| The Circle Is Complete | |
|---|---|
| |
| Attribution information | |
| Author |
Sarah E. Heller |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher |
Disney Press |
| Published |
2000 |
| Collection |
Disney Animal Stories |
| Pages |
297-316 |
| Guide | |
| Previous | |
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The Circle Is Complete is a short story inspired by The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. It was published by Disney Press in 2000 as part of Disney Animal Stories.
Synopsis[]
One day in the Pride Lands, Simba, the ruler of Pride Rock, fretted as his daughter Kiara prepared to embark on her first hunt. Kiara made Simba promise to let her complete the hunt on her own, but after she left, he sent Timon and Pumbaa after her to make sure she stayed safe from the Outsiders.
In the plains, an already frustrated Kiara accidentally happened upon Timon and Pumbaa while chasing a herd of antelope. Feeling betrayed, Kiara fled toward the edge of the Pride Lands. Once she was isolated, however, the Outsiders set fire to the savanna, and as Kiara tried to escape the flames, she collapsed from the smoke. Luckily, a strange lion appeared and bore Kiara to safety.
Once Kiara came to, she recognized her rescuer as her childhood friend Kovu, the son of Zira, the leader of the Outsiders. Since Kovu had saved her life, Kiara reasoned that he would be allowed to return to Pride Rock. But Simba, still distrustful of Kovu, decreed that the younger lion had to sleep outside the den. Watching from a distance, Zira gloated, knowing that Kovu would kill Simba as soon as he had the chance.
Later, Kiara persuaded Kovu to give her stalking lessons. While showing Kiara how to pounce, Kovu accidentally surprised Timon and Pumbaa, who were trying to chase a flock of birds away from their grubs. Kiara roared, scaring off the birds, and gave chase. Though confused at the idea that Kiara was doing something for fun, Kovu followed and gradually started to enjoy himself. Just then, a herd of rhinoceroses started to chase them in the opposite direction. Giggling, the foursome took shelter in a nearby cave.
That night, Kovu questioned his conflicting loyalties while stargazing with Kiara. Just then, the wise old baboon Rafiki appeared and led the two lions to a place called Upendi, where he showed them that they had fallen in love with one another. Simba, recognizing the change in Kovu, let him sleep inside the den that night.
The next morning, Simba told Kovu the true story of Scar. Suddenly, they were ambushed by Zira and the Outsiders. Kovu tried to help but was knocked unconscious, and Simba barely escaped the attack. The Pride Landers blamed Kovu for the ambush, and he was exiled. However, Kiara snuck out of Pride Rock and found Kovu. The two lions embraced and watched as their reflections in a nearby pool merged into one image. They then realized that they had to stop the fighting between their prides.
Kovu and Kiara found the Pride Landers and Outsiders just as they were about to fight to the death. Kiara called for the war to end, and Simba could see clearly the love between his daughter and Kovu. Kiara's plea was persuasive to all but Zira, who struggled with Kiara before falling into a raging river. With the battle over, Simba and Nala welcomed the Outsiders into the Pride Lands, and the unified pride celebrated the marriage of Kiara and Kovu.
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