nearing from paws of Kovu. Golden queen regained faith in her quest. Kovu was the key to killing Simba and retaking throne of Priderock. This day was for Zira a celebration... just after a bereavement.

Death of Hawaa wasn’t just a dead of lioness. It was lost of beloved pridesister, someone close to Zira as almost no one was. Queen was chocking with silent anger, that she would never see again that extraordinary subject, who wasn’t Outlander by blood, but was Outlander in soul, maybe more than anyone in the pride. So, this pretty flower was killed... By Simba, of course, that by Simba. Only that lion could hurt so painfully.

But aside of personal loss, lost of Hawaa was serious blow in whole pride. They had lost their best fighter, at least from females. Between Golden Ones, only Kovu was more deadly that Hawaa once was. And also pride lost vital element as a team. Greyfured lioness had been keeping morale high, adding spirit to uncertain ones. But then she was gone.

Zira also lost her son, Nuka. Lion had changed since that time a lot. Queen was terrified, what happened with her oldest cub. He became even more skinny and weak, but that wasn’t the point. Zira decided to face the truth... Nuka was mad. This death crushed something inside him. He was fluctuating between morbid amusement and scaring melancholy, or between bolt of will of action and paralysing fear. Zira had been talking to Scar since king had died. But when she heard Nuka talking to his father, she felt fear. Her son did believe that Scar had ordered him a penance for his failure: to kill Simba personally. And, of course, from time to time, he was wandering on Outlands and calling Hawaa.ut I will try to take care of Golden Ones. Will you help me, Amini?”

Rouge King smiled, hearing that his service hadn’t finished.“Welcome on the other side, Amini.” Said cub with mature voice. “As you probably know, you are dead.”

“Not surprising.” replied blackmaned. “But... too bad, it came now... Is Zira all right?”

One from the ghost, with black mane, just like Amini’s ran to newcomer and hugged him cordially.

“Yes!” called lion with scar on his face. “And only because of you!”

“You are... Scar!” whispered former rouge.

In some flashes of reason, he was speaking with mother like old Nuka had used to. But such days were rare. For most time, Nuka seemed to be like overgrown cub, jocular and capricious. Maybe in easier time, he would had recover easier. But Outlands faced a menace of hunger, comparing with worst time of dry season. Simba was preparing her daughter to first hunt, so he was sending regular patrols on Prideland’s savannah. Outlanders were forced to ineffective hunting with all pride or to search food on theirs land. And expert of Outland’s huntings – Nuka, was useless for that then.

So lionesses became more restless. Of course, they all still obedient to Zira, but morale was low. Almost no one looked on retaking Prideland as a revenge. It became just way to conquer paradise with plenty of food, noting more. Queen was trying to prevent that threats, but it was difficult. She was eating even less than pride, so she was walking in constant hunger. She understood, that in that rate, she would be mad soon too. Strike had to be started as soon as it was possible. Golden Pride was unable to survive another dry season.

“And what must you do?” asked Zira her son, imagining salvation of her pride – dying Simba.

 “I must kill him!” replied Kovu with unnatural voice. He was hungry too.

*

Vivid pictures. Floating memories. Past and presence in one.

Her, sending Kovu to trick Kiara. Smell of hot and sultry smoke over savannah. Watching on amusing scene of Simba, greeting Kovu in pride. And waiting, damned waiting. Vitani was impatient, so she proposed a reconnaissance. Kovu hadn’t killed Simba yet, although he had got so close... More cursed waiting. And that HUNGER!

Day after sending Kovu, Zira ordered pride to feed at any cost. They were eating old carcasses, sucking marrows from bones, even eat termites in vast amount. Threat of venom intoxication? Who cares, they had to survive and gain some strength for final fight. Zira was swallowing next portion of disgusting insects and hoping that Kovu was near to fulfil his quest.

*

“I can’t watch this!” yelled Scar. “Tarki, do something!”

Starfriends: Scar, Tarki, Sparthi and Amini were laying on Termite Hill’s top, invisible in daylight. Sun was slowly setting and they were gazing on grim routine of dying pride with terror in eyes. Even Tarki, usually flooding companions with jokes, was silent. That was sign of defeat.

“You know, why we can’t do anything!” replied starcub with painful voice. “Your attack on father and intervention Amini’s intervention were breaking the pact too. We have a draw with them – they broke it and so did we.”

“Nice deal!” gasped Sparthi. “They were just trying to stop long planned plot and Mufasa...” he looked on Scar and said with gave voice. “If I were you... I would have killed him too.”

They stayed silent for long minutes, then Amini asked.

“So, what we shall do now?”

“You, nothing.” Said Tarki. “You have spoken with Kovu, what Ahadi counted as intervention. Scar is out anyway, because he can’t establish contact with any Golden One. I’m an arbiter now... So there is just Sparthi... against two Ancient.”

Sandymaned lion sighed with regret and bowed his head to the ground. He spoke, ashamed.

“I’m too weak to deal with them both. Forgive me...”

“Yes, we know...” said Scar. “No one could do it better. So, they know, that they have higher ground, so they are just waiting, for us to break the pact. And then, they will interfere without scruples.”

Again silence came into that hot afternoon. Four of friends was helpless against the rules that were ruling skyword. The Circle of Life got them even after death. But suddenly, they felt presence of someone new, someone who wasn’t frequent guest there.

“Sarafina.” Muttered Scar with totally indifferent voice.

“Should I go away, Taka?” asked lioness.

“No.” replied dead king with irony. “Sit here and watch how dreams of you and your daughter become true – Golden Pride is being eradicated from existence.

Lioness came to ghost and sit on ledge below them. She turned her stare on Scar and asked with sorrowful voice.

“You are still angry on me?” Lion even budged. “Right, you have your reasons... But I’m here to atone my errors. I know the way to save... as many of Golden Ones, as possible.”

“Tell it to Hawaa.” Gasped Scar with venomous voice. Sarafina turned her stare into the ground and replied with breaking voice.

“She sent me here... I was too scared to speak with you... but she made me.” Because no one from ghost answered, she continued. “This is the way of saving the pride... but it require Zira’s failure... and surrender of the rest. You can do nothing, but Hawaa and I will act. She feels, that she has some way to contact with Vitani... because Nuka isn’t... in condition to do anything. So, you must listen to me...”

*

And finally, a chance.

Kovu had decoyed Simba into an ambush... No, Zira was there incidentally, hunting with all pride. But it didn’t matter, Kovu took Simba near the bank of river...

“Attack!” ordered Zira and lead strike on Simba.

They weren’t prepared, so usurper easily evaded first attack. He ran to the gorge, but there was just dead end. Dead end – Zira was savouring with those words.

“Remember your training! As a unit!” but in fact, the was no formation in this chase. Just pursuit for mortal enemy. Hunting. Yes, it was hunting. But exhausted lioness weren’t able to catch him. Usurper managed to get to logs mass and was quickly climbing on it.

Fortunately Kovu was in place. He looked on desired target... and... did nothing!

Next scenes merged in Zira’s mind in one. Nuka, climbing after Simba. A crash... falling logs... Her son, Scar’s son, dying under trunks.

“Nuka...” whispered queen.

“I'm sorry, mother... I tried...” gasped her son and went to the sky, to Scar...

*

“Nuka!” called Hawaa and caught the lion’s soul, ascending on the firmament. Below them, Golden Pride was giving last salute to prince. And just above them, spirit of Nuka was floating slowly up.

“Nuka!” whispered dead lioness.

“Hawaa?” asked lion with amaze. He sounded, like he was awaking from deep slumber. “But how it... Am I dead?”

“Yes, my love, you are.” Sobbed Outlanderess and burst in tears. “I tried too... but...”

“Simba! Mother!” called lion, and jumped out from Hawaa’s hug. “They are going on Prideland...” then he realised for the first time, that he wasn’t able to do anything. He couldn’t serve his mother and his pride. “But... we can’t do anything, right?”

“Right, my son.” Said voice from above them. Scar descended on gorge’s slope and stood before Nuka.

“Father...” whispered lion and bowed his hear. “Dad, I’m sorry, I fai... ughm!” he was hugged tight by dead king.

“Don’t say a word, my boy!” muttered Scar with breaking voice. “I saw it all... I saw your... bravery and valour.” He stopped for long pause, to speak again. “But now it’s done... You can rest now.”

“Dad... what with mom? What with Vitani?” Nuka freed from father’s hug and asked with terrified voice. “What with... KOVU!” he gasped coldly, turning his stare on lone lion, running into Priderock’s direction. “No... he can’t be... a traitor! He was always better that me...” Hawaa came to beloved lion and put paw on his shoulder. Nuka looked on her. “Hawaa, please... tell me it’s not true!”

“Calm down, dear...” whispered lioness. “Your father will handle with everything... he is able to.”

“Hawaa!” ordered Scar. “Take my son on firmament, he must rest. I will go with pride.”

“Yes, my king!” acknowledged lioness and bowed. “Come, Nuka. We must go...”

“Dad.... say me just one.” Asked Nuka. “Were

Previous Page

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Next page