Enemies Become Friends

Enemies Become Friends

Attribution information
Author	Amy Betz
Illustrator	Disney Storybook Art Team
Publication information
Publisher	Disney Press
Published	August 8, 2006
Collection	Disney Friendship Stories
Pages	18

Enemies Become Friends is a short story inspired by The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. It was published on August 8, 2006, as part of Disney Friendship Stories.

Publisher's summary[]

"Featuring your favorite Disney characters, these bestselling storybook collections havebeen completely redesigned with all new covers, gilded pages, newly edited text, and a classic new look with over 250 illustrations―including full-page artwork from the Disney archives."^[1]

Plot summary[]

When Kiara wanted to explore the Pride Lands on her own, Simba warned her to be careful and forbid her from visiting the Outlands. Kiara left, but Simba secretly sent Timon and Pumbaa to follow and watch over her. However, Timon and Pumbaa were not stealthy enough, and so an enraged Kiara ran away from them. Once on her own, she met a fellow lion cub named Kovu. The two explored and played together, and even had a run-in with some crocodiles.

While the cubs were playing, Simba and Zira intervened. Simba recognized Kovu as Scar's hand-chosen heir and warned the cub's mother, Zira, that she and her pride were not welcome in the Pride Lands. Despite Simba's threat, Zira warned him that matters between them were not over. As Simba and Zira parted ways, each carrying their cub, Kovu and Kiara said their goodbyes to one another.

Years later, Kovu and Kiara grew into young adults. Having been raised by Zira, Kovu had grown to hate Simba and his pride. One day, Kiara embarked on her first hunt, and though Simba promised to let her do it on her own, he secretly sent Timon and Pumbaa after her to watch over her. Kiara attempted to hunt antelope, to no avail. While hunting, she ran into Timon and Pumbaa. Furious, she deliberately fled the Pride Lands so she could hunt in the Outlands instead.

While Kiara was in the Outlands, the Outsiders set fire to the plains, and Kiara collapsed, exhausted. Just in time, Kovu saved her and brought her back to the Pride Lands, where they had a delighted reunion. Before long, Simba arrived, and Kovu asked to join his pride. Secretly, Kovu was plotting to assassinate Simba and become the king himself. Due to Kovu's heroic actions in saving Kiara, Simba reluctantly granted the young lion's request.

The next day, Kovu attempted to kill Simba, only to get interrupted by Kiara. He taught her how to stalk, during which the two ran into Timon and Pumbaa. Together, the four chased birds for fun and ended up getting chased by a stampede of rhinoceroses. That night, Kovu and Kiara stargazed. Due to his growing affection for Kiara, Kovu began to feel torn between his relationship with her and his loyalty to Zira. He tried to walk away from Kiara, but Rafiki intervened and encouraged the two to embrace their "upendi" for one another.

Noticing a change in Kovu, Simba took the young lion on a walk the next day and explained how Scar had killed Mufasa and nearly starved the lionesses. Just then, the Outsiders attacked and nearly killed Simba. Kovu attempted to return to Pride Rock, but the Pride Landers blamed him for the ambush, and Simba consequently exiled him from the Pride Lands.

Kiara fled Pride Rock, found Kovu, and convinced him to help her unite their prides. The two intervened in a battle between the Outsiders and the Pride Landers, and Kiara convinced Simba to stand down. Though most of the Outsiders agreed with Kiara, Zira made a final attempt on Simba's life, only to fall to her death in a raging river. With Zira gone, the prides united.