When Vitani began her explanation as to why she was in their midst, the two Pridelander lionesses were, naturally, skeptical. Even Kiara was wary, for she knew essentially nothing about Vitani outside of what Kovu had told her - that being her hotheaded personality and how close the two were before his banishment from the Outlands. Even as Nala eventually let her up, the queen and princess never lowered their guard, fearful that another ambush could be sneaking up on them while they were distracted.
However, not only did that never occur, but as Vitani went on and divulged everything to them, Kiara and Nala found it difficult to not find what she was saying plausible. If uncomfortable to accept.
Kovu had, indeed, come to the Pridelands with the intent of overthrowing them. He had indeed initially used Kiara to gain access, to the point where even the fire he'd saved her from had been set up for him to do so. By Vitani herself, no less. However, Kiara did turn out to be half-correct: Kovu ultimately, genuinely cared about her, and had resolved to abandon his original mission by the time he and Simba were ambushed.
A violent whirlpool was forming in Kiara's heart. It swirled around with both sickening dread and blissful awe, an amalgamation that was nearly impossible for her to even process. On the one hand, she had clearly been guilty of just as much presumption in knowing the truth as her father. Her stomach churned at how closely Kovu had gotten to striking her father, and how blindly unaware she had been to it. His mere ability to deceive her like that was frightening as well. But then, not only did he turn away from what his entire upbringing likely trained him for, but it was all because of her. Because he couldn't hurt her. Because he loved her.
And now Kovu was, if Vitani's words were true, suffering for it. Held captive by his mother, not allowed or even able to say a single word to defend his actions. If this was true, then Kiara felt sorrier for her friend than ever before. It was no wonder he almost went down such a dark path; if that was the kind of parenting he'd been subjected to, the fact that he still retained his heart at all spoke volumes about the good soul she always believed he possessed.
So much of what the princess thought she knew was being blurred. The black and white was becoming greyer by the minute.
"How do we know you're not trying to lead us into some sort of trap?" Nala asked.
"Pfft, you really think we're dumb enough to try the same thing twice?" Vitani retorted. She then grumbled, "Look, I'm not here to try and make you feel sorry for me, alright?"
"Then ... why are you here?" Kiara wondered.
The snarky confidence Vitani usually possessed faded from her demeanor. "... Honestly ... I don't know. All I know is that Kovu said you guys weren't what we thought you were. I had to see for myself. I also know that I can't talk to anyone in my own pride about this. So ... yeah ..."
She looked away, and murmured, "I just want my brother back."
It was embarrassing, asking for help like this and sounding so childish. Let alone to the same lions she had been against not more than a day ago. Would she have to beg for their mercy? Be subjected to the scorn of their entire pride? But she spoke nothing but the truth; she needed them.
But not just to save one lion. "No ... I want my family back. I want to stop us from turning on each other. We're supposed to be united in this, as one."
... One ...
Vitani's statement brought Kiara back to her cubhood. The day she had first met Kovu, in fact. Her father was walking her back home, giving her a lesson about how all things were part of a single pride. The lions, the birds, even the plants around them, all dependent on one another.
"We are one," he would tell her.
Kiara's eyes slowly grew wide. As a child, the meaning behind those words was difficult to grasp. But she still carried them with her. And now, in the wake of her bond with Kovu and now the revelations of Vitani, she was finally beginning to understand them ... and how for so long, they hadn't been ringing true.
Since she had been born, she had known her pride to be at odds with the Outlanders. Her parents had made it perfectly clear to her that they were not to get involved with them. But she had always wondered why it had to be like this. She knew now that they had sinister intentions after all, but with Kovu and now Vitani sharing their stories and showing new sides to themselves ... Kiara was beginning to see that they perhaps weren't the cruel monsters they appeared to be, but rather lost, misguided souls. Led astray by the vengeful preaching of a single, crooked queen, who maybe was corrupted herself by Scar and thus could see the light.
No one was born evil. Not even Scar himself. And Kovu and Vitani were showing themselves to be proof that evil was not always beyond saving.
She knew then what needed to happen.
"We need to make this right," she stated, softly yet surely. "We need to bring our prides together."
"What?" Nala's brows furrowed.
"If we keep going like this, everything will just get worse and more lions will get hurt," Kiara explained. Her voice grew more resolute with each word, as she herself grew more sure of her decision. "Mom, don't you see? We're no different from them. We're just too caught up in our anger to see it."
Kiara looked at Vitani, who stood there in her own disbelief at what the princess was saying. She certainly had the rougher, narrower Outlander features that most Pridelanders lacked. But when the princess looked into her eyes, she saw what she knew existed within not only herself and her pride mates, but every other living being: worry for those she loved, confusion as to what was right, and resilience in the face of adversity. Just like what she saw whenever she found herself getting lost in Kovu's handsome emerald eyes, with even more clarity from how much more time they had spent together. He was a good lion. And she could tell that Vitani, despite her own flaws, was too.
"W-we attacked you," Vitani said, once again growing uncomposed. "W-we planned to kill your father. Maybe even you! H-how can you even look at me right now?!" She could barely look at herself. As her entire system of already-shaken beliefs came crumbling down, in its place was now a powerful explosion of guilt for every treacherous scheme, every murderous thought, that she had experienced in her life.
But was Kovu right all along? Was this princess really ready and willing to make peace with them, after everything? Such compassion was unheard of in her pride!
"Because I've seen the good in you guys," Kiara said. She knew it was buried in many of them, and admitted to herself that it was difficult to say this to someone who had tried to take her father away from her. But she pushed on. "I know you planned to do terrible things. Maybe you already have." The wince Vitani gave practically confirmed this, but Kiara continued. "But it's because you were never given the chance to be better ... I want to give you that chance now."
Vitani wasn't the only one amazed by what she was hearing. Nala watched in loving awe as her daughter made her case. The level of wisdom she currently showed was one that most monarchs hoped to achieve years into their reign. And yet her she was, not even a full adult, delivering it in such a pivotal hour. She spoke with the conviction not of a rebellious teenager, but a strong, noble queen. One who was willing to make the hard choices and lead her subjects the entire way through them.
She had never been so proud of her little girl. And after hearing her out and considering everything, she was more than willing to take her side.
"She's right," the queen said. "It won't be easy, but I think it's time we start looking past what we've been, and move forward to achieve what we could be. And I'm willing to try it."
Kiara beamed at her mother gratefully, and received a nuzzle from her in return. Nala then turned back to Vitani, asking the crucial question.
"Are you?"
The young lioness thought it over. This was perhaps the best-case scenario she could have hoped for in coming to these Pridelanders. It opened up a new possibility, where she and her family could achieve everything they wanted, all without any blood shed on either side.
Still, it was far from guaranteed.
"You really think it could work?" Vitani asked tentatively. "Your father sounds ready to tear us apart."
"Oh, I have my ways of persuading him," Nala chuckled. Kiara could attest to that; when Nala pushed her mate hard on something, he usually wouldn't take long to admit defeat.
"Zira will never agree," Vitani added. "She's too committed to Scar, and would sooner die before abandoning him."
"That's what my father believed about Kovu," Kiara said. "And even if that's true, she's one lioness. If the rest of you stand together, she has no power."
Then they had to make sure they all stood together. This had to be taken all the way.
And spurred on by this unexpected offering of hope, she was willing to do so.
"... Okay," the Outlander finally agreed. "I'm in."
Dawn was prepared to make its first breakthrough over the skies of the Outlands, and so the sun was not quite visible yet. Not helping were the deep grey clouds hovering over the grim territory, foreshadowing a brewing storm.
These clouds matched Kovu's state of body and mind. He was in absolute misery, as he had been throughout the entire night. The starvation wasn't too difficult to deal with, given how many nights he and his pride had gone without a meal. What was much worse, however, was the bitter pain in his legs. The vines never let up their inescapable grasp; they kept riding further up his chiseled body each time he budged, making sleep a near-impossibility. Even on the rare chance it did come, it was often disrupted when his dozing form inhaled dust through his nose, and he had to jolt awake before he suffocated. Clearing his airway in these cases required taking the slowest, most shallow breaths he could. The sap on his gag had hardened completely, preventing him from tasting any more, but at the price of an unpleasant chafing sensation against his lips, the fur on his muzzle being pulled whenever he shifted his stiff jaws.
All he could do was lie there and sulk in his mistakes. Because of him, Kiara was now in danger. The Outlanders would come for her family, and he had little doubt that they would snuff her out along with the king and queen. No matter how obviously futile struggling was, that thought alone was all the gruff lion needed to maintain the fire in his eyes and keep struggling in his bonds. He hadn't made it through his upbringing by giving up easily, after all.
But it always ended the same way: with nothing but added fatigue. His forelegs remained uselessly welded in their folded position, and his back legs remained squeezed up tight no matter how hard he tried to pull or shift them apart. He had been trying to escape these blasted vines for so long, and yet still remained just as securely bound and gagged. When combined with the dizzying revelations he'd had about his entire life and the monster he had allowed himself to be for so long, it was enough to wear even a lion as strong as him down.
Kovu moaned through his gag as he tossed his head back in defeat. "MMMHH!!"
Everything was falling apart. And there was nothing he could do about it.
That feeling remained when two lionesses entered his cave. Kovu was facing opposite them, so he tossed himself onto his other side. He leered at them and snarled, not caring how pathetic it sounded muffled as it was.
They ignored him as one of them coldly said, "She wants to see you."
Zira was, as always, up extra early, as she forced everyone else in her pride to be. For them, the day's work began as soon as possible. It was essential for them to not only get as many opportunities for food as possible, but also build up their endurance in preparing for their righteous takeover.
She was ready to strike, and made sure that the pride was as well. Simba and his pride had gone too far this time, nearly stealing her son in such an underhanded manner. But she would see to it that they never had the chance to do so again. This time, she was taking her entire pride to them. They were finished hiding in the shadows; it was time to bring that golden traitor's reign to an end.
But first things first, she thought.
The queen had ordered Kovu be brought to her. In keeping him prisoner for the night, one of her hopes was that he would have all the time available to bring himself to see clearly once more. Now, she wanted to see if it was a success. Otherwise, he would remain as he was. She didn't care if it took weeks, months even. He was her son. Her heir. No one would ever destroy that.
Gratefully, she now saw the two lionesses she had sent escorting him over. Kovu no longer had his forelegs pinned, but they were still tied together, as were his rear legs, once again forcing him to hobble along at a slightly irregular pace.
He wondered why Zira hadn't simply come to him, but quickly assumed it was to make him put in the extra effort as added punishment. Regardless, he put on the face he had been preparing. It wasn't one of defiance or anger, but rather innocence and sorrow. He kept his head hung low to further sell the image.
Soon enough, he found himself standing back in front of his wicked mother.
"Good morning, Kovu," Zira's greeting came with a bitter tinge but still sickly sweet. "I trust you had a ... pleasant night."
Kovu buried the hatred he so wanted to convey. Instead, he slowly raised his head to her, showing her the best hurt expression he could muster. His eyes lightly squinted as if they were about to shed tears, and his wrapped-up muzzle was contorted in shame.
Interesting ... Zira mused. "Tell me, son," she said thoughtfully. "Have you come to learn your lesson? Do you now see the error of your ways, and remember who the real enemy is?"
This was it. The moment where he had to truly put his acting skills to the test. He looked deeply into his mother's eyes, making his own plead for her forgiveness, and nodded. He mustered all of the actual regret and self-hatred he had from his past actions, and redirected them towards what Zira wanted him to feel sorry for. He topped it off with a pathetic little whine through the moss around his mouth.
Zira stared deeply back at him, scrutinizing him, many agonizingly long seconds requiring Kovu to maintain the facade. He had genuinely begged in such a manner as a cub, but now was hoping that she wouldn't be able to tell the difference when it was forged. She had taught him how to convincingly lie, after all.
Unfortunately, that seemed to also mean that she could catch on to his tricks, for her expression ultimately turned back sour. "... No ... You're not fooling me that easily. I can see it, you're not truly cured yet!"
The bound lion instantly dropped the act, knowing that the jig was up. Extremely frustrated, he twisted his head from side to side, muffling as his mane was shaken about. His forelegs rubbed against the vines, the tufts on his elbows brushing against each other. His hind legs did the same as they thrusted and wiggled with fervor. His lower thighs burned from the sting of the bonds, but that didn't stop their efforts.
In his fury, he found himself losing his focus on his balance, and so tipped over and crashed onto his side. "MMMMHPH!!!"
Zira was quick to hover over his fallen form. "These childish games will get you nowhere!" she snarled. "And until you snap out of this, you are to remain in this state!"
"NNHH!!" Kovu roared. He twisted and writhed his legs in the vines, kicking and slashing at his mother. His sturdy build rolled around uselessly, eyes clenched shut as his thrashing intensified. "RMMMMGHMM!!!"
"Zira!!"
A voice suddenly shouted from the distance, diverting the Outlander queen's attention and swiveling her head towards her subject. "What?!" she yelled, still ruffled over her son's disobedience.
"One of our scouts has reported the Pridelanders on our turf! They're heading this way!"
Zira's eyes flared up. So they decided to come to their homes instead, eh? No matter, she thought, ignoring the few droplets of rain that began splashing down onto her head. This would end today either way. It was their last stand, to finally reclaim what was rightfully theirs, and take revenge on Simba, Kiara, and all those who dared try to turn her son into one of their mindless minions.
Kovu, who was now in a half-lying position with his forepaws pressed against the ground, gasped. No! This can't happen! I need to stop it before anyone else gets hurt! "NMH!!" He snarled and fought against the vines with all the strength he could muster, flailing and shaking viciously, muscles bulging and pulsing as he twisted his sore limbs. The rain started to pick up, and with it the desperation with which he struggled. "Rrnmnrmhmphnphmm! Mrmmnmmhnmph!"
Zira faced her gagged son again with a snarl of disgust. Kovu paid her no mind, only focusing on breaking free.
He really is lost, isn't he? the crazed lioness thought. Does he truly think those cretins care for him? Does he really believe that they would ...
In this line of thought, an idea slowly came to Zira's head. And with it, the widening of an all-too-happy grin. This might prove to be a prime opportunity to show Kovu once and for all how little he truly meant to those Pridelanders. She would get her son back, by whatever means necessary.
She marched over to Kovu, still fighting his binds, tossing aside his wet mane that came with the increased rainfall. He froze with a startled, garbled growl when she whispered into his ear.
"Okay, Kovu. I think it's time I show you just what kinds of lions you're defending."
The Outlanders were quick to gather all of their forces together. Zira insisted that she remain behind for now, allowing the rest of her pride to go on ahead. They all got into the formations they had prepared for, with one exception: Vitani was nowhere to be found. This only agitated the Outlanders further, with them believing she had been either taken or killed. Another crime of this merciless pride they were up against.
The sprinkling and showering of rain had evolved into a full storm, with water pouring down on the desolate plateau to which both prides were heading. This delayed the Pridelanders entering the Outlanders' view, but once it happened, their growls and furious rumblings grew more prominent. They recognized several faces among the enemy, including the flowing red mane of the traitorous king, his devilish queen and daughter by his side. The first strike of lightning crashed in the distance, illuminating the exiled lions' hateful features. They were prepared to give everything they had to tear this pride apart, just as Zira demanded of them.
Simba himself, however, was not so singular in his intentions.
When Nala and Kiara came back to Pride Rock with Vitani, to say that he was in disbelief would be an understatement. That disbelief tripled when he heard of what the three of them had come to conclude. Not only could he not comprehend them trusting this lioness in the first place, but to propose peace with her pride after everything that had happened? It was impossible, as he was quick to make clear.
But Kiara was resolute. And surprisingly, so was Nala. That was what shifted the tides in their favor. It had taken much determination and a precise, pointed choice of words, as well as putting in the constantly-needed effort to keep Simba and Vitani from coming to blows. But they had been able to make Simba, at the very least, consider the prospects. He still wasn't convinced, but the clincher came when Kiara told him her own revelation about his famous three words to her. She expressed how she believed they applied to everyone, how the Outlanders' intentions had been corrupted but weren't beyond saving. If they could just talk to them, they could find a way.
It was just barely enough to convince Simba to give it a cautious chance. And once the three most important lions in the pride were in favor, it wasn't too hard to convince the rest of the members to follow suit.
Even now, though, Simba was uncertain. He had gathered everyone together to show that they were all on the same page as him, but also in case their efforts failed and fighting did commence. But he did sincerely hope, however minimally, that this worked. He'd had enough violence to last a lifetime, and was ready to put it to rest.
Eventually, the two prides were within striking distance of one another. On the top of the flat, barren plateau overlooking a rushing, winding river, they stood off, their fur and manes now drenched from the ongoing storm. The Outlanders scoffed at how the Pridelanders didn't even seem willing to fight. Even their king looked unsure.
For a moment, the only sound present came from the watery pellets falling against the ground and the sparse, booming crashes of lightning. That was, until Kali walked up to the front lines, signaling to the lionesses to hold off until her command.
"Well, well, finally decided to finish this once and for all, eh?" she hissed.
Seeing this as their cue, Simba and Nala took to their own front, walking with the authority of young yet experienced rulers in their prime. This is it, Simba thought. Make it or break it.
"Outlanders!" Simba declared, loudly enough for all to hear but trying to keep himself sounding collected and nonconfrontational. "We are not here to fight today."
The entire pride glanced at each other with confusion at that. "Oh really?" Kali shouted. "Then what do you call this?" She pointed a paw to the horde of lionesses behind Simba.
"A display of unity," the red-maned leader replied. "To show that we all stand together. Together in an offering of peace."
His voice didn't have the resolve he wanted. It was clear that he wasn't fully convinced by his own words, and some Outlanders were taking notice. Seeing this as well, Nala nodded to him, and he silently agreed to let her take over.
She stepped forward with the power and poise of a true royal. "We understand this is an unexpected gesture." Several Outlanders scoffed as if to say, 'You think?' "But the past few days have shown us a new perspective. We see now the pointlessness of this conflict. And we also recognize our own faults in contributing to it."
"It is all your fault!" an Outlander exclaimed. "We've rotted for years because of you! Because you banished anyone who even slightly disagreed with you!"
"Th-that's not ..." Simba stammered. That wasn't the motivation behind any of it. He would never send a subject away merely for a different point of view. He saw the Outlander who said this, and she seemed too young to have even remembered the exile. So how was she to know ...
What have you been telling them, Zira? Simba thought.
He was finally beginning to see what Kiara meant: these lionesses' anger was not entirely of their own making.
The princess herself decided to step in. Siti's throat rumbled when she saw the female who had stolen Kovu's affections.
"Well, if it isn't the little heartbreaker!" she snapped. Kiara flinched, but maintained her composure under the scrutiny.
"Listen," she began. "I've gotten to know one of your own. Kovu, h-he's a good, kind soul. As I believe all of you are deep down. If we can just find a way to-"
"You brainwashed him!" Kari yelled. Simba sensed that things could go badly at any moment, and gestured to his lionesses for the worst.
"Yeah, he was ours until you got in his head!" Siti piled on.
This got the Outlanders further riled up. Kiara's ears folded back, fear evident on her face, but she tried to keep the situation from erupting. "N-no, it's not like that," she said. "I didn't even know he ..."
But the Outlanders were closing in, still growling in preparation for attack. "I just want the fighting to stop," Kiara said with more urgency.
"So you can keep your pretty little paws clean?" Siti mocked. "I don't think so."
"She's right!" A new voice joined the argument. "Enough."
When the Outlanders saw who had spoken, their jaws nearly hit the infertile floor.
As if it weren't a big enough shock for their top fighter to turn against them, they now saw that Vitani was standing among the Pridelanders. And from the apparent resolve in her demeanor, she was clearly not being held there against her will.
"Vitani?!" an Outlander shouted.
"What are you doing?!" Siti exclaimed.
"This can't be happening!"
Each pride member expressed such incredulity at what they were witnessing. Half of Vitani's muzzle curled up, as she couldn't help but find it a bit amusing. But she ultimately went ahead to take advantage of her pride's stunned states of mind.
"Our place is with each other. All of us," she began.
"With him?" Kali yelled. "Vitani, what have they done to you?!"
"What Zira failed to do: listen!" Vitani shot back. "We've been lied to. We've been manipulated, abused, and driven to kill. But all we knew about who or why is what she told us! And we just agreed to it! All for a ruler who binds and gags her own son just to shut him up! And you guys think Simba's the tyrant?!"
Uncertainty was beginning growing throughout the pride. It had started in small seeds among Kiara's initial proposition of peace, but insignificant enough to be swiftly discarded. But now that Vitani was a part of it, those seeds were finally beginning to grow. They could see how Kovu could have been blinded by manipulation after spending the amount of time that he did in the Pridelands. But could Vitani have really been identically corrupted over less than a single night? Even with how cunning they had been warned Simba was, it seemed rather unbelievable.
Kiara was saddened at the reminder of Kovu's current situation. She used that as further fuel for herself. "Please," she begged again. "If nothing else, consider it for Kovu. He doesn't deserve what he's going through. You have to know that."
The compassion and earnestness in her voice was disarming for most of the opposing pride. Was this really the bratty, entitled princess that they were told about? The same who would belittle and hold her nose up at any being below her status? It certainly didn't seem so. Further, what of Simba? The conflict visible within him seemed a far cry from the ruthless monarch who would show no mercy to any outsider.
Vitani was no fool; she would not be duped so easily, nor would she dare work with such a softer individual unless she felt it absolutely necessary ... What did that say now?
One Outlander was the first brave soul to speak up in consideration. "Do you really care for him?" Her question held no sarcasm. "What is he to you?"
Kiara was about to answer, to express her heart unfettered. How fun he was to be around, how well they understood each other, how he made her feel safe. But Kali once again intervened.
"Why are we bothering with this?! Zira would not be pleased!"
"Zira isn't here, is she?" the lioness turned and said. "And both Kovu and Vitani are insisting that we not fight this pride. That has to mean something!"
A few murmurs of agreement emerged from the other lionesses, as they took in everything they were seeing and hearing.
Simba felt his confidence building. A sizable part of him went into this expecting a swift and violent refusal of their offer. For there to be any hesitation at all, let alone the whispers of doubt he was currently witnessing, he was finally beginning to actually believe that Kiara's goal was possible.
Maybe, after all, there could be peace.
But everyone's attention was then diverted when a guttural roar broke out, loud enough to overtake the thunder erupting behind it.
Both prides turned to its source, and saw that the surprises were not about to stop.
Zira had finally showed up to the would-be battlefield, her matted fur soaked like everyone else's. But she was not alone.
In between her teeth, she carried the mane of none other than Kovu himself. He once again had his forelegs bound in a folded position, in addition to the rest of his bindings and gag. He was struggling and grunting, dragging and tossing his mother around and making her stumble frequently. But she still managed to pull him in her desired direction.
And that direction was right in between the prides.
After using a paw to pin her flailing son firmly on his side, Zira then brought her razor-sharp claws against his throat. Every Outlander gasped, but the visual was nothing compared to what she said next.
"Pridelanders!" she roared. "Surrender at once, or your newest member dies!"
The Lion King franchise, the named lion characters (except Siti and Kali), and the image used to make the photo edit above, all belong to Disney.
Well, it looks like this will be five parts after all. Not a big deal, since that means only 2 more left. I've been spending almost all of my free time getting this story done, because I already have two other unfinished fics that need to finally be resolved. Thankfully, again, I know these movies so well that I'm able to draft and revise the story much faster.
However, this was easily the toughest part to do so far, and that's mainly due to the last segment, having to convey the gradually-changing thoughts of an entire pride of lionesses and make their doubts believable, while also keeping the focus on the main characters. I didn't want to cut anything short, but I also didn't want it to be long enough to be an entire chapter on its own. To a lesser extent, this also applies to the rest of the chapter. A lot of pieces are moving, many of them in quick succession. Hopefully that balance was met properly.
Anyway, like I said, two parts left. Then I look forward to working towards the completion of my two unfinished stories! Thank you for reading, and hope you look forward to the next part after this cliffhanger! ;)
Kovu's gag speech translated:
"RMMMMGHMM!!!" - "LET ME GO!!!"
"Rrnmnrmhmphnphmm! Mrmmnmmhnmph!" - "We don't have to fight! Please stop this!"
However, not only did that never occur, but as Vitani went on and divulged everything to them, Kiara and Nala found it difficult to not find what she was saying plausible. If uncomfortable to accept.
Kovu had, indeed, come to the Pridelands with the intent of overthrowing them. He had indeed initially used Kiara to gain access, to the point where even the fire he'd saved her from had been set up for him to do so. By Vitani herself, no less. However, Kiara did turn out to be half-correct: Kovu ultimately, genuinely cared about her, and had resolved to abandon his original mission by the time he and Simba were ambushed.
A violent whirlpool was forming in Kiara's heart. It swirled around with both sickening dread and blissful awe, an amalgamation that was nearly impossible for her to even process. On the one hand, she had clearly been guilty of just as much presumption in knowing the truth as her father. Her stomach churned at how closely Kovu had gotten to striking her father, and how blindly unaware she had been to it. His mere ability to deceive her like that was frightening as well. But then, not only did he turn away from what his entire upbringing likely trained him for, but it was all because of her. Because he couldn't hurt her. Because he loved her.
And now Kovu was, if Vitani's words were true, suffering for it. Held captive by his mother, not allowed or even able to say a single word to defend his actions. If this was true, then Kiara felt sorrier for her friend than ever before. It was no wonder he almost went down such a dark path; if that was the kind of parenting he'd been subjected to, the fact that he still retained his heart at all spoke volumes about the good soul she always believed he possessed.
So much of what the princess thought she knew was being blurred. The black and white was becoming greyer by the minute.
"How do we know you're not trying to lead us into some sort of trap?" Nala asked.
"Pfft, you really think we're dumb enough to try the same thing twice?" Vitani retorted. She then grumbled, "Look, I'm not here to try and make you feel sorry for me, alright?"
"Then ... why are you here?" Kiara wondered.
The snarky confidence Vitani usually possessed faded from her demeanor. "... Honestly ... I don't know. All I know is that Kovu said you guys weren't what we thought you were. I had to see for myself. I also know that I can't talk to anyone in my own pride about this. So ... yeah ..."
She looked away, and murmured, "I just want my brother back."
It was embarrassing, asking for help like this and sounding so childish. Let alone to the same lions she had been against not more than a day ago. Would she have to beg for their mercy? Be subjected to the scorn of their entire pride? But she spoke nothing but the truth; she needed them.
But not just to save one lion. "No ... I want my family back. I want to stop us from turning on each other. We're supposed to be united in this, as one."
... One ...
Vitani's statement brought Kiara back to her cubhood. The day she had first met Kovu, in fact. Her father was walking her back home, giving her a lesson about how all things were part of a single pride. The lions, the birds, even the plants around them, all dependent on one another.
"We are one," he would tell her.
Kiara's eyes slowly grew wide. As a child, the meaning behind those words was difficult to grasp. But she still carried them with her. And now, in the wake of her bond with Kovu and now the revelations of Vitani, she was finally beginning to understand them ... and how for so long, they hadn't been ringing true.
Since she had been born, she had known her pride to be at odds with the Outlanders. Her parents had made it perfectly clear to her that they were not to get involved with them. But she had always wondered why it had to be like this. She knew now that they had sinister intentions after all, but with Kovu and now Vitani sharing their stories and showing new sides to themselves ... Kiara was beginning to see that they perhaps weren't the cruel monsters they appeared to be, but rather lost, misguided souls. Led astray by the vengeful preaching of a single, crooked queen, who maybe was corrupted herself by Scar and thus could see the light.
No one was born evil. Not even Scar himself. And Kovu and Vitani were showing themselves to be proof that evil was not always beyond saving.
She knew then what needed to happen.
"We need to make this right," she stated, softly yet surely. "We need to bring our prides together."
"What?" Nala's brows furrowed.
"If we keep going like this, everything will just get worse and more lions will get hurt," Kiara explained. Her voice grew more resolute with each word, as she herself grew more sure of her decision. "Mom, don't you see? We're no different from them. We're just too caught up in our anger to see it."
Kiara looked at Vitani, who stood there in her own disbelief at what the princess was saying. She certainly had the rougher, narrower Outlander features that most Pridelanders lacked. But when the princess looked into her eyes, she saw what she knew existed within not only herself and her pride mates, but every other living being: worry for those she loved, confusion as to what was right, and resilience in the face of adversity. Just like what she saw whenever she found herself getting lost in Kovu's handsome emerald eyes, with even more clarity from how much more time they had spent together. He was a good lion. And she could tell that Vitani, despite her own flaws, was too.
"W-we attacked you," Vitani said, once again growing uncomposed. "W-we planned to kill your father. Maybe even you! H-how can you even look at me right now?!" She could barely look at herself. As her entire system of already-shaken beliefs came crumbling down, in its place was now a powerful explosion of guilt for every treacherous scheme, every murderous thought, that she had experienced in her life.
But was Kovu right all along? Was this princess really ready and willing to make peace with them, after everything? Such compassion was unheard of in her pride!
"Because I've seen the good in you guys," Kiara said. She knew it was buried in many of them, and admitted to herself that it was difficult to say this to someone who had tried to take her father away from her. But she pushed on. "I know you planned to do terrible things. Maybe you already have." The wince Vitani gave practically confirmed this, but Kiara continued. "But it's because you were never given the chance to be better ... I want to give you that chance now."
Vitani wasn't the only one amazed by what she was hearing. Nala watched in loving awe as her daughter made her case. The level of wisdom she currently showed was one that most monarchs hoped to achieve years into their reign. And yet her she was, not even a full adult, delivering it in such a pivotal hour. She spoke with the conviction not of a rebellious teenager, but a strong, noble queen. One who was willing to make the hard choices and lead her subjects the entire way through them.
She had never been so proud of her little girl. And after hearing her out and considering everything, she was more than willing to take her side.
"She's right," the queen said. "It won't be easy, but I think it's time we start looking past what we've been, and move forward to achieve what we could be. And I'm willing to try it."
Kiara beamed at her mother gratefully, and received a nuzzle from her in return. Nala then turned back to Vitani, asking the crucial question.
"Are you?"
The young lioness thought it over. This was perhaps the best-case scenario she could have hoped for in coming to these Pridelanders. It opened up a new possibility, where she and her family could achieve everything they wanted, all without any blood shed on either side.
Still, it was far from guaranteed.
"You really think it could work?" Vitani asked tentatively. "Your father sounds ready to tear us apart."
"Oh, I have my ways of persuading him," Nala chuckled. Kiara could attest to that; when Nala pushed her mate hard on something, he usually wouldn't take long to admit defeat.
"Zira will never agree," Vitani added. "She's too committed to Scar, and would sooner die before abandoning him."
"That's what my father believed about Kovu," Kiara said. "And even if that's true, she's one lioness. If the rest of you stand together, she has no power."
Then they had to make sure they all stood together. This had to be taken all the way.
And spurred on by this unexpected offering of hope, she was willing to do so.
"... Okay," the Outlander finally agreed. "I'm in."
Dawn was prepared to make its first breakthrough over the skies of the Outlands, and so the sun was not quite visible yet. Not helping were the deep grey clouds hovering over the grim territory, foreshadowing a brewing storm.
These clouds matched Kovu's state of body and mind. He was in absolute misery, as he had been throughout the entire night. The starvation wasn't too difficult to deal with, given how many nights he and his pride had gone without a meal. What was much worse, however, was the bitter pain in his legs. The vines never let up their inescapable grasp; they kept riding further up his chiseled body each time he budged, making sleep a near-impossibility. Even on the rare chance it did come, it was often disrupted when his dozing form inhaled dust through his nose, and he had to jolt awake before he suffocated. Clearing his airway in these cases required taking the slowest, most shallow breaths he could. The sap on his gag had hardened completely, preventing him from tasting any more, but at the price of an unpleasant chafing sensation against his lips, the fur on his muzzle being pulled whenever he shifted his stiff jaws.
All he could do was lie there and sulk in his mistakes. Because of him, Kiara was now in danger. The Outlanders would come for her family, and he had little doubt that they would snuff her out along with the king and queen. No matter how obviously futile struggling was, that thought alone was all the gruff lion needed to maintain the fire in his eyes and keep struggling in his bonds. He hadn't made it through his upbringing by giving up easily, after all.
But it always ended the same way: with nothing but added fatigue. His forelegs remained uselessly welded in their folded position, and his back legs remained squeezed up tight no matter how hard he tried to pull or shift them apart. He had been trying to escape these blasted vines for so long, and yet still remained just as securely bound and gagged. When combined with the dizzying revelations he'd had about his entire life and the monster he had allowed himself to be for so long, it was enough to wear even a lion as strong as him down.
Kovu moaned through his gag as he tossed his head back in defeat. "MMMHH!!"
Everything was falling apart. And there was nothing he could do about it.
That feeling remained when two lionesses entered his cave. Kovu was facing opposite them, so he tossed himself onto his other side. He leered at them and snarled, not caring how pathetic it sounded muffled as it was.
They ignored him as one of them coldly said, "She wants to see you."
Zira was, as always, up extra early, as she forced everyone else in her pride to be. For them, the day's work began as soon as possible. It was essential for them to not only get as many opportunities for food as possible, but also build up their endurance in preparing for their righteous takeover.
She was ready to strike, and made sure that the pride was as well. Simba and his pride had gone too far this time, nearly stealing her son in such an underhanded manner. But she would see to it that they never had the chance to do so again. This time, she was taking her entire pride to them. They were finished hiding in the shadows; it was time to bring that golden traitor's reign to an end.
But first things first, she thought.
The queen had ordered Kovu be brought to her. In keeping him prisoner for the night, one of her hopes was that he would have all the time available to bring himself to see clearly once more. Now, she wanted to see if it was a success. Otherwise, he would remain as he was. She didn't care if it took weeks, months even. He was her son. Her heir. No one would ever destroy that.
Gratefully, she now saw the two lionesses she had sent escorting him over. Kovu no longer had his forelegs pinned, but they were still tied together, as were his rear legs, once again forcing him to hobble along at a slightly irregular pace.
He wondered why Zira hadn't simply come to him, but quickly assumed it was to make him put in the extra effort as added punishment. Regardless, he put on the face he had been preparing. It wasn't one of defiance or anger, but rather innocence and sorrow. He kept his head hung low to further sell the image.
Soon enough, he found himself standing back in front of his wicked mother.
"Good morning, Kovu," Zira's greeting came with a bitter tinge but still sickly sweet. "I trust you had a ... pleasant night."
Kovu buried the hatred he so wanted to convey. Instead, he slowly raised his head to her, showing her the best hurt expression he could muster. His eyes lightly squinted as if they were about to shed tears, and his wrapped-up muzzle was contorted in shame.
Interesting ... Zira mused. "Tell me, son," she said thoughtfully. "Have you come to learn your lesson? Do you now see the error of your ways, and remember who the real enemy is?"
This was it. The moment where he had to truly put his acting skills to the test. He looked deeply into his mother's eyes, making his own plead for her forgiveness, and nodded. He mustered all of the actual regret and self-hatred he had from his past actions, and redirected them towards what Zira wanted him to feel sorry for. He topped it off with a pathetic little whine through the moss around his mouth.
Zira stared deeply back at him, scrutinizing him, many agonizingly long seconds requiring Kovu to maintain the facade. He had genuinely begged in such a manner as a cub, but now was hoping that she wouldn't be able to tell the difference when it was forged. She had taught him how to convincingly lie, after all.
Unfortunately, that seemed to also mean that she could catch on to his tricks, for her expression ultimately turned back sour. "... No ... You're not fooling me that easily. I can see it, you're not truly cured yet!"
The bound lion instantly dropped the act, knowing that the jig was up. Extremely frustrated, he twisted his head from side to side, muffling as his mane was shaken about. His forelegs rubbed against the vines, the tufts on his elbows brushing against each other. His hind legs did the same as they thrusted and wiggled with fervor. His lower thighs burned from the sting of the bonds, but that didn't stop their efforts.
In his fury, he found himself losing his focus on his balance, and so tipped over and crashed onto his side. "MMMMHPH!!!"
Zira was quick to hover over his fallen form. "These childish games will get you nowhere!" she snarled. "And until you snap out of this, you are to remain in this state!"
"NNHH!!" Kovu roared. He twisted and writhed his legs in the vines, kicking and slashing at his mother. His sturdy build rolled around uselessly, eyes clenched shut as his thrashing intensified. "RMMMMGHMM!!!"
"Zira!!"
A voice suddenly shouted from the distance, diverting the Outlander queen's attention and swiveling her head towards her subject. "What?!" she yelled, still ruffled over her son's disobedience.
"One of our scouts has reported the Pridelanders on our turf! They're heading this way!"
Zira's eyes flared up. So they decided to come to their homes instead, eh? No matter, she thought, ignoring the few droplets of rain that began splashing down onto her head. This would end today either way. It was their last stand, to finally reclaim what was rightfully theirs, and take revenge on Simba, Kiara, and all those who dared try to turn her son into one of their mindless minions.
Kovu, who was now in a half-lying position with his forepaws pressed against the ground, gasped. No! This can't happen! I need to stop it before anyone else gets hurt! "NMH!!" He snarled and fought against the vines with all the strength he could muster, flailing and shaking viciously, muscles bulging and pulsing as he twisted his sore limbs. The rain started to pick up, and with it the desperation with which he struggled. "Rrnmnrmhmphnphmm! Mrmmnmmhnmph!"
Zira faced her gagged son again with a snarl of disgust. Kovu paid her no mind, only focusing on breaking free.
He really is lost, isn't he? the crazed lioness thought. Does he truly think those cretins care for him? Does he really believe that they would ...
In this line of thought, an idea slowly came to Zira's head. And with it, the widening of an all-too-happy grin. This might prove to be a prime opportunity to show Kovu once and for all how little he truly meant to those Pridelanders. She would get her son back, by whatever means necessary.
She marched over to Kovu, still fighting his binds, tossing aside his wet mane that came with the increased rainfall. He froze with a startled, garbled growl when she whispered into his ear.
"Okay, Kovu. I think it's time I show you just what kinds of lions you're defending."
The Outlanders were quick to gather all of their forces together. Zira insisted that she remain behind for now, allowing the rest of her pride to go on ahead. They all got into the formations they had prepared for, with one exception: Vitani was nowhere to be found. This only agitated the Outlanders further, with them believing she had been either taken or killed. Another crime of this merciless pride they were up against.
The sprinkling and showering of rain had evolved into a full storm, with water pouring down on the desolate plateau to which both prides were heading. This delayed the Pridelanders entering the Outlanders' view, but once it happened, their growls and furious rumblings grew more prominent. They recognized several faces among the enemy, including the flowing red mane of the traitorous king, his devilish queen and daughter by his side. The first strike of lightning crashed in the distance, illuminating the exiled lions' hateful features. They were prepared to give everything they had to tear this pride apart, just as Zira demanded of them.
Simba himself, however, was not so singular in his intentions.
When Nala and Kiara came back to Pride Rock with Vitani, to say that he was in disbelief would be an understatement. That disbelief tripled when he heard of what the three of them had come to conclude. Not only could he not comprehend them trusting this lioness in the first place, but to propose peace with her pride after everything that had happened? It was impossible, as he was quick to make clear.
But Kiara was resolute. And surprisingly, so was Nala. That was what shifted the tides in their favor. It had taken much determination and a precise, pointed choice of words, as well as putting in the constantly-needed effort to keep Simba and Vitani from coming to blows. But they had been able to make Simba, at the very least, consider the prospects. He still wasn't convinced, but the clincher came when Kiara told him her own revelation about his famous three words to her. She expressed how she believed they applied to everyone, how the Outlanders' intentions had been corrupted but weren't beyond saving. If they could just talk to them, they could find a way.
It was just barely enough to convince Simba to give it a cautious chance. And once the three most important lions in the pride were in favor, it wasn't too hard to convince the rest of the members to follow suit.
Even now, though, Simba was uncertain. He had gathered everyone together to show that they were all on the same page as him, but also in case their efforts failed and fighting did commence. But he did sincerely hope, however minimally, that this worked. He'd had enough violence to last a lifetime, and was ready to put it to rest.
Eventually, the two prides were within striking distance of one another. On the top of the flat, barren plateau overlooking a rushing, winding river, they stood off, their fur and manes now drenched from the ongoing storm. The Outlanders scoffed at how the Pridelanders didn't even seem willing to fight. Even their king looked unsure.
For a moment, the only sound present came from the watery pellets falling against the ground and the sparse, booming crashes of lightning. That was, until Kali walked up to the front lines, signaling to the lionesses to hold off until her command.
"Well, well, finally decided to finish this once and for all, eh?" she hissed.
Seeing this as their cue, Simba and Nala took to their own front, walking with the authority of young yet experienced rulers in their prime. This is it, Simba thought. Make it or break it.
"Outlanders!" Simba declared, loudly enough for all to hear but trying to keep himself sounding collected and nonconfrontational. "We are not here to fight today."
The entire pride glanced at each other with confusion at that. "Oh really?" Kali shouted. "Then what do you call this?" She pointed a paw to the horde of lionesses behind Simba.
"A display of unity," the red-maned leader replied. "To show that we all stand together. Together in an offering of peace."
His voice didn't have the resolve he wanted. It was clear that he wasn't fully convinced by his own words, and some Outlanders were taking notice. Seeing this as well, Nala nodded to him, and he silently agreed to let her take over.
She stepped forward with the power and poise of a true royal. "We understand this is an unexpected gesture." Several Outlanders scoffed as if to say, 'You think?' "But the past few days have shown us a new perspective. We see now the pointlessness of this conflict. And we also recognize our own faults in contributing to it."
"It is all your fault!" an Outlander exclaimed. "We've rotted for years because of you! Because you banished anyone who even slightly disagreed with you!"
"Th-that's not ..." Simba stammered. That wasn't the motivation behind any of it. He would never send a subject away merely for a different point of view. He saw the Outlander who said this, and she seemed too young to have even remembered the exile. So how was she to know ...
What have you been telling them, Zira? Simba thought.
He was finally beginning to see what Kiara meant: these lionesses' anger was not entirely of their own making.
The princess herself decided to step in. Siti's throat rumbled when she saw the female who had stolen Kovu's affections.
"Well, if it isn't the little heartbreaker!" she snapped. Kiara flinched, but maintained her composure under the scrutiny.
"Listen," she began. "I've gotten to know one of your own. Kovu, h-he's a good, kind soul. As I believe all of you are deep down. If we can just find a way to-"
"You brainwashed him!" Kari yelled. Simba sensed that things could go badly at any moment, and gestured to his lionesses for the worst.
"Yeah, he was ours until you got in his head!" Siti piled on.
This got the Outlanders further riled up. Kiara's ears folded back, fear evident on her face, but she tried to keep the situation from erupting. "N-no, it's not like that," she said. "I didn't even know he ..."
But the Outlanders were closing in, still growling in preparation for attack. "I just want the fighting to stop," Kiara said with more urgency.
"So you can keep your pretty little paws clean?" Siti mocked. "I don't think so."
"She's right!" A new voice joined the argument. "Enough."
When the Outlanders saw who had spoken, their jaws nearly hit the infertile floor.
As if it weren't a big enough shock for their top fighter to turn against them, they now saw that Vitani was standing among the Pridelanders. And from the apparent resolve in her demeanor, she was clearly not being held there against her will.
"Vitani?!" an Outlander shouted.
"What are you doing?!" Siti exclaimed.
"This can't be happening!"
Each pride member expressed such incredulity at what they were witnessing. Half of Vitani's muzzle curled up, as she couldn't help but find it a bit amusing. But she ultimately went ahead to take advantage of her pride's stunned states of mind.
"Our place is with each other. All of us," she began.
"With him?" Kali yelled. "Vitani, what have they done to you?!"
"What Zira failed to do: listen!" Vitani shot back. "We've been lied to. We've been manipulated, abused, and driven to kill. But all we knew about who or why is what she told us! And we just agreed to it! All for a ruler who binds and gags her own son just to shut him up! And you guys think Simba's the tyrant?!"
Uncertainty was beginning growing throughout the pride. It had started in small seeds among Kiara's initial proposition of peace, but insignificant enough to be swiftly discarded. But now that Vitani was a part of it, those seeds were finally beginning to grow. They could see how Kovu could have been blinded by manipulation after spending the amount of time that he did in the Pridelands. But could Vitani have really been identically corrupted over less than a single night? Even with how cunning they had been warned Simba was, it seemed rather unbelievable.
Kiara was saddened at the reminder of Kovu's current situation. She used that as further fuel for herself. "Please," she begged again. "If nothing else, consider it for Kovu. He doesn't deserve what he's going through. You have to know that."
The compassion and earnestness in her voice was disarming for most of the opposing pride. Was this really the bratty, entitled princess that they were told about? The same who would belittle and hold her nose up at any being below her status? It certainly didn't seem so. Further, what of Simba? The conflict visible within him seemed a far cry from the ruthless monarch who would show no mercy to any outsider.
Vitani was no fool; she would not be duped so easily, nor would she dare work with such a softer individual unless she felt it absolutely necessary ... What did that say now?
One Outlander was the first brave soul to speak up in consideration. "Do you really care for him?" Her question held no sarcasm. "What is he to you?"
Kiara was about to answer, to express her heart unfettered. How fun he was to be around, how well they understood each other, how he made her feel safe. But Kali once again intervened.
"Why are we bothering with this?! Zira would not be pleased!"
"Zira isn't here, is she?" the lioness turned and said. "And both Kovu and Vitani are insisting that we not fight this pride. That has to mean something!"
A few murmurs of agreement emerged from the other lionesses, as they took in everything they were seeing and hearing.
Simba felt his confidence building. A sizable part of him went into this expecting a swift and violent refusal of their offer. For there to be any hesitation at all, let alone the whispers of doubt he was currently witnessing, he was finally beginning to actually believe that Kiara's goal was possible.
Maybe, after all, there could be peace.
But everyone's attention was then diverted when a guttural roar broke out, loud enough to overtake the thunder erupting behind it.
Both prides turned to its source, and saw that the surprises were not about to stop.
Zira had finally showed up to the would-be battlefield, her matted fur soaked like everyone else's. But she was not alone.
In between her teeth, she carried the mane of none other than Kovu himself. He once again had his forelegs bound in a folded position, in addition to the rest of his bindings and gag. He was struggling and grunting, dragging and tossing his mother around and making her stumble frequently. But she still managed to pull him in her desired direction.
And that direction was right in between the prides.
After using a paw to pin her flailing son firmly on his side, Zira then brought her razor-sharp claws against his throat. Every Outlander gasped, but the visual was nothing compared to what she said next.
"Pridelanders!" she roared. "Surrender at once, or your newest member dies!"
The Lion King franchise, the named lion characters (except Siti and Kali), and the image used to make the photo edit above, all belong to Disney.
Well, it looks like this will be five parts after all. Not a big deal, since that means only 2 more left. I've been spending almost all of my free time getting this story done, because I already have two other unfinished fics that need to finally be resolved. Thankfully, again, I know these movies so well that I'm able to draft and revise the story much faster.
However, this was easily the toughest part to do so far, and that's mainly due to the last segment, having to convey the gradually-changing thoughts of an entire pride of lionesses and make their doubts believable, while also keeping the focus on the main characters. I didn't want to cut anything short, but I also didn't want it to be long enough to be an entire chapter on its own. To a lesser extent, this also applies to the rest of the chapter. A lot of pieces are moving, many of them in quick succession. Hopefully that balance was met properly.
Anyway, like I said, two parts left. Then I look forward to working towards the completion of my two unfinished stories! Thank you for reading, and hope you look forward to the next part after this cliffhanger! ;)
Kovu's gag speech translated:
"RMMMMGHMM!!!" - "LET ME GO!!!"
"Rrnmnrmhmphnphmm! Mrmmnmmhnmph!" - "We don't have to fight! Please stop this!"
Category Story / Bondage
Species Lion
Gender Male
Size 1280 x 855px
Listed in Folders
Good Lord...! Just when thing's were starting to finally click for these two separate prides, one final obstacle just reared her ugly head right in and is starting to make thing's SO much more difficult! And to do it to her own son, as well? Zira really is one f*cked up mother...!
Nice work on this! The mood and atmosphere throughout this Chapter, particularly in the last third, really set thing's up perfectly! I also really like the slow build-up of uncertainty and doubt coming in to both Vitani when she's talking with Kiara and Nala on her own, and The Outlanders when discussing peace with The Pridelanders. The latter just knew something was up when they saw one of their own proudly standing beside their enemies without a single bit of hesitation!
Can't wait to see what happens, next! Something tells me the reaction Zira's gonna get from The Pridelanders, especially Kiara, is not gonna be what she expects...! :)
Nice work on this! The mood and atmosphere throughout this Chapter, particularly in the last third, really set thing's up perfectly! I also really like the slow build-up of uncertainty and doubt coming in to both Vitani when she's talking with Kiara and Nala on her own, and The Outlanders when discussing peace with The Pridelanders. The latter just knew something was up when they saw one of their own proudly standing beside their enemies without a single bit of hesitation!
Can't wait to see what happens, next! Something tells me the reaction Zira's gonna get from The Pridelanders, especially Kiara, is not gonna be what she expects...! :)
Haha, yup, she's got a lot of issues! As if that wasn't obvious enough already! XD
It was tough to get it right, but definitely worth it. And yeah, Vitani's presence was definitely the huge factor that made most of them second-guess. One traitor is one thing, but two? Something's definitely up.
Oh, things definitely won't go how she thinks. ;)
It was tough to get it right, but definitely worth it. And yeah, Vitani's presence was definitely the huge factor that made most of them second-guess. One traitor is one thing, but two? Something's definitely up.
Oh, things definitely won't go how she thinks. ;)
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