A Rogue's Destiny [Private: S66, Rogue, FallenAngel]

[TheRoguePrince]

Kovu had awoken much earlier than the Pride lions, long before the sun ever arose beyond the vacant horizon. He had done this in order to avoid being seen as he prepared to accomplish his objective. Simba was likely to go to the waterhole that morning, so Kovu prepared his first ambush point there. A few boulders sat on a hill above the one nearest the Pride's home, a perfect spot. If all went well, Kovu could get back to the Outlands and gather his allies before they even knew Simba was dead. Someone would be watching, and soon his mission would be fullfilled. His reign as King would start today. He chuckled with malicious glee at that thought. Soon his sharp, white claws would be stained red with the blood of his foe.

He watched the rock from a small hill near his ambush spot. If anyone did anything he didn't like, he could change his plan before it was too late. Zira had always taught him to use his brain as much as his brawn, and when a decision came, trust the mind over the body. That was Scar's strength, if he had only had the strength to match his genius. He would have still had his only father figure, and that fiend Simba would not be King at the moment. Kovu had been forced into a life of hardship because of him, and would soon do what Scar couldn't, achieve justice for himself, without those stupid minions of his.

The Sun was beginning to rise and Simba would soon be there. It was time for Kovu to accomplish the destiny that had been layed out before him since the days of his cubhood. He would avenge his father today...

[FallenAngel18]

Kiara looked up to see her father rising to his feet and walking toward them. Tivana smiled as Tuva jumped to the side to let the king of pride rock walk by. Tivana grabbed Tuva with her front paws and started to clean him. Tuva tried to struggle but it was useless. Kiara giggled, then rolled her eyes.

"Yes Father. I'll be fine. Give him a break today. Let him rest for a while. Then you can talk to him. I'll be careful Daddy I promise." SHe said. Tivana smirked at Kiara.

"Just go on down to the water hole Daddy. I'll be down in a sec." She said, before walking out of the cave. She started to walk toward the watering hole, intent on finding Kovu.

[Harvs]

Simba knew what he had to do. He had to question this rogue and see exactly why he had come to the Pride Lands. And now Kiara was telling him to give him a break. "Kiara, you always see the good in everyone. But right now, we could be in danger." Simba picked his words carefully. Kiara had been friends with Kovu a long time ago. And they had been separated now for years. Who knows what could have happened to Kovu in that time.

And there was a greater danger looming in the air. The mysterious outsider that had injured Tivana so easily. She had never been one to take a beating from anyone. And that outsider attacked her both mentally and physically. He was strong, and had the mind to match. And worse yet, he had escaped. At this moment, that devil of a lion wandered the lands, still hungry for Tivana's blood. And he would stop at nothing to kill her. Taking down any who stood in his way. But Kovu was also a threat. He was certainly strong and had been trained to conquer the Pride Lands. But had he really changed? Something about him and the other lion didn't sit right with Simba. And he had to know the truth for the sake of his pride. Nothing was more important to him. If he couldn't place his loved ones above himself, then why was he king?

"Right now, that Outsider is still out there. And he was after you and Tivana. I have to know who he is and what he wants." Simba nuzzled Kiara lovingly and licked her muzzle. He gave her a warm, soft smile and turned toward the exit. "I'll be back later today. Tell your mother I love her." Simba winked at Tivana and Tuva as he quitted the cave.

He leaped off of Pride Rock and onto the grass below. His body was moving much more lively now as he made his way down to the waterhole. Something didn't fit right in this beautiful weather though. There was something odd upon the horizon. The sun was high overhead, the clouds lazily drifted by, and the wind seemed still and welcoming. But just on the horizon, something loomed. A dark cloud raised over the land. It looked as though another storm was coming. One far worse than the first. Simba didn't think much of this as he leaned his head down to lap up the precious morning drink at the pond. His day had just begun.

[TheRoguePrince]

Kovu saw them move near daybreak. It was almost perfect. Simba had been the first up, and he was quite alone, as was the plan. Kovu could almost feel his claws sinking in, devastating the yielding flesh of Simba's hide. Yes, he was starting to get the feeling that fate was on his side this day, and justice would finally be had on this murderer. Kovu knew that this fight would not be easy, but in the end, he was in the right, and that would be enough to cast down the tyrant.

Then in a moment, his devious plan was almost ruined. Kiara had made a move toward his position, and that would ruin everything. Sure, evading her would be as easy as getting Nuka to do nothing, but he would be forced to deal with her first. He could not risk her running back to the Pride and bringing help before the job was done. If only he still had Shari, or one of the others to deal with her for him while he fulfilled his destiny. He grimaced with distaste, he didn't want to kill her, but Kovu's fate was to end her family's rule. He could not fail at that.

However, as if fate was there to reaffirm itself, Simba made a move and stopped his daughter. He moved away from his haven alone, and walked directly toward Kovu's trap. Today would be the day he died, and the sooner the better. Kovu noticed his vulnerablitiy behind the rocks. He wouldn't be able to see anyone coming his way. He decided instead to move off to a small grove of trees and high grass that grew near the waterhole. That way he could watch both his victim, and his greater foe. Couldn't have someone showing up unexpected.

[Harvs]

Simba leaned up from the wateringhole, his thirst quenched. His mind wasn't on anything this morning. Just discovering what had happened yesterday and why it had happened. Simba turned and looked toward the rock that Kovu had slept under last night. And to his surprise, he wasn't there. Suddenly, Simba realized that he could be in danger.

He was away from Pride Rock, by himself, and Kovu was missing. Kovu wasn't the top concern this time though... it was that Outsider. His appearance, his eyes, his scars. Everything about him was frightening and reminded Simba of Scar. And Kovu was missing. This could mean that the Outsider had returned. And Kovu had left to fight him. And judging by Kovu's lack of appearance... He could only assume the worst.

Simba wasn't a fool. He knew that he was only one lion, and if he was attacked by the Outsiders, he wouldn't survive. And now, there were two Outsiders whom he had to worry about at the same time. Kovu had still been raised to be king. He had been trained to kill the Pride Landers and take over. He may have changed, but if he did, then the Outsiders would be taking their vengance into their own paws. Led by Zira and that other male who had nearly killed Tivana. Things were not looking too good for the Pride Lands.

Simba turned to Pride Rock and started heading back. It would be a long trek back, just as it was a long trek to the Waterhole. But he had more reason to move this time. His pride would pay if he didn't properly prepare his pride. And not in the ways they had settled all previous dispatches. Politics wouldn't solve anything this time. Now there would be blood. If this war was to come, then the Pridelands may see their last bright day. Simba stopped thinking and took his first step back to Pride Rock.

[TheRoguePrince]

Simba started to move away from the waterhole, but it was only a small matter for Kovu to jog infront of him with long, loping strides. He positioned himself directly between Simba and his home, and that was as it needed to be. If Simba got back to his Pride, everything would be ruined, and years of intense training and hardship would all be for nothing. Today was the culmination of a plan the likes of which the land had never seen. A plan straight from the devious mind of Zira, and he was its instrument. Kovu trotted non-chalantly up to Simba, in the manner of someone who had neither planned on, or particularly wanted to meet the person who now stood before him.

It was all a blur for him, as he thought of every possiblity of what was to happen next. Simba was alone, and completely unprepared for what Kovu had in store, but there were always risks. Simba was still bigger than Kovu, and despite Kovu's superior strength and skill, it would be a difficult challenge to kill him. Somewhere nearby, the Outsiders would be waiting, watching for the moment when they could seize the initiative and destroy the Pridelanders. It was all up to him now, and the responsibility of today's course was his to decide. It was a lot of stress.

Kovu did have a plan though, and he would use it to ensure he didn't make a false step and let Simba know his intentions too quickly. He knew Simba would want to define his purpose here, and we would give him what he wanted, just long enough for Simba to become vulnerable. Kovu needed Simba to turn away from him a little bit, so he wouldn't just be leaping into the waiting claws and fangs of the King. The key to destroying this brute, is to get him off his feet, and that means getting his legs exposed and then tearing them out from under him. So Kovu waited for Simba to make his next move, the move that would define history for the rest of time to come.

Kovu couldn't halp but mutter something under this breath as he waited, a thing that his adoptive father had said so long ago in a similar situation, "Long live the King..."

[Harvs]

Just as Simba was heading back to Pride Rock, his ear twitched. Something came trotting up to him. It wasn't a full-fledged run though. His muscles tensed up and he turned his head with a quick jerk. And who should be there but Kovu. It was still no reason to relax. Simba couldn't entirely trust him yet. Though he was thankful that his pride was safe from the Outsiders... for now. Especially from that other lion.

Simba relaxed his muscles and greeted Kovu, trying to force a friendly smile. "Good morning Kovu. Where were you just now?" He awaited Kovu's response and started moving closer to Pride Rock. The questions he had for Kovu could be answered one of two ways. They could be answered in-front of the king's court like a prisoner... or they could be answered in a walk along the Pride Lands like someone who had just saved the princess. On the whole, the court would be safer for the king's safety. But he would not likely get truthful answers if he treated the hero like a criminal.

In order to gain something, he would have to first give something. Simba approached the dark lion slowly and smiled a genuine smile. "How about we go for a walk around the Pride Lands?" He asked the current rogue. Though truthfully, he already knew that Kovu didn't want to go before the court. Nobody wanted to place themselves in jepardy. And a previous Outsider was no different. Simba would just have to trust this lion.

Before they headed off into the lands, Simba whispered just quietly enough for Kovu to hear, "I'm sorry Kovu. I... I shouldn't have treated you the way I did."