightly for comfort amongst the lion's brown fur. "I-I didn't sleep very well..."
"Shhh... It is alright, little one. Did you have any bad dreams?" Kovu hushed the child and softly pressed his forehead against Matthew's, humming as he brought the boy closer into his warm fur.
Matthew nodded silently. "Mmhmm... Yeah..." The child hugged his legs more tightly, hiding his face to escape his problems. He did not want to look his guardian in the eyes and was worried he would see the scary green eyes from his dream look back.
Kovu's ears flattened as he exhaled softly, looking down upon the man-cub. He brought his muzzle downward to nudge the boy's side gently. "Matthew... Would you like to talk about your dream? It may help you feel better."
The child shook his head, declining the offer, but quickly changed his mind, nodding when Matthew instinctively looked to see the worried and caring look on Kovu's face. "I... That night... With my Mama and Papa... I-It just kept happening... Over and over again..."
"Would those be the same events that led you to end up stuck in that village alone?" Kovu queried.
Matthew nodded, taking a deep breath to try and hold back the tears. "Yeah... When my parents were gone... I heard screams... Their screams... T... there were growls outside..."
He carefully looked down at the man-cub, allowing him to lean against his foreleg, hushing him gently. "You don't need to say anymore, little one. I understand. You went through a lot of trauma..." Kovu smiled sympathetically and nuzzled the infant. The feline was both curious and nervous about these growls, having seen the remains of the village first-hand. If an animal could do that, then everyone was in danger. Did this cub hear what attacked that village? Hopefully, if Simba accepted Matthew into the Pride, he could talk with the king about these growls to see if this was an upcoming threat to the Pride Lands.
Matthew interrupted him with torrents of tears running down his face. "I-I know, but... I don't know what happened to them... Why did they vanish...? T-They couldn't have left me... T-They wouldn't have b-but I-I-I'm so scared Kovu! S-So scared...!" Matthew broke down, clinging to Kovu's furry body with shaking hands. "I want my Mama and Papa!"
"O-Oh... Little cub..." Kovu saw the tears that had bloomed on the child's face quickly turn into rivers, placing a paw on his head. He leaned down to softly nuzzle him as he allowed Matthew to cry into him, hugging the child tightly. "I know they wouldn't have left you purposely that night... I know they love you with all their heart... I assure you we will find the answers. I won't rest until we do. It's alright... I got you..." Kovu cooed, pressing the sobbing child close into his warm fur. "I'm sure my family will be happy to help us find them, too."
Matthew looked up with wide eyes still glossy and wet, his cheeks soggy with tears. "Y-Your family...? B-But a-aren't they lions...? W-What if they try to eat me...? Or worse..." The sniffling child began to panic, whimpering coming from his coughing throat as his panicked mind took hold.
The lion bent his head down to meet the sniffling cub's gaze with one of the most caring looks the child had ever seen. "I'm sure they won't. They are as understanding and loving as I am. They will help you find your parents once they know you. Do not fret, little cub. I will only take you to them when you feel most comfortable".
"O-Okay..." The infant nodded and, with a sob, moved closer to Kovu, seeking shelter in the lion's front paws, hiding his face in the warmth. He felt a paw softly raise his head to see those warm green orbs he was more familiar with. Matthew's hair was caressed with a soft paw brush, and his tears cleared. The lion opened those front paws wider, allowing Matthew to snuggle even deeper, pressing his face into Kovu's mane. The child nuzzled away against the soft and lush fur, those soft coos soothing him, with only soft sniffles and coughs occasionally breaking the silence. He felt slightly more at ease now that he could let out what was ailing him. "I-I miss them... Kovu..."
"I know you do, little one... I know... Shssh... Shssh... It's all going to be alright..." Kovu slowly felt the child shuffle to wrap those small arms around his neck as he heard a soft voice in his ear. "T-Thank you, Kovu..." Kovu beamed happily, gently licking Matthew on the forehead as carefully and tenderly as possible while cuddling the boy. He leaned his head close to the child's ear and gently replied with a soft smile. "You're welcome, little cub..."
"Kovu...?"
"Yes, Matthew?" Kovu replied, a soft smile on his muzzle as the lion heard the tiny voice coming from his mane. "C-Could you please call me little cub?"
The lion nodded joyfully and kept the boy close. "Of course... Little cub..." The two lay there for a long time, happy to be in the other's embrace. Kovu felt the soft movements inside his fur as the child got more comfortable. He chuckled, bringing his paws in to keep Matthew nice and nestled. A paw began to slowly massage the infant's bare back, being careful with the scars, softly humming to keep the child calm.
The two lay there for a while, the sun rising higher and higher in the sky. Kovu couldn't help but think about the events that led the lion to this moment. How could man understand him? It just wasn't possible. But here was evidence contradicting what he knew and everyone in Simba's pride knew. The child and the lion froze as a deep rumbling suddenly echoed in the rocky darkness. Matthew looked down at his stomach and blushed. He was hungry.
Kovu chuckled as he carefully patted the giggling child's head, still in his embrace. "Oh, little cub... You're hungry. Let's get you some food, shall we?" With those soft, melodic tones, he leaned down lower to allow Matthew to climb on top. He slowly raised back up to prevent the boy from falling off, allowing those tiny hands to cling to his mane softly. "Are you ready? Are you holding on tight?"
Matthew nodded, hiding his face in Kovu's warmth, feeling even more relaxed by the lion's calm, soothing voice. It was deep and gruff yet gentle at the same time. It made him feel a little safe in this somewhat dangerous landscape. "Yes Kovu..."
The lion left the cave, looking around the area, up to the tall surrounding trees, the low ground and everywhere in between. "What do you eat, little one? I am unfamiliar with what man eat. Do you eat meat like us lions do?"
The infant shook his head, remembering what his father said to him many times the best someone his age could. "We can, but my Papa said... it has to be put on fire, or I'll get sick."
"Well, that won't work... which is very worrying..." Kovu spoke with concern in his voice. He didn't want the child to get sick, yet he didn't want the boy to go hungry. Even if Simba and the others accepted Matthew, they would be against starting something as dangerous as a fire so the boy could eat. He looked at a certain old mandrill's tree, wondering if he should go and introduce the child to Rafiki; he may know of other foods the child might be able to eat. "I have an idea! Hold on tight!" The lion joyfully sprinted towards the shaman's home, feeling Matthew cling on tight. "K-Kovu...? Can't we slow down...?" The feline chuckled in response. "You'll be fine, little cub. Come on and feel the cool breeze. Try to have some fun. It'll do your body and head some good."
Matthew hesitated, still keeping his body low, but with enough encouragement, the child's head slowly rose, not knowing what Kovu meant. How would feeling the breeze make him feel better? When the warm yet refreshing African wind flowed through his hair and past his skin. It brought memories of the times he went on those safari trucks with his parents before getting to the village and how seeing the animals made the boy want to experience nature more. It was a bittersweet moment as the pain of his parents' absence still sat in his heart, but here he was... riding a lion. Matthew could feel the worries clinging onto his mind, fading away for just a second, and feeling them get blown away by the wind. "T-This feels amazing..."
Kovu chuckled as he went, his mane dancing in the wind. "See, little cub? I told you." Kovu smiled as he heard the child giggle, those soft laughs warming his heart. He wanted nothing more than to see the child happy and safe. As he ran, the lion looked at the sky, thinking about the child's parents. He just hoped wherever they were... They were safe and sound. Thoughts danced around Kovu's head, and these strange new paternal feelings he had for Matthew that the lion couldn't understand ran through his veins; his face became more stern as he felt himself run faster. He had made a promise to this child. This precious, vulnerable, and defenceless little cub. He promised he would protect him. He made a vow to return this child to his parents. And he was determined to keep it.
"I will bring him to you. I will bring your child to you safe and sound. I swear it. I swear on my life. I will not rest until I see that he is returned... And that is a promise..."
"...Kovu... Kovu...?"
Kovu was brought out of his deep thoughts as Matthew's voice entered his ears. The child was clinging to his mane, his voice desperate and tinged with worry. His eyes were glazed over with tears; the boy must still be thinking about his parents. He must have been calling out his name while he was in deep thought. Poor thing, he must have been worried. "I'm sorry, little one," Kovu chuckled nervously. "I was just in thought".
The child questioned why, looking up at the clear sky that Kovu was staring at. "But why were you looking up at the sky? Did you see something?"
The lion chuckled. "Oh, no, little one, I was thinking about something... how we can find your parents." He smiled as soft purrs rumbled his throat, blushing softly as the child hugged him still on Kovu's back.
"T-Thank you, Kovu... I-I'm happy I met you... b-best f-friend..." The child nuzzled into Kovu's mane, his body releasing tension as he felt the warmth from the feline's fur wash over him. The feline's blushing grew stronger, his furred cheeks glowing a deep red. "U-Uhhh... T-Thank you, little cub, it-it is nothing." An old baobab tree came closer into view, grabbing the lion and the human's attention. Kovu coughed a little to regain composure. "That's where we're headed. An old friend of the king's family lives there. He should know more about your kind and what they eat. Hopefully, he can help us find something you can eat. How does that sound?"
"I-I don't know..." Matthew retreated into Kovu's back fur, hiding in the protective warmth it gave the child. "I'm worried something bad may happen..."
"Don't worry, little cub," Kovu assured the boy with a smile. "I'm here... And I won't let anyone hurt you..." The lion smiled happily, letting out a big, goofy grin. Seeing the child giggle warmed his heart and made his paternal instincts bloom. He needed to get to Rafiki. He had been gone for a long while. He wondered if Simba, Kiara, and the others were wondering where he was, still unsure of how to reveal the boy now in his care.
As Matthew watched the African savannah rush by him on Kovu's back, flashes of stills from his dream appeared, like a paused scene from a film. He then thought back to how Kovu comforted him and hugged him tightly. Those ever so soothing tones calming him, that velvet-like fur. While he was still not entirely trustworthy of Kovu, his best chance of survival and seeing his parents again was to stay with the lion. What other option did he have? He knew nothing about living in the open wilderness, especially alone.
"We're here, little cub". Kovu proclaimed as he snapped the child out of his thoughts, laying down so Matthew could slide off his back. The tree towered over the two, the green leaves swaying in the breeze. "I hope he's home... Rafiki! It's Kovu! Are you there?" The lion jumped up at the tree's base, arching his head high as he continued calling for the monkey.
Matthew looked around at the surrounding area, the seemingly empty expanse sending shivers down his spine. He hated wild open spaces as they scared him. Something could attack him out of nowhere. He cowered close to Kovu, steadying himself for danger to strike.
"Well, I never thought I would see a human with my own eyes!" A joyful, shrill voice suddenly bursting from the treetops sent the child to the floor in a shriek. The child looked around to see where the sound came from. Leaves on top of the baobab tree rustled strangely, with a suspicious aura. "W-Who said that?"
"I did, of course, little human. Who else could it be?"
Kovu immediately recognised the voice, moving away from the tree to wrap a comforting paw around the human's shaky frame. Those green eyes widened from the old monkey called Matthew. So that was what they were called? Humans... "Rafiki. We need to speak to you about something important."
"Ahh! I know! I have heard of this poor little man-cub's problem." The mandrill chuckled as he appeared from the canopy to stand before the duo.
Matthew couldn't believe his eyes or ears. This talking monkey, whom he had never seen, knew about him being separated from his parents. The slender monkey watched him eagerly, holding a thin stick adorned with fruit, which reminded the boy of a walking stick. Just how old was this monkey? The whole situation was making the child uncomfortable with this crazy mandrill.
Kovu was shocked that Rafiki knew about the child's situation. "Wait? Y-You knew? About his parents? Why didn't you act sooner? D-Do you know where his parents are?" The feline asked, mixed emotions dancing in his head.
"That I sadly do not know. But I know you, Kovu, are very important to this child's future. The rest of the king's pride, too. You are all connected in the great circle of life." Rafiki added, chuckling as he wiggled a finger, clearly knowing more than he let on. He was about to return to his tree when Kovu stopped him.
"Wait! Do you know what, umm... well, humans eat? He's hungry, and he can't eat what us lions can. I don't want him to get weak by not eating or ill from eating what the lionesses hunt." Kovu's voice was dripping with concern, feeling lost as the lion kept the child close to his chest protectively until a stick thwacked him. "Owww! W-What was that for!?"
Rafiki chuckled as he brought his stick close, noting Matthew laughing too at the sudden action as the old primate rubbed the tuft of hair under his chin. "You worry too much, Kovu. The child will be fine. Humans can eat fruit from trees just like monkeys can. They can eat meat but only through special preparations to make it safe. But I doubt the king would allow such things." His head lowered as he rubbed the back of his head sadly. So fruit would have to do.
The mandrill suddenly cackled as he disappeared into the treetop, the leaves rustling as a bunch of fresh baobab soon rained down around the two waiting below. "There we go. That should be enough for the young one for a few days, if not more. If you need more, Rafiki will happily await your return." The monkey added before his voice vanished from the canopy.
Kovu sighed as he shook his head, both satisfied and unsatisfied with the mandrill shaman's answer. Rafiki only caused them more questions than answers, like how he knew about Matthew's parents. How did he know about these humans needing to do something to meat to eat it? Did Rafiki meet humans before? "What a crazy monkey... But a smart one nevertheless." Smiling, he helped the child collect the fruit on the ground, ensuring the child held onto them tightly without risking dropping them. "You have them, little cub?"
Matthew nodded, also unsure about the knowledge the wise mandrill left them. If he knew, then why didn't he help back then? Maybe he would still be with his parents right now. The child looked down, defeated. He wanted answers, but all he got was more questions. Nothing made sense to him anymore.
"I know what you're feeling, little cub." Kovu clarified as the two walked away from Rafiki's tree, wanting to chat with the boy. "I am not satisfied either with his answers. Why does Rafiki know I do not understand, and maybe I never will? But knowing me and my pride are important and can give us hope of finding your parents." The feline saw the unease return to the child's hazel orbs, his scared gaze unable to look the lion in the eye.
"I-I don't know, Kovu... I... H-How can we trust him?" The child looked up at Kovu, his worried eyes meeting the feline's caring green orbs. The two returned to the den they had rested in earlier, with Matthew feeling relaxed now in the safety of the dark and warm cave. A paw gestured to the child to come close, who snuggled into Kovu's warm and soft chest for comfort. The child's panicked breaths became calmer, and his tense body relaxed and became loose.
Kovu smiled and slowly stroked his head as the golden sky now slowly became a beautiful hue of purple as evening set in. "Shhh... You'll be alright, little cub. Everything will be alright." He chuckled as the child snuggled into his paws, beginning to eat the fruit. Seeing the little one begin to eat calmed his nerves. At least he won't be starving. Then suddenly, the question of introducing the child to the Pride Landers flooded the feline's mind. He knew Matthew was still uncomfortable with meeting Simba and the others. But he knew the pride landers would get worried if he didn't report back—especially his family.
"Kovu? Kovu!"
A worried female voice rang outside the den, making Kovu instantly look toward the entrance as he recognised the voice. It was Kiara, his mate. He worried about what to do with the child in his paws, now scared of the unknown voice and shuddering in his fur. The lion hushed him gently, stroking his back in a soothing, circular motion while muttering sweet words into the boy's ear. "It's going to be alright, little one. It's just my mate, she won't hurt you."
The voice called out again. "Kovu? Where are you?"
Kovu took a deep breath. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He swallowed and steadied himself. "I'm in here, Kiara."
A golden-furred lioness rushed into view, panting. Kiara had a stern look, her reddish-brown eyes glazed with tears. She walked up to Kovu and gently nuzzled him, unaware of the little human hiding in the male lion's belly fur. "W-Where were you? Daddy had sent you ages ago. You were gone for so long, and with the increasing talks of man villages. I thought something bad happened. We all did. Daddy was about to send out a search party. I-I thought I had lost you... What are you doing here all on your own? Did you get injured?"
Kovu felt the stinging pain of guilt flooding his body when Kiara assumed something terrible happened to him or that he hurt himself. The ex-Outsider felt increasingly anxious when his mate brought up the talks of man villages, hiding Matthew out of instinct. His face lowered, unable to look his mate in the eyes. She was right, after all. He felt so foolish, but what could he do? He couldn't have left Matthew by himself. "I-I'm sorry, Kiara. Something came up—something... drastic. I found the source of those screams. It came from... a man village deep in the forest on the outskirts of the Pride Lands. But it was abandoned. Everything was destroyed. Nothing was left..."
Kiara was confused by her mate's tale and the pained look in those green eyes. "But, if this village was destroyed, then those screams? Where did they come from?" Her eyes suddenly widened as she caught something rustling inside Kovu's fur. "Kovu? What have you got there? What is that?"
"I don't know what caused those screams, Kiara. That's what I'm still figuring out myself." Kovu let out a deep sigh as Kiara caught Matthew as he was trying to get comfortable, feeling him freeze up as he was found. He realised what he now had to do. With a gentle paw, he revealed the shivering child to his mate, who now clung to his fur as if for dear life.
Kiara was speechless, looking at the young child nestled in her mate's paws. Those hazel eyes gazed up at her as he shivered heavily. He looked so scared and traumatised as if something horrific had happened. The young lioness took some steps back as something about this young creature sparked instincts within her. With all the questions bouncing around in her mind, only one question seemed to bear fruit.
"Kovu... Where did you find this... this man c-cub? What happened out there?"
Chapter 2 is now completed! I hope you all enjoyed it despite the small changes. One significant change was changing the time of day from Matthew and Kovu waking up late in the afternoon to just before late morning. It just wouldn't make sense in the context of Simba, and the others would be searching for them, and someone would come across them. I wanted to introduce Kiara to finding out about Matthew, which would lead into Chapter 3 while teasing her about how she will react and handle the situation going forward. Hopefully, this will not ruin your enjoyment of this remaster. Please leave your thoughts and feelings in a review, and I hope to see you all in Chapter 3! Thank you so much for reading, everyone, and take care.
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