Simba was pacing around in the royal den. Nala looked at him concerned.
"Simba, you heard Rafiki. Kiara will be fine."
"I'm not worried about that, Nala. We now know for sure Zira doesn't give up. She will be back to attack us again sooner or later."
Even though Nala hoped that was not true, she knew he was right. Zira still wanted to attack her mate, even though her clan was already very weak. "I don't think there's much we can do. They are already exiled from the Pride Lands long ago."
"We need to kill them. All of them. That's the punishment for trespassing into the Pride Lands while being exiled."
Nala's eyes widened. "Are you being serious?"
Simba stopped pacing and looked at his mate. "Look, not long ago, Zira was trespassing because she was watching Kovu going into the Pride Lands. I made it very clear to her that trespassing once again, she would be sentenced to death. And Zira's clan didn't just trespass, they attacked us! Zira almost let Kion bleed to death too if you haven't forgotten! There is no other choice."
"Simba, even IF that's a good idea, how in the Pride Lands are you going to kill them? They're with way too many!"
"We have something that Zira's clan doesn't. We have the Roar."
"No! You are not using our son to do such a terrible task! He's too young!"
"Kion is the only one who can do it!"
"Do what?" a voice suddenly asked.
Kion was entering the den with Kovu. They didn't know what Kion's parents were talking about.
"Kion, thank the Kings you're here. I need your help." Simba said.
"Don't you dare suggesting your idea to him!" Nala snarled.
"Do you have a better idea?" Simba asked Nala.
Nala went silent and sighed.
"What idea?" Kion asked.
"Kion," Simba began, "having Zira's clan exiled isn't enough for them to stop attacking the Pride Lands. You saw how Kiara was injured. Who knows who Zira will hurt next when she comes back. It is only a matter of time before we actually lose someone."
The yellow cub listened, but didn't get where this was going. "So, what are you saying, dad?"
"I need you to take down Zira's clan once and for all using your Roar."
Kion was shocked hearing this. "You want me to kill them?" he asked nervously.
"You really don't have to, Kion." Nala said. "There will be a lot of weight on your shoulders if you do this."
"It's for the greater good." Simba explained. "By taking down Zira's clan, we know for sure we'll be safe. You don't want to get hurt again, do you? Let alone lose someone you love?"
"No, of course not! But, I just... Is this the only option?" Kion asked.
"Yes, Kion. I'm afraid so."
"We can also wait until we find a better solution." Nala suggested.
"There is no better solution. We simply can't wait any longer since we don't know when Zira is going to attack again." Simba said. "Kion, I'm asking you as a king and a father. Will you help your family and friends by taking down Zira's clan?"
Everyone was looking at the yellow cub, curious what he would say. Kion thought for a moment. He definitely wants to help the Pride Lands however he can, but does he really have to kill an entire clan? Isn't that considered evil? He had no idea. He looked at Kovu, who was staring at him with a concerned expression. After a while, he finally responded.
"Okay, if it means to protect the Pride Lands, then I'll do it." he answered.
"Thank you, Kion." Simba said.
"Kion, you have to understand what you are going to do. This isn't just chasing away hyenas out of the Pride Lands." Nala said.
"I know, mom. I understand."
Kovu's heart sank the moment Kion said yes. He immediately walked out of the den, leaving Pride Rock.
"Kovu?" Kion said. But Kovu didn't respond and kept going. Kion followed him.
"Kovu, what's wrong?" Kion asked.
The brown cub stopped walking and looked in Kion's eyes. "Are you really willing to kill my whole family?" he asked angrily.
"Well, I don't really want to, but if it's the only solution..."
"I can't believe you! Can't you see you're being used right now?"
"Used? What are you talking about? I'm just trying to protect my own family and friends!"
"Then how is that any different when my mother wanted me to kill Simba?"
At this, Kion went silent.
"My mother wanted me to become king in the Pride Lands so we didn't have to worry about food. Killing Simba was the only solution. The plan was to protect her clan as well. It was when she attacked you I realized she used me my whole life, even manipulated me. But now you're fine with killing her entire clan? What's the difference?" Kovu asked.
"The difference is that we Pride Landers don't randomly attack her clan! My sister almost died today, Kovu! We're just defending ourselves!"
"Janja and his clan also attack the Pride Lands randomly. You told me yourself they even took down multiple prey! But you don't go ahead and kill those hyenas. You know why? Because an antelope's life is apparently less than a lion's."
"No! That's... It's..." Kion was thinking hard on what to say next. "It's just different!" he yelled.
"Is it really?"
"What else am I supposed to do, Kovu?! Tell me!"
"I don't know, but literally ANY solution is better than killing them! I thought you were better than this."
"I don't actually want to kill your family, but if it prevents from everyone else getting hurt or even killed, then I have no other choice!
Kovu shook his head lightly. "You're wrong. Killing them is not the answer. Simba is using you, just like my mother used me." he sighed. "I'm not gonna stop you, not that it would matter anyway. But I will never forgive you if you do this."
At this, Kovu walked away once more, leaving Kion behind.
I can't believe him! Kovu thought. I was willing to turn against my family for Kion, while he just blindly accepts killing them because his father says so. Does he even care about my feelings? Kovu felt frustrated. He didn't know what to think of his so called 'friend'. Somewhere he understands he just wants to get his family and friends safe, but killing an entire clan can't be an option. Maybe I should warn my mother's clan... he thought.
Kion was shocked at Kovu's words. But it did make him realize he'll hurt Kovu if he really kills Zira's clan. It made the yellow lion confused. If I don't kill Zira's clan, then my friends and family will always be in danger. But if I do kill them, then I might lose Kovu for good. Kion didn't know what to do.
He decided to go check on Kiara and went to Rafiki's tree. When he climbed up into the tree, he saw Rafiki holding one finger against his mouth, telling Kion to be quiet. He then glanced at Kiara, who was sleeping. Kion gave the mandrill a nod and sat next to his sister.
"How is she doing?" Kion whispered.
"She's fine. She still needs a lot of rest." Rafiki answered, whispering as well.
Kion examined the sleeping cub and noticed her body was surrounded by leaves and vines to help stop the bleeding. He stared at her, thinking of everything that happened today.
"I'll go get some more water. I'll be right back." Rafiki whispered.
Kion nodded and then saw the monkey leaving the tree. He looked at Kiara once again. "I'm so sorry, Kiara," he whispered, "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I should have been there, protecting you." Kion sighed.
It hurt the yellow cub to see Kiara hurt this badly. Why can't Kovu see this is exactly what I want to prevent? he thought. He then thought about Kovu's situation. Kovu had to kill Simba, even if he didn't want to, to have a better life for himself and his family. It was Kion who unconsciously convinced him not to do so. Killing Simba just wasn't the solution. Maybe it isn't either with killing Zira's clan. But what should I do then? he thought. He knows just who to ask.
Kion went down the tree and walked upon a hill. He looked in the sky before asking: "Grandfather Mufasa?"
There came light from the sky before Mufasa's head appeared between the clouds.
"Yes, Kion. I'm here."
"Grandfather, the Pride Lands were under attack by Zira's clan. They were trying to take down my dad. They managed to hurt Kiara badly, and almost killed her... My father says I should take down Zira's clan for good by using my Roar, but I don't know if I could."
"And why do they need to be taken down?"
"Zira's clan could attack again. Being exiled isn't enough to stop attacking us, my father said."
"Your father wants what's best for his family and his kingdom. But killing an entire clan isn't the answer. Using the Roar to take down lives may also be more difficult for you to see the difference between good and evil."
"Then what should I do?"
"You need to make sure Zira's clan won't be coming to the Pride Lands ever again. It is for you to figure out how to do so. Trust yourself, and I'm sure you'll come up with a plan to safe the Pride Lands without killing anyone."
"Okay, thank you grandfather."
Mufasa smiled before disappearing in the clouds.
"'Make sure Zira's clan won't be coming to the Pride Lands... Ever again.'" Kion said to himself. "What would possibly make them stop coming?" He started to pace around, thinking of a plan. Then, he got it.
Kion went back to Pride Rock to meet with his parents.
"Mom, dad, I've got it!"
"What?" Simba asked.
"I know how we can stop Zira's clan from attacking the Pride Lands without killing them. But I need to count on you both."
"Of course you can count on us, Kion." Nala said smiling.
"What plan do you have?" Simba asked.
"I'll tell you later. I'm bringing Kovu here as well so we can talk about it. I'll be right back!"
With that, Kion left Pride Rock once again, looking for his friend. He noticed a brown lion cub laying next to a watering hole by himself. Kion immediately went straight towards him.
"Kovu?"
Kovu lifted up his head and noticed Kion was smiling at him.
"What are you so happy about?" the brown cub asked.
"You were right! Killing your family isn't the solution. And I've got an idea how to protect the Pride Lands without hurting Zira's clan. I actually need you too. Can I count on you?"
Kovu stood up and smiled. "Definitely." The thought of warning his family now completely disappeared.
"Great, come with me to Pride Rock!" Kion said.
The two cubs were now heading to Pride Rock to discuss Kion's plan. This better works... Kion thought.