Zira continues training Kovu to kill Simba. He's getting stronger and more determined. Meanwhile, Maalum uses every available moment trying to convince Kovu to forget this horrible idea of revenge.
However, Kovu has been manipulated by his mother for so long that he completely ignores Maalum. “Simba was responsible for Scar's death and he was the one who sent us to this miserable place. Simba has to pay for everything he did.”
Maalum is discouraged and Vitani always tries to calm him down. “Come on, Maalum. You better give up on that crazy idea.” She leans against him to cheer him up. “Kovu's not gonna change his mind. And... mom is right. You know she's right.”
“No, Vitani. Even if she's right, nothing justifies killing someone.” Maalum remains determined. "I will not give up."
For several days, Maalum continues trying to convince Kovu to end Zira's training, but he's not successful. Vitani remains divided, supporting Maalum, but trying to make him forget the idea of changing Kovu, since she agrees with Zira.
One night, Maalum and Vitani are talking, sitting by a canyon.
“Maalum. Kovu's not gonna change his mind. Our mother continues to train him and he remains determined. You will never be able to change him.”
“Vitani. I know it's hard, but it's not impossible. I believe that Kovu, deep down, knows that he's making a mistake.”
The young lioness thinks for a while, but then she decides to change the subject. “Maalum. Let's forget about that. I... I don't like talking about it at all. You know I love my family and... well... I... I love you too.” She blushes slightly.
Maalum looks at her with a smile. “Okay, Vitani. I won't talk about Kovu again.” They both stand still smiling at each other, until Maalum decides to speak again. “Vitani. You have been an amazing friend. You gave me a home and you have supported me in everything, even if you don't agree with some of the things I say or I do.”
“You're special, Maalum. You make me feel good in a strange way. I like your company and your way of being is... well... You are different from all the animals I've ever met. You are... You are better.” She blushes, making him blush too.
“Vitani. I also think that you are special. I like you like I've never liked anyone before.” He pauses, nervous, scratching the ground with his lion claws. “Vitani. I... I think... I love you.”
Instead of answering, Vitani keeps her gaze fixed on the young hybrid.
"Aren't you gonna say anything?"
Vitani throws herself at Maalum, pinning him down. She starts licking his face with a huge smile.
"Hahaha. Does that mean you love me too?” He asks with joy.
"Yes. Yes, Maalum. I love you."
The two are very happy and nuzzles each other with love, until Vitani lies down with her belly resting on Maalum's back. They fall asleep with a passionate smile.
A few minutes after they fell asleep, they're awakened by an angry voice: "Maalum!"
They both wake up, scared. Vitani quickly leaves Maalum, getting up to face her mother. "Mom?! What's up?!"
“Vitani! I'm very disappointed with you. How were you able to bring a traitor to our pride?”
"What?! Who?!"
“Maalum! Kovu told me that Maalum doesn't like my plan to avenge Scar's death.”
Maalum finally decides to face Zira and approaches her with a serious and determined face: “It's true. I don't like what you're doing at all. Even if Simba did you harm, there is no reason to use a son to kill someone.”
“Maalum. Please." Vitani tries to calm her beloved.
"I can't accept that Kovu kills Simba just because you want to."
"Very well. If you're not with me, you are against me.” Zira approaches Maalum with a menacing look and an evil smile. "Let me show you what happens to anyone who turns against me." Maalum starts backing away, seeing Zira getting closer and closer to him.
"Mom! No! I love him!" Vitani cries.
“Shut up, Vitani! He's a traitor! Forget that he exists!”
"I am not a traitor." Maalum says, continuing to retreat until he stops at the edge of the cliff.
“Oh yeah? So, in that case...” Zira approaches him, her face almost touching Maalum's, and shouts: “Disappear!”
Frightened by Zira, Maalum steps back and slides, falling over the cliff. "Aaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!"
“Maalum! Noooooooo!” Vitani screams, frightened, believing that Maalum is going to die.
"Don't worry, Vitani." Zira nuzzles her daughter, comforting her with a satisfied smile. "I'm sure you'll still find a lion much better than that weakling."
Vitani just keeps crying.
"Come with me. Let's rest. Tomorrow we have to train a lot. The day of our vengeance is approaching.”
Maalum falls into a river and he's dragged by a strong current. Despite the force of the current, Maalum manages to swim and slowly approaches the river bank. When he gets there, he uses all his strength to climb the bank and out of the river. Once out of the river, Maalum walks a little, but quickly falls to the ground, completely weak. Before passing out, the last thing Maalum can see is four canine paws.
While Maalum is passed out, his mind wanders in sad memories:
Reirei: "Your father abandoned your mother and she was killed by the hyenas."
Dogo: “You will never be one of us. Go away."
Zira: “If you're not on my side, you are against me. Disappear!"
The next morning, Maalum opens his eyes and a young jackal is standing in front of him, watching him with a smile. "Hello, Maalum."
"Kijana?!" He recognizes.
"Did you miss me?"
“Kijana. I...” He looks around and realizes that he's in the jackals territory again. "H-How did I get here?!"
"You passed out by the river and I brought you here." Kijana nuzzles Maalum. "I missed you so much." He starts purring.
“Kijana. I... I have to go.” He walks away.
"What?! Why?!"
“You know that I don't belong here, Kijana. The jackal style isn't for me.”
“Maalum. Things have changed. You can now stay with us.”
"Things have changed?! How?!"
“Maalum. Scar was defeated. And we stopped trying to invade the Pride Lands. The Outlands are now ruled by Jasiri, a friendly hyena that respects the circle of lie.”
"You... You're really serious?!" She nods. Maalum thinks for a while. Despite everything that happened in the past, he knows that Reirei cares about him and Kijana is always there to support him. “Okay, Kijana. I think I can try.”
"Good!" She celebrates. "Come with me. Mom will love to see you again.” Maalum follows Kijana with a smile.
When he appears with the other jackals, Maalum is received with admiration. Some jackals thought he was dead, others believed he didn't want to come back. Many jackals are sorry for the way they treated him in the past. This is the case with Dogo.
Dogo goes to Maalum: “Hey, Maalum. I'm glad you're back. Listen. I'm sorry that I treated you so badly when we were younger.”
“It's okay, Dogo. I'm not upset.”
“Maalum. I want to tell you that you can count on me for everything, now that you are back.”
“Asante. Thank you, Dogo.”
Ahead, Maalum meets Reirei who nuzzles him with her motherly love. "My son. It's so good to see you again.”
Maalum nuzzles Reirei. "I'm also happy to see you again."
"I hope you never leave again."
"Honestly, I hope so too."
That morning, all the jackals gather to celebrate Maalum's return. Maalum's happy and he believes that now that jackals have changed their attitudes, he can be happy with them.
Kijana watches Maalum with a huge smile and blushes slightly. She has had a special attraction for the hybrid since they were young. She never really understood what she was feeling until she grew up and, having never forgotten Maalum, she realized that she was in love with him and only thought about seeing him again one day. Now that he's back, Kijana wants to fight for his love.
