Chapter 1: Guardian of the Pridelands

Narrator's POV:

After the short journey, they finally have arrived at the pride rock. They went up to the top when they were greeted by the Presence of Emperor Kenshin and King Mohatu.

Mohatu: "Mr. Syberium! Glad for you to join us. I see you finally met one of our members of the pride. Uru hasn't been bothering you, has she?"

Dex: "Well...can't say she did. She was actually fun to chat with."

Uru smiled at his words and Dex nodded back. Unknowingly to them, Ahadi was hiding in the den, baring his teeth out of anger and growled. What he saw with Uru and Dex made him hate the Tenno instantly. He felt like the Tenno is taking his chance on Uru away from him. His growling was ceased by the voice of Kenshin.

Kenshin: "Since Dex is here, I and Mohatu would like to speak with him alone."

They dismissed everyone and went inside the Den. Once they were alone, they finally spoke to Dex.

Dex: " So why do you need to speak with me?"

Mohatu: " I have been dealing issues lately. Something that burdens the pridelanders the most. The hyenas have been terrorizing the pridelands for years now and their numbers continue to grow and because of that, its breaking the circle of life."

Dex: "And why does this have to involve me?"

Kenshin: "My dear friend, that's because he needs your help. They are in need of a Guardian who will protect them. He asked me a few days ago about sending one of you here in the pridelands and I gladly accept."

Dex: "Wait! Hold on! You want me to stay here?! In the pridelands?!"

Kenshin: "Yes. You will stay here until you are needed for a mission or solve this hyena issue in the pridelands. Is that understood?"

Dex was about to protest but he didn't. He knew that it will be disrespectful if he disobeys his superiors. So Dex finally made a decision.

Dex: " Yes, your highness. I understand."

Kenshin: "Very good. You will serve both nations with great pride."

Dex: "Um...about my stuff..."

Kenshin: "Don't worry about it. We'll send all your stuff through your holopad. You don't need transport to get them."

Dex: "Oh thank you for that."

Mohatu: "Now everything is in agreement, I will have a pride meeting with the others. In the meantime, Uru will accompany you until I come back."

Mohatu and the two Orokins left the den to meet with the rest of the pridelanders. Ahadi was still in his hiding spot and he heard their discussion. Ahadi was not pleased with the idea of letting that Tenno Scum stays in the pridelands. He believes that his father was weak to deal with the issue for himself and needed help from some outsiders. It's dishonoring their pride and it disgusts Ahadi so much.

Dex: "You know you can come out now."

Ahadi was appalled by Dex's voice. He knew that he was listening to their conversation for all this time. He got out from his hiding spot and glared at the Excalibur frame in front of him.

Dex: "You heard all of that, right?"

Ahadi: "Yes. All of it."

Dex: "And I am guessing you don't like it."

Ahadi: "Absolutely. Not even one bit. You think that's because you're a tenno, it doesn't mean you are more powerful than any of us. How can one defend against a horde of hyenas?"

Dex: "I believe you're underestimating me, my prince. You can't judge what has not happened yet."

Ahadi: "And you think you're capable of protecting us? Oh please, we are pridelanders. This our land and we were supposed to protect it. Not letting some outsiders do the job for us."

Dex: "Your highness, I believe you've misunderstood the situation. I am only doing this because-"

Ahadi: "Don't lecture me, Tenno scum! I am the prince and I will not be shown with such disrespect!"

Dex: "Excuse me but I wasn't even-"

Ahadi: "Also keep your distance from Uru. Take note that she is mine to claim. MINE!"

Ahadi stormed off from the den with fierce anger, leaving Dex all alone in the den. Dex was surprised that Ahadi was the total opposite of his father. He wondered why he loath his father so much. Well, it's better if he will have to find it out for himself if he wants answers. Dex shrugs off the thought about Ahadi and went off outside to rejoin the others.

*Present*

Lana: "Whoa, I didn't know dad hated Dex so much."

Uru: "Indeed, he was jealous because my interest was on Dex, not on him."

Lana: "So what happened after the pride meeting?"

Uru: "Well..."

*Pridelands (Past)*

After the pride meeting, all the pridelanders agreed on letting Dex stay with them. As for a result, they decided to held a feast at night and everyone gathered around in a campfire for their new guest and protector of the pridelands. Uru was sitting all alone, eating her meal while Asmani was having a little date with another lion. Uru felt left out but having a mate was not on her mind at the moment. She looked around the feast and noticed Ahadi's gaze was on her and barely even touch her food. Uru felt uncomfortable at Ahadi's stare on. She was aware that he was interested in her and will do anything to get her love. Uru just looked away from him, hoping that he would stop staring at her.

In the other direction, Uru saw Dex (In his Excalibur Frame) leaning in the corner of rock with his arms crossed, feeling out of place in the feast. None of the pride members approach him or talk to him. The only one who is trying to converse with him was King Mohatu, who offered him a meal but Dex told him that he was not hungry. It didn't take a minute until Dex decides to leave. He was walking away from the feast, trying to find a peaceful spot for himself. He stopped when he felt someone was following. He turns around to see Uru was sprinting towards him.

Uru: "Where are you going?"

Dex: "Nowhere. I'm just not used to this...event of yours. Aren't you suppose to be back there with Asmani?"

Uru: "Asmani is having her time with a certain male and probably have a 'busy' evening with him. That makes me lonely, in the feast."

Dex: "Fair point."

Uru: "Do you...wanna walk around...for the night?"

Dex: "hmm...I guess it's better than being alone back there."

Dex and Uru decided to stroll around the Pridelands for the night. It's not usually that Pridelanders are allowed to roam around due to the dangers lurking within it. But Uru felt safe when she was with Dex. Both continue to walk around and chat with each other.

Uru: "So...what is it like to live in your place."

Dex: "The environment is always busy and serious. There were no breaks at all. Endless training with my mates. Always on a mission, trying to prevent the sentient invaders from taking over this planet."

Uru: "Damn...is it always that tough?"

Dex: *Chuckles*"Yeah but I got used to it."

Uru: "So what do you think of King Mohatu and his pride lands so far?"

Dex: " I think this place is amazing. The environment is much more than I expected. I like it here. Mohatu is a good person, I'll give him that. Although it will take time for me to adjust."

Uru: "I'm glad you like it here. Mohatu was a very well-respected person. The whole pride loved him. All except for his son, Ahadi."

Dex: " Hold on! The prince doesn't love his father? Why?"

Uru: "Well...ever since Ahadi was a cub, he was much closer to his Uncle, which is the older brother of Mohatu. His brother was the total opposite of him. He was very prideful to his kin and has mistrust on Orokins."

Dex: "I see now. Thank you for telling me this."

Uru: "No worries...I think we should head back. They might be looking for us."

Dex: "Yeah we should."

*Timeskip*

Dex and Uru arrived in the Pridelands. Both of them enjoyed their conversation. When they walked to the den, they were greeted by Mohatu himself.

Mohatu: "There you are! We thought you left us!"

Dex: "Oh...uh...I was just strolling around at night. We, tennos, do not usually hold some events like this."

Mohatu: "I understand. Why is Uru with you?"

Dex: "She wanted to join me. She said it would be unfair for me to go without company."

Uru and Dex looked at each other with nods and smiles. Mohatu just chuckled at both of them. Behind him was Ahadi, silently growling at the sight of Uru and Dex together.

Mohatu: "Alright, I think we should all call it for the day. I'll show you where you will be sleeping, Mr. Syberium."

Dex: "Dex would do, your highness."

Mohatu: "If you insist. Follow me."

Mohatu and Dex went down the priderock and led him to a cave. It was a big cave, with open space. Almost all of Dex's equipment can fit in this place.

Mohatu: "This is where you will be sleeping or resting for now on. Make yourself comfortable."

Dex: "Thank you, your highness."

Dex went inside and settled in for the night. He put his weapons down and transferred out in his warframe. He laid down in the ground, making himself fall to a night of deep sleep. Tomorrow will be his first day to do his duty as The Guardian of the Pridelands.

End of Chapter 1