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VG: The Flood

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_________

The Waterhole…

It was the crack of dawn. The sun was not yet above the horizon. Birds, with their ability to see more of the sun’s rays than most animals, had already taken to the skies and began their songs.

Below them was an eerie sight. Kiara’s puppeteered form quietly stood by the shore of the Waterhole, unblinking and expressionless as the lake took a faint glow as it slowly rose.

Zira, inside of her mind, had idly played with her elemental powers as she pondered her next moves that she had discussed with Nuka.

Her train of thought derailed as she felt movement from inside of her – a jolting sensation that she did not make Kiara feel.

She looked down, and placed a paw gently against her belly to feel another, subtler movement.

Zira was shocked, but not surprised. She knew the feeling all too well.

Two different times…

Long ago, in the abandoned Lion Guard Lair…

Zira heaved and panted as she groomed the tops of her two tiny cubs’ heads, spending most of her grooming time on the darker cub – the one personally chosen by her beloved King. As soon as the newborn opened his green eyes, Scar saw himself in the little one that he saw as prophetic – seeing as he, too had been a secondborn son with potential to be cunning. The King would then establish a new law that the ruler of the Pridelands would be chosen rather than inherited.

The other cub, however, Scar wasn't all too pleased with, seeing as she'd been another mouth to feed. Had Zira not convinced her king of the girl's potential use as a huntress for the ever-growing demand for food thanks to the hyena clan's unending appetite, the little cub herself probably would've ended up as scraps to satiate the clan.

Zira's labor had been especially exhausting this time around, given the little food supply and nourishment needed for a safer birth. She had been out-of-commission for days, being closely guarded by gracious lionesses with a strong sense of duty in caring for a fellow mother.

The herds, in her opinion, had made the foolish decision to leave their one true place in the Pridelands. They walked out in distrust of her King, and now their selfish regard over their own lives made their rulers starve.

They ultimately left as a result of his hyenas taking more than their share in hunts. She was loyal to Scar nearly every step of the way, but she never fully agreed with his alliance with the large clan. Her hatred of hyenas she’d harbored since cubhood, thanks to her father’s very own rivalry with them in the Outlands, had now solidified from years of their pesky greed and their loyalty towards Scar threatening her very own position as his second-in-command.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard Scar’s voice holler across the savannah for the name of her hunting rival; Sarabi.

What followed was the sound of a male voice. Not one she knew. It wasn’t a remaining herd member, nor a subservient hyena. From what he had been saying, it sounded like he’d been challenging her King for the throne.

“Should we be worried?” asked a taupe lioness. She sat beside her daughter, who was distinguished by speckles under one eye. The girl was about Nuka’s age, and his only playmate.

“No.” Zira bluntly said, “This has happened before. Just some scrappy punk looking for a fight. Scar will have him chased out if the kid's lucky enough to escape the hyenas’ jaws.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“Of course I’m right!” Zira snapped, “Scar knows what he’s doing. He’s the one true king this land needs. There is no other! Except… his little Kovu, one day.”

The other new mother looked hurt, but she quickly brushed it off, looking outside the cave again as she listened to the masculine roars being exchanged back and forth.

Little Nuka pouted nearby, wondering what the big deal was about his new little brother. His mother changed since his siblings were born. He remembered a fawning, doting mother, but now, she had hardly spoken a word to him, taking more pride in a baby who had barely begun to walk. He was a dud.

He couldn’t wrap his mind around Scar’s strange decisions. His first mistake was not choosing the son that was actually his to be future King, now this…

Just then, lightning struck very closeby. Pretty soon, the dry, dead grasslands became a hell-like sea of flames. The sound of hyenas on the hunt followed. They, along with the pride, were heard racing up and down Pride Rock in a large brawl.

“What is going ON out there?!” Zira cried, springing up on her feet.

Despite her exhaustion, she raced to the cave exit, but just before she could leave, boulders from one side of Pride Rock had slid down, blocking the way out. The yipping and screaming of hyenas were heard along with the collapse.

“Mother! What’s happening?” her eldest cub ran up to her, cowering.

“SCAR!!” the lioness cried, “Lionesses, help me!”

The caretakers did as told, and applied their combined strength to push the boulders away.

Zira darted out of the Lair as fast as she could after the last boulder was cleared.

But she was not fast enough…

“Scar… Scar, my love. You have to get up – !”

Zira shut her eyes before her mind could wander to what made that day one of the worst days of her life.

She remembered the byproduct of the events of that day – three children who would carry out her and Scar’s wishes with her training. Their loyalty didn’t last. Except for one, but he’d foolishly thrown his life away.

Zira thought forward about the idea of staying as Kiara for however long it was needed. She would stay disguised as the Future Queen, rule the Pridelanders, have her existing children under her control again, and try again with training new children.

Suddenly, by her command, water began to swirl and rise from the Waterhole. To take her mind off of the past and plan ahead for the future, Zira continued to practice her powers.

Her head reeled back from a strong, indescribable force. She felt as if she were becoming one with the water as she felt blood surge throughout her host’s body, and as if she were one with the water – a surreal mix of multiple perspectives at once. And her host felt and saw every bit of it…

She smiled skyward and let out a chuckle as she proceeded to imagine her ideal outcome.

She would do better with them, this time. She would build an army of new followers – a better race of lions.

She would finish what her ancestors started.

In the distance, she could hear a familiar duo of animals bantering to each other. The big one, carrying the smaller one, rustled through the long grass without a second thought.

“Slow down, big boy!” yelped the meerkat, “What’s that?”

The warthog listened and promptly stopped in his tracks. He could see a lioness standing by the Waterhole.

“Err, Princess Kiara? What are you doing here?”

The lioness slowly turned with an unnerving tilt to her head, revealing her brightly glowing eyes and mindless stare. The water that the lioness kept in her control splashed back into the pool as her focus on her hydrokinetic control was broken.

Something was very wrong.

Realizing what they were looking at, Timon and Pumbaa each let out loud shrills in horror.

A few thuds, splashing of water, and grunts in resistance were heard.

Zira thought quickly. The rat and the pig knew too much. Pretty soon, everyone would eventually find out too early.

Perhaps that wouldn't be a bad thing. She shifted gears, hurrying with her plan...

_________

Noon...

The Lion Guard awakened for their patrol around the border for any unusual activity. They passed by the grazing grounds that housed various species of herds, as well as the lakes, gullies, and dens that housed the semiaquatic animals and the Pridelands’ predators.

It appeared that not everyone was in their place. In fact, as the Guard realized this, the last of every group was leaving their spot.

“What’s going on? Where’s everybody going?” Vitani arched a brow.

“They seem to all be headed in the same direction.” said the Keenest of Sight, looking ahead.

“Hmm,” the leader hummed in thought, “a migration, perhaps?”

A zebra passed them as they watched the herds move about. He sported a distinct pompadour and nonchalant demeanor.

“Maybe we could follow that guy.” Shabaha suggested, “See if he knows.”

“Hey, excuse me, sir…” Kasi caught up to him, “

“Why, we’re off to Pride Rock by order of Princess Kiara!” he said.

“The Coronation…” Vitani muttered, turning to her lionesses “Is that today?”

“Lion Guard!” called a voice from above. It was Zazu.

“Thank goodness you’re here! I could use a great deal of your help rallying the animals. Only so much I could do with my two wings.” he wiped his forehead with a wing mid-air.

Wordlessly, the Guard exchanged looks before complying with the Majordomo. Each member took care of the classes of herds they’d assigned themselves to. They’d made sure the animals didn’t crowd each other, get lost, or even start a fight.

The Lion Guard all clambered up to Pride Rock and assumed their places among the crowd of lionesses, exchanging soft smiles and nods to one another with politeness. Just like the last attempt at the Coronation.

However… Makini wasn’t there to initiate any needed rituals like Rafiki prophesied she would… And most oddly, Kion wasn’t here.

“Babe, where’s Kion?” Vitani whispered to Tiifu, who sat beside her.

“Don’t know,” shrugged the spotted lioness, “she just wanted to start today. Zuri isn’t here, either.”

Vitani frowned slightly as she looked around. Why is Kiara doing this without her brother, who grew up with her? Nor her ambassador, and advisor, Zuri, for that matter. That wasn’t like the sentimental, considerate Kiara she came to know.

“She couldn’t even wait for them to come back? Kion probably just got back to the Tree of Life by now.”

“I think she just wants to get this out of the way. And, to be honest, I think I do, too. Kiara’s just been so rude about this whole thing…” Tiifu sullenly looked down.

“Rude, how?”

Tiifu quickly nudged Vitani, “Look, look, look! It’s starting!”

Speak of the devil, the Queen-to-be made her entrance. She emerged from the dark cave, donning a stern look on her face that almost made her appear disgusted with the ways of the world.

She didn’t carry herself like last time – a smile in feigned confidence eventually breaking down into sheer panic and dread at the overwhelming change and impostor syndrome. Perhaps, for once, she was finally herself…

The Guard, advisors, huntresses, and pride elders alike all bowed their heads politely to their soon-to-be crowned Queen.

Simba and Nala, whose roles were to pass the crown down to their daughter and son-in-law, stood further out, waiting for Kiara to approach. The former couldn’t help but scan Pride Rock worriedly.

“What is it, Simba?” whispered Nala.

“Where’d Timon and Pumbaa go?” the red maned lion looked around, “Kiara? Have you seen them?”

“They must be sleeping in. You know how they can be...” said Kiara, coldly.

Simba was at a loss for words, his face twisted a bit, as an astonished parent would. He didn’t like Kiara’s attitude towards his life-saving friends. He hoped he misunderstood her meaning.

“I do know how they can be, and I know how much they love and support you. They wouldn’t miss a big day like this. Need I remind you, that was decided on last-minute.”

“Let’s just focus on the future, now.” the lioness smiled with her mouth, but not with her eyes, which still carried a look of disgust.

Emotionlessly, Kiara made her way to the front of Pride Rock.

Vitani looked toward the tip of the megalith that jutted out towards the royal subjects to see her own brother standing beside Kiara. He smiled an ingenuine smile. One that Vitani recognized her whole life as a sign that her little brother had concern and pain weighing on his mind. Perhaps it was from Kiara’s alienation of him amidst a greater feeling of pre-Coronation jitters that the whole pride felt. Vitani hoped he, along with anyone else, would eventually feel better once this was finally over with.

The Fiercest shifted her focus onto Kiara’s booming voice addressing the kingdom:

“Animals of the Pridelands! Beloved subjects! I am so pleased to see you all in one place!”

“I thought Makini did this part last time.” Shabaha whispered.

“Shh!” Kasi hissed.

“Creative liberties, I guess…”, the Bravest concluded more quietly.

“Today, you will all witness a historical exchange of power. A new era dawns.” Kiara grinned, “My subjects… today marks the last day all of your kind will be one with lions!”

A collection of gasps and an awkward silence ensued. Eyes widened, jaws and trunks dropped. Looks were exchanged as panic slowly began to build up.

“Kiara, what are you doing?!” Simba called out.

“Ahh, Simba…” the lioness slowly turned, “Don’t you realize who you’ve just handed your crown to? You were always one to make poor choices…”

Clouds began to darken and clump together as thunder rumbled overhead.

Vitani could almost swear she recognized the way Kiara spoke, especially about Simba. She knew the venom in her tone. And… that look in her eyes. She’d grown up with that very demeanor. The one who carried it loomed over her with it.

“That’s not Kiara…” the Fiercest muttered to Simba, mortified.

“What?” the red-maned lion turned to what he thought was his daughter.

“Why, what a very astute observation! You are correct…” the lioness grinned ear-to-ear, “It is I, Zira! I’ve been watching you all through the eyes of your innocent Princess.”

Simba roared. Suddenly, Zira felt the weight of the male lion on top of her. Her shoulders pinned to the ground.

“What are you doing to my daughter?! You WITCH!”

The animals, watching what seemed to be the King tackling his own daughter, all gasped.

“Now, now, she’s still here.” she said, eerily calm, “You see… When Vitani roared to the clouds to produce rain, she unleashed a Dark Roar while doing so. I’ve taken the form of water – the very thing that is all around us, and inside every. Living. Thing. Kiara is merely my puppet with the control I have. You all have Vitani and her Roar to thank for aiding in my return!”

Everyone turned to the Fiercest, all muttering in confusion. The lioness in Simba’s grip began to slide out from underneath his weight.

Vitani felt an intense sinking feeling throughout her body. It all made sense, now…

The unnatural weather patterns, the mysterious drownings, Kiara’s behavior, everyone’s fear and unease, the tension within the pride. That meant…

“Th-The meeting in Msingi Falls… It was real…” she realized aloud.

“My, my, you look awfully pale.” Zira purred, “perhaps you should sit down!”

The lioness raised a paw, pushing it forward.

Suddenly, Vitani could feel herself being pushed back with a painful, surging force she felt within. She found herself sitting on command.

She could hardly move. Any resistance caused her to get pushed down even more. Her brother bounded after her, rushing to her aid.

“Now, that’s more like it.” Zira smiled smugly, “I hold divine power over you all. You must surrender to me, there’s no telling what I could do to you if you don’t…”

“Zira, you will never rule the Pridelands.” Kovu growled.

The dark lion suddenly felt an invisible force lifting him from the ground, strangling him.

“How ironic,” the supernatural lioness sneered, “I wasted many years of my life training a defect like you to become King of the Pridelands, yourself. No matter how much I tried to change you, you still had a softness in you that took over. No wonder the Pridelanders’ words affected you so easily.”

She looked to the rest of the terrified pride, “Anyone else? Do the rest of you refuse?”

Half of the pride scowled, while the other half stared in horror.

“Well, then, if that’s your answer…”

Like Vitani, the rest of the pride had suddenly been pushed down through control over their blood, suspended in place.

The lioness then turned to the crowd of herds who watched below, “If you will not have me as your Queen, then the Pridelands shall receive a long-needed cleansing of all of your kind! You’re all going down with me!”

The sound of rushing water could be heard in the distance. The Pridelands’ largest bodies of water had been collected and mixed together to create the largest flood the land has ever seen: An inland tsunami.

Kiara’s body became limp, falling from the ledge of Pride Rock into the rushing waters below. Zira had no use for the Princess, now. She would only focus her full control over eliminating all life in the Pridelands by pulling them down.

Screams could be heard all throughout the kingdom. Animals ill-equipped for swimming quickly found themselves struggling and drowning, while semiaquatic creatures braced for impact and prepared to help the other animals.

The grip Zira had on the pride had released, as she’d expect them all to die shortly. They all rushed their separate ways to shelter from the tsunami and save their fellow Pridelanders.

“KIARAAA!!” Simba called after his daughter.

“Simba!” Nala cried, leaping after her husband just before Pride Rock began to shift from the force of the tsunami.

Vitani observed the impossible scale of the situation and began to start a fire on Pride Rock’s surface with the little time she had before the water reached her.

“Roho ya Moto! Roho ya Moto! Come on! Roho ya Moto!!”

She tried to call to her older brother’s spirit to no avail. He wouldn’t show up no matter how many times she called. The Fiercest gave up, and stood in place as chaos surrounded her. Chaos that would not have happened if it weren’t for her…

“Vitani, c’mon!” Kovu shook her, “We gotta go!”

She was grabbed by the scruff of her neck by her brother just before the water could crash over them. They both held onto a large tree that had broken free from its roots, sailing atop the water’s surface.

The tree had shortly hit a large rock, knocking Kovu and Vitani off of it. Kovu vanished before Vitani’s eyes.

“KOVU!” she called out to him.

The lioness’ attention shifted to her surroundings. She was horrified at everything she saw: Tiifu was nowhere to be found, Imara panicked as she found herself sinking, Kasi Shabaha, and Tazama tried to calm her as they made an effort to save some animals and bring them to shore. Many other animals weren’t so lucky. Some drowned, some were badly hit from stray objects, and some were crushed to death by larger animals who couldn’t see them.

She was running out of stamina treading the water. She looked around for a steady place to settle to conserve her energy.

“Hey, kid!” called a familiar voice.

Vitani turned and saw Makuu clinging to a rock that floated above. He had Hodari, an honorary member of his float, perched atop his shoulder.

“Kid, grab onto this! I got you! C’mon!”

The young lioness did as told and floated over. She reached her paw out for the floating rock.

“I got you! I got –”

Makuu’s form stiffened. Soon, he gasped with a voice that clenched in pain.

“Oh no! MAKUU!” the little gecko on his shoulder cried.

The crocodile fell forward, revealing a large, sharp branch that found its way through the thick skin of his back.

“NOOOOOO!!” Vitani roared, her voice raw with grief and terror.

The reptile groaned once more as he slid into the water. The bubbles eventually stopped.

Zira managed to pay off the jealousy she felt watching her daughter finding a parental figure in the crocodile. It was no coincidence that the branch would hit him with so much force on its own.

Vitani began to sob. Her mother was personally out to get her, and that effort to hurt her was the last straw. Her psyche broke at that very moment.

Simba, and Nala watched what happened to their beloved crocodile leader. They mourned silently, but felt they had to move on and save their remaining subjects, and daughter. They followed the current.

The two coasted along their flooded kingdom in search of Kiara. They saved animals and searched far and wide for Kiara.

They saw their son-in-law swimming towards them with two animals on his back.

“Guys! I found Timon and Pumbaa!” he panted, “I found them floating around unconscious. They’re awake now.”

The meerkat and warthog’s heads both rose. They seemed to still be in a daze.

Timon got up first, “Oy, what a morning…”

“What happened to you two?” Simba looked at them, worried.

“W-We don’t know,” Pumbaa grunted, “We found Kiara and were just… stuck in place.”

“That wasn’t Kiara.” the lion sternly said, “Zira’s water spirit took Kiara over.”

“Zira’s what?” the meerkat’s face scrunched.

“She must’ve hid you guys away with her powers.” Nala concluded.

“Oh, this is making sense!” Timon rolled his eyes, utterly clueless.

“I’ll explain later!” yelled Nala, “Follow Simba! We have to save our baby!”

Meanwhile…

The Fiercest was suddenly hit with another tree. She found herself holding onto it mindlessly.

“Vitani, help!” cried a voice. It was Tiifu.

The floating tree approached the spotted lioness. She began climbing on, but the water surged much harder. She reached her paw out to Vitani. Vitani absentmindedly reached her own paw out.

But… she could almost swear the water was taunting her. It glowed as it continued to push against Tiifu, who was showing signs of losing the fight with the current as her body began to bob under it.

“Vitani, what’re you waiting for?!” Shabaha called.

The Leader of the Lion Guard simply stared off, petrified. Water was everywhere. Mother was water. Mother was everywhere… There was no escape…

“WHAT are you DOING?!” the Bravest yelled, angered with her friend’s cowardice.

Just then, Shabaha took matters to her own paws, saving Tiifu herself.

The floating tree was struck with a large, pointy rock. It sent Vitani flying and plummeting to the waters below.

Meanwhile, at another part of the Pridelands…

Simba's head resurfaced. He gasped and heaved, catching his breath.

"KIARA! I see Kiara!" he wheezed.

"How can we be so sure that's even her?” Timon narrowed his eyes, “How do we know it's not another trap?!"

Nala balked, "Seriously?"

The King said nothing, not bothering to spend eternity bickering with his lifelong friend and caretaker like he often found himself doing. He began to paddle forward, eyes locked on his daughter.

"Aw, Simba, DON'T BE A FOOL!" the meerkat grabbed his head.

"That is our daughter." Nala said firmly.

"Ohhhh... really?" Timon drawled, squinting suspiciously.

"Yes. Timon, look around. Do you think Zira could still be controlling her right now?"

Timon gawped as his eyes slowly scanned his surroundings. Like he'd been seeing all day, now, it had been water taking on Zira's likeness. He scratched his head as he glanced back at the Queen.

"Well – Ygh... Ya got me there..."

"Well, I'm going after her and getting her body to shore, whether Kiara's in there, or not." said Simba, putting an end to it.

Determined to get his daughter back, he continued to fight the rushing waves with all the might of his entire body.

Inspired, his wife and friends followed suit.

“Kovu, find your sister and the Guard. We have to stick together!” Nala said before leaving.

The Prince Consort gave a quick nod and headed where he last saw Vitani.

The Other Side of the Flood…

Vitani continued to sink. She stared upward at the rushing water and debris. Her thousand-yard stare continued.

She failed everyone. She had no idea where her brother, mate, Guard, or any other loved ones were, or if they were even okay. Zira was back, and she destroyed the Pridelands. A generations-old kingdom that housed many a great monarch and thriving subjects, all singlehandedly swept away and dismantled by her own mother…

All because of her Roar…

This wouldn’t all be happening, if it weren’t for her…

Vitani couldn’t get Makuu off of her mind. She thought back about the last talk they had.

“Sometimes, ya just gotta let go of the ones that hold ya down…

…Ya just gotta let go…

…Let go…”

The Fiercest closed her eyes, and finally let go of her breath.

Despite all the chaos above the surface, the lioness felt a calm tranquil as she gently floated down below.

The Pridelands didn’t need her anymore. She made too many mistakes…

Suddenly, a dark mass swam her way. Before she knew it, she felt the scruff of her neck being grabbed between a pair of large, yet gentle, jaws.

Despite this, everything went black as Vitani’s consciousness continued to slip away.

_________

Hours Later, Outside of the Pridelands…

Everyone landed in groups onto various shores.

The Lion Guard, with the exception of Imara, swam to shore on their own. Imara had been carried by Basi, the hippo leader, and the father of her predecessor, Beshte.

Shabaha watched over Tiifu until she could get back on her paws. Kasi, Tazama, and Imara searched for the prides’ elders and pulled them to safety.

Simba, Nala, Timon, and Pumbaa swam to shore to a safe place pointed out by Zazu, who had flown above them. Each one of them worried for Kiara, waiting for her to wake up.

The two groups of lions had found each other. Simba, Nala, Sarabi, and Sarafina had nuzzled each other deeply, as if there was no tomorrow, which it looked to be.

“Daddy…”

The older lions all turned to the voice.

“Kiara!” Simba ran after his daughter and embraced her tight.

Thanks to Imara’s resuscitation skills, water was successfully expelled from Kiara’s lungs.

“Kiara, you probably don’t know what happened –”

“I do, Daddy.” the young lioness sniffled, “I remember everything…”

“It’s okay, Princess, it’s okay…”

“She could’ve hurt them…”

“Them?” Simba loosened his hug, “What do you mean?”

There was no taking back what she said now. It was on her mind at that moment, and for the past month. She had to tell everyone. They would've either found out eventually, or they would've lost their lives today never knowing.

“Daddy,” Kiara smiled softly, “I’m pregnant…”

Simba gasped. Tears formed in his eyes. The look worried Kiara.

The King hugged his daughter very tightly, as did the Queen. They both cried out with joy.

The rest of the pride – along with Timon, Pumbaa, and Zazu – embraced, nuzzled, and assured her.

Their reaction went way better than expected. She couldn't wait to tell Kovu.

Meanwhile…

Not too far off, a lioness suddenly woke up with a jolt, and began to cough deeply and heavily. Pretty soon, she was spitting out water.

“Vitani! Vitani, thank goodness you’re alive!”

The lioness recognized her brother’s voice. She could see the rest of the pride had arrived, as they’d stood behind him.

“...Kovu? You saved me?” she looked down, “But, why? Why would you –”

“Wasn’t me.” he looked upward, “It was him.”

Vitani looked at the approaching stranger. Her eyes widened.

It had been the incredibly hairy lion she met at Theluji Mountains.

“Sakin…? You saved me…?”

The Barbary lion chuckled softly, “I think you mean ‘Dad’...”

Vitani sat up quickly. Was this a joke?

“Wh-What?”

A few pride members gasped.

“Vitani, when I first saw you, I could’ve sworn I saw myself and your mother. I couldn’t tell you anything because I was worried I was wrong, but, I totally see it, now…”

Vitani must’ve had water in her ears, still. She couldn’t believe what this guy was saying to her.

“Wait,” Nala squinted, “you look familiar…”

“This is Sakin.” Zuri answered, “I felt something fishy was going on in the Pridelands, so I went to look for help at Theluji Mountains. I was going to find Sokwe’s Troop, but I found him, instead. He insisted on returning to the Pridelands, and… now I think I know why.”

Nala smiled at Zuri’s boldness. From one lioness who left the Pridelands to find help to another. She turned back around to the Barbary lion.

“You’re from the Hatari Pride.” she finally realized, “You weren’t really the most involved out of your brothers.”

“H-Hatari Pride…?” Vitani sputtered.

“Former member, that is.” Sakin answered, “I didn’t like their ways, so I set out for the Pridelands once I heard the King and his son died. But… Your mother Zira stopped me when I got close. We talked, but, then… she just… cursed me out. I hadn’t seen her, since. Until today. I instantly knew it was the gal I met all those years ago. I wouldn’t have put two-and-two together had your friend Zuri not brought me over…”

“And you, just… left?” Vitani spat, “Left me? At the paws of a mother like THAT?! What is HAPPENING right now?! Far too much has gone on today! I don’t need this!”

“Vitani, I didn’t have a choice. Your mother chased me away.”

“How dare you come into my life only just now? It’s too late, now! Get away from me, you deadbeat!”

Vitani scurried off. Overwhelmed with everything that happened today.

Sakin frowned as he watched his daughter leave. There he sat, just as heartbroken as he was when Zira rejected him.

“She really is just like her mother…” he said, looking down.

_________

Sunset…

Storming down a grove in what must’ve been the Backlands-Outlands border, Vitani steamed. Her breath heavy.

Behind her was an orange flare. It spoke.

“You rang, Vitani?”

The lioness whipped around and saw Nuka. She was less than pleased.

“Where were you?!” the lioness barked, “Why didn’t you show up and help?”

“Well, you know me and water.”

“I even used the chant. Aren’t you still bound to it?”

“Maybe the ground was too wet to –”

“Stop making excuses!” Vitani screamed, “Look what happened! The Pridelands are destroyed. Animals are dead! This wouldn’t have happened as badly had I had a little help!”

“That’s just the Circle of Life, ‘Tani…”

Vitani could not believe the way Nuka used that term. This was not what it meant.

“Why are you so nonchalant? Huh? Do you know something I don’t…?” her eyes widened, “...Have you been working with her?”

“With who?”

“MOTHER! Mother’s back! Didn’t you know?! Only you could be the only other one besides Rafiki who’d know!”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Is that what Mother told you to say?”

“No! She didn’t exactly – Well, I –”

The lioness’ eyebrows raised. Nuka knew that look on his sister’s face. He said something stupid, once again.

“I was told to stay back. I-It’s all part of Mother’s plan.”

“Plan?”

“Don’t ask me! I can’t give you all the answers!”

“I needed you!” the lioness roared, “EVERYONE needed you! You TRAITOR! I never wanna see you again for as long as I LIVE!”

Nuka’s posture deflated as he watched his sister storm away.

Vitani’s words deeply hurt. He considered the idea that she might be right about something.

No… It’s all going to make sense. She would understand soon. She just didn’t get Mother’s way of thinking. Vitani was the traitor. She said all those things because she believes everything a Pridelander would believe now.

But… He truthfully didn’t expect Mother to start a flood in the first place. Perhaps he didn’t understand fully either…

Pretty soon, rain began to fall. Before he knew it, Nuka felt the sharp pins-and-needles sensation of his fiery being slowly extinguishing. He was so hurt that he almost wanted to let it happen. But he had a job to do, as weirdly wrong as he felt.

Before the raindrops could completely do him in, he poofed away on his own accord. Waiting to be summoned for whatever was next in his mother’s big plan.

_________

Nightfall…

Across the outskirts of the Pridelands, Vitani was still running. The thought of her mother’s return, losing loved ones, her brother’s betrayal, and learning the truth about her father all loudly buzzed in her head. She’d been through too much today. It was insane.

She kept running until she couldn’t anymore. She eventually stopped and looked around. The ground everywhere had been saturated with water. A few animals’ corpses were scattered about. It was a terrifying sight.

“You MONSTER!” Vitani screamed skyward, “What have you DONE?!”

The words, meant for her mother, instead echoed back to her, as if she deserved it. She probably did…

Vitani looked down, and began to sob.

She’s the one who brought Zira back, and the one who yelled at and pushed her brother and father away.

It was too late to go back. She didn’t care what happened to her, now.

Suddenly, a rustle could be heard in a patch of grass. The serpentine form rose, its fangs unsheathed as its eyes took on a haunting and familiar azure glow.

Vitani, who was sure she was alone, whipped her head around.

“Who’s there?” she squinted, “Fukiza…?”

Before the Leader of the Guard had time to even think, the cobra sprung.

Vitani gasped as she tried to duck.

SLASH!

Author's Notes:

Can you guys guess why a part of Pride Rock collapsed during Simba and Scar's battle? I'll reply to whoever guesses right to confirm.

Now we know why Zuri left.

In my headcanon, Sakin is the unnamed third brother of the Hatari Pride! In the book Be Prepared: A Twisted Tale, the Hatari Pride is a coalition of three lion brothers who reside in the jungle (referred to as Garamba in this book. I'm guessing Timon, Pumbaa, and Simba lived in the DRC since there's a national park of the same name there). Two brothers are provided with the names Hakim and Akeem, which are Arabic names. I figured the third brother could easily be my OC Sakin because of the pattern of rhyming Middle Eastern names. I'll draw my designs for Hakim and Akeem sometime soon.

Artist Notes:

The composition of the third panel of Image 2 is based on the Romantic painting "Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog" by Caspar David Friedrich.

In the 4th panel of Image 3, Vitani curling up as she plunges into the water is meant to resemble a fetus in a womb. It's meant to tie in with the themes of pregnancy, motherhood, and daughterhood that occur in this chapter. Said panel was also already drawn over a year ago, with final touches made recently.

#UMMMM UM UM UM THIS WAS A ROLLERCOASTER TO READ??????#the ANGSTTTT THE ANGST IS SO GOOD #oh god i hope that slash is either from another cobra or if fukiza’s trying to help in some way #ALSO IS MAKUU OKAY????#I NEED TO KNOW IF MAKUU LIVES HOLY SHIT #that was DEFINITELY personal 😭#this is such a masterpiece #can’t wait for the next one!#the lion king #the lion guard

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