[Closed] Plan B: Forceful Domination

[FlipMode]

Upon hearing Vitani ask if he was coming, Nuka's initial thought was to answer negatively, given that he didn't have a big role to play in his mother's new plan once again. He spent another moment just laying still but then another though popped into his mind "What if today is the day, something might go wrong... Today might be my chance to shine!". And with this thought he answered finally "Yeah yeah" and forced himself up from his slumber.

As he and Vitani walked out from the dark den and into the sunlight where the other lionesses were heading he turned to Vitani and said Looks like I was right about Kovu, if mother had chosen me to be a part of a plan once in a while, we'd be ruling Pride Rock by now.
The jealousy was clear in his voice by this point, this is the second time he had not been assigned a higher ranking role in his mother's plans, despite believing he was key to the outlander's succession.

[Arbarano]

As she and her brother walked back into the tortuous heat, Vitani considered what her elder brother had said. As much as she hated to admit it, for the dual reasons of affection, what little there was, for Kovu and that she didn't want to think that Nuka had outsmarted her, he was right.

"I guess you were," she muttered, a tiny part of her still not wanting to believe it, before it was almost completely swamped by her sense of duty returning.

"Listen everyone, she shouted to the assembled outlanders, who ceased their irritable mumblings as her voice cut through, "Zira wants us to wait where the fires started a few days ago. Follow me and Nuka. With that, their considerable force of more than a dozen able fighters set off towards the ash-covered ground.

[Harvs]

Trusting that Maswali and Vitani had fulfilled their duties, Zira headed off to the charred hills. As she walked a steady pace, she couldn't help but wonder what made Shari so sure that this was the best plan. And why would they need to rally the outsider lionesses and bring them here? It all seemed a bit hasty, but Zira had nothing better planned.

She arrived at the hills shortly after meditating over these thoughts. She could see the Outlands from the hills scarred by fire. But nothing more than the enormous termite mound stood out from that distance.

Zira sat down and began to ponder what made Kovu betray them. Could it have been his plan all along? No. Kovu would have never been so clever and sneaky. Maybe... maybe it was love? The feelings he felt for Kiara. Could that be true? If so, then just how powerful is love Zira thought aloud.

Zira had never been 'loved' before. Only once, a long time ago did she feel such compassion for another. Whenever she was with Scar, she felt... complete. But why would Kovu fall in love with the daughter of the one who killed the only lion who made Zira feel happiness?

Such feelings of sharp pain tore at Zira's mind. She had trusted Kovu with her revenge, and he betrayed her... he betrayed all of the outsiders. He betrayed Scar. With tears in her eyes, Zira laid down on the broken earth and fell into a deep slumber. The last words before she fell asleep were Scar... what has happened to my poor Kovu?

[FallenAngel18]

Tivana watched as the Outlander lion attacked Kiara, pinning her down. The other lionesses were scared. He had asked to see Simba. She growled, flicking her tail back and forth in annoyance. She popped up and stalked over there, Tuva following. When he saw the lion, he cowered behind Tivan, his tail between his legs. He was proud of how brave his sister was, but he was scared.

"Go. Get Simba. I'll be here with the outlander and Kiara." She told the lionesses. They all looked at her with glaring eyes, but shortly left after Simba. She growled at the Outlander easily, her ears flattened back after it was just the lion, her, Kiara, and Tuva.

"You got guts kids. To be picking on the princess." She snarled, sitting down but still glowering at him.

[TheRoguePrince]

Kovu wondered onto a scene that did not at all meet with his plans for the day. His beloved was pinned down by a rather aggresive outlander and there was little he could do. "Who are you and why are you here?" He demanded of the lion who was under the watchful eye of Tivana. "If you don't let her go I swear that I will make sure you come to a bad end...." He unsheathed his claws and tensed for the attack he would have to make if the outlander did not respond.....

[Harvs]

Shari faced Kovu, maintaining his strength on Kiara, and smiled. How delicious this was turning out to be? Not only did Shari have the attention of Simba, but now Kovu as well. He could kill two birds with one stone. The plan was drawing to a better close than he had previously assumed.

"Oh Kovu," Shari echoed in an eerie voice. "Don't you recognize me?" An awkward silence crept underway. None of the lions made a sound or even moved. The only sound was the haunting wind, which was slowly gathering speed. The clouds appeared to be turning a dark blue. A storm was coming, as if to match the intensity of the moment.

Shari looked back down at Kiara, slightly tightening his hold. "And to think, we spent the entirety of our cubhoods together. And this is how you repay me? By forgetting me?"

[TheRoguePrince]

"YOU!!" Kovu cried as his memories of his hated rival came flooding in. "Last time we met you were in a sorry state Shari...", Kovu said, "I'd hate to have to put you back into that state." He tensed even more, knowing that this fight is not one he could take lightely. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect his mother to resort to the raw, brute force tactics Shari liked to employ. Fights with Shari often didn't end well for either of them during their shared childhood. "Now let her go..." there, he said it, and if Shari knew what was good for either of them, he would listen. They had been friends once, and hopefully Shari would be tentative about fighting....

[Harvs]

"Kovu, Kovu Kovu." Shari repeated, shaking his head back and forth. His tone was arrogant and narcissistic. Shari had memories of their fights as cubs as well. None of them pleasant, but all of them satisfying. As much as Shari loved inflicting pain upon others. As much as he loved hurting ones whom he knew, such as Kovu. Shari loved even more the adrenaline of the fight. The excitement of pain. The only reason Zira trusted Kovu with the first plan more was due to their last fight. Kovu won and left Shari with a devastating wound on his leg.

But now the tables had turned. While Kovu talked tough, Shari knew that he wouldn't dare attack with Kiara's life on the line. "I don't think you quite grasp the severity of the situation." Shari said with small chuckles in-between words. While Kovu had proved his superiority in the past, Shari had only trained harder since his last defeat. And while he still bared the scar on his leg, it paled in comparison to what he was about to do to Kovu.

"However," He continued after a short break "If you're so intent on killing me, then you'll just have to wait for king Simba."

[TheRoguePrince]

Poor, poor fool, Kovu thought, he had watched as Shari had trained after their last fight. Little did Shari know that it was this very fight that Kovu had feared, not for himself, but for the pain he would have to inflict. Shari revelled in blood, and it was in the hopes that he would change that Kovu had let him live the last time. Kovu, yet unscarred, went forth with his plan and left Shari alone, not to hurt him, but to let him know that he did not wish to gloat in his victory. "this doesn't have to end this way Shari." he said, one last attempt to revive their comradery. He hoped he would not have to kill his best friend in front of his mate. Especially after what he had done to him last time.... He would never forget....

[Harvs]

The wind was picking up speed. A storm was brewing. Not just any storm. Their was something foul in the air. The very essence of Scar crept through the Pride Lands. From the gorge, past the river, over Pride Rock, all the way to the Outlands. Shari closed his eyes for a brief moment to smell the intoxicated air. The first trickle of rain fell on Shari's muzzle. Following the single drop, came a light drizzle. Symbolic... perhaps.

Shari looked back down at Kovu with a menacing face. How ironic. We know not the true extent of our life's work til another's life lies in our paws. Shari began on what seemed a prepared speech. The words moved fluently and almost poetic. A curious thing 'life'. Given so courteously to all, only to be so meticulously torn asunder. Known by all to be true, yet accepted by merely few. While Shari's speech continued, the rain fell. Faster and faster, harder and harder. The sky, once so welcoming and full of glee, was now pouring down it's malice. Scar's malice. Channeled through and fueled by the anger in Shari's heart and soul.

You can't run from your past Kovu! Shari called out, trying to reach Kovu's guilt center. And you can't run from me.