Chapter 13: Despair

    The first night in the termite fields was the worst and hardest for the now exiled Outlanders. Confused over the whole situation, they barely remained focused as the persistent Alijali lead them on in order to find a proper denning site. Even Zira was quiet, following behind with red eyes downcast, apathy radiating from her lean frame. By luck, they found some old pre-existing burrows dug by aardvark looking for termites and Alijali set them to work expanding the burrows further until they could fit the whole pride inside. It was cramped, but the pride didn’t seem to mind, likely happy for the comfort of a fellow pridesister nestled nearby. Still, the new and frightening situation kept most alert and no one got any proper sleep that night. So the pride slept well into the following morning. Finally realizing that they had empty bellies to fill, Alijali woke the lionesses up and informed them to assemble outside.

    “You coming, your Majesty?” Alijali inquired to a motionless Zira.

    “In a moment, Vitani and Kovu need to be fed.” The queen's voice was soft and unreadable, so Alijali gave Zira her space. She needed time to come to terms with her actions.

    Once outside, Alijali was met with a barrage of questions and concerns from the now fully awake pride. It was clear that the lionesses were wondering why Zira had done what she had done and what they were going to do now. Especially with some of them expecting cubs in a few months. Alijali calmed them down to the best of her ability.

    “The first order of business, ladies, is to find prey and make a kill. Those forests we passed earlier surely have some prey there, and rivers always attract animals far and wide. If we use our heads, we can get through this.”

    “She’s right, ladies.” All sharply turned to gaze at Zira, now exiting the den. “We must not panic. We must be calm and clever about our next course of actions, for they are the greatest strength we have now.”

    Alijali blinked, only momentarily surprised by their leader's sudden appearance. “Zira, I thought you were resting?”

    “No, I only needed a moment of quiet to think things over.” She stated off-handedly, paying more attention to the cubs at her feet, watching them as they stumbled to keep up with her. “Careful, Kovu. You are still not as sure-footed as you think.”

    Alijali was immediately surprised with how gentle Zira was being with Kovu; the cub she had, until now, openly despised. But she had little time to think about that as Zira took her place on the rise and gave a single dismissive look her way to state that she was to speak now. Alijali was very uneasy to give up her spot, but seeing how crazed and dangerous the queen had been as of late, she had no choice.

    “My loyal lionesses.” Zira started, “I know how scared and confused you are of our current situation, but I must commend you for your actions yesterday. Believe me when I say that you have made the right choice.” The soft exchange of grumbling and muttering between the lionesses suggested the doubt they felt at that, but Zira either didn't notice, or she chose to ignore it, for she continued. “But pretty words will only do so much. As Alijali said, we must be clever and calm. Let Simba think he has sentenced us to our deaths. We are people of the sand; we live for the heat, indulge in no water, and thrive from little food. While he forgets about us, we will survive and grow.”

    There was a pause as Zira's gaze swept over her pridesisters, crimson eyes scanning them so as to make sure they were listening. That was when one of the lionesses decided to question their leader's motives. “But these lands are nothing like our ancestral territory!” She boldly stated. “There are only termites and small insect eaters, and the forests are mostly bare. And its not only ourselves that we have to provide for, but your cubs and our unborn ones, as well. How are we going to make this barren wasteland a territory?”

    “I never said it was going to be our permanent residence!” Zira snapped, before reining herself in to speak more sweetly. “I only said it was possible for us to survive here. At least until we have finalized our plans.”

    “And what plans are these?” Another lioness questioned, her brow raising in a skeptical manner.

    Zira chuckled, that twisted grin that had become so familiar to her features, returning. “Why, killing Simba and taking back the Pridelands, of course.” All the lionesses didn’t seem to be the least bit interested at this, already aware of the plans's outcome.

    “I can see that you are unimpressed. Well, what if I told you that we have something we did not have before? Something to put in our favor.”

    The lionesses' ears perked in curiosity. “And what would that be?”

    Zira smiled before pushing Kovu forward in a dramatic sweep of her paw, proudly showing her new secret weapon. The pride almost seemed crestfallen.

    “Now, I know what you’re thinking. How can a small little cub ever hope to help us in taking back our lands? Especially when he is of neither mine nor of Scar’s blood. Well, you see, in my beloved mate’s last moments of life, he imparted to me that Kovu was destined to take the throne. And he asked me to see to it. And, as further encouragement, he asked me to wed our beloved daughter, Vitani, to Kovu in order to see mine and his line continue through the throne.”

    At that, the lionesses all exchanged looks, whispering quietly amongst themselves, before their attention turned back to Zira as she continued. “At first I denied any needless interactions with the cub, for I thought my mate was wrong. Surely Vitani or even Nuka could perform the feat of taking back the throne for me. Surely we didn't actually need Kovu! But, after Nuka’s weak display yesterday, I am now certain that he is not fit for any role.” The cub cringed from his mother’s words, his heart breaking as Zira glanced his way only once, shooting him a disgusted look. Tears threatening to spill, he rushed off unnoticed to cling into Hasina standing in the shadows, muffled cries soothed by soft fur and a gentle embrace. Zira either never noticed, or she simply didn't care, for she went on unconcerned.

    “However, Kovu, a young cub barely able to walk or speak showed loyalty, strength, and bravery beyond all. It is because of him that we still have our heir and princess, and I now see the wisdom in my mate’s wishes. Kovu shall be our key. For he has already shown fierceness and bravery beyond his years, and no doubt will become a fine warrior. Can you not see the strong build already forming, the assured poise? And even his size is large for a cub. Some day, when Simba has aged and become weak, and we have learned to thrive in our new territory, Kovu will march forth and defeat Simba, and his pride will be driven out. Then, Vitani will take his place alongside him as queen; for, from this moment forward until royal decree speak otherwise, will Vitani and Kovu be betrothed. And when the day comes that both stand atop Pride Rock’s pinnacle, shall a time of prosperity be ours at last.”

    “But how will Kovu gain access into Simba’s lands?” Spoke up one brave pridesister. “The people of the land will surely inform him of a rogue, and he will not likely allow any of us into his pride again. Not without good reason. How will Kovu get past the border without being chased out?”

    Zira frowned. “I’m not sure, but it matters not. After all, it's only a small detail, and one that can be solved at a later date. We have plenty of time for that.” The pridesister did not inquire further, afraid of upsetting the unpredictable queen, who continued speaking, as if she had never been interrupted. “For now, we must begin preparing and strengthening ourselves for the trials ahead. From now on, EVERY member of the pride will take part in sparring and training. No weakness or faults will be allowed; we must be a lethal force if we are to survive our new home, and take back the Pridelands. But that will come later. In fact, as a reward for your loyalty, today you are only assigned basic hunting duties and patrols, no training. I want groups of three spread out to look for prey, and to take note of our new territory and mark the boundaries. By the end of the day, I want to know every inch of this territory from reports, and enough food to fill us for days. Tomorrow, we will start training immediately. Be joyful my pridesisters, for today marks the day that we begin down the glorious path of our return to power.”

    Zira’s speech had lifted the pride's deadened spirits and brought life back to them all. Sure, the life and future their queen had painted out for them was harsh, promising the blood of others to gain it. But it was a future, a hope to come, a plausible and concrete thought. So, with a more hopeful visage, the pride roared in approval, Zira cheering them on. Kovu and Vitani looked on with innocent eyes, hyped up over all the energy but completely unaware of the harsh future to come.

    Only three figures remained silent. Sitting in the back, was the stern-faced Alijali, the worried Hasina, and the weeping Nuka. Silently, mother and daughter gave one look to each other and nodded.

    They knew what had to be done.
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Next Chapters up with fully realized illustration intact. Here we see Zira fully sink into obsessive insanity, the kind we see her show in the movie. And we see the beginning of her plans with Kovu and new favoritism with him. And Poor little Kovu and Vitani are none the wiser. :<
Had fun getting that slightly skewed look in the illustration, like Zira and the world have become tilted, where as Kovu is on a horizontal plane as he is is currently unaffected by that twisted perception. Like Zira has become the Queen of Wonderland and Kovu is innocent little alice.
This will be the last we see of Zira, Kovu and Vitani, along with the other unnamed Outlanders. Only two Chapters remaining and then we're done folks. :3

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