but replied with calm and polite voice.

“Grandma, this is an emergency! And...” he looked on Timon and Pumbaa. “Uncles will go with me, right?”

“Aren’t we using in hunt?” asked warthog, whispering.

“Pumbaa...” replied Timon. “Better as a battue than a prey!” he turned to Sarabi. “We will take care about him!”

“That what I’m afraid...” muttered queen-mother, but she agreed. “All right, go Tanabi. But try to back soon and in case you found something, back on Priderock at once.”

“Sure, grandma!” called lion. “Timon, Pumbaa, come on!” And not waiting for his <caretakers>, he started walking on savannah track, searching for other marks.

Lionesses went back to cave, just Sarafina stopped in entrance and took a look to north, to distant outlands. She thought “Where are you now, Hawaa? Can I meet you again?” And then she understood, that that was her quest, to bring her charge back to pride. So she had to try see her again. The best way to do that, was to rest and wait for night. Night was proper time for Outlander for action.

“Saffy... go rest.” Called Sakia from inside.

“Yes... I will.” Replied old lioness. She had to rest before her work.

*

After warmup, Outlanderesses were expecting for skirmish fight. Like day before and two days earlier... and before that. But Zira climbed on ledge of mound next to training place and called to her pride.

“Listen, everyone! There will be no skirmish today.” Murmur of relief sounded between lionesses. Hawaa tried not to show her joy, but it was difficult. She was exhausted by events of last night and she probably would be weakest member of her team this day. She smiled, hearing that news. Zira was continuing. “And we will no skirmishing from now.” Another murmur, this time, of surprise, sounded in plateaux. “The day of final battle is near and we can’t afford for any accidents, even minor injuries. So from now, to day of your return, we will just practise alone and more our spirits than bodies. You know everything, you should to know. Separately, we are dangerous...” she lowered her voice. “And together... we are deadly!” Outlanders made a silent salute to theirs queen. “So, you have more free time and I suggest, to use it for additional huntings. We must be as strong, as we could. But, remember!” she pointed on Nuka, standing next to her. “Be careful on your hunts and use of Nuka’s help. And now...” she came closer to edge of rock ledge. “...we should remind ourselves, what for we are fighting. Go to Gathering Place. I wish to tell you a story.”

Everyone in pride knew the tale, that Zira was going to repeat, but no one objected it, even didn’t show any sing of boredom. Those were the words, that Outlanders liked to hear. Words of pride and hope, tale that was warming up for a battle. And this battle was coming fast.

All lionesses started to go in Valley of Gathering direction and Nuka jumped down from ledge. He ran to Hawaa and licked her in forehead. They hadn’t seen themselves this day, both had overslept, because of night events.

“Did you hear that?” she asked. “It is near!” added with excitement.

“Yes, I know.” Replied Nuka. “So I have so little time...” muttered quieter, but under asking stare of Hawaa he said. “Never mind. Come on, let take some good seats.”

So they followed other Outlanders.

*

In centre of Outlands was small valley, surrounded by rugged rock-walls. Its ledges looked like seats or tribunes of amphitheatre. Outlanders called this place Gathering Valley and were gathering there, when queen or any other member of pride wanted to speak before others. And this time was similar. Lioness took places on ledges of valley and Zira with Kovu went down to plateaux. They were clearly seen and heard by everyone there. Hawaa and Nuka took a place in one of highest row, but with nice view not only for queen but rest of the pride too.

“Will we hear well?” asked Hawaa with doubt.

“If not, I could repeat you, what she tells.” Replied Nuka with irony, but stopped quickly, seeing real excitement on his beloved face. Lioness was avid of queen’s words, doesn’t matter which time she was hearing them. “Yes, it’s good seat.” Added Nuka and laid on rock. Hawaa sit next to him and hugged lion. Ceremonial speech started.

“Pride! Listen to me!” called Zira with official voice. “We are here to salute those who died and prepare to fight for their honour. Time of our return is near and I see, you are ready to raise Scar’s banner against the sky. Our training is complete.” Zira raised her paw and roar of twelve lion’s throats sounded. “Thanks to you, my son, Kovu, is ready to follow Scar’s pawprints and retake what once was ours! Hailed be the king of Prideland!” she pointed on blackmaned lion and next wave of roars burst.

Hawaa roared too, but she noticed, that Nuka only opened his jaw and remained silent. Her heart froze and she narrowed her eyes in pain. This was unfair! Nuka, oldest child of Zira and biological son of Scar hadn’t his chance to prove worthy. Lioness cuddled her beloved head with paw and murmured with sympathy. She felt tensed muscled under her touch.

“For me, you are the king.” She whispered.

“Yes...” replied lion. “And nothing else matters.” But tune of his voice was suggesting something opposite. Then Zira continued.

“Soon, Kovu will kill Simba and we will strike on Priderock with all our might! We must be ready for that. We must remind yourselves, why we are doing it and thanks to whom! Who were we?” she asked.

“Golden Pride!” replied lionesses.

“Who are we?”

“Outlanders!”

“Who will we?”

“Golden Pride!” called lioness with proud roars.

“Yes, The Golden Pride again! And truly heirs of Priderock too. We are royal family, all we are! We are descendants of kings and queens. Hailed be the heroes!” she exclaimed.

“Hailed be the heroes!” repeated lionesses.

“Hailed be king Scar the Wise!”

“Hail!”

“Hailed be Rama, hailed be Vii, hailed be Doria and our others fallen sisters!”

“Hail!”

“Hail be our friend and protector, Amini!” called Zira, causing some surprise in pride. Name of Kovu’s father wasn’t used in memorials before. But lionesses quickly replied with similar enthusiasm.

“Hail!”

“We will avenge them and restore memory of their glory.” She moved her stare on gathered auditors. “Some of you remember it, some others heard this from others, but we know the truth! The Golden Pride, once saved by king Scar, made an alliance with lions of Priderock. I became the queen of Prideland and Scar was crowned as the king of Golden Sands. However, we saved our memories and identities, we became as one, great family, standing together in times of hard trial. Under the leadership of Scar, we all have survived the Great Drought. We resisted the hardest turn of the Circle of Life and made our own round, as we wished. We remained invincible...” she lowered her voice almost to growling level. “...until we were defeated by the betrayal!” Roar of anger sounded in valley. All lioness screamed in call of outrage. Even for this younger ones, this history was present. They were one with those who were gone. Pride was eternal. “Pridelanders and hyenas killed Scar, their benefactor and defender. Usurper Simba took a throne in bloody fight, to rule as tyrant without an honour. That night, I swore under Priderock, that I will dispose this traitor or die trying. We all tried one, but we failed, due to tyrant’s power. But then you made the same oath as I. And this oath have given us strength to train and regain power. So we won’t die... Why? Because, WE ARE THE FUTURE!” loud roars burst in valley. “We have a quest to restore justice and peace in this tormented land. The reign of Scar will be back with mighty roar of Kovu. WE SHALL PREVAIL!” finished Zira with breaking voice. All lionesses started to call and roar in fury of anger and pride. Every single lion there was sure who had right on this war and was ready to prove it in the battle. War cries went out right from heart and speed to bloodred sky. Zira waved with paw and all lionesses jumped down to plateaux. Last came Nuka and Hawaa, who were sitting on highest seat. Then all Outlanders surrounded their queen and Kovu and Zira started to lick and hug every single member of pride. They show themselves their unity.

 

[“Unity” song. War-like tune with lion’s roars instead of drum’s beat.]

[Zira is coming to every lioness in pride, hugs her and whispered some words on ear. After that, each lioness sings their parts.]

All those who live / and those who died

In common march / to future days

Walking at once / with side to side

To the same aim / from the same place

[Last ones are Hawaa and Danthi. Because queen stays longer with Hawaa, orders breaks because of that. So again, first lioness (Dotty) starts another verse, and next lioness (Spotty) follow, as just before.]

With the same beat / of akin hearts

Sharing the dreams / that father dreamed

Building the keep / that’ll never part

Because we are / so strong within

[When camera comes to last lioness before Hawaa (Ostatsi), Zira came to last in row – Danthi, hugs her quickly and starts to climb uphill.]

[All pride is singing.]

Eternal pride, we are the unity

What we remember gives us might

What we are doing sure is right

Because our fathers showed us what we see

[Hawaa and Nuka joins (but Nuka is not fully convinced, looking with envy in Kovu’s direction. In background of capture, we see vivid pictures of the past: Shot from Simba’s Pride, when Zira and small Kovu ale threaten by Simba and lionesses in “Who Does She Remind You Of?” scene, then picture of older Zira on desert border, then training of Outlanders and finally talk of Zira and Hawaa.]

(H)You called it hate / (N)It’s not a hate

(H) It’s just a faith / (N) in fairest world

(H) So still we fight / (N) and break the chains

(H) If not

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