"What?!"

Mother's roar, filled with rage and disbelief, echoed in the cavern which woke everyone at the crack of dawn. My eyes snapped open and after they adjusted to the light, I was able to make out Zira's shape silhouetted by pale sunlight at the cave mouth. Standing before her, cowering in fear, was Ramla.

In the matter of two heartbeats, nearly everyone was gathered around to see what had provoked Zira's rage. I crawled forward between legs to make my way to the front of the group. Mother was roaring furiously and slashing at whatever malleable surface she could find. I dared not to get too close.

Mother's eyes were filled with what I could describe only as madness. It was saying something that Ramla was cowered like a fearful gazelle in her wake. Whatever could've made Mother so angry? Hadn't we already experienced the worst of life when Father was killed?

Suddenly, Mother's eyes found me peering between Issa's front legs. Her lips pulled back to reveal her sharp teeth before she released yet another roar and lunged for me. I squealed with both surprise and fear when she knocked Issa out of the way and pinned me beneath her flesh-tearing claws. Her saliva dripped on my face as if she were a rabid animal. Chaos ensued.

"Zira!" "What are you doing?!" "It's not Vitani's fault!" "Leave her alone!"

Their cries formed a deafening wall that simply added to the confusion. Her claws dug into my flesh, drawing blood. My cries could be heard from here to King's Lake. My blood fell to the cave floor in crimson droplets as I struggled against her grasp. I felt my heart bursting against my rib cage with complete and utter fear. I attempted to push her off of me, even using my claws to deter her.

"Mother!" I screamed, crying...pleading. "You're hurting me, Mother!"

Issa flew at Mother with her claws outstretched. She knocked her off of me, but barely. "Zira!" Issa managed to pin Zira down in the middle of her hysteria with Ramla and Afra at her side. Once Mother's weight disappeared, Armani wrapped me in a protective embrace.

Despite all my training, all my thirst for battle, I never imagined that I'd be attacked by my own mother. My lip quivered as tears trailed down my cheeks. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't think. All I knew was that I was scared out of my mind. I couldn't be angry, all I knew in the moment was fear.

Kovu and Nuka came to my side. They were clearly shook by Mother's actions as much as I was. My brothers didn't say a word, simply stayed at my side while Issa and the others attempted to calm Mother. I buried my face in Nuka's fur to hide the tears.

The worst passed as Issa spoke sternly into Mother's ear. She quit struggling so Ramla and Afra released their grip on her. Everyone's faces were somber with whatever news had caused Mother to drift into madness. Issa let Mother up who immediately glanced at me.

Mother padded over to me and I began shaking. She reached out her paw to me which still had my blood dripping from her claws. "My dearest Vitani...I'm so sorry." I ducked from her, afraid that she'd hurt me again.

She retracted her paw, realizing that I was in no mood for her apology. Mother stood tall, cleared her throat, and turned to face the Outlanders. "My apologies, but I've received some disturbing news: Simba and Nala have given birth to twins." Her lip curled with disgust. "They have a son and a daughter."

Everyone began whispering among themselves, but I was still in too much shock to take in the news. Only after my heartbeat slow down did I realize what she said. The fear I felt quickly became replaced by anger. Those bloody usurpers had gone and extended their line. Didn't they realize that we would have to kill them too for what their parents had done to Scar?

"Simba will pay for everything he's done," Zira proclaimed with a snarl. She leaped on top of a large boulder at the edge of the cavern. "Him and Nala will feel our wrath, along with those little brats!"

The Outlanders began roaring in agreement. Their roars lifted to the skies, all the way to the Pridelands where my father's murderer walked free and unpunished. I licked my wounds clean then joined in with their rally. Nuka and Kovu were calling out their support at my side. With my brothers, I didn't feel so alone. Together, we would make Simba pay for what he's done!

"From now on," Zira surveyed the Outlanders meticulously. "Hunting is our last concern. Our lives will now be dedicated entirely to battle. We will train our bodies and minds in war. Everything that we are will be molded by it!"

Again, everyone roared or called out their support. Despite Mother's outburst, I still supported her cause. How could I not? Simba took everything from us and banished us to this awful place. He killed my father, the only lion that has ever believed in me. I carried his blood in my veins, blood that has been stained on Priderock forever.

Simba and Nala would pay for what they've done.

~*~

A/N

I literally teared up writing this chapter...