As Kovu slowly began to wake up, he found himself still holding Kion. It looks like everyone else was already up, since it's only Kion and Kovu in the den. The yellow cub seemed to be asleep still. Kovu could lay like this forever, but something was bothering him. He gently let go of Kion as he laid on his back, trying not to wake up his friend. He failed.

"Hey Kovu." Kion said as he slowly opened his eyes.

"Oh, hi Kion. Sorry for waking you."

"That's okay. Did you sleep well?" he asked as he yawned and stretched his legs in the air.

"Yeah..." Kovu responded briefly. He stared at the roof of the den. He seemed rather worried and Kion noticed.

"Are you alright?" Kion asked.

"I... I don't know." He stood up and started to pace around. "Mother must know by now I'm not returning home. I'm afraid she's planning something."

Kion also stood up. "Hey, it's okay. We're safe here in the Pride Lands."

"You don't know what she's like. She's willing to do anything to kill Simba. What if she's planning an attack?"

"Then we will be prepared." Kion assured. "We have the Lion Guard after all. We already have been through a lot and I'm sure we can handle Zira's clan." He hoped to calm down Kovu a bit.

Kovu stopped pacing around and looked at his friend. He noticed the cuts on Kion's face and body were beginning to heal a bit more, but they were still clearly visible. "I just don't want to see you get hurt again." he said with a frown.

"Hey." Kion approached the brown cub and sat down in front of him. He placed a paw on Kovu's shoulder. "I'll be fine. We'll get through this. You and me, together. Remember?" he said with a smile.

Kovu smiled as well. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks Kion."

The male cubs decided to head outside and were greeted by the king and queen. Rafiki was there as well.

"Good morning, Kion." Nala said as she nuzzled her son. "Rafiki is here to check on you."

The monkey approached the yellow cub. "How are you feeling, young one?"

"I'm doing great! I barely feel any pain if I move around."

"Good to hear!" He glanced at the cub, looking at the cuts which were healing quite fast. "From the looks of it, you're doing great indeed. If you take some more rest today, then you're good to join the Lion Guard again by tomorrow." Rafiki said.

"Really? Thanks Rafiki! For everything!" Kion answered excitingly.

"Indeed. Thank you for your help. You took good care of our son." Simba said.

"No need to thank me!"

"Well, you heard Rafiki. Take some more rest and stay close to Pride Rock. If you see one of the lions from Zira's clan, go home immediately." Nala said, facing Kion.

"I will mom! Come on Kovu! Let's go to the watering hole."

"Sure!" Kovu responded.

Both Kion and Kovu headed to the watering hole. Time flew by as they kept each other company, enjoying their time with each other. Even though Kovu was still a little stressed, he tried to forget about the Outlands and only focus on his friend.

Then, they heard some rustling in the tall grass around them. Both cubs immediately stood up and twitched their ears.

"Who's there?" Kion finally asked, loudly and confidently.

"Well well well... If it isn't Kion." a voice said.

Kion recognized that voice. Zira showed herself from the tall grass. "Zira!" Kion growled.

"Kion, we need to head back! Quick!" Kovu said.

Even though Kion wants to put Zira in her place, he promised to head back to Pride Rock if Zira or her clan were near. He turned around with Kovu to run back home, but then two more lionesses appeared from the tall grass, blocking Kion and Kovu's way. Then they went a different direction, but only to be blocked again by more lionesses from Zira's clan. Soon, the cubs were completely surrounded with no escape. This is not good... Kion thought. He turned around to face Zira. Kovu did the same.

"Didn't I make myself clear at our previous meeting, Kion?"

Kion was once again terrified for his life. He didn't respond.

"No, mother, please! You don't have to do this!" Kovu begged.

Zira sighed. She slowly approached the yellow cub. As Kion payed attention to her, he suddenly was pounced by another lioness. This lioness got him completely by surprise. Kion did his best to get up, but as small as he was compared to the fully grown lioness, he couldn't.

"You just wait until the Lion Guard comes here!" Kion growled.

"Shut it, cub!" Zira snarled.

The lioness on top of Kion put her paw on his muzzle with a lot of pressure, so the yellow cub couldn't speak no more. He was completely defenseless.

"LET HIM GO!" Kovu screamed.

Zira headed to her son. Kovu was also extremely afraid and didn't know what would happen next.

"Oh, Kovu... After all the things I have done for you, you decide to betray your whole family?"

"N-No! I'm... I'm sorry, I just-"

Zira interrupted him. "Do you still obey me and are you still willing to train to kill Simba?" she asked angrily.

Kovu looked at his friend, who was completely helpless. "Y-Yes, mother..." he finally responded. He hoped that his mother would let Kion go, so they could go back to the Outlands. He'd do anything to safe his friend's life, even if it means to go back to the worst place in the world.

Zira smiled evilly. "Good. So you wouldn't mind me then ending Kion's life?" she said as she approached Kion and unsheathed her claws, still facing Kovu.

The brown cub gasped. He didn't expect this! "NO! Don't hurt him, please! I would do anything!"

Zira's smile immediately turned into a frown. "Pathetic." is all that came from her muzzle. She turned to Kion, who was still lying on the ground with a lioness on top of him. Zira moved the lioness away and got on top of Kion by herself, making sure the cub couldn't move around.

Kion stared at Zira above him, absolutely horrified. He couldn't do anything and felt completely helpless. Is this it? Am I going to die? he thought. He saw Zira pulling up her paw, but to his surprise, she kept her claws sheathed. Zira then hit him as hard as she could on his head. Kion was immediately knocked out.

"NO!" Kovu screamed, who was forced to watch the whole thing.

"Let's go everyone! It's time to take the Pride Lands by force! It is now or never!" Zira said loudly.

She got off of Kion and with the rest of the lionesses, she headed to Pride Rock. Kovu went straight to Kion, who was still unconscious.

"Kion, please, wake up!" he yelled. He nudged his friend, but Kion still didn't move.

Oh no... What do I do? I need help! I need to take him to Rafiki! Kovu thought. He lowered himself and put Kion on his back once again. He jogged towards the tree of Rafiki and called for the mandrill.

"What happened?" Rafiki asked as he came down from the tree.

"Zira knocked him out! Her clan is attacking Pride Rock right now!" Kovu explained as the monkey picked up Kion.

"Come with me." Rafiki said. He carried Kion into his tree with Kovu behind him and put him down gently. He examined the cub once more. Kion had a bruise on the left side of his head. Other than that and the healing cuts, Rafiki didn't see more injuries.

"He needs to rest. He will be okay."

Kovu sighed of relief. "Thank you. But what about Pride Rock? We need to get help!"

"Correction, I'll go get help. You stay here with Kion, young one."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Yes. Stay here until I come back. Understood?"

Kovu nodded.

Rafiki then went out of the tree, heading to Pride Rock.

Kovu glanced at Kion and sighed. All he could do is wait for his friend to wake up and let him rest, while everyone else is defending the Pride Lands. He laid down next to his friend and sighed. "Please, Kion... Wake up. I need you..." Sadly, Kovu didn't get a response.