Author's Note: Sorry this chapter took so long to put up. I had major writer's block. Anyway, I hope you enjoy. The story is really going to heat up now.

Chapter 21: The Negotiators

Alex wasn't sure where he was going. As long as it was away from those two. 'Take over the world..Kuju you MORON! You're going to get yourself killed!' he stomped off. His meandering huff finally ended at his fishing spot by the stream. He sat down, watching the fish swim by. They didn't look very satisfying. He took a deep breath and thought, 'I have to do something...but how are the others going to believe me?'. Angrily he smacked at the water in the stream, "WHY DOES THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN NOW!"

'Now now, why so angry?' a familiar voice whispered.

"...no...NO!" Alex fell on his back. He thought hard, 'Not now! This is the WORST possible time!'

'Au contraire, I think it's a the perfect time,' It answered.

Alex hit the back of his head, 'Would you go away!'

'Awe...I feel unloved...' It teased.

'You think? Now leave!' he started thinking of happy memories yet again. He thought of when Melman first came from the Bronx Zoo. Sure enough the voice was getting weaker.

'You may have won this round, but I'll be back soon enough!' the voice faded away into nothing.

He sighed trying to relieve his built up tension. He didn't feel to good. Pensively, he stared into the rushing water taking up a trace-like state.

"Alex?"

"What?" Alex turned around, "Marty!" he stood up, "I'm so glad to see you."

Marty smiled, but it quickly died, "Alex, you look horrible!"

Alex looked at his reflection in the water, "Do I?" He knew he did, but he didn't want Marty to panic.

"Yeah!" Marty held his hoof to his forehead, "Are you sick?"

Alex waved the hoof away, "No, really, I'm fine."

Marty was unconvinced, "Tell me whats wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, really!" Alex took a step back, accidentally stepping into the stream. Alex hated water, "Oh, for crying out loud!" he removed his foot from the creek. Violently, he shook his foot to rid it of the mud.

A stray piece of muck hit Marty square in the face, "Hey!" he wiped it off. "Now something has to be wrong for you to be this klutzy!"

"No, I swear," he shook the last bit from his foot.

Marty took a few steps towards Alex, now placing his foot into the soft grass. "Alex, I thought you weren't a liar," Marty forced coyly.

Alex sighed. He knew when he was beat, "Ok, but I don't think you'll believe me..."

Marty put his arm over Alex's shoulder, "Have I ever doubted you before?"

Alex smiled, "Only when I'm dodging a question."

"So, what's up?" Marty asked.

Alex thought for a moment of how he would phrase the answer, "Well..." he began, "I was talking to Kuju..."

"And?"

Alex breathed in, "Well, apparently he has a diabolical plan to take over the world and make lions the dominating species of the planet..."

"..." Marty simply stared at him.

"I told you you wouldn't believe me," Alex gazed at the ground.

Marty wasn't sure if he should or not. He considered the circumstances for a moment, "You know I never did trust that Kuju guy."

"You mean you dobelieve me?" Alex looked up again.

"Yeah, but the question is why do we care? He'll never succeed at it."

"That's the problem," Alex explained, "Kuju will rally up the entire pride to attack the nearest human city. The humans' have guns and police. The entire pride will die!"

Marty groaned, "Perfect! Just Perfect! Just when I thought things were running smoothly...you know, other than living with lions and all." He looked at his concerned friend, "So what are we going to do?"

"We have to stop Kuju, that's what!" Alex straightened his back making him look taller.

"And we do that how?" Marty questioned.

Alex put a hand to his brow, "I guess we have to negotiate... to convince him of how impossible it is to do what he wants to do."

"Well you're going to have to do that on your own. Me talking to three ferocious lions doesn't go too well in my head," Marty waved his hooves.

"Three?" Alex was confused, "There's just two. Kuju and Malik."

Marty tapped his chin, "What about that other one...what's his face...Tenchi?"

"Tenji," Alex corrected.

"Anyway, he is a male lion is he not?" Marty asked.

"Yeah, but he's on our side!" Alex exclaimed, "He's like a younger me."

Marty laughed, "Just what we need: Another Alex."

"He's seriously a cool guy. You should meet him," Alex smiled.

Marty tapped him on the shoulder, "Look! It's Elsa!"

Sure enough Elsa was walking towards them, Julien on her back eating another jackfruit. "Hey guys, what's up?" she asked.

"Ah! I'm in heaven!" Julien commented, quickly diving back into the fruit.

"Elsa," Alex ran up to her, "I need to tell you-"

His speech was interrupted by a loud roar echoing through the valley.

"I've got to go," she took Julien off her back, "It's time for the hunt." She began running in the direction of the roar.

"Wait!" Alex tried to stop her.

"Sorry Alex. I'll talk to you later," she disappeared into the distance.

Marty joined Alex at his side, "Ok, so all the lionesses are leaving and you and Tenji are the only lions on our side... great...I feel so safe."

"Hey hey! I made a promise! Nothing is going to happen to you!" Alex turned to face him.

Marty nodded, "Yeah, I know... I guess it's up to you and Tenji now."

"What's up to Alex and Tenji?" Julien asked.

Marty bent down, "Tenji's going to help Alex tell Kuju that he's nuts."

"Ah, I see," Julien nodded.

Alex scoffed, "That is, when I tell Tenji."

"Well, don't just stand there. Find him!" Marty gave the lion a push.

"Good luck!" Julien bode him.

"Alright, alright! I'm going!" And so, Alex set off to find the other allied lion.

Tenji was yet again lounging on the large rock, only to be interrupted by the approaching horde of lionesses. He sighed while stepping to the side allowing the lionesses to pass, "Hunting time again?"

"Unfortunately," the first lioness answered, stepping over the rock, "I hope we get more than a zebra this time, I hardly got a bite last night!"

"Hey, there's always fish," Tenji suggested.

"Hmm..." she mulled it over, "Never thought of that..."

"C'mon! Keep the line moving!" the second lioness called.

"Sorry," the first jumped down to the savanna below.

The line proceeded until finally the three friends were last.

"I hope we get a good chase in this time," Tana exclaimed. She loved hunting time.

"Calm down, will you?" Kindra rolled her eyes.

"Hi Tenji," Elsa waved from the back.

"Oh...hi," Tenji felt his heart beat faster. He wanted to say more but he couldn't think clearly.

It was too late. "Bye," she called out before vanishing over the rock as well.

Tenji smiled weakly, "...bye..." he answered softly. With the area clear, he once again lied on the warm rock, and daydreamed of a life with Elsa.

Suddenly his dream was interrupted, "Tenji!" Alex called.

Tenji groaned, "What is it?"

"What's wrong?" Alex was surprised at the reaction.

"Sorry, I didn't mean it to come out that way," he brushed the hair from his eyes, "Seriously, what's up?"

Alex once again felt restraint in telling him the strange story.

"What is it? Is it bad?" Tenji asked.

"Well...yeah...really bad!" he answered.

Tenji rushed him "C'mon, out with it, Alex!"

Alex took a long breath. Finally he told him, "It's Kuju! He wants to take over the people!"

Tenji sighed, "Yeah, I know."

"So we have to- wa-wait! What! You knew?" Alex jumped in surprise.

"Yeah," Tenji told him, "He's been trying to get me to support it for a week now. Now that you've come, I actually think the bastard might try and do it."

"You didn't try and stop him?" Alex had am incredulous look.

"I've been trying to talk him out of it since he came up with the idea!" he looked at his feet, "This would've never happened with father here..."

"We have to try again!" Alex hopped onto the rock as well.

Tenji shook his head, "It won't do any good."

Alex smiled and put a paw on his shoulder, "We have to try."

Tenji returned the smile, "Maybe your right. After all, we haven't tried both talking to him."

"Well, let's go before he thinks of anything else!" the two jumped onto the green grass below.

"I warn you though," Tenji stopped him, "Kuju's no push over. Once he's made up his mind there's almost no changing it."

"Then we'll just try our best," Alex answered confidently.

They quickly rushed to the king's tree. As expected, Kuju and Malik were underneath it lounging.

"Well, well, look who's come back," Kuju stood. He looked at Alex, "Did you reconsider?"

"No!" Alex answered promptly, "I can't let you go on with this thing."

"Oh why not?" Kuju laughed, "It's wicked fun!"

"No it's not. It's wrong," Tenji stood tall.

"Besides that," Alex listed, "It's impossible! The humans have guns! You remember guns? They KILL you! And, not only that, but there are eleven of you, and thousands of them!"

"We'd have thirteen if you and Tenji would join us," Malik smiled evilly.

"Why doesn't this concept make sense to you! If you fight the people you will die!" Alex yelled.

Kuju shook his head, "You're not getting the big picture. If we start a movement against the people, other lions will get word of it and join our noble cause! Soon every lion will be with us...just as you soon will be!"

"Wh-what's that supposed to mean?" Alex couldn't help but take a step back..

Kuju forced a laugh, "Oh, nothing. I was just hoping you could, uh, better understand what I hope to accomplish."

"Kuju! Your trying to TAKE OVER THE PLANET!" Tenji yelled, "Doesn't that register as freaky to you in the least bit?"

"Not really, no," Kuju shook his head.

"What about you, Malik? Don't you find this idea a bit crazy?" Tenji asked.

"No. In fact," Malik stood as well, "I think the entire world would be a better place under King Kuju's rule."

"Are you serious?" Tenji was getting angry, "This pride isn't even under good rule under Kuju! We were far better off with Pala. Why do you think we're still called the Pala Pride, hmm?"

"SILENCE!" Kuju secured a blow to Tenji's chest knocking him onto his back.

"Stop it!" Alex stepped in front of the downed lion. He bent down and whispered into Tenji's ear, "Come on. It's clear that talking isn't going to do any good."

Tenji brushed himself off and stood up. "Let's go," he instructed.

The two began walking away.

Kuju called after, "Just think about it, will you Alex?"

They were out of earshot by now.

Kuju smiled, turning to Malik, "And now for the next stage of my plan..."