Chapter 9: Bidii
Author's note: At (xxx) play Owl City's When Can I see you again
Hasira stared out from the edge of a cliff at the Tree of Life with a longing expression.
"Grrr, how much longer do we need to wait!? You promisssed my dragonssssss and I would feasssssst asssssss we never feassssssted before!" Ora hissed. Despite the komodo dragon's initial outrage, he quickly wilted upon seeing the adolescent lion's contained fury.
"You're welcome to return to your little island, if you think you can get back. Make no mistake, Ora, when I recruited you and your dragons, it was because I was feeling generous towards you. You need me, far more than I need you." To highlight his point, Hasira made a gesture with one of his paws, and within moments he saw four particularly violent-looking baboons in the trees over them.
Hasira shook his head at the dragons with a condescending expression.
"Excessive-food, pleasure flowers." Hasira said as he flicked a few tamaa flowers he'd collected the previous days towards Makucha and his band, who furiously seized them.
"Such feeble ambitions."
"Why did you even bring them along?" Chuluun said as she strode up beside Hasira and rested her head against him.
"I think you and I could do fine with just your other followers?" Chuluun purred.
"Hmp, a wise King doesn't waste potential resources that could prove useful one way or another. Even those two may yet serve a purpose."
"The avalanche didn't work, so what chaos will we cause today?"
Hasira narrowed his eyes while looking at the Tree of Life itself.
"There would be little point in it. I've been going about this all wrong, to succeed, that Plantagenet Prince and Capet Princess must die. So far the direct approach hasn't worked, so we'll try something a little different."
Hasira turned to a nearby tree and the binteroung who hung from it by her tail.
"The scarred prince and his companions never actually saw you, did they?"
"No, just that wretch, Bunga!" Mama Binteroung growled.
"Good, so avoid him then, and wait for your window of opportunity. Now then, you need only gain entry to the kingdom, be sure to put on a good show."
Elsewhere, inside the Tree of Life, Kion and the others eagerly waited as Nirmala and Makini stood over Ono.
"Alright, he's ready." Nirmala said. Makini eagerly removed the vines and paste from the egret's face.
"Ono, open your eyes." Janna said. Slowly, he did so, and for a brief moment, Ono saw the blurry image of an elderly lioness smiling at him. As the seconds passed, she became clearer and clearer, until at last, he saw as he had before the volcano.
"I, I can see, I can see!" Ono cried, flying through the air in glee.
Kion and the others felt an overwhelming feeling of joy and relief upon the return of Ono's sight, Bunga in particular.
"You did very well, Makini, you'll be a master healer in no time." Nirmala said, nearly making the young Mandril squeal in excitement.
"Queen Janna, thank you, I-" Kion started.
"Kion, it is our duty to heal animals here, no thanks are necessary."
"But you have it." Kion said as Ono landed beside him and they bowed together.
"This is great! Ono is healed, and soon Kion will be too, then we can go home!" Bunga cried. However, as he did so, Ono noticed a somewhat anxious expression on Rani and Janna's faces upon hearing that last bit.
"Well, Kion still has four virtues to go." Rani muttered.
"Indeed, and today's virtue is Bidii." Nirmala said.
"The virtue of Bidii requires diligence, hard-work, and dedication."
"Are you kidding, you just described Kion to a T." Fuli almost laughed.
"Perhaps, but there is more than one form of Bidii. Kion is skilled in one, but to overcome the venom, he must master another. However, I'm afraid I won't be overseeing your healing today."
Kion, Rani, and the others blinked in surprise.
"You're not?" Nirmala smiled again and glanced towards Rani.
"Rani has more than mastered the virtue of Bidii in her daily duties to the Kingdom, therefore, she's the best one to oversee you for the day."
"Really!? I mean-" Rani caught herself.
"I think this would work out wonderfully." Fuli narrowed her eyes slightly at Nirmala, Rani, and Janna, who all now seemed to surround Kion. However, neither Kion nor Rani seemed particularly upset by this decision.
Fuli narrowed her eyes with suspicion until she felt Ono soar past her with a look of glee across his face.
"I finally get to see it!" Ono squawked, finally reaching the outside.
"Hapana! It's beautiful!" Ono was almost on the verge of tears.
"Take it all in, buddy, you deserve it." Bunga said as he came up beside him.
"You should see the other environments up close." Anga said.
"Great idea, hold on, let me just." Ono tried to peer closer, but couldn't.
"Huh?"
"What's wrong?" Beshte asked.
"That's funny, hold on." Ono tried again, but just like before, he couldn't use his keen sight as he could before.
"My keen sight, it's, it's gone." Ono muttered.
"What? But that doesn't make any sense, you were healed." Fuli said, turning back to Makini who took a deep breath.
"Ono, the Tree was able to restore your ordinary sight, but I'm afraid it can't restore your keen sight. I'm sorry."
Ono went silent before feeling Kion's paw around him.
"It's alright Ono, what's most important is that your eyesight is back."
The egret kept his head low.
"I guess….I suppose this means I can't be part of the Lion Guard anymore."
"What!?" Everyone shouted in disbelief.
"Ono, don't talk like that, you're a member of the Guard, and you always will be!" Kion assured his companion.
"...I just don't see how I can even contribute anymore without my keen sight. I'm not a fighter like you guys."
"What!? Are you serious, Ono back on that island you fearlessly attacked a komodo dragon to save me." Beshte countered.
"You guys don't need me anymore, Anga can handle my duties and fight."
"Ono, stop it!" The eagle squawked sternly as she landed in front of him.
"You're clearly just overwhelmed by all of this. Take a deep breath and try to relax."
"Anga's right, take today and enjoy the Tree of Life, all the rare animals and sights." Bunga said, placing his paw around the egret's shoulder.
"We'll show you around and-"
Bunga froze for a moment but then trembled, his face turning bright red as he saw someone nearby beckoning him over.
"Ahhhhh, I've gotta go!" Bunga ran off and quickly disappeared.
"What's all that about?" Ono asked.
Fuli and the others barely contained their laughter.
"We'll explain later." Fuli said.
"Alright then, come on, we have work to do." Rani said with a growing smile before leading Kion off.
Later that day, Kion and Rani's duties took them to the desert region. There, a herd of camels lay trapped beneath a landslide of sand, all of them buried up to their heads.
"Don't worry, we'll get you out!" Rani promised. She'd organized a relief party of lions, spotted hyenas, and the Lion Guard, save Bunga. Though she took charge of the effort, Rani also joined in, digging with Kanda, Idan, Gael, and several of the desert lions to form a path for the camels to escape.
Despite her best efforts, Rani couldn't stop glancing over at Kion, who similarly led his Guard and a few other of the desert lions, all digging another path. Despite only a few weeks having passed since he left Pride Rock, Kion now looked to be near the end of his adolescence and close to young-adulthood. The Prince's red-hair which would become his mane had spread from the top to the sides and bottom of his head, and now almost seemed to gleam in the sunlight.
Kanda noticed the way Rani looked at Kion and did her best not to giggle.
"Alright, now come through Beshte." He said having laid the foundation with Fuli and Azaad.
"Alright." Beshte moved through the path, widening it and allowing the camels to start moving through with some nudges by the other lions.
"Barbary Lions, this is beyond incredible!" Ono squawked in awe, forgetting his earlier sorrow as he now saw the Barbary lions and lionesses.
"Barbary Lions?" Anga asked.
"That's right, lions who once lived in the deserts further north before going extinct, or not I guess. A few must've settled here! I wonder what other extinct animals live here!" Ono sounded like a giddish child, earning smiles from his friends.
"Kion, why not use the Roar to clear the sand?" Azaad asked while they continued digging.
"Not until I've mastered it like Queen Janna described. I could end up hurting the camels."
"I think you could do it now." Fuli said reassuringly.
"Come on." Kion chuckled, emphasizing for them to continue.
"Why wassste your time on such pathetic creaturesssss! You dessserve ressst after everything you've done for thisss place!" Kion ignored Hasira's voice, which grew steadily quieter with each virtue he mastered. Additionally, the burning in his eye which once filled his senses with an inferno of agony, now only mildly bothered him.
"And we return victorious once again! You may not need to wait for a King to give up your Night Pride duties, Rani!" Afia's distinct voice reached their ears and made the Princess cringe.
Baliyo, Surak, Nirmala, and Afia passed through the desert with another animal accompanying them, a female binteroung.
"Good job, Baliyo, Nirmala, Surak. Who might you be?" Rani asked the bingeroung with a warm smile.
"Ohh, I'm just old Ginteroung." She muttered in a weary tone.
"Ullu saw her nearby in the western entrance being attacked by Chuluun, luckily we got there in time and chased her off." Baliyo said proudly.
"Ohh, that awful snow leopard was unforgiving, she ravaged me horribly." Gingeroung moaned, perhaps a little too dramatically, earning a curious look from Ono.
"Well you're safe now. The Tree of Life is a palace of healing, Nirmala why not take her to the tree itself."
"Actually, I think all I need is a good rest. Is there a good forest I could lay-down in?"
Surak nodded.
"This way, Baliyo and I will show you."
As they led her off, Nirmala and Afia joined the other lions in clearing a path for the camels. However, Ono kept a close eye on Ginteroung, noticing her limp wasn't entirely convincing.
"So, how goes Kion's healing?" Nirmala asked. Rani gazed over at the Prince again as he finished his next path and freed another three camels, a look of newfound life and vitality in his face.
"I'd say he's got Bidii mastered." Rani sighed with a longing expression.
"Oh my gosh, you're in love with him!" Afia giggled.
Rani's face turned redder than a raging fire and she nearly jumped, earning slight giggles from Kanda and Nirmala.
"I do not-" Rani started with a bashful expression, only for Afia's face to turn incredibly mischievous.
"You do! You never want him to leave! You want to make him your mate, and have five cubs!"
"Afia!" Rani growled, baring her fangs.
"Ohhh, I know, I'll go tell him!" Kanda and Nirmala almost gasped and Rani gave a look of sheer terror that quickly erupted into a feral rage. The Night Lioness snarled and ruthlessly chased a giggling Afia across the sand-dunes before slamming her onto her back.
"My, you're strong." Rani, Afia, Kanda, and Nirmala heard from nearby. All four Night Lionesses looked up and turned pale as they saw four adolescent barbary lionesses slowly encircling Kion.
"Even the fully grown males aren't as strong as you." One purred while moving closer to Kion with a look of desire. The Prince gave a flustered look and slowly backed up, only to see his path blocked by another barbary lioness.
"Is it true you have the Roar of the Elders?" She purred.
"I, uh-" Kion nervously tried to move away only for the third and fourth lionesses to complete the encirclement.
"Have you ever seen a Barbary Lioness before?"
"Well, Kion's become quite popular." Besthe said, earning a chuckle from Anga and Azaad.
"That's one way of putting it." Azaad laughed.
Fuli narrowed her eyes at the four lionesses until she noticed Rani's expression. After the initial shock, the Princess hardened her gaze into a ruthless demeanor. Afia lost her playful smile and mirrored Rani, getting up and moving beside her with Kanda, Nirmala, and interesting enough, Fuli.
Rani looked nervously at the cheetah for a moment, but Fuli gave her a reassuring nod.
"Keep them away from him, for their sake." Rani snarled.
Azaad and Anga now practically collapsed from sheer excitement.
"You know, we could-" One of the Barbary lionesses started only to see Kanda in front of her, fangs and claws out.
"I could-" Another of the Barbary lionesses similarly found her path blocked by a growling Afia.
"Back off, this Prince is already claimed." Afia chuckled. Fuli and Nirmala tended to the last two, allowing Rani to guide Kion away from the four circling lionesses, eventually getting him alone on top of a sand dune. From there, they saw the now freed camel herd.
"You're not half-bad at this." Rani purred.
"I've helped Kiara a few times. She's much better at these kinds of things than me." Kion said, thinking about his family again.
"Four virtues down, three to go." Rani felt a twinge of fear in her stomach at the thought of Kion leaving, though she did her best to hide it.
"I'm glad you'll get to see them again." She sighed.
"...You know, Rani. I did master today's virtue a bit early." Rani heard a bit of angst in Kion's voice and felt herself perk up in interest.
"I was thinking, maybe if you didn't have anything planned tonight, I don't know. You and I could maybe see more of your Kingdom, just the two of us?"
Rani felt her heart race and body tremble. He was asking her out on a date!
Kion opened his mouth, but Rani beat him to the punch.
"Yes! I mean, yeah, that sounds fun. Meet me at the jungle around sunset." Rani purred.
As Rani walked away, still blushing, Kion felt himself tremble slightly.
That evening Rani nervously stood inside the Tree of Life while Nirmala combed her fur with a pinecone. The lioness felt her niece shake.
"You've fought off countless ravenous poachers and territorial herds, but a simple date has you shaking?" Nirmala chuckled.
"Is it a date!? He never actually used the word, did I misread the situation?" She muttered.
"Rani, calm yourself." Janna said, smiling with amusement.
"I'm calm, I just don't want to look stupid if this isn't what I think it is."
"Rani, I've seen the way Kion looks at you, it's exactly what you think it is." Nirmala assured her. Despite this, the adolescent lioness continued to tremble.
"Just remember the most important thing is to be yourself, or rather be your best self." Janna said.
"Exactly, it's you Kion is interested in, no one else."
Rani exhaled deeply and felt Nirmala place an orange rose behind her ear.
"Orange, perfect for you." Nirmala said.
Rani took a long breath and summoned her confidence before leaving the Tree interior. The two adult lionesses watched Rani with hopeful expressions.
"She's grown up so much." Nirmala sighed.
"Indeed, she's very much like her mother. I still remember the first night Sahashi courted Anada, and she looked ready to faint." Janna thought back fondly to the memories of her late son and daughter-by-law.
"After this, do you think Kion will stay?" Nirmala asked, hopefully.
Janna took a deep breath.
"Perhaps, we can hope. If he is the lion I believe he is, then he's the only lion worthy of my granddaughter."
Outside the Tree of Life, Baliyo watched Kion with an intense gaze.
"He better not try anything, stupid Plantagenet!" Baliyo growled.
"Awww, is Prince Baliyo feeling a bit protective of his big sister?" Afia teased him while Surak shook his head.
"It's only natural, I remember feeling a bit protective of Sahashi when he and Adana first started flirting." Surak smiled a bit.
"Hmp, all I know is if Kion even thinks about hurting Rani, he's in for a world of pain!"
Afia burst out into uncontrollable laughter.
"Right, because your first fight with Kion went so well didn't it?" Baliyo gave a sheepish look.
"I wasn't ready then!"
"Are you ready now?" Afia said, pointing to the scarred lion and his thick muscles.
Baliyo went silent, at least until he felt Afia's face brush against his.
"But it's ok, I think you're very strong too." She purred. Surak chuckled at his nephew's expense and thought back to his own courtship of Nirmala. In a few weeks they'd have their first cubs and one day he'd get to see them find love.
Kion paced near the edge of a pond, staring at his reflection.
"And here I thought you might end up with Zuri." Fuli laughed.
"Seriously, what've I gotten myself into?" Kion muttered.
"Relax, Kion, there's nothing to it. Just be confident and show no weakness!" Bunga proclaimed.
"Hey Binga." Anga said, making Bunga yelp and jump with a bright red face and trembling body.
"That's not funny." Bunga exhaled deeply.
"What's got you so nervous, Kion? You like Rani don't you?" Beshte asked.
"Of course I do! She's beautiful, kind, strong, and dedicated. I've never felt this way about anyone before…"
"Then this is a good thing." Ono assured him.
"Is it? What happens when it's time to leave here." Azaad answered. The male cheetah's response quickly made Kion's friends understand his angst.
"Ohhh." Fuli muttered.
"Gaah, what was I thinking!?" For a brief moment, his scar began to hurt again, but recalling the virtues he'd mastered, the Prince locked out Ushari's voice before it even reached his ears.
"Kion." Rani's soft voice reached Kion and he grit his fangs. However, upon looking at the Princess, he immediately lost himself upon seeing her meticulously groomed fur and the orange rose.
"Uhh, evening." He muttered, nervously.
"Are you ready?"
"Yeah, I'm ready."
"Alright then, come on, I've got a few things planned for us." Rani led Kion off while his friends and her brother continued to watch.
"Grrrr, I can't just sit here!"
Surak gave his nephew a stern look.
"Baliyo, you're not going to interrupt their evening."
"I'm just going to keep an eye on Kion in case he-"
"No!" Surak growled, louder this time.
"He's right, we should leave them be-" Afia started until she saw Surak blocking her path with narrowed eyes.
"You think I'm that stupid?"
Afia gave the lion a defiant smile.
"No, I just think you're that slow!" Before Surak could react, Afia darted off and Baliyo quickly followed. The adult Night Lion tried to grab them but was too late.
"Great." He muttered.
The Lion Guard watched their leader depart with similar interest.
"Hmmm, I don't know guys, this is a big Kingdom, a lot of things could go wrong for them. As Kion's friends and companions, it's our duty to make sure his night goes well." Fuli said with a mischievous smile.
"You mean, spy on them?" Ono asked.
"Spying's not a very nice way to put it, I think what Fuli meant is that we're, chaperoning the date. Isn't that right, Binga?" Anga said with a similar grin.
"Huh, nice try, Anga. I'm not falling for that again."
"I think it sounds just right!" Bunga yelped upon hearing Binga's voice and seeing her beside him.
"I don't know, guys, that seems iffy." Beshte said.
"Perhaps it is-" Azaad started before he felt Fuli nudging him forward.
"Come on."
Ono, Bunga, and Beshte looked at each other with defeated expressions.
"So this is happening?" Ono asked.
"Apparently."
Ono flew onto Beshte's head when he noticed something moving in a nearby tree.
"Huh?" While he no longer possessed his enhanced keen sight, his normal egret eyes still allowed Ono to see much further than many animals. There, he saw none other than Ginteroung moving about in the tree branches.
"That's weird, I thought she was hurt?" Ono peered closer and felt his nerves tighten when he realized she was watching Kion and Rani with particular interest.
As the day turned to night, Kion and Rani arrived in the jungle Principality. There, Rani treated Kion to a wondrous trip through the dense foliage where they saw numerous animals, from gorillas, elephants, bongos, to even other lions. Among these Lions, Kion spotted one who was as white as snow.
"Who is that?"
"That's Rune? He's the Prince of this Jungle." Rani explained.
"Rune, I think I've heard of his father, Leo."
"So what do you think of the jungle?" Rani asked.
"It's beautiful, a bit different than the jungle I've been to." Kion said while taking in the ocean of green which still gleamed in the moonlight and stars.
"Jungle you've been too? I thought Pride Rock was a savanna?" Rani asked with an interested smile.
"We've made a few trips outside the Kingdom, I'm sure you've done the same." Kion said, before giving a shocked look when he saw Rani shake her head.
"You haven't?"
"Nope! Except for the jungle, tundra, and island, I've never left the Tree of Life."
"Really?" Kion did his best not to laugh, though his smirk earned a slightly aggressive smile from Rani.
"What's all that about? You think you've got an edge on me because you've been to more places!"
"Well."
Rani playfully growled and even nipped at Kion.
"I don't need to leave my Kingdom, the Tree of Life has everything one could ever ask for."
"Maybe, but you might never know if that's true if you never see the world outside. If you ever saw a sunrise on top of Pride Rock, the Maji Baridi Falls or the jungle oasis."
"Jungle oasis! Ha, come with me!" Rani sounded more than a little excited as she led Kion further into the jungle. He heard the distinct noise of rushing water and saw the flora around them seem to grow brighter.
(xxx)
When they moved through the foliage, Kion's mouth dropped, and Rani giggled.
"You were saying." Kion saw a series of large streams that came down various hillsides like slides and emptied into a massive pool of water. This oasis looked beautiful enough on it's own, but somehow, the water glowed silver, like the moon, nearly sparkling like something otherworldly.
"It's beautiful!"
"Hmp, you see, there's no need for anyone to leave the Tree of Life."
"It is beautiful, but how can you be sure there isn't someplace else out there better?" Kion smirked back. Rani narrowed her eyes and grinned widely.
"I see you still need some convincing, maybe a quick dip!" Before Kion knew what hit him, Rani slammed him forward and onto one of the streams.
"Ahhhh!" Kion screamed, feeling the rushing water carry him like a cheetah across the jungle before he flew through the air and crashed into the warm water below. Rani laughed hysterically and raced to the side of the water, looking down at where Kion landed with an intensely entertained expression.
"How's the water? Does it compare to pools outside the-" Rani's eyes went wide as Kion burst from the oasis and ensnared her in his paws, growling playfully as he did so. In a single powerful motion, Kion dragged Rani into the pool with him.
Rani gasped in shock and desperately swam to the surface while Kion continuously attempted to bring her back down. After the initial shock passed, Rani growled back and began furiously wrestling with the Prince, both laughing as they did so. Eventually Rani managed to get out of the water with Kion following, the two lions drenched in water.
"That's a risky game you're playing, Plantagenet." Kion chuckled.
"Fortune favors the bold." Rani narrowed her eyes again and with a shove, she sent him back into the water.
"Sometimes." Rani shook herself dry only to feel Kion's paws ensnare her again. Before she could react, Kion pulled the Princess back into the pool with him.
Hidden in the brush, Baliyo's mouth hung wide open in horror as he saw and heard the enthusiasm in his sister while she danced around in the water with Kion.
"Awww, this is adorable." Afia held her mouth.
"Adorable!? How would you feel if I did that to you!?" Baliyo caught himself and covered his mouth upon realizing what he'd just done. Afia's face turned playfully aggressive and she slowly backed him up while growling.
"You want to do that to me?"
"No! I didn't say that!? I didn't say anything, it was a figment of your imagination! I've been silent for the last hour!" Afia purred.
"It's ok, I can do it to you!" Afia pounced into Baliyo and carried them both into another stream leading them into another pool.
In another brush, Fuli barely contained her sheer laughter watching Kion and Rani in the pool.
"Ohh Rani." Binga giggled.
"What, has she done things like this before?" Bunga asked with growing interest. The female honey badger shook her head.
"She used to be a lot more playful and fun loving when she was a cub, of course that was before her parents died. After that, she became much more devoted to her duties. Afia, Kanda, Baliyo, and I always did our best to get her to relax and have fun, but not always successfully."
Fuli's excitement faded into sympathy, the others following her example.
"Rani loves taking care of others. But this is the happiest I've seen her in a long time."
"That's our boy Kion, of course he learned from the best." Bunga said.
"You're the best?" Anga said.
"Prove me wrong."
"Well, maybe you could have Kion convince her to ease up and have some fun with me and the others every once and a while." Binga said, turning directly to Bunga who crossed his arms and nodded confidently.
"No problem. Give me an hour at the most."
"Great!"
Fuli and the others shook their heads.
"Well if you wanted to spend more time with Rani, you could join her retinue." Beshte suggested. Binga's face filled with intrigue.
"Huh, help Rani run the Kingdom? You think I could do that?"
"Pfft, there's nothing to it! We've been helping Kion protect Pride Rock for years. If I can do that without incident, you can handle whatever this place has to throw at you." Binga looked at Fuli who nodded.
"I'll give him this, no 'serious' incidents have happened while Bunga was on the job. He may have even prevented one or two."
"Just think, Lady Binga, aid to Princess Rani!" Bunga proclaimed as loud as he could without alerting the nearby couple.
"Wow." Binga's eyes lit up thinking about it.
Ono and the others watched Kion and Rani finally emerge from the water.
"I'm still not sure if what we're doing is ok. What if Kion finds out?" Ono asked.
"That's what I'm saying, we should leave." Beshte huffed.
"Come on, will you two relax. Just think about it this way, Hasira could be up to something right now, and if he is, we'll be right here." Anga said.
Ono sighed but as he looked back, the egret that he saw movement in the canopy.
"Hmmm?" Ono peered closer and saw something, or rather, someone.
"What are you doing here?"
Kion and Rani eventually left the jungle and came to the savanna. There they slowly walked together across the grassy plains.
"And that's when I learned not to judge all hyenas to be poachers." Kion said, finishing his story of how he met Jasiri.
"Awww, how cute. Still, this Janja character sounds annoying."
"You don't know the half of it." Kion groaned, thinking back to all the times he and the Guard had to deal with him and his gang.
"What about you? Any troublemakers like that you've had to deal with?" Rani nodded, putting on an incredibly irritated expression.
"Yes, there was one." She groaned.
"This Lion with a scar came about, he was travelling with an assortment of other animals. After finding the Kingdom, all he and his friends did was cause trouble and lead other trouble here. Plus, I could never get rid of him!"
Rani quickly smirked back at Kion who narrowed his eyes.
"Oh lighten up, I thought you already mastered Uvumilivu?"
Kion smirked back and brought his head in closer.
"I think I know why you couldn't get rid of that lion."
"Do you?" Rani sounded intrigued.
Kion flashed his fangs in a particularly confident manner.
"I don't think you're capable of it."
"You don't!" Kion shook his head.
"I think this lion in question would be far too strong and powerful for you to defeat."
Rani now revealed her own fangs.
"I seem to recall having said Lion at my mercy!"
"Maybe, when you caught him disoriented and off-guard. I'm not sure how you'd do against him in a fair fight."
Rani now snarled.
"Is that a challenge!?" The Prince's confidence was shaken slightly when she saw Kion's unflinching expression.
"Yes."
"Hmp, fine, but don't expect any mercy!"
The two found a good spot near the bottom of a few hills and got into fighting stances. Both also became aware of numerous Night Lions, striped hyenas, rhinos, and wild-dogs who'd gathered to eagerly watch the duel.
"Make him suffer, your highness!" A hyena laughed.
"Show him the strength of House Capet!" A Night Lion roared.
"You should've run when you had the chance, outsider!" A Rhino snarled.
Rani appreciated these words of confidence and smiled back at her subjects, noticing Baliyo, Afia, Kanda, Idan, and Gael in the audience.
Kion, however, showed no fear and remained in a defensive position.
"Don't listen to them, Kion!" Beshte huffed. On the other hilltop sat the Lion Guard and Binga.
"The Capets have nothing on the Plantagenets!" Fuli roared.
"Show them the might of Pride Rock!" Bunga added.
"Remember, no using the Roar! You can still back down, there's no shame in avoiding a mauling!" Rani growled.
Kion didn't respond, and his silence almost unnerved her.
"Alright then, you asked for it, Plantagenet!" Rani snarled and charged at Kion with an eager smile. Upon closing the distance, she leaped up, claws extended. In a swift, yet punishing motion, Kion slammed Rani through the air, sending her onto her side.
Rani knew Kion was strong, but the Princess never imagined such power in a lion before, let alone one Kion's age. Even so, she sprung right back up, expecting Kion to go on the attack, yet he didn't.
Rani slowly circled her opponent, looking for an opening, but Kion presented none.
"I'm waiting." Kion said.
With that, Rani snarled and charged him once again, this time coming for his flank. Kion reacted fast, lashing out and throwing Rani onto her back with even more raw tenacity.
"Oh yeah! That's it!" Beshte huffed.
"This is it! Get her!" Agna squawked.
Rani's eyes went wide in terror as she saw Kion finally charge forward.
"Rani, move!" Baliyo screamed in horror, trembling as he did so. Despite Kion's power, Rani moved faster. She got back up and avoided his jaws as well as the follow up paw blows. Seizing an opening, Rani managed to strike Kion's leg with her claws.
Kion grunted, earning cheers from the locals.
"That's it, Rani!" Baliyo roared.
"Tear him to pieces!"
"Rip his head off!"
"Come on, Kion!"
"Don't let them get in your head!"
Kion swiped hard, but once-more Rani evaded with incredible speed, nearly matching Fuli. The two cheetahs watched her with amazement.
"Not bad." Azaad said.
"She's pretty fast, I'll admit."
Rani's grin returned, and she managed to claw his other front leg. Kion growled louder, feeling the sheering pain from Rani's razor-sharp claws dig into his flesh. Rani saw his stance weaken and went in for the opening, snapping her jaws around the back of his neck and slamming both paws against his sides.
"Ha ha!" Baliyo cheered.
"This is it! Victory for the Capets!"
Kion's friends grit their teeth as they saw Rani drag him across the ground, Kion struggling to stay on his feet as she did so.
"Grauu!" Mustering his true strength, Kion fought through the immense pain and forced himself up into Rani again and again. Finally, he pushed her off him and sent the Night Lioness into a stumble.
The audience caught their breath and Kion pounced forward, slamming Rani onto her back, pinning the Lioness onto the ground beneath him. Rani's eyes went wide, much like Kion's had on the night she met him. Kion smiled in a cocky manner while moving his head closer to hers, the young Lioness overwhelmed at just how strong he was.
"Awww." Baliyo muttered, his head nearly dropping to the ground while Afia tried to comfort him.
"Ha! Victory for Pride Rock!" Bunga roared.
"Victory for House Plantagenet!" Ono squawked.
The other residents of the Tree of Life showed a mixture of disappointment and disbelief.
"My."
"Such strength in someone so young."
"Are the legends true?"
"Looks like you can't get rid of that pesky lion."
Rani's terror vanished into a mischievous smile.
"Who says I want to?" Rani caught Kion and the audience completely off-guard when she reached up and nuzzled his face.
Kion's face turned bright-red and he heard numerous gasps. The trick worked, and Rani shoved Kion off her.
"Hey!" Kion snarled.
"All's fair in a fight, tough guy!" Rani giggled, winking at Kion before she raced off. The scared lion growled before chasing after her.
"Go get her Kion!" Fuli laughed.
"Don't let her get away!" Gael chuckled. Baliyo growled at his fellow Night Lion but soon gave a horrified look upon realizing the entire local crowd was now cheering Kion on.
"No! No! What's the matter with you all!?"
Baliyo felt his legs wobble, and it took Afia's support to stay upright.
"Just let it go, Baliyo. You can't stop it." She giggled.
"We've lost him." Beshte sighed with a large grin.
"Ahh Kion, sweet young Kion." Anga laughed.
Ono wanted to join in, when his eyes shot open upon seeing someone else following the lions.
"Hapana!"
Kion continued to chase Rani across the savanna, the Lioness laughing as he did so, until at last, he pounced forward and caught her. Both lions rolled down a hill before Kion once more pinned Rani onto her back.
"Pinned ya again!" He laughed.
Several minutes passed, and the two rested on top of a hill, gazing at the stars while Rani cuddled up beside Kion. The Prince smiled passionately, but felt an immense sense of conflict inside him. What had he gotten himself into? He'd come to the Tree of Life so he could be healed of his scar, and then go back to his family. But now, Rani complicated things.
"So, are you going to tell me the stars are better at Pride Rock?" Rani purred while nuzzling the side of Kion's face. Kion smiled, but with deep emotion, much to the Princess's interest.
"Maybe, I guess it just has a lot of sentimental value."
"Really? Do tell." Kion gazed back up at the ocean of glittering lights above them.
"When I was a cub, my father used to take me out under the stars." Rani's expression changed sharply and she listened closer.
"He told me that when he was a cub, my grandfather took him out beneath the stars and told him that the great Kings of the past lived up there, and that they watch over us. He told me that even after he died, his father was still with him and that one day when he passed, he'd still be with me." Kion experienced a flood of conflicted emotions, but it paled in comparison to Rani, who barely kept back her tears.
However, the Princess felt some comfort upon feeling Kion nuzzle her.
"They're up there too, your parents." Rani slowly nodded. The two didn't talk for several minutes, and merely enjoyed each other's company.
"Kion, when you master the last three virtues, are you going to leave right away?" Rani asked nervously. Kion hesitated, not sure what to say. Almost a minute passed and Rani's expression hardened.
"Well?"
"I-" Kion still didn't answer.
Rani growled, and catching the Prince off-guard, she slammed him onto his back, pinning Kion down and baring her fangs.
"When a Princess asks you a question, she gets an answer!" Rani lowered her head and passionately licked Kion across the face. After the initial shock, Kion relaxed and licked her back. Later that evening, they'd fallen asleep with Rani laying on top of Kion's stomach and her head against his.
"How adorable." Mama Binteroung slowly approached the sleeping lions with four baboons joining her.
"So sure of their safety, how sad, they look quite happy." Binteroung and her posse readied themselves to assassinate the sleeping lions when she realized that a bird stood between her and the two.
"Mama Binteroung, I presume." Ono said, his eyes narrowed.
"That's her alright." Bunga growled.
Binteroung froze in terror, slowly looking back to see Bunga, Fuli, Azaad, Beshte, Anga, Surak, Baliyo, Afia, Idan, Kanda, and Gael surrounding them.
"No."
The fight was short and decisive, leaving Ono with an encouraging smile.
"You see, you're still the keenest of sight." Anga said, patting his head.