Chapter 2 – Whispers from the Past
Kion's return was like a bright ray of light shooting through the storm clouds. Seeing his brother-in-law, and remembering how capable he was while he had still been the leader of the Lion Guard, Kovu was beginning to think that, perhaps, he would be able to lead the search for Simba out of a state of impasse. Plus, it was also great to finally have another male around.
The members of his former pride surrounded Kion tightly, flooding him with questions. His mother still clung to him as if he were but a tiny cub in her grasp, although the king of the Night Pride had by now outgrown Nala significantly. Vitani's lionesses also noticed that… and admired it greatly. Kovu could see it by the glares in the females' eyes and their devious smiles. Kion, however, paid no attention to their exaggerated excitement. Rising from the ground, he crossed the border of his previous kingdom along with the others. It was time for him to return to Pride Rock.
As they walked through the Pridelands, the other animals, roused by the sight of such a large group of lions, gazed their way intently, and some began to recognize their one-time defender. Words of cordial greeting could be heard from all around, which Kion accepted with joy and gratitude. Rumors of his return spread like wildfire, and even Zazu swooped down from the sky in order to bow before the king's son, now a king himself. After they exchanged words of welcome, the majordomo set out for Pride Rock in order to announce his arrival.
Kion briefly explained to his friends what he had been up to in his new home, guarding the Tree of Life. He assured everyone that, though he missed his family, he was happy there, ruling peacefully by the side of Rani, his beloved queen. Together, they protected all the animals who came to that distant land from all over to find healing and safety.
Kovu had the feeling that the sound of Kion's voice was itself like a balm for the wounds of the lionesses, though he was also glad that things were going so well for his friend himself. Curious, he asked him if he knew how the other former members of his Lion Guard were doing. Kion responded that, though their ways had parted, all of them had also settled, and were happy in their new lives.
It seemed like this lion brought peace with him. Kovu could not wait for the fortunate guest to finally be reunited with his sister. Finally, he could see his pregnant mate's grief relieved at least a little.
Seeing Pride Rock in the distance, Kion halted, breathing in the familiar air with nostalgia. A double row of lionesses was already waiting for him to lead him to the top. As he walked past, greeting his former pridemembers, overjoyed to see them again, they bowed their heads before him. Zazu also stood there, sweeping the ground with his colorful feathers in a gesture of honor.
At last, Kion saw his sister. She lay at the entrance to the den, and her eyes already streaming with tears of joy. Kovu's heart trembled when he saw her smiling like that again, regaining the happiness she seemed to have lost so long ago.
-Kion… – she gasped, and her voice broke.
-Kiara! – responded the red-maned lion.
He ran up to her, but halted before hugging her too tightly, realizing the state she was in with astonishment.
-You look so much like dad now! – the princess, struggling not to sob, assessed his mature appearance, which was both a compliment, and an expression of her longing for Simba.
-We'll find him, I promise – Kion offered her a brief reassurance, surrounding the lioness carefully with his massive paw. – But, Kiara… You're pregnant!
She smiled, wiping away a tear.
-Yes… Yes I am.
Suddenly, Kovu felt a pinch of embarrassment as Kion pierced him with a sudden glare.
-What did you do to my sister? – he asked, jokingly.
Kovu fixed his eyes at the rocks at his paws, biting his lip awkwardly as everyone's attention focused on him. That only made Kion laugh even more.
-Heh-heh, just kidding! Why didn't you say anything? Congratulations, you two!
A bit relieved, Kovu nodded with acknowledgement.
Unsurprisingly, Kiara had lots of questions for her brother. Still, curbing her excitement for the time being, Kion explained to her that all of that could wait. The priority, and the main reason why he came here, was to find Simba.
Turning to face the rest of the pride, with Kiara and Nala at his side, Kion addressed everyone in a solemn tone, which was only slightly fogged by his own sorrow and uncertainty. His words, however, were as strong as those of his father. He assured everyone that he would do everything in his power in order to find the missing monarch. And, somehow, his listeners not only believed him, but also found a new hope that it was actually possible. Kovu saw the expressions on their faces, full of confidence. In terms of the old Pridelanders, that was understandable. But when it came to his own kin, he had not seen them like that since the days when they still followed Zira with complete devotion.
There was no time to lose, and for that reason, Kion immediately turned to Vitani.
-I trust that you and your Guard will help me in my search?
The lioness looked with respect at her predecessor, which was very rare for her, and gave him a gesture of affirmation.
-You bet.
-Good – Kion responded, changing his tone to a more professional one. - In that case, I need to know some things first. Tell me, where exactly…
And then he broke off, barely catching his mother as she swooned to the ground. A gasp of shock was heard all around.
-Mom! – exclaimed Kion, an adolescent cry of panic breaking through his otherwise mature voice. – What's wrong?!
The lioness smiled faintly, laying her head on the cool stone floor.
-It's nothing…. I'm just tired, that's all. Don't worry… about me.
There was still light in her blue eyes, yet it was evident that all of the day's stress had robbed her of every last bit of energy.
Her pride surrounded her with Kiara standing closest, right by her brother's side.
-She hasn't taken Simba's disappearance well… - explained the young lioness, her words once again filled with bitterness. – Go, I'll stay here with her.
Kion looked her way, and then back at Nala. It was evident that he did not want to leave his mother like that… but he had no choice. Reluctantly, he nodded.
Kiara then turned to her mate.
-Kovu. Go with Kion and Vitani, please.
He knew what had to be done. Unfortunately, there was little time for sentiment. Kion needed to be debriefed about the situation so that the hunt for Simba could be resumed as soon as possible. Thus, the celebration of Kion's return was cut short, and the Lion Guard set out into the savanna along with the two males.
-I see you've all been exercising – Kion offered the lionesses a veiled compliment, trying to loosen up the atmosphere. – I'm sure we can find just about anyone with such a fine rescue team. If we held our mashindano today, I'm pretty sure me and the old guys wouldn't stand a chance.
The females turned shyly from the lion's grin, giggling, though their leader remained focused.
-Well, we've done pretty badly until now – Vitani groaned, keeping her nose low as if constantly looking for a scent. – Actually, even with such a fine team, we haven't been able to find anything.
The smiles on the lionesses' faces melted away instantly.
-I'm… sorry to hear that – Kion responded, also loosing his mirth. – I'm sure you're doing your best. Which parts of the Pridelands have been examined already? Is there still any place you haven't looked in?
-The whole Pridelands have been searched five times over – Kovu chimed in after a moment of heavy silence, expressing the sad truth about their situation.
Kion's brow wrinkled as he racked his mind.
-Is that so, hm? Hevi kabisa… Well, what about the bordering territories, then? Has anyone looked in the Elephant Graveyard? Or the Outlands?
Suddenly, Kovu realized that he could not answer that question.
-I… don't know, actually. You'd have to ask Vitani. I don't usually take part in the search.
Kion then did something unexpected. He halted without warning, forcing the others to stop and turn to see what he was doing. Startled, Kovu saw an expression in the other lion's face which was quite strange. He could not tell if Kion was angry, or just very surprised.
-What do you mean you don't usually take part in the search?
The tone of his voice seemed irritated, as if he was accusing Kovu of something. The dark male stood a bit crestfallen by that unexpected expression of distrust. He was almost about to answer, but then his sister cut him off.
-Kovu's too busy – Vitani explained, still continuing to sniff the ground. – He takes care of Kiara and Nala. Someone has to stay with them at Pride Rock. He hunts for them, and sometimes even for us, as well.
To Kovu's relief, Kion's expression instantly turned to that of understanding.
-Oh – he nodded. – Okay, then. Very good.
Kovu didn't know if this meant that Kion still suspected that he may have not been as devoted to the king as the Pridelanders. He hoped it wasn't so, as fighting with Simba's son was the last thing he wanted right now. Still, he quickly let go of these gloomy thoughts, as his sister continued the debriefing.
-To answer your question, Kion, we still haven't gone out beyond the borders of the Pridelands - Vitani said. - Come to think of it, that's not a bad idea. I guess it's high time to broaden the area of the search since we weren't able to find anything here.
Kovu, who knew his sister well, understood that she wasn't very happy about the fact that it was Kion, not her, who though of that. She was only trying to distract herself by all the sniffing so that she wouldn't get angry about it.
-Do you girls want to do that, then? – Kion addressed the remaining members of the Lion Guard.
The lionesses nodded with an enthusiasm greater than even the one they would have expressed if it were Vitani who gave them the order.
-Great – Kion continued. - I know that fuming volcano doesn't look too inviting. Actually, I myself have bad memories about that place... Tell you what. How about you stay away from there for now? I know a leader of a hyena pack whom you can visit instead, and maybe pull some strings.
-Is her name Jasiri? – Vitani interjected, probably as to not seem like a total Lion Guard rookie.
-Yeah, that's the one! – the lion confirmed.
-We know who Jasiri is, we can go ask her a few questions. The hyenas move around a lot, perhaps they saw something suspicious? I sure hope king Simba didn't leave far away from his kingdom. But there is a chance that the hyenas know something, or at least know someone who knows – the lionesses spoke in a disordered choir of a brainstorm.
-Right. Let's head out, then – Vitani finally ended their monologuing, turning to Kion. – And what are your plans?
The lion sent her a reassuring grin.
-I still have a friend or two here in the Pridelands. I'll try to locate some of my old contacts. Hadithi the eagle, for example. Or maybe Dhahabu, the leader of the zebras. Who knows, maybe they'll know something?
Kovu's suspicious nature hinted to him that Kion was only saying this to show off. To him, it was obvious that if any of Simba's subjects knew anything about the king's whereabouts, they would immediately report it to the Lion Guard. But then again, he may have just been tired, and imagining things.
The two males said goodbye to Vitani and her lionesses, and got ready to go take care of their own business.
-So, where are you going to go now, Kovu? – Kion inquired.
-To the hunting grounds, and then back to Pride Rock. Kiara and Nala need to eat.
-Good.
A weird silence fell between them, as if they wanted to celebrate being in one another's company, but couldn't, for some reason. Suddenly, their eyes met, and they realized that both their faces were disfigured with similar scars. It was a strange realization, and both of them thought what that could mean. Or if it even meant anything.
Then, Kovu remembered he wanted to ask about something.
-Kion – he began, staring at his brother-in-law's maimed left eye.
-Yeah, what's up? – the golden-furred lion responded casually.
-I've been wondering. Who informed you about Simba's disappearance?
Kion bared his fangs in a grin.
-The birds – he offered a simple response. – I told you, I still got a lot of friends here. Are you ready to go?
Kovu hesitated. There was one more thing that needed to be said.
-Just a sec. First, I want to thank you for returning.
He nodded, and spoke seriously this time.
-No. It is I who have to thank you for taking care of my mother and sister. I cannot express how grateful I am, Kovu.
The dark lion smiled.
-How could I do otherwise?
-In that case, we're even. Now, run along. My sister likes wildebeest, especially the liver. I trust you can provide her with everything she needs.
Kovu responded with a smug grin of his own this time.
-Actually, she prefers antelope heart now that she's pregnant. But yeah, I can get that for her as well.
-I'm sure you can.
-See you later Kion. I hope you find your father soon.
-Yeah, me too – the king's son responded, and went on his way.
That day's hunt was much more successful than the previous one, and Kovu returned to Pride Rock with a bit more impressive prey. As his mate ate her dinner, lying by his side, she expressed to him just how happy she was because of Kion's return. Even Nala took some meat that evening, and though she was still too weak to talk, they saw a delicate smile which brightened her gaunt face.
By nightfall, the pride was back, informing everyone that the Lion Guard decided to sleep closer to the border of the Outlands, so that they could continue their search tomorrow. Kion laid himself to rest in the Guard's own lair, which was once his home, as well. Once again, Kovu was left with the duty of guarding Pride Rock. And though he had gotten used to that by now, still, as he gazed at the starry sky from the edge of the stony ledge, tired after a day's work and so much emotion, he became overcome with drowsiness.
He was roused by a sound which made him shudder. A faint whisper, somewhere in the dark, a low voice which he had never heard before in his life.
Finally, he recognized that the voice was calling his name.
Opening his eyes, he saw Pride Rock bathed in moonlight, yet there were no lions in sight. He realized that he was still dreaming, what made a shiver run down his spine yet again. He had never had good experience with dreams…
The voice continued to call him. Listening closely, he realized that it came from inside the den. Though reluctantly, he lifted himself up and, step by step, moved closer toward the dark void.
-Kovu – the voice spoke silently, a low weak rumble, as if coming from inside the earth.
When the lion finally stood face to face with the source of the sound, he saw nothing in particular. Only some shadows, dancing on the surface of the cave, obscured by the darkness of the night. And two green lights like fireflies, twirling in the wind. He wasn't sure if he should be afraid of them, or not.
-Kovu – he heard his name again.
-Who are you? – the question issued from his constricted throat, his mind still haunted by the nightmares of his past.
There was a pause, as if the voice gathered its strength to speak.
-This was my home… once. It is not well here… again. You… must listen.
-What is your name? – Kovu asked with more emphasis this time, not in the right mood for riddles.
Again, the voice paused, and then whispered-
-I am Askari.
Askari. The word was vaguely familiar in Kovu's mind. He heard of old legends, Pridelander stories from the distant past the sage Rafiki told to his sister about the origins of the Lion Guard. Askari was the name of it's first leader, a lion who died generations ago.
Kovu realized he was speaking to a ghost.
-What… do you want? – he stammered, trying as hard as he could to keep his composure.
The pause before the voice spoke was longer this time.
-To help… you.
-Do you know where Simba is? – the lion asked without hesitation. Yet that question seemed too much for the specter, who seemed to be barely able to keep himself in this world. Only after a long while did the fireflies shine with their green glow again.
-I can help you… find him. But first… you must listen.
By now, Kovu felt greatly disturbed. This dream did not seem right to him, for some reason. Yet this was the only possible hint he possessed that could aid him in ever finding the key. Thus, with enormous effort, he kept himself calm.
-What do you want to tell me? – he prompted the spirit to speak.
The two lights thew a green glow at the wall.
-The Pridelands… are in danger. If you do not… prevent it… there will be death. The kingdom… needs a king. Your mate… Simba's daughter… you must… tell her that.
-Tell her… what? – Kovu narrowed his eyes.
-Tell her… to make you king.
-What?! – the lion could not believe his ears. – It's Simba's who's still the king! I have no claim to the throne! That would be betrayal!
Another long pause.
-Are you not… Simba's heir? - whispered the spirit.
-Yes, but…
-The kingdom needs a king. And it must… be you.
-I cannot….
-LISTEN.
This time, the voice sounded more powerfully, amplified by the stone walls of the cave. Kovu stiffened, falling completely silent. The twirling fireflies had an almost hypnotic effect on him, and the ghost spoke again.
-The Pridelands… in grave danger. You must… prevent it.
-What is this danger? – he asked weakly, surprised by how faint his whisper was.
The voice waited, as if taking a long breath. Then, it spoke a word which stroke Kovu like lightning from the blue. It was something he would never suspect, what he would never even dare to think of.
-Kion.
Kovu turned his head in staunch denial.
-No. That's impossible!
He tried to outshout the voice, but it continued to speak, no longer outwardly, but inside him, echoing within the recesses of his mind.
-Listen to me. He is not what you think he is. The venom inside him, it never died out. You are all in grave danger. You must claim the throne, before it is too late.
-No, I don't believe it! Get out of my head, Askari! – Kovu screamed, closing his eyes. The green flames vanished, but the voice kept on speaking.
-He is not what you think he is. HE IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK HE IS. Listen to me, Kovu, or many will suffer. If you fail to heed my advice, you will see death. The Pridelands will continue to die, day after day, until you yourself prevent it from happening. Otherwise, nothing will be left. Only death.
Finally, Kovu couldn't take it anymore. He roared, and the dream ended instantly.
He woke up at Pride Rock, just before dawn, panting and with a racing heart. The nightmare may have been over… yet the blood-red horizon caused him to doubt whether what he had seen was merely a dream.
AN: Let us remember that Kion, just like Scar before him, got his scar by being bitten by a poisonous snake. We all know how that ended for his grand uncle. But what about Kion himself? Is it possible that he may have not been completely healed from the venom, and that his return to the Pridelands hides some sinister motive? Is the golden child more flawed that everyone thinks? A question for another time.
Thanks for all the support, guys!