WHOO! DONE!

God, I am so glad school is almost done! I have been neglecting these poor babies of mine for too long!

Obligatory Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OCs.

The Pride of a King

The way back was a mostly silent affair, everyone too deep in worried thought to attempt much in the way of conversation. Mari would try occasionally, and she would be awarded with a few replies here and there. But, for the most part, we were quiet.

Pride Rock loomed before us in seemingly no time at all, and when we began to climb the path to the upper tiers, we met up again with Timon, Pumbaa, Rafiki, and Nala. Inwardly, I had to wince. Telling them the news wasn't going to fun . . . an opinion I knew was shared by my friends.

When at last stopped before the assembled animals, Nala was quick to ask the dreaded question, her voice laced with concern, "Where's Simba?"

We shared a guilty glance before Sora hesitantly began to answer, "Well, uh . . ."

"You see . . ." I added when he faltered, only to come up short on what to say as well.

Rafiki suddenly laughed a short, high laugh, throwing his simian head back as it came. I gave the group a confused glance, seeing only the same emotion churning in their own eyes. It wasn't until the baboon had clamed down that he finally explained what exactly struck him as funny, "He ran away! I knew it would not be easy for him!"

Leaving forward and bracing his weight against his staff, he grinned, "To face his fears, he must go somewhere where the only thing to think of is what to do, and not what others think of him."

Sora narrowed his eyes to annoyed slits, "Why didn't you just say so?"

"But where's Simba now?" Donald asked.

"Hey, I know!" Timon, who had been sitting on top of his friend's bristly head, suddenly straightened and hopped down, getting everyone's attention, "He's at the oasis! It's our favorite hangout!"

Sora nodded, "Got it! Let's check it out!"

"I'll lead the way!" Pumbaa declared, turning around with a steady clop of his hooves.

Timon, upon hearing this, immediately jumped back onto Pumbaa's head, tapping the warthog right between the eyes with a chiding finger, "Oh, no you won't! Simba'll smell you coming a mile away! And, if he's smart, he'll run for the hills!"

The warthog took a moment to ponder this before his head and ears drooped, "Oh . . . right."

"Come on, you guys!" Sora said, racing back down the cliff.

We did as we were told, setting out once again to find a wayward king and hoping we could talk some sense into him. I gritted my teeth subconsciously, an old spark of frustration welling up again. He needed to get his act together.

And, for the sake of his entire pride, he needed to do it soon.

{******}

The trek to the jungle was a long one, long enough that night fell and we had to hunker down in a small cave to sleep. But the rest was needed, because when we woke up the next morning, our energy was restored and everyone felt revitalized, eager to begin the journey anew.

All the same, I was very grateful when we finally reached the eaves of the verdant jungle and entered it's shade, well out of the harsh heat of the cracked, sun-baked desert we'd been forced to traverse through. The air was more humid, true, but at least the place actually felt alive. Birds twittered in the lush, vibrant foliage overhead and the undergrowth would continuously twitch and shudder when something would flee, all of it underscored by the continual buzz of countless insects as the flitted about from branch to branch, flower to flower. In the distance, I could hear the rough, gurgling roar of what may have been a waterfall, and I absentmindedly licked my lips when I remembered how dry they were. Precious little water in a desert, after all. Even the air smelt alive, suffused as it was with the rich, mineral-tinged scent of damp earth, water, and other green, growing things. I took a deep, satisfying breath of it, feeling my spine tingle in anticipation as the rich scents awakened the primal instincts sitting dormant in the back of my mind. My ears twitched as a bush to my right rustled, and my pupils inadvertently dilated as I zeroed in on the spot, tail twitching with the need to speed after the thing. Then, with a shorter, quicker breath, I forced the urge down. I couldn't go running off now. We had a mission here!

. . . But . . . maybe later.

In any case, I could certainly understand why Timon and Pumbaa called this place home. It was nice here. Far better than the Pride Lands in their current state, for sure.

"Okay, keep your eyes peeled, guys! Simba's gotta be here somewhere!" Sora ordered, scanning the greenery with an attentive stare.

Everyone gave quick words of agreement, and soon we ventured even deeper into the jungle, leaving the desert behind for good. Our way was not unimpeded, however. Heartless had apparently taken to calling this place home as well, and quickly made it known that they didn't like us here. Fortunately, they attacked in small groups, and were easy to fend off. But Mari did get some good practice in with using her bow in her new form, mastering holding the weapon in her mouth and using her tail to form the arrows. In case a truly dangerous fight happened, we'd need her skills, so it was good for her to learn now rather than in the midst of certain peril.

Gradually, the ground began to slope upwards, and it wasn't much longer until we broke through the tree line and walked into the sun dappled expanse of a quiet glade. A small, three-tiered waterfall splashed down into a small pool, the cerulean waters sparkling in the light. Luxuriously soft grass blanketed the ground, and a few small palm trees lined the ground just before it dropped into a steep, craggy cliff, the precipice offering a full view of the jungle below and the cloud speckled sky above.

But it's serenity was harshly downplayed by the two figures standing just in front of the cliff, facing the other, one with undisguised hostility and the other with unrelenting fear; Scar and Simba. Scar had backed the other lion until he stood with his hind paws nearly dangling over the edge of the cliff. Any further, and . . .

"Oh no," Mari murmured without thinking.

"Come on!" I shouted, paws pounding against the ground as I raced over the grass, everyone else in hot pursuit.

"Simba!" Sora cried, blue eyes shining with worry.

Scar, with an almost absentminded glance over his shoulder, smirked once, the glint of a sharp fang gleaming through the darkness before it swallowed him whole and disappeared.

As we approached a still shaken Simba, the lion king's head drooped, lamenting hopelessly, "It's no use . . . I'll never be the king my father was."

I rolled my eyes, "Simba-"

"But Simba . . ." Sora started, walking ahead of the rest of us and, perhaps wisely, cutting me off, "That's not what you're supposed to be. You can't be Mufasa," planting his paws firmly in front of the miserable lion, Sora gave Simba an earnest yet kind look, "You can only be you. Everybody believes in you as a king. They just want to see what you'll do."

"And if anyone's saying they liked your father better," he continued strongly, "It's because you haven't done much yet. That's all."

"I know that!" Simba protested, finally looking up from his paws.

Aaaaand there goes my restraint, "Then DO something! Sora's right, you're not Mufasa. But you are a king, and you're people need you!"

But instead of any form of resolve appearing in the king's eyes, Simba turned away from my burning gaze, an air of defeat settling heavily onto his shoulders, "I know . . . but I can't."

Disappointment was an emotion everyone shared then, and I shook my head. If this was how he was going to be, and that was his real, honest answer . . . then what could we do to change it?

Sora was quiet for a moment, gazing at the despondent lion before finally muttering a solemn, " . . . Fine."

Flapping his wings, Donald retook to the sky, tail feathers bouncing as he said, "Let's go, Sora."

"Yeah," Sora said with a short nod, turning around and walking away, "Why stick around if he's not even gonna try?"

This statement made a flag go up for me. Had he been anyone else, I would have thought nothing of it, turned tail, and followed. But this was Sora, and his giving up on a friend, especially so easily, was just not right.

Mari sensed this as well, ears falling back against her head as she gave me a puzzled glance, one I reciprocated in full. We both looked at him as he passed us, his tail up in the air like a banner as he walked away.

But when he caught our eye, instead of a sad frown or downcast stare . . . he winked.

Understanding sparked, and, giving a still confused Mari a quick glance, I said, "Well, there's nothing left to be done here. Let's go."

I turned, brushing the tip of my tail against her shoulder to lead her away despite her obvious bewilderment, "B-but, wait, Hikari. We aren't really leaving him here, are we?"

"Just come on, Mari," I whispered, nudging her along.

"C'mon, Goofy!" Sora called back to the sad-eyed turtle, who also hadn't caught the memo and sadly trudged along after his friends.

Once we were all out of sight, we ducked behind a fallen tree and waited, where Sora was quick to fill us in on his idea. It was . . . interesting, perhaps a little dirty . . . but it might just work. Crouching low enough so my stomach fur touched the grass, I held my breath as I waited for the inevitable cue.

And, right on time, that familiar shadow finally graced the glade with his presence once again. Only this time, Sora and friends lent their own voices to the show.

"The hesitant king will one day lose all his friends," Sora purred, deepening his voice to an almost comical level.

"King Simba the doubtful," Donald chanted, the eeriness of which was sort of lost by his squawky voice.

"Worried by a silly ol' ghost," Goofy added with a spooky waver for embellishment.

The whole display was so ridiculous I had to fight to keep from chuckling, Mari going so far as to bury her face under her paws so her laughter didn't expose us, even though her body still quivered from barely suppressed giggles. We really shouldn't have been, given that this was actually pretty important and it needed to succeed . . . but it was just so stupid.

Smiling himself, Sora continued, "Ooh, Simba, the do-nothing king . . ."

Finally, finally, the fear left Simba's eyes as insult after insult came, anger making the amber orbs burn fiercely as he glared the shadow down, "NO!"

"Try and stop me!" Donald egged on, but the threat was downplayed by the hopeful look on his face.

That did it. With only a brief moment's hesitation, Simba reared up on his hind legs and roared mightily, the sound stretching for miles as sending birds scattering to the four winds. Muscles bunching under his coat, he leaped at the ghost, fangs bared and claws outstretched. His aim was true, landing square onto Scar's apparition and raking through the shadows that hid him, tearing the illusion to pieces and sending the darkness back to where it belonged.

Sora's smile was huge as he burst from out of hiding, a happy kick to his step as he bounded over to Simba with the rest of us just behind him, "You did it! The ghost is gone!"

"We knew you could do it!" Donald added happily.

"Hooray for Simba!" Goofy cheered, hopping up and down with his two stumpy front legs.

"Hooray!" Mari shouted, leaping into the air with unbidden excitement.

"About time," I added, though the smile on my lips and the lack of venom in my voice was all he needed to know I approved. He still had a way to go . . . but at least he finally wasn't running anymore.

"You know," Simba said after a moment of just looking at us, "I'm really lucky to have friends who'll stand by me . . . and help me see clearly."

"Ooh, ooh, ooh, so does that mean we're friends now?" Mari asked, excitement shining in her hazel eyes.

Simba blinked at her, before a small smile made its way to his face, "Yes. That does."

"YES!" she cried, jumping up into the air with a twirl, though her aim was a little off as she landed right on my back when she came back down.

"Ow!" I hissed, shaking her off before brushing a paw over my shoulder to smooth out the fur there.

I heard a slight cough, and I glanced at Sora, who was giving me a meaningful look. I lifted a puzzled eyebrow at him, paw frozen in mid-swipe as I asked, "What?"

"Don't you have something to say to Simba?" he inquired imploringly, one ear twitching in the lion's direction.

A stood there for a moment longer before it clicked what it was he wanted me to do. He wanted me to apologize for my outburst back at Pride Rock. And, judging from the way everyone was looking at me, he wasn't the only one.

Slowly, I turned my eyes to Simba. He had . . . a lot to make up for. To both his people, and to himself, before he became a king worthy of great praise. But today, he'd proven that he had what it took to at least take a stand against what frightened him, and that he had the potential to be that great king.

After a second longer of silent studying, I finally dipped my head in acknowledgment of who he was and said, "Okay. You don't sit on your ass and do nothing. I was wrong."

But Simba only shook his head, "No, actually . . . you were right. I was doing nothing," a morose look crossed his face, "And then I tried pushing everyone away when you were just trying to help."

"Hey, no hard feelings," Sora said with a gentle smile.

Simba smiled in return, and though it was a little weaker, it was still sincere as he mused almost whimsically, "I really am lucky . . . to have friends like you."

A gleam of sadness misted his eyes, "I wish . . . that my father had been so lucky."

"There you go again!" Sora admonished with a wave of his paw, though it wasn't unkind.

"I mean," Simba corrected, somewhat embarrassed, "Everyone here, and in the Pride Lands, wants me to succeed. All of you guys, Pumbaa, Timon, Rafiki," his eyes and face softened, "Nala."

Turning away, he walked back to the edge of the cliff overlooking the jungle, talking all the while, "You all want what's best for me. But my father always had Scar lurking behind his back, trying to cut him down. I've got to make the most of my blessings, and rebuild this kingdom."

"Are you gonna say it, or do it?" Sora asked meaningful, waiting for his answer.

Simba lifted his head, voice low, yet carrying a vein of resolve that had not been present before, "Wait and see."

Ah, now that's more like it, I thought approvingly.

"Simba!"

Everyone spun around as the frantic cry cut through the air. Out of the bushes came Timon, running as fast as his small legs could carry him, waving his arms over his head and shouting hysterically, "Simba, come quick! There's a bazillion ghosts of Scar haunting the Pride Lands!"

Simba was already stalking forward as Timon continued, "Everybody but Nala high-tailed it outta there! And now she needs your help!"

That was the only convincing Simba needed. With a great pounce, he was off, blasting through the bushes and bolting back to the Pride Lands without once looking back.

Timon, having seen the determination in the lion's eyes, let out a wistful sniff, running a hand under one eye as he mused, "Our little Simba . . . all grown up and finding his place in the world . . ."

The bushes rustled, and Simba's red mane appeared through the foliage, eyes flashing, "Nice try! You're coming too!"

No one said anything more as we raced our way back to the Pride Lands, not stopping for anything along the way. We no longer had the time to spare.

{******}

Timon's words had quickly been proven true. As we raced through the barren lands of the savannah, at every turn and in every shadow, I would catch a glimpse of yellow eyes and a cruelly smiling mouth filled with teeth. They vanished whenever we strayed too close, but it hardly mattered. Our only objective then was to get to Pride Rock and to Nala.

And get there we finally did. We practically flew up the stone ramp, hearts pounding as the cliff surface came into view.

Nala and Pumbaa were both present and facing off with another apparition, the lioness dropped into a predator's crouch and teeth bared into a savage snarl while Pumbaa stood shivering but holding his ground, tail straight up in the air.

"We're here!" Sora shouted.

Nala spared a glance our way, blue eyes glowing with hope when she caught sight of us, "Where's Simba?"

Only a knowing smile was shared between us before we all stepped aside and allowed the Simba to pass, Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Mari all bowing low wile I dipped my head in solemn respect. The lion walked with a proud and confident gait, a far cry from the defeated shamble I first met, and Nala's face beamed with radiant joy when she saw the transformation for herself.

Lifting his head high, Simba declared, "I've come back, Nala."

The ghost of Scar turned and began to stalk towards Simba, yellow eyes burning evilly from within the smoky aura of his shadows. He walked until he stood practically nose to nose to the new king, staring balefully at him, waiting for Simba to run.

But he did not, and, thrusting his head forward, he snapped, "Get out!"

Taken aback, the shadow stepped away before vanishing into a pool of inky darkness, taking it's evil with it and leaving us alone.

"Way to go, Simba!" Sora cheered.

"Yeah, you showed that bully who's king around here!" Mari chipped in, tail shooting straight up into the air.

The immediate threat gone, Simba immediately went to Nala's side, gently butting heads with her as she wound her sinuous body around his, purring deeply and obviously happy to be with each other again.

"Daaw, kitty love!~" Mari mewed, pressing her paws togather against the stone and placing her chin against them as she watched the scene with happy eyes.

But unfortunately, our troubles weren't over yet.

The land darkened suddenly, and I looked up to see that the sky had become lost beneath a haze of shadowy darkness, tendrils of blackness rising from the savannah below and merging with mass before it all just as suddenly came down to the ground, where it writhed like a massive black bonfire that gave off only an icy chill.

Simba took one look at the huge conflagration before turning to us, "Are you with me?"

"Now and forever, your Majesty!" Sora said with a bow, Donald and Goofy doing likewise.

"Consider us your loyal knights," I added, dipping my head to him.

"We'll take care of this menace!" Mari yowled, spreading her claws with vigor before letting loose (or attempting to let loose) a roar, "Rwaaaar-cak!" and her attempt ended in failure as she fell in to a sputtering series of coughs that ended with her placing a paw over her chest, clearing her throat, and abashedly smiling, "Chm. Sorry. Hairball."

Despite the situation, the group found it in themselves to laugh, even Simba, who perhaps had the most weight on him in this fight. When it ended, however, Nala's smile lessened a little and she rubbed tenderly her cheek against Simba's, "Come back, Simba. Whatever happens."

The king's smile was gentle as he returned the affectionate rub, voice rumbling deep in his chest, "Of course. I have a lot of things to fix once we're finished here."

Nala's face brightened a little at the reassurance, and she continued to hold her head high as Simba began to march down Pride Rock to the savannah, where our battle was waiting. Determined to put on strong front, a lifted my chin and followed, everyone stepping in line as we made our way out onto the field.

The malignant bonfire had grown even larger, but we charged at it with no fear. Keyblade in hand (mouth, technically), I braced myself as at last the shadows exploded out and revealed what had been laying in wait beneath.

I'd seen some pretty big Heartless before, but this one took the cake, towering over us like a small mountain while every step it took shook the earth. It's main body was that of a quadruped, with a huge, dragon-like head that resembled a bare skull. The top half of it's skull was a ruddy red color with a pair of huge horns curving around it's maw, ending it lethal looking tips of black. It's mouth was nothing but a gnashing set of jagged teeth, with it's under-bite overlapping the entirety of it's mouth and leaving it eternally on display. It had two pairs of eyes as well, one situated where eyes normally were situated and another pair on the underside of it's black jaw, glaring at us hatefully. It's back was coated in a matted array of leaves and grass and even trees, like a pelt made entirely of plant-life and making it resemble a moving island. And, mounting the beast as it if were nothing more than a horse, was a giant Heartless wearing armor made of bark, it's yellow eyes glowing through the slits of it's helmets before it dived and disappeared into the creature's back. With a roar that shook the heavens, the Heartless charged, feet digging huge clefts into the earth and making it tremble with every lumbering step it took.

Here we go!

Hunkering down, I shot forward with everyone beside me, running with no fear as the creature came upon us.

Roaring, the creature stuck it's great head out and I watched in shock as it's head suddenly rotated so it's horns now curved over it's head, teeth snapping together as flames liked over it's jaws and spurted between the gaps in its teeth. I split off to the left, running under the Heartless's wildly swinging head and taking shelter under it's body, feeling the hot flames nip at my heels.

But being under the creature wasn't much safer, as every step this thing took produced a giant shockwave that would blow me back and knock me silly if it I let it hit me. Thankfully, it was easy to jump over, and I made maple use of my lion muscles to do just that.

But we couldn't so this forever. We had to find a way to get this thing to stop moving around so much!

Luckily for us, Sora had come to that same conclusion. Racing under the creature's falling foot, he jumped up and met it halfway, slamming the haft of his Keyblade into the creature's foot and using magic to push it back. Seeing an opportunity, I spun around and summoned forth an orb of ice, controlling the magic so it wrapped and weaved around that same orb, lengthening it and sharpening it until a veritable spear hovered at the tip of my Keyblade. Then, with a hiss, I let fly.

It didn't go alone, as Mari was quick on the uptake and fired off one of her special explosive arrows, both attacks slamming into the creature's heel and tipping it off balance, just as I'd hoped it would.

With a mighty crash, the creature fell, leaving it's giant head vulnerable to attack.

It was a weakness everyone exploited vigorously. Sora, Simba and I all leaped at it, hacking and slashing with blades and claws alike, chipping away at the creature's bony plate and digging viciously into it's exposed eye with every attack. Goofy's shield continuously glanced off the creature's armor, but it's eyes stood no chance, spurting out clouds of darkness with every slam to the vulnerable flesh as Donald made good use of his lightning magic to attack all of them at once. Hm, maybe I should do that . . .

With a furious growl, the creature's head snapped up off the ground and out of our reach, throwing us all back as it jumped back to it's feet. I twisted in the air and landed sure-footedly as well, ears laid back and growling as the creature retreated to a safe distance. It's head rotated again, red side up, and I watched as the Heartless riding it reemerged from hiding.

Bending it's knees so it's head was close to the ground, the creature roared again and a bout of flame erupted from it's jaws, moving it's head in a slow arc so it's fire washed over the savannah like a wave and drowned the land under a sea of yellow flame.

"Move!" Simba cried, racing over the ground still untouched by the flames. The sound of tree bark snapping and popping as the fire at away at their branches was everywhere, and

the smoke burned in my throat and made my eyes water as I ran.

A shadow suddenly appeared overhead, and four huge feet landed around us. That was the last thing I saw before I was sent skyward, the harsh landing of the giant Heartless shaking and cracking the ground and displacing us all. I spun helplessly for a few moment, seeing only a blur of black and grey before I hit the ground shoulder-first, rolling in the dirt before I came to a stop. Blinking away stars, I struggled to my feet, only to hiss with pain as my shoulder flared to an agonizing degree. I held it up, keeping my weight precariously balanced on my other three legs as I hopped forward, mind racing.

Had I sprained it? Or was it broken? Either way, this was a bad place to get a gimp leg!

I could still hear and smell the fire, drawing nearer with every second that passed, and I knew I had to keep moving. I was already calling the magic to me when I saw the monster lift up it's right leg in preparation to crush something, and I feared I wouldn't be able to cast cura in time to escape the blast. Shit!

Just then, I felt a pair of jaws clamp down on the scruff of my neck and hoist me off my legs, which I instinctively curled inward despite my mind screaming that maybe I shouldn't feel so complacent with whatever the hell was going on. But then the ground was rushing by as I was bundled off, and I just caught a glimpse of another pair of powerful, golden-furred legs right as I heard the creature's foot come crashing down.

Safely out of the way, I was gently set back on the ground and I felt the jaws release me. Limping upright, I turned to face my savior; Simba.

Panting at my close call but grateful all the same, I nodded shakily, "Thanks Simba!"

He nodded, "Anytime!" he gave me a once over, "Is your leg okay?"

"Hang on," I said, summoning Dawnstar again and casting the spell I needed. I sighed in relief as the pain faded, and I gingerly placed my weight back on my hurt leg and found with satisfaction that it was okay. Looking up at Simba, I nodded, "It's good now. Let's go!"

He nodded, and we both bolted back into the open, where Sora and the others were struggling to avoid the Heartless's heavy stomps. The air was thick with smoke, making it hard to see, but the glow of the monster's eyes pierced through the clouds like daggers. We needed to bring him down! If we could just drive him back somehow . . .

An idea came to me then, and I quickly picked out Sora in the smoke and raced to him.

Dismissing Dawnstar so I could talk freely, I shouted, "Sora, I need your help!"

Dismissing his own, he looked at me, "With what?"

"An idea!" I siad, and hurriedly explained as we both avoided another footfall, "You in?"

He nodded, "You bet!"

"Then let's go!" I shouted, summoning Dawnstar again and racing to the front of the monster.

(*) Running under the monster's rising foot, I rolled across the ground to avoid a swipe with it's heavy-set jaws and landed on my feet, right under it's head. Across the way, Sora ran into position, just barely ducking in time when it swept by us again. Gripping Dawnstar with my teeth, I took careful aim, waiting for that one perfect moment.

And it came! Rearing up, the creature roared, flames leaping from it's mouth. But it exposed the underside of it's jaw to both of us, and, releasing the magic I'd saved, I sent a bolt of lightning arcing up into the air, the volt striking the Heartless right in the eye and sending it reeling back with pain. Sora did likewise, the jagged volts merging together and racing back and forth between the creature's eyes, like a current trapped in a looping cable. With another roar, this one of pain, it jumped, landing far away from us and giving us some necessary breathing room.

It's head swiveled around again, red side up, and on it's back the strange Heartless appeared once more.

"We need to get that guy on it's back!" Simba ordered.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Donald asked, flying forward despite his singed primary feathers.

We charged, heedless of the Heartless's warning growl as it lowered it's head and opened it's jaws, ready to snap us up whole, throat glowing as fire collected at its base.

"JUMP!" Simba shouted, voice carrying over fire.

We all jumped on command just as the creature's jaws slammed closed, and I heard the snap of it's teeth crashing together just below me. Digging my claws into it's skull, I raced up the length of it's body until bone plating changed to grass and earth, where I skidded to a halt before our new enemy.

The two way mask of this Heartless continuously twitched and jerked, the eyes sockets of both ends peering at us ruefully.

Simba jumped first, claws nicking the Heartless's sides as it swerved to the left to avoid him. Goofy hurled his shield in the direction the Heartless fled, it's rim grazing against it's arm before frisbeeing back to the dog-turned-turtle.

Just then, the Heartless suddenly vanished entirely.

I looked from left to right, alarmed, when I saw the air suddenly warp above Sora's head. In an instant I knew what was coming. Pelting forward, I dove into the boy's side just as Heartless's struck, feeling it's massive hands whisk over my fur before both of us rolled to safety.

Mouth full, Sora only nodded his thanks, and I nodded in reply. But by the time the two of us got back to our feet, the Heartless had disappeared again.

I crouched, neck fur bristling as I scanned the scenery carefully. Where did he go?

Simba growled, long and low, hackles raised. Then, his ear angled back, and suddenly he jumped forward, spinning around right as vanished Heartless attacked. Roaring, Simba leaped onto him, raking his back legs into the thing's wooden armor and digging his teeth into the juncture of it's neck and shoulders. But then the Heartless's hands began to glow, and I felt every hair on my body stand up.

Then my vision was washed with white, and I felt everything in my body go numb as a bolt of white lightning slammed right into me. I blinked, and suddenly realized that I was laying on my side, having blacked out without even realizing I had, noticing everything shift and move as if I were on a ride despite the fact that I was stationary. My vision was streaked with an afterimage of pink, white dots swimming in and out of my sight as I struggled to get my jerky limbs to cooperate.

I coughed, and a wet, bitter tang appeared on my tongue. The sharp, metallic flavor helped me find a foothold in reality, however, and I shakily stumbled back to my feet, panting. All around me, I saw that the others had fared no better, moaning as they stumbled back to their feet. Of the Heartless, there was no sign.

"I-is-" Sora's question was cut off by a bout of rough, painful coughing, legs trembling as he struggled to remain standing.

Donald, looking a little on the crispy side, cast a quick curaga spell, the healing energy thankfully taking the edge off my hurting body. But we could not afford to get hit by an attack like that again.

"We need to hold him down somehow," I said, walking around warily, knowing it was here somewhere.

"But how?" Simba asked, looking around just as warily, "I was just lucky last time, and if this thing's a real hunter, it'll learn from it's mistakes."

To my surprise, it was Mari who stepped up to the plate, "I . . . I have an idea. If you guys could just get out into the open . . . I-I could use something I've been wanting to try!"

But before anyone could say yes or no, the air wavered again, and I hissed, "It's here! Mari, do what you gotta do!"

Dawnstar back in my mouth, I braced myself as the thing lashed out from the shadows, this time aiming for Goofy. The dog-turtle yelped as he was knocked onto his back, legs flailing as he tried to reassert himself.

I jumped as the Heartless swung it's hand back in preparation for another blow, slamming Dawnstar's into it's side and knocking it back. Sora was leaping after it too, slashing, but I noticed his moves were slower than usual. The lightning must have done more of a number on him than I thought.

But already, the Heartless was starting to disappear, and I hissed in frustration.

"Guys, get outta the way!"

Mari's yell was our only warning, and I jumped back right as an arrow flew passed me and right where the Heartless was disappearing. Sora ducked back, and just in the nick of time; the arrow itself only grazed the Heartless right as it vanished, when suddenly it exploded into several smaller versions of itself like I'd seen it do before. Only, they were acting . . . differently. Instead of homing in on Heartless, like I though they would, they instead circled around it, leaving thin strings of light in their wake as they flew. Once they completed a full revolution in only the span of a second, every arrow shot down and embedded themselves into the ground, the strings tightening around an invisible specter that could no longer escape.

"Yes! Mari cried with delight, "It worked!"

"Good job!" Simba congratulated, "Now let's finish this thing!"

He didn't have to say anything more, as everyone unleashed all they had left onto the prone monster. Keyblades, arrow, shield, magic, tooth and claw, they rended the Heartless to ribbons, it's two pronged mask cracking to peices as the mounting attacks became to much for it to handle.

Below, the beast gave one final roar before I felt the whole thing begin to tip sideways, but even in my weakened state, I was able to roll to safety as the monster came crashing down. All around, the fires began to die alongside their creator, the flames belching out into little more than clouds of smoke as the Heartless dissolved into a black mist that mingled with the ash.

And from the darkness rose a single, pure heart that glimmered like a diamond amidst a sea of soot and ruin, vanishing into the clouds above and leaving only a glitter behind.

{******}

Later, once it had become clear that the ghosts were gone and the darkness had left, the pride returned along with Rafiki, and we all now stood watching Simba and Nala as they stared out over the land that had once been lush and beautiful. Hopefully, now that the darkness was gone, it would soon be again.

"Simba seems fine now," Sora commented, sitting with his tail curled over his paws.

"Ha!" Rafiki laughed, "The king has returned! The Pride Lands will not forget King Simba's courage," he gave us all a sideways glance, smiling, "Or the courage of those who fought beside him!"

"Well, the king was already there," I mused quietly from where I lay, paws tucked under my chest, "He just needed a little coaxing out."

"Ah, but don't we all need a little coaxing once in a while?" Rafiki asked cryptically, smiling.

I raised an eyebrow at him, but before I could ask him what he meant, Simba turned and made his way to us, looking strong and sure despite the injuries he'd sustained in the fight. Gazing down at Sora, he asked, "Do you think your quest will ever be over?"

"I don't know . . ." Sora replied honestly, shrugging his shoulders, "But I think, as long as the Keyblade stays with me . . . I'll have to keep fighting."

"Aah . . . the struggle never ends," Rafiki said, "That is the great Circle of Life."

"Never ever?" Sora asked, disbelieving and perhaps even a little disappointed.

Rafiki placed a finger to his chin, studying Sora carefully, "The secret to victory . . ." he pointed to the sky, "Is a strong heart."

Everyone tuned their eyes up, up into the graying sky. Hm, a strong heart . . .

Rafiki began to laugh, rapping his staff against the stone as he shouted, "Go on, go on, go! Go then! Go on, get out! Yes, yes! It is time! Your fight continues!"

Our group shared a knowing glance, taking that as a hint to skedaddle off-world. Before turning to leave, however, Sora looked back to the king, rising to his paws, "Until we meet again, Your Majesty."

"I hope that's soon," Simba said solemnly, looking saddened that we had to leave so soon.

But Sora wasn't one to leave something on a sad note, "It will be! So long!"

"Bye everyone!" Mari said, sniffling.

The feeling of separating was mutual, and I said my goodbyes quickly. When I got to Simba, I dipped my head, "Goodbye, Your Majesty."

Simba blinked, an amused smile making it's way to his face, "I didn't think I'd ever hear that from you."

The teasing was light-hearted, and I gave him a smirk, "You wouldn't have in the beginning. But, I think you've more than earned it now. Just don't get scared of your own shadow while we're gone."

"Hmph, noted," Simba said.

"Hikari, are you giving Simba a hard time again?" Mari asked, bracing her paws against my shoulders.

"Shockingly enough, no," I replied.

She narrowed her eyes at me, lip pursed, "Mhm. Sure."

"Are you guys ready to go?" Sora asked.

I nodded, "I am. Mari?"

"Yep! Although, I feel like I'm forgetting something . . ." her eyes suddenly lit up, and she shouted, "AH! We never figured out who alpha lion was!"

I rolled my eyes, "Really?"

"Oh come on, it's so important!" Mari pleaded.

"Alpha lion?" Simba asked, giving us an amused stare.

Sora's ears twitched nervously, "Uh, it was . . . something that came up a while back."

"Ugh, not that again," I heard Donald grumble.

"Wait, wait, wait, alpha lion?" Timon asked, "Isn't Simba that already. What with bein' the king and everything?"

"For this pride, yeah!" Mari protested, not letting it drop, "I'm talking about us! Our pride! For here!"

"Then wouldn't Sora be-?"

Mari cut Timon off, "For here!"

Simba chuckled, shaking his head, "You guys . . ."

"Ooh, ooh, ooh, I know! Simba can decide!" Mari suddenly said.

"Weren't we supposed to be going?" I asked, only to be summarily ignored.

"Me?" Simba questioned.

"Yeah, yeah! You're a king, so you'd know what to look for in another king, or queen, or whatever! Who's the best for the job between us?" she asked, smiling giddily.

I sighed.

Simba raised an eyebrow, giving an amused Nala a quick glance before speaking, "Well, anointing lions isn't exactly something that's done in the Pride Lands, but if you really want my opinion . . ." Then, he suddenly took on a more serious tone, "You don't really need an alpha lion.

This took us all off guard, and we traded glances with each other before turning back to the king. Seeing or confusion, he continued, "Being part of a pride isn't about who rules and who follows. It's about being part of something bigger, about having others who look out for you and care. That's what's important."

I nodded, and eventually Mari did too, listening attentively to what he had to say. Huh, how strange. King for only a few minutes, and already saying wise things. But, despite myself, I liked what he had to say. We didn't need an alpha lion. All we needed was each other.

Standing upright, Simba shook out his mane and said, "Now, I think it's time you all got on your way. You have a journey to complete!"

Then, with a warmer look, he finished, "Take care of yourselves, all of you."

I nodded, my voice echoing in tune with Sora's and Mari's, "We will."

And then we were on our way once more. But, before departing completely, I did give one last glance to the pair who stood at the edge of Pride Rock, one in particular.

The Simba I saw then was a far cry from the lion I'd first met. Standing in the frail rays of the light, his red mane seemed to burn like fire, standing tall and standing proud, ready at last to rule the kingdom his father had left behind. No more would he be plagued by ghosts of the past. This Simba would look toward the future, and the future only. Smiling slightly, I gave him one last nod and lifted my tail in farewell before following the rest down the cliff-face, feeling ready for the journey ahead.

But we weren't sent on our way quietly. Standing to his full height, Simba suddenly let loose a mighty roar, one that was joined by the other lionesses in a crescendo that rolled across the Pride Lands, sending us off with a heroes salute. But perhaps it was more than just that. Perhaps, too, it was a call to welcome their new king home, a king who fought for them and would never run away. A king they had all been waiting for and finally received.

And so it came to be that we left the Pride Lands, but I wasn't worried. I was certain now that we left it in good hands.

The hands of true king.

And complete. We are done with the disney worlds.

Well, almost. :)

(*) Limit Command: Wild Current

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