Chapter 1: Can't Miss This!

On the way to Pride Rock, 18th August 2014, 6:05 am…

Of all the things Code Red had added to his list of things he should never be late for; the presentation ceremony of a newborn lion cub was not something he had expected to add to the list.

Yet that was the reason he was currently speeding towards Pride Rock at speeds that would have more than likely given anyone within him extreme car-sickness.

It hadn't been that long ago that he had been approached by Zazu, majordomo to Simba, who had told him that the newborn son of Simba was due to be presented before the Pride Lands that very morning, and that his presence was expected.

And while Code Red believed Simba wouldn't mind, part of him had no intention of incurring the lion king's anger. Which was why Code Red, still exhausted from dealing with a small group of Decepticons moving in Pride Rock's direction, had agreed to follow Zazu to Pride Rock, where he would stand with the Royal Family as their new child was presented.

Code Red smirked at the thought. He hadn't been there when the kid was born. Simba had told him curtly that his presence was not required, something that the former Wrecker had agreed to, understanding that something such as a new birth within the family should be for the family themselves.

As he drove over a large hill, Pride Rock became more visible on the horizon.

Transforming, Code Red took a moment to take in the scene.

He could see a large crowd of animals already beginning to gather around the imposing rock formation that was Pride Rock. Elephants were the easiest to see, as were giraffes, but Code Red could spot cheetahs, rhinoceros', gazelles, zebras, and monkeys amongst the large cabal of creatures.

Looking up from the crowd, Code Red sighted Simba.

The King of the Pride Lands stood atop the main body of Pride Rock, looking over his subjects as if he were a political leader at a political rally of supporters.

At Simba's side sat Kiara, his daughter and Code Red's best friend, who was also watching the animals coming in. She seemed to be looking for someone in particular;

Said someone being him.

Transforming, Code Red sped down the sand dunes towards Pride Rock, starting to play the song 'Hero' by Skillet to announce his arrival. He wasn't about to miss this momentous occasion.

Moments later, on Pride Rock…

"And that, lions and lionesses, is how you make an entrance." Code Red said as he stood next to Simba and Kiara.

"Well, I'll admit that it was better than that unceremonious entrance you made into the Kupatana Celebrations." Simba said.

Kiara giggled.

Code Red smirked. "Well, at least it was funny." He remarked.

"You sang what we thought was the ceremonial summons but was actually a song insulting me." Simba said. "I don't see anything funny about that."

"Well, I'm not surprised; considering your sense of humour is about as non-existent as my asshole." Code Red retorted.

Kiara immediately cracked up laughing, whilst Simba sighed.

"I suddenly regret inviting you up here for this moment." Simba groaned.

"And there's my point proven for me." Code Red said with a smirk.

Breaking her laughful stupor, Kiara said: "Face it, Daddy. You're going to have to develop a sense of humour if you really want to get along with Code Red."

"I do have a sense of humour." Simba said. "It's just…"

"You have no idea where it is." Code Red interrupted. "Which is just as well, since I imagine your sense of humour wouldn't even make Monkey Gandalf laugh."

Simba raised an eyebrow. "Monkey Gandalf?" He asked. "Surely you don't mean Rafiki."

Code Red nodded. "Well to me, he's Monkey Gandalf, okay?" He replied. "And as I was saying, I would've thought Timon and Pumbaa's sense of humour would rub off on you a little bit, seeing as you lived with them for a few years."

"What, so you're saying Timon and Pumbaa's sense of humour is actually good?" Kiara asked.

Code Red shrugged. "Well, their jokes aren't funny because they're good, they're funny because of how bad the jokes are."

"That right?" Simba asked.

Code Red nodded. "Where are they? Would have thought that they'd be here, seeing as they were here for Kiara's, from what I've heard."

"Timon and Pumbaa will be here soon." Simba said. "I sent them off the same as you when Nala went into labour. Something I doubt they were too happy about."

"Yeah, because they're lazier than Bulkhead is when he isn't getting yelled at by Ratchet or on a mission." Code Red replied.

Kiara chuckled, before adopting an imitation of Ratchet: "Bulkhead I needed that!"She smiled as Code Red immediately burst out laughing.

Simba smiled before he noticed the crowd before Pride Rock parting, revealing a familiar looking mandrill. "And so it begins…" Simba remarked.

Several minutes later…

Code Red watched as Rafiki embraced Simba heartily, patting a smiling Kiara on the head as well.

Looking over to Code Red, Rafiki smiled himself and trudged over. "Enjoying yourself?" He asked.

Code Red nodded. "I'll enjoy myself even more when I get to see what all this crap is about." Seeing Rafiki preparing to lunge, Code Red said: "Hit me with that stick, and I'll snap it in half."

"I'll find another." Rafiki retorted.

"Good luck finding one now." Code Red countered. "You've got hundreds of animals waiting to meet another heir to the throne."

Rafiki chuckled. "No, no. Dis young cub has a different place in de Circle of Life." With this, Rafiki walked past Code Red and towards the royal den, followed closely by Simba and Kiara, who motioned for Code Red to join them.

Code Red shrugged and did so, following behind the main body as they came to the mouth of the cave.

There lay Nala, who quickly greeted Simba and Kiara before greeting Rafiki, who embraced her gently, turning his attention to the little ball of fur nestled in her paws.

Code Red looked closely, and his optics widened at how small the newborn was. It's so little, Code Red thought. I'll have to be extra careful when walking around Pride Rock from here on out.

He watched as Rafiki took a fruit he was carrying with him and cracked it open, dipping his finger into the liquid within, painting the newborn's forehead with it.

Taking some powder, Rafiki sprinkled some of it onto the baby cub's head, causing them to sneeze.

Code Red sniggered at the little cubs antics, witnessing Rafiki take the cub into his arms.

Then, joined by Simba, Rafiki walked up to the top of Pride Rock, raising the newborn cub into the air.

Code Red and Kiara joined Simba and Rafiki as the entire Pride Lands bowed in respect to the newborn. Code Red joined them, kneeling before the young cub.

He took note of the proud expressions of both Simba and Kiara, looking towards Nala to see her wearing a similar expression.

Code Red waited for everyone else to rise before he himself did, looking towards the happy family. "So what now?" He asked.

Simba looked over at Code Red. "We celebrate by ourselves." He replied.

Code Red grinned. "Does that mean-"

"No." Simba said sternly.

"Aw." Code Red complained. "You're no fun."

Outside the den, sometime later…

Code Red stepped out to complete darkness, something he had grown used to during his time in the Pride Lands.

"Something on your mind?"

Code Red turned to see Kiara stepping out of the den. "Not really." He said.

"That's a lie." Kiara replied. "You're only ever out here alone when you're thinking about something. So what is it?"

Code Red frowned. "A lot of things." He replied. "Most of them regarding Kion."

Kiara frowned herself. "You're worried about balancing protecting me with protecting him." She commented.

Code Red nodded. "After I saved you from the Decepticons several months ago, I promised your father that I would keep you safe no matter what, even if it meant giving up my life."

Kiara sighed. She was well aware that Code Red had made a promise to her father to ensure her safety. "Red, you know as well as I do that there's nothing to worry about. Ever since you sent Crossfire packing months ago, the only contact you've had with Decepticons was that time you and I accidentally came across a few."

"Until today, that is." Code Red replied.

Kiara looked up, eyes widened. "What?"

Code Red scowled. "While I was away, waiting for Zazu to come fetch me, I came across a group of Decepticons. I dealt with them, obviously; but… part of me worries about where they were headed."

Kiara guessed immediately. "You're worried they were headed here, aren't you?" She asked.

Code Red nodded. "They were headed in the general direction of Pride Rock, but at the same time… maybe they weren't. Maybe there's an Energon deposit nearby that they've only just discovered."

"That's wishful thinking." Kiara said.

"Oh, of course. How could you possibly have guessed?" Code Red asked sarcastically.

Kiara smirked. "You and your sarcasm." She remarked.

"What? It's fun to be sarcastic." Code Red retorted.

"It's fun to hear you be sarcastic." Kiara said back.

"That's why I was sarcastic." Code Red reasoned.

"And that's why I listen." Kiara replied.

The two stared one another down before breaking down into a fit of the giggles.

As the mirth died down, Code Red and Kiara looked at one another, before a voice behind them said:

"Seven months, and I still don't understand you two."

Code Red and Kiara turned to see Simba walking out towards them. "Hey Daddy." Kiara said, nuzzling her father as he approached. "How's Kion?"

"He's currently asleep." Simba said. "Your mother is resting at the moment as well."

"Kion… That your son's name?" Code Red asked.

Simba nodded. "Orginally, we were going to call him Kiongozi, but me and Nala agreed that Kion rolled off the tongue a little better. So we shortened it to Kion."

Code Red nodded in understanding before he looked out towards the horizon.

Simba noticed the frown forming on Code Red's face, asking: "Is there something wrong?" He asked.

Code Red sighed. "I'm worried about how I'm going to juggle protecting Kion with protecting Kiara."

Simba nodded. "Thankfully, you won't have to worry about Kion just yet, Code Red." Simba said. "Give it around three or so months before you start having to consider him as one of your concerns. But right now, I shouldn't worry."

"That's good to hear." Code Red replied. "The last thing I need is another energetic lion cub that I need to devote time and Energon to protecting." At this, he eyed Kiara, who noticed.

"Um, why are you looking at me?" She asked.

"I'm looking at you because you can sometimes be that energetic lion cub that needs time and Energon devoted towards them." Code Red replied.

"Code Red, you wound me." Kiara retorted sarcastically. "I thought we were friends."

"That we are." Code Red replied. "But it doesn't mean we aren't allowed to rib one another from time to time."

Kiara nodded. "Sometimes, I wonder how we even became friends in the first place." She said.

"Well, I've saved your ass time after time, become the resident bane of your father's existence, and become a protector whose presence you actually enjoy over your father's bug eating buddies."

Simba looked up. "Must you insist on ridiculing everyone?" He asked.

"Simba, the only individuals within the Pride Lands worthy of my ridicule are you, Kiara, and Zazu." Code Red replied.

"Well, I'm glad I fit that category." Simba said sarcastically as he turned and re-entered the royal den.

Code Red watched him leave before looking at Kiara. "Well, I don't know about you, but I feel like going back inside. There's congratulations to be given, jokes to be made, and I don't want to miss any of it!" With that, Code Red turned and re-entered the den. Today was a day worth celebrating.

To quote former WWE Superstar PAC when he came back to Twitter: I'M BACK YA SHITS! (No offence)

I promised that I would be back within a fortnight, and here I am, with the second instalment of my Transformers and Lion King Fanfiction Series: Fire Across the Mountains.

And because I'm a giving person, here are a couple of bits of trivia for you:

1: When I was writing this, the song Code Red uses to announce his arrival wasn't originally 'Hero' by Skillet (Awesome song, by the way). It was initially going to be 'Night Witches' by Sabaton, but I changed it to 'Shoot to Thrill' by AC/DC, then I considered something off of Bullet for My Valentine, went back to Sabaton by making 'Ghost Division a possibility, but settled on Skillet's 'Hero' because it's essentially how I would view Code Red as being perceived by the majority of the animals living within the Pride Lands.

2: The part where Code Red and Kiara are exchanging banter regarding sarcasm is based off of an improvised scene in the film 'MacGruber' where the titular character and Chris Jericho's character share a similar witty exchange.

With that said, I hope you enjoy this fanfiction as much as you did Autobot Down, and I shall see you next week with chapter two.

T-Rock14