Chapter 4: Code Red and Simba

Code Red flinched at the voice initially, but quickly realised who had spoken. Looking down at his feet, Code Red espied the lion cub he had saved from the Insecticon, standing at his feet and staring back up at him curiously. Kneeling down so that he wasn't so tall, Code Red replied: "Before I answer your question, are you alright?"

The lion cub nodded. "No gaping wounds or injuries, so yeah, I'm good."

Nodding and taking a deep breath, Code Red replied: "Officially, I'm a Transformer. Or, if you want to be precise, I'm an Autobot." He added, gesturing to the Autobot insignia on his chest. Jerking a thumb behind him, he added: "That dead bozo behind me is a Decepticon." Stopping himself, Code Red also added: "Well, technically, it's an Insecticon, but that doesn't matter. What does is that it's on the scrapheap."

The cub raised an eyebrow. "So, what you're saying is that you and those… Decepti… whatever they were, you're the same but different."

Code Red shrugged. "That's definitely one way of looking at it."

"Sort of like Pride Landers and Outsiders." The cub said, smiling at her connection.

Only for Code Red to look at her confusedly. "Pride Landers and Outsiders?" Code Red asked. "What the fuck is that all about?"

"I'm a Pride Lander." The cub replied. "Outsiders are enemies. And mind your language. I'm a big deal around these parts, you know."

"Oh really?" Code Red replied sarcastically. "Ok, Miss Big Deal, what do you call yourself? Grub? Insect? Scared little lioness crying out for her mommy?"

That latter remark earned him a harsh glare from the now angry cub.

"My name is Kiara." The cub growled through gritted teeth.

Seeing how things were getting, Code Red held out his hands. "Relax. I was just messing with you. No need to get angry, it's just a little harmless fun. Besides, it's nice to meet you, Kiara. Name's Code Red."

Kiara raised an eyebrow. "Code Red? That's a weird name."

Code Red shrugged. "Well, it's the one I was created with. Sue me."

Kiara opened her mouth to reply, but before she could, a loud roar cut her off.

Before long, her father was right in front of her, flanked by several lionesses ready to attack Code Red at any provocation.

Code Red backed away, cautiously manifesting his Path Blaster as the lions approached, ready to engage should any of them attack.

Thankfully, he didn't need to do either, as a second pair of lion cubs ran over, stopping next to the lead lion.

"Don't attack!" One of them said. "He's the one that protected us!"

The lead lion ceased his approach, looking to both cubs, saying: "You're sure of this?"

Both cubs nodded. "The one that was about to attack Kiara is currently over there." With that, they gestured towards the headless Insecticon.

The lead lion nodded before returning his gaze towards Code Red, suspicion evident in his eyes as he very obviously debated whether to completely disregard the two cubs' words and order the lionesses to attack Code Red.

"Tiifu and Zuri are right, Daddy." Kiara said as she wheeled round the lead lion, obviously her father, and gestured to Code Red. "Code Red here saved my life. If he weren't here, then I probably would be dead."

Kiara's father's eyes flitted between his daughter and Code Red, suspicion having been replaced by scepticism.

Code Red took the chance to make his stance known: "Listen, I know you're all a little on edge, but I'm not here to hurt anyone. If I was, I'd have done it by now." As if to prove his point, he retracted his Path Blaster.

Kiara's father seemed to relax after that. Still eyeing Code Red warily though, he asked: "What are you? And what do you want?"

"To answer your first question, as I was saying to your daughter shortly before you arrived, I'm a Transformer. If you want to be precise, I'm an Autobot." Jerking a thumb behind him, Code Red added: "This guy was a Decepticon. Well, technically, it's an Insecticon, but it's on the Decepticons' side, so… yeah." Folding his arms, Code Red elaborated: "And I'm here because… I crashed."

The lion's eyes narrowed. "You crashed?"

Code Red nodded. "The Decepticons decided to shoot my ship out of the sky and send a hunting party out after me to ensure I was dead." Gesturing towards the Insecticon, Code Red added: "That bastard happened to be among them."

"And the rest?" the lion asked.

"Also dealt with." Code Red replied. "It was only about seven, and that's an amount I can deal with without much trouble."

The lion looked him up and down. "Yet that… thing over there gave you trouble?"

Code Red folded his arms. "Dude, I'm sixteen feet tall. Can't do much against a forty feet tall opponent without taking a few bangs and scratches. I imagine it's the same with your lionesses when they hunt bigger game. They come back with kills, yeah. But not without accumulating a few injuries along the way."

"It's true." Said one of the lionesses.

The lead lion turned back to Code Red, asking: "Will there be any more?"

"Hard to say." Code Red said. "There's a high possibility that the Decepticons who sent the hunting party after me have ruled that I've been killed; just had the ability to take every one of them with me before I went. But there's an equally high chance that they've already got more goons looking for me."

The lead lion scowled. "Then I strongly suggest you find some place to hide. And stay away from our home."

"But Dad-" Kiara made to protest, but her father shot her a look that sent a very clear message to keep quiet. Scowling, Kiara fell silent.

"It's alright, Kiara." Code Red said. "It's safer for everyone, this way." Looking around, Code Red said: "Either way, I'm going to be here a while, so hey, we might run into one another again." Eyeing the carnage around him, Code Red added: "Hopefully under circumstances that don't involve me having to save your butt, again."

Eyeing Code Red, Kiara's father said: "Trust me. I'll make sure of it." With that, he picked Kiara up in his jaws and walked away, with the rest of the lionesses.

Code Red smiled as he saw Kiara wave a little goodbye with her paw, reciprocating the gesture. Then, taking a moment to ascertain he was completely alone, Code Red turned and took his leave. He may not have completed his mission regarding a vantage point, but he was confident he would find one. All he had to do was keep searching.

Pride Rock…

"Kiara!"

Kiara smiled at the sight of her mother Nala rushing out to meet her and Simba, who let her down the moment her mother drew close.

"Great Kings, I've been so worried!" Nala said as she nuzzled Kiara. "Are you hurt?" She asked, her pale green eyes shining bright with concern.

"I'm fine." Kiara said, smiling happily at her mother. "I had some good protection."

Simba eyed his daughter with a frown before looking up at Nala. "It appears that the Pride Lands have some unwanted guests." He said.

"So I've heard." Kiara's mother replied. "Some sort of two-legged giant?"

"Yeah." Kiara said. "There was the huge one that was threatening me, Tiifu and Zuri, and then there was the one that protected us."

"So I've been led to believe." Simba said.

"Well, where is he?" Nala inquired. "He deserves our gratitude for protecting our daughter."

Simba frowned. "I sent him away. Whatever he's wrapped up in, it poses a threat to Kiara, and I'm not going to allow us to be wrapped up in it."

Nala sighed and frowned. "Yet he still saved our daughter from whatever fate would have befallen her if he'd not shown up. And last I checked, that means we owe him."

"Yeah." Kiara said. "And isn't there something in royal protocol that demands that all debts be paid?"

"Your daughter's right, Sire." Said a voice.

Simba turned to see a familiar red billed Hornbill standing a few feet away from him, bearing orange skin, blue and white feathers with a black outline, along with beady black eyes.

The hornbill continued: "We are in this giant's debt, and royal protocol demands that all debts be paid. Although I frankly wouldn't blame you if you made an exception."

"Be that as it may, Zazu, we should still repay this giant." Nala replied, looking to Simba. "As I'm hunting, I'll keep an eye out for him. He shouldn't be too difficult to miss."

"I doubt you'll find him." Simba said. "You and I both know how vast the Pride Lands are." Eyeing Kiara, Simba added: "And I'd rather he never sets foot on Pride Rock!"

"Well, I would certainly like for him to." Said another voice. "After all, he did save my granddaughter from severe harm."

Simba and Nala turned to face a much older lioness, dark-pelted with orange eyes like Simba. Tall and grand in appearance, she was slightly larger than Simba. "Mom." Simba said.

Sarabi smiled. "Perhaps while Nala goes on the hunt, I will go and search for this giant."

"Good idea!" Kiara said enthusiastically. "I can come with you and point him out if I see him!"

"Not so fast, missy." Simba said. "I'd rather not take any chances after earlier."

Kiara's face fell as she bowed her head. Until Sarabi spoke up once more:

"She won't be alone this time, my son." Sarabi said. "If we run into danger, she'll have me with her."

Simba made to object, but he saw Kiara's pleading expression, combined with his mother's eyes daring him to object. Sighing, Simba said: "Alright. But if there's any sign of danger, come straight home. Alright?"

"Yes, Daddy!" Kiara said, nuzzling her father before following her grandmother away from Pride Rock.

With Code Red…

Guess I was stupid to hope that there wouldn't be any more Decepticons being sent after me.

The thought crossed Code Red's mind more than once as he dragged his blade free of another Vehicon, part of another block of seven that he had come across whilst traversing the landscape.

So far, Code Red had failed to find a decent hiding place for himself; one that would allow him to hide safely until the Decepticon presence in the area died down, or he himself fell into stasis lock due to a lack of Energon. So in all honesty, Code Red was not in a very pleasant mood.

He made to walk away, but a voice from nearby caught his attention:

"What has gotten you into such a bad mood?"

Looking up, Code Red saw an old but spry looking mandrill, with lanky limbs and a hunched back. His main pelt was scruffy and coloured blue-ish grey, with a pale grey chest. Black fur coated his hands and feet. "What the hell do you want?" Code Red asked.

"I might ask you de same question!" The mandrill replied, climbing down to better face Code Red. "Here I am, resting for de day, only to be woken up by some cumbersome giants fighting!"

Code Red raised an eyebrow. "Would you have preferred that I had lay down my weapons and let them beat the ever living shit out of-" He was interrupted by the mandrill bashing him hard over the head with a large stick. "Hey, what was that for?"

"Watch your language!" the mandrill replied.

Code Red folded his arms. "Of all the things you could be worried about, and it's my language. You know, something tells me you need to get your priorities right, old man."

"Clean your language up, den I will consider my priorities!" The mandrill replied.

Code Red rolled his optics. Elder Autobots he knew were just like the mandrill he was speaking to: They'd break before they bent. Not that Code Red cared, anyhow. "Well, since you asked nicely, would you rather that I had lay down my weapons and let my enemies kill me?"

"No, no no!" The mandrill said. "Dere is much for you still!"

Code Red's eyes narrowed. "What the fuck are you-" He tried asking, before he was once again smashed over the head. "By the Allspark, will you cut that out?!"

The mandrill let out a cackle, saying: "Can't cut it out! It'll grow right back!"

Code Red groaned. Already this mandrill was starting to get on his nerves, and Code Red was an Autobot who prided himself on his composure. "As I was about to ask before you so rudely interrupted me, what are you talking about?"

"Dere is a future for you here." The mandrill said. "Your future holds de promise of greatness."

Code Red scowled. "So what you're saying is that you can see the future?" Before the mandrill could reply, Code Red added: "If yes, can you tell me when this conversation ends? Because at the moment, I've more pressing concerns then having a seemingly endless conversation with you."

"Soon, if you listen to me." The mandrill replied.

Folding his arms, Code Red replied: "Okay. I'm listening."

"As I said, the future holds many great things for you. Friendship, happiness, and most of all, peace." The mandrill replied.

Code Red raised an eyebrow. "Friendship? Happiness? Peace? Where in the name of Primus am I going to find all of that?"

"De first has already been revealed to you." The mandrill replied.

Code Red made to retort, but then realised just who Rafiki was talking about. "You mean Kiara?" He asked. "You are aware her father wants nothing to do with me."

"Simba should be de least of your worries!" The mandrill replied. "As for Kiara, even now, she is close."

That caught Code Red's attention. "Wait, what?"

"Look forward, and you will see her." The mandrill replied.

Code Red raised an eyebrow and looked forward. "I don't see shit." Code Red replied, suffering another bash on the head. "What's your problem?"

"Language!" The mandrill replied.

Code Red rolled his optics. "I was looking forwards, and I saw nothing. My optics aren't equipped with infra-red vision, you know."

"No need to now!" The mandrill replied. "She grows ever closer, along with another you will consider an ally." At that, the mandrill clambered up into his tree.

"Well that was just weird." Code Red muttered, just as a familiar voice called out:

"There he is!"

Code Red looked down to see a familiar lion cub bounce out of the tall grass and bound over to him, grinning from ear to ear. "And here I thought your old man wouldn't let you anywhere near me again." Code Red chuckled as the cub drew close. "Kiara, wasn't it?"

Kiara nodded. "That's my name."

"Let me guess: You told all of your friends about me and they wanted to see me for themselves." Code Red said.

"Well… no." Kiara replied. "But there is someone who wants to talk to you."

"Did you now?" Code Red replied. "And where is this 'someone'?"

"Just coming." Another voice said as a large lioness came into view, walking up to Code Red. "I'm not as fast as my granddaughter anymore, so I walk when I can."

Code Red eyed Kiara before eyeing the new arrival. "No offence, but I would have expected her mother. Or father."

The lioness shrugged. "None taken." She said. "As for Simba and Nala, My son is busy with royal matters, and the queen is out hunting for food."

"Fair enough." Code Red said. "And you are?"

"My name is Sarabi." The lioness announced. "I was queen of the Pride Lands before Simba became king."

"King, huh?" Code Red said. Looking down at Kiara, Code Red said: "That would make you a princess."

"Told you I was a big deal." Kiara said smugly.

"That you did." Code Red replied. "So, should I bow or something?"

Kiara shook her head. "I'm not bothered." She replied.

Code Red shrugged. "Well, what can I do for you?" He asked.

Code Red shook his head before looking at Sarabi. "Anyways, my name's Code Red. What can I do for you?"

Sarabi looked at Kiara, and nodded, to which Kiara looked at Code Red.

"I think we can both agree that you and my dad got off to a bad start." Kiara said." Me and Grandma decided to come find you and invite you back to our home so that my dad can thank you for saving me earlier."

Code Red cocked his head to one side as he said: "You mean that huge rock formation over there?" He said, pointing towards the rock formation in question.

Kiara nodded. "That's the one." She said with a smile.

Code Red nodded and stood up. "Alright, I'll bite." He said. Kneeling down, Code Red held out a hand. "Need a ride?"

"Thank you." Sarabi said as she stepped on to Code Red's hand, followed suit by Kiara.

Code Red lifted the pair up, and allowed them both to step onto his shoulder.

Once they were all comfortable, they set off for Pride Rock.

Pride Rock…

"Home sweet home." Kiara said as Code Red walked up to Pride Rock.

"We'll see about that." Code Red remarked as he held out his hand for Sarabi and Kiara to step out onto before lowering them to the floor. Once he had done this, Code Red looked up, feeling a slight hint of nervousness clutch at his spark as he saw a large group of lionesses staring down at him. Recognising some of them as the lionesses from earlier, Code Red offered an informal salute in greeting.

The lionesses parted to reveal Kiara's father as he walked down to where Code Red was standing, greeting his mother and daughter before regarding Code Red.

The two stared one another down for several moments before Kiara's father spoke:

"So;" He said. "Here we are again."

"Yep." Code Red replied. "Although this time, I've got your whole pride looking as if they want to make me their next meal."

"They're still sceptical." Kiara's father said. "And besides, I doubt any of us would want to eat you. You look like you'd taste terrible."

Code Red flinched. "Ouch. As much as I can't argue with that logic, hearing that I'd taste terrible kinda hurts, you know."

"Not as much as your little comment about Kiara being a little lioness crying out for her mommy hurt her." Kiara's father said.

"Oh dear me." Code Red said, eyeing Kiara. "Please accept my most sincere apologies for the affront I made against your person, princess." He added, adopting a high class British accent with a sarcastic edge that earned him a chuckle from Sarabi and Kiara, whilst Simba cracked a smile. Then, as if remembering something, Code Red looked to Kiara's father and bowed respectfully. "Had I known you were king, I'd have done it sooner, Simba."

Simba nodded. "Well, with that out the way, then let me first thank you for saving my daughter's, life. If there's anything I can do to repay you, you need only ask."

Pointing to the top of Pride Rock, Code Red said: "Before I found out you guys were holed up here, I was hoping to use the top of Pride Rock as a vantage point. From there, I can see virtually anything. Including potential hiding places."

Simba frowned. "Usually, I'm the only lion allowed up there." He said. "But, seeing as you saved my daughter's life, you're welcome to do so."

Code Red nodded. "Thanks." He said, before making to walk up.

Simba stopped him, adding: "Don't mistake this for me starting to trust you, though. Even if you saved my daughter's life. After this, I don't want to see you anywhere near Pride Rock again. Understood?"

Code Red nodded. "Clear as a viewscreen, Simba." He replied, before making his way towards the top of Pride Rock.

Simba watched him walking up, wondering whether he had made the right decision regarding Code Red.

On the top of Pride Rock…

Damn, Code Red thought to himself as he gazed out across the entirety of the Pride Lands. Already, he had spotted several places that could serve as a hiding place for him.

"Magnificent view, isn't it?"

Code Red turned to see a young lioness standing at the entrance to the wide staircase leading down to the main floor of Pride Rock. "Sure is." He said.

"I'm Nala, by the way." The lioness said, walking up beside Code Red. "Kiara's mother. I'd… I'd like to thank you for saving my daughter's life today. If you hadn't been there…"

Code Red nodded. "It's not a problem, Nala. As an Autobot, it's part of my duty to preserve life."

Nala smiled before adding: "Simba might not trust you, but believe me when I say I do. You strike me as someone I can trust, and as a mother, those are individuals you need to surround yourself with. And on top of that, Kiara seems to like you."

Code Red smirked. "She's a good kid, Kiara. I'd like to think she and I will see more of each other, but with Simba not wanting me anywhere near Pride Rock after today, I rather doubt it."

Nala nodded. "Simba's always been protective of Kiara." She said. "But lately, I can't help but think he takes it too far sometimes."

Code Red frowned. "Well, as long as I'm around, Kiara's safe. Make no mistake about that." He replied.

Nala smiled. "Let's hope you can steer Simba to seeing things your way." She said. "Even now, I'm certain the only people he completely trusts are his own family. Just… just give him some time, and he'll learn that you mean no harm to anyone save for those that mean harm to us. Like you proved to me when you saved Kiara from your enemies."

Code Red nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Nala."

"Any time." Nala said as she left him standing there.

Code Red took one last look out over the horizon before taking note of the locations of his potential hiding places and their distance from Pride Rock before he himself took his leave, pleased he was not without allies.

You really can't blame Simba, can you?

Either way, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I shall see you next Saturday with my fifth chapter.

T-Rock14