Ash's Adventures of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride/Transcript

This is the transcript to Ash's Adventures of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride.

Opening/"He Lives in You"

(Sunrise over the Pride Lands. Animals of all types make their road to Pride Rock. Elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, antelopes, hippos––all very much as in the opening of the first movie)

Chorus: (sings) Ingonyama nengw' enamabala.

Lebo M.: (singing) Night, and the spirit of life. Calling...

Chorus: (singing) Oh, oh, iyo.

Lebo M.: (singing) Mamela.

Chorus: (singing) Oh, oh, iyo.

(Rafiki is standing on the tip of the Pride Rock promontory, exhorting the gathering animals underneath him)

Rafiki: (singing) Ubukhosi bo khokho, we ndodana ye sizwe sonke.

Lebo M.: (singing) Wait, there's no mountain too grand.

Chorus: (singing) Oh, oh, iyo.

Lebo M.: (singing) Hear the words and have faith.

Chorus: (singing) Oh, oh, iyo.

Lebo M.: (singing) Have faith.

Chorus: (singing) Hela, hey mamela.

(Mufasa appears as a spirit in the clouds. Rafiki is blown by the wind, and he gestures to all the gathered animals underneath, who bow down before the image)

Lebo M.: (singing) He lives in you, he lives in me. He watches over, everything we see. Into the water, into the truth. In your reflection, he lives in you!

(On "In your reflection", a giraffe looks up, and Zazu flies in toward Pride Rock. Simba and Nala are there. Rafiki takes Kiara from Nala's mouth and holds her up before the assembled crowd. The animals all cheer, and Simba and Nala are blown by the wind from the approving figure of Mufasa)

(third verse repeats)

(chorus repeats)

(Kiara strains playfully in Rafiki's grip. After much cheering from the crowd, he lowers her to be nuzzled by Nala. Timon and Pumbaa stand nearby)

Timon: Ah, Pumbaa––look at that little guy. A chip off the old block! And you must know who's gonna raise him...

Pumbaa: His parents?

Timon: (pause) Alright, sure, get technical. But who's gonna teach him the really reluctant stuff? Like how to belch? (burp) And dig for grubs? (jumps down) I'm warning ya, buddy...it's gonna be like old times. You, me...and the little guy.

Rafiki: (chuckles) It is a girl.

Timon: ...Girl.

Both: Girl?! ...Oi!

(Timon and Pumbaa collapse in a dead faint. Cut to title)

Meeting Kiara/Timon and Pumbaa the Babysitters

{Camera zooms slowly back to Pride Rock, where Kiara is playing at Simba's paws atop Pride Rock, gazing down over the side.}

Kiara: Wow.

{She chortles continuously, and Simba catches her as she comes near the edge.}

Simba: Woah. Where do you think you're going in such a hurry?

{Kiara wriggles in Simba's grasp as he moves her to safety.}

Kiara: Daddy! Let go!

{She keeps guffawing as she tries to escape}

Simba: Well, I just want you to be careful.

{She pounces after a butterfly. Simba steps on her tail to pin her down.}

Kiara...are you listening? Incidents can happen. You could easily get hurt, or stepped--

{Kiara says this well-practiced line along with Simba, and finishes it for him.}

Kiara: ...Hurt, or stepped on, or even get lost.

Simba: And remember....I want you to stay in sight of Pride Rock at all--

Kiara: At all times, I know. {She's testy at the repetitive warning; she continues reciting} And if I see any strangers, don't speak to them. Come straight home. Alright, that's it. Can I go now? Please?

{Nala and Zazu enter. Simba exchanges a glance with Nala, reminiscent of since they played out this same scene as cubs}

Simba: Huh. Very funny.

Nala: {laughs gently} Mind your father, Kiara.

Kiara: {chortles} Yes, mum.

Simba: And stay away from the Outlands.

Zazu: Nothing there but a bunch of backstabbing, murderous Outsiders!

Simba: Zazu's right...you can't turn your back on them.

{Kiara is curious.}

Kiara: Oh. Really? How come?

Simba: Mmm...never mind. Just run along now.

Kiara: But Dad, I--

Simba: You'll understand someday. Go ahead.

Kiara: Dad...

{He runs a paw over her, but nudges her aside. She resumes guffawing and runs away down Pride Rock.}

Simba: And stay on the path I've marked for you!

Nala: {chuckles} Simba. Who does she remind you of? Huh?

Simba: {cluelessly} What? What? Who?

Nala: She's just like you were if you were young.

Simba: Exactly. Do you realize the dangers we put ourselves in?

{She tackles Simba and puts him on his back.}

Nala: You mean the dangers YOU put us in.

{They chuckle and nuzzle for a few moments, then Nala gets up.}

Nala: She'll be fine.

{She moves away. Simba waits until she is out of earshot.}

Simba: Hey, Timon. Pumbaa. Come here.

{Timon enters, on Pumbaa's back.}

Timon: Good morning, mon Capitan.

Simba: I want you to keep a close watch on Kiara. You know she's bound to run away.

Timon: No worries, Simba. We're on her like stink on a warthog!

Pumbaa: Hey!

Timon: It's the hard truth, Pumbaa. Live with it.

Simba: Guys, I'm counting on you. Danger could be lurking behind every rock.

{Timon looks quizzically at Simba, but takes him mock-seriously.}

Timon: Aha. {He and Pumbaa begin looking theatrically from side to side, scanning behind every rock...}

{Camera shifts out to the open savannah. Kiara is walking through the tall grass, chasing a butterfly.}

Kiara: Hey! Wait! Come back! I just wanna play! {She sees the butterfly land, and crouches to attack} Ahhh...the mighty hunter has cornered her prey. {snarls} Errrrh!

{Kiara's pounce takes her up the side of a small rise, from which she can see a distance into the Outlands.}

Kiara: Woah...cool! The Outlands! I wonder what's out there......

{A rustling in the grass behind her draws Kiara's attention. She turns, and as the grass separates, she, Timon, and Pumbaa accidentally scream at each other.}

Kiara, Timon, and Pumbaa: Eeeeek! {shrieks of fright and surprise}

{during this huge fright, which inadvertently startles them, Kiara is frightened backward, and falls off the far side of the knoll into a pool underneath. Pumbaa gets set to jump after her. Timon jumps away just as he throws himself into the pool.}

Pumbaa: Ooh, don't worry, Kiara---Uncle Pumbaa's coming!

Timon: Oh, dear...ohh...uh...uh...let's see, uh... {he goes in-character as though speaking to Simba} Gee, Simba. The best news is, we found your daughter. The worst news is, we dropped a warthog on her. Is...there a problem with that?

Pumbaa: {looking from side to side in the water} Kiara? Kiara?

Timon: Pumbaa! Let me define "babysitting"!

Pumbaa: {He finds Kiara underneath him, spluttering, and he gets off.} Sorry. Now, Princess Kiara.....as Simba's daughter, you know better than to go off all alone. You would have been hurt!

Kiara: But...but...

Timon: Hurt! Oh...Simba would murder us! You didn't slip a disc, did you?

Kiara: B-but--

{Timon checks to make sure Kiara is intact}

Timon: Catch a fever? Get a hangnail?

{Timon is examining her claws. She pulls her paw aside.}

Kiara: Nnngh! Timon...

Timon: I had one once.

Pumbaa: Very painful.

Timon: Excruciating!

{Timon is holding a fern branch over Kiara's head, shading her.}

Timon: Darling...with your complexion, you should stay out of the sun. {She swats the branch aside} Whaaat? Do you wanna wrinkle?

Kiara: Would someone please just listen to me?

Timon: I'm sorry; I wasn't listening. Did you say something, Princess?

Kiara: I'm not just a princess, you know. That's only half of who I am!

Pumbaa: Oh, uh...who's the other half?

Kiara: Uh...well, I, uh...um...

Timon: Well, while you're figuring it out, let's eat. {He snaps his fingers, and Pumbaa lifts up a log} Grubs!

Pumbaa: The other white meat!

Timon: {offering a leaf complete with grubs to Kiara} And so high in protein!

Kiara: Eww! Gross!

Timon: No? How about you, big boy?

Pumbaa: {sniffs} Aah. Love grubs!

Timon: Not like...

Timon and Pumbaa: Love!

{Timon tosses a bug into Pumbaa's mouth. He crunches and coughs on it a little, but hiccups and spits the fragments back onto the leaf, coating them all with saliva.}

Timon: {grossed out} Oohhhh....you always do that! You take a bite out of every one, and then put it back. It drives me crazy!

Pumbaa: But you can't warn from the outside which are the real slimy ones!

Timon: Slimy? Pumbaa... my corpulent compadre. It's the crunchy ones that make the meal!

Pumbaa: Slimy!... Slimy!... Slimy!... Slimy!... Slimy!... Slimy!... Slimy!... Less filling!... Less filling!... Less filling!... Less filling!... Low fat!

Timon: Crunchy!... Crunchy!... Crunchy!... Crunchy!... Crunchy!... Crunchy!... Crunchy!... Tastes good!... Tastes good!... Tastes good!... Tastes good!... Check, please!

Meeting Kovu/Zira's introduction/"We Are One"

{Kiara wanders away while they argue. She crosses a river on a log, and topples over directly into Kovu, bowling him over. He snarls at her confrontationally, and continues growling.}

Kovu: Who are you, Pridelander?

{Kiara does not respond, but keeps jumping from side to side, staying facing Kovu at all times. Kovu keeps growling menacingly, but at last, his curiosity gets the better of him.}

Kovu: What are you doing here?

Kiara: My father says to never turn your back on an Outsider!

Kovu: You always do what Daddy says?

Kiara: No!

Kovu: Bet you do. Bet you're Daddy's little girl! Ha ha! {he moves off, jumping on logs across the river} An Outsider doesn't need anybody. I take care of myself!

Kiara: {awed, following him across} Really? Cool!

{Kovu turns back to Kiara, and notices a huge crocodile rising up behind her with its mouth gaping}

Kovu: Wuhh...waahhhh!!!!

Kiara: {turns and sees the crocodile} Aahhhh!!!! Run! {The crocodile's teeth crunch just behind them} This way!

{They narrowly escape, jumping from rock to rock across the river and out of the reach of the crocodiles' jaws as more and more rise up out of the water. They rest on two unmoving "stones" further down, and begin to shiver and chortle.}

Kovu: That was a close one.

Kiara: Yes...

{The stones they are sitting on rise up and reveal themselves as more crocodile heads.}

Kovu and Kiara: Woaahhhh....

{Kiara runs up a tree limb, getting out of reach. However, Kovu runs past her, jumping from crocodile to crocodile down the river.}

Kiara: Hey...what about me?

Kovu: I'll distract them. Run!

{Kovu slips over the last crocodile into the water. As he comes up, gasping for air, the crocodiles loom over him.}

Kiara: {swiping at crocodiles from her branch} Watch out!

{Kovu is paralyzed by fright. The gaping mouth in front of him is suddenly clamped shut by Kiara jumping on top of it.}

Kiara: Move it!

{The two cubs scramble up a branch and up onto the bank, out of reach of danger. From the top, they shiver and rest for a few moments, but move back to look over the edge. The crocodiles are massing underneath, furious at being cheated of their meal.}

Kiara: I did it...I did it! {she blows a raspberry to the crocodiles underneath}

Kovu: Hah!

{The cubs move back from the edge and recount their adventure.}

Kiara: Woah, man, did you see the size of these teeth? They were going "Rrrarrarrarr"... {rolls over on her back and laughs} He was just totally eating you up right there, and I jumped on his head------and I bopped him so real------

{The camera moves back where that we can see from next to Zira, crouching in the grass some distance afar.}

Kiara: We make such a brief team! And you...you were really brave!

Kovu: Yes...you were pretty brave, as well. My name's Kovu.

Kiara: I'm Kiara.

{She crouches down playfully, waving her tail. She reaches out and bats him}

Kiara: Tag! You're it!

{She jumps back, laughing. Instead of chasing, Kovu just looks at her silently. She tries again.}

Kiara: Tag! You're it! You're it!

{Yet no response. He just stares at her.}

Kiara: 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 mock-growls back, but suddenly he finds himself growling at Simba's leg. Simba roars, and Zira jumps out of the grass and roars back. She ducks her head lower than Simba that she nearly almost the grass.}

Simba: Zira.

Zira: Simba!

{Nala, Timon, and Pumbaa arrive behind Simba, with other lionesses.}

Zira: Nala.

Nala: Zira.

Timon: Timon, Pumbaa. Great. Now that we all know each other...GET OUTTA OUR PRIDE LANDS!!

Zira: Your Pride Lands? {she snarls, making Timon jump backwards over Pumbaa's head in fear} These lands belonged to Scar.

Simba: I banished you from the Pride Lands! Now you and your young cub......get out!

Zira: Oh...haven't you met my son, Kovu? He was hand-chosen by Scar to follow in his paw-prints...and become King!

Timon: Pbbb! 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...

Simba: You know the penalty for returning to the Pride Lands!

Zira: But the child does not! However...if you want your pound of flesh...here.

{She nudges Kovu toward Simba, daring him to show either ruthlessness or cowardice.}

Simba: Take him and get out. We're finished here.

{Simba picks up Kiara in his teeth. Zira walks over to Simba and looks down at a horrified Kiara.}

Zira: Oh, no, Simba...we have barely begun.

{She frowns wickedly at Kiara, but turns and picks up Kovu in her jaws. He and Kiara watch each other dangle as they move apart.}

Kiara: Bye...

Kovu: Bye...

{Simba and the lionesses move away over the ridge, back toward the Pride Lands, while Zira takes Kovu back to the Outlands. Once within sight of Pride Rock, Nala turns back to Simba.}

Nala: Simba?

Simba: {clears his throat, with Kiara yet in his mouth}

{Nala grins back at him, understanding that it's time for The Speak. She and the rest of the pride move away back home. Simba drops Kiara, who smirks ingratiatingly up at him. He frowns sternly back. She looks at the ground, sighing.}

Simba: Kiara, what did you think you were doing here? You would have been murdered today.

Kiara; But Daddy, I–I didn't mean to disobey––

Simba: I'm warning you this because I love you. I don't wanna lose you.

Kiara: I know...

Simba: If something happened to you, I don't know what I'd do. One day I won't be here......and I need you to carry on in my place. You are part of the grand Circle of––

Kiara: Circle of Life. I know.

Simba: Exactly. And you need to be careful. As future Queen––––

Kiara: But what if I don't wanna be Queen? It's no fun.

Simba: That's like saying you don't want to be a lion. It's in your blood....as I am. We are part of each other.

(Simba grins and playfully shoves her over the rock. Simba smirks back down at her, and they nuzzle as Simba begins singing)

Simba: (singing) As you go through life, you'll see there is so much that we don't understand, (Kiara observes a baby bird trying to fly off a nest.) and the only thing we know (The mother bird herds her baby back into the nest.) is things don't always go the way we planned. (Kiara frowns sadly and follows her father. Simba bounds onto a ridge that overlooks the Pride Lands.) But you'll see every day (Below, a mother wildebeest tries to help her baby stand.) that we'll never turn away when it seems all your dreams come undone. (Kiara smiles down at the baby wildebeest. It starts to run on its own, kicking its legs joyfully.) We will stand by your side, filled with hope and filled with pride. (The mother wildebeest runs alongside her calf and steers it back toward the herd. Kiara looks up at Simba questioningly.) We are more than we are. (Simba jumps off the ledge.) We are one!

(Kiara follows her father as we see various animals with their babies. Animals including a family of baboons and a family of hippos.)

Chorus: (singing) Family. Family. We are one! Family. Family. We are one!

Young Kiara: (singing while striding across a log above a lake with her father) If there's so much I must be, (Kiara pauses and looks at her reflection in the water. Simba briefly pauses next to her, then moves on.) can I still just be me, the way I am? (A fish jumps, distorting Kiara's reflection.) Can I trust in my own heart? Or am I just one part of some big plan? (Kiara looks up as a flock of birds fly above Simba)

Simba: (singing while standing on a fallen tree) Even those who are gone (stares at a distant star) are with us as we go on. (Kiara climbs the fallen tree next to Simba.) Your journey has only begun. (Simba bends down to Kiara's level.) Tears of pain, tears of joy. One thing (Simba straightens and looks up boldly.) nothing can destroy is our pride, deep inside. We are one!

(Simba jumps off the fallen tree, and Kiara follows him. Together, as father and daughter, they playfully race through a crowd of animals with Kiara on his heels. Almost like how Simba played with Mufasa back when he was still a cub whilst Mufasa was still alive.)

Chorus: (singing) Family. Family. We are one! (Simba pauses and lets Kiara catch up before he keeps running.) Family. Family. We are one!

Simba: (singing as he and Kiara keep on playing race toward Pride Rock) We are one, you and I. (Simba splashes through a puddle. Kiara follows, making a much smaller splash.) We are like the earth and sky. (Simba and Kiara bound up a series of small ledges.) One family under the sun. All the wisdom to lead, (Simba pauses on a ledge.) all the courage that you need, (Kiara pauses, looking up in distress.) you will find when you see (Simba gestures to Pride Rock behind him.) we are one! (Kiara squints unhappily at Pride Rock. Simba follows her gaze, confused, before he understands. With a smile, he strides down to her.; speaking) As long as you live here, (nuzzles her) it's who you are. (licks her) You'll understand someday.

(Simba bounds away. He pauses briefly and looks at Kiara over one shoulder before walking off-screen. A baby bird flits around Kiara's head. She watches it happily. It flies off into the sunset, and she watches it go wistfully. Back at the campsite, while eating dinner, Ash could not stop thinking about he and his team's encounter with Kovu and Zira as well as Simba's unusual change of behavior. After seeing how angry his old friend was when he interacted with lioness and her cub, he knew that if he and his team attempt to ask him, the lion king would growl at them and refuse to answer any of their questions. He had to do something about this.)

The Outlands/"My Lullaby"/Zira makes a deal with Bowser

Teenage Nuka: Kovu, Kovu, Kovu. Scar wasn't even his father. He just took him in. (sees his little cub sister, Vitani, chewing on a root of a dead tree) Oh, hey, Vitani, where's little termite, Kovu? (sarcastically) The Chosen One? (snaps the root in half with his claw; laughs)

Young Vitani: Nuka, where's Kovu? Did you leave him out there on his own again?

Teenage Nuka: Hey, it's every lion for himself out there. (scratches himself to get termites out of his fur) That little termite's gotta learn to be on his own.

Young Vitani: Mother's gonna be mad. She told you to watch him.

Teenage Nuka: (scratching all over his body) Ah, who cares? I should've been the chosen one. (scratches his back against the tree) I'm the oldest, I'm the strongest, I'm the smartest–---YEOW! THESE TERMITES!! (frantically bites himself to get the termites off of him; writhes on the ground several times as Vitani smirks) I could be a leader if she'd just give me a chance!

Young Vitani: Pfft! Yeah, right. Why don't you tell that to her?

Teenage Nuka: Yeah? Don't think I won't!

Young Vitani: Oh, yeah? (laughs) Here's your chance.

Teenage Nuka: What? (sees Zira returning with Kovu still in her jaws) Oh, Mother. Mother, hi! (laughs) Mother, I caught some field mice for your dinner. I left 'em by the, um... (but Zira strides past Nuka, ignoring him completely) by the... Okay. (feels dejected, but follows his mother)

Young Vitani: Hey, Kovu. (Zira sets Kovu down) Wanna fight? (growls as she and Kovu playfully face off each other any lion cub should do)

Zira: (angrily to Nuka) You were supposed to be watching him!

(Nuka winces in fear of his mother's anger.)

Young Kovu: It's not his fault! I went off on my own!

Zira: (prowls toward Kovu; angrily) What were you doing?!

Young Kovu: (scared) Nothing!

Zira: Who has made us Outsiders?

Young Kovu: Simba.

Zira: Who killed Scar?

Young Kovu: (falls on his back) Simba!

Zira: And what have I told you about them?!

Young Kovu: (squirms from his mother's anger) I'm sorry, Mother! (looks up at her imploringly) Sh-sh-she didn't seem so bad. I-I-I-I thought we could be–

Zira: Friends?!

Young Kovu: (gasps)

Zira: (circles around Kovu) You thought you'd get to the daughter. And Simba would welcome you with open arms?! What an idea! (pauses as it suddenly hits her with an idea) What an (looks at Kovu with a smile) idea! (grabs Kovu by his tail and pulls him toward her) You brilliant child. (pulls him against her leg) I'm so proud of you! (strokes Kovu) You have the same conniving mind (Kovu tries to get away, but she pulls him back) that made Scar so... (raises one paw, claws extended) powerful.

Teenage Nuka: (wretched) Yecch. (Zira snarls at Nuka for his insolence, making him laugh nervously)

(Zira then picks up Kovu and carries him off to the termite mounds.)

Teenage Nuka: (feeling dejected once again) Ugh. The Chosen One.

(Zira enters the termite mounds with Kovu in her jaws and deposits him in a cradle made of rock.)

Zira: I now see the path to our glorious return to power!

(The Outsiders watch from the shadows, growling.)

Young Kovu: But I don't want–

Zira: Hush! (softly) Hush, my little one. (babytalk) You must be exhausted. (singing) Sleep, my little Kovu. Let your dreams take wing. One day, when you're big and strong, you will be a king.

Young Kovu: Goodnight.

Zira: (spoken) Oh, goodnight, my little prince. Tomorrow, your training intensifies. (singing as she walks deeper into the termite mounds) 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!

Teenage Nuka: Bleugh! (feigns dying breath)

Zira: (singing) His daughter squealing in my grasp! (Nuka picks up Vitani, who scrabbles at his head until he lets go.) His lionesses' mournful cry. That's my lullaby! (mocking regret) 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.

Teenage Nuka: (singing) So, you found yourself somebody who'll chase Simba up a tree?

Zira: (singing) Oh, the battle may be bloody, (grabs Nuka by the jaw) but that kind of works for me. (tosses him off the mound)

Teenage Nuka: (screams as he falls off)

Zira: (singing) The melody of angry growls! (the Outsiders roar) A counterpoint of painful howls. (steps on Nuka's tail)

Teenage Nuka: (yelps in pain)

Zira: (singing) A symphony of death. Oh, my! That's my lullaby! (walks past a sleeping Kovu) Scar is gone, but Zira's still around (affectionately holds the sleeping cub) to love this little lad (kisses him like any mother lion should) till he learns to be a (claws a wall) killer with a lust for being bad!

Teenage Nuka: (to a sleeping Kovu; singing) Sleep, you little termite! Uh, I mean, (mockingly) precious little thing.

Young Vitani: (smacks Nuka and gently pets Kovu while he sleeps; singing) One day, when you're big and strong,.. (Nuka is about to attack Vitani until...)

Zira: (singing) You will be a king! (tears a root from the roof, making a hole and casting a spotlight on Kovu. The Outsiders surround Kovu's cradle.) The pounding of the drums of war! (the Outsiders roar and leap back and forth over Kovu while he sleeps.) The thrill of Kovu's mighty roar!

Teenage Nuka: (singing) The joy of vengeance!

Young Vitani: (singing) Testify!

Zira: (singing) I can hear the cheering!

(Nuka waves a flag unenthusiastically. Vitani grins sincerely.)

Teenage Nuka and Young Vitani: (singing) Kovu, what a guy!

Zira: (singing while breaking an opening of the termite mound) Payback time is nearing, (makes it out) and then our flag will fly against the blood-red sky. That's my lullaby! (laughs evilly)

(The scene transitions to Bowser's castle where Zira is talking to the wicked king of Koopas, Bowser Koopa.)

Bowser: (o.c) A deal, you say?

Zira: Yes, Bowser. (cackles) I wish to exact revenge on my enemy, Simba. You see, he is responsible for the death of our adversary, Scar.

Bowser: Scar, huh?

Zira: Oh, yes. With your ruthlessness and ingenious planning, we would need your help in training Kovu so that we may kill Simba and take back the kingdom that was meant for Scar and finish what he started.

Bowser: And what's in it for me and my minions?

Zira: You get your vengeance on those who humiliated you in the past. So, do we have a deal or don't we?

Bowser: Hmmm... (in his thoughts) She wants to kill Simba because she worships his poor excuse of an uncle that tried to take over the kingdom in Africa. If I remember correctly, Scar was a very disobedient lion who continuously ignored my orders, showed no regard for the hyenas and the pride after he murdered Mufasa, and had been very disloyal to my minions during his time as king of Pride Rock. Bah! Why waste our time helping her start something that pathetic lion couldn't finish in the first place?! All because he cared about himself rather than anyone else! (gasps) Wait a second. Maybe we don't have to! (grins evilly; speaks up) Alright, Zira, you have my word. We'll help you in your little mission.

Zira: (cackles) Thank you very much, Bowser. (growls wickedly)

Mufasa's plan/Rafiki tells Ash and his friends about the Outlanders/Kovu's mission

(The scene changes to Rafiki's tree. Inside, Rafiki is doing his usual hobby: painting)

Rafiki: (o.c.) Oh, Mufasa. (mixes paint in half of a hollowed gourd) Every day, Kiara grows more beautiful, (smears blue paint above the painting of Kiara) into a queen that will someday make us all very proud. (more solemnly) But this cub, Kovu, (draws a brown mane on the painting of Kovu) grows stronger, and Zira fills his heart with (smears brown paint over Kovu's heart) hate. (closes his eyes and bows his head) I'm very worried, Mufasa. Things are not going well. No. (The wind whistles, blowing his mane; looks up at some rattling gourds that are hanging from the ceiling) Hmm? You have a plan? (A gourd falls, breaking open on the ground.) What? (lifts the two pieces and looks at them questioningly. He glances up to see that, from his vantagepoint, the gourd pieces seem to surround his paintings of Kovu and Kiara. He slowly moves the pieces toward one another.) Kovu...Kiara... together? (clasps the gourd pieces together) This is the plan? (angrily) Are you crazy?! This will never work! Oh, Mufasa, you've been up there too long. Your head is in the clouds! (pouts, but the wind blows violently; holds up his hands in protest) Okay, okay, okay, okay! All right! Okay! (holds up his arms in surrender) I don't think this is going to work, but I trust you. I just hope you know what you are doing!

Ash Ketchum: (o.c.) Hello? Is anyone home?

Rafiki: Huh?

Ash Ketchum: Excuse me.

Misty: Rafiki, we were wondering if you could tell us something about the Outlanders we've encountered today.

Rafiki: What?!

Brock: Rafiki, I know this is difficult to believe, but we need to know why Simba was acting hostile toward Zira. Especially, since his daughter was just playing with Kovu.

Cilan: And we even want to know what connection Zira has with Scar.

Serena: Please, Rafiki, we want to know. Simba wouldn't tell us because we saw how angry he was toward them.

Clemont: And if we tried asking one of the members of the pride, they won't surely tell us.

Iris: So, we thought you'd be the only one who would be mature enough to tell us more about them.

Ash Ketchum: Rafiki, please.

Rafiki: (though hesitant at first, he sighs sadly) Oh, very well. The Outsiders are a group of lions led by a lioness named Zira. Simba banished them from the Pride Lands after he defeated Scar and ascended to the throne of Pride Rock.

Dawn: Why would Simba banish other lions?

Rafiki: Because Zira and her family, they were loyal only to Scar.

Ash and his friends: Scar?!

Rafiki: Yes, Scar! You, see. After Simba defeated Scar and became king, Zira told him that he could not rule the Pride Lands. Because Scar had chosen her son, Kovu, to be king.

Serena: That's just what Zira told us when we first encountered her earlier.

Rafiki: Really?

Serena: Yes.

Ash Ketchum: But Rafiki, Scar wasn't a real king to begin with. He only cared about himself and turned the Pride Lands into a total wasteland.

Rafiki: Yes, that is true, son. And you know what? That is exactly what Simba told Zira. But Zira would not listen to reason! Instead, she attacked Simba! Of course, Simba won quickly. But after that, he had no choice. He had to banish Zira and her family from the Pride Lands. Forever!

May: So, are you telling us that some of the lions from the outlands are Zira and her family?

Max: And that they were once part of Simba's pride before they were banished?

Rafiki: Most definitely. And if Kiara gets caught in the middle of her father's conflict with Zira and the Outsiders, there could be trouble. Much trouble!

Ash Ketchum: Thanks.

(Camera trucks back, upwards, separate from Rafiki. Scene shifts to Zira's rocky home, where the grown Kovu is sitting on a rock while Zira slinks around him)

Zira: You are ready! (guffaws wickedly and circles around a completely grown Kovu) Nice. Very nice. (chuckles) You have the same blackness in your soul that Scar had. What is your destiny?

Kovu: I will avenge Scar. Take his place in the Pride Lands.

Zira: Yes! What have I taught you?

Kovu: Simba is the enemy.

Zira: And what must you do?

Kovu: I must murder him!

(The Outsiders roar in triumph.)

Bowser: Huh... (chuckles evilly)

Kiara's first hunt/Kovu saves Ash and Kiara

(The scene transitions to Pride Rock in the daytime. The lionesses are gathered in two rows on a trail outside the entrance. Nala strides between them to join Simba at the bottom of the trail)

Lionesses: You must be so proud, Nala. This is Kiara's first hunt. Yeah!

Simba: (sighs)

Misty: Simba, stop worrying. It'll be alright.

Brock: You should be proud that this is her first hunt. Give her a chance.

Simba: I'll try. (he smiles as Nala sits next to him)

Lioness: (o.c.) There she is!

(A fully grown Kiara emerges at the top of the trail as Rafiki stands on a nearby rock.)

Rafiki: Kiara...

(Zazu alights nearby. Timon and Pumbaa embrace goofily)

Serena: Oh, she's so beautiful!

Lionesses: You can do it. It's your day. Farewell, Kiara! Your first time. My, how you've grown.

(Nala and Kiara nuzzle. Simba is looking vaguely glum)

Nala: You'll do just well.

Kiara: Daddy...you have to promise to let me do this on my own. Promise?

(Simba glances at Nala, who raises her eyebrows at him. He rolls his eyes upward acquiescently)

Simba: Alright...I promise.

(They rub heads. Timon and Pumbaa break into tears. Kiara turns back, and then runs away into the fields. Simba moves surreptitiously over to Timon and Pumbaa)

Simba: (silently) Make sure she doesn't get hurt.

(Timon and Pumbaa begin humming in a show of nonchalance, and sidle off over the rock until they drop over the side and out of view)

(Kiara is hunting. Trying to be silent, she steps on a branch, which cracks and sends a herd of antelope running. Kiara runs frustratedly after them. Scene switches to a burst of steam. We are back in the Elephant Graveyard. Nuka and Vitani are standing on a ledge)

Nuka: Ugh... (scratches his right arm) This place is even creepier since the hyenas ran off.

Vitani: (rolls her eyes) Oh, sheesh. (jumps off the edge)

Nuka: (scoffs) I'm not scared, okay? (a geyser goes off, scaring him; Vitani puts some twigs onto a geyser) I just don't know why we have to be here, that's all. If Kovu is so special, why does he need us? I never even had a chance! (a geyser erupts behind) YEOW!! (cowers in fear)

Vitani: (rolls her eyes until the geyser lights the twigs on fire) That's it! (takes a lit twig) Now, come on. Kiara has started her hunt. We have to move quickly.

(Vitani prepares to leave. Nuka takes a lit twig and looks in the geyser as it erupts in his face.)

Nuka: (crazed) Ooh! Fire! (cackles as he and Vitani sprint away)

(Scene switches to the open fields, where Timon and Pumbaa are following after Kiara. We see Pumbaa's tail sticking up above the grass. Timon rises up next to it, sees the tail, yelps in surprise and ducks back down. The two cross a clearing military-fashion, sniffing the air, and they dart from tree to tree with SWAT-team-style "Hup! Hup! Hup!" noises. Timon jumps into a hollow log and gestures as though with a two-way radio)

Timon: Tango-Charley-Alpha. What's your position?

Pumbaa: (in confusion) Uh...upright.... (now grinning) head turned slightly to the left...tail erect.

Timon: Why do I bother? (He scans the horizon, framing Kiara in his fingers) Aha!

(Kiara is stalking the antelope again. She carefully steps over some stones with her front feet, but knocks them over with her hind feet, alerting the antelope into running yet again. She jumps up and gives chase as the herd turns and dashes off from her, directly toward Timon and Pumbaa, who shriek in fright)

Timon: This must be where the deer and the antelope play!

(The antelope pass. Timon and Pumbaa shriek again as they turn and see Kiara standing there, shivering. Timon recovers and chuckles guiltily as Kiara recovers her breath, shivering)

Kiara: (sternly) Timon...what are you doing here?

Timon: Uh...shopping! We thought a nice pelt for the den...some throw pillows, (Pumbaa nods in agreement) a little potpourri......

Kiara: My father sent you. After he promised to let me do this on my own, he lied!

Timon: No...he just doesn't want you to get hurt!

Kiara: I would have known he'd never give me a real chance.

(Kiara runs past them, yet breathing hard)

Kiara: I'll do this on my own. Away from the Pride Lands!

Timon: Hey! Wait! Come back! Oh...who can keep track of her? Kiara–––come back! (He jumps up on Pumbaa, and they run after her, but she's far ahead already) Oh...she's gone again! Somebody must get a beeper for this girl!

(Scene switches to where Kiara has run, toward the edge of the Pride Lands. Nuka and Vitani are standing above, with their flaming sticks)

Nuka: Let's light fires!!

Vitani: (cackles as she lights the grass on fire)

Nuka: (laughs as he lights the grass on fire as well) Roasty toasty princess! Roasty toasty princess! (dances around for a bit but pauses) Hey, is it hot in here, or is that just me? (but realizes his dumb mistake) Fire! (jumps out of the ring of fire he's made, shrieks, and falls to the ground; cackles)

Vitani: (growls and grabs Nuka) C'mon!

(Scene switches to the antelope grazing in the valley, along with various birds. The antelope spook at something near Kiara, and they turn and begin to gallop away. Kiara gives chase. Soon, though, she notices the fire burning on the horizon, and the antelope turn and run back in her direction. She panics, turns, and begins to run back the fashion she came. Antelope and birds follow her. Scene changes to a high knoll above the flames, where Zira and Kovu sit watching)

Jessie: A brief detective trusts no one.

James: That's one fact we have in common.

Meowth: Everything's going according to plan.

Joker: Can't be too careful with all these weirdos around!

Zira: The plan is in motion. Go!

(Kovu runs away. Camera switches to Pride Rock, where Simba is pacing with Zazu several steps aside)

Zazu: Don't worry, Simba. She'll be fine. What could happen?

Iris: Hey, guys, is that...smoke?!

Clemont: What? Smoke?

Ash's team: (whispering) Smoke? Where? Where is this? What smoke?

Ash Ketchum: What? Smoke? (takes out some binoculars) A brush fire? This isn't dry season! (gasps upon suddenly remembering something) Kiara!

Misty: What? (sees the fire; gasps and shrieks) Kiara! Ash, you go on ahead and try to find her! We'll cover you by putting out the fire!

Ash Ketchum: Okay!

Misty: I'll come back for you. I promise!

(Simba looks up and gasps as he sees the smoke rising)

Simba: No...no! Kiara! (he turns to Zazu) Zazu! Fly ahead. Find her!

(Kiara is following a pair of zebras, separate from the flames, but finds herself trapped and hemmed in on all sides, choking on the thick smoke.)

Ash Ketchum: (o.c.) Kiara!

Kiara: (gasps)

Ash Ketchum: (coughing off-screen and then suddenly appears through the smoke, coming to her aid) Kiara! This way!

(She sees a high stone overhang above the flames. She jumps up and tries to climb up the side, but she falls unconscious upon reaching the top. Kovu appears from the smoke and looms over her. She awakens for a moment and sees him baring his teeth down at her, but loses consciousness again. Kovu grabs the nape of her neck and throws her body on top of his, and begins to carry her off from the fire. He jumps across chasms with flames roaring, and then topples with Kiara down a slope into a pool of water, where Kiara begins to sink. Kovu dives for her and drags her to shore. Zazu, flying overhead, watches the event)

Zazu: (gasps) I must warn Simba!

(Zazu flies back to Pride Rock. Kovu drags Kiara to shore, and she awakens, gasping for breath)

Kiara: Where am I?

Kovu: You're safe...in the Pride Lands.

Kiara: (bewildered) The Pride Lands...no! Why did you bring me here? Who do you think you are?!

Kovu: (gasps) I think I'm the one who just saved your life!

Kiara: Look! I had everything under control.

Kovu: Not from where I'm standing.

Kiara: Then move downwind!

(The lions confront each other. Kiara begins jumping from side to side, as she had done in their earlier encounter as cubs. Soon Kovu's interest is piqued)

Kovu: What are you doing here?

Kiara: (recognizing him) Kovu?

Simba: (off-screen) Kiara!

(Simba and the lionesses from Pride Rock arrive. Simba jumps in front of Kiara, snarling and growling)

Nala: Kiara! You're alright.

Kiara: Father...how could you break your promise?

Simba: It's a nice fact I did. I almost lost you. No more hunts for you. Not ever!

Kiara: But I was doing just fine! Even before Kovu......

Simba: Kovu? (he roars at Kovu again)

Nala: (surprised at his ferocity) Simba? (Simba frowns at Nala, who is now off-screen)

(Rafiki has arrived, and is standing on the hillside behind Simba)

Rafiki: Hey! You! How dare you save the King's daughter?

Simba: You saved her? Why?

Kovu: I humbly ask to join your pride.

Simba: (immediately) No! You were banished with the other Outsiders.

Kovu: I have left the Outsiders. I am a rogue. Judge me now, for who I am....or am I to be blamed for a crime I didn't commit?

(Simba snarls and paces around. Nala looks hard at him)

Nala: Simba...you owe him your daughter's life.

Zazu: Mmm...yes, sire. Clearly we are in his debt...and royal protocol demands that all debts be paid. Though in this case, you might want to make an exception.

(Simba paces a few moments more, but comes to a decision)

Simba: Huh. My father's law will prevail. For now, I reserve judgment. We'll see who you really are.

(Kovu grins inwardly and looks sidelong at Kiara, who grins back at him. Zazu turns his back on Kovu)

Zazu: Heh! Riffraff.

(Zazu flies away. All make their road back to Pride Rock, with Kovu walking behind Simba and growling to himself)

Bowser reveals his true plan/Simba's nightmare

(As night falls over Pride Rock, Simba notices Kovu about to go into the inner cavern with the lionesses. He jumps in front of Kovu with a growl and infuriates him further from the cavern opening as he goes inside. Kovu walks out onto the rocks to sleep. Kiara goes out to speak to him)

Kiara: Hey, uh...thanks for saving me today.

Kovu: What kind of hunter are you, anyhow–––Princess? You almost got yourself murdered out there.

Kiara: What?

Kovu: You wouldn't last three days on your own.

Kiara: (provoked) Oh...and I suppose you could teach me?

Kovu: Heh...yes.

(Simba shouts from the cavern entrance)

Simba: Kiara!

Kiara: Coming! (She turns back to Kovu) Alright––impress me. We start at dawn.

(Kiara walks back to the cavern. Kovu continues speaking to himself)

Kovu: (chuckling) I look forward to it.

(The camera pulls back to where Nuka and Zira sit watching from a nearby hill)

Nuka: D-D-Did you see that?! He let her go!! If that were me, I-!

Zira: Hush! The fire rescue worked perfectly, and Simba fell for it. And considering that the human was involved in the rescue as well, it's a double catch. Now, the closer Kovu gets to the daughter, the closer he gets to Simba. And once he has Simba alone...! (snarls and claws at a tree branch)

Bowser: (cackles) This is so entertaining.

James: Uh, I don't get it. Why did you bring us out here, Bowser? Even when we're in Simba's territory.

Bowser: To tell you my true plan.

Crime Empire: True plan?

Jessie: What true plan?

Bowser: (groans) Look, don't you all remember the time when Scar frequently disobeyed my orders during his time as king? Like when he cared only about himself instead of his own hyena minions?

Villains: (confused, but reluctantly remembered how terrible Scar was when he ruled Pride Rock as they utter in agreement)

Bowser: Well, I have a plan of my own. With Simba and Zira going at each other's throats, what's to stop us from causing mayhem in the Pride Lands?

Joker: What do you mean "causing mayhem in the Pride Lands"?

Bowser: What I'm saying is we don't need to work with Zira in her plan to assassinate Simba and take over Pride Rock.

Villains: We don't?!

Bowser: Of course we don't!

Harley Quinn: But if we don't, then why did you make that deal with her in the first place?

Bowser: (groans) Because I am planning to not only kill Simba's pride, but to kill Zira's pride as well.

Two-Face: You mean commit genocide and poaching to two prides?!

Bowser: And assassination to King Simba and Queen Nala!

Villains: Oh!

Meowth: Well, how are we gonna do that?

Bowser: Listen, there is a gorge that lies in between the outlands and the pride lands. What if they all fell in the same place where Mufasa met his untimely doom when the stampede happened?

Negaduck: An accident?

Bowser: Of course. We'll set a trap. By the time they clash in war, we spring into action, blow up our bombs, and the weight of those boulders will crush their bones!

Penguin: It's risky.

Bowser: Once we're rid of the two feuding prides, we'll destroy Pride Rock and burn the Pride Lands until it is nothing but a burnet landscape. Don't you get it? We're gonna make sure that the Circle of Life stays broken forever!

Negaduck: But what about Ash and his friends?

Bowser: Leave them to me...

(Meanwhile, inside Pride Rock, Simba groans and moans in his sleep and is having a nightmare about his father, the stampede and Scar)

Mufasa: (clinging on the cliff above the stampede) Simba! Simba, help me!

Simba: Father!

(Scar is maliciously laughing at them as he walks down to them)

Simba: No! Dad! (goes to reach for his father's paw) Just a little further!

Scar: (grabs Simba's paw) Gotcha now! Trust me.

Mufasa: Simba! (loses his grip and slides down the cliff before falling to his demise)

Simba: NoooooOOOO!!!! (turns to Scar) Scar!

(Much to his surprise, Scar's appearance changes into Kovu)

Simba: (gasps) Kovu? (gets pushed over the cliff by Kovu and meets the same fate as his father) Noooooo!

(Simba gasps and awakens from his nightmare)

Kovu teaches Kiara how to hunt/Rhino chase

{The next morning. Simba stretches and then descends to the valley floor, where he walks slowly toward the water hole. Kovu is above him, hiding behind a rock. His teeth and claws are bared, ready to strike. Suddenly, Kiara jumps in front of him, from around the front of the rock.}

Kiara: Good morning! (chortles emotionally) I'm ready for my first lesson.

{Kovu is stunned. He takes several moments to disguise his previous mindset and intentions.}

Kiara: {Kiara is jumping around on her paw-tips, very frisky} Surprised ya, right?

{Kovu turns back toward the water hole. Simba is gone.}

Kiara: {laughing} Hey, c'mon. Let's go this way!

{Kovu is yet dumbstruck. After one last glance after his lost opportunity, he turns and follows Kiara.}

{Scene switch. Kovu is attempting to teach stealth to Kiara. We hear her saying "Ow" in the underbrush a few times. Kovu is smiling bemusedly to himself.}

Kovu: {anticipating the pounce} Three... two... {rolls his eyes} one... {he ducks}

Kiara: Gotcha now!

{Kiara jumps over Kovu's evasion, and topples over on the ground. Kovu steps over to her head, looking down at her.}

Kiara: {slightly embarrassed} You could hear me....right?

Kovu: Only... a lot. You're still breathing too hard. Relax... feel the earth under your paws... so it doesn't shift and make noise. {Kiara follows his example. A flock of birds interrupts them, alighting beyond a nearby hill} Shh! Watch the master....and learn.

{Kovu runs silently down into a gully, then up the other side. Jumping over the ridge top, he pounces with claws completely extended right down on top of Timon, who is foraging for bugs there.}

Timon: Aahhhh!!!!

{Kovu freezes in position in which he hits the ground, with his mouth open. He skids to a halt with Timon between his forelegs.}

Timon: Don't hurt me! Please! I... I... I never really met your tyrant. I mean, uh-- Scar. Scar. Oh, heck of a guy. A little moody, but, I...

Kiara: Timon! What are you doing here?

Timon: Kiara! Thank goodness! Ohh! Hey... for once, we're not following ya. This just happens to be the best smorgasbord in the Pride Lands. Bugs everywhere! {he indicates the field of bugs, with the flock of birds eating contentedly away} But, you don't call for a reservation, and-- yeesh! {turning toward the birds Get outta here, ya scavengers. Go on! Shoo! Shoo!

{Timon tries to scare away the birds. He waves his arms at one unconcerned bird, who bites Timon's nose.}

Timon: {in pain, nose glowing red} Oh!... oh!... oh.

{Pumbaa rushes down the hill, and back up, scattering birds, who come back to land right where they were. Kiara watches with amusement. Kovu watches with bewilderment. Camera switches back to Pumbaa, who is standing with a dozen or so birds sitting on his back.}

Pumbaa: Ohh... Timon, I'm getting tired. I gotta lose some pounds!

Timon: {trying to frighten the birds off Pumbaa} Shoo! Go ahead! Shoo! Shoo!

{Kiara and Kovu trot back down the hill. Kiara laughs heartily.}

Pumbaa: Hey! Maybe he can help. Ya think?

Timon: Shoo! {he manages to scare the last bird off Pumbaa's tail} Oh! Yeah... there's an idea. Right. Let the vicious Outsider-- Hey! Wait! I have an idea! {he jumps down off of Pumbaa} What if he helps?

Pumbaa: What?

Timon: {to Kovu} You wanna lend a voice? Huh? {not getting through to him} Grrr. Guh... Roar! Work with me!

Kiara: Like this. {she roars, scattering the birds}

Timon: Wooo hoo! C'mon, do it again! Do it again!

{Kovu roars this time, sending the birds into a rout.}

Timon: Yee-haa!

{Kiara and Kovu run down the hill, sending birds flying in every direction. Kovu is still clueless.}

Kovu: Why are we doing this? What's the point of this training?

Kiara: {laughing} Training? This is just for fun!

Kovu: {as though he's never heard the word before} Fun?

{Timon and Pumbaa run by; Timon is hanging on to a bird's leg, getting carried up into the air.}

Timon: Ya gotta get out more often. Fun! Yeee-haa! Ha ha ha ha... Woooo-hoo!

Kovu: {slowly getting the idea} Yeee-haa! Yeee-haaa!

{The group runs down between a row of rocks; it is blocked at the end by a number of rhinos.}

Kovu: Yeeeee-haaa!

{They notice the rhinos and come skidding to a halt; they notice the tick birds all sitting on top of the rhinos' heads.}

Kiara: Uh-oh.

Tick Birds: {blowing raspberries}

{The lions, Timon, and Pumbaa turn tail and run back the way they came. The rhinos are in hot pursuit.}

Timon: {to Pumbaa, as Pumbaa turns a corner using the edge of a small overhang} Hey rhino!

{The lions turn sideways into a crevice in the rocks, where they hide while the rhinos pass side-by-side. They're laughing with delight as the camera trucks in.}

Kovu: What a blast!

Pumbaa: Oh... sorry.

Timon: {giving Kovu a noogie} You're okay, kid...

Kovu: {to Timon, caught off guard} Hey!

Timon: ...You're okay.

{They now try to squeeze out of the crevice. Amid "'Scuse me, pardon me" from Timon, Kiara's muzzle brushes up against Kovu's. They look at each other, both quite embarrassed.}

Kiara: Um... s-sorr-- uh...

{Timon and Pumbaa have extricated themselves and are some way up the pathway.}

Timon: Hey! Are you two comin' or what?

{The lions walk off, side-by-side and laughing. Purrs soon mix with their laughter.}

Looking up at the stars/"Upendi"

{Scene switch. Kiara and Kovu are lying on their backs, watching the clouds and chortling.}

Kovu: See that? See that? Look at that! It's really pretty.

Kiara: What? Oh yeah! Um-- look... there's one that looks like a baby rabbit. See the fluffy tail?

Kovu: Yeah... hey! There's one that looks like two lions killing each other for a scrap of meat!

{Kovu laughs. This isn't Kiara's cup of tea, and she grimaces.}

Kovu: Ah, I've never done this before.

Kiara: Really? My father and I used to do this all the time. He says all the great Kings of the past are up there.

Kovu: You think Scar is up there?

{They look at each other; Kovu gets up and moves off.}

Kovu: He wasn't my father, but he was still... {he sighs gently} part of me.

Kiara: My father said there was a... a darkness in Scar that he couldn't escape.

Kovu: Maybe there's a darkness in me too.

{Kiara puts her paw on Kovu's, and they nuzzle. The camera trucks back, and we see Simba watching from a hill some distance away. He addresses the sky.}

Simba: Father... I am lost. Kovu is one of them. Scar's heir. How can I accept him?

{Nala approaches from behind.}

Nala: Simba?

Simba: I was... seeking counsel from the Great Kings.

Nala: Did they help?

Simba: {sighs} Silent as stars. My father would never--

Nala: Oh, Simba... you want so much to walk the path expected of you. Perhaps Kovu does not.

Simba: {surprised} What? How do you know what--

Nala: {chuckles} I can see them down there just as easily as you can. Get to know them and see.

{She turns and walks off; after a moment of hesitation, Simba follows. Camera moves back down to Kiara and Kovu. She is nuzzling him, but he pulls away clearing his throat.}

Kiara: What's wrong?

Kovu: Nothing.

Kiara: Kovu...

Kovu: It's just that... my whole life I've been trained to... {he stops} Nothing. I gotta go. {turns and walks off}

Kiara: Kovu-- wait.

{Kovu pauses a moment, and looks back at Kiara's face, staring back at him; he looks away and moves to continue, but is stopped by Rafiki's finger pointing up from the grass.}

Rafiki: And where are you going?

Kovu: Nuhh... nowhere.

Rafiki: {springing up} That's what you think!

{Rafiki slips under Kovu and vanishes in the grass.}

Kovu: {confused} Who was that?

Kiara: Uh... {amused, slightly apologetic} friend of the royal family.

{Kovu looks back and finds Rafiki lying on his back. Rafiki slips off and darts away, tugging Kovu's tail and laughing.}

Rafiki: Come on! You follow old Rafiki. He knows the way!

Kovu: {hesitating} The way where?

Rafiki: You follow---you'll see! Hurry now!

Kiara: {guffawing} Kovu, c'mon!

{The lions run after Rafiki, who is swinging Tarzan-like from tree to tree and laughing eerily.}

Kovu: Where's he taking us?

{Rafiki lowers himself from above their heads}

Rafiki: To a special place in your heart... called Upendi!

{He pushes their muzzles together. As he narrates the song, monkeys of various types dance to illustrate it. Hundreds of animals of all kinds surround them, sweeping the lions up in the spirit. The scene takes on the appearance of a Tunnel of Love, with the two lions being swept down a jungle stream with the matchmaking Rafiki orchestrating the atmosphere.}

Rafiki: {sings} There's a place where the crazy moon makes the monkeys sing and the baboons swoon, and the sultry scent of the lotus bloom will carry you off. Where the hippos swing from the jungle vines and the rhino rhumba in a conga line, and the pink flamingos are intertwined as the stars come out to play. In Upendi, where the passion fruit grows sweet. And it's so divine that you lose your mind, as it sweeps you over your feet. In Upendi, without a concern or a care. It just takes two to make it real, your heart will take you there.

Kiara: Where is this?

Rafiki: No place you don't take with you. {singing} You better watch your step because the path is steep, better hold your breath 'cuz the water's deep. It's a long road down over Lovers' Jump, but falling's half the fun! In Upendi, where the passion fruit grows sweet. And it's so divine that you lose your mind, as it sweeps you over your feet. In Upendi, without a concern or a care. It just takes two to make it real, your heart will take you there. You can beat the bush like there's no tomorrow, from Tanganyika to Kilimanjaro. But you'll find Upendi wherever you are, oh, underneath the sun.

Kiara: Upendi–––it means "love", doesn't it?

Rafiki: Welcome to Upendi!

Rafiki and Chorus: {singing} In Upendi, where the passion fruit grows sweet. And it's so divine that you lose your mind, as it sweeps you over your feet.

Rafiki and Kiara: (singing) In Upendi, without a concern or a care. It just takes two to make it real, your heart...will take you there.

Kiara: (singing) In Upendi!

Rafiki, Kiara and Chorus: (singing) Down in Upendi. Way down in Upendi!

{The last few lines repeat and fade away. The song ends with Kiara and Kovu still singing the words "In Upendi". They are alone out on the savannah again.}

Kovu: Good night...

Kiara: Good night.

{Kiara walks off to the main cavern, after looking back in Kovu's direction and sighing dreamily, and Kovu goes back to his standing stone on the promontory. Simba appears in the direction Kiara is walking, and he approaches Kovu.}

Simba: It's... kinda cold tonight, huh? Come on.

{Vitani watches from a distance as the two lions make their way back into the cavern.}

Vitani: {hushed, to herself} Get him! What are you waiting for? Kovu, get him!

{She lies down and stares with despair as she realizes Kovu is not going to attack Simba. She hisses and jumps up, rushing back to report to Zira. Scene changes back to Zira's location.}

Zira: {snarling} You're sure?

Vitani: Affirmative. I saw it with my own eyes.

Zira: Kovu cannot betray us!

{Fade to black.}

Zira's ambush on Simba/Nuka's death/Kovu gets his scar

{Reopen on Pride Rock, with Kovu walking out onto the promontory.}

Kovu: Okay-- I have to tell her today. Oh... where do I start? "Kiara... Zira had a plot-- and I was part of it. But I don't wanna be, because-- it's because I love you. {sighs} Oh, she'll never believe me. But I gotta try.

{He goes into the cavern, where Kiara and Simba are waking up.}

Kovu: Kiara... I need to talk to you.

Simba: {sternly} Kiara... I don't want you talking with him. {softening} I want to talk with him.

{Kiara's face brightens. Simba winks at her, and he and Kovu go out onto the promontory and down onto the savannah. Scene switch to where they are walking through the newly burnt section of the Pride Lands.}

Simba: Scar couldn't let go of his hate... and in the end, it destroyed him.

Kovu: I've... never heard the story of Scar that way. He truly was a killer.

Simba: Fire is a killer. Sometimes, what's left behind can grow better than the generation before...

{He puts his paw down and raises some dust. As he lifts it, a young plant is there. The two lions lean down, head to head.}

Simba: ...If given the chance.

{We hear an evil chuckle from the dust surrounding them. Kovu gasps as he realizes what's going on. Many dark lionesses appear from the clouds of dust, surrounding them. The lionesses' eyes glow a bright, sinister yellow.}

Kovu: No... oh, no... no....

Zira: Why, Simba...

Simba: (angrily) Zira...

Zira: What are you doing out here and so alone? (chuckles)

Bowser: (chuckles) Oh, this is going to be fun. Let's raise the stakes and break Simba's trust in Kovu. (speaks through microphone in Zira's microchip) Make the situation intense, Zira. Lie to Simba and make him believe that your son was involved in this. Just as we planned.

Zira: (chuckles evilly as she nods her head) Well done, Kovu. Just like we always planned.

Simba: (believing in Zira's lie, he turns to Kovu in intense anger) You!

Kovu: (defensively and innocently) No! I didn't have anything to do with this!

(But Simba is far too angry to listen to Kovu since he fully comes to believe in Zira's lie.)

Bowser: (chuckles evilly) Yes, that's right, Simba, you foolish idiot. You're just as gullible as you are right now. Just like when you were a cub. Now, time to make this game even more interesting. (speaks to Zira through her microchip; Scar's voice) Kill him.

Zira: (snarls happily as she got the message; to the Outsiders) Attack!

(Nuka lunges at Simba, but he gets smacked away by the angry lion king.)

Kovu: No!

(The Outsiders attack Simba as they bite and scratch him.)

Simba: (in pain) Ah!

(Simba fights back as more Outsiders gang up on him. Kovu jumps into the fray. He knocks an Outsider aside, but Vitani knocks him out by kicking him to a nearby rock. The Outsiders swarm over Simba until Nuka leaps into the fight, knocking Simba off a cliff and falls into the gorge.)

Zira: Yes! We've got him!

(The Outsiders slide down the side of the gorge toward Simba. Vitani pounces at Simba. But Simba gets up and runs for his life across the gorge.)

Zira: (o.c.) Remember your training as a unit!

(They continue chasing Simba until he pauses at the bottom of a log pile. Simba looks up to see that it leads to the top of the gorge. Simba looks behind him to see the Outsiders charging toward him. He begins to climb the log pile.)

Bowser: (observes Simba climbing up the log pile) Hmmm...

(As Simba 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. He 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.)

Kovu: Simba!

Zira: Get him, Kovu! Get him! Do it! Now!

(But Kovu runs away instead. Simba continues to climb. Nuka clambers up the log pile after Simba.)

Nuka: I'll do it for you, Mother! (climbs up the log pile after Simba)

(Nuka continues to make his way up to Simba.)

Nuka: Mother, are ya watching? (under his breath) I'm doin' it for you, and I'm doin' it for me. (makes it to Simba as he grabs his hind leg) This is my moment of glory! (but suddenly, one log breaks, causing Nuka to lose his footing) What? No!

Zira: (distraught) No!

Nuka: (falls) Ah!

Bowser: (angrily) That mangy, little fool! Doesn't he realize how unstable that log pile is?!

(Nuka continues to fall while 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. The logs crush him underneath and 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. Zira shoves Kovu aside. She reaches down to Nuka as Kovu backs away. Zira lifts one log until she finds Nuka, hopelessly buried within logs.)

Nuka: (weakly coughing)

Zira: (heartbroken) Nuka...

Nuka: (weakly) I'm sorry, M-Mother. I tried.

Zira: Shhh... (reaches her paw down to Nuka)

(Just as Nuka was about to speak one last time, his eyes close 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.)

Vitani: (devastated at her brother's death) Nuka... (bows her head in sadness)

(Bowser, on the other hand, doesn't sympathize with Zira's loss. He was angered that Nuka's stupidity and incompetence led him to his own death. But despite that minor setback, he still managed to manipulate Simba into turning against Kovu as part of his plan. Meanwhile, a severely wounded Simba limps his way back to the Pride Lands. He needed to be with his family and friends. Kiara, Timon, Pumbaa, and Zazu appear and found Simba in critical condition.)

Kiara: (sees her father limping in the grass) Father? Father! Zazu, get help!

Zazu: Oh, yes! Help! At once! Of course! (flies away)

Kiara: (rushes over to her weary father) Father...

(Just then, Ash and his friends arrive.)

Ash Ketchum: (v.o.) Simba!

Pikachu: Pikachu!

Misty: (kneels in front of the wounded lion and gently pets his head) Simba, are you alright?!

Brock: What happened to you?!

Ash Ketchum: Where's Kovu?!

Timon: Simba, talk to us. What happened?

Simba: (weakly breathing)

Misty: (continues to gently pet him) Simba, Simba, look at me. Look at me! (gently holds his head up) Look at me and tell us what happened. Okay, okay?

Simba: (weakly while breathing) Kovu... Ambush.. (collapses to the ground; moans in pain)

Ash Ketchum: What?!

Kiara: (disbelieving) No...

Misty: No way. Kovu would never. Would he?

Ash Ketchum: No, Misty, he wouldn't! Look, we'll get to the bottom of it once we take care of Simba.

Misty: Alright.

Ash Ketchum: Brock, can you and Cilan whip up a special healing for his wounds?

Brock: Sure.

Ash Ketchum: And Pumbaa, can you help us carry him back to Pride Rock?

Pumbaa: I'll do my best. (lifts Simba onto his back)

Timon: (lifts Simba's tail) It's alright, buddy. We're here for ya.

Brock: You'll be right as rain in no time, Simba.

(They all carry the wounded Simba back to Pride Rock where he will be treated with care.)

Zira: Scar, watch over my poor Nuka. (turns to Kovu in anger) You! (punches Kovu in the face with her claws, giving him a scar that resembles Scar's)

Kovu: Ahhh!!! (pants angrily as he recovers)

Zira: What have you done?!

Kovu: I didn't... I-I didn't mean to. I... It wasn't my fault. I...I did nothing!

Zira: Exactly! And in doing so, you've betrayed your pride. Betrayed Scar!

Kovu: I want nothing more to do with him!

Zira: You cannot escape it. (backs Kovu up to a corner) Nuka is dead because of you!

Kovu: No.

Zira: You've killed your own brother!

Kovu: NO!!! (runs away as the Outsiders growl and roar at him)

Bowser: (cackles evilly as he looks on)

Zira: (halts Vitani from going after her brother) Let him go! (to the other Outsiders) Simba has hurt me for the last time. Now, he has corrupted Kovu! Listen to me. Simba is injured and weak. Now is the time to attack! We will take his entire kingdom...by force! (her followers roar as she laughs wickedly)

Bowser: (grins evilly) Beautiful. This whole conflict is getting more interesting than I thought. (chuckles wickedly)

"Not One of Us"/Ash and Kiara's Argument with Simba

(The animals continuing talking to see him as he made it to the Simba who is on top of Pride Rock.)

Simba: Why have you come back?!

Kovu: Simba, I have nothing to do with...

Simba: (rudely interrupts) You don't belong here!

Kovu: Please, I ask your forgiveness.

Kiara: Daddy, please, listen to him.

Ash Ketchum: Kiara's right, Simba. Just give him a chance to explain. He has nothing to do with the…

Simba: (rudely interrupts) Silence!

(Ash is horrified with Simba's impulsive behavior.)

Ash Ketchum: Simba!

Simba: When you first came here, you asked for judgement. And I pass it now!

(Everyone is shocked at what Simba is about to do as the animals be arguing.)

Misty: Simba, no! Don't!

Brock: This has gone far enough, Simba! Please, don't do this!

Simba: EXILE!

Ash Ketchum: WHAT?!

Pikachu: PIKA?!

Kiara: No!!

Misty and Brock: Simba!!

(The rest of Ash's team gasp in shock and horror at what Simba just said right out of his mouth. The animals begin to make music and their sounds.)

Kiara: No! (two lionesses block her) Kovu!

Dawn: Simba, stop this!

Iris: This isn't right!

Max: You can't do this!

Clemont: Don't do the same evil thing your uncle did to you!

Bonnie: Please, Simba, listen to us!

May: This is madness, Simba! Stop it right now!

Pikachu: Pika, Pika!

(But Simba just stands there and ignores the children's pleas to stop.)

Serena: Ash, help! Do something! Stop them! Save Kovu, please!

(But Ash just stood there frozen in disbelief at Simba's current behavior. He is horrified that the lion he, Misty and Brock had raised since Mufasa's death isn't the same lion they knew anymore. He is a different lion now. His prejudice, anger, hatred, fear, and anxiety had turned him into something he's not: a cruel, selfish, tyrannical monster who only cares about himself. And Ash knew that kind of behavior isn't what Mufasa wanted from Simba at all. Ash's friends are now helpless to stop the expulsion of Kovu and look on in worry. The animals begin to look at Kovu as two antelopes came in front of him.)

Animals: Deception~

Disgrace~

(As the antelopes block him very closer Kovu jumps away.)

Evil as plain as the scar on his face~

Zebras: Deception (An outrage!)

Giraffes: Disgrace (For shame!)

(Kovu lands with the Hippopotamus and a bunch of pythons.)

Hippo: He asked for trouble the moment he came.

(The pythons strike at Kovu, but he avoids them and runs off.)

Animals: He can't change his stripes!

Zebras: Deception

An outrage!

Giraffes: Disgrace

For shame!

Animals: You know these outsider types~

Evil as plain as the scar on his face~

See you later, agitator~

Just leave us alone~

Zebras: Deception~

An outrage!

Giraffes: Disgrace~

For shame!

Animals: Traitor, go back with your own!~

Hippo: He asked for trouble the moment he came

Animals: See you later, agitator!~

(As the chorus sings, birds fly after Kovu.)

Chorus: Born in grief~

Raised in hate~

Helpless to defy his fate~

(As they fly, they peck Kovu. Then, Kovu runs to a river.)

Let him run~

Let him live~

But do not forget~

What we cannot forgive~

(Kovu lands on the water finally escape from the animals, he turns his head to see Pride Rock.)

And he is not one of us~

He has never been one of us~

He is not part of us~

(Kiara is about to run after Kovu, but the lionesses blocked her again.)

Not our kind~

Someone once lied to us~

Now we're not so blind~

(Kovu looks down at the lake and see the image of Scar, shocked and then he runs off. As he makes over, he goes on a rock and see Pride Rock as the next verse is heard.)

For we knew he would do what he's done~

And we know that he'll never be one of us~

Animals: He is not one of us~

(Kovu walks away, sadly and heartbroken.)

Antelope: Deception~

Zebra: Disgrace~

(An image of Kiara is seen on a dusk sky, feeling sad. Ash and Pikachu are seen, looking down in sadness with his team.)

Antelope: Deception~

Zebra: Disgrace~

(An image of Simba looks at Kovu and turn his head.)

Antelope: Deception~

(Rafiki is sitting on a rock and is upset about Simba's decision. For he knows that Simba had inadvertently defied his father's plans and broken the Circle of Life because of his prejudice against the Outsiders and his hatred toward his uncle.)

Rafiki: (sadly) Oooh.

Bowser: (witnessing the expulsion) Hmm... (cackles sinisterly)

Kiara: Father, please reconsider.

Simba: You will not go anywhere without an escort from now on.

Kiara: No, that's not...

Simba: (rudely cuts Kiara off) He used you to get to me!

Kiara: No! He loves me...for me!

Simba: Because you are my daughter, you will not leave Pride Rock! You will stay where I can keep an eye on you. Away from him!

Brock: Wha-?! Are you insane, Simba?! You're imprisoning your own daughter into Pride Rock?!

May: What kind of a king are you?!

Dawn: A true king would never do this, and you would know that!

Simba: Listen to yourselves! Kovu's blinded Kiara and all of you!

Misty: No, Simba, (points at him in the face) YOU listen to yourself! The way you're talking isn't you at all! You're sounding just like your wicked uncle!

Cilan: And it's you who is being blinded to see the truth, Simba! If you hadn't let your negative emotions cloud your better judgement, we would've gotten to listen to Kovu's side of the story! You only see what you wanted to see!

Simba: I only did what was best for Kia--

Iris: No! No, you only did what was best for yourself, and that's it! Just yourself!

Serena: Simba, do you not realize that you're being a fool?! That you're being selfish?! A real king is supposed to put the feelings of his family and his people before anything else! Why couldn't you do that for Kovu when he begged for your forgiveness?! Are you really that incapable to forgive someone?! Even if someone is innocent?!

Kiara: You don't even know him!

Simba: I know he's following in Scar's paw prints. And I must follow in my father's.

Kiara: You will never be Mufasa!

(Everyone, including Simba were shocked at hearing this. Kiara runs into Pride Rock, crying. Ash's friends turn to Simba with angry glares. Having enough with Simba's bad attitude and overprotectiveness, Ash snaps out of his frozen state, grows angry, and decides to give his old friend a piece of his mind.)

Ash Ketchum: (angry toward Simba for what he's done) You know what, Simba? I'm with Kiara on this! I'm done helping you! I'm fed up with your rotten attitude toward Kovu and the outlanders! I'm fed up with your overprotectiveness toward your family! And most of all, I'm fed up with what you've become: a selfish tyrant who only cares for himself!

Simba: (gasps)

Ash Ketchum: You think that what you're doing is what your father would've wanted?! Well, think again! None of this is what Mufasa would've wanted at all! If he was still alive, he would've been extremely disappointed in you for the way you've been treating everyone in this kingdom! Kiara may be your daughter, Simba! But here's a newsflash for you: whether you like it or not, she isn't a cub anymore! She's a full-grown adult lion just like you and everyone else in your pride! And guess what, "your majesty?" That's not about to change! You're just too proud to admit that she's old enough to make her own decisions! (right when Simba was about to say something to try to justify his actions, Ash continues on with his rant) And do you really believe that Kovu's actually following in Scar's pawprints and that you're following in your father's?! Think again! Kovu's not the one following in Scar's pawprints, you are! All of the terrible things that you've did to Kovu and your daughter were what Scar would've done to them!

(Everyone gasps in horror.)

Nala: (horrified) Simba!

(The animals, who overheard Ash's angry rant at Simba, were horrified and confused at the same time.)

Animals: (chattering in a horrified confusion) What? The king's following Scar's pawprints? He's treating his daughter like a prisoner? Is the king really becoming like Scar? Are you hearing what that human is saying? Would Simba really do all of that? What is he talking about?

Ash Ketchum: (breathes heavily; calms down for a bit and tries not to cry as tears flood his eyes) Simba, when you became king, we all thought you've learned something after defeating Scar. We thought...you were different from him. We thought...we would make Mufasa...proud of us...by making you learn the truth for yourself. We thought...you had gotten over everything that happened to you in the past. We thought...you had matured. And we thought...you were better than this. But, I guess...I guess that we were wrong. Selfishness... and corruption... really can run in your family. Especially when it comes to those who cannot see that other prides like the Outlanders are lions just like you. (brief silence) So, if Kovu's not welcome here, then I'm not staying either! I'm leaving!

Simba: (angry) Listen, you think you can just show up and tell me how to live my life? You don't even know what I've been through!

Ash Ketchum: I would if you had just given Kovu another chance!

Simba: Forget it! EXILE!

Serena: (Kiara VO) NO!!

Ash Ketchum: Fine! (groans angrily and leaves in frustration with tears running down his face)

Pikachu: Pika, Pi! (runs to catch up with Ash)

Bonnie: Ash!

Brock: Ash! Wait!

Misty: Ash!

Ash: Kiara’s right! You will never be Mufasa!

(Ash runs past the animals who look on in confusion, with Pikachu following him in pursuit. The rest of Ash's team all glare at Simba in disappointed looks.)

(Rafiki is sitting on a rock and is upset about Simba's decision about his friend)

Rafiki: (sadly) Oooh.

Animal: (SpongeBob "Fools in April" VO) Aww, man, poor kid.

Animal: (SpongeBob "Fools in April" VO) Our king has definitely got some issues to work out.

Cilan: Nice going, Simba!

Iris: That was totally uncalled for!

Tracey: First Kovu, now Ash! Who else do you want to banish from Pride Rock?! Huh?! Are you gonna kick the rest of us out of your kingdom too?! All because we supported Kiara's romance with Kovu in the first place?!

(The animals gasp in horror after hearing what May just said to their king. They could not believe Simba would banish someone who is in love with his daughter. Especially when he is one of the Outlanders. Then their shock turned to anger and disgust toward their own king.)

May: You know what we think, Simba?! We think your kingdom has some silly rules! Kovu may have been one of the Outsiders trained by Zira to murder you. But ever since he started having feelings for Kiara, he had every potential to help this pride as well as you do! And he helped keep her out of danger as much as you did! So, if you can't let him stay here because you're too stubborn to see the good in him, then we're not staying here either!

Max: Yeah! We're leaving! Goodbye forever, "your majesty!" Hmph! (pouts as he and his sister turn their backs on Simba and leave to go find Ash)

Clemont: May! Max! Wait! Oh, no, they're gone too. That's not fair, Simba! If Kovu, May, Max, Ash, or Pikachu can't stay here in your kingdom anymore, then me and Bonnie aren't staying here either. (Bonnie nods her head in agreement)

Misty: Neither are we!

(Brock, Iris, Cilan, Tracey, and Dawn nod their heads in agreement while looking at Simba in complete anger. Then they all turn their backs on the king and head into the fields to find Ash, leaving him speechless.)

Dawn: (angry and disgusted) Hmph! (pouts)

Piplup: (angry) Piplup! (smacks Simba in the face) Piplup, Piplup! (pouts and leaves)

(Serena, feeling betrayed with Simba's selfish actions against his daughter and Kovu, stops and turns to the lion king in deep sadness.)

Serena: (softly) How could you, Simba?! We've trusted you! And you've betrayed us! (cries sadly while leaving)

Simba: (gets really angry at them for turning their backs on him) Well, FINE!!! Then, just-just- g-g-GO AWAY!! Join Kovu and Ash in exile all you like! See if I care!

Timon, Pumbaa, and Zazu: (gasps in horror)

Nala: (gasps and gets angry with her husband's behavior) Simba!

Simba: What are you guys looking at?!

(Nala, Timon, Pumbaa, and Zazu didn't say anything. They can only express themselves with deep sadness and sorrow with what Simba has become: a cruel, selfish tyrant just like his late uncle, Scar. With nothing left to say, they turn and head back into Pride Rock with sad faces and their heads handing low.)

Simba: (realizing that he hurt their feelings) Look, I... I-I'm sorr--N-Nala, I'm sorry. I didn't me... wait. Come on!

Zazu: (deeply disappointed in his king) I think you've done quite enough today, sire. (flies off after Timon, Pumbaa, and Nala)

(Simba then turns and looks at his own pride and the animals who also glare at him in utter disappointment toward their king. Upon hearing Ash's rant and witnessing how he cruelly drove his friends away, they came to realize that their king made them drove Kovu away for nothing! As a result, they are absolutely ashamed of Simba for making them do so since he was the one who made that selfish decision of exiling him in the first place. After a long moment of silence, they all give their king the cold shoulder, turn their backs on him, and leave without saying a word. Simba’s pride does the same as they head back into the cave. One zebra stays and looks at him in anger.)

Animal: (SpongeBob "Fools in April" VO) "Exile", huh? (turns around and leaves in disgust) Jerk.

Animal: (SpongeBob "Fools in April" VO) Hey! You stink!

(With everyone gone, Simba is left all alone. No friends, no family, no royal subjects, no nothing. He looks up at the heavens, seeing that he had failed his father and believed that he will never forgive him for what he's done to Kovu, Kiara, and his friends. With no option left, Simba could only sigh sadly and lay down on the edge of Pride Rock's peak in despair. In the cave, Kiara is seen sobbing.)

Search Parties/Bowser taunts Simba for misusing his kingship duties

(Camera switch to Simba pacing in a field. Probably in denial of the cruel things he's done to Kovu and Kiara.}

• Simba: They're wrong. Kovu is one of them. What would it prove, anyway? It won't change anything. You can't change the past.
• Bowser: (v.o.) My, my, my. What an amusing turn of events. (appears in back of Simba)
• Simba: (gasps) Bowser!
• Bowser: Don't be afraid, Simba. I have no reason to fight you. In fact, I'm here to congratulate you.
• Simba: Congratulate me? For what?!
• Bowser: For blindly misusing your role as king and for putting yourself before your daughter, your pride, and your kingdom. (chuckles evilly) What'd you expect?
• Simba: What are you talking about?! My judgment was correct! I did what I had to do to protect this kingdom from being destroyed! And Kiara would be dead if Kovu stayed at Pride Rock!
• Bowser: On the contrary, "your majesty", that is where you're wrong. Kovu was actually being used as a tool by his own mother just so she could kill you through him! It was Kiara who managed to open up his heart after she saw the good in him and made him feel welcome in Pride Rock after he rescued her. But you, on the other hand, you only saw the bad in anyone who enters your kingdom due to your hatred toward Scar!
• Simba: I just wanted to keep him away from her so that he wouldn't take over Pride Rock and destroy the Pride Lands! The minute I saw him, I was told that he was chosen by Scar as his heir to the throne! I knew that he was following in Scar's pawprints! And I must follow in my father's so that I can live up to his legacy and make him proud!
• Bowser: Oh, are you sure about that? Why don't you look at yourself in the mirror, Simba? When we saw you bonding with Kovu and warming up to him before the ambush, we actually thought you changed. But no. You've let your emotions cloud your better judgment and pushed him away. Just like how you've pushed Zira and her clan out of your pride due to their loyalty to Scar. You've isolated every creature that comes to your kingdom and view them as an enemy due to their association to your uncle. And yet, Scar is the one who's always coming back to haunt you. Tell me something, Simba. Are you that desperate to live up to your father's legacy by mistreating people the way Scar did? Did it ever occurred to you that you're somehow becoming a selfish tyrant just like your wicked uncle? Was it really all that worth it just to end up becoming something you’re not? Hmm? (Simba is stunned with silence after Bowser said that in his face; Bowser then sadistically starts petting Simba as if he's petting a cat) And by pushing Kovu out of your life as well as confining your daughter into Pride Rock like a prisoner, would your father proud of you right now? Would your mother be proud of you right now? Would the Great Kings of the Past be proud of you right now? Did you really think you'd end up here right now? (grins evilly as Simba still remains stunned) I guess your daughter was right about you. You are a mistake just like your wretched uncle. A total disgrace to your father’s legacy. You haven't learned anything about being king ever since you've ascended the throne. Mistakes like you deserve to be corrected. Am I right?
• Simba: No... You're wrong. You're wrong! I'm not a disgrace or a mistake! I am not! I AM NOT!!! (roars and tries to claw Bowser, but he is blocked)
• Bowser: Ah, ah, ah! Don't even think about it, Simba. Because no matter how hard you try to deny the inevitable, you cannot escape it. It'll keep coming back and haunt you for the rest of your miserable life. For the more you and Zira fight, the more you will lose everything: your family, your friends, and your entire kingdom! You'll just keep on hurting people like what Scar did! (giggles sinisterly) Rather than protecting those you care about from Scar's legacy and living up to your father's expectations; you're actually endangering them by putting yourself first! You're not a king, you're a weak coward and a selfish tyrant just like your pathetic excuse of an uncle was when he ruled Pride Rock as king! (cackles wickedly) Some king you've turned out to be! Can't even move on from your traumatic past because of your unhealthy grudge against someone who took the life of your father! (cackles wickedly)

Bowser and his team celebrate/Ash sees Mufasa's spirit and learns about Bowser's plan

(Later, Misty, Zazu, and the other look for their friend)

Ash Ketchum: [speech] Simba wanted the best for the Pride Lands, and we found it. But now...maybe the best isn't good enough. He just doesn't understand.

Zazu: If Mufasa was here, he’d ask “What does your heart tell you?”

Ash Ketchum: [speech] I don’t know anymore.

Ash Ketchum (singing):

Why? Why even trust me at all?

They say the Guard is my call

But then come tell me I'm wrong

Now what? What should I do?

And who? Who do I turn to?

Now everything feels so upside down

Deep down, maybe I knew

It was way too good to be true

With all my friends looking up to me

Some leader I turn out to be!

(Mufasa appears)

[Speech]

Mufasa: Ash!

Ash Ketchum: Hevi kabisa!

Max: Are you...

Mufasa: Yes, Max. I am Simba's father.

Iris: ...Mufasa. We've heard a lot about you.

Mufasa: And I've been watching you. You are about to embark on a great journey, my friends: bringing peace to the Pride Lands.

Ash Ketchum: I'm not sure Simba's gonna let us bring peace between prides. He's more like Scar than you are now.

Mufasa: That is what Bowser Koopa said to him right after you all left Pride Rock.

Misty: Bowser?! Here?!

Mufasa: Yes, Misty. In fact, he wants Simba to end his hatred and destroy Zira for not understanding Scar's real fate.

Ash Ketchum: I'm not sure, Mufasa. He hates the Outsiders and is far too overprotective on Kiara. He refused to give Kovu a chance to explain, he and most of the animals unfairly banished him from the Pride Lands, and he made Kiara a prisoner when he confined her into Pride Rock. All so that he couldn't let them be together because he thinks Kovu is an incarnation of Scar. Why can't he understand that Kovu is nothing like Scar and that he and Kiara deserve to be happy together?

Mufasa: Ash, I understand your frustration, but you have to realize that Simba is still grieving. And for that, he is worried that Kiara and the rest of his pride will suffer the same fate as me. He worries her so much because he loves her. No matter what. Being leader of the greatest Pokémon Trainers will not always be easy as being king.

Ash Ketchum: Then...maybe Simba's right. Maybe I'm not ready to lead. Although, I'm not sure if I even can. Mewtwo and Korra are a million times better at this than I'll ever be. And I...I don't want to end up like Scar.

Mufasa: Don't be afraid, Ash. Trust your instincts, your friends will be there for you when you need them. And so, will I. Until the Pride Lands' end.

Ash Ketchum: Mufasa, don't go yet!...Trust my instincts, my friends will be there when I need them.

Ash Ketchum (singing):

Maybe my journey is far from done

They need a leader, and I'm the one

So now it's time for them all to see

The lion I was born to be!

It is time

To take the lead on my own

It is time

For something bigger than I've ever known

No need to wonder, the choice is done

Now I believe I truly am the one

So, is it time?

Is it time?

Ash Ketchum: (spoken) Yes. (singing) It is time. (spoken) C'mon guys, let's go find Kiara and Kovu and put an end to this feud once and for all.

(Everyone leaves unaware that they're being watched by Rafiki in happiness.)

Rafiki: (laughs joyfully) I always knew we can count on them, Mufasa. (sighs) I just hope they know what they're doing.

(But suddenly, Ash and his friends hear laughter coming from behind tall grass.)

Clemont: (gasps) Shh-shh-shh! Listen! Do you guys hear that?

Villains: (v.o.; laughter and instant chatter)

Max: What is it?

May: What's going on?

Villains: (v.o.; laughter and instant chatter)

Ash Ketchum: I have a bad feeling about this. Come on. Let's investigate.

(The gang investigate the commotion and peak through the tall grass. What they see is a shocking discovery: Team Rocket, The Grand Duke of Owls, and The Crime Empire are all celebrating their victory in making Simba's prejudice go from bad to worse. They are sitting around the campfire, eating food and drinking their drinks.)

Misty: (gasps) What are they doing here?!

Brock: Probably sent here by Bowser. What'd you expect?

Pikachu: (senses something) Pika!

Ash Ketchum: (gasps) Look!

(Just then, a huge ominous figure appears before the villains, and they bow before him. He comes into the light, and he reveals to be none other than Bowser Koopa!)

Ash and his friends: (gasps in horror)

Ash Ketchum: (whispers) Bowser!

Bowser: (holds up his goblet) My friends, today has been very successful! For now, we celebrate! But later on, tonight, Zira and her pride is preparing for war against Simba and his pride! They are going to meet at the same gorge where Mufasa met his dreadful fate at the hands of his evil brother! Tonight, when the two prides clash, we will prepare our most deadliest trap ever! And when Zira and Simba prepare to fight alone, our trap will seal their doom!

Ash and his friends: (gasps in horror)

Ash Ketchum: (whispers) No!

Pikachu: Pika!

Bowser: And tomorrow, we will destroy Pride Rock, burn the Pride Lands, and permanently break the Circle of Life...FOREVER!!!

Villains: (cheering excitedly)

(Ash and his friends look at each other in shock and horror. They cannot believe that Bowser is planning to murder Simba's pride and Zira's pride at the same time just to keep the Circle of Life broken forever.)

Bowser: So, my friends, we must prepare. For our biggest and greatest scheme yet is about to make history!

Villains: (cheering excitedly)

Iris: (whispers) Did you hear that?!

Cilan: Bowser's gonna kill Simba and Zira's prides!

Bonnie: And he's gonna destroy Pride Rock and the Pride Lands!

Misty: That monster! He doesn't care about Zira's plans of taking over Pride Rock at all! He just wants to destroy everything and everyone who live there so he could keep the Circle of Life broken forever!

Ash Ketchum: Guys, we gotta go tell Kiara and Kovu about this. We have to save their parents before it's too late!

-

Rafiki: (gasps after overhearing everything) Ay-yai-yai! Bowser's gonna kill the two prides and destroy the Pride Lands?! Oh, this isn't good at all! I must begin evacuation immediately! (leaves to go evacuate the animals of the Pride Lands) Do be careful and hurry, young children! Find Kiara and Kovu and unite the prides before it's too late! We're counting on you!

"Love Will Find a Way"/Kiara's Decision

(Meanwhile, Kiara walks slowly through the grass, continuing her search for Kovu. As she walks, two doves suddenly emerge from the grass and take to the air, causing her to pull up short. Kiara watches the doves fly away, clearly wistful. She continues walking.)

Kiara: (singing) In a perfect world, (A herd of gazelles frolics by.) one we've never known, (A gazelle couple bounds away from the herd, then stops to nuzzle.) we would never need (Kiara watches the couple for a moment before turning and striding away.) to face the world alone. (Kiara walks into a forested area.) They can have the world. (Kiara stops and watches as two butterflies flit over her head. In a nearby tree, a monkey couple nuzzles.) We'll create our own. (Kiara follows the butterflies out of the forest.) I may not be brave or strong or smart, (Kiara leaps up onto a tree branch and looks up at the stars.) but somewhere in my secret heart, I know (Kiara looks between the star formation of a rabbit and the star formation of two lions fighting: the same ones she and Kovu had spotted earlier.) love will find a way. (Kiara lowers her head sadly.) Anywhere I go, (Kiara lies down on the tree branch.) I'm home if you are there beside me. (Kiara looks down at her reflection in a pool. Half of her reflection is missing. A leaf falls into the pool, distorting her reflection.) Like dark turning into day, (Kiara stands.) somehow, we'll come through (Kiara notices a bush on the far shore moving, as if someone is hiding behind it.) now that I've found you. (A frog jumps out of the bush and lands in the pool.) Love will find a way.

(Kiara frowns and walks away with her head bowed. The frame changes so that she is walking on a hill covered in ash. She sits. The camera pans out to reveal Kovu standing on a hill behind Kiara. He watches her with a frown.)

Kovu: (singing) I was so afraid. (Kovu bows his head and closes his eyes. After a moment, his eyes snap open again.) Now, I realize (Kovu lifts his head and smiles. Kiara sighs silently.) love is never wrong, (Kovu strides down his hill toward Kiara.) and so it never dies. (Kiara's eyes open in shock.) There's a perfect world (Kiara turns around, and her mouth falls open in delight. She smiles affectionately.) shining in your eyes.

Kovu and Kiara: (singing; Kovu and Kiara smile at each other.) And if only they could feel it, too, (Kiara bounds down her hill toward Kovu. He rushes to meet her.) the happiness I feel with you, (Kovu and Kiara meet halfway and nuzzle.) they'd know love will find a way. (Kiara licks Kovu's cheek, then walks offscreen. His eyes widen in shock before he smiles.) Anywhere we go, we're home [Kovu chases after Kiara, who flicks ash at him. They walk side-by-side up another hill.) if we are there together. (Kovu and Kiara sit.) Like dark turning into day, (Kovu uses one paw to scrape away ash on the ground, revealing a green shoot.) somehow, we'll come through (Kiara stares in wonder at the shoot. She smiles at Kovu, who waggles his eyebrows.) now that I've found you. Love will find a way. (Kovu and Kiara embrace. Around them, Mufasa's spiritual wind carries milkweed floss stirs the ash into the air, ultimately approving their relationship that his son refuses to because of his prejudice and hatred.) I know love will find a way.

Kovu: (gasps upon seeing two butterflies fluttering around them) Hey...! (laughs as he chases them)

Kiara: (laughs as she follows him)

(Kiara and Kovu were running and laughing with joy that they have found each other, they nuzzle each other. Then Kovu looks down at the water.)

Kovu: Hey, look, we are one. (his reflection and Kiara's reflection are merged together as one)

Kiara: (recalls the lesson his father taught her as a cub; she realizes what her father meant by his words: "we are one") What?

Kovu: Let's get outta here. We'll run away together and start a pride, all our own.

Kiara: (chuckles) Kovu, (nuzzles him) we have to go back.

Kovu: You're kidding. But we're finally together!

Kiara: Our place is with our pride. If we run away, they'll be divided forever.

Ash warns Kiara and Kovu about Bowser's plan/Prepare for the final battle/Rafiki prepares for emergency evacuation

(Kovu's expression is uncertain. He glances back at Kiara with the same grim look. Even though Simba cruelly exiled him out of spite because of his false assumption of being involved with the ambush, he knows that Kiara is right. But then, all of a sudden...)

Dawn: Kovu, Kiara! There you are!

Max: We are so glad we've finally found you!

May: But there's no time to waste! You've got to help us!

Misty: Kiara, your parents are in terrible danger!

Brock: And Kovu, we know it's going to sound crazy, but your pride is being double-crossed! Bowser and his minions have no intention of helping your mother in her mission of killing Simba and taking over the kingdom!

Kovu: What?!

Ash Ketchum: We overheard him plotting to murder your families and their prides as they to go to war for Pride Rock!

Kiara: What?!

Kovu: How do you know?! Where?!

Serena: They said that it's going to happen at the gorge to where Scar killed Mufasa!

Kiara: (gasps) Oh, no! Mother! Father!

Kovu: (groans) Kiara, you're right! We do need to go back! Because if we don't, our families will be killed!

Kiara: Then let's go! We have to hurry!

Ash Ketchum: Come on, everyone!

(They all make haste and run back to the Pride Lands as fast as they could. We go to the Outsiders, led by Zira, as the walk into a pond. They emerge on the opposite shore with their coats soaked with mud and they continue to stride across the savannah. The thunder roars up above them as a storm begins hits. Bowser and his troops are getting themselves prepared for their biggest scheme yet.)

Kamek: Everything is ready, sire.

Bowser: Good. (looks at Pride Rock over the horizon; chuckles evilly)

(Back at Pride Rock, thunderclaps and it begins to rain.)

Timon: I can't believe we lost her again. This is the eight-thousandth time!

Pumbaa: (whimpers)

Timon: I thought you were gonna watch her!

Pumbaa: Me? You were gonna watch her!

Timon: I thought you were gonna watch her!

Pumbaa: No, you were gonna watch her!

Timon: You were gonna watch her!

Pumbaa: Ah! Watch this! (bellyflops Timon)

Timon: Ow! (flips Pumbaa onto his back and tugs at his lip) Take that, you creepy warthog!

(Simba comes back into Pride Rock after his "conversation" with Bowser and shakes the rainwater off his mane.)

Timon: (o.c.) Say it!

Pumbaa: (o.c.) Fat!

Timon: (o.c.) Say it!

Pumbaa: (o.c.) Fat! (his hind leg is being held back by Timon) Fatty! Fat! Fat!

Simba: What are you doing?

(Timon and Pumbaa snap to attention.)

Timon: (screams as Pumbaa jumps back up innocently while Timon falls onto the floor) Good question. Uh, lemme ask you one.

Pumbaa: Hippo-thetically.

Timon: (climbs onto Pumbaa's snout) Very hypothetical. There's this guy...

Pumbaa: (shakes his head innocently) But he's not a lion!

Timon: No! No! (Simba smirks knowingly.) He's not a lion. Sheesh. Definitely not a lion. And ah... Ah, his daughter, um, say... (nervously) vanished?

Simba: (angrily) Kiara's gone?!

Nala: (shows up) She's not the only one who's gone, Simba. The rest of Ash's team went out to go look for their leader after you drove him away.

Simba: What?! Are you serious?!

Zazu: (flies in all frantic) Sire, the Outsiders are on the attack! Heading this way! It's war!

Simba: Zazu, find Kiara and her friends! We'll assemble the lionesses. Move now!

(Simba goes to round up the pride as Timon and Pumbaa look at each other nervously. Back in the savannah, the Outsiders stalk slowly across the landscape while rain continues to pour. Several guinea fowls flee from the Outsiders. Simba's pride strides onto the plain, opposite the Outsiders. Simba stalks along the line of lionesses. Several antelope and zebra lift their heads, then flee. Kovu, Kiara, Ash, and his team race through the rain toward the warring prides. Elsewhere, Bowser and his minions arrive in their ship several miles from the battle. They all exit the ship and look out at the warring prides with evil grins on their faces. In-between them and the battlefield, the gorge splits the land. Half of the gorge is full of water and dammed by logs. Several giraffes and okapis flee from the prides. Elsewhere, Rafiki makes it to his tree.)

Rafiki: (speaks through a big log) Attention, all animals of the Pride Lands! Bowser is preparing an initiate attack on the king and queen and is planning to destroy our home in the Pride Lands! Please gather up your loved ones and prepare for an emergency evacuation immediately! This is not a drill! I repeat! This is not a drill!

(The animals heard Rafiki's call, and they all prepare for emergency evacuation. Rafiki looks out at the horizon and hope that the two prides will be okay.)

-

Zazu: Rafiki! Rafiki, what's going on?! Why is everyone leaving?!

Rafiki: It's Bowser, Zazu! He's going to stage a genocide attack on the two prides and create mass destruction on the Pride Lands!

Zazu: (gasps) Oh, dear heavens! I must tell Simba at once!

Rafiki: (stops Zazu) No! We have to put our faith on Ash and his friends! And on Kiara and Kovu! They're the Pride Lands' only hope for the future now! We have to get everyone to safety!

Zazu: But...!

Rafiki: Just trust me! I know you don't trust Kovu as much as Simba didn't, but you're gonna have to!

Zazu: (groans) You're right. I'll fly ahead and direct them to a safe place! You direct them on the ground!

Rafiki: Okay! (to the animals) Right this way, everyone! Single file!

Zazu: Everyone, this way! Follow me!

Final Battle/Kiara Confronts Her Father

(Back at the battlefield, the Outsiders form a battle line, while Zira climbs a tall rock. Bowser snaps his fingers and signals Joker and Harley Quinn to go spy on the two prides. Vultures circle overhead. The Outsiders stand in a line. Simba's pride forms up opposite them. Simba stands at the head of his pride. Timon and Pumbaa march out in front of Simba's pride. They turn and shake their butts at the Outsiders.)

Timon and Pumbaa: Nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah!

Zira: It's over, Simba! I have dreamed of nothing else for years!

Timon: Boy, does she need a hobby.

Simba: Last chance, Zira: go home.

Zira: I am home. (growls as thunder roars and lightning flashes) Attack! (The Outsiders roar and walk toward Simba's pride. Simba roars before he and his pride walk toward Zira's pride. Both prides continue their advance, now trotting quickly. Then they both break into a run, and they clash.) Go for the eye! Break his jaw! Hit him low! Get them! Do what you must!

(Little do the prides know, Joker and Harley Quinn are spying on them.)

Joker: They are going at war as you've expected, my lord.

Harley Quinn: And wow! They're putting up quite a bloody fight too! (laughs sadistically)

Bowser: Excellent! Now, prepare the bombs at the bottom of the cliff. Their fate will be sealed soon enough.

Joker and Harley: Yes, sir! (giggle sinisterly as they sneak down the gorge and prepare the explosives for Bowser's plan)

Joker: Oh, I love this job!

Harley Quinn: Me too, Puddin'! (cackles as she begins drilling an explosive onto the wall)

(On the other side of the gorge, Kiara, Kovu and our heroes arrive at the scene.)

Ash Ketchum: Oh, no! We're too late! They've started fighting!

Brock: Hey, look! (points down to Joker and Harley setting up the explosives)

Kiara: What are they doing? What did they just place on the side of that cliff?

(Joker and Harley cackle wickedly, high-five each other, and leave after the bombs are set.)

Clemont: (gasps) Oh, no! This can't be good! It's a trap! If those bombs go off, they'll cause a big rockslide! And your parents will be killed along with the prides!

Kiara: (gasps in horror)

Kovu: No!

Serena: Then we have to disable them before Bowser sets them off!

Ash Ketchum: Good idea, Serena. Clemont, see if you can get down there with my Talonflame and disable those bombs!

Clemont: Roger that!

Ash Ketchum: (summons Talonflame)

Talonflame: Tal!

Ash Ketchum: Talonflame, I want you to carry Clemont to the area where the explosives are. He needs to disable them so that Bowser can't activate them.

Talonflame: Flame! (takes Clemont and carries him down)

Bonnie: Good luck, big brother!

Ash Ketchum: Come on, everyone! We have to hurry and unite the two prides if we're going to save Kovu and Kiara's parents!

Misty: Yeah, come on, let's get going!

Kiara: Yes, let's go!

Kovu: Hurry! Come on!

-

Clemont: No one tries to murder a royal family when I'm around! (digs into his bag and pulls out one of his inventions) The future is now, thanks to science! Clemontic Gear, ON!

-

-

Pumbaa: What do we do? What do we do?

Timon: There's only one thing we can do, Pumbaa. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going". That's our motto!

Pumbaa: I thought our motto was, "Hakuna Matata".

Timon: Pumbaa, stop living in the past. We need a new motto. Yee-haw!

Timon and Pumbaa: (scream as they charge at the Outsiders until one snarl at them, scaring them completely)

Timon: Like I said, LET'S GET GOING!! (he and Pumbaa make a run for it)

-

Vitani: Where's your pretty daughter, Nala?

Nala: Vitani! (she and Vitani brawl)

-

Ash Ketchum: Has everyone made it?

Serena: I think so!

Cilan: Guys, look!

(The battle between the Outsiders and Simba's pride are getting bloody.)

Ash Ketchum: We've got to figure out a way to stop this.

Brock: But how? All Simba and Zira care about is fighting over who gets the throne of Pride Rock.

(Simba roars and continues fighting the Outsiders.)

May: I'd rather stay as far away from this place rather than watch these two prides destroy each other.

Max: Yeah, me, too!

Dawn: Me three!

(As the battle continues on, both sides are collapsing from exhaustion. But Zira and Simba don't seem to notice nor care about the condition of their prides.)

Brock: I don't think they'll ever stop. This isn't a fight for Pride Rock. This is a death battle.

Misty: It's a fight that nobody's going to win. Not even Zira or Simba will win this battle. They'll both end up dying.

Ash Ketchum: Someone's got to take a stand. Someone's got to say "no" and refuse to fight, just like us. (points to Kiara and Kovu as they stand helplessly as their angry parents keep on fighting) Just like Kiara and Kovu.

-

-

Zira: (cackles as the Outsiders swarm Simba) Simba...! (leaps off the tall rock with the two other Outsiders and strides toward her main target: Simba) You're mine!

(The Outsiders pile up on Simba. But he breaks free and swipes at them with his claws, clearing a space around him. Zira approaches and strikes Simba to the ground.)

Ash and his friends: (gasps)

Kiara: Daddy!

Kovu: (gasps) Simba!

(Immediately, the Outsiders and Simba's pride halt their attacks. They watch the fight with concern. Simba gets to his paws and faces off against Zira, snarling viciously at her. Zira stalks in a slow circle around Simba and he watches her every move. Zira switches directions but continues to circle Simba. The two angry lions circle around one another. Around them, the Outsiders and Simba's pride gather in a tense circle. Ash's team start to become scared as this is about to become a bloody fight between Simba and Zira. Zira roars and rears onto her hind legs, lifting a paw. Simba rears onto his hind legs, lifting a paw. Unable to take this meaningless fight anymore, Ash rushes into the battlefield with Pikachu following him. Right when Simba and Zira were about to strike each other, Ash pounces onto the angry lion king and tackles him to the ground.)

Ash Ketchum: Simba, STOP!!! (tackles Simba to the ground)

Pikachu: Pika...CHU!!!! (zaps Zira with Thunderbolt)

Zira: (shocked from the Thunderbolt) DAAAAAAHHHHH!!!! (collapses to the ground)

Simba: (shocked) Ash?! (turned to anger) What are you doing here?! You're not supposed to put yourself in danger like this!

Ash Ketchum: (pins Simba to the ground) I'm not gonna let you and Zira kill each other, nor am I gonna let you destroy the Pride Lands!!

Zira: (recovers from the Thunderbolt) You cursed human...how dare you interfere with my fight with your pet rat!!

(Kiara, Kovu, and Ash's friends quickly arrived at the scene.)

-

-

Kiara: Daddy, this has to stop.

Zira: (to Kovu) You're even weaker than I thought. Get out of the way!

Kovu: You'll never hurt Kiara or Simba! Not while I'm here.

-

-

Simba: Get out of my way, Ash! Please! Let me finish Zira! I don't want to lose everything anymore!

Ash Ketchum: Then don't let Zira and Bowser take advantage of your emotions anymore! They'll do it to you again and again just to make you go lose your way like what Scar did long ago!

Simba: I don't have a choice.

Ash Ketchum: That's a lie! You've always had a choice! (Simba roars and paws Ash away)

Pikachu: Pika, Pi!

Ash Ketchum: (groans while standing up) It's all been your choice, Simba! You chose to banish Zira and her family from your pride because of their loyalty to your uncle, chose to lie to your daughter just to sabotage her first hunt, chose to act cruelly toward Kovu because of your belief he's an incarnation of Scar, chose to banish him because you thought he was involved in the ambush Zira set up against you, chose to confine your daughter into Pride Rock like a prisoner so that she'll never see Kovu again, chose to let Bowser taunt you over your role as king, and now you've chosen to go into war with the Outlanders so that your pride will follow you to their deaths! Zira and Bowser aren't doing all of this, Simba! YOU ARE!! None of your actions are what your father taught you in what being king is about!

Simba: (still in denial of his actions) NO!!

-

-

Ash Ketchum: Simba, none of this would've happened if you and your royal subjects hadn't exiled Kovu from the Pride Lands yesterday! If you weren't so caught up with your ridiculous grudge toward Scar, Zira, and the outlanders, then he and Kiara would not be in the middle of this whole mess! Has Kovu ever actually done anything to you and your family?! Especially considering the fact that he has been actually nice to us for the past two days?! Have you ever thought that maybe you were just jealous of him?! Or were you too insecure that we heaven forbid started forming a friendship with someone else except you?! You just started to realize that your grip on your daughter was getting weaker the minute she started falling in love with Kovu! So, instead of accepting him as part of the pride your father wanted you to do, you've let your negative emotions cloud your better judgment and took out your selfish anger on him when Zira ambushed you!

-

-

-

Ash Ketchum: Simba, please, stop this now!

Simba: No, I can't!

Ash Ketchum: Yes, you can! You are Simba, not Scar nor Mufasa! You don't have to be someone you're not just to be king! You're better than that! You can still change all of it! You can still forgive your enemies who wronged you! You just have to let go of your past! It's time for you to move on and forget about it! It's what your father would do! It's what you should do!

-

-

-

Brock: Steelix, bind Simba up so that he wouldn't escape!

(Steelix roars and binds Simba up, wrapping him up as tight as it could.)

Kiara: Careful! Don't hurt him!

Brock: Don't worry, Kiara. Steelix's body is made out of solid rock and steel. Your father won't be able to fight through it.

(Simba roars in anger as he struggles to break free from Steelix's iron grasp.)

Brock: Simba, no!

Misty: It will be the last thing you and Zira will ever do!

(Gyarados roars as it to tries to hold Zira down as best as it could.)

Zira: Unhand me, you overgrown tuna fish! (scratches its skin with her claws, but its scales are hard as steel)

Misty: Hang in there, Gyarados! Hold on to her as tight as you can!

Simba: (roars and tries to claw his way out, but Steelix's body is as hard as a rock)

Iris: Please, Simba, no!!

Cilan: Don't do it! Don't do it!

Serena: Listen to us, Simba!

Brock: We're not goofing around here!

Dawn: Stop fighting right now!

May: You're still our friend!

Max: You don't have to do this!

Misty: We just want to help you!

Bonnie: We still love you!

Kiara: Daddy, please, listen to them! Listen to me! Do you not hear our cries?! Our pleas for you to stop this?! It doesn't have to always be like this! This is madness and you should know that! How many more innocent lives have to die tonight?! Your hatred over the outlanders is gonna get all of us and everyone else in the Pride Lands killed! You'll be regretting it for the rest of your life! (upon hearing those word, Simba stops clawing and pants in exhaustion, prompting Steelix to set the king down) It's your life, Daddy. Your choice. It's never too late to stop all of this. It's not too late to forgive those who wronged you. Maybe it's time you'd start forgiving them now. Look, a wise king once told me, "We are one." I didn't understand him then, now I do.

Simba: (his face softens and grows confused as he tries to protest Kiara) But they...

Kiara: Them? Us? (looks at the Outsiders) Look at them. They are us. (Nala, who is standing at Simba's shoulder, looks at him questioningly. Simba looks at the Outsiders and his own pride. There was no telling whose side who is on. Only that his pride would follow him to its pointless death.) What differences do you see?

Ash Ketchum: Don't you remember the lesson your father taught you long ago when you were a cub, Simba? That every creature in the Pride Lands is connected to the great Circle of Life? If so, then shouldn't the Outsiders, Kovu, and even Zira be a part of the Circle of Life too? Isn't that what your father always wanted?

(The Outsiders look at one another uncertainly. Vitani continues to glare at Simba's pride but, after a moment, lifts her head and widens her eyes. Kiara and Simba exchange meaningful glances. Kiara smiles. Ash and his team look anxiously at Simba, wondering what he's going to say. Simba, on the other hand, is at lost for words at what his daughter said to him. She is repeating the same advice he gave her when she was a cub. Upon hearing Ash's questions about everyone being a part of the Circle of Life, Simba begins to recall the words his father told him long ago when he was a cub. With that, he flashes back to the morning lesson in the first film.)

Mufasa: (flashback) Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures—from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope.

Young Simba: (flashback) But Dad, don't we eat the antelope?

Mufasa: (flashback) Yes, Simba, but let me explain. When we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. And so, we are all connected in the great Circle of Life.

(The flashback ends, and Simba is left stunned in silence. He realized that he had forgotten about that lesson, and he should've treated the Outsiders as part of his pride like equals. But instead, all he's done was drive them away from the pride because of their loyalty to his wicked uncle. And for that, he realized that he has been making the same evil deeds as Scar made against him when he was manipulated into believing that he caused his father's death. Overhead, the clouds clear up, and the sun shines down onto the two prides. Simba looks up at the light as he feels his father's presence. He smiles and embraces Kiara.)

Ash and his friends: (sigh in relief)

Pikachu: (relieved) Pika, Pika...

(Gyarados, seeing that the king has calmed down, spares Zira's life and sets her down. Misty and Brock then proceed to recall their respective Pokémon in their Poké Balls.)

Bowser attacks the group/Zira's death

Zira: Vitani... now!

Vitani: No, Mother! Kiara's right. {she walks over to Simba's side, turning around to face Zira} Enough. {Zira's other lionesses look shocked}

Zira: If you will not fight... then you will die as well.

{Some of Zira's lionesses begin to move over onto Simba's side. Zira's eyes begin to panic as her whole pride leaves her.}

Zira: Wh-wha... Where are you going? Get back here!

Simba: Let it go, Zira. It's time to put the past behind us.

Zira: {now alone} I'll never let it go!

{More logs pile up in the river, forming a dam.}

Zira: This is for you, Scar!

{Zira leaps at Simba, but Bowser and the villains gets in her way)

Zira: YOU?!

Bowser: (chuckles wickedly) It's over, Zira! You've lost. The prides are one now. So, let it go, (holds up the bomb's detonator) or I'll do it for ya!

Zira: (enraged at Bowser's betrayal) I've already come this far to reclaim my place at the Pride Lands, and this is what I get?! (swipes and destroys detonator with her paw, to Ash) You! This is all your fault! Making Kovu betray me, letting my pride abandon me and now letting the King of Koopas turn on me! Since you caused all this and have been weakened by Simba, I'll gladly finish you for him and Scar!

Misty: Are you kidding me?! You're the one who got the Outlanders, and your own family involved in your senseless path of revenge in the first place!

Brock: You should be taking responsibility of the actions you gave to your followers, not blame them for it!

May: We've been trying to warn you and Simba about Bowser setting both prides up, but you were too blinded by your own hate! You wouldn't be able to listen to us!

Max: I really don't know your reason why you've made that deal with him in the first place! But you should've known sooner that siding with Bowser and his followers would put everyone in the Pride Lands in serious danger, including yourself!

Ash Ketchum: If you keep this up, you're going to mess up your life even more. We're telling you this one last time, Zira... let it go.

Zira: SILENCE!! I've had enough of your persistence! For crushing my ambitions of seizing the Pride Lands, I will feast on you and your friends together!!

(The lionesses and Pokémon trainers gasped. Even Bowser and the villains are shocked.)

Simba: Zira, no!

Bowser: I forbid you!

{Zira leaps at Ash, but Kiara catches her in mid-flight and rolls over with her; the two lionesses tumble down the embankment.}

Simba: Kiara!

Kovu: Kiara!

(Kiara and Zira tumble down further. Determined to help his friend, Ash and Pikachu immediately hop onto Simba's back.)

Ash Ketchum: Let's go, Simba!

{Simba jumps down the slope, trying desperately to reach Kiara, but she and Zira have already fallen too far for him to catch up. Kiara manages to catch a hold on the ledge, slowing her descent enough for her to jump onto a small ledge. Zira clings to the rocks some distance below Kiara, hanging by her front paws.}

Nala: Hold on, Kiara!

{The dam of logs breaks. The river suddenly begins to create a flood on the stream.}

Nala: Simba! Simba-- the river!

{The river is rapidly rushing to fill the canyon. Simba leaps from rock face to rock face, trying to reach Kiara. Below, Zira hangs precariously from the rock face. Kiara is above on the ledge.}

Kiara: Zira! Give me your paw!

{Zira swipes at Kiara, growling. She slips further down the rock face; she glances at the tumbling water and logs .}

Zira: No, never! Ahh... ahhh...

Kiara: Zira, come on... I'll help you...

{She slides further down the rock wall, scrabbling for traction on the rock, but is unable to climb up.}

{She falls back-first into the churning water below. The water and logs carry her under, and the flow in the canyon gradually subsides.}

{Kovu looks down where his mother fell, closes his eyes, and lets out a sigh.}

Ash's friends: (shocked after witnessing Zira's fate in the gorge below) Whoa...

Tracey Sketchit: Um,... I think she lost.

(They nod their heads while chatter in agreement.)

{Simba is waiting on the rocks near Kiara.}

Simba: Kiara...

Kiara: Daddy... I tried...

Ash Ketchum: We know. But it's alright. You've made us proud. Now, let's go.

Simba apologizes to everyone/Kiara and Kovu's wedding/Ending

Nala: Kiara...oh.

Pumbaa: Wow...that was really brave!

Timon: Yeeee-haah!

Bowser: Bah! She was a mindless fool anyway! In fact, I never did like her.

Mistress 9: Neither did I, Bowser. But we have a minor problem in your plan: she destroyed our detonator.

Bowser: (giggles evilly) Oh, I ain't too worried about that, dearest. (holds out the real detonator) The detonator Zira destroyed was a fake. I only used that as a distraction just to get her out of my sight.

Simba: (swipes his paw at the real detonator)

Bowser: Huh?

Simba: Thanks for telling us that. (destroys the real detonator with his jaws)

Bowser: (roars)

Clemont: (shows up with the bomb in his Clemontic Arm) And it's too bad, Bowser. Even if you were going to activate it, your bomb would not have worked anyways.

Ash and his friends: Clemont!

Bonnie: Brother.

Simba: 10 second head start before our prides get you.

Bowser: Both prides?

Simba: 5 seconds.

(Nala, Kiara, Kovu, Vitani, Simba's pride and the Outsiders both join forces as they all growl furiously at Bowser and his minions.)

Bowser: D'oh. Uh, alright, alright! Fine! You win this time, Simba. But we'll have our day! And as for you, Ash, you and your team may have meddled with my plans, but the next time this happened, I won't go easy on you! Villains, retreat!

(Villains do so)

Ash Ketchum: Were you really gonna attack Bowser?

Simba: Nah. I just like to scare him

(Kiara and Kovu approach each other)

Kiara: Kovu...

Kovu: Oh, Kiara.

Simba: (remorsefully) Kovu? (Kovu breaks his embrace with Kiara and walks toward Simba, nervous about what he's going to say) I was wrong. You belong here.

(Ash and his friends gasp in surprise. Then they feel touched and begin to shed tears of happiness, seeing that Simba has finally warmed up to Kovu at last.)

-

Ash Ketchum: We're glad you and the prides are safe, Simba.

Simba: All thanks to you guys. And Kovu, and even Kiara. (chuckles for a bit but begins to feel remorseful for his poor treatment toward Kovu, Kiara, and his friends) Look, about yesterday, I'm really sorry I wasn't nice to you, and Kovu, and Kiara.

-

-

-

Simba: Let's go home...all of us.

{The two prides slowly walk back to Pride Rock, with "We Are One" playing in the background. Rafiki blesses the union of Kiara and Kovu with a gesture of his staff.}

Pumbaa: I love moments like this.

Timon: Yes...

Timon and Pumbaa: ...Love. Not like...love!

{Zazu isn't amused. Timon and Pumbaa burst into tears. Zazu shields himself with his wings.}

{Simba and Nala lead the procession through the rest of the pride, flanking them with bowed heads. Kiara and Kovu follow. Both couples make their way to the tip of the Promontory. First Simba roars, and then Kovu does. Finally all four roar together. The rest of the pride roars in answer.}

{The clouds part, and Simba is illuminated by a sunbeam. We hear the voice of Mufasa from the clouds.}

Mufasa: Well done, my son. (the spirit of Mufasa circles around Simba)

(Rafiki grins and nods as the prophecy comes to an end)

Mufasa: We are one.

(Cut to black)

Bonus Ending: Zira's Crime and Punishment

• Kion (OS): So, I see
• Kion: And are you sure about Bowser? I never thought he would be capable of something like that.
• Korra: That's why we didn't want us to involve you in this, you were still a cub.