In post 2143, Victorine wrote:Let me force you to read my stupid fanfic for a while...
"Wake up, sleepy head." Jasiri shook her mate with her paw "The ceremony won't wait!"
"Can't it wait for a little longer?" Janja groaned in response, turning around with intent to continue sleeping
"I suppose it can be postponed for a little while longer." Jasiri smiles "But no longer than a half an hour. After all, it's not every day that someone becomes royalty. Or rather, two someones."
Janja smiles as well. At least until the true meaning of her words reaches his brain. Then he sits bolt upright, eyes going wide.
"Wait, are you saying what I think you're saying?!" he asks
"If you think I am saying you're gonna be the King of the Outlands, then yes." Jasiri giggles
"B..but...I..." Janja stutters "I nominated you as the Queen partially because I knew I would do a lousy job at ruling. You saw how me and my clan failed each time I tried to lead them. Now I will fail on a much bigger scale, and I don't want that."
He starts to wheeze, and Jasiri frowns once she realizes he is having a nervous breakdown.
"Janja...calm down." she says "The fact you're so worried about this in the first place is precisely why you'd make a good king."
"I have to agree with her." another familiar voice rings out
Janja and Jasiri look at the former King of the Pridelands. Simba is older now, and it shows. His movements are slower and his breath is more labored. His eyes, however, are filled with affection. Both Jasiri and Janja can see it.
"Simba." Jasiri curtsies respectfully "What brings you here?"
"I happened to overhear Janja's worries, so I decided to give him some advice, from a former King to a future one." Simba smiles gently "Do not let self-doubt hold you back. I did, and that turned out to be a mistake."
"And why were you in the Outlands?" Jasiri asks
"To tell the truth, I wanted to visit my son." Simba admits "Well, adoptive son. We spent so little time together before I had to give him away."
"Why didn't you visit him before?" Jasiri prompts
"I was sidetracked with my royal duties and raising my own children." Simba says "And then when Kion grew up, he had a lot of encounters with my adoptive son. And he told me all about those per my request. That way, I was able to keep tabs on him."
"And who is this adopted son of yours?" Jasiri tilted her head curiously
"Well, as you know, two of my children became royalty. Kiara is Queen of the Pridelands and Kion is the King of the Tree of Life." Simba says "So then, what if I said that my adopted child is about to become royalty as well?"
Jasiri looks at Janja, and their eyes widen simultaneosly. Then Jasiri giggles.
"Oh, yes." she chortles "A lion adopting a hyena! Now I've seen everything!"
"You will bring the hyenas back to the Pridelands." Simba continues "Just as your parents would have wanted."
Janja turns away at that declaration, looking sad.
"I never knew my parents." he whispers "I never even met them. You know them better than I ever will. Why do you get to know them better than me?!"
Then he bolts off before either Jasiri or Simba could stop him.
"Janja..." Jasiri whispers
She's about to follow, but a lion's paw blocks her path.
"He needs some time to himself." Simba says "I suggest you postpone the coronation ceremony until tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll talk to him."
Janja is lying on cold, hard stone. Tears are flowing down his face without reservation as he gnaws on a bone.
Then a zebra carcass is placed down in front of him, and a warm body lies down next to him.
"Let it all out, son." Simba says "It's been twenty years since I last called you that, you know..."
Janja doesn't look up, but he does start munching on the zebra carcass instead.
"You were quite the troublemaker back then." Simba says "And according to Kion, you still were well into your teenage years."
"And yet, you were quick to disbelieve I had changed." Janja says
"Yes, that was an unfortunate development." Simba admits with a sigh "To be honest, you brought back Scar and I...I thought he had corrupted you fully. That, and twenty years of causing trouble...I thought that the little pip I knew back then was gone forever. Fortunately, you were able to prove me wrong. And that is why I'll make one final decree as King. Kiara and Kovu already agreed as well, as did Kion. From now on, the hyenas are welcome in the Pridelands and at the Tree of Life alike as long as they don't cause too much mayhem. I do this for you and for your mate's joint clan."
"Thank you." Janja manages to say
"Now you should rest for today." Simba begins to leave "I convinced Jasiri to postpone the ceremony for your sake. Me and my family will attend. All of us will attend the coronation. It's a family affair, after all."
"So me and Kion have been brothers this whole time?" Janja smirks
"Adoptive brothers." Simba corrects "But yes. And you fought, as brothers should."
"And I held my adoptive sister and mother hostage." Janja adds
"Yes, you did." Simba remarks off-handedly "It was Ushari's idea, to be fair."
"Maybe." Janja grins "Still, that's one weird family tree. But...I was told my real parents died. How did they die?"
"They were killed." is all Simba says "I need to get going now, and you need to rest."
When Janja and Jasiri wake up the next day, the sun is high up in the sky. They stand up slowly and drink a little from the pond, before they are interrupted by Madoa, who runs up to them.
"The royal family are coming...all of them." she says "And so is the Lion Guard."
"Which one, Kion's or Vitani's?" Jasiri asks
"Both of them." Madoa replies
"Well, then, this will be interesting..." Janja says
"Very interesting." another voice says
"Ah, Vitani is here." Madoa says
"Indeed." Vitani stops to look at Janja "You look like Shenzi...and Banzai as well. You must be their biological offspring."
"I can't be. They died in a fire long before I was born. Every hyena knows the story. And my parents were killed, so that can't be true." Janja denies
"That's not what happened." Vitani smiles sadly "Your parents were killed by my mother."
"That's not entirely true." Simba says "Your mother died giving birth to you and your father was killed by my officers."
Janja looks between Vitani and Simba, unsure which version to believe. Nala, Kiara, Kovu and Vitani's guard are there as well.
Then Jasiri clears her throat.
"I hate to interrupt, but the ceremony is about to start."
Janja has a sneaking suspicion she did so for his sake.
That is when Kion, his mate and his guard appear.
"I believe we've come to an acceptable alternative for your ceremony." Jasiri tells Simba
Wema and Tunu walk up, each one carrying what appears to be a makeshift crown made of twigs and leaves in their mouth
"Indeed." Simba agrees
"Then let the coronation ceremony begin!" Jasiri announces
Wema and Tunu approach Janja and Jasiri and put the crowns onto their heads as everyone is watching.
"Presenting the new Queen and King of the Outlands." Madoa announces "Good luck, you guys."
"Thanks, sis." Jasiri says "We'll need it...both of us will need it."
Janja tunes out most of what happens next. Instead he thinks about his parents and tries to figure out which story is true.
After the ceremony is finished, he is approached by Kion and Rani.
"Thinking about your parents?" Rani asks softly "Mine were killed too, so I understand how you feel."
"If what Simba says is true, then I killed my mother." Janja says morosely
"You didn't." Rani says comfortingly "It's just one of those things that happen."
Janja doesn't answer. Instead, he wanders off.
"He needs to be alone now." Rani advises "Except you, Jasiri. He needs you, I think."
"Got it." Jasiri says and takes off after him.
So have you figured out my alignment from this yet?
