Kion managed to sneak out of the royal den while everyone was asleep. He made his way to the Outlands and looked out if anyone saw him. He definitely doesn't want to be followed right now.
Kion still was a bit depressed. He hasn't talked to his parents about Kovu since this afternoon and it hurt him to tell Kovu he isn't allowed in the Pride Lands. How am I supposed to tell him that? he wondered.
He arrived at the mice hole to meet up with Kovu, but Kovu wasn't there yet. He figured his friend would be here sooner or later. What am I gonna say when he gets here? I really don't want to get him upset. Do I even tell him I'm not allowed to see him anymore? No way! I don't care what my parents think, I'll just keep seeing him.
"Hello, Kion..."
Kion twitched his ears. This wasn't Kovu's voice. He turned around and saw an adult lioness evilly grinning at him.
"Z-Zira...?" he said in shock. He looked at her with wide open eyes.
"Oh, did you expect someone else? Well I'm sorry to disappoint you." she said sarcastically.
"What do you want?" Kion asked with a calm yet dominant tone. He wanted to show her how fierce he was and that he doesn't step down that easily.
Zira approached the cub. Kion got in a pouncing position and growled as soon as he saw Zira approaching him. He wanted to be ready for every move she'd make. "Why the anger? You seemed to be very nice at my son Kovu..." Zira said.
Kion was shocked when he heard that and got distracted. Zira immediately took her opportunity and pinned Kion down within seconds. She put most of her weight on the yellow cub to make sure he has no escape. The once fierce lion, was now terrified for his life.
Kion knew he couldn't get away now. How does she know about Kovu and me? he wondered. He looked at the lioness above him and was absolutely terrified. "W-What are you gonna do w-with me...?"
Zira continued smiling at him evilly. "Don't worry, cub. I'm simply here to deliver a message..." she said as she pulled up her front leg, showing her claws. Kion closed his eyes as he knew what was about to happen.
After what took like forever, Kovu finally saw his mother coming back to the den. He was still with Bosa and Mwalimu at the entrance of the den, waiting for Zira. Even though Kovu was a bit sleepy, he still wanted to know where Zira went.
"Mother, where were you?" he asked as Zira arrived. Kovu noticed there was some blood dripping from her claws. Did she go on a hunt? But where's her pray? Kovu was really confused.
"No need to worry about Kion anymore, son. I handled it."
Kovu's heart skipped a beat as he heard his mother's words. No... This can't be... Did she kill...? No, no! Without having second thoughts, he ran out of the Termite Mounds to search for his friend.
Bosa wanted to go after him, but Zira stopped her. "No, let him go. He needs to see this for himself." she said with an evil grin.
Kovu kept running while tears were running down his cheeks. He was worried sick about Kion. "Please, let Kion be alright." he prayed. He couldn't imagine Kion being hurt, let alone... gone... No, I can't think like this! I need to find him! he thought.
After a few minutes, he arrived at the mice hole. He panted heavily as he looked at his surroundings. He then looked on the ground: there was a small pool of blood. Oh no... he thought. He found a trail of blood and followed it. It wasn't too long before he found Kion. The yellow cub was dragging himself with his front legs towards the Pride Lands to seek help. Kion couldn't stand on all fours and it was clear he was in a lot of pain.
Kovu rushed towards him. "Kion! Oh no... Let me help you!" he said as he lowered himself next to Kion, so Kion could climb on his back.
"N-No... You need to leave. I can't see you anymore." Kion answered softly. It was obvious it was difficult for him to talk, since it costs a lot of energy.
Kovu stood up straight as he was shocked what Kion just said. "W-What...? No, please, you need help! I'm taking you to the Pride Lands!" he said, looking down at Kion.
"No, don't. Zira found out. I'm not safe with you. Please, Kovu, you need to leave. If I stick with you, then... then Zira will kill me and my family." Kion explained, as he started to sob.
Kovu processed what Kion told him and thought for a bit. "Kion, I'm so sorry my mother did this to you. I had no idea. But you need to come with me. I'm not letting you die here!"
"I can't risk it. Please, if you love me, leave me. I can go back myself." Kion said as he tried to move forward, but ended up collapsing onto the ground.
He's not gonna make it to the Pride Lands in time. Kovu thought. "No, I'm not leaving you. I've run away before and I'm not doing this to you again! I don't care if you keep pushing me away or even roar at me, I will always be there for you because I love you." he said.
Kovu got closer to the sobbing cub and looked him straight in his eyes. "I know it's a risk, but we'll get through this! You and me, together!"
Kion eventually gave up pushing away and nodded.
"Good!" Kovu said. He then lowered himself once again and with a lot of effort, Kion climbed upon Kovu's back. Kovu could feel some blood sliding around his fur, but he didn't care. He needs to take his friend to safety, fast!
He jogged to the border of the Pride Lands and then crossed it. He looked around and searched for help, but there were no animals outside. He kept on jogging towards Pride Rock, and screamed for help in the mean time.
"HELP! PLEASE, SOMEONE! HELP!" he screamed.
As he reached Pride Rock, Simba and Nala went out of the royal den since they heard the scream. As soon as they saw their son hurt on Kovu's back, they immediately ran towards them.
"Kion! Come here, son." Simba said as he lowered himself down next to Kovu. Kion then climbed onto Simba's back. He groaned as soon as he tried to move. It really hurt the cub. "We need to get him to Rafiki, quick!" he said, before heading off to Rafiki's tree.
Nala looked at Kovu, who looked horrified and honestly concerned about Kion. "You need to come with us and tell us exactly what happened." she demanded.
"Of course!" Kovu responded and nodded.
Both Nala and Kovu were running behind Simba with Kion still on his back, towards the tree.
"Rafiki! We need your help!" Simba shouted.
Rafiki soon showed himself and gasped as he saw Kion badly hurt. "I'm coming!" He went down and carefully picked up Kion from Simba's back. He then carried the cub up to his tree and gestured to the other lions to follow him. Eventually, everyone was in the tree.
Rafiki laid Kion down carefully and took a look at his injuries. Simba, Nala and Kovu were looking very concerned and hoped Rafiki could help him. It was only now that Kovu got a good look on Kion. He was badly injured. There were deep cuts on his front legs, stomach and even his face. He lost a lot of blood from the attack. Kovu couldn't hold back his tears and started to sob.
"Kion, what happened?" Nala asked.
"Zira... She did this to me... She said she wanted to deliver a message, that if I ever see Kovu again, she'll kill me and my family." Kion explained.
As Kion explained exactly what happened, Rafiki made sure Kion wouldn't lose any more blood. He made some bandages out of vines and leaves from the tree and placed them on the deep cuts, so the wounds would stop bleeding.
"Then Kovu came and brought me here. He didn't know I was being attacked." Kion continued. He groaned at the last vine pressuring his wound on his left foreleg.
"Please, tell me he'll be alright?" Kovu asked, still softly sobbing.
"Kion, you'll be just fine. You're lucky Kovu and your parents brought you here fast. But you need to rest and heal. It's going to take a couple of days to recover." Rafiki explained.
Kovu sighed of relief, as did Kion's parents.
"Thanks, Rafiki. And thank you, Kovu. I don't think I would have made it without you." he responded, glancing at Kovu with his eyes half-open and smiled. He then pawed at his head and groaned out of pain.
"You need to rest, young lion. You should go to sleep. Tomorrow will be better." Rafiki advised.
Kion nodded and then closed his eyes. It didn't take too long before he went to sleep.
"Thank you for taking care of him, Rafiki. Kovu, come with me." Simba said.
Simba, Nala and Kovu went down the tree.
"So you had no idea Zira would attack my son?" Simba asked.
"No! I promise, I didn't know."
"We know about Zira's plan. It's suspicious you're secretly hanging out with Kion, while you're being trained to kill me." Simba continued.
"I don't want to be a part of her plan, I truly don't! All I want is to be with Kion and not be evil like Scar, or even my mother."
"I believe you." Nala said. She looked at Simba, hoping he would say the same.
Simba thought for a moment, and looking at Kovu's behavior, he too was convinced Kovu doesn't mean any harm. "Alright. I don't think you're a threat to the Pride Lands. But I still think it's dangerous for you to be here, since we don't know what Zira is up to now that you don't want to be a part of her plan."
Kovu frowned and flattened his ears. "Oh, I see... I understand."
"Are you planning to go back to the Termite Mounds?" Nala asked. She was worried for the cub's life and didn't think it was a good idea if he would return.
"No, I'll never come back home, not after what she did to Kion."
"Then, where will you go?"
"I, well, uh... I don't know. Anywhere but the Outlands."
Nala nudged her mate.
Simba thought for a bit, before finally deciding to help out Kovu. "In that case, I'd like for you to stay in the Pride Lands until Kion's recovered. When Kion is fully healed, I'll decide whether you're always be welcome in the Pride Lands or not." Simba told the cub.
Kovu's eyes widened. "Really? Thank you, your majesty! I promise you won't regret it!"
The king and queen gave Kovu a smile.
"Let's get you to Pride Rock. We all need some sleep." Simba suggested.
Kovu nodded and followed the king and queen to Pride Rock, where he could lay in the royal den. He found a spot to sleep on, not too far from Simba and Nala. Kovu was still worried and had some troubles with sleeping. He could only hope that Kion would feel much better in the morning.