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The soft lights of sunset filtered into the den, the warm hues of earth and sun being inviting to all to see. But more inviting was the sights and sounds of the cubs at play, scuffling about on legs trying to walk, run, pounce and chase. Or few rested in heaps next to warm bodies. They were all small, the oldest not even four years but already they grew fast. Already more active and able despite the circumstances. It warmed the old lioness’s heart.

Once she would have found Cub-Sitting beneath her. It was her first true task as she grew into young adulthood. Watching her own the princess, Zira, protecting and aiding her. She had hated it then, though those years had solidified her loyalty to the now Queen. And as she grew she still saw Cub-Sitting boring, lowly task for lions that were of little use. The only way such to contribute. Now though, she didn’t mind. She was too old and beaten by life to be much use, and so could take this gladly. Could enjoy the innocence and joy on display cut from the dark machinations of the pride.

At this she frowned. In the last four years the dark decline had become bleak. Unrecognizable even to her. The innocence before her a stark contrast to what they lived and were part of. And knew that would be gone soon. Her queen spoke already of when they’d start their training. Preparing them in battle and hunts to help in rebuilding their pride to power. Alijali had been horrified when Zira suggested helping start as soon as they could run unhindered. At about three or two. But Vitani, in a rare show of gentleness, offered to wait until they were five. They’d be no use in coming battles and it was better to secure their vengeance and placement in the land. So better to focus all resources, on preparing for and successfully taking out the Pridelands then training new recruits.

“We can wait until next year.” Vitani had said playing idly with one such cub with her paw. “With the pridelands and all nearby lands ours, we have all the time and resources to make the new generation of warriors and hunters.”

Yes, next generation of warriors. Warriros for more war, more expansion, more land and power. And more lions to help in hunts, fights and like. That was the point of it all. Of taking out part of the Valelands up North. To not just prevent allies with other prides helping Pridelanders. Not just for more land to hunt on. But also to capture lions for battle, useful fodder so the original Outlanders have greater survival. It was why they let the shady rogues in, more fighting force especially as Pridelanders no doubt reinstated the Guard unit. But also why breeding had opened back up for all lions and lionesses of age.

The cries of the cubs scuffling and wrestling broke her from that dark thought. And not for the first time did her fondness of the cubs turn to disgust and horror. These cubs were innocent and sweet but their making was less so. The lionesses been eager for more cubs, for sweet new life after so much loss. But Alijali knew that the males, who were delighted for such service and it was one such reason they agreed to join and be so compliant, were rogues for a reason. The rule was to do nothing that impede work in the pride so injury of mind or body was forbidden. But the males no doubt not always been too gentle, judging by the sometimes hallow, somber looks the lioness wore the day after. While the male in question would preen and waltz about eagerly. It was bad for the Outlanders at time but far worse for the captured lionesses. They had already lost one lioness to suicide and it was clear only fear of worse punishment stopped such lionesses from shredding their stomachs open when they clearly carried after the incursions. But it was needed she knew, for the growth of the pride. And ease for mothers for lionesses birthing and nursing near the same time meant wet nursing could occur easily between. Not just because lionesses may be lost easily in battle or hunts. But especially with lionesses like the captures who may show no love for their cubs. May dump them on another nursing lioness. One lioness had already bene exicuted for smothing ehr cubs at birth.

It all made Alijlai’s stomach turn as she thought of this and other changes. Of the marking ceremony all lions and lionesses of the pride went under, the gruesome scene no less horrific no matter how often it was seen. The blood bathing that occurred between pride mates when enough meals could be had. They would paint each other in the remnants of their prey and lick it off each other, often leading to more intimate interactions. The fact all lions and lionesses must be able to fight and fight well, often to the point of exhaustion or heat stroke. That those who were punished would either be placed in a pit to starve and be alone for days. Zira and the royals waiting until they shrieked to be let out or killed, the individual groveling pathetically after in submission. On and on she thought of the horrors of the pride over fours years time. And it worsened in thought when she realized these oblivious cubs would soon become more and more aware of it. And grow up into it and continue it on should the manage to win the Pridelands. Assuming Zira’s maddened schemes and lacking notice of encroaching starvation and dehydration in the dry season didn’t kill them all first.

Her ears swiveled and slowly her eyes fell on patter and rabble as figures drew near. The cubs had stopped and listened, attentive to the entrance. They waited as the noise increased and soon the pride streamed in. They were smokey and dirty, spent much in energy but their wheezy voices and bright eyes spoke of triumph. And some even had blood on maws.

“They succeeded.” She thought, getting up painfully to sit and watching the awake cubs rush to their mothers while sleeping ones stirred. She had intended to go forward and find her queen and royals, report and find out. They were too busy over seeing and boasting while food, stolen from the Pridelands no doubt, was dragged forward. A feast was be about to occur and normally Alijali would be there to converse before the festivities, such was the way in older times. But now it was old habit of no use. No use like her for she had no such station like before, no respect. Made clear as lionesses moved to pick up small cubs and gave her pointed looks of dismissal. She was not the respected second anymore but more kept out of pity for a old, useless lioness. It might have stung once.

“But I have no want or need to be something here.” She thought, taking note of everything from a distance. Listening, watching and waiting, she took all things of note. For she may be useless here but a nothing like her was useful for being disregarded. And in turn learned more than any other in the pride. In turn be passed off to the ones she was now loyal and aiding. For as the feast as underway and she would snag a portion for herself, she could slip off. She ate alone and none would stop her. Would be glad for her to be gone. And thus she could go off and visit up north to where her daughter would meet her. To speak all the things she learned, had seen and had calculated. All of it taken in with horror but needed over the last four years for their own plans. She couldn’t save all the Outlanders; many the grown ones were past saving. But for the young and the ones who wished for more she could. For like her daughter she wished to save what ever remnant of the Outlanders there were. To shepherd away a handful and rebuild them once Zira went to war. To put an end to this with her daughter’s aid, in whatever measure they could.

So when she looked again upon the jubilant cubs she smiled some. Perhaps some innocence could be saved in their ranks. It was not too late to spare and save something good int he pride.
______________

Next prt and we cut to Alijali. And her recollections. we're startingt osee how dark the pride has become. And perhaps some hope fo it being turned around.

All things related to TLK © Disney
Idea and story © Me
Please do not use in any way, shape or form without proper consent from me and without using proper referencing.
Feel free to politely point out grammatical/spelling errors that you catch in the story, such comments are welcome for me to keep improving.
Thank you.

Description
First Part | Previous Part | Next Part >
______________

The soft lights of sunset filtered into the den, the warm hues of earth and sun being inviting to all to see. But more inviting was the sights and sounds of the cubs at play, scuffling about on legs trying to walk, run, pounce and chase. Or few rested in heaps next to warm bodies. They were all small, the oldest not even four years but already they grew fast. Already more active and able despite the circumstances. It warmed the old lioness’s heart.

Once she would have found Cub-Sitting beneath her. It was her first true task as she grew into young adulthood. Watching her own the princess, Zira, protecting and aiding her. She had hated it then, though those years had solidified her loyalty to the now Queen. And as she grew she still saw Cub-Sitting boring, lowly task for lions that were of little use. The only way such to contribute. Now though, she didn’t mind. She was too old and beaten by life to be much use, and so could take this gladly. Could enjoy the innocence and joy on display cut from the dark machinations of the pride.

At this she frowned. In the last four years the dark decline had become bleak. Unrecognizable even to her. The innocence before her a stark contrast to what they lived and were part of. And knew that would be gone soon. Her queen spoke already of when they’d start their training. Preparing them in battle and hunts to help in rebuilding their pride to power. Alijali had been horrified when Zira suggested helping start as soon as they could run unhindered. At about three or two. But Vitani, in a rare show of gentleness, offered to wait until they were five. They’d be no use in coming battles and it was better to secure their vengeance and placement in the land. So better to focus all resources, on preparing for and successfully taking out the Pridelands then training new recruits.

“We can wait until next year.” Vitani had said playing idly with one such cub with her paw. “With the pridelands and all nearby lands ours, we have all the time and resources to make the new generation of warriors and hunters.”

Yes, next generation of warriors. Warriros for more war, more expansion, more land and power. And more lions to help in hunts, fights and like. That was the point of it all. Of taking out part of the Valelands up North. To not just prevent allies with other prides helping Pridelanders. Not just for more land to hunt on. But also to capture lions for battle, useful fodder so the original Outlanders have greater survival. It was why they let the shady rogues in, more fighting force especially as Pridelanders no doubt reinstated the Guard unit. But also why breeding had opened back up for all lions and lionesses of age.

The cries of the cubs scuffling and wrestling broke her from that dark thought. And not for the first time did her fondness of the cubs turn to disgust and horror. These cubs were innocent and sweet but their making was less so. The lionesses been eager for more cubs, for sweet new life after so much loss. But Alijali knew that the males, who were delighted for such service and it was one such reason they agreed to join and be so compliant, were rogues for a reason. The rule was to do nothing that impede work in the pride so injury of mind or body was forbidden. But the males no doubt not always been too gentle, judging by the sometimes hallow, somber looks the lioness wore the day after. While the male in question would preen and waltz about eagerly. It was bad for the Outlanders at time but far worse for the captured lionesses. They had already lost one lioness to suicide and it was clear only fear of worse punishment stopped such lionesses from shredding their stomachs open when they clearly carried after the incursions. But it was needed she knew, for the growth of the pride. And ease for mothers for lionesses birthing and nursing near the same time meant wet nursing could occur easily between. Not just because lionesses may be lost easily in battle or hunts. But especially with lionesses like the captures who may show no love for their cubs. May dump them on another nursing lioness. One lioness had already bene exicuted for smothing ehr cubs at birth.

It all made Alijlai’s stomach turn as she thought of this and other changes. Of the marking ceremony all lions and lionesses of the pride went under, the gruesome scene no less horrific no matter how often it was seen. The blood bathing that occurred between pride mates when enough meals could be had. They would paint each other in the remnants of their prey and lick it off each other, often leading to more intimate interactions. The fact all lions and lionesses must be able to fight and fight well, often to the point of exhaustion or heat stroke. That those who were punished would either be placed in a pit to starve and be alone for days. Zira and the royals waiting until they shrieked to be let out or killed, the individual groveling pathetically after in submission. On and on she thought of the horrors of the pride over fours years time. And it worsened in thought when she realized these oblivious cubs would soon become more and more aware of it. And grow up into it and continue it on should the manage to win the Pridelands. Assuming Zira’s maddened schemes and lacking notice of encroaching starvation and dehydration in the dry season didn’t kill them all first.

Her ears swiveled and slowly her eyes fell on patter and rabble as figures drew near. The cubs had stopped and listened, attentive to the entrance. They waited as the noise increased and soon the pride streamed in. They were smokey and dirty, spent much in energy but their wheezy voices and bright eyes spoke of triumph. And some even had blood on maws.

“They succeeded.” She thought, getting up painfully to sit and watching the awake cubs rush to their mothers while sleeping ones stirred. She had intended to go forward and find her queen and royals, report and find out. They were too busy over seeing and boasting while food, stolen from the Pridelands no doubt, was dragged forward. A feast was be about to occur and normally Alijali would be there to converse before the festivities, such was the way in older times. But now it was old habit of no use. No use like her for she had no such station like before, no respect. Made clear as lionesses moved to pick up small cubs and gave her pointed looks of dismissal. She was not the respected second anymore but more kept out of pity for a old, useless lioness. It might have stung once.

“But I have no want or need to be something here.” She thought, taking note of everything from a distance. Listening, watching and waiting, she took all things of note. For she may be useless here but a nothing like her was useful for being disregarded. And in turn learned more than any other in the pride. In turn be passed off to the ones she was now loyal and aiding. For as the feast as underway and she would snag a portion for herself, she could slip off. She ate alone and none would stop her. Would be glad for her to be gone. And thus she could go off and visit up north to where her daughter would meet her. To speak all the things she learned, had seen and had calculated. All of it taken in with horror but needed over the last four years for their own plans. She couldn’t save all the Outlanders; many the grown ones were past saving. But for the young and the ones who wished for more she could. For like her daughter she wished to save what ever remnant of the Outlanders there were. To shepherd away a handful and rebuild them once Zira went to war. To put an end to this with her daughter’s aid, in whatever measure they could.

So when she looked again upon the jubilant cubs she smiled some. Perhaps some innocence could be saved in their ranks. It was not too late to spare and save something good int he pride.
______________

Next prt and we cut to Alijali. And her recollections. we're startingt osee how dark the pride has become. And perhaps some hope fo it being turned around.

All things related to TLK © Disney
Idea and story © Me
Please do not use in any way, shape or form without proper consent from me and without using proper referencing.
Feel free to politely point out grammatical/spelling errors that you catch in the story, such comments are welcome for me to keep improving.
Thank you.