Content Warning:
Toxic masculinity, homophobia, death
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Content Warning:
Toxic masculinity, homophobia, death
In the wake of an apocalyptic flood, where changes in the weather have since grown more hectic and prey populations aren't as bountiful as they once were, the once-plentiful lion population find their numbers growing sparse, and feel more pressure than ever to spread out, form prides, and have cubs.
Some claim that it's time for society to become a kill-or-be-killed free-for-all competition where males are to be immediately exiled once they're of age, for every battle to be a fight to the death so the strongest always come out on top, and for prides to produce as many healthy cubs as they can.
Others still believe in compassion & cooperation, that things will fall into place when lions are given the room to grow & decide their own paths, and that while there will always inevitably be a need for battle & conflict, killing each other isn't always necessary to have a stable pride.
Enter: Cloud, part of the first generation born after the flood, and leader of the Sunlit Field pride, who only really got his title through sheer luck after the pride's previous leader fell into a rushing river & drowned. Cloud's been raised all his life to believe in the idea of kill-or-be-killed, and so tries his best to embody what he was taught about being a strong, powerful leader. ...Though he feels trapped by the expectations & would much rather be a rogue, he can't just abandon his cubs, can he? What if another male arrives & decides to kill them to eliminate the competition?
Well... the next male that does come along, Berry, seems to have... exactly zero interest in killing cubs or taking over the pride. He's considering joining, maybe, but not conquering. It's unnerving, at first- but... then they get to talking. Cloud doesn't know what to feel- but why does having Berry around feel so... warm, and nice? Could it be... love?
No, that's foolish. Other males are supposed to be enemies.
...Right?
I haven't fully ironed out the timeline yet, but here's what I do know:
The main story is focused on Cloud & Berry's developing friendship, then later romance, accompanied by some meddling from Cloud's children, Moon, Star, and Sun, who have never seen their dad so giddy before & totally ship them together.
Swamp is initially upset when they get together due to having a crush on Cloud, but eventually gets over it, ultimately being happy for them. After venting about it to Pond, Swamp later realises he's trans & the crush was partly because of gender envy.
Storm suddenly attacks the pride, intending to fully conquer it & kill the leader & cubs, and Berry helps Cloud, Swamp, and Pond drive Storm off.
Swamp then comes out as a guy, taking over as leader of the pride, but he doesn't kick Cloud out, instead allowing Cloud to peacefully retire & live happily with Berry. He also starts growing a mane.
When the cubs are older, Moon chooses to leave the pride because, while he loves his family, he wants to explore & see what the wider world has to offer. Star stays in the pride because she enjoys hunting & eventually starts leading hunts when her family members are too old, and Sun sort of goes back-and-forth, travelling off when she can but returning to help the pride catch prey when needed.