Chapter 8: An Autobot on Pride Rock

Pride Rock, 12:00 pm…

"Well, this is certainly a pleasant surprise." Nala said as she spotted Code Red accompanying Simba and Kiara. "What convinced you to relax your restriction on Code Red's presence on Pride Rock?"

"A chance convergence at the watering hole." Simba replied. "Code Red helped me and Bupu get the rhinoceros' to move."

"Did you have to force them?" Nala asked.

"Nope. Just asked them nicely." Code Red replied. "Your other half over here was trying the 'I'm the King' card." Shaking his head, Code Red replied: "It wasn't working."

Nala smiled. "Sounds to me like you needed me down there after all." She said teasingly to Simba.

Simba groaned. "Okay, maybe I needed a little help. But I managed, okay?"

"The fact that Code Red was the one that got them to leave says otherwise." Nala said. "I'd say you needed quite a bit of help."

Simab rolled his eyes.

"Simba, that is what you call: 'A Very Good Reason Never To Lie To A Girl'." Pausing, Code Red added: "Especially if said girl is the one you stick your-"

"Code Red, not in front of Kiara!" Nala said, gesturing to a now confused Kiara.

"What now?" Kiara asked.

"Nothing, honey." Nala said.

"On the contrary;" said another voice as Sarabi came into view. "You certainly had no issue doing said thing while she was soundly asleep. Only thing was that you kept me awake."

Catching on to what Sarabi was saying, Code Red broke up laughing, whilst Nala and Simba looked mortified.

Kiara looked at both of her parents, utterly clueless as to what was going on. "Dad, Mom, what are they laughing about?"

Neither Nala nor Simba responded, too embarrassed to say anything.

Thankfully, they were saved by two voices calling out for Kiara:

"Kiara!"


Kiara's attention was diverted as two other lion cubs rushed over. Her expression brightening, Kiara leapt down and jogged over to them. "Tiifu! Zuri!" She exclaimed.

At this, Nala breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that her mortifying experience was over, noticing Code Red looked slightly disappointed as he watched Kiara greet Tiifu and Zuri, who now diverted their attention to Code Red.

Code Red now recognised them, saying: "Wait a second. "Weren't you the other two cubs that were with Kiara a couple of weeks ago? When the Insecticon attacked?"

"That was us!" Tiifu replied.

"Apparently, you've gotten the princess into a lot of trouble." Zuri said.

Code Red shrugged. "I might have done. Part of it is down to a case of wrong place, wrong time, but the other part is that her old man doesn't know a friendly face even if it hit him so hard he went flying into orbit." Pausing, Code Red added: "That'd actually be fun to watch, mind you. Where's something I can send Simba into orbit with?"

"Sending me where, Code Red?" Simba inquired.

Code Red feigned innocence. "Oh, don't mind me, just figured you'd enjoy a little skydiving, that's all."

Simba raised an eyebrow, noticing Code Red's posture and facial expression, which indicated Code Red was lying. But, simply to humour Code Red, he said: "Well, I'm flattered you think so, but I'm not made for skydiving. That sort of thing I leave to Zazu."

"Zazu?" Code Red asked. "Who the fuck is Zazu?"

"My Major Domo." Simba replied. "He brings me news of the goings on within the Pride Lands, which includes disputes and the like that I need to deal with."

"So, sort of like a taskmaster, if you will." Code Red said.

Simba nodded. "That's actually not a bad way of looking at it." He replied.

Code Red shrugged. "Different perspectives are my forte." He remarked.

Simba nodded. "I've noticed." He remarked, gesturing towards Kiara, clearly a thinly veiled reference to his and Code Red's differing views regarding Kiara.

Code Red caught on, but decided not to reply, sensing Simba was looking for an excuse to send him away from Pride Rock.

Kiara noticed as well, and shot her father a disapproving look.

Before anything else could transpire, a familiar voice called out to Simba:

"Hello again, Sire!"


Simba looked up to see Zazu on the approach. "Hello, Zazu." He called out.

Zazu circled around before coming to a stop, perching on Code Red's shoulder, attracting the Autobot's attention: "You must be Code Red." Zazu observed.

Raising an eyebrow, Code Red said: "There are some perfectly good boulders for you to perch in over there. So why perch on my shoulder?"

"Because you were the closest place to land that I had at hand." Zazu replied. "Flying around as much as I do takes a lot out of someone like me." Gesturing down at Kiara and her friends, Zazu added: "And besides, if I land anywhere else, like those rocks, Kiara could easily climb them and pounce on me!"

"Is there a problem with that? Dost thou take issue with thine princess's wish to practice her hunting skills upon thee?" Code Red asked.

Kiara raised an eyebrow. "Red, why the weird language?"

Looking down at Kiara, Code Red shushed her, whispered: "I'm trying to be old fashioned. Shut up."

"Well, it's problematic whenever I'm trying to speak with her father!" Zazu answered finally.

"It's fun, though!" Kiara said. "And Daddy told me he used to do it all the time."

"That's true." Simba said.

"There!" Code Red said, looking at Zazu. "Why deny the princess the privilege of having fun?"

Realising that Code Red was verbally backing him into a corner, Zazu stammered for a number of moments before spluttering: "Because it's fun for me!"

"That's not really fair, Zazu." Kiara said.

"Too bad!" Zazu snapped. "Because that is why I'm up here on Code Red's shoulder and not on that tree!"

"And that, dear Zazu, is why I let you." Code Red, adding: "Just this once." With that, in a short, deft movement, Code Red reached up and gently flicked Zazu off of his shoulder, smirking at the hornbill's cry of panic.

Getting up, Zazu began to lecture Code Red, before suddenly being pounced on by Kiara, eliciting yet another cry of panic from Zazu.

This prompted an outbreak of laughter from Code Red, Nala, Sarabi and Simba.

Once Kiara had finished up her 'assault' on Zazu, she looked up at Code Red and nodded thanks. "Why thank you, my good man." She said wittily.

"You are most welcome, ma'am." Code Red replied, adopting an upper class British accent. "I say, that is truly a remarkable specimen of hornbill you've caught right there."

"I agree." Kiara replied. "Yet this is not just any other specimen of hornbill. This is a Molestus Hornbillius Stultus… Better known: As Zazu."

Code Red and Kiara stared at one another before they both burst out laughing.

"Yes, yes, it's all rather amusing, now can you please let me up?" Zazu demanded.

"I'd consider it." Code Red said. "On one condition, though."

Zazu groaned in exasperation as he said: "Yes, fine. What?"

"You admit that you are one: A bird-brained butler, two: a stuck-up asshole, and three: The biggest spoilsport this side of the Pride Lands." Code Red replied.

"I will do no such thing!" Zazu retorted.

"Pity. Guess you're stuck with being pinned by Kiara for the rest of the day, then." Code Red remarked.

"Oh, alright!" Zazu shouted: "I admit that I am a bird-brained butler, a stuck up… bottom, and the biggest spoilsport in the Pride Lands! Now let me up!"

Code Red left a pause just long enough to plant the fear in Zazu's mind that he wasn't going to do so, but soon said: "Good enough for me. Let him up, Kiara."

Kiara nodded and stepped off of Zazu, who brushed himself off whilst glaring indignantly at Kiara and Code Red.

"However, I didn't say the same about Tiifu and Zuri." Code Red said.

Zazu's eyes widened just as the aforementioned cubs pounced on him themselves, eliciting another outbreak of laughter from Code Red and the royal family.

Once Tiifu and Zuri were satisfied with their handiwork, they let Zazu up, who quickly glared up at Code Red angrily.

"Something tells me we are going to find it very difficult to get along, Code Red." Zazu said.

"That's purely a matter of perspective, Zazu." Code Red retorted. "Personally, I believe that if you stop being all three of the things you admitted to being just now, I have full faith you and I will be great friends." Shrugging, Code Red added: "Or you could continue being boring; not that that'd surprise me. You strike as that sort of asshole."

Everyone nearby broke up laughing as Zazu merely flew off.

His optics meeting Simba's, Code Red smirked. That had broken the ice.


After some time…

"Code Red?"

Code Red looked over at Nala, who was staring at him intently. "What's up?" He asked.

Nala gestured for Code Red to follow her, saying: "Let's take a walk."

Code Red raised an eyebrow, before catching Kiara's eye, who said:

"Go on. She won't bite." Kiara said.

Code Red nodded and rose to his feet, following Nala as she started up the trek up to the peak of Pride Rock. He noticed Simba watching them with a raised eyebrow, but decided to ignore it. He imagined Simba would turn a blind eye as well, seeing as it was Nala that had invited him up there.

Upon reaching the top, Code Red looked around, placing his hands on his hips. "Short walk." He remarked.

Nala chuckled. "Yes, I know." Her expression turned serious as she looked away from Code Red and looked at the horizon.

Sensing the change in tone, Code Red walked over to where Nala was, folding his arms. "Something you wanted to talk about?" Code Red asked.

Nala nodded. "I imagine you've been wondering why Simba is so protective of Kiara." She said.

Code Red frowned. "All I know is that Simba's scared that something's going to happen to Kiara. Something he couldn't prevent before. And Zira had something to do with it."

Nala sighed. "You're right." He said. Turning to meet Code Red's gaze, Nala said: "You see, Kiara wasn't mine and Simba's first child."

Code Red immediately sensed where this conversation was going, but held his vocal processors.

"Before Kiara was born, we had a son." Nala continued. "His name…" Nala paused and took a deep breath. "His name was Kopa."

"Kopa…" Code Red said. "That's Swahili for 'heart', isn't it?"

Nala nodded. "That's why we called him that. He was our heart." Nala chuckled. "He followed his father everywhere, unless it was dangerous." Nala closed her eyes. "When he wasn't with his father, he was with me, or his friends." Wincing as a familiar pain entered her heart, she said: "When he found out I was pregnant with Kiara, he was so happy. I still remember he was all over the place. He was so excited to be a big brother." Her voice shook as she added: "But Zira had other ideas."

Code Red sighed. He could sense Nala was on the verge of tears. "You don't need to say any more, Nala."

"No, no; it's okay." Nala said, although her voice betrayed her. "It was a month or two before Kiara was born. Kopa went out with his father, as usual." Choking back a sob, Nala added: "Only Simba came back. He was covered in wounds… Wounds only a lion could have inflicted." Nearly flat out bursting into tears, Nala added: "When I asked him where Kopa was, all Simba said was that they were separated during an ambush."

Code Red scowled. "Did you manage to find Kopa?"

Nala nodded. "But we were too late. Zira had already found him… And had her fun." Closing her eyes, Nala said: "He was still alive. Just. I got to tell him I loved him one last time as he died." Finally, Nala let the tears flow.

Code Red looked away, astonished at what he'd heard. Zira had found the murder of a cub 'fun'? If that was true, than Zira was even more of a sadist then Code Red had thought. A rare form of anger surged through him, and he clenched his fists, grunting. Looking at Nala, seeing her cry at the loss of her son, Code Red called her by name. "Nala… I'd say I was sorry for your son, but you're probably sick of condolences by this point." Seeing her look up at him, Code Red added: "I swore an oath when I became an Autobot that I would never harm a being lesser than me. But know this: If I ever catch Zira on her own… That bitch is going to die."

Nala looked deep into Code Red's optics and believed him immediately.

"But other than that, let me tell you this:" Code Red said. "For as long as I function, I will protect and defend Kiara. You'll never have to bury her or any future children you and Simba may have. I swear on the Matrix of Leadership itself."

Nala took a small breath and smiled. "Kiara would be happy to have you, Code Red." She said. "Simba won't like it at first, but he'll come around."

Code Red nodded. "I've no problem earning his trust, Nala." Code Red replied. "I'll get it, even if I die trying."

"Well, I'm pretty certain Kiara would rather it didn't come to that." Nala said with a smirk.

"Good thing I'm sure that Simba will trust me long before I die." Code Red said. "I just need to do something that will get him to realise that I can be trusted."

Nala nodded. She made to say more, but before she could, a massive shadow passed over her and Code Red.

Looking up, Code Red scowled as he recognised the markings of a Decepticon vessel. "Decepticons." Code Red growled.

Nala looked to Code Red, saying: "You'd better get down there."

Code Red nodded. "You can count on me, Nala." With that, he leapt down from the peak, landing hard on the floor.

It wasn't long before Vehicons followed, surrounding him.


Code Red rose to his full height, looking around him at the Vehicons surrounding him. "Alright, everyone." He said. "All I'll say is that you ought to bridge out of here and fly out of here before you all get hurt."

No Vehicons seemed moved by his warning.

Sighing, Code Red said: "Alright, fine. Let's go, bitches." At this, he immediately manifested his Path Blasters.

The moment he did, the Vehicons charged.

Sensing one about to shoot him in the back, Code Red pre-empted it by shooting them through the head, switching to a second and shooting them through the chest.

A third got close enough to grab him, but Code Red countered by shooting it in the head via its chin, quickly shooting two more coming at him from his left flank. Seeing a Vehicon out of the corner of his eye about to attack, Code Red ducked, blasting them through the back, following that up with a series of shots that took out several more Vehicons, catching one straight in the spark chamber, causing a small explosion that took out another few Vehicons, with one unfortunate being sent flying directly towards Code Red.

Casually side-stepping the falling Vehicon, Code Red watched as they smashed into a cluster of Vehicons behind him, looking to inside the den, where he could see Kiara watching in awe. He winked before leaping backwards, landing a picture perfect back-flip that resulted in him landing on the stairwell leading up to the peak of Pride Rock. Knowing that Nala was up there, Code Red decided not to retreat, instead, he once again charged the Vehicons, shooting the one closest through the chest.

The closest to him after that attempted to leap at him, but Code Red lowered himself into a slide, shooting upwards as the Vehicon passed over him, catching the Decepticon's version of cannon-fodder through the head. Reaching his feet, Code Red manifested his left hand arm blade and beheaded the first Vehicon he saw, blasting the second Vehicon he saw after that.

However, the next one he saw managed to tackle him to the floor, with another one grabbing him from behind and hurling him into the wall of Pride Rock, damaging his face and sending him staggering backwards and onto the floor. Deciding he didn't want to be shot to pieces in front of Kiara, Code Red emitted a pulse of energy that sent a shockwave out towards the Decepticons, throwing them all back. The pulse also enabled Code Red to leap into the air, manifesting both of his Path Blasters and firing on his would be assailants, taking out a good portion of them.

Landing on his feet, Code Red sighed. "Right, now I'm pissed!"

Only for an Insecticon to charge right into him, pinning him against the wall. Straining to get his gun in position, Code Red decided a more physical measure would be necessary. Head-butting the Insecticon in the face, Code Red charged up his Path Blaster and fired a powerful blast that burst through the Insecticon is if the Insecticon was made of sand.

Lowering his Path Blaster as the Insecticon fell to the floor, Code Red fell to one knee.

"Red!"

Code Red turned to see Kiara rush up to him, her face filled with concern. "No worries, Kiara." Code Red said to the young cub as he rose to his feet. "I'll be alright."

"Not for much longer, I'm afraid."


Code Red looked up and immediately scowled.

Standing a few feet away from him and Kiara was a large Decepticon that appeared to transform into some form of military vehicle. Unlike Shadowstreak, whose appearance was sharp and deadly, this Decepticon was broad and strong featured, much larger than Shadowstreak at around twenty-five feet tall.

"Kiara." Code Red said. "Get behind me."

Kiara didn't take long to oblige, rushing over and hiding behind Code Red as Code Red continued to stare his adversary down.

"Let me guess." Code Red said. "You're Shadowstreak's boss…"

"They call me Crossfire." The Decepticon said. "However, let us not stand on ceremony here… Autobot."

Code Red noticed Nala had come down from Pride Rock's peak, and looked to Kiara. "Go to your mother. Now."

Kiara nodded and rushed over to Nala, as Code Red began to approach Crossfire.

Crossfire reciprocated, seemingly in no hurry to attack Code Red.

Taking this as an opening to attack, Code Red opened with a hard jab, one that doubled Crossfire over slightly, connecting with a forearm to the chest and finishing the trifecta with an uppercut that sent Crossfire onto the back foot, adding a backhanded strike for good measure before rearing back for a right hook.

Crossfire caught it, saying: "Combat has cost you your strength. Victory has defeated you." He followed this up with a vicious right hook of his own, lashing out with a forward kick that sent Code Red staggering back, rearing back for a left hook.

Blocking the attack with both arms, Code Red struck out with a headbutt that caught Crossfire square in the face. Pressing the attack, Code Red landed a left hook, then a right one, attempting a high kick.

Crossfire deflected the blow, landing a hard backhand that sent Code Red staggering towards the edge of Pride Rock before kicking him off.

Dropping down just as Code Red was getting to his feet, Crossfire ducked a right hook attempt from Code Red, smashing him in the gut with a right-hand punch, adding a fierce left hook to the face, knocking Code Red to the side, following that with a brutal right uppercut that seemingly knocked Code Red senseless, finishing this renewed assault by tripping Code Red up. For good measure, Crossfire walked up to Code Red and landed a harsh penalty kick that knocked Code Red flat.

Brushing himself off, Crossfire shook his head. "Pity. I was hoping there would be more of a fight to be had with you." Looking towards Pride Rock, Crossfire added: "Perhaps your friends will give me the fight I so desire."

Optics widening as he realised what Crossfire was about to do, Code Red felt a surge of power and leapt to his feet, charging Crossfire and tackling him hard.

Both combatants hit the floor, with Code Red getting to his feet first. Waiting for Crossfire to reach a vertical base, Code Red wasted no time, landing a right, then a left hook, which was followed with a second right hand to the jaw, and then capped off with a fierce double hammerfist that smashed Crossfire across the chest, laying him low for a moment.

Picking Crossfire up, Code Red shoved him back up against the wall of Pride Rock, smashing him against it fiercely. Looking into Crossfire's optics, Code Red snarled: "You'll have to kill me before you get any closer to them!"

Smiling, Crossfire said: "Good." Reaching up and grabbing Code Red by the wrists, Crossfire slowly pried Code Red's hands off of him, and pushed Code Red back a number of paces. Once he was a fair distance away from the wall, Crossfire pulled Code Red's arms down and smashed him across the face with a vicious right hand.

Staggering back, Code Red attempted a left hook, but Crossfire countered, blocking the blow before retaliating with one of his own.

Continuing his assault, Crossfire landed a second right hook, dodging Code Red's right hook and landing a second left hook to Code Red's back.

Finding himself pinned against one of the boulders surrounding Pride Rock, Code Red lashed out with a right-hand punch, which glanced off of Crossfire's face.

Landing a right jab into Code Red's face, Crossfire connected with a left jab, adding a right hand to the gut for good measure. Grabbing Code Red by the throat, Crossfire landed another right punch to the face which sent Code Red staggering back into the boulder that he'd been pinned against, grabbing Code Red once again and smashing Code Red in the face with a nasty knee strike.

Finally, Crossfire lifted Code Red high above his head, and with a grunt of exertion, slammed him hard onto a small but sharp boulder, impaling the Autobot there and allowing himself a triumphant smile as he heard Code Red cry out in pain.

Hearing the anguished screams of Code Red's lion cub friend, Crossfire turned away. "Shadowstreak. My work is done here. Yours begins now." With that, Crossfire transformed into vehicle mode, a Canadian LAV UP, and drove away, leaving the scene as if nothing else had happened.


With Kiara…

Get up Red, Kiara silently begged. Come on, get up!

Code Red responded by beginning an attempt to free himself.

Kiara felt a slight sense of relief that Code Red was at least alive, but that relief turned to horror when she heard a voice slither into her ear:

"No-one to save you now, Princess…"

Kiara immediately attempted to bolt but something heavy pinned her against the ground and lifted her into the air. What felt like fingers wrapping around her body squeezed her gently, but hard enough that it hurt, eliciting a sharp yelp of pain from the lion cub.

"KIARA!"

Kiara looked down to see her father rushing towards her, before stopping in his tracks as her captor materialised into existence, revealing none-other than Shadowstreak.

The Decepticon stealth specialist smiled unpleasantly as he addressed Simba: "We meet at last. Pity I can't stand around and chat."

Simba replied with a loud roar that would have scared any lesser being.

But Shadowstreak was not one such being. Scoffing, Shadowstreak manifested a plasma cannon and levelled it straight at Simba. "Pathetic."

Realising the danger, Kiara shouted: "DADDY, MOVE!"

Simba responded by leaping out of the way, but not fast enough to avoid the explosion. He failed to catch the brunt of it, yet it was enough to send him flying backwards.

"DADDY!" Kiara shrieked as Shadowstreak cackled sadistically.

"Like I said, Princess: No-one can save you now!" With this, Shadowstreak leaped off of Pride Rock, landing next to Code Red's prone body before transforming and speeding away.

Kiara saw Code Red once more attempt to rise, but fail regardless. Feeling tears threaten to fall, she simply curled up as tightly as she could and tried her best not to cry.


Not long later…

Nala sprinted down to where Code Red still lay impaled, and still trying to free himself.

It looked like he would, as well: He was steadily pulling himself up and off of the sharp boulder.

Nala made to say something, but resolved that any distraction would break Code Red's concentration, and land him back on square one. So she simply sat as patiently as she could as Code Red worked to free himself.

Finally, he did, and fell to the ground with a strangulated groan.

Rushing next to him, Nala looked over him. "Can you walk?" She asked.

Code Red responded by attempting to rise to his feet. He nearly did, but fell back onto his front, groaning in pain.

"Code Red, Kiara's in danger! Get up!" Nala begged.

Code Red made the attempt once again, but fell down after only reaching his hands and knees.

Her desperation growing, Nala said: "Code Red… please."

His resolve growing, Code Red clenched his fists, and letting out a loud grunt, finally forced himself to his feet.

Nala breathed a sigh of relief and was about to tell Code Red to get on after Crossfire and Shadowstreak when Code Red's legs buckled from beneath him and he began to fall.

He would have, as well, had a strong pair of arms grabbed him and held him in a vertical base.

"Easy there, Red." Said a familiar voice.

Code Red groaned and looked to see another Autobot at his side.

The Autobot was much taller than him, coloured mostly green with black spaced out amongst the green. It'd be acceptable for the Autobot to be mistaken for the incredible Hulk.

"B-Bulkhead?" Code Red groaned.

"Yeah, it's me." Bulkhead said.

"Can you help him?" Nala asked.

Bulkhead looked at Nala with sympathetic optics. "We'll do our best, ma'am." He said before saying: "Ratchet, I've found Code Red. Lock onto my co-ordinates and bridge us back to base!"

As if on cue, a large blue portal opened up behind Bulkhead and Code Red, into which Bulkhead helped Code Red. Once they entered, it vanished.

Nala sighed before walking back to Pride Rock, hoping things were okay.


You're probably all thinking: Thank God! Another Autobot at last!

Other than that, this was one of my favourite chapters to write, between the witty repartee between Code Red and Zazu, to Code Red getting brutally beat down like the Hulk in Avengers: Infinity War.

With that out the way, let me answer some reviews:

Jason Chandler: See this chapter.

Adam Carver: No, Code Red can never catch a break. Not without help, at least.

Daniel's the man 98: I have a feeling Simba and Grimlock would be arguing for ages over who's king.

Mike Noland: Shadowstreak is the least of Code Red's problems.

Jestalnaker 94000: Yes, Simba does appear to be warming up to Code Red. But don't think for a second that it'll last that long.

Other than that, hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I will see you tomorrow with the next one.

T-Rock14