S Simba
[Just as Simba and Zira are about to fight, Kiara and Kovu leap in between them]
Kiara?
Zira
Kovu! [Kovu doesn't back down] Move.
AK Adult Kiara
Daddy, this has to stop.
Zira
You're even weaker than I thought. Get out of the way!
AK Adult Kovu
You'll never hurt Kiara, or Simba! Not while I'm here.
Zira
[scoffs]
Ha!
S Simba
Stay out of this.
AK Adult Kiara
A wise king once told me, "We are one." I didn't understand him then. [smiles] Now I do.
AK Adult Kiara
Them...us. Look at them...they are us. What differences do you see? (Aren't we all part of the Circle of Life?)
Zira
[As both prides stand stunned in realization, the rain stops and the clouds clear; Simba smiles and nuzzles Kiara]
Vitani! Now!
Adult Vitani
No, Mother! [faces Kiara then back to Zira] Kiara's right. [walks to join Simba's pride] Enough.
Zira
If you will not fight... then you will die as well. [the other Outsiders, disgusted by Zira's words, also go to stand with Simba, leaving Zira standing alone] Wh-- wha-- where are you going?! Get back here!
S Simba
Let it go, Zira. It's time to put the past behind us.
Zira
[now alone]
I'll never let it go! This is for you, Scar!
[Zira snarls and leaps at Simba, but Kiara pushes her away, and both start rolling down towards the river]
K Kiara
Whoa, man, did you see the size of those teeth? They were goin'... [mimics growling; rolls over on her back and laughs] He was just totally eatin' you up right there, and I jumped on his head, and I bopped him so good. [The camera moves back to show Zira crouching in the grass some distance away] We make such a good team. And you... you were really brave.
K Kovu
Yeah? You were pretty brave too. My name's Kovu.
K Kiara
I'm Kiara. [She crouches down playfully, waving her tail; she reaches out and bats him] Tag! You're it! [She jumps back, laughing; instead of chasing, Kovu just looks at her silently. She tries again] Tag! You're it! You're it! [still gets no response; he just stares at her] Hello? You run; I tag. Get it? What's the matter? Don't you know how to play? [getting an idea, she crouches down and goes back to playing his style, with bared teeth and growls. He gets the idea and playfully growls back, but suddenly he finds himself growling at Simba's leg. Simba roars, and Zira jumps out of the grass and roars back]
Zira
Simba. [Nala, Timon, and Pumbaa arrive behind Simba, with other lionesses] Nala.
Nala
Zira.
Timon
Timon, Pumbaa. Great. Now that we all know each other, GET OUTTA OUR PRIDE LANDS!
Zira
Your Pride Lands? [snarls, scaring him making Timon leap backward over Pumbaa's head in fear] These lands belong to Scar.
S Simba
[sternly]
I banished you from the Pride Lands. Now you, and your young cub, get out. [Kovu and Kiara hide farther behind their parents]
Zira
Oh, haven't you met my son, Kovu? He was hand-chosen by Scar to follow in his pawprints and become king. [Simba growls as Kovu shivers, looking worried]
Timon
[scoffs]
That's not a king. That's a fuzzy maraca.
Zira
Kovu was the last born before you exiled us to the Outlands, where we have little food, less water.
S Simba
You know the penalty for returning to the Pride Lands.
Zira
But the child does not. However, if you need your pound of flesh, here. [nudges a terrified Kovu over to Simba, who glares at him. Kovu shivers in fright]
S Simba
Take him and get out. We're finished here. [turns around and picks Kiara up with his mouth as he's getting ready to leave]
Zira
Oh, no, Simba. We have barely begun. [looks down at Kiara and chuckles evilly, then turns and picks up Kovu]
K Kiara
[Kovu and Kiara look back at each other, sadly] [softly]
Bye.
Nuka
[At the Outlands, Vitani is tugging on a root, growling. Nuka approaches from behind] [annoyed]
Kovu, Kovu, Kovu. Scar wasn't even his father. He just took 'im in. [to Vitani, who is biting on a root] Oh, hey, Vitani. Where's little termite Kovu, the "Chosen One"? [touches the root with a claw; it snaps, and Vitani tumbles backward; Nuka guffaws]
Vitani
Nuka! Where's Kovu? Did you leave him out there on his own again?
Nuka
Hey, it's every lion for himself out here. [scratches himself] That little termite's got to learn to be on his own.
Vitani
Mother's going to be mad. She told you to watch him.
Nuka
[continuing to scratch his mangy back]
Oh, who cares? I should've been the Chosen One. I'm the oldest, I'm the strongest, I'm the smartest-- OH, THESE TERMITES! [starts crazily biting every place he can find on his body, and rolls around on the ground; Vitani watches, smirking] I could be a leader if she'd just give me a chance!
Vitani
[scoffs; sarcastically]
Yeah, right. [normally] Why don't you tell that to her?
Nuka
Yeah? Don't think I won't.
Vitani
Oh, yeah? [laughs] Here's your chance.
Nuka
[Zira walks slowly by Nuka, carrying Kovu in her mouth. She ignores Nuka entirely]
What? Oh. Mother. Mother, hi! [laughs nervously] Mother, I caught some field mice for your dinner. I left 'em by the, um, by the-- Okay. [Zira drops Kovu. Vitani pounces next to him]
Vitani
Hey, Kovu. You want to fight? [She mock-snarls; he looks earnest]
Zira
[angrily at Nuka]
You were supposed to be watching him! [Nuka becomes scared]
K Kovu
It's not his fault; I went off on my own. [Zira turns on Kovu, backing him along the ground with her words]
Zira
What were you doing?
Zira
Who has made us Outsiders?
Zira
Who killed Scar?
Zira
And what have I told you about them?!
K Kovu
Sorry, mother! Sh-she didn't seem so bad. I-I, I thought we could be--
Zira
Friends?! You thought you'd get to the daughter, and Simba would welcome you with open arms? What an idea! [she reconsiders and smiles] What... an idea! You brilliant child. I'm so proud of you. [She kneads the frightened Kovu with unsheathed claws and scratching his hair] You have the same conniving mind that made Scar so...powerful.
Nuka
[disgusted]
Ooh, yuck. [Zira snarls and glares at Nuka, who laughs nervously; Zira then picks up Kovu and carries him into a cave, as Nuka glowers] Ugh. [sarcastically] Chosen One.
Zira
[Zira carries Kovu into their makeshift den, and deposits him in a hollow tree trunk; he lands with a grunt]
I now see the path to our glorious return to power!
K Kovu
But I don't want--
Zira
[harshly]
Hush! [softly] Hush, my little one. You must be exhausted. [sings] ♪ Sleep, my little Kovu. Let your dreams take wing. ♪
♪ One day when you're big and strong, you will be a king. ♪
K Kovu
[smiles in embarrassment]
Good night.
Zira
Good night, my little prince. Tomorrow, your training intensifies. [singing] ♪ I've been exiled, persecuted, left alone with no defense. ♪
♪ When I think of what that brute did, I get a little tense. ♪
♪ But I dream a dream so pretty, that I don't feel so depressed. ♪
♪ 'Cause it soothes my inner kitty, and it helps me get some rest. ♪
♪ The sound of Simba's dying gasp. ♪
♪ His daughter squealing in my grasp. ♪
♪ His lionesses' mournful cry; That's my lullaby. ♪
♪ Now the past I've tried forgetting, and my foes I could forgive. ♪
♪ Trouble is I knows it's petty, but I hate to let them live. ♪
Nuka
♪ So you found yourself somebody who'd chase Simba up a tree. ♪
Zira
♪ Oh, the final battle may be bloody, but that kind of works for me. ♪
♪ The melody of angry growls. ♪
♪ A counterpoint of painful howls. ♪
♪ A symphony of death; oh, my. ♪
♪ That's my lullaby. ♪
♪ Scar is gone, but Zira's still around, to love this little lad. ♪
♪ Till he learns to be a killer, with a lust for being bad. ♪
Nuka
Sleep, ya little termite! Uh-- I mean, ♪ precious little thing. ♪
Vitani
♪ One day when you're big and strong-- ♪
Zira
♪ You will be a king. ♪
♪ The pounding of the drums of war! ♪
♪ The thrill of Kovu's mighty roar! ♪
Nuka
The joy of vengeance!
Vitani
Testify!
Zira
♪ I can hear the cheering! ♪
NA Nuka and Vitani
Kovu, what a guy!
Zira
♪ Payback time is nearing, and then our flag will fly, against a blood-red sky! ♪
♪ That's...my...lulla...by! ♪ [evil laugh]
S Simba
[Simba has been telling Kovu about Scar]
Scar couldn't let go of his hate, and in the end, it destroyed him.
K Kovu
[genuinely shocked]
I've never heard the story of Scar that way. He truly was a killer.
S Simba
[glances at the burnt plains around them]
Fire is a killer. Sometimes, what's left behind can grow better than the generation before. [unearths a small plant from the dust] If given the chance. [Zira cackles from offscreen and Kovu and Simba look around and gasp. The Outsiders emerge from the shadows and stalk toward Kovu and Simba and growl. Simba looks to the side to see more Outsiders emerging.]
K Kovu
No. Oh, no. [Kovu and Simba look back and forth frantically.] No!
Zira
[Outsiders start growling] [emerges, flanked by Nuka and Vitani.]
Why, Simba.
Zira
[evilly smirks]
What are you doing out here, and so alone? [Simba squares off against the Outsiders and growl; she, Nuka and Vitani chuckle] Well done, Kovu. Just like we always planned.
S Simba
[to Kovu; angry at being betrayed]
You!
K Kovu
No! [Simba snarls; looks around at the Outsiders desperately.] I didn't have anything to do with this! [looks imploringly at Simba.]
Zira
Attack!
K Kovu
[Nuka lunges at Simba and snarls him, but fails to attack Simba, who knocks Nuka away and grunts] [alarmed]
NO!
S Simba
[The Outsiders attack Simba while both he and the Outsiders snarl]
Ah! [fights back as more Outsiders gang up on him.]
Zira
[Outsiders snarl and Kovu jumps into the fray. He knocks an Outsider aside. Vitani kicks Kovu, knocking him into a nearby rock, and watches as he falls unconscious. Meanwhile, the Outsiders swarm over Simba and snarl. Nuka leaps into the fight, knocking Simba off a cliff, as Simba falls into the gorge.] [surveys Simba from the top of the gorge.]
Yes! [The Outsiders slide down the side of the gorge toward Simba.] We've got him! [Outsiders snarl]
Vitani
[pounces at Simba.]
Rah!
Zira
[from offscreen]
Remember your training as a unit!
[The Outsiders chase after Simba through the gorge. One jumps on his back but falls. The Outsiders growl and Simba pauses at the bottom of a log pile. He looks up to see that it leads to the top of the gorge., pants, looks behind him to see the Outsiders charging toward him. He begins to climb the log pile. As he climbs, he dislodges a log that falls toward the Outsiders. They back away in time to avoid getting hit. Zira and Vitani glare up at Simba and they snarl. Simba looks over one shoulder at the Outsiders down below. He then looks back up at the log pile. Meanwhile, Kovu stands at the top of the gorge, looking down on Simba.]
Zira
Get him, Kovu! Get him! [Kovu runs offscreen.] Do it! NOW!
Nuka
[Simba continues to climb. Nuka clambers up the log pile after Simba.]
I'LL DO IT FOR YOU, MOTHER! [bounds gleefully up the logs and snickers but loses his balance] Oh! [looks down at Zira as he climbs] MOTHER, ARE YA WATCHING?! [under his breath] I'm doin' it for you, and I'm doin' it for me.
S Simba
[loses his footing]
Ah!
Nuka
[he grabs onto one of Simba's back paws and yells, as Simba winces and grunts]
This is my moment of glory! [The log Nuka is standing on breaks, causing him to fall.] What? No!
Zira
NO!
[Nuka falls, looks up and yelps as a log crushes him. Several more logs land on top of him. Simba climbs higher, kicking more logs down the pile. Nuka struggles to free himself. He looks up in fright as more logs fall toward him as he screams. Simba climbs to safety. Meanwhile, more logs fall, raising dust. After a moment, the dust clears. Kovu bounds down to the bottom of the gorge and starts to pry the logs off Nuka, but Zira shoves Kovu aside. Zira reaches down for Nuka. Kovu backs away. Zira shoves a log aside with her head, and sees Nuka is seen hopelessly buried in logs. Nuka coughs]
Zira
[heartbroken]
Nuka.
Nuka
[weakly; his last words before his death]
I'm sorry, M-Mother. I tried.
Zira
[reaches down for Nuka.]
Shh.
Vitani
[Nuka tries to speak, but his eyes shut, and his head falls limply in Zira's paw. She draws back slowly, leaving his head to rest on the logs, and stares down at him in devastation.] [approaches from behind Zira; sadly]
Nuka. [bows her head. The scene transitions to the open savanna. Simba limps through the grass. Kiara, Zazu, Timon, and Pumbaa appear on a nearby hill.]
K Kiara
Father? Father! [looks at Zazu, who has alighted in a nearby tree] Zazu, get help!
Zazu
Oh, yes! [flies away] Help! At once! Of course! [Kiara, Timon, and Pumbaa rush down the hill toward Simba, who pauses, looks up wearily at their arrival and grunts]
K Kiara
Father. [nuzzles Simba, then pulls away and watches him with concern. Pumbaa skids to a halt in front of Simba, with Timon in his mane.]
Timon
Simba, talk to me! [spreads his arms wide] What happened?
S Simba
[weakly]
Kovu. Ambush. [collapses on his side and moans]
Timon
[Pumbaa picks up Simba's head, while Timon lifts his tail.]
It's all right, buddy. We're here for ya.
Zira
[Timon and Pumbaa carry Simba away, while Kiara strides alongside them. The scene transitions to the gorge, where the Outsiders are gathered mournfully around the log pile.] [sadly]
Scar, watch over my poor Nuka. Oh... [glares over one shoulder at Kovu and angrily lunges at him] YOU!!! [Kovu looks up and Zira angrily slashes him in the face, and he yells in pain and turns away; he breathes heavily and looks back at Zira angrily, revealing a scar over his left eye.] What... have you... [juts her head at Kovu] done?!
K Kovu
I didn't-- I-I didn't mean to. I-- It wasn't my fault. I-I-- [steeling himself] I did nothing!
Zira
Exactly! And in doing so, you betrayed your pride. Betrayed Scar!
K Kovu
[refusing to follow Scar]
I want nothing more to DO WITH HIM!
Zira
You cannot escape it. [strides toward Kovu, who backs away and slips on a rock.] Nuka is dead because of you!
Zira
[she and Vitani glower and angrily at Kovu]
You've killed your own brother!
K Kovu
[losing control of his rage and screaming at Zira]
NO!!!!!!!!! [runs away from Zira and the Outsiders, who roar]
Zira
[holds up a paw to halt Vitani]
Let him go! Simba has hurt me for the last time. [climbs a pillar of rock and stands overlooking the Outsiders, who gather below Zira.] Now, he has corrupted Kovu. [smirking] Listen to me; Simba is injured and weak. [lifts a paw] Now is the time to [slams her paw into the ground] attack! We will take his entire kingdom...BY FORCE! [the Outsiders roar in agreement as she laughs evilly]
