Chapter 12: Heart of a Hunter, Will of a Protector

A/N: HAH! HE LIVES! Okay, so after a few very busy weeks...alright months, in my life, I finally managed to work on Chapter 12 and get it ready for reading. For a quick preview of what's to come, this WILL be the last time Connor fights Janga, and he will put his hunting skills to the test, showing the lionesses just how strong he has become. Before we get into it though, I'm going to give reviewer shout-outs a try, kinda like LionKingIsAwesome, which is why he'll go first.

LionKingIsAwesome: No problem man. Your story is unique and good in its own way. And kudos on all the chapters I have not reviewed yet. I have read them though, and I'm always interested in where you'll take the story next. You keep your effort, and I'll do my best to keep up.

Jack905: Glad you think so. Whenever I read other Human in Lion King stories, I always noticed how they somewhat lacked human-to-lion/lioness/cub interactions. I figured this was a great way to help build my story better.

Jestalnaker94000 & nightfury1507: Thank you, and you won't have to wait any longer.

14fox: Yeah he is. I kinda based him off myself because I have a love for kids and animals; two things rolled into one. Also, I'm a younger brother by 7 years, but I never pulled pranks on him. WAY too smart for me. ^_^'

Gabriel: I appreciate the idea, but I already have something in mind. I hope you'll like it when the time comes.

Guests: 1. Glad you guys loved the chapter. 2. Zira will play a part in this chapter; one you guys might not expect. 3. The wait is over. I have updated! XD

Now, with those out of the way, let's get this long-awaited show on the road!

I found myself there again…

Lost in a memory…

Trudging through the mud…

Time slowed down…

Reaching for my little brother TJ as he did the same to me…

I was in that nightmare again. While it was not as frequent as weeks before, it would still come to me now and then. And when it did, it haunted me to my core. I could see my dad struggling against the poacher, trying to seize the gun in his hand, my mom as she tried to help my dad...and TJ...trying to free himself from the second poacher's grasp.

Once again, I struggled to move towards the jeep, using all the strength I could muster to reach my little brother before the inevitable happened. I throw my hand out to him, hoping this time I just might be able to change this torment in my mind and end the nightmare. But just like before…

Connor…

I was too late…

The jeep exploded into a massive inferno like it has many times before, taking the poachers and my family along with it, and sending me flying away from the destruction.

Connor…

Regaining my senses, I was forced to bear witness to the devastation before me and again come to terms with the fact that my family was gone.

Connor…

Yet, as I watched the flames dance off the wrecked remains of the jeep, I saw something...different occur before me: I saw the flames spread widely before dispersing and taking the form of creatures I had nothing but grim encounters with...Hyenas…

Connor.

Like the wildfire they were, the hyenas surrounded me, leaving me without a way to escape. I was trapped and had no way to defend myself. As they closed in, the source of the flames erupted and contorted into an image that made me truly tremble with fear. The image of a scarred hyena with a milky white eye.

"Janga..." I whisper his name as I fall to a sitting position while trying to back away in fear. I could see his sinister grin directed at me as his one good eye pierced through my heart. He knew that I was terrified, and was taking pleasure in that fact.

CONNOR.

"I told you I'd be back, kid." The lead hyena snarls as he slowly makes his approach, the flames surrounding us intensifying, making it hard for me to breathe. "And this time, I'm going to make sure I finish you off." He chuckled as he was now practically on top of me, ready to make his move.

CONNOR!

However, before I could feel his teeth rip into my flesh, I felt an odd, yet strong pressure on my nose, and just like that, I was jolted out of the nightmare.

I was back in the den, breathing heavily as I looked around to get my bearings. I felt my face, which although sweaty, was still in one piece, along with the rest of my body, until I heard a young, quiet voice cut through the silence of the night; a familiar voice that was very close, and very worried.

"Connor? Are you okay?" I finally look down to see the concerned eyes of my little brother staring up at me from his spot at my side in my sleeping bag. Turns out he was the one who woke me up, and he did so by gently biting down on my nose, which is something he hasn't done since he was an infant. At least it proved to be effective.

"Yeah...yeah, I'm fine Simba." I finally answer his question as I calm myself down and rub his head, to which he purrs in response. "Just a bad dream is all."

Simba however, kept a worried look on his muzzle. This wasn't the first time I had a bad dream after he started sleeping at my side, and he felt bad that there was nothing he could do to help. Well, tonight, he decided that would change. After taking a minute to stretch, the cub stood up in the sleeping bag and did the one thing he thought would help me the most: he pressed the side of his head against my cheek and nuzzled me out of comfort.

Feeling my little brother do this, listening to him purr as he tried to console me however he could, brought peace to my mind that was greatly needed. With a calming sigh, I returned the nuzzle before draping my arm over Simba and pulling him close, saying one last thing before sleep took hold of us once more.

"Thanks, bud."

A few more hours would pass before Simba woke up again, only this time it was not out of concern for his older brother, who was still sound asleep, but out of excited anticipation for what today meant for the little cub. Carefully slipping out of the sleeping bag, Simba looked back at me with a smile before scampering out of the den and towards the edge of the promontory rock. Taking a deep breath of the morning air, he did a quick scan of the Pridelands, for today was the day that dad would teach him how to be a king and show him around our home as he did with me many months ago. But to make that happen, he had to wake the king up first.

"Dad! Dad!" Simba hollered to our father as he hurried back into the den. "Come on dad, we gotta go! Wake up!" He continued to call him but to no avail. So being as careful as possible, Simba waded his way through a sea of sleeping lionesses and cubs to reach dad. Unfortunately, he wasn't careful enough, as he managed to trip over a few of our pride sisters in the process.

"Sorry, oop." Simba apologized after bumping into one last lioness and finally reaching his family again upon getting past that little inconvenience.

"Dad…Dad…" Simba spoke with disappointment as he watched Mufasa continue to sleep, or in this case snore, the morning away before calling out to him like a broken record.

"Mmh, you're youngest son's awake." Sarabi said sleepily to her mate, having heard Simba barrel his way back over to us after re-entering the den.

"Before sunrise, the youngest is yours." Mufasa responded with a sleepy retort of his own, not even bothering to open his eyes to acknowledge the little fuzzball's calls, and Simba was not liking it one bit.

"Dad. Dad! C'mon Dad!" Seeing that words alone were not working, Simba decided to add physical force to the equation. Propping himself upon his father's mane, he grabbed hold of his ear and started to pull. However, after the third tug, the little cub lost his grip and was sent crashing into...yep, you guessed it: Me.

"Whoa…" I heard Simba groan from his upside-down position against my side as the sudden impact woke me from my slumber. Taking a minute to yawn, I look around for what disturbed my peaceful sleep until my eyes fall upon the golden-furred form of my little brother, causing me to groan in annoyance.

"Y'know, I don't remember ordering a wake-up call this early in the day fuzzball." I say sleepily as I prop myself up on my elbows and rub my eyes. So much for sleeping in today.

"Hehe, sorry Connor." Simba says embarrassingly as he takes a minute to get himself back on his paws. "I was trying to get dad up. He's supposed to show me the kingdom today, and I don't want to miss the sunrise." He exclaims eagerly as he shakes himself free of any dust and dirt from the earlier crash.

"Oh, is that what today is?" I ask with a smug smile as I stretch. Simba isn't the only one who knows how to mess around now and then. "I thought that was a week from now."

"Connor." Simba whines as he sits in front of me and pouts, thinking that I forgot how important this day was to him. Luckily for the little fuzzball, I know when to take it easy on the antics, and this was one of those times.

"I'm just kiddin' Simba." I say with a smile as I rub his head. "I could never forget something as important as this." And just like that, the smile returns on the little cub's face as he scampers up to me and nuzzles me happily.

"Tell you what bud: to make up for tricking you like that, I'll help you wake dad up. Sound fair?" I ask as I look down at him, to which he responds with a very rigorous nod. "Alright, here goes nothing."

As Simba rested against my free hand, I reached over towards our father with my right, and with no fear whatsoever, used my thumb and pointer finger to pinch the king's nose shut. With a few coughs and snorts, our father finally lifts his head and opens his eyes, reluctantly waking from his nap.

"Hm? Huh? Wha? I-I'm I'm up" He says drearily as he licks his chops then rubs his nose as I pull my fingers away with a collected giggle from Simba and myself. Mission Accomplished.

"Connor…" Dad starts with a quiet yawn. "I hope you have a good reason for the rude awakening this morning." Then looks at me in tired annoyance. I, however, just keep a smirk on my face as he looks at me. The way I see it, this is like payback for when he woke me up early for my first lesson, and man did it feel good.

"I do actually." I say matter-of-factly, then point down at Simba. "And it's currently using my arm as a pillow." Simba looks up at me as I say my piece before putting his attention on our dad.

"Dad, we're going to miss the sunrise. You said we could watch it together before my first lesson." My little brother exclaimed as he got up and walked over to our still sleepy father, who groaned and stretched in place as a response.

"I'm sure you can wait a little while longer, Simba." Mufasa says as he lays his head back down and closes his eyes. "It's not like the sun is going anywhere soon." Good grief, now I know what it was like trying to wake me up on my first day. Then again, dad was a bit more eager than I was at the time. Still, I can't help but feel bad for Simba as I kept my gaze on him.

"But daad…" He looks at our father in disbelief as the king once again starts to slumber. But did that stop the little fuzzball? You bet your tail it didn't. With a shake of his head and a look of determination on his muzzle, Simba slowly backs up, crouching ever so slightly, then charges ahead, headbutting Mufasa square in the side of his face. Even I had to wince when he did that.

"You promised!" A disgruntled Simba shouts at his father, complete with a scowl, as the victim of his headbutt once again opened his eyes, getting an up-close view of the look on his youngest son's face. No doubt knowing he no longer had a choice, dad finally conceded to Simba's demands.

"Alright, alright. Let's get going."

"Yeah!" Simba shouted quietly, taking the lead as he headed towards the entrance of the den, while dad let out one last, rather loud yawn, which woke up mom, the last member of our snoozing family.

As we all exited the den; Simba was the first, followed by me, then our parents, I stretched my tired muscles once again as I got ready for the day. Oh yeah! I should probably mention that at least a month has passed since my last encounter with Janga, and I looked, even felt, like a completely different person. Long gone were the signs of all my baby fat and average body frame, and in its place was a form that was tan in skin tone and almost all muscle.

Since that encounter, I immediately started training my body so that I could have the strength and stamina to help prepare me for my responsibilities in my new home. Whether it was practicing defense and strength techniques with my dad, or learning new hunting strategies from the lionesses, I was willing to go whatever distance to make myself a contributing member of my pride.

So with that out of the way, let's get back to what is happening today. As we waited for mom and dad to catch up, I knelt and used my hand to lightly wrestle with Simba, who enjoyed every minute of it. Soon enough, our parents caught up to us, and Simba quickly got to his paws.

"You sure you don't wanna come, Connor?" He asked as he propped himself up on my knee. While I'm sure it would have been a fun experience for Simba to have me with him for this, I knew this was something special between him and dad, and I didn't want to take that moment away from them.

"Yeah, I'm sure bud. After all, who do you think dad gave these lessons to before you?" I smirk as I rub his head, hearing him giggle in response to my question.

"Okay, but we'll be able to play once I'm done, right?" He looks up at me with those hopeful eyes. Oh, what a sucker I am for that look.

"Once you're finished fuzzball, I'm all yours." I say confidently, to which he grins and nuzzles me happily before hopping down off my knee and bound towards mom. As he rubbed his body along her forelegs out of familial love, I got back to my feet and went over to her side just as she nudged Simba along to catch up with dad.

And just like that, they were off towards the summit, ready to begin Simba's first lesson on what it means to be king. Mom and I shared a look of pride as we watched Simba follow dad before I eventually rested a hand on her neck.

"He is going to be a great king someday. I just know it." I speak first with absolute confidence as I turn to face my lioness mother.

"Of that, I have no doubt, Connor." Sarabi replies as she gazes up at me with just as much pride. "He looks up to you very fondly, you know. He's never afraid to be himself around you and is always eager to spend time with you. You should be proud of yourself as well. " I can't help but blush at the comment. I know I'm his big brother and everything, but I didn't think I left THAT big of an impression on the little fuzzball.

"Awe c'mon mom. It's really no big deal." I scratch my head as I look away. "I just want to make sure he enjoys the life he has and stays safe doing it, that's all."

"And yet by doing so, you have helped him grow so much. You may not see it as being very important, but your father and I do." As she says this, my mom gently presses her head into the palm of my hand, nuzzling it comfortingly. "You helped break down a fear of humans that was built many generations ago. Simba doesn't even care if you are different from us. All that matters to him is that you're his big brother and that he cares about you just as much as we do." Listening to her words, I kneel so that our eyes could meet, my hand now resting against her cheek. "And if that isn't something to be proud of, I don't know what is." As the sun finally started to rise, I pressed my forehead against my mother's, letting her purring bring me peace.

"Thanks, mom...I love you." I say to her as we break apart.

"And I love you, my son." With that, she licks my cheek and rests her head on my shoulder, allowing me to hug her.

A Few Moments Later

After sharing that short mother-son moment, mom decided to head back to the main den and gather up the lionesses. After all, we always use our time in the morning to train and prepare for upcoming hunts, and this time, I was finally going to join in one. Heh, guess this isn't just a big day for Simba, but for me too.

As the sun detached from the earth and brightened the day even further, all of the lionesses, myself included, could be seen sitting in the grass a few yards away from Pride Rock getting a pep talk from my mother. She is the leader of the hunting parties after all. Even the female cubs decided to join in and listen to what my mom had to say; Nala and Tama were sitting in my lap, while Kula laid on top of my backpack.

"Alright ladies, and Connor," mom starts, inciting giggles from my sisters and the cubs as I rolled my eyes in response. "Today is a big day, for this will be Connor's very first hunt." She states proudly, leading the others to cheer and applaud for me...Well, all except for one. I'll bet you know who I'm referring to. Zira was currently on the opposite end of our little audience line and I couldn't help but see her scoff when mom brought me up as a topic.

I discovered with Zira that although she may not be the most approachable of lionesses, she was very skilled when it came to hunting. Her main attributes were her stealth and her strength; One time when I was observing a hunt from a distance, I watched her stalk her prey while effectively blending in with her surroundings, and when the time came to strike, she was one of the first lionesses to make a move, usually for the jugular, and take down her prey. It was that kind of skill, combined with her demeanor, that made me shiver whenever she looked my way.

Luckily, she never really wants much to do with me, which is why she's usually very quick to choose a training partner that wasn't...well...me. I still don't understand what problem she has with me. I know Scar has had his share of bad memories when it comes to humans, but Zira has yet to open up about anything in that regard. Well, there's no use fretting over it now, so I might as well focus on my mom who was still talking to all of us.

"Now while it may be his first, that does not mean we should lose sight of what truly counts in a hunt, which is…" My mom continues to speak until she is cut off by a very eager Tama who sits up on my lap.

"Ooh! Ooh! I know the answer to that one, Queen Sarabi!" She exclaims, leading Sarabi to chuckle at her enthusiasm.

"Very well Tama. What is the most important part of a hunt?"

"Working together as a team. A lioness is only as successful as the hunting party she works with." Tama stated factually, to which I smile with pride at her knowledge while the others comment about her.

"That's my daughter for you. She will be an excellent hunter one day." Kasi stated proudly.

"Yeah yeah. Just make sure ya don't let it get to her head or nothin'." Amani adds in jokingly with a smirk, causing Kasi to push her playfully with a paw while the rest of us laughed.

"Alright, settle down everyone. Tama is right: Teamwork is key in a successful hunt, but it's not the only factor. You also need strength, speed, skill, and patience." Mom started up once again as she looked at all of us. "Which is why until Zazu returns from his morning report with the status of the herds, I want you all to pair up and test your skills against one another to better know who you'll be hunting with." At this, we all nodded, though I was dreading what was about to happen in the next few seconds.

"I got dibs on Connor!" And that would be Amani claiming me as her training partner...like she always does, leading me to groan. Whenever we had sparring sessions, Amani would always pick me first, and every time we clashed, the result would be the same.

A Couple of Hours Later

"OOF!" Once again, I found myself on my back, pinned down by my sister, who grinned down at me smugly.

"Looks like I got ya again kiddo." Amani stated as she stood over me while rolling my eyes at her showboating.

"Yeah yeah. Rub it in, why don't ya?" I retort as I push her paws off of me and sit up, dusting the dirt off my shirt. It's already been like two hours since we started, and I have not once gotten a pin on Amani. And to make matters worse, this was the fifth time she pinned me. At this point, I'll be lucky if I even last one minute on a hunt. After all, you need both strength and skill in a hunt, and apparently, I'm still lacking both.

Seeing the downtrodden look on my face, my Aunt Fina came over to check up on me. "Having trouble with practice huh?"

"I just don't get it." I speak out as she helps me up. "How am I supposed to take part in a hunt if I can't even pin my sister?" I gestured to Amani, who was currently stretching and watching the others practice waiting for me to be ready for another round.

Letting out an irritated huff, I then looked at Sarafina with mild confusion, for she was chuckling, I think, at the sight of my ignorance. "Well, why don't you think of it this way:" She begins as she gestures to me to bring my head down to her level so she could whisper in my ear. "Try not to focus just on your abilities alone, but on the abilities of your opponent as well. Analyze how she moves, how she prepares, and how she strikes. You do that, and you should have her pinned in no time."

Nodding in understanding, I grin sneakily at Amani as I stand back up, Sarafina returning to her own session with my mom.

"Alright Amani, I'm ready for the next round." I state confidently as I stretch and crack my neck.

"Heh heh, then I hope you're ready to meet the ground again." She then turns to face me, her body crouched low as she begins to circle me. This time, however, instead of focusing on how I would take her down, I kept my gaze on her every movement, ready for her to make the first move. But unlike the last few times, I was prepared for her. I was ready to win.

"You got this Connor!"

"Yeah! Show her what you got"

"Take her down!"

I smile as I glance over at the cubs cheering me on, but to Amani, this was the opportunity she was waiting for.

"Gotcha!" She shouted as she pounced at me...only for me to move out of the way with ease, having her miss her mark. "Whoa...did not expect that."

As Amani turned to face me again, I crouched low myself and held my hands up at the ready. "You won't take me down so easily THIS time, sis." I state, determined to win this round.

"I gotta admit kid, you caught me by surprise with that maneuver. But let's see how long you can keep it up." Amani said as she bounded towards me and began swiping at me with her paws.

As our match transpired, the other lionesses soon caught sight of how I was performing, while Nala, Kula, and Tama continued to cheer me on. Soon enough, they all came over to where I was to watch and cheer me on. After all, they wanted me to succeed as a hunter.

"Looks like you've drawn a bit of a crowd kiddo." Amani grins at me as she got onto her hind legs and wrapped her forepaws around my neck; she was going to use the weight of her body to try and overpower me.

"Yeah." I reply before I feel the weight of Amani's paws on my shoulders. It's times like this when I'm thankful that all that strength training with my dad paid off. "I guess I'll have to give them a show worth remembering!" I shout as I wrap my arms around my sister's middle, and with all the strength I could muster, I lift Amani off her hind paws, into the air, then slam her right back down to the ground, knocking the wind right out of her.

As a result of my incredible feat, everyone cheered and applauded for me, while the cubs rushed right over to me, knocked me onto my back, and smothered me with nuzzles and licks.

"Well, I'll be." Neema said with optimistic bewilderment as she made her way to Amani's side. "He finally did it."

"I knew he'd pull it off." Amani replies as she gets up and shakes herself free of dust. "He had all of us to train him after all."

As I pet the cubs while they showered me with praise and affection, a shadow was soon cast over my person… the shadow of a certain, cynical-looking lioness.

"Hmph, so managed to achieve a single victory against a lioness. It doesn't change the fact that you are still inexperienced, and that you have yet to become a true hunter." Zira lectured me in a condescending tone, causing the cubs to huddle down against my chest as I sat back up and draped an arm over them protectively.

"I'm well aware of that fact, Zira." I state as I meet her gaze, a newfound courage welling up within me. "That's why I continue to train with all of you, and why I'm looking forward to this hunt. I'll finally get to prove my worth to the pride."

"Hah, that's rather brazen, given your current lack of success in pinning down your opponent." Zira proclaimed snarkily as she began to walk away, leaving me to scowl. I was not about to let her have the last word on this, even if it meant doing something really, REALLY stupid.

"I bet I could pin YOU." I say with a smirk, loud enough for everyone to hear, and gasp in response, while Zira slowly turns her back towards me.

"You? Pin me?" She questioned as she quickly turned and stalked over to me. "Your chances of that are as slim as you becoming the next king." I narrow my eyes as she mentions the kingship to me. If she honestly thinks something like that will rile me up, she better think twice. I'm not about to let her words get to me, especially if I intend to beat her in a match.

"Then you have nothing to worry about." I stand up in front of her and cross my arms. "So, are you going to prove me wrong, or are you going to walk away?"

The air was tense as the minutes passed, the lionesses looking between myself and Zira anxiously, until said tension was finally broken when the sharp-furred lioness grinned and spoke.

"Very well boy. I accept your challenge." She then crouched down low, ready to attack, while I did the same. "I just hope you're ready to accept defeat once again."

Taking a calming breath, I got ready for what would no doubt be my toughest ordeal yet…

At least until I heard that all-too-familiar laughter…

"Oh no…" I say quietly as I look around, my senses on high alert as the lionesses all crouched down protectively around the cubs.

"Awe, don't stop on our account ladies." That familiar, vile voice spoke up as its owner emerged from the tall grass. "It'll make working for our meal that much easier."

The scarred hyena laughed darkly as more soon emerged, surrounding our small hunting party with ease. There had to be at least twenty this time around, and they were all looking hungry.

"You made a pretty risky move coming here Janga." Kasi speaks out she stands over her daughter.

"Maybe so, but if it means I finally get to finish a meal I've been waiting on for months, then it will all be worth it." As he says this Janga stares right at me, making it clear to the lionesses that I was his main target.

"If you want my son, you'll have to go through me!" My mom roars at the hyenas as she stands in front of me protectively, soon flanked by other lionesses.

"And me!"

"You can count me in too!"

I smiled at the big cats who were willing to protect me, but I knew I couldn't just sit back and do nothing. Stepping back, I reach for my pack, grab my still sheathed machete, and strap it to a belt loop on my shorts; I would only draw it unless I have to. Until then, I managed to find a large, thick branch that would serve as a makeshift club in the meantime.

"Ohoh, my dear big kitties." Janga and his clan slowly start to approach us. "That's what I was hoping for." And like the wildfire from my dream, the hyenas began their attack, biting and pawing at my pride sisters while they swatted them away and clawed at them with all the ferocity they could muster, all while keeping the cubs safe.

As I kept a close eye on the skirmish before me, my eyes soon fall upon a surprising sight: Zira was being pinned down by three hyenas, and one of them had her by the ear. I know she may not be one of my favorite lionesses in the pride, but she's still a member of it. So throwing caution to the wind, I rushed to Zira's aide and swat the hyenas off of her with all the strength I use against them.

"Are you alright?" I ask her, to which she looks up at me with surprise. It almost seemed as though she didn't expect me to help her. Regardless of what she was thinking or not, she still nodded in response. While she did have her share of cuts and bruises, especially with the tear in her right ear from where she was bitten, she was still alive and that's what mattered.

Now, it was time for me to fight back, and show these scavengers that I was no longer some easy meal. Gripping the branch nice and tight, I charge into the fray, ready to bust some hyena heads.

Meanwhile, along the Western Border

"HAHAHAHAHA! That's very good." Mufasa commented to his youngest son Simba after teaching him how to pounce, and successfully doing so on the majordomo, who was currently flat on his back with his wings all ruffled from the surprise attack. The things he did for the royal family. Just as he was about to get up, he was knocked in the back of the head by a gopher, who had a look of urgency on his little snout.

"Zazu!"

"Yes!?"

"Sir, news from the underground!"

While Zazu received the information from the gopher, Mufasa was getting Simba ready for his next lesson.

"Now, this time-" before he could say anything else, he was cut off by a frantic Zazu, who had pulled his head up over the rock he was perched on earlier.

"Sire! Hyenas! In the Pridelands! They've surrounded the lionesses AND Prince Connor!" Hearing this made both my dad and brother's eyes widen in shock and fear. Reacting immediately, Mufasa leaped over Zazu and began making his way towards the Central Pridelands.

"Zazu, take Simba home." The king ordered the hornbill as Simba approached him.

"Dad, is Connor gonna be okay?" He asked, concern filling his words. In response, our father sighed before sporting a weak yet hopeful smile.

"I certainly hope so son." And with that, the king took his leave, quickly making his way towards the conflict.

Simba however, was still worried as his ears folded back and he made his way home. "I hope he'll be alright…" He said as he kept his gaze on the ground, at least until Zazu spoke up to try and lift his spirits.

"Oh young master, I'm sure your brother will be just fine." He states as he takes flight and hovers over the youngest prince. "And knowing him, he'll be chasing those slobbering, mangy, stupid poachers from dawn until dusk."

Back in the Central Pridelands

Man, I'm running low on energy and fast. I was currently smashing my branch into two hyenas while a third managed to leap onto my back, aiming to bite down on my throat. Luckily, with my improved reflexes, I was able to quickly grab it by the head, throw it to the ground, and punt it right in the gut, knocking the wind right out of it. As I was doing this, two more charged at me, not even giving me a moment to catch my breath. I managed to tiredly dodge the first hyena, but stumbled in the process, allowing the other hyena to ram right into my chest. The impact caused me to tumble a few feet, but I was able to get to my knees quickly and backhand the hyena away from me. Man, did that sting! Pretty certain the back of my hand is nice and red from doing that.

As I tried to get back to my feet, a scarred blur smacked me in the side of the head, dazing me and making me fall to the ground. It felt like the entire world was spinning and all I could hear...was Janga's laughter.

"I told you I'd be back, kid." The patriarch stated as he stared down at me with his one good eye. "And now, I'm going to make sure I savor every single moment of this…" He then brings his maw down to my face. I could easily smell rotting flesh on his breath. But just when I thought he was going to bite down, he pulled back. Why? Why prolong my death?

"But first…" He moves out of the way, and to my horror, I saw Kula dangling by the scruff in the mouth of another hyena, fear plastered all over her face. No…not Kula…not her… "Why don't we start with a little snack?"

Kula was dropped onto the ground and held there by the other hyena, tears streaming down her face as Janga approached her. I don't get it. Where's Neema? Where's Amani? Where are my mom and aunt Fina? As I asked myself these questions, I looked into the distance to see the lionesses in question struggling against a large group of their own, and it was blocking off their path to me and Kula. Kula and I were on our own…

We were going to die here…

No…

I won't be able to save myself…

No.

I won't be able to protect Kula...just like I couldn't protect TJ…

NO!

Hearing the defiance in my mind grow, I soon feel a familiar heat build up from deep within my body. Almost like a spark… one similar to that time with the poachers all those months ago. Only this time, it continued to grow into a great flame. A flame that was giving me the strength and drive to stand up, and fuel me to do the one thing that mattered most at this moment:

Save Kula.

Slowly getting to my feet, a low, almost bestial growl escaped my lips as Janga turned to face me out of curiosity.

"Hm, I'm surprised you can still stand, kid." Before he could say more, however, his good eye caught sight of my own reddened eyes, and they were relaying one strong feeling towards him:

Fury.

Taking a deep breath, I let out a bestial battle cry, attracting the attention of both the lions and hyenas. Before Janga could even react, I rushed at him wildly and bashed him away with just a fist. Oddly enough, I didn't feel any pain when I hit him that time, but now my focus was on the other hyena, who tried to back away in fear. Unfortunately for said hyena, I caught up with ease and punted it square in the chest, causing it to yelp in pain, then scamper away in fear.

With the other hyena out of the way, I was able to put my focus back on Janga, who just so happened to be charging at me from behind. Unfortunately for him, I expected he would do something like this. With well-developed reflexes, I dodge his charge, then grab him around the torso to lift him over my head with ease, then slam him back down to the ground. Seeing him struggle to breathe, I quickly crouch down and whisper in his ear.

"I'm gonna break your leg now."

"Wha-Aaaaaaah!" The scarred hyena screams in agony as I quite literally curb stomp his right foreleg, breaking the bone, only to be silenced as I kick him in the head nice and hard, knocking him out. Breathing heavily, I finally feel myself calm down, and see my work firsthand.

I did it…I did it!

I beat Janga, saved Kula, and I didn't even have to use my machete.

Thinking about the weapon, I take a minute to pull it out of its sheath and inspect the blade. There will be a time when I need to use it, and only time will tell when that moment comes. As I continue to look at the weapon, I soon hear a familiar roar, causing me to look towards my pride sisters and see my dad make an appearance and scare off the remaining mongrels. Seeing him smile with relief, I slowly walk towards him...only to see that relief be replaced with fear.

"If I'm going down kid…" Slowly, I looked behind me to see Janga glaring at me while he stood on three good paws. "THEN I'M TAKING YOU WITH ME!" And with that, Janga pounced at me.

It was as though all time slowed down in that instant. I turned to face the mad patriarch, machete in hand.

Steel blade facing matted fur…

Strong jaws facing pink flesh…

At that moment…two bodies would impact and fall to the ground, and one would never get up again.

"CONNOR!"

A/N 2: Oh my freaking GOD! Chapter 12 of my story is finally…FINALLY done. And by Christmas for that matter. Heh, guess this can be considered a Christmas gift to all my readers, huh? Well, joking aside, I want to deeply apologize for making you guys wait until now to read my latest chapter. After I completed chapter 11, my focus was on moving to a new house and well, adjusting to living in it. Unfortunately during that time, I found it hard to find time to do some writing, let alone the motivation to do so. But I realized the more I thought about it, the more I had to see it through. So lo and behold, I finally finished this chapter. Now, in regards to the next chapter, I'm going to try my best to get it out much sooner. In the meantime, I can tell you that it's going to be based on the bond between Connor and Simba. Until then, like, review, and enjoy this chapter.