HOME | DD

Description
Bases for initial picture by
[link] and [link]
This is my new Lion King Fan-Fiction

THE LION KING 3 - Part One: Revenge

Prologue: Defeated

I was alive!

In all my long years I had never been so glad to wake up after the nightmare alive, though still alone! My family had abandoned me, and sadly this time, I could not help but look to the stars in search of the dark patches my beloved mate dwelled in. In my dazed state as I dragged my broken leg out of the muddy water, I spotted something red twinkling in the darkness and knew it was a sign. I began to head toward the stars, dragging myself and determined to move. I would stop only to eat and drink, not to sleep unless utterly exhausted!

Within a day, I had cleared the boundary of the Pridelands in the east and was heading through the Nomad’s Region. Something inside me, some old instinct forgotten from my time in paradise, urged me to recognise rocks and locations during the day when I could not see the red star. After two days I had reached the desert of Nomad’s Land and within the night of the third I collapsed at the Oasis. There I managed, by some luck, to catch a few meerkat to devour, they were plump and I was pleased. Then I rested, and as I slept I dreamt of forgotten memories….

* * * * *

I remembered the cruelty of a world where I was a weakling, the sickly skinny cub that was so viciously blamed for my mother’s death by starvation. I was forced to remember that my mother, Viza, was in agony during the pregnancy and that I had clawed my way out of her. My father Umiza had taught me guilt whilst I’d been feeding off another young female’s milk instead of her own dying cubs. Then that female also died and I was rescued from death by the one creature that could protect me from my father’s terrible jaws – Kishindo.

It had been so long ago when I had watched my home land burst into flames and felt my heart ache. My father had been an incredibly strong Rogue male that had slaughtered three young brothers for their entire pride. Umiza had apparently been exiled from his own pride for killing a younger brother that was not as strong as he was. My mother, Viza, was a princess in a different pride and kidnapped into the one he took over.

Her first litter included two young, a son and a daughter. Umiza trained them both to be strong killers and fighters in order to help him keep control. His eldest child was his daughter, Kishindo, who was warned never to have a mate or she would be killed. But early on, Viza had another litter during a terrible drought, and I was born.

But the death of my mother from the exhaustion was too much for my father’s anger. He went mad that another daughter was born, one that seemed weak as well. So he went into a blind rage and killed three of the lionesses, along with my only brother. He then turned on me, took the chunk from my right ear, and would have killed me too if Kishindo had not rescued me.

She gave our father a scar right over his back that he returned in three marks across her muzzle. Kishindo’s sense of smell was never the same again, but it did not matter. She had saved me and began the long process of saving me. Like all pride females the arrival of a cub in the clan had caused her to produce milk, and from that alone I was saved, though my frame was always lanky and weak. But Kishindo did her best to train me to fight and hunt, until father wanted to train me.

Kishindo had been my mother more then my sister, and she would rescue me from the beatings and take them herself when I failed in my tasks. I was forced to learn how to keep nails so sharp they cut rock, and to do so I was forced to wear down the weak points and often my claws bled. I was barely fed to make me aggressive and possessive, save for when Kishindo snuck me food.

But the fight soon came between Kishindo and my father, and she threw him to the ground. But his rage was not contained and there was rumour that he had started the fire by stealing from the fire-pits in the Royal Outskirts. Our land burnt, I was only a year old, and Kishindo grabbed me and carried me from the flames. I remembered the tears on my face as I cried in terror, always been pulled away to safety then running with her. The bright lights had hurt my eyes, but Kishindo had placed me in a creek and ran to help the others. I never saw them again, but the water pulled me away and though I cried for their help, it never came.

I later awoke in the Pride Lands, frightened and alone, and staring into the dark mane and rich clay-brown fur of the Prince with the scar. My own dear Scar had rescued me, fed me, and adored me for being a brave female. He had fought his father’s rules to get me into their Pride and I had been a good fighter. But because of Simba’s birth, I was forbidden to have cubs of my own that might be rivals, at least until Simba had grown enough to sire his own - and it was from that law that the hatred at the thought of my future being removed, like my father had done to my sister, compelled me to become aggressive and get a chance - even though it meant I had to watch Scar appease Sarabi and the hyenas with stupid promises.

* * * * *

I had felt the bitterness of my father’s teachings, the knowledge of my mother’s death, and the love of my elder sister! As the rain fell upon me it filled my soul with pain and sadness, I realised that the land ahead would be as dangerous to me as the land behind. Since Scar’s death I had not let myself feel much sorrow – only anger, I did not understand my upset. It had been so long, but still the wounds of my family spilt open and made the world fade. I managed a restless sleep, dreaming constantly of the kindness and power of my dearest sister, and when I awoke, I was strangely renewed. I felt my body flush with the adrenalin to get me going, and I realised there was another smell in the air around me… Lions!

Like a corpse I had lain silent as the rain poured over me and the cold night froze me. I was too tired to scream for the stiffening pain in my now crippled limb then, and the adrenalin from the smell warned me to hurry. I had an urge to eat the reptiles that shuffled in the shining sun and followed the request of my body. Their grease loosened my bad limb and I prowled onwards, my heart aching as I began to realise that I could never lead a hunt again, let alone take part in one! But my hatred for Simba’s clan and my bastard offspring kept me going. I wished only to find whatever it was I was called to, but I could not help but wish faithful Nuka had lived and was travelling beside me, flattering and feeding me.

He would never have betrayed me or his father! Scar had thought him so endearing and smart, and I then I remembered something great! Nuka had probably been eager to show us his worth before Kovu’s betrayal, for he had mated, hadn’t he? Yes, Kaidi the pretty sleek-pelted sister of the ‘Spotted Girls’ would be carrying the hope for my revenge! At least one thing was sure; Simba would keep whatever cub Kaidi bore in a thought to heal the ‘bridge’ between the clan. Kovu would also spare the child, and knowing how Simba was so easily manipulated by guilt – I knew Simba would never be able to kill the son of the male he already killed!

But in my wandering memories and plots, I failed to spot the territory divide. I must have strolled past several signals from the kings of this new land as I soon paused. I was in the middle of a huge grassland filled with prey and water! It was my old home indeed, but healed after the fire of my youth – and greater! I was so taken aback that I did not realise my danger until I was jumped!

“Get off of me!” I growled in anger at the feel of heavy paws upon my back. A lioness of a dull grey-brown colour, alike to the Outlanders I once called sisters, emerged from some nearby thorn bushes with a cruel grin splitting her face. She was a lot younger then me with such dark eye shadowing she looked to have been punched in both of them. She was chuckling to herself as I struggled under the weight of what I knew to be a very strong male lion.

“Who are you? Why are you in this land?” Surprise, it was not an adult that I was pinned by, but another teenager! His thick dark fringe was heavy, but around his neck was only the ring of a dark brown mane, and I felt a little more eager to escape. I rolled on my back, aiming to kick him in the stomached, but he must have anticipated, as his forepaws were on my windpipe and I began to choke.

“Just gut her, Shujaa! She’s little more the a skinny old fur ball! We’d be doing the Circle of Life a favour!” The lioness chuckled and she began to sway around the young male, flicking a black tipped tail at his face. It was not obvious to see that she was trying to be flirty, as if egging him to kill me. But there was a conflict in the male’s brilliant red eyes and contorted face. He flicked at my chin with his black claws though I growled, his eyes seemingly focused on the dark strike upon my forehead.

“Silence, Giza! There’s something about her that tells me not to. Something about her that almost smells familiar!” The male, Shujaa, growled softly in his throat but he was very confused by whatever it was he sensed in myself. I must admit, there was something in his looks that reminded me of my own father, but this was his old land.

“Who are you?” The female, Giza, purred at me, trying to push Shujaa’s claws away and probe at my nose. But I was not afraid to give her a harsh bite to the paw and she screeched like a kitten, bounding behind Shujaa who just chuckled and released his grip on my throat.

“What on earth have you cubs caught?” I heard a voice that was familiar and beautiful coming toward us. The two younger lions froze in thought, not wanting to continue unless they had this adult’s advice. But to my surprise as I turned to look, the figure coming toward me was not the ghost I had thought it was.

My breath caught, my eyes widened, and my heart leapt in delight. It was him! The thick and lush black-velvet mane, that rich dark fur, and that look of pure smugness on his face. There were more scars littering this animal’s body, the sides cut and the muzzle missing a few chunks, but those brilliant green eyes could not be mistaken. The eyes were as familiar to me as the voice, the scent, and the scar upon his eye!

“An intruder, Master Scar.” Giza purred in excitement, flicking her tail back and forth as though she were in season. I was annoyed as she strolled over to him, flicking her tail in his nose. He just paused to sneeze and I note the amusement on the face of the young male called Shujaa who stepped away from me.

It was him! It was my Scar!

“Scar! Taka!” I couldn’t contain my bursting joy and managed to push Shujaa right off of me so he landed in a heap of confusion. Scar just growled at me.

“How dare you call me...” But then I saw the green eyes glitter in surprise, he had not expected to see me again, and I certainly had not expected to see him!

“Yes, it’s me! Your beloved Zira! Don’t you recognise me?” I leapt over to him, though I wobbled over. Giza hurried back over, now that I was back on my front, and she stood upon my back. Shujaa also came over and pinned me down gently. He seemed pleased that Scar recognised me, but it was only when that cruelly cynical grin split his muzzle that I knew he really knew it was me!

“Get off of her you two. That’s my mate and your aunt, Shujaa.” I ignored the shock of the young male and at first did not even flinch at his words of calling me an aunt. I was released and limped to sit against his chest. I rubbed my head into him, enjoying that familiar scent that made my blood boil in joy.

“Aunt? But Kifo doesn’t have any blood relatives but his children!” Giza snorted, looking annoyed as Scar returned the nuzzling and even licked my dark stripe. I could not help but grin just as evilly as he explained my relationship to the others.

“Yes, your mother’s dear baby sister - welcome my dear!”

* * * * *

I was led toward the large boulders that had once been a place Kishindo had taken me to escape father’s wrath. It seemed so strange to see the char marks on the old dead acacia beside the rocks, and to know exactly what had happened. Claw scratches littered the once smooth granite, and I remembered each time I had practiced to keep my claws sharper so that I was not worked so hard. I could smell too the familiar cubby scent from where I used to sleep there after nightmares pressed into that comforting shoulder.

The mewing of cubs came from it, and though I was curious, the Giza female gave me a glare. I watched her as she stepped in carefully and spoke to some lioness that was inside. I wondered if I would now meet a female from my old pride that maybe I would have called pride-sister. But instead I was glared at by one bloodshot eye, and the ripped out remains of another. I felt sick for a second, but Scar jolted me with his shoulder and I looked toward the horizon.

A young lioness bounded over and I spotted the grin on Scar’s face. I could have given him a slap for looking at another female, but even I had to stop and stare. Apart from a more golden hide and claws that did not seem to sheath as easily, this young cub was practically our daughter Vitani! Her fringe was just a little heftier and she was only a yearling, but I was surprised at the likeness and knew that I must have a blood relative around here.

“Scar, we’ve caught a large buffalo! We’re all to come and eat now before the vultures try and muscle in!” The young cub purred in delight, but something in her eyes told me that she did not like Scar at all. I knew he probably just saw his daughter in her, but at the same time I was just a little concerned that he would bother a female just by looking to them.

“Dinner-time.” He growled in delight, lapping his lips and I snorted in laughter and slunk off with him.

I couldn’t contain myself, despite the terror on the faces of the other lionesses. I dove in before they had a chance to eat. I did not care for the usual manners of a male eating first, but perhaps I should have. Upon pausing to look at the other lionesses, their terror was far to evident and it was not directed at my gruesome display of bloodlust and hunger.

“Who eats before me?” The angry roar was not from a normal sized lion. I looked up to see a beast twice the size of Simba and with a much thicker, dark brown, almost black, mane and a missing eye. It seemed a common injury around these parts, but the sheer size of the male made me nervous, and he was heading straight toward me. He raised a paw, and I darted out of the way, clumsily as I tripped over my own bad leg.

Scar darted in front of me, protecting me though he cowered himself. The big male grabbed his ear and Scar rolled onto his back, showing off his pale tummy. The big male paused, looking from him to me and just growling. But he then turned to the meal, laying his paws over it and began to eat. This gave Scar a chance to talk for me, though I was quite delighted that he had leapt to my defence!

“This, King Kifo, is Lady Zira. She is the sister to your mate, Queen Kishindo. She’s knew to the pride and doesn’t know the rules, she’s been alone all this time!” Scar seemed to blurt without controlling himself, something I’d never seen before. But I could not blame him when faced with such a massive and terrifying animal as this big male!

“Her sister?” Kifo seemed unimpressed, and I could hardly believe that this was the male that my sister had gone with. But as he stomped over and stared me in the face with his one working eye, I couldn’t help but gulp and speak nervously.

“Yes...” I felt like a jackal at their meal, as if I did not even belong there. He seemed so keen to stare through my very soul and I shrank back behind Scar, as even he leant back a bit more. But Kifo’s attention from me was replaced by a different one.

“Let’s see her then.” The voice was deep but friendly, a mature version of the tough teenage voice that had saved me from death so often. I looked to where the voice had come from, the tall green grasses up ahead, and when I saw the creature emerging, I was filled with a very strange nostalgia.

My heart leapt as I saw that familiar golden pelt and the scar across her muzzle. The red-brown eyes alike to my own shone like fire and I felt a relief that even Scar being alive could not compare to. Here was the dark-eared sister that had been more of a mother then anything else to me. She was huge as ever with thick knotted muscles to rival even dead Mufasa! Her black claws were neat and sharp, and though her body had a few new scars upon her barrel chest and sleek neck – Kishindo was alive!

I could not contain myself and pulled my body over to her. The other lionesses seemed a little surprised by it, but I ignored them as the figure smiled warmly at me. She stepped over to me and we rubbed cheeks and our bodies along one another. Then she groomed my bad leg and cleaned away the dirty beasts that had tried to live off me.

Kishindo seemed so happy to see me again and she lapped at my coat as if I were still the little baby of the pride. I lapped at her own, surprised by the feel of strong muscles beneath and feeling embarrassed for my own shabby state. Kishindo was two years my senior, and I was only seven, yet here was the nine-year-old Queen of the Cannibal Lands looking as healthy and fit as any young Pride Lander! We rubbed faces again, and with a tender lick to my old raggedy ear, she sat herself down and the rest of the pride did the same.

“Scar told us all about you’re escape from the fire - I’m so glad you’ve come to us. My pride and kingdom are yours too sister, ask for anything and it will be given. Now, I think you should keep eating until you’re ready to get some rest. We’ll keep you safe and Scar will not leave your side.” Kishindo smiled, the knowing smile of both a mother and a queen – the smile of wisdom. I felt the tears stream form my eyes for the first time in ages, and bowed my head respectfully.

I was home.

* * * * *

Time passed quickly and Scar assisted me often in my daily needs. I had never known him to care so much and felt stuffed by the end of my first week. I had never felt so much happiness since the day Nuka was born and Scar had been over the moon. But with my body resting and healing, I knew my mind could not properly, and soon Kishindo called me over to tell the stories of what had befallen me.

We passed on a shared story of the cruelty of Simba, and I spoke of the death of our only son. I knew that Scar had felt that Nuka would not be a good heir, he’d been so weak and feeble a cub that Scar had blamed himself for having wretched genes – but I had never seen him weep before. They were genuine tears of sorrow, and he pressed against my head and his sorrow remained as I explained of Kovu’s treachery and then the desertion of our dearest friends, whom we’d saved from terrible lives in the wastelands. But after the story was told, Kishindo and her family left us to talk to one another, Scar told me about his own miraculous escape from the hyenas.

“You’d be surprised how happy I am to be your mate again, Zira! Sadly whilst here, and alive, I’ve been noticing females more! Your elder sister alone makes me want to roar like a young male – though I am keen to keep my life! That creature, Kifo, would gladly string me up on the thorn bushes! But it’s not just your sister, it’s her daughter and his! All of them so pretty and the other females the same! But only you have that cruelly cunning streak I adore!” Scar purred down my ears, and I could not control it as my body rippled in delight. It had been so long since he had been so relaxed around me and not urging me to produce an heir! So long ago we had been the young teenage lovers on the plains, pulled apart by his father’s law because of my status as a Rogue Lioness. A lioness alone usually meant she was diseased and meant to die, but Scar had never given me up! He’d saved me!

“I’m sure....” I growled in a teasing way, just happy to be around him again. I had never thought he’d still be alive, and in all honesty, I knew that I had to ask. The hyenas may have been the ones to have ‘killed’ him, I’d always known that - but Simba had been the one to ruin our beautiful love and our beautiful future! “So... My lover, how did you escape the hyenas?”

“I wonder if you could believe this! But for three days I ran, bleeding and wounded, with the hyenas keeping close behind me. Some had died of exhaustion already, yet the rest were hateful enough to keep going. I ended up in that very gorge where I had made my mark, become a killer, and the wildebeest were there. They stampeded but missed me each time, though they crushed some of the exhausted hyenas. In the confusion and dust, I escaped across the desert, through the oasis, and ended up here where I’ve been stuck since then. In case you haven’t noticed, your sister is not fond of strangers leaving!”

“That doesn’t surprise me. It was a stranger that set fire to our homeland so long ago when father was foolish and let him go! But I’m glad you’re alive, and so happy that my sister is too. She’s so strong, and I know we can count on her help against Simba!”

“You and your sister are very well named indeed. But I don’t think she will help us if she knows the truth. You are her sister, true, but she is dedicated to her clan and unless we can make a sob-story - she will never buy it. Also... I think we’ll have to arrange certain events to take place and put Simba in a bad light. And I certainly know the lion that can be the catalyst!” Scar purred and I watched the area he spied on, yearling Kucha was chasing butterflies with her big brothers and learning how to bully them. It was easy to see that she was the princess of the pride and her father’s favourite, for I could see Kifo watching her with his one warm eye. But it scared me, I did not want anything to happen to my niece!

* * * * *

I watched the proceedings of the next few hunts before being permitted to join to startle the animals into a trap, and with the younger lionesses I was surprised. After our own cruel teachings, I did not see Kishindo use any of the tough methods father taught us, none of them were worked till their paws bled! But to my even greater surprise, the different kinds of tests Kishindo had them go under worked to get everyone to communicate and work properly! It looked to be a strong clan, but with Scar’s words twisting in my mind – I knew it would mean nothing if we couldn’t use this power against Simba.

I walked amongst the clan, happy that my sister kept at my side and acted like a support if I needed it. Some part of me felt foolish for this, but it was as I looked about that I spotted the cubs. I was quite surprised, but my mothering instincts were suddenly very sharp as I caught their scent, they were my sister’s! As with any lioness, I knew that I might be helpful in suckling these cubs and training them to hunt and fight, but more so I was surprised by their uniqueness.

One of the cubs was larger then the others, pale like Nala had been but with very prominent fangs. His teeth were alike to his father’s, and Kishindo told me that he was Ng’ata, eldest of her third litter. Ng’ata was wrestling with the female cub, which was marked with her brown streak upon her forehead; she looked exactly like our mother had, yet her eyes were a blue gold! She was the youngest and only girl of the litter, Naima, and was reportedly Kifo’s favourite. I was amused by that thought as Kishindo joked how her husband was fond of his daughters and never pushed them to be strong fighters. But the two cubs that looked the stronger, bulkier, and almost identical were the ones that made my heart soar.

I knew from one look that they would be the most important cubs I would ever meet. The elder, Moto, was golden-brown, almost like Simba’s side but with the fearsome red eyes us sisters held and a bright ginger strike down his forehead. He was apparently the smarter of the litter and the bravest, looking after all the cubs and a definite leader. My sister’s words made my heart burn with some sorrow, for if the Pride Lands had ever realised the benefit of such differences in cubs, then it would have been Scar, not Mufasa, that would have taken over. Yet, my eyes were drawn to the one who was ferocious; who did not seem afraid to cut his brother’s face or rip at even my flicking tail. He had sharp teeth and claws, was obviously one of Kishindo’s favourites, and he was called Mzuka. His personality alone gave me thought, but I remembered Scar’s curious words and as I looked at the cub, a vision of revenge sprung into my mind.

For, Mzuka was a white lion!

My time of revenge was coming soon!

Description
Bases for initial picture by
[link] and [link]
This is my new Lion King Fan-Fiction

THE LION KING 3 - Part One: Revenge

Prologue: Defeated

I was alive!

In all my long years I had never been so glad to wake up after the nightmare alive, though still alone! My family had abandoned me, and sadly this time, I could not help but look to the stars in search of the dark patches my beloved mate dwelled in. In my dazed state as I dragged my broken leg out of the muddy water, I spotted something red twinkling in the darkness and knew it was a sign. I began to head toward the stars, dragging myself and determined to move. I would stop only to eat and drink, not to sleep unless utterly exhausted!

Within a day, I had cleared the boundary of the Pridelands in the east and was heading through the Nomad’s Region. Something inside me, some old instinct forgotten from my time in paradise, urged me to recognise rocks and locations during the day when I could not see the red star. After two days I had reached the desert of Nomad’s Land and within the night of the third I collapsed at the Oasis. There I managed, by some luck, to catch a few meerkat to devour, they were plump and I was pleased. Then I rested, and as I slept I dreamt of forgotten memories….

* * * * *

I remembered the cruelty of a world where I was a weakling, the sickly skinny cub that was so viciously blamed for my mother’s death by starvation. I was forced to remember that my mother, Viza, was in agony during the pregnancy and that I had clawed my way out of her. My father Umiza had taught me guilt whilst I’d been feeding off another young female’s milk instead of her own dying cubs. Then that female also died and I was rescued from death by the one creature that could protect me from my father’s terrible jaws – Kishindo.

It had been so long ago when I had watched my home land burst into flames and felt my heart ache. My father had been an incredibly strong Rogue male that had slaughtered three young brothers for their entire pride. Umiza had apparently been exiled from his own pride for killing a younger brother that was not as strong as he was. My mother, Viza, was a princess in a different pride and kidnapped into the one he took over.

Her first litter included two young, a son and a daughter. Umiza trained them both to be strong killers and fighters in order to help him keep control. His eldest child was his daughter, Kishindo, who was warned never to have a mate or she would be killed. But early on, Viza had another litter during a terrible drought, and I was born.

But the death of my mother from the exhaustion was too much for my father’s anger. He went mad that another daughter was born, one that seemed weak as well. So he went into a blind rage and killed three of the lionesses, along with my only brother. He then turned on me, took the chunk from my right ear, and would have killed me too if Kishindo had not rescued me.

She gave our father a scar right over his back that he returned in three marks across her muzzle. Kishindo’s sense of smell was never the same again, but it did not matter. She had saved me and began the long process of saving me. Like all pride females the arrival of a cub in the clan had caused her to produce milk, and from that alone I was saved, though my frame was always lanky and weak. But Kishindo did her best to train me to fight and hunt, until father wanted to train me.

Kishindo had been my mother more then my sister, and she would rescue me from the beatings and take them herself when I failed in my tasks. I was forced to learn how to keep nails so sharp they cut rock, and to do so I was forced to wear down the weak points and often my claws bled. I was barely fed to make me aggressive and possessive, save for when Kishindo snuck me food.

But the fight soon came between Kishindo and my father, and she threw him to the ground. But his rage was not contained and there was rumour that he had started the fire by stealing from the fire-pits in the Royal Outskirts. Our land burnt, I was only a year old, and Kishindo grabbed me and carried me from the flames. I remembered the tears on my face as I cried in terror, always been pulled away to safety then running with her. The bright lights had hurt my eyes, but Kishindo had placed me in a creek and ran to help the others. I never saw them again, but the water pulled me away and though I cried for their help, it never came.

I later awoke in the Pride Lands, frightened and alone, and staring into the dark mane and rich clay-brown fur of the Prince with the scar. My own dear Scar had rescued me, fed me, and adored me for being a brave female. He had fought his father’s rules to get me into their Pride and I had been a good fighter. But because of Simba’s birth, I was forbidden to have cubs of my own that might be rivals, at least until Simba had grown enough to sire his own - and it was from that law that the hatred at the thought of my future being removed, like my father had done to my sister, compelled me to become aggressive and get a chance - even though it meant I had to watch Scar appease Sarabi and the hyenas with stupid promises.

* * * * *

I had felt the bitterness of my father’s teachings, the knowledge of my mother’s death, and the love of my elder sister! As the rain fell upon me it filled my soul with pain and sadness, I realised that the land ahead would be as dangerous to me as the land behind. Since Scar’s death I had not let myself feel much sorrow – only anger, I did not understand my upset. It had been so long, but still the wounds of my family spilt open and made the world fade. I managed a restless sleep, dreaming constantly of the kindness and power of my dearest sister, and when I awoke, I was strangely renewed. I felt my body flush with the adrenalin to get me going, and I realised there was another smell in the air around me… Lions!

Like a corpse I had lain silent as the rain poured over me and the cold night froze me. I was too tired to scream for the stiffening pain in my now crippled limb then, and the adrenalin from the smell warned me to hurry. I had an urge to eat the reptiles that shuffled in the shining sun and followed the request of my body. Their grease loosened my bad limb and I prowled onwards, my heart aching as I began to realise that I could never lead a hunt again, let alone take part in one! But my hatred for Simba’s clan and my bastard offspring kept me going. I wished only to find whatever it was I was called to, but I could not help but wish faithful Nuka had lived and was travelling beside me, flattering and feeding me.

He would never have betrayed me or his father! Scar had thought him so endearing and smart, and I then I remembered something great! Nuka had probably been eager to show us his worth before Kovu’s betrayal, for he had mated, hadn’t he? Yes, Kaidi the pretty sleek-pelted sister of the ‘Spotted Girls’ would be carrying the hope for my revenge! At least one thing was sure; Simba would keep whatever cub Kaidi bore in a thought to heal the ‘bridge’ between the clan. Kovu would also spare the child, and knowing how Simba was so easily manipulated by guilt – I knew Simba would never be able to kill the son of the male he already killed!

But in my wandering memories and plots, I failed to spot the territory divide. I must have strolled past several signals from the kings of this new land as I soon paused. I was in the middle of a huge grassland filled with prey and water! It was my old home indeed, but healed after the fire of my youth – and greater! I was so taken aback that I did not realise my danger until I was jumped!

“Get off of me!” I growled in anger at the feel of heavy paws upon my back. A lioness of a dull grey-brown colour, alike to the Outlanders I once called sisters, emerged from some nearby thorn bushes with a cruel grin splitting her face. She was a lot younger then me with such dark eye shadowing she looked to have been punched in both of them. She was chuckling to herself as I struggled under the weight of what I knew to be a very strong male lion.

“Who are you? Why are you in this land?” Surprise, it was not an adult that I was pinned by, but another teenager! His thick dark fringe was heavy, but around his neck was only the ring of a dark brown mane, and I felt a little more eager to escape. I rolled on my back, aiming to kick him in the stomached, but he must have anticipated, as his forepaws were on my windpipe and I began to choke.

“Just gut her, Shujaa! She’s little more the a skinny old fur ball! We’d be doing the Circle of Life a favour!” The lioness chuckled and she began to sway around the young male, flicking a black tipped tail at his face. It was not obvious to see that she was trying to be flirty, as if egging him to kill me. But there was a conflict in the male’s brilliant red eyes and contorted face. He flicked at my chin with his black claws though I growled, his eyes seemingly focused on the dark strike upon my forehead.

“Silence, Giza! There’s something about her that tells me not to. Something about her that almost smells familiar!” The male, Shujaa, growled softly in his throat but he was very confused by whatever it was he sensed in myself. I must admit, there was something in his looks that reminded me of my own father, but this was his old land.

“Who are you?” The female, Giza, purred at me, trying to push Shujaa’s claws away and probe at my nose. But I was not afraid to give her a harsh bite to the paw and she screeched like a kitten, bounding behind Shujaa who just chuckled and released his grip on my throat.

“What on earth have you cubs caught?” I heard a voice that was familiar and beautiful coming toward us. The two younger lions froze in thought, not wanting to continue unless they had this adult’s advice. But to my surprise as I turned to look, the figure coming toward me was not the ghost I had thought it was.

My breath caught, my eyes widened, and my heart leapt in delight. It was him! The thick and lush black-velvet mane, that rich dark fur, and that look of pure smugness on his face. There were more scars littering this animal’s body, the sides cut and the muzzle missing a few chunks, but those brilliant green eyes could not be mistaken. The eyes were as familiar to me as the voice, the scent, and the scar upon his eye!

“An intruder, Master Scar.” Giza purred in excitement, flicking her tail back and forth as though she were in season. I was annoyed as she strolled over to him, flicking her tail in his nose. He just paused to sneeze and I note the amusement on the face of the young male called Shujaa who stepped away from me.

It was him! It was my Scar!

“Scar! Taka!” I couldn’t contain my bursting joy and managed to push Shujaa right off of me so he landed in a heap of confusion. Scar just growled at me.

“How dare you call me...” But then I saw the green eyes glitter in surprise, he had not expected to see me again, and I certainly had not expected to see him!

“Yes, it’s me! Your beloved Zira! Don’t you recognise me?” I leapt over to him, though I wobbled over. Giza hurried back over, now that I was back on my front, and she stood upon my back. Shujaa also came over and pinned me down gently. He seemed pleased that Scar recognised me, but it was only when that cruelly cynical grin split his muzzle that I knew he really knew it was me!

“Get off of her you two. That’s my mate and your aunt, Shujaa.” I ignored the shock of the young male and at first did not even flinch at his words of calling me an aunt. I was released and limped to sit against his chest. I rubbed my head into him, enjoying that familiar scent that made my blood boil in joy.

“Aunt? But Kifo doesn’t have any blood relatives but his children!” Giza snorted, looking annoyed as Scar returned the nuzzling and even licked my dark stripe. I could not help but grin just as evilly as he explained my relationship to the others.

“Yes, your mother’s dear baby sister - welcome my dear!”

* * * * *

I was led toward the large boulders that had once been a place Kishindo had taken me to escape father’s wrath. It seemed so strange to see the char marks on the old dead acacia beside the rocks, and to know exactly what had happened. Claw scratches littered the once smooth granite, and I remembered each time I had practiced to keep my claws sharper so that I was not worked so hard. I could smell too the familiar cubby scent from where I used to sleep there after nightmares pressed into that comforting shoulder.

The mewing of cubs came from it, and though I was curious, the Giza female gave me a glare. I watched her as she stepped in carefully and spoke to some lioness that was inside. I wondered if I would now meet a female from my old pride that maybe I would have called pride-sister. But instead I was glared at by one bloodshot eye, and the ripped out remains of another. I felt sick for a second, but Scar jolted me with his shoulder and I looked toward the horizon.

A young lioness bounded over and I spotted the grin on Scar’s face. I could have given him a slap for looking at another female, but even I had to stop and stare. Apart from a more golden hide and claws that did not seem to sheath as easily, this young cub was practically our daughter Vitani! Her fringe was just a little heftier and she was only a yearling, but I was surprised at the likeness and knew that I must have a blood relative around here.

“Scar, we’ve caught a large buffalo! We’re all to come and eat now before the vultures try and muscle in!” The young cub purred in delight, but something in her eyes told me that she did not like Scar at all. I knew he probably just saw his daughter in her, but at the same time I was just a little concerned that he would bother a female just by looking to them.

“Dinner-time.” He growled in delight, lapping his lips and I snorted in laughter and slunk off with him.

I couldn’t contain myself, despite the terror on the faces of the other lionesses. I dove in before they had a chance to eat. I did not care for the usual manners of a male eating first, but perhaps I should have. Upon pausing to look at the other lionesses, their terror was far to evident and it was not directed at my gruesome display of bloodlust and hunger.

“Who eats before me?” The angry roar was not from a normal sized lion. I looked up to see a beast twice the size of Simba and with a much thicker, dark brown, almost black, mane and a missing eye. It seemed a common injury around these parts, but the sheer size of the male made me nervous, and he was heading straight toward me. He raised a paw, and I darted out of the way, clumsily as I tripped over my own bad leg.

Scar darted in front of me, protecting me though he cowered himself. The big male grabbed his ear and Scar rolled onto his back, showing off his pale tummy. The big male paused, looking from him to me and just growling. But he then turned to the meal, laying his paws over it and began to eat. This gave Scar a chance to talk for me, though I was quite delighted that he had leapt to my defence!

“This, King Kifo, is Lady Zira. She is the sister to your mate, Queen Kishindo. She’s knew to the pride and doesn’t know the rules, she’s been alone all this time!” Scar seemed to blurt without controlling himself, something I’d never seen before. But I could not blame him when faced with such a massive and terrifying animal as this big male!

“Her sister?” Kifo seemed unimpressed, and I could hardly believe that this was the male that my sister had gone with. But as he stomped over and stared me in the face with his one working eye, I couldn’t help but gulp and speak nervously.

“Yes...” I felt like a jackal at their meal, as if I did not even belong there. He seemed so keen to stare through my very soul and I shrank back behind Scar, as even he leant back a bit more. But Kifo’s attention from me was replaced by a different one.

“Let’s see her then.” The voice was deep but friendly, a mature version of the tough teenage voice that had saved me from death so often. I looked to where the voice had come from, the tall green grasses up ahead, and when I saw the creature emerging, I was filled with a very strange nostalgia.

My heart leapt as I saw that familiar golden pelt and the scar across her muzzle. The red-brown eyes alike to my own shone like fire and I felt a relief that even Scar being alive could not compare to. Here was the dark-eared sister that had been more of a mother then anything else to me. She was huge as ever with thick knotted muscles to rival even dead Mufasa! Her black claws were neat and sharp, and though her body had a few new scars upon her barrel chest and sleek neck – Kishindo was alive!

I could not contain myself and pulled my body over to her. The other lionesses seemed a little surprised by it, but I ignored them as the figure smiled warmly at me. She stepped over to me and we rubbed cheeks and our bodies along one another. Then she groomed my bad leg and cleaned away the dirty beasts that had tried to live off me.

Kishindo seemed so happy to see me again and she lapped at my coat as if I were still the little baby of the pride. I lapped at her own, surprised by the feel of strong muscles beneath and feeling embarrassed for my own shabby state. Kishindo was two years my senior, and I was only seven, yet here was the nine-year-old Queen of the Cannibal Lands looking as healthy and fit as any young Pride Lander! We rubbed faces again, and with a tender lick to my old raggedy ear, she sat herself down and the rest of the pride did the same.

“Scar told us all about you’re escape from the fire - I’m so glad you’ve come to us. My pride and kingdom are yours too sister, ask for anything and it will be given. Now, I think you should keep eating until you’re ready to get some rest. We’ll keep you safe and Scar will not leave your side.” Kishindo smiled, the knowing smile of both a mother and a queen – the smile of wisdom. I felt the tears stream form my eyes for the first time in ages, and bowed my head respectfully.

I was home.

* * * * *

Time passed quickly and Scar assisted me often in my daily needs. I had never known him to care so much and felt stuffed by the end of my first week. I had never felt so much happiness since the day Nuka was born and Scar had been over the moon. But with my body resting and healing, I knew my mind could not properly, and soon Kishindo called me over to tell the stories of what had befallen me.

We passed on a shared story of the cruelty of Simba, and I spoke of the death of our only son. I knew that Scar had felt that Nuka would not be a good heir, he’d been so weak and feeble a cub that Scar had blamed himself for having wretched genes – but I had never seen him weep before. They were genuine tears of sorrow, and he pressed against my head and his sorrow remained as I explained of Kovu’s treachery and then the desertion of our dearest friends, whom we’d saved from terrible lives in the wastelands. But after the story was told, Kishindo and her family left us to talk to one another, Scar told me about his own miraculous escape from the hyenas.

“You’d be surprised how happy I am to be your mate again, Zira! Sadly whilst here, and alive, I’ve been noticing females more! Your elder sister alone makes me want to roar like a young male – though I am keen to keep my life! That creature, Kifo, would gladly string me up on the thorn bushes! But it’s not just your sister, it’s her daughter and his! All of them so pretty and the other females the same! But only you have that cruelly cunning streak I adore!” Scar purred down my ears, and I could not control it as my body rippled in delight. It had been so long since he had been so relaxed around me and not urging me to produce an heir! So long ago we had been the young teenage lovers on the plains, pulled apart by his father’s law because of my status as a Rogue Lioness. A lioness alone usually meant she was diseased and meant to die, but Scar had never given me up! He’d saved me!

“I’m sure....” I growled in a teasing way, just happy to be around him again. I had never thought he’d still be alive, and in all honesty, I knew that I had to ask. The hyenas may have been the ones to have ‘killed’ him, I’d always known that - but Simba had been the one to ruin our beautiful love and our beautiful future! “So... My lover, how did you escape the hyenas?”

“I wonder if you could believe this! But for three days I ran, bleeding and wounded, with the hyenas keeping close behind me. Some had died of exhaustion already, yet the rest were hateful enough to keep going. I ended up in that very gorge where I had made my mark, become a killer, and the wildebeest were there. They stampeded but missed me each time, though they crushed some of the exhausted hyenas. In the confusion and dust, I escaped across the desert, through the oasis, and ended up here where I’ve been stuck since then. In case you haven’t noticed, your sister is not fond of strangers leaving!”

“That doesn’t surprise me. It was a stranger that set fire to our homeland so long ago when father was foolish and let him go! But I’m glad you’re alive, and so happy that my sister is too. She’s so strong, and I know we can count on her help against Simba!”

“You and your sister are very well named indeed. But I don’t think she will help us if she knows the truth. You are her sister, true, but she is dedicated to her clan and unless we can make a sob-story - she will never buy it. Also... I think we’ll have to arrange certain events to take place and put Simba in a bad light. And I certainly know the lion that can be the catalyst!” Scar purred and I watched the area he spied on, yearling Kucha was chasing butterflies with her big brothers and learning how to bully them. It was easy to see that she was the princess of the pride and her father’s favourite, for I could see Kifo watching her with his one warm eye. But it scared me, I did not want anything to happen to my niece!

* * * * *

I watched the proceedings of the next few hunts before being permitted to join to startle the animals into a trap, and with the younger lionesses I was surprised. After our own cruel teachings, I did not see Kishindo use any of the tough methods father taught us, none of them were worked till their paws bled! But to my even greater surprise, the different kinds of tests Kishindo had them go under worked to get everyone to communicate and work properly! It looked to be a strong clan, but with Scar’s words twisting in my mind – I knew it would mean nothing if we couldn’t use this power against Simba.

I walked amongst the clan, happy that my sister kept at my side and acted like a support if I needed it. Some part of me felt foolish for this, but it was as I looked about that I spotted the cubs. I was quite surprised, but my mothering instincts were suddenly very sharp as I caught their scent, they were my sister’s! As with any lioness, I knew that I might be helpful in suckling these cubs and training them to hunt and fight, but more so I was surprised by their uniqueness.

One of the cubs was larger then the others, pale like Nala had been but with very prominent fangs. His teeth were alike to his father’s, and Kishindo told me that he was Ng’ata, eldest of her third litter. Ng’ata was wrestling with the female cub, which was marked with her brown streak upon her forehead; she looked exactly like our mother had, yet her eyes were a blue gold! She was the youngest and only girl of the litter, Naima, and was reportedly Kifo’s favourite. I was amused by that thought as Kishindo joked how her husband was fond of his daughters and never pushed them to be strong fighters. But the two cubs that looked the stronger, bulkier, and almost identical were the ones that made my heart soar.

I knew from one look that they would be the most important cubs I would ever meet. The elder, Moto, was golden-brown, almost like Simba’s side but with the fearsome red eyes us sisters held and a bright ginger strike down his forehead. He was apparently the smarter of the litter and the bravest, looking after all the cubs and a definite leader. My sister’s words made my heart burn with some sorrow, for if the Pride Lands had ever realised the benefit of such differences in cubs, then it would have been Scar, not Mufasa, that would have taken over. Yet, my eyes were drawn to the one who was ferocious; who did not seem afraid to cut his brother’s face or rip at even my flicking tail. He had sharp teeth and claws, was obviously one of Kishindo’s favourites, and he was called Mzuka. His personality alone gave me thought, but I remembered Scar’s curious words and as I looked at the cub, a vision of revenge sprung into my mind.

For, Mzuka was a white lion!

My time of revenge was coming soon!