Chapter 22: Possession

"Are you serious!" Gloria shouted.

"Completely," Marty answered, "Until Alex and Tenji fix the problem, we should stay as far away as possible from Kuju and Malik."

Melman added, "I knew I was right not to trust them."

"The lionesses, and Tenji are on our side," Marty explained.

"I don't know," Melman retained his doubt, "It seems like all those lions are alike. They're like mirrors of each other!" Suddenly Melman was stricken with a thought. "...mirrors..." he said under his breath.

Marty sighed, "The point it, there's just two that we need to worry about."

Julien shrugged, "Just two? Then why are we worried?"

"Because those two happen to be the two top positions in this little lion cult," Marty told the lemur, "It's numbers versus power."

Melman looked around nervously, "I feel a bit more unsafe than usual..."

"That's why we need to stay together," Marty comforted the frightened giraffe, "And if we do, we should be safe. After all, Alex and Tenji will protect us."

"How did we get involved in something like this?" Julien questioned.

Marty laughed.

"What's so funny?" the lemur asked.

"We got involved in this huge mess," Marty began, "All because I wanted a night on the town."

Gloria smiled, "I don't really think Connecticut was worth all this."

"Last time we let you make a birthday wish," Melman joined in.

Julien simply looked between them, "I'm lost."

They all shared a sigh and looked between them, all wondering how Alex and Tenji were progressing. "So what do we do now?" Melman asked.

At this moment a large, black rain cloud drifted over the sun, shrouding the animals in darkness. Soon the sky was invisible behind the ominous shadow. A rolling thunder broke the strange silence, but luckily no sign of rain.

"I dunno," Marty shook his head, "But I have a feeling that something big is going to happen..."

Gloria pointed behind them, "Look it's Alex and Tenji!"

Marty quickly ran over to greet them. Julien hopped on Marty's back for easy transport. "So did you talk him out of it?" the zebra asked.

Alex closed his eyes and shook his head.

Marty dawned a look of worry.

"Ok, so what's plan B?" Julien asked, leaping onto Alex's shoulder.

"Plan B is..." Tenji began, "...that we don't have a plan B."

"Oh, brilliant," Julien remarked sarcastically.

"I guess were going to have to wait for the lionesses to come back," Alex suggested. He turned to Tenji, "About what time do they get back?"

"You remember. Late afternoon," Tenji told him.

Gloria and Melman joined them, "And what do we do when they get here?"

Alex thought for a moment, and the dark truth came. He took a deep breath and stood tall, "We are going to teach Kuju a lesson, even if it's by force."

"I don't know Alex," Melman leaned next to him, "You don't seem like an instigator type. Your not one to go off of impulse."

"Well then, that's going to have to change, isn't it," Alex smiled.

"Kuju won't take kindly to an opposing power," Tenji remarked.

Alex agreed, "True, but he he brought it on himself. And plus, we have the majority of support."

Julien nodded, "Your right. All the lionesses are reasonable enough to see the right path."

"Let's just hope Kuju doesn't do anything while the lionesses are on the hunt," Tenji sighed.

"Too late," Melman pointed over there shoulders. They turned to see what he meant. Kuju was approaching them with a glide in his steps. Seeing his approach, Julien jumped back onto the ground.

"What do you want?" Alex sneered.

"So much hostility!" Kuju feigned being surprised, "I was thinking about what you and little Tenji said-"

Tenji huffed at being called 'little Tenji'.

Kuju continued, "I might just reconsider."

"Really?" Alex softened his stance. The others exchanged glances of surprise.

"Well what you were saying does make sense," Kuju analyzed, "I just want to know what your view of the situation is."

Alex took a pause and shrugged, "Ok. Well I think-"

"Not here of course," Kuju glanced at the herbivores, "Come on. Walk with me." he began walking towards his tree.

"I should stay here," Tenji said to Alex quietly.

Alex took a few steps and looked back at the others. They stared with indecision. Tenji nodded, giving Alex the support he needed to continue alone.

Together the two walked off leaving the others worried.

"I hope this goes well," Tenji muttered.

Julien was looking around. He looked at the others, "Where's Marty?"

Alex continued to walk along side Kuju. "So," Alex said, "In general, I think that things with the humans are fine the way they are."

"Do you really believe that?" Kuju asked.

Alex nodded, "Of course I do."

"Coming from the lion who spent most of his life under their rule," Kuju mumbled.

Alex heard him, "I wasn't under their rule! I was practically worshipped."

"If you say so," the king retained his doubt.

Alex noticed that they were passing the kings tree, "Uh, where are we going?"

"Oh, nowhere in particular," Kuju smiled, "Tell me more. What would you do if you were King of the Kuju Pride?"

"Pala Pride," Alex corrected.

Kuju sneered, "Fine. If you insist. But tell me what you would to in my situation?"

"Well...I guess the first thing I would do is end this jealousy against the people," he told him. Kuju's eyes remained forward and focussed, as if he was waiting for something.

Kuju raised an eyebrow, "I believe we covered that topic. What about other concerns?"

Alex felt that Kuju wasn't really listening, but he continued anyway, "I would treat Tenji with a bit more respect."

"I'm sorry, but I just still tend to think as Tenji as a cub in my mind."

"Well, he's not a cub anymore. I think you should listen to him more," Alex told him.

"Alright, I'll make sure to do that," Kuju said lazily.

Something wasn't settling with Alex, but his emotions were soon eased when a glorious aroma filled the air. "Say?" Alex sniffed the air, "What's that wonderful smell?"

"Oh that?" Kuju smirked, "Were approaching my little stash?"

"Stash?" Alex didn't quite understand, "Stash of what?"

Kuju stopped next to a bush. Casually, he reached into the leaves and pulled something out, "My secret little food storage."

Alex gasped. He was holding a zebra's leg in his hand.

Kuju waved it around, "Sometimes a get a little urge to snack on something."

Despite his disgust, Alex felt a bit of intrigue. 'I wonder what it tastes like,' he thought beside his best efforts.

'Heavenly,' a voice answered. It continued, 'It's soft, tender and decedent. Doesn't it make your mouth water?'

Alex did, in fact, feel his mouth began to fill with saliva. He gasped again. Violently he thought to himself, 'Just SHUT UP! Go away?'

"Is anything the matter?" Kuju feigned concern.

"I-" Alex couldn't answer.

'Doesn't that smell just lift you off your feet?' It said.

'It does smell good,' Alex began to succumb to It's suggestion. Suddenly he shook his head, 'No!' Alex was starting to feel very odd.

'Don't fight it. After all,' the voice whispered, 'It's only natural.'

"Come now, Alex, we mustn't dawdle. Let's keep walking," Kuju suggested.

Unaware, Alex walked with Kuju.

Kuju took a bite of the zebra's leg, "So good!"

'I told you,' the voice supported himself.

'No! No! No!' Alex was panicking within his mind, 'I need to tell Kuju to please stop eating that.' Alex tried to open his mouth, but nothing happened. He tried to make a sound but he just continued walking. 'What's happening!'

It laughed, 'You waited too long, Alex.'

Alex felt a surge of fear take him. What did he mean?

It continued, 'I'm in control now!'

Alex took a moment for this grim information to sink in, but it hit him like a sac filled with irons. 'No!' Alex yelled, yet it only echoed within his mind. He tried doing everything he could, yet his body still followed Kuju. 'You CAN'T be in control! This is MY body!'

'Not anymore,' it answered, 'Observe:'

"Hey Kuju," Alex's mouth uttered, "May I have a bite of that tender zebra leg?" Alex gasped, yet only so in concious thought.

Kuju looked back with a dark grin, "Not now. But don't worry, there will be plenty enough to eat. Just wait a little longer."

'What does that mean!' Alex yelled.

'I guess we'll just have to find out,' It told him.

Kuju took another bite of the zebra's leg letting a trickle of blood run down his chin.

The sight made Alex shudder. 'Stop this! Give me back control!' Alex fought.

It cackled, 'Im sorry but you let your defenses down. Now your the little voice in someone's head. I am now Alex the lion.'

'NOOOOOO! This can't be happening. THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!' Alex tried once again to make his body respond to him, but nothing was working. It was true. Alex was now merely a voice in a lion's head.

The two lions were now arriving at the bend in the valley leading to the cliff. "I think you're ready to discover your little surprise."

'What are you talking about?' Alex asked pointlessly.

Kuju lead his body around the corner.

'Oh my god!' Alex gasped in his head. Amongst the piles of bones, in the center was Marty on the ground. He wasn't hurt, but Malik stood over him, pinning him down.

"Alex, help me!" Marty pleaded.

Malik hit him across the face, "Quiet, you!"

'MARTY!' Alex tried to yell.

"I see he's not harmed," It said through Alex's mouth.

Kuju laughed, "Of course not. I was hoping that you would do the honors." He circled around him, "So what do you say?"

"It would be my pleasure," It said.

'My god, NO!' Alex was to the point of tears, though his body's eyes remained dry and distant.

Marty gasped. He realized what had happened now, "Fight it Alex!"

"It's too late for that now," Slowly, It began to close in on Marty, "I'm the one you're talking to!"

"No!" Marty yelled meeting another hit across his face from Kuju's henchman.

"Serves you right," It said, "Last time I checked: meals aren't supposed to talk!"

"I knew you'd come around to us," Kuju smiled.

"'Bout time you learned what being a lion is all about," Malik added.

Meanwhile, the real Alex was overtaken with fear and conflict. We was helpless and about to watch his own body kill and devour his best friend. 'Oh, Marty I'm sorry! I don't know what to do!'

As if Marty could feel the real Alex he cried out, "I know you can do it, Alex. There's always hope, remember. Always!"

'I have to try!' Alex admitted to himself.

'Your efforts are futile. But you can go ahead and try. I need a good laugh,' It thought.

'Fine then, I will try!' and Alex did with all his might. He wanted to move every limb and muscle of his body, yet It's grasp over his concious remained strong.

With a painful slowness, It put Alex's paw in front of the other and began to walk. Marty's eyes widened with the large Malik still pinning his shoulder's to the dirt.

"ALEX NO!" Marty cried out.

It advanced even further.

'This is just like my nightmare... Why did this have to happen,' Alex cried within the prison of his mind. Suddenly, a thought hit him. His mind became laser-sharp in focus, 'There's ALWAYS hope!' He thought of the moment that Marty had told him this. He thought about every reason that Marty was his best friend in the entire world. He thought of companionship and gratuity. He thought of loyal quality and nobility.

It wasn't phased in the least bit.

A sparkling tear glistened in Marty's eye before falling down his cheek, "Alex...no...ALEX YOU CAN DO IT!"

"Shut up!" It answered, drawing ever closer at It's cynically subtle pace.

The tears were flowing down his muzzle, "Alex, you're my best friend! I've known you since you were a cub! Please, I know you can fight this!"

Kuju yawned, "How touching. Say, Alex, can you move a bit faster? I'm hungry too."

"But you'll ruin the fun!" It answered, "Besides I'm almost there." Finally he stopped over the zebra. He extended his claws to their furthest reaches. He lifted his paw in the air, preparing for the inevitable strike. Lightning flashed above, reflecting on the shining black razors that were It's claws.