This is chapter eight, and is based of British/American post WW2 celebrations. Next chapter will be the romantic one and the one after will be the airport massacre and a little bit of its background. Hope you enjoy and don't forget to review, as I haven't gotten many recently.

Cheers: JJZ-109


CHAPTER 8. VS DAY

Same day as airport massacre, 1030 hours

The big day had finally arrived, and thousands of people had gathered in the heart of the city. Lt. Conner 'Kopa' Palladino had hardly slept that night, so many lives depended on him and things had to run perfectly. He stood on a huge stage; behind Simba and Nala; who were both dressed in the ceremonial King and Queen's uniform. He bit his lip anxiously and tapped his foot. He was expecting a radio call any second now from Agent Haradion, who was initiating the search for the nuke while the VS Day parade continued. VS (Victory Over Scar) Day was the perfect opportunity for any terrorists loyal to Scar to strike. So far, they didn't seem to be taking it.

Kopa looked up on top of the buildings, where he could vaguely see police officers watching the parade through the scopes of sniper rifles. Simba and himself had really gone all out with security. The threat of an attack was greater than ever; but the people didn't know that. They stood packed on either side of the wide street, cheering and waving Prideland national flags as veterans from the battle against Scar paraded down the road, waving and smiling for the cameras as blue, green and white confetti rained down on top of them. They wore full ceremonial uniforms, and marched past everyone. When they passed the stage Simba was on however, they flicked their heads around in his direction and saluted. Simba returned the gesture.

Meanwhile, Kovu and Kiara also stood on the Royal stage; waving at the cameras and doing what they were expected to. Kovu couldn't believe his surroundings; only a few years ago the prospect of peace seemed impossible and now everyone was celebrating it all around him. He whistled along as the Prideland Marine Corps march blared on the speakers and smiled as he saw the troops march past and salute him. For the first time in days, he had managed to get a decent sleep that night and it had done him well. He felt great and like a good man again. He kissed Kiara on the cheek and the crowd went wild; like he expected.

All of a sudden, the happiness faded into something else; pain. The world blurred around him and the chants of the crowd faded into distant ambient voices. He gasped and a splitting headache took over him, he held his head in pain and bent over. No...not now...please. Kovu thought and shoved his hand into his pocket to reveal his bag of pills. He popped one into his mouth and waited for a few seconds. Eventually, the pain disappeared and he stood upright.

"Are you okay?" Kiara asked loudly over the noise of the overjoyed crowd.

"Yeah I'm fine." Kovu said and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He then refocused on the crowd and started waving again.

He looked at Simba, standing with his back turned at the edge of the stage, waving and saluting with Nala. Kovu's vision then blurred again; and was replaced with what looked like television static. When his vision returned to him; he was staring down the sights of a pistol aimed at Simba's turned head. No! He thought and grabbed his head with his empty hand. This triggered more visual static. When he opened his eyes, his arm was back against his side and Kiara was looking at him, worried.

Kovu panted desperately and didn't say a word to her. He strode off the stage and stood at the edge of the stairs. He shot one last glance at Simba and then the evil voices started. Kill them...both of them...for the whole country to see...finish what you've started. The British accented voice hissed like a snake into his ears. No one could hear the voices but him. Kovu held his head again and started to see blood tricking down the stage curtains; it was happening again.

He shut his eyes but this only triggered the voices and he started to feel weaker and weaker. He shut his eyes again one final time before blacking out. The last thing he felt before passing out was a falling sensation; then a cold hard THUD against a wooden surface.

Back on stage

Kopa felt his radio buzz in his pocket and he picked it up anxiously; awaiting a status report.

"Kopa this Haradion, we've checked every single square centimeter in this city and we haven't found a thing. Nuke threat is a negative, and the assailant threat is a negative, over." Agent Haradion reported over the radio. Kopa sighed in relief and Simba turned around to face him, with a concerned expression. Kopa just gave him a thumbs up; indicating it was definitely safe now.

Simba smiled and walked over to a microphone behind a small stand. He tapped the microphone and instantly everyone went silent. He cleared his throat and then spoke to the massive audience in front of him.

"Good morning to all you ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to the twentieth VS Day." He said and the crowd burst into cheers. Simba put his hand up to silence them.

"Twenty years ago on this day, many brave men and women fought...and died to make this country what it is today. They stood up to the terror of Scar and showed us their courage and passion. I would like to start us off with a minute's silence to acknowledge the people that died on that day." Simba said everyone hushed. A royal marine carrying a bugle then took his place behind the microphone and started playing The Last Post.

After a minute, Simba then cleared his throat and spoke into the microphone again.

"I would also like to acknowledge the war heroes still among us. Can all of those people identify themselves please?" He said and the rows of veterans cheered.

"We also know that there are some heroes among us that are still not recognized for their bravery, and now is the time to recognize them. I have four Prideland Medals of Honor to award today; all for Delta-Four members that fought three years ago and eliminated yet another threat to our wonderful country in the Outlander Insurgency. Can those people please come up?" Simba preached and immediately four people appeared on stage: Captain Eugene 'EJ' Jones, Private Tim 'Swifty' Swaford, Corporal Colette Lorenzo and Corporal David Howitzer.

"Captain EJ Jones, awarded a medal of honor for repeated bravery in the field, and putting his life on the line to save others, lost use of right eye in combat." Simba announced and everyone clapped as Simba slipped the medal over EJ's neck.

"Private Tim 'Swifty' Swaford, awarded a medal of honor for repeated valor and persistence. Lost use of his legs in combat." Simba said and Swifty wheeled over to him in his wheelchair.

"Corporal Colette Lorenzo, awarded a medal of honor for skillfully and bravely rescuing several members of Delta-Four in her aircraft, including my wife and your queen." Simba said and slipped the medal around her neck.

As Lorenzo was awarded her medal in front of crowd, Lt. Kopa and Agent Haradion (who had now arrived at the ceremony) watched on. Haradion bit his lip as he looked Lorenzo over. Wow, she's a looker. He thought and nudged Kopa.

"Hey, who's the hot pilot chick?" He asked in his usual casual tone and Kopa whispered to him.

"That 'pilot chick' is one of the most respected people in the entire armed forces and apparently the daughter of Matthew Weaver so don't even think about..." Kopa started but Haradion cut him off.

"Oh I'm thinking about it." Haradion remarked and looker her over again.

Kopa rolled his eyes, but then felt his radio buzz in his pocket again.

"This is Kopa."

"Lieutenant Palladino, come quick...It's Kovu...he's hurt badly." Dr. Von Gonzo's distinctive German voice said over the radio.

Kopa looked around and realized that Kovu was nowhere to be seen. He remained cool and ran off the stage as calmly as he could. He didn't want the massive crowd to see the panic he felt growing inside him. Everything had been going well until then.


How was that? And don't worry, Kovu's fine, you'll find what happened next chapter. Please Review!