Return to the Pride Lands

Sora and the group landed in the Pride Lands; it had a great improvement from when Sora, Donald and Goofy were there. The savannah was a perfect lush and serene paradise. The sun was shining brightly down on the grasslands giving off a warm nice light.

"So this is the Pride Lands." said Kairi smiling "It's beautiful."

"Yeah, it's different from when we here." said Sora

"Wait a minute, Sora and Kairi." Riku started "What happened to you guys?"

"You're the same too Riku."

Sora, Riku and Kairi turned to teenaged lions; Sora had a brown coat with brown spiky hair on his head covering his back and wore his crown necklace around his neck, Kairi had a tan coat with red hair at the tip of her tail and wore her lucky charm around her neck and Riku had a white coat with silver hair on his head and covering his back.

"Wow, this is cool."

"Yeah; but where are Donald and Goofy."

"We're coming." said Goofy in his turtle form followed by Donald as his tropical bird form.

"I wonder how Simba and everyone are doing."

"There's Pride Rock." Sora pointed to it in the distance "So let's go."

Everyone agreed and set off running through the grasslands.

"Guys, look!"

"What's wrong Donald?" asked Riku

"Fire!" Donald pointed to black smoke rising in the distance

"Oh no, what should we do Sora?"

"We have to tell Simba and the others."

The group picked up some speed as they rushed to Pride Rock. Meanwhile; a young lioness was running from the fire trying to find higher ground. She coughed as the air was hazardous. As Sora and the group reached Pride Rock, the lionesses were moving quickly.

"It looks like they noticed too."

"Sora!" It was Nala

"Nala! There's a fire."

"Yes, I know. We need your help; our daughter Kiara is out there for her first hunt."

"Don't worry, we'll find here." said Kairi

"These are my friends Riku and Kairi. Guys, this is Nala."

"Nice to meet you."

Nala nodded "All right; let's get going."

They split up in different directions. Sora went towards the blazing area; he ran as fast as he can. The animals left the area in hurry to escape to safer areas. Soon, Sora entered into the thick coating of smoke. He started shouting "Kiara! Where are you? Kiara!" He continued running but the fire started to grow in an alarming rate. He decided to climb some nearby rocks. As he did this successfully, he saw a lioness that passed out.

"That must be Kiara."

As he approached her, he saw a shadow of an adult lion coming out. He had a dark brown coat and a black mane. He looked at Sora suspiciously and growled at him. Sora just angrily looked at him but he knew that he didn't have time to deal with this stranger. Sora started to lift Kiara but the lion got her onto his back.

"Okay; I don't know if I can trust you or not but we have to get to the Pride lands."

The lion nodded to him, Sora nodded "Follow me."

The two males jumped from the rocks and ran across the fiery plain; they avoid the falling trees and jumped into a river. Kiara fell off the strange lion's back in the process and sank into the water. Sora pulled her up and put her on the other lion's back. They swam to the shore, at the time Donald was flying when he spotted Sora and the others.

"I have to tell the others." Donald flew off at high speed.

The mysterious lion put Kiara down; she started coughing, breathing and slowly regained conscious.

"Where am I?"

"Don't worry, you're safe now."

"He's right; you're back in the Pride Lands."

"The Pride Lands?" she was in shock then she got mad "No! Why did you two bring me here? Who do you two think you are?"

They were both in shock

"I think we are the ones who just saved your life."

"Look, I had everything under control."

"Not from where I'm standing."

"Then move downwind." Kiara started walking but the male lion blocked her path twice with a small smile. Kiara glared at him, Sora just watched in confusion. The male lion kept blocking Kiara's path forcing Kiara in a position as if ready to pounce

"What are you doing?" he asked

Kiara looked at him carefully as if she remembered something familiar.

"...Kovu?"

He smiled, she smiled back

"You know him?" asked Sora

Then suddenly,

"Kiara! Sora!"

Sora recognized that voice in a second "Simba!"

Simba jumped and roared at Kovu making him back off. Nala, Riku, Kairi, Donald and Goofy came from behind.

"Are you okay Sora?"

"Yeah; I'm okay."

"Kiara; you're all right." Nala nuzzled her daughter

"Father, how could you break your promise?"

"It's a good thing I did, I almost lost you. No more hunting for you not ever."

"But I was doing just find! Even before this boy and Kovu-"

"Kovu?"

Simba and Kovu roared at each other; Simba kept glaring at him.

"Who is this guy?" asked Riku

"I don't know but he helped me save Kiara."

"Hey you there!" all attention was drawn to Rafiki "How dare you help the King's friend save his daughter?"

"You saved her? Why?"

"I humbly ask to join your pride."

"No! You were banished along with the Outsiders."

"I left the Outsiders. I'm a rogue; judge me now for who I am or am I to be blamed for a crime that I didn't commit?"

Simba growled in anger but he thought it over carefully.

"Simba, you owe him your daughter's life."

"Nala's right your majesty." said Kairi "You are in his debt and you should pay him back. At least give him a chance."

Simba thought over Kairi's suggestion knowing that she was right and it was his father's law. Everyone waited in silence.

"Very well, for now I will reserve judgment; we'll see who you really are."

Kovu agreed with a smile.

"There is something about him that I don't trust." said Donald

"I know but let's watch him for a while then we'll see who he really is." said Riku

"Sora, you and your friends are welcome to stay at Pride Rock."

"Thanks Simba. This is Riku and Kairi. This is Simba, the King of the Pride Lands."

Riku and Kairi bowed in respect.

"It's nice to meet you."

Simba nodded smiling "Let's go home."

Everyone made their way to Pride Rock. By nightfall, everyone returned back to Pride Rock and went to the den for a rest. Simba noticed Kovu deciding to in but he wouldn't allow it. Simba didn't trust Kovu; as he went in front of Kovu with a scary glare and growl, there were no need for words as Simba's face said it all. His face said 'Stay out!' Simba went inside; Kovu said nothing but rest beside a rock. Sora and Kiara went to Kovu

"Kovu, thanks for the help." with that Sora went inside

"Yes, thanks for saving me today."

"What kind of hunter are you anyway princess? You almost got yourself killed out there."

Kiara took some offense to that "What?"

"You wouldn't last three days on your own."

"Oh and I suppose you could teach me."

"Yeah."

"Kiara!" called out Simba

"Coming!" she turned to Kovu with a determined smile "All right, impress me. We'll start at dawn."

Kovu chuckled "I look forward to it."