AN:
Jzak98 – oh, it'll all work out, eventually. The question is, whom for?
Willian – oh c'mon. Anyone can have a change of heart, can't they? That's the main question in this story. Can an evil lion become good? Can a good one become evil? And what does it take to change one's heart completely?
Chapter 7 – Serpents in the Dark
Under the cover of darkness, the Pridelands were much more foreboding than during the day. With the absence of light, the lavish pastelles were obscured, and each nocturnal sound seemed alarming and mysterious. Shadows danced on walls, and distorted shapes made dreadful thought appear in one's mind.
It was under the guise of night that a secret encounter was about to begin. An odd, nefarious creature slithered on, urged by a dark purpose, emitting a hissing sound. He tasted the air, feeling the scent of evil.
At last, they stood eye to eye, studying one another closely. The one before him was larger, yet the creature did not feel fear. He had all the reason to believe that their malevolent intentions were unanimous.
-So you've come – whispered the lion.
-Yesss, indeed – responded the serpent.
The reptile bowed slightly, and his interlocutor recognized him to be a cobra. A venomous, dangerous snake. He felt a slight burn in the old bite mark which disfigured his eye.
-How do I know that I can trust you? – the suspicious feline's question echoed in the night.
-You are the rightful king! – smirked the cobra. - We remember you, I and my kin. From years passst. It was usss who made you what you are.
-That is true… as is the fact that you've served me well before. What is your name?
-Elkanah – the snake bowed his head again. – I and my brethren are at your ssservice.
The lion nodded in acknowledgement.
-Good. Do you know what must be done?
-I am lissstening.
-We mustn't act too fast, or the others will grow suspicious. Yet there is one who knows too much. The royal mjuzi, the old mandrill Rafiki. He is away from the kingdom now, but you must ensure that he does not return.
-I have heard of hisss departure. The mandrill seeks a new bakora ssstaff. My kin shall know where to look for him.
-Excellent.
The cobra remained waiting, light reflecting from his completely black eyes. Finally, he asked the lion another question.
-What of Kovu's pride?
-Leave them in peace for now. I will tell you when to strike. We must remain patient, and deliver the killing blow when our enemies are most vulnerable.
A faint smile arched the serpent's lip.
-I am sure you know bessst when that time will come.
-I know my kingdom, Elkanah – the lion responded.
Then, the cobra departed from his presence.
Zira could not determine exactly which lioness from Vitani's Lion Guard was the traitor, but she encouraged her daughter to remain vigilant. Vitani wanted to race out of the crater and begin her search right away, but Kovu followed to stop her. Behind the siblings' backs, the ghosts of their parents observed their zeal with pride.
Kovu caught up with his sister on the slope of the volcano, seeing that the rising sun was already reddening the horizon. The enraged lioness sat down, panting, all the sorrow which she'd externalized for just a brief moment in the crater now gone, once again replaced by viciousness.
Her brother sat by her side, looking toward the distant Pride Rock.
-So – Vitani began after a while, clenching her fangs tightly – I guess there's no use looking for Simba anymore. Kion killed him, didn't he?
-I don't know that for sure, but it's likely – Kovu's voice was raspy and cold. – Scar told me that he also killed his mother, and a few other lions from the Night Pride…
Vitani pricked up her ears. She thought that nothing could shock her after what she'd witnessed, but this? The excess of emotion was already tiring her out.
-What? That must mean… that he doesn't possess the Roar anymore!
Kovu recognized what her intentions in saying this were.
-That may be true, but we still have to be careful. We've got to keep an eye on him, and wait till he leads us to the evidence mother spoke of.
-Ugh, and now we also have to worry about the traitor in the Lion Guard… - Vitani groaned. – I guess you were right about the girls!
-At least about one of them. Anyway, we'll watch your Lion Guard closely, too. Let's go.
They walked side by side, away from the volcano and back into their kingdom. It took a few minutes before Vitani expressed to her brother what was still bugging her about their situation.
-Kovu… All of this has been pretty insane. But do you really think that Scar and mother really had a change of heart? That what they're saying is… honest?
He could feel how hard it was for her to accept it all, even after her reconciliation with Zira. Still, he didn't blame her.
-I don't know what I believe anymore – Kovu responded, shuffling his paws heavily – but I know one thing. Kion has to be stopped.
After that, they went on without a word, seeing Pride Rock in the distance slowly bathed in the rays of the rising sun. A bird, hovering high above their heads, noticed the two, and swooped down to stand before the lion siblings. As he bowed before them, they recognized that it was Zazu.
-Kovu! Vitani! How splendid that I was finally able to locate you. The pride has been somewhat astir because of your sudden disappearance. Erm... may I inquire, where have the two of you been for so long?
The hornbill spoke rather uneasily. The siblings shared a look, and then Kovu delivered the curt response.
-We were doing our duty, what else? Simba has to be found.
Zazu cleared his throat, straightening to assume a more formal stance.
-Oh, yes! Naturally! Forgive me for asking, but… the queen has expressed her concern to me in this matter.
-Is Kiara well?
-Quite so, fortunately. I'm sure, however, that seeing you would strongly improve her mood…
-No – Kovu interrupted him rather suddenly, and then, reflecting himself, calmed his voice. – Tell Kiara I'm sorry, but there are things I have to take care of, first. We've got to speak with Kion. Have you seen him anywhere?
Zazu looked perplexed.
-I… assume he spent the night at the lair of the Lion Guard, as usual. The guardians and him went out into the savanna at dawn, though I had a feeling Kion was headed in a different direction than the lionesses.
Kovu gave him a nod.
-Thank you. Now go back to Pride Rock – the king gazed at the majordomo with serious emphasis, which the bird could not understand. – I want you to watch Kiara at all times, and make sure that there's at least one lioness there with you. But not from the Lion Guard.
-Is something… wrong? – Zazu inquired cautiously, squinting his eyes in fear.
-Everything is wrong! – Vitani cut into their conversation, and her words caused the hornbill's feathers to bristle.
-I don't know what it is, exactly – Kovu tried calming him down – but there's a danger lurking in the kingdom. Watch my mate. Understood?
Zazu puffed up his chest at once, demonstrating a dutiful salute.
-You have my promise! I will remain vigilant!
He was about to fly off, when Kovu halted him one more time.
-Zazu, make sure to keep your beak shut. I don't want to frighten Kiara.
The majordomo smirked delicately.
-Don't you worry, Kovu. I have a lot of experience in watching our queen… inconspicuously.
He flapped his wings, kicking up dust, and was gone in an instant. The siblings were left alone once more. Kovu noticed that his sister glared his way with that devious anticipation which reminded him so much of his mother.
-What now? – she asked.
-Now, we go to Kion. I think he owes us some answers.
-Yeah. Just don't press him too hard… yet. C'mon, we gotta find him, first. It's been ages since we hunted a lion!
They rushed onward side by side, as if during a real hunt. The tracks which led from the direction of Pride Rock were easy to find, and it indeed looked like Kion had departed from the presence of the four guardians at one point.
His paw prints directed them toward the lush foresty area of the kingdom, populous and busy at this time of year. The siblings determined that Kion was either still pretending to be on the search for Simba… or he had arranged some special meeting there. They followed his scent- the stink of a traitor.
It was Vitani who saw him first, quickly pulling her brother aside so as to not get spotted by the fallen Night Prider. They both knew they now needed to utilize their stalking tactics which they had learned in the Outlands. And there were no animals in Africa which could match Kovu and Vitani in that.
They followed him, obscured by the shadows of rocks and foliage, keeping their distance and making sure the wind wouldn't give away their scent. Oblivious to their presence, Kion walked confidently down the trails he had once patrolled routinely as the leader of the Lion Guard.
It appeared his trip didn't have one target in particular, but that he only interacted with animals on sight, calling them by their names. The Pridelanders were usually happy to see him, approaching their returning former defender with much more enthusiasm than they expressed to Kovu and Vitani. That roused the siblings' anger… as did Kion's sad expression as he accepted condolences for the death of his mother. If he was indeed himself responsible for that terrible crime, he was putting up a pretty good act in front of everyone he met. The pair of lions that followed him both thought of that with disgust.
He's rallying the Pirdelands to his side… - Kovu was becoming more and more sure of that in his mind. – He didn't come here to look for Simba.
For several hours, Kion visited the inhabitants of the Pridelands, interrogating them about things Kovu and Vitani were not able to hear exactly. It almost seemed like he wasn't doing anything suspicious… until, all of a sudden, he walked off the beaten track, vanishing from their eyes behind a bunch of rocks.
The siblings looked at one another. There was no one living in that place. Instantly, they knew they had to go after Kion, yet did not follow the same path. Instead, they climbed the rocky formation from the side, ascending to the top and leaping from ledge to ledge, observing the lion they hunted from above.
Kion halted in front of a pile of rubble, speaking to someone silently.
-Who's he talking to? – Vitani whispered.
-Don't know, can't see from here. Let's move to that shelf over there – Kovu responded, pointing toward a better vantage point.
Setting their paws carefully on the stone surface, the siblings moved over to get a better view. And once their eyes turned toward Kion again, they were able to now see clearly whom the lion came here to meet.
It was a snake.
Though they were too far to hear what was being talked about, new suspicions appeared in their minds, which seemed to have explained a lot. Visions of poison, of evil hiding in the night… of matricide on Pride Rock. Looking into one another's eyes, the brother and sister knew that they shared the same thoughts. But if that was true, if Kion had already stooped so low as to resolve to poisoning a member of his family… that meant that they had to be extra careful.
Kion finished his conversation with the snake, and each of them went their own ways. When they were sure that they were alone, Kovu and Vitani finally opened their mouths to speak.
-That was a cobra… - said the lioness.
-Yeah, I know – her brother answered.
-You know what that means.
-I do. We have to be as careful as possible… I'll catch Kion before he returns to Pride Rock. You keep an eye on your Lion Guard. Find them, and try to determine which one of them is the traitor. We need to have our eyes open at all times. I don't want any more unnecessary bloodshed.
Vitani nodded affirmatively, and took off to carry out her task. Squinting his eyes, feeling a growl of anger forming in his throat, Kovu jumped off the rocks from which he had been observing Kion, rushing in pursuit of the lion.
He found him not far away, seemingly getting ready for a hunt. Therefore, he hid in the grass, allowing the other lion to finish. When Kion finally got his kill, Kovu had to force himself to assume a casual tone in order to approach him, as acting natural was necessary for his interrogation.
After noticing his brother-in-law, Kion had no trouble greeting him with a smile, however.
-Kovu! Man, I haven't seen you in days! How's it going?
-I've been… busy – the lion blurted, avoiding eye contact. – What're you up to?
Kion seemed undisturbed.
-I've been talking to some friends here, but I didn't find out much. It's getting late, so I caught something for Kiara's dinner. She misses you, you know. She says you've been acting weird…
-I wish I'd have more time to spend with her, but we still have to find your father – Kovu spoke, observing Kion's reaction closely.
The other lion lowered his head, fixing his eyes at the dead antelope at his feet.
-Yeah… Thank you for doing that still…
-Still? – Kovu's voice had a note of astonishment in it. – What, do you think that your father can't be found?
-That's not what I meant! – Kion's eyes went wide. – I mean… I'm not saying I'm not grateful that you and the Lion Guard continue to look for him… It's just that I'm beginning to think that Kiara and I might eventually be forced to come to terms with the fact that Simba is gone.
He seems pretty sure of it – Kovu thought.
-Why do you still remain in the Pridelands, then? – he asked, obscuring the true extent of his suspicion.
Kion stammered.
-I… I think Kiara needs me to be there for her when we finally know for sure. She's starting to realise what the facts may be, too. I don't want to leave her now.
-But what about your family? What about the Tree of Life? – Kovu kept inquiring, gazing at the mark on his brother-in-law's right shoulder.
-Rani's taking care of everything. She's a good leader, she was queen before I even became her mate. The Tree of Life is a peaceful place. I'm more worried about the Pridelands.
He said those words without batting an eye, without his voice making the slightest change of tone. Kovu looked him in the face finally, and saw the scar that disfigured it. Could it be that the venom had corrupted him so much?
Kion looked back at him, and Kovu once again turned away.
-You know – he said – I've been wondering. Whatever happened to the members of your old Guard? You were always so close to them, it seems strange that you came here alone.
The other lion laughed half-heartedly.
-Hm, yeah, I guess so. But the guys are mostly settled by now, either back at the Tree of Life, or elsewhere. Fuli is raising her cubs with her mate, Azaad. Bashte dedicated himself to helping the sick animals in my kingdom. Ono has a girlfriend now too, apparently, but she made him relocate closer to the Pridelands… We were kind of concerned about Bunga, but from what I know, he's living in the jungle right now, and very happy about his new home.
Kovu couldn't believe Kion's words, no matter how convincingly they sounded. After hearing the other king's confession, he accepted the answer, though his eyes still remained squinty and suspicious.
Kion asked if there was anything else he wanted to know, and Kovu denied. His brother-in-law therefore wanted to take the prey he had caught and bring it to Kiara. But when Kovu heard that, he stood in Kion's way.
-No – he said a bit harsher than intended. – Allow me to do that for you… please. I think… I think she needs my presence now. I've been away from home for too long.
Hearing how pained his voice was, Kion agreed. Passing the prey to Kovu, he observed as the dark lion set out toward Pride Rock.
Left alone, Kion determined that, since he was deprived of food, the best thing he could do now would be to conduct another hunt. He got himself ready for that, hoping that the antelopes wouldn't be too mad with him for catching two of them in the same day.
What he didn't realize, however, was that, once again, it was him who was being hunted.
The lioness ran out of the bushes suddenly, startling him. Fortunately, he recognized her almost immediately, and knew for sure that her intentions were good. The alerted frown on her face startled him, however.
-Kion! Kion! – the female called his name as she ran up to him, her handsome blue eyes anxious.
-Imara! – Kion addressed the Lion Guard's strongest member, looking at her with concern. – What's wrong? Calm down!
In spite of his words, the lioness still seemed deeply concerned.
-Kion, Kovu and Vitani have been stalking you! I saw them on the rocks, when you were talking to the cobra!
Suddenly, the lion's expression changed. Apparently, he had cause for concern now, too.
-They were… stalking me? – he wondered. – But why would they do that? I thought they were busy looking for my father… Does that mean that Kovu lied to me? Hm, it seems that I have to be careful…
Snapping out of his contemplative stance, he looked at the lioness which stood before him.
-Thank you for telling me this, Imara.
The strongest guardian's face brightened up in a big smile.
AN: Elkanah is my own character who appears in several of my stories. I wonder if you can guess what his role is going to be here ;)
I am in the middle of relocating right now, so I can't really tell when I'm going to publish the next chapter. But I will continue, eventually, so please bear with me!