Kion walked alongside the rest of the Lion Guard as they headed in the direction of the Tree of Life. He never thought he'd see this moment, when they finally arrived.
"Is this real?" Kion asked as he gazed at the Tree. Barely a few more pawsteps and they'd be there. "Am I dreaming?"
Fuli purred in amusement as she walked beside him. "You're not dreaming, silly." She gave him a playful shove.
Once they got closer, they saw how big the Tree was. "Poa! The Tree of Life is huge," Beshte said in amazement.
"Yes, it is. Now follow me." Rani looked back at them, then walked into a hole in the Tree that led into a cavern-like space.
Kion gazed at the inside of the Tree. The walls glowed with green mushrooms. "Heyvi kabisa," he said in wonder.
They then stopped at a rock with an elderly lioness resting on it. She blinked open her eyes and raised her head. She smiled at them. Her emerald gaze was warm, welcoming, and filled with wisdom.
Rani approached her. "Grandmother, as requested, I've brought Kion and the Lion Guard." She then turned to the Lion Guard. "Lion Guard, this is Queen Janna, Guardian of the Tree of Life."
Janna smiled at them. "Be welcome here."
The Lion Guard all bowed. "Thank you, You're Majesty. My friend Ono and I have come to be healed," Kion said.
"Step closer, Kion and Ono," Janna told them with an encouraging smile. "You have the Mark of the Guard," the queen observed. "You are from the Pride Lands then?"
"Uh, yeah," Kion said.
"Indeed," agreed Ono.
"And so, the Roar has returned," Janna said, a smile still on her face.
"You know about the Roar?" Kion asked curiously
"Of course, Kion. I take it that Rafiki sent you here?"
"Yes," Kion replied, shocked that the Queen knew so much while also wondering how. "Ono's eyes are hurt. And my scar..." Kion hesitated but didn't trail off, "I can't control the Roar."
"So. I have heard," Janna remarked. "Nirmala?" The adult lioness stepped forward. Nirmala gazed at Kion's scar. He noticed she had blue eyes and wore a flower behind her ear. She then looked closely at Ono's eyes. "Nirmala is a fierce warrior. But she is also a gentle healer," Janna told them calmly.
Nirmala walked to Janna and hopped up onto the rock where the old queen was resting. She whispered something into the queen's ear then they both looked at Kion and Ono.
"Ono, healing your sight will be simple. But the remedy will take a few days to prepare," Janna informed the egret.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ono thanked her eagerly.
Janna then looked at Kion. "Kion? Your ailements are more complicated. It is more than just a scar." His ears slightly flattened. "Your healing will take time. And patience."
"Then I'd like to start right away," he said.
"I'm sure you would. Nirmala?" Kion looked in the corner of his vision. He saw that Fuli's eyes stretched wide. She seemed like she was forcing a smile... in order to disguise something.
"We'll begin today," Nirmala told him.
"Thank you, You're Majesty." He dipped his head in acknowledgement to the queen.
"This way, Kion." Nirmala hopped off the rock and walked out of the Tree of Life. Kion followed.
Once they were out of the Tree, Kion spoke; "So, where are we going?"
"You'll see in time," Nirmala replied simply.
Kion fell silent. He didn't want to disrespect the lioness who was going to heal his scar. Although he still felt his mind buzzing with questions.
Nirmala glanced at him. "I can see you have many questions, most of which you have not spoken."
Can she read my mind or something? Kion wondered.
"Well, I am Nirmala, healer of the Tree of Life," she introduced herself.
"How'd you become the healer?" Kion asked curiously.
Nirmala chuckled. "Hard work and the right training. But in all seriousness, Queen Janna chose me."
"Why'd she choose you?" Kion asked curiously. Too late, he realized that question might have come off as rude, but Nirmala didn't seem to mind.
"She said she saw it in me when I first arrived at the Tree of Life and joined the Night Pride. She took me under her wing and trained me to be a healer. She did well," Nirmala told him. She then looked ahead. "Oh look, we're here." In front of them was a river with a few trees surrounding it, and a ledge nearby.
"Where is 'here'?" Kion asked.
They walked closer. "This is Dirisha. The River of Patience," Nirmala told him.
"And this is where you'll heal my scar? So I can control the Roar?" Kion asked, pacing along the river as he silently pleaded for a 'yes'.
"This is the first of many steps on your journey to healing," Nirmala told him simply and calmly.
"How long's it gonna take?" Kion asked, walked back to her as his impatience rose.
"That depends on you. As Queen Janna said, you must have patience." She then looked to the ridge. "Look at the top of that ridge. Do see the bright orange flower?"
Kion looked. Sure enough, there was a bright orange flower at the top. "Yeah?"
"I need you to bring it to me," Nirmala told him.
"I'll be right back," Kion said determinedly then began to run, about to dive into the river then climb the ridge towards the flower.
Nirmala nearly had to jump in front of him to stop him. Easy, Kion. Arama karo." She seemed to chuckle for a moment. "You need to follow my instructions. First, you'll need to wait for a log to float past. Hop on to the log, and ride it down the river. Once you reach that sandy bank, jump off. Then take the winding path up to the top of the ridge."
"Wouldn't it be faster just to swim across the river? Then climb the ridge to get to the flower," Kion asked.
"Possibly," she replied. "But the fast way isn't always the best way."
"Where have I heard that before?" He groaned in annoyance, recalling the time when Bunga learned that same lesson when he gave out advice across the Pride Lands, saying things like; 'Quick and easy! That's the way to do it!' And when Fuli told him all about what she learned from Kongwe, an elderly and wise tortoise that lived in the Pride Lands. Kongwe taught Fuli that if she slowed down a bit, she could observe and learn.
He sighed. "Okay. I'll try it you're way." He looked around and noticed there were no logs. "So where are the logs?"
"One will come," Nirmala replied.
"Yeah, but how long is that gonna take?" He asked. "It could be days!"
Nirmala laid down. "Then we wait for days."
Kion sighed exasperatedly. "Fine."
XX
Fuli stood in the Tree in shock after Kion left with Nirmala. This can't be. The same Nirmala that Nala told me about? Is this really possible?!
"Rani, please show our other guests around," Janna ordered her.
"Show them around?" Rani echoed. "But I-"
"Baliyo and Surak can handle the Night Pride duties for now," Janna assured her. "You must continue to take on the duties that I cannot perform."
Rain sighed. "Yes, of course." She started walking out of the Tree of Life. Fuli and the others followed. While they were walking, Fuli pondered what Nala had said in her head.
Fuli stared at her, mind blown. "Then who is his mother?" She asked softly.
"My old friend, Nirmala," Nala said, her voice breaking. "She was an amazing friend, I'd do anything for her." Nala looked lost in her thoughts as she continued talking. "She had brown fur, pretty blue eyes, and always wore a flower behind her ear."
Fuli grew even more anxious when she recalled Nirmala's brown fur, blue eyes, and the flower behind her ear.
There couldn't be any other explanation. One: Nirmala was a very uncommon name, it would be very hard to find two animals with the name 'Nirmala'. Two: Nala said that Nirmala had brown fur. This Nirmala also had brown fur. Three: Nala said Nirmala had blue eyes. This Nirmala also had blue eyes. Four: Nala said Nirmala always wore a flower behind her ear. THIS Nirmala also did!
Fuli took a deep breath. What do I do?... I've gotta tell him. But she then recalled the fun loving cub who used to play Baobab Ball with Bunga throughout the Pride Lands every day. We've lost that fun loving, playful, kind cub. If we're lucky, we'll get him back when his scar is healed. But if I tell him... that cub might never come back.
Rani's voice cut through her thoughts. "You might wonder what makes the Tree of Life such a special place."
Fuli, now snapped out of her thoughts, realized that they were standing upon a tall cliff overlooking the whole kingdom of the Tree of Life.
"Poa," Beshte said in amazement and wonder.
"Wow," Anga breathed. This was one of the few times when the martial eagle couldn't find words.
"As you can see, the Tree of Life is a home to every kind of habitat," Rani said. They all started walking again, continuing the tour.
[Rani]
Welcome to the Tree of Life
A wondrous mystic place
We're living life in harmony
It's what we all embrace
So, if you need healing
Shelter free of sorrow and strife
You will be welcome
Welcome to the Tree of Life
Desert, forest, tundra, plaim
Are brought together here
So, animals from near and far
Live in peace and without fear
So, if you need healing
Shelter free of sorrow and strife
You will be welcome
Welcome to the Tree of Life
Respect for fellow animals
Is all you need to stay (All you need to stay)
But, no one living here
Would want it any other way
So, if you need healing
Shelter free of sorrow and strife
Know you are welcome
Welcome to the Tree of Life
You know you are welcome
Welcome to the Tree of Life
"All are welcome here, as long as they respect the Circle of Life," Rani told them. They were back at the Tree new, but then Rani led them away. They walked and walked throughout many territories of the kingdom.
They were walking through what Rani told them was the Snowy Plains, when an owl flew up to them. "Hold up everyone," Rani said. The owl landed on a rock and Rani walked over to it. The owl whispered something in Rani's ear and her eyes widened. "Tour's over. Gotta go," the dark furred lioness said abruptly.
"What was that?" Anga asked when Rani and the owl were gone.
"I don't know," Fuli replied. "But something's up."
"What do ya mean?" Bunga asked. "Everything looks fine to me."
"Not really, Little B," Beshte replied. He looked at Fuli. "Should we go get Kion?"
Fuli shifted her paws. "I don't know. He's healing right now. We don't want to interrupt."
"But if we get Kion, he can tell us what to do because he's a good leader and we won't be stuck in one place discussing what to do for five hours," Bunga explained simply.
Fuli gave him a deadpan glare.
"What?" Bunga shrugged his shoulders in confusion. "Kion's a good leader."
This put Fuli in an even more awkward situation. "Yes, Kion is a good leader, but... well..."
"Not at the moment," Ono told Bunga, finishing Fuli's sentence.
"Okay, if you say so." Bunga shrugged. "But let's still go get him!"
Fuli sighed. "Fine, but after that we will not interrupt Kion's healing."
XX
"I could have waited for logs back in the Pride Lands," Kion groaned, pacing while waiting for a log to float past.
"But Rafiki sent you here to be healed," Nirmala pointed out. "Doubtless because Askari first discovered the Roar at Chikha Escarpment, not far from here," she added.
"What? He did?" Kion asked, now intrigued. He turned back and saw a log floating past. "Finally!" He jumped onto the log, but it rolled out from under him, sending him plunging into the chilly water. "Woah!"
The cold water sent chills down his spine. Shock pulsed through him due to his unexpected plunge. He thrashed in the water and panicked. Swim, Kion. Swim! He told himself, but couldn't. His legs churned in the water and his heart began to quicken. Images of the flood flashed through his mind. No, no! I can't drown! Not today! I can't!
He froze, silently praying for Fuli to be here and save him like last time. But she's not here, he reminded himself. You're alone right now! So swim! He forced himself to try to swim. His legs thrashed more and he finally broke the surface of the water. He coughed and sputtered, his heartbeat beginning to calm.
To his surprise, when he looked up he found that Nirmala was smirking at him. "Try again," she told him, amusement clear as day in her voice.
Kion was furious. You didn't even bother to ask if I was okay! UGH! Do you even care about me?! He was about to snap, but stopped himself.
No, you hyena-brain. I can't disrespect the only animal who can heal my scar, he scolded himself He remembered Jua, Zira, and Scar's cruelty to him whenever he said something they didn't like. Nirmala might have that same cruelty. She didn't look like she did, but Kion wouldn't take that chance.
Kion got out of the water. "And we're waiting. Again," he muttered.
Suddenly, a voice called out, "Nirmala!"
Rani was rushing over to them. "Come quickly. We need you!"
"Do you need me too?" Kion asked.
"Yes. We need you to stay here and focus on your task," Nirmala replied with a deadpan expression.
Kion sighed. He was about to protest, but he stopped himself. You can't, he told himself. Don't risk being punished.
Nirmala and Rani dashed off, leaving Kion alone.
He stared at his reflection, drifting off. He yawned. He was so tired and bored that he started to slip from consciousness.
But when he was on the verge of falling asleep, a voice yelled his name. "Kion!"
His head shot back up. "I'm awake!" He gasped.
"Why are you doing just sitting here?" Bunga asked. The whole Guard was here.
"I'm waiting for a log."
"Sounds fun," Anga said. The sarcasm couldn't be more evident in her voice.
"Oooh, yeah! It does!" Bunga laid down next to Kion and stared at the water.
"It's really not," Kion replied, still bored.
"Something's going on," Fuli told him. "That owl came to get Rani and she just ran off. Think they could use some help?"
Kion perked up. A battle, perhaps? We'd better help. "They might. Come on!" Kion and the Lion Guard started running in the direction of the Pass.
"Wait!" Bunga called out, running after them. "I didn't get to see a log!"
The Lion Guard ran, Kion pushing to run as fast as he could. He panted. Even Beshte was running faster than him! Why?
He pushed himself harder. Fuli slowed down and ran at his pace. "Everything okay?" She asked, her voice low so the others wouldn't hear.
"Yeah," Kion said in-between pants, "I'm fine."
Her eyes flickered with an emotion that Kion couldn't read. She opened her mouth, then closed it. "Yeah, okay. Let's go." Fuli picked up speed. So did the others. Ugh! Why am I having trouble keeping up with everyone?!
Suddenly, he put on a burst of speed and dashed ahead. They came upon the Mountain Pass. They turned around a corner and saw the Night Pride right behind it.
"Heyvi Kabisa!"
The Lion Guard crashed into the Night Pride and they all tumbled across the Pass. Kion looked up. He crashed into Rani! His pelt burned with embarrassment as she glared at him.
"Kion? Lion Guard? What are you doing here?!" Rani yelled.
"We came to help?" Kion said uncertainly.
"That's right!" Bunga agreed. "Where are the bad guys? Let me at 'em!"
"They're gone. Defending the Tree of Life is our job. And we're good at it."
"But-"
Rani stepped forward, making Kion flinch. "We don't need your help! You came for healing, so stay out of our way, get healed, and go home!"
"Besides, It was just two leopards and a Komodo dragon," Baliyo made an effort to reassure him. "No big deal."
"Two leopards and a Komodo dragon?" Ono echoed fearfully.
"They didn't seem to like each other very much," Nirmala remarked.
"True," Surak agreed. "Perhaps that is why they didn't fight well together."
"I don't know. That big leopard, Makucha? He fought pretty good," Baliyo replied.
"Makucha?" Kion echoed, surprise in his voice. He stepped forward.
"What?" Rani asked, not bothering to hide the annoyance in her voice.
"We know Makucha," Kion explained, "and probably the other two. They must have followed us here."
"They followed you?" Rani echoed, anger rising in her voice. She stepped forward. Kion lifted a paw to take a step back, but stopped himself.
He looked into her chocolate brown gaze. "I'm really sorry. This is all our fault."
Rani glared at him and started to run off. But before long she stopped in her tracks and glared back at him. "You're coming with me," she growled.
Kion's ears flattened. He looked at his team. They all gave reassuring glances at him. He reluctantly followed Rani, praying that the Queen of the Tree of Life wouldnt be too harsh on him.
XXXX
They walked back in the direction of the Tree of Life. When they got there, Rani called out; "Grandmother!"
They walked into the cavern like area. "Rani? Is something wrong? Janna asked.
"You could say that." Rani glared at Kion. "Kion led an army of predators here!"
"An army of predators?" Makini gasped.
"I wouldn't call three an army," Kion said in defense.
Rani stood in front of the queen. "We never should have let him in."
"I am sorry. Your Majesty. I had no idea they were following us." Kion tried not to avoid her gaze.
"I doubt they will leave now that they have found the Tree of Life," Janna remarked.
"At least let me and the Lion Guard help with Makucha and-"
"NO!" Rani yelled. "I TOLD YOU! WE CAN HANDLE IT!"
Kion tried not to flinch.
"Rani," Janna scolded.
Rani looked up at her grandmother. "Sorry, Grandmother."
"Thank you for your offer, Kion," Janna thanked. "But Rani is correct. It is the Night Pride's duty to protect the Tree of Life," she told him.
Kion began to protest. "Yeah, but it's my fault that-"
"Kion," the queen stated firmly, getting his attention, "you must help yourself before you can help others. Now go. And let Nirmala guide you. After all, that is why you have come to the Tree of Life."
Kion was about to protest, then sighed. I can't give them a hard time with this. Or else they might refuse to heal me. Worse, they might refuse to heal Ono because of me. "Yes, Your Majesty," he agreed obediently.
He walked out of the Tree of Life. There, he found Nirmala waiting for him. "Let's go back to the River of Patience," she told him.
Kion was about to protest, but stopped himself. He sighed. "Okay."
They walked back to the River of Patience. That time, Kion didn't utter a word the whole time. When they got there, Kion sat down, waiting for a log.
Hours flew by. It was then sunset.
Kion sighed. I'm so bored!
He heard a voice echo in his ears. "This hyena-dung is pointless," it told him. "There's no way that waiting for a log is going to heal you."
He sighed. "Still no log." Pain itched at his scar. He pawed at it. "Nirmala, if you'd let me do it my way, I'd have the flower and be back by now."
"Let me guide you, Kion," Nirmala told him, "like Queen Janna said."
"Argh..." Kion groaned in pain. This stupid scar! Then, he finally saw a log floating past!
He could've leaped for joy. He dashed to the floating log. "Yes!"
"Patience Kion," Nirmala warned. "Oh, don't listen to her," Jua's voice rang in his ears. "She's just trying to slow you down."
He hopped onto the log but it rolled out from under him, sending him plunging into the cold water once more.
He began to panic again. Water filled his nostrils when he tried to catch his breath. Kion, you got out of this earlier, he told himself, just swim! His legs thrashed in the water as he tumbled. Suddenly he broke the surface of the water, coughing and sputtering.
He looked up at Nirmala who was smirking.
"Do it your way, " Jua told him. "All that Nirmala wants is to slow you down."
Kion hated to admit it, but deep down he knew that Jua was right.
"Forget it!" He yelled and glared at Nirmala. "This time I'm doing it my way!"
"If you must," Nirmala replied. She then hopped onto the log and floated across the river and got off next to the ridge.
He began to swim across the river, being pulled back by the current. "Woah. This current is stronger than it looked," he muttered. Suddenly he felt himself being dragged downward. Something had grabbed his leg! He tried not to panic and swam faster. Whenever it was that grabbed his leg broke off, and he eventually made it to the other side of the river. He looked up at the steep slope in front of him that led to the flower.
"This way, Kion! Follow me!" Nirmala told him as she made her way up the ridge.
Kion look at the slope. "Straight up the slope looks faster to me." He hopped up onto the rocks and began to climb the slope. "Almost there..." He grumbled while struggling to climb the steep slope.
"How's that going for you?" Nirmala asked in amusement from the top of the ridge.
Kion tried to pull himself up on a large rock. "It's going just..." He suddenly slipped. "Fine!"
He fell on the hard ground and groaned in pain. Anger and furiousity rised. Stupid Nirmala! Ugh! This isn't fair! She hopped down the rocks to join him, still smirking.
"Where's the flower? Why didn't you get it while you were up there?" Kion asked, not bothering to hide his annoyance.
"This is your task, Kion." Oh really? Fine! "It's almost night. You should get some sleep while I go on patrol." She then smiled. "Tomorrow is a very important day."
"Yeah? What's gonna happen tomorrow?" Kion asked, exitement rising inside him for the first time in what seemed like ages.
"Tomorrow you're going to try again," Nirmala told him.
Ugh! Really?!
XX
Sunset fell upon the Tree of Life kingdom. Fuli sighed as she and the Lion Guard laid in the sleeping spot that she and the rest of the Guard picked out. Well, most of them. Kion was still at the River of Patience, trying to complete a task or something. A huge wave of tiredness swept over Fuli. She hadn't slept in two days! She laid her head down to sleep, but suddenly heard annoyed groaning.
She looked up and saw Kion stalking past them, tail lashing. He turned to glare at them, then walked a bit away from the group and laid down. He flexed his claws, tearing out grass.
He dug his claws into the earth, leaving marks on the dirt and shredding more grass. Fuli could tell he was upset.
Apparently the rest of the Guard noticed too, because they all walked over to him. Fuli followed.
"Hey Kion," she greeted him. He didn't even turn to acknowledge them.
Fuli sat down next to him. "What's eating you?"
"Nothing," Bunga replied for him. "He's at the top of the food chain."
Well that was unoriginal, Fuli thought.
Kion didn't laugh at the joke. He just sighed and looked at the ground. He huffed and laid his head down.
"Ugh," he muttered, "I hate this."
Fuli gulped. She had been around teenagers before that were currently in the 'I hate everything' mood.
"Hate.. what?" Fuli dared to ask.
"Everything," Kion growled. She was right. "This scar, this journey, this healing, J-" He cut himself off and flinched.
"Do you wanna talk about it?" Fuli asked, laying down next to Kion. He flexed his claws, still tearing up grass. Fuli could tell he needed to vent.
So he did; "Ugh! Ihatethishealingstuff! Allidoisfallintoastupidriver!" He growled and dug his claws into the earth. "Andireallydontgetthefactthatihavetogetaflowertogethealed!"
"Woah, woah, slow down there."
"Why?" Kion pouted. "Ugh, it's all so stupid! I have to get a flower on a cliff the get healed? It doesn't make sense. NOTHING MAKES SENSE!" He clawed harder at the ground, lashing his tail.
"I'm sure Nirmala knows what she's doing," Fuli tried to assure him. Kion stood up. Fuli did too.
Kion sighed exparatedly. "'Try again' 'Try again' That's all Nirmala ever says!" He pouted. "Ugh! But how is falling into a river supposed to heal me?"
"Sounds like fun to me!" Bunga said.
"I'm sure tomorrow will be better," Beshte reassured.
Fuli looked at him. "Kion, you can do anything you put your mind to."
"Yeah!" Bunga agreed. "You're Kion! Leader of the Lion Guard! You never give up!"
"Bunga's right," Beshte agreed.
"Yep."
"Indeed."
Kion sighed. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but kept quiet. "Okay. I'll try again tomorrow."
They then returned to their sleeping spot. After an hour or two Fuli noticed that Kion was still awake.
His eyes were wide. They were filled with fear. She could see a longing for safety. She inched closer to him. "Are you alright?"
Kion's eyes clouded and he shifted away. He turned his head away from her and didn't answer.
Something was wrong. Fuli had a gut feeling that there was something wrong the whole time. She had been pleading for Kion to open up to her, but he wouldn't. He'd always hide, lock his feelings away in a deep, dark cave.
I will find out what's wrong. He keeps shutting himself away... it's not healthy for him. I have to help, or who knows what could happen?
XXXX
Kion blinked open his eyes. Another day. He took a deep breath of fresh morning air. He felt the cool grass that still had morning dew on it.
"Yes, another day," echoed a voice. Jua.
Get out of my head! He silently told Jua.
"Oh, but why would I do that?" Jua asked.
Kion sighed. He decided he'd go to the River of Patience and complete the task of getting the flower that Nirmala assigned him.
He made his way to the River of Patience and waited. This is so unfair... he thought to himself.
He turned around at a sound behind him. "Kion?" It yawned. It was Nirmala.
Kion forced a smile. "I'm ready to try again."
"Excellent," she said. "And it looks like I got here just in time," she added as they saw a log floating past.
"Patience... Patience..." Kion muttered as he started intently at the log, his eyes fixed on it as if it was a piece of prey. Then, at the right moment, he jumped.
"Well done!" Nirmala praised. At least I did SOMETHING right.
But yet again, he rolled off the log and into the water. Ugh!
He glanced back at Nirmala for a moment, then reached back onto the log before it could float past. He climbed on it. "Try again..." He muttered. He stood on the log and floated towards the ridge.
"Good job, Kion! Now you're getting it!" Nirmala praised. Kion jumped off the log and onto the ridge, but suddenly an owl flew by. "Nirmala! Rani needs you! The predators are attacking again!" She called out.
Nirmala began to dash off, but was interrupted by Kion.
"I'll come with you! They followed me here. Let me help kick them out!" Kion shouted.
"You're the one in need of help, Kion. Remember? Stay focused and finish your task. No matter what!" Nirmala told him.
Kion sighed. "'Stay focused'... 'Finish the task,'" he muttered. But why...? Why can't I help? Kion questioned. If one of my teammates were in trouble, I shouldn't just stay here to get a little flower. Right?...
Kion started climbing the ridge anyway. Soon, he got to the top.
"Made it," he muttered. "Now where's that flower..." He looked around and a bright orange subject suddenly caught his eye. The flower!
He was about to pick the flower, but he suddenly heard screaming. He looked over the ridge and saw the Night Pride far away, battling Makucha, Chuluun, and Ora! And even worse, Baliyo wasn't fighting!
"Heyvi kabisa!" He gasped in alarm. "The Night Pride! And Baliyo's down!" He instinctively started to run in their direction, but stopped himself. He felt so powrless, and even more so when he told himself; I can't. He couldn't help them. He couldn't make his own choices, he wasn't capable of making his own choices until they said he could.
Kion mentally sighed in defeat without even talking to anyone. "Nirmala said to finish the task. No matter what..." He grabbed the flower. Then suddenly, Kion's eyes widened. He found a loophole! Nirmala DID say to bring it to her... And she's in the battle too! "But now I can help!" He told himself.
He rushed in the direction of the Night Pride. The wind buffeted his name as he ran. He pushed himself to go faster. Soon, there was only a wall of bushes between him and the Night Pride.
He gasped. Chuluun was going to attack the already wounded Baliyo.
Kion jumped out of the bushes and knocked the snow leopard aside.
"Kion!" Baliyo exclaimed in relief.
"Kion?" Makucha echoed, surprised.
"Kion?" Ora repeated.
"Use your Roar thingy! Send those guys flying!" Baliyo told Kion eagerly
"The Roar?" Ora echoed. "Forget it! I do not wanna get hit with that Roar again!" Or a scrambled away as fast as a Komodo dragon could.
"Some leader he turned out to be, " he heard Makucha mutter.
"Forget him. Forget attacking," Chuluun told the other leopard. "Kion came down that hill. So the Tree of Life must be on the other side." They both started to race off to the Tree of Life, leaving the Night Pride in the dust.
Ugh! Why did I have to come help?! Kion scolded himself. Now they know where the Tree of Life is! And all because of me! Ugh! Stupid, stupid me!
Rani's voice cut through his thoughts. "Surak, follow Ora. Make sure he doesn't double back."
Surak nodded. "Understood."
"Nirmala, get Baliyo somewhere safe." She looked at Kion. "Kion, you're with me. We have to stop them from getting over that ridge!"
"Okay."
As they dashed off, Kion heard Nirmala call out; "Kion! The path!"
Kion paused for a moment. He sighed. "Let Nirmala guide me..." He rushed up the path, panting. He pushed himself harder. Faster, Kion, he told himself. Faster...
"I hope I get there in time," he muttered to himself, panting. Suddenly, he arrived on top of the path. Sure enough, Makucha was there too.
"What? Kion!" Makucha gasped in surprise.
Surprise, Makucha!" Kion shouted before knocking Manucho down the other side of the path.
"Watch it!" Chuluun shouted after Makucha almost crashed into her. She then laughed. "You missed!"
"I won't!" Came a voice. Rani suddenly appeared from the corner of the path and knocked Chuluun off too.
"Nice," Kion praised the young lioness.
"You too. Now let's make sure they keep going," Rani replied.
They raced after Makucha and Chuluun. They then heard a 'Oh no!' and got to the scene just in time to see the rest of Kion's Lion Guard staring at the fleeing Makucha and Chuluun. "Don't come back!" Bunga called out and smirked triumphantly.
"I guess we make a pretty good team after all," Rani said. She then turned to Nirmala. "How's Baliyo?"
"The venom will wear off eventually. He will be fine," Nirmala replied.
"You should be more careful, little brother." Rani nuzzled the blue eyed lion that was laying down.
"Not my style," Baliyo replied.
Kion looked at Amir all and remembered the task she had assigned him to do. "Nirmala? I did get the flower. But it got trampled in battle."
"You finished the task. Giving me the flower wasn't really the point." Normals smiled. "Though I would have liked to have a new flower to put behind my ear," she added in amusement.
"Does this mean Kion's all better?" Bunga asked eagerly.
"Does it?" Rani asked, a little too eager.
"I don't think so. There's more I have to do, isn't there?"
"Yes. You've taken the first step. But there's still a long way to go.
"Guess I just need patience." Though Kion still doubted that some of the things she said were completely true.
Nirmala nodded. Kion stared fearfully past her at a menacing gaze fixed on him. Kion narrowed his eyes.
Go away, Kion silently told Jua.
"Never..."
XXXX
Fuli walked back to her and the rest of the Lion Guard's sleeping spot. The Guard was with her. Even Kion.
Fuli sighed. Gozi should be with them. Ever since he died, Fuli couldn't stop thinking about him. He had been like a little brother. He was family.
Guilt buried itself deep in Fuli's gut at the way she had treated him on the journey, when she thought Kion was dead. She neglected poor Gozi so much. And once... And once... She pinned him to the ground, digging her claws into his pelt in fury.
She glared at Kion who was following the rest of them on thoughtless paws. Fury built up inside her. It's your fault I was so mean to Gozi, Fuli mentally snarled. She then shook her head. No... it's not his fault. It was my own.
She then heard a thud. She turned around to see that Kion had tripped on some loose rocks and had fallen down a small hill.
The Guard turned to him. "Kion, you okay?" Fuli asked.
Kion's eyes were wide. He narrowed his eyes and growled. "Get away from me!" He snarled. He panted heavily, clutching his chest in his paws. He quietly wailed and began to thrash his hind legs.
Fuli rushed to him. "Kion," she soothed in the most comforting voice possible. "Calm down. Don't worry, we're all here. I'm here."
Kion's eyes were still wide with pain and fear. "My..." He sharply inhaled a breath and tears pricked his eyes. "Chest... hurting." He inhaled sharply again and squeezed his eyes shut. "A lot."
Fuli abruptly turned to Makini. "What's going on?!"
Makini dropped to her knees and put her ear to Kion's chest. "I don't know! I don't know!"
Fuli laid down next to Kion and stroked his chest with her forepaws in an attempt to soothe him. He inhaled sharply and more tears pricked his eyes. Fuli swiftly removed her paw, it must have hurt him.
Instead she pressed her cheek to Kion's. "Shhh," she murmured. "Calm down. It'll only get worse if you panic."
"Fuli's right," Makini agreed."
"Yeah," Ono agreed. "If you panic too much, do you even know what could-"
Fuli turned her head to face him. "Ono!" She hissed under her breath. "Not helping!"
She lowered her head once more and licked his forehead repeatedly in a soothing manner.
After what seemed like forever, the pain seemed to subside as Kion dared to breathe more often.
Fuli nuzzled him. "Kion-"
She was interrupted by Kion gagging. He turned his head away from her and continued to gag. Fuli and the Guard turned their heads away to avoid seeing what they knew was happening.
Once the gagging stopped, Fuli and the Guard looked at Kion once more, and they gasped in horror. The vomit wasn't normal vomit. It was blood.
"Kion!" They all gasped.
Makini was obviously trying to calm down. She appeared to be running the things Rafiki taught her in her head as she muttered things that related to healing.
"Should we get the Night Pride?" Beshte asked.
"No, they're not here. They're out patrolling outside the Pass making sure that Makucha, Chuluun, and Ora don't try to invade again, remember?" Fuli told him.
"Oh yeah," Bunga remembered.
Their attention snapped back to Kion when he moaned weakly. He looked up at them and managed a smile. "I'm okay," he tried to assure them, his voice breaking. "No need to worry."
Fuli looked at Beshte giving the 'he is definitely not okay' look. Without speaking, Fuli nodded at Beshte and lowered down to Kion. She gently grabbed his scruff in her teeth.
Kion quietly wailed. It's okay, it'll only be for a moment, she wanted to reassure -though struggling- lifted Kion onto Beshte. Kion grunted and moaned in pain.
Once Kion was on Beshte, the hippo and the rest of the Guard started walking to their sleeping spot.
"Do you think Kion will be okay?" She asked Beshte.
"I don't know Fuli," Beshte replied. "I don't know."
"But... he's gotta survive this," Fuli protested. "He fought so hard... He had the courage, loyalty, and strength of the whole Pride Lands. He couldn't have fought for all of that just to give up now."
"What if..." Beshte's voice dropped to a whisper. "What if he doesn't have a choice...?"