''Kiara, you know I hate being woken up early.''
''Better than you lazing around all day, you inactive human!''
''I don't see how lazing around all day is worse than going around taking failed hunting lessons, princess…''
Ah, how I love our arguments. While we argue less now, we still tend to bicker over minor things, to the now amusement of our friends. Ever since me and Kiara settled our differences, we've eased tensions and even got along, but we still tend to clash.
''It takes you two hours to even get off the ground and start your day, Connor.'' Kiara pointed out, rolling her eyes. ''And even then, you don't really do much.''
''That's not true!''
''Is too!''
''Is not!''
However, as we were growling at each other, Simba and Nala came in.
''That's enough, you two.'' Nala smiled warmly. ''How about you go to Rafiki's tree and help him and Makini with their work?''
I raised a brow as Kiara blinked. She's...serious, right?
That ape isn't exactly young, you know.
I don't need your input!
Oh god. Janja and Ushari are arguing in the volcano...i'll be back…
Then the fallen prince's voice faded away as I sighed.
''Alright.'' I shrugged. ''Won't hurt.''
''I bet you're not too good at dealing with healers.'' Kiara smirked confidently. ''That's okay, i'll assist you.''
''While I appreciate that, since I am as good at healing as you are hunting, I find your involvement sudden.'' I told the cream lioness, who huffed at my jab to her hunting abilities. ''But we must not stand here. I have a feeling there's more to this day than a simple mission to Rafiki's tree.''
Oh look, I was right!
Tch.
Welcome back, comrade.
Don't you ever call me that aga-
Moving on! Apparently, Rafiki was away for the day and Ono was at the tree talking to Makini, who looked concerned.
''Something wrong?'' I asked as Kiara shared the same confused expression, Ono looking at us.
''A monitor lizard popped up in the Pridelands and paralyzed all but two of the Guard..me and Bunga.'' Ono said, looking down as my eyes widened.
''There has to be more to this than a simple monitor lizard attacking the Guard.'' I assumed. ''Normally, animals attack the Pridelands, not the Guard directly.''
Unless…
''Must have been sent by someone in the Outlands.'' Kiara said. ''I don't recall any monitor lizards living in the Pridelands.''
''I came here looking for a remedy to it.'' Ono explained. ''Bunga caused them to retreat, so I came over here''
''This is a toughie.'' Makini said, rubbing her chin. ''I don't think we've ever had to deal with a monitor lizard.''
''So what now?'' I asked. ''We can't just stand here and do nothing while the Pridelands is down 3 defenders.''
As I said that, an idea sprung into my mind.
''Ono, fly overhead to avoid his bite.'' I said. ''Kiara, let's go grab Bunga and Zuri.''
''Don't be ridiculous!'' Kiara spat. ''I am not getting myself paralyzed because of your recklessness!''
''Says the one who travelled into the Outlands TWICE, was captured many times, got stuck in a stampede...should I go on?'' I chuckled as the surprised lioness shut her mouth. ''Just trust me on this, Kiara.''
It took quite a bit of thinking before she groaned.
''You can be so infuriating…''
''Princess, that's one of my main trats.''
''But.'' She said. ''I can trust you on this.''
''Great!'' I grinned before we went on our way.
We got our team together!
I can see that...so much faith put in a honey badger and two lionesses who are both younger than you.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, Scar. Surely you of all people know this.
Puh! It's a mere monitor lizard!
That YOU sent!
I'm sure you could handle it.
Oh, you son of a-
''Who are YOU supposed to be?'' The monitor lizard asked me.
''I could ask the same for you, my friend.'' I raised an eyebrow.
''Name's Kenge...but why would you care?'' He asked, but noticed Bunga. ''Ah...I see.''
''Name's Shujaa, in response to your question.'' I laughed. ''Look at you! You're roughly the size of Bunga here!''
A growl came from the monitor lizard. ''Are you calling me little?''
''You're not exactly big..''
However, Kenge quickly sprung into action, attempting to attack me, missing me as I dodged his leap. Landing a few feet away from where I jumped, I saw Kenge look at the girls. Immediately, I looked at Bunga.
''Bunga! On my back!'' I called to the honey badger as he did so...god, he was heavy! Regardless, I ran at Kenge with all my speed before stopping in my tracks, flinging Bunga at him, allowing the young honey badger to pin the monitor lizard down long enough for Kiara and Zuri to come over to me.
''Alright, what's the plan?'' Kiara asked me as I blinked.
''Well, I do have one idea, but it'll be tricky.'' I rubbed my chin before I saw Ono flying overhead, inciting my smile. ''Ahah!''
Ono noticed my look and flew down to me. ''You need something?''
''Ono, help Bunga distract Kenge while me and the girls get those rocks to trap Kenge!'' I shouted. ''Lure him into a tight gorge! Small enough to where the rocks will be able to trap him!''
''On it!'' Ono saluted before flying off as I looked at Kiara and Zuri.
''Let's do it.''
To say we were unsure if it would work would be an understatement. All 3 of us walked to two large rocks, which were roughly two times the height of us. We looked at each other before deciding to head to the one farthest from the gorge entrance, wanting to use it as sort of a dead end for the monitor lizard.
''This is the exact situation I wished Beshte was here.'' I grumbled before putting my paws on the rock, the girls doing the same. ''PUSH!''
We all grunted as we pushed the rock towards the edge of the cliff.
''Almost...THERE!'' I said as we managed to push the rock off, blocking the way of Kenge's escape. Smiling in victory, we turned our attention to the other one. Pushing the rock, I saw the girls begin to get tired. ''If we stop, this guy will run rampant across the kingdom!''
Nodding, they kept pushing...until the rock fell off when Kenge got to the previous one. Zuri managed to get her balance, but Kiara fell, inciting Zuri's horrified scream.
''Oh, you gotta be-'' Shaking my head and looking down to the falling lioness in panic, I jumped towards her despite Zuri's protesting, catching the princess and sending us tumbling into the middle of the gorge...right where Kenge was.
The two of us groaned in pain and had dust all over us before we got up and saw the monitor lizard. Getting in front of the princess, I stared him down.
''Looks like you got stuck in your own trap.'' He chuckled. ''Shame...I was expecting more smarts.''
Despite the pain in my left front leg, I noticed Bunga hop on the rock and whispered to Kiara.
''Go to Bunga.'' I said and Kiara's eyes widened.
''What about you!?'' She nearly shouted, but I rolled my eyes.
''For god's sake, Kiara, I can handle myself!'' I sighed. ''Now go!''
Though hesitating for a moment, she did so, being caught by Bunga when she leapt towards him, leaving me and Kenge.
''How noble.'' He mocked. ''Saving his princess.''
''Hardly mine.'' I said. ''We JUST started getting along.''
''And yet you'd prefer yourself stay here than her?'' He asked and I smirked.
''Maybe I just don't want an injury to her to be on my shoulders, hm?'' I took a jab at him and he quickly leapt forward, biting my leg and causing me to collapse on the ground. Ah, great.
Now look what you did…
Shut up….
As I tried to move my legs, I found I could not. I could, however move my head, looking up at the approaching Kenge. When I looked up at the cliffs, I saw the Guard, fully recovered, standing over my location, concerned face.
I looked down and sighed, then looked at Kion with an expression that said 'use it'.
''Wait..'' Kion's ears went down when he knew what I was expressing. ''But you'll be hit too!''
''Just use it!'' I yelled as Kenge blinked. Doubt and hesitation were on Kion's face before he frowned with a serious one, then took a deep breath, using his roar, lions of the past coming from the clouds like majestic eagles flying in your face, the wind and force of the roar itself sending both me and Kenge flying, Kenge out of sight and me head first into the opposite cliff, where I ended up being knocked out.
Wake up…
Huh?
I SAID WAKE UP!
Okay, okay, I will!
I started opening my eyes, vision blurry. I saw I was in Rafiki's tree with the Guard, Rafiki, Makini, Kiara and Zuri surrounding me.
''Ya know, I am not really keen on you guys watching me in my sleep…'' I said weakiy. ''It's creepy.''
OW! I was suddenly hugged tight by Zuri, squeezing me until I coughed. The lioness sighed in relief before I felt a paw smack me in the face. Blinking, I looked at Kiara, who was fighting back tears of anger and relief.
''What were you THINKING?!'' She yelled, taking everyone aback. ''You nearly got yourself killed because you wanted to play hero!''
''Kiara, I wanted to make sure-''
''That we were safe?!'' She stopped me. ''What about YOU? Do you have absolutely NO concern for your own well being!?''
'I looked at Kion, who was confused, not knowing that me and Kiara had formed a small friendship. When Kion sighed, I looked back at Kiara, who was now right in my face, but since I still felt that paralyzing feeling from the bite, with the impact from the roar on top of it, I couldn't really do much. ''Kiara, why are you so concerned about this? We managed to stall Kenge until the Guard came back and stopped him, so-''
''BECAUSE I DON'T WANT YOU TO DIE!''
That confession stunned everyone, including myself. The panting lioness quickly ran off with tears in her eyes as I stood there, still as a mannequin. Kion walked over me and laughed.
''With the risks you take and your abilities, maybe I should make you a replacement Lion Guard leader whenever i'm not able to.'' He joked.
''Kion, I find no more worthy leader than you.'' I admitted. ''I'd hardly want to replace you. After all, what use would I be?''
''More than you think.'' Kion replied with a smile. ''Hope you recover as soon as possible!''
With that, the Guard left, leaving Zuri to hug me again.
''Don't you EVER do that again…'' Zuri whispered, choking on her words. ''..Brother.''
I nuzzled her. ''Trust me, I won't, Zuri.''
She left the tree as well.
And now, there were three...me, Rafiki and Makini.
This will be quite the interesting stay…
Next: When Shujaa and Zuri get trapped in the Outlands, they come across a pride of lions Shujaa has been trying to avoid ever since he came to their world.