"You're not real. It's not real. It's all gonna be okay. It'll all be okay..." Kion closed his eyes as Jua's laughs echoed throughout the area.
"It's all gonna be okay." Kion tried his best to stop himself from trembling. "I'm gonna be fine."
"No you won't," Jua cackled. "Let me show you something..."
Kion was then on Pride Rock. He heard screams of agony. Voices rang in his head. "YOU DID THIS!"
He saw his family in agony on the bottom of Pride Rock. He quickly ran down to them, not caring that the sharper rocks were scraping his paws. He silently prayed to the Bright Stars that they were still alive.
When he got closer, he saw they were lying in pools of their own blood. His father growled at him. "You're just like Scar," he snarled when he got there. "You never should have been born. I wish she'd left you to die."
"Wh-what?"
Nala was sobbing and looked at him with tears in her eyes. She didn't speak a word.
"You're such a monster," Kiara growled. "Good we're not even related. I'd be ashamed to call you my brother."
"Wh-what?! Sis, what do you mean?!"
"Don't call me 'sis'," Kiara growled. "You're nothing to me." She growled again and reached out her paw with the little strength she had. Swifter than Kion could react, she quickly unsheathed her claws and swiped him across the cheek. He winced in pain but did nothing. Blood trickled down his face onto the barren ground, along with tears.
"Tears of blood..." A voice echoed, "will be shed..."
Suddenly, he heard voices. Voices he knew, screaming in agony and pain. He gasped in harbor as he saw his friends nearby, wailing in pain.
When he rushed over to them, Fuli growled. "Stay away from us! You caused us, you caused me the most heartbreak and pain ever imaginable! Stay away, I don't want to see you ever again." She glared at him and bared her teeth. "I wish your mother left you to die in all that grief of hers. Or better, I wish you weren't born."
He could hear the cackling of Jua in the background, but he paid no mind.
"F-Fuli?" Kion stuttered, hurt and confused. "Wh-what do you mean?"
Fuli paid no mind to his question. "YOU PROMISED YOU'D FIX MY LEG AND YOU DIDN'T!" Fuli roared. "IT WAS YOUR FAULT I WAS HURT IN THE FIRST PLACE! AND WHAT DO YOU DO?! NOTHING!"
Kion flinched. "Fuli I-"
"Enough with your dumb excuses, you cobra-hearted tailhole." The voice of Anga called his attention. She reached out and scratched him on the cheek with her sharp talons. "Now go the frick away."
"Yeah get the Dark Shadows away from us, you tailhole," Bunga said sharply, glaring at him with nothing but disgust and hate in his eyes.
"I wish you were stillborn and died before you could live. It's common thought, really," Ono sneered.
"You're scar is nothing but bad luck," Makini added.
"STOP!" Boomed a voice.
Kion stared at the one who spoke in astonishment. "Q-Queen Janna?..."
"Yes, young one." Janna nodded. She raised her head and glared at Jua who stopped cackling. "Get away from him. You've overstayed your welcome."
"Oh have I, now..." Jua sneered.
"You're making this young one suffer after he has done nothing to you." A fierce growl rumbled in Janna's throat. "You're ruining his life. Or maybe you forgot what life meant all those years ago..."
"When?" Jua asked innocently with her usual menacing smirk.
"When you forced a loving relationship apart. You caused an innocent cub to never see his mother."
"Ah, yes. That was fun..."
"What are you talking about?" Kion interrupted.
"SHUT UP," Jua snarled, baring her teeth.
"You see Kion, you couldn't escape destiny," a famliar voice suddenly echoed, a horrifyingly familiar voice. He turned around to see an all too familiar face slithering up to him.
Ushari the cobra.
"U-Ushari?!" Kion stuttered, backing away slowly.
"Yes, weakling. It is me. Ready for another... bite?" The cobra quickly lunged forward, jaws open for another bite. Kion could barely react, only recoil as the deathly cobra fangs were about to meet his flesh.
Pain. Nothing but pain followed afterward.
"Kion!" He could hear Janna's cry of horror. He then heard her shout; "You did this, Jua. Karma will hit you soon, though to believe me you'll have to experience it."
X
"AHHH!" He swerved around, confused. Where's Ushari?! Where's Jua?! Aren't they gonna hurt me again?! Help! Someone, anyone, help! Please... please. He shook wildly. Help... please... wait... was it a dream? I'm awake now... or am I? What's going on?!
Kion looked to his side and saw that he disturbed Fuli, as she was awakening. She blinked to clear the sleep from her eyes and yawned. "Kion?" She said softly, her voice full of concern. "Did it happen again?" Kion nodded as tears fell from his cheeks. Fuli sighed and reached out a paw to wipe them from his eyes. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Kion hesitated. She already knows about Jua, but... what could happen if I do? Will Jua... will she... will she... I... I... His breathed intensed and his trembled. No.. no.. this can't... this can't... no.. please no... help.. help... help... someone help... anyone... trapped... maze of thoughts... help.. help... His heart rate quickened. Death... loss... sorrow... pain... it hurts... my cuts hurt... why'd I try to kill... no... I can't... not any longer...I can't live... should've been stillborn... I... I... I... I... no.. no... no... she's coming for us... shes coming for us... no... no... I'm gonna die... I'M GONNA DIE... I CAN'T DIE WE CAN'T DIE... WHAT'S HAPPENING?! WE'RE GONNA DIE NOOOOOO! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! He dug his claws into the ground as his breathing and heart rate increased wildly. His thoughts were confused and he couldn't even fully comprehend the different words and thoughts flashing in his mind.
"Kion." Her voice was soft and calm, not stern or panicked. "It will help if you talk about it. Trust me." She put her paw on his and smiled reassuringly. "Nothing bad will happen if you do." When Kion hesitated, she added; "It'll help you feel better, I promise you."
Kion looked at her, blinking to clear the tears from his eyes. A few moments of silence passed before he shakily nodded, nervousness squirming in his gut.
"Jua..." He leaned into her embrace and trembled, his back legs thrashing. "Jua... I did something... to the Pride Lands... death... loss... hate... my family... my family hated me... I did something, took over the..." Kion shuddered. "I wasn't a part of my family. Everyone told me I wasn't part of it. And you told me something... that you wish my mother left me to die in her grief. I don't know what that meant but.. it felt so real... Then Janna appeared and she fought Jua... it might've been a dream but it felt so real."
Fuli gasped and quickly recomposed herself. "Janna was there? I wonder..." She spoke aloud, then turned to Kion.
"Wonder what?" He asked.
"Just a thought," Fuli reassured him. "I'll talk to you about it later if that's okay with you."
Kion was confused. Huh, what? "Uh, okay."
"Anyway, I'm glad you could get that off your chest." Fuli rasped her tongue over Kion's forehead repeatedly, soothing him. She let him rest in her embrace for a little while longer before she finally notice a small noise. It was Kion looking up at her, sniffling.
"Thank you... so so much... for everything." He tried to blink back more tears and he swallowed a lump in his throat. His scar stung just a little bit as he tried to choke back tears. He tried to blink away the minor sting and he lightly raised a paw to it as he sniffled.
"It's what friends do." Fuli gave him a gentle smile and gently licked the scar over his eye, knowing how it made him feel a little better. After a little while, she tried to stand up. Kion quickly got to his paws and supported her. She smiled at him, which despite the situation, caused him to smile back. "But I'm glad you told me about what happened. Do you feel any better?"
When Kion thought about it, he felt as if a weight had lifted from him. "Yeah, I guess I do." He looked at her, a warm aura around him. "Now let's start getting your leg healed."
Fuli looked doubtful for a moment, then replaced it with a grateful and sincere smile, now confident. "Yeah, let's go."
They began to walk out of the Tree, but the rest of the Guard -including Makini- began to stir. As for Nirmala, she was taking a well deserved rest.
"Hey guys." Bunga let out and yawn and stretched his arms. "Where ya going?"
"We're gonna try getting Fuli's leg back to normal," Kion replied.
"Well you can count us in," Beshte told them before anyone else could speak. "Fuli's done so much for us, the least we could do is help her run again."
"Asante," Fuli said gratefully. "Thank you."
The Lion Guard walked with them out of the Tree of Life, Kion helping Fuli walk.
"Hurts," Fuli grimaced in pain.
Kion looked up at Beshte. "Beshte, can you give her a ride?"
"'Course, Fuli."
Kion helped Fuli onto Besthe and they continued walking, Fuli's leg not seeming to hurt as much.
The golden rays of the sun shone upon them and the kingdom of the Tree of Life, giving it light. Warmth spread throughout Kion's pelt and he let out a relaxed sigh. Soon, they got to a pool of water on a hill.
"Uh, Kion, are you sure about this?" Fuli asked nervously once Beshte put her down. She glanced at the water. Uncertainty flashed in her emerald eyes.
"Never been surer," he replied reassuringly.
"Okay..." With Kion's help, Fuli waded into the shallow point of the water. He held onto her as she walked. The water was up to her neck now.
"We won't go any deeper, I promise," Kion reassured her. He noticed she was starting to panic from having so much water around her.
"What if I slip?" Fuli asked fearfully.
Kion smiled and recalled those were the same words he said to her, all those moons ago. "You won't slip. If you do, I'll catch you." He gave her a reassuring look. "Now set your injured paw down." Fuli looked at him, fear in her green gaze. He gave her a reassuring nod. "It's all gonna be okay," he murmured.
"O-okay, if you say so," Fuli said uncertainly and carefully set her paw down on the shallow floor of the lake.
"Does it hurt?" Kion asked gently.
Fuli paused for a moment to think. "Not as much," she finally answered.
"Great! Now can you try and walk for us?"
"I-I think so," Fuli said nervously and began to slowly move her paws.
"There ya go. Good job." Fuli looked up at Kion gratefully for his encouragement.
Nervousness surrounded Fuli once more along with the water that soaked her fur. "A-are you sure I can do this?"
"I've never been surer. You can do anything, Fuli! Like the time you saved us from that rock in Askari's maze! Nobody else could've done that! And the time you saved Bunga from Janja's clan all on your own! And the time you saved me from that buffalo..." Kion looked dreamy as he continued on.
"...and the time when you-"
"Kion!" Fuli chuckled, cutting him off. Kion's cheeks grew hot as he realized Fuli was staring at him with an amused look and giggling.
"Oh, um, sorry." Kion flickered his ears in a nervous manner while his cheeks grew warmer. Fuli giggled even more, and Kion gasped when he looked down.
Fuli was walking in the water towards him!
"Fuli! You're doing it!" Kion exclaimed, prancing in the water around her excitedly. Fuli gasped and looked down at her paws to confirm it. She was!
"Uh, Kion, you can stop prancing now," Fuli grumbled after a few more moments.
Kion looked up and saw that he had accidentally soaked Fuli with the splashing. "Oh, sorry."
Fuli stopped walking and giggled, leaning onto him for support. He helped her out of the water and she sat beside him on the uneven ground, her hurt leg splayed out. "It's okay." She smirked as she added; "You should be more careful where you splash, Ki-Ki."
Kion chuckled with a mixture of annoyance and amusement. "Don't call me Ki-Ki," he told her playfully.
"As you wish, Kiongozi." Fuli stifled a laugh.
"Seriously?" Kion groaned.
"That's my line!"
"Well I just stole it." Kion gave a playful smirk.
"Oh no you don't!" Fuli lightly shoved him playfully. However, this caused him to take a step back and slip on a loose rock, sending them tumbling down the hill.
"Wooaaaahhhhhh!" They both exclaimed as they went rolling, Fuli's hurt leg jostling as she grunted in pain.
Suddenly, Kion angled himself the best he could to break their fall and she landed softly on top of him without her leg hurting much. Her face landed on top of his and their lips touched. Their eyes widened when they saw this. Due to the angle Fuli's leg was in, she couldn't get off of him without it hurting badly. Kion noticed this and his eyes widened more with a mixture of shock and embarrassment.
When Fuli finally found the strength to pull herself off him, they stared at each other, stumbling to get words out.
"I-...I... I'm really sorry," Fuli stumbled out. Her cheeks looked like they were burning with embarrassment.
"No, no it's fine." Kion's tail twitched nervously and his ears flicked shyly as he tried his best not to duck his head away.
"So, erm... should we go hom- I mean back to the Tree now?"
Kion nodded and his ears twitched when he heard the rest of the Lion Guard running towards them. He hadn't noticed they were gone until now.
"Where have you guys been?" He asked once they got there.
"Bunga went chasing after some Utamu grubs he saw," Anga replied with annoyance in her voice.
"And it wasn't even Utamu," Ono added. "It was a species that mimics it."
"Still!" Bunga protested. "It was fun chasing grubs!"
"Fun for you," Anga pointed out.
"Anyway," Beshte interrupted. "Let's go back to the Tree, shall we?"
"Yeah!" Bunga said, throwing his fists in the air.
As they walked back, Kion helping Fuli walk, he began thinking. He hadn't missed her little slip up earlier about going home.
"So Fuli, are you feeling okay?" He asked, leaning close to her and speaking quietly as to not call attention from the other Guard members.
"Aside from my leg, yeah. I feel great."
"Are you sure? You know you can talk to me if you're ever feeling down."
Fuli looked at him. "I miss home." The smile and happiness faded from her beautiful face the moment she said that. "I miss all our other friends, the memories we made, everything..." She sighed and her head dropped. She sniffled once or twice, resting her head on Kion's shoulder as they walked.
"I miss it too," Kion sighed. He refrained from shedding a few tears as well - he knew Fuli needed support. "But the best we can do is make best of here. We've got Beshte, Ono, Anga, Makini, Bun-"
Fuli cut him off. "You mean Mr. Annoying?" She let out a chuckle, lightening the mood as both of them blinked the tears from their eyes.
"Hey, he's a valued member of the team," Kion protested lightly.
"Heh I know. I'm only kidding. Well, maybe."
They continued walking. A purr rumbled in Fuli's throat as she and Kion brushed against each other.
X
"Hey guys," Bunga whispered, looking at the two felines ahead of them and pointing. "Look!"
The others looked where he was pointing. "Aww," Beshte quietly cooed, a heartwarming smile on his face.
"That's so cute!" Makini squealed.
Bunga put a finger to his mouth to signal her to be quieter. "Shh! We don't wanna disturb them!"
"Sweet," Anga commented.
"Aww," Ono cooed.
"Hey guys, remember what I was talking about yesterday?" Bunga asked, looking at all of them while they walked.
"What do you mean?" Beshte asked, confusion audible in his voice.
"You know, me teasing Kion about liking Fuli?"
"But that would go against so many laws of the Circle of Life," Ono protested worriedly.
"And that matters because...?" Bunga asked, confused.
"I agree with Bunga," Beshte chimed in. "What matters is that they'd love each other."
"Still..." Worry edged Ono's voice. "I'm worried about them. They're breaking the Circle of Life. What would happen if they ever tried to have cubs?"
"That'd be a long while away," Makini chimed in. "No need to worry about that now or worry them about that now. Besides, they're going through a lot right now."
"But still, couldn't we do something to try to... I dunno, set them up with each other?" Bunga asked pleadingly.
"They're going through a lot right now," Makini repeated. "I'm not sure if that's a good idea."
"Aw fine," Bunga sighed and let his hands and head droop. He then quickly perked back up. "But I'll bet you a thousand bugs that they'll get together!"
Everyone rolled their eyes.
X
Fuli -with Kion's help- began to walk into the Tree of Life, the rest Guard following. They settled down into their sleeping spots quickly, the rest of the Guard whispering among themselves.
Kion gave a wary glance around, then shifted closer to Fuli. He looked alarmed and scared, which pressured Fuli to ask him a question.
"Kion," the cheetah asked. "Mind telling me why you're so afraid to sleep that you wanna sleep near someone all the time, mostly me?"
"The nightmares," Kion responded, shocking Fuli that he didn't protest or say he couldn't tell her. "They scare me. A lot. And often times I think that at night something's coming... coming for me." The look in his eyes was one of fear and Fuli put her paw on his shoulder to comfort him. "The reason I always want to sleep near you is because I feel safe with you nearby."
"You do?"
"Yeah. I always feel calm, safe, and secure around you. It makes me feel safe knowing that when I'm asleep you'll still be nearby."
He feels safe around me? Fuli silently asked herself, baffled. "Oh, I don't know what to say."
"No, no it's fine." Kion walked away from her and chose another sleeping spot. Fuli tried to say something else, but no words came out.
An hour or two passed. Fuli already missed the feeling of someone's fur beside her own. "Kion," she called out, making sure she was quiet so she didn't disturb him if he was asleep.
Kion perked up. Looks like he's still awake too. "What?"
"Would you like to come back over here? I kinda miss the feeling of someone beside me."
Kion didn't need to be told twice. He bounded -softly so he wouldn't wake up the Guard- over to Fuli and snuggled up beside her. A rush of warmth spread through Fuli as she felt someone resting beside her once more. It provided her with a sense of security and she knew Kion felt the same.
"Goodnight, Kion."
"'Night, Fuli."
And there the two slept in each others embrace, each one providing the other with a sense of security and comfort for the night ahead.
X
Kion whimpered as Fuli cradled his head in my front paws. "Am I... am I really dying?" He asked her in between labored breaths. "Is this really happening?"
She wanted to tell him no. That everything's alright and that he'd feel better soon. But she couldn't. She couldn't bring herself to lie to him.
"Yes... you are."
Kion seemed to freeze. He looked up at her, eyes wide. "No!-" He burst into a coughing fit. "You can't be serious. Please tell me that this is all some bad dream!"
"I'm sorry... but it's true." Fuli always hoped that she'd never have to say those words. But she did. They were too late. They didn't make it in time. Maybe if they got there soon... Kion might be okay.
No. It was false hope. Kion would be gone by the next day.
His scar bled onto the ground, creating puddles of red liquid. Tears rolled down both of their cheeks.
"I don't wanna go! I don't wanna go!" Kion wailed. "Can't you save me... somehow? Please?"
Fuli's heart broke at those words. "No... I can't. I'm sorry." She ran her forepaw through his mane, hoping to soothe him somehow.
"NO!" Kion wailed once more. "Save me! Please!"
"I'm sorry... but I don't think he'll make the night," Makini whispered in her ear. She just stated the obvious, the thing that no one had dared to speak until now. Makini started to dig through the herbs she collected during the past day, hoping they could help Kion. The rest of the Lion Guard were crouched around him too. Tears rolled down their cheeks. Kion would be gone by dawn... and he'd never come back.
"Shh... it's okay Kion. Everything's okay..."
"What's gonna happen to me?! Where am I gonna go?!"
"The Lions of the Past will guide you..."
Kion sobbed into Fuli's fur. "Why did this have to happen to me...?"
"It didn't have to," she replied, tears streaming down her face. "This wasn't supposed to be your fate. This WASN'T supposed to happen at all."
He was supposed to live in the Pride Lands when it was finally at peace. He was supposed to play Baobab Ball with Bunga in his free time. He was supposed to race her and Ono everyday. He was supposed to have a sibling rivalry with Kiara and compete with her over who's better...
He was supposed to live a happy life with his family.
But no, he didn't. He was destined to suffer.
"F-Fuli...? A-are you ssstilll... hereee?" Kion's words began to slur and his eyes began to close.
"Yes Kion," Fuli reassured him. "I'm here."
"Can you stay with me? Until.. I'm..." She knew what he was going to say. Dead.
"Yes. I'll stay right here... don't worry. I'm not going anywhere. The rest of the Guard and Makini are all here too." As if on cue, they all laid down next to him, sobbing.
The scar on Kion's eye decided to bleed even more, painting the ground below it a darker shade of red. It stained some of her fur, but she didn't care.
"M-my scar... it's h-hurting me," Kion whined. "A lot..."
"Shh... it'll all go away soon," she cooed.
"I miss my mom and my dad and my sister," he whimpered. "And I'll never get to see them again!"
"I know... but you'll see them again someday. In the stars..." Fuli nuzzled Kion as he sobbed.
"Fuli...? Why... why did Ushari have to bite me? Why did I have to get this scar? Why... why do I have to die...? Why?! WHY?!" Kion half shouted, half sobbed. "It's the Circle of Life..." She told him shakily. "I'm so sorry."
"Then I hate the Circle of Life! IT'S NOT FAIR!"
"It isn't fair, I know." Fuli tried to calm Kion down with soothing licks to his forehead.
Kion's breathing started to slow, as did his heartbeat. He reached out a paw towards her. She knew what he meant by that and pulled him into a hug. "Please don't let go... please don't let me go."
Kion's vision started to fade. He was terrified now. He held on tighter to Fuli. "Please don't let go... please don't let me go," he begged.
"I won't..." More tears slid down Fuli's cheeks.
"F-Fuli..." Kion trailed off. "I-... I just want to say sorry... for everything... losing control of my Roar.. and all the things I said to you guys..."
"Kion.. you have nothing to be sorry for. We all know it was your scar... not you."
A long silence followed. "Fuli... I... it hurts to breath," he told her in between labored breaths. "My head hurts... my chest hurts... everything hurts.."
"I know..."
"Make it stop... please..."
"I can't make your pain stop... but I'm here for you. And I'll always be here... don't worry." Fuli started to brush her tongue across his scar, cleaning it while hoping to provide relief.
Kion whimpered in pain despite her efforts to calm him. "Shh," she soothed once more. "Go to sleep..." Tears poured down her face. "All pain will be gone when you wake up."
"Fuli... Fuli... I don't think I can..." He coughed, holding onto her tight. They both knew that this was the final moment between them.
"Hold onto me Kion." Tears of pain streamed down Fuli's cheeks. "And don't let go."
X
Fuli's head shot up with cold sweat. she breathed heavily. Kion... no.. come back... please... come back...
"Fuli? What's wrong?" a voice asked. She turned to face Kion who was still lying beside her, looking at her with concern.
"N-nothing. It's nothing," she quickly tried to reassure him. She then caught onto another detail. "Why are you awake?"
"That doesn't matter," Kion told her gently, lifting up her teary eyed face with his paw. His gaze held a gentleness and kindness that she hadn't seen in a long time. She couldn't remember a time when she saw him like this before he went through that... ordeal. "I'm asking what's the matter with you."
"N-no I'm fine." But she knew Kion could see she was't fine.
"Tell me what's wrong," he pleaded, his face full of worry.
She sniffled. She couldn't get words out. She couldn't describe to him what she had seen, the heartbreak what she had seen caused her to feel. Although she sniffled and cried and struggled to speak, she could get one word out; "Nightmare."
Kion's eyes widened for a second. His gaze was full of sympathy. He wrapped his scrawny paws around her, pulling her deeper into his embrace. She would have normally felt uncomfortable with someone hugging her like that, but with Kion she felt calm.
A purr rumbled from her throat. "Thank you, Ki-Ki."
"Of course Fuli," Kion replied through a tired yawn. "Now lets get to sleep."
"Yeah." And so they slept in each other embrace through the night, not worrying about a thing, not even what the next day would bring...